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RINGAN GILHAIZE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE TIMES OF THE COVENANTERS. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN GALT, 
 
 AUTHOR OK "ANNALS OF THE PARISH,"' " AVRSIIIRR I.r.CATKES," "SIR ANDREW WVUF. 
 
 "THE ENTAir.," ETC., ETC., ETC. 
 
 0* 
 
 ti 
 
 «0 
 
 Tliolr potistanoy in tortiiro and in doath,— 
 'I'lieso on 'I'niditiun'H iDngnn Ktill livp, ilip^o (hall 
 nil History's liouost page bo pictured ))rlt$lit 
 To latoHt timo.s. 
 
 Gll.VHAMK'3 SABBAtrr. 
 
 
 GLASGOW: 
 DUNN & WRIGHT, 176 BUCHANAN STREET, 
 
 AND STIRLING ROAD. 
 
OLASOOW: 
 
 DUNN AN' I) WRiailT, 
 
 rillNTKIlS. 
 
RING AN GILHAIZE: 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE TIMES OF THE COVENANTERS. 
 
 CHAPTER T. , 
 
 It is a thing past nil contesting, tlmt, 
 ill tlio Ileforniation, tlicrc was a8j)irit 
 of far greater carnality among the 
 clianipions of the cause, than among 
 tlioso wlio in later times so cou- 
 ragciously, under tlie Lord, upheld 
 tlie unspotted banners of the Cove- 
 nant. This I speak of from the re- 
 nu'i!ibraiice of many aged persons, 
 wlio tither themselves bore a part in 
 that war with the worshippers of the 
 lienst and his Image, or who had 
 lioard their fathers tell of the lieart 
 and nn"nd wherewith it was carried on, 
 and could thence, Avith the lielps of 
 their own knowledge, discern the 
 spiritual and hallowed difference, 
 llut, as I intend mainly to bear vii 
 ncss to tliose passages of tlio Jatc 
 bloody perseciition in which I was 
 myself both a soldier and a sufferer, it 
 will not become me to brag of our 
 motives and intents, as higher and 
 liolit-r than those of the great elder 
 AVortiiies of " the Congregation." 
 At the same time it is needful that I 
 sl.juld rehearse as much of what 
 liappened in the troubles of the IJe- 
 forniation, as, in its effects and in- 
 fluences, worked upon flic issues of 
 my own life. For my father's father 
 was out in the raids of that tem- 
 pestuous season, and it was by him, 
 and from the stories lie was wont to 
 tell of what the (lovernment did, when 
 drunken with the .sorceries of the 
 gorgeous liomau harlot, and rampag- 
 
 ing with the wrath of Moloch and of 
 lielial, it trami)led on the liearts and 
 thought to devour the souls of tho 
 subjects, that I first was taught to 
 feel, know, and understacd tho 
 divine right of resistance. 
 
 IIo was come of a stock of bcin 
 burghers in Lithgow ; but his father 
 having a profitable traffic in saddle- 
 irons and bridlo-rings among the 
 gallants of the court, and being more- 
 over a man who took little heed of 
 the truths of religion, he continued 
 with his wife in the delusions of the 
 papistical idolatry till the last, by 
 which my grandfather's young soul 
 was put in great jeopardy. For the 
 monkei of that time were eager to pet 
 into their clutches such men-children 
 as appeared to be gifted with any 
 peculiar gift, in order to rear them for 
 stoops and posts to sustain their 
 Uabylon, in tho tower and structure 
 whereof many rents and cracks wero 
 daily kithing. 
 
 Tiie Dominican friars, who had a 
 rich howf in the town, seeing that my 
 grandfather was a shrewd and sharp 
 child, of a comely complexion, and 
 possessing a studious observance, 
 were fain to wile him into their 
 power ; 1)ut 'iC was happily preserved 
 from all their snares and devices, in a 
 manner that shows how wonderfully 
 the Lord worketh out the purposes of 
 His will, by ways and means of which 
 no man cau fathom the depths of the 
 mysterieo, 
 
rjNflAN OTLTTATZK. 
 
 r>i-si(k'.s iiis trallio in tlio polLshcd 
 garniture of lior.se-j.'oar, my f,'ran(l- 
 fatlior's father was also a farrier, and 
 enjoyel a far-spread repiito for liis 
 pkiil in tiie maladies of horses: by 
 wiiicli, and as lie dwelt near the 
 palace-yett, on the south side of 
 the street, foment tiie grand foun- 
 tain-well. Ills sniiildy was the common 
 liauiit of the serving-men belonging 
 to tiie nol^les frequenting the court, 
 and as often as any new comers to the 
 palace were observed in the town, 
 some of the r.ionks and friars be- 
 longing to the different convents 
 were sure to come to the smiddy to 
 converse with their grooms and to 
 hear the news, which were all of the 
 controversies raging between the 
 priesthood and the people. 
 
 My grandfather was then alittleboy, 
 but he thirsted to hear tlieir conver- 
 sations ; and many a time, as he was 
 •wont to tell, has his very heart been 
 raspet to the quick by tlie cruel com- 
 ments in which those cormorants of 
 idolatry indul;;ed themselves, with 
 respi'ct to the brave spirit of the Re- 
 formers ; and he rejoiced when any 
 retainers of the Protestant lords quar- 
 relled with them, and dealt baek to 
 them as hard names as tiio odious 
 epithets with which the hot-fed friars 
 reviled the pious challengers of the 
 pa])al iniquities. Thus it was, in the 
 green years of his childhood, that the 
 same sanctified ppirit was poured out 
 upon him, which rou.sed so many of 
 the true and faithful to resist and re- 
 pel thi- attempt to quench the re- 
 lighted lamps of the Gospel, preparing 
 his young courage to engage in those 
 great first trials and strong tasks of 
 the Lord. « 
 
 'J'he tidings and the bickerings to 
 which he was a hearkener in the 
 smidily. he was in the practice of 
 relating to his companions, by which 
 it came to i)as.i that, it might in a 
 manner be said, all the boys ia the 
 
 town were leagued in sj^int winlu thA 
 lleformers, and the eousequemot* »*re 
 not long of ripening. 
 
 In those days tJjere Tras a f <ocii*h: 
 saint, one St Michael, that -mm hd<l 
 in wonderful love and aidocatiiiQiiiii h-j 
 all the ranks and hierardiMa ol th& 
 ecclesiastical locust then in littiii;woiw ; 
 indeed, for that niatt<T, ther atanriiSwei 
 to him power and dominion cir^j sEw? 
 whole town, lauding and ■wc»rf.Lii|f.fi.ciii3f 
 him as their special god aaj'B jiiri>- 
 tector.. i»nd upon a certaiiiu k1i;t of 
 the year they were wont la muijti* a 
 great pageant and revel in Lwei^ihit of 
 this supposed saint, and to co7j>-; ijtth 
 from their cloisters witii banntu*, an*! 
 with censers burning incense. ■riaio<miamg 
 and singing paternosters m jfimae of 
 this their Dagon. walking m f>v^O"^a~ 
 sion from kirk to kiik. as iJ i1i*t wrtere 
 celebrating the triuuipl; ■of *jnie 
 mighty conqueror. 
 
 This annual aViomi' .ric'iu ksj>|)*'m- 
 ing to take jdace '' -rtJj jifi..?r thif 
 martyrdom of tlr true KMmn ibkI 
 gospel preacher ' / George Wiifi-iajft, 
 and .vhile kirk nd quire w^ne' v*- 
 sounding, to 1' great iudigiu^irftjoi icf 
 all Christiar with lamentJiTO'V«» for 
 the well-er. I- vjd death of iftn." ifTrniel 
 Cardinal ''. aton, his niv<in.r>iia; p«T- 
 serutor. '. ." monks and fria-^ ip<;iwijT*e*l 
 but littU iiomage as they ]i;.-"i(BaJl(' no^ 
 triump'ii ig, though the Ktre'i* «ri*re^ 
 as ust' li, filled with the iDult .jtivU* to 
 see ill Sir fine show. 31>^ ^jfi-psr!^ 
 how.'ver, no molestatif.u doc ico-n;- 
 teiiM-t, till they were jiast-irjg nfo? Ijvrl 
 of Angus' house, on the outti'Sie sfciir 
 of which my grandfather. tbihIj nxme 
 two or three score of otib*T imiinxo'^v'n.t 
 children, was standing; taA <^Ti-?n 
 there they might, i>erha|iK. lia«if B)»*en 
 suffered to go by scaitijif s^. "i-Tiit for 
 an accident that befel Hji 1.. ■ :<-TfA a 
 banner, on which wjit dejiicUniiii irjl.M- 
 phemous type of the Holy CiLotic in 
 the shape and lineaments ■Mf * icijaLj- 
 doo. 
 
EINUAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 It clmnccd tliat tlio Learor of this 
 Lla/on of iniquity was a particular fat 
 monk, of an arroj: nt nature, with the 
 crimson complexiuii of surfeit and 
 constipation, who, for many causes 
 and reasons, was held in greater aver- 
 sion than all the rest, especially by 
 the boys, who never lost an oppor- 
 tunity of making' hini a scoff and a 
 ficorn ; and it so fell out, as ho was 
 coming proudly along, turning his 
 Ijubyloinsh banner to pleasure the 
 •women at the windows, to whom he 
 keiit nodding and winking as lie 
 j)assed, that his foot slii)ped, and 
 down he fell as it were with a gludder, 
 nt which all the .lioughtless innocents 
 on the Earl of Angus' st<air set up a 
 loud shout of triumphant laughter, 
 and from less to more began to hoot 
 and yell at the wh'de pageant, and to 
 iielt some of the performers with un- 
 savoury missiles. 
 
 This, by those inordinate ministers 
 of oppression, was deemed a horrible 
 sacrilege, and the parents of all the 
 poor children were obligated to give 
 them up to punishment, of which none 
 suffered more than did nij' grand- 
 father : v.ho was not only persecuted 
 with stripes till ids loins were black 
 and blue, but cast into a dungeon in 
 the IJlaekfriars' den, wdiero for three 
 days and three nigiits he was allowed 
 no sustenance but gnawed crusts and 
 foul water. The stripes and terrors 
 of tlie oppressor are, however, the 
 seeds which Providence sows in its 
 mercy to grow into the means that 
 shall work his own overthrow. 
 
 'J'he persecutions which from that 
 day the monkswaged,in theirconclaves 
 of sloth and sosherie, against the chil- 
 dren of the town, denouncing them 
 to their parents as worms of the great 
 serpent and heirs of perdition, only 
 served to make their young spirits 
 burn fiercer. As their joints hardened 
 and their sinews were knit, their hearts 
 grew manful, aud yearned, as my 
 
 grandfather said, with the zealous 
 longings of a righteous revenge, to 
 sweep them a\vay from the land tia 
 with a whirlwind. 
 
 After enduring for several years 
 great allliction in his father's house, 
 from his mother, a termagant woman, 
 who was entirely under the dominion 
 of her confessor, my grandfather en- 
 tered into a paction with two other 
 young lads to quit their homes for 
 ever, and to enter the service of some 
 of those pious noblemen who were 
 then active in procuring adherents to 
 the Protestant cause, as set forth in 
 the first Covenant. Accordingly, one 
 morning in the spring of 1 ;"),')«, they 
 bade adieu to their fathers' doors, and 
 set forward on foot towards Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 *' Wo had light hearts," said my 
 grandfather, "for our trust was in 
 Heaven ; we had girded ourselves for 
 a holy enterprise, and the confidence 
 of our souls broke forth into songs of 
 battle, the melodious breathings of 
 that unison of spirit which is alone 
 known to the soldiers of the great 
 Captain of Salvation." 
 
 About noon they arrived at the 
 Cross of Edinburgh, where they 
 found a crowd assembled round the 
 Liickeubooths, waiting for the break- 
 ing up of the States, which were then 
 deliberating anent the proposal from 
 the l''rench king, tluit the Prince 
 Dolphin, his son, should marry our 
 young queen, the fair and faulty Mary, 
 whoso doleful captivity and woeful 
 end scarcely expiated the sins and 
 sorrows that she caused to her ill- 
 used and poor misgoverned native 
 realm of Scotland. 
 
 While they were standing in this 
 crowd, my grandfatlier happened to 
 see one Icener Cunningham, a servant 
 in tiie household of the Earl of Glen- 
 cairn, and having some acquaintance 
 of the nmn before at Litligow. he 
 went towards him, and after souio 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 common tiilk, told on what errand he 
 and liis two companions had come to 
 Edinburj,'h. It was in coiisrqiionco 
 ngfL'ed between tliem, tliat tliis Icener 
 shouhl speak to ills Master concern- 
 ing tliem ; the wliich he did as soon 
 na my Lord eamo out from the Par- 
 liament; and tlio Earl was so well 
 pleased with the looks of the tlirec 
 yonng men, that he retained them for 
 his service on the spot, and they were 
 conducted by Icener Cunningham 
 home to his Lordship's lodgings in St 
 Mary's A\'ynd. 
 
 Tims was my grandfather enlisted 
 into the cause of the Lords of the 
 Congregation ; and iu tlie service of 
 that great cliumpion of the Ileforma- 
 tion, the renowned, valiant, and 
 pious Earl of (ilencairn, lie saw many 
 of those thiug.s, the recital of which 
 kindled my young mind to flame up 
 with no less ardour than in's against 
 tlie cruel attempt that Avas made, in 
 our own day and generation, to load 
 the neck of Scotland with the grievous 
 chains of prelatic tyranny. 
 
 The Earl of Glencaim, liaving 
 mucli to do with the other Lords of 
 tlic Congregation, did not come to 
 his lodging till late in tlio afternoon ; 
 when, as soon as he had passed into 
 liis privy chamber, lie sent for his 
 tliree new men, and entered into sonic 
 conversation with tliem concerning 
 what the people at Lithgow said and 
 thought ot the (iucon-dowager's go- 
 vernment, and the ]iroc(!edings at 
 that time afoot on behalf of tlic re- 
 formed religion. But my grandfather 
 jealoused tliat in this he was less 
 swayed by the expectation of gather- 
 ing knowledge from them, than by a 
 wish to inspect their discretion and. 
 capacities ; for, after conversing with 
 them for the space of half an hour, 
 or thereby, he dismissed tliem cour- 
 teously from his presence, without 
 intimating that he had any special 
 service for them to perform. 
 
 One evening as the Earl sat alone 
 at supper, he ordered my grandfather 
 to bo brought again befort- liim. and 
 desired him to be cup-bearer for that 
 night. In this situation, as Jiiy gran<l- 
 fitiier stood holding (he ciialice and 
 flagon at his left elbow, the Earl, iis 
 was his wonted custom witli such of 
 the household as he, from time to 
 time, so honoured, entered into famil- 
 iar conversation with him ; and when 
 the servitude and homages of the 
 supper were over, and the servants 
 Avere removing tlio plate and trencii- 
 crs, he signified, by a look and a 
 whisper, that ho Avished him to lin- 
 ger in the room till after tliey Averc 
 gone. 
 
 " Gilhaize," said he, Avhen the 
 serving-men had retired, and they 
 Avere by themselves, " I am well con- 
 tent Avith your ])ru(lenee, and there- 
 fore, before you are known to belong 
 to my train, I Avould send you on a 
 confidential errand, for which you 
 must bo ready to set forth this very 
 night." 
 
 INIy grandfather made no reply in 
 Avords to this mark of trust, but 
 boAved his head, in token of his obed- 
 ience to the commands of the Earl. 
 
 "I need not tell you," resumed 
 his mjister, " that, among the friends 
 of the reformed cause, there are some 
 for policy, and many for gain ; and 
 that our adversaries, knoAving this, 
 leave no device or stratagem untried 
 to soAv sedition among the Lords and 
 Leaders of the Congregation. This 
 very day the Earl of Argyle has re- 
 ceived a mealy-mouthed letter from 
 that dissolute papist, the Archbishop 
 of St Andrews, entreating him, Avith 
 many sAveet Avords, concerning the 
 ancient friendship subsisting between 
 their families, to banish from his pro- 
 tection that good and pious proselyte, 
 Doughis, liis chaplain ; evidently pre- 
 suming, from the easy temper of the 
 aged Earl, that he may be wrought 
 
RINfiAN GTLHATZE. 
 
 one 
 Iht 
 iml 
 liat 
 ikI- 
 
 Mul 
 IH 
 
 .of 
 to 
 nil. 
 
 ICIl 
 
 tllO 
 
 I its 
 
 cli- 
 
 (l a 
 
 lin- 
 
 vero 
 
 into coinpliiince. Hut Arj^ylo is ftn 
 lioneHt ninn, nnd is tliJH ni^lit to rc- 
 tnrn, by the AiclibiBhon'a mcsspn^er 
 and kinHrnan, Sir David Hamilton, n 
 fitting,' and ])ro]ior reply. It is not 
 liowcvtT to 1)0 tlionylit, tliiit this at- 
 tempt to tamper witli Arpylo is tiio 
 sole trial wliich the treacherous priest 
 is .".t tliis time making to breed dis- 
 trust nnd dissension among us, though 
 as yet wo have heard of none other. 
 Is'ow, Gillwiize, what I wish you to do, 
 and I think you can do it well, is to 
 throw yourself in Sir David's way, 
 and, by hook or crook, get with liim 
 to St Andrews, nnd there try by all 
 expedient means to gain a knowledge 
 of what the Archbisliop is at this time 
 
 f>lotting — for plotting wc are assured 
 mm this symptom he is — and it is 
 needful to the cause of C'lirist that 
 his wiles should be circumvented." 
 
 In saying these words the Earl rose, 
 and, taking a key from his belt, opened 
 a coffer that stood in the corner of the 
 room, and took out two pieces of 
 gold, which he delivered to my grand- 
 father, to bear the expenses of his 
 journey. 
 
 "I give you, (lilhaizo," said ho, 
 " no farther instructions ; for, unless 
 I am mistaken in my man, you lack 
 no better guide tiian your own dis- 
 cernment. So God be with you, and 
 His blessing prosper the undertak- 
 ing." 
 
 Aly grandfather was much moved 
 at being so trusted, and doubted in 
 liis own breast if he was qualified for 
 the duty which his master had thus 
 put upon him. Nevertheless he took 
 heart from the Earl's confidence, and, 
 without saying anything either to his 
 two companions or to Teener Cun- 
 ningham, he immediately, on jjarting 
 from hit inaster, left the house, leav- 
 ing his absence to be accounted for 
 to the servants according to his lord's 
 pleasure. 
 
 Having been several times on er- 
 
 rands of his father in Edinburgh bo- 
 fore, he was not ill-acquainted with 
 the tov.r , nncl the moon being up, ho 
 had .iHfulty in finding his way 
 
 to Ilahby Hridle's. a noted stabler's 
 at the foot of Leith Wynd nigh the 
 mouth of the North Loch, where 
 gallants and other travellers of gentle 
 condition commonly put up their 
 liorses. There he thought it was 
 likely Sir David Hamilton had stabled 
 his steed, and he divined that, by 
 going thither, he would learn whether 
 that knight had set forward to Fife, 
 or when he was expected so to do ; 
 the which movement, he alw.ays said, 
 was nothing short of an instinct from 
 Heaven ; for just on entering the 
 stabler's yard, a groom came shouting 
 to the hostler to get Sir David Hamil- 
 ton's horses saddled outright, ns his 
 master was coming. 
 
 Thus, without the exposure of any 
 inquiry, he gained the tidings that ho 
 wanted, and with whatspeecl he could 
 put into his heels, he went forward to 
 the pier of Leith, where he found a 
 bark, with many passengers on board, 
 ready to set sail for Kirkcaldy, wait- 
 ing only for the arrival of Sir David, 
 to whom, as the Archbishop's kins- 
 man, the boatmen were fain to pre- 
 tend a great outward respect ; but 
 many a bitter ban, my grandfather 
 said, they gave him for taigling them 
 so long, while wind tind tide both 
 served, — all which was proof and evi- 
 dence how much the hearts of the 
 conmion people were then alienated 
 from the papistical churchmen. 
 
 Sir David having arrived, and his 
 horses being taken aboard, the bark 
 set sail, and about daybreak next 
 morning she came to anchor at Kirk- 
 caldy. During the voyage, my grand- 
 father, who was of a mild and comely 
 aspect, observed that the knight was 
 more affable towards him than to the 
 lave of the passengers, the most part 
 of whom were coopers going to Dun- 
 
RINOAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 dco to prepare for the summer fishing. 
 Among them was ouo Patrick (iiril- 
 'wood, the deacon of the craft, a mout 
 comical character, <o vogio of his 
 honours and dignities in tlio town 
 council, that ho could not get the 
 knight told often enough what a load 
 nboon the burden ho had in keei)ing 
 a' things douce and in right regulation 
 amang the bailies. But Sir David, 
 fivahed at his clatter, and to be quit of 
 him, came across tlio vessel, and be- 
 gan to talk t'- >.iy grandfatlier, al- 
 thougii, by his -ipparel, he was no 
 moot companion for ouo of a knight's 
 '.'.'gree. 
 
 it happened that Sir David was 
 pleased with his conversation, which 
 was not to be wondered at ; for in his 
 old age, when I knew him, he was a 
 man of a most enticing mildness of 
 manner, and withal so discreet in his 
 sentences, that he could not be heard 
 without begetting respect for his ob- 
 servance and judgment. So out of 
 the vanity of that vogio tod of tlio 
 town council, was a means thus made 
 by rrovideuce to further the ends 
 and objects of the Reformation, in so 
 far as my grandfather was concerned ; 
 for the knight took a liking to liim, 
 and being told, as it was expedient to 
 give a reason for )iis journey to St 
 Andrews, that he was going thither to 
 work as a farrier. Sir David promised 
 him not only his own countenance, 
 but to commend him to the Arch- 
 bishop. 
 
 There was at that time iu Kirk- 
 caldy one Tobit Balmuto, a horse- 
 setter, of whom my grandfather had 
 some knowledge by report. Tliis 
 Tobit being much resorted to by the 
 courtiers going to and coming from 
 Falkland, and well known to tlieir 
 serving-men, who were wont to speak 
 of hiiu in the smiddy at Lithgow as a 
 zealous Reformer — chiefly, as the pro- 
 digals amon? them used to jeer and 
 say, because the priests and friars, iu 
 
 their journeyings atween St Andrews 
 and Ldinburgh, took the use of hia 
 bea.U3 without paying for them, giving 
 him only their feckless benisous iu« 
 stead of white money. 
 
 To this man my grandfather ro- 
 so1v(h1 to apply for a horse, and such 
 a one, if possible, as would be able 
 to carry him as fast as Sir David 
 Hamilton's. Accordingly, on getting 
 to the land, he inquired for Tobit 
 Rahnuto, and several of his striplings 
 and liostlers being on the shore, hav- 
 ing, on seeing the bark arrive, come 
 down to look out for travelleis that 
 might want horses, he was conducted 
 by one of them to their employer, 
 whom he found an elderly man, of tho 
 corpulent order, sitting in an elbow- 
 ciiair by tho fireside, toasting an 
 oaten bannock on a pair of tor- 
 mentors, with a blue puddock-stool 
 bonnet on his head, and his grey hoso 
 undrawn up, whereby his Ivairy legs 
 were bare, showing a power and girth 
 such as my grandfather had seen few 
 like before, testifying to Avhat had 
 been the deadly strength of their 
 possessor in his younger years, llo 
 was thought to have been a relative 
 of tiie Roswells of Ralmuto. 
 
 When he had made known his 
 want to Tobit, and that he was in a 
 manner obligated to be at St Andrews 
 as soon as Sir David Hamilton, tho 
 horse-setter withdrew the bannock 
 from before the ribs, and seeing it 
 somewhat scowthert and blackent on 
 the one cheek, he took it off the tor- 
 mentors, and scraped it with them, and 
 blew away the brown burning, be- 
 fore he made any response ; then lio 
 turned round to my grandfather, and 
 looking at him with the tail of his 
 eye, from aneath his broad bonnet, 
 said, — 
 
 " Then ye'ro no in the service of 
 his Grace, my Lord^the Archbishop? 
 and yet, frien', I thi'ik na ye're just a 
 peer to Sir Davie J'u; you need to 
 
PIXOAN 0ILIIAI2E. 
 
 t'ttlo lit co|iiiij,' witli lii.s braw inaro, 
 ykolp-tlic-diil), wliilk Ist'lt to him iiiy- 
 fid' ; but iiuVr a bawboo liac I yet 
 han'lt't o' tlie in'ice ; liowscvir lliat's 
 neither 'htc nor tlierc, a day of reckon- 
 ing will (01110 at last." 
 
 ISIy ^'rainlfatlior assured Tobit 15al- 
 niuto it was indeed very true he was 
 not in the service of the Archbisiiop, 
 and that ho would not have been so 
 instant about pettinj,' to St Andreva 
 with the knijfht had he not a dn id 
 and fear that Sir David was the brirer 
 of BOHiething tliat might be sore news 
 to the flock o' Christ, and he was fain 
 to be there ns soon as him, to speak 
 in time of what he jealoused, that ;iny 
 of those in t.ie town, who stood within 
 the reverence of the Archbishop's 
 aversion, on account of their reiij.'ion, 
 nught Ret an inkling, and provide for 
 themselves. 
 
 " If that's your errand," said the 
 liorse-set'er, " ye s'all hae the swiftest 
 foot in my aught to help you on, and 
 I redde yju no to sjiare the spur, for 
 I'm troubled to think ye n^ay be owrc 
 late — Satan, or they lie upon him, has 
 been heating his cauldrons yonder 
 for a brewing, and the Archbishop's 
 tlirang providing the malt. Naefjxrther 
 pane than yesterday, auld worthy IN.r 
 Slill of Lunan, being discovered hid- 
 den in a kiln at Dysart, was ta'en, 
 they say, in a cart, like a malefactor, 
 .by twa uncircumcised loons, servitors 
 to his Grace, and it's thought it will 
 go hard wi' him, on account of his 
 great godliness ; so mak what haste 
 ye dow, and the Lord put mettle in the 
 beast that bears you." 
 
 With that Tobit IJalmuto ordered 
 the lad who brought my grandfather 
 to the house to saddle a horse that he 
 called Spunkie ; and in a trice lie Avas 
 mounted and on tlie road after Sir 
 David, whom he overtook notwith- 
 standing the spirit of his mare, Skelp- 
 the-dub, before he had cleared the 
 town of ratlihead, and, they travelled 
 
 onward at a brisk trot together, tho 
 knight becoming more and more 
 jdeased with his companion, in 
 so much, that by tho time they had 
 reached Cupar, where they stopped 
 to corn, he lamented that a young man 
 of his parts should think of following 
 the slavery of a farrier's life, when ho 
 ight rise to trusts and fortune in the 
 Imurc of some of the great men of tho 
 titne, kindly offering to procure for 
 him, on their arrival at St Andrews, 
 the favour and ]iatronago of hi.s kins- 
 man, the Archbishop. 
 
 It was the afternoon, when my 
 grandfather and Sir David Hamilton 
 came in sight of St Andrews, and tho 
 day being loun and bright, the sky 
 clear, and the sea calm, he told mo 
 that, when he miw the many lofty spires 
 and towers and glittering pinnacles of 
 the town rising before him, ho verily 
 thought he was approaching the city 
 of Jerusalem, so grand and glorious 
 was the apparition which they made 
 in tho sunshine, and he approached 
 the barricaded gate with a strange 
 movement of awe and wonder rushing 
 through the depths of his spirit. 
 
 They, however, entered not into 
 tho city at that time, but, i)assing 
 along the wall leftward, came to a 
 road which led to the gate of the eastlo 
 where tho Archbishop then dwelt ; and 
 as they were approaching towards it, 
 Sir David pointed out tho window 
 where Cardinal Beaton sat in tho 
 pomp of his scarlet and fine linen to 
 witness the heretic Wishart, as tho 
 knight called that holy mau, burnt for 
 his sins and abominations. 
 
 My grandfather, on hearing this, 
 drew his bridle in, and falling behind 
 Sir David, raised his cap in reverenco 
 and in sorrow at the thought of pass- 
 ing over the ground that had been so 
 hallowed by martynloin. But he said 
 nothing, for ho knew that his thoughts 
 were full of offence to those who were 
 wrapt in the errors and delusions of 
 
10 
 
 KINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 popery like Sir David Hamilton ; and, 
 moreover, ho liad thanked the Lord 
 thrice in the course of their journey 
 for the favour wiiicli it liad pleased 
 llini he should find in the sijjht of the 
 kinsman of so great an adversary to tlie 
 truth as was the Arcldjishop of St 
 Andrews, whose treasons and treach- 
 eried aj^ainst the Church of Christ ho 
 was then travelling to discover and 
 waylay. 
 
 On reaching tlic castle-yott they 
 alighted; my grandfather sptinging 
 lightly fron\ the saddle, took hold 
 of Sir David's mare by the bridle-rings, 
 while the knight wont forward, and 
 Avliispered sonietliing concerning his 
 Grace to a stalwart, liard-favoured, 
 grey-haired man-at-arms, that stood 
 warder of the port leaiiiug on his 
 sword, the blade of wliilk could not 
 be shorter than an ell. What answer 
 lie got was brief, tlie ancient warrior 
 pointing at the same time with his 
 right hand towards a certain part of 
 the city, and giving a Belial smile of 
 eignificance ; whereupon Sir David 
 turned round without going into the 
 court of t!ie castle, and bidding my 
 grandfatlier give the man tlio beasts 
 and follow, Avhich he did, they walked 
 together under the town wall towards 
 the east, till they came to a narrow 
 sallyport in the ramj^art, wherewith 
 the priory and cathedral had of old 
 been fenced about with turrets and 
 bastions of great strentrth against the 
 laAvless kerns of the Highlands, and 
 especially the ship? of tlie English, who 
 have in all ages boon of a nature gleg 
 and glad to nudi and molest the sea- 
 liarbour towns of Scotland. 
 
 On coming to the sallyport. Sir 
 David chapped witli his win"]) twice, 
 and presently from within a wicket was 
 opened in the door.s, ribbed with iron 
 BtMincIiers on the outside, and a man 
 witli the sound of corpulency in his 
 voice, looked through and inquired 
 what they wanted. Seeing, however, 
 
 wiio it was that had knocked, he 
 fortlnvith drew the bar and allowed 
 them to enter, which was into a plea- 
 sant policy adorned with joncpiils and 
 jelly -ilowers, and all manner of bloom- 
 ing and odoriferous plants, mosi vo- 
 luptuous to the smell and ravishing 
 to behold, the scents and friigraneies 
 whereof smote my grandfather for a 
 time, as he snid, with the very anguish 
 of delight. But, on looking behind to 
 see who had given them admittance, 
 he was astounded when, instead of an 
 armed and mailed soldier, ns he had 
 thought the drumly-voiced sentinel 
 there placed was, he saw a large, el- 
 derly monk, sitting on a bench with a 
 broken pasty smoking on a platter 
 beside him, and a Rotterdam grey- 
 beard jug standing by, no doubt plen- 
 ished with cordial drink. 
 
 Sir David held no pnrlance with 
 the feeding frijir. but going straight 
 up the walk to the door of a lodging, 
 to the which this was the parterre and 
 garden, he laid his haml on the sneek, 
 and opening it, bade my grandfather 
 come in. 
 
 They then went along the tranco 
 towards an open room, and on enter- 
 ing it they met a fair damsel ni the 
 garb of a handmaid, to whom the 
 knight spoke in such a manner as made 
 it evident to my grandfather that the 
 pair were on a familiar footing. By her 
 ho was informed that the Archbishop 
 was in the inner chamber at dinner 
 with her unstress, upon which he de- 
 sired my grandfather to sit down, 
 while he went ben to his (Jrace. 
 
 The room wliei'o my grandfather 
 took hi-* seat was parted from the 
 inner ehand)er, in which the Arcli- 
 bi.shop and his partner were at their 
 festivities, by an nrnis partition, so 
 that he could licar idl that ])as-cd 
 within, and the first Avords his (irace 
 said on his kinsnmn going ben wci. — 
 
 "Aweel, Davie, and what says 
 that auld doddard Argylo, will ho 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 n 
 
 is manifost in 
 
 and cojiscioiice 
 
 for .1 liic'laiid 
 
 bicld y\'i' otLur 
 
 BCiul mc tlio apostate to mak' a bcn- 
 fire ? " 
 
 " Ho lias sent your Grace a letter," 
 replied Sir David, " wherein he told 
 me he had expounded the reasons and 
 causes of his protecting Douglas, 
 hoping your Grace will approve the 
 Banic." 
 
 " Approve heresy and reprobacy ! " 
 exclaimed the Archbishop ; " but gi'c 
 me the letter, and sit ye down, Davie. 
 — Mistress Kilspinnie, my dauty, fill 
 him a cup of wine, the malvesie, to 
 
 Eut gmeddani in his jnarrow : he'll no 
 e the waur o't, after his gallanting 
 at Enbro. — Stay ! what's this ? the 
 auld man's been at school since 
 him and me hae swappit pajier. !My 
 word, Argyle, thou's got a tongue in 
 thy pen neb ! but this was ne'er in- 
 dited by him ; the cloven foot of the 
 heretical Carmelite 
 every line, llonoui 
 truly I — braw Avords 
 sehore, that bigs his 
 folks' gear ! 
 
 " Be composed, your sweet Grace, 
 nnd dinna be so fashed," cried a silver 
 tongucd madam, the which my grand- 
 father afterwards found, as 1 shall 
 have to rehearse, was his companion 
 the ]Mrs Kilspinnie — " what does he 
 say?" 
 
 " Say ! why that Douglas p""""hcs 
 against idolatry, and he remit:^ o my 
 conscience forsooth, gif that be heresy 
 — and he preaches against frivolity 
 and immorality too — was ever sic 
 varlet terms written in ony noble- 
 man's letter afordlthis apostate's time 
 — and he refers that to my conscience 
 likewise ! " 
 
 "A faggot to his liody would be 
 ower gude for him,'' cried !Mrs Kil- 
 spinnie. 
 
 " Ho preaches against hypocrisy,'' 
 said his Grace, "the which he alt-o 
 refers to my conscience — conseience 
 again ! IJae, Davie, tak thir clishma- 
 cliivcrs to Andrew Oliphant. It'll be 
 
 spunk to his zeal. Wc maun strike 
 our adversaric-s wi' terror, and if we 
 canna wile them back to the fold, 
 we'll e'en s<rt the dogs on them. — 
 Kind Mistress KiLspinnie, help me 
 fiae the stoup o' sherrifs, for I canna 
 but say that this scalded heart 1 hae 
 gotten frae that auld shavling-gabbit 
 hielander haspatmein a waefu'i)light, 
 and I stand in need, my lambie, o' a' 
 your winsome comforting." 
 
 At which word.^ Sir David came 
 forth the chamber with the letter in 
 hie hand; but seeiii'j my grandfather, 
 whom it would seem he had forgot- 
 ten, he went euddenly back and said 
 to his Grace — 
 
 " Pleajse you, my Lord, I hao 
 brought with me a young man of a 
 good capacity and a ripe understand- 
 ing, that I would commend to your 
 Graces service. He is here in the 
 outer room waiting your Grace's 
 pleasure." 
 
 " Davie Hamilton," replied the 
 Archbishop, "ve sometimes lack dis- 
 cretion — what for did je bring a 
 stranger into thii? house — knoAving, as 
 ye ought to do. that I ne'er come 
 hither but when I'm o' a sickly frame, 
 and in need o' solace and repose ? 
 Howsevcr, since the lad's there, bid 
 him come ben.'' 
 
 Upon this. Sir Daviilcame out and 
 beckoned my grandfather to go in ; 
 and when he went forward, he saw 
 none in that inner chaniber but his 
 Grace and the Mrs Kilspinnie, with 
 whom he was sitting on a settee, 
 before a wili garriished table, Avhereon 
 was divers f?ii\-er tlagons, canisters of 
 comfits, and goblets of the crystal of 
 Venetia. 
 
 He looked Jsharp at my grand- 
 father, perusing liim from head t*^ 
 foot, who put on for the occasion a 
 face of modtfityand revertiice, but ho 
 was none daunted, for all his eyes were 
 awake, and he took such a cognition 
 of his Grace as he never afterwards 
 
12 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZTi!. 
 
 forgot. Incloecl, I have often heard 
 liim say, that he saw more of the niau 
 in tlie brief space of tliat interview, 
 than of otliers in many intromissions, 
 and he used to depict him to me as a 
 hale black-avise^l carl, of an o'ersca 
 look, with a long dark beard inclining 
 to grey ; his abundant hair, flowing 
 down from liis cowl, was also clouded 
 and streaked with the kitiiings of the 
 cranreucli of age — there Avas, liow- 
 ever, a youthy and luscious twinkling 
 in his eyes, that showed how little the 
 passage of three and fifty winters had 
 changed the grovelling tendency of liis 
 nature. 'J'he better to observe and 
 converse with my grandfather, ho 
 threw himself bacjk in his seat, as- 
 suming a free-and-easy posture which 
 afforded his visitor an opportunity 
 of scanning closely his proportions; 
 while Mrs Kils[iiimio, unseen by 
 his papistical highness, was all the 
 time attentively watching my grand- 
 father, who, as I have said, was a 
 comely and well - favoured young 
 man. 
 
 After some few questions as to his 
 name and parentngo, the prelate said 
 he would give him his livery, being 
 then anxious, on account of the signs 
 of the times, to fortify his household 
 with stout and valiant youngsters ; 
 and bidding him draw near and to 
 kneel down, he laid his hand on his 
 head, and mumbled a benedicite ; the 
 whicli my grandfather said, was as tlic 
 Bmell of rottenness to his spirit, the 
 old cccletifistic being then living in 
 open sin with his guilty favourite, 
 for Rucli w.as this Mrs. Kilspinnie, 
 her husband, a creditable man, being 
 tlien living, and one of tlie bailies of 
 Crail. Isov is it to be debated, tliat 
 the scene was such as ouglit not to 
 have been seen in a Christian land ; 
 but in those days the blasphemous 
 
 Erogeny of the Roman harlot were 
 old witli tlie audacious sinfulness of 
 their parent, and set little store i>y 
 
 the fear of God, or the contempt of 
 man. It was a sore trial and a strug- 
 gle in the bosom of my grandfather 
 that day, to think of making a sliow 
 of Iiomage and service towards the 
 mitred I5elial and high priest of the 
 abominations wherewith tlic realm 
 was polluted, and when he rose from 
 under his paw, he shuddered, and felt 
 as if he had received the foul erls of 
 perdition from the Evil One. iMany 
 a bitter tear he long after shed iu 
 secret for the hypocrisy of that hour, 
 the guilt of which was never sweet- 
 ened to his conscience, even by the 
 thought that he maybe thereby helped 
 to further the great redemption of his 
 native land, iu the blessed cleansing 
 of the Reformation. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Siu David IIamii.tox conducted my 
 grandfather back through the garden 
 and the sallyjjort to tlie castle, where 
 he made him acquainted with his 
 (i race's seneschal, by whom he was 
 most hospitably entertained Avhen the 
 knight had left them together, receiv- 
 ing from him a cup of hippocras, and 
 a plentiful repast, the like of wliich, 
 for the savouriness of the viands, was 
 seldom seen out of the howfs of the 
 monks. 
 
 'ihe seneschal was called by name 
 Leonard Meldrum, and was a most 
 douce and composed character, mcU 
 strif'ken in years, and though en- 
 grained with the errors of papistry, aa 
 was natural for one bred and cherished 
 in the house of the speaking horn of 
 the Tx'ast, for such the high priest of 
 St Andrews was well likened to, ho 
 was nevertheless a man of a hiunane 
 heart and great tenderness of con- 
 sc'i'iice. 
 
 'J"ho while my grandfather was 
 sitting with hin. at the board, ho 
 
RINGAN aiLHAIZE. 
 
 18 
 
 lamented tlmt the Cliurcli, so he ile- 
 noniinatcd tlie papal abomination, 
 was so far gone with the spirit of 
 punishment and of cruelty, as rather 
 to shock men's minds into schism and 
 rebellion, than to allure them back 
 into worship and reverence, and to a 
 repentance of their heresies. A strain 
 of discourse which my grandfatlier so 
 little expected to hear within the gates 
 and precincts of the guilty castle of St 
 Andrews, that it made him for a time 
 distrust the sincerity of the old man, 
 and he was very guarded in what he 
 himself answered thereto. Leonard 
 Meldrum was, however, honest in his 
 way, and rehearsed many things 
 which had been done within his own 
 knowledge against the Reformers, 
 that, as he said, human nature could 
 not abide, nor the just and merciful 
 Heavens well pardon. 
 
 Thus, from less to more, my 
 grandfather and he fell into frank 
 communion, and he gave him such 
 an account of the bloody Cardinal 
 Beaton, as was most awful to hear, 
 saying, that his then present master, 
 with all his faults and prodigalities, 
 was a saint of purity comjjared to 
 that rampag'ous cardinal, tlie wiiich 
 to hear, my grandfather thinking of 
 ■what he had seen in the lodging of 
 Madam Kilspinnie, was seized Avith 
 such a horror thereat, that he could 
 
 i>artake no more of the repast before 
 lim ; and he was likewise moved into 
 a great awe and wonder of sjtirit, that 
 the Lord should thus, in tlie very 
 chief sanctuary of papistry in all Scot- 
 land, be alienating the affections of 
 the servants from their master, pre- 
 paring the way, as it were, for an utter 
 desertion and desolation to ensue. 
 
 'J'iiey afterwards talked of tlie 
 latter end of that great martyr, Mr 
 George Wishart, and the seneschal 
 informed him of several things con- 
 cerning the same, that were most 
 edifying, though sorrowful to hear. 
 
 " lie was," said he, "placed under 
 my care, and methinks I sliall ever 
 see him before me, so meek, so holy, 
 and so goodly was his aspect. lie 
 was of tall stature, black haired, long 
 bearded, of a graceful carriage, elegant, 
 courteous, and ready to teach. In 
 his apparel he was most comely, and in 
 his diet of an abstemious temperance. 
 On the morning of his execution, 
 when I gave him notice that he was 
 not to be allowed to Lave the sacra- 
 ment, he smiled with a holiness of 
 resignation that almost melted me to 
 weep. I then invited him to partake 
 of my breakfast, which he accepted 
 wit;, cheerfulness, saying — 
 
 " ' I will do it very willingly, and 
 so much the rathe i\ because I perceive 
 you to be a good Christian, and a 
 man fearing God.' 
 
 " 1 then ordered in the breakfast, 
 and he said — 
 
 " ' I beseech you, for the love you 
 bear to our Saviour, to be silent a 
 little while, till I have made a short 
 exhortation, and blessed this bread 
 we are to eat.' 
 
 " He then spoke about the space of 
 half-an-hour of our Saviour's death 
 and passion, exhorting me, and those 
 who were present with me, to mutual 
 love and holiness of life ; and giving 
 thanks, brake the bread, distributing a 
 part to those about him ; then taking 
 a cup, he bade us remember that 
 Christ's blood was shed to wash away 
 our sins, and, tasting it himself, ho 
 handed it to me, and I likewise \rM-- 
 took of it : then he concluded with 
 another prayer, at the end of which 
 he said, ' I will neither drink nor eat 
 any more in this world,' and lie fortii- 
 with entered into an inner chamber 
 wiiere his bed was, leaving us filled 
 with admiration and sorrow, and our 
 eyes flowing with tears." 
 
 To this the seneschal added, "I 
 fear, I fear, v/e are soon to liavo 
 another scene of the same sort, for to- 
 
14 
 
 HINGAN GILHAIZE, 
 
 morrow tlie Bishops of Murray, .iikI 
 lU'echin, and Caithness, with other 
 diffnitarics, are summoned to tlie 
 cathedral, to sit on judguient on the 
 atfed priest of Ijunau, that was brought 
 liither from Dysart yestereen, and 
 from the ho.id the newfangled heresies 
 are making, there's little doubt that 
 the poor auld man will be made an 
 example. Ah ! M'oes me ! far better 
 would it bo an they would make an 
 example of the like of the Earls of 
 Argyle and Glencairn, by whom the 
 reprobates are so encouraged." 
 
 "And is this Mill," inquired my 
 grandfather with diffidence, for his 
 heart was so stung with what he 
 heard, that ho could scarcely feign 
 the necessary hypocrisy which the 
 peril lie stood in required — " Is this 
 Mill in the castle V " 
 
 " Sorry am I to say it," replied the 
 Eonesclial, " and under my keeping ; 
 but 1 darena show him the pity tliat 
 I would fain do to his grey hairs and 
 aged limbs. Some of the monks of 
 the priory arc with him just now, trying 
 to get him to recant his errors, with 
 the promise of a beiu provision for 
 the remainder of his days in the abbey 
 of Dunferadine, the whilk I hope our 
 bic^ised Lady will put it into his heart 
 to accept." 
 
 " I trust," said my grandfather in 
 the core of his bosom, " tliat the 
 Lord will fortify him to resist tiio 
 tcmi)tatioH." 
 
 This, however, the seneschal heard 
 not, for ii was ejaculated inwardly, 
 and ho subjoined — 
 
 " When the monks go away, I will 
 take you in to see him, for truly ho is 
 a i^ight far more moving to com[)a.ssiou 
 than (h'spleasurc, whatsoever his sins 
 and lieresies may be." 
 
 In tiiis manner, for the space of 
 more tlian an hour, did my grand- 
 fatiier hold converse and communion 
 with liconard Meldrum, in wiiom he 
 waj often heard to Bay, there was 
 
 more of the leaven of a RanctKied 
 nature, than in the disposition of 
 many zealous and professing Chris- 
 tians. 
 
 When the two sliavlings that had 
 been afllicting blaster Mill with the of- 
 fer of the wages of Satan were dep.ar- 
 ted from the castle, the seneschal rose, 
 and bidding my grandfather to como 
 after him, they went out of the room, 
 and traversing a narrow dark passago 
 with many windings, came to the foot 
 of a turnpike stair which led up into 
 tiio sea tower, so called because it 
 stood farthermost of all the castle in 
 the sea, and in the chamber thereof 
 they found Master Mill alone, sitting 
 at the window, with his ancient and 
 shrivelled lean hand resting on the sole 
 and supporting his chin, as he looked 
 through the iron stainchers abroad on 
 the ocean that was sleeping in a blessed 
 tranquillity around, all glowing and 
 golden with the schimmer of the set- 
 ting sun, 
 
 "How fares it with you?" eaid 
 the seneschal with a kindly accent ; 
 whereu])on the old man, who had not 
 heard them enter, being tranced in 
 his own holy meditations, turned 
 round, and my grandfather said ho 
 felt liimself, when he beheld ills coun- 
 tenance, so .smitten vith awe nnd ad- 
 miration, that he could not for s'^"i'> 
 time advance irstep. 
 
 " Come in, JNIaster IMeldrum, and 
 sit ye down by me ! " said tiie godly 
 man. " Draw near unto mo, for I am 
 a thought hard of hearing. The Lord 
 has of late, by steeking tlie doors and 
 windows of my cai'tldy tabernacle, 
 been admonisliing mo that the gloam- 
 ing is con.., and tUe hour of rest can- 
 not be far off." 
 
 His voice, said my grandfather, was 
 as tlie sound of a mournful melody, 
 but his countonanco was brightened 
 with a solemn joyfulness. lie was of a 
 pale and spiritualcomplexion ; his eyes 
 beamed as it were with a living light, 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 16 
 
 and often glanced thoughts of heavenly 
 iniagiiiing.s, even as he sat in silence. 
 He was tlien fourscore and two years 
 old ; but liis a|)[)earauce was more 
 aged, for his life had been full of 
 suifering and poverty; and his vener- 
 able hands and skinny arms were 
 heart-melting evidences of his ineffec- 
 tual power to struggle much longer 
 in the warfare of this world. lu sooth, 
 he was a chosen wheat-ear, ripened 
 and ready for the garnels of salva- 
 tion. 
 
 " I have brought, Master Mill," 
 said the seneschal, " a discreet youth to 
 sec you, not out of a vaiu curiosity, 
 for he sorrows with an exceeding 
 grief that such an aged person should 
 be brought into a state of so groat 
 jeopardy; but I hope, !Mastcr Mill, 
 it will go well with you yet, and that 
 ye'll repent and accept the boon that 
 1 hae heard was to be proffered." 
 
 To these words the aged saint 
 mad'i no reply for the space of about 
 a minute ; at the end of which he 
 raised his hands, and casting his eyes 
 heavenward exclaimed — 
 
 "I thank thee, O Lord, for the 
 days of sore trial, and want, and hun- 
 ger, and thirst, and destitution, which 
 thou hast been pleased to bestow upon 
 me, for by them have I, even iio','' as 
 I stand on the threshold of life, been 
 enabled, through thy merciful lieart- 
 enings, to set at nought the tempta- 
 tions wherewith I have been tempted." 
 
 And, turning to the seneschal, he 
 added mildly, " But I am bound to 
 you, Master Meldrum, in great obli- 
 gations, for I know that, in the hoi)e 
 you have now expressed, there is the 
 spirit of much cliaritableness, albeit 
 you discern not the deadly malady 
 tliat the sin of compliance would bring 
 to my poor soul. No, Sir, it would 
 na be worth my while now, for world's 
 pain, to read a recajitation. And 
 blessed be God, it's ao in my power 
 to yield, so deeply are the truths of 
 
 his laws engraven upon the tablet 
 of my heart." 
 
 I'liey tiien fell into more general 
 discourse, and while they were sjicak- 
 ing, a halberdier came into the room 
 with a paper, whereby the prisoner 
 was summoned to apj)ear in the ca- 
 tliedral next day by ten o'clock, to 
 answer divers matteis of heresy and 
 schism laid to his charge ; and the 
 man having delivered the summons, 
 said to the seneschal, that he was 
 ordered by Sir Andrew Oliphant, to 
 bid him refrain from visiting the 
 prisoner, and to retire to his own 
 lodging. 
 
 The seneschal to this command 
 said nothing, but rose, and my grand- 
 father likewise rose. Fain would he 
 have knelt down to beg the blessing 
 of the martyr, but the worthy Master 
 INIeldi'um signified to him with a look 
 to coni .. j once away ; and when they 
 Avere returned back into his chamber 
 where the repast had been served, he 
 told him, that there was a danger of 
 falling under the evil thoughts of 
 OlipliantjWere he to be seen evidencing 
 anything like respect towards prison- 
 ers accused of the great and heinous 
 sin of heresy. 
 
 The next day was like a cried fair 
 in St Andrews. All the country from 
 ayont Cupar, and many reformed and 
 godly persons, even from Dundee and 
 Perth, were gathered into the city to 
 hear the trial of JNIastcr Walter Mill. 
 Iho streets were filled with horses, 
 and men with whips in their hands; 
 and spurs at their heels, and there was 
 a great going to and fro among the 
 
 multitude ; but, 
 
 in its niun- 
 
 bers, the congregation of the people 
 was in no other complexion either 
 like a fair or a tryst. Every visage 
 was darkened with douro thoughts ; 
 none spoke cheerfully aloud ; but 
 there was whispering and muttering, 
 and ever and anon the auld men wore 
 seen wagging their heads in sorrow, 
 
16 
 
 RINGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 wliilo the younp; or'wd often " Shame! 
 shume ! " luul \v'itli vehoinont gestures 
 clave the air with tlieir right liands, 
 grasping their whips and staffs witii 
 the vigour of indignation. 
 
 At last tlie big bell of the cathe- 
 dral began to jow, at the doleful sound 
 of which there was, for the space of 
 two or three minutes, a silence and 
 pause in tlio multitude, as if they had 
 boon struck witli panic and consterna- 
 tion ; for till then there was a hope 
 among them that the persecutors 
 would relent ; but the din of the bell 
 was as the signal of death and despair, 
 and the people were soon awakened 
 from their astonishment by the cry 
 that "the bis'nops are coming;" 
 whereat there was a groat rush towards 
 the gates of the cluirch, which was 
 presently filled, l^^aving only a passage 
 lip the middle f.isle. 
 
 In the quire a table was spread 
 with a purple velvet cloth, and at the 
 upper end, before i'.o higli place of 
 the mass, was a stool of state for ti>e 
 Archbishop ; on each side stood chairs 
 for tlie Bishops of iSlurray, Urecliin, 
 and Caithness and his other suffra- 
 gans, summoned to sit in judgment 
 with him. 
 
 jMy grandfather, armed and wear- 
 ing the Archbishop's livery, was with 
 those that guarded the way for the 
 cruel prelates, and by tlio pressure of 
 the tlirong in convoying tlicm into 
 their place, ho was driven within the 
 screen of the quire, and saw and heard 
 all that passed. 
 
 "When tliey had taken their seats, 
 !Master Mill was brought before them 
 from tile prior's chamber, whither ho 
 had been secretly conducted early in 
 the morning, to the end that his great 
 age might not be seen of the people 
 to worit on tlieir compassion. Bat, 
 notwitlistanding the forethought of 
 tliis device, when ho came in, his white 
 hair, and liis saintly look, and his 
 feeble tottering steps, softened every 
 
 heart ; even the very legate of anti- 
 christ", the Archbishop himself, my 
 grandfather said, was evidently moved, 
 and for a season looked at the poor 
 infirm old m.an as he would iiavo 
 spared him, and a murmur of univer- 
 sfil commiseration ran through tho 
 church. 
 
 On being taken to the bottom of 
 the table, and placed foment tho 
 Archbishop, Master Mill knelt down 
 and prayed for support, in a voice so 
 firm, and clear, and eloquent, that all 
 present were surprised ; for it rung 
 to the farthest corner of that great 
 edifice, and smote the hearts of hia 
 oppressors as with the dread of a 
 menacing oracle. 
 
 Sir Andrew Oliphant, who acted a3 
 clerk and chancellor on the occasion, 
 began to fret as he heard him thus 
 strengthened of the liOrd, and cried, 
 peevishly — 
 
 " Sir Walter ^lill, get up and 
 answer, for you keep my lords hero 
 too long." 
 
 lie, however, heeded not this com- 
 mand, but continued undisturbed till 
 lie had finished his devotion, when ho 
 rose and said — 
 
 " I am bound to obey God more 
 than man, and I serve a mightier Tjord 
 than yours. You call me Sir Walter, 
 but I am only AValter. Too long was 
 I one of tho Pope's knights : but now 
 say what you have to say." 
 
 Oliphant was somewhat cowed by 
 this bold reply, and ho bowed down, 
 and turning over his papers, read a 
 portion of one of them to himself, and 
 then raising his head, said — 
 
 " What thiukest thou of priests' 
 marriage ? " 
 
 The old man looked bravely towards 
 the bishops, and answered with an 
 intrepid voice — 
 
 " I esteem marriage a blessed bond, 
 ordained by God, approved by Christ, 
 and made free to all sorts of men ; 
 but you abhor it, and in the meantime 
 
UIXGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 17 
 
 take other men's wives .and daughters ; 
 you vow cliastity, and keep it not." 
 
 My grandfather at these words 
 looked unawares towards the Arch- 
 bishop, tiiinking of what he had seen 
 in the lodging of Mrs Kilspinnie ; and 
 their eyes chancing to meet, his Grace 
 turned his liead suddenly away as if 
 he had been rebuked. 
 
 Divers other questions were then 
 put by Oliphant, toucliing the sacra- 
 ments, tiie idolatry of the mass, and 
 transubstantiation, with other points 
 concerning bishops, and pilgrimages, 
 and the worshipping of God in un- 
 consecratcd places; to all which Master 
 Mill answered in so brave a manner, 
 contrary to the papists, that even Oli- 
 phant himself often looked reproved 
 and confounded. At last the choler 
 of that sharp weapon of persecution 
 began to rise, and he said to him 
 sternly — 
 
 " If you will not recant, I will pro- 
 nounce sentence (jgainst you." 
 
 " I know," replied Master Mill, with 
 an apostolic constancy and fortitude, "I 
 know that I must die once ; and there- 
 fore, as Christ said to Judas, AVhat 
 thou doest do quickly. You shall 
 know that I will not recant the truth ; 
 for I am corn and not chaff. I will 
 neither be blown away by the wind, 
 nor burst with the flail, but will abide 
 both." 
 
 At these brave words a sough of 
 admiration sounded through the 
 chxirch, but, instead of deterring the 
 prelates from proceeding with their 
 wicked purpose, it only served to 
 harden their hearts and to rouse their 
 anger ; for when tiicy had conferred 
 a few minutes apart, Oliphant was 
 ordered to condemn him to the fire, 
 and to deliver him over to the temporal 
 magistrates to see execution done. 
 
 No sooner was the sentence known, 
 than a cry like a howl of wrath rose 
 from all the people, and the provost 
 of the town, who waa present with 
 
 the bailies, hastily quitted the church 
 and fled, abhorring the task, and fear- 
 ful lest it would be put upon him to 
 see it done, he being also bailie of 
 the archbishop's regalities. 
 
 When the sentence was pro- 
 nounced, the session of the court was 
 adjourned, and the bishops, aa they 
 were guarded back to the castle, heard 
 many a malison from the multitude, 
 who were ravenous against them. 
 
 The aged martyr being led back 
 to the prior's chamber, was, under 
 cloud of night, taken to the castle ; 
 but my grandfather saw no more of 
 him, nor of Master Meldrum, the 
 seneschal ; for there was a great fear 
 mong the bishop's men that the 
 multitude would rise and attempt a 
 rescue ; and my grandfather, not being 
 inclined to go so far with his disguise 
 as to fight against that cause, took oc- 
 casion, in the dusk of the evening, to 
 slip out of the castle, and to hide 
 himself in the town, being reisolved, 
 after what he had witnessed, no 
 longer to abide, even as a spy, in a 
 service which his soul loathed. 
 
 All the night long there was a great 
 commotion in the streets, and lights in 
 many houses, and a sound of lamen- 
 tation mingled with rage. The noise 
 was as if some dreadful work was 
 going on. There was no shouting, 
 nor any sound of men united to- 
 gether, but a deep and hoarse murmur 
 rose at times from the people, like the 
 sound of the bandless waves of the 
 sea when they are driven by the 
 strong impulses of the tempest. The 
 spirit of the times was indeed upon 
 them, and it was manifest to my 
 grandfather, that there wanted that 
 night but the voice of a captain to 
 bid them hurl their wrath and ven- 
 geance against the towers and strong- 
 holds of the oppressors. 
 
 At the dawn of day the garrison 
 of the castle came forth, and on the 
 spot where the martyrdom of Mr 
 
 B 
 
IS 
 
 EINCxAN GILHATZE. 
 
 George Wishart liad been accom- 
 plished, a stake was driven into the 
 ground, and faggots and barrels of 
 tar were placed around it, piled up 
 almost as high as a man ; in the 
 middle, next to the stake, a place was 
 left for the sufferer. 
 
 But when all things were prepared, 
 no rope could be had — no one in all 
 the town would give or sell a cord 
 to help the sacritice of iniquity, nor 
 would any of the magistrates come 
 forth to see the execution done, so it 
 was thougiit for :r time that the 
 liungry cruelty of the persecutors 
 would be disappointed of its banquet. 
 One Somervilii*, however, who was 
 officer of the Archbishop's guard, be- 
 tliought himself, in tliis extremity, of 
 the ropes wher"witli his master's 
 pavilion was fastened, and he went 
 and took the same ; and then his men 
 brought forth the aged martyr, at the 
 eight of whom the multitude set up 
 a dreadful imprecation, the roar and 
 growling groan of which was as if a 
 thousand furious tigresses had been 
 robbed of their young. Many of 
 Somerville's halberdiers looked cowed, 
 and their faoes were aghast witii terror ; 
 and some oried, compassionately, aa 
 they saw the bles-sed old man brouglit, 
 with his hands tied behind him, to the 
 Btakc, " Recint, recant !" 
 
 The monks and friars of the differ- 
 ent monasteries, who were all tliere 
 assembled around, took up the word, 
 and bitterly taunting him, cried like- 
 wise, *' Recant, recant an<l save 
 thyself!" He, however, replied to 
 them with an awful austerity — 
 
 " I marvel at your rage, ye hypo- 
 crites, who do 80 cruelly pursue the 
 servants of (iod. As for me, I ain 
 now fourscore and two years old, and 
 by course of nature cannot live long ; 
 but liuixhed.s shall rise out of my 
 ashes who sli.-ill scatter you, ye perse- 
 cutors of God's people." 
 
 Sir Andrew Oliphant, who was 
 
 tliat day the busiest h\<:h jrksit <-)( the 
 horrible sacrifice, at iIh f<; wi^rds 
 pushed him forward into ii>e n^ist! of 
 the faggots and fuel aT-onu'J i? •; *t;ike. 
 IJut, nothing moved by iLi*- r mi-r-'e- 
 less indignity, the miulyr ] • 1 l t''>r 
 a moment at the jiile villi l .1.'! a- 
 ance full of cheerful r^-^:.: ■■ a, amd 
 tlien requested i>enLiiK--j'.'jj Hi* aay a 
 few words to the pef>]i]e- 
 
 "You have spoken toa maeh/' 
 cried Oliphant, " and tbe i>ii3i;.of a are 
 exceedingly displeased wTtii wluitt yoa 
 have .said." 
 
 liut the multitude eicliuaiwrj. •'• Let 
 him be heard ! let Lim Fj>t;iik wBia* he 
 pleases ! — speak, and la^m met Oli- 
 phant." At which he lootf'l tf>ward3 
 them and said — 
 
 " Dear friends, the CKmt irhj I 
 suffer' this day is not for aauj imurne hv 1 
 to my charge, though 1 *tijL'0'wI,}dge 
 my.self a miserable smnw. Iotii qbIt for 
 the defence of the truli* fd Jesns 
 Christ, as set forth«iii tiii« OM and 
 New Testaments."' 
 
 lie then began to prar. xjsxi while 
 his eyes were shut, two of ScoDerTille's 
 men threw a cord with a rraiiiiEms-Ioop 
 round his body, and bouiKi Mm to the 
 stake. 'J'he fire was tbeii km«ifcd. and 
 at the sight of the smoke tHirt- naiiiMtude 
 uttered a shriek of angnida. aD.«i many 
 ran away, tmable to bear mut tonger 
 the sight of that wofnl mragedy. 
 Among others, my grjuLiMjitter alao 
 ran, nor halted till he 'vas tamat to a 
 place under the rocks on Hut south 
 side of the town, where Ixe wmlri see 
 nothing before him but ni-i lonely 
 desert of the calm jmi eoondlesa 
 ocean. 
 
 Alany a time did my rr-»it4father, 
 in hi.s old age. when jilJ nRiiiss he 
 spoke were but rcmeml:>Tan>W!». try to 
 tell what pas.sed in his bowoim; whih? 
 he was sitting alone, utid*ir(i8iK0Hw cliffy 
 rock.s, gazing on the silent Bsu-'i mnooent 
 sea, thinking of that dneai'Shd! work, 
 more hideous than tiK! iMwors of 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 19 
 
 winds and waves, with which blinded 
 men, in the lusts of their idolatry, 
 were then blackening the ethereal face 
 of heaven ; but he was ever unable to 
 proceed for the struggloa of his spirit 
 and the gushing of his tears. Verily 
 it was an awful thing to see that 
 patriarchal man overcome by the re- 
 collections of his youth ; and the 
 manner in which ho spoke of the 
 papistical cruelties was as the pouring 
 of the energy of a new life into the 
 very soul, instigating thoughts and 
 resolutions of an implacable enmity 
 against those ruthless adversaries to 
 the hopes and redemption of the 
 world, insomuch that, while yet a 
 child, I was often worked upon by 
 what he said, and felt my young heart 
 so kindled with the live coals of his 
 godly enthusiasm, that he himself has 
 stopped in the eloquence of his dis- 
 coursCi wondering at my fervour. 
 Then ho would lay his hand upon my 
 head, and say, the Lord had not 
 gifted me with such zeal without hav- 
 ing a task in store for my riper years. 
 His vfordi of prophecy, as shall here- 
 after appear, have greatly and wonder- 
 fully come to pass. But it is meet 
 that for a season I should rehearse 
 what ensued to him, for his story ja 
 full of solemnities and strange acci- 
 dents. 
 
 Having rested some time on the 
 sea-shore, he rose and walked along 
 the toilsome shingle, scarcely noting 
 which way ho went, — his thoughts 
 being busy with the martyrdom he 
 had witnessed, flushing one moment 
 with a glorious indignation, and faint- 
 ing the next with despondent reflec- 
 tions on his own friendless state. For 
 he looked upon himself as adrift on 
 the tidi'S of the world, believing that 
 his patron, the Earl of Glencairn, 
 would to a surety condemn his lack of 
 fortitude in not enduring the servi- 
 tude of the Archbishop, after having 
 been in so miraculous a mauuer ac- 
 
 cepted into it, even as if Providence 
 had made him a special instrument 
 to achieve the discoveries which the 
 Lords of the Congregation had then 
 so much at heart. And while he was 
 walking along in this fluctuating mood, 
 he came suddenly upon a man who was 
 sitting, as he had so shortly before 
 been himself, sad and solitary, gazing 
 on the sea. The stranger, on'Iiear- 
 ing him approach, rose hastily, and 
 was moving quickly away; but my 
 grandfather called to him to stop and 
 not to be afraid, for he would harm 
 no one. 
 
 " I thought," said the melancholy 
 man, " that all his Grace's retainers 
 were at the execution of the heretic." 
 
 There was something in the way in 
 which he uttered the latter clause of 
 the sell tence that seemed to my grand- 
 father as if he would have made use 
 of better and fitter words, and there- 
 fore, to encourage him into confidence, 
 ho replied — 
 
 " I belong not to his Grace." 
 
 " How is it then that you wear his 
 livery, and that I saw you with Sir 
 David Hamilton enter the garden of 
 that misguided woman ? " 
 
 He could proceed no farther, for 
 his heart swelled, and his utterance 
 was for a while stifled, he being no 
 other than the misfortunate Bailie of 
 Crail, whose wife it was that my 
 grandfather had seen as before nar- 
 rated. She had been beguiled awa^ 
 from him and her five babies, their 
 children, by the temptations of a 
 Dominican, who by habit and repute, 
 was pandarus to his Grace, and the 
 poor man had come to try if it was 
 possible to wile her back. 
 
 My grandfather was melted with 
 sorrow to see his great affection for the 
 unworthy woman, calling to mind the 
 scene which ho had previously wit- 
 nessed — and he reasoned with him on 
 the great folly of vexing bis spirit 
 for a person so far lost to all sham e 
 
90 
 
 RINCrAN GTLHAIZR. 
 
 nnd given over to iniquity. But still 
 the good man of Cniil avouIcI not bo 
 persuaded, but used many earnest 
 entreaties that my grandfather would 
 assist him to sec his wife, in order tliat 
 he might remonstrate with her on the 
 eternal perils in which she had placed 
 her precious soul. 
 
 My grandfather, though much 
 moved by the importunity of that 
 weak honest man, nevertheless with- 
 stood his entreaties, telling him that 
 he was minded to depart forthwith 
 from St Andrews, and make the best 
 of his way back to Edinburgh, and so 
 could embark in no scheme whatever. 
 
 Discoursing on that subject in this 
 manner, they strayed into the fielus, 
 and being wrapt up in their conver- 
 sation, they heeded not which way 
 they went, till turning suddenly round 
 the corner of an orchard, they saw 
 the castle full before them, about half 
 a mile off, and a dim white vapour 
 mounting at times from the spot, still 
 surrounded by many spectators, where 
 the fires of martyrdom had burnt so 
 fiercely. Shuddering and filled with 
 dread, my grandfather turned away, 
 and seeing several countrymen passing 
 he enquired if all was over. 
 
 " Yes," said they, '* and the 
 soldiers are slockening the ashes ; but 
 a' the waters of the ocean -sea will 
 never quench in Scotland the flame 
 that was kindled yonder this day." 
 
 The which words they said with a 
 proud look, thinking my grandfather 
 by his arms and gabardine, belonged 
 to the Archbishop's household, — ^but 
 the words were as manna to his 
 religious soul, and he gave inward 
 praise and thanks that the self -same 
 tragical means which had been devised 
 to terrify the Reformers, was thus, 
 through the mysterious wisdom of 
 Providence, made more emboldening 
 than courageous wine to fortify their 
 hearts for the great work that was 
 before them. 
 
 Nothing, however, farther passed ; 
 but, clianging the course of their 
 walk, niy grandfather and the sorrow- 
 ful Master Kilspinnie, for so the 
 poor man of Crail was called, went 
 back, and entering the bow at the 
 Shoegate, passed on towards a vint- 
 ner's that dwelt opposite to the con- 
 vent of the Blackfriars ; for the day 
 was by this time far advanced, and 
 they both felt themselves in nee' of 
 some refreshment. 
 
 While they were sitting together 
 in the vintner's apartment, a stiipling 
 came several times into the room, and 
 looked hard at my grandfather, and 
 then went away without speaking. 
 This was divers times repeated, and ut 
 List it was so remarkable, that even 
 Master Kilspinnie took notice of him, 
 observing that he seemed as if he 
 had something very particular to 
 communicate if an opportunity served, 
 offering at the same time to withdraw, 
 to leave the room clear for the youth 
 to tell his errand. 
 
 My grandfather's curiosity was, by 
 this strange and new adventure to 
 him, so awakened, that he thought 
 what his companion proposed a dis- 
 creet thing; so the honest bailie 
 of Crail withdrew himself, and going 
 into the street, left my grandfather 
 alone. 
 
 No sooner waa he gone out of the 
 house than the stripling, who liad 
 been sorning about the door, again 
 came in, and coming close up to my 
 grandfather's ear, said with a sig- 
 nificance not to be misconstrued, that 
 if he would follow him he would tiike 
 him to free quarters, wiiere he would 
 be more kindly entertained. 
 
 My grandfather, though naturally 
 of a quiet temperament, wjis neverthe- 
 less a bold and brave youth, and there 
 was something in the mystery of this 
 message, for such he rightly deemed 
 it, that made him fain to see the end 
 thereof. So ho called in the vintner's 
 
HINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 21 
 
 wife and jiaid her the lawin', telling 
 her to say to the friend who had 
 been witli him, when he cnnic back, 
 that he would soon return. 
 
 The vintner's wife was a buxom and 
 jolly dame, and before takinp up the 
 money, she pave a pawkie look at the 
 stripling, and as my grandfather and 
 lie were going out at the door, she 
 hit the gilly a bilf on the back, Scaying 
 it was a ne'er-do-weel trade he hafl 
 ta'en up, and that he was na blate to 
 wile awa' her customers, — crying after 
 him, " I redde ye warn your madam, 
 that gin she sends you here again, 
 I'll may be let his (Jrace ken that she 
 needs to be lookit after." However, 
 the graceless gilly but laughed at the 
 vintner's wife, winked as he patted the 
 side of his nose with his fore-finger, 
 which testified that he held her vows 
 of vengeance in very little reverence ; 
 and then he went on, my grandfather 
 following. 
 
 They walked up the street till they 
 came to the priory yett, when, turning 
 down a wynd to the left, he led my 
 grandfather along between two dykes, 
 till they were come to a house that 
 stood by itself within a fair garden. 
 But instead of going to the door in 
 an honest manner, he bade him stop, 
 and going forward he whistled shrilly, 
 and then flung three stones against a 
 butt, that was standing at the corner 
 of the house on a gauntress to kep 
 rain water from the spouting image of 
 a stone puddock that vomited what 
 was gathered from the roof in the 
 roues, — and soon after an upper 
 casement was opened, and a damsel 
 looked forth ; she, however, said 
 nothing to the stripling, but she made 
 certain figns which he understood, 
 and then she drew in her head, shut- 
 ting the casement softly, and he came 
 back to my grandfather, to whom he 
 said it was not commodious at that 
 time for him to be received into the 
 house, but if he would como back iu 
 
 the evening, at eight o'clock, all things 
 would be ready for his reception. 
 
 To this suggestion my grandfatheJ 
 made no scruple to assent, but pro- 
 mised to be tiiere ; and ho bargained 
 with the lad to come for him, giving 
 him at the same time three placks for 
 a largess. He then returned to tho 
 vintner's, where he found the Crail 
 man sitting waiting for him ; — and tho 
 vintner's wife, when she saw him so 
 soon back, jeered him, and would fain 
 have been jocular, which he often 
 after thought as most unbeconn'ng, 
 considering the dreadful martyrdom 
 of a godly man that had been dono 
 that day in the town ; but at the timo 
 he was not eo over strait-laced as to 
 take offence at what she said ; indeed, 
 as he used to say, sins were not so 
 heinous in those papistical days as 
 tliev afterwards became, when men 
 lost faith in penance, and found out 
 the perils of purchased pardoiis. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 My grandfather liaving, as I havo 
 told, a compassion for the silly affec- 
 tion wherewith the honest man of 
 Crail still regarded his faithless wife, 
 told him the circumstantials of his 
 adventure with the stripling; with- 
 out, however, letting wot he had 
 discovered that the invitation was 
 from her ; the which was the case, for 
 the damsel who looked out at tho 
 window was no other than the person 
 he had seen in her lodging when he 
 went thither with Sir l)avid Hamil- 
 ton, — and he proposed to the discon- 
 solate husband that he should be his 
 frienof in the adventure ; meaning 
 thereby to convince the unhappy man, 
 by the evidence of his o-^'n eyes and 
 ears, that her relationship with the 
 Antichrist was a blessed riddance to 
 him and his family. 
 
 At first Master lulspinuie had no 
 
22 
 
 HINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 zest for any such frolic, for so it 
 Bccmed to liiin, and he began to think 
 my grandfatlier's horror at tlio mar- 
 tyrdom of tlio aged saint but a long 
 faced liyiiocrisy; nevertlielcss ho was 
 wrought upon to conseiiL; and they 
 sat plotting and contriving in wliat 
 manner they should act their several 
 parts, my grandfatlier pretending 
 great fear and apprehension at the 
 thoughts of himself, a stranger, going 
 alone into a neighbourhood where 
 there were sic strange forerunners 
 and signs of danger. At last he pro- 
 posed that they should go together 
 and spy about the precincts of the 
 place, and try to discover if there was 
 no other entrance or outgate to the 
 house than the way by which the 
 stripling conducted him, though well 
 he remembered the sallyj-ort, where 
 the fat friar kept watch, eating the 
 pasty. 
 
 Accordingly they went forth from 
 the vintner's, and my grandfatlier, as 
 if he knew not the way, led his compan- 
 ion round between the priory and the 
 sea, till they came near the aforesaid 
 sallyport, when, mounting upon a 
 stone, ho affected to discover that the 
 house of the madam stood in the gar- 
 den within and that the sallyport could 
 be no less than a back yet*; thereto. 
 
 While they were speaking concern- 
 ing the same, my grandfather observed 
 the wicket open in the gate, and guess- 
 ing therefrom that it was one spying to 
 forewarn somebody within who wanted 
 tocomeoutunremarked, he made a sign 
 to his companion, ar,a they both threw 
 themselves flat on the ground, and 
 birsled down the rocks to conceal 
 themselves. Presently the gate was 
 opened, and then out came the fat 
 friar, and looked east and west, hold- 
 ing the door in his hand ; and anon 
 out came his Grace the Antichrist, 
 hirpling with his staff in his hand, tot 
 he was lame with that monkish malady 
 called the gout. ITie friar then drew 
 
 c: 
 
 tiio yett to, and walked on towards 
 the castle, with his (Jraco I'mning on 
 hid arm. In the meantime tne ])oor 
 man of Crail was grinding the teeth 
 of liis rage at the sigiit of tiie cause of 
 liis sorrow, and my grandfather iiad 
 a sore struggle to keep him down, 
 and prevent him from running wud 
 and furious at the two sacerdotal 
 reprobates, for no lightlier could they 
 'bo called. 
 
 Thus, without any disclosure on 
 my grandfather's part, did Master 
 Kilspinnio come to jealouse that the 
 person who had trysted him was no 
 other than his own faithleee wife, and 
 ho smote his forehead and wept 
 bitterly, to think how she was become 
 so dreadless in sin. But he vowed to 
 ut her to shame ; so it was covenanted 
 etwecn them, that in the dusk of the 
 evening the afflic'.ed husband slunild 
 post himself near to whore they t.ien 
 stood, and that when my grandfather 
 was admitted by the other entrance to 
 the house, ho sliould devise some 
 reason for walking forth into the 
 garden, and while there admit Master 
 Kilspinnie. 
 
 Accordingly, betimes my grand- 
 father was ready, and the stripling, as 
 had been bargained, came for him to 
 the vintner's, and conducted him to 
 the house, vrhere, after giving the sig- 
 nals before enumerated, the damsel 
 came to the door and gave him admit- 
 tance, leading him straight to the inner 
 chamber before described, where her 
 mistress was sitting on an elegant 
 couch, with the table spread for a 
 banquet. 
 
 She received my grandfather with 
 many fond protestations, and filled 
 him a cup of hot malvesie, while her 
 handmaid brought in divers savoury 
 dishes ; but he, though a valiant young 
 man, was not at his ease, and ho 
 thought of the poor husband and the 
 five babies that she had forsaken 
 for the company of the papist high- 
 
PJNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 owards 
 
 w^ oil 
 
 10 poor 
 
 teeth 
 
 auso of 
 lor liiul 
 
 down, 
 tip wiul 
 
 erdotal 
 lid they 
 
 priorft, iiinl it was u saerrd s])ell and n 
 rcstraiiiiiif,' f,Miici!. Still he partook n 
 little of the rich repast whieh iiad been 
 j)r( piiied, and foi^'ucd po lonp a falwe 
 jiliiiHancc, that ho almost beeauio 
 jiItaHeil in reality. 'I'lie danio, how- 
 over, was iier.sclf at times fearful, and 
 seemeil to listen if there was any 
 knockinf,' at tiie door, telllnj? my 
 grandlather that his (Jraco was to bo 
 back after ho had supped at tiie 
 castle. "I thon^dit," said she, "to have 
 had yon here wiien ho was at the burn- 
 ing,' of the, iierotic, but my pilly could 
 not find you amonp Iho troopers till it 
 was owro lato ; for when he broufj;ht 
 you my Lord had como to rest him- 
 self after the execution. Ihit I was so 
 nettled to bo so baulked, that I acted 
 my.self into an anger till I got him 
 away, not however without a threat 
 of being troubled with iiim again." 
 
 Scarcely had ^ladam said this, when 
 my grandfather started up and feigned 
 to bo in great terror, begging her to 
 let him hide himself in the garden till 
 his (Jraco was come and gone. To this, 
 with all her blandishments, thehaiiless 
 woman mad(! many obstacles ; but he 
 was fortified of the Lord with the 
 thoughts of lu.r injured children, and 
 would not be defeated, but insisted 
 on scogging himself in the garden till 
 the Archbishop was sent away, the 
 hour of his coming being then near at 
 hand. Seeing him thus peremptory, 
 ]\Iadam Kilspinuio was obligated to 
 conform ; so he was permitted to go 
 into the garden, and no sooner was he 
 there than he wont to the sallyport 
 and admitted her husband ; — and well 
 it was that ho had been so steadfast 
 in his purpose ; for scarcely were they 
 moved from tlie yett into a honey- 
 suckle bower hard by, when they heard 
 it again ofien, and in cnme his Grace 
 with his corpulent attendant, who took 
 his scat on the bench before spoken 
 of, to watch, while bis master went 
 into the house. 
 
 Tho good Hnilie of Crail breatlied 
 thickly, and ho took my grandfather 
 by tho hand, M.s whole frame trein^ 
 bling with a jjassion of grief and rage. 
 In tho laj(.so of some four or live 
 minutes, the young damsel came out 
 of the house, and by tho glimpse of n 
 light from a window as she passed, 
 they saw she had a tankard of smoking 
 drink in her hand, with which sho 
 went to tho friar; and my grand- 
 father and his companion taking ad- 
 vantage of this, slipped out of their 
 hiding-place and stole softly into tho 
 house, and reached tho outer chamber 
 that was parted from ^ladam's ban- 
 quet bower by the arras partition. 
 There they stopped to listen, and 
 heard her complaining in a most 
 dolorous manner of great heart-sick- 
 ness, ever and anon begging the de- 
 luded ])rehitc Hamilton to taste tho 
 feast she had prepared for him, in tho 
 hope of being able to share it with 
 hinj. To which his Grace as often 
 i-eplied, with great condolence and 
 sympathy, how very grieved ho was 
 to find her in that sad and sore estate, 
 with many other fond cajoleries, most 
 painful to my grandfather to hear 
 from a man so far advanced in years, 
 and who, by reason of the reverence 
 of his oUico, ought to have had his 
 tongue schooled to terms of piety and 
 temperance. 
 
 'I'hc poor husband meanwhile said 
 nothing, but my grandfather heard 
 his heart panting audibly, and three 
 or four times he was oi)ligated to 
 brush away his hand, for having no 
 arms himself, the IJailie clutched at 
 the hilt of his sword, and would have 
 drawn it from the scabbard. 
 
 The Antichrist seeing his friend 
 in such groat malady as she so well 
 feigued, he at last, to her very earnest 
 suj)plications, consented to leave her, 
 and kissed her as he came away ; Init 
 her husband broke in upon them with 
 the rage of a hungry lion, and seizing 
 
24 
 
 RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 his Grace by the cuff of the neck, 
 swung him away with such vehemence, 
 that he fell into the corner of the 
 room like a sack of duds. As for 
 JNIadam, she uttered a wild cry, and 
 threw herself back on the couch where 
 she was sitting, and seemed as if she 
 liad swooned, having no other device 
 ready to avoid the iipbraidings and 
 just reproaches of her spouse. But she 
 was soon roused from that fraudulent 
 dwam by my grandfatiier, who, seizing 
 a flagon of wine, dashed it upon her 
 face. 
 
 Mrs Kilspinnie uttered a frightful 
 screech, and, starting up, attempted 
 to run out of the room, but her hus- 
 band caught her by the arm, and my 
 grandfather was empowered, by a 
 signal grant of great presence of mind 
 to think that the noise might cause 
 alarm, whereupon lie sprung instanter 
 to the door that led into the garden, 
 just as the damsel was coming uji, 
 and the fr.t friar hobbling as fast as 
 he could behind her, — and he had 
 but time to say to her, as it was with 
 an inspii'ation, to keep all quiet in 
 the garden, and he would make his 
 escape by the other door. 81ie, on 
 hearing this, ran back to stop tlie 
 seneschal, and my grandfather closed 
 and bolted fast that back door, going 
 forthwith to the one by which he had 
 been himself admitted, and which, 
 having opened wide to the wall, he 
 returned to the scene of commotion. 
 
 In the meantime, the prelatic 
 dragon had hastily risen upon his legs, 
 and, red with a dreadful wrath, raged 
 as if he would have devoured her 
 Imsband. In sooth, to do his Grace 
 justice, he lacked not tlie spirit of a 
 courageous gentleman, and he could 
 not, my grandfather often said, have 
 borne himself more proudly and 
 valiantly had he been a belted knight, 
 bred in camps and fields of war, so 
 that a discreet retreat and evasion of 
 the house was the best course they 
 
 could take. But Master Kilspinnie 
 fain would have continued his biting 
 taunts to his wife, who was enact- 
 ing a most tragical extravagance of 
 affliction and terror ; my grandfather, 
 however, suddenly cut him short, 
 crying, " Come, come, no more of 
 this ; an alarm is given, and we must 
 save ourselves." With th^c he seized 
 him firmly by the arm, and in a man- 
 ner harled him out of the house, and 
 into the lane between the djkes, along 
 which they ran with nimble heels. 
 On reaching the Showgate they 
 slackened their speed, still, however, 
 walking as fast as they could till 
 tlicy came near the port, when they 
 again drew in the bridle of their 
 haste, going through among the 
 guards that were loitering around the 
 door of the wardroom, and passed 
 out into the fields as if they had been 
 indifferent persons. 
 
 On escaping the gate, they fell in 
 with divers persons going along the 
 road, who, by their discourse, were 
 returning home to Cupar, and they 
 walked leisurely with them till they 
 came to a cross-road, where my grand- 
 father, giving Master Kils2)innie a 
 nudge, turned down the one that 
 went to the left, followed by him, and 
 it happened to be the road to Dysart 
 and Crail. 
 
 " This will ne'er do," said Master 
 Kilspinnie, " they will pursue us this 
 gait." 
 
 Upon hearing this reasonable ap- 
 prehension, my grandfather stopped 
 and conferred with himself, and 
 received on that spot a blessed ex- 
 perience and foretaste of the jirotec- 
 tion wherewith, to a great age, he wag 
 all his days protected. For it was in 
 a manner revealed to him, that ho 
 should throw away the garbardine and 
 sword which he had received in the 
 castle, and thereby appear in his .simple 
 craftsman's garb, and that they should 
 turn back and cross the Cupar road, 
 
niNGAN OILIIAIZE. 
 
 i25 
 
 tliey 
 their 
 
 and yo along the other, which led to 
 the i)undue waterside ferry. This he 
 told to his fearful companion, and 
 likewise, that as often as they fell in 
 with or heard anybody coming up, 
 the bailie should hasten on before, or 
 den himself among the brackens by the 
 road-side, to the end that it might 
 appear they Avere not two persons in 
 company together. 
 
 But they had not long crossed the 
 Cu|)ar road, and travelled the one 
 leading to the ferry, when they heard 
 the whirlwind sound of horsemen 
 coming after them, at which the honest 
 man of Crail darted aside, and lay flat 
 on his grouff ayont a bramble bush, 
 while my grandfather began to lilt as 
 blithely as he could, "The Bonny 
 Jiass of Livingston," and the spring 
 was ever after to him as a hymn of 
 thanksgiving ; but the Avords he then 
 sang was an auld ranting godless and 
 graceless ditty of the grooms and 
 serving men that sorncd about his 
 father's smiddy, — and the closer that 
 tiie horsemen camo he was strength- 
 ened to sing the louder and the 
 cli.arer. 
 
 " Saw ye twa fellows ganging this 
 gait?" cried the foremost of the 
 pursuers, pulling up. 
 
 " What like were they ? " said my 
 grandfather in a simple manner. 
 
 '• Anc of them was o' his Grace's 
 guard," replied the man, " but the 
 other, ill tak me gin I ken what l.e 
 was like, but he's the bailie or provost 
 of a burrough'a town, and should by 
 rights hae a big belly." 
 
 To this my grandfather answered 
 briskly, " Nae sic twa hae past me ; 
 but as I was coming along whistling, 
 thinking o'naething, twa sturdy loons, 
 ane o' them no unlike the hempics of 
 iiie castle, ran skirring along, and I 
 hae a thought that they took the road 
 to Crail or Dysart." 
 
 " That was my thought too," cried 
 the horseman, as he turned his beast, 
 
 and the rest that were with him doing 
 the same, biddsiig my grandfather 
 good night, away they scampered 
 back ; by which a blessed deliverancij 
 was there wrought to him and hig 
 companion, on that spot, in that 
 night. 
 
 As soon as the horsemen had gone 
 by. Bailie KiLtpinnie came from his 
 hiding-jlace. and both he and my 
 grandfather proved that no bird-lime 
 was on their feet till they got to the 
 ferry- house at the water-side, where 
 they found two boats taking pas- 
 sengers on board, one for Dundee and 
 the other for Penh. Here my grand- 
 father s great gift of foreknowledge 
 was again proven, for he proposed 
 that they fihouM bargain with the 
 skipper of the Dundee boat to take 
 them to that town, and pay him like 
 tlie other passengers at once, in an 
 open manner : bat that, as the night 
 was cloudy and dark, they should go 
 cannily aboanl the boat for Perth, as 
 it were in mistake, and feign not to 
 discover their error till they were far 
 up the river, when then they should 
 proceed to the town, letting wot, that 
 by the return of the tide they would 
 go in the morning by the Perth boat 
 to Dundee, with which Master Kil- 
 spinnie was well acquainted, he having 
 had many times, in the way of his 
 traffic as a plaiding merchant, cause 
 to use the same, and thereby knew 
 it went twice a-wetk. and that the 
 morrow was one of the days : — all 
 this they were enabled to do with 
 such fortitude and decorum, that no 
 one aboard the Perth boat could have 
 divined that they were not honest 
 men, in great trouble of mind at dis- 
 covering they had come into the 
 wrong boat 
 
 But nothing showed more that 
 Providence had a band in all this than 
 what ensued, for all the passengers in 
 the boat had been at St Andrews to 
 hear the trial and eee the martyrdom, 
 
26 
 
 RINGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 aud they were sliarp and velicini'ut 
 not only in tlioir condemnation of the 
 mitred Anticlirist, but yrieved with a 
 sincere sorrow, that none of the 
 nobles of Scotland would stand forth 
 in their ancient bravery, to resist and 
 overthrow a race of ojiprcssors more 
 grievous than the Southrons that 
 trode on the neck of their fatiiers in 
 the hero-stirring times of the Wallace 
 wight and King Robert the Bruce. 
 Truly, there was a spirit of unison and 
 indignation in the company on board 
 that boat, every one thirsting with a 
 lioly ardour to avenge the cruelties of 
 which the papistical priesthood were 
 daily growing more and more crouse 
 in the perpetration ; — and tliey made 
 the shores ring with the olden song 
 of— 
 
 " O for my nin king, quo' guiio Wallnco, 
 Tlie rifililfu' Uiiic of fair Scotlan'; — 
 lietween me niul my sovcroifrn dcnr 
 I tiiiiik 1 see some ill secil s:nvii " 
 
 It was the grey of the morning 
 before they reached Perth ; and as 
 Boon as they were put on the land, 
 the bailie took my grandfather with 
 him to the house of one Sawiiers 
 lluthven, a blaidtet-weavcr, with 
 whom he had dealings, a staid and 
 discreet man, who, when he had sup- 
 plied them with breakfast, exhorted 
 them not to tarry in the town, tlien 
 a place that had fallen under the 
 suspicion of the clergy, the lordly 
 monks of Scoonc taking great power 
 and authority, in desi)ite of the magis- 
 trates, against all that fell under their 
 evil tliought.s ancnt heresy. And ho 
 counselled them not to proceed, as 
 my grandfather had proposed, straight 
 on to Edinliiu'gh by the Queensferry, 
 but to hasten up the country to Crieff, 
 and thence take the road to Stirling. 
 In this there was much prudence ; but 
 Hiiilie Kiispinnie was in sore tribula- 
 tion on account of his children, whom 
 he had left at his home in ( 'rail, fear- 
 ing that the talons of Antichrist would 
 lay hold of them, and keep them aa 
 
 hostages till he was given up to suffer 
 for what he had done, none doubting 
 that Baal, for so he ni<'knained the 
 prelatic Hamilton, Avould impute lo 
 him the mipardonable sin of heresy 
 and schism, and leave no stone un- 
 turned to bring him to the stake. 
 
 But Sawuers Ruthven CDinforted 
 him Avith the assurance that his Grace 
 would not venture to act in that 
 manner, for it was known that jMrs 
 Kiispinnie then lived at St Andrews 
 near his castle. Nevertheless, the 
 poor man w.as in sore aflliction ; and, 
 as lie and my grandfather travelled 
 towards Crieff, many a bitter prayer 
 did his vexed spirit pour forth in its 
 grief, that the right arm of the Lord 
 uiight soon be manifested against the 
 Roman locust that consumed the land, 
 and made its corruption naught in 
 the nostrils of Heaven. 
 
 Thus was it manifest, that there 
 was nuich of the ire of a selfish re- 
 venge mixt up with the rage which 
 was at that time kindled in so tm- 
 quenchable a manner against the 
 IJeast and its worshippers ; f(ir in the 
 history of the honest man of Crail 
 there was a great similitude to other 
 foul and worse things whieh tin; Ro- 
 man idolaters seemed to reirard among 
 their pestiferous immunities, ancl 
 counted themselves free to do without 
 dread of any earthly retribution. 
 
 ]My grandfather and his companion 
 hastened on in their journey ; but in- 
 stead of going to Stirling they crossed 
 the river at Alloa, and so passed by 
 tho water-side way to Kdinburgh, 
 where, on entering tho AVest I'ort, 
 they separated. The bailie, who was 
 a fearful man, and in constant dread 
 and terror of being burned as a heretic 
 for having broke in upon tho aeelnsiou 
 of his unhappy wifa and the carnal- 
 minded jirimate of St Andrews, Ment 
 to a cousin of his own, a dealer in 
 serge aud temming in the Lawn- 
 market, with whom he concealed 
 
UINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 27 
 
 himself for some weeks ; but my 
 grandfather proceeded straiglit to- 
 wards the lodging of tlie Enrl of 
 Gleucairn, to recount to his lordship 
 the whole passages of what he had 
 been concerned in, from the night 
 that he departed from his presence. 
 
 It was by this time the mirkest of 
 the gloaming, for they had purposely 
 tarried on their journey tiiat they 
 might enter Edinburgh at dusk. Tlie 
 shops of the traders were shut, for in 
 those days there was such a resort of 
 soruers aad lawless men among the 
 trains of the nobles and gentry, that it 
 was not safe for honest merchants to 
 keep their shops open after nightfall. 
 Nevertheless the streets were not 
 darkened, for there were then many 
 begging-boxes, with images of the 
 saints, and cruisies burning afore them, 
 in divers parts of the High-street and 
 corners of the wynds, insomuch that 
 it was easy, as I have heard my grand- 
 father tell, to see and know any one 
 passing in the light thereof. And in- 
 deed what befell himself was proof of 
 it ; for as he was coming tlirough St 
 Giles' kirk-yard, which is now the 
 rarliamentclose, and through which at 
 that time there was a style and path 
 for pn-^sengers, a young man, whom he 
 had observed following him, came 
 close up just as he reached a begging 
 image of tlie Virgin IMary with its 
 lamp, that stood on a pillar at the 
 south-east corner of the cathedral, and 
 touching him on the left shoulder at 
 that spot, made hin!i"ck ror.:^cl '" such 
 a manner tliat the light of the Virgin's 
 lamp fell full on liis face. 
 
 " Dinna bo frighted," said the 
 stranger, " I ken you, and I'm in Lord 
 (Jloncairn's service ; but follow me 
 and way notliing." 
 
 i\Iy grandfather wps not a little 
 startledby this salutation ; he however 
 made no observe but replied, *' Goon 
 then." 
 
 So the stranger went forward, and 
 
 after various turnings and windings, 
 led him down into the Cowgate, v.nd 
 up a close on tlie south side thereof, 
 and then to a dark timber stair, that 
 was i-o frail and creaking, and narrow, 
 that his guide bade him haul himself 
 up with the help of a rope that hung 
 down dangling for that purpose. 
 
 AVlien they had raised themselves 
 to the stair-head, the stranger opened 
 a door, and they went together into a 
 small and lonesome chamber, in the 
 chimla-nook of which an old iron 
 cruisie was burning with a winkingand 
 wizard light. 
 
 " I hae brought you here," said 
 his conductor, " for secrecy ; for my 
 Lord disna want that ye should be seen 
 about his lodging. I'm ane of three 
 that hae been lang seeking you ; and, 
 as a token that ye're no deceived, I 
 was bade to tell you, that before part- 
 ing from my Lord he gi'ed you two 
 pieces of gold out of his coder in the 
 chamber where he supped." 
 
 Jly grandfather thought this very 
 like a proof that he had been so in- 
 formed by the Earl himself ; but, 
 hap])ening to remark that he sat with 
 his back to tlie light, and kept his face 
 hidden in the sliadow of the darkness, 
 Providence put it into his head to 
 jealouse that he mi<.dit nevertheless be 
 a spy, one perhaps that had been trus- 
 ted in like manner as he had himself 
 been trusted, and who had afterwards 
 sold himself to the perdition of the ad- 
 versaries' cause ; he was accordingly on 
 his guard ; but replied witii seeming 
 frankness, tliat it was very true he had 
 received two pieces of gold from the 
 Earl at his departure. 
 
 " Tlien," said tiie young man, " by 
 that token ye may know that I am in 
 the private service of tiie Earl, wiio, 
 for reasons best known to himsel', liath 
 willed tliat you should tell me, that I 
 may report tlie same secretly to him, 
 what es^onage you have made." 
 My grandfather was perplexed by 
 
28 
 
 RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 this speech, but distrust having crept 
 into his thoughts, instead of replying 
 with a full recital of all his adventures 
 he briefly said, that he had indeed 
 effected nothing, for his soul was 
 sickened by the woeful martyrdom 
 of the godly Master Mill to so great a 
 disease that he could not endure to 
 abide in St Andrews, and therefore he 
 had come back. 
 
 " But you liave been long on the 
 way — how is that? — it is now many 
 days since the burning," replied the 
 stranger. 
 
 '' You say truly," was my grand- 
 father's answer, " for I came round by 
 Perth ; but I tarrie<l at no place 
 longer tlian was needful to repair and 
 refresh nature." 
 
 " Perth was a wide bout gait to 
 take frae St Andrews to come to 
 Edinburgh ; I marvel how you went 
 KO fir OrStray," said the young man 
 curiously. 
 
 "In sooth it was; bat being 
 sorely demented with the tragical end 
 of the godly old man," replied my 
 grandfatlier, "and seeing that I could 
 do tlie Earl no manner of service, I 
 wist not well what course to take ; so 
 after meickle tribulation of thought, 
 and great uncertainty of purpose, I 
 e'en resolved to come hither." 
 
 Little more passed: the young 
 man rose and said to my grandfather, 
 he feared tlie Earl would be so little 
 content with him, tiiat he had bettei 
 not go near him, but seek some other 
 master. And when they had de- 
 scended tlie stair, and were come into 
 the street, lie advised him to go to 
 the house of a certain Widow Rijipet, 
 that let dry lodgings in the (irass- 
 ]M ;trk(.>t, and roost there for that night, 
 'riu' which my grandfather in a man- 
 ner signllic J he would do, and so they 
 parted. 
 
 Tile stranger at first walked soberly 
 away ; but he had not goiti many 
 paces when ho suddenly turned into 
 
 a closs leading up to the High Street, 
 and my grandfather heard the patter- 
 ing of his feet rimning as swiftly aa 
 possible, which confirmed to him 
 what he suspected ; and so, instead of 
 going towards the Widow Rippet's 
 house, ho turned back and went 
 straight on to St Mary's Wynd, where 
 the E u-l's lodging was, and knockinjj 
 at the yett, was speedily admitted, 
 and conducted instanter to my Lord's 
 presence, whom he found alone, read- 
 ing many papers which lay on a table 
 before him. 
 
 Gilh 
 
 said the Earl, " how 
 
 laize, >^...^ ....^ ^..w, 
 is this ? why have you come back ? 
 and wherefore is it that I have hoard 
 no tidings from you ? " 
 
 Whereupon my grandfather recoun- 
 ted to him all the circumstantials which I 
 have rehearsed, from the hour of his 
 departure from Edinburgh up till the 
 very time when he tlien stood in hia 
 master's presence. The Earl made no 
 inroad on his narrative while he was 
 telling it, but his countenance often 
 changed and he was much moved at 
 different passages — sometimes with 
 sorrow and sometimes Avith anger ; 
 and he laughed vehemently at the 
 mishap which had befallen the grand 
 adversary of the Congregation and hia 
 concubine. The adventure, however, 
 with the unknown varlet in the street 
 appeared to make his Lordship very 
 thoughtful, and no less than thrice 
 did lie question my grandfather, if he 
 had indeed given but those barren an- 
 swers which Ihavoalready recited; to all 
 which he received the most solemn as- 
 severations^ that no more was said. 
 Ilis Lordship then sat some time cogi- 
 tating, with his hands resting on hia 
 thighs, his brows bent, and his lips 
 pursed as with sharp thoughi. At 
 last he said — 
 
 " Gilhaize, you have done better in 
 this than I ought to have e;cpected 
 of one so young and unpractised. The 
 favour you won with Sir David Ilamil- 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 ton was no more tlian I tlionglit your 
 looks and manners would beget, iiut 
 you are not only well-favoured but 
 well-fortuned ; and had you not found 
 yourself worthily bound to your duty, 
 I doubt not you might have prospered 
 in the Archbishop's household. The 
 affair with Madam Kilspinnie was a 
 thing I reckoned not of; yet therein 
 you have proved yourself not only a 
 very Joseph, but so ripe in wit be- 
 yond your years, that your merits de- 
 serve more commendation than I can 
 tafford to give, for 1 have not sutlicient 
 to bestow on the singular prudence 
 and discernment wherew'th you have 
 parried the treacherous thrusts of that 
 Judas Iscariot, Winterton, for so I 
 doubt not is the traitor who waylaid 
 you. He was once in my service, and 
 is now in the Queen Regent's. In 
 sending off my men on errands simi- 
 lar to yours, I was wont to give them 
 two pieces of gold, and this the false 
 loon has gathered to be a custom, 
 from others as well as by his own 
 knowledge, and he has made it the 
 key to open the breasts of my servants. 
 To know this, however, is a great dis- 
 covery. But, Gilhaiz.e, not to waste 
 words, you have your master's confi- 
 dence. Go therefore, I pray yon, with 
 all speed to the Widow Itippet's, and 
 do as Winterton bade you, and ns 
 chance may require. In the morning 
 come again hither ; for I have this 
 night many weighty affairs, and you 
 have shown yourself possessed of a 
 discerning spirit, that may, in these 
 times of peril and perjury, help the 
 great cause of all good Scotchmen." 
 
 In saying these most acceptable 
 words, he clapped my grandfather on 
 the shoulder, and encouraged him to 
 be as true-hearted as he was sharp- 
 witted, and he could not fail to ear*^ 
 both treasure and trusts. So my 
 grandfather left him, and went to the 
 Widow llippet's in the Grassmarket ; 
 and around licr kitchen firo he found 
 
 some four or five discarded knaves that 
 wore bargaining with her for beds, or 
 for leave to sleep by the hearth. And 
 he had not been long seated among 
 them when his heart was grieved with 
 pain to see Winterton come in, and 
 behind him the two simple lads of 
 Lithgow that had left their homes 
 with him, whom, it appeared, the 
 varlet had seduced from the Earl of 
 Glencairn's service, and inveigled into 
 the Earl of Seaton's, a rampant papist, 
 by the same wiles wherewith ho 
 thought he had likewise made a con- 
 quest of my grandfather, whom they 
 had ;dl come together to see ; for the 
 two Lithgow lads, like reynard the fox 
 when he had lost his tail, were eager 
 that he too should make himself like 
 them. He feigned, however, great 
 weariness, and indeed his heart was 
 heavy to see such skill of wickedness 
 in so young a man as ho. saw in 
 Winterton. So, after partaking with 
 them of some spiced ale, wliicli Win- 
 terton brought from the Salutation 
 tavern opposite the gallows-stone, he 
 declared himself overcome with sleep, 
 and i^er force thereof obligated to go 
 to bed. But when they were gone, 
 and he had retired to his sorry couch, 
 no sleep came to his eyelids, but only 
 hot and salt tears ; lor he thought 
 tliat he had been in a measure con- 
 cerned in bringing away the two 
 thoughless lads from their homes, and 
 he saw that they were not tempered > 
 to resist the temptations of the world, 
 but would soon fall away from tlieir 
 religioua integrity, and become rudo 
 and godless roisters, like the wuddy 
 worthies that paid half price for leave 
 to sleep on the widow's hearth. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 At the first blink of the grey eye of 
 the morning niy grandfather rose, and, 
 quitting the house of the Widow Rip- 
 pet, went straight to the Earl'slodgiugs 
 
RINGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 and waj admitted. The porter at the 
 door told liim that tlieir inasttT, 
 having been up all night, had but just 
 retirod to bed ; but, while they wore 
 speaking, the Earl's page, who slept 
 in the an ti- chamber, called from the 
 stair-head to inquire who it was that 
 had come so early, and being informed 
 thereof, he went into his master, and 
 afterwards came again and desired my 
 grandfather to walk up, and conducted 
 him to his Lordship, whom he found 
 on his counii, but not undressed, and 
 who said to him on his entering, Avhen 
 the page had retired — 
 
 "I am glad, Gilhaize, that you 
 Lave come thus early, for I want a 
 trusty man to go forthwith into the 
 west country. What I wish you to 
 do cannot be written, but you will 
 take this ring ; " and he took one from 
 the little linger of his right hand, on 
 the gem of which his cipher was 
 graven, and gave it to my grandfather. 
 " On showing it to Lord Boyd, whom 
 you will find at the Dean Castle, near 
 Kilmarnock, lie will thereby know 
 that you are specially trusted of me. 
 The message whereof you are the 
 bearer is to this effect, — That the 
 Lords of tiie Congregation have, by 
 their friends in many places, received 
 strong exhortations to step forward 
 and oppose the headlong fury of the 
 churchmen; and that they have in con- 
 sequenco deemed it necessary to lose 
 , no time in ascertaining wliat the 
 strength of the Reformed may be, and 
 to procure declarations for mutual 
 defence from all who are joined in 
 professing the true religion of Clirist. 
 Sliould ho see meet to employ you in 
 this matter, you will obey his orders 
 and instructio'i.i whatsoever they may 
 be." 
 
 Tiie Earl then put his hand a- 
 neath his pillow and drew out a small 
 leathern purse, which he gave to my 
 grandfather, who, in the doing of this, 
 observed that he had Beveral other 
 
 similar purses ready under his head. 
 In taking it my grandfather was pro- 
 ceeding to tell him what ho had ob- 
 served at the Widow Rippet's, but his 
 Lordship interrupted him, saying — 
 
 " Such tilings are of no issue now, 
 and your present duty is in a higher 
 road ; theruforo make haste, and God 
 be with you." 
 
 With these words his Lordship 
 turned himself on his couch, and 
 composed himself to sleep ; which my 
 grandfather, after looking on for about 
 a minute or so, observing, camo 
 away ; and having borrowed a frock 
 and a trot-cozoy for the journey from 
 one of the grooms of the hall, he went 
 straight to Kenneth Shelty's, a noted 
 horse-setter in those days, who lived 
 at the West-Port, and bargained with 
 him for the hire of a beast to Glasgow, 
 though Glasgow was not then the 
 nearest road to Kilmarnock ; but ho 
 tliought it prudent to go that way in 
 case any of the j)apistical emissaries 
 should track his course. 
 
 There was, however, a little over- 
 sight in this which did not come to 
 mind till he wjis some miles on the 
 road, and that was the obligation it 
 put him under of passing through Lith- 
 gow, where he was so well known, and 
 where all his kith and kin lived ; there 
 being then no immediate route from 
 Edinburgh to Glasgow but by Lithgow. 
 And he debated with himself for a 
 space of time whether he ought to pro- 
 ceed, or turn back and go the other 
 way, and his mind was sorely troubled 
 with doubts and difficulties. At last 
 he considered, that it was never deem- 
 ed wise or fortunate to turn back in 
 any undertjiking, and besides, having 
 for the service of the Saviour left his 
 fatlier's house and renounced hia pa- 
 rents, like a bird that taketh wing and 
 kuowcth the nest where it waabred no 
 more— he knit up his ravelled thoughts 
 into resolution, and, clapping spurs to 
 his horse, rode br^ively on, 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 81 
 
 lUit when he belield the towers of 
 I the palace, and the steeples of his na- 
 tive town, rising before him, many 
 remembrances came rushing to his 
 heart, and ail the vexations he had 
 'suffered there were lost in the sunny 
 recollections of the morning of life, 
 when every one was kind, and the eyes 
 of his parents looked on him with the 
 brightness of delight, in so much, that 
 his soul yearned within him, and his 
 cheeks were wetted with fast-flowing 
 tears. Nevertheless, he overcame this 
 thaw of his fortitude,.and went forward 
 inthe strength of tlio liOrd, determined 
 to swerve not in hie duty to the Earl of 
 (ilencairn, nor in his holier fealty to a 
 far greater ]\Iaster. But the softness 
 that he felt in his nature, made him 
 gird himself with a firm purpose to 
 ride through the town witiiout stop- 
 i:)ing. Scarcely, however had he en- 
 tered the port, when his horse stum- 
 bled and lost a shoe, by which he was 
 not only constrained to stop, but to 
 take him to his father's smiddy, which 
 was in sight when the mischance hap- 
 pened. 
 
 On going to the door, he found, as 
 was commoiiJy the ease, a number of 
 firooms and flunkies of the courtiers, 
 witli certain fnars, holding vehement 
 discourse concerning the tidings of the 
 time, the burden of which was, the 
 burning of the aged Master Mill, a 
 thing that even tlie monks durst not, 
 for the sake of humanity, venture very 
 strenuously to defend. Ilis father was 
 not then within ; but one of the pren- 
 tice lads, seeing who it was that had 
 come witii a horse to bo shod, ran to 
 tell liim ; and at tlie sight of mygrand- 
 fatlier, the friars suspended their con- 
 troversies witii the serving-men, and 
 gatliered round him with many ques- 
 tions, lie replied, however, to them 
 all with few words, bidding the fore- 
 man to make haste and shoe his horse, 
 iioping that ho miglit thereby be off 
 and away before his father came, 
 
 But, while the man was throng with 
 the horse's foot, both father and mo- 
 ther came rushing in, and his motiier 
 was weeping bitterly, and wringing 
 her hands, chiding him as if he had 
 •sold himself to the Evil One, and be- 
 seeching him to stop and repent. His 
 father, however, said little, but inquir- 
 ed how he had been, wliat he was 
 doing, and where he was going ; and 
 sent the prentice lad to bring a stoup 
 of spiced ale from a public hard by, 
 in which he pledged him, kindly hop- 
 ing bo would do well for himself and 
 he would do well for his parents. I'ho 
 which latherliness touched my grand- 
 father more to the quick than all the 
 loud lament and reproaches of his mo- 
 ther ; and he replied, that he had en- 
 tered into the service of a nobleman, 
 and was then riding on his master's 
 business to Glasgow ; but he mention- 
 ed no name, nor did his father inquire. 
 His mother, however, burst out into 
 clamorous revilings. declaring her 
 dread, that it was some of the apostate 
 heretics ; and, giving vent to her pas- 
 sion, was as one in a frenzy, or pos- 
 sessed of a devil. The very friars were 
 confounded at her distraction, and 
 tried to sooth her and remove her forth 
 the smiddy, Avhich only made her more 
 wild, so tliatall present compnssionated 
 my grandfather, who sat siltiit and 
 made no answer, wearying till his horse 
 was ready. 
 
 But greatly afflicted as ho was by 
 this trial, it was nothing to what 
 ensued, when, after having mounted, 
 and shaken his father by tlie hand, he 
 galloped away to tlie West-port. 
 Tiiere, on the outside, lie was met by 
 two women and an old man, parents 
 of the lads whom he had taken with 
 iiim to Edinburgh. Having heard he 
 was at his father's smiddy, instead of 
 going thither, they h . come to that 
 place, in order that they might speak 
 with liim more apart, and free from 
 molestatioQ, concerning iheir sons. 
 
32 
 
 EINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 One of the women wag <a poor 
 widow, anl she liad no other child, 
 nor the hope of any other bread- 
 winner for licr old age. She, however, 
 said nothing, but stood with the corner 
 of her apron at her eyes, sobbing very. 
 afflictedly, while her friends, on seeing 
 my grandfather come out oif the port, 
 stepped forward, and the old man 
 caught the horse by the bridle, and 
 said gravely — 
 
 " Ye maun stop and satisfy three 
 sorrowful parents ! What hae ye done 
 witli your twa thoughtless com- 
 panions ? " 
 
 My grandfather's heart was as if 
 it would have perished in his bosom ; 
 for the company he had seen the lads 
 with, and the talk they had held, and 
 above all their recklessness of prin- 
 ciple, came upon him like a withering 
 Hash of fire. He, however, replied 
 soberly, that he had seen tliem botii 
 the night before, and that tliey were 
 well in health and jocund in spirit. 
 
