"That’s the ane," Jock would say, holding up a small, black, hairy thing, "I killed ten dizzen wi’--thumpers tae, three pun’s some o’ them--afore twa o’clock. Eh, man, he’s a murderin’ chiel this!" exhibiting another. "But it was this ither ane," holding up one larger and more gaudy, "that nicked four salmon in three hours tae their great surprise! And thae flees," taking up other favourites, "wi’ the muirfowl wing and black body, are guid killers; but isna this a cracker wi’ the wee touch o’ silver? it kilt mair salmon--whaur, ye needna speer--than I could carry hame on a heather wuddie! But, Johnnie," he added after a pause, "I maun, as yer freen’, warn ye that it’s no’ the flee, nor the water, nor the rod, nor the win’, nor the licht, can dae the job, wi’oot the watchfu’ e’e and steady han’, an’ a feelin’ for the business that’s kin’ o’ born wi’ a fisher, but hoo that comes aboot I dinna ken--I think I could maist catch fish in a boyne o’ water if there were ony tae catch!"
While the preparations for supper were going on within doors, Jock went out to have a "dauner", or saunter, but, in truth, from a modest wish to appear as if not expecting to be asked to partake of supper with the family.
The table was spread with a white home-made linen cloth, and deep plates were put down, each with a horn spoon beside it. A large pot, containing potatoes which had been pared before they were placed on the fire, was now put on the floor, and fresh butter with some salt having been added to its contents, the whole was beat and mashed with a heavy wooden beetle worked by Hugh and his son--for the work required no small patience and labour--into a soft mass, forming an excellent dish of "champed potatoes", which, when served up with rich milk, is "a dainty dish to set before a king", even without the four-and-twenty blackbirds. Then followed a second course of "barley scones" and thick crisp oatmeal cakes, with fresh butter, cheese, and milk.
Before supper was served Jock Hall was missed, and Johnnie sent in search of him. After repeated shouts he found him wandering about the woods, but had the greatest difficulty in persuading him to join the family. Jock said, "It wasna for him tae gang ben",--"he had had eneuch tae eat in the afternoon",--"he wad hae a bite efter hin", &c. But being at last persuaded to accept the pressing invitation, he entered, and without speaking a word seated himself in the place allotted to him.