undertaken.

So it came to pass in the mid days of the year, that one afternoon we
rode away through the lonely hills by Minnyhive, and turned north up the
fair valley of the water of Nith. Here and there we gathered one to whom
the word had been passed, finding them waiting for us at some green
loaning foot or at the mouth of some glen. Little we said when a friend
joined us; for our work was sad and solemn, and to be done once and for
all. We rode as it were under the shadow of the scaffold. Yet I think we
thought not so much of ourselves, as of the women folk that abode at
home. I know that I was wae for my mother, who was now like to lose her
two sons as she had aforetime lost her husband, and sometimes also I
thought of the lass Maisie Lennox, and what she would do wanting her
father.

But this I put from me, for after all Covenanting was man's business.
And as Richard Cameron said:

"They that are trysted to the Bridegroom's work, must taigle themselves
with no other marriage engagements!"

At the Menick foot, where that long stey pass begins, there met us ten
men of the Upper Ward, all douce and stalwart men, armed and horsed as
well as any of our men out of Galloway. I was the youngest of them all
there, and indeed the only one that was not a mighty man of his arms.
There had been indeed some talk of leaving me at the Duchrae to keep the
place--which I knew to be but an excuse. But one James Gray of Chryston,
a laird's son and a strong man, cried out, "Let the lad come, for his
brother Sandy's sake!"

A saying which nettled me, and I replied instantly:

"Let any man stand out against me with the pistol and small sword, and I
will show him cause why I should come for mine own!"

At this Cameron rebuked me:

"Ah, William, I see well that thou hast the old Adam in thee yet. But
was there ever a Gordon that would not go ram-stam at the boar, whatever
his religion?"

Then I, who knew that I had spoken as a carnal man, was somewhat shamed.
Yet was I glad also that no man took my challenge, for indeed I had
small skill of the sword. And with the shearing sword especially, my
blows were as rat-tail licks to the dead strikes of Richard Cameron or
even those of my brother Sandy. But nevertheless only to say the thing,
did me good like medicine.

So into the town of Sanquhar we rode two and two, very slow and quiet,
for Cameron had forbidden us to ride with a tight rein and the horses
champing, as indeed I lo