He was ignorant that this abstinence was with the lower ranks wholly compulsory, and that, like some animals of prey, those who practise it were usually gifted with the power of indemnifying themselves to good purpose when chance threw plenty in their way.

The whisky came forth in abundance to crown the cheer.

The Highlanders drank it copiously and undiluted; but Edward, having mixed a little with water, did not find it so palatable as to invite him to repeat the draught.

Their host bewailed himself exceedingly that he could offer him no wine: 'Had he but known four-and-twenty hours before, he would have had some, had it been within the circle of forty miles round him.

But no gentleman could do more to show his sense of the honour of a visit from another than to offer him the best cheer his house afforded.
Where there are no bushes there can be no nuts, and the way of those you live with is that you must follow,' He went on regretting to Evan Dhu the death of an aged man, Donnacha an Amrigh, or Duncan with the Cap, 'a gifted seer,' who foretold, through the second sight, visitors of every description who haunted their dwelling, whether as friends or foes.
'Is not his son Malcolm taishatr (a second-sighted person) ?' asked Evan.
'Nothing equal to his father,' replied Donald Bean.