384 FIELD AND FERN. 



got safely through Langholm without violating a 

 single bye-law. The road from there to Cannobie — 

 with thick nut-copses on one side_, the Esk 

 murmuring over rock and chasm on the other, 

 and the deep, silent shade over head — is one of the 

 sweetest sumaier rides in Scotland, and not a cheer- 

 less one in winter. The " Cross Keys" Hotel seemed 

 almost on English ground ; achesnut, with a species 

 of " Happy Tom" on a donkey at his side; called up 

 '^ Terrona^s" lecture of the overnight ; and the long 

 green Lomax holme across the river " marched with 

 Cumberland" at last. 