 The mother that was standing near 
 her husband was blithe to hear this, 
 and reminded her gudeman, how she 
 Lad often said, tliat when they did 
 hear tidings of their son her words 
 woidd be found true, for he iiad ever 
 been all his days a brisk and valiant 
 bairn. 
 
 But the helpless widow was notcon- 
 tent, and she came forward drying her 
 tears, saying, " And what is my poor 
 fatherless do-na-gudo about? I'm 
 fearfu to be particular ; for, though 
 he was aye kind-hearted to me, he 
 WJis easily wised, and I doubt he'll 
 prove a blasting or a blessing, ac- 
 cording to the liJinds he fa's among." 
 
 " I hope and pray," said my grand- 
 father, " that he'll be protected from 
 ficaith, and live to be a comfort to all 
 liis friends." And, so saying, he dis- 
 engaged his bridle with a gentle vio- 
 lence from the old man's hold, telling 
 them, he could not afford to stop, 
 being timed to reach Glasgow that 
 
 night. So he pricif^d ntie horse with 
 his rowals, and t-Lcfl iwray ; but his 
 heart, all the I'emjuan^ier &i his day's 
 journey, was as if it IiakI been pierced 
 with many barbed Miroiwra. and the sad 
 voice of the poor ajmaom* widow rung 
 in his ears like the fiaiaiKtii of aome dole- 
 ful knell. 
 
 Saving this aflair a*t Lichgow, no- 
 thing befell him tilll fiue crime to the 
 gates of Glasgow: W which time it 
 was dark, and the irjunl;irKi watch set, 
 and they questioDed him. very sharply 
 before giving liim A(ii'Miii«»ion. For the 
 Queen Regent was ttSusa sojourning 
 in the castle, an<8 her inaxs and cares 
 were greatly qiiicitswii at that time, 
 by rumours from ulil jiiarta of the king- 
 dom, concerning •tiM- nminider, as it was 
 called, of M sister Mil. ifn this ac- 
 count the French gmnunfe, which she 
 had with her. wfre Di!i.§trTicted to bo 
 jealous of all untimMi'iK tej. Tellers, and 
 they being joined "jriafti -i wjinl of bur- 
 ghers, but using omilT iilL»*ir owntongue, 
 caused no smfU] mcilksnanion to every 
 Scotsman that Bcnp' " a<imission after 
 the sun was set : J;'! niie b;irgliers not 
 being well versed am nniiilinnary practices, 
 were of thomselvt.* tctt propugnacious 
 in their authoriTx. nmifcing more ado 
 tlhin even the FrenDdh-men. It hap- 
 pened, however, liiain iik*^re wa.; among 
 those valiant trudri'fan.d craftsmen of 
 Glasgow one 11)Ci!Eiuu»Swon], the dea- 
 con of the hamiDtiniEiiiin.. and he having 
 the command of lii>c«f stationed at the 
 gate, overheard "srkiii! wua p.Lssing with 
 my grandfalh^T. aiml criming out of 
 the wardroom, iinqinired his name, 
 wliich when be litrwui^aiid that he was 
 son to Michael (GiiillBiaiija*,. the Litligow 
 farrier, he adviwid HiO' Bet him in. say- 
 ing, he knew Lis ffrnifiusr wtll. and tiiat 
 they had worked to^nlicr. when young 
 men, in the King'* aumioary at Stirling; 
 and he told Limu wluHre he lived, and 
 invited him, wLeaii Ma horse was sta- 
 bled, to come t'S -Tpper. for he was 
 glad to see him im im father's sake' 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 83 
 
 At tin's time an ancient controvorsy 
 between tlie Arclibi.sliops of St And- 
 rews and of Glasgow, touching their 
 resjjective jurisdictions, liad been re- 
 suscitated with great acrirnoi y, and in 
 the debates concerning the same the 
 Ghisgow people took a deep interest ; 
 for tliey are stout-hearted and of an 
 adventurous spirit, and cannot abide 
 to think tiiat they or tlieir town should, 
 in any thing of public honour, be 
 deemed either slack or second to the 
 foremost in tlio realm ; and none of 
 all tlie worthy burgesses thereof 
 thought more proudly of the superior- 
 ity and renown of their city than did 
 Deacon Sword. So it came to pass, 
 as he was sitting at supper with my 
 grandfather, that he enlarged and ex- 
 patiated on the inordinate pretensions 
 of the Archbisliop of St Andrews, and 
 took occasion to diverge from the pre- 
 late's political ambition to speak of the 
 enormities of his ecclesiastical govern- 
 ment, and particularly of that heinous 
 and never-to-be-forgotten act, the 
 burning of an aged man of fourscore 
 and two years, whose very heresies, 
 as the deacon mercifully said, ought 
 rather to have been imputed to dotage, 
 than charged as offences. 
 
 My grandfather was well pleased 
 to observe such vigour of principle 
 and bravery of character, in one 
 having such sway and Aveight in so 
 great a community as to be the chief 
 captain of the crafts who were banded 
 with the hammermen, namely, the 
 cartwrights, the saddlers, the masons, 
 the cooj)ers, the mariners, and all 
 whose work required the use of edge- 
 tools, the hardiest and buirdliest of 
 the trades — and he allowed himself 
 to run in with the deacon's humour, 
 but without letting wot either in whose 
 service he was, or on what exploit he 
 was bound ; sowing, however, from 
 time to time, hints as to the need 
 that seemed to be growing of putting 
 a curb on the bold front wherewith 
 
 the Archbishop of St Andrews, under 
 the pretext of suppressing heresies, 
 butted with the horns of oppression 
 against all who stood within the rev- 
 erence of his displeasure. 
 
 Deacon Sword had himself a lean- 
 ing to the reformed doctrines, which, 
 with his public enmity to the chal- 
 lenger of his own Archbishop, made 
 him take to those hints with so great 
 an affinity, that he vowed to God, 
 shaking my grandfather by the hand 
 over the table, that if some steps were 
 not soon taken to stop such inordinate 
 misrule, there were not wanting fiva 
 hundred men in Glasgow, who would 
 start forth with weapons in their grip, 
 at the first tout of a trump, to vin- 
 dicate the liberties of the subject, and 
 the wholesome administration, by the 
 temporal judges of the law against all 
 offenders as of old. And giving scope 
 to his ardour, he said there was then 
 such a spirit awakened in Glasgow, 
 that men, women, and children, 
 thirsted to see justice executed on the 
 churchmen, who were daily waxing 
 more and more wroth and insatiable 
 against every one who called their 
 doctrines or polity in question. 
 
 Thus out of the very devices, 
 which had been devised by those 
 about the Queen Regent to intercept 
 the free communion of the people 
 with one another, was the means 
 brought about whereby a chosen emis- 
 sary of the Congregation came to get 
 at the emboldening knowledge of the 
 sense of the citizens of Glasgow, with 
 regard to the great cause which at 
 that period troubled the minds and 
 fears of all men. 
 
 ]My grandfather was joyfully 
 heartened by what he heard ; and 
 before coming away from the deacon, 
 who, with the hospitality common to 
 his townsmen, would fain have had 
 him to prolong their sederunt over 
 the gardevine, he said, that if Glas- 
 gow were as true and valiant as it 
 
H 
 
 RING AN GILHAIZE. 
 
 wag fcliouglit, tliero could be no doubt 
 thiit her ileclaration for tho Ijords of 
 tlic Confjrc'gation would work out a, 
 ^'roiit rc'(lrL',s3 of public wrong's. For, 
 from all liu could loam and under- 
 stand, those high and pious noblemen 
 had nothing more at heart than to 
 procure for the people tlie free exer- 
 cise of their right to worship God ac- 
 cording to their conscienc-r, and tlie 
 doctrines of t'le Old and New Testa- 
 ments. 
 
 But thougli, over the liquor-cup, 
 the deacon had spoken so dreauless, 
 and like a manly fitizen, my grand- 
 father resolved with himself to depart 
 betimes for Kilmarnock, in case of 
 any change in his temper. Accor- 
 dingly, he requested the hostler of the 
 hostel where ho had taken his bed, to 
 which his day's hard journey early 
 inclined him, to have his horde 
 in readiness before break of day. 
 ]jut this hostel, which was called 
 the Cross of lUiodes, happened 
 to be situated at tho Water-port, 
 and besides being a tavern and inn, 
 was likewise the great ferryhou,se 
 of tlio Clyde when tho tide was up, or 
 the ford rendered unsafe '.y tlie tor- 
 rents of spates and inliiid rains — the 
 which caused it to be much frequented 
 by the skippers and mariners of the 
 barks that traded to France and 
 Genoa witli the llenfrow salmon, and 
 by all sorts of travellers, at all times, 
 even to tho small hours < i tho mor- 
 ning. In short it was a boisterous 
 house, the company resorting thereto 
 of a sort little in unison witii tho re- 
 ligious frame of my grandfather. As 
 soon, tliereforc, as he came from tlie 
 deacon's, ho went to bed without 
 taking off his clothes, in order that 
 ho miglit be fit for tho road as he 
 intended: and his bed bi.-ing in the 
 public room, with sliding-doors, he 
 drew them upon him, hoping to shut, 
 out some of the din, and to win a 
 Jittip repose. ]int scarcely had he 
 
 laid his head on tho ])illow, wlien ho 
 heard the voice of one entering tho 
 room, and listening eagerly, he dis- 
 covered tliat it was no otiier than the 
 traitor Winlerton's, the which so 
 amazed him witii apprehension, that 
 ho shook as ho lay, like the Jispen 
 leaf on tlie tree. 
 
 Winterton called like n braggart 
 for supper and hot wine, boasting 
 ho had ridden that day from Ktliu- 
 burgh, and that ho must bo up and 
 across his horse by dayliglit in the 
 morning, as he had need to bo in 
 Kilmarnock by noon. In this, which 
 vanity made him tell in bravado, 
 my grandfather could not but ili^scern 
 a kind Providence admonisliing him- 
 self, for he had no doubt that Win- 
 terton was in pursuit of him ; ami 
 thankful ho was that ho had given no 
 inkHng to any one in the hou.se as to 
 whence he had come, and wiiere ho 
 was going. IJutliad this tliought not 
 at once entered his head, he would 
 soon have had cause to think it ; for 
 while Winterton was eating his sup- 
 per he began to converse witli thcii 
 host, and to enquire what travellers 
 had crossed the river. Twice or 
 tlirice, in as it were an offhand man- 
 ner, he spoke of one whom he cal!ed 
 a cousin ; but, in describing his garb, 
 ho left no doubt in my grandfatiier's 
 bosom that it was regarding him he 
 seemed at once both so negligent and 
 KO anxious. Most providential there- 
 fore it was, that my grandfatlier had 
 altered his dress before leaving Edin- 
 buigl), for the marks which AVinter- 
 ton gave of hiin were chiefly drawn 
 from his ordinary girb, and by them 
 their host in consequince said he had 
 seen no such person. 
 
 When Winterton had finished his 
 repast, and was getting ids second 
 stoiip of wine heated, he asked wh' re 
 he was to sh-ep. To the which ques- 
 tion the host I'eiilied, that he feared 
 he would, like others, be obligated 
 
RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 85 
 
 to make a beucli by tlio fireside his 
 coiicli, all tlie beds in the house being 
 alivady bespoke or occupied. " Every 
 one of tliein is double," said the man, 
 save only one, the which is iKiid for 
 by a youn;,' man that goes off at break 
 i of day, ami Avho is already asleep." 
 At this Winterton swore a dread- 
 iful oatb, tliat he would not sleep by 
 file fire after riding fifty miles, while 
 there was half a bed in the house, and 
 
 I oonnnanded the host to go and tell 
 tlie young man that he must half 
 blankets with him. 
 
 iMy gramlfather knew that this 
 could only refer to him ; so, when 
 their host came and opened the sliding 
 doors of the bed, he feigned himsen 
 to be very fast asleep at the back of 
 the bod, and only groaned in drowsi- 
 ness when he was touched. 
 
 " O, let him alane," cried Winter- 
 ton, " I ken what it is to bo tired ; so, 
 iis there's room enough at the stock, 
 when I have drank my posset I'll e'en 
 creep in beside him." 
 
 My grandfather, weary as ho was, 
 lay panting with apprehension, not 
 doubthig that he should be speedily 
 discovered ; but when Winterton had 
 linished his drink, and came swag- 
 
 I gering and jocose to be his bedfellow, 
 he kept himself with his face to the 
 wall, and snored like one who was in 
 haste to sleep more than enough, 
 insomuch that Winterton, when he 
 lay down, gave him a dog with his 
 elbow and swore at him to be quiet. 
 His own fatigue, however, soon 
 mastered the disturbance which my 
 grandfather made, and he began him- 
 self to echo the noiso in defenceless 
 sincerity. 
 
 On hearing him thus fettered by 
 
 I sleep, my grandfather began to con- 
 sider with himself what ho ought to 
 (lo, being both afraid and perplexed 
 he knew not wherefore ; and he was 
 prompted by a Power that he durst 
 
 {not and could not reason with, to rise 
 
 and escape from the jeopardy wherein 
 he tlien wiis. But how could this bo 
 done ? for the house was still open, 
 and travellers ai.d customers wore 
 continually going and coming, 'i'ruly 
 his situation was one of great tribu- 
 lation, and escape therefrom a thing 
 seemingly past hope and the unaided 
 wisdom of man. 
 
 After lying about the period of an 
 hour in great perturbation, he began 
 to grow more collected, and the din 
 and resort of strangers in the house 
 also subsided, by which he was en- 
 abled,withhelpfrom on High, to gather 
 his scattered thoughts, and to bind 
 them up into the sheaves of purpose 
 and resolution. Accordingly, when 
 all was still, and several young men, 
 that were sitting by the fire on ac- 
 count of every bed being occupied, 
 gave note, by their deep breathing, 
 that sleep had descended upon them, 
 and darkened their senses with her 
 gracious and downy wings, he rose 
 softly from the side of Winterton, 
 and stepping over him, slipped to tlio 
 door, which he unbarred, and tho 
 moon shining bright, he went to tiie 
 stable to take out his horse. It was 
 not his intent to have done this, but 
 to have gone up into the streets of 
 the city, and walked the v,'alls thereof 
 till he thought his adversary was gone; 
 but seeing the moon so fair and clear, 
 he determined to take Lis horse and 
 proceed on his journey ; for the river 
 was low and fordable, and trintled 
 its waters with a silvery sheen in the 
 stillness of the beautiful light. 
 
 Scarcely, however, had he pulled 
 the latch of the stable door, — even as 
 he was just entering in, when he heard 
 Winterton coming from the house 
 rousing the hostler, whom he pro- 
 fanely rated for allowing him to over- 
 sleep himself. For, wakening just as 
 his bedfellow rose, he thought the 
 morning was come, and that his orders 
 Lad been neglected. 
 
36 
 
 RINGAN GILnAIZE. 
 
 In tliia extremity my grandfatlior 
 saw no chance of evasion. If lie went 
 out into the moonshine he woukl to a 
 buix'ty be discovered, and in the stable 
 lie wouhl to a certainty be eauf^ht. 
 But what couhl he do, and the dan<,a'r 
 to pressinf,'? lie had liardly a choice ; 
 however ho went into the stable, sliut 
 tne door, and runiiiiig up to the liorses 
 tliat were fartiiest ben, mounted into 
 tiie liack, and hid himself among t'.ic 
 hay. 
 
 In that concealment ho was scarcely 
 •well down, when Winterton, with an 
 hostler that was half-asleep, came with 
 a lantern to the door, banning the 
 poor Icnave as if he had been cursing 
 him Avith bell, book, and candle ; the 
 other rubbing his eyes and declaring 
 it was still far from morning, and 
 saying he was sure the other traveller 
 was not gone. To the which there 
 was speedy evidence ; for on going 
 towards Winterton's horse the hostler 
 sav/ my grandfather's in its stall, and 
 told him so. 
 
 At that moment a glimpse of the 
 lantern fell on the horse's legs, and 
 its feet being v lite,— " Oho ! " cried 
 "NVinterton, *' Int us look here. — Ken- 
 neth Shelty's Ughtfoot; — the very 
 beast; — and l.ic I been in the same 
 hole wi' the tod and no kent it. The 
 de'il's black collie worry me, but this 
 is a soople trick. I did nae think the 
 eleokit sinner had art enough to play't; 
 — nae doubt, he's gane to hide himself 
 in the town till I'm awa, for ho h.-is 
 heard what I said yestreen. But I'll 
 be up sides wi' him. The de'il a foot 
 will I gang this morning till he comes 
 back for his horse." And with these 
 words he turned out of the stable with 
 the hostler, and went back to the 
 house, 
 
 No sooner were they well gone 
 than my grandfather came from his 
 hiding-place, and twisting a wisp of 
 straw round his horse's feet, that they 
 might not dirl of make a diu oa the 
 
 stones, he led it cannily out, and down 
 to the river's brink, and there mount- 
 ing, took the foni, and was soon frre 
 on the (jorbals side. Hiding up the 
 gait at a brisk trot, he passed on for a 
 short time along the road that he had 
 been told led to Kilmarnock ; but fo;.r- 
 ing lio would bo followed, lie turned 
 off at the first wynd iie 'Jiinn.' ^oon tiio 
 right; and a blessed thii.g it was that 
 he did so, for it led to the Keforma- 
 tion-leavened town of I'aisley, where 
 he arrived an hour before daylight. 
 Winterton, little je.ilousing what had 
 happened, went again to bed, as my 
 grandfather afterwards learnt, and had 
 fallen asleep. In the morning when 
 he awoke, and was told that both man 
 and horse were llown, ho flayed the 
 hostler's back and legs in more than 
 a score of places, believing he had 
 connived at my grandfather's secret 
 flight. 
 
 ISly grandfather had never before 
 been in the town of I'aisley, but ho 
 had often hocard from Abercorn's serv- 
 ing-men that were wont to sorn about 
 his father's smiddy, of a house of 
 jovial entertainment by the water- 
 side, about a stone-cast from the 
 abbey-yett, the hostess whereof was a 
 certain canty dame called Maggy 
 Napier, then in great rej^ute with the 
 sh.ivelings of the abbey. Thither he 
 directed his course, the abbey towers 
 serving him for her sign, and the 
 moonlight and running river were 
 guides to her door, at the which ho 
 was not blate in chapping. She was, 
 however, long of giving entrance; for 
 it happened that some nights before, 
 the magistrates of the town had been 
 at a carousal with the abbot and chap- 
 ter, the papistical denomination for 
 the seven heads and ten horns of a 
 monastery, and when they had come 
 away and wore going home, one of 
 them, Bailie Pollock, a gaucy widower, 
 was instigated by the devil and the 
 wine he had drank to stravaig towards 
 
 that 
 
 a pit 
 
 more 
 
 awo 
 
 fast 1 
 
 and 
 
 kinc 
 
 ing 
 
 pose 
 
 lawi: 
 
 but 
 
 bacll 
 
RINGAN GILHATZK. 
 
 87 
 
 !Mfif,'f:y XnpiorV, — .a most nnsconily 
 tliiiif,' fur !i bailio to do, cHpccially n 
 bailie of rai.sley ; but it waH then the 
 (lays of jiopiHli sinfulness. And when 
 IJailii! I'ollock went tliither, the house 
 was full of riotous swankies, who being 
 the waur of drink tiieniselves, had but 
 little reverence for a magistrate in tiie 
 same state ; so they handled liim to 
 such a degree that lie was obliged to 
 keep his bed and put collops to liis 
 eyes for three days. The consequence 
 of which was, that tlic hotisc fell under 
 the displeasure of the Town Council, 
 and Maggie was admonished to keep 
 it more orderly and doucely, — tliough 
 the fault came neither from her nor 
 her customers, as she told my grand- 
 father, f(jr detaining him so long, it 
 being requisite that she should see he 
 was in a condition of sobriety before 
 letting him in. liut, when admitted, 
 ho was in no spirit to enjoy her 
 jocosity concerning Bailie Pollock's 
 spree, so he told her that ho had come 
 far, and had far to go, and that having 
 heard sore tidings of a friend, ho was 
 fain to go to bed and try if he could 
 coujpose himself with au hour or two 
 of sleep. 
 
 IMaggie accordingly refrained from 
 her jocularity, and began to soothe and 
 comfort him, for she was naturally of 
 a winsome way, and prepared a bed 
 for him with her best sheets, the 
 which, she said, were gi'en her in 
 gratus gift frae the Lord Abbot, eo 
 that he undressed himself, and enjoyed 
 a pleasant interregnum of anxiety for 
 more than five hours ; and when he 
 awoke and was up, he found a break- 
 fast worthy of the abbot himself ready, 
 and his hostess was most courtly and 
 kind, praising the dainties, and press- 
 ing liim to eat. Nor, when he pro- 
 posed to reckon with her for the 
 lawin, would she touch the money, 
 but made him promise, when ho came 
 back, ho would bide another night 
 with her, hoping he would then be la 
 
 better spirits, — for she was wao to seo 
 sae braw a gallant sae casteu down, 
 doless, and d(j\vie. 
 
 When they had settled their con- 
 test, and my grandfather had como 
 out to mount his beast, which a strip- 
 ling was holding ready for him at a 
 louj)ing-on-stane near the abbey-yett, 
 as he was going thither, a young 
 friar, who w.os taking a morning stroll 
 along the pleasant banks of the Cart, 
 approached towards him, and after 
 looking hard at him for some time, 
 called him by name, and took him by 
 both the hands, which ho pressed with 
 a brotherly affection. 
 
 This friar was of Lithgow parent- 
 age, and called Dominick Callender, 
 and when he and my grandfather 
 were playing-bairns, they h.id sjjent 
 many a merry day of their suspicion- 
 less young years together. As he 
 grew up, being a lad of shrewd parts, 
 and of a very staid and orderly de- 
 portment, the monks set their snares 
 for him, and before ho could well 
 think for himself he was wiled into 
 their traps, and becoming a novice, in 
 due season professed himself a monk. 
 But it was some time before my 
 grandfather knew him again, for the 
 ruddy of youth had fled his cheek, 
 and he was pale and of a studious 
 countenance ; and when the first 
 sparklings of his pleasure at the sight 
 of his old play-marrow had gone off, 
 liis eyes saddened into thoughtfulness, 
 and he appeared like one weighed 
 down with care and heavy inward 
 dule. 
 
 ClIATTER V. 
 
 After Dominick Callender and my 
 grandfather had conversed some time, 
 with many interchanges of the kindly 
 remembrances of past pleasures, the 
 gentle friar began to bewail his 
 sad estate in being a professed 
 monk, and so mournfully to de- 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 plore the rashness with which inex- 
 perienced youth often takes upon 
 Itself a yoke it can never lay clown, 
 that the compassion of his friend was 
 sorrowfully awakened, for he saw lie 
 •was living a life of bitterness and 
 grief. He heard him, however, with- 
 out making any reply, or saying 
 anything concerning his own lot of 
 hazard and adventure ; for, consider- 
 ing Dominick to be leagued with the 
 papistical orders, he did not think 
 him safe to be trusted, notwithstand- 
 ing the unchanged freshness of the 
 loving-kindness which he still seemed 
 to bear in his heart : nor even, had 
 he not felt this jealousy, would he 
 have thought himself free to speak of 
 his errand, far less to have given to 
 any stranger aught that might have 
 been an inkling of his noble master's 
 zealous, but secret stirrings, for the 
 weal of Scotland, and the cufraucliise- 
 ment of the worshippers of the true 
 God. 
 
 When my grandfather had arrived 
 at his horse, and prepared to mount, 
 Dominick Callendcr said to him, if 
 he would ride slowly for a little way 
 he would walk by his side, adding, 
 ♦' for may be I'll ne'er see you again 
 — I'm a-weary of this way of life, and 
 the signs of the times bode no good 
 to the church, I hae a thought to go 
 into some foreign land, where I may 
 taste the air of a freeman, and I feel 
 myself comforted before I quit our 
 auld hard-favoured, but warm-lieartcd 
 Scotland, in meeting wi' ano that re- 
 minds me how I had once sunny 
 mornings and summer days." 
 
 This was said so much in the sin- 
 cerity of a confiding spirit, tliat my 
 grandfather could not refrain from 
 observing, in answer, that lie feared 
 Lis friar's cloak did not sit easy upon 
 him ; which led him on to acknow- 
 ledge that it was so. 
 
 " I am speaking to you, (Jilhaize," 
 * Rilidhe, «' with the frauk heart uf auld 
 
 langsyue, and I dinna scruple to con- 
 fess to one that I hae ofteii thought 
 of, and Aveary't to see again, and 
 wondered wliat had become of, that 
 my conscience has revolted against 
 the errors of the papacy, and that I 
 am now upon the eve of fleeing my 
 native land, and joining the Reformed 
 at Geneva. And maybe I'm no or- 
 dain'd to spend a' my life in exile ; 
 for no man can deny that the people 
 of Scotland are not inwardly the warm 
 adversaries of the church. That last 
 and cruellest deed, the sacrifice of the 
 feckless old man of four-score and 
 upward, has proven that the humanity 
 of the world will no longer endure the 
 laws and pretensions of the church; 
 and there are few in Paisley whom 
 the burning of auld Mill has not 
 kindled with the spirit of resistance. ' 
 
 The latter portion of these words 
 was as joyous tidings to my grand- 
 father, and he tightened his reins and 
 entered into a more particular and 
 inquisitive discourse with his com- 
 panion, by which he gathered that the 
 martyrdom of Master Mill had indeed 
 caused great astonishment and wrath 
 among the pious in and about Paisley, 
 and not only among them, but had 
 estranged the affections even of the 
 more worldly from the priesthood, of 
 Avhom it was openly said, that the 
 sense of pity towards the commonalty 
 of mankind was extinguished within 
 them, and that they were all in all for 
 themselves. 
 
 IJut as they were proceeding 
 through the town and along the road, 
 conversing in a familiar but earnest 
 manner on these great concerns, 
 Dominick Callender began to inveigh 
 against the morals of liis brethren, 
 and to lament Jigain, in a very piteous 
 manner, that he was decreed, by hia 
 monastic profession, from the enjoy- 
 ment of the dearest and tenderest 
 emotions of man. And before they 
 separated, it catne out that he had 
 
 
MNGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 been for some tiino touched -vvitli tlio 
 soft oiicliaiituients of love for a young 
 maiden, (lie diui<,diter of a g'l'Utleniau 
 of f,f(jod account in Paisley, and that 
 her cliasto piety Avas as the precious 
 guiii wlierewith tlie E<,'yptians of ohl 
 Ijreserved their dead in everlasting 
 beauty, keeping from her presence all 
 tiiiiit of impurity, and of thoughts 
 sullying to innocence. 
 
 '' But." ho exclaimed with a 
 sorrowful voice, " that whicli is her 
 glory, and my admiration and praise, 
 is converted, by the bondage of my 
 unnatural vows, into a curse to us 
 both. 'J'he felicity that we might 
 have enjoyed together in wedded life 
 is forbidclt-n to us as a great crime. 
 But the laws of God are above the 
 canons of the church, the voice of 
 Nature is louder than the fulminations 
 of the Vatican, and I have resolved 
 to obey the one. and give ear to the 
 other, despite the horrors tliat await 
 on apostacy. Can you, Cilhaize, in 
 aught assist my resolution ? " 
 
 There was so nnich veliemence 
 and the passion of grief in tliese 
 ejaculations, tliat my grandfatlier Avist 
 not well what to say. He told him, 
 however, not to be rasli in what he 
 dill, nor to disclose his intents, save 
 only to those in whom he could con- 
 fide ; for the times were peiilous to 
 every one that sla''kened in reverence 
 to the jiapaey, particularly to such as 
 had pastured within the chosen folds 
 of tli(! church. 
 
 "Bide," said he, "till you see 
 what issue is ordained to come from 
 this dreadful deed whicli so sliak .th 
 all the land, making tlie abbey towers 
 topple and tnniMe to their oldest and 
 difpcst foundations. 'J'ruth is awak- 
 ened, and gone forth conquering and 
 to conquer. It cannot be that ancient 
 iniquities will be much longer endur- 
 ed ; the arm of Wratli is raised against 
 them ; the sword of Jtevenge is drawn 
 forth from its scabbard by Justice ; 
 
 and Nature ha? burst asunder the 
 cords of the Roman harlot, and stands 
 in her freedom, like Samson, when 
 the Spirit of the Lord was mightily 
 poured upon him, as he awoke from 
 tlie lap of Delilah." 
 
 The gentle friar, as my grandfather 
 often told, stood for some time as- 
 tounded at this speech, and then he 
 said — 
 
 '•I dreamt not, Gilhaize, that be- 
 neath a countenance so calm and 
 comely, the zealoiLs fires of a Avarrior's 
 bravery could have been kindled to so 
 vehement a beat. But I Avill vex you 
 with no questions. Heaven is on your 
 side, and may its redeeming prompt- 
 ings never allow its ministers to rest, 
 till the fetters are broken and the 
 slaves are set free.'' 
 
 AVith these words he stepped for^ 
 ward to shake my grandfather by the 
 hand, and bid him farewell ; but just 
 as he came to the stirrup he halted 
 and said — 
 
 '•It is cot for nothing that the 
 remembrance of voii has been pre- 
 serA'ed so much brighter and dearer 
 to me than that of all my kin. 
 There was aye something about you, 
 in our heedk-RS days, that often made 
 me wonder, I coulil not tell where- 
 fore ; and now, when I behold you 
 in th<' prime of manhood, it fills me 
 Avith admiration and awe, and makes 
 me do homage to you as a master." 
 
 ^luch more he added to tiie same 
 eiTect, which the modesty of my 
 grandfather would not alloAV him to 
 rej.eat ; but when they had parted, 
 and my grandfather had ridden for- 
 ward some tvo or three miles, he re- 
 called to mind what had passed 
 between tLt-m. and he used to say 
 that this discount with his early friend 
 first ojx'ned to him a view of the 
 grievous captivity wl. h many suffered 
 in the monauterits ai.d convents, not- 
 Avithstanding the loose lives imputed 
 to their inmates ; and he saw that the 
 
40 
 
 RINGAN GILHATZE, 
 
 Reformation would be hailed by many 
 that languished in the bondage of 
 their vows, as a great and glorious 
 deliverance. But still he was wont to 
 say, even with such as these, it was 
 overly mingled with temporal con- 
 cernments, and that they longed for 
 it less on account of its immortal 
 issues, than for its worldly emancipa- 
 tions. 
 
 And as he was proceeding on his 
 way in tliis frame of mind, and think- 
 ing on all that he had seen and learnt 
 from the day in which he bade adieu 
 to his father's house, he came to a 
 place where the road forked off in two 
 different airts, and not knowing which 
 to take, he stopped his horse and 
 waited till a man drew nigh, whom he 
 observed coming towards him. By 
 tiiis man he was told, that the road 
 leading leftward led to Kilmarnock 
 and Ayr, and the other on the right 
 to Kilwinning ; so, without saying 
 anything, he turned his horse's head 
 into the latter; the which he was 
 moved to do t)y sundry causes and 
 reasons. First, he had remarked that 
 the chances in his journey had, in a 
 very singular manner, led him to gain 
 much of tha,t sort of knowledge 
 which the Lords of the Congregation 
 thirsted for ; and, second, he had no 
 doubt that Winterton was in pursuit 
 of him to Kilmarnock, for some pur- 
 pose of frustration or circumvention, 
 the which, though he was not able 
 to divine, he could not but consider 
 important, if it was, as he thought, 
 the prime motive of that varlet's 
 journey. 
 
 But he was chiefly disposed to pre- 
 fer the Kilwinning road, though it 
 was several miles more of bout-gait, 
 on account of the rich abbacy in that 
 town ; hoping he might glean and 
 gather some account how the clergy 
 tliere stood affected, the mcetinc' 
 with Dominick Callcnder havJiig af- 
 forded him a vista of friends and 
 
 auxiliaries in the enemy's camp little 
 thought of. Besides all this, he re- 
 flected, tliat as it was of con.«oquence 
 lie should reach the Lord Boyd in 
 secrecy, ho would be more likely to 
 do so by stopping at Kilwinning, and 
 feeing some one there to guide him to 
 the Dean castle by moonlight. I have 
 heard him say, iiowever, tlie speakable 
 motives of his deviation from the 
 straight road wore at the time far less 
 effectual in movin^T hi;n thereto, than a 
 something wl; . 'i h dd not tell, that 
 with an invisi' ; .ook his horse 
 
 as it were by the bridle-rings, and 
 constrained him to go into the Kil- 
 winning track. In the whole of this 
 journey there was indeed a very ex- 
 traordinary manifestation of a special 
 providence, not only in the protection 
 vouchsafed towards himself, but in tiie 
 remarkable accidents and occurrences, 
 by which he was enabled to enrich 
 himself with the knowledge so precious 
 at that time to those who were chosen 
 to Avork the great work of the Gospel 
 in Scotland. 
 
 As my grandfather came in .Sight 
 of Kilwinning, and belicld tl'C- a'.)bey 
 
 with its lofty horned towers 
 
 •iia 
 
 
 pinnacles, and the sands u. 
 ham between it and the s 
 to him as if a huge leviai. .."• • td 
 come up from the depths of the >• jmi 
 and was devouring the green inland, 
 having already consumed all the herb- 
 age of the wide waste that lay so baro 
 and yellow for many a mile, desert 
 and lonely in the silent stuishine, and 
 he ejaculated to himself, that the 
 frugal soil of poor Scotland could 
 ne'er have been designed to pasture 
 such enormities. 
 
 As he rode on, liis ; i.i; descended 
 from the heights into pi' •,. ' t t-'achs, 
 along banks feathered Avita vhc frag- 
 rant plumage of the birch and liazel, 
 and lie "orgot, in hearkening to the 
 cheerlui prattle of the Garnock waters, 
 as thivv : wirled among the pebble i by 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 41 
 
 the road side, the pngeantries of that 
 more bodily Avorship Avhich had worked 
 oil tlic ignorance of the world to raise 
 sucli costly monuments of the long- 
 snffering patience of Ilccaven, while 
 they showed how much the divine 
 nature of the infinite God, and tlie 
 humility of His eternal Son, had been 
 forgotten in this land among profes- 
 sing Christians. 
 
 When he came nigh the town, he 
 inquired for an hostel, and a stripling, 
 the miller's son. who was throwing 
 stones at a Hock of geese belonging 
 to the abbey, then taking their plea- 
 sures uninvited in his father's mill- 
 dam, guided hira to the house of 
 Tlu'ophilu.s Lugton, the chief vintner, 
 horse-setter, and stabler, in the town; 
 Avhere, on alighting, he was very kindly 
 received ; for the gudewife was of a 
 stirring, household nature, audThco- 
 ])liilii,s himself, albeit douce and tem- 
 ])erate for a publican, was a man ob- 
 liging and liosjiitable, not only aa 
 boeame him in his trade, but from a 
 disinterested good-will. He was in- 
 deed, as my grandfather came after- 
 wards to know, really a person holden 
 in great respect and repute by the 
 visitors and pilgrims who resorted to 
 the abbe", and by none more than by 
 the worthy wives of Irvine, the most 
 regular of his customers. For they 
 being then in the darkness of pa])istry, 
 were as much given to the idolatry of 
 holidays and masses, as, thanks be and 
 praise ! they are now to the hunting 
 out of sound gospel preachers and 
 sacramental occasions. Many a stoup 
 of burned wine and spiced ale they 
 were wont, at I'ace and Yule, and 
 otlier pai)istical high times, to partake 
 of togctiu'r in the house of Thcojihi- 
 liis Lugton, happy and well content 
 when their possets were flavoured 
 Avith the ghostly conversation of 
 some gawsie monk, well versed in 
 the mysteries of reciuiems and pur- 
 gatory. 
 
 Having parted with his horse to be 
 taken to the stable by Theophilus 
 himself, my grandfather walked into 
 the house, and Dame Lugton set for 
 him an elbow chair by the chimla lug, 
 and while she was preparing some- 
 thing for a repast, they fell into con- 
 versation, in the course of which she 
 informed him that a messenger had 
 come to the abbey that forenoon from 
 Edinburgh, and a rumour had been 
 bruited about soon after his arrival, 
 that there was great cause to dread a 
 rising among the heretics ; for, being 
 ingrained with papistry, she so spoke 
 of the Reformers. 
 
 This news troubled my grand- 
 father not a little, and the more he 
 inciuiri'd concerning the tidings, the 
 more reason he got to be alrraed, 
 and to suspect that the bearer was 
 Winterton, who being still in the 
 town, and then at the abbey — hia 
 horse was in Theophilus Lugton'a 
 stable — he could not but think, that, 
 in coming to Kilwinning instead of 
 going riglit on to Kilmarnock, he had 
 run into the lion's mouth. Ikit, see- 
 ing it was so, and could not be helped, 
 he put his trust in the Lord, and re- 
 solved to swerve in no point from 
 the straight line which he had laid 
 down for himself. 
 
 While he was eating of Dame 
 Lugton's fare, with the relishing sauce 
 of a keen appetite, in a manner that 
 no one who saw him could have sup- 
 posed he was almost sick with a sur- 
 feit of anxieties, one James Coom, a 
 smith, came in for a mutclikin-cap of 
 ale, and he. .seeing a traveller, said — 
 
 " Tiiir's sair news ! '1 he drouth of 
 cauld iron will be slockened in men's 
 blood ere we hear the end o't." 
 
 '•'Deed," re]ilied my grandfather, 
 " it's very alarming; Lucky, here, has 
 just been telling me that there's like 
 to be a straemash amang the Re- 
 formers. (Surely they'll ne'er daur to 
 rebel." 
 
42 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 " If a' tales be true, that's no to 
 do," said the smith, blowing the froth 
 from the cap ip which Dame Lugjtoii 
 banded him the ale, and taking a right 
 good-willy waught. 
 
 " But what's said? " inquired my 
 grandfather, when the smith had 
 fetched his breath. 
 
 " Naebody can wcel tell," was his 
 \se; " a' that's come this length 
 jj i, the sough afore the storm. 
 WiLuin twa hours there has been a 
 great riding liither and yon, and a lad 
 straight frae Embro' has come to bid 
 my Lord Abbot repair to the court ; 
 and three chiels hae been at me frae 
 EgHnton Castle, to get their beasts 
 shod for a journey. My Lord there is 
 byte and fykie ; there's a gale in his 
 tail, said they, light where it may. 
 Now, at ween oursels, my Lord has na 
 the lieart of a true bairn to that aged 
 and wdrthy grannie of the papistry, 
 ourleddy the Virgin Mary — here's her 
 health, poorauld deaf and dund) crea- 
 ture — she has na, I doubt, the pith to 
 warsle wi' the blast she auce in a day 
 had " 
 
 " Hand that heretical tongue o' 
 thine, Jamie Coom," exclaimed Dame 
 Lugton. " It's enougli to gar a body's 
 hair stand on end to hear o' your 
 familiaritii'S wi' tiie Holy Virgin. I 
 won'er my Lord Abbot has na lang- 
 sync tethert tliy tongue to the Kirk- 
 door wi' a red-het nail, for sic blas- 
 phemy. But fools are privileged, and 
 eo's seen o' thee." 
 
 " And wha made me familiar wi' 
 her. Dame Lugton — tell me that ? " 
 replied .James; "wnsnait my Lord 
 liimsel, at last Marymas, when he .sent 
 for nie to make a hoop to mend her 
 leg that nklinterod aff as they were 
 dressing her for the show. Eh ! litlle 
 did I think that I was ever to hae the 
 honour and glory of ca'ing a nailintil 
 the timber image o' the Virgin Mary ! 
 Ah, Lucky, ye would na hae tholed the 
 dirl 0' the dints o' my hammer as she 
 
 did. But she's a saint, and ye'll ne'er 
 deny that ye'rc a sinner." 
 
 To tliis Dame Lugton was unable 
 to reply, and the smith, cunningly 
 winking, dippet his head up to the 
 lugs in the ale-cap. 
 
 "But," said my grandfather, " no 
 to speak wi' disre.^peck of things con- 
 sidered wi' reverence, it does na seem 
 to me that there is ouy cause to think 
 the Reformers hae yet rebelled." 
 
 " I'm sure," replied the smith, '• if 
 they hae na, they ought, or the de'il a 
 spunk's amang them. Isna a' the 
 monks, frae John o' Groat's to the 
 Border, getting ready their spits and 
 rackses, fryingpans and branders, to 
 cook them like capons and doos for 
 Horney's supper? I never hear my 
 ain bellows snoring at a gaud o' iron 
 in the fire, but I think o' fat Father 
 Lickladle, the abbey's head kitchener, 
 roasting me o'er the low like a laverock 
 in his collop-tangs ; for, as Dame 
 Lugton there weei kens, I'm ane o" the 
 Ket'ormed. Meh! but it's a braw 
 tiling this Reformation. It used to 
 cost me as muekle siller for the sin o' 
 getting fu', no aboon three or four 
 times in the year, as would hae kept 
 ony honest man blithe and ree frae 
 New'cr.sday to Ilogmanas ; but our 
 worthy hostess has found tj her profit 
 that I'm now ane of iier best cus- 
 tomers. What say ye. Lucky ? " 
 
 " Truly, " said Dame JjUgton, 
 laugliing, "thou'snoan ill .swatch o' 
 the Reformers ; and naebody need 
 be surprised at the growth o' heresy 
 wha thiidcs o' the dreadfu' cost the 
 professors o't used to be at for par- 
 dons. But maybe they'll soon find 
 that the de'il's as hard a taxer as e'er 
 the kirk was ; for ever since thou has 
 refinint frae paying penance, thy 
 weekly calks ahint the door hae been 
 on the increase, Jamie, and no ae 
 plack has thou mair to spare. So 
 nuickle gude thy reforming has done 
 thee." 
 
niNGAN GiLHAIZE. 
 
 43 
 
 the 
 cap, 
 
 " Bido awce, Lucky," cried 
 emith, setting down the ale 
 whicJi ho had just emptied, "bide 
 awee, and ye'll see a change. Surely 
 it was to be expecket, considering tlie 
 spark in my bass, tliat the first use 
 I would niak o' the freedom o' the 
 Reformation would be to quench it, 
 which 1 never was allowed to do 
 afore ; and whenever that's done, ye'll 
 see me a geizen't keg o' sobriety, — tak 
 the word o' a drouthy smith for't." 
 
 At this jink o' their controversy, 
 who should come into the house, 
 ringing ben to the hearth-stane with 
 his iron heels and the rattling rowels 
 o' bis spurs, but Winterton, without 
 observing ray grandfather, who was 
 then sitting with his back to the 
 window-light, in the arm-chair at the 
 chimla lug; and when he had ordered 
 Dame Lugton to spice him a drink of 
 her best brewing, he began to joke 
 and jibe with the blacksmith ; the 
 which allowing my grandfather time 
 to compose his wits, which were in a 
 degree startled; he saw that Ik ?ould 
 not but be discovered, so he thought 
 it was best to 1 ring himself out. 
 Accordingly, in as quiet a manner as 
 he was able to put on, he said to 
 Winterton — 
 
 " I hae a notion that we twa hae 
 forgathered no lang sinccsyne." 
 
 At the sound of these words Win- 
 terton gave a loup, as if he had 
 tramped on something no canny, 
 syne a whirring sort of triumphant 
 whistle, and then a shout, crying, 
 "Ha, ha! tod lowrie ! hae I yirded 
 you at last?" Kut instantcr he re- 
 collected himscl', and giving my 
 grandfather a significant look, as if 
 he wished him no to be particular, he 
 said, "I heard o' you, Gilhaize, on 
 the road, and I was fain to hae come 
 up wi' you, that we might hae tra- 
 velled thegither. llowsever, I lost 
 scent at Glasgow." And then he 
 continued to harer with him, till the 
 
 ale Avas ready, when he pressed my 
 grandfather to taste, never letting 
 wot how they had slept together in 
 the same bed ; and my grandfather, 
 on his part, was no less eiicumsjject, 
 for he discerned that Winterton in- 
 tended to come over him, and he was 
 resolved to be on his guard. 
 
 When Winterton had finished his 
 drink, which ho did hastily, he pro- 
 posed to my grandfatlier that they 
 should take a stroll through the town ; 
 and my grandfather being eager to 
 throw stour in his eyes, was readily 
 consenting thereto. 
 
 ''AVcel," said the knave, when he 
 had warily led him into the abbey 
 kirk-yard, " I did na think ye would 
 hae gane back to my Lord ; but i.'s a* 
 very weel, since he has looked o'er 
 what's past, and gi'eu you a new 
 dark." 
 
 " He's very indulgent,' replied my 
 grandfather, " and 1 would he loath 
 to wrang so kind a master ; " and ho 
 looked at Winterton ; the varlet, 
 however, never winced, but rejoined 
 lightly. - 
 
 " But I wisli you had come back to 
 Widow Kippet's, for ye would liae 
 spar't me a hanl ride. Scarcely had 
 ye ta'cn the road when my Lord niindit 
 that he had neglekit to gie you the 
 sign, by the which ye were to make 
 yoursel and message kent to his 
 friends, and I was sent after to tell 
 
 you." 
 
 " I'm glad o' that," replied my 
 grandfather, "what is't?" Winter- 
 ton was a thought molested by 
 this thrust of a question, and for the 
 space of about a minute said nothing, 
 till he had considered with himself, 
 when he rejoined — 
 
 " Three lads were sent off about 
 the same time wi' you, and tlie Earl 
 was nae quite sure, he said, whilk of 
 you a' he had forgotten to gie the 
 token whereby ye would be known as 
 his men. But the sign for the Earl of 
 
44 
 
 RIXGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 Eglinton, to whom I guess ye Iiao been 
 sent, by coming to Kilwinning, is no 
 the same as for the Lord lioyd, to 
 whom I thouglit ye had been mis- 
 sioned ; for I hno been at the Dean 
 Castio, and finding you not there, 
 followed you hitlier." 
 
 " I'll be jilain wi' you," said my 
 grandfather to this dr.aughty speech. 
 " I'm bound to the Lord I5oyd ; but 
 coming through Paisley, when I 
 reached the place where the twa roads 
 branched, I took the ane that brought 
 me here instead of the gate to Kil- 
 marnock ; so, as soon as my beast has 
 eaten his corn, I mean to double back 
 to the Dean Castle." 
 
 *' How, in the name of the saints 
 and souls, did yc think, in going frae 
 Glasgow to Kilmarnock, o' taking the 
 road to Paisley? " 
 
 " 'Deed, an' ye were acquaint, "said 
 my grandfather, " wi' how little I 
 knew o' the country, ye would nae 
 Bpeir that question ; but since we hao 
 fallen in thogither, and are baith, ye 
 ken, in my Lord Glencairn's service, I 
 liope ye'U no objek to ride back v;i' 
 me to the Lord Boyd's." 
 
 " Then it's no you that was sent to 
 the Earl of Eglinton?" exclaimed 
 Wintorton, pretending more surprise 
 than he felt ; " and all my journey has 
 been for naething. llowsever, I'll 
 go back wi' you to Kilmarnock, and 
 the sooner we gang the better." 
 
 Little fartherdiscoursethen passed, 
 for they returned to the hostel, and 
 ordering out their horses, were soon 
 on tlie road ; and as they trotted 
 along, AVinterton was overly out- 
 spoken against the papisticals, calling 
 them all kind.^ of ill names, Jind no 
 sparing tlie Queen Regent. But my 
 grandfather kept a calm tongue, and 
 made no reflections. 
 
 " llowsever," said AVinterton, 
 pulling up his bridle, and walking 
 ins horse, as tliey were skirting the 
 moor of Irvine, leaving the town about 
 
 a mile off on the right, "you and me, 
 (Jilhaize, that are but servants, need 
 nao fash our heads wi' sic things. 
 'J'he wyte o' wars lie at the doors of 
 kings, and the soldiers are free o' the 
 sin o' them. But how will ye get into 
 the presence and confidence of the 
 Lord Boyd?" 
 
 "I thought," replied my grand- 
 father pawkily "that ye had gotten 
 our master's token ; and I maun trust 
 to you." 
 
 " O," cried Winterton, "I got but 
 the ane for the lad sent to Eglinton 
 Castle." 
 
 "And ha'c ye been there?" said 
 my grandfather. 
 
 Winterton didna let wot that ho 
 heard this, but stooping over on the 
 off side of his horse, pretended he was 
 righting something about his stirrup- 
 leather. ]\Iy grandfather wfis, how- 
 ever, resolved to probe him to the 
 quick ; so, when he was again sitting 
 U[)riglit, he repeated the question, if 
 he had been to Eglinton Castle. 
 
 " O. ay," cried the false loon ; " I 
 was there, but the bird was flown." 
 
 "And how got he the ear of the 
 Earl," said my grandfather, "not 
 having the sign? " 
 
 In for a penny in for a pound, was 
 Winterton's motto, and ae lie with 
 him was father to a race. " Luokily 
 for him," replied he, "some of the 
 serving-men kent him as being in 
 Glencairn's service, so they took him 
 to their master." 
 
 My grandfather had no doubt that 
 there Avas some truth in tliis, though 
 lie was sure "Winterton knew little 
 .about it; for it agreed with what.Tames 
 ('oom, the smith, had said about the 
 lads from Eglinton that had been at 
 liis sniiddy to get the horses shod, and 
 rcnuniibering the leathern purses under 
 the Earl his master's pillow, he was 
 persuaded that there had been a mes- 
 senger sent to the head of the Mont- 
 gomeries, and likewise to other lords, 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 45 
 
 friends of the Congi'cpiition ; but he 
 saw tliat AViiittTtou wont by guess, 
 and lied at raudcnn. Still, though not 
 affecting to notice it, nor expressing 
 any distrust, lie could not help saying 
 to him, that he had oonu' a long way, 
 and after all it looked like a gowk's 
 errand. 
 
 The remark, however, only served 
 to give Wintertou inward satisfaction, 
 and he replied with a laugh, tliat it 
 made little odds to him where he was 
 sent, and that he'd as lief ride in Ayr- 
 siiire as sorn about the causey of Kn- 
 brongh. 
 
 In this sort of talk and conference 
 they rode on together, the o'ercome 
 now and then of Winterton's discourse 
 being concerning the proof my grand- 
 fatiier carried with him, whereby the 
 Lord Poyd would know he was one 
 of (ilencairn's men. But, notwith- 
 standing all his wiles and devices to 
 howk tlie secret out of him, his drift 
 being so clearly discerned, my grand- 
 father was enabled to play with him 
 till they were arrived at Kilmarnock, 
 where Wintertou proposed to stop till 
 he had delivered his message to the 
 Lord lioyd at the Dean Castle. 
 
 " That surely cannot be," replied 
 my grandfather; " for ye ken, as there 
 has been some niistak about the eign 
 whereby I am to make myself known, 
 ye'll ha'e to come wi' me to expound, 
 in case of need. In trooth, now that 
 we hae forgatherit, and as I ha'e but 
 this ae message to a' the shire of Ayr, 
 I would fain ha'e your company till I 
 see t!ie upshot." 
 
 Wintertou could not very easily 
 make a refusal to this, but he hesitated 
 and swilhered, till my grandfather 
 urged him again ; — when seeing no 
 help for it, and his companion, as he 
 thought, entertaining no suspicion of 
 him, he put on a bold face and went 
 forward. 
 
 When they had come to the Dean 
 Castle, which stands in a pleasant 
 
 green park about a mile aboon the 
 town-head of Kilmarnock, on enter- 
 ing the gate, my grandfather hastily 
 alighted, and giving his horse a sharp 
 prick of his spur as he lap off, the 
 beast ran capering out of his hand, 
 round the court of the castle. 
 
 With tlie well-feigned voice of 
 great anxiefy, my grandfather cried to 
 the servants to shut the gate and keep 
 it in ; and Wintertou alighting, ran to 
 catch it, giving his own horse to a 
 stripling to hold. At the same mo- 
 ment, however, my grandfather 
 sprung upon him, and seizing him by 
 the throat, cried out for help to master 
 a spy. 
 
 Winterton was so confounded that 
 he gasped, and looked round like a 
 man dimented ; and my grandfather 
 ordered him to be taken by the 
 serving-men to their master, before 
 whom, when they were all come, ho 
 recounted the story of his adventures 
 with the prisoner, telling his Lordship 
 what his master, the Earl of Glen- 
 cairn, suspected of him. To which, 
 when Wintertou was asked what he 
 had to say, he replied bravely, that it 
 was all true, and he was none ashamed 
 to be so catched, when it was done by 
 so clever a fellow. 
 
 He was then ordered by the Lord 
 Boyd to be immured in the dungeon- 
 room, the which may be seen to this 
 day ; and though his captivity was 
 afterwards somewhat relaxed, he was 
 kept a prisoner in the castle till after the 
 death of the Queen Dowager, and the 
 breaking up of her two-faced councils. 
 This ex])loit won my grandfather 
 great favour, and he scarcely needed 
 to show the signet-ring when he told 
 his message from the Lords of the 
 Congregation. 
 
46 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 By such devices and missions, as my 
 grandfather was engaged in for the 
 Earl Glencairn with the Lord Boyd, 
 a thorough understanding was con- 
 certed among the lleformed through- 
 out the kingdom ; and encouraged 
 by their great strength aud numbers, 
 which far exceeded wliat was expected, 
 the Lords of the Congregation set 
 themselves roundly to work, and the 
 Protestant preachers openly published 
 their doctrines. 
 
 Soon after my grandfather had re- 
 turned from the shire of Ayr, there 
 was a weighty consultation held at the 
 Earl his patron's lodging in Edin- 
 burgh, whereat, among others pre- 
 sent, was that pious youth, after- 
 wards the good Regent Murray. He 
 w^as by office and appointment then 
 the head and lord of the priory of St 
 Andrews ; but his soul cleaving to 
 the Reformation and the Gospel, he 
 laid down the use of that title, and 
 about tljis time began to be called 
 the Lord James Stuart. 
 
 The Lords of the Congregation, 
 feeling themselves strong in the good- 
 ness of their cause aud the number of 
 their adherents, resolved at this Coun- 
 cil that they should proceed firmly but 
 considerately to work, and seek re- 
 dress as became true lieges, by reprc- 
 eentation aud supplication. Accord- 
 ingly a paper was drawn up, wherein 
 tiiey set forth how, for conscience 
 Bake, the Pfformed had been long 
 afflicted witli banishment, confiscation 
 of goods, and death in its crudest 
 forms ; that continual fears darkened 
 their lives, till, being no longer able 
 to endure such calamities, they were 
 compelled to beg a remedy against the 
 oppressions and tyranny of tiie Estate 
 Ecclesiastical, which had tisurped an 
 unlimited domination over the minds 
 of men, — the faggot and the sword 
 being the weapons which the prelates 
 
 employed to enforce llieiir ccm-lates, 
 — plain truths that wtTf nisnH openly 
 stilted in order to tli-aw Btia,* the 
 suppliants wre Kiiiowf: ain<l they 
 concluded with a dtacuumiidl nhat tiie 
 original purity of the CiiumrLiin re- 
 ligion should be reBi.Oii't:iil and the 
 government so improT^d ;Jti Co aJi'ord 
 them security in thdx jiar»DOST opin- 
 ions, aud projierty. 
 
 Sir James Calder c-if Suidilanda 
 was the person chosen i<'.» ftitseat this 
 memorial to the Qut-tn Utt-jy^sit ; and 
 never, said my gi-ajjdiniiiiutir. was an 
 agent more fitly cLosei; n.o. rapfaol I the 
 dignity of his trust, or to jprrsi^rve the 
 respect which, as good iijib'jii-cts, the 
 Reformed desired to imMm."a.ia and 
 manifest towards the anaifliKOTtry ri-gal. 
 He was a man far ndrantptii in life ; 
 but there was none of JJbt- imfirmitifS 
 of age under the Teii«njilbilte titerior 
 with which time had dloifilwfi hia ap- 
 pearance. Of gr<:;at JLcHLioijar and a 
 pure life, he was n'T«rHiiij.:viti by all 
 parties, and had ;icquirtid iiD«ii renown 
 and affection, tlirourrb Im mTiiceH to 
 the realm and his miiuifold Tcrtufs. 
 
 On a day appointed W tht Quet^n 
 Regent, the Lords ai>d fea'Reirs of the 
 Congregation attend-wS Smdiland.-*, 
 each with a stately ri'mmnrt', ao- U(jly- 
 rood House; luy graudijuBuir having 
 leave from the EarL liat Kuater, to 
 wait on his person om ihna (0«t?a.-i->n. 
 
 It was a solemn daj ti* ahe wor- 
 shippers of the true Gic»d. wko eanie 
 in great multitudee t.o4ft»eiii5''sra,m;iny 
 from distant parts, io ht jne^^tnt, nnd 
 to hear tlie Issie of a co>; i-n-c.-i- that 
 was to give libeiiy to lii'; .ci/B.-iinonc' 3 
 of all devout Scotch n^^-c;. From the 
 house in the Lawnmiottn, where the 
 Jjords assembled, dovm tiiO) the very 
 yetts of the palace, iht HiiA: w.iaa.s if 
 the street had been jiaxtid wirh faoes ; 
 and windows over wJD.<iciW3^ soofa and 
 linn-lieads, were clusUT.'d wTP,h women 
 and children. All teinjuoaai earea and 
 I businesses were that ■dsf inapended. 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 47 
 
 In the accents and voices of men there 
 Viis an awful sobriety, few epeakini; ; 
 andAvhatwas said sounded as if every 
 one Avaa affected with the sense of 
 some high and everlasting interest at 
 stake. 
 
 When the Lords went down into 
 the street, there was, for a brief in- 
 terval, .1 stir and a murmur in the 
 multitude, which opened to the right 
 and left as when the waves of the Ited 
 Sea were opened, and through the 
 midst thereof prepared a miraculous 
 road for the children of Israel. A 
 deep silence succeeded, and iSandi- 
 landsjwith his hoary head uncovered, 
 bearing in his hand the supplication 
 and remonstrance, walked forward, 
 and the Lords went after also all 
 bare-headed, and every one with them 
 fullowed in like manner, as reveren- 
 tially as their masters. The people, 
 as tliey pnsacd alonir. slowdy and de- 
 voutly, took off their caps and bonnets, 
 and bowed their hea(ls as when the 
 aik of the covenant of the Lord was 
 of old brought back from the Phili- 
 slines ; and many wej)t, and others 
 ]iTayed aloud, and there was wonder, 
 iind awe, and dread, mingled with 
 thoughts of unspeakable confidence 
 and glory. 
 
 "NVhen Sandilands and those with 
 him were conducted into the presence 
 of tlie Queen-dowager, she was 
 .standing under a canopy of state, 
 surrounded by many of the nobles 
 .•uid prelates, and by her maidens of 
 honour. ]\Iy grandfather had not 
 seen her before, and having often 
 heard her suspected of double dealing, 
 and of a superstitious zeal and affec- 
 tion for the ]i;ijial abominations and 
 cruelties, he had pictured to himself a 
 loan aiul liaggard woman, with a pale 
 and fierce countenance, and was 
 tlicrefore greatly amazed Avhen he 
 I'l'held a laily of a most sweet and 
 gracious aspect, with mild dark eyes 
 beaming with a chaste dignity, and a 
 
 high and fair forehead, bright and 
 unwrinkled with any care, and lips 
 formed to speak soft and gentle 
 sentences. In her apparel she wag 
 less gay than her ladies, but neverthe- 
 less she was more queenly. Her 
 dress and mantle were of the richest 
 purple Genoese unadorned with em- 
 broidery, and round her neck she 
 wore a ruff of fine ermine and a 
 string of princely pearls: a small 
 golden cross of curious graven gold 
 dangled to her waist from a loup in 
 the vale of her bosom. 
 
 Sandilands advanced several paces 
 before the Lords by whom he was 
 attended, and falling on his knees, 
 read with a loud and firm A^oice the 
 memorial of the Keformed ; and when 
 he had done so and was risen, the 
 Queen received a paper that was 
 given to her by her secretary, who 
 stood behind her right shoulder, and 
 also read an answer which liad been 
 prepared, and in which she was made 
 to deliver many comfortable assur- 
 ances, that at the time were received 
 a.s a great boon with much tlmnkful- 
 ness by all the Keformed, who had 
 too soon reason to prove the insin- 
 cerity of those courtly flatteries. For 
 no steps were afterwards taken to 
 give those indulgences by law that 
 were promised ; but the papists stir- 
 ring themselves with great activity', 
 and foreij^n matters and conceriis 
 roniing in aid of their stratagems, 
 long before a year passed the mind 
 of the Queen and Government was 
 fomented into hostility against the 
 Protestants. She called into hei 
 favour and councils the Archbishop ol 
 St Andrews, with whom she had been 
 at variance ; and the devout said, 
 when tiiey heard thereof, that wlu n 
 our Saviour was condemned, on the 
 same day Herod and Pilate wore 
 made friends, applying the text to 
 this reconciliation ; and boding there- 
 from woe to the true church. Moved 
 
by tlio hatred which liia Oraco bon; 
 to the llcfonnerd, the (iueon cited 
 the Protestant preachers to appear at 
 StirHng to auswer to the charges 
 which might tliorc bo preferred 
 against them. 
 
 My grandfather, when tin's perfidy 
 came to a lioad, was at Finlayston- 
 houso, in tlio sliiro of Renfrew, with 
 the Earl, his master, who, when lie 
 lieard of such a breach of faitli, smote 
 the table, as he was then sitting at 
 dinner, with his right hand, and said, 
 "Since the false woman has done 
 this, there is nothing for us but the 
 banner and the blade ; " and starting 
 from his seat he forthwith ordered 
 horses, and, attended by my grand- 
 father and ten armed servants, rode 
 to Glasgow, where Sir Hugh Camp- 
 bell of London, then sheriff of Ayr, 
 and other worthies of the time, were 
 assembled on business before the 
 Lords of Justiciary ; and it was in- 
 stanter agreed, that they should forth- 
 with proceed to Stirling Avhere the 
 court was, and remonstrate with the 
 Queen. So, leaving all temporal 
 concerns. Sir Hugh took horse, and 
 they arrived at Stirling about the 
 time her Highness supped, and going 
 straight to the castle, they stood in 
 the ante -chamber, to speak if possible 
 with her as she passed. 
 
 On entering the room to pass to 
 her table she saw them, and looked 
 somewhat surprised and displeased ; 
 but without saying any thing par- 
 ticular she desired the Earl to follow 
 her, and Sir Hugh, unbidden, went 
 also into the banquet room. It was 
 seldom that she used state in her 
 household, and on this occasion, it 
 being a popish fast, her table was 
 frugally spread, and only herself sat 
 at the board. 
 
 " Well, Glencairn," said she, "what 
 has brought you hither from the west 
 at this time ? Is the realm to be for 
 ever tossed like the sea by this tem- 
 
 pest of heresies ? Tlio royal autliority 
 is not always to be insulted witli im- 
 punity, and in spite of all tiieir friend-j 
 the Protestant preachers shall be ban- 
 ished from Scotland, aye, thougli tlieir 
 doctrines were as sound as St Paul's." 
 
 The Earl, as my grandfather heard 
 hiui afterwards relate, replied, " Your 
 INIajesty gave your royal promise tliat 
 the lleformed should be protected, 
 and they have done nothing since to 
 cause the forfeiture of so gracious a 
 boon : I implore your Majesty to call 
 that sacred pledge to mind." 
 
 " You lack reason, my lord," she 
 cried, sharply ; "it becomes not sub- 
 jects to burden their princes with pro- 
 mises which it may be inconvenient 
 to keep." 
 
 " If these, madam, are your senti- 
 ments," replied the Earl, proudly, 
 " the Congregation can no longer ac- 
 knowledge your authority, and must 
 renounce their allegiance to your 
 government." 
 
 She had, at the moment, lifted the 
 salt-celler to sprinkle her salad, — but 
 she was so astonished at tlie boldness 
 of this speech, that she dropt it from 
 her hand, and the salt was spilt on the 
 floor — an evil omen, which all present 
 noted. 
 
 " My Lord Glencairn," said she, 
 thoughtfully, "I would execute my 
 great duties honestly, but your preach- 
 ers trouble the waters, and I know 
 not where the ford lies that 1 may 
 safest ride. Go ye away and try to 
 keep your friends quiet, and I will 
 consider calmly Avhat is best to be done 
 for the weal of all." 
 
 At these words the Earl and Sir 
 Hugh Campbell bowed, and, retiring, 
 went to the lodging of the Earl of 
 Monteith, where they were mindet to 
 pass the night ; but, when they had 
 consulted with that nobleman, my 
 grandfather was ordered to provide 
 himself with a fresh horse from Mon- 
 teith's stable, and to set out for Ediu- 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 49 
 
 burgh with letters for the Lord James 
 Stuart. 
 
 " Gilhaizo," said his master as he 
 delivered them, " I foresee we must 
 buckle on our armour ; but the cause 
 of the truth does not require that the 
 first blow should come from our side. 
 By this time John Knox, who has been 
 long expected, may bo hourly looked 
 for ; and as no man stands higher in 
 tlie aversion of the papists than that 
 brave, honest man, we shall know, by 
 the reception ho meets with, what we 
 ought to do." 
 
 So my grandfather, putting the let- 
 ters in his bosom, retired from the 
 presence of the Earl, and by break of 
 day reached the Westport, and went 
 straight on to the Lord James 
 Stuart's lodging in Canongate. But, 
 though the household were astir, 
 it was some time before he got ad- 
 mittance ; for their master was a 
 young man of great method in all 
 things, and his chaplain was at the 
 time reading the first prayers of the 
 morning, during which the doors were 
 shut, and no one, however urgent 
 his business, could gain admission 
 into that house while the inmates were 
 doing their homage to the King of 
 kings. 
 
 As my grandfather, in the grey of 
 the morning, was waiting in the 
 Canongate till the worship was over 
 in the house of the Lord James 
 Stuart, he frequently rode up and 
 down the street as far as the Lucken- 
 booths and the Abbey's sanctuary 
 siver, and his mind was at times 
 smitten with the remorse of pity, when 
 he saw, as the dawn advanced, the 
 numbers of poor labouring men that 
 came up out of the closes and gathered 
 round the trone, abiding there to see 
 who would come to hire them for the 
 day. But his compassion was soon 
 changed into a frame of thankfulness, 
 at the boundless variety of mercies 
 vhich are dealt out to the children of 
 
 Adam, for he remarked, that, for the 
 most part, these poor men, whoso 
 sustenance was as precarious as that 
 of the wild birds of tlio air, were 
 cheerful and jocund, many of them 
 singing and whistling as blithely as 
 the lark, that carries the sweet incense 
 of her melodious songs in the censer 
 of a sinless breast to the golden gates 
 of the morning. 
 
 Hitherto he had never noted, or 
 much considered, the complicated 
 cares and trials wherewith the lot of 
 man in every station is chequered and 
 environed ; and when he heard those 
 bondmen of hard labour, jocund after 
 sound slumbers and light suppers, 
 laughing contemptuously as they be- 
 held the humiliating sight, which 
 divers gallants and youngsters, court- 
 iers of the court, degraded with de- 
 bauch, made of themselves as they 
 stumbled homeward, he thought there 
 was surely more bliss in the cup that 
 was earned by the constancy of health 
 and a willing mind, than in all the 
 possets and malvesia that the hoards 
 of ages could procure. So he com- 
 posed his spirit, and inwardly made a 
 vow to the Lord, that, as soon as the 
 mighty work of the redemption of the 
 Gospel from the perdition of papistry 
 was accomplished, he would retire into 
 the lea of some pleasant green holm, 
 and take, fnr the purpose of his life, 
 the attainm. , t of that happy simplicity 
 which seeks but the supply of the few 
 wanta with which man comes so ricli 
 from the hands of his Maker, that all 
 changes in his natural condition of 
 tilling the ground and herding the 
 flocks only serve to make him poorer 
 by increasing. 
 
 While he was thus ruminating in 
 the street, he observed two strangers 
 coming up the Canongate. One of 
 them had the appearance of a servant, 
 but he was of a staider and more 
 thoughtful aspect than belongs to 
 men of that degree, only he bore oa 
 
60 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 his shoulder a willense, and had in 
 his hand a small packajje wrapt in a 
 woollen cover an<l bucklnd witli a 
 leathern strap. The other was llic 
 master ; and my grandfather halted 
 his horse to look at him as he parsed, 
 for he was evidently no conmion man 
 nor mean personage, though in stature 
 he was jimp the ordinary size. lie 
 was bent more with infirmities than 
 the load of his years. His hair and 
 long flowing beard were very grey 
 and venerable, like those of the 
 ancient patriarchs who enjoyed im- 
 mediate communion with God. But 
 though his appearance was thus aged, 
 and though his complexion and 
 countenance betokened a frail tene- 
 ment, yet the brightness of youth 
 shone in his eyes, and they were lighted 
 up by a spirit over which time had no 
 power. 
 
 In his steps and gait he was a little 
 hasty and unsteady, and twice or tlirice 
 he was obliged to pause in the steep 
 of the street to draw his breath ; but 
 even in this there was an affecting .ind 
 great earnestness, a working of a liv- 
 ing soul within, as if it panted to enter 
 on the performance of some great and 
 solemn hest. 
 
 lie seemed to be eager and zealous 
 like the apostle Peter, in his temper, 
 and as dauntless as the mighty and 
 courageous Paul. Many in the street 
 stopped and looked after him witli 
 reverence and marvelling as he pro- 
 ceeded with quick and desultory steps, 
 followed by his sedate attendant. !Nor 
 was it surprising, for he was, indeed, 
 one of those who, in their lives, are 
 vast and wonderful, — special creations 
 that are sent down from heaven, with 
 authority attested by the glowing ini- 
 l)ress of the signet of God on their 
 hearts, to avenge the wrongs done to 
 His truths and laws in the blasphemies 
 of the earth. — It was John Knox. 
 
 When he had passed, my grand- 
 father rode back to the yett cf the Lord 
 
 James Stuart's lodgings, whieli by this 
 time was opened, and instanter, on 
 mentioning to the porter from wlioni 
 he had come, was admitted to his 
 master. 
 
 That great worthy was at the time 
 sitting alone in a back chamber, which 
 looked towards Salisbury Crags, and 
 before him, but on tlie opposite side 
 of the table, among divers letters and 
 papers of business, lay a largo Bible, 
 with br^iss clas]»8 thereon, in which it 
 would seem, some one had been ex- 
 pounding to him a poition of the 
 Scriptures. 
 
 Wiien mygrar 
 him the letter fro 
 cairn, he took it 
 
 ler presented to 
 Earl of Glen- 
 /iii him without 
 
 nmch regarding him, and broke open 
 the seal, and began to peruse it to 
 himself in that calm and methodical 
 manner for which he was so famed and 
 remarkable. Before, however, he had 
 read above the half thereof, he gave 
 as it were a sudden hitch, and turning 
 round, looked my grandfather sharply 
 in the face, and said, — 
 
 '• Are you Gilhaize? " 
 
 But before answer could be made, 
 ho waved his hand graciously, point- 
 ing to a chair, and desired him to sit 
 down, resuming at the same time tho 
 perusal of the letter ; and when ho 
 had finished it, he folded it up for a 
 moment ; but, as if recollecting him- 
 self, he soon runkled it up in his hand 
 and put it into the fire. 
 
 " Your Lord informs me," said ho, 
 ' ' that he has all confidence, not only 
 in your honesty, Gilhaize, but in your 
 discernment ; and says, that in respect 
 to the high question anent Christ's 
 cause, you may bo trusted to tho 
 uttermost. Truly, for so young a man, 
 tliis is an exceeding renown. His letter 
 has told me what passed last night 
 with the Queen's Highness. I am 
 grieved to hear it ; she means well ; 
 but her feminine fears make her 
 hearken to counsels that may cause 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 Bl 
 
 tho very ovils whereof bIio is nfraiil. 
 But tlio sincerity of her fiivour to the 
 Iluformed will soon be tried, for liitt 
 nif^'ht John Knox nrrived, and I was 
 Avith Jiiin ; and, strong in tho nssur- 
 ancea of his faith, he intends to lead 
 on to the battle. This morning he 
 Avas minded to depart for J-'ife. — ' Our 
 Captain, Christ .lesus,' said he, 'and 
 Satan, His adversary, are now at open 
 defiance ; their banners are displayed, 
 and the trumpet is blown on both 
 sides for assembling their armies.' As 
 soon as it is known that he is within 
 the kingdom, wc shall learn what we 
 may expect, and that presently too ; 
 for this very day tiie clergy meet in 
 the monastery of the Greyfriars, and 
 doubtless they will be advertised of 
 his coming. You liad as well try if 
 you can gain admittance among the 
 other auditors, to hear their delibera- 
 tions ; afterwards come again to me, 
 and report what takes place ; by that 
 time I shall bo advised whether to 
 send you back to Glencairn or else- 
 where," 
 
 My grandfather, after this and 
 some farther discourse, retired to the 
 hall, and took breakfast with the 
 household, where he was much edified 
 with the douce deportment of all 
 present, so unlike that of the coarse 
 and graceless varlets who rioted in 
 the houses of the other nobles. Verily, 
 he used to say, the evidences of a 
 reforming spirit were briglitly seen 
 there ; and, to rule every one into a 
 chaste sobriety of conversation, a 
 pious clerk sate at the head of the 
 board, and said grace before and after 
 the meal, making it manifest how much 
 all things about the Lord James Stuart 
 were done in order. 
 
 Having taken breakfast, and re- 
 posed himself some time, for his long 
 ride had mixdo him very weary, he 
 rose, and, changing his apparel, went 
 to the Greyfriars church, where the 
 clergy were assembling, and elbowing 
 
 iiimself gently into the heart of the 
 leople waiting around for admis-sion, 
 le got in with tho crowd when the 
 doors were opened. 
 
 'I'iie matter that morning to be 
 considered concerned the means to be 
 taken, within the local jurisdicitiotisof 
 thofcc there nu-t, to enforce the pro- 
 cess of tiie summons which had been 
 issued against the reformed preachers 
 to appear at Stirling. 
 
 Hut while they were busily con- 
 versing and contriving how best to 
 aid and further that iniquitous aggres- 
 Hion of peifidious tyranny, there came 
 in one of the brethren of the monas- 
 tery, with a frightened look, and cried 
 aloud, that John Knox was come, iu:d 
 had been all night in the to%\n. /.t 
 the news the spectators, as if moved 
 by one spirit, gave a triumphant sliout, 
 — the clergy were thunderstruck. — 
 some started from their seats, uncon- 
 scious of what they did, — others threw 
 themselves back wliere they sat, — and 
 all appeared as if a judgment had been 
 pronounced upon them. In the same 
 moment the church began to skail. — 
 the session was adjourned, — and the 
 people ran in all directions. Tlie cry 
 rose everywhere, " John Knox is 
 come ! " All the town came rushing 
 into tlie streets, — tlie old and the 
 young, the lordly and the lowly, were 
 seen mingling and marvelling to- 
 gether, — all tasks of duty, and servi- 
 tude, and pleasure, were forsaken, — 
 the sick-beds of the dying were de- 
 serted, — the priests cibandoned their 
 altars and masses, and stood pale 
 and trembling at the doors of their 
 churclies, — mothers set down their 
 infants on the floors, and ran to in- 
 quire what lind come to pass, — fune- 
 rals were suspended, and the impioua 
 and the guilty stood aghast, as if some 
 dreadful apocalypse had been made, 
 — travellers, with the bridles in their 
 hands, lingering in profane discourse 
 with their hosts, suddenly mounted, 
 
52 
 
 ETNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 and speeded into the country with the 
 tidinfijs. At every cottage door and 
 wayside bield, the inmates stood in 
 clusters, silent and wondering, as 
 horseman came following horseman, 
 crying, "John Knox is come !" Vessels 
 that had departed, when they heard 
 the news, bore up to tell others that 
 they saw afar at sea. The shepherds 
 were called in from the hills ; — the 
 warders on the castle, when, at the 
 sound of many quickened feet ap- 
 proaching, they challenged the comers, 
 were answered, "John Knox is come !" 
 Studious men were roused from the 
 spells of their books ;— nuns, at their 
 windows, looked out fearful and in- 
 quiring, — and priests and friars were 
 seen standing by themselves, shunned 
 like lepers. The whole land was 
 stirred as with the inspiration of some 
 new element, and the hearts of the 
 persecutors wore withered. 
 
 " No tongue," often said my grand- 
 father, " could tell the sense of that 
 great event through all the bounds of 
 Scotland, and the papistical domina- 
 tors shrunk as if they had suffered in 
 their powers and principalities, an 
 awful and irremediable overthrow." 
 
 When my grandfather left the Grey- 
 friars, he went to the lodging of the 
 Lord James Stuart, whom he found 
 well instructed of all that had taken 
 place, whicli he much marvelled at, 
 having scarcely tarried by the wpy in 
 going thither. 
 
 " Xow, Gilhaize," said my Lord, 
 "the ti<liugs fly like wildfire, and the 
 Queen IJogcnt, by the spirit that has 
 descended into the hearts of the people, 
 will be constrained to act one way or 
 another. Jolin Knox, as you perhaps 
 know, staufls under tiio ban of out- 
 lawry for conscience sake. In a little 
 while we shall see whether he is still 
 to be persecuted. If left free, the 
 braird of the Lord, that begins to rise 
 so groen over all the land, will grow 
 in peace to a plentiful harvest. But 
 
 if he is to be hunted down, there will 
 come such a cloud and storm as never 
 raged before in Scotland. I speak to 
 you thus freely, tliat you may report 
 my frank sentiments to thir noble 
 friends and trusty gentlemen, and say 
 to them, that I am girded for the field, 
 if need be." 
 
 lie then put a list of several well- 
 known friends of the Ileformation 
 ayont the frith into my grandfather's 
 hands, adding, " I need not say that 
 it is not fitting now to trust to paper, 
 and therefore much will depend on 
 yourself. The confidence that my 
 friend the Earl your master has in you, 
 makes me deal thus openly with you ; 
 and I may add, that if there is deceit 
 in you, Gilhaize, I will never again be- 
 lieve the physiognomy of man — so go 
 your ways ; see all these, whereso ver 
 they may be, — and take this purse for 
 your charges." 
 
 My grandfather accepted the paper 
 and the purse ; and reading over the 
 paper, imprinted the names in it on 
 his memory, and then said — 
 
 " My Lord, I need not risk the 
 possession of this paper ; but it may 
 be necessary to give me some token 
 by which the lords and lairds therein 
 mentioned may have assurance that I 
 come from you." 
 
 For some time the Lord James 
 made no reply, but stood ruminating, 
 with the fore finger of his loft hand 
 pressing his nether lip ; then he ob- 
 served — 
 
 " Your request is very needful ; " 
 and taking the paper, he mentioned 
 divers things of each of the persons 
 named in it, which lie told iny grand- 
 father had passed between him and 
 them severally, when no other was 
 present. " I5y remombering them of 
 these things," saiil he, " thoy Avill 
 know that you are in verity sent from 
 me." 
 
 Being thus instructed, my grand- 
 father left the Lord James, and j)ro- 
 
HINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 cceding forthwith to the pier of Lcith, 
 embarked in tlic Burntisland ferry- 
 boat — and considering with himself, 
 that the fartliest away of those whom 
 he was missioned to see ought to be 
 the first informed, as the nearer had 
 other ways and means of communion, 
 he resolved to go forward ti such of 
 them as dwelt in Angus and iNlearns; 
 by which resolution lie reached Dun- 
 dee shortly after the arrival there of 
 tiie champion of the lleformation, 
 John Knox. 
 
 This resolution proved most wise 
 and fortunate ; for, on landing in that 
 town, lie found a great concourse of 
 the lieformed from the two shires as- 
 sembled there, and among them 
 many of those to whom he was 
 specially sent. Tiiey had cone to go 
 witli their ministers before the Queen 
 Regent's counsel at Stirling, deter- 
 mined to avow their adherence to the 
 doctrinis of which those pior^ men 
 were accused. And it being furese>>n, 
 that as tliey went forward others 
 would join, my grandfather thought 
 he could do no better in his mission 
 tlian mingle with tliem, the more 
 especially as John Knox was also to 
 be of that great company. 
 
 On the day following, they accord- 
 ingly ail set forward towards Perth, 
 — and they were a glorious army, 
 mighty with the strength of tlieir great 
 ally the Lord of tlie hosts of her -'Mi. 
 ^o trumpet sounded in their maich, 
 nor was the courageous drun\ heard 
 among them, -nor the shouts of 
 earthly soldiery, — nor the neigh of 
 the war-horse, — nor the voice of any 
 captain. 15ut they sang hymns of 
 triumph, and psalms of the great 
 things that Jehovah had of old done 
 for his people ; and though no banner 
 was seen th^re, nor sword on the 
 thiglis of men of might, nor spears 
 in the grasp of warriors, uor crested 
 helmet, nor ought of the panoply of 
 battle, yet tlio cyo of faith beheld 
 
 more than all thes*?. for the liilis and 
 heights of Scotland were to its dazzled 
 vision covered that day with the 
 mustered armies of the dreadful (lod : 
 — the angek of his wratli in their 
 burning chariots; the arciiangils of 
 his omnipott-ncf. calm in their armour 
 of storms and flaming fires, and tiie 
 Kider on the white horse were all 
 there. 
 
 As the people with their ministers 
 advance<l, their course was like a 
 river, wh'ch continually groweth in 
 strength, and tpreadtth its waters as 
 it rolls onward to the sea. On all 
 sides came streams of new adiu'rents 
 to their Loly cause, insomuch that 
 when they arrived at Perth, it was 
 thought best tc halt there, lest the 
 apj-roach of so gre.at a mu'ititude, 
 though without weapons, sliould alarm 
 the (,Jueen Regent's Goverimient. 
 Accordingly they made a pause, and 
 Erskiue of Dun, one of the Lord 
 James Stuait'.s friends, taking my 
 grandfather with him, and only two 
 other servants, rode forward to Stir- 
 ling, to jires'fDt to her Highness the 
 faith and die firmness of tiie people. 
 
 AVhen they arrived, tiiey found 
 the town in consternation. Pusy 
 were the Ijaiiies, marshalling such of 
 the bui^esses a.s could be persuaded 
 to take up anii*s : but all wlio joined 
 them were fcckleav^ aged men, dealers 
 and traffickers in commodities for tho 
 courtiers. Proud was the provost 
 that day, and a tvpe of the cause for 
 which he was gathering his papistical 
 remnants. At the sight of Dun and 
 his three followers riding up the 
 street to the castle, he was fain to 
 draw out his sword and make a salu- 
 tation : but it stnck sae dourly in tliat 
 he was obligated to g.ir ane of the 
 tuwn-cfr!C>?r!f hold the .scabbard, wliile 
 lie ] pulled with such ndglit and main 
 at the Lilt, that the blade suddenly 
 broke off. and l>ack he stumbled, and 
 up llew his becla, so that even my 
 
64 
 
 RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 grandfather was constrained, notwith- 
 standing the solemnity of the occasion, 
 to join in the shout of laughter that 
 arose thereat from all present. But 
 provosts and bailies not being men of 
 war, should not expose themselves to 
 such adversities. 
 
 Nor was the fyke of impotent 
 preparation within the walls of the 
 castle better. The Queen had been 
 ill a manner lanerly with her ladies, 
 when the sough of tho coming 
 multitude reached her. The French 
 guards had not come from Glasgow, 
 and there was none of the warlike 
 nobles of the papistical sect at that 
 time at Stirling. Slie had therefore 
 reason both for dread and panic, 
 when the news arrived that all Angus 
 and Mearus had rebelled, for so it was 
 at first reported. 
 
 On the arrival of Dun, he was on 
 the instant admitted to her presence ; 
 for she was at the time in the tapes- 
 tried chamber, surrounded by her 
 priests and ladies, and many officers, 
 nil consulting her according to their 
 fears. The sight, said my grand- 
 father, for he also went in.to tho 
 presence, was a proof to iiim tliat the 
 cause of the papacy was in the doath- 
 thraws, tho judgments of all present 
 being so evidently in a sttite of dis- 
 comfiture and desertion. 
 
 Dun going forward with the 
 Avoiited reverences, tho Queen said to 
 him abruptly — 
 
 " Well, krskine what is thisV " 
 
 Whereupon he represented to her 
 in a sedate manner,tliat the Iicformed 
 ministers were not treated as they 
 had been encouraged to hope ; never- 
 theless, to show tlieir submission to 
 those in temporal auhority over them, 
 they were coming, in obedience to the 
 citation, to stand trial. 
 
 '' l>ut their retinue — when have 
 delinquents come to trial so at- 
 tended? " she exclaimed eagerly. 
 
 "The people, please your High- 
 
 ness," said Dun, with a steadfastness 
 of manner that struck every one with 
 respect for him, — " the people hold 
 the same opinions and believe the 
 same doctrines as their preachers, and 
 they fee! that the oiYence, if it bo 
 offence, of which tho ministers are 
 accused, lies equally against them, 
 and therefore they have resolved to 
 make their case a common cause." 
 
 "And do they mean to daunt us 
 from doing justice against seditious 
 schismatics ? " cried her Highness, 
 somewhat in anger. 
 
 "They mean," replied Dun, "to 
 let your Highness see whether it be 
 possible to bring so many to judg- 
 ment. Their sentiment, with one voice, 
 is. Cursed be they that seek the effu- 
 sion of blood, or war, or dissension. 
 Let us possess the evangile, and none 
 within Scotland shall be more obedient 
 subjects. In sooth, madam, they hold 
 themselves as guilty of the crime 
 charged as their ministers are, and 
 they will suffer with them." 
 
 " Suffer ! call you r(>bellion suffer- 
 ing ? " exclaimed the Queen. 
 
 " Tiiey have not yet rebelled," 
 said Dun, calmly; "they come to 
 remonstrate with your Highness first ; 
 for, as Christians, they are lotli to 
 draw the sword. They have no arms 
 with them, to the end that no one 
 may dare to accuse them of any trea- 
 son." 
 
 " It is a perilous thing when sub- 
 jects," said the Queen, much troubled, 
 " declare themselves so ojK'iily against 
 the authority of tlieir rulers." 
 
 " It is a l3old thing for rulers," re- 
 plied Dun, " to meddle with the con- 
 sciences of their subjects." 
 
 "IIow!" exclaimed the Queen, 
 startled and indignant. 
 
 " I will deal yet more ]vlaiiily with 
 your Highness," said he firmly. " This 
 ])retended offence, of which the Ke- 
 formcd are accused, is not against tlio 
 royal authority. They are good and 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 55 
 
 true subjects, and, by their walk and 
 conversation, bear testimony to the 
 excellence and purity of those doc- 
 trines for which they are resolved to 
 sacrifice their lives rather than sub- 
 mit to an earthly dictation. Their 
 controversies pertain to things of 
 Christ's kingdom, — it is a spiritual 
 warfare. But the papists, conscious 
 of their weakness in the argument, 
 would fain see your Highness abandon 
 that impartial justice which you were 
 called of Heaven to administer in 
 your great office, and to act factiously 
 on their side, as if the cause of the 
 Gospel could be determined by the 
 arm of flesh." 
 
 " What has brought you here ? " 
 exclaimed the Queen, bursting into 
 tears. 
 
 " To claim the fulfilment of your 
 royal promises," said Dun, making a 
 lowly reverence, that by its humility 
 took away all arrogance fr''n the 
 boldness of the demand. 
 
 "I will," said she: "I am ever 
 willing to be just, but this rising has 
 shaken me with apprehensions ; there- 
 fore, I pray you, Erskine, write to 
 your brethren ; bid them disperse ; 
 and tell them from me, that their 
 ministers shall neither be tried nor 
 molested." 
 
 At these words, she took the arm 
 of one of her ladies and hastily re- 
 tired. Dun also withdrew, and the 
 same hour sent my grandfather back 
 to Perth v'ith letters to the Congre- 
 gation, to the effect of her request 
 and assurance. 
 
 That same evening the multitude 
 broke up and returned to their respec- 
 tive homes, rejoicing with an exceed- 
 ing great joy at so blessed a termina- 
 tion of their weaponless* Christian 
 Avar. Dun, however, distrusting the 
 influence of some of those who were 
 of the Queen's council, and who had 
 arrived at the castle soon after my 
 grandfather's departure, did not re^ 
 
 turn, as he had intended, next morn- 
 ing to Perth, but resolved to wait 
 over the day of trial ; or, at least, 
 until the ministers were absolved 
 from attendance on the summonses, 
 either by proclamation or other forms 
 of law. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 John Knox, among all the ministers 
 who remained at Perth after the Con- 
 gregation of the Reformed had dis- 
 persed, was the only one, my grand- 
 father had been heard to say, that 
 expressed no joy nor exultation at the 
 assurances of the Queen Regent. 
 " We shall see, we shall see," was all 
 he said to those among them who 
 gloried in the victory ; adding, " But 
 if there is truth in the Word of God, 
 it is not in the nature of the Beast to 
 do otherwise than evil ; " and his 
 words of discernment and of wisdom 
 were soon verified. 
 
 Krskiiie of Dun, whi!<' h* remained 
 at Stirling, had his lyes and ears 
 open • and in their porches he placed, 
 for statiuols, Disi ist and Suspicion. 
 He knew tlio fluctuating nature of 
 woman; how every si eodiug wave 
 of feeling wa.-iies away the deepest 
 traces that • '< traced on the quick- 
 sands of her unstable humours ; and 
 the danger having passed, he jea- 
 joused that the Qu' im Regent would 
 forget her ternw^' 1 give herself up 
 to the headln: iiusels of the ad- 
 
 versaries, whom, from her known 
 adherence to the Romish ritual, ho 
 justly feared she was inclined to 
 favour. Nor was he left long in 
 doubt. 
 
 On the evening before the day 
 which had been appointed for the 
 trial, no proclamation or other token 
 v/as promulgated to appease the 
 anxiety of the cited preachers. He, 
 therefore, thought i4> needful to be 
 
06 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 prepared for the worst ; so, accord- 
 ingly, he ordered his two serving-mea 
 to have his horses in readiness forth 
 the town in the morning, and there 
 to abide his orders. 
 
 Without giving any other about 
 him the slightest inkling of what he 
 had conceited, he went up betimes to 
 the castle, having learnt that the 
 Queen Regent was that day to iiold 
 a council. And being a man held in 
 great veneration by all parties, and 
 well known to the household of the 
 court, he obtained access to the ante- 
 chamber after the council was met; 
 and standing there, he was soon sur- 
 prised by her Highness coming out, 
 leaning on the arm of the Lord Win- 
 toun, and seemingly much disturbed. 
 On seeing him she was startled, and 
 paused for a moment ; but soon col- 
 lecting all her pride, she dropped the 
 Lord Wintoun's arm, and walked 
 straight through the apartment with- 
 out noticing anyone, and holding 
 herself aloft with an air of resolute 
 dignity. 
 
 Dun augured no good from this ; 
 but following till the Lord Wintoun 
 had attended her to the end of the 
 long painted gallery, where she stopped 
 at the door that opened to her private 
 apartments, lie theri awaited that 
 nobleman's return, ai)>l inquired of 
 him if tlio process against the Protes- 
 tant ministers had been rescinded. 
 
 " No," said Wintoun, peevishly ; 
 " the summonses have been called over 
 and they have not appeared, either in 
 person or by agents." 
 
 " Say you so, my Ijord ! " cried 
 Dun ; " and what is the result?" 
 
 " Outhnvry, for non-appearance, ia 
 pronounced agiiinst them," replied 
 ^Vintoun, hauglitily, and wentstraijrlit 
 back into the council-chamber. 
 
 Dun thought it unnecessary fo in- 
 quire farther; so, without making 
 more ado, he iustantjr left the castle, 
 and, going down the toTrn, went to 
 
 the spot where his horses stood ready, 
 and mounting, rode off with the 
 tidings to Perth, grieving sorely at 
 the gross perfidy and sad deceit which 
 the Queen Regent had been so prac- 
 tised on, by the heads of the papist 
 faction, to commit. 
 
 It happened on the same day, that 
 John Knox, who remained at Perth, 
 a wakeful warder on a post of peril, 
 was moved by the Spirit of God to 
 preach a sermon, in which he exposed 
 the idolatry of the mass, and the de- 
 pravity of image-worship. INIy grand- 
 father was present, and he often said, 
 that preaching was an era and epoch 
 worthy to be held in everlasting re- 
 membrance. It took place in the 
 Greyfriars' church. There was an 
 understanding among the people that 
 it was to be there ; but many fearing 
 the monks might attempt to prevent 
 it, a vast concourse, chiefly men, as- 
 sembled at the ordinary mass hour, 
 and remained in the church till the 
 Reformer came, so that, had the friars 
 tried to keep him out, they could not 
 have shut the doors. 
 
 A lane was made through the 
 midst of the crowd to admit the 
 preacher to the pulpit ; and when ho 
 was seen advancing, aged and feeble, 
 and leaning on his staff, many wero 
 moved with compassion, and doubted 
 if it could be the wonderful man of 
 whom every tongue spoke. Rut when 
 he had ascended and began, he seemed 
 to undergo a great transfiguration. 
 His abject mien and his sickly visage 
 became majestic and glorious. Ilia 
 eyes lightened ; his countenance shone 
 as with the radiance of a spirit that 
 lilazed within ; and his voice dirled to 
 tlie heart like vehement thunder. 
 
 Sometimes he spoke to the under- 
 standings of those who heard him, of 
 that insane doctrine wliioh represented 
 the mission of the Redeemer to con- 
 sist of believing, in despite of sight, 
 and smell; and touch, aud taste, that 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 67 
 
 iu the 
 
 Wafers and wine were actually the 
 flesh and blood of a man that was 
 crucified, with nails, driven tlirough 
 his feet and hands, many hundred 
 years ago. Then, rising into the con- 
 templation of the divinity of the 
 Saviour, he trampled under the feet 
 of his eloquence a belief so contrary 
 to the instincts and senses with which 
 Infinite Wisdom has gifted his crea- 
 tures; and bursting into ecstacy at 
 the thought of this idolatrous inven- 
 tion, he called on the people to look 
 at the images and the efligies in the 
 building around them, and believe, if 
 they could, that such things, the 
 handy works of carpenters and 
 masons, were endowed with miracu- 
 lous energies far above the faculties 
 of man. Kindling into a still higher 
 mood, he preached to those very 
 images, and demanded of them, and 
 tliose they represented, to show any 
 liroof that they were entitled to rever- 
 ence. " God forgive my idolatry," he 
 exclaimed, "I forget myself — these 
 things are but stocks and stones." 
 
 Not one of all who heard him that 
 day ever gave car again to papistry. 
 
 When he had made an end, and 
 had retired from the church, many 
 still lingered, discoursing of his mar- 
 vellous lecture, and among others, my 
 grandfather. 
 
 An imprudent priest belonging to 
 the convent, little aware of the great 
 conversion wliich had been wrought, 
 began to prepare for the celebration 
 of tlie mass, and a callan who was 
 standing near, encouraged by the 
 contempt wliicli some of those around 
 expressed at this folly, jibed the 
 priest, and he drove him away. The 
 boy, however, returned, and levelling 
 a stone at a crucifix on tiie altar, 
 sliattored it to pieces. In an instant, 
 as if caui^lit by a whirlwind, the wliole 
 papistical trumpery was torn down, 
 and dashed into fragments. Tiie cry 
 of "Down with the idols 1" became 
 
 universal : hundreds on hundreds 
 came rushing to the spot. The ma- 
 gistrates and the ministers came flying 
 to beseech order and to soothe the 
 multitude ; but a Divine ire was upon 
 the people, who heard no voice but 
 only the cry of " Down with the 
 idols ! " and their answer was, " Burn, 
 burn, and destroy ! " 
 
 The monasteries of the Black and 
 the Grey Friars were sacked and 
 rendered desolate, and the gorgeous 
 edifice of the Carthusian monks 
 levelled to tlie ground. 
 
 So dreadful a tumult had never 
 before been heard of within the realm. 
 Many of the best of the Ref*med 
 deplored the handle it would give to 
 the blasphemies of their foes. Even 
 my grandfather was smitten with 
 consternation and grief ; for he could 
 not but think that such a terrible 
 temporal outrage would be followed 
 by a temporal revenge as ruthless and 
 complete. Sober minds shuddered at 
 the sudden and sacrilegious overthrow 
 of such venerable structures ; and 
 many that stood on the threshold of 
 the house of papistical bondage, and 
 were on the point of leaving it, re- 
 tired in again, and barred the doors 
 against the light, and hugged their 
 errors as blameless compared with such 
 enormities. To no one did the event 
 give pleasure but to John Knox. 
 " The work," said he, " has been 
 done-, it is true, by the rascal multi- 
 tude ; but when the nests are destroyed 
 the rooks will fly away." 
 
 The thing, however, most con- 
 sidered at that time, was tlie panic 
 which this intemperance would cause 
 to the Queen Regent ; and my grand- 
 father, seeing it had changed the 
 complexion of his mission, resolved 
 to return the same evening by the 
 Queensferry to the liOrd James Stuart 
 at Edinburoh. For the people no 
 sooner cooled and came to a sense of 
 reflection, than they discerned that 
 
58 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 they had committed a heinous offence 
 against the laws, and, apprehending 
 punishment, prepared to defend them- 
 aelves. 
 
 Thus, by the irresolute and pro- 
 mise-breaking policy of the (Jncon, 
 was the people maddened into grievous 
 excessess, and many of tiioso who 
 submitted quietly in the faith of her 
 assurances, and had returned to their 
 respective homes, considered the 
 trumpet as sounded, and began to gird 
 themselves for battle. 
 
 It's far from my hand and intent, 
 to write a history of the tribulations 
 which ensued from the day of the up- 
 roar and first outbreaking of the wrath 
 of the people against the images of the 
 Romish idolatry ; and therefore I shall 
 proceed, with all expedient brevity, 
 to relate what farther, in those sore 
 times, fi'll under the eye of my grand- 
 father, who, when he returned to 
 Edinburgh, found the Lord James 
 Stuart on the point of proceeding to 
 the Queen Regent at Stirling, and he 
 went with hini thither. 
 
 On arriving at the castle, they 
 found the French soldiery all collected 
 in tlie town, and her Highness, like 
 another fiery Rolloua, vowing to 
 avenge the calamities that had be- 
 falkn the idols and images of Perth ; 
 and summoning and invoking the 
 nobility, and every man of substance 
 she could think of, to come with 
 their vassals, that she might be en- 
 abled to chastise such sacrilegious 
 rebellion. 
 
 The Lord James Stuart seeing her 
 so bent on extremities, and knowing, 
 by his secret intelligences, that strong 
 powers were ready to start forward at 
 a moment's warning, both in the 
 West, and in Fife, Angus,andMearns, 
 entreati'd her to listen to more mode- 
 rate counsels than those of revenge 
 and resentment, and rather to think 
 of pacification than of punishment. 
 But she was fiery with passion, and a 
 
 blinded instrument in the hands of 
 Providence to work out the deliver- 
 ance of the land, even by the crooked 
 policy that her papistical counsellors 
 hurried her into. So that the Lord 
 James, seeing she was transported 
 beyond reason, sent my grandfather 
 and other secret emissaries to warn 
 the Lords and leaders of the Congre- 
 gation,and to tell them, that her High- 
 ness was minded to surprise Perth, as 
 soon as she had gathered a sufTicicut 
 array. 
 
 The conduct of that great worthy 
 was in this full of wisdom, and fore- 
 sight, and policy. By staying with 
 the Queen he incurred the suspicion 
 of the Reformed, to whom he was a 
 devoted friend ; but he gained a 
 knowledge of the intents of their 
 enemies, by which he was enabled to 
 turn aside the edge of vengeance when 
 it was meant to be most deadly. Ac- 
 cordingly, reckless of the opinions of 
 men, he went forward with the 
 Queen's army towards Perth ; but 
 before they had crossed the Water of 
 Earn, word was brought to her High- 
 ness, that the Earl of CUencairn, at the 
 head of two thousand five hundred of 
 the Reformed, was advancing from 
 the shire of Ayr. 
 
 Such were the fruits of my grand- 
 father's mission to the Lord Boyd, 
 and he heard likewise that the bold 
 and free lairds of Angus and Mearus, 
 with all their followers, had formed 
 themselves in battle-array to defend 
 the town. Still, however, her High- 
 ness was resolute to go on ; for sho 
 was instigated by her feminine anger, 
 even as much as by the wicked 
 counsels of the papist lords by whom 
 sho was surrounded. 
 
 But when she reached the heights 
 that overlooked the sweet valley of 
 the Tay, whose green and gentlo 
 losom was then sparkling with tiio 
 glances of warlike steel, her heart was 
 softened, and sho called to lier the 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 59 
 
 Lord James Stuart, and the young 
 Earl of Argyle, — the old Lord, his 
 father, had died some time prior, — 
 and sent them to the army of the 
 Congregation, that peace might still 
 \)G prt'servL'd, Tliey accordingly went 
 into the town, and sending notice to 
 the leaders of the Reformed to appoint 
 two of their party to confer witii 
 them, John Knox and the Master 
 Wiilocks were nominated. My 
 grandfather, who attended the Lord 
 James on this occasion, was directed 
 by him to receive the two deputies at 
 the door and to conduct tiiem in ; and 
 when they came he was mucii troubled 
 to observe the state of their minds ; 
 for IMaster "Willocks was austere in 
 his looks, as if resolved on quarrel, 
 and the lleformer was agitated and 
 angry, muttering to himself as he as- 
 cended the stairs, making his staff 
 often dirl on the steps. No sooner 
 were they shown into the presence of 
 the two lords, even before the door 
 was shut, than John Knox began to 
 upbraid the Lord James for having 
 broken the covenant and fordakeu the 
 Congregation. 
 
 ^hicii to that effect, my grand- 
 father afterwards learnt, passed ; but 
 the Lord James pacified him with 
 the assurance that his heart and spirit 
 were still true to the cause, and that 
 lie had come with Argyle to prevent, 
 if possible, the shedding of blood ; he 
 likewise declared both for himself 
 and the Earl, who had hitherto 
 always abided by the (iueen, that if 
 she refused to listen to reasonable 
 terms, or should break any treaty 
 entered into, they would openly take 
 part against her. 
 
 Upon these asKur.inces a treaty was 
 concluded, by which it was agreed, 
 that both armies should retire jicace- 
 ably to their respective habitations ; 
 that the town should be made acces- 
 sible to the Queen Regent ; that no 
 luolestatiou should be giv(iU to those 
 
 who were then in arms for the Con- 
 gregation, and no persecutions under- 
 taken against the Reformed, — with 
 other covenants calculated to sootho 
 the Congregation and allay men's 
 fears. But no sooner was this treaty 
 ratified, the army of the Congrega- 
 tion dispersed, and her Highness in 
 possession of the town, than it was 
 manifest no vows nor obligations were 
 binding towards the Iteretics, as tho 
 Reformed were called. The (Queen's 
 French guards, even when attending 
 her into the town, fired into tho house 
 of a known zealous Protestant and 
 killed his son; the inhabitants were 
 plundered and insulted with impunity, 
 and the magistrates were dismissed 
 to make way for men devoted to 
 papistry. 
 
 The Earl of Argyle and Lord 
 James Stuart, filled with wrath and 
 indignation at such open perfidy, 
 went straight into her Highness' pre- 
 sence without asking audience, and 
 reproached her with deceit and crafti- 
 ness; and having so vented their 
 minds, instanter quitted the court and 
 the town, and, attended by my grand- 
 father and a few other servants, de- 
 parted for Fife, to which John Knox 
 had also retired after the dispersion 
 of tho Congregation at Perth. The 
 Lord James, in virtue of being Prior 
 of St Andrew's, went thither attended 
 by the Earl, and sent my grandfather 
 to Crail, where the Reformer was 
 then preaching, to invite him to meet 
 them and others of the Congregation 
 with all convenient expedition. 
 
 My grandfather never having been 
 before in Crail, and not knowing how 
 the people there might stand affected, 
 instead of inquiring for John Knox, 
 bethought himself of his acquaint- 
 ance with Bailie Kilspinnie, and so 
 speired his way to his dwelling, little 
 hoping, from the fearful nature of that 
 honest man, he would find him within. 
 But, contrary to hia expectation, Le 
 
60 
 
 KiNCxAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 was not only there, but he welcomed 
 my grandfather as an old and very 
 cordial friend, leading him into his 
 house and making much of him, tel- 
 ling him, with a voice of cheerfulness, 
 that the day of reckoning had at last 
 overtaken the profligate idolaters. 
 
 Then he caused to be brought in 
 before my grandfather the five pretty 
 babies that his wife had abandoned 
 for lier papistical admirer, the eldest 
 of whom was but turned nine years. 
 The thoughts of their mother's con- 
 duct overcame their father at that 
 moment, and the tears coming into 
 his eyes, he sobbed aloud as he looked 
 at them, and wept bitterly, while they 
 flocked around, and wreathed him, as it 
 were, with their caresses and innocent 
 blandishments. So tender a scene 
 melted my grandfather's spirit into 
 sadness; and he could not remain 
 master of himself, when the eldest, a 
 mild and meek little maiden, s<aid to 
 him, as if to excuse her father's sor- 
 row. " A foul friar made my mother 
 an ill-doer, and took her away ae 
 night when she was just done wi' 
 hearkening our prayers." 
 
 At this juncture, a blooming and 
 mod'.'St-eyed damsel came into the 
 room ; but, seeing a stranger, she 
 drew back and was going away, when 
 the bailie, drying his eyes, said — 
 
 " Come Ben, Elspa : this is the 
 young man that ye hae heard me eae 
 commend for his kind friendship to 
 me, in that dotage dauner that I made 
 in my distraction to St Andrews. This," 
 he added, turning to my grandf.ither, 
 " is Elspa liuet, the sister of that 
 mi.sfortunate woman ; — to my helpless 
 bairns she does their mother's duty." 
 
 El.spa made a gentle beck as her 
 brother-in-law was speaking, and 
 turning round, dropt a tear on the 
 neck of the youngest baby, as she 
 leant down to take it up for a screen 
 to hide her blushing face, that red- 
 dened with the thought at seeing 
 
 one who had so witnesBed laar siater'a 
 shame. 
 
 From tliat hour her imtar" had a 
 dcfir place in my grandfalirtjr'sfc'jriom, 
 and after the settlement c£ ttW^ Refor- 
 mation throughout the mtaJhn. he 
 courted her, and she becamu* fiiia wife, 
 and in process of time my igrmdmo- 
 ther. But of her manif oM itsi^itllt^nciea 
 I shall have occasion to epitat more at 
 large hereafter, for she ■was nu* orrlin- 
 ary woman, but a Bainl ifluiQOig'hoat 
 life, returning in a good ■iwini a^ to her 
 Maker, almost as blamtfes? as she 
 came from his pure LaiDdj; : and no- 
 thing became her more in :iiii hat piety, 
 than the part she acted towrurdJs her 
 guilty sister. 
 
 Having taken away tibe «ml<iren, 
 she then brought in diT«r$ refresh- 
 ments, and a flagon of posert ; feat she 
 remained not with the luiiilla*- ajid mj 
 grandfather while they pairt:j<ofc there- 
 of ; so that they were lef;! lfim« to con- 
 verse as they listed, aud niLy grand- 
 father was glad to find, is I have 
 already said, that the jiocr man had 
 triumphed over his foi)d pii^f. and 
 was reconciled to his mifiicojnniiies aa 
 well as any father could irtll fee with 
 so many deserted babies, mti tihree of 
 them daughters. 
 
 He likewise learnt, -witSii no less 
 solace and satisfaction. Aais the Re- 
 formed were strong in CtvsL and that 
 the magistrates and the lidiaest bur- 
 gesses had been preeeiil icoi the day 
 before at the preacLiitr (of John 
 Knox, and had afterwiunfij srrffered 
 the people to demolish thi images 
 and fill monuments ttf papLitry, 
 without molestation or Eiai«ir;iJice ; 
 so that the town was d{!imij<id of the 
 pollution of idolatry, a3i>d nM -vrorship 
 of humble and contritie JjitaartH estab- 
 lished there, instead 'cxf aiW p^igan 
 pageantry of masses ai>d alnaars. 
 
 After the repast was fiaJK&^d, the 
 bailie conducted my pafflj"tliither to 
 the Louse Tvhere Jolia Ejuas then 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 ei 
 
 lie communicated 
 the Lord James 
 
 lodged, to wliom 
 his message from 
 Stuart. 
 
 " Tell your master," was the reply 
 of the Ileformer, " that I will be with 
 him, God willing ; and God is willing, 
 for this invitation, and the state of 
 men's minds, maketh His will mani- 
 fest. Yea, I was minded myself to go 
 thither; for that same city of St 
 Andrews is the Zion of Scotland. 
 Of old, the glad tidings of salvation 
 were first heard there, — there, amidst 
 the damps and the darkness of ages, 
 the ancient Culdees, men whose 
 memory is still fragrant for piety and 
 parity of faith and life, supplied the 
 oil of the lamp of the living God for 
 a period of four hundred years, in- 
 dependent of pope, prelate, or any 
 human supremacy. There it was that 
 a spark of their blessed embers was, 
 in our own day, first blown into a 
 flame, — and there, please God, where 
 I, His unworthy instrument, was con- 
 demned as a criminal for His truth's 
 sake, shall I, in His strength, be the 
 herald of His triumph sind great 
 victory." 
 
 When my grandfather had returned 
 to the b.ailie's house after delivering 
 his message to the Reformer, he spent 
 an evening of douce but pleasant 
 pastime with him and the modest 
 Elspa Ruet, whoso conversation was 
 far above her degree, and seasoned 
 witli the sweet savour of holiness. 
 But ever and anon, though all parties 
 strove to eschew the subject, they be- 
 gan to speak of her erring sister, the 
 bailie compassionating her continu- 
 ance in sin as a man and a Christian 
 should, but showing no wish nor 
 will to mind her any more as kith 
 or kin to him or his ; a temper that 
 my grandfather was well content to 
 observe he had attained. Not so was 
 that of Elspa ; but her words were few 
 and well chosen, and they made a 
 deep impression on my grandfather ; 
 
 for she seemed fain to hide what was 
 passing in her heart. 
 
 Twice or thrice she spoke of the 
 ties of nature, intimating that they 
 were as a bond and obligation laid on 
 by the Makei!, whereby kindred wero 
 bound to stand by one another in 
 weal or in woe, lest those who sinned 
 should be utterly abandoned by all 
 the world, The which tender and 
 Christian sentiment, though it was 
 melodious to my grandfather's spirit, 
 pierced it with a keen pain ; for he 
 thought of the manner in which he 
 had left his own parents, even though 
 it was for the blessed sake of religion, 
 and his bosom was at the moment 
 filled with sorrow. But, when he said 
 how much he regretted and was yet 
 unrepententof that step, Elspa cheered 
 him Avith a consolation past utterance, 
 by reminding him, that he had neither 
 left them to want nor to sin ; that, by 
 quitting the shelter of their wing, he 
 had but obeyed the promptings of 
 nature, and that if, at any time here- 
 after, father or mother stood in need 
 of his aid or exhortation, he could 
 still do his duty. 
 
