at he was really angry, I hastened to appease
him.

"Joined eyebrows and lobeless ear have been held by learned folk to
prefigure some temper, Wat!" I said.

His brow cleared on an instant.

"Pshaw!" he exclaimed, "I like a lass with a sparkle. No mim missie for
Wat Gordon of Lochinvar, but a lass that keeps you in doubt till the
last moment, whether your best wooing will speed you to a kiss or a
bodkin-prick--that's the maid for me!"

"For me, I would e'en take the kiss," I said--"take it plain!"

"Tush, slow-coach!" he said, "your Earlstoun blood always did run like
so much moss water!"

Now I had borne the burden of the day on the moss of Ayr, and felt that
I need not take his scornful word.

"I have been where other than women's bodkins flashed--aye, ten against
a hundred, and this was the only brand that wan through," I said,
putting my hand on my side. "There was small time for kisses then! Ye
may kiss your lass gin ye like, about the woods of Balmaghie. As for me,
I prefer to ride upon Cameron's flank, on a day when the garments are
rolled in blood."

This I said dourly, for my gall was working hot within me. So far from
our first friendship had the clack of foolish tongues brought us. 'Deed,
we were but silly boys that needed skelping, but I far the worst, for my
head was by nature cooler and I knew better all the while.

"And so perhaps would I have preferred it," answered he gently.

"Aye," said he again, "I think it is somewhat late in the day for Wat
Gordon of Lochinvar, to have to prove his courage upon his cousin
William of Earlstoun. So then, take it from me that but for my oath
sworn to the King, it had been more pleasure to ride with you in the
charge at Ayrsmoss, than to be bridegroom to any maid soever in the
world!"

And at the name of the King, he lifted his worn old countryman's bonnet
as nobly and loyally as though it had been the plumed hat, whose feather
had been so proudly set that night when he defied heaven and hell to
keep him from his tryst beyond the Netherbow.

At the word I stretched out my hand to him.

"Forgive me, Wat," I said, and would have taken his arm, but he moved it
a little away for a moment.

"Pray remember," he said grandly, "that though I am a jerkined man and
handle the mattock in another man's kail yaird,--aye, though I be put to
the horn and condemned unheard as a traitor, I am true King's man. Vive
le Roi!"

"Well," replied I, "so be it, and much goo