e to taigle wi' ye."

"And I hae as little desire to taigle you," he said, "but I am glad that
I didna grudge the puir Westland man my best plaid for his last
covering, though there be none to do as muckle for me."

The fire rang out. The blue wreaths of smoke rose level, and there on
the green sward, with his face to the sky, and his Bible yet in his
hand, lay the widow's son, Andrew Herries, very still.

"So perish all the King's rebels," cried Westerhall loudly, as it were,
to give the black deed a colour of law.

But John Graham said never a word, only lifted his hat and then rode
away with a countenance like the granite stone of the mountain.

CHAPTER XII.

WE RIDE TO EDINBURGH.

When my cousin Lochinvar heard what had been done in the matter of the
lad, Andrew Herries, his anger burned fiercely within him. He sought
Westerhall on the instant.

"Foul Annandale thief!" he cried, "come out and try the length of thy
sword on the heather. Down with thee and see if thou canst stand up to a
man, thou great stirk. 'Tis easy putting thy wolf's spite on helpless
bairns, but this sword-arm shall tickle thy midriff to an unkenned
tune."

But Colonel Graham would not let them fight.

"Aroint thee," he said to Lochinvar, "for a young ruffler and spit-fire.
Well may they call thee Wullcat. But you shall not decimate my troop, or
I must put you in irons, for all those bright eyes which the ladies
love."

Lochinvar turned to him.

"Colonel Graham, did you yourself not say, 'I am guiltless of this poor
man's life!' So, at least, I have been informed."

Claverhouse nodded grimly. It was not a weakness he often showed.

"Then why not let me have it out with this bairn-slayer? I had e'en
garred the guard o' my sword dirl again his ribs."

In another the boast had seemed like presumption, but so noble a sworder
was Wat Gordon that he but stated a truth. And all that were present
knew it for such.

"Westerhall will be the more grateful to me, in that case," said
Clavers, "but hark ye, Lochinvar! there must be no more of this. Ye
would reduce the number of his Majesty's forces effective in one way.
The Reverend Richard Cameron (with whom Providence send me a good and
swift meeting) in another. But in the end it comes to the same thing.
Now I opine, it will fit you well to hie to Edinburgh with despatches.
And I prithee take your noble and peaceful cousin of Earlstoun with
thee. Gin thou canst exchange him the