my bridle-reins, and talked in ſurprize, aſking what I had undertaken? He anſwered, that on Sabbath laſt, I had heard, you condemned Mr. Paton and the other Miniſters of Dumfries for diſſuading Mr. Menzies from keeping his appointment with me; and if you had been in their place, you would have perſuaded the lad to do as I deſired, and that you would have gone with him yourſelf if he had been afraid, and that if you had been in Mr. Paton's place, you would have delivered my commiſſions yourſelf, ſince they intended to do ſeveral perſons juſtice. I aſked him, Pray Cool, who informed you that I talked at this rate? To which he anſwered, you muſt know that we are acquainted with many things that the living know no. thing about. Theſe things you did ſay, and much more to the purpoſe; and all that I want is, that you would fulfil your promiſe, and deliver my commiſſions to my living wife. Upon this I ſaid, 'tis a pity Cool, that you who know ſo many things, ſhould not know the difference between an abſolute and conditional promiſe; I did indeed, at the time you mention, blame Mr. Paton, for I thought him juſtly blameable in hinddering the lad to meet with you, and if I had been in his place, I would have acted quite the reverſe; but did I ever ſay, that if you would come to Innerwick and employ me, that I would go all the way to Dumfries on ſuch an errand; that is what never ſo much as entered into my thoughts. He anſwered; what were your thoughts I do not pretend to know, but I can depend upon my information, that there were your words: but I ſee you are in ſome diſorder, I'll wait upon you when you have more preſence of mind.
By this time we were at Jaines Dickſon's incloſure below the church-yard, and while I was recollecting in my mind if ever I had ſpoke theſe words he alledged, he broke from me thro' the Church yard with greater violence than ever any man on horſeback was capable of, with ſuch ſinging and buzzing noiſe, as put me in greater diſorder than I was all the time I was with him.
