hundred miles, from the market where they had been purchased, to the
fields or farm-yards where they were to be fattened for the shambles.

Of the number who left Doune in the morning, and with the purpose we
have described, not a _Glunamie_ of them all cocked his bonnet more
briskly, or gartered his tartan hose under knee over a pair of more
promising _spiogs_ (legs), than did Robin Oig M'Combich, called
familiarly Robin Oig, that is Young, or the Lesser, Robin. Though
small of stature, as the epithet Oig implies, and not very strongly
limbed, he was as light and alert as one of the deer of his mountains.
He had an elasticity of step, which, in the course of a long march,
made many a stout fellow envy him; and the manner in which he busked
his plaid and adjusted his bonnet, argued a consciousness that so
smart a John Highlandman as himself would not pass unnoticed among the
Lowland lasses. The ruddy cheek, red lips, and white teeth, set off a
countenance which had gained by exposure to the weather, a healthful
and hardy rather than a rugged hue. If Robin Oig did not laugh,
or even smile frequently, as indeed is not the practice among his
countrymen, his bright eyes usually gleamed from under his bonnet
with an expression of cheerfulness ready to be turned into mirth.

The departure of Robin Oig was an incident in the little town, in
and near which he had many friends male and female. He was a topping
person in his way, transacted considerable business on his own behalf,
and was intrusted by the best farmers in the Highlands, in preference
to any other drover in that district. He might have increased his
business to any extent had he condescended to manage it by deputy; but
except a lad or two, sister's sons of his own, Robin rejected the idea
of assistance, conscious, perhaps how much his reputation depended
upon his attending in person to the practical discharge of his duty