I think that there cannot be a
better moment than this to hand the narrative over to those who had
means of knowing something of what was going on inside Cloomber during
the months that I was observing it from without.
Israel Stakes, the coachman, proved to be unable to read or write, but
Mr. Mathew Clark, the Presbyterian Minister of Stoneykirk, has copied
down his deposition, duly attested by the cross set opposite to his
name. The good clergyman has, I fancy, put some slight polish upon the
narrator's story, which I rather regret, as it might have been more
interesting, if less intelligible, when reported verbatim. It still
preserves, however, considerable traces of Israel's individuality, and
may be regarded as an exact record of what he saw and did while in
General Heatherstone's service.
CHAPTER VIII
STATEMENT OF ISRAEL STAKES
[Copied and authenticated by the Reverend Mathew Clark, Presbyterian
Minister of Stoneykirk, in Wigtownshire]
Maister Fothergill West and the meenister say that I maun tell all I can
aboot General Heatherstone and his hoose, but that I maunna say muckle
aboot mysel' because the readers wouldna care to hear aboot me or my
affairs. I am na sae sure o' that, for the Stakes is a family weel
kenned and respecked on baith sides o' the Border, and there's mony
in Nithsdale and Annandale as would be gey pleased to hear news o' the
son o' Archie Stakes, o' Ecclefechan.
I maun e'en do as I'm tauld, however, for Mr.
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