Violet Jacob > Flemington

138
FLEMINGTON
and sudden that the horse leaped to the farther
side of the road, snorting, and Flemington,
sitting loosely, nearly lost his seat. He pulled
up the astonished animal, and peered into a
thicket of alder growing by the wayside. The
ground was marshy, and the stunted trees were
set close, but, dividing their branches, he saw
behind their screen an open patch in the midst
of which was Skirling Wattie’s cart. His jovial
face seemed to illuminate the spot.
“ Dod!” exclaimed the piper, “ ye was near
doon! A’d no seek to change wi’ you. A’m safer
wi’ ma’ doags than you wi’ yon horse. What
ailed ye that ye gae’d awa’ frae Balnillo ?”
“ Private matters,” said Archie shortly.
“ Aweel, they private matters was no far frae
putting me i’ the tolbooth. What gar’d ye no tell
me ye was gaein’ ?”
“ Have you got a letter for me ?” said Flem¬
ington, as Wattie began to draw up his sliding-
board.
“ Ay, there’s ane. But just wait you, ma lad,
till a tell ye what a was sayin’ to auld Davie ”
“Nevermind what you said to Lord Balnillo,”
broke in Flemington ; “ I want my letter.”
He slipped from the saddle and looped the rein
over his arm.
“ Dinna bring yon brute near me!” cried Wattie,
as horse and man began to crush through the
alders. “ A’m fell feared o’ they unchancy
cattle.”
Archie made an impatient sound and threw the