The like is common in a thousand places on the coast; and many a boy must have amused himself as I did, seeking to read in them some reference to himself or those he loved.

It was to these marks that my uncle now directed my attention, struggling, as he did so, with an evident reluctance.
'Do ye see yon scart upo' the water ?' he inquired; 'yon ane wast the gray stane?
Ay?
Weel, it'll no be like a letter, wull it ?' 'Certainly it is,' I replied.

'I have often remarked it.

It is like a C.' He heaved a sigh as if heavily disappointed with my answer, and then added below his breath: 'Ay, for the _Christ-Anna_.' 'I used to suppose, sir, it was for myself,' said I; 'for my name is Charles.' 'And so ye saw't afore ?', he ran on, not heeding my remark.

'Weel, weel, but that's unco strange.