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

148
TALES OF THE BORDERS.
ing and despairing tone—nay, we thought half crying—■
“ to escape this merciless and unprovoked persecution ? ”
We were all much affected by this piteous appeal, and
felt every desire to afford such counsel to our ill-used friend
as might be of service to him; but, while we did so, we
felt also the extreme difficulty of the case; for we did not
see by what possible line of conduct he could escape per¬
secution, if the very harmless and inoffensive one which
he had hitherto, of his own accord, adopted, had been found
ineffectual for his protection.
Indeed, it was the very, nay, the only one, which, a priori,
we would have recommended to him; but, as he had clearly
shown us that it was an ineffectual one, we really felt
greatly at a loss what to say; and, under this difficulty,
we all remained for some time thoughtful and silent. At
length, however, it was agreed amongst us, as the case was
a poser, that we should sleep on the matter, and in the
morning come prepared with such advice as our interven¬
ing cogitations should suggest.
The melancholy gentleman again thanked us for the kind
interest we took in his unhappy case; adding, that he was
now so disheartened, so depressed in spirits, by the usage
he had met with, that he almost felt it an obligation to be
allowed to live.
As it was now wearing late, and our landlord had just
come in to announce that supper was ready, and would be
served up when ordered, we agreed to rest satisfied for the
night with the extempore autobiographies, as I may call
them, of our two worthy companions—the little hunch¬
backed personage in the bright yellow waistcoat, and the
melancholy gentleman; but we, at the same time, resolved
that we would resume the same mode of entertainment on
the following evening, and continue it till every one had
oontributed his auota.