Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-07-21
Escape of the Highlanders.

ESCdpt VI Tic f1ISHldnueFSs
The following graphic sketch is taken
. from 1.-The Traditions of the Scottish
Persecution" written by the Rev. Thomas
Carter, D. D.:
'The farm of Bellybought, in the par
ish of Morton, Scotland, is situated in
wild spot among the mountains, and in
the times of the prosecutions, in the
reign of James H.. was resorted to as g
place of concealment from the emissaries
of the King. In this wilderness there
was a lonely shielding, near which was a
deep and rugged ravine. it's PERCEPTIONS
sides thickly covered with wood, and it's
dark unfrequented mazes and recesses
afordlng sure and safe retreat. On one
occasion company of wanderers, of
whom Adam Clark, of Glenim, was the
leader, had concealed themselves in the
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 robust and active
young man, one night issued forth with
two of his companions for the purpose
Of providing meal for the party. Hav-
ing returned in safety before dawn they
sat down to enjoy the repast. There
were some twenty-eight of them all
armed and ready to defend themselves
where there was any hope Of success.
They had hardly finished when Andrew
Clark, brother of Adam, who was of the
party, standing at the door, observed
some sheep flying past pursued by a
powerful dog. i.
"What means this ?" he exclaimed.
ut is one of Morton's dogs" replied
Adam. "Our retreat is discovered and
the troopers will be here instantly"
In moment every man was ready
with his weapon in hand, and the dra-
goons came laundering down upon them.
The Highlanders, seeing themselves far
outnumbered, rushed toward the preci-
pice SO as to make their escape, down
which they plunged amid the shots of
their enemies, and were concealed in it's
thickets. Adam and Andrew, however,
were not SO fortunate. The former was
attacked by one Of the dragons, but be-
fore he could use his sword, Adam seized
the bride and pushed his horse back
ward till he stumbled and threw his
rider. On the instant he heard the voice
Of his brother Andrew, and turning he
beheld him PROSTATE, gigantic trooper
standing over him, about ready to hew
him to pieces with his ponderous broad
sword. Adam sprang to his assistance,
and the dragon turned to defend him
self from his new opponent In the con-
f1ict, Adam wrested 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 pursued party dared not
venture to follow lest fatal shot should
overtake them from the heart of the
dark bushes in which the Highlanders
were hid.
Some years after this when the access
sion of William of Orange and the set
Element of the Revolution had made
foes friends again, Adam Clark, now a
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 he was accosteds
by tall and strongly built man, who
asked him if he did not recognize him.
"'No,' said Clark; "you seem an entire
! stranger to me-"
Il know you, however, having once
met with you i'll circumstances which
shall not easily forget"
ITO what do you allude"
do you not remember the onslaught
?oClly OOuSHO! 11O you uOI ICIl01D0T
the Dragon from whom you wrested the
sword, and whom you left PROSTATE in
the moss ?"
Il do" answered Clark; "and are you
the man?"
Lam and to you owe my life, for you
had me completely in your power. | am
beyond measure happy that / now have
the opportunity of rendering to you my
cordial thanks for your clemency; and
trust that God, in opposition to whose
cause [ then fought, has in his gracious
mercy turned my heart to himself. From
the moment I escaped from you WITH
my life [ never lifted weapon on the
side of persecution, and [ most sincerely
regret that ever enlisted in the cause
butt, like Paul, did it ignorantly and in
unbelief."
Adam was astonished; he grasped
him by the hand and hailed him as
brother in Christ, and they rejoiced to-
gether that he had found the way that
leads to peace and everlasting life.
"Have you still the sword" asked the
trooper, "that you twisted so bravely
from my grasp?"
II have, and I intend to keep it as an
heirloom in my family"
"Keep itthen; you bravely deserve it;
and let it never more be employed but
n IA honest cause"