place (me that's a Stewart born!) for all the Stewarts that ever

there were since Noah. Risk? ay, I take over-many; but to be tried

in court before a Campbell jury and a Campbell judge, and that in a

Campbell country and upon a Campbell quarrel--think what you like

of me, Balfour, it's beyond me."

"It's a different way of thinking, I suppose," said I; "I was

brought up to this one by my father before me."

"Glory to his bones! he has left a decent son to his name," says

he. "Yet I would not have you judge me over-sorely. My case is

dooms hard. See, sir, ye tell me ye're a Whig: I wonder what I

am. No Whig to be sure; I couldnae be just that. But--laigh in

your ear, man--I'm maybe no very keen on the other side."

"Is that a fact?" cried I. "It's what I would think of a man of

your intelligence."

"Hut! none of your whillywhas!" {4} cries he. "There's

intelligence upon both sides. But for my private part I have no

particular desire to harm King George; and as for King James, God

bless him! he does very well for me across the water. I'm a

lawyer, ye see: fond of my books and my bottle, a good plea, a

well-drawn deed, a crack in the Parliament House with other lawyer

bodies, and perhaps a turn at the golf on a Saturday at e'en.

Where do ye come in with your Hieland plaids and claymores?"

"Well," said I, "it's a fact ye have little of the wild

Highlandman."

"Little?" quoth he. "Nothing, man! And yet I'm Hieland born, and

when the clan pipes, who but me has to dance! The clan and the

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>
 
 

peking2008