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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1933-08-10, Page 6PAGE SttX aummanimmennommormniplosormar he1t.�'40.-,0{m`... ..fir. "Mither!" he sobbed, stoppin ,short. "'Mitherl Ma God, ye save him -and nue!" He stood there, utterly unhinged shaking and whimpering, at was some minutes before he pull • ed himself together; then he walke to the -wall, took down a 'pair o shears, and 'seated himself at the tabl still tremlbling, Near him lay the min iature, all torn and crumpled, and be side it the deep -buried axe -head. IHe picked up the strap and begs ,cutting it into little pieces, "There! and there! and there!" h said with each snip. "An' ye hit m agin there may be no mither to save ye," 1I'Adam'stood huddling in the cor ner. He shook like an aspen leaf; his eyes blazed in his white face; and he still nursed one arm with the other "Honor yer father," he quoted in small law voice. CHiA;PITBR X'IV Tammas is on his feet in the tap- room of the Arms, brandishing a pewter mug. "Gentlemen!" he cries, his old face flushed; "I gie you a toast. Stan' oop." The knot of Dalesmen round the 'fire rises like one. The old ,man waves his mug before him, reckless of the good ale that drips on to the floor, ""The best sheep dog i' the North- 'Owd Bob o' Kenmuirl" he cries, In an instant there is uproar: the merry applause of clinfling pewters; the stamping of feet; the rattle of sticks, Rob Saunderson and old Jonas are cheering with the best; Tupper and Ned Hoppin are bellowing in one an- other's ears; Long Kirby and Jem (Burton are thumping each other on the back; even Sam'' Todd and Sex- ton Ross are roused from their habit- ual melancholy. "Here's to Th' Owd Un! Here's to oor Bob!" yell stentorian voices; while Rob Saunderson has jumped on to a chair. "Wi the !best sheep -dog o' th' North I gie yo' the Shepherd's Tro- phyl-won outreet as will bel" 1te cries. Instantly the clamor doutbles. "The Dale Cup and Th' Owd Un! The Trophy and oor .Bob! 'Ip, 'ip, for the gray dogs! 'Ip, ip, for the best sheep dog as ever was orwillbel 'Oo, ray, 'oaray1" at is some minutes before the noise subsides; and slowly the enthusiasts resume their seats with hoarse throats and red faces, "Gentlemen a'1" A little unconsidered man is stand- ing up at the back of the room. His face is aflame, and his hands twitch spasmodically, and. in front with hackles up and eyes ,gleaming, is a huge,bull-like dog. "Noo," cries the little man, "I daur ye to repeat that lie!" ""Liel" screams 'Tammas; "lie 1 I'll gie 'im lie!-Lemme at im', I sayl" The old man in his fury is haif over the surrounding ring of chairs !before !Pm,Mason on the one hand and Jonas. Maddox on the other can pull him back. "Coons, Mr. Thornton," soothes the octogenarian, "let un be. Yo''surely bain't angered by the likes o' 'iml"- ,and he jerks contempuously toward the solitary''figure at his 'back. Tanimas resumes his seat unwilling- ly. The 'little man in the 'far corner of the room remains silent, waiting for his challenge to he taken up. lit is in vain, And as he looks at the range of broad, impassive 'backs 'turned on him, he smiles bitterly. "'They dirt-en''t Wultie, not a man of them a'! he cries. "They're one-two -'three=four eleven to one, Wullie, and yet 'they dursen't. Eleven of them, and" every man a coward! !Long Kirby -!Th'orn'ton-Tup,per-•Todd - ;Hop- pin--'Ross-!Burton-'and the rest, and not 'one hut's a !bigger man nor me, and yet—Weel, we might ha' kerrt it. We should ha' kent Englishmen :by lnloo. They're aye the same and aye have bin. They tell lies, black ;les—"' 'Tammlas 'is again half opt his chair and, only forcibly restrained by the men on either band, —and 'then they ha' na •the cour- g age to sten' lby. 