"Speak out, you scoundrel," said General Dalzell, "or I'll dash your teeth out with my dudgeonhaft!--Do you think we can stand here all day to be turning and dodging with you, like greyhounds after a hare?" [Note: The General is said to have struck one of the captive whigs, when under examination, with the hilt of his sabre, so that the blood gushed out. The provocation for this unmanly violence was, that the prisoner had called the fierce veteran "a Muscovy beast, who used to roast men." Dalzell had been long in the Russian service, which in those days was no school of humanity.] "Aweel, then," said Cuddie, "since naething else will please ye, write down that I cannot deny but I was there." "Well, sir," said the Duke, "and do you think that the rising upon that occasion was rebellion or not?" "I'm no just free to gie my opinion, stir," said the cautious captive, "on what might cost my neck; but I doubt it will be very little better." "Better than what?" "Just than rebellion, as your honour ca's it," replied Cuddie. "Well, sir, that's speaking to the purpose," replied his Grace. "And are you content to accept of the King's pardon for your guilt as a rebel, and to keep the church, and pray for the King?" "Blithely, stir," answered the unscrupulous Cuddie; "and drink his health into the bargain, when the ale's gude." "Egad," said the Duke, "this is a hearty cock.--What brought you into such a scrape, mine honest friend?" "Just ill example, stir," replied the prisoner, "and a daft auld jaud of a mither, wi' reverence to your Grace's honour." "Why, God-a-mercy, my friend," replied the Duke, "take care of bad advice another time; I think you are not likely to commit treason on your own score.--Make out his free pardon, and bring forward the rogue in the chair." Macbriar was then moved forward to the post of examination. "Were you at the battle of Bothwell Bridge?" was, in like manner, demanded of him. "I was," answered the prisoner, in a bold and resolute tone. "Were you armed?" "I was not--I went in my calling as a preacher of God's word, to encourage them that drew the sword in His cause." "In other words, to aid and abet the rebels?" said the Duke. "Thou hast spoken it," replied the prisoner. "Well, then," continued the interrogator, "let us know if you saw John Balfour of Burley among the party?--I presume you know him?" "I bless God that I do know him," replied Macbriar; "he is a zealous and a sincere Christian." "And when and where did you last see this pious personage?" was the query which immediately followed. "I am here to answer for myself," said Macbriar, in the same dauntless manner, "and not to endanger others." "We shall know," said Dalzell, "how to make you find your tongue." "If you can make him fancy himself in a conventicle," answered Lauderdale, "he will find it without you.--Come, laddie, speak while the play is good--you're too young to bear the burden will be laid on you else."