CH. XXV. MEET THE SHEPHERD. 91 



ground with which I was not very well acquainted. 

 I had not gone a quarter of a mile, however, when 

 I saw the shepherd himself making his way home- 

 wards. I gave a loud whistle to catch his attention, 

 and, having joined him, I took him back to show 

 the exact place where the stag was lying, in order 

 to save myself the trouble of returning the next 

 day. Malcolm was rather an ally of mine, and his 

 delight was great at seeing the stag. 



" 'Deed, aye. Sir ; it 's just the muckle red stag 

 himsel' ; mony a time I 've seen the bonny beast. 

 Save us ! how red his pile is !" 



" Yes, he is a fine beast, Malcolm ; and you must 

 bring your grey pony for him to-morrow. I must 

 have the head and one haunch down to the house : 

 take the rest to your mother ; I dare say she can 

 salt it." 



I knew pretty well that this good lady must 

 have had some experience in making red deer hams, 

 unless Malcolm was very much slandered by his 

 neighbours ; nevertheless he had promised me not 

 to poach on my ground, and knowing that I trusted 

 quite to his honour, I believe that he neither did so 

 himself nor allowed any one else to do so. 



" You are ower good, your Honour; and the 

 mither will be glad of a bit venison ; it 's a long 

 time now since I killed a deer." 