 Without well considering what ho 
 said, the bailie observed on this, that 
 he was surprised to hear her say so, 
 and yet allow her sister to remain so 
 long unreproved in her offences. 
 
 Elspa Ruet to this made no imme- 
 diate reply, — she was indeed unable ; 
 and my grandfather sympathized with 
 her, for the sting had plainly pene- 
 trated to the very marrow of her soul. 
 At last, however, she said, — 
 
 " Your reproach is just, I hae been 
 to blame baith to Heaven and man — 
 but the thing has na been unthought, 
 only I kent na how to gang about the 
 task ; and yet what gars me say sae'a 
 but a woman's weakness, for the road's 
 no sae laug to St Andrews, and surely 
 iniquity does not there so abound, 
 that no ane would help me to the 
 donsie woman's bower. 
 
62 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 My grandfather, on hearing this, 
 answered, that if she was indeed 
 minded to try to rescue her sister, lie 
 ■was ready and willing to do all with 
 her and for her that she could desire ; 
 but, bearing in mind the poor woman's 
 Bad misconduct, he added, " I'm fear- 
 ful it's yet owre soon to hope for her 
 amendment : she'll hae to fin' tlic evil 
 upshot of licr ungodly courses, 1 doubt, 
 before she'll be wrought into a frame 
 of sincere penitence." 
 
 "Nevertheless," replied Elspa 
 Ruet, " [ Avill try; it's my duty, and 
 my sisterly love bids me no to bo slotii- 
 f ul in the task." At which words she 
 burst into sore and sorrowful weeping, 
 saying, " Alas, alas ! that she should 
 have so fallen ! — I loved her — oh ! 
 naebody can tell how dearly — even as 
 I loved myself. When I first saw 
 my ain face in a looking-glass I 
 thought it was her, and kissed it for 
 the likeness, in pity that it didna 
 look sae fair as it was wont to be- 
 But it's the Lord's pleasure, and in 
 permitting her to sink so low he has 
 no doubt some great lesson to teach," 
 
 Thus, from less to more, as they 
 continued conversing, it was agreed 
 that Elspa Iluet should ride on a pad 
 ahint my grandfather next morning 
 to St Andrews, in order to try if the 
 thing could be to move her sister to 
 the humiliation of contrition for her 
 sinful life. And some small prepara- 
 tion being needful, Elspa departed 
 and left the bailie and my grandfather 
 together. 
 
 " But," said my grandfather to 
 him, after she had been some time 
 away, "is't your design to take the 
 unfortunate woman back amang your 
 innocent lassie bairns ? " 
 
 "No," replied the bailie ; «« that's 
 no a tiling to be now thought of; 
 pli.'ase Providence, siio'll ne'er again 
 darken my door; I'll no, however, 
 allow her to want. Her mother, poor 
 auld afHicted woman, that has ne'er 
 
 refrain't from greeting since her 
 flight, she'll tak her in ; but atween 
 her and mo there' a divorce for ever." 
 
 By daylight my grandfather had 
 his horse at the door ; and Elspa 
 having borrowed the provost's lady's 
 pad over night, it was buckled on, 
 and they were soon after on the road. 
 
 It was a simny morning in June, 
 and all things were bright, and blithe, 
 and blooming. The spirits of youth, 
 joy, and enjoyment, were spread 
 abroad on the earth. The butterflies, 
 like floating lillies, sailed from blos- 
 som to blossom, and the gowans, the 
 bright and beautiful eyes of the 
 summer, shone with gladness, as 
 Nature walked on bank and brae, in 
 maiden pride, spreading and showing 
 her new flowery mantle to the sun. 
 The very airs that stirred the glitter- 
 ing trees were soft and genial as the 
 breath of life ; and tho leaves of the 
 aspen seemed to lap the sunshine like 
 the tongues of young and happy 
 creatures that delight in their food. 
 
 As my grandfather and Elspa Ruet 
 rode along together, they partook of 
 the universal benignity with which all 
 things seemed that morning so 
 graciously adorned, and their hearts 
 were filled with the hope that their 
 united endeavours to save her fallen 
 sister would be blessed with success. 
 But when they came in sight of the 
 papal towers and gorgeous edifices of 
 St Andrews, which then raised their 
 proud heads, like Babel, so auda- 
 ciously to the heavens, they both be- 
 came silent. 
 
 My grandfather's thoughts ran on 
 what might ensue if the Archbishop 
 were to subject him to his dominion, 
 and he resolved, as early as possible, 
 to make known his arrival to the Lord 
 .fames Stuart, who, in virtue of being 
 head of the priory, was then resident 
 tliei'e, and to claim his protection. 
 Accordingly he determined to rido 
 with Elspa Ruet to the house of the 
 
RINOAN OILHATZE. 
 
 69 
 
 08 
 
 in 
 
 vintner in the Shoegato, of which I 
 have already spoken, iind to leave her 
 under tlie care of Lucky Kilfauns, as 
 the hostess was called, luitil he had 
 done so. Ihxt fears and sorrows were 
 busy with the fancy of his fair com- 
 panion ; and it was to her a bitter 
 thinj,', as she afterwards told liini, to 
 think that the purpose of her errand 
 was to entreat a beloved sister to 
 leave a life of shame and sin, and 
 sadly doubting if she would succeed. 
 
 Being thus occupied with their re- 
 spective cogitations, they entered the 
 city in silence, and reached the 
 vintner's door without having ex- 
 changed a word for several miles. 
 There Elspa aligiited, and being com- 
 mended to the care of Lucky Kilfauns, 
 wiio, though of a free outsi)oken 
 nature, was a most creditable matron, 
 my grandfather left her, and rode up 
 the gait to the priory yett, where, on 
 his arrival, he made himself known to 
 the porter, and was admitted to the 
 Lord Prior, as the Lord James was 
 there papistically called. 
 
 Having told his Lordship that he 
 liad delivered his message to John 
 Knox, and tiiat the Reformer would 
 not fail to attend the call, ho then 
 related partly what had happened to 
 himself in his former sojourn at St 
 Andrews, and how and for what end 
 Le had brought Elspa Ruct there that 
 day with him, entreating the Lord 
 James to give him his livery and pro- 
 tection, for fear of the Archbishop ; 
 which witli many pleasing comments 
 on his devout and prudent demeanour, 
 that noble worthy most readily vouch- 
 safed, and my grandfather returned 
 to the vintner's. . 
 
 '*if 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 When my grandfather had returned 
 to the vintner's, he found that Elspa 
 had conferred with Lucky Kilfauns 
 
 concerning the atllicting end and in- 
 tent of her journey to St Andrews ; 
 and that decent woman sympatlii.sing 
 with her sorrow, telling her of many 
 woful things of the name sort she had 
 herself known, and how a cousin of 
 her mother's, by the father's side, had 
 been wiled. a way from her home by the 
 abbot of Melrose, and never heard 
 tell of for many a day, till she was 
 discovered, in the condition of a dis- 
 consolate nun, in a convent, far away 
 in Nithsdale. lint the great didiculty 
 was to get access to Marion Piuet's 
 bower, for so, from that day, was Mrs 
 Kilspinnie called again by her sister ; 
 and, after no little communing, it was 
 proposed by Lucky Kilfauns, that 
 Elspa should go with her to the house 
 of a certain widow Dingwall, and 
 there for a time take up her abode, 
 and that my grandfather, after putting 
 on the Prior's livery, should look 
 about liim for the gilly, his former 
 guide, and. through him, make a tryst, 
 to meet the unhappy woman, at the 
 widow's house. Accordingly the mat- 
 ter was so settled, and while Lucky 
 Kilfauns, in a most motherly and piti- 
 ful manner, carried Elspa Kuet to the 
 house of the Widow Dingwall, my 
 grandfather went back to the priory to 
 get the cloak and arms of the Lord 
 James' livery. 
 
 When he was equipped, he then 
 went fearless all about the town, and 
 met with no molestation ; only he saw 
 at times divers of the Archbisliop's 
 men, who recollected him, and who, as 
 ho passed, stopped and looked after 
 hin\ and whispered to one another and 
 u- jttered fierce words. Much he de- 
 sired to fall in with that humane Sama- 
 ritan, Leonard jMeldnim, the seneschal 
 of the castle and fain would he have 
 gone thither to inquire for him ; but, 
 until he had served the turn of the 
 mournful Elspa Ruet, ho would not 
 allow any wish of his own to lead him 
 to aught wherein there was the hazard 
 
64 
 
 MNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 of any trouble that might balk her 
 pious i)ur|iose. 
 
 After daunernifj from place to place, 
 and seeing notliing of tlie stripling, ho 
 was obligated to give twaljjcnnies to a 
 stablcr's lad to search for him, who soon 
 broiiglit liim to tlie vintner's, where my 
 grandfather, j ntting on the look of a 
 losel and rois'.er, gave him a groat, and 
 bade him go to the madam's dwelling, 
 and tell her that ho would be at the 
 Widow Dingwall's in tlie evening, 
 where he would rejoice exceedingly if 
 she could come and meet him. 
 
 The stripling so fee'd, was right 
 glad, and made himself so familiar 
 towards my grandfatlier, that Lucky 
 Kilfauns observing it, the better to con- 
 ceal their plot, feigned to be most ob- 
 streperous, flyting at him with all her 
 pith an bir, and chiding my grandfather, 
 as being as scant of grace as a gaber- 
 lunzie, or a novice of the Dominicans. 
 However, they worked so well together, 
 that the gilly never misdoubted either 
 her or my grandfather, and took the 
 errand to his mistress, from whom he 
 soon came with a light foot and a 
 glaikit eye, saying she would na fail to 
 keep the ti'yst. 
 
 On receiving the assurance, Lucky 
 Kilfauns herself undertook to tell 
 Elspa wliat had been covenanted to 
 prepare her for the meeting. My 
 grandfather would fain have had a 
 milder mediatrix, for the vintner's 
 worthy wife was wroth against the er- 
 ring one, while her sister grieved for 
 her unregenerate condition far more 
 than if she had come from Crail to St 
 Andrews only to Lay her head in the 
 coffin. 
 
 The paction between all parties 
 being thus covenanted, and Lucky 
 Kilfauns gone to prepare the fortitude 
 of Elspa Iluet for the trial it was to 
 undergo, my grandfather walked out 
 alone to pass the time till the trysted 
 hour. It was then late in the after- 
 noon, and as he sauntered along he 
 
 could not but observe that something 
 was busy with the min<l8 and imagina- 
 tions of the people. Knots of the 
 douce and elderly 8hopk(!epers were 
 seen standing in the streets with their 
 heads laid together ; and as he walked 
 towards tlie i)riory he met tlie provost 
 between two of the bailies, witli t'lo 
 dean of guild coming sedately, and 
 with very great solenmity in their 
 countenances, down the crown of the 
 causey, heavily laden with magisterial 
 fears. He stopped to look i\t them, 
 and he remarked that they said very 
 little to one another, but what they did 
 say seemed to be words of weight ; and 
 when any of their friends and acquain- 
 tances happened to pass, they g.-n o 
 them a nod that betokened muci' 5»nd. 
 ness of heart. 
 
 The cause of all tliis anxiety was 
 not, in its effects and influence, meted 
 only to tiie men and magistrates : tiio 
 women partook of tlieni even to a 
 greater degree. They were seen pass- 
 ing from house to house, out at one 
 door and into the next, and their faces 
 were full of strange matters. One in 
 particular, whom my grandfather no- 
 ticed coming along, was often addressed 
 with brief questions, and her responses 
 were seemingly as awful as an oracle's. 
 She was an aged tarlin, who, in her 
 day had been a nurse, but having in 
 course of time waxed old, and being 
 then somewhat slackened in the joints 
 of the ric,at side by a paralytic, she 
 eked out the weakly remainder of her 
 thread of life in visitations among the 
 families that, in her abler years, she 
 had tended in times of sickness. 
 
 As she came toddling along, with 
 pitty-patty steps, in a rose satin man- 
 tle that she got as a gift, drawn close 
 over her head, and leaning on a staff 
 with her right hand, while in her left 
 she carried a Flanders pig of strong 
 ale, with a clout o'er the mouth to 
 keep it from jawping, scarcely a door 
 or entry mouth was she allowed to 
 
RING AN GTLHATZE. 
 
 08 
 
 sho 
 
 
 pass, but hIic -was ohli^^utcd to stoi) 
 and spoak, .iiiil wliat slio said appeared 
 to bo tidiiips of no comfort. 
 
 All these tiiinf,'s bred wonder nnd 
 curiosity in the breast of my {,'rand- 
 father, who, not beinj,' aotjiiaint with 
 nnybody that ho saw, did not like for 
 8ome time to inipiire ; but at last his 
 ditlidence andmodesty were overcome, 
 by the appearance of a strong party of 
 the Archbishop's armed retainers, fol- 
 lowed by a mob of bairns aiidstriplinffs, 
 yelliufr, and scollinfjat them with bit- 
 ter taunts and many titles of derision ; 
 and on inquiring; at a laddie what had 
 caused the consternation in the town, 
 and the passage of so many soldiers 
 from the castle, he was told that they 
 expected John Knox the day follow- 
 ing, and that he Avas mindet to preach, 
 but the Archbishop has resolved not to 
 let him. It Wiia even so ; for the Lord 
 tJames Stuart, who possessed a deeji 
 and forecasting spirit, had, soon after 
 my grandfather's arrival Avith the lie- 
 former's answer, made the news known 
 to try the tem])er of the inhabitants 
 and burghers. JJut, saving this mar- 
 velling and jircparation, nothing far- 
 ther of a public nature took place that 
 niglit ; so that a sliort time before the 
 liour appointed, my grandfather went 
 to the house of \Vidow Dingwall, 
 where he found Klspa Jtuet sitting 
 very disconsolate in a chamber by her- 
 self, weei-ing bitterly and fearing 
 greatly that all her kind endeavours 
 jmd hund)l(! prayers would be but as 
 water spilt on the ground. 
 
 As tlie time of apijointmont drew 
 near, Elspa Jluet was enabled to call 
 in her wandering and anxious thoughts, 
 and, strengthened by her duty, the 
 blessing of the tranquil mind was shed 
 upon her. Her tears were dried up, 
 and her countenance shone with a 
 serene benignity. When she was an 
 aged withered woman, my grandfather 
 lias been heard to say that he never 
 remembered her appearance without 
 
 marvelling at tlie spi.'cial t fl'tision of 
 holiness and beauty which l)eameJ 
 and brightened upon her in that try- 
 ing hour, nor without thinking tliat ho 
 still beheld the glory of its twilight 
 glowing through the dark and faded 
 clouds of her old age. 
 
 They had not sat long when a tap- 
 ping was heard at tlie widow's door, 
 and my grandfather, starting up, re- 
 tired into a distant corner of the room, 
 behind a big napery press, and sat 
 down in the obscurity of its shadow. 
 Klspa remained in her seat beside tlio 
 table, on which a candle was burning, 
 and, as it stood behind the door, sho 
 could not be seen by any coming in, 
 till they had passed into the middle of 
 the floor. 
 
 In little more than the course of a 
 minute, tlio voice of her sister was 
 heard, and light footsteps on the 
 timber stair. The door was then 
 opened, and Marion entered. I'^lspa 
 started from her seat. Ilie guilty and 
 convicted creature uttered a shriek ; 
 but in the same moment her pious 
 sister clasped her with loviuL'-kind- 
 ness in her arms, and bursting into 
 tears, wept bitterly, with sore sobs, 
 for some time on her bosom. 
 
 After a short space of time, with 
 confusion of face, iMarion disengaged 
 herself from her sister's fond and sor- 
 rowful embraces, and, retreating to a 
 chair, sat down. 
 
 After a long, faithful, and un- 
 daunted effort on the part of J'Jspa to 
 reach the sore of her sinful conscience, 
 she saw that all her cttling was of no 
 avail, and her heart .sank, and s!io 
 began to weep, saying — " O, Clarion, 
 Marion, ye w re my dear si.ster ance ; 
 but frao this night, if ye leave me to 
 gang again to your sins, I hope the 
 Lord will erase the love I bear you 
 utterly out of my heart, and leave me 
 but the remembrance of what ye were 
 when we were twa wee playicg lassies, 
 clapping our young hands, and sing- 
 
m 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 iag for joy in the bonny spring morn- 
 ings that will never, never come again." 
 
 The guilty INIarion was touched 
 with her sorrow, and for a moment 
 seemed +o relent and melt, replying 
 in softened accent — 
 
 " But tell me, lippie, for ye hao 
 na telt me yet, how did ye Icav-^e my 
 • weans? " 
 
 '• '\\'ould you like to see them ? " 
 said Elspa, eagerly. 
 
 " I would na like to gang to Crail," 
 replied her sister, thoughtfully ; " but 
 if " and she hesitated. 
 
 "Surely, Marion," exclaimed Elspa, 
 with indignation, " ye're no sae lost 
 to all shame as to wish your innocent 
 dochters to see you in the midst of 
 your iniquities ? " 
 
 Marion reddened, and sat abashed 
 and rebuked for a sliort time in silence, 
 and then reverting to her children, 
 she said, somewhat humbly — 
 
 " But tell me how they are — poor 
 things ! " 
 
 " They are as weel as can be hoped 
 for," replied Elspa, moved liy her 
 altered manner ; " but they'll lang 
 miss tiie loss of their mother's care. 
 (), jNIarion, how could yc quit them ! 
 Tlio beasts that perish are kinder to 
 tlicir young, for they nourish and 
 jirotect them till they can do for them- 
 selves ; but your wee I\Iay can neither 
 yet gang Jior speak. She's your very 
 picMire, Marion." 
 
 Tiie wretched mother was unable 
 to resist the energy of her sister's ap- 
 peal, and, bursting into tears, we[it 
 bitterly for some time. 
 
 li^lspa, compassionating her contri- 
 tion, rose, and, taking her kindly by 
 tlio band, said — " Come, iSlnrion, 
 we'll gang hamc — let us leave this 
 gnihy city— let us tarry no longer 
 williiii its walls — tlie cnrso of Ile;iven 
 is darkening over it, and the storm of 
 the hatred of its corruption is begin- 
 ning to ligiiten : — let ua fleo from the 
 wrath that is to come.'' 
 
 "ill no gang back to Crail — I 
 dare na gang there — every one would 
 hand out their fingers at me — I canna 
 gang to Crail — Eppie, dinua bid me — 
 I'll mak away wi' mysel' before I'll 
 gang to Crail." 
 
 '•Dinna say that," replied her 
 sister. " O, Marion, if ye felt within 
 the humiliation of a true penitent, ye 
 would na speak that way, but would 
 cmiie and hide your face in your poor 
 mother's bosom ; often, often, Marion, 
 did she warn you no to be ta'en up 
 wi' the pride an' bravery of a tine 
 outside." 
 
 "Ye may gang hame yoursel'," 
 exclaimed the impenitent woman, 
 starting from her seat ; " I'll no gang 
 wi' you to be looket down on by every 
 one. And what would I hae to live 
 on wi' my mother? She's pinched 
 enough for her ain support." 
 
 " Sliame upon you, shame!" re- 
 plied Elspa, fervently. " But the 
 sweet Heavens, in their gracious hour 
 of mercy, will remember the hope 
 that led me here, and some day Avork 
 out a blessed change. The prayers of 
 an afHicted parent, and the cries of 
 your desolate babies, will assun-dly 
 bring down upon you the purifying 
 iires of self-condemnation. Though 
 a wicked pride at this time withholds 
 you from submitting to the humilia- 
 tion which is the just penalty of your 
 offences, still the day is not far off 
 when you Avill come begging for a 
 morsel of bread to those that weep 
 for your fall, and implore you to 
 eschew tlie evil of your way." 
 
 'J'o tliese words, which were sjioken 
 as with the vehemence of proi)hecy, 
 till! miserable Avoman made no answer, 
 Initpluckeil her hand shnrpjy from her 
 sister's earnest pressure, and quitted 
 the room with :i flash of anger. My 
 grandfather tlien conveyed the mourn- 
 ful Elspa back to the house of Lucky 
 Kilfauns, and returned to the priory. 
 The next day, Elspa Iluet, under 
 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 67 
 
 the escorting of my grandfather, was 
 nunded to have gone home to Crail, but 
 the news that John Ivjiox was to preach 
 on tlie morrow at St Andrews had 
 Bpread far and wide. Ko niiin could 
 tfU l)y what wonderful revtrberation 
 the tidiiifjs had aw.-ikened the whole 
 land. From all quarters droves of 
 the licformed and the pious c.ime 
 pressing to the gates of the city, like 
 bheep to the fold and doves to the 
 windows. The Archbishop and the 
 priests and friars were smitten with 
 dread and consternation ; the doom of 
 their fortunes was evident in the dis- 
 traction of their minds ; but the Karl 
 of Argyle and the Lord James Stuart, 
 at the priory, remained calm and col- 
 lected. 
 
 Foreseeing that the step they had 
 taken would soon be visited by the 
 wrath of the (^ueen Regent, they re- 
 solved to , '•epare for the "-orft, and 
 my grjmdfatl'or was ordercvl to hold 
 himself in readiness for a journey. 
 'J lius was he prevented fiom going to 
 ('rail. with Elspa Kiiet, who, with a 
 heavy heart, went back in the evening 
 with the man and horses that broiiglit 
 the lleformerto the town. For .John 
 Knox, though under tiie ban of out- 
 lawry, was so encouraged with in- 
 ward assurances from on High, tiiat 
 he came openl" to the gate, and passed 
 111) t''*-' CTOwn . ' the causey on to the 
 priory, in the presei cc of the Arch- 
 bishop's guards, of all Mie people, and 
 of the astonislied and die uayed priest- 
 hood. 
 
 As soon as the Anticnrist heard of 
 his arrival, he gave order.'* for all his 
 armed retainers, to the number of 
 more than a hi.ndred men at arms, to 
 assemble in the cloisters of tlie monas- 
 tery of the Hlai kfriars ; for he was a 
 man of a soldi* liy synrit. and tlumgh 
 a loose and immoral cliurclnnan, would 
 have made a valiant warrior; and 
 going thither himself, he thence sent 
 word to the Lord James Stmvrt at the 
 
 priory, that if John Knox dared to 
 preach in the cathedral, as Avaa 
 threatened, be would order his guard 
 to lire on him in die pulpit. 
 
 My grandfather, wirh others oi the 
 retinue of the two noblemen, had ac- 
 companieil the Archbishop's messen- 
 ger into the Pr:or'.s chamber, where 
 they were eitting with John Kncx 
 when this b'-ld challenge to the cliani- 
 pion of Chrii>;'r cau.«e was delivered ; 
 and it was plain that both Arj^yle and 
 tha Ijord Jauies were daunted by it, 
 for they well knew the fearlessness 
 an<i the fierceness of their consecrated 
 adversary. 
 
 After the messenger had retired, 
 and the Lord James, in a particular 
 manner, had tacitly signified to my 
 grandfather to remain in the room, 
 and had taken a slip of paper, he be- 
 gan to write thereon, while Argyle 
 said to the Kt-fonner — 
 
 " Master Kno.x, this is what we 
 could na but c-xpect ; and though it 
 may seem like a misdooting of our 
 cause now to des^Lst, I'm in a swither 
 if ye shoald tnak the attempt to 
 preach."' 
 
 The Reformer made no answer ; 
 and the Lord James, laying down his 
 pen, also s;iid — "My thoughts run 
 wi' Argyle'*. considering the weaknes.s 
 of our train and the Archbishop's 
 preparations, with hi.s own regardless 
 character. — I do think we should for 
 a while rest in our intent. The Queen 
 Kigeut has come to Falkland wi' her 
 French force, and we are in no condi- 
 tion to opf*o«e their entrance into the 
 town ; beside*, your appearance in the 
 pulpit may lead tothe.«<icrificeof youf 
 own most preciotw life, and the lives 
 of many others who will no doubt 
 stand forth in your defence. Whether, 
 thtrefure. you ought, in such a pre- 
 dicament, totliiik of preaching, ia a 
 thing to be well con-^tidered.' 
 
 " In the strength of the Lord,'' 
 exclaimed Johii Knox, with the voice 
 
6d 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 of an apostlo, " T will preach. God is 
 »ny witness that I novel' prcaclied in 
 contempt of any man, nor would I 
 •willingly injure^ any creature ; but I 
 cannot delay my call to-morrow if I 
 tarn not hindered by violence. As for 
 the fear of danger that may come to 
 ]ne, let no man be solicitous ; for my 
 life is in the custody of lIiM whose 
 glory I seek, and threats will not de- 
 ter me from my duty Avhen Heaven so 
 ofTereth the occasion. 1 desire neither 
 the hand nor the weapon of man to 
 defend me ; I only crave audience, 
 Avliich, if it be denied to me hero at 
 this time, I nmst seek where I may 
 have it.'' 
 
 The manner and confidence with 
 which this Avas spoken silenced and 
 rebuked the two temporal noblemen, 
 and they offered no more remon- 
 strance, but submitted as servants, to 
 pave the way for this intent of his 
 courageous piety. Accordingly, after 
 remaining a short time, as if in expec- 
 tation to hear what tiie Earl of Argyle 
 might further liave to say, the Lord 
 James Stuart took up his pen again, 
 and when he had comitletod his writ- 
 ing, he gave the jiaper to my grand- 
 fatlier, — (it was a list of .some ten or 
 twelve names,) — saying, "Make haste, 
 Gilhaize, and let these, our friends in 
 Angus, know the state of peril in 
 Avhich we stand. Tell them what lias 
 chanced ; how the gauntlet is thrown ; 
 and that our champion has taken it up, 
 and is prepared for the onset." 
 
 ]\Ly grandfather forthwith departed 
 on ids errand, and spared not the 
 spur till he had delivered his message 
 to every one wlioso nam(;s were writ- 
 ten in the paper ; and their sculs were 
 kiuillod and the spirit of the Lord 
 quickened in their hearts. 
 
 The roads sparkled with the feet 
 of summoning horsemen, and tlie 
 towns rung with the sound of warlike 
 preparations. 
 
 Ou the third day, towards the 
 
 afternoon, my grandfather embarked 
 at Dundee on his return, and was 
 landed at the Fife waterside. There 
 were many in the boat with him ; and 
 it was remarked by some among them 
 that for several days no one had Ijoeu 
 observed to smile, and that all men 
 seemed in the expectation of some 
 great jvent. 
 
 The weather being loun and very 
 sultry, he travelled slowly witli those 
 who were bound for .St Andrews, con- 
 versing with them on the troubles of 
 the time, and the clouds that were 
 gathering and darkening over ]ioor 
 Scotland ; but every one spoke from 
 the faith of his own bosom, that the 
 terrors of the storm would not be of 
 long duration, — so confident were 
 those unlettered men of the goodness 
 of C.'iu'ist's cause in that epoch of 
 tribulation. 
 
 AVhile they were thus communing 
 together, they came in sight of tho 
 city, with its coronal of golden spires, 
 and J5abylonian pride of idolatrous 
 towers, and they halted for a moment 
 to contemplate the gorgeous insolence 
 with which Antichrist had there built 
 up and invested tlie blood-stained 
 throne of his blasphemous usur])ation. 
 
 '•The walls of Jericho," said one 
 of the travellers, " fell at tho sound 
 l)ut of rams' horns, and shall yon 
 l?abel withstand tho preaching of 
 John Knox V " 
 
 Scarcely had he said these words, 
 when the glory of its magnifleeneo 
 was wrapt witli a shroud of dust ; a 
 dreadful peal of thunder came rolling 
 soon after, thougii not a spark of 
 vapour was seen in all the ether of 
 the blue fky ; and the rumble of a 
 dreadful destruction was then heard. 
 My grandfather clapped s^iurs to his 
 horse, and galloped on towards tho 
 town. 'J'he clouds rose thicker, and 
 filled the wliole air. Shouts and cries, 
 as he drew near, were mingled with 
 the crivsh of falling cdiliccs. Tlio 
 
 
 
RTNGAN GILIIAIZE. 
 
 09 
 
 earth trcmblod, and his horse stood 
 still, roi^ardless of the rowels, as if it 
 had seen the angel of the Lord stand- 
 ing in his way. On all sides monks 
 and nuns came flying from tlie town, 
 Avringing their hands as if the horrors 
 of tlie last judgment had surprised 
 them in tlieir sins. The guards of 
 the Archbishop were scattered among 
 them like eliaflf in the swirl of the 
 ■wind ; tlien his Grace came himself on 
 Sir David Hamilton's fleet mare, with 
 Sir David and divers of liis household 
 fast following. 'J lie wrath of Heaven 
 was behind them, and they rattled 
 past my grandfainer like the distem- 
 peicil phantoms that hurry through 
 the dreams of dying men. 
 
 jMy {grandfather's horse at last 
 obeyed tlic spur, and he rode on and 
 into tlie city, the gates of which Avcre 
 deserted. Tliere he beheld on all 
 sides that the Lord had indeed put 
 the besom of destruction into the 
 hands of the lleformers, and that not 
 one of all the buildings which had 
 been polluted by the j)apistry, — no, 
 not one iiad escaped the erasing fierce- 
 ness of its ruinous s\vee]>. 'J lie pre- 
 sence of tlie magistrates lent the grace 
 of authority to the zeal of the people, 
 and all things were done in order. 
 The idols were torn down from the 
 altars, and deliberately broken by the 
 children with lianuners into pieces. 
 There was no speaking, — all was done 
 in silence ; the noi.se of the falling 
 churciies, the rending of the shrines, 
 nnd the breaking of the images were 
 the only sounds heard. lUit for all 
 that, the zeal of not a few was, even 
 in tlie midst of their dread solenniity, 
 alloyed with covetousness. ISIy grand- 
 father himself saw one of the Town 
 Council slip the bald head, in silver, 
 of one of tho twelve apostles into his 
 pouch. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Thk triumph of the truth at St 
 Andrews was followed by the vic- 
 torious establishment, from that day 
 thenceforward, of the Keformation in 
 Scotland. The precautions taken by 
 the deep forecasting mind of the Lord 
 James Stuart, through the instru- 
 mentality of my grandfather and 
 others, were of inexpressible benefit 
 to the righteous cause. It was fore- 
 seen that the Queen llegent, who had 
 come to Falkland, would be prompt 
 to avenge tho discomfiture of her sect, 
 the papists ; but the zealous friends 
 of tho Gospel, seconding the resolu- 
 tion of the Lords of the Congrega- 
 tion, enabled them to set all her power 
 at defiance. 
 
 With an attendance of few more 
 than a hundred horse, and about as 
 many foot, the Earl of Argylc and the 
 Lord James set out from St Andrews 
 to frustrate, as far as the means they 
 had concerted might, the wrathful 
 measures which they well knew her 
 Highness would take. But this small 
 force was by the next morning in- 
 creased to full three thousand fighting 
 men ; and so ardently did the spirit of 
 enmity and resistance against the 
 papacy spread, that tho Queen lle- 
 gent, when she came with her French 
 troops and her Scottish levies, under 
 the command of the Duke of Chatel- 
 herault, to Cupar, found that she 
 durst not encounter in battle the grow- 
 ing strength of the Congregation, so 
 she consented to a truce, and, as usual 
 in her dissimulating policy, promised 
 many things which she never intended 
 to perform. l>ut the Protestants, by 
 this time knowing that the papists 
 never meant to kee[) their pactions 
 with them, discovering the policy of 
 her Highness, silently moved onward. 
 They proceeded to P(.'rtii, and having 
 expelled the garrison, took the town, 
 and fired tho abbey of Scene. But as 
 
70 
 
 RINGAN GILHATZE, 
 
 my grandfather was not with them in 
 those raitb, beinjif sent on tlie night of 
 the great demolition at St Andrews to 
 apprise the Earl of Gloncfvirn, iiis 
 patron, of the extremities to which 
 mattirs liad come there, it belongs 
 not to tlie scope of my story to tell 
 ■what ensued, fartlier tlian that from 
 Perth the Congregation proceeded to 
 Stirling, where they demolished the 
 monasteries ; tlien they went to Lith- 
 gow, and herret the nests of the locusts 
 there; find proceeding bravely on, 
 purging the realm as they went for- 
 Avard, they arrived at Edinburgh, and 
 constnined the Queen Regent, who 
 was before them with her forces there, 
 to pack up her ends and her awls, and 
 make what speed she could with tliem 
 to Dunbar. But foul as the capital 
 then was, and covered with tlie leprosy 
 of idolatry, they were not long in 
 possession till they so medicated her 
 with tlie searching medicaments of tiie 
 Iveformation, tliat she was soon scrapit 
 of idl tiie scurf and kell of her abomi- 
 nations. 'L'herc was not an idol or an 
 imnoe within her bounds that, in less 
 than three days, was not beheaded 
 like a traitor and trundled to the dogs, 
 even with vehemence, as a thing that 
 could be sensible of contempt. IJut 
 as all these things are set forth at large 
 in the chronicles of the kingdom, 1ft 
 it suflico to say, that my grandfather 
 continued for nearly two years after 
 tliis time a trusted emissary among 
 the Lords of the Congregation, in 
 thiir many arduous labours and peril- 
 ous correspondencies, till the Earl of 
 Glencairn was appointed to see idola- 
 try banished and extirpated from the 
 West Country, — in which expedition, 
 his Lordsliip, being minded to reward 
 my grandfather's services in the cause 
 of tlie Reformation, invited him to bo 
 of his force, to which my grandfather, 
 not jealousing the secularities of his 
 patron's intents, joyfidly agreed, 
 hoping to Bee tho corner-stone placed 
 
 on tho great edifice of the Reforma- 
 tion, Avhich all good and pious men 
 began then to think near completion. 
 
 Having joined the Earl's force at 
 Glasgow, my grandfather went for- 
 ward with it to Taisley. Before 
 reaching that town, however, they 
 wore met by a numerous multitude of 
 the people, half way between it cand 
 tho castle of Cruikstone, and at their 
 head my grandfather was blitlicned 
 to see his old friend, the gentle monk 
 Dominick Callender, in a soldier's 
 garb, and with a ruddy and embold- 
 ened countenance, and by his side, 
 with a sword manfully girded on hia 
 thigh, the worthy l?ailie Pollock, 
 whose nocturnal revels at the abbey 
 had brought such dule to tho win- 
 some Maggy Napier. 
 
 For some reason, wliich my grand- 
 father never well understood, there 
 was more lenity shown to the abbey 
 here than usual ; but the monks were 
 rooted out — tho images given over to 
 destruction— and tho old bones and 
 miraculous crucifixes were either 
 burnt or interred. Less damage, 
 however, was done to tho buildings 
 tlian many expected, partly through 
 the exhortation of tlio magistrates, 
 wlio were desirous to preserve so 
 noble a building for a Protestant 
 church, but chiully out of some pac- 
 tion or covenant secretly entered 
 into anent tho distribution of the 
 domains and property, wherein tho 
 liouse of Hamilton was concerned, 
 the Duke of Chatelheraidt, the head 
 tliereof, notwithstanding the papist- 
 ical nature of his blood and kin, 
 having pomo time before gone over 
 to the cause of tho Congregation. 
 
 The work of tho Reformation 
 being thus abridged at Paisley, tho 
 Karl of Glencairn went forward to 
 Kilwinning, where he was less .scrup* 
 ulous ; for liaving himself obtained a 
 grant of the lands of tiio abbacy, ho 
 was fain to make a clean hand o't, 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 71 
 
 though at tlie tinio my grandfather 
 kuew not of this. 
 
 As soon as the army reached tlio 
 town, the soldiers went straight on 
 to the abbey, and entering tiie great 
 church, even while the monks were 
 chanting their paternosters, they be- 
 gan to show the errand they had 
 come on. Dreadful was the yell that 
 ensued, when my grandfather, going 
 up to the priest at the higli altar, and 
 pulling him by the scarlet and fine 
 linen of his pageantry, bade him 
 decamp, and flung the toys and 
 trumpery of the mass after him as he 
 fled away in fear. 
 
 Tiiig resolute act was the signal 
 for the general demolition, and it 
 began on all sides ; my grandfather 
 giving a leap, caught hold of a fine 
 effigy of the Virgin Mary by the leg 
 to jiull it down ; but it proved to be 
 the one which James Coom the smith 
 had mended, for the leg came off, and 
 my grandfatiier fell backwards, and 
 was for a moment stunned by his fall. 
 A band of the monks, Avho were 
 standing trembling spectators, made 
 an attempt, at seeing this, to raise a 
 shout of a miracle ; but my grand- 
 father, in the same moment recover- 
 ing himself, siezed the Virgin's timber 
 It's, «id flung it with violence at them, 
 and it happened to strike one of the 
 fattest of the flock with such a bir 
 that it was saiil the life was driven 
 out of him. This, however, was not 
 the case ; for, although the monk was 
 sorely hurt, he lived many a day 
 after, and was obligated, in his aulil 
 years, whi'u he was feckless, to be 
 carried from door to door on a hand- 
 barrow, begging his bread. The 
 wives, I have heard tell, were kindly 
 to him, for lie was a jocose carl ; but 
 the weans little respected his grey 
 Iiairs, and used to jeer him as auld 
 Father Paternoster, for even to the 
 last he adhered to his beads. It was 
 thought, however, by a certain pious 
 
 Protestant gentlewoman of Irvine, 
 that before his death he got a cast of 
 grace ; for one day, when he had been 
 carried over to beg in that town, she 
 gave him a luggie of kail owre het, 
 which he stirred with the end of tho 
 ebony crucifix at his girdle, thereby 
 showing, as she said, a symptom that 
 it held a lower place in his spiritual 
 affections than if he had been as sin- 
 cere in his errors as he let wot. 
 
 Although my grandfather had sus- 
 tained a severe bruise by his fall, ho 
 was still enabled, after he got on iiis 
 leg.s, to superintend the demolishment 
 of the abbey till it was complete. But 
 in the evening, when he took up his 
 quarters in the house of Theophilus 
 Lugton with Donuniek Callender, who 
 had brought on a party of tiie Paisley 
 lieformers, he was so stiff and sore 
 that he thought he would be incom- 
 petent to go over next day with tho 
 force that the Earl missioned to herry 
 the Carmelyto convent at Irvine. 
 Dominick Callender had, however, 
 among other things, learnt, in the 
 abbey of Paisley, the salutary virtues 
 of many herbs, and how to decoct 
 from them their healing juices ; and 
 he instructed Dame Lugton to prepare 
 an efficacious medicament, that not 
 only mitigated the anguish of the pain, 
 but so suppled tho stiffness that my 
 grandfather was up by break of day, 
 and ready for tho march, a renewed 
 man. 
 
 In spenking of this, he has been 
 heard to say, it was a thing much to 
 be lamented, that when the regular 
 abolition of the monasteries was de- 
 creed, no care was taken to collect the 
 curious knowledges and ancient tradi- 
 tionary skill preserved tiierein, espe- 
 cially in what pertained to the cure of 
 maladies ; for it was his opinion — and 
 many were of the same mind — that 
 among the friars were numbers of 
 potent physicians, and an art in the 
 preparation of salves and syrups, that 
 
 s 
 
72 
 
 RING AN GILHATZE. 
 
 has not been surpassed by the Icax-ninp: 
 of the coHetros. But it is not niout 
 that I should detain the courteous 
 reader with sucli irrelcvaucies ; the 
 change, however, which has taken 
 phice in the reahn in all things per- 
 taining to life, laws, manners, and 
 conduct, since the extirpation of the 
 lloiiian idolatry, is, from the per- 
 feotest report, so wonderful, that the 
 inluibitants can scarcely be said to be 
 the same race of people ; f.nd, there- 
 fore, I have tliought that such occa- 
 sional ancestral intimations flight, 
 though they proved neither edifying 
 nor instructive, be yet deemed worthy 
 of notation in tlie brief spaces which 
 thoy hap[)en herein to occupy. Hut 
 now. returning from this digression, 
 I will take up again the tliread and 
 clue of mv storj'. 
 
 Tiie Eirl of Gloncairn, after the 
 abbey of Kilwinning was sacked, went 
 and slept at Eglinton Castle, then a 
 stalwart square tower, environed with 
 ,1 wall an(l moat, of a rude and un- 
 known antiquity, standing on a gentle 
 rising ground in the midst of a bleak 
 and moorland domain. And his 
 Lordship having ordered my grand- 
 fatlicr to come to him betimes in the 
 jnorning with twenty chosen men, the 
 discreetest of the force, for a special 
 service in wliich he meant to employ 
 him, he went thither accordingly, 
 taking with him Dominick Callencler, 
 and twelve godly lads from Paisley, 
 with seven others, whom he had re- 
 marked in the marcli from Glasgow, 
 as under tlie manifest guidance of a 
 sedate and pious temper. 
 
 "NVhen my grandfather with his 
 company arrived at the castle yett, 
 and he was admitted to the Earl his 
 patron, his Lordship said to him, more 
 as a friend than a master — 
 
 " I am in the hope, Gilhaize, tliat, 
 after this day, the toilsome and peril- 
 ous errands on which, to the weal of 
 Scotland and the true church, you Lave 
 
 been so meritoriously missioned ever 
 since you were retained in my service, 
 will soon be brought to an cud, and 
 that you will enjoy in peace the re- 
 ward you have earned so well, that I 
 .am better pleased in bestowing it than 
 you can be in the receiving, liut 
 there is yet one task which I must put 
 upon you. Hard by to this castle, less 
 than a mile eastward, stands a small 
 convent of nuns, who have been for 
 time out of mind under the protection 
 of the Lord Eglinton's family, and he, 
 having got a grant of tlie lands be- 
 longing to their house, is desirous 
 that they should bo ilitted in an ami- 
 able manner to a certain street in 
 Irvine, called the Kirkgatc, where a 
 lodging is provided for tiiem. To do 
 this kindly I have bethought myself 
 of you, for I know iiot in all my force 
 any one so well ciualified. Have you 
 l)rovidod yourself with the twenty 
 douce men that I ordered you to bring 
 hither? " 
 
 ]My grandfather told Ids Lordship 
 that he liad done as he was ordered. 
 '* Tlien," resumed the Earl, " tako 
 them with you, and this mandate to the 
 superior, and one of Eglinton's men 
 to show you the way ; and when you 
 have conveyed them to their lodging, 
 come again to me." 
 
 So my grandfather did as lie was 
 directed by tlie Earl, and marched 
 eastward with his men till he came to 
 the convent, whicli was a humble and 
 o)-derly house, witii a small chapel and 
 a tower, that in after times, when all 
 the other buildings Avere erased, was 
 called the Stane Castle, and is known 
 by that name even unto this day. It 
 stood within a high wall, and a little 
 gate, with a stone cross over the 
 sanu\ led to the porch. 
 
 Compassionating the simple and 
 silly sisterhood within, who, by their 
 secj^uestration from the world, were 
 l)i;come as innocent as birds in a cage, 
 my grivudfathor halted his men at 
 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 73 
 
 ver 
 ice, 
 
 some distance from the yett, and 
 goinj,' forward, rung the bell ; to the 
 sound of wliich an aged woman an- 
 swered, who, on being told he had 
 brought a letter to the superior, gave 
 him admittance, and conducted him 
 to a little cliambcr, on the one side of 
 Avhichwasagrating, where the superior, 
 a short corpulent matron, thai seemed 
 to bowl rather tlian to walk as she 
 moved along, soon made her appear- 
 ance within. 
 
 He told her in a meek manner, 
 and with some gentle prefacing, the 
 purpose of his visit, and showed her 
 tlie Earl's mandate ; to all which, for 
 some time, she made no reply, but 
 she was evidently much moved ; at 
 last she gave a wild skrcigh, which 
 brought the rest of the nuns, to the 
 number of thirteen, all rushing into 
 the room. Then ensued a dreadful 
 tempest of feminine passions and 
 griefs, intermingled with many sup- 
 ])lications to many a saint ; but the 
 jjowers and prerogatives of their saints 
 Were abolished in Scotland, and they 
 received no aid. 
 
 Tliough their lamentation, as my 
 grandfather used to .siiy, could not be 
 recited without moving to mirth, it 
 was ye< io full of maidenly fears and 
 Bim])licity at the time to him, that it 
 fioemed most tender, and he was dis- 
 turbed at the thought of driving such 
 fair and helpless creatures into the 
 bad world ; but it was his duty ; — so, 
 after sootliing tiicni as well as he 
 coidd, and representing how unavail- 
 ing tlieir refusal to go Avould be, the 
 superior composed her grief, and ex- 
 horting the nuns to be resigned to 
 their cruel fate, which, she said, was 
 not so grievous as tliat which many of 
 the saints had in their day suffered, 
 they all became calm and prepared 
 for the removal. 
 
 ISIy grandfather told them to take 
 wilh them whatsoever they best liked 
 iu the house ; and it waa a moving 
 
 sight to see their simplicity therein. 
 One was content with a fiower-pot ; 
 another took a cage in which she had 
 a lintie ; some of them half -finished 
 patterns of embroidery. One aged 
 sister, of a tall and spare form, 
 brought away a flask of eye -water 
 which she had herself distilled ; but, 
 saving the superior, none of them 
 thought of any of the valuables of the 
 chapel, till my grandfather reminded 
 tliem. that they might find the value 
 of silver and gold hereafter, even in 
 the spiritual-minded town of Irvine. 
 
 There was one young and graceful 
 maiden among them who seemed but 
 little moved by the event ; and my 
 grandfather was melted to sympathy 
 and sorrow by the solemn serenity of 
 her deportment, and the little heed 
 she took of anything. Of all the nuns 
 she was the only one who aj)peared to 
 have nothing to care for ; and when 
 they were ready, and came forth to the 
 gate, instead of joining in their 
 piteous wailings as they bade their 
 2)eaceful home a long and last fare- 
 well, she walked forward alone. No 
 sooner, however, had she passed the 
 yett, than, on seeing the armed com- 
 pany without, she stood still like a 
 statue, and uttering a shrill cry, 
 fainted away, and fell to the ground. 
 Every one ran to her assistance ; but 
 when her face was unveiled to give 
 her air, Dominick Callendcr, who 
 was standing by, caught her in his 
 arms, and was enchanted by a fond 
 and strange enthusiasm. She was 
 indeed no other than the young 
 maiden of Paisley, for whom he had 
 found his monastic vows the heavy 
 fetters of a bondage that made life 
 scarcely worth possessing ; and when 
 nIic was recovered, an interciiange of 
 great tenderness took place between 
 them, at wliich the superior of the 
 convent waxed very wroth, and the 
 other nuns were exceedingly scanda- 
 lized. Uut Magdalene Sauchie, for 
 
74 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 so slic Viua called, heeded them not ; 
 for, on learning that popery was put 
 down in the land by law, slie openly 
 declared, that she renounced Iut 
 TOWS ; and during tlie walk to Irvine, 
 which wa3 jimp a mile, she leant upon 
 the arm of her lover : aJid they were 
 soon after married, Dorainick set- 
 tling in that town as a doctor of 
 physic, whereby he afterwards earned 
 both gold and reputation. 
 
 liut to conclude the history of the 
 convent, which my grandfather had 
 in this gentle manner herret, the nuns, 
 on reaching the foot of the Kirkgate, 
 where the Countess of Eglintou had 
 provided a house for them, began to 
 weep anew with great vehemence, 
 fearing that their holy life was at an 
 end, and tiiat they would be tempted 
 of men to enter into the temporalities 
 of the married state; but the superior, 
 on iiearing tliis mournful apprehen- 
 sion, mounted upon the steps of the 
 tolbooth stair, and. in the midst of a 
 great concourse of people, she lifted 
 her hands on high, and exclaimed, iis 
 with the voice of a prophetess, " Fear 
 not, my chaste and pious dochters ; 
 for your sake and for my sake, I have 
 an assurance at this moment from the 
 Virgin Mary herself, that the calamity 
 of the marriage-yoke will never be 
 known in the Kirkgate of Irvine, but 
 that all maidens who hereafter may 
 enter, or be born to dwell therein, 
 shall live a life of single blessedness.'' 
 Which delightful prediction the nuns 
 were so happy to hear, that they dried 
 their tears, and chanted their Ave 
 !Miiria, joyfully proceeding towards 
 Iheir appointed habitation. It stood, 
 as I have been told, on the same spot 
 where King James the Sixth's school 
 was afterwards erected, and endowed 
 out of the spoils of the Cnrmelytes' 
 nionastery, which, on the same day, 
 was. by another division of the Earl 
 of Glencairn's power, sacked and 
 burnt to the ground. 
 
 When my grandfjitbor ikhL ui the 
 manner rehearsed, dipj>;»«i(fi 'of nhose 
 sisters of simplicity in tbf Kii-kir^ite 
 of Irvine, he returned tiack iu the 
 afternoon to the Earl of Cirl«L'!!iirn at 
 Eglinton Castle to rejtortwiiill hti had 
 done; and his L >rd-hip itrnim. in a 
 most laudatory manueT, <ioaini<ea'ieil 
 his prudence and Biii<ruhu ru D iness of 
 nature, mentioning io tbf Eirl and 
 Countess of Eglinton, iib«!D pn-i'ient 
 with him, divers of Ibf miHhi«in9 
 wherein he had been eajjoo-ji'ii, ex- 
 tolling his zeal, and alKix*- .ill hia 
 piety. And the Lady Eiriiutioii. who 
 was a household charactar. smriiig, 
 with great frugality, to awr^'rn'; the 
 substance of her Lord, lir t«'*t inir her 
 maidens from morning ^ o iiU'- i ■^j> U^nt 
 at work, some at their- ^.-;.irnnj 
 drums, and some at th-:.' v.;-ir,iff3, 
 managing all within tht ciafJiie that 
 pertained to her feuiinlDt' 3 jut; in a 
 way most exemplary to *L* ttuiwa of 
 her time and degree, indwid «i> Lulieg 
 of all times and degrees. j>rca!ii*tiil my 
 grandfather that when he -wat aiunried, 
 she woulii give his wife fi{'ii>*niiiji<f to 
 help the plenishing of their Vj'^iae. for 
 the meek mannt r in wldciii ht h.id 
 comported himself toward btir friend, 
 the superior of the nuns. Tliifta the 
 Earl of Glencairn said. — 
 
 " Gilhaize, madam, is nc'w Ma <;wti 
 master, and may choose a ixriifi* when 
 it pleases himself ; for I hum cove- 
 nanted with my friend, joixr Lfini, to 
 let him have the mailing c4 (QiKi.irist, 
 in excambio for certain c>f ilW tin- la 
 of late pertaining to the iJbftiwy of 
 Kilwinning, the which lie ii>c»w winhin 
 the vicinage of this tatait-: xad^ 
 (Jilhaizo, here is my wamoait tti* Bake 
 possession." 
 
 With these words ttic TLirt rnae 
 and presented him witli a ',i.!^rT.ec for 
 the lands, signed by Eg-laiirtni and 
 himself, and he phook hicu l)*iMt2y by 
 the hand, saying, that few m aill' the 
 kingdom had better earned tSji ztier- 
 
niNaAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 78 
 
 don of their service than he had 
 done. 
 
 Thus it was that our family came 
 to be settled in the shire of Ayr ; for 
 after my grandfather had taken pos- 
 session of his fee, and mindful of the 
 vow he had made in the street of 
 Edinburgh on that blessed morning 
 when John Knox, the champion of 
 the true church, arrived from Geneva, 
 he went into the east country to 
 espouse Eispa lluet, if he found lier 
 thereunto inclined, which happily he 
 soon did. For their spirits were in 
 unison ; and from the time they first 
 met, they had felt toward one another 
 as if they had been acquaint in loving- 
 kindness before, which made him 
 sometimea say, that it was to him a 
 proof and testimony that the souls of 
 mankind have, perhaps, a living 
 knowledge of each other before they 
 are born into this world. 
 
 At their marriage, it was agreed 
 that they should take with them into 
 the west Agnes Kilspinnie, one of the 
 niisfortunate bailie's daughters. As 
 for her mother, from tiie day of the 
 overthrow and destruction of the 
 papistry at St Andrews, she had nevcx 
 been heard of; all the tidings her 
 sister could gather concerning her 
 were, that the same night she had 
 been conveyed away by some of the 
 Archbishop's servants, but whither no 
 one could tell. So they came with 
 Agnes Kilspinnie to Edinburgh ; and, 
 for a ploy to their sober wedding, 
 they resolved to abide there till tiie 
 coming of Queen ]Mary from France, 
 that they might partiike of the shows 
 and pastimes then preparing for her 
 reception. They, however, during 
 the seas on of tlieir sojourn, feasted far 
 better lhan on royal fare, in the gos- 
 pel banquet of John Knox's sermons, 
 of which they enjoyed the inexpres- 
 sible beatitude three several Sabbath- 
 days before the Queen arrived. 
 
 Of the joyous preparations to greet 
 
 Queen Mary withal, neither my grand- 
 father nor grandmother were ever 
 wont to discourse nmch at large, for 
 they were holy-minded persons, little 
 esteeming the pageantries of this 
 world. But my aunt, for Agnes 
 Kilspinnie being in progress of time 
 married to my father's fourth brother, 
 became sib to me in that degree, was 
 wont to descant and enlarge on the 
 theme with much wonderment and 
 loquacity, describing the marvellous 
 fabrics that were to have been hung 
 with tapestry to hold the ladies, and 
 the fountains that were to have 
 spouted wine, which nobody was to 
 be allowed to taste, the same being 
 only for an ostentation, in order that 
 the fact thereof might be recorded in 
 the chronicles for after-times. And 
 great things have I likewise heard her 
 tell of the paraphernalia which the 
 magistrates and town-council were 
 getting ready. No sleep, in a sense, 
 she used to say, did IMaccalzean of 
 Cliftonhall, who was then provost, 
 get for more than a fortniglit. From 
 night to morning the sagacious bailies 
 sat in council, exercising their sagacity 
 to contrive devices to pleasure the 
 Queen, and to help the custom of 
 their own and their neighbours' shops. 
 Busy and proud men they were, and 
 nosmallerwere the worshi})ful deacons 
 of tlie crafts. It was just a surprise 
 and consternation to every body, to 
 think how their weak backs could bear 
 such a burden of cnrcs. No time had 
 they for their wonted jocosity. To 
 those who would fain have speered 
 the news, they shook th' ir heads in 
 a Solomon-like manner, and hastened 
 by. And such a battle and tribula- 
 tion as they liad with tlicir vassals, 
 the magistrates of Leith ! who, in the 
 most contumacious manner, insisted 
 that their chief bailie shoidd be the 
 first to welcome the Sovereign on the 
 shore. This pretence was thought 
 little short of rebellion; and the 
 
w 
 
 RTNGAN GILHAIZR. 
 
 provost Mild the bailies, and all the 
 wise men that sat iu council withthcni, 
 together witli the help of their learned 
 assessors, continued deliberatiuff ancnt 
 the same for hours tojjether. It wad 
 a dreadful business that for th.o town 
 of Edinburgh. And tlio opinions of 
 the judges of tlic land, and tlie lords 
 of the council, were taken, and many 
 a device tried to overcome the up- 
 setting, as it was called, of tlie licith 
 magistrates ; but all was of no avail. 
 And it wii^ thought there would ' ivo 
 been a fi^^ht between the bail of 
 Leith and the bailies of Edinburgh, 
 and that blood would have been shed 
 before this weighty question, so im- 
 portant to the dearest interests of the 
 commonweal of Scotland, could be 
 determined. But, in the midst of 
 their contention, and before their 
 preparations were half finished, the 
 Queen arrived in Leith Jloads ; and 
 the news came upon them like tiie 
 cry to the foolish virgins of the bride- 
 groom in the street. Then they were 
 Been flying to their respective places 
 of abode, to dress themselves in their 
 coats of black velvet, their doublets 
 of crimson satiti. and their hose of tiie 
 same colour, which they had prepared 
 for the occas-ion. Anon they met in 
 the council-chamber — what confusion 
 reigned there ! Then how they Hew 
 down the street ! Provost Maccalzean, 
 with the silver keys iu his hand, and 
 the eldest bailie with the crimson- 
 velvet cod, whereon they were to be 
 delivered to her ^lajesty, following as 
 fast as any member of a city corpora- 
 tion could be reasoniibly expected to 
 do. But how the provost fell, and 
 how the bailies and town-council 
 tumbled over him, and how the crowd 
 shouted at the sight, are tilings 
 whereof to understand the greatness 
 it is needful that the courteous reader 
 should have heard my aunty Agnes 
 herself rehearse the extraordinary 
 particularities. 
 
 Meanwhile the (iueeti left her gal- 
 ley in a small boat, and the bailies of 
 Leith had scarcely time to reach the 
 pier before she was on shore, Alas ! 
 it was an ill-omened landing. Few 
 were spectators, and none cheered the 
 solit^iry lady, who, as slie looked 
 around and heard no loyal greeting, 
 nor beheld any rJiow of hospitable 
 welcome, seemed to feel as if the 
 spirit of the laiul was sullen at her 
 approach, and grudged at her return 
 to the dark abodes of her ti re • aii- 
 cestors. In all the way from Lo tli to 
 Ilolyrood she never spoke, but the 
 tear was in her eye and the sigh i.i her 
 bosom ; and though her jH'Ojdo 
 gathered when it M'as known she had 
 landed, and began at last to shout, it 
 was owre late to ])revent the mourn- 
 ful forebodings, which taught her to 
 expect but disappointments and sor- 
 rows from subjects so torn witii their 
 own factions as to lack even the 
 courtesies due to their sovereign, a 
 stranger, and the fairest lady of all 
 her time. 
 
 CHAP TEH X. 
 
 Soox after Queen I^Iary's return from 
 France, my grandfather, with his wife 
 and Agnes Kilspiimie, came from 
 Edinburgh and took up their resi- 
 dence on his own free mailing of 
 Quharist, where the Lady Eglintou 
 Avas as good as her word in presenting 
 to them divers articles of line na])ery, 
 and sundry things of phaiishing both 
 for ornament and use ; and there lie 
 would have spent his days in blame- 
 less tranquillity, serving the Lord, 
 but for the new storm tiiat began to 
 gather over the church, whereof it is 
 needful that I should now proceed to 
 tell ."ome of the circumstantials. 
 
 No sooner had that thougiitlesg 
 Princess — if indeed one could be so 
 called who, though reckless of all 
 
RING AN GILHAIZE. 
 
 ga.]. 
 
 ronsoqiK'iicos, was yet double beyoiul 
 the iin;ij,'iii!ition of man — no .sooner, 1 
 say, liiifl slic! founil liorself at home, 
 tlian, witli all the craft ami blandish- 
 ments of her wiiininjf airs and peerless 
 beauty, slie did set herself to seduce 
 the Lords of tiie ( 'on<;rej,'ation from 
 tlie sternness wherewith tiiey had 
 thrown down, and were determined 
 to resist, the re.-^toratioii of the 
 Itoman idolatry ; and villi some of 
 them she succeeded so far tiiat the 
 jiojiish priests were hearteni.'d. and, 
 knowing Ii'T avowed partiality for 
 tlieir sect, the J5east bej,'an to slioot 
 out liis horns again, and they dared 
 to perform the abomination of tlie 
 mass iu different fjuariers of the king- 
 dom. 
 
 It is, no doubt, true tliat the 
 (Jueeu's council, by proclamation, 
 feigned to discountenance that resus- 
 ritation of idolatry ; but tlie words of 
 tlair edict being backed by no de- 
 monstration of resolution, save in tlie 
 case of a few worthy gentlemen in the 
 shire of Ayr and in Galloway, who 
 took up some of the oiTenders in their 
 district and jurisdiction, the evil con- 
 tinued to strike its roots, and to bud 
 and flourish in its pestiferous branches. 
 
 \V'lien my grandfather heard of 
 these things, his spirit was exceedingly 
 moved, and he got no rest in tlie 
 night, with the warsling of troubled 
 thoughts and pious fears. Some new 
 call, lie foresaw, would soon be made 
 on the Protestants, to stand forth 
 again in the gap that the (Queen's arts 
 had sajipcd in the bulwarks of their 
 religious liberty, and he resolved to 
 be ready against the hour of danger. 
 So, taking his wife and Agnes Kil- 
 spiniiie with him, he went in the 
 spring to Edinburgh, and hired a 
 loduing for them; and on tiie same 
 niglit lie presented himself at the 
 lodging of the Lord James Stuart, 
 who had some time before been 
 created Karl of Murray ; but the Earl 
 
 was gone with the Queen to I.och- 
 levcn. Sir Alexander Douglas, how- 
 ever, the master of his Lordship's 
 horse, was then on the eve of follow- 
 ing him with John Knox, to wliom 
 the Queen had sent a peremptory 
 message, requiring his attendance ; 
 and Sir Alexander invited my grand- 
 father to come with them ; the which 
 invitation he very joyfully accepted, 
 on account of the hap[iy occasion of 
 travelling in the sanctilied company 
 of tliai brave worthy. 
 
 Jn the journey, however, save iu 
 the boat when they crossed the ferry, 
 he showed but little of his precious 
 conversation ; for the knight and the 
 Keforiner rode on together some short 
 distanc( before their train, earnestly 
 discoursing, and seemingly they 
 wished not to be overheard. Ikit 
 when they were all seated in the 
 ferry-bi-at, the ardour ut the preacher, 
 which (111 no occasion would be reined 
 in, li'd him to continue sjieaking, by 
 which it would seem, tl at they had 
 been conversing anent the (Queen's 
 prejudices in matters of religion and 
 the royal authority. 
 
 '• A\'lien I last spoke with her 
 Highness," said John Knox, '-she 
 laid sore to my charge, that 1 had 
 brought the people to receive a re- 
 ligion different from what their 
 jirinces allowed, asking sharply, if 
 this was not contrary to the Divine 
 command, which enjoins that subjects 
 should obey their rulers ; so that I 
 was obliged to contend plainly, that 
 true religion derived its origin and 
 authority, not from jirinces, but from 
 God ; that princes were often most 
 ignorant resfjecting it, and that sub- 
 jects never could be bound to frame 
 their religious sentiments according to 
 the jileasure of their rulers, else the 
 Hebrews ought to have conformed to 
 the idolatry of Tharaoh, and Daniel 
 and his associates to tliat of 
 Kebuchaduezzar, and the primitivo 
 
78 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 Cliristians to that of the lloinan 
 einjit'iors." 
 
 "And vliat could her Ilij^liness 
 answer to tliis? " 8aid Sir Alexander. 
 
 '' Slie laeketli not the pift of a 
 phrewdand leady wit," replied Master 
 Knox ; for she nimbly rcnuarked, 
 '■ riiat though it was as I had said, 
 yet none of those men raised the 
 sword iijTfiiinst their princes ; " — which 
 enforced me to be more subtle than I 
 was minded to have been, and to say, 
 " tiiat nevertheless, they did resist, 
 for those who obey not the command- 
 ments given them, do in verity re- 
 sist." — "Ah," cried her IIif/;hness, 
 " but not with the sword," which was 
 a thrust not easy to be turned aside, 
 80 that I was constrained to speak 
 ouf, saying, " God, madam, had not 
 given tliem the means and the power." 
 Then said siie, still more eagerly, 
 "Think you that subjects, having the 
 power, may resist their princes ? " — 
 And she looked with a triumphant 
 smile, as if she had caught mo in a 
 trap ; but 1 replied, " If princes ex- 
 ceed their bounds, no doubt they may 
 be resisted, even by power. For no 
 greater honour or greater obedience 
 is to be given to kings and princes 
 than God has commanded to be given 
 to father or mother. But the father 
 may be struck with a phreuzv, in 
 which he would slay his children ; 
 in such a case, if the children arise, 
 join together, apprehend the father, 
 take the sword from him, bind his 
 hands and keep him in prison till the 
 phrenzy be over, think you, madam," 
 quo' I. "that the ch.ildreii do any 
 wrong? Even so is it with princes 
 that should play the children of God 
 that are subject to tliem. Their 
 blind zeal is nothing but phrenzy, 
 and therefore to take the power from 
 them till they be brought to a more 
 sober mind, is no disobedience to 
 princes, but a just accordance to the 
 will of God.— So 1 doubt not," con- 
 
 tinued the Reformer, " I shall again 
 have to sustain the keen encounter of 
 her Highness' wit in some now con- 
 troversy." 
 
 This was the chief substance of 
 what my grandfather heard pass in 
 the boat ; and when they were again 
 mounted, the knight and preacher 
 set forward as before, some twenty 
 paces or so in advance of the retinue. 
 
 On reaching Kinross, Master Knox 
 rode straight to the shore, and went 
 off in the Queen's barge to the castle, 
 that he might present himself to her 
 Highness before supper, for by this 
 time the sun was far down. In the 
 meantime, my grandfather went to 
 the house in Kinross where the Earl 
 of Murray resided, and his Lordship, 
 though albeit a grave and reserved 
 man, received him with the familiar 
 kindness of an old friend, and he was 
 with him when the Reformer came 
 back from the Queen, who had dealt 
 very earnestly witli him to persuade 
 the gentlemen of the west country to 
 desist from their interruption of the 
 popish worship. 
 
 " But to this," said the Reformer 
 to the Earl, " I was obligated, by 
 conscience and the fear of God, to 
 say, that if her Majesty would exert 
 her authority in executing the laws of 
 the laud, I would undertake for the 
 peaceable behaviour of the Protes- 
 tants ; but if she thouglit to evade 
 them, there were some who would 
 not let the papists offend with im- 
 punity," 
 
 " VVill you allow," said her High- 
 ness, "that they should take my 
 sword in their hands ? " 
 
 "The sword of justice is God's," 
 I replied, "and is given to princes 
 and rulers for an end, which if they 
 transgress, sparing the wicked and 
 oppressing the innocent, they who in 
 the fear of God execute judgment 
 where God has commanded, offend 
 not God, although kings do it not. 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 (9 
 
 gain 
 
 IT of 
 
 :'Oii- 
 
 
 The pentleinon of tlio west, niftdam, 
 lira jictini,' strictly ftccordiiig to law ; 
 for the act of parliament gave power 
 to all judges within their jurisaiction 
 to search for and punish those wiio 
 transgress its enactments ; " and J 
 added, ''it shall bo profitable to j'our 
 I\liijesty to consider what is tiio thing 
 your Grace's 8id)ject8 look to receive 
 iioni your Majesty, and what it is 
 that yo ought to do unto them by 
 mutual contract. They are bound to 
 obey you, and that not but in (Jod ; 
 ye are bound to keep laws to them — 
 yo crave of them service, they crave 
 nt' you protection and defence. Now, 
 mailam, if you shall deny your duty 
 unto them (which especially craves 
 that ye punisli malefactors), can ye 
 expect to receive full obedience of 
 thiin ? I fear, madam, ye shall not." 
 
 '* You have indeed been plain with 
 lior Highness," said the Earl, thought- 
 fully ; '' and what rejily made she ? " 
 
 '• None,'' said the Reformer ; " her 
 countenance changed ; she turned 
 luT head abruptly from me, and with- 
 out the courtesy of a good night, 
 8i_-niri(d with an angry waving of her 
 hand, th;it she desired to be rid of 
 my presence ; whereupon I immedi- 
 ately retired and, please God, I 
 shall, betimes in the morning, return 
 to my duties at Edinburgii. It is 
 with a sad heart, my lord, that I am 
 compelled to think, and to say to 
 you, who stand so near to her in kin 
 and affection, that I doubt she is not 
 oidy proud but crafty ; not only 
 wedded to the popish faith, but 
 averse to instruction. She neither 
 is nor will bo of our opinion; and it 
 is pliiin tiiat the lessons of her uncle, 
 the Cardinal, are so deeply printed 
 in her heart, that the substance and 
 qu:dity will perish together. I would 
 be glad to be deceived in this, but I 
 fear I shall not ; never have I espied 
 such art in one so young ; and it will 
 need all the eyes of the Reformed to 
 
 watch and ward tliat she circumvent 
 not the strong hold in Christ, that 
 has been but so lately restored aiul 
 fortified in this misfortunato king- 
 dom." 
 
 Nothing farther passed that night: 
 but the servants being called in, and 
 the preacher having exhorted them in 
 their duties, and prayed with even 
 more tlian his wonted earnestness, 
 each one retired to his chamber, and 
 the Earl gave orders for liorses to bo 
 ready early in the morning, to convey 
 Master Knox back to Edinburgh. 
 This, however, was not permitted ; 
 for by break of day a messenger camo 
 from the castle, desiring him not to 
 depart until he had again spoken with 
 her Majesty ; adding, that as she 
 meant to land by sunrise with her 
 falconer, she would meet him on the 
 fields where she intended to take her 
 pastime, and talk with him there. 
 
 In the morning, all those who were 
 in the house with the Earl of Murray 
 and John Knox were early a-foot, 
 and after prayers had been said, they 
 went out to meet the Queen at her 
 place of landing from the castle, which 
 stands on an islet at some distance 
 from the shore ; but, before they reach- 
 ed the spot, she Avas already mounted 
 on her jennet and the hawks unhood- 
 ed, so that they were obligated to fol- 
 low her Highness to the ground, the 
 Reformer leaning on the Earl, who 
 proffered him his left arm as they 
 walked up the steep bank together 
 from the brim of the lake. 
 
 The Queen was on the upland when 
 they drew near to the field, and on 
 seeing them approach she came amb- 
 ling towards them, moving in her 
 beauty, as my grandfather often de- 
 lighted to say, like a fair rose caressed 
 by the soft gales of tlie summer. A 
 smile was in her eye, and it brightened 
 on her countenance like the beam of 
 something more lovely than light ; the 
 glow, as it were, of a spirit conscious 
 
80 
 
 ETNO AN CTLHATZE. 
 
 of its powei', aud whicli luid graced 
 itscdf witli all its eiicliautinents to 
 coiiquei' some stubborn Jieart. Even 
 the Earl of Murray was struck with 
 the unwonted splendour of lier tliat 
 was ever deemed so surpassing fair ; 
 and Jolni Knox said, witli a sigli, 
 " The Makkr liad indeed taken graci- 
 ous pains with tlie goodly fashion of 
 such perishable clay." 
 
 When she had come witliin a few 
 ])aces of where they were advancing 
 uncovered, she suddenly cneciv^d her 
 jennet, and made him dance proudly 
 round till she was nigh to John K'iox, 
 where, seeming in ahirm, she feigned 
 as if slie would have slipped from the 
 saddle, having her hand on his .shoulder 
 for support ; and while he, M'ith more 
 gallantry than it was thought in him, 
 helped her to recover her scat, she 
 said, with a complacent look, "The 
 Queen thanks you, Master Knox, for 
 this upholding.'' 
 
 She then inquired kindly for Jiis 
 health, grieving she had not given 
 orders for him to lodge in the castle ; 
 and turning to the Earl of INIurray, 
 she eluded iiis Lordship with a gentle- 
 ness that was more wimu'ng than 
 praise, why he had not come to her 
 with Master Knox, saying, " We 
 should then perhaps have not been 
 BO sharp in our controversy." lint, 
 before the Earl had time to make 
 answer, she noticed divers gentlemen 
 by uame, and taking off lier glove, 
 made a most sweet salutation witii iier 
 lily hand to the general concourse of 
 those who had by this time gathered 
 around. 
 
 In that gracious gesture, it was 
 plain, my grandfather said, tliat she 
 Avas still scattering her feminine spells; 
 for she kept her hand for some time 
 bare, and though enjoying the plea- 
 sure which her beautiful ])resence 
 diffused, like a delicious warmth into 
 the air, she was evidently self- 
 collected, aud had something more in 
 
 mind than only the triumph of hev 
 marvellous beauty. 
 
 Having tuiiied her horse's head, 
 rhe moved liim a few paces, saying, 
 ■'Master Knox, I would speak with 
 you." At which he went towards 
 her, and the rest of the spectators 
 retired and stood aloof. 
 
 They appeared for some time to bo 
 in an easy and somewhat gay discourse 
 on her part; but she gn'W mure aiid 
 more earnest, till i\Ir Knox made his 
 reverence and was coming away, when 
 she said to him aloud, '• Well, do as 
 you Avill, but that man is a dangerous 
 man." 
 
 Their discourse was concerning the 
 titular Bishop of Athens, a brother of 
 the Earl of liuntly, who had been put 
 in nomination for a sujterintendent f)f 
 the church in the West Country, and 
 of whoso bad character her Highness, 
 as it afterwards proved, had received 
 a just account. 
 
 ]5ut scarcely had the rvcform'T re- 
 tired two steps wlien s i" calkd him 
 bivck, and holding our to him licr 
 Land, with which, when he approached 
 to do his homage, slie familiaily took 
 hold of his and held it, playing with 
 his fingers as if she had been placing 
 on a ring, saying, loud enough to bo 
 heard by many on the field, — 
 
 " I have one of the greatest mattens 
 that have touched nie since I came 
 into this realm to open to you. aud I 
 must have your help in it." 
 
 'J'lien, still holding him earnestly 
 by the hand, she entered into a long 
 discourse concerning, as he afterwards 
 told the lOarl of Murray, a difTerence 
 subsisting between the l'".arl and 
 Countess of Argyle. 
 
 '•Her J^adyshii)," said the Queen, 
 for my grandfather heard him re])eat 
 what had passed, "lias not perli!ij>,s 
 been so circumspect in every tiling as 
 one could have wished, but her lord 
 has dealt harshly with her." 
 
 Miistcr Knox having ouco before 
 
r.VNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 81 
 
 of llOV 
 
 ro 
 
 reconciled tlic dobatos nf lliat lioiiour- 
 able couple, told lier Iligliiies.s lie liad 
 done BO, and that not liavinp since 
 lioard any tliincr to the contrary, he 
 had hoj d all thiiif^'8 Aveut well Avith 
 them. 
 
 " It is AvorfJO,"' rejdied the (ii'ieii, 
 " than ye believe. l?nt, kind sir, do 
 this nuicli for my sake, as oiico again 
 to put Ihem at amity, and il the 
 Countess behave not heiself ns she 
 ou^dit to do, she shall iind no favour 
 of me ; but in no wise let Arpyle know 
 that I have requested you in lliis mat- 
 ter." 
 
 Then she returned to the sub- 
 ject of their contest the preceding,' 
 evcniiif,', and said, with her sweetest 
 looks and most musical accents, 
 ■' I j>romise to do as ye required : 
 I shall order all offenders to be sum- 
 moned. a?'.d you shall see that I shall 
 mini-ter justice.'' 
 
 To wiiieli he re]ilie<l. " I am as- 
 sured tlien, madam, that you shall 
 l)lease God, and enjoy rest and tran- 
 tpiillity witliin your realm, which to 
 your ^!aje.«ty is more jaoiitable than 
 all the I'ope's power can be." And 
 liavin;,' said this much he made his 
 revert lice, evidently in great pleasure 
 villi iier Highness. 
 
 Afterwards, in sj-eaking to the 
 Earl of ^lurray, as they returned to 
 Kinro.s.s. my grandfather noted that 
 ho enqiloyed many terms of soft 
 courtliness, saying to her, that she 
 wa.s a huly who migh':, he tliouglit, 
 with a little pains, lie won to grace 
 and godliness, cotdd she be preserved 
 irom the taint of evil coniisellois ; so 
 mueh had the a\ inning sorceries of 
 her exceeding beauty and her bland- 
 ishments worked even upon his stern 
 honesty, and enchanted his jealousy 
 asleep. 
 
 AVhen Master Knox had, with the 
 Earl, partakiii of some re])ast, he re- 
 quested that he might be conveyed 
 back to .Ediuburyh, for that it suited 
 
 I 
 
 not wif]j \u:-i nit'ire to remain sorn- 
 ing about the skirts of the court ; and 
 his Lordehip bade mv grandfather bo 
 of his comjiany. and to bid Sir Alex- 
 ander l>ongIa#. ti;c master of his 
 hor>e. cIjoo-m? for Liin tl e gentlest 
 steed in his etibi'.-. 
 
 IJut it happ* nfcfl before the IJc- 
 former vcnn uhdy to deprirr, tliat 
 (^ueen Marv Lad finished her morn- 
 ing piastin.c. and wi-s returnijig to 
 her barge to (mbark for the ca.stle, 
 which the Earl hearing, went down 
 to the brim ' f t?.e loch to assi.'st at 
 her euibarkiitic-n. My grandfather, 
 with others, alisO hastened to the 
 spot. 
 
 On «.-t-injr his Lordship, she in- 
 quired for •• her frierid," ns she then 
 called John Knox, and signified her 
 regret that be had lK.'en so Iht to 
 leave her. (-xpre»*inir her surprise that 
 one i-o infirm shccld think so soon of 
 asicoiid jonruey: whereby the good 
 Earl Ix'iug lumcitd to cement their 
 ha)i]iy reconciliation, from which he 
 aug-iired a gre-at increa.-^e of lienefita 
 both to the rtalm and the cause of 
 religioi;, was led to speak of his con- 
 cern thereat akt-wise, and of his .sor- 
 row that all bi^ own horses at Kin- 
 ross being for the cha.<e and road, ho 
 had none well-fitting to carry a per- 
 son so aged, and but little used to the 
 toil of riding. 
 
 Her Ilighntsapmiled at the hidden 
 counselling of thi.^ remark, for she was 
 ] osscsse-d of a sharp spirit; and she 
 said, with al<ok which told the Earl 
 and all aYotit L> r that she discerned 
 the pith of 1 i-S I.ord.ship's discourse, 
 she wiiuld order rne of her own jal- 
 frtys to lief« rthwith prepared hr him. 
 
 When the E.irl returned from the 
 shore and inftrmed Master Knox of 
 the (Ju«n's gracion-s condescension, 
 he made uo reply, but lowed his head 
 in token of Li.^ fen.«e of her kin<lness; 
 and soon after, when the palfrey was 
 brought gaddied with the other horses 
 
82 
 
 PJNGAN GILHAIZE, 
 
 to the door, ho said, in my grand- 
 fatlior's liearinj,', to his Lordship, " It 
 iii.'ods, yon st'c, uiy Lord, nm.st bo so ; 
 for wero 1 not to accept this grace, it 
 mij^lit bo tli.oai;!it I refused from a 
 vain bnivery of carin^f notliiiifj for 
 liir Majesty's favour ; " and lie added, 
 •with a suulo of jucidurity, "wliereas 
 1 am rit:ht wed content to receive tlie 
 very smallest boon from so fair and 
 blooiinnLf a lady." 
 
 Nifthing of any particularity oc- 
 curred in the course of the journey ; 
 for the main part of Avluch ALaster 
 Knox was thouglitful and knit up in 
 his own cogitations, and wlien from 
 time to time he did enter into dis- 
 course with my grandfathei', he spoke 
 chiefly of certain usages and customs 
 that lie had ol)served in other lands, 
 ai\d of thii!f;s of indifferent imjiort ; 
 but nevcrthele;^s there was a llavour 
 of holiness in ad he said, and my 
 grandfather treasured many of his 
 sweet sentences as pearls of great 
 price. 
 
 liefore the occurrence of the things 
 spoken of in the foregoing pages, 
 the great Earl of ( Ilencairn, my grand- 
 father's fust and constant patron, had 
 been dead some time ; but his son and 
 successor, wdio knew the estimation in 
 which he liad l)een held by his father, 
 being then in Edinl)urgli, allowed him, 
 in consideration thereof, the privilege 
 of his hcdl. It suited not, however, 
 with my grandfather's quiet and sancti- 
 fied nature to nungle nuicli with the 
 bniwlers that used to hover there; 
 nevertheless, out of a resi)cct to the 
 Earl's hosi-itahty, ho did occasionally 
 go thither, and where, if ho heard 
 little to edify the t'liristian lieart, he 
 learnt divers things anent tlie (iue> n 
 and court that made his fears and 
 anxieties wax stronger and stronger. 
 
 Jt seemed to liiui. as he often was 
 lienrd to say, tliat there was a better 
 knowledge of (Jiieen Mary's true eiiar- 
 ftctcr aud secret partialitio.'j among 
 
 those low varlets than among ti)eir 
 masters ; and lier marriage being then 
 in the parlanee of the people, ••uid 
 mucli dread and fevir rife with tin; 
 Trotestauts that she woidd choose a 
 paj)ist for her husband, he was sur- 
 l)rised to hear many of the rou-h 
 knaves in f Jlencairn's hall speak liglitly 
 of the respect she would have to tlio 
 faith or spirituality of the man sho 
 might prefer. 
 
 Among those wuddy worthies he 
 fell in with his ancient adversary 
 Winterton, who, instead of harbouring 
 any resentment for the trick he [ilayetl 
 him in the Lord Boyd's castle, was 
 rejoiced to see him again : he himself 
 was then in the service of David 
 Rizzio, the fiddler, Avliom the Ciueen 
 son\e short time before had taken into 
 her particular service. 
 
 This llizzio was liy birth an Italian 
 of very low degree ; a man of croueiied 
 stature, and of an uncomely physiog- 
 nomy, being yellow-skinned and 
 blaek-haired, with a beak-nose, and 
 little quick eyes of a free and familiar 
 glance, but shrewd withal, and 
 posse.'^stHl of a funny way of win- 
 ning facetiously on the ladies, to the 
 which his singular skill in all manner 
 of melodious music helped not a little ; 
 so that he had great sw.ay with them, 
 and was then winning himself fast into 
 the (Queen's favour, in which andntion, 
 besides the natural instigations of his 
 own vanity, he was spirited on by 
 certain powerful personages of the pa- 
 pistical faction, who soon saw tho 
 great eflicacy it would be of to their 
 cause, to have one who oweil his ri^e 
 to them constantly aljout the (^ueeii, 
 and in the depths of all her personal 
 corresponilence with her great friends 
 abroad. But the subtle Italian, though 
 still true to his ]iapal breeding, l>uilt 
 upon the (Jueen's jiartiality more th.ni 
 on the favour of those jirond nobles, 
 and, about the time of which I am 
 110 w speaking, he carried his head at 
 
IIINOAN GILHAIZE, 
 
 83 
 
 conrt np hravdy fis <Iu> Ixildrsl^ Iwron 
 fmio)i!:st ttu'iii. Still ill this lie lind 
 ■MS \it (lone iiotliiiii,' jivc'iitly to oiTciul. 
 'iiio Proti'.stant Lords, liowKver, ind-j- 
 jiiiidciit of tlieir avorsicn to liiiii on 
 iUTOUiit of Ilia rflijuioii, fcli, in rnni- 
 uiDU with all the iioLility, a VLlicnioiit 
 pifjudicc a::ain.st an alirii, one too of 
 base blood, and tlit-y ojifiily manifes- 
 ted tliL'ir disjiloasiire at S('iin,£: liini i-o 
 ^'ori,a()iis and jiivunniiiii,' even in the 
 imblic pre.-enre of the (Eileen ; but he 
 regard"d not their anger. 
 
 In ti..3 fey man's service AVintcrton 
 then was, and my grandfather never 
 doidited that it was for no good that 
 ho came so often to the Earl of (ilen- 
 cairn's, who, though not a man of the 
 siinio weight in the realm as the old 
 Kai'l his father, was yet held in mueh 
 esteem, as a sincere Protestant .iid 
 true nobleman, by all the friends of 
 the Gospel cause ; and, in tlie sequel, 
 wliat mv" granilfather jcalonsed was 
 soon vrry plainly seen. For Ki/.zio 
 learning, through Winterton's espion- 
 ag(! and that of other emissaries, how 
 little the people of Scotland would 
 relish a foreign prince to be set over 
 them, had a hand in dissuading the 
 (^ueen from accepting any of the 
 matches then proiiosed for her; and 
 the better to make his own )iowerthe 
 more sicker, he afterwards laid snares 
 in the water to bring about a marriage 
 with that weak youn'T prince, the Lord 
 IFenry Darnley. l!ut it falls not 
 Avitinn the scope of my narrative to 
 enter into any more particulars here 
 concern in 'jf that Italian, and the tragical 
 doom whicli, with the (Queen's im- 
 prudence, he brought upon himself ; 
 f(ir, after spending some weeks in 
 F'^dinburgh. and in visiting their 
 friends at Crail, my grandfather re- 
 turned with his wife and Agnes Kil- 
 Bpinnie to (Juliarist, where he contin- 
 ued to reside several years, but not in 
 traiKiuillity. 
 
 Hardly had they reached their 
 
 home, Avhen word came of quarrels 
 among the nobility; and though tl:o 
 same sprung out. of secular debates, 
 they had much of the leaven of reli- 
 gious faction in their causes, the which 
 greatly exas]>erated the enmity Avitli 
 which tluy were carried on. But even 
 in the good b'arl of ^Murray's raid, 
 there was nothing which called on my 
 grandfather to bear a jiart. ^,'ever- 
 thele.^s, those fpiarrels di.- quieted his 
 .soul, and he heard the sough of dis- 
 contents rising afar ofT, like the roar 
 of the bars of Ayr when they betoken 
 a coming tempe>t. 
 
 Afttr the departure of the Farl of 
 ^lurray to France, there was a. syncope 
 in the land, and men's minds were 
 filled with wonder, and Mith appre- 
 hensions to which they could give no 
 name ; neij^hbouta distrusted one 
 another ; the papists looked out from 
 their secret yilaces, and were saluted 
 with a fear that wore the sendilanco 
 of reverence. 'I ho Queen married 
 Darnley, and discreet men marvelled 
 at the rashness with which the match 
 was concluded, there being seemingly 
 no cause for such unconiely h.'iste, nor 
 for the lavish favours that she heaped 
 ujion him. It was viewed with awe, 
 as a thing done under the impulses of 
 fraud, or fainnes-s, or fatality, is'or 
 was their wedding-cheer cold Avheii 
 her eager love changed into aversion. 
 Then the spirit of the times, which 
 had long hovered in willingness to be 
 jileased with her intentions, began to 
 alter its breathings, and to whisper 
 darkly agaiu.st her. At last the mur- 
 der of IJi/zio. a deed which, though iu 
 the main satisfactory to the nation, 
 was yet so foul and cruel in the per- 
 petration that the tidings of it came 
 like a thunder-clap over all the king- 
 dom. 
 
 The birth of I'rince James, which 
 soon after followed, gave no joy; for 
 about the same time a low and terrible 
 whispering began to be heard of somo 
 
 tm. 
 
84 
 
 KING AN GILHAIZE. 
 
 liidoous and universal conspiracy 
 a,2;ainst all tlic Protestants throuu;liout 
 Kurope. Xone ventured to say that 
 Qneou Mary was joined with tlio con- 
 spirators ; but many jireucliers openly 
 prayed that slie niii^lit bo preserved 
 from their leagues in a way that 
 showed what they feared ; besides 
 this suspicion, mournful tliinp;s were 
 told of her behaviour, and the im- 
 moralities of lier courtiers and their 
 trains rose to such a piti'h, compared 
 Avith the purity and plain manners of 
 iier mother's court, that tlie whole 
 land was vexed with anfjry thouglits, 
 and echo (I to the rumours with dtern 
 menaces. 
 
 No one was rnoro disturbed by 
 these things than my jiious graud- 
 fatlier ; and tlie apprcliensions which 
 they caused in hiui came to sucli a 
 head at last, that his wife, becoming 
 fearful of iiis healtli, advised him to 
 take a journey to Edinburgh, in order 
 that he might hear and see with his 
 own ears and eyes ; which ho accord- 
 ingly did, and on his arrival Avent 
 straight to tlio Earl of (ilencairn, and 
 begged permission to take on again 
 Lis livery, cliielly tliat he might pass 
 unnoticed, and not be remarked as 
 having neither calling nor vocation. 
 That nobleman was surprised at his 
 request ; but, without asking any 
 question, gave him leave, and again 
 invited him to use the froedon\ of his 
 hall; so he continued as one of his 
 retainers, till tlie Ivarl of Murray's 
 retiu-n from Franco. But, before 
 speaking of what then ensued, there 
 are some things concerning tlio mur- 
 der of the (^neon's I'lotestant hus- 
 band, — the blackest of the sins of 
 that age. — of which, in so far a.s my 
 grandfatlier particijiatod, it is meet 
 and proper 1 should previously speak. 
 
 CIIAPTEII XL 
 
 WiiiLK the cloud of troubles, wiicreof 
 I have spoken in tlio foregoing chap- 
 ter, was thickening and darkening 
 over tile land, tlie event of the King's 
 dreadful deatii came to pass; the 
 which, though in its birth most foul 
 and monstrous, filling the hearts of 
 all men with consternation and 
 horror, was yet a mean in the hands 
 of I'rovidence, as shall hereafter ap- 
 pear, whereby the kingdom of Tin; 
 Loi:i) was established in Scotland. 
 
 Concerning that fearful treason 
 my grandfather never spoke Avilhout 
 taking off his bonnet, and praying 
 inwardly with such solemnity of 
 countenance, that nono could bi^hold 
 him unmoved. Of all the remarkable 
 passages of his long life it was indeed 
 the most remarkable ; and he has 
 been heard to say, that ho could lofc 
 well acquit himself of the actual sin 
 of disobedience, in not obeying an 
 admonition of the Spirit which was 
 vouchsafed to liim on that occasion. 
 
 For some time there had been a 
 great variance between the King and 
 Queen, lie had given himself over 
 to loose and low com|)aiiions ; and 
 though she kept her state and ])ride, 
 ill was sai<l of her, if in her walk and 
 conversation she was more sensible of 
 her high dignity. All at once, how- 
 ever, wlien he was lyiiigill at Ciasgow, 
 there was a singular dcmonst tiou 
 of returning nfTection on her y-..: :, iie 
 more remarkable and thenion needed 
 of the commonalty, on account of its 
 suddenness, ;ind the events that en- 
 sued ; for while he was at the wurst 
 she minded not his condition, but 
 took her delights and pastimes in 
 divers parts of the country. Ko 
 sooner, Jiowover, had his strength 
 overcome tiio disease, than she was 
 seized with this fond sympathy, and 
 came flying with her endearmenta, 
 seemingly to foster his recovery with 
 
PJNGAN GILTTAIZE. 
 
 85 
 
 'cof 
 ap- 
 
 carossos and love. 'J he wliich cxces- 
 fiivu aiTuctiou w;is afterwards ascriljfd 
 to a guilty hypocrisy; for, in the 
 sequel, it caino to li;!,dit, tliat Avhilc slio 
 was practising all those winning 
 blandishnients. which few knew the 
 art of ])etter, and witii whieli she 
 regahied his confidence, she was at 
 the same time engaged in correspond- 
 once with thelL'irl of l>otIiwell. The 
 King, however, was won by her kind- 
 ness, and consented to be removed 
 from among the friends of his family 
 at Glasgow to Ivlinbuigh, in order 
 that he might there enjoy the benelits 
 of her soft cares, and the salutary 
 attendance of the physiciiins of the 
 capital. The house of the provost of 
 Kirk o' Field, whieii stood not far 
 from the spot where tlie buildings of 
 the college now stand, was aecord- 
 ini,dy jirepared for his reception, on 
 account of the ailvantages which it 
 afforded for the free and open air of 
 a rising ground ; but it was also a 
 eolitary place, a fit haunt fi>r midnight 
 conspirators and the dark purposes 
 of mysterious crime. 
 
 There, for some time, the (iueen 
 lavisiied upon hiiu all tlie endearing 
 gentleness of a true and loving wife, 
 being seldom absent by day, and 
 sleeping near his sick chamber by 
 night. Tiie land was blitiiened with 
 sueii assurances of their reconciliation; 
 and the King himself, with the frank 
 ardour of flattered youth, was contrite 
 for his faults, and jjromised her tlie 
 fondest devotion of all his future days. 
 In this sweet cordiality, on Sunday, 
 the ninth of February. A.D. loOT, 
 she parted from him to be present at 
 a m;i.s(jning in the palace ; for the 
 ]{eformation had not tiien so pone- 
 triited into the habits and business of 
 men as to hallow the Sabbath in the 
 way it has since done amongst us. 
 ]>ut before proceeding fartiier, it is 
 projier to resume the thread of my 
 grandfather's story. 
 
 He had pa'"?nd that evening, as he 
 was wont to tell, in pleasant gospel 
 conversation with several acquaint- 
 ances, iu the house of one Jtaphael 
 Doquet, a ))ious-lawyer in the Canon- 
 gate ; for even many writers in tiioso 
 days were smitten Avith the love of 
 godliness; and ns lie was returning 
 to his dry lodgings in an entry now 
 called 15aron Grant's Close, he en- 
 countered A\inierton, who, after an 
 end had been put to David Itiz/.io, 
 became a retainer in the riotous 
 household of the Karl of Ijothwell. 
 This happened a short way aboon 
 the Netherbow, and my grandfatlicr 
 stopped to speak with him ; but there 
 was a haste and confusion in his 
 manner which made him rather eschew 
 this civility. My grandfather, at the 
 time, however, did not nmcii re'nark 
 it ; but scarcely diad they jjarted tea 
 paces, when a sudden jealousy of 
 some unknown truilt or danger, 
 wherein Wititerton was concerned, 
 came into his mind like a ilasli of fire, 
 and iie felt as it Avere an invisiiilo 
 power constraining him to dog his 
 stei'S. insomuch, that he actually did 
 turn back. But on reaching the 15ow, 
 he was obligated to stop, for the 
 ward was changing ; and observing 
 that the soldiers then posting Avero 
 of the (Jueen's French gua; ;, his 
 thoughts began to run on the rumour 
 that was bruited of a league among 
 the papist ]irincos to rut off all the 
 Reformed with one UJiuiTsal sweep 
 of tlie S' ythe of persecution, and ho 
 felt himself moved and incitetl to go 
 to some of the Lords of the Congre- 
 gation, to warn tliem ui wliat ho 
 feared; but, considering that iie had 
 only a vague and unaccountable sus- 
 picion for his thought, he wavered, 
 and finally reiurntd lionie. Thus, 
 though manit'esdy and marvellously 
 instructed of the fruition of some 
 bloody business in hand that ni^lit, 
 he was yet overruled by the wisdom 
 
 
m 
 
 r.lNGAN OILTTATZn. 
 
 which is of this worhl, io suppress 
 and refuse obodicrco to the prompt- 
 ings of tlie inspiration. 
 
 On reachinii; liis chamber, ho im- 
 Imokk'd lii.s bi.'lt, as his custom was, 
 and laid down his sword and Ijcgan to 
 luidross, •Nvlirn aijain (Ik; same alaian 
 from on hij,di full upon 1dm, .and the 
 ennie warning spirit whisyiorcd to his 
 mind's ear unspeakable intimations of 
 dreadful things. Fear came upon 
 him and trembling, Avhich made all 
 Ids bones to sliake, and he lifted his 
 sword and again buckled on his belt. 
 JUit again the prudence of tin's world 
 prevailed, and heeding not the ad- 
 monition to Avaru the Lords of the 
 Congregation, ho threw himself on 
 his bed, without however unbuckling 
 his sword, and in that condition fell 
 asleep. JJut though his senses were 
 shut his mind continued awake, and 
 ho had feaiful visions of blood)' 
 hands and glittering daggers gleaming 
 over him from behind his curtains, 
 till in terror he started up, gasping 
 like one that had struggled with a 
 Btronger than himself. 
 
 A\'heii he had in soni" degree com- 
 posed his thouglds. he went to the 
 window, and opened it, to see by the 
 stars how far the lught had passed, 
 '['he wind(»w overlooked the North 
 Loch and tbe swelling bank b.-yond, 
 and the ilistant frith and the hills of 
 Fite. The .skies were calm and dear, 
 and the air was tempered with a bright 
 frost. The stiirs in their courses were 
 refieotcd in the still waters of the 
 North Loch, as if there had been an 
 opening through the earth, showing 
 the other roiinavc; of the spangled 
 firmament. I'ut the dark outline of 
 the swelling bank on the northern 
 side was like the awful corpse of 
 some migiity thing prepared for in- 
 tei'inent. 
 
 As my grandfather stood in con- 
 templation at the window, he heard 
 the occasional churmo of dibcourso 
 
 from passengers still abroad, and now 
 and then the braggart llourish of a 
 trumpet resounded from the royal 
 ma.squing at the jialace, — breaking 
 upon the holiness of the night with 
 the harsh dissonance of a discord in 
 some solemn harmony.— And as lie was 
 meditating on many things, and griev- 
 ing in spirit at the dark fate of j)oor 
 Seotlaiul, and the woes with which 
 the chihlren of salvation were en- 
 vironed, he was startled by tlio a[)i)a- 
 rition of a great blaze in the air, 
 which for a moment lighted up all the 
 land Avith a wild and liery light, and 
 he beheld in the glass of the North 
 IjOcIi, reflected from behind the 
 shadow of the city, a tremendous 
 eruption of burning beams and rafters 
 burst into the sky, while a hoirible 
 crash, as if the chariots of distruetiou 
 were themselves breaking down, shook 
 the town like an eartlnpiake. 
 
 lie was for an instant astounded ; 
 but soon roused by the clangour of 
 an alarm from the castle ; and while 
 a cry rose from all the city, as if the 
 last trumpL-t itself was .'bounding, ho 
 rushed into the street, where the in- 
 habitants, as they had flown from their 
 beds, were running in consternation 
 like the .sheeted dead startled from 
 their gj'aves. Drums beat to arms; 
 — the bells rang ; — some cried the 
 wild cry of fire, and there was 
 wailing and weeping, ami many stood 
 dund) with honor, and could give no 
 an.swer to the universd ipiestion. — ■ 
 " (iod of the lieavens, what is thi.s? " 
 Presently a voice was heard crying', 
 " The King, the Kinij ! " and all, as if 
 movrd l)y ono spirit, replied, ''The 
 King, the King ! " 'Jlun for a 
 nioment there was a silence stiller 
 than the rnidnigiit hour, and drum, 
 i:ov bell, nor voice was lieaid, but- a 
 rushing of the multituih^ towards St 
 Marys i'ort, which leads to the Kirk 
 o' Field. 
 
 Among others, my grandfather 
 
HTXOAX OlI.lIATZr.. 
 
 87 
 
 bow 
 f a 
 
 Ao 
 
 IiasU'iH'il to till! sj)ut by '1 odri(:k'.-i 
 AVyml ; find as lie was riiiiiiiii,i( down 
 towards tlio [losterii fjate, lio came 
 with f,'n'at violence acr-'iiiist a man \vlio 
 Avas HtriiL'uling n]i llirouL,di tlji.' torrent 
 of the jieojilc, witliout cap or cloak, 
 and .seeniin.ifiy maddened witli terror. 
 Uri,'e(l l)y home HtrouL,' instinet, my 
 ^'randfadier f^rasjied him by the throat; 
 I'oi', Ity the <:limi).se of the ii.ijiits tliat 
 M'ero then ])laeiii£,^ atovory window, ho 
 saw i( waa Winterton. IJiit a swirl of 
 tlu! crowd tore tiieni asuinler, and lie 
 had oidv time to cry, *' its anc of 
 J5otliweir.s men." 
 
 'J'ho people canghfc tho lOarl's 
 name; but instead of seizinjf the 
 fniritive, tliey repeated, " IJothwell, 
 ISothwell, he's tho traitor!" and 
 pressed more cnjjerly on to tlio ruins 
 of the house, wliicii wore still burn- 
 in^'. 'J'iio walls were rent, and in 
 m;iny place.s tiirown down ; the west 
 pdde was blown clean away, and the 
 very ground, on the side where the 
 Kin<;'s chamber bad been, was torn 
 as with a hundred plouj,di8liares. 
 Certain trees that '^vew hard by were 
 cleft and riven as with a thunderbolt, 
 and stones were stiekin*,' in tlieir 
 timl)er like wedges and the shot of 
 can?ion. 
 
 It was tliought, that in sueh a. 
 sudden l)last of desolation, nothini,' 
 in the house could have withstood 
 the slioi k, but that all therein must 
 have been shivered to atoms. Wiien, 
 liowever, tlu; day ben;an to dawn, it 
 was seen that many thinirs hail escaped 
 unblemished by the tire; aiul the 
 King's body, with that of the servant 
 wiio watched in his chamber, was 
 fi'uud in .1 neighljouring garden. 
 V iihout having suffered any materi.d 
 (liange, — the which caused the greater 
 marvelling ; for it thereby apjieared 
 that they were tlic only sufTerers in 
 that dark treason, making the truth 
 jdain before the ]ieo]ile, tliat the con- 
 trivance and firing thereof was con- 
 
 certed and brougiit to maturity by 
 some in autiiority with the (iueeii, 
 — and who that was the ])eople an- 
 swered Ijy crying as the roy;d corp,-.o 
 was carried to tiie jialace, " iiothwell, 
 Lord Hotliwell, lie is the traitor!" 
 
 All the next day. and for many 
 days after, consteination n igned in 
 tlie streets of the city, and lujiror sat 
 shuddering in all her dwelling-idaces. 
 oNIultitudes stood in amazement from 
 morning to night around the jjaiace ; 
 for the Karl of JJothwell was within, 
 and still honoured with all the homages 
 due to the greatest public trust.s. 
 Kver and anon a cry was heard, 
 " IJothwell is the murderer ! " and 
 the multitude shouted, " Ju.stice, 
 justice ! " Ijiit their cry was not 
 heard. 
 
 Night after night tho trembling 
 citizens watched with candles at their 
 casements, dreading .some yet greater 
 alarm ; and in the stillness of the 
 midnight hour a voice was heard 
 crying, "The (iueen and iJothwell 
 are the murderers ! " and another voice 
 replied, " Vengeance, vengeance ! — 
 Blood for blood ! "' 
 
 Every morning on tho walls of the 
 houses wiitings were seen, demand- 
 ing the I'.inishmont of the regicides, 
 and the Queen's name, and the naino 
 of Bothwell, and the names of many 
 more, with tiie Archbishop of St 
 Andrews at their head, were em- 
 blazoned as the names of the regi- 
 cides. l)ut Uothwell, with the reso- 
 lute br.ivery of one in the confidence 
 of power, heeded nottlie cry that thus 
 mounted continually against him to 
 Heaven, and the Queen feigned a 
 widow's sorrow. 
 
 'i'iie M Iiole realm was as when the 
 ark of the covcnaiit of the Lord was 
 removed from Jsrnel and captive in 
 the iiands of the I'liilistines. The 
 inj'ired songht not the redress of 
 their wrongs ; even the guilty were 
 afraid of ono another, nnd by the 
 
85 
 
 RING AN GTLHATZE, 
 
 very cowardice of their distrust were 
 prevented from bamiinj^ ut ii time 
 ■\vlien they luiirlit have rioted at will. 
 "What airffravated these i)ortents of a 
 kiiiL'doiii fallinj,' asunder, was the 
 mockery of law aii<l justice which the 
 court attempted. Those who were 
 accused of the Kinj,'"s death ruled the 
 royal criuncils. aurl were <,'rcatest in 
 the Queen's favour. The K;ui of 
 Hothwell dictated the very proceed- 
 iuirs bj- which he was himself to be 
 brought to trial, and when the day 
 of trial arrived, lie came with the 
 pomp and retinue of a victorious 
 con(|ueror — to be acquitted. 
 
 But acquitted, as the guilty ever 
 needs must be whom no one dares to 
 accuse, nor any witness hazards to 
 appear airainst. his acquittal served 
 but to prove his jruilt. and the forms 
 thereof the murderous partici[)ation 
 of the Queen. Thus, tiimigh he Avas 
 assoilzied in form of law, the libel 
 against him was nevertheless found 
 proven by the universal verdict of all 
 men. Yet, in di .spite of the wurld, and 
 even of the ccmviction recorded within 
 their own bosoms, did the infatuated 
 Mary an J that dreadless traitor, iu 
 little more than tiiree months from 
 the era of their crime, rush into mar- 
 riage : but of the infamies concerning 
 the same, and of the humiliated state 
 to which poor Scotland sank in con- 
 Bequen«e, I must refer the courteous 
 reader to the histories and chronicles 
 of the time, while I return to the nar- 
 rative of my grandfather. 
 
 When the Earl of Bothwell, as I 
 Lave been told by thosj who heard 
 him speak of these deplorable blots on 
 the Scottish name, had been creatccl 
 Duke of Orkney, the peoi)le daily 
 expected the marriage. But instead 
 of the ordinary cercmoniids used ut 
 the marriages of former kings and 
 princes, tiie (^ueeu and all ab(jut her, 
 as if they had been smitten from on 
 high with some manifest and sti'ango 
 
 frenzy, resrlved, as ir w ■ .n 
 
 and blasphemy, nutwiiLstJi; .■ ...t 
 own and the notour ]k>]i'.j- .: nhe 
 Duko, to celebrate iheir tni^m ac- 
 cording to the strictest formf ciC the 
 Protestants; and dohn Kuca'v'-rinr afc 
 tlie time in tiie AVest CoaaniiT. h'm 
 cuUeague, blaster Craig, "wuf .i:c;l<rre<I 
 by tiie (^ueen in council *oi fabLidb 
 the banns three several Sal>ln.:uii-> La St 
 (iiles' kirk. 
 
 On the morning of iht isint ap- 
 pointed day my grandlutlftr "y^ nt 
 thither ; avast coucour8e of aiUtfcufile 
 were assembled, and tl»e worthy 
 minister, when he rose iu lib*' pol^'it, 
 holding the paper iu Im EuukI, 
 trembled and was jiale, and doe .*ome 
 time unable to sjieak; at lua t<* read 
 the nanu's and ]>urp()Be (<f auAin'i.ige 
 aloud, and he ]iaused wLtai &»t hail 
 done so, and an awful BoIrOiiouiiirT zvy/.n 
 the very sjiirits of the eoiiiTti-Arim. 
 lie tiien laid down the juijjitc on 
 tiie pulpit, and lifting Lie iiuij;;-* ami 
 raising his eyes, cried witli a Ttiirnn-nt 
 sadness of voice, — *• Lord 'fici or r.'ie 
 pure heavens, and all ye od liV earth 
 that hear me, I ])rotest. as, .n miiiai.'iter 
 of the gospel, my abhon'fij'.tf .tmi de- 
 testation of this hideous KJau: and I 
 call all the noiiility jind :uii loc r,iie 
 (Jueen's council to reu)f'i;%T.n,:.: with 
 her Majesty against a tv]. :;i..i,:] aviat 
 cover her with ini'anjy ic^r tT-.r and 
 ruin past all remede." Tkret '..ly^ ilid 
 he tiius publish the biuius. ibi.^ Diricii 
 in that manner did he boJ ilr-irf, [.lim 
 his protestation ; for wl.i l' ^.- ma 
 called before the jirivy C'IUj l. ^hrrn 
 the guilty IJothwell wa.- rsjin;;2rz: and 
 beini; charged with liaviLr tSiM^eded 
 tlie bounds of his commisKic'L. z-i re- 
 plied with an a{)ostoli(' bruTwj — 
 
 •' My commission is ft oiii ^l.* ^^'ord 
 of (iod, good laws, and nattinJIr::!.-:. u, 
 to all which this jn'oposed !ti.i;m.iice 
 is obnoxi(Uis. The Kur] ci iiodiwcll^ 
 there where he sits, kn v '■,- '-.^ in 
 an adidterer, — the div : . . . . i: Le 
 
rJNflAX GILriATZE. 
 
 89 
 
 her 
 
 the 
 
 che 
 •■•It; 
 hid 
 reil 
 
 -!i 
 
 lias ])rocur('(l from liia wifo lias b(.'en 
 by collusioii, — and he knows likewise 
 that lie has niunlered the kiii^' and 
 piiiltily ])()ssesscd himself of tlic 
 (ineen's jicrson." 
 
 Yet, notwiliistandinpc, ^Ir Craig 
 •\vas suffered to depart, even un- 
 molested by tlie .'iHtonishe'l and over- 
 awed IJotiiwell ; but, as I have said, 
 the marriapo was still celebrated ; and 
 it was the last f;reat crime of papis- 
 tical device that the Lord f^ufTereii to 
 see done within the bounds of Scot- 
 land. Tor the same night letters were 
 sent to tiie Karl of Murray from divers 
 of the nobility, entreating him to 
 return forliiwith; and my grand- 
 father, at the incitement of the Earl 
 of Argyle, was secretly sent by his 
 patron (ilencairn to beg the friends 
 of the state an<l the lawful prince, the 
 son whom the Queen had born to her 
 murdered husband, to meet without 
 delay at Stirling, 
 
 Accordingly, with the llower of 
 their vassals and retainers, besides 
 Argyle and (ilencairn, camo many of 
 the nobles ; and having protested their 
 detestation of the conduct of the 
 (iueen, they entered into a Solem'i 
 Jvoague and (Jovenant, wherein they 
 rehearsed, as causes for their con- 
 federating against the misrule with 
 which the kingdom was so humbled, 
 tliat the Scottish people were abhorred 
 and vilipendit amongst all Christian 
 nations; declaring that they would 
 never desist till they had revenged 
 the foul Muirder of the King, rescued 
 the (.iueeu from her thraldom to the 
 Karl of Jiotlnvell, and dissolved her 
 ignominious marriage. 
 
 The (iueen and her regicide, for 
 lie could not be called her husband, 
 were panic-struck when they heard 
 of this avenging jiaction. S'le issued 
 a bold proelamation, calling on her 
 insulted subjects to take arms in her 
 defence, and she published manifes- 
 toes, all lies. She fled with liothwell 
 
 from Edinburgh to the castle of 
 IJortliwiek ; but scarcely were they 
 within the gates when the s'jiigh of 
 tiie rising storm obliged him to leave 
 her, and tlu; same night, in the dis- 
 guise of man's ajiparel, the (iuetii of 
 all Scotland was seen flying, friendless 
 and bewildered, to lier sentenced lord. 
 
 The covenanting nobles in t!io 
 meantime were mustering their clans 
 ami their vassals ; and the JO;vrls of 
 Morton and Atliol having brought 
 the instrument of the League to 
 Edinburgh, the magistrates and town- 
 council signed the same, and, taking 
 the oaths, issued instanter orders for 
 the burghers to prepare the i selves 
 with arms and banners, and to man 
 the city wall. The whole kingdom 
 rung with the sound of warlike pre- 
 parations, and the ancient valour of 
 tiie Scottish heart was blithened with 
 the hope of erasing the stains that a 
 wicked (lOvernment had brou'dit 
 ui)on the honour of the land. 
 
 .^leanwJiile the regicide and the 
 Queen drew together what forces his 
 power could command and her jiro- 
 niises allure, and they advanced from 
 Dunbar to Carberry-hill, where they 
 encamped. The army of the Cove- 
 nanters at the same time left Edin- 
 burgh to meet them. MaryaiipeareJ 
 at the head of her troops ; but they 
 felt themselves engaged in a bad 
 cause, and refused to tight. She ex- 
 horted them with all the pith of her 
 elocpience; — she wept, — she implor- 
 ed, — she threatened, — and she re- 
 proached them Avith cowardice, — but 
 still they stood sullen. 
 
 To retreat in the face of an enemy 
 who had already surrounded the hill 
 on which she stood was impracticable. 
 In this extremity she called with a 
 voice of despair for Kirkcaldy of 
 (Jrange, a brave man. who she saw at 
 the head of the cavalry by whom she 
 was surrounded, and he having halted 
 his horse and procured leave from h's 
 
00 
 
 htngan gilitatzt: 
 
 loaders, advanced toward Ikt. IJotli- 
 AVL'll, witli a tVw followers, dnrinfj the 
 interval, quitted tlie tield ; and, as 
 Boon as Kiikealdy ennie u\), slie sur- 
 rendered herself to him, and was con- 
 ducted by liini to tlio iicad-({nartcrs 
 of ti>c Covenanters, by whom she 
 •was received witli all the wonted 
 testimonials of respect, and was ;is- 
 finrcd, if slio forsook I'otliwell and 
 j;overned her kin<,^dom witii honest 
 councils, tliey wouhl iionour and obey 
 lier as tlieir sovcreipn. Uut tlio 
 common soldiers overwiielmcd her 
 witli rejjroaches, and on the march 
 back to Edinburfrh poured upon her 
 tile most opprobrious names. 
 
