36"0 FACTS AND INFERENCES, GRAVE AND GAY. 



saved. He (the Minister, not of State, but of Loch Broom) 

 was once attacked in his own parish by two strong ruffians, 

 to the child of one of whom he had refused baptism, on 

 the score of the parent's unsuitable character and quali- 

 fications. Finding him at some distance from the manse, 

 they threateningly renewed their application for the ordi- 

 nance, which was as resolutely refused, upon which the 

 fellows laid violent hands upon the pastor, swearing they 

 would never let him go till he complied. A desperate 

 struggle ensued, and Donald, perceiving that the minister 

 was stronger than himself and his neighbour, drew his 

 dirk, and inflicted a deep wound on Mr Robertson's right 

 arm, notwithstanding which he beat them both, and sent 

 Donald home again to study his catechism. It hap- 

 pened curiously enough, at an after period, that while 

 crossing the Thames in a boat, Mr Eobertson was assailed 

 by a stentorian voice from one of the hulks in the river, — 

 " ! a Mhaisteir Seumas, am bheil thu' g am fhagails' an 

 so?" — [Oh ! Mr James, are you going to have me here?] 

 Recognising instantly the speaker's voice, he answered, 

 "Ah! a Dhonuil, bheil cuimhn agad air l'a na biodaiff?" 

 -[Ah! Donald, do you remember the day of the dirk ?] 

 This was rather a home-thrust, which the despairing con- 

 vict tried to i any with, " Oh ! a Mhaisteir Seumas, is olc 

 an t-aite cuimhnachan so." — [Oh! Mr James, bad place 

 for remembrance is this.] And here the conversation 



