COPY OF CONFERENCES, &c.
Upon the third day of February, 1722, at seven o'clock in the evening, after I had parted with Thurston, and coming up the burial road, one came up riding after me; upon hearing the noise of the horse's feet, I took it to be Thurston; but looking back, and seeing the horse to be of a grey colour, I called, Who's there? the answer was, the Laird of Cool, be not afraid. Looking to him, with the little light the moon afforded, I took him to be Collector Castlelaw, who had a mind to put a trick upon me, and immediately I struck with all my force with my cane, thinking I would leave a mark upon him that would make him remember his presumption; but although sensible I aimed as well as ever I did in my life, yet my cane finding no resistance, but flying out of my hand to the distance of sixty feet; and, observing it by its white head I dismounted and took it up, but had some difficulty in mounting again, partly by reason of a certain sort of trembling troughout my whole joints, something also of anger had its share in my confusion; for though he laughed when my staff flew out of my hand coming up with him again, (who halted all the time I was seeking my staff;) I asked him once more who he was? he answered, The Laird of Cool. I inquired, First, if he was the Laird of
