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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Redgauntlet, by Sir Walter Scott
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Redgauntlet
+
+Author: Sir Walter Scott
+
+Posting Date: December 31, 2008 [EBook #2516]
+Release Date: February, 2000, 2016
+Last Updated: August 31
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REDGAUNTLET ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer
+
+
+
+
+
+REDGAUNTLET
+
+by Sir Walter Scott
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+     Introduction
+     Text
+         Letters I - XIII
+         Chapters I - XXIII
+         Conclusion
+     Notes
+     Glossary
+
+
+Original Transcriber’s Note: Footnotes in the printed book have been
+inserted in the etext in square brackets (“[]”) close to the place where
+they were referenced by a suffix in the original text. Text in italics
+has been written in capital letters. There are some numbered notes at
+the end of the text that are referred to by their numbers with brief
+notes, also in square brackets, embedded in the text.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+The Jacobite enthusiasm of the eighteenth century, particularly during
+the rebellion of 1745, afforded a theme, perhaps the finest that could
+be selected for fictitious composition, founded upon real or probable
+incident. This civil war and its remarkable events were remembered by
+the existing generation without any degree of the bitterness of spirit
+which seldom fails to attend internal dissension. The Highlanders, who
+formed the principal strength of Charles Edward’s army, were an ancient
+and high-spirited race, peculiar in their habits of war and of peace,
+brave to romance, and exhibiting a character turning upon points more
+adapted to poetry than to the prose of real life. Their prince, young,
+valiant, patient of fatigue, and despising danger, heading his army
+on foot in the most toilsome marches, and defeating a regular force
+in three battles--all these were circumstances fascinating to the
+imagination, and might well be supposed to seduce young and enthusiastic
+minds to the cause in which they were found united, although wisdom and
+reason frowned upon the enterprise.
+
+The adventurous prince, as is well known, proved to be one of
+those personages who distinguish themselves during some single and
+extraordinarily brilliant period of their lives, like the course of a
+shooting-star, at which men wonder, as well on account of the
+briefness, as the brilliancy of its splendour. A long tract of darkness
+overshadowed the subsequent life of a man who, in his youth, showed
+himself so capable of great undertakings; and, without the painful task
+of tracing his course farther, we may say the latter pursuits and habits
+of this unhappy prince are those painfully evincing a broken heart,
+which seeks refuge from its own thoughts in sordid enjoyments.
+
+Still, however, it was long ere Charles Edward appeared to be, perhaps
+it was long ere he altogether became, so much degraded from his original
+self; as he enjoyed for a time the lustre attending the progress and
+termination of his enterprise. Those who thought they discerned in his
+subsequent conduct an insensibility to the distresses of his followers,
+coupled with that egotistical attention to his own interests which has
+been often attributed to the Stuart family, and which is the natural
+effect of the principles of divine right in which they were brought up,
+were now generally considered as dissatisfied and splenetic persons,
+who, displeased with the issue of their adventure and finding themselves
+involved in the ruins of a falling cause, indulged themselves in
+undeserved reproaches against their leader. Indeed, such censures were
+by no means frequent among those of his followers who, if what was
+alleged had been just, had the best right to complain. Far the greater
+number of those unfortunate gentlemen suffered with the most dignified
+patience, and were either too proud to take notice of ill-treatment an
+the part of their prince, or so prudent as to be aware their complaints
+would meet with little sympathy from the world. It may be added, that
+the greater part of the banished Jacobites, and those of high rank and
+consequence, were not much within reach of the influence of the prince’s
+character and conduct, whether well regulated or otherwise.
+
+In the meantime that great Jacobite conspiracy, of which the
+insurrection of 1745-6 was but a small part precipitated into action on
+the failure of a far more general scheme, was resumed and again put into
+motion by the Jacobites of England, whose force had never been broken,
+as they had prudently avoided bringing it into the field. The surprising
+effect which had been produced by small means, in 1745-6, animated their
+hopes for more important successes, when the whole nonjuring interest
+of Britain, identified as it then was with great part of the landed
+gentlemen, should come forward to finish what had been gallantly
+attempted by a few Highland chiefs.
+
+It is probable, indeed, that the Jacobites of the day were incapable of
+considering that the very small scale on which the effort was made, was
+in one great measure the cause of its unexpected success. The remarkable
+speed with which the insurgents marched, the singularly good discipline
+which they preserved, the union and unanimity which for some time
+animated their councils, were all in a considerable degree produced
+by the smallness of their numbers. Notwithstanding the discomfiture
+of Charles Edward, the nonjurors of the period long continued to nurse
+unlawful schemes, and to drink treasonable toasts, until age stole upon
+them. Another generation arose, who did not share the sentiments which
+they cherished; and at length the sparkles of disaffection, which had
+long smouldered, but had never been heated enough to burst into actual
+flame, became entirely extinguished. But in proportion as the political
+enthusiasm died gradually away among men of ordinary temperament, it
+influenced those of warm imaginations and weak understandings, and hence
+wild schemes were formed, as desperate as they were adventurous.
+
+Thus a young Scottishman of rank is said to have stooped so low as to
+plot the surprisal of St. James’s Palace, and the assassination of the
+royal family. While these ill-digested and desperate conspiracies were
+agitated among the few Jacobites who still adhered with more obstinacy
+to their purpose, there is no question but that other plots might have
+been brought to an open explosion, had it not suited the policy of Sir
+Robert Walpole rather to prevent or disable the conspirators in their
+projects, than to promulgate the tale of danger, which might thus have
+been believed to be more widely diffused than was really the case.
+
+In one instance alone this very prudential and humane line of conduct
+was departed from, and the event seemed to confirm the policy of the
+general course. Doctor Archibald Cameron, brother of the celebrated
+Donald Cameron of Lochiel, attainted for the rebellion of 1745, was
+found by a party of soldiers lurking with a comrade in the wilds of Loch
+Katrine five or six years after the battle of Culloden, and was there
+seized. There were circumstances in his case, so far as was made known
+to the public, which attracted much compassion, and gave to the judicial
+proceedings against him an appearance of cold-blooded revenge on the
+part of government; and the following argument of a zealous Jacobite in
+his favour, was received as conclusive by Dr. Johnson and other persons
+who might pretend to impartiality. Dr. Cameron had never borne arms,
+although engaged in the Rebellion, but used his medical skill for the
+service, indifferently, of the wounded of both parties. His return to
+Scotland was ascribed exclusively to family affairs. His behaviour at
+the bar was decent, firm, and respectful. His wife threw herself, on
+three different occasions, before George II and the members of his
+family, was rudely repulsed from their presence, and at length placed,
+it was said, in the same prison with her husband, and confined with
+unmanly severity.
+
+Dr. Cameron was finally executed with all the severities of the law of
+treason; and his death remains in popular estimation a dark blot upon
+the memory of George II, being almost publicly imputed to a mean and
+personal hatred of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the sufferer’s heroic
+brother.
+
+Yet the fact was that whether the execution of Archibald Cameron was
+political or otherwise, it might certainly have been justified, had
+the king’s ministers so pleased, upon reasons of a public nature. The
+unfortunate sufferer had not come to the Highlands solely upon his
+private affairs, as was the general belief; but it was not judged
+prudent by the English ministry to let it be generally known that
+he came to inquire about a considerable sum of money which had been
+remitted from France to the friends of the exiled family. He had also a
+commission to hold intercourse with the well-known M’Pherson of Cluny,
+chief of the clan Vourich, whom the Chevalier had left behind at his
+departure from Scotland in 1746, and who remained during ten years of
+proscription and danger, skulking from place to place in the Highlands,
+and maintaining an uninterrupted correspondence between Charles and his
+friends. That Dr. Cameron should have held a commission to assist this
+chief in raking together the dispersed embers of disaffection, is in
+itself sufficiently natural, and, considering his political principles,
+in no respect dishonourable to his memory. But neither ought it to be
+imputed to George II that he suffered the laws to be enforced against
+a person taken in the act of breaking them. When he lost his hazardous
+game, Dr. Cameron only paid the forfeit which he must have calculated
+upon. The ministers, however, thought it proper to leave Dr. Cameron’s
+new schemes in concealment, lest, by divulging them, they had indicated
+the channel of communication which, it is now well known, they possessed
+to all the plots of Charles Edward. But it was equally ill advised and
+ungenerous to sacrifice the character of the king to the policy of the
+administration. Both points might have been gained by sparing the
+life of Dr. Cameron after conviction, and limiting his punishment to
+perpetual exile.
+
+These repeated and successive Jacobite plots rose and burst like bubbles
+on a fountain; and one of them, at least, the Chevalier judged of
+importance enough to induce him to risk himself within the dangerous
+precincts of the British capital. This appears from Dr. King’s ANECDOTES
+OF HIS OWN TIMES.
+
+‘September, 1750.--I received a note from my Lady Primrose, who desired
+to see me immediately. As soon as I waited on her, she led me into her
+dressing-room, and presented me to--’ [the Chevalier, doubtless]. ‘If
+I was surprised to find him there, I was still more astonished when he
+acquainted me with the motives which had induced him to hazard a journey
+to England at this juncture. The impatience of his friends who were in
+exile had formed a scheme which was impracticable; but although it had
+been as feasible as they had represented it to him, yet no preparation
+had been made, nor was anything ready to carry it into execution. He was
+soon convinced that he had been deceived; and, therefore, after a stay
+in London of five days only, he returned to the place from whence he
+came.’ Dr. King was in 1750 a keen Jacobite, as may be inferred from the
+visit made by him to the prince under such circumstances, and from his
+being one of that unfortunate person’s chosen correspondents. He, as
+well as other men of sense and observation, began to despair of
+making their fortune in the party which they had chosen. It was indeed
+sufficiently dangerous; for, during the short visit just described,
+one of Dr. King’s servants remarked the stranger’s likeness to Prince
+Charles, whom he recognized from the common busts.
+
+The occasion taken for breaking up the Stuart interest we shall tell in
+Dr. King’s own words:--‘When he (Charles Edward) was in Scotland, he had
+a mistress whose name was Walkinshaw, and whose sister was at that time,
+and is still, housekeeper at Leicester House. Some years after he was
+released from his prison, and conducted out of France, he sent for
+this girl, who soon acquired such a dominion over him, that she was
+acquainted with all his schemes, and trusted with his most secret
+correspondence. As soon as this was known in England, all those persons
+of distinction who were attached to him were greatly alarmed: they
+imagined that this wench had been placed in his family by the English
+ministers; and, considering her sister’s situation, they seemed to have
+some ground for their suspicion; wherefore, they dispatched a gentleman
+to Paris, where the prince then was, who had instructions to insist that
+Mrs. Walkinshaw should be removed to a convent for a certain term; but
+her gallant absolutely refused to comply with this demand; and although
+Mr. M’Namara, the gentleman who was sent to him, who has a natural
+eloquence and an excellent understanding, urged the most cogent reasons,
+and used all the arts of persuasion, to induce him to part with his
+mistress, and even proceeded so far as to assure him, according to his
+instructions, that an immediate interruption of all correspondence with
+his most powerful friends in England, and, in short, that the ruin of
+his interest, which was now daily increasing, would be the infallible
+consequence of his refusal; yet he continued inflexible, and all
+M’Namara’s entreaties and remonstrances were ineffectual. M’Namara
+stayed in Paris some days beyond the time prescribed him, endeavouring
+to reason the prince into a better temper; but finding him obstinately
+persevere in his first answer, he took his leave with concern and
+indignation, saying, as he passed out, “What has your family done, sir,
+thus to draw down the vengeance of Heaven on every branch of it, through
+so many ages?” It is worthy of remark, that in all the conferences which
+M’Namara had with the prince on this occasion, the latter declared that
+it was not a violent passion, or indeed any particular regard, which
+attached him to Mrs. Walkinshaw and that he could see her removed from
+him without any concern; but he would not receive directions, in respect
+to his private conduct, from any man alive. When M’Namara returned
+to London, and reported the prince’s answer to the gentlemen who had
+employed him, they were astonished and confounded. However, they soon
+resolved on the measures which they were to pursue for the future, and
+determined no longer to serve a man who could not be persuaded to serve
+himself, and chose rather to endanger the lives of his best and most
+faithful friends, than part with an harlot, whom, as he often declared,
+he neither loved nor esteemed.’
+
+From this anecdote, the general truth of which is indubitable, the
+principal fault of Charles Edward’s temper is sufficiently obvious. It
+was a high sense of his own importance, and an obstinate adherence to
+what he had once determined on--qualities which, if he had succeeded in
+his bold attempt, gave the nation little room to hope that he would have
+been found free from the love of prerogative and desire of arbitrary
+power, which characterized his unhappy grandfather. He gave a notable
+instance how far this was the leading feature of his character, when,
+for no reasonable cause that can be assigned, he placed his own single
+will in opposition to the necessities of France, which, in order to
+purchase a peace become necessary to the kingdom, was reduced to gratify
+Britain by prohibiting the residence of Charles within any part of the
+French dominions. It was in vain that France endeavoured to lessen the
+disgrace of this step by making the most flattering offers, in hopes
+to induce the prince of himself to anticipate this disagreeable
+alternative, which, if seriously enforced, as it was likely to be, he
+had no means whatever of resisting, by leaving the kingdom as of his
+own free will. Inspired, however, by the spirit of hereditary obstinacy,
+Charles preferred a useless resistance to a dignified submission, and,
+by a series of idle bravadoes, laid the French court under the necessity
+of arresting their late ally, and sending him to close confinement
+in the Bastille, from which he was afterwards sent out of the French
+dominions, much in the manner in which a convict is transported to the
+place of his destination.
+
+In addition to these repeated instances of a rash and inflexible temper,
+Dr. King also adds faults alleged to belong to the prince’s character,
+of a kind less consonant with his noble birth and high pretensions.
+He is said by this author to have been avaricious, or parsimonious at
+least, to such a degree of meanness, as to fail, even when he had
+ample means, in relieving the sufferers who had lost their fortune, and
+sacrificed all in his ill-fated attempt. [The approach is thus expressed
+by Dr. King, who brings the charge:--‘But the most odious part of his
+character is his love of money, a vice which I do not remember to have
+been imputed by our historians to any of his ancestors, and is the
+certain index of a base and little mind. I know it may be urged in his
+vindication, that a prince in exile ought to be an economist. And so
+he ought; but, nevertheless, his purse should be always open as long as
+there is anything in it, to relieve the necessities of his friends and
+adherents. King Charles II, during his banishment, would have shared the
+last pistole in his pocket with his little family. But I have known this
+gentleman, with two thousand louis-d’ors in his strong-box, pretend he
+was in great distress, and borrow money from a lady in Paris who was not
+in affluent circumstances. His most faithful servants, who had closely
+attended him in all his difficulties, were ill rewarded.’--King’s
+MEMOIRS.] We must receive, however, with some degree of jealousy what
+is said by Dr. King on this subject, recollecting that he had left at
+least, if he did not desert, the standard of the unfortunate prince, and
+was not therefore a person who was likely to form the fairest estimate
+of his virtues and faults. We must also remember that if the exiled
+prince gave little, he had but little to give, especially considering
+how late he nourished the scheme of another expedition to Scotland, for
+which he was long endeavouring to hoard money.
+
+The case, also, of Charles Edward must be allowed to have been a
+difficult one. He had to satisfy numerous persons, who, having lost
+their all in his cause, had, with that all, seen the extinction of hopes
+which they accounted nearly as good as certainties; some of these were
+perhaps clamorous in their applications, and certainly ill pleased with
+their want of success. Other parts of the Chevalier’s conduct may have
+afforded grounds for charging him with coldness to the sufferings of his
+devoted followers. One of these was a sentiment which has nothing in it
+that is generous, but it was certainly a principle in which the young
+prince was trained, and which may be too probably denominated peculiar
+to his family, educated in all the high notions of passive obedience
+and non-resistance. If the unhappy prince gave implicit faith to the
+professions of statesmen holding such notions, which is implied by his
+whole conduct.
+
+
+
+
+
+REDGAUNTLET
+
+
+
+
+LETTER I
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+DUMFRIES.
+
+CUR ME EXANIMAS QUERELIS TUIS? In plain English, Why do you deafen me
+with your croaking? The disconsolate tone in which you bade me farewell
+at Noble House, [The first stage on the road from Edinburgh to Dumfries
+via Moffat.] and mounted your miserable hack to return to your law
+drudgery, still sounds in my ears. It seemed to say, ‘Happy dog! you can
+ramble at pleasure over hill and dale, pursue every object of curiosity
+that presents itself, and relinquish the chase when it loses interest;
+while I, your senior and your better, must, in this brilliant season,
+return to my narrow chamber and my musty books.’
+
+Such was the import of the reflections with which you saddened our
+parting bottle of claret, and thus I must needs interpret the terms of
+your melancholy adieu.
+
+And why should this be so, Alan? Why the deuce should you not be sitting
+precisely opposite to me at this moment, in the same comfortable George
+Inn; thy heels on the fender, and thy juridical brow expanding its
+plications as a pun rose in your fancy? Above all, why, when I fill this
+very glass of wine, cannot I push the bottle to you, and say, ‘Fairford,
+you are chased!’ Why, I say, should not all this be, except because Alan
+Fairford has not the same true sense of friendship as Darsie Latimer,
+and will not regard our purses as common, as well as our sentiments?
+
+I am alone in the world; my only guardian writes to me of a large
+fortune which will be mine when I reach the age of twenty-five complete;
+my present income is, thou knowest, more than sufficient for all
+my wants; and yet thou--traitor as thou art to the cause of
+friendship--dost deprive me of the pleasure of thy society, and
+submittest, besides, to self-denial on thine own part, rather than my
+wanderings should cost me a few guineas more! Is this regard for
+my purse, or for thine own pride? Is it not equally absurd and
+unreasonable, whichever source it springs from? For myself, I tell thee,
+I have, and shall have, more than enough for both. This same methodical
+Samuel Griffiths, of Ironmonger Lane, Guildhall, London, whose letter
+arrives as duly as quarter-day, has sent me, as I told thee, double
+allowance for this my twenty-first birthday, and an assurance, in his
+brief fashion, that it will be again doubled for the succeeding years,
+until I enter into possession of my own property. Still I am to refrain
+from visiting England until my twenty-fifth year expires; and it is
+recommended that I shall forbear all inquiries concerning my family, and
+so forth, for the present.
+
+Were it not that I recollect my poor mother in her deep widow’s weeds,
+with a countenance that never smiled but when she looked on me--and
+then, in such wan and woful sort, as the sun when he glances through an
+April cloud,--were it not, I say, that her mild and matron-like form
+and countenance forbid such a suspicion, I might think myself the son of
+some Indian director, or rich citizen, who had more wealth than grace,
+and a handful of hypocrisy to boot, and who was breeding up privately,
+and obscurely enriching, one of whose existence he had some reason to be
+ashamed. But, as I said before, I think on my mother, and am convinced
+as much as of the existence of my own soul, that no touch of shame could
+arise from aught in which she was implicated. Meantime, I am wealthy,
+and I am alone, and why does my friend scruple to share my wealth?
+
+Are you not my only friend? and have you not acquired a right to share
+my wealth? Answer me that, Alan Fairford. When I was brought from the
+solitude of my mother’s dwelling into the tumult of the Gaits’ Class at
+the High School--when I was mocked for my English accent--salted with
+snow as a Southern--rolled in the gutter for a Saxon pock-pudding,--who,
+with stout arguments and stouter blows, stood forth my defender?--why,
+Alan Fairford. Who beat me soundly when I brought the arrogance of an
+only son, and of course a spoiled urchin, to the forms of the little
+republic?--why, Alan. And who taught me to smoke a cobbler, pin a losen,
+head a bicker, and hold the bannets?--[Break a window, head a skirmish
+with stones, and hold the bonnet, or handkerchief, which used to divide
+High School boys when fighting.] Alan, once more. If I became the pride
+of the Yards, and the dread of the hucksters in the High School Wynd,
+it was under thy patronage; and, but for thee, I had been contented with
+humbly passing through the Cowgate Port, without climbing over the
+top of it, and had never seen the KITTLE NINE-STEPS nearer than from
+Bareford’s Parks. [A pass on the very brink of the Castle rock to the
+north, by which it is just possible for a goat, or a High School boy,
+to turn the corner of the building where it rises from the edge of the
+precipice. This was so favourite a feat with the ‘hell and neck boys’
+of the higher classes, that at one time sentinels were posted to prevent
+its repetition. One of the nine-steps was rendered more secure because
+the climber could take hold of the root of a nettle, so precarious were
+the means of passing this celebrated spot. The manning the Cowgate Port,
+especially in snowball time, was also a choice amusement, as it offered
+an inaccessible station for the boys who used these missiles to the
+annoyance of the passengers. The gateway is now demolished; and probably
+most of its garrison lie as low as the fortress. To recollect that
+the author himself, however naturally disqualified, was one of those
+juvenile dreadnoughts, is a sad reflection to one who cannot now step
+over a brook without assistance.]
+
+You taught me to keep my fingers off the weak, and to clench my fist
+against the strong--to carry no tales out of school--to stand forth like
+a true man--obey the stern order of a PANDE MANUM, and endure my pawmies
+without wincing, like one that is determined not to be the better for
+them. In a word, before I knew thee, I knew nothing.
+
+At college it was the same. When I was incorrigibly idle, your example
+and encouragement roused me to mental exertion, and showed me the way
+to intellectual enjoyment. You made me an historian, a metaphysician
+(INVITA MINERVA)--nay, by Heaven! you had almost made an advocate of me,
+as well as of yourself. Yes, rather than part with you, Alan, I attended
+a weary season at the Scotch Law Class; a wearier at the Civil; and with
+what excellent advantage, my notebook, filled with caricatures of the
+professors and my fellow students, is it not yet extant to testify?
+
+   Thus far have I held on with thee untired;
+
+and, to say truth, purely and solely that I might travel the same road
+with thee. But it will not do, Alan. By my faith, man, I could as soon
+think of being one of those ingenious traders who cheat little Master
+Jackies on the outside of the partition with tops, balls, bats, and
+battledores, as a member of the long-robed fraternity within, who impose
+on grown country gentlemen with bouncing brocards of law. [The Hall of
+the Parliament House of Edinburgh was, in former days, divided into two
+unequal portions by a partition, the inner side of which was consecrated
+to the use of the Courts of Justice and the gentlemen of the law; while
+the outer division was occupied by the stalls of stationers, toymen, and
+the like, as in a modern bazaar. From the old play of THE PLAIN DEALER,
+it seems such was formerly the case with Westminster Hall. Minos has now
+purified his courts in both cities from all traffic but his own.]
+Now, don’t you read this to your worthy father, Alan--he loves me well
+enough, I know, of a Saturday night; but he thinks me but idle company
+for any other day of the week. And here, I suspect, lies your real
+objection to taking a ramble with me through the southern counties in
+this delicious weather. I know the good gentleman has hard thoughts
+of me for being so unsettled as to leave Edinburgh before the Session
+rises; perhaps, too, he quarrels a little--I will not say with my want
+of ancestry, but with my want of connexions. He reckons me a lone thing
+in this world, Alan, and so, in good truth, I am; and it seems a reason
+to him why you should not attach yourself to me, that I can claim no
+interest in the general herd.
+
+Do not suppose I forget what I owe him, for permitting me to shelter for
+four years under his roof: My obligations to him are not the less, but
+the greater, if he never heartily loved me. He is angry, too, that I
+will not, or cannot, be a lawyer, and, with reference to you, considers
+my disinclination that way as PESSIMI EXEMPLI, as he might say.
+
+But he need not be afraid that a lad of your steadiness will be
+influenced by such a reed shaken by the winds as I am. You will go on
+doubting with Dirleton, and resolving those doubts with Stewart,
+[‘Sir John Nisbett of Dirleton’s DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS UPON THE LAW,
+ESPECIALLLY OF SCOTLAND;’ and ‘Sir James Stewart’s DIRLETON’S DOUBTS AND
+QUESTIONS ON THE LAW OF SCOTLAND RESOLVED AND ANSWERED,’ are works
+of authority in Scottish jurisprudence. As is generally the case, the
+doubts are held more in respect than the solution.] until the cramp
+speech [Till of late years, every advocate who catered at the Scottish
+bar made a Latin address to the Court, faculty, and audience, in set
+terms, and said a few words upon a text of the civil law, to show his
+Latinity and jurisprudence. He also wore his hat for a minute, in order
+to vindicate his right of being covered before the Court, which is said
+to have originated from the celebrated lawyer, Sir Thomas Hope, having
+two sons on the bench while he himself remained at the bar. Of late this
+ceremony has been dispensed with, as occupying the time of the Court
+unnecessarily. The entrant lawyer merely takes the oaths to government,
+and swears to maintain the rules and privileges of his order.] has
+been spoken more SOLITO from the corner of the bench, and with covered
+head--until you have sworn to defend the liberties and privileges of the
+College of Justice--until the black gown is hung on your shoulders, and
+you are free as any of the Faculty to sue or defend. Then will I step
+forth, Alan, and in a character which even your father will allow may be
+more useful to you than had I shared this splendid termination of your
+legal studies. In a word, if I cannot be a counsel, I am determined to
+be a CLIENT, a sort of person without whom a lawsuit would be as dull
+as a supposed case. Yes, I am determined to give you your first fee. One
+can easily, I am assured, get into a lawsuit--it is only the getting out
+which is sometimes found troublesome;--and, with your kind father for
+an agent, and you for my counsel learned in the law, and the worshipful
+Master Samuel Griffiths to back me, a few sessions shall not tire my
+patience. In short, I will make my way into court, even if it should
+cost me the committing a DELICT, or at least a QUASI DELICT.--You see
+all is not lost of what Erskine wrote, and Wallace taught.
+
+Thus far I have fooled it off well enough; and yet, Alan, all is not
+at ease within me. I am affected with a sense of loneliness, the more
+depressing, that it seems to me to be a solitude peculiarly my own. In a
+country where all the world have a circle of consanguinity, extending to
+sixth cousins at least, I am a solitary individual, having only one kind
+heart to throb in unison with my own. If I were condemned to labour
+for my bread, methinks I should less regard this peculiar species of
+deprivation, The necessary communication of master and servant would be
+at least a tie which would attach me to the rest of my kind--as it is,
+my very independence seems to enhance the peculiarity of my situation.
+I am in the world as a stranger in the crowded coffeehouse, where he
+enters, calls for what refreshment he wants, pays his bill, and is
+forgotten so soon as the waiter’s mouth has pronounced his ‘Thank ye,
+sir.’
+
+I know your good father would term this SINNING MY MERCIES, [A
+peculiar Scottish phrase expressive of ingratitude for the favours of
+Providence.] and ask how I should feel if, instead of being able to
+throw down my reckoning, I were obliged to deprecate the resentment of
+the landlord for consuming that which I could not pay for. I cannot tell
+how it is; but, though this very reasonable reflection comes across me,
+and though I do confess that four hundred a year in possession, eight
+hundred in near prospect, and the L--d knows how many hundreds more in
+the distance, are very pretty and comfortable things, yet I would freely
+give one half of them to call your father father, though he should
+scold me for my idleness every hour of the day, and to call you brother,
+though a brother whose merits would throw my own so completely into the
+shade.
+
+The faint, yet not improbable, belief has often come across me, that
+your father knows something more about my birth and condition than he
+is willing to communicate; it is so unlikely that I should be left in
+Edinburgh at six years old, without any other recommendation than
+the regular payment of my board to old M--, [Probably Mathieson,
+the predecessor of Dr. Adams, to whose memory the author and his
+contemporaries owe a deep debt of gratitude.] of the High School.
+Before that time, as I have often told you, I have but a recollection
+of unbounded indulgence on my mother’s part, and the most tyrannical
+exertion of caprice on my own. I remember still how bitterly she
+sighed, how vainly she strove to soothe me, while, in the full energy
+of despotism, I roared like ten bull-calves, for something which it was
+impossible to procure for me. She is dead, that kind, that ill-rewarded
+mother! I remember the long faces--the darkened rooms--the black
+hangings--the mysterious impression made upon my mind by the hearse and
+mourning coaches, and the difficulty which I had to reconcile all this
+to the disappearance of my mother. I do not think I had before this
+event formed, any idea, of death, or that I had even heard of that final
+consummation of all that lives. The first acquaintance which I formed
+with it deprived me of my only relation.
+
+A clergyman of venerable appearance, our only visitor, was my guide
+and companion in a journey of considerable length; and in the charge of
+another elderly man, substituted in his place, I know not how or why, I
+completed my journey to Scotland--and this is all I recollect.
+
+I repeat the little history now, as I have a hundred times before,
+merely because I would wring some sense out of it. Turn, then, thy
+sharp, wire-drawing, lawyer-like ingenuity to the same task--make up my
+history as though thou wert shaping the blundering allegations of some
+blue-bonneted, hard-headed client, into a condescendence of facts
+and circumstances, and thou shalt be, not my Apollo--QUID TIBI CUM
+LYRA?--but my Lord Stair, [Celebrated as a Scottish lawyer.] Meanwhile,
+I have written myself out of my melancholy and blue devils, merely by
+prosing about them; so I will now converse half an hour with Roan Robin
+in his stall--the rascal knows me already, and snickers whenever I cross
+the threshold of the stable.
+
+The black which you bestrode yesterday morning promises to be an
+admirable roadster, and ambled as easily with Sam and the portmanteau,
+as with you and your load of law-learning. Sam promises to be steady,
+and has hitherto been so. No long trial, you will say. He lays the
+blame of former inaccuracies on evil company--the people who were at the
+livery-stable were too seductive, I suppose--he denies he ever did the
+horse injustice--would rather have wanted his own dinner, he says.
+In this I believe him, as Roan Robin’s ribs and coat show no marks of
+contradiction. However, as he will meet with no saints in the inns we
+frequent, and as oats are sometimes as speedily converted into ale
+as John Barleycorn himself, I shall keep a look-out after Master Sam.
+Stupid fellow! had he not abused my good nature, I might have chatted
+to him to keep my tongue in exercise; whereas now I must keep him at a
+distance.
+
+Do you remember what Mr. Fairford said to me on this subject--it did not
+become my father’s son to speak in that manner to Sam’s father’s son?
+I asked you what your father could possibly know of mine; and you
+answered, ‘As much, you supposed, as he knew of Sam’s--it was a
+proverbial expression.’ This did not quite satisfy me; though I am sure
+I cannot tell why it should not. But I am returning to a fruitless
+and exhausted subject. Do not be afraid that I shall come back on
+this well-trodden yet pathless field of conjecture. I know nothing so
+useless, so utterly feeble and contemptible, as the groaning forth one’s
+lamentations into the ears of our friends.
+
+I would fain promise you that my letters shall be as entertaining as
+I am determined they shall be regular and well filled. We have an
+advantage over the dear friends of old, every pair of them.
+Neither David and Jonathan, nor Orestes and Pylades, nor Damon and
+Pythias--although, in the latter case particularly, a letter by post
+would have been very acceptable--ever corresponded together; for they
+probably could not write, and certainly had neither post nor franks to
+speed their effusions to each other; whereas yours, which you had from
+the old peer, being handled gently, and opened with precaution, may be
+returned to me again, and serve to make us free of his Majesty’s post
+office, during the whole time of my proposed tour. [It is well known
+and remembered, that when Members of Parliament enjoyed the unlimited
+privilege of franking by the mere writing the name on the cover, it was
+extended to the most extraordinary occasions. One noble lord, to express
+his regard for a particular regiment, franked a letter for every rank
+and file. It was customary also to save the covers and return them,
+in order that the correspondence might be carried on as long as the
+envelopes could hold together.] Mercy upon us, Alan! what letters I
+shall have to send to you, with an account of all that I can collect, of
+pleasant or rare, in this wild-goose jaunt of mine! All I stipulate is
+that you do not communicate them to the SCOTS MAGAZINE; for though you
+used, in a left-handed way, to compliment me on my attainments in the
+lighter branches of literature, at the expense of my deficiency in the
+weightier matters of the law, I am not yet audacious enough to enter the
+portal which the learned Ruddiman so kindly opened for the acolytes of
+the Muses.--VALE SIS MEMOR MEI. D. L.
+
+PS. Direct to the Post Office here. I shall leave orders to forward your
+letters wherever I may travel.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER II
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+NEGATUR, my dear Darsie--you have logic and law enough to understand the
+word of denial. I deny your conclusion. The premises I admit, namely,
+that when I mounted on that infernal hack, I might utter what seemed
+a sigh, although I deemed it lost amid the puffs and groans of the
+broken-winded brute, matchless in the complication of her complaints by
+any save she, the poor man’s mare, renowned in song, that died
+
+  A mile aboon Dundee.
+
+ [Alluding, as all Scotsmen know, to the humorous old song:--
+
+ ‘The auld man’s mare’s dead,
+  The puir man’s mare’s dead,
+  The auld man’s mare’s dead,
+  A mile aboon Dundee.’]
+
+But credit me, Darsie, the sigh which escaped me, concerned thee more
+than myself, and regarded neither the superior mettle of your cavalry,
+nor your greater command of the means of travelling. I could certainly
+have cheerfully ridden with you for a few days; and assure yourself I
+would not have hesitated to tax your better filled purse for our joint
+expenses. But you know my father considers every moment taken from the
+law as a step down hill; and I owe much to his anxiety on my account,
+although its effects are sometimes troublesome. For example:
+
+I found, on my arrival at the shop in Brown’s Square, that the old
+gentleman had returned that very evening, impatient, it seems, of
+remaining a night out of the guardianship of the domestic Lares. Having
+this information from James, whose brow wore rather an anxious look on
+the occasion, I dispatched a Highland chairman to the livery stable with
+my Bucephalus, and slunk, with as little noise as might be, into my own
+den, where I began to mumble certain half-gnawed and not half-digested
+doctrines of our municipal code. I was not long seated, when my father’s
+visage was thrust, in a peering sort of way, through the half-opened
+door; and withdrawn, on seeing my occupation, with a half-articulated
+HUMPH! which seemed to convey a doubt of the seriousness of my
+application. If it were so, I cannot condemn him; for recollection of
+thee occupied me so entirely during an hour’s reading, that although
+Stair lay before me, and notwithstanding that I turned over three or
+four pages, the sense of his lordship’s clear and perspicuous style
+so far escaped me, that I had the mortification to find my labour was
+utterly in vain.
+
+Ere I had brought up my lee-way, James appeared with his summons to our
+frugal supper--radishes, cheese, and a bottle of the old ale-only two
+plates though--and no chair set for Mr. Darsie, by the attentive James
+Wilkinson. Said James, with his long face, lank hair, and very long
+pig-tail in its leathern strap, was placed, as usual, at the back of
+my father’s chair, upright as a wooden sentinel at the door of a
+puppet-show. ‘You may go down, James,’ said my father; and exit
+Wilkinson.--What is to come next? thought I; for the weather is not
+clear on the paternal brow.
+
+My boots encountered his first glance of displeasure, and he asked me,
+with a sneer, which way I had been riding. He expected me to answer,
+‘Nowhere,’ and would then have been at me with his usual sarcasm,
+touching the humour of walking in shoes at twenty shillings a pair. But
+I answered with composure, that I had ridden out to dinner as far as
+Noble House. He started (you know his way) as if I had said that I
+had dined at Jericho; and as I did not choose to seem to observe his
+surprise, but continued munching my radishes in tranquillity, he broke
+forth in ire.
+
+‘To Noble House, sir! and what had you to do at Noble House, sir? Do
+you remember you are studying law, sir?--that your Scots law trials are
+coming on, sir?--that every moment of your time just now is worth hours
+at another time?--and have you leisure to go to Noble House, sir?--and
+to throw your books behind you for so many hours?--Had it been a turn in
+the meadows, or even a game at golf--but Noble House, sir!’
+
+‘I went so far with Darsie Latimer, sir, to see him begin his journey.’
+
+‘Darsie Latimer?’ he replied in a softened tone--‘Humph!--Well, I do not
+blame you for being kind to Darsie Latimer; but it would have done as
+much good if you had walked with him as far as the toll-bar, and then
+made your farewells--it would have saved horse-hire--and your reckoning,
+too, at dinner.’
+
+‘Latimer paid that, sir,’ I replied, thinking to soften the matter; but
+I had much better have left it unspoken.
+
+‘The reckoning, sir!’ replied my father. ‘And did you sponge upon any
+man for a reckoning? Sir, no man should enter the door of a public-house
+without paying his lawing.’
+
+‘I admit the general rule, sir,’ I replied; ‘but this was a parting-cup
+between Darsie and me; and I should conceive it fell under the exception
+of DOCH AN DORROCH.’
+
+‘You think yourself a wit,’ said my father, with as near an approach to
+a smile as ever he permits to gild the solemnity of his features; ‘but
+I reckon you did not eat your dinner standing, like the Jews at their
+Passover? and it was decided in a case before the town-bailies of
+Cupar-Angus, when Luckie Simpson’s cow had drunk up Luckie Jamieson’s
+browst of ale while it stood in the door to cool, that there was no
+damage to pay, because the crummie drank without sitting down; such
+being the very circumstance constituting DOCH AN DORROCH, which is a
+standing drink, for which no reckoning is paid. Ha, sir! what says your
+advocateship (FIERI) to that? EXEPTIO FIRMAT REGULAM--But come, fill
+your glass, Alan; I am not sorry ye have shown this attention to Darsie
+Latimer, who is a good lad, as times go; and having now lived under my
+roof since he left the school, why, there is really no great matter in
+coming under this small obligation to him.’
+
+As I saw my father’s scruples were much softened by the consciousness of
+his superiority in the legal argument, I took care to accept my pardon
+as a matter of grace, rather than of justice; and only replied, we
+should feel ourselves duller of an evening, now that you were absent. I
+will give you my father’s exact words in reply, Darsie. You know him so
+well, that they will not offend you; and you are also aware, that there
+mingles with the good man’s preciseness and formality, a fund of shrewd
+observation and practical good sense.
+
+‘It is very true,’ he said; ‘Darsie was a pleasant companion-but over
+waggish, over waggish, Alan, and somewhat scatter-brained.--By the way,
+Wilkinson must get our ale bottled in English pints now, for a quart
+bottle is too much, night after night, for you and me, without his
+assistance.--But Darsie, as I was saying, is an arch lad, and somewhat
+light in the upper story--I wish him well through the world; but he has
+little solidity, Alan, little solidity.’
+
+I scorn to desert an absent friend, Darsie, so I said for you a little
+more than my conscience warranted: but your defection from your legal
+studies had driven you far to leeward in my father’s good opinion.
+
+‘Unstable as water, he shall not excel,’ said my father; ‘or, as the
+Septuagint hath it, EFUSA EST SICUT AQUA--NON CRESCAT. He goeth to
+dancing-houses, and readeth novels--SAT EST.’
+
+I endeavoured to parry these texts by observing, that the dancing-houses
+amounted only to one night at La Pique’s ball--the novels (so far as
+matter of notoriety, Darsie) to an odd volume of TOM JONES.
+
+‘But he danced from night to morning,’ replied my father, ‘and he read
+the idle trash, which the author should have been scourged for, at least
+twenty times over. It was never out of his hand.’
+
+I then hinted, that in all probability your fortune was now so easy as
+to dispense with your prosecuting the law any further than you had done;
+and therefore you might think you had some title to amuse yourself. This
+was the least palatable argument of all.
+
+‘If he cannot amuse himself with the law,’ said my father, snappishly
+‘it is the worse for him. If he needs not law to teach him to make a
+fortune, I am sure he needs it to teach him how to keep one; and it
+would better become him to be learning this, than to be scouring the
+country like a land-louper, going he knows not where, to see he knows
+not what, and giving treats at Noble House to fools like himself’ (an
+angry glance at poor me), ‘Noble House, indeed!’ he repeated, with
+elevated voice and sneering tone, as if there were something offensive
+to him in the name, though I will venture to say that any place in which
+you had been extravagant enough to spend five shillings, would have
+stood as deep in his reprobation.
+
+Mindful of your idea, that my father knows more of your real situation
+than he thinks proper to mention, I thought I would hazard a fishing
+observation. ‘I did not see,’ I said, ‘how the Scottish law would be
+useful to a young gentleman whose fortune would seem to be vested in
+England.’--I really thought my father would have beat me.
+
+‘D’ye mean to come round me, sir, PER AMBAGES, as Counsellor Pest says?
+What is it to you where Darsie Latimer’s fortune is vested, or whether
+he hath any fortune, aye or no? And what ill would the Scottish law do
+to him, though he had as much of it as either Stair or Bankton, sir? Is
+not the foundation of our municipal law the ancient code of the Roman
+Empire, devised at a time when it was so much renowned for its civil
+polity, sir, and wisdom? Go to your bed, sir, after your expedition to
+Noble House, and see that your lamp be burning and your book before you
+ere the sun peeps. ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS--were it not a sin to call the
+divine science of the law by the inferior name of art.’
+
+So my lamp did burn, dear Darsie, the next morning, though the owner
+took the risk of a domiciliary visitation, and lay snug in bed, trusting
+its glimmer might, without further inquiry, be received as sufficient
+evidence of his vigilance. And now, upon this the third morning after
+your departure, things are but little better; for though the lamp burns
+in my den, and VOET ON THE PANDECTS hath his wisdom spread open before
+me, yet as I only use him as a reading-desk on which to scribble this
+sheet of nonsense to Darsie Latimer, it is probable the vicinity will be
+of little furtherance to my studies.
+
+And now, methinks, I hear thee call me an affected hypocritical varlet,
+who, living under such a system of distrust and restraint as my father
+chooses to govern by, nevertheless pretends not to envy you your freedom
+and independence.
+
+Latimer, I will tell you no lies. I wish my father would allow me a
+little more exercise of my free will, were it but that I might feel the
+pleasure of doing what would please him of my own accord. A little more
+spare time, and a little more money to enjoy it, would, besides, neither
+misbecome my age nor my condition; and it is, I own, provoking to see so
+many in the same situation winging the air at freedom, while I sit here,
+caged up like a cobbler’s linnet, to chant the same unvaried lesson
+from sunrise to sunset, not to mention the listening to so many lectures
+against idleness, as if I enjoyed or was making use of the means of
+amusement! But then I cannot at heart blame either the motive or the
+object of this severity. For the motive, it is and can only be my
+father’s anxious, devoted, and unremitting affection and zeal for my
+improvement, with a laudable sense of the honour of the profession to
+which he has trained me.
+
+As we have no near relations, the tie betwixt us is of even unusual
+closeness, though in itself one of the strongest which nature can form.
+I am, and have all along been, the exclusive object of my father’s
+anxious hopes, and his still more anxious and engrossing fears; so what
+title have I to complain, although now and then these fears and hopes
+lead him to take a troublesome and incessant charge of all my motions?
+Besides, I ought to recollect, and, Darsie, I do recollect, that my
+father upon various occasions, has shown that he can be indulgent as
+well as strict. The leaving his old apartments in the Luckenbooths was
+to him like divorcing the soul from the body; yet Dr. R---- did but
+hint that the better air of this new district was more favourable to
+my health, as I was then suffering under the penalties of too rapid a
+growth, when he exchanged his old and beloved quarters, adjacent to the
+very Heart of Midlothian, for one of those new tenements (entire within
+themselves) which modern taste has so lately introduced. Instance also
+the inestimable favour which he conferred on me by receiving you into
+his house, when you had only the unpleasant alternative of remaining,
+though a grown-up lad, in the society of mere boys. [The diminutive and
+obscure place called Brown’s Square, was hailed about the time of its
+erection as an extremely elegant improvement upon the style of designing
+and erecting Edinburgh residences. Each house was, in the phrase used
+by appraisers, ‘finished within itself,’ or, in the still newer
+phraseology, ‘self-contained.’ It was built about the year 1763-4; and
+the old part of the city being near and accessible, this square soon
+received many inhabitants, who ventured to remove to so moderate a
+distance from the High Street.] This was a thing so contrary to all my
+father’s ideas of seclusion, of economy, and of the safety to my morals
+and industry, which he wished to attain, by preserving me from the
+society of other young people, that, upon my word, I am always rather
+astonished how I should have had the impudence to make the request, than
+that he should have complied with it.
+
+Then for the object of his solicitude--Do not laugh, or hold up your
+hands, my good Darsie; but upon my word I like the profession to which
+I am in the course of being educated, and am serious in prosecuting the
+preliminary studies. The law is my vocation--in an especial, and, I
+may say, in an hereditary way, my vocation; for although I have not the
+honour to belong to any of the great families who form in Scotland, as
+in France, the noblesse of the robe, and with us, at least, carry their
+heads as high, or rather higher, than the noblesse of the sword,--for
+the former consist more frequently of the ‘first-born of Egypt,’--yet
+my grandfather, who, I dare say, was a most excellent person, had the
+honour to sign a bitter protest against the Union, in the respectable
+character of town-clerk to the ancient Borough of Birlthegroat; and
+there is some reason--shall I say to hope, or to suspect?--that he may
+have been a natural son of a first cousin of the then Fairford of that
+Ilk, who had been long numbered among the minor barons. Now my father
+mounted a step higher on the ladder of legal promotion, being, as you
+know as well as I do, an eminent and respected Writer to his Majesty’s
+Signet; and I myself am destined to mount a round higher still, and wear
+the honoured robe which is sometimes supposed, like Charity, to cover
+a multitude of sins. I have, therefore, no choice but to climb upwards;
+since we have mounted thus high, or else to fall down at the imminent
+risk of my neck. So that I reconcile myself to my destiny; and while
+you, are looking from mountain peaks, at distant lakes and firths, I am,
+DE APICIBUS JURIS, consoling myself with visions of crimson and scarlet
+gowns--with the appendages of handsome cowls, well lined with salary.
+
+You smile, Darsie, MORE TUO, and seem to say it is little worth while to
+cozen one’s self with such vulgar dreams; yours being, on the contrary,
+of a high and heroic character, bearing the same resemblance to mine,
+that a bench, covered with purple cloth and plentifully loaded with
+session papers, does to some Gothic throne, rough with barbaric pearl
+and gold. But what would you have?--SUA QUEMQUE TRAHIT VOLUPTAS. And my
+visions of preferment, though they may be as unsubstantial at present,
+are nevertheless more capable of being realized, than your aspirations
+after the Lord knows what. What says my father’s proverb? ‘Look to a
+gown of gold, and you will at least get a sleeve of it.’ Such is my
+pursuit; but what dost thou look to? The chance that the mystery, as
+you call it, which at present overclouds your birth and connexions, will
+clear up into something inexpressibly and inconceivably brilliant;
+and this without any effort or exertion of your own, but purely by the
+goodwill of Fortune. I know the pride and naughtiness of thy heart, and
+sincerely do I wish that thou hadst more beatings to thank me for, than
+those which thou dost acknowledge so gratefully. Then had I thumped
+these Quixotical expectations out of thee, and thou hadst not, as
+now, conceived thyself to be the hero of some romantic history, and
+converted, in thy vain imaginations, honest Griffiths, citizen and
+broker, who never bestows more than the needful upon his quarterly
+epistles, into some wise Alexander or sage Alquife, the mystical and
+magical protector of thy peerless destiny. But I know not how it was,
+thy skull got harder, I think, and my knuckles became softer; not to
+mention that at length thou didst begin to show about thee a spark of
+something dangerous, which I was bound to respect at least, if I did not
+fear it.
+
+And while I speak of this, it is not much amiss to advise thee to
+correct a little this cock-a-hoop courage of thine. I fear much that,
+like a hot-mettled horse, it will carry the owner into some scrape, out
+of which he will find it difficult to extricate himself, especially if
+the daring spirit which bore thee thither should chance to fail thee
+at a pinch. Remember, Darsie, thou art not naturally courageous; on
+the contrary, we have long since agreed that, quiet as I am, I have the
+advantage in this important particular. My courage consists, I think,
+in strength of nerves and constitutional indifference to danger; which,
+though it never pushes me on adventure, secures me in full use of
+my recollection, and tolerably complete self-possession, when danger
+actually arrives. Now, thine seems more what may be called intellectual
+courage; highness of spirit, and desire of distinction; impulses which
+render thee alive to the love of fame, and deaf to the apprehension of
+danger, until it forces itself suddenly upon thee. I own that, whether
+it is from my having caught my father’s apprehensions, or that I have
+reason to entertain doubts of my own, I often think that this wildfire
+chase of romantic situation and adventure may lead thee into some
+mischief; and then what would become of Alan Fairford? They might make
+whom they pleased Lord Advocate or Solicitor-General, I should never
+have the heart to strive for it. All my exertions are intended to
+Vindicate myself one day in your eyes; and I think I should not care
+a farthing for the embroidered silk gown, more than for an old woman’s
+apron, unless I had hopes that thou shouldst be walking the boards to
+admire, and perhaps to envy me.
+
+That this may be the case, I prithee--beware! See not a Dulcinea, in
+every slipshod girl, who, with blue eyes, fair hair, a tattered plaid,
+and a willow-wand in her grip, drives out the village cows to the
+loaning. Do not think you will meet a gallant Valentine in every English
+rider, or an Orson in every Highland drover. View things as they are,
+and not as they may be magnified through thy teeming fancy. I have seen
+thee look at an old gravel pit, till thou madest out capes, and bays,
+and inlets, crags and precipices, and the whole stupendous scenery of
+the Isle of Feroe, in what was, to all ordinary eyes, a mere horse-pond.
+Besides, did I not once find thee gazing with respect at a lizard, in
+the attitude of one who looks upon a crocodile? Now this is, doubtless,
+so far a harmless exercise of your imagination; for the puddle cannot
+drown you, nor the Lilliputian alligator eat you up. But it is different
+in society, where you cannot mistake the character of those you converse
+with, or suffer your fancy to exaggerate their qualities, good or bad,
+without exposing yourself not only to ridicule, but to great and serious
+inconveniences. Keep guard, therefore, on your imagination, my dear
+Darsie; and let your old friend assure you, it is the point of your
+character most pregnant with peril to its good and generous owner.
+Adieu! let not the franks of the worthy peer remain unemployed; above
+all, SIS MEMOR MEI. A. F.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER III
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+SHEPHERD’S BUSH.
+
+I have received thine absurd and most conceited epistle. It is well
+for thee that, Lovelace and Belford-like, we came under a convention
+to pardon every species of liberty which we may take with each other;
+since, upon my word, there are some reflections in your last which would
+otherwise have obliged me to return forthwith to Edinburgh, merely to
+show you I was not what you took me for.
+
+Why, what a pair of prigs hast thou made of us! I plunging into scrapes,
+without having courage to get out of them--thy sagacious self, afraid
+to put one foot before the other, lest it should run away from its
+companion; and so standing still like a post, out of mere faintness
+and coldness of heart, while all the world were driving full speed past
+thee. Thou a portrait-painter! I tell thee, Alan, I have seen a better
+seated on the fourth round of a ladder, and painting a bare-breeched
+Highlander, holding a pint-stoup as big as himself, and a booted
+Lowlander, in a bobwig, supporting a glass of like dimensions; the whole
+being designed to represent the sign of the Salutation.
+
+How hadst thou the heart to represent thine own individual self, with
+all thy motions, like those of a great Dutch doll, depending on the
+pressure of certain springs, as duty, reflection, and the like; without
+the impulse of which, thou wouldst doubtless have me believe thou
+wouldst not budge an inch! But have I not seen Gravity out of his bed at
+midnight? and must I, in plain terms, remind thee of certain mad pranks?
+Thou hadst ever, with the gravest sentiments in thy mouth and the most
+starched reserve in thy manner, a kind of lumbering proclivity towards
+mischief, although with more inclination to set it a-going than address
+to carry it through; and I cannot but chuckle internally, when I think
+of having seen my most venerable monitor, the future president of some
+high Scottish court, puffing, blowing, and floundering, like a clumsy
+cart-horse in a bog where his efforts to extricate himself only plunged
+him deeper at every awkward struggle, till some one--I myself, for
+example--took compassion on the moaning monster, and dragged him out by
+mane and tail.
+
+As for me, my portrait is, if possible, even more scandalously
+caricatured, I fail or quail in spirit at the upcome! Where canst thou
+show me the least symptom of the recreant temper, with which thou hast
+invested me (as I trust) merely to set off the solid and impassible
+dignity of thine own stupid indifference? If you ever saw me tremble, be
+assured that my flesh, like that of the old Spanish general, only quaked
+at the dangers into which my spirit was about to lead it. Seriously,
+Alan, this imputed poverty of spirit is a shabby charge to bring against
+your friend. I have examined myself as closely as I can, being, in very
+truth, a little hurt at your having such hard thoughts of me, and on
+my life I can see no reason for them. I allow you have, perhaps, some
+advantage of me in the steadiness and indifference of your temper; but I
+should despise myself, if I were conscious of the deficiency in courage
+which you seem willing enough to impute to me. However, I suppose, this
+ungracious hint proceeds from sincere anxiety for my safety; and so
+viewing it, I swallow it as I would do medicine from a friendly doctor,
+although I believed in my heart he had mistaken my complaint.
+
+This offensive insinuation disposed of, I thank thee, Alan, for the rest
+of thy epistle. I thought I heard your good father pronouncing the word
+Noble House, with a mixture of contempt and displeasure, as if the very
+name of the poor little hamlet were odious to him, or as if you had
+selected, out of all Scotland, the very place at which you had no call
+to dine. But if he had had any particular aversion to that blameless
+village and very sorry inn, is it not his own fault that I did not
+accept the invitation of the Laird of Glengallacher, to shoot a buck
+in what he emphatically calls ‘his country’? Truth is, I had a strong
+desire to have complied with his lairdship’s invitation. To shoot a
+buck! Think how magnificent an idea to one who never shot anything but
+hedge-sparrows, and that with a horse-pistol purchased at a broker’s
+stand in the Cowgate! You, who stand upon your courage, may remember
+that I took the risk of firing the said pistol for the first time, while
+you stood at twenty yards’ distance; and that, when you were persuaded
+it would go off without bursting, forgetting all law but that of the
+biggest and strongest, you possessed yourself of it exclusively for the
+rest of the holidays. Such a day’s sport was no complete introduction to
+the noble art of deer-stalking, as it is practised in the Highlands; but
+I should not have scrupled to accept honest Glengallacher’s invitation,
+at the risk of firing a rifle for the first time, had it not been for
+the outcry which your father made at my proposal, in the full ardour of
+his zeal for King George, the Hanover succession, and the Presbyterian
+faith. I wish I had stood out, since I have gained so little upon
+his good opinion by submission. All his impressions concerning the
+Highlanders are taken from the recollections of the Forty-five, when he
+retreated from the West Port with his brother volunteers, each to
+the fortalice of his own separate dwelling, so soon as they heard the
+Adventurer was arrived with his clans as near them as Kirkliston. The
+flight of Falkirk--PARMA NON BENE SELECTA--in which I think your sire
+had his share with the undaunted western regiment, does not seem to have
+improved his taste for the company of the Highlanders; (quaere,
+Alan, dost thou derive the courage thou makest such boast of from an
+hereditary source?) and stories of Rob Roy Macgregor, and Sergeant Alan
+Mhor Cameron, have served to paint them in still more sable colours to
+his imagination. [Of Rob Roy we have had more than enough. Alan Cameron,
+commonly called Sergeant Mhor, a freebooter of the same period, was
+equally remarkable for strength, courage, and generosity.]
+
+Now, from all I can understand, these ideas, as applied to the present
+state of the country, are absolutely chimerical. The Pretender is
+no more remembered in the Highlands than if the poor gentleman were
+gathered to his hundred and eight fathers, whose portraits adorn the
+ancient walls of Holyrood; the broadswords have passed into other hands;
+the targets are used to cover the butter churns; and the race has sunk,
+or is fast sinking, from ruffling bullies into tame cheaters. Indeed, it
+was partly my conviction that there is little to be seen in the north,
+which, arriving at your father’s conclusions, though from different
+premisses, inclined my course in this direction, where perhaps I shall
+see as little.
+
+One thing, however, I HAVE seen; and it was with pleasure the more
+indescribable, that I was debarred from treading the land which my eyes
+were permitted to gaze upon, like those of the dying prophet from top
+of Mount Pisgah,--I have seen, in a word, the fruitful shores of merry
+England; merry England! of which I boast myself a native, and on which
+I gaze, even while raging floods and unstable quicksands divide us, with
+the filial affection of a dutiful son.
+
+Thou canst not have forgotten, Alan--for when didst thou ever forget
+what was interesting to thy friend?--that the same letter from my friend
+Griffiths, which doubled my income, and placed my motions at my own
+free disposal, contained a prohibitory clause, by which, reason none
+assigned, I was prohibited, as I respected my present safety and
+future fortunes, from visiting England; every other part of the British
+dominions, and a tour, if I pleased, on the Continent, being left to my
+own choice.--Where is the tale, Alan, of a covered dish in the midst
+of a royal banquet, upon which the eyes of every guest were immediately
+fixed, neglecting all the dainties with which the table was loaded? This
+cause of banishment from England--from my native country--from the land
+of the brave, and the wise, and the free--affects me more than I am
+rejoiced by the freedom and independence assigned to me in all other
+respects. Thus, in seeking this extreme boundary of the country which
+I am forbidden to tread, I resemble the poor tethered horse, which, you
+may have observed, is always grazing on the very verge of the circle to
+which it is limited by its halter.
+
+Do not accuse me of romance for obeying this impulse towards the South;
+nor suppose that, to satisfy the imaginary longing of an idle curiosity,
+I am in any danger of risking the solid comforts of my present
+condition. Whoever has hitherto taken charge of my motions has shown me,
+by convincing proofs more weighty than the assurances which they have
+witheld, that my real advantage is their principal object. I should be,
+therefore, worse than a fool did I object to their authority, even when
+it seems somewhat capriciously exercised; for assuredly, at my age, I
+might--intrusted as I am with the care and management of myself in every
+other particular--expect that the cause of excluding me from England
+should be frankly and fairly stated for my own consideration and
+guidance. However, I will not grumble about the matter. I shall know the
+whole story one day, I suppose; and perhaps, as you sometimes surmise, I
+shall not find there is any mighty matter in it after all.
+
+Yet one cannot help wondering--but plague on it, if I wonder any
+longer, my letter will be as full of wonders as one of Katterfelto’s
+advertisements. I have a month’s mind, instead of this damnable
+iteration of guesses and forebodings, to give thee the history of a
+little adventure which befell me yesterday; though I am sure you will,
+as usual, turn the opposite side of the spyglass on my poor narrative,
+and reduce, MORE TUO, to the most petty trivialities, the circumstance
+to which thou accusest me of giving undue consequence. Hang thee, Alan,
+thou art as unfit a confidant for a youthful gallant with some spice
+of imagination, as the old taciturn secretary of Facardin of Trebizond.
+Nevertheless, we must each perform our separate destinies. I am doomed
+to see, act, and tell; thou, like a Dutchman enclosed in the same
+diligence with a Gascon, to hear, and shrug thy shoulders.
+
+Of Dumfries, the capital town of this county, I have but little to say,
+and will not abuse your patience by reminding you that it is built on
+the gallant river Nith, and that its churchyard, the highest place of
+the old town, commands an extensive and fine prospect. Neither will I
+take the traveller’s privilege of inflicting upon you the whole history
+of Bruce poniarding the Red Comyn in the Church of the Dominicans
+at this place, and becoming a king and patriot because he had been a
+church-breaker and a murderer. The present Dumfriezers remember and
+justify the deed, observing it was only a papist church--in evidence
+whereof, its walls have been so completely demolished that no vestiges
+of them remain. They are a sturdy set of true-blue Presbyterians, these
+burghers of Dumfries; men after your father’s own heart, zealous for the
+Protestant succession--the rather that many of the great families around
+are suspected to be of a different way of thinking, and shared, a great
+many of them, in the insurrection of the Fifteen, and some in the more
+recent business of the Forty-five. The town itself suffered in the
+latter era; for Lord Elcho, with a large party of the rebels, levied
+a severe contribution upon Dumfries, on account of the citizens having
+annoyed the rear of the Chevalier during his march into England.
+
+Many of these particulars I learned from Provost C--, who, happening to
+see me in the market-place, remembered that I was an intimate of your
+father’s, and very kindly asked me to dinner. Pray tell your father that
+the effects of his kindness to me follow me everywhere. I became tired,
+however, of this pretty town in the course of twenty-four hours, and
+crept along the coast eastwards, amusing myself with looking out for
+objects of antiquity, and sometimes making, or attempting to make, use
+of my new angling-rod. By the way, old Cotton’s instructions, by which
+I hoped to qualify myself for one of the gentle society of anglers, are
+not worth a farthing for this meridian. I learned this by mere accident,
+after I had waited four mortal hours. I shall never forget an impudent
+urchin, a cowherd, about twelve years old, without either brogue or
+bonnet, barelegged, and with a very indifferent pair of breeches--how
+the villain grinned in scorn at my landing-net, my plummet, and the
+gorgeous jury of flies which I had assembled to destroy all the fish
+in the river. I was induced at last to lend the rod to the sneering
+scoundrel, to see what he would make of it; and he had not only half
+filled my basket in an hour, but literally taught me to kill two trouts
+with my own hand. This, and Sam having found the hay and oats, not
+forgetting the ale, very good at this small inn, first made me take
+the fancy of resting here for a day or two; and I have got my grinning
+blackguard of a piscator leave to attend on me, by paying sixpence a day
+for a herd-boy in his stead.
+
+A notably clean Englishwoman keeps this small house, and my bedroom is
+sweetened with lavender, has a clean sash-window, and the walls are,
+moreover, adorned with ballads of Fair Rosamond and Cruel Barbara Allan.
+The woman’s accent, though uncouth enough, sounds yet kindly in my ear;
+for I have never yet forgotten the desolate effect produced on my
+infant organs, when I heard on all sides your slow and broad northern
+pronunciation, which was to me the tone of a foreign land. I am sensible
+I myself have since that time acquired Scotch in perfection, and many a
+Scotticism withal. Still the sound of the English accentuation comes to
+my ears as the tones of a friend; and even when heard from the mouth of
+some wandering beggar, it has seldom failed to charm forth my mite.
+You Scotch, who are so proud of your own nationality, must make due
+allowance for that of other folks.
+
+On the next morning I was about to set forth to the stream where I had
+commenced angler the night before, but was prevented by a heavy shower
+of rain from stirring abroad the whole forenoon; during all which time,
+I heard my varlet of a guide as loud with his blackguard jokes in the
+kitchen, as a footman in the shilling gallery; so little are modesty and
+innocence the inseparable companions of rusticity and seclusion.
+
+When after dinner the day cleared, and we at length sallied out to the
+river side, I found myself subjected to a new trick on the part of my
+accomplished preceptor. Apparently, he liked fishing himself better than
+the trouble of instructing an awkward novice such as I; and in hopes of
+exhausting my patience, and inducing me to resign the rod, as I had done
+the preceding day, my friend contrived to keep me thrashing the water
+more than an hour with a pointless hook. I detected this trick at last,
+by observing the rogue grinning with delight when he saw a large trout
+rise and dash harmless away from the angle. I gave him a sound cuff,
+Alan; but the next moment was sorry, and, to make amends, yielded
+possession of the fishing-rod for the rest of the evening, he
+undertaking to bring me home a dish of trouts for my supper, in
+atonement for his offences.
+
+Having thus got honourably rid of the trouble of amusing myself in a way
+I cared not for, I turned my steps towards the sea, or rather the Solway
+Firth which here separates the two sister kingdoms, and which lay at
+about a mile’s distance, by a pleasant walk over sandy knells, covered
+with short herbage, which you call Links, and we English, Downs.
+
+But the rest of my adventure would weary out my fingers, and must
+be deferred until to-morrow, when you shall hear from me, by way of
+continuation; and, in the meanwhile, to prevent over-hasty conclusions,
+I must just hint to you, we are but yet on the verge of the adventure
+which it is my purpose to communicate.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER IV
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+SHEPHERD’S BUSH.
+
+I mentioned in my last, that having abandoned my fishing-rod as an
+unprofitable implement, I crossed over the open downs which divided me
+from the margin of the Solway. When I reached the banks of the great
+estuary, which are here very bare and exposed, the waters had receded
+from the large and level space of sand, through which a stream,
+now feeble and fordable, found its way to the ocean. The whole was
+illuminated by the beams of the low and setting sun, who showed
+his ruddy front, like a warrior prepared for defence, over a huge
+battlemented and turreted wall of crimson and black clouds, which
+appeared like an immense Gothic fortress, into which the lord of day was
+descending. His setting rays glimmered bright upon the wet surface of
+the sands, and the numberless pools of water by which it was covered,
+where the inequality of the ground had occasioned their being left by
+the tide.
+
+The scene was animated by the exertions of a number of horsemen, who
+were actually employed in hunting salmon. Aye, Alan, lift up your
+hands and eyes as you will, I can give their mode of fishing no name so
+appropriate; for they chased the fish at full gallop, and struck them
+with their barbed spears, as you see hunters spearing boars in the old
+tapestry. The salmon, to be sure, take the thing more quietly than the
+boars; but they are so swift in their own element, that to pursue
+and strike them is the task of a good horseman, with a quick eye, a
+determined hand, and full command both of his horse and weapon. The
+shouts of the fellows as they galloped up and down in the animating
+exercise--their loud bursts of laughter when any of their number caught
+a fall--and still louder acclamations when any of the party made a
+capital stroke with his lance--gave so much animation to the whole
+scene, that I caught the enthusiasm of the sport, and ventured forward
+a considerable space on the sands. The feats of one horseman, in
+particular, called forth so repeatedly the clamorous applause of his
+companions, that the very banks rang again with their shouts. He was a
+tall man, well mounted on a strong black horse, which he caused to turn
+and wind like a bird in the air, carried a longer spear than the others,
+and wore a sort of fur cap or bonnet, with a short feather in it,
+which gave him on the whole rather a superior appearance to the other
+fishermen. He seemed to hold some sort of authority among them, and
+occasionally directed their motions both by voice and hand: at which
+times I thought his gestures were striking, and his voice uncommonly
+sonorous and commanding.
+
+The riders began to make for the shore, and the interest of the scene
+was almost over, while I lingered on the sands, with my looks turned to
+the shores of England, still gilded by the sun’s last rays, and, as it
+seemed, scarce distant a mile from me. The anxious thoughts which
+haunt me began to muster in my bosom, and my feet slowly and insensibly
+approached the river which divided me from the forbidden precincts,
+though without any formed intention, when my steps were arrested by
+the sound of a horse galloping; and as I turned, the rider (the same
+fisherman whom I had formerly distinguished) called out to me, in
+an abrupt manner, ‘Soho, brother! you are too late for Bowness
+to-night--the tide will make presently.’
+
+I turned my head and looked at him without answering; for, to my
+thinking, his sudden appearance (or rather, I should say, his unexpected
+approach) had, amidst the gathering shadows and lingering light,
+something in it which was wild and ominous.
+
+‘Are you deaf?’ he added--‘or are you mad?--or have you a mind for the
+next world?’
+
+‘I am a stranger,’ I answered,’ and had no other purpose than looking on
+at the fishing--I am about to return to the side I came from.’
+
+‘Best make haste then,’ said he. ‘He that dreams on the bed of the
+Solway, may wake in the next world. The sky threatens a blast that will
+bring in the waves three feet abreast.’
+
+So saying, he turned his horse and rode off, while I began to walk back
+towards the Scottish shore, a little alarmed at what I had heard;
+for the tide advances with such rapidity upon these fatal sands, that
+well-mounted horsemen lay aside hopes of safety, if they see its white
+surge advancing while they are yet at a distance from the bank.
+
+These recollections grew more agitating, and, instead of walking
+deliberately, I began a race as fast as I could, feeling, or thinking I
+felt, each pool of salt water through which I splashed, grow deeper and
+deeper. At length the surface of the sand did seem considerably more
+intersected with pools and channels full of water--either that the tide
+was really beginning to influence the bed of the estuary, or, as I must
+own is equally probable, that I had, in the hurry and confusion of my
+retreat, involved myself in difficulties which I had avoided in my more
+deliberate advance. Either way, it was rather an unpromising state of
+affairs, for the sands at the same time turned softer, and my footsteps,
+so soon as I had passed, were instantly filled with water. I began to
+have odd recollections concerning the snugness of your father’s parlour,
+and the secure footing afforded by the pavement of Brown’s Square and
+Scott’s Close, when my better genius, the tall fisherman, appeared once
+more close to my side, he and his sable horse looming gigantic in the
+now darkening twilight.
+
+‘Are you mad?’ he said, in the same deep tone which had before thrilled
+on my ear, ‘or are you weary of your life? You will be presently amongst
+the quicksands.’ I professed my ignorance of the way, to which he only
+replied, ‘There is no time for prating--get up behind me.’
+
+He probably expected me to spring from the ground with the activity
+which these Borderers have, by constant practice, acquired in everything
+relating to horsemanship; but as I stood irresolute, he extended his
+hand, and grasping mine, bid me place my foot on the toe of his boot,
+and thus raised me in a trice to the croupe of his horse. I was scarcely
+securely seated, ere he shook the reins of his horse, who instantly
+sprang forward; but annoyed, doubtless, by the unusual burden, treated
+us to two or three bounds, accompanied by as many flourishes of his hind
+heels. The rider sat like a tower, notwithstanding that the unexpected
+plunging of the animal threw me forward upon him. The horse was soon
+compelled to submit to the discipline of the spur and bridle, and went
+off at a steady hand gallop; thus shortening the devious, for it was
+by no means a direct path, by which the rider, avoiding the loose
+quicksands, made for the northern bank.
+
+My friend, perhaps I may call him my preserver,--for, to a stranger, my
+situation was fraught with real danger,--continued to press on at the
+same speedy pace, but in perfect silence, and I was under too much
+anxiety of mind to disturb him with any questions. At length we arrived
+at a part of the shore with which I was utterly unacquainted, when I
+alighted and began to return in the best fashion I could my thanks for
+the important service which he had just rendered me.
+
+The stranger only replied by an impatient ‘pshaw!’ and was about to ride
+off, and leave me to my own resources when I implored him to complete
+his work of kindness by directing me to Shepherd’s Bush, which was, as I
+informed him, my home for the present.
+
+‘To Shepherd’s Bush?’ he said; ‘it is but three miles but if you know
+not the land better than the sand, you may break your neck before you
+get there; for it is no road for a moping boy in a dark night; and,
+besides, there are the brook and the fens to cross.’
+
+I was a little dismayed at this communication of such difficulties as my
+habits had not called on me to contend with. Once more the idea of thy
+father’s fireside came across me; and I could have been well contented
+to have swapped the romance of my situation, together with the glorious
+independence of control which I possessed at the moment, for the
+comforts of that chimney-corner, though I were obliged to keep my eyes
+chained to Erskine’s LARGER INSTITUTES.
+
+I asked my new friend whether he could not direct me to any house of
+public entertainment for the night; and supposing it probable he was
+himself a poor man, I added, with the conscious dignity of a well-filled
+pocket-book, that I could make it worth any man’s while to oblige me.
+The fisherman making no answer, I turned away from him with as gallant
+an appearance of indifference as I could command, and began to take, as
+I thought, the path which he had pointed out to me.
+
+His deep voice immediately sounded after me to recall me. ‘Stay, young
+man, stay--you have mistaken the road already.--I wonder your friends
+sent out such an inconsiderate youth, without some one wiser than
+himself to take care of him.’
+
+‘Perhaps they might not have done so,’ said I, ‘if I had any friends who
+cared about the matter.’
+
+‘Well, sir,’ he said, ‘it is not my custom to open my house to
+strangers, but your pinch is like to be a smart one; for, besides the
+risk from bad roads, fords, and broken ground, and the night,
+which looks both black and gloomy, there is bad company on the road
+sometimes--at least it has a bad name, and some have come to harm; so
+that I think I must for once make my rule give way to your necessity,
+and give you a night’s lodging in my cottage.
+
+Why was it, Alan, that I could not help giving an involuntary shudder at
+receiving an invitation so seasonable in itself, and so suitable to my
+naturally inquisitive disposition? I easily suppressed this untimely
+sensation; and as I returned thanks, and expressed my hope that I should
+not disarrange, his family, I once more dropped a hint of my desire to
+make compensation for any trouble I might occasion. The man answered
+very coldly, ‘Your presence will no doubt give me trouble, sir, but it
+is of a kind which your purse, cannot compensate; in a word, although
+I am content to receive you as my guest, I am no publican to call a
+reckoning.’
+
+I begged his pardon, and, at his instance, once more seated myself
+behind hint upon the good horse, which went forth steady as before--the
+moon, whenever she could penetrate the clouds, throwing the huge shadow
+of the animal, with its double burden, on the wild and bare ground over
+which we passed.
+
+Thou mayst laugh till thou lettest the letter fall, if thou wilt, but
+it reminded me of the magician Atlantes on his hippogriff with a knight
+trussed up behind him, in the manner Ariosto has depicted that matter.
+Thou art I know, matter-of-fact enough to affect contempt of that
+fascinating and delicious poem; but think not that, to conform with
+thy bad taste, I shall forbear any suitable illustration which now or
+hereafter may occur to me.
+
+On we went, the sky blackening around us, and the wind beginning to pipe
+such a wild and melancholy tune as best suited the hollow sounds of the
+advancing tide, which I could hear at a distance, like the roar of some
+immense monster defrauded of its prey.
+
+At length, our course was crossed by a deep dell or dingle, such as they
+call in some parts of Scotland a den, and in others a cleuch or narrow
+glen. It seemed, by the broken glances which the moon continued to
+throw upon it, to be steep, precipitous, and full of trees, which are,
+generally speaking, rather scarce upon these shores. The descent by
+which we plunged into this dell was both steep and rugged, with two
+or three abrupt turnings; but neither danger nor darkness impeded the
+motion of the black horse, who seemed rather to slide upon his haunches,
+than to gallop down the pass, throwing me again on the shoulders of the
+athletic rider, who, sustaining no inconvenience by the circumstance,
+continued to press the horse forward with his heel, steadily supporting
+him at the same time by raising his bridle-hand, until we stood in
+safety at the bottom of the steep--not a little to my consolation, as,
+friend Alan, thou mayst easily conceive.
+
+A very short advance up the glen, the bottom of which we had attained by
+this ugly descent, brought us in front of two or three cottages, one
+of which another blink of moonshine enabled me to rate as rather better
+than those of the Scottish peasantry in this part of the world; for the
+sashes seemed glazed, and there were what are called storm-windows in
+the roof, giving symptoms of the magnificence of a second story. The
+scene around was very interesting; for the cottages, and the yards or
+crofts annexed to them, occupied a haugh, or helm, of two acres, which
+a brook of some consequence (to judge from its roar) had left upon one
+side of the little glen while finding its course close to the farther
+bank, and which appeared to be covered and darkened with trees, while
+the level space beneath enjoyed such stormy smiles as the moon had that
+night to bestow.
+
+I had little time for observation, for my companion’s loud whistle,
+seconded by an equally loud halloo, speedily brought to the door of
+the principal cottage a man and a woman, together with two large
+Newfoundland dogs, the deep baying of which I had for some time heard. A
+yelping terrier or two, which had joined the concert, were silent at
+the presence of my conductor, and began to whine, jump up, and fawn upon
+him. The female drew back when she beheld a stranger; the man, who had
+a lighted lantern, advanced, and, without any observation, received the
+horse from my host, and led him, doubtless, to stable, while I followed
+my conductor into the house. When we had passed the HALLAN, [The
+partition which divides a Scottish cottage.] we entered a well-sized
+apartment, with a clean brick floor, where a fire blazed (much to my
+contentment) in the ordinary projecting sort of a chimney, common in
+Scottish houses. There were stone seats within the chimney; and ordinary
+utensils, mixed with fishing-spears, nets, and similar implements of
+sport, were hung around the walls of the place. The female who had first
+appeared at the door, had now retreated into a side apartment. She was
+presently followed by my guide, after he had silently motioned me to a
+seat; and their place was supplied by an elderly woman, in a grey stuff
+gown, with a check apron and toy, obviously a menial, though neater in
+her dress than is usual in her apparent rank--an advantage which was
+counterbalanced by a very forbidding aspect. But the most singular part
+of her attire, in this very Protestant country, was a rosary, in which
+the smaller beads were black oak, and those indicating the PATER-NOSTER
+of silver, with a crucifix of the same metal.
+
+This person made preparations for supper, by spreading a clean though
+coarse cloth over a large oaken table, placing trenchers and salt upon
+it, and arranging the fire to receive a gridiron. I observed her motions
+in silence; for she took no sort of notice of me, and as her looks were
+singularly forbidding, I felt no disposition to commence conversation.
+
+When this duenna had made all preliminary arrangements, she took from
+the well-filled pouch of my conductor, which he had hung up by the
+door, one or two salmon, or GRILSES, as the smaller sort are termed, and
+selecting that which seemed best and in highest season, began to cut
+it into slices, and to prepare a GRILLADE; the savoury smell of which
+affected me so powerfully that I began sincerely to hope that no delay
+would intervene between the platter and the lip.
+
+As this thought came across me, the man who had conducted the horse to
+the stable entered the apartment, and discovered to me a countenance yet
+more uninviting than that of the old crone who was performing with such
+dexterity the office of cook to the party. He was perhaps sixty years
+old; yet his brow was not much furrowed, and his jet-black hair was only
+grizzled, not whitened, by the advance of age. All his motions spoke
+strength unabated; and, though rather undersized, he had very broad
+shoulders, was square-made, thin-flanked, and apparently combined in his
+frame muscular strength and activity; the last somewhat impaired perhaps
+by years, but the first remaining in full vigour. A hard and harsh
+countenance--eyes far sunk under projecting eyebrows, which were
+grizzled like his hair--a wide mouth, furnished from ear to ear with it
+range of unimpaired teeth, of uncommon whiteness, and a size and breadth
+which might have become the jaws of an ogre, completed this delightful
+portrait. He was clad like a fisherman, in jacket and trousers of the
+blue cloth commonly used by seamen, and had a Dutch case-knife, like
+that of a Hamburgh skipper, stuck into a broad buff belt, which seemed
+as if it might occasionally sustain weapons of a description still less
+equivocally calculated for violence.
+
+This man gave me an inquisitive, and, as I thought, a sinister look upon
+entering the apartment; but without any further notice of me, took up
+the office of arranging the table, which the old lady had abandoned for
+that of cooking the fish, and, with more address than I expected from
+a person of his coarse appearance, placed two chairs at the head of the
+table, and two stools below; accommodating each seat to a cover, beside
+which he placed an allowance of barley-bread, and a small jug, which he
+replenished with ale from a large black jack. Three of these jugs
+were of ordinary earthenware, but the fourth, which he placed by the
+right-hand cover at, the upper end of the table, was a flagon of
+silver, and displayed armorial bearings. Beside this flagon he placed a
+salt-cellar of silver, handsomely wrought, containing salt of exquisite
+whiteness, with pepper and other spices. A sliced lemon was also
+presented on a small silver salver. The two large water-dogs, who
+seemed perfectly to understand the nature of the preparations, seated
+themselves one on each side of the table, to be ready to receive their
+portion of the entertainment. I never saw finer animals, or which
+seemed to be more influenced by a sense of decorum, excepting that they
+slobbered a little as the rich scent from the chimney was wafted past
+their noses. The small dogs ensconced themselves beneath the table.
+
+I am aware that I am dwelling upon trivial and ordinary circumstances,
+and that perhaps I may weary out your patience in doing so. But conceive
+me alone in this strange place, which seemed, from the universal
+silence, to be the very temple of Harpocrates--remember that this is
+my first excursion from home--forget not that the manner in which I had
+been brought hither had the dignity of danger and something the air of
+an adventure, and that there was a mysterious incongruity in all I had
+hitherto witnessed; and you will not, I think, be surprised that these
+circumstances, though trifling, should force themselves on my notice at
+the time, and dwell in my memory afterwards.
+
+That a fisher, who pursued the sport perhaps for his amusement as well
+as profit, should be well mounted and better lodged than the lower class
+of peasantry, had in it nothing surprising; but there was something
+about all that I saw which seemed to intimate that I was rather in
+the abode of a decayed gentleman, who clung to a few of the forms and
+observances of former rank, than in that of a common peasant, raised
+above his fellows by comparative opulence.
+
+Besides the articles of plate which I have already noticed, the old man
+now lighted and placed on the table a silver lamp, or CRUISIE as the
+Scottish term it, filled with very pure oil, which in burning diffused
+an aromatic fragrance, and gave me a more perfect view of the cottage
+walls, which I had hitherto only seen dimly by the light of the fire.
+The BINK [The frame of wooden shelves placed in a Scottish kitchen for
+holding plates.] with its usual arrangement of pewter and earthenware,
+which was most strictly and critically clean, glanced back the flame of
+the lamp merrily from one side of the apartment. In a recess, formed
+by the small bow of a latticed window, was a large writing-desk of
+walnut-tree wood, curiously carved, above which arose shelves of the
+same, which supported a few books and papers. The opposite side of the
+recess contained (as far as I could discern, for it lay in shadow, and
+I could at any rate have seen it but imperfectly from the place where
+I was seated) one or two guns, together with swords, pistols, and
+other arms a collection which, in a poor cottage, and in a country so
+peaceful, appeared singular at least, if not even somewhat suspicious.
+
+All these observations, you may suppose, were made much sooner than I
+have recorded, or you (if you have not skipped) have been able to read
+them. They were already finished, and I was considering how I should
+open some communication with the mute inhabitants of the mansion, when
+my conductor re-entered from the side-door by which he had made his
+exit.
+
+He had now thrown off his rough riding-cap, and his coarse jockey-coat,
+And stood before me in a grey jerkin trimmed with black, which sat close
+to, and set off, his large and sinewy frame, and a pair of trousers of
+a lighter colour, cut as close to the body as they are used by
+Highlandmen. His whole dress was of finer cloth than that of the old
+man; and his linen, so minute was my observation, clean and unsullied.
+His shirt was without ruffles, and tied at the collar with a black
+ribbon, which showed his strong and muscular neck rising from it like
+that of an ancient Hercules. His head was small, with a large forehead,
+and well-formed ears. He wore neither peruke nor hair-powder; and his
+chestnut locks, curling close to his head like those of an antique
+statue, showed not the least touch of time, though the owner must have
+been at least fifty. His features were high and prominent in such a
+degree that one knew not whether to term them harsh or handsome. In
+either case, the sparkling grey eye, aquiline nose, and well-formed
+mouth, combined to render his physiognomy noble and expressive. An air
+of sadness, or severity, or of both, seemed to indicate a melancholy,
+and, at the same time, a haughty temper. I could not help running
+mentally over the ancient heroes, to whom I might assimilate the noble
+form and countenance before me. He was too young, and evinced too little
+resignation to his fate, to resemble Belisarius. Coriolanus, standing by
+the hearth of Tullus Aufidius, came nearer the mark; yet the gloomy and
+haughty look of the stranger had, perhaps, still more of Marius, seated
+among the ruins of Carthage.
+
+While I was lost in these imaginations, my host stood by the fire,
+gazing on me with the same attention which I paid to him, until,
+embarrassed by his look, I was about to break silence at all hazards.
+But the supper, now placed upon the table, reminded me, by its
+appearance, of those wants which I had almost forgotten while I was
+gazing on the fine form of my conductor. He spoke at length, and I
+almost started at the deep rich tone of his voice, though what he said
+was but to invite me to sit down to the table. He himself assumed the
+seat of honour, beside which the silver flagon was placed, and beckoned
+to me to sit down beside him.
+
+Thou knowest thy father’s strict and excellent domestic discipline has
+trained me to bear the invocation of a blessing before we break the
+daily bread, for which we are taught to pray--I paused a moment, and,
+without designing to do so, I suppose my manner made him sensible of
+what I expected. The two domestics or inferiors, as I should have before
+observed, were already seated at the bottom of the table, when my
+host shot a glance of a very peculiar expression towards the old man,
+observing, with something approaching to a sneer, ‘Cristal Nixon, say
+grace--the gentleman expects one.’
+
+‘The foul fiend shall be clerk, and say amen, when I turn chaplain,’
+growled out the party addressed, in tones which might have become the
+condition of a dying bear; ‘if the gentleman is a whig, he may please
+himself with his own mummery. My faith is neither in word nor writ, but
+in barley-bread and brown ale.’
+
+‘Mabel Moffat,’ said my guide, looking at the old woman, and raising his
+sonorous voice, probably because she was hard of hearing, ‘canst thou
+ask a blessing upon our victuals?’
+
+The old woman shook her head, kissed the cross which hung from her
+rosary, and was silent.
+
+‘Mabel will say grace for no heretic,’ said the master of the house,
+with the same latent sneer on his brow and in his accent.
+
+At the same moment, the side-door already mentioned opened, and the
+young woman (so she proved) whom I had first seen at the door of the
+cottage, advanced a little way into the room, then stopped bashfully, as
+if she had observed that I was looking at her, and asked the master of
+the house, ‘if he had called?’
+
+‘Not louder than to make old Mabel hear me,’ he replied; ‘and yet,’ be
+added, as she turned to retire, ‘it is a shame a stranger should see a
+house where not one of the family can or will say a grace--do thou be
+our chaplain.’
+
+The girl, who was really pretty, came forward with timid modesty, and,
+apparently unconscious that she was doing anything uncommon,
+pronounced the benediction in a silver-toned voice, and with affecting
+simplicity--her cheek colouring just so much as to show that on a less
+solemn occasion she would have felt more embarrassed.
+
+Now, if thou expectest a fine description of this young woman, Alan
+Fairford, in order to entitle thee to taunt me with having found a
+Dulcinea in the inhabitant of a fisherman’s cottage on the Solway Firth,
+thou shalt be disappointed; for, having said she seemed very pretty,
+and that she was a sweet and gentle-speaking creature, I have said all
+concerning her that I can tell thee. She vanished when the benediction
+was spoken.
+
+My host, with a muttered remark on the cold of our ride, and the keen
+air of the Solway Sands, to which he did not seem to wish an answer,
+loaded my plate from Mabel’s grillade, which, with a large wooden bowl
+of potatoes, formed our whole meal. A sprinkling from the lemon gave a
+much higher zest than the usual condiment of vinegar; and I promise
+you that whatever I might hitherto have felt, either of curiosity or
+suspicion, did not prevent me from making a most excellent supper,
+during which little passed betwixt me and my entertainer, unless that
+he did the usual honours of the table with courtesy, indeed, but
+without even the affectation of hearty hospitality, which those in his
+(apparent) condition generally affect on such occasions, even when they
+do not actually feel it. On the contrary, his manner seemed that of a
+polished landlord towards an unexpected and unwelcome guest, whom,
+for the sake of his own credit, he receives with civility, but without
+either goodwill or cheerfulness.
+
+If you ask how I learned all this, I cannot tell you; nor, were I to
+write down at length the insignificant intercourse which took place
+between us, would it perhaps serve to justify these observations. It is
+sufficient to say, that in helping his dogs, which he did from time
+to time with great liberality, he seemed to discharge a duty much more
+pleasing to himself, than when he paid the same attention to his guest.
+Upon the whole, the result on my mind was as I tell it you.
+
+When supper was over, a small case-bottle of brandy, in a curious frame
+of silver filigree, circulated to the guests. I had already taken a
+small glass of the liquor, and, when it had passed to Mabel and to
+Cristal and was again returned to the upper end of the table, I could
+not help taking the bottle in my hand, to look more at the armorial
+bearings which were chased with considerable taste on the silver
+framework. Encountering the eye of my entertainer, I instantly saw that
+my curiosity was highly distasteful; he frowned, bit his lip, and
+showed such uncontrollable signs of impatience, that, setting the bottle
+immediately down, I attempted some apology. To this he did not deign
+either to reply, or even to listen; and Cristal, at a signal from his
+master, removed the object of my curiosity, as well as the cup, upon
+which the same arms were engraved.
+
+Then ensued an awkward pause, which I endeavoured to break by observing,
+that ‘I feared my intrusion upon his hospitality had put his family to
+some inconvenience’.
+
+‘I hope you see no appearance of it, sir,’ he replied, with cold
+civility. ‘What inconvenience a family so retired as ours may suffer
+from receiving an unexpected guest is like to be trifling, in comparison
+of what the visitor himself sustains from want of his accustomed
+comforts. So far, therefore, as our connexion stands, our accounts stand
+clear.’
+
+Notwithstanding this discouraging reply, I blundered on, as is usual in
+such cases, wishing to appear civil, and being, perhaps, in reality the
+very reverse. ‘I was afraid,’ I said, that my presence had banished one
+of the family’ (looking at the side-door) ‘from his table.’
+
+‘If,’ he coldly replied, ‘I meant the young woman whom I had seen in the
+apartment, he bid me observe that there was room enough at the table
+for her to have seated herself, and meat enough, such as it was, for her
+supper. I might, therefore, be assured, if she had chosen it, she would
+have supped with us.’
+
+There was no dwelling on this or any other topic longer; for my
+entertainer, taking up the lamp, observed, that ‘my wet clothes might
+reconcile me for the night to their custom of keeping early hours; that
+he was under the necessity of going abroad by peep of day to-morrow
+morning, and would call me up at the same time, to point out the way by
+which I was to return to the Shepherd’s Bush.’
+
+This left no opening for further explanation; nor was there room for it
+on the usual terms of civility; for, as he neither asked my name, nor
+expressed the least interest concerning my condition, I--the obliged
+person--had no pretence to trouble him with such inquiries on my part.
+
+He took up the lamp, and led me through the side-door into a very small
+room, where a bed had been hastily arranged for my accommodation,
+and, putting down the lamp, directed me to leave my wet clothes on the
+outside of the door, that they might be exposed to the fire during the
+night. He then left me, having muttered something which was meant to
+pass for good night.
+
+I obeyed his directions with respect to my clothes, the rather that,
+in despite of the spirits which I had drunk, I felt my teeth begin
+to chatter, and received various hints from an aguish feeling, that
+a town-bred youth, like myself, could not at once rush into all the
+hardihood of country sports with impunity. But my bed, though coarse and
+hard, was dry and clean; and I soon was so little occupied with my heats
+and tremors, as to listen with interest to a heavy foot, which seemed to
+be that of my landlord, traversing the boards (there was no ceiling,
+as you may believe) which roofed my apartment. Light, glancing through
+these rude planks, became visible as soon as my lamp was extinguished;
+and as the noise of the slow, solemn, and regular step continued, and I
+could distinguish that the person turned and returned as he reached the
+end of the apartment, it seemed clear to me that the walker was engaged
+in no domestic occupation, but merely pacing to and fro for his own
+pleasure. ‘An odd amusement this,’ I thought, ‘for one who had been
+engaged at least a part of the preceding day in violent exercise, and
+who talked of rising by the peep of dawn on the ensuing morning.’
+
+Meantime I heard the storm, which had been brewing during the evening,
+begin to descend with a vengeance; sounds as of distant-thunder (the
+noise of the more distant waves, doubtless, on the shore) mingled
+with the roaring of the neighbouring torrent, and with the crashing,
+groaning, and even screaming of the trees in the glen whose boughs were
+tormented by the gale. Within the house, windows clattered, and doors
+clapped, and the walls, though sufficiently substantial for a building
+of the kind, seemed to me to totter in the tempest.
+
+But still the heavy steps perambulating the apartment over my head were
+distinctly heard amid the roar and fury of the elements. I thought more
+than once I even heard a groan; but I frankly own that, placed in this
+unusual situation, my fancy may have misled me. I was tempted several
+times to call aloud, and ask whether the turmoil around us did not
+threaten danger to the building which we inhabited; but when I thought
+of the secluded and unsocial master of the dwelling, who seemed to avoid
+human society, and to remain unperturbed amid the elemental war, it
+seemed that to speak to him at that moment would have been to address
+the spirit of the tempest himself, since no other being, I thought,
+could have remained calm and tranquil while winds and waters were thus
+raging around.
+
+In process of time, fatigue prevailed over anxiety and curiosity. The
+storm abated, or my senses became deadened to its terrors, and I fell
+asleep ere yet the mysterious paces of my host had ceased to shake the
+flooring over my head.
+
+It might have been expected that the novelty of my situation, although
+it did not prevent my slumbers, would have at least diminished their
+profoundness, and shortened their duration. It proved otherwise,
+however; for I never slept more soundly in my life, and only awoke when,
+at morning dawn, my landlord shook me by the shoulder, and dispelled
+some dream, of which, fortunately for you, I have no recollection,
+otherwise you would have been favoured with it, in hopes you might have
+proved a second Daniel upon the occasion.
+
+‘You sleep sound--’ said his full deep voice; ‘ere five years have
+rolled over your head, your slumbers will be lighter--unless ere then
+you are wrapped in the sleep which is never broken.’
+
+‘How!’ said I, starting up in the bed; ‘do you know anything of me--of
+my prospects--of my views in life?’
+
+‘Nothing,’ he answered, with a grim smile; ‘but it is evident you are
+entering upon the world young, inexperienced, and full of hopes, and I
+do but prophesy to you what I would to any one in your condition. But
+come; there lie your clothes--a brown crust and a draught of milk wait
+you, if you choose to break your fast; but you must make haste.’
+
+‘I must first,’ I said, ‘take the freedom to spend a few minutes alone,
+before beginning the ordinary works of the day.’
+
+‘Oh!--umph!--I cry your devotions pardon,’ he replied, and left the
+apartment.
+
+Alan, there is something terrible about this man.
+
+I joined him, as I had promised, in the kitchen where we had supped
+overnight, where I found the articles which he had offered me for
+breakfast, without butter or any other addition.
+
+He walked up and down while I partook of the bread and milk; and the
+slow measured weighty step seemed identified with those which I had
+heard last night. His pace, from its funereal slowness, seemed to keep
+time with some current of internal passion, dark, slow, and unchanged.
+‘We run and leap by the side of a lively and bubbling brook,’ thought I,
+internally, ‘as if we would run a race with it; but beside waters deep,
+slow, and lonely, our pace is sullen and silent as their course. What
+thoughts may be now corresponding with that furrowed brow, and bearing
+time with that heavy step?’
+
+‘If you have finished,’ said he, looking up to me with a glance of
+impatience, as he observed that I ate no longer, but remained with my
+eyes fixed upon him, ‘I wait to show you the way.’
+
+We went out together, no individual of the family having been visible
+excepting my landlord. I was disappointed of the opportunity which I
+watched for of giving some gratuity to the domestics, as they seemed to
+be. As for offering any recompense to the master of the household, it
+seemed to me impossible to have attempted it.
+
+What would I have given for a share of thy composure, who wouldst have
+thrust half a crown into a man’s hand whose necessities seemed to crave
+it, conscious that you did right in making the proffer, and not caring
+sixpence whether you hurt the feelings of him whom you meant to serve!
+I saw thee once give a penny to a man with a long beard, who, from the
+dignity of his exterior, might have represented Solon. I had not thy
+courage, and therefore I made no tender to my mysterious host, although,
+notwithstanding his display of silver utensils, all around the house
+bespoke narrow circumstances, if not actual poverty.
+
+We left the place together. But I hear thee murmur thy very new and
+appropriate ejaculation, OHE, JAM SATIS!--The rest for another time.
+Perhaps I may delay further communication till I learn how my favours
+are valued.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER V
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+I have thy two last epistles, my dear Darsie, and expecting the third,
+have been in no hurry to answer them. Do not think my silence ought to
+be ascribed to my failing to take interest in them, for, truly, they
+excel (though the task was difficult) thy usual excellings. Since
+the moon-calf who earliest discovered the Pandemonium of Milton in an
+expiring wood-fire--since the first ingenious urchin who blew bubbles
+out of soap and water, thou, my best of friends, hast the highest knack
+at making histories out of nothing. Wert thou to plant the bean in the
+nursery-tale, thou wouldst make out, so soon as it began to germinate,
+that the castle of the giant was about to elevate its battlements on the
+top of it. All that happens to thee gets a touch of the wonderful and
+the sublime from thy own rich imagination. Didst ever see what artists
+call a Claude Lorraine glass, which spreads its own particular hue over
+the whole landscape which you see through it?--thou beholdest ordinary
+events just through such a medium.
+
+I have looked carefully at the facts of thy last long letter, and they
+are just such as might have befallen any little truant of the High
+School, who had got down to Leith Sands, gone beyond the PRAWN-DUB, wet
+his hose and shoon, and, finally, had been carried home, in compassion,
+by some high-kilted fishwife, cursing all the while the trouble which
+the brat occasioned her.
+
+I admire the figure which thou must have made, clinging for dear life
+behind the old fellow’s back--thy jaws chattering with fear, thy muscles
+cramped with anxiety. Thy execrable supper of broiled salmon, which was
+enough to ensure the nightmare’s regular visits for a twelvemonth,
+may be termed a real affliction; but as for the storm of Thursday
+last (such, I observe, was the date), it roared, whistled, howled, and
+bellowed, as fearfully amongst the old chimney-heads in the Candlemaker
+Row, as it could on the Solway shore, for the very wind of it--TESTE ME
+PER TOTAM NOCTEM VIGILANTE. And then in the morning again, when--Lord
+help you--in your sentimental delicacy you bid the poor man adieu,
+without even tendering him half a crown for supper and lodging!
+
+You laugh at me for giving a penny (to be accurate, though, thou
+shouldst have said sixpence) to an old fellow, whom thou, in thy high
+flight, wouldst have sent home supperless, because he was like Solon or
+Belisarius. But you forget that the affront descended like a benediction
+into the pouch of the old gaberlunzie, who overflowed in blessings upon
+the generous donor--long ere he would have thanked thee, Darsie, for
+thy barren veneration of his beard and his bearing. Then you laugh at
+my good father’s retreat from Falkirk, just as if it were not time for a
+man to trudge when three or four mountain knaves, with naked claymores,
+and heels as light as their fingers, were scampering after him, crying
+FURINISH. You remember what he said himself when the Laird of Bucklivat
+told him that FURINISH signified ‘stay a while’. ‘What the devil,’
+he said, surprised out of his Presbyterian correctness by the
+unreasonableness of such a request under the circumstances, ‘would the
+scoundrels have had me stop to have my head cut off?’
+
+Imagine such a train at your own heels, Darsie, and ask yourself whether
+you would not exert your legs as fast as you did in flying from the
+Solway tide. And yet you impeach my father’s courage. I tell you he has
+courage enough to do what is right, and to spurn what is wrong--courage
+enough to defend a righteous cause with hand and purse, and to take
+the part of the poor man against his oppressor, without fear of the
+consequences to himself. This is civil courage, Darsie; and it is of
+little consequence to most men in this age and country whether they ever
+possess military courage or no.
+
+Do not think I am angry with you, though I thus attempt to rectify your
+opinions on my father’s account. I am well aware that, upon the whole,
+he is scarce regarded with more respect by me than by thee. And, while
+I am in a serious humour, which it is difficult to preserve with one who
+is perpetually tempting me to laugh at him, pray, dearest Darsie, let
+not thy ardour for adventure carry thee into more such scrapes as that
+of the Solway Sands. The rest of the story is a mere imagination; but
+that stormy evening might have proved, as the clown says to Lear, ‘a
+naughty night to swim in.’
+
+As for the rest, if you can work mysterious and romantic heroes out of
+old cross-grained fishermen, why, I for one will reap some amusement by
+the metamorphosis. Yet hold! even there, there is some need of caution.
+This same female chaplain--thou sayest so little of her, and so much of
+every one else, that it excites some doubt in my mind. VERY PRETTY she
+is, it seems--and that is all thy discretion informs me of. There are
+cases in which silence implies other things than consent. Wert thou
+ashamed or afraid, Darsie, to trust thyself with the praises of the very
+pretty grace-sayer?--As I live, thou blushest! Why, do I not know thee
+an inveterate squire of dames? and have I not been in thy confidence?
+An elegant elbow, displayed when the rest of the figure was muffled in a
+cardinal, or a neat well-turned ankle and instep, seen by chance as its
+owner tripped up the Old Assembly Close, [Of old this almost deserted
+alley formed the most common access betwixt the High Street and the
+southern suburbs.] turned thy brain for eight days. Thou wert once
+caught if I remember rightly, with a single glance of a single matchless
+eye, which, when the fair owner withdrew her veil, proved to be single
+in the literal sense of the word. And, besides, were you not another
+time enamoured of a voice--a mere voice, that mingled in the psalmody at
+the Old Greyfriars’ Church--until you discovered the proprietor of that
+dulcet organ to be Miss Dolly MacIzzard, who is both ‘back and breast’,
+as our saying goes?
+
+All these things considered, and contrasted with thy artful silence on
+the subject of this grace-saying Nereid of thine, I must beg thee to be
+more explicit upon that subject in thy next, unless thou wouldst have me
+form the conclusion that thou thinkest more of her than thou carest to
+talk of.
+
+You will not expect much news from this quarter, as you know the
+monotony of my life, and are aware it must at present be devoted to
+uninterrupted study. You have said a thousand times that I am only
+qualified to make my way by dint of plodding, and therefore plod I must.
+
+My father seems to be more impatient of your absence than he was after
+your first departure. He is sensible, I believe, that our solitary meals
+want the light which your gay humour was wont to throw over them, and
+feels melancholy as men do when the light of the sun is no longer upon
+the landscape. If it is thus with him, thou mayst imagine it is much
+more so with me, and canst conceive how heartily I wish that thy frolic
+were ended, and thou once more our inmate.----
+
+I resume my pen, after a few hours’ interval, to say that an incident
+has occurred on which you will yourself be building a hundred castles
+in the air, and which even I, jealous as I am of such baseless fabrics,
+cannot but own affords ground for singular conjecture.
+
+My father has of late taken me frequently along with him when he
+attends the courts, in his anxiety to see me properly initiated into the
+practical forms of business. I own I feel something on his account
+and my own from this over-anxiety, which, I dare say, renders us both
+ridiculous. But what signifies my repugnance? my father drags me up to
+his counsel learned in the law,--‘Are you quite ready to come on to-day,
+Mr. Crossbite?--This is my son, designed for the bar--I take the liberty
+to bring him with me to-day to the consultation, merely that he may see
+how these things are managed.’
+
+Mr. Crossbite smiles and bows; as a lawyer smiles on the solicitor who
+employs him, and I dare say, thrusts his tongue into his cheek, and
+whispers into the first great wig that passes him, ‘What the d--l does
+old Fairford mean by letting loose his whelp on me?’
+
+As I stood beside them, too much vexed at the childish part I was made
+to play to derive much information from the valuable arguments of Mr.
+Crossbite, I observed a rather elderly man, who stood with his eyes
+firmly bent on my father, as if he only waited an end of the business in
+which he was engaged, to address him. There was something, I thought, in
+the gentleman’s appearance which commanded attention. Yet his dress was
+not in the present taste, and though it had once been magnificent, was
+now antiquated and unfashionable. His coat was of branched velvet, with
+a satin lining, a waistcoat of violet-coloured silk, much embroidered;
+his breeches the same stuff as the coat. He wore square-toed shoes, with
+foretops, as they are called; and his silk stockings were rolled up over
+his knee, as you may have seen in pictures, and here and there on some
+of those originals who seem to pique themselves on dressing after the
+mode of Methuselah. A CHAPEAU BRAS and sword necessarily completed his
+equipment, which, though out of date, showed that it belonged to a man
+of distinction.
+
+The instant Mr. Crossbite had ended what he had to say, this gentleman
+walked up to my father, with, ‘Your servant, Mr. Fairford--it is long
+since you and I met.’
+
+My father, whose politeness, you know, is exact and formal, bowed, and
+hemmed, and was confused, and at length professed that the distance
+since they had met was so great, that though he remembered the face
+perfectly, the name, he was sorry to any, had--really--somehow--escaped
+his memory.
+
+‘Have you forgot Herries of Birrenswork?’ said the gentleman, and
+my father bowed even more profoundly than before; though I think his
+reception of his old friend seemed to lose some of the respectful
+civility which he bestowed on him while his name was yet unknown. It now
+seemed to be something like the lip-courtesy which the heart would have
+denied had ceremony permitted.
+
+My father, however, again bowed low, and hoped he saw him well.
+
+‘So well, my good Mr. Fairford, that I come hither determined to renew
+my acquaintance with one or two old friends, and with you in the first
+place. I halt at my old resting place--you must dine with me to-day,
+at Paterson’s, at the head of the Horse Wynd--it is near your new
+fashionable dwelling, and I have business with you.’
+
+My father excused himself respectfully, and not without
+embarrassment--‘he was particularly engaged at home.’
+
+‘Then I will dine with you, man,’ said Mr. Herries of Birrenswork; ‘the
+few minutes you can spare me after dinner will suffice for my business;
+and I will not prevent you a moment from minding your own--I am no
+bottle-man.’
+
+You have often remarked that my father, though a scrupulous ohserver of
+the rites of hospitality, seems to exercise them rather as a duty than
+as a pleasure; indeed, but for a conscientious wish to feed the hungry
+and receive the stranger, his doors would open to guests much seldomer
+than is the case. I never saw so strong an example of this peculiarity
+(which I should otherwise have said is caricatured in your description)
+as in his mode of homologating the self-given invitation of Mr. Herries.
+The embarsassed brow, and the attempt at a smile which accompanied
+his ‘We will expect the honour of seeing you in Brown Square at three
+o’clock,’ could not deceive any one, and did not impose upon the old
+laird. It was with a look of scorn that he replied, ‘I will relieve you
+then till that hour, Mr. Fairford;’ and his whole manner seemed to say,
+‘It is my pleasure to dine with you, and I care not whether I am welcome
+or no.’
+
+When he turned away, I asked my father who he was.
+
+‘An unfortunate gentleman,’ was the reply.
+
+‘He looks pretty well on his misfortunes,’ replied I. ‘I should not have
+suspected that so gay an outside was lacking a dinner.’
+
+‘Who told you that he does?’ replied my father; ‘he is OMNI SUSPICIONE
+MAJOR, so far as worldly circumstances are concerned. It is to be hoped
+he makes a good use of them; though, if he does, it will be for the
+first time in his life.’
+
+‘He has then been an irregular liver?’ insinuated I.
+
+My father replied by that famous brocard with which he silences all
+unacceptable queries turning in the slightest degree upon the failings
+of our neighbours,--‘If we mend our own faults, Alan, we shall all of us
+have enough to do, without sitting in judgement upon other folks.’
+
+Here I was again at fault; but rallying once more, I observed, he had
+the air of a man of high rank and family.
+
+‘He is well entitled,’ said my father, ‘representing Herries of
+Birrenswork; a branch of that great and once powerful family of Herries,
+the elder branch whereof merged in the house of Nithesdale at the
+death of Lord Robin the Philosopher, Anno Domini sixteen hundred and
+sixty-seven.’
+
+‘Has he still,’ said I, ‘his patrimonial estate of Birrenswork?’
+
+‘No,’ replied my father; ‘so far back as his father’s time, it was
+a mere designation--the property being forfeited by Herbert Herries
+following his kinsman the Earl of Derwentwater to the Preston affair in
+1715. But they keep up the designation, thinking, doubtless, that their
+claims may be revived in more favourable times for Jacobites and for
+popery; and folks who in no way partake of their fantastic capriccios
+do yet allow it to pass unchallenged, EX COMITATE, if not EX
+MISERICORDIA.--But were he the Pope and the Pretender both, we must get
+some dinner ready for him, since he has thought fit to offer himself. So
+hasten home, my lad, and tell Hannah, Cook Epps, and James Wilkinson, to
+do their best; and do thou look out a pint or two of Maxwell’s best--it
+is in the fifth bin--there are the keys of the wine-cellar. Do not leave
+them in the lock--you know poor James’s failing, though he is an honest
+creature under all other temptations--and I have but two bottles of the
+old brandy left--we must keep it for medicine, Alan.’
+
+Away went I--made my preparations--the hour of dinner came, and so did
+Mr. Herries of Birrenswork.
+
+If I had thy power of imagination and description, Darsie, I could make
+out a fine, dark, mysterious, Rembrandt-looking portrait of this same
+stranger, which should be as far superior to thy fisherman as a shirt
+of chain-mail is to a herring-net. I can assure you there is some matter
+for description about him; but knowing my own imperfections, I can only
+say, I thought him eminently disagreeable and ill-bred.--No, ILL-BRED
+is not the proper word on the contrary, he appeared to know the rules of
+good-breeding perfectly, and only to think that the rank of the company
+did not require that he should attend to them--a view of the matter
+infinitely more offensive than if his behaviour had been that of
+uneducated and proper rudeness. While my father said grace, the laird
+did all but whistle aloud; and when I, at my father’s desire, returned
+thanks, he used his toothpick, as if he had waited that moment for its
+exercise.
+
+So much for Kirk--with King, matters went even worse. My father, thou
+knowest, is particularly full of deference to his guests; and in the
+present care, he seemed more than usually desirous to escape every cause
+of dispute. He so far compromised his loyalty as to announce merely ‘The
+King’ as his first toast after dinner, instead of the emphatic ‘King
+George’, which is his usual formula. Our guest made a motion with his
+glass, so as to pass it over the water-decanter which stood beside him,
+and added, ‘Over the water.’
+
+My father coloured, but would not seem to hear this. Much more there
+was of careless and disrespectful in the stranger’s manner and tone of
+conversation; so that, though I know my father’s prejudices in favour
+of rank and birth, and though I am aware his otherwise masculine
+understanding has never entirely shaken off the slavish awe of the great
+which in his earlier days they had so many modes of commanding, still I
+could hardly excuse him for enduring so much insolence--such it seemed
+to be as this self-invited guest was disposed to offer to him at his own
+table.
+
+One can endure a traveller in the same carriage, if he treads upon your
+toes by accident, or even through negligence; but it is very different
+when, knowing that they are rather of a tender description, he continues
+to pound away at them with his hoofs. In my poor opinion--and I am a man
+of peace--you can, in that case, hardly avoid a declaration of war.
+
+I believe my father read my thoughts in my eye; for, pulling out his
+watch, he said; ‘Half-past four, Alan--you should be in your own room by
+this time--Birrenswork will excuse you.’
+
+Our visitor nodded carelessly, and I had no longer any pretence to
+remain. But as I left the room, I heard this magnate of Nithesdale
+distinctly mention the name of Latimer. I lingered; but at length a
+direct hint from my father obliged me to withdraw; and when, an hour
+afterwards, I was summoned to partake of a cup of tea, our guest had
+departed. He had business that evening in the High Street, and could not
+spare time even to drink tea. I could not help saying, I considered his
+departure as a relief from incivility. ‘What business has he to upbraid
+us,’ I said, ‘with the change of our dwelling from a more inconvenient
+to a better quarter of the town? What was it to him if we chose
+to imitate some of the conveniences or luxuries of an English
+dwelling-house, instead of living piled up above each other in flats?
+Have his patrician birth and aristocratic fortunes given him any right
+to censure those who dispose of the fruits of their own industry,
+according to their own pleasure?’
+
+My father took a long pinch of snuff, and replied, ‘Very well, Alan;
+very well indeed. I wish Mr. Crossbite or Counsellor Pest had heard
+you; they must have acknowledged that you have a talent for forensic
+elocution; and it may not be amiss to try a little declamation at
+home now and then, to gather audacity and keep yourself in breath. But
+touching the subject of this paraffle of words, it’s not worth a pinch
+of tobacco. D’ye think that I care for Mr. Herries of Birrenswork more
+than any other gentleman who comes here about business, although I do
+not care to go tilting at his throat, because he speaks like a grey
+goose, as he is? But to say no more about him, I want to have Darsie
+Latimer’s present direction; for it is possible I may have to write the
+lad a line with my own hand--and yet I do not well know--but give me the
+direction at all events.’
+
+I did so, and if you have heard from my father accordingly, you know
+more, probably, about the subject of this letter than I who write it.
+But if you have not, then shall I have discharged a friend’s duty, in
+letting you know that there certainly is something afloat between
+this disagreeable laird and my father, in which you are considerably
+interested.
+
+Adieu! and although I have given thee a subject for waking dreams,
+beware of building a castle too heavy for the foundation; which, in the
+present instance, is barely the word Latimer occurring in a conversation
+betwixt a gentleman of Dumfriesshire and a W.S. of Edinburgh--CAETERA
+PRORSUS IGNORO.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VI
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+(In continuation of Letters III and IV.)
+
+I told thee I walked out into the open air with my grave and stern
+landlord. I could now see more perfectly than on the preceding night the
+secluded glen in which stood the two or three cottages which appeared to
+be the abode of him and his family.
+
+It was so narrow, in proportion to its depth, that no ray of the morning
+sun was likely to reach it till it should rise high in the horizon.
+Looking up the dell, you saw a brawling brook issuing in foamy haste
+from a covert of underwood, like a race-horse impatient to arrive at the
+goal; and, if you gazed yet; more earnestly, you might observe part of
+a high waterfall glimmering through the foliage, and giving occasion,
+doubtless, to the precipitate speed of the brook. Lower down, the
+stream became more placid, and opened into a quiet piece of water which
+afforded a rude haven to two or three fishermen’s boats, then lying high
+and dry on the sand, the tide being out. Two or three miserable huts
+could be seen beside this little haven, inhabited probably by the owners
+of the boats, but inferior in every respect to the establishment of mine
+host, though that was miserable enough.
+
+I had but a minute or two to make these observations, yet during that
+space my companion showed symptoms of impatience, and more than once
+shouted, ‘Cristal--Cristal Nixon,’ until the old man of the preceding
+evening appeared at the door of one of the neighbouring cottages or
+outhouses, leading the strong black horse which I before commemorated,
+ready bridled and saddled. My conductor made Cristal a sign with his
+finger, and, turning from the cottage door, led the way up the steep
+path or ravine which connected the sequestered dell with the open
+country.
+
+Had I been perfectly aware of the character of the road down which I
+had been hurried with so much impetuosity on the preceding evening, I
+greatly question if I should have ventured the descent; for it deserved
+no better name than the channel of a torrent, now in a good measure
+filled with water, that dashed in foam and fury into the dell, being
+swelled with the rains of the preceding night. I ascended this ugly path
+with some difficulty although on foot, and felt dizzy when I observed,
+from such traces as the rains had not obliterated, that the horse seemed
+almost to have slid down it upon his haunches the evening before.
+
+My host threw himself on his horse’s back, without placing a foot in the
+stirrup--passed me in the perilous ascent, against which he pressed his
+steed as if the animal had had the footing of a wild cat. The water and
+mud splashed from his heels in his reckless course, and a few bounds
+placed him on the top of the bank, where I presently joined him, and
+found the horse and rider standing still as a statue; the former
+panting and expanding his broad nostrils to the morning wind, the latter
+motionless, with his eye fixed on the first beams of the rising sun,
+which already began to peer above the eastern horizon and gild the
+distant mountains of Cumberland and Liddesdale.
+
+He seemed in a reverie, from which he started at my approach, and,
+putting his horse in motion, led the way at a leisurely pace through a
+broken and sandy road, which traversed a waste, level, and uncultivated
+tract of downs, intermixed with morass, much like that in the
+neighbourhood of my quarters at Shepherd’s Bush. Indeed, the whole open
+ground of this district, where it approaches the sea, has, except in a
+few favoured spots, the same uniform and dreary character.
+
+Advancing about a hundred yards from the brink of the glen, we gained
+a still more extensive command of this desolate prospect, which seemed
+even more dreary, as contrasted with the opposite shores of Cumberland,
+crossed and intersected by ten thousand lines of trees growing in
+hedgerows, shaded with groves and woods of considerable extent, animated
+by hamlets and villas, from which thin clouds of smoke already gave sign
+of human life and human industry.
+
+My conductor had extended his arm, and was pointing the road to
+Shepherd’s Bush, when the step of a horse was heard approaching us. He
+looked sharply round, and having observed who was approaching, proceeded
+in his instructions to me, planting himself at the same time in the very
+middle of the path, which, at the place where we halted, had a slough on
+the one side and a sandbank on the other.
+
+I observed that the rider who approached us slackened his horse’s pace
+from a slow trot to a walk, as if desirous to suffer us to proceed, or
+at least to avoid passing us at a spot where the difficulty of doing so
+must have brought us very close to each other. You know my old failing,
+Alan, and that I am always willing to attend to anything in preference
+to the individual who has for the time possession of the conversation.
+
+Agreeably to this amiable propensity, I was internally speculating
+concerning the cause of the rider keeping aloof from us, when my
+companion, elevating his deep voice so suddenly and so sternly as at
+once to recall my wandering thoughts, exclaimed, ‘In the name of the
+devil, young man, do you think that others have no better use for their
+time than you have, that you oblige me to repeat the same thing to you
+three times over? Do you see, I say, yonder thing at a mile’s distance,
+that looks like a finger-post, or rather like a gallows? I would it
+had a dreaming fool hanging upon it, as an example to all meditative
+moon-calves!--Yon gibbet-looking pole will guide you to the bridge,
+where you must pass the large brook; then proceed straight forwards,
+till several roads divide at a cairn. Plague on thee, thou art wandering
+again!
+
+It is indeed quite true that at this moment the horseman approached us,
+and my attention was again called to him as I made way to let him pass.
+His whole exterior at once showed that he belonged to the Society of
+Friends, or, as the world and the world’s law calls them, Quakers.
+A strong and useful iron-grey galloway showed, by its sleek and
+good condition, that the merciful man was merciful to his beast. His
+accoutrements were in the usual unostentatious but clean and servicable
+order which characterizes these sectaries. His long surtout of dark-grey
+superfine cloth descended down to the middle of his leg, and was
+buttoned up to his chin, to defend him against the morning air. As
+usual, his ample beaver hung down without button or loop, and shaded a
+comely and placid countenance, the gravity of which appeared to contain
+some seasoning of humour, and had nothing in common with the pinched
+puritanical air affected by devotees in general. The brow was open and
+free from wrinkles, whether of age or hypocrisy. The eye was clear,
+calm, and considerate, yet appeared to be disturbed by apprehension,
+not to say fear, as, pronouncing the usual salutation of, ‘I wish thee a
+good morrow, friend,’ he indicated, by turning his palfrey close to
+one side of the path, a wish to glide past us with as little trouble as
+possible--just as a traveller would choose to pass a mastiff of whose
+peaceable intentions he is by no means confident.
+
+But my friend, not meaning, perhaps, that he should get off so easily,
+put his horse quite across the path, so that, without plunging into the
+slough, or scrambling up the bank, the Quaker could not have passed
+him. Neither of these was an experiment without hazard greater than the
+passenger seemed willing to incur. He halted, therefore, as if waiting
+till my companion should make way for him; and, as they sat fronting
+each other, I could not help thinking that they might have formed no bad
+emblem of Peace and War; for although my conductor was unarmed, yet the
+whole of his manner, his stern look, and his upright seat on horseback,
+were entirely those of a soldier in undress, He accosted the Quaker
+in these words, ‘So ho! friend Joshua, thou art early to the road this
+morning. Has the spirit moved thee and thy righteous brethren to act
+with some honesty, and pull down yonder tide-nets that keep the fish
+from coming up the river?’
+
+‘Surely, friend, not so,’ answered Joshua, firmly, but good-humouredly
+at the same time; ‘thou canst not expect that our own hands should pull
+down what our purses established. Thou killest the fish with spear,
+line, and coble-net; and we, with snares and with nets, which work by
+the ebb and the flow of the tide. Each doth what seems best in his eyes
+to secure a share of the blessing which Providence hath bestowed on the
+river, and that within his own bounds. I prithee seek no quarrel against
+us, for thou shalt have no wrong at our hand.’
+
+‘Be assured I will take none at the hand of any man, whether his hat be
+cocked or broad-brimmed,’ answered the fisherman. ‘I tell you in fair
+terms, Joshua Geddes, that you and your partners are using unlawful
+craft to destroy the fish in the Solway by stake-nets and wears; and
+that we, who fish fairly, and like men, as our fathers did, have daily
+and yearly less sport and less profit. Do not think gravity or hypocrisy
+can carry it off as you have done. The world knows you, and we know you.
+You will destroy the salmon which makes the livelihood of fifty poor
+families, and then wipe your mouth, and go to make a speech at meeting.
+But do not hope it will last thus. I give you fair warning, we will be
+upon you one morning soon, when we will not leave a stake standing in
+the pools of the Solway; and down the tide they shall every one go, and
+well if we do not send a lessee along with them.’
+
+‘Friend,’ replied Joshua, with a constrained smile, ‘but that I know
+thou dost not mean as thou sayst, I would tell thee we are under the
+protection of this country’s laws; nor do we the less trust to obtain
+their protection, that our principles permit us not, by any act of
+violent resistance, to protect ourselves.’
+
+‘All villainous cant and cowardice,’ exclaimed the fisherman, ‘and
+assumed merely as a cloak to your hypocritical avarice.’
+
+‘Nay, say not cowardice, my friend,’ answered the Quaker, ‘since thou
+knowest there may be as much courage in enduring as in acting; and I
+will be judged by this youth, or by any one else, whether there is not
+more cowardice--even in the opinion of that world whose thoughts are the
+breath in thy nostrils--in the armed oppressor who doth injury, than in
+the defenceless and patient sufferer who endureth it with constancy.’
+
+‘I will change no more words with you on the subject,’ said the
+fisherman, who, as if something moved at the last argument which Mr.
+Geddes had used, now made room for him to pass forward on his journey.
+‘Do not forget, however,’ he added, ‘that you have had fair warning,
+nor suppose that we will accept of fair words in apology for foul play.
+These nets of yours are unlawful--they spoil our fishings--we will
+have them down at all risks and hazards. I am a man of my word, friend
+Joshua.’
+
+‘I trust thou art,’ said the Quaker; ‘but thou art the rather bound to
+be cautious in rashly affirming what thou wilt never execute. For I tell
+thee, friend, that though there is as great a difference between thee
+and one of our people as there is between a lion and a sheep, yet I know
+and believe thou hast so much of the lion in thee, that thou wouldst
+scarce employ thy strength and thy rage upon that which professeth no
+means of resistance. Report says so much good of thee, at least, if it
+says little more.’
+
+‘Time will try,’ answered the fisherman; ‘and hark thee, Joshua, before
+we part I will put thee in the way of doing one good deed, which, credit
+me, is better than twenty moral speeches. Here is a stranger youth, whom
+Heaven has so scantily gifted with brains, that he will bewilder himself
+in the Sands, as he did last night, unless thou wilt kindly show him the
+way to Shepherd’s Bush; for I have been in vain endeavouring to make
+him comprehend the road thither. Hast thou so much charity under thy
+simplicity, Quaker, as to do this good turn?’
+
+‘Nay, it is thou, friend,’ answered Joshua, ‘that dost lack charity, to
+suppose any one unwilling to do so simple a kindness.’
+
+‘Thou art right--I should have remembered it can cost thee nothing.
+Young gentlemen, this pious pattern of primitive simplicity will teach
+thee the right way to the Shepherd’s Bush--aye, and will himself shear
+thee like a sheep, if you come to buying and selling with him.’
+
+He then abruptly asked me, how long I intended to remain at Shepherd’s
+Bush.
+
+I replied, I was at present uncertain--as long probably, as I could
+amuse myself in the neighbourhood.
+
+‘You are fond of sport?’ he added, in the same tone of brief inquiry.
+
+I answered in the affirmative, but added, I was totally inexperienced.
+
+‘Perhaps if you reside here for some days,’ he said, ‘we may meet again,
+and I may have the chance of giving you a lesson.’
+
+Ere I could express either thanks or assent, he turned short round with
+a wave of his hand by way of adieu, and rode back to the verge of the
+dell from which we had emerged together; and as he remained standing
+upon the banks, I could long hear his voice while he shouted down to
+those within its recesses.
+
+Meanwhile the Quaker and I proceeded on our journey for some time in
+silence; he restraining his sober-minded steed to a pace which might
+have suited a much less active walker than myself, and looking on
+me from time to time with an expression of curiosity, mingled with
+benignity. For my part, I cared not to speak first. It happened I had
+never before been in company with one of this particular sect, and,
+afraid that in addressing him I might unwittingly infringe upon some
+of their prejudices or peculiarities, I patiently remained silent. At
+length he asked me, whether I had been long in the service of the laird,
+as men called him.
+
+I repeated the words ‘in his service?’ with such an accent of surprise,
+as induced him to say, ‘Nay, but, friend, I mean no offence; perhaps I
+should have said in his society--an inmate, I mean, in his house?’
+
+‘I am totally unknown to the person from whom we have just parted,’ said
+I, ‘and our connexion is only temporary. He had the charity to give me
+his guidance from the Sands, and a night’s harbourage from the tempest.
+So our acquaintance began, and there it is likely to end; for you may
+observe that our friend is by no means apt to encourage familiarity.’
+
+‘So little so,’ answered my companion, ‘that thy case is, I think, the
+first in which I ever heard of his receiving any one into his house;
+that is, if thou hast really spent the night there.’
+
+‘Why should you doubt it?’ replied I; ‘there is no motive I can have to
+deceive you, nor is the object worth it.’
+
+‘Be not angry with me,’ said the Quaker; ‘but thou knowest that thine
+own people do not, as we humbly endeavour to do, confine themselves
+within the simplicity of truth, but employ the language of falsehood,
+not only for profit, but for compliment, and sometimes for mere
+diversion. I have heard various stories of my neighbour; of most of
+which I only believe a small part, and even then they are difficult to
+reconcile with each other. But this being the first time I ever beard
+of his receiving a stranger within his dwelling, made me express some
+doubts. I pray thee let them not offend thee.’
+
+‘He does not,’ said I, ‘appear to possess in much abundance the means
+of exercising hospitality, and so may be excused from offering it in
+ordinary cases.’
+
+‘That is to say, friend,’ replied Joshua, ‘thou hast supped ill, and
+perhaps breakfasted worse. Now my small tenement, called Mount Sharon,
+is nearer to us by two miles than thine inn; and although going
+thither may prolong thy walk, as taking thee of the straighter road to
+Shepherd’s Bush, yet methinks exercise will suit thy youthful limbs,
+as well as a good plain meal thy youthful appetite. What sayst thou, my
+young acquaintance?’
+
+‘If it puts you not to inconvenience,’ I replied; for the invitation was
+cordially given, and my bread and milk had been hastily swallowed, and
+in small quantity.
+
+‘Nay,’ said Joshua, ‘use not the language of compliment with those who
+renounce it. Had this poor courtesy been very inconvenient, perhaps I
+had not offered it.’
+
+‘I accept the invitation, then,’ said I, ‘in the same good spirit in
+which you give it.’
+
+The Quaker smiled, reached me his hand, I shook it, and we travelled on
+in great cordiality with each other. The fact is, I was much entertained
+by contrasting in my own mind, the open manner of the kind-hearted
+Joshua Geddes, with the abrupt, dark, and lofty demeanour of my
+entertainer on the preceding evening. Both were blunt and unceremonious;
+but the plainness of the Quaker had the character of devotional
+simplicity, and was mingled with the more real kindness, as if honest
+Joshua was desirous of atoning, by his sincerity, for the lack of
+external courtesy. On the contrary, the manners of the fisherman were
+those of one to whom the rules of good behaviour might be familiar, but
+who, either from pride or misanthropy, scorned to observe them. Still
+I thought of him with interest and curiosity, notwithstanding so much
+about him that was repulsive; and I promised myself, in the course of my
+conversation with the Quaker, to learn all that he knew on the subject.
+He turned the conversation, however, into a different channel, and
+inquired into my own condition of life, and views in visiting this
+remote frontier.
+
+I only thought it necessary to mention my name, and add, that I had been
+educated to the law, but finding myself possessed of some independence,
+I had of late permitted myself some relaxation, and was residing at
+Shepherd’s Bush to enjoy the pleasure of angling.
+
+‘I do thee no harm, young man,’ said my new friend, ‘in wishing thee a
+better employment for thy grave hours, and a more humane amusement (if
+amusement thou must have) for those of a lighter character.’
+
+‘You are severe, sir,’ I replied. ‘I heard you but a moment since refer
+yourself to the protection of the laws of the country--if there be laws,
+there must be lawyers to explain, and judges to administer them.’
+
+Joshua smiled, and pointed to the sheep which were grazing on the downs
+over which we were travelling. ‘Were a wolf,’ he said, ‘to come even now
+upon yonder flocks, they would crowd for protection, doubtless, around
+the shepherd and his dogs; yet they are bitten and harassed daily by
+the one, shorn, and finally killed and eaten by the other. But I say not
+this to shock you; for, though laws and lawyers are evils, yet they are
+necessary evils in this probationary state of society, till man shall
+learn to render unto his fellows that which is their due, according
+to the light of his own conscience, and through no other compulsion.
+Meanwhile, I have known many righteous men who have followed thy
+intended profession in honesty and uprightness of walk. The greater
+their merit, who walk erect in a path which so many find slippery.
+
+‘And angling,’ said I:--‘you object to that also as an amusement,
+you who, if I understood rightly what passed between you and my late
+landlord, are yourself a proprietor of fisheries.’
+
+‘Not a proprietor,’ he replied, ‘I am only, in copartnery with others,
+a tacksman or lessee of some valuable salmon-fisheries a little down the
+coast. But mistake me not. The evil of angling, with which I class all
+sports, as they are called, which have the sufferings of animals for
+their end and object, does not consist in the mere catching and killing
+those animals with which the bounty of Providence hath stocked the earth
+for the good of man, but in making their protracted agony a principle of
+delight and enjoyment. I do indeed cause these fisheries to be conducted
+for the necessary taking, killing, and selling the fish; and, in the
+same way, were I a farmer, I should send my lambs to market. But I
+should as soon think of contriving myself a sport and amusement out of
+the trade of the butcher as out of that of the fisher.’
+
+We argued the point no further; for though I thought his arguments a
+little too high-strained, yet as my mind acquitted me of having taken
+delight in aught but the theory of field-sports, I did not think myself
+called upon stubbornly to advocate a practice which had afforded me so
+little pleasure.
+
+We had by this time arrived at the remains of an old finger-post, which
+my host had formerly pointed out as a landmark. Here, a ruinous wooden
+bridge, supported by long posts resembling crutches, served me to get
+across the water, while my new friend sought a ford a good way higher
+up, for the stream was considerably swelled.
+
+As I paused for his rejoining me, I observed an angler at a little
+distance pouching trout after trout, as fast almost as he could cast his
+line; and I own, in spite of Joshua’s lecture on humanity, I could not
+but envy his adroitness and success, so natural is the love of sport
+to our minds, or so easily are we taught to assimilate success in
+field-sports with ideas of pleasure, and with the praise due to address
+and agility. I soon recognized in the successful angler little Benjie,
+who had been my guide and tutor in that gentle art, as you have learned
+from my former letters. I called--I whistled--the rascal recognized me,
+and, starting like a guilty thing, seemed hesitating whether to approach
+or to run away; and when he determined on the former, it was to assail
+me with a loud, clamorous, and exaggerated report of the anxiety of all
+at the Shepherd’s Bush for my personal safety; how my landlady had wept,
+how Sam and the ostler had not the heart to go to bed, but sat up all
+night drinking--and how he himself had been up long before daybreak to
+go in quest of me.
+
+‘And you were switching the water, I suppose,’ said I, ‘to discover my
+dead body?’
+
+This observation produced a long ‘Na--a--a’ of acknowledged detection;
+but, with his natural impudence, and confidence in my good nature, he
+immediately added, ‘that he thought I would like a fresh trout or twa
+for breakfast, and the water being in such a rare trim for the saumon
+raun, [The bait made of salmon-roe salted and preserved. In a swollen
+river, and about the month of October, it is a most deadly bait.] he
+couldna help taking a cast.’
+
+While we were engaged in this discussion, the honest Quaker returned to
+the farther end of the wooden bridge to tell me he could not venture to
+cross the brook in its present state: but would be under the necessity
+to ride round by the stone bridge, which was a mile and a half higher
+up than his own house. He was about to give me directions how to proceed
+without him, and inquire for his sister, when I suggested to him that,
+if he pleased to trust his horse to little Benjie, the boy might carry
+him round by the bridge, while we walked the shorter and more pleasant
+road.
+
+Joshua shook his head, for he was well acquainted with Benjie, who,
+he said, was the naughtiest varlet in the whole neighbourhood.
+Nevertheless, rather than part company, he agreed to put the pony under
+his charge for a short season, with many injunctions that he should not
+attempt to mount, but lead the pony (even Solomon) by the bridle, under
+the assurances of sixpence in case of proper demeanour, and penalty that
+if he transgressed the orders given him, ‘verily he would be scourged.’
+
+Promises cost Benjie nothing, and he showered them out wholesale;
+till the Quaker at length yielded up the bridle to him, repeating his
+charges, and enforcing them by holding up his forefinger. On my part, I
+called to Benjie to leave the fish he had taken at Mount Sharon, making,
+at the same time, an apologetic countenance to my new friend, not
+being quite aware whether the compliment would be agreeable to such a
+condemner of field-sports.
+
+He understood me at once, and reminded me of the practical distinction
+betwixt catching the animals as an object of cruel and wanton sport, and
+eating them as lawful and gratifying articles of food, after they were
+killed. On the latter point he had no scruples; but, on the contrary,
+assured me that this brook contained the real red trout, so highly
+esteemed by all connoisseurs, and that, when eaten within an hour
+of their being caught, they had a peculiar firmness of substance and
+delicacy of flavour, which rendered them an agreeable addition to a
+morning meal, especially when earned, like ours, by early rising, and an
+hour or two’s wholesome exercise.
+
+But to thy alarm be it spoken, Alan, we did not come so far as the
+frying of our fish without further adventure. So it is only to spare thy
+patience, and mine own eyes, that I pull up for the present, and send
+thee the rest of my story in a subsequent letter.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VII
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME (In continuation.)
+
+Little Benjie, with the pony, having been sent off on the left side of
+the brook, the Quaker and I sauntered on, like the cavalry and infantry
+of the same army occupying the opposite banks of a river, and observing
+the same line of march. But, while my worthy companion was assuring me
+of a pleasant greensward walk to his mansion, little Benjie, who had
+been charged to keep in sight, chose to deviate from the path assigned
+him, and, turning to the right, led his charge, Solomon, out of our
+vision.
+
+‘The villain means to mount him!’ cried Joshua, with more vivacity than
+was consistent with his profession of passive endurance.
+
+I endeavoured to appease his apprehensions, as he pushed on, wiping his
+brow with vexation, assuring him that, if the boy did mount, he would,
+for his own sake, ride gently.
+
+‘You do not know him,’ said Joshua, rejecting all consolation; ‘HE do
+anything gently!--no, he will gallop Solomon--he will misuse the sober
+patience of the poor animal who has borne me so long! Yes, I was given
+over to my own devices when I ever let him touch the bridle, for such a
+little miscreant there never was before him in this country.’
+
+He then proceeded to expatiate on every sort of rustic enormity of which
+he accused Benjie. He had been suspected of snaring partridges--was
+detected by Joshua himself in liming singing-birds--stood fully charged
+with having worried several cats, by aid of a lurcher which attended
+him, and which was as lean, and ragged, and mischievous, as his master.
+Finally, Benjie stood accused of having stolen a duck, to hunt it with
+the said lurcher, which was as dexterous on water as on land. I chimed
+in with my friend, in order to avoid giving him further irritation, and
+declared I should be disposed, from my own experience, to give up Benjie
+as one of Satan’s imps. Joshua Geddes began to censure the phrase as
+too much exaggerated, and otherwise unbecoming the mouth of a reflecting
+person; and, just as I was apologizing for it, as being a term of common
+parlance, we heard certain sounds on the opposite side of the brook,
+which seemed to indicate that Solomon and Benjie were at issue together.
+The sandhills behind which Benjie seemed to take his course, had
+concealed from us, as doubtless he meant they should, his ascent into
+the forbidden saddle, and, putting Solomon to his mettle, which he was
+seldom called upon to exert, they had cantered away together in
+great amity, till they came near to the ford from which the palfrey’s
+legitimate owner had already turned back.
+
+Here a contest of opinions took place between the horse and his rider.
+The latter, according to his instructions, attempted to direct Solomon
+towards the distant bridge of stone; but Solomon opined that the ford
+was the shortest way to his own stable. The point was sharply contested,
+and we heard Benjie gee-hupping, tchek-tcheking, and, above all,
+flogging in great style; while Solomon, who, docile in his general
+habits, was now stirred beyond his patience, made a great trampling and
+recalcitration; and it was their joint noise which we heard, without
+being able to see, though Joshua might too well guess, the cause of it.
+
+Alarmed at these indications, the Quaker began to shout out,
+‘Benjie--thou varlet! Solomon--thou fool!’ when the couple presented
+themselves in full drive, Solomon having now decidedly obtained the
+better of the conflict, and bringing his unwilling rider in high career
+down to the ford. Never was there anger changed so fast into humane
+fear, as that of my good companion. ‘The varlet will be drowned!’ he
+exclaimed--‘a widow’s son!--her only son!--and drowned!--let me go’--And
+he struggled with me stoutly as I hung upon him, to prevent him from
+plunging into the ford.
+
+I had no fear whatever for Benjie; for the blackguard vermin, though he
+could not manage the refractory horse, stuck on his seat like a monkey.
+Solomon and Benjie scrambled through the ford with little inconvenience,
+and resumed their gallop on the other side.
+
+It was impossible to guess whether on this last occasion Benjie was
+running off with Solomon, or Solomon with Benjie; but, judging from
+character and motives, I rather suspected the former. I could not help
+laughing as the rascal passed me, grinning betwixt terror and delight,
+perched on the very pommel of the saddle, and holding with extended arms
+by bridle and mane while Solomon, the bit secured between his teeth,
+and his head bored down betwixt his forelegs, passed his master in this
+unwonted guise as hard as he could pelt.
+
+‘The mischievous bastard!’ exclaimed the Quaker, terrified out of his
+usual moderation of speech--‘the doomed gallows-bird!--he will break
+Solomon’s wind to a certainty.’
+
+I prayed him to be comforted--assured, him a brushing gallop would do
+his favourite no harm and reminded him of the censure he had bestowed on
+me a minute before, for applying a harsh epithet to the boy.
+
+But Joshua was not without his answer; ‘Friend youth,’ he said, ‘thou
+didst speak of the lad’s soul, which thou didst affirm belonged to the
+enemy, and of that thou couldst say nothing of thine own knowledge; on
+the contrary, I did but speak of his outward man, which will assuredly
+be suspended by a cord, if he mendeth not his manners. Men say that,
+young as he is, he is one of the laird’s gang.’
+
+‘Of the laird’s gang!’ said I, repeating the words in surprise. ‘Do you
+mean the person with whom I slept last night? I heard you call him the
+laird. Is he at the head of a gang?’
+
+‘Nay, I meant not precisely a gang,’ said the Quaker, who appeared in
+his haste to have spoken more than he intended--a company, or party, I
+should have said; but thus it is, friend Latimer, with the wisest men
+when they permit themselves to be perturbed with passion, and speak as
+in a fever, or as with the tongue of the foolish and the forward. And
+although thou hast been hasty to mark my infirmity, yet I grieve not
+that thou hast been a witness to it, seeing that the stumbles of the
+wise may be no less a caution to youth and inexperience, than is the
+fall of the foolish.’
+
+This was a sort of acknowledgement of what I had already begun to
+suspect--that my new friend’s real goodness of disposition, joined to
+the acquired quietism of his religious sect, had been unable entirely to
+check the effervescence of a temper naturally warm and hasty.
+
+Upon the present occasion, as if sensible he had displayed a greater
+degree of emotion than became his character, Joshua avoided further
+allusion to Benjie and Solomon, and proceeded to solicit my attention to
+the natural objects around us, which increased in beauty and interest,
+as, still conducted by the meanders of the brook, we left the common
+behind us, and entered a more cultivated and enclosed country, where
+arable and pasture ground was agreeably varied with groves and hedges.
+Descending now almost close to the stream, our course lay through a
+little gate, into a pathway kept with great neatness, the sides of which
+were decorated with trees and flowering shrubs of the hardier species;
+until, ascending by a gentle slope, we issued from the grove, and stood
+almost at once in front of a low but very neat building, of an irregular
+form; and my guide, shaking me cordially by the hand, made me welcome to
+Mount Sharon.
+
+The wood through which we had approached this little mansion was thrown
+around it both on the north and north-west, but, breaking off into
+different directions, was intersected by a few fields well watered and
+sheltered. The house fronted to the south-east, and from thence the
+pleasure-ground, or, I should rather say, the gardens, sloped down
+to the water. I afterwards understood that the father of the present
+proprietor had a considerable taste for horticulture, which had been
+inherited by his son, and had formed these gardens, which, with their
+shaven turf, pleached alleys, wildernesses, and exotic trees and shrubs,
+greatly excelled anything of the kind which had been attempted in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+If there was a little vanity in the complacent smile with which Joshua
+Geddes saw me gaze with delight on a scene so different from the naked
+waste we had that day traversed in company, it might surely be permitted
+to one who, cultivating and improving the beauties of nature, had found
+therein, as he said, bodily health, and a pleasing relaxation for the
+mind. At the bottom of the extended gardens the brook wheeled round in a
+wide semicircle, and was itself their boundary. The opposite side was
+no part of Joshua’s domain, but the brook was there skirted by a
+precipitous rock of limestone, which seemed a barrier of nature’s own
+erecting around his little Eden of beauty, comfort, and peace.
+
+‘But I must not let thee forget,’ said the kind Quaker, ‘amidst thy
+admiration of these beauties of our little inheritance, that thy
+breakfast has been a light one.’
+
+So saying, Joshua conducted me to a small sashed door, opening under
+a porch amply mantled by honeysuckle and clematis, into a parlour
+of moderate size; the furniture of which, in plainness and excessive
+cleanliness, bore the characteristic marks of the sect to which the
+owner belonged.
+
+Thy father’s Hannah is generally allowed to be an exception to all
+Scottish housekeepers, and stands unparalleled for cleanliness among
+the women of Auld Reekie; but the cleanliness of Hannah is sluttishness
+compared to the scrupulous purifications of these people, who seem to
+carry into the minor decencies of life that conscientious rigour which
+they affect in their morals.
+
+The parlour would have been gloomy, for the windows were small and the
+ceiling low; but the present proprietor had rendered it more cheerful
+by opening one end into a small conservatory, roofed with glass, and
+divided from the parlour by a partition of the same. I have never before
+seen this very pleasing manner of uniting the comforts of an apartment
+with the beauties of a garden, and I wonder it is not more practised
+by the great. Something of the kind is hinted at in a paper of the
+SPECTATOR.
+
+As I walked towards the conservatory to view it more closely, the
+parlour chimney engaged my attention. It was a pile of massive stone,
+entirely out of proportion to the size of the apartment. On the front
+had once been an armorial scutcheon; for the hammer, or chisel, which
+had been employed to deface the shield or crest, had left uninjured
+the scroll beneath, which bore the pious motto, ‘TRUST IN GOD.’
+Black-letter, you know, was my early passion, and the tombstones in the
+Greyfriars’ churchyard early yielded up to my knowledge as a decipherer
+what little they could tell of the forgotten dead.
+
+Joshua Geddes paused when he saw my eye fixed on this relic of
+antiquity. ‘Thou canst read it?’ he said.
+
+I repeated the motto, and added, there seemed vestiges of a date.
+
+‘It should be 1537,’ said he; ‘for so long ago, at the least
+computation, did my ancestors, in the blinded times of Papistry, possess
+these lands, and in that year did they build their house.’
+
+‘It is an ancient descent,’ said I, looking with respect upon the
+monument. ‘I am sorry the arms have been defaced.’
+
+It was perhaps impossible for my friend, Quaker as he was, to seem
+altogether void of respect for the pedigree which he began to recount
+to me, disclaiming all the while the vanity usually connected with
+the subject; in short, with the air of mingled melancholy, regret, and
+conscious dignity, with which Jack Fawkes used to tell us at college of
+his ancestor’s unfortunate connexion with the Gunpowder Plot.
+
+‘Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,’ thus harangued Joshua Gleddes
+of Mount Sharon; ‘if we ourselves are nothing in the sight of Heaven,
+how much less than nothing must be our derivation from rotten bones and
+mouldering dust, whose immortal spirits have long since gone to their
+private account? Yes, friend Latimer, my ancestors were renowned among
+the ravenous and bloodthirsty men who then dwelt in this vexed country;
+and so much were they famed for successful freebooting, robbery, and
+bloodshed, that they are said to have been called Geddes, as likening
+them to the fish called a Jack, Pike, or Luce, and in our country
+tongue, a GED--a goodly distinction truly for Christian men! Yet did
+they paint this shark of the fresh waters upon their shields, and these
+profane priests of a wicked idolatry, the empty boasters called heralds,
+who make engraven images of fishes, fowls, and four-footed beasts, that
+men may fall down and worship them, assigned the ged for the device and
+escutcheon of my fathers, and hewed it over their chimneys, and placed
+it above their tombs; and the men were elated in mind, and became yet
+more ged-like, slaying, leading into captivity, and dividing the spoil,
+until the place where they dwelt obtained the name of Sharing-Knowe,
+from the booty which was there divided amongst them and their
+accomplices. But a better judgement was given to my father’s father,
+Philip Geddes, who, after trying to light his candle at some of the vain
+wildfires then held aloft at different meetings and steeple-houses, at
+length obtained a spark from the lamp of the blessed George Fox, who
+came into Scotland spreading light among darkness, as he himself hath
+written, as plentifully as fly the sparkles from the hoof of the horse
+which gallops swiftly along the stony road.’--Here the good Quaker
+interrupted himself with, ‘And that is very true, I must go speedily to
+see after the condition of Solomon.’
+
+A Quaker servant here entered the room with a tray, and inclining his
+head towards his master, but not after the manner of one who bows, said
+composedly, ‘Thou art welcome home, friend Joshua, we expected thee not
+so early; but what hath befallen Solomon thy horse?’
+
+‘What hath befallen him, indeed?’ said my friend; ‘hath he not been
+returned hither by the child whom they call Benjie?’
+
+‘He hath,’ said his domestic, ‘but it was after a strange fashion; for
+he came hither at a swift and furious pace, and flung the child Benjie
+from his back, upon the heap of dung which is in the stable-yard.’
+
+‘I am glad of it,’ said Joshua, hastily,--‘glad of it, with all my heart
+and spirit! But stay, he is the child of the widow--hath the boy any
+hurt?’
+
+‘Not so’ answered the servant, ‘for he rose and fled swiftly.’
+
+Joshua muttered something about a scourge, and then inquired after
+Solomon’s present condition.
+
+‘He seetheth like a steaming cauldron,’ answered the servant; ‘and
+Bauldie, the lad, walketh him about the yard with a halter, lest he take
+cold.’
+
+Mr. Geddes hastened to the stable-yard to view personally the condition
+of his favourite, and I followed to offer my counsel as a jockey. Don’t
+laugh, Alan, sure I have jockeyship enough to assist a Quaker--in this
+unpleasing predicament.
+
+The lad who was leading the horse seemed to be no Quaker, though his
+intercourse with the family had given him a touch of their prim sobriety
+of look and manner. He assured Joshua that his horse had received no
+injury, and I even hinted that the exercise would be of service to him.
+Solomon himself neighed towards his master, and rubbed his head against
+the good Quaker’s shoulder, as if to assure him of his being quite well;
+so that Joshua returned in comfort to his parlour, where breakfast was
+now about to be displayed.
+
+I have since learned that the affection of Joshua for his pony is
+considered as inordinate by some of his own sect; and that he has been
+much blamed for permitting it to be called by the name of Solomon, or
+any other name whatever; but he has gained so much respect and influence
+among them that they overlook these foibles.
+
+I learned from him (whilst the old servant, Jehoiachim, entering and
+re-entering, seemed to make no end of the materials which he brought in
+for breakfast) that his grandfather Philip, the convert of George Fox,
+had suffered much from the persecution to which these harmless devotees
+were subjected on all sides during that intolerant period, and much
+of their family estate had been dilapidated. But better days dawned
+on Joshua’s father, who, connecting himself by marriage with a wealthy
+family of Quakers in Lancashire, engaged successfully in various
+branches of commerce, and redeemed the remnants of the property,
+changing its name in sense, without much alteration of sound, from the
+Border appellation of Sharing-Knowe, to the evangelical appellation of
+Mount Sharon.
