always insensible to the claims of courage and
generosity. We were assured that the mob of Edinburgh, strongly moved with the
hardship of Wilson's situation, and the gallantry of his conduct, would back any
bold attempt that might be made to rescue him even from the foot of the gibbet.
Desperate as the attempt seemed, upon my declaring myself ready to lead the
onset on the guard, I found no want of followers who engaged to stand by me, and
returned to Lothian, soon followed by some steady associates, prepared to act
whenever the occasion might require.
    I have no doubt I should have rescued him from the very noose that dangled
over his head,« he continued with animation, which seemed a flash of the
interest which he had taken in such exploits; »but amongst other precautions,
the magistrates had taken one, suggested, as we afterwards learned, by the
unhappy wretch Porteous, which effectually disconcerted my measures. They
anticipated, by half-an-hour, the ordinary period for execution; and, as it had
been resolved amongst us, that, for fear of observation from the officers of
justice, we should not show ourselves upon the street until the time of action
approached, it followed, that all was over before our attempt at a rescue
commenced. It did commence, however, and I gained the scaffold and cut the rope
with my own hand. It was too late! The bold, stout-hearted, generous criminal
was no more - and vengeance was all that remained to us - a vengeance, as I then
thought, doubly due from my hand, to whom Wilson had given life and liberty when
he could as easily have secured his own.«
    »O sir,« said Jeanie, »did the Scripture never come into your mind,
Vengeance is mine, and I will repay it?«
    »Scripture! Why, I had not opened a Bible for five years,« answered
Staunton.
    »Wae's me, sirs,« said Jeanie - »and a minister's son too!«
    »It is natural for you to say so; yet do not interrupt me, but let me finish
my most accursed history. The beast, Porteous, who kept firing on the people
long after it had ceased to be necessary, became the object of their hatred for
having overdone his duty, and of mine for having done it too well. We - that is,
I and the other determined friends of Wilson, resolved to be avenged - but
caution was necessary. I thought I had been marked by one of the