94 DEER-STALKING. CH. XXV. 



lowing Malcolm's example, I took off my cap, and 

 sat down on a chest in the room, and though of 

 course not understanding a word of what was read, 

 instead of being inchned to smile at the peculiar 

 twang and bagpipe-like drawl with which the old 

 man read, I was struck by the appearance of real 

 devotion and reverence of the whole group, and 

 looked on with feelings of interest and respect till he 

 came to the end of a somewhat lengthy chapter. This 

 finished, the old man, resting his head on his hands, 

 which his long grey hair entirely covered, uttered 

 a short prayer in the same language. The moment 

 this was done he handed the Bible to his daughter, 

 who, wiping it with her apron, deposited it in a 

 chest. I was then received with great kindness, 

 and preparations were made for Malcolm's and 

 my supper, which consisted of tea, oatcake, eggs, 

 and some kippered trout, caught in a stream run- 

 ning out of the large loch, and which when alive 

 must have weighed at least twelve pounds: such 

 cream and milk, too, as is met with, or at any 

 rate enjoyed, only in the Highlands. With great 

 discretion the old people talked to me but little 

 during the meal, seeing that I was tired and 

 hungry ; but over the glass of capital toddy which 

 succeeded the tea I had many a question to answer 

 respecting the killing of the stag, &c. The old lady 



