The herald., 1897-11-28

But there were others who could take
steps as well as Presbyteries and Of
flcers Of the law.
| Alexander-Jonita rode like a storm
cloud up and down the glen and listed
the lads to do her villas indeed they
were ever too ready to do. Her father,
with several of the elders, men grave
and reverend, met to concert measures
for defending the pounds, lest the ene-
my should try to oust their minister
out of his warm nest."--as they called
the manse which covered down under
lee of the Kirk.
! So it came about that there was
scarce man who was not enrolled to
protect the passage perilous of Kirk
and Manse. The parish became almost
like a defended city, or an intrenched
camp. There were watchers upon the
hNl-tops everywhere. Weekday and
Sabbath day they abode there. All the
fords were guarded. For, save on the
wild and mountainous side, our parish
is surrounded by waters, deep and
broad, or else rapid and dangerous.
Did a couple of ministers approach
from Crossmichael to preach the kirk
vacant" their boat was pushed back
again into the stream and a hundred
Yet all was carried out with decency
and order, as men do who have taken
a great matter in hand and are ready
to stand within their danger.
The elders also held mysterious COLO
ouies with men from distance, who
went and came under cloud OF night.
There was discipline and drill by Cid
con Henderson and other former Of
ficers of the Scotch Dutch regiments.
l remember a muster on the meadows
of the Duchrae, at which a stern-faced
man, with his face half-muffied. came
and put us through our drill. I knew
by the tones of his voice, that this was
none other than the Colonel William
Gordon, who had marched with us to
Edinburgh in the convention year.
But the climax was yet to come.
1t was in July that the Sheriff had
first tried in vain to land at the Kirk
Knowe in order to expel my brother
from his manse. But a dozen men start
ed up out of the bushes. and with lev
elled pistols, turned the boat back
again to the further shore.
Next there was a gathering OF the
Presbytery at Cullenoch to concert
measures with the landowners, who
had often smarted under Quintin's re-
buke. 1t was to be held at the inn, and
the debate was to settle many things.
But alas! when the day came, every
room in the hostel was filed with
armed men, so that there was no place
for the reverend fathers and their ter
rified hosts.
So without in the wide space where
four roads meet. the Presbyters, one
by one, addressed the people. If ad-
dresses they could be called, which
We're interrupted at every sentence.
Now it was Warner. the father of the
Presbytery, who was speaking when I
arrived. He was one of those who had
sat safe and snug under the indul-
gences and agreements in the days Of
persecution.
People of Balma ghie," he cried,
"harken to me. Ye are supporting a
man that is no minister. a man de-
posed. Your children will be unbap-
tized, your marriages unblessed, be-
cause of this mani
Master Warner" cried voice from
the crowd, II am auld eneuch to mind
how ye were a member in that
Presbytery at Sundaywall that sat on
Richard Cameron in order to depose
him. Now ye wad spend your persecut-
ing breath on our young minister Gang
hame, man, and think on your latter
end"
And, indeed, as half a dozen bare
swords We're within yard of his nose,
Mr.. Warner might quite as we'll have
thought on his latter end where lie
was.
Then it was Cameron's turn. But him
the people would not listen to on any
account because he had been account
ed chief agent and mover in the pro-
cess of law against their minister.
Better ye had died at Ayrsmoss WI
your twa Erithers," they cried to him,
"man, yen never win nearer to them
than Kirkcudbrig town. And Guild
kens that's an awesome lang road frae
heeven!"
To Telfair, the Ghost seer, they cried,
when he strove to say word, What
for did ye no bring the dell WI we in
bag? Man, ye are over great WI him.
But there's neither witch nor warlock
can look at Mac Clellans cup, nor
come near our minister. It's easy seen
Quintin Mac Clellan wasna in the Pres
bytery when the dell played sic pills.
kies doom aboot the Rerrick Shores"
Then came Boyd, who had proclaimed
King William at Glasgow cross But
he found that an easier task than to
shout down the cause of righteousness
at the Four Roads of Pluckemere.
you pay overmuch attention to the
words of a man without honor" This
was his beginning, heard over all, to
the very midst of the street, for he
had q great voice, which in a better
cause would have been listened to like
the voice of an apostle.
Have ye paid back the siller the
poor Hill-Folk spent on your colleg-
ing?" they asked him. "Our minister
paid for his ain schooling"
The question was a feathered arrow
in the white, but Boyd avoided it.
"Your minister is a man that should
be ashamed 20 enter q Kirk and preach
the gospel. Who would associate with
the like of Quintin Mac Clellan?"
"Of certainty not traitors and
turncoats" cried a deep voice in the
background, toward which all turned
in amaZement.
1t was Sir Alexander Gordon of
Earlstoun, the reputed Head of the So
cieties, whose boast it had been that
he could call seven thousand men to
arms in the day of trouble.
! saw Boyd pale to the lips
Il do not argue with sectaries!" he
stammered, turning on his heel
Nor 1 with knavish deceivers." cried
Alexander Gordon, "of whom there are