There were a few who galloped the other way, couriers for Edinburgh, and the laird's son, and Master Clayton, the deputy sheriff, and such like.

And among others there was one a fine built, heavy man on a roan horse, who pulled up at our gate and asked some question about the road.

He took off his hat to ease himself, and I saw that he had a kindly long-drawn face, and a great high brow that shot away up into tufts of sandy hair.
"I doubt it's a false alarm," said he.

"Maybe I'd ha' done well to bide where I was; but now I've come so far, I'll break my fast with the regiment." He clapped spurs to his horse, and away he went down the brae.
"I ken him weel," said our student, nodding after him.

"He's a lawyer in Edinburgh, and a braw hand at the stringin' of verses.