 '• Never was sueli a si^dit seen," 
 my grandfatiier ofcen said, "as the 
 return of that abject I'rinccss to her 
 caiiital. On tlie banner of the Lenguc 
 •wasdepicted the cor])se of tiie murdered 
 kin.if her husband lyin_Gf under a tree, 
 ■witii the young jirincc his son kneel- 
 ing before it, and tlio motto was, 
 ' Judge and revenge my cause, O 
 Lord.' Tiie standard-bearer rode 
 witli it immediiately before the horse 
 on which she sat weeping and wild, 
 and covered with dust, and as often 
 as ;<he raised her distracted eye the 
 ajiparition of the murder in tlic Ihig 
 fluttered in her face. Jn vain she 
 supplicated pity, — yells and howls 
 were all the answers slie received, and 
 volk'vs of execiations came from the 
 ])ri])ulace, witli I'lun her, burn her, 
 bloody murderess ! Let her not live I " 
 
 In that condition she was con- 
 ducted to tlie I'rovo.st's house, iiito 
 whieli .she was assisted to aligjit. uifire 
 dead tliim abve, and next morning she 
 was conveyed a pii.'^oner to Lochleven 
 cnstle. Avhere she was soon after com- 
 pelled to resign the crown to lier son, 
 and the regency to tlic Eari of ]\lur- 
 rny, liy wliose grent wisdom tiie Lo- 
 formntion was established in truth 
 and holiness tliroughout the kingdom 
 — though for a season it was again 
 
 menaced wiien .Mary eiVecled her 
 escape, and dared tlio c.iuso of the 
 Lord to battle at Langside. l$ut of 
 that great day of victory it becomes 
 me not to s|>eak, f.)V it iiath received 
 the blazon of many an abler \>v\i ; it is 
 Bullieient to mention tliat my grand- 
 father was there, and after the battle 
 that he returned with the army to 
 (Jla.'jgow, and wa.s presi.'ut at the 
 thank.'^giving. 'J'hc same night he 
 |)ai<l his last res[)ect3 to the Karl of 
 Murray, wlio jierniitted him to take 
 away, as a trophy and niemori.d, the 
 gloves which his liOrdshiii had worn 
 that day in tht' fiehl ; and they have 
 ever since been sacredly preserved at 
 Quharist, where they niay still l)e 
 seen. They are of York but!; the 
 palm of the one for the riirht hand is 
 still blue with the maik of the sword s 
 hilt, and the forefinger stool is stained 
 with the ink of a letter which tin; Karl 
 wrote on the field to Argyle, who had 
 joined the (Queen's faction ; the which 
 letter, it has been tliouglit, caused the 
 swithering of that nobleman in the 
 hour of the on.set, by which Provi- 
 dence gave the Kegent the victory — a 
 conquest which established the Go.spel 
 in his native land for evur. 
 
 After the battle of Langside. many 
 of the nobles and great personages of 
 the realm grew jealous of the good 
 Kegent Murray, and, by their own 
 demeanour, caused him to ]nit on 
 towards them a reserve and coldness 
 of dejiortment, which they coi'Strued 
 as their feelings and fancies led them, 
 much to his disadvantage ; for he was 
 too proud to court the good-will that 
 he thought was his due. lUit to all 
 peo]ile of a lower degree, like those in 
 my grandfati er's station, he was ever 
 the same punctual and gracious supe- 
 rior, making, by the urbanity of hi.'3 
 manner, small courtesies recollected 
 and spoken of as great favours, in so 
 much that, being well -beloved of th^ 
 whole commonalty, his memory, long 
 
RINOAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 91 
 
 licr 
 
 tlio 
 
 t of 
 
 lilies 
 
 ivcd 
 
 it is 
 
 mil- 
 
 aih: 
 
 i'> 
 
 lli<- 
 
 liu 
 
 <»f 
 
 ftffcT lii8 fatal floatli, wag licM in f,'roat 
 cstiiiiation aiiionj,' tliciii, ami his fame 
 as tiio swi'L't odour of many bloHsim^'H. 
 
 Few tliin.t,'-*, my ^'ramlfatlicr oi'tcii 
 said, ^'ave liim a sorer paiii,' than (he 
 base murder by the llamiltons of that 
 most eminent worthy ; ami in all the 
 lahour.s and busiiie.ss of hi.s ioiiy life, 
 notiiiiii,' came over more pleasant to 
 hi-; thouj,dd8 than the remembrance of 
 the part ho had himself in tlie retri- 
 bution with Avhich their many bloody 
 a'ts Avero in tiie end overtaken and 
 jiiinished. Indeed, as far as concerns 
 their guiltiest insti^fator and kinsman, 
 the papal antichrist of St Andrews, 
 never was a just ven<,a'ance and judg- 
 ment more visibly manifested, fia I 
 shall now, with all expedient brevity, 
 rehearse, it bi.'imr tin; last exploit in 
 which my prandfather boro arms for 
 the connnonweal. 
 
 J>ailio Kilspinnio of Crail having 
 dealings with certain GlasgoAV mer- 
 chants, who sold plaidiiigto the High- 
 landers of Lennox and Cowal, finding 
 them doure in payment, owing, as 
 they saiil, to their customers lengthen- 
 ing tiieir credit of their own accord, 
 on account of the times, tlu; west liav- 
 ing been from the battle of Langside 
 unwontedly tranquil, he, in the spring 
 of lo71, came in cpiest of his monicf, 
 and my grandfather having notice 
 thereof, took on behind him on horse- 
 back, to sec her father, Agnes Kil- 
 fp'M'.io, who had lived in his house 
 from ll.ti time of his marriage to her 
 ; ant, i'.i^pa Ituet. And it haj^pened 
 t..-it Ca,.itain Crawford of ■lordanhill, 
 wl'.o w.'S then meditating his famous 
 exploit against the castle of Dumliar- 
 ton. met my gramlfather by chance in 
 the 'J'rongait, and knowing some little 
 of him, and of the great regard in 
 which he was held by many noblemen, 
 for one of his birth, sjiokt' to him cor- 
 dially, and asked him to be of his 
 party, assigning, among other things, 
 as a motive, that the great adversary 
 
 of the Heformation, tho Archbishop 
 of St Andrews, had. on account of tho 
 doom and outlnvry pronounced ujion 
 him, for being accessory botii to tiu; 
 munler of King Henry, the Ciiieeu's 
 I'rotestant husband, ami of tho good 
 IJeg.nt Murray, taken refugo in that 
 redoubtable fortres*. 
 
 Some concern for the state of his 
 wife and young family weighed with 
 my grandfather while he was in com- 
 munion with Jordanhill ; but alter 
 parting from him. and going back to 
 tho Saracen's inn in the (iallowgait, 
 where Hailie Kilspinnie ami his daugh- 
 ter were, he had an inward urging of 
 the spirit, moving him to be of the 
 enterpiise, on a persuasion, as 1 have 
 hoard him tell himself, that witiiout 
 he was there something would arise to 
 balk tiie undertaking. So he was in 
 consequence troubled in thought, and 
 held himself aloof from the familiar 
 talk of l)i.s friends all tho remainder of 
 the day. wishing that he might be able 
 to overcome the thirst which Cajitain 
 Crawford had bred within him to join 
 his company. 
 
 Hailie Kilspinnie seeing him in this 
 perplexity of soul, spoke to him as a 
 friend, and searched to know what 
 had taken ptossession of him, and my 
 grandfather, partly moved by his en- 
 treaty, and partly by the thought of 
 the great palpable Antichrist of Scot- 
 land, who had done the bailie's fire- 
 side such dan)age atid detriment, being 
 in a manner exposed to their tak- 
 ing, told him what Ijad been pro- 
 pounded by Jordaidnll. 
 
 " Say you so," cried the bailie, re- 
 membering the oflence done to his 
 family. " say you so ; and that he is 
 ill a girn tliat wants but a manly hand 
 to gri]i him. IJodyand soul o' nie. if 
 the thing's within the j.ower of the 
 arm of fl"sh he sh;iH lie taken and 
 brought to tho wuddy, if the Lord 
 permits justice to be done within the 
 realms of Scotland." 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 lis 
 
 m 
 
 lb 
 
 2.2 
 
 m 
 
 '- IM 
 
 1.8 
 
 11-25 111.4 IIIIII.6 
 
 a 
 
 /2 
 
 v: 
 
 
 A 
 
 ^V 
 
 V 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sdences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 ■<^>. 
 
 ^'^> 
 
 

 \ 
 
 Ms 
 
 5^ 
 
OS 
 
 FvTNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 The which bold and valorous 
 
 breatliiiifr of the honest magistrate of 
 
 Crail kindled the smoking yearnings 
 
 . of my grar.dfather into a bright and 
 
 blazing Hame. and he replied : 
 
 " Then, sir, if you be so minded, 
 I cannot perforce abide behind, but 
 will go fortii Avith you to the t ^ttle, 
 and swithor not with the sword till wo 
 have effected some notable achieve- 
 ment." 
 
 Tiiey accordingly went forthwith to 
 Captain Crawford and proffered to 
 him their service, and he wixa glad- 
 .iftlencd tiiat my grandfather had come 
 to so warlike a purpose; but he looked 
 sharply at the bailie, and twice smiled 
 to my grandfather, as if in doubt of 
 his soldiership, saying, "IJnt, Gil- 
 haize, since you recommend him, he 
 must be a good man and true." 
 
 So the same night they set out at 
 dusk, with a chosen troop and band 
 of 'iot more than two hundred men. 
 A boat, provided with ladders,dr oppod 
 down the river with the tide, to be 
 before them. 
 
 By midnight the expedition reached 
 the bottom of Dumbuck Hill, where, 
 having ascertained that the boat was 
 arrived, Jordanhill directed those 
 aboard to keep her close in with the 
 shore, and move with their march. 
 
 The evening when they left Glas- 
 gow was bright and calm, and the 
 moon, in her first quarter, shed her 
 beautiful glory on mountain and 
 tower and tree, loading them as Avitli 
 the light of a heavenly torch, and 
 when tiiey reached the skirts of the 
 river, it was soon manifest that their 
 enterprise was favoured from on High. 
 The moon was by that time set, and a 
 thick mist came rolling from the 
 Clyde and the Leven, and made the 
 night air dim as well as dark, veiling 
 their movemcTits from all mortal eyes. 
 
 Jordanhill's guide led them to a 
 part of the rock which Avas .seldom 
 guarded, and showed them where to 
 
 place tlicir ladders. lie Ii.id been in 
 the service of the Lord Fleming, tho 
 governor, but on account of contu- 
 melious usage had quitted it, and had 
 been tlie contriver of the scheme. 
 
 Scarcely was the first ladder placed 
 when the impatience of the men 
 brought it to the ground ; but there 
 was a noise in the ebbing waters of 
 the Clj'de that drowned the accident 
 of their fall, and prevented it from 
 alarming the soldiers on the watch. 
 This failure disconcerted Jordanhill 
 for a moment ; but the guide fastened 
 the ladder to the roots of an ash tree 
 which grew in a cleft of the rock, and 
 to the first shelf of the precipice they 
 all ascended in safety. 
 
 The first ladder was then drawn up 
 and placed against the upper storey, 
 as it might be called, of the rock, 
 reaching to the gap wliere they could 
 enter into the fortres.s, while another 
 l".dder was tied in its place below. 
 Jordanhill then ascended, leading tlio 
 way, followed by his men, the bailie 
 of Crail being before my grandfather. 
 
 They were now at a fearful height 
 from the ground ; but the mist was 
 thick, and no one saw the dizzy emi- 
 nence to which he had attained. It 
 happened, however, that just as Jor- 
 danhill reached the summit, and 
 while my grandfather and the bailie 
 were about half-way up the ladder, 
 the micit below rolled away, and the 
 stars above shone out, and the bailie, 
 easting hi3 eyes downwiird, was bo 
 amazed and terrified at the eagle 
 fliglit he had taken, that he becan to 
 quake and tremble, and could not 
 mount >: step farther. 
 
 At that juncture delay was death 
 to success. It was impossible to pass 
 him. 'J"o tun.ble him off the ladder, 
 and let him be dashed to pieces, as 
 some of tiie men both above and be- 
 low roughly bade my grandfather do, 
 was cruel. Ail were at a stand. 
 
 Governed, however, by a singular 
 
RINGAN GiLHAIZE. 
 
 03 
 
 been in 
 ing, tlio 
 F contu- 
 "viul liad 
 enio. 
 r iilaccd 
 men 
 lit there 
 aters of 
 accident 
 it from 
 watch, 
 rd.iiihill 
 istcned 
 ush tree 
 )ck, and 
 ice tliey 
 
 inspiratior, my grandfather took off 
 his own sword-belt, and also the 
 bailie's, and fastened him with them 
 to the laddor by the oxters and legfi, 
 and tlien turninpf round the ladder, 
 leaving him so fastened jiendent in the 
 air on the lower side, the assailants 
 ascended over his belly, and courage- 
 ously mounted to tlicir perilous duty. 
 
 Jordaiiliill shouted as they mus- 
 tered on the summit. The officers 
 and soldiers of tlic garrison rushed 
 out naked, but sword in hand. The 
 assailants seized tlic cannon. Lord 
 Fleming, the governor, leaped tlie 
 wall into the boat that had brought 
 the scaling ladders, and was rowed 
 away. The garrison tlius deserted 
 surrendered, and the guilty prelate 
 was among tlie prisoners. 
 
 As soon as order was in some de- 
 gree restored, my grandfather went, 
 witli two other soldiers, to where the 
 bailie liad been left suspomled, and 
 having relieved him from his horror, 
 which the breaking daylight increased 
 by showing him tlie fearful heiglit at 
 whicii he hung, he brought him to 
 Jordaiihill, who, laugln'ng at his dis- 
 aster, ordered him to be one of tiie 
 guard appointed to conduct the Arch- 
 bisliop to Stirling. 
 
 In that service the worthy magis- 
 trate provcjd more courageous, and 
 upbraided tlie prisoner several times 
 on tiie road for the ill he had done to 
 him. lUit that traitorous high priest 
 heard liis taunts in silence, for he was 
 a valiant and proud man. Such, in- 
 deed, was his gallant bearing in the 
 marcii, that th^j soldiers were won by 
 it to do iiim liomage as a true knight ; 
 and had he been a warrior as lie was but 
 a priest, it was thought by many tiiat, 
 thougli botli papist and traitor, tiiey 
 might have been worked ujion to set 
 him free. To Stirling, however, he 
 was carried; and on the fourth day 
 from the time he was taken ho was 
 executed on the gallows, where, not- 
 
 withstanding his guilty life, lie suffered 
 witli the bravery of a gentleman dying 
 in a righteous cause, in so much that 
 the papists honoured his courage as if 
 it had been the virtue of a holy mjir- 
 tyr, and IJailie Ki..-pinnie all his days 
 never ceased to wonder how so wicked 
 a man could die so well. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Having thus set forth the main pas- 
 sages in my grandfather's life, I should 
 now quit the public highway of his- 
 tory, and turn for a time into the 
 pleasant footpath of his domestic 
 vineyjird, the plants whereof, under 
 his culture, and the pious waterings 
 of Elspa Ivuet, my excellent progeni- 
 trex, were beginning to spread their 
 green tendrils and goodly branches, 
 and to hang out their clusters to the 
 grficious sunshine, as it were in de- 
 monstration to the heavens that tho 
 labourer was no sluggard, and as an 
 assurance that in due season, under 
 its benign favour, they would grate- 
 fully repay his care widi sweet fruit. 
 But there is yet one thing to be told, 
 which, thougii it may not be regarded 
 as germane to the mighty event of tho 
 Ueforniation, grew so plainly out of 
 the signal catastrophe related in tho 
 foregoing chapter, that it were to 
 neglect the instruction mercifully in- 
 tended, were I not to describe all its 
 circumstances and particulars as they 
 came to pass. 
 
 Accordingly to proceed. In tho 
 winter after the storming of Dmn- 
 barton Castle, Widow Kuet, tho 
 mother of my gramlmotlier, hearing 
 nothing for a long time of her poor 
 dnighter Marion, had fallen into a 
 melancholy state of moaning and in- 
 ward grief, insomuch, that Bailio 
 Kilspinnie wrote a letter, invoking 
 my grandfather to come with his wife 
 
94 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 to Crail, tbiit they mijjht join together 
 ill comforting tiie agetl woman ; wliicli 
 work of duty and cliarity tlicy lost no 
 timo in undertaking, carrying with 
 them Agnes KiI.si)innio tof«'oher kin. 
 
 Being minded, both in the going 
 and the coming, to partake of tiio 
 feast of tlie heavenly and apostolic 
 eloquence of the fearless lieforiner's 
 life-giving truths, they went by the 
 way of Edinburgh ; and in going 
 about while there, to show Agnes 
 Kilspinnie the uncos of the town, it 
 happened as they were coming down 
 from the Castle-hill, in passing the 
 Weigh-house, liiat she observed a 
 beggar woman sitting on a stair seem- 
 ingly in great distress, for her hands 
 Were fervently clasped, and she was 
 Bwinging iier body backwards and 
 forwards like a bark Avithout a rudder 
 on a billowy sea, when the winds of 
 an angry hejvven are let loose upon't. 
 
 "Wiiat made this forlorn wrt teii the 
 more remarkable, was a seeniing 
 remnaiit of better days, and as slie 
 from time to time lifted her delicate 
 hands aloft in her despairing ecst.isy, 
 it was impossible to look upon her 
 without comf)a8sion. 
 
 My grandfather and his wife, with 
 Agnes, stopped for a moment, and 
 conferred together about what alms 
 they would offer to a gentlewoman 
 brought so low ; when she, observinfr 
 them, came wildly towards them, 
 crying, '' Oil ! save a famishing out- 
 cast from death and perdition." 
 
 Her frantic gesture made tlieir 
 Bouls shudder ; and before they had 
 time to reply, she fell on her knees, 
 and taking Elspa by the hand, re- 
 pented the same vehement pi-ayer, 
 adding, "Do, do, even though I be 
 the vilest and guiltiest of woman- 
 kind." 
 
 "Clarion lluct! — O, my sister!— 
 O, my dear Marion!" as wildly and 
 as woefully did my grandmother, in 
 that instant, also cry aloud, falling ou 
 
 the beggar-woman's neck, and sob- 
 bing as if her iieart would have burst ; 
 for it was indeed the bailie's wife, 
 and the mother of Agues, tha' sup- 
 plicated for a morsel. 
 
 This sad siglit brouglit many 
 persons around, among others a 
 decent elikrly carlin that kept a 
 huxtry shop close by, who pitifully 
 invited them to come from the public 
 causey into her house; and with some 
 dillicalty my grandfather removed 
 the two sisters hither. 
 
 When they had been some time ia 
 the house of old Ursio Firikins, as 
 the kind carlin was called, Elspa 
 lluet all the while weeping like a 
 constant fountain, and repeating 
 " Marion, Marion ! " with a fond and 
 sorrowful tenderness that would 
 allow her to say no more, my grand- 
 father having got a drink of meal 
 and water prepared, gave it to the 
 famished outcast, and she gradually 
 recovered from her stupor. 
 
 For many minutes, however, she 
 sat still and said nothing, and when 
 she did speak, it was in a voice of 
 such nn'sery of soul, that my grand- 
 father never liked to tell what terrible 
 thoughts the remembrance of it ever 
 gave him. 
 
 By way of consolation, my grand- 
 father told her they were then on 
 their way to Crail, and that as soon 
 as they had procured for her some fit 
 apparel they would take her with 
 them. 
 
 J\ lean while the charitable Ursie 
 Firikins had made ready a mess of 
 porridge, and the mournful Magdalen 
 being soothed and coufoled, was per- 
 suaded to partake. And afterwards, 
 when they had sat some time, my 
 graTidl'iither went to his lodgings; 
 and having paid his lawin, returned 
 to the two sisters and Agnes Kil- 
 spinnie, and they all walked to the 
 shore of liCith togetlier, where they 
 found a boat going to Kinghorn, into 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 05 
 
 » 
 
 wliicli flio" ^-iiiliiiikiil ; iuul having,' 
 Bli'pt tlicro, tliey hiiT<l a cart to take 
 tlioin to Criiil next jiioniiiig. 
 
 Wlu'u tlicy caiiio witliiii a mile of 
 tlio towu, wlidio a sinuU jiiiblic stood 
 that wayfariiiiuf men woro wont to 
 8toi) and icfrcsli tlicmselvos at, my 
 prandf;itluT urged tlic disconsolate 
 Marion, who had oomo all ti)i; way 
 from Kinyhorn without speaking' a 
 single word, to alight from tiie cart, 
 and remain there till the cloud of 
 niglit, when she might go to her 
 mother's unafHieted by the gaze of the 
 ftililess nndtitudc. 
 
 To this, at first, sho made no 
 answer; but leaping out of the cart, 
 and standing still for a moment, slie 
 looked wistfully at her sister and 
 daughter, and then began to weep, 
 crying, " Gang yo awa, and no mind 
 me." 
 
 Elspa remonstrated with her for 
 sonic time, but she was not to bo en- 
 treated : " Go yc on wi' your gudenian 
 and Agnes," she repeated, "and let 
 me come by mysel'," 
 
 " No, Marion," replied her sister, 
 " that siia'na be ; I'll no let you do 
 that: if ye will mak sic a pilgrimage, 
 I'll bear you company." 
 
 Her daughter, who had all this 
 time stood silent with the tear in her 
 e'e, then said, "I'll gang wi' yon, 
 mother, too." 
 
 "Mother! — O Agnes Kilspinnie, 
 dinna sac wraug yoursel', and your 
 honest father, as to ca' the like o' me 
 mother But did yc say yo would 
 come wi' mc?" — and she dropped 
 vehemently on her knees, aui! spread- 
 ing her arms to tlie skies, cried out 
 with a loud and wild voice — 
 
 "God, God! is Thy goodness so 
 great, that thou canst already vouch- 
 safe to mo a mercy like this?'' 
 
 Seeing her so bent on going into 
 the town, and his wife and her 
 dangliter so mindit to go with her, 
 my grandfather said it would bo na 
 
 well for him to rini forward and pre- 
 pare her mother for her coming; ho 
 lie left them, and hastenetl into tiie 
 town, thinking tlioy would come in 
 tlie cart; but wlien he was gone, 
 Marion, still in the hope she niiglit 
 get her sister and daugiiter dissuaded 
 from accompanying her, told tliem 
 that she was resolved to go on her 
 bare feet ; and, having 2>aid the King- 
 horn man for his cart, the three set 
 forward together, Elspa on the right 
 hand and Agnes on the left hand of 
 the lowly penitent. 
 
 In the meantime my grandfather 
 hastened to the dwelling of Widow 
 lluet, his gude-mother, to tell her 
 who was coming, and to prepare her 
 aged mind for the sore shock. 
 
 'J he news were at first as glad 
 tidings to the humane old woman ; 
 but every now and then she began to 
 start, and to listen, — and a tear fell 
 from her eye. In that state she had 
 not been long, when the sougli of a 
 din gathering at a distance was heard. 
 
 Aiy grauiifather hearing the sound 
 drawing nearer and nearer, went out 
 of the house to see if his presence 
 might be any protection ; but the 
 siglit he saw was even more sorrowful 
 than the aged mother's grief. 
 
 Instead of tlio cart in which ho 
 expected to see the women, he beheld 
 them coming along, side by side, to- 
 gether, attended by a great multitude. 
 Among others that ran from the cau- 
 sey-side to look in the face of Marion 
 — still beautiful, though faded, but 
 shining with something brighter than 
 beauty — there was a little boy that 
 went up close to her, and took her by 
 the hand, wi'hout speaking, and led 
 her along, lie was her own son ; 
 but still she moved not her solemn 
 heavenward eye, though a universal 
 fobbing burst from all the multitude ; 
 and my grandfather, at the piteous 
 pageantry, was no longer able to re- 
 main master of his feelings. Seeing 
 
 J 
 
00 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 however, that the mournful actors 
 therein were going on towards Bailie 
 Kil-spinnie's, and not intending to 
 stop, as he expected they wouhl, at 
 Widow lluet's door, lie ran forward 
 to warn liis old friend ; but in this he 
 was too late ; sonic one had been 
 already there ; and he found the poor 
 man, witii his three other children, 
 standing at the door, seemingly utterly 
 at a loss to know what bis duty 
 should be. 
 
 At that juncture tlio multitude 
 came rushing on before the women, 
 and halted in front of the bailie's 
 house. 
 
 When Agnes Kilspinnie and her 
 brother saw their father and brother 
 and sisters at the door, they quitted 
 their mother and joined them, as if 
 instructed by an instinct, while she 
 slowly approached. 
 
 Elspa lluet, who had hitherto 
 maintjiined a serene and resigned 
 composure of countcnanrie, was so 
 moved at this sail spectacle, that my 
 grandfather, seeing her distress, 
 stepped out and caught lier in his 
 arms, and supported her from falling, 
 she was so faint with anguish of 
 heart. 
 
 In the same moment, with a look 
 that struck awe and consternation 
 into every one around, oMarion stepped 
 on towards her husband and children, 
 and gazed at them , and then dropped 
 on her knees, while they went in and 
 shut the door. 
 
 The multitude uttered a fearful 
 Bougli ; Elspa Ruet, roused by it, 
 rushed from my grandfather towards 
 her sister, and stooping, tried to 
 rais(> her up. Poor Manon, still 
 kneeling, looked around to the people, 
 who stood all as still as mourners at 
 an interment, and her dark ringlets 
 falling loose, made her pale face 
 appear of an unearthly fairness. She 
 seemed as if she would have said 
 something to her sister, who had 
 
 clasped h'!r by tlie hand, but litherly 
 swinging backward, siie laid iicr head 
 down on her husband's threshold, 
 and gave a heavy sigh, and died. 
 
 The burial of Marion lluet was 
 decently attended to by IJailie Kil- 
 spinnie and all his family. And my 
 grandfather, with his wife, having spent 
 some time after witli tiieir friends at 
 Crail, returned homeward by them- 
 selves, passing over to Edinburgh, 
 that they might taste once more of the 
 elixir of salvation as dispensed by 
 John Knox, who had been for son.o 
 time in a complaining way, and it was 
 by many thought that the end of his 
 preaching was «lrawing nigh. 
 
 It happened that tlie dreadful tid- 
 ings of the murder of the Protestants 
 in France, by the command of " the 
 accursed king," reached Edinburgh 
 in the night before my grandfatluT 
 and his wife returned thither ; and he 
 used to s]K'ak of the consternation 
 that they found reigning in the city 
 when they arrived there, .as a thing 
 very awful to think of. Every shop 
 was shut, and every window closid; 
 for it was the usage in those days, 
 when death was in a house, to closo 
 all the windows, so that the appear- 
 ance of the town was as if, for the 
 obduracy of their idolatrous sovereign, 
 the destroying angel had slain all the 
 first born, and that a dead body was 
 then lying in every family. 
 
 There was also a terrifying solem- 
 nity in the streets ; for, though tiiey 
 were as if .all the people had conio 
 forth in p.anic and sa<l wonderment, 
 many were clothed in black, and there 
 was a funereal stillness, — a dism.-d 
 sense of calamity that hushed the 
 voices of men, .and friends meeting 
 one another, lifted up their hands, 
 and shuddering, passed by without 
 speaking. My grandfather saw but 
 one, between Leith Wynd and the 
 door of the house in the Lawnm.arket, 
 where he proposed to lodge, that wore 
 
KINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 67 
 
 a smile, nnd it was not of jileasurc, 
 but of uviiricc countiiif,' its giiius. 
 
 The man was one Hans IJorphcn, 
 an armourer that had feathered his 
 nest iu tlie raids of the war with tlie 
 Queen Kegeut, lie was a Kornian 
 by birth, and had learnt the temper- 
 ing of steel in (lermany. In his youth 
 he liad been in the Iniperator's service, 
 and had likewise worked in th: arsenal 
 of Venetia, Some said he was per- 
 fected in his trade by the infidel at 
 Constantinopolis ; but, however this 
 might be no man of that time was 
 more famoi among roisters and moss- 
 troopers, foi lie edge and metal of his 
 weapons, thai, tliat same blasphemous 
 incomer, who thought of notliing but 
 the greed of gain, whether by dale to 
 Protestant or Papist ; so that the 
 sight of his hard favoured visage, 
 blith. ned with satisfaction, was to my 
 grandfather, who knew him well by 
 repute, as au omen of portentous 
 aspect. 
 
 For two days the city continued 
 in that dismal state, and on the third, 
 which was the Sabbath, the churches 
 were so tilled that my grandmother 
 did not venture to enter the High 
 Kirk, where the Kefornicr was waited 
 for by many thirsty and languishing 
 souls from an early hour in the morn- 
 ing, wlio desired to hear what he 
 would say concerning the dark deeds 
 that had been done in France. She 
 therefore reftlrued to the Lawnmar- 
 ket ; but my grandfather worked his 
 way into the heart of the crowd, 
 where he had not long been when a 
 nmrmur announced tl.at Master Knox 
 was coming, and sooji after he entered 
 the kirk. 
 
 lie had now the appearance of 
 great age and weakness, and he walked 
 with slow and tottering steps, wear- 
 ing a virl of fur round his neck, and 
 a staff in one hand, godlie Richie Bal- 
 landen, his man, holding him up by 
 the oxter. And when he came to the 
 
 a 
 
 foot of the pulpit, Jtichie, by the help 
 of another servant that followed with 
 TiiK IJooK, lifted him up the steps 
 into it, where he was seemingly so 
 exhausted that" he was obligated to 
 rest for the space of several minutes. 
 No man who had never seen him be- 
 fore could" have thought that one so 
 frail would have had ability to have 
 given out even the psalm ; but when 
 he began the Spirit descended upon 
 him, and he was so kindled that at 
 last his voice became as awful as the 
 thunders of wrath, and his arm was 
 strengthened as with the strength of 
 a champion's. The kirk diried to the 
 foundations, the hearts of his hearers 
 shook, till the earth of their sins was 
 sliaken clean from them, and he ap- 
 peared in the whirlwind of inspira- 
 tion, as if his spirit was mounting, 
 like the prophet Elijah, in a fiery 
 chariot to the gates of heaven. 
 
 His discourse was of the children 
 of Bethlehem slain by Herod, and he 
 spoke of the dreadful sound of a bell 
 and a trumpet heard suddenly in the 
 midnight hour, when all were fast 
 bound, and lying defenceless in the 
 fetters of sleep. He described the 
 dreadful knocking at the doors — the 
 bursting in of men with dr; wn swords 
 — how babies were harled by the 
 arms from their mothers' beds and 
 bosoms, and dashed to death upon 
 the marble floors. He told of parents 
 that stood in tiic porches of their 
 houses and made themselves the 
 doors that the slayers were obliged 
 to hew in pieces before they could 
 enter in. He pictured the women 
 flying along the street with their in- 
 fants in their arms, and how tiio 
 rulliaiis of the accursed king, know- 
 ing their prey by their cries, ran after 
 them, caught the mother by the hair 
 and the bairn by the throat, and, in 
 one act, flung the innocent to the 
 stones and trampled out its life. 
 Then he paused, and eaid, in a soft 
 
 / 
 
98 
 
 RINGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 niid thankful voice, that in tho 
 liorrors of Bethlehem there was still 
 much mercy ; for tho idolatroua dread 
 of Herod prompted Iiim to slay but 
 young cliildren, wlioso blamelesa lives 
 were to their weeping parents an 
 assurance of their acceptance into 
 heaven. 
 
 "What, then," ho cried, "arc we 
 to think of that night, ami of that 
 king, and of that people,, among 
 whom, by whom, snd with wliom, 
 the commissioned murderer twisted 
 his grip in the fugitive old man's grey 
 hairs, to draw back his head that tiie 
 knife might the surer reach his heart? 
 With what eyes, being already blinded 
 with weeping, shall we turn to that 
 city where the withered hands of tho 
 grandmother were deemed as weapons 
 of war by tlie strong and black-a-vised 
 slaughterer, whose sword was owre 
 vehemently used for a' tho feckless 
 remnant of life it had to cut ! liut 
 deaths like these were brief and 
 blessed compared to other things — 
 which. Heaven be praised, I have not 
 the power to describe, and which, 
 among tins Protestant congregation, 
 I trust there is not one able to imagine, 
 or who, trying to conceive, descries 
 but in dark and misty vision the pains 
 of mangled motliers ; babes, untimely 
 and unquickened. cast on the dung- 
 liills and into tho troughs of swivie ; 
 of bhick-iron hooks fastened into t! o 
 mouths, and riven through the cheeks 
 of brave men, whose arms are tied 
 with cords behind, as they are dragged 
 into the rivers to drown, by those 
 who durst not in fair battle endure ti)o 
 lightning of tlieir eyes. — O, Herod ! 
 — Herod of Judea — tiiy name is here- 
 after bright, for in tliy bloody busi- 
 ness thou wnst thyself nowhere to be 
 seen. In the vonts and abysses of 
 thy unstained palace, thou hidst thy- 
 self from the eye of history, and pcr- 
 liaps liumanely sat coverimif thin^ ears 
 with thy liands to shut out the sound 
 
 of tho wail and woo around thee. But 
 this Herod — let me not call him by so 
 humane a name. No : let all tho 
 trumpets of justice sound hia OAvn to 
 everlasting infamy — Charles the Ninth 
 of France ! And lot his ambassador 
 that is here ayo yet, yet to this time 
 audaciously in this Christian land, let 
 him tell his niastor that sentence hw 
 been pronounced against him in Scot- 
 land ; that the Divine vengeance will 
 never depart from him or hi« house 
 until repentance has ensue. i, and 
 atonement been made in their own 
 race ; that his name will remain a blot 
 — a blot of blood, a stain never to bo 
 effaced — a thing to be pronounced 
 with a curse by all posterity ; and that 
 none proceeding from his loins shall 
 ever enjoy his kingdom in peace." 
 
 The preacher, on saying these pro- 
 phetic words, paused, and, with his 
 eyes fixed upwards, he stood some 
 time silent, and then, clasping his 
 hands together, exclaimed, with fear 
 and trembling upon him, "Lord, 
 Lord, thy will be done ! " 
 
 Many thought that ho had then 
 received some great apocalypse ; for 
 it was* observed of all men that he wao 
 never after like the man he had once 
 been, but highly and holily elevated 
 above earthly cares and considera- 
 tions, saving those only of his mini- 
 stry, and which he hastened to close. 
 He was as one that no longer had 
 trust, portion, or interest in this tem- 
 poral world, which in loss than two 
 months after he bade farewell, and 
 was translated to a better. Yes, to n 
 better ; for assuredly, if there is aught 
 in tl)is life that may be regarded as the 
 symbols of infoftmcnt to the iidierit- 
 ance of Heaven, the labours anc^ mini- 
 stration of John Knox were testi- 
 monies that he had verily received the 
 yird and stane of an heritage ou High. 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 99 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 SnopTi-Y nfter jny grnndfatlicr had 
 rt'tuniccl witli liis wil'o to tlioir quiet 
 dwclliiifif at Quliarist on the (Jarnock 
 Bido, liu began, in the courso of tlic 
 winter following, to suffer an occa- 
 Kioiiiil pang in that part of liia body 
 whieli Avas damaged ny the fall lie got 
 ill rugging down the Virgin ilary out 
 of her niche in the idolatrous abbey- 
 kirk of Kilwinning, and the anguish 
 of his Buffering grew to such a liead 
 by Candlemas that he was obligated to 
 sendforhi8oldacquaintance,Dorfiinick 
 Callender, who had, after his marriage 
 'with tho nun, settled as a doctor of 
 physic in tho godly town of Irvine, 
 J3ut for many a day all the skill and 
 medicamcnting of Doctor Callender 
 did him little good, till Nature had, of 
 her own accord, worked out tho root 
 of the evil in the shape of a sklinter of 
 bono. Still, though the wound then 
 closed, it never was a soimd part, and 
 he continued in consequence a lamiter 
 for life. Yet were his days greatly 
 prolonged beyond the common lot of 
 man ; for he lived till he was ninety- 
 one years, seven months, and four 
 days old, and his end at hvst v/as but 
 a pleasant translation from tUe bodily 
 to the spiritual life. 
 
 For some days before the close he 
 was calm and cheerful, rehearsing to 
 the neighbours that came to speer for 
 him. many things like those of which 
 I have spoken herein. Towards tho 
 evening a serene drowsinosa fell upon 
 him, like the snow that falleth in sil- 
 ence, and froze all his temporal facul- 
 ties in so gentle a manner, that it 
 could not be said he knew what it was 
 to die ; being, as it were, carried in 
 the downy arms of sleep to the portal 
 door of Death, where all the pains and 
 terrorts that guard the same werj 
 hushed, and stood mute aroxmd, as he 
 was softly received in. 
 
 No doubt there was something of 
 
 a providential design in tho singular 
 
 In-olongation of such a pious and 
 )lamele83 life ; for through itthepos- 
 pcssor becninc a blessed mean of sow- 
 ing, in the hearts of his children and 
 neighbours, the seeds of those sacred 
 principles, which afterAvards made 
 tliLm stand firm in their religions 
 integrity when they were so grievously 
 tried. For myself I was too young, 
 being scant of eight years when he de- 
 parted, to know the worth of those 
 precious things which he had treasured 
 in the garnel of his spirit for seed-corn 
 unto the Lord ; and therefore, though 
 I often heard him speak of the ridd- 
 ling wherewith that mighty husband- 
 man of the Reformation, John Knox, 
 riddled the truths of tho gospel from 
 the errors of papistry, I am bound to 
 say, that his own exceeding venerable 
 appearance, and the visions of past 
 events, which the eloquence of his 
 traditions called up to my young fancy, 
 worked deeper and more thorouglily 
 into my nature, than the reasons and 
 motives which guided and governed 
 many of his other disciples. But, be- 
 fore proceeding with my own story, 
 it is meet that I should still tell the 
 courteous reader some few things 
 wherein my father bore a part, — a man 
 of very austere character, and of a most 
 godly, though, as some said, rather of 
 a stubbornly affection for the forms of 
 worship which had been established 
 by John Knox and the pious worthies 
 of his times ; he was withal a single- 
 minded Christian, albeit more ready 
 for a raid than subtle in argument, 
 lie had, like all who knew the old 
 people his parents, a by-common re- 
 verence for them ; and spoke of the 
 patriarchs with whom of old the Lord 
 was wont to hold communion, as more 
 favoured of Him than David or Solo- 
 mon, or any otlicf princes or kings. 
 
 When he was very young, not 
 passing, as I have heard him often 
 tell, more than six or seven years of 
 
v^ 
 
 m 
 
 KINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 ago, he was taken, along witli hia 
 bretlircn, by my grandfather, to see 
 the signing at Irvine oi tiio Covenant, 
 with which, in tlio lowering time of 
 the Spanish armiida, King James, the 
 son of Mary, together with nil the 
 Reformed, bound themselves in solemn 
 compact to uphold the Protestant re- 
 ligion. Afterwards, when ho saw the 
 country rise in arms, and heard of the 
 ward and watch, and tho beacons 
 ready on the hills, his imagination 
 was kindled with some dreadful con- 
 ceit of the armada, and he thought it 
 could be nothing less than some awful 
 and horrible creature sent from tho 
 shores of perdition to devour the 
 whole land. The image he had thus 
 framed in '•'« ^"ars haunted him con- 
 tinually; -ight after night he 
 could no' for thinking of its 
 talons of oraLid, and wings of thunder, 
 and nostrils flaming tire, and the iron 
 teeth with which it was to grind and 
 gnash the bodies and bones of all 
 Protestants, insomuch that his parents 
 were concerned for the health of his 
 mind, and wist not what to do to 
 appease the terrors of his visions. 
 
 At last, however, the great Judith 
 of the Protestant cause. Queen Eliza- 
 betli of England, being enabled to 
 drive a nail into the head of that 
 Ilolofornes of the idolaters, and many 
 of the host of ships having been 
 plunged, by the right arm of the 
 tempest, into the depths of the seas, 
 and scattered by the breath of the 
 storm, like froth over the ocean, it 
 happened that, one morning about the 
 end of July, a cry arose that a huge 
 galley of the armada was driven on 
 the rocks at Pencorse ; and all the 
 shire of Ayr hastened to the spot to 
 behold and witness her shipwreck and 
 overthrow. Among others my grand- 
 father, with his three eldest sons, 
 went, leaving my father at home ; 
 but his horrors grew to such a passion 
 of fear, that his mother, the calm and 
 
 pious Elspa lluet, resolved to take 
 him thither likewise, and to give him 
 tho evidence of his eyes, that tho 
 dreadful amiada was but a navy of 
 vessels liko the ship which was cast 
 upon the shore. By this prudent 
 thought of her, when ho arrived at tho 
 spot his apprehensions were soothed ; 
 but his mind had ever after a strange 
 habitude of forming wild and wonder- 
 ful images of every danger, whereof 
 tho scope and nature was not very 
 clearly discerned, and which con- 
 tinued with Dim till the end of his 
 days. 
 
 Soon after the death of my grand- 
 father, he had occasion to go into 
 Edinburgh anent some matter of 
 legacy tha. had fallen to us, through 
 the decease of an uncle of my mother, 
 a bonnet-maker in tho Canongate; 
 and, on his arrival there, he found 
 men's minds in a sore fever concern- 
 ing the rash counsels wherewith King 
 Charles the First, then reigning, was 
 mindit to interfere with the pure 
 worship of God, and to enact a part 
 in the kirk of Scotland little short of 
 the papistical domination of tho Ro- 
 man Antichrist. To all men tiiis 
 was startling tidings ; but to my futlier 
 it was an enormity that fired his blood 
 and spirit with the fierceness of a 
 furnace. And it happened that ho 
 lodged with a friend of ours, one 
 Janet Geddes, a most pious woman, 
 who had suffered great molestation 
 in her worldly suostance, from certain 
 endeavours for tho restoration of the 
 horns of tho mitre, and the prelatic 
 buskings with which that meddling 
 and fantastical bodie. King James tiio 
 Sixth, would fain have buskit and dis- 
 guised the sober simplicity of gospel 
 ordinances. 
 
 No two persons could be more 
 heartily in unison upon any point of 
 controversy, than was my worthy 
 father and Janet Geddes, concerning 
 the enormities that would of a ueces- 
 
rJNOAlT GILHAIZE. 
 
 Bity ensuo from the papisticul preten- 
 Bions nnd unrighteous usurpation of 
 Kin^ Charles ; and they sat crooning 
 and lamenting together, all the Satur- 
 day afternoon and night, about the 
 ■woes of idolatry that were darkening 
 again over Scotland. 
 
 No doubt there was both reason 
 and piety in their fears ; but in the 
 method of their sorrow, from what I 
 have known of my father's earnest 
 and simj)le character, I redde there 
 might bo some lack of tiie decorum of 
 wisdom. But be this as it may, they 
 lieated the zeal of one anotlier to a 
 pitch of great fervour, and next morn- 
 ing, the Sabbath, they went together 
 to the high kirk of St Giles to sec 
 what the power of an infatuated 
 Government would dare to do. 
 
 The kirk was filled to its uttermost 
 bunkers ; my father, however, got for 
 Janet Geddes, she being an aged 
 woman, a stool near the skirts of the 
 pulpit ; but nothing happened to 
 cjvuso any disturbance, till the godly 
 Mr Patrick I lenderson had made an 
 end of the morning prayer, when ho 
 said, with tears in liis eyes, with re- 
 ference to the liturgy, which was tlicn 
 to be promulgated, " Adieu, good 
 people, for I tiiink this is the last 
 time of my saying prayers in tliis 
 kirk ; " and the congregation being 
 nuich moved thereat, many wept. 
 
 No sooner had Air Henderson re- 
 tired, than Master Ramsay, tliat horn 
 of the beast, which was called the 
 Dean of Edinbur/^h, appeared in tiie 
 pulpit in the pomp of his abomina- 
 tions, and began to read tlie liturgy. 
 At the first word of which .lanet 
 Geddes was so transported with in- 
 dignation that, starting from her stool, 
 she made it fly whirring at his head, 
 as she cried — " Villain, dost thou say 
 the mass at my lug ? " Then such an 
 uj-Toar began, as had not been wit- 
 nessed since the destruction of the 
 dels ; the women screaming, nnd 
 
 clapping their hands in terrification- 
 as if the legions of the Evil One had 
 been lei loose upon them : . nd the 
 men crying alou(l, " Ant*, .at, anti- 
 christ ! down wi' the pope ! " and all 
 exhortation to quiet them was drown- 
 ed in the din. 
 
 Sucii was the beginning of those 
 troubles in the churcii and state, so 
 wantonly provoked by the weak and 
 wicked policy of the first King Charles, 
 and which in the end brought himself 
 to an ignontiiiious deatli ; and such 
 tiie cause of that Solemn League and 
 Covenant, to wliicli, in my greea 
 
 {'ears, my father, soon after his return 
 lome, took me to bo a party, and to 
 which I have been enabled to adhere, 
 witli unerring constancy, till the 
 glorious purpose of it has all been 
 fulfilled and accomplished. 
 
 When my father returned homo, 
 my mother and all the family were 
 grieved to see his sad and altered 
 looks. We gathered around him, and 
 she thought he had failed to get the 
 legacy, and comforted him, by saying 
 tliey had hitherto fenn't without it, 
 and so might they still do. 
 
 To her tender condolcments ho 
 however made no answer ; but, taking 
 a leathern bfig, with the money in it, 
 out of his bosom, he filing it on tho 
 table, saying, " What care I for this 
 world's trash, when the ark of the 
 Lord is taken from IsraiJ ? " which to 
 hear daunted the hearts of all present. 
 And then he told us, after some time, 
 what was doing on the part of tho 
 King to bring in the worship of tho 
 Beast again ; rehearsing, with many 
 circumstances, the consternation and 
 sorrow and rage and lamentations that 
 he had witnessed in Edinburgh. 
 
 I, who was the ninth of his ten 
 children, and then not passing nine 
 years old, was thrilled with an un- 
 speakable fear ; and all the dreadful 
 things, which 1 had heard my grand- 
 father tell of the tribulations of his 
 
Idi 
 
 RINOAN QILHATZE. 
 
 time, came upon my spirit like visions 
 of tlio visiblo scene, and I began to 
 •weep with nn excoedinj^ sorrow, inso- 
 nnieh tliat my fatiicr was auiazeil, and 
 caressed mo, and tliaidced Heaven tliat 
 one so yoniirf in liis liouso felt as a 
 I'l-ote.stant ciiild sliould feci in i\n 
 epoch of such calamity. 
 
 It was then late in the afternoon, 
 towards tiie gloaminff, and having 
 partaken of some refreshment, my 
 father took the big Bible from the 
 press-head, and, after a prayer uttr a 
 in great lieaviness of spirit, he read u 
 portion of the llcvelations, concerning 
 the vials and tlie woes, exponnding 
 the same like a preacher ; and we were 
 all filled with anxieties and terrors : 
 some of the younger members trembled 
 with the thought that the last day was 
 suiely at hand. 
 
 Next morning a sough and rnmour 
 of that solemn venting of Christian 
 indignation which had been mani- 
 fested at Edinburgh, having readied 
 our country-side, and the neighbours 
 hearing of my father's return, many 
 of tliem came at night to our house to 
 hear the news ; and it was a meeting 
 that none present tiicreat could ever 
 after forget: — well do I mind every 
 thing as if it had happened but yes- 
 treen. I was sitting on a laigii stool 
 at the fireside, between the cliimley- 
 lug and the gown-tail of old Nausc 
 Snoddie, my mother's aunty, a godly 
 woman, that in her eild wc took care 
 of; and as young and old came in, 
 the salutation was in silence, as of 
 guests coming to a burial. 
 
 The first was Ebenezer IMuir, an 
 aged man, whose grandson stood many 
 a blast in the persecution of the latter 
 days, both with the BlackculTs and the 
 bloody dragoons of the remorseless 
 Graham of Claver. He was bent with 
 the burden of time, and leaning on 
 liis staff, and his long white hair hung 
 down from aneath his broiic^ blue 
 bonnet. He vras one whom my grand- 
 
 father held in great respect for the 
 sincerity of his principiis and the dis- 
 cretion of his judgment, and among 
 :11 his neighbours, and nowhere moro 
 than in our house, was he considered 
 a most patriarchal character. 
 
 " Cume awa, Ebenezer," said my 
 father, "I'm blithe and I'm sorrowful 
 to see you. This night we may bo 
 sjiar't to sneak in peace of the things 
 that pertiim unto salvation; but tlio 
 day and the hour is not far off, when 
 the flock of Christ shall bo scattered 
 and driven from the pastures of their 
 Divine blaster." 
 
 To these words of affliction Eben- 
 ezer ^luir made no response, but went 
 straight to the fireside, facing Nanso 
 Snoddie, and sat down without speak- 
 ing; and my father, then observiiig 
 John Fullarton of Dykedivots coming 
 in, stretched out his ]iand,,and took 
 hold of his, and drew him to sit down 
 by his side. 
 
 They had bec]i in a manner 
 brotlier.s from their j'outh upwards : 
 an uncle of John Fullarton's, by 
 whom ho was brought up, had been 
 owner, and he liimself had heired, 
 and was tlien possessor of, the mailing 
 of Dykcdivot, beside ours. Ho was 
 the father of four brave sons, the 
 youngest of whom, a stripling of somo 
 tliirteen or fourteen years, was at his 
 back ; the other three came in after- 
 wards. He was, moreover, a man of 
 a stout and courageous nature, though 
 of a much-enduring temper. 
 
 " I hope," said ho to my father, 
 "I hope, Sawners, a' this straemash 
 and hobbleshow that fell out las6 
 Sabbath in Embro' has been seen wi' 
 tlio glamoured een o' fear, and that 
 the King and Government canna bo 
 sae far left to themscLs as to meddle 
 wi' the ordinances of the Lord." 
 
 " I doot, I doot, it's owrc true, 
 John," replied my father in a very 
 mournful manner ; and while they 
 were thus speaking, Nahum Chapel- 
 
RINGAN OILHAIZE. 
 
 103 
 
 rip cnnio lu'ii. IFownsayounp ninn, 
 and lii.s fntlier liciiig precentor nml 
 BfliOdhiiMstcr of tlio jiarisli, lio lind 
 more lair fluin eomnioiily falls to the 
 lilt of eoiintry folk; over and alioon 
 tliin, lie WAH of a Hjiirit^ disposition, 
 «nd l)otli eydent an<l e!if,'er in wliatHO- 
 cver li(! undertook, so that for his 
 years lie was greatly looked up to 
 nninnf,' ail his ncrpiaintance, uotwith- 
 staiiiliiif; a Hiiiall npi(;in of conceit that 
 lio was in with liiiiiHclf. 
 
 On Hceinf,' liiin coming in, 
 Morthy Khenezer ]\Iuir made a sign 
 for liini to draw near and sit by liim ; 
 and when iie went forward, and drew 
 1' a stool, the old man took hold of 
 liini by the hand, and said, *' Yo're 
 weel conic, Nnhuni ; " and niy father 
 added, ''Ay, Xahuni ("hapelrig, it's 
 fast coming to pass, ;is ye liacs been 
 aye saying it woidd ; the King hasna 
 restit wi'' putting tho prelates upon 
 us." 
 
 "What's to prelates, ilobin Tnl- 
 larton V " said auld Nanse Snoddie, 
 turning round to .John's son, Av!io 
 was standing behind his father. 
 
 •' They're the red dragons o' un- 
 righteousness," re))lied tiio sincere 
 luddie with great vehemence. 
 
 " (lude guide us!" cried Nanso 
 with the voice of terror; "and has 
 the King daur't to send sic accursed 
 thinj,'s to devour God's people? " 
 
 Ihit my mother, who was sitting 
 behind me, touched her on the slioul- 
 der, bidding Jior be quiet; for the 
 
 f)oor woniau, being then doited, when 
 eft to the freedom of her ov/u will, 
 .was apt to expatiate without ceasing 
 on whatsoever she happened to dis- 
 course anent ; and Nalium Cliapelrig 
 said to my father — 
 
 "'Deed, Sawners Gilliaizo, we 
 could look for nac better ; prelacy is 
 hut the prelude o' pajiistry: but the 
 papistry o' this prelude is a perilous 
 papistry indeed; for its roots of 
 ranknesa arc iu the midden-Lcad of 
 
 Arminianisni, which, in a sense, is a 
 greater Antichrist tliau Antichrist 
 liiniHclf, even whore he sits on his 
 throne of tliraldom iu the lloniaii 
 vaticaiio. IJiit nevertheless, I trust 
 and liope, that liioiigii tho young 
 bride of I'rotcstantiom be for a heason 
 thrown down, .die shall not be over- 
 come, liiit will HO strive and war«Io 
 with tlie foul g'.Jj . of that rampant 
 Arminian, tho Ki Jish high-priest 
 Laud, that bo ^liaU himself l»o cast 
 into the mir , or choketwi' the stouro 
 of his own baliicfu's of abominationB, 
 wherewith ho would overwhelm and 
 bury tlio Evangil. Yea, even though 
 the shield of his uiighty men is made 
 red, and liis valiintmcn arc iu scarlet, 
 lie sliall recount his wortliies, but they 
 shall stumble in their Avalk." 
 
 AVhilo Nahura Avas thus holding 
 forth, tiic house fdled even to Iho 
 trance 'door with the neighbours, old 
 and young ; and several from time to 
 time spoke bitterly against the deadly 
 f-iu and aggression which the King 
 was committing in the crime that the 
 reading of the liturgy was upon the 
 conscieiices of his [leople. At last 
 Kbenezer Muir, taking off his bonnet, 
 and rising laid it down on his seat 
 behind him, and then re-^ting with 
 both his hanosou hisstalT, looked up, 
 — and everyone was hushed. Truly 
 it was an affecting sight to behold 
 that very aged, time-bent, and vene- 
 rable man so standing iu the midst 
 of all his dismayed and pious neigh- 
 bours, — his grey hairs flowing from 
 his haffets. — and the light of our 
 lowly hearth shining upon his bald 
 head and reverent countenance. 
 
 "Friens," said he, "I hae lived 
 lang in the world ; au<l in this house 
 I hao ofti'H partaken the sweet rep.ist 
 of the conversations of that sanctified 
 character, Michael Gilhaizc, whom we 
 a' revered as a parent, not more for 
 his ain worth than for the great things 
 to which he waa a witness in the trials 
 
104 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 and troubles of the Reformation ; and 
 it seems to me, frae a' the experience 
 I hae gath^nt, that when auce kings 
 and governments hae taken a step, let 
 it be ne'er sae rash, there's a some- 
 thing in the nature of rule and power 
 that winna let them confess a fau't, 
 though they may afterwards bo con- 
 strained to renounce the evil of their 
 ways. It was therefore wi' a sore 
 heart that I heard this day the doleful 
 tidings frae P^mbro', and moreover, 
 that I hae listened to the outbreath- 
 ings this night of the heaviness where- 
 with the news hae oppressed you a'. 
 Sure am I, that frae the provocation 
 given to the people of Scotland bj' tlie 
 King's miscounselled majesty, nothing 
 but tears and woes can ensue ; for by 
 the manner in whicli they hae already 
 rebutted tlie aggression, lie will in 
 return be stirred to aggrieve them still 
 farther. I'm now an auld man, and 
 may be removed before the woes come 
 to pass ; out it requires not the o'e of 
 prophecy to spae bloodshed, and siif- 
 fering, and many afflictions in your 
 fortunes. Nevertheless, friens, be of 
 good cheer, for the Lord will prosper 
 his own cause. Nei^he^ king, nor 
 priest, nor any human authority, has 
 the right to interfere between you and 
 your God ; and allegiance ends where 
 persecution begins. Never, therefore, 
 in the trials awaiting you, fori:ot that 
 the right to resist in matters of con- 
 science is the foundation-stone of re- 
 ligious liberty ; O see, therefore, that 
 you guard it weel ! " 
 
 The voice and manner of the .aged 
 speaker melted every heart. Many 
 of the women sobbed aloud, and the 
 children were moved, as I was myself, 
 and as I have often lieard tiieni in 
 their manhood tell, as if the spirit of 
 faith and fortitude had entered into 
 the very bones .and marrow of their 
 bodies ; nor ever afterwurds have I 
 heard psalm mng with such melodious 
 energy of holiness as that pious con- . 
 
 gregation of simple country folk sung 
 the hundred and fortieth I'sivlm before 
 dep.arting for their lowly dwellings on 
 that solemn evening. 
 
 It was on the AVednesday that my 
 fatlier came homo from Edinburgh. 
 On Friday the farmer lads and their 
 fatliers continued coming over to our 
 house to hear the news, and all their 
 discourse was concerning the manifest 
 foretastii of papistry which was in the 
 pr.aying of the prayers, that an obdu- 
 rate prince and an .alien Arminiau 
 prelate were .attempting to tliruat into 
 their moutljs ; and every one spc ke of 
 renewing tlie Solemn League and 
 Coven.ant, which, in the timts of the 
 Reformation and the dangers of the 
 Spfinish Armada, had achieved such 
 great things for Tin: Tiiuni and the 
 
 WOIJD. 
 
 On Siiturday, Mr Sundrnm, our 
 minister, called for my father .about 
 twelve o'clock. He had heard the 
 news, and also that my fiitlier had 
 come back. I was doing something 
 on the green, I forget now wliat it 
 was, when 1 saw him coming towards 
 the door, .and I ran into the houso to 
 tell my f.ather, who ininicdiately came 
 out to meet him. 
 
 Little passed in my hearing be- 
 tween them, for, after a short inquiry 
 concerning how my father had fared 
 in the journey, the minister took liold 
 of him by the .arm, and they walked 
 together into the fields, where, when 
 they were at some distance from the 
 houso, Mr Sundrum stopped, and 
 began to discourse in a very earnest 
 and lively m.anner, frequently touch- 
 ing the i)alin of his left hand wiih the 
 fingers of his right, .as lie spoke to my 
 fatlier, .and sometimes lifting both his 
 hands .as one in amaze, ejuculating to 
 the heavens. 
 
 While they were thus reasoning 
 together, worthy Ebenezer Muir came 
 tow<ards the house, but, observing 
 where they were, he turned off and 
 
 .^* 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 105 
 
 joined them, and they continued all 
 three in veliement deliberation, in so 
 much that I was drawn by the thirst 
 of curiosity to slip so near towards 
 them that I could hear wiiat passed ; 
 and mj- young heart was pierced at 
 tiie severe terms in which the minister 
 was condemning the ringleaders of 
 the riot, as he called the adversaries 
 of popedom in Edinburgh, and in a 
 manner rebuking my honest father aa 
 a sower of sedition. 
 
 My father, however, said stiffly — 
 for he was not a nian to controvert 
 witii a minister — tiiat in all temporal 
 tilings he was a true and leal subject, 
 and in what pertained to the King as 
 king, he wou'.v. stand as stoutly up for 
 as any man in the three kingdoms ; 
 but against a usurpation of the Lord's 
 riglits, hi.s h uid, his heart, and his 
 f'.itlicr's sword, that had been used in 
 the Keformation, wore all alike ready. 
 
 Old Ebenezer Muir tried to pacify 
 liim, and reasoned in great gentleness 
 with both, expressing liis concern that 
 a Presbyterian minister could think 
 tliat tlie attempt to bring in prelacy, 
 and the reading of court-contrived 
 prayers, was not a meddling with 
 things sacred and rights natural, whicli 
 neither prince nor potentate had au- 
 tiioiity to do. liut Mr Sundrum was 
 one of tliose that longed for tlie fiesh- 
 
 {)ots of Egypt, and tlie fat things of a 
 ordly hierarchy ; and the pacilic re- 
 monstrances of tiie pious old man 
 made him wax more and more wroth 
 at what lie liatefully pronounced their 
 rebellious j .clinations ; at wliich bitter 
 words both my fatlicr and Ebenez-er 
 ]Muir turned from him, and went to- 
 gether to the iiouse with sadness in 
 their faces, leaving him to return the 
 way he iuul come alone — a thing which 
 filled mo with consternation, ho hav- 
 ing ever before been treated and 
 reverenced as a pastor ougiit always 
 i') be. 
 
 What comment my father and tho 
 
 , but on 
 kirk was 
 
 old man made on his conduct when 
 they were alone, I know not ; 
 the Sabbath morning the 
 filled to overflowing, and my father 
 took me with him by the hand, and 
 we sat together on the same form with 
 Ebenezer Muir, whom we found in 
 the cluirch before us. 
 
 When Mr Sundrum mounted into 
 the pulpit and read the psalm, and 
 said tiie prayer, there was nothing 
 particular ; but when he prepared to 
 preach, there was a rustle of expecta- 
 tion among all present ; for tlie text 
 he chose was from llomans, ciiap. 
 xiii. and verses 1 and 2 ; from wliicli 
 he made an endeavour to demonstrate, 
 as I heiird afterwards, for I was then 
 too ycung to discern tiie matter of it 
 myself, the duty and advantage of pas- 
 sive obedience — and, growing warm 
 with his ungospel rhetoric, lie began 
 to rail and to daud the pulpit, in con- 
 demnation of the spirit which had 
 kithed in Edinburgh. 
 
 Ebenezer Muir and my father 
 tholed with hiui for some time ; but 
 at last he so far forgot his place and 
 oHice, that they both rose and moved 
 towards the door. Many others did 
 the same, and presently the whole 
 congregation, with the exception of a 
 very few, also began to move, so tliat 
 tlie kirk skayled ; and from that day, 
 so long a \i' Sundrum. continued in 
 the parish, ne was a leper and an ex- 
 communicant. 
 
 !Meanwliile the alarm was spread- 
 ing far and wide, and a blessed thing 
 it was for tl.e shire of Ayr, though it 
 caused its soil to besoakened with tho 
 blood of martyrs, that few of tho 
 ministers were like the time-serving 
 Mr Sundrum, but trusty and valiant 
 defenders of tho green pastures 
 whereon they* liad delighted, like 
 kind shepherds, to lead their confid- 
 ing flocks, and to cherish the young 
 lambs thereof with the tender em- 
 braces of a holy ministry. Among 
 
106 
 
 niNGAN GtLHAlZE. 
 
 the rest, that godly nnd great saint, 
 Mr Swiuton of Garnock, our ncipili- 
 bour parisli, stood courageously for- 
 waid in the gap of the broken fence 
 of tlie vineyard, announcing, after a 
 most weiglity discour?e, on the i5anie 
 day on which Air Sundrum preached 
 the erroneous doctrine of passive obe- 
 dience, that next Sabbath lie would 
 administer the sacrament of the Ijord's 
 Supper, not knowing how long it 
 might be in the power of liis people 
 to partake of it. Everybody around 
 accordingly prepared to be present on 
 that occasion, and there was a won- 
 derful congregation. All the adja- 
 cent parishes in succession did the 
 same thing Sabbath after Sabbath, 
 and never was there seen, in the me- 
 mory of living man, such a zealous 
 devotion and strictness of life as then 
 reigned throughout the whole West 
 Country. 
 
 At last the news came, that it was 
 resolved among the great and faithful 
 at Edinburgh to renew the Solemn 
 League and Covenant ; and the min- 
 isters of our neighbourhood having 
 conferred together concerning the 
 same, it was agreed among them, t'lat 
 the people should be invited to come 
 forward on a day set apart for the 
 purpose, and that as the kirk of Ir- 
 vine was the biggest in the vicinage, 
 the signatures both for the country 
 and tliat town should be received 
 there. ;Mr Dickson, the minister, than 
 whom no man in his day was more 
 brave in the Lord's cause, accordingly 
 made the netdful preparation, and 
 appointed the time. 
 
 In the meanwhile the young men 
 began to gird themselves for war. 
 The swords that had rested for many 
 a day were drawn from their idle 
 places; and tiie women worked to- 
 gether, that their brothers and their 
 sons might be ready for the field ; 
 but at their work, instead of the an- 
 cient lilts, they sung psalms and godly 
 
 ballads. However, as I mean not to 
 enter upon particulars of that awak- 
 ening epoch, but only to show forth 
 the pure and the holy eari.estness wi^h 
 which the minds of men were then ac- 
 tuated, I shall hero refer the courteous 
 reader to the annals and chronicles of 
 the time,— albeit the truth in thorn 
 has suffered from tl'e alloy of a base 
 servility. 
 
 CIIArXEll XIV. 
 
 The sixteenth day of tlune, in the year 
 of our Lord 1638, was appointed for 
 the renewal at Irvine of the Solemn 
 League and Covenant. On the night 
 before, my five elder brothera, who 
 were learning trades at Glasgow and 
 Kilmarnock, came home that they 
 might go up with their father to the 
 house of God, in order to set down 
 their names together ; me and my four 
 sisters, the rest of his ten children, 
 were still biding Avith our mother and 
 him at the mailing. 
 
 From my grandfather's time there 
 had been a by-common respect among 
 the neighbours for our laniily on his 
 account ; and that morning my bro- 
 ther Jacob, who happened to be the 
 first that went, at break of day, to 
 the door, was surprised to see many 
 of the cotters and neighbouring far- 
 mer lads already assembled on the 
 lone, waiting to walk with us to tho 
 town, as a token of their reverence for 
 the principles and the memory of that 
 departed worthy, and they wore all 
 belted and armed with swords like 
 men ready for battle. 
 
 Seeing such a concourse of the 
 neighbours, instead of making exercise 
 in the house, my father, as the morn- 
 ing was bright and lown, bade me 
 carry the liible and a stool to tho 
 dykeside, that our friends might have 
 room to join us in worship, — which I 
 did accordingly, placing the stool 
 
tllNGAir GILtTAlZK 
 
 107 
 
 under the ash-trec, at the corner of 
 tlic stack-jiircl, and l)y all tliose 
 Avho were present on that occasion 
 tlie spot v,■^^H over afterwards regarded 
 as a Jiallowed jilace. Truly there was 
 a scene and a si^^dit tliere not likely 
 to be forgotten ; for the awful cause 
 tiiat had brought togetlier that meet- 
 ing was a tiling which no man Avho 
 liad a part therein could ever in all 
 Lis days forget. 
 
 My father chose the Ixxvi. Psalm, 
 and when it was sung, he opened the 
 Scriptures in Second Kings, and read 
 aloud, with a strong voice, the xxiii. 
 chapter, and every one likened Josiah 
 to the old King, and Jehoahaz to his 
 son Charles, by whoso disregard of 
 the Covenant the spirit of the land 
 was then in such tribulation ; and at 
 the conclusion, instead of kneeling to 
 pray, as he was wont, my father stood 
 up, and, as if all temporal things were 
 then of no account, he only suppli- 
 cated that the work they had in hand 
 for that day might be approved and 
 Bauctiried. 
 
 The worship being over, the family 
 returned into the houf^e, and having 
 partaken of a repast of bread and milk, 
 my father put on hia father's sword, 
 and my brothers, who had brought 
 weapons of their own home with them, 
 also belted themselves for the road. 
 I was owre young to b3 trysted for 
 war, so my father led me out by the 
 hand, and walking forward, followed 
 by my brothers, the neighbours, two 
 and two, fell into (he rear, and the 
 women, in their plaids, came mourn- 
 ful and in tears at some short distance 
 behind. 
 
 As we were thus proceeding to- 
 wards the main road, we heard the 
 sound of a drum and fife, and saw 
 over the hedge of the lane that leads 
 to the elachan, a white banner wav- 
 ing aloft with the words " Sou;mn 
 Lkagi'i: axd Covknant" painted 
 thereon ; at the eight of which my j 
 
 father was much disturbed, saying, — 
 " This is some siily device of Na- 
 hum Chapelrig, that, if we allow to 
 l^roceed, may bring scoff and scorn 
 upon ihe cause as we enter the town ;" 
 and with that, dropping my hand, he 
 I'an forward and stopped their vain 
 bravery ; for it was, as he had sup- 
 posed, the work of Nahuni, who was 
 marching, like n man-of-war, a', the 
 head of his band. However, on my 
 father's reraonstrivnce, he consented to 
 send aAvay his sounding instruments 
 and idle banner, and to walk com- 
 posedly along with us. 
 
 As we reached the town-end port, 
 we fell i .1 with a vast number of other 
 persons, from different parts ol the 
 country, going to sign the Covenant, 
 and, on a cart, worthy Ebenezer Muir 
 and three other aged men like him- 
 self, who, being all of our parish, it 
 was agreed that they should alight 
 and walk to the kirk at the head of 
 tliose who had come with my father. 
 While this was putting in order, other 
 men and lads belonging to the parish 
 came and joined tis, so that, to the 
 number of more than a hundred, wo 
 went up the town together, 
 
 "When we arrive 1 at the tolbooth, 
 we were obligated, with others, to 
 halt for some time, by reason of the 
 great crowd at the Kirkgatefoot 
 waiting to see if the magistrates, who 
 were then sitting in council, would 
 come forth and go to the kirk ; and 
 the different crafts and burgesses, 
 with their deacons, were standing at 
 the Cross in order to follow them, if 
 they determined, in their public 
 capacity, to sign the Covenant, ac- 
 cording to the pious example which 
 had been set to all in authority by the 
 magistratt'S and town-council of 
 ]''dinbr.rgh three days before. "We 
 had not, liowever, occasion to be long 
 detained ; for it was resolved, with 
 a unanimous heart, that the provost 
 should sign in the name of the town, 
 
108 
 
 RINGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 and that tho bailies and councillors 
 should, in their own names, sign each 
 for himself; so they came out, with 
 the town-officers bearing their battle- 
 axes before them, and tho crafts, ac- 
 cording to their privilege, followed 
 them to the kirk. 
 
 The men of our parish went next ; 
 but on reacliing the kirk-yard yett, 
 it was manifest that, large as the 
 ancient fabric was, it would not be 
 able to receive a moitd of the persons 
 assembled. Godly Mr David Dickson, 
 the minister, had, however, provided 
 for this ; and on one of the old tombs 
 on the south side of the kirk, he had 
 ordered a table and chair to be placed, 
 where that effectual preacher, Mr 
 Livingstone, delivored a great ser- 
 mon, — around him the multitude 
 from the country parishes wore con- 
 gregated; but my fatlier being well 
 acquainted with Deacon Aiild of the 
 Wrights, was invited by him to come 
 into his seat in the kirk, where he 
 carried me in witli him, and we heard 
 Air Dickson himself. 
 
 Of the strain and substance of his 
 discourse I remember nothing, save 
 only the earnestness of his manner; 
 but well do I remember tho awful 
 sough and silence that was in the 
 kiik when, at the conclusion of the 
 sermon, he prepared to road the words 
 of the Covenivnt. 
 
 "Now," said he, when he had 
 come to the end, and was rolling it 
 up, "as no man knoweth low long, 
 after this day, he may be aUowed to 
 partake of the sacrament of the 
 Supper, the ciders Avill bring forward 
 the elements : an I it is hoped that 
 sisters in Christ will not come to com- 
 munion till the brethren are served, 
 who. as they take their seats at the 
 Lord's table, are invited to sign their 
 names to this solenni cliarter of the 
 religious rights and liberties of God's 
 people in Scotland." 
 
 Uo then camo down from the 
 
 pulpit with tho parchment in his 
 hand, and going to the head of the 
 sacramental table, he opened it again, 
 and laid it down over the elements of 
 tho bread and wine which the elders 
 had just placed there ; and a minister, 
 whose name I do not well recollect, 
 sitting at his right hand, holding aa 
 inkstand, p/esented him witii a pen, 
 which, when he had taken, he prayed 
 in silence for the space of a minute, 
 and then, bending forward, Jie signed 
 his name ; having done so, he raised 
 himself erect and said, with a loud 
 voice, holding up his right hand, 
 " Before God and these witnesses, in 
 truth and holiness, I have sworn to 
 keep this Covenant." At that moment 
 a solemn sound rose from all the con- 
 gregation, and every one stood up to 
 see the men, as they sat at the table, 
 put down their names. 
 
 From the day on which the Cove- 
 nant was signed, though I was owre 
 young to remember the change my- 
 self, I have heard it often said, that a 
 great n Iteration took place in the 
 morals and manners of the Cove- 
 nanters. The Sabbath was observed 
 by them with far more than the 
 solemnity of times past; and there 
 was a strictness of walk and conversa- 
 tion among them, which showed how 
 much in sincerity they were indeed 
 regenerated Christians. The company 
 of persons inclined to the prelatic sect 
 was eschewed as contagious, and all 
 light pastimes and gaiety of heart 
 were suppressed, both on account of 
 their tendency to sinfulness, and 
 because of the danger with which the 
 Truth and the Word were threatened 
 by the Armician Antichrist of the 
 King's Government. 
 
 But the more immediate effect of 
 the renewal of tho Solemn League 
 and Covenant was the preparation 
 for defence and resistance, which the 
 deceitful policy of that false monarch, 
 King Charles the First, taught every 
 
EINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 105) 
 
 one to know would be required. Tlio 
 nien began to practise firing at butts 
 and targets, and to provide tliemselves 
 witii arms and munitions of war ; while, 
 in order to maintain a life void of 
 offence in all temporal concerns, they 
 were by ordinaire obedient and sub- 
 missive to those in authority over 
 them, whether holding jurisdiction 
 from the King, or in virtue of baronies 
 and feudalities. 
 
 In this there was great wisdom ; 
 for it left the sin of the provocation 
 still on the heads of the King and his 
 evil counsellors, in so much that even, 
 when the General Assembly, holden 
 at Glasgow, vindicated the indepen- 
 dence and freedom of Christ's king- 
 dom, by continuing to sit in despite 
 of the dissolution pronounced by Kivig 
 Charles' commissioner, the Marquis 
 Hamilton, and likewise by decreeing 
 the abolition of prelacy as an abomi- 
 nation, there was no political blame 
 wherewith the people, in their capacity 
 of subjects to their earthly prince, 
 could be wyted or brought by law to 
 punishment. 
 
 In the meantime, the King, wlio 
 was as fey as he was false, mustered 
 his forces, and his rampant high-priest, 
 Laud, was, with all the voices of his 
 prelatic emissaries, inflaming the 
 honest people of England to wage war 
 against our religious frjodom. The 
 I ,.^ .tical Queen of Charles was no 
 less busy with the priesthood of her 
 crafty sect, and aids and powers, both 
 of men and money, were raised where- 
 ever they could be had, in order to 
 reinstall the discarded episcopacy of 
 Scotland. 
 
 The Covenanters, however, were 
 none daunte<l, for they had a great 
 ally in the Lord of hosts ; and, with 
 Him for their captain, they neither 
 sought nor wished for any alien assist- 
 ance, though they sent letters to their 
 brethren in foreign parts, exhorting 
 them to unite ia the Covenant, and to 
 
 join them for the battle. General 
 Lesley, in Gustavus Adolphus' army, 
 was invited by his kinsman, the Lord 
 Rothes, to come home, that, if need 
 arose, he might take the temporal 
 command of the Covenanters. 
 
 The King having at last, according 
 to an ancient jiractice of the English 
 monarchs, when war in old times was 
 proclaimed against the Scots, sum- 
 moned his nobles to attend him with 
 their powers at York, the Covenanters 
 girded their loins, and tlie whole 
 country rung with the din of the 
 gathering of an host for the field. 
 
 One Captain Bannerman, who had 
 been with Lesley in the armies of 
 Gustavus, was sent from Edinburgh 
 to trtiin the men in our part ; and our 
 house being central for the musters 
 of the three adjacent parishes, ho 
 staid a night in the week witli us at 
 Quharist for tlie space -^f better 
 than two months, and his military 
 discourse greatly instructed our neigii- 
 bours in the arts and stratagems of 
 war. 
 
 He was an elderly man, of a sedato 
 character, and had gone abroad with 
 an uncle from ^lontrose when he was 
 quite a youth. In his day he had 
 seen many strange cities, and places 
 of wonderful strengtii to witlistand 
 the force of sieges. liui., though bred 
 a soldier, and his homo in the camp, 
 ho had been himself but seldom in 
 the field of battle. In appearance he 
 was tall and lofty, and very erect and 
 formal ; a man of few words, but they 
 were well cliosen ; and he was patient 
 and pains-taking; of a contented 
 aspect, somewhat hard-favoured, and 
 seldom given to smile. To little chil- 
 dren he was, however, bland and cour- 
 teous; taking a pleasure ia setting 
 those that were of my age in battle 
 array, for he had no pastime, being 
 altogether an instructive soldier ; or, 
 p.a William, my third brother, used to 
 1 Bay, who was a free out-spokcu lad, 
 
110 
 
 RINGAN GILHAl/E. 
 
 Captain Bannerman was a real 
 dominie o' war. 
 
 Besides liiin, in onr conntry-Bido, 
 there was another oliieer, by name 
 Hepburn, who had also been bred 
 Avith the great Gustavus, sent to train 
 the Covenanters in Irvine ; but he 
 wi'H of a more mettlesome Imniour, 
 and hicked the needful douceness that 
 became -those who were banding them- 
 selves for a holy cause ; nevertheless, 
 he was much beloved by the men ho 
 had the training of ; and, on the night 
 before he left the town, lies were told 
 of a most respectit and pious oliieer 
 of the town's power, if he did not find 
 the causey owre wide when he was 
 going home, after partaking of Cap- 
 tain Hepburn's pay-way supper. But 
 how that may have been is little of 
 my business at present to investigate ; 
 for I have only spoken of Hepburn, 
 to notify what happened in conse- 
 quence of a brag he iiad with Baimer- 
 mun, anent the skill of tlieir respec- 
 tive disciples, the which grew to such 
 a controversy between them, that no- 
 thing lees would satisfy Hepburn than 
 to try the skill of the Irvine men 
 against ours, and the two neighbour- 
 ing pari.'jhcB of Garnock and Stoney- 
 holm. Accordingly a day was fixed for 
 that purpose, and the Craiglands-croft 
 was the place appointed for this pro- 
 bation of soldiership. 
 
 On the morning of the appointed 
 day the country folk assembled far 
 and near, and Nahum Chapelrig, at 
 the head of the lads of his clachan, 
 was the first on the field. The sight 
 to my young eyes was as the greatest 
 show of pageantry tliat could be 
 imagined ; for Nahum had, from the 
 time of the covenanting, been gather- 
 ing arms and armour from all quar- 
 ters, and had thereby not cMy ob- 
 tained a glittering breastplate for hini- 
 ficlf. but tiiree otiier coats of mail for 
 tlio like number of his fellows ; and 
 when they were coining over the 
 
 croft, with their fife and drum, and 
 the banner of the Covenant waving 
 aloft in the air, every ou<: ran to be- 
 hold such splendour and pomp of 
 war ; many of the women, that were 
 witnesses among the multitude, wept 
 at such an apparition of battles daz- 
 zling our peaceful fields. 
 
 My father, with nij five brothers, 
 headed tlie Covenanters of our parish. 
 There was no garnish among that 
 band. They came along with austere 
 looks and douce steps, and their belts 
 were of tanned leather. The hilts of 
 many of their swords were rusty, for 
 they had been the weapons of their 
 forefathers in the raids of the Refor- 
 mation. As my father led them to 
 their station on the right flank of 
 Nahum Chapelrig's array, the crowd 
 of onlookers fell back, and stood in 
 silence as they ])as8ed by. 
 
 IScarcely had tiiey halted, when 
 there was a raahing among the on- 
 lookers, and presently the townsmen, 
 with Hepburn on horseback, were 
 seen coming over the brow of the 
 Gowan-brae. They were scant the 
 strength of the country folk by more 
 than a score, but there was a band of 
 sailor boys with them that made the 
 number greater; so that, when they 
 were all drawn up together forenent 
 the countrymen, they were more than 
 man for man. 
 
 It is not to 1,3 suppressed nor 
 denied, that, in the first show of the 
 day, Hepburn got far more credit and 
 honour than old sedate Jiaunerman ; 
 for his lads were lighter in the heel, 
 glegger in the eye, and brisker in the 
 nianreuvres of war : moreover, they 
 were all far more similar in their garb 
 and ajifjc.i ranee, which gave them a 
 seeming compactness that the country- 
 men had nothing like. But when the 
 simm contest began, it was not long 
 till Bannerman's disciples showed the 
 proofs of their master's better skill 
 to such a mark, that Hepburn grew 
 
EINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 hot, and so kindled his men by re- 
 ])roaclic'S, that there was liko to have 
 been figliting in true earnest; for 
 tlie blood of tlio country folk was 
 also rising. Their eyes grew fierce, 
 and they muttered through their 
 tcetli. 
 
 Old Ebcnezer Muir, who was among 
 the multitude, observing that their 
 blood was heating, stepped forward, 
 and lifting up his hand, cried, "Sirs, 
 stop ; " and both sides iustanter made 
 a pause. "This maunna be," said 
 he. " It may bo sport to those who 
 arc by trade soldiers to try the mettle 
 o' their men, but ye'ro a covenanted 
 people, obligated by a grievous 
 tyranny to quit your spades and your 
 looms only for a season ; therefore be 
 counselled, and rush not to battle till 
 need be, which may the Lord yet 
 prevent." 
 
 Hepburn uttered an angry bnn, 
 and would have turned the old man 
 away by the shoulder ; but the comba- 
 tants saw they were in the peril of a 
 quarrel, and many of them cried aloud, 
 "He's in the right, and we're playing 
 the fool for the diversion o' our adver- 
 saries." So the townsmen and the 
 country folk shook hands ; but instead 
 of renewing the contest. Captain Ban- 
 nerman proposed that they should all 
 go througli their discipline together, 
 it being manifest tliat there were little 
 odds in their skill, and none in their 
 courajic. The which prudent admoni- 
 tion pacified all parties, and tlie re- 
 mainder of the day was spent in cor- 
 diality and brotherly love. Towards 
 tlie conclusion of the exercises, worthy 
 I\Ir Swinton camo on the field ; and 
 wiien the business of the day was over, 
 he ste[)ped forward, and the trained 
 men being formed around hun, tiie 
 onlookers standing on the outside, he 
 exliorted them in prayer, and implored 
 a blessing on their covenanted union, 
 which had the effect of restoring all 
 their hearts to a religious frouie f^ud a, 
 
 solemnity befitting the spirituality of 
 their cause. 
 
 One night, about a month after the 
 ploy whereof I have spoken in tlic 
 foregoing chapter, just os my father 
 had finished the worship, and the 
 family wore composing tlieniKelvos 
 round the fireside tor supper, Ave were 
 startled by the sound of a galloping 
 horse coming to the door ; and before 
 any one had time to open it, there was 
 a dreadful knocking with the heft of 
 the rider's whip. It was Nalium 
 Chapelrig, who being that day ;it 
 Kilmarnock, had heard, as be was 
 leaving the town, the cry get up there 
 tliat the Aggressor was coming from 
 York with all the Y i,disli power, and 
 he had flown far and wide on his way 
 home publishing the dismal tidings. 
 
 My father, in a sober manner, bade 
 him alight and partake of our supper, 
 q""stioniiig him sedately aiiont wliat 
 he liad heard ; but Nahum was raised, 
 and could give no patisfaciiou in his 
 answers ; he, however, leapt from his 
 horse, and drawing the bridle through 
 the ring at tlie door- cheek, came ben 
 to the fire where we had all so shortly 
 before been harmoniously sitting. His 
 eyes were wide and wild ; his hair, 
 with the heat he was in, was as if it 
 had been pomated ; his che?ks were 
 white, his lips rod, and he panted with 
 haste and panic. 
 
 "They're coming," he cried, "in 
 thousands o' thousands ; ne'er sic a 
 force has crossed tiie border since the 
 day o' Flodden Fiehl. We'll a' either 
 bo put to the sword, man, woman, 
 and child, or sent in slavery to the 
 plantations." 
 
 " ]SJo," replied my father, " tilings 
 arc no just come to that pass ; we 
 have our swords yet, and hearts and 
 hands to use them." 
 
 The consternation, however, of 
 Nahum Cliapeliig that nigiit was far 
 ayont all counsel ; so, after trying to 
 Bootho and r^osQA hii;i iptQ a nior^ 
 
112 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 temperate frame, my father was obli- 
 gated to tell him tliat, since the battle 
 was coming so near our gates, it be- 
 hoved the Covenanters to be in readi- 
 ness for the field, advising Niihum to 
 go lionie, and be over with him be- 
 times in the morn'.ng. 
 
 While they yveve thus ' speaking, 
 James Newbigging also came to the 
 door with a rumour of the same sub- 
 stance, which his Avifo had brought 
 from Eglinton Castle, where she had 
 been with certain cocks and hens, a 
 servitude of the Ej^lintons on their 
 mailing ; so that there was no longer 
 any dubiety about the news, though 
 matters were not in such a desperate 
 condition as Nahura Chapelrig had 
 terriiied himself with the thought of. 
 Nevertheless, the tidings were very 
 dreadful ; and it was a judgment-like 
 thing to hear that an anointed king 
 was so far left to himself as to be 
 coming with wrath, and banners, and 
 trampling war-horses, to destroy his 
 subjects for tlie sincerity of tlieir re- 
 ligious allegiance to that Almighty 
 Monarch, who has but permitted the 
 princes of the earth to be set up as 
 idols by the hands of men. 
 
 James Newbigging, as well as 
 Nahum, having come ben to the fire- 
 side, my father called for the Books 
 again, and g<ave out the eight first 
 verses of the forty-fourth Psalm, 
 which we all sung with hearts in holy 
 unison and zealous voices. 
 
 "When James Newbigging and 
 Nahum Chapelrig were gone away 
 home, my father sat for some time 
 exhorting us, who were his youngest 
 children, to be kind to one unotlier, 
 to cherifih our motlier, and not to let 
 aulJ doited aunty want, if it wj j the 
 Lord's will that he should never come 
 back from the battle. The which to 
 hear caused much sorrow and lamenta- 
 tion, especially from my mother, who, 
 however, said nothing, but took hold 
 of Ms hand and watered it with her 
 
 tears. After this ho walked out into 
 the fields, where ho remained some 
 time alone ; and during his absence, 
 me and the three who were next to 
 mo were sent to our beds ; but, young 
 as we then were, we were old enough 
 to know the danger that hung over us, 
 and we lay long awake, wondering 
 and woful with fear. 
 
 About two hours after midnight 
 the house was Jigain startled by an- 
 other knocking, and on my father in- 
 quiring who was at the door, he waa 
 answered by my brother Jacob, who 
 had come with IMichael and llobia 
 from Glasgow to Kilmarnock, on hear- 
 ing the news, and had thence brought 
 William and Alexander with them to 
 go with their father to the war. For 
 they had returned to their respec- 
 tive trades after the day of the cove- 
 nanting, and had only been out 
 at Hepburn's raid, as the ploy 
 with the Irvine men was called in 
 jocularity, in order that the neigh- 
 bours, who venerated my grand- 
 father, might see them together as 
 Covenanters. 
 
 Thearrival of her sons, and the pur- 
 pose they had come upon, awakened 
 afresh the grief of our motiier ; but 
 my father entreated us all to be quiet, 
 and to compose ourselves to rest, that 
 we might be the abler on the morn to 
 prepare for what iniglit then ensue. 
 Yet, though there was no sound in 
 the house, save only our motlicr's 
 moaning, few closed their eyes, and 
 long before the sun every one was up 
 and stirring, and my fatlier and my 
 five brothers were armed and belted 
 for the march. 
 
 Scarcely wore thoy r(;u<ly, when 
 different neighbours in tlie like trim 
 came to go witli them. Presently, 
 also, Nahum Chapelrig, with his ban- 
 ner, and fife, and drum, at the head 
 of some ten or twelve lads of his 
 clachan, came over, and on this oc- 
 casion no obstacle was mado to 
 
 and 
 
 bitte 
 
 his 
 
 Swin 
 
 and 
 
 drun 
 
 and 
 
 turn 
 
 the 
 
 theh 
 
EINGAN GTLHATZE. 
 
 113 
 
 that bravery which was thought so 
 uncomely on the day of the cove- 
 nanting. 
 
 While the armed men were thus 
 gatlicring before our door, witli the 
 intent of setting forward to (ilasgow, 
 as the men of tlie West had been some 
 time before trysted to do, by orders 
 from General Lesley, on the first 
 alarm, that godly man and minister 
 of righteousness, the Reverend Mr 
 Swinton, made his appearance with his 
 staff in his hand and a satchel on his 
 back, in which he carried the Bible. 
 
 " I am come, my frien's," said he, 
 "to go with you. Where the en- 
 signs of Christ's Covenant are dis- 
 played, it is meet that the very lowest 
 of his vassivls should be there ; " and 
 having exhorted the weeping women 
 around him to be of good cheer, he 
 prayed for them and for tiieir little 
 children, whom the Ag!:fressor was, 
 perhaps, soon to make fatherless. 
 Nahiim Chnpelrig then exalted his 
 banner, and the drum and fife be- 
 ginning to play, the venerable man 
 stepped forward, and heading the 
 array with his staff in his hand, they 
 departed amidst tiie shouts of the 
 boys, and the loud sorrow of many a 
 wife and mother. 
 
 I followed them, with my com- 
 panions, till they reached the high 
 road, where, at the turn that led them 
 to Glasgow, a great concourse of other 
 women and children belonging to tiie 
 neighbouring parishes were assembled, 
 having tiiere parted from their friends. 
 They were all mourning and weeping, 
 and mingling their lamentations with 
 bitter predictions against the King and 
 liis evil counsellors ; but seeing Mr 
 Swinton they became more composed, 
 and he having made a sign to the 
 drum and fife to cease, he stopped, 
 and earnestly entreated them to re- 
 turn home and employ themselves in 
 the concerns of their familiea, which, 
 the heads being for a season removed, 
 
 stood the more in need of all their 
 kindness and care. 
 
 This halt in the march of their 
 friends brought the onlookers, who 
 were assembled round our house, 
 running to see what was the cause, 
 and, among others, it gave time to the 
 aged Ebenezer Muir to come up, 
 whdhi Mr Swinton no sooner saw 
 than he called on him by name, and 
 bade him comfort the women, and in- 
 vite them away from the high road, 
 where their presence could only in- 
 crease the natural grief that every 
 covenanted Christian, in passing to 
 join the army, could not but suffer, 
 on seeing so many left defenceless by 
 the unprovoked anger of the Aggres- 
 sor. He then bade the drum again 
 beat, and, the marf . being resumed, 
 the band of our parish soon went out 
 of sight. 
 
 While our men continued in view 
 Ebenezer Muir said nothing ; but as 
 soon as they had disappeared behind 
 the brow of the Gowan-brae, he spoke 
 to the multitude in a gentle and pa- 
 ternal manner, and bade them como 
 with him into the neighbouring field, 
 and join him in prayer ; after which 
 he hoped they would see the wisdom 
 of returning to their homes. They 
 accordingly followed him, and he hav- 
 ing given out the twenty-third Psalm, 
 all present joined him, till the lonely 
 fields and silent woods echoed to tho 
 melody of their pious song. 
 
 As we wer« thus standing around 
 the old man in worship and unison of 
 spirit, the Irvine men came along the 
 road ; and seeing us, they hushed 
 their drums as t' jy passed by, and 
 bowed down their banners in reve- 
 rence and solemnity. Such was the 
 outset of the worthies of the renewed 
 Covenant, in the war with the first 
 Charles. 
 
114 
 
 RINGAN GILHATZE, 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Afteu my father and brothers, 
 with our iicicfhboura that went witli 
 them, had returned from the blood- 
 less raid of Dunso Law, as tiio fust 
 expedition was called, a solemn 
 thanksgiving was held in all the 
 country-side ; but the minds of jnen 
 were none pacified by the treaty con- 
 cluded with the Kiupf at JJerwick. 
 For it was manifest to the worhl, that 
 coming in his ire, and with all the 
 might of hia power, to punisli the 
 Covenanters as rebels, he would never 
 have consented to treat with them on 
 nuythiug like equal terms, had he not 
 been daunted by their strength and 
 numbers ; so that the spirit awakened 
 by his Ahab-likc domination con- 
 tinued as alive and as distrustful of 
 his word and {tactions as ever. 
 
 After the rumours of iiis plain jug- 
 gling about the verbals of the stipu- 
 lated conditions, and his arbitrary 
 prorogation of the parliament at 
 Edinburgh, a thing wliich the best 
 and bravest of the Scottish monarchs 
 liad never before dared to do without 
 the consent of the States then assem- 
 bled, the thud and murmur of warlike 
 preparation was renewed both on 
 anvil and in hall. And when it wivs 
 known that the King, fey and dis- 
 t.(;mpered with his own weak conceits 
 and the instigations of cruel counsel- 
 lors, had, as soon as lie heard that 
 the Covenanters were disbanded, re- 
 newed his purposes of punishment and 
 oppression, a gurl of rage, like the 
 first brush of the tempest on the 
 waves, passed over the whole extent 
 of Scotland, and those that had been 
 in arms fiercely girded themselves 
 again for batth\ 
 
 As the king's powers came again 
 towards the borders, the Covenanters, 
 for the second time, mustered under 
 Lesley at Dunse ; but far different 
 was this new departure of our men 
 
 from the solemnity of their first cx- 
 
 t)edition. Their spirits were now 
 larsh and angry, and their drums 
 sounded hoarsely on the breeze. 
 Godly ^Ir Swinton, as he headed 
 them again, struck the grviUnd with 
 his stair, and, instead of praying said, 
 "It is the Lord's pleasure, and ho 
 wid make the Aggressor iin' the 
 weight of the arm of fiesli. Honest 
 folk arc no ever to be thus obligated 
 to leave their fields and families by 
 the provocations of a prerogative that 
 has so little regard for the people. la 
 the nanje and strength of God, let us 
 march." 
 
 With six and twenty thousand 
 horse aini foot Lesley crossed the 
 'J'weed, and in the first onset tho 
 King's army was scattered like chaff 
 before the wind. When the news of 
 the victory arrived {iniong ns, every 
 one was filled with awe and holy 
 wonder ; for it happened on the very 
 day which was held as n universal 
 fast throughout the land; on tiiat 
 day likewise, even in the time of wor- 
 ship, the castle of Dumbarton was 
 won, and the covenanted Earl of Had- 
 dington repelled a wasteful irruption 
 from the garrison of Berwick. 
 
 Such disasters smote the King with 
 consternation ; for the immediate fruit 
 of tho victory was the conquest of 
 Newcastle, Tyne-mouth, Shields, and 
 Durham. 
 
 Baffled and mortified, humbled 
 but not penitent, the rash and vindic- 
 tive Monarch, in a whirlwind of mu- 
 tiny and desertion, was obligated to 
 retreat to York, where he was con- 
 strained, by the few sound and sober- 
 minded that yet hovered around him, 
 to try the effect of another negotiation 
 with his insulted and indignant sub- 
 jects. But as all the things which 
 hence ensued are mingled with tho 
 acts of perfidy and aggression by 
 which, under the disastrous infiuenco 
 of the fortunes of his doomed an4 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 115 
 
 guilty race, ho drew down the ven- 
 gcuiico of his Englisli subjects, it 
 Avould lend mo far from this house- 
 hold memorial to enter more ;iL larf,'o 
 on circuni.stiuices so notour, tiiouj;h 
 they have been strangely palliated by 
 the supple spirit of latter times, es- 
 pecially by the sordid courtliness of 
 the crafty Clarendon. I shall there- 
 fore! skip the main passages of public 
 affairs, and hasten forward to the time 
 •when I became myself enlisted on the 
 side of our national liberties, briefly, 
 however, noticing, as 1 proceed, that 
 after the peace which was concluded 
 at Kipon my father and my live 
 brothers came home. None of them 
 received any hurt in battle ; but in 
 the course of the winter the old man 
 was visited with a great income of 
 j)ain8 find aches, in so much that, for 
 the remainder of his days, he was little 
 able to endure fatigue or hardship of 
 any kind ; my second brotlusr, Hobin, 
 was therefore called from his trade in 
 Glasgow to look after the mailing, for 
 I was still owre young to bo of any 
 effectual service ; Alexander continued 
 a bonnet-maker at Kilmarnock ; but 
 Michael, AVilliam, and Jacob, joined 
 and fought with the forces that won 
 tho mournful triumph of Marstou- 
 moor, where fifty thousand subjects 
 of the same King and laws contended 
 with one another, and where the Lord, 
 by showing himself on the side of the 
 people, gave a dreadful admonition to 
 the Government to recant and con- 
 ciliate while there was yet time. 
 
 Meanwhile the worthy Mr Swinton, 
 having observed in me a curiosity 
 towards books of history and piety, 
 had taken great pains to instruct me 
 in the rights and truths of relMon, 
 and to make it manifest alike to the 
 civca and eyes of my understanding, 
 that no human .luthority could, or 
 ought to, dictate in matters of faith, 
 beeaiiso it could not discern tho 
 eecreta pf the brejist, i^either know 
 
 what was acceptable to Heaven in 
 conduct or in worship. lie likewise 
 expounded to me in what manner tho 
 Covenant was not a temporal but a 
 spiritual league, trenching in no re- 
 spect upon the ujitural and contributed 
 autiiority of the kingly office. But, 
 owing to the infirm state of my father's 
 health, neither my brother Kobin nor 
 I could bo fipared from the farm, in 
 any of the different raids that ger- 
 minated out of the King's controversy 
 with the English parliament ; so that 
 in the whigamoro expedition, as it 
 was profanely nicknamed, from our 
 shire, with the covenanted Earls of 
 Cassilis and Eglinton, wo had no 
 personality, though our hearts went 
 with those that were therein. 
 
 \^'hen, however, the hideous tid- 
 ings came of the condenination and 
 execution of the King, there M'as a 
 stop in the current of men's minds, 
 and as the waters of Jordan when tho 
 ark was carried in, rushed back to 
 their fountain-head, every true Scot 
 on that occasion felt in his heart the 
 ancient affections of his nature re- 
 turning with a compassionate horror. 
 Yet even in this they were true to the 
 Covenant ; for it was not to be hidden 
 that the English Parliament, in doing 
 what it did in that tragical event, Avas 
 guided by a speculative spirit of po- 
 litical innovation and change, different 
 and distinct, both in principle and 
 object, from the cause which made 
 our Scottish Covenanters have re- 
 course to arms. In truth, the act of 
 bringing kings to public condign 
 punishment was no such new thing 
 in the chronicles of Scotland, as that 
 brave historian, George Buchanan, 
 plainly shows, to have fdlcd us with 
 sucii amazement and affright, had the 
 offences of King Charles been proven 
 as clearly personal, as the crimes for 
 which the ancient tyrants of his pedi- 
 gree suffered the death : — but hia 
 offences were shared with hia coun- 
 
116 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 lii 
 
 sellors, whose duty it was to have 
 bridled his arbitrary pretensions, lie 
 was in consequence mourned as a 
 victim, and liis son, the second 
 Cli.'irlc'S, at onco proclaimed and 
 acknowledged King of Scotland. 
 How ho deported himself in that 
 capacity, and what gratitude ho and 
 his brother showed the land for its 
 faith and loyalty in tho wreck and 
 desperation of their royal fortunes, 
 with a firm and a fearless pea I now 
 purpose to show. But as tho tale of 
 their persecutions is ravelled with tho 
 sorrows and tho suiferings of my 
 friends and neighbours, and the darker 
 tissue of my own woes, it is needful, 
 before proceeding therein, that I 
 should entreat the indulgence of tlie 
 courteous reader to allow a few short 
 
 t)assages of my private life now to be 
 lerc recorded. 
 
 Some time before the news of King 
 Charles' execution readied us in the 
 West, the day had been set for my 
 marriage with Sarah Lochrig ; but the 
 fear and consternation which the tid- 
 ings bred in all minds, many dreading 
 that the event would be followed by 
 a total breaking up of the union and 
 frame of society, made us consent to 
 defer our happiness till wo saw what 
 was ordained to come to pass. 
 
 When, however, it was seen and 
 felt that the dreadful beheading of an 
 anointed monarch as a malefactor, 
 had scarcely more effect upon the 
 tides of the time than the death of a 
 sparrow, — and that men were called 
 as usual to their daily tasks and toils, 
 — and that all things moved onward 
 in their accustomed courses, — and 
 that laws and jurisdictions, and all 
 the wonted pacts and processes of 
 community between man and man, 
 suffered neither molestation nor hind- 
 rance, godly Mr Swinton bestowed 
 his blessing on our marriage, and our 
 friends their joyous countenance at 
 the wedding feast. 
 
 My lot was then full of felicity, 
 and I had no wish to wander beyond 
 the green valley where we established 
 our peaceful dwelling. It was in a 
 lown holm of tho (Jarnock, on tho 
 lands of (iuharist, a portion of which 
 my father gave mo in tack ; and 
 Sarah's father likewise bestowed on 
 us seven rigs, and a cow's grass of 
 his own mailing, for her tocher, as tho 
 beginning of a plenishment to our 
 young fortunes. Still, like all tho 
 neighbours, I was deeply concerned 
 about what was going on in the far- 
 off world of conflicts and negotia- 
 tions ; and this was not out of an 
 idle tliirst of curiosity, but from an 
 interest mingled with sorrows and 
 affections ; for, after tlie campaign in 
 England, my three brothers, Michael, 
 William, and Alexander, never domi- 
 ciled themselves at any civil calling 
 Having caught the roving spiri: of 
 camps, they remained in the skirts of 
 the array which the covenanted Lords 
 of Edinburgh continued to maintain ; 
 and here, poor lads ! I may digress a 
 little, to record the brief memorials 
 of their several unhappy fates. 
 
 When King Charles tho Second, 
 after accepting and being sworn to 
 abide by the Covenant, was brought 
 home, and the crown of his ancient 
 p ogenitors placed upon his head at 
 bcoone, by the hands of the Marquis 
 of Argyle, in the presence of the 
 great and godly Covenanters, my 
 brothers went in the army that he 
 took with him into England. Michael 
 was slain at the battle of Worcester, 
 by the side of Sir John Shaw of 
 Greenock, who carried that day tho 
 royal banner. Alexander was wounded 
 in the same fight, and left upon tho 
 field, where he was found next morn- 
 ing by the charitable inhabitants of 
 the city, and carried to the house of a 
 loyal gentlewoman, one Mrs Deer- 
 hurst, that treated him with much 
 tenderness ; but after languishing in 
 
RINOAN GILHATZE. 
 
 117 
 
 npony, na sho hcraclf wrote to my 
 fallicr, ho departed this lifo on tho 
 third day. 
 
 Of William I have sometimes 
 wished that I had never heard more ; 
 for after tlio adversity of that day, it 
 would seem ho forgot tho Covenant 
 and his fatiier's house. Kitchio Mini- 
 ^'!iff, an old servant of tho Lord 
 Eglinton's, when tho Earl his master 
 was Cromwell's prisoner in the Tower 
 of London, saw him there among tho 
 guard, and scmo years after tho 
 Kestoration he met him again among 
 tho King's yeomen at AVestminster, 
 about tho time of tho beginning of 
 the persecution. But Willy then 
 begged Ilitclue,with tho tear in his eye, 
 no to tell his father ; nor was ever the 
 old man's heart pierced with tho 
 anguish which tho thought of such 
 backsliding would have causcd,though 
 he often wondered to us at homo, 
 with the anxiety of a parent's wonder, 
 what could have become of blithe 
 light-hearted Willy. No doubt he 
 died in tho servitude of the faithless 
 tyrant ; but the storm that fell among 
 us, soon after Ritchie had told me of 
 his unfortunate condition, left lis 
 neither time nor opportut.ity to in- 
 quire about any distant friend. But 
 to return to my own story. 
 
 From my marriage till the perse- 
 cution beg.an, I took no part in tho 
 agitations of the times. It is true, 
 after the discovery of Charles Stuart's 
 perfidious policy, so like his father's, 
 in corresponding with the I^Iarquis of 
 Montrose for the subjection of Scot- 
 land by the tyranny of tho sword, at 
 the very time ho was covenanting with 
 the commissioners sent from the Lords 
 at Edinburgh with tho ofTer of the 
 throne of his ancestors, that with my 
 father and my brothei- Robin, together 
 with many of our neighbours, I did 
 sign the Remonstrance against making 
 a prince of such a treacherous and 
 unprincipled nature king. But in that 
 
 we only delivered reasons and opinioni 
 on a matter of temporal expediency; 
 for it was an instrument that neither 
 contained or implied obligation to arm; 
 indeed our doportiiient bore testimony 
 to this explanation of tho spirit ia 
 which it was conceived and under- 
 stood. For when the prince had 
 received the crown and accepted tho 
 Covenant, wo submitted ourselves as 
 good subjects. Fearing (iod, wo were 
 content to honour in all rights and 
 prerogatives, not contrary to Scrip- 
 ture, him whom, by His grace in tho 
 mysteries of His wisdom. He had, for 
 our manifold sins as a nation and a 
 people, been pleased to ordain and set 
 over us for king. And verily no better 
 test of our sincerity could be, than tho 
 distrust with which our whole country- 
 side was respected by Oliver Crom- 
 well, when lie thought it necessary to 
 build that stronghold at Ayr, by which 
 his Englishers were enabled to hold 
 tho men of Carrick, Kyle, and Cun- 
 ningham in awe, — a race that, from 
 the days of Sir William Wallace and 
 King Robert the Bruce, have ever 
 been found honest in principle, brave 
 in affection, and dauntless and doure 
 in battle. But it is not necessary to 
 say more on this head ; for full of 
 griefs and grudges as wore tlie hearts 
 of all true Scots, with the thought of 
 their country in southern thraldom, 
 while Cromwell's Englishers held the 
 upper hand amongst us, t!ie season of 
 their dominion was to mo and my 
 house as a lown and pleasant spring. 
 All around me was bud and blossom 
 and juvenility, and gladness, and hope. 
 My lot was i\a the lot of the blessed 
 man. I ate of the labour of my hands, 
 I was happy, and it was well with me ; 
 my wife, as the fruitful vino that 
 spreads its clusters on the wall, made 
 my lowly dwelling more beautiful to 
 the eye of the heart tlian the golden 
 palaces of crowned kings, and our 
 pretty bairns were like olive plants 
 
lis 
 
 KINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 round about my table ; — but they are 
 all gone. The flood and flame have 
 passed over them ; — yet be still, my 
 heart : a little while endure in silence : 
 for I have not taken up the avenging 
 pen of history, and dipped it in tlie 
 blood of martyrs, to record only my 
 own particular woes and wrongs. 
 
 It has been seen, by what I have 
 told concerning the part my grand- 
 fatlicr had in the great work of the 
 Ileformation, that the heads of the 
 house of Argyle were among the fore- 
 most and the firmest friends of the 
 resuscitated Evangil. The aged Earl 
 of that time was in the very front of 
 the controversy as one of the Lords of 
 the Congregation ; and though his 
 son, the Lord of Lorn, hovered for a 
 season, like other young men of his 
 degree, in the purlieus and preciucts 
 of the Lady Regent's court, yet when 
 lier papistical counsels broke the pac- 
 tion with the Protestants at Pertii, I 
 have rehearsed how he, being then 
 possessed of the inhei-itance of his 
 father's dignities, did, with the bravery 
 becoming liis blood and station, re- 
 monstrate witli lier Iligliness against 
 such im])olitic craft and perfidy, and, 
 along with the Lord James Stuart, 
 utterljt eschew lier presence and 
 mctliod of government. 
 
 After the return of Queen Mary 
 from France, and while she manifested 
 a respect for the rights of her cove- 
 nanted people, that worthy Earl was 
 among her best friends; and even 
 after the dismal doings that led to her 
 captivity in Lochleven Castle, and 
 thence to the battle of Langside, he 
 still juted tlie part of a true noble- 
 man to a sovereign so fickle and so 
 faithU'f-s. "Whether he rued on tlie 
 field that iie had done so, or was 
 smitten with an infirmity that pre- 
 vented him from fighting against liis 
 old friend an<l covenanted brother, 
 the good Regent Murray, belongs not 
 to tlua history to iuc][uire ; but certain 
 
 it is, that in him the Protestant prin- 
 ciples of his honourable house suf- 
 fered no dilapidation ; and in the per- 
 son of his grandson, the first marquis 
 of the name, they were stoutly 
 asserted and maintained. 
 
 When the first Charles, and Laud, 
 that ravenous Arminiiui Anticlirist, 
 attempted to subvert and abrogate 
 the Presbyterian gospel Avorsliip, not 
 only did the marquis stand forth in the 
 van of the Covenanters to stay the 
 religious oppression then meditated 
 against his native land, but laboured 
 with all becoming earnestness to 
 avert the pestilence of civil war. In 
 that doubtless Argyle offended tho 
 false counsellors about the King ; but 
 when the English Parliament, with a 
 Lawless arrogance, struck off the head 
 of the miscounselled and bigoted 
 monarch, faithful to his covenants and 
 tlie loyalty of his race, tlie Marquis 
 was amongst the foremost of the 
 Scottish nobles to proclaim the Prince 
 of Wales king. With his own liands 
 he placed on Charles the Second's 
 head the aiicient diadem of Scotland. 
 Surely it niiglic tiierufore have been 
 supposed, that all previous offence 
 against tiie royal family was forgotten 
 and forgiven ; yea, when it is con- 
 sidered that General Monk himself, 
 the boldest in the cause of Cromwell's 
 usurpation, was rewarded with a 
 dukedom in England for doing no 
 more for the king there than Argyle 
 had done for him before in greater 
 peril here, it could not have entered 
 into the imagination of Christian 
 men, tliat Argyle, for only submitting 
 like a private subject to the same 
 usurped autliority when it had become 
 siii)reme, would, after the Restoration, 
 be brought to the block. Hut it was 
 so; and though the inachinations of 
 political enemies converted that Hub- 
 mission into treasons to excuse their 
 own crime, yet there was not an 
 houest mau iu all iha realm that did 
 
BINGAN GILfiAlZE. 
 
 119 
 
 not sec in the doom of Argylo a dis- 
 mal onion of the cloud and storm 
 wliich so soon after burst upon our 
 rolijjious liberties. 
 
 i'sissing, liowcver, by all those 
 afllictions wliicii took the colour of 
 pulitical animosities, I Iiasten to speak 
 of the proceedings which, from the 
 hour of the Restoration, were hatched 
 for the revival of tlie prelatie oppres- 
 .Mon. The tyranny of the Stuarts is 
 indued of so fell a nature, tliat, having 
 once tasted of blood in any cause, it 
 will return again and again, however 
 so often baffled, till it has either de- 
 voured its prey, or been itself mas- 
 tered : and so it showed in this 
 instance. For regardless of those 
 troubles which the attempt of the 
 first (.'iiarles to exercise an authority 
 in si)iritual tilings beyond the rights 
 of ail earthly sovereignty caused to 
 the realm and to himself, the second 
 no sooner felt the sceptre in his grip, 
 than I,-,) returned to the same 
 enormities; and lie found a fit in- 
 strument in James Siiarp, who, in 
 contempt of the wrath of (iod. sold 
 himself to Antichrist for the prelacy 
 of St Andrews. 
 
