trying his fortune in the army. His Majesty's troops taking
the field, in consequence of the rebellion which happened in the year
seventeen hundred and fifteen, this young adventurer, thinking no life
equal to that of a soldier, found means to furnish himself with a fusil
and bayonet, and, leaving the school, repaired to the camp near Stirling
with a view of signalizing himself in the field, though he was at that
time but just turned of thirteen. He offered his service to several
officers, in hope of being enlisted in their companies; but they would
not receive him, because they rightly concluded, that he was some
schoolboy broke loose, without the knowledge or consent of his
relations. Notwithstanding this discouragement, he continued in camp,
curiously prying into every part of the service; and such was the
resolution conspicuous in him, even at such a tender age, that, after
his small finances were exhausted, he persisted in his design; and,
because he would not make his wants known, actually subsisted for
several days on hips, haws, and sloes, and other spontaneous fruits,
which he gathered in the woods and fields. Meanwhile, he never failed
to be present, when any regiment or corps of men were drawn out to be
exercised and reviewed, and accompanied them in all their evolutions,
which he had learned to great perfection, by observing the companies
which were quartered in the place where he was at school. This eagerness
and perseverance attracted the notice of many officers, who, after
having commended his spirit and zeal, pressed him to return to his
parents, and even threatened to expel him from the camp, if he would not
comply with their advice.

"These remonstrances having no other effect than that of warning him to
avoid his monitors, they thought proper to alter their behaviour towards
him, took him into their protection, and even into their mess, and
what, above all other marks of favour, pleased the young soldier most,
permitted him to incorporate in the battalion, and take his turn of
duty with the other men. In this happy situation he was discovered by a
relation of his mother, who was a captain in the army, and who used all
his authority and influence in persuading M-- to return to school; but,
finding him deaf to his admonitions and threats, he took him under his
own care, and, when the army marched to Dumblane, left him at Stirling
with express injunctions to keep himself within the walls.

"He temporize