But the maist of us, gentle and simple, are up and down Whig and Kirk and reigning House .-- Na, na! when we drink to the King we dinna pass the glass over the water!" A dark, thin soldier put in his word, well garnished with oaths.

"Now that there's war up and down and so many of us are going out of the country, there's a saying that the Pretender may e'en sail across from France and beat a drum and give a shout! Then there'll be a sorting--" "Them that would rise wouldn't be enough to make a graveyard ghost to frighten with!" "You're mistaken there.

They'll frighten ye all right when they answer the drum! I'm thinking there's some in the army would answer it!" "Then they'll be hanged, drawn, and quartered!" averred the corporal.
"Who are ye thinking would do that ?" "I'm not precisely knowing.

But there are some with King George were brought up on the hope of King James!" More liquor appeared upon the table, was poured and drunk.

The talk grew professional.