many, as I may
hae as muckle cause as maist folk to testify.«
    »Well, but, Mr. Deans,« replied Mr. Middleburgh, »I only meant to say that
you were a Cameronian, or MacMillanite, one of the society people, in short, who
think it inconsistent to take oaths under a government where the Covenant is not
ratified.«
    »Sir,« replied the controversialist, who forgot even his present distress in
such discussions as these, »you cannot fickle me sae easily as you do opine. I
am not a MacMillanite, or a Russelite, or a Hamiltonian, or a Harleyite, or a
Howdenite35 - I will be led by the nose by none - I take my name as a Christian
from no vessel of clay. I have my own principles and practice to answer for, and
am an humble pleader for the gude auld cause in a legal way.«
    »That is to say, Mr. Deans,« said Middleburgh, »that you are a Deanite, and
have opinions peculiar to yourself.«
    »It may please you to say sae,« said David Deans; »but I have maintained my
testimony before as great folk, and in sharper times; and though I will neither
exalt myself nor pull down others, I wish every man and woman in this land had
kept the true testimony, and the middle and straight path, as it were, on the
ridge of a hill, where wind and water shears, avoiding right-hand snares and
extremes, and left-hand way-slidings, as weel as Johnny Dodds of Farthing's
Acre, and ae man mair that shall be nameless.«
    »I suppose,« replied the magistrate, »that is as much as to say, that Johnny
Dodds of Farthing's Acre, and David Deans of St. Leonard's, constitute the only
members of the true, real, unsophisticated Kirk of Scotland?« »God forbid that I
suld make sic a vain-glorious speech, when there are sae mony professing
Christians!« answered David; »but this I maun say, that all men act according to
their gifts and their grace, sae that it is nae marvel that« -
    »This is all very fine,« interrupted Mr. Middleburgh; »but I have no time to
spend in hearing it. The matter in hand is this - I have directed a citation to
be lodged in your daughter's hands - If she appears on the day of trial and
gives evidence, there is reason to hope she may save her