Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 1 - 1819.djvu/263

Rh was about to expose his friend the Master, so ill circumstanced to receive such a party. But in old Caleb he had to do with a crafty and alert antagonist, prompt at supplying, upon all emergencies, evasions and excuses suitable, as he thought, to the dignity of the family.

"Praise be blessed!" said Caleb to himself, "ae leaf of the muckle gate has been swung to wi' yestreen's wind, and I think I can manage to shut the ither."

But he was desirous, like a prudent governor, at the same time to get rid, if possible, of the internal enemy, in which light he considered almost every one who eat and drank, ere he took measures to exclude those whom their jocund noise now pronounced to be near at hand. He waited, therefore, with impatience until his master had shewn his two principal guests into the tower, and then commenced his operations.

"I think," said he to the stranger menials, "that, as they are bringing the stag's head to the castle in all honour, we, who are