it; for it was known by a few of his most intimate friends that he did carry such a thing about with him, and by these such allusions were sometimes made; but the former, although they had often seen his naturally fiery temper put to very severe test, never knew an instance of his having taken advantage of his concealed arms, even to the extent of a threat, excepting in the single instance of which we are about to speak; but that alone is sufficient to show--in a very striking light, we think--the miserable effects of introducing or maintaining barbarous habits--more especially that of wearing secret weapons--into civilised and social life. Of Sommerville, we have not much to say in the way of description. He was in the same service with M'Intyre--that is, the excise; and was about the same age--thirty-two or thirty-three. They were intimate friends, and as frequently together as the nature of their duties would permit; and were both unmarried. On the same day on which the conversation with which we opened our story took place, it happened that Angus and Sommerville were invited together to a tavern-dinner in the Saltmarket, with some mutual friends. About an hour previous to that appointed for the festive meeting, Sommerville called on M'Intyre at his lodgings, with the view of waiting for him, that they might go together to the house where they were to dine. A few minutes before they left M'Intyre's lodgings for this purpose, Sommerville said, playfully, "By the by, Mac, I hope you do not intend taking that infernal weapon with you to-night?" "Tuts, man," replied M'Intyre, somewhat testily, "never mind it. What need ye always harp on that string? Did you never know of a gentleman wearing a dirk before? It's no such extraordinary or terrible thing, surely." "Terrible enough in reckless hands," said Sommerville. M'Intyre looked more and more displeased, as his friend continued to cling to the subject; but his only reply was, "Nonsense, John! Come, let us be going--it's near the hour." "Well, I tell you what it is, Angus," remarked his friend, banteringly, and still pertinaciously dwelling on the skean dhu, "I won't sit beside you to-night--I'll take care of that; no, nor within arm's-length of you either." "Sit where you please," replied M'Intyre, angrily, and he flung out of the apartment, followed by Sommerville. On their reaching the tavern, the company were already assembled, and were waiting their presence before sitting down to table. As soon as they entered, however, places were taken; and it happened by chance that the only vacant chair left for Sommerville was one next his friend M'Intyre. On observing this, the former jokingly declined it, saying,