+
+This Philip Geddes, as I before hinted, had imbibed the taste for
+horticulture and the pursuits of the florist, which are not uncommon
+among the peaceful sect he belonged to. He had destroyed the remnants
+of the old peel-house, substituting the modern mansion in its place;
+and while he reserved the hearth of his ancestors, in memory of their
+hospitality, as also the pious motto which they had chanced to assume,
+he failed not to obliterate the worldly and military emblems displayed
+upon the shield and helmet, together with all their blazonry.
+
+In a few minutes after Mr. Geddes had concluded the account; of himself
+and his family, his sister Rachel, the only surviving member of it,
+entered the room. Her appearance is remarkably pleasing, and although
+her age is certainly thirty at least, she still retains the shape and
+motion of an earlier period. The absence of everything like fashion
+or ornament was, as usual, atoned for by the most perfect neatness and
+cleanliness of her dress; and her simple close cap was particularly
+suited to eyes which had the softness and simplicity of the dove’s.
+Her features were also extremely agreeable, but had suffered a little
+through the ravages of that professed enemy to beauty, the small-pox; a
+disadvantage which was in part counterbalanced by a well-formed mouth,
+teeth like pearls, and a pleasing sobriety of smile, that seemed to wish
+good here and hereafter to every one she spoke to. You cannot make
+any of your vile inferences here, Alan, for I have given a full-length
+picture of Rachel Geddes; so that; you cannot say, in this case, as in
+the letter I have just received, that she was passed over as a subject
+on which I feared to dilate. More of this anon.
+
+Well, we settled to our breakfast after a blessing, or rather an
+extempore prayer, which Joshua made upon the occasion, and which
+the spirit moved him to prolong rather more than I felt altogether
+agreeable. Then, Alan, there was such a dispatching of the good things
+of the morning as you have not witnessed since you have seen Darsie
+Latimer at breakfast. Tea and chocolate, eggs, ham, and pastry, not
+forgetting the broiled fish, disappeared with a celerity which seemed
+to astonish the good-humoured Quakers, who kept loading my plate
+with supplies, as if desirous of seeing whether they could, by any
+possibility, tire me out. One hint, however, I received, which put me in
+mind where I was. Miss Geddes had offered me some sweet-cake, which, at
+the moment, I declined; but presently afterwards, seeing it within
+my reach, I naturally enough helped myself to a slice, and had just;
+deposited it beside my plate, when Joshua, mine host, not with the
+authoritative air of Sancho’s doctor, Tirteafuera, but in a very calm
+and quiet manner, lifted it away and replaced it on the dish, observing
+only, ‘Thou didst refuse it before, friend Latimer.’
+
+These good folks, Alan, make no allowance for what your good father
+calls the Aberdeen-man’s privilege, of ‘taking his word again;’ or what
+the wise call second thoughts.
+
+Bating this slight hint that I was among a precise generation, there
+was nothing in my reception that was peculiar--unless, indeed, I were to
+notice the solicitous and uniform kindness with which all the attentions
+of my new friends were seasoned, as if they were anxious to assure me
+that the neglect of worldly compliments interdicted by their sect, only
+served to render their hospitality more sincere. At length my hunger was
+satisfied, and the worthy Quaker, who, with looks of great good nature,
+had watched my progress, thus addressed his sister:--
+
+‘This young man, Rachel, hath last night sojourned in the tents of our
+neighbour whom men call the laird. I am sorry I had not met him the
+evening before, for our neighbour’s hospitality is too unfrequently
+exercised to be well prepared with the means of welcome.’
+
+‘Nay, but, Joshua,’ said Rachel, ‘if our neighbour hath done a kindness,
+thou shouldst not grudge him the opportunity; and if our young friend
+hath fared ill for a night, he will the better relish what Providence
+may send him of better provisions.’
+
+‘And that he may do so at leisure,’ said Joshua, ‘we will pray him,
+Rachel, to tarry a day or twain with us: he is young, and is but now
+entering upon the world, and our habitation may, if he will, be like a
+resting-place, from which he may look abroad upon the pilgrimage which
+he must take, and the path which he has to travel.--What sayest thou,
+friend Latimer? We constrain not our friends to our ways, and thou art,
+I think, too wise to quarrel with us for following our own fashions; and
+if we should even give thee a word of advice, thou wilt not, I think, be
+angry, so that it is spoken in season.’
+
+You know, Alan, how easily I am determined by anything resembling
+cordiality--and so, though a little afraid of the formality of my host
+and hostess, I accepted their invitation, provided I could get some
+messenger to send to Shepherd’s Bush for my servant and portmanteau.
+
+‘Why, truly, friend,’ said Joshua, ‘thy outward frame would be improved
+by cleaner garments; but I will do thine errand myself to the Widow
+Gregson’s house of reception, and send thy lad hither with thy clothes.
+Meanwhile, Rachel will show thee these little gardens, and then will put
+thee in some way of spending thy time usefully, till our meal calls
+us together at the second hour after noon. I bid thee farewell for
+the present, having some space to walk, seeing I must leave the animal
+Solomon to his refreshing rest.’
+
+With these words, Mr. Joshua Geddes withdrew. Some ladies we have known
+would have felt, or at least affected, reserve or embarrassment, at
+being left to do the honours of the grounds to (it will be out, Alan)--a
+smart young fellow--an entire stranger. She went out for a few minutes,
+and returned in her plain cloak and bonnet, with her beaver gloves,
+prepared to act as my guide, with as much simplicity as if she had been
+to wait upon thy father. So forth I sallied with my fair Quakeress.
+
+If the house at Mount Sharon be merely a plain and convenient dwelling,
+of moderate size and small pretensions, the gardens and offices, though
+not extensive, might rival an earl’s in point of care and expense.
+Rachel carried me first to her own favourite resort, a poultry-yard,
+stocked with a variety of domestic fowls, of the more rare as well as
+the most ordinary kinds, furnished with every accommodation which may
+suit their various habits. A rivulet which spread into a pond for the
+convenience of the aquatic birds, trickled over gravel as it passed
+through the yards dedicated to the land poultry, which were thus amply
+supplied with the means they use for digestion.
+
+All these creatures seemed to recognize the presence of their mistress,
+and some especial favourites hastened to her feet, and continued to
+follow her as far as their limits permitted. She pointed out their
+peculiarities and qualities, with the discrimination of one who had made
+natural history her study; and I own I never looked on barn-door
+fowls with so much interest before--at least until they were boiled
+or roasted. I could not help asking the trying question, how she could
+order the execution of any of the creatures of which she seemed so
+careful.
+
+‘It was painful,’ she said, ‘but it was according to the law of their
+being. They must die; but they knew not when death was approaching; and
+in making them comfortable while they lived, we contributed to their
+happiness as much as the conditions of their existence permitted to us.’
+
+I am not quite of her mind, Alan. I do not believe either pigs or
+poultry would admit that the chief end of their being was to be killed
+and eaten. However, I did not press the argument, from which my Quaker
+seemed rather desirous to escape; for, conducting me to the greenhouse,
+which was extensive, and filled with the choicest plants, she pointed
+out an aviary which occupied the farther end, where, she said, she
+employed herself with attending the inhabitants, without being disturbed
+with any painful recollections concerning their future destination.
+
+I will not trouble you with any account of the various hot-houses
+and gardens, and their contents. No small sum of money must have been
+expended in erecting and maintaining them in the exquisite degree
+of good order which they exhibited. The family, I understood, were
+connected with that of the celebrated Millar, and had imbibed his taste
+for flowers, and for horticulture. But instead of murdering botanical
+names, I will rather conduct you to the POLICY, or pleasure-garden,
+which the taste of Joshua or his father had extended on the banks
+betwixt the house and river. This also, in contradistinction to the
+prevailing simplicity, was ornamented in an unusual degree. There were
+various compartments, the connexion of which was well managed, and
+although the whole ground did not exceed five or six acres, it was so
+much varied as to seem four times larger. The space contained close
+alleys and open walks; a very pretty artificial waterfall; a fountain
+also, consisting of a considerable jet-d’eau, whose streams glittered in
+the sunbeams and exhibited a continual rainbow. There was a cabinet of
+verdure, as the French call it, to cool the summer heat, and there was
+a terrace sheltered from the north-east by a noble holly hedge, with all
+its glittering spears where you might have the full advantage of the sun
+in the clear frosty days of winter.
+
+I know that you, Alan, will condemn all this as bad and antiquated; for,
+ever since Dodsley has described the Leasowes, and talked of Brown’s
+imitations of nature and Horace Walpole’s late Essay on Gardening, you
+are all for simple nature--condemn walking up and down stairs in the
+open air and declare for wood and wilderness. But NE QUID NIMIS. I would
+not deface a scene of natural grandeur or beauty, by the introduction
+of crowded artificial decorations; yet such may, I think, be very
+interesting, where the situation, in its natural state, otherwise has no
+particular charms.
+
+So that when I have a country-house (who can say how soon?) you may
+look for grottoes, and cascades, and fountains; nay if you vex me by
+contradiction, perhaps I may go the length of a temple--so provoke me
+not, for you see of what enormities I am capable.
+
+At any rate, Alan, had you condemned as artificial the rest of Friend
+Geddes’s grounds, there is a willow walk by the very verge of the
+stream, so sad, so solemn, and so silent, that it must have commanded
+your admiration. The brook, restrained at the ultimate boundary of the
+grounds by a natural dam-dike or ledge of rocks, seemed, even in
+its present swollen state, scarcely to glide along: and the pale
+willow-trees, dropping their long branches into the stream, gathered
+around them little coronals of the foam that floated down from the more
+rapid stream above. The high rock, which formed the opposite bank of the
+brook, was seen dimly through the branches, and its pale and splintered
+front, garlanded with long streamers of briers and other creeping
+plants, seemed a barrier between the quiet path which we trod, and the
+toiling and bustling world beyond. The path itself, following the sweep
+of the stream, made a very gentle curve; enough, however, served by its
+inflection completely to hide the end of the walk until you arrived at
+it. A deep and sullen sound, which increased as you proceeded, prepared
+you for this termination, which was indeed only a plain root-seat, from
+which you looked on a fall of about six or seven feet, where the brook
+flung itself over the ledge of natural rock I have already mentioned,
+which there crossed its course.
+
+The quiet and twilight seclusion of this walk rendered it a fit scene
+for confidential communing; and having nothing more interesting to
+say to my fair Quaker, I took the liberty of questioning her about the
+laird; for you are, or ought to be, aware, that next to discussing the
+affairs of the heart, the fair sex are most interested in those of their
+neighbours.
+
+I did not conceal either my curiosity, or the check which it had
+received from Joshua, and I saw that my companion answered with
+embarrassment. ‘I must not speak otherwise than truly,’ she said; ‘and
+therefore I tell thee, that my brother dislikes, and that I fear, the
+man of whom thou hast asked me. Perhaps we are both wrong--but he is a
+man of violence, and hath great influence over many, who, following
+the trade of sailors and fishermen, become as rude as the elements with
+which they contend. He hath no certain name among them, which is
+not unusual, their rude fashion being to distinguish each other
+by nicknames; and they have called him the Laird of the Lakes (not
+remembering there should be no one called Lord, save one only) in idle
+derision; the pools of salt water left by the tide among the sands being
+called the Lakes of Solway.’
+
+‘Has he no other revenue than he derives from these sands?’ I asked.
+
+‘That I cannot answer,’ replied Rachel; ‘men say that he wants not
+money, though he lives like an ordinary fisherman, and that he imparts
+freely of his means to the poor around him. They intimate that he is
+a man of consequence, once deeply engaged in the unhappy affair of the
+rebellion, and even still too much in danger from the government
+to assume his own name. He is often absent from his cottage at
+Broken-burn-cliffs, for weeks and months.’
+
+‘I should have thought,’ said I, ‘that the government would scarce, at
+this time of day, be likely to proceed against any one even of the most
+obnoxious rebels. Many years have passed away’--
+
+‘It is true,’ she replied; ‘yet such persons may understand that their
+being connived at depends on their living in obscurity. But indeed there
+can nothing certain be known among these rude people. The truth is not
+in them--most of them participate in the unlawful trade betwixt these
+parts and the neighbouring shore of England; and they are familiar with
+every species of falsehood and deceit.’
+
+‘It is a pity,’ I remarked, ‘your brother should have neighbours of such
+a description, especially as I understand he is at some variance with
+them.’
+
+‘Where, when, and about what matter?’ answered Miss Geddes, with an
+eager and timorous anxiety, which made me regret having touched on the
+subject.
+
+I told her, in a way as little alarming as I could devise, the purport
+of what passed betwixt this Laird of the Lakes and her brother, at their
+morning’s interview.
+
+‘You affright me much,’ answered she; ‘it is this very circumstance
+which has scared me in the watches of the night. When my brother Joshua
+withdrew from an active share in the commercial concerns of my father,
+being satisfied with the portion of worldly substance which he already
+possessed, there were one or two undertakings in which he retained an
+interest, either because his withdrawing might have been prejudicial to
+friends, or because he wished to retain some mode of occupying his time.
+Amongst the more important of these is a fishing station on the coast,
+where, by certain improved modes of erecting snares, opening at the
+advance of the tide, and shutting at the reflux, many more fish are
+taken than can be destroyed by those who, like the men of Broken-burn,
+use only the boat-net and spear, or fishing-rod. They complain of these
+tide-nets, as men call them, as an innovation, and pretend to a right
+to remove and destroy them by the strong hand. I fear me, this man of
+violence, whom they call the laird, will execute these his threats,
+which cannot be without both loss and danger to my brother.’
+
+‘Mr. Geddes,’ said I, ‘ought to apply to the civil, magistrate; there
+are soldiers at Dumfries who would be detached for his protection.’
+
+‘Thou speakest, friend Latimer,’ answered the lady, ‘as one who is
+still in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. God forbid that
+we should endeavour to preserve nets of flax and stakes of wood, or the
+Mammon of gain which they procure for us, by the hands of men of war and
+at the risk of spilling human blood.’
+
+‘I respect your scruples,’ I replied; ‘but since such is your way
+of thinking, your brother ought to avert the danger by compromise or
+submission.’
+
+‘Perhaps it would be best,’ answered Rachel; ‘but what can I say? Even
+in the best-trained temper there may remain some leaven of the old Adam;
+and I know not whether it is this or a better spirit that maketh my
+brother Joshua determine, that though he will not resist force by force,
+neither will he yield up his right to mere threats, or encourage wrong
+to others by yielding to menaces. His partners, he says, confide in his
+steadiness: and that he must not disappoint them by yielding up their
+right for the fear of the threats of man, whose breath is in his
+nostrils.’
+
+This observation convinced me that the spirit of the old sharers of
+the spoil was not utterly departed even from the bosom of the peaceful
+Quaker; and I could not help confessing internally that Joshua had the
+right, when he averred that there was as much courage in sufferance as
+in exertion.
+
+As we approached the farther end of the willow walk, the sullen and
+continuous sound of the dashing waters became still more and more
+audible, and at length rendered it difficult for us to communicate
+with each other. The conversation dropped, but apparently my companion
+continued to dwell upon the apprehensions which it had excited. At the
+bottom of the walk we obtained a view of the cascade, where the swollen
+brook flung itself in foam and tumult over the natural barrier of rock,
+which seemed in vain to attempt to bar its course. I gazed with delight,
+and, turning to express my sentiment to my companion, I observed that
+she had folded her hands in an attitude of sorrowful resignation, which
+showed her thoughts were far from the scene which lay before her.
+When she saw that her abstraction was observed, she resumed her former
+placidity of manner; and having given me sufficient time to admire this
+termination of our sober and secluded walk, proposed that me should
+return to the house through her brother’s farm. ‘Even we Quakers, as
+we are called, have our little pride,’ she said; ‘and my brother Joshua
+would not forgive me, were I not to show thee the fields which he taketh
+delight to cultivate after the newest and best fashion; for which, I
+promise thee, he hath received much praise from good judges, as well as
+some ridicule from those who think it folly to improve on the customs of
+our ancestors.’
+
+As she spoke, she opened a low door, leading through a moss and
+ivy-covered wall, the boundary of the pleasure-ground, into the open
+fields; through which we moved by a convenient path, leading, with good
+taste and simplicity, by stile and hedgerow, through pasturage, and
+arable, and woodland; so that in all ordinary weather, the good man
+might, without even soiling his shoes, perform his perambulation round
+the farm. There were seats also, on which to rest; and though not
+adorned with inscriptions, nor quite so frequent in occurrence as those
+mentioned in the account of the Leasowes, their situation was always
+chosen with respect to some distant prospect to be commanded, or some
+home-view to be enjoyed.
+
+But what struck me most in Joshua’s domain was the quantity and the
+tameness of the game. The hen partridge scarce abandoned the roost, at
+the foot of the hedge where she had assembled her covey, though the path
+went close beside her; and the hare, remaining on her form, gazed at us
+as we passed, with her full dark eye, or rising lazily and hopping to
+a little distance, stood erect to look at us with more curiosity than
+apprehension. I observed to Miss Geddes the extreme tameness of these
+timid and shy animals, and she informed me that their confidence arose
+from protection in the summer, and relief during the winter.
+
+‘They are pets,’ she said, ‘of my brother, who considers them as the
+better entitled to his kindness that they are a race persecuted by the
+world in general. He denieth himself,’ she said, ‘even the company of a
+dog, that these creatures may here at least enjoy undisturbed security.
+Yet this harmless or humane propensity, or humour, hath given offence,’
+she added, ‘to our dangerous neighbours.’
+
+She explained this, by telling me that my host of the preceding night
+was remarkable for his attachment to field-sports, which he pursued
+without much regard to the wishes of the individuals over whose property
+he followed them. The undefined mixture of respect and fear with which
+he was generally regarded induced most of the neighbouring land-holders
+to connive at what they would perhaps in another have punished as a
+trespass; but Joshua Geddes would not permit the intrusion of any
+one upon his premises, and as he had before offended several country
+neighbours, who, because he would neither shoot himself nor permit
+others to do so, compared him to the dog in the manger, so he now
+aggravated the displeasure which the Laird of the Lakes had already
+conceived against him, by positively debarring him from pursuing his
+sport over his grounds--‘So that,’ said Rachel Geddes, ‘I sometimes wish
+our lot had been cast elsewhere than in these pleasant borders, where,
+if we had less of beauty around us, we might have had a neighbourhood of
+peace and, goodwill.’
+
+We at length returned to the house, where Miss Geddes showed me a small
+study, containing a little collection of books, in two separate presses.
+
+‘These,’ said she, pointing to the smaller press, ‘will, if thou
+bestowest thy leisure upon them, do thee good; and these,’ pointing to
+the other and larger cabinet, ‘can, I believe, do thee little harm. Some
+of our people do indeed hold, that every writer who is not with us
+is against us; but brother Joshua is mitigated in his opinions, and
+correspondeth with our friend John Scot of Amwell, who hath himself
+constructed verses well approved of even in the world. I wish thee many
+good thoughts till our family meet at the hour of dinner.’
+
+Left alone, I tried both collections; the first consisted entirely
+of religious and controversial tracts, and the latter formed a small
+selection of history and of moral writers, both in prose and verse.
+
+Neither collection promising much amusement, thou hast, in these close
+pages, the fruits of my tediousness; and truly, I think, writing history
+(one’s self being the subject) is as amusing as reading that of foreign
+countries, at any time.
+
+Sam, still more drunk than sober, arrived in due time with my
+portmanteau, and enabled me to put my dress into order, better befitting
+this temple of cleanliness and decorum, where (to conclude) I believe I
+shall be a sojourner more days than one. [See Note 1.]
+
+PS.--I have noted your adventure, as you home-bred youths may perhaps
+term it, concerning the visit of your doughty laird. We travellers hold
+such an incident no great consequence, though it may serve to embellish
+the uniform life of Brown’s Square. But art thou not ashamed to attempt
+to interest one who is seeing the world at large, and studying human
+nature on a large scale, by so bald a narrative? Why, what does it
+amount to, after all, but that a Tory laird dined with a Whig lawyer? no
+very uncommon matter, especially as you state Mr. Herries to have lost
+the estate, though retaining the designation. The laird behaves with
+haughtiness and impertinence--nothing out of character in that: is NOT
+kicked down stairs, as he ought to have been, were Alan Fairford half
+the man that he would wish his friends to think him. Aye, but then, as
+the young lawyer, instead of showing his friend the door, chose to make
+use of it himself, he overheard the laird aforesaid ask the old lawyer
+concerning Darsie Latimer--no doubt earnestly inquiring after the
+handsome, accomplished inmate of his family, who has so lately made
+Themis his bow and declined the honour of following her farther. You
+laugh at me for my air-drawn castles; but confess, have they not surer
+footing, in general, than two words spoken by such a man as Herries?
+And yet--and yet--I would rally the matter off, Alan; but in dark nights
+even the glow-worm becomes an object of lustre, and to one plunged in
+my uncertainty and ignorance, the slightest gleam that promises
+intelligence is interesting. My life is like the subterranean river in
+the Peak of Derby, visible only where it crosses the celebrated cavern.
+I am here, and this much I know; but where I have sprung from, or
+whither my course of life is like to tend, who shall tell me? Your
+father, too, seemed interested and alarmed, and talked of writing; would
+to Heaven he may!--I send daily to the post-town for letters.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VIII
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+Thou mayst clap thy wings and crow as thou pleasest. You go in search
+of adventures, but adventures come to me unsought for; and oh! in what a
+pleasing shape came mine, since it arrived in the form of a client--and
+a fair client to boot! What think you of that, Darsie! you who are such
+a sworn squire of dames? Will this not match my adventures with thine,
+that hunt salmon on horseback, and will it not, besides, eclipse
+the history of a whole tribe of Broadbrims?--But I must proceed
+methodically.
+
+When I returned to-day from the College, I was surprised to see a broad
+grin distending the adust countenance of the faithful James Wilkinson,
+which, as the circumstance seldom happens above once a year, was matter
+of some surprise. Moreover, he had a knowing glance with his eye,
+which I should have as soon expected from a dumb-waiter--an article
+of furniture to which James, in his usual state, may be happily
+assimilated. ‘What the devil is the matter, James?’
+
+‘The devil may be in the matter, for aught I ken,’ said James, with
+another provoking grin; ‘for here has been a woman calling for you,
+Maister Alan.’
+
+‘A woman calling for me?’ said I in surprise; for you know well, that
+excepting old Aunt Peggy, who comes to dinner of a Sunday, and the
+still older Lady Bedrooket, who calls ten times a year for the
+quarterly payment of her jointure of four hundred merks, a female scarce
+approaches our threshold, as my father visits all his female clients at
+their own lodgings. James protested, however, that there had been a
+lady calling, and for me. ‘As bonny a lass as I have seen,’ added James,
+‘since I was in the Fusileers, and kept company with Peg Baxter.’ Thou
+knowest all James’s gay recollections go back to the period of his
+military service, the years he has spent in ours having probably been
+dull enough.
+
+‘Did the lady leave no name nor place of address?’
+
+‘No,’ replied James; ‘but she asked when you wad be at hame, and I
+appointed her for twelve o’clock, when the house wad be quiet, and your
+father at the Bank.’
+
+‘For shame, James! how can you think my father’s being at home or abroad
+could be of consequence?--The lady is of course a decent person?’
+
+‘I’se uphaud her that, sir--she is nane of your--WHEW’--(Here James
+supplied a blank with a low whistle)--‘but I didna ken--my maister makes
+an unco wark if a woman comes here.’
+
+I passed into my own room, not ill-pleased that my father was absent,
+notwithstanding I had thought it proper to rebuke James for having so
+contrived it, I disarranged my books, to give them the appearance of a
+graceful confusion on the table, and laying my foils (useless since your
+departure) across the mantelpiece, that the lady might see I was TAM
+MARTE QUAM MERCURIO--I endeavoured to dispose my dress so as to resemble
+an elegant morning deshabille--gave my hair the general shade of powder
+which marks the gentleman--laid my watch and seals on the table, to
+hint that I understood the value of time;--and when I had made all these
+arrangements, of which I am a little ashamed when I think of them, I had
+nothing better to do than to watch the dial-plate till the index
+pointed to noon. Five minutes elapsed, which. I allowed for variation
+of clocks--five minutes more rendered me anxious and doubtful--and five
+minutes more would have made me impatient.
+
+Laugh as thou wilt; but remember, Darsie, I was a lawyer, expecting his
+first client--a young man, how strictly bred up I need not remind you,
+expecting a private interview with a young and beautiful woman. But ere
+the third term of five minutes had elapsed, the door-bell was heard to
+tinkle low and modestly, as if touched by some timid hand.
+
+James Wilkinson, swift in nothing, is, as thou knowest, peculiarly slow
+in answering the door-bell; and I reckoned on five minutes good, ere his
+solemn step should have ascended the stair. Time enough, thought I, for
+a peep through the blinds, and was hastening to the window accordingly.
+But I reckoned without my host; for James, who had his own curiosity
+as well as I, was lying PERDU in the lobby, ready to open at the first
+tinkle; and there was, ‘This way, ma’am--Yes, ma’am--The lady, Mr.
+Alan,’ before I could get to the chair in which I proposed to be
+discovered, seated in all legal dignity. The consciousness of being
+half-caught in the act of peeping, joined to that native air of awkward
+bashfulness of which I am told the law will soon free me, kept me
+standing on the floor in some confusion; while the lady, disconcerted
+on her part, remained on the threshold of the room. James Wilkinson, who
+had his senses most about him, and was perhaps willing to prolong his
+stay in the apartment, busied himself in setting a chair for the lady,
+and recalled me to my good-breeding by the hint. I invited her to take
+possession of it, and bid James withdraw.
+
+My visitor was undeniably a lady, and probably considerably above the
+ordinary rank--very modest, too, judging from the mixture of grace and
+timidity with which she moved, and at my entreaty sat down. Her dress
+was, I should suppose, both handsome and fashionable; but it was much
+concealed by a walking-cloak of green silk, fancifully embroidered; in
+which, though heavy for the season, her person was enveloped, and which,
+moreover, was furnished with a hood.
+
+The devil take that hood, Darsie! for I was just able to distinguish
+that, pulled as it was over the face, it concealed from me, as I was
+convinced, one of the prettiest countenances I have seen, and which,
+from a sense of embarrassment, seemed to be crimsoned with a deep blush.
+I could see her complexion was beautiful--her chin finely turned--her
+lips coral--and her teeth rivals to ivory. But further the deponent
+sayeth not; for a clasp of gold, ornamented with it sapphire, closed
+the envious mantle under the incognita’s throat, and the cursed hood
+concealed entirely the upper part of the face.
+
+I ought to have spoken first, that is certain; but ere I could get my
+phrases well arranged, the young lady, rendered desperate I suppose by
+my hesitation opened the conversation herself.
+
+‘I fear I am an intruder, sir--I expected to meet an elderly gentleman.’
+
+This brought me to myself. ‘My father, madam, perhaps. But you inquired
+for Alan Fairford--my father’s name is Alexander.’
+
+‘It is Mr. Alan Fairford, undoubtedly, with whom I wished to speak,’ she
+said, with greater confusion; ‘but I was told that he was advanced in
+life.’
+
+‘Some mistake, madam, I presume, betwixt my father and myself--our
+Christian names have the same initials, though the terminations are
+different. I--I--I would esteem it a most fortunate mistake if I could
+have the honour of supplying my father’s place in anything that could be
+of service to you.’
+
+‘You are very obliging, sir,’ A pause, during which she seemed
+undetermined whether to rise or sit still.
+
+‘I am just about to be called to the bar, madam,’ said I, in hopes to
+remove her scruples to open her case to me; ‘and if my advice or opinion
+could be of the slightest use, although I cannot presume to say that
+they are much to be depended upon, yet’--
+
+The lady arose. ‘I am truly sensible of your kindness, sir; and I have
+no doubt of your talents. I will be very plain with you--it is you whom
+I came to visit; although, now that we have met, I find it will be much
+better that I should commit my communication to writing.’
+
+‘I hope, madam, you will not be so cruel--so tantalizing, I would
+say. Consider, you are my first client--your business my first
+consultation--do not do me the displeasure of withdrawing your
+confidence because I am a few years younger than you seem to have
+expected. My attention shall make amends for my want of experience.’
+
+‘I have no doubt of either,’ said the lady, in a grave tone, calculated
+to restrain the air of gallantry with which I had endeavoured to address
+her. ‘But when you have received my letter you will find good reasons
+assigned why a written communication will best suit my purpose. I wish
+you, sir, a good morning.’ And she left the apartment, her poor baffled
+counsel scraping, and bowing, and apologizing for anything that might
+have been disagreeable to her, although the front of my offence seems to
+be my having been discovered to be younger than my father.
+
+The door was opened--out she went--walked along the pavement, turned
+down the close, and put the sun, I believe, into her pocket when she
+disappeared, so suddenly did dullness and darkness sink down on the
+square, when she was no longer visible. I stood for a moment as if I
+had been senseless, not recollecting what a fund of entertainment I must
+have supplied to our watchful friends on the other side of the green.
+Then it darted on my mind that I might dog her, and ascertain at least
+who or what she was. Off I set--ran down the close, where she was no
+longer to be seen, and demanded of one of the dyer’s lads whether he had
+seen a lady go down the close, or had observed which way she turned.
+
+‘A leddy!’--said the dyer, staring at me with his rainbow countenance.
+‘Mr. Alan, what takes you out, rinning like daft, without your hat?’
+
+‘The devil take my hat!’ answered I, running back, however, in quest of
+it; snatched it up, and again sallied forth. But as I reached the head
+of the close once more, I had sense enough to recollect that all pursuit
+would be now in vain. Besides, I saw my friend, the journeyman dyer, in
+close confabulation with a pea-green personage of his own profession,
+and was conscious, like Scrub, that they talked of me, because they
+laughed consumedly. I had no mind, by a second sudden appearance, to
+confirm the report that Advocate Fairford was ‘gaen daft,’ which had
+probably spread from Campbell’s Close-foot to the Meal-market Stairs;
+and so slunk back within my own hole again.
+
+My first employment was to remove all traces of that elegant and
+fanciful disposition of my effects, from which I had hoped for so much
+credit; for I was now ashamed and angry at having thought an instant
+upon the mode of receiving a visit which had commenced so agreeably,
+but terminated in a manner so unsatisfactory. I put my folios in their
+places--threw the foils into the dressing-closet--tormenting myself all
+the while with the fruitless doubt, whether I had missed an opportunity
+or escaped a stratagem, or whether the young person had been really
+startled, as she seemed to intimate, by the extreme youth of her
+intended legal adviser. The mirror was not unnaturally called in to aid;
+and that cabinet-counsellor pronounced me rather short, thick-set,
+with a cast of features fitter, I trust, for the bar than the ball--not
+handsome enough for blushing virgins to pine for my sake, or even to
+invent sham cases to bring them to my chambers--yet not ugly enough
+either to scare those away who came on real business--dark, to be sure,
+but--NIGRI SUNT HYACINTHI--there are pretty things to be said in favour
+of that complexion.
+
+At length--as common sense will get the better in all cases when a man
+will but give it fair play--I began to stand convicted in my own mind,
+as an ass before the interview, for having expected too much--an ass
+during the interview, for having failed to extract the lady’s real
+purpose--and an especial ass, now that it was over, for thinking so much
+about it. But I can think of nothing else, and therefore I am determined
+to think of this to some good purpose.
+
+You remember Murtough O’Hara’s defence of the Catholic doctrine of
+confession; because, ‘by his soul, his sins were always a great burden
+to his mind, till he had told them to the priest; and once confessed, he
+never thought more about them.’ I have tried his receipt, therefore; and
+having poured my secret mortification into thy trusty ear, I will think
+no more about this maid of the mist,
+
+   Who, with no face, as ‘twere, outfaced me.
+
+--Four o’clock. Plague on her green mantle, she can be nothing
+better than a fairy; she keeps possession of my head yet! All during
+dinner-time I was terribly absent; but, luckily, my father gave the
+whole credit of my reverie to the abstract nature of the doctrine, VINCO
+VINCENTEM, ERGO VINCO TE; upon which brocard of law the professor this
+morning lectured. So I got an early dismissal to my own crib, and here
+am I studying, in one sense, VINCERE VINCENTEM, to get the better of
+the silly passion of curiosity--I think--I think it amounts to nothing
+else--which has taken such possession of my imagination, and is
+perpetually worrying me with the question--will she write or no? She
+will not--she will not! So says Reason, and adds, Why should she take
+the trouble to enter into correspondence with one who, instead of a
+bold, alert, prompt gallant, proved a chicken-hearted boy, and left her
+the whole awkwardness of explanation, which he should have met half-way?
+But then, says Fancy, she WILL write, for she was not a bit that sort
+of person whom you, Mr. Reason, in your wisdom, take her to be. She was
+disconcerted enough, without my adding to her distress by any impudent
+conduct on my part. And she will write, for--By Heaven, she HAS written,
+Darsie, and with a vengeance! Here is her letter, thrown into the
+kitchen by a caddie, too faithful to be bribed, either by money or
+whisky, to say more than that he received it, with sixpence, from an
+ordinary-looking woman, as he was plying on his station near the Cross.
+
+
+‘FOR ALAN FAIRFORD, ESQUIRE, BARRISTER.
+
+‘SIR,
+
+‘Excuse my mistake of to-day. I had accidentally learnt that Mr. Darsie
+Latimer had an intimate friend and associate in Mr. A. Fairford. When I
+inquired for such a person, he was pointed out to me at the Cross (as
+I think the Exchange of your city is called) in the character of a
+respectable elderly man--your father, as I now understand. On inquiry at
+Brown’s Square, where I understood he resided, I used the full name of
+Alan, which naturally occasioned you the trouble of this day’s visit.
+Upon further inquiry, I am led to believe that you are likely to be the
+person most active in the matter to which I am now about to direct your
+attention; and I regret much that circumstances, arising out of my own
+particular situation, prevent my communicating to you personally what I
+now apprise you of in this matter.
+
+‘Your friend, Mr. Darsie Latimer, is in a situation of considerable
+danger. You are doubtless aware that he has been cautioned not to trust
+himself in England. Now, if he has not absolutely transgressed this
+friendly injunction, he has at least approached as nearly to the menaced
+danger as he could do, consistently with the letter of the prohibition.
+He has chosen his abode in a neighbourhood very perilous to him; and
+it is only by a speedy return to Edinburgh, or at least by a removal to
+some more remote part of Scotland, that he can escape the machinations
+of those whose enmity he has to fear. I must speak in mystery, but my
+words are not the less certain; and, I believe, you know enough of your
+friend’s fortunes to be aware that I could not write this much without
+being even more intimate with them than you are.
+
+‘If he cannot, or will not, take the advice here given, it is my opinion
+that you should join him, if possible, without delay, and use, by
+your personal presence and entreaty, the arguments which may prove
+ineffectual in writing. One word more, and I implore of your candour to
+take it as it is meant. No one supposes that Mr. Fairford’s zeal in his
+friend’s service needs to be quickened by mercenary motives. ‘But report
+says, that Mr. Alan Fairford, not having yet entered on his professional
+career, may, in such a case as this, want the means, though he cannot
+want the inclination, to act with promptitude. The enclosed note Mr.
+Alan Fairford must be pleased to consider as his first professional
+emolument; and she who sends it hopes it will be the omen of unbounded
+success, though the fee comes from a hand so unknown as that of ‘GREEN
+MANTLE’.
+
+A bank-note of L20 was the enclosure, and the whole incident left me
+speechless with astonishment. I am not able to read over the beginning
+of my own letter, which forms the introduction to this extraordinary
+communication. I only know that, though mixed with a quantity of foolery
+(God knows very much different from my present feelings), it gives an
+account sufficiently accurate, of the mysterious person from whom this
+letter comes, and that I have neither time nor patience to separate the
+absurd commentary from the text, which it is so necessary you should
+know.
+
+Combine this warning, so strangely conveyed, with the caution impressed
+on you by your London correspondent, Griffiths, against your visiting
+England--with the character of your Laird of the Solway Lakes--with the
+lawless habits of the people on that frontier country, where warrants
+are not easily executed owing to the jealousy entertained by either
+country of the legal interference of the other; remember, that even Sir
+John Fielding said to my father that he could never trace a rogue beyond
+the Briggend of Dumfries--think that the distinctions of Whig and
+Tory, Papist and Protestant, still keep that country in a loose and
+comparatively lawless state--think of all this, my dearest Darsie, and
+remember that, while at this Mount Sharon of yours, you are residing
+with a family actually menaced with forcible interference, and who,
+while their obstinacy provokes violence, are by principle bound to
+abstain from resistance.
+
+Nay, let me tell you, professionally, that the legality of the mode of
+fishing practised by your friend Joshua is greatly doubted by our
+best lawyers; and that, if the stake-nets be considered as actually an
+unlawful obstruction raised in the channel of the estuary, an assembly
+of persons who shall proceed, VIA FACTI, to pull dawn and destroy them,
+would not, in the eye of the law, be esteemed guilty of a riot. So, by
+remaining where you are, YOU are likely to be engaged in a quarrel with
+which you have nothing to do, and thus to enable your enemies, whoever
+these may be, to execute, amid the confusion of a general hubbub,
+whatever designs they may have against your personal safety.
+Black-fishers, poachers, and smugglers are a sort of gentry that will
+not be much checked, either by your Quaker’s texts, or by your chivalry.
+If you are Don Quixote enough to lay lance in rest, in defence of those
+of the stake-net, and of the sad-coloured garment, I pronounce you but
+a lost knight; for, as I said before, I doubt if these potent redressers
+of wrongs, the justices and constables, will hold themselves warranted
+to interfere. In a word, return, my dear Amadis; the adventure of the
+Solway-nets is not reserved for your worship. Come back, and I will be
+your faithful Sancho Panza upon a more hopeful quest. We will beat
+about together, in search of this Urganda, the Unknown She of the Green
+Mantle, who can read this, the riddle of thy fate, better than wise
+Eppie of Buckhaven, [Well known in the Chap-Book, called the History of
+Buckhaven.] or Cassandra herself.
+
+I would fain trifle, Darsie; for, in debating with you, jests will
+sometimes go farther than arguments; but I am sick at heart and cannot
+keep the ball up. If you have a moment’s regard for the friendship we
+have so often vowed to each other, let my wishes for once prevail over
+your own venturous and romantic temper. I am quite serious in thinking
+that the information communicated to my father by this Mr. Herries, and
+the admonitory letter of the young lady, bear upon each other; and that,
+were you here, you might learn something from one or other, or from
+both, that; might throw light on your birth and parentage. You will not,
+surely, prefer an idle whim to the prospect which is thus held out to
+you?
+
+I would, agreeably to the hint I have received in the young lady’s
+letter (for I am confident that such is her condition), have ere now
+been with you to urge these things, instead of pouring them out upon
+paper. But you know that the day for my trials is appointed; I have
+already gone through the form of being introduced to the examinators,
+and have gotten my titles assigned me. All this should not keep me at
+home, but my father would view any irregularity upon this occasion as a
+mortal blow to the hopes which he has cherished most fondly during his
+life; viz. my being called to the bar with some credit. For my own
+part, I know there is no great difficulty in passing these formal
+examinations, else how have some of our acquaintance got through them?
+But, to my father, these formalities compose an august and serious
+solemnity, to which he has long looked forward, and my absenting myself
+at this moment would wellnigh drive him distracted. Yet I shall go
+altogether distracted myself, if I have not an instant assurance from
+you that you are hastening hither. Meanwhile I have desired Hannah to
+get your little crib into the best order possible. I cannot learn
+that my father has yet written to you; nor has he spoken more of his
+communication with Birrenswork; but when I let him have some inkling
+of the dangers you are at present incurring, I know my request that you
+will return immediately will have his cordial support.
+
+Another reason yet--I must give a dinner, as usual, upon my admission,
+to our friends; and my father, laying aside all his usual considerations
+of economy, has desired it may be in the best style possible.
+Come hither then, dear Darsie! or, I protest to you, I shall send
+examination, admission-dinner, and guests to the devil, and come, in
+person, to fetch you with a vengeance. Thine, in much anxiety, A. F.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER IX
+
+ALEXANDER FAIRFORD, W.S., TO MR. DARSIE LATIMER
+
+DEAR MR. DARSIE,
+
+Having been your FACTOR LOCO TUTORIS or rather, I ought to say, in
+correctness (since I acted without warrant from the court), your
+NEGOTIORUM GESTOR, that connexion occasions my present writing. And
+although having rendered an account of my intromissions, which have been
+regularly approved of, not only by yourself (whom I could not prevail
+upon to look at more than the docket and sum total), but also by the
+worthy Mr. Samuel Griffiths of London, being the hand through whom the
+remittances were made, I may, in some sense, be considered as to you
+FUNCTUS OFFICIO; yet to speak facetiously, I trust you will not hold me
+accountable as a vicious intromitter, should I still consider myself as
+occasionally interested in your welfare. My motives for writing, at this
+time, are twofold.
+
+I have met with a Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, a gentleman of very
+ancient descent, but who hath in time past been in difficulties, nor
+do I know if his affairs are yet well redd. Birrenswork says that he
+believes he was very familiar with your father, whom he states to have
+been called Ralph Latimer of Langcote Hall, in Westmoreland; and he
+mentioned family affairs, which it may be of the highest importance to
+you to be acquainted with; but as he seemed to decline communicating
+them to me, I could not civilly urge him thereanent. Thus much I know,
+that Mr. Herries had his own share in the late desperate and unhappy
+matter of 1745, and was in trouble about it, although that is probably
+now over. Moreover, although he did not profess the Popish religion
+openly, he had an eye that way. And both of these are reasons why I have
+hesitated to recommend him to a youth who maybe hath not altogether so
+well founded his opinions concerning Kirk and State, that they might
+not be changed by some sudden wind of doctrine. For I have observed
+ye, Master Darsie, to be rather tinctured with the old leaven of
+prelacy--this under your leave; and although God forbid that you should
+be in any manner disaffected to the Protestant Hanoverian line, yet ye
+have ever loved to hear the blawing, blazing stories which the Hieland
+gentlemen tell of those troublous times, which, if it were their will,
+they had better pretermit, as tending rather to shame than to honour.
+It is come to me also by a sidewind, as I may say, that you have been
+neighbouring more than was needful among some of the pestilent sect of
+Quakers--a people who own neither priest nor king, nor civil magistrate,
+nor the fabric of our law, and will not depone either IN CIVILIBUS
+or CRIMINALIBUS, be the loss to the lieges what it may. Anent which
+heresies, it were good ye read ‘The Snake in the Grass’ or ‘The Foot
+out of the Snare,’ being both well-approved tracts, touching these
+doctrines.
+
+Now, Mr. Darsie, ye are to judge for yourself whether ye can safely to
+your soul’s weal remain longer among these Papists and Quakers--these
+defections on the right hand, and failings away on the left; and truly
+if you can confidently resist these evil examples of doctrine, I think
+ye may as well tarry in the bounds where ye are, until you see Mr.
+Herries of Birrenswork, who does assuredly know more of your matters
+than I thought had been communicated to any man in Scotland. I would
+fain have precognosced him myself on these affairs, but found him
+unwilling to speak out, as I have partly intimated before.
+
+To call a new cause--I have the pleasure to tell you, that Alan has
+passed his private Scots Law examinations with good approbation--a great
+relief to my mind; especially as worthy Mr. Pest told me in my ear there
+was no fear of ‘the callant’, as he familiarly called him, which gives
+me great heart. His public trials, which are nothing in comparison
+save a mere form, are to take place, by order of the Honourable Dean
+of Faculty, on Wednesday first; and on Friday he puts on the gown, and
+gives a bit chack of dinner to his friends and acquaintances, as is, you
+know, the custom. Your company will be wished for there, Master Darsie,
+by more than him, which I regret to think is impossible to have, as well
+by your engagements, as that our cousin, Peter Fairford, comes from the
+West on purpose, and we have no place to offer him but your chamber
+in the wall. And, to be plain with you, after my use and wont, Master
+Darsie, it may be as well that Alan and you do not meet till he is
+hefted as it were to his new calling. You are a pleasant gentleman, and
+full of daffing, which may well become you, as you have enough (as
+I understand) to uphold your merry humour. If you regard the matter
+wisely, you would perchance consider that a man of substance should have
+a douce and staid demeanour; yet you are so far from growing grave and
+considerate with the increase of your annual income, that the richer
+you become, the merrier I think you grow. But this must be at your own
+pleasure, so far as you are concerned. Alan, however (overpassing my
+small savings), has the world to win; and louping and laughing, as you
+and he were wont to do, would soon make the powder flee out of his wig,
+and the pence out of his pocket. Nevertheless, I trust you will meet
+when you return from your rambles; for there is a time, as the wise man
+sayeth, for gathering, and a time for casting away; it is always the
+part of a man of sense to take the gathering time first. I remain,
+dear sir, your well-wishing friend; and obedient to command, ALEXANDER
+FAIRFORD.
+
+PS.--Alan’s Thesis is upon the title DE PERICULO ET COMMODO REI
+VENDITAE, and is a very pretty piece of Latinity.--Ross House, in our
+neighbourhood, is nearly finished, and is thought to excel Duff House in
+ornature.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER X
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+The plot thickens, Alan. I have your letter, and also one from your
+father. The last makes it impossible for me to comply with the kind
+request which the former urges. No--I cannot be with you, Alan; and
+that, for the best of all reasons--I cannot and ought not to counteract
+your father’s anxious wishes. I do not take it unkind of him that he
+desires my absence. It is natural that he should wish for his son
+what his son so well deserves--the advantage of a wiser and steadier
+companion than I seem to him. And yet I am sure I have often laboured
+hard enough to acquire that decency of demeanour which can no more be
+suspected of breaking bounds, than an owl of catching a butterfly.
+
+But it was in vain that I have knitted my brows till I had the headache,
+in order to acquire the reputation of a grave, solid, and well-judging
+youth. Your father always has discovered, or thought that he discovered,
+a hare-brained eccentricity lying folded among the wrinkles of my
+forehead, which rendered me a perilous associate for the future
+counsellor and ultimate judge. Well, Corporal Nym’s philosophy must
+be my comfort--‘Things must be as they may.’--I cannot come to your
+father’s house, where he wishes not to see me; and as to your coming
+hither,--by all that is dear to me, I vow that if you are guilty of such
+a piece of reckless folly--not to say undutiful cruelty, considering
+your father’s thoughts and wishes--I will never speak to you again as
+long as I live! I am perfectly serious. And besides, your father, while
+he in a manner prohibits me from returning to Edinburgh, gives me the
+strongest reasons for continuing a little while longer in this country,
+by holding out the hope that I may receive from your old friend, Mr.
+Herries of Birrenswork, some particulars concerning my origin, with
+which that ancient recusant seems to be acquainted.
+
+That gentleman mentioned the name of a family in Westmoreland, with
+which he supposes me connected. My inquiries here after such a family
+have been ineffectual, for the borderers, on either side, know little
+of each other. But I shall doubtless find some English person of whom to
+make inquiries, since the confounded fetterlock clapped on my movements
+by old Griffiths, prevents me repairing to England in person. At
+least, the prospect of obtaining some information is greater here than
+elsewhere; it will be an apology for my making a longer stay in this
+neighbourhood, a line of conduct which seems to have your father’s
+sanction, whose opinion must be sounder than that of your wandering
+damoselle.
+
+If the road were paved with dangers which leads to such a discovery, I
+cannot for a moment hesitate to tread it. But in fact there is no peril
+in the case. If the Tritons of the Solway shall proceed to pull down
+honest Joshua’s tide-nets, I am neither Quixote enough in disposition,
+nor Goliath enough in person, to attempt their protection. I have no
+idea of attempting to prop a falling house by putting my shoulders
+against it. And indeed, Joshua gave me a hint that the company which he
+belongs to, injured in the way threatened (some of them being men who
+thought after the fashion of the world), would pursue the rioters
+at law, and recover damages, in which probably his own ideas of
+non-resistance will not prevent his participating. Therefore the whole
+affair will take its course as law will, as I only mean to interfere
+when it may be necessary to direct the course of the plaintiffs to
+thy chambers; and I request they may find thee intimate with all the
+Scottish statutes concerning salmon fisheries, from the LEX AQUARUM,
+downward.
+
+As for the Lady of the Mantle, I will lay a wager that the sun so
+bedazzled thine eyes on that memorable morning, that everything thou
+didst look upon seemed green; and notwithstanding James Wilkinson’s
+experience in the Fusileers, as well as his negative whistle, I will
+venture to hold a crown that she is but a what-shall-call-’um after all.
+Let not even the gold persuade you to the contrary. She may make a shift
+to cause you to disgorge that, and (immense spoil!) a session’s fees
+to boot, if you look not all the sharper about you. Or if it should be
+otherwise, and if indeed there lurk some mystery under this visitation,
+credit me, it is one which thou canst not penetrate, nor can I as yet
+even attempt to explain it; since, if I prove mistaken, and mistaken I
+may easily be, I would be fain to creep into Phalaris’s bull, were
+it standing before me ready heated, rather than be roasted with thy
+raillery. Do not tax me with want of confidence; for the instant I can
+throw any light on the matter thou shalt have it; but while I am only
+blundering about in the dark, I do not choose to call wise folks to see
+me, perchance, break my nose against a post. So if you marvel at this,
+
+  E’en marvel on till time makes all things plain.
+
+In the meantime, kind Alan, let me proceed in my diurnal.
+
+On the third or fourth day after my arrival at Mount Sharon, Time, that
+bald sexton to whom I have just referred you, did certainly limp more
+heavily along with me than he had done at first. The quaint morality
+of Joshua, and Huguenot simplicity of his sister, began to lose much of
+their raciness with their novelty, and my mode of life, by dint of being
+very quiet, began to feel abominably dull. It was, as thou say’st, as
+if the Quakers had put the sun in their pockets--all around was soft
+and mild, and even pleasant; but there was, in the whole routine, a
+uniformity, a want of interest, a helpless and hopeless languor, which
+rendered life insipid. No doubt, my worthy host and hostess felt none
+of this void, this want of excitation, which was becoming oppressive to
+their guest. They had their little round of occupations, charities, and
+pleasures; Rachel had her poultry-yard and conservatory, and Joshua
+his garden. Besides this, they enjoyed, doubtless, their devotional
+meditations; and, on the whole, time glided softly and imperceptibly
+on with them, though to me, who long for stream and cataract, it seemed
+absolutely to stand still. I meditated returning to Shepherd’s Bush, and
+began to think, with some hankering, after little Benjie and the rod.
+The imp has ventured hither, and hovers about to catch a peep of me
+now and then; I suppose the little sharper is angling for a few more
+sixpences. But this would have been, in Joshua’s eyes, a return of the
+washed sow to wallowing in the mire, and I resolved, while I remained
+his guest, to spare him so violent a shock to his prejudices. The next
+point was, to shorten the time of my proposed stay; but, alas! that I
+felt to be equally impossible. I had named a week; and however rashly my
+promise had been pledged, it must be held sacred, even according to the
+letter, from which the Friends permit no deviation.
+
+All these considerations wrought me up to a kind of impatience yesterday
+evening; so that I snatched up my hat, and prepared for a sally beyond
+the cultivated farm and ornamented grounds of Mount Sharon, just as if
+I were desirous to escape from the realms of art, into those of free and
+unconstrained nature.
+
+I was scarcely more delighted when I first entered this peaceful
+demesne, than I now was--such is the instability and inconsistency
+of human nature!--when I escaped from it to the open downs, which had
+formerly seemed so waste and dreary, The air I breathed felt purer and
+more bracing. The clouds, riding high upon a summer breeze, drove, in
+gay succession, over my head, now obscuring the sun, now letting its
+rays stream in transient flashes upon various parts of the landscape,
+and especially upon the broad mirror of the distant Firth of Solway.
+
+I advanced on the scene with the light step of a liberated captive; and,
+like John Bunyan’s Pilgrim, could have found in my heart to sing as
+I went on my way. It seemed as if my gaiety had accumulated while
+suppressed, and that I was, in my present joyous mood, entitled to
+expend the savings of the previous week. But just as I was about to
+uplift a merry stave, I heard, to my joyful surprise, the voices of
+three or more choristers, singing, with considerable success, the lively
+old catch,
+
+  For all our men were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking:
+    There were two men of mine,
+    Three men of thine,
+  And three that belonged to old Sir Thom o’ Lyne;
+  As they went to the ferry, they were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking.’
+
+[The original of this catch is to be found in Cowley’s witty comedy of
+THE GUARDIAN, the first edition. It does not exist in the second and
+revised edition, called THE CUTTER OF COLEMAN STREET.
+
+  CAPTAIN BLADE.  Ha, ha, boys, another catch.
+             AND ALL OUR MEN ARE VERY VERY MERRY,
+             AND ALL OUR MEN WERE DRINKING.
+  CUTTER.    ONE MAN OF MINE.
+  DOGREL.    TWO MEN OF MINE.
+  BLADE.     THREE MEN OF MINE.
+  CUTTER.    AND ONE MAN OF MINE.
+  OMNES.     AS WE WENT BY THE WAY WE WERE DRUNK, DRUNK, DAMNABLY
+             DRUNK, AND ALL OUR MEN WERE VERY VERY MERRY, &c.
+
+Such are the words, which are somewhat altered and amplified in the
+text. The play was acted in presence of Charles II, then Prince of
+Wales, in 1641. The catch in the text has been happily set to music.]
+
+As the chorus ended, there followed a loud and hearty laugh by way
+of cheers. Attracted by sounds which were so congenial to my present
+feelings, I made towards the spot from which they came,--cautiously,
+however, for the downs, as had been repeatedly hinted to me, had no good
+name; and the attraction of the music, without rivalling that of the
+sirens in melody, might have been followed by similarly inconvenient
+consequences to an incautious amateur.
+
+I crept on, therefore, trusting that the sinuosities of the ground,
+broken as it was into knells and sand-pits, would permit me to obtain
+a sight of the musicians before I should be observed by them. As I
+advanced, the old ditty was again raised. The voices seemed those of a
+man and two boys; they were rough, but kept good time, and were managed
+with too much skill to belong to the ordinary country people.
+
+  Jack looked at the sun, and cried, Fire, fire, fire;
+  Tom stabled his keffel in Birkendale mire;
+  Jem started a calf, and halloo’d for a stag;
+  Will mounted a gate-post instead of his nag:
+  For all our men were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking;
+      There were two men of mine,
+      Three men of thine,
+  And three that belonged to old Sir Thom o’ Lyne;
+  As they went to the ferry, they were very very merry,
+    For all our men were drinking.
+
+The voices, as they mixed in their several parts, and ran through them,
+untwisting and again entwining all the links of the merry old catch,
+seemed to have a little touch of the bacchanalian spirit which they
+celebrated, and showed plainly that the musicians were engaged in the
+same joyous revel as the MENYIE of old Sir Thom o’ Lyne. At length I
+came within sight of them, three in number, where they sat cosily niched
+into what you might call a BUNKER, a little sand-pit, dry and snug, and
+surrounded by its banks, and a screen of whins in full bloom.
+
+The only one of the trio whom I recognized as a personal acquaintance
+was the notorious little Benjie, who, having just finished his stave,
+was cramming a huge luncheon of pie-crust into his mouth with one hand,
+while in the other he held a foaming tankard, his eyes dancing with all
+the glee of a forbidden revel; and his features, which have at all times
+a mischievous archness of expression, confessing the full sweetness of
+stolen waters, and bread eaten in secret.
+
+There was no mistaking the profession of the male and female, who were
+partners with Benjie in these merry doings. The man’s long loose-bodied
+greatcoat (wrap-rascal as the vulgar term it), the fiddle-case, with its
+straps, which lay beside him, and a small knapsack which might contain
+his few necessaries; a clear grey eye; features which, in contending
+with many a storm, had not lost a wild and, careless expression of glee,
+animated at present, when he was exercising for his own pleasure the
+arts which he usually practised for bread,--all announced one of those
+peripatetic followers of Orpheus whom the vulgar call a strolling
+fiddler. Gazing more attentively, I easily discovered that though the
+poor musician’s eyes were open, their sense was shut, and that the
+ecstasy with which he turned them up to heaven only derived its apparent
+expression from his own internal emotions, but received no assistance
+from the visible objects around. Beside him sat his female companion, in
+a man’s hat, a blue coat, which seemed also to have been an article of
+male apparel, and a red petticoat. She was cleaner, in person and in
+clothes, than such itinerants generally are; and, having been in her day
+a strapping BONA ROBA, she did not even yet neglect some attention to
+her appearance; wore a large amber necklace, and silver ear-rings, and
+had her laid fastened across her breast with a brooch of the same metal.
+
+The man also looked clean, notwithstanding the meanness of his attire,
+and had a decent silk handkerchief well knotted about his throat, under
+which peeped a clean owerlay. His beard, also, instead of displaying a
+grizzly stubble, unmowed for several days, flowed in thick and comely
+abundance over the breast, to the length of six inches, and mingled with
+his hair, which was but beginning to exhibit a touch of age. To sum up
+his appearance, the loose garment which I have described was secured
+around him by a large old-fashioned belt, with brass studs, in
+which hung a dirk, with a knife and fork, its usual accompaniments.
+Altogether, there was something more wild and adventurous-looking about
+the man than I could have expected to see in an ordinary modern crowder;
+and the bow which he now and then drew across the violin, to direct his
+little choir, was decidedly that of no ordinary performer.
+
+You must understand that many of these observations were the fruits of
+after remark; for I had scarce approached so near as to get a distinct
+view of the party, when my friend Benjie’s lurching attendant, which he
+calls by the appropriate name of Hemp, began to cock his tail and ears,
+and, sensible of my presence, flew, barking like a fury, to the place
+where I had meant to lie concealed till I heard another song. I was
+obliged, however, to jump on my feet, and intimidate Hemp, who would
+otherwise have bit me, by two sound kicks on the ribs, which sent him
+howling back to his master.
+
+Little Benjie seemed somewhat dismayed at my appearance; but,
+calculating on my placability, and remembering, perhaps, that the
+ill-used Solomon was no palfrey of mine, he speedily affected great
+glee, and almost in one breath assured the itinerants that I was ‘a
+grand gentleman, and had plenty of money, and was very kind to poor
+folk;’ and informed me that this was ‘Willie Steenson--Wandering Willie
+the best fiddler that ever kittled thairm with horse-hair.’
+
+The woman rose and curtsied; and Wandering Willie sanctioned his own
+praises with a nod, and the ejaculation, ‘All is true that the little
+boy says.’
+
+I asked him if he was of this country.
+
+‘THIS country!’ replied the blind man--‘I am of every country in broad
+Scotland, and a wee bit of England to the boot. But yet I am, in some
+sense, of this country; for I was born within hearing of the roar of
+Solway. Will I give your honour a touch of the auld bread-winner?’
+
+He preluded as he spoke, in a manner which really excited my curiosity;
+and then, taking the old tune of Galashiels for his theme, he graced
+it with a number of wild, complicated, and beautiful variations; during
+which it was wonderful to observe how his sightless face was lighted up
+under the conscious pride and heartfelt delight in the exercise of his
+own very considerable powers.
+
+‘What think you of that, now, for threescore and twa?’
+
+I expressed my surprise and pleasure.
+
+‘A rant, man--an auld rant,’ said Willie; ‘naething like the music ye
+hae in your ballhouses and your playhouses in Edinbro’; but it’s weel
+aneugh anes in a way at a dykeside. Here’s another--it’s no a Scotch
+tune, but it passes for ane--Oswald made it himsell, I reckon--he has
+cheated mony ane, but he canna cheat Wandering Willie.’
+
+He then played your favourite air of Roslin Castle, with a number of
+beautiful variations, some of which I am certain were almost extempore.
+
+‘You have another fiddle there, my friend,’ said I--‘Have you a
+comrade?’ But Willie’s ears were deaf, or his attention was still busied
+with the tune.
+
+The female replied in his stead, ‘O aye, sir--troth we have a partner--a
+gangrel body like oursells. No but my hinny might have been better if he
+had liked; for mony a bein nook in mony a braw house has been offered to
+my hinny Willie, if he wad but just bide still and play to the gentles.’
+
+‘Whisht, woman! whisht!’ said the blind man, angrily, shaking his locks;
+‘dinna deave the gentleman wi’ your havers. Stay in a house and play to
+the gentles!--strike up when my leddy pleases, and lay down the bow when
+my lord bids! Na, na, that’s nae life for Willie. Look out, Maggie--peer
+out, woman, and see if ye can see Robin coming. Deil be in him! He has
+got to the lee-side of some smuggler’s punch-bowl, and he wunna budge
+the night, I doubt.’
+
+‘That is your consort’s instrument,’ said I--’ Will you give me leave
+to try my skill?’ I slipped at the same time a shilling into the woman’s
+hand.
+
+‘I dinna ken whether I dare trust Robin’s fiddle to ye,’ said Willie,
+bluntly. His wife gave him a twitch. ‘Hout awa, Maggie,’ he said in
+contempt of the hint; ‘though the gentleman may hae gien ye siller, he
+may have nae bowhand for a’ that, and I’ll no trust Robin’s fiddle wi’
+an ignoramus. But that’s no sae muckle amiss,’ he added, as I began to
+touch the instrument; ‘I am thinking ye have some skill o’ the craft.’
+
+To confirm him in this favourable opinion, I began to execute such
+a complicated flourish as I thought must have turned Crowdero into
+a pillar of stone with envy and wonder. I scaled the top of the
+finger-board, to dive at once to the bottom--skipped with flying
+fingers, like Timotheus, from shift to shift--struck arpeggios and
+harmonic tones, but without exciting any of the astonishment which I had
+expected.
+
+Willie indeed listened to me with considerable attention; but I was no
+sooner finished, than he immediately mimicked on his own instrument
+the fantastic complication of tones which I had produced, and made so
+whimsical a parody of my performance, that, although somewhat angry, I
+could not help laughing heartily, in which I was joined by Benjie,
+whose reverence for me held him under no restraint; while the poor dame,
+fearful, doubtless, of my taking offence at this familiarity, seemed
+divided betwixt her conjugal reverence for her Willie, and her desire to
+give him a hint for his guidance.
+
+At length the old man stopped of his own accord, and, as if he had
+sufficiently rebuked me by his mimicry, he said, ‘But for a’ that, ye
+will play very weel wi’ a little practice and some gude teaching. But ye
+maun learn to put the heart into it, man--to put the heart into it.’
+
+I played an air in simpler taste, and received more decided approbation.
+
+‘That’s something like it man. Od, ye are a clever birkie!’
+
+The woman touched his coat again. ‘The gentleman is a gentleman,
+Willie--ye maunna speak that gate to him, hinnie.’
+
+‘The deevil I maunna!’ said Willie; ‘and what for maunna I?--If he was
+ten gentles, he canna draw a bow like me, can he?’
+
+‘Indeed I cannot, my honest friend,’ said I; ‘and if you will go with me
+to a house hard by, I would be glad to have a night with you.’
+
+Here I looked round, and observed Benjie smothering a laugh, which I was
+sure had mischief in it. I seized him suddenly by the ear, and made him
+confess that he was laughing at the thoughts of the reception which a
+fiddler was likely to get from the Quakers at Mount Sharon. I chucked
+him from me, not sorry that his mirth had reminded me in time of what I
+had for the moment forgotten; and invited the itinerant to go with me to
+Shepherd’s Bush, from which I proposed to send word to Mr. Geddes that
+I should not return home that evening. But the minstrel declined this
+invitation also. He was engaged for the night, he said, to a dance in
+the neighbourhood, and vented a round execration on the laziness
+or drunkenness of his comrade, who had not appeared at the place of
+rendezvous.
+
+‘I will go with you instead of him,’ said I, in a sudden whim; ‘and I
+will give you a crown to introduce me as your comrade.’
+
+‘YOU gang instead of Rob the Rambler! My certie, freend, ye are no
+blate!’ answered Wandering Willie, in a tone which announced death to my
+frolic.
+
+But Maggie, whom the offer of the crown had not escaped, began to open
+on that scent with a maundering sort of lecture. ‘Oh Willie! hinny
+Willie, whan will ye learn to be wise? There’s a crown to be win for
+naething but saying ae man’s name instead of anither. And, wae’s me! I
+hae just a shilling of this gentleman’s gieing, and a boddle of my ain;
+and ye wunna, bend your will sae muckle as to take up the siller that’s
+flung at your feet! Ye will die the death of a cadger’s powney, in a
+wreath of drift! and what can I do better than lie doun and die wi’ you?
+for ye winna let me win siller to keep either you or mysell leevin.’
+
+‘Haud your nonsense tongue, woman,’ said Willie, but less absolutely
+than before. ‘Is he a real gentleman, or ane of the player-men?’
+
+‘I’se uphaud him a real gentleman,’ said the woman.
+
+‘I’se uphaud ye ken little of the matter,’ said Willie; ‘let us see haud
+of your hand, neebor, gin ye like.
+
+I gave him my hand. He said to himself, ‘Aye, aye, here are fingers that
+have seen canny service.’ Then running his hand over my hair, my face,
+and my dress, he went on with his soliloquy; ‘Aye, aye, muisted hair,
+braidclaith o’ the best, and seenteen hundred linen on his back, at the
+least o’ it. And how do you think, my braw birkie, that you are to pass
+for a tramping fiddler?’
+
+‘My dress is plain,’ said I,--indeed I had chosen my most ordinary suit,
+out of compliment to my Quaker friends,--‘and I can easily pass for a
+young farmer out upon a frolic. Come, I will double the crown I promised
+you.’
+
+‘Damn your crowns!’ said the disinterested man of music. ‘I would like
+to have a round wi’ you, that’s certain;--but a farmer, and with a hand
+that never held pleugh-stilt or pettle, that will never do. Ye may pass
+for a trades-lad from Dumfries, or a student upon the ramble, or the
+like o’ that. But hark ye, lad; if ye expect to be ranting among the
+queans o’ lasses where ye are gaun, ye will come by the waur, I can tell
+ye; for the fishers are wild chaps, and will bide nae taunts.’
+
+I promised to be civil and cautious; and, to smooth the good woman, I
+slipped the promised piece into her hand. The acute organs of the blind
+man detected this little manoeuvre.
+
+‘Are ye at it again wi’ the siller, ye jaud? I’ll be sworn ye wad rather
+hear ae twalpenny clink against another, than have a spring from Rory
+Dall, [Blind Rorie, a famous musician according to tradition.] if
+he was-coming alive again anes errand. Gang doun the gate to Lucky
+Gregson’s and get the things ye want, and bide there till ele’en hours
+in the morn; and if you see Robin, send him on to me.’
+
+‘Am I no gaun to the ploy, then?’ said Maggie, in a disappointed tone.
+
+‘And what for should ye?’ said her lord and master; ‘to dance a’ night,
+I’se warrant, and no to be fit to walk your tae’s-length the morn, and
+we have ten Scots miles afore us? Na, na. Stable the steed, and pit your
+wife to bed, when there’s night wark to do.’
+
+‘Aweel, aweel, Willie hinnie, ye ken best; but oh, take an unco care o’
+yoursell, and mind ye haena the blessing o’ sight.’
+
+‘Your tongue gars me whiles tire of the blessing of hearing, woman,’
+replied ‘Willie, in answer to this tender exhortation.
+
+But I now put in for my interest. ‘Hollo, good folks, remember that I am
+to send the boy to Mount Sharon, and if you go to the Shepherd’s Bush,
+honest woman, how the deuce am I to guide the blind man where he is
+going? I know little or nothing of the country.’
+
+‘And ye ken mickle less of my hinnie, sir,’ replied Maggie, ‘that
+think he needs ony guiding; he’s the best guide himsell that ye’ll find
+between Criffell and Carlisle. Horse-road and foot-path, parish-road
+and kirk-road, high-road and cross-road, he kens ilka foot of ground in
+Nithsdale.’
+
+‘Aye, ye might have said in braid Scotland, gudewife,’ added the
+fiddler. ‘But gang your ways, Maggie, that’s the first wise word ye hae
+spoke the day. I wish it was dark night, and rain, and wind, for the
+gentleman’s sake, that I might show him there is whiles when ane had
+better want een than have them; for I am as true a guide by darkness as
+by daylight.’
+
+Internally as well pleased that my companion was not put to give me this
+last proof of his skill, I wrote a note with a pencil, desiring Samuel
+to bring my horses at midnight, when I thought my frolic would be
+wellnigh over, to the place to which the bearer should direct him, and I
+sent little Benjie with an apology to the worthy Quakers.
+
+As we parted in different directions, the good woman said, ‘Oh, sir, if
+ye wad but ask Willie to tell ye ane of his tales to shorten the gate!
+He can speak like ony minister frae the pu’pit, and he might have been a
+minister himsell, but’--
+
+‘Haud your tongue, ye fule!’ said Willie,--‘But stay, Meg--gie me
+a kiss, ne maunna part in anger, neither.’--And thus our society
+separated.
+
+[It is certain that in many cases the blind have, by constant exercise
+of their other organs, learned to overcome a defect which one would
+think incapable of being supplied. Every reader must remember the
+celebrated Blind Jack of Knaresborough, who lived by laying out roads.]
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XI
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+You are now to conceive us proceeding in our different directions across
+the bare downs. Yonder flies little Benjie to the northward with Hemp
+scampering at his heels, both running as if for dear life so long as the
+rogue is within sight of his employer, and certain to take the walk very
+easy so soon as he is out of ken. Stepping westward, you see Maggie’s
+tall form and high-crowned hat, relieved by the fluttering of her plaid
+upon the left shoulder, darkening as the distance diminishes her size
+and as the level sunbeams begin to sink upon the sea. She is taking her
+quiet journey to the Shepherd’s Bush.
+
+Then, stoutly striding over the lea, you have a full view of Darsie
+Latimer, with his new acquaintance, Wandering Willie, who, bating that
+he touched the ground now and then with his staff, not in a doubtful
+groping manner, but with the confident air of an experienced pilot,
+heaving the lead when he has the soundings by heart, walks as firmly and
+boldly as if he possessed the eyes of Argus. There they go, each with
+his violin slung at his back, but one of them at least totally ignorant
+whither their course is directed.
+
+And wherefore did you enter so keenly into such a mad frolic? says
+my wise counsellor.--Why, I think, upon the whole, that as a sense of
+loneliness, and a longing for that kindness which is interchanged in
+society, led me to take up my temporary residence at Mount Sharon, the
+monotony of my life there, the quiet simplicity of the conversation of
+the Geddeses, and the uniformity of their amusements and employments,
+wearied out my impatient temper, and prepared me for the first escapade
+which chance might throw in my way.
+
+What would I have given that I could have procured that solemn grave
+visage of thine, to dignify this joke, as it has done full many a one of
+thine own! Thou hast so happy a knack of doing the most foolish things
+in the wisest manner, that thou mightst pass thy extravagances for
+rational actions, even in the eyes of Prudence herself.
+
+From the direction which my guide observed, I began to suspect that the
+dell at Brokenburn was our probable destination; and it became important
+to me to consider whether I could, with propriety, or even perfect
+safety, intrude myself again upon the hospitality of my former host. I
+therefore asked Willie whether we were bound for the laird’s, as folk
+called him.
+
+‘Do ye ken the laird?’ said Willie, interrupting a sonata of Corelli, of
+which he had whistled several bars with great precision.
+
+‘I know the laird a little,’ said I; ‘and therefore I was doubting
+whether I ought to go to his town in disguise.’
+
+‘I should doubt, not a little only, but a great deal, before I took ye
+there, my chap,’ said Wandering Willie; ‘for I am thinking it wad be
+worth little less than broken banes baith to you and me. Na, na,
+chap, we are no ganging to the laird’s, but to a blithe birling at the
+Brokenburn-foot, where there will be mony a braw lad and lass; and
+maybe there may be some of the laird’s folks, for he never comes to sic
+splores himsell. He is all for fowling-piece and salmon-spear, now that
+pike and musket are out of the question.’
+
+‘He has been at soldier, then?’ said I.
+
+‘I’se warrant him a soger,’ answered Willie; ‘but take my advice, and
+speer as little about him as he does about you. Best to let sleeping
+dogs lie. Better say naething about the laird, my man, and tell me
+instead, what sort of a chap ye are that are sae ready to cleik in with
+an auld gaberlunzie fiddler? Maggie says ye’re gentle, but a shilling
+maks a’ the difference that Maggie kens between a gentle and a semple,
+and your crowns wad mak ye a prince of the blood in her een. But I am
+ane that ken full weel that ye may wear good claithes, and have a saft
+hand, and yet that may come of idleness as weel as gentrice.’
+
+I told him my name, with the same addition I had formerly given to
+Mr. Joshua Geddes; that I was a law-student, tired of my studies, and
+rambling about for exercise and amusement.
+
+‘And are ye in the wont of drawing up wi’ a’ the gangrel bodies that
+ye meet on the high-road, or find cowering in a sand-bunker upon the
+links?’ demanded Willie.
+
+‘Oh, no; only with honest folks like yourself, Willie,’ was my reply.
+
+‘Honest folks like me! How do ye ken whether I am honest, or what I am?
+I may be the deevil himsell for what ye ken; for he has power to come
+disguised like an angel of light; and besides he is a prime fiddler. He
+played a sonata to Corelli, ye ken.’
+
+There was something odd in this speech, and the tone in which it was
+said. It seemed as if my companion was not always in his constant mind,
+or that he was willing to try if he could frighten me. I laughed at the
+extravagance of his language, however, and asked him in reply, if he
+was fool enough to believe that the foul fiend would play so silly a
+masquerade.
+
+‘Ye ken little about it--little about it,’ said the old man, shaking his
+head and beard, and knitting his brows, ‘I could tell ye something about
+that.’
+
+What his wife mentioned of his being a tale-teller, as well as
+a musician, now occurred to me; and as you know I like tales of
+superstition, I begged to have a specimen of his talent as we went
+along.
+
+‘It is very true,’ said the blind man, ‘that when I am tired of scraping
+thairm or singing ballants, I whiles mak a tale serve the turn among
+the country bodies; and I have some fearsome anes, that make the auld
+carlines shake on the settle, and the bits o’ bairns skirl on their
+minnies out frae their beds. But this that I am gaun to tell you was
+a thing that befell in our ain house in my father’s time--that is, my
+father was then a hafflins callant; and I tell it to you that it may be
+a lesson to you, that are but a young, thoughtless chap, wha ye draw up
+wi’ on a lonely road; for muckle was the dool and care that came o’t to
+my gudesire.’
+
+He commenced his tale accordingly, in a distinct narrative tone of voice
+which he raised and depressed with considerable skill; at times sinking
+almost into a whisper, and turning his clear but sightless eyeballs upon
+my face, as if it had been possible for him to witness the impression
+which his narrative made upon my features. I will not spare you a
+syllable of it, although it be of the longest; so I make a dash--and
+begin
+
+WANDERING WILLIE’S TALE.
+
+Ye maun have heard of Sir Robert Redgauntlet of that Ilk, who lived in
+these parts before the dear years. The country will lang mind him; and
+our fathers used to draw breath thick if ever they heard him named. He
+was out wi’ the Hielandmen in Montrose’s time; and again he was in the
+hills wi’ Glencairn in the saxteen hundred and fifty-twa; and sae when
+King Charles the Second came in, wha was in sic favour as the Laird of
+Redgauntlet? He was knighted at Lonon court, wi’ the king’s ain sword;
+and being a redhot prelatist, he came down here, rampauging like a lion,
+with commissions of lieutenancy (and of lunacy, for what I ken) to put
+down a’ the Whigs and Covenanters in the country. Wild wark they made of
+it; for the Whigs were as dour as the Cavaliers were fierce, and it was
+which should first tire the other. Redgauntlet was ay for the strong
+hand; and his name is kend as wide in the country as Claverhouse’s or
+Tam Dalyell’s. Glen, nor dargle, nor mountain, nor cave, could hide the
+puir hill-folk when Redgauntlet was out with bugle and bloodhound after
+them, as if they had been sae mony deer. And troth when they fand them,
+they didna mak muckle mair ceremony than a Hielandman wi’ a
+roebuck--it was just, ‘Will ye tak the test?’--if not, ‘Make
+ready--present--fire!’--and there lay the recusant.
+
+Far and wide was Sir Robert hated and feared. Men thought he had a
+direct compact with Satan--that he was proof against steel--and that
+bullets happed aff his buff-coat like hailstanes from a hearth--that
+he had a mear that would turn a hare on the side of Carrifra-gawns [A
+precipitous side of a mountain in Moffatdale.]--and muckle to the same
+purpose, of whilk mair anon. The best blessing they wared on him was,
+‘Deil scowp wi’ Redgauntlet!’ He wasna a bad master to his ain folk,
+though, and was weel aneugh liked by his tenants; and as for the lackies
+and troopers that raid out wi’ him to the persecutions, as the Whigs
+caa’d those killing times, they wad hae drunken themsells blind to his
+health at ony time.
+
+Now you are to ken that my gudesire lived on Redgauntlet’s grund--they
+ca’ the place Primrose Knowe. We had lived on the grund, and under the
+Redgauntlets, since the riding days, and lang before. It was a pleasant
+bit; and I think the air is callerer and fresher there than onywhere
+else in the country. It’s a’ deserted now; and I sat on the broken
+door-cheek three days since, and was glad I couldna see the plight the
+place was in; but that’s a’ wide o’ the mark. There dwelt my gudesire,
+Steenie Steenson, a rambling, rattling chiel’ he had been in his young
+days, and could play weel on the pipes; he was famous at ‘Hoopers and
+Girders’--a’ Cumberland couldna, touch him at ‘Jockie Lattin’--and he
+had the finest finger for the back-lilt between Berwick and Carlisle.
+The like o’ Steenie wasna the sort that they made Whigs o’. And so he
+became a Tory, as they ca’ it, which we now ca’ Jacobites, just out of a
+kind of needcessity, that he might belang to some side or other. He had
+nae ill will to the Whig bodies, and liked little to see the blude rin,
+though, being obliged to follow Sir Robert in hunting and hoisting,
+watching and warding, he saw muckle mischief, and maybe did some, that
+he couldna avoid.
+
+Now Steenie was a kind of favourite with his master, and kend a’ the
+folks about the castle, and was often sent for to play the pipes when
+they were at their merriment. Auld Dougal MacCallum, the butler, that
+had followed Sir Robert through gude and ill, thick and thin, pool and
+stream, was specially fond of the pipes, and ay gae my gudesire his gude
+word wi’ the laird; for Dougal could turn his master round his finger.
+
+Weel, round came the Revolution, and it had like to have broken
+the hearts baith of Dougal and his master. But the change was not
+a’thegether sae great as they feared, and other folk thought for. The
+Whigs made an unco crawing what they wad do with their auld enemies, and
+in special wi’ Sir Robert Redgauntlet. But there were ower mony great
+folks dipped in the same doings, to mak a spick and span new warld. So
+Parliament passed it a’ ower easy; and Sir Robert, bating that he was
+held to hunting foxes instead of Covenanters, remained just the man he
+was. [The caution and moderation of King William III, and his principles
+of unlimited toleration, deprived the Cameronians of the opportunity
+they ardently desired, to retaliate the injuries which they had received
+during the reign of prelacy, and purify the land, as they called it,
+from the pollution of blood. They esteemed the Revolution, therefore,
+only a half measure, which neither comprehended the rebuilding the Kirk
+in its full splendour, nor the revenge of the death of the Saints on
+their persecutors.] His revel was as loud, and his hall as weel
+lighted, as ever it had been, though maybe he lacked the fines of the
+nonconformists, that used to come to stock his larder and cellar; for it
+is certain he began to be keener about the rents than his tenants used
+to find him before, and they behoved to be prompt to the rent-day,
+or else the laird wasna pleased. And he was sic an awsome body, that
+naebody cared to anger him; for the oaths he swore, and the rage that he
+used to get into, and the looks that he put on, made men sometimes think
+him a devil incarnate.
+
+Weel, my gudesire was nae manager--no that he was a very great
+misguider--but he hadna the saving gift, and he got twa terms’ rent in
+arrear. He got the first brash at Whitsunday put ower wi’ fair word
+and piping; but when Martinmas came, there was a summons from the
+grund-officer to come wi’ the rent on a day preceese, or else Steenie
+behoved to flit. Sair wark he had to get the siller; but he was
+weel-freended, and at last he got the haill scraped thegether--a
+thousand merks--the maist of it was from a neighbour they ca’d Laurie
+Lapraik--a sly tod. Laurie had walth o’ gear--could hunt wi’ the hound
+and rin wi’ the hare--and be Whig or Tory, saunt or sinner, as the wind
+stood. He was a professor in this Revolution warld, but he liked an orra
+sough of this warld, and a tune on the pipes weel aneugh at a bytime;
+and abune a’, he thought he had gude security for the siller he lent my
+gudesire ower the stocking at Primrose Knowe.
+
+Away trots my gudesire to Redgauntlet Castle wi’ a heavy purse and a
+light heart, glad to be out of the laird’s danger. Weel, the first thing
+he learned at the castle was, that Sir Robert had fretted himsell into
+a fit of the gout, because he did not appear before twelve’ o’clock. It
+wasna a’thegether for sake of the money, Dougal thought; but because he
+didna like to part wi’ my gudesire aff the grund. Dougal was glad to see
+Steenie, and brought him into the great oak parlour, and there sat
+the laird his leesome lane, excepting that he had beside him a great,
+ill-favoured jackanape, that was a special pet of his; a cankered beast
+it was, and mony an ill-natured trick it played--ill to please it was,
+and easily angered--ran about the haill castle, chattering and yowling,
+and pinching, and biting folk, specially before ill weather, or
+disturbances in the state. Sir Robert caa’d it Major Weir, after the
+warlock that was burnt; [A celebrated wizard, executed at Edinburgh for
+sorcery and other crimes.] and few folk liked either the name or the
+conditions of the creature--they thought there was something in it by
+ordinar--and my gudesire was not just easy in mind when the door shut
+on him, and he saw himself in the room wi’ naebody but the laird, Dougal
+MacCallum, and the major, a thing that hadna chanced to him before.
+
+Sir Robert sat, or, I should say, lay, in a great armed chair, wi’ his
+grand velvet gown, and his feet on a cradle; for he had baith gout and
+gravel, and his face looked as gash and ghastly as Satan’s. Major Weir
+sat opposite to him, in a red laced coat, and the laird’s wig on his
+head; and ay as Sir Robert girned wi’ pain, the jackanape girned too,
+like a sheep’s-head between a pair of tangs--an ill-faur’d, fearsome
+couple they were. The laird’s buff-coat was hung on a pin behind him,
+and his broadsword and his pistols within reach; for he keepit up the
+auld fashion of having the weapons ready, and a horse saddled day and
+night, just as he used to do when he was able to loup on horseback, and
+away after ony of the hill-folk he could get speerings of. Some said it
+was for fear of the Whigs taking vengeance, but I judge it was just his
+auld custom--he wasna, gien to fear onything. The rental-book, wi’
+its black cover and brass clasps, was lying beside him; and a book of
+sculduddry sangs was put betwixt the leaves, to keep it open at the
+place where it bore evidence against the Goodman of Primrose Knowe, as
+behind the hand with his mails and duties. Sir Robert gave my gudesire
+a look, as if he would have withered his heart in his bosom. Ye maun ken
+he had a way of bending his brows, that men saw the visible mark of a
+horseshoe in his forehead, deep dinted, as if it had been stamped there.
+
+‘Are ye come light-handed, ye son of a toom whistle?’ said Sir Robert.
+‘Zounds! if you are’--
+
+My gudesire, with as gude acountenance as he could put on, made a leg,
+and placed the bag of money on the table wi’ a dash, like a man that
+does something clever. The laird drew it to him hastily--‘Is it all
+here, Steenie, man?’
+
+‘Your honour will find it right,’ said my gudesire.
+
+‘Here, Dougal,’ said the laird, ‘gie Steenie a tass of brandy
+downstairs, till I count the siller and write the receipt.’
+
+But they werena weel out of the room, when Sir Robert gied a
+yelloch that garr’d the castle rock. Back ran Dougal--in flew the
+livery-men--yell on yell gied the laird, ilk ane mair awfu’ than the
+ither. My gudesire knew not whether to stand or flee, but he ventured
+back into the parlour, where a’ was gaun hirdy-girdie--naebody to say
+‘come in,’ or ‘gae out.’ Terribly the laird roared for cauld water to
+his feet, and wine to cool his throat; and Hell, hell, hell, and its
+flames, was ay the word in his mouth. They brought him water, and when
+they plunged his swollen feet into the tub, he cried out it was burning;
+and folk say that it DID bubble and sparkle like a seething cauldron. He
+flung the cup at Dougal’s head, and said he had given him blood instead
+of burgundy; and, sure aneugh, the lass washed clotted blood aff the
+carpet; the neist day. The jackanape they caa’d Major Weir, it jibbered
+and cried as if it was mocking its master; my gudesire’s head was like
+to turn--he forgot baith siller and receipt, and downstairs he
+banged; but as he ran, the shrieks came faint and fainter; there was a
+deep-drawn shivering groan, and word gaed through the castle that the
+laird was dead.
+
+Weel, away came my gudesire, wi’ his finger in his mouth, and his best
+hope was that Dougal had seen the money-bag, and heard the laird
+speak of writing the receipt. The young laird, now Sir John, came from
+Edinburgh, to see things put to rights. Sir John and his father never
+gree’d weel. Sir John had been bred an advocate, and afterwards sat in
+the last Scots Parliament and voted for the Union, having gotten, it was
+thought, a rug of the compensations--if his father could have come out
+of his grave, he would have brained him for it on his awn hearthstane.
+Some thought it was easier counting with the auld rough knight than the
+fair-spoken young ane--but mair of that anon.
+
+Dougal MacCallum, poor body, neither grat nor grained, but gaed about
+the house looking like a corpse, but directing, as was his duty, a’
+the order of the grand funeral. Now Dougal looked ay waur and waur when
+night was coming, and was ay the last to gang to his bed, whilk was in
+a little round just opposite the chamber of dais, whilk his master
+occupied while he was living, and where he now lay in state, as they
+caa’d it, weel-a-day! The night before the funeral, Dougal could keep
+his awn counsel nae langer; he came doun with his proud spirit, and
+fairly asked auld Hutcheon to sit in his room with him for an hour. When
+they were in the round, Dougal took ae tass of brandy to himsell, and
+gave another to Hutcheon, and wished him all health and lang life, and
+said that, for himsell, he wasna lang for this world; for that, every
+night since Sir Robert’s death, his silver call had sounded from the
+state chamber, just as it used to do at nights in his lifetime, to call
+Dougal to help to turn him in his bed. Dougal said that being alone
+with the dead on that floor of the tower (for naebody cared to wake Sir
+Robert Redgauntlet like another corpse) he had never daured to answer
+the call, but that now his conscience checked him for neglecting his
+duty; for, ‘though death breaks service,’ said MacCallum, ‘it shall
+never break my service to Sir Robert; and I will answer his next
+whistle, so be you will stand by me, Hutcheon.’
+
+Hutcheon had nae will to the wark, but he had stood by Dougal in battle
+and broil, and he wad not fail him at this pinch; so down the carles
+sat ower a stoup of brandy, and Hutcheon, who was something of a clerk,
+would have read a chapter of the Bible; but Dougal would hear naething
+but a blaud of Davie Lindsay, whilk was the waur preparation.
+
+When midnight came, and the house was quiet as the grave, sure enough
+the silver whistle sounded as sharp and shrill as if Sir Robert was
+blowing it, and up got the twa auld serving-men, and tottered into the
+room where the dead man lay. Hutcheon saw aneugh at the first glance;
+for there were torches in the room, which showed him the foul fiend, in
+his ain shape, sitting on the laird’s coffin! Ower he cowped as if he
+had been dead. He could not tell how lang he lay in a trance at the
+door, but when he gathered himself, he cried on his neighbour, and
+getting nae answer, raised the house, when Dougal was found lying dead
+within twa steps of the bed where his master’s coffin was placed. As for
+the whistle, it was gaen anes and ay; but mony a time was it heard at
+the top of the house on the bartizan, and amang the auld chimneys and
+turrets where the howlets have their nests. Sir John hushed the matter
+up, and the funeral passed over without mair bogle-wark.
+
+But when a’ was ower, and the laird was beginning to settle his affairs,
+every tenant was called up for his arrears, and my gudesire for the full
+sum that stood against him in the rental-book. Weel, away he trots to
+the castle, to tell his story, and there he is introduced to Sir John,
+sitting in his father’s chair, in deep mourning, with weepers and
+hanging cravat, and a small wallring rapier by his side, instead of the
+auld broadsword that had a hundredweight of steel about it, what with
+blade, chape, and basket-hilt. I have heard their communing so often
+tauld ower, that I almost think I was there mysell, though I couldna
+be born at the time. (In fact, Alan, my companion mimicked, with a
+good deal of humour, the flattering, conciliating tone of the tenant’s
+address, and the hypocritical melancholy of the laird’s reply. His
+grandfather, he said, had, while he spoke, his eye fixed on the
+rental-book, as if it were a mastiff-dog that he was afraid would spring
+up and bite him).
+
+‘I wuss ye joy, sir, of the head seat, and the white loaf, and the braid
+lairdship. Your father was a kind man to friends and followers; muckle
+grace to you, Sir John, to fill his shoon--his boots, I suld say, for he
+seldom wore shoon, unless it were muils when he had the gout.’
+
+‘Aye, Steenie,’ quoth the laird, sighing deeply, and putting his
+napkin to his een, ‘his was a sudden call, and he will be missed in the
+country; no time to set his house in order--weel prepared Godward, no
+doubt, which is the root of the matter--but left us behind a tangled
+heap to wind, Steenie.--Hem! hem! We maun go to business, Steenie; much
+to do, and little time to do it in.’
+
+Here he opened the fatal volume. I have heard of a thing they call
+Doomsday Book--I am clear it has been a rental of back-ganging tenants.
+
+‘Stephen,’ said Sir John, still in the same soft, sleekit tone of
+voice--‘Stephen Stevenson, or Steenson, ye are down here for a year’s
+rent behind the hand--due at last term.’
+
+STEPHEN. ‘Please your honour, Sir John, I paid it to your father.’
+
+SIR JOHN. ‘Ye took a receipt, then, doubtless, Stephen; and can produce
+it?’
+
+STEPHEN. ‘Indeed I hadna time, an it like your honour; for nae sooner
+had I set doun the siller, and just as his honour, Sir Robert, that’s
+gaen, drew it till him to count it, and write out the receipt, he was
+ta’en wi’ the pains that removed him.’
+
+‘That was unlucky,’ said Sir John, after a pause. ‘But ye maybe paid
+it in the presence of somebody, I want but a TALIS QUALIS evidence,
+Stephen. I would go ower strictly to work with no poor man.’
+
+STEPHEN. ‘Troth, Sir John, there was naebody in the room but Dougal
+MacCallum the butler. But, as your honour kens, he has e’en followed his
+auld master.
+
+‘Very unlucky again, Stephen,’ said Sir John, without altering his voice
+a single note. ‘The man to whom ye paid the money is dead--and the man
+who witnessed the payment is dead too--and the siller, which should have
+been to the fore, is neither seen nor heard tell of in the repositories.
+How am I to believe a’ this?’
+
+STEPHEN. ‘I dinna, ken, your honour; but there is a bit memorandum
+note of the very coins; for, God help me! I had to borrow out of twenty
+purses; and I am sure that ilka man there set down will take his grit
+oath for what purpose I borrowed the money.’
+
+SIR JOHN. ‘I have little doubt ye BORROWED the money, Steenie. It is the
+PAYMENT to my father that I want to have some proof of.’
+
+STEPHEN. ‘The siller maun be about the house, Sir John. And since your
+honour never got it, and his honour that was canna have taen it wi’ him,
+maybe some of the family may have seen it.’
+
+SIR JOHN. ‘We will examine the servants, Stephen; that is but
+reasonable.’
+
+But lackey and lass, and page and groom, all denied stoutly that they
+had ever seen such a bag of money as my gudesire described. What was
+waur, he had unluckily not mentioned to any living soul of them his
+purpose of paying his rent. Ae quean had noticed something under his
+arm, but she took it for the pipes.
+
+Sir John Redgauntlet ordered the servants out of the room, and then said
+to my gudesire, ‘Now, Steenie, ye see ye have fair play; and, as I have
+little doubt ye ken better where to find the siller than ony other body,
+I beg, in fair terms, and for your own sake, that you will end this
+fasherie; for, Stephen, ye maun pay or flit.’
+
+‘The Lord forgie your opinion,’ said Stephen, driven almost to his wit’s
+end--‘I am an honest man.’
+
+‘So am I, Stephen,’ said his honour; ‘and so are all the folks in the
+house, I hope. But if there be a knave amongst us, it must be he that
+tells the story he cannot prove.’ He paused, and then added, mair
+sternly, ‘If I understand your trick, sir, you want to take advantage
+of some malicious reports concerning things in this family, and
+particularly respecting my father’s sudden death, thereby to cheat me
+out of the money, and perhaps take away my character, by insinuating
+that I have received the rent I am demanding. Where do you suppose this
+money to be? I insist upon knowing.’
+
+My gudesire saw everything look so muckle against him, that he grew
+nearly desperate--however, he shifted from one foot to another, looked
+to every corner of the room, and made no answer.
+
+‘Speak out, sirrah,’ said the laird, assuming a look of his father’s, a
+very particular ane, which he had when he was angry--it seemed as if the
+wrinkles of his frown made that selfsame fearful shape of a horse’s
+shoe in the middle of his brow;--‘Speak out, sir! I WILL know your
+thoughts;--do you suppose that I have this money?’
+
+‘Far be it frae me to say so,’ said Stephen.
+
+‘Do you charge any of my people with having taken it?’
+
+‘I wad be laith to charge them that may be innocent,’ said my gudesire;
+‘and if there be any one that is guilty, I have nae proof.’
+
+‘Somewhere the money must be, if there is a word of truth in your
+story,’ said Sir John; ‘I ask where you think it is--and demand a
+correct answer?’
+
+‘In HELL, if you will have my thoughts of it,’ said my gudesire, driven
+to extremity, ‘in hell! with your father, his jackanape, and his silver
+whistle.’
+
+Down the stairs he ran (for the parlour was nae place for him after such
+a word) and he heard the laird swearing blood and wounds behind him,
+as fast; as ever did Sir Robert, and roaring for the bailie and the
+baron-officer.
+
+Away rode my gudesire to his chief creditor (him they ca’d Laurie
+Lapraik) to try if he could make onything out of him; but when he tauld
+his story, he got but the worst word in his wame--thief, beggar, and
+dyvour, were the saftest terms; and to the boot of these hard terms,
+Laurie brought up the auld story of his dipping his hand in the blood
+of God’s saunts, just as if a tenant could have helped riding with the
+laird, and that a laird like Sir Robert Redgauntlet. My gudesire was, by
+this time, far beyond the bounds of patience, and, while he and
+Laurie were at deil speed the liars, he was wanchancie aneugh to abuse
+Lapraik’s doctrine as weel as the man, ond said things that garr’d
+folks’ flesh grue that heard them;--he wasna just himsell, and he had
+lived wi’ a wild set in his day.
+
+At last they parted, and my gudesire was to ride hame through the wood
+of Pitmurkie, that is a’ fou of black firs, as they say.--I ken the
+wood, but the firs may be black or white for what I can tell.--At the
+entry of the wood there is a wild common, and on the edge of the common,
+a little lonely change-house, that was keepit then by an ostler-wife,
+they suld hae caa’d her Tibbie Faw, and there puir Steenie cried for a
+mutchkin of brandy, for he had had no refreshment the haill day. Tibbie
+was earnest wi’ him to take a bite of meat, but he couldna think o’t,
+nor would he take his foot out of the stirrup, and took off the brandy
+wholely at twa draughts, and named a toast at each:--the first was the
+memory of Sir Robert Redgauntlet, and might he never lie quiet in his
+grave till he had righted his poor bond-tenant; and the second was a
+health to Man’s Enemy, if he would but get him back the pock of siller
+or tell him what came o’t, for he saw the haill world was like to regard
+him as a thief and a cheat, and he took that waur than even the ruin of
+his house and hauld.
+
+On he rode, little caring where. It was a dark night turned, and the
+trees made it yet darker, and he let the beast take its ain road through
+the wood; when all of a sudden, from tired and wearied that it was
+before, the nag began to spring and flee, and stend, that my gudesire
+could hardly keep the saddle. Upon the whilk, a horseman, suddenly
+riding up beside him, said, ‘That’s a mettle beast of yours, freend;
+will you sell him?’ So saying, he touched the horse’s neck with his
+riding-wand, and it fell into its auld heigh-ho of a stumbling trot.
+‘But his spunk’s soon out of him, I think,’ continued the stranger, ‘and
+that is like mony a man’s courage, that thinks he wad do great things
+till he come to the proof.’
+
+My gudesire scarce listened to this, but spurred his horse, with ‘Gude
+e’en to you, freend.’
+
+But it’s like the stranger was ane that doesna lightly yield his point;
+for, ride as Steenie liked, he was ay beside him at the selfsame pace.
+At last my gudesire, Steenie Steenson, grew half angry, and, to say the
+truth, half feared.
+
+‘What is it that ye want with me, freend?’ he said. ‘If ye be a robber,
+I have nae money; if ye be a leal man, wanting company, I have nae heart
+to mirth or speaking; and if ye want to ken the road, I scarce ken it
+mysell.’
+
+‘If you will tell me your grief,’ said the stranger, ‘I am one that,
+though I have been sair miscaa’d in the world, am the only hand for
+helping my freends.’
+
+So my gudesire, to ease his ain heart, mair than from any hope of help,
+told him the story from beginning to end.
+
+‘It’s a hard pinch,’ said the stranger; ‘but I think I can help you.’
+
+‘If you could lend the money, sir, and take a lang day--I ken nae other
+help on earth,’ said my gudesire.
+
+‘But there may be some under the earth,’ said the stranger. ‘Come, I’ll
+be frank wi’ you; I could lend you the money on bond, but you would
+maybe scruple my terms. Now, I can tell you, that your auld laird is
+disturbed in his grave by your curses, and the wailing of your family,
+and if ye daur venture to go to see him, he will give you the receipt.’
+
+My gudesire’s hair stood on end at this proposal, but he thought his
+companion might be some humoursome chield that was trying to frighten
+him, and might end with lending him the money. Besides, he was bauld wi’
+brandy, and desperate wi’ distress; and he said he had courage to go
+to the gate of hell, and a step farther, for that receipt. The stranger
+laughed.
+
+Weel, they rode on through the thickest of the wood, when, all of a
+sudden, the horse stopped at the door of a great house; and, but that he
+knew the place was ten miles off, my father would have thought he was
+at Redgauntlet Castle. They rode into the outer courtyard, through the
+muckle faulding yetts and aneath the auld portcullis; and the whole
+front of the house was lighted, and there were pipes and fiddles, and
+as much dancing and deray within as used to be at Sir Robert’s house at
+Pace and Yule, and such high seasons. They lap off, and my gudesire, as
+seemed to him, fastened his horse to the very ring he had tied him to
+that morning, when he gaed to wait on the young Sir John.
+
+‘God!’ said my gudesire, ‘if Sir Robert’s death be but a dream!’
+
+He knocked at the ha’ door just as he was wont, and his auld
+acquaintance, Dougal MacCallum--just after his wont, too,--came to open
+the door, and said, ‘Piper Steenie, are ye there, lad? Sir Robert has
+been crying for you.’
+
+My gudesire was like a man in a dream--he looked for the stranger, but
+he was gane for the time. At last he just tried to say, ‘Ha! Dougal
+Driveower, are ye living? I thought ye had been dead.’
+
+‘Never fash yoursell wi’ me,’ said Dougal, ‘but look to yoursell; and
+see ye tak naethlng frae ony body here, neither meat, drink, or siller,
+except just the receipt that is your ain.’
+
+So saying, he led the way out through halls and trances that were weel
+kend to my gudesire, and into the auld oak parlour; and there was as
+much singing of profane sangs, and birling of red wine, and speaking
+blasphemy and sculduddry, as had ever been in Redgauntlet Castle when it
+was at the blithest.
+
+But, Lord take us in keeping, what a set of ghastly revellers they were
+that sat around that table! My gudesire kend mony that had long before
+gane to their place, for often had he piped to the most part in the
+hall of Redgauntlet. There was the fierce Middleton, and the dissolute
+Rothes, and the crafty Lauderdale; and Dalyell, with his bald head and
+a beard to his girdle; and Earlshall, with Cameron’s blude on his hand;
+and wild Bonshaw, that tied blessed Mr. Cargill’s limbs till the blude
+sprung; and Dunbarton Douglas, the twice-turned traitor baith to country
+and king. There was the Bluidy Advocate MacKenyie, who, for his worldly
+wit and wisdom had been to the rest as a god. And there was Claverhouse,
+as beautiful as when he lived, with his long, dark, curled locks
+streaming down over his laced buff-coat, and his left hand always on his
+right spule-blade, to hide the wound that the silver bullet had made.
+[See Note 2.] He sat apart from them all, and looked at them with a
+melancholy, haughty countenance; while the rest hallooed, and sang, and
+laughed, that the room rang. But their smiles were fearfully contorted
+from time to time; and their laugh passed into such wild sounds as made
+my gudesire’s very nails grow blue, and chilled the marrow in his banes.
+
+They that waited at the table were just the wicked serving-men and
+troopers, that had done their work and cruel bidding on earth. There
+was the Lang Lad of the Nethertown, that helped to take Argyle; and
+the bishop’s summoner, that they called the Deil’s Rattle-bag; and the
+wicked guardsmen in their laced coats; and the savage Highland Amorites,
+that shed blood like water; and many a proud serving-man, haughty of
+heart and bloody of hand, cringing to the rich, and making them wickeder
+than they would be; grinding the poor to powder, when the rich had
+broken them to fragments. And mony, mony mair were coming and ganging,
+a’ as busy in their vocation as if they had been alive.
+
+Sir Robert Redgauntlet, in the midst of a’ this fearful riot, cried, wi’
+a voice like thunder, on Steenie Piper to come to the board-head where
+he was sitting; his legs stretched out before him, and swathed up with
+flannel, with his holster pistols aside him, while the great broadsword
+rested against his chair, just as my gudesire had seen him the last time
+upon earth--the very cushion for the jackanape was close to him, but the
+creature itself was not there--it wasna its hour, it’s likely; for he
+heard them say as he came forward, ‘Is not the major come yet?’ And
+another answered, ‘The jackanape will be here betimes the morn.’ And
+when my gudesire came forward, Sir Robert, or his ghaist, or the deevil
+in his likeness, said, ‘Weel, piper, hae ye settled wi’ my son for the
+year’s rent?’
+
+With much ado my father gat breath to say that Sir John would not settle
+without his honour’s receipt.
+
+‘Ye shall hae that for a tune of the pipes, Steenie,’ said the
+appearance of Sir Robert--‘Play us up “Weel hoddled, Luckie”.’
+
+Now this was a tune my gudesire learned frae a warlock, that heard it
+when they were worshipping Satan at their meetings, and my gudesire had
+sometimes played it at the ranting suppers in Redgauntlet Castle, but
+never very willingly; and now he grew cauld at the very name of it, and
+said, for excuse, he hadna his pipes wi’ him.
+
+‘MacCallum, ye limb of Beelzebub,’ said the fearfu’ Sir Robert, ‘bring
+Steenie the pipes that I am keeping for him!’
+
+MacCallum brought a pair of pipes might have served the piper of Donald
+of the Isles. But he gave my gudesire a nudge as he offered them; and
+looking secretly and closely, Steenie saw that the chanter was of steel,
+and heated to a white heat; so he had fair warning not to trust his
+fingers with it. So he excused himself again, and said he was faint and
+frightened, and had not wind aneugh to fill the bag.
+
+‘Then ye maun eat and drink, Steenie,’ said the figure; ‘for we
+do little else here; and it’s ill speaking between a fou man and a
+fasting.’
+
+Now these were the very words that the bloody Earl of Douglas said to
+keep the king’s messenger in hand while he cut the head off MacLellan of
+Bombie, at the Threave Castle, [The reader is referred for particulars
+to Pitscottie’s HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.] and that put Steenie mair and mair
+on his guard. So he spoke up like a man, and said he came neither to
+eat, or drink or make minstrelsy; but simply for his ain--to ken what
+was come o’ the money he had paid, and to get a discharge for it; and
+he was so stout-hearted by this time that he charged Sir Robert for
+conscience-sake (he had no power to say the holy name) and as he hoped
+for peace and rest, to spread no snares for him, but just to give him
+his ain.
+
+The appearance gnashed its teeth and laughed, but it took from a large
+pocket-book the receipt, and handed it to Steenie. ‘There is your
+receipt, ye pitiful cur; and for the money, my dog-whelp of a son may go
+look for it in the Cat’s Cradle.’
+
+My gudesire uttered mony thanks, and was about to retire when Sir Robert
+roared aloud, ‘Stop, though, thou sack-doudling son of a whore! I am not
+done with thee. HERE we do nothing for nothing; and you must return on
+this very day twelvemonth, to pay your master the homage that you owe me
+for my protection.’
+
+My father’s tongue was loosed of a suddenty, and he said aloud, ‘I refer
+mysell to God’s pleasure, and not to yours.’
+
+He had no sooner uttered the word than all was dark around him; and he
+sank on the earth with such a sudden shock, that he lost both breath and
+sense.
+
+How lang Steenie lay there, he could not tell; but when he came to
+himsell, he was lying in the auld kirkyard of Redgauntlet parochine just
+at the door of the family aisle, and the scutcheon of the auld knight,
+Sir Robert, hanging over his head. There was a deep morning fog on grass
+and gravestane around him, and his horse was feeding quietly beside the
+minister’s twa cows. Steenie would have thought the whole was a dream,
+but he had the receipt in his hand, fairly written and signed by the
+auld laird; only the last letters of his name were a little disorderly,
+written like one seized with sudden pain.
+
+Sorely troubled in his mind, he left that dreary place, rode through
+the mist to Redgauntlet Castle, and with much ado he got speech of the
+laird.
+
+‘Well, you dyvour bankrupt,’ was the first word, ‘have you brought me my
+rent?’
+
+‘No,’ answered my gudesire, ‘I have not; but I have brought your honour
+Sir Robert’s receipt for it.’
+
+‘Wow, sirrah? Sir Robert’s receipt! You told me he had not given you
+one.’
+
+‘Will your honour please to see if that bit line is right?’
+
+Sir John looked at every line, and at every letter, with much attention;
+and at last, at the date, which my gudesire had not observed,--‘FROM MY
+APPOINTED PLACE,’ he read, ‘THIS TWENTY-FIFTH OF NOVEMBER.’--‘What!
+That is yesterday!--Villain, thou must have gone to hell for this!’
+
+‘I got it from your honour’s father--whether he be in heaven or hell, I
+know not,’ said Steenie.
+
+‘I will delate you for a warlock to the Privy Council!’ said Sir
+John. ‘I will send you to your master, the devil, with the help of a
+tar-barrel and a torch!’
+
+‘I intend to delate mysell to the Presbytery,’ said Steenie, ‘and tell
+them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for them to
+judge of than a borrel man like me.’
+
+Sir John paused, composed himsell, and desired to hear the full history;
+and my gudesire told it him from point to point, as I have told it
+you--word for word, neither more nor less.
+
+Sir John was silent again for a long time, and at last he said, very
+composedly, ‘Steenie, this story of yours concerns the honour of many
+a noble family besides mine; and if it be a leasing-making, to keep
+yourself out of my danger, the least you can expect is to have a redhot
+iron driven through your tongue, and that will be as bad as scauding
+your fingers wi’ a redhot chanter. But yet it may be true, Steenie; and
+if the money cast up I shall not know what to think of it. But where
+shall we find the Cat’s Cradle? There are cats enough about the old
+house, but I think they kitten without the ceremony of bed or cradle.’
+
+‘We were best ask Hutcheon,’ said my gudesire; ‘he kens a’ the odd
+corners about as weel as--another serving-man that is now gane, and that
+I wad not like to name.’
+
+Aweel, Hutcheon, when he was asked, told them, that a ruinous turret,
+lang disused, next to the clock-house, only accessible by a ladder,
+for the opening was on the outside, and far above the battlements, was
+called of old the Cat’s Cradle.
+
+‘There will I go immediately,’ said Sir John; and he took (with what
+purpose, Heaven kens) one of his father’s pistols from the hall-table,
+where they had lain since the night he died, and hastened to the
+battlements.
+
+It was a dangerous place to climb, for the ladder was auld and frail,
+and wanted ane or twa rounds. However, up got Sir John, and entered at
+the turret-door, where his body stopped the only little light that was
+in the bit turret. Something flees at him wi’ a vengeance, maist dang
+him back ower--bang gaed the knight’s pistol, and Hutcheon, that
+held the ladder, and my gudesire that stood beside him, hears a loud
+skelloch. A minute after, Sir John flings the body of the jackanape down
+to them, and cries that the siller is fund, and that they should come up
+and help him. And there was the bag of siller sure aneugh, and mony orra
+thing besides, that had been missing for mony a day. And Sir John, when
+he had riped the turret weel, led my gudesire into the dining-parlour,
+and took him by the hand and spoke kindly to him, and said he was sorry
+he should have doubted his word and that he would hereafter be a good
+master to him to make amends.
+
+‘And now, Steenie,’ said Sir John, ‘although this vision of yours tend,
+on the whole, to my father’s credit, as an honest man, that he should,
+even after his death, desire to see justice done to a poor man like
+you, yet you are sensible that ill-dispositioned men might make bad
+constructions upon it, concerning his soul’s health. So, I think, we had
+better lay the haill dirdum on that ill-deedie creature, Major Weir, and
+say naething about your dream in the wood of Pitmurkie. You had taken
+ower muckle brandy to be very certain about onything; and, Steenie, this
+receipt’ (his hand shook while he held it out),--‘it’s but a queer kind
+of document, and we will do best, I think, to put it quietly in the
+fire.’
+
+‘Od, but for as queer as it is, it’s a’ the voucher I have for my rent,’
+said my gudesire, who was afraid, it may be, of losing the benefit of
+Sir Robert’s discharge.
+
+‘I will bear the contents to your credit in the rental-book, and give
+you a discharge under my own hand,’ said Sir John, ‘and that on the
+spot. And, Steenie, if you can hold your tongue about this matter, you
+shall sit, from this term downward, at an easier rent.’
+
+‘Mony thanks to your honour,’ said Steenie, who saw easily in what
+corner the wind was; ‘doubtless I will be comformable to all your
+honour’s commands; only I would willingly speak wi’ some powerful
+minister on the subject, for I do not like the sort of sommons of
+appointment whilk your honour’s father’--
+
+‘Do not call the phantom my father!’ said Sir John, interrupting him.
+
+‘Weel, then, the thing that was so like him,’ said my gudesire; ‘he
+spoke of my coming back to see him this time twelvemonth, and it’s a
+weight on my conscience.’
+
+‘Aweel, then,’ said Sir John, ‘if you be so much distressed in mind, you
+may speak to our minister of the parish; he is a douce man, regards the
+honour of our family, and the mair that he may look for some patronage
+from me.’
+
+Wi’ that, my father readily agreed that the receipt should be burnt, and
+the laird threw it into the chimney with his ain hand. Burn it would
+not for them, though; but away it flew up the lum, wi’ a lang train of
+sparks at its tail, and a hissing noise like a squib.
+
+My gudesire gaed down to the Manse, and the minister, when he had heard
+the story, said it was his real opinion that though my gudesire had gaen
+very far in tampering with dangerous matters, yet, as he had refused the
+devil’s arles (for such was the offer of meat and drink) and had refused
+to do homage by piping at his bidding, he hoped, that if he held a
+circumspect walk hereafter, Satan could take little advantage by what
+was come and gane. And, indeed, my gudesire, of his ain accord, lang
+foreswore baith the pipes and the brandy--it was not even till the
+year was out, and the fatal day past, that he would so much as take the
+fiddle, or drink usquebaugh or tippeny.
+
+Sir John made up his story about the jackanape as he liked himsell;
+and some believe till this day there was no more in the matter than the
+filching nature of the brute. Indeed, ye’ll no hinder some to threap
+that it was nane o’ the auld Enemy that Dougal and my gudesire saw in
+the laird’s room, but only that wanchancy creature, the major, capering
+on the coffin; and that, as to the blawing on the laird’s whistle that
+was heard after he was dead, the filthy brute could do that as weel as
+the laird himsell, if no better. But Heaven kens the truth, whilk first
+came out by the minister’s wife, after Sir John and her ain gudeman were
+baith in the moulds. And then my gudesire, wha was failed in his limbs,
+but not in his judgement or memory--at least nothing to speak of--was
+obliged to tell the real narrative to his friends, for the credit of his
+good name. He might else have been charged for a warlock. [See Note 3.]
+
+The shades of evening were growing thicker around us as my conductor
+finished his long narrative with this moral--‘Ye see, birkie, it is nae
+chancy thing to tak a stranger traveller for a guide, when you are in an
+uncouth land.’
+
+‘I should not have made that inference,’ said I. ‘Your grandfather’s
+adventure was fortunate for himself, whom it saved from ruin and
+distress; and fortunate for his landlord also, whom it prevented from
+committing a gross act of injustice.’
+
+‘Aye, but they had baith to sup the sauce o’t sooner or later,’ said
+Wandering Willie--‘what was fristed wasna forgiven. Sir John died
+before he was much over three-score; and it was just like of a moment’s
+illness. And for my gudesire, though he departed in fullness of life,
+yet there was my father, a yauld man of forty-five, fell down betwixt
+the stilts of his pleugh, and rase never again, and left nae bairn but
+me, a puir sightless, fatherless, motherless creature, could neither
+work nor want. Things gaed weel aneugh at first; for Sir Redwald
+Redgauntlet, the only son of Sir John, and the oye of auld Sir Robert,
+and, waes me! the last of the honourable house, took the farm aff our
+hands, and brought me into his household to have care of me. He liked
+music, and I had the best teachers baith England and Scotland could gie
+me. Mony a merry year was I wi’ him; but waes me! he gaed out with other
+pretty men in the Forty-five--I’ll say nae mair about it--My head never
+settled weel since I lost him; and if I say another word about it, deil
+a bar will I have the heart to play the night.--Look out, my gentle
+chap,’ he resumed in a different tone, ‘ye should see the lights at
+Brokenburn glen by this time.’
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XII
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+  Tam Luter was their minstrel meet,
+    Gude Lord as he could lance,
+  He play’d sae shrill, and sang sae sweet,
+    Till Towsie took a trance.
+  Auld Lightfoot there he did forleet,
+    And counterfeited France;
+  He used himself as man discreet,
+    And up took Morrice danse sae loud,
+  At Christ’s Kirk on the Green that day.
+                                     KING JAMES I.
+
+I continue to scribble at length, though the subject may seem somewhat
+deficient in interest. Let the grace of the narrative, therefore,
+and the concern we take in each other’s matters, make amends for its
+tenuity. We fools of fancy who suffer ourselves, like Malvolio, to be
+cheated with our own visions, have, nevertheless, this advantage over
+the wise ones of the earth, that we have our whole stock of enjoyments
+under our own command, and can dish for ourselves an intellectual
+banquet with most moderate assistance from external objects. It is,
+to be sure, something like the feast which the Barmecide served up to
+Alnaschar; and we cannot expect to get fat upon such diet. But then,
+neither is there repletion nor nausea, which often succeed the grosser
+and more material revel. On the whole, I still pray, with the Ode to
+Castle Building--
+
+  Give me thy hope which sickens not the heart;
+    Give me thy wealth which has no wings to fly;
+  Give me the bliss thy visions can impart:
+    Thy friendship give me, warm in poverty!
+
+And so, despite thy solemn smile and sapient shake of the head, I will
+go on picking such interest as I can out of my trivial adventures, even
+though that interest should be the creation of my own fancy; nor will I
+cease to indict on thy devoted eyes the labour of perusing the scrolls
+in which I shall record my narrative.
+
+My last broke off as we were on the point of descending into the glen
+at Brokenburn, by the dangerous track which I had first travelled EN
+CROUPE, behind a furious horseman, and was now again to brave under the
+precarious guidance of a blind man.
+
+It was now getting dark; but this was no inconvenience to my guide, who
+moved on, as formerly, with instinctive security of step, so that we
+soon reached the bottom, and I could see lights twinkling in the cottage
+which had been my place of refuge on a former occasion. It was not
+thither, however, that our course was directed. We left the habitation
+of the laird to the left, and turning down the brook, soon approached
+the small hamlet which had been erected at the mouth of the stream,
+probably on account of the convenience which it afforded as a harbour
+to the fishing-boats. A large, low cottage, full in our front, seemed
+highly illuminated; for the light not only glanced from every window
+and aperture in its frail walls, but was even visible from rents and
+fractures in the roof, composed of tarred shingles, repaired in part by
+thatch and divot.
+
+While these appearances engaged my attention, that of my companion was
+attracted by a regular succession of sounds, like a bouncing on the
+floor, mixed with a very faint noise of music, which Willie’s acute
+organs at once recognized and accounted for, while to me it was almost
+inaudible. The old man struck the earth with his staff in a violent
+passion. ‘The whoreson fisher rabble! They have brought another violer
+upon my walk! They are such smuggling blackguards, that they must run
+in their very music; but I’ll sort them waur than ony gauger in the
+country.--Stay--hark--it ‘s no a fiddle neither--it’s the pipe and tabor
+bastard, Simon of Sowport, frae the Nicol Forest; but I’ll pipe and
+tabor him!--Let me hae ance my left hand on his cravat, and ye shall see
+what my right will do. Come away, chap--come away, gentle chap--nae time
+to be picking and waling your steps.’ And on he passed with long and
+determined strides, dragging me along with him.
+
+I was not quite easy in his company; for, now that his minstrel pride
+was hurt, the man had changed from the quiet, decorous, I might almost
+say respectable person, which he seemed while he told his tale, into the
+appearance of a fierce, brawling, dissolute stroller. So that when he
+entered the large hut, where a great number of fishers, with their wives
+and daughters, were engaged in eating, drinking, and dancing, I was
+somewhat afraid that the impatient violence of my companion might
+procure us an indifferent reception.
+
+But the universal shout of welcome with which Wandering Willie was
+received--the hearty congratulations--the repeated ‘Here’s t’ ye,
+Willie!’--‘Where hae ya been, ye blind deevil?’ and the call upon him
+to pledge them--above all, the speed with which the obnoxious pipe and
+tabor were put to silence, gave the old man such effectual assurance of
+undiminished popularity and importance, as at once put his jealousy to
+rest, and changed his tone of offended dignity into one better fitted
+to receive such cordial greetings. Young men and women crowded round, to
+tell how much they were afraid some mischance had detained him, and how
+two or three young fellows had set out in quest of him.
+
+‘It was nae mischance, praised be Heaven,’ said Willie, ‘but the absence
+of the lazy loon Rob the Rambler, my comrade, that didna come to meet
+me on the Links; but I hae gotten a braw consort in his stead, worth a
+dozen of him, the unhanged blackguard.’
+
+‘And wha is’t tou’s gotten, Wullie, lad?’ said half a score of voices,
+while all eyes were turned on your humble servant, who kept the best
+countenance he could, though not quite easy at becoming the centre to
+which all eyes were pointed.
+
+‘I ken him by his hemmed cravat,’ said one fellow; ‘it’s Gil Hobson, the
+souple tailor frae Burgh. Ye are welcome to Scotland, ye prick-the-clout
+loon,’ he said, thrusting forth a paw; much the colour of a badger’s
+back, and of most portentous dimensions.
+
+‘Gil Hobson? Gil whoreson!’ exclaimed Wandering Willie; ‘it’s a gentle
+chap that I judge to be an apprentice wi’ auld Joshua Geddes, to the
+quaker-trade.’
+
+‘What trade be’s that, man?’ said he of the badger-coloured fist.
+
+‘Canting and lying,’--said Willie, which produced a thundering laugh;
+‘but I am teaching the callant a better trade, and that is, feasting and
+fiddling.’
+
+Willie’s conduct in thus announcing something like my real character,
+was contrary to compact; and yet I was rather glad he did so, for the
+consequence of putting a trick upon these rude and ferocious men, might,
+in case of discovery, have been dangerous to us both, and I was at the
+same time delivered from the painful effort to support a fictitious
+character. The good company, except perhaps one or two of the young
+women whose looks expressed some desire for better acquaintance, gave
+themselves no further trouble about me; but, while the seniors resumed
+their places near an immense bowl or rather reeking cauldron of
+brandy-punch, the younger arranged themselves on the floor and called
+loudly on Willie to strike up.
+
+With a brief caution to me, to ‘mind my credit, for fishers have ears,
+though fish have none,’ Willie led off in capital style, and I followed,
+certainly not so as to disgrace my companion, who, every now and then,
+gave me a nod of approbation. The dances were, of course, the Scottish
+jigs, and reels, and ‘twasome dances’, with a strathspey or hornpipe for
+interlude; and the want of grace on the part of the performers was amply
+supplied by truth of ear, vigour and decision of step, and the agility
+proper to the northern performers. My own spirits rose with the mirth
+around me, and with old Willie’s admirable execution, and frequent ‘weel
+dune, gentle chap, yet;’--and, to confess the truth, I felt a great deal
+more pleasure in this rustic revel, than I have done at the more formal
+balls and concerts in your famed city, to which I have sometimes made my
+way. Perhaps this was because I was a person of more importance to the
+presiding matron of Brokenburn-foot, than I had the means of rendering
+myself to the far-famed Miss Nickie Murray, the patroness of your
+Edinburgh assemblies. The person I mean was a buxom dame of about
+thirty, her fingers loaded with many a silver ring, and three or four
+of gold; her ankles liberally displayed from under her numerous blue,
+white, and scarlet; short petticoats, and attired in hose of the finest
+and whitest lamb’s-wool, which arose from shoes of Spanish cordwain,
+fastened with silver buckles. She took the lead in my favour, and
+declared, ‘that the brave young gentleman should not weary himself to
+death wi’ playing, but take the floor for a dance or twa.’
+
+‘And what’s to come of me, Dame Martin?’ said Willie.
+
+‘Come o’ thee?’ said the dame; ‘mishanter on the auld beard o’ ye! ye
+could play for twenty hours on end, and tire out the haill countryside
+wi’ dancing before ye laid down your bow, saving for a by-drink or the
+like o’ that.’
+
+‘In troth, dame,’ answered Willie, ‘ye are no sae far wrang; sae if my
+comrade is to take his dance, ye maun gie me my drink, and then bob it
+away like Madge of Middlebie.’
+
+The drink was soon brought; but while Willie was partaking of it,
+a party entered the hut, which arrested my attention at once, and
+intercepted the intended gallantry with which I had proposed to present
+my hand to the fresh-coloured, well-made, white-ankled Thetis, who had
+obtained me manumission from my musical task.
+
+This was nothing less than the sudden appearance of the old woman whom
+the laird had termed Mabel; Cristal Nixon, his male attendant; and the
+young person who had said grace to us when I supped with him.
+
+This young person--Alan, thou art in thy way a bit of a conjurer--this
+young person whom I DID NOT describe, and whom you, for that very
+reason, suspected was not an indifferent object to me--is, I am sorry to
+say it, in very fact not so much so as in prudence she ought. I will not
+use the name of love on this occasion; for I have applied it too often
+to transient whims and fancies to escape your satire, should I venture
+to apply it now. For it is a phrase, I must confess, which I have
+used--a romancer would say, profaned--a little too often, considering
+how few years have passed over my head. But seriously, the fair chaplain
+of Brokenburn has been often in my head when she had no business
+there; and if this can give thee any clue for explaining my motives
+in lingering about the country, and assuming the character of Willie’s
+companion, why, hang thee, thou art welcome to make use of it--a
+permission for which thou need’st not thank me much, as thou wouldst not
+have failed to assume it whether it were given or no.
+
+Such being my feelings, conceive how they must have been excited, when,
+like a beam upon a cloud, I saw this uncommonly beautiful girl enter the
+apartment in which they were dancing; not, however, with the air of
+an equal, but that of a superior, come to grace with her presence the
+festival of her dependants. The old man and woman attended, with looks
+as sinister as hers were lovely, like two of the worst winter months
+waiting upon the bright-eyed May.
+
+When she entered--wonder if thou wilt--she wore A GREEN MANTLE, such as
+thou hast described as the garb of thy fair client, and confirmed what
+I had partly guessed from thy personal description, that my chaplain and
+thy visitor were the same person. There was an alteration on her
+brow the instant she recognized me. She gave her cloak to her female
+attendant, and, after a momentary hesitation, as if uncertain whether to
+advance or retire, she walked into the room with dignity and
+composure, all making way, the men unbonneting, and the women curtsying
+respectfully, as she assumed a chair which was reverently placed for her
+accommodation, apart from others.
+
+There was then a pause, until the bustling mistress of the ceremonies,
+with awkward but kindly courtesy, offered the young lady a glass of
+wine, which was at first declined, and at length only thus far accepted,
+that, bowing round to the festive company, the fair visitor wished them
+all health and mirth, and just touching the brim with her lip, replaced
+it on the salver. There was another pause; and I did not immediately
+recollect, confused as I was by this unexpected apparition, that it
+belonged to me to break it. At length a murmur was heard around me,
+being expected to exhibit,--nay, to lead down the dance,--in consequence
+of the previous conversation.
+
+‘Deil’s in the fiddler lad,’ was muttered from more quarters than
+one--‘saw folk ever sic a thing as a shame-faced fiddler before?’
+
+At length a venerable Triton, seconding his remonstrances with a hearty
+thump on my shoulder, cried out, ‘To the floor--to the floor, and let us
+see how ye can fling--the lasses are a’ waiting.’
+
+Up I jumped, sprang from the elevated station which constituted our
+orchestra, and, arranging my ideas as rapidly as I could, advanced
+to the head of the room, and, instead of offering my hand to the
+white-footed Thetis aforesaid, I venturously made the same proposal to
+her of the Green Mantle.
+
+The nymph’s lovely eyes seemed to open with astonishment at the
+audacity of this offer; and, from the murmurs I heard around me, I also
+understood that it surprised, and perhaps offended, the bystanders. But
+after the first moment’s emotion, she wreathed her neck, and drawing
+herself haughtily up, like one who was willing to show that she was
+sensible of the full extent of her own condescension, extended her hand
+towards me, like a princess gracing a squire of low degree.
+
+There is affectation in all this, thought I to myself, if the Green
+Mantle has borne true evidence--for young ladies do not make visits, or
+write letters to counsel learned in the law, to interfere in the motions
+of those whom they hold as cheap as this nymph seems to do me; and if
+I am cheated by a resemblance of cloaks, still I am interested to show
+myself, in some degree, worthy of the favour she has granted with so
+much state and reserve. The dance to be performed was the old Scots Jig,
+in which you are aware I used to play no sorry figure at La Pique’s,
+when thy clumsy movements used to be rebuked by raps over the knuckles
+with that great professor’s fiddlestick. The choice of the tune was left
+to my comrade Willie, who, having finished his drink, feloniously struck
+up the well-known and popular measure,
+
+  Merrily danced the Quaker’s wife,
+  And merrily danced the Quaker.
+
+An astounding laugh arose at my expense, and I should have been
+annihilated, but that the smile which mantled on the lip of my partner,
+had a different expression from that of ridicule, and seemed to say,
+‘Do not take this to heart.’ And I did not, Alan--my partner danced
+admirably, and I like one who was determined, if outshone, which I could
+not help, not to be altogether thrown into the shade.
+
+I assure you our performance, as well as Willie’s music, deserved
+more polished spectators and auditors; but we could not then have been
+greeted with such enthusiastic shouts of applause as attended while I
+handed my partner to her seat, and took my place by her side, as one who
+had a right to offer the attentions usual on such an occasion. She was
+visibly embarrassed, but I was determined not to observe her confusion,
+and to avail myself of the opportunity of learning whether this
+beautiful creature’s mind was worthy of the casket in which nature had
+lodged it.
+
+Nevertheless, however courageously I formed this resolution, you cannot
+but too well guess the difficulties I must needs have felt in carrying
+it into execution; since want of habitual intercourse with the charmers
+of the other sex has rendered me a sheepish cur, only one grain less
+awkward than thyself. Then she was so very beautiful, and assumed an
+air of so much dignity, that I was like to fall under the fatal error of
+supposing she should only be addressed with something very clever; and
+in the hasty raking which my brains underwent in this persuasion, not a
+single idea occurred that common sense did not reject as fustian on the
+one hand, or weary, flat, and stale triticism on the other. I felt as
+if my understanding were no longer my own, but was alternately under the
+dominion of Aldeborontiphoscophornio, and that of his facetious friend
+Rigdum-Funnidos. How did I envy at that moment our friend Jack Oliver,
+who produces with such happy complacence his fardel of small talk, and
+who, as he never doubts his own powers of affording amusement, passes
+them current with every pretty woman he approaches, and fills up the
+intervals of chat by his complete acquaintance with the exercise of the
+fan, the FLACON, and the other duties of the CAVALIERE SERVENTE. Some
+of these I attempted, but I suppose it was awkwardly; at least the Lady
+Green Mantle received them as a princess accepts the homage of a clown.
+
+Meantime the floor remained empty, and as the mirth of the good meeting
+was somewhat checked, I ventured, as a DERNIER RESSORT, to propose a
+minuet. She thanked me, and told me haughtily enough, ‘she was here
+to encourage the harmless pleasures of these good folks, but was not
+disposed to make an exhibition of her own indifferent dancing for their
+amusement.’
+
+She paused a moment, as if she expected me to suggest something; and as
+I remained silent and rebuked, she bowed her head more graciously, and
+said, ‘Not to affront you, however, a country-dance, if you please.’
+
+What an ass was I, Alan, not to have anticipated her wishes! Should I
+not have observed that the ill-favoured couple, Mabel and Cristal, had
+placed themselves on each side of her seat, like the supporters of the
+royal arms? the man, thick, short, shaggy, and hirsute, as the lion; the
+female, skin-dried, tight-laced, long, lean, and hungry-faced, like the
+unicorn. I ought to have recollected, that under the close inspection
+of two such watchful salvages, our communication, while in repose, could
+not have been easy; that the period of dancing a minuet was not the very
+choicest time for conversation; but that the noise, the exercise,
+and the mazy confusion of a country-dance, where the inexperienced
+performers were every now and then running against each other, and
+compelling the other couples to stand still for a minute at a time,
+besides the more regular repose afforded by the intervals of the dance
+itself, gave the best possible openings for a word or two spoken in
+season, and without being liable to observation.
+
+We had but just led down, when an opportunity of the kind occurred, and
+my partner said, with great gentleness and modesty, ‘It is not perhaps
+very proper in me to acknowledge an acquaintance that is not claimed;
+but I believe I speak to Mr. Darsie Latimer?’
+
+‘Darsie Latimer was indeed the person that had now the honour and
+happiness’--
+
+I would have gone on in the false gallop of compliment, but she cut me
+short. ‘And why,’ she said, ‘is Mr. Latimer here, and in disguise, or at
+least assuming an office unworthy of a man of education?--I beg pardon,’
+she continued,--‘I would not give you pain, but surely making, an
+associate of a person of that description’--
+
+She looked towards my friend Willie, and was silent. I felt heartily
+ashamed of myself, and hastened to say it was an idle frolic, which want
+of occupation had suggested, and which I could not regret, since it had
+procured me the pleasure I at present enjoyed.
+
+Without seeming to notice my compliment, she took the next opportunity
+to say, ‘Will Mr. Latimer permit a stranger who wishes him well to ask,
+whether it is right that, at his active age, he should be in so far void
+of occupation, as to be ready to adopt low society for the sake of idle
+amusement?’
+
+‘You are severe, madam,’ I answered; ‘but I cannot think myself degraded
+by mixing with any society where I meet’--
+
+Here I stopped short, conscious that I was giving my answer an
+unhandsome turn. The ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM, the last to which a polite
+man has recourse, may, however, be justified by circumstances, but
+seldom or never the ARGUMENTUM AD FOEMINAM.
+
+She filled up the blank herself which I had left. ‘Where you meet ME, I
+suppose you would say? But the case is different. I am, from my unhappy
+fate, obliged to move by the will of others, and to be in places which
+I would by my own will gladly avoid. Besides, I am, except for these few
+minutes, no participator of the revels--a spectator only, and attended
+by my servants. Your situation is different--you are here by choice,
+the partaker and minister of the pleasures of a class below you in
+education, birth, and fortunes. If I speak harshly, Mr. Latimer,’ she
+added, with much sweetness of manner, ‘I mean kindly.’
+
+I was confounded by her speech, ‘severe in youthful wisdom’; all
+of naive or lively, suitable to such a dialogue, vanished from my
+recollection, and I answered with gravity like her own, ‘I am, indeed,
+better educated than these poor people; but you, madam, whose kind
+admonition I am grateful for, must know more of my condition than I
+do myself--I dare not say I am their superior in birth, since I know
+nothing of my own, or in fortunes, over which hangs an impenetrable
+cloud.’
+
+‘And why should your ignorance on these points drive you into low
+society and idle habits?’ answered my female monitor. ‘Is it manly to
+wait till fortune cast her beams upon you, when by exertion of your own
+energy you might distinguish yourself? Do not the pursuits of learning
+lie open to you--of manly ambition--of war? But no--not of war, that has
+already cost you too dear.’
+
+‘I will be what you wish me to be,’ I replied with eagerness--‘You have
+but to choose my path, and you shall see if I do not pursue it with
+energy, were it only because you command me.’
+
+‘Not because I command you,’ said the maiden, ‘but because reason,
+common sense, manhood, and, in one word, regard for your own safety,
+give the same counsel.’
+
+‘At least permit me to reply, that reason and sense never assumed
+a fairer form--of persuasion,’ I hastily added; for she turned from
+me--nor did she give me another opportunity of continuing what I had
+to say till the next pause of the dance, when, determined to bring our
+dialogue to a point, I said, ‘You mentioned manhood also, and in the
+same breath, personal danger. My ideas of manhood suggest that it is
+cowardice to retreat before dangers of a doubtful character. You, who
+appear to know so much of my fortunes that I might call you my guardian
+angel, tell me what these dangers are, that I may judge whether manhood
+calls on me to face or to fly them.’
+
+She was evidently perplexed by this appeal.
+
+‘You make me pay dearly for acting as your humane adviser,’ she replied
+at last: ‘I acknowledge an interest in your fate, and yet I dare not
+tell you whence it arises; neither am I at liberty to say why, or from
+whom, you are in danger; but it is not less true that danger is near
+and imminent. Ask me no more, but, for your own sake, begone from this
+country. Elsewhere you are safe--here you do but invite your fate.’
+
+‘But am I doomed to bid thus farewell to almost the only human being who
+has showed an interest in my welfare? Do not say so--say that we shall
+meet again, and the hope shall be the leading star to regulate my
+course!’
+
+‘It is more than probable,’ she said--‘much more than probable, that we
+may never meet again. The help which I now render you is all that may be
+in my power; it is such as I should render to a blind man whom I might
+observe approaching the verge of a precipice; it ought to excite no
+surprise, and requires no gratitude.’
+
+So saying, she again turned from me, nor did she address me until the
+dance was on the point of ending, when she said, ‘Do not attempt to
+speak to or approach me again in the course of the night; leave the
+company as soon as you can, but not abruptly, and God be with you.’
+
+I handed her to her seat, and did not quit the fair palm I held, without
+expressing my feelings by a gentle pressure. She coloured slightly, and
+withdrew her hand, but not angrily. Seeing the eyes of Cristal and Mabel
+sternly fixed on me, I bowed deeply, and withdrew from her; my heart
+saddening, and my eyes becoming dim in spite of me, as the shifting
+crowd hid us from each other.
+
+It was my intention to have crept back to my comrade Willie, and resumed
+my bow with such spirit as I might, although, at the moment, I would
+have given half my income for an instant’s solitude. But my retreat was
+cut off by Dame Martin, with the frankness--if it is not an inconsistent
+phrase-of rustic coquetry, that goes straight up to the point.
+
+‘Aye, lad, ye seem unco sune weary, to dance sae lightly? Better the nag
+that ambles a’ the day, than him that makes a brattle for a mile, and
+then’s dune wi’ the road.’
+
+This was a fair challenge, and I could not decline accepting it.
+Besides, I could see Dame Martin was queen of the revels; and so many
+were the rude and singular figures about me, that I was by no means
+certain whether I might not need some protection. I seized on her
+willing hand, and we took our places in the dance, where, if I did not
+acquit myself with all the accuracy of step and movement which I had
+before attempted, I at least came up to the expectations of my partner,
+who said, and almost swore, ‘I was prime at it;’ while, stimulated
+to her utmost exertions, she herself frisked like a kid, snapped her
+fingers like castanets, whooped like a Bacchanal, and bounded from the
+floor like a tennis-ball,--aye, till the colour of her garters was no
+particular mystery. She made the less secret of this, perhaps, that they
+were sky-blue, and fringed with silver.
+
+The time has been that this would have been special fun; or rather, last
+night was the only time I can recollect these four years when it would
+not have been so; yet, at this moment, I cannot tell you how I longed
+to be rid of Dame Martin. I almost wished she would sprain one of those
+‘many-twinkling’ ankles, which served her so alertly; and when, in the
+midst of her exuberant caprioling, I saw my former partner leaving
+the apartment, and with eyes, as I thought, turning towards me, this
+unwillingness to carry on the dance increased to such a point, that I
+was almost about to feign a sprain or a dislocation myself, in order to
+put an end to the performance. But there were around me scores of old
+women, all of whom looked as if they might have some sovereign recipe
+for such an accident; and, remembering Gil Blas, and his pretended
+disorder in the robber’s cavern, I thought it as wise to play Dame
+Martin fair, and dance till she thought proper to dismiss me. What I did
+I resolved to do strenuously, and in the latter part of the exhibition
+I cut and sprang from the floor as high and as perpendicularly as Dame
+Martin herself; and received, I promise you, thunders of applause, for
+the common people always prefer exertion and agility to grace. At length
+Dame Martin could dance no more, and, rejoicing at my release, I led her
+to a seat, and took the privilege of a partner to attend her.
+
+‘Hegh, sirs,’ exclaimed Dame Martin, ‘I am sair forfoughen! Troth!
+callant, I think ye hae been amaist the death o’ me.’
+
+I could only atone for the alleged offence by fetching her some
+refreshment, of which she readily partook.
+
+‘I have been lucky in my partners,’ I said, ‘first that pretty young
+lady, and then you, Mrs. Martin.’
+
+‘Hout wi’ your fleeching,’ said Dame Martin. ‘Gae wa--gae wa, lad; dinna
+blaw in folk’s lugs that gate; me and Miss Lilias even’d thegither! Na,
+na, lad--od, she is maybe four or five years younger than the like o’
+me,--bye and attour her gentle havings.’
+
+‘She is the laird’s daughter?’ said I, in as careless a tone of inquiry
+as I could assume.
+
+‘His daughter, man? Na, na, only his niece--and sib aneugh to him, I
+think.’
+
+‘Aye, indeed,’ I replied; ‘I thought she had borne his name?’
+
+‘She bears her ain name, and that’s Lilias.’
+
+‘And has she no other name?’ asked I.
+
+‘What needs she another till she gets a gudeman?’ answered my Thetis,
+a little miffed perhaps--to use the women’s phrase--that I turned
+the conversation upon my former partner, rather than addressed it to
+herself.
+
+There was a little pause, which was interrupted by Dame Martin
+observing, ‘They are standing up again.’
+
+‘True,’ said I, having no mind to renew my late violent CAPRIOLE, and I
+must go help old Willie.’
+
+Ere I could extricate myself, I heard poor Thetis address herself to
+a sort of merman in a jacket of seaman’s blue, and a pair of trousers
+(whose hand, by the way, she had rejected at an earlier part of the
+evening) and intimate that she was now disposed to take a trip.
+
+‘Trip away, then, dearie,’ said the vindictive man of the waters,
+without offering his hand; ‘there,’ pointing to the floor, ‘is a roomy
+berth for you.’
+
+Certain I had made one enemy, and perhaps two, I hastened to my original
+seat beside Willie, and began to handle my bow. But I could see that my
+conduct had made an unfavourable impression; the words, ‘flory conceited
+chap,’--‘hafflins gentle,’ and at length, the still more alarming
+epithet of ‘spy,’ began to be buzzed about, and I was heartily glad when
+the apparition of Sam’s visage at the door, who was already possessed of
+and draining a can of punch, gave me assurance that my means of retreat
+were at hand. I intimated as much to Willie, who probably had heard
+more of the murmurs of the company than I had, for he whispered, ‘Aye,
+aye,--awa wi’ ye--ower lang here--slide out canny--dinna let them see ye
+are on the tramp.’
+
+I slipped half a guinea into the old man’s hand, who answered, ‘Truts
+pruts! nonsense but I ‘se no refuse, trusting ye can afford it. Awa wi’
+ye--and if ony body stops ye, cry on me.’
+
+I glided, by his advice, along the room as if looking for a partner,
+joined Sam, whom I disengaged with some difficulty from his can, and
+we left the cottage together in a manner to attract the least possible
+observation. The horses were tied in a neighbouring shed, and as
+the moon was up, and I was now familiar with the road, broken and
+complicated as it is, we soon reached the Shepherd’s Bush, where the old
+landlady was sitting up waiting for us, under some anxiety of mind, to
+account for which she did not hesitate to tell me that some folks had
+gone to Brokenburn from her house, or neighbouring towns, that did not
+come so safe back again. ‘Wandering Willie,’ she said, ‘was doubtless a
+kind of protection.’
+
+Here Willie’s wife, who was smoking in the chimney corner, took up the
+praises of her ‘hinnie,’ as she called him, and endeavoured to awaken
+my generosity afresh, by describing the dangers from which, as she was
+pleased to allege, her husband’s countenance had assuredly been the
+means of preserving me. I was not, however, to be fooled out of
+more money at this time, and went to bed in haste, full of vanous
+cogitations.
+
+I have since spent a couple of days betwixt Mount Sharon and this place,
+and betwixt reading, writing to thee this momentous history, forming
+plans for seeing the lovely Lilias, and--partly, I think, for the sake
+of contradiction--angling a little in spite of Joshua’a scruples--though
+I am rather liking the amusement better as I begin to have some success
+in it.
+
+And now, my dearest Alan, you are in full possession of my secret--let
+me as frankly into the recesses of your bosom. How do you feel towards
+this fair ignis fatuus, this lily of the desert? Tell me honestly; for
+however the recollection of her may haunt my own mind, my love for Alan
+Fairford surpasses the love of woman, I know, too, that when you DO
+love, it will be to
+
+  Love once and love no more.
+
+A deep-consuming passion, once kindled in a breast so steady as yours,
+would never be extinguished but with life. I am of another and more
+volatile temper, and though I shall open your next with a trembling hand
+and uncertain heart, yet let it bring a frank confession that this fair
+unknown has made a deeper impression on your gravity than you reckoned
+for, and you will see I can tear the arrow from my own wound, barb and
+all. In the meantime, though I have formed schemes once more to see her,
+I will, you may rely on it, take no step for putting them into practice.
+I have refrained from this hitherto, and I give you my word of honour,
+I shall continue to do so; yet why should you need any further assurance
+from one who is so entirely yours as D.L.
+
+PS.--I shall be on thorns till I receive your answer. I read, and
+re-read your letter, and cannot for my soul discover what your real
+sentiments are. Sometimes I think you write of her as one in jest--and
+sometimes I think that cannot be. Put me at ease as soon as possible.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XIII
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+I write on the instant, as you direct; and in a tragi-comic humour, for
+I have a tear in my eye and a smile on my cheek. Dearest Darsie, sure
+never a being but yourself could be so generous--sure never a being but
+yourself could be so absurd! I remember when you were a boy you wished
+to make your fine new whip a present to old Aunt Peggy, merely because
+she admired it; and now, with like unreflecting and inappropriate
+liberality, you would resign your beloved to a smoke-dried young
+sophister, who cares not one of the hairs which it is his occupation to
+split, for all the daughters of Eve. I in love with your Lilias--your
+Green Mantle--your unknown enchantress!--why I scarce saw her for five
+minutes, and even then only the tip of her chin was distinctly visible.
+She was well made, and the tip of her chin was of a most promising cast
+for the rest of the face; but, Heaven save you! she came upon business!
+and for a lawyer to fall in love with a pretty client on a single
+consultation, would be as wise as if he became enamoured of a
+particularly bright sunbeam which chanced for a moment to gild his
+bar-wig. I give you my word I am heart-whole and moreover, I assure you,
+that before I suffer a woman to sit near my heart’s core, I must see her
+full face, without mask or mantle, aye, and know a good deal of her
+mind into the bargain. So never fret yourself on my account, my kind and
+generous Darsie; but, for your own sake, have a care and let not an idle
+attachment, so lightly taken up, lead you into serious danger.
+
+On this subject I feel so apprehensive, that now when I am decorated
+with the honours of the gown, I should have abandoned my career at the
+very starting to come to you, but for my father having contrived to
+clog my heels with fetters of a professional nature. I will tell you the
+matter at length, for it is comical enough; and why should not you
+list to my juridical adventures, as well as I to those of your fiddling
+knight-errantry?
+
+It was after dinner, and I was considering how I might best introduce
+to my father the private resolution I had formed to set off for
+Dumfriesshire, or whether I had not better run away at once, and plead
+my excuse by letter, when, assuming the peculiar look with which he
+communicates any of his intentions respecting me, that he suspects may
+not be altogether acceptable, ‘Alan,’ he said, ‘ye now wear a gown--ye
+have opened shop, as we would say of a more mechanical profession; and,
+doubtless, ye think the floor of the courts is strewed with guineas, and
+that ye have only to stoop down to gather them?’
+
+‘I hope I am sensible, sir,’ I replied, ‘that I have some knowledge and
+practice to acquire, and must stoop for that in the first place.’
+
+‘It is well said,’ answered my father; and, always afraid to give too
+much encouragement, added, ‘Very well said, if it be well acted up
+to--Stoop to get knowledge and practice is the very word. Ye know very
+well, Alan, that in the other faculty who study the ARS MEDENDI, before
+the young doctor gets to the bedsides of palaces, he must, as they call
+it, walk the hospitals; and cure Lazarus of his sores, before he be
+admitted to prescribe for Dives, when he has gout or indigestion’--
+
+‘I am aware, sir, that’--
+
+‘Whisht--do not interrupt the court. Well--also the chirurgeons have
+a useful practice, by which they put their apprentices and tyrones to
+work; upon senseless dead bodies, to which, as they can do no good, so
+they certainly can do as little harm; while at the same time the tyro,
+or apprentice, gains experience, and becomes fit to whip off a leg or
+arm from a living subject, as cleanly as ye would slice an onion.’
+
+‘I believe I guess your meaning, sir,’ answered I; ‘and were it not for
+a very particular engagement’--
+
+‘Do not speak to me of engagements; but whisht--there is a good lad--and
+do not interrupt the court.’
+
+My father, you know, is apt--be it said with all filial duty--to be a
+little prolix in his harangues. I had nothing for it but to lean back
+and listen.
+
+‘Maybe you think, Alan, because I have, doubtless, the management of
+some actions in dependence, whilk my worthy clients have intrusted
+me with, that I may think of airting them your way INSTANTER; and so
+setting you up in practice, so far as my small business or influence may
+go; and, doubtless, Alan, that is a day whilk I hope may come round. But
+then, before I give, as the proverb hath it, “My own fish-guts to my own
+sea-maws,” I must, for the sake of my own character, be very sure that
+my sea-maw can pick them to some purpose. What say ye?’
