Scotland/Scots > Wilson's tales of the Borders and of Scotland > Volume 3

70
TALKS OF THE BORDERS.
to go to the sea-side for a few months; and my thoughts
immediately recurred to my old friend. I took a lodging
in Eothesay, and next morning went down to the beach,
where I saw the old man just preparing to put off.
“ Here I am again, Douglas,” said I.
“ Sir! ” replied he, looking at me at first doubtingly,
for illness had greatly reduced me. “ Ah! Mr. Stewart,
is that you ? I thought you had forgotten me.”
“ Then you did me injustice, Douglas; I have often and
often regretted that the pressure of business prevented my
visiting you again. By the by, I was reminded of you ia
rather an extraordinary way lately.”
“ How was that, sir?”
“ On my way down here, a few days since, the steamer
touched at Greenock. I was standing on the quay when a
poor fellow, a passenger in a vessel just arrived, fell from
the gangway, and was taken up insensible. I immediately
bled him; and, seeing that he appeared to be seriously in¬
jured, I determined, as I had no other particular call upon
my time, to remain beside him till he recovered. I had
him carried to a small lodging in the neighbourhood, whero
he soon partially recovered; and, having prescribed for
him, I left him, desiring that I might be sent for if any
change took place. During the night he had a violent
attack of fever. I was sent for; when I arrived, I found
him delirious; he was raving about Cuba, and ships, and
pirates, and fifty other things that immediately recalled
you to my remembrance. When he came to his senses
again—
“ ‘ Doctor! tell me the truth,’ said he : ‘ am I not
dying?’
“ ‘ No,’ replied I; ‘ your present symptoms are favour*
able; everything depends upon yoxir keeping your mind
and body quiet.’
“ ‘ Quiet mind! ’ muttered he, with a bitter smile on