"he was old, and had done all the ill that he would do, to let him go to the Baſs, and be priſoner there during life." It was put to the vote, and Argyle ſaid, Let him go to the gallows, and die like a traitor; which caſt the vote upon him to die, as I ſaid before.
The parliament ſat down the day following, July 28th, 1681, which framed the curſed teſt, with ſeven contradictory oaths in it, which Argyle tools with explication. This did not ſatisfy the Duke of York and others, looking upon him with an ill eye, becauſe of his father being active in our reformation; he was immediately clapt up priſoner in the Caſtle, out of which he eſcaped the 30th day of December following: He fled ſouth to the border, where he met with Mr. Veitch, late miniſter in Dumfries, who conducted him thro' the country to the houſe of Mr. Bitleſton, near Newcaſtle. After they were ſet down, his acquaintance, Argyle being a ſtranger, diſguiſed in coarſe clothes, Mr. Bitleſton ſaid, I have received a letter juſt now from Scotland, that Argyle has eſcaped out of the caſtle; of which I am very glad if it be certain. Mr. Veitch ſaid, he doubted not the certainty of it: They inſiſted both at expreſſing their joy at the news. Mrs. Bitleſton being preſent, ſaid, I cannot be ſo much taken up with that news as you are; I know that houſe of Argyle was a good houſe for our Reformation, and his father ſuffered for it: But, for himſelf he hath been a member of that wicked bloody council theſe 18 years, where many a wicked thing have been acted and done: But, above all, it was his vote that took away the life of our worthy dear friend, ſingular Mr. Cargill, and I am ſure his blood may lie heavy on him now, and make him have a melancholy flight and hiding. Argyle made no reply. After they had got a drink, ſhe conveyed them to different rooms; after ſome time the went to Argyle's room, being the greateſt ſtranger. He had laid down a fine watch and night-cap upon the table, which did not anſwer his clothes; he had
