f gentle manners and refined mind--gave his
nephew an account of the manner in which they had been driven from their
home.

"What is the matter with your hands, uncle?" asked Will, observing that
both were bandaged.

"They tried the thumbscrews on me," said Spence with a pitiful smile,
glancing at his injured members. "They wanted to force me to sign the
Bond, which I declined to do--first, because it required me to perform
impossibilities; and, second, because it was such as no Government in
the world has a right to exact or freeman to sign. They were going to
put the boot on me at first, but the officer in command ordered them to
try the thumbscrews. This was lucky, for a man may get along with
damaged thumbs, but it would have been hard to travel with crippled
legs! I held out though, until the pain became so great that I couldn't
help giving a tremendous yell. This seemed to touch the officer with
pity, for he ordered his men to let me be. Soon afterwards your mother
and I managed to give them the slip, and we came on here."

"But why came you here, uncle?" asked Will.

"Because I don't want to be taken to Edinburgh and hanged. Besides,
after hearing of your temporary settlement with Black, I thought the
safest place for your mother would be beside yourself."

When Wallace explained the cause of his own journey, and the condition
of the district around Black's farm, the plans of David Spence had to be
altered. He resolved, after consideration and prayer, to take to the
mountains and remain in hiding, while Mrs. Wallace should go to
Edinburgh, as already planned, and live with Mrs. Black.

"But it will never do to take her along with yourself, Will," said
Spence. "She cannot walk a step farther. We must try to get her a
horse, and let her journey along with some o' the armed bands that
attended the conventicle at Skeoch Hill. They will be sure to be
returning this way in a day or two."

"You are right," said the minister who has already been introduced, and
who overheard the concluding remark as he came forward. "The armed men
will be passing this way in a day or two, and we will take good care of
your mother, young sir, while she remains with us."

"Just so," rejoined Spence. "I'll see to that; so, nephew, you and your
comrade Quentin may continue your journey with easy minds. You'll need
all your caution to avoid being taken up and convicted, for the tyrants
are in such a state of mind just n