Scotland/Scots > Reminiscences of a Highland parish

STORIES OF SNOWSTORMS.
165
story. I had in the house, when the storm began,
the goat and hens. Fortunately, I had fodder
gathered for the goat, which kept it alive, although,
poor thing, it has had but scanty meals. But it
lost its milk. I had also peats for my fire, but
very little meal; yet I never lived better; and I
have been able besides to preserve my bonnie hens
for summer. I every day dined on flesh meat too,
a thing I have not done for years before; and
1
thus I have lived like a lady.”
Again the shepherds were amazed, and asked in
a low voice, as if in pity for her state, “ Where
did you get meat, Jenny ? ”
“ From the old fox, Sandy! ”
“ The fox !” they all exclaimed.
•'Ay, the fox,” said Jenny; “just the dear, old
fox, the best friend I ever had. I ’ll tell you how
it was. The day of the storm he looked into th<
chimney, and came slowly down, and set himseli
on the rafter beside the hens, yet never once
touched them. Honest fellow ! he is sorely mis¬
called ; for he every day provided for himself, and
for me, too, like a kind neighbour, as he was. Hf
hunted regularly like a gentleman, and brought in