2i8 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



dunna ken, but I think he was English. Sir Walter 

 gaed out to tak a walk, and cried to me to follow 

 him. When we war joost gaen up near to the turn 

 before we cum to the Boor,* Pepper and Finnet were 

 hunting the woods, and Maida was gaen ahint us ; 

 and, to my great astonishment, when I lukit a wee 

 piece among the trees, Di, who was wi' me, war 

 standing, and pit out her muckle tail like the handle 

 of a cleik. Or ever I wishes, out gets a dirty beast 

 of a hare, and bangs right on to the walk afore us. 

 Sir Walter and the other man war going side by 

 side ; or ever I kent, Maida pit his muckle nose 

 past me, when Pepper barkit, and set up his great 

 lugs ; and as the gentleman walked rather wide at 

 the knee, he saw the hare through atween his legs, 

 and made a great brush all at aince, and lifted 

 him off his feet. The gentleman, thinking he was 

 going to fa', cotched a firm grip o' Maida's rough 

 hair as he sat strid legs on his back. Maida wanted 

 to follow Pepper, and rin awa wi' him aboot thirty 

 yards, when he coupit him off, and he fell owr the 

 brae among the bushes on the under side o' the 

 walk ; and Sir Walter gie a laugh ; and I cudna 

 behave mysel ava, for I was nearly fawd doon wi' 

 laughing too. Hey, mon, I never was so takken 

 by the face in aw my life ; and when the gentleman 

 got up, his breeks were riven at the knee ; and 

 when he cam out from among the bushes, he lookit 

 sae soor, that Sir Walter turned round and flate 

 on me for laughing ; but if I was to dee for it, I 

 cudna help it ; and Sir Walter turned his back to 



* A moss house or rustic seat. 



