Volume 3 - Electric Scotland

434 KYLE RICH.
SKY. KYLE RICH. KYLE IIAKEN. POLITEll^ESS OF
THE HIGHLANDERS. DUNTULM. DUNVEGAN,
TALISKER. SOA.
Whoever is tlie author of St. Ronaivs Well, it i»
very certain, since he appeals to the experience of
all his countrymen, that, in Mrs. Meg Dods, he has told
neither more nor less than the truth. Be he who he may,
you are indebted to him for the next two pages; for,
will you believe if, I had actually drawn my pen through
the whole, partly from pure cowardice, and partly be-
cause I thought the tale incredible. But why should I
be more afraid to tell the truth than the author of St.
Ronan's Well. If I have suppressed hundreds of adven-
tures, it was not because they were not characteristic of
the country, but because I had no one, like you, I beg
pardon, like tlie Author of St. Ronan's, to vouch for
the truth of the pictures.
It was early in the morning when Roger and I arrived
at the pass ; and, winding down the long descent between
the mountains of the Kyle Rich, found ourselves in front
of the inn. " This is the ferry house." " Aye, aye, ye'll
be wanting the ferry, nae doot :" " To be sure ; and you
can give me some breakfast." " It's the sabbath."— " I
know that; but I suppose one may breakfast on the sab-
bath." " Aye, I'se warn ye—that's a bonny beast."
" It's my Lord's poney." " Aye, I thought it was Roger;
I thought I kenn'd his face. And where 'ill ye be gaun.'*
" I am going to EilanReoch, and I want some breakfast.'*
" A weel a weel, I dinna ken ; Lassie ! tak the gentle-
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