“Your cows must find another herdsman,” sternly returned Lagg, who immediately delivered the fatal shot.  The bleeding body struggled a moment on the heath, then the ransomed spirit took its flight to brighter realms.

The Bible won the young, as well as the more matured.  It warmed, strengthened, purified, and ennobled the hearts of sons and daughters, affording comfort and arousing heroism equal to that of fathers and mothers.  Andrew Hislop, while yet a youth, was overtaken as he hastened to a hiding-place, and was put on trial for his life, while he stood before the soldiers in the field across which he was running.  His Bible was found on his person.  His mother’s home had been demolished by Claverhouse some time previous; she and her children had been compelled to face the future without food or shelter.  She had been charged with harboring Covenanters; therefore her residence had been destroyed, her provisions seized, and her children scattered; all were now being hunted for their lives.  Claverhouse had found Andrew.  He was allowed a short time for prayer.  His prayer brought the needed blessing with more than lightning-speed; sufficient grace and strength were immediately given.  His face shined with courage; his eyes gleamed with contempt for danger and death; a halo of victory seemed to wreathe him; the Holy Spirit filled his soul with joy; his lips took up the Psalmist’s inspired challenge, and the solemn music smote the ears of his foes, as he sang—­

    “The mighty Lord is on my side,
    I will not be afraid;
    For any thing that man can do
    I shall not be dismayed.”

The dragoons were unable to endure the glory of that face, or the sweetness of that voice.  He was ordered to draw down his “bonnet” over his eyes, and receive the volley.  He sternly refused, lifting it higher on his dauntless brow, and affirming that he could look the musketeers in the face, while they delivered the murderous fire.  Then holding out his Bible, he haled them to the Judgment-seat, where they would be judged by that Book.

[Illustration:  Covenanters Bibles

In this group of Bibles, Peden’s is the largest; Cargill’s is underneath it, and Captain Paton’s to the left.  We had the privilege of using Cargill’s Bible in 1896, at a Conventicle service held on the Cargill farm.  We felt deeply impressed, while reading from the pages upon which the piercing eyes of the martyr had often flashed.  The book still bears the marks of rain-drops, received, doubtless, while being used in the outdoor meetings held by the Covenanters.]

“Shoot,” cried Claverhouse.  Not a gun was discharged.  The men were overawed by the sweet innocency and intrepid spirit of the youthful Covenanter.

“Shoot that bonnie young man!” exclaimed the officer, who had charge of the men appointed to do the bloody work.  “I’ll fight Clavers and a’ his men first.”  Three others were found sufficiently hardened to do the cruel deed.  The young hero fell, and expired.  As the horsemen rode away, the stricken mother hastened to the spot.  The young heart had ceased to beat; the eyes opened no more upon her kindly face.  Sadly she gathered up the oozing brains, for which she had brought a clean napkin, knowing too well what had occurred; she then prepared the body for burial.