But at that time a journey through Argyleshire in the depth of winter was necessarily slow.

The old man's progress up steep mountains and along boggy valleys was obstructed by snow storms; and it was not till the sixth of January that he presented himself before the Sheriff at Inverary.

The Sheriff hesitated.

His power, he said, was limited by the terms of the proclamation, and he did not see how he could swear a rebel who had not submitted within the prescribed time.

Mac Ian begged earnestly and with tears that he might be sworn.