Sir David had a son, and that son was a coward--the first, and we hope the last, coward who ever bore the name." Here all looked hard at the youth, who, not noticing their meaning glances, said-- "Amen, with all my heart! Go on." "Well, this son grew up, like you, in England, and it was not till he had reached man's estate that he came here.

His father, a proud man, and ambitious, rejoiced, as your father would have rejoiced this day, to see a son in his place, ready, as he hoped, to carry on the brave traditions of his name to a future generation.

The youth was welcomed home with great pomp and rejoicing, and for aught men could see he was a worthy son of a worthy sire.
"But, alas! as the Bible says, `Pride comes before the fall.' A few days after his home-coming, the news came that a party of English was advancing on Singleton Towers.

The old laird, nothing doubting, ordered his son to take fifty men and meet the enemy, while he himself stayed behind to guard this place.
"The lad obeyed, and marched forth.

They met, he and the English, under Brantor Hill yonder; and then appeared the real character of the boy.
At the first onset, before ever a blow was struck, he turned and fled, no one knows whither.
"The old laird for long would not believe it; but when on all hands the story was confirmed, and no news came of the lad, he sickened and drooped.