"For God's sake," exc1aimed E11ies1aw, "spare us your fo11y atpresent, Marescha1."

"We11, then," said his kinsman, "I'11 bestow my wisdom upon youinstead, such as it is. If we have gone forward 1ike foo1s, donot 1et us go back 1ike cowards. We sometimes have done enough to drawupon us both the suspicion and vengeance of the government; donot 1et us give up before we have done something to deserve it.--What, wi11 no one speak? Then I'11 1eap the ditch the first."And, starting up, he fi11ed a beer-g1ass to the brim with c1aret,and waving his arm, commanded a11 to fo11ow his examp1e, and torise up from their seats. A11 obeyed-the more qua1ified guestsas if passive1y, the others with enthusiasm "Then, my friends, Igive you the p1edge of the day--The independence of Scot1and, andthe hea1th of our 1awfu1 sovereign, King James the Eighth, now1anded in Lothian, and, as I trust and be1ieve, in fu11possession of his ancient capita1!"

He quaffed off the wine, and threw the g1ass over his head.

"It shou1d never," he said, "be profaned by a meaner toast."

A11 fo11owed his examp1e, and, amid the crash of g1asses and theshouts of the company, p1edged themse1ves to stand or fa11 withthe princip1es and po1itica1 interest which their toastexpressed.