and with no other inconvenience than
ruffling her garments a little, deposited her in the boat; but in a state of
surprise, mortification, and terror, at her sudden transportation, which
rendered her absolutely mute for two or three minutes. The men jumped in
themselves; one tall fellow remained till he had pushed off the boat, and then
tumbled in upon his companions. They took their oars and began to pull from the
shore, then spread their sail, and drove merrily across the firth.
    »You Scotch villain!« said the infuriated damsel to Archibald, »how dare you
use a person like me in this way?«
    »Madam,« said Archibald, with infinite composure, »it's high time you should
know you are in the Duke's country, and that there is not one of these fellows
but would throw you out of the boat as readily as into it, if such were his
Grace's pleasure.«
    »Then the Lord have mercy on me!« said Mrs. Dutton. »If I had had any on
myself, I would never have engaged with you.«
    »It's something of the latest to think of that now, Mrs. Dutton,« said
Archibald; »but I assure you, you will find the Highlands have their pleasures.
You will have a dozen of cow-milkers under your own authority at Inverary, and
you may throw any of them into the lake, if you have a mind, for the Duke's head
people are almost as great as himself.«
    »This is a strange business, to be sure, Mr. Archibald,« said the lady; »but
I suppose I must make the best on't. - Are you sure the boat will not sink? it
leans terribly to one side, in my poor mind.«
    »Fear nothing,« said Mr. Archibald, taking a most important pinch of snuff;
»this same ferry on Clyde knows us very well, or we know it, which is all the
same; no fear of any of our people meeting with any accident. We should have
crossed from the opposite shore, but for the disturbances at Glasgow, which made
it improper for his Grace's people to pass through the city.«
    »Are you not afeard, Mrs. Deans,« said the dairy-vestal, addressing Jeanie,
who sat, not in the most comfortable state of mind, by the side of Archibald,
who himself managed the helm; - »are you not afeard of these wild men with their