up, and rather imprudently put it on his own head. At this instant
Bargally came up with some assistants, and, recognising the
bonnet, charged the farmer of Bantoberick with having robbed him,
and took him into custody. There being some likeness between the
parties, Bargally persisted in his charge, and, though the
respectability of the farmer's character was proved or admitted,
his trial before the Circuit Court came on accordingly. The fatal
bonnet lay on the table of the court. Bargally swore that it was
the identical article worn by the man who robbed him; and he and
others likewise deponed that they had found the accused on the
spot where the crime was committed, with the bonnet on his head.
The case looked gloomily for the prisoner, and the opinion of the
judge seemed unfavourable. But there was a person in court who
knew well both who did and who did not commit the crime. This was
the Caird of Barullion, who, thrusting himself up to the bar near
the place where Bargally was standing, suddenly seized on the
bonnet, put it on his head, and, looking the Laird full in the
face, asked him, with a voice which attracted the attention of the
court and crowded audience--'Look at me, sir, and tell me, by the
oath you have sworn--Am not _I_ the man who robbed you between
Carsphairn and Dalmellington?' Bargally replied, in great
astonishment, 'By Heaven! you are the very man.' 'You see what
sort of memory this gentleman has,' said the volunteer pleader;
'he swears to the bonnet whatever features are under it. If you
yourself, my Lord, will put it on your head, he will be willing to
swear that your Lordship was the party who robbed him between
Carsphairn and Dalmellington.' The tenant of Bantoberick was
unanimously acquitted; and thus Willie Marshal ingeniously
contrived to save an innocent man from danger, without incurring
any himself, since Bargally's evidence must have seemed to every