d may it do you. At any rate,
there is no need to make such a work about it. After all, gin ye be at
the horn, it's Guid's truth that ye gied Duke Wellwood's lads some most
unmerciful jags aneath the ribs!"

While thus we snarled and fought between ourselves, the very strife of
our tongues made the legs go faster, and we drew southward between the
two lochs, Ken and Grenoch, crossing over the Black Water and leaving
the Duchrae behind. And this made me very wae, to mind the days that we
had there, with that brave company which should meet no more on the
earth together.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE TESTING OF THE TYKE.

At the head of the high natural wood which fringes about all the mansion
house of Balmaghie, we held down to the right through the copses, till
we came to the green policies that ring in the great house of McGhies.
As we went linking down this green pleasaunce, there met us one who came
towards us with his hands behind his back, stooping a little from the
shoulders down. He had on him a rich dress of dark stuff a good deal
worn, being that of a fashion one or two removes from the present. But
this rather, as it seemed, from habit and preference than from
need--like one that deigns not to go too fine.

"Where away, Heather Jock?" he cried as we made to go by, and turned
toward us.

"Whom have we here?" he asked, so soon as he saw me.

"A cousin o' mine from the hill country, laird," said Wat, with the
gruff courtesy of the gardener.

"Hoot, hoot--another! This will never do. Has he taken the Test?" said
the laird.

"I doubt he cannot read it even," said Wat, standing sheepishly before
him.

"That is all the better," said the tall grey man, shaking his head
gently and a little reproachfully. "It is easier gotten over that way."

"Have not you read it, sir?" asked Wat, glancing up at him curiously as
he stood and swung his cane.

"Faith no," he answered quickly; "for if I had read it, Heather Jock, I
might never have taken it. I could not run the risks."

"My friend will e'en take the Test the way that the Heriot's hospital
dog took it," said Wat, again smiling, "with a little butter and liberty
to spit it out."

"How now, Heather Jock, thou art a great fellow! Where didst thou get
all the stories of the city? The whaups do not tell them about the
Glenkens."

"Why, an it please your honour, I was half a year in the town with the
Lady Gordon, and gat the chapman's fly sheets that were haw