r that, like myself, you're in the cattle trade, and that you're
anxious to learn the prospect of doing business in this mountainous
locality."

"You are quite right," replied the king.

"I have in my byres near by," continued the man, "some of the finest
stirks that ever stood on four hoofs. Would you be willing to come and
give me your opinion of them, and say how much you care to pay for as
many as you need?"

Again the man swept his bonnet nearly to the floor, and his six men,
who stood back against the wall, as if to give the speaker the stage
in the centre of the floor, glanced one at another. The king, however,
was unruffled, and he replied with a twinkle in his eye,--

"My good sir, you are mistaken, we are on the other side of the
market. We are sellers and not buyers."

"So was Judas," said the incomer, his politeness giving way to an
expression of fierceness and cruelty which went far to terrify two of
the seated men. "Are you sure, sir, that the cattle you sell have not
two legs instead of four?"

"I don't understand you," replied the king.

"Is it men or stirks, you would give to the butcher?"

"Still I do not understand you," repeated the king.

"Oh, very well. How much are you asking for your cattle?"

"We are here rather to see how much may be offered."

"I can well believe you. Still, you must know something of the price
of beasts on hoofs. How much would you want for a good, fat stirk?
Answer me that!"

The king glanced at his two companions, and his glance said as plainly
as words, "Give me a hint, in heaven's name, regarding the cost of a
beast;" but in all Scotland he could not have found two men who knew
less about the subject.

"Oh, well," said the king, nonchalantly, not at all liking the turn
affairs had taken, "I suppose we would be satisfied with twenty
pounds," and this being received with a roar of laughter, he added
hastily, "twenty pounds Scots."

"Oh," said the big man, "I was afraid you were going to demand that
amount in English currency. It is evident you will do well at the
trade, if you can find such buyers."

"Then make us an offer," suggested the king, with the air of a man
willing to listen to reason.

"Where are your cattle?"

"They're in the north."

"What part of the north?"

"My good fellow," cried the king, his temper rising, "you have asked
many questions and answered none. Who are you, and what right have
you to make your demands in such a tone?"