must suppose that fools, boors, and idiots, have ploughed up the land, and, like
beasts and ignorant savages, have thereby obliterated two sides of the square,
and greatly injured the third; but you see, yourself, the fourth side is quite
entire!«
    Lovel endeavoured to apologize, and to explain away his ill-timed phrase,
and pleaded his inexperience. But he was not at once quite successful. His first
expression had come too frankly and naturally not to alarm the Antiquary, and he
could not easily get over the shock it had given him.
    »My dear sir,« continued the senior, »your eyes are not inexperienced: you
know a ditch from level ground, I presume, when you see them? Indistinct! why,
the very common people, the very least boy that can herd a cow, calls it the
Kaim of Kinprunes; and if that does not imply an ancient camp, I am ignorant
what does.«
    Lovel having again acquiesced, and at length lulled to sleep the irritated
and suspicious vanity of the Antiquary, he proceeded in his task of cicerone.
»You must know,« he said, »our Scottish antiquaries have been greatly divided
about the local situation of the final conflict between Agricola and the
Caledonians; some contend for Ardoch in Strathallan, some for Innerpeffry, some
for the Raedykes in the Mearns, and some are for carrying the scene of action as
far north as Blair in Athole. Now, after all this discussion,« continued the old
gentleman, with one of his slyest and most complacent looks, »what would you
think, Mr. Lovel, - I say, what would you think, - if the memorable scene of
conflict should happen to be on the very spot called the Kaim of Kinprunes, the
property of the obscure and humble individual who now speaks to you?« Then,
having paused a little, to suffer his guest to digest a communication so
important, he resumed his disquisition in a higher tone. »Yes, my good friend, I
am indeed greatly deceived if this place does not correspond with all the marks
of that celebrated place of action. It was near to the Grampian mountains - lo!
yonder they are, mixing and contending with the sky on the skirts of the
horizon! It was in conspectu classis - in sight of the Roman fleet; and would
any admiral, Roman or British, wish a fairer bay to ride in than that on your
right hand? It is astonishing how blind we professed antiquaries sometimes are!
Sir Robert Sibbald, Saunders Gordon, General Roy,