is simple enough to trust him, or become entangled in the meshes of _the_ profession, which, like a true old Highlander, I regard with proper hatred and contempt. D—n them all! I say, heartily; and all tax-gatherers, messengers at arms, and excisemen likewise! Some of the last kind of intruders carried off Alpin Oig’s still from Coir nan Taischatrin, and a great noise was made in Perth about it. Three came up the glen with a warrant for his apprehension; but I hid him in the old dungeon under the hall, where I would advise them not to try and look for him, if they wish to keep their bones whole. It was a great insult to seize the still, but I am powerless now, and can only think with a sigh of the time when my father hung two of them on the _dule tree_ at the tower gate,—and no man dared to say, What dost thou? It was the day before he marched for Glenfinnan, and the unfortunate gaugers were left to feed the eagles and corbies of Benmore. Scotland was Scotland then! Dirk and claymore! was the cry when a Highland gentleman was insulted. I saw, by the papers, that young Inchavon has been taken prisoner. Well, I dare say you will not miss him much. His sister’s arts have completely failed to entrap the Earl of Hyndford. He took his departure suddenly for Edinburgh last month, leaving Miss Alice to fly her hawks at lesser game." Ronald had scarcely finished the perusal of this disheartening letter, when Evan entered hastily. "Oh, sir," said he, "I have an unco’ tale to tell ye aboot my comrade Angus,—puir cheild." "How! has he been robbed by picaros,—slain by _guerillas_, or what?" "O, waur than a’ that." "He deserted in the direction of the enemy; I was sorry to hear of it. He was always a favourite of mine and of Seaton’s. Did he reach the French lines?" "Eh, no, sir! Captain Blacier’s riflemen fell in wi’ him amang the hills, and there has been an unco’ tulzie. But weel do I ken for what puir Angus deserted. It wasna the French he was awa to join; he was off for Almendralejo, sir." "Almendralejo! Stay; I remember a story now. Surely it was not his attachment to some girl there which led him to commit so rash an act?" "Just naething else. O Maister Ronald, ye ken weel what an unco’ thing love is." "I have seen the girl,—Maria Garcionados."