CHAP. IV. ] Journey to the Kettle. 75 
der, he set out barefoot for Kettle. He thought he might 
be able to accomplish the journey in about two days. 
Away he sped. Time was precious. The way was long, 
and his provender was small. He had only sixpence. He 
soon tried to raise the other penny. He met with two 
herd-boys and a girl. He said to the boys, “ Will ye buy 
a knife? Tl give it you cheap.” “No.” He passed 
through Stonehaven, about sixteen miles from Aberdeen, 
and up a steep brae on to Bervie. 
Edward was not much influenced by the scenery through 
RUINS OF DUNNOTTAR OAS8TLE. 
which he passed. He was anxious to push on without loss 
of time. But one thing he could ‘not help seeing, and that 
was the ruins of Dunnottar Castle. They lay on his left 
hand, on a lofty, rock-bound cliff, betwixt him and the sea. 
They seemed to be of great extent, but he could not turn 
aside to visit the ruins. They reminded him, however, of 
the numerous stories he had heard about them at home— 
of the Covenanters who had been thrust into the Whigs’ 
Vault at Dunnottar, where many of them died; of others 
who had tried to escape, and been battered to pieces against 
