I can never deny that I was chagrined; and when, after a little more walking, Sim turned towards me and offered me a ram's horn of snuff, with the question 'Do ye use it ?' I answered, with some animation, 'Faith, sir, I would use pepper to introduce a little cordiality.' But even this sally failed to reach, or at least failed to soften, my companions.
At this rate we came to the summit of a ridge, and saw the track descend in front of us abruptly into a desert vale, about a league in length, and closed at the farther end by no less barren hilltops.

Upon this point of vantage Sim came to a halt, took off his hat, and mopped his brow.
'Weel,' he said, 'here we're at the top o' Howden.' 'The top o' Howden, sure eneuch,' said Candlish.
'Mr.St.Ivey, are ye dry ?' said the first.
'Now, really,' said I, 'is not this Satan reproving sin ?' 'What ails ye, man ?' said he.

'I'm offerin' ye a dram.' 'Oh, if it be anything to drink,' said I, 'I am as dry as my neighbours.' Whereupon Sim produced from the corner of his plaid a black bottle, and we all drank and pledged each other.

I found these gentlemen followed upon such occasions an invariable etiquette, which you may be certain I made haste to imitate.

Each wiped his mouth with the back of his left hand, held up the bottle in his right, remarked with emphasis, 'Here's to ye!' and swallowed as much of the spirit as his fancy prompted.