and the flowers, put into a Glasse, close stopt, and set into ane hill

of ants for a month, then take it out, and you will find a liquor which

comes from the flowers, which keep in a vial; it is good, ill or well,

and whether man or woman."

And then, in the minister's own hand, was added:

"Likewise for sprains, rub it in; and for the cholic, a great spooneful

in the hour."

To be sure, I laughed over this; but it was rather tremulous laughter;

and I was glad to get my bundle on my staff's end and set out over the

ford and up the hill upon the farther side; till, just as I came on the

green drove-road running wide through the heather, I took my last look

of Kirk Essendean, the trees about the manse, and the big rowans in the

kirkyard where my father and my mother lay.

CHAPTER II

I COME TO MY JOURNEY'S END

On the forenoon of the second day, coming to the top of a hill, I saw

all the country fall away before me down to the sea; and in the midst

of this descent, on a long ridge, the city of Edinburgh smoking like

a kiln. There was a flag upon the castle, and ships moving or lying

anchored in the firth; both of which, for as far away as they were, I

could distinguish clearly; and both brought my country heart into my

mouth.

Presently after, I came by a house where a shepherd lived, and got a

rough direction for the neighbourhood of Cramond; and so, from one to

another, worked my way to the westward of the capital by Colinton, till

I came out upon the Glasgow road. And there, to my great pleasure and

wonder, I beheld a regiment marching to the fifes, every foot in time;

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