"Mr. Fenton," said the former, "we have much pleasure in presenting you with that to which your merits so much entitle you--a pair of colours in my ancient regiment of Royal Scots, vacant by the death of young Toweris of that ilk, who has been slain in a late camisadoe in the north, with some broken rascals of the Clan-Donald. You will therefore hear the king's commission read over, and thereafter sign your oath of fealty to us without delay, as the day is wearing apace." Taking up a small piece of parchment to which appeared the Great Seal of Scotland, the signatures of the King and Secretary of State, and his (Dunbarton's) own seal with the four quarters of Douglas, the Earl read the following, which we give verbatim:--
"I George, Earl of Dunbarton, Lord of Douglas, Knight, Baronet, and Knight of the Thistle, Lieutenant-General, and Commander-in-chief of the Scottish forces, by virtue of the power and authority given to me by His Most Sacred Majesty James VII., do hereby constitute you, Walter Fenton, Gentleman, an Ensign of the Royall Regiment of Ffoote in that companie wheroff his Honor the Laird of Drumquhazel, Chevalier of St. Michael, is captain. You are therefore to obey such orders as you may receive from His Majesty and your superiors, as you expect to be obeyed by your soldiers according to the Rules and Discipline of War.
"Given under my hand and seal at the Bristo Port.
Though astonished at all this unusual formality, Walter bowed in pleased and grateful silence, and then he heard the stern voice of Major-General Dalyel.
"Maister Fenton, you will please to repeat after me, and sign your oath of Fealty to this Council and the three estates of the realm."
"Oath of Fealty, Sir Thomas?" reiterated Walter, equally surprised and offended at this new proposal, which accompanied the long-wished-for gift. "My Lords, though deeply grateful for this mark of your favour, I deplore that you should suspect me----"
"Sir," interrupted Lord Clermistonlee, hastily and haughtily, "at _present_ we suspect you of nothing; but the corruption of these times, when the very air seems infected with treason and disloyalty, have made an oath of fealty necessary from this time forth."