 But it \v;\H not among the tambitious 
 and mercenary members of the clergy 
 that tliu evidences of a baekslidi'ig 
 generation were alone to by seen ; 
 many of the people, nobles, and 
 magistrateJi, were infected witli the 
 sin of the fiamc reprobation ; and in 
 verity, it might have been said of the 
 reahn, that the restoration of King 
 Charles the Second was hailed as an 
 advent ordained to make men forget 
 all vows, sobriety, and solenuiities. 
 It in, however, something to be said 
 in commendation of the constancy of 
 mind ami princ'i[)le of our West- 
 country folk, that the immorality of 
 that (h'unken loyalty was less outra- 
 geous and offensive to God and man 
 amonjT them, and that altiiough we 
 did eubuiit, and were commuudud to 
 
 commemorate" the anniversary of the 
 King's restoration, it was nevertheless 
 done with humiliation and anxiety of 
 spirit. But a vain thing it would be 
 of me to attempt to tell tlie heartburn- 
 ing with which Ave heard of the man- 
 ner that the Covenant, and of all 
 things whi'.h had bee'; hallowed and 
 honourable to religious Scotland, Avere 
 treated in the town of LithgoAV on 
 that occasion, filtiiough all of my 
 grandfather's stock knew that from of 
 old it was a seat and sink of syco- 
 phancy, alien to holiness, and prono 
 to lick the dust aneath the feet of 
 Avhomsoever ministered to the corrup- 
 tion abiding there. 
 
 Had the general inebriation of the 
 kingdom been confined only to such 
 mockers as the papistical progeny of 
 the unregencrate town of LithgoAv, 
 Ave might perhaps have only grieved 
 at the wantonness of the Avorld ; but 
 they Avere soon followed by more 
 palpable enormities. ^liddleton, tlio 
 King's commissioner, coming on a 
 jirogrcss to Glas^gow. held a council 
 of state there, at Avhieh Avas present 
 the apostate Fairfoul, Avho had been 
 shortly before nominated Archbisiiop 
 of tiiat city ; and at his Avicked incite- 
 ment, Middleton, in a fit of actual 
 intoxication from strong drink, let 
 loose the bloodhounds of persecution 
 by that memorable act of council 
 which bear,', the date of the 1st of 
 October, 1GG2 — an anniversary that 
 ought ever to be held as a solemn fast 
 in Scotland, if such things miglit be, 
 for by it all the ministers that had 
 received Gospel ordination from and 
 after the year forty-nine, and avIio still 
 refused to bow the knee to Baal, Avero 
 banished, Avith their families, from 
 their kirks and manses. 
 
 But to understand in Avhat Avay 
 that Avicked act, and the blood-caus- 
 ing ])roelamatiou Avhich ensued, came 
 to take effect, it is needful, befun; 
 proceeding to the recital, to bid tlu 
 
1^ 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 courteous reader remember the preach- 
 ing of the doctrine of passive obe- 
 dience by our time-servinsf pastor, Mr 
 Sundrum, and how the kirk was de- 
 serted on that occasion ; because, after 
 his death, which huppenod in the 
 forty-nine, godly Mr Swinton became 
 our chosen pastor, and being placed 
 and inducted according to the apos- 
 tolic ordination of Presbytery, fell of 
 course, like many of his Gospel 
 brethren, under the ban of the afore- 
 said proclamation, of which some im- 
 perfect sough and rumour reached us 
 on the Friday after it was framed. 
 
 At first the particulars were not 
 known, for it was described as the 
 muttering of unclean spirits against 
 the purity of the Truth ; but the 
 tidingB startled us like the growl of 
 some unknown and dreadful thing, 
 and I dreamt that night of my grand- 
 father, with his white hair and the 
 comely venerableness of his great age, 
 appearing pale and sorrowful in a 
 field before me, and pointing with a 
 hand of streaming light to horsemen, 
 and chariots, and armies with banners, 
 waving together on the distant hills. 
 
 Saturday was then the market-day 
 at Irvine ; and though I had but little 
 business there, I yet went in with my 
 brother Robin, chiefly to hear the talk 
 of the town. In this I but partook of 
 the common sympathy of the whole 
 counlxy-side; for, on entering the 
 town-end port, we found the con- 
 course of people there assembled little 
 short of the crowd at Marymas Fair, 
 and all eager to learn what the council 
 held at Glasizow had done ; but no 
 one could tell. Only it was known 
 that the Earl of Eglintoii. who had 
 been present at the council, was re- 
 turned homo to the castle, and that he 
 had sent for the Provost that morning 
 on very urgent business. 
 
 While wo were thus all speaking 
 and marvelling one with another, a 
 cry got up that a band of soldiers 
 
 was coming into the town from Ayr, 
 the report of which, for the space of 
 several minutes, struck every one with 
 awe and apprehension. And scarcely 
 had the sough of this passed over us, 
 when it was told tliat the ])rovo3t 
 had privately returned from Kgliuton 
 Castle by the (iailows-knowes to the 
 backsides, and tliat he had sent for 
 the minister and the bailies, with 
 others of the council, to meet him in 
 the clerk's chamber. 
 
 No one wist what the moaning of 
 such movements and mysteries could 
 be ; but all boded danger to the fold 
 and flock, none doubting that the 
 wolves of Episcopalian covetousness 
 were hungering and thirsting for the 
 blood of the covenanted lambs. Nor 
 were we long left to our guesses, for, 
 soon after the magistrates and the 
 minister had met, a copy of tlit pro- 
 clamation of the council hold at Glas- 
 gow was put upon the tolbootli door, 
 by which it was manifested to every 
 eye that the fences of the vineyard 
 were indeed broken down, and that 
 the boar was let in and wrathfuUy 
 trampling down and laying Avastc. 
 
 CIIAPTER XVI. 
 
 TiiK proclamation was a stunning 
 blow on the forehead of the Cove- 
 nanters, and for the next two Sab- 
 baths Mr Swinton was plainly in 
 praj'or a weighed down and sorrow- 
 ful-hearted man, but he said nothing 
 in liis discourses that particularly 
 affected the marrow of that borc and 
 solemn business. On the Friday 
 night, however, before the last Lord's 
 day of that black October, he sent for 
 my brother, who was one of his elders, 
 and told him tliat lie had reueivod a 
 mandatory for conformity to the pro- 
 clamation, and to acknowledge the 
 prelatic reprobation that the King's 
 government had introduced into the 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 121 
 
 church ; but that it wns hia inten- 
 tion, strengthened of tlie Lord, to 
 adhere to his vows and covenants, 
 even to the uttermost, and not to 
 quit his flock, liappen what Avould. 
 
 "Tlie ])eild of the kirk and the 
 manse," said he, " being teniporahties, 
 are aneatli the power and regulation 
 of the eartldy monarch ; but in the 
 things tliat pertain to the allegiance 1 
 owe to the King of kings, I will act, 
 with his heartening, the part of a true 
 and loyal vassal." 
 
 Tliis determination being known 
 throughout the parish, and the first of 
 November being the last day allowed 
 for conforming, on the Sabbath pre- 
 ceding we had a throng kirk and a 
 solemneezed congregation. Accord- 
 ing to their wonted custom, the men, 
 before the hour of worship, assembled 
 in the ki'-k-yard, and there was much 
 nuirmuring and marvelling among us, 
 that nobody ill all the land would 
 stand forth to renew the Covenant, 
 as was done in the year thirty-eight ; 
 and we looked around and beheld the 
 green graves of many friends that had 
 died since the great day of the cove- 
 nanting, and we were ashamed of our- 
 selves and of our time, and mourned 
 for the loss of the brave spirits which, 
 in the darkness of His mysterious 
 wisdom, tlie Lord had taken away. 
 
 'J'he weather, for the season, was 
 bright and dry; and the withered leaf 
 still hung liei'e and there on the tree, 
 so that old and young, the infirm and 
 the tender, could come .abroad ; and 
 many that had been bed-rid Avere sup- 
 ported along by their relations to 
 hear the word of Truth, for the last 
 time, preached in the iiouse of God. 
 
 i\Ir Swinton came, followed by his 
 wife and family. He was, by this time, 
 a man well stricken in years, but Mrs 
 .Swinton was of a younger genera- 
 tion ; and they had seven children, — 
 ]Martha, the eldest, a fine lassie, was 
 not passing fourteen years of age. As 
 
 they c£ime slowly up the kirk-stile, 
 we all remarked that the godly man 
 never lifted his eyes from the ground, 
 but came along perusing, as it were, 
 the very eartii for consolation. 
 
 Tlse private door which, at that 
 epoch, led to the minister's seat and 
 the pulpit was near to where the bell- 
 rope hung on the outer wall, and as 
 the family Avent towards it, one of the 
 ciders stepped from the plate at the 
 main door to open it. But after Mrs 
 Swinton and the children had gone 
 in, the minister, who always stopped 
 till they had done so, instead of then 
 following, paused and looked up with 
 a compassionate aspect, and laying 
 his hand on the shoulders of old 
 Willy Shackle, who was ringing the 
 bell, he said — 
 
 " Stop, my auld frien',— they that 
 in this parish need a bell this day to 
 call them to the service of their Ma- 
 ker winna come on the summons o* 
 yours." 
 
 He then walked in ; and the old 
 man, greatly affected, mounted the 
 stool, and tied up the rope to the ring 
 in the wall in his usual manner, that 
 it might be out of the reach of the 
 school weans. " But," said he, as he 
 came down, " I needna fash ; for af- 
 ter this day little care I wha rings the 
 bell ; since it's to be consecrat to the 
 wantonings o' prelacy, I wis the 
 tongue wiis out o' its mouth and its 
 head cracket, rather than that I 
 should live to see't in the service of 
 Baal and the whore o' Babylon." 
 
 After all the congregation had ta- 
 ken tiieir seats, Mr Swinton rose and 
 moved towards the front of the pulpit, 
 and t!i(' silence in the church was as 
 the silence at the martyrdom of some 
 holy martyr. He then opened THE 
 Book, and having given out the 
 ninety-fourth Psalm, we sang it with 
 weeping souls ; and during the prayer 
 that followed there was much sob- 
 bing and lamentations, and an uui- 
 
12^ 
 
 illNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 vorsal sorrow. His discourse was 
 from the fifth chapter of the Liuneu- 
 tatioiis of Jereiiiiali, verse first, and 
 first clause of the verse; and witli the 
 tongue of a prophet, and tlie voice of 
 an apostle, he foretold, as things al- 
 ready written in tlie chronicles of the 
 kiiig<loni, many of those sufferings 
 v'liieh afterwards came to pass. It 
 was a sermon that settled into the 
 bottom of the hearts of all that heard 
 it, and prepared us for the woes of 
 the vial that was then ]iouring out. 
 
 At the close of the discourse, when 
 the precentor rose to read the re- 
 membering prayer, old Ebenezer 
 Muir, then upwards of fourscore and 
 thirteen, who had been brought into 
 the church on a barrow by two of his 
 grandsons, and was, for reason of his 
 deafness, in the bench with the elders, 
 gave him a paper, which, after re- 
 hearsing tlic names of those in dis- 
 tress and sickness, he road, and it 
 was "The persecuted kirk of Scot- 
 land." 
 
 "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem! 
 let my right hand forget her cun- 
 ning,'" cried Mr Swinton at the words, 
 witli an inspiration that made every 
 lieart dirl ; and surely never was sueh 
 a prayer heard as tluit with which he 
 followed up the divine words. 
 
 Then we sang the hundred and 
 fortieth Psnlm, at the conclusion of 
 which the minister came again to the 
 front of the pulpit, and with a calm 
 voice, attuned to by ordiuaro solem- 
 nity, he pronounced the blessing ; 
 then, suddenly turning himself, he 
 looked down to his family and said, 
 " Tlie foxes have holes, and the birds 
 of the air liave nests; but the Son of 
 man hath not where to lay his head." 
 And he covered his face with his 
 iiands. and sat down and wept. 
 
 Never shall I forget the sound 
 which rose at that sight. It was not 
 a cry of woe ; neither was it the howl 
 of despair, nor the sob of sorrow, nor 
 
 the gurl of wrath, nor the moan of 
 anguish, but a deep and dreadful 
 rustling of hearts and spirits, as if the 
 angel of desolation, in passing by, had 
 shaken all his wings. 
 
 The kirk then began to skail ; and 
 when the minister and his family camo 
 out into the kirk-yard, all the heads 
 of families present, moved by some 
 sacred instinct from on higli, followed 
 them with one accord to tlie manse, 
 like friends at a burial, where we told 
 them, that whatever the Lord was 
 pleased to allow to ourselves, a por- 
 tion would be set apart for his ser- 
 vant. I was the spokesman on that 
 occasion, and verily do I think that, 
 as I said the words, a glorious light 
 shone around me, and that I felt a 
 fanning of the inward life, as if the 
 young cherubims were present among 
 us, and fluttering their wings with :v.^ 
 exceeding great joy at the piety of our 
 kind intents. 
 
 So passed that memorable Sabbath 
 in our parish ; and here I may relate, 
 that we had the satisfaction and com- 
 fort to know, in a little time thereafter, 
 that the same Christian faitiifulness 
 with which Mr Swinton adhered to 
 his gospel trusts and character, was 
 maintained on that day by more than 
 three hundred other nuuisters, to the 
 perpetual renown of our national 
 worth and covenanted cause. And 
 therefore, though it was an era of 
 much sorrow and of many tears, it 
 was thus, through the mysterious ways 
 of Providence, converted into a ground 
 of confidence in our religion, in so 
 much that it may be truly said, out of 
 tlie ruins and the overthrow of the 
 first rresbyterian Church the Lord 
 built uji among us a stronghold and 
 sanctuary for his truth and Inw. 
 
 Nothing particular happened till 
 the second week of November, when 
 a citation camo from Irvine, com- 
 manding the attendance of ^Mr Swin- 
 ton, on a suffragan of Fairfoul'a, 
 
llINGAN GILHATZU. 
 
 m 
 
 till 
 
 under the penalties of tlic proclama- 
 tiuii. In the meuntimc wo had been 
 preparing for the event ; and my 
 i'utlier having been some time no 
 more, and my brother witii his family 
 in a house of their own, it was settled 
 between him and me, that I should 
 take our motlier into mine, in order 
 that the beild of (iuharist might be 
 given up to the minister and his 
 houseless little ones; which all our 
 neighbours much commended ; and 
 there was no slackness on their part 
 in making a provision to supply tlio 
 want of his impounded stipend. 
 
 As all had foreseen, Mr Swiutou, 
 for not appearing to the citation, was 
 pronounced a non-conformist; and the 
 same night, after dusk, a party of the 
 soldiers, that were marched from Ayr 
 into Ir^'ine on the day of the pro- 
 clamation, came to drive him out of 
 the manse. 
 
 There was surely in this a needless 
 and cxasj)erating severity, for the light 
 of day might have served as well; but 
 th(^ men were not to blame, and the 
 officer who came with tliem. having 
 himself been tried in the battles of tlie 
 Covenant, and being of a humane 
 spirit, was as meek and compassion- 
 ate in his tyrannical duty as could 
 reasonably be hoped for. lie allowed 
 ]\Irs Swiuton to take away her clothes, 
 and the babies, that were asleep in 
 their beds, time to be awakmed and 
 dressed, nor did he object to their old 
 ploughman, Kobin Harrow, taking 
 sundry articles of provision for their 
 next morning's repast; so that, com- 
 pared with the riots and rami)ageous 
 insolence of the troopers in other 
 places, we had great reason to be 
 thankful for the tenderness with which 
 our minister and his small family of 
 Seven children were treated on that 
 memorable night. 
 
 It was about eight o'clock when 
 Martha, the eldest daughter, came 
 flying to me like a demeuted creature, 
 
 crying the persecutors were come, with 
 naked swords and dreadful faces, and 
 she wept and wrung her hands, think- 
 ing they were then nnirdering her 
 parents and brothers and sisters. I 
 did, however, all that was in my power 
 to pacify her, saying, our lots were 
 not yet laid in blood, and, leaving her 
 to the consolatory counsellings of my 
 wife, I put on my bonnet, and has- 
 tened over to the manse. 
 
 The night was troubled and gusty 
 The moon was in her first quarter, 
 and wading dim and low through the 
 clouds on the Arran hills. Afar off, 
 the bars of Ayr, in their roaring, 
 boded a storm, and the stars were 
 rushing through a swift and showery 
 south-west carry. The wind, as it 
 hissed over the stubble, sounded like 
 the wliisperings of desolation ; and I 
 was thrice startled in my walk by 
 passing shapes and shadows, whereof 
 I could not discern the form. 
 
 At a short distance from the manse 
 door I met the godly sufferer and his 
 destitute family, with his second 
 youngest child in his arms. Mrs 
 Swinton had their baby at her bosom, 
 and the other four i)oor, terrified, 
 helpless creatures were hirpliug at 
 their sides, holding them by the 
 skirts, mid often looking round in 
 terror, dreading the persecutors, by 
 whom they were in that dismal and 
 inclement night so ciist u^iou the 
 mercy of the elements. But He that 
 tempers the wind to the shorn lamb 
 was their protector. 
 
 "You see, Kingan Gilhaizo," said 
 the minister, " how it fares with tliem 
 in this world whose principles are at 
 variance with the pretensions of man. 
 But wo are mereifnlly dealt by — a 
 rougher manner and a harder heart, 
 in the age it of ])ersecution that has 
 driven us from house and home, I 
 had laid my account for ; therefore, 
 even in tliis dispensation, I can 
 SCO the gcutio baud of a gracious 
 
m 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 T>'>.:^ter, and I bow the head of 
 thankfulness." 
 
 While we were tlms speaking and 
 ■walking towards Quharist, several of 
 the neighbours, who had likewise 
 heard the alarm of Avhat had thus come 
 to pass, joined us on the way, and I felt 
 within myself that it was a proud 
 thing to be able to give refuge and 
 asylum to an aged Gospel minister 
 and his family in such a time and on 
 such a night. 
 
 We had not been long in the house 
 when a great concourse of his friends 
 and people gathered around, and 
 among others Nahum Chapelrig, who 
 had been some time his father's suc- 
 cessor in the school. But all present 
 were molested and angry with him, 
 for he came in battle array, with the 
 Bword and gun that he had carried in 
 the raids of the civil war, and was 
 bragging of valorous things then 
 needful to be done. 
 
 " Nahum Chapelrig," said the 
 Worthy to him with severity, " this is 
 no conduct for the occasion. It would 
 hae been a black day for Scotland had 
 her cliildren covenanted themselves 
 for temporal things. No, Nahum ; if 
 the prelatic reprobation now at- 
 tempted on the kirk gang nae farther 
 than outing her ministers from their 
 kirks and manses, it maun be tholet ; 
 so look to it, that ye give not the ad- 
 versary cause to reproach us with 
 longing for the flesh-pots of Egypt 
 when we are free to taste of the hea- 
 venly manna. I rcdde ye, therefore, 
 ahum Chapelrig, before these wit- 
 nesses, to unbuckle that belt of war, 
 and lay down thae weapons of offence. 
 The time of the shield and banner 
 may come owre .«oon upon us. Let 
 us not provoke t!ic smitcr, lest he 
 draw his sword against us, and have 
 law and reason on his side. There- 
 fore, I say unto thee, Peter, put up 
 thy sword." 
 
 The zealous dominie, being thus 
 
 timeously rebuked, unharnessed him- 
 self, and the minister having returned 
 thanks for the softness with which 
 the oppression was let down upon 
 him, and for the pious affection of 
 his people, we returned home to our 
 respective dwellings. 
 
 But though by this Christian sub- 
 mission the power of cruelty was at 
 that time rendered innocent towards 
 all those who did as Mr Swinton had 
 done, we were, nevertheless, not al- 
 lowed to remain long unvisited by 
 another swirl of the rising storm. 
 Before the year was out, Fairfoul, 
 the Glasgow antichrist, sent upon us 
 one of the class that prelacy was then 
 so fast adopting for her sons and 
 heirs. A lang, thin, bare lad he was, 
 that had gotten some spoonful or two 
 of pagan philosophy at college, but 
 never a solid meal of learning, nor, 
 were we to judge by his greedy gap- 
 
 ing, even 
 
 a satisfactory meal of 
 victuals. His name was Andrew 
 Dornock ; and, poor fellow, being 
 eschewed among us on account of his 
 spiritual leprosy, he drew up with 
 divers loose characters, that were nae 
 overly nice of their company. 
 
 1'his made us dislike him moro 
 and more, in so much, that, like others 
 of his nature and calling, he made 
 sore and secret complaint«« of his 
 parishioners to his mitred master ; re- 
 presenting, for aught I ken to the 
 contrary, that, instead of believing 
 tlie Gospel according to Charles 
 Stuart, we preferred that of certain 
 four persons, called Matthew, Mark, 
 Li ke, and Joim, of whom, it may bo 
 doubted, if he, poor man, knew moro 
 of tiian the names. But be tiiat as it 
 may, to a surety he did grievously 
 yell and cry, because we preferred 
 listening to the Gospel melody of 
 JNIr Swinton under a tree to his feck- 
 less havers in the kuk ; as if it was 
 nae a more glorious thing to worship 
 God in the freedom and presence of 
 
EINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 125 
 
 re- 
 the 
 
 universal Nature, beneath the canopy 
 of all the heavens, than to bow the 
 head in the fetters of episcopal bond- 
 age below tlie stoury rafters of an 
 auld bifjging, such as our kirk was, 
 a perfect howf of cloks and spiders. 
 Indeed, for that matter, it was said 
 tliat the only sensible thing Andrew 
 Dornock ever uttered from the pulpit 
 was, when lie first rose to speak 
 therein, and which was caused by a 
 spider, that just r.t the moment 
 lowered itself down inio his mouth : 
 ♦'() Lord," cried the curate, "we're 
 puzhened wi' speeders ! " 
 
 It niii^'ht have been thou^^ht, con- 
 sidering the poor hand which the pre- 
 latic curates made of it in their en- 
 deavours to preach, that they would 
 have set themselves down content 
 with the stipend, and allowed the 
 flocks to follow their own shepherds 
 in peace ; but their hearts were filled 
 with the bitterness of envy at the 
 siglit of the multitudes that went forth 
 to gather the manna in the fields, and 
 their malice was exasperated to a 
 wonderful pitch of wickedness by the 
 derision and contempt with which 
 they found themselves regarded. I-io 
 one among them all, however, felt this 
 envy and malice more stirring within 
 him, than did the arch-apostate James 
 Sharp ; for the faithfulness of so 
 many ministers was a terror and a re- 
 proach to his conscience and apostacy, 
 and made him labour with an exceed- 
 ing zeal and animosity to extirpate so 
 many evidences of his own religious 
 guilt. Accordingly, by his malignant 
 counsellings, edicts and decrees came 
 out iigainst our t;ibernacle in tlie wil- 
 derness, and under the opprobrious 
 name of conventicles, our holy meet- 
 ings were made prohibited oiTences, 
 and our ministers subjected to pains 
 and penalties, as sowers of sedition. 
 
 It is a marvellous thing to think of 
 the madness with which the minds of 
 those iu authority at that time were 
 
 kindled; first, to create causes of 
 wrong to the con-sciences of the peo- 
 ple, and afterwards to enact laM' • for 
 the natural fruit of that frantic policy. 
 The wanton imposition of the prelatic 
 oppression begat our field preachings, 
 and the attempts to disperse us by tho 
 sword brought on resistance. IJut it 
 belongs not to me and my story to 
 treat of the folly of a race and govern- 
 ment, upon whom a curse was so 
 manifestly pronounced ; I shall there- 
 fore return from this generality to 
 those particulars wherein I was my- 
 self a witness or a sufferer. 
 
 During the greater part of tho 
 year after the banishment of Mr 
 Swinton from the manse and kirk, we 
 met with little molestation ; but from 
 time to time rumours came over us 
 like the first breatliings of the cold 
 blasts in autumn, that forerun tho 
 storms of winter. All thoughts of 
 innocent pastimes and pleasures pas- 
 sed away, like the yellow leaves that 
 fall from the melancholy trees ; and 
 there was a heaviness in the tread, 
 and a solemnity in the look of every 
 one, that showed how widely the 
 shadows of coming woes were dark- 
 ening the minds of men. 
 
 But though the Court of Commis- 
 sion, which the apostate James Sharp 
 procured to bo established for the 
 cognizance of those who refused to 
 acknowledge the prelatic usurpation, 
 was, in its proceedings, guided by as 
 little truth or principle as the Spanish 
 inquisition, the violence and tyranny 
 of its awards fell less on those of my 
 degree than on the gentry; and it 
 was not till tlie drunkard Turner was 
 appointed general of the west coun- 
 try that our personal sufferings began. 
 
 The curates furnished him with 
 lists of recusants; and power haviiig 
 been given unto him to torment on 
 for many days, he was as remorseless 
 as James Sharp's own Court in tho 
 iiues which he levied, and iu eating 
 
126 
 
 RINOAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 tho people lip, by sending his men to 
 live upon them at free quarters, till 
 the fines were paid. 
 
 In our neiglibourhood wo were for 
 some time gently dealt with ; for tho 
 colonel who at Ayr had tiic command 
 under Turner, was of a humane spirit, 
 and for a season, tliough the rumour 
 of the oppressions in Dumfriesshire 
 and Galloway, where tho drunkard 
 himself reigned and ruled, dismayed 
 and troubled us beyond utterance, we 
 wore still permitted to taste of the 
 gospel pastures with our own faithful 
 shepherd. 
 
 But this was a blessing too great 
 in those days to be of a continuance 
 to any flock. The mild and consider- 
 ate gentleman, who had softened the 
 rigour of the prelatic rage, was re- 
 moved from his command, and in his 
 f)lace came certain cruel olKcers, who, 
 ike the serpents that were sent among 
 the children of Israel in the desert, 
 defiled our dwellings, and alllicted 
 many of us even unto death. The 
 change was the more bitterly felt, be- 
 cause it was sudden, and came upon 
 us in an unexpected manner, of which 
 I will here set down some of tho cir- 
 cumstantials. 
 
 According to the usage among us, 
 from the time when Mr Swinton was 
 thrust from the ministry, the parish 
 had assembled, on the third Lord's 
 day of May, in the year 1GG5, under 
 the big sycamore -tree at Zachariah 
 Sraylie's gable, and which has ever 
 since been reverenced by the name of 
 the Poopit Tree. A cart served him 
 for the place of lecture and exhorta- 
 tion; and Zachariah Smylie's daughter, 
 Rebecca Armour, a goiily widow, who 
 resided with him, ha<l, as her custom 
 was in fine weather, ordered and 
 arranged all the stools and chairs in 
 the house, with the milk and washing- 
 boynes upside down, around the cart 
 aa seats for the aged. When tho day 
 was wet or bled(, the worsbi|> was 
 
 held in the barn ; but on this occasion 
 tho morning was lown and tho lift 
 clear, and the natural quietude of tho 
 Sabbath reigned over all the fields. 
 AVc had sung a portion of the p.^alui, 
 and tho harmonious sound of voices 
 and spirits in unison was spreading 
 into the tranquil air, as the pleasant 
 fragrancy of flowers diffuses itself 
 around, and the tune, to which we 
 sung the divine inspiration, was tlie 
 sweet and solemn melody of the 
 Martjrs. 
 
 Scarcely, however, had wo pro- 
 ceeded through tho second verse, 
 when Mr Swinton, who was sitting on 
 a stool in the cart, with his back to 
 tho house, started up, and said, 
 " Christians, dinna be disheartened, 
 but I think I see yonder the glim- 
 merin' of spears coming atweou tho 
 hedges." 
 
 At these words we all rose .nlarmed, 
 and, on looking round, saw ?omo 
 eight or ten soldiers, in the path lead- 
 ing from the high-road, coming to- 
 wards us. The children and several 
 of the women moved to run away, but 
 Mr Swinton rebuked their timerarious 
 fear, and said — 
 
 "01 ye of little faith, wherefore 
 are ye thus dismayed ? Let us put our 
 trust in IJim, who is mightier than all 
 the armies of all the kings of all the 
 earth. We aro here doing homage to 
 Ilim, and He will protect His true 
 vassals and faithful people. In his 
 name, therefore. Christians, I charge 
 you to continue His praises in the 
 psalm ; for in His strength I will, to 
 the end of my intent, this day fulfil 
 tho woixl and tho admonition ; yea, 
 even in the very flouting of tho adver- 
 banner." 
 
 The vehemence of Elijah was in his 
 voice ; wo resumed our former pos- 
 tures ; and he himself leading on the 
 psalm, we began to sing anew in a 
 louder strain, for we were fortified and 
 encouraged hy his hol^ intrepidity. 
 
 sary's 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 127 
 
 c pro- 
 verse, 
 
 ting on 
 
 Jack to 
 enid, 
 
 rtcnod, 
 glim- 
 
 en tho 
 
 No ono moved as it were an eyelid ; 
 the very oliildrcn were steadfast ; and 
 all looked towards the man of God .is 
 lie sat in liis liurablo seat, serene, and 
 more awful tlian ever was Solomon on 
 the royul throne of the golden lions, 
 arrayed in all Iiis f,dory. 
 
 Tiic rough soldiers were struek for 
 a time with amazement at the religious 
 bravery with which the worshipping 
 was continued, and they halted as they 
 drew near, and whispered together, 
 and some of them spoke as if the fear 
 of the Tjord had fallen upon them. 
 During the whole time that we con- 
 tinued singing, they stood as if they 
 durst not venture to disturb us ; but 
 when the psalm was finished, their 
 sergeant called on them to do their 
 duty. 
 
 'I'lio men then advanced, but with 
 one accord we tlirew ourselves in be- 
 tween them and the cart, and cried to 
 Mr ISwinton to make his escape ; he 
 however rose calmly from his seat and 
 said — 
 
 " Soldiers, shed no blood ; let us 
 finish our prayer, — the worst of men 
 after condemnation are suffered to 
 pray, — ye will, therefore, not surely 
 refuse hannless Christians the boon 
 that is alloo't to malefactors. At the 
 conclusion I will go peaceably with j'ou, 
 for we .nre not rebels ; wo yield all 
 bodily obedience to the powers that 
 be, but the upright mind will not bend 
 to any earthly ordinance. Our bodies 
 aro subject to the King's authority, 
 and to you as his serv.ints, if ye de- 
 mand them, wo are ready to deliver 
 them up." 
 
 But the sergeant told him harshly 
 to make haste and come down from 
 the cart. Two of the men tiien went 
 into the house, and brought out the 
 churn and bread and cheese, and with 
 much ribaldry began to eat and drink. 
 In the meantime, Znchariah Sniylie 
 had gone to tho stable and saddled his 
 horse, and Kebeoca Armour had made 
 
 a small providing of provisions for Mr 
 Swinton to take with him to the tol- 
 booth of Irvine ; for thither the sol- 
 diers were intending to carry him that 
 night, in order that he might be sent 
 to Glasgow next day with other suf- 
 ferers. When, however, the Jiorso 
 was brought out, and the godly man 
 was preparing to mount, the sergeant 
 took him by the sleeve, and pulled him 
 back, saying, "The horse is for me." 
 
 Verily at this insult I thought my 
 heart would have leapt out ; and every 
 one present gurled and growled ; but 
 the soldiers laughed at seeing the ser- 
 geant on horseback. Mr Swinton, 
 however, calmly advised us to make 
 no obstacle: " Good," said he, "will 
 come of this, and though for a season 
 we are ordained to tribulation, and to 
 toil through the slough of despond, 
 yet a firm footing and a fair and green 
 path lies in a peaceful land beyond." 
 
 The soldiers then took him away, 
 the blasphemous sergeant riding, like 
 a Merry Andrew, on Zachariah Sniy- 
 lie's horse before them, and almost 
 the whole congregation following with 
 mournful and heavy hearts. 
 
 CIIAPTEK XVII. 
 
 The testimony of tho regard and re- 
 spect which we showed to Mr Swinton 
 in following him to the prison-door 
 was wickedly reported against us as a 
 tumult and a riot, wearing the aspect 
 of rebellion ; and accordingly, on the 
 second day aft( r he was sent from Ir- 
 vine to Glasgow, a gang of Turner's 
 worst troopers came to live at heck 
 and manger among us. None suffered 
 more from those ruthle.'^s men 1 !ian did 
 my brother's house and mine ; for our 
 name was honoured among the true 
 and faithful, and we had committed 
 the unpardonable gin against tho pre- 
 lacy of harbouriug our minister and 
 
128 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 his destitute family, wlien tlioy were 
 driven from tlieir homo iii .1 wild and 
 wintry night. 
 
 We were both, tosfctlicr Avitli okl 
 Zachariah Smylie, fined cacli in a 
 heavy sum. 
 
 Thinking that by paying tlie money 
 down we should rid ourselves and our 
 neighbours of the presence and bur- 
 den of the devouring soldiery, our 
 friends, to enable us, made a gather- 
 ing among them, and brought us the 
 means, for we bad not a sufiiciency of 
 our own. But this, instead of miti- 
 gating the oppression, became a reason 
 with the officer set over us to pcrso- 
 cute us still more ; for he pretended to 
 see in that neighbourliness the evi- 
 dences of a treasonous combination, 
 ao that he not only took the money, 
 but made a pretext of the readiness 
 with winch it was paid to double liis 
 Beverity. Sixteen domineering camp 
 reprobates were quartered on four 
 honest families, and five of them were 
 on mine. 
 
 What an example their conduct 
 and conversation was at my sober 
 hearth, I need not attempt to de- 
 scribe. 
 
 But notwithstanding all the im- 
 moral bravery of the rampant soldiery, 
 and especially of Swaby, tlieir liber- 
 tine commander, they had not been 
 long among us till it was discerned 
 that they were as much under the 
 common fears and superstitions as the 
 most credulous of our simple country 
 folk, in so much that what with our 
 family devotions and the tales of 
 witches and warlocks with whicli 
 every one, as if by concert, delighted 
 to awe them, they were loth to stir 
 out of their quarters after the gloam- 
 ing. Swaby, however, though less 
 under those influences than his men, 
 nevertheless partook largely of them, 
 and would not at the King's com- 
 mands, it was thought, have crossed 
 the kirk-stile at midnight. 
 
 But though he was thus infirm 
 with the dread of evil spirits, ho was 
 not daunted tlioroby from ill pur- 
 poses ; and having ono day falk'U in 
 with old Mysio (Jilmour on the road, 
 a pawkie carlin of a jocose natin-o, ho 
 entered into a blethering disoour.so 
 with her anent divers tilings, and 
 from less to more, propounded to 
 lionest jNIysie that she should lend a 
 cast of her skill to bring about a 
 secret meeting between him and 
 Martha Swinton, the minister's eldest 
 daughter. 
 
 Mysie Gilmour was a Christian 
 woman, and her soul was troubled 
 with the proposal. But she put on 
 the mask of a light hypocrisy, and 
 said she would maybe do something if 
 he fee'd her well, making a tryst with 
 him for the day following ; purposing 
 in the meanwhile to devise, with the 
 counselling of some of her acquaint- 
 ances, in what manner she could take 
 revenge upon him. 
 
 Among others that she conferred 
 with was one Itobin Finnic, a lad wiio, 
 when a callan, had been drummer to 
 the host that Nahum Ciiapelrig led 
 in the time-; of the Civil War to the 
 raid of Dunse-liill. llo was sib to 
 herself, had a spice of her pawkric, 
 and was moreover, though not with- 
 out a leavening of religion, a fellow 
 fain at any time for a spree ; besides 
 whicli he had, from the campaigns of 
 his youth, brought home a }i(;art- 
 liatred and a derisive opinion of tho 
 cavaliers, taking all seasons and occa- 
 sions to give vent to the same, and ho 
 never called Swaby by any other 
 name than the cavalier. 
 
 Between Mysie and Robin, with 
 some of his companions, a paction 
 was made that she should keep her 
 tryst with Swaby, and settle on a time 
 and place for him to come, Robin 
 covenanting that between him .and his 
 friends the cavalier should meet with a 
 disappointment. Accordingly, at tho 
 
 jca 
 tent 
 
 Ilea 
 
 the 
 
 tha 
 
 wis| 
 
 her 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 129 
 
 infirm 
 Ik; was 
 
 roiid, 
 lire, lio 
 
 iCOUVHO 
 
 time appointed, when she met Swaby 
 on the road wliero they had fore- 
 patliercd the day before, slio trystcd 
 him to coino to her house on Hallow- 
 e'en, which happened to bo then at 
 liand, and to be sure no to bring liis 
 Bword, or any weapon that might 
 breed mischief. 
 
 After parting from him, the cava- 
 lier going one way and the carlin the 
 otlier, Robin Finnic threw himself in 
 lii.s way, and going up to him with a 
 Beemiiig respectfulness, said — 
 
 " Yc were speaking, sir, to yon 
 auld wife ; I hope yo hae gi'en her 
 nao offence." 
 
 TJie look with which Robin looked 
 ftt Swaby, as he said this, dismayed 
 the gallant cavalier, who halted, and 
 looked towards the old woman, who 
 was then nearly out of sight. Robin 
 at the same time moved onward. 
 
 "Friend!" cried the cavalier, 
 *' stop. I nmst have some talk with 
 you about the old woman." 
 
 " Whisht ! " exclaimed Robin, 
 *' she's very gleg o' the hearing. I 
 would na for twenty merks she 
 jealoused that I had telt you to take 
 tent o' her cantrips." 
 
 "Do you mean to say that she's a 
 witch ? " said Swaby in a low and 
 apprehensive voice. 
 
 " I would na say sic a thing o' her 
 for the world," replied Robin very 
 seriously; "I would ne'er expek to 
 hae a prosperous hour in this world 
 were I to ca' honest Mysie Gilmour 
 ony thing sae imcanny. She's a pious 
 wife, sir — deed she is. Me ca' her a 
 witcli ! She would deserve to be 
 hang'd if she was a witch — an' it 
 could be proven upon her." 
 
 But these assurances gave no 
 heartening to the gallant cavalier ; on 
 the contrary, he looked like one 
 that was perplexed, and said, "I 
 wish I had had nothing to do with 
 her." 
 
 Jo which Robiu replied : '' Mind 
 
 what I hae been saying, keep wecl wi' 
 her, as ye respck yoursel'." 
 
 In saying these words Robin turned 
 hastily into the wynd that led to the 
 clachan, laughing in his sleeve, leav- 
 ing the brave cavalier in a sore state 
 o' dread and wonderment. 
 
 It seems that shortly after Robin 
 Finnic had departed from the gallant 
 cavalier, a lad, called Sandy ^lacgill, 
 who was colleagued with him in the 
 
 f)lot, came towards the captain with 
 ooks cast to the earth, and so full of 
 thought, that ho seemingly noticed 
 nothing. Going forward in this 
 locked-up state 6i the outward sense, 
 ho came close upon Swaby, when, 
 afTectiiig to be startled out of hia 
 meditations, he stopped suddenly 
 short, and looked in the lieutenant's 
 broad face, with all the alarm he could 
 put into his own features, till he saw 
 ho was frightened out of his judg- 
 ment, when lie said — 
 
 " Gudo be about us, sir, ye hae 
 gotten scaith ; the blighting blink o' 
 an ill e'e has lighted upon you. — O, 
 sir ! O, sir ! tak tent o' yoursel' I " 
 
 Sandy had prepared a deal more 
 to say, but finding himself overcome 
 with an inward inclination to risibility 
 at the sight of Swaby's terrification, 
 he was obligated to flee as fast as he 
 could from the spot ; tlie which wild- . 
 like action of his no doubt dismayed 
 the cavalier fully as meikle as all ho 
 had said. 
 
 But notwithstanding all their 
 mystical admonitions, Swaby still 
 persevered in his purpose, and ac- 
 cordingly he was seen lurking, without 
 his sword, about the heel of the even- 
 ing, on Hallowe'en, near the skirts of 
 the clachan where Mysio Gilmour 
 lived. And, as it had been conspired 
 among her friends, Mungo Affleck, her 
 gude-brother, a man weel stricken in 
 years, but of a youthy mind, and a 
 perfect pen-gun at a crack, came 
 across the cavalier iu his path, and 
 
130 
 
 RINaAN GILTTATZK. 
 
 Swnby liaving before ponic sliglit no- 
 qiiaintanco with hi.; garb and canny 
 observes, hoNorcd for a littlo in di.s- 
 course with Muniro 
 
 " I counsel you, sir," said tlie 
 pnwiiio ankl carl as tlioy were separat- 
 ing, " no to gnnj,' far afield tliis niglit, 
 for this is a iiigiit that tlierc is na the 
 like o' in tlic year round. Tt'.s Hallow- 
 e'en, sir, so bo counselled by me, and 
 seek your lianie betimes ; for niony a 
 nne has met with tliinj,'3 on Hallow- 
 e'en that thoy neA'er after forfjot." 
 
 Considering the exploit on wiiieh 
 the cavalier wa.s tlipn boMno, it's no 
 to bo thouglit that tlii.s Avas very 
 hoartenintf niutiic ; but for all tliat, lie 
 said blytliely, as !Mungo toM me him- 
 self, *' Niiy, not so f;ist, frovernor, 
 tell us what you mean by Hallowe'en!"' 
 
 " Hallowe'en ! " cried Munyo Af- 
 fleck, with a sound o' serious sincerity; 
 " Do yo no ken Hallowe'en? but 1 
 necdna say that. Ye'll excuse me, 
 captain — what can you Englishers, 
 that arc brought up in the darkne.^s o' 
 liuman ordinances in go.spel things, 
 and Avho live in the tliraldom of epis- 
 copalian ignorance, ken o' Jiallow- 
 e'en, or o' any other solemn day . set 
 apart for an occasion. — O, sir. Hal- 
 lowe'en among us is a dreadfvi' night ! 
 witches and warlocks, and a' lang- 
 iiebbit things, hae a power and a 
 dominion unspeakable on Hallowe'en. 
 The de'il at other thnes gi'es, it's said, 
 his agents a mutchkin o' mischief, but 
 on this night it's thought they hae a 
 chappin ; and one tiling most demon- 
 strable is ; — but, sir, the sun's down 
 — the blessed light o' day isayont the 
 hill, and it's no safe to be subjek to 
 the whisking o' the mildew frae the 
 tails o' the benwood ponies that are 
 saddled for yon awfu' carnavauling.s, 
 where Cluty plays on the pipes ! so T 
 wis you, sir, gude night and weel 
 hnme. — O, sir, an ye could bo per- 
 suaded ! — Tak an auld man's advice, 
 and rather read a chapter of xiii: 
 
 IJooK, an it should even bo tlie un- 
 edifying tenth of Nehemiah, tlian bo 
 seen at the gloaming in tlii.s gait, 
 about the dyke-sides." 
 
 Mungo having thus delivered him- 
 self, went away, leaving Swaby ns it 
 were in a switiier : but after the dusk 
 Jiad closed in, when the angels had 
 lighted their candles at tlieir windows 
 in the sky, to watch over the world 
 in the hears of sleep, Swaby, with 
 stealthy steps, came to Alysie {Jil- 
 mour's door, and sofily tirling at tlie 
 pin was admitted ; for all within wa.s 
 really for his reception. 
 
 liobin Finnic and Snndy Macgill 
 having carried thither Zacliariaii 
 Smylie's black ram, a condumacious 
 and out.stropolous beast, which they 
 had laid in Mysie's bed, and keejiit 
 frac hawing witli a gude fothering 
 of kail-blades and a clouto soaken 
 iu milk. 
 
 jNIysie. on opening the door, said 
 to the gallant civalier — 
 
 "Just step in, ye'll fm' a' ready," 
 and she blew out her crusio wliicli 
 .she had in her hand, and lotting the 
 captain grojje iu by himself, hirpled 
 as fast as she could to one of the 
 neighbours ; for, although she had 
 covenanted with him to come without 
 his sword, she was terrified with the 
 fear of some dreadful upshot. 
 
 As soon as he was in, llobin Finnio 
 and Sandy Macgill went and hearkened 
 at the window, where they heard the 
 gay gallant stumbling in the floor, as 
 ho went groping his way towards the 
 bed where the auhl toop was breatiiing 
 thickly, mumbling and crunchuig the 
 kail-blades in a state of as great de- 
 light and satisfaction as any bea.st 
 could well be. But no sooner had the 
 cavalier placed his hand on the horned 
 head of the creature, than he uttered 
 a yell of despair ; in the same moment 
 the toop, iu littlo less friglit, jumpifc 
 out of the bed against him and 
 knocked him down over a stool with 
 
llINCiAN GILIIAIZK. 
 
 131 
 
 a lounder. 'I'lic ram recovering' its 
 BcnHCH bt'foro tlic cavalier, and beiiij,' 
 in dread of danger, returned to the 
 dinrge, and began to butt hini aw if 
 it would liavo been his deatli. 'J lie 
 cries that nsued are not to bo told ; 
 uU the neighbours came running to 
 tlio door, to sec what was the matter, 
 Komo with lighted sticks in tlieii 
 liiinds, and some with burning coals 
 in tiio tongs. IJobin Finnio and 
 Sandy Macgill were like to die witli 
 liiugliing ; but fearing tlic wrathful 
 liim might kno6k out the bowels or 
 the brains, if he had any, of the poor 
 young cavalier, they opened the door 
 and so delivered him from its horns. 
 He was, however, by tiiis time, almost 
 in a state of distraction, believing 
 the Ijcast was the real Evil One; so 
 tliat ho no sooner felt himself free 
 anil saw tiio lights, than he flew to 
 liis quarters as if he had been pur- 
 sued by a legion. 
 
 Some of his own soldiers that were 
 lying in the clachan, and who had 
 come out with the rest of tiie folk, 
 saw through the stratagem, and, for- 
 gf-tting all reverence for their afllicted 
 commander, laughed louder and 
 longer than anybody. In short, the 
 story was o'er the whole parish next 
 day, and the very weans, v/herovcr 
 tlic cavalier appeared, used to cry 
 ])a at him, by which his very life 
 was made a shame and a burden to 
 him, insomuoh that he applied for 
 leave to give up his commission, and 
 returned home to his kindred in the 
 south of England, and we never 
 heard tell of him after. 
 
 But although in the exploit of 
 Mysie Gilmour and llobin Finnic 
 with his confederates, M'c had a tast- 
 ing of mirth and merriment, to the 
 clfect of lessening the driad and fear 
 in which our simple country-folk held 
 his Majesty's ungracious fine-levers, 
 the cavalier captains and soldiers, still 
 there was a gradual iugroAvtli of the 
 
 weight of the o]»pre8sion, wherewith 
 we were laden more as bondtnien and 
 slaves than as subjects; and, in the 
 meantime, the spirit of that piitriarch, 
 my apostolic grandfather, was gather- 
 ing to heart and energy within the 
 silent recesses of my afllicted bosom. 
 I heard the murmuring, deep and 
 sad, (if my ncigiihour.s, at the insult 
 and the contumely wliich they wcro 
 obligated to endure from the irre- 
 sponsible recklessness of military 
 domination,— but I said nothing; I 
 was driven, with my pious wife and 
 our simple babies, fmm my own 
 hearth by the coiivorsation of tlie 
 commissioned freebooters, and obli- 
 gated to njake our home in an out- 
 Iiouso, that we might not be molested 
 in our prayers by their Avickedjiess, — 
 but I said notiiing ; I saw my honest; 
 neighbours plundered, and their 
 children insulted, — but I said nothing ; 
 I Avas a witness when our godly 
 minister, after having been driven 
 with his wife and family out to the 
 mercy of the winter's wind, Mas seized 
 in the very time while ho was wor- 
 shipping the Midcer of us all, and 
 taken like a malefactor to pri.son, — - 
 but I said nothing; and I Avas told 
 the story of the machinations against 
 his daughter, — and still I said nothing. 
 Like the icy winter, tyranny hud so 
 iucrusted my soul, that my taciturnity 
 seemed as hard, impenetrable, cold, 
 and cruel, as the frozen river's sur- 
 face, but the stream of my feelings 
 ran stronger and fiercer beneath ; and 
 the time soon came Avhen, in propor- 
 tioii to the still apathy that made my 
 brother and my friends to wonder 
 how I so quietly bore the events of so 
 much, my inward struggles burst 
 through all outward jKissive forms, 
 and, like the hurling and the drifting 
 ice, found no effectual obstacle to its 
 irresistible and natural destination. 
 
 LIrs Swintou, the Avorthy lady of 
 that saiut, our pastor, ou hearing 
 
132 
 
 RTNGAN GTLHATZE. 
 
 what liad been plotted against lier 
 child, came to me, and very earnestly 
 entreated of me that 1 ■would take the 
 gentle Martlia to lier cousin, tlie 
 Laird of Gavlin's, in Dumfriesshire, 
 she having heard that some intro- 
 missions, arising out of pacts and 
 covenants between my wife's cousin 
 and the Laird of Barscob, obligated 
 me to go tliither. Tliis was on the 
 Alonday after tiie battering that the 
 cavalier got from Zachariaii Smylie's 
 black ram ; and I, reasonably tiiiuking 
 tiiat there was judgment in the re- 
 quest, and tliat 1 might serve, by my 
 compliance, the lielpless residue, and 
 the objects of a persecuted Christian's 
 affections, I consented to take the 
 damsel with me as far as Garlin's, in 
 Galloway ; the Avhich I did. 
 
 AVIien I had left !Martha Swinton 
 with Iier friends, I went to the end of 
 my own j.iurncy, and here, from wliat 
 ensued, it is nceilful that I should re- 
 late that, in this undertaking, I left 
 my own house under the care of my 
 brother, and that I was armed with 
 my grandfather's sword. 
 
 It liappcned that, on Tuesday the 
 13th November, IGGU, as I was re- 
 turning homeward from IJarscob, I 
 fell in with three godly countrymen, 
 about a mile youtli of the village of 
 Dairy, in Galloway, and Ave entered 
 into a holy and most salutary conver- 
 sation anent the sufferings and tiie 
 fortitude of God's people in that time 
 of trouble. ])iscoursing with great 
 sobriety on that melancholious tlwme, 
 wo !net a gang of Turner's black- 
 cu.fY.-., driving before them, like beasts 
 to the slaugiitor, several miserable 
 persons to thrash out the corn, that 
 it migiit bo sold, of one of my com- 
 panions, who, being himself a perse- 
 cuted man, nnd unal)le to ]iay the fine 
 forfeited by his piety, luul some days 
 before been forced to ilee his iiousc. 
 
 On seeing the soldiers and tiieir 
 prey coming toward ua, the poor man 
 
 would have run away, but we exhorted 
 him not to be afraid, for ho might 
 pass unnoticed, and so ho did ; for, 
 althougli those whom the military ra- 
 biators were driving to thrash his 
 corn knew him well, they were en- 
 abled to bear up. and were so endowed 
 with the strength of martyrdom, that 
 each of them, only by a look, signified 
 that tliey were in the spirit of fellow- 
 ship witli him. 
 
 After they had gone by, his heart, 
 however, was so afllicted that so many 
 wortiiy persons should bo so harmed 
 for his sake, that he turned back, 
 and, in despite of all our entreaties, 
 went to them, while we went forward 
 to Dairy, wiiere we entered a small 
 public, and, having ordered some re- 
 freshment (for we were all weary), 
 we sat meditating on wliat could bo 
 the upshot of such tyranny. 
 
 While we were .so fitting, a cry 
 got up that our companion was seized 
 by tlie soldiers, and that they were 
 tormenting liim on a red-hot gridiron 
 for not having paid his fine. 
 
 My blood boiled at tlie news. 1 
 rose, and those wlio were with mo 
 followed, and wo ran to the house — 
 his own liouse — wliere the poor man 
 wa.s. I beseeched two of the soldiers 
 wiio were .at tiio door to desist from 
 tiieir cruelty ; but wiiile I was speak- 
 ing, other two that were witliin camo 
 raging out, like curs from a kennel, 
 andfli'w at me, and one of them dared 
 to strike me with iiis nievo in tiio 
 mouth. My grandfather's sword flew 
 out at the blow, and the insulier lay 
 wounded and bleeding at my feet. 
 My companions iu tlie same moment 
 rushed on tiic other soldiers, dasiied 
 their teeth down their tliroats, and, 
 twisting their firelocks from their 
 hands, set the prisoners free. 
 
 Li this tliere was rashness, but 
 tliere was also redemption and glory. 
 Wo could not stop at wiiat wo had 
 done. Wo ciUled ou those who had 
 
nmOAN GlLHATZT):, 
 
 Ids 
 
 lic'cii broui;lit to thrash tlie corn to 
 join witli iiR, and thoy joined ; -vve 
 JiastLiied to tlio m-xt farm — the spirit 
 of in(hVnation was tlicrc before ns — 
 and master and man, and father and 
 pon, tliere likewise found that tlie 
 liilts of tiieir fatliers' covenanted 
 swords fitted tlieir avenging grasps. 
 >Ve liad now fired the dry stubble of 
 tlio land— the flame spread — we ad- 
 vanced, and grew stronger and 
 stronger. 'I'lie hills, as it were, clapped 
 their hands, and the valleys shouted 
 of freedom. From all sides men and 
 iior.se came exulting towards us : the 
 gentleman and the hind knew no dis- 
 tinction. Tlio cry wai^, " Down with 
 tyranny — we are and we Avill make 
 free!" The fields rejoiced witli the 
 multitude of our feet as wo advanced 
 toward.-i Dumfries, where Turner lay. 
 His black-cufTs flung down their 
 arms and implored our mercy. AVe 
 entered Dumfries, and the Oppressor 
 was our prisoner. 
 
 
 CHAPTER XVIir. 
 
 ITiTiii;UTO the rising at Dairy had been 
 as a passion and a fii)reading fire. 
 Tiie strength of t^ie soMiers Mas con- 
 sumed before us, and their arms be- 
 came our weapons ; but when we had 
 gained possession of Dumfries, and 
 had set a ward over the house where 
 we had seized Turner, I saw that we 
 had waded owrc far into the river to 
 think of returning, and that to go on 
 was safer tiian to come back. It was 
 indeed manifest that we had been 
 triui'.ipliant rather by our liaste than 
 by the achievements of victorious 
 l)attle ; and it could be hidden from 
 no man's thought that the power and 
 tlio vengeance both of the govern- 
 ment and the prelacy would soon be 
 set in array against us. I tiierefore 
 bethought myself, in that peril of our 
 lives and cause, of two things which 
 
 seemed most needful : First, not to 
 falter in our enterprise until we had 
 proved the utmost of the Lord's 
 pleasure in our behalf; and, second, 
 to use the means under Him which, 
 in all human undertakings, are re- 
 quired to bring whatsoever is ordained 
 to pass. 
 
 Whether in these things I did well 
 or wisely I have to the adjudication 
 of the courteous reader; but I can 
 lay my hand upon my heart, and say 
 aloud, yea, even to the holy skies, 
 " I thought not of myself nor of 
 mine, but only of the rel'gious rights 
 of my sorely-oppressed countrymen." 
 
 From the moment in which I re- 
 ceived the blow of the soldier up till 
 the hour when Turner was taken, I 
 had been the head and leader of the 
 people. ]\Iy sword was never out of 
 my grip, and I marched as it were ia 
 a path of light, so wonderful was the 
 immediate instinct with which 1 M'as 
 directed to the accomplishment of 
 that adventure, the success of which 
 overwhelmed the fierce and cruel' 
 Anticlirists at Edinburgh with un- 
 speakable consternation and panic. 
 But I lacked that knowledge of tho 
 art of war by which men are banded 
 into companies and ruled, however 
 manifold their diversities, to one end 
 and effect, so that our numbers hav- 
 ing by this time increased to a great 
 multitude, I felt myself utterly unablo 
 to govern tliem. We Avere as a sea 
 of billows, tl'.r.t move onward all iu 
 one way, obedient to the impulse and 
 deep fetch ings of the tempestuoua 
 breath of tho awakened winds of 
 heaven, but which often break into 
 foam, and waste their force iu a roar 
 of ineffectual rage. 
 
 Seeing this, and dreading the con- 
 sequences thereof, I conferral with 
 some of those whom I had obs- ved 
 tho most discreet and consideraie in 
 the course of the raid, and we camo 
 to a resolve to constitute and appoint 
 
134 
 
 illNGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 Captain Learmont our chief com- 
 mander, be having earned an experi- 
 ence of tlie art and stratagems of war 
 under the renowned Lesley. Had we 
 abided by that determination, some 
 have thought our expedition might 
 have come to a happier issue ; but no 
 human lielps and means could change 
 what was evidently ordained other- 
 wise. It happened, however, tiiat 
 Colonel Wallace, another officer of 
 some repute, also joined us, and his 
 name made him bright and resplen- 
 dent to our enthusiiism. While we 
 weie deliberating whom to choose for 
 our leader, Colonel A\'allace was in 
 the Bame breath, for his namo's sake, 
 ju'oposed, and was miited in tlie com- 
 mand with Loarmoiil. Thi.s wa;^ a 
 deadly error, and ou^ht in all time 
 coming to be a warning and an ad- 
 monition to people a\h\ nations in 
 their straits and diflicultics, never to 
 be guided, in the weighty shocks and 
 controversies of disordered fortunes, 
 by any prejudice or affection so un- 
 substantial as the eclio of an honoured 
 name. For this Wallace, though a 
 man of questionless bravery, and a 
 gentleman of good account among all 
 who knew him, had not received any 
 gift from Nature of that spirit of 
 masterdom without which there can 
 be no connnand; so that he was no 
 sooner appointed to lead us on, with 
 Learniout as his second, than his mind 
 fell into a strange confusion, and ho 
 heightened disorder into anarchy by 
 ordering over much. Wo could not, 
 however, undo tlie evil, without vio- 
 lating tiie disci jiline that we were all 
 conscious our furces so grievously 
 Jacked ; but, from the very moment 
 that I saw in what manner he took 
 upon him the conmiand, I augured of 
 nothing but disaster. 
 
 Learmont was a collected and an 
 urbane character, and did much to 
 temper and turn aside the thriftless 
 ordinances of his superior, lie, sec- 
 
 ing how much our prosperity was de- 
 pendent on the speed with which wo 
 could reach Edinburgh, hastened for- 
 ward everything with such alacrity 
 that we were ready on the morrow by 
 mid-day to set out from Dumfries. 
 But the element of discord was now 
 in our cause, and I was reproached by 
 many for having abdicated my natural 
 right to the command. It was in vain 
 that I tried to redeem tlie fadfc by 
 taking part with LearmcTt, u 'cr the 
 determination, when tie b^1' • .'our 
 of defeat or dismay shoun, oo .1.; iipon 
 us, to take my stand witli liim, and, 
 regardless of 'Wallace, to consider him 
 as the chief and champion of our 
 covenanted liberties, but why do I 
 dwell on these intents? Let me 
 ha.--ten to describe the upshot of our 
 enterprise. 
 
 As soon as we had formed, in tho 
 manner herein related, something 
 like a head and council for ourselves, 
 we considered, before leaving Dum- 
 fries, what ought to be done witii 
 General Turner, and ordered him to 
 be brouj,'ht before us ; for those who 
 had .suffered from iiis fell orders and 
 brutal soldiery were clamorous for hi- 
 blood. But when the man was brougli' 
 in, he was so manift^stly mastered ' v 
 his wine, as his vice often made him, 
 that wo thought it would be as it 
 were to ask a man mad, or possessed, 
 to account for his actions, as at that 
 time to put the frantic drunkard on 
 his defence ; so we heeded not hia 
 obstreperous menaces, but ordered 
 him to be put into bod, and his papers 
 to be searched for and laid before us. 
 
 In this moderation there was wis- 
 dom, for, by dealing so g'mtly hv 'o 
 who had proved himself so ruth; -i; '. 
 agent of the prolatic aggressions, \ 
 bespoke the good opinion even 01 
 many among our adversaries ; and in 
 the end it hnjv-idc proved a meiisuro 
 of j;.scice as veil as of merty. For, 
 0)1 (,xiunini!»g hi pajjcrs, it ai)pearcd 
 
 I 
 
 wl 
 
 f.( 
 
 iie 
 
 on 
 
 th 
 
 one 
 
 hoi 
 
 in 
 
 no.' 
 
 brol 
 
 dee 
 
 the 
 
 the 
 
 coy 
 
 of 
 
 of 
 
 we 
 
 yon 
 
 tha 
 
 wl 
 
illNGAN GILTIAIZE. 
 
 i35 
 
 I 
 
 ¥■■ 
 
 that pitiless as his domineering had 
 been, it Avas far sliort of the universal 
 cruelty of his instructions from the 
 apostiite James Sharp, and those in 
 the council with him, who had de- 
 livered themselves over as instruments 
 to the arbitrary prerogatives rnid tyran- 
 nous pretensions of the court. AVe 
 tlieref or e resolved to proceed no f arth or 
 against him, but to keej) him as an 
 hostage in our hands. Many, how- 
 ever, among tlie commonalty com- 
 plained of our lenity; for they !iad 
 endured in their persons, their gear, 
 and tlieir families, great severities ; 
 and tiiey grudged that he was not 
 obligated to taste tiie bittcrne.ss of tiu; 
 cu|) of whieli Ite had forced them to 
 diiidc so deeply. 
 
 In tlie meantime all t!io country 
 became alive widi the ne\v.i of our I'x- 
 jdoit. Tiie Covenanters of tlie shire 
 of Ayr, headed by several of their 
 ejected ministers whom tliey Jiad 
 clierished in the solitary dens and 
 iiidings in tlio moors ami liills, to 
 winch they had been forced to lice 
 from the proclamation against the 
 iield-preacijings, advanced to meet us 
 ou our marcli. A'erily it Avas a sight 
 tliat ma<le tlio heart of man dinle at 
 <)n(!e with gladness ,ind sorrow to be- 
 hold, as tiie day dawned on our course, 
 iu crossing tiie wide and lonely wilder- 
 ness of Ciimnock-moor. those religious 
 brethren coming towards us, moving 
 in silence over the heath, like the 
 ^...l■iowsof tiio slowly-sailing clouds 
 of the BumiiHir sky. 
 
 As we were toiling tlirougli the 
 deep lieatlier on the eastern skirts of 
 the Meiiriismnor, a mist hovered all 
 tlie morning nver the pad of Neilston, 
 covering like a snowy ileecc the sides 
 of the hills down almost to the course 
 of our route, in such a manner that 
 we could see nothing on the left be- 
 yond it. We were then within less 
 than fourteen miles of (Jla-sgow, 
 where General Dal/iel hiy with the 
 
 King's forces, keeping in thraldom 
 the godly of that pious city and its 
 neighbourhood. Captain Learmont, 
 well aware, from the eager character 
 of the man, that he would be fain to 
 intercept us, and fearfid of being 
 drawn into jeopardy by the mist, per- 
 suaded Wallace to halt us some time. 
 
 As November was far advanced, 
 it was thought by the country-folk that 
 the mist would clear away about noon. 
 "\\"e .accordingly made a pause, and 
 sat down on the ground; for many were 
 weary, having over- fatigued them- 
 selves in their zeal to come up with 
 the main body, and we all stood in 
 need of rest, 
 
 Searcely, however, had we cast 
 ourselves in a desultory manner on 
 the heather, when some one heard 
 tiie thud of a distant driua in the 
 mist, and gave tlie alarm ; at which 
 M'e all again suddenly started to our 
 feet, and listening, were not long left 
 in doubt of the sound. Orders were 
 accordingly given to ])laee ourselves 
 in array for battle ; and while Ave were 
 obeying the conuuand in the best 
 manner our little skill alloAved, the 
 heating of the drum came louder and 
 nearer, intermingled Avith the shrill 
 Avar-note of the spirity fife. 
 
 Kvery one naturally thought of tlie 
 King's forces; and the Kev. Mr 
 Semple, seeing that Ave Avere in some 
 measure jirepared to meet them, ste])- 
 ])ed out in front Avith all his Avorthy 
 brethren in the camp, and liaving 
 solemneezed us for worship, gaA'e out 
 a psalm. 
 
 By the lime Ave had sung the first 
 three verses the drum and fife sounded 
 so near, that 1 could discern tliey 
 played the tune of ".Tohn, come kiss 
 me now," Avhich left mo in no doubt 
 that the soldiers in the mist were my 
 own friends and neighbours ; for it 
 was the same tune which Avas played 
 Avheii the juen of our parish Aveut to 
 the raid of Dunsehill, and which, iu 
 
136 
 
 RTNGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 memorial of that era, had been pre- 
 served as a sacred melody amongst us. 
 
 Being thus convinced, I stepped out 
 from my place to the ministers, and 
 said, "They are friends that are com- 
 ing." The worship was in conse- 
 quence for a short space suspended, 
 and I p' xatly after saw my brother 
 at the he ' -ir neighbours com- 
 
 ing out of loud ; whereupon I 
 
 went forward • meet him, and we 
 shook hands sorrowfully. 
 
 " This is an unco thing, Ringan," 
 were his first words ; " but it's the 
 Lord's will, and He is able to work 
 out a great salvation." 
 
 I made no answer ; but inquiring 
 for my family, of whom it was a 
 cheering consolation to hear as blithe 
 an account as could reasonably be 
 hoped for, I walked with him to our 
 captains, and made him known of 
 them as my brother. 
 
 Saving the innocent alarm of the 
 drum in tlie mist, our march to Lanark 
 was without hindrance or molesta- 
 tion ; and when we arrived there, it 
 was agreed and set forth, on the ex- 
 hortation of the ministers who were 
 Avith us, tliat the Solemn League and 
 Covenant should be publicly renewed ; 
 and, to the end that no one miglit 
 misreport the spirituality of our z^al 
 and intents, a Protestation was like- 
 wise publislied, wlierein we declared 
 our adherence and allegiance to the 
 King undiminished in all temporal- 
 ities ; that we had been driven to seek 
 redress by the sword for ojipressions 
 so grievous, that they could be no 
 longer eii(iured ; and that all we asked 
 and sought for was, the re-estfiblish- 
 ment of the Presbyterian liberty of 
 worship, and the restoration of our 
 godly pastors to their gospel-rights 
 and privileges. 
 
 The morrow after was appointed 
 for the covenanting, and to be held as 
 a day of fasting and humiliation for 
 our Qwu sins, irhich had provoked 
 
 the Lord to bring us into such state 
 of peril and suffering ; and it was a 
 sacred consolation, as Mr Semple 
 showed in his discourse on the occa- 
 sion, that, in all our long and painful 
 travels from Dumfries, we had been 
 guided from the commission of any 
 offence, even towards those whose 
 hearts were not with us, and had been 
 brought so far on our way as blame- 
 less as a peace.able congregation going 
 in tlie lown of a Sabbath morning to 
 worship their Maker in the house of 
 prayer. 
 
 But neither the sobriety of our de- 
 meanour, nor the honest protestation 
 of our cause, had any effect on the 
 obdurate heart of the apostate James 
 Sharp, who happened, by reason of 
 the Lord Rothes going to London, to 
 be then in tiie chief chair of the privy- 
 council at Edinburgh. He knew the 
 deserts of his own guilt, and he hated 
 us, even unto deatli, for the woesJie 
 had made us puffer. The sough, 
 therefore, of our approach was to the 
 consternation of his conscience as the 
 sound of the wheels of an avenging 
 God, groaning heavily in their coniin|f 
 with the weight of the engines of 
 wrath and doom. Some said that lie 
 sat in the midst of the counsellors like 
 a demented man ; and others, that he 
 was seen flying to and fro, wringing 
 his hands, and weeping, and wail.ng, 
 and gnashing his teeth. But though 
 all power of forethought and policy 
 was taken from him, there were others 
 of the council who, being less guilty, 
 were more governed, and they took 
 measures to defend the capital against 
 us. They commanded the gates to bo 
 fenced with cannon, and working on 
 the terrors of the inhabitants with 
 fearful falsehoods of crimes that were 
 never connnitted, thereby caused them 
 to band themselves for the protection 
 of their lives and property, while they 
 interdicted them from all egress, in 
 so much, that many who were friendly 
 
 at 
 
 nn'ra 
 
 for 
 
 the 
 
 am 
 
 like 
 
 on t 
 
 the 
 
 desc 
 
 nnu 
 bou 
 as ii 
 wat 
 hos 
 and 
 oft 
 cxa 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 137 
 
 to us were frustrated in their desire 
 to come with the aid of their helps 
 aud means. 
 
 The tidinga of the preparations 
 for the security of Edinburgh, with 
 the unhappy divisions and continual 
 controversies in our councils, between 
 the captains and the ministers, aneut 
 the methods of conducting the raid, 
 ha(], even before we left Lanark, bred 
 much sedition among us, and an 
 ominous dubiety of succei^s. Never- 
 theless our numbers continued to in- 
 crease, and we went forward in such 
 a commendable order of battle, that, 
 had the Lord been pleased with our 
 undertaking, there was no reason to 
 think the human means insufficient 
 for the end. But in the mysteries of 
 the depths of His wisdom he had 
 judged, and for the great purposes of 
 his providence he saw, that it was 
 meet we should yet suffer. Accord- 
 ingly, even while we were issuing 
 forth from the port of the town, the 
 face of the heavens became overcast, 
 and a swift carry and a rising wind 
 were solemn intimations to my troub- 
 led sj)irit that the hearteninc,' of His 
 countenance went no farther with us 
 at that time. 
 
 Nor indeed could less tlian a 
 miracle in our behalf have availed; 
 for tiie year was old in November, 
 the corn was stacked, the leaf fallen, 
 and Nature, in outcast nakedness, sat, 
 like the widows of the martyrs, forlorn 
 on the hills : her head was bound with 
 the cloud, and she mourned over the 
 desolation that had sent sadness and 
 silence into .all her pleasant jjlaces. 
 
 As we advanced the skies lowered, 
 and the blast raved in the leafless 
 boughs ; sometimes a passing shower, 
 as it travelled in the storm, trailed its 
 watery skirts over our disheartened 
 host, (pienchiiig the zeal of many, — 
 and ever and anon the angry riddlings 
 of the cruel hail still more aud more 
 exasperated our discontent. I ob- 
 
 served that the men began to turn 
 their backs to the wind, and to look 
 wistfully behind, and to mutter and 
 murmur to one another. But still we 
 all advanced, gradually however fall- 
 ing into separate bands and companies, 
 like the ice of the river's stream break- 
 ing asunder in a thaw. 
 
 In the afternoon the fits of the 
 wind became less vehement; the 
 clouds were gathered more compactly 
 together, and the hail had ceased, but 
 the rain was lavished without mea- 
 sure. The roads became sloughs, — 
 our feet were drawn heavily out of 
 the clay, — the burns and broods raged 
 from bank to brae, — and tlie horses 
 swithered at the fords, in so much, 
 that towards the gloaming, when we 
 were come to Bathf.'ate, several of our 
 broken legions were seen far behind ; 
 and when we lialted for the night, 
 scarcely more tiian half the number 
 with whom we had that morning left 
 Lanark could be mustered, and few of 
 those who had fallen behind came up. 
 r t still Captain Learmont thought, 
 thac as soon as the men had taken 
 some repose after that toilsome march, 
 we should advance outright to Edin- 
 burgh. AVallace, however, objected, 
 and that night was spent between 
 them and the ministers in thriftless 
 debate ; moreover, our hardships were 
 increased ; for, by the prohibition of 
 the privy-council against the egress 
 of the inhabitants of the city, we 
 were, as I have said, disappointed of 
 the provisions aud succour we had 
 trusted to receive from them, and 
 there was no hope in our camp, but 
 only bitterness of spirit ana the 
 breathings of despair. 
 
 Seeing, what no man could hide 
 from his reason, our cause abandoned 
 of the Lord, 1 retired from tlie main 
 body of the host, and sat alone on a 
 rock, musing with a sore heart on all 
 that had come so rashly to pass. It 
 [ was then the last Lour of the gloam- 
 
138 
 
 niNGAN GTLITAIZE. 
 
 iug, and everything around was dis- 
 mayed and dishevelled. The storm 
 had abated, and the rain was over, 
 but the darkness of the niglit was 
 closing fast in, and we were environed 
 with perils. A cloud, like the black- 
 ness of a niort-cloth, hung over our 
 camp ; the stars withheld their light, 
 and the windows of the castle shone 
 with the candles of our enemies, who, 
 safe in their stronghold, were fresh 
 in strength and ready for battle. 
 
 I thought of my home, of the part- 
 ner of my anxieties and cares, of the 
 children of our love, and of the dan- 
 gers of their defencelessness, and I 
 marvelled with a weeping spirit at tlie 
 manner in wliioh I had been snnlchcd 
 up, and brought, as il were in a wliiil- 
 wind, to be an aetov in a pccno of 
 liuch inevitable woe. Sometimes, in 
 the passion of that grief, I was 
 tempted to rise, and moved to seek 
 my way back (r> the nest of my affec- 
 tions. Uut as often as the tliought 
 came over my heart, witli its soft and 
 fond enticements, some rustle in the 
 camp of the weary men avIio had 
 borne in the march all that I had 
 borne, and many of Uiem in tlie cause 
 far more, yea, even to t!ie martyrdom 
 of dear friends, I bowed my head and 
 prayed for constancy of purpose and 
 fortitude of mind, if the arm of flesh 
 was ordained to bo the means of res- 
 cuing the Gospel, and delivering poor 
 Scotland from i)rolatic tyranny, and 
 the thraldom of an antichristiau usur- 
 pation in the kingly power. 
 
 While I was tlius sitting in this 
 sad and solitary state, none doubting 
 that before another night our cove- 
 nanted army would be, as the hail 
 that smote so sorely on our march, 
 seen no more, and only known to 
 have been by the track of its course 
 on the fields over which wo had 
 passed, a light broke in upon the 
 darkness of my soul, and amidst high 
 and holy experiences of consolation, 
 
 mingled with awe and solemn wonder, 
 I beheld as it were a brigiit and shin- 
 ing hand draw aside tlie curtain of 
 time, and disclose the blessings of 
 truth and liberty that were ordained 
 to rise from the fate of the oppressors, 
 who, in the pride and panoply of 
 arbitrary power, had so thrown down 
 the temple of God, and laid waste 
 His vineyard. 
 
 I saw that from our hasty enter- 
 prise they would l-.e drawn to com- 
 mit still more grievous aggressions, 
 aii'l thereby incur some fearful for- 
 feiture of the iionours and predomi- 
 nancy of which tliey h;id for so many 
 years shown themseivcs so unworthy ; 
 and T had a foretaste in that hour of 
 the fuininieiit of my grandfather's 
 prophecy concerning the tasks tliat 
 were in store for myself in the de- 
 liverance of my native land. So that, 
 although 1 rose from tlie rock where- 
 on 1 was sitting, in the clear convic- 
 tion that our array would be scattered 
 like chaff before the wind, I yet had 
 a blessed persuasion that the event 
 would prove in the end a link in the 
 chain, or a cog in the wheel, of the 
 hidden enginery with which Provi- 
 dence works good out of evil. 
 
 In the course of the niglit, shortly 
 after the third Avatch had been set, 
 some of those who had tarried by the 
 way came to the camp with the tid- 
 ings that ])alziel aiul all the royal 
 forces in (Glasgow were coining upon 
 us. 'J'liis, though foreseen, caused a 
 great panic, and a council of Avar, 
 consisting, as usual, of ministers and 
 officers, was held, to determine Avhat 
 should be done ; but it was likewise, 
 as usual, only a fruitless controversy. 
 I, however, on this occasion, feeling 
 myself sustained in spirit by the 
 assurances I had received iu my medi- 
 tations on the rock, ventured to speak 
 my mind freely; which was to tho 
 effect that, taking our dejected con- 
 dition, tho desertion of our friends, 
 
 ri( 
 
KTNGAN GTLnAIZE. 
 
 1^9 
 
 and our disappointments from the 
 city, into consideration, we could do 
 MO better thing tlian evade the swords 
 of our adversaries by disbanding our- 
 Bolvcs, that each might be free to seek 
 safety for himself. 
 
 Many were inclined to tliis coun- 
 sel ; and I doubt not it would liave 
 been followed ; but, while conferring 
 together, an oflicer came from the 
 Privy Council to propose a cessation 
 cf arms till our demands could bo 
 considered. It was manifest that this 
 was a wily stratagem to keep us in the 
 •snare till Dalziel had time to come 
 up, and I did all in my power to make 
 the council see it in the same light; 
 but there was a blindnesH of mind 
 among \\i<, and the greater number 
 thought it augured a speedy redress of 
 the wrongi^ for which wo had come to 
 seek reparation. Nor did tlieir ob- 
 stinacy in this relax till next morning, 
 when, instead of anytliing like tiieir 
 improbable hopes, came a proclama- 
 tion ordering us to disperse, and con- 
 taining neither promise of indemnity 
 nor of pardon. J5ut then it was too 
 late. Dalziel was in sigiit. Ilis army 
 was coming like a stream along the 
 foot of the Pentland Hills. We saw 
 his banners and the glittering of his 
 arms, and the sound of his musicants 
 came swelling on the breeze. 
 
 It was plain that his purpose was 
 to drive us in towards the town ; but 
 had we dispersed, we might even then 
 have frustrated his intent. There 
 happened, however, besides Learmont 
 and Wallace, to be several officers 
 among us who had stubborn notions 
 of military honour; and they would 
 not permit so misoldier-like a flight. 
 There were also divers heated and 
 fanatical spirits, Avliom, because our 
 undertaking had been for religious 
 ends, nothing could persuade that 
 rrovidenec would not interfere in 
 some signal manner for their deliver- 
 ance, yea, even to the overthrow of 
 
 the enemy ; and Mr Whamle, a min- 
 ister, one of these, getting upon tlie 
 toji of tlic rock where I had sat the 
 night before, began to preach of tlio 
 mighty things tliat the Lord did for 
 the children of Israel in the valley of 
 Aijalon, where he not only throw 
 down great stones from the heavens, 
 but enabled Josliua to command the 
 sun and moon to stand still — which to 
 any composed mind was melancholi- 
 ous to hear. 
 
 In sequence to these divisions and 
 contrarieties whicii enchanted us to 
 tlie spot, Dalziel, con.sidering that we 
 were minded to give him battle, 
 biDiiglit on ilis force: and it is but 
 diK- to the renown of tiie valour of 
 tiiosi; jireseut to record that, notwitli- 
 standing a fearful odds, our men, 
 hiiving the vantage ground, so stoutly 
 maintained their station that we re- 
 pulsed iiim thrice. 
 
 J5ut the victory, as I have said, was 
 not ordained for us. In the afternoon 
 Dalziel was reinforced by several score 
 of mounted gentlemen from the adja- 
 cent counties, and with their horse, 
 about sunset, our phalanx Avas shat- 
 tered, our ranks broken, and then we 
 began to quit the field. The number 
 of our slain, and of those who fell into 
 the hands of the enemy, did not in the 
 whole exceed two hundred men. The 
 dead might liave been greater, but for 
 tiie compassion of the gentlemen, who 
 had respect to the can.su which had 
 provoked us to arms, and who, in- 
 stead of doing as Dalziel's men did, 
 without remorse or pity, cried to tlio 
 futritives to flee, and sjiai-ed many in 
 consideration of the common wrongs. 
 
 When I saw that our host was 
 dashed into pieces, and the fragments 
 scattered over the fields, I fled with 
 the flying, and gained, with aboi'fc 
 some thirty other fugitives, the brovtr 
 of a steep part of the Pentland Hills, 
 where the mounted gentlemen, even 
 had they been inclined, could not 
 
140 
 
 RTNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 easily have followed \\a. There, whilo 
 we halted to rest a little, we heard a 
 shout now and tlien rise startling 
 froQi the field of battle below; but 
 night coming ou, all was soon silent, 
 and we sat, iu the holiness of our 
 mountain-refuge, in silent rumination 
 till the moon, rolling slowly from be- 
 hind Arthur's Seat, looked from 
 her window in the cloud, as if to ad- 
 monish us to flee farther from the 
 scene of danger. 
 
 The llcv. Air Witherspoon being 
 among us, was the first to feel the 
 gracious admonition, and, rising from 
 the ground, he said — 
 
 " Friends, we must not tarry here, 
 the hunters are fortli, and we are the 
 prey they pursue. They will track us 
 long, and the hounds are not of a 
 nature to lose scent, especially when 
 they have tasted, as they have done 
 this day, the rich blood of the faith- 
 ful and the true. Therefore let us de- 
 part; but where, O where sliall we 
 And a home to receive us ? — Where 
 a place of rest for our weary limbs, or 
 a safe stone for a pillow to our 
 aching heads ? But wiiy do I doubt ? 
 Blameless as we are, even before man, 
 of all offence, save that of seeking 
 leave to worsliip God according to 
 our conscience, it cannot be that we 
 shall bo left without succour. No, 
 my friends ! though our bed be the 
 damp grass and our coverlet the 
 cloudy sky, our food the haws of the 
 hedge, and our drink the drumly 
 burn, we have made tor our hearts 
 the down-beds of religious faith, and 
 have found a banquet for our spirits 
 in the ambrosial truths of the gospel 
 — luxuries that neither a James Sharp 
 nor a Charles Stuart can ever enjoy, 
 nor all the rents and revenues, fines 
 and forfeitures, which princes may 
 exact and prelates yearn to partake 
 of, can buy," 
 
 lie then offered up a thanksgiving 
 that we bad been spared from the 
 
 sword in the battle ; after which wo 
 shook hands in silence together, and 
 each pursued his own way. 
 
 Mr Witlierspoon lingered by ray 
 side as we descended the hill, and I 
 discerned that he wao inclined to be 
 my companion ; so we continued to- 
 gether, stretching towards tlie north- 
 west, in order to fall into the Lithgow 
 road, being mindet to pass along the 
 skirts of Stirlingshire, thence into 
 Lennox, in the hope of reaching 
 Argyle's country, by the Wcay of the 
 ferry of Balloch. But we had owre 
 soon a cruel cause to change tho 
 course of our flight. 
 
 In coming down towards tho 
 Ahnondwater, we saw a man running 
 before us in the glimpse of the moon- 
 shine, and it was natural to conclude, 
 from his gestures and the solitude of 
 the place, that no one could be so 
 far a-field at such a time, but some 
 poor fellow-fugitive from Bullion- 
 green, where the battle was fought; 
 so we called to him to stop, and to 
 fear no ill, for wo were friends. 
 Still, however, he fled on, and heed- 
 ed not our entreaty, which made ns 
 both marvel and resolve to overtake 
 him. We thought it was not safe to 
 follow long an unlinown person wlio 
 was so evidently afraid, and flying, as 
 we supposed, to his home. Accord- 
 ingly we hastened our speed, and I, 
 being tlie nimblest, readied him at a 
 place where he was stopped by a 
 cleft in the rocks on the river's woody 
 brink. 
 
 "Why do you fly so fast from 
 us?" said I, "we're frae the rent- 
 land-hills too." 
 
 At these words he looked wildly 
 round, and his face was as ghastly aa 
 a ghost's in the moonlight ; but dis- 
 torted as he was by his fears, I dis- 
 covered in him my neighbour, Nahura 
 Chapelrig, and 1 spoke to him by 
 name. 
 
 " O, llingan Gilhaize ! " said he, 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 141 
 
 and he took hold of me with his riglit 
 hand, while he raised his left and shook 
 it ill a fearful and frantic manner, " 1 
 am a dead man, my hours are num- 
 bered, and tlie sand-plass of my days is 
 amaist a' run out. I had been saved 
 from tlie sword, spared from the 
 spear, and, flying from the field, I 
 went to a farm-house yonder; I 
 sought admission and shelter for a 
 forlorn Christian man ; but the edicts 
 of the persecutors are more obeyed 
 here than the laws of God. The farmer 
 opened his casement, and spcering if 
 I had been at the raid of the Cove- 
 nanters, which, for the sake of truth 
 and tlie glory of God, I couldna deny, 
 he sliot me dead on the spot; for his 
 bullet gaed in at my breast, and is 
 fast in my ." 
 
 lie could say no more ; for at that 
 juncture he gave, as it were, a gurgle 
 in the tliroat, and swirling round, fell 
 down a bleeding corpse on the ground 
 where he stood, before Mr Wither- 
 epoon had time to come up. 
 
 We both looked at poor guiltless 
 Nahum as he lay on the grass, and, 
 after some sorrowful communion, Ave 
 lifted the body, and carrying it down 
 aneath the bank of the river, laid 
 stones and turfs upon it by the moon- 
 light, that the unclean birds might 
 not be able to molest his martyred 
 remains. Wo then consulted together ; 
 and having communed concerning 
 the manner of Nahum's death, we re- 
 solved not to trust ourselves in the 
 power of strangers in those parts of 
 the country, wliere the submi.ssion to 
 the prelatic enormity had been fol- 
 lowed with such woeful evidence of 
 depravity of heart. So, instead of 
 continuing our journey to the north- 
 ward, we changed ^^ar course, and, 
 for tlie remainder of the niglit, souglit 
 our way due west, by the skirts of the 
 moors and other untrodden ways. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX, 
 
 At break of day we found ourselves 
 on a lonely brae-side, sorely weary, 
 hungry and faint in spirit: a few 
 whin buslies were on the bank, and the 
 birds in them were beginning to chirp 
 — we sat down and wist not what to 
 do. 
 
 Mr Witherspoon prayed inwardly 
 for support and resignation of heart 
 in the trials he was ordained to under- 
 go ; but doure thoughts began to 
 gather in my bosom. I yearned for 
 my family, — I mourned to know what 
 had become of my brother in tlio 
 battle, — and I grudged and marvelled 
 wherefore it was tliat the royal and 
 the great had so little respect for the 
 religious honesty of harmless country 
 folk. 
 
 It was now the nine-and-twentieth 
 day of November, but the weather 
 for the season was open and mild, and 
 the morning rose around us in tlie 
 glory of her light and beauty. As 
 the gay and goodly sun looked over 
 the e.'isteru hills, we cast our eyes on 
 all sides, and beheld the scattered 
 villages and the rising smoke of the 
 farms, but saw not a dwelling wo 
 could venture to api»roach, nor a roof 
 that our fears, and the woeful end of 
 poor Nahum Cliapelrig, did not 
 teach us to think covered a foe. 
 
 While we were sitting communing 
 on these things, we discovered, at a 
 little distance on the left, an aged 
 woman hirpling aslant the route wo 
 intended to take. She had a porringer 
 in tlie one hand, and a small kit tied iu 
 acloute in tlie other, by which we dis- 
 cerned that she was j^robably somo 
 labourer's wife conveying his break- 
 fast to him iu the fiehf. 
 
 We botli rose, and going towards 
 her, Mr Witherspoon said, " For the 
 love of God have compassion on two 
 famishing Christians." 
 
 The old woman stopped, and look- 
 
142 
 
 KINGAN GILIIAIZE. 
 
 ing round, gazed at us for a spaco of 
 time, with a conntenauco of compas- 
 sionate reverence. 
 
 " liech, sirs ! " she then said, " and 
 has it come to this, that a minister of 
 tlie gospel is obligated to beg an alm- 
 ous fnie Janet Armstrong ? " And 
 she set down the porringer on the 
 ground, and began to untie the clouto 
 in which she carried the kit, saying, 
 " Little did I think tiiat sic an homage 
 was in store for me, or that the merci- 
 ful Heavens would e'er requite my 
 sufferings in this world, Avi' the 
 honour of placing it in my power to 
 help a persecuted servant of the living 
 God. JNIr Witherspoon, I ken ye 
 weel ; meikle sweet counselling I got 
 frae you when ye jireached for our 
 minister at Camrachle in the time of 
 the great covenanting. I was tiien as 
 a lanerly widow, for my gudeman 
 was at the raid of Dunse-hill, and 
 my heart was often sorrowful and 
 sinking wi' a sinful misdootiug of 
 rrovidence, for I had twa wee bairns 
 and but a toom garnel." 
 
 She then opened the kit, which 
 contained a providing of victual that 
 she was carrying, as we had thought, 
 to her husband, aquarrierin a neigh- 
 bouring quarry ; and bidding \xa par- 
 tiike, she said — 
 
 " This will be a blithe morning to 
 John Armstrong, to think that out of 
 our basket and store, we hae had 
 for once in our day, the blessing of 
 gi'eiug a pick to ane o' God's greatest 
 (lorbies ; and he'll no fin' his day's 
 darg ae hue the dreigher for wanting 
 his breakfast on account of sic a 
 cause." 
 
 So we eat down, and began to par- 
 take of the repast with a greedy 
 appetite, and the worthy woman con- 
 tinued to talk. 
 
 " Aye," said she, " the country- 
 side has been in a consternation ever 
 since Dalziel left Glasgow; — we a' 
 jealouscd that the Lanark Covcnau- 
 
 tcrs wouldna be able to withstand his 
 power and the king's forces ; for it 
 was said ye hadna a right captain of 
 war among you a'. — llut, Mr Wither- 
 spoon, ye could ne'er be ane of the 
 minister's that were said to meddle 
 with the battering-rams o' battle. — 
 No : weel 1 wat that yours is a holier 
 wisdom — ye would be for peace ; — 
 blessed are the i)iuce-makev3." 
 
 Seeing the honest 'vomau thus iur 
 cliued to prattle of things too high for 
 her to understand, Mr Witherspoon's 
 hunger being somewhat abated, he 
 calmly interposed, and turned the 
 discourse into kind inquiries concern- 
 ing the state of her poor soul and her 
 straitened worldly circumstances ; and 
 he was well content to find that sho 
 had a pleasant vista of the truths of 
 salvation, and a confidence in the un- 
 ceasi'^g care of Providence. 
 
 "Tiie same gracious hand that 
 feeds the ravens," said she, " will ne'er 
 let twa auld folk want, tiiat it h.ns 
 been at tiie trouble to provide for so 
 long. Its true we had a better proa-* 
 pek in our younger days ; but our auld 
 son was slain at the battle of Wor^ 
 cester, when he gaed in to help to put 
 the English crown on the head of tha^ 
 false Ciiarlie Stuart, who ha.s broken 
 his oath and the Covenant ; and my 
 twa winsome lassies diet in their teens, 
 before they were come to years o' disi 
 cretion. But ' few and evil are the 
 days of man that is born of a woman,* 
 as I hae heard you preach, Mr 
 Witherspoou, which is a blessed truth 
 and consolation to those who have not 
 in this world any continued city." 
 
 We then enquired what wag the 
 religious frame of the people in that 
 part of the country, in order that wo 
 might know how to comport ourselves; 
 but she gave us little heartening. 
 
 " The strength and wealtii o' tho 
 gentry," said she, " is just sooket awa 
 wi' ae fine after anither, and it's no 
 in the power of nature that they can 
 
TTNGAN fillJIATZK 
 
 143 
 
 nioiklu laiiyer staud out against the 
 prelacy.'' 
 
 " I hope," replied MrWitherspoon, 
 " that there's no syniptoni of a laxity 
 of principle among tliem ? " 
 
 " I doot. I doot, Mr Uitherspoon," 
 said Janet Arnistronia;, " we canna hae 
 a groat dependence either on principle 
 or doctrine when folk arc driven dc- 
 iiiented Avi' ojtpression. !Many tliat 
 were ancc godly among lis can thole 
 no more, and they begin to fash and 
 turn aw;V at the sight of their perse- 
 cuted friends." 
 
 l\Ir AVitherspoou sighed with a 
 heavy heart on hearing this, and 
 mournfully sliook his head. We then 
 thanked Janet for her hospitable 
 kindness, and rising, were moving to 
 go away. 
 
 " [ hope, Mv Witherspoon," said 
 she, "that we're no to part iu sio a 
 knotless manner. Bide here till I 
 gang for John Armstrong and the 
 otlier twa men that howk wi' him in 
 the quarry. They're bearing plants o' 
 liie vineyard, — tarry, I pray you, and 
 water them wi' tiio water o' the Word." 
 
 And so Siiying, she hastened down 
 tlic track she was going, and we con- 
 tinued on the spot to wait her return, 
 
 " liingan,'' said Mr Witherspoon 
 to me, " I fear there's owre meikle 
 truth iu what slie says concerning the 
 state of religion, not only here, but 
 among all the commonalty of the hind. 
 'I'lie poor beast that's overladen may 
 be stubborn, and refuse for a time to 
 draw ; but the whip will at last pre- 
 vail, until, worn out and weary, it 
 meekly lies down to die. In like 
 manner, the stoutness of the cove- 
 nanted heart will be overcome." 
 
 Just as he was uttering these 
 words, a whiz in a whin bush near to 
 wlierc we were standing, and the souiul 
 of a gun, startled us, and on looking 
 round we saw five men, and one of 
 the black-cuiFa with his firelock etill 
 fit Lia shoulder, looking towards ug 
 
 from behind a dyke that ran along the 
 bottom of the brae. There wn.s no 
 time for consultation. We fled, cower- 
 ing behind the whin bushes till we 
 got round a turn iu the hill, Avhich, 
 protecting us from any immediate 
 sliot, enabled us to run in freedom 
 till we reached a hazel wood, which 
 having entered, we halted to take 
 breath, 
 
 " Wii must not trust ourselves 
 long liere, Mr Witherspoon," said 1. 
 " Let us go forward, for assuredly the 
 bloodhounds will follow us in." 
 
 Accordingly we went on. Lut it 
 is not to be told what we suffered in 
 passing through that wood ; for the 
 boughs and branches scourged us in 
 the face, and the ground beneath our 
 feet was marshy and deep, and griev- 
 ously overspread with brambles that 
 tore away our very flesh. 
 
 After enduring several hours of 
 unspeak.'iblo suffering beneath those 
 wild and unfrequented trees, we camo 
 to a little glen, down whicli a burn 
 ran, and having stopped to consult, 
 wo resolved to go up rather iliau 
 down the stream, in ord'.-r that wo 
 might not be seen by the pursuers, 
 whom we supposed would naturally 
 keep the hill, liut by this time our 
 strength was iu a manner utterly 
 gone with fatigue, in so much tiiat 
 Mr Witherspoon said it would be as 
 well to fall into th^ hands of the 
 enemy as to die in the wood. I, how- 
 ever, encouraged him to be of good 
 clieer; and it so happened, in that 
 veiy moment of despair, that I ob- 
 served a little cavern nook aneath a 
 rock that overhung the burn, and 
 thither I proposed we should wade 
 and rest ourselves in the cave, trusting 
 that Providence would bo pleased to 
 guide our persecutors into some other 
 path. So we passed tlic water, and 
 laid ourselves down under the shelter 
 of the rock, where we soon after fell 
 asleep. 
 
144 
 
 HINOAN GILHATZE. 
 
 ^Ve were graciously protected for 
 the space of four hours, wliile wo lay 
 asleep under the rock. Mr Withcr- 
 spoou was the first who awoke, and 
 he sat watching me for some time, in 
 great anxiety of spirit, as ho after- 
 wards told me ; for the day wfvs far 
 spent, and the weather, as is often the 
 custom in our climate, in the wane of 
 the year, when the morning rises 
 bright, hiid become coarse and drunily, 
 threatening a rough night. 
 
 At last I awoke, and according to 
 what wo had previously counselled 
 together, we went up the course of 
 the burn, and so got out of that afUict- 
 ing wood, and came to an open and 
 wide moorland, over which we held 
 our journeying westward, guided by 
 the sun that with a sickly eye was 
 then cowering through the mist to 
 his chamber ayont the hill. 
 
 But though all around us was a 
 pathless scene of brown heather, here 
 and there patched with the deceitful 
 green of some perilous well-e'e ; 
 though the skies were sullen, and the 
 bleak wind gusty, and every now and 
 then a straggling flake of snow, 
 strewed in our way from the invisible 
 hand of the cloud, was a token of a 
 coming drift, still a joyous encourage- 
 ment was shed into our bosoms, and 
 we saw in the wildness of the waste, 
 and the omens of the storm, the bles- 
 sed means with which Providence, in 
 that forlorn epoch, was manifestly de- 
 terring the pursuer and the perse- 
 cutor from tracking our defenceless 
 flight. So we journeyed onward, dis- 
 coursing of many dear and tender 
 cares, often looking round, and listen- 
 ing when startled by the wind whis- 
 pering to the heath and the waving 
 fern, till the shadows of evening 
 began to fall, and the dangers of the 
 night season to darken around us. 
 
 When the snow hung on the hea- 
 ther like its own bells, we wished, but 
 we feared to seek a place of shelter. 
 
 Fain would wo have gone back to tho 
 home for the fugitive, which we had 
 found under tho rock, but we kntiw 
 not how to turn ourselves ; for the 
 lights of tho moon and stars were 
 deeply concealed in the dark folds of 
 the wintry mantle with which tho 
 heavens were wrapt up. Our hearts 
 then grew weary, and more than onco 
 I felt as if I were very willing to 
 die. 
 
 Still wo struggled on ; and when 
 it had been dark about an hour, wo 
 came to the skirts of a field, where 
 tho strips of the stubble through tho 
 snow showed us that some ho'ise or 
 clachan could not be far o'' Wo 
 then consulted together, r to 
 
 make our place of rest in th„ . ol a 
 stack, or an outhouse, than to apply 
 to the dwelling ; for the thought of 
 the untimely end of harmless Nahum 
 Chapelrig lay like clay on our hearts, 
 and we could not but be sorry that, 
 among the other woes of the vial of 
 the prelatio disi)ensation, the hearts 
 of the people of Scotland should be 
 turned against one another. 
 
 Accordingly going down tho riga, 
 with as little interchange of discourse 
 as could well be, we descried, by tho 
 schimmer of the snow, and a ghastly 
 streak of moonlight that passed over 
 the fields, a farm-steading, with seve- 
 ral trees and stacks around it, and 
 thither we softly directed our steps. 
 Greatly, however, were we surprised 
 and touched with distress, when, as 
 we drew near, we saw that there was 
 no light in tho house, nor the sign of 
 fire within, nor inhabitant about tho 
 place. 
 
 On reaching the door wo found it 
 open, and on entering in, everything 
 seemed as if it had been suddenly 
 abandoned; but by the help of a pistol, 
 which I had taken in the raid from 
 one of Turner's disarmed troopers, and 
 putting our trust in the protection we 
 had so far enjoyed, I struck a light and 
 
llTNfiAN OTLITATZK. 
 
 14; 
 
 kiiidk'd tlio fire, over wliicli tlioro was 
 Ktill Iiiiiif,'iii.i,'. o!i the HWec, a kuil-pot, 
 Avlicniii till' family at tlio time of tlioir 
 ili;.r|it ii.adljL'uii jtrcpariiif,' their dinner; 
 iind we judged l)y tliiH token, and liy 
 tlie vi.silde desertion, that we were in 
 tlie lioiise of some of (iod's people 
 wlio had lieon .suddenly sealtereil. 
 Aecordinyly we scrupled not to help 
 oiirselvi's from the aunirie, knowinj,' 
 how readily they would pardon the 
 freedom of need in a gos^jel minister, 
 and a covenanted brotiicr dejected 
 with want and much suffering. 
 
 Havinpr fmished our supper, iu- 
 fitoad of sitting by the fire, as wo at 
 first proposed to do, we thought it 
 would be safer to take the blankets 
 from the beds and make our lair in 
 tlie barn ; so wo accordingly retired 
 Ihitlier, and lay down among some 
 untlireshed corn that w.-xs lying ready 
 on tile floor for the flail. 
 
 lUit we were not well down when 
 we heard the breathings of two per- 
 sons near us. As there was no light, 
 and Mr "NVitii'-rspoon guessing by 
 what Avc had seen, and by this con- 
 cealment, that they must be some of 
 the family, he began to pray aloud, 
 thereby, without letting wot they were 
 discovered, making them to under- 
 stand what sort of guests wo were. 
 At the conclusion an old woman 
 spoke to us, telling us dreadful things 
 which a gang of soldiers had com- 
 mitted that afternoon. 
 
 •' lUit what has become of our 
 men, or where the bairns liae fled, 
 we know not," said that aged person, 
 in a voice of settled grief, an<l all the 
 sacred exhortations that IMr VVither- 
 spoon could employ softened not the 
 obduracy of her inward sorrowing, 
 lie, however, persuaded them to re- 
 turn ■with us to the house ; for the 
 enemy having been there, wo thought 
 it not likely he would that night come 
 again. As for mc, during the dismal 
 recital, I could not epcak. The eye 
 
 of my spirit was fixed on the trcnsuro 
 I had left at home. Every word I 
 heard was like the sting of an adder. 
 My horrors and fears rose to such a 
 pitch, that I could no longer master 
 them. 1 started up and rushed to 
 the door, as if it hail been possible to 
 arre.ot the imagined rage of the per- 
 secutors in my own unprotected 
 dwelling. 
 
 IMr Witherspoon followed me, 
 tliinking I had gone by myself, and 
 caught mc by the arm and entreated 
 me to bo composed, and to return 
 with him into the house. But while 
 he wii thus kindly remonstrating 
 with me, something took his foot, 
 and he stumbled and fell to the 
 ground. The accident served to 
 check the frenzy of my thoughts for 
 a moment, and I stooped down to 
 help him up ; but in the same instant 
 he uttered a wild howl that made niu 
 start from him ; and ho then added, 
 awfully — 
 
 " In the namo of Heaven, what is 
 this ? " 
 
 " What is this? " said I, filled with 
 unutterable dread. 
 
 " Hush, hush," ho replied as ho 
 rose, " lest the poor women hear us ; " 
 and he lifted in his arms the body of 
 a child of some four or five years old. 
 I could endure no more ; 1 thougiit 
 the voices of my own innocents cried 
 to me for help, and in the frenzy of 
 the moment I left the godly man, and 
 fled like a demoniac, not knowing 
 which way I went. 
 
 A keen frost had succeeded the 
 snow, and the wind blew piercingly 
 cold ; but the gloom had passed 
 away. The starry eyes of the heavens 
 were all wakefully bright, and the 
 moon was moving along the fleecy 
 edge of a cloud, like a lonely barque 
 that navigates amidst the foaming 
 perils of some dark inhospitable 
 shore. At the time, however, I was 
 in no frame of thought to note these 
 
146 
 
 RINCrAN GILHATZE. 
 
 tilings, but I know that sucli wnB 
 then the aspect of tliat iiifrht; for as 
 often ,yot, as the freezinij M'ind sweeps 
 over the fields strewed with snow, 
 and the stars are shining vigilantl)', 
 and the moon hastily travels on the 
 skirts of the cloud, the ]>a.ssion of that 
 liour, at the sigiit thereof, revives in 
 my spirit ; and the mourning Avomen. 
 and tlie perished child iit the arms of 
 Mr Witherspoon, appear like palpable 
 imagery before the eyes of my remem- 
 brance. 
 
 The speed with which I ran soon 
 exhausted my strength. — 1 began to 
 reflect on the unavailing zeal witli 
 which I was then hastening to the 
 Buccour of those for Avhom my soul 
 was suffering more than the tongue of 
 the eloquent orator can express. — I 
 stopjied to collect my reason and my 
 thoughts, which, I may well say, were 
 scattered, like the wrack that drifts in 
 the tempestuous air. — I considered, 
 that I knew not a footstep of the 
 road, that dangers surrounded me on 
 all sides, and tliat the precipitation of 
 my haste niight draw me into acci- 
 dents, whereby the very ol)ject would 
 be lost which I was so eager to gain ; 
 and the storm within me abated, and 
 the distraction of my bosom, which had 
 BO well nigh ship-wrecked my unfhT- 
 fitanding, was moderated, like the 
 billows of the ocean when the blasts 
 are gone by ; so that, after I was 
 some four or five miles away from 
 yon house of martyrdom and mourn- 
 ing, a gracious dispensation of com- 
 posure was poured into my spirit, and 
 I was thereby enabled to go forward 
 on my journey with the circumspec- 
 tion so needful in that woeful time. 
 
 I'ut in projiortiou as my haste 
 slackened, and the fi'ry violence of 
 the fears snl)sided wherewith I was 
 liurried on, the icy tooth of the winter 
 grew feller in the bite, and I became 
 in a manner almost helpless. The 
 mind within mo was as if the faculty 
 
 of its thinking had been frozen np, 
 and about the dawn of morni;ig E 
 Avalked in a willcss manner, the blood 
 in my veins not iiDre henumbcd in 
 its course than was the fluency of my 
 spirit in its power of resolution. 
 
 I had now, from the time tliat our 
 covenanted host w;is scattered ou 
 Uullion-green, travelled many miles; 
 aiul though like a barque drifting 
 rudderless on the ocean tides, as the 
 stream flows and the blast blows, I 
 bad held no constant course, still my 
 progress had been havenward, in-so- 
 nuich that about sunrise I found my- 
 self, I cannot well tell how, on the 
 heights to the south of Castlemilk, 
 and the city of Ciasgow, with her 
 goodly array of many to'.vcrs glittering 
 in the morning beams, lay in sight 
 Koine few miles off on the north. I 
 knew it not ; but a herd I fell in with 
 on tlie hill told me what town it was, 
 and the names of divers claclians, and 
 the houses of men of substance in tho 
 lowlands before me. 
 
 Among others he pointed out to 
 me Kether Pollock in the midst of a 
 .'ikirting of trees, the seat and -^'astlo 
 of that godly and much-persecuted 
 C'hri-tian and true Covenanter, Sir 
 George ]\Iaxwell, the savour of whoso 
 piety was sjiread far and wide ; for ho 
 had sulTer(<d much, both from sore im- 
 prisonment and the heavy fine of four 
 thousand pounds imposed u]ion him, 
 shortly after tliat conclave of Satan, 
 Middleton's sederunt of tho pvivy 
 council at Glasgow. 
 
 Heiiig tlion hungered and very 
 coll., after discoursing with the poor 
 lierd. who was a simple stripling in 
 the ignorance of innocence, T resolved 
 to liiiid my way toward Nether i'ol- 
 lock, in the confident failii that the 
 master thereof, having suffered HO 
 much himself, would know how to 
 compassionate a persecuted brother. 
 And often since I have tiiougiit that 
 there WJia something higher than rea- 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 147 
 
 son in the instinct of this confidence ; 
 for indeed, liad I reasoned from what 
 was conunonly said— and, . -lias ! owro 
 truly — that the covenanted s])irit was 
 bent, if not broken, 1 •\voiihl have 
 feared to seek tlie pates of ISir (Jeor;,'e 
 Maxwell, lest the love he had once 
 borne to our cause liad been converted, 
 by his own sutVeriiigs and apprehen- 
 sions, into dread or aversion. Ikit I 
 was encouraged of the Spirit to pro- 
 ceed. 
 
 .lust, however, as T parted from 
 the herd, he cried after nie, and 
 pointed to a man coming up the hill 
 at some distance, Avith a gun in his 
 hand, and a bird-bag at his side, and 
 two dogs at his heel, saying, "Yon'er's 
 Sir (ieorge IMaxwell himsel ganging 
 to the moors. lOh ! but ho has luul 
 his ain luck to fill his poek so weel 
 already." 
 
 Whereupon I turned my stei)S 
 toward Sir tieorge, and, on api)roaeli- 
 iiighim, bcseeclied him to have coui- 
 |)a.ssion on a jjoor famished fugitive 
 from tlie I'entlands. 
 
 lie stoppeil, and looked at me in 
 a most piiiful maimer, ami shook iiis 
 head, and said, Avitii a tender grief in 
 his voice, " It wa^^ a hasty buj^iness, 
 and the worst of it no yet either heard 
 nor over; but let us lose no time, for 
 you are in much danger if you tarry 
 so near to (Jlasgow, where Colonel 
 Drummond came yesterday with a 
 detachment of soldiers, and has 
 already spread them over tho coun- 
 try." 
 
 In saying these words the worthy 
 gentleman opened his bag, Avhieh. in- 
 steiul of being filled with game, as the 
 ninrvelling stripling had supposed, 
 contained a store of provi.'iions. 
 
 " r came not for pastime to the 
 moor this morning."' sai.l he, ])resi'nt- 
 ing to me something to eat, "but be- 
 cause last night 1 he.'ird that many of 
 th(! onleasts had been seeu yesterday 
 Unking about thuu hills, and as 1 
 
 could not give them harbour, nor 
 even let them have any among my 
 tenants, I have come out with some 
 of my men, .is it were to the shooting, 
 in order to succour them. But we 
 must not remain long to.!,'ether. Take 
 with you what you may require, and 
 go away quickly ; an<l J conn:<el you 
 not to t:ikc the road to Raisley, Init to 
 cross witii what speed you can to tho 
 western parts of the shire, where, as 
 the [leople have not been concerned iu 
 the raid, there's the less likelihood of 
 Druuimond sending any of his force 
 in that direction." 
 
 Accordingly, being thus plentifully 
 supplied by the providence of that 
 worthy, my strength was wonderfully 
 recruited, and my heart cheered. 
 \\"ith many thanks I then hastened 
 from him, praying that his private 
 charitable intents might bring him 
 into no trouble. And surely it was a 
 thing hallowing to the affections of 
 iiie i.tflicted Scottish nation to meet 
 with audi Christian fellowship. For 
 to the perpetual renown of many 
 honourable West- country families bo 
 it s])oken, both mast.r and men were 
 daily in the nioois at that time suc- 
 ccuiring the persecuted, like the ravens 
 that fed Elijah in the wilderness. 
 
 After i)artiiig from Sir George 
 jNIaxweli, I continued to bend my 
 course straight Avestward, and having 
 cro "d the road from Glasgow to 
 Pait:.ey, I directed my steps to tho 
 li! 'Her' parts of tho cotmtry, being 
 minded, according to the suggestions 
 of that excellent person, to find my 
 way by the coast side into the shire of 
 AyV. 'l)Ut tliouuh my anxiety con- 
 cerning my family was now sharpened 
 as itweroAvith the anguksh of tire, I 
 Ix'gan to rea.son with myself on llio 
 jeoiiardy I niijiht bring upon tin m, 
 were I to return wiiile the light wa,s 
 so fierce ; and in the end 1 came to the 
 detiTmination only to seek to know 
 how it fared with them, and what hud 
 
14d 
 
 RiNGAN GILHAIzm. 
 
 become of my brother in the battle, 
 trusting tliat in due season the Lord 
 would mitigate the ire and the cruelty 
 that was let loose on all those who had 
 joined in the Protestation and re- 
 newed the Covenant at Lanark. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Towards the afternoon I found my- 
 self among the solitudes of the llen- 
 frewshire moors. Save at times the 
 mclancholious note of the peeseweep, 
 neither the sound nor the voice of any 
 living thing was heard there. Being 
 then wearied in all my limbs, and 
 willingly disposed to sleep, I laid 
 myself down on a green hollow on the 
 banks of the Gryitfe, where the sun 
 shone with a pleasing warmth for so 
 late a period of the year. I was not, 
 however, many minutes stretched on 
 the grass when I heard a shrill whistle 
 of some one nigh at hand, and pre- 
 sently also the barking of a dog. 
 From the kindly cxperiouce I had re- 
 ceived of Sir George ISIaxwell's care 
 this occasioned at first no alarm ; but 
 on looking up I beheld at some dis- 
 tance three soldiers with a dog, on 
 the other side of the river. 
 
