But the maist of us, gentle and
simple, are up and down Whig and Kirk and reigning House.--Na, na!
when we drink to the King we dinna pass the glass over the water!"
A dark, thin soldier put in his word, well garnished with oaths. "Now
that there's war up and down and so many of us are going out of the
country, there's a saying that the Pretender may e'en sail across from
France and beat a drum and give a shout! Then there'll be a sorting--"
"Them that would rise wouldn't be enough to make a graveyard ghost to
frighten with!"
"You're mistaken there. They'll frighten ye all right when they answer
the drum! I'm thinking there's some in the army would answer it!"
"Then they'll be hanged, drawn, and quartered!" averred the corporal.
"Who are ye thinking would do that?"
"I'm not precisely knowing. But there are some with King George were
brought up on the hope of King James!"
More liquor appeared upon the table, was poured and drunk. The talk
grew professional. The King's shilling, and the advantage of taking
it, came solely upon the board, and who might or might not 'list from
this dale and the bordering hills. Strickland and Robin Greenlaw left
their corner.
"I must get back to the house."
"And I to Littlefarm."
They went out together. There were few in the street. The snow was
beginning to fall.
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