terburn, he about midnight found one of the youths lying amongst some straw in the stack-garth, in a state of intoxication. Allan, according to his own account, found his watch, which of course became his own property. Early next morning, he departed to a fair in Cumberland, where he exchanged the watch for an old lean galloway and thirty shillings; and at night was engaged to play to several country gentlemen and farmers at the principal public house. One of the gentlemen, who was a noted cock-fighter, horse-racer, &c. challenged the company to match his ginger stag for twenty pounds. The ostler, who happened to have an errand into the room at the time, had formerly been a groom at Netherwitton, and was an old acquaintance of Allan's, whom he beckoned to follow him. The signal was obeyed, and on their gaining a private place, he said, "Jamie, I have a cock as like the 'squire's as two beans, but badly bred: match his honour's stag for any money, we'll go snacks, and leave the management of the rest to me." He then gave Allan six pounds, being all the cash that he had, to stake, to which his friend agreed to add other four pounds. When Allan re-entered the room, the gentleman was still holding forth on the killing merits of his cock. The piper, in a careless manner, observed, that he believed there was no real difference in the goodness of cocks, but that the whole depended upon chance. The esquire, with a look of contempt, enquired whether he would back his foolish opinion with money, if he had it; to which remark Allan replied, with seeming pique, that he had ten pounds to spare, and

would instantly stake it; at the same time throwing that sum upon the table, which was eagerly covered.

The gentleman instantly dispatched the ostler to his house for his game stag, who returned with his own instead of that which he had been sent for; nor was the cheat discovered. On this, Allan thought it necessary to appear disconcerted, and, taking half a crown from his pocket, put it into the hand of the ostler, and desired him to go out and purchase a cock in the village at as low a price as possible. His accomplice returned in about ten minutes, saying he had bought one for ten-pence of an old man, with this proviso, that the cock was to be returned, whether alive or dead, after the battle, to his former owner. In a few minutes the cocks were equipped, and the battle began, when the ostler's cock was killed at the first meeting; which circumstance saved the credit of the sharpers, for had he run away on feeling the cold steel, the trick would probably have been detected.

As the loss of the battle was attributed to mere chance, the esquire endeavoured to comfort himself with additional boasting and noise; but he most particularly extolled the speed and bottom of a fine young gelding which he rode, offering to back him against any horse within five miles for one hundred pounds. A sudden thought struck Allan, who said, "I'll run my galloway against your fine horse the distance of one mile for twenty pounds, provided you give my galloway fifty yards start; and as I am at least two stone heavier than you, that will make the match nearly equal."

The whole company were astonished at this proposition, deeming it the most unparalleled folly; but the gentleman threw down twenty pounds upon the table, which was covered by Allan with the like sum. It was then agreed that the race should take place the next morning. Several of the gentlemen went to the stable and examined Allan's galloway. They were all of opinion that the piper was insane, and, on their return to the company, offered to lay a hundred to one against him; but, great as the odds were, none durst

venture.

When the gentlemen went to supper, Allan was left to his liberty, and took the opportunity of informing the ostler, his accomplice, of the bet he had made, at which the latter was much displeased, as he supposed that the cash he had lent Allan was sure to be lost, and began to expostulate with him on the folly of laying such a wager; but James cut him short by saying, "I trusted my money on your scheme, and why not you your's on mine? Only follow my advice, and the money is our own." He then requested the ostler to mount the gentleman's horse, and follow him. When they got to the spot pitched upon for the race, Allan measured fifty yards, mounted his galloway, and set off at a trot, playing, "I'll make ye fain to follow me," on the pipes. The ostler, whom he had instructed to set off as soon as the galloway began to move, followed and soon overtook Allan, who struck the spirited animal a smart blow on the face, which was repeated as often as he was pushed forward, till he became so terrified that the utmost exertion could