se firebrands, I looked for it. John's passion was
up then, and I knew the thoughts that ran through his mind. Ever since
that day his feelings have been most bitter; and he has flung himself
amongst the Tories, making as little account of them as the mower when
he puts his scythe into the grass of the meadows."

"God forgive him, David!" said Musgrove, "and strengthen you and the
boy's good mother in this sharp hour of trial. They who draw the sword
in passion may stand in fear of the judgment of the sword: it is a
fearful thing for sinful man to shed blood for any end but that of
lawful war, and at the bidding of his country. God alone is the
avenger."

Mary had again raised herself from the bed, and at this moment gave vent
to her feelings in a loud and bitter lamentation "John Ramsay is dead,
is dead!" she exclaimed. "I cannot believe it. He that was so true and
so warm-hearted, and that everybody loved! They could not kill him! Oh,
I begged him to keep his foot from danger, and he promised me, for my
sake, to be careful. I loved him, father; I never told you so much
before, but I am not ashamed to tell it now before everybody; I loved
him better than all the world. And we had promised each other. It is so
hard to lose them that we love!" she continued, sobbing violently. "He
was so brave and so good, and he was so handsome, Mrs. Ramsay, and so
dutiful to you and his father, coming home to see you whenever the war
would let him. And he walked, and rode, and ran, and fought for his
friends, and them that he cared for. He was so thoughtful for your
comfort too," she added, as she threw herself on her knees and rested
her head in the lap of the mother, and there paused through a long
interval, during which nothing was heard but her own moans mingled with
the sighs of the party, "we were to be married after this war was at an
end, and thought we should live so happily: but they have murdered him!
Oh they have murdered him," and with her hair thrown in disorder over
her face, she again gave vent to a flood of tears.

"Mary, daughter! Shame on you, girl!" said her father. "Do you forget,
in the hour of your affliction, that you have a friend who is able to
comfort? There is one who can heal up your sorrows and speak peace to
your troubled spirit, if you be not too proud to ask it. I have taught
you, daughter, in all time of tribulation to look to Him for patience
and for strength to bear adversity. Why do you neglect th