 the house of Duncan Dhu. Where I had wandered in the interval
perhaps the horse could tell. I know we were twice down, and once over the
saddle and for a moment carried away in a roaring burn. Steed and rider were
bemired up to the eyes.
    From Duncan I had news of the trial. It was followed in all these Highland
regions with religious interest; news of it spread from Inverary as swift as men
could travel; and I was rejoiced to learn that, up to a late hour that Saturday,
it was not yet concluded: and all men began to suppose it must spread over to
the Monday. Under the spur of this intelligence I would not sit to eat; but,
Duncan having agreed to be my guide, took the road again on foot, with the piece
in my hand and munching as I went. Duncan brought with him a flask of usquebaugh
and a hand-lantern; which last enlightened us just so long as we could find
houses where to rekindle it, for the thing leaked outrageously and blew out with
every gust. The more part of the night we walked blindfold among sheets of rain,
and day found us aimless on the mountains. Hard by we struck a hut on a
burn-side, where we got a bite and a direction: and, a little before the end of
the sermon, came to the kirk-doors of Inverary.
    The rain had somewhat washed the upper parts of me, but I was still bogged
as high as to the knees; I streamed water; I was so weary I could hardly limp,
and my face was like a ghost's. I stood certainly more in need of a change of
raiment and a bed to lie on than of all the benefits in Christianity. For all
which (being persuaded the chief point for me was to make myself immediately
public) I set the door open, entered that church with the dirty Duncan at my
tails, and, finding a vacant place hard by, sat down.
    »Thirteenthly, my brethren, and in parenthesis, the law itself must be
regarded as a means of grace,« the minister was saying, in the voice of one
delighting to pursue an argument.
    The sermon was in English on account of the assize. The judges were present
with their armed attendants, the halberts glittered in a corner by the door, and
the seats were thronged beyond custom with the array of lawyers. The text was in
Romans 5th and 13th - the minister a skilled hand; and the whole of that able
churchful - from Argyle, and my Lords
