The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

ON
Scenes of Long Aoo. 349
SCENES OF LONG AGO.
[all rights keskkvkd by the atthor.]
IV. -THE TRYST OF TEITH MUIR.
the short and mirky afternoon of a day so late in
harvest that the rigours of winter ah-eady began to
prevail, Mark Teviot rode homewards from the Churchyard
of Duncairn accompanied by his friend and neighbour, the
tacksman of Dell.
They had been attending a funeral ; and, as their way
lay for five or six miles in the same direction, they mounted
and rode off together, leaving the greater part of the
company still toasting the memory of the deceased over his
newly closed grave. Macbride, of Dell, would, I believe,
willingly have remained much longer to assist in those
exhilarating obsequies, for he was a man of an easy
disposition, and fond of all good fellowship ;
but
Teviot,
who exercised considerable influence over him, insisted
upon an instant departure.
As the country over which they passed consisted of hard,
flat moorland, covered with scrubby heather, they were
enabled conveniently to bring their horses alongside of each
other, and to engage in conversation ; albeit, Glenbeltane
seemed to his friend more silent and absent-minded than
usual. Times were bad, but it was not only the state of the
markets that involved the good old man in worry and con-
cern, causing him to lower his eyebrows and to compress
his lips. Before the long ride to Glenbeltane comes to an
end in these pages we shall know the whole matter and
occasion of his anxieties. Meantime, however, we shall
lea\-e the two to pursue their journey for some miles or two
alone ;
forasmuch as the moorland is monotonous, and their