Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog Oscar (3).pdf/12

 not always choose that a vagrant boy and his great dog should sleep with them.

It was on a rainy night, at the close of harvest that Duncan came to my father’s house, I remember all the circumstances as well as those of yesterday. The whole of his clothing consisted only of one black coat, which having been for a fullgrown man, hung fairly to his heels; the hair of his head was rough, curled, and weather beaten; but his face was ruddy and beautiful, bespeaking a healthy body and a sensible feeling heart. Oscar was still nearly as large as himself, had the colour of a fox, with a white stripe down his face, and a ring of the same colour round his neck, and was the most beautiful colley I have ever seen. My heart was knit to Duncan at the first sight, and I wept for joy when I saw my parents so kind to him. My mother in particular, could scarcely do any thing else than converse with Duncan for several days. I was always of the party, and listened with wonder and admiration: and often have these adventures been repeated to me. My parents, who soon seemed to feel thothe [sic] same concern for him as if he had been their own son, clothed him in blue drugger, and bought him a smart little Highland bonnet; in which dress he looked so charming, that I would not let them have peace until I got one of the same. Indeed, all that Duncan said or did was to me a pattern, for I loved him as my own life. I was, at my own request, which hohe [sic] persuaded me to urge, permitted to be his bed-fellow, and many a happy night and day did I spend with Duncan and Oscar.

As far as I remember, we felt no privation of any kind, and would have been completely happy, if it had not been for the fear of spirits. When the conversation chanced to turn upon the Piper of