and brought to the guard; and then brought before
lord Linlithgow's son: who asked him, if he was at that preaching? he
told him, he was at no preaching. Linlithgow's son said, he was a liar.
Robert said, he was no liar; and seeing ye will not believe me, I will
tell no more: prove the rest. Linlithgow said, he would make him do
it.--But he answered, he should not. Then he asked his name, trade, and
his father's name, and where they dwelt? all which he answered. Then he
bade keep him fast. At night he was much abused by the soldiers; some of
them who had been wounded in the skirmish, threatening him with torture,
gagging in the mouth, &c. all which he bore with much patience. In the
morning a serjeant came to examine him; but he refused him as a judge to
answer to. At last the commanding officer came and examined him, if he
was at that skirmish. He answered, That for being there he was taken;
and whether I was there or not, I am not bound to give you an account.
So he went out, and in a little returned with the provost, who thought
to surplant him by asking, who of Stirling folk was there? he answered,
That they were both his neighbours and his; and though he had been
there, he might account him very impudent to tell: for though he thought
it his duty to ask, yet it was not his to tell or answer: and he thought
he should rather commend him for so doing. After several other things
anent that affair, he was commanded to close prison; and none, not so
much as his father, allowed to speak to him; but he did not want company
at that time; for, says he, "O but I had a sweet time of it: the Lord's
countenance was better unto me than all the company in the world."

The forementioned skirmish had fallen out May 8th, 1679, and upon the
19th of the same month, he was put into the common prison amongst
malefactors; where he got some more liberty, having some others of the
sufferers with him. However, they were very much disturbed by a
notorious murderer, who, being drunk one time, thought to have killed
him with a large plank or form. But happily the stroke did not hurt him,
though he struck with all his force twice, whereby another was almost
killed. This made him and other five to lie sometimes upon the stairs;
for they could have no other place; though they desired the thieves
hole, they could not obtain it. And thus they passed the time with much
pain and trouble, until June 16th, that the Fife men were broke at
Bewly[198], and