Dymock returned to the shed, when he, from some place of observation on
the moor, saw that the carriage had reached the high road, and there,
having been told all that had passed, the poor gentleman (who, by the
bye, was not half pleased with the idea of the honours of Dymock falling
into the hands of such a purchaser,) informed Shanty that he must
prepare to go with him the next day to Hexham, where the stranger had
appointed to meet him.

"I go with you!" exclaimed Shanty, "was ever so strange a conceit."

"I shall be fleeced, shorn, ruined," implied Mr. Dymock, "if I go to
make a bargain, without a grain of common sense in my company."

"True," returned Shanty, "your worship is right; but how are we to go? I
have plenty of horse-shoes by me, but neither you, nor I Laird, I fear
could find any four legs to wear them."

"We must e'en walk then," said Dymock, "nay, I would gladly carry you on
my back, rather than descend to the meanness of driving a bargain with a
testy old fellow like that; by the bye, Shanty, what does he
call himself?"

"Salmon," replied Shanty, "and I mistake if he has not a touch of the
foreigner on his tongue."

"You will accompany me, then Shanty," said the Laird.

"I will," he replied, "if this evening you will open the business out to
Mrs. Margaret."