The 25th day of August, 1751, about two in the afternoon
CATRIONA -- Part I -- THE LORD ADVOCATE The 25th day of August , 1751 , about two in the afternoon , I , David Balfour , came forth of the British Linen Company , a porter attending me with a bag of money , and some of the chief of these merchants bowing me from their doors . Two days before , and even so late as yestermorning , I was like a beggar-man by the wayside , clad in rags , brought down to my last shillings , my companion a condemned traitor , a price set on my own head for a crime with the news of which the country rang . To-day I was served heir to my position in life , a landed laird , a bank porter by me carrying my gold , recommendations in my pocket , and -LRB- in the words of the saying -RRB- the ball directly at my foot . There were two circumstances that served me as ballast to so much sail .