Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 4 - 1819.djvu/197

 upon their fidelity," said the Major; "and your Excellency knows, that a soldado could say no more for his own father."

"True," said Montrose; "but as this is a matter of particular moment, I would willingly know the grounds of so positive an assurance."

"Concisely then, my lord," said the Major, "not only did they disdain to profit by a handsome reward which Argyle did me the honour to place upon this poor head of mine, and not only did they abstain from pillaging my personal property, whilk was to an amount that would have tempted regular soldiers in any service of Europe; and not only did they restore me my horse, whilk your excellency knows to be of value; but I could not prevail on them to accept one stiver, doit, or maravedi, for the trouble and expences of my sick bed. They actually refused my coined money when freely offered,—a tale seldom to be told in a Christian land."