s world as
in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, not knowing against whom we
may chance to encounter. In truth, it is no matter of marvel, if we
sometimes jostle those, to whom, if known, we would yield all respect.
Surely, sir, I would rather have taken you for a profane malignant than
for such a devout person as you prove, who reverences the great Master
even in the meanest of his servants."

"It is always my custom to do so, learned sir," answered Dalgetty; "for
in the service of the immortal Gustavus--but I detain you from your
meditations,"--his desire to speak of the King of Sweden being for once
overpowered by the necessity of his circumstances.

"By no means, my worthy sir," said the clergyman. "What was, I pray
you, the order of that great Prince, whose memory is so dear to every
Protestant bosom?"

"Sir, the drums beat to prayers morning and evening, as regularly as for
parade; and if a soldier passed without saluting the chaplain, he had
an hour's ride on the wooden mare for his pains. Sir, I wish you a very
good evening--I am obliged to depart the castle under M'Callum More's
passport."

"Stay one instant, sir," said the preacher; "is there nothing I can
do to testify my respect for the pupil of the great Gustavus, and so
admirable a judge of preaching?"

"Nothing, sir," said the Captain, "but to shew me the nearest way to
the gate--and if you would have the kindness," he added, with great
effrontery, "to let a servant bring my horse with him, the dark grey
gelding--call him Gustavus, and he will prick up his ears--for I know
not where the castle-stables are situated, and my guide," he added,
looking at Ranald, "speaks no English."

"I hasten to accommodate you," said the clergyman; "your way lies
through that cloistered passage."

"Now, Heaven's blessing upon your vanity!" said the Captain to himself.
"I was afraid I would have had to march off without Gustavus."

In fact, so effectually did the chaplain exert himself in behalf of so
excellent a judge of composition, that while Dalgetty was parleying with
the sentinels at the drawbridge, showing his passport, and giving
the watchword, a servant brought him his horse, ready saddled for the
journey. In another place, the Captain's sudden appearance at large
after having been publicly sent to prison, might have excited suspicion
and enquiry; but the officers and domestics of the Marquis were
accustomed to the mysterious policy of their master, and ne