92 A Scortiso [pyt. 
owner of it, and offer’d to give any price he demanded, the little 
esquire set his price, and she gave it, to the admiration of many 
spectators, and all the way as she walk’d she canonaded so violently 
that the whole town was alarn’d and thought it was a French 
landing, by the time we were near our own house we found the 
whole dragoons drawn out to defend the place, but upon the sight of 
there Enemy, they water’d there horses instead of proceeding further 
to the attack, there was a search for arms, and that unlucky 
gun was found upon Maguire, by your friend, Cornet Smith, but 
she manag’d things so prudently, that instead of being taken prisner 
herself she brought the Cornet a prisoner to our house, we made 
a search likewise and made him lay down all his heavy luggage 
which was two pocketsfull of nuts, so we drank tea, and sang all 
the afternoon. Next day we all went to Maxwelton (Sir Robt.’s 
house) and spent eight days pritty agreeably in dancing and other 
country amusements, we had Mr Jervis with us nearly all the 
time, to my great joy Alicie, the Cleckin had been destroy’d 
some days before we went there, he insisted that Maguire should 
see his house before she left the country. We went and dined 
there, and was very handsomely entertained, and went to his 
brother all night. Next day we came to Dumfries, and he con- 
voy d us about three miles. When we came into town we received 
your letter but could not answere it with the post it was so late. 
Yesterday being the king’s birthnight we had a ball, but you can’t 
have the satisfaction in hearing of the balls here, that you had of 
the Moffat ones as you are acquaint with so few of the folks here 
but the few that does know you, I assure you asksafter you very 
affectionatly. Now I think I have been very particuler In my 
account. I am now come to this night. About a dozen of us has 
keep’d our hallowe’en very merrily and now Maguire and I are 
sitting by the fireside, at one o'clock. She is preparing ane apple 
to dream upon and telling me now and then what to say to John- 
ston. She sometimes looks about to the door to see if she can see 
you sitting upon your carpet. Dr. Alicie we have often wished 
for you here, but since that won’t do, hope we shall soon meet in 
Edinburgh. Maguire and Sussie and me goes in next week, and 
Grissie stays with my sister till Christmas and then, I believe, 
they both comein. Grissie wou’d write but she is sadly distress’d 
with her headacks, but she says she’ll write to you after we are 
gone, direct for Maguire and me at Lord Tinwald’s house Miln’s 
