ng some time in negotiating with more than one of the
neighbouring farmers, who could not; or would not, afford the
accommodation desired, Henry Wakefield at last, and in his necessity,
accomplished his point by means of the landlord of the alehouse at
which Robin Oig and he had agreed to pass the night, when they first
separated from each other. Mine host was content to let him turn his
cattle on a piece of barren moor, at a price little less than the
bailiff had asked for the disputed inclosure; and the wretchedness of
the pasture, as well as the price paid for it, were set down as
exaggerations of the breach of faith and friendship of his Scottish
crony. This turn of Wakefield's passions was encouraged by the
bailiff, who had his own reasons for being offended against poor Robin,
as having been the unwitting cause of his falling into disgrace with
his master, as well as by the innkeeper, and two or three chance
guests, who stimulated the drover in his resentment against his quondam
associate--some from the ancient grudge against the Scots, which, when
it exists anywhere, is to be found lurking in the Border counties, and
some from the general love of mischief, which characterises mankind in
all ranks of life, to the honour of Adam's children be it spoken. Good
John Barleycorn also, who always heightens and exaggerates the
prevailing passions, be they angry or kindly, was not wanting in his
offices on this occasion; and confusion to false friends and hard
masters was pledged in more than one tankard.

In the mean while, Mr. Ireby found some amusement in detaining the
northern drover at his ancient hall. He caused a cold round of beef to
be placed before the Scot in the butler's pantry, together with a
foaming tankard of home-brewed, and took pleasure in seeing the hearty
appetite with which these unwonted edibles were discussed by Robin Oig
M'Combich. The squire himself, lighting his pipe, compounded between
his patrician dignity and his love of agricultural gossip, by walking
up and down while he conversed with his guest.

"I passed another drove," said the squire, "with one of your countrymen
behind them; they were something less beasts than your drove, doddies
most of them; a big man was with them--none of your kilts though, but a
decent pair of breeches. D'ye know who he may be?"

"Hout aye, that might, could, and would be Hughie Morrison; I didna
think he could hae peen sac weel up. He has made a day on