Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series - 1819.djvu/159

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LEGEND OF MONTROSE.




CHAPTER I.

Such as do build their faith upon
The holy text of pike and gun,
Decide all controversies by
Infallible artillery,
And prove their doctrine orthodox,
By apostolic blows and knocks.

Butler.


It was during the period of that great and bloody Civil War which agitated Britain during the sixteenth century, that our tale has its commencement. Scotland had as yet remained free from the ravages of intestine war, although its inhabitants were