The contemptuous challenge goaded him to fury;
for the Christianity of our Covenanting ancestors was seldom of that
cast which prompts the turning of the other cheek to the smiter, and
Ringan was one of the most militant of a militant sect.
"God do so to me, and more also," shouted he, springing to his feet,
"'gin I humble not this blethering boaster, and stop his craw, or he
maun stop mine."
"Na, na, Ringan," cried his friends, "haud sae, man, haud sae. Ye'll be
clean dung-ower; ye're ower sair spent to fecht thenow."
But this only goaded Ringan the more.
"As the Lord liveth, he shall lick the dust. Hinder me not, friends,
withstand me not; I maun do battle with this Philistine."
And with that, he rushed into the street, broadsword in hand.
"Diaoul! Fwhat will this creatur pe tat will pe approaching in such ways
and manners pefore a Hieland shentleman?" cried the Highlander with a
snort, giving an extra cock to his bonnet.
"I am an unworthy follower of Christ, our spiritual Redeemer, and a
soldier of King William, our temporal deliverer; and I stand here to bid
you make good your profane boasting."
"Fhery goot inteet! Fhery goot inteet! you haf peen suppering at
Killiecrankie, and now you would pe after breakfasting at Tunkeld? By
Cot, you shall haf it!"
And Rory drew his claymore.
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