Chapter 21

THE LAST JACOBITE RISING

On the evening of the Queen's birthday, bridies were eaten to her honor
in a hundred Thrums homes, and her health was drunk in toddy, Scotch
toddy and Highland toddy. Patullo, the writer, gave a men's party, and
his sole instructions to his maid were "Keep running back and forrit wi'
the hot water." At the bank there was a ladies' party and ginger wine.
From Cathro's bedroom-window a flag was displayed with _Vivat Regina_ on
it, the sentiment composed by Cathro, the words sewn by the girls of his
McCulloch class. The eight-o'clock bell rang for an hour, and a loyal
crowd had gathered in the square to shout. To a superficial observer,
such as the Baron Bailie or Todd, the new policeman, all seemed well and
fair.

But a very different scene was being enacted at the same time in the
fastnesses of the Den, where three resolute schemers had met by
appointment. Their trysting-place was the Cuttle Well, which is most
easily reached by the pink path made for that purpose; but the better to
further their dark and sinister design, the plotters arrived by three
circuitous routes, one descending the Reekie Broth Pot, a low but
dangerous waterfall, the second daring the perils of the crags, and the
third walking stealthily up the burn.

"Is that you, Tommy?"

"Whist! Do you mind the password?"

"Stroke!"

"Right. Have you heard Gav Dishart coming?"

"I hinna. I doubt his father had grippit him as he was slinking out o'
the manse."

"I fear it, Corp. I'm thinking his father is in the Woman's pay."

"What woman?"

"The Woman of Hanover?"

"That's the queen, is it no?"

"She'll never get me to call her queen."

"Nor yet me. I think I hear Gav coming."

Gav Dishart was the one who had come by the burn, and his boots were
cheeping like a field of mice. He gave the word "Stroke," and the three
then looked at each other firmly. The lights of the town were not
visible from the Cuttle Well, owing to an arm of cliff that is
outstretched between, but the bell could be distinctly heard, and
occasionally a shout of revelry.

"They little ken!" said Tommy, darkly.

"They hinna a notion," said Corp, but he was looking somewhat perplexed
himself.

"It's near time I was back for family exercise," said Gav, uneasily,
"so we had better do it quick, Tommy."

"Did you bring the wineglasses?" Tommy asked him.

"No," Gav said, "the press was lockit, but I've brought egg-cups."

"Stand round then."