Though sluggish and inert when called to action, the Baronet was by no means an absolute coward; or, if so, he was of that class which fights when reduced to extremity.

He manfully sent for Captain MacTurk, who waited upon him with a grave solemnity of aspect, which instantly was exchanged for a radiant joy, when Sir Bingo, in a few words, empowered him to carry a message to that d----d strolling artist, by whom he had been insulted three days since.
"By Cot," said the Captain, "my exceedingly goot and excellent friend, and I am happy to do such a favour for you! And it's well you have thought of it yourself; because, if it had not been for some of our very goot and excellent friends, that would be putting their spoon into other folk's dish, I should have been asking you a civil question myself, how you came to dine with us, with all that mud and mire which Mr.Tyrrel's grasp has left upon the collar of your coat--you understand me .-- But it is much better as it is, and I will go to the man with all the speed of light; and though, to be sure, it should have been sooner thought of, yet let me alone to make an excuse for that, just in my own civil way--better late thrive than never do well, you know, Sir Bingo; and if you have made him wait a little while for his morning, you must give him the better measure, my darling." So saying, he awaited no reply, lest peradventure the commission with which he was so hastily and unexpectedly charged, should have been clogged with some condition of compromise.

No such proposal, however, was made on the part of the doughty Sir Bingo, who eyed his friend as he hastily snatched up his rattan to depart, with a dogged look of obstinacy, expressive, to use his own phrase, of a determined resolution to come up to the scratch; and when he heard the Captain's parting footsteps, and saw the door shut behind him, he valiantly whistled a few bars of Jenny Sutton, in token he cared not a farthing how the matter was to end.
With a swifter pace than his half-pay leisure usually encouraged, or than his habitual dignity permitted, Captain MacTurk cleared the ground betwixt the Spring and its gay vicinity, and the ruins of the Aultoun, where reigned our friend Meg Dods, the sole assertor of its ancient dignities.

To the door of the Cleikum Inn the Captain addressed himself, as one too much accustomed to war to fear a rough reception; although at the very first aspect of Meg, who presented her person at the half opened door, his military experience taught him that his entrance into the place would, in all probability, be disputed.
"Is Mr.Tyrrel at home ?" was the question; and the answer was conveyed, by the counter-interrogation, "Wha may ye be that speers ?" As the most polite reply to this question, and an indulgence, at the same time, of his own taciturn disposition, the Captain presented to Luckie Dods the fifth part of an ordinary playing card, much grimed with snuff, which bore on its blank side his name and quality.

But Luckie Dods rejected the information thus tendered, with contemptuous scorn.
"Nane of your deil's play-books for me," said she; "it's an ill world since sic prick-my-dainty doings came in fashion--It's a poor tongue that canna tell its ain name, and I'll hae nane of your scarts upon pasteboard." "I am Captain MacTurk, of the -- -- regiment," said the Captain, disdaining further answer.
"MacTurk ?" repeated Meg, with an emphasis, which induced the owner of the name to reply, "Yes, honest woman--MacTurk--Hector MacTurk--have you any objections to my name, goodwife ?" "Nae objections have I," answered Meg; "it's e'en an excellent name for a heathen .-- But, Captain MacTurk, since sae it be that ye are a captain, ye may e'en face about and march your ways hame again, to the tune of Dumbarton drums; for ye are ganging to have nae speech of Maister Tirl, or ony lodger of mine." "And wherefore not ?" demanded the veteran; "and is this of your own foolish head, honest woman, or has your lodger left such orders ?" "Maybe he has and maybe no," answered Meg, sturdily; "and I ken nae mair right that ye suld ca' me honest woman, than I have to ca' you honest man, whilk is as far frae my thoughts as it wad be from heaven's truth." "The woman is deleerit!" said Captain MacTurk; "but coom, coom--a gentleman is not to be misused in this way when he comes on a gentleman's business; so make you a bit room on the door-stane, that I may pass by you, or I will make room for myself, by Cot! to your small pleasure." And so saying he assumed the air of a man who was about to make good his passage.