’Toourgoodsubject，JohnRidd，etc。’——describingmeeversomuchbetterthanIknewmyself——’bythesepresents，greeting。Thesearetorequirethee，inthenameofourlordtheKing，toappearinpersonbeforetheRightWorshipful，theJusticesofHisMajesty’sBenchatWestminster，layingasideallthineownbusiness，andtheretodeliversuchevidenceasiswithinthycognisance，touchingcertainmatterswherebythepeaceofoursaidlordtheKing，andthewell-beingofthisrealm，is，are，orotherwisemaybeimpeached，impugned，imperilled，orotherwisedetrimented。Aswitnessthesepresents。’Andthentherewerefourseals，andthenasignatureIcouldnotmakeout，onlythatitbeganwithaJ，andendedwithsomeotherwriting，donealmostinacircle。Underneathwasaddedinadifferenthandwriting’Chargeswillbeborne。Thematterisfullurgent。’
Themessengerwatchedme，whileIreadsomuchasI
couldreadofit；andheseemedwellpleasedwithmysurprise，becausehehadexpectedit。Then，notknowingwhatelsetodo，Ilookedagainatthecover，andonthetopofitIsaw，’Ride，Ride，Ride!OnHisGraciousMajesty’sbusiness；spurandsparenot。’
Itmaybesupposedbyallwhoknowme，thatIwastakenhereuponwithsuchagiddinessinmyheadandnoisinessinmyears，thatIwasforcedtoholdbythecrookdriveninbelowthethatchforholdingofthehay-rakes。Therewasscarcelyanysenseleftinme，onlythatthethingwascomebypowerofMotherMelldrum，becauseIdespisedherwarning，andhadagainsoughtLorna。Buttheofficerwasgrievedforme，andthedangertohissupper。
’Myson，benotafraid，’hesaid；’wearenotgoingtoskinthee。Onlythoutellallthetruth，anditshallbe——butnevermind，Iwilltelltheeallaboutit，andhowtocomeoutharmless，ifIfindthyvictualsgood，andnodelayinservingthem。’