John Leech and other papers

150 Horce Subsecivce.
' The richt o' the leeches wasna disposed o' when
Mickleclour was sold ; but for mair than a century
the charter has been amissing, and leeches have been
ta'en out o' ither lochs, and great quantities have been
brought over from Holland ; and now it will no' be
an easy thing to bring back the monopoly.'
Mr. Taylor was doubtful how such a thing could
be done ; nor could he distinctly see by what right
she could expect it.
Mr. Russell thought it might be a right of the same
kind that secures thirlage to a mill.
Lord Duncan interrupted the subject of right by
stating that he had many times been at Pitlyal, and
had heard her ladyship speak a great deal about
the loch leeches, but he would like just to be in-
formed how she had been in the practice of catching
them.
' Oh, Robert, Robert ! ' replied her ladyship re-
proachfully, ' mony ane speers the road they ken.
I've seen you aftner than ance wade into the
water, and come out wi' them sticking on your
legs.'
The cause was triumphant ; his lordship was
fairly cheered into recollection, but Mr. Taylor could
not be made to understand it, and no one could
assume sufficient gravity to explain.
As soon as a hearing could be obtained, Count
Flahault inquired after the health of the Rosebud.