t. Indeed they were in a condition to
have refused him, yea, he himself, once in a day, was in case to have
extricated himself from double that number. But he said, It would bring
them to further trouble, &c. and as for himself, he was now become
weary of his life, being so hunted from place to place, and being now
well stricken in years, his hidings became the more irksome; and he was
not afraid to die, for he knew well, that, whenever he fell into their
hands, this would be the case, and he had got time to think thereon for
many years; and for his interest in Christ, of that he was sure. They
took him to Kilmarnock, but knew not who he was (taking him for some old
minister or other) till they came to a place on the high-way, called
Moor-yeat, where the good man of that place, seeing him in these
circumstances, said, Alas! captain Paton, are you there! And then to
their joy, they knew who they had got into their hands. He was carried
from Kilmarnock (where his eldest daughter, being about 14 years of age,
got access to see him) to Ayr, and then back to Glasgow, and soon after
to Edinburgh.

It is reported as a fact, that general Dalziel met him here, and took
him in his arms, saying, "John, I am both glad and sorry to see you. If
I had met you on the way before you came hither I should have set you at
liberty: But now it is too late. But be not afraid, I will write to his
majesty for your life." The captain replied, "You will not be heard."
Dalziel said, "Will I not! If he does not grant me the life of one man,
I shall never draw a sword for him again." And it is said, That, having
spoken some time together, a man came and said to the captain, You are a
rebel to the king. To whom he replied, Friend, I have done more for the
king than perhaps thou hast done. Dalziel said, Yes, John, that is true,
(perhaps he meant at Worcester). And struck the man on the head with his
cane till he staggered, saying, He would learn him other manners than to
use such a prisoner so. After this and more reasoning, the captain
thanked him for his courtesy, and they parted.

His trial was not long delayed. I find (says a historian[214]) that
April 16th, the council ordered a reward of 20 pounds sterling to Cornet
Lewis Louder, for apprehending John Paton who had been a notorious rebel
these 18 years. He was brought before the justiciary, and indicted for
being with the rebels at Glasgow, Bothwel, &c. The advocate, _ex super
abundanti_, passe