His lordship affected not to hear him, and beckoning the Sheriff to draw
near, he conferred with the magistrates in whispers. I overheard Bailie
McSweem say, 'I know him, he's a perfect devil to fight; better have
nothing to do with him,' and the Sheriff's remark, 'He has got a legal
catch to work on.' When the Sheriff went back to his seat, h is lordship
said curtly, 'The accused is discharged,' and he and McSweem hurriedly
left. The stranger gripped Kerr by the shoulder and pushed him before
him until we reached the street. 'Now, I must leave you, for I must see
what my customers are out of.'

'Tell me your name?' asked Kerr, 'that I may know who has done me such
service.'

'Never mind; you are under no obligation to me. A wee bird told me you
were in trouble and I am glad to have been in time to serve you.'

'You do not know all the service you have done; you have saved more than
myself from jail, and an innocent wife and children from poverty. Do let
me know your name that I may remember it as long as I live.'

'Daniel M'farlane, and my advice is to quit Scotland right off, for
these devils are mad angry at your giving them the slip. They will get
the papers they need from Greenock and have you in jail if you are here
tomorrow.' A grip of the hand, and the stranger was gone. The whole
scene was such a surprise, so novel to me, that every part of it
fastened on my memory.

On reaching the brig we found the sailors stowing away casks of water.
Kerr and myself had been given the same berth, and Allan and Robbie had