Windsor Magazine/Volume 15/A Deputation to the King

A DEPUTATION TO THE KING
By ROBERT BARR.
EVENING had fallen on the grey walls of Stirling Castle, and dark night on the town itself, where narrow streets and high gables gave early welcome to the mirk, while the westward-facing turrets of the Castle still reflected the departing glory of the sky. With something suggestive of stealth in his movements, a young man was picking his way through the thickening gloom of the streets. There was still light enough to show that, judging by his costume, he was of the well-to-do farmer class. This was proclaimed by his broad, coarse bonnet and the grey check plaid which he wore, not looped to the shoulder and pinned there by a brooch, Highland fashion, but wrapped around his middle, with the two ends brought over the shoulders and tucked under the broad belt which the plaid itself made, the fringes hanging down at each knee, as a Lowland shepherd might have worn the garment. As he threaded his way through the tortuous streets, ever descending, he heard, coming up, the clatter of a troop of horse, and paused, looking to the right and left as if desirous of escaping an encounter which seemed inevitable; indeed, if such were his object, the stoppa

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