"’Time was,’ said Andra, ’that I would gladly ha’e sworn fealty to the King in things temporal; but in things spiritual I am answerable to a Higher than ony Stuart. I was a loyal subject, like a’ the hill-folk, till the Stuarts broke their ain pledged word: and ye canna’ expect a Scot, least o’ a’ a Galloway man, tae turn aboot like a weather-cock, when it pleases the King to turn.’ "’Damnable treason,’ shouts Claver’se. ’Don’t you know that the King is above the law, and reigns by Divine Right?’ "Andra shook his head, but his wife answered: ’Ay, so the Stuarts say, but they waited till they got to England before they blew that bubble. Weel they kent there were ower mony jaggy thistles in Scotland for that bag o’ win’ tae last long this side o’ the border.’ "’Woman,’ says Claver’se, angrily, ’be silent,’ and turning to Andra he said: ’You know you have forfeited your life: many a man has died for less; but I would not be hard on you. Will you be done with the Covenanters? Say the word and you are free. Refuse’--and he waved his hand towards the body o’ the lad. Andra followed the gesture wi’ his e’en. Then he looked at Claver’se again--wi’ nae sign o’ fear on his face. ’You ken my answer, sir, I canna.’ And as Claver’se turned angrily away the guid-wife threw her airms aboot her husband’s neck and sobbed, ’Oh, Andra, my ain brave man!’ The dragoons had loosened their hold o’ him, and he put his airms aboot her, and patted her heid. ’Dinna greet, lassie,’ he murmured, ’dinna greet. Death is naething: only a doorway that lets us ben the Maister’s hoose. I’ll wait for ye yonder; the pairtin’ will no be lang.’ "Claver’se had turned to the dragoons and was rapidly gi’eing them orders. Twa sodgers laid hold on the woman and tried to drag her awa’ frae her man, but wi’ her face buried on his shoulder she clung to him sobbing. Wi’ his ain hands he took her airms frae his neck, and haudin’ her face between his palms, kissed her. ’My ain Jean,’ he said, ’God keep you. You ha’e been a guid wife tae me,’ and kissing her again he left her and took his place by the wall o’ the hoose. The firing party was ready. Claver’se half raised his sword to gi’e the signal; then he checked himsel’ and turned to Andra. "’An’ you will,’ he said, ’you may have five minutes to make your peace with your Maker.’ "’I thank you,’ replied Andra, ’but that’s settled lang syne.’ Claver’se’s blade rose sharply in the air. ’Ready,’ he shouted--and the sword fell, and as its point struck the ground, Andra Paterson o’ Daldowie passed ower unafraid.