re than
lightning-speed; sufficient grace and strength were immediately given.
His face shined with courage; his eyes gleamed with contempt for danger
and death; a halo of victory seemed to wreathe him; the Holy Spirit
filled his soul with joy; his lips took up the Psalmist's inspired
challenge, and the solemn music smote the ears of his foes, as he sang--

"The mighty Lord is on my side,
I will not be afraid;
For any thing that man can do
I shall not be dismayed."

The dragoons were unable to endure the glory of that face, or the
sweetness of that voice. He was ordered to draw down his "bonnet" over
his eyes, and receive the volley. He sternly refused, lifting it higher
on his dauntless brow, and affirming that he could look the musketeers
in the face, while they delivered the murderous fire. Then holding out
his Bible, he haled them to the Judgment-seat, where they would be
judged by that Book.

[Illustration: COVENANTERS BIBLES

In this group of Bibles, Peden's is the largest; Cargill's is underneath
it, and Captain Paton's to the left. We had the privilege of using
Cargill's Bible in 1896, at a Conventicle service held on the Cargill
farm. We felt deeply impressed, while reading from the pages upon which
the piercing eyes of the martyr had often flashed. The book still bears
the marks of rain-drops, received, doubtless, while being used in the
outdoor meetings held by the Covenanters.]

"Shoot," cried Claverhouse. Not a gun was discharged. The men were
overawed by the sweet innocency and intrepid spirit of the youthful
Covenanter.

"Shoot that bonnie young man!" exclaimed the officer, who had charge of
the men appointed to do the bloody work. "I'll fight Clavers and a' his
men first." Three others were found sufficiently hardened to do the
cruel deed. The young hero fell, and expired. As the horsemen rode away,
the stricken mother hastened to the spot. The young heart had ceased to
beat; the eyes opened no more upon her kindly face. Sadly she gathered
up the oozing brains, for which she had brought a clean napkin, knowing
too well what had occurred; she then prepared the body for burial.

The Covenanters endeavored to keep the Bible ever close at hand. It was
the open book in the house the desk-book in the shop, the pocket-book in
the field, the guide-book on the road. When they had a breathing spell
at their work, they inhaled its fragrance, fed upon its manna, drank
from its wells of salv