turned about, and
stooped down on his knee, and aimed so well, that he shot a highland
sarjeant through the thigh, which made the front still stoop as they
came forward, till they were again commanded to run. By this time the
sufferers had got some ground, and, being come to the muirs of Eglesham,
the four men went to the height in view of the enemy, and caused the
captain (who was old and not able to run) take another way by himself.
At last he got a mare upon the field, and took the liberty to mount her
a little, that he might be more suddenly out of their reach. But ere he
was aware, a party of dragoons going for Newmills was at hand, and what
was more observeable, he wanted his shoes (having cast them off before,
and was riding on the beasts bare back), but he passed by them very
slowly, and got off undiscovered; and at length gave the mare her
liberty (which returned home) and went unto another of his
lurking-places. All this happened on a Monday morning, and on the morrow
these persecutors returned, and plundered the house, drove off their
cattle and left almost nothing remaining[212].

About this time the captain met with another deliverance. For, he having
a child removed by death, the incumbent of the parish, knowing the time
when the corpse was to be interred, gave notice to a party of soldiers
at Kilmarnock to come up and take him at the burial of his child. But
some persons present at the burial, persuaded him to return back in case
the enemy should come upon them at the church-yard, which he accordingly
did (when he was but a little distant from the church).

He was also a great succourer of those sufferers himself, in so far as
his circumstances could admit, several of his fellow-companions in the
tribulation and patience of Jesus Christ, resorting at certain times to
him: Such as worthy David Hackston of Rathillet, Balfour of Kinloch, and
Mr Donald Cargil; and it is said, That Mr. Cargil dispensed the
sacrament of baptism to twenty-two children in his barn at Meadow-head,
sometime after the engagement at Bothwel-bridge[213].

But, being now near the end of his race and weary pilgrimage, about the
beginning of Aug. 1684. he came to the house of one Robert Howie in
Floack, in the parish of Mearns (formerly one of his hiding places)
where he was, by five soldiers, apprehended before ever he or any in the
house were aware. He had no arms, yet the indwellers there offered him
their assistance, if he wanted i