JAMES THE SECOND.

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maiul of Claverhouse, the fiercest and sternest of the race of eiur.Graham. When the Earl reached the Castle his legs -were put ~fiSHT'in irons, and he was informed that he had but a few days tolive. It had been determined not to bring him to trial for hisrecent offence, but to put him to death under the sentencepronounced against him several years before, a sentence soflagitiously unjust that the most servile and obdurate lawyersof that bad age could not speak of it without shame.

But neither the ignominious procession up the High Street,nor the near view of death, had power to disturb the gentleand majestic patience of Argyle. His fortitude was tried by astill more severe test. A paper of interrogatories was laidbefore him by order of the Privy Council. He replied tothose questions to which he could reply without danger to anyof his friends, and refused to say more. He was told thatunless he returned fuller answers he should be put to thetorture. James, who was doubtless sorry that he could notfeast his own eyes with the sight of Argyle in the boots, sentdown to Edinburgh positive orders that nothing should beomitted which could wring out of the traitor informationagainst all who had been concerned in the treason. Butmenaces were vain. With torments and death in immediateprospect, Mac Callum More thought far less of himself thanof his poor clansmen. “I was busy this day',” he wrote fromhis cell, “treating for them, and in some hopes. But thisevening orders came that I must die uponMonday or Tuesday';and I am to be put to the torture if I answer not all questionsupon oath. Yet I hope God shall support me.”

The torture was not inflicted. Perhaps the magnanimityof the victim had moved the conquerors to unwonted com-passion. He himself remarked that at first they had been veryharsh to him, but that they soon began to treat him withrespect and kindness. God, he said, had melted their hearts.

It is certain that he did not, to save himself from the utmost

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