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They often robbed for his support, and to supply him with linen, they surprised the baggage-horses of one of our general officers. They frequently went in disguise to Inverness to buy provisions for him. At length, a very considerable time after, one of these poor fellows, who had virtue to resist the temptation of thirty thousand pounds, was hanged for stealing a cow value thirty shillings.
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A Gentleman travelling through the Highlands of Scotland, was obliged to halt at the cottage of a poor Highland peasant, in order to refresh himself and his horses after a fatiguing journey. The Highlander, proud of such a guest, provided every thing he could for his comfort and convenience; and, though he could not boast of luxurious dainties at his humble board, he yet presented his guest with a piece of excellent mutton, a bit of good cheese, plenty of milk, and some exhilerating whiskey.
The gentleman, in short, was so well pleased with the hospitality and attention of his landlord, that, on taking leave of him, he offered him two guineas, which the Highlander peremptorily refused, saying he would not so far disgrace himself as to take a bribe for having done what he was in honour bound to do. "But," added he, "there is one favour I would ask of you; should you meet with the laird in your travels, SAY NOTHING ABOUT THE MUTTON!"
