He shook hands with me long and tenderly, beaming on me the while
as though he had found a brother.

"Ah!" says he, "these are changed days since your cousin and I
heard the balls whistle in our lugs."

"I think he was a very far-away cousin," said I, drily, "and I
ought to tell you that I never clapped eyes upon the man."

"Well, well," said he, "it makes no change. And you--I do not
think you were out yourself, sir--I have no clear mind of your
face, which is one not probable to be forgotten."

"In the year you refer to, Mr. Macgregor, I was getting skelped in
the parish school," said I.

"So young!" cries he. "Ah, then, you will never be able to think
what this meeting is to me. In the hour of my adversity, and here
in the house of my enemy, to meet in with the blood of an old
brother-in-arms--it heartens me, Mr. Balfour, like the skirting of
the highland pipes! Sir, this is a sad look back that many of us
have to make: some with falling tears. I have lived in my own
country like a king; my sword, my mountains, and the faith of my
friends and kinsmen sufficed for me. Now I lie in a stinking
dungeon; and do you know, Mr. Balfour," he went on, taking my arm
and beginning to lead me about, "do you know, sir, that I lack mere
neCESSaries? The malice of my foes has quite sequestered my
resources. I lie, as you know, sir, on a trumped-up charge, of
which I am as innocent as yourself. They dare not bring me to my
trial, and in the meanwhile I am held naked in my prison. I could