XII. The Man with the Squint

           ThesermonwhichwastoindictbynamethesinnerswasnotpreachedinthekirkofWoodileethenextSabbath.

           ForthedayafterhisreturnfromKirkAllerapostreachedthemansefromthePleasanceofEdinburghwhichinanhoursetDavidonhishorseridinghardforthecapital.Therewasplagueinthecity,andhisfatherwassickofit.Itwastheplagueinanewform,fordeathdidnotcomequickly;thepatientlayfordaysinahighfever,afflictedwithviolentheadachesandshiverings,andacontractionofmusclesandnerves,andthen,inninecasesoutoften,passedintoarigorwhichmeantdeath.Therewasnoeruptiononthebodies,andthephysicianswereatalossinthematteroftreatment.Butitwasscarcelylessdeadlythantheoldervisitations,andthedead-bellranghourly,andthedead-cartrumbleddayandnightonthecobbles.

           Davidfoundtheoldmanconscious,butveryclearthathewasnearhisend.Thefamilydoctorhadbledhimcopiously,appliedleechestohishead,andbroughtahorridregimentofdrugsandvomitories.Thesonpledwithhisfathertoreceivethempatiently."Godworksbymeans,"hetoldhim,"asChristcuredtheblindmanwithclayandspittle,andwhatremedycouldbemorerudethanthese?"

           "Aye,butitwastheLordthatlaidthemon,Davie,"saidthepatient,"andnoanauldwifelikeMcGlashan."Sohesentthephysicianpacking,andengagedanewone,acertainyoungCrosbiefromtheMonk’sVennel,whohadstudiedinFranceandhadatleastthemeritoflettingasickmandieinpeace.