n of his visitors was not by any means calculated to remove.

"I pray leave to congratulate you," said the Lowlander, "my most noble
General, and right honourable lord, upon the great battles which you
have achieved since I had the fortune to be detached from you, It was
a pretty affair that tuilzie at Tippermuir; nevertheless, if I might be
permitted to counsel--"

"Before doing so," said the Marquis, "will you be pleased to let me know
who is so kind as to favour me with his opinion?"

"Truly, my lord," replied the man, "I should have hoped that was
unnecessary, seeing it is not so long since I took on in your service,
under promise of a commission as Major, with half a dollar of daily pay
and half a dollar of arrears; and I am to trust your lordship has nut
forgotten my pay as well as my person?"

"My good friend, Major Dalgetty," said Montrose, who by this time
perfectly recollected his man, "you must consider what important things
have happened to put my friends' faces out of my memory, besides this
imperfect light; but all conditions shall be kept.--And what news from
Argyleshire, my good Major? We have long given you up for lost, and I
was now preparing to take the most signal vengeance upon the old fox who
infringed the law of arms in your person."

"Truly, my noble lord," said Dalgetty, "I have no desire that my return
should put any stop to so proper and becoming an intention; verily it
is in no shape in the Earl of Argyle's favour or mercy that I now stand
before you, and I shall be no intercessor for him. But my escape
is, under Heaven, and the excellent dexterity which, as an old and
accomplished cavalier, I displayed in effecting the same,--I say, under
these, it is owing to the assistance of this old Highlander, whom
I venture to recommend to your lordship's special favour, as the
instrument of saving your lordship's to command, Dugald Dalgetty of
Drumthwacket."

"A thankworthy service," said the Marquis, gravely, "which shall
certainly be requited in the manner it deserves."

"Kneel down, Ranald," said Major Dalgetty (as we must now call him),
"kneel down, and kiss his Excellency's hand."

The prescribed form of acknowledgment not being according to the custom
of Ranald's country, he contented himself with folding his arms on his
bosom, and making a low inclination of his head.

"This poor man, my lord," said Major Dalgetty, continuing his speech
with a dignified air of protection towards Ranal