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Page 80:-
bound for the mountains, went up the pass on foot, leaving
the animal in the care of his host. The host had never seen
such a creature before, nor had his neighbours. Fearing
mischief, they consulted the wise man of the dale; for they
kept a Sagum, or medicine man, to supply their deficiencies.
He came, and after an examination of the mule, drew a circle
round it, and consulted his books while his charms were
burning; and, at length, announced that he had found it. The
creature must be, he concluded, a peacock. So Borrowdale
could then boast, without a rival, of a visit from a
stranger who came riding on a peacock. There is a real and
strong feeling in the district about these old stories. Only
last year, when a Borrowdale man entered a country inn, a
prior guest said simply "cuckoo," and was instantly knocked
down; and a passionate fight ensued. This cannot last much
longer,- judging by the number of new houses,- abodes of
gentry,- built or building in Borrowdale. The wrath must
presently turn to a laugh in the humblest chimney corner in
the dale.
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Rosthwaite is beautifully situated near the centre of the
dale, and at the confluence of the two mountain brooks which
form the Derwent. This river flows through the lakes of
Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite, passes Cockermouth, and
falls into the sea at Workington. Following its course, the
traveller reaches the Bowder Stone at a mile from
Rosthwaite,- a fallen rock, standing on its point, and about
thirty feet high, and sixty long. There are steps for ascent
to the top; but it is as well seen from below, where it
cannot but
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