or me. So they brought me
towards the end of the yard, and tied my hands behind my back, (having
shot the other three to death). He that commanded them, scoffingly asked
me, What I thought of my self now? I smiled and said, I had full
contentment with my lot, but thought that I was at a loss that I was yet
in time and my brethren in eternity. At which he swore he had reserved
my life for a farther judgment to me. When we were going towards
Kilmarnock; he (the lieutenant, who was a cousin of his own) called for
me, and he and I went before the rest, and discoursed soberly about
several things. I was free in telling him what I held to be sin, and
what I held to be duty; and when we came to Kilmarnock tolbooth, he
caused slack my arms a-little, and inquired if I desired my wounds
dressed: and at the desire of some friends in the town, he caused bring
in straw and some cloaths for my brother John Gemmel[217] and me to lie
upon, but would not suffer us to cast off our cloaths. On Monday, on
the way to Ayr, he raged against me, and said that I had the blood of
the three men on my head that were killed yesterday; and that I was
guilty of all, and the cause of all the troubles that were come on the
poor barony of Cunningham first and last. But when we came near the
town, he called me out from the rest, and soberly asked me, What he
should say to the superior officers in my behalf? I told him, That if
the Lord would keep me from wronging truth, I was at a point already in
what he put me to, as to suffering. When we first entered the tolbooth
of Ayr, there came two and asked some things at me, but they were to
little purpose. Then I was taken out with a guard and brought before
Buchan. He asked me, _1st_, If I was at that conventicle? I told him, I
looked upon it as my duty. _2dly_, How many armed were there? I told
him, I went to hear the gospel preached, and not to take up the account
of what men were there. _3dly_, Where away went they, &c.? I told him
it was more than I could tell. _4thly_, Do you own the king? I told him,
while he owned the way and work of God, I thought myself bound both to
own and fight for him, but when he quitted the way of God, I thought I
was obliged to quit him. _5thly_, Will ye own the duke of York as king?
I told him, I would not; for it was both against my principles and the
laws of the nation. _6thly_, Was you clear to join with Argyle? I said,
No. He held me long, and spoke of many things. We had t