Serjeant.--Faith, sir, he was a queer tough little fellow, Inchrory--for by that name he was always best known in the country--as proud as a bantam cock on his own midden-head. The body cared not for the King. I have two or three curious little anecdotes about him, which I can tell you and the gentlemen, if you have no objections. Clifford.--Objections, Mr Serjeant! I, the secretary, desire that you shall tell them, without another moment's delay. Serjeant.--Aweel, aweel, sir! I'll do that at your bidding. I'm not accustomed to disobey the adjutant. ALISTER SHAW OF INCHRORY. It happened one day, gentlemen, that the Earl of Fife was travelling up this glen, on his way over to his house of Mar Lodge, in Braemar, and having stopped at Caochan-Seirceag over by yonder, he sent one of his people across the meadow here, to tell Inchrory that he meant to honour him with a visit. The gentleman knocked at the door, was admitted by the goodwife, and ushered into Inchrory's presence. He found him seated in his arm-chair, in the position which he always occupied, that is, on the most comfortable side of the fire. "Good day to you, Inchrory," said the gentleman, bowing. "The same to you sir," said Inchrory, bowing his head very grandly and ceremoniously, but without stirring. "My Lord the Earl of Fife, who is halting at Caochan-Seirceag, on his road to Braemar, has sent me over to tell you, that he means to step aside from his way to visit you," said the gentleman. "Well, sir," said Inchrory, proudly, "what of that? Tell him he is welcome." The gentleman, astonished with his reception, bowed and retired, as an ambassador might have done from a royal presence. "Well, sir," said Lord Fife to him, after he had rejoined him, "is Inchrory at home?" "He is at home, my Lord," replied the gentleman; "but he is the surliest churl I ever came across." "As how?" demanded the Earl. "Why, my Lord, the little wretch never rose from his chair," replied the gentleman; and then he repeated the conversation he had had with Inchrory. "If your Lordship would take my council, you would e'en continue your journey, and leave the bear to suck his own paws in his own den." "Why do you not flit [3] that insolent fellow," said Lord Fife to James MacGrigor of Pitiveach, his factor, who happened to be with him; "you are tacksman of this farm, and so you have it in your power to turn him out." "Why, my Lord," replied MacGrigor, "he and his forebears [4] have been there for generations; and, though he certainly is a great original, he is no bad fellow for all that." "So, so," replied the Earl, laughing, "the fellow is an original, is he? Then I must see him. It is something to discover so great a potentate, holding his undisputed reign in wilds like these, so many miles from any other human dwelling. I must visit him directly."