 Near the spot where I lay there 
 was a cloven rock overspread with 
 brambles and slae-bushos. It seemed 
 to me as if the cleft had been pre])ared 
 on purpose for a hiding ])lace. 1 crept 
 into it, and forgetting Ilim by whom I 
 was protected, I trembled witli a base 
 fear. But in that very moment lie at 
 once reV)uked my infirmity, and gave 
 mo a singuhir assurance of His holy 
 wardeiisliip, by causing an adder to 
 come towards me from tlie roots of 
 the bushes, as if to force mo to lleo 
 into tiie view of the pursuers. Just, 
 however, as in my horror 1 was on tlie 
 point of doing so, tlie reptile looked 
 nt me with its glittering eyes, and 
 then suddenly leaped away into the 
 
 brake ; — at the same moment a hare 
 was raised by the dog, and the sol- 
 diers following it with shouts and 
 halloes, were soon carried, by the im- 
 petuosity of the natural incitement 
 which man has for tlie chase, far from 
 the spot, and out of siglit. 
 
 This atlventure had for a time tliO 
 effect of rousing me from out tiie weari- 
 ness with wliicli I had been ojipressed, 
 and I rose and continued my course 
 westward, over the hills, till I came in 
 sight of the Shaws-water, — the stream 
 of which I followed for more than a 
 mile with a beating heart ; for the 
 valley through which it Hows is bare 
 and open, and had any of tlie perse- 
 cutors been then on the neighbouring 
 hills, I must have soon been seen ; but 
 gradually my thoughts became more 
 composed, and the terrors of the poor 
 hunted creature again became changed 
 into confidence and liope. 
 
 In this reiK'Aved spirit I slackened 
 my pace, and seeing, at a short dis- 
 tance down the stream, before me a 
 tree laid across for a bridge, I was 
 comforted with the persuasion tiiat 
 some farm-town could not be far off, 
 so I resolved to linger about till the 
 gloaming, and then to follow the path 
 wliich led over the bridge. For, not 
 knowing how the inhabitants in those 
 parts stood inclined in their con- 
 sciences, I was doubtful to trust myself 
 in their power until 1 had made some 
 espionage. Accordingly, as the sun 
 was still high above tlie hills, I kept 
 the hoUowest track by tiie river's 
 brink, and went down its co'.u'se for 
 some little time, till I arrived where 
 the hills come forward into the valley ; 
 tiien I climbed up a steep hazel bank, 
 and sat down to rest myself on an 
 open grt'cn plot on the brow, wliere a 
 gentle Avest wind shook tiie boughs 
 around me, as if the silent spirits of 
 the solitude were slowly puhising by. 
 
 In this place I had not been long 
 when I heard, aa if it were not far off, 
 
KINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 149 
 
 a sullen roar of fallinrj waters rising 
 hoarsely with the breeze, and listening 
 again, anotlier sound came solemnly 
 mingled witli it, which 1 had soon the 
 del iglit to discover was the holy har- 
 mony of Avorship, and to my cars it 
 was as the first sound of the rushing 
 water which INIoses brought from the 
 rock to those of the thirsty Israelites, 
 and 1 was for some time so ravished 
 with joy that I could not move from 
 the spot where I was sitting. 
 
 At last the sweet melody of the 
 psalin died away, and 1 arose and 
 went towards the airt from which it 
 had come ; but as 1 advanced, the 
 noise of the roaring waters grew loud- 
 er and deeper, till they were as the 
 breaking of tiio summer waves along 
 the Ardrossan shore, and presently I 
 found myself on tiie brink of a cliff, 
 over which the river tumbled into a 
 rugged clinsni, wiierc the rocks were 
 skirted witli lealluss brambles and 
 hazel, and garmented with ivy. 
 
 On a green sloping bank, at a short 
 distance below the waterfall, screened 
 by tlie rocks and trees on the one side, 
 and by the rising ground on the other, 
 about tlurty of the Lord's ilock, old 
 and young, were seated around the feet 
 of an aged grey-haired man, who was 
 preaching to them, — his left hand 
 resting on his stall", — his riglit was 
 raised in exhortation, — and a Bible 
 lay on the ground beside him. 
 
 I stood for the space of a minute 
 looking at the mournful yet edifying 
 sight, — mournful it was, to think how 
 (lod's people were so afflicted, ihat 
 they durst not do tlieir Heavenly King 
 homage but in secrecy, — and edifying, 
 that their constancy was of such an 
 enduring nature that ])ersecntion 
 served but to test it, as lire does the 
 purity of gold. 
 
 As 1 was so standing on the rock 
 above the linn, the preacher happened 
 to lift his eyes towards mo, and the 
 hparers, who were looking at him, 
 
 turned round, and hastily rising, be- 
 gan to scatter and flee away, I at- 
 tempted to cry to them not to be 
 afraid, but the sound of the cataract 
 drowned my voice. I then ran as 
 swiftly as I could towards the spot of 
 worship, and reached the top of tlic 
 sloping bank just fis a young man was 
 assisting Mr Swinton to mount a 
 horse which stood ready saddled, tied 
 to a tree ; for the preacher was no 
 other than that godly man ; but tho 
 courteous reader must from his own 
 kind heart supply what passed at our 
 meeting. 
 
 Fain he was at that time to havo 
 gone no farther on with the exercise, 
 and to have asked many questions of 
 ;ne concerning the expedition to the 
 Pentlands ; but I imj^ortuned iiim to 
 continue his blessed work, for I longed 
 to fast.' the sweet water of life once 
 more from so hallowed a fountain; 
 md, moreover, there was a woman 
 ith a baby at her bosom, which she 
 Jiul brought to be baptized from a 
 neigh t)Ouring farm, called tho Kil- 
 locheun, — !uid a young couple of a 
 composeil and -ohv aspec from tho 
 Back-o'- the - \\orld, waitm:,' to bo 
 joined together, with his blessiIll-^ in 
 marriage. 
 
 Wlien he had clos* 1 hia sermon 
 and done these thing- I went with 
 him, walking at the side of his horse, 
 discoursing of our nu.ny grievous 
 anxieties ; and ho told me th '. after 
 being taken to (llasgow aiil 'ufined 
 in prison there like a \i: .actor for 
 tliirteen days, he had been examined 
 by the 15ishop's court, and through 
 the mediation of one of tho magi- 
 strates, a friend of his own, wlio had 
 a soft word to say witli the Bishop, 
 he was set free witli only a menace, 
 and an admonition not to go within 
 twenty miles of his own jiarish, under 
 pain of being dealt with according 
 to the edict. 
 
 Couversing iu this manner, and 
 
150 
 
 RING AN GILTIAIZE. 
 
 followed by divers of those wlio had 
 been Folaced Avitli his proaoliiiijCf, for 
 the most p;ivt pious folic bcloiiginjf tu 
 the town of Invcikip, we caino to a 
 bridge over the river. 
 
 " Hero, liiiiuaii," said he, •' wc 
 must jiart for the present, for it is not 
 meet to create susjticion. Tliero are 
 mauy of the faithful, no doubt, in 
 thir parts, but it's no to bo denied tiiat 
 there are likewise fifoat.^ among the 
 sheep. The liady of Dunrod, where 
 I am now going, is, without question, a 
 precious vessel free of crack or flaw, 
 but the Laird is of a courtly com- 
 plioncy, and their neighbour. Cars- 
 well, she tells me, is a man of the 
 dourest idolatry, his mother having 
 been a papistical woman, and his 
 father, through all the lime of the 
 First King Charles, an eydeut ettler 
 for preferment." 
 
 So we then parted, he going his 
 way to Dunrod Ca.stlc, and one of 
 the hearers, a farmer hard by, offer- 
 ing me shelter for the night, I went 
 with hiin. 
 
 The decent, thoughtful, elderly 
 man, who so kindly invited me to his 
 house, was by name called Gideon 
 Kemp ; and as we were going towards 
 it together, he told me of tlivers things 
 that worthy ]\Ir Swinton had not time 
 to do ; among the rest, that tin; 
 preaching I had fallen in with at the 
 linn, which should thenceforth be 
 called the Covenanters' Linn, was the 
 first taste of Gosjiel-fother that the 
 scattered sheep of those parts liad 
 tasted for more than eigiit months. 
 
 "Wiiat's to come out o' a' this 
 oppres.sion," said he, "is wonderful 
 to think o'. It's no in the jiower of 
 nature that ony government or earthly 
 institution framed by the ^\it and will 
 o' man can withstand a whole jieople. 
 The jirelates may ])ersecutc, and the 
 King's jiower nuiyback tlieir ini<;uitics, 
 but the day and the hour cannot bo 
 fur off when both the power and tho 
 
 persecutors will be set at nought, and 
 the sense of Avhafc is needful and 
 right, not what is fantastical and 
 arbitrary, govern agaiii in tho councils 
 of this reahn. I say not this in the 
 boast of ])redietion and ])r()t)hecy, but 
 as a tiling that inust come to jiass ; 
 for no man can say, that the peace- 
 ful worshipping according to tlio 
 Word is either a sin, a shame, or an 
 offence against reason ; but the ex- 
 tortioning of lines, and the desolation 
 of families, for attending the same, 
 is manifestly guilt of a dark dye, and 
 tho Judge of llighteousncss will 
 avenge it." 
 
 As we were thus walking sedately 
 towards his dwelling, 1 observed and 
 pointed out to him a lassie coming 
 running towards us. It was his 
 daughter ; and when she came near, 
 panting and out of breath with her 
 haste, she said — 
 
 " (), father, ye maunnagang hamo ; 
 — twa of Carswell's men hae been 
 spooring for you, and they had swords 
 and guns. They're o'er the hill to tiie 
 linn, for wee Willie tolt thtni ycwere 
 gano there to a preaching." 
 
 "Tins comes," said the afllioted 
 (lideon, " of speaking of secret things 
 before bairns ; wlia could hae thought, 
 that a creature no four years old would 
 have been an instrument of discovery ? 
 — I fill no be safe now for you to 
 come hanie wi' me, which I'm wae for, 
 as ye're sac sorely weary't ; but there's 
 a frien o' ours that lives ayont tlio 
 II()lin«tono-hill, aboon the ;udd kirk ; 
 I'll convey you thjther, and she'll gi'e 
 you a shelter for the night." 
 
 .So wo turned back, and again 
 cross( the bridge before spoken of, 
 and held our course towards the 
 housi of Gideon Kemp's wife's step- 
 mot hor. lUit it was not ordain'd that 
 1 Mas yet to enjoy the protection of a 
 raftered dwelling ; for just as wo cam(! 
 to the Daffburn, down the glen of 
 which my godly guide was mindct to 
 
niNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 151 
 
 conduct me, as being a leas observable 
 way tliau the open road, lie saw one 
 of Ardgowan's men coming towards 
 lis, and tliat family being of the pio- 
 geny of the Stewarts, were inclined 
 to the ])ri'latic side. 
 
 " Hide yoursel," said lie, " among 
 the bushes." 
 
 And I den't myself in a nook of 
 the glen, where I overheard what 
 pn8(0 1. 
 
 '• 1 thought, Gideon," said the lad 
 to him, "that ye Avould hao been at 
 the conventicle this afternoon. We 
 liao heard o't a' ; and Carswell has 
 sworn that he'll liae baith doited 
 Swinton and Dunrod's leddy at (Glas- 
 gow afore the morn, or he'll mak a 
 tawnle o' her tower." 
 
 '• Carswell shouldna crack sao 
 croose," replied Gideon Kemp; "for 
 though his castle stands proud in the 
 green valley, the time may yet come 
 when lior.-ses and carts will be driven 
 through his ha', and the foul toad 
 and the cauld snail be the only visitors 
 around the unblest hearth o' Cars- 
 well." 
 
 The way in which that gifted man 
 said these words made my heart dinlc; 
 but I hae lived to hear tliat the spirit 
 of prophecy was assuredly in them : 
 for, since the llevolution, Carswell's 
 family has gone all to drift, and 
 liis house become a wastage ; — folk 
 say, a new road that's talked o' be- 
 tween Inverkip and Greenock, is to 
 go through the very middle o't, and 
 HO mak' it an awful monument of 
 what awaits and will betide all those 
 who have no mercy on their fellow- 
 creatnres, and would exalt themselves 
 by abetting tlie .strength of the god- 
 less aiid the strength of the oppres- 
 sors. 
 
 Ardgowan's man was daunted by 
 the words of (iideon Kemp, and re- 
 plied in a subdued manner, "It's 
 really a mehincholious thing to think 
 that folk should hae gone so wud 
 
 about ministers and religion ; — but 
 tak' care of yoursel, Gideon, for a 
 party of soldiers hae come the day to 
 Cartsdj'ke to take up ony of the 
 Kullion-Green rebels that hae fled to 
 thir ])arfs, cind they catcht, I hear, in a 
 j.ublic in the Stenners. three men, and 
 iiave sent them to Gla.'-gow to be 
 hanged." 
 
 1 verily thought my heart would at 
 this have leaped out of my bosom. 
 
 " Surely," replied Gideon Kemp, 
 "the wrath of government is not so 
 unquenchable, that a' the misguided 
 folk concernt in the rising are doom't 
 to die. IJut hae ye heard the names 
 of the prisoners, or where they belong 
 to?" 
 
 " They're o' the shire o' Ayr, some- 
 where frae the skirts o' Irvine or Kil- 
 winning ; and I was likew'ise told 
 their names, but they're no of a 
 familiarity easy to be remembered." 
 
 The horror which fell upon me at 
 hearing this made me forget my own 
 peril, and I sprung out of the place 
 of my concealment, and cried — 
 
 " Do you ken if any of them was 
 of the name of Gilhaize? " 
 
 Ardgowan's nnn was astounded at 
 seeing me standing before him in so 
 instanter a manner, and before making 
 any response, he looked at (iideon 
 Kemp Avith a jealous and troubled eye. 
 
 "Nay," said I, "you shall deal 
 honestly with me, and from this spot 
 you shall noi depart till you have 
 promised to use nae scaith to this 
 worthy man."' So I took hold of him 
 by the skirts of his coat, aiul added, 
 — '• Ye're in the hands of one that 
 tribulation has made desperate. I, 
 too, am a rebel, as ye .«ay, from 
 riidlion-green, and my life is forfiired 
 to tlio ravenous de-ires of those who 
 made the laws that have created our 
 ofTence. IJut fear no wrong, if you 
 have aught of Christian compassion 
 in you. Was Gilhaize the name of 
 any of the prisoners V " 
 
152 
 
 EINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 " I'll no swear't," was his answer ; 
 "but I tliink it was sometliing like 
 that; — one of them, I think, they 
 called Finnie." 
 
 " Robin Finnie," cried I, dropping^ 
 his coat, " he was wi' my brother ; I 
 caima doubt it ; " and the thouffht of 
 their fate flooded my heart, and the 
 tears flowed from my eyes. 
 
 The better nature of Ardgowan's 
 man was moved at the sight of my 
 distress, and ho said to Gideon 
 Kemp — 
 
 " Ye needna bo fcar't, Gideon ; I 
 liope ye ken mair o' me than to think 
 I would betray cither friend or nc- 
 quaintance. 13ut gang na' to the 
 toun, for a' yon'er's in a state o' imco 
 wi' the news o' Avhat's being done the 
 day at Cartsdyke, and everybody's in 
 the hourly dread and fear o' some o' 
 the blackeuffs coming to devour them." 
 
 " That's spoken like yoursel', 
 Johnnie Jamioson," said Gideon 
 Kemp ;" but this poor man," mean- 
 ing mo, " has iiad a day o' weary 
 travel among the moors, and is greatly 
 in need of refreshment and a place of 
 rest. Wlien the sword, Johnnie, is 
 in the hand, it's an honourable thing 
 to deal stoutly wi' the foe ; but when 
 forlorn and dejectit, and more house- 
 less than the beasts of the field, he's 
 no longer an adversary, but a man 
 that we're bound by the laws of God 
 and nature to help." 
 
 Jamieson remained for a short 
 space in a dubious manner, aiW look- 
 ing mildly toward me, he said, " Gang 
 you your ways, (iideon Kemp, and 
 I'll ne'er say I saw you ; and let your 
 friend den himsel' in tiic glen, and 
 trust me : naebody in a' Inverkip will 
 jealouse that ony of our house would 
 help or harbour a covenanted rebel ; 
 so I'll can bring him to some place o' 
 succour in the gloaming, wiiere he'll 
 be safer than he could wi' you." 
 
 Troubled and sorrowful as I was, 
 I could not but observe the look of 
 
 soul-searching scrutiny that Gideon 
 Kemp cast at Jamieson, who himself 
 was sensible of his mistrust, for ho 
 replied— 
 
 "Dinnamisdootme, Gideon Kemp; 
 I would sooner put my right hand in 
 the fire, and burn it to a cinder, than 
 harm tlic hair of a man that was in 
 my power." 
 
 " And I'll believe you," said I ; 
 "so guide me wheresoever you will." 
 
 " Ye'll never thrive, Johnnie 
 Jamieson," added honest Gideon, 
 " if ye're no sincere in tiiis trust." 
 
 So after some little furtlier com- 
 muning, the worthy farmer left us, 
 and 1 followed Jamieson down tho 
 ])iiff-bnrn, till we came to a mill that 
 stood in the hollow of the glen, tho 
 wheel Avhercof was happing in the 
 Avater with a pleasant and peaceful 
 din tliat sounded consolatory to my 
 hearing after the solitudes, the storms 
 and tlie accidents, I liail met with. 
 
 " Bide you here," s^aid Jamieson ; 
 " the gudeman's ane o' your folk, but 
 his wife's a thought camstrarie at 
 times, and before I tak you into tho 
 mill I maun look thatsiie's no there." 
 
 So he hastened forward, and going 
 to tiie door, went in, leaving mo 
 standing at the sluice of tlie mill- 
 lade, where, however, I had not occa- 
 sion to wait long, for presently he came 
 out, and beckoned to me with his hand 
 to come quickly. 
 
 Sauners I'aton, as the miller was 
 called, received me in a kindly nuiu- 
 ner, saying to .Famieson — 
 
 "I aye thought, Johnnie, that 
 some day ye would got a cast o' grace, 
 and the Lord has boon bountiful to 
 you at lasit, in putting it in your power 
 to be aiding in such a Samaritan 
 work. IJut, " he added, turning to 
 me, "it's no just in my power to do 
 for you what I could wis ; for, to keep 
 peace in the house, I'm at times, like 
 many other married men, obligated 
 to let the gudewifo tak her ain way ; 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 15^ 
 
 for wliich reason, I doubt ye'U liae to 
 iiiak your bed here in the mill." 
 
 While he wjis thus speaking', we 
 heard the tongue of Mrs Patou ring- 
 ing like a bell. 
 
 " For Heaven's sake, Johnnie 
 Jamieson," cried the miller, "gang out 
 and stop lier frae coming Iiitlicr till I 
 get the poor man hiilden in the loft." 
 
 Jamieson ran out, leaving us to- 
 gether, and the miller placing a ladder, 
 I mounted up into the loft, where he 
 spread sacks for a bed to me, and told 
 me to lie quiet, and in the dusk he 
 would bring mo something to eat. 
 Ikit before he had well descended, and 
 removed the ladder from the trap- 
 door, in came his wife. 
 
 " Jsoo, Sauners Faton," she ex- 
 claimed, " ye see wliat 1 liae aye pro- 
 ])lu'sied to you is fast coming to pass. 
 'I'lie King's forces are at Cartsdyke, 
 and tliey'U be here the morn, and 
 Aviiat's to come o' you then, wi' your 
 covenanted havers? Ikit, Sauners 
 Taton, I hae ae thing to tell ye, and 
 that's no twa : ye'U this night flit 
 your camp ; ye'U tak to tiie liills, as 
 I'm a living woman, and no bide to be 
 hang't at your ain door, and to get 
 your right Iiand chappit aff. and sent 
 to Lanark for a show, as they say is 
 done an doing wi' a' the Covenanters." 
 
 *' Naebody, Kate, will meildle wi' 
 mo, diuna ye bo fear't," replied the 
 miller; "I hae done nae ill, but 
 pntiently follow't my calling at home, 
 so what hae I to dread? " 
 
 " Did na ye sign the remonstrance 
 to the laird against the curate's com- 
 ing; ca' ye that naething? Ye'U to 
 the caves this night, Sauners Paton, 
 if tliu life bide in your body. What 
 a sight it would be to me to see you 
 ])Ut to death, and m.aybe to lin a sword 
 of caiild iron running through my ain 
 body, for being colleague wi' you ; for 
 ye ken that it's the law now to mak 
 wives responsible for their gudemen." 
 
 "Kate Warden," rcpUed the inUler, 
 
 with a sedate voice, "in sma.' things 
 1 hae ne'er set myse\ vera obdoorately 
 against you." 
 
 "Na! if I e'er heard the like o' 
 that!" exclaimed Mrs Paton. "A 
 cross-graint man, that has just been 
 as a Covenant and Kemonstrance to 
 hap{)iness, submitting hinisel in no 
 manner o' way, either to me or those 
 in authority over ns, to talk o' sma' 
 things ! Banners Paton, ye're a born 
 rebel to your King, and kintra, and 
 wife. But this night Pll put it out of 
 your power to rebel on me. Stop the 
 mill, Sauners Paton, and come out, 
 and tak tlie door on your back. I hae 
 owre n)eikle regard for you to let you 
 bide in jeopardy ony langer here." 
 
 " Consider," said Sauner.s, a littlo 
 dourly, as if lie meditated rebellion, 
 " that this is the season of December ; 
 and where would yc hae me to gang 
 in sic a niglit? " 
 
 " A grave in the kirk-yard's caulder 
 than a tramp on the hills. 'My jo, 
 ye'U hae to conform ; for, posittevely, 
 Sauners Paton, I'm positive, and for 
 tliis niglit, till the blast has blawn by, 
 ye'U hae to seek a refuge out o' the 
 reach of the troopers' spear. — liae yc 
 stoppit the mill ? " 
 
 Tlie mistress was of so propugna- 
 cious a temper, that the poor man saw 
 no better for't than to yield obedience 
 so far, as to pull the string that turned 
 off the water of the mill-lade from the 
 wheel. 
 
 "Noo," said he, "to pleasure you, 
 Kate, I hae stoppit the mill, and to 
 pleasure me, I hope ye'U consent to 
 stop your tongue ; for, to be plain wi' 
 you, frae my ain house I'll no gang 
 this night ; and ye shall hae't, t-inco 
 ye will iiae't, I hae a reason of my 
 ain for biding at hame, and at Iiame I 
 will bide ; — na, what's mair, Kate, it's 
 a reason that I'll no'tell to you." 
 
 " Dear pity me, Sauner.s Paton ! " 
 cried his wife; "ye're surely grown 
 o' late au unco reasonable man. llut 
 
154 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 Lcddy Stuart's quadroopod bird they 
 ca' a parrot, can come o'er and o'er 
 again ony word as weol as you can do 
 reason ; but reason liere or reason 
 there, I'll ne'er consent to let you stay 
 to bo put to tlie swoi'd before my e'en ; 
 so come out o' the mill and lock the 
 door." 
 
 To this the honest man made no 
 immediate answer ; but, after a short 
 (silence, he said — 
 
 " Kate, my queen, I'll no say that 
 what ye say is far wrang ; it may be 
 as weel for me to tak a dauner to the 
 top o' Dunrod : but some providing 
 should be made for a sojourn a' night 
 in the wilderness. The sun has been 
 set a lucky hour, and ye may as weel 
 get the supper ready, and a creel wi' 
 some vivers prepared." 
 
 "Noo, that's like yoursel, Sauners 
 Paton," replied his wife ; " and surely 
 my endeavour shall not be wanting 
 to mak you comfortable." 
 
 At these words Jamicson came also 
 into the mill, and said, " I hope, mil- 
 ler, the wife lias gotten you persuaded 
 o' your danger, and that ye'il conform 
 to her kind wishes." . By which I dis- 
 cernt, that ho had purposely egget 
 her on to urge her guderaan to take 
 the moors for the advantage of me. 
 
 " O, aye," replied the miller ; '' I 
 could na but be consenting, poor 
 queen, to lighten Iier anxieties ; and 
 though for a season," he added, in a 
 way that I well understood, " the eyes 
 above may be closed in slumber, a 
 watcii will be set to gi'e the signal 
 when it's time to be up and ready ; 
 tliorcfore let us go info tlio house, and 
 cause no further molestation here." 
 
 The three then retired, and. com- 
 forted by the words of this friendly 
 mystery. I confided myself tothecnre 
 of the defenceless sleeper's ever-Avake- 
 fid Sentinel, and for several hours 
 enjoyed a refreshing oblivion from all 
 my troubles and fears. 
 
 Considering the fatiguo I had 
 
 undergone for so many days and 
 nights togetlier, my slumber might 
 have been prolonged perhaps till 
 morning, but the worthy miller, who 
 withstood the urgency of his terrified 
 wife to depart till he thought I was 
 rested, soon after the moon rose came 
 into the mill and wakened me to make 
 ready for the road. So I left my couch 
 in the loft, and came down to him ; 
 and he conducted me a little way from 
 the house, where bidding me wait, ho 
 went back, and speedily returned with 
 a small basket in his hand of the 
 stores which the mistress had provided 
 for himself. 
 
 Having put the handle into my 
 hand he led me down to a steep shoul- 
 der of a precipice nigh the sea-shore, 
 where, telling me to follow the patii 
 along the bottom of the hills, he shook 
 mo with a brotherly affection by the 
 hand, and bade me farewell, — saying, 
 in a joco.'o manner, to lighten the 
 heaviness with whicli he saw my sjiirit 
 was oppressed, — that tho gudewifo 
 would make baith him and Johnnie 
 Jainieson suffer in tho body for tlio 
 fright she had gotten. '• For ye should 
 ken," said he " that the terror she was 
 in was a' bred o' Johnnie's pawkerie. 
 lie knew that she was aye in a di'ead 
 that I would be laid hands on ever 
 since I signed the remonstrance to tiie 
 laird ; and Joiinnio tiiought, that if 
 he could get her to send me out pro- 
 vided for the hills, we would find a 
 way to make the provision yours. So, 
 gude be wi' you, and dinna be overly 
 downhearted, when ye see how won- 
 derfully ye are ta'en care o'." 
 
 Being thus cherished, cheered, and 
 exhorted, by the worthy miller of In- 
 verldp, I went on my way with a sense 
 of renewed hope dawning upon my 
 heart. Tho night was frosty, but 
 clear, and the rippling of the sea glit- 
 tered as with a sparkling of gladness 
 in the beams of tlio moon then walking 
 in tho fulness of her beauty over those 
 
RINOAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 165 
 
 fii'Idfl of liolincss whoso perennial 
 ilowcvs are tlH> ovcrlastin^' stars. IJut 
 tlioiii,'li for u little •wiiilu my floul par- 
 look of tlio biossL'tl tranquillity of tiio 
 iiiiilit, 1 had not travilled far wian 
 tliu lieavcn of my liiouj,'iit3 was over- 
 cast, (iiief for my brother in the 
 lianils of tlio oppressors, and anxiety 
 for tlio treasures of my lieartli, whose 
 danj^vrs were doubtless increased by 
 the part 1 had taken in the raid, 
 cloiuled my reason with many fearful 
 auuuries and doleful anticipations. 
 All care for my own safety was lost in 
 those ov'i whelming reflections, in so 
 much that when tho morning air 
 breatlicd upon mo as I reached the 
 brow of Kilbride Hill, had I been tlien 
 (jnestioned as to the manner I had 
 come there, verily I could have given 
 no account, for I saw not, neither did 
 1 hear, for many mih-S, auglit, 1)ut only 
 the dismal tragedies Avith which liusy 
 imagination rent my heart with aftlic- 
 tioii, and flooded my eyes with the 
 gushing streams of a softer sorrow. 
 
 ihit though my journey was a con- 
 tinued experi((nce of iinvard suffering, 
 I met with no cause of dread, till I 
 Avas witln'n sight, of Kilwinning. 
 1 laving purposed not to go home until 
 1 should learn wliat liad taken place 
 iu my absence, I turned aside to the 
 house of an acqnaintnnce, one William 
 iirekenrig, a covenanted Christian, to 
 inquire, ami to rest myself till the 
 evening. Scarcely, however, had I 
 entered on the path that led to his 
 door wlien a misjiiving of mind fell 
 upon me, and 1 halted and looked to 
 sec if all about the mailing was in its 
 Monted state. His catlle were on tlie 
 stubble — the smoke stood over the 
 lunihead in the lown of the morning — 
 the pldugli lay unyoked on the croft, 
 Imt it had been latelynRed,ftnd the fur- 
 1 ows of part of a rig were newly turned. 
 Still thero was a something that sent 
 polenniity and coldness into my soul. 
 J saw nobody about the farm, which 
 
 at that time of tho day was strange 
 and unaccountable ; nevertlieless I 
 hastened forward, and coming to a 
 park-yett, I saw my old friend leaning 
 over it with his head towards me. I 
 called to him by name, but he heeded 
 me not ; I ran to him and touched him, 
 but he was dead. 
 
 The ground around where he liad 
 rested himself and expired was covered 
 with his blood ; and it was plain he had 
 not been shot long, for he was warm, 
 and the stream still trickled from the 
 wound in his side. 
 
 I have no words to tell what 1 felt 
 at the sight of this woeful murder ; but 
 I ran for help to the house ; and just 
 as I turned the corner of tlic barn, 
 two soldiers met me, and I became 
 their prisoner. 
 
 One of them was a ruthless repro- 
 bate, who wanted to put me to death ; 
 but the other beggit my life : at the 
 moment, however, my spirit was as it 
 were in the midst of thunders and a 
 whirlwind. 
 
 They took from me my pistols and 
 my grandfather's sword, and I could 
 not speak ; and tied my hands behind 
 me with a cutting string, and I thought 
 it was a dream. The air I breathed 
 was as suffocating as suli)hur; I 
 gasped with the sandy thirst of the 
 burning desert, and my throat was as 
 the drowth of tho parched earth in 
 the wilderness of Kedar. 
 
 Soon after this other soldiers came 
 from another farm, where they had 
 been committing similar outrages, and 
 they laughed and were merry as they 
 rehearsed their exploits of guilt. They 
 taunted me and plucked mo by tho 
 lip ; but their boasting of what they 
 had done flaslied more iiercely over 
 my spirit than even these indigni- 
 ties, and I inwardly chided the slow 
 auger of the mysterious Heavens 
 for permitting the rage of those 
 agents of the apostate Jafnes Sharp 
 and compeers, whom a jnaU-sworn 
 
156 
 
 rjNGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 king had so cruelly dressed with hia 
 authority. 
 
 But even in the midst of tUeso re- 
 pinings and bit*:er breathings, it was 
 whispered into the cars of my under- 
 standing, as with the voice of a sera[)h, 
 that the Lord in all things movetli 
 according to His established laws ; 
 and I was comforted to think that in 
 the enormities whereof I was a wit- 
 ness and partaker, there was a 
 tempering of the hearts of the people, 
 that they might become as swords of 
 steel, to work out the deliverance of 
 the land from the bloody methods of 
 prelatic and arbitrary domination ; in 
 80 much, that when the soldiers pre- 
 pared to return to their quarters in 
 Irvine, 1 walked with them — their 
 captive, it is true ; but my steps were 
 firm, and they marvelled to one 
 another at the proudness of my tread. 
 
 There was at the time a general 
 sorrowing throughout the country, at 
 the avenging visitations wherewitli all 
 those who had been in the raid, or 
 ■who had harboured the fugitives, were 
 visited. Hundreds that sympathized 
 ■with the sufferings of their friends, 
 flocked to the town to learn who had 
 been taken, and Avho were put to 
 death or reserved for punishment. 
 The crowd camo pressing around as I 
 ■was conducted up the gait to the 
 tolbooth ; the women wept, but the 
 men looked doure, and tlie children 
 wondered whatfor an honest man 
 should be brought to punishment. 
 Some who knew me, cheered me by 
 name to keep a stout heart ; and the 
 soldiers grew fear't for a rescue, and 
 gnrled at the crowd for closing so 
 closely upon us. 
 
 As I was ascending the tolbooth- 
 stair, I heard a shriek ; and I looked 
 around, and beheld Michael, my first- 
 born, a stripling then only twelve 
 years old, amidst the crowd, stretching 
 out his hands and crying, "O, my 
 father, my father ! " 
 
 I lialted for a moment, and the 
 sohliers seemed to thawwitii compas- 
 sion ; l)ut my haiiils wore tied, — I was 
 a captive on the tlireshold of the 
 dungeon, and T coidd only shut my 
 eyes and bid the stern agents of tlio 
 persecutors go on. Still the cry of my 
 distracted child knelled in my ear, 
 and my agony grew to such a pitcli, 
 that 1 Hew forward up the steps, and, 
 in the dismal vaults within, souglit 
 refuge from the misery of my child. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 I WAS conducted into a straight and 
 dark chamber, and the cord where- 
 with my hands were bound was un- 
 tied, and a shackle put upon my 
 right wrist ; the flesh of my left was 
 so galled Avith the cord, that the 
 jailor was softened at the siglit, and 
 from the humanity of his own nature, 
 refrained from placing the iron on it, 
 lest the rust should fester tlie quick 
 wound. 
 
 Then I was loft alone in the 
 gloomy solitude of the prison-room, 
 and the ponderous doors wore shut 
 upon me, and the harsh bolts driven 
 with a horrid grating noise, that 
 caused my very boms to dinle. Jjut 
 even in that dreadful hour an un- 
 speakable consolation camo with tho 
 freshness of a breathing of the airs of 
 paradise to my soul. Methought a 
 wonderful liglit slione around mc, 
 that I heard melodious voices bidding 
 me be of good cheer, and tliat a 
 vision of my saintly grandfather, in 
 the glorious vestments of his heavenly 
 attiri!, stood before me, and smiled 
 upon me with that holy comeliness of 
 countenance which has made his 
 image in my remembrance ever that 
 of the most venerable of men ; so 
 that, in the very depth of what I 
 thought would have been the pit of 
 despair, I had a delightful taste of 
 
lUNflAN GILHATZE. 
 
 m 
 
 those blcssi'd experiences of Divino 
 aiil, by which the holy iiuvrtyra ucro 
 sustained in tlio liours of trial, and 
 cheered amidst the torments in which 
 tlicy sealed the truth of their testi- 
 mony. 
 
 After the favour of that sweet and 
 celestial encoura^'enient, I laid my- 
 self down on a pallet in the corner of 
 tlie room, and a gracious sleep des- 
 cended upon my eyelids, and steeped 
 tiie sense and memory of my griefs in 
 fnrgetfulness. When 1 awoko the 
 day Avas far spent, and tlie light 
 tiirongli the iron staiuchers of the 
 little Avindow showed that the shadows 
 of the twilight were darkening over 
 tlio world. I raised myself on my 
 elbow, and listened to the murmur of 
 the multitude that I heard still linger- 
 ing around the prison ; and sometimes 
 1 thought that I discovered the voice 
 of a friend. 
 
 In that situation, and thinking of 
 all tiiose dear ones which tilled my 
 heart with tenderness and fear, and 
 of the agonizing grief of my little 
 boy, the sound of whose cries still 
 echoed in my bosom, I rose upon my 
 knees and connnitted myself entirely 
 to the custody of llini that can give 
 the light of liberty to the captive even 
 in the gloom of the dungeon. And 
 when I liad done so I again ])repared 
 to lay myself on the ground ; but a 
 rustle in the darkness of the room 
 drew my attention, and in the same 
 moment a kind hand was laid on 
 mine. 
 
 "Sarah lioclirig," said I, for I 
 knew my wife's gentle pressure, — 
 " How is it that you are with me in 
 this doleful place ? J low got you en- 
 trance, and I not hear you come in ? " 
 
 lUit before slie had time to make 
 any answer, another's fond arms were 
 around my neck, and my affectionate 
 young Michael wept upon my 
 shoulder. 
 
 Bear with me, courteous reader, 
 
 when I think of those things,— that 
 wife and that child, and all that I 
 loved so fondly, are no more ! JJut 
 it is not meet that I should yet tell 
 how my spirit was turned into iron 
 and my heart into stone. Therefore 
 will 1 still endeavour to relate, as 
 with the equanimity of one that writes 
 but of indifferent things, what further 
 ensued during the thirteen daj-s of my 
 captivity. 
 
 Sarah Lochrig, with the mildness 
 of her benign voice, when we had 
 mingled a few tears, told me that, 
 after 1 went to (ialloway with Martha 
 Swinton, she had been moved by our 
 neighbours to come with our children 
 into the town, as being safer for a 
 lanerly woman .and a family left with- 
 out its head, and a providential thing 
 it was that she had done so ; for on 
 the very night that my brother came 
 off with the men of tlie parish to join 
 \i^, aa 1 have noted down in its proper 
 place, a gang of dragoons plundered 
 both his house and mine, and but 
 that our treasures had been timeously 
 removed, his family having also gone 
 that day into Kilmarnock, the out- 
 rages might have been unspeakable. 
 
 We then had some household dis- 
 course, anent what was to be done in 
 the event of things coming to the 
 worst with me ; and it was an admira- 
 tion to hear with what constancy of 
 reason, and the gifts of a supported 
 judgment, that gospeldiearted woman 
 spoke of what she would do with her 
 cliildren, if it was the Lord's pleasilre 
 to honour me with the crown of mar- 
 tyrdom. 
 
 " But," sai>' she, " I hae an assur- 
 ance within *:i-»t some great thing is 
 j'et in store for you, thougli the hope 
 be clouded with a doubt that I'll no 
 be spar't to see it, and therefore let 
 us not despond at this time, but use 
 the means that Providence may atlord 
 to effect your deliver.ance." 
 
 While we were thus conversing to- 
 
15S 
 
 HINOAN GILIIATZK. 
 
 gcthcrtbo doors of the prison-room 
 Wore oponcd, and a man was let in 
 who liad a cruiciic' iu tlio one iwiud and 
 a basket in tlio otiicr. lie waa loan 
 and pale-faced, bordering on forty 
 years, andof amelaneliolyconiplexion; 
 liis eyu wa.s quick, deep set, and a 
 tliouj.(iit wild ; his longhair was care- 
 fully combed smoot' , and his apparel 
 was sini,'i\larly well composed for a 
 person of his desreo. 
 
 Having set down the himp on the 
 floor, he came in a very reverential 
 manner towards whore 1 was sitting, 
 with my right hand fettered to the 
 ground, between Sarah liOelirig and 
 Michael our son, and ho said, with a 
 remarkable and gentle simplicity of 
 voice, in the Iligldand accent, tiiat he 
 had been requested by a righteous 
 woman, I'rovost llcid's wife, to bring 
 me a bottle of cordial wine and some 
 little matters that I might require for 
 bodily consolation. 
 
 " It's that godly creature, Willie 
 Sutherland, the hangman," said my 
 wife. "Though rrovidcnco has 
 dealt hardly with him, poor man, in 
 this life, everybody says he has gotten 
 arles of a servitude in glory hereafter." 
 
 When he had placed the basket at 
 the knees of Michael, he retired to a 
 corner of the room, and stood in the 
 shadow, with his face turned towards 
 the wall, saying, " I'm concern't that 
 it's no in my power to leave you to 
 yoursels till Mungo Robeson come 
 back, for he has lockit me in, but I'll 
 no hearken to what you may say ; " 
 and there was a modesty of manner in 
 the way that he said this, which made 
 me think it not possible he could be 
 of so base a vocation as the public 
 executioner, and I whispered my opin- 
 ion of him to Sarah Lochrig. It w;is 
 however the case ; and verily iu the 
 life and conduct of that simple and 
 pious man there was a manifesta- 
 tion of the trutii, that to him whom 
 the Lord favours it significth not 
 
 whatsoever his earthly condition may 
 be. 
 
 After 1 had partaken with my wife 
 and son of some refreshment whieli 
 they had brought with them, and 
 tasted of the wine that I'rovost Ucid's 
 lady had sent, we lieant tlie bolts nf 
 the door drawn, and liie clanking of 
 keys, at which Willie Sutheilan<l came 
 forward from the corner where ho 
 had stood daring the whole time, and 
 lifting the lamp from the floor, jind 
 wetting his fore-finger with spittle as 
 he did so, ho trinuued the wick, and 
 said, " The time's come when a' iier- 
 sons not prisoners must dejiart forth 
 the tolbooth for the night ; but, 
 JNIaster Gilhaize, bo none discom- 
 forted thereat, your wife and your 
 little one will come back in the morn- 
 ing, and your lot is a lot of pleasure ; 
 for is it not written in the book of 
 Ecelesiastcs, fourth and eighth, ' Tiiero 
 is one alone, and there is not a second ; 
 yea, he hath neither child nor brother?' 
 and such an one am I." 
 
 The inner door was thrown open, 
 and INIungo Robeson, looking in. said, 
 " I'm wae to molest you, but ye'll hao 
 to come out, Mrs (iilhai?*." So that 
 night Avo were separ/ited ; and when 
 Sarah Lochrig was gone. I could not 
 but ofYer thanksgiving that my lines 
 had fallen in so pleasant a place, 
 compared with the fate of my jioor 
 brotlier, suffering among strangers in 
 the doleful prison of (Jlnsgow, undiT 
 the ravenous eyes of the prelate of 
 that city, then scarcely less hungry for 
 the bodies of the faithful and the true, 
 than even the apostate James' Sliarp 
 himself. 
 
 The deep sleep into which I had 
 fallen when Sarah Lochrig and my son 
 were admitted to see mo, and during 
 the season of Avliich Ihey had sat in 
 silence beside mo till revived nature 
 again unsealed my eyes, was so re- 
 freshing, that after they were gono 
 away I was enabled to consider my 
 
EINOAN nilJIAIZE. 
 
 159 
 
 cojidition Avitli a cnnipoaod mind, nnd 
 frcM! from the lii'iits of nnRsion and 
 mixicty Avlici(;\villi J IkuI pruvioiialy 
 l)t'eii Ko p-oatly tossed. And oiiUin.!,' 
 to mind all tluit liad taken ])laco, and 
 tlio iiitldt'ss rt'VC'nf(o witli wliicli tlio 
 cruel i)relatc3 wore actuated, I saw, 
 iiH it were written in a book, that for 
 my part and conduct I was (loomed to 
 die. I felt not, however, the sense of 
 fjuilt in my conscience ; nnd I said to 
 myself that this sore thinjj ought not 
 to be, and that, aa .in innocent man 
 and tlie head of a family, I was obli- 
 pited by all expedient ways to escape, 
 if it were possible, from the grasps of 
 the tyranny. 
 
 It seemed to mc, lliat in the piety 
 and simplicity of Willie Sutherland, 
 instruments were given by which I 
 mi;,'ht break througli the walls of my 
 j)ri3on ; and accordingly, when he next 
 morning came in to see me, I failed 
 not to try thtir edge. I entered into dis- 
 course with him, and told him of many 
 tilings wiiich 1 have recorded in this 
 book, and so won upon his confidence 
 and the singleness of his heart, tiiat 
 he shed t<.'ars of grief at the tiiouglit 
 of so many blameless men being or- 
 dained to an untimely end. . 
 
 "It has pleased God," said he, 
 " to make me as it Avere a leper and an 
 exconnnnnicant in this wnrlJ, by the 
 constraints of a low estate, and with- 
 out any fault of mine. Ikii for this 
 temporal ignominy, lie will, in His 
 own good time, bestow an exceeding 
 great reward ; — and though I may be 
 called on to fulfil tlie work of the per- 
 secutors, it shall yet be seen in me, 
 that J will abide by the integrity of 
 my faith, and that, poor desjnsed 
 hangman as I am, I have a conscience 
 that will not brook a task of inicpiity, 
 whatsoever the laws of man may de- 
 termine, or the King's judges decree," 
 
 J was, as it were, rebuked by this 
 proud religious declaration, and I 
 gently inquired how it was that he 
 
 came to fall into n condition so rejec- 
 ted of the world. 
 
 " Deed, sir," said lie, " my talc ia 
 easy told. ]\ly parents were very poor 
 needful people in Stratlinavar, and no 
 able to keep me ; and it happened 
 that, being cast on the world, I be- 
 came a herd, and year by year, having 
 a desire to learn the Lowland tongue, 
 1 got in that way as far as Taisley, 
 where I fell into extreme want and 
 was almost famished ; for the ma.stcr 
 that I served there being in debt, ran 
 away, by which cause I lost my penny- 
 fee, and was obligated to beg my 
 bread. At that time many worthy 
 folk in the shire of Renfrew having 
 suffered great molestation from witch- 
 craft, divers malignant women, sus- 
 pected of that black art, were brought 
 to judgment, and one of them being 
 found guilty, was condemned to die. 
 But no executioner being in the town, 
 I was engaged, by the scriptural coun- 
 sel of some honest men, Avho quoted 
 to me the text, ' Suffer not a witch to 
 live,' to fultil the sentence of the law. 
 After that I bought a Question-book, 
 having a mind to learn to read, that I 
 might gain some knowledge of tiik 
 AVoim. Finding, however, the people 
 of I'aisley scorn at my company, so 
 that none would give me a lesson, I 
 came about live years 8ince to Jrviue, 
 where the folk are more charitable ; 
 and here I act the part of an execu- 
 tioner when there is any malefactor to 
 put to death. Hut my Bible has 
 instructed m.e, that I ought not to 
 execute any save such as deserve to 
 die." 
 
 I was moved with a tender pity by 
 the tale of the simple creature ; but a 
 strong necessity was upon i;ie, nnd it 
 was needful that I should make use of 
 his honesty to help me <'Ut of prison. 
 8o I spoke still more kindly to him, 
 lamenting my sad estate, and that in the 
 little time 1 had in all likelihood to live, 
 the rigour of the jailor would allow 
 
IGO 
 
 ^JNGA^^ GILTTATZE. 
 
 but little intercourse with my family, 
 wishing some compassionate Cliristiau 
 friend would intercede with him in 
 order that my wife and children, if 
 not permitted to bide all night, might 
 be allowed to remain with me as long 
 and as late as possible. 
 
 Tlic pious creature said that lie 
 would do for me in that respect all in 
 liis power, and that, as Muugo Ilcbe- 
 son was a sober man, and aye wanted 
 to go home early to his family, he 
 would bide in the tolbooth to let out 
 my wife, though it should be till ten 
 o'clock at night — "for," said he pit- 
 eously, "I hae nae family to care 
 about." 
 
 Accordingly, he so set himself, that 
 Mungo Kobeson consented to leave 
 the keys of tlie tolbooth with him ; 
 and for several nigiits evorytliing was 
 so managed that ho liad no reason to 
 suspect what my wife and I were 
 plotting ; for lie being of a modest 
 and I'ctiring nature, never spoke to 
 iier when she parted from me, save 
 when she tlianked liim <as lie let her 
 out ; and that she did not do every 
 night, lest it slionld grow into a habit 
 of expectation with him, and cause 
 him to remark when the civility was 
 omitted. 
 
 In the meantime all things being 
 concerted between us, through the 
 mean of a friend a cart was got in 
 readiness, loaded Avitii seemingly a 
 liogget of tobacco and grocery wares, 
 but the hogget was empty and loose 
 in the head. 
 
 This was all settled by the nine- 
 teenth of D'jcember ; on the twenty- 
 fourth of the month the Commission- 
 ers a[)poii'.ted to try the Covenanters 
 in the prisons tliroughout the shire of 
 Ayr were to open their court at Ayr, 
 and I was, by all who knew of me, 
 regarded in a manner as a dead man. 
 On the night of the twentieth, how- 
 ever, shortly before ten o'clock, James 
 Gottera, our friend, camo with the 
 
 cart in at the town-head port, and in 
 going down the gait stopped, as had 
 been agreed, to give iiis beast a drink 
 at the trough of the cross-well, oppo- 
 site the tolbooth-stair foot. 
 
 When the clock struck ten, tho 
 time appointed, I was ready di'essed 
 in my wife's apparel, having, in tho 
 course of the day, broken the chain of 
 the shackle on my arm ; and the door 
 being opened by Willie Sutherland in 
 the usual manner, I came out, holding 
 a napkin to my face and weeping 
 in sincerity very bitterly, with tho 
 thought of what might ensue to Sarah 
 Lochrig, whom I left behind in my 
 place. 
 
 In reverence to my grief the honest 
 man .said nothing, but walked by my 
 side till he had let me out at the outer 
 stairhead door, where he parted from 
 me, carrying the keys to Mungo 
 Robeson's house, aneatli the tolbooth, 
 while I walked towards James Cot. 
 tera's cart, and Avas presently in tho 
 inside of the hogget. 
 
 With great presence of mind and a 
 soldierly self-possession, tliat ventu- 
 rous friend then drew the horse's head 
 from the trough, and began to drivo 
 it down the street to the town-end 
 port, striving as he did so to whistle, 
 till he was rebuked for so doing, as I 
 heard, by an old womnn then going 
 home, who said to him that it was a 
 shame to hear such profanity in Irvine 
 wiien a martyr doomed to die was 
 lying in the tolbootii. To the whieli 
 he replied .scoliingly, " that martyr 
 was a new name for a sworn rebil to 
 king and country," — wonls wliieii so 
 kindled the worthy wom;iii's ire, that 
 she began to ban his prelatic ungodji- 
 ness to such a degree that a crowd 
 collected, which made nic tremble. 
 For the people sided with the /falous 
 carlin, and spoke fiercely, threatening 
 to gar tfames (Jotteia riilo the stang 
 for his sinfulness in so traducing per- 
 secuted Christiana. ^Vhat might havo 
 
EINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 161 
 
 come to pass is hard to say, had not 
 Providence been pleased, in that most 
 critical and perilous time, to cause a 
 foul luin in a tliackct house in the 
 Seagate to take fire, by which an alarm 
 was spread that drew off the mob. and 
 allowed James G ottera to pass without 
 farther molestation out at the town- 
 end port. 
 
 From the time of my eva&ion from 
 the tolbooth, and during the contro- 
 versy between James Gottera and the 
 mob in the street, there was a whirl- 
 wind in my mind that made rae in- 
 capable of reason. But when we had 
 passed through the town-end port, 
 and the cart had stopped at the minis- 
 ter's carse till I could throw off my 
 female weed.s and put on a sailor's 
 garb, provided for the occasion, tongue 
 nor pen cannot express the passion 
 wherewith my yearning soul was then 
 affected. 
 
 Tlic thought of having left Sarah 
 Lochrig within bolts and bars, a reaoy 
 victim to the tjTanny which so thirsted 
 for blood, lightened within me as the 
 lightnings of heaven in a storm. I 
 threw myself on the ground, — I 
 grasped the earth, — I gatlicred myself 
 as it were into a knot, and howled 
 with horror at my own selfish baseness. 
 I sprung up and cried, " I will save 
 her yet! " and I would liave run in- 
 stanter to the town ; but the honest 
 man who was with mi laid his grip 
 firmly upon my arm, au^ aaid in a 
 solenni manner — 
 
 "Tl.'s is no Christian conduct, 
 Eingan Gilhaize ; the Lord has not 
 forgotten to be graciou.s." 
 
 I glowered upon hiin, as he has 
 often since told me, with a shudder, 
 and cried, " lUit I hao left Sarah 
 Lochrig in their hands, and, like a 
 coward, run away to save myself." 
 
 " Compose yoursel', Kingan, and 
 let us reason together," Avas his dis- 
 creet reply. " It's vera true ye hae 
 come away and left your wifo aa it 
 
 were an hostage in the prison, but the 
 persecutors and oppressors Avill respek 
 the courageous affection of a loving 
 wife, and Providence will put it in 
 their hearts to spare her." 
 
 "And if they do not, what shall I 
 then be? and what's to become of 
 my babies? — Lord, Lord, thou hast 
 tried me beyond my strength ! " 
 
 And I again threw my'^lf on the 
 earth, and cried that it mij,ht open 
 and swallow me ; for thinking but of 
 myself, I was become unwortliy to live. 
 
 The considerate man stood over mo 
 in compassionate silence for a season, 
 and allowed m., to rave in a frenzy till 
 I had oxhans'ied myself. 
 
 " JRingan, ' said he at last, " yo 
 were aye respekit as a thoughtful and 
 discreet character, and I'll no blame 
 you for this sorrow ; but I entreat 
 you to collek yoursel, and think Avhat'a 
 best to be done, for what avails in 
 trouble the cry of alas, alas ! or the 
 hhcdding of many tears? Your wife 
 is in prison, but for a fault that will 
 wring compassion even frae the brazen 
 heart of the remorseless James Sharp, 
 and bring back the blood of humanity 
 to the mansworn breast of Charles 
 Stuart. But tiiough it were not so, 
 they daurna harm a hair of her head ; 
 for there are things, man, that the 
 cruellest dread to do for fear o' the 
 world, even when they hae lost the 
 fear o' God. I count her far safer, 
 Ilingan, frae the rage of the perse- 
 cutors, where she lies in prison a- 
 ueath their bolts and bars, than were 
 she free in her own house ; for it 
 obligates them to deal wi' her openly 
 and afore mankind, whose good-will 
 the worst of princes and prelates are 
 from an inward power forced to 
 respek : whereas, were she sitting 
 lanerly and defenceless, wi' naebody 
 near but only your four helpless 
 wee birds, there's no saying what 
 tie gleds might do. Theiefore bo 
 counselled, my frien', and dinna gi'e 
 
162 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 yourscl up utterly to despair ; but, liko 
 a man, for whom the Lord has already 
 done great thinofs, mak use of tlie 
 moans which, in this jeopiinly of a' 
 tiiat's sae dear to you, ho lias so gra- 
 ciously put in your power." 
 
 I felt niytself in a measure heartened 
 by this exhortation, and rising from 
 the {.'round completed the cliango I 
 Jiad begun in my apparel ; but I was 
 still unable to speak, — which he ob- 
 Berving, said — 
 
 ♦' Hae yo considered the airt ye 
 aught now to take, for it canua be 
 that ye'Il think of biding in this 
 neighbourhood ? " 
 
 "No; not in this land," I ex- 
 claimed ; " would that I might not 
 even in this life ! " 
 
 "Whisht! Ringan Gilhaize, that's 
 a sinful wish for a Christian," said a 
 compassionate voice at my side, which 
 made us both start ; and on looking 
 round we saw a man who, during the 
 earnestest of our controversy, had ap- 
 proached close to us unobserved. 
 
 It was that gospel -teacher, my 
 fellow-sufferer, Mr Witherspoon ; and 
 his sudden apparition at that time 
 was a blessed taccident, whicii did 
 more to draw my thoughts from the 
 anguish of my affections than any 
 tiling that it was possible for James 
 Gottera to have said. 
 
 lie wastlien travelling in the cloud 
 of night to the town, having, after I 
 parted from him in Lanarksliire, en- 
 dured many hardships and perils, and 
 his intent was to pass to his friends, 
 in order to raise a trille of money, to 
 transport himself for a season into 
 Ireland. 
 
 Hut James Gottera, on hearing 
 this, interposed his ouiiiion. aiidsaiil, 
 a rumour was abroad that in all ports 
 and towns of embarkation ordiTH were 
 given to stay the departure of passen- 
 gers, so tliat to a surety he would be 
 taki'n if ho attempted to quit the 
 kingdom. 
 
 By this time my mind had returned 
 into sometliing like a state of sobriety; 
 so I told him how it had been con- 
 oei'ted between me and Sarah Lochrig 
 tiiat I should pass over to the wee 
 Cumbrae, there to wait till the de- 
 stroyers had passed by ; for it was 
 tliought not possible that such an 
 inordinate thirst for blood, as had 
 followed upon our discomfiture at 
 KuUion-green, could bo of a long 
 continuance ; and I bcseeched him to 
 come with me, telling him that I was 
 provided with a small purse of money 
 in case need should require it, but in 
 the charitable hearts of the pious wo 
 might count on a richer store. 
 
 Accordingly, wo agreed to join our 
 fortunes again, and, having parted 
 from James Gottera at Kilwinning, 
 wo went on our way together, and 
 my heart was refreshed by the kind 
 admonitions and sweet converse of my 
 companion, tliough ever and anon the 
 thought of my wife in prison, and our 
 defenceless lambs, shot liko a fiery 
 arrow through my bosom. But man 
 is by nature a sordid creature, and 
 the piercing December blast, the 
 threatening sky, and the frequent 
 shower, soon knit up my thoughts 
 with tlio care of my worthless self: 
 maybe tiiere was in that tlie temper- 
 ing hand of a beneficent Providence ; 
 for when I have at divers times since 
 considered how much the anguish of 
 my inner sufferings exceeded the 
 bodily molestation, I could not but 
 confess, though it was with a humbled 
 sense of my own selfishness, that it 
 was well for me, in such a time, to bo 
 so respited from the upbraiilings of 
 my tortured affections. 
 
 Hut, not to dwell on tiicspeciaUies 
 of my own ferliiigs on lliat iiU'iii()ral)lo 
 night, let it siiHici!, that after walking 
 some four or five miles towards l\'n- 
 corse ferry, where we meant to jiass 
 to the island, I became less and less 
 attuutiyg to tUo edifying discourse u{ 
 
 " we 
 it's n 
 he 
 
 hol( 
 
 tlic 
 him 
 
RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 163 
 
 ^Ir Witlicrspoon, and his nature aJso 
 yielding to the influence of the time, 
 wc travelled along the bleak and sandy 
 shore between Ardrossan and Kilbride 
 hill witliouttlio interchange of eonver- 
 Bation. Tlie wind came wild and gurly 
 from the sea, tlie waves broke heavily 
 on tlie shore, Jind the moon, swiftly 
 wading the cloud, threw over tlie 
 dreary scone a wandering and ghastly 
 light. Often to the blast we were 
 obligated to turn our backs, and, the 
 rain being in our faces, wo little 
 heeded each other. 
 
 In that state, so like sullenness, we 
 had journeyed onward, it might be 
 better thau a mile, when, happening 
 to observe something lying on the 
 shore, as if it l)ad been cast out by the 
 sea, I cried, under a sense of fear, 
 
 " Stop, Mr Witherspoon ; what's 
 that?" 
 
 In the same moment he uttered a 
 dreadful sound of horror, and, on 
 looking round, I saw we were three 
 in company. 
 
 " In the name of Heaven," ex- 
 claimed Mr Witiierspoon, " who and 
 what are you that walk with us'? " 
 
 But in.stanter our fears and the 
 mystery of the appearance were dis- 
 pelled, for it Avus my brother. 
 
 CIIAPTEil XXTI. 
 
 "Wkel, Hingan," said my brother, 
 " we have met again in this world ; 
 it's a blessing I never lookeil for," and 
 he held out ids two hands to take 
 hold of mine, but the broken links of 
 the shackle still round ray wrist made 
 him cry out : 
 
 " \V hat's this? Wharn liao ye 
 come frae ? I'ut I noc'diia inquire." 
 
 '• I have broken out of the tolliooth 
 o' Irvine," said I, "and I am lieeing 
 here with Mr Witherspoon." 
 
 " I, too,''roplicd my brother mouru- 
 
 fully, " hae escaped from the hands of 
 the persecutors." 
 
 We then entered into some con- 
 vci'sation concerning what had hap- 
 pened to us respectively, from the 
 fatal twenty-eighth of November, 
 when our power and host were scat- 
 tered on Jiullion-green, wherein Mr 
 NN'itherspoon, with me, rehearsed to 
 him the accidents herein set forth, 
 with the circumstantials of somethings 
 that befel the godly man after I left 
 him with the corpse of the baby in his 
 arms ; but which being in some points 
 less of an adventurous nature than had 
 happened to myself, I shall be par- 
 doned by the courteous reader for not 
 enlarging upon it at greater length. 
 I should however here note, that iMr 
 Witherspoon was not so severely 
 dealt Avith as I was ; for though an 
 outcast and a fugitive, yet he was not 
 a prisoner ; on the contrary, under 
 the kindly cover of the Ijady Aiich- 
 terfardel, whose excellent and truly 
 covenanted husband was a sore suf- 
 ferer by the fines of the year WCd, ho 
 received great hospitality for tlie space 
 of sixteen days, and was saved between 
 two feather beils, on the top of which 
 tlie laird's aged mother, a bedrid wo- 
 man, was laid, when some of Drum- 
 niond's men searched the house on an 
 information against him. 
 
 But disconsolatory as it was to 
 hear of such treatment of a gospel- 
 minister, though lightened by the re- 
 ilection of the S'.iintly constancy that 
 was yet to be found in the land, and 
 among jiersons too of the Lady of 
 Audi ter fardel's degree, and severe as 
 the trials were, both of body and mind, 
 which I had my.self undergone, yet 
 were they all as nothing conipareil to 
 the hardships of my brother, a man of 
 a temperate sobriety of yianner, bear- 
 ing all changes with a perene coun- 
 tenance and a placable mind, Avhile 
 feeling them in the uttermost depths 
 of Ilia capacious affectious. 
 
IGi 
 
 PJNGAN GILHATZE, 
 
 " On the night of the battle," said 
 he, " it would not be easy of me to 
 tell which way 1 went, or what en- 
 sued, till I found myself Avith three 
 destitute companions on the skirts of 
 the town of Falkirk, liy that time 
 the morning was beginning to dawn, 
 and we perceived not that we had ap- 
 proached so nigh into any bigget land ; 
 as the day, however, broke, the steeple 
 caught our eye, and we halted to con- 
 sider what we ought to do. And .as 
 we were then standing in a field diffi- 
 dent to enter the town, a young wo- 
 man came from a house that stands 
 a little way off the road, close to 
 Graham's dyko. driving a cow to grass 
 with a long staff, which I the more re- 
 marked as such, because it was of the 
 Indian cane, and virled with silver, 
 and headed with ivory. 
 
 " ' Sirs,' said 7Ienio Adams, for 
 that was the damsel's name, ' I see 
 what ye are, but I'll no speir ; hows- 
 ever, be ruled by me, and gang na 
 near the town of Falkirk this morning, 
 for atwecn the hours of dark and dawn 
 there has been a congregationing o' 
 horses and men, and other sediments 
 o' war, that I hae a notion there's 
 owre meiklo o' the King's power in 
 the place for ony Covenanter to enter 
 in, save under the peril o' penalties. 
 But come wi' me, and Fll go back wi' 
 you, and in our hay-loft you may scog 
 yoursels till the gloaming.' 
 
 " Who could have thought," said 
 my brother, " that in such discourse 
 from a young woman, not passing four 
 and twenty years of ago, and of a 
 pleasant aspect, any guilty stratagem 
 of blood was hidden ! " 
 
 He and iiis friends never questioned 
 her trutii, but went with liei', and she 
 con<l\icted them to her father's house, 
 and lodged tliera iu the h<iy loft. 
 
 It seems that Menie Adams was, 
 however, at the time betrotlied to the 
 prelatic curate tliat had been laid upon 
 the parish, and that, in conseriuei-CP, 
 
 aneath her courtesy, she had concealed 
 a very treacherous and wicked intent. 
 For no sooner had she got my bro- 
 ther and his three companions into tho 
 hay-loft, than she hies herself away to 
 the town, and, in the hope of pleasing 
 her prelatic lover, informs the captain 
 of the troop there of the birds she had 
 ensnared. 
 
 As soon as the false woman had 
 thus committed the sin of perfiily, she 
 went to the curate to brag how she 
 had done a service to his cause ; but 
 he, though of the prelatic germina- 
 tion, being yet a person who had some 
 reverence for truth and the gentle 
 mercies of humanity, was so disturbed 
 by her unwomanly disposition, that 
 he bade her depart from his presence 
 for ever, and ran with all possible 
 speed to waken the poor men whom 
 she had so betrayed. 
 
 On his way to the house he saw a 
 party of the soldiers, whom tlieir 
 officer, as in duty bound, was sending 
 to seize the unsuspecting sleepers, and 
 running on before them, he just got 
 forward in time to give the alarm. 
 My brother and one of them, Esau 
 Wardrop, the wife's brother of James 
 Gottera, who had been so instrumen- 
 tal in my evasion, were providentially 
 enabled to get out and flee ; but the 
 other two were taken by the soldiers 
 and carried to prison. 
 
 The base conduct of that Menie 
 Adams, as wc some years after heard, 
 did not go long imvisited by the dis- 
 pleasure of Heaven, for, some scent 
 of her guilt taking wind, tiie whole 
 town, in a sense, grew wud against 
 her, and she was mobbet, and tiio 
 wells pumped upon her by the en- 
 raged multitude ; and she never re- 
 covered from the handling that she 
 therein suffered. 
 
 My brother and Esau Wardrop, on 
 getting into the open fields, made all 
 the speed they could, like the panting 
 hart when pursued by the hunter, and 
 
KINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 1G3 
 
 distrustinor the people of tliat part of 
 the country, they travelled all day, 
 not venturinp to approach any reek- 
 ing house. Towards gloaming, how- 
 ever, being hungry and faint, the 
 craving of nature overcame their fears, 
 and they went up to a liouse where 
 they saw a light burning. 
 
 As tliey approached the door they 
 faltered a little in their resolution, for 
 they heard the disonance of riot and 
 revelry within. Their need, however, 
 was great, and the importunities of 
 hunger would not be pacified, so they 
 knocked, and the door was opened by 
 a soldier, the party within being a 
 horde of Dalziel's men, living at free 
 quarters in the hoiLse of that excel- 
 lent Christian and much-persecuted 
 man, the Laird of llinglewood. 
 
 The moment that the man who 
 came to the door saw, by the glimpse 
 of the light, that both my brother and 
 Esau Wardrop had sworda at their 
 sides, he uttered a cry of alarm, think- 
 ing the house was surrounded, at 
 which all the riotous soldiers within 
 flew to their arms, while the man Avho 
 opened the door seized my brother 
 by Ihe throat and harl't him in. The 
 panic, however, was but of short 
 duration, for my brother soon ex- 
 pounded that they were two perish- 
 ing men who came to surrender them- 
 selves ; so the door was again opened, 
 and Esau Wardrop commanded to 
 come in. 
 
 " It 8 but a justice to say of those 
 rampageous troopers,"' said my 
 brother, " that, considering us as 
 prisoners of war, they were free and 
 kind enough, though they mocked at 
 our cause, and derided the equipage 
 of our warfare. But it was a hu- 
 miliating siglit to see in what manner 
 they deported themselves towards the 
 unfortunate family." 
 
 llinglewood himself, who had re- 
 monstrated against their insolence to 
 bis aged leddy, they had tied in his 
 
 arm -chair and placed at the head of 
 his own table, round which they sat 
 carousing, and singing the roister 
 ribaldry of camp songs. At first, 
 when my brotlier was taken into this 
 scene of military domination, he did 
 not observe the laird ; for in the up- 
 roar of the alarm the candles had been 
 overset and broken, but new ones 
 being asked for and stuck into the 
 necks of the bottles of the wine they 
 were lavishly drinking, he discovered 
 him lying as it were asleep where he 
 sat, with his head averted, and his 
 eyes shut on the iniquity of the scene 
 of oppression with which he was 
 opjiressed. 
 
 Some touch of contrition had led 
 one of the soldiers to take the aged 
 matron under his care ; an:' on his 
 intercession she was not placed at tiie 
 table, but allowed to sit in a corner, 
 where she mourned in silence, with 
 her hands clasped tO(;ether, and her 
 head bent down over them upon her 
 breast. The laird's grandson and 
 heir, a stripling of some fifteen years 
 or so, was obligated to bo page and 
 butler, for all the rest of the house 
 had taken to the hills at the a^iproach 
 of the troopers. 
 
 As the drinking continued the riot 
 increased, and the rioters growing 
 heated with their drink, they began 
 to quarrel : fierce words brought 
 angry answers, and threats were fol- 
 lowed by blows. Then there was an 
 interposition, and a shaking of hands, 
 and a pledging of renewed friend- 
 ship. 
 
 But still the demon of the drink 
 continued to grow stronger and 
 stronger in their kindling blood, and 
 the tumult was made perfect by one 
 of the men, in the capering of his 
 inebriety, rising fro!u his seat, and 
 taking the old leddy by the toupie to 
 raise her head as he rudely placed his 
 foul cup to her lips. 'Ihis called up 
 the ire of the fellow who had sworn 
 
166 
 
 HINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 to protect her, and he, not less m- 
 toxicated than the insulter, cunio, 
 stiigijcring to defend her; a sculHe 
 ensued, the insulter was cast with a 
 swing away, and falling against the 
 laird, who still remained as it were 
 asleep, with his head on his shoulder, 
 and his eyes shut, he overthrew the 
 chair in whicli the old gentleman sat 
 fastened, and they both fell to the 
 ground. 
 
 The soldier, frantic with wine and 
 rage, was soon, like a tiger, on his 
 adversary; the rest rose to separate 
 them. Some took one side, some 
 another ; bottles were seized for 
 Aveapons, and the table was over- 
 thrown iu the hurricane. Tlieir Ser- 
 jeant, who was as drunk as the worst 
 of them, tried in vain to call them 
 into order, but they heeded not his 
 call, which so enraged liiin, that he 
 swore they should shift tlu'ir quarters, 
 and with that seizing a burning brand 
 from the chumla, he ran into a bed- 
 chamber that opened from the room 
 wliore the riot was raging, and set fire 
 to the curtains. 
 
 ^ly brother seeing the flames 
 rising, and that the infuriated war- 
 wolves thought only of themselves, 
 ran to extricate Ringlewood from the 
 cords wiiii which he was tied; and 
 calling to the leddy and her grandson 
 to quit the burning house, every one 
 was soon out of danger from the 
 fire. 
 
 The sense of the soldiers was not 
 so overborne by their drink as to pre- 
 vent them from seeing tiio dreadful 
 extent of their outrage ; but instead 
 of trying to extinguish the flames, 
 tliey marched away to seek quarters in 
 some other jilace, cursing the Serjeant 
 for having so unhoused them in such 
 a niglit. 
 
 At first they thouglit of carrying 
 my brother and Esau \Vardrop with 
 them as prisoners ; but one of them 
 said it would be as well to give the 
 
 wyte of tiie burning, at head-quarters, 
 to the rebels ; so they left them be- 
 hind. 
 
 Esau Wardrop, witli the young 
 laird and my grandfather, seeing it was 
 in vain to stop the progress of tlio lire, 
 did all in them lay to rescue some of 
 the furniture, while poor old Ringle- 
 wood and his aged and gentle lady, 
 being both too infirm to lend any 
 help, stood on the green, and saw the 
 devouring element pass from room to 
 room, till their anci»nt dwelling was 
 utterly destroyed. Fortunately, how- 
 ever, the air was calm, and the out- 
 houses escaping the ruinous conta- 
 gion of the flames, there was still a 
 beild left in the barn to which they 
 could retire. 
 
 In the meantime the light of the 
 burning spread over the country ; 
 but the people knowing tliat soldiers 
 were quartered in Kinglewood, stood 
 aloof on the dread of fire-arms, 
 thinking the conlhigration might bo 
 caused by some contest of war ; so 
 that the mansion of a gentleman much 
 beloved of all his neighbours was al- 
 lowed to burn to the ground before 
 their eyes, without any one venturing 
 to come to help him, to so great a 
 degree had distrust and the outrages 
 of military riot at that epoch altered 
 the hearts of men, 
 
 My brother and Esau Wardrop 
 staid with Ringlewood till the morn- 
 ing, and had, for the space of three 
 or four hours, a restoring sleep. Fain 
 would they have remained longer 
 there, but the threat of the soldiers to 
 accuse tliem as the incendiaries made 
 Kinglewood urge them to depart; 
 saying, tiiat maybe the time would 
 come when it would bo in his power 
 to thank them for their help in that 
 dreadful night. J Jut he was not long 
 exposed to many sufl'erings; for the 
 leddy on the day following, as iu 
 after-time we heard, was seized with 
 her dead-ill, and departed this lifo in 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 167 
 
 tliuy 
 
 the course of threo days; and tlic 
 laird also, in less than a month, was 
 laid in tlie kirk-yard, with his an- 
 cestors, by her side. 
 
 After leaving liiiip;lewood, the two 
 fugitives, by divers journeyings and 
 fioro pasnagos through moss and moor, 
 crossed the Balloch ferry, and coming 
 down the north side of the Clyde 
 iirtli to Ardniorc, they boated across 
 to Greenock, where, in little more 
 tlian an hour after their arrival, tlicy 
 were taken in Euphan Blair's public 
 in Cartsdyke, and the same night 
 marched off to Glasgow ; of all which 
 1 have already given intimation in re- 
 cording my own trials at luverkip. 
 
 lint in that march, as my brother 
 and Esau Wardrop were passing with 
 tlieir guard at the Inchinnan ferry, 
 the soldiers heedlessly laying their 
 firelocks all in a heaj) in the boat, the 
 tiiought came into my brother's head, 
 that maybe it might be turned to an 
 advantage if he was to spoil the 
 powder in the firelocks ; so, as they 
 were sitting in the boat, lie, with 
 seeming innocence, drew his hand 
 several times through the water, and 
 in lifting it in, took care to drop and 
 sprinkle the powder-pans of the fire- 
 locks, insomuch, that by the time they 
 ferried to the Renfrew pide, they were 
 spoiled for innuediate use. 
 
 " Do as I do," said ho softly to 
 Esau "Wardrop, as they were stepping 
 out, and with that he feigned some 
 small expedient for tarrying in the 
 boat, while the soldiers, taking their 
 arms, leapt on shore. 'I'he ferryman 
 also was out before them ; and my 
 brother seeing this, took up an oar, 
 seemingly to help him to step out ; 
 but pretending at the same time to 
 stumble, caught hold of Esau's 
 shoulder, and pushing with the oar, 
 shoved off the boat in such a manner, 
 that the ro))0 was pulled out of the 
 ferryman's hand, who was in a great 
 cousteruatiou. The soldiers, Lowerer, 
 
 laughed at seeing how the river's 
 current Avas carrying away their 
 jjrisoners ; for my brother was in no 
 hurry to make use of the oar to pull 
 tlie boat back ; on the contrary, ho 
 pushed her farther and farther into 
 the river, until one of the guards, 
 beginning to suspect some stratagem, 
 levelled his firelock, and threatened 
 to shoot. Whereupon my brother 
 and Esau quickened their exertions, 
 and soon reached the oppoiite side of 
 the river, while the soldiers were ban- 
 ning and tearing with rage to be so out- 
 witted, and their firelocks rendered 
 useless for the time. 
 
 As soon as the fugitives were with- 
 in wadeal le reach of the bank, they 
 jumpit out of the bont and ran, and 
 were not long within the scope of 
 their adversaries' fire. 
 
 By this time the sun was far in the 
 west, and they knew little of tho 
 country about where they were ; but, 
 before embarking, the ferryman had 
 pointed out to them the abbey towers 
 of i'aisley, and they knew that, for 
 a long period, many of the humane 
 inhabitants of that town had been 
 among the faithfuUest of Scotchmen 
 to the cause of the Kirk and Cove- 
 nant; and therefore, they thought 
 that, under the distraction of their 
 circumstances, maybe it would bo 
 their wisest course to direct their steps 
 in the dusk of the evening towards 
 the town, and they threw aside their 
 arms, that they might pass as simple 
 wayfaring men. 
 
 Accordingly, having loitered in 
 the way thither, they reached Paisley 
 iibout the heel of the twilight., and 
 searching their way into the heart of 
 the town, they found a rcspectabhi 
 public near tlie Cross, into which 
 they entered, and ordered some con- 
 sideration of vivers for sujtper, just 
 as if they had been on marki-t busi- 
 ness. In so doing nothing particular 
 was remarked of them ; and my 
 
168 
 
 RINGAN QILHAIZE. 
 
 brother, by way of an entertainment 
 before bed-time, told his companion 
 of my grandfather's adventure in 
 Paisley, the circumstantials whereof 
 are already written in this book ; 
 drawing out of what had come to 
 pass with him, cheering aspirations of 
 happier days for themselves. 
 
 While they were thus speaking, one 
 of the town council. Deacon Fulton, 
 came in to have a cup and a crack 
 with any stranger that might be in tlie 
 house. — This deacon was a man who 
 well represented and was a good 
 swatch of the plain honesty and strict 
 principles which have long governed 
 within that ancient borough of re- 
 gality. He seeing them, and being 
 withal a man of shrewd discernment, 
 eyed them very sharply, and maybe 
 guessing what they were and where 
 they had come from, entered into 
 a discreet conversation with them 
 auent the troubles of the time. In this 
 he showed the pawkrie, that so ^vell 
 becomes those who sit in council, with 
 a spicerie of that wholesome virtue 
 and friendly sympathy of which all 
 the poor fugitives from the Pentland 
 raid stood in so great need. For, 
 without pretending to joalouse any 
 thing of what they were, he spoke of 
 that business as the crack of the day, 
 and told them of many of the afflict- 
 ing things which had been perpetrated 
 after the dispersion of the Cove- 
 nanters, saying 
 
 " It's a thing to be deplored in all 
 time coming, that the poor misguided 
 folk, concern't in that rash wark, did- 
 na rather take refuge in the towns, 
 and amang their brethren and fellow- 
 subjects, than flee to the hills, where 
 they are hunted down wi' dog and 
 gun, as beasts o' an ill kind. Really 
 every body's wao for their folly ; 
 though to be sure, in a Government 
 sense, their fault's past pardon. It's 
 no indeed a thing o' toleration, that 
 subjects are to rise against rulers." 
 
 " True," said my brother, " unless 
 rulers fall against subjects." 
 
 The worthy magistrate looked a 
 thought seriously at him ; no in re- 
 proof for what he had said, or 
 might say, but in an admonitory 
 manner, saying — 
 
 " Ye're owre douce a like man, I 
 think, to hae been either airt or pairt 
 in this headstrong Reformation, un- 
 less ye had some great cause to pro- 
 voke you; and I doubt ua ye hao 
 discretion enough no to contest with- 
 out need points o' doctrine ; at least 
 for me, I'm laith to cuter on ony sort 
 o' polemtic, for it's a Gude's truth, 
 I'm nae deacon at it." 
 
 My brother discerning by liis 
 manner that he saw through them, 
 would have refrain't at the time from 
 further discourse; but Esau Ward* 
 rop was, though a man of few words, 
 yet of such austerity of faith, that ho 
 could not abide to have it thought he 
 was in any time or place afraid for 
 himself to bear his testimony, even 
 when manifestly uncalled on to do; 
 so he here broke in upon the con- 
 siderate and worthy counsellor, and 
 said — 
 
 "That a covenanted spir't was 
 bound, at a' times, and in a' situa- 
 tions, conditions, and circumstiinces, 
 to uphold the cause." 
 
 " True, true, we are a' Covenan- 
 ters," replied the deacon, "and Gude 
 forbid that I should e'er forget the 
 vows I took Avhen I was in a manner 
 a bairn ; but there's an unco differ- 
 ence between the auld covenanting 
 and this Lanark New-light. In the 
 auld times, our forbears and our 
 fathers covenanted to show their 
 power, that the King and Government 
 might consider what they were doing. 
 And they betook not themselves to 
 the sword, till the quiet warning of 
 almost all the realm united in one 
 league had proved ineffectual; and 
 when at last there was nae help for't, 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 m 
 
 " Hoot 
 
 counsellor, 
 
 and they were called by their con- 
 ecicuce and dangers to gird them- 
 selves for battle, they went forth in 
 the miijht and power of the arm of 
 flesh, ns weel as of a righteous cause. 
 13ut, sirs, this donsie business of the 
 J'entland raid was but a splurt, and 
 tlie publishing of the Covenant, after 
 the poor folk had made themselves 
 rebels, was, to say the least o't, a 
 weak conceit." 
 
 " We were not rebels," cried Esau 
 Wardrop, 
 
 toot, friend," said the 
 "ye're owre hasty, I did 
 na ca' the poor folk rebels in the 
 sense of a rebellion, where might 
 takes the lead in a controversy wi' 
 right, but because they bad risen 
 against the law." 
 
 "There can be nae rebellion 
 against a law that teaches things over 
 which man can have no control, the 
 thought and the conscience," said 
 Esau Wardrop. 
 
 " Aye, aye," replied the counsellor, 
 "a' that's .vera true; but if it please 
 the wisdom of the Iving, by and with 
 the advice of his privy counsellors, to 
 prohibit certain actions — and surely 
 actions are neither thoughts nor con- 
 sciences, — do ye mean to say that the 
 subject's no bound to obey such 
 royal ordinances ? " 
 
 " Aye, if the acts are in themselves 
 harmless, and trench not upon any 
 man's rights of property and person." 
 
 "Weel, I'll no debate that wi' 
 you," replied the worthy counsellor ; 
 " but surely yc'U ne'er maintain that 
 conventicles, and the desertion of the 
 regular and appointed places of wor- 
 ship, are harmless; nor can it be 
 denied that sic things do not tend to 
 aggrieve and impair the clergy baith 
 in their minds and means ? " 
 
 ♦' I confess that," said Esau ; " but 
 think, that the conventicles and 
 desertions, whereof ye speak, sprang 
 out of an arbitrary and uncalled-for 
 
 disturbance of the peaceful worship 
 of (iod. Evil-counsellingcausedthem, 
 and evil-counselling punishes them 
 till the punishment can be no longer 
 endured." 
 
 " Ye're a doure-headed man," said 
 Deacon Fulton, "and really ye hae 
 gi'en me sic a cast o' your knowledge, 
 that I can do no less than make you a 
 return ; so tak' this, and bide nae 
 langcr in Paisley than your needs 
 call." With that he laid his purse 
 on the table and went away. But 
 scarcely had he departed the house, 
 when who should enter but the very 
 soldiers from whom my brother and 
 Esau had bo marvellously escaped. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 The noise of taking up my brother 
 and Esau Wardrop to the tolbooth 
 by the soldiers bred a great wonder- 
 ment in the town, and the magistrates 
 came into, the prison to see them. 
 Then it was that they recognised 
 their friendly adviser among those in 
 authority. But he signified, by wink- 
 ing to them, ti at they should not 
 know him ; to wh;ch they comported 
 themselves so, that it passed as he 
 could have wished. 
 
 "Provost," said he to the chief 
 magistrate, who was then present 
 with them, "though thir honest men 
 be concerned in a fret against the 
 King's Government, they're no just 
 iniquitous malefactors, and therefore 
 it behoves us, for the little time they 
 are to bide here, to deal compas- 
 sionately with them. This is a damp 
 and cauld place. I'm sure we might 
 gi'e them the use of the council- 
 chamber, and direk a bit spunk o' fire 
 to be kindl't. It's, ye ken, but for 
 this night they are to be in our aught ; 
 and their crime, ye ken, Provost, was 
 mair o' the judgment than the heart, 
 
m 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 and therefore wo should think how 
 we are a' prone to do evil." 
 
 13y this sort of petitionary exhort- 
 ing, that worthy man carried liis 
 puiut ; and the Provost consented 
 that the prisoners should bo rcnioved 
 to the council-cliainbor, whore lie 
 directed a fire to be lighted for their 
 Bolace. 
 
 "Noo, honest men," said their 
 friend the deacon, when lie was 
 taking leave of them, after seeing 
 them in the council-room, "I hope 
 ye'll make yoursels as comfortable as 
 men in your situation can reasonably 
 be ; and look ye," said ho to my 
 brother, "if the wind should rise, 
 and the smoke no vent sae wool as ye 
 could wis', whicli is sometimes tlio 
 case in blowy weather when the door's 
 shut, just open a wee bit jinkie o' 
 this window, and he gave him a 
 squeeze on the arm — it looks into my 
 yard. — Heh ! but it's wool mindet, 
 the bar on my back-yott's in the want 
 o' reparation — I maun see til't the 
 morn." 
 
 There was no difficulty in reading 
 the whumplet meaning of this couthi- 
 nessanentthe reeking o' the chamber; 
 and my brother and Esau, when the 
 door was locket on them for the night, 
 soon found it expedient to open the 
 window, and next morning the kind 
 counsellor had more occasion than 
 ever to get the bar o' his back-yett 
 repaired ; for it had yielded to the grip 
 of tlie prisoners, who, long afore day, 
 were far beyond the eye and jurisdic- 
 tion of the magistrates of Paisley. 
 
 Tlioy took tlie straight road to Kil- 
 marnock, intending, if possible, to 
 hide themselves among some of my 
 brother Jacob's wife's friends in that 
 town. He liad himself been dead 
 some short time before ; but in the 
 course of their journey, in eschewing 
 the high road as much as possible, 
 they found a good friend in a cottar 
 who lived on the edge of the Mearns 
 
 moor, and with him they were per- 
 suaded to bide till the day of th;it 
 night Avhen we met in so reiniirkablo 
 a manner on the sands of Ardrossaii ; 
 and the cause that brought him tlu re 
 was one of tlie severest trials to 
 which he had yet been exposed, as 1 
 shall now rehearse. 
 
 James Greig, the kind cottar who 
 sheltered them for the better part of 
 three weeks, was but a poor man, 
 and two additional inmates consumed 
 til meal which he had laid in for 
 liiiioelf and his wife, so that he was 
 obligated to apply twice for the loan 
 of some from a neighbour, which 
 caused a suspicion to arise in that 
 neighbour's mind ; and ho being 
 loose -tongued, and a talking man, 
 let out what he thought in a public 
 at Kilmarnock, in j)resence of some 
 one connected with the soldiers then 
 quartered in the Doan Castle. A 
 party, in consequence, had that morn- 
 ing been sent out to search for them; 
 but the thoughtless man who had 
 done the ill was seized with a remorse 
 of conscience for his folly, and came 
 in time to advise them to flee ; but 
 not so much in time as to prevent 
 them from being soon by the soldiers, 
 who no sooner discovered them than 
 they pursued them. What became of 
 Esau Wardrop was never known ; ho 
 was no doubt shot in his flight ; but 
 my brother was more fortunate, for 
 he kept so far before those who in 
 particular pursued him, tlutt, although 
 they kept him in view, they could not 
 overtake him. 
 
 Running in this way for life and 
 liberty, he came to a house on the 
 road-side, inhabited by a lanerly wo- 
 man, and the door being open he 
 darted in, passing through to the 
 yard behind, where he found himself 
 in an enclosed place, out of whicli ho 
 saw no other means of escape but 
 through a ditch full of water. The 
 depth of it at the time he did not 
 
HINOAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 171 
 
 think of, but pliinf:jing in, he found 
 himself up to tlio chin ; at that mo- 
 ment he heard the soldiers at hand ; 
 80 tlio thou<j;lit struck him to remain 
 where he was, and to go under a 
 bramble-busli that overhung,' the wa- 
 ter, Hy this means he was so effect- 
 ually concealed, that the soldiers, 
 losing sight of him, wreaked their 
 anger and disappointment on the 
 poor woman, dragging her with them 
 to the Dean Castle, where they threw 
 her into the dungeon, in the darkness 
 of Avhich she perished, as was after- 
 wards well known through all that 
 country side. 
 
 After escaping from the ditch, my 
 brother turned his course more north- 
 erly, and had closed his day of suffer- 
 ing on Kilbride-hill, where drawn by 
 his affections to seek some knowledge 
 of his wife and daughter, ho had re- 
 solved to risk himself as near as pos- 
 sible to Quharist that night; and 
 coming along with the shower on his 
 back, which blew so strong in our 
 faces, he saw us by the glitapses of 
 the temjiostuous moonlight as we were 
 approaching, and had denned himself 
 on the road-side till we should pass, 
 being fearful we might prove enemies. 
 Some accidental lament or complaint, 
 uttered unconsciously by me, made 
 him, however, think he know the 
 voice, and moved thereby, he started 
 up, and had just joined us when he 
 was discovered ia so awakening a 
 manner. 
 
 Thus came my brother and I to 
 meet after the raid of Pentland ; and 
 having heard from mo all that he 
 could reasonably liopo for, regarding 
 the most valued casket of hi.s affec- 
 tions, he came along with Mr Wither- 
 spoon ; and we were next morning 
 safely ferried over into the wee Cum- 
 raes, by James Plowter, the ferryman, 
 to whom we were both well known. 
 
 There was then only a herd's house 
 OQ the island ; but there could be no 
 
 truer or kinder Christiana than tho 
 herd and his wife. We stayed with 
 them till far in the year, hearing 
 often, through James Plowter, of our 
 friends; and above all tho joyous 
 news, in little more than a week 
 after our lauding, of Sarah Lochrig 
 having boon ]>ernuttcd to leave tho 
 tolbooth of Irvine, without further 
 dulo than a reproof from Provost 
 Reid, that had more in it of commen- 
 dation than roiiroach. 
 
 It is well set forth in all the various 
 histories of this dismal epoch, that 
 the cry of blood had gone so vehe- 
 mently up to heaven from the graves 
 of the martyred Covenanters, that tho 
 Lord moved tii heart of Charles 
 Stuart to more merciful measures, 
 but only for a season. The apostate 
 James Sharp and the other counsel- 
 lors, whose weakness or wickiilness 
 fell in with his tyrannical proselytis- 
 ing purposes, were wised from the rule 
 of power, and the Earl.s of Tweeddale 
 and Kincardine, with that learned sage 
 and philosopher. Sir John Murray, 
 men of more beneficent dispositions, 
 were appointed to sit in their places 
 in the Privy Council at Edinburgh ; 
 so that all in our condition were 
 heartened to return to their homes. 
 
 As soon as we heard that the 
 ravenous soldiery were withdrawn 
 from the shire of Ayr, my brother 
 and I, with Mr Witherspoon, after an 
 abode of more than seven months in 
 yon solitary and rocky islet, returned 
 to Quharist. But, O courteous reader, 
 I dare not venture to tell of the joy 
 of the meeting, and the fond inter- 
 mingling of embraces, that was too 
 great a reward for all our suflFerings ; 
 for now I approach the memorials of 
 those things, by which the terrible 
 Heavens have manifested that I was 
 ordained from the beginning to launch 
 the bolt that was chosen from tho 
 quiver in the armory of the Almighty 
 avenger, to overthrow the oppressor 
 
172 
 
 EINGAN GILHAIZB. 
 
 y 
 
 jind oppression of my imtive laud. It 
 is therefore enough to state that, upon 
 my return homo, where I expected to 
 find my lands Wiasto and my fences 
 broken down, I found all things in 
 better order tlian they maybe would 
 have been had the eye of the master 
 been over them ; for our kind neigh- 
 bours, out of a friendly consideration 
 for my family, had in tiie spring tilled 
 tlie ground and sown the seed, by 
 day-and-day-about labour ; and surely 
 it was a pleasant thing, in the midst 
 of such a general depravity of the 
 human heart, so prevalent at that 
 period, to hear of such constancy and 
 christian -miudedness ; for it was not 
 towards my brother and me only that 
 such things were done : the same was 
 common throughout the country to- 
 wards the lands and families of the 
 persecuted. 
 
 But the lown of that time was Jis a 
 
 f)et day in winter. In the harvest, 
 lowever, when the proposal came out 
 that we should give bonds to keep the 
 peace, I made no scruple of signing 
 the same, and of getting my wife's 
 father, who was not out in the raid, 
 to be my cautioner. In the doing of 
 this I did not renounce the Covenant; 
 but, on the contrary, I considered that 
 by the bonds the King was as much 
 bound to preserve things in the state 
 under which I granted the bond, as I 
 was to remain in the quiet condition 
 I was when I signed it. 
 
 After the bonds of peace came the 
 indulgence, and the chief heritors of 
 our parish havirg something to say 
 with the Lord Tweeddale, leave was 
 obtained for Mr Swinton to comeback, 
 and we had made a paction with 
 Andrew Dornock, the prelatic curate 
 and incumbent, to let him have his 
 manse again. But although Mr 
 Swinton did return, and his family 
 were again gathered around him, he 
 would not, as he himself said to me, so 
 far bow the knee to Baal as to bring the 
 
 Church of Christ in any measure or 
 way into Erastian dependence on the 
 civd magistrate. So lie neither would 
 return to the manso nor enter the pul- 
 pit, but continued, for the space of 
 several years to reside at (iuhaii8t,and 
 to preacli on the summer Sundays 
 from the window in the gable. 
 
 In the spring, however, of the 
 year 1G71: he, after a lingering illness, 
 closed his life and ministry. For 
 sometime he had felt himself going 
 hence, and the tenor of his prayers and 
 sermons had for several months been 
 of a higli and searching efficacy ; and 
 he never failed, Sabbath after Sabbath, 
 just before pronouncing the bles- 
 sing, to return public thanks that the 
 Lord was drawing him so softly away 
 from the world, and from the storms 
 that were gathering in the black cloud 
 of prelacy which still overhung and 
 darkened the ministry of the Kirk of 
 Scotland, — a method of <idmonition 
 that was awfully awakening to the 
 souls of his hearers, and treasured 
 by them as a solemn breathing of the 
 inspiration of prophecy. 
 
 When he was laid in the earth, 
 and Mr Witherspoon, by some hand- 
 ling on my part, was invited to fill the 
 void which his removal had left among 
 us, the wind again began to fisle, and 
 the signs of a tempest were seen in 
 the changes of the llo3'al Councils. 
 The gracious-hearted statesmen be- 
 fore spoken of were removed from 
 their benignant spheres like falling 
 stars from the firmament, and the 
 Duke of Lauderdale was endowed 
 with the power to persecute and do- 
 mincer. 
 
 Scarcely was he seated in the 
 Council when the edicts of oppression 
 were renewed. The prelates became 
 clamorous for his interference, find the 
 penalties of the bonds of peace pre- 
 sented the means of supplying the 
 inordinate wants of his rapacious wife. 
 Steps were accordingly soon taken to 
 
KTNGAN OTLHATZ-R. 
 
 173 
 
 ap|)ea80 and pleasure botli. The court- 
 contrived crime of liearing the gospel 
 prcacbed in the fields, as it was by 
 John in the Wilderness and Jesus on 
 the Mount, was again prohibited with 
 new rigour ; and 1 for one soon felt 
 that in the renewed persecution of 
 those who attended tho conventicles, 
 the King had again as much broken 
 the conditions under which I gave the 
 bond of peace, as he had before bro- 
 ken the vows of the Solemn League 
 and Covenant ; so that when the 
 guilty project was ripened in his 
 bloody councils, that the West Coun- 
 try should be again exasperated into 
 rebellion, that a reason might be pro- 
 cured for keeping up a standing army, 
 in order that the three kingdoms 
 might be ruled by prerogative instead 
 of parliament, I freely confess that I 
 was one of those who did refuse to 
 sign tho bonds that were devised t o 
 provoke the rebellion, — bonds, the 
 terms whereof sufficiently manifested 
 the purpose that governed the fram- 
 ers in the framing. We were required 
 by them, under severe penalties, to un- 
 dertake that neither our families, nor 
 our servants, nor our tenants, nor the 
 servants of our tenants, nor any others 
 residing upon our land, should with- 
 draw from the churches or adhere to 
 conventicles, or succour field preach- 
 ers, or persons who had incurred the 
 penalties attached to those prelate- 
 devised offences. And because we 
 refused to sign these bonds, and con- 
 tinued to worship God in the peace- 
 fulness of the gospel, the whole 
 country was treated by the Duhe of 
 Lauderdale as in a state of revolt. 
 
 The English forces came muster- 
 ing against us on the borders, the 
 Irish garrisons were drawn to the 
 coast to invade us, and the lawless 
 Highlanders were tempted, by their 
 need and greed, and a royal promise 
 of indemnity for whatsoever outrages 
 they might commit, to come down 
 
 ui)on us in all their fury. By these 
 means ten thousand ruthless soldiers 
 and unreclaimed barbarians were let 
 loose upon us, while we were sitting 
 in the sun listening, I may say truly, 
 to those gracious counsellings which 
 breathe nothing but peace and good- 
 will. When, since the burning days 
 of Dioclesian, the Roman Emperor, 
 — when since tho massacre of the 
 Protestants by orders of the French 
 king on the eve of St. Bartholomew, 
 was 80 black a crime ever porpetrated 
 by u guilty Government on its own 
 subjects? But I was myself among 
 the greatest of the sufferers ; and it is 
 needful that I should now clothe my 
 thoughts with sobriety, and restrain 
 the ire of the pen of grief and re- 
 venge. — Not revenge ! No ; let tho 
 word be here — justice. 
 
 The Highland host came on us in 
 want, and, but for their license to 
 destroy, in beggary. Yet when they 
 returned to their wild homes amony 
 tho distant hills, they were laden as 
 with the household wealth of a realm, 
 in so much that they were rendered 
 defenceless by the weight of their 
 spoil. At the bridge of Glasgow the 
 students of the College and the otiier 
 brave youths of that town, looking on 
 them with true Scottish hearts, and 
 wrathful to see that the barbarians 
 had been such robbers of their fellow- 
 subjects, stopped above two thousand 
 of them, and took from them their 
 congregations of goods and wares, 
 wearing apparel, pots, pans, and grid- 
 irons, and other furniture, wherewith 
 they had burdened themselves like 
 bearers at a flitting. My house was 
 stript to a wastage, and everything 
 was taken away ; what was too heavy 
 to be easily transported was, alter 
 being carried some distance, left on 
 the road. The very shoes were taken 
 off my wife's feet, and "ye'U no be a 
 refuse to gi'e me that," said a red- 
 haired reprobate as he took hold of 
 
174 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 Snrali Tjochriir's hand and robbed licr 
 of her weddinrf-ring. I was present 
 and saw the deed ; I felt my liands 
 clench, but in my spirit 1 discovered 
 that it was then the Jiour of outrage, 
 and that the Avenger's time was not 
 yet como. 
 
 Itarely has it fallen to the lot of 
 man to be so blessed with such chil- 
 dren as mine ; but surely I was un- 
 worthy of the blessing. And yet, 
 though maybe unworthy, Lord, thou 
 knowest by the nightly anthems oi 
 thankfulness that rose from my hearth, 
 that the chief sentiment in my breast, 
 in those moments of melody, was my 
 inward acknowledgment to Thee for 
 having made this world bo bright to 
 me, with an ofTspring so good and 
 fair, and with Sarah Lochrig, their 
 mother, she whose life was the sweet- 
 ness in the cup of my felicity. Let 
 me not, however, hurry on, nor for- 
 get that I am but an historian, and 
 that it befits not the juridical pun of 
 the character to dwell upon my own 
 woes wlien I have to tell of the suffer- 
 ings of others. 
 
 Tlio trials and the tribulations 
 which I had heard so much of, and 
 whereof I had witnessed so many, 
 made me in a sense but little liable to 
 be moved when told of any new out- 
 rage, lint the sight of tliat Iligh- 
 lauder wrenching from Sarah Loch- 
 rig's finger our wedding ring did, in 
 its effects and influences, cause a 
 change in my nature as sudden and 
 as wonderful as that which the rod of 
 !Moses underwent in being quickened 
 into a serpent. 
 
 For eotno time T sat as I was 
 sitting wiiilo tlie deed was doing ; 
 and when my wife, after tlio plun- 
 derers liad departed, said to me, 
 soothingly, that w; had reason to be 
 thankful for liaving endured no other 
 loss than a little world's gc;ir, she 
 was surprised at the scdateness with 
 which I responded to her pioua cou- 
 
 dolem^nts. Michael, our first-born, 
 then in the prime beauty of his man- 
 hood, had been absent when tho 
 robbery wprj connnitted, and coming 
 in, on heiuing what had been done, 
 flamed with the generous rage of 
 youth, and marvelled tliat I had been 
 so calm. ^ly blithe and blooming 
 ^lary joined her ingenuous admiration 
 to theirs, but my mild and sensible 
 ^largaret fell upon my neck, and 
 weeping, cried, " (), father, it's no 
 ,. 3rth the doure thought that gars 
 your brows sac gloom ; " while Joseph, 
 the youngest of the flock, then in liis 
 twelfth year, brought the Bible and 
 laid it on my knees. 
 
 I opened the book-, and would havo 
 read a portion, but the passage which 
 caught my eye was tliC beginning of 
 the sixth chapter of Jeremiah, " O 
 ye children of Uenjamin, gather your- 
 selves to flee out of the midst of Jer- 
 usaleui, and blow the trumpet in 
 'i'ekoa, and set up a sign of fire iu 
 Beth-haccerem ; for evil appeareth out 
 of the north, and great destruction." 
 And I thought it was a voice calling 
 me to arm, and to raise the banner 
 against the oppressor ; and thercupou 
 I shut the book, and retii.'ng to tho 
 fields, communed with myself for 
 some time; 
 
 Having returned into tho house, 
 and sent Michael to my brotlier's to 
 inquire Iiow it had fared with him and 
 Ids family, I at tiie same time directed 
 Joseph to go to Irvine, and tell our 
 friends thereto help us with a 8up[)ly 
 of blankets, for the HIghlan(l(!rs had 
 taken away my horses Jind driven olT 
 my cattle, and wo had no means of 
 bringing any thing. 
 
 But Joseph was not long gone when 
 Michael can.o flying back from my 
 brother's, and 1 saw by his looks that 
 something very dreadful had been 
 committed, and said — • 
 
 " Are they all in life ? " 
 
 "Aye, iu lifel" and, the teara 
 
RING AN firLFTATZE. 
 
 176 
 
 in-!liin<,' into \m oyt's, he oxcljiimed, 
 " l?iit O ! I wish that my coiisia Ikll 
 had boon (loa<l and buri(!d !" 
 
 1)1 '11 Gilhaize, my brothor's only 
 dnufjl'.tor, was tl"^, ]ij,'htost-hoartf d 
 maiden in all our parish. It had loi u 
 boon a ])leasurc both to hor fatiier and 
 me to obyurve a minf,din^' of aft'eotioiis 
 between hor and Michael, and the 
 year following had been fixed for their 
 marriage. 
 
 " The time of weeping, Michael," 
 said I, "is ^ast, and the time of war- 
 ring will soon oomo. It is not in man 
 to bear always aggression, nor can it 
 bo required of him ever to endure 
 contumely." 
 
 "What has befallen Bell?" said 
 his mother to him ; but instead of 
 making li " any answer he uttered a 
 dreadful sound, like the howl of mad- 
 ness, and hastily quitted the house. 
 
 Sarah Lochrig, who was a woman 
 of a serene reason, and mild and 
 gracious in her nature, looked at mo 
 Avitii a silent sadness, that told all tlie 
 angui.sh with which tiie hoi.xr that 
 slie guessed had darted into her soul ; 
 and tiien, with an energy that I never 
 sa,v in her before, folded her own tvo 
 daughters to her bosom, as if she wan 
 in terror for tiiom, and bathed their 
 necks with tears. 
 
 Wiiilo wo were in this state my 
 brother himself came in. lie was now 
 a man well stricken in years, but of a 
 halo appearance, and usually of an 
 open and manly countenance. Nor 
 on this occasion did he appear greatly 
 altered ; but there was a lire in his 
 eye, and a severity in his aspect, such 
 as I had never seen before, yet withal 
 a fortitude tliat showed how strong 
 the self-po«session was, which kept 
 the tempest within him from breaking 
 out in word or gesture. 
 
 " Ilingan," said ho, " we have met 
 with a misfortune. It's the will of 
 IVovidence, and wo maun bear it. 
 But surely in thy ouggr ti^ati k ca,uaQd 
 
 by provocation, our Creator tells U3 
 to resent. From this hour, all obli- 
 gation, obedience, allegiance, all wliat- 
 .so'.vor that as a subject I did owe to 
 Charles Stuart is at an end. I am hia 
 foe ; and the Lord put strength into 
 my .irm to revenge the ruin of my 
 bairn ! " 
 
 There was in the utterance of these 
 words a solemnity at first terrifying 
 to hear ; but his voice in the last 
 clause of the sentence faltered, and ho 
 took off his bonnet and held it over 
 hia face, and wept bitterly. 
 
 I could make him no answer for 
 some time ; but I took hold of hia 
 hand, and when ho had a little 
 mastered his grief, I said, "Brother, 
 we are children of the same parents, 
 and the wrongs of one are the wrongs 
 of both. But let us not be hasty." 
 
 He took the bonnet from his face, 
 and looked at me sternly for a little 
 while, and then he said — 
 
 " Ringan (Jilhaizo, till you have 
 felt what 1 feel, you ne'er can know 
 that the speed o' liglitning is slow to 
 the wishes and the will of revenge." 
 
 At that moment his daugliter Bell 
 was brought in, led by my son 
 JMichael. Her father, at the sight 
 of her, clasped hu hands v/ildly 
 .above his head, and rushed out of 
 the house. My wife went towards 
 her, but stopped and fell back into 
 my arms at the sight of her demented 
 look. My daughters gazed, and held 
 up their trembling hands. 
 
 "Speak to her," said IMichael to 
 his sisters; "she'll maybe heed you;" 
 and ho added, " Bell, it's Mary and 
 Peggy," and dropping her hand, ho 
 went to lead Mary to her, while sho 
 stood like a statue on the spot. 
 
 " Dear J5ell," said I, as I moved 
 mvself gently from the arms of my 
 alllictcd wife, "come wi' me to tho 
 open air;" and I took her by the 
 hand which poor Michael had dropped, 
 aud k<^ iier out to the green, but still 
 
176 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 shu looked the same demented 
 creature. 
 
 Her father, who had by this time 
 again overcome his distress, s-ieingus 
 on the green, camo towards us, while 
 my wife and daughters also came out; 
 but Michael could no longer endure 
 the sight, and lie remained to hide his 
 grief in the house. 
 
 " Her mind's gone, Ringan," said 
 my brother, "and she'll ne'er be better 
 in this world ! " Nor was she ; but she 
 lived many months after, and in all 
 the time never shed a tear, nor 
 breathed a sigh, nor spoke a word ; 
 where she was led, she went ; where 
 she was left, she stood. At last she 
 became so weak that she could not 
 stand; and one day, as I was sitting 
 at her bedside, I observed that she 
 lay unusually still, and touching her 
 hati, found that all her sorrows 
 were over. 
 
 CHAPTEK XXIV. 
 
 From that day my brother seldom 
 held any communion with me; but I 
 observed that with Michael he had 
 much business, and though I asked 
 no questions, I needed not to bo told 
 that there was a judgment and a doom 
 in what they did. I was therefore 
 fearful that some rash step Avould lie 
 taken at the burial of Bell : ior it was 
 understood that all the neighbours, 
 far and near, intended to be present 
 to testify their pity for her fate. So 
 I spoke to IVIr "Witlierspoou concern- 
 ing my fears, and by his exhortations 
 the body was borne to the kirkyard 
 in a solemn and peaceable manner. 
 
 Hut just as the colUn was laid in 
 the grave, and before a spadeful of 
 earth was thrown, a boy came running 
 crying, " Sliarp's kill't ! — tlie apos- 
 tate's dead ! " which made every one 
 turn round and pause ; and while we 
 were thus standing, a horseman came 
 
 riding by, who confirmed the tidings, 
 that a band of men whom his perse- 
 cutions had made desperate, had ex- 
 ecuted justice on the apostate as ho 
 was travelling in his carriage with hia 
 daughter on Magus-moor. While tho 
 stranger was telling the news, tho 
 corpse lay in the grave unburied ; and 
 dreadful to tell ! when ho had mado 
 an end of his tale, there was a shout 
 of joy and exultation set up by all 
 present, except by Michael and my 
 brother. They stood unmoved, and 
 I thought — do I them any wrong? 
 — that they looked disconsolate and 
 disappointed. 
 
 IJut though the judgment of James 
 Sharp was a cause of satisfaction to 
 all covenanted hearts, many were not 
 yet so torn by the persecution as en- 
 tirely to applaud the deed. 1 shall not 
 therefore enter upon the particulars 
 of what was done anent those wlio 
 dealt his doom, for they were not of 
 our neighbourhood. 
 
 The crime, however, of listening 
 peacefully in the fields to the truths 
 of the Gospel became, in the sight of 
 the persecutors, every day more and 
 more heinous, and they gave them- 
 selves up to the conscience-soothing 
 tyranny of legal ordinances, as if tlio 
 enactment and execution of bloody 
 laws, contrary to those of God, and 
 .igainst the imoffcnding privileges of 
 our nature, were not wickedness of as 
 dark a stain as the murderer's use of 
 his secret knife. Edict and proclama- 
 tion against field-preachings and con- 
 venticles came following each other, 
 and the latest was the fiercest and 
 fellest of all which had preceded. l?ut 
 tho cause of truth, and the right of 
 communion with the Lord, was not to 
 be given up : " It is not for glory," 
 wo said in the words of those bravo 
 Scottish barons that redeemed, with 
 King Kobert the Bruce, their native 
 land from the thraldom of the English 
 Edward, " nor is it for riches, neither 
 
TvIN^-iAJT GILHATZE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 is it for honour, but it is for liberty 
 alone we oonteiul, wliicli no true man 
 will lose but witli his life;" and there- 
 fore it was that we would not yield 
 obedience to the tyranny, which was 
 revived with new strengtii by the death 
 of James .Sharp, in revenge for his 
 doom, but sought, in despite of de- 
 crees and statues, to hear thk Word 
 where we believed it was b(.fit spoken. 
 
 The laws of God, which are above 
 all human authority, require that we 
 should worship Him in truth and in 
 holiness, and we ' "^olvcd to do so to 
 tlie uttermost, aiul prepared ourselves 
 witli arms to resist whoever might be 
 sent to molest us in the performance 
 of that tlie greatest duty. But in so 
 exercising the diviije right of resis- 
 tance, we were not called upon to 
 harm those whom we knew to be our 
 adversaries. Belting ourselves for 
 defence, not for war, we went singly 
 to our places of secret meeting in the 
 glens and on the moors, and when the 
 holy exercise was done, wc returned to 
 our homes as peacefully as we went 
 thitlier. 
 
 Many a time I have since thought, 
 that surely in no otiier age or land 
 was ever such a solemn celebration of 
 tlie Sabbath as in those days. The 
 very dangers witli whicii we were en- 
 vironofl exalted the devout heart ; 
 verily it was a grand sight to see the 
 fearless religious man moving from 
 his house in the grey of the morning, 
 with the Bible in his hand, and his 
 sword for a staff, walking towards the 
 hills for many a weary mile, hoping 
 the jireaclier would be there, and 
 praying as he went that there might 
 be no molestation. 
 
 Often and often ontiiosc occasions 
 has tlie Lord been pleased to shelter 
 his worshipjiers from their persecutors 
 by covi '. iig them with the mantle of 
 his tempest; and many a time at the 
 dead of niglit, when the winds were 
 soughing around, and the moon was 
 
 bowling through the cloud?, we have 
 stood on tlie lieatli of the hills and 
 the sound of our psalms has been 
 mingled with the roaring of tho 
 gathering waters. 
 
 The calamities which drove us thus 
 to worship in the wilderness, and a- 
 midst the storm, rose to their full tide 
 on the back of tiie death of the arch- 
 apostate James Sharp ; for all the re- 
 ligious people in the realm were in a 
 manner regarded by the Government 
 as participators in the method of his 
 punishment And Claverhouse, whom 
 1 have Jiow to speak of, got that 
 special commission on which he rode 
 so wickedly, to put to the sword 
 whomsoever he found with arms at 
 any preaching in the fields ; so that 
 we had no choice in seeking to ob- 
 tain the consolations of religion, 
 which we then stood so much in need 
 of, but to congregate in such num- 
 bers as would deter the soldiers from 
 venturing to attack us. Thus it waa 
 which caused the second rising, and 
 led to tho fatal day of Bothwell- 
 brigg, whereof it is needful that I 
 should particularly speak, not only 
 on account of the great stress that 
 was thereon laid by the persecutors, 
 in making out of it a method of 
 liery ordeal to afflict the covenanted, 
 but also because it was the over- 
 flowing fountain-head of the deluge 
 that made me desolate. And here- 
 in, courteous reader, should ought 
 of a fiercer feeling than belongs to 
 tiie sacred sternness of truth and 
 justice escape from my historical pen, 
 thou wilt surely pardon the same, if 
 there be any of the gnacious ruth of 
 Christian gentleness in thy bosom ; 
 for now I have to tell of things that 
 have made tlie annals of the land as 
 i-i'd as crimson, and filled my house 
 with the blackness of ashes and 
 universal death. 
 
