Page:Important passages in the life of Mansie Wauch, tailor in Dalkeith.pdf/22

22 prapping to my een. Before being putten to this trial of my strength, I thocht, that if ever it was my fortune to foregather wi' a Frenchman, either him or me would do or die; but, if egs, ane shouldna crack sae crouse afore they are put to the test; Being a volunteer, and so ane of his majesty's confidential servants, I swithered tremendously between my duty as a man and a soldier; but, dae what you like, nature will aye be uppermost. The scale weighed down to the side of peety. I hearkened to the scripture that promises a blessing to the merciful in heart and determined, come o't what would, to let the Frenchy tak his chance of falling into ither hands.

Having gien him a due allowance by looking at my watch and thinking he would have hud enough of time to hae taen his wull of the mutton-bane in the way of pyking. I gaed to the press and brought out a bottle of swipes, which I also shoved through the hole; altho' for lack of a tanker, there being nane at hand, he would be obleeged to lift it to his head, and guller't ower as well as might be. To shew the cratur didna want sense, he shoved when he was dune, the empty plate and the toom bottle, through aneath the door, mumbling some trash or ither, which nae leeving could comprehend, but which I daur say, from the way if was said, was the telling me hoo muckle obleeged he was for his supper and puir lodging, Frae my kindness towards him, he grew mair composed; but, as he gaed back to the corner to lie down, I heard him gie twa three heavy sighs,—I couldna thal't, mortal foe though the man was of mine, so I gied the key a canny thraw round in the lock, as it were by chance; and wishing him a good night, gaed to my bed beside Nanse.

At the dawn o' daw, by cock-craw, Benjie and Tammy Bodkin, keen o' the ploy, were up and astir as anxious as if their life depended on it, to see that