Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. I. GENEALOGICAL REMARKS. 29
land, and had frequently been employed by them in
negotiating political transactions. He had several
times passed between the two countries on expeditions
of intelligence ; and twice narrowly escaped torture.
The first time was in 1685, when he came over with
the Earl of Argyle, who had made a descent on the
western coast of Scotland. He and Spence, the Earl's
secretary, had put ashore at Orkney, to procure in-
formation, but were apprehended and despatched to
Edinburgh to be examined. On their landing at
Leith, they were conducted by the guard for exami-
nation before the Privy Council. The sister of Dr.
Blackader joined the crowd that followed them, anxious
to be of service to him, for none of his brothers durst
appear. But she was not allowed to approach near
enough for conversation. The soldiers repulsed her
with their muskets. Her person, however, had caught
his eye, for she observed him looking at her with ex-
pressive steadfastness ; and pointing at his hat, as if
to draw her attention particularly to it. Struck with
the idea that this was the mysterious symbol of some
important secret in reference to his examination, she
immediately returned to Edinburgh, and finding among
his luggage, which had been forwarded to a private
lodging, a hat belonging to him, she discovered papers
concealed under the lining, of such a nature, that had
they been detected, the consequence might have proved
fatal to himself, as well as to several others. These
she immediately destroyed, and by this well-timed re-
solution, averted the danger that threatened his life ;
for immediately a party of soldiers entered the house
in search of papers, but without success, as nothing