beggar, looked from height, manner, and emphasis of voice and gesture,
rather like a grey palmer or eremite preacher, the ghostly counsellor of the
young men who were around him, than the object of their charity. His speech,
indeed, was as homely as his habit, but as bold and unceremonious as his erect
and dignified demeanour. »What are ye come here for, young men?« he said,
addressing himself to the surprised audience; »are ye come amongst the most
lovely works of God to break his laws? Have ye left the works of man, the houses
and the cities that are but clay and dust, like those that built them - and are
ye come here among the peaceful hills, and by the quiet waters, that will last
whiles aught earthly shall endure, to destroy each other's lives, that will have
but an unco short time, by the course of nature, to make up a lang account at
the close o't? O sirs! hae ye brothers, sisters, fathers, that hae tended ye,
and mothers that hae travailed for ye, friends that hae ca'd ye like a piece o'
their ain heart? and is this the way ye tak to make them childless and
brotherless and friendless? Ohon! it's an ill feight whar he that wins has the
warst o't. Think on't, bairns. I'm a puir man - but I'm an auld man too - and
what my poverty takes awa frae the weight o' my counsel, grey hairs and a
truthfu' heart should add it twenty times. Gang hame, gang hame, like gude lads;
- the French will be ower to harry us ane o' thae days, and ye'll hae feighting
eneugh, and maybe auld Edie will hirple out himsell if he can get a feal-dyke to
lay his gun ower, and may live to tell you whilk o' ye does the best where
there's a good cause afore ye.«
    There was something in the undaunted and independent manner, hardy
sentiment, and manly rude elocution of the old man, that had its effect upon the
party, and particularly on the seconds, whose pride was uninterested in bringing
the dispute to a bloody arbitrament, and who, on the contrary, eagerly watched
for an opportunity to recommend reconciliation.
    »Upon my word, Mr. Lesley,« said Taffril, »old Adam speaks like an oracle.
Our friends here were very angry yesterday, and of course very foolish; - to-day