'em. Ye're tEnglisi d ivory :man o' ye, to yer m'arrdw." The little',m'an's voice rises as h speaks. He seizes the tankard 'fro the table at his side. "E'n'glns:Innen!" he 'cries, !waving d before him, 'Here's a health; Th f best sheep -dog as iver penned a floc e -Adam M'Adam's'Red IWulll" - IHe pauses, the pewter at, his 'lip - and looks at his audience with flash ing eyes. There is no 'response 'fro; begat therm. • '"\firullie, :here's to you!" he 'cries e `'Luck and life to ye, ma trusty fier e Death and defeat to yer enemies!. "'The •warld's wrack we &hare •o't, The warstle and the care ,oft;' " - He raises the `tankard and drains i to its uttermost dreg. Then drawing himself up,' he ad dressed his audience once more: "An'dtoo I'll warn Ye ail -tee and ;fo a', and ye may tell James Moore I said it; ,He may 'plot agin us, 'Wulli and me; he may threaten 'us; he may win the .Cup outright for his muckle favorite; but there was niver a man or dog yet as did :Adam M'Adam and his Red '\Vu11 a hurt but in the end he wush't his mither hadna bonne him." A little later, and die walks out of the inn, 'the Tailless Tyke at.his heels, After he is gone it is Rob Saunder- son who says: "'The little mon's mad; hell stop at nothin' "; and Tammas who answers: "Nay, not even murder." The little man had'aged much of late. Hh hair was quite white, his ,eyes unnaturally 'brigh't, and his .halls were never still, as though he were in ever- lasting pain, the looked the ;picture of disease. After Owd 'Bob's second victory he had become morose and untalkative, At home he often sat silent for hourstogether, drinking and glaring at the. place where the Cup had been. Some- times he talked in low, eerie voice to Red'Wul.; and an two occasions, DDav- id, turning, suddenly, had .caught his 'father glowering stealthily at him with such an expression on his face a$ chilled 'the boy's blood, The 'two nev- er spoke now; and !David 'held this si- lent, deadly enmity far worse than the old-time perpetual warfare. It was 'the same at the !Sylvester Arms, The little man sat alone with Red Mull, exchanging words with no man, drinking steadily, brooding over his wrongs, only now and again gal- vanized into sudden action. 'Other epople than Tammas 'Thorn- ton came to the conclusion that NV - Adam would stop at nothing in the un- doing of James Moore or the gray dog, They said drink and .disap'poi•nt- ment 'had turned his head; that he was mad and dangerous. And on New Year's day matters seemed ,conning to. a crisis; for it was reported that in the gloom off a snowy eveninlg'he had drawn a knife on the Master' in the High 'Street, 'but slipped before he could accomplish his fell !purpose, Most Of them al?, 'David was haunt- ed with'an ever-present anxiety as to the • little man's intentions.:The boy even went so far as to warn his .friend against his father. But the Was- ter only smiled grimly. "Thank ye, lad," he said. "Bu't I reckon we can 'fend for oorsel's, Bob and I',Eh;'Owd 'Un?" !Anxious as David might be, hewas not so anxious as to 'be above taking a mean advantage of this state of strained apprehension to work on Maggie's fears. One evening he was escorting :her home from church, 'when, just 'before they reached the lamb copse: "'`Goo' sakes! What's that?" be ejac- ulated in horror -laden aocents, 'start- ing back. "What, Davie?" cried the girl, shrinking- up to hint all in a tremble."Coudna say for sure. T mought be owt, or agin it nought be nowt. '.But yo' grip my arm, I'll grip yo' waist." Maggie demurred. "''Canst see anythin' " she asked. still in' a flutter. ''"Be'ind the 'edge," 'Where?" THE SEAFORTH NEWS, "Thews ! '---pointing. vaguely "1 canna see nowt," "Why, Cheer, lass. Can'yo' riot see? Then yo' pit your 'head along o' mine -so-closer-closer, Then, in' ag- grieved 'ton Qs: '''''Wisativer is the mat- ter wi' yo', wench? I -might be a lep- rosy."Mit 'the girl was walking away, with her head high as the snow-capped "So long as 1 live, David uvPAslant," lie cried, `".Pll elver go to ohtirdh yotl ag1171" 'ISS, but you will though -onset;" he answered low. "What d'yo' mean, sir -r -r?" "Yo' 'lanow:what ,I mean, lass," he replied sheepish and shuffling before' her queenly anger: IShe looked hilt up and down, and down and up again. • "I'll •niver ,speak to you again., Mr, M'Adam," she