There was a rattle of drums, and we fell into rank again. I looked across the water. Far off I saw a gull flash like a streak of silver into the waves, and near at hand, afloat upon the water, a wisp of brown seaweed--or was it a lassie’s hair? *CHAPTER IV* *THE TAVERN BRAWL* It was high noon as we cluttered up the hill, back to our camping-place. Our day’s work was done, but it was not till evening that we were free to go about our own affairs. Try as I might I could not blot out the memory of the doings of the morning, and when night fell I took my way with half a dozen companions to the inn that stood not far from the Tolbooth in the hope that there I might find some relief from the scourge of my thoughts. In the sanded kitchen, round a glowing fire--for though it was May the nights were still chilly--we found many of the townsfolk already gathered. Some were passing a patient hour with the dambrod, seeking inspiration for crafty moves of the black or white men in tankards of the tavern-keeper’s ale. Others were gathered round the fire smoking, each with a flagon of liquor at his elbow. I sat down at a little table with Trooper Agnew, and called for something to drink. I was in no mood for amusement, and spurned Agnew’s suggestion that we should play draughts. The inn-keeper placed a tobacco jar between us. "Ye’ll try a smoke?" he queried. "It’s guid tobacco: a’ the better, though I hardly daur mention it, that it paid nae duty." Nothing loth, Agnew and I filled our pipes, and the inn-keeper picking up a piece of red peat with the tongs held it to our pipes till they were aglow. It was, as mine host had said, good tobacco, and under its soothing influence and the brightening effect of his ale my gloom began to disappear. From time to time other troopers dropped in, and they were followed by sundry of the townsfolk with whom, in spite of the events of the morning, we red-coat men were on good terms. Close by the fire sat one of the halberdiers--the man who had pushed the head of the drowning girl under the water with his halberd. The ale had loosened his tongue. "I dinna ken," he said, "but the thing lies here: if thae stiff-necked Covenanters winna’ tak’ the oath to the King, it is the end o’ a’ proper order in the country." He spat a hissing expectoration upon the glowing peat. "I’m a man o’ order masel’. I expect fowk to obey me in virtue o’ ma office just as I’m ready to obey them as God and the King ha’e set abune me." He spoke loudly as though challenging his audience; but no one made answer. The silence was broken by the clatter of draughts as two players ended a game and set about replacing the men for another joust. The halberdier took a long draught from his mug.