nged to do for pride and the lust of the eye.

"For thus," said he, "do the King's troopers, when they enter a town, to
take the eyes of the unthinking. But contrariwise, we are come to do a
deed in Scotland that shall not be forgotten while Nith water runs, and
to tie a band which shall not be broken through. We ourselves shall fall
and that speedily--that know we well--but, nevertheless, that which we
do this day shall one day bring the tyrant's downfall!"

And so indeed it proved to be.

Sanquhar is ever a still place, as though there were no other day there
but the Sabbath only. Also the inhabitants are douce and grave, and so
remain to this day--buying and selling, eating and drinking, as though
they were alone on God's universe. But that day as we came riding up the
street, there was a head at every window and I heard the wives cry:

"The hill-folk have risen and come riding into Sanquhar!"

And this pleased me in the heart, though I know well I should have had
my mind set on other matters.

At the cross we formed up, setting our horses ten on either side and
Richard Cameron in the midst, he alone dismounted and standing on the
steps of the cross. We sat still and quiet, all being bareheaded. For
show I had plucked my brand out of its scabbard. But Cameron sternly
bade me put it back again, and gave me his horse to hold instead. Which
thing grieved and shamed me at the time sadly enough, though now I am
both proud and glad of it.

"The time for drawn steel is yet to come, William. Be sure that thou art
then as ready as now," he said.

We sang our psalm of Covenant-keeping, and the hills gave it back to us,
as though the angels were echoing the singing of it softly in heaven.
After that, Cameron stood up very straight, and on his face, which was
as the face of a lion, there was a great tenderness, albeit of the
sterner sort.

The townsfolk stood about, but not too near, being careful and cautious
lest they should be called in question for compliance with the deed, and
the strange work done by us that day; for the King's scoop-net gathered
wide. Also the innocent were often called to judgment, especially if
they had something to lose in goods or gear, as was the case with many
of the well-doing burghers of Sanquhar.

"This day," cried Cameron, loudly and solemnly, after he had prayed, "do
we come to this town of Sanquhar to cast off our allegiance to Charles
Stuart and his brother James. Not hastily, neit