+
+‘I am so far,’ answered I, ‘from wishing to get early into practice,
+sir, that I would willingly bestow a few days’--
+
+‘In further study, ye would say, Alan. But that is not the way
+either--ye must walk the hospitals--ye must cure Lazarus--ye must cut
+and carve on a departed subject, to show your skill.’
+
+‘I am sure,’ I replied, ‘I will undertake the cause of any poor man with
+pleasure, and bestow as much pains upon it as if it were a duke’s; but
+for the next two or three days’--
+
+‘They must be devoted to close study, Alan--very close study indeed; for
+ye must stand primed for a hearing, IN PRESENTIA DOMINORUM, upon Tuesday
+next.’
+
+‘I, sir?’ I replied in astonishment--‘I have not opened my mouth in the
+Outer House yet!’
+
+‘Never mind the court of the Gentiles, man,’ said my father; ‘we will
+have you into the Sanctuary at once--over shoes, over boots.’
+
+‘But, sir, I should really spoil any cause thrust on me so hastily.’
+
+‘Ye cannot spoil it, Alan,’ said my father, rubbing his hands with much
+complacency; ‘that is the very cream of the business, man--it is just,
+as I said before, a subject upon whilk all the TYRONES have been trying
+their whittles for fifteen years; and as there have been about ten or a
+dozen agents concerned, and each took his own way, the case is come to
+that pass, that Stair or Amiston could not mend it; and I do not think
+even you, Alan, can do it much harm--ye may get credit by it, but ye can
+lose none.’
+
+‘And pray what is the name of my happy client, sir?’ said I,
+ungraciously enough, I believe.
+
+‘It is a well-known name in the Parliament House,’ replied my father.
+‘To say the truth, I expect him every moment; it is Peter Peebles.’ [See
+Note 4.]
+
+‘Peter Peebles!’ exclaimed I, in astonishment; ‘he is an insane
+beggar--as poor as Job, and as mad as a March hare!’
+
+‘He has been pleaing in the court for fifteen years,’ said my father, in
+a tone of commiseration, which seemed to acknowledge that this fact
+was enough to account for the poor man’s condition both in mind and
+circumstances.
+
+‘Besides, sir,’ I added, ‘he is on the Poor’s Roll; and you know there
+are advocates regularly appointed to manage those cases; and for me to
+presume to interfere’--
+
+‘Whisht, Alan!--never interrupt the court--all THAT is managed for ye
+like a tee’d ball’ (my father sometimes draws his similes from his once
+favourite game of golf); ‘you must know, Alan, that Peter’s cause was
+to have been opened by young Dumtoustie--ye may ken the lad, a son of
+Dumtoustie of that ilk, member of Parliament for the county of--, and a
+nephew of the laird’s younger brother, worthy Lord Bladderskate, whilk
+ye are aware sounds as like being akin to a peatship [Formerly, a
+lawyer, supposed to be under the peculiar patronage of any particular
+judge, was invidiously termed his PEAT or PET.] and a sheriffdom, as a
+sieve is sib to a riddle. Now, Peter Drudgeit, my lord’s clerk, came to
+me this morning in the House, like ane bereft of his wits; for it seems
+that young Dumtoustie is ane of the Poor’s lawyers, and Peter Peebles’s
+process had been remitted to him of course. But so soon as the
+harebrained goose saw the pokes [Process-bags.] (as indeed, Alan, they
+are none of the least) he took fright, called for his nag, lap on, and
+away to the country is he gone; and so? said Peter, my lord is at his
+wit’s end wi’ vexation, and shame, to see his nevoy break off the course
+at the very starting. “I’ll tell you, Peter,” said I, “were I my lord,
+and a friend or kinsman of mine should leave the town while the court
+was sitting, that kinsman, or be he what he liked, should never darken
+my door again.” And then, Alan, I thought to turn the ball our own way;
+and I said that you were a gey sharp birkie, just off the irons, and if
+it would oblige my lord, and so forth, you would open Peter’s cause on
+Tuesday, and make some handsome apology for the necessary absence of
+your learned friend, and the loss which your client and the court had
+sustained, and so forth. Peter lap at the proposition like a cock at a
+grossart; for, he said, the only chance was to get a new hand, that did
+not ken the charge he was taking upon him; for there was not a lad of
+two sessions’ standing that was not dead-sick of Peter Peebles and his
+cause; and he advised me to break the matter gently to you at the
+first; but I told him you were, a good bairn, Alan, and had no will and
+pleasure in these matters but mine.’
+
+What could I say, Darsie, in answer to this arrangement, so very well
+meant--so very vexatious at the same time? To imitate the defection and
+flight of young Dumtoustie, was at once to destroy my father’s hopes
+of me for ever; nay, such is the keenness with which he regards all
+connected with his profession, it might have been a step to breaking
+his heart. I was obliged, therefore, to bow in sad acquiescence, when my
+father called to James Wilkinson to bring the two bits of pokes he would
+find on his table.
+
+Exit James, and presently re-enters, bending under the load of two huge
+leathern bags, full of papers to the brim, and labelled on the greasy
+backs with the magic impress of the clerks of court, and the title,
+PEEBLES AGAINST PLAINSTANES. This huge mass was deposited on the table,
+and my father, with no ordinary glee in his countenance, began to draw
+out; the various bundles of papers, secured by none of your red tape
+or whipcord, but stout, substantial casts of tarred rope, such as might
+have held small craft at their moorings.
+
+I made a last and desperate effort to get rid of the impending job. ‘I
+am really afraid, sir, that this case seems so much complicated, and
+there is so little time to prepare, that we had better move the court to
+supersede it till next session.’
+
+‘How, sir?--how, Alan?’ said my father--‘Would you approbate and
+reprobate, sir? You have accepted the poor man’s cause, and if you have
+not his fee in your pocket, it is because he has none to give you; and
+now would you approbate and reprobate in the same breath of your mouth?
+Think of your oath of office, Alan, and your duty to your father, my
+dear boy.’
+
+Once more, what could I say? I saw from my father’s hurried and alarmed
+manner, that nothing could vex him so much as failing in the point he
+had determined to carry, and once more intimated my readiness to do my
+best, under every disadvantage.
+
+‘Well, well, my boy,’ said my father, ‘the Lord will make your days long
+in the land, for the honour you have given to your father’s grey hairs.
+You may find wiser advisers, Alan, but none that can wish you better.’
+
+My father, you know, does not usually give way to expressions of
+affection, and they are interesting in proportion to their rarity. My
+eyes began to fill at seeing his glisten; and my delight at having given
+him such sensible gratification would have been unmixed but for the
+thoughts of you. These out of the question, I could have grappled with
+the bags, had they been as large as corn-sacks. But, to turn what
+was grave into farce, the door opened, and Wilkinson ushered in Peter
+Peebles.
+
+You must have seen this original, Darsie, who, like others in the same
+predicament, continues to haunt the courts of justice, where he has made
+shipwreck of time, means, and understanding. Such insane paupers have
+sometimes seemed to me to resemble wrecks lying upon the shoals on the
+Goodwin Sands, or in Yarmouth Roads, warning other vessels to keep aloof
+from the banks on which they have been lost; or rather, such ruined
+clients are like scarecrows and potato-bogies, distributed through the
+courts to scare away fools from the scene of litigation.
+
+The identical Peter wears a huge greatcoat threadbare and patched
+itself, yet carefully so disposed and secured by what buttons remain,
+and many supplementary pins, as to conceal the still more infirm state
+of his under garments. The shoes and stockings of a ploughman were,
+however, seen to meet at his knees with a pair of brownish, blackish
+breeches; a rusty-coloured handkerchief, that has been black in its
+day, surrounded his throat, and was an apology for linen. His hair, half
+grey, half black, escaped in elf-locks around a huge wig, made of tow,
+as it seemed to me, and so much shrunk that it stood up on the very top
+of his head; above which he plants, when covered, an immense cocked hat,
+which, like the chieftain’s banner in an ancient battle, may be seen
+any sederunt day betwixt nine and ten, high towering above all
+the fluctuating and changeful scene in the Outer House, where his
+eccentricities often make him the centre of a group of petulant and
+teasing boys, who exercise upon him every art of ingenious torture.
+His countenance, originally that of a portly, comely burgess, is now
+emaciated with poverty and anxiety, and rendered wild by an insane
+lightness about the eyes; a withered and blighted skin and complexion;
+features begrimed with snuff, charged with the self-importance peculiar
+to insanity; and a habit of perpetually speaking to himself. Such was
+my unfortunate client; and I must allow, Darsie, that my profession had
+need to do a great deal of good, if, as is much to be feared, it brings
+many individuals to such a pass.
+
+After we had been, with a good deal of form, presented to each other,
+at which time I easily saw by my father’s manner that he was desirous of
+supporting Peter’s character in my eyes, as much as circumstances would
+permit, ‘Alan,’ he said, ‘this is the gentleman who has agreed to accept
+of you as his counsel, in place of young Dumtoustie.’
+
+‘Entirely out of favour to my old acquaintance your father, said Peter.
+with a benign and patronizing countenance, ‘out of respect to your
+father, and my old intimacy with Lord Bladderskate. Otherwise, by the
+REGIAM MAJESTATEM! I would have presented a petition and complaint
+against Daniel Dumtoustie, Advocate, by name and surname--I would, by
+all the practiques!--I know the forms of process; and I am not to be
+triffled with.’
+
+My father here interrupted my client, and reminded him that there was a
+good deal of business to do, as he proposed to give the young counsel
+an outline of the state of the conjoined process, with a view to letting
+him into the merits of the cause, disencumbered from the points of form.
+‘I have made a short abbreviate, Mr. Peebles,’ said he; ‘having sat up
+late last night, and employed much of this morning in wading through
+these papers, to save Alan some trouble, and I am now about to state the
+result.’
+
+‘I will state it myself,’ said Peter, breaking in without reverence upon
+his solicitor.
+
+‘No, by no means,’ said my father; ‘I am your agent for the time.’
+
+‘Mine eleventh in number,’ said Peter; ‘I have a new one every year; I
+wish I could get a new coat as regularly.’
+
+‘Your agent for the time,’ resumed my father; ‘and you, who are
+acquainted with the forms, know that the client states the cause to the
+agent--the agent to the counsel’--
+
+‘The counsel to the Lord Ordinary,’ continued Peter, once set a-going,
+like the peal of an alarm clock, ‘the Ordinary to the Inner House, the
+President to the Bench. It is just like the rope to the man, the man to
+the ox, the ox to the water, the water to the fire’--
+
+‘Hush, for Heaven’s sake, Mr. Peebles,’ said my father, cutting his
+recitation short; ‘time wears on--we must get to business--you must
+not interrupt the court, you know.--Hem, hem! From this abbreviate it
+appears’--
+
+‘Before you begin,’ said Peter Peebles ‘I’ll thank you to order me a
+morsel of bread and cheese, or some cauld meat, or broth, or the like
+alimentary provision; I was so anxious to see your son, that I could not
+eat a mouthful of dinner.’
+
+Heartily glad, I believe, to have so good a chance of stopping his
+client’s mouth effectually, my father ordered some cold meat; to which
+James Wilkinson, for the honour of the house, was about to add the
+brandy bottle, which remained on the sideboard, but, at a wink from my
+father, supplied its place with small beer. Peter charged the provisions
+with the rapacity of a famished lion; and so well did the diversion
+engage him, that though, while my father stated the case, he looked at
+him repeatedly, as if he meant to interrupt his statement, yet he always
+found more agreeable employment for his mouth, and returned to the
+cold beef with an avidity which convinced me he had not had such an
+opportunity for many a day of satiating his appetite. Omitting much
+formal phraseology, and many legal details, I will endeavour to give
+you, in exchange for your fiddler’s tale, the history of a litigant, or
+rather, the history of his lawsuit.
+
+‘Peter Peebles and Paul Plainstanes,’ said my father, entered into
+partnership, in the year--, as mercers and linendrapers, in the
+Luckenbooths, and carried on a great line of business to mutual
+advantage. But the learned counsel needeth not to be told, SOCIETAS EST
+MATER DISCORDIARUM, partnership oft makes pleaship. The company being
+dissolved by mutual consent, in the year--, the affairs had to be wound
+up, and after certain attempts to settle the matter extra-judicially,
+it was at last brought into the court, and has branched out into several
+distinct processes, most of whilk have been conjoined by the Ordinary.
+It is to the state of these processes that counsel’s attention is
+particularly directed. There is the original action of Peebles v.
+Plainstanes, convening him for payment of 3000l., less or more, as
+alleged balance due by Plainstanes. Secondly, there is a counter action,
+in which Plainstanes is pursuer and Peebles defender, for 2500l.,
+less or more, being balance alleged per contra, to be due by Peebles.
+Thirdly, Mr. Peeble’s seventh agent advised an action of Compt and
+Reckoning at his instance, wherein what balance should prove due on
+either side might be fairly struck and ascertained. Fourthly, to meet
+the hypothetical case, that Peebles might be found liable in a balance
+to Plainstanes, Mr. Wildgoose, Mr. Peebles’s eighth agent, recommended a
+Multiplepoinding, to bring all parties concerned into the field.’
+
+My brain was like to turn at this account of lawsuit within lawsuit,
+like a nest of chip-boxes, with all of which I was expected to make
+myself acquainted.
+
+‘I understand,’ I said, ‘that Mr. Peebles claims a sum of money from
+Plainstanes--how then can he be his debtor? and if not his debtor, how
+can he bring a Multiplepoinding, the very summons of which sets forth,
+that the pursuer does owe certain monies, which he is desirous to pay by
+warrant of a judge?’ [Multiplepoinding is, I believe, equivalent to what
+is called in England a case of Double Distress.]
+
+‘Ye know little of the matter, I doubt, friend,’ said Mr. Peebles; ‘a
+Multiplepoinding is the safest REMEDIUM JURIS in the whole; form of
+process. I have known it conjoined with a declarator of marriage.--Your
+beef is excellent,’ he said to my father, who in vain endeavoured to
+resume his legal disquisition; ‘but something highly powdered--and the
+twopenny is undeniable; but it is small swipes--small swipes--more of
+hop than malt-with your leave, I’ll try your black bottle.’
+
+My father started to help him with his own hand, and in due measure;
+but, infinitely to my amusement, Peter got possession of the bottle by
+the neck, and my father’s ideas of hospitality were far too scrupulous
+to permit his attempting, by any direct means, to redeem it; so that
+Peter returned to the table triumphant, with his prey in his clutch.
+
+‘Better have a wine-glass, Mr. Peebles,’ said my father, in an
+admonitory tone, ‘you will find it pretty strong.’
+
+‘If the kirk is ower muckle, we can sing mass in the quire,’ said Peter,
+helping himself in the goblet out of which he had been drinking the
+small beer. ‘What is it, usquebaugh?--BRANDY, as I am an honest man! I
+had almost forgotten the name and taste of brandy. Mr. Fairford elder,
+your good health’ (a mouthful of brandy), ‘Mr. Alan Fairford, wishing
+you well through your arduous undertaking’ (another go-down of the
+comfortable liquor). ‘And now, though you have given a tolerable
+breviate of this great lawsuit, of whilk everybody has heard something
+that has walked the boards in the Outer House (here’s to ye again,
+by way of interim decreet) yet ye have omitted to speak a word of the
+arrestments.’
+
+‘I was just coming to that point, Mr. Peebles.’
+
+‘Or of the action of suspension of the charge on the bill.’
+
+‘I was just coming to that.’
+
+‘Or the advocation of the Sheriff-Court process.’
+
+‘I was just coming to it.’
+
+‘As Tweed comes to Melrose, I think,’ said the litigant; and then
+filling his goblet about a quarter full of brandy, as if in absence of
+mind, ‘Oh, Mr. Alan Fairford, ye are a lucky man to buckle to such a
+cause as mine at the very outset! it is like a specimen of all causes,
+man. By the Regiam, there is not a REMEDIUM JURIS in the practiques
+but ye’ll find a spice o’t. Here’s to your getting weel through with
+it--Pshut--I am drinking naked spirits, I think. But if the heathen he
+ower strong, we’ll christen him with the brewer’ (here he added a
+little small beer to his beverage, paused, rolled his eyes, winked,
+and proceeded),--‘Mr. Fairford--the action of assault and battery,
+Mr. Fairford, when I compelled the villain Plainstanes to pull my
+nose within two steps of King Charles’s statue, in the Parliament
+Close--there I had him in a hose-net. Never man could tell me how to
+shape that process--no counsel that ever selled mind could condescend
+and say whether it were best to proceed by way of petition and
+complaint, AD VINDICTAM PUBLICAM, with consent of his Majesty’s
+advocate, or by action on the statute for battery PENDENTE LITE, whilk
+would be the winning my plea at once, and so getting a back-door out of
+court.--By the Regiam, that beef and brandy is unco het at my heart--I
+maun try the ale again’ (sipped a little beer); ‘and the ale’s but
+cauld, I maun e’en put in the rest of the brandy.’
+
+He was as good as his word, and proceeded in so loud and animated
+a style of elocution, thumping the table, drinking and snuffing
+alternately, that my father, abandoning all attempts to interrupt him,
+sat silent and ashamed, suffering, and anxious for the conclusion of the
+scene.
+
+‘And then to come back to my pet process of all--my battery and assault
+process, when I had the good luck to provoke him to pull my nose at
+the very threshold of the court, whilk was the very thing I wanted--Mr.
+Pest, ye ken him, Daddie Fairford? Old Pest was for making it out
+HAMESUCKEN, for he said the court might be said--said--ugh!--to be my
+dwelling-place. I dwell mair there than ony gate else, and the essence
+of hamesucken is to strike a man in his dwelling-place--mind that, young
+advocate--and so there’s hope Plainstanes may be hanged, as many has
+for a less matter; for, my lords,--will Pest say to the Justiciary
+bodies,--my lords, the Parliament House is Peebles’ place of
+dwelling, says he--being COMMUNE FORUM, and COMMUNE FORUM EST COMMUNE
+DOMICILIUM--Lass, fetch another glass of and score it--time to gae
+hame--by the practiques, I cannot find the jug--yet there’s twa of them,
+I think. By the Regiam, Fairford--Daddie Fairford--lend us twal pennies
+to buy sneeshing, mine is done--Macer, call another cause.’
+
+The box fell from his hands, and his body would at the same time have
+fallen from the chair, had not I supported him.
+
+‘This is intolerable,’ said my father--‘Call a chairman, James
+Wilkinson, to carry this degraded, worthless, drunken beast home.’
+
+When Peter Peebles was removed from this memorable consultation, under
+the care of an able-bodied Celt, my father hastily bundled up the
+papers, as a showman, whose exhibition has miscarried, hastes to remove
+his booth. ‘Here are my memoranda, Alan,’ he said, in a hurried way;
+‘look them carefully over--compare them with the processes, and turn
+it in your head before Tuesday. Many a good speech has been made for a
+beast of a client; and hark ye, lad, hark ye--I never intended to cheat
+you of your fee when all was done, though I would have liked to have
+heard the speech first; but there is nothing like corning the horse
+before the journey. Here are five goud guineas in a silk purse--of your
+poor mother’s netting, Alan--she would have been a blithe woman to have
+seen her young son with a gown on his back--but no more of that--be a
+good boy, and to the work like a tiger.’
+
+I did set to work, Darsie; for who could resist such motives? With my
+father’s assistance, I have mastered the details, confused as they are;
+and on Tuesday I shall plead as well for Peter Peebles as I could for
+a duke. Indeed, I feel my head so clear on the subject as to be able
+to write this long letter to you; into which, however, Peter and his
+lawsuit have insinuated themselves so far as to show you how much they
+at present occupy my thoughts. Once more, be careful of yourself, and
+mindful of me, who am ever thine, while ALAN FAIRFORD.
+
+From circumstances, to be hereafter mentioned, it was long ere this
+letter reached the person to whom it was addressed.
+
+
+          * * * * *
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+NARRATIVE
+
+The advantage of laying before the reader, in the words of the actors
+themselves, the adventures which we must otherwise have narrated in
+our own, has given great popularity to the publication of epistolary
+correspondence, as practised by various great authors, and by ourselves
+in the preceding chapters. Nevertheless, a genuine correspondence of
+this kind (and Heaven forbid it should be in any respect sophisticated
+by interpolations of our own!) can seldom be found to contain all in
+which it is necessary to instruct the reader for his full comprehension
+of the story. Also it must often happen that various prolixities and
+redundancies occur in the course of an interchange of letters, which
+must hang as a dead weight on the progress of the narrative. To avoid
+this dilemma, some biographers have used the letters of the personages
+concerned, or liberal extracts from them, to describe particular
+incidents, or express the sentiments which they entertained; while they
+connect them occasionally with such portions of narrative, as may serve
+to carry on the thread of the story.
+
+It is thus that the adventurous travellers who explore the summit of
+Mont Blanc now move on through the crumbling snowdrift so slowly, that
+their progress is almost imperceptible, and anon abridge their journey
+by springing over the intervening chasms which cross their path, with
+the assistance of their pilgrim-staves. Or, to make a briefer simile,
+the course of story-telling which we have for the present adopted,
+resembles the original discipline of the dragoons, who were trained to
+serve either on foot or horseback, as the emergencies of the service
+required. With this explanation, we shall proceed to narrate some
+circumstances which Alan Fairford did not, and could not, write to his
+correspondent.
+
+Our reader, we trust, has formed somewhat approaching to a distinct
+idea of the principal characters who have appeared before him during
+our narrative; but in case our good opinion of his sagacity has been
+exaggerated, and in order to satisfy such as are addicted to the
+laudable practice of SKIPPING (with whom we have at times a strong
+fellow-feeling), the following particulars may not be superfluous.
+
+Mr. Saunders Fairford, as he was usually called, was a man of business
+of the old school, moderate in his charges, economical and even
+niggardly in his expenditure, strictly honest in conducting his own
+affairs and those of his clients, but taught by long experience to be
+wary and suspicious in observing the motions of others. Punctual as the
+clock of Saint Giles tolled nine, the neat dapper form of the little
+hale old gentleman was seen at the threshold of the court hall, or at
+farthest, at the head of the Back Stairs, trimly dressed in a complete
+suit of snuff-coloured brown, with stockings of silk or woollen as,
+suited the weather; a bob-wig, and a small cocked hat; shoes blacked
+as Warren would have blacked them; silver shoe-buckles, and a gold
+stock-buckle. A nosegay in summer, and a sprig of holly in winter,
+completed his well-known dress and appearance. His manners corresponded
+with his attire, for they were scrupulously civil, and not a little
+formal. He was an elder of the kirk, and, of course, zealous for King
+George and the Government even to slaying, as he had showed by taking
+up arms in their cause. But then, as he had clients and connexions
+of business among families of opposite political tenets, he was
+particularly cautious to use all the conventional phrases which the
+civility of the time had devised, as an admissible mode of language
+betwixt the two parties. Thus he spoke sometimes of the Chevalier, but
+never either of the Prince, which would have been sacrificing his own
+principles, or of the Pretender, which would have been offensive to
+those of others. Again, he usually designated the Rebellion as the
+AFFAIR of 1745, and spoke of any one engaged in it as a person who had
+been OUT at a certain period. [OLD-FASHIONED SCOTTISH CIVILITY.--Such
+were literally the points of politeness observed in general society
+during the author’s youth, where it was by no means unusual in a company
+assembled by chance, to find individuals who had borne arms on one
+side or other in the civil broils of 1745. Nothing, according to my
+recollection, could be more gentle and decorous than the respect
+these old enemies paid to each other’s prejudices. But in this I speak
+generally. I have witnessed one or two explosions.] So that, on the
+whole, Mr. Fairford was a man much liked and respected on all sides,
+though his friends would not have been sorry if he had given a dinner
+more frequently, as his little cellar contained some choice old wine, of
+which, on such rare occasions he was no niggard.
+
+The whole pleasure of this good old-fashioned man of method, besides
+that which he really felt in the discharge of his daily business, was
+the hope to see his son Alan, the only fruit of a union which death
+early dissolved, attain what in the father’s eyes was the proudest of
+all distinctions--the rank and fame of a well-employed lawyer.
+
+Every profession has its peculiar honours, and Mr. Fairford’s mind was
+constructed upon so limited and exclusive a plan, that he valued nothing
+save the objects of ambition which his own presented. He would have
+shuddered at Alan’s acquiring the renown of a hero, and laughed with
+scorn at the equally barren laurels of literature; it was by the path of
+the law alone that he was desirous to see him rise to eminence, and
+the probabilities of success or disappointment were the thoughts of his
+father by day, and his dream by night.
+
+The disposition of Alan Fairford, as well as his talents, were such as
+to encourage his father’s expectations. He had acuteness of intellect,
+joined to habits of long and patient study, improved no doubt by the
+discipline of his father’s house; to which, generally speaking, he
+conformed with the utmost docility, expressing no wish for greater or
+more frequent relaxation than consisted with his father’s anxious and
+severe restrictions. When he did indulge in any juvenile frolics, his
+father had the candour to lay the whole blame upon his more mercurial
+companion, Darsie Latimer.
+
+This youth, as the reader must be aware, had been received as an inmate
+into the family of Mr. Fairford, senior, at a time when some of the
+delicacy of constitution which had abridged the life of his consort
+began to show itself in the son, and when the father was, of course,
+peculiarly disposed to indulge his slightest wish. That the young
+Englishman was able to pay a considerable board, was a matter of no
+importance to Mr. Fairford; it was enough that his presence seemed to
+make his son cheerful and happy. He was compelled to allow that ‘Darsie
+was a fine lad, though unsettled,’ and he would have had some difficulty
+in getting rid of him, and the apprehensions which his levities excited,
+had it not been for the voluntary excursion which gave rise to the
+preceding correspondence, and in which Mr. Fairford secretly rejoiced,
+as affording the means of separating Alan from his gay companion, at
+least until he should have assumed, and become accustomed to, the duties
+of his dry and laborious profession.
+
+But the absence of Darsie was far from promoting the end which the elder
+Mr. Fairford had expected and desired. The young men were united by the
+closest bonds of intimacy; and the more so, that neither of them sought
+nor desired to admit any others into their society. Alan Fairford was
+averse to general company, from a disposition naturally reserved,
+and Darsie Latimer from a painful sense of his own unknown origin,
+peculiarly afflicting in a country where high and low are professed
+genealogists. The young men were all in all to each other; it is no
+wonder, therefore, that their separation was painful, and that its
+effects upon Alan Fairford, joined to the anxiety occasioned by the
+tenor of his friend’s letters, greatly exceeded what the senior had
+anticipated. The young man went through his usual duties, his studies,
+and the examinations to which he was subjected, but with nothing like
+the zeal and assiduity which he had formerly displayed; and his anxious
+and observant father saw but too plainly that his heart was with his
+absent comrade.
+
+A philosopher would have given way to this tide of feeling, in hopes to
+have diminished its excess, and permitted the youths to have been
+some time together, that their intimacy might have been broken off by
+degrees; but Mr. Fairford only saw the more direct mode of continued
+restraint, which, however, he was desirous of veiling under some
+plausible pretext. In the anxiety which he felt on this occasion, he had
+held communication with an old acquaintance, Peter Drudgeit, with whom
+the reader is partly acquainted. ‘Alan,’ he said, ‘was ance wud, and
+ay waur; and he was expecting every moment when he would start off in a
+wildgoose-chase after the callant Latimer; Will Sampson, the horse-hirer
+in Candlemaker Row, had given him a hint that Alan had been looking for
+a good hack, to go to the country for a few days. And then to oppose
+him downright--he could not but think on the way his poor mother was
+removed. Would to Heaven he was yoked to some tight piece of business,
+no matter whether well or ill paid, but some job that would hamshackle
+him at least until the courts rose, if it were but for decency’s sake.’
+
+Peter Drudgeit sympathized, for Peter had a son, who, reason or none,
+would needs exchange the torn and inky fustian sleeves for the blue
+jacket and white lapelle; and he suggested, as the reader knows, the
+engaging our friend Alan in the matter of Poor Peter Peebles, just
+opened by the desertion of young Dumtoustie, whose defection would be at
+the same time concealed; and this, Drudgeit said, ‘would be felling two
+dogs with one stone.’
+
+With these explanations, the reader will hold a man of the elder
+Fairford’s sense and experience free from the hazardous and impatient
+curiosity with which boys fling a puppy into a deep pond, merely to see
+if the creature can swim. However confident in his son’s talents, which
+were really considerable, he would have been very sorry to have involved
+him in the duty of pleading a complicated and difficult case, upon
+his very first appearance at the bar, had he not resorted to it as an
+effectual way to prevent the young man from taking a step which his
+habits of thinking represented as a most fatal one at his outset of
+life.
+
+Betwixt two evils, Mr. Fairford chose that which was in his own
+apprehension the least; and, like a brave officer sending forth his son
+to battle, rather chose he should die upon the breach, than desert the
+conflict with dishonour. Neither did he leave him to his own unassisted
+energies. Like Alpheus preceding Hercules, he himself encountered the
+Augean mass of Peter Peebles’ law-matters. It was to the old man a
+labour of love to place in a clear and undistorted view the real merits
+of this case, which the carelessness and blunders of Peter’s former
+solicitors had converted into a huge chaotic mass of unintelligible
+technicality; and such was his skill and industry, that he was
+able, after the severe toil of two or three days, to present to the
+consideration of the young counsel the principal facts of the case, in
+a light equally simple and comprehensible. With the assistance of a
+solicitor so affectionate and indefatigable, Alan Fairford was enabled,
+then the day of trial arrived, to walk towards the court, attended by
+his anxious yet encouraging parent, with some degree of confidence that
+he would lose no reputation upon this arduous occasion.
+
+They were met at the door of the court by Poor Peter Peebles in his
+usual plenitude of wig and celsitude of hat. He seized on the young
+pleader like a lion on his prey. ‘How is a’ wi’ you, Mr. Alan--how is
+a’ wi’ you, man? The awfu’ day is come at last--a day that will be lang
+minded in this house. Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes--conjoined
+proceases--Hearing in presence--stands for the Short Roll for this
+day--I have not been able to sleep for a week for thinking of it, and, I
+dare to say, neither has the Lord President himsell--for such a cause!!
+But your father garr’d me tak a wee drap ower muckle of his pint bottle
+the other night; it’s no right to mix brandy wi’ business, Mr. Fairford.
+I would have been the waur o’ liquor if I would have drank as muckle as
+you twa would have had me. But there’s a time for a’ things, and if
+ye will dine with me after the case is heard, or whilk is the same, or
+maybe better, I’LL gang my ways hame wi’ YOU, and I winna object to a
+cheerfu’ glass, within the bounds of moderation.’
+
+Old Fairford shrugged his shoulders and hurried past the client, saw
+his son wrapped in the sable bombazine, which, in his eyes, was more
+venerable than an archbishop’s lawn, and could not help fondly patting
+his shoulder, and whispering to him to take courage, and show he was
+worthy to wear it. The party entered the Outer Hall of the court, (once
+the place of meeting of the ancient Scottish Parliament), and which
+corresponds to the use of Westminster Hall in England, serving as a
+vestibule to the Inner House, as it is termed, and a place of dominion
+to certain sedentary personages called Lords Ordinary.
+
+The earlier part of the morning was spent by old Fairford in reiterating
+his instructions to Alan, and in running from one person to another,
+from whom he thought he could still glean some grains of information,
+either concerning the point at issue, or collateral cases. Meantime,
+Poor Peter Peebles, whose shallow brain was altogether unable to bear
+the importance of the moment, kept as close to his young counsel as
+shadow to substance, affected now to speak loud, now to whisper in his
+ear, now to deck his ghastly countenance with wreathed smiles, now to
+cloud it with a shade of deep and solemn importance, and anon to contort
+it with the sneer of scorn and derision. These moods of the client’s
+mind were accompanied with singular ‘mockings and mowings,’ fantastic
+gestures, which the man of rags and litigation deemed appropriate to his
+changes of countenance. Now he brandished his arm aloft, now thrust his
+fist straight out, as if to knock his opponent down. Now he laid his
+open palm on his bosom, and now hinging it abroad, he gallantly snapped
+his fingers in the air.
+
+These demonstrations, and the obvious shame and embarrassment of Alan
+Fairford, did not escape the observation of the juvenile idlers in the
+hall. They did not, indeed, approach Peter with their usual familiarity,
+from some feeling of deference towards Fairford, though many accused
+him of conceit in presuming to undertake, at this early stage of his
+practice, a case of considerable difficulty. But Alan, notwithstanding
+this forbearance, was not the less sensible that he and his companion
+were the subjects of many a passing jest, and many a shout of laughter,
+with which that region at all times abounds.
+
+At length the young counsel’s patience gave way, and as it threatened to
+carry his presence of mind and recollection along with it, Alan frankly
+told his father, that unless he was relieved from the infliction of his
+client’s personal presence and instructions, he must necessarily throw
+up his brief, and decline pleading the case.
+
+‘Hush, hush, my dear Alan,’ said the old gentleman, almost at his
+own wit’s end upon hearing this dilemma; ‘dinna mind the silly
+ne’er-do-weel; we cannot keep the man from hearing his own cause, though
+he be not quite right in the head.’
+
+‘On my life, sir,’ answered Alan, ‘I shall be unable to go on, he drives
+everything out of my remembrance; and if I attempt to speak seriously of
+the injuries he has sustained, and the condition he is reduced to, how
+can I expect but that the very appearance of such an absurd scarecrow
+will turn it all into ridicule?’
+
+‘There is something in that,’ said Saunders Fairford, glancing a look
+at Poor Peter, and then cautiously inserting his forefinger under his
+bob-wig, in order to rub his temple and aid his invention; ‘he is no
+figure for the fore-bar to see without laughing; but how to get rid
+of him? To speak sense, or anything like it, is the last thing he will
+listen to. Stay, aye,--Alan, my darling, hae patience; I’ll get him off
+on the instant, like a gowff ba’.’
+
+So saying, he hastened to his ally, Peter Drudgeit, who on seeing him
+with marks of haste in his gait, and care upon his countenance, clapped
+his pen behind his ear, with ‘What’s the stir now, Mr. Saunders? Is
+there aught wrang?’
+
+‘Here’s a dollar, man,’ said Mr. Saunders; ‘now, or never, Peter, do me
+a good turn. Yonder’s your namesake, Peter Peebles, will drive the swine
+through our bonny hanks of yarn; get him over to John’s Coffeehouse,
+man--gie him his meridian--keep him there, drunk or sober, till the
+hearing is ower.’ [The simile is obvious, from the old manufacture of
+Scotland, when the gudewife’s thrift, as the yarn wrought in the winter
+was called, when laid down to bleach by the burn-side, was peculiarly
+exposed to the inroads of pigs, seldom well regulated about a Scottish
+farm-house.]
+
+‘Eneugh said,’ quoth Peter Drudgeit, no way displeased with his own
+share in the service required, ‘We’se do your bidding.’
+
+Accordingly, the scribe was presently seen whispering in the ear of
+Peter Peebles, whose response came forth in the following broken form:--
+
+‘Leave the court for ae minute on this great day of judgement? not I, by
+the Reg--Eh! what? Brandy, did ye say--French brandy?--couldna ye fetch
+a stoup to the bar under your coat, man? Impossible? Nay, if it’s clean
+impossible, and if we have an hour good till they get through the single
+bill and the summar-roll, I carena if I cross the close wi’ you; I am
+sure I need something to keep my heart up this awful day; but I’ll no
+stay above an instant--not above a minute of time--nor drink aboon a
+single gill,’
+
+In a few minutes afterwards, the two Peters were seen moving through the
+Parliament Close (which new-fangled affectation has termed a Square),
+the triumphant Drudgeit leading captive the passive Peebles, whose legs
+conducted him towards the dramshop, while his reverted eyes were
+fixed upon the court. They dived into the Cimmerian abysses of John’s
+Coffeehouse, [See Note 5.] formerly the favourite rendezvous of the
+classical and genial Doctor Pitcairn, and were for the present seen no
+more.
+
+Relieved from his tormentor, Alan Fairford had time to rally his
+recollections, which, in the irritation of his spirits, had nearly
+escaped him, and to prepare himself far a task, the successful discharge
+or failure in which must, he was aware, have the deepest influence upon
+his fortunes. He had pride, was not without a consciousness of talent,
+and the sense of his father’s feelings upon the subject impelled him to
+the utmost exertion. Above all, he had that sort of self-command
+which is essential to success in every arduous undertaking, and he was
+constitutionally free from that feverish irritability by which
+those whose over-active imaginations exaggerate difficulties, render
+themselves incapable of encountering such when they arrive.
+
+Having collected all the scattered and broken associations which were
+necessary, Alan’s thoughts reverted to Dumfriesshire, and the precarious
+situation in which he feared his beloved friend had placed himself; and
+once and again he consulted his watch, eager to have his present task
+commenced and ended, that he might hasten to Darsie’s assistance. The
+hour and moment at length arrived. The macer shouted, with all his
+well-remembered brazen strength of lungs, ‘Poor Peter Peebles VERSUS
+Plainstanes, PER Dumtoustie ET Tough!--Maister Da-a-niel Dumtoustie!’
+Dumtoustie answered not the summons, which, deep and swelling as it was,
+could not reach across the Queensferry; but our Maister Alan Fairford
+appeared in his place.
+
+The court was very much crowded; for much amusement had been received
+on former occasions when Peter had volunteered his own oratory, and
+had been completely successful in routing the gravity of the whole
+procedure, and putting to silence, not indeed the counsel of the
+opposite party, but his own.
+
+Both bench and audience seemed considerably surprised at the juvenile
+appearance of the young man who appeared in the room of Dumtoustie, for
+the purpose of opening this complicated and long depending process, and
+the common herd were disappointed at the absence of Peter the client,
+the Punchinello of the expected entertainment. The judges looked with
+a very favourable countenance on our friend Alan, most of them being
+acquainted, more or less, with so old a practitioner as his father, and
+all, or almost all, affording, from civility, the same fair play to the
+first pleading of a counsel, which the House of Commons yields to the
+maiden speech of one of its members.
+
+Lord Bladderskate was an exception to this general expression of
+benevolence. He scowled upon Alan, from beneath his large, shaggy, grey
+eyebrows, just as if the young lawyer had been usurping his nephew’s
+honours, instead of covering his disgrace; and, from feelings which did
+his lordship little honour, he privately hoped the young man would not
+succeed in the cause which his kinsman had abandoned.
+
+Even Lord Bladderskate, however, was, in spite of himself, pleased with
+the judicious and modest tone in which Alan began his address to the
+court, apologizing for his own presumption, and excusing it by the
+sudden illness of his learned brother, for whom the labour of opening
+a cause of some difficulty and importance had been much more worthily
+designed. He spoke of himself as he really was, and of young Dumtoustie
+as what he ought to have been, taking care not to dwell on either topic
+a moment longer than was necessary. The old judge’s looks became benign;
+his family pride was propitiated, and, pleased equally with the modesty
+and civility of the young man whom he had thought forward and officious,
+he relaxed the scorn of his features into an expression of profound
+attention; the highest compliment, and the greatest encouragement, which
+a judge can render to the counsel addressing him.
+
+Having succeeded in securing the favourable attention of the court,
+the young lawyer, using the lights which his father’s experience and
+knowledge of business had afforded him, proceeded with an address and
+clearness, unexpected from one of his years, to remove from the case
+itself those complicated formalities with which it had been loaded, as a
+surgeon strips from a wound the dressings which had been hastily wrapped
+round it, in order to proceed to his cure SECUNDUM ARTEM. Developed of
+the cumbrous and complicated technicalities of litigation, with which
+the perverse obstinacy of the client, the inconsiderate haste or
+ignorance of his agents, and the evasions of a subtle adversary, had
+invested the process, the cause of Poor Peter Peebles, standing upon
+its simple merits, was no bad subject for the declamation of a young
+counsel, nor did our friend Alan fail to avail himself of its strong
+points.
+
+He exhibited his client as a simple-hearted, honest, well-meaning
+man, who, during a copartnership of twelve years, had gradually become
+impoverished, while his partner (his former clerk) having no funds but
+his share of the same business, into which he had been admitted without
+any advance of stock, had become gradually more and more wealthy.
+
+‘Their association,’ said Alan, and the little flight was received
+with some applause, ‘resembled the ancient story of the fruit which was
+carved with a knife poisoned on one side of the blade only, so that
+the individual to whom the envenomed portion was served, drew decay and
+death from what afforded savour and sustenance to the consumer of the
+other moiety.’ He then plunged boldly into the MARE MAGNUM of accompts
+between the parties; he pursued each false statement from the waste-book
+to the day-book, from the day-book to the bill-book, from the bill-book
+to the ledger; placed the artful interpolations and insertions of the
+fallacious Plainstanes in array against each other, and against the
+fact; and availing himself to the utmost of his father’s previous
+labours, and his own knowledge of accompts, in which he had been
+sedulously trained, he laid before the court a clear and intelligible
+statement of the affairs of the copartnery, showing, with precision,
+that a large balance must, at the dissolution, have been due to his
+client, sufficient to have enabled him to have carried on business on
+his own account, and thus to have retained his situation in society as
+an independent and industrious tradesman. ‘But instead of this justice
+being voluntarily rendered by the former clerk to his former master,--by
+the party obliged to his benefactor,--by one honest man to another,--his
+wretched client had been compelled to follow his quondam clerk, his
+present debtor, from court to court; had found his just claims met with
+well-invented but unfounded counter-claims, had seen his party shift
+his character of pursuer or defender, as often as Harlequin effects his
+transformations, till, in a chase so varied and so long, the unhappy
+litigant had lost substance, reputation, and almost the use of reason
+itself, and came before their lordships an object of thoughtless
+derision to the unreflecting, of compassion to the better-hearted, and
+of awful meditation to every one who considered that, in a country where
+excellent laws were administered by upright and incorruptible judges, a
+man might pursue an almost indisputable claim through all the mazes of
+litigation; lose fortune, reputation, and reason itself in the chase,
+and now come before the supreme court of his country in the wretched
+condition of his unhappy client, a victim to protracted justice, and to
+that hope delayed which sickens the heart.’
+
+The force of this appeal to feeling made as much impression on the Bench
+as had been previously effected by the clearness of Alan’s argument.
+The absurd form of Peter himself, with his tow-wig, was fortunately not
+present to excite any ludicrous emotion, and the pause that took place
+when the young lawyer had concluded his speech, was followed by a murmur
+of approbation, which the ears of his father drank in as the sweetest
+sounds that had ever entered them. Many a hand of gratulation was thrust
+out to his grasp, trembling as it was with anxiety, and finally with
+delight; his voice faltering as he replied, ‘Aye, aye, I kend Alan was
+the lad to make a spoon or spoil a horn.’ [Said of an adventurous gipsy,
+who resolves at all risks to convert a sheep’s horn into a spoon.]
+
+The counsel on the other side arose, an old practitioner, who had noted
+too closely the impression made by Alan’s pleading not to fear the
+consequences of an immediate decision. He paid the highest compliments
+to his very young brother--‘the Benjamin, as he would presume to call
+him, of the learned Faculty--said the alleged hardships of Mr.
+Peebles were compensated by his being placed in a situation where
+the benevolence of their lordships had assigned him gratuitously such
+assistance as he might not otherwise have obtained at a high price--and
+allowed his young brother had put many things in such a new point of
+view, that, although he was quite certain of his ability to refute them,
+he was honestly desirous of having a few hours to arrange his answer,
+in order to be able to follow Mr. Fairford from point to point. He
+had further to observe, there was one point of the case to which
+his brother, whose attention had been otherwise so wonderfully
+comprehensive, had not given the consideration which he expected; it was
+founded on the interpretation of certain correspondence which had passed
+betwixt the parties soon after the dissolution of the copartnery.’
+
+The court having heard Mr. Tough, readily allowed him two days for
+preparing himself, hinting at the same time that he might find his task
+difficult, and affording the young counsel, with high encomiums upon the
+mode in which he had acquitted himself, the choice of speaking,
+either now or at the next calling of the cause, upon the point which
+Plainstanes’s lawyer had adverted to.
+
+Alan modestly apologized for what in fact had been an omission very
+pardonable in so complicated a case, and professed himself instantly
+ready to go through that correspondence, and prove that it was in
+form and substance exactly applicable to the view of the case he had
+submitted to their lordships. He applied to his father, who sat behind
+him, to hand him, from time to time, the letters, in the order in which
+he meant to read and comment upon them.
+
+Old Counsellor Tough had probably formed an ingenious enough scheme to
+blunt the effect of the young lawyer’s reasoning, by thus obliging him
+to follow up a process of reasoning, clear and complete in itself, by
+a hasty and extemporary appendix. If so, he seemed likely to be
+disappointed; for Alan was well prepared on this as on other parts of
+the cause, and recommenced his pleading with a degree of animation which
+added force even to what he had formerly stated, and might perhaps have
+occasioned the old gentleman to regret his having again called him up,
+when his father, as he handed him the letters, put one into his hand
+which produced a singular effect on the pleader.
+
+At the first glance, he saw that the paper had no reference to the
+affairs of Peter Peebles; but the first glance also showed him, what,
+even at that time, and in that presence, he could not help reading; and
+which, being read, seemed totally to disconcert his ideas. He stopped
+short in his harangue--gazed on the paper with a look of surprise and
+horror-uttered an exclamation, and flinging down the brief which he had
+in his hand, hurried out of court without returning a single word of
+answer to the various questions, ‘What was the matter?’--‘Was he taken
+unwell?’--‘Should not a chair be called?’ &c. &c. &c.
+
+The elder Mr. Fairford, who remained seated, and looking as senseless as
+if he had been made of stone, was at length recalled to himself by the
+anxious inquiries of the judges and the counsel after his son’s health.
+He then rose with an air, in which was mingled the deep habitual
+reverence in which he held the court, with some internal cause of
+agitation, and with difficulty mentioned something of a mistake--a piece
+of bad news--Alan, he hoped would be well enough to-morrow. But unable
+to proceed further, he clasped his hands together, exclaiming, ‘My son!
+my son!’ and left the court hastily, as if in pursuit of him.
+
+‘What’s the matter with the auld bitch next?’ [Tradition ascribes this
+whimsical style of language to the ingenious and philosophical Lord
+Kaimes.] said an acute metaphysical judge, though somewhat coarse in
+his manners, aside to his brethren. ‘This is a daft cause,
+Bladderskate--first, it drives the poor man mad that aught it--then your
+nevoy goes daft with fright, and flies the pit--then this smart young
+hopeful is aff the hooks with too hard study, I fancy--and now auld
+Saunders Fairford is as lunatic as the best of them. What say ye till’t,
+ye bitch?’
+
+‘Nothing, my lord,’ answered Bladderskate, much too formal to admire the
+levities in which his philosophical brother sometimes indulged--‘I say
+nothing, but pray to Heaven to keep our own wits.’
+
+‘Amen, amen,’ answered his learned brother; ‘for some of us have but few
+to spare.’
+
+The court then arose, and the audience departed, greatly wondering at
+the talent displayed by Alan Fairford at his first appearance in a case
+so difficult and so complicated, and assigning a hundred conjectural
+causes, each different from the others, for the singular interruption
+which had clouded his day of success. The worst of the whole was, that
+six agents, who had each come to the separate resolution of thrusting a
+retaining fee into Alan’s hand as he left the court, shook their heads
+as they returned the money into their leathern pouches, and said, ‘that
+the lad was clever, but they would like to see more of him before they
+engaged him in the way of business--they did not like his lowping away
+like a flea in a blanket.’
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Had our friend Alexander Fairford known the consequences of his son’s
+abrupt retreat from the court, which are mentioned in the end of the
+last chapter, it might have accomplished the prediction of the lively
+old judge, and driven him utterly distracted. As it was, he was
+miserable enough. His son had risen ten degrees higher in his estimation
+than ever by his display of juridical talents, which seemed to assure
+him that the applause of the judges and professors of the law, which, in
+his estimation, was worth that of all mankind besides, authorized to
+the fullest extent the advantageous estimate which even his parental
+partiality had been induced to form of Alan’s powers. On the other hand,
+he felt that he was himself a little humbled, from a disguise which he
+had practised towards this son of his hopes and wishes.
+
+The truth was, that on the morning of this eventful day, Mr. Alexander
+Fairford had received from his correspondent and friend, Provost Crosbie
+of Dumfries, a letter of the following tenor:
+
+‘DEAR SIR, ‘Your respected favour of 25th ultimo, per favour of
+Mr. Darsie Latimer, reached me in safety, and I showed to the young
+gentleman such attention as he was pleased to accept of. The object of
+my present writing is twofold. First, the council are of opinion that
+you should now begin to stir in the thirlage cause; and they think they
+will be able, from evidence NOVITER REPERTUM, to enable you to amend
+your condescendence upon the use and wont of the burgh, touching
+the GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA. So you will please consider yourself as
+authorized to speak to Mr. Pest, and lay before him the papers which you
+will receive by the coach. The council think that a fee of two guineas
+may be sufficient on this occasion, as Mr. Pest had three for drawing
+the original condescendence.
+
+‘I take the opportunity of adding that there has been a great riot among
+the Solway fishermen, who have destroyed, in a masterful manner,
+the stake-nets set up near the mouth of this river; and have besides
+attacked the house of Quaker Geddes, one of the principal partners of
+the Tide-net Fishing Company, and done a great deal of damage. Am sorry
+to add, young Mr. Latimer was in the fray and has not since been heard
+of. Murder is spoke of, but that may be a word of course. As the young
+gentleman has behaved rather oddly while in these parts, as in declining
+to dine with me more than once, and going about the country with
+strolling fiddlers and such-like, I rather hope that his present absence
+is only occasioned by a frolic; but as his servant has been making
+inquiries of me respecting his master, I thought it best to acquaint
+you in course of post. I have only to add that our sheriff has taken
+a precognition, and committed one or two of the rioters. If I can be
+useful in this matter, either by advertising for Mr. Latimer as
+missing, publishing a reward, or otherwise, I will obey your respected
+instructions, being your most obedient to command, ‘WILLIAM CROSBIE.’
+
+When Mr. Fairford received this letter, and had read it to an end,’ his
+first idea was to communicate it to his son, that an express might be
+instantly dispatched, or a king’s messenger sent with proper authority
+to search after his late guest.
+
+The habits of the fishers were rude; as he well knew, though not
+absolutely sanguinary or ferocious; and there had been instances of
+their transporting persons who had interfered in their smuggling trade
+to the Isle of Man and elsewhere, and keeping them under restraint for
+many weeks. On this account, Mr. Fairford was naturally led to
+feel anxiety concerning the fate of his late inmate; and, at a less
+interesting moment, would certainly have set out himself, or licensed
+his son to go in pursuit of his friend.
+
+But, alas! he was both a father and an agent. In the one capacity, he
+looked on his son as dearer to him than all the world besides; in the
+other, the lawsuit which he conducted was to him like an infant to its
+nurse, and the case of Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes was, he
+saw, adjourned, perhaps SINE DIE, should this document reach the hands
+of his son. The mutual and enthusiastical affection betwixt the young
+men was well known to him; and he concluded that if the precarious state
+of Latimer were made known to Alan Fairford, it would render him not
+only unwilling, but totally unfit, to discharge the duty of the day to
+which the old gentleman attached such ideas of importance.
+
+On mature reflection, therefore, he resolved, though not without
+some feelings of compunction, to delay communicating to his son the
+disagreeable intelligence which he had received, until the business of
+the day should be ended. The delay, he persuaded himself, could be of
+little consequence to Darsie Latimer, whose folly, he dared to say, had
+led him into some scrape which would meet an appropriate punishment in
+some accidental restraint, which would be thus prolonged for only a few
+hours longer. Besides, he would have time to speak to the sheriff of the
+county--perhaps to the King’s Advocate--and set about the matter in
+a regular manner, or, as he termed it, as summing up the duties of
+a solicitor, to AGE AS ACCORDS. [A Scots law phrase, of no very
+determinate import, meaning, generally, to do what is fitting.]
+
+The scheme, as we have seen, was partially successful, and was only
+ultimately defeated, as he confessed to himself with shame, by his own
+very unbusiness-like mistake of shuffling the provost’s letter, in the
+hurry and anxiety of the morning, among some papers belonging to Peter
+Peebles’s affairs, and then handing it to his son, without observing
+the blunder. He used to protest, even till the day of his death, that he
+never had been guilty of such an inaccuracy as giving a paper out of his
+hand without looking at the docketing, except on that unhappy occasion,
+when, of all others, he had such particular reason to regret his
+negligence.
+
+Disturbed by these reflections, the old gentleman had, for the first
+time in his life, some disinclination, arising from shame and vexation,
+to face his own son; so that to protract for a little the meeting,
+which he feared would be a painful one, he went to wait upon the
+sheriff-depute, who he found had set off for Dumfries in great haste to
+superintend in person the investigation which had been set on foot by
+his substitute. This gentleman’s clerk could say little on the subject
+of the riot, excepting that it had been serious, much damage done to
+property, and some personal violence offered to individuals; but, as far
+as he had yet heard, no lives lost on the spot.
+
+Mr. Fairford was compelled to return home with this intelligence; and
+on inquiring at James Wilkinson where his son was, received for answer,
+that ‘Maister Alan was in his own room, and very busy.’
+
+‘We must have our explanation over,’ said Saunders Fairford to himself.
+‘Better a finger off, as ay wagging;’ and going to the door of his son’s
+apartment, he knocked at first gently--then more loudly--but received
+no answer. Somewhat alarmed at this silence, he opened the door of the
+chamber it was empty--clothes lay mixed in confusion with the law-books
+and papers, as if the inmate had been engaged in hastily packing for a
+journey. As Mr. Fairford looked around in alarm, his eye was arrested
+by a sealed letter lying upon his son’s writing-table, and addressed to
+himself. It contained the following words:--
+
+‘MY DEAREST FATHER, ‘You will not, I trust, be surprised, nor perhaps
+very much displeased, to learn that I am on my way to Dumfriesshire, to
+learn, by my own personal investigation, the present state of my dear
+friend, and afford him such relief as may be in my power, and which, I
+trust, will be effectual. I do not presume to reflect upon you, dearest
+sir, for concealing from me information of so much consequence to my
+peace of mind and happiness; but I hope your having done so will be, if
+not an excuse, at least some mitigation of my present offence, in taking
+a step of consequence without consulting your pleasure; and, I must
+further own, under circumstances which perhaps might lead to your
+disapprobation of my purpose. I can only say, in further apology, that
+if anything unhappy, which Heaven forbid! shall have occurred to the
+person who, next to yourself, is dearest to me in this world, I shall
+have on my heart, as a subject of eternal regret, that being in a
+certain degree warned of his danger and furnished with the means
+of obviating it, I did not instantly hasten to his assistance, but
+preferred giving my attention to the business of this unlucky morning.
+No view of personal distinction, nothing, indeed, short of your earnest
+and often expressed wishes, could have detained me in town till this
+day; and having made this sacrifice to filial duty, I trust you will
+hold me excused if I now obey the calls of friendship and humanity. Do
+not be in the least anxious on my account; I shall know, I trust, how
+to conduct myself with due caution in any emergence which may occur,
+otherwise my legal studies for so many years have been to little
+purpose. I am fully provided with money, and also with arms, in case of
+need; but you may rely on my prudence in avoiding all occasions of using
+the latter, short of the last necessity. God almighty bless you, my
+dearest father! and grant that you may forgive the first, and, I trust,
+the last act approaching towards premeditated disobedience, of which I
+either have now, or shall hereafter have, to accuse myself. I remain,
+till death, your dutiful and affectionate son, ALAN FAIRFORD.’
+
+‘PS.--I shall write with the utmost regularity, acquainting you with my
+motions, and requesting your advice. I trust my stay will be very short,
+and I think it possible that I may bring back Darsie along with me.’
+
+‘The paper dropped from the old man’s hand when he was thus assured
+of the misfortune which he apprehended. His first idea was to get a
+postchaise and pursue the fugitive; but he recollected that, upon the
+very rare occasions when Alan had shown himself indocile to the PATRIA
+POTESTAS, his natural ease and gentleness of disposition seemed hardened
+into obstinacy, and that now, entitled, as arrived at the years of
+majority and a member of the learned faculty, to direct his own motions,
+there was great doubt, whether, in the event of his overtaking his son,
+he might be able to prevail upon him to return back. In such a risk of
+failure he thought it wiser to desist from his purpose, especially as
+even his success in such a pursuit would give a ridiculous ECLAT to the
+whole affair, which could not be otherwise than prejudicial to his son’s
+rising character.
+
+Bitter, however, were Saunders Fairford’s reflections, as again
+picking up the fatal scroll, he threw himself into his son’s leathern
+easy-chair, and bestowed upon it a disjointed commentary, ‘Bring back
+Darsie? little doubt of that--the bad shilling is sure enough to come
+back again. I wish Darsie no worse ill than that he were carried where
+the silly fool, Alan, should never see him again. It was an ill hour
+that he darkened my doors in, for, ever since that, Alan has given up
+his ain old-fashioned mother-wit for the tother’s capernoited maggots
+and nonsense. Provided with money? you must have more than I know of,
+then, my friend, for I trow I kept you pretty short, for your own good.
+Can he have gotten more fees? or, does he think five guineas has neither
+beginning nor end? Arms! What would he do with arms, or what would any
+man do with them that is not a regular soldier under government, or else
+a thief-taker? I have had enough of arms, I trow, although I carried
+them for King George and the government. But this is a worse strait than
+Falkirk field yet. God guide us, we are poor inconsistent creatures! To
+think the lad should have made so able an appearance, and then bolted
+off this gate, after a glaiket ne’er-do-weel, like a hound upon a false
+scent! Las-a-day! it’s a sore thing to see a stunkard cow kick down
+the pail when it’s reaming fou. But, after all, it’s an ill bird that
+defiles its ain nest. I must cover up the scandal as well as I can.
+What’s the matter now, James?’
+
+‘A message, sir,’ said James Wilkinson, ‘from my Lord President; and he
+hopes Mr. Alan is not seriously indisposed.’
+
+‘From the Lord President? the Lord preserve us!--I’ll send an answer
+this instant; bid the lad sit down, and ask him to drink, James. Let me
+see,’ continued he, taking a sheet of gilt paper ‘how we are to draw our
+answers.’
+
+Ere his pen had touched the paper, James was in the room again.
+
+‘What now, James?’
+
+‘Lord Bladderskate’s lad is come to ask how Mr. Alan is, as he left; the
+court’--
+
+‘Aye, aye, aye,’ answered Saunders, bitterly; ‘he has e’en made a
+moonlight flitting, like my lord’s ain nevoy.’
+
+‘Shall I say sae, sir?’ said James, who, as an old soldier, was literal
+in all things touching the service.
+
+‘The devil! no, no!--Bid the lad sit down and taste our ale. I will
+write his lordship an answer.’
+
+Once more the gilt paper was resumed, and once more the door was opened
+by James.
+
+‘Lord ------ sends his servitor to ask after Mr. Alan.’
+
+‘Oh, the deevil take their civility!’ said poor Saunders, set him down
+to drink too--I will write to his lordship.’
+
+‘The lads will bide your pleasure, sir, as lang as I keep the bicker
+fou; but this ringing is like to wear out the bell, I think; there are
+they at it again.’
+
+He answered the fresh summons accordingly, and came back to inform Mr.
+Fairford that the Dean of Faculty was below, inquiring for Mr. Alan.
+‘Will I set him down to drink, too?’ said James.
+
+‘Will you be an idiot, sir?’ said Mr. Fairford. ‘Show Mr. Dean into the
+parlour.’
+
+In going slowly downstairs, step by step, the perplexed man of business
+had time enough to reflect, that if it be possible to put a fair gloss
+upon a true story, the verity always serves the purpose better than any
+substitute which ingenuity can devise. He therefore told his learned
+visitor, that although his son had been incommoded by the heat of the
+court, and the long train of hard study, by day and night, preceding
+his exertions, yet he had fortunately so far recovered, as to be in
+condition to obey upon the instant a sudden summons which had called him
+to the country, on a matter of life and death.
+
+‘It should be a serious matter indeed that takes my young friend away
+at this moment,’ said the good-natured dean. ‘I wish he had stayed to
+finish his pleading, and put down old Tough. Without compliment, Mr.
+Fairford, it was as fine a first appearance as I ever heard. I should
+be sorry your son did not follow it up in a reply. Nothing like striking
+while the iron is hot.’
+
+Mr. Saunders Fairford made a bitter grimace as he acquiesced in an
+opinion which was indeed decidedly his own; but he thought it most
+prudent to reply, ‘that the affair which rendered his son Alan’s
+presence in the country absolutely necessary, regarded the affairs of a
+young gentleman of great fortune, who was a particular friend of Alan’s,
+and who never took any material step in his affairs without consulting
+his counsel learned in the law.’
+
+‘Well, well, Mr. Fairford, you know best,’ answered the learned dean;
+‘if there be death or marriage in the case, a will or a wedding is to
+be preferred to all other business. I am happy Mr. Alan is so much
+recovered as to be able for travel, and wish you a very good morning.’
+
+Having thus taken his ground to the Dean of Faculty, Mr. Fairford
+hastily wrote cards in answer to the inquiry of the three judges,
+accounting for Alan’s absence in the same manner. These, being properly
+sealed and addressed, he delivered to James with directions to dismiss
+the particoloured gentry, who, in the meanwhile, had consumed a gallon
+of twopenny ale, while discussing points of law, and addressing each
+other by their masters’ titles. [The Scottish judges are distinguished
+by the title of lord prefixed to their own temporal designation. As
+the ladies of these official dignitaries do not bear any share in their
+husbands’ honours, they are distinguished only by their lords’ family
+name. They were not always contented with this species of Salique law,
+which certainly is somewhat inconsistent. But their pretensions to title
+are said to have been long since repelled by James V, the sovereign who
+founded the College of Justice. ‘I,’ said he, ‘made the caries lords,
+but who the devil made the carlines ladies?’]
+
+The exertion which these matters demanded, and the interest which so
+many persons of legal distinction appeared to have taken in his
+son, greatly relieved the oppressed spirit of Saunders Fairford, who
+continued, to talk mysteriously of the very important business which had
+interfered with his son’s attendance during the brief remainder of the
+session. He endeavoured to lay the same unction to his own heart; but
+here the application was less fortunate, for his conscience told him
+that no end, however important, which could be achieved in Darsie
+Latimer’s affairs, could be balanced against the reputation which Alan
+was like to forfeit by deserting the cause of Poor Peter Peebles.
+
+In the meanwhile, although the haze which surrounded the cause, or
+causes, of that unfortunate litigant had been for a time dispelled by
+Alan’s eloquence, like a fog by the thunder of artillery, yet it seemed
+once more to settle down upon the mass of litigation, thick as the
+palpable darkness of Egypt, at the very sound of Mr. Tough’s voice, who,
+on the second day after Alan’s departure, was heard in answer to the
+opening counsel. Deep-mouthed, long-breathed, and pertinacious, taking
+a pinch of snuff betwixt every sentence, which otherwise seemed
+interminable--the veteran pleader prosed over all the themes which had
+been treated so luminously by Fairford: he quietly and imperceptibly
+replaced all the rubbish which the other had cleared away, and succeeded
+in restoring the veil of obscurity and unintelligibility which had for
+many years darkened the case of Peebles against Plainstanes; and
+the matter was once more hung up by a remit to an accountant, with
+instruction to report before answer. So different a result from that
+which the public had been led to expect from Alan’s speech gave rise to
+various speculations.
+
+The client himself opined, that it was entirely owing, first, to his
+own absence during the first day’s pleading, being, as he said,
+deboshed with brandy, usquebaugh, and other strong waters, at John’s
+Coffee-house, PER AMBAGES of Peter Drudgeit, employed to that effect by
+and through the device, counsel, and covyne of Saunders Fairford,
+his agent, or pretended agent. Secondly by the flight and voluntary
+desertion of the younger Fairford, the advocate; on account of which, he
+served both father and son with a petition and complaint against them,
+for malversation in office. So that the apparent and most probable issue
+of this cause seemed to menace the melancholy Mr. Saunders Fairford,
+with additional subject for plague and mortification; which was the more
+galling, as his conscience told him that the case was really given away,
+and that a very brief resumption of the former argument, with reference
+to the necessary authorities and points of evidence, would have enabled
+Alan, by the mere breath, as it were, of his mouth, to blow away the
+various cobwebs with which Mr. Tough had again invested the proceedings.
+But it went, he said, just like a decreet in absence, and was lost for
+want of a contradictor.
+
+In the meanwhile, nearly a week passed over without Mr. Fairford hearing
+a word directly from his son. He learned, indeed, by a letter from Mr.
+Crosbie, that the young counsellor had safely reached Dumfries, but had
+left that town upon some ulterior researches, the purpose of which
+he had not communicated. The old man, thus left to suspense, and to
+mortifying recollections, deprived also of the domestic society to which
+he had been habituated, began to suffer in body as well as in mind. He
+had formed the determination of setting out in person for Dumfriesshire,
+when, after having been dogged, peevish, and snappish to his clerks and
+domestics, to an unusual and almost intolerable degree, the acrimonious
+humours settled in a hissing-hot fit of the gout, which is a well-known
+tamer of the most froward spirits, and under whose discipline we shall,
+for the present, leave him, as the continuation of this history assumes,
+with the next division, a form somewhat different from direct narrative
+and epistolary correspondence, though partaking of the character of
+both.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+JOURNAL OF DARSIE LATIMER (The following address is written on the
+inside of the envelope which contained the Journal.)
+
+Into what hands soever these leaves may fall, they will instruct
+him, during a certain time at least, in the history of the life of an
+unfortunate young man, who, in the heart of a free country, and without
+any crime being laid to his charge, has been, and is, subjected to a
+course of unlawful and violent restraint. He who opens this letter, is
+therefore conjured to apply to the nearest magistrate, and, following
+such indications as the papers may afford, to exert himself for the
+relief of one, who, while he possesses every claim to assistance
+which oppressed innocence can give, has, at the same time, both the
+inclination and the means of being grateful to his deliverers. Or, if
+the person obtaining these letters shall want courage or means to effect
+the writer’s release, he is, in that case, conjured, by every duty of a
+man to his fellow mortals, and of a Christian towards one who professes
+the same holy faith, to take the speediest measures for conveying them
+with speed and safety to the hands of Alan Fairford, Esq., Advocate,
+residing in the family of his father, Alexander Fairford, Esq., Writer
+to the Signet, Brown’s Square, Edinburgh. He may be assured of a liberal
+reward, besides the consciousness of having discharged a real duty to
+humanity.
+
+MY DEAREST ALAN, Feeling as warmly towards you in doubt and in distress,
+as I ever did in the brightest days of our intimacy, it is to you whom
+I address a history which may perhaps fall into very different hands. A
+portion of my former spirit descends to my pen when I write your name,
+and indulging the happy thought that you may be my deliverer from my
+present uncomfortable and alarming situation, as you have been my guide
+and counsellor on every former occasion, I will subdue the dejection
+which would otherwise overwhelm me. Therefore, as, Heaven knows, I have
+time enough to write, I will endeavour to pour my thoughts out, as fully
+and freely as of old, though probably without the same gay and happy
+levity.
+
+If the papers should reach other hands than yours, still I will not
+regret this exposure of my feelings; for, allowing for an ample share of
+the folly incidental to youth and inexperience, I fear not that I have
+much to be ashamed of in my narrative; nay, I even hope that the open
+simplicity and frankness with which I am about to relate every singular
+and distressing circumstance, may prepossess even a stranger in my
+favour; and that, amid the multitude of seemingly trivial circumstances
+which I detail at length, a clue may be found to effect my liberation.
+
+Another chance certainly remains--the Journal, as I may call it,
+may never reach the hands, either of the dear friend to whom it is
+addressed, or those of an indifferent stranger, but may become the prey
+of the persons by whom I am at present treated as a prisoner. Let it be
+so--they will learn from it little but what they already know; that,
+as a man and an Englishman, my soul revolts at the usage which I have
+received; that I am determined to essay every possible means to obtain
+my freedom; that captivity has not broken my spirit, and that, although
+they may doubtless complete their oppression by murder, I am still
+willing to bequeath my cause to the justice of my country. Undeterred,
+therefore, by the probability that my papers may be torn from me, and
+subjected to the inspection of one in particular, who, causelessly
+my enemy already, may be yet further incensed at me for recording the
+history of my wrongs, I proceed to resume the history of events which
+have befallen me since the conclusion of my last letter to my dear Alan
+Fairford, dated, if I mistake not, on the 5th day of this still current
+month of August.
+
+Upon the night preceding the date of that letter, I had been present,
+for the purpose of an idle frolic, at a dancing party at the village of
+Brokenburn, about six miles from Dumfries; many persons must have seen
+me there, should the fact appear of importance sufficient to require
+investigation. I danced, played on the violin, and took part in the
+festivity till about midnight, when my servant, Samuel Owen, brought me
+my horses, and I rode back to a small inn called Shepherd’s Bush, kept
+by Mrs. Gregson, which had been occasionally my residence for about a
+fortnight past. I spent the earlier part of the forenoon in writing a
+letter, which I have already mentioned, to you, my dear Alan, and which,
+I think, you must have received in safety. Why did I not follow your
+advice, so often given me? Why did I linger in the neighbourhood of a
+danger, of which a kind voice had warned me? These are now unavailing
+questions; I was blinded by a fatality, and remained, fluttering like a
+moth around the candle, until I have been scorched to some purpose.
+
+The greater part of the day had passed, and time hung heavy on my hands.
+I ought, perhaps, to blush at recollecting what has been often objected
+to me by the dear friend to whom this letter is addressed, viz. the
+facility with which I have, in moments of indolence, suffered my motions
+to be, directed by any person who chanced to be near me, instead of
+taking the labour of thinking or deciding for myself. I had employed for
+some time, as a sort of guide and errand-boy, a lad named Benjamin, the
+son of one widow Coltherd, who lives near the Shepherd’s Bush, and I
+cannot but remember that, upon several occasions, I had of late suffered
+him to possess more influence over my motions than at all became the
+difference of our age and condition. At present, he exerted himself to
+persuade me that it was the finest possible sport to see the fish taken
+out from the nets placed in the Solway at the reflux of the tide, and
+urged my going thither this evening so much, that, looking back on the
+whole circumstances, I cannot but think he had some especial motive for
+his conduct. These particulars I have mentioned, that if these papers
+fall into friendly hands, the boy may be sought after and submitted to
+examination.
+
+His eloquence being unable to persuade me that I should take any
+pleasure in seeing the fruitless struggles of the fish when left in the
+nets and deserted by the tide, he artfully suggested, that Mr. and Miss
+Geddes, a respectable Quaker family well known in the neighbourhood
+and with whom I had contracted habits of intimacy, would possibly be
+offended if I did not make them an early visit. Both, he said, had been
+particularly inquiring the reasons of my leaving their house rather
+suddenly on the previous day. I resolved, therefore, to walk up to Mount
+Sharon and make my apologies; and I agreed to permit the boy to attend
+upon me, and wait my return from the house, that I might fish on my way
+homeward to Shepherd’s Bush, for which amusement, he assured me, I would
+find the evening most favourable. I mention this minute circumstance,
+because I strongly suspect that this boy had a presentiment how the
+evening was to terminate with me, and entertained the selfish though
+childish wish of securing to himself an angling-rod which he had often
+admired, as a part of my spoils. I may do the boy wrong, but I had
+before remarked in him the peculiar art of pursuing the trifling objects
+of cupidity proper to his age, with the systematic address of much riper
+years.
+
+When we had commenced our walk, I upbraided him with the coolness of
+the evening, considering the season, the easterly wind, and other
+circumstances, unfavourable for angling. He persisted in his own story,
+and made a few casts, as if to convince me of my error, but caught
+no fish; and, indeed, as I am now convinced, was much more intent on
+watching my motions than on taking any. When I ridiculed him once more
+on his fruitless endeavours, he answered with a sneering smile, that
+‘the trouts would not rise, because there was thunder in the air;’ an
+intimation which, in one sense, I have found too true.
+
+I arrived at Mount Sharon; was received by my friends there with their
+wonted kindness; and after being a little rallied on my having suddenly
+left them on the preceding evening, I agreed to make atonement
+by staying all night, and dismissed the lad who attended with my
+fishing-rod, to carry that information to Shepherd’s Bush. It may be
+doubted whether he went thither, or in a different direction.
+
+Betwixt eight and nine o’clock, when it began to become dark, we walked
+on the terrace to enjoy the appearance of the firmament, glittering with
+ten million stars; to which a slight touch of early frost gave tenfold
+lustre. As we gazed on this splendid scene, Miss Geddes, I think, was
+the first to point out to our admiration a shooting or falling star,
+which, she said, drew a long train after it. Looking to the part of
+the heavens which she pointed out, I distinctly observed two successive
+sky-rockets arise and burst in the sky.
+
+‘These meteors,’ said Mr. Geddes, in answer to his sister’s observation,
+‘are not formed in heaven, nor do they bode any good to the dwellers
+upon earth.’
+
+As he spoke, I looked to another quarter of the sky, and a rocket, as if
+a signal in answer to those which had already appeared, rose high from
+the earth, and burst apparently among the stars.
+
+Mr. Geddes seemed very thoughtful for some minutes, and then said to
+his sister, ‘Rachel, though it waxes late. I must go down to the fishing
+station, and pass the night in the overseer’s room there.’
+
+‘Nay, then,’ replied the lady, ‘I am but too well assured that the sons
+of Belial are menacing these nets and devices. Joshua, art thou a man of
+peace, and wilt thou willingly and wittingly thrust thyself where thou
+mayst be tempted by the old man Adam within thee, to enter into debate
+and strife?’
+
+‘I am a man of peace, Rachel,’ answered Mr. Geddes, ‘even to the utmost
+extent which our friends can demand of humanity; and neither have I ever
+used, nor, with the help of God, will I at any future time employ, the
+arm of flesh to repel or to revenge injuries. But if I can, by mild
+reasons and firm conduct, save those rude men from committing a crime,
+and the property belonging to myself and others from sustaining damage,
+surely I do but the duty of a man and a Christian.’
+
+With these words, he ordered his horse instantly; and his sister,
+ceasing to argue with him, folded her arms upon her bosom, and looked up
+to heaven with a resigned and yet sorrowful countenance.
+
+These particulars may appear trivial; but it is better, in my present
+condition, to exert my faculties in recollecting the past, and in
+recording it, than waste them in vain and anxious anticipations of the
+future.
+
+It would have been scarcely proper in me to remain in the house from
+which the master was thus suddenly summoned away; and I therefore begged
+permission to attend him to the fishing station, assuring his sister
+that I would be a guarantee for his safety.
+
+That proposal seemed to give much pleasure to Miss Geddes. ‘Let it be
+so, brother,’ she said; ‘and let the young man have the desire of his
+heart, that there may be a faithful witness to stand by thee in the hour
+of need, and to report how it shall fare with thee.
+
+‘Nay, Rachel,’ said the worthy man, ‘thou art to blame in this, that
+to quiet thy apprehensions on my account, thou shouldst thrust into
+danger--if danger it shall prove to be--this youth, our guest; for
+whom, doubtless, in case of mishap, as many hearts will ache as may be
+afflicted on our account.’
+
+‘No, my good friend,’ said I, taking Mr. Geddes’s hand, ‘I am not so
+happy as you suppose me. Were my span to be concluded this evening, few
+would so much as know that such a being had existed for twenty years on
+the face of the earth; and of these few, only one would sincerely regret
+me. Do not, therefore, refuse me the privilege attending you; and of
+showing, by so trifling an act of kindness, that if I have few friends,
+I am at least desirous to serve them.’
+
+‘Thou hast a kind heart, I warrant thee,’ said Joshua Geddes, returning
+the pressure of my hand. ‘Rachel, the young man shall go with me. Why
+should he not face danger, in order to do justice and preserve peace?
+There is that within me,’ he added, looking upwards, and with a passing
+enthusiasm which I had not before observed and the absence of
+which perhaps rather belonged to the sect than to his own personal
+character--‘I say, I have that within which assures me, that though the
+ungodly may rage even like the storm of the ocean, they shall not have
+freedom to prevail against us.’
+
+Having spoken thus, Mr. Geddes appointed a pony to be saddled for my
+use; and having taken a basket with some provisions, and a servant
+to carry back the horses for which there was no accommodation at the
+fishing station, we set off about nine o’clock at night, and after
+three-quarters of an hour’s riding, arrived at our place of destination.
+
+The station consists, or then consisted, of huts for four or five
+fishermen, a cooperage and shed, and a better sort of cottage at which
+the superintendent resided. We gave our horses to the servant, to be
+carried back to Mount Sharon; my companion expressing himself humanely
+anxious for their safety--and knocked at the door of the house. At
+first we only heard a barking of dogs; but these animals became quiet on
+snuffing beneath the door, and acknowledging the presence of friends. A
+hoarse voice then demanded, in rather unfriendly accents, who we were,
+and what we wanted and it was not; until Joshua named himself, and
+called upon his superintendent to open, that the latter appeared at the
+door of the hut, attended by three large dogs of the Newfoundland breed.
+He had a flambeau in his hand, and two large heavy ship-pistols stuck
+into his belt. He was a stout elderly man, who had been a sailor, as I
+learned, during the earlier part of his life, and was now much confided
+in by the Fishing Company, whose concerns he directed under the orders
+of Mr. Geddes.
+
+‘Thou didst not expect me to-night, friend Davies?’ said my friend to
+the old man, who was arranging seats for us by the fire.
+
+‘No, Master Geddes,’ answered he, ‘I did not expect you, nor, to speak
+the truth, did I wish for you either.’
+
+‘These are plain terms: John Davies,’ answered Mr. Geddes.
+
+‘Aye, aye, sir, I know your worship loves no holiday speeches.’
+
+‘Thou dost guess, I suppose, what brings us here so late, John Davies?’
+said Mr. Geddes.
+
+‘I do suppose, sir,’ answered the superintendent, ‘that it was because
+those d--d smuggling wreckers on the coast are showing their lights to
+gather their forces, as they did the night before they broke down the
+dam-dyke and weirs up the country; but if that same be the case, I wish
+once more you had stayed away, for your worship carries no fighting
+tackle aboard, I think; and there will be work for such ere morning,
+your worship.’
+
+‘Worship is due to Heaven only, John Davies,’ said Geddes, ‘I have often
+desired thee to desist from using that phrase to me.’
+
+‘I won’t, then,’ said John; ‘no offence meant: But how the devil can a
+man stand picking his words, when he is just going to come to blows?’
+
+‘I hope not, John Davies,’ said Joshua Geddes. ‘Call in the rest of the
+men, that I may give them their instructions.’
+
+‘I may cry till doomsday Master Geddes, ere a soul answers--the cowardly
+lubbers have all made sail--the cooper, and all the rest of them, so
+soon as they heard the enemy were at sea. They have all taken to the
+long-boat, and left the ship among the breakers, except little Phil and
+myself--they have, by--!’
+
+‘Swear not at all, John Davies--thou art an honest man; and I believe,
+without an oath, that thy comrades love their own bones better than
+my goods and chattels. And so thou hast no assistance but little Phil
+against a hundred men or two?’
+
+‘Why, there are the dogs, your honour knows, Neptune and Thetis--and
+the puppy may do something; and then though your worship--I beg
+pardon--though your honour be no great fighter, this young gentleman may
+bear a hand.’
+
+‘Aye, and I see you are provided with arms,’ said Mr. Geddes; ‘let me
+see them.’
+
+‘Aye, aye, sir; here be a pair of buffers will bite as well as
+bark--these will make sure of two rogues at least. It would be a shame
+to strike without firing a shot. Take care, your honour, they are
+double-shotted.’
+
+‘Aye, John Davies, I will take care of them, throwing the pistols into a
+tub of water beside him; ‘and I wish I could render the whole generation
+of them useless at the same moment.’
+
+A deep shade of displeasure passed over John Davies’s weatherbeaten
+countenance. ‘Belike your honour is going to take the command yourself,
+then?’ he said, after a pause. ‘Why, I can be of little use now; and
+since your worship, or your honour, or whatever you are, means to strike
+quietly, I believe you will do it better without me than with me, for I
+am like enough to make mischief, I admit; but I’ll never leave my post
+without orders.’
+
+‘Then you have mine, John Davies, to go to Mount Sharon directly, and
+take the boy Phil with you. Where is he?’
+
+‘He is on the outlook for these scums of the earth,’ answered Davies;
+‘but it is to no purpose to know when they come, if we are not to stand
+to our weapons.’
+
+‘We will use none but those of sense and reason, John.’
+
+‘And you may just as well cast chaff against the wind, as speak sense
+and reason to the like of them.’
+
+‘Well, well, be it so,’ said Joshua; ‘and now, John Davies, I know thou
+art what the world calls a brave fellow, and I have ever found thee an
+honest one. And now I command you to go to Mount Sharon, and let Phil
+lie on the bank-side--see the poor boy hath a sea-cloak, though--and
+watch what happens there, and let him bring you the news; and if
+any violence shall be offered to the property there, I trust to your
+fidelity to carry my sister to Dumfries to the house of our friends
+the Corsacks, and inform the civil authorities of what mischief hath
+befallen.’
+
+The old seaman paused a moment. ‘It is hard lines for me,’ he said, ‘to
+leave your honour in tribulation; and yet, staying here, I am only like
+to make bad worse; and your honour’s sister, Miss Rachel, must be looked
+to, that’s certain; for if the rogues once get their hand to mischief,
+they will come to Mount Sharon after they have wasted and destroyed this
+here snug little roadstead, where I thought to ride at anchor for life.’
+
+‘Right, right, John Davies,’ said Joshua Geddes; ‘and best call the dogs
+with you.’
+
+‘Aye, aye, sir,’ said the veteran, ‘for they are something of my mind,
+and would not keep quiet if they saw mischief doing; so maybe they might
+come to mischief, poor dumb creatures. So God bless your honour--I
+mean your worship--I cannot bring my mouth to say fare you well. Here,
+Neptune, Thetis! come, dogs, come.’
+
+So saying, and with a very crestfallen countenance, John Davies left the
+hut.
+
+‘Now there goes one of the best and most faithful creatures that ever
+was born,’ said Mr. Geddes, as the superintendent shut the door of the
+cottage. ‘Nature made him with a heart that would not have suffered him
+to harm a fly; but thou seest, friend Latimer, that as men arm their
+bull-dogs with spiked collars, and their game-cocks with steel spurs, to
+aid them in fight, so they corrupt, by education, the best and mildest
+natures, until fortitude and spirit become stubbornness and ferocity.
+Believe me, friend Latimer, I would as soon expose my faithful household
+dog to a vain combat with a herd of wolves, as yon trusty creature to
+the violence of the enraged multitude. But I need say little on this
+subject to thee, friend Latimer, who, I doubt not, art trained to
+believe that courage is displayed and honour attained, not by doing
+and suffering as becomes a man that which fate calls us to suffer and
+justice commands us to do, but because thou art ready to retort violence
+for violence, and considerest the lightest insult as a sufficient cause
+for the spilling of blood, nay, the taking of life. But, leaving these
+points of controversy to a more fit season, let us see what our basket
+of provision contains; for in truth, friend Latimer, I am one of those
+whom neither fear nor anxiety deprives of their ordinary appetite.’
+
+We found the means of good cheer accordingly, which Mr. Geddes seemed to
+enjoy as much as if it had been eaten in a situation of perfect safety;
+nay, his conversation appeared to be rather more gay than on ordinary
+occasions. After eating our supper, we left the hut together, and walked
+for a few minutes on the banks of the sea. It was high water, and the
+ebb had not yet commenced. The moon shone broad and bright upon the
+placid face of the Solway Firth, and showed a slight ripple upon the
+stakes, the tops of which were just visible above the waves, and on
+the dark-coloured buoys which marked the upper edge of the enclosure of
+nets. At a much greater distance--for the estuary is here very wide--the
+line of the English coast was seen on the verge of the water, resembling
+one of those fog-banks on which mariners are said to gaze, uncertain
+whether it be land or atmospherical delusion.
+
+‘We shall be undisturbed for some hours,’ said Mr. Geddes; ‘they will
+not come down upon us: till the state of the tide permits them to
+destroy the tide-nets. Is it not strange to think that human passions
+will so soon transform such a tranquil scene as this into one of
+devastation and confusion?’
+
+It was indeed a scene of exquisite stillness; so much so, that the
+restless waves of the Solway seemed, if not absolutely to sleep, at
+least to slumber; on the shore no night-bird was heard--the cock had not
+sung his first matins, and we ourselves walked more lightly than by day,
+as if to suit the sounds of our own paces to the serene tranquillity
+around us. At length, the plaintive cry of a dog broke the silence, and
+on our return to the cottage, we found that the younger of the three
+animals which had gone along with John Davies, unaccustomed, perhaps,
+to distant journeys, and the duty of following to heel, had strayed from
+the party, and, unable to rejoin them, had wandered back to the place of
+its birth.
+
+‘Another feeble addition to our feeble garrison,’ said Mr. Geddes, as he
+caressed the dog, and admitted it into the cottage. ‘Poor thing! as thou
+art incapable of doing any mischief, I hope thou wilt sustain none. At
+least thou mayst do us the good service of a sentinel, and permit us to
+enjoy a quiet repose, under the certainty that thou wilt alarm us when
+the enemy is at hand.’
+
+There were two beds in the superintendent’s room, upon which we threw
+ourselves. Mr. Geddes, with his happy equanimity of temper, was asleep
+in the first five minutes. I lay for some time in doubtful and anxious
+thoughts, watching the fire, and the motions of the restless dog, which,
+disturbed probably at the absence of John Davies, wandered from the
+hearth to the door and back again, then came to the bedside and licked
+my hands and face, and at length, experiencing no repulse to its
+advances, established itself at my feet, and went to sleep, an example
+which I soon afterwards followed.
+
+The rage of narration, my dear Alan--for I will never relinquish the
+hope that what I am writing may one day reach your hands--has
+not forsaken me, even in my confinement, and the extensive though
+unimportant details into which I have been hurried, renders it necessary
+that I commence another sheet. Fortunately, my pygmy characters
+comprehend a great many words within a small space of paper.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+DARSIE LATIMER’S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+The morning was dawning, and Mr. Geddes and I myself were still sleeping
+soundly, when the alarm was given by my canine bedfellow, who first
+growled deeply at intervals, and at length bore more decided testimony
+to the approach of some enemy. I opened the door of the cottage, and
+perceived, at the distance of about two hundred yards, a small but close
+column of men, which I would have taken for a dark hedge, but that I
+could perceive it was advancing rapidly and in silence.
+
+The dog flew towards them, but instantly ran howling back to me, having
+probably been chastised by a stick or a stone. Uncertain as to the plan
+of tactics or of treaty which Mr. Geddes might think proper to adopt, I
+was about to retire into the cottage, when he suddenly joined me at the
+door, and, slipping his arm through mine, said, ‘Let us go to meet them
+manfully; we have done nothing to be ashamed of.--Friends,’ he said,
+raising his voice as we approached them, ‘who and what are you, and with
+what purpose are you here on my property?’
+
+A loud cheer was the answer returned, and a brace of fiddlers who
+occupied the front of the march immediately struck up the insulting air,
+the words of which begin--
+
+  Merrily danced the Quaker’s wife,
+  And merrily danced the Quaker.
+
+Even at that moment of alarm, I think I recognized the tones of the
+blind fiddler, Will, known by the name of Wandering Willie, from his
+itinerant habits. They continued to advance swiftly and in great order,
+in their front
+
+  The fiery fiddlers playing martial airs;
+
+when, coming close up, they surrounded us by a single movement, and
+there was a universal cry, ‘Whoop, Quaker--whoop, Quaker! Here have we
+them both, the wet Quaker and the dry one.’
+
+‘Hang up the wet Quaker to dry, and wet the dry one with a ducking,’
+answered another voice.
+
+‘Where is the sea-otter, John Davies, that destroyed more fish than any
+sealch upon Ailsa Craig?’ exclaimed a third voice. ‘I have an old crow
+to pluck with him, and a pock to put the feathers in.’
+
+We stood perfectly passive; for, to have attempted resistance against
+more than a hundred men, armed with guns, fish-spears, iron-crows,
+spades, and bludgeons, would have been an act of utter insanity. Mr.
+Geddes, with his strong sonorous voice, answered the question about the
+superintendent in a manner the manly indifference of which compelled
+them to attend to him.
+
+‘John Davies,’ he said, ‘will, I trust, soon be at Dumfries’--
+
+‘To fetch down redcoats and dragoons against us, you canting old
+villain!’
+
+A blow was, at the same time, levelled at my friend, which I parried by
+interposing the stick I had in my hand. I was instantly struck down, and
+have a faint recollection of hearing some crying, ‘Kill the young spy!’
+and others, as I thought, interposing on my behalf. But a second blow
+on the head, received in the scuffle, soon deprived me of sense and
+consciousness, and threw me into it state of insensibility, from which
+I did not recover immediately. When I did come to myself, I was lying
+on the bed from which I had just risen before the fray, and my poor
+companion, the Newfoundland puppy, its courage entirely cowed by the
+tumult of the riot, had crept as close to me as it could, and lay
+trembling and whining, as if under the most dreadful terror. I doubted
+at first whether I had not dreamed of the tumult, until, as I attempted
+to rise, a feeling of pain and dizziness assured me that the injury
+I had sustained was but too real. I gathered together my senses
+listened--and heard at a distance the shouts of the rioters, busy,
+doubtless, in their work of devastation. I made a second effort to rise,
+or at least to turn myself, for I lay with my face to the wall of
+the cottage, but I found that my limbs were secured, and my motions
+effectually prevented--not indeed by cords, but by linen or cloth
+bandages swathed around my ankles, and securing my arms to my sides.
+Aware of my utterly captive condition, I groaned betwixt bodily pain and
+mental distress,
+
+A voice by my bedside whispered, in a whining tone, ‘Whisht a-ye,
+hinnie--Whisht a-ye; haud your tongue, like a gude bairn--ye have cost
+us dear aneugh already. My hinnie’s clean gane now.’
+
+Knowing, as I thought, the phraseology of the wife of the itinerant
+musician, I asked her where her husband was, and whether he had been
+hurt.
+
+‘Broken,’ answered the dame, ‘all broken to pieces; fit for naught but
+to be made spunks of--the best blood that was in Scotland.’
+
+‘Broken?--blood?--is your husband wounded; has there been bloodshed
+broken limbs?’
+
+‘Broken limbs I wish,’ answered the beldam, ‘that my hinnie had broken
+the best bane in his body, before he had broken his fiddle, that was the
+best blood in Scotland--it was a Cremony, for aught that I ken.’
+
+‘Pshaw--only his fiddle?’ said I.
+
+‘I dinna ken what waur your honour could have wished him to do, unless
+he had broken his neck; and this is muckle the same to my hinnie Willie
+and me. Chaw, indeed! It is easy to say chaw, but wha is to gie us ony
+thing to chaw?--the bread-winner’s gane, and we may e’en sit down and
+starve.’
+
+‘No, no,’ I said, ‘I will pay you for twenty such fiddles.’
+
+‘Twenty such! is that a’ ye ken about it? the country hadna the like
+o’t. But if your honour were to pay us, as nae doubt wad be to your
+credit here and hereafter, where are ye to get the siller?’
+
+‘I have enough of money,’ said I, attempting to reach my hand towards my
+side-pocket; ‘unloose these bandages, and I will pay you on the spot.’
+
+This hint appeared to move her, and she was approaching the bedside, as
+I hoped, to liberate me from my bonds, when a nearer and more desperate
+shout was heard, as if the rioters were close by the hut.
+
+‘I daurna I daurna,’ said the poor woman, ‘they would murder me and my
+hinnie Willie baith, and they have misguided us aneugh already;--but if
+there is anything worldly I could do for your honour, leave out loosing
+ye?’
+
+What she said recalled me to my bodily suffering. Agitation, and the
+effects of the usage I had received, had produced a burning thirst. I
+asked for a drink of water.
+
+‘Heaven Almighty forbid that Epps Ainslie should gie ony sick gentleman
+cauld well-water, and him in a fever. Na, na, hinnie, let me alane, I’ll
+do better for ye than the like of that.’
+
+‘Give me what you will,’ I replied; ‘let it but be liquid and cool.’
+
+The woman gave me a large horn accordingly, filled with spirits and
+water, which, without minute inquiry concerning the nature of its
+contents, I drained at a draught. Either the spirits taken in such a
+manner acted more suddenly than usual on my brain, or else there was
+some drug mixed with the beverage. I remember little after drinking it
+off, only that the appearance of things around me became indistinct;
+that the woman’s form seemed to multiply itself, and to flit in various
+figures around me, bearing the same lineaments as she herself did. I
+remember also that the discordant noises and cries of those without the
+cottage seemed to die away in a hum like that with which a nurse hushes
+her babe. At length I fell into a deep sound sleep, or rather, a state
+of absolute insensibility.
+
+I have reason to think this species of trance lasted for many hours;
+indeed, for the whole subsequent day and part of the night. It was not
+uniformly so profound, for my recollection of it is chequered with many
+dreams, all of a painful nature, but too faint and too indistinct to be
+remembered. At length the moment of waking came, and my sensations were
+horrible.
+
+A deep sound, which, in the confusion of my senses, I identified with
+the cries of the rioters, was the first thing of which I was sensible;
+next, I became conscious that I was carried violently forward in some
+conveyance, with an unequal motion, which gave me much pain. My position
+was horizontal, and when I attempted to stretch my hands in order to
+find some mode of securing myself against this species of suffering, I
+found I was bound as before, and the horrible reality rushed on my
+mind that I was in the hands of those who had lately committed a great
+outrage on property, and were now about to kidnap, if not to murder me.
+I opened my eyes, it was to no purpose--all around me was dark, for
+a day had passed over during my captivity. A dispiriting sickness
+oppressed my head--my heart seemed on fire, while my feet and hands were
+chilled and benumbed with want of circulation. It was with the utmost
+difficulty that I at length, and gradually, recovered in a sufficient
+degree the power of observing external sounds and circumstances; and
+when I did so, they presented nothing consolatory.
+
+Groping with my hands, as far as the bandages would permit, and
+receiving the assistance of some occasional glances of the moonlight, I
+became aware that the carriage in which I was transported was one of the
+light carts of the country, called TUMBLERS, and that a little attention
+had been paid to my accommodation, as I was laid upon some sacks covered
+with matting, and filled with straw. Without these, my condition would
+have been still more intolerable, for the vehicle, sinking now on one
+side, and now on the other, sometimes sticking absolutely fast and
+requiring the utmost exertions of the animal which drew it to put it
+once more in motion, was subjected to jolts in all directions, which
+were very severe. At other times it rolled silently and smoothly over
+what seemed to be wet sand; and, as I heard the distant roar of the
+tide, I had little doubt that we were engaged in passing the formidable
+estuary which divides the two kingdoms.
+
+There seemed to be at least five or six people about the cart, some on
+foot, others on horseback; the former lent assistance whenever it was in
+danger of upsetting, or sticking fast in the quicksand; the others rode
+before and acted as guides, often changing the direction of the vehicle
+as the precarious state of the passage required.
+
+I addressed myself to the men around the cart, and endeavoured to move
+their compassion. I had harmed, I said, no one, and for no action in my
+life had deserved such cruel treatment, I had no concern whatever in
+the fishing station which had incurred their displeasure, and my
+acquaintance with Mr. Geddes was of a very late date. Lastly, and as my
+strongest argument, I endeavoured to excite their fears, by informing
+them that my rank in life would not permit me to be either murdered or
+secreted with impunity; and to interest their avarice, by the promises
+I made them of reward, if they would effect my deliverance. I only
+received a scornful laugh in reply to my threats; my promises might have
+done more, for the fellows were whispering together as if in hesitation,
+and I began to reiterate and increase my offers, when the voice of one
+of the horsemen, who had suddenly come up, enjoined silence to the
+men on foot, and, approaching the side of the cart, said to me, with
+a strong and determined voice, ‘Young man, there is no personal harm
+designed to you. If you remain silent and quiet, you may reckon on
+good treatment; but if you endeavour to tamper with these men in the
+execution of their duty, I will take such measures for silencing you, as
+you shall remember the longest day you have to live.’
+
+I thought I knew the voice which uttered these threats; but, in such
+a situation, my perceptions could not be supposed to be perfectly
+accurate. I was contented to reply, ‘Whoever you are that speak to me, I
+entreat the benefit of the meanest prisoner, who is not to be subjected,
+legally to greater hardship than is necessary for the restraint of his
+person. I entreat that these bonds, which hurt me so cruelly, may be
+slackened at least, if not removed altogether.’
+
+‘I will slacken the belts,’ said the former speaker; ‘nay, I will
+altogether remove them, and allow you to pursue your journey in a more
+convenient manner, provided you will give me your word of honour that
+you will not attempt an escape?’
+
+‘NEVER!’ I answered, with an energy of which despair alone could have
+rendered me capable--‘I will never submit to loss of freedom a moment
+longer than I am subjected to it by force.’
+
+‘Enough,’ he replied; ‘the sentiment is natural; but do not on your side
+complain that I, who am carrying on an important undertaking, use the
+only means in my power for ensuring its success.’
+
+I entreated to know what it was designed to do with me; but my
+conductor, in a voice of menacing authority, desired me to be silent on
+my peril; and my strength and spirits were too much exhausted to permit
+my continuing a dialogue so singular, even if I could have promised
+myself any good result by doing so.
+
+It is proper here to add, that, from my recollections at the time, and
+from what has since taken place, I have the strongest possible belief
+that the man with whom I held this expostulation was the singular person
+residing at Brokenburn, in Dumfriesshire, and called by the fishers of
+that hamlet, the Laird of the Solway Lochs. The cause for his inveterate
+persecution I cannot pretend even to guess at.
+
+In the meantime, the cart was dragged heavily and wearily on, until the
+nearer roar of the advancing tide excited the apprehension of another
+danger. I could not mistake the sound, which I had heard upon another
+occasion, when it was only the speed of a fleet horse which saved me
+from perishing in the quicksands. Thou, my dear Alan, canst not but
+remember the former circumstances; and now, wonderful contrast! the very
+man, to the best of my belief, who then saved me from peril, was
+the leader of the lawless band who had deprived me of my liberty. I
+conjectured that the danger grew imminent; for I heard some words and
+circumstances which made me aware that a rider hastily fastened his own
+horse to the shafts of the cart in order to assist the exhausted animal
+which drew it, and the vehicle was now pulled forward at a faster pace,
+which the horses were urged to maintain by blows and curses. The
+men, however, were inhabitants of the neighbourhood; and I had strong
+personal reason to believe that one of them, at least, was intimately
+acquainted with all the depths and shallows of the perilous paths in
+which we were engaged. But they were in imminent danger themselves; and
+if so, as from the whispering and exertions to push on with the cart
+was much to be apprehended, there was little doubt that I should be left
+behind as a useless encumbrance, and that, while I was in a condition
+which rendered every chance of escape impracticable. These were awful
+apprehensions; but it pleased Providence to increase them to a point
+which my brain was scarcely able to endure.
+
+As we approached very near to a black line, which, dimly visible as it
+was, I could make out to be the shore, we heard two or three sounds,
+which appeared to be the report of fire-arms. Immediately all was bustle
+among our party to get forward. Presently a fellow galloped up to us,
+crying out, ‘Ware hawk! ware hawk! the land-sharks are out from Burgh,
+and Allonby Tom will lose his cargo if you do not bear a hand.’
+
+Most of my company seemed to make hastily for the shore on receiving
+this intelligence. A driver was left with the cart; but at length, when,
+after repeated and hairbreadth escapes, it actually stuck fast in a
+slough or quicksand, the fellow, with an oath, cut the harness, and, as
+I presume, departed with the horses, whose feet I heard splashing over
+the wet sand and through the shallows, as he galloped off.
+
+The dropping sound of fire-arms was still continued, but lost almost
+entirely in the thunder of the advancing surge. By a desperate effort I
+raised myself in the cart, and attained a sitting posture, which served
+only to show me the extent of my danger. There lay my native land--my
+own England--the land where I was born, and to which my wishes, since
+my earliest age, had turned with all the prejudices of national
+feeling--there it lay, within a furlong of the place where I yet was;
+that furlong, which an infant would have raced over in a minute, was yet
+a barrier effectual to divide me for ever from England and from life. I
+soon not only heard the roar of this dreadful torrent, but saw, by
+the fitful moonlight, the foamy crests of the devouring waves, as they
+advanced with the speed and fury of a pack of hungry wolves.
+
+The consciousness that the slightest ray of hope, or power of
+struggling, was not left me, quite overcame the constancy which I had
+hitherto maintained. My eyes began to swim--my head grew giddy and mad
+with fear--I chattered and howled to the howling and roaring sea. One
+or two great waves already reached the cart, when the conductor of the
+party whom I have mentioned so often, was, as if by magic, at my side.
+He sprang from his horse into the vehicle, cut the ligatures which
+restrained me, and bade me get up and mount in the fiend’s name.
+
+Seeing I was incapable of obeying, he seized me as if I had been a
+child of six months old, threw me across the horse, sprang on behind,
+supporting with one hand, while he directed the animal with the other.
+In my helpless and painful posture, I was unconscious of the degree
+of danger which we incurred; but I believe at one time the horse was
+swimming, or nearly so; and that it was with difficulty that my stern
+and powerful assistant kept my head above water. I remember particularly
+the shock which I felt when the animal, endeavouring to gain the bank,
+reared, and very nearly fell back on his burden. The time during which
+I continued in this dreadful condition did not probably exceed two or
+three minutes, yet so strongly were they marked with horror and agony,
+that they seem to my recollection a much more considerable space of
+time.
+
+When I had been thus snatched from destruction, I had only power to say
+to my protector,--or oppressor,--for he merited either name at my hand,
+‘You do not, then, design to murder me?’
+
+He laughed as he replied, but it was a sort of laughter which I scarce
+desire to hear again,--‘Else you think I had let the waves do the work?
+But remember, the shepherd saves his sheep from the torrent--is it to
+preserve its life?--Be silent, however, with questions or entreaties.
+What I mean to do, thou canst no more discover or prevent, than a man,
+with his bare palm, can scoop dry the Solway.’
+
+I was too much exhausted to continue the argument; and, still numbed and
+torpid in all my limbs, permitted myself without reluctance to be placed
+on a horse brought for the purpose. My formidable conductor rode on the
+one side, and another person on the other, keeping me upright in the
+saddle. In this manner we travelled forward at a considerable rate,
+and by by-roads, with which my attendant seemed as familiar as with the
+perilous passages of the Solway.
+
+At length, after stumbling through a labyrinth of dark and deep lanes,
+and crossing more than one rough and barren heath, we found ourselves on
+the edge of a highroad, where a chaise and four awaited, as it appeared,
+our arrival. To my great relief, we now changed our mode of conveyance;
+for my dizziness and headache had returned in so strong a degree, that I
+should otherwise have been totally unable to keep my seat on horseback,
+even with the support which I received.
+
+My doubted and dangerous companion signed to me to enter the
+carriage--the man who had ridden on the left side of my horse stepped in
+after me, and drawing up the blinds of the vehicle, gave the signal for
+instant departure.
+
+I had obtained a glimpse of the countenance of my new companion, as by
+the aid of a dark lantern the drivers opened the carriage door, and
+I was wellnigh persuaded that I recognized in him the domestic of the
+leader of this party, whom I had seen at his house in Brokenburn on a
+former occasion. To ascertain the truth of my suspicion, I asked him
+whether his name was not Cristal Nixon.
+
+‘What is other folk’s names to you,’ he replied, gruffly, ‘who cannot
+tell your own father and mother?’
+
+‘You know them, perhaps!’ I exclaimed eagerly. ‘You know them! and with
+that secret is connected the treatment which I am now receiving? It must
+be so, for in my life have I never injured any one. Tell me the cause of
+my misfortunes, or rather, help me to my liberty, and I will reward you
+richly.’
+
+‘Aye, aye,’ replied my keeper; ‘but what use to give you liberty, who
+know nothing how to use it like a gentleman, but spend your time with
+Quakers and fiddlers, and such like raff! If I was your--hem, hem, hem!’
+
+Here Cristal stopped short, just on the point, as it appeared, when some
+information was likely to escape him. I urged him once more to be my
+friend, and promised him all the stock of money which I had about me,
+and it was not inconsiderable, if he would assist in my escape.
+
+He listened, as if to a proposition which had some interest, and
+replied, but in a voice rather softer than before, ‘Aye, but men do not
+catch old birds with chaff, my master. Where have you got the rhino you
+are so flush of?’
+
+‘I will give you earnest directly, and that in banknotes,’ said I; but
+thrusting my hand into my side-pocket, I found my pocket-book was gone.
+I would have persuaded myself that it was only the numbness of my hands
+which prevented my finding it; but Cristal Nixon, who bears in his
+countenance that cynicism which is especially entertained with human
+misery, no longer suppressed his laughter.
+
+‘Oh, ho! my young master,’ he said; ‘we have taken good enough care you
+have not kept the means of bribing poor folk’s fidelity. What, man, they
+have souls as well as other people, and to make them break trust is
+a deadly sin. And as for me, young gentleman, if you would fill Saint
+Mary’s Kirk with gold, Cristal Nixon would mind it no more than so many
+chucky-stones.’
+
+I would have persisted, were it but in hopes of his letting drop that
+which it concerned me to know, but he cut off further communication, by
+desiring me to lean back in the corner and go to sleep.
+
+‘Thou art cock-brained enough already,’ he added, ‘and we shall have thy
+young pate addled entirely, if you do not take some natural rest.’
+
+I did indeed require repose, if not slumber; the draught which I had
+taken continued to operate, and, satisfied in my own mind that no
+attempt on my life was designed, the fear of instant death no longer
+combated the torpor which crept over me--I slept, and slept soundly, but
+still without refreshment.
+
+When I awoke, I found myself extremely indisposed; images of the past,
+and anticipations of the future, floated confusedly through my brain.
+I perceived, however, that my situation was changed, greatly for the
+better. I was in a good bed, with the curtains drawn round it; I heard
+the lowered voice and cautious step of attendants, who seemed to respect
+my repose; it appeared as if I was in the hands either of friends, or of
+such as meant me no personal harm.
+
+I can give but an indistinct account of two or three broken and feverish
+days which succeeded, but if they were chequered with dreams and
+visions of terror, other and more agreeable objects were also sometimes
+presented. Alan Fairford will understand me when I say, I am convinced I
+saw G.M. during this interval of oblivion. I had medical attendance, and
+was bled more than once. I also remember a painful operation performed
+on my head, where I had received a severe blow on the night of the riot.
+My hair was cut short, and the bone of the skull examined, to discover
+if the cranium had received any injury.
+
+On seeing the physician, it would have been natural to have appealed
+to him on the subject of my confinement, and I remember more than once
+attempting to do so. But the fever lay like a spell upon my tongue, and
+when I would have implored the doctor’s assistance, I rambled from the
+subject, and spoke I know not what nonsense. Some power, which I
+was unable to resist, seemed to impel me into a different course of
+conversation from what I intended, and though conscious, in some degree,
+of the failure, I could not mend it; and resolved, therefore, to be
+patient, until my capacity of steady thought and expression was restored
+to me with my ordinary health, which had sustained a severe shock from
+the vicissitudes to which I had been exposed. [See Note 6.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+DARSIE LATIMER’S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+Two or three days, perhaps more, perhaps less, had been spent in bed,
+where I was carefully attended, and treated, I believe, with as much
+judgement as the case required, and I was at length allowed to quit
+my bed, though not the chamber. I was now more able to make some
+observation on the place of my confinement.
+
+The room, in appearance and furniture, resembled the best apartment in
+a farmer’s house; and the window, two stories high, looked into a
+backyard, or court, filled with domestic poultry. There were the usual
+domestic offices about this yard. I could distinguish the brewhouse and
+the barn, and I heard, from a more remote building, the lowing of the
+cattle, and other rural sounds, announcing a large and well-stocked
+farm. These were sights and sounds qualified to dispel any apprehension
+of immediate violence. Yet the building seemed ancient and strong, a
+part of the roof was battlemented, and the walls were of great thickness;
+lastly, I observed, with some unpleasant sensations, that the windows
+of my chamber had been lately secured with iron stanchions, and that
+the servants who brought me victuals, or visited my apartment to render
+other menial offices, always locked the door when they retired.
+
+The comfort and cleanliness of my chamber were of true English growth,
+and such as I had rarely seen on the other side of the Tweed; the very
+old wainscot, which composed the floor and the panelling of the room,
+was scrubbed with a degree of labour which the Scottish housewife rarely
+bestows on her most costly furniture.
+
+The whole apartments appropriated to my use consisted of the bedroom, a
+small parlour adjacent, within which was a still smaller closet having
+a narrow window which seemed anciently to have been used as a shot-hole,
+admitting, indeed, a very moderate portion of light and air, but without
+its being possible to see anything from it except the blue sky, and
+that only by mounting on a chair. There were appearances of a separate
+entrance into this cabinet, besides that which communicated with the
+parlour, but it had been recently built up, as I discovered by removing
+a piece of tapestry which covered the fresh mason-work. I found some
+of my clothes here, with linen and other articles, as well as my
+writing-case, containing pen, ink, and paper, which enables me, at my
+leisure (which, God knows, is undisturbed enough) to make this record of
+my confinement. It may be well believed, however, that I do not trust
+to the security of the bureau, but carry the written sheets about my
+person, so that I can only be deprived of them by actual violence. I
+also am cautious to write in the little cabinet only, so that I can
+hear any person approach me through the other apartments, and have time
+enough to put aside my journal before they come upon me.
+
+The servants, a stout country fellow and a very pretty milkmaid-looking
+lass, by whom I am attended, seem of the true Joan and Hedge school,
+thinking of little and desiring nothing beyond the very limited sphere
+of their own duties or enjoyments, and having no curiosity whatever
+about the affairs of others. Their behaviour to me in particular, is,
+at the same time, very kind and very provoking. My table is abundantly
+supplied, and they seem anxious to comply with my taste in that
+department. But whenever I make inquiries beyond ‘what’s for dinner’,
+the brute of a lad baffles me by his ANAN, and his DUNNA KNAW, and if
+hard pressed, turns his back on me composedly, and leaves the room. The
+girl, too, pretends to be as simple as he; but an arch grin, which
+she cannot always suppress, seems to acknowledge that she understands
+perfectly well the game which she is playing, and is determined to keep
+me in ignorance. Both of them, and the wench in particular, treat me
+as they would do a spoiled child, and never directly refuse me anything
+which I ask, taking care, at the same time, not to make their words good
+by effectually granting my request. Thus, if I desire to go out, I am
+promised by Dorcas that I shall walk in the park at night, and see the
+cows milked, just as she would propose such an amusement to a child. But
+she takes care never to keep her word, if it is in her power to do so.
+
+In the meantime, there has stolen on me insensibly an indifference to
+my freedom--a carelessness about my situation, for which I am unable to
+account, unless it be the consequence of weakness and loss of blood. I
+have read of men who, immured as I am, have surprised the world by the
+address with which they have successfully overcome the most formidable
+obstacles to their escape; and when I have heard such anecdotes, I
+have said to myself, that no one who is possessed only of a fragment
+of freestone, or a rusty nail to grind down rivets and to pick locks,
+having his full leisure to employ in the task, need continue the
+inhabitant of a prison. Here, however, I sit, day after day, without a
+single effort to effect my liberation.
+
+Yet my inactivity is not the result of despondency, but arises, in
+part at least, from feelings of a very different cast. My story, long
+a mysterious one, seems now upon the verge of some strange development;
+and I feel a solemn impression that I ought to wait the course of
+events, to struggle against which is opposing my feeble efforts to the
+high will of fate. Thou, my Alan, wilt treat as timidity this passive
+acquiescence, which has sunk down on me like a benumbing torpor; but if
+thou hast remembered by what visions my couch was haunted, and dost but
+think of the probability that I am in the vicinity, perhaps under the
+same roof with G.M., thou wilt acknowledge that other feelings than
+pusillanimity have tended in some degree to reconcile me to my fate.
+
+Still I own it is unmanly to submit with patience to this oppressive
+confinement. My heart rises against it, especially when I sit down to
+record my sufferings in this journal, and I am determined, as the first
+step to my deliverance, to have my letters sent to the post-house. ----
+
+I am disappointed. When the girl Dorcas, upon whom I had fixed for a
+messenger, heard me talk of sending a letter, she willingly offered her
+services, and received the crown which I gave her (for my purse had not
+taken flight with the more valuable contents of my pocket-book) with a
+smile which showed her whole set of white teeth.
+
+But when, with the purpose of gaining some intelligence respecting my
+present place of abode, I asked to which post-town she was to send or
+carry the letter, a stolid ‘ANAN’ showed me she was either ignorant of
+the nature of a post-office, or that, for the present, she chose to seem
+so.--‘Simpleton!’ I said, with some sharpness.
+
+‘O Lord, sir!’ answered the girl, turning pale, which they always do
+when I show any sparks of anger, ‘Don’t put yourself in a passion--I’ll
+put the letter in the post.
+
+‘What! and not know the name of the post-town?’ said I, out of patience.
+‘How on earth do you propose to manage that?’
+
+‘La you there, good master. What need you frighten a poor girl that is
+no schollard, bating what she learned at the Charity School of Saint
+Bees?’
+
+‘Is Saint Bees far from this place, Dorcas? Do you send your letters
+there?’ said I, in a manner as insinuating, and yet careless, as I could
+assume.
+
+‘Saint Bees! La, who but a madman--begging your honour’s pardon--it’s a
+matter of twenty years since fader lived at Saint Bees, which is twenty,
+or forty, or I dunna know not how many miles from this part, to the
+West, on the coast side; and I would not have left Saint Bees, but that
+fader’--
+
+‘Oh, the devil take your father!’ replied I.
+
+To which she answered, ‘Nay, but thof your honour be a little
+how-come-so, you shouldn’t damn folk’s faders; and I won’t stand to it,
+for one.’
+
+‘Oh, I beg you a thousand pardons--I wish your father no ill in the
+world--he was a very honest man in his way.’
+
+‘WAS an honest man!’ she exclaimed; for the Cumbrians are, it would
+seem, like their neighbours the Scotch, ticklish on the point of
+ancestry,--‘He IS a very honest man as ever led nag with halter on head
+to Staneshaw Bank Fair. Honest! He is a horse-couper.’
+
+‘Right, right,’ I replied; ‘I know it--I have heard of your father-as
+honest as any horse-couper of them all. Why, Dorcas, I mean to buy a
+horse of him.’
+
+‘Ah, your honour,’ sighed Dorcas, ‘he is the man to serve your honour
+well--if ever you should get round again--or thof you were a bit off the
+hooks, he would no more cheat you than’--
+
+‘Well, well, we will deal, my girl, you may depend on’t. But tell me
+now, were I to give you a letter, what would you do to get it forward?’
+
+‘Why, put it into Squire’s own bag that hangs in hall,’ answered poor
+Dorcas. ‘What else could I do? He sends it to Brampton, or to Carloisle,
+or where it pleases him, once a week, and that gate.’
+
+‘Ah!’ said I; ‘and I suppose your sweetheart John carries it?’
+
+‘Noa--disn’t now--and Jan is no sweetheart of mine, ever since he danced
+at his mother’s feast with Kitty Rutlege, and let me sit still; that a
+did.’
+
+‘It was most abominable in Jan, and what I could never have thought of
+him,’ I replied.
+
+‘Oh, but a did though--a let me sit still on my seat, a did.’
+
+‘Well, well, my pretty May, you will get a handsomer fellow than
+Jan--Jan’s not the fellow for you, I see that.’
+
+‘Noa, noa,’ answered the damsel; ‘but he is weel aneugh for a’ that,
+mon. But I carena a button for him; for there is the miller’s son, that
+suitored me last Appleby Fair, when I went wi’ oncle, is a gway canny
+lad as you will see in the sunshine.’
+
+‘Aye, a fine stout fellow. Do you think he would carry my letter to
+Carlisle?’
+
+‘To Carloisle! ‘Twould be all his life is worth; he maun wait on clap
+and hopper, as they say. Odd, his father would brain him if he went to
+Carloisle, bating to wrestling for the belt, or sic loike. But I ha’
+more bachelors than him; there is the schoolmaster, can write almaist as
+weel as tou canst, mon.’
+
+‘Then he is the very man to take charge of a letter; he knows the
+trouble of writing one.’
+
+‘Aye, marry does he, an tou comest to that, mon; only it takes him four
+hours to write as mony lines. Tan, it is a great round hand loike, that
+one can read easily, and not loike your honour’s, that are like midge’s
+taes. But for ganging to Carloisle, he’s dead foundered, man, as cripple
+as Eckie’s mear.’
+
+‘In the name of God,’ said I, ‘how is it that you propose to get my
+letter to the post?’
+
+‘Why, just to put it into Squire’s bag loike,’ reiterated Dorcas; ‘he
+sends it by Cristal Nixon to post, as you call it, when such is his
+pleasure.’
+
+Here I was, then, not much edified by having obtained a list of Dorcas’s
+bachelors; and by finding myself, with respect to any information
+which I desired, just exactly at the point where I set out. It was of
+consequence to me, however, to accustom, the girl to converse with me
+familiarly. If she did so, she could not always be on her guard,
+and something, I thought, might drop from her which I could turn to
+advantage.
+
+‘Does not the Squire usually look into his letter-bag, Dorcas?’ said I,
+with as much indifference as I could assume.
+
+‘That a does,’ said Dorcas; ‘and a threw out a letter of mine to Raff
+Miller, because a said’--
+
+‘Well, well, I won’t trouble him with mine,’ said I, ‘Dorcas; but,
+instead, I will write to himself, Dorcas. But how shall I address him?’
+
+‘Anan?’ was again Dorcas’s resource.
+
+‘I mean how is he called? What is his name?’
+
+‘Sure you honour should know best,’ said Dorcas.
+
+‘I know? The devil! You drive me beyond patience.’
+
+‘Noa, noa! donna your honour go beyond patience--donna ye now,’
+implored the wench. ‘And for his neame, they say he has mair nor ane
+in Westmoreland and on the Scottish side. But he is but seldom wi’
+us, excepting in the cocking season; and then we just call him Squoire
+loike; and so do my measter and dame.’
+
+‘And is he here at present?’ said I.
+
+‘Not he, not he; he is a buck-hoonting, as they tell me, somewhere up
+the Patterdale way; but he comes and gangs like a flap of a whirlwind,
+or sic loike.’
+
+I broke off the conversation, after forcing on Dorcas a little silver
+to buy ribbons, with which she was so much delighted that she exclaimed,
+‘God! Cristal Nixon may say his worst on thee; but thou art a civil
+gentleman for all him; and a quoit man wi’ woman folk loike.’
+
+There is no sense in being too quiet with women folk, so I added a kiss
+with my crown piece; and I cannot help thinking that I have secured
+a partisan in Dorcas. At least, she blushed, and pocketed her little
+compliment with one hand, while, with the other, she adjusted her
+cherry-coloured ribbons, a little disordered by the struggle it cost me
+to attain the honour of a salute.
+
+As she unlocked the door to leave the apartment, she turned back,
+and looking on me with a strong expression of compassion, added the
+remarkable words, ‘La--be’st mad or no, thou’se a mettled lad, after
+all.’
+
+There was something very ominous in the sound of these farewell words,
+which seemed to afford me a clue to the pretext under which I was
+detained in confinement, My demeanour was probably insane enough, while
+I was agitated at once by the frenzy incident to the fever, and the
+anxiety arising from my extraordinary situation. But is it possible they
+can now establish any cause for confining me arising out of the state of
+my mind?
+
+If this be really the pretext under which I am restrained from my
+liberty, nothing but the sedate correctness of my conduct can remove the
+prejudices which these circumstances may have excited in the minds of
+all who have approached me during my illness. I have heard--dreadful
+thought!--of men who, for various reasons, have been trepanned into
+the custody of the keepers of private madhouses, and whose brain,
+after years of misery, became at length unsettled, through irresistible
+sympathy with the wretched beings among whom they were classed. This
+shall not be my case, if, by strong internal resolution, it is in human
+nature to avoid the action of exterior and contagious sympathies.
+
+Meantime I sat down to compose and arrange my thoughts, for my purposed
+appeal to my jailer--so I must call him--whom I addressed in the
+following manner; having at length, and after making several copies,
+found language to qualify the sense of resentment which burned in
+the first, drafts of my letter, and endeavoured to assume a tone more
+conciliating. I mentioned the two occasions on which he had certainly
+saved my life, when at the utmost peril; and I added, that whatever was
+the purpose of the restraint, now practised on me, as I was given to
+understand, by his authority, it could not certainly be with any view
+to ultimately injuring me. He might, I said, have mistaken me for some
+other person; and I gave him what account I could of my situation and
+education, to correct such an error. I supposed it next possible, that
+he might think me too weak for travelling, and not capable of taking
+care of myself; and I begged to assure him, that I was restored to
+perfect health, and quite able to endure the fatigue of a journey.
+Lastly, I reminded him, in firm though measured terms, that the
+restraint which I sustained was an illegal one, and highly punishable
+by the laws which protect the liberties of the subject. I ended by
+demanding that he would take me before a magistrate; or, at least, that
+he would favour me with a personal interview and explain his meaning
+with regard to me.
+
+Perhaps this letter was expressed in a tone too humble for the
+situation of an injured man, and I am inclined to think so when I again
+recapitulate its tenor. But what could I do? I was in the power of one
+whose passions seem as violent as his means of gratifying them appear
+unbounded. I had reason, too, to believe (this to thee, Alan) that all
+his family did not approve of the violence of his conduct towards me; my
+object, in fine, was freedom, and who would not sacrifice much to attain
+it?
+
+I had no means of addressing my letter excepting ‘For the Squire’s
+own hand.’ He could be at no great distance, for in the course of
+twenty-four hours I received an answer. It was addressed to Darsie
+Latimer, and contained these words: ‘You have demanded an interview with
+me. You have required to be carried before a magistrate. Your first wish
+shall be granted--perhaps the second also. Meanwhile, be assured that
+you are a prisoner for the time, by competent authority, and that
+such authority is supported by adequate power. Beware, therefore, of
+struggling with a force sufficient to crush you, but abandon yourself to
+that train of events by which we are both swept along, and which it is
+impossible that either of us can resist.’
+
+These mysterious words were without signature of any kind, and left
+me nothing more important to do than to prepare myself for the meeting
+which they promised. For that purpose I must now break off, and make
+sure of the manuscript--so far as I can, in my present condition, be
+sure of anything--by concealing it within the lining of my coat, so as
+not to be found without strict search.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+LATIMER’S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+The important interview expected at the conclusion of my last took place
+sooner than I had calculated; for the very day I received the letter,
+and just when my dinner was finished, the squire, or whatever he is
+called, entered the room so suddenly that I almost thought I beheld an
+apparition. The figure of this man is peculiarly noble and stately,
+and his voice has that deep fullness of accent which implies unresisted
+authority. I had risen involuntarily as he entered; we gazed on each
+other for a moment in silence, which was at length broken by my visitor.
+
+‘You have desired to see me,’ he said. ‘I am here; if you have aught
+to say let me hear it; my time is too brief to be consumed in childish
+dumb-show.’
+
+‘I would ask of you,’ said I, ‘by what authority I am detained in this
+place of confinement, and for what purpose?’
+
+‘I have told you already,’ said he, ‘that my authority is sufficient,
+and my power equal to it; this is all which it is necessary for you at
+present to know.’
+
+‘Every British subject has a right to know why he suffers restraint,’
+I replied; ‘nor can he be deprived of liberty without a legal warrant.
+Show me that by which you confine me thus.’
+
+‘You shall see more,’ he said; ‘you shall see the magistrate by whom it
+is granted, and that without a moment’s delay.’
+
+This sudden proposal fluttered and alarmed me; I felt, nevertheless,
+that I had the right cause, and resolved to plead it boldly, although
+I could well have desired a little further time for preparation. He
+turned, however, threw open the door of the apartment, and commanded me
+to follow him. I felt some inclination, when I crossed the threshold of
+my prison-chamber, to have turned and run for it; but I knew not where
+to find the stairs--had reason to think the outer doors would be secured
+and, to conclude, so soon as I had quitted the room to follow the proud
+step of my conductor, I observed that I was dogged by Cristal Nixon, who
+suddenly appeared within two paces of me, and with whose great personal
+strength, independent of the assistance he might have received from
+his master, I saw no chance of contending. I therefore followed,
+unresistingly and in silence; along one or two passages of much greater
+length than consisted with the ideas I had previously entertained of
+the size of the house. At length a door was flung open, and we entered
+a large, old-fashioned parlour, having coloured glass in the windows,
+oaken panelling on the wall, a huge grate, in which a large faggot
+or two smoked under an arched chimney-piece of stone which bore some
+armorial device, whilst the walls were adorned with the usual number
+of heroes in armour, with large wigs instead of helmets, and ladies in
+sacques, smelling to nosegays.
+
+Behind a long table, on which were several books, sat a smart
+underbred-looking man, wearing his own hair tied in a club, and who,
+from the quire of paper laid before him, and the pen which he handled
+at my entrance, seemed prepared to officiate as clerk. As I wish to
+describe these persons as accurately as possible, I may add, he wore a
+dark-coloured coat, corduroy breeches, and spatterdashes. At the
+upper end of the same table, in an ample easy-chair covered with black
+leather, reposed a fat personage, about fifty years old, who either was
+actually a country justice, or was well selected to represent such a
+character. His leathern breeches were faultless in make, his jockey
+boots spotless in the varnish, and a handsome and flourishing pair of
+boot-garters, as they are called, united the one part of his garments to
+the other; in fine, a richly-laced scarlet waistcoat and a purple coat
+set off the neat though corpulent figure of the little man, and threw an
+additional bloom upon his plethoric aspect. I suppose he had dined,
+for it was two hours past noon, and he was amusing himself, and aiding
+digestion, with a pipe of tobacco. There was an air of importance in his
+manner which corresponded to the rural dignity of his exterior, and a
+habit which he had of throwing out a number of interjectional sounds,
+uttered with a strange variety of intonation running from bass up to
+treble in a very extraordinary manner, or breaking off his sentences
+with a whiff of his pipe, seemed adopted to give an air of thought and
+mature deliberation to his opinions and decisions. Notwithstanding
+all this, Alan, it might be DOOTED, as our old Professor used to say,
+whether the Justice was anything more then an ass. Certainly, besides a
+great deference for the legal opinion of his clerk, which might be quite
+according to the order of things, he seemed to be wonderfully under the
+command of his brother squire, if squire either of them were, and indeed
+much more than was consistent with so much assumed consequence of his
+own.
+
+‘Ho--ha--aye--so--so--hum--humph--this is the young man, I
+suppose--hum--aye--seems sickly. Young gentleman, you may sit down.’
+
+I used the permission given, for I had been much more reduced by my
+illness than I was aware of, and felt myself really fatigued, even by
+the few paces I had walked, joined to the agitation I suffered.
+
+‘And your name, young man, is--humph--aye--ha--what is it?’
+
+‘Darsie Latimer.’
+
+‘Right--aye--humph--very right. Darsie Latimer is the very
+thing--ha--aye--where do you come from?’
+
+‘From Scotland, sir,’ I replied.
+
+‘A native of Scotland--a--humph--eh--how is it?’
+
+‘I am an Englishman by birth, sir.’
+
+‘Right--aye--yes, you are so. But pray, Mr. Darsie Latimer, have you
+always been called by that name, or have you any other?--Nick, write
+down his answers, Nick.’
+
+‘As far as I remember, I never bore any other,’ was my answer.
+
+‘How, no? well, I should not have thought so, Hey, neighbour, would
+you?’
+
+Here he looked towards the other squire, who had thrown himself into a
+chair; and, with his legs stretched out before him, and his arms folded
+on his bosom, seemed carelessly attending to what was going forward.
+He answered the appeal of the Justice by saying, that perhaps the young
+man’s memory did not go back to a very early period.
+
+‘Ah--eh--ha--you hear the gentleman. Pray, how far may your memory be
+pleased to run back to?--umph?’
+
+‘Perhaps, sir, to the age of three years, or a little further.’
+
+‘And will you presume to say, sir,’ said the squire, drawing himself
+suddenly erect in his seat, and exerting the strength of his powerful
+voice, ‘that you then bore your present name?’
+
+I was startled at the confidence with which this question was put, and
+in vain rummaged my memory for the means of replying. ‘At least,’ I
+said, ‘I always remember being called Darsie; children, at that early
+age, seldom get more than their Christian name.’
+
+‘Oh, I thought so,’ he replied, and again stretched himself on his seat,
+in the same lounging posture as before.
+
+‘So you were called Darsie in your infancy,’ said the Justice;
+‘and--hum--aye--when did you first take the name of Latimer?’
+
+‘I did not take it, sir; it was given to me.’
+
+‘I ask you,’ said the lord of the mansion, but with less severity in his
+voice than formerly, ‘whether you can remember that you were ever called
+Latimer, until you had that name given you in Scotland?’
+
+‘I will be candid: I cannot recollect an instance that I was so called
+when in England, but neither can I recollect when the name was first
+given me; and if anything is to be founded on these queries and my
+answers, I desire my early childhood may be taken into consideration.’
+
+‘Hum--aye--yes,’ said the Justice; ‘all that requires consideration
+shall be duly considered. Young man--eh--I beg to know the name of your
+father and mother?’
+
+This was galling a wound that has festered for years, and I did not
+endure the question so patiently as those which preceded it; but
+replied, ‘I demand, in my turn, to know if I am before an English
+Justice of the Peace?’
+
+‘His worship, Squire Foxley, of Foxley Hall, has been of the quorum
+these twenty years,’ said Master Nicholas.
+
+‘Then he ought to know, or you, sir, as his clerk, should inform him,’
+said I, ‘that I am the complainer in this case, and that my complaint
+ought to be heard before I am subjected to cross-examination.’
+
+‘Humph--hoy--what, aye--there is something in that, neighbour,’ said
+the poor Justice, who, blown about by every wind of doctrine, seemed
+desirous to attain the sanction of his brother squire.
+
+‘I wonder at you, Foxley,’ said his firm-minded acquaintance; ‘how can
+you render the young man justice unless you know who he is?’
+
+‘Ha--yes--egad, that’s true,’ said Mr. Justice Foxley; ‘and now--looking
+into the matter more closely--there is, eh, upon the whole--nothing
+at all in what he says--so, sir, you must tell your father’s name, and
+surname.’
+
+‘It is out of my power, sir; they are not known to me, since you must
+needs know so much of my private affairs.’
+
+The Justice collected a great AFFLATUS in his cheeks, which puffed them
+up like those of a Dutch cherub, while his eyes seemed flying out of his
+head, from the effort with which he retained his breath. He then blew
+it forth with,--‘Whew!--Hoom--poof--ha!--not know your parents,
+youngster?--Then I must commit you for a vagrant, I warrant you. OMNE
+IGNOTUM PRO TERRIBILI, as we used to say at Appleby school; that is,
+every one that is not known to the Justice; is a rogue and a vagabond.
+Ha!--aye, you may sneer, sir; but I question if you would have known the
+meaning of that Latin, unless I had told you.’
+
+I acknowledged myself obliged for a new edition of the adage, and an
+interpretation which I could never have reached alone and unassisted. I
+then proceeded to state my case with greater confidence. The Justice
+was an ass, that was clear; but if was scarcely possible he could be so
+utterly ignorant as not to know what was necessary in so plain a case as
+mine. I therefore informed him of the riot which had been committed on
+the Scottish side of the Solway Firth, explained how I came to be placed
+in my present situation, and requested of his worship to set me at
+liberty. I pleaded my cause with as much earnestness as I could, casting
+an eye from time to time upon the opposite party, who seemed entirely
+indifferent to all the animation with which I accused him.
+
+As for the Justice, when at length I had ceased, as really not
+knowing what more to say in a case so very plain, he replied,
+‘Ho--aye--aye--yes--wonderful! and so this is all the gratitude you show
+to this good gentleman for the great charge and trouble he hath had with
+respect to and concerning of you?’
+
+‘He saved my life, sir, I acknowledge, on one occasion certainly, and
+most probably on two; but his having done so gives him no right over my
+person. I am not, however, asking for any punishment or revenge; on the
+contrary, I am content to part friends with the gentleman, whose motives
+I am unwilling to suppose are bad, though his actions have been, towards
+me, unauthorized and violent.’
+
+This moderation, Alan, thou wilt comprehend, was not entirely dictated
+by my feelings towards the individual of whom I complained; there were
+other reasons, in which regard for him had little share. It seemed,
+however, as if the mildness with which I pleaded my cause had more
+effect upon him than anything I had yet said. We was moved to the point
+of being almost out of countenance; and took snuff repeatedly, as if to
+gain time to stifle some degree of emotion.
+
+But on Justice Foxley, on whom my eloquence was particularly designed to
+make impression, the result was much less favourable. He consulted in a
+whisper with Mr. Nicholas, his clerk--pshawed, hemmed, and elevated
+his eyebrows, as if in scorn of my supplication. At length, having
+apparently made up his mind, he leaned back in his chair, and smoked
+his pipe with great energy, with a look of defiance, designed to make me
+aware that all my reasoning was lost on him.
+
+At length, when I stopped, more from lack of breath than want of
+argument, he opened his oracular jaws, and made the following reply,
+interrupted by his usual interjectional ejaculations, and by long
+volumes of smoke:--‘Hem--aye--eh--poof. And, youngster, do you think
+Matthew Foxley, who has been one of the quorum for these twenty years,
+is to be come over with such trash as would hardly cheat an apple-woman?
+Poof--poof--eh! Why, man--eh--dost thou not know the charge is not a
+bailable matter--and that--hum--aye--the greatest man--poof--the Baron
+of Graystock himself, must stand committed? and yet you pretend to have
+been kidnapped by this gentleman, and robbed of property, and what not;
+and--eh--poof--you would persuade me all you want is to get away from
+him? I do believe--eh--that it IS all you want. Therefore, as you are
+a sort of a slip-string gentleman, and--aye--hum--a kind of idle
+apprentice, and something cock-brained withal, as the honest folks
+of the house tell me--why, you must e’en remain under custody of your
+guardian, till your coming of age, or my Lord Chancellor’s warrant,
+shall give you the management of your own affairs, which, if you can
+gather your brains again, you will even then not be--aye--hem--poof--in
+particular haste to assume.’
+
+The time occupied by his worship’s hums, and haws, and puffs of tobacco
+smoke, together with the slow and pompous manner in which he spoke, gave
+me a minute’s space to collect my ideas, dispersed as they were by the
+extraordinary purport of this annunciation.
+
+‘I cannot conceive, sir,’ I replied, ‘by what singular tenure this
+person claims my obedience as a guardian; it is a barefaced imposture. I
+never in my life saw him, until I came unhappily to this country, about
+four weeks since.’
+
+‘Aye, sir--we--eh--know, and are aware--that--poof--you do not like
+to hear some folk’s names; and that--eh--you understand me--there are
+things, and sounds, and matters, conversation about names, and suchlike,
+which put you off the hooks--which I have no humour to witness.
+Nevertheless, Mr. Darsie--or--poof--Mr. Darsie Latimer--or--poof,
+poof--eh--aye, Mr. Darsie without the Latimer--you have acknowledged
+as much to-day as assures me you will best be disposed of under the
+honourable care of my friend here--all your confessions--besides that,
+poof--eh--I know him to be a most responsible person--a--hay--aye--most
+responsible and honourable person--Can you deny this?’
+
+‘I know nothing of him,’ I repeated; ‘not even his name; and I have not,
+as I told you, seen him in the course of my whole life, till a few weeks
+since.’
+
+‘Will you swear to that?’ said the singular man, who seemed to await the
+result of this debate, secure as a rattle-snake is of the prey which
+has once felt its fascination. And while he said these words in deep
+undertone, he withdrew his chair a little behind that of the Justice, so
+as to be unseen by him or his clerk, who sat upon the same side; while
+he bent on me a frown so portentous, that no one who has witnessed the
+look can forget it during the whole of his life. The furrows of the
+brow above the eyes became livid and almost black, and were bent into
+a semicircular, or rather elliptical form, above the junction of the
+eyebrows. I had heard such a look described in an old tale of DIABLERIE,
+which it was my chance to be entertained with not long since; when
+this deep and gloomy contortion of the frontal muscles was not unaptly
+described as forming the representation of a small horseshoe.
+
+The tale, when told, awaked a dreadful vision of infancy, which
+the withering and blighting look now fixed on me again forced on
+my recollection, but with much more vivacity. Indeed, I was so much
+surprised, and, I must add, terrified, at the vague ideas which were
+awakened in my mind by this fearful sign, that I kept my eyes fixed on
+the face in which it was exhibited, as on a frightful vision; until,
+passing his handkerchief a moment across his countenance, this
+mysterious man relaxed at once the look which had for me something
+so appalling. ‘The young man will no longer deny that he has seen me
+before,’ said he to the Justice, in a tone of complacency; ‘and I trust
+he will now be reconciled to my temporary guardianship, which may end
+better for him than he expects.’
+
+‘Whatever I expect,’ I replied, summoning my scattered recollections
+together, ‘I see I am neither to expect justice nor protection from this
+gentleman, whose office it is to render both to the lieges. For you,
+sir, how strangely you have wrought yourself into the fate of an unhappy
+young man or what interest you can pretend in me, you yourself only can
+explain. That I have seen you before is certain; for none can forget the
+look with which you seem to have the power of blighting those upon whom
+you cast it.’
+
+The Justice seemed not very easy under this hint, ‘Ha!--aye,’ he said;
+‘it is time to be going, neighbour. I have a many miles to ride, and I
+care not to ride darkling in these parts. You and I, Mr. Nicholas, must
+be jogging.’
+
+The Justice fumbled with his gloves, in endeavouring to draw them on
+hastily, and Mr. Nicholas bustled to get his greatcoat and whip. Their
+landlord endeavoured to detain them, and spoke of supper and beds. Both,
+pouring forth many thanks for his invitation, seemed as if they would
+much rather not, and Mr. Justice Foxley was making a score of apologies,
+with at least a hundred cautionary hems and eh-ehs, when the girl Dorcas
+burst into the room, and announced a gentleman on justice business.
+
+‘What gentleman?--and whom does he want?’
+
+‘He is cuome post on his ten toes,’ said the wench; ‘and on justice
+business to his worship loike. I’se uphald him a gentleman, for he
+speaks as good Latin as the schule-measter; but, lack-a-day! he has
+gotten a queer mop of a wig.’
+
+The gentleman, thus announced and described, bounced into the room.
+But I have already written as much as fills a sheet of my paper, and my
+singular embarrassments press so hard on me that I have matter to fill
+another from what followed the intrusion of--my dear Alan--your crazy
+client--Poor Peter Peebles!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+LATIMER’S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+Sheet 2.
+
+I have rarely in my life, till the last alarming days, known what it
+was to sustain a moment’s real sorrow. What I called such, was, I am
+now well convinced, only the weariness of mind which, having nothing
+actually present to complain of, turns upon itself and becomes anxious
+about the past and the future; those periods with which human life has
+so little connexion, that Scripture itself hath said, ‘Sufficient for
+the day is the evil thereof.’
+
+If, therefore, I have sometimes abused prosperity, by murmuring at
+my unknown birth and uncertain rank in society, I will make amends by
+bearing my present real adversity with patience and courage, and, if I
+can, even with gaiety. What can they--dare they-do to me? Foxley, I am
+persuaded, is a real Justice of Peace, and country gentleman of estate,
+though (wonderful to tell!) he is an ass notwithstanding; and
+his functionary in the drab coat must have a shrewd guess at the
+consequences of being accessory to an act of murder or kidnapping. Men
+invite not such witnesses to deeds of darkness. I have also--Alan, I
+have hopes, arising out of the family of the oppressor himself. I am
+encouraged to believe that G.M. is likely again to enter on the field.
+More I dare not here say; nor must I drop a hint which another eye than
+thine might be able to construe. Enough, my feelings are lighter than
+they have been; and, though fear and wonder are still around me, they
+are unable entirely to overcloud the horizon.
+
+Even when I saw the spectral form of the old scarecrow of the Parliament
+House rush into the apartment where I had undergone so singular an
+examination, I thought of thy connexion with him, and could almost have
+parodied Lear--
+
+  Death!--nothing could have thus subdued nature
+  To such a lowness, but his ‘learned lawyers.’
+
+He was e’en as we have seen him of yore, Alan, when, rather to keep thee
+company than to follow my own bent, I formerly frequented the halls of
+justice. The only addition to his dress, in the capacity of a traveller,
+was a pair of boots, that seemed as if they might have seen the field
+of Sheriffmoor; so large and heavy that, tied as they were to the
+creature’s wearied hams with large bunches of worsted tape of various
+colours, they looked as if he had been dragging them along, either for a
+wager or by way of penance.
+
+Regardless of the surprised looks of the party on whom he thus intruded
+himself, Peter blundered into the middle of the apartment, with his head
+charged like a ram’s in the act of butting, and saluted them thus:--
+
+‘Gude day to ye, gude day to your honours. Is’t here they sell the fugie
+warrants?’
+
+I observed that on his entrance, my friend--or enemy--drew himself
+back, and placed himself as if he would rather avoid attracting the
+observation of the new-comer. I did the same myself, as far as I was
+able; for I thought it likely that Mr. Peebles might recognize me, as
+indeed I was too frequently among the group of young juridical aspirants
+who used to amuse themselves by putting cases for Peter’s solution, and
+playing him worse tricks; yet I was uncertain whether I had better avail
+myself of our acquaintance to have the advantage, such as it might
+be, of his evidence before the magistrate, or whether to make him,
+if possible, bearer of a letter which might procure me more effectual
+assistance. I resolved, therefore, to be guided by circumstances, and
+to watch carefully that nothing might escape me. I drew back as far as
+I could, and even reconnoitred the door and passage, to consider whether
+absolute escape might not be practicable. But there paraded Cristal
+Nixon, whose little black eyes, sharp as those of a basilisk, seemed,
+the instant when they encountered mine, to penetrate my purpose.
+
+I sat down, as much out of sight of all parties as I could, and listened
+to the dialogue which followed--a dialogue how much more interesting to
+me than any I could have conceived, in which Peter Peebles was to be one
+of the dramatis personae!
+
+‘Is it here where ye sell the warrants--the fugies, ye ken?’ said Peter.
+
+‘Hey--eh--what!’ said Justice Foxley; ‘what the devil does the fellow
+mean?--What would you have a warrant for?’
+
+‘It is to apprehend a young lawyer that is IN MEDITATIONE FUGAE; for he
+has ta’en my memorial and pleaded my cause, and a good fee I gave
+him, and as muckle brandy as he could drink that day at his father’s
+house--he loes the brandy ower weel for sae youthful a creature.’
+
+‘And what has this drunken young dog of a lawyer done to you, that
+you are come to me--eh--ha? Has he robbed you? Not unlikely if he be a
+lawyer--eh--Nick--ha?’ said Justice Foxley.
+
+‘He has robbed me of himself, sir,’ answered Peter; ‘of his help,
+comfort, aid, maintenance, and assistance, whilk, as a counsel to a
+client, he is bound to yield me RATIONE OFFICII--that is it, ye see. He
+has pouched my fee, and drucken a mutchkin of brandy, and now he’s ower
+the march, and left my cause, half won half lost--as dead a heat as e’er
+was run ower the back-sands. Now, I was advised by some cunning laddies
+that are used to crack a bit law wi’ me in the House, that the best
+thing I could do was to take heart o’ grace and set out after him; so I
+have taken post on my ain shanks, forby a cast in a cart, or the like. I
+got wind of him in Dumfries, and now I have run him ower to the English
+side, and I want a fugie warrant against him.’
+
+How did my heart throb at this information, dearest Alan! Thou art near
+me then, and I well know with what kind purpose; thou hast abandoned all
+to fly to my assistance; and no wonder that, knowing thy friendship and
+faith, thy sound sagacity and persevering disposition, ‘my bosom’s
+lord should now sit lightly on his throne’; that gaiety should almost
+involuntarily hover on my pen; and that my heart should beat like that
+of a general, responsive to the drums of his advancing ally, without
+whose help the battle must have been lost.
+
+I did not suffer myself to be startled by this joyous surprise, but
+continued to bend my strictest attention to what followed among this
+singular party. That Poor Peter Peebles had been put on this wildgoose
+chase by some of his juvenile advisers in the Parliament House, he
+himself had intimated; but he spoke with much confidence, and the
+Justice, who seemed to have some secret apprehension of being put to
+trouble in the matter, and, as sometimes occurs on the English frontier,
+a jealousy lest the superior acuteness of their northern neighbours
+might overreach their own simplicity, turned to his clerk with a
+perplexed countenance.
+
+‘Eh--oh--Nick--d--n thee--Hast thou got nothing to say? This is more
+Scots law, I take it, and more Scotsmen.’ (Here he cast a side-glance at
+the owner of the mansion, and winked to his clerk.) ‘I would Solway were
+as deep as it is wide, and we had then some chance of keeping of them
+out.’
+
+Nicholas conversed an instant aside with the supplicant, and then
+reported:--
+
+‘The man wants a border-warrant, I think; but they are only granted for
+debt--now he wants one to catch a lawyer.’
+
+‘And what for no?’ answered Peter Peebles, doggedly; ‘what for no, I
+would be glad to ken? If a day’s labourer refuse to work, ye’ll grant a
+warrant to gar him do out his daurg--if a wench quean rin away from
+her hairst, ye’ll send her back to her heuck again--if sae mickle as a
+collier or a salter make a moonlight flitting, ye will cleek him by the
+back-spaul in a minute of time--and yet the damage canna amount to mair
+than a creelfu’ of coals, and a forpit or twa of saut; and here is a
+chield taks leg from his engagement, and damages me to the tune of sax
+thousand punds sterling; that is, three thousand that I should win, and
+three thousand mair that I am like to lose; and you that ca’ yourself a
+justice canna help a poor man to catch the rinaway? A bonny like justice
+I am like to get amang ye!’
+
+‘The fellow must be drunk,’ said the clerk.
+
+‘Black fasting from all but sin,’ replied the supplicant; ‘I havena had
+mair than a mouthful of cauld water since I passed the Border, and deil
+a ane of ye is like to say to me, “Dog, will ye drink?”’
+
+The Justice seemed moved by this appeal. ‘Hem---tush, man,’ replied he;
+‘thou speak’st to us as if thou wert in presence of one of thine own
+beggarly justices--get downstairs--get something to eat, man (with
+permission of my friend to make so free in his house), and a mouthful to
+drink, and I warrant we get ye such justice as will please ye.’
+
+‘I winna refuse your neighbourly offer,’ said Poor Peter Peebles, making
+his bow; ‘muckle grace be wi’ your honour, and wisdom to guide you in
+this extraordinary cause.’
+
+When I saw Peter Peebles about to retire from the room, I could not
+forbear an effort to obtain from him such evidence as might give me some
+credit with the Justice. I stepped forward, therefore, and, saluting
+him, asked him if he remembered me?
+
+After a stare or two, and a long pinch of snuff, recollection seemed
+suddenly to dawn on Peter Peebles. ‘Recollect ye!’ he said; ‘by my troth
+do I.---Haud him a grip, gentlemen!--constables, keep him fast! where
+that ill-deedie hempy is, ye are sure that Alan Fairford is not far off.
+Haud him fast, Master Constable; I charge ye wi’ him, for I am mista’en
+if he is not at the bottom of this rinaway business. He was aye getting
+the silly callant Alan awa wi’ gigs, and horse, and the like of that, to
+Roslin, and Prestonpans, and a’ the idle gates he could think of. He’s a
+rinaway apprentice, that ane.’
+
+‘Mr. Peebles,’ I said, ‘do not do me wrong. I am sure you can say no
+harm of me justly, but can satisfy these gentlemen, if you will, that I
+am a student of law in Edinburgh--Darsie Latimer by name.’
