Disconcerted at this strange and unexpected message, the Professors scarcely knew how to proceed.

They, however, at length, thought to put off their august visitant, by saying, that the Professor of Signs was not at home, and that his return would be very uncertain.

Having thus fabricated the story, they made preparations to receive the illustrious stranger, who, keeping his word, in due time reached their abode.

On his arrival, being introduced with becoming solemnity, he began to enquire, who among them had the honour of being Professor of Signs?
He was told in reply, that neither of them had that exalted honour; but the learned gentleman, after whom he enquired, was gone into the Highlands, that they conceived his stay would be considerable; but that no one among them could even conjecture the period of his return.

'I will wait his coming,' replied the Ambassador, 'if it be twelve months.' "Finding him thus determined, and fearing, from the journey he had already undertaken that he might be as good as his word, the learned Professors had recourse to another stratagem.