larly, but sparingly, every night and morning. His dirk, or
skene-dhu (i.e. black knife), so worn as to be concealed beneath the
arm, or by the folds of the plaid, was his only weapon, excepting the
cudgel with which he directed the movements of the cattle. A
Highlander was never so happy as on these occasions. There was a
variety in the whole journey which exercised the Celt's natural
curiosity and love of motion; there were the constant change of place
and scene, the petty adventures incidental to the traffic, and the
intercourse with the various farmers, graziers, and traders,
intermingled with occasional merry-makings, not the less acceptable to
Donald that they were void of expense; and there was the consciousness
of superior skill: for the Highlander, a child amongst flocks, is a
prince amongst herds, and his natural habits induce him to disdain the
shepherd's slothful life, so that he feels himself nowhere more at home
than when following a gallant drove of his country cattle in the
character of their guardian.

Of the number who left Doune in the morning, and with the purpose we
have described, not a glunamie of them all cocked his bonnet more
briskly, or gartered his tartan hose under knee over a pair of more
promising spigs (legs), than did Robin Oig M'Combich, called familiarly
Robin Oig, that is, Young, or the Lesser Robin. Though small of
stature, as the epithet Oig implies, and not very strongly limbed, he
was as light and alert as one of the deer of his mountains. He had an
elasticity of step which, in the course of a long march, made many a
stout fellow envy him; and the manner in which he busked his plaid and
adjusted his bonnet argued a consciousness that so smart a John
Highlandman as himself would not pass unnoticed among the Lowland
lasses. The ruddy cheek, red lips, and white teeth set off a
countenance which had gained by exposure to the weather a healthful and
hardy rather than a rugged hue. If Robin Oig did not laugh, or even
smile, frequently, as indeed is not the practice among his countrymen,
his bright eyes usually gleamed from under his bonnet with an
expression of cheerfulness ready to be turned into mirth.

The departure of Robin Oig was an incident in the little town, in and
near which he had many friends, male and female. He was a topping
person in his way, transacted considerable business on his own behalf,
and was entrusted by the best farmers in the Highlands, in preference