180

THE COUNTER-MARCH AS A PRISONER.

to apprehend and seize the said George Pilkington, and bring him before me for farther examination.

(Signed)

“Lerwick, 5th August, 1835.”

"ANDREW DUNCAN.

On reading the warrant as above, I remarked, that as I was now at sea, I was not within the sheriff's jurisdiction. "You are, Sir, for the sheriff is also admiral."

'But if he intended to arrest me as admiral, he would have furnished you with the silver oar.'

"In Zetland we do not use such means."

'Do you mean to compel me to return as your prisoner?' "I do."

(Knowing that the law of Christ says, "If a man take you a mile, go with him twain ;" I was instructed in the line of my submission to this man on the present occasion, therefore I rejoined)—

The constable ordered the captain to put the vessel about; but as the calm still continued, it appeared to me, that much valuable time would be lost by remaining in the sloop. I, therefore, suggested, that we should return in the boat, to which the constable readily agreed, and led the way; but, whilst I was following him, Edwin beckoned to me; and when he had conducted me to a lone part of the deck, he, in a low tone, said :

"You are a man of large fortune, "What, then.'

"I thought it right to remind you, that money can do much for us at this crisis."

It would be inconsistent with our duty, as Christians, to tempt our fellow-man to break his engagement with his

AUTHOR DECLARES THE GOSPEL.

181

employers. Surely, we are bound to lay down our lives for him, as the Lord Jesus laid down his life for us; and shall we not do the much less which is now required at our hands? Yes, dear Edwin, let us lose our liberty, rather than pollute the soul of our brother, and trust in the Lord, who said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." Edwin cheerfully consented; and, taking with us a small portmanteau, we followed the constable into the boat.

I desired the captain to give my stores and sea stock to the sailors, and forward my baggage to Lerwick as soon as possible. The boat was soon at a distance from the sloop, and I took the earliest opportunity of doing the duty required by the command, "Occupy till I come," which should accompany the submission to him who may compel us to go a mile. I accordingly undertook to declare the gospel to the constable; and began by telling him of the Lord's dealings with me, particularly on the present occasion. Perceiving that he was a Bible reader, I had little else to do, than to refer him to practical evidences of a promise-keeping God. I observed that Edwin was cheered with my observations, and I remarked,- Be of good cheer, Edwin!-The Lord's ways are not like our ways: I have ever found that when the cloud is deepest, the Lord is nearest. Depend on it, we are now nearer to liberty than when we were in the sloop.' To this he answered with great resignation and cheerfulness.

CHAPTER XIII.

EIGHTH MONTH, 5TH, 1835.

Brought Back to Scalloway, 182;—Passes through Tingwall, 183;-The kind Hospitality of a Clergyman, 184;Brought as a Prisoner to Lerwick, 185;—The Toilette, 185;-Author taunted by a hired Advocate, 186;-Made sensible of his frailty, 187;—Author's defence in Court, 188;-The Enemy endeavours to intoxicate Edwin, 190; -Edwin's Defence in Court, 191;-Author delivers a second Lecture in Lerwick, 193;-His final Embarkation, 194;-Sails from Lerwick, 195;-Purse almost empty, 196;-Purse replenished, 196;-Promises remembered, 197.

We arrived in Scalloway, and were once more the inmates of the Beer Shop Inn. The landlady seemed to be much alarmed at our unlooked for return, under such inauspicious circumstances; and honest as I felt my cause, I could not entirely subdue the feelings of the flesh which, at least, relished not the idea of being thus exposed as a public prisoner. The constable asked if we should like to ride; and, as I was informed, that although the road was the longest way to Lerwick, yet we could perform the journey much sooner on horseback, I readily ordered three ponies. As soon as the little animals were ready, I was about to pay the demand of 4s. 6d., as the whole amount of their hire for the day, at 1s. 6d. each, when a stranger advised me, saying,—

"You should not pay the expenses for making yourself a prisoner."

PASSES THROUGH TINGWALL.

183

I thanked him for his advice; and told the constable, that he had better pay the money, and, if the court refused to admit the charge, I would repay him the amount. He replied, that he would willingly risk the payment for two, but, as he was afraid that he should suffer the loss of the third, if hired for himself, he preferred walking, to which I answered :

'If you really persist in walking, Edwin and I will canter away, and leave you to account for us the best way you

can.'

"I thank you, Sir, for that hint: I will hire the third pony for myself,"

This being arranged, the constable very civilly helped each of us to mount; then as soon as he was seated on his own saddle, away we started, hoping to arrive at Lerwick in time to get through the business during the day. On approaching either the solitary hut or lonely hamlet, the inmates were looking out for us; and, as we passed, followed us with their eyes, until we were out of sight. I remarked this to the officer, who informed me, that persons had been on the look out from the hill tops, in order that, if we should be arrested, the earliest intimation might be conveyed to the parties interested; and that these, no doubt, had informed the peasantry of the occurrence, as they proceeded on their way to town.

We soon arrived at Tingwall; and on passing through it, I observed, that the servants of the clergyman ran into his residence, as if to announce our approach to the family; for he came out, and kindly invited us to take some rest and refreshment. I replied, with thanks for his attention, that I was a prisoner, and had no will of my own; but, as this difficulty was removed by his appeal to the constable,

184

KIND HOSPITALITY OF A CLERGYMAN.

who seemed to relish the hospitable offer; and, as Edwin was disposed to avail himself of the proffered civility, I dismounted by the help of the officer, who again performed the office of squire on the occasion.

We were introduced to his wife, and another clergyman of a neighbouring district; and were no sooner seated than our host, being "of good behaviour, and given to hospitality," presented us some wine. I, of course, declined to partake of it, saying, that I was a water-drinker, but Edwin took a glass; and the constable, thinking it right to "make hay whilst the sun shines," freely accepted of the meat and drink which were so generously offered.

Before any conversation took place, a curious stranger asked me, “If I did not run a considerable risk in taking an insane individual from his place of confinement?" "May I beg to be informed by what means you know of his insanity?'

“I have heard it so reported."

'But I heard it reported that he was not insane, and, therefore, came to judge for myself. Accordingly, finding that he was an ill-used individual, I considered not the risk of consequences, but rather of disobeying the command,— "Let no man seek his own; but every man another's wealth."

"Pray, Sir, said my host, are you a relation of the Honourable Mr. Edwin

'Yes, I am his brother," ("Oh," said he too promptly, "I thought it must be so ;"-but, I rejoined)—'in Christ.' "Ah," said the pious clergyman, " that is, indeed, being nearly allied to him."

In replying to this, my heart opened, and the fountain gushed forth with a strain of devotion, which I cannot now