Historical and genealogical essay upon the family and surname of Buchanan

202 ACCOUNT OF THE
not being of power to oppose Carden, and being
loath to give his estate by compulsion to his ene-
m y> j u dg e d it the more proper, as well as honoura-
ble method, to dispone his estate to some other
gentleman who would counterbalance Carden,
and would maintain the rightful owner in posses-
sion thereof during his life. In this exigency he
had recourse to the laird of Buchanan, offering to
dispone his estate to one of Buchanan's sons, if he
would defend him from any violence offered by
Carden. Buchanan readily accepted of the offer,
and so far undervalued Carden, that he sent his
second son, then only a child, without any other
guard, than his dry-nurse, to oversee him, along
with Arnpryor, to be kept by him as his heir.
Upon notice hereof, Carden came to Arnpryor's
house with a resolution to kill him, or oblige him
to send back Buchanan's son, and grant his former
demands. Arnpryor having gone out of the way,
Carden very imperiously ordered the woman who
attended Buchanan's child, to carry him back
forthwith whence he came, otherwise he would
burn Arnpryor's house, and them together. The
woman replied, that she would not desert the
house for any thing he durst do, telling him
withal, if he offered the least violence, it would be
revenged to his cost. This stout reply was some-
what damping to Carden, who at the same time
reflecting, that he would not only be obnoxious to
the laws for any violent measures he should take,
but also to enmity with Buchanan, which he was
by no means able to support, therefore followed
the safest course, by desisting for the future either