shall I tell it to Clavers at the table to-night
that ye have within you no throat and no man's heart, but only the
gullet of a guzzling trencherman?"

"I said that the Gordons of the Glenkens were traitors. 'Tis a kenned
thing," answered Inglis, at last mustering up his resolution, "but I
have no quarrel with you, Wat Gordon, for I know your favour up at
Garryhorn--and its cause."

"Cause----" said Wullcat Wat, bending a little forward in his saddle and
striping one long gauntlet glove lightly through the palm of the other
hand, "cause--what knows Peter Inglis of causes? This youth is my cousin
of Earlstoun. I answer for him with my life. Let him pass. That is
enough of cause for an Inglis to know, when he chances to meet men of an
honester name."

"He is a rebel and a traitor!" cried Inglis, "and I shall hold him till
I get better authority than yours for letting him go. Hear ye that, Wat
of Lochinvar!"

CHAPTER VI.

THE CLASH OF SWORDS.

The two sat fronting one another on their horses. Inglis was the older
and more firmly set man. But Wat of Lochinvar was slender and lithe as a
bow that has not been often bent and quivers to the straight. It was a
curious sight to see them passaging with little airs and graces, like
fighting cocks matched in a pit.

The soldiers stood indifferently around. A pair of dragoons patrolled,
turning and crossing as if on parade, within earshot of the quarrel of
their officers. It was the first time I had ever seen what discipline
meant. And in a moment I learned why they had broken us at Bothwell and
Rullion Green. For I have heard my brother Sandy say that at any time in
the Covenanting host, had three drawn together and spoken like men that
are hot in questioning, the whole army would have run from their posts
to hear and to take part in the controversy. But all the while these
dragoons kept their noses pointing in the straight of their necks, and
fronted and wheeled like machines. It was, in fact, none of their
business if their officers cut each others' throats. But they knew that
one John Graham would assuredly make it his business if they omitted
their military service.

"Cornet Inglis," said Lochinvar, doffing lightly his feathered hat that
had the King's colours in it, "hearken ye well. This is my cousin Will
of Earlstoun, who took no part with his kin in the late rebellion, as I
took no part with mine, but instead abode at home in peace. I require
you to let hi