Highlanders make good soldiers, good policemen, and faithful watchmen and shepherds. Forgathering with one tending his sheep on the verdant slopes of a Northern mountain one day, a company of English tourists thought to have some entertainment at his expense, and began by remarking that he seemed to be enjoying himself.
“Ou, ay,” said the shepherd, “I’m shoost lookin’ aboot me here.”
“And what are you looking about you for?” inquired another.
“Oh, shoost because it’s a fine view from this side o’ the hill.”
“Yes, but what can you see from here?”
“Well, if there was no mist ta day I would see ta town, and ta boats on ta loch, and many more things, whatever.”
“I suppose you can see a great distance from here on a clear day?” remarked one.
“Oh, yes, shentlemen, a great distance, indeed,” said the shepherd.
“I suppose, on a clear day now, you can see London from this extreme altitude?” exclaimed one of the Cockneys, quizzing the countryman, and nudging his companions.
“Och, ay, and much further than that too,” replied the shepherd, who had perceived the nudge.