TRADITIONS OF THE COVENANTERS

(Continued from page 13 in the February issue)

Chapter 8

Elias Wilson-Adam Clark of Glenim—Muncie the Informer—-Mitchelslacks—Michael Smith of Quarrelwood.

There lived in a cottage, on the farm of Dalveen, in the parish of Durisdee, a Covenanter of the name of Elias Wilson. This man, though occupying the humbler walks of life, was noted for his piety and honesty of principle: and was therefore an individual who could not long be concealed from the observant eye of the persecutors. He was one day informed, that, being regarded with suspicion, his enemies at some distance were on their way to apprehend him. He communicated the news to his wife, who was a person in all respects of a kindred spirit with himself, and equally ready to suffer with him in the cause of righteousness and truth. They arranged the affairs of their little dwelling the best way they could, knowing that the unprincipled soldiery would seize everything they could lay their hands on: and having driven their cow to the bent, they departed with their infant child, to seek a hiding-place in some lonely cave among the mountains. The cave in which they found a refuge was in one of the dark linns of Enterkin, the entrance to which was very difficult and dangerous. The dragoons, as was anticipated, arrived at the cottage at a time when they hoped to capture its inhabitant without much trouble to themselves. In the hut, however, they Pound matters in a very different situation from what they expected, and being defeated in their object, they were greatly enraged. The cavern, it would appear, to which Wilson and his wife had fled for refuge, was not unknown to some of the dragoons, who proposed to search it, and for this purpose conducted the party to the rocky precipice, in the face of which the dark recess was situated. The approach of the soldiers was perceived by the fugitives, and Wilson accoutred himself for defence. He had brought with him a musket, and with this he was prepared to face his enemies, in case of attack. The passage to the hiding-place being precarious, the troopers did not seem much inclined to force an entrance, but having posted themselves on all sides, they were determined to annoy the inmates by shooting over the rock and into the mouth of the cave. The manly spirit of Wilson was roused, and the strong affection of the husband and the parent took possession of his whole soul, and urged him fearlessly forward, in the defence of his wife and child, against a band of armed ruffians and legalized murderers, whom the spirit of evil had let loose on an unoffending peasantry. A dragoon, more audacious than the rest, had approached near the mouth of the retreat, and, leaning over a rock, was peeping into the cave, for the purpose of taking his aim at those who were within. This was observed by Wilson, who instinctively stood on the defensive, and fired on the hostile intruder. The shot reached its victim, and the man tumbled from his station into the deep bottom of the ravine below. The commander of the party, who is said to have been a Captain Greir, when he saw the man fall by the firing which for a moment illuminated the dark interior of the cavern, was transported with rage, and, breathing a fearful oath threatened ample vengeance on the detestable Covenanter who in endeavouring to defend himself, had killed one the king’s troopers. In uttering this threat, however, he reckoned without his host, and forgot that, in certain favourable circumstances, one man is as good as ten. The captain, then, with two of the most daring of his followers, attempted to scramble to the mouth of the cave. Wilson observed their movements, and perceived their dreadful determination; his life was in the utmost jeopardy, and a firm and vigorous defence was now imperatively called for. The assailants had reached the entrance, and were about to rush forward with deadly intent, when Wilson firing again, .shot a dragoon, who, staggering backwards, fell against his commander, and both were precipitated into the rocky deep beneath; the soldier was killed by the shot, and the officer by the fall. The remainder of the troopers were astonished and appalled at the catastrophe and not daring to make a second attempt, resolved to keep watch during the night, while one of their party was despatched to the nearest garrison for assistance. Wilson and his from their hiding place, their fate would be in-wife now plainly saw that, unless they could steal evitable. In making their escape, however, a twofold difficulty lay in their way—the dangerous passage from the cave in the dark, and the watchfulness of the soldiers who were stationed around them. They resolved, however, to make the attempt, and accordingly, during the midnight vigils of the dragoons, Wilson and his wife softly and unobserved crept from their prison-house and left the soldiers in the morning light to wonder at the daring and the dexterity by which their watchfulness had been evaded. The couple, however, got safe away, and sought another hiding-place, where they were sheltered from the vengeance of their enemies. Wilson was obliged for many a day to keep himself in close concealment, and he succeeded in weathering the storm, and lived to see the Revolution. Providence brought him through many trials, and in the end he died in peace.

(To be continued)

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