The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-27
HIGHLAND DROVERS.

The hills and Wales of the interior highlands
which in rougher times sent out, under Ora
ham or Cameron, bands of armed men, now
in the season, pour forth the herds OF cattle
which they rear to the eager markets OF Eng
land, where a savoury mouthful Is ever wei
come The cattle which from the drove are
gathered together on set day, and at an ap-
pointed place-the foot Of mountain, the side
Of lake, or near castle or in the neighbor-
hood of village, or, more likely still, battle
field herdsmen are selected 10 conduct the dlffe-
rent portions into which the drove is divided,
while over all confidential person, a sort of
chief topsmdn, as he is called in the lowands,
presides, who directs all the movements, makes
all the bargains, and is responsible 10 the owners
for the profits.
This person, the topsman, gives the order-a
signal generally, when TO move or halt. He is
always busy, now in the front, and then in the
rear, and is consulted by his subordinates in all
difficulties He knows the safest roads over the
widest tracks. Shapfell is as well known to
him as Shehallion. He prefers the greensward
way, which is pleasant 10 the hoots OF his char
ger and affords them mouthtul, TO the hard and
dusty public road, which distresses the feet OF
his cattle, and has little in the way of food. En-
gsh parties on their way to the north TO look at
the wild deer and wild hills and trace the scenes
of Scott or of Ossan, are often startled by a
drove emerging from glen or rounding the base
of mountain, coming lowing along, urged or
directed by their drivers, who with wallet on
back, and staff in hand are conducting them to
the south.
These topsmen are now generally paid for
their labor and trust but in days not yet distant
the highland proprietor accompanied his drove
to the south, and with his profit in his sporran,
returned TO his mountains Ii is said that one
of those dealers, while on his way back to the
border, was Joined on the high road by a we'll
dressed and civil gentleman, who, while he talk
ed of the martial spirit of the hlghlanders, Won
dered how they dared to traverse the land with
so much gold in their pockets Z" Yes" replied
the highlander, ''but if we have English gold
in the sporran, we have scottish steel in the
sheath. and"-touching the hilt Of his sword as
he spoke" with Andrea Ferrara here and Bran
there nodding to strong, fierce wolf-hound
beside him, 81 am afraid Of no hlghwayman in
the land" "What" exclaimed the other, ''and
is your sword a real FaIrara Such blades are
scareen on shall Judge, sir" said the highland
or, unsheathinI his sword and pointing TO the
makers name and the date. at is as you say, y
replied the other, and poised il in his hand, like
man about TO weigh the weapon, rather than
admire it. take il by the hilt, man. said the
Scot, sharply, I" there's a right end and wrong
in all things" The Engllshman seized it by
the hit, took sudden stride forward aud strik
ing the head from poor Bran, turned 10 the other
and said, " Y our money or your life! J on see
that even highlander may be matched. The
highlander saw refusal was death, and resistance
hopeless, and delivering up his sporran, said
who will believe il in Breadalbane that with
such good dog, and such an arm at the sword,
| an English fool had robbed me RI Oh rcst you
easy on that head said the robber, sarcssticaly
! sfor have fooled better men than you besides,
| intend to bestow a token on you, TO show that
! you were robbed by main force Lay down