literature bald, and all authors (if you like) but one."

"Well, well," add Mr. Thomson, "we shall see."

CHAPTER I. - SUMMARY OF EVENTS DURING THIS MASTER'S WANDERINGS.

The full truth of this odd matter is what the world has long been

looking for, and public curiosity is sure to welcome. It so befell

that I was intimately mingled with the last years and history of

the house; and there does not live one man so able as myself to

make these matters plain, or so desirous to narrate them

faithfully. I knew the Master; on many secret steps of his career

I have an authentic memoir in my hand; I sailed with him on his

last voyage almost alone; I made one upon that winter's journey of

which so many tales have gone abroad; and I was there at the man's

death. As for my late Lord Durrisdeer, I served him and loved him

near twenty years; and thought more of him the more I knew of him.

Altogether, I think it not fit that so much evidence should perish;

the truth is a debt I owe my lord's memory; and I think my old

years will flow more smoothly, and my white hair lie quieter on the

pillow, when the debt is paid.

The Duries of Durrisdeer and Ballantrae were a strong family in the

south-west from the days of David First. A rhyme still current in

the countryside -

Kittle folk are the Durrisdeers,

They ride wi' over mony spears -

bears the mark of its antiquity; and the name appears in another,

which common report attributes to Thomas of Ercildoune himself - I

cannot say how truly, and which some have applied - I dare not say

with how much justice - to the events of this narration:

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