Isabel Brown,

THE COVENANTER'S WIFE.

BRAVE hearts are not the sole inheritance of the rich and powerful, born to high places, and who fill distinguished positions. Bravery in lowly life is not less brave than in lordly life, although it has not always been as prominent or as distinguished. The chronicle of the annals of the poor records valiant incidents and glorious deeds that had need to make us proud of our country and of our kind. We are indebted to Professor Wilson for a singularly graphic description of one of these incidents; the like of which, surely, never went before, nor will ever come after. The period was that terrible one in Scotland when the Government attempted most unjustly to force upon the people a form of worship which they detested, and to root out that form which the Scotch believed to be founded upon the New Testament, in which they had been trained and nurtured. Bishops were attempted to be foisted upon the people, not by their own election, but by the power of the sword; while the excellent men who had ministered to them in holy things were driven from their pulpits, driven from the people they loved, hunted from cave to cave, and from hiding-place to hidingplace. Notwithstanding they did not give up their teaching, the commission for which they

believed they had received from God. They preached more earnestly than they had preached before, because now surrounded by imminent danger; and the preacher could never be assured that he would preach again, but that his life, forfeited by the act, would, ere an hour had passed, be taken by some rude soldier. Yet they preached; not as heretofore in buildings consecrated to the service of God, but under the broad canopy of heaven, on the mountain-side, in the lonely dell; there it was that the worshippers at early dawn gathered themselves together to hear the Word from some aged minister's lips, and to raise their hearts and voices in prayer and praise. Often when thus employed the soldiers have burst in upon them, cutting and slashing old men, women, and children, as if they were beasts of prey that it became all men to root out and destroy.

During this terrible period a very devout carrier resided in Ayrshire, in what was called "The Cottage on the Muir;" he thought it no sin-nay, on the contrary, his duty-to succour and aid the persecuted ministers of God. On one occasion his little home had been for a brief season the asylum for one of God's servants, who, when he departed, had made him acquainted with his hiding-place. Shortly afterwards, the cruel and blood-thirsty Claverhouse, afterwards the Earl of Dundee, who was the chief leader in the slaughtering of the ministers, arrived at the cottage. He was

aware of the reputation of John Brown, and also that he would know where the minister, who had recently been under his roof, then was. Professor Wilson thus describes the interview::

"Early in the morning, the cottage of Johu Brown was surrounded by a troop of dragoons, with Clavers at their head. John, who had probably a presentiment of what might happen, urged his wife and daughter to stay within doors, insisting that as the soldiers were, in all likelihood, in search of some other individual, he should soon be able to dismiss them. By this time the noise occasioned by the trampling and neighing of horses, commingling with the hoarse and husky laugh and vociferations of the dragoons, had brought John, half-dressed and in his night-cap, to the door. Clavers immediately accosted him by name, and in a manner peculiar to himself, intended for something betwixt the expression of fun and irony. He proceeded to make inquiries respecting one Samuel Aitken, a godly man, and a minister of the Word, one outrageously addicted to prayer.' John admitted at once that the worthy person referred to was not unknown to him, asserting, however, at the same time, that of his present residence or hiding-place he was not free to speak. No doubt, no doubt,' rejoined the questioner; 'you, to be sure, know nothing!-how should you, all innocence and ignorance as you are? But here is a little chip of the old block, which may probably recollect better, and save us the trouble of blowing out her father's brains, just by way of making him remember a little more accurately.' You, my little farthing rushlight,' continued 'Red Rob,' alighting from his horse and seizing the girl rudely and with prodigious force by the wrists,-"you remember an old man with a long beard and a bald head, who was here a few days ago, baptising your sister, and giving many good advices to father and

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mother, who is now within a few miles of this house, just up in a nice snug cave in the glen there, to which you can readily and instantly conduct us, you know?' The girl looked first at her mother, who had now advanced to the doorway, then at her father, and latterly drooped her head, and continued to preserve a complete silence. And so,' continued the questioner, you are dumb; you cannot speak; your tongue is a little obstinate or so, and you must not tell family secrets. But what think you, my little chick, of speaking with your fingers,of having a pat, and a proper, and a pertinent answer just ready, my love, at your finger-ends, as one may say? As the Lord lives, and as my soul lives, but this will make a dainty nosegay' (displaying a thumbikin or finger-screw) for my little Covenanter; and then' (applying the instrument of torture meanwhile, and adjusting it to the thumb) 'you will have no manner of trouble whatever in recollecting yourself—it will just come to you like the lug of a stoup; and don't knit your brows so' (for the pain had become insufferable); then we shall have you chatty and amusing, I warrant.' The mother, who could stand this no longer, rushed upon the brutal executioner, and with expostulations, threats, and the most impassioned entreaties, endeavoured to relax the questioner's twist. Can you, Mistress, recollect anything of this man we are in quest of?' resumed Clavers, haughtily; 'it may save us both some trouble, and your daughter a continuance and increase of her present suffering, if you will just have the politeness to make us acquainted with what you happen to know upon the subject.' The poor woman seemed for an instant to hesitate; and her daughter looked

most piteously and distractedly into her countenance, as if expectant and desirous of respite through her mother's compliance. 'Woman!' exclaimed her husband, in a tone of indignant surprise, hast thou so soon forgot thy God? and shall the fear of anything which man can do induce thee to betray innocent blood?' He said no more; but he had said enough, for from that instant the whole tone of his wife's feelings was changed, and her soul was wound up, as if by the hand of Omnipotence, into resolution and daring. 'Bravo!' exclaimed the arch-persecutor 'Bravo! old Canticles, thou word'st it well; and so you three pretty innocents have laid your holy heads together, and you have resolved to die, should it so please God and us, with a secret in your breast and a lie in your mouth, like the rest of your psalm-singing, hypocritical, canting sect, rather than discover guid Mr. Aitken!-pious Mr. Aitken!-worthy Mr. Aitken! But we shall see what light this little telescope of mine will afford upon the subject,' pointing at the same time to a carbine or holster pistol which hung suspended from the saddle of his horse. This cold frosty morning requires that one,' continued Clavers, should be employed, were it for no other purpose than just to gain heat by the exercise. And so, old Pragmatical, in order that you may not catch cold by so early an exposure to the keen air, we will take the liberty' (hereupon the whole troop gathered round and presented muskets), 'for the benefit of society, and for the honour and safety of the King-never to speak of the glory of God and the good of souls-simply and unceremoniously, and in the neatest and most expeditious manner imaginable, to blow out your

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