"twice to the pillory, twice to Edinburgh Tolbooth, and once a broken leg, and various embroilments, and strange accidents by sea and land."
"Oh! my lad," says I, "if we had but time, what would I not give to hear your life recited? But the whipping-post? What's it like? Do you know, I've been nearly tempted there myself, for it must be a very unique sensation."
"It is something like kissing you, madam, only nothing like so painful."
This incorrigible rogue said this with the sobriety of a cardinal.
"And now," says he, "I won't tell you one other solitary thing till you have appeased my hunger. I am famishing."
"What!" says I, "you who are to die in half an hour requiring a meal!"
I was astonished that the imminence of death did not affect him. But then I had no need to be, for there was scarce a trait in his strange character they did not pass quite outside of my experience.
"Now tell me more about your life," says I, "you charming young adventurer."
His answer was a droll expression; and he shook his head and placed a finger on his lips to remind me of his vow of silence. And he would not speak another word of any kind until I had sent Emblem to smuggle up some food and to enquire whether the soldiers had yet begun their search.
When she had gone, I said: "Suppose, my lad, you proved, after all, to be a person of high con-
