The Forrest City times., 1899-11-03
Margaret Mackenzie

HXN HE Settlng sun was Slantlng redly S& over the hills that lowered in the lar of the valley in secluded part of
 eotland, where congregation of Coz
 nanters were assembled to hear Rev. Dougal Mackenzie preach to them. Driven from their habitation by perse- Tuition, they sought the solitude of the #1ills and wales that they might conduct 8beir worship according to their &C.,
 ustomed usage. But they were not al- Nays free from molestation, even when
 eeing to the wilds. Profane and cruel Bands of troopers tracked them from the most strict and untiring vigilance {hat they could have any security to Eorship in peace.
 # Rev. Dougal Mackenzie was standing An the midst of the people, with one band upon the sacred Scriptures and he other raised to Heaven. He had just foncluded his discourse, having taken Ds his text the words: For Joshua
 rev not his hand back, wherewith he Dtretched out the spear, until he had Bitterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ri"
 Looking over his congregation as if De were speaking to each in person, he 8dded: And such, Heavenly Father, Eve pray Thee, may be the slaughter of 4he enemies of Thy servants" A deep and fervid Amen" was the Response that came from the lips of his Bearers.
 Though Dougal Mackenzie had been P pastor for more than 30 years, he Booked more like a soldier than one zN Those duty it was to proclaim the gos- zpel of peace. Tall, erect and straight as
 n arrow, eyes bright and gray, head al post white and frame compact and well
 pit, he was a person that would at
 ract attention from the most casual
 bserver of men. His life had been one
 vicissitude and hardship, but through his troubles he always bore brave
 part, looking forward to the day when
 might perchance seal his devotion to
 s faith (as his father had done) by Vlng in defense of his religion and his Nights.
 9z He was man of austere department,
 nt then he was sincere and ardent in
 IS plety and very tenacious respecting
 pc tenets of his faith. His hard, dry
 heology caused him at times to utter
 gree menaces against those whom he pnsidered were given over to Belial,
 hd If anathemas could have availed pany longhaired cavalier would have
 one straight to perdition under his Nlthering denunciations.
 # In the front ranks of the people sat <he pastors daughter, Margaret, who. Nith earnest gaze and meek look, had gen awaiting the close of the sermon. As he raised his hand to pronounce a 33iessing there came gallop of horse eoofs, and the next instant a man was eeen riding at terrible pace up the val HS' few moments later he sprang 1rom his steed and stood in the midst of the people.
 W hat tidings bringest thou, Robert sAihdsay?' inquired the pastor.
 There Is no time to lose, my friends" {" erled Lindsay. 'The soldiers are at &ahd, and, if escape is possible, you nust be off. 1 have ridden hard, and &hly by the aid of the Almighty have I escaped to warn you"
 At the words of the young man the &iders gathered about the pastor to con- 4nlt for their course of action, while
 indsay approached Margaret Macken- &le' and, taking her hand in his own, rhlspered to her that harm never ehould befall her while his arm could Nield sword.
 About half-mile from where the congregation was assembled there stood T lew shepherds cots, and to those the people hastily retreated, for every man ead brought arms with him, but they Dad left their weapons in the huts, un- ger care of trusty followers.
 As place ofdefense this retreat could Sner but little security. for the ground
 as so level that it presented an excel
 a' field for invading horsemen. But