Page:Stories of the two drovers and Countess of Exeter.pdf/9

 had gone the day before upon a journey of some miles’ distance to the northward, the bailiff chose to consider the check upon his full powers as for the time removed, and concluded that he should best consult his master’s interest, and perhaps his own, in making an agreement with Harry Wakefield. Meanwhile, ignorant of what his comrade was doing, Robin Oig, on his side, chanced to be overtaken by a well-looked smart little man upon a pony, most knowingly hogged and cropped, as was then the fashion, the rider wearing tight leather breeches, and long-necked bright spurs. This cavalier asked one or two pertinent questions about markets and the price of stock. So Donald, seeing him a well-judging civil gentleman, took the freedom to ask him whether he could let him know if there was any grass-land to be let in that neighbourhood, for the temporary accommodation of his drove. He could not have put the question to more willing ears. The gentleman of the buckskins was the proprietor, with whose bailiff Harry Wakefield had dealt, or was in the act of dealing. “Thou art in good luck, my canny Scot,” said Mr Ireby, to have spoken to me, for I see thy cattle have done their day’s work, and I have at my disposal the only field within three miles that is to be let in these parts.” “The drove can pebe [sic] gang two, three, four miles very pratty well indeed——” said the cautious Highlander; put what would his honour pebe [sic] axing for the beasts pebe [sic] the head, if she was to tak the park for twa or three days?” We wont differ, Sawney, if you let me have six stots for winterers, in the way of reason.” “And which peastsbeasts [sic] would your honour pebe [sic] for having?” “ Why——let me see——the two black——the dun one——yon doddy, him with the twisted horn--the brocket—— How much by the head?” “Ah,” said Robin, “your hone our is a shudge——a real shudge——I couldna have set off the pest six peastsbeasts [sic] petterbetter [sic] mysell, me that ken them as if they were my pairnsbairns [sic], puir things.” “ Well, how much per head, Sawney,” continued Mr Ireby. “It was high markets at Doune and Falkirk,” answered Robin.