wicked Bench, who had a
fellow-feeling of iniquity with the defenders, my suit was lost, the
graceless libertine was absolved, and I was incarcerated, and bound
over to keep the peace, with heavy penalties, before I was set at
liberty.

I was exceedingly disgusted at this issue, and blamed the counsel of my
friend to his face. He expressed great grief, and expatiated on the
wickedness of our judicatories, adding: "I see I cannot depend on you
for quick and summary measures, but for your sake I shall be revenged
on that wicked judge, and that you shall see in a few days." The Lord
Justice Clerk died that same week! But he died in his own house and his
own bed, and by what means my friend effected it I do not know. He
would not tell me a single word of the matter, but the judge's sudden
death made a great noise, and I made so many curious inquiries
regarding the particulars of it that some suspicions were like to
attach to our family of some unfair means used. For my part I know
nothing, and rather think he died by the visitation of Heaven, and that
my friend had foreseen it, by symptoms, and soothed me by promises of
complete revenge.

It was some days before he mentioned my brother's meditated death to me
again, and certainly he then found me exasperated against him
personally to the highest degree. But I told him that I could not now
think any more of it owing to the late judgment of the court, by which,
if my brother were missing or found dead, I would not only forfeit my
life but my friends would be ruined by the penalties.

"I suppose you know and believe in the perfect safety of your soul,"
said he, "and that that is a matter settled from the beginning of time,
and now sealed and ratified both in Heaven and earth?"

"I believe in it thoroughly and perfectly," said I; "and, whenever I
entertain doubts of it, I am sensible of sin and weakness."

"Very well, so then am I," said he. "I think I can now divine, with all
manner of certainty, what will be the high and merited guerdon of your
immortal part. Hear me then further: I give you my solemn assurance,
and bond of blood, that no human hand shall ever henceforth be able to
injure your life, or shed one drop of your precious blood; but it is on
the condition that you walk always by my directions."

"I will do so with cheerfulness," said I, "for, without your
enlightened counsel, I feel that I can do nothing. But, as to your
power of protecting my life, you must