cried; "not if it was ever so -(Nay, I'll walk home by my- self, 'thank you, ha' nowt to de wi' yeti," So the two most return' to ICenmuir, one behind the other, like a lady and her footman, h, !David's .audacity 'had more than once already all but caused a' rupture e between the pair; And the occurrence fit behind the hedge set the cap on his. impertinences. That was. past •endur- it ing and Maggie..by her bearing let him e know it. k David tolerated the girl's new atti- tude for exactly 'twelve minutes by the s kitchen clock..T,hen: ""Sulk wi' mem - indeed! I'll teach herl" and he march- ]. ed out of the door,"Niver to cross fit agin, 'ma word !" 'A'fterward, however, he relented sq 1 'far as to continue his visits as 'be; fore; but he niade it clear that he only came to 'see the blaster and hear df"IOwd !Bob's doings. On these occas - t ions he loved best to sit on the win- dow -sill outside the kitchen, and "talk - and ,chaff with 'Tammas and the men in the yard, feigning an uneasy bash - e fulness was reference made to Bessie IBolstock, And after sitting thus for e same time, he would half turn, look over his shoulder, and ,remark in in- different tones to the •girl 'within': "Oh, good-evenin'I I forgot yo',"-and'then resume his conversation, (While the girl within, her face a 'little pinker, her lips a little tigher, and her chin a lit- tle higher,' would go about her busin- ess, pretending neither to hear nor care. The suspicions that Adam,M''Adaut nourished dark designs against James Moore 'were somewhat confirmed in that, on several occasions in the bitter disks of January afternoons, a 'little insidious figure was reported to have ;been seen lurking among the 'farm - buildings of Kenmuir. Once Sant'. Todd caught the little man fairly, skulking away in the woodshed. Sam'I took him up bodily wn and carried him; dothe slope to the Wastrel, shaking him gently as he went. Across the stream he put 'him an his feet, "I'f I catches yo' cadgerin' arouat' the fam agin, little mon," he admon- ished, holding up a warning finger; ""I'll tak yo' and drag yo' in t' 'Sheep - wash, I warn yo' fair. I'd ha' done it poo an' yo'd bin a bigger and a young- er mon. 'But theerl yo'm six a serapp ety bit. Noo, rin whoam." And the little man slunk silently away. For a time he appeared there no. more. Then, one evening when it was almost dark, James 'Moore, going the round of the out -buildings, felt Owd (Bob stiffen against his side, "'What's oop, lad?" he whispered, halting: and, dropping his hand on the old dog's neck felt a ruff of -ris- ing hair 'beneath it. "'Steady, lad, steady," he whislpered; "what is 't?" Hel,peered 'forward into the gloom; and at length discerned a little familiar''figure huddled away in the crevice between two stacks. "It's yo, is it, +M'Adant?" he said, and, bending, seized a wisp of Owd Bob's coat in a grip lily a vice. Then, in a great voice, moved - to rare anger, "Oot o' this afore I -do ye a hurt, ye meeserahle spyin' 'creeturl"- he roared. "You' nun wait till dark caoms to hide yo', yo' coward,, afore yo daur coom'crawlin' aboot ma hoose, frightenin' the .wo•men-folk and up to yer devilments. If yo've owt to say to Hie, conte like a mon in the open day. INoo gift aff wi' yo', afore I lay hands to yo'1" IHe stood there in the busk, tall and mighty, a terrible :figure', one hand pointing to the! gate, the .other s'till grasping 'the gray dog. The little man scuttled away in 'the hallf-light, and out of the yard. On :the -;plank -bridge 'he turned anis shook his :fist at the darkening house. "Curse ye, James:Woofei" be sob- bed. '''111: tb a even ''wi' •y a ;,yet: " CHAPTER XV On the tap of this there followed an attempt to poison Th'' Owd Un. At teats there was no other accounting for the affair. fin the dead .of a Tong-rem,ehered night JamesMoore was walked by a low moaning beneath bit room. He ie!apt Quit df bed .and ran to the win- dow • to see his favorite dragging about the moonlit yard, the dark ehad down, the proud tail for once lowered, the