ADVENTURES. 167 



us to pass. Gad, Doctor, yonder comes Jack Leister 

 at full speed. 



Sivivel. And in the nick of time Ho ! master 

 keeper, no slinking ! an thou goest, carry thy gun 

 with thee ; 'tis within reach, and will pop out splen- 

 did bilge-water. Art pettish, forsooth ? stay then, and 

 file in with thy comrades. Marry ! we shall find 

 law to redress us, seeing you have been handled so 

 smoothly. Assault with intent of robbery ! 'tis no 

 light offence, mark you ! 



1st Keeper. We had the laird's orders. 



Swivel. Your laird's order, friend ! what ! to plunder 

 us of our property, and, in case of resistance, level a 

 barrel at our heads ? Who is this laird of yours that 

 is so absolute ? By Jove ! he hath rare power now-a- 

 clays, that can frame his own statutes ! But go your 

 ways, and learn to give the laws reverence. Were we 

 so minded, you might find this matter one of some 

 cost. Well, Jack, whence come you ? 



Exeunt KEEPERS. 



Enter LEISTER. 



Leister. Across from Loch Luichart, with intent to 

 take a cast hereabouts on my way to the inn. But 

 what has happened, Doctor ? 



Swivel. Only a tussle with some of the laird's 

 keepers, the particulars of which I shall recount to 

 thee on our road homeward. How has it fared with 

 thee, Jack, in the way of sport ? 



