toward the reimbursement which Britain
owes to the much injured citizens of America. Savages would blush at
the unmanly violation and rapacity that have marked the tracks of
British tyranny in America, from which neither virgin innocence nor
helpless age has been a plea of protection or pity.

"Leith and its port now lay at our mercy. And did not the plea of
humanity stay the just hand of retaliation, I should without
advertisement lay it in ashes. Before I proceed to that stern duty as
an officer, my duty as a man induces me to propose to you, by means
of a reasonable ransom, to prevent such a scene of horror and
distress. For this reason, I have authorized Lieut.-Col. de Chamillard
to agree with you on the terms of ransom, allowing you exactly half an
hour's reflection before you finally accept or reject the terms which
he shall propose."

The landing parties having been chosen, the order of attack mapped
out, and part to be taken by each boat's-crew accurately defined, the
three vessels advanced to the attack. It was a bright Sunday morning.
A light breeze blowing on shore wafted the three vessels gently along
the smooth surface of the bay. It is said that as the invaders passed
the little town of Kirkaldy, the people were at church, but, seeing
the three men-of-war passing, deserted the sacred edifice for the
beach, where the gray-haired pastor, surrounded by his flock, offered
the following remarkable appeal to the Deity:--

"Now, dear Lord, dinna ye think it a shame for ye to send this vile
pirate to rob our folk o' Kirkaldy? Ye ken that they are puir enow
already, and hae naething to spare. The way the wind blaws, he'll be
here in a jiffy. And wha kens what he may do? He's nae too good for
ony thing. Mickles the mischief he has done already. He'll burn their
hooses, take their very claes, and strip them to the very sark. And
waes me, wha kens but that the bluidy villain might tak' their lives!
The puir weemin are most frightened out of their wits, and the bairns
screeching after them. I canna think of it! I canna think of it!

"I hae long been a faithful servant to ye, O Lord. But gin ye dinna
turn the wind about, and blaw the scoundrel out of our gate, I'll nae
stir a foot, but will just sit here till the tide comes. Sae tak' your
will o't."

Never was prayer more promptly answered. Hardly had the pastor
concluded his prayer, when the wind veered round, and soon a violent
gale was blowing off shore. In the