lithe limbs 'wooden,' heavy, . un- natural -altogether pitiful. IIn a eminent he -Was'. downstairs and out to Inc-' friend's assistance. "What- iver •is't, lOwd Un?"' he cried :in an- gtiish, At the souncl of that dear voice the. old clog tried to struggle to him, could not, and (fell, whimpering, an a second ,the 'Master was with him, exanining hlim tenderly; and cry- ing for Sam'l, who slept above the stables, (There was every ,syntptont Of foul play: the tongue was swollen and al- most .black; the :breathing labored; the (body twitched horribly; and the soft gray eyes ail bloodshot and straining With the aid of S'am'1 and ,Maggie, drenching 'first and stimulants after, the Master (pulled him around' for the moment. And soon Jim Parson and Parson Leggy, lturried'ly 'summoned, came running hot -foot to 'the ,rescue, 1Promp't •and stringent :measures ,sav- ed the victim -(but only just. For a time the best sheep -dog in the ,North was pawing at the 'Gate of Death, ,t'lt the end, has 'the gray dawn !broke, the danger passed. The attempt 'to get at him, if at- tempt it was, aroused passionate in- dignation in the country -tide. iI't seem- ed the culminating -point of 'the ex- citement long .bubbling. There were no traces of the culprit; not a :vestige to lead to incrimination, so cunningly ,bad the criminal accom— plished his foul task. But as to the perpetrator, if there were no proofs. there were yet 'fewer doulbts. • At the 'Slyivester Arms Long Kir- by .asked M"Adam point-lb'lank for his explanation of the .matter, "Hoo do I 'count for it?" the little man cried. "1 dinna 'count for it ava," 'Then 'hoo did it happen?" asked Tammas with asperity. "I dinna believe it did happen," the little man replied. "It's a lee o; James Moore's -a cha'ractereestic lee," \'Vite- reon they chucked hint out inconti- nently; for the 'Terror for once was elsewhere. Now that afternoon is to .be remem- bered for threefold causes. Firstly, be- cause, as has been said, ;MlAdam was alone. 'Secondly, ,because a few min- utes after his ejectment, the window of the tap -room was . thrown open from without, and • the little ,man look- ed in. IHe spoke no word, but those dim, smouldering eyes of 'his wander- ed from face to face, resting for a second on each, as if to burn them on `his memory, I'lh remember ye, gentle- men," he said at length quietly, shut the window, and was gone. Thirdly, for a reason now to he told. 'Though ten days had elapsed since the attempt on hint, the gray: dog had never been his old self since. He had' attacks off shivering; his vitality seem- ed sapped; he tired easily, and, ''great heart, would never own it' At length on this day, James Moore, leaving the old dog behind hint, had gone over to 'Grammoch-town to consult Ding- ley, the vet. ,On his way home 'he met J'im Mason with Gyp, the faithful Bet- sy's unworthy successor, at the Dales- an's 'Daughter, Together they start - for the long tramp home over the (arches. And that 'journey is marked ith a red stone in this story. All day long the ,hills had been 'bath- ed 1 1 inlpenetraible fog. Throughout there had 'been an accompanying driz- zle; and in the distance the wind 'h'ad moaned a storm -menace. To the, dark - ss of the day was added the sombre - ss of 'falling night as the three be- n the ascent of the Murk Muir Pass. By the time they emerged into the vil's Bowl it was altogether black d blind: Mut the threat of wind had ssed, leaving utter stillness; and y could hear the splash off an ot- on the far side of'.the 'Lone Tarn they skirted that gloomy water's lge. When at length the last steep e on to the Marches had been top - d, a breath' of soft air smote them htly, and the curtain of log began (ting away, he two men swung .steadily through heather with that .reaching stride In ed b w fie ne ga IB De an pa the ter as ec ris lig dri IT the the birthright Of moor -.men and high- landers. They talked 'but little, for such was their nature; a word or two l on sheep and the approaching lamb- ing -time; thence on to the coming I