+
+‘Me satisfy! how can I satisfy the gentlemen,’ answered Peter, ‘that am
+sae far from being satisfied mysell? I ken naething about your name, and
+can only testify, NIHIL NOVIT IN CAUSA.’
+
+‘A pretty witness you have brought forward in your favour,’ said Mr.
+Foxley. ‘But--ha--aye---I’ll ask him a question or two. Pray, friend,
+will you take your oath to this youth being a runaway apprentice?’
+
+‘Sir,’ said Peter, ‘I will make oath to onything in reason; when a case
+comes to my oath it’s a won cause: But I am in some haste to prie your
+worship’s good cheer;’ for Peter had become much more respectful in
+his demeanour towards the Justice since he had heard some intimation of
+dinner.
+
+‘You shall have--eh--hum--aye--a bellyful, if it be possible to fill it.
+First let me know if this young man be really what he pretends. Nick,
+make his affidavit.’
+
+‘Ow, he is just a wud harum-scarum creature, that wad never take to his
+studies; daft, sir, clean daft.’
+
+‘Deft!’ said the Justice; ‘what d’ye mean by deft--eh?’
+
+‘Just Fifish,’ replied Peter; ‘wowf--a wee bit by the East Nook or sae;
+it’s a common case--the ae half of the warld thinks the tither daft. I
+have met with folk in my day that thought I was daft mysell; and, for my
+part, I think our Court of Session clean daft, that have had the great
+cause of Peebles against Plainstanes before them for this score of
+years, and have never been able to ding the bottom out of it yet.’
+
+‘I cannot make out a word of his cursed brogue,’ said the Cumbrian
+justice; ‘can you, neighbour--eh? What can he mean by DEFT?’
+
+‘He means MAD,’ said the party appealed to, thrown off his guard by
+impatience of this protracted discussion.
+
+‘Ye have it--ye have it,’ said Peter; ‘that is, not clean skivie, but--’
+
+Here he stopped, and fixed his eye on the person he addressed with an
+air of joyful recognition.--‘Aye, aye, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, is
+this your ainsell in blood and bane? I thought ye had been hanged at
+Kennington Common, or Hairiebie, or some of these places, after the
+bonny ploy ye made in the Forty-five.’
+
+‘I believe you are mistaken, friend,’ said Herries, sternly, with whose
+name and designation I was thus made unexpectedly acquainted.
+
+‘The deil a bit,’ answered the undaunted Peter Peebles; I mind ye weel,
+for ye lodged in my house the great year of Forty-five, for a great
+year it was; the Grand Rebellion broke out, and my cause--the great
+cause--Peebles against Plainstanes, ET PER CONTRA--was called in the
+beginning of the winter session, and would have been heard, but that
+there was a surcease of justice, with your plaids, and your piping, and
+your nonsense.’
+
+‘I tell you, fellow,’ said Herries, yet more fiercely, ‘you have
+confused me with some of the other furniture of your crazy pate.’
+
+‘Speak like a gentleman, sir,’ answered Peebles; ‘these are not legal
+phrases, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork. Speak in form of law, or I sall bid
+ye gude day, sir. I have nae pleasure in speaking to proud folk, though
+I am willing to answer onything in a legal way; so if you are for
+a crack about auld langsyne, and the splores that you and Captain
+Redgimlet used to breed in my house, and the girded cask of brandy that
+ye drank and ne’er thought of paying for it (not that I minded it muckle
+in thae days, though I have felt a lack of it sin syne), why I will
+waste an hour on ye at ony time.--and where is Captain Redgimlet now?
+he was a wild chap, like yoursell, though they arena sae keen after you
+poor bodies for these some years bygane; the heading and hanging is weel
+ower now--awful job--awful job--will ye try my sneeshing?’
+
+He concluded his desultory speech by thrusting out his large bony paw,
+filled with a Scottish mull of huge dimensions, which Herries, who had
+been standing like one petrified by the assurance of this unexpected
+address, rejected with a contemptuous motion of his hand, which spilled
+some of the contents of the box.
+
+‘Aweel, aweel,’ said Peter Peebles, totally unabashed by the repulse,
+‘e’en as ye like, a wilful man maun hae his way; but,’ he added,
+stooping down and endeavouring to gather the spilled snuff from the
+polished floor, ‘I canna afford to lose my sneeshing for a’ that ye are
+gumple-foisted wi’ me.’
+
+My attention had been keenly awakened, during this extraordinary and
+unexpected scene. I watched, with as much attention as my own agitation
+permitted me to command, the effect produced on the parties concerned.
+It was evident that our friend, Peter Peebles, had unwarily let out
+something which altered the sentiments of Justice Foxley and his clerk
+towards Mr. Herries, with whom, until he was known and acknowledged
+under that name, they had appeared to be so intimate. They talked with
+each other aside, looked at a paper or two which the clerk selected
+from the contents of a huge black pocket-book, and seemed, under the
+influence of fear and uncertainty, totally at a loss what line of
+conduct to adopt.
+
+Herries made a different, and far more interesting figure. However
+little Peter Peebles might resemble the angel Ithuriel, the appearance
+of Herries, his high and scornful demeanour, vexed at what seemed
+detection yet fearless of the consequences, and regarding the whispering
+magistrate and his clerk with looks in which contempt predominated over
+anger or anxiety, bore, in my opinion, no slight resemblance to
+
+     the regal port
+  And faded splendour wan
+
+with which the poet has invested the detected King of the powers of the
+air.
+
+As he glanced round, with a look which he had endeavoured to compose to
+haughty indifference, his eye encountered mine, and, I thought, at
+the first glance sank beneath it. But he instantly rallied his natural
+spirit, and returned me one of those extraordinary looks, by which he
+could contort so strangely the wrinkles on his forehead. I started; but,
+angry at myself for my pusillanimity, I answered him by a look of the
+same kind, and catching the reflection of my countenance in a large
+antique mirror which stood before me, I started again at the real or
+imaginary resemblance which my countenance, at that moment, bore to that
+of Herries. Surely my fate is somehow strangely interwoven with that of
+this mysterious individual. I had no time at present to speculate upon
+the subject, for the subsequent conversation demanded all my attention.
+
+The Justice addressed Herries, after a pause of about five minutes, in
+which, all parties seemed at some loss how to proceed. He spoke with
+embarrassment, and his faltering voice, and the long intervals which
+divided his sentences, seemed to indicate fear of him whom he addressed.
+
+‘Neighbour,’ he said, ‘I could not have thought this; or, if I--eh--DID
+think--in a corner of my own mind as it were--that you, I say--that you
+might have unluckily engaged in--eh--the matter of the Forty-five--there
+was still time to have forgot all that.’
+
+‘And is it so singular that a man should have been out in the
+Forty-five?’ said Herries, with contemptuous composure;--‘your father, I
+think, Mr. Foxley, was out with Derwentwater in the Fifteen.’
+
+‘And lost half of his estate,’ answered Foxley, with more rapidity than
+usual; ‘and was very near--hem--being hanged into the boot. But this
+is--another guess job--for--eh--Fifteen is not Forty-five; and my father
+had a remission, and you, I take it, have none.’
+
+‘Perhaps I have,’ said Herries indifferently; ‘or if I have not, I am
+but in the case of half a dozen others whom government do not think
+worth looking after at this time of day, so they give no offence or
+disturbance.’
+
+‘But you have given both, sir,’ said Nicholas Faggot, the clerk, who,
+having some petty provincial situation, as I have since understood,
+deemed himself bound to be zealous for government, ‘Mr. Justice Foxley
+cannot be answerable for letting you pass free, now your name and
+surname have been spoken plainly out. There are warrants out against you
+from the Secretary of State’s office.’
+
+‘A proper allegation, Mr. Attorney! that, at the distance of so
+many years, the Secretary of State should trouble himself about the
+unfortunate relics of a ruined cause,’ answered Mr. Herries.
+
+‘But if it be so,’ said the clerk, who seemed to assume more confidence
+upon the composure of Herries’s demeanour; ‘and if cause has been given
+by the conduct of a gentleman himself, who hath been, it is
+alleged, raking up old matters, and mixing them with new subjects of
+disaffection--I say, if it be so, I should advise the party, in his
+wisdom, to surrender himself quietly into the lawful custody of the next
+Justice of Peace--Mr. Foxley, suppose--where, and by whom, the matter
+should be regularly inquired into. I am only putting a case,’ he added,
+watching with apprehension the effect which his words were likely to
+produce upon the party to whom they were addressed.
+
+‘And were I to receive such advice,’ said Herries, with the same
+composure as before--‘putting the case, as you say, Mr. Faggot--I
+should request to see the warrant which countenanced such a scandalous
+proceeding.’
+
+Mr. Nicholas, by way of answer, placed in his hand a paper, and seemed
+anxiously to expect the consequences which were to ensue. Mr. Herries
+looked it over with the same equanimity as before, and then continued,
+‘And were such a scrawl as this presented to me in my own house, I would
+throw it into the chimney, and Mr. Faggot upon the top of it.’
+
+Accordingly, seconding the word with the action, he flung the warrant
+into the fire with one hand, and fixed the other, with a stern and
+irresistible grip, on the breast of the attorney, who, totally unable to
+contend with him, in either personal strength or mental energy, trembled
+like a chicken in the raven’s clutch. He got off, however, for the
+fright; for Herries, having probably made him fully sensible of the
+strength of his grasp, released him, with a scornful laugh.
+
+‘Deforcement--spulzie-stouthrief--masterful rescue!’ exclaimed Peter
+Peebles, scandalized at the resistance offered to the law in the person
+of Nicholas Faggot. But his shrill exclamations were drowned in the
+thundering voice of Herries, who, calling upon Cristal Nixon, ordered
+him to take the bawling fool downstairs, fill his belly, and then give
+him a guinea, and thrust him out of doors. Under such injunctions, Peter
+easily suffered himself to be withdrawn from the scene.
+
+Herries then turned to the Justice, whose visage, wholly abandoned by
+the rubicund hue which so lately beamed upon it, hung out the same pale
+livery as that of his dismayed clerk. ‘Old friend and acquaintance,’
+he said, ‘you came here at my request on a friendly errand, to convince
+this silly young man of the right which I have over his person for the
+present. I trust you do not intend to make your visit the pretext of
+disquieting me about other matters? All the world knows that I have been
+living at large, in these northern counties, for some months, not to say
+years, and might have been apprehended at any time, had the necessities
+of the state required, or my own behaviour deserved it. But no English
+magistrate has been ungenerous enough to trouble a gentleman under
+misfortune, on account of political opinions and disputes which have
+been long ended by the success of the reigning powers. I trust, my good
+friend, you will not endanger yourself by taking any other view of the
+subject than you have done ever since we were acquainted?’
+
+The Justice answered with more readiness, as well as more spirit than
+usual, ‘Neighbour Ingoldsby--what you say--is--eh--in some sort
+true; and when you were coming and going at markets, horse-races,
+and cock-fights, fairs, hunts, and such-like--it was--eh--neither my
+business nor my wish to dispel--I say--to inquire into and dispel the
+mysteries which hung about you; for while you were a good companion
+in the field, and over a bottle now and then--I did not--eh--think
+it necessary to ask--into your private affairs. And if I thought
+you were--ahem--somewhat unfortunate in former undertakings, and
+enterprises, and connexions, which might cause you to live unsettledly
+and more private, I could have--eh--very little pleasure--to aggravate
+your case by interfering, or requiring explanations, which are often
+more easily asked than given. But when there are warrants and witnesses
+to names--and those names, christian and surname, belong to--eh--an
+attainted person--charged--I trust falsely--with--ahem-taking advantage
+of modern broils and heart-burnings to renew our civil disturbances, the
+case is altered; and I must--ahem--do my duty.’
+
+The Justice, got on his feet as he concluded this speech, and looked
+as bold as he could. I drew close beside him and his clerk, Mr. Faggot,
+thinking the moment favourable for my own liberation, and intimated
+to Mr. Foxley my determination to stand by him. But Mr. Herries only
+laughed at the menacing posture which we assumed. ‘My good neighbour,’
+said he, ‘you talk of a witness. Is yon crazy beggar a fit witness in an
+affair of this nature?’
+
+‘But you do not deny that you are Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, mentioned
+in the Secretary of State’s warrant?’ said Mr. Foxley.
+
+‘How can I deny or own anything about it?’ said Herries, with a sneer.
+‘There is no such warrant in existence now; its ashes, like the poor
+traitor whose doom it threatened, have been dispersed to the four winds
+of heaven. There is now no warrant in the world.’
+
+‘But you will not deny,’ said the Justice, ‘that you were the person
+named in it; and that--eh--your own act destroyed it?’
+
+‘I will neither deny my name nor my actions, Justice,’ replied Mr.
+Herries, ‘when called upon by competent authority to avow or defend
+them. But I will resist all impertinent attempts either to intrude into
+my private motives, or to control my person. I am quite well prepared to
+do so; and I trust that you, my good neighbour and brother sportsman,
+in your expostulation, and my friend Mr. Nicholas Faggot here, in his
+humble advice and petition that I should surrender myself, will consider
+yourselves as having amply discharged your duty to King George and
+government.’
+
+The cold and ironical tone in which he made this declaration; the look
+and attitude, so nobly expressive of absolute confidence in his own
+superior strength and energy, seemed to complete the indecision which
+had already shown itself on the side of those whom he addressed.
+
+The Justice looked to the clerk--the clerk to the Justice; the former
+HA’D, EH’D, without bringing forth an articulate syllable; the latter
+only said, ‘As the warrant is destroyed, Mr. Justice, I presume you do
+not mean to proceed with the arrest?’
+
+‘Hum--aye--why, no--Nicholas--it would not be quite advisable--and as
+the Forty-five was an old affair--and--hem--as my friend here will,
+I hope, see his error--that is, if he has not seen it already--and
+renounce the Pope, the Devil, and the Pretender--I mean no harm,
+neighbour--I think we--as we have no POSSE, or constables, or the
+like--should order our horses--and, in one word, look the matter over.’
+
+‘Judiciously resolved,’ said the person whom this decision affected;
+‘but before you go, I trust you will drink and be friends?’
+
+‘Why,’ said the Justice, rubbing his brow, ‘our business has
+been--hem--rather a thirsty one.’
+
+‘Cristal Nixon,’ said Mr. Herries, ‘let us have a cool tankard
+instantly, large enough to quench the thirst of the whole commission.’
+
+While Cristal was absent on this genial errand, there was a pause, of
+which I endeavoured to avail myself by bringing back the discourse to
+my own concerns. ‘Sir,’ I said to Justice Foxley, ‘I have no direct
+business with your late discussion with Mr. Herries, only just thus
+far--You leave me, a loyal subject of King George, an unwilling prisoner
+in the hands of a person whom you have reason to believe unfriendly to
+the king’s cause. I humbly submit that this is contrary to your duty
+as a magistrate, and that you ought to make Mr. Herries aware of the
+illegality of his proceedings, and take steps for my rescue, either upon
+the spot, or, at least, as soon as possible after you have left this
+case’--
+
+‘Young man,’ said Mr. Justice Foxley, ‘I would have you remember you are
+under the power, the lawful power--ahem--of your guardian.’
+
+‘He calls himself so, indeed,’ I replied; ‘but he has shown no evidence
+to establish so absurd a claim; and if he had, his circumstances, as an
+attainted traitor excepted from pardon, would void such a right if it
+existed. I do therefore desire you, Mr. Justice, and you, his clerk, to
+consider my situation, and afford me relief at your peril.’
+
+‘Here is a young fellow now,’ said the Justice, with much-embarrassed
+looks, ‘thinks that I carry the whole statute law of England in my head,
+and a POSSE COMITATUS to execute them in my pocket! Why, what good would
+my interference do?--but--hum--eh--I will speak to your guardian in your
+favour.’
+
+He took Mr. Herries aside, and seemed indeed to urge something upon him
+with much earnestness; and perhaps such a species of intercession was
+all which, in the circumstances, I was entitled to expect from him.
+
+They often looked at me as they spoke together; and as Cristal Nixon
+entered with a huge four-pottle tankard, filled with the beverage
+his master had demanded, Herries turned away from Mr. Foxley somewhat
+impatiently, saying with emphasis, ‘I give you my word of honour, that
+you have not the slightest reason to apprehend anything on his account.’
+He then took up the tankard, and saying aloud in Gaelic, ‘SLAINT AN
+REY,’ [The King’s health.] just tasted the liquor, and handed the
+tankard to Justice Foxley, who, to avoid the dilemma of pledging him to
+what might be the Pretender’s health, drank to Mr. Herries’s own, with
+much pointed solemnity, but in a draught far less moderate.
+
+The clerk imitated the example of his principal, and I was fain to
+follow their example, for anxiety and fear are at least as thirsty as
+sorrow is said to be. In a word, we exhausted the composition of ale,
+sherry, lemon-juice, nutmeg, and other good things, stranded upon the
+silver bottom of the tankard the huge toast, as well as the roasted
+orange, which had whilom floated jollily upon the brim, and rendered
+legible Dr. Byrom’s celebrated lines engraved thereon--
+
+  God bless the King!--God bless the Faith’s defender!
+  God bless--No harm in blessing--the Pretender.
+  Who that Pretender is, and who that King,--
+  God bless us all!--is quite another thing.
+
+I had time enough to study this effusion of the Jacobite muse, while the
+Justice was engaged in the somewhat tedious ceremony of taking leave.
+That of Mr. Faggot was less ceremonious; but I suspect something besides
+empty compliment passed betwixt him and Mr. Herries; for I remarked that
+the latter slipped a piece of paper into the hand of the former, which
+might perhaps be a little atonement for the rashness with which he had
+burnt the warrant, and imposed no gentle hand on the respectable minion
+of the law by whom it was exhibited; and I observed that he made this
+propitiation in such a manner as to be secret from the worthy clerk’s
+principal.
+
+When this was arranged, the party took leave of each other with much
+formality on the part of Squire Foxley, amongst whose adieus the
+following phrase was chiefly remarkable: ‘I presume you do not intend to
+stay long in these parts?’
+
+‘Not for the present, Justice, you may be sure; there are good reasons
+to the contrary. But I have no doubt of arranging my affairs so that we
+shall speedily have sport together again.’
+
+He went to wait upon the Justice to the courtyard; and, as he did
+so, commanded Cristal Nixon to see that I returned into my apartment.
+Knowing it would be to no purpose to resist or tamper with that stubborn
+functionary, I obeyed in silence, and was once more a prisoner in my
+former quarters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+LATIMER’S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+I spent more than an hour, after returning to the apartment which I may
+call my prison, in reducing to writing the singular circumstances which
+I had just witnessed. Methought I could now form some guess at the
+character of Mr. Herries, upon whose name and situation the late
+scene had thrown considerable light--one of those fanatical Jacobites,
+doubtless, whose arms, not twenty years since, had shaken the British
+throne, and some of whom, though their party daily diminished in
+numbers, energy, and power, retained still an inclination to renew the
+attempt they had found so desperate. He was indeed perfectly different
+from the sort of zealous Jacobites whom it had been my luck hitherto to
+meet with. Old ladies of family over their hyson, and grey-haired lairds
+over their punch, I had often heard utter a little harmless treason;
+while the former remembered having led down a dance with the Chevalier,
+and the latter recounted the feats they had performed at Preston,
+Clifton, and Falkirk.
+
+The disaffection of such persons was too unimportant to excite the
+attention of government. I had heard, however, that there still
+existed partisans of the Stuart family of a more daring and dangerous
+description; men who, furnished with gold from Rome, moved, secretly and
+in disguise, through the various classes of society, and endeavoured to
+keep alive the expiring zeal of their party.
+
+I had no difficulty in assigning an important post among this class of
+persons, whose agency and exertion are only doubted by those who look
+on the surface of things, to this Mr. Herries, whose mental energies, as
+well as his personal strength and activity, seemed to qualify him
+well to act so dangerous a part; and I knew that all along the Western
+Border, both in England and Scotland, there are so many nonjurors, that
+such a person may reside there with absolute safety, unless it becomes,
+in a very especial degree, the object of the government to secure his
+person; and which purpose, even then, might be disappointed by early
+intelligence, or, as in the case of Mr. Foxley, by the unwillingness
+of provincial magistrates to interfere in what is now considered an
+invidious pursuit of the unfortunate.
+
+There have, however, been rumours lately, as if the present state of the
+nation or at least of some discontented provinces, agitated by a
+variety of causes but particularly by the unpopularity of the present
+administration, may seem to this species of agitators a favourable
+period for recommencing their intrigues; while, on the other hand,
+government may not, at such a crisis, be inclined to look upon them
+with the contempt which a few years ago would have been their most
+appropriate punishment.
+
+That men should be found rash enough to throw away their services and
+lives in a desperate cause, is nothing new in history, which abounds
+with instances of similar devotion--that Mr. Herries is such an
+enthusiast is no less evident; but all this explains not his conduct
+towards me. Had he sought to make me a proselyte to his ruined cause,
+violence and compulsion were arguments very unlikely to prevail with any
+generous spirit. But even if such were his object, of what use to him
+could be the acquisition of a single reluctant partisan, who could bring
+only his own person to support any quarrel which he might adopt? He had
+claimed over me the rights of a guardian; he had more than hinted that
+I was in a state of mind which could not dispense with the authority of
+such a person. Was this man, so sternly desperate in his purpose--he
+who seemed willing to take on his own shoulders the entire support of
+a cause which had been ruinous to thousands--was he the person that had
+the power of deciding on my fate? Was it from him those dangers flowed,
+to secure me against which I had been educated under such circumstances
+of secrecy and precaution?
+
+And if this was so, of what nature was the claim which he asserted?--Was
+it that of propinquity? And did I share the blood, perhaps the features,
+of this singular being?--Strange as it may seem, a thrill of awe, which
+shot across my mind at that instant, was not unmingled with a wild and
+mysterious feeling of wonder, almost amounting to pleasure. I remembered
+the reflection of my own face in the mirror at one striking moment
+during the singular interview of the day, and I hastened to the outward
+apartment to consult a glass which hung there, whether it were possible
+for my countenance to be again contorted into the peculiar frown which
+so much resembled the terrific look of Herries. But I folded my brows
+in vain into a thousand complicated wrinkles, and I was obliged to
+conclude, either that the supposed mark on my brow was altogether
+imaginary, or that it could not be called forth by voluntary effort; or,
+in fine, what seemed most likely, that it was such a resemblance as the
+imagination traces in the embers of a wood fire, or among the varied
+veins of marble, distinct at one time, and obscure or invisible at
+another, according as the combination of lines strikes the eye or
+impresses the fancy.
+
+While I was moulding my visage like a mad player, the door suddenly
+opened, and the girl of the house entered. Angry and ashamed at being
+detected in my singular occupation, I turned round sharply, and, I
+suppose, chance produced the change on my features which I had been in
+vain labouring to call forth.
+
+The girl started back, with her ‘Don’t ya look so now--don’t ye, for
+love’s sake--you be as like the ould squoire as--But here a comes,’ she
+said, huddling away out of the room; ‘and if you want a third, there is
+none but ould Harry, as I know of, that can match ye for a brent broo!’
+
+As the girl muttered this exclamation, and hastened out of the room,
+Herries entered. He stopped on observing that I had looked again to the
+mirror, anxious to trace the look by which the wench had undoubtedly
+been terrified. He seemed to guess what was passing in my mind, for, as
+I turned towards him, he observed, ‘Doubt not that it is stamped on your
+forehead--the fatal mark of our race; though it is not now so apparent
+as it will become when age and sorrow, and the traces of stormy passions
+and of bitter penitence, shall have drawn their furrows on your brow.’
+
+‘Mysterious man,’ I replied, ‘I know not of what you speak; your
+language is as dark as your purposes!’
+
+‘Sit down, then,’ he said, ‘and listen; thus far, at least, must the
+veil of which you complain be raised. When withdrawn, it will only
+display guilt and sorrow--guilt followed by strange penalty, and sorrow
+which Providence has entailed upon the posterity of the mourners.’
+
+He paused a moment, and commenced his narrative, which he told with the
+air of one, who, remote as the events were which he recited, took
+still the deepest interest in them. The tone of his voice, which I have
+already described as rich and powerful, aided by its inflections the
+effects of his story, which I will endeavour to write down, as nearly as
+possible, in the very words which he used.
+
+‘It was not of late years that the English learned that their best
+chance of conquering their independent neighbours must be by introducing
+amongst them division and civil war. You need not be reminded of the
+state of thraldom to which Scotland was reduced by the unhappy wars
+betwixt the domestic factions of Bruce and Baliol, nor how, after
+Scotland had been emancipated from a foreign yoke by the conduct and
+valour of the immortal Bruce, the whole fruits of the triumphs of
+Bannockburn were lost in the dreadful defeats of Dupplin and Halidon;
+and Edward Baliol, the minion and feudatory of his namesake of England,
+seemed, for a brief season, in safe and uncontested possession of the
+throne so lately occupied by the greatest general and wisest prince in
+Europe. But the experience of Bruce had not died with him. There
+were many who had shared his martial labours, and all remembered the
+successful efforts by which, under circumstances as disadvantageous as
+those of his son, he had achieved the liberation of Scotland.
+
+‘The usurper, Edward Baliol, was feasting with a few of his favourite
+retainers in the castle of Annan, when he was suddenly surprised by a
+chosen band of insurgent patriots. Their chiefs were, Douglas, Randolph,
+the young Earl of Moray, and Sir Simon Fraser; and their success was so
+complete, that Baliol was obliged to fly for his life scarcely
+clothed, and on a horse which there was no leisure to saddle. It was of
+importance to seize his person, if possible, and his flight was closely
+pursued by a valiant knight of Norman descent, whose family had been
+long settled in the marches of Dumfriesshire. Their Norman appellation
+was Fitz-Aldin, but this knight, from the great slaughter which he had
+made of the Southron, and the reluctance which he had shown to admit
+them to quarter during the former war of that bloody period, had
+acquired the name of Redgauntlet, which he transmitted to his
+posterity’--
+
+‘Redgauntlet!’ I involuntarily repeated.
+
+‘Yes, Redgauntlet,’ said my alleged guardian, looking at me keenly;
+‘does that name recall any associations to your mind?’
+
+‘No,’ I replied, ‘except that I had lately heard it given to the hero of
+a supernatural legend.’
+
+‘There are many such current concerning the family,’ he answered; and
+then proceeded in his narrative.
+
+‘Alberick Redgauntlet, the first of his house so termed, was, as may be
+supposed from his name, of a stern and implacable disposition, which
+had been rendered more so by family discord. An only son, now a youth
+of eighteen, shared so much the haughty spirit of his father, that he
+became impatient of domestic control, resisted paternal authority, and
+finally fled from his father’s house, renounced his political opinions,
+and awakened his mortal displeasure by joining the adherents of Baliol.
+It was said that his father cursed, in his wrath, his degenerate
+offspring, and swore that if they met he should perish by his hand.
+Meantime, circumstances seemed to promise atonement for this great
+deprivation. The lady of Alberick Redgauntlet was again, after many
+years, in a situation which afforded her husband the hope of a more
+dutiful heir.
+
+‘But the delicacy and deep interest of his wife’s condition did not
+prevent Alberick from engaging in the undertaking of Douglas and Moray.
+He had been the most forward in the attack of the castle, and was now
+foremost in the pursuit of Baliol, eagerly engaged in dispersing or
+cutting down the few daring followers who endeavoured to protect the
+usurper in his flight.
+
+‘As these were successively routed or slain, the formidable Redgauntlet,
+the mortal enemy of the House of Baliol, was within two lances’ length
+of the fugitive Edward Baliol, in a narrow pass, when a youth, one of
+the last who attended the usurper in his flight, threw himself
+between them, received the shock of the pursuer, and was unhorsed and
+overthrown. The helmet rolled from his head, and the beams of the sun,
+then rising over the Solway, showed Redgauntlet the features of his
+disobedient son, in the livery, and wearing the cognizance, of the
+usurper.
+
+‘Redgauntlet beheld his son lying before his horse’s feet; but he also
+saw Baliol, the usurper of the Scottish crown, still, as it seemed,
+within his grasp, and separated from him only by the prostrate body of
+his overthrown adherent. Without pausing to inquire whether young Edward
+was wounded, he dashed his spurs into his horse, meaning to leap over
+him, but was unhappily frustrated in his purpose. The steed made indeed
+a bound forward, but was unable to clear the body of the youth, and
+with its hind foot struck him in the forehead, as he was in the act of
+rising. The blow was mortal. It is needless to add, that the pursuit was
+checked, and Baliol escaped.
+
+‘Redgauntlet, ferocious as he is described, was yet overwhelmed with the
+thoughts of the crime he had committed. When he returned to his castle,
+it was to encounter new domestic sorrows. His wife had been prematurely
+seized with the pangs of labour upon hearing the dreadful catastrophe
+which had taken place. The birth of an infant boy cost her her life.
+Redgauntlet sat by her corpse for more than twenty-four hours without
+changing either feature or posture, so far as his terrified domestics
+could observe. The Abbot of Dundrennan preached consolation to him in
+vain. Douglas, who came to visit in his affliction a patriot of such
+distinguished zeal, was more successful in rousing his attention. He
+caused the trumpets to sound an English point of war in the courtyard,
+and Redgauntlet at once sprang to his arms, and seemed restored to the
+recollection which had been lost in the extent of his misery.
+
+‘From that moment, whatever he might feel inwardly, he gave way to no
+outward emotion. Douglas caused his infant to be brought; but even the
+iron-hearted soldiers were struck with horror to observe that, by the
+mysterious law of nature, the cause of his mother’s death, and the
+evidence of his father’s guilt, was stamped on the innocent face of the
+babe, whose brow was distinctly marked by the miniature resemblance of a
+horseshoe. Redgauntlet himself pointed it out to Douglas, saying, with a
+ghastly smile, “It should have been bloody.”
+
+‘Moved, as he was, to compassion for his brother-in-arms, and steeled
+against all softer feelings by the habits of civil war, Douglas
+shuddered at this sight, and displayed a desire to leave the house which
+was doomed to be the scene of such horrors. As his parting advice, he
+exhorted Alberick Redgauntlet to make a pilgrimage to Saint Ninian’s of
+Whiteherne, then esteemed a shrine of great sanctity; and departed with
+a precipitation which might have aggravated, had that been possible,
+the forlorn state of his unhappy friend. But that seems to have been
+incapable of admitting any addition. Sir Alberick caused the bodies
+of his slaughtered son and the mother to be laid side by side in the
+ancient chapel of his house, after he had used the skill of a celebrated
+surgeon of that time to embalm them; and it was said that for many weeks
+he spent; some hours nightly in the vault where they reposed.
+
+‘At length he undertook the proposed pilgrimage to Whiteherne, where
+he confessed himself for the first time since his misfortune, and was
+shrived by an aged monk, who afterwards died in the odour of sanctity.
+It is said that it was then foretold to the Redgauntlet, that on account
+of his unshaken patriotism his family should continue to be powerful
+amid the changes of future times; but that, in detestation of his
+unrelenting cruelty to his own issue, Heaven had decreed that the valour
+of his race should always be fruitless, and that the cause which they
+espoused should never prosper.
+
+‘Submitting to such penance as was there imposed, Sir Alberick went,
+it is thought, on a pilgrimage either to Rome, or to the Holy Sepulchre
+itself. He was universally considered as dead; and it was not till
+thirteen years afterwards, that in the great battle of Durham, fought
+between David Bruce and Queen Philippa of England, a knight, bearing
+a horseshoe for his crest, appeared in the van of the Scottish army,
+distinguishing himself by his reckless and desperate valour; who being
+at length overpowered and slain, was finally discovered to be the brave
+and unhappy Sir Alberick Redgauntlet.’
+
+‘And has the fatal sign,’ said I, when Herries had ended his narrative,
+‘descended on all the posterity of this unhappy house?’
+
+‘It has been so handed down from antiquity, and is still believed,’ said
+Herries. ‘But perhaps there is, in the popular evidence, something of
+that fancy which creates what it sees. Certainly, as other families have
+peculiarities by which they are distinguished, this of Redgauntlet is
+marked in most individuals by a singular indenture of the forehead,
+supposed to be derived from the son of Alberick, their ancestor, and
+brother to the unfortunate Edward, who had perished in so piteous a
+manner. It is certain there seems to have been a fate upon the House of
+Redgauntlet, which has been on the losing side in almost all the civil
+broils which have divided the kingdom of Scotland from David Bruce’s
+days, till the late valiant and unsuccessful attempt of the Chevalier
+Charles Edward.’
+
+He concluded with a deep sigh, as one whom the subject had involved in a
+train of painful reflections.
+
+‘And am I then,’ I exclaimed, ‘descended from this unhappy race? Do you
+belong to it? And if so, why do I sustain restraint and hard usage at
+the hands of a relation?’
+
+‘Inquire no further for the present,’ he said. ‘The line of conduct
+which I am pursuing towards you is dictated, not by choice but by
+necessity. You were withdrawn from the bosom of your family and the
+care of your legal guardian, by the timidity and ignorance of a doting
+mother, who was incapable of estimating the arguments or feelings of
+those who prefer honour and principle to fortune, and even to life. The
+young hawk, accustomed only to the fostering care of its dam, must be
+tamed by darkness and sleeplessness, ere it is trusted on the wing for
+the purposes of the falconer.’
+
+I was appalled at this declaration, which seemed to threaten a long
+continuance, and a dangerous termination, of my captivity. I deemed it
+best, however, to show some spirit, and at the same time to mingle a
+tone of conciliation. ‘Mr. Herries,’ I said ‘(if I call you rightly by
+that name), let us speak upon this matter without the tone of mystery
+and fear in which you seem inclined to envelop it. I have been long,
+alas! deprived of the care of that affectionate mother to whom you
+allude--long under the charge of strangers--and compelled to form my
+own resolutions upon the reasoning of my own mind. Misfortune--early
+deprivation--has given me the privilege of acting for myself; and
+constraint shall not deprive me of an Englishman’s best privilege.’
+
+‘The true cant of the day,’ said Herries, in a tone of scorn. ‘The
+privilege of free action belongs to no mortal--we are tied down by
+the fetters of duty--our mortal path is limited by the regulations
+of honour--our most indifferent actions are but meshes of the web of
+destiny by which we are all surrounded.’
+
+He paced the room rapidly, and proceeded in a tone of enthusiasm
+which, joined to some other parts of his conduct, seems to intimate an
+over-excited imagination, were it not contradicted by the general tenor
+of his speech and conduct.
+
+‘Nothing,’ he said, in an earnest yet melancholy voice--‘nothing is the
+work of chance--nothing is the consequence of free-will--the liberty of
+which the Englishman boasts gives as little real freedom to its owner as
+the despotism, of an Eastern sultan permits to his slave. The usurper,
+William of Nassau, went forth to hunt, and thought, doubtless, that it
+was by an act of his own royal pleasure that the horse of his murdered
+victim was prepared for his kingly sport. But Heaven had other views;
+and before the sun was high, a stumble of that very animal over an
+obstacle so inconsiderable as a mole-hillock, cost the haughty rider
+his life and his usurped crown, Do you think an inclination of the rein
+could have avoided that trifling impediment? I tell you, it crossed his
+way as inevitably as all the long chain of Caucasus could have done.
+Yes, young man, in doing and suffering, we play but the part allotted by
+Destiny, the manager of this strange drama, stand bound to act no more
+than is prescribed, to say no more than is set down for us; and yet we
+mouth about free-will and freedom of thought and action, as if Richard
+must not die, or Richmond conquer, exactly where the Author has decreed
+it shall be so!’
+
+He continued to pace the room after this speech, with folded arms and
+downcast looks; and the sound of his steps and tone of his voice brought
+to my remembrance, that I had heard this singular person, when I met him
+on a former occasion, uttering such soliloquies in his solitary chamber.
+I observed that, like other Jacobites, in his inveteracy against the
+memory of King William, he had adopted the party opinion, that the
+monarch, on the day he had his fatal accident, rode upon a horse once
+the property of the unfortunate Sir John Friend, executed for high
+treason in 1698.
+
+It was not my business to aggravate, but, if possible, rather to soothe
+him in whose power I was so singularly placed. When I conceived that the
+keenness of his feelings had in some degree subsided, I answered him
+as follows:--‘I will not--indeed I feel myself incompetent to argue
+a question of such metaphysical subtlety, as that which involves the
+limits betwixt free-will and predestination. Let us hope we may live
+honestly and die hopefully, without being obliged to form a decided
+opinion upon a point so far beyond our comprehension.’
+
+‘Wisely resolved,’ he interrupted, with a sneer--‘there came a note from
+some Geneva, sermon.’
+
+‘But,’ I proceeded, ‘I call your attention to the fact that I, as well
+as you, am acted upon by impulses, the result either of my own free
+will, or the consequences of the part which is assigned to me by
+destiny. These may be--nay, at present they are--in direct contradiction
+to those by which you are actuated; and how shall we decide which
+shall have precedence?--YOU perhaps feel yourself destined to act as my
+jailer. I feel myself, on the contrary, destined to attempt and effect
+my escape. One of us must be wrong, but who can say which errs till the
+event has decided betwixt us?’
+
+‘I shall feel myself destined to have recourse to severe modes of
+restraint,’ said he, in the same tone of half jest, half earnest which I
+had used.
+
+‘In that case,’ I answered, ‘it will be my destiny to attempt everything
+for my freedom.’
+
+‘And it may be mine, young man,’ he replied, in a deep and stern tone,
+‘to take care that you should rather die than attain your purpose.’
+
+This was speaking out indeed, and I did not allow him to go unanswered.
+‘You threaten me in vain,’ said I; ‘the laws of my country will protect
+me; or whom they cannot protect, they will avenge.’
+
+I spoke this firmly, and he seemed for a moment silenced; and the scorn
+with which he at last answered me, had something of affectation in it.
+
+‘The laws!’ he said; ‘and what, stripling, do you know of the laws of
+your country? Could you learn jurisprudence under a base-born blotter
+of parchment, such as Saunders Fairford; or from the empty pedantic
+coxcomb, his son, who now, forsooth, writer himself advocate? When
+Scotland was herself, and had her own king and legislature, such
+plebeian cubs, instead of being called to the bar of her supreme courts,
+would scarce have been admitted to the honour of bearing a sheepskin
+process-bag.’
+
+Alan, I could not bear this, but answered indignantly, that he knew not
+the worth and honour from which he was detracting.
+
+‘I know as much of these Fairfords as I do of you,’ he replied.
+
+‘As much,’ said I, ‘and as little; for you can neither estimate their
+real worth nor mine. I know you saw them when last in Edinburgh.’
+
+‘Ha!’ he exclaimed, and turned on me an inquisitive look.
+
+‘It is true,’ said I; ‘you cannot deny it; and having thus shown you
+that I know something of your motions, let me warn you I have modes of
+communication with which you are not acquainted. Oblige me not to use
+them to your prejudice.’
+
+‘Prejudice me!’ he replied. ‘Young man, I smile at, and forgive your
+folly. Nay, I will tell you that of which you are not aware, namely,
+that it was from letters received from these Fairfords that I first
+suspected, what the result of my visit to them confirmed, that you were
+the person whom I had sought for years.’
+
+‘If you learned this,’ said I, ‘from the papers which were about my
+person on the night when I was under the necessity of becoming your
+guest at Brokenburn, I do not envy your indifference to the means of
+acquiring information. It was dishonourable to’--
+
+‘Peace, young man,’ said Herries, more calmly than I might have
+expected; ‘the word dishonour must not be mentioned as in conjunction
+with my name. Your pocket-book was in the pocket of your coat, and did
+not escape the curiosity of another, though it would have been sacred
+from mine, My servant, Cristal Nixon, brought me the intelligence after
+you were gone. I was displeased with the manner in which he had acquired
+his information; but it was not the less my duty to ascertain its truth,
+and for that purpose I went to Edinburgh. I was in hopes to persuade
+Mr. Fairford to have entered into my views; but I found him too much
+prejudiced to permit me to trust him. He is a wretched, yet a timid
+slave of the present government, under which our unhappy country is
+dishonourably enthralled; and it would have been altogether unfit and
+unsafe to have entrusted him with the secret either of the right which
+I possess to direct your actions, or of the manner in which I purpose to
+exercise it.’
+
+I was determined to take advantage of his communicative humour, and
+obtain, if possible, more light upon his purpose. He seemed most
+accessible to being piqued on the point of honour, and I resolved to
+avail myself, but with caution, of his sensibility upon that topic. ‘You
+say,’ I replied, ‘that you are not friendly to indirect practices, and
+disapprove of the means by which your domestic obtained information
+of my name and quality--Is it honourable to avail yourself of that
+knowledge which is dishonourably obtained?’
+
+‘It is boldly asked,’ he replied; ‘but, within certain necessary
+limits, I dislike not boldness of expostulation. You have, in this short
+conference, displayed more character and energy than I was prepared to
+expect. You will, I trust, resemble a forest plant, which has indeed,
+by some accident, been brought up in the greenhouse, and thus rendered
+delicate and effeminate, but which regains its native firmness and
+tenacity when exposed for a season to the winter air. I will answer
+your question plainly. In business, as in war, spies and informers are
+necessary evils, which all good men detest; but which yet all prudent
+men must use, unless they mean to fight and act blindfold. But nothing
+can justify the use of falsehood and treachery in our own person.’
+
+‘You said to the elder Mr. Fairford,’ continued I, with the same
+boldness, which I began to find was my best game, ‘that I was the son of
+Ralph Latimer of Langcote Hall? How do you reconcile this with your late
+assertion that my name is not Latimer?’
+
+He coloured as he replied, ‘The doting old fool lied; or perhaps mistook
+my meaning. I said, that gentleman might be your father. To say truth,
+I wished you to visit England, your native country; because, when you
+might do so, my rights over you would revive.’
+
+This speech fully led me to understand a caution which had been often
+impressed upon me, that, if I regarded my safety, I should not cross
+the southern Border; and I cursed my own folly, which kept me fluttering
+like a moth around the candle, until I was betrayed into the calamity
+with which I had dallied. ‘What are those rights,’ I said, ‘which you
+claim over me? To what end do you propose to turn them?’
+
+‘To a weighty one, you may be certain,’ answered Mr. Herries; ‘but I do
+not, at present, mean to communicate to you either its nature or extent.
+You may judge of its importance, when, in order entirely to possess
+myself of your person, I condescended to mix myself with the fellows who
+destroyed the fishing station of yon wretched Quaker. That I held him in
+contempt, and was displeased at the greedy devices with which he ruined
+a manly sport, is true enough; but, unless as it favoured my designs on
+you, he might have, for me, maintained his stake-nets till Solway should
+cease to ebb and flow.’
+
+‘Alas!’ I said, ‘it doubles my regret to have been the unwilling cause
+of misfortune to an honest and friendly man.’
+
+‘Do not grieve for that,’ said Herries; ‘honest Joshua is one of
+those who, by dint of long prayers, can possess themselves of widow’s
+houses--he will quickly repair his losses. When he sustains any mishap,
+he and the other canters set it down as a debt against Heaven, and, by
+way of set-off, practise rogueries without compunction, till the they
+make the balance even, or incline it to the winning side. Enough of this
+for the present.--I must immediately shift my quarters; for, although I
+do not fear the over-zeal of Mr. Justice Foxley or his clerk will
+lead them to any extreme measure, yet that mad scoundrel’s unhappy
+recognition of me may make it more serious for them to connive at me,
+and I must not put their patience to an over severe trial. You must
+prepare to attend me, either as a captive or a companion; if as the
+latter, you must give your parole of honour to attempt no escape. Should
+you be so ill advised as to break your word once pledged, be assured
+that I will blow your brains out without a moment’s scruple.’
+
+‘I am ignorant of your plans and purposes,’ I replied, ‘and cannot but
+hold them dangerous. I do not mean to aggravate my present situation by
+any unavailing resistance to the superior force which detains me; but
+I will not renounce the right of asserting my natural freedom should it
+favourable opportunity occur. I will, therefore, rather be your prisoner
+than your confederate.’
+
+‘That is spoken fairly,’ he said; ‘and yet not without the canny caution
+of one brought up in the Gude Town of Edinburgh. On my part, I will
+impose no unnecessary hardship upon you; but, on the contrary, your
+journey shall be made as easy as is consistent with your being kept
+safely. Do you feel strong enough to ride on horseback as yet, or would
+you prefer a carriage? The former mode of travelling is best adapted to
+the country through which we are to travel, but you are at liberty to
+choose between them.’
+
+I said, ‘I felt my strength gradually returning, and that I should much
+prefer travelling on horseback. A carriage,’ I added, ‘is so close’--
+
+‘And so easily guarded,’ replied Herries, with a look as if he would
+have penetrated my very thoughts,--‘that, doubtless, you think horseback
+better calculated for an escape.’
+
+‘My thoughts are my own,’ I answered; ‘and though you keep my person
+prisoner, these are beyond your control.’
+
+‘Oh, I can read the book,’ he said, ‘without opening the leaves. But I
+would recommend to you to make no rash attempt, and it will be my
+care to see that you have no power to make any that is likely to
+be effectual. Linen, and all other necessaries for one in your
+circumstances, are amply provided, Cristal Nixon will act as your
+valet,--I should rather, perhaps, say, your FEMME DE CHAMBRE. Your
+travelling dress you may perhaps consider as singular; but it is such
+as the circumstances require; and, if you object to use the articles
+prepared for your use, your mode of journeying will be as personally
+unpleasant as that which conducted you hither.--Adieu--We now know each
+other better than we did--it will not be my fault if the consequences of
+further intimacy be not a more favourable mutual opinion.’
+
+He then left me, with a civil good night, to my own reflections,
+and only turned back to say that we should proceed on our journey
+at daybreak next morning, at furthest; perhaps earlier, he said; but
+complimented me by supposing that, as I was a sportsman, I must always
+be ready for a sudden start.
+
+We are then at issue, this singular man and myself. His personal views
+are to a certain point explained. He has chosen an antiquated and
+desperate line of politics, and he claims, from some pretended tie of
+guardianship or relationship, which he does not deign to explain but
+which he seems to have been able to pass current on a silly country
+Justice and his knavish clerk, a right to direct and to control my
+motions. The danger which awaited me in England, and which I might have
+escaped had I remained in Scotland, was doubtless occasioned by the
+authority of this man. But what my poor mother might fear for me as a
+child--what my English friend, Samuel Griffiths, endeavoured to guard
+against during my youth and nonage, is now, it seems, come upon me;
+and, under a legal pretext, I am detained in what must be a most illegal
+manner, by a person, foe, whose own political immunities have been
+forfeited by his conduct. It matters not--my mind is made up neither
+persuasion nor threats shall force me into the desperate designs which
+this man meditates. Whether I am of the trifling consequence which my
+life hitherto seems to intimate, or whether I have (as would appear from
+my adversary’s conduct) such importance, by birth or fortune, as may
+make me a desirable acquisition to a political faction, my resolution
+is taken in either case. Those who read this journal, if it shall be
+perused by impartial eyes, shall judge of me truly; and if they consider
+me as a fool in encountering danger unnecessarily, they shall have no
+reason to believe me a coward or a turncoat, when I find myself engaged
+in it. I have been bred in sentiments of attachment to the family on the
+throne and in these sentiments I will live and die. I have, indeed, some
+idea that Mr. Herries has already discovered that I am made of different
+and more unmalleable metal than he had at first believed. There were
+letters from my dear Alan Fairford, giving a ludicrous account of my
+instability of temper, in the same pocket-book, which, according to the
+admission of my pretended guardian, fell under the investigation of
+his domestic during the night I passed at Brokenburn, where, as I now
+recollect, my wet clothes, with the contents of my pockets, were, with
+the thoughtlessness of a young traveller, committed too rashly to the
+care of a strange servant. And my kind friend and hospitable landlord,
+Mr. Alexander Fairford, may also, and with justice, have spoken of my
+levities to this man. But he shall find he has made a false estimate
+upon these plausible grounds, since--
+
+I must break off for the present.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+LATIMER’S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+There is at length a halt--at length I have gained so much privacy as to
+enable me to continue my journal. It has become a sort of task of duty
+to me, without the discharge of which I do not feel that the business
+of the day is performed. True, no friendly eye may ever look upon these
+labours, which have amused the solitary hours of an unhappy prisoner.
+Yet, in the meanwhile, the exercise of the pen seems to act as a
+sedative upon my own agitated thoughts and tumultuous passions. I never
+lay it down but I rise stronger in resolution, more ardent in hope. A
+thousand vague fears, wild expectations, and indigested schemes,
+hurry through one’s thoughts in seasons of doubt and of danger. But by
+arresting them as they flit across the mind, by throwing them on paper,
+and even by that mechanical act compelling ourselves to consider them
+with scrupulous and minute attention, we may perhaps escape becoming the
+dupes of our own excited imagination; just as a young horse is cured of
+the vice of starting by being made to stand still and look for some time
+without any interruption at the cause of its terror.
+
+There remains but one risk, which is that of discovery. But besides the
+small characters, in which my residence in Mr. Fairford’s house enabled
+me to excel, for the purpose of transferring as many scroll sheets as
+possible to a huge sheet of stamped paper, I have, as I have elsewhere
+intimated, had hitherto the comfortable reflection that if the record
+of my misfortunes should fall into the hands of him by whom they are
+caused, they would, without harming any one, show him the real character
+and disposition of the person who has become his prisoner--perhaps his
+victim. Now, however, that other names, and other characters, are to be
+mingled with the register of my own sentiments, I must take additional
+care of these papers, and keep them in such a manner that, in case
+of the least hazard of detection, I may be able to destroy them at a
+moment’s notice. I shall not soon or easily forget the lesson I have
+been taught, by the prying disposition which Cristal Nixon, this man’s
+agent and confederate, manifested at Brokenburn, and which proved the
+original cause of my sufferings.
+
+My laying aside the last sheet of my journal hastily was occasioned by
+the unwonted sound of a violin, in the farmyard beneath my windows. It
+will not appear surprising to those who have made music their study,
+that, after listening to a few notes, I became at once assured that the
+musician was no other than the itinerant, formerly mentioned as present
+at the destruction of Joshua Geddes’s stake-nets, the superior delicacy
+and force of whose execution would enable me to swear to his bow amongst
+a whole orchestra. I had the less reason to doubt his identity, because
+he played twice over the beautiful Scottish air called Wandering Willie;
+and I could not help concluding that he did so for the purpose of
+intimating his own presence, since what the French called the nom de
+guerre of the performer was described by the tune.
+
+Hope will catch at the most feeble twig for support in extremity. I knew
+this man, though deprived of sight, to be bold, ingenious, and perfectly
+capable of acting as a guide. I believed I had won his goodwill,
+by having, in a frolic, assumed the character of his partner; and I
+remembered that in a wild, wandering, and disorderly course of life,
+men, as they become loosened from the ordinary bonds of civil society,
+hold those of comradeship more closely sacred; so that honour is
+sometimes found among thieves, and faith and attachment in such as the
+law has termed vagrants. The history of Richard Coeur de Lion and his
+minstrel, Blondel, rushed, at the same time, on my mind, though I
+could not even then suppress a smile at the dignity of the example when
+applied to a blind fiddler and myself. Still there was something in all
+this to awaken a hope that, if I could open a correspondence with
+this poor violer, he might be useful in extricating me from my present
+situation.
+
+His profession furnished me with some hope that this desired
+communication might be attained; since it is well known that, in
+Scotland, where there is so much national music, the words and airs
+of which are generally known, there is a kind of freemasonry amongst
+performers, by which they can, by the mere choice of a tune, express
+a great deal to the hearers. Personal allusions are often made in this
+manner, with much point and pleasantry; and nothing is more usual at
+public festivals, than that the air played to accompany a particular
+health or toast, is made the vehicle of compliment, of wit, and
+sometimes of satire. [Every one must remember instances of this festive
+custom, in which the adaptation of the tune to the toast was remarkably
+felicitous. Old Neil Gow, and his son Nathaniel, were peculiarly happy
+on such occasions.]
+
+While these things passed through my mind rapidly, I heard my friend
+beneath recommence, for the third time, the air from which his own
+name had been probably adopted, when he was interrupted by his rustic
+auditors.
+
+‘If thou canst play no other spring but that, mon, ho hadst best put up
+ho’s pipes and be jogging. Squoire will be back anon, or Master Nixon,
+and we’ll see who will pay poiper then.’
+
+Oho, thought I, if I have no sharper ears than those of my friends Jan
+and Dorcas to encounter, I may venture an experiment upon them; and, as
+most expressive of my state of captivity, I sang two or three lines of
+the 137th Psalm--
+
+  By Babel’s streams we sat and wept.
+
+The country people listened with attention, and when I ceased, I heard
+them whisper together in tones of commiseration, ‘Lack-a-day, poor soul!
+so pretty a man to be beside his wits!’
+
+‘An he be that gate,’ said Wandering Willie, in a tone calculated to
+reach my ears, ‘I ken naething will raise his spirits like a spring.’
+And he struck up, with great vigour and spirit, the lively Scottish air,
+the words of which instantly occurred to me--
+
+  Oh whistle and I’ll come t’ye, my lad,
+  Oh whistle and I’ll come t’ye, my lad;
+  Though father and mother and a’ should gae mad,
+  Oh whistle and I’ll come t’ye, my lad.
+
+I soon heard a clattering noise of feet in the courtyard, which I
+concluded to be Jan and Dorcas dancing a jig in their Cumberland wooden
+clogs. Under cover of this din, I endeavoured to answer Willie’s signal
+by whistling, as loud as I could---
+
+  Come back again and loe me
+  When a’ the lave are gane.
+
+He instantly threw the dancers out, by changing his air to
+
+  There’s my thumb, I’ll ne’er beguile thee.
+
+I no longer doubted that a communication betwixt us was happily
+established, and that, if I had an opportunity of speaking to the poor
+musician, I should find him willing to take my letter to the post,
+to invoke the assistance of some active magistrate, or of the
+commanding-officer of Carlisle Castle, or, in short, to do whatever
+else I could point out, in the compass of his power, to contribute to
+my liberation. But to obtain speech of him, I must have run the risk
+of alarming the suspicions of Dorcas, if not of her yet more stupid
+Corydon. My ally’s blindness prevented his receiving any communication
+by signs from the window--even if I could have ventured to make
+them, consistently with prudence--so that notwithstanding the mode of
+intercourse we had adopted was both circuitous and peculiarly liable to
+misapprehension, I saw nothing I could do better than to continue it,
+trusting my own and my correspondent’s acuteness in applying to the airs
+the meaning they were intended to convey. I thought of singing the words
+themselves of some significant song, but feared I might, by doing so,
+attract suspicion. I endeavoured, therefore, to intimate my speedy
+departure from my present place of residence, by whistling the
+well-known air with which festive parties in Scotland usually conclude
+the dance:--
+
+  Good night and joy be wi’ ye a’,
+  For here nae langer maun I stay;
+  There’s neither friend nor foe, of mine
+  But wishes that I were away.
+
+It appeared that Willie’s powers of intelligence were much more active
+than mine, and that, like a deaf person accustomed to be spoken to by
+signs, he comprehended, from the very first notes, the whole meaning I
+intended to convey; and he accompanied me in the air with his violin,
+in such a manner as at once to show he understood my meaning, and to
+prevent my whistling from being attended to.
+
+His reply was almost immediate, and was conveyed in the old martial air
+of ‘Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver.’ I ran over the words, and
+fixed on the following stanza, as most applicable to my circumstances:--
+
+  Cock up your beaver, and cock it fu’ sprush;
+  We’ll over the Border and give them a brush;
+  There’s somebody there we’ll teach better behaviour,
+  Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver.
+
+If these sounds alluded, as I hope they do, to the chance of assistance
+from my Scottish friends, I may indeed consider that a door is open to
+hope and freedom. I immediately replied with:--
+
+  My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
+  My heart’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
+  A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe,
+  My heart’s in the Highlands wherever I go.
+
+  Farewell to the Highlands!  farewell to the North!
+  The birth-place of valour, the cradle of worth;
+  Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
+  The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
+
+Willie instantly played, with a degree of spirit which might have
+awakened hope in Despair herself, if Despair could be supposed to
+understand Scotch music, the fine old Jacobite air,
+
+  For a’ that, and a’ that,
+  And twice as much as a’ that.
+
+I next endeavoured to intimate my wish to send notice of my condition to
+my friends; and, despairing to find an air sufficiently expressive of my
+purpose, I ventured to sing a verse, which, in various forms, occurs so
+frequently in old ballads--
+
+  Whare will I get a bonny boy
+  That will win hose and shoon:
+  That will gae down to Durisdeer,
+  And bid my merry men come?
+
+He drowned the latter part of the verse by playing, with much emphasis,
+
+  Kind Robin loes me.
+
+Of this, though I ran over the verses of the song in my mind, I could
+make nothing; and before I could contrive any mode of intimating my
+uncertainty, a cry arose in the courtyard that Cristal Nixon was coming.
+My faithful Willie was obliged to retreat; but not before he had half
+played, half hummed, by way of farewell,
+
+  Leave thee--leave thee, lad--
+  I’ll never leave thee;
+  The stars shall gae withershins
+  Ere I will leave thee.
+
+I am thus, I think, secure of one trusty adherent in my misfortunes;
+and, however whimsical it may be to rely much on a man of his idle
+profession and deprived of sight withal, it is deeply impressed on
+my mind that his services may be both useful and necessary. There
+is another quarter from which I look for succour, and which I have
+indicated to thee, Alan, in more than one passage of my journal. Twice,
+at the early hour of daybreak, I have seen the individual alluded to in
+the court of the farm, and twice she made signs of recognition in
+answer to the gestures by which I endeavoured to make her comprehend my
+situation; but on both occasions she pressed her finger on her lips, as
+expressive of silence and secrecy.
+
+The manner in which G.M. entered upon the scene for the first time,
+seems to assure me of her goodwill, so far as her power may reach; and I
+have many reasons to believe it is considerable. Yet she seemed hurried
+and frightened during the very transitory moments of our interview, and
+I think was, upon the last occasion, startled by the entrance of some
+one into the farmyard, just as she was on the point of addressing me.
+You must not ask whether I am an early riser, since such objects are
+only to be seen at daybreak; and although I have never again seen her,
+yet I have reason to think she is not distant. It was but three
+nights ago, that, worn out by the uniformity of my confinement, I had
+manifested more symptoms of despondence than I had before exhibited,
+which I conceive may have attracted the attention of the domestics,
+through whom the circumstance might transpire. On the next morning, the
+following lines lay on my table; but how conveyed there, I cannot tell.
+The hand in which they were written is a beautiful Italian manuscript:--
+
+  As lords their labourers’ hire delay,
+  Fate quits our toil with hopes to come,
+  Which, if far short of present pay,
+  Still, owns a debt and names a sum.
+
+  Quit not the pledge, frail sufferer, then,
+  Although a distant date be given;
+  Despair is treason towards man,
+  And blasphemy to Heaven.
+
+That these lines were written with the friendly purpose of inducing me
+to keep up my spirits, I cannot doubt; and I trust the manner in which I
+shall conduct myself may show that the pledge is accepted.
+
+The dress is arrived in which it seems to be my self-elected guardian’s
+pleasure that I shall travel; and what does it prove to be?--A skirt, or
+upper-petticoat of camlet, like those worn by country ladies of moderate
+rank when on horseback, with such a riding-mask as they frequently use
+on journeys to preserve their eyes and complexion from the sun and dust,
+and sometimes, it is suspected, to enable then to play off a little
+coquetry. From the gayer mode of employing the mask, however, I suspect
+I shall be precluded; for instead of being only pasteboard, covered with
+black velvet, I observe with anxiety that mine is thickened with a plate
+of steel, which, like Quixote’s visor, serves to render it more strong
+and durable.
+
+This apparatus, together with a steel clasp for securing the mask behind
+me with a padlock, gave me fearful recollections of the unfortunate
+being, who, never being permitted to lay aside such a visor, acquired
+the well-known historical epithet of the Man in the Iron Mask. I
+hesitated a moment whether I should, so far submit to the acts of
+oppression designed against me as to assume this disguise, which was,
+of course, contrived to aid their purposes. But when I remembered Mr.
+Herries’s threat, that I should be kept close prisoner in a carriage,
+unless I assumed the dress which should be appointed for me; and I
+considered the comparative degree of freedom which I might purchase
+by wearing the mask and female dress as easily and advantageously
+purchased. Here, therefore, I must pause for the present, and await what
+the morning may bring forth.
+
+[To carry on the story from the documents before us, we think it proper
+here to drop the journal of the captive Darsie Latimer, and adopt,
+instead, a narrative of the proceedings of Alan Fairford in pursuit of
+his friend, which forms another series in this history.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+The reader ought, by this time, to have formed some idea of the
+character of Alan Fairford. He had a warmth of heart which the study
+of the law and of the world could not chill, and talents which they had
+rendered unusually acute. Deprived of the personal patronage enjoyed by
+most of his contemporaries, who assumed the gown under the protection of
+their aristocratic alliances and descents, he early saw that he should
+have that to achieve for himself which fell to them as a right of birth.
+He laboured hard in silence and solitude, and his labours were crowned
+with success. But Alan doted on his friend Darsie, even more than he
+loved his profession, and, as we have seen, threw everything aside when
+he thought Latimer in danger; forgetting fame and fortune, and hazarding
+even the serious displeasure of his father, to rescue him whom he loved
+with an elder brother’s affection. Darsie, though his parts were more
+quick and brilliant than those of his friend, seemed always to the
+latter a being under his peculiar charge, whom he was called upon
+to cherish and protect in cases where the youth’s own experience was
+unequal to the exigency; and now, when, the fate of Latimer seeming
+worse than doubtful, Alan’s whole prudence and energy were to be exerted
+in his behalf, an adventure which might have seemed perilous to most
+youths of his age had no terrors for him. He was well acquainted with
+the laws of his country, and knew how to appeal to them; and, besides
+his professional confidence, his natural disposition was steady, sedate,
+persevering, and undaunted. With these requisites he undertook a quest
+which, at that time, was not unattended with actual danger, and had much
+in it to appal a more timid disposition.
+
+Fairford’s first inquiry concerning his friend was of the chief
+magistrate of Dumfries, Provost Crosbie, who had sent the information
+of Darsie’s disappearance. On his first application, he thought he
+discerned in the honest dignitary a desire to get rid of the subject.
+The provost spoke of the riot at the fishing station as an ‘outbreak
+among those lawless loons the fishermen, which concerned the sheriff,’
+he said, ‘more than us poor town council bodies, that have enough to do
+to keep peace within burgh, amongst such a set of commoners as the town
+are plagued with.’
+
+‘But this is not all, Provost Crosbie,’ said Mr. Alan Fairford; ‘A young
+gentleman of rank and fortune has disappeared amongst their hands--you
+know him. My father gave him a letter to you--Mr. Darsie Latimer.’
+
+‘Lack-a-day, yes! lack-a-day, yes!’ said the provost; ‘Mr. Darsie
+Latimer--he dined at my house--I hope he is well?’
+
+‘I hope so too,’ said Alan, rather indignantly; ‘but I desire more
+certainty on that point. You yourself wrote my father that he had
+disappeared.’
+
+‘Troth, yes, and that is true,’ said the provost. ‘But did he not go
+back to his friends in Scotland? it was not natural to think he would
+stay here.’
+
+‘Not unless he is under restraint,’ said Fairford, surprised at the
+coolness with which the provost seemed to take up the matter.
+
+‘Rely on it, sir,’ said Mr. Crosbie, ‘that if he has not returned to his
+friends in Scotland, he must have gone to his friends in England.’
+
+‘I will rely on no such thing,’ said Alan; ‘if there is law or justice
+in Scotland, I will have the thing cleared to the very bottom.’
+
+‘Reasonable, reasonable,’ said the provost, ‘so far as is possible; but
+you know I have no power beyond the ports of the burgh.’
+
+‘But you are in the commission besides, Mr. Crosbie; a justice of peace
+for the county.’
+
+‘True, very true--that is,’ said the cautious magistrate, ‘I will not
+say but my name may stand on the list, but I cannot remember that I have
+ever qualified.’ [By taking the oaths to government.]
+
+‘Why, in that case,’ said young Fairford, ‘there are ill-natured people
+might doubt your attachment to the Protestant line, Mr. Crosbie.’
+
+‘God forbid, Mr. Fairford! I who have done and suffered in the
+Forty-five. I reckon the Highlandmen did me damage to the amount of
+100l. Scots, forby all they ate and drank--no, no, sir, I stand beyond
+challenge; but as for plaguing myself with county business, let them
+that aught the mare shoe the mare. The commissioners of supply would see
+my back broken before they would help me in the burgh’s work, and all
+the world kens the difference of the weight between public business in
+burgh and landward. What are their riots to me? have we not riots enough
+of our own?--But I must be getting ready, for the council meets this
+forenoon. I am blithe to see your father’s son on the causeway of our
+ancient burgh, Mr. Alan Fairford. Were you a twelve-month aulder, we
+would make a burgess of you, man. I hope you will come and dine with
+me before you go away. What think you of to-day at two o’clock--just a
+roasted chucky and a drappit egg?’
+
+Alan Fairford resolved that his friend’s hospitality should not, as it
+seemed the inviter intended, put a stop to his queries. ‘I must delay
+you for a moment,’ he said, ‘Mr. Crosbie; this is a serious affair; a
+young gentleman of high hopes, my own dearest friend, is missing--you
+cannot think it will be passed over slightly, if a man of your high
+character and known zeal for the government do not make some active
+inquiry. Mr. Crosbie, you are my father’s friend, and I respect you as
+such--but to others it will have a bad appearance.’
+
+The withers of the provost were not unwrung; he paced the room in much
+tribulation, repeating, ‘But what can I do, Mr. Fairford? I warrant
+your friend casts up again--he will come back again, like the ill
+shilling--he is not the sort of gear that tynes--a hellicat boy, running
+through the country with a blind fiddler and playing the fiddle to
+a parcel of blackguards, who can tell where the like of him may have
+scampered to?’
+
+‘There are persons apprehended, and in the jail of the town, as I
+understand from the sheriff-substitute,’ said Mr. Fairford; ‘you
+must call them before you, and inquire what they know of this young
+gentleman.’
+
+‘Aye, aye--the sheriff-depute did commit some poor creatures, I
+believe--wretched ignorant fishermen bodies, that had been quarrelling
+with Quaker Geddes and his stake-nets, whilk, under favour of your gown
+be it spoken, Mr. Fairford, are not over and above lawful, and the town
+clerk thinks that they may be lawfully removed VIA FACTI--but that is by
+the by. But, sir, the creatures were a’ dismissed for want of evidence;
+the Quaker would not swear to them, and what could the sheriff and me
+do but just let them loose? Come awa, cheer up, Master Alan, and take a
+walk till dinner-time--I must really go to the council.’
+
+‘Stop a moment, provost,’ said Alan; ‘I lodge a complaint before you as
+a magistrate, and you will find it serious to slight it over. You must
+have these men apprehended again.’
+
+‘Aye, aye--easy said; but catch them that can,’ answered the provost;
+‘they are ower the march by this time, or by the point of Cairn.--Lord
+help ye! they are a kind of amphibious deevils, neither land nor water
+beasts neither English nor Scots--neither county nor stewartry, as we
+say--they are dispersed like so much quicksilver. You may as well try to
+whistle a sealgh out of the Solway, as to get hold of one of them till
+all the fray is over.’
+
+‘Mr. Crosbie, this will not do,’ answered the young counsellor; ‘there
+is a person of more importance than such wretches as you describe
+concerned in this unhappy business--I must name to you a certain Mr.
+Herries.’
+
+He kept his eye on the provost as he uttered the name, which he did
+rather at a venture, and from the connexion which that gentleman, and
+his real or supposed niece, seemed to have with the fate of Darsie
+Latimer, than from any distinct cause of suspicion which he entertained.
+He thought the provost seemed embarrassed, though he showed much desire
+to assume an appearance of indifference, in which he partly succeeded.
+
+‘Herries!’ he said--‘What Herries?--There are many of that name--not
+so many as formerly, for the old stocks are wearing out; but there is
+Herries of Heathgill, and Herries of Auchintulloch, and Herries’--
+
+‘To save you further trouble, this person’s designation is Herries of
+Birrenswork.’
+
+‘Of Birrenswork?’ said Mr. Crosbie; ‘I have you now, Mr. Alan. Could you
+not as well have said, the Laird of Redgauntlet?’
+
+Fairford was too wary to testify any surprise at this identification of
+names, however unexpected. ‘I thought,’ said he, ‘he was more generally
+known by the name of Herries. I have seen and been in company with him
+under that name, I am sure.’
+
+‘Oh aye; in Edinburgh, belike. You know Redgauntlet was unfortunate a
+great while ago, and though he was maybe not deeper in the mire than
+other folk, yet, for some reason or other, he did not get so easily
+out.’
+
+‘He was attainted, I understand; and has no remission,’ said Fairford.
+
+The cautious provost only nodded, and said, ‘You may guess, therefore,
+why it is so convenient he should hold his mother’s name, which is also
+partly his own, when he is about Edinburgh. To bear his proper name
+might be accounted a kind of flying in the face of government, ye
+understand. But he has been long connived at--the story is an old
+story--and the gentleman has many excellent qualities, and is of a very
+ancient and honourable house--has cousins among the great folk--counts
+kin with the advocate and with the sheriff--hawks, you know, Mr. Alan,
+will not pike out hawks’ een--he is widely connected--my wife is a
+fourth cousin of Redgauntlet’s.’
+
+HINC ILLAE LACHRYMAE! thought Alan Fairford to himself; but the hint
+presently determined him to proceed by soft means and with caution. ‘I
+beg you to understand,’ said Fairford, ‘that in the investigation I am
+about to make, I design no harm to Mr. Herries, or Redgauntlet--call him
+what you will. All I wish is, to ascertain the safety of my friend. I
+know that he was rather foolish in once going upon a mere frolic, in
+disguise, to the neighbourhood of this same gentleman’s house. In his
+circumstances, Mr. Redgauntlet may have misinterpreted the motives, and
+considered Darsie Latimer as a spy. His influence, I believe, is great
+among the disorderly people you spoke of but now?’
+
+The provost answered with another sagacious shake of his head, that
+would have done honour to Lord Burleigh in the CRITIC.
+
+‘Well, then,’ continued Fairford,’ is it not possible that, in the
+mistaken belief that Mr. Latimer was a spy, he may, upon such suspicion,
+have caused him to be carried off and confined somewhere? Such things
+are done at elections, and on occasions less pressing than when men
+think their lives are in danger from an informer.’
+
+‘Mr. Fairford,’ said the provost, very earnestly, ‘I scarce think such
+a mistake possible; or if, by any extraordinary chance, it should have
+taken place, Redgauntlet, whom I cannot but know well, being as I have
+said my wife’s first cousin (fourth cousin, I should say) is altogether
+incapable of doing anything harsh to the young gentleman--he might send
+him ower to Ailsay for a night or two, or maybe land him on the north
+coast of Ireland, or in Islay, or some of the Hebrides; but depend upon
+it, he is incapable of harming a hair of his head.’
+
+‘I am determined not to trust to that, provost,’ answered Fairford
+firmly; ‘and I am a good deal surprised at your way of talking so
+lightly of such an aggression on the liberty of the subject. You are
+to consider, and Mr. Herries or Mr. Redgauntlet’s friends would do very
+well also to consider, how it would sound in the ears of an English
+Secretary of State, that an attainted traitor (for such is this
+gentleman) has not only ventured to take up his abode in this
+realm--against the king of which he has been in arms--but is suspected
+of having proceeded, by open force and violence, against the person
+of one of the lieges, a young man who is neither without friends nor
+property to secure his being righted.’
+
+The provost looked at the young counsellor with a face in which
+distrust, alarm, and vexation seemed mingled. ‘A fashious job,’ he said
+at last, ‘a fashious job; and it will be dangerous meddling with it.
+I should like ill to see your father’s son turn informer against an
+unfortunate gentleman.’
+
+‘Neither do I mean it,’ answered Alan, ‘provided that unfortunate
+gentleman and his friends give me a quiet opportunity of securing my
+friend’s safety. If I could speak with Mr. Redgauntlet, and hear his own
+explanation, I should probably be satisfied. If I am forced, to denounce
+him to government, it will be in his new capacity of a kidnapper. I may
+not be able, nor is it my business, to prevent his being recognized in
+his former character of an attainted person, excepted from the general
+pardon.’
+
+‘Master Fairford,’ said the provost, ‘would ye ruin the poor innocent
+gentleman on an idle suspicion?’
+
+‘Say no more of it, Mr. Crosbie; my line of conduct is
+determined--unless that suspicion is removed.’
+
+‘Weel, sir,’ said the provost, ‘since so it be, and since you say that
+you do not seek to harm Redgauntlet personally, I’ll ask a man to dine
+with us to-day that kens as much about his matters as most folk. You
+must think, Mr. Alan Fairford, though Redgauntlet be my wife’s near
+relative, and though, doubtless, I wish him weel, yet I am not the
+person who is like to be intrusted with his incomings and outgoings. I
+am not a man for that--I keep the kirk, and I abhor Popery--I have stood
+up for the House of Hanover, and for liberty and property--I carried
+arms, sir, against the Pretender, when three of the Highlandmen’s
+baggage-carts were stopped at Ecclefechan; and I had an especial loss of
+a hundred pounds’--
+
+‘Scots,’ interrupted Fairford. ‘You forget you told me all this before.’
+
+‘Scots or English, it was too much for me to lose,’ said the provost;
+so you see I am not a person to pack or peel with Jacobites, and such
+unfreemen as poor Redgauntlet.’
+
+‘Granted, granted, Mr. Crosbie; and what then?’ said Alan Fairford.
+
+‘Why, then, it follows, that if I am to help you at this pinch, if
+cannot be by and through my ain personal knowledge, but through some
+fitting agent or third person.’
+
+‘Granted again,’ said Fairford. ‘And pray who may this third person be?’
+
+‘Wha but Pate Maxwell of Summertrees--him they call Pate-in-Peril.’
+
+‘An old Forty-five man, of course?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘Ye may swear that,’ replied the provost--‘as black a Jacobite as the
+auld leaven can make him; but a sonsy, merry companion, that none of us
+think it worth while to break wi’ for all his brags and his clavers.
+You would have thought, if he had had but his own way at Derby, he would
+have marched Charlie Stuart through between Wade and the Duke, as a
+thread goes through the needle’s ee, and seated him in Saint James’s
+before you could have said haud your hand. But though he is a windy body
+when he gets on his auld-warld stories, he has mair gumption in him than
+most people--knows business, Mr. Alan, being bred to the law; but never
+took the gown, because of the oaths, which kept more folk out then than
+they do now--the more’s the pity.’
+
+‘What! are you sorry, provost, that Jacobitism is upon the decline?’
+said Fairford.
+
+‘No, no,’ answered the provost--‘I am only sorry for folks losing the
+tenderness of conscience which they used to have. I have a son breeding
+to the bar, Mr. Fairford; and, no doubt, considering my services and
+sufferings, I might have looked for some bit postie to him; but if the
+muckle tykes come in--I mean a’ these Maxwells, and Johnstones, and
+great lairds, that the oaths used to keep out lang syne--the bits o’
+messan doggies, like my son, and maybe like your father’s son, Mr. Alan,
+will be sair put to the wall.’
+
+‘But to return to the subject, Mr. Crosbie,’ said Fairford, ‘do you
+really think it likely that this Mr. Maxwell will be of service in this
+matter?’
+
+‘It’s very like he may be, for he is the tongue of the trump to the
+whole squad of them,’ said the provost; ‘and Redgauntlet, though he will
+not stick at times to call him a fool, takes more of his counsel than
+any man’s else that I am aware of. If Fate can bring him to a communing,
+the business is done. He’s a sharp chield, Pate-in-Peril.’
+
+‘Pate-in-Peril!’ repeated Alan; ‘a very singular name.’
+
+‘Aye, and it was in as queer a way he got it; but I’ll say naething
+about that,’ said the provost, ‘for fear of forestalling his market;
+for ye are sure to hear it once at least, however oftener, before the
+punch-bowl gives place to the teapot.--And now, fare ye weel; for there
+is the council-bell clinking in earnest; and if I am not there before it
+jows in, Bailie Laurie will be trying some of his manoeuvres.’
+
+The provost, repeating his expectation of seeing Mr. Fairford at two
+o’clock, at length effected his escape from the young counsellor, and
+left him at a considerable loss how to proceed. The sheriff, it seems,
+had returned to Edinburgh, and he feared to find the visible repugnance
+of the provost to interfere with this Laird of Birrenswork, or
+Redgauntlet, much stronger amongst the country gentlemen, many of
+whom were Catholics as well as Jacobites, and most others unwilling to
+quarrel with kinsmen and friends, by prosecuting with severity political
+offences which had almost run a prescription.
+
+To collect all the information in his power, and not to have recourse
+to the higher authorities until he could give all the light of which
+the case was capable, seemed the wiser proceeding in a choice of
+difficulties. He had some conversation with the procurator-fiscal, who,
+as well as the provost, was an old correspondent of his father. Alan
+expressed to that officer a purpose of visiting Brokenburn, but was
+assured by him, that it would be a step attended with much danger to his
+own person, and altogether fruitless; that the individuals who had
+been ringleaders in the riot were long since safely sheltered in their
+various lurking-holes in the Isle of Man, Cumberland, and elsewhere; and
+that those who might remain would undoubtedly commit violence on any
+who visited their settlement with the purpose of inquiring into the late
+disturbances.
+
+There were not the same objections to his hastening to Mount Sharon,
+where he expected to find the latest news of his friend; and there
+was time enough to do so, before the hour appointed for the provost’s
+dinner. Upon the road, he congratulated himself on having obtained one
+point of almost certain information. The person who had in a manner
+forced himself upon his father’s hospitality, and had appeared desirous
+to induce Darsie Latimer to visit England, against whom, too, a sort of
+warning had been received from an individual connected with and residing
+in his own family, proved to be a promoter of the disturbance in which
+Darsie had disappeared.
+
+What could be the cause of such an attempt on the liberty of an
+inoffensive and amiable man? It was impossible it could be merely owing
+to Redgauntlet’s mistaking Darsie for a spy; for though that was the
+solution which Fairford had offered to the provost, he well knew that,
+in point of fact, he himself had been warned by his singular visitor of
+some danger to which his friend was exposed, before such suspicion could
+have been entertained; and the injunctions received by Latimer from his
+guardian, or him who acted as such, Mr. Griffiths of London, pointed to
+the same thing. He was rather glad, however, that he had not let Provost
+Crosbie into his secret further than was absolutely necessary; since it
+was plain that the connexion of his wife with the suspected party was
+likely to affect his impartiality as a magistrate.
+
+When Alan Fairford arrived at Mount Sharon, Rachel Geddes hastened to
+meet him, almost before the servant could open the door. She drew back
+in disappointment when she beheld a stranger, and said, to excuse her
+precipitation, that ‘she had thought it was her brother Joshua returned
+from Cumberland.’
+
+‘Mr. Geddes is then absent from home?’ said Fairford, much disappointed
+in his turn.
+
+‘He hath been gone since yesterday, friend,’ answered Rachel, once more
+composed to the quietude which characterizes her sect, but her pale
+cheek and red eye giving contradiction to her assumed equanimity.
+
+‘I am,’ said Fairford, hastily, ‘the particular friend of a young man
+not unknown to you, Miss Geddes--the friend of Darsie Latimer--and
+am come hither in the utmost anxiety, having understood from Provost
+Crosbie, that he had disappeared in the night when a destructive attack
+was made upon the fishing-station of Mr. Geddes.’
+
+‘Thou dost afflict me, friend, by thy inquiries,’ said Rachel, more
+affected than before; ‘for although the youth was like those of the
+worldly generation, wise in his own conceit, and lightly to be moved by
+the breath of vanity, yet Joshua loved him, and his heart clave to him
+as if he had been his own son. And when he himself escaped from the sons
+of Belial, which was not until they had tired themselves with reviling,
+and with idle reproach, and the jests of the scoffer, Joshua, my
+brother, returned to them once and again, to give ransom for the
+youth called Darsie Latimer, with offers of money and with promise of
+remission, but they would not hearken to him. Also, he went before the
+head judge, whom men call the sheriff, and would have told him of the
+youth’s peril; but he would in no way hearken to him unless he would
+swear unto the truth of his words, which thing he might not do without
+sin, seeing it is written, Swear not at all--also, that our conversation
+shall be yea or nay. Therefore, Joshua returned to me disconsolate,
+and said, “Sister Rachel, this youth hath run into peril for my sake;
+assuredly I shall not be guiltless if a hair of his head be harmed,
+seeing I have sinned in permitting him to go with me to the fishing
+station when such evil was to be feared. Therefore, I will take my
+horse, even Solomon, and ride swiftly into Cumberland, and I will make
+myself friends with Mammon of Unrighteousness, among the magistrates of
+the Gentiles, and among their mighty men; and it shall come to pass that
+Darsie Latimer shall be delivered, even if it were at the expense of
+half my substance.” And I said, “Nay, my brother, go not, for they
+will but scoff at and revile thee; but hire with thy silver one of the
+scribes, who are eager as hunters in pursuing their prey, and he shall
+free Darsie Latimer from the men of violence by his cunning, and thy
+soul shall be guiltless of evil towards the lad.” But he answered and
+said, “I will not be controlled in this matter.” And he is gone forth
+and hath not returned, and I fear me that he may never return; for
+though he be peaceful, as becometh one who holds all violence as offence
+against his own soul, yet neither the floods of water, nor the fear of
+the snare, nor the drawn sword of the adversary brandished in the path,
+will overcome his purpose. Wherefore the Solway may swallow him up, or
+the sword of the enemy may devour him--nevertheless, my hope is better
+in Him who directeth all things, and ruleth over the waves of the sea,
+and overruleth the devices of the wicked, and who can redeem us even as
+a bird from the fowler’s net.’
+
+This was all that Fairford could learn from Miss Geddes; but he heard
+with pleasure that the good Quaker, her brother, had many friends among
+those of his own profession in Cumberland, and without exposing himself
+to so much danger as his sister seemed to apprehend, he trusted he might
+be able to discover some traces of Darsie Latimer. He himself rode back
+to Dumfries, having left with Miss Geddes his direction in that
+place, and an earnest request that she would forward thither whatever
+information she might obtain from her brother.
+
+On Fairford’s return to Dumfries, he employed the brief interval which
+remained before dinner-time, in writing an account of what had befallen
+Latimer and of the present uncertainty of his condition, to Mr. Samuel
+Griffiths, through whose hands the remittances for his friend’s service
+had been regularly made, desiring he would instantly acquaint him with
+such parts of his history as might direct him in the search which he
+was about to institute through the border counties, and which he pledged
+himself not; to give up until he had obtained news of his friend, alive
+or dead, The young lawyer’s mind felt easier when he had dispatched this
+letter. He could not conceive any reason why his friend’s life should be
+aimed at; he knew Darsie had done nothing by which his liberty could
+be legally affected; and although, even of late years, there had been
+singular histories of men, and women also, who had been trepanned,
+and concealed in solitudes and distant islands in order to serve some
+temporary purpose, such violences had been chiefly practised by the rich
+on the poor, and by the strong on the feeble; whereas, in the present
+case, this Mr. Herries, or Redgauntlet, being amenable, for more reasons
+than one, to the censure of the law, must be the weakest in any struggle
+in which it could be appealed to. It is true, that his friendly anxiety
+whispered that the very cause which rendered this oppressor less
+formidable, might make him more desperate. Still, recalling his
+language, so strikingly that of the gentleman, and even of the man
+of honour, Alan Fairford concluded, that though, in his feudal pride,
+Redgauntlet might venture on the deeds of violence exercised by the
+aristocracy in other times, he could not be capable of any action of
+deliberate atrocity. And in these convictions he went to dine with
+Provost Crosbie, with a heart more at ease than might have been
+expected. [See Note 7.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Five minutes had elapsed after the town clock struck two, before
+Alan Fairford, who had made a small detour to put his letter into the
+post-house, reached the mansion of Mr. Provost Crosbie, and was at once
+greeted by the voice of that civic dignitary, and the rural dignitary
+his visitor, as by the voices of men impatient for their dinner.
+
+‘Come away, Mr. Fairford--the Edinburgh time is later than ours,’ said
+the provost.
+
+And, ‘Come away, young gentleman,’ said the laird; ‘I remember your
+father weel at the Cross thirty years ago--I reckon you are as late in
+Edinburgh as at London, four o’clock hours--eh?’
+
+‘Not quite so degenerate,’ replied Fairford; ‘but certainly many
+Edinburgh people are so ill-advised as to postpone their dinner
+till three, that they may have full time to answer their London
+correspondents.’
+
+‘London correspondents!’ said Mr. Maxwell; ‘and pray what the devil have
+the people of Auld Reekie to do with London correspondents?’ [Not much
+in those days, for within my recollection the London post; was brought
+north in a small mail-cart; and men are yet as live who recollect when
+it came down with only one single letter for Edinburgh, addressed to the
+manager of the British Linen Company.]
+
+‘The tradesmen must have their goods,’ said Fairford.
+
+‘Can they not buy our own Scottish manufactures, and pick their
+customers pockets in a more patriotic manner?’
+
+‘Then the ladies must have fashions,’ said Fairford.
+
+‘Can they not busk the plaid over their heads, as their mothers did? A
+tartan screen, and once a year a new cockernony from Paris, should
+serve a countess. But ye have not many of them left, I think--Mareschal,
+Airley, Winton, Vemyss, Balmerino, all passed and gone--aye, aye, the
+countesses and ladies of quality will scarce take up too much of your
+ball-room floor with their quality hoops nowadays.’
+
+‘There is no want of crowding, however, sir,’ said Fairford; ‘they begin
+to talk of a new Assembly room.’
+
+‘A new Assembly room!’ said the old Jacobite laird--‘Umph--I mind
+quartering three hundred men in the old Assembly room [I remember
+hearing this identical answer given by an old Highland gentleman of the
+Forty-Five, when he heard of the opening of the New Assembly Rooms in
+George Street.]--But come, come--I’ll ask no more questions--the answers
+all smell of new lords new lands, and do but spoil my appetite, which
+were a pity, since here comes Mrs. Crosbie to say our mutton’s ready.’
+
+It was even so. Mrs. Crosbie had been absent, like Eve, ‘on hospitable
+cares intent,’ a duty which she did not conceive herself exempted from,
+either by the dignity of her husband’s rank in the municipality, or the
+splendour of her Brussels silk gown, or even by the more highly prized
+lustre of her birth; for she was born a Maxwell, and allied, as her
+husband often informed his friends, to several of the first families in
+the county. She had been handsome, and was still a portly, good-looking
+woman of her years; and though her peep into the kitchen had somewhat
+heightened her complexion, it was no more than a modest touch of rouge
+might have done.
+
+The provost was certainly proud of his lady, nay, some said he was
+afraid of her; for of the females of the Redgauntlet family there went a
+rumour, that, ally where they would, there was a grey mare as surely in
+the stables of their husbands, as there is a white horse in Wouvermans’
+pictures. The good dame, too, was supposed to have brought a spice of
+politics into Mr. Crosbie’s household along with her; and the provost’s
+enemies at the council-table of the burgh used to observe that he
+uttered there many a bold harangue against the Pretender, and in favour
+of King George and government, of which he dared not have pronounced
+a syllable in his own bedchamber; and that, in fact, his wife’s
+predominating influence had now and then occasioned his acting,
+or forbearing to act, in a manner very different from his general
+professions of zeal for Revolution principles. If this was in any
+respect true, it was certain, on the other hand, that Mrs. Crosbie, in
+all external points, seemed to acknowledge the ‘lawful sway and right
+supremacy’ of the head of the house, and if she did not in truth
+reverence her husband, she at least seemed to do so.
+
+This stately dame received Mr. Maxwell (a cousin of course) with
+cordiality, and Fairford with civility; answering at the same time with
+respect, to the magisterial complaints of the provost, that dinner was
+just coming up. ‘But since you changed poor Peter MacAlpin, that used
+to take care of the town-clock, my dear, it has never gone well a single
+day.’
+
+‘Peter MacAlpin, my dear,’ said the provost,’ made himself too busy for
+a person in office, and drunk healths and so forth, which it became no
+man to drink or to pledge, far less one that is in point of office a
+servant of the public, I understand that he lost the music bells in
+Edinburgh, for playing “Ower the Water to Charlie,” upon the tenth of
+June. He is a black sheep, and deserves no encouragement.’
+
+‘Not a bad tune though, after all,’ said Summertrees; and, turning to
+the window, he half hummed, half whistled, the air in question, then
+sang the last verse aloud:
+
+  ‘Oh I loe weel my Charlie’s name,
+    Though some there be that abhor him;
+   But oh to see the deil gang hame
+    Wi’ a’ the Whigs before him!
+   Over the water, and over the sea,
+    And over the water to Charlie;
+   Come weal, come woe, we’ll gather and go,
+    And live or die with Charlie.’
+
+Mrs. Crosbie smiled furtively on the laird, wearing an aspect at the
+same time of deep submission; while the provost, not choosing to hear
+his visitor’s ditty, took a turn through the room, in unquestioned
+dignity and independence of authority.
+
+‘Aweel, aweel, my dear,’ said the lady, with a quiet smile of
+submission, ‘ye ken these matters best, and you will do your
+pleasure--they are far above my hand--only, I doubt if ever the
+town-clock will go right, or your meals be got up so regular as I should
+wish, till Peter MacAlpin gets his office back again. The body’s auld,
+and can neither work nor want, but he is the only hand to set a clock.’
+
+It may be noticed in passing, that notwithstanding this prediction,
+which, probably, the fair Cassandra had the full means of accomplishing,
+it was not till the second council day thereafter that the misdemeanours
+of the Jacobite clock-keeper were passed over, and he was once more
+restored to his occupation of fixing the town’s time, and the provost’s
+dinner-hour.
+
+Upon the present occasion the dinner passed pleasantly away. Summertrees
+talked and jested with the easy indifference of a man who holds himself
+superior to his company. He was indeed an important person, as was
+testified by his portly appearance; his hat laced with POINT D’ESPAGNE;
+his coat and waistcoat once richly embroidered, though now almost
+threadbare; the splendour of his solitaire, and laced ruffles, though
+the first was sorely creased, and the other sullied; not to forget the
+length of his silver-hilted rapier. His wit, or rather humour, bordered
+on the sarcastic, and intimated a discontented man; and although he
+showed no displeasure when the provost attempted a repartee, yet it
+seemed that he permitted it upon mere sufferance, as a fencing-master,
+engaged with a pupil, will sometimes permit the tyro to hit him, solely
+by way of encouragement. The laird’s own jests, in the meanwhile, were
+eminently successful, not only with the provost and his lady, but with
+the red-cheeked and red-ribboned servant-maid who waited at table, and
+who could scarce perform her duty with propriety, so effectual were the
+explosions of Summertrees. Alan Fairford alone was unmoved among all
+this mirth; which was the less wonderful, that, besides the important
+subject which occupied his thoughts, most of the laird’s good things
+consisted in sly allusions to little parochial or family incidents,
+with which the Edinburgh visitor was totally unacquainted: so that the
+laughter of the party sounded in his ear like the idle crackling of
+thorns under the pot, with this difference, that they did not accompany
+or second any such useful operation as the boiling thereof.
+
+Fairford was glad when the cloth was withdrawn; and when Provost Crosbie
+(not without some points of advice from his lady touching the precise
+mixture of the ingredients) had accomplished the compounding of a noble
+bowl of punch, at which the old Jacobite’s eyes seemed to glisten, the
+glasses were pushed round it, filled, and withdrawn each by its owner,
+when the provost emphatically named the toast, ‘The King,’ with an
+important look to Fairford, which seemed to say, You can have no doubt
+whom I mean, and therefore there is no occasion to particularize the
+individual.
+
+Summertrees repeated the toast, with a sly wink to the lady, while
+Fairford drank his glass in silence.
+
+‘Well, young advocate,’ said the landed proprietor, ‘I am glad to see
+there is some shame, if there is little honesty, left in the Faculty.
+Some of your black gowns, nowadays, have as little of the one as of the
+other.’
+
+‘At least, sir,’ replied Mr. Fairford, ‘I am so much of a lawyer as not
+willingly to enter into disputes which I am not retained to support--it
+would be but throwing away both time and argument.’
+
+‘Come, come,’ said the lady, ‘we will have no argument in this house
+about Whig or Tory--the provost kens what he maun SAY, and I ken what he
+should THINK; and for a’ that has come and gane yet, there may be a time
+coming when honest men may say what they think, whether they be provosts
+or not.’
+
+‘D’ye hear that, provost?’ said Summertrees; ‘your wife’s a witch, man;
+you should nail a horseshoe on your chamber door--Ha, ha, ha!’
+
+This sally did not take quite so well as former efforts of the laird’s
+wit. The lady drew up, and the provost said, half aside, ‘The sooth
+bourd is nae bourd. [The true joke is no joke.] You will find the
+horseshoe hissing hot, Summertrees.’
+
+‘You can speak from experience, doubtless, provost,’ answered the
+laird; ‘but I crave pardon--I need not tell Mrs. Crosbie that I have all
+respect for the auld and honourable House of Redgauntlet.’
+
+‘And good reason ye have, that are sae sib to them,’ quoth the lady,
+‘and kend weel baith them that are here, and them that are gane.’
+
+‘In troth, and ye may say sae, madam,’ answered the laird; ‘for poor
+Harry Redgauntlet, that suffered at Carlisle, was hand and glove with
+me; and yet we parted on short leave-taking.’
+
+‘Aye, Summertrees,’ said the provost; ‘that was when you played
+Cheat-the-woodie, and gat the by-name of Pate-in-Peril. I wish you would
+tell the story to my young friend here. He likes weel to hear of a sharp
+trick, as most lawyers do.’
+
+‘I wonder at your want of circumspection, provost,’ said the
+laird,--much after the manner of a singer when declining to sing the
+song that is quivering upon his tongue’s very end. ‘Ye should mind there
+are some auld stories that cannot be ripped up again with entire safety
+to all concerned. TACE is Latin for a candle,’
+
+‘I hope,’ said the lady, ‘you are not afraid of anything being said out
+of this house to your prejudice, Summertrees? I have heard the story
+before; but the oftener I hear it, the more wonderful I think it.’
+
+‘Yes, madam; but it has been now a wonder of more than nine days, and it
+is time it should be ended,’ answered Maxwell.
+
+Fairford now thought it civil to say, ‘that he had often heard of Mr.
+Maxwell’s wonderful escape, and that nothing could be more agreeable to
+him than to hear the right version of it.’
+
+But Summertrees was obdurate, and refused to take up the time of the
+company with such ‘auld-warld nonsense.’
+
+‘Weel, weel,’ said the provost, ‘a wilful man maun hae his way. What do
+your folk in the country think about the disturbances that are beginning
+to spunk out in the colonies?’
+
+‘Excellent, sir, excellent. When things come to the worst; they will
+mend; and to the worst they are coming. But as to that nonsense ploy
+of mine, if ye insist on hearing the particulars,’--said the laird, who
+began to be sensible that the period of telling his story gracefully was
+gliding fast away.
+
+‘Nay,’ said the provost, ‘it was not for myself, but this young
+gentlemen.’
+
+‘Aweel, what for should I not pleasure the young gentlemen? I’ll
+just drink to honest folk at hame and abroad, and deil ane else. And
+then--but you have heard it before, Mrs. Crosbie?’
+
+‘Not so often as to think it tiresome, I assure ye,’ said the lady; and
+without further preliminaries, the laird addressed Alan Fairford.
+
+‘Ye have heard of a year they call the FORTY-FIVE, young gentleman;
+when the Southrons’ heads made their last acquaintance with Scottish
+claymores? There was a set of rampauging chields in the country then
+that they called rebels--I never could find out what for--Some men
+should have been wi’ them that never came, provost--Skye and the Bush
+aboon Traquair for that, ye ken.--Weel, the job was settled at last.
+Cloured crowns were plenty, and raxed necks came into fashion. I dinna
+mind very weel what I was doing, swaggering about the country with dirk
+and pistol at my belt for five or six months, or thereaway; but I had
+a weary waking out of a wild dream. When did I find myself on foot in a
+misty morning, with my hand, just for fear of going astray, linked into
+a handcuff, as they call it, with poor Harry Redgauntlet’s fastened into
+the other; and there we were, trudging along, with about a score more
+that had thrust their horns ower deep in the bog, just like ourselves,
+and a sergeant’s guard of redcoats, with twa file of dragoons, to
+keep all quiet, and give us heart to the road. Now, if this mode of
+travelling was not very pleasant, the object did not particularly
+recommend it; for, you understand, young man, that they did not trust
+these poor rebel bodies to be tried by juries of their ain kindly
+countrymen, though ane would have thought they would have found Whigs
+enough in Scotland to hang us all; but they behoved to trounce us away
+to be tried at Carlisle, where the folk had been so frightened, that
+had you brought a whole Highland clan at once into the court, they would
+have put their hands upon their een, and cried, “hang them a’,” just to
+be quit of them.’
+
+‘Aye, aye,’ said the provost, ‘that was a snell law, I grant ye.’
+
+‘Snell!’ said the wife, ‘snell! I wish they that passed it had the jury
+I would recommend them to!’
+
+‘I suppose the young lawyer thinks it all very right,’ said Summertrees,
+looking at Fairford--‘an OLD lawyer might have thought otherwise.
+However, the cudgel was to be found to beat the dog, and they chose
+a heavy one. Well, I kept my spirits better than my companion, poor
+fellow; for I had the luck to have neither wife nor child to think
+about, and Harry Redgauntlet had both one and t’other.--You have seen
+Harry, Mrs. Crosbie?’
+
+‘In troth have I,’ said she, with the sigh which we give to early
+recollections, of which the object is no more. ‘He was not so tall as
+his brother, and a gentler lad every way. After he married the great
+English fortune, folk called him less of a Scottishman than Edward.’
+
+‘Folk lee’d, then,’ said Summertrees; ‘poor Harry was none of your
+bold-speaking, ranting reivers, that talk about what they did yesterday,
+or what they will do to-morrow; it was when something was to do at the
+moment that you should have looked at Harry Redgauntlet. I saw him at
+Culloden, when all was lost, doing more than twenty of these bleezing
+braggarts, till the very soldiers that took him cried not to hurt
+him--for all somebody’s orders, provost--for he was the bravest fellow
+of them all. Weel, as I went by the side of Harry, and felt him raise my
+hand up in the mist of the morning, as if he wished to wipe his eye--for
+he had not that freedom without my leave--my very heart was like to
+break for him, poor fellow. In the meanwhile, I had been trying and
+trying to make my hand as fine as a lady’s, to see if I could slip it
+out of my iron wristband. You may think,’ he said, laying his broad bony
+hand on the table, ‘I had work enough with such a shoulder-of-mutton
+fist; but if you observe, the shackle-bones are of the largest, and so
+they were obliged to keep the handcuff wide; at length I got my hand
+slipped out, and slipped in again; and poor Harry was sae deep in his
+ain thoughts, I could not make him sensible what I was doing.’
+
+‘Why not?’ said Alan Fairford, for whom the tale began to have some
+interest.
+
+‘Because there was an unchancy beast of a dragoon riding close beside
+us on the other side; and if I had let him into my confidence as well as
+Harry, it would not have been long before a pistol-ball slapped through
+my bonnet.--Well, I had little for it but to do the best I could for
+myself; and, by my conscience, it was time, when the gallows was staring
+me in the face. We were to halt for breakfast at Moffat. Well did I know
+the moors we were marching over, having hunted and hawked on every acre
+of ground in very different times. So I waited, you see, till I was on
+the edge of Errickstane-brae--Ye ken the place they call the Marquis’s
+Beef-stand, because the Annandale loons used to put their stolen cattle
+in there?’
+
+Fairford intimated his ignorance,
+
+‘Ye must have seen it as ye came this way; it looks as if four hills
+were laying their heads together, to shut out daylight from the dark
+hollow space between them. A d--d deep, black, blackguard-looking
+abyss of a hole it is, and goes straight down from the roadside, as
+perpendicular as it can do, to be a heathery brae. At the bottom, there
+is a small bit of a brook, that you would think could hardly find, its
+way out from the hills that are so closely jammed round it.’
+
+‘A bad pass, indeed,’ said Alan.
+
+‘You may say that,’ continued the laird. ‘Bad as it was, sir, it was
+my only chance; and though my very flesh creeped when I thought what a
+rumble I was going to get, yet I kept my heart up all the same. And so,
+just when we came on the edge of this Beef-stand of the Johnstones, I
+slipped out my hand from the handcuff, cried to Harry Gauntlet, ‘Follow
+me!’--whisked under the belly of the dragoon horse--flung my plaid round
+me with the speed of lightning--threw myself on my side, for there was
+no keeping my feet, and down the brae hurled I, over heather and fern,
+and blackberries, like a barrel down Chalmer’s Close, in Auld Reekie.
+G--, sir, I never could help laughing when I think how the scoundrel
+redcoats must have been bumbazed; for the mist being, as I said, thick,
+they had little notion, I take it, that they were on the verge of such
+a dilemma. I was half way down--for rowing is faster wark than
+rinning--ere they could get at their arms; and then it was flash, flash,
+flash--rap, rap, rap--from the edge of the road; but my head was too
+jumbled to think anything either of that or the hard knocks I got among
+the stones. I kept my senses thegither, whilk has been thought wonderful
+by all that ever saw the place; and I helped myself with my hands as
+gallantly as I could, and to the bottom I came. There I lay for half
+a moment; but the thoughts of a gallows is worth all the salts and
+scent-bottles in the world for bringing a man to himself. Up I sprang,
+like a four-year-auld colt. All the hills were spinning round with me,
+like so many great big humming-tops. But there was nae time to think of
+that neither; more especially as the mist had risen a little with the
+firing. I could see the villains, like sae mony craws on the edge of
+the brae; and I reckon that they saw me; for some of the loons were
+beginning to crawl down the hill, but liker auld wives in their red
+cloaks, coming frae a field preaching, than such a souple lad as I was.
+Accordingly, they soon began to stop and load their pieces. Good-e’en to
+you, gentlemen, thought I, if that is to be the gate of it. If you have
+any further word with me, you maun come as far as Carriefraw-gauns. And
+so off I set, and never buck went faster ower the braes than I did; and
+I never stopped till I had put three waters, reasonably deep, as the
+season was rainy, half a dozen mountains, and a few thousand acres
+of the worst moss and ling in Scotland, betwixt me and my friends the
+redcoats.’
+
+‘It was that job which got you the name of Pate-in-Peril,’ said the
+provost, filling the glasses, and exclaiming with great emphasis,
+while his guest, much animated with the recollections which the
+exploit excited, looked round with an air of triumph for sympathy and
+applause,--‘Here is to your good health; and may you never put your neck
+in such a venture again.’ [The escape of a Jacobite gentleman while on
+the road to Carlisle to take his trial for his share in the affair of
+1745, took place at Errickstane-brae, in the singular manner ascribed to
+the Laird of Summertrees in the text. The author has seen in his youth
+the gentleman to whom the adventure actually happened. The distance of
+time makes some indistinctness of recollection, but it is believed the
+real name was MacEwen or MacMillan.]
+
+‘Humph!--I do not know,’ answered Summertrees. ‘I am not like to be
+tempted with another opportunity--[An old gentleman of the author’s name
+was engaged in the affair of 1715, and with some difficulty was saved
+from the gallows by the intercession of the Duchess of Buccleugh and
+Monmouth. Her Grace, who maintained a good deal of authority over her
+clan, sent for the object of her intercession, and warning him of the
+risk which he had run, and the trouble she had taken on his account,
+wound up her lecture by intimating that in case of such disloyalty
+again, he was not to expect her interest in his favour. ‘An it please
+your Grace,’ said the stout old Tory, ‘I fear I am too old to see
+another opportunity.’] Yet who knows?’ And then he made a deep pause.
+
+‘May I ask what became of your friend, sir?’ said Alan Fairford.
+
+‘Ah, poor Harry!’ said Summertrees. ‘I’ll tell you what, sir, it takes
+time to make up one’s mind to such a venture, as my friend the provost
+calls it; and I was told by Neil Maclean,--who was next file to us,
+but had the luck to escape the gallows by some sleight-of-hand trick
+or other,--that, upon my breaking off, poor Harry stood like one
+motionless, although all our brethren in captivity made as much tumult
+as they could, to distract the attention of the soldiers. And run he did
+at last; but he did not know the ground, and either from confusion, or
+because he judged the descent altogether perpendicular, he fled up
+the hill to the left, instead of going down at once, and so was easily
+pursued and taken. If he had followed my example, he would have found
+enough among the shepherds to hide him, and feed him, as they did me,
+on bearmeal scenes and braxy mutton, till better days came round again.’
+[BRAXY MUTTON.--The flesh of sheep that has died of disease, not by
+the hand of the butcher. In pastoral countries it is used as food with
+little scruple.]
+
+‘He suffered then for his share in the insurrection?’ said Alan.
+
+‘You may swear that,’ said Summertrees. ‘His blood was too red to be
+spared when that sort of paint was in request. He suffered, sir, as
+you call it--that is, he was murdered in cold blood, with many a pretty
+fellow besides. Well, we may have our day next--what is fristed is not
+forgiven--they think us all dead and buried--but’--Here he filled his
+glass, and muttering some indistinct denunciations, drank it off, and
+assumed his usual manner, which had been a little disturbed towards the
+end of the narrative.
+
+‘What became of Mr. Redgauntlet’s child?’ said Fairford.
+
+MISTER Redgauntlet! He was Sir Henry Redgauntlet, as his son, if the
+child now lives, will be Sir Arthur--I called him Harry from intimacy,
+and Redgauntlet, as the chief of his name--His proper style was Sir
+Henry Redgauntlet.’
+
+‘His son, therefore, is dead?’ said Alan Fairford. ‘It is a pity so
+brave a line should draw to a close.’
+
+‘He has left a brother,’ said Summertrees, ‘Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, who
+has now the representation of the family. And well it is; for though he
+be unfortunate in many respects, he will keep up the honour of the house
+better than a boy bred up amongst these bitter Whigs, the relations of
+his elder brother Sir Henry’s lady. Then they are on no good terms with
+the Redgauntlet line--bitter Whigs they are in every sense. It was a
+runaway match betwixt Sir Henry and his lady. Poor thing, they would not
+allow her to see him when in confinement--they had even the meanness to
+leave him without pecuniary assistance; and as all his own property was
+seized upon and plundered, he would have wanted common necessaries, but
+for the attachment of a fellow who was a famous fiddler--a blind man--I
+have seen him with Sir Henry myself, both before the affair broke out
+and while it was going on. I have heard that he fiddled in the streets
+of Carlisle, and carried what money he got to his master, while he was
+confined in the castle.’
+
+‘I do not believe a word of it,’ said Mrs. Crosbie, kindling with
+indignation. ‘A Redgauntlet would have died twenty times before he had
+touched a fiddler’s wages.’
+
+‘Hout fye--hout fye--all nonsense and pride,’ said the Laird of
+Summertrees. ‘Scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings, cousin Crosbie--ye
+little ken what some of your friends were obliged to do yon time for a
+sowp of brose, or a bit of bannock. G--d, I carried a cutler’s wheel for
+several weeks, partly for need, and partly for disguise--there I went
+bizz--bizz--whizz--zizz, at every auld wife’s door; and if ever you want
+your shears sharpened, Mrs. Crosbie, I am the lad to do it for you, if
+my wheel was but in order.’
+
+‘You, must ask my leave first,’ said the provost; ‘for I have been told
+you had some queer fashions of taking a kiss instead of a penny, if you
+liked your customer.’
+
+‘Come, come, provost,’ said the lady; rising, ‘if the maut gets abune
+the meal with you, it is time for me to take myself away--And you will
+come to my room, gentlemen, when you want a cup of tea.’
+
+Alan Fairford was not sorry for the lady’s departure. She seemed too
+much alive to the honour of the house of Redgauntlet, though only a
+fourth cousin, not to be alarmed by the inquiries which he proposed
+to make after the whereabout of its present head. Strange confused
+suspicions arose in his mind, from his imperfect recollection of the
+tale of Wandering Willie, and the idea forced itself upon him that his
+friend Darsie Latimer might be the son of the unfortunate Sir Henry. But
+before indulging in such speculations, the point was to discover what
+had actually become of him. If he were in the hands of his uncle, might
+there not exist some rivalry in fortune, or rank, which might induce so
+stern a man as Redgauntlet to use unfair measures towards a youth whom
+he would find himself unable to mould to his purpose? He considered
+these points in silence, during several revolutions of the glasses
+as they wheeled in galaxy round the bowl, waiting until the provost,
+agreeably to his own proposal, should mention the subject, for which he
+had expressly introduced him to Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees.
+
+Apparently the provost had forgot his promise, or at least was in no
+great haste to fulfil it. He debated with great earnestness upon the
+Stamp Act, which was then impending over the American colonies, and upon
+other political subjects of the day, but said not a word of Redgauntlet.
+Alan soon saw that the investigation he meditated must advance, if at
+all, on his own special motion, and determined to proceed accordingly.
+
+Acting upon this resolution, he took the first opportunity afforded by
+a pause in the discussion of colonial politics, to say, ‘I must remind
+you, Provost Crosbie, of your kind promise to procure some intelligence
+upon the subject I am so anxious about.’
+
+‘Gadso!’ said the provost, after a moment’s hesitation, ‘it is very
+true.--Mr. Maxwell, we wish to consult you on a piece of important
+business. You must know indeed I think you must have heard, that the
+fishermen at Brokenburn, and higher up the Solway, have made a raid upon
+Quaker Geddes’s stake-nets, and levelled all with the sands.’
+
+‘In troth I heard it, provost, and I was glad to hear the scoundrels had
+so much pluck left as to right themselves against a fashion which would
+make the upper heritors a sort of clocking-hens, to hatch the fish that
+folk below them were to catch and eat.’
+
+‘Well, sir,’ said Alan, ‘that is not the present point. But a young
+friend of mine was with Mr. Geddes at the time this violent procedure
+took place, and he has not since been heard of. Now, our friend, the
+provost, thinks that you may be able to advise’--
+
+Here he was interrupted by the provost and Summertrees speaking out
+both at once, the first endeavouring to disclaim all interest in the
+question, and the last to evade giving an answer.
+
+‘Me think!’ said the provost; ‘I never thought twice about it, Mr.
+Fairford; it was neither fish, nor flesh, nor salt herring of mine.’
+
+‘And I “able to advise”!’ said Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees; ‘what the
+devil can I advise you to do, excepting to send the bellman through the
+town to cry your lost sheep, as they do spaniel dogs or stray ponies?’
+
+‘With your pardon,’ said Alan, calmly, but resolutely, ‘I must ask a
+more serious answer.’
+
+‘Why, Mr. Advocate,’ answered Summertrees, ‘I thought it was your
+business to give advice to the lieges, and not to take it from poor
+stupid country gentlemen.’
+
+‘If not exactly advice, it is sometimes our duty to ask questions, Mr.
+Maxwell.’
+
+‘Aye, sir, when you have your bag-wig and your gown on, we must
+allow you the usual privilege of both gown and petticoat, to ask what
+questions you please. But when you are out of your canonicals, the case
+is altered. How come you, sir, to suppose that I have any business with
+this riotous proceeding, or should know more than you do what happened
+there? the question proceeds on an uncivil supposition.’
+
+‘I will explain,’ said Alan, determined to give Mr. Maxwell no
+opportunity of breaking off the conversation. ‘You are an intimate of
+Mr. Redgauntlet--he is accused of having been engaged in this affray,
+and of having placed under forcible restraint the person of my friend,
+Darsie Latimer, a young man of property and consequence, whose fate I am
+here for the express purpose of investigating. This is the plain
+state of the case; and all parties concerned,--your friend, in
+particular,--will have reason to be thankful for the temperate manner
+in which it is my purpose to conduct the matter, if I am treated with
+proportionate frankness.’
+
+‘You have misunderstood me,’ said Maxwell, with a tone changed to
+more composure; ‘I told you I was the friend of the late Sir Henry
+Redgauntlet, who was executed, in 1745, at Hairibie, near Carlisle, but
+I know no one who at present bears the name of Redgauntlet.’
+
+‘You know Mr. Herries of Birrenswork,’ said Alan, smiling, ‘to whom the
+name of Redgauntlet belongs?’
+
+Maxwell darted a keen reproachful look towards the provost, but
+instantly smoothed his brow, and changed his tone to that of confidence
+and candour.
+
+‘You must not be angry, Mr. Fairford, that the poor persecuted nonjurors
+are a little upon the QUI VIVE when such clever young men as you are
+making inquiries after us. I myself now, though I am quite out of the
+scrape, and may cock my hat at the Cross as I best like, sunshine or
+moonshine, have been yet so much accustomed to walk with the lap of my
+cloak cast over my face, that, faith, if a redcoat walk suddenly up
+to me, I wish for my wheel and whetstone again for a moment. Now
+Redgauntlet, poor fellow, is far worse off--he is, you may have heard,
+still under the lash of the law,--the mark of the beast is still on his
+forehead, poor gentleman,--and that makes us cautious--very cautious,
+which I am sure there is no occasion to be towards you, as no one of
+your appearance and manners would wish to trepan a gentleman under
+misfortune.’
+
+‘On the contrary, sir,’ said Fairford, ‘I wish to afford Mr.
+Redgauntlet’s friends an opportunity to get him out of the scrape, by
+procuring the instant liberation of my friend Darsie Latimer. I will
+engage that if he has sustained no greater bodily harm than a short
+confinement, the matter may be passed over quietly, without inquiry; but
+to attain this end, so desirable for the man who has committed a great
+and recent infraction of the laws, which he had before grievously
+offended, very speedy reparation of the wrong must be rendered.’
+
+Maxwell seemed lost in reflection, and exchanged a glance or two, not of
+the most comfortable or congratulatory kind, with his host the provost.
+Fairford rose and walked about the room, to allow them an opportunity
+of conversing together; for he was in hopes that the impression he
+had visibly made upon Summertrees was likely to ripen into something
+favourable to his purpose. They took the opportunity, and engaged in
+whispers to each other, eagerly and reproachfully on the part of the
+laird, while the provost answered in an embarrassed and apologetical
+tone. Some broken words of the conversation reached Fairford, whose
+presence they seemed to forget, as he stood at the bottom of the room,
+apparently intent upon examining the figures upon a fine Indian screen,
+a present to the provost from his brother, captain of a vessel in the
+Company’s service. What he overheard made it evident that his errand,
+and the obstinacy with which he pursued it, occasioned altercation
+between the whisperers.
+
+Maxwell at length let out the words, ‘A good fright; and so send him
+home with his tail scalded, like a dog that has come a-privateering on
+strange premises.’
+
+The provost’s negative was strongly interposed--‘Not to be thought
+of’--‘making bad worse’--‘my situation’--‘my utility’--‘you cannot
+conceive how obstinate--just like his father’.
+
+They then whispered more closely, and at length the provost raised his
+drooping crest, and spoke in a cheerful tone. ‘Come, sit down to your
+glass, Mr. Fairford; we have laid our heads thegither, and you shall see
+it will not be our fault if you are not quite pleased, and Mr.
+Darsie Latimer let loose to take his fiddle under his neck again. But
+Summertrees thinks it will require you to put yourself into some bodily
+risk, which maybe you may not be so keen of.’
+
+‘Gentlemen,’ said Fairford, ‘I will not certainly shun any risk by which
+my object may be accomplished; but I bind it on your consciences--on
+yours, Mr. Maxwell, as a man of honour and a gentleman; and on yours,
+provost, as a magistrate and a loyal subject, that you do not mislead me
+in this matter.’
+
+‘Nay, as for me,’ said Summertrees, ‘I will tell you the truth at
+once, and fairly own that I can certainly find you the means of seeing
+Redgauntlet, poor man; and that I will do, if you require it, and
+conjure him also to treat you as your errand requires; but poor
+Redgauntlet is much changed--indeed, to say truth, his temper never was
+the best in the world; however, I will warrant you from any very great
+danger.’
+
+‘I will warrant myself from such,’ said Fairford, ‘by carrying a proper
+force with me.’
+
+‘Indeed,’ said Summertrees, ‘you will, do no such thing; for, in the
+first place, do you think that we will deliver up the poor fellow into
+the hands of the Philistines, when, on the contrary, my only reason for
+furnishing you with the clue I am to put into your hands, is to settle
+the matter amicably on all sides? And secondly, his intelligence is so
+good, that were you coming near him with soldiers, or constables, or the
+like, I shall answer for it, you will never lay salt on his tail.’
+
+Fairford mused for a moment. He considered that to gain sight of this
+man, and knowledge of his friend’s condition, were advantages to be
+purchased at every personal risk; and he saw plainly, that were he to
+take the course most safe for himself, and call in the assistance of
+the law, it was clear he would either be deprived of the intelligence
+necessary to guide him, or that Redgauntlet would be apprised of his
+danger, and might probably leave the country, carrying his captive
+along with him. He therefore repeated, ‘I put myself on your honour, Mr.
+Maxwell; and I will go alone to visit your friend. I have little; doubt
+I shall find him amenable to reason; and that I shall receive from him a
+satisfactory account of Mr. Latimer.’
+
+‘I have little doubt that you will,’ said Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees;
+‘but still I think it will be only in the long run, and after having
+sustained some delay and inconvenience. My warrandice goes no further.’
+
+‘I will take it as it is given,’ said Alan Fairford. ‘But let me ask,
+would it not be better, since you value your friend’s safety so highly
+and surely would not willingly compromise mine, that the provost or you
+should go with me to this man, if he is within any reasonable distance,
+and try to make him hear reason?’
+
+‘Me!--I will not go my foot’s length,’ said the provost; and that, Mr.
+Alan, you may be well assured of. Mr. Redgauntlet is my wife’s fourth
+cousin, that is undeniable; but were he the last of her kin and mine
+both, it would ill befit my office to be communing with rebels.’
+
+‘Aye, or drinking with nonjurors,’ said Maxwell, filling his glass. ‘I
+would as soon expect; to have met Claverhouse at a field-preaching. And
+as for myself, Mr. Fairford, I cannot go, for just the opposite reason.
+It would be INFRA DIG. in the provost of this most flourishing and loyal
+town to associate with Redgauntlet; and for me it would be NOSCITUR A
+SOCIO. There would be post to London, with the tidings that two such
+Jacobites as Redgauntlet and I had met on a braeside--the Habeas Corpus
+would be suspended--Fame would sound a charge from Carlisle to the
+Land’s End--and who knows but the very wind of the rumour might blow my
+estate from between my fingers, and my body over Errickstane-brae again?
+No, no; bide a gliff--I will go into the provost’s closet, and write a
+letter to Redgauntlet, and direct you how to deliver it.’
+
+‘There is pen and ink in the office,’ said the provost, pointing to the
+door of an inner apartment, in which he had his walnut-tree desk and
+east-country cabinet.
+
+‘A pen that can write, I hope?’ said the old laird.
+
+‘It can write and spell baith in right hands,’ answered the provost, as
+the laird retired and shut the door behind him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees’s
+presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around
+the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest,
+and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled ‘the
+smallest mouse that creeps on floor.’
+
+‘Mr. Fairford,’ said he, ‘you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are
+my auld friend your father’s son. Your father has been agent for this
+burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there
+have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now
+on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been. I am but
+a plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?’
+
+‘I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,’ replied Fairford,
+‘you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.’
+
+‘That’s it--that’s the very point I would be at, Mr. Alan,’ replied the
+provost; ‘besides, I am, as becomes well my situation, a stanch friend
+to kirk and king, meaning this present establishment in church and
+state; and so, as I was saying, you may command my best--advice.’
+
+‘I hope for your assistance and co-operation also,’ said the youth.
+
+‘Certainly, certainly,’ said the wary magistrate. ‘Well, now, you see
+one may love the kirk, and yet not ride on the rigging of it; and one
+may love the king, and yet not be cramming him eternally down the throat
+of the unhappy folk that may chance to like another king better. I have
+friends and connexions among them, Mr. Fairford, as your father may have
+clients--they are flesh and blood like ourselves, these poor Jacobite
+bodies--sons of Adam and Eve, after all; and therefore--I hope you
+understand me?--I am a plain-spoken man.’
+
+‘I am afraid I do not quite understand you,’ said Fairford; ‘and if you
+have anything to say to me in private, my dear provost, you had better
+come quickly out with it, for the Laird of Summertrees must finish his
+letter in a minute or two.’
+
+‘Not a bit, man--Pate is a lang-headed fellow, but his pen does not
+clear the paper as his greyhound does the Tinwald-furs. I gave him
+a wipe about that, if you noticed; I can say anything to
+Pate-in-Peril--Indeed, he is my wife’s near kinsman.’
+
+‘But your advice, provost,’ said Alan, who perceived that, like a shy
+horse, the worthy magistrate always started off from his own purpose
+just when he seemed approaching to it.
+
+‘Weel, you shall have it in plain terms, for I am a plain man. Ye see,
+we will suppose that any friend like yourself were in the deepest hole
+of the Nith, sand making a sprattle for your life. Now, you see, such
+being the case, I have little chance of helping you, being a fat,
+short-armed man, and no swimmer, and what would be the use of my jumping
+in after you?’
+
+‘I understand you, I think,’ said Alan Fairford. ‘You think that Darsie
+Latimer is in danger of his life?’
+
+‘Me!--I think nothing about it, Mr. Alan; but if he were, as I trust he
+is not, he is nae drap’s blood akin to you, Mr. Alan.’
+
+‘But here your friend, Summertrees,’ said the young lawyer, ‘offers me a
+letter to this Redgauntlet of yours--What say you to that?’
+
+‘Me!’ ejaculated the provost, ‘me, Mr. Alan? I say neither buff nor
+stye to it--But ye dinna ken what it is to look a Redgauntlet in the
+face;--better try my wife, who is but a fourth cousin, before ye venture
+on the laird himself--just say something about the Revolution, and see
+what a look she can gie you.’
+
+I shall leave you to stand all the shots from that battery, provost.’
+replied Fairford. ‘But speak out like a man--Do you think Summertrees
+means fairly by me?’
+
+‘Fairly--he is just coming--fairly? I am a plain man, Mr. Fairford--but
+ye said FAIRLY?’
+
+‘I do so,’ replied Alan, ‘and it is of importance to me to know, and
+to you to tell me if such is the case; for if you do not, you may be an
+accomplice to murder before the fact, and that under circumstances which
+may bring it near to murder under trust.’
+
+‘Murder!--who spoke of murder?’ said the provost; no danger of that, Mr.
+Alan--only, if I were you--to speak my plain mind’--Here he approached
+his mouth to the ear of the young lawyer, and, after another acute pang
+of travail, was safely delivered of his advice in the following abrupt
+words:--‘Take a keek into Pate’s letter before ye deliver it.’
+
+Fairford started, looked the provost hard in the face, and was silent;
+while Mr. Crosbie, with the self-approbation of one who has at length
+brought himself to the discharge of a great duty, at the expense of a
+considerable sacrifice, nodded and winked to Alan, as if enforcing his
+advice; and then swallowing a large glass of punch, concluded, with
+the sigh of a man released from a heavy burden, ‘I am a plain man, Mr.
+Fairford.’
+
+‘A plain man?’ said Maxwell, who entered the room at that moment, with
+the letter in his hand,--‘Provost, I never heard you make use of the
+word but when you had some sly turn of your own to work out.’
+
+The provost looked silly enough, and the Laird of Summertrees directed
+a keen and suspicious glance upon Alan Fairford, who sustained it with
+professional intrepidity.--There was a moment’s pause.
+
+‘I was trying,’ said the provost, ‘to dissuade our young friend from his
+wildgoose expedition.’
+
+‘And I,’ said Fairford, ‘am determined to go through with it. Trusting
+myself to you, Mr. Maxwell, I conceive that I rely, as I before said, on
+the word of a gentleman.’
+
+‘I will warrant you,’ said Maxwell, ‘from all serious consequences--some
+inconveniences you must look to suffer.’
+
+‘To these I shall be resigned,’ said Fairford, ‘and stand prepared to
+run my risk.’
+
+‘Well then,’ said Summertrees, ‘you must go’--
+
+‘I will leave you to yourselves, gentlemen,’ said the provost, rising;
+‘when you have done with your crack, you will find me at my wife’s
+tea-table.’
+
+‘And a more accomplished old woman never drank catlap,’ said Maxwell,
+as he shut the door; ‘the last word has him, speak it who will--and yet
+because he is a whillywhaw body, and has a plausible tongue of his own,
+and is well enough connected, and especially because nobody could ever
+find out whether he is Whig or Tory, this is the third time they
+have made him provost!--But to the matter in hand. This letter, Mr.
+Fairford,’ putting a sealed one into his hand, ‘is addressed, you
+observe, to Mr. H--of B--, and contains your credentials for that
+gentlemen, who is also known by his family name of Redgauntlet, but
+less frequently addressed by it, because it is mentioned something
+invidiously in a certain Act of Parliament. I have little doubt he will
+assure you of your friend’s safety, and in a short time place him at
+freedom--that is, supposing him under present restraint. But the point
+is, to discover where he is--and, before you are made acquainted with
+this necessary part of the business, you must give me your assurance of
+honour that you will acquaint no one, either by word or letter, with the
+expedition which you now propose to yourself.’
+
+‘How, sir?’ answered Alan; ‘can you expect that I will not take the
+precaution of informing some person of the route I am about to take,
+that in case of accident it may be known where I am, and with what
+purpose I have gone thither?’
+
+‘And can you expect,’ answered Maxwell, in the same tone, ‘that I am to
+place my friend’s safety, not merely in your hands, but in those of any
+person you may choose to confide in, and who may use the knowledge to
+his destruction? Na--na--I have pledged my word for your safety, and you
+must give me yours to be private in the matter--giff-gaff, you know.’
+
+Alan Fairford could not help thinking that this obligation to secrecy
+gave a new and suspicious colouring to the whole transaction; but,
+considering that his friend’s release might depend upon his accepting
+the condition, he gave it in the terms proposed, and with the purpose of
+abiding by it.
+
+‘And now, sir,’ he said, ‘whither am I to proceed with this letter? Is
+Mr. Herries at Brokenburn?’
+
+‘He is not; I do not think he will come thither again until the business
+of the stake-nets be hushed up, nor would I advise him to do so--the
+Quakers, with all their demureness, can bear malice as long as other
+folk; and though I have not the prudence of Mr. Provost, who refuses to
+ken where his friends are concealed during adversity, lest, perchance,
+he should be asked to contribute to their relief, yet I do not think it
+necessary or prudent to inquire into Redgauntlet’s wanderings, poor man,
+but wish to remain at perfect freedom to answer, if asked at, that I
+ken nothing of the matter. You must, then, go to old Tom Trumbull’s at
+Annan,--Tam Turnpenny, as they call him,--and he is sure either to know
+where Redgauntlet is himself, or to find some one who can give a shrewd
+guess. But you must attend that old Turnpenny will answer no question on
+such a subject without you give him the passport, which at present you
+must do, by asking him the age of the moon; if he answers, “Not light
+enough to land a cargo,” you are to answer, “Then plague on Aberdeen
+Almanacks,” and upon that he will hold free intercourse with you.
+And now, I would advise you to lose no time, for the parole is often
+changed--and take care of yourself among these moonlight lads, for laws
+and lawyers do not stand very high in their favour.’
+
+‘I will set out this instant,’ said the young barrister; ‘I will but bid
+the provost and Mrs. Crosbie farewell, and then get on horseback so soon
+as the ostler of the George Inn can saddle him;--as for the smugglers,
+I am neither gauger nor supervisor, and, like the man who met the devil,
+if they have nothing to say to me, I have nothing to say to them.’
+
+‘You are a mettled young man,’ said Summertrees, evidently with
+increasing goodwill, on observing an alertness and contempt of
+danger, which perhaps he did not expect from Alan’s appearance and
+profession,--‘a very mettled young fellow indeed! and it is almost a
+pity’--Here he stopped abort.
+
+‘What is a pity?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘It is almost a pity that I cannot go with you myself, or at least send
+a trusty guide.’
+
+They walked together to the bedchamber of Mrs. Crosbie, for it was in
+that asylum that the ladies of the period dispensed their tea, when the
+parlour was occupied by the punch-bowl.
+
+‘You have been good bairns to-night, gentlemen,’ said Mrs. Crosbie; ‘I
+am afraid, Summertrees, that the provost has given you a bad browst; you
+are not used to quit the lee-side of the punch-bowl in such a hurry. I
+say nothing to you, Mr. Fairford, for you are too young a man yet for
+stoup and bicker; but I hope you will not tell the Edinburgh fine folk
+that the provost has scrimped you of your cogie, as the sang says?’
+
+‘I am much obliged for the provost’s kindness, and yours, madam,’
+replied Alan; ‘but the truth is, I have still a long ride before me this
+evening and the sooner I am on horse-back the better.’
+
+‘This evening?’ said the provost, anxiously; ‘had you not better take
+daylight with you to-morrow morning?’
+
+‘Mr. Fairford will ride as well in the cool of the evening,’ said
+Summertrees, taking the word out of Alan’s mouth.
+
+The provost said no more, nor did his wife ask any questions, nor
+testify any surprise at the suddenness of their guest’s departure.
+
+Having drunk tea, Alan Fairford took leave with the usual ceremony.
+The Laird of Summertrees seemed studious to prevent any further
+communication between him and the provost, and remained lounging on
+the landing-place of the stair while they made their adieus--heard the
+provost ask if Alan proposed a speedy return, and the latter reply that
+his stay was uncertain, and witnessed the parting shake of the hand,
+which, with a pressure more warm than usual, and a tremulous, ‘God bless
+and prosper you!’ Mr. Crosbie bestowed on his young friend. Maxwell even
+strolled with Fairford as far as the George, although resisting all
+his attempts at further inquiry into the affairs of Redgauntlet, and
+referring him to Tom Trumbull, alias Turnpenny, for the particulars
+which he might find it necessary to inquire into.
+
+At length Alan’s hack was produced--an animal long in neck, and high
+in bone, accoutred with a pair of saddle-bags containing the rider’s
+travelling wardrobe. Proudly surmounting his small stock of necessaries,
+and no way ashamed of a mode of travelling which a modern Mr.
+Silvertongue would consider as the last of degradations, Alan Fairford
+took leave of the old Jacobite, Pate-in-Peril, and set forward on the
+road to the loyal burgh of Annan. His reflections during his ride were
+none of the most pleasant. He could not disguise from himself that he
+was venturing rather too rashly into the power of outlawed and desperate
+persons; for with such only, a man in the situation of Redgauntlet could
+be supposed to associate. There were other grounds for apprehension,
+Several marks of intelligence betwixt Mrs. Crosbie and the Laird of
+Summertrees had not escaped Alan’s acute observation; and it was plain
+that the provost’s inclinations towards him, which he believed to be
+sincere and good, were not firm enough to withstand the influence of
+this league between his wife and friend. The provost’s adieus, like
+Macbeth’s amen, had stuck in his throat, and seemed to intimate that he
+apprehended more than he dared give utterance to.
+
+Laying all these matters together, Alan thought, with no little anxiety
+on the celebrated lines of Shakespeare,
+
+                                  -- A drop,
+  That in the ocean seeks another drop, &c.
+
+But pertinacity was a strong feature in the young lawyer’s character.
+He was, and always had been, totally unlike the ‘horse hot at hand,’ who
+tires before noon through his own over eager exertions in the beginning
+of the day. On the contrary, his first efforts seemed frequently
+inadequate to accomplishing his purpose, whatever that for the time
+might be; and it was only as the difficulties of the task increased,
+that his mind seemed to acquire the energy necessary to combat and
+subdue them. If, therefore, he went anxiously forward upon his uncertain
+and perilous expedition, the reader must acquit him of all idea, even
+in a passing thought, of the possibility of abandoning his search, and
+resigning Darsie Latimer to his destiny.
+
+A couple of hours’ riding brought him to the little town of Annan,
+situated on the shores of the Solway, between eight and nine o’clock.
+The sun had set, but the day was not yet ended; and when he had alighted
+and seen his horse properly cared for at the principal inn of the place,
+he was readily directed to Mr. Maxwell’s friend, old Tom Trumbull, with
+whom everybody seemed well acquainted. He endeavoured to fish out from
+the lad that acted as a guide, something of this man’s situation and
+profession; but the general expressions of ‘a very decent man’--‘a very
+honest body’--‘weel to pass in the world,’ and such like, were all that
+could be extracted from him; and while Fairford was following up the
+investigation with closer interrogatories, the lad put an end to them by
+knocking at the door of Mr. Trumbull, whose decent dwelling was a little
+distance from the town, and considerably nearer to the sea. It was one
+of a little row of houses running down to the waterside, and having
+gardens and other accommodations behind. There was heard within
+the uplifting of a Scottish psalm; and the boy saying, ‘They are at
+exercise, sir,’ gave intimation they might not be admitted till prayers
+were over.
+
+When, however, Fairford repeated the summons with the end of his whip,
+the singing ceased, and Mr. Trumbull himself, with his psalm-book in his
+hand, kept open by the insertion of his forefinger between the leaves,
+came to demand the meaning of this unseasonable interruption.
+
+Nothing could be more different than his whole appearance seemed to be
+from the confidant of a desperate man, and the associate of outlaws in
+their unlawful enterprises. He was a tall, thin, bony figure, with white
+hair combed straight down on each side of his face, and an iron-grey hue
+of complexion; where the lines, or rather, as Quin said of Macklin, the
+cordage, of his countenance were so sternly adapted to a devotional and
+even ascetic expression, that they left no room for any indication of
+reckless daring or sly dissimulation. In short, Trumbull appeared a
+perfect specimen of the rigid old Covenanter, who said only what he
+thought right, acted on no other principle but that of duty, and, if he
+committed errors, did so under the full impression that he was serving
+God rather than man.
+
+‘Do you want me, sir?’ he said to Fairford, whose guide had slunk to
+the rear, as if to escape the rebuke of the severe old man,--‘We were
+engaged, and it is the Saturday night.’
+
+Alan Fairford’s preconceptions were so much deranged by this man’s
+appearance and manner, that he stood for a moment bewildered, and would
+as soon have thought of giving a cant password to a clergyman descending
+from the pulpit, as to the respectable father of a family just
+interrupted in his prayers for and with the objects of his care. Hastily
+concluding Mr. Maxwell had passed some idle jest on him, or rather that
+he had mistaken the person to whom he was directed, he asked if he spoke
+to Mr. Trumbull.
+
+‘To Thomas Trumbull,’ answered the old man--‘What may be your business,
+sir?’ And he glanced his eye to the book he held in his hand, with a
+sigh like that of a saint desirous of dissolution.
+
+‘Do you know Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘I have heard of such a gentleman in the country-side, but have no
+acquaintance with him,’ answered Mr. Trumbull; ‘he is, as I have heard,
+a Papist; for the whore that sitteth on the seven hills ceaseth not yet
+to pour forth the cup of her abomination on these parts.’
+
+‘Yet he directed me hither, my good friend,’ said Alan. ‘Is there
+another of your name in this town of Annan?’
+
+‘None,’ replied Mr. Trumbull, ‘since my worthy father was removed; he
+was indeed a shining light.--I wish you good even, sir.’
+
+‘Stay one single instant,’ said Fairford; ‘this is a matter of life and
+death.’
+
+‘Not more than the casting the burden of our sins where they should be
+laid,’ said Thomas Trumbull, about to shut the door in the inquirer’s
+face.
+
+‘Do you know,’ said Alan Fairford, ‘the Laird of Redgauntlet?’
+
+‘Now Heaven defend me from treason and rebellion!’ exclaimed Trumbull.
+‘Young gentleman, you are importunate. I live here among my own people,
+and do not consort with Jacobites and mass-mongers.’
+
+He seemed about to shut the door, but did NOT shut it, a circumstance
+which did not escape Alan’s notice.
+
+‘Mr. Redgauntlet is sometimes,’ he said, ‘called Herries of Birrenswork;
+perhaps you may know him under that name.’
+
+‘Friend, you are uncivil,’ answered Mr. Trumbull; ‘honest men have
+enough to do to keep one name undefiled. I ken nothing about those who
+have two. Good even to you, friend.’
+
+He was now about to slam the door in his visitor’s face without
+further ceremony, when Alan, who had observed symptoms that the name
+of Redgauntlet did not seem altogether so indifferent to him as he
+pretended, arrested his purpose by saying, in a low voice, ‘At least you
+can tell me what age the moon is?’
+
+The old man started, as if from a trance, and before answering, surveyed
+the querist with a keen penetrating glance, which seemed to say, ‘Are
+you really in possession of this key to my confidence, or do you speak
+from mere accident?’
+
+To this keen look of scrutiny, Fairford replied by a smile of
+intelligence.
+
+The iron muscles of the old man’s face did not, however, relax, as he
+dropped, in a careless manner, the countersign, ‘Not light enough to
+land a cargo.’
+
+‘Then plague of all Aberdeen Almanacks!’
+
+‘And plague of all fools that waste time,’ said Thomas Trumbull, ‘Could
+you not have said as much at first? And standing wasting time, and
+encouraging; lookers-on, in the open street too? Come in by--in by.’
+
+He drew his visitor into the dark entrance of the house, and shut
+the door carefully; then putting his head into an apartment which the
+murmurs within announced to be filled with the family, he said aloud, ‘A
+work of necessity and mercy--Malachi, take the book--You will sing six
+double verses of the hundred and nineteen-and you may lecture out of the
+Lamentations. And, Malachi,’--this he said in an undertone,--‘see you
+give them a a creed of doctrine that will last them till I come back; or
+else these inconsiderate lads will be out of the house, and away to the
+publics, wasting their precious time, and, it may be, putting themselves
+in the way of missing the morning tide.’
+
+An inarticulate answer from within intimated Malachi’s acquiescence in
+the commands imposed; and, Mr. Trumbull, shutting the door, muttered
+something about fast bind, fast find, turned the key, and put it into
+his pocket; and then bidding his visitor have a care of his steps, and
+make no noise, he led him through the house, and out at a back-door,
+into a little garden. Here a plaited alley conducted them, without
+the possibility of their being seen by any neighbour, to a door in the
+garden-wall, which being opened, proved to be a private entrance into
+a three-stalled stable; in one of which was a horse, that whinnied on
+their entrance. ‘Hush, hush!’ cried the old man, and presently seconded
+his exhortations to silence by throwing a handful of corn into the
+manger, and the horse soon converted his acknowledgement of their
+presence into the usual sound of munching and grinding his provender.
+
+As the light was now failing fast, the old man, with much more alertness
+than might have been expected from the rigidity of his figure, closed
+the window-shutters in an instant, produced phosphorus and matches,
+and lighted a stable-lantern, which he placed on the corn-bin, and then
+addressed Fairford. ‘We are private here, young man; and as some time
+has been wasted already, you will be so kind as to tell me what is your
+errand. Is it about the way of business, or the other job?’
+
+‘My business with you, Mr. Trumbull, is to request you will find me the
+means of delivering this letter, from Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees to the
+Laird of Redgauntlet.’
+
+‘Humph--fashious job! Pate Maxwell will still be the auld man--always
+Pate-in-Peril--Craig-in-Peril, for what I know. Let me see the letter
+from him.’
+
+He examined it with much care, turning it up and down, and looking at
+the seal very attentively. ‘All’s right, I see; it has the private mark
+for haste and speed. I bless my Maker that I am no great man, or great
+man’s fellow; and so I think no more of these passages than just to help
+them forward in the way of business. You are an utter stranger in these
+parts, I warrant?’
+
+Fairford answered in the affirmative.
+
+‘Aye--I never saw them make a wiser choice--I must call some one to
+direct you what to do--Stay, we must go to him, I believe. You are well
+recommended to me, friend, and doubtless trusty; otherwise you may
+see more than I would like to show, or am in the use of showing in the
+common line of business.’
+
+Saying this, he placed his lantern on the ground, beside the post of one
+of the empty stalls, drew up a small spring bolt which secured it to
+the floor, and then forcing the post to one side, discovered a small
+trap-door. ‘Follow me,’ he said, and dived into the subterranean descent
+to which this secret aperture gave access.
+
+Fairford plunged after him, not without apprehensions of more kinds than
+one, but still resolved to prosecute the adventure.
+
+The descent, which was not above six feet, led to a very narrow passage,
+which seemed to have been constructed for the precise purpose of
+excluding every one who chanced to be an inch more in girth than was his
+conductor. A small vaulted room, of about eight feet square, received
+them at the end of this lane. Here Mr. Trumbull left Fairford alone, and
+returned for an instant, as he said, to shut his concealed trap-door.
+
+Fairford liked not his departure, as it left him in utter darkness;
+besides that his breathing was much affected by a strong and stifling
+smell of spirits, and other articles of a savour more powerful than
+agreeable to the lungs. He was very glad, therefore, when he heard the
+returning steps of Mr. Trumbull, who, when once more by his side, opened
+a strong though narrow door in the wall, and conveyed Fairford into
+an immense magazine of spirit-casks, and other articles of contraband
+trade.
+
+There was a small, light at the end of this range of well-stocked
+subterranean vaults, which, upon a low whistle, began to flicker and
+move towards them. An undefined figure, holding a dark lantern, with the
+light averted, approached them, whom Mr. Trumbull thus addressed:--‘Why
+were you not at worship, Job; and this Saturday at e’en?’
+
+‘Swanston was loading the JENNY, sir; and I stayed to serve out the
+article.’
+
+‘True--a work of necessity, and in the way of business. Does the JUMPING
+JENNY sail this tide?’
+
+‘Aye, aye, sir; she sails for’--
+
+‘I did not ask you WHERE she sailed for, Job,’ said the old gentleman,
+interrupting him. ‘I thank my Maker, I know nothing of their incomings
+or outgoings. I sell my article fairly and in the ordinary way of
+business; and I wash my hands of everything else. But what I wished to
+know is, whether the gentleman called the Laird of the Solway Lakes is
+on the other side of the Border even now?’
+
+‘Aye, aye,’ said Job, ‘the laird is something in my own line, you
+know--a little contraband or so, There is a statute for him--But no
+matter; he took the sands after the splore at the Quaker’s fish-traps
+yonder; for he has a leal heart, the laird, and is always true to the
+country-side. But avast--is all snug here?’
+
+So saying, he suddenly turned on Alan Fairford the light side of the
+lantern he carried, who, by the transient gleam which it threw in
+passing on the man who bore it, saw a huge figure, upwards of six
+feet high, with a rough hairy cap on his head, and a set of features
+corresponding to his bulky frame. He thought also he observed pistols at
+his belt.
+
+‘I will answer for this gentleman,’ said Mr. Trumbull; ‘he must be
+brought to speech of the laird.’
+
+‘That will be kittle steering,’ said the subordinate personage; ‘for I
+understood that the laird and his folk were no sooner on the other
+side than the land-sharks were on them, and some mounted lobsters from
+Carlisle; and so they were obliged to split and squander. There are new
+brooms out to sweep the country of them, they say; for the brush was a
+hard one; and they say there was a lad drowned;--he was not one of the
+laird’s gang, so there was the less matter.’
+
+‘Peace! prithee, peace, Job Rutledge,’ said honest, pacific Mr.
+Trumbull. ‘I wish thou couldst remember, man, that I desire to know
+nothing of your roars and splores, your brooms and brushes. I dwell here
+among my own people; and I sell my commodity to him who comes in the
+way of business; and so wash my hands of all consequences, as becomes
+a quiet subject and an honest man. I never take payment, save in ready
+money.’
+
+‘Aye, aye,’ muttered he with the lantern, ‘your worship, Mr. Trumbull,
+understands that in the way of business.’
+
+‘Well, I hope you will one day know, Job,’ answered Mr. Trumbull,--‘the
+comfort of a conscience void of offence, and that fears neither gauger
+nor collector, neither excise nor customs. The business is to pass this
+gentleman to Cumberland upon earnest business, and to procure him speech
+with the Laird of the Solway Lakes--I suppose that can be done? Now I
+think Nanty Ewart, if he sails with the brig this morning tide, is the
+man to set him forward.’
+
+‘Aye, aye, truly is he,’ said Job; ‘never man knew the Border, dale and
+fell, pasture and ploughland, better than Nanty; and he can always bring
+him to the laird, too, if you are sure the gentleman’s right. But indeed
+that’s his own look-out; for were he the best man in Scotland, and the
+chairman of the d--d Board to boot, and had fifty men at his back, he
+were as well not visit the laird for anything but good. As for Nanty, he
+is word and blow, a d--d deal fiercer than Cristie Nixon that they keep
+such a din about. I have seen them both tried, by’--
+
+Fairford now found himself called upon to say something; yet his
+feelings, upon finding himself thus completely in the power of a canting
+hypocrite, and of his retainer, who had so much the air of a determined
+ruffian, joined to the strong and abominable fume which they snuffed up
+with indifference, while it almost deprived him of respiration, combined
+to render utterance difficult. He stated, however, that he had no evil
+intentions towards the laird, as they called him, but was only the
+bearer of a letter to him on particular business, from Mr. Maxwell of
+Summertrees.
+
+‘Aye, aye,’ said Job, ‘that may be well enough; and if Mr. Trumbull is
+satisfied that the service is right, why, we will give you a cast in
+the JUMPING JENNY this tide, and Nanty Ewart will put you on a way of
+finding the laird, I warrant you.’
+
+‘I may for the present return, I presume, to the inn where I left my
+horse?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘With pardon,’ replied Mr. Trumbull, ‘you have been ower far ben with
+us for that; but Job will take you to a place where you may sleep
+rough till he calls you. I will bring you what little baggage you can
+need--for those who go on such errands must not be dainty. I will myself
+see after your horse, for a merciful man is merciful to his beast--a
+matter too often forgotten in our way of business.’
+
+‘Why, Master Trumbull,’ replied Job, ‘you know that when we are chased,
+it’s no time to shorten sail, and so the boys do ride whip and spur.’
+He stopped in his speech, observing the old man had vanished through
+the door by which he had entered--‘That’s always the way with old
+Turnpenny,’ he said to Fairford; ‘he cares for nothing of the trade but
+the profit--now, d--me, if I don’t think the fun of it is better worth
+while. But come along, my fine chap; I must stow you away in safety
+until it is time to go aboard.’
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Fairford followed his gruff guide among a labyrinth of barrels and
+puncheons, on which he had more than once like to have broken his nose,
+and from thence into what, by the glimpse of the passing lantern upon a
+desk and writing materials, seemed to be a small office for the
+dispatch of business. Here there appeared no exit; but the smuggler, or
+smuggler’s ally, availing himself of a ladder, removed an old picture,
+which showed a door about seven feet from the ground, and Fairford,
+still following Job, was involved in another tortuous and dark passage,
+which involuntarily reminded him of Peter Peebles’s lawsuit. At the end
+of this labyrinth, when he had little guess where he had been conducted,
+and was, according to the French phrase, totally DESORIENTE, Job
+suddenly set down the lantern, and availing himself of the flame to
+light two candles which stood on the table, asked if Alan would choose
+anything to eat, recommending, at all events, a slug of brandy to
+keep out the night air. Fairford declined both, but inquired after his
+baggage.
+
+‘The old master will take care of that himself,’ said Job Rutledge; and
+drawing back in the direction in which he had entered, he vanished from
+the farther end of the apartment, by a mode which the candles, still
+shedding an imperfect light, gave Alan no means of ascertaining. Thus
+the adventurous young lawyer was left alone in the apartment to which he
+had been conducted by so singular a passage.
