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A COPY OF SOME CONFERENCES, &c.
UPON the 3d day of February 1724, at ſeven o' clock at night, after I had parted with Thurſton, and was coming up the Burial Road, one came riding after me; upon hearing the noiſe of the horſe's feet, I took it to be Thurſton; but looking back, and feeing the horſe 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 the collector of Caſtle-law, who had a mind to put a trick upon me, and immediately ſtruck with all my force, with my cane, thinking I would leave a mark upon him that would make him remember his preſumption, but being ſenſible I aimed as well as ever I did in my life, yet my came, finding no reſiſtance, flew out of my hand to the diſtance of 60 feet, and obſerving it, by its white head, I diſmounted, and took it up, but had ſome difficulty in mount ing again, partly by the ramping of my horſe, and partly by reaſon of a certain fort of trembling throughout my whole joints; ſomething alſo of anger had its ſhare in the confuſion: for I thought 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 enquired, firſt, if he was the laird of Cool, what brought him hither, and what was his buſineſs with me? He anſwered, the reaſon that I want you is, that I know you are diſpoſed to do for me what none of your brethren in Nithſdale will ſo much as attempt, tho' it ſerve never ſo good purpoſes. I told him I would never refuſe to do any good thing to ſerve a good purpoſe, if I thought I was obliged to it as my duty: He anſwered, ſince I had undertaken what few in Nithſdale would, for he had tried ſeveral perſons upon the ſubject, who were more obliged to him than I was to any perſon living. Upon this I drew
