, to
accomplish the task by divesting himself of jacket, stockings, and
shoes, and pulling the boat over all such shallow and rocky places
(including the weir at Blantyre Mills, where the renowned African
missionary and explorer, Dr. Livingstone, worked in his boyhood), until
he reached the bridge on the river between Hamilton and Motherwell, a
distance of eleven miles or more from Glasgow in a straight line, and
much more following the numerous bends of the river. Here he made the
boat secure and proceeded home, a distance of a mile, very tired and
ravenously hungry. The great drawback to his satisfaction in this feat
was his fear of the displeasure the boat-owner might feel at his not
having returned the same night, and the rough usage to which he had
subjected the boat in hauling it over the rocky places. He was much
delighted, when he arrived with the boat down the river during the day,
to find that the man was rather pleased than otherwise at his plucky
exploit, telling him that he only remembered it being attempted once
before.

'During part of the time James attended college at Glasgow University,
the classes were at so early an hour that he could not take advantage of
the railway, and so had to walk in the whole way. This was an anxious
time for his mother, who was ever most particular in seeing to the
household duties herself, and always careful that her children should
have a substantial breakfast when they went from home. I remember some
of those winter mornings. Amidst the bustle of making and partaking of
an early breakfast so as to be on the road in time, mother would press
him to partake more liberally of something she had thoughtfully prepared
for him; he would ejaculate: "Can't take it--no time!" and if she still
insisted he would add in a solemn manner: "_Mother_, what if the door
should be shut when I get there?" which, being understood by her as a
scriptural quotation, was sufficient to quench her solicitations.

'To avoid the worry of getting up so early, it was decided after a time
that he should take advantage of an unlet three or four apartment house
in a tenement which belonged to father in Cumberland Street, Glasgow. So
a couple of chairs, table, bed, and some cooking-utensils were got
together, and James entered into possession, cooking his own breakfast,
and getting his other meals there or outside as his fancy or inclination
prompted. Here I think he enjoyed himself very much. He had plenty