h sad and tormenting tidings to you, my beloved and
ungrateful friend," said he, "but, having only a minute left to save
your life, I have come to attempt it. There is a mob coming towards you
with two dead bodies, which will place you in circumstances
disagreeable enough: but that is not the worst, for of that you may be
able to clear yourself. At this moment there is a party of officers,
with a justiciary warrant from Edinburgh, surrounding the house, and
about to begin the search of it for you. If you fall into their hands,
you are inevitably lost; for I have been making earnest inquiries, and
find that everything is in train for your ruin."

"Aye, and who has been the cause of all this?" said I, with great
bitterness. But he stopped me short, adding, "There is no time for such
reflections at present; I gave my word of honour, that your life should
be safe from the hand of man. So it shall, if the power remain with me
to save it. I am come to redeem my pledge, and to save your life by the
sacrifice of my own. Here--not one word of expostulation, change habits
with me, and you may then pass by the officers, and guards, and even
through the approaching mob, with the most perfect temerity. There is a
virtue in this garb, and, instead of offering to detain you, they shall
pay you obeisance. Make haste, and leave this place for the present,
flying where you best may, and, if I escape from these dangers that
surround me, I will endeavour to find you out, and bring you what
intelligence I am able."

I put on his green frock coat, buff belt, and a sort of a turban that
he always wore on his head, somewhat resembling a bishop's mitre: he
drew his hand thrice across my face, and I withdrew as he continued to
urge me. My hall door and postern gate were both strongly guarded, and
there were sundry armed people within, searching the closets; but all
of them made way for me, and lifted their caps as I passed by them.
Only one superior officer accosted me, asking if I had seen the
culprit. I knew not what answer to make, but chanced to say, with great
truth and propriety: "He is safe enough." The man beckoned with a
smile, as much as to say: "Thank you, sir, that is quite sufficient,"
and I walked deliberately away.

I had not well left the gate till, hearing a great noise coming from
the deep glen towards the east, I turned that way, deeming myself quite
secure in this my new disguise, to see what it was, and if matters were
as