This I said dourly, for my gall was working hot within me. So far from our first friendship had the clack of foolish tongues brought us. 'Deed, we were but silly boys that needed skelping, but I far the worst, for my head was by nature cooler and I knew better all the while. "And so perhaps would I have preferred it," answered he gently. "Aye," said he again, "I think it is somewhat late in the day for Wat Gordon of Lochinvar, to have to prove his courage upon his cousin William of Earlstoun. So then, take it from me that but for my oath sworn to the King, it had been more pleasure to ride with you in the charge at Ayrsmoss, than to be bridegroom to any maid soever in the world!" And at the name of the King, he lifted his worn old countryman's bonnet as nobly and loyally as though it had been the plumed hat, whose feather had been so proudly set that night when he defied heaven and hell to keep him from his tryst beyond the Netherbow. At the word I stretched out my hand to him. "Forgive me, Wat," I said, and would have taken his arm, but he moved it a little away for a moment. "Pray remember," he said grandly, "that though I am a jerkined man and handle the mattock in another man's kail yaird,--aye, though I be put to the horn and condemned unheard as a traitor, I am true King's man. Vive le Roi!" "Well," replied I, "so be it, and much good may it do you. At any rate, there is no need to make such a work about it. After all, gin ye be at the horn, it's Guid's truth that ye gied Duke Wellwood's lads some most unmerciful jags aneath the ribs!" While thus we snarled and fought between ourselves, the very strife of our tongues made the legs go faster, and we drew southward between the two lochs, Ken and Grenoch, crossing over the Black Water and leaving the Duchrae behind. And this made me very wae, to mind the days that we had there, with that brave company which should meet no more on the earth together. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE TESTING OF THE TYKE. At the head of the high natural wood which fringes about all the mansion house of Balmaghie, we held down to the right through the copses, till we came to the green policies that ring in the great house of McGhies. As we went linking down this green pleasaunce, there met us one who came towards us with his hands behind his back, stooping a little from the shoulders down. He had on him a rich dress of dark stuff a good deal worn, being that of a fashion one or two removes from the present. But this rather, as it seemed, from habit and preference than from need--like one that deigns not to go too fine. "Where away, Heather Jock?" he cried as we made to go by, and turned toward us. "Whom have we here?" he asked, so soon as he saw me. "A cousin o' mine from the hill country, laird," said Wat, with the gruff courtesy of the gardener. "Hoot, hoot--another! This will never do. Has he taken the Test?" said the laird. "I doubt he cannot read it even," said Wat, standing sheepishly before him.