, 1865-10-06
The Highwayman.

The "Scottish Highlands y whichin the fierce
and turbulous days of old sent armed clans of
warriors to every battle field, now, in this weak
and piping time of peace, pour fourth innumer-
able herds of cattle, to perish between the insa-
table jaws of the proud Southron. AT the
proper season, on a set day, the stock is driven
in from all the surrounding region to some ap-
pointed place. and herdsmen are selected to ac-
company the different portions into which the
drove is divided So far all is plain sailing,
calling for the display OfnO considerable amount
of skill, but the cattle from a thousand hills are
gathered together, a competent chief is required
to conduct the four footed army on its march
across the border. This person must be a man.
"All are not men who wear the human FORM y
etc H. must be one in whom the owners have
the utmost confdence-honest, brave and skill
full. The "top man, y as he is called, is respon-
sible for everything; he directs all the move
ments, gives the signal when to move or when to
halt, is always busy-now in front and then in
the rear, and is consulted by his subordinates in
all difficulties. He knows the safest road over
the widest tracts; the mountain and the moor
are as familiar to him the beaten path; he
prefers the green sward way, which is pleasant
to the hoofs of his charge and affords them a
mouthful to the hard and dusty road which
distresses the feet of his cattle and has little in
the way of feed
English parties on their way North, to look at
the deer and trace the scenes of Scott or of Os-
sian, are often startled by a drove emerging
from glen, or rounding the base of noun
tain, coming lowing along, urged or directed
by their drivers, who, with wallet on back
and staff in hand, are conducting them to the
South.
Besides all the cares and duties while on the
march, the topman has to make all the bargains
dispose of all the cattle, and be responsible for
their value to the owners. Such person must
evidently be a whole man-and just exactly such
a man was Kenneth Murdock the hero Of our
sketch
1t was bright, cloudless Autumn day that
Kenneth, astride powerful horse, with big
broad sword clanking against his saddle, and
strong, fierce wolf hound at his side, was push
ing his way northward to the border. He had
Just disposed, in one of the English markets, Of
one of the largest droves that ever left the High
lands, and with the proceeds of the sale was
Mastering h6meward IN advance of his compan-
ions; for besides his desire 20 account to his
employees, there was certain Maggie that he
had promised, in case the cattle sold readily
and well, to transfer into Mrs. Murdock, and be
was therefore very anxious to get on as fast as
possible, for he knew that Maggie was equally
impatient to behold him-as well she might be;
for handsomer, broad shouldered, curlier-
whiskered young fellow is not often seen
His way lay across solitary part of the coun-
try, and for several hours he had seen no living
creature than his dog and his horse but as he
emerged from a little wood that bOrdered the
highway, he perceived, a short distance before
him, a well dressed, arstocratic looking gentle
man, upon noble black charger, advancing in
the same direction with himself
"A fine day, master drover,' said the gentle
man as he drew up abreast Of him.
Fine as a fiddle, returned Kenneth,
1OnacOpoa road This continued the stran-
ger, 'and I am by no means sorry to have met
with a companion
1T is a solitary bit of travel for sociable lad
assented Kenneth and they fell into pleasant
conversation, which continued for some time
At length the stranger, who had been talking of
the martial spirit of the Highanders, remarked:
'As brave as you Hghlanders are, wonder
how yOu dare to traverse the country alone with
so much English gold as you drOvers generally
have in your pockets
Pooh = calculated Kenneth, contemptuousiy;
five have English gold in our sporian, we have
Scottish steel in the sheath
"A good broad sword is friend, said the
stranger, but pistol is far quicker.
AYE, but pistol may miss fire, the flint may
slip or the ball may 60 wide, and then what is
the good oft? No, no; give me the good steel,
that's always ready, and am afraid Of no
highwayman in the land
Not even the renowned Captain Gordon, who
is said to be somewhere in this vicinity' said
the stranger in bantering tone.
That for Captain Gordon, returned Kenneth,
swapping his fingers, and Just touching the hilt
of his sword; with Andrew Farrara here, and
Bran there, nodding to the huge wolf-hound be-
side him, I'D not fear to meet him this minute,
or to spit in his face anywhere
What = exclaimed the other, in tone so ez-
pressive of doubt as to be offensive, lis your
sword a real Farrara2 Such blades are scarce.
do you doubt my word2 asked Kenneth,
sharply,