edition, we
encamped on a little verdant mound, from the midst of which there welled
a spring of clear water scarce great enough to wash the hands in. We had
made our meal and lain down, but were not yet asleep, when a growl from
one of the collies set us on the alert. All three sat up, and on a
second impulse all lay down again, but now with our cudgels ready. A man
must be an alien and an outlaw, an old soldier and a young man in the
bargain, to take adventure easily. With no idea as to the rights of the
quarrel or the probable consequences of the encounter, I was as ready to
take part with my two drovers as ever to fall in line on the morning of
a battle. Presently there leaped three men out of the heather; we had
scarce time to get to our feet before we were assailed; and in a moment
each one of us was engaged with an adversary whom the deepening twilight
scarce permitted him to see. How the battle sped in other quarters I am
in no position to describe. The rogue that fell to my share was
exceedingly agile and expert with his weapon; had and held me at a
disadvantage from the first assault; forced me to give ground
continually, and at last, in mere self-defence, to let him have the
point. It struck him in the throat, and he went down like a nine-pin and
moved no more.

It seemed this was the signal for the engagement to be discontinued. The
other combatants separated at once; our foes were suffered, without
molestation, to lift up and bear away their fallen comrade; so that I
perceived this sort of war to be not wholly without laws of chivalry,
and perhaps rather to partake of the character of a tournament than of a
battle _a outrance_. There was no doubt, at least, that I was supposed
to have pushed the affair too seriously. Our friends the enemy removed
their wounded companion with undisguised consternation; and they were
no sooner over the top of the brae than Sim and Candlish roused up their
wearied drove and set forth on a night march.

"I'm thinking Faa's unco bad," said the one.

"Ay," said the other, "he lookit dooms gash."

"He did that," said the first.

And their weary silence fell upon them again.

Presently Sim turned to me. "Ye're unco ready with the stick," said he.

"Too ready, I'm afraid," said I. "I am afraid Mr. Faa (if that be his
name) has got his gruel."

"Weel, I wouldna wonder," replied Sim.

"And what is likely to happen?" I inquired.

"Aweel," said Sim, snuffing profoundly, "if