His stature was of the middle size, or rather above it, his limbs well-proportioned, yet not so strong as to infer the reproach of clumsiness.

His features were uncommonly handsome, and all about him would have been interesting and prepossessing but for that indescribable expression which habitual dissipation gives to the countenance, joined with a certain audacity in look and manner, of that kind which is often assumed as a mask for confusion and apprehension.
Butler and the stranger met--surveyed each other--when, as the latter, slightly touching his hat, was about to pass by him, Butler, while he returned the salutation, observed, "A fine morning, sir--You are on the hill early." "I have business here," said the young man, in a tone meant to repress farther inquiry.
"I do not doubt it, sir," said Butler.

"I trust you will forgive my hoping that it is of a lawful kind ?" "Sir," said the other, with marked surprise, "I never forgive impertinence, nor can I conceive what title you have to hope anything about what no way concerns you." "I am a soldier, sir," said Butler, "and have a charge to arrest evil-doers in the name of my Master." "A soldier!" said the young man, stepping back, and fiercely laying his hand on his sword--"A soldier, and arrest me! Did you reckon what your life was worth, before you took the commission upon you ?" "You mistake me, sir," said Butler, gravely; "neither my warfare nor my warrant are of this world.

I am a preacher of the gospel, and have power, in my Master's name, to command the peace upon earth and good-will towards men, which was proclaimed with the gospel." "A minister!" said the stranger, carelessly, and with an expression approaching to scorn.

"I know the gentlemen of your cloth in Scotland claim a strange right of intermeddling with men's private affairs.