1840-41. A TWENTY MILES' WALK. 251 



about two miles we came to a place where two roads crossed, 

 leaving us three routes to choose among. No effort of remem- 

 brance could enable either of us to recollect the right way ; and 

 after reproaching James, we agreed to take what turned out to 

 be by far the longest road, by at least three miles. There was 

 no house or person near to ask at, and we had the mortification 

 this morning to find that, had we asked at the first farm-house 

 we came to after our dilemma, we might have got across a field 

 into the right road, and saved our legs a weary stretch ; as it 

 was, we wandered through fields and over farms, and at last 

 reached our destination, having been on the road from eleven 

 till six o'clock. We were most warmly welcomed at a beautiful 

 farm -house ; got a most hearty dinner- tea, and, as the folks had 

 not seen candles for several months, after a dose of the ever- 

 lasting toddy, we got off to bed at nine o'clock. Here, however, 

 our troubles did not end, for though they swore that the bed had 

 once held two Stirling bailies, we found it too small for us. 

 The whole night was spent in a battle between us and the bed- 

 clothes ; the clothes determined to be down on the floor, and we 

 as determined to have them lying on us. I am sure I awoke 

 a dozen times, it being my office as occupant of the front of the 

 bed to pull the sheets and blankets up, and James instinctively 

 gave a grunt, and pulled them over to his side. I slept little, 

 but as we lay nearly twelve hours in bed, we were quite re- 

 freshed and nimble next morning, though we did not know 

 what lee to tell, when we were asked whether we had slept 

 soundly or not. Last night was a repetition of the same 

 manoeuvre, but as we employed ourselves speculating on the 

 way in which two famously fat bailies had lain there, the time 

 passed away pleasantly enough. My pen wearies to be done, 

 ashamed of its performance, else would I tell you how we went 

 to Muthil, and visited E. T., and how we saw old Jean Scott, 

 and I smoked a pipe with the ancient, witch-like, doited body, 

 and how in the evening W T C took tea with Minister Walker. 

 This morning we walked home again in a bright beautiful sunny 

 day, and did not lose our way. We looked in at Mr. Abernethy 

 at the Bridge of Allan, and as he was at dinner, he insisted on 

 our staying, which we did." 



