old by Southern historians, but it was his to show out and
in the culprits with much solemnity. He was able to denote the exact
offence in the language of Kirk law, and was considered happy in his
abbreviations for technical terms. As a familiar of the Inquisition,
he took oversight of the district, and saw that none escaped the
wholesome discipline of the Church.

"Ye 're back," he said, arresting Peter Ferguson as he tried to escape
down a byroad, and eyeing the prodigal sternly, who had fled from
discipline to London, and there lost a leg; "the' 'll be a meetin' o'
Session next week afore the Saicrament; wull a' tell the Doctor ye're
comin'?"

"No, ye 'll dae naething o' the kind, for a 'll no be there. A 've nae
suner got hame aifter ma accident but ye're tormentin' me on the verra
road wi' yir Session. Ye drave me awa' aince, an' noo ye wud harry
(hunt) me aft again."

"A weel, a weel"--and John was quite calm--"dinna pit yirsel' in a
feery farry (excitement); ye 'll gang yir ain wy and earn yir ain
jidgment. It wes for yir gude a' spoke, and noo a 've dune ma pairt,
an' whatever comes o't, ye 'll no hae me or ony ither body tae blame."

"What think ye 'll happen?"--evidently sobered by John's tone, yet
keeping up a show of defiance. "Ye wud think the Session wes the
Sheriff o' Perthshire tae hear ye blawin' and threatenin'."

"It's no for me tae say what may befa' ye, Peter Ferguson, for a 'm no
yir jidge, but juist a frail mortal, beadle though I be; but a' may hev
ma thochts.

"Ye refused the summons sax month syne, and took yir wys tae
London--that wes contumacy added tae yir ither sin. Nae doot ye made
certain ye hed escapit, but hed ye? A' leave it tae yirsel', for the
answer is in yir body," and John examined Peter's wooden leg with an
austere interest.

"Ay, ay, ma man," he resumed--for Peter was now quite silenced by this
uncompromising interpretation of the ways of Providence--"ye aff tae
London, an' the Lord aifter ye, an' whuppit aff ae leg. Noo ye declare
ye 'll be as countermacious as ever, an' a 'm expeckin' the Lord 'll
come doon here an' tak the ither leg, an' gin that disna dae, a' that
remains is tae stairt on yir airms; and, man Peter, ye 'll be a
bonnie-like sicht before a' 's dune."

This was very faithful dealing, and it had its desired effect, for
Peter appeared at next meeting, and in due course was absolved, as
became an obedient son of the Church.

John did not, howev