CHAPTER VIII.

Within the bounds of Annandale
The gentle Johnstones ride;
They have been there a thousand years,
A thousand more they'll bide.

Old Ballad.


The character and quality of Sir Patrick Charteris, the Provost of
Perth, being such as we have sketched in the last chapter, let us
now return to the deputation which was in the act of rendezvousing
at the East Port, in order to wait upon that dignitary with their
complaints at Kinfauns.

And first appeared Simon Glover, on a pacing palfrey, which had
sometimes enjoyed the honour of bearing the fairer person as well
as the lighter weight of his beautiful daughter. His cloak was
muffled round the lower part of his face, as a sign to his friends
not to interrupt him by any questions while he passed through the
streets, and partly, perhaps, on account of the coldness of the
weather. The deepest anxiety was seated on his brow, as if the more
he meditated on the matter he was engaged in, the more difficult
and perilous it appeared. He only greeted by silent gestures his
friends as they came to the rendezvous.

A strong black horse, of the old Galloway breed, of an under size,
and not exceeding fourteen hands, but high shouldered, strong
limbed, well coupled, and round barrelled, bore to the East Port