The times., 1893-02-17

contented with my lodging, but with
myself for my mismanagement of Neil,
and thought could hardly be worse ofl.
Early in rly next days journey o. ar-
took little stout, solemn man walking
very slowly, with his toes turned Ous,
sometimes reading in book and some-
times marking the place with his finger,
and dressed decently and plainly in
something of clerical style.
This found to be another catechist,
but of different order from the blind
man of Null, being indeed one of those
sent out by the Edinburgh Society for
Propagating Christian knowledge to
evangelize the more savage places of the
highlands. His name was Henderland.
He spoke with the broad south country
tongue, which was beginning to weary
for the sound of, and besides common
countryship we soon found we had "a
more particular bond of interest, for my
good friend, the minister of Essendean,
had translated into the Gaelic in his by
time o number of hymns end pious
books which Henderland used in his
work and held in great esteem. Indeed
it was one of these he was carrying and
reading when we met.
We fell in company at once, our ways
lying together as far as to Kingairloch.
AS we went he stopped and spoke with
all the wayfarers and workers that we
met or passed, and though of course |
could not tell what they discoursed
about, yet l judged Mr.. Henderland
must be well liked in the countryside,
for observed many Of them to bring
out their mulls and share a pinch of
snuff with him.
told him as far in my affairs as |
judged wise-as far, that is, as they
were none of Alan's-and gave Balachu,
lish as the place l was travelling to, to
meet friend, for / thought Aucharn, or
even Duror, would be too particular and
might put him on the scent.
On his part, he told me much of his
work and the people he worked among,
the hiding priests and Jacobites, the dis
arming act, the dress and many other
curiosities Of the time and place. He
seemed moderate, blaming parliament
in several points, and especially because
they had framed the act more severely
against those who wore the dress than
against those who carried weapons.
This moderation put it in my mind to
question him of the Red Fox and the
Appin tenants-questions which, 1
thought, would seem natural enough in
the mouth of one travelling to that coun-
try.
He said it was bad business. Its
wonderful" said he, "where the tenants
find the money, for their life is mere
starvation. (Ye don't carry such a
thing as snuff, Go We, Mr.. Balfour? No.
Well, I'm better wanting it.) But these
tenants, as was saying, are doubtless
partly driven to it. James Stewart in
Duror Chats him they call James of the
Glens) is half brother to Ardshiel, the
captain of the clan and he is man
much looked up to and drives very hard.
And then there's one they call Alan
Breck"-
"Ah," cried l, "what OF him?'
"What Of the wind that bloweth
where it listeth?' said Henderland.
"Hes here and ava, here today and
might be glawering at the two of us out
of yon whinbush, and / would nae Won
der! Yell nae carry such q thing as
snuff, will ye?'
tC.d him no, and that he had asked
the same thing more than once.
cts highly possible" said he, sigh.
ing. "But it seems strange ye should
nae carry it. However, as l was saying,
this Alan Brecll is a bold, desperate Gus.
toner, end well kent to be James right
hand. His life is forfeit already; he
would boggle at naething, and maybe
if a tenant body was to hang back he
would get dirk in his wame."
"You make poor story of it all, Mr..
Henderland,V said l. IF it is all fear
upon both sides care to hear no more
Of IT"
TO BE CONTINUED,
A