anger of forgetting our
due dignity and self-respect. We have been, as is supposed, the
subjects of fraud on the part of those whom we trusted; that is a
matter which the law will decide, and, if necessary, punish. If we
have been betrayed, then the directors are in worse case than the
shareholders, for we are not disgraced. The duty before us is plain,
and must be discharged to our utmost ability. It is to go home and
gather together our last penny for the payment of our debts, in order
that at any rate those who have trusted us may not be disappointed.
Gentlemen, it is evident that we have lost our means; let us show to
Scotland that there is something which cannot be taken from us by any
fraud, and that we have retained our courage and our honour."

It was the General who led the applause so that the roof of the hall
rang, but it is just to Ayrshire and the rest to say that they came to
themselves--all men of the old Scottish breed--and followed close after
with a mighty shout.

The sound of that speech went through Scotland and awoke the spirit of
honest men in many places, so that the Doctor, travelling next day to
Muirtown, third class, with the General, and wedged in among a set of
cattle dealers, was so abashed by their remarks as they read the
_Caledonian_ that the General let out the secret.

"Yir hand, sir," said the chief among them, a mighty man at the Falkirk
Tryst; "gin it bena a leeberty, ilka ane o's hes a sair fecht tae keep
straicht in oor wy o' business, but ye 've gien 's a lift the day," and
so they must needs all have a grip of the Doctor's hand, who took snuff
with prodigality, while the General complained of the smoke from the
engine.

Nor were their trials over, for on Muirtown platform--it being
Friday--all kinds of Perthshire men were gathered, and were so proud of
our Doctor that before he got shelter in the Dunleith train his hand
was sore, and the men that grasped it were of all kinds, from Lord
Kilspindie--who, having missed him at the Manse, had come to catch him
at the station--"Best sermon you ever preached, Davidson,"--to an
Athole farmer--"I am an elder in the Free Kirk, but it iss this man
that will be honouring you."

It was a fine instance of the unfailing tact of Peter Bruce that,
seeing the carriage out of which the two came, and taking in the
situation, he made no offer of the first class, but straightway dusted
out a third with his handkerchief, and escorted them to