However, the murderer was taken, and, with his arms tied behind him
with a cord, he was brought back to the parish, where he confessed
before Sir Hugh the deed, and how it happened. He was then put in a
cart, and, being well guarded by six of the lads, was taken to Ayr
jail.

It was not long after this that the murderer was brought to trial,
and, being found guilty on his own confession, he was sentenced to
be executed, and his body to be hung in chains near the spot where
the deed was done. I thought that all in the parish would have run
to desperation with horror when the news of this came, and I wrote
immediately to the Lord Eaglesham to get this done away by the
merciful power of the government, which he did, to our great solace
and relief.

In the autumn, the young Laird Macadam, being ordered with his
regiment for the Americas, got leave from the king to come and see
his lady mother, before his departure. But it was not to see her
only, as will presently appear.

Knowing how much her ladyship was averse to the notion he had of
Kate Malcolm, he did not write of his coming, lest she would send
Kate out of the way, but came in upon them at a late hour, as they
were wasting their precious time, as was the nightly wont of my
lady, with a pack of cards; and so far was she from being pleased to
see him, that no sooner did she behold his face, but, like a tap of
tow, she kindled upon both him and Kate, and ordered them out of her
sight and house. The young folk had discretion: Kate went home to
her mother, and the laird came to the manse, and begged us to take