I Trials; the Shepehrds' Trophy; Owd Bob and the attempt on him,' and I 'front that to M'Adans'and the Tailless Tyke. l' "D'yo reck'n MIAda.m had a hand' in't?" the postman was asking. Nay; there's no •proof," lCeptin` he's mad to get shut o' Th' Owd Wit afore Cup (Day." "Ian or me it 'mak's no differ." Por a clog is disqualified from competing for the Trophy' who has changed hands during the six months prior to the meeting. And this holds, good though the ,change be only 'from fatli- er to sou on the decease;of the fori- in.er, ;Jim .looked up inquiringly at his Companion. ' li'yo' think it'll coom to that' " be asked. What? , Why -murder. "Not if iI can :help it," the other ar swered grimly. IThe 'fog had clea'red awry by iia and the moon ,was. up, ITo+their rigdi on the !crest of a rise some two 'hu 'fired yards away, a low wood stoo out b'laok against the sky..; As the passed it, •a Iblacicblird rose up screat ing,' and, a (brace of ;wood -pigeon winged ,noisily away. ""Hullo'!'. Eads to, the yatninerin'1 'muttered 31111, ,stopping; '''and at thi time o' night ;tool" ISonie,ralbbets, playing- 1n themoon!light ont+'the outskirts alt the wood, e a up, 'listened, and. hopped !b'a'ck into se curity !At ,tile same moment 'a ;big hull fax slunk out o'f,the ,covert. He stol a pace forward .and halted, 'listeni.n with one ear back and one pad raised -then ,cantered silently away in th gloom, 'passing close .to. ;the two an yet not observing "them. - - 'What's up, 1 'wonder " .mused,'th postman. "The fax set 'ern 'clackerin, II reek 'n,"said the ,Masher. 'Not 'he; he was scared 'maist oot o' his skin," 'the other answered. Then in tones of suppressed excitement, with 'his 'han'ds on'James 'Moore's- arae: "-And, 'look'ee, , theer's my Gyp a- beckanin' on us!" 'There, indeed, on the 'crest 'of the rise beside the wood, was the : little lurcher, now looking back at his mas- ter, now creeping stealthily forward. "Ma word!' •tlteer's 'suntmat wrongyonder!" cried Jim, and jerked 'the postbags off his shoulder. ""Coom ori, .Master!" -and be set off running tow- ard 'the dog; 'while James Moore, 'him- self excited ow, lfoldow:ed with an agil- ity that •belied''his years. ISome score.yards from, the' edge of the spinney, upon the 'farther side of the ridge, a' tiny :beck babbled 'through its :bed of peat. The two men, as they tapped the rise, 'noticed a ,flack of black -faced': sheep' clustered in the dip 'twixt, wood and stream. They stood martialled in .close array, facing half toward the wood, half toward the newcomers, heads up, eyes glaring, handsome as sheep only look when scared, tOn_the crest of the ridge the two men halted beside Gyp. 'The 'postman stood with his head a little forward, listening intently. Then he dropped.' in the 'heather like a dead man, 'pulling the other with him. "'Donn, mon!" 'he :whispered, clutch- ing at !Gyp with his spare hand. "What is't, Jim?" asked the Mas- ter, mow thoroughly• roused. "Suntmat movin' 'i' th' wood," the other whispered, listening weasel - eared, (So they lay motionless for- a while; but there came no sound front the e g e d copse, " 'Appen 'twas nowt" .the', postman at length .allowed, peering 'cautiously about. "And yet S thowt: it dunno reetly what 'I thowt." !Then, starting to his 'knees with a hoarse cry of terror: "Ave usl what's yon' theer?" 'Then for th flrst time the :Master raised his head and noticed, 'lying in the gloom between them and the ar- ray of sheep,,,a still, white heap. [James Moore was a man of •deeds, not words. "'"It's past 'waitin'l" he said, and sprang forward, his 'heart in his mouth. 