Agnews of Lochnaw

1654] THE TABLES TURNED. 313
the speedy return of " good times," when the bill would be at
par. Sir Andrew, on the contrary, having but little respect for
the Highland Koyalists, looked upon this bond, extracted by force,
but as so much waste paper, and calculated on being able to de-
fend himself from all such thieves in future if once again within
his castle walls.
A bond for ten thousand merks was signed, and, to the agree-
able surprise of his family, the Sheriff rode back again to his
plundered house, on the evening of the very day that he had been
led off a captive.
The " malignants," by circuitous paths, also reached their
camp in safety, but their day was of short duration, for we read,
"In the end of the year 1654 Morgan marched into the High-
lands, and had a small engagement with Middleton (who had
now taken the command), which broke that whole matter, of
which all people were grown weary, for they had no prospect of
success, and the low countries were so overrun with robberies on
pretence of going to assist the Highlanders, that there was an
universal joy at the dispersion of that unruly army." 1
Among those then taken was a certain Captain Somerville,
who was identified as the hero of the escapade at Innermessan,
and whom the young Sheriff recognised under very different
circumstances, the captain being now himself a prisoner. Sir
Andrew Agnew now demanded the return of his bond, but this
the captain asserted he had mislaid ; and consequently the
Sheriff caused a discharge to be prepared, and duly registered in
the books of Council ; which document now authenticates an
interesting little episode in Galloway history.
" Be it known to all men by thir presents, me Captain James
Summervaill now Prisoner at Halyrudhous sumtyme Eoodmaster
in Sir Arthur Forbons his Kegiroent of Horse ; forsameikell as
I by virtue of the Commissione I had at that tyme, in the year
1654 yeirs in the moneth of February, I having taken and
apprehendit Sir Andrew Agnew, Sheriff of Galloway prisoner at
his awine hous in Galloway ; and after I had carried him sixtein
1 Bishop Burnet's History of his Own Times.