+
+In this condition, it was Alan’s first employment to survey, with some
+accuracy, the place where he was; and accordingly, having trimmed the
+lights, he walked slowly round the apartment, examining its appearance
+and dimensions. It seemed to be such a small dining-parlour as is
+usually found in the house of the better class of artisans, shopkeepers,
+and such persons, having a recess at the upper end, and the usual
+furniture of an ordinary description. He found a door, which he
+endeavoured to open, but it was locked on the outside. A corresponding
+door on the same side of the apartment admitted him into a closet, upon
+the front shelves of which were punch-bowls, glasses, tea-cups, and the
+like, while on one side was hung a horseman’s greatcoat of the coarsest
+materials, with two great horse-pistols peeping out of the pocket,
+and on the floor stood a pair of well-spattered jack-boots, the usual
+equipment of the time, at least for long journeys.
+
+Not greatly liking the contents of the closet, Alan Fairford shut the
+door, and resumed his scrutiny round the walls of the apartment, in
+order to discover the mode of Job Rutledge’s retreat. The secret passage
+was, however, too artificially concealed, and the young lawyer had
+nothing better to do than to meditate on the singularity of his present
+situation. He had long known that the excise laws had occasioned an
+active contraband trade betwixt Scotland and England, which then, as
+now, existed, and will continue to exist until the utter abolition of
+the wretched system which establishes an inequality of duties betwixt
+the different parts of the same kingdom; a system, be it said in
+passing, mightily resembling the conduct of a pugilist, who should tie
+up one arm that he might fight the better with the other. But Fairford
+was unprepared for the expensive and regular establishments by which the
+illicit traffic was carried on, and could not have conceived that the
+capital employed in it should have been adequate to the erection of
+these extensive buildings, with all their contrivances for secrecy of
+communication. He was musing on these circumstances, not without some
+anxiety for the progress of his own journey, when suddenly, as he
+lifted his eyes, he discovered old Mr. Trumbull at the upper end of the
+apartment, bearing in one hand a small bundle, in the other his dark
+lantern, the light of which, as he advanced, he directed full upon
+Fairford’s countenance.
+
+Though such an apparition was exactly what he expected, yet he did
+not see the grim, stern old man present himself thus suddenly without
+emotion; especially when he recollected, what to a youth of his pious
+education was peculiarly shocking, that the grizzled hypocrite was
+probably that instant arisen from his knees to Heaven, for the purpose
+of engaging in the mysterious transactions of a desperate and illegal
+trade.
+
+The old man, accustomed to judge with ready sharpness of the physiognomy
+of those with whom he had business, did not fail to remark something
+like agitation in Fairford’s demeanour. ‘Have ye taken the rue?’ said
+he. ‘Will ye take the sheaf from the mare, and give up the venture?’
+
+‘Never!’ said Fairford, firmly, stimulated at once by his natural
+spirit, and the recollection of his friend; ‘never, while I have life
+and strength to follow it out!’
+
+‘I have brought you,’ said Trumbull, ‘a clean shirt, and some stockings,
+which is all the baggage you can conveniently carry, and I will cause
+one of the lads lend you a horseman’s coat, for it is ill sailing or
+riding without one; and, touching your valise, it will be as safe in
+my poor house, were it full of the gold of Ophir, as if it were in the
+depth of the mine.’ ‘I have no doubt of it,’ said Fairford.
+
+‘And now,’ said Trumbull, again, ‘I pray you to tell me by what name I
+am to name you to Nanty (which is Antony) Ewart?’
+
+‘By the name of Alan Fairford,’ answered the young lawyer.
+
+‘But that,’ said Mr. Trumbull, in reply, ‘is your own proper name and
+surname.’
+
+‘And what other should I give?’ said the young man; ‘do you think I
+have any occasion for an alias? And, besides, Mr. Trumbull,’ added Alan,
+thinking a little raillery might intimate confidence of spirit, ‘you
+blessed yourself, but a little while since, that you had no acquaintance
+with those who defiled their names so far as to be obliged to change
+them.’
+
+‘True, very true,’ said Mr. Trumbull; ‘nevertheless, young man, my grey
+hairs stand unreproved in this matter; for, in my line of business, when
+I sit under my vine and my fig-tree, exchanging the strong waters of the
+north for the gold which is the price thereof, I have, I thank Heaven,
+no disguises to keep with any man, and wear my own name of Thomas
+Trumbull, without any chance that the same may be polluted. Whereas,
+thou, who art to journey in miry ways, and amongst a strange people,
+mayst do well to have two names, as thou hast two shirts, the one to
+keep the other clean.’
+
+Here he emitted a chuckling grunt, which lasted for two vibrations of
+the pendulum exactly, and was the only approach towards laughter in
+which old Turnpenny, as he was nicknamed, was ever known to indulge.
+
+‘You are witty, Mr. Trumbull,’ said Fairford; ‘but jests are no
+arguments--I shall keep my own name.’
+
+‘At your own pleasure,’ said the merchant; ‘there is but one name
+which,’ &c. &c, &c.
+
+We will not follow the hypocrite through the impious cant which he
+added, in order to close the subject.
+
+Alan followed him, in silent abhorrence, to the recess in which the
+beaufet was placed, and which was so artificially made as to conceal
+another of those traps with which the whole building abounded. This
+concealment admitted them to the same winding passage by which the young
+lawyer had been brought thither. The path which they now took amid
+these mazes, differed from the direction in which he had been guided
+by Rutledge. It led upwards, and terminated beneath a garret window.
+Trumbull opened it, and with more agility than his age promised,
+clambered out upon the leads. If Fairford’s journey had been hitherto in
+a stifled and subterranean atmosphere, it was now open, lofty, and airy
+enough; for he had to follow his guide over leads and slates, which
+the old smuggler traversed with the dexterity of a cat. It is true, his
+course was facilitated by knowing exactly where certain stepping-places
+and holdfasts were placed, of which Fairford could not so readily avail
+himself; but, after a difficult and somewhat perilous progress along
+the roofs of two or three houses, they at length descended by a skylight
+into a garret room, and from thence by the stairs into a public-house;
+for such it appeared, by the ringing of bells, whistling for waiters and
+attendance, bawling of ‘House, house, here!’ chorus of sea songs, and
+the like noises.
+
+Having descended to the second story, and entered a room there in which
+there was a light, old Mr. Trumbull rang the bell of the apartment
+thrice, with an interval betwixt each, during which he told deliberately
+the number twenty. Immediately after the third ringing the landlord
+appeared, with stealthy step, and an appearance of mystery on his buxom
+visage. He greeted Mr. Trumbull, who was his landlord as it proved, with
+great respect, and expressed some surprise at seeing him so late, as he
+termed it, ‘on Saturday e’en.’
+
+‘And I, Robin Hastie,’ said the landlord to the tenant, am more
+surprised than pleased, to hear sae muckle din in your house, Robie, so
+near the honourable Sabbath; and I must mind you that it is contravening
+the terms of your tack, whilk stipulates that you should shut your
+public on Saturday at nine o’clock, at latest.’
+
+‘Yes, sir,’ said Robin Hastie, no way alarmed at the gravity of the
+rebuke, ‘but you must take tent that I have admitted naebody but you,
+Mr. Trumbull (who by the way admitted yoursell), since nine o’clock for
+the most of the folk have been here for several hours about the lading,
+and so on, of the brig. It is not full tide yet, and I cannot put the
+men out into the street. If I did, they would go to some other public,
+and their souls would be nane the better, and my purse muckle the waur;
+for how am I to pay the rent if I do not sell the liquor?’
+
+‘Nay, then,’ said Thomas Trumbull, ‘if it is a work of necessity, and
+in the honest independent way of business, no doubt there is balm in
+Gilead. But prithee, Robin, wilt thou see if Nanty Ewart be, as is most
+likely, amongst these unhappy topers; and if so, let him step this way
+cannily, and speak to me and this young gentleman. And it’s dry talking,
+Robin--you must minister to us a bowl of punch--ye ken my gage.’
+
+‘From a mutchkin to a gallon, I ken your honour’s taste, Mr. Thomas
+Trumbull,’ said mine host; ‘and ye shall hang me over the signpost if
+there be a drap mair lemon or a curn less sugar than just suits you.
+There are three of you--you will be for the auld Scots peremptory
+pint-stoup for the success of the voyage?’ [The Scottish pint of liquid
+measure comprehends four English measures of the same denomination. The
+jest is well known of my poor countryman, who, driven to extremity by
+the raillery of the Southern, on the small denomination of the Scottish
+coin, at length answered, ‘Aye, aye! But the deil tak them that has the
+LEAST PINT-STOUP.’]
+
+‘Better pray for it than drink for it, Robin,’ said Mr. Trumbull. ‘Yours
+is a dangerous trade, Robin; it hurts mony a ane--baith host and guest.
+But ye will get the blue bowl, Robin--the blue bowl--that will sloken
+all their drouth, and prevent the sinful repetition of whipping for
+an eke of a Saturday at e’en. Aye, Robin, it is a pity of Nanty
+Ewart--Nanty likes the turning up of his little finger unco weel, and we
+maunna stint him, Robin, so as we leave him sense to steer by.’
+
+‘Nanty Ewart could steer through the Pentland Firth though he were as
+drunk as the Baltic Ocean,’ said Robin Hastie; and instantly tripping
+downstairs, he speedily returned with the materials for what he called
+his BROWST, which consisted of two English quarts of spirits, in a huge
+blue bowl, with all the ingredients for punch in the same formidable
+proportion. At the same time he introduced Mr. Antony or Nanty Ewart,
+whose person, although he was a good deal flustered with liquor,
+was different from what Fairford expected. His dress was what is
+emphatically termed the shabby genteel--a frock with tarnished lace--a
+small cocked hat, ornamented in a similar way--a scarlet waistcoat, with
+faded embroidery, breeches of the same, with silver knee-bands, and he
+wore a smart hanger and a pair of pistols in a sullied swordbelt.
+
+‘Here I come, patron,’ he said, shaking hands with Mr. Trumbull. ‘Well,
+I see you have got some grog aboard.’
+
+‘It is not my custom, Mr. Ewart,’ said the old gentleman, ‘as you well
+know, to become a chamberer or carouser thus late on Saturday at e’en;
+but I wanted to recommend to your attention a young friend of ours,
+that is going upon a something particular journey, with a letter to our
+friend the Laird from Pate-in-Peril, as they call him.’
+
+‘Aye--indeed?--he must be in high trust for so young a gentleman. I wish
+you joy, sir,’ bowing to Fairford. ‘By’r lady, as Shakespeare says, you
+are bringing up a neck for a fair end. Come, patron, we will drink to
+Mr. What-shall-call-um. What is his name? Did you tell me? And have I
+forgot it already.’
+
+‘Mr. Alan Fairford,’ said Trumbull.
+
+‘Aye, Mr. Alan Fairford--a good name for a fair trader--Mr. Alan
+Fairford; and may he be long withheld from the topmost round of
+ambition, which I take to be the highest round of a certain ladder.’
+
+While he spoke, he seized the punch-ladle, and began to fill the
+glasses. But Mr. Trumbull arrested his hand, until he had, as he
+expressed himself, sanctified the liquor by a long grace; during the
+pronunciation of which he shut indeed his eyes, but his nostrils became
+dilated, as if he were snuffing up the fragrant beverage with peculiar
+complacency.
+
+When the grace was at length over, the three friends sat down to their
+beverage, and invited Alan Fairford to partake. Anxious about his
+situation, and disgusted as he was with his company, he craved, and with
+difficulty obtained permission, under the allegation of being fatigued,
+heated, and the like, to stretch himself on a couch which was in
+the apartment, and attempted at least to procure some rest before
+high-water, when the vessel was to sail.
+
+He was at length permitted to use his freedom, and stretched himself on
+the couch, having his eyes for some time fixed on the jovial party he
+had left, and straining his ears to catch if possible a little of their
+conversation. This he soon found was to no purpose for what did actually
+reach his ears was disguised so completely by the use of cant words and
+the thieves-latin called slang, that even when he caught the words, he
+found himself as far as ever from the sense of their conversation. At
+length he fell asleep.
+
+It was after Alan had slumbered for three or four hours, that he was
+wakened by voices bidding him rise up and prepare to be jogging. He
+started up accordingly, and found himself in presence of the same party
+of boon companions; who had just dispatched their huge bowl of punch. To
+Alan’s surprise, the liquor had made but little innovation on the
+brains of men who were accustomed to drink at all hours, and in the most
+inordinate quantities. The landlord indeed spoke a little thick, and the
+texts of Mr. Thomas Trumbull stumbled on his tongue; but Nanty was one
+of those topers, who, becoming early what bon vivants term flustered,
+remain whole nights and days at the same point of intoxication; and,
+in fact, as they are seldom entirely sober, can be as rarely seen
+absolutely drunk. Indeed, Fairford, had he not known how Ewart had been
+engaged whilst he himself was asleep, would almost have sworn when he
+awoke, that the man was more sober than when he first entered the room.
+
+He was confirmed in this opinion when they descended below, where two or
+three sailors and ruffian-looking fellows awaited their commands. Ewart
+took the whole direction upon himself, gave his orders with briefness
+and precision, and looked to their being executed with the silence and
+celerity which that peculiar crisis required. All were now dismissed
+for the brig, which lay, as Fairford was given to understand, a little
+farther down the river, which is navigable for vessels of light burden
+till almost within a mile of the town.
+
+When they issued from the inn, the landlord bid them goodbye. Old
+Trumbull walked a little way with them, but the air had probably
+considerable effect on the state of his brain; for after reminding
+Alan Fairford that the next day was the honourable Sabbath, he became
+extremely excursive in an attempt to exhort him to keep it holy. At
+length, being perhaps sensible that he was becoming unintelligible, he
+thrust a volume into Fairford’s hand--hiccuping at the same time--‘Good
+book--good book--fine hymn-book--fit for the honourable Sabbath, whilk
+awaits us to-morrow morning.’ Here the iron tongue of time told
+five from the town steeple of Annan, to the further confusion of Mr.
+Trumbull’s already disordered ideas. ‘Aye? Is Sunday come and gone
+already? Heaven be praised! Only it is a marvel the afternoon is sae
+dark for the time of the year--Sabbath has slipped ower quietly, but we
+have reason to bless oursells it has not been altogether misemployed.
+I heard little of the preaching--a cauld moralist, I doubt, served that
+out--but, eh--the prayer--I mind it as if I had said the words mysell.’
+Here he repeated one or two petitions, which were probably a part of his
+family devotions, before he was summoned forth to what he called the
+way of business. ‘I never remember a Sabbath pass so cannily off in my
+life.’ Then he recollected himself a little, and said to Alan, ‘You
+may read that book, Mr. Fairford, to-morrow, all the same, though it be
+Monday; for, you see, it was Saturday when we were thegither, and now
+it’s Sunday and it’s dark night--so the Sabbath has slipped clean away
+through our fingers like water through a sieve, which abideth not; and
+we have to begin again to-morrow morning, in the weariful, base, mean,
+earthly employments, whilk are unworthy of an immortal spirit--always
+excepting the way of business.’
+
+Three of the fellows were now returning to the town, and, at Ewart’s
+command, they cut short the patriarch’s exhortation, by leading him back
+to his own residence. The rest of the party then proceeded to the brig,
+which only waited their arrival to get under weigh and drop down the
+river. Nanty Ewart betook himself to steering the brig, and the very
+touch of the helm seemed to dispel the remaining influence of the liquor
+which he had drunk, since, through a troublesome and intricate channel,
+he was able to direct the course of his little vessel with the most
+perfect accuracy and safety.
+
+Alan Fairford, for some time, availed himself of the clearness of the
+summer morning to gaze on the dimly seen shores betwixt which they
+glided, becoming less and less distinct as they receded from each other,
+until at length, having adjusted his little bundle by way of pillow, and
+wrapped around him the greatcoat with which old Trumbull had equipped
+him, he stretched himself on the deck, to try to recover the slumber out
+of which he had been awakened. Sleep had scarce begun to settle on
+his eyes, ere he found something stirring about his person. With ready
+presence of mind he recollected his situation, and resolved to show no
+alarm until the purpose of this became obvious; but he was soon relieved
+from his anxiety, by finding it was only the result of Nanty’s attention
+to his comfort, who was wrapping around him, as softly as he could, a
+great boatcloak, in order to defend him from the morning air.
+
+‘Thou art but a cockerel,’ he muttered, ‘but ‘twere pity thou wert
+knocked off the perch before seeing a little more of the sweet and sour
+of this world--though, faith, if thou hast the usual luck of it, the
+best way were to leave thee to the chance of a seasoning fever.’
+
+These words, and the awkward courtesy with which the skipper of the
+little brig tucked the sea-coat round Fairford, gave him a confidence of
+safety which he had not yet thoroughly possessed. He stretched himself
+in more security on the hard planks, and was speedily asleep, though his
+slumbers were feverish and unrefreshing.
+
+It has been elsewhere intimated that Alan Fairford inherited from his
+mother a delicate constitution, with a tendency to consumption; and,
+being an only child, with such a cause for apprehension, care, to the
+verge of effeminacy, was taken to preserve him from damp beds, wet
+feet, and those various emergencies to which the Caledonian boys of much
+higher birth, but more active habits, are generally accustomed. In man,
+the spirit sustains the constitutional weakness, as in the winged
+tribes the feathers bear aloft the body. But there is a bound to these
+supporting qualities; and as the pinions of the bird must at length grow
+weary, so the VIS ANIMI of the human struggler becomes broken down by
+continued fatigue.
+
+When the voyager was awakened by the light of the sun now riding high
+in heaven, he found himself under the influence of an almost intolerable
+headache, with heat, thirst, shooting across the back and loins, and
+other symptoms intimating violent cold, accompanied with fever. The
+manner in which he had passed the preceding day and night, though
+perhaps it might have been of little consequence to most young men, was
+to him, delicate in constitution and nurture, attended with bad and even
+perilous consequences. He felt this was the case, yet would fain have
+combated the symptoms of indisposition, which, indeed, he imputed
+chiefly to sea-sickness. He sat up on deck, and looked on the scene
+around, as the little vessel, having borne down the Solway Firth, was
+beginning, with a favourable northerly breeze, to bear away to the
+southward, crossing the entrance of the Wampool river, and preparing to
+double the most northerly point of Cumberland.
+
+But Fairford felt annoyed with deadly sickness, as well as by pain of
+a distressing and oppressive character; and neither Criffel, rising in
+majesty on the one hand, nor the distant yet more picturesque outline of
+Skiddaw and Glaramara upon the other, could attract his attention in
+the manner in which it was usually fixed by beautiful scenery, and
+especially that which had in it something new as well as striking. Yet
+it was not in Alan Fairford’s nature to give way to despondence, even
+when seconded by pain. He had recourse, in the first place, to his
+pocket; but instead of the little Sallust he had brought with him, that
+the perusal of a classical author might help to pass away a heavy hour,
+he pulled out the supposed hymn-book with which he had been presented
+a few hours before, by that temperate and scrupulous person, Mr. Thomas
+Trumbull, ALIAS Turnpenny. The volume was bound in sable, and its
+exterior might have become a psalter. But what was Alan’s astonishment
+to read on the title page the following words:--‘Merry Thoughts for
+Merry Men; or Mother Midnight’s Miscellany for the Small Hours;’ and
+turning over the leaves, he was disgusted with profligate tales, and
+more profligate songs, ornamented with figures corresponding in infamy
+with the letterpress.
+
+‘Good God!’ he thought, ‘and did this hoary reprobate summon his family
+together, and, with such a disgraceful pledge of infamy in his bosom,
+venture to approach the throne of his Creator? It must be so; the book
+is bound after the manner of those dedicated to devotional subjects,
+and doubtless the wretch, in his intoxication, confounded the books
+he carried with him, as he did the days of the week.’ Seized with the
+disgust with which the young and generous usually regard the vices of
+advanced life, Alan, having turned the leaves of the book over in hasty
+disdain, flung it from him, as far as he could, into the sea. He then
+had recourse to the Sallust, which he had at first sought for in vain.
+As he opened the book, Nanty Ewart, who had been looking over his
+shoulder, made his own opinion heard.
+
+‘I think now, brother, if you are so much scandalized at a little piece
+of sculduddery, which, after all, does nobody any harm, you had better
+have given it to me than have flung it into the Solway.’
+
+‘I hope, sir,’ answered Fairford, civilly, ‘you are in the habit of
+reading better books.’
+
+‘Faith,’ answered Nanty, ‘with help of a little Geneva text, I could
+read my Sallust as well as you can;’ and snatching the book from Alan’s
+hand, he began to read, in the Scottish accent:--“‘IGITUR EX DIVITIIS
+JUVENTUTEM LUXURIA ATQUE AVARITIA CUM SUPERBILI INVASERE: RAPERE,
+CONSUMERE; SUA PARVI PENDERE, ALIENA CUPERE; PUDOREM, AMICITIAM,
+PUDICITIAM, DIVINA ATQUE HUMANA PROMISCUA, NIHIL PENSI NEQUE MODERATI
+HABERE.” [The translation of the passage is thus given by Sir Henry
+Steuart of Allanton:--‘The youth, taught to look up to riches as the
+sovereign good, became apt pupils in the school of Luxury. Rapacity and
+profusion went hand in hand. Careless of their own fortunes, and eager
+to possess those of others, shame and remorse, modesty and moderation,
+every principle gave way.’--WORKS OF SALLUST, WITH ORIGINAL ESSAYS, vol.
+ii. p.17.]--There is a slap in the face now, for an honest fellow that
+has been buccaneering! Never could keep a groat of what he got, or hold
+his fingers from what belonged to another, said you? Fie, fie, friend
+Crispus, thy morals are as crabbed and austere as thy style--the one has
+as little mercy as the other has grace. By my soul, it is unhandsome
+to make personal reflections on an old acquaintance, who seeks a little
+civil intercourse with you after nigh twenty years’ separation. On my
+soul, Master Sallust deserves to float on the Solway better than Mother
+Midnight herself.’
+
+‘Perhaps, in some respects, he may merit better usage at our hands,’
+said Alan; ‘for if he has described vice plainly, it seems to have been
+for the purpose of rendering it generally abhorred.’
+
+‘Well,’ said the seaman, ‘I have heard of the Sortes Virgilianae, and
+I dare say the Sortes Sallustianae are as true every tittle. I have
+consulted honest Crispus on my own account, and have had a cuff for
+my pains. But now see, I open the book on your behalf, and behold
+what occurs first to my eye!--Lo you there--“CATILINA ... OMNIUM
+FLAGITIOSORUM ATQUE FACINOROSORUM CIRCUM SE HABEBAT.” And then
+again--“ETIAM SI QUIS A CULPA VACUUS IN AMICITIAM EJUS INCIDIDERAT
+QUOTIDIANO USU PAR SIMILISQUE CAETERIS EFFICIEBATUR.” [After enumerating
+the evil qualities of Catiline’s associates, the author adds, ‘If it
+happened that any as yet uncontaminated by vice were fatally drawn into
+his friendship, the effects of intercourse and snares artfully
+spread, subdued every scruple, and early assimilated them to their
+conductors.’--Ibidem, p. 19.] That is what I call plain speaking on the
+part of the old Roman, Mr. Fairford. By the way, that is a capital name
+for a lawyer.
+
+‘Lawyer as I am,’ said Fairford, ‘I do not understand your innuendo.’
+
+‘Nay, then,’ said Ewart, ‘I can try it another way, as well as the
+hypocritical old rascal Turnpenny himself could do. I would have you to
+know that I am well acquainted with my Bible-book, as well as with my
+friend Sallust.’ He then, in a snuffling and canting tone, began to
+repeat the Scriptural text--‘“DAVID THEREFORE DEPARTED THENCE, AND WENT
+TO THE CAVE OF ADULLAM. AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS IN DISTRESS, AND EVERY
+ONE THAT WAS IN DEBT, AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS DISCONTENTED, GATHERED
+THEMSELVES TOGETHER UNTO HIM, AND HE BECAME A CAPTAIN OVER THEM.” What
+think you of that?’ he said, suddenly changing his manner. ‘Have I
+touched you now, sir?’
+
+‘You are as far off as ever,’ replied Fairford.
+
+‘What the devil! and you a repeating frigate between Summertrees and the
+laird! Tell that to the marines--the sailors won’t believe it. But you
+are right to be cautious, since you can’t say who are right, who not.
+But you look ill; it’s but the cold morning air. Will you have a can
+of flip, or a jorum of hot rumbo? or will you splice the mainbrace’
+(showing a spirit-flask). ‘Will you have a quid--or a pipe--or a
+cigar?--a pinch of snuff, at least, to clear your brains and sharpen
+your apprehension?’
+
+Fairford rejected all these friendly propositions.
+
+‘Why, then,’ continued Ewart, ‘if you will do nothing for the free
+trade, I must patronize it myself.’
+
+So saying, he took a large glass of brandy.
+
+‘A hair of the dog that bit me,’ he continued,--‘of the dog that will
+worry me one day soon; and yet, and be d--d to me for an idiot, I must
+always have hint at my throat. But, says the old catch’--Here he sang,
+and sang well--
+
+  ‘Let’s drink--let’s drink--while life we have;
+   We’ll find but cold drinking, cold drinking in the grave.
+
+All this,’ he continued, ‘is no charm against the headache. I wish I
+had anything that could do you good. Faith, and we have tea and coffee
+aboard! I’ll open a chest or a bag, and let you have some in an instant.
+You are at the age to like such catlap better than better stuff.’
+
+Fairford thanked him, and accepted his offer of tea.
+
+Nanty Ewart was soon heard calling about, ‘Break open yon chest--take
+out your capful, you bastard of a powder-monkey; we may want it again.
+No sugar? all used up for grog, say you? knock another loaf to pieces,
+can’t ye? and get the kettle boiling, ye hell’s baby, in no time at
+all!’
+
+By dint of these energetic proceedings he was in a short time able to
+return to the place where his passenger lay sick and exhausted, with a
+cup, or rather a canful, of tea; for everything was on a large scale
+on board of the JUMPING JENNY. Alan drank it eagerly, and with so much
+appearance of being refreshed that Nanty Ewart swore he would have
+some too, and only laced it, as his phrase went, with a single glass of
+brandy. [See Note 8.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+We left Alan Fairford on the deck of the little smuggling brig, in that
+disconsolate situation, when sickness and nausea, attack a heated and
+fevered frame, and an anxious mind. His share of sea-sickness, however,
+was not so great as to engross his sensations entirely, or altogether
+to divert his attention from what was passing around. If he could not
+delight in the swiftness and agility with which the ‘little frigate’
+walked the waves, or amuse himself by noticing the beauty of the
+sea-views around him, where the distant Skiddaw raised his brow, as if
+in defiance of the clouded eminence of Criffel, which lorded it over the
+Scottish side of the estuary, he had spirits and composure enough to pay
+particular attention to the master of the vessel, on whose character his
+own safety in all probability was dependent.
+
+Nanty Ewart had now given the helm to one of his people, a bald-pated,
+grizzled old fellow, whose whole life had been spent in evading
+the revenue laws, with now and then the relaxation of a few months’
+imprisonment, for deforcing officers, resisting seizures, and the like
+offences.
+
+Nanty himself sat down by Fairford, helped him to his tea, with such
+other refreshments as he could think of, and seemed in his way sincerely
+desirous to make his situation as comfortable as things admitted.
+Fairford had thus an opportunity to study his countenance and manners
+more closely.
+
+It was plain, Ewart, though a good seaman, had not been bred upon that
+element. He was a reasonably good scholar, and seemed fond of showing it
+by recurring to the subject of Sallust and Juvenal; while, on the other
+hand, sea-phrases seldom chequered his conversation. He had been in
+person what is called a smart little man; but the tropical sun had burnt
+his originally fair complexion to a dusty red; and the bile which was
+diffused through his system, had stained it with a yellowish black--what
+ought to have been the white part of his eyes, in particular, had a hue
+as deep as the topaz. He was very thin, or rather emaciated, and his
+countenance, though still indicating alertness and activity, showed a
+constitution exhausted with excessive use of his favourite stimulus.
+
+‘I see you look at me hard,’ said he to Fairford. ‘Had you been an
+officer of the d--d customs, my terriers’ backs would have been up. He
+opened his breast, and showed Alan a pair of pistols disposed between
+his waistcoat and jacket, placing his finger at the same time upon the
+cock of one of them. ‘But come, you are an honest fellow, though you’re
+a close one. I dare say you think me a queer customer; but I can tell
+you, they that see the ship leave harbour know little of the seas she
+is to sail through. My father, honest old gentleman, never would have
+thought to see me master of the JUMPING JENNY.’
+
+Fairford said, it seemed very clear indeed that Mr. Ewart’s education
+was far superior to the line he at present occupied.
+
+‘Oh, Criffel to Solway Moss!’ said the other. Why, man, I should have
+been an expounder of the word, with a wig like a snow-wreath, and a
+stipend like--like--like a hundred pounds a year, I suppose. I can spend
+thrice as much as that, though, being such as I am. Here he sang a scrap
+of an old Northumbrian ditty, mimicking the burr of the natives of that
+county:--
+
+  ‘Willy Foster’s gone to sea,
+   Siller buckles at his knee,
+   He’ll come back and marry me--
+              Canny Willy Foster.’
+
+‘I have no doubt,’ said Fairford, ‘your present occupation is more
+lucrative; ‘but I should have thought the Church might have been more’--
+
+He stopped, recollecting that it was not his business to say anything
+disagreeable.
+
+‘More respectable, you mean, I suppose?’ said Ewart, with a sneer, and
+squirting the tobacco-juice through his front teeth; then was silent for
+a moment, and proceeded in a tone of candour which some internal touch
+of conscience dictated. ‘And so it would, Mr. Fairford--and happier,
+too, by a thousand degrees--though I have had my pleasures too. But
+there was my father (God bless the old man!) a true chip of the old
+Presbyterian block, walked his parish like a captain on the quarterdeck,
+and was always ready to do good to rich and poor--Off went the laird’s
+hat to the minister, as fast as the poor man’s bonnet. When the eye saw
+him--Pshaw! what have I to do with that now?--Yes, he was, as Virgil
+hath it, “VIR SAPIENTIA ET PIETATE GRAVIS.” But he might have been the
+wiser man, had he kept me at home, when he sent me at nineteen to study
+Divinity at the head of the highest stair in the Covenant Close. It
+was a cursed mistake in the old gentleman. What though Mrs. Cantrips of
+Kittlebasket (for she wrote herself no less) was our cousin five
+times removed, and took me on that account to board and lodging at six
+shillings instead of seven shillings a week? it was a d--d bad saving,
+as the case proved. Yet her very dignity might have kept me in order;
+for she never read a chapter excepting out of a Cambridge Bible, printed
+by Daniel, and bound in embroidered velvet. I think I see it at this
+moment! And on Sundays, when we had a quart of twopenny ale, instead
+of butter-milk, to our porridge, it was always served up in a silver
+posset-dish. Also she used silver-mounted spectacles, whereas even my
+father’s were cased in mere horn. These things had their impression at
+first, but we get used to grandeur by degrees. Well, sir!--Gad, I can
+scarce get on with my story--it sticks in my throat--must take a trifle
+to wash it down. Well, this dame had a daughter--Jess Cantrips, a
+black-eyed, bouncing wench--and, as the devil would have it, there was
+the d--d five-story stair--her foot was never from it, whether I went
+out or came home from the Divinity Hall. I would have eschewed her,
+sir--I would, on my soul; for I was as innocent a lad as ever came from
+Lammermuir; but there was no possibility of escape, retreat, or flight,
+unless I could have got a pair of wings, or made use of a ladder seven
+stories high, to scale the window of my attic. It signifies little
+talking--you may suppose how all this was to end--I would have married
+the girl, and taken my chance--I would, by Heaven! for she was a pretty
+girl, and a good girl, till she and I met; but you know the old song,
+“Kirk would not let us be.” A gentleman, in my case, would have settled
+the matter with the kirk-treasurer for a small sum of money; but the
+poor stibbler, the penniless dominie, having married his cousin of
+Kittlebasket, must next have proclaimed her frailty to the whole parish,
+by mounting the throne of Presbyterian penance, and proving, as Othello
+says, “his love a whore,” in face of the whole congregation.
+
+‘In this extremity I dared not stay where I was, and so thought to go
+home to my father. But first I got Jack Radaway, a lad from the same
+parish, and who lived in the same infernal stair, to make some inquiries
+how the old gentleman had taken the matter. I soon, by way of answer,
+learned, to the great increase of my comfortable reflections, that the
+good old man made as much clamour as if such a thing as a man’s eating
+his wedding dinner without saying grace had never happened since Adam’s
+time. He did nothing for six days but cry out, “Ichabod, Ichabod, the
+glory is departed from my house!” and on the seventh he preached a
+sermon, in which he enlarged on this incident as illustrative of one of
+the great occasions for humiliation, and causes of national defection. I
+hope the course he took comforted himself--I am sure it made me ashamed
+to show my nose at home. So I went down to Leith, and, exchanging my
+hoddin grey coat of my mother’s spinning for such a jacket as this, I
+entered my name at the rendezvous as an able-bodied landsman, and
+sailed with the tender round to Plymouth, where they were fitting out
+a squadron for the West Indies. There I was put aboard the FEARNOUGHT,
+Captain Daredevil--among whose crew I soon learned to fear Satan (the
+terror of my early youth) as little as the toughest Jack on board. I had
+some qualms at first, but I took the remedy’ (tapping the case-bottle)
+‘which I recommend to you, being as good for sickness of the soul as for
+sickness of the stomach--What, you won’t?--very well, I must, then--here
+is to ye.’
+
+‘You would, I am afraid, find your education of little use in your new
+condition?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘Pardon me, sir,’ resumed the captain of the JUMPING JENNY; ‘my handful
+of Latin, and small pinch of Greek, were as useless as old junk, to be
+sure; but my reading, writing and accompting, stood me in good stead,
+and brought me forward; I might have been schoolmaster--aye, and master,
+in time; but that valiant liquor, rum, made a conquest of me rather too
+often, and so, make what sail I could, I always went to leeward. We were
+four years broiling in that blasted climate, and I came back at last
+with a little prize-money. I always had thoughts of putting things to
+rights in the Covenant Close, and reconciling myself to my father. I
+found out Jack Hadaway, who was TUPTOWING away with a dozen of wretched
+boys, and a fine string of stories he had ready to regale my ears
+withal. My father had lectured on what he called “my falling away,” for
+seven Sabbaths, when, just as his parishioners began to hope that the
+course was at an end, he was found dead in his bed on the eighth Sunday
+morning. Jack Hadaway assured me, that if I wished to atone for my
+errors, by undergoing the fate of the first martyr, I had only to go
+to my native village, where the very stones of the street would rise
+up against me as my father’s murderer. Here was a pretty item--well, my
+tongue clove to my mouth for an hour, and was only able at last to
+utter the name of Mrs. Cantrips. Oh, this was a new theme for my Job’s
+comforter. My sudden departure--my father’s no less sudden death--had
+prevented the payment of the arrears of my board and lodging--the
+landlord was a haberdasher, with a heart as rotten as the muslin
+wares he dealt in. Without respect to her age or gentle kin, my Lady
+Kittlebasket was ejected from her airy habitation--her porridge-pot,
+silver posset-dish, silver-mounted spectacles, and Daniel’s Cambridge
+Bible, sold, at the Cross of Edinburgh, to the caddie who would bid
+highest for them, and she herself driven to the workhouse, where she got
+in with difficulty, but was easily enough lifted out, at the end of the
+month, as dead as her friends could desire. Merry tidings this to me,
+who had been the d----d’ (he paused a moment) ‘ORIGO MALI--Gad, I think
+my confession would sound better in Latin than in English!
+
+‘But the best jest was behind--I had just power to stammer out something
+about Jess--by my faith he HAD an answer! I had taught Jess one trade,
+and, like a prudent girl, she had found out another for herself;
+unluckily, they were both contraband, and Jess Cantrips, daughter of the
+Lady Kittlebasket, had the honour to be transported to the plantations,
+for street-walking and pocket-picking, about six months before I touched
+shore.’
+
+He changed the bitter tone of affected pleasantry into an attempt to
+laugh, then drew his swarthy hand across his swarthy eyes, and said in a
+more natural accent, ‘Poor Jess!’
+
+There was a pause--until Fairford, pitying the poor man’s state of mind,
+and believing he saw something in him that, but for early error and
+subsequent profligacy, might have been excellent and noble, helped on
+the conversation by asking, in a tone of commiseration, how he had been
+able to endure such a load of calamity.
+
+‘Why, very well,’ answered the seaman; ‘exceedingly well--like a tight
+ship in a brisk gale. Let me recollect. I remember thanking Jack, very
+composedly, for the interesting and agreeable communication; I then
+pulled out my canvas pouch, with my hoard of moidores, and taking out
+two pieces, I bid Jack keep the rest till I came back, as I was for a
+cruise about Auld Reekie. The poor devil looked anxiously, but I shook
+him by the hand, and ran downstairs, in such confusion of mind, that
+notwithstanding what I had heard, I expected to meet Jess at every
+turning.
+
+It was market-day, and the usual number of rogues and fools were
+assembled at the Cross. I observed everybody looked strange on me, and I
+thought some laughed. I fancy I had been making queer faces enough, and
+perhaps talking to myself, When I saw myself used in this manner, I held
+out my clenched fists straight before me, stooped my head, and, like a
+ram when he makes his race, darted off right down the street, scattering
+groups of weatherbeaten lairds and periwigged burgesses, and bearing
+down all before me. I heard the cry of “Seize the madman!” echoed, in
+Celtic sounds, from the City Guard, with “Ceaze ta matman!”--but pursuit
+and opposition were in vain. I pursued my career; the smell of the sea,
+I suppose, led me to Leith, where, soon after, I found myself walking
+very quietly on the shore, admiring the tough round and sound cordage
+of the vessels, and thinking how a loop, with a man at the end of one of
+them, would look, by way of tassel.
+
+‘I was opposite to the rendezvous, formerly my place of refuge--in
+I bolted--found one or two old acquaintances, made half a dozen
+new ones--drank for two days--was put aboard the tender--off to
+Portsmouth--then landed at the Haslar hospital in a fine hissing-hot
+fever. Never mind--I got better--nothing can kill me--the West Indies
+were my lot again, for since I did not go where I deserved in the
+next world, I had something as like such quarters as can be had in
+this--black devils for inhabitants--flames and earthquakes, and so
+forth, for your element. Well, brother, something or other I did or
+said--I can’t tell what--How the devil should I, when I was as drunk
+as David’s sow, you know? But I was punished, my lad--made to kiss the
+wench that never speaks but when she scolds, and that’s the gunner’s
+daughter, comrade. Yes, the minister’s son of no matter where--has the
+cat’s scratch on his back! This roused me, and when we were ashore with
+the boat, I gave three inches of the dirk, after a stout tussle, to the
+fellow I blamed most, and took the bush for it. There were plenty of
+wild lads then along shore--and, I don’t care who knows--I went on the
+account, look you--sailed under the black flag and marrow-bones--was a
+good friend to the sea, and an enemy to all that sailed on it.’
+
+Fairford, though uneasy in his mind at finding himself, a lawyer, so
+close to a character so lawless, thought it best, nevertheless, to put a
+good face on the matter, and asked Mr. Ewart, with as much unconcern as
+he could assume, ‘whether he was fortunate as a rover?’
+
+‘No, no--d--n it, no,’ replied Nanty; ‘the devil a crumb of butter was
+ever churned that would stick upon my bread. There was no order among
+us--he that was captain to-day, was swabber to-morrow; and as for
+plunder--they say old Avery, and one or two close hunks, made money; but
+in my time, all went as it came; and reason good, for if a fellow had
+saved five dollars, his throat would have been cut in his hammock. And
+then it was a cruel, bloody work.--Pah,--we’ll say no more about it.
+I broke with them at last, for what they did on board of a bit of a
+snow--no matter what it was bad enough, since it frightened me--I took
+French leave, and came in upon the proclamation, so I am free of all
+that business. And here I sit, the skipper of the JUMPING JENNY--a
+nutshell of a thing, but goes through the water like a dolphin. If it
+were not for yon hypocritical scoundrel at Annan, who has the best end
+of the profit, and takes none of the risk, I should be well enough--as
+well as I want to be. Here is no lack of my best friend,’--touching his
+case-bottle;--‘but, to tell you a secret, he and I have got so used to
+each other, I begin to think he is like a professed joker, that makes
+your sides sore with laughing if you see him but now and then; but if
+you take up house with him, he can only make your head stupid. But I
+warrant the old fellow is doing the best he can for me, after all.’
+
+‘And what may that be?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘He is KILLING me,’ replied Nanty Ewart; ‘and I am only sorry he is so
+long about it.’
+
+So saying he jumped on his feet, and, tripping up and down the deck,
+gave his orders with his usual clearness and decision, notwithstanding
+the considerable quantity of spirits which he had contrived to swallow
+while recounting his history.
+
+Although far from feeling well, Fairford endeavoured to rouse himself
+and walk to the head of the brig, to enjoy the beautiful prospect, as
+well as to take some note of the course which the vessel held. To his
+great surprise, instead of standing across to the opposite shore
+from which she had departed, the brig was going down the Firth, and
+apparently steering into the Irish Sea. He called to Nanty Ewart, and
+expressed his surprise at the course they were pursuing, and asked
+why they did not stand straight across the Firth for some port in
+Cumberland.
+
+‘Why, this is what I call a reasonable question, now,’ answered Nanty;
+‘as if a ship could go as straight to its port as a horse to the stable,
+or a free-trader could sail the Solway as securely as a King’s cutter!
+Why, I’ll tell ye, brother--if I do not see a smoke on Bowness, that
+is the village upon the headland yonder, I must stand out to sea for
+twenty-four hours at least, for we must keep the weather-gage if there
+are hawks abroad.’
+
+‘And if you do see the signal of safety, Master Ewart, what is to be
+done then?’
+
+‘Why then, and in that case, I must keep off till night, and then run
+you, with the kegs and the rest of the lumber, ashore at Skinburness,’
+
+‘And then I am to meet with this same laird whom I have the letter for?’
+continued Fairford.
+
+‘That,’ said Ewart, ‘is thereafter as it may be; the ship has its
+course--the fair trader has his port--but it is not easy to say where
+the laird may be found. But he will be within twenty miles of us, off or
+on--and it will be my business to guide you to him.’
+
+Fairford could not withstand the passing impulse of terror which crossed
+him, when thus reminded that he was so absolutely in the power of a man,
+who, by his own account, had been a pirate, and who was at present, in
+all probability, an outlaw as well as a contraband trader. Nanty Ewart
+guessed the cause of his involuntary shuddering.
+
+‘What the devil should I gain,’ he said, ‘by passing so poor a card as
+you are? Have I not had ace of trumps in my hand, and did I not play it
+fairly? Aye, I say the JUMPING JENNY can run in other ware as well as
+kegs. Put SIGMA and TAU to Ewart, and see how that will spell--D’ye take
+me now?’
+
+‘No indeed,’ said Fairford; ‘I am utterly ignorant of what you allude
+to.’
+
+‘Now, by Jove!’ said Nanty Ewart, ‘thou art either the deepest or the
+shallowest fellow I ever met with--or you are not right after all. I
+wonder where Summertrees could pick up such a tender along-shore. Will
+you let me see his letter?’
+
+Fairford did not hesitate to gratify his wish, which, he was aware, he
+could not easily resist. The master of the JUMPING JENNY looked at
+the direction very attentively, then turned the letter to and fro, and
+examined each flourish of the pen, as if he were judging of a piece
+of ornamented manuscript; then handled it back to Fairford, without a
+single word of remark.
+
+‘Am I right now?’ said the young lawyer.
+
+‘Why, for that matter,’ answered Nanty, ‘the letter is right, sure
+enough; but whether you are right or not, is your own business rather
+than mine.’ And, striking upon a flint with the back of a knife, he
+kindled a cigar as thick as his finger, and began to smoke away with
+great perseverance.
+
+Alan Fairford continued to regard him with a melancholy feeling, divided
+betwixt the interest he took in the unhappy man, and a not unnatural
+apprehension for the issue of his own adventure.
+
+Ewart, notwithstanding the stupefying nature of his pastime, seemed
+to guess what was working in his passenger’s mind; for, after they had
+remained some time engaged in silently observing each other, he suddenly
+dashed his cigar on the deck, and said to him, ‘Well then, if you are
+sorry for me, I am sorry for you. D--n me, if I have cared a button for
+man or mother’s son, since two years since when I had another peep of
+Jack Hadaway. ‘The fellow was got as fat as a Norway whale--married to a
+great Dutch-built quean that had brought him six children. I believe
+he did not know me, and thought I was come to rob his house; however, I
+made up a poor face, and told him who I was. Poor Jack would have given
+me shelter and clothes, and began to tell me of the moidores that were
+in bank, when I wanted them. Egad, he changed his note when I told him
+what my life had been, and only wanted to pay me my cash and get rid
+of me. I never saw so terrified a visage. I burst out a-laughing in his
+face, told him it was all a humbug, and that the moidores were all his
+own, henceforth and for ever, and so ran off. I caused one of our people
+send him a bag of tea and a keg of brandy, before I left--poor Jack!
+I think you are the second person these ten years, that has cared a
+tobacco-stopper for Nanty Ewart.’
+
+‘Perhaps, Mr. Ewart,’ said Fairford, ‘you live chiefly with men too
+deeply interested for their own immediate safety, to think much upon the
+distress of others?’
+
+‘And with whom do you yourself consort, I pray?’ replied Nanty, smartly.
+‘Why, with plotters, that can make no plot to better purpose than their
+own hanging; and incendiaries, that are snapping the flint upon wet
+tinder. You’ll as soon raise the dead as raise the Highlands--you’ll as
+soon get a grunt from a dead sow as any comfort from Wales or Cheshire.
+You think because the pot is boiling, that no scum but yours can come
+uppermost--I know better, by--. All these rackets and riots that you
+think are trending your way have no relation at all to your interest;
+and the best way to make the whole kingdom friends again at once, would
+be the alarm of such an undertaking as these mad old fellows are trying
+to launch into.
+
+‘I really am not in such secrets as you seem to allude to,’ said
+Fairford; and, determined at the same time to avail himself as far as
+possible of Nanty’s communicative disposition, he added, with a smile,’
+And if I were, I should not hold it prudent to make them much the
+subject of conversation. But I am sure, so sensible a man as Summertrees
+and the laird may correspond together without offence to the state.’
+
+‘I take you, friend--I take you,’ said Nanty Ewart, upon whom, at
+length, the liquor and tobacco-smoke began to make considerable
+innovation. ‘As to what gentlemen may or may not correspond about, why
+we may pretermit the question, as the old professor used to say at the
+Hall; and as to Summertrees, I will say nothing, knowing him to be an
+old fox. But I say that this fellow the laird is a firebrand in the
+country; that he is stirring up all the honest fellows who should be
+drinking their brandy quietly, by telling them stories about their
+ancestors and the Forty-five; and that he is trying to turn all waters
+into his own mill-dam, and to set his sails to all winds. And because
+the London people are roaring about for some pinches of their own,
+he thinks to win them to his turn with a wet finger. And he gets
+encouragement from some, because they want a spell of money from him;
+and from others, because they fought for the cause once and are ashamed
+to go back; and others, because they have nothing to lose; and others,
+because they are discontented fools. But if he has brought you, or any
+one, I say not whom, into this scrape, with the hope of doing any good,
+he’s a d--d decoy-duck, and that’s all I can say for him; and you are
+geese, which is worse than being decoy-ducks, or lame-ducks either.
+And so here is to the prosperity of King George the Third, and the true
+Presbyterian religion, and confusion to the Pope, the Devil, and the
+Pretender! I’ll tell you what, Mr. Fairbairn, I am but tenth owner of
+this bit of a craft, the JUMPING JENNY--but tenth owner and must sail
+her by my owners’ directions. But if I were whole owner, I would not
+have the brig be made a ferry-boat for your Jacobitical, old-fashioned
+Popish riff-raff, Mr. Fairport--I would not, by my soul; they should
+walk the plank, by the gods, as I have seen better men do when I sailed
+under the What-d’ye-callum colours. But being contraband goods, and on
+board my vessel, and I with my sailing orders in my hand, why, I am to
+forward them as directed--I say, John Roberts, keep her up a bit with
+the helm.--and so, Mr. Fairweather, what I do is--as the d--d villain
+Turnpenny says--all in the way of business.’
+
+He had been speaking with difficulty for the last five minutes, and
+now at length dropped on the deck, fairly silenced by the quantity of
+spirits which he had swallowed, but without having showed any glimpse of
+the gaiety, or even of the extravagance, of intoxication.
+
+The old sailor stepped forward and flung a sea-cloak over the
+slumberer’s shoulders, and added, looking at Fairford, ‘Pity of him he
+should have this fault; for without it, he would have been as clever a
+fellow as ever trod a plank with ox leather.’
+
+‘And what are we to do now?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘Stand off and on, to be sure, till we see the signal, and then obey
+orders.’
+
+So saying, the old man turned to his duty, and left the passenger to
+amuse himself with his own meditations. Presently afterward a light
+column of smoke was seen rising from the little headland.
+
+‘I can tell you what we are to do now, master,’ said the sailor. ‘We’ll
+stand out to sea, and then run in again with the evening tide, and
+make Skinburness; or, if there’s not light, we can run into the
+Wampool river, and put you ashore about Kirkbride or Leaths, with the
+long-boat.’
+
+Fairford, unwell before, felt this destination condemned him to an agony
+of many hours, which his disordered stomach and aching head were ill
+able to endure. There was no remedy, however, but patience, and the
+recollection that he was suffering in the cause of friendship. As the
+sun rose high, he became worse; his sense of smell appeared to acquire
+a morbid degree of acuteness, for the mere purpose of inhaling and
+distinguishing all the various odours with which he was surrounded, from
+that of pitch to all the complicated smells of the hold. His heart, too,
+throbbed under the heat, and he felt as if in full progress towards a
+high fever.
+
+The seamen, who were civil and attentive considering their calling,
+observed his distress, and one contrived to make an awning out of an
+old sail, while another compounded some lemonade, the only liquor which
+their passenger could be prevailed upon to touch. After drinking it off,
+he obtained, but could not be said to enjoy, a few hours of troubled
+slumber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Alan Fairford’s spirit was more ready to encounter labour than his frame
+was adequate to support it. In spite of his exertions, when he awoke,
+after five or six hours’ slumber, he found that he was so much disabled
+by dizziness in his head and pains in his limbs, that he could not raise
+himself without assistance. He heard with some pleasure that they were
+now running right for the Wampool river, and that he would be put on
+shore in a very short time. The vessel accordingly lay to, and presently
+showed a weft in her ensign, which was hastily answered by signals from
+on shore. Men and horses were seen to come down the broken path which
+leads to the shore; the latter all properly tackled for carrying their
+loading. Twenty fishing barks were pushed afloat at once, and crowded
+round the brig with much clamour, laughter, cursing, and jesting. Amidst
+all this apparent confusion there was the essential regularity. Nanty
+Ewart again walked his quarter-deck as if he had never tasted spirits
+in his life, issued the necessary orders with precision, and saw them
+executed with punctuality. In half an hour the loading of the brig was
+in a great measure disposed in the boats; in a quarter of an hour more,
+it was landed on the beach, and another interval of about the same
+duration was sufficient to distribute it on the various strings of
+packhorses which waited for that purpose, and which instantly dispersed,
+each on its own proper adventure. More mystery was observed in loading
+the ship’s boat with a quantity of small barrels, which seemed to
+contain ammunition. This was not done until the commercial customers
+had been dismissed; and it was not until this was performed that Ewart
+proposed to Alan, as he lay stunned with pain and noise, to accompany
+him ashore.
+
+It was with difficulty that Fairford could get over the side of the
+vessel, and he could not seat himself on the stern of the boat without
+assistance from the captain and his people. Nanty Ewart, who saw nothing
+in this worse than an ordinary fit of sea-sickness, applied the usual
+topics of consolation. He assured his passenger that he would be quite
+well by and by, when he had been half an hour on terra firma, and
+that he hoped to drink a can and smoke a pipe with him at Father
+Crackenthorp’s, for all that he felt a little out of the way for riding
+the wooden horse.
+
+‘Who is Father Crackenthorp?’ said Fairford, though scarcely able to
+articulate the question.
+
+‘As honest a fellow as is of a thousand,’ answered Nanty.
+
+‘Ah, how much good brandy he and I have made little of in our day! By my
+soul, Mr. Fairbird, he is the prince of skinkers, and the father of
+the free trade--not a stingy hypocritical devil like old Turnpenny
+Skinflint, that drinks drunk on other folk’s cost, and thinks it sin
+when he has to pay for it--but a real hearty old cock;--the sharks have
+been at and about him this many a day, but Father Crackenthorp knows how
+to trim his sails--never a warrant but he hears of it before the ink’s
+dry. He is BONUS SOCIUS with headborough and constable. The king’s
+exchequer could not bribe a man to inform against him. If any such
+rascal were to cast up, why, he would miss his ears next morning, or
+be sent to seek them in the Solway. He is a statesman, [A small landed
+proprietor.] though he keeps a public; but, indeed, that is only for
+convenience and to excuse his having cellarage and folk about him; his
+wife’s a canny woman--and his daughter Doll too. Gad, you’ll be in port
+there till you get round again; and I’ll keep my word with you, and
+bring you to speech of the laird.
+
+Gad, the only trouble I shall have is to get you out of the house;
+for Doll is a rare wench, and my dame a funny old one, and Father
+Crackenthorp the rarest companion! He’ll drink you a bottle of rum or
+brandy without starting, but never wet his lips with the nasty Scottish
+stuff that the canting old scoundrel Turnpenny has brought into fashion.
+He is a gentleman, every inch of him, old Crackenthorp; in his own way,
+that is; and besides, he has a share in the JUMPING JENNY, and many a
+moonlight outfit besides. He can give Doll a pretty penny, if he likes
+the tight fellow that would turn in with her for life.’
+
+In the midst of this prolonged panegyric on Father Crackenthorp, the
+boat touched the beach, the rowers backed their oars to keep her afloat,
+whilst the other fellows lumped into the surf, and, with the most rapid
+dexterity, began to hand the barrels ashore.
+
+‘Up with them higher on the beach, my hearties,’ exclaimed Nanty
+Ewart--‘High and dry--high and dry--this gear will not stand wetting.
+Now, out with our spare hand here--high and dry with him too.
+What’s that?--the galloping of horse! Oh, I hear the jingle of the
+packsaddles--they are our own folk.’
+
+By this time all the boat’s load was ashore, consisting of the little
+barrels; and the boat’s crew, standing to their arms, ranged themselves
+in front, waiting the advance of the horses which came clattering along
+the beach. A man, overgrown with corpulence, who might be distinguished
+in the moonlight panting with his own exertions, appeared at the head
+of the cavalcade, which consisted of horses linked together, and
+accommodated with packsaddles, and chains for securing the kegs which
+made a dreadful clattering.
+
+‘How now, Father Crackenthorp?’ said Ewart--‘Why this hurry with your
+horses? We mean to stay a night with you, and taste your old brandy, and
+my dame’s homebrewed. The signal is up, man, and all is right.’
+
+‘All is wrong, Captain Nanty,’ cried the man to whom he spoke; ‘and you
+are the lad that is like to find it so, unless you bundle off--there are
+new brooms bought at Carlisle yesterday to sweep the country of you and
+the like of you--so you were better be jogging inland.
+
+‘How many rogues are the officers? If not more than ten, I will make
+fight.’
+
+‘The devil you will!’ answered Crackenthorp. ‘You were better not, for
+they have the bloody-backed dragoons from Carlisle with them.’
+
+‘Nay, then,’ said Nanty, ‘we must make sail. Come, Master Fairlord,
+you must mount and ride. He does not hear me--he has fainted, I
+believe--What the devil shall I do? Father Crackenthorp, I must leave
+this young fellow with you till the gale blows out--hark ye--goes
+between the laird and the t’other old one; he can neither ride nor
+walk--I must send him up to you.’
+
+‘Send him up to the gallows!’ said Crackenthorp; ‘there is Quartermaster
+Thwacker, with twenty men, up yonder; an he had not some kindness for
+Doll, I had never got hither for a start--but you must get off, or they
+will be here to seek us, for his orders are woundy particular; and these
+kegs contain worse than whisky--a hanging matter, I take it.’
+
+‘I wish they were at the bottom of Wampool river, with them they belong
+to,’ said Nanty Ewart. ‘But they are part of cargo; and what to do with
+the poor young fellow--’
+
+‘Why, many a better fellow has roughed it on the grass with a cloak o’er
+him,’ said Crackenthorp. ‘If he hath a fever, nothing is so cooling as
+the night air.’
+
+‘Yes, he would be cold enough in the morning, no doubt; but it’s a kind
+heart and shall not cool so soon if I can help it,’ answered the captain
+of the JUMPING JENNY.
+
+‘Well, captain, an ye will risk your own neck for another man’s, why not
+take him to the old girls at Fairladies?’
+
+‘What, the Miss Arthurets! The Papist jades! But never mind; it will
+do--I have known them take in a whole sloop’s crew that were stranded on
+the sands.’
+
+‘You may run some risk, though, by turning up to Fairladies; for I tell
+you they are all up through the country.’
+
+‘Never mind--I may chance to put some of them down again,’ said Nanty,
+cheerfully. ‘Come, lads, bustle to your tackle. Are you all loaded?’
+
+‘Aye, aye, captain; we will be ready in a jiffy,’ answered the gang.
+
+‘D--n your captains! Have you a mind to have me hanged if I am taken?
+All’s hail-fellow, here.’
+
+‘A sup at parting,’ said Father Crackenthorp, extending a flask to Nanty
+Ewart.
+
+‘Not the twentieth part of a drop,’ said Nanty. ‘No Dutch courage for
+me--my heart is always high enough when there’s a chance of fighting;
+besides, if I live drunk, I should like to die sober. Here, old
+Jephson--you are the best-natured brute amongst them--get the lad
+between us on a quiet horse, and we will keep him upright, I warrant.’
+
+As they raised Fairford from the ground, he groaned heavily, and asked
+faintly where they were taking him to.
+
+‘To a place where you will be as snug and quiet as a mouse in his hole,’
+said Nanty, ‘if so be that we can get you there safely. Good-bye, Father
+Crackenthorp--poison the quartermaster, if you can.’
+
+The loaded horses then sprang forward at a hard trot, following each
+other in a line, and every second horse being mounted by a stout fellow
+in a smock frock, which served to conceal the arms with which most of
+these desperate men were provided. Ewart followed in the rear of the
+line, and, with the occasional assistance of old Jephson, kept his young
+charge erect in the saddle. He groaned heavily from time to time; and
+Ewart, more moved with compassion for his situation than might have been
+expected from his own habits, endeavoured to amuse him and comfort him,
+by some account of the place to which they were conveying him--his words
+of consolation being, however, frequently interrupted by the necessity
+of calling to his people, and many of them being lost amongst the
+rattling of the barrels, and clinking of the tackle and small chains by
+which they are secured on such occasions.
+
+‘And you see, brother, you will be in safe quarters at Fairladies--good
+old scrambling house--good old maids enough, if they were not
+Papists,--Hollo, you Jack Lowther; keep the line, can’t ye, and shut
+your rattle-trap, you broth of a--? And so, being of a good family, and
+having enough, the old lasses have turned a kind of saints, and nuns,
+and so forth. The place they live in was some sort of nun-shop long ago,
+as they have them still in Flanders; so folk call them the Vestals of
+Fairladies--that may be, or may not be; and I care not whether it be or
+no.--Blinkinsop, hold your tongue, and be d--d!--And so, betwixt great
+alms and good dinners, they are well thought of by rich and poor, and
+their trucking with Papists is looked over. There are plenty of priests,
+and stout young scholars, and such-like, about the house it’s a hive of
+them. More shame that government send dragoons out after-a few honest
+fellows that bring the old women of England a drop of brandy, and let
+these ragamuffins smuggle in as much papistry and--Hark!--was that
+a whistle? No, it’s only a plover. You, Jem Collier, keep a look-out
+ahead--we’ll meet them at the High Whins, or Brotthole bottom, or
+nowhere. Go a furlong ahead, I say, and look sharp.--These Misses
+Arthurets feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, and such-like
+acts--which my poor father used to say were filthy rags, but he dressed
+himself out with as many of them as most folk.--D--n that stumbling
+horse! Father Crackenthorp should be d--d himself for putting an honest
+fellow’s neck in such jeopardy.’
+
+Thus, and with much more to the same purpose, Nanty ran on, increasing,
+by his well-intended annoyance, the agony of Alan Fairford, who,
+tormented by a racking pain along the back and loins, which made the
+rough trot of the horse torture to him, had his aching head still
+further rended and split by the hoarse voice of the sailor, close to
+his ear. Perfectly passive, however, he did not even essay to give
+any answer; and indeed his own bodily distress was now so great and
+engrossing, that to think of his situation was impossible, even if he
+could have mended it by doing so.
+
+Their course was inland; but in what direction, Alan had no means of
+ascertaining. They passed at first over heaths and sandy downs; they
+crossed more than one brook, or beck, as they are called in that
+country--some of them of considerable depth--and at length reached
+a cultivated country, divided, according to the English fashion of
+agriculture, into very small fields or closes, by high banks, overgrown
+with underwood, and surmounted by hedge-row trees, amongst which winded
+a number of impracticable and complicated lanes, where the boughs
+projecting from the embankments on each side, intercepted the light of
+the moon, and endangered the safety of the horsemen. But through this
+labyrinth the experience of the guides conducted them without a blunder,
+and without even the slackening of their pace. In many places, however,
+it was impossible for three men to ride abreast; and therefore the
+burden of supporting Alan Fairford fell alternately to old Jephson
+and to Nanty; and it was with much difficulty that they could keep him
+upright in his saddle.
+
+At length, when his powers of sufferance were quite worn out, and he was
+about to implore them to leave him to his fate in the first cottage or
+shed--or under a haystack or a hedge--or anywhere, so he was left at
+ease, Collier, who rode ahead, passed back the word that they were at
+the avenue to Fairladies--‘Was he to turn up?’
+
+Committing the charge of Fairford to Jephson, Nanty dashed up to the
+head of the troop, and gave his orders.--‘Who knows the house best?’
+
+‘Sam Skelton’s a Catholic,’ said Lowther.
+
+‘A d--d bad religion,’ said Nanty, of whose Presbyterian education a
+hatred of Popery seemed to be the only remnant. ‘But I am glad there is
+one amongst us, anyhow. You, Sam, being a Papist, know Fairladies and
+the old maidens I dare say; so do you fall out of the line, and wait
+here with me; and do you, Collier, carry on to Walinford bottom, then
+turn down the beck till you come to the old mill, and Goodman Grist the
+Miller, or old Peel-the-Causeway, will tell you where to stow; but I
+will be up with you before that.’
+
+The string of loaded horses then struck forward at their former pace,
+while Nanty, with Sam Skelton, waited by the roadside till the rear came
+up, when Jephson and Fairford joined them, and, to the great relief
+of the latter, they began to proceed at an easier pace than formerly,
+suffering the gang to precede them, till the clatter and clang attending
+their progress began to die away in the distance. They had not proceeded
+a pistol-shot from the place where they parted, when a short turning
+brought them in front of an old mouldering gateway, whose heavy
+pinnacles were decorated in the style of the seventeenth century, with
+clumsy architectural ornaments; several of which had fallen down from
+decay, and lay scattered about, no further care having been taken than
+just to remove them out of the direct approach to the avenue. The great
+stone pillars, glimmering white in the moonlight, had some fanciful
+resemblance to supernatural apparitions, and the air of neglect all
+around, gave an uncomfortable idea of the habitation to those who passed
+its avenue.
+
+‘There used to be no gate here,’ said Skelton, finding their way
+unexpectedly stopped.
+
+‘But there is a gate now, and a porter too,’ said a rough voice from
+within. ‘Who be you, and what do you want at this time of night?’
+
+‘We want to come to speech of the ladies--of the Misses Arthuret,’ said
+Nanty; ‘and to ask lodging for a sick man.’
+
+‘There is no speech to be had of the Miss Arthurets at this time of
+night, and you may carry your sick man to the doctor,’ answered the
+fellow from within, gruffly; ‘for as sure as there is savour in salt,
+and scent in rosemary, you will get no entrance--put your pipes up and
+be jogging on.’
+
+‘Why, Dick Gardener,’ said Skelton, ‘be thou then turned porter?’
+
+‘What, do you know who I am?’ said the domestic sharply.
+
+‘I know you, by your by-word,’ answered the other; ‘What, have you
+forgot little Sam Skelton, and the brock in the barrel?’
+
+‘No, I have not forgotten you,’ answered the acquaintance of Sam
+Skelton; ‘but my orders are peremptory to let no one up the avenue this
+night, and therefore’--
+
+‘But we are armed, and will not be kept back,’ said Nanty. ‘Hark ye,
+fellow, were it not better for you to take a guinea and let us in, than
+to have us break the door first, and thy pate afterwards? for I won’t
+see my comrade die at your door be assured of that.’
+
+‘Why, I dunna know,’ said the fellow; ‘but what cattle were those that
+rode by in such hurry?’
+
+‘Why, some of our folk from Bowness, Stoniecultrum, and thereby,’
+answered Skelton; ‘Jack Lowther, and old Jephson, and broad Will
+Lamplugh, and such like.’
+
+‘Well,’ said Dick Gardener, ‘as sure as there is savour in salt, and
+scent in rosemary, I thought it had been the troopers from Carlisle and
+Wigton, and the sound brought my heart to my mouth.’
+
+‘Had thought thou wouldst have known the clatter of a cask from the
+clash of a broadsword, as well as e’er a quaffer in Cumberland,’ said
+Skelton.
+
+‘Come, brother, less of your jaw and more of your legs, if you please,’
+said Nanty; ‘every moment we stay is a moment lost. Go to the ladies,
+and tell them that Nanty Ewart, of the JUMPING JENNY, has brought
+a young gentleman, charged with letters from Scotland to a certain
+gentleman of consequence in Cumberland--that the soldiers are out, and
+the gentleman is very ill and if he is not received at Fairladies he
+must be left either to die at the gate, or to be taken, with all his
+papers about him, by the redcoats.’
+
+Away ran Dick Gardener with this message; and, in a few minutes, lights
+were seen to flit about, which convinced Fairford, who was now, in
+consequence of the halt, a little restored to self-possession, that they
+were traversing the front of a tolerably large mansion-house.
+
+‘What if thy friend, Dick Gardener, comes not back again?’ said Jephson
+to Skelton.
+
+‘Why, then,’ said the person addressed, ‘I shall owe him just such a
+licking as thou, old Jephson, had from Dan Cooke, and will pay as duly
+and truly as he did.’
+
+The old man was about to make an angry reply, when his doubts were
+silenced by the return of Dick Gardener, who announced that Miss
+Arthuret was coming herself as far as the gateway to speak with them.
+
+Nanty Ewart cursed in a low tone the suspicions of old maids and the
+churlish scruples of Catholics, that made so many obstacles to helping
+a fellow creature, and wished Miss Arthuret a hearty rheumatism or
+toothache as the reward of her excursion; but the lady presently
+appeared, to cut short further grumbling. She was attended by a
+waiting-maid with a lantern, by means of which she examined the party
+on the outside, as closely as the imperfect light, and the spars of the
+newly-erected gate, would permit.
+
+‘I am sorry we have disturbed you so late, Madam Arthuret,’ said Nanty;
+‘but the case is this’--
+
+‘Holy Virgin,’ said she, ‘why do you speak so loud? Pray, are you not
+the captain of the SAINTE GENEVIEVE?’
+
+‘Why, aye, ma’am,’ answered Ewart, ‘they call the brig so at Dunkirk,
+sure enough; but along shore here, they call her the JUMPING JENNY.’
+
+‘You brought over the holy Father Buonaventure, did you not?’
+
+‘Aye, aye, madam, I have brought over enough of them black cattle,’
+answered Nanty. ‘Fie! fie! friend,’ said Miss Arthuret; ‘it is a pity
+that the saints should commit these good men to a heretic’s care.’
+
+‘Why, no more they would, ma’am,’ answered Nanty, ‘could they find a
+Papist lubber that knew the coast as I do; then I am trusty as steel
+to owners, and always look after cargo--live lumber, or dead flesh,
+or spirits, all is one to me; and your Catholics have such d--d large
+hoods, with pardon, ma’am, that they can sometimes hide two faces under
+them. But here is a gentleman dying, with letters about him from the
+Laird of Summertrees to the Laird of the Lochs, as they call him, along
+Solway, and every minute he lies here is a nail in his coffin.’
+
+‘Saint Mary! what shall we do?’ said Miss Arthuret; ‘we must admit him,
+I think, at all risks. You, Richard Gardener, help one of these men to
+carry the gentleman up to the Place; and you, Selby, see him lodged at
+the end of the long gallery. You are a heretic, captain, but I think you
+are trusty, and I know you have been trusted--but if you are imposing on
+me’--
+
+‘Not I, madam--never attempt to impose on ladies of your experience--my
+practice that way has been all among the young ones. Come, cheerly, Mr.
+Fairford--you will be taken good care of--try to walk.’
+
+Alan did so; and, refreshed by his halt, declared himself able to walk
+to the house with the sole assistance of the gardener.
+
+‘Why, that’s hearty. Thank thee, Dick, for lending him thine arm’--and
+Nanty slipped into his hand the guinea he had promised.--‘Farewell,
+then, Mr. Fairford, and farewell, Madam Arthuret, for I have been too
+long here.’
+
+So saying, he and his two companions threw themselves on horseback, and
+went off at a gallop. Yet, even above the clatter of their hoofs did the
+incorrigible Nanty hollo out the old ballad--
+
+  A lovely lass to a friar came,
+  To confession a-morning early;--
+  ‘In what, my dear, are you to blame?
+  Come tell me most sincerely?’
+  ‘Alas!  my fault I dare not name--
+  But my lad he loved me dearly.’
+
+‘Holy Virgin!’ exclaimed Miss Seraphina, as the unhallowed sounds
+reached her ears; ‘what profane heathens be these men, and what frights
+and pinches we be put to among them! The saints be good to us, what a
+night has this been!--the like never seen at Fairladies. Help me to make
+fast the gate, Richard, and thou shalt come down again to wait on it,
+lest there come more unwelcome visitors--Not that you are unwelcome,
+young gentleman, for it is sufficient that you need such assistance as
+we can give you, to make you welcome to Fairladies--only, another time
+would have done as well--but, hem! I dare say it is all for the best.
+The avenue is none of the smoothest, sir, look to your feet. Richard
+Gardener should have had it mown and levelled, but he was obliged to go
+on a pilgrimage to Saint Winifred’s Well, in Wales.’ (Here Dick gave
+a short dry cough, which, as if he had found it betrayed some internal
+feeling a little at variance with what the lady said, he converted into
+a muttered SANCTA WINIFREDA, ORA PRO NOBIS. Miss Arthuret, meantime,
+proceeded) ‘We never interfere with our servants’ vows or penances,
+Master Fairford--I know a very worthy father of your name, perhaps a
+relation--I say, we never interfere with our servants vows. Our Lady
+forbid they should not know some difference between our service and a
+heretic’s.--Take care, sir, you will fall if you have not a care. Alas!
+by night and day there are many stumbling-blocks in our paths!’
+
+With more talk to the same purpose, all of which tended to show a
+charitable and somewhat silly woman with a strong inclination to her
+superstitious devotion, Miss Arthuret entertained her new guest, as,
+stumbling at every obstacle which the devotion of his guide, Richard,
+had left in the path, he at last, by ascending some stone steps
+decorated on the side with griffins, or some such heraldic anomalies,
+attained a terrace extending in front of the Place of Fairladies; an
+old-fashioned gentleman’s house of some consequence, with its range of
+notched gable-ends and narrow windows, relieved by here and there an old
+turret about the size of a pepper-box. The door was locked during the
+brief absence of the mistress; a dim light glimmered through the sashed
+door of the hall, which opened beneath a huge stone porch, loaded with
+jessamine and other creepers. All the windows were dark as pitch.
+
+Miss Arthuret tapped at the door. ‘Sister, sister Angelica.’ ‘Who is
+there?’ was answered from within; ‘is it you, sister Seraphina?’
+
+‘Yes, yes, undo the door; do you not know my voice?’
+
+‘No doubt, sister,’ said Angelica, undoing bolt and bar; ‘but you know
+our charge, and the enemy is watchful to surprise us--INCEDIT SICUT LEO
+VORANS, saith the breviary. Whom have you brought here? Oh, sister, what
+have you done?’
+
+‘It is a young man,’ said Seraphina, hastening to interrupt her sister’s
+remonstrance, ‘a relation, I believe, of our worthy Father Fairford;
+left at the gate by the captain of that blessed vessel the SAINTE
+GENEVIEVE--almost dead--and charged with dispatches to ‘--
+
+She lowered her voice as she mumbled over the last words.
+
+‘Nay, then, there is no help,’ said Angelica; ‘but it is unlucky.’
+
+During this dialogue between the vestals of Fairladies, Dick Gardener
+deposited his burden in a chair, where the young lady, after a moment
+of hesitation, expressing a becoming reluctance to touch the hand of a
+stranger, put her finger and thumb upon Fairford’s wrist, and counted
+his pulse.
+
+‘There is fever here, sister,’ she said; ‘Richard must call Ambrose, and
+we must send some of the febrifuge.’
+
+Ambrose arrived presently, a plausible and respectable-looking old
+servant, bred in the family, and who had risen from rank to rank in
+the Arthuret service till he was become half-physician, half-almoner,
+half-butler, and entire governor; that is, when the Father Confessor,
+who frequently eased him of the toils of government, chanced to be
+abroad. Under the direction, and with the assistance of this venerable
+personage, the unlucky Alan Fairford was conveyed to a decent apartment
+at the end of a long gallery, and, to his inexpressible relief,
+consigned to a comfortable bed. He did not attempt to resist the
+prescription of Mr. Ambrose, who not only presented him with the
+proposed draught, but proceeded so far as to take a considerable
+quantity of blood from him, by which last operation he probably did his
+patient much service.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+On the next morning, when Fairford awoke, after no very refreshing
+slumbers, in which were mingled many wild dreams of his father and of
+Darsie Latimer,--of the damsel in the green mantle and the vestals of
+Fairladies,--of drinking small beer with Nanty Ewart and being immersed
+in the Solway with the JUMPING JENNY,--he found himself in no condition
+to dispute the order of Mr. Ambrose, that he should keep his bed, from
+which, indeed, he could not have raised himself without assistance. He
+became sensible that his anxiety, and his constant efforts for some days
+past, had been too much for his health, and that, whatever might be his
+impatience, he could not proceed in his undertaking until his strength
+was re-established.
+
+In the meanwhile, no better quarters could have been found for an
+invalid. The attendants spoke under their breath, and moved only on
+tiptoe--nothing was done unless PAR ORDONNANCE DU MEDECIN. Aesculapius
+reigned paramount in the premises at Fairladies. Once a day, the ladies
+came in great state to wait upon him and inquire after his health, and
+it was then that; Alan’s natural civility, and the thankfulness which
+he expressed for their timely and charitable assistance, raised him
+considerably in their esteem. He was on the third day removed to a
+better apartment than that in which he had been at first accommodated.
+When he was permitted to drink a glass of wine, it was of the first
+quality; one of those curious old-fashioned cobwebbed bottles being
+produced on the occasion, which are only to be found in the crypts of
+old country-seats, where they may have lurked undisturbed for more than
+half a century.
+
+But however delightful a residence for an invalid, Fairladies, as
+its present inmate became soon aware, was not so agreeable to a
+convalescent. When he dragged himself to the window so soon as he could
+crawl from bed, behold it was closely grated, and commanded no view
+except of a little paved court. This was nothing remarkable, most
+old Border houses having their windows so secured. But then Fairford
+observed, that whosoever entered or left the room always locked the
+door with great care and circumspection; and some proposals which he
+made to take a walk in the gallery, or even in the garden, were so
+coldly received, both by the ladies and their prime minister, Mr.
+Ambrose, that he saw plainly such an extension of his privileges as a
+guest would not be permitted.
+
+Anxious to ascertain whether this excessive hospitality would permit
+him his proper privilege of free agency, he announced to this important
+functionary, with grateful thanks for the care with which he had been
+attended, his purpose to leave Fairladies next morning, requesting only,
+as a continuance of the favours with which he had been loaded, the
+loan of a horse to the next town; and, assuring Mr. Ambrose that his
+gratitude would not be limited by such, a trifle, he slipped three
+guineas into his hand, by way of seconding his proposal. The fingers of
+that worthy domestic closed as naturally upon the honorarium, as if a
+degree in the learned faculty had given him a right to clutch it; but
+his answer concerning Alan’s proposed departure was at first evasive,
+and when he was pushed, it amounted to a peremptory assurance that he
+could not be permitted to depart to-morrow; it was as much as his life
+was worth, and his ladies would not authorize it.
+
+‘I know best what my own life is worth,’ said Alan; ‘and I do not value
+it in comparison to the business which requires my instant attention.’
+
+Receiving still no satisfactory answer from Mr. Ambrose, Fairford
+thought it best to state his resolution to the ladies themselves, in
+the most measured, respectful, and grateful terms; but still such as
+expressed a firm determination to depart on the morrow, or next day
+at farthest. After some attempts to induce him to stay, on the alleged
+score of health, which were so expressed that he was convinced they were
+only used to delay his departure, Fairford plainly told them that he was
+entrusted with dispatches of consequence to the gentleman known by the
+name of Herries, Redgauntlet, and the Laird of the Lochs; and that it
+was matter of life and death to deliver them early.
+
+‘I dare say, Sister Angelica,’ said the elder Miss Arthuret, that the
+gentleman is honest; and if he is really a relation of Father Fairford,
+we can run no risk.’
+
+‘Jesu Maria!’ exclaimed the younger. ‘Oh, fie, Sister Seraphina! Fie,
+fie!--‘VADE RETRO--get thee behind me!’
+
+‘Well, well; but, sister--Sister Angelica--let me speak with you in the
+gallery.’
+
+So out the ladies rustled in their silks and tissues, and it was a good
+half-hour ere they rustled in again, with importance and awe on their
+countenances.
+
+‘To tell you the truth, Mr. Fairford, the cause of our desire to delay
+you is--there is a religious gentleman in this house at present’--
+
+‘A most excellent person indeed’--said the sister Angelica.
+
+‘An anointed of his Master!’ echoed Seraphina,--‘and we should be glad
+that, for conscience’ sake, you would hold some discourse with him
+before your departure.’
+
+‘Oho!’ thought Fairford, ‘the murder is out--here is a design of
+conversion! I must not affront the good ladies, but I shall soon send
+off the priest, I think.’ He then answered aloud, ‘that he should be
+happy to converse with any friend of theirs--that in religious matters
+he had the greatest respect for every modification of Christianity,
+though, he must say, his belief was made up to that in which he had
+been educated; nevertheless, if his seeing the religious person they
+recommended could in the least show his respect’--
+
+‘It is not quite that,’ said Sister Seraphina, ‘although I am sure the
+day is too short to hear him--Father Buonaventure, I mean--speak upon
+the concerns of our souls; but’--
+
+‘Come, come, Sister Seraphina,’ said the younger, ‘it is needless
+to talk so much about it. His--his Eminence--I mean Father
+Buonaventure--will himself explain what he wants this gentleman to
+know.’
+
+‘His Eminence!’ said Fairford, surprised--‘is this gentleman so high in
+the Catholic Church? The title is given only to Cardinals, I think.’
+
+‘He is not a Cardinal as yet,’ answered Seraphina; ‘but I assure you,
+Mr. Fairford, he is as high in rank as he is eminently endowed with good
+gifts, and’--
+
+‘Come away,’ said Sister Angelica. ‘Holy Virgin, how you do talk! What
+has Mr. Fairford to do with Father Buonaventure’s rank? Only, sir, you
+will remember that the Father has been always accustomed to be treated
+with the most profound deference; indeed’--
+
+‘Come away, sister,’ said Sister Seraphina, in her turn; ‘who talks now,
+I pray you? Mr. Fairford will know how to comport himself.’
+
+‘And we had best both leave the room,’ said the younger lady, ‘for here
+his Eminence comes.’
+
+She lowered her voice to a whisper as she pronounced the last words; and
+as Fairford was about to reply, by assuring her that any friend of hers
+should be treated by him with all the ceremony he could expect, she
+imposed silence on him, by holding up her finger.
+
+A solemn and stately step was now heard in the gallery; it might have
+proclaimed the approach not merely of a bishop or cardinal, but of
+the Sovereign Pontiff himself. Nor could the sound have been more
+respectfully listened to by the two ladies, had it announced that the
+Head of the Church was approaching in person. They drew themselves,
+like sentinels on duty, one on each side of the door by which the
+long gallery communicated with Fairford’s apartment, and stood there
+immovable, and with countenances expressive of the deepest reverence.
+
+The approach of Father Buonaventure was so slow, that Fairford had time
+to notice all this, and to marvel in his mind what wily and ambitious
+priest could have contrived to subject his worthy but simple-minded
+hostesses to such superstitious trammels. Father Buonaventure’s entrance
+and appearance in some degree accounted for the whole.
+
+He was a man of middle life, about forty or upwards; but either care, or
+fatigue, or indulgence, had brought on the appearance of premature
+old age, and given to his fine features a cast of seriousness or even
+sadness. A noble countenance, however, still remained; and though his
+complexion was altered, and wrinkles stamped upon his brow in many a
+melancholy fold, still the lofty forehead, the full and well-opened eye,
+and the well-formed nose, showed how handsome in better days he
+must have been. He was tall, but lost the advantage of his height
+by stooping; and the cane which he wore always in his hand, and
+occasionally used, as well as his slow though majestic gait, seemed to
+intimate that his form and limbs felt already some touch of infirmity.
+The colour of his hair could not be discovered, as, according to the
+fashion, he wore a periwig. He was handsomely, though gravely dressed in
+a secular habit, and had a cockade in his hat; circumstances which did
+not surprise Fairford, who knew that a military disguise was very often
+assumed by the seminary priests, whose visits to England, or residence
+there, subjected them to legal penalties.
+
+As this stately person entered the apartment, the two ladies facing
+inward, like soldiers on their post when about to salute a superior
+officer, dropped on either hand of the father a curtsy so profound that
+the hoop petticoats which performed the feat seemed to sink down to
+the very floor, nay, through it, as if a trap-door had opened for the
+descent of the dames who performed this act of reverence.
+
+The father seemed accustomed to such homage, profound as it was; he
+turned his person a little way first towards one sister, and then
+towards the other, while, with a gracious inclination of his person,
+which certainly did not amount to a bow, he acknowledged their curtsy.
+But he passed forward without addressing them, and seemed by doing so to
+intimate that their presence in the apartment was unnecessary.
+
+They accordingly glided out of the room, retreating backwards, with
+hands clasped and eyes cast upwards, as if imploring blessings on the
+religious man whom they venerated so highly. The door of the apartment
+was shut after them, but not before Fairford had perceived that there
+were one or two men in the gallery, and that, contrary to what he had
+before observed, the door, though shut, was not locked on the outside.
+
+‘Can the good souls apprehend danger from me to this god of their
+idolatry?’ thought Fairford. But he had no time to make further
+observations, for the stranger had already reached the middle of his
+apartment.
+
+Fairford rose to receive him respectfully, but as he fixed his eyes on
+the visitor, he thought that the father avoided his looks. His reasons
+for remaining incognito were cogent enough to account for this, and
+Fairford hastened to relieve him, by looking downwards in his turn;
+but when again he raised his face, he found the broad light eye of the
+stranger so fixed on him that he was almost put out of countenance by
+the steadiness of his gaze. During this time they remained standing.
+
+‘Take your seat, sir,’ said the father; ‘you have been an invalid.’
+
+He spoke with the tone of one who desires an inferior to be seated in
+his presence, and his voice was full and melodious.
+
+Fairford, somewhat surprised to find himself overawed by the airs of
+superiority, which could be only properly exercised towards one over
+whom religion gave the speaker influence, sat down at his bidding, as
+if moved by springs, and was at a loss how to assert the footing of
+equality on which he felt that they ought to stand. The stranger kept
+the advantage which he had obtained.
+
+‘Your name, sir, I am informed, is Fairford?’ said the father.
+
+Alan answered by a bow.
+
+‘Called to the Scottish bar,’ continued his visitor, ‘There is, I
+believe, in the West, a family of birth and rank called Fairford of
+Fairford.’
+
+Alan thought this a strange observation from a foreign ecclesiastic,
+as his name intimated Father Buonaventure to be; but only answered he
+believed there was such, a family.
+
+‘Do you count kindred with them, Mr. Fairford?’ continued the inquirer.
+
+‘I have not the honour to lay such a claim,’ said Fairford.
+
+‘My father’s industry has raised his family from a low and obscure
+situation--I have no hereditary claim to distinction of any kind. May I
+ask the cause of these inquiries?’
+
+‘You will learn it presently,’ said Father Buonaventure, who had given
+a dry and dissatisfied HEM at the young man’s acknowledging a plebeian
+descent. He then motioned to him to be silent, and proceeded with his
+queries.
+
+‘Although not of condition, you are, doubtless, by sentiments and
+education, a man of honour and a gentleman?’
+
+‘I hope so, sir,’ said Alan, colouring with displeasure. ‘I have not
+been accustomed to have it questioned.’
+
+‘Patience, young man,’ said the unperturbed querist--‘we are on serious
+business, and no idle etiquette must prevent its being discussed
+seriously. You are probably aware that you speak to a person proscribed
+by the severe and unjust laws of the present government?’
+
+‘I am aware of the statute 1700, chapter 3,’ said Alan, ‘banishing from
+the realm priests and trafficking Papists, and punishing by death, on
+summary conviction, any such person who being so banished may return.
+But I have no means of knowing you, sir, to be one of those persons; and
+I think your prudence may recommend to you to keep your own counsel.’
+
+‘It is sufficient, sir; and I have no apprehensions of disagreeable
+consequences from your having seen me in this house,’ said the priest.
+
+‘Assuredly no,’ said Alan. ‘I consider myself as indebted for my life to
+the mistresses of Fairladies; and it would be a vile requital on my
+part to pry into or make known what I may have seen or heard under
+this hospitable roof. If I were to meet the Pretender himself in such
+a situation, he should, even at the risk of a little stretch to my
+loyalty, be free from any danger from my indiscretion.’
+
+‘The Pretender!’ said the priest, with some angry emphasis; but
+immediately softened his tone and added, ‘No doubt, however, that
+person is a pretender; and some people think his pretensions are not ill
+founded. But, before running into politics, give me leave to say, that I
+am surprised to find a gentleman of your opinions in habits of intimacy
+with Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees and Mr. Redgauntlet, and the medium of
+conducting the intercourse betwixt them.’
+
+‘Pardon me, sir,’ replied Alan Fairford; ‘I do not aspire to the honour
+of being reputed their confidant or go-between. My concern with those
+gentlemen is limited to one matter of business, dearly interesting to
+me, because it concerns the safety--perhaps the life--of my dearest
+friend.’
+
+‘Would you have any objection to entrust me with the cause of your
+journey?’ said Father Buonaventure. ‘My advice may be of service to you,
+and my influence with one or both these gentlemen is considerable.’
+
+Fairford hesitated a moment, and, hastily revolving all circumstances,
+concluded that he might perhaps receive some advantage from propitiating
+this personage; while, on the other hand, he endangered nothing by
+communicating to him the occasion of his journey. He, therefore, after
+stating shortly that he hoped Mr. Buonaventure would render him the same
+confidence which he required on his part, gave a short account of Darsie
+Latimer--of the mystery which hung over his family--and of the disaster
+which had befallen him. Finally, of his own resolution to seek for his
+friend, and to deliver him, at the peril of his own life.
+
+The Catholic priest, whose manner it seemed to be to avoid all
+conversation which did not arise from his own express motion, made
+no remarks upon what he had heard, but only asked one or two abrupt
+questions, where Alan’s narrative appeared less clear to him; then
+rising from his seat, he took two turns through the apartment, muttering
+between his teeth, with emphasis, the word ‘madman!’ But apparently he
+was in the habit of keeping all violent emotions under restraint; for he
+presently addressed Fairford with the most perfect indifference.
+
+‘If,’ said he, ‘you thought you could do so without breach of
+confidence, I wish you would have the goodness to show me the letter
+of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees. I desire to look particularly at the
+address.’
+
+Seeing no cause to decline this extension of his confidence, Alan,
+without hesitation, put the letter into his hand. Having turned it
+round as old Trumbull and Nanty Ewart had formerly done, and, like them,
+having examined the address with much minuteness, he asked whether he
+had observed these words, pointing to a pencil-writing upon the under
+side of the letter. Fairford answered in the negative, and, looking
+at the letter, read with surprise, ‘CAVE NE LITERAS BELLEROPHONTIS
+ADFERRES’; a caution which coincided so exactly with the provost’s
+admonition, that he would do well to inspect the letter of which he was
+bearer, that he was about to spring up and attempt an escape, he knew
+not wherefore, or from whom.
+
+‘Sit still, young man,’ said the father, with the same tone of authority
+which reigned in his whole manner, although mingled with stately
+courtesy. ‘You are in no danger--my character shall be a pledge for your
+safety. By whom do you suppose these words have been written?’
+
+Fairford could have answered, ‘By Nanty Ewart,’ for he remembered seeing
+that person scribble something with a pencil, although he was not well
+enough to observe with accuracy where or upon what. But not knowing
+what suspicions, or what worse consequences the seamen’s interest in his
+affairs might draw upon him, he judged it best to answer that he knew
+not the hand.
+
+Father Buonaventure was again silent for a moment or two, which he
+employed in surveying the letter with the strictest attention; then
+stepped to the window, as if to examine the address and writing of the
+envelope with the assistance of a stronger light, and Alan Fairford
+beheld him, with no less amazement than high displeasure, coolly and
+deliberately break the seal, open the letter, and peruse the contents.
+
+‘Stop, sir, hold!’ he exclaimed, so soon as his astonishment permitted
+him to express his resentment in words; ‘by what right do you dare’--
+
+‘Peace, young gentleman,’ said the father, repelling him with a wave
+of his hand; ‘be assured I do not act without warrant--nothing can pass
+betwixt Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Redgauntlet that I am not fully entitled to
+know.’
+
+‘It may be so,’ said Alan, extremely angry; ‘but though you may be these
+gentlemen’s father confessor, you are not mine; and in breaking the seal
+of a letter entrusted to my care, you have done me’--
+
+‘No injury, I assure you,’ answered the unperturbed priest; ‘on the
+contrary, it may be a service.’
+
+‘I desire no advantage at such a rate, or to be obtained in such a
+manner,’ answered Fairford; ‘restore me the letter instantly, or’--
+
+‘As you regard your own safety,’ said the priest, ‘forbear all injurious
+expressions, and all menacing gestures. I am not one who can be
+threatened or insulted with impunity; and there are enough within
+hearing to chastise any injury or affront offered to me, in case I may
+think it unbecoming to protect or avenge myself with my own hand.’
+
+In saying this, the father assumed an air of such fearlessness and calm
+authority, that the young lawyer, surprised and overawed, forbore, as he
+had intended, to snatch the letter from his hand, and confined himself
+to bitter complaints of the impropriety of his conduct, and of the light
+in which he himself must be placed to Redgauntlet should he present him
+a letter with a broken seal.
+
+‘That,’ said Father Buonaventure, ‘shall be fully cared for. I will
+myself write to Redgauntlet, and enclose Maxwell’s letter, provided
+always you continue to desire to deliver it, after perusing the
+contents.’
+
+He then restored the letter to Fairford, and, observing that he
+hesitated to peruse it, said emphatically, ‘Read it, for it concerns
+you.’
+
+This recommendation, joined to what Provost Crosbie had formerly
+recommended, and to the warning which he doubted not that Nanty intended
+to convey by his classical allusion, decided Fairford’s resolution. ‘If
+these correspondents,’ he thought, ‘are conspiring against my person,
+I have a right to counterplot them; self-preservation, as well as my
+friend’s safety, require that I should not be too scrupulous.’
+
+So thinking, he read the letter, which was in the following words:--
+
+‘DEAR RUGGED AND DANGEROUS, ‘Will you never cease meriting your old
+nick-name? You have springed your dottrel, I find, and what is the
+consequence?--why, that there will be hue and cry after you presently.
+The bearer is a pert young lawyer, who has brought a formal complaint
+against you, which, luckily, he has preferred in a friendly court.
+Yet, favourable as the judge was disposed to be, it was with the utmost
+difficulty that cousin Jenny and I could keep him to his tackle. He
+begins to be timid, suspicious, and untractable, and I fear Jenny will
+soon bend her brows on him in vain. I know not what to advise--the
+lad who carries this is a good lad--active for his friend--and I have
+pledged my honour he shall have no personal ill-usage. Pledged my
+honour, remark these words, and remember I can be rugged and dangerous
+as well, as my neighbours. But I have not ensured him against a short
+captivity, and as he is a stirring active fellow, I see no remedy but
+keeping him out of the way till this business of the good Father B----
+is safely blown over, which God send it were!--Always thine, even should
+I be once more CRAIG-IN-PERIL.’
+
+‘What think you, young man, of the danger you have been about to
+encounter so willingly?’
+
+‘As strangely,’ replied Alan Fairford, ‘as of the extraordinary means
+which you have been at present pleased to use for the discovery of Mr.
+Maxwell’s purpose.
+
+‘Trouble not yourself to account for my conduct,’ said the father; ‘I
+have a warrant for what I do, and fear no responsibility. But tell me
+what is your present purpose.’
+
+‘I should not perhaps name it to you, whose own safety may be
+implicated.’
+
+‘I understand you,’ answered the father; ‘you would appeal to the
+existing government? That can at no rate be permitted--we will rather
+detain you at Fairladies by compulsion.’
+
+‘You will probably,’ said Fairford, ‘first weigh the risk of such a
+proceeding in a free country.’
+
+‘I have incurred more formidable hazard,’ said the priest, smiling; ‘yet
+I am willing to find a milder expedient. Come; let us bring the matter
+to a compromise.’ And he assumed a conciliating graciousness of
+manner, which struck Fairford as being rather too condescending for the
+occasion; ‘I presume you will be satisfied to remain here in seclusion
+for a day or two longer, provided I pass my solemn word to you that you
+shall meet with the person whom you seek after--meet with him in perfect
+safety, and, I trust, in good health, and be afterwards both at liberty
+to return to Scotland, or dispose of yourselves as each of you may be
+minded?’
+
+‘I respect the VERBUM SACERDOTIS as much as can reasonably be expected
+from a Protestant,’ answered Fairford; ‘but methinks, you can scarce
+expect me to repose so much confidence in the word of an unknown person
+as is implied in the guarantee which you offer me.’
+
+‘I am not accustomed, sir,’ said the father, in a very haughty tone, ‘to
+have my word disputed. But,’ he added, while the angry hue passed from
+his cheek, after a moment’s reflection, ‘you know me not, and ought to
+be excused. I will repose more confidence in your honour than you seem
+willing to rest upon mine; and, since we are so situated that one must
+rely upon the other’s faith, I will cause you to be set presently at
+liberty, and furnished with the means of delivering your letter as
+addressed, provided that now, knowing the contents, you think it safe
+for yourself to execute the commission.’
+
+Alan Fairford paused. ‘I cannot see,’ he at length replied, ‘how I can
+proceed with respect to the accomplishment of my sole purpose, which is
+the liberation of my friend, without appealing to the law and obtaining
+the assistance of a magistrate. If I present this singular letter of
+Mr. Maxwell, with the contents of which I have become so unexpectedly
+acquainted, I shall only share his captivity.’
+
+‘And if you apply to a magistrate, young man, you will bring ruin on
+these hospitable ladies, to whom, in all human probability, you owe your
+life. You cannot obtain a warrant for your purpose, without giving a
+clear detail of all the late scenes through which you have passed. A
+magistrate would oblige you to give a complete account of yourself,
+before arming you with his authority against a third party; and in
+giving such an account, the safety of these ladies will necessarily be
+compromised. A hundred spies have had, and still have, their eyes
+upon this mansion; but God will protect his own.’--He crossed himself
+devoutly, and then proceeded,--‘You can take an hour to think of your
+best plan, and I will pledge myself to forward it thus far, provided
+it be not asking you to rely more on my word than your prudence can
+warrant. You shall go to Redgauntlet,--I name him plainly, to show
+my confidence in you,--and you shall deliver him this letter of Mr.
+Maxwell’s, with one from me, in which I will enjoin him to set your
+friend at liberty, or at least to make no attempts upon your own person,
+either by detention or otherwise. If you can trust me thus far,’ he
+said, with a proud emphasis on the words ‘I will on my side see you
+depart from this place with the most perfect confidence that you will
+not return armed with powers to drag its inmates to destruction. You
+are young and inexperienced--bred to a profession also which sharpens
+suspicion, and gives false views of human nature. I have seen much of
+the world, and have known better than most men how far mutual confidence
+is requisite in managing affairs of consequence.’
+
+He spoke with an air of superiority, even of authority, by which
+Fairford, notwithstanding his own internal struggles, was silenced and
+overawed so much, that it was not till the father had turned to leave
+the apartment that he found words to ask him what the consequences would
+be, should he decline to depart on the terms proposed.
+
+‘You must then, for the safety of all parties, remain for some days
+an inhabitant of Fairladies, where we have the means of detaining you,
+which self-preservation will in that case compel us to make use of. Your
+captivity will be short; for matters cannot long remain as they are. The
+cloud must soon rise, or it must sink upon us for ever. BENEDICITE!’
+
+With these words he left the apartment.
+
+Fairford, upon his departure, felt himself much at a loss what course to
+pursue. His line of education, as well as his father’s tenets in matters
+of church and state, had taught him a holy horror for Papists, and a
+devout belief in whatever had been said of the Punic faith of Jesuits,
+and of the expedients of mental reservation by which the Catholic
+priests in general were supposed to evade keeping faith with heretics.
+Yet there was something of majesty, depressed indeed and overclouded,
+but still grand and imposing, in the manner and words of Father
+Buonaventure, which it was difficult to reconcile with those
+preconceived opinions which imputed subtlety and fraud to his sect and
+order. Above all, Alan was aware that if he accepted not his freedom
+upon the terms offered him, he was likely to be detained by force; so
+that, in every point of view, he was a gainer by accepting them.
+
+A qualm, indeed, came across him, when he considered, as a lawyer, that
+this father was probably, in the eye of law, a traitor; and that there
+was an ugly crime on the Statute Book, called misprision of treason. On
+the other hand, whatever he might think or suspect, he could not take
+upon him to say that the man was a priest, whom he had never seen in the
+dress of his order, or in the act of celebrating mass; so that he felt
+himself at liberty to doubt of that respecting which he possessed no
+legal proof. He therefore arrived at the conclusion, that he would
+do well to accept his liberty, and proceed to Redgauntlet under the
+guarantee of Father Buonaventure, which he scarce doubted would be
+sufficient to save him from personal inconvenience. Should he once
+obtain speech of that gentleman, he felt the same confidence as
+formerly, that he might be able to convince him of the rashness of
+his conduct, should he not consent to liberate Darsie Latimer. At all
+events, he should learn where his friend was, and how circumstanced.
+
+Having thus made up his mind, Alan waited anxiously for the expiration
+of the hour which had been allowed him for deliberation. He was not kept
+on the tenter-hooks of impatience an instant longer than the appointed
+moment arrived, for, even as the clock struck, Ambrose appeared at the
+door of the gallery, and made a sign that Alan should follow him. He did
+so, and after passing through some of the intricate avenues common in
+old houses, was ushered into a small apartment, commodiously fitted
+up, in which he found Father Buonaventure reclining on a couch, in the
+attitude of a man exhausted by fatigue or indisposition. On a small
+table beside him, a silver embossed salver sustained a Catholic book of
+prayer, a small flask of medicine, a cordial, and a little tea-cup of
+old china. Ambrose did not enter the room--he only bowed profoundly, and
+closed the door with the least possible noise, so soon as Fairford had
+entered.
+
+‘Sit down, young man,’ said the father, with the same air of
+condescension which had before surprised, and rather offended
+Fairford. ‘You have been ill, and I know too well by my own case that
+indisposition requires indulgence. Have you,’ he continued, so soon as
+he saw him seated, ‘resolved to remain, or to depart?’
+
+‘To depart,’ said Alan, ‘under the agreement that you will guarantee my
+safety with the extraordinary person who has conducted himself in such a
+lawless manner toward my friend, Darsie Latimer.’
+
+‘Do not judge hastily, young man,’ replied the father. ‘Redgauntlet
+has the claims of a guardian over his ward, in respect to the young
+gentleman, and a right to dictate his place of residence, although he
+may have been injudicious in selecting the means by which he thinks to
+enforce his authority.’
+
+‘His situation as an attainted person abrogates such rights,’ said
+Fairford, hastily.
+
+‘Surely,’ replied the priest, smiling at the young lawyer’s readiness;
+‘in the eye of those who acknowledge the justice of the attainder--but
+that do not I. However, sir, here is the guarantee--look at its
+contents, and do not again carry the letters of Uriah.’
+
+Fairford read these words:--
+
+‘GOOD FRIEND, ‘We send you hither a young man desirous to know the
+situation of your ward, since he came under your paternal authority, and
+hopeful of dealing with you for having your relative put at large. This
+we recommend to your prudence, highly disapproving, at the same time, of
+any force or coercion when such can be avoided, and wishing, therefore,
+that the bearer’s negotiation may be successful. At all rates, however,
+the bearer hath our pledged word for his safety and freedom, which,
+therefore, you are to see strictly observed, as you value our honour and
+your own. We further wish to converse with you, with as small loss of
+time as may be, having matters of the utmost confidence to impart.
+For this purpose we desire you to repair hither with all haste, and
+thereupon we bid you heartily farewell. P. B.’
+
+‘You will understand, sir,’ said the father, when he saw that Alan had
+perused his letter, ‘that, by accepting charge of this missive, you bind
+yourself to try the effect of it before having recourse to any legal
+means, as you term them, for your friend’s release.’
+
+‘There are a few ciphers added to this letter,’ said Fairford, when he
+had perused the paper attentively,--‘may I inquire what their import
+is?’
+
+‘They respect my own affairs,’ answered the father, briefly; ‘and have
+no concern whatever with yours.’
+
+‘It seems to me, however,’ replied Alan, ‘natural to suppose’--
+
+‘Nothing must be supposed incompatible with my honour,’ replied the
+priest, interrupting him; ‘when such as I am confer favours, we expect
+that they shall be accepted with gratitude, or declined with thankful
+respect--not questioned or discussed.’
+
+‘I will accept your letter, then,’ said Fairford, after a minute’s
+consideration, ‘and the thanks you expect shall be most liberally paid,
+if the result answer what you teach me to expect.’
+
+‘God only commands the issue,’ said Father Buonaventure. ‘Man uses
+means. You understand that, by accepting this commission, you engage
+yourself in honour to try the effect of my letter upon Mr. Redgauntlet,
+before you have recourse to informations or legal warrants?’
+
+‘I hold myself bound, as a man of good faith and honour, to do so,’ said
+Fairford.
+
+‘Well, I trust you,’ said the father. ‘I will now tell you that an
+express, dispatched by me last night, has, I hear, brought Redgauntlet
+to a spot many miles nearer this place, where he will not find it safe
+to attempt any violence on your friend, should he be rash enough to
+follow the advice of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees rather than my commands.
+We now understand each other.’
+
+He extended his hand towards Alan, who was about to pledge his faith in
+the usual form by grasping it with his own, when the father drew
+back hastily. Ere Alan had time to comment upon this repulse, a small
+side-door, covered with tapestry, was opened; the hangings were
+drawn aside, and a lady, as if by sudden apparition, glided into the
+apartment. It was neither of the Misses Arthuret, but a woman in the
+prime of life, and in the full-blown expansion of female beauty, tall,
+fair, and commanding in her aspect. Her locks, of paly gold, were taught
+to fall over a brow, which, with the stately glance of the large, open,
+blue eyes, might have become Juno herself; her neck and bosom were
+admirably formed, and of a dazzling whiteness. She was rather inclined
+to EMBONPOINT, but not more than became her age, of apparently thirty
+years. Her step was that of a queen, but it was of Queen Vashti, not
+Queen Esther--the bold and commanding, not the retiring beauty.
+
+Father Buonaventure raised himself on the couch, angrily, as if
+displeased by this intrusion. ‘How now, madam,’ he said, with some
+sternness; ‘why have we the honour of your company?’
+
+‘Because it is my pleasure,’ answered the lady, composedly.
+
+‘Your pleasure, madam!’ he repeated in the same angry tone.
+
+‘My pleasure, sir,’ she continued, ‘which always keeps exact pace with
+my duty. I had heard you were unwell--let me hope it is only business
+which produces this seclusion.’
+
+‘I am well,’ he replied; ‘perfectly well, and I thank you for your
+care--but we are not alone, and this young man’--
+
+‘That young man?’ she said, bending her large and serious eye on
+Alan Fairford, as if she had been for the first time aware of his
+presence,--‘may I ask who he is?’
+
+‘Another time, madam; you shall learn his history after he is gone. His
+presence renders it impossible for me to explain further.’
+
+‘After he is gone may be too late,’ said the lady; ‘and what is his
+presence to me, when your safety is at stake? He is the heretic lawyer
+whom those silly fools, the Arthurets, admitted into this house at a
+time when they should have let their own father knock at the door in
+vain, though the night had been a wild one. You will not surely dismiss
+him?’
+
+‘Your own impatience can alone make that step perilous,’ said the
+father; ‘I have resolved to take it--do not let your indiscreet
+zeal, however excellent its motive, add any unnecessary risk to the
+transaction.’
+
+‘Even so?’ said the lady, in a tone of reproach, yet mingled with
+respect and apprehension. ‘And thus you will still go forward, like a
+stag upon the hunter’s snares, with undoubting confidence, after all
+that has happened?’
+
+‘Peace, madam,’ said Father Buonaventure, rising up; ‘be silent, or quit
+the apartment; my designs do not admit of female criticism.’
+
+To this peremptory command the lady seemed about to make a sharp reply;
+but she checked herself, and pressing her lips strongly together, as if
+to secure the words from bursting from them which were already formed
+upon her tongue, she made a deep reverence, partly as it seemed in
+reproach, partly in respect, and left the room as suddenly as she had
+entered it.
+
+The father looked disturbed at this incident, which he seemed sensible
+could not but fill Fairford’s imagination with an additional throng of
+bewildering suspicions; he bit his lip and muttered something to himself
+as he walked through the apartment; then suddenly turned to his visitor
+with a smile of much sweetness, and a countenance in which every rougher
+expression was exchanged for those of courtesy and kindness.
+
+‘The visit we have been just honoured with, my young friend, has given
+you,’ he said, ‘more secrets to keep than I would have wished
+you burdened with. The lady is a person of condition--of rank and
+fortune--but nevertheless is so circumstanced that the mere fact of her
+being known to be in this country would occasion many evils. I should
+wish you to observe secrecy on this subject, even to Redgauntlet or
+Maxwell, however much I trust them in all that concerns my own affairs.’
+
+‘I can have no occasion,’ replied Fairford, ‘for holding any discussion
+with these gentlemen, or with any others, on the circumstance which
+I have just witnessed--it could only have become the subject of my
+conversation by mere accident, and I will now take care to avoid the
+subject entirely.’
+
+‘You will do well, sir, and I thank you,’ said the father, throwing much
+dignity into the expression of obligation which he meant to convey. ‘The
+time may perhaps come when you will learn what it is to have obliged one
+of my condition. As to the lady, she has the highest merit, and nothing
+can be said of her justly which would not redound to her praise.
+Nevertheless--in short, sir, we wander at present as in a morning
+mist--the sun will, I trust, soon rise and dispel it, when all that now
+seems mysterious will be fully revealed--or it will sink into rain,’
+he added, in a solemn tone, ‘and then explanation will be of little
+consequence.--Adieu, sir; I wish you well.’
+
+He made a graceful obeisance, and vanished through the same side-door by
+which the lady had entered; and Alan thought he heard their voices high
+in dispute in the adjoining apartment.
+
+Presently afterwards, Ambrose entered, and told him that a horse and
+guide waited him beneath the terrace.
+
+‘The good Father Buonaventure,’ added the butler, ‘has been graciously
+pleased to consider your situation, and desired me to inquire whether
+you have any occasion for a supply of money?’
+
+‘Make my respects to his reverence,’ answered Fairford, ‘and assure
+him I am provided in that particular. I beg you also to make my
+acknowledgements to the Misses Arthuret, and assure them that their kind
+hospitality, to which I probably owe my life, shall be remembered with
+gratitude as long as that life lasts. You yourself, Mr. Ambrose, must
+accept of my kindest thanks for your skill and attention.’
+
+Mid these acknowledgements they left the house, descended the terrace,
+and reached the spot where the gardener, Fairford’s old acquaintance,
+waited for him, mounted upon one horse and leading another.
+
+Bidding adieu to Ambrose, our young lawyer mounted, and rode down the
+avenue, often looking back to the melancholy and neglected dwelling
+in which he had witnessed such strange scenes, and musing upon the
+character of its mysterious inmates, especially the noble and almost
+regal-seeming priest, and the beautiful but capricious dame, who, if
+she was really Father Buonaventure’s penitent, seemed less docile to the
+authority of the church than, as Alan conceived, the Catholic discipline
+permitted. He could not indeed help being sensible that the whole
+deportment of these persons differed much from his preconceived notions
+of a priest and devotee. Father Buonaventure, in particular, had
+more natural dignify and less art and affectation in his manner, than
+accorded with the idea which Calvinists were taught to entertain of that
+wily and formidable person, a Jesuitical missionary.
+
+While reflecting on these things, he looked back so frequently at the
+house, that Dick Gardener, a forward, talkative fellow, who began
+to tire of silence, at length said to him, ‘I think you will know
+Fairladies when you see it again, sir?’
+
+‘I dare say I shall, Richard,’ answered Fairford good-humouredly.
+‘I wish I knew as well where I am to go next. But you can tell me,
+perhaps?’
+
+‘Your worship should know better than I,’ said Dick Gardener;
+‘nevertheless, I have a notion you are going where all you Scotsmen
+should be sent, whether you will or no.’
+
+‘Not to the devil, I hope, good Dick?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘Why, no. That is a road which you may travel as heretics; but as
+Scotsmen, I would only send you three-fourths of the way--and that is
+back to Scotland again--always craving your honour’s pardon.’
+
+‘Does our journey lie that way?’ said Fairford.
+
+‘As far as the waterside,’ said Richard. ‘I am to carry you to old
+Father Crackenthorp’s, and then you are within a spit and a stride of
+Scotland, as the saying is. But mayhap you may think twice of going
+thither, for all that; for Old England is fat feeding-ground for
+north-country cattle.’
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER
+
+Our history must now, as the old romancers wont to say, ‘leave to
+tell’ of the quest of Alan Fairford, and instruct our readers of the
+adventures which befell Darsie Latimer, left as he was in the precarious
+custody of his self-named tutor, the Laird of the Lochs of Solway,
+to whose arbitrary pleasure he found it necessary for the present to
+conform himself.
+
+In consequence of this prudent resolution, and although he did not
+assume such a disguise without some sensations of shame and degradation,
+Darsie permitted Cristal Nixon to place over his face, and secure by a
+string, one of those silk masks which ladies frequently wore to preserve
+their complexions, when exposed to the air during long journeys on
+horseback. He remonstrated somewhat more vehemently against the long
+riding-skirt, which converted his person from the waist into the female
+guise, but was obliged to concede this point also.
+
+The metamorphosis was then complete; for the fair reader must be
+informed, that in those rude times, the ladies, when they honoured the
+masculine dress by assuming any part of it, wore just such hats, coats,
+and waistcoats as the male animals themselves made use of, and had no
+notion of the elegant compromise betwixt male and female attire, which
+has now acquired, PAR EXCELLENCE, the name of a HABIT. Trolloping
+things our mothers must have looked, with long square-cut coats, lacking
+collars, and with waistcoats plentifully supplied with a length of
+pocket, which hung far downwards from the middle. But then they had
+some advantage from the splendid colours, lace, and gay embroidery
+which masculine attire then exhibited; and, as happens in many similar
+instances, the finery of the materials made amends for the want of
+symmetry and grace of form in the garments themselves. But this is a
+digression.
+
+In the court of the old mansion, half manor-place, half farm-house, or
+rather a decayed manor-house, converted into an abode for a Cumberland
+tenant, stood several saddled horses. Four or five of them were mounted
+by servants or inferior retainers, all of whom were well armed with
+sword, pistol, and carabine. But two had riding furniture for the use
+of females--the one being accoutred with a side-saddle, the other with a
+pillion attached to the saddle.
+
+Darsie’s heart beat quicker within him; he easily comprehended that one
+of these was intended for his own use; and his hopes suggested that the
+other was designed for that of the fair Green Mantle, whom, according
+to his established practice, he had adopted for the queen of his
+affections, although his opportunities of holding communication with her
+had not exceeded the length of a silent supper on one occasion, and the
+going down a country-dance on another. This, however, was no unwonted
+mood of passion with Darsie Latimer, upon whom Cupid was used to triumph
+only in the degree of a Mahratta conqueror, who overruns a province with
+the rapidity of lightning, but finds it impossible to retain it beyond
+a very brief space. Yet this new love was rather more serious than the
+scarce skinned-up wounds which his friend Fairford used to ridicule.
+The damsel had shown a sincere interest in his behalf; and the air of
+mystery with which that interest was veiled, gave her, to his lively
+imagination, the character of a benevolent and protecting spirit, as
+much as that of a beautiful female.
+
+At former times, the romance attending his short-lived attachments
+had been of his own creating, and had disappeared as soon as ever he
+approached more closely to the object with which he had invested it.
+On the present occasion, it really flowed from external circumstances,
+which might have interested less susceptible feelings, and an
+imagination less lively than that of Darsie Latimer, young,
+inexperienced, and enthusiastic as he was.
+
+He watched, therefore, anxiously to whose service the palfrey bearing
+the lady’s saddle was destined. But ere any female appeared to occupy
+it, he was himself summoned to take his seat on the pillion behind
+Cristal Nixon, amid the grins of his old acquaintance Jan who helped him
+to horse, and the unrestrained laughter of Cicely, who displayed on the
+occasion a case of teeth which might have rivalled ivory.
+
+Latimer was at an age when being an object of general ridicule even to
+clowns and milkmaids was not a matter of indifference, and he longed
+heartily to have laid his horse-whip across Jan’s shoulders. That,
+however, was a solacement of his feelings which was not at the moment to
+be thought of; and Cristal Nixon presently put an end to his unpleasant
+situation, by ordering the riders to go on. He himself kept the centre
+of the troop, two men riding before and two behind him, always, as it
+seemed to Darsie, having their eye upon him, to prevent any attempt to
+escape. He could see from time to time, when the straight line of the
+road, or the advantage of an ascent permitted him, that another troop
+of three or four riders followed them at about a quarter of a mile’s
+distance, amongst whom he could discover the tall form of Redgauntlet,
+and the powerful action of his gallant black horse. He had little
+doubt that Green Mantle made one of the party, though he was unable to
+distinguish her from the others.
+
+In this manner they travelled from six in the morning until nearly ten
+of the clock, without Darsie exchanging a word with any one; for he
+loathed the very idea of entering into conversation with Cristal Nixon,
+against whom he seemed to feel an instinctive aversion; nor was that
+domestic’s saturnine and sullen disposition such as to have encouraged
+advances, had he thought of making them.
+
+At length the party halted for the purpose of refreshment; but as they
+had hitherto avoided all villages and inhabited places upon their route,
+so they now stopped at one of those large ruinous Dutch barns, which
+are sometimes found in the fields, at a distance from the farm-houses to
+which they belong. Yet in this desolate place some preparations had been
+made for their reception. There were in the end of the barn racks filled
+with provender for the horses, and plenty of provisions for the party
+were drawn from the trusses of straw, under which the baskets that
+contained them had been deposited. The choicest of these were selected
+and arranged apart by Cristal Nixon, while the men of the party threw
+themselves upon the rest, which he abandoned to their discretion. In a
+few minutes afterwards the rearward party arrived and dismounted, and
+Redgauntlet himself entered the barn with the green-mantled maiden by
+his side. He presented her to Darsie with these words:--
+
+‘It is time you two should know each other better. I promised you my
+confidence, Darsie, and the time is come for reposing it. But first we
+will have our breakfast; and then, when once more in the saddle, I will
+tell you that which it is necessary that you should know. Salute Lilias,
+Darsie.’
+
+The command was sudden, and surprised Latimer, whose confusion was
+increased by the perfect ease and frankness with which Lilias offered at
+once her cheek and her hand, and pressing his as she rather took it than
+gave her own, said very frankly, ‘Dearest Darsie, how rejoiced I am that
+our uncle has at last permitted us to become acquainted!’
+
+Darsie’s head turned round; and it was perhaps well that Redgauntlet
+called on him to sit down, as even that movement served to hide his
+confusion. There is an old song which says--
+
+  --when ladies are willing,
+  A man can but look like a fool;
+
+And on the same principle Darsie Latimer’s looks at this unexpected
+frankness of reception, would have formed an admirable vignette for
+illustrating the passage. ‘Dearest Darsie,’ and such a ready, nay, eager
+salute of lip and hand! It was all very gracious, no doubt--and ought to
+have been received with much gratitude; but, constituted as our friend’s
+temper was, nothing could be more inconsistent with his tone of feeling.
+If a hermit had proposed to him to club for a pot of beer, the illusion
+of his reverend sanctity could not have been dispelled more effectually
+than the divine qualities of Green Mantle faded upon the ill-imagined
+frank-heartedness of poor Lilias. Vexed with her forwardness, and
+affronted at having once more cheated himself, Darsie could hardly help
+muttering two lines of the song we have already quoted:
+
+  The fruit that must fall without shaking
+  Is rather too mellow for me.
+
+And yet it was pity for her too--she was a very pretty young woman--his
+fancy had scarcely overrated her in that respect--and the slight
+derangement of the beautiful brown locks which escaped in natural
+ringlets from under her riding-hat, with the bloom which exercise had
+brought into her cheek, made her even more than usually fascinating.
+Redgauntlet modified the sternness of his look when it was turned
+towards her, and in addressing her, used a softer tone than his usual
+deep bass. Even the grim features of Cristal Nixon relaxed when he
+attended on her, and it was then, if ever, that his misanthropical
+visage expressed some sympathy with the rest of humanity.
+
+‘How can she,’ thought Latimer, ‘look so like an angel, yet be so mere
+a mortal after all? How could so much seeming modesty have so much
+forwardness of manner, when she ought to have been most reserved? How
+can her conduct be reconciled to the grace and ease of her general
+deportment?’
+
+The confusion of thoughts which occupied Darsie’s imagination, gave to
+his looks a disordered appearance, and his inattention to the food which
+was placed before him, together with his silence and absence of mind,
+induced Lilias solicitously to inquire, whether he did not feel some
+return of the disorder under which he had suffered so lately. This led
+Mr. Redgauntlet, who seemed also lost in his own contemplations, to
+raise his eyes, and join in the same inquiry with some appearance of
+interest. Latimer explained to both that he was perfectly well.
+
+‘It is well it is so,’ answered Redgauntlet; ‘for we have that before
+us which will brook no delay from indisposition--we have not, as Hotspur
+says, leisure to be sick.’
+
+Lilias, on her part, endeavoured to prevail upon Darsie to partake of
+the food which she offered him, with a kindly and affectionate courtesy
+corresponding to the warmth of the interest she had displayed at their
+meeting; but so very natural, innocent, and pure in its character, that
+it would have been impossible for the vainest coxcomb to have mistaken
+it for coquetry, or a desire of captivating a prize so valuable as
+his affection. Darsie, with no more than the reasonable share of
+self-opinion common to most youths when they approach twenty-one, knew
+not how to explain her conduct.
+
+Sometimes he was tempted to think that his own merits had, even during
+the short intervals when they had seen each other, secured such a hold
+of the affections of a young person who had probably been bred up in
+ignorance of the world and its forms that she was unable to conceal
+her partiality. Sometimes he suspected that she acted by her guardian’s
+order, who, aware that he, Darsie, was entitled to a considerable
+fortune, might have taken this bold stroke to bring about a marriage
+betwixt him and so near a relative.
+
+But neither of these suppositions was applicable to the character of the
+parties. Miss Lilias’s manners, however soft and natural, displayed in
+their ease and versatility considerable acquaintance with the habits
+of the world, and in the few words she said during the morning repast,
+there were mingled a shrewdness and good sense, which could scarce
+belong to a miss capable of playing the silly part of a love-smitten
+maiden so broadly. As for Redgauntlet, with his stately bearing, his
+fatal frown, his eye of threat and of command, it was impossible, Darsie
+thought, to suspect him of a scheme having private advantage for its
+object; he could as soon have imagined Cassius picking Caesar’s pocket,
+instead of drawing his poniard on the dictator.
+
+While he thus mused, unable either to eat, drink, or answer to the
+courtesy of Lilias, she soon ceased to speak to him, and sat silent as
+himself.
+
+They had remained nearly an hour in their halting-place, when
+Redgauntlet said aloud, ‘Look out, Cristal Nixon. If we hear nothing
+from Fairladies, we must continue our journey.’
+
+Cristal went to the door, and presently returned and said to his master,
+in a voice as harsh as his features, ‘Gilbert Gregson is coming, his
+horse as white with foam as if a fiend had ridden him.’
+
+Redgauntlet threw from him the plate on which he had been eating, and
+hastened towards the door of the barn, which the courier at that moment
+entered; a smart jockey with a black velvet hunting-cap, and a broad
+belt drawn tight round his waist, to which was secured his express-bag.
+The variety of mud with which he was splashed from cap to spur showed
+he had had a rough and rapid ride. He delivered a letter to Mr.
+Redgauntlet, with an obeisance, and then retired to the end of the barn,
+where the other attendants were sitting or lying upon the straw, in
+order to get some refreshment.
+
+Redgauntlet broke the letter open with haste, and read it with anxious
+and discomposed looks. On a second perusal, his displeasure seemed to
+increase, his brow darkened, and was distinctly marked with the fatal
+sign peculiar to his family and house. Darsie had never before observed
+his frown bear such a close resemblance to the shape which tradition
+assigned it.
+
+Redgauntlet held out the open letter with one hand, and struck it with
+the forefinger of the other, as, in a suppressed and displeased tone,
+he said to Cristal Nixon, ‘Countermanded--ordered northward once
+more! ‘Northward, when all our hopes lie to the south--a second Derby
+direction, when we turned our back on glory, and marched in quest of
+ruin!’
+
+Cristal Nixon took the letter and ran it over, then returned it to his
+master with the cold observation, ‘A female influence predominates.’
+
+‘But it shall predominate no longer,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘it shall wane
+as ours rises in the horizon. Meanwhile, I will on before--and you,
+Cristal, will bring the party to the place assigned in the letter.
+You may now permit the young persons to have unreserved communication
+together; only mark that you watch the young man closely enough to
+prevent his escape, if he should be idiot enough to attempt it, but not
+approaching so close as to watch their free conversation.’
+
+‘I care naught about their conversation,’ said Nixon, surlily.
+
+‘You hear my commands, Lilias,’ said the laird, turning to the young
+lady. ‘You may use my permission and authority to explain so much of our
+family matters as you yourself know. At our next meeting I will complete
+the task of disclosure, and I trust I shall restore one Redgauntlet more
+to the bosom of our ancient family. Let Latimer, as he calls himself,
+have a horse to himself; he must for some time retain his disguise.--My
+horse--my horse!’
+
+In two minutes they heard him ride off from the door of the barn,
+followed at speed by two of the armed men of his party.
+
+The commands of Cristal Nixon, in the meanwhile, put all the remainder
+of the party in motion, but the laird himself was long out of sight ere
+they were in readiness to resume their journey. When at length they set
+out, Darsie was accommodated with a horse and side-saddle, instead of
+being obliged to resume his place on the pillion behind the detestable
+Nixon. He was obliged, however, to retain his riding-skirt, and to
+reassume his mask. Yet, notwithstanding this disagreeable circumstance,
+and although he observed that they gave him the heaviest and slowest
+horse of the party, and that, as a further precaution against escape, he
+was closely watched on every side, yet riding in company with the pretty
+Lilias was an advantage which overbalanced these inconveniences.
+
+It is true that this society, to which that very morning he would
+have looked forward as a glimpse of heaven, had, now that it was
+thus unexpectedly indulged, something much less rapturous than he had
+expected.
+
+It was in vain that, in order to avail himself of a situation so
+favourable for indulging his romantic disposition, he endeavoured to
+coax back, if I may so express myself, that delightful dream of ardent
+and tender passion; he felt only such a confusion of ideas at the
+difference between the being whom he had imagined, and her with whom he
+was now in contact, that it seemed to him like the effect of witchcraft.
+What most surprised him was, that this sudden flame should have died
+away so rapidly, notwithstanding that the maiden’s personal beauty was
+even greater than he had expected--her demeanour, unless it should be
+deemed over kind towards himself, as graceful and becoming as he could
+have fancied if, even in his gayest dreams. It were judging hardly
+of him to suppose that the mere belief of his having attracted
+her affections more easily than he expected was the cause of his
+ungratefully undervaluing a prize too lightly won, or that his transient
+passion played around his heart with the hitting radiance of a wintry
+sunbeam flashing against an icicle, which may brighten it for a moment,
+but cannot melt it. Neither of these was precisely the ease, though such
+fickleness of disposition might also have some influence in the change.
+
+The truth is, perhaps, the lover’s pleasure, like that of the hunter, is
+in the chase; and that the brightest beauty loses half its merit, as
+the fairest flower its perfume, when the willing hand can reach it
+too easily. There must be doubt--there must be danger--there must be
+difficulty; and if, as the poet says, the course of ardent affection
+never does run smooth, it is perhaps because, without some intervening
+obstacle, that which is called the romantic passion of love, in its high
+poetical character and colouring can hardly have an existence--any more
+than there can be a current in a river without the stream being narrowed
+by steep banks, or checked by opposing rocks.
+
+Let not those, however, who enter into a union for life without those
+embarrassments which delight a Darsie Latimer, or a Lydia Languish, and
+which are perhaps necessary to excite an enthusiastic passion in breasts
+more firm than theirs, augur worse of their future happiness because
+their own alliance is formed under calmer auspices. Mutual esteem, an
+intimate knowledge of each other’s character, seen, as in their case,
+undisguised by the mists of too partial passion--a suitable proportion
+of parties in rank and fortune, in taste and pursuits--are more
+frequently found in a marriage of reason, than in a union of romantic
+attachment; where the imagination, which probably created the virtues
+and accomplishments with which it invested the beloved object, is
+frequently afterwards employed in magnifying the mortifying consequences
+of its own delusion, and exasperating all the stings of disappointment.
+Those who follow the banners of Reason are like the well-disciplined
+battalion, which, wearing a more sober uniform and making a less
+dazzling show than the light troops commanded by imagination, enjoy more
+safety, and even more honour, in the conflicts of human life. All this,
+however, is foreign to our present purpose.
+
+Uncertain in what manner to address her whom he had been lately so
+anxious to meet with, and embarrassed by a TETE-A-TETE to which his own
+timid inexperience, gave some awkwardness, the party had proceeded more
+than a hundred yards before Darsie assumed courage to accost, or even
+to look at, his companion. Sensible, however, of the impropriety of his
+silence, he turned to speak to her; and observing that, although she
+wore her mask, there was something like disappointment and dejection
+in her manner, he was moved by self-reproach for his own coldness, and
+hastened to address her in the kindest tone he could assume.
+
+‘You must think me cruelly deficient in gratitude, Miss Lilias, that
+I have been thus long in your company, without thanking you for the
+interest which you have deigned to take in my unfortunate affairs?’
+
+‘I am glad you have at length spoken,’ she said, ‘though I owe it is
+more coldly than I expected. MISS Lilias! DEIGN to take interest! In
+whom, dear Darsie, CAN I take interest but in you; and why do you put
+this barrier of ceremony betwixt us, whom adverse circumstances have
+already separated for such a length of time?’
+
+Darsie was again confounded at the extra candour, if we may use the
+term, of this frank avowal. ‘One must love partridge very well,’ thought
+he, ‘to accept it when thrown in one’s face--if this is not plain
+speaking, there is no such place as downright Dunstable in being!’
+
+Embarrassed with these reflections, and himself of a nature fancifully,
+almost fastidiously, delicate, he could only in reply stammer forth an
+acknowledgement of his companion’s goodness, and his own gratitude. She
+answered in a tone partly sorrowful and partly impatient, repeating,
+with displeased emphasis, the only distinct words he had been able
+to bring forth--‘Goodness--gratitude!--O Darsie! should these be the
+phrases between you and me? Alas! I am too sure you are displeased with
+me, though I cannot even guess on what account. Perhaps you think I
+have been too free in venturing upon my visit to your friend. But then
+remember, it was in your behalf, and that I knew no better way to put
+you on your guard against the misfortunes and restraint which you have
+been subjected to, and are still enduring.’
+
+‘Dear Lady’--said Darsie, rallying his recollection, and suspicious
+of some error in apprehension,--a suspicion which his mode of address
+seemed at once to communicate to Lilias, for she interrupted him,--
+
+‘LADY! dear LADY! For whom, or for what, in Heaven’s name, do you take
+me, that you address me so formally?’
+
+Had the question been asked in that enchanted hall in fairyland, where
+all interrogations must be answered with absolute sincerity, Darsie
+had certainly replied, that he took her for the most frank-hearted and
+ultra-liberal lass that had ever lived since Mother Eve eat the pippin
+without paring. But as he was still on middle-earth, and free to avail
+himself of a little polite deceit, he barely answered that he believed
+he had the honour of speaking to the niece of Mr. Redgauntlet.
+
+‘Surely,’ she replied; ‘but were it not as easy for you to have said, to
+your own only sister?’
+
+Darsie started in his saddle, as if he had received a pistol-shot.
+
+‘My sister!’ he exclaimed.
+
+‘And you did NOT know it, then?’ said she. ‘I thought your reception of
+me was cold and indifferent!’
+
+A kind and cordial embrace took place betwixt the relatives; and so
+light was Darsie’s spirit, that he really felt himself more relieved, by
+getting quit of the embarrassments of the last half-hour, during which
+he conceived himself in danger of being persecuted by the attachment of
+a forward girl, than disappointed by the vanishing of so many day-dreams
+as he had been in the habit of encouraging during the time when the
+green-mantled maiden was goddess of his idolatry. He had been already
+flung from his romantic Pegasus, and was too happy at length to find
+himself with bones unbroken, though with his back on the ground. He was,
+besides, with all his whims and follies, a generous, kind-hearted youth,
+and was delighted to acknowledge so beautiful and amiable a relative,
+and to assure her in the warmest terms of his immediate affection and
+future protection, so soon as they should be extricated from their
+present situation. Smiles and tears mingled on Lilias’s cheeks, like
+showers and sunshine in April weather.
+
+‘Out on me,’ she said, ‘that I should be so childish as to cry at what
+makes me so sincerely happy! since, God knows, family-love is what my
+heart has most longed after, and to which it has been most a stranger.
+My uncle says that you and I, Darsie, are but half Redgauntlets, and
+that the metal of which our father’s family was made, has been softened
+to effeminacy in our mother’s offspring.’
+
+‘Alas!’ said Darsie, ‘I know so little of our family story, that I
+almost doubted that I belonged to the House of Redgauntlet, although the
+chief of the family himself intimated so much to me.’
+
+‘The chief of the family!’ said Lilias. ‘You must know little of
+your own descent indeed, if you mean my uncle by that expression. You
+yourself, my dear Darsie, are the heir and representative of our ancient
+House, for our father was the elder brother--that brave and unhappy Sir
+Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, who suffered at Carlisle in the year 1746. He
+took the name of Darsie, in conjunction with his own, from our mother,
+heiress to a Cumberland family of great wealth and antiquity, of whose
+large estates you are the undeniable heir, although those of your father
+have been involved in the general doom of forfeiture. But all this must
+be necessarily unknown to you.’
+
+‘Indeed I hear it for the first time in my life,’ answered Darsie.
+
+‘And you knew not that I was your sister?’ said Lilias. ‘No wonder you
+received me so coldly. What a strange, wild, forward young person you
+must have thought me--mixing myself in the fortunes of a stranger whom
+I had only once spoken to--corresponding with him by signs--Good Heaven!
+what can you have supposed me?’
+
+‘And how should I have come to the knowledge of our connexion?’ said
+Darsie. ‘You are aware I was not acquainted with it when we danced
+together at Brokenburn.’
+
+‘I saw that with concern, and fain I would have warned you,’ answered
+Lilias; ‘but I was closely watched, and before I could find or make an
+opportunity of coming to a full explanation with you on a subject so
+agitating, I was forced to leave the room. What I did say was, you may
+remember, a caution to leave the southern border, for I foresaw what
+has since happened. But since my uncle has had you in his power, I never
+doubted he had communicated to you our whole family history.’
+
+‘He has left me to learn it from you, Lilias; and assure yourself that I
+will hear it with more pleasure from your lips than from his. I have no
+reason to be pleased with his conduct towards me.’
+
+‘Of that,’ said Lilias, ‘you will judge better when you have heard what
+I have to tell you;’ and she began her communication in the following
+manner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+‘The House of Redgauntlet,’ said the young lady, ‘has for centuries been
+supposed to lie under a doom, which has rendered vain their courage,
+their talents, their ambition, and their wisdom. Often making a figure
+in history, they have been ever in the situation of men striving against
+both wind and tide, who distinguish themselves by their desperate
+exertions of strength, and their persevering endurance of toil, but
+without being able to advance themselves upon their course by either
+vigour or resolution. They pretend to trace this fatality to a legendary
+history, which I may tell you at a less busy moment.’
+
+Darsie intimated that he had already heard the tragic story of Sir
+Alberick Redgauntlet.
+
+‘I need only say, then,’ proceeded Lilias, ‘that our father and uncle
+felt the family doom in its full extent. They were both possessed of
+considerable property, which was largely increased by our father’s
+marriage, and were both devoted to the service of the unhappy House
+of Stuart; but (as our mother at least supposed) family considerations
+might have withheld her husband from joining openly in the affair of
+1745, had not the high influence which the younger brother possessed
+over the elder, from his more decided energy of character, hurried him
+along with himself into that undertaking.
+
+‘When, therefore, the enterprise came to the fatal conclusion which
+bereaved our father of his life and consigned his brother to exile, Lady
+Redgauntlet fled from the north of England, determined to break off all
+communication with her late husband’s family, particularly his brother,
+whom she regarded as having, by their insane political enthusiasm, been
+the means of his untimely death; and determined that you, my brother, an
+infant, and that I, to whom she had just given birth, should be brought
+up as adherents of the present dynasty. Perhaps she was too hasty in
+this determination--too timidly anxious to exclude, if possible, from
+the knowledge of the very spot where we existed, a relation so nearly
+connected with us as our father’s only brother. But you must make
+allowance for what she had suffered. See, brother,’ she said, pulling
+her glove off, ‘these five blood-specks on my arm are a mark by which
+mysterious Nature has impressed, on an unborn infant, a record of its
+father’s violent death and its mother’s miseries.’ [Several persons
+have brought down to these days the impressions which Nature had thus
+recorded, when they were yet babes unborn. One lady of quality, whose
+father was long under sentence of death previous to the Rebellion, was
+marked on the back of the neck by the sign of a broad axe. Another whose
+kinsmen had been slain in battle and died on the scaffold to the number
+of seven, bore a child spattered on the right shoulder and down the
+arm with scarlet drops, as if of blood. Many other instances might be
+quoted.]
+
+‘You were not, then, born when my father suffered?’ said Darsie.
+
+‘Alas, no!’ she replied; ‘nor were you a twelvemonth old. It was no
+wonder that my mother, after going through such scenes of agony,
+became irresistibly anxious for the sake of her children--of her son in
+particular; the more especially as the late Sir Henry, her husband, had,
+by a settlement of his affairs, confided the custody of the persons
+of her children, as well as the estates which descended to them,
+independently of those which fell under his forfeiture, to his brother
+Hugh, in whom he placed unlimited confidence.’
+
+‘But my mother had no reason to fear the operation of such a deed,
+conceived in favour of an attainted man,’ said Darsie.
+
+‘True,’ replied Lilias; ‘but our uncle’s attainder might have been
+reversed, like that of so many other persons, and our mother, who both
+feared and hated him, lived in continual terror that this would be the
+case, and that she should see the author, as she thought him, of her
+husband’s death come armed with legal powers, and in a capacity to
+use them for the purpose of tearing her children from her protection.
+Besides, she feared, even in his incapacitated condition, the
+adventurous and pertinacious spirit of her brother-in-law, Hugh
+Redgauntlet, and felt assured that he would make some attempt to possess
+himself of the persons of the children. On the other hand, our uncle,
+whose proud disposition might, perhaps, have been soothed by the offer
+of her confidence, revolted against the distrustful and suspicious
+manner in which Lady Darsie Redgauntlet acted towards him. She basely
+abused, he said, the unhappy circumstances in which he was placed,
+in order to deprive him of his natural privilege of protecting and
+educating the infants, whom nature and law, and the will of their
+father, had committed to his charge, and he swore solemnly he would
+not submit to such an injury. Report of his threats was made to Lady
+Redgauntlet, and tended to increase those fears which proved but too
+well founded. While you and I, children at that time of two or three
+years old, were playing together in a walled orchard, adjacent to our
+mother’s residence which she had fixed somewhere in Devonshire, my uncle
+suddenly scaled the wall with several men, and I was snatched up; and
+carried off to a boat which waited for them. My mother, however, flew to
+your rescue, and as she seized on and held you fast, my uncle could not,
+as he has since told me, possess himself of your person, without using
+unmanly violence to his brother’s widow. Of this he was incapable; and,
+as people began to assemble upon my mother’s screaming, he withdrew,
+after darting upon you and her one of those fearful looks, which, it is
+said, remain with our family, as a fatal bequest of Sir Alberick, our
+ancestor.’
+
+‘I have some recollection of the scuffle which you mention,’ said
+Darsie; ‘and I think it was my uncle himself (since my uncle he is)
+who recalled the circumstance to my mind on a late occasion. I can now
+account for the guarded seclusion under which my poor mother lived--for
+her frequent tears, her starts of hysterical alarm, and her constant and
+deep melancholy. Poor lady! what a lot was hers, and what must have been
+her feelings when it approached to a close!’
+
+‘It was then that she adopted,’ said Lilias, ‘every precaution her
+ingenuity could suggest, to keep your very existence concealed from the
+person whom she feared--nay, from yourself; for she dreaded, as she
+is said often to have expressed herself, that the wildfire blood of
+Redgauntlet would urge you to unite your fortunes to those of your
+uncle, who was well known still to carry on political intrigues, which
+most other persons had considered as desperate. It was also possible
+that he, as well as others, might get his pardon, as government showed
+every year more lenity towards the remnant of the Jacobites, and then he
+might claim the custody of your person, as your legal guardian. Either
+of these events she considered as the direct road to your destruction.’
+
+‘I wonder she had not claimed the protection of Chancery for me,’ said
+Darsie; ‘or confided me to the care of some powerful friend.’
+
+‘She was on indifferent terms with her relations, on account of her
+marriage with our father,’ said Lilias, ‘and trusted more to secreting
+you from your uncle’s attempts, than to any protection which law
+might afford against them. Perhaps she judged unwisely, but surely not
+unnaturally, for one rendered irritable by so many misfortunes and so
+many alarms. Samuel Griffiths, an eminent banker, and a worthy clergyman
+now dead were, I believe, the only persons whom she intrusted with the
+execution of her last will; and my uncle believes that she made them
+both swear to observe profound secrecy concerning your birth and
+pretensions, until you should come to the age of majority, and, in the
+meantime, to breed you up in the most private way possible, and that
+which was most likely to withdraw you from my uncle’s observation.’
+
+‘And I have no doubt,’ said Darsie, ‘that betwixt change of name
+and habitation, they might have succeeded perfectly, but for the
+accident--lucky or unlucky, I know not which to term it--which brought
+me to Brokenburn, and into contact with Mr. Redgauntlet. I see also why
+I was warned against England, for in England’--
+
+‘In England alone, if I understand rightly,’ said Miss Redgauntlet,
+‘the claims of your uncle to the custody of your person could have
+been enforced, in case of his being replaced in the ordinary rights of
+citizenship, either by the lenity of the government or by some change
+in it. In Scotland, where you possess no property, I understand his
+authority might; have been resisted, and measures taken to put you under
+the protection of the law. But, pray, think it not unlucky that you
+have taken the step of visiting Brokenburn--I feel confident that the
+consequences must be ultimately fortunate, for have they not already
+brought us into contact with each other?’
+
+So saying, she held out her hand to her brother, who grasped it with a
+fondness of pressure very different from the manner in which they first
+clasped hands that morning. There was a moment’s pause, while the hearts
+of both were overflowing with a feeling of natural affection, to which
+circumstances had hitherto rendered them strangers.
+
+At length Darsie broke silence; ‘I am ashamed,’ he said, ‘my dearest
+Lilias, that I have suffered you to talk so long about matters
+concerning myself only, while I remain ignorant of your story, and your
+present situation.’
+
+‘The former is none of the most interesting, nor the latter the most
+safe or agreeable,’ answered Lilias; ‘but now, my dearest brother, I
+shall have the inestimable support of your countenance and affection;
+and were I but sure that we could weather the formidable crisis which
+I find so close at hand, I should have little apprehensions for the
+future.’
+
+‘Let me know,’ said Darsie, ‘what our present situation is; and rely
+upon my utmost exertions both in your defence and my own. For what
+reason can my uncle desire to detain me a prisoner? If in mere
+opposition to the will of my mother, she has long been no more; and I
+see not why he should wish, at so much trouble and risk, to interfere
+with the free will of one, to whom a few months will give a privilege
+of acting for himself, with which he will have no longer any pretence to
+interfere.’
+
+‘My dearest Arthur,’ answered Lilias--‘for that name, as well as
+Darsie, properly belongs to you--it is the leading feature in my uncle’s
+character, that he has applied every energy of his powerful mind to the
+service of the exiled family of Stuart. The death of his brother, the
+dilapidation of his own fortunes, have only added to his hereditary zeal
+for the House of Stuart a deep and almost personal hatred against the
+present reigning family. He is, in short, a political enthusiast of
+the most dangerous character, and proceeds in his agency with as much
+confidence, as if he felt himself the very Atlas who is alone capable of
+supporting a sinking cause.’
+
+‘And where or how did you, my Lilias, educated, doubtless, under his
+auspices, learn to have a different view of such subjects?’
+
+‘By a singular chance,’ replied Lilias, ‘in the nunnery where my uncle
+placed me. Although the abbess was a person exactly after his own heart,
+my education as a pensioner devolved much on an excellent old mother who
+had adopted the tenets of the Jansenists, with perhaps a still further
+tendency towards the reformed doctrines, than those of Port Royal. The
+mysterious secrecy with which she inculcated these tenets, gave them
+charms to my young mind, and I embraced them the rather that they were
+in direct opposition to the doctrines of the abbess, whom I hated so
+much for her severity, that I felt a childish delight in setting her
+control at defiance, and contradicting in my secret soul all that I was
+openly obliged to listen to with reverence. Freedom of religious opinion
+brings on, I suppose, freedom of political creed; for I had no sooner
+renounced the Pope’s infallibility, than I began to question the
+doctrine of hereditary and indefeasible right. In short, strange as it
+may seem, I came out of a Parisian convent, not indeed an instructed
+Whig and Protestant, but with as much inclination to be so as if I had
+been bred up, like you, within the Presbyterian sound of Saint Giles’s
+chimes.’
+
+‘More so, perhaps,’ replied Darsie; ‘for the nearer the church--the
+proverb is somewhat musty. But how did these liberal opinions of yours
+agree with the very opposite prejudices of my uncle?’
+
+‘They would have agreed like fire and water,’ answered Lilias, ‘had I
+suffered mine to become visible; but as that would have subjected me to
+constant reproach and upbraiding, or worse, I took great care to keep my
+own secret; so that occasional censures for coldness, and lack of zeal
+for the good cause, were the worst I had to undergo; and these were bad
+enough.’
+
+‘I applaud your caution,’ said Darsie.
+
+‘You have reason,’ replied his sister; ‘but I got so terrible a specimen
+of my uncle’s determination of character, before I had been acquainted
+with him for much more than a week, that it taught me at what risk I
+should contradict his humour. I will tell you the circumstances; for it
+will better teach you to appreciate the romantic and resolved nature
+of his character, than anything which I could state of his rashness and
+enthusiasm.
+
+‘After I had been many a long year at the convent, I was removed from
+thence, and placed with a meagre old Scottish lady of high rank, the
+daughter of an unfortunate person whose head had in the year 1715 been
+placed on Temple Bar. She subsisted on a small pension from the French
+Court, aided by an occasional gratuity from the Stuarts; to which the
+annuity paid for my board formed a desirable addition. She was not
+ill-tempered, nor very covetous--neither beat me nor starved me--but she
+was so completely trammelled by rank and prejudices, so awfully profound
+in genealogy, and so bitterly keen, poor lady, in British, politics,
+that I sometimes thought it pity that the Hanoverians, who murdered, as
+she used to tell me, her poor dear father, had left his dear daughter in
+the land of the living. Delighted, therefore, was I, when my uncle made
+his appearance, and abruptly announced his purpose of conveying me
+to England. My extravagant joy at the idea of leaving Lady Rachel
+Rougedragon was somewhat qualified by observing the melancholy look,
+lofty demeanour, and commanding tone of my near relative. He held more
+communication with me on the journey, however, than consisted with his
+taciturn demeanour in general, and seemed anxious to ascertain my tone
+of character, and particularly in point of courage. Now, though I am
+a tamed Redgauntlet, yet I have still so much of our family spirit as
+enables me to be as composed in danger as most of my sex; and upon two
+occasions in the course of our journey--a threatened attack by banditti,
+and the overturn of our carriage--I had the fortune so to conduct
+myself, as to convey to my uncle a very favourable idea of my
+intrepidity. Probably this encouraged him to put in execution the
+singular scheme which he had in agitation.
+
+‘Ere we reached London we changed our means of conveyance, and altered
+the route by which we approached the city, more than once; then, like a
+hare which doubles repeatedly at some distance from the seat she means
+to occupy, and at last leaps into her form from a distance so great as
+she can clear by a spring, we made a forced march, and landed in private
+and obscure lodgings in a little old street in Westminster, not far from
+the Cloisters.
+
+‘On the morning of the day on which we arrived my uncle went abroad, and
+did not return for some hours. Meantime I had no other amusement than to
+listen to the tumult of noises which succeeded each other, or reigned
+in confusion together during the whole morning. Paris I had thought
+the most noisy capital in the world, but Paris seemed midnight silence
+compared to London. Cannon thundered near and at a distance--drums,
+trumpets, and military music of every kind, rolled, flourished, and
+pierced the clouds, almost without intermission. To fill up the concert,
+bells pealed incessantly from a hundred steeples. The acclamations of
+an immense multitude were heard from time to time, like the roaring of a
+mighty ocean, and all this without my being able to glean the least idea
+of what was going on, for the windows of our apartment looked upon
+a waste backyard, which seemed totally deserted. My curiosity became
+extreme, for I was satisfied, at length, that it must be some festival
+of the highest order which called forth these incessant sounds.
+
+‘My uncle at length returned, and with him a man of an exterior
+singularly unprepossessing. I need not describe him to you, for--do not
+look round--he rides behind us at this moment.’
+
+‘That respectable person, Mr. Cristal Nixon, I suppose?’ said Darsie.
+
+‘The same,’ answered Lilias; ‘make no gesture, that may intimate we are
+speaking of him.’
