“Tat is te head of te clan—Te pig man of your name and fhamily.” “In troth, man, an’ there isna ane o’ my name aboon mysel.” “Fwat? Cot’s everlasting plissing! are you te chief of te clan, M’Leadle? Then, sir, you are a shentleman indeed. Though your clan should pe never so poor, you are a shentleman; and you must pe giving me your hand; and you need not think any shame to pe giving me your hand; for hersel pe a shentleman pred and porn, and furst coosin to Cluny Macpherson’s sister–in–law. Who te deal dha more she pe this clan, M’Leadle? She must be of Macleane. She ance pe prhother to ourselves, but fell into great dishunity by the preaking off of Finlay Gorm More Machalabin Macleane of Ilanterach and Ardnamurchan.” Walter having thus set Daniel Roy Macpherson on the top of his hobby–horse by chance, there was no end of the matter! He went on with genealogies of uncouth names, and spoke of some old free–booters as the greatest of all kings. Walter had no means of stopping him, but by pretending to fall asleep, and when Macpherson weened that no one was listening farther to him, he gave up the theme, turned himself over, and uttered some fervent sentences in Gaelic, with heavy moans between. “What’s that you are saying now,” said Walter, pretending to rouse himself up. “Pe sad works this,” said he. “Huh! Cot in heaven aye! Hersel would be fighting te Campbells, sword in hand, for every inch of the Moor of Rhanoch; but Cot t‑‑n, if she like to pe pluffing and shooting through te podies of te poor helpless insignificant crheatures. T‑‑n’d foolish ignorant peheople! Cot t‑‑n, if she pe having the good sense and prhudence of a bheast.” Walter commended his feeling, and again asked his advice with regard to his own conduct. “Who is te great man tat is te laird to yourself?” asked he. “Mr Hay of Drumelzier,” was answered. “Then lose not a mhoment in getting his very good report or security. All goes by that. It will do more ghood than any stock of innocence; and you had need to look very sharp, else he may soon cut you short. It’s a very good and a very kind man, but she pe caring no more for the lives of peoples, tan I would do for as many ptarmigans.” Walter pondered on this hint throughout the night; and the more he did so the more he was convinced, that, as the affairs of the country were then conducted, Macpherson’s advice was of the first utility. He sent for one of the shepherds of Kippelgill next morning, charged him with an express to his family, and unable to do any thing further for himself, submitted patiently to his fate.