The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-04-26
Escape of the IiighlunIcrs,

u
among the mountains, and in the times of
the prosecutions, in the reign of James H., -,
was rcsorted to rs Il place of conccalment
from the emissarics of the king. In this
wilderness there was u lonely shicliag, near
which was deep and rugged ravinc, its
prccipitous sides thickly covered with wood
and its dark and unfrequcntcd mazcs and
rcccsScs alfording sure and safe retreat
On one occasion company Of wanderers
of whom Adam Clark, of Glcnim, was the
leader, had concealed themselves in this
solitary haunt Here they enjoyed the
freedom they did not elsewhere possess to
worship the God of their fathers
In this exile, however, they were often
in distress from want, of food and were
obliged to run great risks in obtaining it.
Adam, who was Il robust and active young
man, one night issued forth with two of his
companions for the purpose Of providing a
meal for the party. Having returned in
safety before dawn, they SIT down to enjoy
the rcpast. There were twenty eight of
them, all armed and ready to defend them
selves where there was any hope Of success
They had hardly finished when Andrew
Clark, brother of Adam, who was of the
party, standing mt the door, observed some
sheep Lying past pursued by powerful dog.
cit is one of MurtSm's dogs" replied
Adam. "Our retreat is discovered and the
troopers will he here instantly"
In Il moment every man was ready with
his weapon in hand, and the dragoons came
laundering down upon them. The High
landcrs, seeing themselves far ounumbercd,
rushed toward the precipicc so as to make
their escape, down which they plunged
amid the shots of their enemies, and were
concealed in its thickes. Adam and An
drew, however, were not so fortunate.
The former was attacked by one of the
dragons, but before heIcould use his sword
Adam seized the bride and pushed his
horse backward till ho. stumbled and threw
his rider. On the Instant he heard the
voice of his brother Andrew, and turning
he bchcld him PROSTATE, a gigantic trooper
standing over him, about to hcw him 70
pieces with his ponderous broudsword.
Adam sprang to his, assistance, and the
dragoon turned to defend himself from his
new opponent In the conflict Adam
wrestcd the sword from the hand of the
soldier and threw him! on The heath, but,
instead of striking him, rushed down into
the deep gully, where, the foes of the pur-
sued party dared not venture to follow lest
some fatal shot should ovcrakc them from
the heart of the dark bushes in which the
llighlandcrs were hid.
Some years after this, when the accession
of William of Orange and the settlement Of
the Revolution had made foes friends again,
Adam Clark, now peaceful farmer among
the hills of his native district, happened to
be in the city of Edinburgh, to which place
he had driven flock of sheep for sale. AS
he was strolling along hc was accostcd by
fo11 OF
if he did not recognize him.
"No," said Clark; 'you seem al entire
stranger to me-"
''I know you, however, having once met
with you in circumstances which l shall
not easily forget"
''To what do you allude2"
''Do you not remember the onslaught at
Bcllybughtf DO you not remember the
dragoon from whom you wrcstcd the sword
and left PROSTATE in the moss2"
81 do, answered Clark; "and arc you
the MANI"
81 am; and to you owe my life, for you
had me completely in your power. l am
beyond measure happy that now have the
opportunity Of rendering to you my cordial
thanks for your ccmcncy; and trust that
God, in opposition to whose cause l then
fought, has in his gracious mercy turned
my heart to himself. From the moment l
escaped from you with my life I never
lifted Il weapon on the side of persecution,
and most sincerely regret that ever en-
listed in That cause; but |, like Paul, did it
ignorantly and in unbclicf."
Adam was astonished; he graspcd him
by the hand and hailed him as a brother in
Christ, and they rcjoiced together that he
had found the way that leads to peace and
everlasting life.
''lIave you still the sword" asked the
trooper, 'that you twisted 80 bravcly from
my grasp7"
81 have, and intend to keep it rs an
heirloom in my family"
"Kccp it, then; you bravcly deserve it;
and let it never more be employed but in
al honest cause"