+
+Darsie signified that he understood her, and she pursued her relation.
+
+‘They were both in full dress, and my uncle, taking a bundle from Nixon,
+said to me, “Lilias, I am come to carry you to see a grand ceremony--put
+on as hastily as you can the dress you will find in that parcel, and
+prepare to attend me.” I found a female dress, splendid and elegant,
+but somewhat bordering upon the antique fashion. It might be that of
+England, I thought, and I went to my apartment full of curiosity, and
+dressed myself with all speed.
+
+‘My uncle surveyed me with attention--“She may pass for one of the
+flower-girls,” he said to Nixon, who only answered with a nod.
+
+‘We left the house together, and such was their knowledge of the lanes,
+courts, and bypaths, that though there was the roar of a multitude in
+the broad streets, those which we traversed were silent and deserted;
+and the strollers whom we met, tired of gazing upon gayer figures,
+scarcely honoured us with a passing look, although, at any other time,
+we should, among these vulgar suburbs, have attracted a troublesome
+share of observation. We crossed at length a broad street, where many
+soldiers were on guard, while others, exhausted with previous duty, were
+eating, drinking, smoking, and sleeping beside their piled arms.
+
+‘“One day, Nixon,” whispered my uncle, “we will make these redcoated
+gentry stand to their muskets more watchfully.”
+
+‘“Or it will be the worse for them,” answered his attendant, in a voice
+as unpleasant as his physiognomy.
+
+‘Unquestioned and unchallenged by any one, we crossed among the guards;
+and Nixon tapped thrice at a small postern door in a huge ancient
+building, which was straight before us. It opened, and we entered
+without my perceiving by whom we were admitted. A few dark and narrow
+passages at length conveyed us into an immense Gothic hall, the
+magnificence of which baffles my powers of description.
+
+‘It was illuminated by ten thousand wax lights, whose splendour at first
+dazzled my eyes, coming as we did from these dark and secret avenues.
+But when my sight began to become steady, how shall I describe what
+I beheld? Beneath were huge ranges of tables, occupied by princes and
+nobles in their robes of state--high officers of the crown, wearing
+their dresses and badges of authority--reverend prelates and judges, the
+sages of the church and law, in their more sombre, yet not less awful
+robes--with others whose antique and striking costume announced their
+importance, though I could not even guess who they might be. But at
+length the truth burst on me at once--it was, and the murmurs around
+confirmed it, the Coronation Feast. At a table above the rest, and
+extending across the upper end of the hall, sat enthroned the youthful
+sovereign himself, surrounded by the princes of the blood, and other
+dignitaries, and receiving the suit and homage of his subjects. Heralds
+and pursuivants, blazing in their fantastic yet splendid armorial
+habits, and pages of honour, gorgeously arrayed in the garb of other
+days, waited upon the princely banqueters. In the galleries with which
+this spacious hall was surrounded, shone all, and more than all, that
+my poor imagination could conceive, of what was brilliant in riches, or
+captivating in beauty. Countless rows of ladies, whose diamonds, jewels,
+and splendid attire were their least powerful charms, looked down from
+their lofty seats on the rich scene beneath, themselves forming a show
+as dazzling and as beautiful as that of which they were spectators.
+Under these galleries, and behind the banqueting tables, were a
+multitude of gentlemen, dressed as if to attend a court, but whose garb,
+although rich enough to have adorned a royal drawing room, could not
+distinguish them in such a high scene as this. Amongst these we wandered
+for a few minutes, undistinguished and unregarded. I saw several
+young persons dressed as I was, so was under no embarrassment from the
+singularity of my habit, and only rejoiced, as I hung on my uncle’s
+arm, at the magical splendour of such a scene, and at his goodness for
+procuring me the pleasure of beholding it.
+
+‘By and by, I perceived that my uncle had acquaintances among those
+who were under the galleries, and seemed, like ourselves, to be mere
+spectators of the solemnity. They recognized each other with a single
+word, sometimes only with a grip of the hand-exchanged some private
+signs, doubtless--and gradually formed a little group, in the centre of
+which we were placed.
+
+‘“Is it not a grand sight, Lilias?” said my uncle. “All the noble, and
+all the wise, and all the wealthy of Britain, are there assembled.”
+
+‘“It is indeed,” said I, “all that my mind could have fancied of regal
+power and splendour.”
+
+‘“Girl,” he whispered,--and my uncle can make his whispers as terribly
+emphatic as his thundering voice or his blighting look--“all that is
+noble and worthy in this fair land are there assembled--but it is to
+bend like slaves and sycophants before the throne of a new usurper.”
+
+‘I looked at him, and the dark hereditary frown of our unhappy ancestor
+was black upon his brow.
+
+‘“For God’s sake,” I whispered, “consider where we are.”
+
+‘“Fear nothing,” he said; “we are surrounded by friends.” As he
+proceeded, his strong and muscular frame shook with suppressed
+agitation. “See,” he said, “yonder bends Norfolk, renegade to his
+Catholic.faith; there stoops the Bishop of ----, traitor to the Church
+of England; and,--shame of shames! yonder the gigantic form of Errol
+bows his head before the grandson of his father’s murderer! But a sign
+shall be seen this night amongst them--MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN,
+shall be read on these walls, as distinctly as the spectral handwriting
+made them visible on those of Belshazzar!”
+
+‘“For God’s sake,” said I, dreadfully alarmed, “it is impossible you can
+meditate violence in such a presence!”
+
+‘“None is intended, fool,” he answered, “nor can the slightest mischance
+happen, provided you will rally your boasted courage, and obey my
+directions. But do it coolly and quickly, for there are a hundred lives
+at stake.”
+
+‘“Alas! what--can I do?” I asked in the utmost terror.
+
+‘“Only be prompt to execute my bidding,” said he; “it is but to lift a
+glove--Here, hold this in your hand--throw the train of your dress over
+it, be firm, composed, and ready--or, at all events, I step forward
+myself.”
+
+‘“If there is no violence designed,” I said, taking, mechanically, the
+iron glove he put into my hand.
+
+‘“I could not conceive his meaning; but, in the excited state of mind in
+which I beheld him, I was convinced that disobedience on my part would
+lead to some wild explosion. I felt, from the emergency of the occasion,
+a sudden presence of mind, and resolved to do anything that might avert
+violence and bloodshed. I was not long held in suspense. A loud flourish
+of trumpets and the voice of heralds were mixed with the clatter of
+horses’ hoofs, while a champion, armed at all points like those I had
+read of in romances, attended by squires, pages, and the whole
+retinue of chivalry, pranced forward, mounted upon a barbed steed. His
+challenge, in defiance of all who dared impeach the title of the new
+sovereign, was recited aloud--once, and again.”
+
+‘“Rush in at the third sounding,” said my uncle to me; “bring me the
+parader’s gage, and leave mine in lieu of it.”
+
+‘I could not see how this was to be done, as we were surrounded by
+people on all sides. But, at the third sounding of the trumpets, a lane
+opened as if by word of command, betwixt me and the champion, and my
+uncle’s voice said, “Now, Lilias, NOW!”
+
+‘With a swift and yet steady step, and with a presence of mind for
+which I have never since been able to account, I discharged the perilous
+commission. I was hardly seen, I believe, as I exchanged the pledges of
+battle, and in an instant retired. “Nobly done, my girl!” said my
+uncle, at whose side I found myself, shrouded as I was before, by the
+interposition of the bystanders. “Cover our retreat, gentlemen,” he
+whispered to those around him.
+
+‘Room was made for us to approach the wall, which seemed to open, and we
+were again involved in the dark passages through which we had formerly
+passed. In a small anteroom, my uncle stopped, and hastily muffling me
+in a mantle which was lying there, we passed the guards--threaded the
+labyrinth of empty streets and courts, and reached our retired lodgings
+without attracting the least attention.’
+
+‘I have often heard,’ said Darsie, ‘that a female, supposed to be a
+man in disguise,--and yet, Lilias, you do not look very masculine,--had
+taken up the champion’s gauntlet at the present king’s coronation, and
+left in its place a gage of battle, with a paper, offering to accept the
+combat, provided a fair field should be allowed for it. I have hitherto
+considered it as an idle tale. I little thought how nearly I was
+interested in the actors of a scene so daring. How could you have
+courage to go through with it?’ [See Note 9.]
+
+‘Had I had leisure for reflection,’ answered his sister, ‘I should have
+refused, from a mixture of principle and of fear. But, like many people
+who do daring actions, I went on because I had not time to think of
+retreating. The matter was little known, and it is said the king had
+commanded that it should not be further inquired into;--from prudence,
+as I suppose, and lenity, though my uncle chooses to ascribe the
+forbearance of the Elector of Hanover, as he calls him, sometimes to
+pusillanimity, and sometimes to a presumptuous scorn of the faction who
+opposes his title.’
+
+‘And have your subsequent agencies under this frantic enthusiast,’ said
+Darsie, ‘equalled this in danger?’
+
+‘No--nor in importance,’ replied Lilias; ‘though I have witnessed much
+of the strange and desperate machinations, by which, in spite of every
+obstacle, and in contempt of every danger, he endeavours to awaken the
+courage of a broken party. I have traversed, in his company, all England
+and Scotland, and have visited the most extraordinary and contrasted
+scenes; now lodging at the castles of the proud gentry of Cheshire and
+Wales, where the retired aristocrats, with opinions as antiquated as
+their dwellings and their manners, still continue to nourish Jacobitical
+principles; and the next week, perhaps, spent among outlawed smugglers,
+or Highland banditti. I have known my uncle often act the part of a
+hero, and sometimes that of a mere vulgar conspirator, and turn himself,
+with the most surprising flexibility, into all sorts of shapes to
+attract proselytes to his cause.’
+
+‘Which, in the present day,’ said Darsie, ‘he finds, I presume, no easy
+task.’
+
+‘So difficult,’ said Lilias, ‘that, I believe, he has, at different
+times, disgusted with the total falling away of some friends, and
+the coldness of others, been almost on the point of resigning his
+undertaking. How often I have I known him affect an open brow and a
+jovial manner, joining in the games of the gentry, and even in the
+sports of the common people, in order to invest himself with a temporary
+degree of popularity; while, in fact, his heart was bursting to witness
+what he called the degeneracy of the times, the decay of activity among
+the aged, and the want of zeal in the rising generation. After the day
+has been spent in the hardest exercise, he has spent the night in pacing
+his solitary chamber, bewailing the downfall of the cause, and wishing
+for the bullet of Dundee or the axe of Balmerino.’
+
+‘A strange delusion,’ said Darsie; ‘and it is wonderful that it does not
+yield to the force of reality.’
+
+‘Ah, but,’ replied Lilias, ‘realities of late have seemed to flatter his
+hopes. The general dissatisfaction with the peace--the unpopularity
+of the minister, which has extended itself even to the person of his
+master--the various uproars which have disturbed the peace of the
+metropolis, and a general state of disgust and disaffection, which seems
+to affect the body of the nation, have given unwonted encouragement to
+the expiring hopes of the Jacobites, and induced many, both at the Court
+of Rome, and, if it can be called so, of the Pretender, to lend a more
+favourable ear than they had hitherto done to the insinuations of those
+who, like my uncle, hope, when hope is lost to all but themselves.
+Nay, I really believe that at this moment they meditate some desperate
+effort. My uncle has been doing all in his power, of late, to conciliate
+the affections of those wild communities that dwell on the Solway, over
+whom our family possessed a seignorial interest before the forfeiture,
+and amongst whom, on the occasion of 1745, our unhappy father’s
+interest, with his own, raised a considerable body of men. But they are
+no longer willing to obey his summons; and, as one apology among others,
+they allege your absence as their natural head and leader. This has
+increased his desire to obtain possession of your person, and, if he
+possibly can, to influence your mind, so as to obtain your authority to
+his proceedings.’
+
+‘That he shall never obtain,’ answered Darsie; ‘my principles and
+my prudence alike forbid such a step. Besides, it would be totally
+unavailing to his purpose. Whatever these people may pretend, to evade
+your uncle’s importunities, they cannot, at this time of day, think of
+subjecting their necks again to the feudal yoke, which was effectually
+broken by the act of 1748, abolishing vassalage and hereditary
+jurisdictions.’
+
+‘Aye, but that my uncle considers as the act of a usurping government,’
+said Lilias.
+
+‘Like enough he may think so,’ answered her brother, ‘for he is a
+superior, and loses his authority by, the enactment. But the question
+is, what the vassals will think of it who have gained their freedom
+from feudal slavery, and have now enjoyed that freedom for many years?
+However, to cut the matter short, if five hundred men would rise at the
+wagging of my finger, that finger shall not be raised in a cause which I
+disapprove of, and upon that my uncle may reckon.’
+
+‘But you may temporize,’ said Lilias, upon whom the idea of her uncle’s
+displeasure made evidently a strong impression,--‘you may temporize,
+as most of the gentry in this country do, and let the bubble burst of
+itself; for it is singular how few of them venture to oppose my uncle
+directly. I entreat you to avoid direct collision with him. To hear
+you, the head of the House of Redgauntlet, declare against the family
+of Stuart, would either break his heart, or drive him to some act of
+desperation.’
+
+‘Yes, but, Lilias, you forget that the consequences of such an act of
+complaisance might be, that the House of Redgauntlet and I might lose
+both our heads at one blow.’
+
+‘Alas!’ said she, ‘I had forgotten that danger. I have grown familiar
+with perilous intrigues, as the nurses in a pest-house are said to
+become accustomed to the air around them, till they forget even that it
+is noisome.’
+
+‘And yet,’ said Darsie, ‘if I could free myself from him without coming
+to an open rupture. Tell me, Lilias, do you think it possible that he
+can have any immediate attempt in view?’
+
+‘To confess the truth,’ answered Lilias, ‘I cannot doubt that he has.
+There has been an unusual bustle among the Jacobites of late. They have
+hopes, as I told you, from circumstances unconnected with their own
+strength. Just before you came to the country, my uncle’s desire to find
+you out became, if possible, more eager than ever--he talked of men
+to be presently brought together, and of your name and influence for
+raising them. At this very time your first visit to Brokenburn took
+place. A suspicion arose in my uncle’s mind, that you might be the
+youth he sought, and it was strengthened by papers and letters which the
+rascal Nixon did not hesitate to take from your pocket. Yet a mistake
+might have occasioned a fatal explosion; and my uncle therefore posted
+to Edinburgh to follow out the clue he had obtained, and fished enough
+of information from old Mr. Fairford to make him certain that you were
+the person he sought. Meanwhile, and at the expense of some personal
+and perhaps too bold exertion, I endeavoured, through your friend young
+Fairford, to put you on your guard.’
+
+‘Without success,’ said Darsie, blushing under his mask when he
+recollected how he had mistaken his sister’s meaning.
+
+‘I do not wonder that my warning was fruitless,’ said she; ‘the thing
+was doomed to be. Besides, your escape would have been difficult. You
+were dogged the whole time you were at the Shepherd’s Bush and at Mount
+Sharon, by a spy who scarcely ever left you.’
+
+‘The wretch, little Benjie!’ exclaimed Darsie. ‘I will wring the
+monkey’s neck round, the first time we meet.’
+
+‘It was he indeed who gave constant information of your motions to
+Cristal Nixon,’ said Lilias.
+
+‘And Cristal Nixon--I owe him, too, a day’s work in harvest,’ said
+Darsie; ‘for I am mistaken if he was not the person that struck me down
+when I was made prisoner among the rioters.’
+
+‘Like enough; for he has a head and hand for any villany. My uncle was
+very angry about it; for though the riot was made to have an opportunity
+of carrying you off in the confusion, as well as to put the fishermen
+at variance with the public law, it would have been his last thought to
+have injured a hair of your head. But Nixon has insinuated himself into
+all my uncle’s secrets, and some of these are so dark and dangerous,
+that though there are few things he would not dare, I doubt if he dare
+quarrel with him. And yet I know that of Cristal would move my uncle to
+pass his sword through his body.’
+
+‘What is it, for Heaven’s sake?’, said Darsie. ‘I have a particular
+desire for wishing to know.’
+
+‘The old, brutal desperado, whose face and mind are a libel upon human
+nature, has had the insolence to speak to his master’s niece as one whom
+he was at liberty to admire; and when I turned on him with the anger and
+contempt he merited, the wretch grumbled out something, as if he held
+the destiny of our family in his hand.’
+
+‘I thank you, Lilias,’ said Darsie, eagerly,--‘I thank you with all my
+heart for this communication. I have blamed myself as a Christian man
+for the indescribable longing I felt from the first moment I saw that
+rascal, to send a bullet through his head; and now you have perfectly
+accounted for and justified this very laudable wish. I wonder my uncle,
+with the powerful sense you describe him to be possessed of, does not
+see through such a villain.’
+
+‘I believe he knows him to be capable of much evil,’ answered
+Lilias--‘selfish, obdurate, brutal, and a man-hater. But then
+he conceives him to possess the qualities most requisite for a
+conspirator--undaunted courage, imperturbable coolness and address, and
+inviolable fidelity. In the last particular he may be mistaken. I have
+heard Nixon blamed for the manner in which our poor father was taken
+after Culloden.’
+
+‘Another reason for my innate aversion,’ said Darsie, but I will be on
+my guard with him.’
+
+‘See, he observes us closely,’ said Lilias. ‘What a thing is conscience!
+He knows we are now speaking of him, though he cannot have heard a word
+that we have said.’
+
+It seemed as if she had guessed truly; for Cristal Nixon at that moment
+rode up to them, and said, with an affectation of jocularity, which sat
+very ill on his sullen features, ‘Come, young ladies, you have had time
+enough for your chat this morning, and your tongues, I think, must
+be tired. We are going to pass a village, and I must beg you to
+separate--you, Miss Lilias, to ride a little behind--and you, Mrs.,
+or Miss, or Master, whichever you choose to be called, to be jogging a
+little before.’
+
+Lilias checked her horse without speaking, but not until she had given
+her brother an expressive look, recommending caution; to which he
+replied by a signal indicating that he understood and would comply with
+her request.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+NARRATTVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+Left to his solitary meditations, Darsie (for we will still term Sir
+Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk by the name to which the reader
+is habituated) was surprised not only at the alteration of his own state
+and condition, but at the equanimity with which he felt himself disposed
+to view all these vicissitudes.
+
+His fever--fit of love had departed like a morning’s dream, and left
+nothing behind but a painful sense of shame, and a resolution to be more
+cautious ere he again indulged in such romantic visions. His station
+in society was changed from that of a wandering, unowned youth, in whom
+none appeared to take an interest excepting the strangers by whom he had
+been educated, to the heir of a noble house, possessed of such influence
+and such property, that it seemed as if the progress or arrest of
+important political events were likely to depend upon his resolution.
+Even this sudden elevation, the more than fulfilment of those wishes
+which had haunted him ever since he was able to form a wish on the
+subject, was contemplated by Darsie, volatile as his disposition was,
+without more than a few thrills of gratified vanity.
+
+It is true, there were circumstances in his present situation to
+counterbalance such high advantages. To be a prisoner in the hands of a
+man so determined as his uncle, was no agreeable consideration, when
+he was calculating how he might best dispute his pleasure and refuse
+to join him in the perilous enterprise which he seemed to meditate.
+Outlawed and desperate himself, Darsie could not doubt that his uncle
+was surrounded by men capable of anything--that he was restrained by
+no personal considerations--and therefore what degree of compulsion he
+might apply to his brother’s son, or in what manner he might feel at
+liberty to punish his contumacy, should he disavow the Jacobite cause,
+must depend entirely upon the limits of his own conscience; and who
+was to answer for the conscience of a heated enthusiast who considers
+opposition to the party he has espoused, as treason to the welfare of
+his country? After a short interval, Cristal Nixon was pleased to throw
+some light upon the subject which agitated him.
+
+When that grim satellite rode up without ceremony close to Darsie’s
+side, the latter felt his very flesh creep with abhorrence, so little
+was he able to endure his presence, since the story of Lilias had added
+to his instinctive hatred of the man.
+
+His voice, too, sounded like that of a screech-owl, as he said, ‘So, my
+young cock of the north, you now know it all, and no doubt are blessing
+your uncle for stirring you up to such an honourable action.’
+
+‘I will acquaint my uncle with my sentiments on the subject, before I
+make them known to any one else,’ said Darsie, scarcely prevailing on
+his tongue to utter even these few words in a civil manner.
+
+‘Umph,’ murmured Cristal betwixt his teeth. ‘Close as wax, I see; and
+perhaps not quite so pliable. But take care, my pretty youth,’ he added,
+scornfully; ‘Hugh Redgauntlet will prove a rough colt-breaker--he will
+neither spare whipcord nor spur-rowel, I promise you.’
+
+‘I have already said, Mr. Nixon, answered Darsie, ‘that I will canvass
+those matters of which my sister has informed me, with my uncle himself,
+and with no other person.’
+
+‘Nay, but a word of friendly advice would do you no harm, young master,’
+replied Nixon. ‘Old Redgauntlet is apter at a blow than a word--likely
+to bite before he barks--the true man for giving Scarborough warning,
+first knock you down, then bid you stand. So, methinks, a little kind
+warning as to consequences were not amiss, lest they come upon you
+unawares.’
+
+‘If the warning is really kind, Mr. Nixon,’ said the young man, ‘I
+will hear it thankfully; and indeed, if otherwise, I must listen to it
+whether I will or no, since I have at present no choice of company or of
+conversation.’
+
+‘Nay, I have but little to say,’ said Nixon, affecting to give to his
+sullen and dogged manner the appearance of an honest bluntness; ‘I am
+as little apt to throw away words as any one. But here is the
+question--Will you join heart and hand with your uncle, or no?’
+
+‘What if I should say Aye?’ said Darsie, determined, if possible, to
+conceal his resolution from this man.
+
+‘Why, then,’ said Nixon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of his
+answer, ‘all will go smooth, of course--you will take share in this
+noble undertaking, and, when it succeeds, you will exchange your open
+helmet for an earl’s coronet perhaps.’
+
+‘And how if it fails?’ said Darsie.
+
+‘Thereafter as it may be,’ said Nixon; ‘they who play at bowls must meet
+with rubbers.’
+
+‘Well, but suppose, then, I have some foolish tenderness for my
+windpipe, and that when my uncle proposes the adventure to me I should
+say No--how then, Mr. Nixon?’
+
+‘Why, then, I would have you look to yourself, young master. There are
+sharp laws in France against refractory pupils--LETTRES DE CACHET
+are easily come by when such men as we are concerned with interest
+themselves in the matter.’
+
+‘But we are not in France,’ said poor Darsie, through whose blood ran a
+cold shivering at the idea of a French prison.
+
+‘A fast-sailing lugger will soon bring you there though, snug stowed
+under hatches, like a cask of moonlight.’
+
+‘But the French are at peace with us,’ said Darsie, ‘and would not
+dare’--
+
+‘Why, who would ever hear of you?’ interrupted Nixon; ‘do you imagine
+that a foreign court would call you up for judgement, and put the
+sentence of imprisonment in the COURRIER DE L’EUROPE, as they do at the
+Old Bailey? No, no, young gentleman--the gates of the Bastille, and of
+Mont Saint Michel, and the Castle of Vincennes, move on d--d easy hinges
+when they let folk in--not the least jar is heard. There are cool cells
+there for hot heads--as calm, and quiet, and dark, as you could wish in
+Bedlam--and the dismissal comes when the carpenter brings the prisoner’s
+coffin, and not sooner.’
+
+‘Well, Mr. Nixon,’ said Darsie, affecting a cheerfulness which he was
+far from feeling, ‘mine is a hard case--a sort of hanging choice, you
+will allow--since I must either offend our own government here and
+run the risk of my life for doing so, or be doomed to the dungeons of
+another country, whose laws I have never offended since I have never
+trod its soil--Tell me what you would do if you were in my place.
+
+‘I’ll tell you that when I am there,’ said Nixon, and, checking his
+horse, fell back to the rear of the little party.
+
+‘It is evident,’ thought the young man, ‘that the villain believes me
+completely noosed, and perhaps has the ineffable impudence to suppose
+that my sister must eventually succeed to the possessions which have
+occasioned my loss of freedom, and that his own influence over the
+destinies of our unhappy family may secure him possession of the
+heiress; but he shall perish by my hand first!--I must now be on the
+alert to make my escape, if possible, before I am forced on shipboard.
+Blind Willie will not, I think, desert me without an effort on my
+behalf, especially if he has learned that I am the son of his late
+unhappy patron. What a change is mine! Whilst I possessed neither rank
+nor fortune, I lived safely and unknown, under the protection of the
+kind and respectable friends whose hearts Heaven had moved towards me.
+Now that I am the head of an honourable house, and that enterprises of
+the most daring character await my decision, and retainers and vassals
+seem ready to rise at my beck, my safety consists chiefly in the
+attachment of a blind stroller!’
+
+While he was revolving these things in his mind, and preparing himself
+for the interview with his uncle which could not but be a stormy one,
+he saw Hugh Redgauntlet come riding slowly back to meet them without any
+attendants. Cristal Nixon rode up as he approached, and, as they met,
+fixed on him a look of inquiry.
+
+‘The fool, Crackenthorp,’ said Redgauntlet, has let strangers into his
+house. Some of his smuggling comrades, I believe; we must ride slowly to
+give him time to send them packing.’
+
+‘Did you see any of your friends?’ said Cristal.
+
+‘Three, and have letters from many more. They are unanimous on the
+subject you wot of--and the point must be conceded to them, or, far as
+the matter has gone, it will go no further.’
+
+‘You will hardly bring the father to stoop to his flock,’ said Cristal,
+with a sneer.
+
+‘He must and shall!’ answered Redgauntlet, briefly. ‘Go to the front,
+Cristal--I would speak with my nephew. I trust, Sir Arthur Redgauntlet,
+you are satisfied with the manner in which I have discharged my duty to
+your sister?’
+
+‘There can be no fault found to her manners or sentiments,’ answered
+Darsie; ‘I am happy in knowing a relative so amiable.’
+
+‘I am glad of it,’ answered Mr. Redgauntlet. ‘I am no nice judge of
+women’s qualifications, and my life has been dedicated to one great
+object; so that since she left France she has had but little opportunity
+of improvement. I have subjected her, however, as little as possible to
+the inconveniences and privations of my wandering and dangerous life.
+From time to time she has resided for weeks and months with families of
+honour and respectability, and I am glad that she has, in, your opinion,
+the manners and behaviour which become her birth.’
+
+Darsie expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and there was a little
+pause, which Redgauntlet broke by solemnly addressing his nephew.
+
+‘For you, my nephew, I also hoped to have done much. The weakness and
+timidity of your mother sequestered you from my care, or it would have
+been my pride and happiness to have trained up the son of my unhappy
+brother in those paths of honour in which our ancestors have always
+trod.’
+
+‘Now comes the storm,’ thought Darsie to himself, and began to collect
+his thoughts, as the cautious master of a vessel furls his sails and
+makes his ship snug when he discerns the approaching squall.
+
+‘My mother’s conduct in respect to me might be misjudged,’ he said, ‘but
+it was founded on the most anxious affection.’
+
+‘Assuredly,’ said his uncle, ‘and I have no wish to reflect on her
+memory, though her mistrust has done so much injury, I will not say to
+me, but to the cause of my unhappy country. Her scheme was, I think,
+to have made you that wretched pettifogging being, which they still
+continue to call in derision by the once respectable name of a Scottish
+Advocate; one of those mongrel things that must creep to learn the
+ultimate decision of his causes to the bar of a foreign court, instead
+of pleading before the independent and august Parliament of his own
+native kingdom.’
+
+‘I did prosecute the study of law for a year or two, said Darsie, ‘but I
+found I had neither taste nor talents for the science.’
+
+‘And left it with scorn, doubtless,’ said Mr. Redgauntlet. ‘Well, I now
+hold up to you, my dearest nephew, a more worthy object of ambition.
+Look eastward--do you see a monument standing on yonder plain, near a
+hamlet?’
+
+Darsie replied that he did,
+
+‘The hamlet is called Burgh-upon-Sands, and yonder monument is erected
+to the memory of the tyrant Edward I. The just hand of Providence
+overtook him on that spot, as he was leading his bands to complete the
+subjugation of Scotland whose civil dissensions began under his accursed
+policy. The glorious career of Bruce might have been stopped in its
+outset; the field of Bannockburn might have remained a bloodless turf,
+if God had not removed, in the very crisis, the crafty and bold tyrant
+who had so long been Scotland’s scourge. Edward’s grave is the cradle of
+our national freedom. It is within sight of that great landmark of our
+liberty that I have to propose to you an undertaking, second in honour
+and importance to none since the immortal Bruce stabbed the Red Comyn,
+and grasped with his yet bloody hand the independent crown of Scotland.’
+
+He paused for an answer; but Darsie, overawed by the energy of his
+manner, and unwilling to commit himself by a hasty explanation, remained
+silent.
+
+‘I will not suppose,’ said Hugh Redgauntlet, after a pause, that you
+are either so dull as not to comprehend the import of my words--or so
+dastardly as to be dismayed by my proposal--or so utterly degenerate
+from the blood and sentiments of your ancestors, as not to feel my
+summons as the horse hears the war-trumpet.’
+
+‘I will not pretend to misunderstand you, sir,’ said Darsie; ‘but an
+enterprise directed against a dynasty now established for three reigns
+requires strong arguments, both in point of justice and of expediency,
+to recommend it to men of conscience and prudence.’
+
+‘I will not,’ said Redgauntlet, while his eyes sparkled with anger,--‘I
+will not hear you speak a word against the justice of that enterprise,
+for which your oppressed country calls with the voice of a parent,
+entreating her children for aid--or against that noble revenge which
+your father’s blood demands from his dishonoured grave. His skull is
+yet standing over the Rikargate, [The northern gate of Carlisle was long
+garnished with the heads of the Scottish rebels executed in 1746.] and
+even its bleak and mouldered jaws command you to be a man. I ask you,
+in the name of God and of your country, will you draw your sword and
+go with me to Carlisle, were it but to lay your father’s head, now the
+perch of the obscene owl and carrion crow and the scoff of every ribald
+clown, in consecrated earth as befits his long ancestry?’
+
+Darsie, unprepared to answer an appeal urged with so much passion, and
+not doubting a direct refusal would cost him his liberty or life, was
+again silent.
+
+‘I see,’ said his uncle, in a more composed tone, ‘that it is not
+deficiency of spirit, but the grovelling habits of a confined education,
+among the poor-spirited class you were condemned to herd with, that
+keeps you silent. You scarce yet believe yourself a Redgauntlet; your
+pulse has not yet learned the genuine throb that answers to the summons
+of honour and of patriotism.’
+
+‘I trust,’ replied Darsie, at last, ‘that I shall never be found
+indifferent to the call of either; but to answer them with effect--even
+were I convinced that they now sounded in my ear--I must see some
+reasonable hope of success in the desperate enterprise in which you
+would involve me. I look around me, and I see a settled government--an
+established authority--a born Briton on the throne--the very Highland
+mountaineers, upon whom alone the trust of the exiled family reposed,
+assembled into regiments which act under the orders of the existing
+dynasty. [The Highland regiments were first employed by the celebrated
+Earl of Chatham, who assumed to himself no small degree of praise for
+having called forth to the support of the country and the government,
+the valour which had been too often directed against both.] France has
+been utterly dismayed by the tremendous lessons of the last war, and
+will hardly provoke another. All without and within the kingdom is
+adverse to encountering a hopeless struggle, and you alone, sir, seem
+willing to undertake a desperate enterprise.’
+
+‘And would undertake it were it ten times more desperate; and have
+agitated it when ten times the obstacles were interposed. Have I forgot
+my brother’s blood? Can I--dare I even now repeat the Pater Noster,
+since my enemies and the murderers remain unforgiven? Is there an art I
+have not practised--a privation to which I have not submitted, to bring
+on the crisis, which I now behold arrived? Have I not been a vowed and a
+devoted man, forgoing every comfort of social life, renouncing even the
+exercise of devotion unless when I might name in prayer my prince and
+country, submitting to everything to make converts to this noble cause?
+Have I done all this, and shall I now stop short?’ Darsie was about to
+interrupt him, but he pressed his hand affectionately upon his shoulder,
+and enjoining, or rather imploring, silence, ‘Peace,’ he said, ‘heir of
+my ancestors’ fame--heir of all my hopes and wishes. Peace, son of my
+slaughtered brother! I have sought for thee, and mourned for thee, as
+a mother for an only child. Do not let me again lose you in the moment
+when you are restored to my hopes. Believe me, I distrust so much my own
+impatient temper, that I entreat you, as the dearest boon, do naught to
+awaken it at this crisis.’
+
+Darsie was not sorry to reply that his respect for the person of his
+relation would induce him to listen to all which he had to apprise him
+of, before he formed any definite resolution upon the weighty subjects
+of deliberation which he proposed to him.
+
+‘Deliberation!’ repeated Redgauntlet, impatiently; ‘and yet it is not
+ill said. I wish there had been more warmth in thy reply, Arthur; but I
+must recollect, were an eagle bred in a falcon’s mew and hooded like a
+reclaimed hawk, he could not at first gaze steadily on the sun. Listen
+to me, my dearest Arthur. The state of this nation no more implies
+prosperity, than the florid colour of a feverish patient is a symptom
+of health. All is false and hollow. The apparent success of Chatham’s
+administration has plunged the country deeper in debt than all the
+barren acres of Canada are worth, were they as fertile as Yorkshire--the
+dazzling lustre of the victories of Minden and Quebec have been dimmed
+by the disgrace of the hasty peace--by the war, England, at immense
+expense, gained nothing but honour, and that she has gratuitously
+resigned. Many eyes, formerly cold and indifferent, are now looking
+towards the line of our ancient and rightful monarchs, as the only
+refuge in the approaching storm--the rich are alarmed--the nobles are
+disgusted--the populace are inflamed--and a band of patriots, whose
+measures are more safe than their numbers are few, have resolved to set
+up King Charles’s standard.’
+
+‘But the military,’ said Darsie--‘how can you, with a body of unarmed
+and disorderly insurgents, propose to encounter a regular army. The
+Highlanders are now totally disarmed.’
+
+‘In a great measure, perhaps,’ answered Redgauntlet; ‘but the policy
+which raised the Highland regiments has provided for that. We have
+already friends in these corps; nor can we doubt for a moment what their
+conduct will be when the white cockade is once more mounted. The rest
+of the standing army has been greatly reduced since the peace; and we
+reckon confidently on our standard being joined by thousands of the
+disbanded troops.’
+
+‘Alas!’ said Darsie, ‘and is it upon such vague hopes as these, the
+inconstant humour of a crowd or of a disbanded soldiery, that men of
+honour are invited to risk their families, their property, their life?’
+
+‘Men of honour, boy,’ said Redgauntlet, his eyes glancing with
+impatience, ‘set life, property, family, and all at stake, when that
+honour commands it! We are not now weaker than when seven men, landing
+in the wilds of Moidart, shook the throne of the usurper till it
+tottered--won two pitched fields, besides overrunning one kingdom and
+the half of another, and, but for treachery, would have achieved what
+their venturous successors are now to attempt in their turn.’
+
+‘And will such an attempt be made in serious earnest?’ said Darsie.
+‘Excuse me, my uncle, if I can scarce believe a fact so extraordinary.
+Will there really be found men of rank and consequence sufficient to
+renew the adventure of 1745?’
+
+‘I will not give you my confidence by halves, Sir Arthur,’ replied his
+uncle--‘Look at that scroll--what say you to these names?--Are they not
+the flower of the western shires--of Wales of Scotland?’
+
+‘The paper contains indeed the names of many that are great and noble,’
+replied Darsie, after perusing it; ‘but’--
+
+‘But what?’ asked his uncle, impatiently; ‘do you doubt the ability of
+those nobles and gentlemen to furnish the aid in men and money at which
+they are rated?’
+
+‘Not their ability certainly,’ said Darsie, ‘for of that I am no
+competent judge; but I see in this scroll the name of Sir Arthur Darsie
+Redgauntlet of that Ilk, rated at a hundred men and upwards--I certainly
+am ignorant how he is to redeem that pledge.’
+
+‘I will be responsible for the men,’ replied Hugh Redgauntlet.
+
+‘But, my dear uncle,’ added Darsie, ‘I hope for your sake that the other
+individuals whose names are here written, have had more acquaintance
+with your plan than I have been indulged with.’
+
+‘For thee and thine I can be myself responsible,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘for
+if thou hast not the courage to head the force of thy house, the leading
+shall pass to other hands, and thy inheritance shall depart from thee
+like vigour and verdure from a rotten branch. For these honourable
+persons, a slight condition there is which they annex to their
+friendship--something so trifling that it is scarce worthy of mention.
+This boon granted to them by him who is most interested, there is no
+question they will take the field in the manner there stated.’
+
+Again Darsie perused the paper, and felt himself still less inclined to
+believe that so many men of family and fortune were likely to embark in
+an enterprise so fatal. It seemed as if some rash plotter had put
+down at a venture the names of all whom common report tainted with
+Jacobitism; or if it was really the act of the individuals named, he
+suspected that they must be aware of some mode of excusing themselves
+from compliance with its purport. It was impossible, he thought, that
+Englishmen, of large fortune, who had failed to join Charles when he
+broke into England at the head of a victorious army, should have the
+least thoughts of encouraging a descent when circumstances were so much
+less propitious. He therefore concluded the enterprise would fall to
+pieces of itself, and that his best way was, in the meantime, to remain
+silent, unless the actual approach of a crisis (which might, however,
+never arrive) should compel him to give a downright refusal to his
+uncle’s proposition; and if, in the interim, some door for escape should
+be opened, he resolved within himself not to omit availing himself of
+it.
+
+Hugh Redgauntlet watched his nephew’s looks for some time, and then, as
+if arriving from some other process of reasoning at the same conclusion,
+he said, ‘I have told you, Sir Arthur, that I do not urge your immediate
+accession to my proposal; indeed the consequences of a refusal would be
+so dreadful to yourself, so destructive to all the hopes which I have
+nursed, that I would not risk, by a moment’s impatience, the object of
+my whole life. Yes, Arthur, I have been a self-denying hermit at one
+time--at another, the apparent associate of outlaws and desperadoes--at
+another, the subordinate agent of men whom I felt in every way my
+inferiors--not for any selfish purpose of my own, no, not even to win
+for myself the renown of being the principal instrument in restoring
+my king and freeing my country. My first wish on earth is for
+that restoration and that freedom--my next, that my nephew, the
+representative of my house and of the brother of my love, may have the
+advantage and the credit of all my efforts in the good cause. But,’ he
+added, darting on Darsie one of his withering frowns, ‘if Scotland and
+my father’s house cannot stand and flourish together, then perish the
+very name of Redgauntlet! perish the son of my brother, with every
+recollection of the glories of my family, of the affections of my youth,
+rather than my country’s cause should be injured in the tithing of
+a barley-corn! The spirit of Sir Alberick is alive within me at this
+moment,’ he continued, drawing up his stately form and sitting erect in
+his saddle, while he pressed his finger against his forehead; ‘and if
+you yourself crossed my path in opposition, I swear, by the mark that
+darkens my brow, that a new deed should be done--a new doom should be
+deserved!’
+
+He was silent, and his threats were uttered in a tone of voice so deeply
+resolute, that Darsie’s heart sank within him, when he reflected on the
+storm of passion which he must encounter, if he declined to join his
+uncle in a project to which prudence and principle made him equally
+adverse. He had scarce any hope left but in temporizing until he could
+make his escape, and resolved to avail himself for that purpose of the
+delay which his uncle seemed not unwilling to grant. The stern,
+gloomy look of his companion became relaxed by degrees, and presently
+afterwards he made a sign to Miss Redgauntlet to join the party, and
+began a forced conversation on ordinary topics; in the course of which
+Darsie observed that his sister seemed to speak under the most cautious
+restraint, weighing every word before she uttered it, and always
+permitting her uncle to give the tone to the conversation, though of the
+most trifling kind. This seemed to him (such an opinion had he already
+entertained of his sister’s good sense and firmness) the strongest proof
+he had yet received of his uncle’s peremptory character, since he saw it
+observed with so much deference by a young person whose sex might have
+given her privileges, and who seemed by no means deficient either in
+spirit or firmness.
+
+The little cavalcade was now approaching the house of Father
+Crackenthorp, situated, as the reader knows, by the side of the
+Solway, and not far distant front a rude pier, near which lay several
+fishing-boats, which frequently acted in a different capacity. The house
+of the worthy publican was also adapted to the various occupations which
+he carried on, being a large scrambling assemblage of cottages attached
+to a house of two stories, roofed with flags of sandstone--the original
+mansion, to which the extensions of Mr. Crackenthorp’s trade had
+occasioned his making many additions. Instead of the single long
+watering-trough which usually distinguishes the front of the English
+public-house of the second class, there were three conveniences of that
+kind, for the use, as the landlord used to say, of the troop-horses when
+the soldiers came to search his house; while a knowing leer and a nod
+let you understand what species of troops he was thinking of. A huge
+ash-tree before the door, which had reared itself to a great size
+and height, in spite of the blasts from the neighbouring Solway,
+overshadowed, as usual, the ale-bench, as our ancestors called it,
+where, though it was still early in the day, several fellows, who seemed
+to be gentlemen’s servants, were drinking beer and smoking. One or two
+of them wore liveries which seemed known to Mr. Redgauntlet, for he
+muttered between his teeth, ‘Fools, fools! were they on a march to hell,
+they must have their rascals in livery with them, that the whole world
+might know who were going to be damned.’
+
+As he thus muttered, he drew bridle before the door of the place,
+from which several other lounging guests began to issue, to look with
+indolent curiosity as usual, upon an ARRIVAL.
+
+Redgauntlet sprang from his horse, and assisted his niece to dismount;
+but, forgetting, perhaps, his nephew’s disguise, he did not pay him the
+attention which his female dress demanded.
+
+The situation of Darsie was indeed something awkward; for Cristal Nixon,
+out of caution perhaps to prevent escape, had muffled the extreme folds
+of the riding-skirt with which he was accoutred, around his ankles and
+under his feet, and there secured it with large corking-pins. We presume
+that gentlemen-cavaliers may sometimes cast their eyes to that part
+of the person of the fair equestrians whom they chance occasionally to
+escort; and if they will conceive their own feet, like Darsie’s, muffled
+in such a labyrinth of folds and amplitude of robe, as modesty doubtless
+induces the fair creatures to assume upon such occasions, they will
+allow that, on a first attempt, they might find some awkwardness in
+dismounting. Darsie, at least, was in such a predicament, for, not
+receiving adroit assistance from the attendant of Mr. Redgauntlet, he
+stumbled as he dismounted from the horse, and might have had a bad fall,
+had it not been broken by the gallant interposition of a gentleman, who
+probably was, on his part, a little surprised at the solid weight of the
+distressed fair one whom he had the honour to receive in his embrace.
+But what was his surprise to that of Darsie, when the hurry of the
+moment and of the accident, permitted him to see that it was his friend
+Alan Fairford in whose arms he found himself! A thousand apprehensions
+rushed on him, mingled with the full career of hope and joy, inspired by
+the unexpected appearance of his beloved friend at the very crisis, it
+seemed, of his fate.
+
+He was about to whisper in his ear, cautioning him at the same time to
+be silent; yet he hesitated for a second or two to effect his purpose,
+since, should Redgauntlet take the alarm from any sudden exclamation on
+the part of Alan, there was no saying what consequences might ensue.
+
+Ere he could decide what was to be done, Redgauntlet, who had entered
+the house, returned hastily, followed by Cristal Nixon. ‘I’ll release
+you of the charge of this young lady, sir;’ he said, haughtily, to Alan
+Fairford, whom he probably did not recognize.
+
+‘I had no desire to intrude, sir,’ replied Alan; ‘the lady’s situation
+seemed to require assistance--and--but have I not the honour to speak to
+Mr. Herries of Birrenswork?’
+
+‘You are mistaken, sir,’ said Redgauntlet, turning short off, and
+making a sign with his hand to Cristal, who hurried Darsie, however
+unwillingly, into the house, whispering in his ear, ‘Come, miss, let us
+have no making of acquaintance from the windows. Ladies of fashion must
+be private. Show us a room, Father Crackenthorp.’
+
+So saying, he conducted Darsie into the house, interposing at the same
+time his person betwixt the supposed young lady and the stranger of whom
+he was suspicious, so as to make communication by signs impossible. As
+they entered, they heard the sound of a fiddle in the stone-floored
+and well-sanded kitchen, through which they were about to follow their
+corpulent host, and where several people seemed engaged in dancing to
+its strains.
+
+‘D--n thee,’ said Nixon to Crackenthorp, ‘would you have the lady go
+through all the mob of the parish? Hast thou no more private way to our
+sitting-room?’
+
+‘None that is fit for my travelling,’ answered the landlord, laying his
+hand on his portly stomach. ‘I am not Tom Turnpenny, to creep like a
+lizard through keyholes.’
+
+So saying, he kept moving on through the revellers in the kitchen; and
+Nixon, holding Darsie by his arm, as if to offer the lady support but
+in all probability to frustrate any effort at escape, moved through the
+crowd, which presented a very motley appearance, consisting of domestic
+servants, country fellows, seamen, and other idlers, whom Wandering
+Willie was regaling with his music.
+
+To pass another friend without intimation of his presence would have
+been actual pusillanimity; and just when they were passing the blind
+man’s elevated seat, Darsie asked him with some emphasis, whether he
+could not play a Scottish air? The man’s face had been the instant
+before devoid of all sort of expression, going through his performance
+like a clown through a beautiful country, too much accustomed to
+consider it as a task, to take any interest in the performance, and, in
+fact, scarce seeming to hear the noise that he was creating. In a
+word, he might at the time have made a companion to my friend Wilkie’s
+inimitable blind crowder. But with Wandering Willie this was only an
+occasional and a rare fit of dullness, such as will at times creep over
+all the professors of the fine arts, arising either from fatigue, or
+contempt of the present audience, or that caprice which so often tempts
+painters and musicians and great actors, in the phrase of the latter, to
+walk through their part, instead of exerting themselves with the energy
+which acquired their fame. But when the performer heard the voice of
+Darsie, his countenance became at once illuminated, and showed the
+complete mistake of those who suppose that the principal point of
+expression depends upon the eyes. With his face turned to the point from
+which the sound came, his upper lip a little curved, and quivering with
+agitation, and with a colour which surprise and pleasure had brought at
+once into his faded cheek, he exchanged the humdrum hornpipe which he
+had been sawing out with reluctant and lazy bow, for the fine Scottish
+air,
+
+  You’re welcome, Charlie Stuart,
+
+which flew from his strings as if by inspiration and after a breathless
+pause of admiration among the audience, was received with a clamour of
+applause, which seemed to show that the name and tendency, as well as
+the execution of the tune, was in the highest degree acceptable to all
+the party assembled.
+
+In the meantime, Cristal Nixon, still keeping hold of Darsie, and
+following the landlord, forced his way with some difficulty through the
+crowded kitchen, and entered a small apartment on the other side of it,
+where they found Lilias Redgauntlet already seated. Here Nixon gave
+way to his suppressed resentment, and turning sternly on Crackenthorp,
+threatened him with his master’s severest displeasure, because things
+were in such bad order to receive his family, when he had given such
+special advice that he desired to be private. But Father Crackenthorp
+was not a man to be brow-beaten.
+
+‘Why, brother Nixon, thou art angry this morning,’ he replied; ‘hast
+risen from thy wrong side, I think. You know, as well as I, that most of
+this mob is of the squire’s own making--gentlemen that come with their
+servants, and so forth, to meet him in the way of business, as old Tom
+Turnpenny says--the very last that came was sent down with Dick Gardener
+from Fairladies.’
+
+‘But the blind scraping scoundrel yonder,’ said Nixon, ‘how dared you
+take such a rascal as that across your threshold at such a time as this?
+If the squire should dream you have a thought of peaching--I am only
+speaking for your good, Father Crackenthorp.’
+
+‘Why, look ye, brother Nixon,’ said Crackenthorp, turning his quid with
+great composure, ‘the squire is a very worthy gentleman, and I’ll never
+deny it; but I am neither his servant nor his tenant, and so he need
+send me none of his orders till he hears I have put on his livery. As
+for turning away folk from my door, I might as well plug up the ale-tap,
+and pull down the sign--and as for peaching, and such like, the squire
+will find the folk here are as honest to the full as those he brings
+with him.’
+
+‘How, you impudent lump of tallow,’ said Nixon, ‘what do you mean by
+that?’
+
+‘Nothing,’ said Crackenthorp, ‘but that I can tour out as well as
+another--you understand me--keep good lights in my upper story--know a
+thing or two more than most folk in this country. If folk will come to
+my house on dangerous errands, egad they shall not find Joe Crackenthorp
+a cat’s-paw. I’ll keep myself clear, you may depend on it, and let every
+man answer for his own actions--that’s my way. Anything wanted, Master
+Nixon?’
+
+‘No--yes--begone!’ said Nixon, who seemed embarrassed with the
+landlord’s contumacy, yet desirous to conceal the effect it produced on
+him.
+
+The door was no sooner closed on Crackenthorp, than Miss Redgauntlet,
+addressing Nixon, commanded him to leave the room and go to his proper
+place.
+
+‘How, madam?’ said the fellow sullenly, yet with an air of respect,
+‘Would you have your uncle pistol me for disobeying his orders?’
+
+‘He may perhaps pistol you for some other reason, if you do not obey
+mine,’ said Lilias, composedly.
+
+‘You abuse your advantage over me, madam--I really dare not go--I am on
+guard over this other miss here; and if I should desert my post, my life
+were not worth five minutes’ purchase.’
+
+‘Then know your post, sir,’ said Lilias, ‘and watch on the outside of
+the door. You have no commission to listen to our private conversation,
+I suppose? Begone, sir, without further speech or remonstrance, or I
+will tell my uncle that which you would have reason to repent be should
+know.’
+
+The fellow looked at her with a singular expression of spite, mixed
+with deference. ‘You abuse your advantages, madam,’ he said, ‘and act as
+foolishly in doing so as I did in affording you such a hank over me. But
+you are a tyrant; and tyrants have commonly short reigns.’
+
+So saying, he left the apartment.
+
+‘The wretch’s unparalleled insolence,’ said Lilias to her brother, ‘has
+given me one great advantage over him. For knowing that my uncle would
+shoot him with as little remorse as a woodcock, if he but guessed at his
+brazen-faced assurance towards me, he dares not since that time assume,
+so far as I am concerned, the air of insolent domination which the
+possession of my uncle’s secrets, and the knowledge of his most secret
+plans, have led him to exert over others of his family.’
+
+‘In the meantime,’ said Darsie, ‘I am happy to see that the landlord
+of the house does not seem so devoted to him as I apprehended; and this
+aids the hope of escape which I am nourishing for you and for myself. O
+Lilias! the truest of friends, Alan Fairford, is in pursuit of me, and
+is here at this moment. Another humble, but, I think, faithful friend,
+is also within these dangerous walls.’
+
+Lilias laid her finger on her lips, and pointed to the door. Darsie took
+the hint, lowered his voice, and informed her in whispers of the arrival
+of Fairford, and that he believed he had opened a communication with
+Wandering Willie. She listened with the utmost interest, and had just
+begun to reply, when a loud noise was heard in the kitchen, caused
+by several contending voices, amongst which Darsie thought he could
+distinguish that of Alan Fairford.
+
+Forgetting how little his own condition permitted him to become the
+assistant of another, Darsie flew to the door of the room, and finding
+it locked and bolted on the outside, rushed against it with all
+his force, and made the most desperate efforts to burst it open,
+notwithstanding the entreaties of his sister that he would compose
+himself and recollect the condition in which he was placed. But the
+door, framed to withstand attacks from excisemen, constables, and other
+personages, considered as worthy to use what are called the king’s keys,
+[In common parlance, a crowbar and hatchet.] ‘and therewith to make
+lockfast places open and patent,’ set his efforts at defiance. Meantime
+the noise continued without, and we are to give an account of its origin
+in our next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+Joe Crackenthorp’s public-house had never, since it first reared
+its chimneys on the banks of the Solway, been frequented by such a
+miscellaneous group of visitors as had that morning become its guests.
+Several of them were persons whose quality seemed much superior to
+their dresses and modes of travelling. The servants who attended them
+contradicted the inferences to be drawn from the garb of their masters,
+and, according to the custom of the knights of the rainbow, gave many
+hints that they were not people to serve any but men of first-rate
+consequence. These gentlemen, who had come thither chiefly for the
+purpose of meeting with Mr. Redgauntlet, seemed moody and anxious,
+conversed and walked together apparently in deep conversation, and
+avoided any communication with the chance travellers whom accident
+brought that morning to the same place of resort.
+
+As if Fate had set herself to confound the plans of the Jacobite
+conspirators, the number of travellers was unusually great, their
+appearance respectable, and they filled the public tap-room of the inn,
+where the political guests had already occupied most of the private
+apartments.
+
+Amongst others, honest Joshua Geddes had arrived, travelling, as he
+said, in the sorrow of the soul, and mourning for the fate of Darsie
+Latimer as he would for his first-born child. He had skirted the whole
+coast of the Solway, besides making various trips into the interior,
+not shunning, on such occasions, to expose himself to the laugh of the
+scorner, nay, even to serious personal risk, by frequenting the haunts
+of smugglers, horse-jockeys, and other irregular persons, who looked
+on his intrusion with jealous eyes, and were apt to consider him as
+an exciseman in the disguise of a Quaker. All this labour and peril,
+however, had been undergone in vain. No search he could make obtained
+the least intelligence of Latimer, so that he began to fear the poor lad
+had been spirited abroad--for the practice of kidnapping was then not
+infrequent, especially on the western coasts of Britain--if indeed he
+had escaped a briefer and more bloody fate.
+
+With a heavy heart, he delivered his horse, even Solomon, into the hands
+of the ostler, and walking into the inn, demanded from the landlord
+breakfast and a private room. Quakers, and such hosts as old Father
+Crackenthorp, are no congenial spirits; the latter looked askew over his
+shoulder, and replied, ‘If you would have breakfast here, friend, you
+are like to eat it where other folk eat theirs.’
+
+‘And wherefore can I not,’ said the Quaker, ‘have an apartment to
+myself, for my money?’
+
+‘Because, Master Jonathan, you must wait till your betters be served, or
+else eat with your equals.’
+
+Joshua Geddes argued the point no further, but sitting quietly down on
+the seat which Crackenthorp indicated to him, and calling for a pint
+of ale, with some bread, butter, and Dutch cheese, began to satisfy the
+appetite which the morning air had rendered unusually alert.
+
+While the honest Quaker was thus employed, another stranger entered the
+apartment, and sat down near to the table on which his victuals were
+placed. He looked repeatedly at Joshua, licked his parched and chopped
+lips as he saw the good Quaker masticate his bread and cheese, and
+sucked up his thin chops when Mr. Geddes applied the tankard to his
+mouth, as if the discharge of these bodily functions by another had
+awakened his sympathies in an uncontrollable degree. At last, being
+apparently unable to withstand his longings, he asked, in a faltering
+tone, the huge landlord, who was tramping through the room in all
+corpulent impatience, whether he could have a plack-pie?’
+
+‘Never heard of such a thing, master,’ said the landlord, and was about
+to trudge onward; when the guest, detaining him, said, in a strong
+Scottish tone, ‘Ya will maybe have nae whey then, nor buttermilk, nor ye
+couldna exhibit a souter’s clod?’
+
+‘Can’t tell what ye are talking about, master,’ said Crackenthorp.
+
+‘Then ye will have nae breakfast that will come within ‘the compass of a
+shilling Scots?’
+
+‘Which is a penny sterling,’ answered Crackenthorp, with a sneer. ‘Why,
+no, Sawney, I can’t say as we have--we can’t afford it; But you shall
+have a bellyful for love, as we say in the bull-ring.’
+
+‘I shall never refuse a fair offer,’ said the poverty-stricken guest;
+‘and I will say that for the English, if they were deils, that they are
+a ceeveleesed people to gentlemen that are under a cloud.’
+
+‘Gentlemen!--humph!’ said Crackenthorp--‘not a blue-cap among them but
+halts upon that foot.’ Then seizing on a dish which still contained a
+huge cantle of what had been once a princely mutton pasty, he placed
+it on the table before the stranger, saying, ‘There, master gentleman;
+there is what is worth all the black pies, as you call them, that were
+ever made of sheep’s head.’
+
+‘Sheep’s head is a gude thing, for a’ that,’ replied the guest; but
+not being spoken so loud as to offend his hospitable entertainer, the
+interjection might pass for a private protest against the scandal thrown
+out against the standing dish of Caledonia.
+
+This premised, he immediately began to transfer the mutton and
+pie-crust from his plate to his lips, in such huge gobbets, as if he was
+refreshing after a three days’ fast, and laying in provisions against a
+whole Lent to come.
+
+Joshua Geddes in his turn gazed on him with surprise, having never, he
+thought, beheld such a gaunt expression of hunger in the act of eating.
+‘Friend,’ he said, after watching him for some minutes, ‘if thou gorgest
+thyself in this fashion, thou wilt assuredly choke. Wilt thou not take a
+draught out of my cup to help down all that dry meat?’
+
+‘Troth,’ said the stranger, stopping and looking at the friendly
+propounder, ‘that’s nae bad overture, as they say in the General
+Assembly. I have heard waur motions than that frae wiser counsel.’
+
+Mr. Geddes ordered a quart of home-brewed to be placed before our friend
+Peter Peebles; for the reader must have already conceived that this
+unfortunate litigant was the wanderer in question.
+
+The victim of Themis had no sooner seen the flagon, than he seized
+it with the same energy which he had displayed in operating upon the
+pie--puffed off the froth with such emphasis, that some of it lighted on
+Mr. Geddes’s head--and then said, as if with it sudden recollection of
+what was due to civility, ‘Here’s to ye, friend. What! are ye ower grand
+to give me an answer, or are ye dull o’ hearing?’
+
+‘I prithee drink thy liquor, friend,’ said the good Quaker; ‘thou
+meanest it in civility, but we care not for these idle fashions.’
+
+‘What! ye are a Quaker, are ye?’ said Peter; and without further
+ceremony reared the flagon to his head, from which he withdrew it not
+while a single drop of ‘barley-broo’ remained. ‘That’s done you and
+me muckle gude,’ he said, sighing as he set down his pot; ‘but twa
+mutchkins o’ yill between twa folk is a drappie ower little measure.
+What say ye to anither pot? or shall we cry in a blithe Scots pint at
+ance? The yill is no amiss.’
+
+‘Thou mayst call for what thou wilt on thine own charges, friend,’ said
+Geddes; ‘for myself, I willingly contribute to the quenching of thy
+natural thirst; but I fear it were no such easy matter to relieve thy
+acquired and artificial drought.’
+
+‘That is to say, in plain terms, ye are for withdrawing your caution
+with the folk of the house? You Quaker folk are but fause comforters;
+but since ye have garred me drink sae muckle cauld yill--me that am no
+used to the like of it in the forenoon--I think ye might as weel have
+offered me a glass of brandy or usquabae--I’m nae nice body--I can drink
+onything that’s wet and toothsome.’
+
+‘Not a drop at my cost, friend,’ quoth Geddes. ‘Thou art an old man, and
+hast perchance a heavy and long journey before thee. Thou art, moreover,
+my countryman, as I judge from thy tongue; and I will not give thee the
+means of dishonouring thy grey hairs in a strange land.’
+
+‘Grey hairs, neighbour!’ said Peter, with a wink to the bystanders, whom
+this dialogue began to interest, and who were in hopes of seeing the
+Quaker played off by the crazed beggar, for such Peter Peebles appeared
+to be. ‘Grey hairs! The Lord mend your eyesight, neighbour, that disna
+ken grey hairs frae a tow wig!’
+
+This jest procured a shout of laughter, and, what was still more
+acceptable than dry applause, a man who stood beside called out, ‘Father
+Crackenthorp, bring a nipperkin of brandy. I’ll bestow a dram on this
+fellow, were it but for that very word.’
+
+The brandy was immediately brought by a wench who acted as barmaid; and
+Peter, with a grin of delight, filled a glass, quaffed it off, and then
+saying, ‘God bless me! I was so unmannerly as not to drink to ye--I
+think the Quaker has smitten me wi’ his ill-bred havings,’--he was about
+to fill another, when his hand was arrested by his new friend; who said
+at the same time, ‘No, no, friend--fair play’s a jewel--time about, if
+you please.’ And filling a glass for himself, emptied it as gallantly
+as Peter could have done. ‘What say you to that, friend?’ he continued,
+addressing the Quaker.
+
+‘Nay, friend,’ answered Joshua, ‘it went down thy throat, not mine; and
+I have nothing to say about what concerns me not; but if thou art a
+man of humanity, thou wilt not give this poor creature the means of
+debauchery. Bethink thee that they will spurn him from the door, as
+they would do a houseless and masterless dog, and that he may die on the
+sands or on the common. And if he has through thy means been rendered
+incapable of helping himself, thou shalt not be innocent of his blood.’
+
+‘Faith, Broadbrim, I believe thou art right, and the old gentleman in
+the flaxen jazy shall have no more of the comforter. Besides, we have
+business in hand to-day, and this fellow, for as mad as he looks, may
+have a nose on his face after all. Hark ye, father,--what is your name,
+and what brings you into such an out-of-the-way corner?’
+
+‘I am not just free to condescend on my name,’ said Peter; ‘and as for
+my business--there is a wee dribble of brandy in the stoup--it would be
+wrang to leave it to the lass--it is learning her bad usages.’
+
+‘Well, thou shalt have the brandy, and be d--d to thee, if thou wilt
+tell me what you are making here.’
+
+‘Seeking a young advocate chap that they ca’ Alan Fairford, that has
+played me a slippery trick, and ye maun ken a’ about the cause,’ said
+Peter.
+
+‘An advocate, man!’ answered the captain of the JUMPING JENNY--for it
+was he, and no other, who had taken compassion on Peter’s drought;
+‘why, Lord help thee, thou art on the wrong side of the Firth to seek
+advocates, whom I take to be Scottish lawyers, not English.’
+
+‘English lawyers, man!’ exclaimed Peter, ‘the deil a lawyer’s in a’
+England.’
+
+‘I wish from my soul it were true,’ said Ewart; ‘but what the devil put
+that in your head?’
+
+‘Lord, man, I got a grip of ane of their attorneys in Carlisle, and he
+tauld me that there wasna a lawyer in England ony mair than himsell that
+kend the nature of a multiple-poinding! And when I told him how this
+loopy lad, Alan Fairford, had served me, he said I might bring an action
+on the case--just as if the case hadna as mony actions already as one
+case can weel carry. By my word, it is a gude case, and muckle has it
+borne, in its day, of various procedure--but it’s the barley-pickle
+breaks the naig’s back, and wi’ my consent it shall not hae ony mair
+burden laid upon it.’
+
+‘But this Alan Fairford?’ said Nanty--‘come--sip up the drop of brandy,
+man, and tell me some more about him, and whether you are seeking him
+for good or for harm.’
+
+‘For my ain gude, and for his harm, to be sure,’ said Peter. ‘Think of
+his having left my cause in the dead-thraw between the tyneing and
+the winning, and capering off into Cumberland here, after a wild
+loup-the-tether lad they ca’ Darsie Latimer.’
+
+‘Darsie Latimer!’ said Mr. Geddes, hastily; ‘do you know anything of
+Darsie Latimer?’
+
+‘Maybe I do, and maybe I do not,’ answered Peter; ‘I am no free to
+answer every body’s interrogatory, unless it is put judicially, and by
+form of law--specially where folk think so much of a caup of sour yill,
+or a thimblefu’ of brandy. But as for this gentleman, that has shown
+himself a gentleman at breakfast, and will show himself a gentleman at
+the meridian, I am free to condescend upon any points in the cause that
+may appear to bear upon the question at issue.’
+
+‘Why, all I want to know from you, my friend, is, whether you are
+seeking to do this Mr. Alan Fairford good or harm; because if you come
+to do him good, I think you could maybe get speech of him--and if to do
+him harm, I will take the liberty to give you a cast across the Firth,
+with fair warning not to come back on such an errand, lest worse come of
+it.’
+
+The manner and language of Ewart were such that Joshua Geddes resolved
+to keep cautious silence, till he could more plainly discover whether he
+was likely to aid or impede him in his researches after Darsie Latimer.
+He therefore determined to listen attentively to what should pass
+between Peter and the seaman, and to watch for an opportunity of
+questioning the former, so soon as he should be separated from his new
+acquaintance.
+
+‘I wad by no means,’ said Peter Peebles, ‘do any substantial harm to the
+poor lad Fairford, who has had mony a gowd guinea of mine, as weel as
+his father before him; but I wad hae him brought back to the minding of
+my business and his ain; and maybe I wadna insist further in my action
+of damages against him, than for refunding the fees, and for some annual
+rent on the principal sum due frae the day on which he should have
+recovered it for me, plack and bawbee, at the great advising; for ye
+are aware, that is the least that I can ask NOMINE DAMNI; and I have nae
+thought to break down the lad bodily a’thegither--we maun live and let
+live--forgie and forget.’
+
+‘The deuce take me, friend Broadbrim,’ said Nanty Ewart, looking to the
+Quaker, ‘if I can make out what this old scarecrow means. If I thought
+it was fitting that Master Fairford should see him, why perhaps it is
+a matter that could be managed. Do you know anything about the old
+fellow?--you seemed to take some charge of him just now.’
+
+‘No more than I should have done by any one in distress,’ said Geddes,
+not sorry to be appealed to; ‘but I will try what I can do to find out
+who he is, and what he is about in this country. But are we not a little
+too public in this open room?’
+
+‘It’s well thought of,’ said Nanty; and at his command the barmaid
+ushered the party into a side-booth, Peter attending them in the
+instinctive hope that there would be more liquor drunk among them before
+parting. They had scarce sat down in their new apartment, when the sound
+of a violin was heard in the room which they had just left.
+
+‘I’ll awa back yonder,’ said Peter, rising up again; ‘yon’s the sound of
+a fiddle, and when there is music, there’s ay something ganging to eat
+or drink.’
+
+‘I am just going to order something here,’ said the Quaker; ‘but in the
+meantime, have you any objection, my good friend, to tell us your name?’
+
+‘None in the world, if you are wanting to drink to me by name and
+surname,’ answered Peebles; ‘but, otherwise, I would rather evite your
+interrogatories.’
+
+‘Friend,’ said the Quaker, ‘it is not for thine own health, seeing thou
+hast drunk enough already--however--here, handmaiden--bring me a gill of
+sherry.’
+
+‘Sherry’s but shilpit drink, and a gill’s a sma’ measure for twa
+gentlemen to crack ower at their first acquaintance. But let us see your
+sneaking gill of sherry,’ said Poor Peter, thrusting forth his huge
+hand to seize on the diminutive pewter measure, which, according to the
+fashion of the time, contained the generous liquor freshly drawn from
+the butt.
+
+‘Nay, hold, friend,’ said Joshua, ‘thou hast not yet told me what name
+and surname I am to call thee by.’
+
+‘D--d sly in the Quaker,’ said Nanty, apart, ‘to make him pay for his
+liquor before he gives it him. Now, I am such a fool, that I should have
+let him get too drunk to open his mouth, before I thought of asking him
+a question.’
+
+‘My name is Peter Peebles, then,’ said the litigant, rather sulkily,
+as one who thought his liquor too sparingly meted out to him; ‘and what
+have you to say to that?’
+
+‘Peter Peebles?’ repeated Nanty Ewart and seemed to muse upon something
+which the words brought to his remembrance, while the Quaker pursued his
+examination.
+
+‘But I prithee, Peter Peebles, what is thy further designation? Thou
+knowest, in our country, that some men are distinguished by their craft
+and calling, as cordwainers, fishers, weavers, or the like, and some by
+their titles as proprietors of land (which savours of vanity)--now, how
+may you be distinguished from others of the same name?’
+
+‘As Peter Peebles of the great plea of Poor Peter Peebles against
+Plainstanes, ET PER CONTRA--if I am laird of naething else, I am ay a
+DOMINUS LITIS.’
+
+‘It’s but a poor lairdship, I doubt,’ said Joshua.
+
+‘Pray, Mr. Peebles,’ said Nanty, interrupting the conversation abruptly,
+‘were not you once a burgess of Edinburgh?’
+
+‘WAS I a burgess!’ said Peter indignantly, ‘and AM I not a burgess even
+now? I have done nothing to forfeit my right, I trow--once provost and
+ay my lord.’
+
+‘Well, Mr. Burgess, tell me further, have you not some property in the
+Gude Town?’ continued Ewart.
+
+‘Troth have I--that is, before my misfortunes, I had twa or three bonny
+bits of mailings amang the closes and wynds, forby the shop and the
+story abune it. But Plainstanes has put me to the causeway now. Never
+mind though, I will be upsides with him yet.’
+
+‘Had not you once a tenement in the Covenant Close?’ again demanded
+Nanty.
+
+‘You have hit it, lad, though ye look not like a Covenanter,’ said
+Peter; ‘we’ll drink to its memory--(Hout! the heart’s at the mouth o’
+that ill-faur’d bit stoup already!)--it brought a rent, reckoning from
+the crawstep to the groundsill, that ye might ca’ fourteen punds a year,
+forby the laigh cellar that was let to Lucky Littleworth.’
+
+‘And do you not remember that you had a poor old lady for your tenant,
+Mrs. Cantrips of Kittlebasket?’ said Nanty, suppressing his emotion with
+difficulty.
+
+‘Remember! G--d, I have gude cause to remember her,’ said Peter, ‘for
+she turned a dyvour on my hands, the auld besom! and after a’ that the
+law could do to make me satisfied and paid, in the way of poinding and
+distrenzieing and sae forth, as the law will, she ran awa to the charity
+workhouse, a matter of twenty punds Scots in my debt--it’s a great shame
+and oppression that charity workhouse, taking in bankrupt dyvours that
+canna, pay their honest creditors.’
+
+‘Methinks, friend,’ said the Quaker, ‘thine own rags might teach thee
+compassion for other people’s nakedness.’
+
+‘Rags!’ said Peter, taking Joshua’s words literally; ‘does ony wise body
+put on their best coat when they are travelling, and keeping company
+with Quakers, and such other cattle as the road affords?’
+
+‘The old lady DIED, I have heard,’ said Nanty, affecting a moderation
+which was belied by accents that faltered with passion.
+
+‘She might live or die, for what I care,’ answered Peter the Cruel;
+‘what business have folk to do to live that canna live as law will, and
+satisfy their just and lawful creditors?’
+
+‘And you--you that are now yourself trodden down in the very kennel,
+are you not sorry for what you have done? Do you not repent having
+occasioned the poor widow woman’s death?’
+
+‘What for should I repent?’ said Peter; ‘the law was on my side--a
+decreet of the bailies, followed by poinding, and an act of warding--a
+suspension intented, and the letters found orderly proceeded. I followed
+the auld rudas through twa courts--she cost me mair money than her lugs
+were worth.’
+
+‘Now, by Heaven!’ said Nanty, ‘I would give a thousand guineas, if I had
+them, to have you worth my beating! Had you said you repented, it had
+been between God and your conscience; but to hear you boast of your
+villany--Do you think it little to have reduced the aged to famine, and
+the young to infamy--to have caused the death of one woman, the ruin of
+another, and to have driven a man to exile and despair? By Him that made
+me, I can scarce keep hands off you!
+
+‘Off me? I defy ye!’ said Peter. ‘I take this honest man to witness that
+if ye stir the neck of my collar, I will have my action for stouthreif,
+spulzie, oppression, assault and battery. Here’s a bra’ din, indeed,
+about an auld wife gaun to the grave, a young limmer to the close-heads
+and causeway, and a sticket stibbler [A student of divinity who has not
+been able to complete his studies on theology.] to the sea instead of
+the gallows!’
+
+‘Now, by my soul,’ said Nanty, ‘this is too much! and since you can feel
+no otherwise, I will try if I cannot beat some humanity into your head
+and shoulders.’
+
+He drew his hanger as he spoke, and although Joshua, who had in vain
+endeavoured to interrupt the dialogue to which he foresaw a violent
+termination, now threw himself between Nanty and the old litigant, he
+could not prevent the latter from receiving two or three sound slaps
+over the shoulder with the flat side of the weapon.
+
+Poor Peter Peebles, as inglorious in his extremity as he had been
+presumptuous in bringing it on, now ran and roared, and bolted out of
+the apartment and house itself, pursued by Nanty, whose passion became
+high in proportion to his giving way to its dictates, and by Joshua, who
+still interfered at every risk, calling upon Nanty to reflect on the
+age and miserable circumstances of the offender, and upon Poor Peter
+to stand and place himself under his protection. In front of the house,
+however, Peter Peebles found a more efficient protector than the worthy
+Quaker.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+Our readers may recollect that Fairford had been conducted by Dick
+Gardener from the house of Fairladies to the inn of old Father
+Crackenthorp, in order, as he had been informed by the mysterious Father
+Buonaventure, that he might have the meeting which he desired with Mr.
+Redgauntlet, to treat with him for the liberty of his friend Darsie. His
+guide, by the special direction of Mr. Ambrose, had introduced him into
+the public-house by a back-door, and recommended to the landlord to
+accommodate him with a private apartment, and to treat him with all
+civility; but in other respects to keep his eye on him, and even to
+secure his person, if he saw any reason to suspect him to be a spy. He
+was not, however, subjected to any direct restraint, but was ushered
+into an apartment where he was requested to await the arrival of
+the gentleman with whom he wished to have an interview, and who, as
+Crackenthorp assured, him with a significant nod, would be certainly
+there in the course of an hour. In the meanwhile, he recommended to him,
+with another significant sign, to keep his apartment, ‘as there were
+people in the house who were apt to busy themselves about other folk’s
+matters.’
+
+Alan Fairford complied with the recommendation, so long as he thought
+it reasonable; but when, among a large party riding up to the house, he
+discerned Redgauntlet, whom he had seen under the name of Mr. Herries
+of Birrenswork, and whom, by his height and strength, he easily
+distinguished from the rest, he thought it proper to go down to the
+front of the house, in hopes that, by more closely reconnoitring the
+party, he might discover if his friend Darsie was among them.
+
+The reader is aware that, by doing so, he had an opportunity of breaking
+Darsie’s fall from his side-saddle, although his disguise and mask
+prevented his recognizing his friend. It may be also recollected that
+while Nixon hurried Miss Redgauntlet and her brother into the house,
+their uncle, somewhat chafed at an unexpected and inconvenient
+interruption, remained himself in parley with Fairford, who had already
+successively addressed him by the names of Herries and Redgauntlet;
+neither of which, any more than the acquaintance of the young lawyer,
+he seemed at the moment willing to acknowledge, though an air of haughty
+indifference, which he assumed, could not conceal his vexation and
+embarrassment.
+
+‘If we must needs be acquainted, sir,’ he said at last--‘for which I
+am unable to see any necessity, especially as I am now particularly
+disposed to be private--I must entreat you will tell me at once what you
+have to say, and permit me to attend to matters of more importance.’
+
+‘My introduction,’ said Fairford, ‘is contained in this
+letter.--(Delivering that of Maxwell.)--I am convinced that, under
+whatever name it may be your pleasure for the present to be known, it is
+into your hands, and yours only, that it should be delivered.’
+
+Redgauntlet turned the letter in his hand--then read the contents then
+again looked upon the letter, and sternly observed, ‘The seal of the
+letter has been broken. Was this the case, sir, when it was delivered
+into your hand?’
+
+Fairford despised a falsehood as much as any man,--unless, perhaps, as
+Tom Turnpenny might have said, ‘in the way of business.’ He answered
+readily and firmly, ‘The seal was whole when the letter was delivered to
+me by Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees.’
+
+‘And did you dare, sir, to break the seal of a letter addressed to me?’
+said Redgauntlet, not sorry, perhaps, to pick a quarrel upon a point
+foreign to the tenor of the epistle.
+
+‘I have never broken the seal of any letter committed to my charge,’
+said Alan; ‘not from fear of those to whom such letter might be
+addressed, but from respect to myself.’
+
+‘That is well worded,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘and yet, young Mr. Counsellor,
+I doubt whether your delicacy prevented your reading my letter, or
+listening to the contents as read by some other person after it was
+opened.’
+
+‘I certainly did hear the contents read over,’ said Fairford; ‘and they
+were such as to surprise me a good deal.’
+
+‘Now that,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘I hold to be pretty much the same, IN
+FORO CONSCIENTIAE, as if you had broken the seal yourself. I shall hold
+myself excused from entering upon further discourse with a messenger
+so faithless; and you may thank yourself if your journey has been
+fruitless.’
+
+‘Stay, sir,’ said Fairford; ‘and know that I became acquainted with the
+contents of the paper without my consent--I may even say, against my
+will; for Mr. Buonaventure’--
+
+‘Who?’ demanded Redgauntlet, in a wild and alarmed manner--‘WHOM was it
+you named?’
+
+‘Father Buonaventure,’ said Alan,--‘a Catholic priest, as I apprehend,
+whom I saw at the Misses Arthuret’s house, called Fairladies.’
+
+‘Misses Arthuret!--Fairladies!--A Catholic priest!--Father
+Buonaventure!’ said Redgauntlet, repeating the words of Alan with
+astonishment.--‘Is it possible that human rashness can reach such a
+point of infatuation? Tell me the truth, I conjure you, sir. I have
+the deepest interest to know whether this is more than an idle legend,
+picked up from hearsay about the country. You are a lawyer, and know the
+risk incurred by the Catholic clergy, whom the discharge of their duty
+sends to these bloody shores.’
+
+‘I am a lawyer, certainly,’ said Fairford; ‘but my holding such a
+respectable condition in life warrants that I am neither an informer
+nor a spy. Here is sufficient evidence that I have seen Father
+Buonaventure.’
+
+He put Buonaventure’s letter into Redgauntlet’s hand, and watched his
+looks closely while he read it. ‘Double-dyed infatuation!’ he muttered,
+with looks in which sorrow, displeasure, and anxiety were mingled.
+‘“Save me from the indiscretion of my friends,” says the Spaniard; “I
+can save myself from the hostility of my enemies.”’
+
+He then read the letter attentively, and for two or three minutes
+was lost in thought, while some purpose of importance seemed to have
+gathered and sit brooding upon his countenance. He held up his finger
+towards his satellite, Cristal Nixon, who replied to his signal with a
+prompt nod; and with one or two of the attendants approached Fairford in
+such a manner as to make him apprehensive they were about to lay hold of
+him.
+
+At this moment a noise was heard from withinside of the house, and
+presently rushed forth Peter Peebles, pursued by Nanty Ewart with his
+drawn hanger, and the worthy Quaker, who was endeavouring to prevent
+mischief to others, at some risk of bringing it on himself.
+
+A wilder and yet a more absurd figure can hardly be imagined, than that
+of Poor Peter clattering along as fast as his huge boots would permit
+him, and resembling nothing so much as a flying scarecrow; while the
+thin emaciated form of Nanty Ewart, with the hue of death on his cheek,
+and the fire of vengeance glancing from his eye, formed a ghastly
+contrast with the ridiculous object of his pursuit.
+
+Redgauntlet threw himself between them. ‘What extravagant folly is
+this?’ he said. ‘Put up your weapon, captain. Is this a time to indulge
+in drunken brawls, or is such a miserable object as that a fitting
+antagonist for a man of courage?’
+
+‘I beg pardon,’ said the captain, sheathing his weapon--‘I was a little
+bit out of the way, to be sure; but to know the provocation, a man must
+read my heart, and that I hardly dare to do myself. But the wretch is
+safe from me. Heaven has done its own vengeance on us both.’
+
+While he spoke in this manner, Peter Peebles, who had at first crept
+behind Redgauntlet in bodily fear, began now to reassume his spirits.
+Pulling his protector by the sleeve, ‘Mr. Herries--Mr. Herries,’ he
+whispered, eagerly, ‘ye have done me mair than ae gude turn, and if ye
+will but do me anither at this dead pinch, I’ll forgie the girded keg of
+brandy that you and Captain Sir Harry Redgimlet drank out yon time. Ye
+sall hae an ample discharge and renunciation, and, though I should see
+you walking at the Cross of Edinburgh, or standing at the bar of the
+Court of Justiciary, no the very thumbikins themselves should bring to
+my memory that ever I saw you in arms yon day.’
+
+He accompanied this promise by pulling so hard at Redgauntlet’s cloak,
+that he at last turned round. ‘Idiot! speak in a word what you want.’
+
+‘Aweel, aweel. In a word, then,’ said Peter Peebles, ‘I have a warrant
+on me to apprehend that man that stands there, Alan Fairford by name,
+and advocate by calling. I bought it from Maister Justice Foxley’s
+clerk, Maister Nicholas Faggot, wi’ the guinea that you gied me.
+
+‘Ha!’ said Redgauntlet, ‘hast thou really such a warrant? let me see it.
+Look sharp that no one escape, Cristal Nixon.’
+
+Peter produced a huge, greasy, leathern pocketbook, too dirty to
+permit its original colour to be visible, filled with scrolls of notes,
+memorials to counsel, and Heaven knows what besides. From amongst this
+precious mass he culled forth a paper, and placed it in the hands of
+Redgauntlet, or Herries, as he continued to call him, saying, at the
+same time, ‘It’s a formal and binding warrant, proceeding on my affidavy
+made, that the said Alan Fairford, being lawfully engaged in my service,
+had slipped the tether and fled over the Border, and was now lurking
+there and thereabouts, to elude and evite the discharge of his bounden
+duty to me; and therefore granting warrant to constables and others,
+to seek for, take, and apprehend him, that he may be brought before
+the Honourable Justice Foxley for examination, and, if necessary, for
+commitment. Now, though a’ this be fairly set down, as I tell ye, yet
+where am I to get an officer to execute this warrant in sic a country as
+this, where swords and pistols flee out at a word’s speaking, and folk
+care as little for the peace of King George as the peace of Auld King
+Coul? There’s that drunken skipper, and that wet Quaker, enticed me into
+the public this morning, and because I wadna gie them’ as much brandy as
+wad have made them blind-drunk, they baith fell on me, and were in the
+way of guiding me very ill.’
+
+While Peter went on in this manner, Redgauntlet glanced his eye over the
+warrant, and immediately saw that it must be a trick passed by Nicholas
+Faggot, to cheat the poor insane wretch out of his solitary guinea. But
+the Justice had actually subscribed it, as he did whatever his clerk
+presented to him, and Redgauntlet resolved to use it for his own
+purposes.
+
+Without making any direct answer, therefore, to Peter Peebles, he walked
+up gravely to Fairford, who had waited quietly for the termination of
+a scene in which he was not a little surprised to find his client, Mr.
+Peebles, a conspicuous actor.
+
+‘Mr. Fairford,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘there are many reasons which might
+induce me to comply with the request, or rather the injunctions, of the
+excellent Father Buonaventure, that I should communicate with you upon
+the present condition of my ward, whom you know under the name of
+Darsie Latimer; but no man is better aware than you that the law must be
+obeyed, even in contradiction to our own feelings; now this poor man
+has obtained a warrant for carrying you before a magistrate, and, I am
+afraid, there is a necessity of your yielding to it, although to the
+postponement of the business which you may have with me.’
+
+‘A warrant against me!’ said Alan, indignantly; ‘and at that poor
+miserable wretch’s instance?--why, this is a trick, a mere and most
+palpable trick.’
+
+‘It may be so,’ replied Redgauntlet, with great equanimity; ‘doubtless
+you know best; only the writ appears regular, and with that respect
+for the law which has been,’ he said, with hypocritical formality, ‘a
+leading feature of my character through life, I cannot dispense with
+giving my poor aid to the support of a legal warrant. Look at it
+yourself, and be satisfied it is no trick of mine.’
+
+Fairford ran over the affidavit and the warrant, and then exclaimed once
+more, that it was an impudent imposition, and that he would hold those
+who acted upon such a warrant liable in the highest damages. ‘I guess
+at your motive, Mr. Redgauntlet,’ he said, ‘for acquiescing in so
+ridiculous a proceeding. But be assured you will find that, in this
+country, one act of illegal violence will not be covered or atoned for
+by practising another. You cannot, as a man of sense and honour, pretend
+to say you regard this as a legal warrant.’
+
+‘I am no lawyer, sir,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘and pretend not to know what
+is or is not law--the warrant is quite formal, and that is enough for
+me.’
+
+‘Did ever any one hear,’ said Fairford, ‘of an advocate being compelled
+to return to his task, like a collier or a salter [See Note 10.] who has
+deserted his master?’
+
+‘I see no reason why he should not,’ said Redgauntlet, dryly, ‘unless
+on the ground that the services of the lawyer are the most expensive and
+least useful of the two.’
+
+‘You cannot mean this in earnest,’ said Fairford; ‘you cannot really
+mean to avail yourself of so poor a contrivance, to evade the word
+pledged by your friend, your ghostly father, in my behalf. I may have
+been a fool for trusting it too easily, but think what you must be if
+you can abuse my confidence in this manner. I entreat you to reflect
+that this usage releases me from all promises of secrecy or connivance
+at what I am apt to think are very dangerous practices, and that’--
+
+‘Hark ye, Mr. Fairford,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘I must here interrupt you
+for your own sake. One word of betraying what you may have seen, or what
+you may have suspected, and your seclusion is like to have either a very
+distant or a very brief termination; in either case a most undesirable
+one. At present, you are sure of being at liberty in a very few
+days--perhaps much sooner.’
+
+‘And my friend,’ said Alan Fairford, ‘for whose sake I have run myself
+into this danger, what is to become of him? Dark and dangerous man!’ he
+exclaimed, raising his voice, I will not be again cajoled by deceitful
+promises’--
+
+‘I give you my honour that your friend is well,’ interrupted
+Redgauntlet; ‘perhaps I may permit you to see him, if you will but
+submit with patience to a fate which is inevitable.’
+
+But Alan Fairford, considering his confidence as having been abused,
+first by Maxwell, and next by the priest, raised his voice, and appealed
+to all the king’s lieges within hearing, against the violence with
+which he was threatened. He was instantly seized on by Nixon and two
+assistants, who, holding down his arms, and endeavouring to stop his
+mouth, were about to hurry him away.
+
+The honest Quaker, who had kept out of Redgauntlet’s presence, now came
+boldly forward.
+
+‘Friend,’ said he, ‘thou dost more than thou canst answer. Thou knowest
+me well, and thou art aware that in me thou hast a deeply injured
+neighbour, who was dwelling beside thee in the honesty and simplicity of
+his heart.’
+
+‘Tush, Jonathan,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘talk not to me, man; it is neither
+the craft of a young lawyer, nor the SIMPLICITY of an old hypocrite, can
+drive me from my purpose.
+
+‘By my faith,’ said the captain, coming forward in his turn, ‘this is
+hardly fair, general; and I doubt,’ he added, ‘whether the will of my
+owners can make me a party to such proceedings. Nay, never fumble with
+your sword-hilt, but out with it like a man, if you are for a tilting.’
+He unsheathed his hanger, and continued--‘I will neither see my comrade
+Fairford, nor the old Quaker, abused. D----n all warrants, false or
+true--curse the justice--confound the constable!--and here stands little
+Nanty Ewart to make good what he says against gentle and simple, in
+spite of horse-shoe or horse-radish either.’
+
+The cry of ‘Down with all warrants!’ was popular in the ears of the
+militia of the inn, and Nanty Ewart was no less so. Fishers, ostlers,
+seamen, smugglers, began to crowd to the spot. Crackenthorp endeavoured
+in vain to mediate. The attendants of Redgauntlet began to handle their
+firearms; but their master shouted to them to forbear, and, unsheathing
+his sword as quick as lightning, he rushed on Ewart in the midst of
+his bravado, and struck his weapon from his hand with such address and
+force, that it flew three yards from him. Closing with him at the same
+moment, he gave him a severe fall, and waved his sword over his head, to
+show he was absolutely at his mercy.
+
+‘There, you drunken vagabond,’ he said, ‘I give you your life--you are
+no bad fellow if you could keep from brawling among your friends. But
+we all know Nanty Ewart,’ he said to the crowd around, with a forgiving
+laugh, which, joined to the awe his prowess had inspired, entirely
+confirmed their wavering allegiance.
+
+They shouted, ‘The laird for ever!’ while poor Nanty, rising from the
+earth, on whose lap he had been stretched so rudely, went in quest of
+his hanger, lifted it, wiped it, and, as he returned the weapon to the
+scabbard, muttered between his teeth, ‘It is true they say of him, and
+the devil will stand his friend till his hour come; I will cross him no
+more.’
+
+So saying, he slunk from the crowd, cowed and disheartened by his
+defeat.
+
+‘For you, Joshua Geddes,’ said Redgauntlet, approaching the Quaker, who,
+with lifted hands and eyes, had beheld the scene of violence, ‘l shall
+take the liberty to arrest thee for a breach of the peace, altogether
+unbecoming thy pretended principles; and I believe it will go hard with
+thee both in a court of justice and among thine own Society of Friends,
+as they call themselves, who will be but indifferently pleased to
+see the quiet tenor of their hypocrisy insulted by such violent
+proceedings.’
+
+‘I violent!’ said Joshua; ‘I do aught unbecoming the principles of the
+Friends! I defy thee, man, and I charge thee, as a Christian, to forbear
+vexing my soul with such charges: it is grievous enough to me to have
+seen violences which I was unable to prevent.’
+
+‘O Joshua, Joshua!’ said Redgauntlet, with a sardonic smile; ‘thou light
+of the faithful in the town of Dumfries and the places adjacent, wilt
+thou thus fall away from the truth? Hast thou not, before us all,
+attempted to rescue a man from the warrant of law? Didst thou not
+encourage that drunken fellow to draw his weapon--and didst thou not
+thyself flourish thy cudgel in the cause? Think’st thou that the oaths
+of the injured Peter Peebles, and the conscientious Cristal Nixon,
+besides those of such gentlemen as look on this strange scene, who not
+only put on swearing as a garment, but to whom, in Custom House matters,
+oaths are literally meat and drink,--dost thou not think, I say, that
+these men’s oaths will go further than thy Yea and Nay in this matter?’
+
+‘I will swear to anything,’ said Peter. ‘All is fair when it comes to an
+oath AD LITEM.’
+
+‘You do me foul wrong,’ said the Quaker, undismayed by the general
+laugh. ‘I encouraged no drawing of weapons, though I attempted to move
+an unjust man by some use of argument--I brandished no cudgel, although
+it may be that the ancient Adam struggled within me, and caused my hand
+to grasp mine oaken staff firmer than usual, when I saw innocence borne
+down with violence. But why talk I what is true and just to thee, who
+hast been a man of violence from thy youth upwards? Let me rather speak
+to thee such language as thou canst comprehend. Deliver these young men
+up to me,’ he said, when he had led Redgauntlet a little apart from the
+crowd, ‘and I will not only free thee from the heavy charge of damages
+which thou hast incurred by thine outrage upon my property, but I will
+add ransom for them and for myself. What would it profit thee to do the
+youths wrong, by detaining them in captivity?’
+
+‘Mr. Geddes,’ said Redgauntlet, in a tone more respectful than he had
+hitherto used to the Quaker, ‘your language is disinterested, and I
+respect the fidelity of your friendship. Perhaps we have mistaken each
+other’s principles and motives; but if so, we have not at present time
+for explanation. Make yourself easy. I hope to raise your friend
+Darsie Latimer to a pitch of eminence which you will witness with
+pleasure;--nay, do not attempt to answer me. The other young man shall
+suffer restraint a few days, probably only a few hours,--it is not more
+than due for his pragmatical interference in what concerned him not.
+Do you, Mr. Geddes, be so prudent as to take your horse and leave this
+place, which is growing every moment more unfit for the abode of a man
+of peace. You may wait the event in safety at Mount Sharon.’
+
+‘Friend,’ replied Joshua, ‘I cannot comply with thy advice; I will
+remain here, even as thy prisoner, as thou didst but now threaten,
+rather than leave the youth who hath suffered by and through me and my
+misfortunes, in his present state of doubtful safety. Wherefore I will
+not mount my steed Solomon; neither will I turn his head towards Mount
+Sharon, until I see an end of this matter.’
+
+‘A prisoner, then, you must be,’ said Redgauntlet. ‘I have no time to
+dispute the matter further with you. But tell me for what you fix your
+eyes so attentively on yonder people of mine.’
+
+‘To speak the truth,’ said the Quaker, ‘I admire to behold among them
+a little wretch of a boy called Benjie, to whom I think Satan has given
+the power of transporting himself wheresoever mischief is going forward;
+so that it may be truly said, there is no evil in this land wherein he
+hath not a finger, if not a whole hand.’
+
+The boy, who saw their eyes fixed on him as they spoke, seemed
+embarrassed, slid rather desirous of making his escape; but at a signal
+from Redgauntlet he advanced, assuming the sheepish look and rustic
+manner with which the jackanapes covered much acuteness and roguery.
+
+‘How long have you been with the party, sirrah?’ said Redgauntlet.
+
+‘Since the raid on the stake-nets,’ said Benjie, with his finger in his
+mouth.
+
+‘And what made you follow us?’
+
+‘I dauredna stay at hame for the constables,’ replied the boy.
+
+‘And what have you been doing all this time?’
+
+‘Doing, sir? I dinna ken what ye ca’ doing--I have been doing naething,’
+said Benjie; then seeing something in Redgauntlet’s eye which was not
+to be trifled with, he added, ‘Naething but waiting on Maister Cristal
+Nixon.’
+
+‘Hum!--aye--indeed?’ muttered Redgauntlet. ‘Must Master Nixon bring his
+own retinue into the field? This must be seen to.’
+
+He was about to pursue his inquiry, when Nixon himself came to him with
+looks of anxious haste, ‘The Father is come,’ he whispered, ‘and the
+gentlemen are getting together in the largest room of the house, and
+they desire to see you. Yonder is your nephew, too, making a noise like
+a man in Bedlam.’
+
+‘I will look to it all instantly,’ said Redgauntlet. ‘Is the Father
+lodged as I directed?’
+
+Cristal nodded.
+
+‘Now, then, for the final trial,’ said Redgauntlet. He folded his
+hands--looked upwards--crossed himself--and after this act of devotion
+(almost the first which any one had observed him make use of) he
+commanded Nixon to keep good watch--have his horses and men ready for
+every emergence--look after the safe custody of the prisoners--but treat
+them at the same time well and civilly. And, these orders given, he
+darted hastily into the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+NARRATIVE CONTINUED
+
+Redgauntlet’s first course was to the chamber of his nephew. He unlocked
+the door, entered the apartment, and asked what he wanted, that he made
+so much noise.
+
+‘I want my liberty,’ said Darsie, who had wrought himself up to a pitch
+of passion in which his uncle’s wrath had lost its terrors. ‘I desire
+my liberty, and to be assured of the safety of my beloved friend, Alan
+Fairford, whose voice I heard but now.’
+
+‘Your liberty shall be your own within half an hour from this
+period--your friend shall be also set at freedom in due time--and you
+yourself be permitted to have access to his place of confinement.’
+
+‘This does not satisfy me,’ said Darsie; ‘I must see my friend
+instantly; he is here, and he is here endangered on my account only--I
+have heard violent exclamations--the clash of swords. You will gain no
+point with me unless I have ocular demonstration of his safety.’
+
+‘Arthur--dearest nephew,’ answered Redgauntlet, ‘drive me not mad! Thine
+own fate--that of thy house--that of thousands--that of Britain herself,
+are at this moment in the scales; and you are only occupied about the
+safety of a poor insignificant pettifogger!’
+
+‘He has sustained injury at your hands, then?’ said Darsie, fiercely. ‘I
+know he has; but if so, not even our relationship shall protect you.’
+
+‘Peace, ungrateful and obstinate fool!’ said Redgauntlet. Yet
+stay--will you be satisfied if you see this Alan Fairford, the bundle
+of bombazine--this precious friend of yours--well and sound? Will you,
+I say, be satisfied with seeing him in perfect safety without attempting
+to speak to or converse with him?’ Darsie signified his assent. ‘Take
+hold of my arm, then,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘and do you, niece Lilias, take
+the other; and beware; Sir Arthur, how you bear yourself.’
+
+Darsie was compelled to acquiesce, sufficiently aware that his uncle
+would permit him no interview with a friend whose influence would
+certainly be used against his present earnest wishes, and in some
+measure contented with the assurance of Fairford’s personal safety.
+
+Redgauntlet led them through one or two passages (for the house, as
+we have before said, was very irregular, and built at different times)
+until they entered an apartment, where a man with shouldered carabine
+kept watch at the door, but readily turned the key for their reception.
+In this room they found Alan Fairford and the Quaker, apparently in
+deep conversation with each other. They looked up as Redgauntlet and
+his party entered; and Alan pulled off his hat and made a profound
+reverence, which the young lady, who recognized him,--though, masked
+as she was, he could not know her,--returned with some embarrassment,
+arising probably from the recollection of the bold step she had taken in
+visiting him.
+
+Darsie longed to speak, but dared not. His uncle only said, ‘Gentlemen,
+I know you are as anxious on Mr. Darsie Latimer’s account as he is upon
+yours. I am commissioned by him to inform you, that he is as well as you
+are--I trust you will all meet soon. Meantime, although I cannot suffer
+you to be at large, you shall be as well treated as is possible under
+your temporary confinement.’
+
+He passed on, without pausing to hear the answers which the lawyer and
+the Quaker were hastening to prefer; and only waving his hand by way
+of adieu, made his exit, with the real and the seeming lady whom he
+had under his charge, through a door at the upper end of the apartment,
+which was fastened and guarded like that by which they entered.
+
+Redgauntlet next led the way into a very small room; adjoining which,
+but divided by a partition, was one of apparently larger dimensions; for
+they heard the trampling of the heavy boots of the period, as if several
+persons were walking to and fro and conversing in low and anxious
+whispers.
+
+‘Here,’ said Redgauntlet to his nephew, as he disencumbered him from
+the riding-skirt and the mask, ‘I restore you to yourself, and trust you
+will lay aside all effeminate thoughts with this feminine dress. Do
+not blush at having worn a disguise to which kings and heroes have been
+reduced. It is when female craft or female cowardice find their way
+into a manly bosom, that he who entertains these sentiments should take
+eternal shame to himself for thus having resembled womankind. Follow me,
+while Lilias remains here. I will introduce you to those whom I hope to
+see associated with you in the most glorious cause that hand ever drew
+sword in.’
+
+Darsie paused. ‘Uncle,’ he said, ‘my person is in your hands; but
+remember, my will is my own. I will not be hurried into any resolution
+of importance. Remember what I have already said--what I now
+repeat--that I will take no step of importance but upon conviction.’
+
+‘But canst thou be convinced, thou foolish boy, without hearing and
+understanding the grounds on which we act?’
+
+So saying he took Darsie by the arm, and walked with him to the next
+room--a large apartment, partly filled with miscellaneous articles of
+commerce, chiefly connected with contraband trade; where, among bales
+and barrels, sat, or walked to and fro, several gentlemen, whose manners
+and looks seemed superior to the plain riding dresses which they wore.
+
+There was a grave and stern anxiety upon their countenances, when, on
+Redgauntlet’s entrance, they drew from their separate coteries into one
+group around him, and saluted him with a formality which had something
+in it of ominous melancholy. As Darsie looked around the circle, he
+thought he could discern in it few traces of that adventurous hope which
+urges men upon desperate enterprises; and began to believe that the
+conspiracy would dissolve of itself, without the necessity of his
+placing himself in direct opposition to so violent a character as his
+uncle, and incurring the hazard with which such opposition must be
+attended.
+
+Mr. Redgauntlet, however, did not, or would not, see any such marks of
+depression of spirit amongst his coadjutors, but met them with cheerful
+countenance, and a warm greeting of welcome. ‘Happy to meet you here,
+my lord,’ he said, bowing low to a slender young man. ‘I trust you
+come with the pledges of your noble father, of B--, and all that loyal
+house.--Sir Richard, what news in the west? I am told you had two
+hundred men on foot to have joined when the fatal retreat from Derby was
+commenced. When the White Standard is again displayed, it shall not
+be turned back so easily, either by the force of its enemies, or the
+falsehood of its friends.--Doctor Grumball, I bow to the representative
+of Oxford, the mother of learning and loyalty.--Pengwinion, you
+Cornish chough, has this good wind blown you north?--Ah, my brave
+Cambro-Britons, when was Wales last in the race of honour?’
+
+Such and such-like compliments he dealt around, which were in general
+answered by silent bows; but when he saluted one of his own countrymen
+by the name of MacKellar, and greeted Maxwell of Summertrees by that
+of Pate-in-Peril, the latter replied, ‘that if Pate were not a fool,
+he would be Pate-in-Safety;’ and the former, a thin old gentle-man, in
+tarnished embroidery, said bluntly, ‘Aye, troth, Redgauntlet, I am here
+just like yourself; I have little to lose--they that took my land the
+last time, may take my life this; and that is all I care about it.’
+
+The English gentlemen, who were still in possession of their paternal
+estates, looked doubtfully on each other, and there was something
+whispered among them of the fox which had lost his tail.
+
+Redgauntlet hastened to address them. ‘I think, my lords and gentlemen,’
+he said, ‘that I can account for something like sadness which has crept
+upon an assembly gathered together for so noble a purpose. Our numbers
+seem, when thus assembled, too small and inconsiderable to shake the
+firm-seated usurpation of a half-century. But do not count us by what
+we are in thew and muscle, but by what our summons can do among our
+countrymen. In this small party are those who have power to raise
+battalions, and those who have wealth to pay them. And do not believe
+our friends who are absent are cold or indifferent to the cause. Let us
+once light the signal, and it will be hailed by all who retain love for
+the Stuart, and by all--a more numerous body--who hate the Elector. Here
+I have letters from’--
+
+Sir Richard Glendale interrupted the speaker. ‘We all confide,
+Redgauntlet, in your valour and skill--we admire your perseverance; and
+probably nothing short of your strenuous exertions, and the emulation
+awakened by your noble and disinterested conduct, could have brought
+so many of us, the scattered remnant of a disheartened party, to meet
+together once again in solemn consultation; for I take it, gentlemen,’
+he said, looking round, ‘this is only a consultation.’
+
+‘Nothing more,’ said the young lord.
+
+‘Nothing more,’ said Doctor Grumball, shaking his large academical
+peruke.
+
+And, ‘Only a consultation,’ was echoed by the others.
+
+Redgauntlet bit his lip. ‘I had hopes,’ he said, ‘that the discourses
+I have held with most of you, from time to time, had ripened into more
+maturity than your words imply, and that we were here to execute as
+well as to deliberate; and for this we stand prepared. I can raise five
+hundred men with my whistle.’
+
+‘Five hundred men!’ said one of the Welsh squires; ‘Cot bless us! and
+pray you, what cood could five hundred men do?’
+
+‘All that the priming does for the cannon, Mr. Meredith,’ answered
+Redgauntlet; ‘it will enable us to seize Carlisle, and you know what our
+friends have engaged for in that case.’
+
+‘Yes--but,’ said the young nobleman, ‘you must not hurry us on too fast,
+Mr. Redgauntlet; we are all, I believe, as sincere and truehearted in
+this business as you are, but we will not be driven forward blindfold.
+We owe caution to ourselves and our families, as well as to those whom
+we are empowered to represent on this occasion.’
+
+‘Who hurries you, my lord? Who is it that would drive this meeting
+forward blindfold? I do not understand your lordship,’ said Redgauntlet.
+
+‘Nay,’ said Sir Richard Glendale, ‘at least do not let us fall under
+our old reproach of disagreeing among ourselves. What my lord means,
+Redgauntlet, is, that we have this morning heard it is uncertain
+whether you could even bring that body of men whom you count upon; your
+countryman, Mr. MacKellar, seemed, just before you came in, to doubt
+whether your people would rise in any force, unless you could produce
+the authority of your nephew.’
+
+‘I might ask,’ said Redgauntlet,’ what right MacKellar, or any one, has
+to doubt my being able to accomplish what I stand pledged for? But our
+hopes consist in our unity. Here stands my nephew. Gentlemen, I present
+to you my kinsman, Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk.’
+
+‘Gentlemen,’ said Darsie, with a throbbing bosom, for he felt the crisis
+a very painful one, ‘Allow me to say, that I suspend expressing my
+sentiments on the important subject under discussion until I have heard
+those of the present meeting.’
+
+‘Proceed in your deliberations, gentlemen,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘I will
+show my nephew such reasons for acquiescing in the result, as will
+entirely remove any scruples which may hang around his mind.’
+
+Dr. Grumball now coughed, ‘shook his ambrosial curls,’ and addressed the
+assembly.
+
+‘The principles of Oxford,’ he said,’ are well understood, since she
+was the last to resign herself to the Arch-Usurper,--since she has
+condemned, by her sovereign authority, the blasphemous, atheistical,
+and anarchical tenets of Locke, and other deluders of the public
+mind. Oxford will give men, money and countenance, to the cause of the
+rightful monarch. But we have, been often deluded by foreign powers,
+who have availed themselves of our zeal to stir up civil dissensions, in
+Britain, not for the advantage of our blessed though banished monarch,
+but to stir up disturbances by which they might profit, while we, their
+tools, are sure to be ruined. Oxford, therefore, will not rise, unless
+our sovereign comes in person to claim our allegiance, in which case,
+God forbid we should refuse him our best obedience.’
+
+‘It is a very cood advice,’ said Mr. Meredith.
+
+‘In troth,’ said Sir Richard Glendale, ‘it is the very keystone of our
+enterprise, and the only condition upon which I myself and others
+could ever have dreamt of taking up arms. No insurrection which has not
+Charles Edward himself at its head, will, ever last longer than till a
+single foot company of redcoats march to disperse it.’
+
+‘This is my own opinion, and that of all my family,’ said the young
+nobleman already mentioned; ‘and I own I am somewhat surprised at being
+summoned to attend a dangerous rendezvous such as this, before something
+certain could have been stated to us on this most important preliminary
+point.’
+
+‘Pardon me, my lord,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘I have not been so unjust
+either to myself or my friends--I had no means of communicating to our
+distant confederates (without the greatest risk of discovery) what is
+known to some of my honourable friends. As courageous, and as resolved,
+as when, twenty years since, he threw himself into the wilds of Moidart,
+Charles Edward has instantly complied with the wishes of his faithful
+subjects. Charles Edward is in this country--Charles Edward is in this
+house!--Charles Edward waits but your present decision, to receive the
+homage of those who have ever called themselves his loyal liegemen. He
+that would now turn his coat, and change his note, must do so under the
+eye of his sovereign.’
+
+There was a deep pause. Those among the conspirators whom mere habit, or
+a desire of preserving consistency, had engaged in the affair, now saw
+with terror their retreat cut off; and others, who at a distance had
+regarded the proposed enterprise as hopeful, trembled when the moment
+of actually embarking in it was thus unexpectedly and almost inevitably
+precipitated.
+
+‘How now, my lords and gentlemen!’ said Redgauntlet; is it delight and
+rapture that keep you thus silent? where are the eager welcomes that
+should be paid to your rightful king, who a second time confides his
+person to the care of his subjects, undeterred by the hairbreadth
+escapes and severe privations of his former expedition? I hope there is
+no gentleman here that is not ready to redeem, in his prince’s presence,
+the pledge of fidelity which he offered in his absence.’
+
+‘I, at least,’ said the young nobleman resolutely, and laying his hand
+on his sword, ‘will not be that coward. If Charles is come to these
+shores, I will be the first to give him welcome, and to devote my life
+and fortune to his service.’
+
+‘Before Cot,’ said Mr. Meredith, ‘I do not see that Mr. Redgauntlet has
+left us anything else to do.’
+
+‘Stay,’ said Summertrees, ‘there is yet one other question. Has he
+brought any of those Irish rapparees with him, who broke the neck of our
+last glorious affair?’
+
+‘Not a man of them,’ said Redgauntlet.
+
+‘I trust,’ said Dr. Grumball, ‘that there are no Catholic priests in his
+company. I would not intrude on the private conscience of my sovereign,
+but, as an unworthy son of the Church of England, it is my duty to
+consider her security.’
+
+‘Not a Popish dog or cat is there, to bark or mew about his Majesty,’
+said Redgauntlet. ‘Old Shaftesbury himself could not wish a prince’s
+person more secure from Popery--which may not be the worst religion
+in the world, notwithstanding. Any more doubts, gentlemen? can no more
+plausible reasons be discovered for postponing the payment of our duty,
+and discharge of our oaths and engagements? Meantime your king waits
+your declaration--by my faith he hath but a frozen reception!’
+
+‘Redgauntlet,’ said Sir Richard Glendale, calmly, ‘your reproaches shall
+not goad me into anything of which my reason disapproves. That I respect
+my engagement as much as you do, is evident, since I am here, ready to
+support it with the best blood in my veins. But has the king really come
+hither entirely unattended?’
+
+‘He has no man with him but young ------, as aide de camp, and a single
+valet de chambre.’
+
+‘No MAN--but, Redgauntlet, as you are a gentleman, has he no woman with
+him?’
+
+Redgauntlet cast his eyes on the ground and replied, ‘I am sorry to
+say--he has.’
+
+The company looked at each other, and remained silent for a moment.
+At length Sir Richard proceeded. ‘I need not repeat to you, Mr.
+Redgauntlet, what is the well-grounded opinion of his Majesty’s friends
+concerning that most unhappy connexion there is but one sense and
+feeling amongst us upon the subject. I must conclude that our humble
+remonstrances were communicated by you, sir, to the king?’
+
+‘In the same strong terms in which they were couched,’ replied
+Redgauntlet. ‘I love his Majesty’s cause more than I fear his
+displeasure.’
+
+‘But, apparently, our humble expostulation has produced no effect.
+This lady, who has crept into his bosom, has a sister in the Elector
+of Hanover’s court, and yet we are well assured that our most private
+communication is placed in her keeping.’
+
+‘VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER FEMINA,’ said Dr. Grumball.
+
+‘She puts his secrets into her work-bag,’ said Maxwell; ‘and out they
+fly whenever she opens it. If I must hang, I would wish it to be in
+somewhat a better rope than the string of a lady’s hussey.’
+
+‘Are you, too, turning dastard, Maxwell?’ said Redgauntlet, in a
+whisper.
+
+‘Not I,’ said Maxwell; ‘let us fight for it, and let them win and wear
+us; but to be betrayed by a brimstone like that’--
+
+‘Be temperate, gentlemen,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘the foible of which you
+complain so heavily has always been that of kings and heroes; which I
+feel strongly confident the king will surmount, upon the humble entreaty
+of his best servants, and when he sees them ready to peril their all in
+his cause, upon the slight condition of his resigning the society of
+a female favourite, of whom I have seen reason to think he hath been
+himself for some time wearied. But let us not press upon him rashly
+with our well-meant zeal. He has a princely will as becomes his princely
+birth, and we, gentlemen, who are royalists, should be the last to take
+advantage of circumstances to limit its exercise. I am as much surprised
+and hurt as you can be, to find that he has made her the companion of
+this journey, increasing every chance of treachery and detection. But do
+not let us insist upon a sacrifice so humiliating, while he has scarce
+placed a foot upon the beach of his kingdom. Let us act generously by
+our sovereign; and when we have shown what we will do for him, we
+shall be able, with better face, to state what it is we expect him to
+concede.’
+
+‘Indeed, I think it is but a pity,’ said MacKellar, ‘when so many pretty
+gentlemen are got together, that they should part without the flash of a
+sword among them.’
+
+‘I should be of that gentleman’s opinion,’ said Lord ------, ‘had I
+nothing to lose but my life; but I frankly own, that the conditions
+on which our family agreed to join having been, in this instance, left
+unfulfilled, I will not peril the whole fortunes of our house on the
+doubtful fidelity of an artful woman.’
+
+‘I am sorry to see your lordship,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘take a course
+which is more likely to secure your house’s wealth than to augment its
+honours.’
+
+‘How am I to understand your language, sir?’ said the young nobleman,
+haughtily.
+
+‘Nay, gentlemen,’ said Dr Grumball, interposing, ‘do not let friends
+quarrel; we are all zealous for the cause--but truly, although I know
+the license claimed by the great in such matters, and can, I hope, make
+due allowance, there is, I may say, an indecorum in a prince who comes
+to claim the allegiance of the Church of England, arriving on such an
+errand with such a companion--SI NON CASTE, CAUTE TAMEN.’
+
+‘I wonder how the Church of England came to be so heartily attached to
+his merry old namesake,’ said Redgauntlet.
+
+Sir Richard Glendale then took up the question, as one whose authority
+and experience gave him right to speak with much weight.
+
+‘We have no leisure for hesitation,’ he said; ‘it is full time that
+we decide what course we are to hold. I feel as much as you, Mr.
+Redgauntlet, the delicacy of capitulating with our sovereign in his
+present condition. But I must also think of the total ruin of the
+cause, the confiscation and bloodshed which will take place among his
+adherents, and all through the infatuation with which he adheres to
+a woman who is the pensionary of the present minister, as she was
+for years Sir Robert Walpole’s. Let his Majesty send her back to the
+continent, and the sword on which I now lay my hand shall instantly be
+unsheathed, and, I trust, many hundred others at the same moment.’
+
+The other persons present testified their unanimous acquiescence in what
+Sir Richard Glendale had said.
+
+‘I see you have taken your resolutions, gentlemen,’ said Redgauntlet;
+‘unwisely I think, because I believe that, by softer and more generous
+proceedings, you would have been more likely to carry a point which I
+think as desirable as you do. But what is to be done if Charles should
+refuse, with the inflexibility of his grandfather, to comply with this
+request of yours? Do you mean to abandon him to his fate?’
+
+‘God forbid!’ said Sir Richard, hastily; ‘and God forgive you, Mr.
+Redgauntlet, for breathing such a thought. No! I for one will, with all
+duty and humility, see him safe back to his vessel, and defend him with
+my life against whosoever shall assail him. But when I have seen his
+sails spread, my next act will be to secure, if I can, my own safety, by
+retiring to my house; or, if I find our engagement, as is too probable,
+has taken wind, by surrendering myself to the next Justice of Peace,
+and giving security that hereafter I shall live quiet, and submit to the
+ruling powers.’
+
+Again the rest of the persons present intimated their agreement in
+opinion with the speaker.
+
+‘Well, gentlemen,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘it is not for me to oppose the
+opinion of every one; and I must do you the justice to say, that
+the king has, in the present instance, neglected a condition of your
+agreement which was laid before him in very distinct terms. The question
+now is, who is to acquaint him with the result of this conference; for I
+presume you would not wait on him in a body to make the proposal that
+he should dismiss a person from his family as the price of your
+allegiance.’
+
+‘I think Mr. Redgauntlet should make the explanation, said Lord--. ‘As
+he has, doubtless, done justice to our remonstrances by communicating
+them to the king, no one can, with such propriety and force, state the
+natural and inevitable consequence of their being neglected.’
+
+‘Now, I think,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘that those who make the objection
+should state it, for I am confident the king will hardly believe, on
+less authority than that of the heir of the loyal House of B--, that he
+is the first to seek an evasion of his pledge to join him.’
+
+‘An evasion, sir!’ repeated Lord ------, fiercely, ‘I have borne too
+much from you already, and this I will not endure. Favour me with your
+company to the downs.’
+
+Redgauntlet laughed scornfully, and was about to follow the fiery young
+man, when Sir Richard again interposed. ‘Are we to exhibit,’ he said,
+‘the last symptoms of the dissolution of our party, by turning our
+swords against each other? Be patient, Lord ------; in such conferences
+as this, much must pass unquestioned which might brook challenge
+elsewhere. There is a privilege of party as of parliament--men cannot,
+in emergency, stand upon picking phrases. Gentlemen, if you will extend
+your confidence in me so far, I will wait upon his Majesty, and I
+hope my Lord ------ and Mr. Redgauntlet will accompany me. I trust the
+explanation of this unpleasant matter will prove entirely satisfactory,
+and that we shall find ourselves at liberty to render our homage to our
+sovereign without reserve, when I for one will be the first to peril all
+in his just quarrel.’
+
+Redgauntlet at once stepped forward. ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘if my zeal
+made me say anything in the slightest degree offensive, I wish it
+unsaid, and ask your pardon. A gentleman can do no more.’
+
+‘I could not have asked Mr. Redgauntlet to do so much,’ said the young
+nobleman, willingly accepting the hand which Redgauntlet offered. ‘I
+know no man living from whom I could take so much reproof without a
+sense of degradation as from himself.’
+
+‘Let me then hope, my lord, that you will go with Sir Richard and me to
+the presence. Your warm blood will heat our zeal--our colder resolves
+will temper yours.
+
+The young lord smiled, and shook his head. ‘Alas! Mr. Redgauntlet,’ he
+said, ‘I am ashamed to say, that in zeal you surpass us all. But I
+will not refuse this mission, provided you will permit Sir Arthur, your
+nephew, also to accompany us.’
+
+‘My nephew?’ said Redgauntlet, and seemed to hesitate, then added, ‘Most
+certainly. I trust,’ he said, looking at Darsie, ‘he will bring to his
+prince’s presence such sentiments as fit the occasion.’
+
+It seemed however to Darsie, that his uncle would rather have left
+him behind, had he not feared that he might in that case have been
+influenced by, or might perhaps himself influence, the unresolved
+confederates with whom he must have associated during his absence.
+
+‘I will go,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘and request admission.’
+
+In a moment after he returned, and without speaking, motioned for the
+young nobleman to advance. He did so, followed by Sir Richard Glendale
+and Darsie, Redgauntlet himself bringing up the rear. A short
+passage, and a few steps, brought them to the door of the temporary
+presence-chamber, in which the Royal Wanderer was to receive their
+homage. It was the upper loft of one of those cottages which made
+additions to the old inn, poorly furnished, dusty, and in disorder; for,
+rash as the enterprise might be considered, they had been still careful
+not to draw the attention of strangers by any particular attentions
+to the personal accommodation of the prince. He was seated, when the
+deputies, as they might be termed, of his remaining adherents entered;
+and as he rose, and came forward and bowed, in acceptance of their
+salutation, it was with a dignified courtesy which at once supplied
+whatever was deficient in external pomp, and converted the wretched
+garret into a saloon worthy of the occasion.
+
+It is needless to add that he was the same personage already introduced
+in the character of Father Buonaventure, by which name he was
+distinguished at Fairladies. His dress was not different from what he
+then wore, excepting that he had a loose riding-coat of camlet, under
+which he carried an efficient cut-and-thrust sword, instead of his
+walking rapier, and also a pair of pistols.
+
+Redgauntlet presented to him successively the young Lord ------, and
+his kinsman, Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet, who trembled as, bowing
+and kissing his hand, he found himself surprised into what might be
+construed an act of high treason, which yet he saw no safe means to
+avoid.
+
+Sir Richard Glendale seemed personally known to Charles Edward, who
+received him with a mixture of dignity and affection, and seemed to
+sympathize with the tears which rushed into that gentleman’s eyes as he
+bade his Majesty welcome to his native kingdom.
+
+‘Yes, my good Sir Richard,’ said the unfortunate prince in a tone
+melancholy, yet resolved, ‘Charles Edward is with his faithful friends
+once more--not, perhaps, with his former gay hopes which undervalued
+danger, but with the same determined contempt of the worst which can
+befall him, in claiming his own rights and those of his country.’
+
+‘I rejoice, sire--and yet, alas! I must also grieve, to see you once
+more on the British shores,’ said Sir Richard Glendale, and stopped
+short--a tumult of contradictory feelings preventing his further
+utterance.
+
+‘It is the call of my faithful and suffering people which alone could
+have induced me to take once more the sword in my hand. For my own part,
+Sir Richard, when I have reflected how many of my loyal and devoted
+friends perished by the sword and by proscription, or died indigent
+and neglected in a foreign land, I have often, sworn that no view to my
+personal aggrandizement should again induce me to agitate a title which
+has cost my followers so dear. But since so many men of worth and honour
+conceive the cause of England and Scotland to be linked with that of
+Charles Stuart, I must follow their brave example, and, laying aside all
+other considerations, once more stand forward as their deliverer. I am,
+however, come hither upon your invitation; and as you are so completely
+acquainted with circumstances to which my absence must necessarily
+have rendered me a stranger, I must be a mere tool in the hands of my
+friends. I know well I never can refer myself implicitly to more
+loyal hearts or wiser heads, than Herries Redgauntlet, and Sir Richard
+Glendale. Give me your advice, then, how we are to proceed, and decide
+upon the fate of Charles Edward.’
+
+Redgauntlet looked at Sir Richard, as if to say, ‘Can you press any
+additional or unpleasant condition at a moment like this?’ And the other
+shook his head and looked down, as if his resolution was unaltered, and
+yet as feeling all the delicacy of the situation.
+
+There was a silence, which was broken by the unfortunate representative
+of an unhappy dynasty, with some appearance of irritation. ‘This is
+strange, gentlemen,’ he said; ‘you have sent for me from the bosom of my
+family, to head an adventure of doubt and danger; and when I come, your
+own minds seem to be still irresolute. I had not expected this on the
+part of two such men.’
+
+‘For me, sire,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘the steel of my sword is not truer
+than the temper of my mind.’
+
+‘My Lord ------‘s and mine are equally so,’ said Sir Richard; ‘but you
+had in charge, Mr. Redgauntlet, to convey our request to his Majesty,
+coupled with certain conditions.’
+
+‘And I discharged my duty to his Majesty and to you,’ said Redgauntlet.
+
+‘I looked at no condition, gentlemen,’ said their king, with dignity,’
+save that which called me here to assert my rights in person. That I
+have fulfilled at no common risk. Here I stand to keep my word, and I
+expect of you to be true to yours.’
+
+‘There was, or should have been, something more than that in our
+proposal, please your Majesty,’ said Sir Richard. ‘There was a condition
+annexed to it.’
+
+‘I saw it not,’ said Charles, interrupting him. ‘Out of tenderness
+towards the noble hearts of whom I think so highly, I would neither
+see nor read anything which could lessen them in my love and my esteem.
+Conditions can have no part betwixt prince and subject.’
+
+‘Sire,’ said Redgauntlet, kneeling on one knee, ‘I see from Sir
+Richard’s countenance he deems it my fault that your Majesty seems
+ignorant of what your subjects desired that I should communicate to your
+Majesty. For Heaven’s sake! for the sake of all my past services and
+sufferings, leave not such a stain upon my honour! The note, Number D,
+of which this is a copy, referred to the painful subject to which Sir
+Richard again directs your attention.’
+
+‘You press upon me, gentlemen,’ said the prince, colouring highly,’
+recollections, which, as I hold them most alien to your character, I
+would willingly have banished from my memory. I did not suppose that
+my loyal subjects would think so poorly of me, as to use my depressed
+circumstances as a reason for forcing themselves into my domestic
+privacies, and stipulating arrangements with their king regarding
+matters in which the meanest minds claim the privilege of thinking for
+themselves. In affairs of state and public policy, I will ever be guided
+as becomes a prince, by the advice of my wisest counsellors; in those
+which regard my private affections and my domestic arrangements, I claim
+the same freedom of will which I allow to all my subjects, and without
+which a crown were less worth wearing than a beggar’s bonnet.’
+
+‘May it please your Majesty,’ said Sir Richard Glendale, ‘I see it must
+be my lot to speak unwilling truths; but believe me, I do so with as
+much profound respect as deep regret. It is true, we have called you to
+head a mighty undertaking, and that your Majesty, preferring honour to
+safety, and the love of your country to your own ease, has condescended
+to become our leader. But we also pointed out as a necessary and
+indispensable preparatory step to the achievement of our purpose--and,
+I must say, as a positive condition of our engaging in it--that an
+individual, supposed,--I presume not to guess how truly,--to have your
+Majesty’s more intimate confidence, and believed, I will not say on
+absolute proof but upon the most pregnant suspicion, to be capable of
+betraying that confidence to the Elector of Hanover, should be removed
+from your royal household and society.’
+
+‘This is too insolent, Sir Richard!’ said Charles Edward. ‘Have you
+inveigled me into your power to bait me in this unseemly manner? And
+you, Redgauntlet, why did you suffer matters to come to such a point as
+this, without making me more distinctly aware what insults were to be
+practised on me?’
+
+‘My gracious prince,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘I am so far to blame in this,
+that I did not think so slight an impediment as that of a woman’s
+society could have really interrupted an undertaking of this magnitude.
+I am a plain man, sire, and speak but bluntly; I could not have dreamt
+but what, within the first five minutes of this interview, either Sir
+Richard and his friends would have ceased to insist upon a condition so
+ungrateful to your Majesty, or that your Majesty would have sacrificed
+this unhappy attachment to the sound advice, or even to the over-anxious
+suspicions, of so many faithful subjects. I saw no entanglement in such
+a difficulty which on either side might not have been broken through
+like a cobweb.’
+
+‘You were mistaken, sir,’ said Charles Edward, ‘entirely mistaken--as
+much so as you are at this moment, when you think in your heart my
+refusal to comply with this insolent proposition is dictated by a
+childish and romantic passion for an individual, I tell you, sir, I
+could part with that person to-morrow, without an instant’s regret--that
+I have had thoughts of dismissing her from my court, for reasons known
+to myself; but that I will never betray my rights as a sovereign and a
+man, by taking this step to secure the favour of any one, or to purchase
+that allegiance which, if you owe it to me at all, is due to me as my
+birthright.’
+
+‘I am sorry for this,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘I hope both your Majesty
+and Sir Richard will reconsider your resolutions, or forbear this
+discussion, in a conjuncture so pressing. I trust your Majesty will
+recollect that you are on hostile ground; that our preparations cannot
+have so far escaped notice as to permit us now with safety to retreat
+from our purpose; insomuch, that it is with the deepest anxiety of
+heart I foresee even danger to your own royal person, unless you can
+generously give your subjects the satisfaction, which Sir Richard seems
+to think they are obstinate in demanding.’
+
+‘And deep indeed your anxiety ought to be,’ said the prince. ‘Is it in
+these circumstances of personal danger in which you expect to overcome a
+resolution, which is founded on a sense of what is due to me as a man
+or a prince? If the axe and scaffold were ready before the windows of
+Whitehall, I would rather tread the same path with my great-grandfather,
+than concede the slightest point in which my honour is concerned.’
+
+He spoke these words with a determined accent, and looked around him on
+the company, all of whom (excepting Darsie, who saw, he thought, a
+fair period to a most perilous enterprise) seemed in deep anxiety and
+confusion. At length, Sir Richard spoke in a solemn and melancholy tone.
+‘If the safety,’ he said, ‘of poor Richard Glendale were alone concerned
+in this matter, I have never valued my life enough to weigh it
+against the slightest point of your Majesty’s service. But I am only a
+messenger--a commissioner, who must execute my trust, and upon whom a
+thousand voices will cry, Curse and woe, if I do it not with fidelity.
+All of your adherents, even Redgauntlet himself, see certain ruin to
+this enterprise--the greatest danger to your Majesty’s person--the utter
+destruction of all your party and friends, if they insist not on the
+point, which, unfortunately, your Majesty is so unwilling to concede. I
+speak it with a heart full of anguish--with a tongue unable to utter
+my emotions--but it must be spoken--the fatal truth--that if your
+royal goodness cannot yield to us a boon which we hold necessary to our
+security and your own, your Majesty with one word disarms ten thousand
+men, ready to draw their swords in your behalf; or, to speak yet more
+plainly, you annihilate even the semblance of a royal party in Great
+Britain.’
+
+‘And why do you not add,’ said the prince, scornfully, ‘that the men
+who have been ready to assume arms in my behalf, will atone for their
+treason to the Elector, by delivering me up to the fate for which so
+many proclamations have destined me? Carry my head to St. James’s,
+gentlemen; you will do a more acceptable and a more honourable action,
+than, having inveigled me into a situation which places me so completely
+in your power, to dishonour yourselves by propositions which dishonour
+me.
+
+‘My God, sire!’ exclaimed Sir Richard, clasping his hands together,
+in impatience, ‘of what great and inexpiable crime can your Majesty’s
+ancestors have ‘been guilty, that they have been punished by the
+infliction of judicial blindness on their whole generation!--Come, my
+Lord ------, we must to our friends.’
+
+‘By your leave, Sir Richard,’ said the young nobleman, ‘not till we,
+have learned what measures can be taken for his Majesty’s personal
+safety.’
+
+‘Care not for me, young man,’ said Charles Edward; ‘when I was in the
+society of Highland robbers and cattle-drovers, I was safer than I now
+hold myself among the representatives of the best blood in England.
+Farewell, gentlemen--I will shift for myself.’
+
+‘This must never be,’ said Redgauntlet. ‘Let me that brought you to the
+point of danger, at least provide for your safe retreat.’
+
+So saying, he hastily left the apartment, followed by his nephew. The
+Wanderer, averting his eyes from Lord ------ and Sir Richard Glendale,
+threw himself into a seat at the upper end of the apartment, while they,
+in much anxiety, stood together, at a distance from him, and conversed
+in whispers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+NARRATIVE CONTINUED
+
+When Redgauntlet left the room, in haste and discomposure, the first
+person he met on the stair, and indeed so close by the door of the
+apartment that Darsie thought he must have been listening there, was his
+attendant Nixon.
+
+‘What the devil do you here?’ he said, abruptly and sternly.
+
+‘I wait your orders,’ said Nixon. ‘I hope all’s right!--excuse my zeal.’
+
+‘All is wrong, sir. Where is the seafaring fellow--Ewart--what do you
+call him?’
+
+‘Nanty Ewart, sir. I will carry your commands,’ said Nixon.
+
+‘I will deliver them myself to him,’ said Redgauntlet; call him hither.’
+
+‘But should your honour leave the presence?’ said Nixon, still
+lingering.
+
+‘‘Sdeath, sir, do you prate to me?’ said Redgauntlet, bending his brows.
+‘I, sir, transact my own business; you, I am told, act by a ragged
+deputy.’
+
+Without further answer, Nixon departed, rather disconcerted, as it
+seemed to Darsie.
+
+‘That dog turns insolent and lazy,’ said Redgauntlet; but I must bear
+with him for a while.’
+
+A moment after, Nixon returned with Ewart.
+
+‘Is this the smuggling fellow?’ demanded Redgauntlet. Nixon nodded.
+
+‘Is he sober now? he was brawling anon.’
+
+‘Sober enough for business,’ said Nixon.
+
+‘Well then, hark ye, Ewart;--man your boat with your best hands, and
+have her by the pier--get your other fellows on board the brig--if you
+have any cargo left, throw it overboard; it shall be all paid, five
+times over--and be ready for a start to Wales or the Hebrides, or
+perhaps for Sweden or Norway.’
+
+Ewart answered sullenly enough, ‘Aye, aye, sir.’
+
+‘Go with him, Nixon,’ said Redgauntlet, forcing himself to speak with
+some appearance of cordiality to the servant with whom he was offended;
+‘see he does his duty.’
+
+Ewart left the house sullenly, followed by Nixon. The sailor was just in
+that species of drunken humour which made him jealous, passionate,
+and troublesome, without showing any other disorder than that of
+irritability. As he walked towards the beach he kept muttering to
+himself, but in such a tone that his companion lost not a word,
+‘Smuggling fellow--Aye, smuggler--and, start your cargo into the
+sea--and be ready to start for the Hebrides, or Sweden--or the devil,
+I suppose. Well, and what if I said in answer--Rebel, Jacobite--traitor;
+I’ll make you and your d----d confederates walk the plank--I have seen
+better men do it--half a score of a morning--when I was across the
+Line.’
+
+‘D--d unhandsome terms those Redgauntlet used to you, brother.’ said
+Nixon.
+
+‘Which do you mean?’ said Ewart, starting, and recollecting himself. ‘I
+have been at my old trade of thinking aloud, have I?’
+
+‘No matter,’ answered Nixon, ‘none but a friend heard you. You cannot
+have forgotten how Redgauntlet disarmed you this morning.’
+
+‘Why, I would bear no malice about that--only he is so cursedly high and
+saucy,’ said Ewart.
+
+‘And then,’ said Nixon, ‘I know you for a true-hearted Protestant.’
+
+‘That I am, by G--,’ said Ewart. ‘No, the Spaniards could never get my
+religion from me.’
+
+‘And a friend to King George, and the Hanover line of succession,’ said
+Nixon, still walking and speaking very slow.
+
+‘You may swear I am, excepting in the way of business, as Turnpenny
+says. I like King George, but I can’t afford to pay duties.’
+
+‘You are outlawed, I believe,’ said Nixon.
+
+‘Am I?--faith, I believe I am,’ said Ewart. ‘I wish I were INLAWED
+again with all my heart. But come along, we must get all ready for our
+peremptory gentleman, I suppose.’
+
+‘I will teach you a better trick,’ said Nixon. ‘There is a bloody pack
+of rebels yonder.’
+
+‘Aye, we all know that,’ said the smuggler; ‘but the snowball’s melting,
+I think.’
+
+‘There is some one yonder, whose head is worth--thirty
+thousand--pounds--of sterling money,’ said Nixon, pausing between each
+word, as if to enforce the magnificence of the sum.
+
+‘And what of that?’ said Ewart, quickly.
+
+‘Only that, instead of lying by the pier with your men on their oars, if
+you will just carry your boat on board just now, and take no notice of
+any signal from the shore, by G--d, Nanty Ewart. I will make a man of
+you for life!’
+
+‘Oh ho! then the Jacobite gentry are not so safe as they think
+themselves?’ said Nanty.
+
+‘In an hour or two,’ replied Nixon, ‘they will be made safer in Carlisle
+Castle.’
+
+‘The devil they will!’ said Ewart; ‘and you have been the informer, I
+suppose?’
+
+‘Yes; I have been ill paid for my service among the Redgauntlets--have
+scarce got dog’s wages--and been treated worse than ever dog was used. I
+have the old fox and his cubs in the same trap now, Nanty; and we’ll see
+how a certain young lady will look then. You see I am frank with you,
+Nanty.’
+
+‘And I will be as frank with you,’ said the smuggler. ‘You are a d--d
+old scoundrel--traitor to the man whose bread you eat! Me help to betray
+poor devils, that have been so often betrayed myself! Not if they were
+a hundred Popes, Devils, and Pretenders. I will back and tell them their
+danger--they are part of cargo--regularly invoiced--put under my charge
+by the owners--I’ll back’--
+
+‘You are not stark mad?’ said Nixon, who now saw he had miscalculated in
+supposing Nanty’s wild ideas of honour and fidelity could be shaken
+even by resentment, or by his Protestant partialities. ‘You shall not go
+back--it is all a joke.’
+
+‘I’ll back to Redgauntlet, and see whether it is a joke he will laugh
+at.’
+
+‘My life is lost if you do,’ said Nixon--‘hear reason.’
+
+They were in a clump or cluster of tall furze at the moment they were
+speaking, about half-way between the pier and the house, but not in a
+direct line, from which Nixon, whose object it was to gain time, had
+induced Ewart to diverge insensibly.
+
+He now saw the necessity of taking a desperate resolution. ‘Hear
+reason,’ he said; and added, as Nanty still endeavoured to pass him, ‘Or
+else hear this!’ discharging a pocket-pistol into the unfortunate man’s
+body.
+
+Nanty staggered, but kept his feet. ‘It has cut my back-bone asunder,’
+he said; ‘you have done me the last good office, and I will not die
+ungrateful.’
+
+As he uttered the last words, he collected his remaining strength, stood
+firm for an instant, drew his hanger, and, fetching a stroke with both
+hands, cut Cristal Nixon down. The blow, struck with all the energy of
+a desperate and dying man, exhibited a force to which Ewart’s exhausted
+frame might have seemed inadequate;--it cleft the hat which the wretch
+wore, though secured by a plate of iron within the lining, bit deep into
+his skull, and there left a fragment of the weapon, which was broke by
+the fury of the blow.
+
+One of the seamen of the lugger, who strolled up attracted by the firing
+of the pistol, though being a small one the report was very trifling,
+found both the unfortunate men stark dead. Alarmed at what he saw,
+which he conceived to have been the consequence of some unsuccessful
+engagement betwixt his late commander and a revenue officer (for Nixon
+chanced not to be personally known to him) the sailor hastened back
+to the boat, in order to apprise his comrades of Nanty’s fate, and to
+advise them to take off themselves and the vessel.
+
+Meantime Redgauntlet, having, as we have seen, dispatched Nixon for the
+purpose of securing a retreat for the unfortunate Charles, in case of
+extremity, returned to the apartment where he had left the Wanderer. He
+now found him alone.
+
+‘Sir Richard Glendale,’ said the unfortunate prince, ‘with his
+young friend, has gone to consult their adherents now in the house.
+Redgauntlet, my friend, I will not blame you for the circumstances in
+which I find myself, though I am at once placed in danger, and rendered
+contemptible. But you ought to have stated to me more strongly the
+weight which these gentlemen attached to their insolent proposition. You
+should have told me that no compromise would have any effect--that they
+desire not a prince to govern them, but one, on the contrary, over
+whom they were to exercise restraint on all occasions, from the highest
+affairs of the state, down to the most intimate and private concerns of
+his own privacy, which the most ordinary men desire to keep secret and
+sacred from interference.’
+
+‘God knows,’ said Redgauntlet, in much agitation, ‘I acted for the best
+when I pressed your Majesty to come hither--I never thought that your
+Majesty, at such a crisis, would have scrupled, when a kingdom was in
+view, to sacrifice an attachment, which’--
+
+‘Peace, sir!’ said Charles; ‘it is not for you to estimate my feelings
+upon such a subject.’
+
+Redgauntlet coloured high, and bowed profoundly. ‘At least,’ he
+resumed, ‘I hoped that some middle way might be found, and it shall--and
+must.--Come with me, nephew. We will to these gentlemen, and I am
+confident I will bring back heart-stirring tidings.’
+
+‘I will do much to comply with them, Redgauntlet. I am loath, having
+again set my foot on British land, to quit it without a blow for my
+right. But this which they demand of me is a degradation, and compliance
+is impossible.’
+
+Redgauntlet, followed by his nephew, the unwilling spectator of this
+extraordinary scene, left once more the apartment of the adventurous
+Wanderer, and was met on the top of the stairs by Joe Crackenthorp.
+‘Where are the other gentlemen?’ he said.
+
+‘Yonder, in the west barrack,’ answered Joe; ‘but Master
+Ingoldsby,’--that was the name by which Redgauntlet was most generally
+known in Cumberland,--‘I wish to say to you that I must put yonder folk
+together in one room.’
+
+‘What folk?’ said Redgauntlet, impatiently.
+
+‘Why, them prisoner stranger folk, as you bid Cristal Nixon look after.
+Lord love you! this is a large house enow, but we cannot have separate
+lock-ups for folk, as they have in Newgate or in Bedlam. Yonder’s a
+mad beggar, that is to be a great man when he wins a lawsuit, Lord help
+him!--Yonder’s a Quaker and a lawyer charged with a riot; and, ecod, I
+must make one key and one lock keep them, for we are chokeful, and you
+have sent off old Nixon that could have given one some help in this
+confusion. Besides, they take up every one a room, and call for naughts
+on earth,--excepting the old man, who calls lustily enough,--but he has
+not a penny to pay shot.’
+
+‘Do as thou wilt with them,’ said Redgauntlet, who had listened
+impatiently to his statement; ‘so thou dost but keep them from getting
+out and making some alarm in the country, I care not.’
+
+‘A Quaker and a lawyer!’ said Darsie. ‘This must be Fairford and
+Geddes.--Uncle, I must request of you’--
+
+‘Nay, nephew,’ interrupted Redgauntlet, ‘this is no time for asking
+questions. You shall yourself decide upon their fate in the course of an
+hour--no harm whatever is designed them.’
+
+So saying, he hurried towards the place where the Jacobite gentlemen
+were holding their council, and Darsie followed him, in the hope that
+the obstacle which had arisen to the prosecution of their desperate
+adventure would prove insurmountable and spare him the necessity of a
+dangerous and violent rupture with his uncle. The discussions among
+them were very eager; the more daring part of the conspirators, who had
+little but life to lose, being desirous to proceed at all hazards;
+while the others, whom a sense of honour and a hesitation to disavow
+long-cherished principles had brought forward, were perhaps not ill
+satisfied to have a fair apology for declining an adventure, into which
+they had entered with more of reluctance than zeal.
+
+Meanwhile Joe Crackenthorp, availing himself of the hasty permission
+attained from Redgauntlet, proceeded to assemble in one apartment
+those whose safe custody had been thought necessary; and, without much
+considering the propriety of the matter, he selected for the common
+place of confinement, the room which Lilias had, since her brother’s
+departure, occupied alone. It had a strong lock, and was double-hinged,
+which probably led to the preference assigned to it, as a place of
+security.
+
+Into this, Joe, with little ceremony, and a good deal of noise,
+introduced the Quaker and Fairford; the first descanting on the
+immorality, the other on the illegality, of his proceedings; and he
+turned a deaf ear both to the one and the other. Next he pushed in,
+almost in headlong fashion, the unfortunate litigant, who, having made
+some resistance at the threshold, had received a violent thrust
+in consequence, and came rushing forward, like a ram in the act of
+charging, with such impetus as must have carried him to the top of the
+room, and struck the cocked hat which sat perched on the top of his
+tow wig against Miss Redgauntlet’s person, had not the honest Quaker
+interrupted his career by seizing him by the collar, and bringing him to
+a stand. ‘Friend,’ said he, with the real good-breeding which so often
+subsists independently of ceremony, ‘thou art no company for that young
+person; she is, thou seest, frightened at our being so suddenly thrust
+in hither; and although that be no fault of ours, yet it will become
+us to behave civilly towards her. Wherefore come thou with me to this
+window, and I will tell thee what it concerns thee to know.’
+
+‘And what for should I no speak to the Leddy, friend?’ said Peter, who
+was now about half seas over. ‘I have spoke to leddies before now, man.
+What for should she be frightened at me? I am nae bogle, I ween. What
+are ye pooin’ me that gate for? Ye will rive my coat, and I will have
+a good action for having myself made SARTUM ATQUE TECTUM at your
+expenses.’
+
+Notwithstanding this threat, Mr. Geddes, whose muscles were as strong as
+his judgement was sound and his temper sedate, led Poor Peter under the
+sense of a control against which he could not struggle, to the farther
+corner of the apartment, where, placing him, whether he would or no, in
+a chair, he sat down beside him, and effectually prevented his annoying
+the young lady, upon whom he had seemed bent upon conferring the
+delights of his society.
+
+If Peter had immediately recognized his counsel learned in the law, it
+is probable that not even the benevolent efforts of the Quaker could
+have kept him in a state of restraint; but Fairford’s back was turned
+towards his client, whose optics, besides being somewhat dazzled with
+ale and brandy, were speedily engaged in contemplating a half-crown
+which Joshua held between his finger and his thumb, saying, at the
+same time, ‘Friend, thou art indigent and improvident. This will, well
+employed, procure thee sustentation of nature for more than a single
+day; and I will bestow it on thee if thou wilt sit here and keep me
+company; for neither thou nor I, friend, are fit company for ladies.’
+
+‘Speak for yourself, friend,’ said Peter, scornfully; ‘I was ay kend to
+be agreeable to the fair sex; and when I was in business I served the
+ladies wi’ anither sort of decorum than Plainstanes, the d--d awkward
+scoundrel! It was one of the articles of dittay between us.’
+
+‘Well, but, friend,’ said the Quaker, who observed that the young lady
+still seemed to fear Peter’s intrusion, ‘I wish to hear thee speak about
+this great lawsuit of thine, which has been matter of such celebrity.’
+
+‘Celebrity! Ye may swear that,’ said Peter, for the string was touched
+to which his crazy imagination always vibrated. ‘And I dinna wonder
+that folk that judge things by their outward grandeur, should think me
+something worth their envying. It’s very true that it is grandeur upon
+earth to hear ane’s name thunnered out along the long-arched roof of the
+Outer House,--“Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes ET PER CONTRA;”
+ a’ the best lawyers in the house fleeing like eagles to the prey; some
+because they are in the cause, and some because they want to be thought
+engaged (for there are tricks in other trades by selling muslins)--to
+see the reporters mending their pens to take down the debate--the Lords
+themselves pooin’ in their chairs, like folk sitting down to a gude
+dinner, and crying on the clerks for parts and pendicles of the process,
+who, puir bodies, can do little mair than cry on their closet-keepers
+to help them. To see a’ this,’ continued Peter, in a tone of sustained
+rapture, ‘and to ken that naething will be said or dune amang a’ thae
+grand folk, for maybe the feck of three hours, saving what concerns you
+and your business--Oh, man, nae wonder that ye judge this to be earthly
+glory! And yet, neighbour, as I was saying, there be unco drawbacks--I
+whiles think of my bit house, where dinner, and supper, and breakfast,
+used to come without the crying for, just as if fairies had brought
+it--and the gude bed at e’en--and the needfu’ penny in the pouch. And
+then to see a’ ane’s warldly substance capering in the air in a pair of
+weighbauks, now up, now down, as the breath of judge or counsel inclines
+it for pursuer or defender,--troth, man, there are times I rue having
+ever begun the plea wark, though, maybe, when ye consider the renown and
+credit I have by it, ye will hardly believe what I am saying.’
+
+‘Indeed, friend,’ said Joshua, with a sigh, ‘I am glad thou hast found
+anything in the legal contention which compensates thee for poverty and
+hunger; but I believe, were other human objects of ambition looked
+upon as closely, their advantages would be found as chimerical as those
+attending thy protracted litigation.’
+
+‘But never mind, friend,’ said Peter, ‘I’ll tell you the exact state of
+the conjunct processes, and make you sensible that I can bring mysell
+round with a wet finger, now I have my finger and my thumb on this
+loup-the-dike loon, the lad Fairford.’
+
+Alan Fairford was in the act of speaking to the masked lady (for Miss
+Redgauntlet had retained her riding vizard) endeavouring to assure her,
+as he perceived her anxiety, of such protection as he could afford, when
+his own name, pronounced in a loud tone, attracted his attention. He
+looked round, and seeing Peter Peebles, as hastily turned to avoid his
+notice, in which he succeeded, so earnest was Peter upon his colloquy
+with one of the most respectable auditors whose attention he had ever
+been able to engage. And by this little motion, momentary as it was,
+Alan gained an unexpected advantage; for while he looked round, Miss
+Lilias, I could never ascertain why, took the moment to adjust her mask,
+and did it so awkwardly, that when her companion again turned his head,
+he recognized as much of her features as authorized him to address her
+as his fair client, and to press his offers of protection and assistance
+with the boldness of a former acquaintance.
+
+Lilias Redgauntlet withdrew the mask from her crimsoned cheek. ‘Mr.
+Fairford,’ she said, in a voice almost inaudible, ‘you have the
+character of a young gentleman of sense and generosity; but we have
+already met in one situation which you must think singular; and I must
+be exposed to misconstruction, at least, for my forwardness, were it not
+in a cause in which my dearest affections were concerned.’
+
+‘Any interest in my beloved friend Darsie Latimer,’ said Fairford,
+stepping a little back, and putting a marked restraint upon his former
+advances, ‘gives me a double right to be useful to’--He stopped short.
+
+‘To his sister, your goodness would say,’ answered Lilias.
+
+‘His sister, madam!’ replied Alan, in the extremity of
+astonishment--‘Sister, I presume, in affection only?’
+
+‘No, sir; my dear brother Darsie and I are connected by the bonds of
+actual relationship; and I am not sorry to be the first to tell this to
+the friend he most values.’
+
+Fairford’s first thought was on the violent passion which Darsie had
+expressed towards the fair unknown. ‘Good God!’ he exclaimed, ‘how did
+he bear the discovery?’
+
+‘With resignation, I hope,’ said Lilias, smiling. ‘A more accomplished
+sister he might easily have come by, but scarcely could have found one
+who could love him more than I do.’
