Have ye music , as folk say ? Are ye a bit of a piper ? '' * Rumour . `` I can pipe like a Macrimmon ! '' cries Robin . `` And that is a very bold word , '' quoth Alan . `` I have made bolder words good before now , '' returned Robin , `` and that against better adversaries . '' `` It is easy to try that , '' says Alan . Duncan Dhu made haste to bring out the pair of pipes that was his principal possession , and to set before his guests a mutton-ham and a bottle of that drink which they call Athole brose , and which is made of old whiskey , strained honey and sweet cream , slowly beaten together in the right order and proportion . The two enemies were still on the very breach of a quarrel ; but down they sat , one upon each side of the peat fire , with a mighty show of politeness . Maclaren pressed them to taste his mutton-ham and `` the wife 's brose , '' reminding them the wife was out of Athole and had a name far and wide for her skill in that confection . But Robin put aside these hospitalities as bad for the breath . `` I would have ye to remark , sir , '' said Alan , `` that I havenae broken bread for near upon ten hours , which will be worse for the breath than any brose in Scotland . '' `` I will take no advantages , Mr. Stewart , '' replied Robin . `` Eat and drink ; I 'll follow you . '' Each ate a small portion of the ham and drank a glass of the brose to Mrs. Maclaren ; and then after a great number of civilities , Robin took the pipes and played a little spring in a very ranting manner . `` Ay , ye can blow '' said Alan ; and taking the instrument from his rival , he first played the same spring in a manner identical with Robin 's ; and then wandered into variations , which , as he went on , he decorated with a perfect flight of grace-notes , such as pipers love , and call the `` warblers . '' I had been pleased with Robin 's playing , Alan 's ravished me . `` That 's no very bad , Mr. Stewart , '' said the rival , `` but ye show a poor device in your warblers . '' `` Me ! ''
cried XXXXX , the blood starting to his face .
Alan Ay Maclaren Rumour Stewart civilities first hours mutton-ham warblers