 For a long period there had been, 
 from the causes and circumstances 
 
178 
 
 RINGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 premised, sore (lifRculties in the as- 
 sembling of coiigre<jations, and the 
 sacrament of the Supper had not 
 been dispensed in mnny parts of the 
 shire of Ayr from the time of the 
 Higiiland liost ; so that there was a 
 grta:; longing in the hearts of tlie 
 coveuMntcd to partaiie once again of 
 that holy refreshment ; and shortly 
 after the seed-time it began to be 
 concerted, that eirlj in the summer 
 a day should be set apart, and a place 
 fixed for tiie celebration of tiie same. 
 About the time of the interment of 
 my brother's daughter, and the judg- 
 ment of the deatli executed on James 
 Sharp, it was .settled that the moors 
 of liOiidon-hill should be the ])lai;e of 
 meeting, and that the first S;ibbatli of 
 June should be the day. But what 
 ministers would be tliere was not set- 
 tled; for who could tell wiiich, in 
 those times, would be spared from 
 prison ? 
 
 It was, however, forethought and 
 foreseen, that the assemblage of com- 
 municants would be very consider- 
 able ; for, in order that there might 
 be the less risk of molestation, a 
 wish that it should be so was put 
 forth among us, to the end that the 
 king's forces miglit swither to dis- 
 perse us. Accordingly, with my 
 disconsolate brother and son, I went 
 to be present at thjit congrega- 
 tion, and we carried our arms with 
 us, as we were then in the habit of 
 doing on all occasions of public testi- 
 mony by worship. 
 
 In the mewntimc a rent had been 
 made in the Covenant, partly by the 
 over zeal of certain young preaeheis, 
 who. not feeling, as we did. that tlie 
 duty of rresl)yferians went no fai ther 
 than defence and resist.'ince, strove, 
 with all the pith of an effectual elo- 
 quence, to exasperate the minds of 
 their hearers into hostility again.st 
 those ill authority ; and it happened 
 that sevwal of those who had executed 
 
 the judgment on James Sharp, seeing 
 no hope of pardon for what they had 
 done, leagued themselves with this 
 party, in the hope of thereby making 
 head against their pursuers. 
 
 I have been the mure strict in set- 
 ing down the.sc circumstantials, be- 
 cause in the bloody afterings of that 
 meeting they were altogether lost 
 sight of ; and also, because the 
 implacable rage witii which Claver- 
 house persecuted the Covenanters haa 
 been extenuated by some discreet 
 historians, on the plea of his being an 
 honourable officer, deduced from his 
 soldierly worth elsewhere ; whereas 
 the truih is, that his cruelties in the 
 shire of Ayr, and other of our western 
 parts, were less the fruit of his instruc- 
 tions, wide and severe as they were, 
 than of his own mortified vanity and 
 malii:nant revenge. 
 
 It was in the cool of the evening, 
 on Saturday the last day of May, 
 when my brother came over to my 
 hou.se, where, with Michael, T had 
 prepared myself to go with him to 
 Loudon-hill. Our intent was to walk 
 that night to Kilmarnock, and abide 
 till the morning with our brother 
 Jacob's widow, not having seen her 
 for a long time. 
 
 We had in the course of that day 
 heard .something of the publication of 
 "The Declaration and 'JVstimony," 
 which, througli the vehemence of th-. 
 preachers before spoken of, had been 
 rashly coun.selltMl at Uuglen, on the 
 iiOtli of the month ; l)Ut there was ?io 
 jiarticulars, and what we did hear w.u, 
 like, a.s all such things ar", grt'atly 
 magnified beyond the truth. We, how- 
 ever, wt re grieved by the tidings ; for 
 we fe.ired soii"> cause of tribulation 
 would be tiiereb}' engendered detri- 
 mental to the religious purposes of 
 our journey. 
 
 'i'hi.s sentiment pressing b^avi';,' on 
 our hearts, we parted from my f;imily 
 with many misgivings, and tho bode- 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZB. 
 
 179 
 
 on 
 
 merits of further sorrows. But tlie out- 
 ward expression of vvliat we all felt was 
 the less remiirkable, on account of what 
 so lately had before hai)pcne<l in my 
 brolliei's house. Kor iu'V'ed did I 
 think .ittiie time, that the foretaste of 
 what was ordained so speedily to come 
 to a heail was at all so lively in his 
 spirit, or that of my son, as it was in 
 mine, till, in passin^r over tlie tdp of 
 the (rowan-brae, he looked round on 
 the lands of Quhari?t, and said — 
 
 " I care iiae, Kiuiran, if I ne'er 
 come back ; for though we hae lang 
 dwelt in affection together yon'er, 
 thae that were most precious to me 
 are now both aneath the sod," — allud- 
 ing to his wife who had been seveiiJ 
 yeans dead, — and poor Bell, his 
 daughter. 
 
 "I feel," said IMichael, "as if I 
 ■were going to a fun ign land, there is 
 sic a farewell sadness upon me." 
 
 But we strove to oveicome this, 
 and walked leisurely on the high road 
 towards Kilnwirnock, trying to dis- 
 course of indifferent tilings ; and as 
 the gloaming faded, and the night be- 
 gan to look forth, from her watch- 
 tower in the heavens, with all lier 
 eyes of beautiful light, we comnumed 
 of the friends that we trusted were in 
 glory, and marvelled if it could be 
 that they saw us after death, or ever 
 revisited the persons and the scenes 
 that they Icved in life. Kebellion or 
 treason, or any sense of thoughts and 
 things tliat were not i; dy, had no 
 jiortion in our conversation : we were 
 going to celebrate the redemj)tion of 
 fal'en man ; and we were mourning for 
 friends no more; our discourse was 
 of eternal things, and the mysteries 
 of the stars and the lights of that 
 world which is ab^ve the firmament. 
 
 ^^'lHn we reach I <l Kilmarnock we 
 found that Jacob's widow lia<l, 
 with several odier godly women, set 
 out towards the place of meeting, 
 to Bojouru with a relation that 
 
 night, in order that they might 
 bo tlie abler to gather the manna 
 of the Word in the morning. Wo 
 therefore resolved not to halt there, 
 but to go forward to the ajipoiuted 
 pilacc, and rest upon the .spot. This 
 accordingly doing, we came to the 
 eastern side of Loudo"n-liil],thetrysted 
 place, tburtly after the fiistscad of the 
 dawn. 
 
 I\lany were there before us, both 
 men and women and little children, 
 and horses intermingled, some slum- 
 bering, and some communing with 
 one anotiier; and as the morning 
 brightened, it was a hallowed sight to 
 behold from that rising ground the 
 blamele.'-s persecuted coming with se- 
 date steps to worship their JNIaker on 
 the mountain. 
 
 The Itevciend ^Ir Thom.is Dou- 
 gliis, who was to open the action, ar- 
 rived about the rising of the sun with 
 several other ministers, and beiund 
 them four aged men belonging to 
 Strathaven bearing the eh nients. 
 
 A j)ious la<ly, whose nanie 1 never 
 heard, owing to what ensued, sjiread 
 with her own hands a damask table- 
 cloth on the ground, and the bread 
 and wine were jtlaced upon it with 
 more reverence than ever was in kirk. 
 
 Mr Douglas having mounted upon 
 a rock nigh to where this was done, 
 was about to give out the psalm, 
 when we observed several country 
 lads, that were stationed as watch* is 
 afar off, coming with great ha-ste in ; 
 and they broug!it w(;rd, that C'lavor- 
 house and his dragoons were coming 
 to disperse us, bringing with tinni 
 tiie Beverend Mr King, a preachi r of 
 the gospel at llamiilon, ami others 
 that they had made prisoners, tied 
 witii cords two and two. 
 
 The tidings for a moment caused 
 jianic and eiiisternation ; luu as the 
 men were armed, and resolved to re- 
 sist, it was thought, in etnsideration 
 of tUo wowcu a.yd childrcu, that wo 
 
ISO 
 
 EINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 oiifflit to fjo forward, and prevent ttic 
 adversaries from advaneiii?. Accor- 
 dinf,'ly, to the number of forty horse- 
 men, and maybe near to two hundred 
 foot, -we drew ourselves apart from 
 the congregation, and marched to 
 meet Claveriiouse, thinking, perhaps, 
 on seeing us so numerous, that lie 
 would not come on, — while Mr 
 Douglas proceeded with the worship, 
 the piety of none with him being a- 
 bated by this grievous visitation. 
 
 Mr William Clelland, with ]Mr 
 Hamilton, who had conio with Mr 
 Douglas, were our leaders, and wo 
 met Claverhouse on the moor of 
 Drumclog. 
 
 The dragoons were the first to 
 halt, and Claverhouse, having ordered 
 liis prisoners to be drawn aside, was 
 the first who gave the word to fire. 
 This was without any parley or re- 
 quest to know Avhether we came 
 with hostile intent or no. Clelland, 
 on seeing the dragoons make ready, 
 cried to ns all to den ourselves among 
 the Uvafln.r; by which forethought 
 tkff aAiot flew harml("<fl. Then wr 
 
 ted up, and every one, wi i the 
 St aim he could, fired at the dra- 
 as they were loading their 
 c ara^tn cs. Several rnt-n and horses 
 ■were killed, and many wounded. Cla- 
 verhouse seeing this, conmianded his 
 men to -hargo upon us ; but the 
 ground was rough, the heather deep, 
 and the moss broken where peats had 
 been dug. and the horses floundered, 
 and several threw their riders, and 
 fell themselves. 
 
 We had now loaded again, and 
 the second fire wa^i more deadly than 
 the first. Our horsemen also seeing 
 how the driigoons were scattered, 
 fell in the confusion a.s it were man 
 for man upon them. Claverhouse 
 raged and <-ommanded, but no one 
 now could or would obey. In that 
 extremity his horse was killed, and, 
 being thrown down. I ran forward 
 
 to seize him, if I could, prisoner ; but 
 he still held his sword in his hand, 
 and rising as I came up, used it man- 
 fully, and with one stroke almost 
 hewed my right arm from my shoulder. 
 As he fled I attempted for a moment 
 to follow, but staggered and fell. He 
 looked back as he escaped, and I 
 cried — " Blood for blood ; " and it has 
 been so, as I shall hereafter in tho 
 sequel relate. 
 
 When the day w.as won, we found 
 wo numbered among the slain on the 
 side of the vanquished nearly twenty 
 of the dragoons : on our side we lost 
 but one man, John Morton — a ripe 
 saint ; but several were wounded ; 
 and John Weir and William Daniel 
 died of their wounds. Such was tho 
 day of Drumclog. 
 
 Being wounded, I was carried to a 
 neighbouring farm, attended by my 
 brother and son, and there put upon 
 a cart and sent home to (iuharist, as 
 it was thought I would bo best 
 attended there. They then returned 
 to the rest of the host, who, seeing 
 themselves thus brought into open 
 war, resolved forthwith to proceed to 
 (ilasL^'ow, and to raise again tho ban- 
 ner vi the Covenant. 
 
 But Claverhouse having fled thither, 
 burning with the thought of being so 
 shorn in his military pride by raw 
 and undi.sciplined countrymen, whom, 
 if we had been bred soldiers, maybe 
 he would have liotioured, but })eing 
 what we were, though our honour 
 was the greater, ho hated us witii tho 
 deadly aversion that is begott( n of 
 vanity chastised; for that it was which 
 incited him to ravage the West conn- 
 try with such rcmorselessness, and 
 which, when our men were next day 
 repulsed at (ilasgow with the loss of 
 lives, made him hinder the removal 
 of the bodies from tho streets, till it 
 was said the butchers' dogs began to 
 prey upon them. 
 
 But not to insist on matters of 
 
PJNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 181 
 
 hearsay, nor to dwell at any greater 
 length on those afflieting events, I 
 must refer the courteous reader to 
 the history of the thnes for what 
 followed, it being enough for me to 
 state here, that as soon as the news 
 spread of the battle and the victory, 
 the persecuted ran flocking in from 
 all quarters, by which tiie rope of 
 saiRl, that the Lord permitted Mon- 
 mouth to break at Bothwell-brigg, 
 was soon formed. My brother and 
 my son were both there, and there 
 my gallant Michael lies. ^ly brother, 
 then verging on threescore, being 
 among the prisoners, was, after sore 
 sufferings in the Greyfriars church- 
 yard of Edinburgh, sent on board a 
 vessel as a bondsman to the planta- 
 tions in America. His wrongs, how- 
 ever, were hapjjily soon over ; for the 
 Bhip in which he was embarked 
 perished among the Orkney islands, 
 and he, with two hundred other 
 sufferers, received the crown of mar- 
 tyrdom from the waves. 
 
 O Cliarles Stuai t, king of Scotland ! 
 ami thou, James Sharp ! — false and 
 cruel men. But ye are called to your 
 account; and what avails it now to 
 the childless father to rail upon your 
 memory ? 
 
 lief ore proceeding further at this 
 present time with the doleful tale of 
 my own sufferings, it is required of 
 me, as an impartial historian, to note 
 here a very singular example of the 
 spirit of piety which reigned in the 
 hearts t)f the Covenanters, especially 
 as 1 shall luive to show tliat such was 
 the cruel and implacable nature of 
 the Persecutiou, that time had not 
 its wonted iufhience to soften in any 
 degree its rii,'our. Tliirteen years had 
 passed from the time of the Pentlaiul 
 raid ; and surely the manner in which 
 the cotmtry luid sufficed for that 
 rising might, in so long a course of 
 years, have subdued the animosity 
 with which wo were pursued, espe- 
 
 cially, as during the Earl of Tweed- 
 dale's administration the bonds of 
 peace had been accepted. But Laud- 
 erdale, now at the head of the coun- 
 cils, was rapacious for money; and 
 therefore all offences, if I may em- 
 ploy that courtly term, by vhich otir 
 endeavours to taste of the truth were 
 designated — all old offences, as I was 
 saying, were renewed against us as 
 recent crimes, and an innocent charity 
 to the remains of those who had 
 suffered for the Pentland raid was 
 made a reason, after the battle of 
 Bothwell-brigg, to revive the perse- 
 cution of those who had been out in 
 that affair. 
 
 The matter particularly referred 
 to arose out of tlie following circum- 
 stances : 
 
 The number of honest and pious 
 men wlio were executed in difierent 
 places, and who had their heads and 
 their right hands with which they 
 signed tiie Covenant at Lanark cut 
 off, and placed on the gates of towns 
 and over the doors of tolbooths, had 
 been very great. And it was very 
 grievous, and a sore thing to the 
 friends and acquaintances of those 
 martyrs, when they went to Glasgow, 
 or Kilmarnock, or Irvine, or Ayr, on 
 their farm business, to tryst or mar- 
 ket, to see the remains of persons, 
 whom they so loved and respected in 
 life, bleaching in the winds and the 
 rains of Heaven. It was. indeed, a 
 matter of great hcart-sadmss, to be- 
 hold such auimosity carried beyond 
 the grave; and few they wtre who 
 coidd withstand the sight of the 
 orphans that came thither, pointing 
 out to one another their fathers' 
 bones, and weeping as they did so, 
 and vowing, with an innocent indig- 
 nation, that they would avenge their 
 martyrdom. 
 
 Well do I remember the great sor- 
 row that arose one market-day iu 
 Irvine, some five or six years after 
 
182 
 
 niNGAN GlLHATZE. 
 
 the Pentland raid, wlien Mrs ^M'Coul 
 camo, with her four woaiis and Iter 
 affi'd gudcm )llior, to look at tlic relics 
 of her husband, who Avas inarfyrcd 
 for Ill's ]iarc in that risinj,'. The bones 
 AVero Htaniiin<r, with those of another 
 luarfyr of that time, on a shelf which 
 had been ])ut up for tlio purpose, 
 below the tirst wicket-hole in the 
 steeple, just above the door. Tlie 
 two women were very decent in their 
 apparel, rather more so than the com- 
 mon country wives. The gudemothcr, 
 in particular, had a cast of fjentility 
 both in her look and <,'arments ; and I 
 have heard the cause of it expounded, 
 from her havinfj; been tlie dau<Thter of 
 one of the Reformation prcaciiers in 
 the gospi'l-sjireadiiifr epoch of John 
 Knox. Slie had a crimson satin plaid 
 over her head, and she Avore a black 
 silk apron and a grey camlet gown. 
 Willi the one hand she held the plaid 
 close to her neck, and the youngest 
 child, a las>ic of scA'en years or so, 
 had hold of her by the forc-ling'.T of 
 the other. 
 
 ]\Iis M'Coul was more of a robust 
 fabric, and sheAvas without any plaid, 
 soberly dre?sed in the Aveeds of a 
 Avidow, Avith a clean cambric handker- 
 chief very snodly preened over her 
 bre;ist. The children Avere hkewise 
 beinly apparelled, and the tAvo sons 
 AVere buirdly and brave laddies, the 
 one about nine, and the other maybe 
 eleven years old. 
 
 It Avould seem that this had been 
 the first of their pilgrimage of sor- 
 row; for tliey stood some time in a 
 row at the foot of the tolbooth stair, 
 looking up at tlie remains, and 
 Avondering, Avith tears in their eyes, 
 which were those they had come to 
 see. 
 
 Their appcnrnnco drcAV around 
 them many onlookers, both of the 
 country folk about the Cross and in- 
 habitants of the town ; but every one 
 cspectcd their sorrow, and none 
 
 ventured to disturb them Avith any 
 questions, for all saAV that they were 
 kith and kin to the godly men Avho 
 had testified to the truth and the 
 Covenant in death. 
 
 It haiipencd. however, that I had 
 occasion to pass by, and Fonie of tlio 
 tOAvn's folk Avho recollected me, said 
 Avhisperingly to one anotlier, but 
 loud enough to be heard, that I Avas 
 one of the persecuted ; Avhereujion 
 i\Irs M'Coul turned round and said 
 to me, A\'itli a constrained composure : 
 
 " Can ye tell me A\'hilk o' yon'.s 
 the head and hand o" John IM'Coul, 
 that Avas executed for the covenanting 
 at Lanark ? " 
 
 1 knew the remains well, for they 
 had been pointed out to me, and I 
 had seen them very often, but really 
 the sight of the two Avomen and the 
 fatherless bairns so overcame mo, 
 that I Avas unable to answer. 
 
 " It's the head and tlie hand beside 
 it, that has but twa finger.^ left, on 
 the Kirkgate end o' the skelf ! " replied 
 a person in the crowd, whom 1 knew 
 at once by his A'oice to be Willy 
 Sutherland the hangmm, although I 
 had not seen him from the night of 
 my evasion. And hero let me not 
 forget to set down the Christian Avorth 
 and constancy of that simple and 
 godly creature, Avho, rather than be 
 instrumental in the guilty judgment 
 by Avhich John M'Coul and his fel- 
 low-sufTerer Avere doomed to die, did 
 himself almost endure martyrdom, 
 and yet noA'cr swerA'ed in his pur{)0se, 
 nor was abated in his integrity, in so 
 much, that Avhen questioned there- 
 after anent the same by the Earl of 
 Kglinton, and iiis lordship, being 
 moved by the simph'city of his piety, 
 said, " Poor mnn, you did well in not 
 doinix Avhat they Avoidd have had you 
 to do." 
 
 '•My Lord," replied Willy, "you 
 are speaking treason ! and yet you 
 persecute to the uttermost, Avhich 
 
RTNOAN OILHAIZE. 
 
 183 
 
 sliows tliat you po against the liglit 
 of yrdir consciciice." 
 
 " Do you say so to mo, after T kopt 
 you from being hanged?" siiicl his 
 lordsliip. 
 
 " Keep mo from being drowned, 
 nnd 1 will still tell you the verity." 
 'Jiio which honesty in that poor man 
 begat for liim a compfirsionate regard 
 that the dignities of many great and 
 many nol)le iu that time could never 
 command. 
 
 \\ hen the sorrowful ^I'Couls had 
 indulged themselves in their melan- 
 choly contemplation, they went away, 
 followed l)y the multitude with silence 
 and sympathy, till they had mounted 
 upon the cart which they had brought 
 with them into the town. IJut from 
 that time every one began to speak of 
 the impiety of leaving the bones so 
 woefully exposi'd ; and after the 
 Bkirmish at Drumclog, where Hobin 
 ^I'Coul, the eldest of the two strip- 
 lings above spoken of, hapjiened to 
 be, when Mr John W elsii, with the 
 Carriik men that went to Ilothwell- 
 brigg, was sent into (ilasgow to bury 
 the heads and hands of tiie martyrs 
 there, Hobin M'Coul came witli' a 
 party of his friends to Irvine to bury 
 his father's bones. I was not myself 
 
 f)rtsent at the interment, being, as I 
 lave narrated, confined to my bed by 
 reason of my wound. I?ut I was told 
 by the neighbours, that it was a very 
 solemn and affecting scene. The 
 prieved lad carried the relics of his 
 father in a small box in his hands, 
 covered with a white towel : and the 
 godly inhabitants of the town, young 
 mid old. and of all denominations, to 
 the number of several hundreds, Al- 
 lowed him to the grave where the 
 body was lying; and Will}' v^uther- 
 laml. moved by a simple sorrow, was 
 the last of all ; and he walked, as I 
 was told, alone. beliin<l. with his 
 bonnet in his hand; for, from his 
 calling, he counted himself not on an 
 
 erpiality with other men. Rut it is 
 time that I shoidd return from this 
 digression to the main account of my 
 narrative. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Being wounded, as I have rehearsed, 
 at Drumclog, and carried to my own 
 house, Sarah Lochrig, while she 
 grieved with a mother's grief for the 
 loss of our first-born an<i the mourn- 
 ful fate of my honest brother, ad- 
 vanced my cure more by her loving 
 ministrations to my aching miind, 
 than by the medicaments that were 
 applieil to the bodily wound, in so 
 much that something like a dawn of 
 comfort was vouchsafed to me. 
 
 Our parish was singularly allowed 
 to remain unmolested when, .after the 
 woeful day of Bothwell-brigg, Claver- 
 house came to ravage the shire of 
 Ayr. and to take revenge for the dis- 
 comfiture which he had suffered, in 
 his endeavour to disturb the worship 
 and s.^crament at Loudon-hill. Still, 
 however, at times clouds overcame 
 my spirit ; and one night my daughter 
 Margaret had a remarkable dream, 
 which taught us to expect some par- 
 ticular visitation. 
 
 It was surely a mysterious reserva- 
 tion for the greater calamity -which 
 ensued, that while the vial of wrath 
 was pouring out around us, my house 
 should have been allowed to rcatiain 
 so unmolested. Often indeed, when 
 in our nightly worship I returned 
 thanks for a blessing so wonderful in 
 that time of general woe, has a strange 
 fear fallen upon me. and I have 
 trembled in tlionglit, as if the thing 
 for which I sent up the incense of my 
 thanks to Heaven, was a device of the 
 Enemy of man, to make me think 
 myself more deserving of favour than 
 the thousands of covenanted brethren 
 
184 
 
 RINGAN r.ILHAIZE. 
 
 who theu, in Scotland, were drinking 
 of the bitterness of the suffering. I5ut 
 in proportion us I was then spared, 
 the heavier afterwards was my trial. 
 
 Among the prisoners taken at IJotii- 
 well-brigg were many persons from 
 our parish and neighbourhood, who, 
 after their unheard - of sufferings 
 among the tombs and graves of the 
 Greyfriars church-yard at Edinburgli, 
 were allowed to return home. Though 
 in this there was a show of clemency, 
 it was yet but a more subtle method 
 of the tyranny to reach new victims. 
 For those honest men were not long 
 home till grievous circuit-courts were 
 Bet agoing, to bring to trial not only 
 all those who were at Bothwell, or 
 approved of that rising, but likewise 
 those who had been at the Pcntland 
 raid ; and the better to ensure con- 
 demnation and punishment, sixteen 
 persons were cited from every parish 
 to bear witness as to who, among 
 their neighbours, had been out at 
 Bothwell, or had harboured any of 
 those who were there. The wicked 
 curates made themselves, in this 
 grievous matter, engines of espionage, 
 by giving in the names of those, their 
 parishioners, whom they knew could 
 bear the best testimony. 
 
 Thus it was, that many who had 
 escaped from the slaughter — from the 
 horrors of the Greyfriars church -yard 
 — and from the drowning in the Ork- 
 neys, — and, like myself, had resumed 
 their quiet country labour, were 
 marked out for destruction. For the 
 witnesocs cited to Ayr against us were 
 persons who had been released from 
 the Greyfriars church-yard, as I have 
 said, aud who, being honest men, 
 could not when put to their oaths^ but 
 bear witness to the truth of the matters 
 charged against us. And nothing 
 surely could better show the devilish 
 spirit with which those in authority 
 were at that time actuated, nor the 
 unchristian nature of the prelacy, 
 
 than that the prisoners siiould thus 
 have been set free to be made tlio 
 accusers of their neiglibours ; and 
 that tlio curates, men i)rofess- 
 ing to be ministers of the Gospel, 
 should have been such fit instruments 
 for such uniieard-of machinations. 
 But to hasten forward to the fate and 
 issue of thib solf-consuining tyranny, 
 I shall leave all generalities, aud pro- 
 ceed with the events of my own case ; 
 and, in doing so, I shall endeavour 
 what is in mo to inscribe the par- 
 ticulars with a steady hand ; for I daro 
 no longer now trust myself with look- 
 ing to the right or to the left of tho 
 field of my matter. I shall, however, 
 try to narrate things just as they 
 happened, leaving the courteous reader 
 to judge what passed at the time in 
 the suffocating tiirobs wherewith my 
 heart was then affected. 
 
 It was tho last day of February, 
 of the year following Bothwell-brigg, 
 that, in consequence of these subtle 
 and wicked devices, I was taken up. 
 I had, from my wound, been in au 
 ailing state for many months, and 
 could then do little in the field ; but 
 the weather for the season was mild, 
 and I had walked out in the tran- 
 quillity of a sunny afternoon to give 
 my son Joseph some instructions in 
 the method of ploughing ; for, though 
 he was then but in his thirteenth year, 
 he was a by-common stripling in 
 capacity and sense. He was indeed a 
 goodly plant ; and I had hoped, in 
 my old ago, to have sat beneath tho 
 shelter of his branches ; but the axe 
 of the feller, was untimely laid to the 
 root, and it was too soon, with all the 
 blossoms of the fairest promise, cast 
 down into the dust. But my now task 
 is of vengeance and justice, not of 
 sorrowing, and I must more sternly 
 grasp the iron pen. 
 
 A party of soldiers, who had been 
 that afternoon sent out to bring in 
 certain persons (among Avhom I was 
 
KINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 185 
 
 one) ill a list iiialigiiaiitly transmitted 
 to the Archbishop of Glasgow, by- 
 Andrew Dornoch, tlio prolatic usurper 
 of our ministers place, as I was 
 leaviu),' the field where my son was 
 ploui,'iiinj,', saw nie from the road, and 
 ordered me to halt till they came up, 
 or they would fire at me. 
 
 It would have been unavailing of 
 mo, in the state I tiien was, to liave 
 attempted to flee, so I halted ; and, 
 after tome entreaty with the soldiers, 
 got permission from tiiem to ha/o my 
 liorse and cart yoked, as 1 was not 
 very well, and so to be carried to Ayr. 
 And hero I should note down tliat, 
 altliougii there was in general a coarse 
 spirit among tlie King's forces, yet in 
 tliese men there was a touch of com- 
 mon humanity. This was no doubt 
 partly owing to their having been some 
 months quartered in Irvine, wliero 
 tiiey became naturally softened by 
 the friendly spirit of the place. It 
 was not. however, ordained that men 
 so merciful should be permitted to 
 remain long there. 
 
 As it was an understood thing that 
 tlie object of the trials to which tiie 
 Covenanters were in this manner sub- 
 jected was chiefly to raise money and 
 forfeitures for the rapacious Duke of 
 Lauderdale, then in the rule and 
 j)Ower of tlie council at Edinburgh, 
 my being corried away prisoner to 
 Ayr awakened less grief and conster- 
 nation in my family than might have 
 been exjiected from the e\eut. 
 'J'hrougii ihe humane permission of 
 my guard, ''aviu ;r a little titne to con- 
 fer with Si.r.il: '^oclirig before going 
 away, it was settled between us that 
 she should gather together what 
 money she could ])rccure, either by 
 loan or by selling our corn and cattle, 
 in order to provide for the [)ayment 
 of the fine that we countetl would be 
 laid upon us. I was then taken to 
 the tolbooth of Ayr, where many 
 other covcuauted brethren were lying 
 
 to await tlio proceedings of tho 
 circuit-court, which was to be opened 
 by the Lord Kelburne from Glasgow, 
 on tlie second day after I had been 
 carried thither. 
 
 Among the prisoners were several 
 who knew me well, and who con- 
 doled as Christians with me for tho 
 loss 1 had sustained at IJothwell; so, 
 but for tho denial of the fresh and 
 heavenly air, and the freedom of tho 
 fields, the time of our captivity might 
 have been a season of mucli solace ; 
 for they were all devout men, and tho 
 tolbooth, instead of resounding with 
 the imprecations of malefactors, be- 
 came melodious with tiie voice of 
 psalms and of holy communion, and 
 the sweet intercounse of spirits that 
 delighted in one anotiier for tiie con- 
 stancy with which they had boruo 
 their testimony. 
 
 When the Lord Kelburne arrived, 
 on the first day that the court opened, 
 1 was summoned to respond to tho 
 offences laid to my charge, if any 
 charge of offence it may be called, 
 wherein tho purpose of the court was 
 seemingly to search out opinions that 
 migiit serve as matter to justify the 
 infliction of the fines — the whole end 
 and intent of those circuits not being 
 to award justice, but to find tho 
 means of extorting money. In .some 
 respects, however, I was more merci- 
 fully dealt by than many of my 
 fellow-sufferers ; but in order to show 
 how, even in my case, the laws were 
 jHTverted, I will here set down a 
 brief record of my examination or 
 trial, as it was called. 
 
 The council-room was full of 
 people when I was taken thither, and 
 the Lord Kelburne, who sat at the 
 head of the table, was abetted in the 
 proceedings by INlurray, an advocate 
 from Edinburgh. They were sitting 
 at a wide round table, within a fence 
 which prevented the spectators from 
 pressing in upon them. There were 
 

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186 
 
 RING AN GiLHAtZE 
 
 many papers and letters folded up in 
 bundles lying before them, and a 
 candle burning, and wax for sigilla- 
 tion. Besides Lord Kelburne and liis 
 counsellor, there were divers gentle- 
 men seated at tlio table, and two 
 clerks to inake notations. 
 
 Lord Kelburne, in his appearance, 
 Avas a mild -looking man, and for his 
 years his hnir was very hoary ; for 
 though he was seemingly not passing 
 fifty, it was in a manner quite 
 blanched. In speech he was mode- 
 rate, in disposition indulgent, and 
 verily towards mo he acted in his 
 harsh duty with much gentleness. 
 
 But Murray had a doure aspect for 
 his years, and there was a smile among 
 his features not pleasant to behold, 
 breeding rather distrust and dread, 
 than winning confidence or affection, 
 which are the natural fruit of a 
 ccur^enanoo rightly gladdened. lie 
 looked at me from aneath his blows 
 as if 1 had been a malefattor, and 
 turning to the Lord Kelburne, said — 
 
 " lie has the true fanatical yellow 
 look." 
 
 This was a base obseive ; for natu- 
 rally I was of a fresh complexion, but 
 my long illness, and the close air of 
 the prison, had made me pale. 
 
 After some more impertinences of 
 that sort, he then said — 
 
 " llingan (iilhaize, you were at the 
 battle of Bothwell-brigg." 
 
 "I was not," said I. 
 
 "You do not mean to say so. 
 surely?" 
 
 " I have said it," was my answer. 
 
 Whereupon one of the clerks 
 whispered to him that there were 
 three of the name in the list. 
 
 •'O!" cried he, "I crave your 
 pardon, Riiigan, there are several 
 persona of your name ; and though 
 you were not at Bothwell yourself, 
 maybe ye ken those of your name who 
 were there, — Do you?" 
 
 "I did know two," was my calm 
 
 answer; "one was my brother, and 
 the other my son." 
 
 All present remained very silent as 
 I made this answer ; and the Lord 
 Kelburne bending forward, leant his 
 cheek on his hand as he rested his 
 elbow on the table, and h)()ke.i very 
 earnestly at me. Murray resinned — 
 "And pray now, lliii<ran, tell us 
 whet has become of the two rebels? " 
 "'J'hey were covenanted Chris- 
 tians," said I; "my son lies buried 
 with those that were slain on that sore 
 occasion." 
 
 "But your brother; ho was of 
 course younger than you ? " 
 "No ; he was older." 
 " AVell, well, no matter as to that ; 
 but where is he ? " 
 
 " I believe he is with his IMaker ; 
 but his body lies among the rocks at 
 the bottom of the Orkney seas.*' 
 
 The steadiness of the Lonl Kel- 
 burne's countenance sadilened into tlio 
 look of compassion, aijd he said to 
 Murray — 
 
 " Tliere is no use in asking liini ;iny 
 more questions about them, proecL'd 
 with the ordinary interroj.ratorie.-'." 
 
 There was a murmur of sati-fiiction 
 towards his Lordship at this ; and 
 Murray said — 
 
 " And so you say tliat those in the 
 late rebellion at Bothwell were not 
 rebels?" 
 
 " I said, sir, that my son and my 
 brother were covenanted Christians." 
 This I delivered with a firm voice, 
 which seemed to produce some effeel 
 on the Lord Kelburne, who threw 
 himself back in his chair, and crossing 
 his arms over his breast, looked still 
 more eagerly towards me. 
 
 " Do you niuan tiien to deny/' said 
 Murniy, "that tlic late rebeJion was 
 not a rebellion?" 
 
 " It would be hard, sir, to say what 
 it was ; for the causes thereto leading," 
 replied I, "were jirovocations con- 
 cerning things of God, and to those 
 
 wh( 
 
 the' 
 
 ite; 
 
 wer 
 
 don 
 
 fane 
 
 was 
 
l?lKfiAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 187 
 
 
 vlio wore for Ihut rejison religiously 
 tliiri', I (io not tliiiik, in a. rijrht sense, 
 it can 1)0 cilkd rebellion. 'I'liosc who 
 weiv tliere for carnal niotives, .and I 
 doubt not tliore wore many such, I 
 fancy every honest nian may say it 
 ■WHS with them rebellion." 
 
 " 1 must deal more closely with 
 liim." said Murnay to his Lord^hip•, 
 but his Lordship, before allowing him 
 to jiut any more questions, said him- 
 self to me — 
 
 " Hut you know, testate the thing 
 plaiidy, that the misguided people who 
 were at liothwell, had banded them- 
 selves against the laws of the realm, 
 ■whether from religious or carnal mo- 
 tives is not the business we are liere 
 to sift, that point is necessarily remit- 
 ted to God and tlieir consciences." 
 
 Murray added, "It is most un- 
 reasonable to suppose, that every 
 subject is free to determine of Avhat 
 is lawful to be (beyed. The thougiit 
 is ridiculous. It would destroy the 
 end of all lavvs which are for the 
 advantage of commuinties, and which 
 fifieak the seii.sc of the generality, 
 touching the matter and things to 
 ■which they refer." 
 
 " My Lord," said I, addressing 
 myself to Lord Kelburne, " it surely 
 ■will ne'er be denied, that every sub- 
 ject is free to exercise his discretion 
 ■\vith respek to his ain conduct; and 
 your Lordship kens vera weel, that it 
 is the duty of subjects to know the laws 
 of the land ; and your Lordship like- 
 wise knows, that God has given laws to 
 nil rulers as well jis subjects, and both 
 may and ought to know His laws. 
 Kow if I, knowing both the laws of 
 God and the laws of the land, find 
 the one contrary to the other, un- 
 doubtedly God's laws ought to hae 
 the preference in my obedience." 
 
 His Lordship looked somewhat 
 satisfied with this answer; but Mur- 
 ray said to him — 
 
 *' I will pose him '^h this ques- 
 
 tion. If preflbyterian government 
 ■were established, as it was in the year 
 Ifi^H, and some ministers were not 
 free to comply v .h it, and a law 
 were made that none should liear 
 them out o' doors, would ydu jiulge 
 it reasonable that such ministers or 
 their people should be at liberty to 
 act in contempt of that law." 
 
 And he looked mightily content 
 with himself for this subtlety; but I 
 said — 
 
 " Really, sir, T canna see a reason 
 why hearkening to a preaching in the 
 fields should be a greater guilt than 
 doing the same thing indoors." 
 
 " If I were of your principles," 
 said the advocate, "and thought in 
 my conscience that the laws of the 
 land were contrary to the laws of 
 God, and that I could not conform to 
 them, I would judge it my duty rather 
 to go out of the nation and live else- 
 where, than disturb the peace of the 
 land." 
 
 " That were to suppose two 
 things," said I ; "first, that rulers 
 n.ay make laws contrary to the laws 
 of God, and when such laws are cnce 
 made, they ought to be submitted to. 
 Hut I think, sir, that ruhrs being 
 under the law of God act wickedly, 
 and in rebellion to Ilim, when they 
 make enactments contrary to 11 is de- 
 clared will ; and surely it can ne'er 
 be required that ■we should allow 
 wickedness to be done." 
 
 " I am not sure," said Murray to 
 his Lordship, " that I do right in 
 continuing this irrelevant conversa- 
 tion." 
 
 " I am interested in the honest 
 man's defence," replied Lord Kel- 
 burne, " and as 'tis in a matter of con- 
 selence, let us hear what makes it 
 
 80." 
 
 " 'Well, tlien." resumed the advo- 
 cate, " what can you say to the 
 barbarous murder of Archbishop 
 Sharp? — You will not contend that 
 
188 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 murder is not contrary to tho law of 
 God ? " 
 
 "I ne'er contended," said I, "that 
 any sin was permitted by tho law of 
 God— fivr less murder, wliich is ex- 
 pressly forbidden in the Ten Com- 
 mands." 
 
 " Then yc acknowledge the murder 
 of the Archbishop to havo been 
 murder." 
 
 " That's between those that did it 
 and God." 
 
 " Hooly, hooly, friend!" cried 
 Murray; "that, liingan, winna do; 
 was it or was it not murder." 
 
 " Can I tell, who was not there?" 
 
 " Then to satisfy your conscience 
 on that score, Ilingan, I would .ask 
 you, if a gang of rutiiaus slay a de- 
 fenceless mau, do or do they not 
 commit murder ? " 
 
 *' I can easily answer that." 
 
 Lord Kelburne again bent eagerly 
 forward, and rested his chctk again 
 on his hand, placing liis elbow on the 
 table, wliile I continued — 
 
 " A gang of ruffians coming in 
 wantonness, or for plunder, upon a 
 defenceless man, and putting him to 
 death, there can be no doubt is mur- 
 der; but it has not yet been called 
 murder to kill an enemy in battle ; 
 and tliorefore, if the captain of a host 
 go to war without arms, and thereby 
 be defenceless, it cannot be said that 
 those of the adverse party, v. ho 
 may liappcn to slay him, do any 
 murder." 
 
 " Do you mean to justify the man- 
 ner of the death of the Archbishop ? " 
 exclaimed the advocati', starting back, 
 and spreading out his arms in wonder- 
 ment. 
 
 " 'Deed no, sir," replied I, a little 
 nettVed at the construction ho would 
 put upon what I said; "but I will 
 say, even here, what Sir Davie 
 Lindsay o' tiio Mount said on the 
 sin)ilar event o' Cardinal Beaton's 
 death— 
 
 ' As for this Cartflnal, I graut 
 
 IIo was tho iiiau wo iniglit well want ; 
 
 Goii will forgive it sr ja: 
 But of a truth, tlio sootli to say. 
 Although tho loon bo well away, 
 
 Tho fact was foully done.' " 
 
 There was a rustle of gratification 
 among all in the court as I said tho 
 rhyme, and Lord Kelburne smiled; 
 but Alurray, somewhat out of humour, 
 said — 
 
 "I fancy, my Lord, we must 
 consider this as an admission that 
 the killing of the Archbishop was 
 murder ? " 
 
 *' I fear," said his Lordship, " that 
 neither of the two questions have been 
 so directly put as to justify me to 
 pronounce any decision, though I am 
 willing to put the most favourable 
 construction on what has passed." 
 And then his Lordship, looking to 
 me, added — 
 
 " Do you consider the late re- 
 bellion, being contrary to the King's 
 authority, rebellion ? " 
 
 "Contrary to the King's right 
 authority," replied I, " it was not 
 rebellion, but contrary to an authority, 
 beyond the right, taken by him, de- 
 spite the law of God, it was rebellion," 
 
 " Wherefore, honest man,"rejoined 
 his Lordship kindly, "would you 
 make a distinction that may bring 
 harm on your own head ? Ls not tho 
 King's authority instituted by law 
 and prerogative, and knowing that, 
 cannot yc say, that those who rise in 
 arms against it are rebels? " 
 
 " My Lord," said I, " you have my 
 answer ; for in truth aiid in conscienco 
 I can give none other." 
 
 There was a pause for a sliort 
 sp.ace, and one of the clerks looking 
 to I ord Kelburne, his Lordship said, 
 with a plain reluctance, "It must 
 even bo so ; write down that he is 
 not clear the late rebellion should bo 
 called a rebellion ; " and casting his 
 I eyes eutreatingly towards me, ho 
 
RINGAN GILTIAIZE, 
 
 189 
 
 re- 
 
 added — " But I t'ink you acknow- 
 ledge that the assassination of Ai'ch- 
 bishop Sharp was a murder ? " 
 
 " My Lord," said I, " your ques- 
 tions are propounded as tests, and 
 therefore, as an honest man, I cannot 
 suffer that my answers should be 
 scant, lest I might be thought to 
 waver in faith and was backward in 
 my testimony. No, my Lord, I will 
 not call the killing of Sharp murder ; 
 for, on my conscience, I do verily 
 think he deserved the death : First, 
 because of his apostacy ; second, be- 
 cause of the laws of which he was the 
 instigator, whereby the laws of God 
 have been contravened ; and, third, 
 for the woes that those laws have 
 brought upon the land, the which 
 stirred the hearts of the people against 
 him. Above all, I think his death 
 was no murder, because he was so 
 strong in his legalities, that he could 
 not be brought to punishment by 
 those to whom he had caused the 
 greatest wrong ; " and I thought, in 
 saying these words, of my brother's 
 daughter — of his own sad death in 
 the stormy seas of the Orkneys — and 
 of my brave and gallant Michael, 
 that was lying in his shroudless grave 
 in the cold clay of Hothwell. 
 
 Lord Kelburne was troubled at my 
 answer, and was about to remonstrate; 
 but seeing the tear start into my eye 
 as those things came into my mind, 
 he said nothing, but nodding to tlie 
 clerk, he bade him write down tliat I 
 would not acknowledge the killing of 
 the Archbishop a murder, lio^ then 
 rose and adjourned the court, re- 
 manding mo to prison, saying that he 
 would send mo word what would be 
 the extent of my punishment. 
 
 The same night it was intimated to 
 me that I was fined in five hundred 
 marks, and tliat bonds were required 
 to be given for the payment; upon 
 the granting of which, in considera- 
 tion of my ill health, the Lord Kel- 
 
 burne had consented I should be set 
 free. 
 
 Tiiis wfis, in many respects, a more 
 lenient sentence tlian I had expected; 
 and in the hope that periiaps Sarah 
 Lochrig might have been able to pro- 
 vide the money, so as to render the 
 grantingof thebondsandtheprocuring 
 of cautioners unnecessary, I sent over 
 a man on horseback to tell her the 
 news, and the man in returning 
 brought my son Joseph behind him, 
 sent by his snother to urge me to give 
 the bonds at once, as she had not 
 been able to raise so much money; 
 and the more to incitj me, if there 
 iiad been need for incitement, she had 
 willed Joseph to tell me tiiat a party 
 of Ciaverhouse's dragoons had been 
 quartered on tiie house that morning, 
 to live there till the fine was paid. 
 
 Of the character of those freeboot- 
 ers I needed no certificate. They had 
 filled every other place wherever they 
 had been qurrtered with sham' and 
 never-ceasing sorrow, and therefore I 
 was indeed roused to hear that my 
 defenceless daughters were in their 
 power, so I lost no time in sending 
 iny son to entreat two of his mother's 
 relations, wlio were bein merchants 
 in Ayr, to join me in the bond — a 
 thing which they did in the most com- 
 passionate manner, and, the better to 
 expedite the business, I got it to be 
 permitted by the Lord Kelburne that 
 the bonds should be sent the same day 
 to Irvine, where I hoped to be able 
 next morning to discharge them. All 
 this was happily concerted and brought 
 to a pleasant issue before sunset, at 
 which time I wfvs discharged from the 
 t.olbooth, carrying with me many pious 
 wislies from those who were there, 
 and who had not been so gently dealt 
 by. 
 
 It was my intent to have proceeded 
 home the same night, but my son was 
 very tired with the many errands ho 
 had mn that day, and by his long 
 
190 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 ride in the morning ; moreover, I was 
 myself in need of repose, for my 
 anxiety bad brought on a disturbaiici' 
 in my blood, and my limbs shock, 
 and I was altogether nnable to under- 
 take any journey. I was therefore too 
 easily entreated of Archibald Lochrig, 
 n)y wifi's cousin, and one of my 
 cautioners, to stop in his liouse that 
 evening. But next morning, being 
 much refresiied with a pleasant sleep 
 and the fallacious cheering of happy 
 dreams, I left Ayr, with my son, be- 
 fore the break of day, and we travelled 
 with light feet, for our hearts were 
 lifted up with hope. 
 
 Though my youth was long past, 
 and many things had happened to 
 sadden my s]iirit, I yet felt on that 
 occasion an unaccon?i tabic sense of 
 kindlini'SS and joy. The flame of life 
 was as it were renewed, and brightened 
 in the pure and breezy air of the 
 morning, and a bounding gladness 
 rose in my bosom as my eye expatiated 
 around in the freedom of the spacious 
 fields. On the left-hand the living 
 sea seemed as if the pulses of its 
 moving waters were in unison with 
 the throbbings of my spirit ; and, like 
 jocund maidens disporting themselves 
 in the flowing tide, the gentle waves, 
 lifting their heads, and spreading out 
 their arms and raising their white 
 bosoms to the rising sun, came as it 
 were happily to the smooth sands of 
 the sparkling shore. Tho grace of 
 enjoyment brightened and blithened 
 all things. There was a cheerfulness 
 in the songs of the little birds that 
 enchanted the young 1 eart of my 
 blooming boy to break lorth into 
 singing, and his carol was gayer tiian 
 the melody of tho lark. But that 
 morning was tho last time that either 
 Oi us could ever after know pleasure 
 any more in this world. 
 
 Eager to be home, and that I might 
 share with Sarah Lochrig and our 
 children the joy of thankfulness for 
 
 my deliverance, I had resolved to 
 call, in passing through Irvine, at 
 the clerk's chamber, to inquire if tho 
 bonds had been sent fiom Ayr, that 
 my cautioners might be as soon as 
 possible discharged. But wo had 
 been so early a foot that we reached 
 the town while tho inhabitants were 
 yet all asleep, so tiiat we thought it 
 would be as well to go straight home; 
 and accordingly we passed down the 
 gait and through tho town-end port 
 without seeing any person in the 
 street, save only the town-herd, as he 
 was going with his horn to sound for 
 the cows to bo sent out to go with 
 him to the moor. 
 
 Tho sight of a town in the peaceful- 
 ness of the morning slumbers, and of 
 a simple man going forth to lead the 
 quiet cattle to jia>ture, filled my mind 
 with softer thoughts than 1 had long 
 known, and I said to my son — 
 
 "Surely those who would molest 
 the peace of the poor hae ne'er rightly 
 tasted the blessing of beholding tho 
 confidence with which they tt ist 
 themselves in the watches of the night 
 and amidst the perils of their barren 
 lot." And I felt my heart thaw again 
 into charity with all men, and I was 
 thankful for the delight. 
 
 As I was thus tiisting again the 
 luxury of gentle thoughts, a band of 
 five dragoons came along the road, 
 and Joseph said to me that they were 
 the same who had been quartered in 
 our house. I looked at them as they 
 passed by, but they turned their heads 
 aside. 
 
 "I wonder," said my son, "that 
 they did na speak to me : I thought 
 they had a black look." 
 
 "No doubt, Joseph," was my 
 answer, " tho men are no lost to a' 
 sense of shame. They canna but bo 
 rebuked at the sight of a man that, 
 maybe against their will, poor fellows, 
 they were sent tc oppress.'' 
 
 *' I dinna like them the day, father, 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZB. 
 
 101 
 
 they're unco like ill-doers," said the 
 thoughtful end observing stripling. 
 
 lint my spirit was .at the time full 
 of goodwill towards all men, and I 
 reasoned with him against giving way 
 to unkind thoughts, expounding, to 
 the best of my a')ility, the nature of 
 gospel-charity, and the heavenliuess 
 of good-will, saying to him — 
 
 " The nature of charity's like the 
 light o* the sun, by which all things 
 are cherished. It is the brightness of 
 the soul, nnd the glorious quality 
 •which provi our celestial descent. 
 Our other feoi ga are common to a' 
 creatures, but l le feeling of charity 
 is divine. It's the only thing in 
 which man partakes of the nature of 
 God." 
 
 Discoursing in this scriptural man- 
 ner, we reached the (iowan-brao. My 
 heart beat high with gladness. My 
 6on bounded forward to tell his 
 mother and sisters of my coming. 
 On gaining the brow of the hill he 
 leapt from the ground with a fnantic 
 cry and clasped hia hands. I ran to- 
 wards him — but I remember no more 
 — though at times something crosses 
 my mind, and I have wild visions of 
 roofless walls, and a crowd of weep- 
 ing women and silent men digging 
 among ashes, and a beautiful body, 
 all dripping wet, brought on a deal 
 from the mill-dam, and of men, as it 
 was carried by, seizing me by the arms 
 and tying my hands — and then I 
 fancy myself in a house fastened to 
 a chair; — and sometimes I think I 
 was lifted out and place I to beak in 
 the sun and to taste the fresh air. 
 But what tiiese things import I dare 
 only guess, for no one has ever 
 told me what became of my benign 
 Sarah Lochrig and our two blooming 
 daughters ; — all is phantasma that I 
 recollect of the day of my return 
 home. I said my soul was iron, an<l 
 my heart converted into stone. O 
 that they were indeed so I But eor- 
 
 rowing is a vain thing, and my task 
 must not stand still. 
 
 When I left Ayr the leaves were 
 green, and the fields gay, and the 
 waters glad; and when the yellow 
 leaf rustled on the ground, and the 
 waters were druuily, and the river 
 roaring, I was somehow, i know not 
 by what means, in the kirk-yard, and 
 the film fell from the eyes of my rea- 
 son, and I looked around, and n)y 
 little boy had hold of me by the 
 hand, and I said to him, " Joseph, 
 what's yon sae big and green in our 
 lairV " and he gazed in my face, and 
 the tears came into bis eyes, and ho 
 replied — 
 
 '• Fatiier, they are a' in the snmo 
 grav(;." I took my hand out of his ; 
 — I walked slowly to the green tomb ; 
 — I knelt down, and I caused mv son 
 to kneel beside me, and I vowjd enmity 
 forever .against Charles Stuart and .dl 
 of his line ; and prayed, in the words 
 of the Psalmist, that when he was 
 judged he might be coudeniued. Then 
 we rose ; but my son said to me — 
 
 " Father, I canna wish his con- 
 demnation ; but I'll fight by your side 
 till we have harlt him down from lus 
 bloody throne.' 
 
 And I felt that I had forgotten I 
 was a Christian, and I again knelt 
 down and prayed, but it was for the 
 sin I had done in the vengeance of the 
 Latter clause. " NevertheleHS, Lord," 
 I then cried, " as Thou Thyself didst ' 
 take the sceptre from Saul, and g.ave 
 the crown to David, make me an in- 
 strument to work out the purposes of 
 Thy drcadfu' justice, which in time 
 will come to be." 
 
 Then I arose ag<ain, ami went to- 
 wards the pla'io where my home had 
 been ; but when I saw the ruin-i I 
 ran back to the kirkyard, and threw 
 myself on the grave, and cried to the 
 earth to open and receive nic. 
 
 But the Lord had heard my 
 prayer, and while I lay there He sent 
 
192 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE, 
 
 >^ 
 
 down tho consoling angel, and the 
 whirlwind of my spirit was calmed, 
 and I remembered tho promise of my 
 son to fight by ray side, and I arose to 
 prepare myself for tho warfare. 
 
 While I was lying on the ground 
 several of the neighbours had heard 
 my wiM cries, and came into the kirk- 
 yard ; but by that time tho course of 
 the tempest had been stayed, and they 
 stood apart with my son, who told 
 them I was come again to myself, and 
 they thought they ought not to dis- 
 turb me ; when, however, they paw 
 me rise, they drew near and spoke 
 kindly to me, and Zachariah Smylie 
 invited me to go back with him to 
 his house ; for it was with him I had 
 been siieltercd during the phrenzy. 
 But I said — 
 
 " No : I will neither taste meat 
 nor drink, nor seek to rest myself, 
 till I have again a sword." And I 
 entreated him to give mo a little 
 money, that, with my son, we might 
 go into Irvine and provide ourselves 
 with weapons. 
 
 The worthy man looked very sor- 
 rowful to hear me so speak, and some 
 of the others, that were standing by, 
 began to reason with me, and to re- 
 present the peril of any enterprise at 
 that time. But I pointed to the grave, 
 and said — 
 
 " Frien's, do you ken what's in yon 
 place, and do ye counsel me to 
 peace ? " At whicli words they turned 
 aside and shook their heads ; and 
 Zacliariali Smylie went and brought 
 me a purse of money, which having 
 put into my bosom, 1 took my son by 
 the hand, and bidding them all fare- 
 wtll, wo walked to tlie town silently 
 together, and I thought of my 
 brother's words in his grief, that the 
 speed -f lightning was slow to the 
 wishes of revenge. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 On arriving in Irvine, wo v/ent to 
 the shop of Archibald Macrusty, a 
 dealer in iron implements, and I 
 bought from him two swords without 
 hilts, which he sold, wrapt in straw- 
 rope, as scythe-blades — a method of 
 disguise that tho ironmongers were 
 obligated to have recourse to at tiiat 
 time, on account of the search now 
 and then made for weapo is by the 
 soldiers, ever from the time that 
 Claverhouse came to disarm the 
 people ; and when I had bought the 
 two blades we went to Bailie Girvan's 
 shop, which was a nest of a' things, 
 and bought two hilts, without any 
 questions being asked ; for the baUie 
 was a discreet man, with a warm 
 heart to the Covenant, and not sellir.g 
 whole swords, but only hilts and 
 hefts, it could not be imputed to him 
 th.it he was guilty of selling arms to 
 suspected persons. 
 
 Being thus ^)rovided with two 
 swords, we went into James Glassop's 
 public, where, having partaken of 
 some refreshment, we remained so- 
 lemnly sitting by ourselves till to- 
 wards the gloaming, when, recollect- 
 ing that it would be a comfort to us 
 in the halts of our undertaking, I sent 
 out my son to buy a Bible, and while 
 ho was absent I fell asleep. 
 
 On awaking from my slurriber I 
 felt greatly composed and refreshed. 
 I reflected on the events of the day, 
 and the terrible truths that had 
 broken in upon me, and I was not 
 moved with the same stings of despe- 
 ration that, on my coming to myself, 
 had shot like fire through my brain ; 
 so I began to consider of tho purpose 
 whereon I was bowne, and that I had 
 formed no plan, nor settled towards 
 what airt 1 should direct my stcj)S. 
 But I was not the loss determined to 
 proceed, and I said to my son, who 
 was sitting very thoughtful with the 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZB. 
 
 193 
 
 BnoK lying on the table before him — 
 " Olten the liible, and see what the 
 Lord instructs us to do at this time." 
 And he opt ned it, and the first words 
 bo saw and read were those of the 
 nineteenth verse of the forty-eighth 
 chapter of the Prophet Jeremiah — 
 
 '• O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by 
 the way and espy; ask him that 
 fleeth, and lier that escapetb, and say, 
 What is done?" 
 
 So I rose, and bidding my son 
 close the Book, and bring it with him, 
 we went out, with our sword-hilts, 
 and the blades still with the straw- 
 rope about them in our hands, into 
 the street together, where we had not 
 long been when a soldier on horse- 
 back passed us in great haste; and 
 many persons spoke to him as he rode 
 by, inquiring what news he had 
 brought ; but he was in trouble of 
 mind, and heeded them not till he 
 reached the door of the house where 
 the captain of the soldiers then in 
 Irvine was abiding. 
 
 When he had gone into the house 
 and delivered his message, he returned 
 to the street, where by that time a 
 multitude, among which we wci-e, had 
 assembled, and he told to the many, 
 who inquired, as it were with one 
 voice, — That Mr Cargill, and a numer- 
 ous party of the Cameronians, had 
 passed that afternoon through Galston, 
 and it was thought they meditated 
 some disturbance on the skirts of 
 Kilmarnock, which made the com- 
 mander of the King's forces in that 
 town send for aid to the captain of 
 those then in Irvine. 
 
 As soon as I heard the news, I 
 resolved to go that night to Kilmar- 
 nock, and abide with my sister-in-law, 
 the widow of my brother Jacob, by 
 whose instrumentality I thought we 
 might hear where the Cameronians 
 then were. For, although I approved 
 not of their separation from the 
 general Presbyterian Kirk of Scotland, 
 
 N 
 
 nor was altogether content with their 
 diclaration published at Sanquhar, 
 tl ere was yet one clause which, to my 
 spirit, impoverished of all hope, waa 
 as food and raiment ; and that there 
 may bo no perversion concerning the 
 same in after times, I shall here set 
 down the words of the clause, and the 
 words are these :— 
 
 " Although we be for government 
 and governors such as the Word of 
 God and our Covenant allows, yet we 
 for ourselves, and all that will adhere 
 to us, do, by thir presents, disown 
 Charles Stuart, that has been reigning 
 (or rather tyrannizing as we may say) 
 on the throne of Britain these years 
 bygone, as having any right or title 
 to, or interest in, the crown of Scot- 
 land for government, he having for- 
 feited the same several years since by 
 his perjury and breach of Covenant 
 both to God and His kirk;" and 
 further, I did approve of those pas- 
 sages wherein it was declared, that he 
 "should have been denuded of being 
 king, ruler, or magistrate, or having 
 any power to act or be obeyed as 
 such : " as also, " we being under the 
 standard of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 Captain of Salvation, do declare a war 
 with such a tyrant and tisurper, and 
 all the men of his practices, as enemies 
 to our Lord." 
 
 Accordingly, on hearing that the 
 excommunicated and suffering society 
 of the Cameronians were so near, I 
 resolved, on receiving the soldiers 
 information, and on account of that 
 recited clause of the Sanquhar declara- 
 tion, to league myself with them, and 
 to fight in their avenging battles ; for, 
 like me, they had endured irremedi- 
 able wrongs, injustice, and oppres- 
 sions, from the persecutors, and for 
 that cause had, like me, abjured the 
 doomed and papistical race of the 
 tyrannical Stuarts. With my son, 
 therefore, I went toward Kilmarnock, 
 in the hope and with the intent ex- 
 
104 
 
 RINOAN GILHATZE. 
 
 fow 
 
 these 
 stone 
 miud 
 the ejup 
 
 pressed; and though the road was 
 five long miles, and though I had not 
 spoken more to him nil day, nor for 
 days, and wet-ks, and months before, 
 than I have set down heroin, we yet 
 continued to travel in silence. 
 
 The night was bleak, and the wind 
 easterly, but the road was dry, and 
 my thoughts were eager ; and wo 
 hastened onward, and reached tiie 
 widow's door, without the interchango 
 of a word in all the way. 
 
 •' Wha do yo want ? " said my son, 
 ** for naebody hae lived here since the 
 death of aunty." 
 
 I was smote upon the heart, by 
 words, as it were with a 
 t had not come into my 
 >.k of inquiring how long 
 ! of my reason had lasted, 
 nor of what had happened among otir 
 friends in the interim. This shock, 
 however, had a salutary effect in 
 staying the haste which was still in 
 my thoughts, and I conversed with my 
 son more collectedly than I could have 
 done before it, and he told me of 
 many things very doleful to hear, but 
 I was thankful to learn that the end 
 of my brother's widow had been in 
 peace, and not caused by any of those 
 grievous unchances which darkened 
 the latter days of so many of the pious 
 in that epoch of the great displeasure. 
 
 But the disappointment of finding 
 that Death had barred her door 
 against us, made it needful to seek a 
 resting-place in some public, and as 
 it was not prudent to carry our blades 
 and hilts into any such place of pro- 
 miscuous resort, we went up the 
 town, and hid them by the star-light 
 in a field at a dyke-side, and then 
 returning as wayfarers, we entered a 
 public, and bespoke a bed for the 
 night. 
 
 While we were sitting in that 
 house by the kitchen fire, I betliought 
 me of the Bible which ny son had in 
 his band, and told him that it would 
 
 do us good if he would read a chapter ; 
 but just as he was beginning, the 
 mistr(>.«is said — 
 
 " Sirs, dinna expose yoursels ; for 
 wha kens but the i-nemy may come in 
 upon you. It's an unco tiling nowa- 
 days to be seen reading the Bible in 
 a change-hour<e." 
 
 So, being thus admonished, I bado 
 my son put away the Book, and we 
 retired from the fireside and sat by 
 oursels in the shadow of a corner; 
 and well it was for us that we did so, 
 and a providential thing that the 
 worthy woman had been moved to 
 give us the admonition ; for we wero 
 not many minutes within the mirk 
 and obscurity into wliicih we had 
 removed, wlion two dragoons, who 
 had been skirring the country, like 
 blood-hounds, in pursuit of Mr Car- 
 gill, came in and pat tluniselves down 
 by the fire. Being sorely tired with 
 their day's hard riding, they were 
 wroth and blasphemous against all 
 the Covenanters for the trouble tliey 
 gave them; and I thought when I 
 heard them venting their bittiTncss, 
 that they spoke as with the voice of 
 the persecutors that were the true 
 cause of the grievances whereof they 
 complained ; for no doubt it was a 
 hateful thing to persons dressed in 
 authority not to get their own way, 
 yet I could not but wonder how it 
 never came into the minds of such 
 persons that if they had not trodden 
 t.pon the worm it would never have 
 turned. As for the Camcroniivns 
 they were at war with the hoiiso of 
 Stuart, and having disowned King 
 Charles, it was a tiling to be looked 
 for, that all of his sect and side would 
 be their consistent enemies. So I was 
 none troubled by what the soldiers 
 said of them, but my spirit was chafed 
 into the quick to hear the remorsele-s- 
 nesa of their enmity against nil tho 
 Covenanters and Presbyterians, re- 
 specting whom they swore with the 
 
 the 
 l)ri;/h 
 Irem 
 pert. 
 
 "I 
 
 burnt 
 W 
 
 for at 
 
 and 
 
 conip.i 
 
 tho ni< 
 son, 
 tered 
 darter 
 'ih 
 but ('o 
 to pro 
 ing, pn 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 195 
 
 for 
 
 
 lionrfleucRfi of rovonge, wishing in 
 such a fnj;htful manner the wholo of 
 118 in tliu deptlia uf perdition, that i 
 could no lonfjer hear them witliout 
 rebukinp tiieir cruel hatred aud most 
 foul iniiiicty. 
 
 " What pars yon, yoiinp man," 
 said I to the fiercest of tho two 
 dragoons, an Knglisher, "what gars 
 you in that dreadful manner hate and 
 blaspheme honest men, who would, 
 if they were permitted, dwell in peace 
 with nil mankind? " 
 
 '•Permitted!" cried he, turning 
 round and placing his chair between 
 me and the door, " and who does not 
 permit them? Let them seek the 
 way to heaven according to law, and 
 no one will trouble them," 
 
 " Tiie law, I'm thinking," replied 
 I very mildly, " is mair likely to direct 
 them to another pl.ace." 
 
 "Here's a fellow," cried the soldier, 
 riotously laughing to hia companion, 
 "that calls the king's proclamation 
 the devil's finger-])08t. I say, friend, 
 eoinc a little nearer tho light. Is 
 your name Cargill ? " 
 
 "No," replied I; and the light of 
 tho firo then happening to shine 
 bright in his face, my son laid his 
 trembling hand on mine, and whis- 
 pered to me with ft faltering tongue — 
 
 " O ! it's one of tho villains that 
 burnt our house, and " 
 
 AVhat more he added I know not, 
 for at the word I lcai,t from my seat, 
 and rushed upon the soldier. His 
 companion flew in between us ; but 
 the moment that the criminal saw my 
 son, who also sprung forward, he ut- 
 tered a fearfid howl of horror, and 
 darted out of tho house. 
 
 The ofl:er soldier was surprised, 
 but ('ollected ; and shutting the door, 
 to prevent us from pursuing or escap- 
 ing, said — 
 
 "What's all this?" 
 
 " That's my father," said my son 
 boldly, '* Ringau Gilhaiza of Quharist." 
 
 'I'ho dragoon looked at ''••.• for a 
 moment, with concern in h.. v.ounte- 
 nanee, and then rei)lied, ' I have 
 heard of your name, but i was not oi 
 tlie party. It was a very black job. 
 But sit down, Ecclesfield wdl not ho 
 back. lie has ever since of a night 
 been afraid of gliusts, and he's ( flf as 
 if he had seen one. So don't disturb 
 yourself, but ho cool." 
 
 I made no answer, nor could I ; 
 but I returned and sat down in tho 
 corner where we had been sitting, and 
 my son, at tho same time, took his 
 place beside me, laying his hand on 
 mine ; and I heard his heart beating, 
 but he too said not a word. 
 
 It happened that none of tlio 
 people belonging to the house were 
 present at tho uproar; but hearing 
 the noise, the mistress and the gude- 
 man came rushing ben. The soldier, 
 \vho still stood calmly with his back 
 to the door, nodded to them to como 
 towards him, which they did, and ho 
 began to tell them something in a 
 whisper. The landlord held up hia 
 hands and shook his head, and tlie 
 mistress cried, with tears in her eyes, 
 " No wonder ! no wonder ! " 
 
 " Had ye no beiter gang out and 
 see for Ecclesfield ? " said the land- 
 lord, with a significant look to tho 
 soldier. 
 
 The young man cast his eyes down, 
 and seemed thoughtful. 
 
 " I may be blamed," said he. 
 " Gang but tho house, gudowife, 
 and bring the gardivinc," resumed tho 
 gudeman ; and I saw him touch her 
 on the arm, and she immediately went 
 again into the room whence they had 
 issued. " Come into the fire. Jack 
 Windsor, and sit down," continued 
 he; and the soldier, with some re- 
 luctance, quitted the door, and took 
 his seat between me and it, ■where 
 Ecclesfield had been sitting. 
 
 " Ye ken. Jack," ho resumed when 
 they were seated, "that unless there 
 
10« 
 
 ETNGAN QILHAIZE. 
 
 arc two of you presont, yo cannn put 
 any man to tlio tewt, bo tliat ovorj 
 body wlio lias not In'cn tested is free 
 to ^'o wheresoever it pleasures liini- 
 Bel." 
 
 The draffooii looked compassion- 
 ately towards mc ; and tlio mistress 
 comins; in at the time witii a case- 
 bottle under her arm, and a ^Toen 
 Dutch dram-plass in her hand she 
 filled it with brandy, and ga*, it to 
 her husband. 
 
 " Here's to ••'ou, Jack Windsoi'," 
 said the landloi-d, as ho put tho ghiss 
 to his lii>s, " and I wish a' the Enf,'li5ii 
 in Enj,'land were as orderly and good- 
 hearted as yoursel', Jack Windsor." 
 
 He tlion held the jjlass to the mis- 
 tress, and she made it a lippy. 
 
 " llae, Jack," said the landlord, 
 " I'm sure, after your hard travail the 
 day. ye'll no be the waur o' a dram." 
 
 " Curse the liquor," exclaimed the 
 drai^oon, " I'm not to be bribed by a 
 dram." 
 
 >' Nay," cried the landlord, " Gude 
 forbid tliat I should be a briber," 
 still holdin,ic the glass tow.ards the 
 soldier, who sat in a thoughtful pos- 
 ture, plainly switluiring. 
 
 '• That fellow Kcelesfield," said he, 
 as it were to himself, "the game's 
 up with him in this world." 
 
 " And in the next too. Jack Wind- 
 sor, if he does na repent," replied the 
 landlord ; and the dragoon put forth 
 his hand, and, taking the glass, drank 
 off the brandy. 
 
 " It's a hard service this here in 
 Scotland," sai<l Windsor, holding the 
 empty glass in his hand. 
 
 " 'Deed is't, Jack," said the land- 
 lord, "and it canna be a pleasant 
 thing to a warm-hearted lad like you, 
 Jack Windsor, to be ravaging poor 
 country folk, only because they hae 
 gotten a bee in their boiinets about 
 prelacy." 
 
 " Curse the prelacy, says I," ex- 
 claimed the dragoon. 
 
 " VVhisht, whisht. Jack," said the 
 landlord ; " but when a man's sac 
 scomfisht as ye maun be the night 
 after your skirring, a word o' ve.\a- 
 tion canna be a great faut. (Judewife, 
 fill Jai-k's glass again. Ye'll be a' the 
 better o't. Jack ; " and he took the 
 ghiHS from the dragoon's hand and 
 held it to his wife, who again tilled it 
 to the flowing eye. 
 
 " I shouhi tiiink," said the dra- 
 goon, " that Ecclesfield cannot be far 
 off. lie ought not to have run away 
 till we had tested the strangers." 
 
 •' Ah ! Jack Windsor," replied the 
 landlord, holding out the glass to 
 him, "that's easy for you, an honest 
 lad wi' a clear conscience, to say, but 
 think o' what Ecclesfield was art and 
 part in. Yo may thank your stars, 
 Jack, that ye hae ne'er been guilty o' 
 the fold things that he's Avyted wi'. 
 Arc your father and mother living. 
 Jack Windsor?" 
 
 " I hope 60," said the dragoon ; 
 " but the old man was a little so so 
 when I last heard of 'em." 
 
 " Aye, Jack," replied the landlord, 
 " auld folks are failing subjects. Yo 
 hae some brothers and sisters nae 
 doubt ? They maun bo weel-looked 
 an they're ony thing like you, Jack." 
 
 " I have bat one sister," replied 
 the dragoon, " and there's not a gooder 
 girl in England, nor a lady in it that 
 has the bloom of Sally Windsor." 
 
 " Y'"e're braw folk, you Englishers, 
 and ye're happy folk, whilk is far 
 better," said the landlord, presenting 
 the second glass, which Jack drank 
 off at once, and returned to the mis- 
 tress, signifying with his hand that 
 he wanted no more ; upon which she 
 retired with the gardivine, while the 
 landlord continued, " it's weel for 
 you in the south yonder. Jack, that 
 your prelates do not harass ho jest 
 folk." 
 
 " We have no prelates m En 
 thank God," said the dragooi : 
 
 gi ,11(1. 
 
RINGAN OILHAIZE. 
 
 107 
 
 wouKln't Ii.ivo 'om ; our parsona arc 
 other Hort o' tilings." 
 
 " 1 tlioiiglit yo liad an Jiost o' 
 bisliopH, Jack," saiil tlio l-mdlord, 
 
 " 'J'riio, and good felluwH Homc on 
 'em aro ; but though prt-hites be 
 bishops, bisiiops a'n't prelates, whicli 
 makes a difference." 
 
 " And a blessed difference it is ; 
 for how would ye like to hear of your 
 father's house being burnt and him 
 in prison, and your bonny innocent 
 sister? — Kh ! is nae that Kccieslield's 
 foot elami .ling wi' his spurs at the 
 door?" 
 
 The dragoon listened again, and 
 looked tlioughtful for a little time, 
 and turned his eyes hiistily towards 
 the corner where we were sitting. 
 
 The landlord eyed him anxiously. 
 
 ♦' Yes," cried the poor lellow, start- 
 ing from his seat, and striking his 
 closed riglit hand sharply into his left; 
 " yes, J ought and 1 will ; ' adding 
 oabnly to the landlord, "confound 
 Ecclesfield, where is he gone? I'll 
 go see ; " and ho instantly went out. 
 
 The moment he had left the kitchen 
 the landlord rose find said to us, 
 " Flee, flee, and quit this dangerous 
 town ! " 
 
 Whereupon wo rose hastily, and 
 my son lifting the Bible, wliich he 
 had laid in the darkness of the corner, 
 we instanter left the house, and, not- 
 withstanding the speed th.it was in 
 oar steps as we hurried up the street, 
 I had a glimpse of the compass'ouato 
 soldier standing at the corner of the 
 house when we ran by. 
 
 Thus, in a very extraordinary 
 manner, was the dreadful woe that 
 had befallen me and mine most won- 
 derfully made a mean, through the 
 conscience of Ecclesfield, to effectuate 
 our escape. 
 
 On leaving the public we went 
 straight to the place where our blades 
 and belts lay, and took then up, and 
 proceeded in au easterly direction. 
 
 Hut I soon found tliat T was no longer 
 the n)an I had cnco been; siiffning 
 and the fever ol my frenzy hiul im- 
 paired my Btr» ngth, and the weight 
 of four and (illy years was on my 
 back ; so that I began to weary for a 
 place of rest for the night, and I 
 looked often aroiu to discover the 
 star of any window , > ;'.tall was dark, 
 and the bleak ea.'tTJy wind searched 
 my very bones ; even my son, whoso 
 sturdy healtl" and youmy blood made 
 him abler to thole the niulitair, com- 
 plained of the nipping cold. 
 
 Many a time yet, when I remem- 
 ber that night, do I think with wonder 
 and reverence of our condition. An 
 inlirin, grey-haired man, with a do- 
 ranged heud and a broken he.irt, 
 going fortli amidst the winter's wind, 
 with a little boy, not passing thirteen 
 years of age, to pull down from his 
 throne the guarded King of three 
 mighty kingdoms, — iind we did it. — 
 such was the doom of avenging jus- 
 tice, and such the pleasure of Heaven. 
 Hut let me proceed to rehearse the 
 trials 1 was required to undergo be- 
 fore the accomplishment of that high 
 predestination. 
 
 AVeary, as 1 liavc said, very cold 
 and disconsolate, wc walked hirpling 
 together for some time ; at last wo 
 heard the rumbling of wheels before 
 us, and my son running forward came 
 back and told me it was a carrier. I 
 hastened on, and with great satisfac- 
 tion found it was liobin Hrown, the 
 Ayr and Kilmarnock carrier. I had 
 known him well for many years, and 
 surely it was a providential thing that 
 we met him in our distress, for he was 
 the brother of a godly man, on whose 
 head, while his family were around 
 him, Claverhouse, with his own 
 bloody hands, placed the glorious 
 diadem of martyrdom. 
 
 lie had been told what had befal- 
 len me and mine, and was greatly a- 
 mazed to hear my voice, and that I 
 
198 
 
 niNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 was agah. come to myself ; and ho 
 helped both my son and mo into tho 
 cart ; and, as he walked by the wheel, 
 he told nic of many things wliich had 
 hcappened durinj!: "ly eclipse, and of 
 the dreadful executions at Edinburfifh, 
 of the prisoners taken at Airsmoss, 
 and how that papist Jiimes Stuart, 
 Duke of York, the Kind's brother, was 
 placed at the head of the Scottish 
 councils, and was then rioting in the 
 delights of cruelty, with the use of 
 the torture and the thunibkins upon 
 prisoners suspected, or accused of 
 being honest to their vows and their 
 religious profession. liut my mind 
 was unsettled, and his tale of calamity 
 passed over it like the east wind that 
 blew that night so freezingly, cruel to 
 the sense at the time, but of which 
 the morrow showed no memorial. 
 
 I said nothing to Robin lirown of 
 what my intent was, but that I was 
 on my way to join the Cameronians, 
 if I knew where they might be found ; 
 and he informed me, that after the 
 raid of Airsmoss they had scattered 
 themselves into the South country, 
 where, as Ciaverhouse had the chief 
 command, the number of their friends 
 was likely to be daily increased, by 
 the natural issue of his cruelties, and 
 that vindifitive exasperation, which 
 was a passion and an affection of his 
 mind for the discomfiture he had met 
 with at Drumclog. 
 
 "But," said the worthy man, "I 
 hope, Ringan Gilhaize, ye'll yet con- 
 sider the step before ye tak it. Ye're 
 no at this time in a condition o 
 health to warsle wi' hardship, and 
 your laddie there's owre young to bo 
 o' ony fek in the way o' war ; for, ye 
 ken, the Cameronians hae declar't 
 w.ir against the King, and, being few 
 and far apart, they're hunted down 
 in a' places." 
 
 " If I canna fight wi' men," replied 
 my brive striplinfj, " I can help my 
 father; but I'm no fear't. David 
 
 was but a herd laddie, maybe nae 
 aulder nor bigger than me. when he 
 feirt tho muckle Philistine wi' a 
 stane." 
 
 I made no answer myself to Robin 
 Brown's remonstrance, because my 
 resolution was girded as it were with 
 a gir of brass and adamant, and there- 
 fore, to reason more or farther con- 
 cerning aught but of the means to 
 achieve my purpose, was a thing I 
 could not abide. Only I said to him, 
 that being weary, and not in my 
 wonted health, I would try to com- 
 pose myself to sleep, and he would 
 waken me when he thought fit, for 
 that I would not go with him to 
 Glasgow, but shape our way towartla 
 the South country. So I stretched 
 myself out. and my dear son laid him- 
 self at my back, and the worthy man 
 happing us with his plaid, we soon 
 fell asleep. 
 
 When the cart stopped at tlie 
 Kingswell. where Robin was in tho 
 usage of halting half an hour, ho 
 awoke us; and there being no 
 strangers in the house we alighted, 
 and going in, warmed ourselves at 
 the fire. 
 
 Out of a compassion for me tho 
 mistress warmed and spiced a ]iint of 
 ale ; but, instead of doing me any 
 good, I had not long partiiken of tho 
 same when I experienced a great cold- 
 ness and a trembling in my limbs, in 
 so much that I felt myself very ill, 
 and prayed the kind woman to allow 
 me to lie down in a bed ; which she 
 consented to do in a most rharitable 
 manner, causing her iuisliMnd, who 
 was a oovenantt'd man, iis T after- 
 wards fnunri, to rise out of his, and 
 give me their own. 
 
 The cold and tho tremblings were 
 but the symptoms and beginnings of 
 a fiore malady, which soon rose to 
 such a head that Robin Brown taiglet 
 more th<in two hours for me ; but 
 Btill I grew worse and worse, and 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 199 
 
 could not be removed for many days. 
 On the fiftli I wfis bronglit so nigh 
 unto tlie gates of death that my son, 
 ■\vlio never lift the bed-stock, thought 
 at one time I had been released from 
 my trouble. JJiit I was reserved for 
 the task that the Lord bad in store 
 for me, and from that time 1 began 
 to recover; and nothing could ex- 
 ceed the tenderness wherewith I was 
 treated by those Samaritan Christians, 
 the landlord and his wife of the public 
 at Kingswell. This distemper, how- 
 ever, left a great imbecility of body 
 behind it; and I wondered whether 
 it could be of ^'rovidencc to prevent 
 mo from going forward with my 
 avenging purpose against Charles 
 Stuart and ids counsellors. 
 
 Being one day in this frame of 
 dubiety, lying in the bed, and my son 
 sitting at my pillow, I said to him, 
 " Get THE Book, and open and read," 
 which ho accordingly did; and the 
 fir-st verse that he cast his eye upon 
 was tiic twenty-fourth of the seventh 
 chapter of Isaiah, " With arrows and 
 with bows shall men come." 
 
 "Stop," said I, "and go to the 
 window and see who are coming; " but 
 when he went thither and looked out 
 he could sec no one far nor near. 
 Yet still I heard the tramp of many 
 feet, and I said to him, " Assuredly, 
 Joseph, there are many persons coming 
 towards tiiif house, and I think they 
 are not me)i of war, for their steps are 
 loose, and tiioy march not in the order 
 of battle." 
 
 This I have thought was a wonder- 
 ful sharpness of hearing with which I 
 was for a Kcason then gifted ; for soon 
 after a crowd of persons were dis- 
 covered conung over tlie moor towards 
 the house, find it proved to be Mr 
 ("ar^ill, with about some sixty of the 
 C.imoronians, who had been hunted 
 from out their liidiug-plaoes iu the 
 south. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 It is surely a mo.st strange matter, 
 that whenever I come to tiiink and to 
 write of the events of that period, and 
 of my sickjiess at Kingswell, my 
 thoughts relapse into iufii'mity, and 
 all which then passed move, as it were, 
 before me in mist, disorderly and 
 fantastical. But wherefore need I 
 thus descant of my own estate, when 
 so many things of the highest con- 
 cernment are pressing upon my tablets 
 for registration? Be it therefore 
 enough that I mention here how much 
 I was refreshed by the prayers of Mr 
 Cargill, who was brought into my 
 sick-chamber, where he wrestled with 
 great efficacy for my recovery ; and 
 that after he had made Jin end, I felt 
 so much strengthened, tliat I caused 
 myself to be raised from my bed and 
 placed in a chair at the open window, 
 that I might see the men who had 
 been heartened from on High, by the 
 sense of their suflFerings, to proclaini 
 war against the man-sworn King, our 
 common foe. 
 
 They were scattered before the 
 house, to the number of more than 
 fifty, some sitting on stones, oth«rs 
 stretched Jie heather, and a few 
 walking about by themselves, stimi- 
 natiug on mournful fancies. Their 
 appearance was a thought wild and 
 raised, — their beards had not been 
 shaven for many a day, — their apparel 
 was also much rent, and they had all 
 endured great misfortunes in their 
 families and substance. Their homes 
 had been made desolate ; some had 
 seen their sons put to death, and not 
 a few the ruin of their innocent 
 daughters and the virtuous wives of 
 their bosome,— all by the fruit of laws 
 and edicts which had issued from the 
 councils of Charles Stuart, and were 
 enforced by men drunken with the 
 authority oi Im wUtxsa^ will 
 
200 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE). 
 
 But though my spirit clove to 
 theirs, and was ia unison with their 
 intent, I could not but doubt of so 
 poor a handful of forlorn men, though 
 it be written, that the race is not to 
 the swift nor the battle to the strong, 
 and I called to my son to bring me 
 the Book, that I might be instructed 
 from the Word what I ought at that 
 time to do ; and when he had done so 
 I opened it, and the twenty-second 
 chapter of Genesis met ray eye, and 
 I was awed and trembled, and my 
 heart was melted with sadness and an 
 agonizing grief. For the command to 
 Abraham to sacrifice Isaac his only 
 son, whom he so loved, on the moun- 
 tains in the land of Moriah, required 
 of me to part with my son, and to 
 send him with the Cameronians ; and 
 I prayed with a weeping spirit and the 
 imploring silence of a parent's heart, 
 that the Lord would be pleased not to 
 put my faith to so great a trial. 
 
 I took the Book again, and I 
 opened it a second time, and the com- 
 mand of the sacred oracle was pre- 
 sented to me in the fifth verse of the 
 fifth chapter of Ecclesiastes — 
 
 »« Better is it that thou shouldest 
 not vow, than that thou shouldest 
 vow and not pay." 
 
 But still the man and the father 
 were powerful with my soul ; and the 
 weaknesd of disease was in me, and I 
 called my son towards me, and I 
 bowed my head upon his hands as he 
 stood before me, and wept very bit- 
 terly, and pressed him to my bosom, 
 and was loath to send him away. 
 
 He knew not what caused the 
 struggle wherewith he saw me so 
 moved, and he became touched with 
 fear lest my reason was again going 
 from me. But I dried my eyes, and 
 told him it was not so, and that maybe 
 I would be better if I could compose 
 myself to read a chapter. So I again 
 opened the volume, and the third 
 command was in the twenty-sixth 
 
 verse of the eighth chapter of St 
 Matthew : 
 
 " Why are ye fearful, O yo of 
 little faith ? " 
 
 But still notwithstanding my re- 
 bellious heart would not consent, and 
 I cried, " I am a poor, infirm, deso- 
 late, and destitute man, and he ie all 
 that is left me. O that mine eyes were 
 closed in death, and that this head, 
 which sorrow and care, and much 
 misery have made untimely grey, were 
 laid on its cold pillow, and tlie green 
 curtain of the still kirk-yard were 
 drawn around me in my last long 
 sleep." 
 
 Then again the softness of a 
 mother's fondness came upon my 
 heart, and I grasped the wondering 
 stripling's hands in mine, and shook 
 them, saying, " But it must be so. It 
 is the Lord's will ; thrice has he com- 
 manded, and I dare not rebel thrice." 
 
 •' What has He commanded, 
 father?" said the boy, "what is 
 His will ? for ye ken it maun be done." 
 
 " Read," said I, " the twenty- 
 second chapter of Genesis." 
 
 " I ken't, father ; it's about Abra- 
 ham and wee Isaac ; but though ye 
 tak me into the land of Moriah, and 
 up to the top of the hill, maybe a ram 
 will be catched by the horns in a 
 whin-bush for the burnt-offering, and 
 ye'U no hae ony need to kill me." 
 
 At that moment Mr Cargill came 
 again into the room to bid me fare- 
 well; but seeing my son standing 
 with the tear of simplicity in his eye, 
 and me in the weakness of my infirm 
 estate weeping upon his hands, he 
 stopped and inquired what then had 
 so moved us ; whereupon I looked 
 towards him and said — 
 
 "When I was taken with the 
 malady that has thus changed the 
 man in me to more than the gentle- 
 ness of woman, ye ken, as I have 
 already told you, we were bowne to 
 seek your folk out and to fight on 
 
RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 201 
 
 yonr side. But when I beheld your 
 dejected and much-persecuted host, a 
 doubt came to mo, that surely it could 
 not be that the Lord intended through 
 them to bring about the deliverance 
 of tlie land ; and under this doubt as 
 to what I should now do, and my 
 limbs being moreover still in the 
 fetters of sickness, I consulted the 
 oracle of God." 
 
 " And what has been the answer? " 
 
 " It has instructed me to send my 
 son Avith you. But O, it is a terrible 
 probation." 
 
 " You have done well, my friend," 
 replied the godly man, " to seek ad- 
 vice from THE WoHD ; but apply 
 again, and maybe — maybe, Ringan, 
 yell no be put to so great a trial." 
 
 To this I could only say, " Alas ! 
 sir, twice have I again consulted the 
 oracle, and twice has the answer been 
 ail exhortation acd a reproach that I 
 should be f^o loath to obey." 
 
 " But what for, father,'" interposed 
 my son, " need ye be sae faslied about 
 it. I would ne'er refuse. I'm ready 
 to gang if ye were na sae weakly; 
 and though the folk afore the house 
 arc but a wee waflf-like, ye ken it is 
 written in the Book that the race is 
 ^lot to the swift, nor the battle to the 
 strong " 
 
 Mr Cargill looked with admiration 
 at the confidence of this young piety, 
 and, laying his hand on the boy's 
 head, said, " I have not found so great 
 faith, no, not in Israel. The Lord is 
 in thia, Ringan, put your trust in 
 ilim." 
 
 Whereupon I took my son's hand 
 and I placed it in the martyr's hand, 
 and I said, " Take him, lead him 
 wheresoever ye will. I have sinned 
 almost to disobedience, but the confi- 
 dence has been renewed within me." 
 
 " Rejoice," said Mr Cargill, in 
 words tljat were as the gift of health 
 to my enfeebled spirit, " Rejoice, and 
 be exceeding' glad ; for great is your 
 
 reward in heaven ; for so persecuted 
 they the prophets which were before 
 you.'= 
 
 As he pronounced the latter clause 
 I felt my thoughts flash with a wild 
 remembrance of the desolation of my 
 house ; but he began to return thinks 
 for the comfort that he himself enjoyed 
 in his outcast condition, of beholding 
 so many proofs of the unshaken con- 
 stancy of faith still in the land, and 
 prayed for me in words of such sweet 
 eloquence, that even in the parting 
 from my son, — my last, whom I loved 
 so well, they cherished me with a joy 
 passing all understanding. 
 
 At the conclusion of his inspired 
 thanksgiving, I kissed my Joseph on 
 the forehead, and bidding him remem- 
 ber what his father's house had been, 
 bade him farewell. 
 
 His young heart was too full to 
 reply ; and Mr Cargill too was so 
 deeply affected that he said nothing ; 
 so, after shaking me by the hand, ho 
 led him away. 
 
 And if I did sin when they were 
 departed, in the complaint of my 
 childless desolation, for no less could 
 I account it, it was a sin that surely 
 will not be heavily laid against me. 
 " O Absalom, my son, my son, — 
 would I had died for thee," cried the 
 warlike King David, when Absalom 
 Avas slain in rebellion against him, and 
 he had still many children ; but my 
 innocent Absalom was all that I had 
 left. 
 
 During the season that the malady 
 continued upon me, through the un- 
 suspected agency of Robin Brown, a 
 paction was entered into with certain 
 of niy neighbours, to take the lands 
 of Quharist on tack among them, and 
 to pay mo a secret stipend, by which, 
 means were obtained to maintain me 
 in a decency when I was able to be 
 removed into Glasgow. And when 
 my strength was so far restored that 
 I could bear the journey, the same 
 
202 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 good luau entered into a stipulation 
 with Mrs AJrd, the relict of a gospel 
 minister, to receive mo as a lodger, 
 and he carried nie in on liis cart to 
 her honae at the foot of the Stockwell. 
 
 With that excellent person I con- 
 tinued several months unmolested, 
 but witliout he:iring any tidings of my 
 son Afllicting tales were however of 
 frequent occurrence, concerning the 
 rigour wherewith the Cameronians 
 were hunted ; so that what with 
 anxiety, and the backwardness of 
 nature to rally in ailments ayont fifty, 
 I continued to languish, incapable of 
 doing anything in furtherance of the 
 vow of vengeance tliat I had vowed. 
 Nor should I suppress, tliat in my 
 infirmity there was often a wildness 
 about my thoughts, by which I was 
 unfitted at times to hold communion 
 with other men. 
 
 On tl- ?se occasions 1 sat wonder- 
 ing if tiie thintfs around me were not 
 the substanciless imageries of a dream, 
 and fancying that those terrible truths 
 whereof I can yet only trust myself to 
 hint, niiglit bo the fallacies of a 
 diseased sleep. And I contested as 
 it were with the reality of all that I 
 saw, touched, and felt, and strugj,ded 
 like one oppressed with an incubus, 
 that I miglit awake and find myself 
 again at (^uhaiist in the midst of my 
 family. 
 
 At other times I felt all th 3 loneli- 
 ness of the solitude into which my lot 
 was then cast, and it was in vain that 
 I tried to appease my craving affec- 
 tions with the thought, that in parting 
 will) my son I had given him to the 
 Lord. I durst not say to myself 
 there was aught of frenzy in that con- 
 secratiim ; but wlien I heard of 
 CamiTonians shot on the hills or 
 brougiit to the scaffold, I prayed that 
 I might receive some token of an 
 accepted offering in what I had done. 
 
 Sterner feelings too had their turns 
 of predominance. I recalled the maul* 
 
 fold calamities which withered my 
 native land — the guilty jirovocations 
 that the people had received — the 
 merciless avarice and rapacious prufli- 
 gacy that had ruined so many worthies 
 — the crimes that had tcattcred so 
 many families— and the contempt with 
 which all our wrongs and woes were 
 regarded ; and then I would remem- 
 ber my avenging vow, and BU])plicute 
 for health. 
 
 At last, one day Mrs Aird, who 
 had been out on some household 
 cares, returned home in great distress 
 of mind, telling me that the soldiers 
 had got hold of Mr Cargill, and bad 
 brought him into the town. 
 
 This happened about the ninth or 
 tenth of .July, in the afternoon ; and 
 the day being very sultry, the heat 
 had oppressed me with langour, and 
 I was all day as one laden with 
 sleep. But no sooner had Mrs Aird 
 told me this, than I felt the langour 
 depart from nie, as if a cunibro\ia 
 cloak had been taken away, and I 
 rose up a recruited and ic-aniniated 
 mail. It was so much the end of my 
 deb lity of body and sorrowing of 
 mind, that she was loquacious with her 
 surprise when she saw me, as it were, 
 with a miraculous restoration, prc- 
 
 i)are myself to go out in order t<f 
 earn, if possible, some account of my 
 
 SOD. 
 
 When, however, I went into the 
 street, and saw a crowd gathered 
 around the guardhouse, my heart 
 failed me a little, not for fear, but 
 because the shouts of the multitude 
 were like the yells and de'-iaions of 
 insult ; and I thought they were 
 poured upon the holy sufferer. It 
 was not, however, so ; the (Jospel- 
 taught people of Glasgow were, not- 
 withstanding their prelatic thraldom, 
 moved far othtrwiae, and their shouts 
 and scoffings were against a towns- 
 man of their own, who had reviled 
 the man of God on seeing him a 
 
EINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 203 
 
 the soldiers in the 
 
 prisoner amoug 
 guardhouse. 
 
 Not thou knowing tliis I halted, 
 dubious if I should go forward ; and 
 wliile st^mding in a swither at the 
 corner of the Stockwill, a cart came 
 up from the bridge, driven by a strip- 
 ling. I saw that the cart and horse 
 were Robin IJrown's, and before I had 
 time to look around, my son had me 
 by tlie hand. 
 
 We said little, but rejoiced to see 
 each other again, I observed, how- 
 ever, tliat his apparel was become 
 old, and that his eyes were grown 
 quick and eager like those of the 
 hunted Cameronians whom I saw at 
 Kingswell. 
 
 " Wo hae ta'en Robin Brown's 
 cart frae liim," said he, " that I might 
 come wi't unjealoused into the town, 
 to hear what's to be done wi' the 
 minister; but I maun tak it back the 
 night, and maybe we'll ta' in thegither 
 again when I hae done my errand." 
 
 Willi tiiat he parted from me, and 
 giving the liorse a touch with his 
 whip, drove it along towards tlie 
 guardhouse, whistling like a blithe 
 country lad that had no care. 
 
 As soon as he had so left me I went 
 back to Mrs Aird, and providing ray- 
 sHf with what money I had in tlie 
 LvyU. c, I went to a sliop and bought 
 certain articles of apparel, which hav- 
 ing been r.ade up into a bundle, I 
 requested, the better to disguise my 
 intent, the merchant to carry it him- 
 self to Robin Brown the Ayr carrier's 
 cart, and give it to the lad who was 
 with it, to take to Joscpli (iilliaize — 
 a thing easy to be done, both the horse 
 and cart being well known in tliose 
 days to the cliief merchants then in 
 Glasgow. 
 
 When I had done this, I went to 
 the bridge, and leaning over it, looked 
 into the peaceful flowing tide, and 
 there waited for nearly an hour before 
 I saw my soa returning, and when at 
 
 last ho came, 1 could perceive, as he 
 was approaching, that he did not wish 
 I should speak to him, while at the 
 same time lie edged towards me, and 
 in passing, said as it were to himself, 
 "The bundle's safe, and he's for 
 Edinburgh ; " by which I knew that 
 the apparel I had bought for him was 
 id his hands, and that he had learnt 
 Mr Cargill was to bo sent to Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 This latter circumstance, however, 
 opened to me a new light with respect 
 to the Cameronians, and I guessed 
 that they had friends in the town with 
 whom they were in secret correspon- 
 dence. But, alas ! tiie espionage was 
 not all on their part, as I very soon 
 was taught to know by exjjerience. 
 
 Though the interviews with Joseph 
 my sou passed, as I have ' "oin nar- 
 rated, they had not escaped obser- 
 vance. For some time before, though 
 I was seen but as I was, an invalid 
 man, somewhat inis-ettled in his mind, 
 there were persons who marvelled 
 wherefore it was that I dwelt in such 
 sequestration with Mrs Aird. and 
 their marvellings set the espial of tho 
 prelacy upon me. And it so fell out 
 that some of those evil persons, who, 
 for hire or malice, had made them- 
 selves the beagles of the persecutors, 
 happened to notice the manner in 
 which my son came up to me when 
 he entered the city driving Robin 
 Brown's cart, and they jealoused 
 somewhat of the truth. 
 
 Tliey followed him unsuspected, 
 and saw in what manner he mingled 
 with the crowd, and they traced him 
 returning out of the town witli .seem- 
 ingly no other cause for having come 
 into ir, than to receive the little store 
 of apparel that I had provided for 
 hii',1. This was ground enough to 
 justify any molestiition against us, and 
 accordingly the same night I was ar- 
 rested, and carried next morning to 
 Edinburgh. The cruel oUicers would 
 
204 
 
 niNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 have forced me to walk with the sol- 
 diers, but every one who beheld my 
 pale face and emaciated frame, cried 
 out against it, and a cart was allowed 
 to me. 
 
 On reaching Edinburgh I was 
 placed in the tolbooth, wliere many 
 other sufferers for the cause of the 
 Gospel were then lying. It was n foi»l 
 and an unwholesome den ; many of 
 the guiltless inmates were so wasted 
 that they were rather like frightful 
 effigies of death than living men. 
 Their skins were yellow, and their 
 bands were roped and warpt witli veins 
 and sinews in a manner very awful to 
 see. Their eyes were livid with a 
 strange distemperature, and there was 
 a charnel-house anatomy in the me- 
 lancholy with which they welcomed a 
 new brother in affliction, that made 
 me feel, when I entered among them, 
 as if I had come into the dark abode 
 of spectres, and manes, and dismal 
 shadows. 
 
 The prison was crowded over-much , 
 and though life was to many not worth 
 the care of preservation, they yet 
 esteemed it as the gift of their Maker, 
 and as such considered it their duty 
 to prolong for His sake. It was, 
 therefore, a rule with them to stand 
 in successive bands at the windows, 
 in order that they might taste of the 
 living air from without ; and knowing 
 from dismal experience, that those 
 who came in the last suffered at first 
 more than those who were before, it 
 was a charitable self-denial among 
 them to allow to such a longer period 
 of the window, their only solace. 
 
 Thus it was that on the morning 
 of the third day after I had been im- 
 mured in that doleful place, I was 
 standing with several others benind a 
 party of those who wore in possession 
 of the enjoyment, in order that we 
 might take their places wlien the hour 
 expired, and while we were thus 
 awaiting in patience the tedious elapse 
 
 of the weary moments, a noise was 
 heard in the streets as of the approach 
 of a multitude. 
 
 There was something in the coming 
 sound of that tuumlt unlike the noise 
 of any other multitude ; — ever and 
 anon a feeble shouting, and then the 
 roll of a drum ; but the general sough 
 was a murmur of horror followed 
 by a rushing, as if tiie people were 
 scared by some dreadful sight. 
 
 The noiso grew louder and nearer, 
 and hoarse bursts of aversion and 
 anger, mingled with lamentations, 
 were distinctly heard. Every one in 
 the prison pressed to tlie window, 
 wondering what hideous procession 
 could occasion the expression of such 
 contrarious feelings in the populace, 
 and all eager to catch a glimp.se of 
 the dismal pageant, expecting that it 
 was some devoted victim, who, ac- 
 cording to the practice of the time, 
 was treated as a sentenced criminal, 
 even as he was conveyed to his trial. 
 
 "What do you see?" said I to 
 one of the prisoners who clung to the 
 bars of iron with which the window 
 near where I stood was grated, and who 
 thereby saw farther down the street. 
 
 " I can see but the crowd coming,'' 
 said he, "and every one is looking as 
 if he grewed at something not yet in 
 sight." 
 
 At that moment, and while I was 
 speaking, there was a sudden silence 
 in the Btreet. 
 
 " What has happened? " said one 
 of the sufferers near me: my heart 
 beat so wildly that I would not my- 
 self inquire. 
 
 "They have stopped," was the 
 answer ; " but now they come. I see 
 the magistratesi. Their guard is be- 
 fore them, — the provost is first — they 
 .are coming two and two — and they 
 look very sorrowful." 
 
 " Are tiiere but the magistrates? " 
 said I, making an effort to press in 
 closer to the window. 
 
niNGAN GTLHATZE. 
 
 205 
 
 " Aye, now it is at liaiul," said 
 the man who was clinjojing to the 
 grating of the window. " Tlie soldiers 
 are marching on each side — I see the 
 
 f)risoners ; — tiicir hands are tied bo- 
 und, ilk loaded wi' a goad of iron — 
 they are bareheaded — ane — twa — 
 three — four — five — they are five 
 fatherly-looking men." 
 
 " They are Caraeronians," said I, 
 somewhat released, I know not where- 
 fore, unless it was because he spoke 
 of no youth being among thein. 
 
 "Ilush!" said he, "here is an- 
 other — He is on horseback — I see the 
 horse's head — Oh ! the sufferer is an 
 old grey-headed minister — his head is 
 uncovered — he is placed with his face 
 to the horse's tail — his hands are tied, 
 and his feet are fastened with a rope 
 lieneath the horse's belly.— Hush ! 
 they are passing under the window." 
 
 At that moment a shriek of horror 
 rose from all then looking out, and 
 every one recoiled from the window. 
 In the same instant a bloody head on 
 a halbert was held up to us. — I looked 
 — 1 saw the ghastly features, and I 
 would have kissed those lifeless lips ; 
 for, O ! they were my son's. 
 
 I had laid that son, my only son, 
 whom I so loved, on the altar of the 
 Covenant, an offering unto the Ijord ; 
 but still I did hope that maybe it 
 would be according to the mercy of 
 wisdom that lie would provide a lamb 
 in the bush for the sacrifice ; and 
 when the stripling had parted from 
 me, I often felt as the mother feels 
 when the milk of love is in her bosom, 
 and her babe no longer there. I shall 
 not, however, here relate how my soul 
 was wounded at yon sight, nor ask 
 the courteous reader to conceive with 
 what agony I exclaimed, " Wherefore 
 was it, Lord, that I was commanded 
 to do that unfruitful thing ! " for in 
 that very moment the cry of my fail- 
 ing faith was rebuked, and the mys- 
 tery of the required sacrifice was 
 
 brought into wonderful effect, mani- 
 festing that it was for no light purpose 
 I had been so tried. 
 
 Rly fellow- sufferer, who hung by 
 the bars of the prison -window, was, 
 like the other witnesses, so shaken by 
 the woeful spectacle, that he suddenly 
 jerked himself aside to avoid the sight, 
 and by that action the weight of his 
 body loosened the bar, so that when 
 the pageantry of horrors had passed 
 by, he felt it move in his grip, and ho 
 told us that fcurely Providence had an 
 invisible hand in the bloody scene; 
 for, by the loosenin? of that stancher, 
 a mean was given » hereby we might 
 all escape. Accordingly it was agreed, 
 that as soon as the night closed over 
 the world, we should join our strengths 
 together to bend the bar from its 
 c "ket in the lintel. 
 
 And then it was I told them that 
 what they had seen was the last relic 
 of my martyred family ; and we made 
 ourselves wroth with the recital of 
 our several wrongs ; for all there had 
 endured the scourge of the perse- 
 cutors; and we took each other by 
 the hand, and swore a dreadful oath, 
 never to desist in our endeavours till 
 we had wrenched the sceptre from 
 the tyrannical grasp of the Stuarts, 
 and broken it into pieces for ever; 
 and we burst into a wild strain of 
 complaint and clamour, calling on the 
 blood of our murdered friends to 
 mount, Avith our cries, to the gates of 
 Heaven ; and we sang, as it were, 
 with the voices of the angry waters 
 and the winds, the hundred and ninth 
 Psalm ; and at the end of every verso 
 we joined our hands, crying, " Upon 
 Charles and James Stuart, and all 
 their guilty line, O liord, let it be 
 done ; " and a vast multitude gathered 
 around the prison, and the lamenta- 
 tions of many without was a chorus 
 in unison with the dismal song of our 
 vengeance and despair. 
 
 At last the shadows of tho twilight 
 
206 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZU. 
 
 began to darken in the town, and the 
 lights of the wiudows were to us as 
 the courses of the stars of that sky 
 which, from our prison chamber, 
 could not be seen. We watched 
 their progress, from the earliest yel- 
 low glimmering of the lamp in the 
 darksome wynd, till the laat little 
 twinkling light in the dwelling of the 
 widow that sits and sighs corapanion- 
 lesa with her distaif in the summits 
 of the city. And we continued our 
 vigil till they were all one by one 
 extinguished, save only the candles at 
 the bedsides of the dying. Then we 
 twined a portion of our clothes into a 
 rope, and, liaving fastened it to the 
 iron bar, soon drew it from its place 
 in the stone ; but just as we were 
 preparing to take it in, by some acci- 
 dent it ft-ll into tlie street. 
 
 The panic which this caused pre- 
 vented us from attempting anytliing 
 more at that time; for a sentinel 
 walked his rounds on the outside of 
 tlie tolbooth, and we could not but 
 think he must have heard the noise. 
 A sullen despair in consequence en- 
 tered into many of our hearts, and we 
 continued for the remainder of the 
 night silent. 
 
 But though others were then shaken 
 in their faith, mine was now confident. 
 I sa'v, by what had happened in the 
 moment of my remonstr.ince, that 
 there was some great deliverance in 
 reservation ; so I sat apart by myself, 
 and I spent the night in inward 
 thanksgiving for what had been al- 
 ready done. Nor was this coniidcnce 
 long without its reward. 
 
 In the morning a brother of one of 
 my fellow-sufferers coming to condole 
 with him, it being generally reported 
 that wo were all doomed to die, he 
 happened to see the bar lying on the 
 street, and, taking it up, hid it till he 
 had gone into a shop and provided 
 himself with a cord. lie then hastened 
 to us, gave us the cord, and making 
 
 what speed he could, brought the iron 
 in his plaid ; and, we having lowered 
 the string from the window, he 
 fastened tlie bar to it, and we drew it 
 up undiscovered, and rpsot it in its 
 place, by which the defect could not 
 be seen by any one, not even from 
 the street. 
 
 That morning, by the providence 
 which was visible in this, became, in 
 our prison, a season indeed of light 
 and gratulation ; and the day passed 
 with us as a Sabbath to our sjnrits. 
 The anvils of Fear were hushed, and 
 the shuttles in the looms of Anxiety 
 were at rest, while Hope again walked 
 abroad in those sunny fields wliere, 
 amidst vernal blossoms and shining 
 dews, fihe expatiates on the delights 
 of the flowing cluster and the ripened 
 fruit. 
 
 Tlie young man, who had been so 
 guided to find the bar of iron, con- 
 certed with anotlier friend of his to 
 be in readiness at night on a signal 
 from us, to master the sentinel. And 
 at the time appointed they did so; 
 and it happened that tlie soldier was 
 the same humane Englisher, Jack 
 AVindsor, who had allowed me to 
 escape at Kilmarnock, and he not 
 only remained silent, but even when 
 relieved from his po.st, said nothing; 
 so that, to the number of more than 
 twenty, we lowered ourselves into the 
 street and escaped. 
 
 But the city gates at that hour 
 being shut, there was no egress from 
 tlie town, and many of us knew not 
 where to hide ourselves till the morn- 
 ing. Such was my condition ; and 
 wandering up and down for smiie 
 time, at la.st I turned into the I'l ick- 
 friars Wynd, where I saw a light in 
 a window. On looking around I be- 
 held, by that light, engraven on tho 
 lintel of an opposite door, "In the 
 Loim IS MY iiorE." 
 
 Heartened by the singular provi- 
 dence that was eo manifest in that 
 
RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 207 
 
 cheering text, I went to the door and 
 knocked, and a maiden answered to 
 the knocking. 
 
 I told lier what I was, and whence 
 I had come, and entreated her to have 
 compassion, and shelter me for the 
 night. 
 
 " Alas j ■' said she, " what can hae 
 sent you here, for this is a bishop's 
 house?" 
 
 I was astounded to hear that I had 
 been so led into the lion's den ; but I 
 saw pity in the countenance of the 
 damsel, and I told her that I was the 
 father of tlie poor youth whose head 
 had been carried by the executioner 
 through the town the day before, and 
 that I could not but believe Provi- 
 dence had sent me thither ; for surely 
 no one would ever tliink of searching 
 for me in a bishop's house. 
 
 (Jreatly moved by what I said, she 
 bade mo softly follow her, and she 
 led me to a solitary and ruinous 
 ciiambcr. She then retired, but pre- 
 sently returned with some refresh- 
 ment, which having placed on an old 
 chest, slie bade God be with me, and 
 went away. 
 
 With a spirit of inexpressible ad- 
 miration and thanksgiving I partook 
 of that repast, and then laying myself 
 down on the bare floor, was blessed 
 with the enjoyment of a downy sleep. 
 
 ^ ciiAPTEii xxvni. 
 
 I SMPT in that ruinous room in the 
 bisliop\s house till far in the morning, 
 when, on going to the window with 
 the intent of dropping myself into the 
 wyiid, I saw that it was ordained and 
 required of me to remain where I then 
 was ; for tlie inmates of tlie houses 
 foronont were all astir at their respec- 
 tive vocations ; and at the foot of the 
 wynd, looking straight up, was a 
 change-house, into which there was, 
 even at that early hour, a great re- 
 
 sorting of beiii elderly citizens for 
 their dram and snap. Moreover, at 
 the head of the wynd, an aged carlin, 
 with a distaff in her arms and a whorl 
 in her hand, sat on a doorstep tending 
 a stand of apples and comfits ; so 
 that, to a surety, had I made any at- 
 tempt to escape by the window, I 
 must have been seen by some one, 
 and laid hold of. I therefore retired 
 back into the obscurity of the cham- 
 ber, and sat down again on the old 
 kist-Iid, to abide the issues that were 
 in reservation for me. I had not, 
 however, been long there, till I heard 
 the voices of persons entering into the 
 next chamber behind where I was 
 sitting, and I soon discerned by their 
 courtesies of speech, tli.it they were 
 Lords of the Privy Council, who had 
 come to walk with the bishop to the 
 palace, where a council was summoned 
 in sudden haste that morning. Tho 
 matter whereof they discoursed was 
 not at first easily made out, for they 
 were conversing on it when they en- 
 tered ; but I very soon gathered that 
 it boded no good to the covenanted 
 cause nor to the liberties of Scotland. 
 "What you remark, Aberdeen," 
 said one, "is very just; man and wifo 
 are the same person ; and although 
 Queensberry has observed, that the 
 revenue requires the penalties, and 
 that husbands ought to pay for their 
 wives, I look not on the question in 
 that light ; for it is not right, in my 
 opinion, that the revenues of the 
 crown should be in any degree depen- 
 dent on fines and forfeitures. But 
 tlie Presbyterians are a sect whose 
 main principle is rebellion, and it 
 would be haj)py for the kingdom wcro 
 the whole race rooted out ; indeed, I 
 am quite of the Duke of York's 
 opinion, that there will be little peace 
 among us till the Lowlands are made 
 a hunting-field, and therefore am I as 
 earnest as Queensberry that the fines 
 should be enforced." 
 