+
+‘I meant--I only meant to say,’ said the young counsellor, his presence
+of mind failing him for an instant--‘that is, I meant to ask where
+Darsie Latimer is at this moment.’
+
+‘In this very house, and under the guardianship of his uncle, whom I
+believe you knew as a visitor of your father, under the name of Mr.
+Herries of Birrenswork.’
+
+‘Let me hasten to him,’ said Fairford; ‘I have sought him through
+difficulties and dangers--I must see him instantly.’
+
+‘You forget you are a prisoner,’ said the young lady.
+
+‘True--true; but I cannot be long detained--the cause alleged is too
+ridiculous.’
+
+‘Alas!’ said Lilias, ‘our fate--my brother’s and mine, at least--must
+turn on the deliberations perhaps of less than an hour. For you, sir, I
+believe and apprehend nothing; but some restraint; my uncle is neither
+cruel nor unjust, though few will go further in the cause which he has
+adopted.’
+
+‘Which is that of the Pretend’--
+
+‘For God’s sake speak lower!’ said Lilias, approaching her hand, as if
+to stop him. ‘The word may cost you your life. You do not know--indeed
+you do not--the terrors of the situation in which we at present stand,
+and in which I fear you also are involved by your friendship for my
+brother.’
+
+‘I do not indeed know the particulars of our situation,’ said Fairford;
+‘but, be the danger what it may, I shall not grudge my share of it
+for the sake of my friend; or,’ he added, with more timidity, ‘of my
+friend’s sister. Let me hope,’ he said, ‘my dear Miss Latimer, that
+my presence may be of some use to you; and that it may be so, let
+me entreat a share of your confidence, which I am conscious I have
+otherwise no right to ask.’
+
+He led her, as he spoke, towards the recess of the farther window of the
+room, and observing to her that, unhappily, he was particularly exposed
+to interruption from the mad old man whose entrance had alarmed her, he
+disposed of Darsie Latimer’s riding-skirt, which had been left in the
+apartment, over the back of two chairs, forming thus a sort of screen,
+behind which he ensconced himself with the maiden of the green mantle;
+feeling at the moment, that the danger in which he was placed was almost
+compensated by the intelligence which permitted those feelings towards
+her to revive, which justice to his friend had induced him to stifle in
+the birth.
+
+The relative situation of adviser and advised, of protector and
+protected, is so peculiarly suited to the respective condition of man
+and woman, that great progress towards intimacy is often made in very
+short space; for the circumstances call for confidence on the part of
+the gentleman, and forbid coyness on that of the lady, so that the usual
+barriers against easy intercourse are at once thrown down.
+
+Under these circumstances, securing themselves as far as possible from
+observation, conversing in whispers, and seated in a corner, where they
+were brought into so close contact that their faces nearly touched each
+other, Fairford heard from Lilias Redgauntlet the history of her family,
+particularly of her uncle; his views upon her brother, and the agony
+which she felt, lest at that very moment he might succeed in engaging
+Darsie in some desperate scheme, fatal to his fortune and perhaps to his
+life.
+
+Alan Fairford’s acute understanding instantly connected what he had
+heard with the circumstances he had witnessed at Fairladies. His first
+thought was, to attempt, at all risks, his instant escape, and procure
+assistance powerful enough to crush, in the very cradle, a conspiracy of
+such a determined character. This he did not consider as difficult; for,
+though the door was guarded on the outside, the window, which was not
+above ten feet from the ground, was open for escape, the common on which
+it looked was unenclosed, and profusely covered with furze. There
+would, he thought, be little difficulty in effecting his liberty, and in
+concealing his course after he had gained it.
+
+But Lilias exclaimed against this scheme. Her uncle, she said, was a man
+who, in his moments of enthusiasm, knew neither remorse nor fear. He
+was capable of visiting upon Darsie any injury which he might conceive
+Fairford had rendered him--he was her near kinsman also, and not an
+unkind one, and she deprecated any effort, even in her brother’s favour,
+by which his life must be exposed to danger. Fairford himself remembered
+Father Buonaventure, and made little question but that he was one of
+the sons of the old Chevalier de Saint George; and with feelings which,
+although contradictory of his public duty, can hardly be much censured,
+his heart recoiled from being the agent by whom the last scion of such
+a long line of Scottish princes should be rooted up. He then thought
+of obtaining an audience, if possible, of this devoted person, and
+explaining to him the utter hopelessness of his undertaking, which he
+judged it likely that the ardour of his partisans might have concealed
+from him. But he relinquished this design as soon as formed. He had no
+doubt, that any light which he could throw on the state of the country,
+would come too late to be serviceable to one who was always reported to
+have his own full share of the hereditary obstinacy which had cost his
+ancestors so dear, and who, in drawing the sword, must have thrown from
+him the scabbard.
+
+Lilias suggested the advice which, of all others, seemed most suited
+to the occasion, that, yielding, namely, to the circumstances of their
+situation, they should watch carefully when Darsie should obtain any
+degree of freedom, and endeavour to open a communication with him, in
+which case their joint flight might be effected, and without endangering
+the safety of any one.
+
+Their youthful deliberation had nearly fixed in this point, when
+Fairford, who was listening to the low sweet whispering tones of Lilias
+Redgauntlet, rendered yet more interesting by some slight touch of
+foreign accent, was startled by a heavy hand which descended with full
+weight on his shoulder, while the discordant voice of Peter Peebles, who
+had at length broke loose from the well-meaning Quaker, exclaimed in the
+ear of his truant counsel--‘Aha, lad! I think ye are catched--An’ so ye
+are turned chamber-counsel, are ye? And ye have drawn up wi’ clients
+in scarfs and hoods? But bide a wee, billie, and see if I dinna sort ye
+when my petition and complaint comes to be discussed, with or without
+answers, under certification.’
+
+Alan Fairford had never more difficulty in his life to subdue a first
+emotion, than he had to refrain from knocking down the crazy blockhead
+who had broken in upon him at such a moment. But the length of Peter’s
+address gave him time, fortunately perhaps for both parties, to reflect
+on the extreme irregularity of such a proceeding. He stood silent,
+however, with vexation, while Peter went on.
+
+‘Weel, my bonnie man, I see ye are thinking shame o’ yoursell, and nae
+great wonder. Ye maun leave this quean--the like of her is ower light
+company for you. I have heard honest Mr. Pest say, that the gown grees
+ill wi’ the petticoat. But come awa hame to your puir father, and I’ll
+take care of you the haill gate, and keep you company, and deil a word
+we will speak about, but just the state of the conjoined processes of
+the great cause of Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes.’
+
+‘If thou canst; endure to hear as much of that suit, friend,’ said
+the Quaker, ‘as I have heard out of mere compassion for thee, I think
+verily thou wilt soon be at the bottom of the matter, unless it be
+altogether bottomless.’
+
+Fairford shook off, rather indignantly, the large bony hand which Peter
+had imposed upon his shoulder, and was about to say something peevish,
+upon so unpleasant and insolent a mode of interruption, when the door
+opened, a treble voice saying to the sentinel, ‘I tell you I maun be in,
+to see if Mr. Nixon’s here;’ and little Benjie thrust in his mop-head
+and keen black eyes. Ere he could withdraw it, Peter Peebles sprang to
+the door, seized on the boy by the collar, and dragged him forward into
+the room.
+
+‘Let me see it,’ he said, ‘ye ne’er-do-weel limb of Satan--I’ll gar
+you satisfy the production, I trow--I’ll hae first and second diligence
+against you, ye deevil’s buckie!’
+
+‘What dost thou want?’ said the Quaker, interfering; ‘why dost thou
+frighten the boy, friend Peebles?’
+
+‘I gave the bastard a penny to buy me snuff,’ said the pauper, ‘and he
+has rendered no account of his intromissions; but I’ll gar him as gude.’
+
+So saying, he proceeded forcibly to rifle the pockets of Benjie’s ragged
+jacket of one or two snares for game, marbles, a half-bitten apple, two
+stolen eggs (one of which Peter broke in the eagerness of his research),
+and various other unconsidered trifles, which had not the air of being
+very honestly come by. The little rascal, under this discipline, bit and
+struggled like a fox-cub, but, like that vermin, uttered neither cry nor
+complaint, till a note, which Peter tore from his bosom, flew as far as
+Lilias Redgauntlet, and fell at her feet. It was addressed to C. N.
+
+‘It is for the villain Nixon.’ she said to Alan Fairford; ‘open it
+without scruple; that boy is his emissary; we shall now see what the
+miscreant is driving at.’
+
+Little Benjie now gave up all further struggle, and suffered Peebles
+to take from him, without resistance, a shilling, out of which Peter
+declared he would pay himself principal and interest, and account for
+the balance. The boy, whose attention seemed fixed on something very
+different, only said, ‘Maister Nixon will murder me!’
+
+Alan Fairford did not hesitate to read the little scrap of paper, on
+which was written, ‘All is prepared--keep them in play until I come up.
+You may depend on your reward.--C. C.’
+
+‘Alas, my uncle--my poor uncle!’ said Lilias; ‘this is the result of
+his confidence. Methinks, to give him instant notice of his confidant’s
+treachery, is now the best service we can render all concerned--if
+they break up their undertaking, as they must now do, Darsie will be at
+liberty.’
+
+In the same breath, they were both at the half-opened door of the room,
+Fairford entreating to speak with the Father Buonaventure, and Lilias,
+equally vehemently, requesting a moment’s interview with her uncle.
+While the sentinel hesitated what to do, his attention was called to a
+loud noise at the door, where a crowd had been assembled in consequence
+of the appalling cry, that the enemy were upon them, occasioned, as it
+afterwards proved, by some stragglers having at length discovered the
+dead bodies of Nanty Ewart and of Nixon.
+
+Amid the confusion occasioned by this alarming incident, the sentinel
+ceased to attend, to his duty; and accepting Alan Fairford’s arm, Lilias
+found no opposition in penetrating even to the inner apartment, where
+the principal persons in the enterprise, whose conclave had been
+disturbed by this alarming incident, were now assembled in great
+confusion, and had been joined by the Chevalier himself.
+
+‘Only a mutiny among these smuggling scoundrels,’ said Redgauntlet.
+
+ONLY a mutiny, do you say?’ said Sir Richard Glendale; ‘and the lugger,
+the last hope of escape for,’--he looked towards Charles,--‘stands out
+to sea under a press of sail!’
+
+‘Do not concern yourself about me,’ said the unfortunate prince; ‘this
+is not the worst emergency in which it has been my lot to stand; and if
+it were, I fear it not. Shift for yourselves, my lords and gentlemen.’
+
+‘No, never!’ said the young Lord ------. ‘Our only hope now is in an
+honourable resistance.’
+
+‘Most true,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘let despair renew the union amongst
+us which accident disturbed. I give my voice for displaying the royal
+banner instantly, and--How now!’ he concluded, sternly, as Lilias, first
+soliciting his attention by pulling his cloak, put into his hand the
+scroll, and added, it was designed for that of Nixon.
+
+Redgauntlet read--and, dropping it on the ground, continued to stare
+upon the spot where it fell, with raised hands and fixed eyes. Sir
+Richard Glendale lifted the fatal paper, read it, and saying, ‘Now all
+is indeed over,’ handed it to Maxwell, who said aloud, ‘Black Colin
+Campbell, by G--d! I heard he had come post from London last night.’
+
+As if in echo to his thoughts, the violin of the blind man was heard,
+playing with spirit, The Campbells are coming,’ a celebrated clan-march.
+
+‘The Campbells are coming in earnest,’ said MacKellar; they are upon us
+with the whole battalion from Carlisle.’
+
+There was a silence of dismay, and two or three of the company began to
+drop out of the room.
+
+Lord ------ spoke with the generous spirit of a young English nobleman.
+‘If we have been fools, do not let us be cowards. We have one here more
+precious than us all, and come hither on our warranty--let us save him
+at least.’
+
+‘True, most true,’ answered Sir Richard Glendale. ‘Let the king be first
+cared for.’
+
+‘That shall be my business,’ said Redgauntlet ‘if we have but time to
+bring back the brig, all will be well--I will instantly dispatch a party
+in a fishing skiff to bring her to.’ He gave his commands to two or
+three of the most active among his followers. ‘Let him be once on
+board,’ he said, ‘and there are enough of us to stand to arms and cover
+his retreat.’
+
+‘Right, right,’ said Sir Richard, ‘and I will look to points which can
+be made defensible; and the old powder-plot boys could not have made a
+more desperate resistance than we shall. Redgauntlet,’ continued he, ‘I
+see some of our friends are looking pale; but methinks your nephew has
+more mettle in his eye now than when we were in cold deliberation, with
+danger at a distance.’
+
+‘It is the way of our house,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘our courage ever
+kindles highest on the losing side. I, too, feel that the catastrophe
+I have brought on must not be survived by its author. Let me first,’
+he said, addressing Charles, ‘see your Majesty’s sacred person in such
+safety as can now be provided for it, and then’--
+
+‘You may spare all considerations concerning me, gentlemen,’ again
+repeated Charles; ‘yon mountain of Criffel shall fly as soon as I will.’
+
+Most threw themselves at his feet with weeping and entreaty; some one
+or two slunk in confusion from the apartment, and were heard riding
+off. Unnoticed in such a scene, Darsie, his sister, and Fairford, drew
+together, and held each other by the hands, as those who, when a vessel
+is about to founder in the storm, determine to take their chance of life
+and death together.
+
+Amid this scene of confusion, a gentleman, plainly dressed in a
+riding-habit, with a black cockade in his hat, but without any arms
+except a COUTEAU-DE-CHASSE, walked into the apartment without ceremony.
+He was a tall, thin, gentlemanly man, with a look and bearing decidedly
+military. He had passed through their guards, if in the confusion they
+now maintained any, without stop or question, and now stood, almost
+unarmed, among armed men, who nevertheless, gazed on him as on the angel
+of destruction.
+
+‘You look coldly on me, gentlemen,’ he said. ‘Sir Richard Glendale--my
+Lord ------, we were not always such strangers. Ha, Pate-in-Peril, how
+is it with you? and you, too, Ingoldsby--I must not call you by any
+other name--why do you receive an old friend so coldly? But you guess my
+errand.’
+
+‘And are prepared for it, general,’ said Redgauntlet; ‘we are not men to
+be penned up like sheep for the slaughter.’
+
+‘Pshaw! you take it too seriously--let me speak but one word with you.’
+
+‘No words can shake our purpose,’ said Redgauntlet, were your whole
+command, as I suppose is the case, drawn round the house.’
+
+‘I am certainly not unsupported,’ said the general; ‘but if you would
+hear me’--
+
+‘Hear ME, sir,’ said the Wanderer, stepping forward; ‘I suppose I am the
+mark you aim at--I surrender myself willingly, to save these gentlemen’s
+danger--let this at least avail in their favour.’
+
+An exclamation of ‘Never, never!’ broke from the little body of
+partisans, who threw themselves round the unfortunate prince, and would
+have seized or struck down Campbell, had it not been that he remained
+with his arms folded, and a look, rather indicating impatience because
+they would not hear him, than the least apprehension of violence at
+their hand.
+
+At length he obtained a moment’s silence. ‘I do not,’ he said, ‘know
+this gentleman’--(making a profound bow to the unfortunate prince)--‘I
+do not wish to know him; it is a knowledge which would suit neither of
+us.’
+
+‘Our ancestors, nevertheless, have been well acquainted,’ said Charles,
+unable to suppress, even at that hour of dread and danger, the painful
+recollections of fallen royalty.
+
+‘In one word, General Campbell,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘is it to be peace or
+war? You are a man of honour, and we can trust you.’
+
+‘I thank you, sir,’ said the general; ‘and I reply, that the answer to
+your question rests with yourself. Come, do not be fools, gentlemen;
+there was perhaps no great harm meant or intended by your gathering
+together in this obscure corner, for a bear-bait or a cock-fight, or
+whatever other amusement you may have intended, but it was a little
+imprudent, considering how you stand with government, and it has
+occasioned some anxiety. Exaggerated accounts of your purpose have
+been laid before government by the information of a traitor in your own
+counsels; and I was sent down post to take the command of a sufficient
+number of troops, in case these calumnies should be found to have any
+real foundation. I have come here, of course, sufficiently supported
+both with cavalry and infantry, to do whatever might be necessary; but
+my commands are--and I am sure they agree with my inclination--to make
+no arrests, nay, to make no further inquiries of any kind, if this good
+assembly will consider their own interest so far as to give up their
+immediate purpose, and return quietly home to their own houses.’
+
+‘What!--all?’ exclaimed Sir Richard Glendale--‘all, without exception?’
+
+‘ALL, without one single exception’ said the general; ‘such are my
+orders. If you accept my terms, say so, and make haste; for things may
+happen to interfere with his Majesty’s kind purposes towards you all.’
+
+‘Majesty’s kind purposes!’ said the Wanderer. ‘Do I hear you aright,
+sir?’
+
+‘I speak the king’s very words, from his very lips,’ replied the
+general. ‘“I will,” said his Majesty, “deserve the confidence of my
+subjects by reposing my security in the fidelity of the millions who
+acknowledge my title--in the good sense and prudence of the few who
+continue, from the errors of education, to disown it.” His Majesty will
+not even believe that the most zealous Jacobites who yet remain can
+nourish a thought of exciting a civil war, which must be fatal to their
+families and themselves, besides spreading bloodshed and ruin through
+a peaceful land. He cannot even believe of his kinsman, that he would
+engage brave and generous though mistaken men, in an attempt which must
+ruin all who have escaped former calamities; and he is convinced,
+that, did curiosity or any other motive lead that person to visit this
+country, he would soon see it was his wisest course to return to the
+continent; and his Majesty compassionates his situation too much to
+offer any obstacle to his doing so.’
+
+‘Is this real?’ said Redgauntlet. ‘Can you mean this? Am I--are all, are
+any of these gentlemen at liberty, without interruption, to embark in
+yonder brig, which, I see, is now again approaching the shore?’
+
+‘You, sir--all--any of the gentlemen present,’ said the general,--‘all
+whom the vessel can contain, are at liberty to embark uninterrupted
+by me; but I advise none to go off who have not powerful reasons
+unconnected with the present meeting, for this will be remembered
+against no one.’
+
+‘Then, gentlemen,’ said Redgauntlet, clasping his hands together as the
+words burst from him, ‘the cause is lost for ever!’
+
+General Campbell turned away to the window, as if to avoid hearing what
+they said. Their consultation was but momentary; for the door of escape
+which thus opened was as unexpected as the exigence was threatening.
+
+‘We have your word of honour for our protection,’ said Sir Richard
+Glendale, ‘if we dissolve our meeting in obedience to your summons?’
+
+‘You have, Sir Richard,’ answered the general.
+
+‘And I also have your promise,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘that I may go on
+board yonder vessel, with any friend whom I may choose to accompany me?’
+
+Not only that, Mr. Ingoldsby--or I WILL call you Mr. Redgauntlet once
+more--you may stay in the offing for a tide, until you are joined by any
+person who may remain at Fairladies. After that, there will be a sloop
+of war on the station, and I need not say your condition will then
+become perilous.’
+
+‘Perilous it should not be, General Campbell,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘or
+more perilous to others than to us, if others thought as I do even in
+this extremity.’
+
+‘You forget yourself, my friend,’ said the unhappy Adventurer; you
+forget that the arrival of this gentleman only puts the cope-stone on
+our already adopted resolution to abandon our bull-fight or by whatever
+other wild name this headlong enterprise may be termed. I bid you
+farewell, unfriendly friends--I bid you farewell,’ (bowing to the
+general) ‘my friendly foe--I leave this strand as I landed upon it,
+alone and to return no more!’
+
+‘Not alone,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘while there is blood in the veins of my
+father’s son.’
+
+‘Not alone,’ said the other gentlemen present, stung with feelings which
+almost overpowered the better reasons under which they had acted. ‘We
+will not disown our principles, or see your person endangered.’
+
+‘If it be only your purpose to see the gentleman to the beach,’ said
+General Campbell, ‘I will myself go with you. My presence among you,
+unarmed, and in your power, will be a pledge of my friendly intentions,
+and will overawe, should such be offered, any interruption on the part
+of officious persons.’
+
+‘Be it so,’ said the Adventurer, with the air of a prince to a subject,
+not of one who complied with the request of an enemy too powerful to be
+resisted.
+
+They left the apartment--they left the house--an unauthenticated and
+dubious, but appalling, sensation of terror had already spread itself
+among the inferior retainers, who had so short time before strutted, and
+bustled, and thronged the doorway and the passages. A report had arisen,
+of which the origin could not be traced, of troops advancing towards the
+spot in considerable numbers; and men who, for one reason or other,
+were most of them amenable to the arm of power, had either shrunk into
+stables or corners, or fled the place entirely. There was solitude on
+the landscape excepting the small party which now moved towards the
+rude pier, where a boat lay manned, agreeably to Redgauntlet’s orders
+previously given.
+
+The last heir of the Stuarts leant on Redgauntlet’s arm as they walked
+towards the beach; for the ground was rough, and he no longer possessed
+the elasticity of limb and of spirit which had, twenty years before,
+carried him over many a Highland hill as light as one of their native
+deer. His adherents followed, looking on the ground, their feelings
+struggling against the dictates of their reason.
+
+General Campbell accompanied them with an air of apparent ease and
+indifference, but watching, at the same time, and no doubt with some
+anxiety, the changing features of those who acted in this extraordinary
+scene.
+
+Darsie and his sister naturally followed their uncle, whose violence
+they no longer feared, while his character attracted their respect, and
+Alan Fairford attended them from interest in their fate, unnoticed in
+a party where all were too much occupied with their own thoughts
+and feelings, as well as with the impending crisis, to attend to his
+presence.
+
+Half-way betwixt the house and the beach, they saw the bodies of Nanty
+Ewart and Cristal Nixon blackening in the sun.
+
+‘That was your informer?’ said Redgauntlet, looking back to General
+Campbell, who only nodded his assent.
+
+‘Caitiff wretch!’ exclaimed Redgauntlet;--‘and yet the name were better
+bestowed on the fool who could be misled by thee.’
+
+‘That sound broadsword cut,’ said the general, ‘has saved us the shame
+of rewarding a traitor.’
+
+They arrived at the place of embarkation. The prince stood a moment with
+folded arms, and looked around him in deep silence. A paper was then
+slipped into his hands--he looked at it, and said, ‘I find the two
+friends I have left at Fairladies are apprised of my destination,
+and propose to embark from Bowness. I presume this will not be an
+infringement of the conditions under which you have acted?’
+
+‘Certainly not,’ answered General Campbell; ‘they shall have all
+facility to join you.’
+
+‘I wish, then,’ said Charles, ‘only another companion. Redgauntlet, the
+air of this country is as hostile to you as it is to me. These gentlemen
+have made their peace, or rather they have done nothing to break it.
+But you--come you and share my home where chance shall cast it. We
+shall never see these shores again; but we will talk of them, and of our
+disconcerted bull-fight.’
+
+‘I follow you, sire, through life,’ said Redgauntlet, ‘as I would have
+followed you to death. Permit me one moment.’
+
+The prince then looked round, and seeing the abashed countenances of his
+other adherents bent upon the ground, he hastened to say, ‘Do not think
+that you, gentlemen, have obliged me less because your zeal was mingled
+with prudence, entertained, I am sure, more on my own account and on
+that of your country, than from selfish apprehensions.’
+
+He stepped from one to another, and, amid sobs and bursting tears,
+received the adieus of the last remnant which had hitherto supported
+his lofty pretensions, and addressed them individually with accents of
+tenderness and affection.
+
+The general drew a little aloof, and signed to Redgauntlet to speak
+with him while this scene proceeded. ‘It is now all over,’ he said, ‘and
+Jacobite will be henceforward no longer a party name. When you tire of
+foreign parts, and wish to make your peace, let me know. Your restless
+zeal alone has impeded your pardon hitherto.’
+
+‘And now I shall not need it,’ said Redgauntlet. ‘I leave England
+for ever; but I am not displeased that you should hear my family
+adieus.--Nephew, come hither. In presence of General Campbell, I tell
+you, that though to breed you up in my own political opinions has been
+for many years my anxious wish, I am now glad that it could not be
+accomplished. You pass under the service of the reigning monarch without
+the necessity of changing your allegiance--a change, however,’ he added,
+looking around him, which sits more easy on honourable men than I could
+have anticipated; but some wear the badge of their loyalty on their
+sleeve, and others in the heart. You will, from henceforth, be
+uncontrolled master of all the property of which forfeiture could not
+deprive your father--of all that belonged to him--excepting this, his
+good sword’ (laying his hand on the weapon he wore), ‘which shall never
+fight for the House of Hanover; and as my hand will never draw weapon
+more, I shall sink it forty fathoms deep in the wide ocean. Bless you,
+young man! If I have dealt harshly with you, forgive me. I had set my
+whole desires on one point,--God knows, with no selfish purpose; and
+I am justly punished by this final termination of my views, for having
+been too little scrupulous in the means by which I pursued them.--Niece,
+farewell, and may God bless you also!’
+
+‘No, sir,’ said Lilias, seizing his hand eagerly. ‘You have been
+hitherto my protector,--you are now in sorrow, let me be your attendant
+and your comforter in exile.’
+
+‘I thank you, my girl, for your unmerited affection; but it cannot and
+must not be. The curtain here falls between us. I go to the house of
+another. If I leave it before I quit the earth, it shall be only for the
+House of God. Once more, farewell both! The fatal doom,’ he said, with
+a melancholy smile, ‘will, I trust, now depart from the House of
+Redgauntlet, since its present representative has adhered to the winning
+side. I am convinced he will not change it, should it in turn become the
+losing one.’
+
+The unfortunate Charles Edward had now given his last adieus to his
+downcast adherents. He made a sign with his hand to Redgauntlet, who
+came to assist him into the skiff. General Campbell also offered his
+assistance, the rest appearing too much affected by the scene which had
+taken place to prevent him.
+
+‘You are not sorry, general, to do me this last act of courtesy,’ said
+the Chevalier; ‘and, on my part, I thank you for it. You have taught me
+the principle on which men on the scaffold feel forgiveness and kindness
+even for their executioner. Farewell!’
+
+They were seated in the boat, which presently pulled off from the land.
+The Oxford divine broke out into a loud benediction, in terms which
+General Campbell was too generous to criticize at the time, or to
+remember afterwards;--nay, it is said, that, Whig and Campbell as he
+was, he could not help joining in the universal Amen! which resounded
+from the shore.
+
+
+
+
+CONCLUSION, BY DR. DRYASDUST
+
+IN A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY
+
+I am truly sorry, my worthy and much-respected sir, that my anxious
+researches have neither, in the form of letters, nor of diaries or other
+memoranda, been able to discover more than I have hitherto transmitted,
+of the history of the Redgauntlet family. But I observe in an old
+newspaper called the WHITEHALL GAZETTE, of which I fortunately possess a
+file for several years, that Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet was
+presented to his late Majesty at the drawing-room, by Lieut.-General
+Campbell--upon which the editor observes, in the way of comment, that
+we were going, REMIS ATQUE VELIS, into the interests of the Pretender,
+since a Scot had presented a Jacobite at Court. I am sorry I have not
+room (the frank being only uncial) for his further observations, tending
+to show the apprehensions entertained by many well-instructed persons of
+the period, that the young king might himself be induced to become one
+of the Stuarts’ faction,--a catastrophe from which it has pleased Heaven
+to preserve these kingdoms.
+
+I perceive also, by a marriage-contract in the family repositories, that
+Miss Lilias Redgauntlet of Redgauntlet, about eighteen months after the
+transactions you have commemorated, intermarried with Alan Fairford,
+Esq., Advocate, of Clinkdollar, who, I think, we may not unreasonably
+conclude to be the same person whose name occurs so frequently in
+the pages of your narration. In my last excursion to Edinburgh, I was
+fortunate enough to discover an old caddie, from whom, at the expense
+of a bottle of whisky and half a pound of tobacco, I extracted the
+important information, that he knew Peter Peebles very well, and had
+drunk many a mutchkin with him in Caddie Fraser’s time. He said ‘that
+he lived ten years after King George’s accession, in the momentary
+expectation of winning his cause every day in the session time, and
+every hour in the day, and at last fell down dead, in what my informer
+called a ‘perplexity fit,’ upon a proposal for a composition being made
+to him in the Outer House. I have chosen to retain my informer’s phrase,
+not being able justly to determine whether it is a corruption of the
+word apoplexy, as my friend Mr. Oldbuck supposes, or the name of some
+peculiar disorder incidental to those who have concern in the courts of
+law, as many callings and conditions of men have diseases appropriate to
+themselves. The same caddie also remembered Blind Willie Stevenson, who
+was called Wandering Willie, and who ended his days ‘unco beinly, in Sir
+Arthur Redgauntlet’s ha’ neuk.’ ‘He had done the family some good turn,’
+he said, ‘specially when ane of the Argyle gentlemen was coming down on
+a wheen of them that had the “auld leaven” about them, and wad hae taen
+every man of them, and nae less nor headed and hanged them. But Willie,
+and a friend they had, called Robin the Rambler, gae them warning, by
+playing tunes such as “The Campbells are coming” and the like, whereby
+they got timeous warning to take the wing.’ I need not point out to your
+acuteness, my worthy sir, that this seems to refer to some inaccurate
+account of the transactions in which you seem so much interested.
+
+Respecting Redgauntlet, about whose subsequent history you are more
+particularly inquisitive, I have learned from an excellent person
+who was a priest in the Scottish Monastery of Ratisbon, before its
+suppression, that he remained for two or three years in the family of
+the Chevalier, and only left it at last in consequence of some discords
+in that melancholy household. As he had hinted to General Campbell, he
+exchanged his residence for the cloister, and displayed in the latter
+part of his life, a strong sense of the duties of religion, which in
+his earlier days he had too much neglected, being altogether engaged in
+political speculations and intrigues. He rose to the situation of prior,
+in the house which he belonged to, and which was of a very strict order
+of religion. He sometimes received his countrymen, whom accident brought
+to Ratisbon, and curiosity induced to visit the Monastery of ------. But
+it was remarked, that though he listened with interest and attention,
+when Britain, or particularly Scotland, became the subject of
+conversation, yet he never either introduced or prolonged the subject,
+never used the English language, never inquired about English affairs,
+and, above all, never mentioned his own family. His strict observation
+of the rules of his order gave him, at the time of his death, some
+pretensions to be chosen a saint, and the brethren of the Monastery
+of ------ made great efforts for that effect, and brought forward some
+plausible proofs of miracles. But there was a circumstance which threw
+a doubt over the subject, and prevented the consistory from acceding
+to the wishes of the worthy brethren. Under his habit, and secured in
+a small silver box, he had worn perpetually around his neck a lock
+of-hair, which the fathers avouched to be a relic. But the Avvocato del
+Diabolo, in combating (as was his official duty) the pretensions of
+the candidate for sanctity, made it at least equally probable that the
+supposed relic was taken from the head of a brother of the deceased
+prior, who had been executed for adherence to the Stuart family in
+1745-6; and the motto, HAUD OBLIVISCENDUM, seemed to intimate a tone
+of mundane feeling and recollection of injuries, which made it at least
+doubtful whether, even in the quiet and gloom of the cloister,
+Father Hugo had forgotten the sufferings and injuries of the House of
+Redgauntlet.
+
+June 10, 1824,
+
+
+
+
+NOTES
+
+NOTE 1.--THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
+
+In explanation of this circumstance, I cannot help adding a note not
+very necessary for the reader, which yet I record with pleasure, from
+recollection of the kindness which it evinces. In early youth I resided
+for a considerable time in the vicinity of the beautiful village
+of Kelso, where my life passed in a very solitary manner. I had few
+acquaintances, scarce any companions, and books, which were at the time
+almost essential to my happiness, were difficult to come by. It was then
+that I was particularly indebted to the liberality and friendship of
+an old lady of the Society of Friends, eminent for her benevolence and
+charity. Her deceased husband had been a medical man of eminence,
+and left her, with other valuable property, a small and well-selected
+library. This the kind old lady permitted me to rummage at pleasure, and
+carry home what volumes I chose, on condition that I should take, at the
+same time, some of the tracts printed for encouraging and extending the
+doctrines of her own sect. She did not even exact any promise that I
+would read these performances, being too justly afraid of involving me
+in a breach of promise, but was merely desirous that I should have
+the chance of instruction within my reach, in case whim, curiosity, or
+accident, might induce me to have recourse to it.
+
+
+NOTE 2.--THE PERSECUTORS
+
+The personages here mentioned are most of them characters of historical
+fame; but those less known and remembered may be found in the tract
+entitled, ‘The Judgment and Justice of God Exemplified, or, a Brief
+Historical Account of some of the Wicked Lives and Miserable Deaths of
+some of the most remarkable Apostates and Bloody Persecutors, from
+the Reformation till after the Revolution.’ This constitutes a sort of
+postscript or appendix to John Howie of Lochgoin’s ‘Account of the Lives
+of the most eminent Scots Worthies.’ The author has, with considerable
+ingenuity, reversed his reasoning upon the inference to be drawn from
+the prosperity or misfortunes which befall individuals in this world,
+either in the course of their lives or in the hour of death. In the
+account of the martyrs’ sufferings, such inflictions are mentioned only
+as trials permitted by providence, for the better and brighter display
+of their faith, and constancy of principle. But when similar afflictions
+befell the opposite party, they are imputed to the direct vengeance of
+Heaven upon their impiety. If, indeed, the life of any person obnoxious
+to the historian’s censures happened to have passed in unusual
+prosperity, the mere fact of its being finally concluded by death,
+is assumed as an undeniable token of the judgement of Heaven, and, to
+render the conclusion inevitable, his last scene is generally garnished
+with some singular circumstances. Thus the Duke of Lauderdale is said,
+through old age but immense corpulence, to have become so sunk in
+spirits, ‘that his heart was not the bigness of a walnut.’
+
+
+NOTE 3.--LAMENTATION FOR THE DEAD
+
+I have heard in my youth some such wild tale as that placed in the
+mouth of the blind fiddler, of which, I think, the hero was Sir Robert
+Grierson of Lagg, the famous persecutor. But the belief was general
+throughout Scotland that the excessive lamentation over the loss of
+friends disturbed the repose of the dead, and broke even the rest of the
+grave. There are several instances of this in tradition, but one struck
+me particularly, as I heard it from the lips of one who professed
+receiving it from those of a ghost-seer. This was a Highland lady, named
+Mrs. C---- of B------, who probably believed firmly in the truth of an
+apparition which seems to have originated in the weakness of her nerves
+and strength of her imagination. She had been lately left a widow by her
+husband, with the office of guardian to their only child. The young man
+added to the difficulties of his charge by an extreme propensity for a
+military life, which his mother was unwilling to give way to, while
+she found it impossible to repress it. About this time the Independent
+Companies, formed for the preservation of the peace of the Highlands,
+were in the course of being levied; and as a gentleman named Cameron,
+nearly connected with Mrs. C--, commanded one of those companies,
+she was at length persuaded to compromise the matter with her son, by
+permitting him to enter this company in the capacity of a cadet, thus
+gratifying his love of a military life without the dangers of foreign
+service, to which no one then thought these troops were at all liable to
+be exposed, while even their active service at home was not likely to
+be attended with much danger. She readily obtained a promise from her
+relative that he would be particular in his attention to her son and
+therefore concluded she had accommodated matters between her son’s
+wishes and his safety in a way sufficiently attentive to both. She set
+off to Edinburgh to get what was awanting for his outfit, and shortly
+afterwards received melancholy news from the Highlands. The Independent
+Company into which her son was to enter had a skirmish with a party of
+caterans engaged in some act of spoil, and her friend the captain
+being wounded, and out of the reach of medical assistance, died in
+consequence. This news was a thunderbolt to the poor mother, who was at
+once deprived of her kinsman’s advice and assistance, and instructed by
+his fate of the unexpected danger to which her son’s new calling exposed
+him. She remained also in great sorrow for her relative, whom she loved
+with sisterly affection. These conflicting causes of anxiety,
+together with her uncertainty, whether to continue or change her son’s
+destination, were terminated in the following manner:--
+
+The house in which Mrs. C---- resided in the old town of Edinburgh, was
+a flat or story of a land accessible, as was then universal, by a common
+stair. The family who occupied the story beneath were her acquaintances,
+and she was in the habit of drinking tea with them every evening. It was
+accordingly about six o’clock, when, recovering herself from a deep fit
+of anxious reflection, she was about to leave the parlour in which she
+sat in order to attend this engagement. The door through which she was
+to pass opened, as was very common in Edinburgh, into a dark passage. In
+this passage, and within a yard of her when she opened the door,
+stood the apparition of her kinsman, the deceased officer, in his full
+tartans, and wearing his bonnet. Terrified at what she saw, or thought
+she saw, she closed the door hastily, and, sinking on her knees by
+a chair, prayed to be delivered from the horrors of the vision. She
+remained in that posture till her friends below tapped on the door,
+to intimate that tea was ready. Recalled to herself by the signal, she
+arose, and, on opening the apartment door, again was confronted by
+the visionary Highlander, whose bloody brow bore token, on this second
+appearance, to the death he had died. Unable to endure this repetition
+of her terrors, Mrs. C---- sank on the door in a swoon. Her friends
+below, startled with the noise, came upstairs, and, alarmed at the
+situation in which they found her, insisted on her going to bed and
+taking some medicine, in order to compose what they took for a nervous
+attack. They had no sooner left her in quiet, than the apparition of
+the soldier was once more visible in the apartment. This time she took
+courage and said, ‘In the name of God, Donald, why do you haunt one who
+respected and loved you when living?’ To which he answered readily, in
+Gaelic, ‘Cousin, why did you not speak sooner? My rest is disturbed by
+your unnecessary lamentation--your tears scald me in my shroud. I come
+to tell you that my untimely death ought to make no difference in your
+views for your son; God will raise patrons to supply my place and he
+will live to the fullness of years, and die honoured and at peace.’ The
+lady of course followed her kinsman’s advice and as she was accounted
+a person of strict veracity, we may conclude the first apparition an
+illusion of the fancy, the final one a lively dream suggested by the
+other two.
+
+
+NOTE 4.--PETER PEEBLES
+
+This unfortunate litigant (for a person named Peter Peebles actually
+flourished) frequented the courts of justice in Scotland about the year
+1792, and the sketch of his appearance is given from recollection. The
+author is of opinion that he himself had at one time the honour to be
+counsel for Peter Peebles, whose voluminous course of litigation served
+as a sort of assay-pieces to most young men who were called to the bar.
+The scene of the consultation is entirely imaginary.
+
+
+NOTE 5.--JOHN’S COFFEE-HOUSE
+
+This small dark coffee-house, now burnt down, was the resort of such
+writers and clerks belonging to the Parliament House above thirty years
+ago as retained the ancient Scottish custom of a meridian, as it was
+called, or noontide dram of spirits. If their proceedings were watched,
+they might be seen to turn fidgety about the hour of noon, and exchange
+looks with each other from their separate desks, till at length some one
+of formal and dignified presence assumed the honour of leading the band,
+when away they went, threading the crowd like a string of wild
+fowl, crossed the square or close, and following each other into
+the coffee-house, received in turn from the hand of the waiter, the
+meridian, which was placed ready at the bar. This they did, day by day:
+and though they did not speak to each other, they seemed to attach a
+certain degree of sociability to performing the ceremony in company.
+
+
+NOTE 6.--FISHING RIGHTS
+
+It may be here mentioned, that a violent and popular attack upon what
+the country people of this district considered as an invasion of their
+fishing right is by no means an improbable fiction. Shortly after the
+close of the American war, Sir James Graham of Netherby constructed a
+dam-dyke, or cauld, across the Esk, at a place where it flowed through
+his estate, though it has its origin, and the principal part of its
+course, in Scotland. The new barrier at Netherby was considered as
+an encroachment calculated to prevent the salmon from ascending into
+Scotland, and the right of erecting it being an international question
+of law betwixt the sister kingdoms, there was no court in either
+competent to its decision. In this dilemma, the Scots people assembled
+in numbers by signal of rocket lights, and, rudely armed with
+fowling-pieces, fish-spears, and such rustic weapons, marched to the
+banks of the river for the purpose of pulling down the dam-dyke objected
+to. Sir James Graham armed many of his own people to protect his
+property, and had some military from Carlisle for the same purpose.
+A renewal of the Border wars had nearly taken place in the eighteenth
+century, when prudence and moderation on both sides saved much tumult,
+and perhaps some bloodshed. The English proprietor consented that a
+breach should be made in his dam-dyke sufficient for the passage of the
+fish, and thus removed the Scottish grievance. I believe the river has
+since that time taken the matter into its own disposal, and entirely
+swept away the dam-dyke in question.
+
+
+NOTE 7.--STATE OF SCOTLAND
+
+Scotland, in its half-civilized state, exhibited too many examples
+of the exertion of arbitrary force and violence, rendered easy by the
+dominion which lairds exerted over their tenants and chiefs over their
+clans. The captivity of Lady Grange, in the desolate cliffs of Saint
+Kilda, is in the recollection of every one. At the supposed date of the
+novel also a man of the name of Merrilees, a tanner in Leith, absconded
+from his country to escape his creditors; and after having slain his own
+mastiff dog, and put a bit of red cloth in its mouth, as if it had died
+in a contest with soldiers, and involved his own existence in as
+much mystery as possible, made his escape into Yorkshire. Here he was
+detected by persons sent in search of him, to whom he gave a portentous
+account of his having been carried off and concealed in various places.
+Mr. Merrilees was, in short, a kind of male Elizabeth Canning, but did
+not trespass on the public credulity quite so long.
+
+
+NOTE 8.--CONCEALMENTS FOR THEFT AND SMUGGLING
+
+I am sorry to say that the modes of concealment described in the
+imaginary premises of Mr. Trumbull, are of a kind which have been common
+on the frontiers of late years. The neighbourhood of two nations having
+different laws, though united in government, still leads to a multitude
+of transgressions on the Border, and extreme difficulty in apprehending
+delinquents. About twenty years since, as far as my recollection serves,
+there was along the frontier an organized gang of coiners, forgers,
+smugglers, and other malefactors, whose operations were conducted on a
+scale not inferior to what is here described. The chief of the party was
+one Richard Mendham a carpenter, who rose to opulence, although ignorant
+even of the arts of reading and writing. But he had found a short
+road to wealth, and had taken singular measures for conducting his
+operations. Amongst these, he found means to build, in a suburb
+of Berwick called Spittal, a street of small houses, as if for the
+investment of property. He himself inhabited one of these; another, a
+species of public-house, was open to his confederates, who held secret
+and unsuspected communication with him by crossing the roofs of the
+intervening houses, and descending by a trap-stair, which admitted them
+into the alcove of the dining-room of Dick Mendham’s private mansion.
+A vault, too, beneath Mendham’s stable, was accessible in the manner
+mentioned in the novel. The post of one of the stalls turned round on
+a bolt being withdrawn, and gave admittance to a subterranean place of
+concealment for contraband and stolen goods, to a great extent. Richard
+Mendham, the head of this very formidable conspiracy, which involved
+malefactors of every kind, was tried and executed at Jedburgh, where the
+author was present as Sheriff of Selkirkshire. Mendham had previously
+been tried, but escaped by want of proof and the ingenuity of his
+counsel.
+
+
+NOTE 9--CORONATION OF GEORGE III
+
+In excuse of what may be considered as a violent infraction of
+probability in this chapter, the author is under the necessity of
+quoting a tradition which many persons may recollect having heard. It
+was always said, though with very little appearance of truth, that upon
+the Coronation of the late George III, when the champion of England,
+Dymock, or his representative, appeared in Westminster Hall, and in
+the language of chivalry solemnly wagered his body to defend in single
+combat the right of the young King to the crown of these realms, at the
+moment when he flung down his gauntlet as the gage of battle, an unknown
+female stepped from the crowd and lifted the pledge, leaving another
+gage in room of it, with a paper expressing, that if a fair field of
+combat should be allowed, a champion of rank and birth would appear with
+equal arms to dispute the claim of King George to the British kingdoms.
+The story is probably one of the numerous fictions which were circulated
+to keep up the spirits of a sinking faction, The incident was, however,
+possible, if it could be supposed to be attended by any motive adequate
+to the risk, and might be imagined to occur to a person of Redgauntlet’s
+enthusiastic character. George III, it is said, had a police of his own,
+whose agency was so efficient, that the sovereign was able to tell
+his prime minister upon one occasion, to his great surprise, that the
+Pretender was in London. The prime minister began immediately to talk of
+measures to be taken, warrants to be procured, messengers and guards
+to be got in readiness. ‘Pooh, pooh,’ said the good-natured sovereign,
+since I have found him out, leave me alone to deal with him.’--‘And
+what,’ said the minister, ‘is your Majesty’s purpose, in so important a
+case?’--‘To leave the young man to himself,’ said George III; ‘and when
+he tires he will go back again.’ The truth of this story does not depend
+on that of the lifting of the gauntlet; and while the latter could be
+but an idle bravado, the former expresses George Ill’s goodness of heart
+and soundness of policy.
+
+
+NOTE 10.--COLLIER AND SALTER
+
+The persons engaged in these occupations were at this time bondsmen; and
+in case they left the ground of the farm to which they belonged, and as
+pertaining to which their services were bought or sold, they were liable
+to be brought back by a summary process. The existence of this species
+of slavery being thought irreconcilable with the spirit of liberty,
+colliers and salters were declared free, and put upon the same footing
+with other servants, by the Act 15 Geo. III chapter 28th. They were so
+far from desiring or prizing the blessing conferred on them, that they
+esteemed the interest taken in their freedom to be a mere decree on the
+part of the proprietors to get rid of what they called head and harigald
+money, payable to them when a female of their number, by bearing a
+child, made an addition to the live stock of their master’s property.
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY
+
+   ABOON, above.
+   AD LITEM, in law.
+   AD VINDICTAM PUBLICAM, for the public defence.
+   ADUST, looking as if burned or scorched.
+   AE, one.
+   AFFLATUS, breath, inspiration.
+   AIRT, direct.
+   ALCANDER, a Greek soothsayer.
+   ALDEBORONTIPHOSCOPHORNIO, a courtier in H. Carey’s burlesque,
+       CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS.
+   ALIMENTARY, nourishing.
+   ALQUIFE, an enchanter in the mediaeval romances of knight-errantry.
+   AMADIS, a hero of the romances, especially in Amadis of Gaul.
+   ANENT, about.
+   ANES, once.
+   ANNO DOMINI, in the year of the Lord.
+   ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM, AD FEMINAM, lit. ‘the argument to a man,
+       to a woman,’ refutation of a man’s argument by an example
+       drawn from his own conduct.
+   ARIES, earnest-money, a gift.
+   ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS, art is long, life short.
+   ARS MEDENDI, art of medicine.
+   APPROBATE, approve.
+   ATLANTES, a character in ORLANDO FURIOSO.
+   AULD REEKIE, Edinburgh.
+   ADVOCATO DEL DIABOLO, lit. ‘the devil’s advocate’, one whose duty
+       it is to oppose the canonization of a person on whose behalf
+       claims to sanctity are made.
+   AWSOME, awful, fearful.
+
+   BACK-GANGING, behind hand in paying.
+   BACKSPAUL, the back of the shoulder.
+   BALLANT, a ballad, a fable.
+   BANNOCK, a flat, round cake.
+   BARLEY-BROO, barley-broth.
+   BARON-OFFICER, the magistrate’s officer in a burgh of barony.
+   BARTIZAN, a small overhanging turret, the battlements.
+   BEAUFET, cupboard.
+   BEAVER, the lower part of the helmet.
+   BEIN, comfortable.
+   BELISARIUS, a general of the Eastern Empire ungratefully treated
+       by the Emperor Justinian.
+   BENEDICTE, bless you.
+   BETIMES THE MORN, early in the morning.
+   BICKER, a wooden vessel for holding drink; a quarrel.
+   BILLIE, a term of familiarity, comrade.
+   BIRKIE, a smart fellow.
+   BIRLING, merry-making.
+   BIT, small.
+   BLATE, shy, bashful.
+   BLAWING, flattering.
+   BLEEZING, bragging.
+   BLUE-CAP, a Scotsman.
+   BOGLE, a ghost, a scarecrow.
+   BON VIVANTS, lovers of good living.
+   BONA ROBA, a showy wanton.
+   BONUS SOCIUS, good comrade.
+   BORREL, common, rude.
+   BRAID, broad.
+   BRASH, a sudden storm, an attack.
+   BRATTLE, a clattering noise, as of a horse going at full speed.
+   BRAW, brave, fine.
+   BRENT BROO, high brow.
+   BROCARD, maxim.
+   BROSE, oatmeal which has had boiling water poured upon it.
+   BROWN, a famous landscape gardener.
+   BROWST, a brewing.
+   BUCEPHALUS, the favourite horse of Alexander the Great.
+   BUCKIE, an imp, a fellow with an evil twist in his character.
+   BUFF NOR STYE, neither one thing nor another.
+   BUFFERS, pistols.
+   BUSK, deck up.
+   BY ORDINAR, extraordinary, uncommon.
+   BYE AND ATTOUR, over and above.
+
+   CADGER, a travelling dealer.
+   CADDIE, a porter, an errand-boy.
+   CAETERA PRORSUS IGNORO, in short, I know nothing of the rest.
+   CALLANT, a young lad.
+   CALLER, cool, fresh.
+   CANNY, shrewd, prudent, quiet.
+   CANTLE, fragment.
+   CAPERNOITED, crabbed, foolish.
+   CAPRICCIOS, a fanciful composition.
+   CAPRIOLE, a leap made by a horse without advancing.
+   CARDINAL, a woman’s cloak.
+   CARLINES, old women.
+   CATILINA OMNIUM, ETC. Catilina had surrounded himself with the
+       most vile and criminal company.
+   CAUSEWAY, path, roadway.
+   CAVALIERE SERVENTE, gentleman in attendance.
+   CAVE NE LITERAS, ETC. take care that you are not carrying
+       Bellerophon’s letters (letters unfavourable to the bearer).
+   CHACK, a slight repast.
+   CHANCY, safe, auspicious.
+   CHANGE-HOUSE, a small inn or ale-house.
+   CHANTER, the tenor or treble pipe in a bag-pipe.
+   CHAPE, a thin metal blade at the end of a scabbard.
+   CHAPEAU BRAS, a low, three-cornered hat.
+   CHOUGH, a bird of the crow family.
+   CHUCKY, fowl.
+   CHUCKY-STONES, small stones, a child’s game.
+   CLAP AND HOPPER, signs of the mill.
+   CLAVERS, gossip, idle talk.
+   CLEEK, lay hold on.
+   CLEIK IN, to join company.
+   CLOSE, an alley, a narrow way.
+   CLOSE-HEADS, the entry to an alley, a meeting-place for gossips.
+   CLOUR, to strike, to bump.
+   COBLE, a little boat.
+   COCKERNONY, top-knot.
+   COGIE, small wooden bowl.
+   COMMUNE FORUM, ETC. the common court is the common dwelling-place.
+   CORDWAIN, Spanish leather.
+   CORIOLANUS, a Roman patrician, who, being driven from the city,
+       took refuge with Aufidius, the leader of the Volsci.
+   COUP, fall, upset.
+   COURIER DE L’EUROPE, a newspaper.
+   COVYNE, artifice.
+   CRACK, gossip.
+   CRAIG, throat, neck.
+   CRAWSTEP, the steplike edges of a gable seen in some old houses.
+   CREEL, basket carried on the back.
+   CREMONY, Cremona [where the best fiddles were made].
+   CROWDER, fiddler.
+   CUR ME EXAMINAS QUERELIS TUIS?, why do you wear me out with your
+       complaints.
+   CURN, a very little.
+
+   DAFT, crazy.
+   DAIS, a canopy, a table placed above the others, a room of state.
+   DARGLE, dell.
+   DAURG, day’s work.
+   DE APICIBUS JURIS, from the high places of the law.
+   DE PERICULO ET COMMODO REI VENDITAE, concerning the risk and
+       profit of sales.
+   DEAD-THRAW, death-thraw.
+   DEBOSHED, debauched.
+   DEFORCEMENT--SPULZIE--SOUTHRIEF, legal terms for resisting an
+       officer of law.
+   DEIL, devil.
+   DELATE, accuse.
+   DELICT, misdemeanour, QUASI DELICT, apparent offence.
+   DEPONE, to testify.
+   DERNIER RESORT, last resort.
+   DIABLERIE, sorcery, witchcraft.
+   DILIGENCE, writ of execution, coach.
+   DING, to knock, beat down.
+   DIRDUM, uproar, disturbance.
+   DITTAY, an indictment.
+   DIVOT, thin turf used for thatching cottages.
+   DOCH AN DORROCH, the stirrup cup.
+   DOMINUS LITIS, one of the principals in a law suit.
+   DOOL, sorrow, sad consequences.
+   DOOR-CHEEK, door-post.
+   DOUCE, respectable.
+   DRAMATIS PERSONAE, persons of the drama.
+   DRAPPIT, fried.
+   DRIBBLE, a drop.
+   DRIFT, drift-snow.
+   DULCINEA, Don Quixote’s imaginary mistress.
+   DUNSTABLE, something simple and matter-of-fact.
+   DYVOUR, bankrupt.
+
+   EKE, addition.
+   EMBONPOINT, plumpness.
+   EN CROUPE, riding behind one another.
+   ET PER CONTRA, and on the other side.
+   EVITE, avoid.
+   EX COMITATE, out of courtesy.
+   EX MISERICORDIA, out of pity.
+   EXCEPTIO FIRMAT REGULAM, the exception proves the rule.
+   EXOTIC, of foreign origin.
+
+   FACTOR LOCO TUTORIS, an agent acting in place of a guardian.
+   FARDEL, burden.
+   FASH, FASHERIE, trouble.
+   FECK, space.
+   FEMME DE CHAMBRE, chamber-maid.
+   FIERI, to be made.
+   FLACON, a smelling bottle.
+   FLAP, gust.
+   FLIP, a drink consisting of beer and spirit sweetened.
+   FLORY, frothy.
+   FORBY, besides.
+   FORENSIC, legal.
+   FORFOUGHEN, out of breath, distressed.
+   FORPIT, fourth part of a peck.
+   FORTALICE, a small outwork.
+   FRIST, to postpone, give credit,
+   FUGIE, fugitive.
+   FUNCTUS OFFICIO, having finished my duties, ‘out of office’.
+
+   GABERLUNZIE, a beggar.
+   GAEN, gone.
+   GALLOWAY, a strong Scotch cob.
+   GANGREL, wandering, a vagrant.
+   GAR, to force, make.
+   GATE, way, road.
+   GAUGER, an exciseman.
+   GENTRICE, gentle blood.
+   GIFF-GAFF, give and take.
+   GIRDED, hooped like a barrel.
+   GIRN, to grin, cry.
+   GLAIKET, giddy, rash.
+   GLIFF, glimpse, moment,
+   GOWFF BA’, golf ball.
+   GRAINED, groaned.
+   GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA, grain brought and imported.
+   GRAT, wept.
+   GRILLADE, a broiled dish.
+   GRIT, great.
+   GROSSART, gooseberry.
+   GRUE, to creep, shiver,
+   GUDESIRE, grandfather.
+   GUIDE, to deal with, to employ.
+   GUMPLE-FOISTED, sulky, sullen.
+   GWAY, very.
+   GYTES, contemptuous name for a young child, a brat.
+
+   HAFFLINS, half-grown.
+   HAILL, all, the whole.
+   HAIRST, harvest.
+   HAMESUCKEN, assaulting a person in his own house.
+   HAMSHACKLE, to fasten.
+   HANK, a hold.
+   HAP, to hop, turn from.
+   HARPOCRATES, an Egyptian god, supposed by the Greeks to be the
+       god of silence.
+   HAUGH, holm, low-lying flat ground.
+   HAULD, place of abode.
+   HAVINGS, behaviour.
+   HEFTED, closed, as a knife in its haft.
+   HELLICAT, extravagant, light-headed.
+   HEMPEY, rogue.
+   HET, hot.
+   HEUCK, sickle.
+   HINC ILLAE LACRYMAE, hence these tears.
+   HINNY, honey, a term of endearment.
+   HIPPOGRIFF, a fabulous winged animal, half horse and half griffin.
+   HODDIN-GREY, cloth manufactured from undyed wool.
+   HOMOLOGATING, ratifying, approving.
+   HOOKS, OFF THE, light-headed.
+   HOSE-NET, a small net used for rivulet fishing.
+   HOW-COME-SO, light-headed.
+   HUMOURSOME, subject to moods.
+   HUSSEY, lady’s needle-case.
+   HYSON, green tea from China.
+
+   IGNIS FATUUS, will o’ the wisp.
+   ILK, each; of the same name, as Redgauntlet of that Ilk
+       =Redgauntlet of Redgauntlet.
+   ILL-DEEDIE, mischievous.
+   ILL-FAUR’D, ugly, ill-favoured.
+   IN CIVILIBUS or CRIMINALIBUS, in civil or criminal causes.
+   IN FORO CONSCIENTIAE, in the assize of conscience.
+   IN MEDITATIONE FUGAE, meditating flight.
+   IN PRESENTIA DOMINORUM, before the Lords.
+   INCEDIT SICUT LEO VORANS, goeth about like a roaring lion.
+   INCOGNITA, unknown.
+   INFRA DIG, beneath one’s dignity.
+   INSTANTER, at once.
+   INTROMIT, to medldle with.
+   INVITA MINERVA, against my bent.
+
+   JACK, a metal pitcher.
+   JAZY, wig.
+   JET D’EAU, jet of water.
+   JORUM, a drinking-vessel, or the liquor in it.
+   JOW, to toll.
+   JURIDICAL, pertaining to a judge or to the courts.
+
+   KATTERFELTO, a famous quack.
+   KEEK, to look.
+   KEFFEL, a bad horse.
+
+   LAIGH, low.
+   LAND-LOUPER, runagate, vagabond.
+   LARES, household gods, the special divinities of a family.
+   LAP, leaped; fold.
+   LAVE, rest, remainder.
+   LAWING, inn reckoning.
+   LEAL, loyal, true.
+   LEASING-MAKING, lies, slander, seditious words.
+   LEASOWES, the estate of the poet Shenstone.
+   LEE-SIDE, the side of a vessel farthest from the point where the
+       wind blows.
+   LEESOME LANE, his dear self alone.
+   LEEVIN, living.
+   LEE WAY, arrears of work.
+   LEG, TO MAKE A, to bow.
+   LETTRES DE CACHET, sealed letters issued by the King of France,
+       conferring power over the liberty of others.
+   LEX AQUARUM, the law of the waters.
+   LIMMER, a loose woman, a jade.
+   LING, thin long grass, heather.
+   LOANING, a meadow, pasture where the cows were milked,
+   LOE, love.
+   LOON, fellow, rogue.
+   LOOPY, crafty.
+   LOUIS-D’OR, a French gold coin worth from 16s, 6d. to 18s. 9d.
+   LOUP, leap.
+   LOUP-THE-DYKE, giddy, runaway.
+   LOUP THE TETHER, breaking loose from restraint.
+   LOVELACE AND BELFORD, characters in CLARISSA HARLOWE.
+   LUCKY, a name given to an elderly dame.
+   LUG, the ear.
+   LUM, chimney.
+
+   MACER, a court official.
+   MAILING, a small farm or rented property.
+   MAILS, rents.
+   MALVERSATION, fraudulent tricks.
+   MANUMISSION, liberty.
+   MARCH, border.
+   MARE MAGNUM, the great sea.
+   MARIUS, a Roman general, leader in the civil war against Sulla.
+   MEAR, mare.
+   MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, the writing seen by Belshazzar
+       (Daniel V. 25).
+   MENYIE, retinue.
+   MERIDIAN, noon; a mid-day drink.
+   MERK, an old Scottish coin=1s. 1 1/2d. in English money.
+   MESSAN, a lap-dog, a little dog.
+   MICKLE, much.
+   MIFFED, piqued.
+   MILLAR, Philip Millar, author of several works on gardening.
+   MINOS, a law-giver of Crete, afterwards set as a judge in Hades.
+   MISHANTER, mischief.
+   MISPRISION OF TREASON, concealment of treason.
+   MOIDART, a loch in Inverness, where Prince Charles Stuart landed,
+       1745.
+   MOIDORE, a gold coin of Portugal worth about L1 7s. 0d.
+   MORE SOLITO, in the accustomed manner.
+   MORE TUO, in your own way.
+   MUILS, slippers.
+   MUISTED, scented.
+   MUTCHKIN, English pint.
+
+   NE QUID NIMIS, do nothing in excess.
+   NEGATUR, lit. ‘it is denied,’ I deny it.
+   NEGOTIORUM GESTOR, manager of affairs.
+   NEREID, a sea-nymph.
+   NIGRI SUNT HYACINTHI, irises are dark flowers.
+   NIHIL NOVIT IN CAUSA, nothing is known of the case.
+   NIPPERKIN, a small cup, a liquid measure.
+   NOM DE GUERRE, professional name.
+   NOMINE DAMNI, in the name of damages.
+   NONJURING, not swearing allegiance to the government, loyal to the
+       Stuarts.
+   NOSCITUR A SOCIO, he is known by his friend.
+   NOVITER REPERTUM, newly discovered.
+
+   OHE, JAM SATIS, oh, enough.
+   OMNE IGNOTUM PRO TERRIBILI, the unknown is always held in terror.
+   OMNI SUSPICIONE MAJOR, above all suspicion.
+   ORESTES AND PYLADES, DAMON AND PYTHIAS, classical examples of
+       friendship.
+   ORIGO MALI, cause of the evil.
+   ORNATURE, adornment, decoration.
+   ORRA, odd.
+   OVERTURE, opening.
+   OWERLAY, cravat.
+   OYE, a grandson.
+
+   PACK OR PEEL, to traffic.
+   PANDE MANUM, hold out your hand.
+   PANDECTS, a digest of Roman law.
+   PAR EXCELLENCE, above all, specially.
+   PAR ORDONNANCE DU MEDECIN, by the doctor’s orders.
+   PARMA NON BENE SELECTA, a shield, or defence, not well chosen.
+   PAROCHINE, parish.
+   PATER NOSTER, Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer.
+   PATRIA POTESTAS, paternal authority.
+   PAWMIE, a stroke on the palm of the hand.
+   PEACH, betray, speak out.
+   PEEL-HOUSE, a small fortified house, or tower.
+   PEGASUS, the winged horse of the Muses.
+   PENDENTE LITE, whilst the case is proceeding.
+   PENDICLES, articles, small parts.
+   PER AMBAGES, by circumlocution, in a roundabout way.
+   PER CONTRA, on the other side.
+   PERDU, concealed, lost.
+   PERIPATETIC, walking, wandering.
+   PESSIMI EXEMPLI, the worst possible example.
+   PETTLE, a plough-staff.
+   PHALARIS’S BULL, a furnace shaped like a bull into which the
+       tyrant Phalaris used to cast his victims.
+   PISCATOR, fisherman.
+   PISTOLE, a gold coin worth about 16s.
+   PLACK, a small copper coin, equal to one-third of an English penny.
+   PLEACH, interweave.
+   PLICATIONS, folds, wrinkles.
+   PLOY, a frolic.
+   POCK-PUDDING, a contemptuous term applied to Englishmen
+   POINT D’ESPAGNE, Spanish lace.
+   POKE, pocket.
+   PORT ROYAL, a monastery near Paris which became the headquarters
+       of the Jansenists, the opponents of the Jesuits.
+   POSSE COMITATUS, the civil force of a county.
+   POUND SCOTS, worth about 1s. 8d. English money.
+   PRACTIQUES, practices of the profession.
+   PRECOGNITION, examination prior to prosecution.
+   PRECOGNOSCED, to take precognition of.
+   PRETERMIT, omit, pass by.
+   PURSUIVANTS, an officer-at-arms, in rank below a herald.
+
+   QUAERE, query, a question.
+   QUEAN, a young woman, a wench.
+   QUI VIVE, alert, cautious.
+   QUID, piece of tobacco to chew.
+   QUID TIBI CUM LYRA, what hast thou to do with the lyre?
+   QUORUM, the body of justices, so called from a word used in the
+       commission appointing them.
+
+   RANT, a noisy dance-tune.
+   RAPPAREE, an Irish plunderer; a worthless fellow,
+   RATIONE OFFICII, by virtue of his position.
+   RATTLING, lively, brisk.
+   RAX, stretch.
+   REAMING, frothing, foaming.
+   REDD, clear up, tidy.
+   REGIAM MAJESTATEM, a collection of Scotch laws.
+   REIVER, robber.
+   REMEDIUM JURIS, legal remedy.
+   RIGDUM-FUNNIDOS, a courtier in H. Carey’s burlesque,
+        CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS.
+   RIPE, search.
+   RUDAS, a scold, a virago.
+   RUG, a share, a good mouthful.
+
+   SANCTA WINIFREDA, ORA PRO NOBIS, Saint Winifred, pray for us.
+   SARTUM ATQUE TECTUM, repaired and covered.
+   SAT EST, it is enough.
+   SAWNEY, a nickname for a Scotchman.
+   SCARBOROUGH WARNING, the blow before the threat.
+   SCOWP, quaff.
+   SCRUB, the name of a footman in the BEAUX’ STRATAGEM (Geo.
+       Farquhar, 1704).
+   SCULDUDDERY, loose, immoral.
+   SEALGH, seal,
+   SEA-MAWS, sea-mews.
+   SECUNDUM ARTEM, according to the rules of his art.
+   SEDERUNT, a sitting of the courts.
+   SEMPLE, simple, not of gentle birth,
+   SHILPIT, weak; poor, shabby.
+   SHINGLES, thin boards used for roofs.
+   SI NON CASTE, CAUTE TAMEN, if not for virtue’s sake, yet for
+       caution.
+   SIB, kin.
+   SIGMA, the Greek S.
+   SINE DIE, without a date, indefinitely.
+   SIS MEMOR MEI, be mindful of me.
+   SKELLOCH, screech.
+   SKINKER, a server of liquor.
+   SKIRL, to scream.
+   SKIVIE, harebrained.
+   SLEEKIT, smooth.
+   SLOKEN, quench.
+   SNEESHING, snuff.
+   SNELL, sharp, terrible.
+   SNICKERS, sniggers.
+   SOCIETAS EST MATER DISCORDIARUM, partnership is the mother of
+       quarrels.
+   SOLITAIRE, an ornament for the neck.
+   SOLON, the law-giver of Athens.
+   SONSY, good-humoured, sensible.
+   SORT, to chastise; to manage.
+   SORTES VIRGILIANAE, Virgilian lots; opening the works of Virgil at
+       random and taking the first passage read for counsel.
+   SOUGH, a breath, a chant.
+   SOUPLE, active; supple in mind or body.
+   SOUTER’S CLOD, a kind of coarse black bread.
+   SPATTERDASHES, coverings for the legs to protect them from mud.
+   SPEER, ask.
+   SPLICE THE MAIN BRACE, have an extra allowance of spirits.
+   SPLORE, a frolic, quarrel.
+   SPRATTLE, struggle, scramble.
+   SPRING, a merry tune.
+   SPRUSH, spruce.
+   SPULE-BLADE, shoulder blade,
+   SPUNK, courage, fire: SPUNKS, matches.
+   STEND, take long steps.
+   STEWARTRY, territory in Scotland administered by a steward.
+   STIBBLER, a divinity student, a probationer.
+   STILTS, plough-handles.
+   STUNKARD, sullen, obstinate.
+   SUA QUEMQUE TRAHIT VOLUPTAS, his own peculiar pleasure allures
+       each.
+   SURTOUT, a tight-fitting, broad-skirted outer coat.
+   SWIPES, small beer.
+
+   TAES, toes.
+   TALIS QUALIS, of some kind.
+   TAM MARTE QUAM MERCURIO, as much devoted to Mars as to Mercury (as
+       much a soldier as a pleader).
+   TASS, a glass.
+   TAU, the Greek: T.
+   TERRA FIRMA, firm earth.
+   TESTE ME PER TOTUM NOCTEM VIGILANTE, I am witness as I was awake
+       all night.
+   TETE-A-TETE, a private conversation.
+   THAIRM, catgut.
+   THEMIS, the goddess of law and justice.
+   THIRLAGE, mortgaging of property.
+   THREAP, aver.
+   THUMBIKINS, thumbscrews, instruments of torture.
+   TIMOTHEUS, a famous musician.
+   TIPPENY, twopenny ale,
+   TIRTEAFUERA, a character in DON QUIXOTE, the doctor in Sancho
+       Panza’s island government.
+   TITHER, the other.
+   TOD, a bush, a fox.
+   TOOM, empty.
+   TOUR OUT, to look about.
+   TOY, a linen cap; a head-dress hanging down over the shoulders.
+   TRANCES, passages.
+   TUPTOWING, beating, from the Greek verb ‘tupto’, to strike.
+   TWALPENNY, one penny sterling.
+   TWASOME, a pair or couple.
+   TYNE, loss or forfeit.
+   TYRO, TYRONES, beginner, beginners; novice.
+
+   UNCO, very, uncommon, strange.
+   URGANDA, an enchantress in the romance of AMADIS OF GAUL.
+   USQUEBAUGH, whisky.
+
+   VADE RETRO, get thee behind me.
+   VALE, SIS MEMOR MEI, farewell, be mindful of me.
+   VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER FEMINA, woman is always variable and
+       changeful.
+   VERBUM SACERDOTIS, the word of a priest.
+   VIA FACTI, by personal force.
+   VINCERE VINCENTEM, to conquer the conquering.
+   VINCO VINCENTEM, ERGO VINCO TE, I conquer the conquering,
+       therefore I conquer you.
+   VIOLER, a player on a viol.
+   VIR SAPIENTIA ET PIETATE GRAVIS, a man of much wisdom and piety.
+   VIS ANIMI, strength of soul.
+   VITIOUS, vicious, unruly.
+   VOET, Jan Voet, author of a book on the PANDECTS.
+
+   W.S., writer to the signet, a lawyer.
+   WALING, choosing.
+   WAME, stomach.
+   WANCHANCY, unlucky, dangerous.
+   WARE, spend.
+   WARK, work, trouble.
+   WAUR, worse.
+   WEARS, weirs, dams.
+   WEIGH-BANKS, scales.
+   WHIN, gorse.
+   WHITTLE, a small clasp-knife.
+   WITHERSHINS, backwards in their courses, in the contrary way.
+   WUD, mad.
+   WYND, yard, alley.
+
+   YAULD, active.
+   YELLOCH, yell.
+   YETTS, gates.
+   YILL, ale.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Redgauntlet, by Sir Walter Scott
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+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <title>
+      Red Gauntlet, by Sir Walter Scott
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve">
+
+    body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify}
+    P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; }
+    hr  { width: 50%; text-align: center;}
+    .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; }
+    blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .mynote    {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;}
+    .toc       { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;}
+    .toc2      { margin-left: 20%;}
+    div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; }
+    .figleft   {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;}
+    .figright  {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;}
+    pre     { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;}
+
+</style>
+  </head>
+  <body>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Redgauntlet, by Sir Walter Scott
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Red Gauntlet
+
+Author: Sir Walter Scott
+
+Release Date: December 31, 2008 [EBook #2516]
+Last Updated: August 31, 2016
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REDGAUNTLET ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+    <p>
+      <br /><br />
+    </p>
+    <h1>
+      REDGAUNTLET
+    </h1>
+    <p>
+      <br />
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      by Sir Walter Scott
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <blockquote>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big>
+      </p>
+      <p>
+        <br />
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION </a>
+      </p>
+      <p>
+        <br />
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> REDGAUNTLET </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> LETTER I </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> LETTER II </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> LETTER III </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> LETTER IV </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> LETTER V </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> LETTER VI </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> LETTER VII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> LETTER VIII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> LETTER IX </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> LETTER X </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> LETTER XI </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> LETTER XII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> LETTER XIII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p>
+        <br />
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_CONC"> CONCLUSION </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_NOTE"> NOTES </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2H_GLOS"> GLOSSARY </a>
+      </p>
+    </blockquote>
+    <div class="mynote">
+      <p>
+        Original Transcriber&rsquo;s Note: Footnotes in the printed book have been
+        inserted in the etext in square brackets [] close to the place where
+        they were referenced by a suffix in the original text. Text in italics
+        has been written in capital letters. There are some numbered notes at
+        the end of the text that are referred to by their numbers with brief
+        notes, also in square brackets, embedded in the text.
+      </p>
+      <br />
+    </div>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      INTRODUCTION
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      The Jacobite enthusiasm of the eighteenth century, particularly during the
+      rebellion of 1745, afforded a theme, perhaps the finest that could be
+      selected for fictitious composition, founded upon real or probable
+      incident. This civil war and its remarkable events were remembered by the
+      existing generation without any degree of the bitterness of spirit which
+      seldom fails to attend internal dissension. The Highlanders, who formed
+      the principal strength of Charles Edward&rsquo;s army, were an ancient and
+      high-spirited race, peculiar in their habits of war and of peace, brave to
+      romance, and exhibiting a character turning upon points more adapted to
+      poetry than to the prose of real life. Their prince, young, valiant,
+      patient of fatigue, and despising danger, heading his army on foot in the
+      most toilsome marches, and defeating a regular force in three battles&mdash;all
+      these were circumstances fascinating to the imagination, and might well be
+      supposed to seduce young and enthusiastic minds to the cause in which they
+      were found united, although wisdom and reason frowned upon the enterprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The adventurous prince, as is well known, proved to be one of those
+      personages who distinguish themselves during some single and
+      extraordinarily brilliant period of their lives, like the course of a
+      shooting-star, at which men wonder, as well on account of the briefness,
+      as the brilliancy of its splendour. A long tract of darkness overshadowed
+      the subsequent life of a man who, in his youth, showed himself so capable
+      of great undertakings; and, without the painful task of tracing his course
+      farther, we may say the latter pursuits and habits of this unhappy prince
+      are those painfully evincing a broken heart, which seeks refuge from its
+      own thoughts in sordid enjoyments.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Still, however, it was long ere Charles Edward appeared to be, perhaps it
+      was long ere he altogether became, so much degraded from his original
+      self; as he enjoyed for a time the lustre attending the progress and
+      termination of his enterprise. Those who thought they discerned in his
+      subsequent conduct an insensibility to the distresses of his followers,
+      coupled with that egotistical attention to his own interests which has
+      been often attributed to the Stuart family, and which is the natural
+      effect of the principles of divine right in which they were brought up,
+      were now generally considered as dissatisfied and splenetic persons, who,
+      displeased with the issue of their adventure and finding themselves
+      involved in the ruins of a falling cause, indulged themselves in
+      undeserved reproaches against their leader. Indeed, such censures were by
+      no means frequent among those of his followers who, if what was alleged
+      had been just, had the best right to complain. Far the greater number of
+      those unfortunate gentlemen suffered with the most dignified patience, and
+      were either too proud to take notice of ill-treatment an the part of their
+      prince, or so prudent as to be aware their complaints would meet with
+      little sympathy from the world. It may be added, that the greater part of
+      the banished Jacobites, and those of high rank and consequence, were not
+      much within reach of the influence of the prince&rsquo;s character and conduct,
+      whether well regulated or otherwise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meantime that great Jacobite conspiracy, of which the insurrection
+      of 1745-6 was but a small part precipitated into action on the failure of
+      a far more general scheme, was resumed and again put into motion by the
+      Jacobites of England, whose force had never been broken, as they had
+      prudently avoided bringing it into the field. The surprising effect which
+      had been produced by small means, in 1745-6, animated their hopes for more
+      important successes, when the whole nonjuring interest of Britain,
+      identified as it then was with great part of the landed gentlemen, should
+      come forward to finish what had been gallantly attempted by a few Highland
+      chiefs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is probable, indeed, that the Jacobites of the day were incapable of
+      considering that the very small scale on which the effort was made, was in
+      one great measure the cause of its unexpected success. The remarkable
+      speed with which the insurgents marched, the singularly good discipline
+      which they preserved, the union and unanimity which for some time animated
+      their councils, were all in a considerable degree produced by the
+      smallness of their numbers. Notwithstanding the discomfiture of Charles
+      Edward, the nonjurors of the period long continued to nurse unlawful
+      schemes, and to drink treasonable toasts, until age stole upon them.
+      Another generation arose, who did not share the sentiments which they
+      cherished; and at length the sparkles of disaffection, which had long
+      smouldered, but had never been heated enough to burst into actual flame,
+      became entirely extinguished. But in proportion as the political
+      enthusiasm died gradually away among men of ordinary temperament, it
+      influenced those of warm imaginations and weak understandings, and hence
+      wild schemes were formed, as desperate as they were adventurous.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Thus a young Scottishman of rank is said to have stooped so low as to plot
+      the surprisal of St. James&rsquo;s Palace, and the assassination of the royal
+      family. While these ill-digested and desperate conspiracies were agitated
+      among the few Jacobites who still adhered with more obstinacy to their
+      purpose, there is no question but that other plots might have been brought
+      to an open explosion, had it not suited the policy of Sir Robert Walpole
+      rather to prevent or disable the conspirators in their projects, than to
+      promulgate the tale of danger, which might thus have been believed to be
+      more widely diffused than was really the case.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In one instance alone this very prudential and humane line of conduct was
+      departed from, and the event seemed to confirm the policy of the general
+      course. Doctor Archibald Cameron, brother of the celebrated Donald Cameron
+      of Lochiel, attainted for the rebellion of 1745, was found by a party of
+      soldiers lurking with a comrade in the wilds of Loch Katrine five or six
+      years after the battle of Culloden, and was there seized. There were
+      circumstances in his case, so far as was made known to the public, which
+      attracted much compassion, and gave to the judicial proceedings against
+      him an appearance of cold-blooded revenge on the part of government; and
+      the following argument of a zealous Jacobite in his favour, was received
+      as conclusive by Dr. Johnson and other persons who might pretend to
+      impartiality. Dr. Cameron had never borne arms, although engaged in the
+      Rebellion, but used his medical skill for the service, indifferently, of
+      the wounded of both parties. His return to Scotland was ascribed
+      exclusively to family affairs. His behaviour at the bar was decent, firm,
+      and respectful. His wife threw herself, on three different occasions,
+      before George II and the members of his family, was rudely repulsed from
+      their presence, and at length placed, it was said, in the same prison with
+      her husband, and confined with unmanly severity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Dr. Cameron was finally executed with all the severities of the law of
+      treason; and his death remains in popular estimation a dark blot upon the
+      memory of George II, being almost publicly imputed to a mean and personal
+      hatred of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the sufferer&rsquo;s heroic brother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Yet the fact was that whether the execution of Archibald Cameron was
+      political or otherwise, it might certainly have been justified, had the
+      king&rsquo;s ministers so pleased, upon reasons of a public nature. The
+      unfortunate sufferer had not come to the Highlands solely upon his private
+      affairs, as was the general belief; but it was not judged prudent by the
+      English ministry to let it be generally known that he came to inquire
+      about a considerable sum of money which had been remitted from France to
+      the friends of the exiled family. He had also a commission to hold
+      intercourse with the well-known M&rsquo;Pherson of Cluny, chief of the clan
+      Vourich, whom the Chevalier had left behind at his departure from Scotland
+      in 1746, and who remained during ten years of proscription and danger,
+      skulking from place to place in the Highlands, and maintaining an
+      uninterrupted correspondence between Charles and his friends. That Dr.
+      Cameron should have held a commission to assist this chief in raking
+      together the dispersed embers of disaffection, is in itself sufficiently
+      natural, and, considering his political principles, in no respect
+      dishonourable to his memory. But neither ought it to be imputed to George
+      II that he suffered the laws to be enforced against a person taken in the
+      act of breaking them. When he lost his hazardous game, Dr. Cameron only
+      paid the forfeit which he must have calculated upon. The ministers,
+      however, thought it proper to leave Dr. Cameron&rsquo;s new schemes in
+      concealment, lest, by divulging them, they had indicated the channel of
+      communication which, it is now well known, they possessed to all the plots
+      of Charles Edward. But it was equally ill advised and ungenerous to
+      sacrifice the character of the king to the policy of the administration.
+      Both points might have been gained by sparing the life of Dr. Cameron
+      after conviction, and limiting his punishment to perpetual exile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      These repeated and successive Jacobite plots rose and burst like bubbles
+      on a fountain; and one of them, at least, the Chevalier judged of
+      importance enough to induce him to risk himself within the dangerous
+      precincts of the British capital. This appears from Dr. King&rsquo;s ANECDOTES
+      OF HIS OWN TIMES.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;September, 1750.&mdash;I received a note from my Lady Primrose, who
+      desired to see me immediately. As soon as I waited on her, she led me into
+      her dressing-room, and presented me to&mdash;&rsquo; [the Chevalier, doubtless].
+      &lsquo;If I was surprised to find him there, I was still more astonished when he
+      acquainted me with the motives which had induced him to hazard a journey
+      to England at this juncture. The impatience of his friends who were in
+      exile had formed a scheme which was impracticable; but although it had
+      been as feasible as they had represented it to him, yet no preparation had
+      been made, nor was anything ready to carry it into execution. He was soon
+      convinced that he had been deceived; and, therefore, after a stay in
+      London of five days only, he returned to the place from whence he came.&rsquo; 
+      Dr. King was in 1750 a keen Jacobite, as may be inferred from the visit
+      made by him to the prince under such circumstances, and from his being one
+      of that unfortunate person&rsquo;s chosen correspondents. He, as well as other
+      men of sense and observation, began to despair of making their fortune in
+      the party which they had chosen. It was indeed sufficiently dangerous;
+      for, during the short visit just described, one of Dr. King&rsquo;s servants
+      remarked the stranger&rsquo;s likeness to Prince Charles, whom he recognized
+      from the common busts.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The occasion taken for breaking up the Stuart interest we shall tell in
+      Dr. King&rsquo;s own words:&mdash;&lsquo;When he (Charles Edward) was in Scotland, he
+      had a mistress whose name was Walkinshaw, and whose sister was at that
+      time, and is still, housekeeper at Leicester House. Some years after he
+      was released from his prison, and conducted out of France, he sent for
+      this girl, who soon acquired such a dominion over him, that she was
+      acquainted with all his schemes, and trusted with his most secret
+      correspondence. As soon as this was known in England, all those persons of
+      distinction who were attached to him were greatly alarmed: they imagined
+      that this wench had been placed in his family by the English ministers;
+      and, considering her sister&rsquo;s situation, they seemed to have some ground
+      for their suspicion; wherefore, they dispatched a gentleman to Paris,
+      where the prince then was, who had instructions to insist that Mrs.
+      Walkinshaw should be removed to a convent for a certain term; but her
+      gallant absolutely refused to comply with this demand; and although Mr.
+      M&rsquo;Namara, the gentleman who was sent to him, who has a natural eloquence
+      and an excellent understanding, urged the most cogent reasons, and used
+      all the arts of persuasion, to induce him to part with his mistress, and
+      even proceeded so far as to assure him, according to his instructions,
+      that an immediate interruption of all correspondence with his most
+      powerful friends in England, and, in short, that the ruin of his interest,
+      which was now daily increasing, would be the infallible consequence of his
+      refusal; yet he continued inflexible, and all M&rsquo;Namara&rsquo;s entreaties and
+      remonstrances were ineffectual. M&rsquo;Namara stayed in Paris some days beyond
+      the time prescribed him, endeavouring to reason the prince into a better
+      temper; but finding him obstinately persevere in his first answer, he took
+      his leave with concern and indignation, saying, as he passed out, &ldquo;What
+      has your family done, sir, thus to draw down the vengeance of Heaven on
+      every branch of it, through so many ages?&rdquo; It is worthy of remark, that in
+      all the conferences which M&rsquo;Namara had with the prince on this occasion,
+      the latter declared that it was not a violent passion, or indeed any
+      particular regard, which attached him to Mrs. Walkinshaw and that he could
+      see her removed from him without any concern; but he would not receive
+      directions, in respect to his private conduct, from any man alive. When
+      M&rsquo;Namara returned to London, and reported the prince&rsquo;s answer to the
+      gentlemen who had employed him, they were astonished and confounded.
+      However, they soon resolved on the measures which they were to pursue for
+      the future, and determined no longer to serve a man who could not be
+      persuaded to serve himself, and chose rather to endanger the lives of his
+      best and most faithful friends, than part with an harlot, whom, as he
+      often declared, he neither loved nor esteemed.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      From this anecdote, the general truth of which is indubitable, the
+      principal fault of Charles Edward&rsquo;s temper is sufficiently obvious. It was
+      a high sense of his own importance, and an obstinate adherence to what he
+      had once determined on&mdash;qualities which, if he had succeeded in his
+      bold attempt, gave the nation little room to hope that he would have been
+      found free from the love of prerogative and desire of arbitrary power,
+      which characterized his unhappy grandfather. He gave a notable instance
+      how far this was the leading feature of his character, when, for no
+      reasonable cause that can be assigned, he placed his own single will in
+      opposition to the necessities of France, which, in order to purchase a
+      peace become necessary to the kingdom, was reduced to gratify Britain by
+      prohibiting the residence of Charles within any part of the French
+      dominions. It was in vain that France endeavoured to lessen the disgrace
+      of this step by making the most flattering offers, in hopes to induce the
+      prince of himself to anticipate this disagreeable alternative, which, if
+      seriously enforced, as it was likely to be, he had no means whatever of
+      resisting, by leaving the kingdom as of his own free will. Inspired,
+      however, by the spirit of hereditary obstinacy, Charles preferred a
+      useless resistance to a dignified submission, and, by a series of idle
+      bravadoes, laid the French court under the necessity of arresting their
+      late ally, and sending him to close confinement in the Bastille, from
+      which he was afterwards sent out of the French dominions, much in the
+      manner in which a convict is transported to the place of his destination.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In addition to these repeated instances of a rash and inflexible temper,
+      Dr. King also adds faults alleged to belong to the prince&rsquo;s character, of
+      a kind less consonant with his noble birth and high pretensions. He is
+      said by this author to have been avaricious, or parsimonious at least, to
+      such a degree of meanness, as to fail, even when he had ample means, in
+      relieving the sufferers who had lost their fortune, and sacrificed all in
+      his ill-fated attempt. [The approach is thus expressed by Dr. King, who
+      brings the charge:&mdash;&lsquo;But the most odious part of his character is his
+      love of money, a vice which I do not remember to have been imputed by our
+      historians to any of his ancestors, and is the certain index of a base and
+      little mind. I know it may be urged in his vindication, that a prince in
+      exile ought to be an economist. And so he ought; but, nevertheless, his
+      purse should be always open as long as there is anything in it, to relieve
+      the necessities of his friends and adherents. King Charles II, during his
+      banishment, would have shared the last pistole in his pocket with his
+      little family. But I have known this gentleman, with two thousand
+      louis-d&rsquo;ors in his strong-box, pretend he was in great distress, and
+      borrow money from a lady in Paris who was not in affluent circumstances.
+      His most faithful servants, who had closely attended him in all his
+      difficulties, were ill rewarded.&rsquo;&mdash;King&rsquo;s MEMOIRS.] We must receive,
+      however, with some degree of jealousy what is said by Dr. King on this
+      subject, recollecting that he had left at least, if he did not desert, the
+      standard of the unfortunate prince, and was not therefore a person who was
+      likely to form the fairest estimate of his virtues and faults. We must
+      also remember that if the exiled prince gave little, he had but little to
+      give, especially considering how late he nourished the scheme of another
+      expedition to Scotland, for which he was long endeavouring to hoard money.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The case, also, of Charles Edward must be allowed to have been a difficult
+      one. He had to satisfy numerous persons, who, having lost their all in his
+      cause, had, with that all, seen the extinction of hopes which they
+      accounted nearly as good as certainties; some of these were perhaps
+      clamorous in their applications, and certainly ill pleased with their want
+      of success. Other parts of the Chevalier&rsquo;s conduct may have afforded
+      grounds for charging him with coldness to the sufferings of his devoted
+      followers. One of these was a sentiment which has nothing in it that is
+      generous, but it was certainly a principle in which the young prince was
+      trained, and which may be too probably denominated peculiar to his family,
+      educated in all the high notions of passive obedience and non-resistance.
+      If the unhappy prince gave implicit faith to the professions of statesmen
+      holding such notions, which is implied by his whole conduct.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h1>
+      REDGAUNTLET
+    </h1>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER I
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      DUMFRIES.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      CUR ME EXANIMAS QUERELIS TUIS? In plain English, Why do you deafen me with
+      your croaking? The disconsolate tone in which you bade me farewell at
+      Noble House, [The first stage on the road from Edinburgh to Dumfries via
+      Moffat.] and mounted your miserable hack to return to your law drudgery,
+      still sounds in my ears. It seemed to say, &lsquo;Happy dog! you can ramble at
+      pleasure over hill and dale, pursue every object of curiosity that
+      presents itself, and relinquish the chase when it loses interest; while I,
+      your senior and your better, must, in this brilliant season, return to my
+      narrow chamber and my musty books.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Such was the import of the reflections with which you saddened our parting
+      bottle of claret, and thus I must needs interpret the terms of your
+      melancholy adieu.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And why should this be so, Alan? Why the deuce should you not be sitting
+      precisely opposite to me at this moment, in the same comfortable George
+      Inn; thy heels on the fender, and thy juridical brow expanding its
+      plications as a pun rose in your fancy? Above all, why, when I fill this
+      very glass of wine, cannot I push the bottle to you, and say, &lsquo;Fairford,
+      you are chased!&rsquo; Why, I say, should not all this be, except because Alan
+      Fairford has not the same true sense of friendship as Darsie Latimer, and
+      will not regard our purses as common, as well as our sentiments?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I am alone in the world; my only guardian writes to me of a large fortune
+      which will be mine when I reach the age of twenty-five complete; my
+      present income is, thou knowest, more than sufficient for all my wants;
+      and yet thou&mdash;traitor as thou art to the cause of friendship&mdash;dost
+      deprive me of the pleasure of thy society, and submittest, besides, to
+      self-denial on thine own part, rather than my wanderings should cost me a
+      few guineas more! Is this regard for my purse, or for thine own pride? Is
+      it not equally absurd and unreasonable, whichever source it springs from?
+      For myself, I tell thee, I have, and shall have, more than enough for
+      both. This same methodical Samuel Griffiths, of Ironmonger Lane,
+      Guildhall, London, whose letter arrives as duly as quarter-day, has sent
+      me, as I told thee, double allowance for this my twenty-first birthday,
+      and an assurance, in his brief fashion, that it will be again doubled for
+      the succeeding years, until I enter into possession of my own property.
+      Still I am to refrain from visiting England until my twenty-fifth year
+      expires; and it is recommended that I shall forbear all inquiries
+      concerning my family, and so forth, for the present.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Were it not that I recollect my poor mother in her deep widow&rsquo;s weeds,
+      with a countenance that never smiled but when she looked on me&mdash;and
+      then, in such wan and woful sort, as the sun when he glances through an
+      April cloud,&mdash;were it not, I say, that her mild and matron-like form
+      and countenance forbid such a suspicion, I might think myself the son of
+      some Indian director, or rich citizen, who had more wealth than grace, and
+      a handful of hypocrisy to boot, and who was breeding up privately, and
+      obscurely enriching, one of whose existence he had some reason to be
+      ashamed. But, as I said before, I think on my mother, and am convinced as
+      much as of the existence of my own soul, that no touch of shame could
+      arise from aught in which she was implicated. Meantime, I am wealthy, and
+      I am alone, and why does my friend scruple to share my wealth?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Are you not my only friend? and have you not acquired a right to share my
+      wealth? Answer me that, Alan Fairford. When I was brought from the
+      solitude of my mother&rsquo;s dwelling into the tumult of the Gaits&rsquo; Class at
+      the High School&mdash;when I was mocked for my English accent&mdash;salted
+      with snow as a Southern&mdash;rolled in the gutter for a Saxon
+      pock-pudding,&mdash;who, with stout arguments and stouter blows, stood
+      forth my defender?&mdash;why, Alan Fairford. Who beat me soundly when I
+      brought the arrogance of an only son, and of course a spoiled urchin, to
+      the forms of the little republic?&mdash;why, Alan. And who taught me to
+      smoke a cobbler, pin a losen, head a bicker, and hold the bannets?&mdash;[Break
+      a window, head a skirmish with stones, and hold the bonnet, or
+      handkerchief, which used to divide High School boys when fighting.] Alan,
+      once more. If I became the pride of the Yards, and the dread of the
+      hucksters in the High School Wynd, it was under thy patronage; and, but
+      for thee, I had been contented with humbly passing through the Cowgate
+      Port, without climbing over the top of it, and had never seen the KITTLE
+      NINE-STEPS nearer than from Bareford&rsquo;s Parks. [A pass on the very brink of
+      the Castle rock to the north, by which it is just possible for a goat, or
+      a High School boy, to turn the corner of the building where it rises from
+      the edge of the precipice. This was so favourite a feat with the &lsquo;hell and
+      neck boys&rsquo; of the higher classes, that at one time sentinels were posted
+      to prevent its repetition. One of the nine-steps was rendered more secure
+      because the climber could take hold of the root of a nettle, so precarious
+      were the means of passing this celebrated spot. The manning the Cowgate
+      Port, especially in snowball time, was also a choice amusement, as it
+      offered an inaccessible station for the boys who used these missiles to
+      the annoyance of the passengers. The gateway is now demolished; and
+      probably most of its garrison lie as low as the fortress. To recollect
+      that the author himself, however naturally disqualified, was one of those
+      juvenile dreadnoughts, is a sad reflection to one who cannot now step over
+      a brook without assistance.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You taught me to keep my fingers off the weak, and to clench my fist
+      against the strong&mdash;to carry no tales out of school&mdash;to stand
+      forth like a true man&mdash;obey the stern order of a PANDE MANUM, and
+      endure my pawmies without wincing, like one that is determined not to be
+      the better for them. In a word, before I knew thee, I knew nothing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At college it was the same. When I was incorrigibly idle, your example and
+      encouragement roused me to mental exertion, and showed me the way to
+      intellectual enjoyment. You made me an historian, a metaphysician (INVITA
+      MINERVA)&mdash;nay, by Heaven! you had almost made an advocate of me, as
+      well as of yourself. Yes, rather than part with you, Alan, I attended a
+      weary season at the Scotch Law Class; a wearier at the Civil; and with
+      what excellent advantage, my notebook, filled with caricatures of the
+      professors and my fellow students, is it not yet extant to testify?
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+   Thus far have I held on with thee untired;
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      and, to say truth, purely and solely that I might travel the same road
+      with thee. But it will not do, Alan. By my faith, man, I could as soon
+      think of being one of those ingenious traders who cheat little Master
+      Jackies on the outside of the partition with tops, balls, bats, and
+      battledores, as a member of the long-robed fraternity within, who impose
+      on grown country gentlemen with bouncing brocards of law. [The Hall of the
+      Parliament House of Edinburgh was, in former days, divided into two
+      unequal portions by a partition, the inner side of which was consecrated
+      to the use of the Courts of Justice and the gentlemen of the law; while
+      the outer division was occupied by the stalls of stationers, toymen, and
+      the like, as in a modern bazaar. From the old play of THE PLAIN DEALER, it
+      seems such was formerly the case with Westminster Hall. Minos has now
+      purified his courts in both cities from all traffic but his own.] Now,
+      don&rsquo;t you read this to your worthy father, Alan&mdash;he loves me well
+      enough, I know, of a Saturday night; but he thinks me but idle company for
+      any other day of the week. And here, I suspect, lies your real objection
+      to taking a ramble with me through the southern counties in this delicious
+      weather. I know the good gentleman has hard thoughts of me for being so
+      unsettled as to leave Edinburgh before the Session rises; perhaps, too, he
+      quarrels a little&mdash;I will not say with my want of ancestry, but with
+      my want of connexions. He reckons me a lone thing in this world, Alan, and
+      so, in good truth, I am; and it seems a reason to him why you should not
+      attach yourself to me, that I can claim no interest in the general herd.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Do not suppose I forget what I owe him, for permitting me to shelter for
+      four years under his roof: My obligations to him are not the less, but the
+      greater, if he never heartily loved me. He is angry, too, that I will not,
+      or cannot, be a lawyer, and, with reference to you, considers my
+      disinclination that way as PESSIMI EXEMPLI, as he might say.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But he need not be afraid that a lad of your steadiness will be influenced
+      by such a reed shaken by the winds as I am. You will go on doubting with
+      Dirleton, and resolving those doubts with Stewart, [&lsquo;Sir John Nisbett of
+      Dirleton&rsquo;s DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS UPON THE LAW, ESPECIALLLY OF SCOTLAND;&rsquo; 
+      and &lsquo;Sir James Stewart&rsquo;s DIRLETON&rsquo;S DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS ON THE LAW OF
+      SCOTLAND RESOLVED AND ANSWERED,&rsquo; are works of authority in Scottish
+      jurisprudence. As is generally the case, the doubts are held more in
+      respect than the solution.] until the cramp speech [Till of late years,
+      every advocate who catered at the Scottish bar made a Latin address to the
+      Court, faculty, and audience, in set terms, and said a few words upon a
+      text of the civil law, to show his Latinity and jurisprudence. He also
+      wore his hat for a minute, in order to vindicate his right of being
+      covered before the Court, which is said to have originated from the
+      celebrated lawyer, Sir Thomas Hope, having two sons on the bench while he
+      himself remained at the bar. Of late this ceremony has been dispensed
+      with, as occupying the time of the Court unnecessarily. The entrant lawyer
+      merely takes the oaths to government, and swears to maintain the rules and
+      privileges of his order.] has been spoken more SOLITO from the corner of
+      the bench, and with covered head&mdash;until you have sworn to defend the
+      liberties and privileges of the College of Justice&mdash;until the black
+      gown is hung on your shoulders, and you are free as any of the Faculty to
+      sue or defend. Then will I step forth, Alan, and in a character which even
+      your father will allow may be more useful to you than had I shared this
+      splendid termination of your legal studies. In a word, if I cannot be a
+      counsel, I am determined to be a CLIENT, a sort of person without whom a
+      lawsuit would be as dull as a supposed case. Yes, I am determined to give
+      you your first fee. One can easily, I am assured, get into a lawsuit&mdash;it
+      is only the getting out which is sometimes found troublesome;&mdash;and,
+      with your kind father for an agent, and you for my counsel learned in the
+      law, and the worshipful Master Samuel Griffiths to back me, a few sessions
+      shall not tire my patience. In short, I will make my way into court, even
+      if it should cost me the committing a DELICT, or at least a QUASI DELICT.&mdash;You
+      see all is not lost of what Erskine wrote, and Wallace taught.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Thus far I have fooled it off well enough; and yet, Alan, all is not at
+      ease within me. I am affected with a sense of loneliness, the more
+      depressing, that it seems to me to be a solitude peculiarly my own. In a
+      country where all the world have a circle of consanguinity, extending to
+      sixth cousins at least, I am a solitary individual, having only one kind
+      heart to throb in unison with my own. If I were condemned to labour for my
+      bread, methinks I should less regard this peculiar species of deprivation,
+      The necessary communication of master and servant would be at least a tie
+      which would attach me to the rest of my kind&mdash;as it is, my very
+      independence seems to enhance the peculiarity of my situation. I am in the
+      world as a stranger in the crowded coffeehouse, where he enters, calls for
+      what refreshment he wants, pays his bill, and is forgotten so soon as the
+      waiter&rsquo;s mouth has pronounced his &lsquo;Thank ye, sir.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I know your good father would term this SINNING MY MERCIES, [A peculiar
+      Scottish phrase expressive of ingratitude for the favours of Providence.]
+      and ask how I should feel if, instead of being able to throw down my
+      reckoning, I were obliged to deprecate the resentment of the landlord for
+      consuming that which I could not pay for. I cannot tell how it is; but,
+      though this very reasonable reflection comes across me, and though I do
+      confess that four hundred a year in possession, eight hundred in near
+      prospect, and the L&mdash;d knows how many hundreds more in the distance,
+      are very pretty and comfortable things, yet I would freely give one half
+      of them to call your father father, though he should scold me for my
+      idleness every hour of the day, and to call you brother, though a brother
+      whose merits would throw my own so completely into the shade.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The faint, yet not improbable, belief has often come across me, that your
+      father knows something more about my birth and condition than he is
+      willing to communicate; it is so unlikely that I should be left in
+      Edinburgh at six years old, without any other recommendation than the
+      regular payment of my board to old M&mdash;, [Probably Mathieson, the
+      predecessor of Dr. Adams, to whose memory the author and his
+      contemporaries owe a deep debt of gratitude.] of the High School. Before
+      that time, as I have often told you, I have but a recollection of
+      unbounded indulgence on my mother&rsquo;s part, and the most tyrannical exertion
+      of caprice on my own. I remember still how bitterly she sighed, how vainly
+      she strove to soothe me, while, in the full energy of despotism, I roared
+      like ten bull-calves, for something which it was impossible to procure for
+      me. She is dead, that kind, that ill-rewarded mother! I remember the long
+      faces&mdash;the darkened rooms&mdash;the black hangings&mdash;the
+      mysterious impression made upon my mind by the hearse and mourning
+      coaches, and the difficulty which I had to reconcile all this to the
+      disappearance of my mother. I do not think I had before this event formed,
+      any idea, of death, or that I had even heard of that final consummation of
+      all that lives. The first acquaintance which I formed with it deprived me
+      of my only relation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A clergyman of venerable appearance, our only visitor, was my guide and
+      companion in a journey of considerable length; and in the charge of
+      another elderly man, substituted in his place, I know not how or why, I
+      completed my journey to Scotland&mdash;and this is all I recollect.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I repeat the little history now, as I have a hundred times before, merely
+      because I would wring some sense out of it. Turn, then, thy sharp,
+      wire-drawing, lawyer-like ingenuity to the same task&mdash;make up my
+      history as though thou wert shaping the blundering allegations of some
+      blue-bonneted, hard-headed client, into a condescendence of facts and
+      circumstances, and thou shalt be, not my Apollo&mdash;QUID TIBI CUM LYRA?&mdash;but
+      my Lord Stair, [Celebrated as a Scottish lawyer.] Meanwhile, I have
+      written myself out of my melancholy and blue devils, merely by prosing
+      about them; so I will now converse half an hour with Roan Robin in his
+      stall&mdash;the rascal knows me already, and snickers whenever I cross the
+      threshold of the stable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The black which you bestrode yesterday morning promises to be an admirable
+      roadster, and ambled as easily with Sam and the portmanteau, as with you
+      and your load of law-learning. Sam promises to be steady, and has hitherto
+      been so. No long trial, you will say. He lays the blame of former
+      inaccuracies on evil company&mdash;the people who were at the
+      livery-stable were too seductive, I suppose&mdash;he denies he ever did
+      the horse injustice&mdash;would rather have wanted his own dinner, he
+      says. In this I believe him, as Roan Robin&rsquo;s ribs and coat show no marks
+      of contradiction. However, as he will meet with no saints in the inns we
+      frequent, and as oats are sometimes as speedily converted into ale as John
+      Barleycorn himself, I shall keep a look-out after Master Sam. Stupid
+      fellow! had he not abused my good nature, I might have chatted to him to
+      keep my tongue in exercise; whereas now I must keep him at a distance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Do you remember what Mr. Fairford said to me on this subject&mdash;it did
+      not become my father&rsquo;s son to speak in that manner to Sam&rsquo;s father&rsquo;s son?
+      I asked you what your father could possibly know of mine; and you
+      answered, &lsquo;As much, you supposed, as he knew of Sam&rsquo;s&mdash;it was a
+      proverbial expression.&rsquo; This did not quite satisfy me; though I am sure I
+      cannot tell why it should not. But I am returning to a fruitless and
+      exhausted subject. Do not be afraid that I shall come back on this
+      well-trodden yet pathless field of conjecture. I know nothing so useless,
+      so utterly feeble and contemptible, as the groaning forth one&rsquo;s
+      lamentations into the ears of our friends.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I would fain promise you that my letters shall be as entertaining as I am
+      determined they shall be regular and well filled. We have an advantage
+      over the dear friends of old, every pair of them. Neither David and
+      Jonathan, nor Orestes and Pylades, nor Damon and Pythias&mdash;although,
+      in the latter case particularly, a letter by post would have been very
+      acceptable&mdash;ever corresponded together; for they probably could not
+      write, and certainly had neither post nor franks to speed their effusions
+      to each other; whereas yours, which you had from the old peer, being
+      handled gently, and opened with precaution, may be returned to me again,
+      and serve to make us free of his Majesty&rsquo;s post office, during the whole
+      time of my proposed tour. [It is well known and remembered, that when
+      Members of Parliament enjoyed the unlimited privilege of franking by the
+      mere writing the name on the cover, it was extended to the most
+      extraordinary occasions. One noble lord, to express his regard for a
+      particular regiment, franked a letter for every rank and file. It was
+      customary also to save the covers and return them, in order that the
+      correspondence might be carried on as long as the envelopes could hold
+      together.] Mercy upon us, Alan! what letters I shall have to send to you,
+      with an account of all that I can collect, of pleasant or rare, in this
+      wild-goose jaunt of mine! All I stipulate is that you do not communicate
+      them to the SCOTS MAGAZINE; for though you used, in a left-handed way, to
+      compliment me on my attainments in the lighter branches of literature, at
+      the expense of my deficiency in the weightier matters of the law, I am not
+      yet audacious enough to enter the portal which the learned Ruddiman so
+      kindly opened for the acolytes of the Muses.&mdash;VALE SIS MEMOR MEI. D.
+      L.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      PS. Direct to the Post Office here. I shall leave orders to forward your
+      letters wherever I may travel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER II
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      NEGATUR, my dear Darsie&mdash;you have logic and law enough to understand
+      the word of denial. I deny your conclusion. The premises I admit, namely,
+      that when I mounted on that infernal hack, I might utter what seemed a
+      sigh, although I deemed it lost amid the puffs and groans of the
+      broken-winded brute, matchless in the complication of her complaints by
+      any save she, the poor man&rsquo;s mare, renowned in song, that died
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  A mile aboon Dundee.
+
+ [Alluding, as all Scotsmen know, to the humorous old song:&mdash;
+
+ &lsquo;The auld man&rsquo;s mare&rsquo;s dead,
+  The puir man&rsquo;s mare&rsquo;s dead,
+  The auld man&rsquo;s mare&rsquo;s dead,
+  A mile aboon Dundee.&lsquo;]
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      But credit me, Darsie, the sigh which escaped me, concerned thee more than
+      myself, and regarded neither the superior mettle of your cavalry, nor your
+      greater command of the means of travelling. I could certainly have
+      cheerfully ridden with you for a few days; and assure yourself I would not
+      have hesitated to tax your better filled purse for our joint expenses. But
+      you know my father considers every moment taken from the law as a step
+      down hill; and I owe much to his anxiety on my account, although its
+      effects are sometimes troublesome. For example:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I found, on my arrival at the shop in Brown&rsquo;s Square, that the old
+      gentleman had returned that very evening, impatient, it seems, of
+      remaining a night out of the guardianship of the domestic Lares. Having
+      this information from James, whose brow wore rather an anxious look on the
+      occasion, I dispatched a Highland chairman to the livery stable with my
+      Bucephalus, and slunk, with as little noise as might be, into my own den,
+      where I began to mumble certain half-gnawed and not half-digested
+      doctrines of our municipal code. I was not long seated, when my father&rsquo;s
+      visage was thrust, in a peering sort of way, through the half-opened door;
+      and withdrawn, on seeing my occupation, with a half-articulated HUMPH!
+      which seemed to convey a doubt of the seriousness of my application. If it
+      were so, I cannot condemn him; for recollection of thee occupied me so
+      entirely during an hour&rsquo;s reading, that although Stair lay before me, and
+      notwithstanding that I turned over three or four pages, the sense of his
+      lordship&rsquo;s clear and perspicuous style so far escaped me, that I had the
+      mortification to find my labour was utterly in vain.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ere I had brought up my lee-way, James appeared with his summons to our
+      frugal supper&mdash;radishes, cheese, and a bottle of the old ale-only two
+      plates though&mdash;and no chair set for Mr. Darsie, by the attentive
+      James Wilkinson. Said James, with his long face, lank hair, and very long
+      pig-tail in its leathern strap, was placed, as usual, at the back of my
+      father&rsquo;s chair, upright as a wooden sentinel at the door of a puppet-show.
+      &lsquo;You may go down, James,&rsquo; said my father; and exit Wilkinson.&mdash;What
+      is to come next? thought I; for the weather is not clear on the paternal
+      brow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My boots encountered his first glance of displeasure, and he asked me,
+      with a sneer, which way I had been riding. He expected me to answer,
+      &lsquo;Nowhere,&rsquo; and would then have been at me with his usual sarcasm, touching
+      the humour of walking in shoes at twenty shillings a pair. But I answered
+      with composure, that I had ridden out to dinner as far as Noble House. He
+      started (you know his way) as if I had said that I had dined at Jericho;
+      and as I did not choose to seem to observe his surprise, but continued
+      munching my radishes in tranquillity, he broke forth in ire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To Noble House, sir! and what had you to do at Noble House, sir? Do you
+      remember you are studying law, sir?&mdash;that your Scots law trials are
+      coming on, sir?&mdash;that every moment of your time just now is worth
+      hours at another time?&mdash;and have you leisure to go to Noble House,
+      sir?&mdash;and to throw your books behind you for so many hours?&mdash;Had
+      it been a turn in the meadows, or even a game at golf&mdash;but Noble
+      House, sir!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I went so far with Darsie Latimer, sir, to see him begin his journey.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Darsie Latimer?&rsquo; he replied in a softened tone&mdash;&lsquo;Humph!&mdash;Well,
+      I do not blame you for being kind to Darsie Latimer; but it would have
+      done as much good if you had walked with him as far as the toll-bar, and
+      then made your farewells&mdash;it would have saved horse-hire&mdash;and
+      your reckoning, too, at dinner.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Latimer paid that, sir,&rsquo; I replied, thinking to soften the matter; but I
+      had much better have left it unspoken.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The reckoning, sir!&rsquo; replied my father. &lsquo;And did you sponge upon any man
+      for a reckoning? Sir, no man should enter the door of a public-house
+      without paying his lawing.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I admit the general rule, sir,&rsquo; I replied; &lsquo;but this was a parting-cup
+      between Darsie and me; and I should conceive it fell under the exception
+      of DOCH AN DORROCH.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You think yourself a wit,&rsquo; said my father, with as near an approach to a
+      smile as ever he permits to gild the solemnity of his features; &lsquo;but I
+      reckon you did not eat your dinner standing, like the Jews at their
+      Passover? and it was decided in a case before the town-bailies of
+      Cupar-Angus, when Luckie Simpson&rsquo;s cow had drunk up Luckie Jamieson&rsquo;s
+      browst of ale while it stood in the door to cool, that there was no damage
+      to pay, because the crummie drank without sitting down; such being the
+      very circumstance constituting DOCH AN DORROCH, which is a standing drink,
+      for which no reckoning is paid. Ha, sir! what says your advocateship
+      (FIERI) to that? EXEPTIO FIRMAT REGULAM&mdash;But come, fill your glass,
+      Alan; I am not sorry ye have shown this attention to Darsie Latimer, who
+      is a good lad, as times go; and having now lived under my roof since he
+      left the school, why, there is really no great matter in coming under this
+      small obligation to him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As I saw my father&rsquo;s scruples were much softened by the consciousness of
+      his superiority in the legal argument, I took care to accept my pardon as
+      a matter of grace, rather than of justice; and only replied, we should
+      feel ourselves duller of an evening, now that you were absent. I will give
+      you my father&rsquo;s exact words in reply, Darsie. You know him so well, that
+      they will not offend you; and you are also aware, that there mingles with
+      the good man&rsquo;s preciseness and formality, a fund of shrewd observation and
+      practical good sense.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is very true,&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;Darsie was a pleasant companion-but over
+      waggish, over waggish, Alan, and somewhat scatter-brained.&mdash;By the
+      way, Wilkinson must get our ale bottled in English pints now, for a quart
+      bottle is too much, night after night, for you and me, without his
+      assistance.&mdash;But Darsie, as I was saying, is an arch lad, and
+      somewhat light in the upper story&mdash;I wish him well through the world;
+      but he has little solidity, Alan, little solidity.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I scorn to desert an absent friend, Darsie, so I said for you a little
+      more than my conscience warranted: but your defection from your legal
+      studies had driven you far to leeward in my father&rsquo;s good opinion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Unstable as water, he shall not excel,&rsquo; said my father; &lsquo;or, as the
+      Septuagint hath it, EFUSA EST SICUT AQUA&mdash;NON CRESCAT. He goeth to
+      dancing-houses, and readeth novels&mdash;SAT EST.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I endeavoured to parry these texts by observing, that the dancing-houses
+      amounted only to one night at La Pique&rsquo;s ball&mdash;the novels (so far as
+      matter of notoriety, Darsie) to an odd volume of TOM JONES.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But he danced from night to morning,&rsquo; replied my father, &lsquo;and he read the
+      idle trash, which the author should have been scourged for, at least
+      twenty times over. It was never out of his hand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I then hinted, that in all probability your fortune was now so easy as to
+      dispense with your prosecuting the law any further than you had done; and
+      therefore you might think you had some title to amuse yourself. This was
+      the least palatable argument of all.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If he cannot amuse himself with the law,&rsquo; said my father, snappishly &lsquo;it
+      is the worse for him. If he needs not law to teach him to make a fortune,
+      I am sure he needs it to teach him how to keep one; and it would better
+      become him to be learning this, than to be scouring the country like a
+      land-louper, going he knows not where, to see he knows not what, and
+      giving treats at Noble House to fools like himself&rsquo; (an angry glance at
+      poor me), &lsquo;Noble House, indeed!&rsquo; he repeated, with elevated voice and
+      sneering tone, as if there were something offensive to him in the name,
+      though I will venture to say that any place in which you had been
+      extravagant enough to spend five shillings, would have stood as deep in
+      his reprobation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mindful of your idea, that my father knows more of your real situation
+      than he thinks proper to mention, I thought I would hazard a fishing
+      observation. &lsquo;I did not see,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;how the Scottish law would be
+      useful to a young gentleman whose fortune would seem to be vested in
+      England.&rsquo;&mdash;I really thought my father would have beat me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;D&rsquo;ye mean to come round me, sir, PER AMBAGES, as Counsellor Pest says?
+      What is it to you where Darsie Latimer&rsquo;s fortune is vested, or whether he
+      hath any fortune, aye or no? And what ill would the Scottish law do to
+      him, though he had as much of it as either Stair or Bankton, sir? Is not
+      the foundation of our municipal law the ancient code of the Roman Empire,
+      devised at a time when it was so much renowned for its civil polity, sir,
+      and wisdom? Go to your bed, sir, after your expedition to Noble House, and
+      see that your lamp be burning and your book before you ere the sun peeps.
+      ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS&mdash;were it not a sin to call the divine science
+      of the law by the inferior name of art.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So my lamp did burn, dear Darsie, the next morning, though the owner took
+      the risk of a domiciliary visitation, and lay snug in bed, trusting its
+      glimmer might, without further inquiry, be received as sufficient evidence
+      of his vigilance. And now, upon this the third morning after your
+      departure, things are but little better; for though the lamp burns in my
+      den, and VOET ON THE PANDECTS hath his wisdom spread open before me, yet
+      as I only use him as a reading-desk on which to scribble this sheet of
+      nonsense to Darsie Latimer, it is probable the vicinity will be of little
+      furtherance to my studies.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And now, methinks, I hear thee call me an affected hypocritical varlet,
+      who, living under such a system of distrust and restraint as my father
+      chooses to govern by, nevertheless pretends not to envy you your freedom
+      and independence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Latimer, I will tell you no lies. I wish my father would allow me a little
+      more exercise of my free will, were it but that I might feel the pleasure
+      of doing what would please him of my own accord. A little more spare time,
+      and a little more money to enjoy it, would, besides, neither misbecome my
+      age nor my condition; and it is, I own, provoking to see so many in the
+      same situation winging the air at freedom, while I sit here, caged up like
+      a cobbler&rsquo;s linnet, to chant the same unvaried lesson from sunrise to
+      sunset, not to mention the listening to so many lectures against idleness,
+      as if I enjoyed or was making use of the means of amusement! But then I
+      cannot at heart blame either the motive or the object of this severity.
+      For the motive, it is and can only be my father&rsquo;s anxious, devoted, and
+      unremitting affection and zeal for my improvement, with a laudable sense
+      of the honour of the profession to which he has trained me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As we have no near relations, the tie betwixt us is of even unusual
+      closeness, though in itself one of the strongest which nature can form. I
+      am, and have all along been, the exclusive object of my father&rsquo;s anxious
+      hopes, and his still more anxious and engrossing fears; so what title have
+      I to complain, although now and then these fears and hopes lead him to
+      take a troublesome and incessant charge of all my motions? Besides, I
+      ought to recollect, and, Darsie, I do recollect, that my father upon
+      various occasions, has shown that he can be indulgent as well as strict.
+      The leaving his old apartments in the Luckenbooths was to him like
+      divorcing the soul from the body; yet Dr. R&mdash;&mdash; did but hint
+      that the better air of this new district was more favourable to my health,
+      as I was then suffering under the penalties of too rapid a growth, when he
+      exchanged his old and beloved quarters, adjacent to the very Heart of
+      Midlothian, for one of those new tenements (entire within themselves)
+      which modern taste has so lately introduced. Instance also the inestimable
+      favour which he conferred on me by receiving you into his house, when you
+      had only the unpleasant alternative of remaining, though a grown-up lad,
+      in the society of mere boys. [The diminutive and obscure place called
+      Brown&rsquo;s Square, was hailed about the time of its erection as an extremely
+      elegant improvement upon the style of designing and erecting Edinburgh
+      residences. Each house was, in the phrase used by appraisers, &lsquo;finished
+      within itself,&rsquo; or, in the still newer phraseology, &lsquo;self-contained.&rsquo; It
+      was built about the year 1763-4; and the old part of the city being near
+      and accessible, this square soon received many inhabitants, who ventured
+      to remove to so moderate a distance from the High Street.] This was a
+      thing so contrary to all my father&rsquo;s ideas of seclusion, of economy, and
+      of the safety to my morals and industry, which he wished to attain, by
+      preserving me from the society of other young people, that, upon my word,
+      I am always rather astonished how I should have had the impudence to make
+      the request, than that he should have complied with it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Then for the object of his solicitude&mdash;Do not laugh, or hold up your
+      hands, my good Darsie; but upon my word I like the profession to which I
+      am in the course of being educated, and am serious in prosecuting the
+      preliminary studies. The law is my vocation&mdash;in an especial, and, I
+      may say, in an hereditary way, my vocation; for although I have not the
+      honour to belong to any of the great families who form in Scotland, as in
+      France, the noblesse of the robe, and with us, at least, carry their heads
+      as high, or rather higher, than the noblesse of the sword,&mdash;for the
+      former consist more frequently of the &lsquo;first-born of Egypt,&rsquo;&mdash;yet my
+      grandfather, who, I dare say, was a most excellent person, had the honour
+      to sign a bitter protest against the Union, in the respectable character
+      of town-clerk to the ancient Borough of Birlthegroat; and there is some
+      reason&mdash;shall I say to hope, or to suspect?&mdash;that he may have
+      been a natural son of a first cousin of the then Fairford of that Ilk, who
+      had been long numbered among the minor barons. Now my father mounted a
+      step higher on the ladder of legal promotion, being, as you know as well
+      as I do, an eminent and respected Writer to his Majesty&rsquo;s Signet; and I
+      myself am destined to mount a round higher still, and wear the honoured
+      robe which is sometimes supposed, like Charity, to cover a multitude of
+      sins. I have, therefore, no choice but to climb upwards; since we have
+      mounted thus high, or else to fall down at the imminent risk of my neck.
+      So that I reconcile myself to my destiny; and while you, are looking from
+      mountain peaks, at distant lakes and firths, I am, DE APICIBUS JURIS,
+      consoling myself with visions of crimson and scarlet gowns&mdash;with the
+      appendages of handsome cowls, well lined with salary.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You smile, Darsie, MORE TUO, and seem to say it is little worth while to
+      cozen one&rsquo;s self with such vulgar dreams; yours being, on the contrary, of
+      a high and heroic character, bearing the same resemblance to mine, that a
+      bench, covered with purple cloth and plentifully loaded with session
+      papers, does to some Gothic throne, rough with barbaric pearl and gold.
+      But what would you have?&mdash;SUA QUEMQUE TRAHIT VOLUPTAS. And my visions
+      of preferment, though they may be as unsubstantial at present, are
+      nevertheless more capable of being realized, than your aspirations after
+      the Lord knows what. What says my father&rsquo;s proverb? &lsquo;Look to a gown of
+      gold, and you will at least get a sleeve of it.&rsquo; Such is my pursuit; but
+      what dost thou look to? The chance that the mystery, as you call it, which
+      at present overclouds your birth and connexions, will clear up into
+      something inexpressibly and inconceivably brilliant; and this without any
+      effort or exertion of your own, but purely by the goodwill of Fortune. I
+      know the pride and naughtiness of thy heart, and sincerely do I wish that
+      thou hadst more beatings to thank me for, than those which thou dost
+      acknowledge so gratefully. Then had I thumped these Quixotical
+      expectations out of thee, and thou hadst not, as now, conceived thyself to
+      be the hero of some romantic history, and converted, in thy vain
+      imaginations, honest Griffiths, citizen and broker, who never bestows more
+      than the needful upon his quarterly epistles, into some wise Alexander or
+      sage Alquife, the mystical and magical protector of thy peerless destiny.
+      But I know not how it was, thy skull got harder, I think, and my knuckles
+      became softer; not to mention that at length thou didst begin to show
+      about thee a spark of something dangerous, which I was bound to respect at
+      least, if I did not fear it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And while I speak of this, it is not much amiss to advise thee to correct
+      a little this cock-a-hoop courage of thine. I fear much that, like a
+      hot-mettled horse, it will carry the owner into some scrape, out of which
+      he will find it difficult to extricate himself, especially if the daring
+      spirit which bore thee thither should chance to fail thee at a pinch.
+      Remember, Darsie, thou art not naturally courageous; on the contrary, we
+      have long since agreed that, quiet as I am, I have the advantage in this
+      important particular. My courage consists, I think, in strength of nerves
+      and constitutional indifference to danger; which, though it never pushes
+      me on adventure, secures me in full use of my recollection, and tolerably
+      complete self-possession, when danger actually arrives. Now, thine seems
+      more what may be called intellectual courage; highness of spirit, and
+      desire of distinction; impulses which render thee alive to the love of
+      fame, and deaf to the apprehension of danger, until it forces itself
+      suddenly upon thee. I own that, whether it is from my having caught my
+      father&rsquo;s apprehensions, or that I have reason to entertain doubts of my
+      own, I often think that this wildfire chase of romantic situation and
+      adventure may lead thee into some mischief; and then what would become of
+      Alan Fairford? They might make whom they pleased Lord Advocate or
+      Solicitor-General, I should never have the heart to strive for it. All my
+      exertions are intended to Vindicate myself one day in your eyes; and I
+      think I should not care a farthing for the embroidered silk gown, more
+      than for an old woman&rsquo;s apron, unless I had hopes that thou shouldst be
+      walking the boards to admire, and perhaps to envy me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That this may be the case, I prithee&mdash;beware! See not a Dulcinea, in
+      every slipshod girl, who, with blue eyes, fair hair, a tattered plaid, and
+      a willow-wand in her grip, drives out the village cows to the loaning. Do
+      not think you will meet a gallant Valentine in every English rider, or an
+      Orson in every Highland drover. View things as they are, and not as they
+      may be magnified through thy teeming fancy. I have seen thee look at an
+      old gravel pit, till thou madest out capes, and bays, and inlets, crags
+      and precipices, and the whole stupendous scenery of the Isle of Feroe, in
+      what was, to all ordinary eyes, a mere horse-pond. Besides, did I not once
+      find thee gazing with respect at a lizard, in the attitude of one who
+      looks upon a crocodile? Now this is, doubtless, so far a harmless exercise
+      of your imagination; for the puddle cannot drown you, nor the Lilliputian
+      alligator eat you up. But it is different in society, where you cannot
+      mistake the character of those you converse with, or suffer your fancy to
+      exaggerate their qualities, good or bad, without exposing yourself not
+      only to ridicule, but to great and serious inconveniences. Keep guard,
+      therefore, on your imagination, my dear Darsie; and let your old friend
+      assure you, it is the point of your character most pregnant with peril to
+      its good and generous owner. Adieu! let not the franks of the worthy peer
+      remain unemployed; above all, SIS MEMOR MEI. A. F.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER III
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      SHEPHERD&rsquo;S BUSH.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have received thine absurd and most conceited epistle. It is well for
+      thee that, Lovelace and Belford-like, we came under a convention to pardon
+      every species of liberty which we may take with each other; since, upon my
+      word, there are some reflections in your last which would otherwise have
+      obliged me to return forthwith to Edinburgh, merely to show you I was not
+      what you took me for.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Why, what a pair of prigs hast thou made of us! I plunging into scrapes,
+      without having courage to get out of them&mdash;thy sagacious self, afraid
+      to put one foot before the other, lest it should run away from its
+      companion; and so standing still like a post, out of mere faintness and
+      coldness of heart, while all the world were driving full speed past thee.
+      Thou a portrait-painter! I tell thee, Alan, I have seen a better seated on
+      the fourth round of a ladder, and painting a bare-breeched Highlander,
+      holding a pint-stoup as big as himself, and a booted Lowlander, in a
+      bobwig, supporting a glass of like dimensions; the whole being designed to
+      represent the sign of the Salutation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      How hadst thou the heart to represent thine own individual self, with all
+      thy motions, like those of a great Dutch doll, depending on the pressure
+      of certain springs, as duty, reflection, and the like; without the impulse
+      of which, thou wouldst doubtless have me believe thou wouldst not budge an
+      inch! But have I not seen Gravity out of his bed at midnight? and must I,
+      in plain terms, remind thee of certain mad pranks? Thou hadst ever, with
+      the gravest sentiments in thy mouth and the most starched reserve in thy
+      manner, a kind of lumbering proclivity towards mischief, although with
+      more inclination to set it a-going than address to carry it through; and I
+      cannot but chuckle internally, when I think of having seen my most
+      venerable monitor, the future president of some high Scottish court,
+      puffing, blowing, and floundering, like a clumsy cart-horse in a bog where
+      his efforts to extricate himself only plunged him deeper at every awkward
+      struggle, till some one&mdash;I myself, for example&mdash;took compassion
+      on the moaning monster, and dragged him out by mane and tail.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As for me, my portrait is, if possible, even more scandalously
+      caricatured, I fail or quail in spirit at the upcome! Where canst thou
+      show me the least symptom of the recreant temper, with which thou hast
+      invested me (as I trust) merely to set off the solid and impassible
+      dignity of thine own stupid indifference? If you ever saw me tremble, be
+      assured that my flesh, like that of the old Spanish general, only quaked
+      at the dangers into which my spirit was about to lead it. Seriously, Alan,
+      this imputed poverty of spirit is a shabby charge to bring against your
+      friend. I have examined myself as closely as I can, being, in very truth,
+      a little hurt at your having such hard thoughts of me, and on my life I
+      can see no reason for them. I allow you have, perhaps, some advantage of
+      me in the steadiness and indifference of your temper; but I should despise
+      myself, if I were conscious of the deficiency in courage which you seem
+      willing enough to impute to me. However, I suppose, this ungracious hint
+      proceeds from sincere anxiety for my safety; and so viewing it, I swallow
+      it as I would do medicine from a friendly doctor, although I believed in
+      my heart he had mistaken my complaint.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This offensive insinuation disposed of, I thank thee, Alan, for the rest
+      of thy epistle. I thought I heard your good father pronouncing the word
+      Noble House, with a mixture of contempt and displeasure, as if the very
+      name of the poor little hamlet were odious to him, or as if you had
+      selected, out of all Scotland, the very place at which you had no call to
+      dine. But if he had had any particular aversion to that blameless village
+      and very sorry inn, is it not his own fault that I did not accept the
+      invitation of the Laird of Glengallacher, to shoot a buck in what he
+      emphatically calls &lsquo;his country&rsquo;? Truth is, I had a strong desire to have
+      complied with his lairdship&rsquo;s invitation. To shoot a buck! Think how
+      magnificent an idea to one who never shot anything but hedge-sparrows, and
+      that with a horse-pistol purchased at a broker&rsquo;s stand in the Cowgate!
+      You, who stand upon your courage, may remember that I took the risk of
+      firing the said pistol for the first time, while you stood at twenty
+      yards&rsquo; distance; and that, when you were persuaded it would go off without
+      bursting, forgetting all law but that of the biggest and strongest, you
+      possessed yourself of it exclusively for the rest of the holidays. Such a
+      day&rsquo;s sport was no complete introduction to the noble art of
+      deer-stalking, as it is practised in the Highlands; but I should not have
+      scrupled to accept honest Glengallacher&rsquo;s invitation, at the risk of
+      firing a rifle for the first time, had it not been for the outcry which
+      your father made at my proposal, in the full ardour of his zeal for King
+      George, the Hanover succession, and the Presbyterian faith. I wish I had
+      stood out, since I have gained so little upon his good opinion by
+      submission. All his impressions concerning the Highlanders are taken from
+      the recollections of the Forty-five, when he retreated from the West Port
+      with his brother volunteers, each to the fortalice of his own separate
+      dwelling, so soon as they heard the Adventurer was arrived with his clans
+      as near them as Kirkliston. The flight of Falkirk&mdash;PARMA NON BENE
+      SELECTA&mdash;in which I think your sire had his share with the undaunted
+      western regiment, does not seem to have improved his taste for the company
+      of the Highlanders; (quaere, Alan, dost thou derive the courage thou
+      makest such boast of from an hereditary source?) and stories of Rob Roy
+      Macgregor, and Sergeant Alan Mhor Cameron, have served to paint them in
+      still more sable colours to his imagination. [Of Rob Roy we have had more
+      than enough. Alan Cameron, commonly called Sergeant Mhor, a freebooter of
+      the same period, was equally remarkable for strength, courage, and
+      generosity.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now, from all I can understand, these ideas, as applied to the present
+      state of the country, are absolutely chimerical. The Pretender is no more
+      remembered in the Highlands than if the poor gentleman were gathered to
+      his hundred and eight fathers, whose portraits adorn the ancient walls of
+      Holyrood; the broadswords have passed into other hands; the targets are
+      used to cover the butter churns; and the race has sunk, or is fast
+      sinking, from ruffling bullies into tame cheaters. Indeed, it was partly
+      my conviction that there is little to be seen in the north, which,
+      arriving at your father&rsquo;s conclusions, though from different premisses,
+      inclined my course in this direction, where perhaps I shall see as little.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One thing, however, I HAVE seen; and it was with pleasure the more
+      indescribable, that I was debarred from treading the land which my eyes
+      were permitted to gaze upon, like those of the dying prophet from top of
+      Mount Pisgah,&mdash;I have seen, in a word, the fruitful shores of merry
+      England; merry England! of which I boast myself a native, and on which I
+      gaze, even while raging floods and unstable quicksands divide us, with the
+      filial affection of a dutiful son.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Thou canst not have forgotten, Alan&mdash;for when didst thou ever forget
+      what was interesting to thy friend?&mdash;that the same letter from my
+      friend Griffiths, which doubled my income, and placed my motions at my own
+      free disposal, contained a prohibitory clause, by which, reason none
+      assigned, I was prohibited, as I respected my present safety and future
+      fortunes, from visiting England; every other part of the British
+      dominions, and a tour, if I pleased, on the Continent, being left to my
+      own choice.&mdash;Where is the tale, Alan, of a covered dish in the midst
+      of a royal banquet, upon which the eyes of every guest were immediately
+      fixed, neglecting all the dainties with which the table was loaded? This
+      cause of banishment from England&mdash;from my native country&mdash;from
+      the land of the brave, and the wise, and the free&mdash;affects me more
+      than I am rejoiced by the freedom and independence assigned to me in all
+      other respects. Thus, in seeking this extreme boundary of the country
+      which I am forbidden to tread, I resemble the poor tethered horse, which,
+      you may have observed, is always grazing on the very verge of the circle
+      to which it is limited by its halter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Do not accuse me of romance for obeying this impulse towards the South;
+      nor suppose that, to satisfy the imaginary longing of an idle curiosity, I
+      am in any danger of risking the solid comforts of my present condition.
+      Whoever has hitherto taken charge of my motions has shown me, by
+      convincing proofs more weighty than the assurances which they have
+      witheld, that my real advantage is their principal object. I should be,
+      therefore, worse than a fool did I object to their authority, even when it
+      seems somewhat capriciously exercised; for assuredly, at my age, I might&mdash;intrusted
+      as I am with the care and management of myself in every other particular&mdash;expect
+      that the cause of excluding me from England should be frankly and fairly
+      stated for my own consideration and guidance. However, I will not grumble
+      about the matter. I shall know the whole story one day, I suppose; and
+      perhaps, as you sometimes surmise, I shall not find there is any mighty
+      matter in it after all.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Yet one cannot help wondering&mdash;but plague on it, if I wonder any
+      longer, my letter will be as full of wonders as one of Katterfelto&rsquo;s
+      advertisements. I have a month&rsquo;s mind, instead of this damnable iteration
+      of guesses and forebodings, to give thee the history of a little adventure
+      which befell me yesterday; though I am sure you will, as usual, turn the
+      opposite side of the spyglass on my poor narrative, and reduce, MORE TUO,
+      to the most petty trivialities, the circumstance to which thou accusest me
+      of giving undue consequence. Hang thee, Alan, thou art as unfit a
+      confidant for a youthful gallant with some spice of imagination, as the
+      old taciturn secretary of Facardin of Trebizond. Nevertheless, we must
+      each perform our separate destinies. I am doomed to see, act, and tell;
+      thou, like a Dutchman enclosed in the same diligence with a Gascon, to
+      hear, and shrug thy shoulders.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Of Dumfries, the capital town of this county, I have but little to say,
+      and will not abuse your patience by reminding you that it is built on the
+      gallant river Nith, and that its churchyard, the highest place of the old
+      town, commands an extensive and fine prospect. Neither will I take the
+      traveller&rsquo;s privilege of inflicting upon you the whole history of Bruce
+      poniarding the Red Comyn in the Church of the Dominicans at this place,
+      and becoming a king and patriot because he had been a church-breaker and a
+      murderer. The present Dumfriezers remember and justify the deed, observing
+      it was only a papist church&mdash;in evidence whereof, its walls have been
+      so completely demolished that no vestiges of them remain. They are a
+      sturdy set of true-blue Presbyterians, these burghers of Dumfries; men
+      after your father&rsquo;s own heart, zealous for the Protestant succession&mdash;the
+      rather that many of the great families around are suspected to be of a
+      different way of thinking, and shared, a great many of them, in the
+      insurrection of the Fifteen, and some in the more recent business of the
+      Forty-five. The town itself suffered in the latter era; for Lord Elcho,
+      with a large party of the rebels, levied a severe contribution upon
+      Dumfries, on account of the citizens having annoyed the rear of the
+      Chevalier during his march into England.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Many of these particulars I learned from Provost C&mdash;, who, happening
+      to see me in the market-place, remembered that I was an intimate of your
+      father&rsquo;s, and very kindly asked me to dinner. Pray tell your father that
+      the effects of his kindness to me follow me everywhere. I became tired,
+      however, of this pretty town in the course of twenty-four hours, and crept
+      along the coast eastwards, amusing myself with looking out for objects of
+      antiquity, and sometimes making, or attempting to make, use of my new
+      angling-rod. By the way, old Cotton&rsquo;s instructions, by which I hoped to
+      qualify myself for one of the gentle society of anglers, are not worth a
+      farthing for this meridian. I learned this by mere accident, after I had
+      waited four mortal hours. I shall never forget an impudent urchin, a
+      cowherd, about twelve years old, without either brogue or bonnet,
+      barelegged, and with a very indifferent pair of breeches&mdash;how the
+      villain grinned in scorn at my landing-net, my plummet, and the gorgeous
+      jury of flies which I had assembled to destroy all the fish in the river.
+      I was induced at last to lend the rod to the sneering scoundrel, to see
+      what he would make of it; and he had not only half filled my basket in an
+      hour, but literally taught me to kill two trouts with my own hand. This,
+      and Sam having found the hay and oats, not forgetting the ale, very good
+      at this small inn, first made me take the fancy of resting here for a day
+      or two; and I have got my grinning blackguard of a piscator leave to
+      attend on me, by paying sixpence a day for a herd-boy in his stead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A notably clean Englishwoman keeps this small house, and my bedroom is
+      sweetened with lavender, has a clean sash-window, and the walls are,
+      moreover, adorned with ballads of Fair Rosamond and Cruel Barbara Allan.
+      The woman&rsquo;s accent, though uncouth enough, sounds yet kindly in my ear;
+      for I have never yet forgotten the desolate effect produced on my infant
+      organs, when I heard on all sides your slow and broad northern
+      pronunciation, which was to me the tone of a foreign land. I am sensible I
+      myself have since that time acquired Scotch in perfection, and many a
+      Scotticism withal. Still the sound of the English accentuation comes to my
+      ears as the tones of a friend; and even when heard from the mouth of some
+      wandering beggar, it has seldom failed to charm forth my mite. You Scotch,
+      who are so proud of your own nationality, must make due allowance for that
+      of other folks.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the next morning I was about to set forth to the stream where I had
+      commenced angler the night before, but was prevented by a heavy shower of
+      rain from stirring abroad the whole forenoon; during all which time, I
+      heard my varlet of a guide as loud with his blackguard jokes in the
+      kitchen, as a footman in the shilling gallery; so little are modesty and
+      innocence the inseparable companions of rusticity and seclusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When after dinner the day cleared, and we at length sallied out to the
+      river side, I found myself subjected to a new trick on the part of my
+      accomplished preceptor. Apparently, he liked fishing himself better than
+      the trouble of instructing an awkward novice such as I; and in hopes of
+      exhausting my patience, and inducing me to resign the rod, as I had done
+      the preceding day, my friend contrived to keep me thrashing the water more
+      than an hour with a pointless hook. I detected this trick at last, by
+      observing the rogue grinning with delight when he saw a large trout rise
+      and dash harmless away from the angle. I gave him a sound cuff, Alan; but
+      the next moment was sorry, and, to make amends, yielded possession of the
+      fishing-rod for the rest of the evening, he undertaking to bring me home a
+      dish of trouts for my supper, in atonement for his offences.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having thus got honourably rid of the trouble of amusing myself in a way I
+      cared not for, I turned my steps towards the sea, or rather the Solway
+      Firth which here separates the two sister kingdoms, and which lay at about
+      a mile&rsquo;s distance, by a pleasant walk over sandy knells, covered with
+      short herbage, which you call Links, and we English, Downs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But the rest of my adventure would weary out my fingers, and must be
+      deferred until to-morrow, when you shall hear from me, by way of
+      continuation; and, in the meanwhile, to prevent over-hasty conclusions, I
+      must just hint to you, we are but yet on the verge of the adventure which
+      it is my purpose to communicate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER IV
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE SAME TO THE SAME
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      SHEPHERD&rsquo;S BUSH.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I mentioned in my last, that having abandoned my fishing-rod as an
+      unprofitable implement, I crossed over the open downs which divided me
+      from the margin of the Solway. When I reached the banks of the great
+      estuary, which are here very bare and exposed, the waters had receded from
+      the large and level space of sand, through which a stream, now feeble and
+      fordable, found its way to the ocean. The whole was illuminated by the
+      beams of the low and setting sun, who showed his ruddy front, like a
+      warrior prepared for defence, over a huge battlemented and turreted wall
+      of crimson and black clouds, which appeared like an immense Gothic
+      fortress, into which the lord of day was descending. His setting rays
+      glimmered bright upon the wet surface of the sands, and the numberless
+      pools of water by which it was covered, where the inequality of the ground
+      had occasioned their being left by the tide.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The scene was animated by the exertions of a number of horsemen, who were
+      actually employed in hunting salmon. Aye, Alan, lift up your hands and
+      eyes as you will, I can give their mode of fishing no name so appropriate;
+      for they chased the fish at full gallop, and struck them with their barbed
+      spears, as you see hunters spearing boars in the old tapestry. The salmon,
+      to be sure, take the thing more quietly than the boars; but they are so
+      swift in their own element, that to pursue and strike them is the task of
+      a good horseman, with a quick eye, a determined hand, and full command
+      both of his horse and weapon. The shouts of the fellows as they galloped
+      up and down in the animating exercise&mdash;their loud bursts of laughter
+      when any of their number caught a fall&mdash;and still louder acclamations
+      when any of the party made a capital stroke with his lance&mdash;gave so
+      much animation to the whole scene, that I caught the enthusiasm of the
+      sport, and ventured forward a considerable space on the sands. The feats
+      of one horseman, in particular, called forth so repeatedly the clamorous
+      applause of his companions, that the very banks rang again with their
+      shouts. He was a tall man, well mounted on a strong black horse, which he
+      caused to turn and wind like a bird in the air, carried a longer spear
+      than the others, and wore a sort of fur cap or bonnet, with a short
+      feather in it, which gave him on the whole rather a superior appearance to
+      the other fishermen. He seemed to hold some sort of authority among them,
+      and occasionally directed their motions both by voice and hand: at which
+      times I thought his gestures were striking, and his voice uncommonly
+      sonorous and commanding.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The riders began to make for the shore, and the interest of the scene was
+      almost over, while I lingered on the sands, with my looks turned to the
+      shores of England, still gilded by the sun&rsquo;s last rays, and, as it seemed,
+      scarce distant a mile from me. The anxious thoughts which haunt me began
+      to muster in my bosom, and my feet slowly and insensibly approached the
+      river which divided me from the forbidden precincts, though without any
+      formed intention, when my steps were arrested by the sound of a horse
+      galloping; and as I turned, the rider (the same fisherman whom I had
+      formerly distinguished) called out to me, in an abrupt manner, &lsquo;Soho,
+      brother! you are too late for Bowness to-night&mdash;the tide will make
+      presently.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I turned my head and looked at him without answering; for, to my thinking,
+      his sudden appearance (or rather, I should say, his unexpected approach)
+      had, amidst the gathering shadows and lingering light, something in it
+      which was wild and ominous.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Are you deaf?&rsquo; he added&mdash;&lsquo;or are you mad?&mdash;or have you a mind
+      for the next world?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am a stranger,&rsquo; I answered,&rsquo; and had no other purpose than looking on
+      at the fishing&mdash;I am about to return to the side I came from.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Best make haste then,&rsquo; said he. &lsquo;He that dreams on the bed of the Solway,
+      may wake in the next world. The sky threatens a blast that will bring in
+      the waves three feet abreast.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he turned his horse and rode off, while I began to walk back
+      towards the Scottish shore, a little alarmed at what I had heard; for the
+      tide advances with such rapidity upon these fatal sands, that well-mounted
+      horsemen lay aside hopes of safety, if they see its white surge advancing
+      while they are yet at a distance from the bank.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      These recollections grew more agitating, and, instead of walking
+      deliberately, I began a race as fast as I could, feeling, or thinking I
+      felt, each pool of salt water through which I splashed, grow deeper and
+      deeper. At length the surface of the sand did seem considerably more
+      intersected with pools and channels full of water&mdash;either that the
+      tide was really beginning to influence the bed of the estuary, or, as I
+      must own is equally probable, that I had, in the hurry and confusion of my
+      retreat, involved myself in difficulties which I had avoided in my more
+      deliberate advance. Either way, it was rather an unpromising state of
+      affairs, for the sands at the same time turned softer, and my footsteps,
+      so soon as I had passed, were instantly filled with water. I began to have
+      odd recollections concerning the snugness of your father&rsquo;s parlour, and
+      the secure footing afforded by the pavement of Brown&rsquo;s Square and Scott&rsquo;s
+      Close, when my better genius, the tall fisherman, appeared once more close
+      to my side, he and his sable horse looming gigantic in the now darkening
+      twilight.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Are you mad?&rsquo; he said, in the same deep tone which had before thrilled on
+      my ear, &lsquo;or are you weary of your life? You will be presently amongst the
+      quicksands.&rsquo; I professed my ignorance of the way, to which he only
+      replied, &lsquo;There is no time for prating&mdash;get up behind me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He probably expected me to spring from the ground with the activity which
+      these Borderers have, by constant practice, acquired in everything
+      relating to horsemanship; but as I stood irresolute, he extended his hand,
+      and grasping mine, bid me place my foot on the toe of his boot, and thus
+      raised me in a trice to the croupe of his horse. I was scarcely securely
+      seated, ere he shook the reins of his horse, who instantly sprang forward;
+      but annoyed, doubtless, by the unusual burden, treated us to two or three
+      bounds, accompanied by as many flourishes of his hind heels. The rider sat
+      like a tower, notwithstanding that the unexpected plunging of the animal
+      threw me forward upon him. The horse was soon compelled to submit to the
+      discipline of the spur and bridle, and went off at a steady hand gallop;
+      thus shortening the devious, for it was by no means a direct path, by
+      which the rider, avoiding the loose quicksands, made for the northern
+      bank.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My friend, perhaps I may call him my preserver,&mdash;for, to a stranger,
+      my situation was fraught with real danger,&mdash;continued to press on at
+      the same speedy pace, but in perfect silence, and I was under too much
+      anxiety of mind to disturb him with any questions. At length we arrived at
+      a part of the shore with which I was utterly unacquainted, when I alighted
+      and began to return in the best fashion I could my thanks for the
+      important service which he had just rendered me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The stranger only replied by an impatient &lsquo;pshaw!&rsquo; and was about to ride
+      off, and leave me to my own resources when I implored him to complete his
+      work of kindness by directing me to Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush, which was, as I
+      informed him, my home for the present.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush?&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;it is but three miles but if you know not
+      the land better than the sand, you may break your neck before you get
+      there; for it is no road for a moping boy in a dark night; and, besides,
+      there are the brook and the fens to cross.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I was a little dismayed at this communication of such difficulties as my
+      habits had not called on me to contend with. Once more the idea of thy
+      father&rsquo;s fireside came across me; and I could have been well contented to
+      have swapped the romance of my situation, together with the glorious
+      independence of control which I possessed at the moment, for the comforts
+      of that chimney-corner, though I were obliged to keep my eyes chained to
+      Erskine&rsquo;s LARGER INSTITUTES.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I asked my new friend whether he could not direct me to any house of
+      public entertainment for the night; and supposing it probable he was
+      himself a poor man, I added, with the conscious dignity of a well-filled
+      pocket-book, that I could make it worth any man&rsquo;s while to oblige me. The
+      fisherman making no answer, I turned away from him with as gallant an
+      appearance of indifference as I could command, and began to take, as I
+      thought, the path which he had pointed out to me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His deep voice immediately sounded after me to recall me. &lsquo;Stay, young
+      man, stay&mdash;you have mistaken the road already.&mdash;I wonder your
+      friends sent out such an inconsiderate youth, without some one wiser than
+      himself to take care of him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Perhaps they might not have done so,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;if I had any friends who
+      cared about the matter.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, sir,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;it is not my custom to open my house to strangers,
+      but your pinch is like to be a smart one; for, besides the risk from bad
+      roads, fords, and broken ground, and the night, which looks both black and
+      gloomy, there is bad company on the road sometimes&mdash;at least it has a
+      bad name, and some have come to harm; so that I think I must for once make
+      my rule give way to your necessity, and give you a night&rsquo;s lodging in my
+      cottage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Why was it, Alan, that I could not help giving an involuntary shudder at
+      receiving an invitation so seasonable in itself, and so suitable to my
+      naturally inquisitive disposition? I easily suppressed this untimely
+      sensation; and as I returned thanks, and expressed my hope that I should
+      not disarrange, his family, I once more dropped a hint of my desire to
+      make compensation for any trouble I might occasion. The man answered very
+      coldly, &lsquo;Your presence will no doubt give me trouble, sir, but it is of a
+      kind which your purse, cannot compensate; in a word, although I am content
+      to receive you as my guest, I am no publican to call a reckoning.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I begged his pardon, and, at his instance, once more seated myself behind
+      hint upon the good horse, which went forth steady as before&mdash;the
+      moon, whenever she could penetrate the clouds, throwing the huge shadow of
+      the animal, with its double burden, on the wild and bare ground over which
+      we passed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Thou mayst laugh till thou lettest the letter fall, if thou wilt, but it
+      reminded me of the magician Atlantes on his hippogriff with a knight
+      trussed up behind him, in the manner Ariosto has depicted that matter.
