The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

42
o
The His;hland MontJily.
though the dealers who came to buy admitted as much,
the highest prces they offered would not nearly repay
Glenbeltane for his outlay. About mid-day, all
lingering hopes of improved demand had to be
abandoned. After that, business proceeded, and droves
began to change hands at reduced rates, all over
the tryst. It was in these circumstances, that Mark Teviot
disposed of the herd upon which he had built such hopes.
Not only was he forced to sell at a loss, but he had to
deliver the cattle to the buyer on his farm in Renfrewshire.
As soon as they were sold, and the prices paid, Glenbeltane
directed his topsman and drivers to remove the drove from
the stance, and to set out for the West. Notwithstanding
the great reduction in the value of cattle which had taken
place, the tacksman had what was then reckoned a large
sum of money upon his person, as the proceeds of his stock.
His condition was, indeed, enviable as compared with many
others who had sold that day. The money he had invested
in the drove was part of his own capital, and the loss would
consequently not tell nearly so severely upon him, as upon
dealers who had speculated with sums of money which they
had raised, perhaps on the security of friends. As soon as
Teviot saw his drove leave the stance, he resolved that he
and Macewen should get their horses and return to the Inn,
so as to be there before nightfall.
While crossing the field, his attention was arrested by a
crowd collected around a Punch and Judy Show ; and in the
rapid articulation of the invisible exhibitor, he recognised the
voice of an acquaintance from Duncairn, who was no other
than Finlay Don, i.e. Brown Finlay, the showman. He was
now at Brig o' Teith, attending the last fair upon his round,
before returning to the bosom of hisfamily withthegainsof his
profession. Teviot stood for a moment in front of the show,
and then passed on, making for the further side of the field
where the ponies had been left. He had not gone far when
a hand was laid on his shoulder, and a cheery voice
exclaimed— " Men will meet though knolls can never.
But this is the first time that Glenbeltane and Gillespie and