ew
weeks, was frightened out of his senses by the barking of a dog, and
tried to throw himself from his horse. At this juncture, Johnstone, who
knew that to be left without a guide in this strange place meant certain
death, interfered promptly. 'He was continually struggling to get down,'
he says,[19] 'but I prevented him by the firm hold I had of his coat. I
exhorted him to be quiet; I reproached him; I alternately entreated and
menaced him; but all in vain. He no longer knew what he was about, and
it was to no purpose I assured him that it was only the barking of a
dog. He perspired at every pore, and trembled like a person in an ague.
Fortunately I had an excellent horse, and galloped through Forfar at
full speed, retaining always fast hold of his coat. As soon as we were
fairly out of the town, as no persons had come out of their houses, poor
Samuel began to breathe again, and made a thousand apologies for his
fears.'

As the day broke and they drew near Broughty Ferry, where Johnstone
intended to cross the Firth of Tay, the Chevalier dismounted, and being
obliged to part from his horse, offered it as a present to Samuel, who
declined the animal from motives of prudence. It was then turned loose
in a field (the saddle and bridle being first thrown down a well), and
the wayfarers proceeded on their way. Only a few minutes later, they
were joined by an acquaintance of Samuel's, who seems to have been of a
curious turn of mind, and cross-questioned him as to where he was going
and why. Samuel, with more readiness than could have been expected from
his recent behaviour, invented a story that sounded plausible enough,
explaining Johnstone to be a young man whom he had picked up on the
road, and had taken into his service at low wages, owing to his want of
a character. The stranger was satisfied, and after a prolonged drink
they separated, when Samuel informed Johnstone that the man was one of
the 'greatest knaves and cheats in the country,' and that they would
assuredly have been betrayed if he had discovered who they were.

[Illustration]

They arrived at the Ferry about nine in the morning, and by Samuel's
advice, the Chevalier immediately sought the help of Mr. Graham, a
gentleman of Jacobite family, then living at Duntroon. After a warm
welcome from Mr. Graham, who gave him all the entertainment he could
without the knowledge of his servants, a boat was engaged to convey him
across the Firth about nine that night.