But you have forgotten that the ecstatic twelfth of August approaches, and that you are engaged to meet one of Lord Glenallan's gamekeepers, God knows where, to persecute the peaceful feathered creation." "True, true, uncle--I had forgot that," exclaimed the volatile Hector; "but you said something just now that put everything out of my head." "An it like your honours," said old Edie, thrusting his white head from behind the screen, where he had been plentifully regaling himself with ale and cold meat--"an it like your honours, I can tell ye something that will keep the Captain wi' us amaist as weel as the pouting--Hear ye na the French are coming ?" "The French, you blockhead ?" answered Oldbuck--"Bah!" "I have not had time," said Sir Arthur Wardour, "to look over my lieutenancy correspondence for the week--indeed, I generally make a rule to read it only on Wednesdays, except in pressing cases,--for I do everything by method; but from the glance I took of my letters, I observed some alarm was entertained." "Alarm ?" said Edie, "troth there's alarm, for the provost's gar'd the beacon light on the Halket-head be sorted up (that suld hae been sorted half a year syne) in an unco hurry, and the council hae named nae less a man than auld Caxon himsell to watch the light.

Some say it was out o' compliment to Lieutenant Taffril,--for it's neist to certain that he'll marry Jenny Caxon,--some say it's to please your honour and Monkbarns that wear wigs--and some say there's some auld story about a periwig that ane o' the bailies got and neer paid for--Onyway, there he is, sitting cockit up like a skart upon the tap o' the craig, to skirl when foul weather comes." "On mine honour, a pretty warder," said Monkbarns; "and what's my wig to do all the while ?" "I asked Caxon that very question," answered Ochiltree, "and he said he could look in ilka morning, and gie't a touch afore he gaed to his bed, for there's another man to watch in the day-time, and Caxon says he'll friz your honour's wig as weel sleeping as wauking." This news gave a different turn to the conversation, which ran upon national defence, and the duty of fighting for the land we live in, until it was time to part.

The Antiquary and his nephew resumed their walk homeward, after parting from Knockwinnock with the warmest expressions of mutual regard, and an agreement to meet again as soon as possible..