n mounting his guest and
accompanying him on horseback as far as the nearest town in
Dumfries-shire, where he had directed his baggage to be sent, and from
which he proposed to pursue his intended journey towards Woodbourne, the
residence of Julia Mannering.

Upon the way he questioned his companion concerning the character of the
fox-hunter; but gained little information, as he had been called to that
office while Dinmont was making the round of the Highland fairs. 'He was
a shake-rag like fellow,' he said, 'and, he dared to say, had gipsy blood
in his veins; but at ony rate he was nane o' the smaiks that had been on
their quarters in the moss; he would ken them weel if he saw them again.
There are some no bad folk amang the gipsies too, to be sic a gang,'
added Dandie; 'if ever I see that auld randle-tree of a wife again, I 'll
gie her something to buy tobacco. I have a great notion she meant me very
fair after a'.'

When they were about finally to part, the good farmer held Brown long by
the hand, and at length said, 'Captain, the woo's sae weel up the year
that it's paid a' the rent, and we have naething to do wi' the rest o'
the siller when Ailie has had her new gown, and the bairns their bits o'
duds. Now I was thinking of some safe hand to put it into, for it's ower
muckle to ware on brandy and sugar; now I have heard that you army
gentlemen can sometimes buy yoursells up a step, and if a hundred or twa
would help ye on such an occasion, the bit scrape o' your pen would be as
good to me as the siller, and ye might just take yer ain time o' settling
it; it wad be a great convenience to me.' Brown, who felt the full
delicacy that wished to disguise the conferring an obligation under the
show of asking a favour, thanked his grateful friend most heartily, and
assured him he would have recourse to his purse without scruple should
circumstances ever render it convenient for him. And thus they parted
with many expressions of mutual regard.

CHAPTER XXVII
If thou hast any love of mercy in thee,
Turn me upon my face that I may die.

JOANNA BALLIE.

Our traveller hired a post-chaise at the place where he separated from
Dinmont, with the purpose of proceeding to Kippletringan, there to
inquire into the state of the family at Woodbourne, before he should
venture to make his presence in the country known to Miss Mannering. The
stage was a long one of eighteen or twenty miles, and the ro