"Awa wi' ye!" said a soldier. "He will hae mony a waur scratch before we are dune wi' him."
Notwithstanding, as no further opposition was offered, I remained near my father. He stooped and kissed my forehead. Then I gave way to tears.
"Do not weep, my bairn," said he; "some good will come from all this seeming evil, since God allows it to be so."
"Little good, I am thinking. But I, for ane, hae nae mind for this kind o' work; and if ye will recant, ye can be set free," said one, less fierce than his fellows.
"It would not be wise to barter the favor of God for that of an earthly king," replied my father.
My mother, overcoming her fears, came forward and stood beside us. Father pressed a kiss on her pale cheek, and she leaned her head on his breast. "Alas! alas! the evil hour has come!" she exclaimed. "God help us!"
"Let the gudeman go," she said, addressing the ruffians. "What harm has he ever done to living mortal?"
"We will think twice before we grant your request, gudewife. But, if I dinna mistake, I see anither that we want still mair than him," and the speaker sharply eyed Donald Ramsay.
The aged man advanced to meet them. "Whom are you seeking?" he asked with fearless dignity.
"We seek auld Ramsay," they replied.