The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

The Highland Mo7ithly.
In those days, be it remembered, important holdings
fell vacant only on rare occasions, for the son of the family
in possession always succeeded to the tack as a matter of
course, while, according to the ideas then prevalent, no one
without land in freehold or leasehold conld carry his head
respectably high in a countryside. Many, therefore, were
the longing thoughts cherished for any farm which might
be expected to come into the market, and proportionally
great the disappointment of those who were unsuccessful in
their application for it.
" Well do I know," said Teviot, " that the Bailie bears
me no good will, but Duncan, who proposed that I should
take the place at first, will see that I am not disturbed in
its possession. He still holds a bond over the stock for
part of the price. But while God spares him in life, and
I can pay the interest, that will never trouble me. Indeed,
should the coming tryst hold up, the profits of this year
would enable me to begin the new lease with a clear
balance-sheet. The other day I sent forward a drove of
over three hundred black cattle—stots and queys, all told
and paid for, too. But my own mind tells me that you are
right in what you say and advise ; should that evil day,
which is not unexpected, come sudden, I might bid good-
bye to Glenbeltane."
Perhaps so," said Dell, " but I would not give much
lor the Bailie's chances after all. The estates here are so
overburdened with debt that they are likely soon to slip
through the fingers of old Drumblankit and his spendthrift
son. It is lucky for Lady Duncairn that she has Berrybush
Hall in her own right, and lucky for you, Mark Teviot, to
have been born under that hill."
" Berrybush Hall," repeated Glenbeltane, thoughtfully,
dwelling with evident satisfaction upon the name, " Berry-
bush Hall, nae wonder though Duncairn likes to live there
best. Whiles I wish that I never left it. Were the stock
of Glenbeltane there I were a richer and happier man to-
day, or were Duncairn and his lady in their castle here I