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"Let that be no obstacle," said Morton; "I will with pleasure encounter any risk attached to the bearer of your errand." "Let him go," said Balfour, apart to Macbriar; "our councils will be well rid of his presence."
The arguments by which Balfour pressed Morton to accept of this dangerous promotion, as soon as he had gotten rid of his less wary and uncompromising companion, Macbriar, were sufficiently artful and urgent.
"Thou hast spoken it," replied the prisoner. "Well, then," continued the interrogator, "let us know if you saw John Balfour of Burley among the party? I presume you know him?" "I bless God that I do know him," replied Macbriar; "he is a zealous and a sincere Christian." "And when and where did you last see this pious personage?" was the query which immediately followed.
The noise of his horse's tread alarmed for an instant the devotion of the fanatics. As it died in the distance, Macbriar brought his exercise to a conclusion, and his audience raised themselves from the stooping posture, and louring downward look, with which they had listened to it, and all fixed their eyes sternly on Henry Morton.
"He hath spoken the word," said one of the assembly "he hath avowed his carnal self-seeking and Erastianism; let him die the death!" "Peace yet again," said Macbriar, "for I will try him further. Was it not by thy means that the malignant Evandale twice escaped from death and captivity?
After them came a cart led by the executioner's assistant, in which were placed Macbriar, and other two prisoners, who seemed of the same profession.
It was with pain that he felt his mind wavering, while on the brink between this and the future world. Macbriar, whose family were of that persuasion, instantly recognised the words, which the unfortunate prisoner pronounced half aloud. "There lacked but this," he said, his pale cheek kindling with resentment, "to root out my carnal reluctance to see his blood spilt.
"You forget, brother Poundtext," said Macbriar, "that these are the latter days, when signs and wonders shall be multiplied." Poundtext stood forward to reply; but, ere he could articulate a word, the insane preacher broke in with a scream that drowned all competition. "Who talks of signs and wonders?
After them came a cart led by the executioner's assistant, in which were placed Macbriar, and other two prisoners, who seemed of the same profession.
"I defy you," retorted Macbriar. "This has not been the first of my imprisonments or of my sufferings; and, young as I may be, I have lived long enough to know how to die when I am called upon." "Ay, but there are some things which must go before an easy death, if you continue obstinate," said Lauderdale, and rung a small silver bell which was placed before him on the table.
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