20S 
 
 RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 "Certainly, my Lord Perth," re- 
 plied Aberdeen, "ii is not to be 
 denied, that, what with their Cove- 
 nants, and Solemn lioagues, and 
 Gospel pretensions, the Presbyterians 
 are dangerous and bad subjects ; and 
 though I shall not go so far ns to 
 say, with the Duke, that the Lowlands 
 should be laid waste, I doubt if there 
 be a loyal subject west the castle of 
 Edinburgh. Still the odice which I 
 have the honour to hold does not 
 allow me to put any interpretation on 
 the law different from the terras in 
 which the sense is conceived." 
 
 " Then," said Perth,' • if there is any 
 doubt about the terms, the law must be 
 altered ; for, unless we can effectually 
 crush the Presbyterians, the Duke will 
 assuredly have a rough accession. 
 And it is better to strangle the lion in 
 bis nonage than to encounter him in 
 Lis full growth." 
 
 " I fear, my lord," replied the Earl 
 of Aberdeen, " that the Presbyterians 
 are stronger already than we are will- 
 ing to let ourselves believe. The 
 attempt to make them accept the 
 Episcopalian establishment has now 
 been made, without intermission, for 
 more than twenty years, and they are 
 even less submissive than they were 
 at the beginning." 
 
 " Yes, I confess," said Lord Perth, 
 "that they are most unreasonably 
 stubborn. It is truly melancholy to 
 see what fools many sensible men 
 make of themselves about the forms 
 of worship, especially about those of a 
 religion so ungcntlemanly as the Pres- 
 byterian, which has no respect for the 
 degrees of rank, neither out nor in the 
 Church." 
 
 " I'm afraid, Perth," replied Aber- 
 deen, laughing, " that what you say 
 is applicable both to the King and his 
 brother ; for, between ourselves, I do 
 not think there are two persons in the 
 realm who attach so much importance 
 to forms as tliey do." 
 
 " Not the King, my Lord, not. the 
 King! " cried Perth ; '* Cliarles in too 
 much a man of the world to trouble 
 himself about any such trifles." 
 
 "They are sun-ly not trifles, for 
 they overturned his fatiier's tiirone, 
 and are shaking his own," replied 
 Aberdeen emphatically. " Pray, have 
 you beard anything of Argyle lately ? " 
 
 " O yes," exclaimed Perth merrily; 
 " a capital story. lie has got in with 
 a rich burgomaster's frow at Amster- 
 dam ; and she has guilders enew to 
 indemnify him for the loss of half tho 
 Highlands." 
 
 " Aye," replied Aberdeen, " I do 
 not like that ; for there has been of 
 late a flocking of the Presbyterian mal- 
 contents to Holland, and the Prince of 
 Orange gives them a better reception 
 than an honest man should do, stand- 
 ing as he does, both with respect to tho 
 crown and the Duke. This, take my 
 word for it, Perth, ia not a thing to be 
 laughed at." 
 
 " All that, Aberdeen, only shows 
 the necessity of exterminating these 
 cursed Presbyterians. We shall have 
 no peace in Scotland till they are 
 swept clean away. It is not to be en- 
 dured that a King shall not rule his 
 own kingdom as he pleases. How 
 would Argyle, and there was no man 
 prouder in his jurisdictions, have liked 
 had his tenants covenanted against him 
 as the Presbyterians have so insultingly 
 done against his Majesty's Govern- 
 ment? Let every man bring the ques- 
 tion home to his own business and 
 bosom, and the answer will be a 
 short one, Down with the Pnshi/' 
 terkins ! '' 
 
 AVhile they were thus speaking, 
 and I need not advert to what passed 
 in my breast as I overheard them, 
 Patterson the Bishop of Edinburgh 
 came in ; and with many interjections, 
 mingled with wishes for a calm pro- 
 cedure, he told the Lords of our escape. 
 He was indeed, to do him justice, a, 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 209 
 
 nmn of some repute for plausibility, 
 ftnd take Mm all in all for a prelate, ho 
 ■was, in truth, not void of tlie charities 
 of luunan nature, compared with otlicrs 
 of his sect. 
 
 »' Your news," said the Lord Perth 
 to him, " does not surprise me. The 
 societies, astheCameronians arc called, 
 h.vo inserted their roots and feelers 
 every where, llely upon't, Bishop 
 Patterson, that, unless wo chop off the 
 whole connexions of the conspiracy, 
 you can hope neither for homage or 
 reverence in your appointments." 
 
 " I could wish," replied the Bishop, 
 *' that some experiment were made of 
 a gentler course tlian has hitherto been 
 tried. It is now a long time since 
 forcj was first employed : perhaps, 
 were his Royal Highness to slacken the 
 Bcverities, conformity would lose some 
 of its terrors in the eyes of the mis- 
 guided Presbyterians ; at all events, a 
 more lenient policy could do no harm; 
 and if it did no good, it would at least 
 be free from those imputed cruelties, 
 which are sujjposed to justify the long- 
 continued resistance that has brought 
 the royal authority into such difficul- 
 ties." 
 
 At this juncture of their conversa- 
 tion a gentleman announced, that his 
 master Avas ready to proceed with 
 them to the palace, and they forth- 
 witli retired. Thus did I obtain a 
 glin pse of the inner mind of the 
 Privy Council, by which I clearly saw, 
 that what with those members who sa- 
 tisfied their consciences as lo iniquity, 
 because it was made seemingly lawful 
 by human statutes, and what with 
 those who, like Lord Perth, considered 
 the kingdom the King's estate, and 
 the people his tenantry, not the sub- 
 jects of laws by which he was bound 
 as much as they ; together with those 
 others who, like the Bishop, con- 
 sidered mercy and justice as expedients 
 of state policy, that there was no hope 
 for the peace and religious liberties of 
 
 the Presbyterians, merely by resist- 
 ance; and I, from that time, began 
 to think it was only through the in- 
 strumentality of the Prince of Orange, 
 then heir-presumptive to the crown, 
 failing James Stuart, Duke of York, 
 that my vow could bo cffeclualiy 
 brought to pass. 
 
 As soon as those of the Privy 
 Council had, with their attendants, 
 left the house, and proceeded to join 
 the Duke of York in the palace, tlio 
 charitable damsel came to me, and 
 conveyed me, undiscovered, through 
 the hall and into the Cowgate, where 
 she had provided a man, a friend of 
 her own, one Charles Brownlee, who 
 had been himself in the hands of tlie 
 Philistines, to conduct me out of the 
 town ; and by him I was guided in 
 safety through the Cowgate, and put 
 into a house just witliout the same, 
 where his mother resided. 
 
 "Here," said he, "it will be as 
 well for you to bide out the daylight, 
 and being now forth the town-wall, 
 ye'U can gang where ye like unques- 
 tioned in the gloaming." And so 
 saying he went away, leaving me with 
 his mother, an ancient matron, with 
 something of the remnant of ladyness 
 about her, yet was she not altogether 
 an entire gentlewoman, though at the 
 first glimpse she had the look of one 
 of the very highest degree. 
 
 Notwithstanding, however, that 
 apparition of finery which was about 
 her, she was in truth and in heart a 
 sincere woman, and had, in the better 
 days of her younger years, been, as 
 she rehearsed to me, gentlewoman to 
 the Countess of Argylc's mother, and 
 was on a footing of cordiality with 
 divers ladies of the bedchamber of 
 what she called the three nobilities, 
 meaning those of Scotland, England, 
 and Ireland; so that I saw there 
 might by her be opened a mean of 
 espial into the camp of the adversaries. 
 So I told her of my long severe 
 
210 
 
 RINOAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 mnlady, and tho shock I hnd aufPored 
 by what I hud seen of my martyre<l 
 8on, and entrcatt'd that slio woiiUl 
 ftUow me to abide with her until my 
 spirits were more eomposed. 
 
 Mrs Hrownlee havinf,' tho com- 
 passion of a Cliristian, and tiic tender- 
 ness of her gentle sex, was moved by 
 my story, and very readily consented. 
 Instead therefore of going forth at 
 random iu the evening, as I was at 
 one time mindet, I remained in her 
 house ; where indeed could I at that 
 titno flee in the hope of finding any 
 place of refuge? But although this 
 was adopted on the considerations of 
 human reason, it was nevertheless a 
 link in the chain of providential 
 methods by which I was to achieve 
 the fultiliiient of my vow. 
 
 The house of Mrs JJrownlee being, 
 ns I have intimated, nigh to the gate 
 of the city, I saw from the window 
 all that went into and came out there- 
 from ; and the same afternoon I had 
 visible evidence of tho temper where- 
 with the Duke of York and his 
 counsellors had been actuated that 
 day at Holyrood, in consequence of 
 the manner in which Ave had been de- 
 livered from prison ; — for Jack Wind- 
 sor, the poor sentinel who was on 
 guard when we escaped by the win- 
 dow, was brought out, supported by 
 two of hi=) companions, his feet hav- 
 ing been so cruslied in the torturous 
 boots before the Council, during his 
 examination anent us, that ho could 
 scarcely mark them to tho ground ; 
 liis hands were .ilso bound in cloths, 
 through Avhich tiie blod was still 
 oozing, from the pressure of those 
 dreadful thumbikins of iron, that were 
 so often used in those days to screw 
 accusations out of honest men, A 
 sympathising crowd followed the de- 
 stroyed sufTerci, and tho sight for a 
 little while afflicted me with sore re- 
 gret. But when I considered the 
 compassion that the people showed 
 
 for him, I was filled with a strange 
 satisfaction, deducing therefrom en- 
 couraging persuasions, that every new 
 sin of the persecutors removed a prop 
 from their own power, making its 
 overthrow more and more inevital)le. 
 
 While 1 was peering from tlio 
 window in these reflections, I saw 
 Quintin FuUarton, the grandson of 
 John Fullarton of Dykedivots, in tiie 
 street, and knowing that from tlie 
 time of Bothwell-brigg ho had been 
 joined with that zealous and martyred 
 youti), Kinhard Cameron, and was, as 
 Kobin Brown told me, among otiier 
 acquaintances at Airsmoss, I entreated 
 Mrs Brownleo to go after liim and bid 
 him come, to me, —which he readily 
 did, nnd we had a mournful comnmu- 
 ing for some time. 
 
 He told me the particulars of my 
 gallant Joseph's death, and that it 
 wjis by tho command of Claverhouse 
 himself that the brave stripling's head 
 was cut off, and sent in ignominy to 
 Edinburgh ; where, by order of the 
 Privy Council, it was placed on tho 
 Netherhow. 
 
 " What I hao suffered from that 
 man,'' said I, " Heaven may pardon, 
 but I can neither forget nor forgive." 
 
 "Vho judgment time's coming,'' 
 replied Quintin Fullarton; "and 
 your part in it, Ringan Gilhaize, as- 
 suredly will not be forgotten, for in 
 the heavens there is a Doer of justice 
 and an Avenger of wrongs.' 
 
 And then he proceeded to tell me, 
 that on the following afternoon there 
 was to be a meeting of tho heads of 
 the Cameronian societies, with ilr 
 Kenwick, in a dell of the Esk, about 
 half a mile above Lasswade, to consult 
 what ought to be done, the pursuit 
 and persecution being so hot against 
 them, that life was become a burden, 
 and their minds desperate. 
 
 '* We hae many friens," said he, 
 ♦'in Edinburgh, and I am entrusted 
 to warn them to tho meeting, which 
 
RINOAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 211 
 
 is tho end of my coming to tlio town ; 
 and m.'iybo, Kinp^nn (iilliaizo, ye'U no 
 cbjck yoursol to bu tliere ? " 
 
 " I will be there, Qiiintin FuUar- 
 ton," said I ; " and in tlie Htnnytii of 
 the Lord I will como armed, witii a 
 weapon of more mi;,'iit than the sword 
 and more terrible than tho ball that 
 flyeth unseen." 
 
 " What mean you, Rinpan? " said 
 he, compassionately ; for he knew of 
 my infirmity, and thought that I was 
 still fevered in tho mind. But I told 
 him, that for some time, feeling my> 
 self unable for warlike enterprises, I 
 had meditated on a way to perplex 
 our guilty adversaries, the which was 
 to menace them with retaliation, for 
 resistance alone was no longer 
 enough. 
 
 " We have disowned Charles Stuart 
 na our king," said I, " and we must 
 wage war accordingly. IJut go your 
 ways and execute your purposes, and 
 by the time you return this way I sliall 
 have a i)aper ready, the sending forth 
 of which will strike terror into the 
 brazen hearts of our foes." 
 
 1 perceived that he was still dubious 
 of mo ; but, nevertheless, he promised 
 to call as he came back, and, having 
 gone away, I set myself down and 
 drew up that declaration, wherein, 
 after a^ain cahnly disowning the royal 
 authority of Charles Stuart, we ad- 
 monished our sanguinary persecutors, 
 that, for self-preservation, we would 
 retaliate according to our power, and 
 tho degree of guilt on such privy 
 counsellors, lords of justiciary, ofli- 
 cers and soldiers, their abettors and 
 inforniera, whose hands should con- 
 tinue to be imbrued in our blood. 
 And on tho return of Quintin Fullar- 
 ton, I gave tho paper to him, that it 
 might be seen and considered by Mr 
 llenwick and others, previous to 
 offering it to the consideration of the 
 meeting. 
 
 Uo read it over very sedhtely, and 
 
 folded it up and put it in the crown 
 of his bonnet without saying a word ; 
 but several times, while he was read- 
 ing, he cast his eyes towards me, and 
 when ho rose to go away lie said, 
 '• liingan Gilhaize, you have endured 
 much ; but verily, if this thing can bo 
 brought to pass, your own and all 
 our sufferings will soon be richly 
 revenged." 
 
 " Not revenged," said I; "revenge, 
 Quintin FuUarton, becomes not Chris- 
 tian men. liut wo shall be the exe- 
 cutioners of the just judgments of 
 Ilim whose ministers are flaming fires, 
 and pestilence, and war, and storms, 
 and perjured kings." 
 
 With these words wo parted, and 
 next morning, by break of day, I rose, 
 after the enjoyment of a solacing sleep, 
 such as I had not known for many 
 days, and searched my way across tho 
 fields towards Lasswado. I did not, 
 however, enter the clachan, but 
 lingered among tho woods till tho 
 afternoon, when, descending towards 
 the river, I walked leisurely up tho 
 banks, where I soon fell in with others 
 of the associated friends. 
 
 The place where we met was a 
 deep glen, the scroggy sides whereof 
 were as if rocks, and trees and bram- 
 bles, with here and there a yellow 
 primrose and a blue hyacinth between 
 had been thrown by some wild jirclii- 
 tect into many a difficult and fanta.sti- 
 cal form. Over a ledgo of rock fell 
 tho bright waters of the Esk, and in 
 the clear linn the trouts shuttled from 
 stone and crevice, dreading the perse- 
 cutions of the angler, who, in the 
 luxury of his pastime, l.eedeth not 
 what they may in their cool clement 
 sufftr. 
 
 It was then tho skirt of tho after- 
 noon, about the time when the sweet 
 breathing of flowers and boughs lirst 
 begins to freshen to the gentle senses, 
 and the shadows deepen in tho cliffs 
 of the rocks and darken among tho 
 
212 
 
 RINGAN GILTIAIZE. 
 
 bushes. Tiio yellow sunbeams were 
 still bright on the llickering leaves of 
 a few trees, which here and there 
 raised their tufty heads above the 
 glen ; but in the hollow of the chasm 
 tiie evening had commenced, and the 
 sobriety of the fragrant twilight was 
 coming on. 
 
 As we assembled one by one, wc 
 said little to each other. vSomo indeed 
 said nothing, nor even shook hands, 
 but went and seated themselves on the 
 rocks, round which the limpid waters 
 were swirling with a soft and pleasant 
 din, as if they solicited tranquillity. 
 For myself, I had come with the 
 sternest intents, and I neither noticed 
 nor .spoke to any one ; but going to 
 the brink of the linn, I sat myaelf 
 down in a gloomy nook, and was 
 sullen, that the scene was not better 
 troubled into nuison with the resent- 
 ful mood of my spirit. 
 
 At last Mr llenwick came, and 
 when he had descended into the dell, 
 where we were gathered together, after 
 speaking a few words of courtesy to 
 certain of his acquaintance, he went 
 to a place on the shelvy side of the 
 glen, and took his station between two 
 birch trees. 
 
 " I will be .short with you, friends,'' 
 said lie; ''for here we are too nigh 
 unto the adver.s;i.ries to hazard our- 
 selves in any long debate ; and there- 
 fore I will tell you, as a man sjieaking 
 the honesty that is within liini, 1 
 neither can nor do approve of the 
 paper tliat I understand some among 
 you de.sire we should send forth. I 
 have, however, according to what was 
 txhibited to me in private, brought 
 here a jiroclamatiou, such as those 
 who are most vehement among us wish 
 to projwund ; but I still leave it with 
 yourselves to determine Avhetiier or 
 not it should be adopted — entering, 
 as 1 here do, my caveat as an indi- 
 vidual against it. This paper will cut 
 oil all hope of reconciliatiou — wc bavo 
 
 already disowned King Charles, it is 
 true ; but this implies, that we are also 
 resolved to avenge, even unto blood 
 and death, whatsoever injury we may 
 in our own persons and friends bo 
 subjected to suffer. It pledges us to 
 a war of revenge and extermination ; 
 and we have to consider, before wo 
 wage the same, the strength of our 
 adversary — the craft of his counsellors 
 — and the malice with which their fears 
 and their hatred will inspire them. 
 For my own part, fellow-sufferers, I 
 do doubt if there bo any warrandice 
 in the Scriptures for such a defiance 
 as this paper contains, and I would 
 fain entreat you to reflect, whether it 
 be not better to keep the door of 
 reconciliation open, than to shut it for 
 ev er, as the promulgation of this re- 
 taliatory edict will assuredly do." 
 
 The earnest maimer in which Mr 
 Renwick thus delivered himself had 
 a powerful effect, and many thought 
 as he did, and several rose and said 
 that it was not Christian to bar the 
 door on peace, and to shut out even 
 the chance of contrition on the part 
 of tlie King and his ministers. 
 
 I heard what they said — I listened 
 to what they argued— and I allowed 
 them to tell that they were willing to 
 agree to more moderate counsels ; but 
 I could abide no more. 
 
 "Moderation! — You, Mr Ren- 
 wick," said I, "counsel moderation — 
 you rcconnnend the door of peace to 
 be still kept open — you doubt if the 
 Scriptures warrant us to imdertako 
 revenge ; and you hope that our for- 
 bearance may work to repentanco 
 among our enemies. Mr Renwick, 
 you have hitherto been a preacher, not 
 a sufferer ; with you the resistiince to 
 Charles Stuart's goveiinnent has been 
 a thing of doctrine — of no more than 
 doctrine, Mr Renwick— with us it is 
 a consideration of facts. Judge yo 
 therefore between yourself and us, — 
 I suy between yourself and us ; for I 
 
rJNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 213 
 
 ask no other judge to decide, whether 
 we are not, by all tlio laws of God and 
 man, justified in avowing, that we 
 moan to do as wo are done by. 
 
 ''And. I\Ir Renwiclc, you will call 
 to mind, that in this sore controversy, 
 the cause of debate came not from us. 
 AVo wore peaceable Christians, enjoy- 
 ing the shade of tlie vine and fig-tree 
 of the Gospel, planted by the care and 
 cherished by the blood of our fore- 
 fathers, protected by the laws, and 
 gladdened in our protection by the 
 oaths and the covenants which the 
 King had sworn to maintain. The 
 Presbyterian freedom of worship wa.s 
 our property, — we were in possession 
 and enjoyment, no man could call our 
 right to it in question, — tlie King had 
 vowed, as a condition before he was 
 allowed to receive the crown, that he 
 would preserve it. Yet, for more 
 than twenty years, there has been a 
 most cruel, fraudulent, and out- 
 rageous endeavour instituted, and 
 carried on, to dei)rive us of that free- 
 dom and birthright. We were asking 
 no new thing from Government, 
 we were taking no step to disturb 
 Government, we were in peace with 
 all men, when (Jovernment, with the 
 principles of a robber and the cruelty 
 of a tyrant, demanded of us to sur- 
 render those immunities of conscience 
 which our fathers had earned and 
 defended ; to deny the Gospel as it is 
 written in the Evangelists, and to 
 accept the commentary of Charles 
 Stuart, a man who has had no respect 
 to the most solemn oaths, and of 
 James ISharp, the apostate of St 
 Andrews, whose crimes provoked a 
 deed, that but for tlieir crimson hue, 
 no man could have doubted to call a 
 most foul nuirdcr. Tlie King and his 
 crew, Mr llenwick, are, to the in- 
 dubitable judgment of all just men, 
 the causers and tlie aggressors in the 
 existing dillercnco between bis sub- 
 jects and him. In so far, therefore, 
 
 if blame there be, it lieth not with us 
 nor in our cause. 
 
 " But, sir, not content with at- 
 tempting to wrest from us our in- 
 herited freedom of religious worship, 
 Charles Stuart and his abeUors have 
 pursued the courageous constancy 
 with which we have defended the 
 same, with more animosity than they 
 ever did any crime. I speak not to 
 you, Mv Renwick, of your own out- 
 cast condition, — perhaps you delight 
 in the perils of martyrdom ; I speak 
 not to those around us, who, in their 
 persons, their substance, and their 
 families, have endured the torture, 
 poverty, and irremediable dislionour, 
 — they may be meek and hallowed 
 men, willing to endure. But I call to 
 mind what I am and was myself. I 
 think of my quiet home, — it is all 
 ashes. I remember my brave first- 
 born, — he was f^lain at Bothwell-brigg. 
 Why need I speak of my honest 
 brother; tlie waves of the ocean, 
 commissioned by our persecutors, 
 have triumphed over him in the cold 
 seas of the Orkneys ; and as for my 
 wife, what was she to you ? Ye can- 
 not be greatly disturbed that she is in 
 her grave. No, ye are quiet, cahn, 
 and prudent persons ; it would be a 
 most iudiscret thing of you, you who 
 have suffered no wrong your.'^elves, to 
 stir on her account ; antl then how 
 unreasonable I sliould be, were I to 
 speak of two fair and innocent 
 maidens. — It is weak of me to weep, 
 tiiough they were my daughters. O 
 men and Christians, brothers, fuihers ! 
 but ye are content to bear with such 
 wrongs, and I alone of all here may 
 go to the gates of the cities, and try 
 to discover which of the martyred 
 heads mouldering there belongs to a 
 son or a friend. Nor is it of any ac- 
 count whether the bones of tiioso who 
 were so dear to us. be exposed with 
 the remains of malefactors, or laid in 
 tho sacred grave. To the dead all 
 
(tw 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 places are alike ; and to the slave 
 ■what signifies who is master. Let us 
 therefore forget the past, — letns keep 
 open tlio door of reconciliation, — 
 Bniother all the wrongs we have en- 
 dured, and kiss the proud foot of the 
 traniplor. \A'e have our lives ; we 
 have been spared ; the merciless 
 bloodhounds have not yet reached us. 
 Let us tlicrefore bo Immble and thank- 
 ful, and cry to Charles Stuart, O 
 King, live for ever ! — for he has but 
 cast us into a fiory furnace and a lion's 
 den. 
 
 "In truth, friends, MrRenwick is 
 quite right. This feeling of indigna- 
 tion against our oppressors is a most 
 impruiicnt thin/?:. If we desire to en- 
 joy our own contempt, and to deserve 
 the derision of men, and to merit the 
 abhorrence of Heaven, let us yield 
 ourselves to all that Charles Stuart 
 and his sect require. We can do 
 nothing better, nothing so meritorious, 
 nothing by •\vliich we can so rea.sou- 
 ably hopci for punishment here and 
 condemnation hereaftir. But if there 
 is one man at this meeting, — I am not 
 speaking of shapes and forms, but of 
 feelings, — if there is one here that 
 feels as men were wont to feel, ho will 
 draw his sword, and say with me, Woo 
 to the hou.-io of Stuart ! Woe to the 
 oppressors ! Blood for blood ! Judge 
 and avenge our cause, O Lord ! " 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 The meeting, with one accord, agreed 
 that the declaration sl;;>u]d go forth ; 
 ami certain of those who were ready 
 writers, being provided with imple- 
 niciits, retired apart to make copies, 
 wliilo Mr Benwirk. witli the re- 
 mainder, joined togctlier in prayer. 
 
 By the time i)e had made an end, 
 the task of the writers was finished, 
 and then lots were cast to see whom 
 the Lord woidd appoint to affix the 
 
 declaration on the trones and kirk 
 doors of the towns where the rage of 
 the persecutors burnt the fiercest, and 
 Ho being pleased to choose me for ono 
 to do the duty at Edinburgh, I re- 
 turned in the gloaming back to the 
 house of Mrs Ikownlee, to abide tlio 
 convenient season which I knew in tlie 
 fit time would be prepared. Nor waa ifc 
 long till the same came to pass, as I 
 shall now briefly set down. 
 
 Heron Brownlec, who, as I have 
 narrated, brought me to his mother's 
 house, was by trade a tailor, and kept 
 his cloth shop in the Canongate, some 
 six doors lower down than St Mary's 
 Wynd, just after passing the flesher's 
 stocks below the Netherbow ; for in 
 those days, when tiie Court was at 
 Holyrood, that part of the town was 
 a place of great resort to the gallants, 
 and all such as affected a courtly car- 
 riage. And it happened that, on the 
 morning after the meeting, a procla- 
 mation was sent forth, describing the 
 persons and clothing of the iirisoners 
 who had escaped from the tol booth 
 with me, threateninggrievous penalties 
 to all who dared to harbour them. 
 This Heron Browidee seeing aftixed 
 on the cheek of the Netherbow, came 
 and told me ; wliereupon, after con- 
 ferring with him, it was agreed that 
 he should provide for me a suit of 
 town-like clothes, and at the second- 
 hand, that they might not cause ob- 
 servance by any novelty. This was 
 in anotlier respect needful ; for my 
 health being in a frail state, I stood in 
 want of the halesome cordial of fresli 
 air, whereof I couM not venture to 
 taste but in the du.sk of the evening. 
 
 Ho accordingly provided the ap- 
 ]iarel, and when clothed therewith, I 
 made bold to go out in the broad day- 
 light, and even v(ntured to mingle 
 with the multitude in the garden of 
 the palace, who went daily there in 
 the afternoon to sec the nobles and 
 ladies of the court walking with their 
 
RINGAN GtLHAIZE. 
 
 i^ 
 
 pageantries, while the Duke's musi- 
 cants solaced them with melodious airs 
 and the delights of sonorous harmony. 
 And it happened on the tliird time I 
 went thither, that a cry rose of the 
 Duke coming from the garden to the 
 palace, and all the onlookers pressed 
 to see him. 
 
 As he advanced, T F^aAV several 
 
 f)ersuns presenting petitions into his 
 lands, which ho gave, without then 
 looking at, to the Lord Perth, whom 
 I knew again by his voice ; and I was 
 directed, as by a thought of inspira- 
 tion, to present, in like manner, a 
 copy of our declaration, which I 
 always carried about with me ; so 
 placing myself among a crowd of 
 petitioners, onlookers, and servants, 
 that formed a^ avenue across tne road 
 leading from the Canongate to the 
 Abbey kirk-yard, and between the 
 garden yett and the yett that opened 
 into the front court of the palace. As 
 the Duke returned out of the garden, 
 I gave him the paper ; but instead of 
 handing it to the Lord I'erth, as I had 
 hoped he would do, he held it in his 
 own hand, by which I perceived that 
 if he had noticed by whom it was 
 presented, and looked at it before he 
 went into the palace, I would speedily 
 be seized on the spot, unless I could 
 accomplish my escape. 
 
 15ut how to effect that was no easy 
 thing ; for the multitude around was 
 very great, and but three narrow yetts 
 allowed of egress from the enclosure 
 — one hading into the garden — one 
 to tiie palacu — and the other into the 
 Canongnte. I tiierefore calmly put 
 my trust in Him wlio alone cduld .save 
 nil', and remained, as it were, an in- 
 diifiTent sjuetator, following the Duke 
 with ;in anxious eye. 
 
 Having jiassed from tlie garden 
 into tiie court, the multitude followed 
 him with great eagerness, and I also 
 went in with them, and walked very 
 cleliberately across the front of the 
 
 palace to the south-east corner, where 
 there was a postern door that opened 
 into the road leading to the King's 
 park from the Cowgate port, along 
 the outside or the town wall. I then 
 mended my pace, but not to any re- 
 markable degree, and so returned to 
 the house of Mrs lirownlee. 
 
 .Scarcely was I wi?ll in, when Heron, 
 her son, came flying to her with a 
 report that a man Avas seized in the 
 palace garden who had threatened tiie 
 Duke's life, and he was fearful lest it 
 had been me ; and I was much grieved 
 by these tidings, in case any honest 
 man should be put to the torture on 
 my account ; but the Lord had merci- 
 fully ordained it otherwise. 
 
 In the course of the night. Heron 
 BroAvnlee, after closing his shop, came 
 again and told me that no one had 
 been taken, but tliat some person in 
 the multitude had given the Duke a 
 dreadful paper, which had caused 
 great consternation aiid pojiic, and 
 that a council Avas sitting at that late 
 hour with the Duke, expresses having 
 ai rived with accounts of the same 
 paper having been seen on the doors 
 of many churches both in Jsithsdalo 
 and the shire of Ayr. The alarm, 
 indeed, raged to such a degree among 
 all those who knew in their consciences 
 how they had merited the doom we 
 had pronotmced, that it v/as said the 
 very looks of many were withered as 
 with a pestilent vapour. 
 
 Yet, though terrified at the ven- 
 geance declared against tluir guilt, 
 neither the Duke nor the Privy Coun- 
 cil were to be deterred from their 
 malignant work. Tiie curse of in- 
 fatuation was upcn tlicni. and instead 
 of changing the rule which had caused 
 the desperation that they dreaded, 
 tliey heated llie furnace of ]ier.secutiou 
 seven-fold, and voted, That whoso- 
 ever owned or refused to dieown tho 
 declaration sliould be put to death in 
 the presence of two witnesaes, though 
 
216 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 unarmed when taken ; and the sol- 
 diers were not only ordered to enforce 
 the test, but were instructed to put 
 such as adhered to the dechiration at 
 once to the sword, and to slay those 
 who refused to disown it ; and women 
 Wire ordered to be drowned. But my 
 pen sickens with the recital of horrors, 
 and I sliall pass by the dreadful things 
 that ensued, with only remarking that 
 these bloody instructions consum- 
 mated the doom of the Stuarts ; for 
 scarcely were they well published 
 when the Duke hastened to London, 
 and soon after his man-sworn brother 
 Charles, the great author of all our 
 woes, was cut off by poison, as it was 
 most currently believed, and the Duke 
 proclaimed King in his stead. What 
 change we obtained by the calamity of 
 his accession will not require many 
 sentences to unfold. 
 
 As soon as it was known abroifa 
 that Charles the Second was dead, tlie 
 Covonanters, who had taken refuge 
 in Holland from the Persecution, as- 
 sembled to consult what ought then 
 to be done ; for the papist, James 
 Stuart, on tlie death of his brother, 
 hail caused himself to be proclaimed 
 King of Scotland, without taking those 
 oatlis by whiclx alone he could bo en- 
 titled to assume the Scottish crown. 
 
 At the head of this congregation 
 was the Earl of Argyle, who, some 
 years before, had incurred the aversion 
 of the tyrant to such a degree that, by 
 certain of those fit tools for any crime, 
 tiien in dismal abundance about the 
 court of llolyrood, he had procured 
 Ills condemnation as a traitor, and 
 would have brought him to the scaf- 
 fold, had the Earl not fortunately 
 efTocted his escape. And it was re- 
 solved by that congregation, that the 
 principal personages tiien present 
 fihould form themselves into a Council, 
 to concert the requisite measures for 
 the deliverance of their native land ; 
 the immediate issue of which was, 
 
 tiiat a descent should be made by 
 Argyle among his vassals, in order to 
 draw together a sudicient host to en- 
 able tliem to wage war against the 
 Usurper, for so they lawfully and 
 rightly denominated James Stuart. 
 
 The first hint that I gleaned of tliis 
 design was tlirough the means of Mrs 
 Brownlce. She was invited one after- 
 noon by the gentlewoman of the Lady 
 Sophia Lindsay, the Earl's daughter- 
 in-law, to view certain articles of fe- 
 male brawery whicli had been sent 
 from Holland by his Lordship to her 
 mistress ; and, as her custom was. she 
 on her return home, descanted at 
 large of all that she had seen and 
 heard. 
 
 Tlic receipt, at that juncture, of 
 such gear from tlie Earl of Argyle, 
 by such a Judith of courage and 
 wisdom as the Lady Sophia Lindsay, 
 seemed to me very remarkable, and I 
 could not but jealouse that there was 
 something about it like the occultatioa 
 of a graver correspondence. 1 there- 
 fore began to question Mrs Brownlee 
 how tlie paraphernalia had come, and 
 what the Earl, according to the last 
 accounts, was doing ; which led her 
 to expatiate on many tilings, though 
 vague and desultory, that were yet in 
 concordance with wliat I had over- 
 heard the Lord Perth say to the Earl 
 of Aberdeen in the Bishop's house. 
 In the end, I gathered that the pre- 
 sents were brought over by the skip- 
 per of a sloop, one Roderick Macfar- 
 lane, whom I forthwith determined to 
 see, in order to pick from him what 
 intelligence I could, without being at 
 the time well aware in what manner 
 the same would prove useful. I felt 
 myself, however, stirred from within 
 to do so ; and I had hitherto, in all 
 that concerneil my avenging vow, 
 obeyed every instinctive impulse. 
 
 Accordingly, next morning, I went 
 early to the shore of Leith, and soon 
 found the vessel and Roderick Mac- 
 
RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 217 
 
 farlane, to whom I addressed myself, 
 inquiring, as if I intended to go 
 thither, when ho was likely to depart 
 Pgain for Amsterdam. 
 
 While I was speaking to him, I 
 observed something in his mien above 
 his condition ; and that his hands 
 were fair and delicate, unlike those of 
 men inured to maritime labour. He 
 perceived that I was particular in my 
 inspection, and his countenance be- 
 came troubled, and he looked as if 
 he wist not what to do. 
 
 "Fcnr no ill," said I to him ; "I 
 am one in the jaws of jeopardy ; in 
 sootli, I have no intent to pass into 
 Holland, but only to learn whether 
 there be any hope that the Earl of 
 Argyle and those with him will try to 
 help their covenanted brethren at 
 home." 
 
 On hearing me speak so openly the 
 countenance of the man brightened, 
 and after eyeing me with a sharp scru- 
 tiny, he invited me to come down 
 into the body of the bark, where we 
 had some frank communion, his con- 
 fidence being won by the plain tale 
 of who I was and what I had en- 
 dured. The Lord indeed was pleased, 
 throughout that period of fears and 
 tribulation, marvellously to endow 
 the persecuted with a singular and 
 sympathetic instinct, whereby they 
 were enabled at once to discern 
 their friends ; for the dangers and 
 difliculties, to which we were subject 
 in our intercourse, afforded no time 
 for those testimonies and experiences 
 that in ordinary occasions are required 
 to open the hearts of men to one 
 another. 
 
 After some general discouise, 
 Roderick Macfarlane told me, that 
 his vessel, though seemingly only for 
 tralFio, had been hired by a certain 
 Madam Smitli, in Amsterdam, and 
 was manned by Highlanders of a de- 
 gree above the common, for the pur- 
 pose of opening a correspondence be- 
 
 tween Argyle and his friends in Scot- 
 land. Whereupon I proff(^red myself to 
 assist in establishing a communication 
 with the heads and leaders of tho 
 Covenanters in the West Country, and 
 particularly with Mr Renwick and 
 his associates, the Cameronians, who, 
 though grievously scattered and hun- 
 ted, were yet able to do great things 
 in the way of conveying letters, or 
 of intercepting emissaries and agents 
 of the Privy Council that miglit be 
 employed to contravene the Earl's 
 pro ects. 
 
 Thus it was that I came to be con- 
 cerned in Argyle's unfortunate expe- 
 dition — if that can be called unfortu- 
 nate, which, though in itself a failure, 
 yet ministered to make the scattered 
 children of the Covenant again co- 
 operate for the achievement of their 
 common freedom. Doubtless the ex- 
 pedition was undertaken before the 
 persecuted were sufficiently ripened 
 to be of any effective service. The 
 Earl counted overmuch on the spirit 
 which the Persecution had raised ; he 
 thought that the weight of the tyr- 
 anny had compressed us all into one 
 body. But, alas ! it had been so 
 great, that it had not only bruised, but 
 broken us asunder into many pieces ; 
 and time, and care, and much per- 
 suasion, were all requisite to solder 
 the fragments together. 
 
 As the spring advanced, being, in 
 the manner related, engaged in fur- 
 thering the purposes of the exiled 
 Covenanters, I prepared, through the 
 instrumentality of divers friends, 
 many in the West Country to be in 
 readiness to join the Earl's standard 
 of deliverance. It is not however to 
 be disguised, thai the work went on 
 but slowly, and that the people he.-^rd 
 of the intended descent with some- 
 thing like an actionloss wonderment, 
 in consequence of tliose by whom it 
 bad been planned not sending forth 
 any declaration of their views and 
 
218 
 
 r.mGAN G1LHAI2E. 
 
 ^i 
 
 intents. And this indisposition, es- 
 
 Eecially among the Canicronians, 
 ccanie a settled reluctance, when, 
 after the Earl liad readied Campbel- 
 ton, ho pnbli-hed tliat purposeless 
 proclamation, wherein, tliough the 
 wrongs and woes of tlie kingdom 
 were pithily recited, the nature of the 
 redress proposed was in no manner 
 manifest. It was plain indeed, by 
 many signs, that the Lord's time was 
 not yet come for the work to tiirive. 
 
 The divisions in Argyle's councils 
 were greater even than those among 
 the different orders into which the 
 Covenanters had been long split — the 
 very Cameronians might have been 
 sooner persuaded to refrain from in- 
 sisting on points of doctrine and 
 opinion, at least till the adversary was 
 overthrown, than tiiose who were with 
 the ill-fated Earl to act with union 
 among themselves. In a word, all 
 about the expedition was confusion 
 and perplexity, and the omens and 
 auguries of ruin, showed how much 
 it Avanted the favour that is better 
 than the strength of numbers, or the 
 wisdom of mighty men. But to pro- 
 ceed — 
 
 Sir John Cochrane, one of those 
 who were with Argyle, had, by some 
 espial of his own, a correspondence 
 with divers of the Covenanters in the 
 shire of Ayr ; and he was so heartened 
 by their representations of the spirit 
 among them, that he urged, and 
 ovo' .e the Earl, to let him make a 
 iri u on the coast before waiting till 
 the Highlanders were roused. Ac- 
 cordingly, with the three ships and 
 the men they liad brought from Hol- 
 land, he went toward Largs, famed in 
 old time for a great battle fought 
 there ; but, on arriving oj)posito to 
 tlie shore, he found it guarded by tlie 
 pov.'crs and forces of the Government, 
 in so much, that he was fain to direct 
 his course further up the river ; and 
 weighing anchor sailed for Greeno<i. 
 
 It happened at this juncture, after 
 conferring with several of weight 
 among the Cameronians, that 1 went 
 to (ireenock for the jmrpnse of taking 
 shipping for any ])hiee whore 1 was 
 likely to find Argyle, in order to re- 
 present to iiim, tiiat. unless there was 
 a clear account of what lie and otliers 
 with iiim proposed to do, he ccndd 
 expect no co-operation from tiie 
 societies ; and I reached the town 
 just as the three ships were coming 
 in sight. 
 
 I had not well alighted from my 
 horse at Dugal M'Vicar the smitii's 
 public, — the best house it is in the 
 town, and slated. It stands beside an 
 oak tree on the open shore, below the 
 iSlansion-house-brae, above the place 
 where the mariners boil their tar-pots. 
 As I was saying, I had not well 
 alighted there, when a squadron of 
 certain time-serving and prelatic-in- 
 clincd heritors of tiie shire of Renfrew, 
 under the command of Houston of 
 that ilk, came galloping to tlie town 
 as if they would liave devoured Argyle, 
 host, and siiips and all ; and they rode 
 straight to the minister's glebe, where, 
 behind the kirk- yard dyke, they set 
 themselves in battle array with drawn 
 swords, the vessels having in the 
 meanwhile come to anchor foreneut 
 the kirk. 
 
 Like the men of the town I went 
 to be an onlooker, at a distance, of 
 what might ensue ; and a sore heart 
 it was to me, to see and to hear that 
 the Greenock folk stood so much in 
 dread of their superior. Sir John Siiaw, 
 that they durst not, for fear of his 
 black-liolc, venture to say that day 
 wlietlior they were I'aiiists, Prelates, 
 or Presbyterians, he himself not being 
 in the way to direct them. 
 
 Shoitly after the ships had cast 
 anchor. Major Fullarton, with a [ arty 
 of some ten or twelve men, landed at 
 the burn-foot, near the kirk, and 
 having shown a signal for parley, 
 
RINGAK GlLHAIZE. 
 
 210 
 
 , after 
 tvoight 
 
 WL'llt 
 
 tiiking 
 1 was 
 
 I the 
 town 
 
 Houston and bis men went to him, 
 and began to chafe and chide him for 
 invacHng tlie country. 
 
 " We are no invaders," said tlio 
 IVIajur, " we have come to our native 
 himl to preserve tlie Proteptant re- 
 ligion ; and I am grieved tliat such 
 brave gentlemen, as ye appear to be, 
 should be seen in the cause of a papist 
 tyrant and usurper." 
 
 " Ye lee," cried Houston, and fired 
 his pistol at the Major, the like did 
 h's men; but they were so well aid 
 quickly answered in the same lan- 
 guage, that they soon were obligated 
 to floe like drift to the brow of a hill, 
 called Kilblain-brae, where they again 
 showed face. 
 
 Those on board the ships seeing 
 what was thus doing on the land, 
 pointed their great guns to the airt 
 wiiere the cavaliers had rallied, and 
 fired them with such effect, tliat the 
 stoure and stones brattled about the 
 lugs of the heritors, which so terrified 
 them all that they scampered off ; and, 
 it is said, some drew not bridle till 
 they were in Pai.sley witli whole skins, 
 though at some cost of leather. 
 
 When these tyrant tools were thus 
 discomfited. Sir John Cochrane came 
 on shore, and tried in vain to prevail 
 on the inhabitants to join in defence 
 of religion and liberty. So he sent 
 for the baron-bailie, who was the 
 ruling power of the town iu the 
 absence of their great Sir John, and 
 ordered him to provide forthwith two 
 hundred bolls of meal for the ships. 
 But the bailie, a shrewd and gausie 
 man made so many difficulties iu thj 
 gatlieriiig of the meal, to waste time 
 till help would come, that the kniglit 
 ■was glad to content himself with little 
 more than a fifth part of his demand. 
 
 Meanwhile 1 had made my errand 
 known to Sir John Cochrane, and 
 when he went off with the meal-sacks 
 to the ships I went with him, and we 
 sailed the same uight to tho castle of 
 
 Allengreg, where Argyle himself then 
 was. 
 
 Whatever doubts and f(>ars I had 
 of the success of tlie expedition, were 
 all woefully confirmed, when I saw 
 how things were about that unfor- 
 tunate nobleman. 'Jhe controversies 
 in our councils at the Pentlaud raid 
 were more than renewed ainong those 
 who were around Argyle ; and it was 
 plain to me that the sense of ruin was 
 upon his spirit ; for, after I had told 
 him the purport of my mission, he 
 said to me in a mournful manner — 
 
 " I can discern no party in this 
 country that desire to be relieved ; 
 there are some hidden ones no doubt, 
 but only my poor friends here in 
 Argyle seem willing to be free. God 
 hath so ordered it, and it must be for 
 the best. I submit myself to his will." 
 I felt the truth of what he said, 
 that the tyranny had indeed bred dis- 
 trust among us, and that the patience 
 of men was so worn out that very 
 many were inclined to submit from 
 mere weariness of spirit ; — but I added, 
 to hearten him, if one of my condition 
 may say so proud a thing of so great 
 a person. That were the distinct ends 
 of his intents made more clearly mani- 
 fest, maybe the dispersed hearts of tho 
 Covenanters would j'ct be knit to- 
 gether. " Some think, my Lord, ye'ro 
 for the Duke of Monmouth to bo 
 king, but that will ne'er do, — tho 
 rightful heirs canna be set aside. 
 James Stuart may be, and should be, 
 put down; but, according to the 
 customs registered, as I hae read in 
 the ancient chronicles of this realm, 
 when our nation in olden times cut 
 off a king for his misdeeds, the next 
 lawful heir was aye raised to the 
 throne." 
 
 To this tho Earl made no answer, 
 but continued some time thoughtful, 
 and then said — 
 
 " It rests not all with me, — those 
 who are with me, as you may well 
 
220 
 
 EINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 note, take over much upon them, and 
 will not be controlled. They are like 
 the waves, raised and driven where- 
 soever any blast of rumour wiseth 
 theui to SO- I g''^vo a letter of trust 
 to one of their emissaries, and, like 
 the raven, he lias never returned. If, 
 however, 1 could get to Inveraray, I 
 doubt not yet that something might 
 be done ; for I should then be in the 
 midst of some that would reverence 
 Argyle." 
 
 But why need I dwell on these 
 melancholious incidents? Next day 
 the Earl resolved to make the attempt 
 to reach Inveraray, and I went with 
 him ; but after the castle of Arkinglass, 
 in the way thither, had been taken, he 
 was obligated, by the appearance of 
 two English frigates which had been 
 sent in pursuit of the expedition, to re- 
 turn to AUengreg, for the main stores 
 and ammunition broughtfrom Holland 
 were lodged in that castle ; tlio ships 
 also were lying there — all whicli, in a 
 manner, were at stake, and no ;.jarri- 
 Bon adequate to defend the same from 
 so great a power. 
 
 On returning to AUengreg, Argyle 
 saw it would be a golden acliievement 
 if, in that juncture, he could master 
 the frigates ; so he ordered bis force, 
 which amounted to about a thousand 
 men, to man the ships and four prizes 
 which he had, together with about 
 thirty cowan boats belonging to his 
 vassals, and to attack the frigates. 
 But in this also he was disappointed, 
 for those who were with him, and 
 wedded to the purpose of going to 
 the liowlands, mutinied against the 
 scheme as too hazardous, and obliged 
 him to give up the attempt, and to 
 leave the castle with a weak and in- 
 capable garrison. 
 
 Accordingly, reluctant, but yield- 
 ing to these blind counsels, after 
 quitting AUengreg, we marched for 
 tlie Lowlands, and at the head of the 
 Gureloch, where we halted, tho garri' 
 
 son which had been left at AUengreg 
 joined us with the disastrous intelli- 
 gence tliat, finding themselves unable 
 to withstand the frigates, they had 
 abandoned all. 
 
 1 was near to Argyle when the 
 news of this was brought to him, and 
 I observed that he said nothing ; but 
 his check faded, and he hastily wrung 
 his hands. 
 
 Having crossed the river Levcn a 
 short way above Dumbarton, without 
 suffering any material molestation, 
 we halted for the night; but as we 
 were setting our watches a party of the 
 Government force appeared, so that, 
 instead of getting any rest after our 
 heavy march, we were obligated to 
 think of again moving. 
 
 The Earl would fain have fought 
 with that force, his numbers being 
 superior, but he was again overruled, 
 so that all we could do was, during 
 the night, leaving our camp-fires 
 burning for a delusion, to make what 
 haste we could toward (Glasgow. 
 
 In this the uncountenanced for- 
 tunes of the expedition were again 
 seen. Our guides in the dark misled 
 us ; so that, instead of being taken to 
 Glasgow, we were, after grievous tra- 
 versing in the moors, landed on the 
 banks of the Clyde near Kilpatrick, 
 where the whole force broke up, Sir 
 John Cochrane, being fey for the 
 West Country, persuading 'nany to 
 go with him over the water, in order 
 to make for the shire of Ayr. 
 
 The Earl, seeing himself thus de- 
 serted, and but few besides those of 
 his own kin left with him, rode about 
 a mile on towards Glasgow, with the 
 intent of taking some rest in the house 
 of one who had been his servant ; but 
 on reaching the door it was shut in 
 his face and barred, and admission 
 peremptorily refused. lie said no- 
 thing, but turned round to us with a 
 smile of such resigned sadness that it 
 brought tears into every eye. 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 221 
 
 Seeing that his fate was coino to 
 such extremity, I proposed to ex- 
 change ch)tho3 with him, that he 
 migiit the better escape, and to con- 
 duct him to the West Country, where, 
 if any chance were yet left, it was to 
 be found there, as Sir John Cochrane 
 had represented. Whereupon he sent 
 his kinsmen to make the best of their 
 way back to the Highlands, to try 
 what could be done among his clan, 
 and, having accepted a portion of my 
 apparel, he went to the ferry-boat 
 with Major FuUarton, and we crossed 
 the water together. 
 
 On landing on the Renfrew side 
 the Earl went forward alone, a little 
 before the Major and me ; but on 
 reaching the ford at luchinnan he 
 was stopped by two soldiers, who laid 
 hands upon him, one on each side, 
 and in the grappling with one of them, 
 the Earl fell to the ground. In a mo- 
 ment, however, his Lordship started 
 up, and got rid of them by presenting 
 his pistols. But five others at the 
 same instant came in siglit, and fired 
 and ran in at liim, and knocked him 
 down with their swords. "^Alas! 
 unfortunate Argyle," I heard him cry 
 as he fell ; and the soldiers were so 
 astonished at having so rudely treated 
 so great a man, tliat tliey stood still 
 witli awe and dropped their swords, 
 and some of them shed tears of sorrow 
 for his fate. 
 
 Seeing what had thus happened, 
 Major Fullarton and I fled and hid 
 ourselves behind a hedge, for we saw 
 another party of troopers coming to- 
 wards the spot, — we heard afterwards 
 that it was Sir Jolin Shaw of Green- 
 ock, with some of the Renfrewshire 
 heritors, by whom the Earl was con- 
 ducted a prisoner to (Jlasgow. But 
 of the dismal indignities, and the 
 degradations to which he was sub- 
 jected, and of his doleful martyrdom, 
 the courteous reader may well spare 
 me the sad recital, as they are recorded 
 
 in all true British histories, and ho 
 will accept for the same those sweet 
 but mournful lines which Argyle in- 
 dited in the dungeon : — 
 
 Thou, passenger, that sbalt have so much 
 
 timo 
 To view my grave, and ask what was my 
 
 crime; 
 No stain of error, no black vice's brand, 
 Was that which chased me from my native 
 
 laud. 
 Love to my country — twice sentenced to 
 
 die — 
 Constrain'd my hands forgotten arms to try. 
 More by friouds' fraud my fall proceeded 
 
 hath 
 Than foes, though now they thrice decreed 
 
 my deatli. 
 On my attempt though Providence did 
 
 frown, 
 IJis oppress'd people God at length shall 
 
 own; 
 Another hand, by more successful speed. 
 Shall raise the remnant, bruise the ser- 
 pent's head. 
 Though my head fall, that is no tragic 
 
 story. 
 Since, going honce, I enter endless glory. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 The news of the fall of Ar^'-ylo was as 
 gladdening wine to the cruel spirit of 
 James Stuart. It Avas treated by him 
 as victory was of old among the con- 
 quering Romans, and he ordained 
 medals of brass and of silver to be 
 made, to commemorate, as a glorious 
 triumph, the deed that was a crime. 
 But ho was not content with such 
 harmless monuments of insensate 
 exultation ; he considered the blow as 
 final to tlie Presbyterian cause, and 
 openly set himself to effect the re- 
 establishment of the idolatrous abomi- 
 nations of the mass and monkrie. 
 
 Tiie Lord Perth and his brother, 
 the Lord Melford, and a black cata- 
 logue of others, whose names, for the 
 fame of Scotland, I would fain expunge 
 with the waters of oblivion, consider* 
 iug Religion as a thing of roy^ regu- 
 
822 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE 
 
 lation, professed themaelvea papisls, 
 and got, as the price of their apostaey 
 and perdition, certain places of jirofit 
 in the (lovernnient. Clouds of the 
 papistical locust were then allured 
 into the land, to eat it up leaf and 
 blade again. Schools to teach chil- 
 dren the deceits, and the frauds, and 
 the sins of the Jesuits, were established 
 even in the palace of Ilolyrood-house ; 
 and the chapel, which had been 
 cleansed in the lime of Queen Mary, 
 was a<,'ain defiled with the pageantries 
 of idolatry. 
 
 But the godlypcoplo of Edinburgh 
 called to mind the pious bravery of 
 their forefathers, and all that they had 
 done in the Reformation ; and they 
 rose, as it were with one accord, and 
 demolished the schools, and purified 
 tlic chapel, even to desolation, and 
 forced the papist priest to abjure his 
 own idols. The old abhorrence of 
 the abominations was revived ; for 
 now it was clearly seen what King 
 Charles and his brother had been 
 seeking, in the relentless persecution 
 which they had so long sanctioned ; 
 and many in consequence, who had 
 supported and obeyed the prelatic 
 apostaey as a thing but of innocent 
 forms, trimbling at the share which 
 they had taken in the guilt of that ag- 
 gression, and their dismay was un- 
 speakable. 
 
 The tyrant, however, soon saw that 
 he had over-counted the degree of the 
 humiliation of the land; and being 
 disturbed by the union which his open 
 papistry was causing among all deno- 
 minations of Protestants, he clianged 
 his mood, and from force resorting to 
 frand, publishing a general toleration, 
 — a device of policy Avhich greatly 
 di-hearttned the prelatic faction ; for 
 they s.iw that they had only laboured 
 to f-trengthen a prerogative, the first 
 effectual exercise of which was directed 
 against themselves, every one discern- 
 ing that the iudulgence was framed to 
 
 give head-rope to the papists. IJut 
 the Covenanters made use of it to 
 advance the cause of the Gofpel, as I 
 shall now proceed to rehearse, as well 
 as how through it I was enabled to 
 perform iny avenging vow. 
 
 Among the exiled Covenanters who 
 returned with Argyle, and with whom 
 1 became acquaaited while with him, 
 was Thomas Ardmillan, when, after 
 my escape at the time when the Earl 
 was taken, I fell in again with at 
 Kirkintilloch, as I was making tho 
 best of my way into the East country, 
 and wo went together to Arbroath, 
 where he embarked for Holland. 
 
 Being then minded to return back 
 to Edinburgh, and to abide again with 
 Mrs Brownlee, in whose house 1 had 
 found a safe asylum, and a convenient 
 place of esjiial, after seeing him ou 
 board the vessel, I also took shipping, 
 and returned to Leith under an assur- 
 ance that I should hear of him from 
 time to time. It was not, however, 
 until the indulgence w.is proclaimed 
 that I heard from him, about which 
 era he wrote to me a most Scriptural 
 letter, by the reverend Mr Patrick 
 Warner, who had received a call from 
 the magistrates and inhabitants of tho 
 covenanted town of Irvine, to tako 
 upon him the ministry of their parish. 
 
 Mr Warner having accepted tho 
 call, on arriving at Leith sent to Mrs 
 Brownlee's tnis letter, with a request 
 that, if I was alive and there, ho 
 would bo glad to see mo in his lodg- 
 ing before departing to tho West 
 country. 
 
 As tho fragrance of Mr Warner's 
 sufferings was sweet among all the 
 true and faithful, I was much regaled 
 with this invitation, and went forth- 
 with to Leith, where I found him in 
 a house that is clad with oyster-shells, 
 in tho Tod's-hole Close. lie was 
 sitting in a fair chamber therein, with 
 that worthy bailie that afterwards was 
 next year, at tho time of tho lievoli;-? 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 223 
 
 tion, Mr Cornelius Ncilsono, and his 
 no less excellent compeer on tlio same 
 great occasion, Mr (Jeorgo Sanisono, 
 both persons of godly repute. !Mr 
 Cheyne, the town-clerk, was likewise 
 
 K resent, a most discreet character; 
 ut being a lawyer by trade, and 
 como of an episcopal stock, he was 
 rather a thouglit, it was said, inclined 
 to the prelatic sect. Divers others, 
 douce and religious characters, were 
 also there, especially Mr Jaddua Fyfe, 
 a merchant of women's gear, then in 
 much renown for his suavity. Mr 
 Warner was relating to them many 
 consolatory things of the worth and 
 piety of the Prince and Princess of 
 Orange, to whom the eyes of all the 
 Protestants, especially of the Presby- 
 terians, were at that time directed. 
 
 " Aye, aye," said Mr Jaddua Fyfe, 
 ♦* nae doot, nae doot, but the Prince 
 is a man of a sweet-smelling odour, — 
 that's in the way of character, — and 
 the Princess; aye, aye, it is well 
 known, that she's a pure snowdrop, 
 and a lily o' the valley in the Lord's 
 garden,— that's in the way of piety." 
 
 "They're the heirs presumptive to 
 the crown," subjoined Mr Cheyne. 
 
 "They're weel entitled to the 
 reverence and respect of us a*," added 
 Mr Cornelius Neilsone. 
 
 "When I first got the call from 
 Irvine," resumed Mr Warner, " that 
 excellent lady, and precious vessel of 
 godliness, the Countess of Sutherland, 
 being then at the Hague, sought my 
 allowance to let the Princess know of 
 my acceptance of the call, and to in- 
 quire if her Highness had any com- 
 mands for Scotland ; and the Princess 
 in a most grncious manner signified 
 to her that the best thing I, and those 
 wlio were like me, could do for her, 
 was to bo earnest in praying that she 
 might be kept firm and faithful in the 
 reformed religion, adding many tender 
 things of her sincere sympathy for the 
 poor peraecuted people of Scotland, 
 
 and recommended tliat 1 should wait 
 on the Prince before taking my depar- 
 ture. I was not, however, forward to 
 thrust myself into such honour; but 
 at last yielding to the" exhortations of 
 my friends, I wont to the house of 
 Mynheer IJentinck, and gave him my 
 name for an audience ; and one nKjrn- 
 ing, about eight of the clock, his ser- 
 vant called for me and took mo to his 
 house, and ho himself conveyed mo 
 into the presence of the Prince, where, 
 leaving me with him, we had a most 
 weighty and edifying conversation." 
 
 " Aye, aye," interposed Mr Jaddua 
 Fyfe, "it was a great thing to con- 
 verse wi' a prince ; and how did he 
 behave himsel, — that's in the way o' 
 manners ? " 
 
 " Ye needna debate, Mr Fyfe,about 
 that," replied Mr Sanisone," the Prince 
 kens what it's to be civil, especially to 
 his friends ; " and 1 tliought, in saying 
 these words, that Mr Samsone looked 
 particular towards me. 
 
 "And what passed?" said the 
 town-clerk, in a way as if he pawkily 
 jealoused something. Mr Warner, 
 however, in his placid and minister- 
 like manner, responded — 
 
 " I told his Highness how I had 
 received the call from Irvine, and 
 thought it my duty to inquire if there 
 was anything wherein I could servo 
 him in Scotland." 
 
 "To this the Prince replied in & 
 benign manner " — 
 
 "Aye, aye," ejaculated !Mr Jaddua 
 Fyfe, "nae doubt it was in a benig- 
 nant ni.-inncr, and in a cordial manner. 
 Aye, aye, ho has nae his ill-wand to 
 seek when a customer's afore the 
 counter, — that's in the way o' busi- 
 ness." 
 
 " ' I understand,' said his High- 
 ness," continued ^Mr Warner, " ' you 
 are called home upon the toleration 
 lately granted ; but I can assure you, 
 that toleration is not granted for any 
 kindnesB to your party, but to favour 
 
224 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZB. 
 
 the piipista, and to divide you atnon^r 
 yoursi'lves; yet I think you nmy bo 
 BO wise as to tiike pood of it, and pre- 
 vent tiie evil tlc'signed, iind, instead 
 of dividinff, come to a better luimiony 
 amoii<,' yourselves wiien you havo 
 liberty to see and meet more freely.' " 
 
 "To which," said Mr Warner, " 1 
 answered, that I heartily wished it 
 might prove so, and tliat nothing 
 would bo wanting on ray part to make 
 it so ; and 1 added, the I'resbyterians 
 in Scotland, Great Sir, are looked 
 upon as a very despicable party ; but 
 those who do so meivsure thorn by 
 the appearance at I'entland and Both- 
 well, as if tho whole power of the 
 Presbyterians had been drawn out 
 there ; but I can assure your Highness 
 that such are greatly mistaken ; for 
 many firm rresbyterians were not 
 satisfied as to the grounds and manner 
 of those risings, and did not join ; 
 and others were borne down by the 
 Persecution. In verity 1 am per- 
 suaded, that if Scotland were left free, 
 of three parts of the people two would 
 be found Presbyterians. We are in- 
 deed a poor persecuted party, and 
 havo none under God to look to for 
 our help and relief but your Highness, 
 on account of that relation you and 
 the Princess have to the crown." 
 
 " Tiiat was going a great length, 
 Mr Warner," said Mr Chcyne, the 
 town-clerk. 
 
 " No a bit, no a bit," cried I ; and 
 ^Ir Jaddua Fyfe gave me an approv- 
 ing gloom, while Mr Warner quietly 
 continued— 
 
 " 1 then urged many things, hoping 
 that the Lord would incline his High- 
 ness' heart to espouse His interest in 
 Scotland, and befriend the persecuted 
 Presbyterians. To which tho Prince 
 replied " — 
 
 " Aye, aye, I like to hear what his 
 Highness said, that's in the way of 
 counselling," said Mr Jaddua Fyfe. 
 
 " The Priace," replied Mr War. 
 
 ncr, "tlien spoke to mo earnestly, 
 saying— 
 
 " ' I havo been educated a Presby- 
 terian, and I hope .>-o to continue ; and 
 I assure you, if over it be in my 
 power, I siiall make the Presbyterian 
 church-government the established 
 church-government of Scotland, and 
 of this you may assure your friends, as 
 in prudence you find it convenient.' " 
 
 Discerning the weight and intima- 
 tion that were in these words, 1 said, 
 when Mr Warner had made an end, 
 that it was a great thing to know 
 the sentiments of the Prince ; for by 
 all signs the time coulil not be far off 
 when we would maybe require to put 
 his assurance and promise to the test. 
 At which words of mine there were 
 many exchanges of gathered brows 
 and significant nods, and Mr Jaddua 
 Fyfe, to whom I was sitting next, 
 slyly pinched mo in the elbow ; all 
 which spoke plainer than elocution, 
 that those present were accorded with 
 mo in opinion ; and I gave inward 
 thanks that such a braird of renewed 
 courage and zeal was beginning to 
 Idtlw* among us. 
 
 Uesides Mr Warner, many other 
 ministers, who had taken refuge in 
 foreign countries, were called liome, 
 and it began openly to be tjviked that 
 King James would to a surety bo set 
 aside, on account of his malversations 
 in the kingly office in England, and 
 the even-down course he was pursuing 
 there, as in Scotland, to abolish all 
 property that tho subjects had in tho 
 ancient laws and charters of the realm. 
 But the thing came to no definite 
 head till that jesuit-contrived device 
 for cutting out the Protestant heirs to 
 the crown was brought to maturity, by 
 palming a man-child upon the nation 
 as the lawful son of the Tyrant and 
 his papistical ^vife. 
 
 In the meantime, I had not been 
 idle in disseminating throughout the 
 laud, by the means of the Came- 
 
RINOAN GILITAIZE. 
 
 Ulllg 
 
 li all 
 the 
 
 talm. 
 
 linito 
 ivice 
 
 Irs to 
 r,by 
 
 lition 
 aud 
 
 )een 
 the 
 
 roiii.ins, a fiiitliful account of what 
 IMr WariRT liiid related of the pious 
 character and Presbyterhin di.sposi- 
 lionH of III I'riuoe of Orange; and 
 tlirough a correspoudenco tliat I 
 o])ened with Tlionias Anhnillan, 
 IMyuheer IJentinck was kept so in- 
 formed of tiie growing affection for 
 his master in Scotland, as so em- 
 boldened tiio Prince, with what he 
 heard of the inclinations of tiie Eng- 
 li.sii people, to prepare a great host 
 and navy for the deliverance of the 
 kingdoms. In tiio midst of these 
 Inunan means and stratagems, the 
 bright right hand of Providence was 
 shiningly visible ; for, by the news of 
 the Prince's preparations, it smote 
 the councils of King James with 
 confusion and a fatal distraction. 
 
 'Ihough he had so alienated the 
 Scottish lieges, that none but the 
 basest of men among us acknowledged 
 liis authority, yet lie summoned all 
 his forces into England, leaving his 
 power to be upheld here by those only 
 wlio were vile enough to wish for the 
 continuance of slavery. Thus was the 
 way cleared for the advent of the de- 
 liverer, and the faithful nobles and 
 gentry of Scotland, as the army was 
 removed, came flocking into Edin- 
 burgh, and the Privy Council, wliich 
 had been so little slack in any crime, 
 durst not molent them, though the 
 purpose of their being there was a 
 treason which the members could not 
 but all well know. Everything, in a 
 word, was now moving onward to a 
 great event ; all in the land was as 
 •when the thaw comes, and the ice is 
 breaking, and the snows melting, and 
 the waters flowing, and the rivers are 
 bursting their frozen fetters, aud the 
 sceptre of winter is broken, and the 
 wreck of his domination is drifting 
 and perishing away. 
 
 To keep the Privy Council in the 
 confusion of the darkness of ignorance, 
 I concerted with many of the Came- 
 
 rouians that they should spread them- 
 selves along the highways, and inter- 
 cept the Government expresses and 
 emissaries, to the end that neither the 
 King's faction in England nor in Scot- 
 laml might kjiow aught of the under- 
 takings of each otlier ; and when 
 Thomas Ardmillan sent me, from 
 Mynheer IJentinck, the Prince's de- 
 claration for Scotland, I hastened 
 into the West Country, that I might 
 exhort the covenanted there to be in 
 readiness, and from the tolbooth stair 
 of Irvine — yea, on the very step where 
 my heart was so pierced by the cries 
 of my son — I was the first in Scotland 
 to publish that glorious pledge of our 
 deliverance. On the same d.ay, at the 
 same hour, the like was done by others 
 of our friends at Glasgow and at Ayr ; 
 and there was shouting, and joy, and 
 thanksgiving, and the magnificent 
 voice of freedom resounded through- 
 out the land, and ennobled all hearts 
 again with bravery. 
 
 When the news of the Prince's 
 landing at Torbay arrived, we felt 
 that liberty was come ; but long op- 
 pression had made many distrustful, 
 and from day to day rumours were 
 spread by the despairing members of 
 the prelatic sect, the breathings of 
 their wishes, that made us doubt 
 whether we ought to band ourselves 
 into any array for warfare. In this 
 state of swithering and incertitude we 
 continued for some time, till I began 
 to grow fearful lest the zeal which had 
 been so rekindled would si^ik and go 
 out if not stirred a^ain in some 
 effectual manner ; so I conferred with 
 Quintin Fullarton, who in all these 
 providences had been art and part 
 with me, from the day of the meeting 
 with Mr Kenwick near Lasswade ; and 
 as the Privy Council, when it was 
 known the Prince had been invited 
 over, had directed beacons to be raised 
 on the tops of many mountains, to be 
 fired as signals of alarm for the King's 
 
226 
 
 RINGAN GTLHAIZE. 
 
 party when tlio Dutcli fleet should bo 
 Boon appi'oaching tiie coast, wo de- 
 vised, as a means for calling fortii the 
 strength and spirit of the Covenant- 
 ers, that we should avail ourselves of 
 their preparations. 
 
 Accordingly we instructed four n- 
 lert young men, of the Cnnieronian 
 societies, severally and unknown to 
 each other, to be iu attendance on the 
 night of the tenth of December, at 
 the beacons on the hills of Knock- 
 dolian, Lowthers, Blacklarg, and 
 Bencairn, that they night fire the 
 same if need or signal should so 
 require, (iuintin Fullarton having 
 undertaken to kindle the one on 
 Mystylaw himself. 
 
 The night was dark, but it was 
 ordained tiiat the air should bo moist 
 and heavy, and in that state when the 
 light of flume spreads farthest. Mean- 
 while fearful reports from Ireland of 
 papistical intents to maintain the 
 cause of King James made the fancies 
 of men awake and full of anxieties. 
 The prelatic curates were also so 
 heartened by those rumours and tid- 
 ings, that they began to recover from 
 the dismay with which the news of 
 the Prince'a landing had overwhelmed 
 them, and to shoot out again the 
 horns of antichristian arrogance. But 
 when, about three hours after sunset, 
 the beacon on the Mistylaw was fired, 
 and when hill after hill was lighted 
 up, the whole country was flUed with 
 such consternation and panic, that I 
 WRS myself smitten wiUi the dread of 
 some terrible consequences. Horse- 
 men passed furiously in all directions 
 — bells were rung, and drums beat- 
 mothers were seen flying with their 
 children they knew not whither — cries 
 and lamentaiiuns echoed on every 
 side. The skies were kindleii' with a 
 red glare, and none could tell where 
 the signal was first shown. Some 
 said the Irish had landed and were 
 buruiiig the towns iu the south, and 
 
 no one knew Avhere to flco from tho 
 unknown and invisible enemy. 
 
 In the meantime, our Covenanters 
 of the West assembled at their tryst- 
 ing place, to the number of more than 
 six thousand armed men, ready and 
 girded for battle, and this appearance 
 was an assurance that no power was 
 then iu all the Lowlands able to gain- 
 say such a force.; and next day, wiieu 
 it was discovered that the alarm had 
 no real cause, it was determined that 
 the prelatic priests should be openly 
 discarded from their parishes. Our 
 vengeance, however, was not meted 
 upon them by the measure of our 
 sufferings, but by the treatment which 
 our own pastors had borne ; and, 
 considering how many of them had 
 acted as spies and accusers against us, 
 it is surprising, that of two hundred, 
 who were banished from the parishes, 
 few received any cause of complaint ; 
 even the poor feckless thing, Andrew 
 Dornock, was decently expelled from 
 the manse of Quharist, on promising 
 he would rover return. 
 
 This riddance of the malignants 
 was the first fruit of the expulsion of 
 James Stuart from tho throne ; but 
 it was not long till we were menaced 
 with new and even greater sufferings 
 than wo had yet endured. For 
 though the tyrant had lied, he had 
 left Claverhouse, under tho title of 
 Viscount Dundee, behind him ; and 
 in the fearless activity of that proud 
 and cruel warrior, there was an en- 
 gine sufficient to have restored iiim to 
 his absolute throne, as I shall now 
 proceed to rehearse. 
 
 The true and faithful of tlie West, 
 being so instructed with respect to 
 their own power and numbers, stood 
 in no reverence of any force that tho 
 remnants of the Tyrant's sect and 
 faction could afford to send against 
 them. I tlioreforo resolved to return 
 to Edinburgh ; for the longing of my 
 grandfather's spirit to see the current 
 
RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 22:7 
 
 and course of public events flowing 
 from their fountain -hcacl, was upon 
 ine, anil I liacl not yet so satisfied the 
 yearnings of justice as to be able to 
 look again on the ashes of my house 
 and the tomb of Sarah Loci)rig and 
 lur daugiiters. Accordingly, soon 
 after the turn of the year 1 went 
 thitlicr, where 1 found all things in 
 uncertainty and conunotion. 
 
 (;iaveriiou.sc, or, as he was now 
 titled, Lord Dundee, with tliat scorn 
 of public opinion and defect of all 
 principle, save only a canine fidelity, 
 a dog's love, to his papistical master, 
 domineered with his dragoons, as if 
 he himself had been regnant monarch 
 of Scotland ; and it was plain and 
 probable, that unless he was soon 
 bridled, he would speedily act upon 
 the wider stage of the kingdom the 
 same Mahound-like part which he had 
 played in the jirenticeship of his 
 cruelties of the shire of Ayr. The 
 peril, indeed, from his courage and 
 activity, was made to me very evident, 
 by a conversation that 1 had with one 
 ])avid ^lidiUeton, who had come from 
 Englimd on some business of the 
 Jacobites there, in connection with 
 Dundee. 
 
 Providence led mo to fall in with 
 this person one morning, as we were 
 standing among a crowd of other 
 onlookers, seeing Claverhouso review- 
 ing his men iu the front court of 
 Holyrood-house. I happened to re- 
 mark, for in sooth it must be so 
 owned, that the Viscount had a brave 
 though a proud look, and that his 
 voice had the manliness of one or- 
 dained to command, 
 
 " Yes,'" replied David IMiddleton, 
 "he's a born soldier, and if the King 
 is to be restored, he is the man that 
 will do it. When his Majes'v was at 
 liochester, Ix^fore going to France, 1 
 was there with my master, and being 
 called iu to mend the fire, I heard 
 Dundee aud my Lord, thcu with the 
 
 King, discoursing concerning tho 
 royal affairs. 
 
 " ' The question,' said Lord Dun- 
 dee to his ^lajesty, ' is, whether you 
 shall stay in England or go to France? 
 My opinion, sir, is, that you should 
 stay in England, make your stand 
 here, and sunnnon your subjects to 
 your allegiance. 'Tis true, you have 
 disbanded your army, but give mc 
 leave, and 1 will undertake to get ten 
 thousand men of it together, and 
 march through all England with your 
 standard at their head, and drive tho 
 Dutch before you ; ' and," added 
 David Middleton, " let him have time, 
 and 1 doubt not, that, even without 
 the King's leave, he will do as much." 
 
 "Whether the man in this did brag 
 of a knowledge that he had not, tho 
 story seemed so likely, that it could 
 scarcely be questioned ; so I con- 
 sultetl with my faithful friend and 
 companion, (^uintin Fidlarton, and 
 other men of weight among the 
 Camerouians ; and we agreed, that 
 those of the societies who were scat- 
 tered along the borders to intercept 
 the correspondence between tiie Eng- 
 lisii and Scottish Jacobites, should bo 
 called into Edinburgh to daunt tho 
 rampageous insolence of Claverhouso. 
 
 This was done accordingly ; and 
 from the day that they began to ap- 
 pear iu the streets, the bravery of 
 those who were with him seemed to 
 slacken. Rut still he carried himself 
 as boldly as ever, and persuaded the 
 Duke of Gordon, then governor of 
 the castle, not to surrender, nor obey 
 any mandate from the Convention of 
 the States, by whom, in that inter- 
 regnum, the rule of the kingdom wa=i 
 exercised. Still, however, the Came 
 ronians were coming in, and their 
 numbers became so manifest, tliatthe 
 dragoons Avere backward to show 
 themselves. Dut their commander 
 affected not to value us, till one day 
 a singular thing took place, which, iu 
 
 
228 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 its issues, ended the overawing inllu- 
 enco of his presence in Edinburgh. 
 
 I happened to be standing with 
 Qiiintin FuUurton, and some four or 
 five otiier Camoronians, at an entry- 
 moutli forenent tiie Canongate-cro^s, 
 •wlion Claverhouse, and that tool of 
 tjM-anny, Sir George Mackenzie the 
 advocate, were coming up from the 
 pahice ; and as tliey passed, tiie Vis- 
 count looked hard at me, and said to 
 Sir George — 
 
 " I have somewhere seen tliat 
 doure cur before." 
 
 Sir George turned round also to 
 look, and I said — 
 
 ■'It's true, Claverhouse, — we mot 
 at Driiniclog ; " and I toui:hed my arm 
 that he liad wounded there, adding, 
 " and the blood shed that day has not 
 yet been paid for." 
 
 At tliese words ho made a rush 
 upon me witii his sword, but my 
 friends were nimbler with tlieirs ; 
 and Sir George INIackcnzie interpos- 
 ing, drew him off, and they went 
 away together. 
 
 The affair, however, ended not 
 here. Sir George, with the subtlety 
 of a lawyer, tried to turn it to some 
 account, and making a great ado of it, 
 as a design to assassinate I^ord Dundee 
 r- 'l himself, tried to get the Conven- 
 tion to order all strangers to remove 
 from the town. This, however, Avas 
 refused ; so that Claverhouse, seeing 
 how the spirit of the times was going 
 among the membo'-s, and tlie boldness 
 with which tlie Presbyterians and tlie 
 Covenanters were daily bearding his 
 arrogance, withdrew with his dragoons 
 from the city, and made for Stirling. 
 
 In tills retreat from P'dinburgh lie 
 blow the trumpet of civil war ; but in 
 less than two iioursfrom the signal, a 
 regiment of eiglit liundred Came- 
 ronians wns arrayed in tlie High 
 Street. The son of Argyle, who iiad 
 taken his seat in the Convention as a 
 peer, eoou after gathered three liuu- 
 
 dred of the Campbells, and the safety 
 of Scotland now seemed to be secured 
 by the arrival of Mackay witli three 
 Scotch regiments, tlien in tlie Dutch 
 service, and which tlie Prince of 
 Orange had brought with him to 
 Torbay. 
 
 By the retreat of Claverhouse the 
 Jacobite party in Elinburfrh were 
 so disheartened, and any endeavour 
 wliich they afterwards made to rally 
 was so crazed witli consternation, 
 that it was plain the scejitre had de- 
 parted from their master. The capacity 
 as well as the jiower for any effectual 
 action was indeed evidently taken 
 from them, and the ploughshare was 
 driven over the ruins of their cause on 
 the ever-memorable eleventh day of 
 Ajiril, when William and Mary were 
 proclaimed King and (iueen. 
 
 But though thus the oppressor waa 
 cact down from his throne, and though 
 thus, in Scotland, the chief agents in 
 the work of deliverance were the out- 
 lawed Cameronians, as instructed by 
 me, the victory could not be complete, 
 nor the trophies hung up in the hall, 
 while the Tyrant possessed an instru- 
 ment of such edge and temper as 
 Claverhouse. As for myself, I felfc 
 that wliile the homicide lived the debt 
 of justice and of blood due to my 
 martyred family could never be satis- 
 fied ; and I heard of his passing from 
 Stirling into the Highlands, and the 
 wonders he was working for tlio 
 .Jacobite cause there, as if nothing 
 had yet been achieved toward the ful- 
 filment of my avenging vow. 
 
 CIIAPTEPv XXXI. 
 
 Wm:\ Claverhouse left Stirbi..r, iio 
 had but sixty lior.se. :n little '.I'.nro 
 tiiaii a month he was at the he-.-l [ 
 seventeen iiundred men. He obtained 
 reinforcements from Ireland. The 
 Macdoualds, aud tho Camerons, and 
 
TT 
 
 ll 
 
 HINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 229 
 
 «■■■■ 
 
 tlie Gordons, were all his. A vassal 
 of tlio Alarquis of Athol had declared 
 for iiim even in the castle of Blair, 
 and defended it against the clan of 
 liis master. An event still more 
 stiange was produced by the spell of 
 his presence, — the clansmen of Athol 
 deserted their cliief, and joined his 
 standard. lie kindled the hills in his 
 cause, and all the life of the North 
 was gathering around him. 
 
 Mackay, with the Covenanters, the 
 regiments from Holland, and the 
 Cameronians, went from Perth to op- 
 pose his entrance into the Lowlands. 
 The minds of men were suspended. 
 Should he defeat Al.ackay, it was plain 
 that the crown would soon be restored 
 to James Stuart, and the woes of 
 Scotland come again. 
 
 In tliat dismal juncture I was alone ; 
 for (iuintin Fullarton, with all the 
 Cameronians, was with INIackay. 
 
 I was an old man, verging on 
 threescore. 
 
 I went to and fro in the streets 
 of Edinburgh all day long, inquiring 
 of every stranger the news ; and every 
 ansAver that I got was some new 
 triumph of Dundee. 
 
 No sleej) came to my burning 
 ^.lillow, or if indeed my eyelids for 
 very weariness fell down, it was only 
 that 1 might suffer the stings of 
 an.xi'ly in some sharper form; for 
 my drrams were of llames kindling 
 around me, through which I saw be- 
 hind tiie proud and exulting visage of 
 Dundee. 
 
 Sometimes in the deptlis of tlie 
 night I rushed into the street, and I 
 listened with greedy ears, tliinking I 
 heard the trampling of dragoons and 
 the heavy wheels of cannon ; and 
 often in the day, when I saw three or 
 four persons speaking together, I ran 
 towards them, and broke in upon their 
 discourse with some wild interrogation 
 that made them answer mo with pity. 
 
 liut tho haste and frenzy of thia 
 
 alarm suddenly changed : I felt that 
 I was a chosen instrument : I thought 
 that the ruin which had fallen on me 
 and mine was assuredly some great 
 mystery of Providence : I remembered 
 the prophecy of my grandfather, that 
 a task was in store for me, though I 
 knew not what it was ; I forgot my old 
 age and my infirmities ; I hastened to 
 my chamber; I put money in my 
 purse ; I spoke to no one ; I bought a 
 carabine ; and I set out alone to re- 
 inforce Mackay. 
 
 As I passed down the street, and 
 out at the \\'est Port, I saw the people 
 stop and look at me with silence and 
 wonder. As I went along the road, 
 several that were passing inquired 
 where I was going so fast? but I 
 waved my hand and hurried by. 
 
 I reached the (iueensferry without, 
 as it were, drawing breath. I em- 
 barked ; and when the boat arrived at 
 the northern side I had fallen asleep ; 
 and the ferryman, in compassion, al- 
 lowed me to slumber unmolested. 
 AVhen I awoke I felt myself refreshed. 
 I leapt on shore, and went again im- 
 patiently on. 
 
 I>ut my mind was then somewhat 
 calmer; and when I reached Kinross 
 I bought a little broad, and retiring to 
 the briuk of the lake, dipped it in tho 
 water, and it was a savoury repast. 
 
 As I approached the Brigg of 
 Earn I felt age in my limbs, and 
 though the spirit was willing, the body 
 could n(it ; and I sat down, find I 
 mourned that I was so frail and so 
 feeble. But a marvellous vigour was 
 soon again given to me, and 1 rose 
 refreshed from my resting place on 
 the wall of the bridge, and the same 
 night 1 reached Pertli. I sto[)j)ed iu 
 a stabler's till the n'orning. At break 
 of day, having hired a horse from him, 
 L hastened forward to Dunkeld, Avhero 
 he told me Alaokay liad encamped tiio 
 day before, on his way to defend tho 
 pass of Killicrankie. 
 
230 
 
 RINGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 •iver, 
 p of 
 f liad 
 iMackay 
 
 The road was throntyed -with 
 •u'onieii and children flocking into 
 rortli in terror of the Iliglilanders, 
 but I heeded them not. I had but 
 one thought, and tliat was to reach 
 the scene of war and C ' '(.'•house. 
 
 On arriving at the 1( • 
 the field in front of the 
 Dunkeld's house, where the 
 been encamped, was empty. 
 had marched towards Blair- Athol, to 
 drive Dundee and the Iligldanders, 
 if possible, back into the glens and 
 mosses of the North ; for he had learnt 
 that his own force greatly exceeded 
 his adversary's. 
 
 On hearing this, and my horse 
 being in need of bating, I halted at 
 the ferry-house before crossing the 
 Tay, assured by the boatman that I 
 should be able to overtake the army 
 long before it could reach the nieet- 
 ing of ihe Tummel and the Gary. 
 And so it proved ; for, as I came to 
 that turn of the road where the Tum- 
 mel pours its roaring waters into the 
 Tay, I heard the echoing of a trumjiet 
 among the mountains, and soon after 
 saw the army winding its toilsome 
 course along the river's brink, slowly 
 and heavily, fis the chariots of Pliaroah 
 laboured through the sands of the 
 IJe.sert, and the appearance of the long 
 array was as the many-coloured woods 
 that skirt the rivers in autumn. 
 
 On the right hand, hills, and rocks, 
 and trees rose like the ruin?* of the 
 ramparts of some ancient world, and 
 I thought of the epochs when the days 
 of the children of men were a thousand 
 years, and when giants were on the 
 earth, and all were swept away by the 
 flood, an<l I ftlt as if I beheld the 
 hand of the Lord in the cloiul weigh- 
 ing the things of time in His scales, 
 to see if the sins of the world were 
 indeed become again so great as that 
 the cause of (Jlaverhouso should bo 
 suffered to prevail. For my spirit was 
 as a flame that blazcth iu tho wind, 
 
 and my thoughts as the sparks that 
 shoot and soar for a moment towards 
 the skies Avith a glorious splendour, 
 and drop down upon the earth iu 
 ashes. 
 
 General Mackay halted the host on 
 a spacious green plain which lies at 
 the meeting of the Tummel and the 
 Gary, and which the Highlander.^ call 
 Faseali, because, as the name in their 
 tongue signifies, no trees are growing 
 thereon. This place is the threshold 
 of the Pass of KiUicrankie, through 
 the dark and woody chasms of which 
 the impatient waters of the Gary come 
 with hoarse and wrathful mutterings 
 and murmurs. The hills and moun- 
 tains around are built up in more 
 olden and antic forms than tliose of 
 our Lowland parts, and a wild and 
 strange solemnity is mingled there 
 with much fantastical beauty, as if, 
 according to the minstreli^y of ancient 
 times, sullen wizards and gamesome 
 fairies had joined their arts and spells 
 to make a common dwelling-place. 
 
 As the soldiers spread themselves 
 over the green bosom of Faseali, and 
 piled their arms and furled their ban- 
 ners, and laid their drums on the 
 ground, and led their horses to the 
 river, the General sent forward a scout 
 through the Pass to discover the move- 
 ments of Claverhouse, having heard 
 that he was coming from the castle of 
 Blair-Athol, to prevent his entrance 
 into the Highlands. 
 
 The ollicer sent to make the e?]-)ial 
 had not been gone above half an hour 
 when he came back in great liastc> to 
 tell that the Highlanders were on the 
 brow of a hill above the house of llin- 
 rorie, and that unless the Pass was 
 immediately taken possession of, it 
 would be mastered by Claverhouse 
 that night. 
 
 Mackay, at this news, ordered tho 
 trumpets to sound, and as the echoes 
 multiplied and repeated the alarum, it 
 was aa if nil the spirits of tho hills 
 
 r 
 
niNGAN GILHAIZE. 
 
 231 
 
 called tho men to arms. Tho soldiers 
 looked around as they formed tlicir 
 ranks, listeniiiff with delight and won- 
 der at tho universal bravery, and I 
 thought of the sight, which Elisha 
 the prophet gave to tho young man 
 at Dothan, of the mountains covered 
 with horses and cliariots of fire for 
 Jiis defence against tlie iiost of tlie 
 King of Syria, and I went forward 
 with tho confidence of assured victory. 
 As wc issued forth from tho Pass 
 into tho wide country, extending to- 
 wards Ludc and. Blair-Athol, we saw, 
 as the ofiicer had reported, the High- 
 land hosts of Claverliouse arrayed 
 along the lofty brow of the mountain, 
 above the house of llinrorie, their 
 
 f)lai(l3 waving in tho breezo on the 
 lill, and their arms glittering in the 
 sun. 
 
 ^Mackay directed tlie troops, at 
 crossing a raging brook called Girnaig, 
 to keep along a fiat of Imd above the 
 house of llinrorio, and to form, in 
 order of battle, on tlio field beyond 
 tile garden, and under the hill v. lare 
 tho Highlanders were posted ; tho 
 baggage and camp equipages, ho at 
 tho same time ordered down into a 
 plain that lies between the bank on 
 the crown of whicli the house stands 
 and the river Gary. An ancient 
 monunieutal stone in the middle of 
 tho lower plain shows, that in some 
 earlier age a battle had been fought 
 there, and that some warrior of might 
 and fame had fallen. 
 
 In taking his ground on that ele- 
 vated sliolf of land, IMackay was 
 minded to stretch liis left wing to in- 
 toreept the return of tho lligldanders 
 towanla r>lair, atul, if po«sibIo, oblige 
 tliem to enter tho I'ass of Killicrankie, 
 by wl)ich ho would liavo cut thoni off 
 from tlieir resoiirces in the iS'ortli, 
 and so periiajis mastered tiiem with- 
 out any great slaugliter. 
 
 lint Claverhouse discerned the in- 
 tent of his movement, and before our 
 
 covenanted host had formed their 
 array, it was evident that ho was pre- 
 paring to descend ; and as a foretaste 
 of the vehemence wherewith tho 
 Highlanders were coming, we saw 
 them rolling large stones to the brow 
 of the hill. 
 
 In the meantime the house of 
 Rinrorie having been deserted by the 
 family, the lady, with her children 
 and maidens, had fled to Lude or 
 Struan, Mackay ordered a party to 
 take possession of it, and to post 
 themselves at the windows which look 
 up the hill. I was among tiiose who 
 went into the house, and my station 
 was at the eastermost window, in a 
 small chamber which is entered by 
 two doors, — the one opening from 
 the stair-head, and the other from tho 
 drawing-room. In this situation wo 
 could see but little of tho distribution 
 of the army or tlie positions tliat 
 Mackay was taking, for our view was 
 cont ed to the face of the hill whereon 
 tho Highlanders were busily prejiaring 
 for their descent. But I saw Claver- 
 house on horseback riding to and fro, 
 and plainly iuflaniing their valour with 
 many a courageous gesture; and as* 
 he turned and winded his prancing 
 war-horse, his breastplate blazed to 
 the setting sun like a beacon on the 
 hill. 
 
 When he had seemingly concluded 
 his exhortation, the Highlanders 
 stooped forward, .and hurled down tho 
 rocks which they had gathered for 
 their forerunners; and wliilo the 
 stones came leaping and bounding 
 with a noiso like thundor, tho men 
 followed in thick and separate bands, 
 and Mackay gave the signal to com- 
 mence firing. 
 
 Wc Haw from the windows many 
 of the Highlanders, at the first volley, 
 stagger and fall, but the others came 
 furiously down ; and before tho sol- 
 diers had time to stick their bayonet'^ 
 into their guns, tho broad swords of 
 
232 
 
 RING AN GILHATZE. 
 
 the Clansmen hewed hundreds to the 
 ground. 
 
 Within a few minutes the battle 
 was general between the two arniios ; 
 but the smoke of the firing involved 
 all the field, and we could see nothing 
 from the windows. The ecb.oes of 
 the mountains raged with the din, and 
 the sounds were multiplied by them 
 in so many diflfereut places, that we 
 could not tell wliere the fight was 
 hottest. The whole country around 
 resounded as with the uproar of a 
 universal battle. 
 
 I felt the passion of my spirit 
 return; I could no longer restrain 
 myself, nor remain where I was. 
 Snatching up my carabine, T left my 
 actionless post at the window, and 
 hurried down stairs, and out of tlie 
 house. I saw by the flashes through 
 the smoke, that t!ie firing was fpread- 
 ing down into the plain where the 
 baggage was stationed, and by this I 
 knew that there was some movement 
 in the battle; but whether tlie High- 
 landers or the Covenanters were shift- 
 ing their ground, I could not discover, 
 for tiie valley was filled with smoke, 
 and it was only at times that a sword, 
 like a glance of liglitning, could be 
 seen in the cloud wherein tlie thun- 
 ders and tempest of the conflict were 
 raging. 
 
 As I stood on the brow of the 
 bank in front of llinrorie-house, a 
 gentle breathing of the evening air 
 turned the smoke like the travelling 
 mist of the hills, and opening it here 
 and there, I had glimpses of tlie 
 fighting. Sometimes 1 saw the High- 
 landers driving the Covenanters down 
 the steep, and sometimes I beheld them 
 in their turn on the ground endea- 
 vouring to protect their unbonneted 
 heads with their targets, but to whom 
 the victory was to l3e given I could 
 discern no sign ; and I said to myself, 
 the priz" at hazard is the liberty of the 
 land and the Lord ; surely it shall not 
 
 be permitted to the champion of 
 bondage to prevail. 
 
 A stronger breathing of the g<ale 
 came rushing along, and the skirts of 
 the smoke where the bafrgage stood 
 were blown aside, and 1 beiield many 
 of the Highlanders among the waggor.s 
 plundering and tearing. Then 1 heard 
 a great shouting on the right, and 
 looking that Avay, I saw the children 
 of the Covenant fleeing in remnants 
 across the lower plain, and making 
 towards the river. Presently I also 
 saw Mackay with two regiments, all 
 that kept the order of discipline, also 
 in the plain. He had lost the battle. 
 Claverhouse had won ; and tho 
 scattered firing, Avliich was continued 
 by a few, was to my ears as the rivet- 
 ting of the shackles on the arms of 
 poor Scotland for ever. My grief was 
 unspeakable. 
 
 I ran to and fro on tho brow of 
 the hill — and I stamped with my feet 
 — and I beat my breast — and I rubbeil 
 my hands with the frenzy of despair 
 — and 1 threw myself on the ground 
 — and all the sufferings of which I 
 have written returned njion me — and 
 1 started up and I cried aloud tho 
 blasphemy of the fool, "There is no 
 God." 
 
 But scarcely had the dreadful words 
 escaped my profane lips, when I heard, 
 as it were, tlumders in the heavens, 
 and the voice of an oracle crying in 
 the ears of my soul, ''The victory of 
 this (lay is given into thy hands ! " 
 and strange wonder and awe fell upon 
 me, and a mighty spirit entered into 
 mine, and I felt as if I was in that 
 moment clothed with the armour of 
 divine might. 
 
 I took up my carabine, which in 
 these trans])orts had fallen from my 
 hand, and 1 went round the gable of 
 the house into llie garden— ami I saw 
 Claverhouse with several of his ollicers 
 coming along the ground by which 
 our hosts had marched to their posi- 
 
RINGAN GILHATZE. 
 
 233 
 
 auon turning 
 
 tion — and ever and 
 round and exhorting his men to follow 
 hirn. It was evident ho was making 
 for the Pass to intercept our scattered 
 fugitives frona escaping that way. 
 
 The garden in which I then stood 
 was surrounded by a low wall. A 
 small goose-pool lay on tiio outside, 
 between which and the garden I per- 
 ceived that Claverliouse would pass. 
 
 I prepared my Hint and examined 
 my fire-lock, and I walked towards 
 the top of the garden with a firm step. 
 The ground was buoyant to my tread, 
 and the vigour of youth was renewed 
 in my aged limbs : I thought that 
 those for whom 1 had so mourned 
 walked before me — that they smiled 
 and beckoned me to come on, and 
 that a glorious light shone around 
 me. 
 
 Claverhouse was coming forward — 
 several officers were near him, but liis 
 men were still a little behind, and 
 seemed inclined to go down the hill, 
 and he chided at their reluctance. I 
 rested my carabine on the garden-wall. 
 I bent my knee and knelt upon the 
 ground. I aimed and fired, — but 
 when the smoke cleared away I be- 
 held the oppressor still proudly on 
 his war-horse. 
 
 I loaded again, again I knelt, and 
 again rested my carabine upon the 
 wall, and fired a second time, and was 
 again disappointed. 
 
 Then 1 remembered that 1 had not 
 implored the help of Heaven, and I 
 prepared for the third time, and when 
 all was ready, and Claverhouse was 
 coming forward, I took off my bon- 
 net, .and kneeling with the gun in my 
 hand, cried, '' liOrd, reiiiembur David 
 and all his aiUictions ; " and hav- 
 ing so prayed, 1 took aim as I knelt, 
 and Claverliouse raising his arm in 
 connnand, I lired. In the same mo- 
 ment I looked up, and there was a 
 
 vision in the air as if all the angels of 
 brightness, and tho martyrs in their 
 vestments of glory, were assembled on 
 the walls and battlements of heaven 
 to witness the event, — and I started 
 up and cried, "I have delivered my 
 native land ! " But in the same in- 
 stant I remembered to whom the 
 glory was duo, and falling again on 
 my knees, I raised my hands and 
 bowed my h-jad as I said, "Not 
 mine, O Lord, but thine is the vic- 
 tory 1 " 
 
 When tho smoke rolled away I 
 belield Claverhouse in the arms of his 
 oflicers, sinking from his horse, and 
 the blood flowing from a Avouud be- 
 tween the breast-plate and the arm- 
 pit. The same night he was sum- 
 moned te the audit of his crimes. 
 
 It was not observed by the officers 
 from what quarter the summoning 
 bolt of justice came, but thinking ic 
 was from the house, every window 
 was instantly attacked, while I delibe- 
 rately retired from the spot, — and, 
 till the protection of the darkness 
 enabled me to make my escape across 
 the (jary, and over the hills in the 
 direction I saw Mackay and the rem- 
 nants of the flock taking, I concealed 
 myself among the bushes and rocks 
 that overhung tho violent stream of 
 the Girnaig. 
 
 Thus was my avenging vow ful- 
 filled, — and thus was my native land 
 delivered from bondage. For a time 
 yet there may be rumours and blood- 
 siied, but they will prove as the wreck 
 which the waves roll to the shore 
 after a tempest. The fortunes of tho 
 papistical Stuarts are foundered for- 
 ever. Never again in this land shall 
 any king, of his own caprice and pre- 
 rogative, dare to violate the conscience 
 of the pi'ople. 
 
 Qtt/iaviit, 5lh Xovember, 1000, 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 i 
 
 It does not seem to be, aa yet, very 
 generally understood by the critics in 
 the South, that, independently of 
 phraseology, there is such an idiomatic 
 difference in the structure of the 
 national dialects of England and Scot- 
 land, that very good Scotch might be 
 couched in the purest English terms, 
 mid without the employment of a 
 single Scottish word. 
 
 In reviewing the Memoirs of that 
 worshipful personage. Provost Pawkie, 
 some objection has been made to the 
 style, as being neither Scotch nor 
 English, — not Scotch, because the 
 words are English, — and not English, 
 because the forms of speech are 
 Scottish. What has been thus re- 
 garded as a fault by some, others 
 acquainted with the peculiarities of 
 tho language may be led to consider 
 OS a beauty. 
 
 But however proper the Scottish 
 dialect may have been in a composi- 
 tion so local as "The Provost," it 
 may be urged, that, in a work like the 
 present, Avbcre something of a histori- 
 cal character is attempted, the English 
 language would have been a more 
 dignified vehicle. Why it should be 
 BO is not very obvious ; at all events, 
 the Author thinks the style he has 
 adopted, in expressing sentiments and 
 feelings entirely Scottish, ought not 
 to be objected to in point of good 
 taste. Should the objection, how- 
 ever, be made, he has an answer 
 in tho words of tho celebrated 
 Titian :~ 
 
 It happened one day, says Antonio 
 Perez in his Memoirs, that Francisco 
 de Vargas, ambassador from Charles 
 V. to the Republic of Venice, remon- 
 strated with the paihter against hia 
 broad and coarse pencilling, so unlike 
 tho delicate touches of the great 
 artists of that time: — "Senor," re- 
 plied Titian, " yo desconfi^ de llegar 
 k la delicadeza y primor del pinzel do 
 Michael Angelo, Urbino, Corregio, y 
 Parmisano, y que quando bien llegasse, 
 seria. estimado tras ellos, 6 tenido por 
 imitador dellos ; y la ambi9ion natural, 
 no menos a mi Arte que i\ las otras, 
 me hizo echar por camino nuevo, quo 
 me hi.^iesso 9elebre en algo, como 
 los otros lo fueron por el que sig- 
 nieron." 
 
 Another misconception also pre- 
 vails in the South, witn respect to tho 
 Scottish political character. From 
 the time of the North Briton of the 
 unprincipled Wilkes, a notion has 
 been entertained that the moral spine 
 in Scotland is more flexible than in 
 England. The truth, however, is that 
 an elementary difference exists in tho 
 public feelings of the two nations 
 quite as great as in the idioms of their 
 respective dialects. The English are 
 a justice -loving people, according to 
 charter and statute ; the Scotch are A 
 wrong-resenting race, according to 
 right and feeling; and the character 
 of liberty among them takes ita Aspect 
 from that peculiarity. 
 
 Colonel Stewart, in his curious and 
 complete work oa the Highlands, haA 
 
236 
 
 POSTSCrlPT. 
 
 shown, that even tlie clans, among 
 whom tlie doctnuos and affections of 
 hereditary rigiit i\rc still cherished 
 more than ever they were ia England 
 at any period, hold themselves free to 
 change their chieftains. It is so with 
 the nation in general. Monarchy is 
 an indestructible principle in our 
 notions of civil government; and 
 though we anciently exercised tlie 
 right of changing our kings pretty 
 freely, Cromwell found it necessary 
 to overrun the kingdom with an army 
 to obtain the grudged acquiescence 
 which was yielded to the Anglo-lie - 
 publican phantasy of his time, liut 
 in our natural attachment to monarchy 
 and its various gradations, and in the 
 homages which we in consequence 
 freely perform, it does not follow that 
 there should be any unmanly humility. 
 On the contrary, servile loyalty is 
 comparatively rare among us, and it 
 
 was in England that the Stuarts first 
 PArj'.i) to hroai'h the doctrine of the 
 divine rigiit of kings. 
 
 Tlie two most important public 
 documents extant show the diffiTcnco 
 between the national character of the 
 Scotch and of the Englisli people iu 
 a very striking light. In dictatiiig 
 Magna Charta to the tyrant John, the 
 English barons implied, that if he ob- 
 served the conditions, they would obey 
 him in all things else. lUit the Scot- 
 tish nobles, in their Kemonstrance to 
 the Pope, declared, that they con- 
 sidered even their great and glorious 
 Robert Bruce to be on his good be- 
 haviour. 
 
 The Kemonstraucc not being gen- 
 erally known, a translation is subjoin- 
 ed, of the time of llingan Gilhiiize — 
 the sacred original ia in the llegister 
 Office. 
 
 TRANSLATION. 
 
 To our most holy Father in Christ, 
 and our Lord, John, by the divine 
 providence, Chief Bishop of the most 
 Holy Roman and Universal Church, 
 your humble and devoted sons, Dun- 
 can Earl of Fyfe, Thomas Randolph 
 Earl of Murray, Lord Mannia and 
 Annandale, Patrick do Dumbar Earl 
 of March, Malisius Earl of Strathern, 
 Malcolm Earl of Lennox, William 
 Earl of Ross, Magnus Earl of Caith- 
 ness and Orkney, William Earl of 
 Sutherland, Walter Steward of Scot- 
 land, William de Soulcs Buttelarius 
 of Scotland, James Lord Douglas, 
 Roger de Mowbray, David Lord Bre- 
 chin, David de Grahame, Ingleramus 
 de Umfraville, John de Monteith 
 Warder of the county of Monteith, 
 
 Alexander Frazer, Gilbert de Hay 
 Constable of Scotlaml, Robert de 
 Keith ^Marishal of Scotland, Mcnry 
 de Sancto Claro, John de Graham, 
 David do Lyndsay, AVilliam Oliphant, 
 Patrick de Graham, John de Fenton, 
 William de Abernetliie, David do 
 Weyms, William de Monto fixo, 
 Fergus de Ai'drossan. Eustachius de 
 Maxwcl, William de RaniSiiy, William 
 de Monte-alto, Allan de Murray, 
 Donald Campbel, John Camburn, 
 Reginald le Chone, Alexander de 
 Seton, Andrew de Lescelyuo, and 
 Alexander Straton, and the rest of the 
 Barons and Freeholders, and whole 
 Community, or Commons of tho 
 kingdom of Scotland, send all man- 
 ner of Filial Reverence, with devout 
 
 stocl 
 strain 
 Ti 
 these 
 rcniai 
 ation 
 evide 
 of 
 after 
 honoi 
 (thou 
 of th 
 most 
 Savio 
 tho 
 instn; 
 Apos 
 or t 
 
rOSTSCRIPT. 
 
 237 
 
 kisses of your blessed and happy 
 feet. 
 
 Most holy Father and Lord, we 
 know and gather from ancient Acts 
 and Records, that in every famous 
 nation, this of Scotland hath been 
 celebratwith many praises: this nation 
 haviuf^ conio from Scytliia tlie greater, 
 tlirough the Tuscan Sea, and by Her- 
 cules Pillars, and having for many 
 ages taken its residence in Spain in 
 the midst of a most fierce people, 
 could never bo brought in subjection 
 by any i)Cople, how barbarous soever : 
 and having removed from those parts, 
 above 1200 years after the coming of 
 the Israelites out of Egypt, did by 
 many victories and much toil, obtain 
 the parts in the West, which they 
 still possess, having expelled the 
 Uritous, and intirely rooted out the 
 Picts, notwithstanding of the fre- 
 quent assaults and invasions they 
 met witli from the Norwegians, 
 Danes, and English ; and these parts 
 and possessions they have always 
 retained free from all manner of 
 aervitudc, and subjection, aa ancient 
 histories do witness. 
 
 This kingdom hath been govern'd 
 by an uninterrupted succession of 113 
 kings, all of our own native and royal 
 stock, without the intervening of any 
 stranger. 
 
 Tlie true nobility and merits of 
 these our princes and people arc very 
 remarkable, from this one consider- 
 ation, (tho' there were no other 
 evidence for it,) that the King 
 of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 after his passion and resurrection, 
 honoured them as it wore the first 
 (though living in the utmost ends 
 of the earth,) with a call to his 
 most iioly Faith : neither would our 
 Saviour have them confirmed in 
 the Christian Faith, by any other 
 instrument than his own first 
 Apostle (tho' in order tho second 
 or third,) St Andrew, the most 
 
 worthy brother of the blessed Peter, 
 whom he would always have to 
 be over us, as our patron or pro- 
 tector. 
 
 Upon the weighty consideration of 
 these things, tiie most holy Fathers 
 your predecessors did, with many 
 great and singular favours and pri- 
 vileges, fence and secure tliis king- 
 dom and people, as being the 
 peculiar charge and care of the 
 brother of St Peter; so that our 
 nation hath hitherto lived in free- 
 dom and quietness under their pro- 
 tection, till the magnificent King 
 Edward, father to the present king of 
 England, did under the colour of 
 friendship, and allyance, or coufedera- 
 cie, with innumerable oppressions, 
 infest us who minded no fraud or 
 deceit, at a time when we were with- 
 out a king or head, and when tho 
 people were unacquainted with wars 
 and invasions. It is impossible for 
 any whose own experience hath not 
 informed him to describe, or fully to 
 understand, the injuries, blood, and 
 violence, the depredations and fire, 
 the imprisonments of prelates, tho 
 burning, slaughter, and robberie com- 
 mitted upon holy persons and religious 
 houses, and a vast multitude c other 
 barbarities, which that king execute 
 on this people, without sparing of any 
 sex, or age, religion, or order of men 
 whatsoever. 
 
 But at length it pleased God, who 
 only can heal .if ter wounds, to restore 
 us to libertie, from these innumerable 
 calamities, by our most Serene Prince, 
 King and Lord, Robert, who for tho 
 delivering of his people and his own 
 rightful inheritance from the enemies* 
 hand, did, like another Josaa, or 
 Maccabeus, most cheerfully undergo 
 all manner of toyle, fatigue, hardship, 
 and hazard. The Divine Providence, 
 the right of succession by the laws 
 and customs of the kingdom (which 
 we will defend till death), and the 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 due and lawful conaont nnd assent of 
 nil tlio pcoplo, made him our king 
 nnd priiico. To him wo aro obliged 
 nnd resolved to adhere in all things, 
 both upon the account of his right and 
 hiu own mcriD, ua being the person 
 •\vlio h.ith restored the people's safety, 
 in defence of their liberties. But 
 after all, if this prince shall leave the 
 principles he hath so nobly pursued, 
 and consent that wo or our kingdom 
 be subjected to the king or the peoplo 
 of England, wc will immediately en- 
 deavour to expel him, as our enemy, 
 and as the subverter both of his own 
 nnd our rights, nnd will make another 
 king, who will defend our liberties : 
 for, EO long as there shall but one 
 hundred of us remain alive, we Avill 
 never subject ourselves to the do- 
 minion of tlie English. For it is not 
 glory, it is not riches, neither is it 
 honour, but it is libertie alone that 
 we fight and contend for, which no 
 honest man will lose but with his 
 life. 
 
 For these reasons, most Reverend 
 Fatiier and Lord, wo do with most 
 earnest prayers, from our bended 
 knees and hearts, beg and entreat 
 your Holiness, that you may be pleased 
 with a sincere and cordial piety to 
 consider, that with Him, whose Vicar 
 on earth you are, there is no respect 
 nor distinction of Jew nor Greek, 
 Scots nor English, and that with a 
 tender and fatherly eye you may look 
 upon the calamities and straits brought 
 upon us and the Church of God by 
 the English, and that you may ad- 
 monish and exhort the king of England 
 (who may well rest satisfied with his 
 own possessions, .';iuce tliat kingdom 
 of old used to be sullicient for seven 
 or more kings) to suffer us to live at 
 peace in that narrow spot of Scotland, 
 beyond which we have no habitation, 
 since we desire nothing but our own ; 
 nnd we on our parts, as far as wc arc 
 Able, with respect to our owu condi- 
 
 tion, shall effectually ngrco to him in 
 every thing that may procure our 
 quiet. 
 
 It is your concernment, most Holy 
 Father, to interpose in this, when you 
 see how far the violence and bar- 
 barity of tho Pagans is let looso 
 against Christendom for ^nniishing 
 of tho sins of tho Cliristians, and 
 how much they dayly^ encroach 
 upon tho Christian Territories : And 
 it is your interest to notice, that 
 there bo no ground given for reflect- 
 ing on your memory, if you should 
 suffer any part of tho church to como 
 under a scandal or cclipso (which 
 wo pray God may prevent) during 
 your time. 
 
 liCt it therefore please your Holi- 
 ness to exhort the Christian princes 
 not to make tho wars betwixt them 
 and their neighbours a pretext for not 
 going to the relief of tho Holy Land, 
 since that is not the true cause of tiio 
 impediment : Tho truer ground of it 
 is, that they have a much nearer jiro- 
 spect of advantage, and fur less 
 opposition, in the subduing of their 
 weaker neighbours. And God (who 
 is ignorant of nothing) knows, with 
 how much cheerfulness both our king 
 and we would go thither, if the king 
 of England would leave us in peace, 
 as wo do hereby testify and declare 
 to tho Vicar of Christ, and to all 
 Christendom. 
 
 But, if your Holiness shall be too 
 credulous of tho English misrepresen- 
 tations, and not give firm credit to 
 what wo have said, nor desist to 
 favour the English to our destruction, 
 we must believe that the ^lost High 
 will lay to your charge all the blood 
 lost of soul and other calamities that 
 shall follow on either hand, betwixt 
 us and them. 
 
 Your Holiness in granting 
 
 our 
 
 just t -sires, will oblige us n\ cvevio 
 case, where our dutie shall require it, 
 ^ ende{iYOur your satiaf action, as be? 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 coiiio the obedient sons of the Vicar 
 of (Mirist. 
 
 Wo commit the tlofenco of oiu 
 cause to him who ia the Sovereign 
 Kiiip; and Judjje ; wo cast the burden 
 of our cares upon iiiin, and hope for 
 such an issue us may fjive strength and 
 counigo to us, and bring our enemies 
 
 23D 
 
 God 
 and 
 
 to nothing. The Most Iligli 
 lonj? preserve your Serenity 
 Holiness to His holy Church. 
 
 (liven at the I^lonasterio of Aber- 
 brothock in Scotland, the sixth day of 
 April, in theyear of Grace M.CCCXX. 
 nn 1 of our said king's reign, the XV. 
 year. 
 
 * > 
 
 BONN AKD WBIQBT, PIUSXM8, ai.A8aOW.