'The sheep stamped and :shuffled as he came, and yet did mot !break, "Alt, thanks ,bel"'he cried, dropping beside the .motiomle,ss body; "it's nob' - but a ,sheep," As he spoke .his .hands 'w'andered deftly over the carcase: "But ;what's this?" hecalled, "'Stout she was as me, Look at her fleece - crisp, close, strong; 'Feel the flesh -!firm as a rock, And ne'er a bone broke, We're a s'crat on her ,body a pin could male'. As healthy as a mons -'and yet dead as mutton!" ' (To Be ,Continued) - A DOLLAR'S WORTH [Clip this coupon and mail it with $1 for a six weeks' trial subscription to THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR Published by Tire 01ferea7AN SntONaa P0satsu5ata SsolaaT Boston, Massachusetts, V:, 8. A. In it you will find the daily good news of the world from its 0e0 epeclel writers. as well as departments devoted to women's and children's interests, sports, music, dnaaee. eadcation, radio, etc Ooh will be glad to welcome into your home so fearless an advocate of prate and prohibition. And don't mise Snubs. Our Dog, and the Sundial and the other features. Tna a1IalsOlmN BOIENoa Msen000, Baa$ Bay gtoVon, Boston, Maes. Please sane mea six weeks' tile' subscription, I enclose -one dollar ($al (Nome, dlaase print) nP (Address) t'At ho4� •>•' (rows) -. (State) T,c^=tee-- - - ►—• PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon. Late of London Hos- pita!, London, England, Special attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throab. Office' and real densce behind Dominion Bank, Offen Phone No. 5; Residence' Phone 104 IDR, F. J. BURROWS, Seaforth Office and residence, Goderich street, east of the United Church, Oottoner for the County of Huron. Telephone No. 46. DR. F. J. R. 11O'RS!TER--'Eye, Els Nose, and Throat. Graduate in'Medf_ eine, University of Toronto 1897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic 'plhthalmic and Aural Institute, M'oorefieid'e Eye, and Golden' Square throat hospi- tals, -London, England. At Comm- ercial Hotel, 'Seaforth, 3rd Monday it each month, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. DR. W. t.'S!P1 OAIT.-Graduatg of Faculty of Medicine, Univer i'ty ';0E Western Ontario, London, Member of College of Physicians and Sur- geons of Ontario. Office in rear of Aberhart's drug store, Seaforth. Phone 90. Hours 1.30-4 p.m., 7.30 -9 p,m. Other hours by appointment. Dental DR. J. A. MLT'N'N, Successor to Dr. R. R. Ross, graduate of North - 'western University, Chicago, I11. Li- • centiate Royal College of Dental' Sur- geons, Toronto. Office over Sills' hardware, Main St., Seaforth. Phone 151. DR. F. J. ,BIEOHIELY, graduate _ Royal College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto. Office over W. R, Smith's grocery, Main St., Seaforth. Phones, office 185W, residence 185j. Auctioneer. IGIE9OIRGIE FILUIIOTT, Licensed (Auctioneer for the County of Huron. !Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charger moderate and satisfaction guranteed,' • WATSON AND REIID'S REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Succsssos to James 'Watson) MAhN ST., S!EAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE INcKIhLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Co, HEAD OFFICE-SEAFORTH, Ont OFFICERS Geo, R. McCartney, 'Seaforth - Pres, James Cpnlrol']y, Goderich - V,ice 'Pres,, Merton A. Reid, Seaforth—Sec.- Treas, AGENTS: W. E, Hinchley, Sea:forth; John Murray, R. R. 3, Seaforth; E: R. G. Jarman th, B'rod'hageat; James Watt, 'Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, (Kincardine;; Wm. Yeo; Hblmeswille. DIRECTORS: William Knox, Londeslboro; George Leosnhardt, Brad'hegen;, James +Con -i holly, Goderich; Alex, Broadfoot, No. 3, Seaforth; Robert Ferris, B'1•y,bh; George McCartney, No. 3, Seaforth; John, Pepper, 'B.ruoefield;, James Shot - dice, Walton; Thomas Moylan, No.; 5, S'eafortla, Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will. be promptly attended to by application. to any o,f the above named officers ad- dressed to their respective post offices. An Oil for All Men. --The sailor th'e:solflier, :the fihiherman, the lumber- man, the out-doorlaborer and a'll who are exposed to i:+jury and the ele- ments will find in Dr, Thomas' E - lectric Oil a true and faithful fried. To 'ease, nil. Pam, relieve colds, dress wounds, subdue lunnbago and over- come nhe'trn,a'bism, it is excellent. Therefore, it should have a place in a11, hone medicines and be amongst• those taken on a journey,