When the little procession reached the boundary-line between the two parishes, they sat down on a dyke and waited.
By and by half a dozen men drew near from the opposite direction, bearing on poles the remains of Tammas Lunan in a closed coffin.

The coffin was brought to within thirty yards of those who awaited it, and then roughly lowered to the ground.

Its bearers rested morosely on their poles.

In conveying Lunan's remains to the borders of his own parish they were only conforming to custom; but Thrums and Tilliedrum differed as to where the boundary-line was drawn, and not a foot would either advance into the other's territory.

For half a day the coffin lay unclaimed, and the two parties sat scowling at each other.