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52. Na, naething confuses me, unless it be a screed o' drink at an orra time. Besides, I behooved to be round the hirsel this morning, and see how the herds were coming on—they're apt to be negligent wi' their foot-balls, and fairs, and trysts, when ane's away. And there I met wi' Tam o' Todshaw, and a whin of the rest of the billies on the water side ; they're a' for a fox-hunt this morning,— ye'll gang? I'll gie you Dumple, and take the brood mare my sell."

"But I fear I must leave you, Mr Dinmont."

"The fiend a bit o' that–I'll no part wi' you at ony rate for a fortnight mair—Na, na; we dinna meet sic friends as you on a Bewcastle moss every night."

Brown had not designed his journey should be a speedy one; he therefore readily compounded with this hearty invitation, by agreeing to pass a week at Charlies-hope.