"I remember memorable Major Munro telling me how Murdoch Mackenzie,
born in Assint, a private gentleman in a company, and a pretty soldier,
foretold the death of Donald Tough, a Lochaber man, and certain other
persons, as well as the hurt of the major himself at a sudden onfall at
the siege of Trailsund."

"I have often heard of this faculty," observed Anderson, "but I have
always thought those pretending to it were either enthusiasts or
impostors."

"I should be loath," said Lord Menteith, "to apply either character
to my kinsman, Allan M'Aulay. He has shown on many occasions too much
acuteness and sense, of which you this night had an instance, for the
character of an enthusiast; and his high sense of honour, and manliness
of disposition, free him from the charge of imposture."

"Your lordship, then," said Anderson, "is a believer in his supernatural
attributes?"

"By no means," said the young nobleman; "I think that he persuades
himself that the predictions which are, in reality, the result of
judgment and reflection, are supernatural impressions on his mind, just
as fanatics conceive the workings of their own imagination to be divine
inspiration--at least, if this will not serve you, Anderson, I have no
better explanation to give; and it is time we were all asleep after the
toilsome journey of the day."



CHAPTER VI.