I daresay I had other beauties, for my eyes felt as if they were furiously bloodshot.

Altogether I was no spectacle for God-fearing citizens to see on a highroad.
Very soon after daybreak I made an attempt to clean myself in a hill burn, and then approached a herd's cottage, for I was feeling the need of food.

The herd was away from home, and his wife was alone, with no neighbour for five miles.

She was a decent old body, and a plucky one, for though she got a fright when she saw me, she had an axe handy, and would have used it on any evil-doer.

I told her that I had had a fall--I didn't say how--and she saw by my looks that I was pretty sick.
Like a true Samaritan she asked no questions, but gave me a bowl of milk with a dash of whisky in it, and let me sit for a little by her kitchen fire.