laid claim to his mortal remains, and his relatives had speedily made
arrangements for his burial in the family grave. Then, indeed,
Ardmuirland was stirred.

"They wouldna' tak' him leevin'; they'll nae get him deid!" was the
universal cry.

So in the bright springtime, after a late fall of snow had clothed the
countryside in dazzling whiteness, his people bore him to the grave.
An immense gathering--of both Catholics and Protestants--had assembled;
in Bell's expressive phrase--"the country wes full o' men!" Every man
took his turn in helping to bear the coffin shoulder-high all the five
miles which lay between the priest's house and the ancient
burial-ground of St. Michael below the hill. There, surrounded by the
flock he had tended so long and so faithfully, the body of the pastor
awaits with them the general awakening to life eternal.




XI

A SPRIG OF SHAMROCK


"Amid the roses fierce Repentance rears
Her snaky crest."
(_Thomson's Seasons---"Spring"_)