146 A Covenanter's Narrative* 



the loft. When I saw he was not like to speak I came to him 

 and took him by the hand and askit how he did, and that I 

 thought he was unwell. He answered how he could not 

 be well, for I was going- to destroy myself. I answered 

 I hoped not, but I was minded through the Lord's grace and 

 strength to preserve and save myself. Then he askit if I 

 knew for what 1 was imprisoned. I said I did know that ; 

 it was for not taking the declaration. Then he said it was 

 so and that I might soon mend it. I said again, Sir, I know 

 ye give me your counsel as ye would give it to him ye love 

 best in the world and would take to yourself and as ye now 

 think would tend to my guide, for ye which. Sir, I thank you 

 heartily, because I know it proceeds from love, and know also 

 that I may be easily helpit and mendit it [sic] for this time by 

 setting my name to the declaration, but to deny Christ and my 

 covenant made with Christ will not be easily mendit. He 

 then held up his hand and prayed me to say no more for I 

 would make it worse (it being in y« sogers hearing he meant). 

 I said I had meikle mair to say but if he would forbear to 

 speak any mair to that purpose I would be silent. I was in 

 much courage and might think [sic] me to be angrie and said 

 that I was angrie. But I said no, I but speak my judgment 

 freely. He then said I was a lost man. I said I hoped no, 

 and that I sould be well, but that I was sorrie for my wife, for 

 there would be two killed. 



" I askit at him if he would go home, or if any word 

 would be gotin to my wife. He said it would be to no purpose 

 for it could not be gotin to her in time, and although he were 

 going home he would not tell her (but he behoovit to wait on 

 my (lo) Drumlanrig), and that he desired not that she got 

 word. I said she would ay get word sometime ; and so he 

 went his way from me at that very sadly and grievit. 



" There was a pair of blankets and a half and a covering 

 sent up to me from the guide wife of the house that I quar- 

 tered with, but there was no straw, but it matert not for it 

 would have been a good bed that I would have lien down into. 

 I walkit all night up and down the loft, and when I wearied 

 I leaned down upon the bolster and set the candle beside me, 

 and whiles read and whiles sang, for my Lord and Saviour 



