CHAPTER XIV.
My hounds may a' rin masterless, My hawks may fly frae tree to tree, My lord may grip my vassal lands, For there again maun I never be! Old Ballad.
We left Morton, along with three companions in captivity, travelling in the custody of a small body of soldiers, who formed the rear-guard of the column under the command of Claverhouse, and were immediately under the charge of Sergeant Bothwell.

Their route lay towards the hills in which the insurgent presbyterians were reported to be in arms.

They had not prosecuted their march a quarter of a mile ere Claverhouse and Evandale galloped past them, followed by their orderly-men, in order to take their proper places in the column which preceded them.

No sooner were they past than Bothwell halted the body which he commanded, and disencumbered Morton of his irons.
"King's blood must keep word," said the dragoon.

"I promised you should be civilly treated as far as rested with me .-- Here, Corporal Inglis, let this gentleman ride alongside of the other young fellow who is prisoner; and you may permit them to converse together at their pleasure, under their breath, but take care they are guarded by two files with loaded carabines.