+      Thou art I know, matter-of-fact enough to affect contempt of that
+      fascinating and delicious poem; but think not that, to conform with thy
+      bad taste, I shall forbear any suitable illustration which now or
+      hereafter may occur to me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On we went, the sky blackening around us, and the wind beginning to pipe
+      such a wild and melancholy tune as best suited the hollow sounds of the
+      advancing tide, which I could hear at a distance, like the roar of some
+      immense monster defrauded of its prey.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length, our course was crossed by a deep dell or dingle, such as they
+      call in some parts of Scotland a den, and in others a cleuch or narrow
+      glen. It seemed, by the broken glances which the moon continued to throw
+      upon it, to be steep, precipitous, and full of trees, which are, generally
+      speaking, rather scarce upon these shores. The descent by which we plunged
+      into this dell was both steep and rugged, with two or three abrupt
+      turnings; but neither danger nor darkness impeded the motion of the black
+      horse, who seemed rather to slide upon his haunches, than to gallop down
+      the pass, throwing me again on the shoulders of the athletic rider, who,
+      sustaining no inconvenience by the circumstance, continued to press the
+      horse forward with his heel, steadily supporting him at the same time by
+      raising his bridle-hand, until we stood in safety at the bottom of the
+      steep&mdash;not a little to my consolation, as, friend Alan, thou mayst
+      easily conceive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A very short advance up the glen, the bottom of which we had attained by
+      this ugly descent, brought us in front of two or three cottages, one of
+      which another blink of moonshine enabled me to rate as rather better than
+      those of the Scottish peasantry in this part of the world; for the sashes
+      seemed glazed, and there were what are called storm-windows in the roof,
+      giving symptoms of the magnificence of a second story. The scene around
+      was very interesting; for the cottages, and the yards or crofts annexed to
+      them, occupied a haugh, or helm, of two acres, which a brook of some
+      consequence (to judge from its roar) had left upon one side of the little
+      glen while finding its course close to the farther bank, and which
+      appeared to be covered and darkened with trees, while the level space
+      beneath enjoyed such stormy smiles as the moon had that night to bestow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I had little time for observation, for my companion&rsquo;s loud whistle,
+      seconded by an equally loud halloo, speedily brought to the door of the
+      principal cottage a man and a woman, together with two large Newfoundland
+      dogs, the deep baying of which I had for some time heard. A yelping
+      terrier or two, which had joined the concert, were silent at the presence
+      of my conductor, and began to whine, jump up, and fawn upon him. The
+      female drew back when she beheld a stranger; the man, who had a lighted
+      lantern, advanced, and, without any observation, received the horse from
+      my host, and led him, doubtless, to stable, while I followed my conductor
+      into the house. When we had passed the HALLAN, [The partition which
+      divides a Scottish cottage.] we entered a well-sized apartment, with a
+      clean brick floor, where a fire blazed (much to my contentment) in the
+      ordinary projecting sort of a chimney, common in Scottish houses. There
+      were stone seats within the chimney; and ordinary utensils, mixed with
+      fishing-spears, nets, and similar implements of sport, were hung around
+      the walls of the place. The female who had first appeared at the door, had
+      now retreated into a side apartment. She was presently followed by my
+      guide, after he had silently motioned me to a seat; and their place was
+      supplied by an elderly woman, in a grey stuff gown, with a check apron and
+      toy, obviously a menial, though neater in her dress than is usual in her
+      apparent rank&mdash;an advantage which was counterbalanced by a very
+      forbidding aspect. But the most singular part of her attire, in this very
+      Protestant country, was a rosary, in which the smaller beads were black
+      oak, and those indicating the PATER-NOSTER of silver, with a crucifix of
+      the same metal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This person made preparations for supper, by spreading a clean though
+      coarse cloth over a large oaken table, placing trenchers and salt upon it,
+      and arranging the fire to receive a gridiron. I observed her motions in
+      silence; for she took no sort of notice of me, and as her looks were
+      singularly forbidding, I felt no disposition to commence conversation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When this duenna had made all preliminary arrangements, she took from the
+      well-filled pouch of my conductor, which he had hung up by the door, one
+      or two salmon, or GRILSES, as the smaller sort are termed, and selecting
+      that which seemed best and in highest season, began to cut it into slices,
+      and to prepare a GRILLADE; the savoury smell of which affected me so
+      powerfully that I began sincerely to hope that no delay would intervene
+      between the platter and the lip.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As this thought came across me, the man who had conducted the horse to the
+      stable entered the apartment, and discovered to me a countenance yet more
+      uninviting than that of the old crone who was performing with such
+      dexterity the office of cook to the party. He was perhaps sixty years old;
+      yet his brow was not much furrowed, and his jet-black hair was only
+      grizzled, not whitened, by the advance of age. All his motions spoke
+      strength unabated; and, though rather undersized, he had very broad
+      shoulders, was square-made, thin-flanked, and apparently combined in his
+      frame muscular strength and activity; the last somewhat impaired perhaps
+      by years, but the first remaining in full vigour. A hard and harsh
+      countenance&mdash;eyes far sunk under projecting eyebrows, which were
+      grizzled like his hair&mdash;a wide mouth, furnished from ear to ear with
+      it range of unimpaired teeth, of uncommon whiteness, and a size and
+      breadth which might have become the jaws of an ogre, completed this
+      delightful portrait. He was clad like a fisherman, in jacket and trousers
+      of the blue cloth commonly used by seamen, and had a Dutch case-knife,
+      like that of a Hamburgh skipper, stuck into a broad buff belt, which
+      seemed as if it might occasionally sustain weapons of a description still
+      less equivocally calculated for violence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This man gave me an inquisitive, and, as I thought, a sinister look upon
+      entering the apartment; but without any further notice of me, took up the
+      office of arranging the table, which the old lady had abandoned for that
+      of cooking the fish, and, with more address than I expected from a person
+      of his coarse appearance, placed two chairs at the head of the table, and
+      two stools below; accommodating each seat to a cover, beside which he
+      placed an allowance of barley-bread, and a small jug, which he replenished
+      with ale from a large black jack. Three of these jugs were of ordinary
+      earthenware, but the fourth, which he placed by the right-hand cover at,
+      the upper end of the table, was a flagon of silver, and displayed armorial
+      bearings. Beside this flagon he placed a salt-cellar of silver, handsomely
+      wrought, containing salt of exquisite whiteness, with pepper and other
+      spices. A sliced lemon was also presented on a small silver salver. The
+      two large water-dogs, who seemed perfectly to understand the nature of the
+      preparations, seated themselves one on each side of the table, to be ready
+      to receive their portion of the entertainment. I never saw finer animals,
+      or which seemed to be more influenced by a sense of decorum, excepting
+      that they slobbered a little as the rich scent from the chimney was wafted
+      past their noses. The small dogs ensconced themselves beneath the table.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I am aware that I am dwelling upon trivial and ordinary circumstances, and
+      that perhaps I may weary out your patience in doing so. But conceive me
+      alone in this strange place, which seemed, from the universal silence, to
+      be the very temple of Harpocrates&mdash;remember that this is my first
+      excursion from home&mdash;forget not that the manner in which I had been
+      brought hither had the dignity of danger and something the air of an
+      adventure, and that there was a mysterious incongruity in all I had
+      hitherto witnessed; and you will not, I think, be surprised that these
+      circumstances, though trifling, should force themselves on my notice at
+      the time, and dwell in my memory afterwards.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That a fisher, who pursued the sport perhaps for his amusement as well as
+      profit, should be well mounted and better lodged than the lower class of
+      peasantry, had in it nothing surprising; but there was something about all
+      that I saw which seemed to intimate that I was rather in the abode of a
+      decayed gentleman, who clung to a few of the forms and observances of
+      former rank, than in that of a common peasant, raised above his fellows by
+      comparative opulence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Besides the articles of plate which I have already noticed, the old man
+      now lighted and placed on the table a silver lamp, or CRUISIE as the
+      Scottish term it, filled with very pure oil, which in burning diffused an
+      aromatic fragrance, and gave me a more perfect view of the cottage walls,
+      which I had hitherto only seen dimly by the light of the fire. The BINK
+      [The frame of wooden shelves placed in a Scottish kitchen for holding
+      plates.] with its usual arrangement of pewter and earthenware, which was
+      most strictly and critically clean, glanced back the flame of the lamp
+      merrily from one side of the apartment. In a recess, formed by the small
+      bow of a latticed window, was a large writing-desk of walnut-tree wood,
+      curiously carved, above which arose shelves of the same, which supported a
+      few books and papers. The opposite side of the recess contained (as far as
+      I could discern, for it lay in shadow, and I could at any rate have seen
+      it but imperfectly from the place where I was seated) one or two guns,
+      together with swords, pistols, and other arms a collection which, in a
+      poor cottage, and in a country so peaceful, appeared singular at least, if
+      not even somewhat suspicious.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All these observations, you may suppose, were made much sooner than I have
+      recorded, or you (if you have not skipped) have been able to read them.
+      They were already finished, and I was considering how I should open some
+      communication with the mute inhabitants of the mansion, when my conductor
+      re-entered from the side-door by which he had made his exit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had now thrown off his rough riding-cap, and his coarse jockey-coat,
+      And stood before me in a grey jerkin trimmed with black, which sat close
+      to, and set off, his large and sinewy frame, and a pair of trousers of a
+      lighter colour, cut as close to the body as they are used by Highlandmen.
+      His whole dress was of finer cloth than that of the old man; and his
+      linen, so minute was my observation, clean and unsullied. His shirt was
+      without ruffles, and tied at the collar with a black ribbon, which showed
+      his strong and muscular neck rising from it like that of an ancient
+      Hercules. His head was small, with a large forehead, and well-formed ears.
+      He wore neither peruke nor hair-powder; and his chestnut locks, curling
+      close to his head like those of an antique statue, showed not the least
+      touch of time, though the owner must have been at least fifty. His
+      features were high and prominent in such a degree that one knew not
+      whether to term them harsh or handsome. In either case, the sparkling grey
+      eye, aquiline nose, and well-formed mouth, combined to render his
+      physiognomy noble and expressive. An air of sadness, or severity, or of
+      both, seemed to indicate a melancholy, and, at the same time, a haughty
+      temper. I could not help running mentally over the ancient heroes, to whom
+      I might assimilate the noble form and countenance before me. He was too
+      young, and evinced too little resignation to his fate, to resemble
+      Belisarius. Coriolanus, standing by the hearth of Tullus Aufidius, came
+      nearer the mark; yet the gloomy and haughty look of the stranger had,
+      perhaps, still more of Marius, seated among the ruins of Carthage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While I was lost in these imaginations, my host stood by the fire, gazing
+      on me with the same attention which I paid to him, until, embarrassed by
+      his look, I was about to break silence at all hazards. But the supper, now
+      placed upon the table, reminded me, by its appearance, of those wants
+      which I had almost forgotten while I was gazing on the fine form of my
+      conductor. He spoke at length, and I almost started at the deep rich tone
+      of his voice, though what he said was but to invite me to sit down to the
+      table. He himself assumed the seat of honour, beside which the silver
+      flagon was placed, and beckoned to me to sit down beside him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Thou knowest thy father&rsquo;s strict and excellent domestic discipline has
+      trained me to bear the invocation of a blessing before we break the daily
+      bread, for which we are taught to pray&mdash;I paused a moment, and,
+      without designing to do so, I suppose my manner made him sensible of what
+      I expected. The two domestics or inferiors, as I should have before
+      observed, were already seated at the bottom of the table, when my host
+      shot a glance of a very peculiar expression towards the old man,
+      observing, with something approaching to a sneer, &lsquo;Cristal Nixon, say
+      grace&mdash;the gentleman expects one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The foul fiend shall be clerk, and say amen, when I turn chaplain,&rsquo; 
+      growled out the party addressed, in tones which might have become the
+      condition of a dying bear; &lsquo;if the gentleman is a whig, he may please
+      himself with his own mummery. My faith is neither in word nor writ, but in
+      barley-bread and brown ale.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mabel Moffat,&rsquo; said my guide, looking at the old woman, and raising his
+      sonorous voice, probably because she was hard of hearing, &lsquo;canst thou ask
+      a blessing upon our victuals?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The old woman shook her head, kissed the cross which hung from her rosary,
+      and was silent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mabel will say grace for no heretic,&rsquo; said the master of the house, with
+      the same latent sneer on his brow and in his accent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the same moment, the side-door already mentioned opened, and the young
+      woman (so she proved) whom I had first seen at the door of the cottage,
+      advanced a little way into the room, then stopped bashfully, as if she had
+      observed that I was looking at her, and asked the master of the house, &lsquo;if
+      he had called?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not louder than to make old Mabel hear me,&rsquo; he replied; &lsquo;and yet,&rsquo; be
+      added, as she turned to retire, &lsquo;it is a shame a stranger should see a
+      house where not one of the family can or will say a grace&mdash;do thou be
+      our chaplain.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The girl, who was really pretty, came forward with timid modesty, and,
+      apparently unconscious that she was doing anything uncommon, pronounced
+      the benediction in a silver-toned voice, and with affecting simplicity&mdash;her
+      cheek colouring just so much as to show that on a less solemn occasion she
+      would have felt more embarrassed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now, if thou expectest a fine description of this young woman, Alan
+      Fairford, in order to entitle thee to taunt me with having found a
+      Dulcinea in the inhabitant of a fisherman&rsquo;s cottage on the Solway Firth,
+      thou shalt be disappointed; for, having said she seemed very pretty, and
+      that she was a sweet and gentle-speaking creature, I have said all
+      concerning her that I can tell thee. She vanished when the benediction was
+      spoken.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My host, with a muttered remark on the cold of our ride, and the keen air
+      of the Solway Sands, to which he did not seem to wish an answer, loaded my
+      plate from Mabel&rsquo;s grillade, which, with a large wooden bowl of potatoes,
+      formed our whole meal. A sprinkling from the lemon gave a much higher zest
+      than the usual condiment of vinegar; and I promise you that whatever I
+      might hitherto have felt, either of curiosity or suspicion, did not
+      prevent me from making a most excellent supper, during which little passed
+      betwixt me and my entertainer, unless that he did the usual honours of the
+      table with courtesy, indeed, but without even the affectation of hearty
+      hospitality, which those in his (apparent) condition generally affect on
+      such occasions, even when they do not actually feel it. On the contrary,
+      his manner seemed that of a polished landlord towards an unexpected and
+      unwelcome guest, whom, for the sake of his own credit, he receives with
+      civility, but without either goodwill or cheerfulness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If you ask how I learned all this, I cannot tell you; nor, were I to write
+      down at length the insignificant intercourse which took place between us,
+      would it perhaps serve to justify these observations. It is sufficient to
+      say, that in helping his dogs, which he did from time to time with great
+      liberality, he seemed to discharge a duty much more pleasing to himself,
+      than when he paid the same attention to his guest. Upon the whole, the
+      result on my mind was as I tell it you.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When supper was over, a small case-bottle of brandy, in a curious frame of
+      silver filigree, circulated to the guests. I had already taken a small
+      glass of the liquor, and, when it had passed to Mabel and to Cristal and
+      was again returned to the upper end of the table, I could not help taking
+      the bottle in my hand, to look more at the armorial bearings which were
+      chased with considerable taste on the silver framework. Encountering the
+      eye of my entertainer, I instantly saw that my curiosity was highly
+      distasteful; he frowned, bit his lip, and showed such uncontrollable signs
+      of impatience, that, setting the bottle immediately down, I attempted some
+      apology. To this he did not deign either to reply, or even to listen; and
+      Cristal, at a signal from his master, removed the object of my curiosity,
+      as well as the cup, upon which the same arms were engraved.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Then ensued an awkward pause, which I endeavoured to break by observing,
+      that &lsquo;I feared my intrusion upon his hospitality had put his family to
+      some inconvenience&rsquo;.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope you see no appearance of it, sir,&rsquo; he replied, with cold civility.
+      &lsquo;What inconvenience a family so retired as ours may suffer from receiving
+      an unexpected guest is like to be trifling, in comparison of what the
+      visitor himself sustains from want of his accustomed comforts. So far,
+      therefore, as our connexion stands, our accounts stand clear.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Notwithstanding this discouraging reply, I blundered on, as is usual in
+      such cases, wishing to appear civil, and being, perhaps, in reality the
+      very reverse. &lsquo;I was afraid,&rsquo; I said, that my presence had banished one of
+      the family&rsquo; (looking at the side-door) &lsquo;from his table.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If,&rsquo; he coldly replied, &lsquo;I meant the young woman whom I had seen in the
+      apartment, he bid me observe that there was room enough at the table for
+      her to have seated herself, and meat enough, such as it was, for her
+      supper. I might, therefore, be assured, if she had chosen it, she would
+      have supped with us.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was no dwelling on this or any other topic longer; for my
+      entertainer, taking up the lamp, observed, that &lsquo;my wet clothes might
+      reconcile me for the night to their custom of keeping early hours; that he
+      was under the necessity of going abroad by peep of day to-morrow morning,
+      and would call me up at the same time, to point out the way by which I was
+      to return to the Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This left no opening for further explanation; nor was there room for it on
+      the usual terms of civility; for, as he neither asked my name, nor
+      expressed the least interest concerning my condition, I&mdash;the obliged
+      person&mdash;had no pretence to trouble him with such inquiries on my
+      part.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He took up the lamp, and led me through the side-door into a very small
+      room, where a bed had been hastily arranged for my accommodation, and,
+      putting down the lamp, directed me to leave my wet clothes on the outside
+      of the door, that they might be exposed to the fire during the night. He
+      then left me, having muttered something which was meant to pass for good
+      night.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I obeyed his directions with respect to my clothes, the rather that, in
+      despite of the spirits which I had drunk, I felt my teeth begin to
+      chatter, and received various hints from an aguish feeling, that a
+      town-bred youth, like myself, could not at once rush into all the
+      hardihood of country sports with impunity. But my bed, though coarse and
+      hard, was dry and clean; and I soon was so little occupied with my heats
+      and tremors, as to listen with interest to a heavy foot, which seemed to
+      be that of my landlord, traversing the boards (there was no ceiling, as
+      you may believe) which roofed my apartment. Light, glancing through these
+      rude planks, became visible as soon as my lamp was extinguished; and as
+      the noise of the slow, solemn, and regular step continued, and I could
+      distinguish that the person turned and returned as he reached the end of
+      the apartment, it seemed clear to me that the walker was engaged in no
+      domestic occupation, but merely pacing to and fro for his own pleasure.
+      &lsquo;An odd amusement this,&rsquo; I thought, &lsquo;for one who had been engaged at least
+      a part of the preceding day in violent exercise, and who talked of rising
+      by the peep of dawn on the ensuing morning.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meantime I heard the storm, which had been brewing during the evening,
+      begin to descend with a vengeance; sounds as of distant-thunder (the noise
+      of the more distant waves, doubtless, on the shore) mingled with the
+      roaring of the neighbouring torrent, and with the crashing, groaning, and
+      even screaming of the trees in the glen whose boughs were tormented by the
+      gale. Within the house, windows clattered, and doors clapped, and the
+      walls, though sufficiently substantial for a building of the kind, seemed
+      to me to totter in the tempest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But still the heavy steps perambulating the apartment over my head were
+      distinctly heard amid the roar and fury of the elements. I thought more
+      than once I even heard a groan; but I frankly own that, placed in this
+      unusual situation, my fancy may have misled me. I was tempted several
+      times to call aloud, and ask whether the turmoil around us did not
+      threaten danger to the building which we inhabited; but when I thought of
+      the secluded and unsocial master of the dwelling, who seemed to avoid
+      human society, and to remain unperturbed amid the elemental war, it seemed
+      that to speak to him at that moment would have been to address the spirit
+      of the tempest himself, since no other being, I thought, could have
+      remained calm and tranquil while winds and waters were thus raging around.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In process of time, fatigue prevailed over anxiety and curiosity. The
+      storm abated, or my senses became deadened to its terrors, and I fell
+      asleep ere yet the mysterious paces of my host had ceased to shake the
+      flooring over my head.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It might have been expected that the novelty of my situation, although it
+      did not prevent my slumbers, would have at least diminished their
+      profoundness, and shortened their duration. It proved otherwise, however;
+      for I never slept more soundly in my life, and only awoke when, at morning
+      dawn, my landlord shook me by the shoulder, and dispelled some dream, of
+      which, fortunately for you, I have no recollection, otherwise you would
+      have been favoured with it, in hopes you might have proved a second Daniel
+      upon the occasion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You sleep sound&mdash;&rsquo; said his full deep voice; &lsquo;ere five years have
+      rolled over your head, your slumbers will be lighter&mdash;unless ere then
+      you are wrapped in the sleep which is never broken.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How!&rsquo; said I, starting up in the bed; &lsquo;do you know anything of me&mdash;of
+      my prospects&mdash;of my views in life?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nothing,&rsquo; he answered, with a grim smile; &lsquo;but it is evident you are
+      entering upon the world young, inexperienced, and full of hopes, and I do
+      but prophesy to you what I would to any one in your condition. But come;
+      there lie your clothes&mdash;a brown crust and a draught of milk wait you,
+      if you choose to break your fast; but you must make haste.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I must first,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;take the freedom to spend a few minutes alone,
+      before beginning the ordinary works of the day.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh!&mdash;umph!&mdash;I cry your devotions pardon,&rsquo; he replied, and left
+      the apartment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan, there is something terrible about this man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I joined him, as I had promised, in the kitchen where we had supped
+      overnight, where I found the articles which he had offered me for
+      breakfast, without butter or any other addition.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He walked up and down while I partook of the bread and milk; and the slow
+      measured weighty step seemed identified with those which I had heard last
+      night. His pace, from its funereal slowness, seemed to keep time with some
+      current of internal passion, dark, slow, and unchanged. &lsquo;We run and leap
+      by the side of a lively and bubbling brook,&rsquo; thought I, internally, &lsquo;as if
+      we would run a race with it; but beside waters deep, slow, and lonely, our
+      pace is sullen and silent as their course. What thoughts may be now
+      corresponding with that furrowed brow, and bearing time with that heavy
+      step?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If you have finished,&rsquo; said he, looking up to me with a glance of
+      impatience, as he observed that I ate no longer, but remained with my eyes
+      fixed upon him, &lsquo;I wait to show you the way.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We went out together, no individual of the family having been visible
+      excepting my landlord. I was disappointed of the opportunity which I
+      watched for of giving some gratuity to the domestics, as they seemed to
+      be. As for offering any recompense to the master of the household, it
+      seemed to me impossible to have attempted it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      What would I have given for a share of thy composure, who wouldst have
+      thrust half a crown into a man&rsquo;s hand whose necessities seemed to crave
+      it, conscious that you did right in making the proffer, and not caring
+      sixpence whether you hurt the feelings of him whom you meant to serve! I
+      saw thee once give a penny to a man with a long beard, who, from the
+      dignity of his exterior, might have represented Solon. I had not thy
+      courage, and therefore I made no tender to my mysterious host, although,
+      notwithstanding his display of silver utensils, all around the house
+      bespoke narrow circumstances, if not actual poverty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We left the place together. But I hear thee murmur thy very new and
+      appropriate ejaculation, OHE, JAM SATIS!&mdash;The rest for another time.
+      Perhaps I may delay further communication till I learn how my favours are
+      valued.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER V
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      I have thy two last epistles, my dear Darsie, and expecting the third,
+      have been in no hurry to answer them. Do not think my silence ought to be
+      ascribed to my failing to take interest in them, for, truly, they excel
+      (though the task was difficult) thy usual excellings. Since the moon-calf
+      who earliest discovered the Pandemonium of Milton in an expiring wood-fire&mdash;since
+      the first ingenious urchin who blew bubbles out of soap and water, thou,
+      my best of friends, hast the highest knack at making histories out of
+      nothing. Wert thou to plant the bean in the nursery-tale, thou wouldst
+      make out, so soon as it began to germinate, that the castle of the giant
+      was about to elevate its battlements on the top of it. All that happens to
+      thee gets a touch of the wonderful and the sublime from thy own rich
+      imagination. Didst ever see what artists call a Claude Lorraine glass,
+      which spreads its own particular hue over the whole landscape which you
+      see through it?&mdash;thou beholdest ordinary events just through such a
+      medium.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have looked carefully at the facts of thy last long letter, and they are
+      just such as might have befallen any little truant of the High School, who
+      had got down to Leith Sands, gone beyond the PRAWN-DUB, wet his hose and
+      shoon, and, finally, had been carried home, in compassion, by some
+      high-kilted fishwife, cursing all the while the trouble which the brat
+      occasioned her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I admire the figure which thou must have made, clinging for dear life
+      behind the old fellow&rsquo;s back&mdash;thy jaws chattering with fear, thy
+      muscles cramped with anxiety. Thy execrable supper of broiled salmon,
+      which was enough to ensure the nightmare&rsquo;s regular visits for a
+      twelvemonth, may be termed a real affliction; but as for the storm of
+      Thursday last (such, I observe, was the date), it roared, whistled,
+      howled, and bellowed, as fearfully amongst the old chimney-heads in the
+      Candlemaker Row, as it could on the Solway shore, for the very wind of it&mdash;TESTE
+      ME PER TOTAM NOCTEM VIGILANTE. And then in the morning again, when&mdash;Lord
+      help you&mdash;in your sentimental delicacy you bid the poor man adieu,
+      without even tendering him half a crown for supper and lodging!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You laugh at me for giving a penny (to be accurate, though, thou shouldst
+      have said sixpence) to an old fellow, whom thou, in thy high flight,
+      wouldst have sent home supperless, because he was like Solon or
+      Belisarius. But you forget that the affront descended like a benediction
+      into the pouch of the old gaberlunzie, who overflowed in blessings upon
+      the generous donor&mdash;long ere he would have thanked thee, Darsie, for
+      thy barren veneration of his beard and his bearing. Then you laugh at my
+      good father&rsquo;s retreat from Falkirk, just as if it were not time for a man
+      to trudge when three or four mountain knaves, with naked claymores, and
+      heels as light as their fingers, were scampering after him, crying
+      FURINISH. You remember what he said himself when the Laird of Bucklivat
+      told him that FURINISH signified &lsquo;stay a while&rsquo;. &lsquo;What the devil,&rsquo; he
+      said, surprised out of his Presbyterian correctness by the
+      unreasonableness of such a request under the circumstances, &lsquo;would the
+      scoundrels have had me stop to have my head cut off?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Imagine such a train at your own heels, Darsie, and ask yourself whether
+      you would not exert your legs as fast as you did in flying from the Solway
+      tide. And yet you impeach my father&rsquo;s courage. I tell you he has courage
+      enough to do what is right, and to spurn what is wrong&mdash;courage
+      enough to defend a righteous cause with hand and purse, and to take the
+      part of the poor man against his oppressor, without fear of the
+      consequences to himself. This is civil courage, Darsie; and it is of
+      little consequence to most men in this age and country whether they ever
+      possess military courage or no.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Do not think I am angry with you, though I thus attempt to rectify your
+      opinions on my father&rsquo;s account. I am well aware that, upon the whole, he
+      is scarce regarded with more respect by me than by thee. And, while I am
+      in a serious humour, which it is difficult to preserve with one who is
+      perpetually tempting me to laugh at him, pray, dearest Darsie, let not thy
+      ardour for adventure carry thee into more such scrapes as that of the
+      Solway Sands. The rest of the story is a mere imagination; but that stormy
+      evening might have proved, as the clown says to Lear, &lsquo;a naughty night to
+      swim in.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As for the rest, if you can work mysterious and romantic heroes out of old
+      cross-grained fishermen, why, I for one will reap some amusement by the
+      metamorphosis. Yet hold! even there, there is some need of caution. This
+      same female chaplain&mdash;thou sayest so little of her, and so much of
+      every one else, that it excites some doubt in my mind. VERY PRETTY she is,
+      it seems&mdash;and that is all thy discretion informs me of. There are
+      cases in which silence implies other things than consent. Wert thou
+      ashamed or afraid, Darsie, to trust thyself with the praises of the very
+      pretty grace-sayer?&mdash;As I live, thou blushest! Why, do I not know
+      thee an inveterate squire of dames? and have I not been in thy confidence?
+      An elegant elbow, displayed when the rest of the figure was muffled in a
+      cardinal, or a neat well-turned ankle and instep, seen by chance as its
+      owner tripped up the Old Assembly Close, [Of old this almost deserted
+      alley formed the most common access betwixt the High Street and the
+      southern suburbs.] turned thy brain for eight days. Thou wert once caught
+      if I remember rightly, with a single glance of a single matchless eye,
+      which, when the fair owner withdrew her veil, proved to be single in the
+      literal sense of the word. And, besides, were you not another time
+      enamoured of a voice&mdash;a mere voice, that mingled in the psalmody at
+      the Old Greyfriars&rsquo; Church&mdash;until you discovered the proprietor of
+      that dulcet organ to be Miss Dolly MacIzzard, who is both &lsquo;back and
+      breast&rsquo;, as our saying goes?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All these things considered, and contrasted with thy artful silence on the
+      subject of this grace-saying Nereid of thine, I must beg thee to be more
+      explicit upon that subject in thy next, unless thou wouldst have me form
+      the conclusion that thou thinkest more of her than thou carest to talk of.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You will not expect much news from this quarter, as you know the monotony
+      of my life, and are aware it must at present be devoted to uninterrupted
+      study. You have said a thousand times that I am only qualified to make my
+      way by dint of plodding, and therefore plod I must.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father seems to be more impatient of your absence than he was after
+      your first departure. He is sensible, I believe, that our solitary meals
+      want the light which your gay humour was wont to throw over them, and
+      feels melancholy as men do when the light of the sun is no longer upon the
+      landscape. If it is thus with him, thou mayst imagine it is much more so
+      with me, and canst conceive how heartily I wish that thy frolic were
+      ended, and thou once more our inmate.&mdash;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I resume my pen, after a few hours&rsquo; interval, to say that an incident has
+      occurred on which you will yourself be building a hundred castles in the
+      air, and which even I, jealous as I am of such baseless fabrics, cannot
+      but own affords ground for singular conjecture.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father has of late taken me frequently along with him when he attends
+      the courts, in his anxiety to see me properly initiated into the practical
+      forms of business. I own I feel something on his account and my own from
+      this over-anxiety, which, I dare say, renders us both ridiculous. But what
+      signifies my repugnance? my father drags me up to his counsel learned in
+      the law,&mdash;&lsquo;Are you quite ready to come on to-day, Mr. Crossbite?&mdash;This
+      is my son, designed for the bar&mdash;I take the liberty to bring him with
+      me to-day to the consultation, merely that he may see how these things are
+      managed.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Crossbite smiles and bows; as a lawyer smiles on the solicitor who
+      employs him, and I dare say, thrusts his tongue into his cheek, and
+      whispers into the first great wig that passes him, &lsquo;What the d&mdash;l
+      does old Fairford mean by letting loose his whelp on me?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As I stood beside them, too much vexed at the childish part I was made to
+      play to derive much information from the valuable arguments of Mr.
+      Crossbite, I observed a rather elderly man, who stood with his eyes firmly
+      bent on my father, as if he only waited an end of the business in which he
+      was engaged, to address him. There was something, I thought, in the
+      gentleman&rsquo;s appearance which commanded attention. Yet his dress was not in
+      the present taste, and though it had once been magnificent, was now
+      antiquated and unfashionable. His coat was of branched velvet, with a
+      satin lining, a waistcoat of violet-coloured silk, much embroidered; his
+      breeches the same stuff as the coat. He wore square-toed shoes, with
+      foretops, as they are called; and his silk stockings were rolled up over
+      his knee, as you may have seen in pictures, and here and there on some of
+      those originals who seem to pique themselves on dressing after the mode of
+      Methuselah. A CHAPEAU BRAS and sword necessarily completed his equipment,
+      which, though out of date, showed that it belonged to a man of
+      distinction.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The instant Mr. Crossbite had ended what he had to say, this gentleman
+      walked up to my father, with, &lsquo;Your servant, Mr. Fairford&mdash;it is long
+      since you and I met.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father, whose politeness, you know, is exact and formal, bowed, and
+      hemmed, and was confused, and at length professed that the distance since
+      they had met was so great, that though he remembered the face perfectly,
+      the name, he was sorry to any, had&mdash;really&mdash;somehow&mdash;escaped
+      his memory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Have you forgot Herries of Birrenswork?&rsquo; said the gentleman, and my
+      father bowed even more profoundly than before; though I think his
+      reception of his old friend seemed to lose some of the respectful civility
+      which he bestowed on him while his name was yet unknown. It now seemed to
+      be something like the lip-courtesy which the heart would have denied had
+      ceremony permitted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father, however, again bowed low, and hoped he saw him well.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;So well, my good Mr. Fairford, that I come hither determined to renew my
+      acquaintance with one or two old friends, and with you in the first place.
+      I halt at my old resting place&mdash;you must dine with me to-day, at
+      Paterson&rsquo;s, at the head of the Horse Wynd&mdash;it is near your new
+      fashionable dwelling, and I have business with you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father excused himself respectfully, and not without embarrassment&mdash;&lsquo;he
+      was particularly engaged at home.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then I will dine with you, man,&rsquo; said Mr. Herries of Birrenswork; &lsquo;the
+      few minutes you can spare me after dinner will suffice for my business;
+      and I will not prevent you a moment from minding your own&mdash;I am no
+      bottle-man.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You have often remarked that my father, though a scrupulous ohserver of
+      the rites of hospitality, seems to exercise them rather as a duty than as
+      a pleasure; indeed, but for a conscientious wish to feed the hungry and
+      receive the stranger, his doors would open to guests much seldomer than is
+      the case. I never saw so strong an example of this peculiarity (which I
+      should otherwise have said is caricatured in your description) as in his
+      mode of homologating the self-given invitation of Mr. Herries. The
+      embarsassed brow, and the attempt at a smile which accompanied his &lsquo;We
+      will expect the honour of seeing you in Brown Square at three o&rsquo;clock,&rsquo; 
+      could not deceive any one, and did not impose upon the old laird. It was
+      with a look of scorn that he replied, &lsquo;I will relieve you then till that
+      hour, Mr. Fairford;&rsquo; and his whole manner seemed to say, &lsquo;It is my
+      pleasure to dine with you, and I care not whether I am welcome or no.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When he turned away, I asked my father who he was.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;An unfortunate gentleman,&rsquo; was the reply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He looks pretty well on his misfortunes,&rsquo; replied I. &lsquo;I should not have
+      suspected that so gay an outside was lacking a dinner.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Who told you that he does?&rsquo; replied my father; &lsquo;he is OMNI SUSPICIONE
+      MAJOR, so far as worldly circumstances are concerned. It is to be hoped he
+      makes a good use of them; though, if he does, it will be for the first
+      time in his life.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He has then been an irregular liver?&rsquo; insinuated I.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father replied by that famous brocard with which he silences all
+      unacceptable queries turning in the slightest degree upon the failings of
+      our neighbours,&mdash;&lsquo;If we mend our own faults, Alan, we shall all of us
+      have enough to do, without sitting in judgement upon other folks.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here I was again at fault; but rallying once more, I observed, he had the
+      air of a man of high rank and family.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He is well entitled,&rsquo; said my father, &lsquo;representing Herries of
+      Birrenswork; a branch of that great and once powerful family of Herries,
+      the elder branch whereof merged in the house of Nithesdale at the death of
+      Lord Robin the Philosopher, Anno Domini sixteen hundred and sixty-seven.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Has he still,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;his patrimonial estate of Birrenswork?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No,&rsquo; replied my father; &lsquo;so far back as his father&rsquo;s time, it was a mere
+      designation&mdash;the property being forfeited by Herbert Herries
+      following his kinsman the Earl of Derwentwater to the Preston affair in
+      1715. But they keep up the designation, thinking, doubtless, that their
+      claims may be revived in more favourable times for Jacobites and for
+      popery; and folks who in no way partake of their fantastic capriccios do
+      yet allow it to pass unchallenged, EX COMITATE, if not EX MISERICORDIA.&mdash;But
+      were he the Pope and the Pretender both, we must get some dinner ready for
+      him, since he has thought fit to offer himself. So hasten home, my lad,
+      and tell Hannah, Cook Epps, and James Wilkinson, to do their best; and do
+      thou look out a pint or two of Maxwell&rsquo;s best&mdash;it is in the fifth bin&mdash;there
+      are the keys of the wine-cellar. Do not leave them in the lock&mdash;you
+      know poor James&rsquo;s failing, though he is an honest creature under all other
+      temptations&mdash;and I have but two bottles of the old brandy left&mdash;we
+      must keep it for medicine, Alan.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Away went I&mdash;made my preparations&mdash;the hour of dinner came, and
+      so did Mr. Herries of Birrenswork.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If I had thy power of imagination and description, Darsie, I could make
+      out a fine, dark, mysterious, Rembrandt-looking portrait of this same
+      stranger, which should be as far superior to thy fisherman as a shirt of
+      chain-mail is to a herring-net. I can assure you there is some matter for
+      description about him; but knowing my own imperfections, I can only say, I
+      thought him eminently disagreeable and ill-bred.&mdash;No, ILL-BRED is not
+      the proper word on the contrary, he appeared to know the rules of
+      good-breeding perfectly, and only to think that the rank of the company
+      did not require that he should attend to them&mdash;a view of the matter
+      infinitely more offensive than if his behaviour had been that of
+      uneducated and proper rudeness. While my father said grace, the laird did
+      all but whistle aloud; and when I, at my father&rsquo;s desire, returned thanks,
+      he used his toothpick, as if he had waited that moment for its exercise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So much for Kirk&mdash;with King, matters went even worse. My father, thou
+      knowest, is particularly full of deference to his guests; and in the
+      present care, he seemed more than usually desirous to escape every cause
+      of dispute. He so far compromised his loyalty as to announce merely &lsquo;The
+      King&rsquo; as his first toast after dinner, instead of the emphatic &lsquo;King
+      George&rsquo;, which is his usual formula. Our guest made a motion with his
+      glass, so as to pass it over the water-decanter which stood beside him,
+      and added, &lsquo;Over the water.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father coloured, but would not seem to hear this. Much more there was
+      of careless and disrespectful in the stranger&rsquo;s manner and tone of
+      conversation; so that, though I know my father&rsquo;s prejudices in favour of
+      rank and birth, and though I am aware his otherwise masculine
+      understanding has never entirely shaken off the slavish awe of the great
+      which in his earlier days they had so many modes of commanding, still I
+      could hardly excuse him for enduring so much insolence&mdash;such it
+      seemed to be as this self-invited guest was disposed to offer to him at
+      his own table.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One can endure a traveller in the same carriage, if he treads upon your
+      toes by accident, or even through negligence; but it is very different
+      when, knowing that they are rather of a tender description, he continues
+      to pound away at them with his hoofs. In my poor opinion&mdash;and I am a
+      man of peace&mdash;you can, in that case, hardly avoid a declaration of
+      war.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I believe my father read my thoughts in my eye; for, pulling out his
+      watch, he said; &lsquo;Half-past four, Alan&mdash;you should be in your own room
+      by this time&mdash;Birrenswork will excuse you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Our visitor nodded carelessly, and I had no longer any pretence to remain.
+      But as I left the room, I heard this magnate of Nithesdale distinctly
+      mention the name of Latimer. I lingered; but at length a direct hint from
+      my father obliged me to withdraw; and when, an hour afterwards, I was
+      summoned to partake of a cup of tea, our guest had departed. He had
+      business that evening in the High Street, and could not spare time even to
+      drink tea. I could not help saying, I considered his departure as a relief
+      from incivility. &lsquo;What business has he to upbraid us,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;with the
+      change of our dwelling from a more inconvenient to a better quarter of the
+      town? What was it to him if we chose to imitate some of the conveniences
+      or luxuries of an English dwelling-house, instead of living piled up above
+      each other in flats? Have his patrician birth and aristocratic fortunes
+      given him any right to censure those who dispose of the fruits of their
+      own industry, according to their own pleasure?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father took a long pinch of snuff, and replied, &lsquo;Very well, Alan; very
+      well indeed. I wish Mr. Crossbite or Counsellor Pest had heard you; they
+      must have acknowledged that you have a talent for forensic elocution; and
+      it may not be amiss to try a little declamation at home now and then, to
+      gather audacity and keep yourself in breath. But touching the subject of
+      this paraffle of words, it&rsquo;s not worth a pinch of tobacco. D&rsquo;ye think that
+      I care for Mr. Herries of Birrenswork more than any other gentleman who
+      comes here about business, although I do not care to go tilting at his
+      throat, because he speaks like a grey goose, as he is? But to say no more
+      about him, I want to have Darsie Latimer&rsquo;s present direction; for it is
+      possible I may have to write the lad a line with my own hand&mdash;and yet
+      I do not well know&mdash;but give me the direction at all events.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I did so, and if you have heard from my father accordingly, you know more,
+      probably, about the subject of this letter than I who write it. But if you
+      have not, then shall I have discharged a friend&rsquo;s duty, in letting you
+      know that there certainly is something afloat between this disagreeable
+      laird and my father, in which you are considerably interested.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Adieu! and although I have given thee a subject for waking dreams, beware
+      of building a castle too heavy for the foundation; which, in the present
+      instance, is barely the word Latimer occurring in a conversation betwixt a
+      gentleman of Dumfriesshire and a W.S. of Edinburgh&mdash;CAETERA PRORSUS
+      IGNORO.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER VI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      (In continuation of Letters III and IV.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I told thee I walked out into the open air with my grave and stern
+      landlord. I could now see more perfectly than on the preceding night the
+      secluded glen in which stood the two or three cottages which appeared to
+      be the abode of him and his family.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was so narrow, in proportion to its depth, that no ray of the morning
+      sun was likely to reach it till it should rise high in the horizon.
+      Looking up the dell, you saw a brawling brook issuing in foamy haste from
+      a covert of underwood, like a race-horse impatient to arrive at the goal;
+      and, if you gazed yet; more earnestly, you might observe part of a high
+      waterfall glimmering through the foliage, and giving occasion, doubtless,
+      to the precipitate speed of the brook. Lower down, the stream became more
+      placid, and opened into a quiet piece of water which afforded a rude haven
+      to two or three fishermen&rsquo;s boats, then lying high and dry on the sand,
+      the tide being out. Two or three miserable huts could be seen beside this
+      little haven, inhabited probably by the owners of the boats, but inferior
+      in every respect to the establishment of mine host, though that was
+      miserable enough.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I had but a minute or two to make these observations, yet during that
+      space my companion showed symptoms of impatience, and more than once
+      shouted, &lsquo;Cristal&mdash;Cristal Nixon,&rsquo; until the old man of the preceding
+      evening appeared at the door of one of the neighbouring cottages or
+      outhouses, leading the strong black horse which I before commemorated,
+      ready bridled and saddled. My conductor made Cristal a sign with his
+      finger, and, turning from the cottage door, led the way up the steep path
+      or ravine which connected the sequestered dell with the open country.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Had I been perfectly aware of the character of the road down which I had
+      been hurried with so much impetuosity on the preceding evening, I greatly
+      question if I should have ventured the descent; for it deserved no better
+      name than the channel of a torrent, now in a good measure filled with
+      water, that dashed in foam and fury into the dell, being swelled with the
+      rains of the preceding night. I ascended this ugly path with some
+      difficulty although on foot, and felt dizzy when I observed, from such
+      traces as the rains had not obliterated, that the horse seemed almost to
+      have slid down it upon his haunches the evening before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My host threw himself on his horse&rsquo;s back, without placing a foot in the
+      stirrup&mdash;passed me in the perilous ascent, against which he pressed
+      his steed as if the animal had had the footing of a wild cat. The water
+      and mud splashed from his heels in his reckless course, and a few bounds
+      placed him on the top of the bank, where I presently joined him, and found
+      the horse and rider standing still as a statue; the former panting and
+      expanding his broad nostrils to the morning wind, the latter motionless,
+      with his eye fixed on the first beams of the rising sun, which already
+      began to peer above the eastern horizon and gild the distant mountains of
+      Cumberland and Liddesdale.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He seemed in a reverie, from which he started at my approach, and, putting
+      his horse in motion, led the way at a leisurely pace through a broken and
+      sandy road, which traversed a waste, level, and uncultivated tract of
+      downs, intermixed with morass, much like that in the neighbourhood of my
+      quarters at Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush. Indeed, the whole open ground of this
+      district, where it approaches the sea, has, except in a few favoured
+      spots, the same uniform and dreary character.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Advancing about a hundred yards from the brink of the glen, we gained a
+      still more extensive command of this desolate prospect, which seemed even
+      more dreary, as contrasted with the opposite shores of Cumberland, crossed
+      and intersected by ten thousand lines of trees growing in hedgerows,
+      shaded with groves and woods of considerable extent, animated by hamlets
+      and villas, from which thin clouds of smoke already gave sign of human
+      life and human industry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My conductor had extended his arm, and was pointing the road to Shepherd&rsquo;s
+      Bush, when the step of a horse was heard approaching us. He looked sharply
+      round, and having observed who was approaching, proceeded in his
+      instructions to me, planting himself at the same time in the very middle
+      of the path, which, at the place where we halted, had a slough on the one
+      side and a sandbank on the other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I observed that the rider who approached us slackened his horse&rsquo;s pace
+      from a slow trot to a walk, as if desirous to suffer us to proceed, or at
+      least to avoid passing us at a spot where the difficulty of doing so must
+      have brought us very close to each other. You know my old failing, Alan,
+      and that I am always willing to attend to anything in preference to the
+      individual who has for the time possession of the conversation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Agreeably to this amiable propensity, I was internally speculating
+      concerning the cause of the rider keeping aloof from us, when my
+      companion, elevating his deep voice so suddenly and so sternly as at once
+      to recall my wandering thoughts, exclaimed, &lsquo;In the name of the devil,
+      young man, do you think that others have no better use for their time than
+      you have, that you oblige me to repeat the same thing to you three times
+      over? Do you see, I say, yonder thing at a mile&rsquo;s distance, that looks
+      like a finger-post, or rather like a gallows? I would it had a dreaming
+      fool hanging upon it, as an example to all meditative moon-calves!&mdash;Yon
+      gibbet-looking pole will guide you to the bridge, where you must pass the
+      large brook; then proceed straight forwards, till several roads divide at
+      a cairn. Plague on thee, thou art wandering again!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is indeed quite true that at this moment the horseman approached us,
+      and my attention was again called to him as I made way to let him pass.
+      His whole exterior at once showed that he belonged to the Society of
+      Friends, or, as the world and the world&rsquo;s law calls them, Quakers. A
+      strong and useful iron-grey galloway showed, by its sleek and good
+      condition, that the merciful man was merciful to his beast. His
+      accoutrements were in the usual unostentatious but clean and servicable
+      order which characterizes these sectaries. His long surtout of dark-grey
+      superfine cloth descended down to the middle of his leg, and was buttoned
+      up to his chin, to defend him against the morning air. As usual, his ample
+      beaver hung down without button or loop, and shaded a comely and placid
+      countenance, the gravity of which appeared to contain some seasoning of
+      humour, and had nothing in common with the pinched puritanical air
+      affected by devotees in general. The brow was open and free from wrinkles,
+      whether of age or hypocrisy. The eye was clear, calm, and considerate, yet
+      appeared to be disturbed by apprehension, not to say fear, as, pronouncing
+      the usual salutation of, &lsquo;I wish thee a good morrow, friend,&rsquo; he
+      indicated, by turning his palfrey close to one side of the path, a wish to
+      glide past us with as little trouble as possible&mdash;just as a traveller
+      would choose to pass a mastiff of whose peaceable intentions he is by no
+      means confident.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But my friend, not meaning, perhaps, that he should get off so easily, put
+      his horse quite across the path, so that, without plunging into the
+      slough, or scrambling up the bank, the Quaker could not have passed him.
+      Neither of these was an experiment without hazard greater than the
+      passenger seemed willing to incur. He halted, therefore, as if waiting
+      till my companion should make way for him; and, as they sat fronting each
+      other, I could not help thinking that they might have formed no bad emblem
+      of Peace and War; for although my conductor was unarmed, yet the whole of
+      his manner, his stern look, and his upright seat on horseback, were
+      entirely those of a soldier in undress, He accosted the Quaker in these
+      words, &lsquo;So ho! friend Joshua, thou art early to the road this morning. Has
+      the spirit moved thee and thy righteous brethren to act with some honesty,
+      and pull down yonder tide-nets that keep the fish from coming up the
+      river?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Surely, friend, not so,&rsquo; answered Joshua, firmly, but good-humouredly at
+      the same time; &lsquo;thou canst not expect that our own hands should pull down
+      what our purses established. Thou killest the fish with spear, line, and
+      coble-net; and we, with snares and with nets, which work by the ebb and
+      the flow of the tide. Each doth what seems best in his eyes to secure a
+      share of the blessing which Providence hath bestowed on the river, and
+      that within his own bounds. I prithee seek no quarrel against us, for thou
+      shalt have no wrong at our hand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Be assured I will take none at the hand of any man, whether his hat be
+      cocked or broad-brimmed,&rsquo; answered the fisherman. &lsquo;I tell you in fair
+      terms, Joshua Geddes, that you and your partners are using unlawful craft
+      to destroy the fish in the Solway by stake-nets and wears; and that we,
+      who fish fairly, and like men, as our fathers did, have daily and yearly
+      less sport and less profit. Do not think gravity or hypocrisy can carry it
+      off as you have done. The world knows you, and we know you. You will
+      destroy the salmon which makes the livelihood of fifty poor families, and
+      then wipe your mouth, and go to make a speech at meeting. But do not hope
+      it will last thus. I give you fair warning, we will be upon you one
+      morning soon, when we will not leave a stake standing in the pools of the
+      Solway; and down the tide they shall every one go, and well if we do not
+      send a lessee along with them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Friend,&rsquo; replied Joshua, with a constrained smile, &lsquo;but that I know thou
+      dost not mean as thou sayst, I would tell thee we are under the protection
+      of this country&rsquo;s laws; nor do we the less trust to obtain their
+      protection, that our principles permit us not, by any act of violent
+      resistance, to protect ourselves.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;All villainous cant and cowardice,&rsquo; exclaimed the fisherman, &lsquo;and assumed
+      merely as a cloak to your hypocritical avarice.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, say not cowardice, my friend,&rsquo; answered the Quaker, &lsquo;since thou
+      knowest there may be as much courage in enduring as in acting; and I will
+      be judged by this youth, or by any one else, whether there is not more
+      cowardice&mdash;even in the opinion of that world whose thoughts are the
+      breath in thy nostrils&mdash;in the armed oppressor who doth injury, than
+      in the defenceless and patient sufferer who endureth it with constancy.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will change no more words with you on the subject,&rsquo; said the fisherman,
+      who, as if something moved at the last argument which Mr. Geddes had used,
+      now made room for him to pass forward on his journey. &lsquo;Do not forget,
+      however,&rsquo; he added, &lsquo;that you have had fair warning, nor suppose that we
+      will accept of fair words in apology for foul play. These nets of yours
+      are unlawful&mdash;they spoil our fishings&mdash;we will have them down at
+      all risks and hazards. I am a man of my word, friend Joshua.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I trust thou art,&rsquo; said the Quaker; &lsquo;but thou art the rather bound to be
+      cautious in rashly affirming what thou wilt never execute. For I tell
+      thee, friend, that though there is as great a difference between thee and
+      one of our people as there is between a lion and a sheep, yet I know and
+      believe thou hast so much of the lion in thee, that thou wouldst scarce
+      employ thy strength and thy rage upon that which professeth no means of
+      resistance. Report says so much good of thee, at least, if it says little
+      more.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Time will try,&rsquo; answered the fisherman; &lsquo;and hark thee, Joshua, before we
+      part I will put thee in the way of doing one good deed, which, credit me,
+      is better than twenty moral speeches. Here is a stranger youth, whom
+      Heaven has so scantily gifted with brains, that he will bewilder himself
+      in the Sands, as he did last night, unless thou wilt kindly show him the
+      way to Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush; for I have been in vain endeavouring to make him
+      comprehend the road thither. Hast thou so much charity under thy
+      simplicity, Quaker, as to do this good turn?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, it is thou, friend,&rsquo; answered Joshua, &lsquo;that dost lack charity, to
+      suppose any one unwilling to do so simple a kindness.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou art right&mdash;I should have remembered it can cost thee nothing.
+      Young gentlemen, this pious pattern of primitive simplicity will teach
+      thee the right way to the Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush&mdash;aye, and will himself
+      shear thee like a sheep, if you come to buying and selling with him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He then abruptly asked me, how long I intended to remain at Shepherd&rsquo;s
+      Bush.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I replied, I was at present uncertain&mdash;as long probably, as I could
+      amuse myself in the neighbourhood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are fond of sport?&rsquo; he added, in the same tone of brief inquiry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I answered in the affirmative, but added, I was totally inexperienced.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Perhaps if you reside here for some days,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;we may meet again,
+      and I may have the chance of giving you a lesson.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ere I could express either thanks or assent, he turned short round with a
+      wave of his hand by way of adieu, and rode back to the verge of the dell
+      from which we had emerged together; and as he remained standing upon the
+      banks, I could long hear his voice while he shouted down to those within
+      its recesses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meanwhile the Quaker and I proceeded on our journey for some time in
+      silence; he restraining his sober-minded steed to a pace which might have
+      suited a much less active walker than myself, and looking on me from time
+      to time with an expression of curiosity, mingled with benignity. For my
+      part, I cared not to speak first. It happened I had never before been in
+      company with one of this particular sect, and, afraid that in addressing
+      him I might unwittingly infringe upon some of their prejudices or
+      peculiarities, I patiently remained silent. At length he asked me, whether
+      I had been long in the service of the laird, as men called him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I repeated the words &lsquo;in his service?&rsquo; with such an accent of surprise, as
+      induced him to say, &lsquo;Nay, but, friend, I mean no offence; perhaps I should
+      have said in his society&mdash;an inmate, I mean, in his house?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am totally unknown to the person from whom we have just parted,&rsquo; said
+      I, &lsquo;and our connexion is only temporary. He had the charity to give me his
+      guidance from the Sands, and a night&rsquo;s harbourage from the tempest. So our
+      acquaintance began, and there it is likely to end; for you may observe
+      that our friend is by no means apt to encourage familiarity.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;So little so,&rsquo; answered my companion, &lsquo;that thy case is, I think, the
+      first in which I ever heard of his receiving any one into his house; that
+      is, if thou hast really spent the night there.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why should you doubt it?&rsquo; replied I; &lsquo;there is no motive I can have to
+      deceive you, nor is the object worth it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Be not angry with me,&rsquo; said the Quaker; &lsquo;but thou knowest that thine own
+      people do not, as we humbly endeavour to do, confine themselves within the
+      simplicity of truth, but employ the language of falsehood, not only for
+      profit, but for compliment, and sometimes for mere diversion. I have heard
+      various stories of my neighbour; of most of which I only believe a small
+      part, and even then they are difficult to reconcile with each other. But
+      this being the first time I ever beard of his receiving a stranger within
+      his dwelling, made me express some doubts. I pray thee let them not offend
+      thee.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He does not,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;appear to possess in much abundance the means of
+      exercising hospitality, and so may be excused from offering it in ordinary
+      cases.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That is to say, friend,&rsquo; replied Joshua, &lsquo;thou hast supped ill, and
+      perhaps breakfasted worse. Now my small tenement, called Mount Sharon, is
+      nearer to us by two miles than thine inn; and although going thither may
+      prolong thy walk, as taking thee of the straighter road to Shepherd&rsquo;s
+      Bush, yet methinks exercise will suit thy youthful limbs, as well as a
+      good plain meal thy youthful appetite. What sayst thou, my young
+      acquaintance?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If it puts you not to inconvenience,&rsquo; I replied; for the invitation was
+      cordially given, and my bread and milk had been hastily swallowed, and in
+      small quantity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay,&rsquo; said Joshua, &lsquo;use not the language of compliment with those who
+      renounce it. Had this poor courtesy been very inconvenient, perhaps I had
+      not offered it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I accept the invitation, then,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;in the same good spirit in which
+      you give it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Quaker smiled, reached me his hand, I shook it, and we travelled on in
+      great cordiality with each other. The fact is, I was much entertained by
+      contrasting in my own mind, the open manner of the kind-hearted Joshua
+      Geddes, with the abrupt, dark, and lofty demeanour of my entertainer on
+      the preceding evening. Both were blunt and unceremonious; but the
+      plainness of the Quaker had the character of devotional simplicity, and
+      was mingled with the more real kindness, as if honest Joshua was desirous
+      of atoning, by his sincerity, for the lack of external courtesy. On the
+      contrary, the manners of the fisherman were those of one to whom the rules
+      of good behaviour might be familiar, but who, either from pride or
+      misanthropy, scorned to observe them. Still I thought of him with interest
+      and curiosity, notwithstanding so much about him that was repulsive; and I
+      promised myself, in the course of my conversation with the Quaker, to
+      learn all that he knew on the subject. He turned the conversation,
+      however, into a different channel, and inquired into my own condition of
+      life, and views in visiting this remote frontier.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I only thought it necessary to mention my name, and add, that I had been
+      educated to the law, but finding myself possessed of some independence, I
+      had of late permitted myself some relaxation, and was residing at
+      Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush to enjoy the pleasure of angling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I do thee no harm, young man,&rsquo; said my new friend, &lsquo;in wishing thee a
+      better employment for thy grave hours, and a more humane amusement (if
+      amusement thou must have) for those of a lighter character.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are severe, sir,&rsquo; I replied. &lsquo;I heard you but a moment since refer
+      yourself to the protection of the laws of the country&mdash;if there be
+      laws, there must be lawyers to explain, and judges to administer them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Joshua smiled, and pointed to the sheep which were grazing on the downs
+      over which we were travelling. &lsquo;Were a wolf,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;to come even now
+      upon yonder flocks, they would crowd for protection, doubtless, around the
+      shepherd and his dogs; yet they are bitten and harassed daily by the one,
+      shorn, and finally killed and eaten by the other. But I say not this to
+      shock you; for, though laws and lawyers are evils, yet they are necessary
+      evils in this probationary state of society, till man shall learn to
+      render unto his fellows that which is their due, according to the light of
+      his own conscience, and through no other compulsion. Meanwhile, I have
+      known many righteous men who have followed thy intended profession in
+      honesty and uprightness of walk. The greater their merit, who walk erect
+      in a path which so many find slippery.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And angling,&rsquo; said I:&mdash;&lsquo;you object to that also as an amusement, you
+      who, if I understood rightly what passed between you and my late landlord,
+      are yourself a proprietor of fisheries.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not a proprietor,&rsquo; he replied, &lsquo;I am only, in copartnery with others, a
+      tacksman or lessee of some valuable salmon-fisheries a little down the
+      coast. But mistake me not. The evil of angling, with which I class all
+      sports, as they are called, which have the sufferings of animals for their
+      end and object, does not consist in the mere catching and killing those
+      animals with which the bounty of Providence hath stocked the earth for the
+      good of man, but in making their protracted agony a principle of delight
+      and enjoyment. I do indeed cause these fisheries to be conducted for the
+      necessary taking, killing, and selling the fish; and, in the same way,
+      were I a farmer, I should send my lambs to market. But I should as soon
+      think of contriving myself a sport and amusement out of the trade of the
+      butcher as out of that of the fisher.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We argued the point no further; for though I thought his arguments a
+      little too high-strained, yet as my mind acquitted me of having taken
+      delight in aught but the theory of field-sports, I did not think myself
+      called upon stubbornly to advocate a practice which had afforded me so
+      little pleasure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We had by this time arrived at the remains of an old finger-post, which my
+      host had formerly pointed out as a landmark. Here, a ruinous wooden
+      bridge, supported by long posts resembling crutches, served me to get
+      across the water, while my new friend sought a ford a good way higher up,
+      for the stream was considerably swelled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As I paused for his rejoining me, I observed an angler at a little
+      distance pouching trout after trout, as fast almost as he could cast his
+      line; and I own, in spite of Joshua&rsquo;s lecture on humanity, I could not but
+      envy his adroitness and success, so natural is the love of sport to our
+      minds, or so easily are we taught to assimilate success in field-sports
+      with ideas of pleasure, and with the praise due to address and agility. I
+      soon recognized in the successful angler little Benjie, who had been my
+      guide and tutor in that gentle art, as you have learned from my former
+      letters. I called&mdash;I whistled&mdash;the rascal recognized me, and,
+      starting like a guilty thing, seemed hesitating whether to approach or to
+      run away; and when he determined on the former, it was to assail me with a
+      loud, clamorous, and exaggerated report of the anxiety of all at the
+      Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush for my personal safety; how my landlady had wept, how Sam
+      and the ostler had not the heart to go to bed, but sat up all night
+      drinking&mdash;and how he himself had been up long before daybreak to go
+      in quest of me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And you were switching the water, I suppose,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;to discover my
+      dead body?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This observation produced a long &lsquo;Na&mdash;a&mdash;a&rsquo; of acknowledged
+      detection; but, with his natural impudence, and confidence in my good
+      nature, he immediately added, &lsquo;that he thought I would like a fresh trout
+      or twa for breakfast, and the water being in such a rare trim for the
+      saumon raun, [The bait made of salmon-roe salted and preserved. In a
+      swollen river, and about the month of October, it is a most deadly bait.]
+      he couldna help taking a cast.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While we were engaged in this discussion, the honest Quaker returned to
+      the farther end of the wooden bridge to tell me he could not venture to
+      cross the brook in its present state: but would be under the necessity to
+      ride round by the stone bridge, which was a mile and a half higher up than
+      his own house. He was about to give me directions how to proceed without
+      him, and inquire for his sister, when I suggested to him that, if he
+      pleased to trust his horse to little Benjie, the boy might carry him round
+      by the bridge, while we walked the shorter and more pleasant road.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Joshua shook his head, for he was well acquainted with Benjie, who, he
+      said, was the naughtiest varlet in the whole neighbourhood. Nevertheless,
+      rather than part company, he agreed to put the pony under his charge for a
+      short season, with many injunctions that he should not attempt to mount,
+      but lead the pony (even Solomon) by the bridle, under the assurances of
+      sixpence in case of proper demeanour, and penalty that if he transgressed
+      the orders given him, &lsquo;verily he would be scourged.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Promises cost Benjie nothing, and he showered them out wholesale; till the
+      Quaker at length yielded up the bridle to him, repeating his charges, and
+      enforcing them by holding up his forefinger. On my part, I called to
+      Benjie to leave the fish he had taken at Mount Sharon, making, at the same
+      time, an apologetic countenance to my new friend, not being quite aware
+      whether the compliment would be agreeable to such a condemner of
+      field-sports.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He understood me at once, and reminded me of the practical distinction
+      betwixt catching the animals as an object of cruel and wanton sport, and
+      eating them as lawful and gratifying articles of food, after they were
+      killed. On the latter point he had no scruples; but, on the contrary,
+      assured me that this brook contained the real red trout, so highly
+      esteemed by all connoisseurs, and that, when eaten within an hour of their
+      being caught, they had a peculiar firmness of substance and delicacy of
+      flavour, which rendered them an agreeable addition to a morning meal,
+      especially when earned, like ours, by early rising, and an hour or two&rsquo;s
+      wholesome exercise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But to thy alarm be it spoken, Alan, we did not come so far as the frying
+      of our fish without further adventure. So it is only to spare thy
+      patience, and mine own eyes, that I pull up for the present, and send thee
+      the rest of my story in a subsequent letter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER VII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE SAME TO THE SAME (In continuation.)
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Little Benjie, with the pony, having been sent off on the left side of the
+      brook, the Quaker and I sauntered on, like the cavalry and infantry of the
+      same army occupying the opposite banks of a river, and observing the same
+      line of march. But, while my worthy companion was assuring me of a
+      pleasant greensward walk to his mansion, little Benjie, who had been
+      charged to keep in sight, chose to deviate from the path assigned him,
+      and, turning to the right, led his charge, Solomon, out of our vision.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The villain means to mount him!&rsquo; cried Joshua, with more vivacity than
+      was consistent with his profession of passive endurance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I endeavoured to appease his apprehensions, as he pushed on, wiping his
+      brow with vexation, assuring him that, if the boy did mount, he would, for
+      his own sake, ride gently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You do not know him,&rsquo; said Joshua, rejecting all consolation; &lsquo;HE do
+      anything gently!&mdash;no, he will gallop Solomon&mdash;he will misuse the
+      sober patience of the poor animal who has borne me so long! Yes, I was
+      given over to my own devices when I ever let him touch the bridle, for
+      such a little miscreant there never was before him in this country.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He then proceeded to expatiate on every sort of rustic enormity of which
+      he accused Benjie. He had been suspected of snaring partridges&mdash;was
+      detected by Joshua himself in liming singing-birds&mdash;stood fully
+      charged with having worried several cats, by aid of a lurcher which
+      attended him, and which was as lean, and ragged, and mischievous, as his
+      master. Finally, Benjie stood accused of having stolen a duck, to hunt it
+      with the said lurcher, which was as dexterous on water as on land. I
+      chimed in with my friend, in order to avoid giving him further irritation,
+      and declared I should be disposed, from my own experience, to give up
+      Benjie as one of Satan&rsquo;s imps. Joshua Geddes began to censure the phrase
+      as too much exaggerated, and otherwise unbecoming the mouth of a
+      reflecting person; and, just as I was apologizing for it, as being a term
+      of common parlance, we heard certain sounds on the opposite side of the
+      brook, which seemed to indicate that Solomon and Benjie were at issue
+      together. The sandhills behind which Benjie seemed to take his course, had
+      concealed from us, as doubtless he meant they should, his ascent into the
+      forbidden saddle, and, putting Solomon to his mettle, which he was seldom
+      called upon to exert, they had cantered away together in great amity, till
+      they came near to the ford from which the palfrey&rsquo;s legitimate owner had
+      already turned back.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here a contest of opinions took place between the horse and his rider. The
+      latter, according to his instructions, attempted to direct Solomon towards
+      the distant bridge of stone; but Solomon opined that the ford was the
+      shortest way to his own stable. The point was sharply contested, and we
+      heard Benjie gee-hupping, tchek-tcheking, and, above all, flogging in
+      great style; while Solomon, who, docile in his general habits, was now
+      stirred beyond his patience, made a great trampling and recalcitration;
+      and it was their joint noise which we heard, without being able to see,
+      though Joshua might too well guess, the cause of it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alarmed at these indications, the Quaker began to shout out, &lsquo;Benjie&mdash;thou
+      varlet! Solomon&mdash;thou fool!&rsquo; when the couple presented themselves in
+      full drive, Solomon having now decidedly obtained the better of the
+      conflict, and bringing his unwilling rider in high career down to the
+      ford. Never was there anger changed so fast into humane fear, as that of
+      my good companion. &lsquo;The varlet will be drowned!&rsquo; he exclaimed&mdash;&lsquo;a
+      widow&rsquo;s son!&mdash;her only son!&mdash;and drowned!&mdash;let me go&rsquo;&mdash;And
+      he struggled with me stoutly as I hung upon him, to prevent him from
+      plunging into the ford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I had no fear whatever for Benjie; for the blackguard vermin, though he
+      could not manage the refractory horse, stuck on his seat like a monkey.
+      Solomon and Benjie scrambled through the ford with little inconvenience,
+      and resumed their gallop on the other side.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was impossible to guess whether on this last occasion Benjie was
+      running off with Solomon, or Solomon with Benjie; but, judging from
+      character and motives, I rather suspected the former. I could not help
+      laughing as the rascal passed me, grinning betwixt terror and delight,
+      perched on the very pommel of the saddle, and holding with extended arms
+      by bridle and mane while Solomon, the bit secured between his teeth, and
+      his head bored down betwixt his forelegs, passed his master in this
+      unwonted guise as hard as he could pelt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The mischievous bastard!&rsquo; exclaimed the Quaker, terrified out of his
+      usual moderation of speech&mdash;&lsquo;the doomed gallows-bird!&mdash;he will
+      break Solomon&rsquo;s wind to a certainty.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I prayed him to be comforted&mdash;assured, him a brushing gallop would do
+      his favourite no harm and reminded him of the censure he had bestowed on
+      me a minute before, for applying a harsh epithet to the boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Joshua was not without his answer; &lsquo;Friend youth,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;thou
+      didst speak of the lad&rsquo;s soul, which thou didst affirm belonged to the
+      enemy, and of that thou couldst say nothing of thine own knowledge; on the
+      contrary, I did but speak of his outward man, which will assuredly be
+      suspended by a cord, if he mendeth not his manners. Men say that, young as
+      he is, he is one of the laird&rsquo;s gang.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Of the laird&rsquo;s gang!&rsquo; said I, repeating the words in surprise. &lsquo;Do you
+      mean the person with whom I slept last night? I heard you call him the
+      laird. Is he at the head of a gang?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, I meant not precisely a gang,&rsquo; said the Quaker, who appeared in his
+      haste to have spoken more than he intended&mdash;a company, or party, I
+      should have said; but thus it is, friend Latimer, with the wisest men when
+      they permit themselves to be perturbed with passion, and speak as in a
+      fever, or as with the tongue of the foolish and the forward. And although
+      thou hast been hasty to mark my infirmity, yet I grieve not that thou hast
+      been a witness to it, seeing that the stumbles of the wise may be no less
+      a caution to youth and inexperience, than is the fall of the foolish.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was a sort of acknowledgement of what I had already begun to suspect&mdash;that
+      my new friend&rsquo;s real goodness of disposition, joined to the acquired
+      quietism of his religious sect, had been unable entirely to check the
+      effervescence of a temper naturally warm and hasty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Upon the present occasion, as if sensible he had displayed a greater
+      degree of emotion than became his character, Joshua avoided further
+      allusion to Benjie and Solomon, and proceeded to solicit my attention to
+      the natural objects around us, which increased in beauty and interest, as,
+      still conducted by the meanders of the brook, we left the common behind
+      us, and entered a more cultivated and enclosed country, where arable and
+      pasture ground was agreeably varied with groves and hedges. Descending now
+      almost close to the stream, our course lay through a little gate, into a
+      pathway kept with great neatness, the sides of which were decorated with
+      trees and flowering shrubs of the hardier species; until, ascending by a
+      gentle slope, we issued from the grove, and stood almost at once in front
+      of a low but very neat building, of an irregular form; and my guide,
+      shaking me cordially by the hand, made me welcome to Mount Sharon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The wood through which we had approached this little mansion was thrown
+      around it both on the north and north-west, but, breaking off into
+      different directions, was intersected by a few fields well watered and
+      sheltered. The house fronted to the south-east, and from thence the
+      pleasure-ground, or, I should rather say, the gardens, sloped down to the
+      water. I afterwards understood that the father of the present proprietor
+      had a considerable taste for horticulture, which had been inherited by his
+      son, and had formed these gardens, which, with their shaven turf, pleached
+      alleys, wildernesses, and exotic trees and shrubs, greatly excelled
+      anything of the kind which had been attempted in the neighbourhood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If there was a little vanity in the complacent smile with which Joshua
+      Geddes saw me gaze with delight on a scene so different from the naked
+      waste we had that day traversed in company, it might surely be permitted
+      to one who, cultivating and improving the beauties of nature, had found
+      therein, as he said, bodily health, and a pleasing relaxation for the
+      mind. At the bottom of the extended gardens the brook wheeled round in a
+      wide semicircle, and was itself their boundary. The opposite side was no
+      part of Joshua&rsquo;s domain, but the brook was there skirted by a precipitous
+      rock of limestone, which seemed a barrier of nature&rsquo;s own erecting around
+      his little Eden of beauty, comfort, and peace.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But I must not let thee forget,&rsquo; said the kind Quaker, &lsquo;amidst thy
+      admiration of these beauties of our little inheritance, that thy breakfast
+      has been a light one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, Joshua conducted me to a small sashed door, opening under a
+      porch amply mantled by honeysuckle and clematis, into a parlour of
+      moderate size; the furniture of which, in plainness and excessive
+      cleanliness, bore the characteristic marks of the sect to which the owner
+      belonged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Thy father&rsquo;s Hannah is generally allowed to be an exception to all
+      Scottish housekeepers, and stands unparalleled for cleanliness among the
+      women of Auld Reekie; but the cleanliness of Hannah is sluttishness
+      compared to the scrupulous purifications of these people, who seem to
+      carry into the minor decencies of life that conscientious rigour which
+      they affect in their morals.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The parlour would have been gloomy, for the windows were small and the
+      ceiling low; but the present proprietor had rendered it more cheerful by
+      opening one end into a small conservatory, roofed with glass, and divided
+      from the parlour by a partition of the same. I have never before seen this
+      very pleasing manner of uniting the comforts of an apartment with the
+      beauties of a garden, and I wonder it is not more practised by the great.
+      Something of the kind is hinted at in a paper of the SPECTATOR.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As I walked towards the conservatory to view it more closely, the parlour
+      chimney engaged my attention. It was a pile of massive stone, entirely out
+      of proportion to the size of the apartment. On the front had once been an
+      armorial scutcheon; for the hammer, or chisel, which had been employed to
+      deface the shield or crest, had left uninjured the scroll beneath, which
+      bore the pious motto, &lsquo;TRUST IN GOD.&rsquo; Black-letter, you know, was my early
+      passion, and the tombstones in the Greyfriars&rsquo; churchyard early yielded up
+      to my knowledge as a decipherer what little they could tell of the
+      forgotten dead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Joshua Geddes paused when he saw my eye fixed on this relic of antiquity.
+      &lsquo;Thou canst read it?&rsquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I repeated the motto, and added, there seemed vestiges of a date.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It should be 1537,&rsquo; said he; &lsquo;for so long ago, at the least computation,
+      did my ancestors, in the blinded times of Papistry, possess these lands,
+      and in that year did they build their house.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is an ancient descent,&rsquo; said I, looking with respect upon the
+      monument. &lsquo;I am sorry the arms have been defaced.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was perhaps impossible for my friend, Quaker as he was, to seem
+      altogether void of respect for the pedigree which he began to recount to
+      me, disclaiming all the while the vanity usually connected with the
+      subject; in short, with the air of mingled melancholy, regret, and
+      conscious dignity, with which Jack Fawkes used to tell us at college of
+      his ancestor&rsquo;s unfortunate connexion with the Gunpowder Plot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,&rsquo; thus harangued Joshua Gleddes of
+      Mount Sharon; &lsquo;if we ourselves are nothing in the sight of Heaven, how
+      much less than nothing must be our derivation from rotten bones and
+      mouldering dust, whose immortal spirits have long since gone to their
+      private account? Yes, friend Latimer, my ancestors were renowned among the
+      ravenous and bloodthirsty men who then dwelt in this vexed country; and so
+      much were they famed for successful freebooting, robbery, and bloodshed,
+      that they are said to have been called Geddes, as likening them to the
+      fish called a Jack, Pike, or Luce, and in our country tongue, a GED&mdash;a
+      goodly distinction truly for Christian men! Yet did they paint this shark
+      of the fresh waters upon their shields, and these profane priests of a
+      wicked idolatry, the empty boasters called heralds, who make engraven
+      images of fishes, fowls, and four-footed beasts, that men may fall down
+      and worship them, assigned the ged for the device and escutcheon of my
+      fathers, and hewed it over their chimneys, and placed it above their
+      tombs; and the men were elated in mind, and became yet more ged-like,
+      slaying, leading into captivity, and dividing the spoil, until the place
+      where they dwelt obtained the name of Sharing-Knowe, from the booty which
+      was there divided amongst them and their accomplices. But a better
+      judgement was given to my father&rsquo;s father, Philip Geddes, who, after
+      trying to light his candle at some of the vain wildfires then held aloft
+      at different meetings and steeple-houses, at length obtained a spark from
+      the lamp of the blessed George Fox, who came into Scotland spreading light
+      among darkness, as he himself hath written, as plentifully as fly the
+      sparkles from the hoof of the horse which gallops swiftly along the stony
+      road.&rsquo;&mdash;Here the good Quaker interrupted himself with, &lsquo;And that is
+      very true, I must go speedily to see after the condition of Solomon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A Quaker servant here entered the room with a tray, and inclining his head
+      towards his master, but not after the manner of one who bows, said
+      composedly, &lsquo;Thou art welcome home, friend Joshua, we expected thee not so
+      early; but what hath befallen Solomon thy horse?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What hath befallen him, indeed?&rsquo; said my friend; &lsquo;hath he not been
+      returned hither by the child whom they call Benjie?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He hath,&rsquo; said his domestic, &lsquo;but it was after a strange fashion; for he
+      came hither at a swift and furious pace, and flung the child Benjie from
+      his back, upon the heap of dung which is in the stable-yard.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am glad of it,&rsquo; said Joshua, hastily,&mdash;&lsquo;glad of it, with all my
+      heart and spirit! But stay, he is the child of the widow&mdash;hath the
+      boy any hurt?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not so&rsquo; answered the servant, &lsquo;for he rose and fled swiftly.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Joshua muttered something about a scourge, and then inquired after
+      Solomon&rsquo;s present condition.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He seetheth like a steaming cauldron,&rsquo; answered the servant; &lsquo;and
+      Bauldie, the lad, walketh him about the yard with a halter, lest he take
+      cold.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Geddes hastened to the stable-yard to view personally the condition of
+      his favourite, and I followed to offer my counsel as a jockey. Don&rsquo;t
+      laugh, Alan, sure I have jockeyship enough to assist a Quaker&mdash;in
+      this unpleasing predicament.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The lad who was leading the horse seemed to be no Quaker, though his
+      intercourse with the family had given him a touch of their prim sobriety
+      of look and manner. He assured Joshua that his horse had received no
+      injury, and I even hinted that the exercise would be of service to him.
+      Solomon himself neighed towards his master, and rubbed his head against
+      the good Quaker&rsquo;s shoulder, as if to assure him of his being quite well;
+      so that Joshua returned in comfort to his parlour, where breakfast was now
+      about to be displayed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have since learned that the affection of Joshua for his pony is
+      considered as inordinate by some of his own sect; and that he has been
+      much blamed for permitting it to be called by the name of Solomon, or any
+      other name whatever; but he has gained so much respect and influence among
+      them that they overlook these foibles.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I learned from him (whilst the old servant, Jehoiachim, entering and
+      re-entering, seemed to make no end of the materials which he brought in
+      for breakfast) that his grandfather Philip, the convert of George Fox, had
+      suffered much from the persecution to which these harmless devotees were
+      subjected on all sides during that intolerant period, and much of their
+      family estate had been dilapidated. But better days dawned on Joshua&rsquo;s
+      father, who, connecting himself by marriage with a wealthy family of
+      Quakers in Lancashire, engaged successfully in various branches of
+      commerce, and redeemed the remnants of the property, changing its name in
+      sense, without much alteration of sound, from the Border appellation of
+      Sharing-Knowe, to the evangelical appellation of Mount Sharon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This Philip Geddes, as I before hinted, had imbibed the taste for
+      horticulture and the pursuits of the florist, which are not uncommon among
+      the peaceful sect he belonged to. He had destroyed the remnants of the old
+      peel-house, substituting the modern mansion in its place; and while he
+      reserved the hearth of his ancestors, in memory of their hospitality, as
+      also the pious motto which they had chanced to assume, he failed not to
+      obliterate the worldly and military emblems displayed upon the shield and
+      helmet, together with all their blazonry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In a few minutes after Mr. Geddes had concluded the account; of himself
+      and his family, his sister Rachel, the only surviving member of it,
+      entered the room. Her appearance is remarkably pleasing, and although her
+      age is certainly thirty at least, she still retains the shape and motion
+      of an earlier period. The absence of everything like fashion or ornament
+      was, as usual, atoned for by the most perfect neatness and cleanliness of
+      her dress; and her simple close cap was particularly suited to eyes which
+      had the softness and simplicity of the dove&rsquo;s. Her features were also
+      extremely agreeable, but had suffered a little through the ravages of that
+      professed enemy to beauty, the small-pox; a disadvantage which was in part
+      counterbalanced by a well-formed mouth, teeth like pearls, and a pleasing
+      sobriety of smile, that seemed to wish good here and hereafter to every
+      one she spoke to. You cannot make any of your vile inferences here, Alan,
+      for I have given a full-length picture of Rachel Geddes; so that; you
+      cannot say, in this case, as in the letter I have just received, that she
+      was passed over as a subject on which I feared to dilate. More of this
+      anon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Well, we settled to our breakfast after a blessing, or rather an extempore
+      prayer, which Joshua made upon the occasion, and which the spirit moved
+      him to prolong rather more than I felt altogether agreeable. Then, Alan,
+      there was such a dispatching of the good things of the morning as you have
+      not witnessed since you have seen Darsie Latimer at breakfast. Tea and
+      chocolate, eggs, ham, and pastry, not forgetting the broiled fish,
+      disappeared with a celerity which seemed to astonish the good-humoured
+      Quakers, who kept loading my plate with supplies, as if desirous of seeing
+      whether they could, by any possibility, tire me out. One hint, however, I
+      received, which put me in mind where I was. Miss Geddes had offered me
+      some sweet-cake, which, at the moment, I declined; but presently
+      afterwards, seeing it within my reach, I naturally enough helped myself to
+      a slice, and had just; deposited it beside my plate, when Joshua, mine
+      host, not with the authoritative air of Sancho&rsquo;s doctor, Tirteafuera, but
+      in a very calm and quiet manner, lifted it away and replaced it on the
+      dish, observing only, &lsquo;Thou didst refuse it before, friend Latimer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      These good folks, Alan, make no allowance for what your good father calls
+      the Aberdeen-man&rsquo;s privilege, of &lsquo;taking his word again;&rsquo; or what the wise
+      call second thoughts.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Bating this slight hint that I was among a precise generation, there was
+      nothing in my reception that was peculiar&mdash;unless, indeed, I were to
+      notice the solicitous and uniform kindness with which all the attentions
+      of my new friends were seasoned, as if they were anxious to assure me that
+      the neglect of worldly compliments interdicted by their sect, only served
+      to render their hospitality more sincere. At length my hunger was
+      satisfied, and the worthy Quaker, who, with looks of great good nature,
+      had watched my progress, thus addressed his sister:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;This young man, Rachel, hath last night sojourned in the tents of our
+      neighbour whom men call the laird. I am sorry I had not met him the
+      evening before, for our neighbour&rsquo;s hospitality is too unfrequently
+      exercised to be well prepared with the means of welcome.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, but, Joshua,&rsquo; said Rachel, &lsquo;if our neighbour hath done a kindness,
+      thou shouldst not grudge him the opportunity; and if our young friend hath
+      fared ill for a night, he will the better relish what Providence may send
+      him of better provisions.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And that he may do so at leisure,&rsquo; said Joshua, &lsquo;we will pray him,
+      Rachel, to tarry a day or twain with us: he is young, and is but now
+      entering upon the world, and our habitation may, if he will, be like a
+      resting-place, from which he may look abroad upon the pilgrimage which he
+      must take, and the path which he has to travel.&mdash;What sayest thou,
+      friend Latimer? We constrain not our friends to our ways, and thou art, I
+      think, too wise to quarrel with us for following our own fashions; and if
+      we should even give thee a word of advice, thou wilt not, I think, be
+      angry, so that it is spoken in season.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You know, Alan, how easily I am determined by anything resembling
+      cordiality&mdash;and so, though a little afraid of the formality of my
+      host and hostess, I accepted their invitation, provided I could get some
+      messenger to send to Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush for my servant and portmanteau.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, truly, friend,&rsquo; said Joshua, &lsquo;thy outward frame would be improved by
+      cleaner garments; but I will do thine errand myself to the Widow Gregson&rsquo;s
+      house of reception, and send thy lad hither with thy clothes. Meanwhile,
+      Rachel will show thee these little gardens, and then will put thee in some
+      way of spending thy time usefully, till our meal calls us together at the
+      second hour after noon. I bid thee farewell for the present, having some
+      space to walk, seeing I must leave the animal Solomon to his refreshing
+      rest.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With these words, Mr. Joshua Geddes withdrew. Some ladies we have known
+      would have felt, or at least affected, reserve or embarrassment, at being
+      left to do the honours of the grounds to (it will be out, Alan)&mdash;a
+      smart young fellow&mdash;an entire stranger. She went out for a few
+      minutes, and returned in her plain cloak and bonnet, with her beaver
+      gloves, prepared to act as my guide, with as much simplicity as if she had
+      been to wait upon thy father. So forth I sallied with my fair Quakeress.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If the house at Mount Sharon be merely a plain and convenient dwelling, of
+      moderate size and small pretensions, the gardens and offices, though not
+      extensive, might rival an earl&rsquo;s in point of care and expense. Rachel
+      carried me first to her own favourite resort, a poultry-yard, stocked with
+      a variety of domestic fowls, of the more rare as well as the most ordinary
+      kinds, furnished with every accommodation which may suit their various
+      habits. A rivulet which spread into a pond for the convenience of the
+      aquatic birds, trickled over gravel as it passed through the yards
+      dedicated to the land poultry, which were thus amply supplied with the
+      means they use for digestion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All these creatures seemed to recognize the presence of their mistress,
+      and some especial favourites hastened to her feet, and continued to follow
+      her as far as their limits permitted. She pointed out their peculiarities
+      and qualities, with the discrimination of one who had made natural history
+      her study; and I own I never looked on barn-door fowls with so much
+      interest before&mdash;at least until they were boiled or roasted. I could
+      not help asking the trying question, how she could order the execution of
+      any of the creatures of which she seemed so careful.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It was painful,&rsquo; she said, &lsquo;but it was according to the law of their
+      being. They must die; but they knew not when death was approaching; and in
+      making them comfortable while they lived, we contributed to their
+      happiness as much as the conditions of their existence permitted to us.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I am not quite of her mind, Alan. I do not believe either pigs or poultry
+      would admit that the chief end of their being was to be killed and eaten.
+      However, I did not press the argument, from which my Quaker seemed rather
+      desirous to escape; for, conducting me to the greenhouse, which was
+      extensive, and filled with the choicest plants, she pointed out an aviary
+      which occupied the farther end, where, she said, she employed herself with
+      attending the inhabitants, without being disturbed with any painful
+      recollections concerning their future destination.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I will not trouble you with any account of the various hot-houses and
+      gardens, and their contents. No small sum of money must have been expended
+      in erecting and maintaining them in the exquisite degree of good order
+      which they exhibited. The family, I understood, were connected with that
+      of the celebrated Millar, and had imbibed his taste for flowers, and for
+      horticulture. But instead of murdering botanical names, I will rather
+      conduct you to the POLICY, or pleasure-garden, which the taste of Joshua
+      or his father had extended on the banks betwixt the house and river. This
+      also, in contradistinction to the prevailing simplicity, was ornamented in
+      an unusual degree. There were various compartments, the connexion of which
+      was well managed, and although the whole ground did not exceed five or six
+      acres, it was so much varied as to seem four times larger. The space
+      contained close alleys and open walks; a very pretty artificial waterfall;
+      a fountain also, consisting of a considerable jet-d&rsquo;eau, whose streams
+      glittered in the sunbeams and exhibited a continual rainbow. There was a
+      cabinet of verdure, as the French call it, to cool the summer heat, and
+      there was a terrace sheltered from the north-east by a noble holly hedge,
+      with all its glittering spears where you might have the full advantage of
+      the sun in the clear frosty days of winter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I know that you, Alan, will condemn all this as bad and antiquated; for,
+      ever since Dodsley has described the Leasowes, and talked of Brown&rsquo;s
+      imitations of nature and Horace Walpole&rsquo;s late Essay on Gardening, you are
+      all for simple nature&mdash;condemn walking up and down stairs in the open
+      air and declare for wood and wilderness. But NE QUID NIMIS. I would not
+      deface a scene of natural grandeur or beauty, by the introduction of
+      crowded artificial decorations; yet such may, I think, be very
+      interesting, where the situation, in its natural state, otherwise has no
+      particular charms.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So that when I have a country-house (who can say how soon?) you may look
+      for grottoes, and cascades, and fountains; nay if you vex me by
+      contradiction, perhaps I may go the length of a temple&mdash;so provoke me
+      not, for you see of what enormities I am capable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At any rate, Alan, had you condemned as artificial the rest of Friend
+      Geddes&rsquo;s grounds, there is a willow walk by the very verge of the stream,
+      so sad, so solemn, and so silent, that it must have commanded your
+      admiration. The brook, restrained at the ultimate boundary of the grounds
+      by a natural dam-dike or ledge of rocks, seemed, even in its present
+      swollen state, scarcely to glide along: and the pale willow-trees,
+      dropping their long branches into the stream, gathered around them little
+      coronals of the foam that floated down from the more rapid stream above.
+      The high rock, which formed the opposite bank of the brook, was seen dimly
+      through the branches, and its pale and splintered front, garlanded with
+      long streamers of briers and other creeping plants, seemed a barrier
+      between the quiet path which we trod, and the toiling and bustling world
+      beyond. The path itself, following the sweep of the stream, made a very
+      gentle curve; enough, however, served by its inflection completely to hide
+      the end of the walk until you arrived at it. A deep and sullen sound,
+      which increased as you proceeded, prepared you for this termination, which
+      was indeed only a plain root-seat, from which you looked on a fall of
+      about six or seven feet, where the brook flung itself over the ledge of
+      natural rock I have already mentioned, which there crossed its course.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The quiet and twilight seclusion of this walk rendered it a fit scene for
+      confidential communing; and having nothing more interesting to say to my
+      fair Quaker, I took the liberty of questioning her about the laird; for
+      you are, or ought to be, aware, that next to discussing the affairs of the
+      heart, the fair sex are most interested in those of their neighbours.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I did not conceal either my curiosity, or the check which it had received
+      from Joshua, and I saw that my companion answered with embarrassment. &lsquo;I
+      must not speak otherwise than truly,&rsquo; she said; &lsquo;and therefore I tell
+      thee, that my brother dislikes, and that I fear, the man of whom thou hast
+      asked me. Perhaps we are both wrong&mdash;but he is a man of violence, and
+      hath great influence over many, who, following the trade of sailors and
+      fishermen, become as rude as the elements with which they contend. He hath
+      no certain name among them, which is not unusual, their rude fashion being
+      to distinguish each other by nicknames; and they have called him the Laird
+      of the Lakes (not remembering there should be no one called Lord, save one
+      only) in idle derision; the pools of salt water left by the tide among the
+      sands being called the Lakes of Solway.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Has he no other revenue than he derives from these sands?&rsquo; I asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That I cannot answer,&rsquo; replied Rachel; &lsquo;men say that he wants not money,
+      though he lives like an ordinary fisherman, and that he imparts freely of
+      his means to the poor around him. They intimate that he is a man of
+      consequence, once deeply engaged in the unhappy affair of the rebellion,
+      and even still too much in danger from the government to assume his own
+      name. He is often absent from his cottage at Broken-burn-cliffs, for weeks
+      and months.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I should have thought,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;that the government would scarce, at
+      this time of day, be likely to proceed against any one even of the most
+      obnoxious rebels. Many years have passed away&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is true,&rsquo; she replied; &lsquo;yet such persons may understand that their
+      being connived at depends on their living in obscurity. But indeed there
+      can nothing certain be known among these rude people. The truth is not in
+      them&mdash;most of them participate in the unlawful trade betwixt these
+      parts and the neighbouring shore of England; and they are familiar with
+      every species of falsehood and deceit.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is a pity,&rsquo; I remarked, &lsquo;your brother should have neighbours of such a
+      description, especially as I understand he is at some variance with them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Where, when, and about what matter?&rsquo; answered Miss Geddes, with an eager
+      and timorous anxiety, which made me regret having touched on the subject.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I told her, in a way as little alarming as I could devise, the purport of
+      what passed betwixt this Laird of the Lakes and her brother, at their
+      morning&rsquo;s interview.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You affright me much,&rsquo; answered she; &lsquo;it is this very circumstance which
+      has scared me in the watches of the night. When my brother Joshua withdrew
+      from an active share in the commercial concerns of my father, being
+      satisfied with the portion of worldly substance which he already
+      possessed, there were one or two undertakings in which he retained an
+      interest, either because his withdrawing might have been prejudicial to
+      friends, or because he wished to retain some mode of occupying his time.
+      Amongst the more important of these is a fishing station on the coast,
+      where, by certain improved modes of erecting snares, opening at the
+      advance of the tide, and shutting at the reflux, many more fish are taken
+      than can be destroyed by those who, like the men of Broken-burn, use only
+      the boat-net and spear, or fishing-rod. They complain of these tide-nets,
+      as men call them, as an innovation, and pretend to a right to remove and
+      destroy them by the strong hand. I fear me, this man of violence, whom
+      they call the laird, will execute these his threats, which cannot be
+      without both loss and danger to my brother.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Geddes,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;ought to apply to the civil, magistrate; there are
+      soldiers at Dumfries who would be detached for his protection.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou speakest, friend Latimer,&rsquo; answered the lady, &lsquo;as one who is still
+      in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. God forbid that we should
+      endeavour to preserve nets of flax and stakes of wood, or the Mammon of
+      gain which they procure for us, by the hands of men of war and at the risk
+      of spilling human blood.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I respect your scruples,&rsquo; I replied; &lsquo;but since such is your way of
+      thinking, your brother ought to avert the danger by compromise or
+      submission.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Perhaps it would be best,&rsquo; answered Rachel; &lsquo;but what can I say? Even in
+      the best-trained temper there may remain some leaven of the old Adam; and
+      I know not whether it is this or a better spirit that maketh my brother
+      Joshua determine, that though he will not resist force by force, neither
+      will he yield up his right to mere threats, or encourage wrong to others
+      by yielding to menaces. His partners, he says, confide in his steadiness:
+      and that he must not disappoint them by yielding up their right for the
+      fear of the threats of man, whose breath is in his nostrils.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This observation convinced me that the spirit of the old sharers of the
+      spoil was not utterly departed even from the bosom of the peaceful Quaker;
+      and I could not help confessing internally that Joshua had the right, when
+      he averred that there was as much courage in sufferance as in exertion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As we approached the farther end of the willow walk, the sullen and
+      continuous sound of the dashing waters became still more and more audible,
+      and at length rendered it difficult for us to communicate with each other.
+      The conversation dropped, but apparently my companion continued to dwell
+      upon the apprehensions which it had excited. At the bottom of the walk we
+      obtained a view of the cascade, where the swollen brook flung itself in
+      foam and tumult over the natural barrier of rock, which seemed in vain to
+      attempt to bar its course. I gazed with delight, and, turning to express
+      my sentiment to my companion, I observed that she had folded her hands in
+      an attitude of sorrowful resignation, which showed her thoughts were far
+      from the scene which lay before her. When she saw that her abstraction was
+      observed, she resumed her former placidity of manner; and having given me
+      sufficient time to admire this termination of our sober and secluded walk,
+      proposed that me should return to the house through her brother&rsquo;s farm.
+      &lsquo;Even we Quakers, as we are called, have our little pride,&rsquo; she said; &lsquo;and
+      my brother Joshua would not forgive me, were I not to show thee the fields
+      which he taketh delight to cultivate after the newest and best fashion;
+      for which, I promise thee, he hath received much praise from good judges,
+      as well as some ridicule from those who think it folly to improve on the
+      customs of our ancestors.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As she spoke, she opened a low door, leading through a moss and
+      ivy-covered wall, the boundary of the pleasure-ground, into the open
+      fields; through which we moved by a convenient path, leading, with good
+      taste and simplicity, by stile and hedgerow, through pasturage, and
+      arable, and woodland; so that in all ordinary weather, the good man might,
+      without even soiling his shoes, perform his perambulation round the farm.
+      There were seats also, on which to rest; and though not adorned with
+      inscriptions, nor quite so frequent in occurrence as those mentioned in
+      the account of the Leasowes, their situation was always chosen with
+      respect to some distant prospect to be commanded, or some home-view to be
+      enjoyed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But what struck me most in Joshua&rsquo;s domain was the quantity and the
+      tameness of the game. The hen partridge scarce abandoned the roost, at the
+      foot of the hedge where she had assembled her covey, though the path went
+      close beside her; and the hare, remaining on her form, gazed at us as we
+      passed, with her full dark eye, or rising lazily and hopping to a little
+      distance, stood erect to look at us with more curiosity than apprehension.
+      I observed to Miss Geddes the extreme tameness of these timid and shy
+      animals, and she informed me that their confidence arose from protection
+      in the summer, and relief during the winter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;They are pets,&rsquo; she said, &lsquo;of my brother, who considers them as the
+      better entitled to his kindness that they are a race persecuted by the
+      world in general. He denieth himself,&rsquo; she said, &lsquo;even the company of a
+      dog, that these creatures may here at least enjoy undisturbed security.
+      Yet this harmless or humane propensity, or humour, hath given offence,&rsquo; 
+      she added, &lsquo;to our dangerous neighbours.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She explained this, by telling me that my host of the preceding night was
+      remarkable for his attachment to field-sports, which he pursued without
+      much regard to the wishes of the individuals over whose property he
+      followed them. The undefined mixture of respect and fear with which he was
+      generally regarded induced most of the neighbouring land-holders to
+      connive at what they would perhaps in another have punished as a trespass;
+      but Joshua Geddes would not permit the intrusion of any one upon his
+      premises, and as he had before offended several country neighbours, who,
+      because he would neither shoot himself nor permit others to do so,
+      compared him to the dog in the manger, so he now aggravated the
+      displeasure which the Laird of the Lakes had already conceived against
+      him, by positively debarring him from pursuing his sport over his grounds&mdash;&lsquo;So
+      that,&rsquo; said Rachel Geddes, &lsquo;I sometimes wish our lot had been cast
+      elsewhere than in these pleasant borders, where, if we had less of beauty
+      around us, we might have had a neighbourhood of peace and, goodwill.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We at length returned to the house, where Miss Geddes showed me a small
+      study, containing a little collection of books, in two separate presses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;These,&rsquo; said she, pointing to the smaller press, &lsquo;will, if thou bestowest
+      thy leisure upon them, do thee good; and these,&rsquo; pointing to the other and
+      larger cabinet, &lsquo;can, I believe, do thee little harm. Some of our people
+      do indeed hold, that every writer who is not with us is against us; but
+      brother Joshua is mitigated in his opinions, and correspondeth with our
+      friend John Scot of Amwell, who hath himself constructed verses well
+      approved of even in the world. I wish thee many good thoughts till our
+      family meet at the hour of dinner.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Left alone, I tried both collections; the first consisted entirely of
+      religious and controversial tracts, and the latter formed a small
+      selection of history and of moral writers, both in prose and verse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Neither collection promising much amusement, thou hast, in these close
+      pages, the fruits of my tediousness; and truly, I think, writing history
+      (one&rsquo;s self being the subject) is as amusing as reading that of foreign
+      countries, at any time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sam, still more drunk than sober, arrived in due time with my portmanteau,
+      and enabled me to put my dress into order, better befitting this temple of
+      cleanliness and decorum, where (to conclude) I believe I shall be a
+      sojourner more days than one. [See Note 1.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      PS.&mdash;I have noted your adventure, as you home-bred youths may perhaps
+      term it, concerning the visit of your doughty laird. We travellers hold
+      such an incident no great consequence, though it may serve to embellish
+      the uniform life of Brown&rsquo;s Square. But art thou not ashamed to attempt to
+      interest one who is seeing the world at large, and studying human nature
+      on a large scale, by so bald a narrative? Why, what does it amount to,
+      after all, but that a Tory laird dined with a Whig lawyer? no very
+      uncommon matter, especially as you state Mr. Herries to have lost the
+      estate, though retaining the designation. The laird behaves with
+      haughtiness and impertinence&mdash;nothing out of character in that: is
+      NOT kicked down stairs, as he ought to have been, were Alan Fairford half
+      the man that he would wish his friends to think him. Aye, but then, as the
+      young lawyer, instead of showing his friend the door, chose to make use of
+      it himself, he overheard the laird aforesaid ask the old lawyer concerning
+      Darsie Latimer&mdash;no doubt earnestly inquiring after the handsome,
+      accomplished inmate of his family, who has so lately made Themis his bow
+      and declined the honour of following her farther. You laugh at me for my
+      air-drawn castles; but confess, have they not surer footing, in general,
+      than two words spoken by such a man as Herries? And yet&mdash;and yet&mdash;I
+      would rally the matter off, Alan; but in dark nights even the glow-worm
+      becomes an object of lustre, and to one plunged in my uncertainty and
+      ignorance, the slightest gleam that promises intelligence is interesting.
+      My life is like the subterranean river in the Peak of Derby, visible only
+      where it crosses the celebrated cavern. I am here, and this much I know;
+      but where I have sprung from, or whither my course of life is like to
+      tend, who shall tell me? Your father, too, seemed interested and alarmed,
+      and talked of writing; would to Heaven he may!&mdash;I send daily to the
+      post-town for letters.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER VIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Thou mayst clap thy wings and crow as thou pleasest. You go in search of
+      adventures, but adventures come to me unsought for; and oh! in what a
+      pleasing shape came mine, since it arrived in the form of a client&mdash;and
+      a fair client to boot! What think you of that, Darsie! you who are such a
+      sworn squire of dames? Will this not match my adventures with thine, that
+      hunt salmon on horseback, and will it not, besides, eclipse the history of
+      a whole tribe of Broadbrims?&mdash;But I must proceed methodically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When I returned to-day from the College, I was surprised to see a broad
+      grin distending the adust countenance of the faithful James Wilkinson,
+      which, as the circumstance seldom happens above once a year, was matter of
+      some surprise. Moreover, he had a knowing glance with his eye, which I
+      should have as soon expected from a dumb-waiter&mdash;an article of
+      furniture to which James, in his usual state, may be happily assimilated.
+      &lsquo;What the devil is the matter, James?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The devil may be in the matter, for aught I ken,&rsquo; said James, with
+      another provoking grin; &lsquo;for here has been a woman calling for you,
+      Maister Alan.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A woman calling for me?&rsquo; said I in surprise; for you know well, that
+      excepting old Aunt Peggy, who comes to dinner of a Sunday, and the still
+      older Lady Bedrooket, who calls ten times a year for the quarterly payment
+      of her jointure of four hundred merks, a female scarce approaches our
+      threshold, as my father visits all his female clients at their own
+      lodgings. James protested, however, that there had been a lady calling,
+      and for me. &lsquo;As bonny a lass as I have seen,&rsquo; added James, &lsquo;since I was in
+      the Fusileers, and kept company with Peg Baxter.&rsquo; Thou knowest all James&rsquo;s
+      gay recollections go back to the period of his military service, the years
+      he has spent in ours having probably been dull enough.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Did the lady leave no name nor place of address?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No,&rsquo; replied James; &lsquo;but she asked when you wad be at hame, and I
+      appointed her for twelve o&rsquo;clock, when the house wad be quiet, and your
+      father at the Bank.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;For shame, James! how can you think my father&rsquo;s being at home or abroad
+      could be of consequence?&mdash;The lady is of course a decent person?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I&rsquo;se uphaud her that, sir&mdash;she is nane of your&mdash;WHEW&rsquo;&mdash;(Here
+      James supplied a blank with a low whistle)&mdash;&lsquo;but I didna ken&mdash;my
+      maister makes an unco wark if a woman comes here.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I passed into my own room, not ill-pleased that my father was absent,
+      notwithstanding I had thought it proper to rebuke James for having so
+      contrived it, I disarranged my books, to give them the appearance of a
+      graceful confusion on the table, and laying my foils (useless since your
+      departure) across the mantelpiece, that the lady might see I was TAM MARTE
+      QUAM MERCURIO&mdash;I endeavoured to dispose my dress so as to resemble an
+      elegant morning deshabille&mdash;gave my hair the general shade of powder
+      which marks the gentleman&mdash;laid my watch and seals on the table, to
+      hint that I understood the value of time;&mdash;and when I had made all
+      these arrangements, of which I am a little ashamed when I think of them, I
+      had nothing better to do than to watch the dial-plate till the index
+      pointed to noon. Five minutes elapsed, which. I allowed for variation of
+      clocks&mdash;five minutes more rendered me anxious and doubtful&mdash;and
+      five minutes more would have made me impatient.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Laugh as thou wilt; but remember, Darsie, I was a lawyer, expecting his
+      first client&mdash;a young man, how strictly bred up I need not remind
+      you, expecting a private interview with a young and beautiful woman. But
+      ere the third term of five minutes had elapsed, the door-bell was heard to
+      tinkle low and modestly, as if touched by some timid hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      James Wilkinson, swift in nothing, is, as thou knowest, peculiarly slow in
+      answering the door-bell; and I reckoned on five minutes good, ere his
+      solemn step should have ascended the stair. Time enough, thought I, for a
+      peep through the blinds, and was hastening to the window accordingly. But
+      I reckoned without my host; for James, who had his own curiosity as well
+      as I, was lying PERDU in the lobby, ready to open at the first tinkle; and
+      there was, &lsquo;This way, ma&rsquo;am&mdash;Yes, ma&rsquo;am&mdash;The lady, Mr. Alan,&rsquo; 
+      before I could get to the chair in which I proposed to be discovered,
+      seated in all legal dignity. The consciousness of being half-caught in the
+      act of peeping, joined to that native air of awkward bashfulness of which
+      I am told the law will soon free me, kept me standing on the floor in some
+      confusion; while the lady, disconcerted on her part, remained on the
+      threshold of the room. James Wilkinson, who had his senses most about him,
+      and was perhaps willing to prolong his stay in the apartment, busied
+      himself in setting a chair for the lady, and recalled me to my
+      good-breeding by the hint. I invited her to take possession of it, and bid
+      James withdraw.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My visitor was undeniably a lady, and probably considerably above the
+      ordinary rank&mdash;very modest, too, judging from the mixture of grace
+      and timidity with which she moved, and at my entreaty sat down. Her dress
+      was, I should suppose, both handsome and fashionable; but it was much
+      concealed by a walking-cloak of green silk, fancifully embroidered; in
+      which, though heavy for the season, her person was enveloped, and which,
+      moreover, was furnished with a hood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The devil take that hood, Darsie! for I was just able to distinguish that,
+      pulled as it was over the face, it concealed from me, as I was convinced,
+      one of the prettiest countenances I have seen, and which, from a sense of
+      embarrassment, seemed to be crimsoned with a deep blush. I could see her
+      complexion was beautiful&mdash;her chin finely turned&mdash;her lips coral&mdash;and
+      her teeth rivals to ivory. But further the deponent sayeth not; for a
+      clasp of gold, ornamented with it sapphire, closed the envious mantle
+      under the incognita&rsquo;s throat, and the cursed hood concealed entirely the
+      upper part of the face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I ought to have spoken first, that is certain; but ere I could get my
+      phrases well arranged, the young lady, rendered desperate I suppose by my
+      hesitation opened the conversation herself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I fear I am an intruder, sir&mdash;I expected to meet an elderly
+      gentleman.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This brought me to myself. &lsquo;My father, madam, perhaps. But you inquired
+      for Alan Fairford&mdash;my father&rsquo;s name is Alexander.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is Mr. Alan Fairford, undoubtedly, with whom I wished to speak,&rsquo; she
+      said, with greater confusion; &lsquo;but I was told that he was advanced in
+      life.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Some mistake, madam, I presume, betwixt my father and myself&mdash;our
+      Christian names have the same initials, though the terminations are
+      different. I&mdash;I&mdash;I would esteem it a most fortunate mistake if I
+      could have the honour of supplying my father&rsquo;s place in anything that
+      could be of service to you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are very obliging, sir,&rsquo; A pause, during which she seemed
+      undetermined whether to rise or sit still.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am just about to be called to the bar, madam,&rsquo; said I, in hopes to
+      remove her scruples to open her case to me; &lsquo;and if my advice or opinion
+      could be of the slightest use, although I cannot presume to say that they
+      are much to be depended upon, yet&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The lady arose. &lsquo;I am truly sensible of your kindness, sir; and I have no
+      doubt of your talents. I will be very plain with you&mdash;it is you whom
+      I came to visit; although, now that we have met, I find it will be much
+      better that I should commit my communication to writing.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope, madam, you will not be so cruel&mdash;so tantalizing, I would
+      say. Consider, you are my first client&mdash;your business my first
+      consultation&mdash;do not do me the displeasure of withdrawing your
+      confidence because I am a few years younger than you seem to have
+      expected. My attention shall make amends for my want of experience.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have no doubt of either,&rsquo; said the lady, in a grave tone, calculated to
+      restrain the air of gallantry with which I had endeavoured to address her.
+      &lsquo;But when you have received my letter you will find good reasons assigned
+      why a written communication will best suit my purpose. I wish you, sir, a
+      good morning.&rsquo; And she left the apartment, her poor baffled counsel
+      scraping, and bowing, and apologizing for anything that might have been
+      disagreeable to her, although the front of my offence seems to be my
+      having been discovered to be younger than my father.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The door was opened&mdash;out she went&mdash;walked along the pavement,
+      turned down the close, and put the sun, I believe, into her pocket when
+      she disappeared, so suddenly did dullness and darkness sink down on the
+      square, when she was no longer visible. I stood for a moment as if I had
+      been senseless, not recollecting what a fund of entertainment I must have
+      supplied to our watchful friends on the other side of the green. Then it
+      darted on my mind that I might dog her, and ascertain at least who or what
+      she was. Off I set&mdash;ran down the close, where she was no longer to be
+      seen, and demanded of one of the dyer&rsquo;s lads whether he had seen a lady go
+      down the close, or had observed which way she turned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A leddy!&rsquo;&mdash;said the dyer, staring at me with his rainbow
+      countenance. &lsquo;Mr. Alan, what takes you out, rinning like daft, without
+      your hat?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The devil take my hat!&rsquo; answered I, running back, however, in quest of
+      it; snatched it up, and again sallied forth. But as I reached the head of
+      the close once more, I had sense enough to recollect that all pursuit
+      would be now in vain. Besides, I saw my friend, the journeyman dyer, in
+      close confabulation with a pea-green personage of his own profession, and
+      was conscious, like Scrub, that they talked of me, because they laughed
+      consumedly. I had no mind, by a second sudden appearance, to confirm the
+      report that Advocate Fairford was &lsquo;gaen daft,&rsquo; which had probably spread
+      from Campbell&rsquo;s Close-foot to the Meal-market Stairs; and so slunk back
+      within my own hole again.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My first employment was to remove all traces of that elegant and fanciful
+      disposition of my effects, from which I had hoped for so much credit; for
+      I was now ashamed and angry at having thought an instant upon the mode of
+      receiving a visit which had commenced so agreeably, but terminated in a
+      manner so unsatisfactory. I put my folios in their places&mdash;threw the
+      foils into the dressing-closet&mdash;tormenting myself all the while with
+      the fruitless doubt, whether I had missed an opportunity or escaped a
+      stratagem, or whether the young person had been really startled, as she
+      seemed to intimate, by the extreme youth of her intended legal adviser.
+      The mirror was not unnaturally called in to aid; and that
+      cabinet-counsellor pronounced me rather short, thick-set, with a cast of
+      features fitter, I trust, for the bar than the ball&mdash;not handsome
+      enough for blushing virgins to pine for my sake, or even to invent sham
+      cases to bring them to my chambers&mdash;yet not ugly enough either to
+      scare those away who came on real business&mdash;dark, to be sure, but&mdash;NIGRI
+      SUNT HYACINTHI&mdash;there are pretty things to be said in favour of that
+      complexion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length&mdash;as common sense will get the better in all cases when a
+      man will but give it fair play&mdash;I began to stand convicted in my own
+      mind, as an ass before the interview, for having expected too much&mdash;an
+      ass during the interview, for having failed to extract the lady&rsquo;s real
+      purpose&mdash;and an especial ass, now that it was over, for thinking so
+      much about it. But I can think of nothing else, and therefore I am
+      determined to think of this to some good purpose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You remember Murtough O&rsquo;Hara&rsquo;s defence of the Catholic doctrine of
+      confession; because, &lsquo;by his soul, his sins were always a great burden to
+      his mind, till he had told them to the priest; and once confessed, he
+      never thought more about them.&rsquo; I have tried his receipt, therefore; and
+      having poured my secret mortification into thy trusty ear, I will think no
+      more about this maid of the mist,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+   Who, with no face, as &lsquo;twere, outfaced me.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      &mdash;Four o&rsquo;clock. Plague on her green mantle, she can be nothing better
+      than a fairy; she keeps possession of my head yet! All during dinner-time
+      I was terribly absent; but, luckily, my father gave the whole credit of my
+      reverie to the abstract nature of the doctrine, VINCO VINCENTEM, ERGO
+      VINCO TE; upon which brocard of law the professor this morning lectured.
+      So I got an early dismissal to my own crib, and here am I studying, in one
+      sense, VINCERE VINCENTEM, to get the better of the silly passion of
+      curiosity&mdash;I think&mdash;I think it amounts to nothing else&mdash;which
+      has taken such possession of my imagination, and is perpetually worrying
+      me with the question&mdash;will she write or no? She will not&mdash;she
+      will not! So says Reason, and adds, Why should she take the trouble to
+      enter into correspondence with one who, instead of a bold, alert, prompt
+      gallant, proved a chicken-hearted boy, and left her the whole awkwardness
+      of explanation, which he should have met half-way? But then, says Fancy,
+      she WILL write, for she was not a bit that sort of person whom you, Mr.
+      Reason, in your wisdom, take her to be. She was disconcerted enough,
+      without my adding to her distress by any impudent conduct on my part. And
+      she will write, for&mdash;By Heaven, she HAS written, Darsie, and with a
+      vengeance! Here is her letter, thrown into the kitchen by a caddie, too
+      faithful to be bribed, either by money or whisky, to say more than that he
+      received it, with sixpence, from an ordinary-looking woman, as he was
+      plying on his station near the Cross.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;FOR ALAN FAIRFORD, ESQUIRE, BARRISTER. &lsquo;SIR,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Excuse my mistake of to-day. I had accidentally learnt that Mr. Darsie
+      Latimer had an intimate friend and associate in Mr. A. Fairford. When I
+      inquired for such a person, he was pointed out to me at the Cross (as I
+      think the Exchange of your city is called) in the character of a
+      respectable elderly man&mdash;your father, as I now understand. On inquiry
+      at Brown&rsquo;s Square, where I understood he resided, I used the full name of
+      Alan, which naturally occasioned you the trouble of this day&rsquo;s visit. Upon
+      further inquiry, I am led to believe that you are likely to be the person
+      most active in the matter to which I am now about to direct your
+      attention; and I regret much that circumstances, arising out of my own
+      particular situation, prevent my communicating to you personally what I
+      now apprise you of in this matter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your friend, Mr. Darsie Latimer, is in a situation of considerable
+      danger. You are doubtless aware that he has been cautioned not to trust
+      himself in England. Now, if he has not absolutely transgressed this
+      friendly injunction, he has at least approached as nearly to the menaced
+      danger as he could do, consistently with the letter of the prohibition. He
+      has chosen his abode in a neighbourhood very perilous to him; and it is
+      only by a speedy return to Edinburgh, or at least by a removal to some
+      more remote part of Scotland, that he can escape the machinations of those
+      whose enmity he has to fear. I must speak in mystery, but my words are not
+      the less certain; and, I believe, you know enough of your friend&rsquo;s
+      fortunes to be aware that I could not write this much without being even
+      more intimate with them than you are.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If he cannot, or will not, take the advice here given, it is my opinion
+      that you should join him, if possible, without delay, and use, by your
+      personal presence and entreaty, the arguments which may prove ineffectual
+      in writing. One word more, and I implore of your candour to take it as it
+      is meant. No one supposes that Mr. Fairford&rsquo;s zeal in his friend&rsquo;s service
+      needs to be quickened by mercenary motives. &lsquo;But report says, that Mr.
+      Alan Fairford, not having yet entered on his professional career, may, in
+      such a case as this, want the means, though he cannot want the
+      inclination, to act with promptitude. The enclosed note Mr. Alan Fairford
+      must be pleased to consider as his first professional emolument; and she
+      who sends it hopes it will be the omen of unbounded success, though the
+      fee comes from a hand so unknown as that of &lsquo;GREEN MANTLE&rsquo;.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A bank-note of L20 was the enclosure, and the whole incident left me
+      speechless with astonishment. I am not able to read over the beginning of
+      my own letter, which forms the introduction to this extraordinary
+      communication. I only know that, though mixed with a quantity of foolery
+      (God knows very much different from my present feelings), it gives an
+      account sufficiently accurate, of the mysterious person from whom this
+      letter comes, and that I have neither time nor patience to separate the
+      absurd commentary from the text, which it is so necessary you should know.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Combine this warning, so strangely conveyed, with the caution impressed on
+      you by your London correspondent, Griffiths, against your visiting England&mdash;with
+      the character of your Laird of the Solway Lakes&mdash;with the lawless
+      habits of the people on that frontier country, where warrants are not
+      easily executed owing to the jealousy entertained by either country of the
+      legal interference of the other; remember, that even Sir John Fielding
+      said to my father that he could never trace a rogue beyond the Briggend of
+      Dumfries&mdash;think that the distinctions of Whig and Tory, Papist and
+      Protestant, still keep that country in a loose and comparatively lawless
+      state&mdash;think of all this, my dearest Darsie, and remember that, while
+      at this Mount Sharon of yours, you are residing with a family actually
+      menaced with forcible interference, and who, while their obstinacy
+      provokes violence, are by principle bound to abstain from resistance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nay, let me tell you, professionally, that the legality of the mode of
+      fishing practised by your friend Joshua is greatly doubted by our best
+      lawyers; and that, if the stake-nets be considered as actually an unlawful
+      obstruction raised in the channel of the estuary, an assembly of persons
+      who shall proceed, VIA FACTI, to pull dawn and destroy them, would not, in
+      the eye of the law, be esteemed guilty of a riot. So, by remaining where
+      you are, YOU are likely to be engaged in a quarrel with which you have
+      nothing to do, and thus to enable your enemies, whoever these may be, to
+      execute, amid the confusion of a general hubbub, whatever designs they may
+      have against your personal safety. Black-fishers, poachers, and smugglers
+      are a sort of gentry that will not be much checked, either by your
+      Quaker&rsquo;s texts, or by your chivalry. If you are Don Quixote enough to lay
+      lance in rest, in defence of those of the stake-net, and of the
+      sad-coloured garment, I pronounce you but a lost knight; for, as I said
+      before, I doubt if these potent redressers of wrongs, the justices and
+      constables, will hold themselves warranted to interfere. In a word,
+      return, my dear Amadis; the adventure of the Solway-nets is not reserved
+      for your worship. Come back, and I will be your faithful Sancho Panza upon
+      a more hopeful quest. We will beat about together, in search of this
+      Urganda, the Unknown She of the Green Mantle, who can read this, the
+      riddle of thy fate, better than wise Eppie of Buckhaven, [Well known in
+      the Chap-Book, called the History of Buckhaven.] or Cassandra herself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I would fain trifle, Darsie; for, in debating with you, jests will
+      sometimes go farther than arguments; but I am sick at heart and cannot
+      keep the ball up. If you have a moment&rsquo;s regard for the friendship we have
+      so often vowed to each other, let my wishes for once prevail over your own
+      venturous and romantic temper. I am quite serious in thinking that the
+      information communicated to my father by this Mr. Herries, and the
+      admonitory letter of the young lady, bear upon each other; and that, were
+      you here, you might learn something from one or other, or from both, that;
+      might throw light on your birth and parentage. You will not, surely,
+      prefer an idle whim to the prospect which is thus held out to you?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I would, agreeably to the hint I have received in the young lady&rsquo;s letter
+      (for I am confident that such is her condition), have ere now been with
+      you to urge these things, instead of pouring them out upon paper. But you
+      know that the day for my trials is appointed; I have already gone through
+      the form of being introduced to the examinators, and have gotten my titles
+      assigned me. All this should not keep me at home, but my father would view
+      any irregularity upon this occasion as a mortal blow to the hopes which he
+      has cherished most fondly during his life; viz. my being called to the bar
+      with some credit. For my own part, I know there is no great difficulty in
+      passing these formal examinations, else how have some of our acquaintance
+      got through them? But, to my father, these formalities compose an august
+      and serious solemnity, to which he has long looked forward, and my
+      absenting myself at this moment would wellnigh drive him distracted. Yet I
+      shall go altogether distracted myself, if I have not an instant assurance
+      from you that you are hastening hither. Meanwhile I have desired Hannah to
+      get your little crib into the best order possible. I cannot learn that my
+      father has yet written to you; nor has he spoken more of his communication
+      with Birrenswork; but when I let him have some inkling of the dangers you
+      are at present incurring, I know my request that you will return
+      immediately will have his cordial support.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Another reason yet&mdash;I must give a dinner, as usual, upon my
+      admission, to our friends; and my father, laying aside all his usual
+      considerations of economy, has desired it may be in the best style
+      possible. Come hither then, dear Darsie! or, I protest to you, I shall
+      send examination, admission-dinner, and guests to the devil, and come, in
+      person, to fetch you with a vengeance. Thine, in much anxiety, A. F.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER IX
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      ALEXANDER FAIRFORD, W.S., TO MR. DARSIE LATIMER
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      DEAR MR. DARSIE,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having been your FACTOR LOCO TUTORIS or rather, I ought to say, in
+      correctness (since I acted without warrant from the court), your
+      NEGOTIORUM GESTOR, that connexion occasions my present writing. And
+      although having rendered an account of my intromissions, which have been
+      regularly approved of, not only by yourself (whom I could not prevail upon
+      to look at more than the docket and sum total), but also by the worthy Mr.
+      Samuel Griffiths of London, being the hand through whom the remittances
+      were made, I may, in some sense, be considered as to you FUNCTUS OFFICIO;
+      yet to speak facetiously, I trust you will not hold me accountable as a
+      vicious intromitter, should I still consider myself as occasionally
+      interested in your welfare. My motives for writing, at this time, are
+      twofold.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have met with a Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, a gentleman of very ancient
+      descent, but who hath in time past been in difficulties, nor do I know if
+      his affairs are yet well redd. Birrenswork says that he believes he was
+      very familiar with your father, whom he states to have been called Ralph
+      Latimer of Langcote Hall, in Westmoreland; and he mentioned family
+      affairs, which it may be of the highest importance to you to be acquainted
+      with; but as he seemed to decline communicating them to me, I could not
+      civilly urge him thereanent. Thus much I know, that Mr. Herries had his
+      own share in the late desperate and unhappy matter of 1745, and was in
+      trouble about it, although that is probably now over. Moreover, although
+      he did not profess the Popish religion openly, he had an eye that way. And
+      both of these are reasons why I have hesitated to recommend him to a youth
+      who maybe hath not altogether so well founded his opinions concerning Kirk
+      and State, that they might not be changed by some sudden wind of doctrine.
+      For I have observed ye, Master Darsie, to be rather tinctured with the old
+      leaven of prelacy&mdash;this under your leave; and although God forbid
+      that you should be in any manner disaffected to the Protestant Hanoverian
+      line, yet ye have ever loved to hear the blawing, blazing stories which
+      the Hieland gentlemen tell of those troublous times, which, if it were
+      their will, they had better pretermit, as tending rather to shame than to
+      honour. It is come to me also by a sidewind, as I may say, that you have
+      been neighbouring more than was needful among some of the pestilent sect
+      of Quakers&mdash;a people who own neither priest nor king, nor civil
+      magistrate, nor the fabric of our law, and will not depone either IN
+      CIVILIBUS or CRIMINALIBUS, be the loss to the lieges what it may. Anent
+      which heresies, it were good ye read &lsquo;The Snake in the Grass&rsquo; or &lsquo;The Foot
+      out of the Snare,&rsquo; being both well-approved tracts, touching these
+      doctrines.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now, Mr. Darsie, ye are to judge for yourself whether ye can safely to
+      your soul&rsquo;s weal remain longer among these Papists and Quakers&mdash;these
+      defections on the right hand, and failings away on the left; and truly if
+      you can confidently resist these evil examples of doctrine, I think ye may
+      as well tarry in the bounds where ye are, until you see Mr. Herries of
+      Birrenswork, who does assuredly know more of your matters than I thought
+      had been communicated to any man in Scotland. I would fain have
+      precognosced him myself on these affairs, but found him unwilling to speak
+      out, as I have partly intimated before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To call a new cause&mdash;I have the pleasure to tell you, that Alan has
+      passed his private Scots Law examinations with good approbation&mdash;a
+      great relief to my mind; especially as worthy Mr. Pest told me in my ear
+      there was no fear of &lsquo;the callant&rsquo;, as he familiarly called him, which
+      gives me great heart. His public trials, which are nothing in comparison
+      save a mere form, are to take place, by order of the Honourable Dean of
+      Faculty, on Wednesday first; and on Friday he puts on the gown, and gives
+      a bit chack of dinner to his friends and acquaintances, as is, you know,
+      the custom. Your company will be wished for there, Master Darsie, by more
+      than him, which I regret to think is impossible to have, as well by your
+      engagements, as that our cousin, Peter Fairford, comes from the West on
+      purpose, and we have no place to offer him but your chamber in the wall.
+      And, to be plain with you, after my use and wont, Master Darsie, it may be
+      as well that Alan and you do not meet till he is hefted as it were to his
+      new calling. You are a pleasant gentleman, and full of daffing, which may
+      well become you, as you have enough (as I understand) to uphold your merry
+      humour. If you regard the matter wisely, you would perchance consider that
+      a man of substance should have a douce and staid demeanour; yet you are so
+      far from growing grave and considerate with the increase of your annual
+      income, that the richer you become, the merrier I think you grow. But this
+      must be at your own pleasure, so far as you are concerned. Alan, however
+      (overpassing my small savings), has the world to win; and louping and
+      laughing, as you and he were wont to do, would soon make the powder flee
+      out of his wig, and the pence out of his pocket. Nevertheless, I trust you
+      will meet when you return from your rambles; for there is a time, as the
+      wise man sayeth, for gathering, and a time for casting away; it is always
+      the part of a man of sense to take the gathering time first. I remain,
+      dear sir, your well-wishing friend; and obedient to command, ALEXANDER
+      FAIRFORD.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      PS.&mdash;Alan&rsquo;s Thesis is upon the title DE PERICULO ET COMMODO REI
+      VENDITAE, and is a very pretty piece of Latinity.&mdash;Ross House, in our
+      neighbourhood, is nearly finished, and is thought to excel Duff House in
+      ornature.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER X
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      The plot thickens, Alan. I have your letter, and also one from your
+      father. The last makes it impossible for me to comply with the kind
+      request which the former urges. No&mdash;I cannot be with you, Alan; and
+      that, for the best of all reasons&mdash;I cannot and ought not to
+      counteract your father&rsquo;s anxious wishes. I do not take it unkind of him
+      that he desires my absence. It is natural that he should wish for his son
+      what his son so well deserves&mdash;the advantage of a wiser and steadier
+      companion than I seem to him. And yet I am sure I have often laboured hard
+      enough to acquire that decency of demeanour which can no more be suspected
+      of breaking bounds, than an owl of catching a butterfly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But it was in vain that I have knitted my brows till I had the headache,
+      in order to acquire the reputation of a grave, solid, and well-judging
+      youth. Your father always has discovered, or thought that he discovered, a
+      hare-brained eccentricity lying folded among the wrinkles of my forehead,
+      which rendered me a perilous associate for the future counsellor and
+      ultimate judge. Well, Corporal Nym&rsquo;s philosophy must be my comfort&mdash;&lsquo;Things
+      must be as they may.&rsquo;&mdash;I cannot come to your father&rsquo;s house, where he
+      wishes not to see me; and as to your coming hither,&mdash;by all that is
+      dear to me, I vow that if you are guilty of such a piece of reckless folly&mdash;not
+      to say undutiful cruelty, considering your father&rsquo;s thoughts and wishes&mdash;I
+      will never speak to you again as long as I live! I am perfectly serious.
+      And besides, your father, while he in a manner prohibits me from returning
+      to Edinburgh, gives me the strongest reasons for continuing a little while
+      longer in this country, by holding out the hope that I may receive from
+      your old friend, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, some particulars concerning
+      my origin, with which that ancient recusant seems to be acquainted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That gentleman mentioned the name of a family in Westmoreland, with which
+      he supposes me connected. My inquiries here after such a family have been
+      ineffectual, for the borderers, on either side, know little of each other.
+      But I shall doubtless find some English person of whom to make inquiries,
+      since the confounded fetterlock clapped on my movements by old Griffiths,
+      prevents me repairing to England in person. At least, the prospect of
+      obtaining some information is greater here than elsewhere; it will be an
+      apology for my making a longer stay in this neighbourhood, a line of
+      conduct which seems to have your father&rsquo;s sanction, whose opinion must be
+      sounder than that of your wandering damoselle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If the road were paved with dangers which leads to such a discovery, I
+      cannot for a moment hesitate to tread it. But in fact there is no peril in
+      the case. If the Tritons of the Solway shall proceed to pull down honest
+      Joshua&rsquo;s tide-nets, I am neither Quixote enough in disposition, nor
+      Goliath enough in person, to attempt their protection. I have no idea of
+      attempting to prop a falling house by putting my shoulders against it. And
+      indeed, Joshua gave me a hint that the company which he belongs to,
+      injured in the way threatened (some of them being men who thought after
+      the fashion of the world), would pursue the rioters at law, and recover
+      damages, in which probably his own ideas of non-resistance will not
+      prevent his participating. Therefore the whole affair will take its course
+      as law will, as I only mean to interfere when it may be necessary to
+      direct the course of the plaintiffs to thy chambers; and I request they
+      may find thee intimate with all the Scottish statutes concerning salmon
+      fisheries, from the LEX AQUARUM, downward.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As for the Lady of the Mantle, I will lay a wager that the sun so
+      bedazzled thine eyes on that memorable morning, that everything thou didst
+      look upon seemed green; and notwithstanding James Wilkinson&rsquo;s experience
+      in the Fusileers, as well as his negative whistle, I will venture to hold
+      a crown that she is but a what-shall-call-&rsquo;um after all. Let not even the
+      gold persuade you to the contrary. She may make a shift to cause you to
+      disgorge that, and (immense spoil!) a session&rsquo;s fees to boot, if you look
+      not all the sharper about you. Or if it should be otherwise, and if indeed
+      there lurk some mystery under this visitation, credit me, it is one which
+      thou canst not penetrate, nor can I as yet even attempt to explain it;
+      since, if I prove mistaken, and mistaken I may easily be, I would be fain
+      to creep into Phalaris&rsquo;s bull, were it standing before me ready heated,
+      rather than be roasted with thy raillery. Do not tax me with want of
+      confidence; for the instant I can throw any light on the matter thou shalt
+      have it; but while I am only blundering about in the dark, I do not choose
+      to call wise folks to see me, perchance, break my nose against a post. So
+      if you marvel at this,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  E&rsquo;en marvel on till time makes all things plain.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      In the meantime, kind Alan, let me proceed in my diurnal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the third or fourth day after my arrival at Mount Sharon, Time, that
+      bald sexton to whom I have just referred you, did certainly limp more
+      heavily along with me than he had done at first. The quaint morality of
+      Joshua, and Huguenot simplicity of his sister, began to lose much of their
+      raciness with their novelty, and my mode of life, by dint of being very
+      quiet, began to feel abominably dull. It was, as thou say&rsquo;st, as if the
+      Quakers had put the sun in their pockets&mdash;all around was soft and
+      mild, and even pleasant; but there was, in the whole routine, a
+      uniformity, a want of interest, a helpless and hopeless languor, which
+      rendered life insipid. No doubt, my worthy host and hostess felt none of
+      this void, this want of excitation, which was becoming oppressive to their
+      guest. They had their little round of occupations, charities, and
+      pleasures; Rachel had her poultry-yard and conservatory, and Joshua his
+      garden. Besides this, they enjoyed, doubtless, their devotional
+      meditations; and, on the whole, time glided softly and imperceptibly on
+      with them, though to me, who long for stream and cataract, it seemed
+      absolutely to stand still. I meditated returning to Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush, and
+      began to think, with some hankering, after little Benjie and the rod. The
+      imp has ventured hither, and hovers about to catch a peep of me now and
+      then; I suppose the little sharper is angling for a few more sixpences.
+      But this would have been, in Joshua&rsquo;s eyes, a return of the washed sow to
+      wallowing in the mire, and I resolved, while I remained his guest, to
+      spare him so violent a shock to his prejudices. The next point was, to
+      shorten the time of my proposed stay; but, alas! that I felt to be equally
+      impossible. I had named a week; and however rashly my promise had been
+      pledged, it must be held sacred, even according to the letter, from which
+      the Friends permit no deviation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All these considerations wrought me up to a kind of impatience yesterday
+      evening; so that I snatched up my hat, and prepared for a sally beyond the
+      cultivated farm and ornamented grounds of Mount Sharon, just as if I were
+      desirous to escape from the realms of art, into those of free and
+      unconstrained nature.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I was scarcely more delighted when I first entered this peaceful demesne,
+      than I now was&mdash;such is the instability and inconsistency of human
+      nature!&mdash;when I escaped from it to the open downs, which had formerly
+      seemed so waste and dreary, The air I breathed felt purer and more
+      bracing. The clouds, riding high upon a summer breeze, drove, in gay
+      succession, over my head, now obscuring the sun, now letting its rays
+      stream in transient flashes upon various parts of the landscape, and
+      especially upon the broad mirror of the distant Firth of Solway.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I advanced on the scene with the light step of a liberated captive; and,
+      like John Bunyan&rsquo;s Pilgrim, could have found in my heart to sing as I went
+      on my way. It seemed as if my gaiety had accumulated while suppressed, and
+      that I was, in my present joyous mood, entitled to expend the savings of
+      the previous week. But just as I was about to uplift a merry stave, I
+      heard, to my joyful surprise, the voices of three or more choristers,
+      singing, with considerable success, the lively old catch,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  For all our men were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking:
+    There were two men of mine,
+    Three men of thine,
+  And three that belonged to old Sir Thom o&rsquo; Lyne;
+  As they went to the ferry, they were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking.&rsquo; 
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      [The original of this catch is to be found in Cowley&rsquo;s witty comedy of THE
+      GUARDIAN, the first edition. It does not exist in the second and revised
+      edition, called THE CUTTER OF COLEMAN STREET.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  CAPTAIN BLADE.  Ha, ha, boys, another catch.
+             AND ALL OUR MEN ARE VERY VERY MERRY,
+             AND ALL OUR MEN WERE DRINKING.
+  CUTTER.    ONE MAN OF MINE.
+  DOGREL.    TWO MEN OF MINE.
+  BLADE.     THREE MEN OF MINE.
+  CUTTER.    AND ONE MAN OF MINE.
+  OMNES.     AS WE WENT BY THE WAY WE WERE DRUNK, DRUNK, DAMNABLY
+             DRUNK, AND ALL OUR MEN WERE VERY VERY MERRY, &amp;c.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      Such are the words, which are somewhat altered and amplified in the text.
+      The play was acted in presence of Charles II, then Prince of Wales, in
+      1641. The catch in the text has been happily set to music.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As the chorus ended, there followed a loud and hearty laugh by way of
+      cheers. Attracted by sounds which were so congenial to my present
+      feelings, I made towards the spot from which they came,&mdash;cautiously,
+      however, for the downs, as had been repeatedly hinted to me, had no good
+      name; and the attraction of the music, without rivalling that of the
+      sirens in melody, might have been followed by similarly inconvenient
+      consequences to an incautious amateur.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I crept on, therefore, trusting that the sinuosities of the ground, broken
+      as it was into knells and sand-pits, would permit me to obtain a sight of
+      the musicians before I should be observed by them. As I advanced, the old
+      ditty was again raised. The voices seemed those of a man and two boys;
+      they were rough, but kept good time, and were managed with too much skill
+      to belong to the ordinary country people.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Jack looked at the sun, and cried, Fire, fire, fire;
+  Tom stabled his keffel in Birkendale mire;
+  Jem started a calf, and halloo&rsquo;d for a stag;
+  Will mounted a gate-post instead of his nag:
+  For all our men were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking;
+      There were two men of mine,
+      Three men of thine,
+  And three that belonged to old Sir Thom o&rsquo; Lyne;
+  As they went to the ferry, they were very very merry,
+    For all our men were drinking.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      The voices, as they mixed in their several parts, and ran through them,
+      untwisting and again entwining all the links of the merry old catch,
+      seemed to have a little touch of the bacchanalian spirit which they
+      celebrated, and showed plainly that the musicians were engaged in the same
+      joyous revel as the MENYIE of old Sir Thom o&rsquo; Lyne. At length I came
+      within sight of them, three in number, where they sat cosily niched into
+      what you might call a BUNKER, a little sand-pit, dry and snug, and
+      surrounded by its banks, and a screen of whins in full bloom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The only one of the trio whom I recognized as a personal acquaintance was
+      the notorious little Benjie, who, having just finished his stave, was
+      cramming a huge luncheon of pie-crust into his mouth with one hand, while
+      in the other he held a foaming tankard, his eyes dancing with all the glee
+      of a forbidden revel; and his features, which have at all times a
+      mischievous archness of expression, confessing the full sweetness of
+      stolen waters, and bread eaten in secret.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was no mistaking the profession of the male and female, who were
+      partners with Benjie in these merry doings. The man&rsquo;s long loose-bodied
+      greatcoat (wrap-rascal as the vulgar term it), the fiddle-case, with its
+      straps, which lay beside him, and a small knapsack which might contain his
+      few necessaries; a clear grey eye; features which, in contending with many
+      a storm, had not lost a wild and, careless expression of glee, animated at
+      present, when he was exercising for his own pleasure the arts which he
+      usually practised for bread,&mdash;all announced one of those peripatetic
+      followers of Orpheus whom the vulgar call a strolling fiddler. Gazing more
+      attentively, I easily discovered that though the poor musician&rsquo;s eyes were
+      open, their sense was shut, and that the ecstasy with which he turned them
+      up to heaven only derived its apparent expression from his own internal
+      emotions, but received no assistance from the visible objects around.
+      Beside him sat his female companion, in a man&rsquo;s hat, a blue coat, which
+      seemed also to have been an article of male apparel, and a red petticoat.
+      She was cleaner, in person and in clothes, than such itinerants generally
+      are; and, having been in her day a strapping BONA ROBA, she did not even
+      yet neglect some attention to her appearance; wore a large amber necklace,
+      and silver ear-rings, and had her laid fastened across her breast with a
+      brooch of the same metal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The man also looked clean, notwithstanding the meanness of his attire, and
+      had a decent silk handkerchief well knotted about his throat, under which
+      peeped a clean owerlay. His beard, also, instead of displaying a grizzly
+      stubble, unmowed for several days, flowed in thick and comely abundance
+      over the breast, to the length of six inches, and mingled with his hair,
+      which was but beginning to exhibit a touch of age. To sum up his
+      appearance, the loose garment which I have described was secured around
+      him by a large old-fashioned belt, with brass studs, in which hung a dirk,
+      with a knife and fork, its usual accompaniments. Altogether, there was
+      something more wild and adventurous-looking about the man than I could
+      have expected to see in an ordinary modern crowder; and the bow which he
+      now and then drew across the violin, to direct his little choir, was
+      decidedly that of no ordinary performer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You must understand that many of these observations were the fruits of
+      after remark; for I had scarce approached so near as to get a distinct
+      view of the party, when my friend Benjie&rsquo;s lurching attendant, which he
+      calls by the appropriate name of Hemp, began to cock his tail and ears,
+      and, sensible of my presence, flew, barking like a fury, to the place
+      where I had meant to lie concealed till I heard another song. I was
+      obliged, however, to jump on my feet, and intimidate Hemp, who would
+      otherwise have bit me, by two sound kicks on the ribs, which sent him
+      howling back to his master.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Little Benjie seemed somewhat dismayed at my appearance; but, calculating
+      on my placability, and remembering, perhaps, that the ill-used Solomon was
+      no palfrey of mine, he speedily affected great glee, and almost in one
+      breath assured the itinerants that I was &lsquo;a grand gentleman, and had
+      plenty of money, and was very kind to poor folk;&rsquo; and informed me that
+      this was &lsquo;Willie Steenson&mdash;Wandering Willie the best fiddler that
+      ever kittled thairm with horse-hair.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The woman rose and curtsied; and Wandering Willie sanctioned his own
+      praises with a nod, and the ejaculation, &lsquo;All is true that the little boy
+      says.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I asked him if he was of this country.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;THIS country!&rsquo; replied the blind man&mdash;&lsquo;I am of every country in
+      broad Scotland, and a wee bit of England to the boot. But yet I am, in
+      some sense, of this country; for I was born within hearing of the roar of
+      Solway. Will I give your honour a touch of the auld bread-winner?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He preluded as he spoke, in a manner which really excited my curiosity;
+      and then, taking the old tune of Galashiels for his theme, he graced it
+      with a number of wild, complicated, and beautiful variations; during which
+      it was wonderful to observe how his sightless face was lighted up under
+      the conscious pride and heartfelt delight in the exercise of his own very
+      considerable powers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What think you of that, now, for threescore and twa?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I expressed my surprise and pleasure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A rant, man&mdash;an auld rant,&rsquo; said Willie; &lsquo;naething like the music ye
+      hae in your ballhouses and your playhouses in Edinbro&rsquo;; but it&rsquo;s weel
+      aneugh anes in a way at a dykeside. Here&rsquo;s another&mdash;it&rsquo;s no a Scotch
+      tune, but it passes for ane&mdash;Oswald made it himsell, I reckon&mdash;he
+      has cheated mony ane, but he canna cheat Wandering Willie.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He then played your favourite air of Roslin Castle, with a number of
+      beautiful variations, some of which I am certain were almost extempore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You have another fiddle there, my friend,&rsquo; said I&mdash;&lsquo;Have you a
+      comrade?&rsquo; But Willie&rsquo;s ears were deaf, or his attention was still busied
+      with the tune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The female replied in his stead, &lsquo;O aye, sir&mdash;troth we have a partner&mdash;a
+      gangrel body like oursells. No but my hinny might have been better if he
+      had liked; for mony a bein nook in mony a braw house has been offered to
+      my hinny Willie, if he wad but just bide still and play to the gentles.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Whisht, woman! whisht!&rsquo; said the blind man, angrily, shaking his locks;
+      &lsquo;dinna deave the gentleman wi&rsquo; your havers. Stay in a house and play to
+      the gentles!&mdash;strike up when my leddy pleases, and lay down the bow
+      when my lord bids! Na, na, that&rsquo;s nae life for Willie. Look out, Maggie&mdash;peer
+      out, woman, and see if ye can see Robin coming. Deil be in him! He has got
+      to the lee-side of some smuggler&rsquo;s punch-bowl, and he wunna budge the
+      night, I doubt.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That is your consort&rsquo;s instrument,&rsquo; said I&mdash;&rsquo; Will you give me leave
+      to try my skill?&rsquo; I slipped at the same time a shilling into the woman&rsquo;s
+      hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I dinna ken whether I dare trust Robin&rsquo;s fiddle to ye,&rsquo; said Willie,
+      bluntly. His wife gave him a twitch. &lsquo;Hout awa, Maggie,&rsquo; he said in
+      contempt of the hint; &lsquo;though the gentleman may hae gien ye siller, he may
+      have nae bowhand for a&rsquo; that, and I&rsquo;ll no trust Robin&rsquo;s fiddle wi&rsquo; an
+      ignoramus. But that&rsquo;s no sae muckle amiss,&rsquo; he added, as I began to touch
+      the instrument; &lsquo;I am thinking ye have some skill o&rsquo; the craft.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To confirm him in this favourable opinion, I began to execute such a
+      complicated flourish as I thought must have turned Crowdero into a pillar
+      of stone with envy and wonder. I scaled the top of the finger-board, to
+      dive at once to the bottom&mdash;skipped with flying fingers, like
+      Timotheus, from shift to shift&mdash;struck arpeggios and harmonic tones,
+      but without exciting any of the astonishment which I had expected.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Willie indeed listened to me with considerable attention; but I was no
+      sooner finished, than he immediately mimicked on his own instrument the
+      fantastic complication of tones which I had produced, and made so
+      whimsical a parody of my performance, that, although somewhat angry, I
+      could not help laughing heartily, in which I was joined by Benjie, whose
+      reverence for me held him under no restraint; while the poor dame,
+      fearful, doubtless, of my taking offence at this familiarity, seemed
+      divided betwixt her conjugal reverence for her Willie, and her desire to
+      give him a hint for his guidance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length the old man stopped of his own accord, and, as if he had
+      sufficiently rebuked me by his mimicry, he said, &lsquo;But for a&rsquo; that, ye will
+      play very weel wi&rsquo; a little practice and some gude teaching. But ye maun
+      learn to put the heart into it, man&mdash;to put the heart into it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I played an air in simpler taste, and received more decided approbation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That&rsquo;s something like it man. Od, ye are a clever birkie!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The woman touched his coat again. &lsquo;The gentleman is a gentleman, Willie&mdash;ye
+      maunna speak that gate to him, hinnie.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The deevil I maunna!&rsquo; said Willie; &lsquo;and what for maunna I?&mdash;If he
+      was ten gentles, he canna draw a bow like me, can he?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Indeed I cannot, my honest friend,&rsquo; said I; &lsquo;and if you will go with me
+      to a house hard by, I would be glad to have a night with you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here I looked round, and observed Benjie smothering a laugh, which I was
+      sure had mischief in it. I seized him suddenly by the ear, and made him
+      confess that he was laughing at the thoughts of the reception which a
+      fiddler was likely to get from the Quakers at Mount Sharon. I chucked him
+      from me, not sorry that his mirth had reminded me in time of what I had
+      for the moment forgotten; and invited the itinerant to go with me to
+      Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush, from which I proposed to send word to Mr. Geddes that I
+      should not return home that evening. But the minstrel declined this
+      invitation also. He was engaged for the night, he said, to a dance in the
+      neighbourhood, and vented a round execration on the laziness or
+      drunkenness of his comrade, who had not appeared at the place of
+      rendezvous.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will go with you instead of him,&rsquo; said I, in a sudden whim; &lsquo;and I will
+      give you a crown to introduce me as your comrade.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;YOU gang instead of Rob the Rambler! My certie, freend, ye are no blate!&rsquo; 
+      answered Wandering Willie, in a tone which announced death to my frolic.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Maggie, whom the offer of the crown had not escaped, began to open on
+      that scent with a maundering sort of lecture. &lsquo;Oh Willie! hinny Willie,
+      whan will ye learn to be wise? There&rsquo;s a crown to be win for naething but
+      saying ae man&rsquo;s name instead of anither. And, wae&rsquo;s me! I hae just a
+      shilling of this gentleman&rsquo;s gieing, and a boddle of my ain; and ye wunna,
+      bend your will sae muckle as to take up the siller that&rsquo;s flung at your
+      feet! Ye will die the death of a cadger&rsquo;s powney, in a wreath of drift!
+      and what can I do better than lie doun and die wi&rsquo; you? for ye winna let
+      me win siller to keep either you or mysell leevin.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Haud your nonsense tongue, woman,&rsquo; said Willie, but less absolutely than
+      before. &lsquo;Is he a real gentleman, or ane of the player-men?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I&rsquo;se uphaud him a real gentleman,&rsquo; said the woman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I&rsquo;se uphaud ye ken little of the matter,&rsquo; said Willie; &lsquo;let us see haud
+      of your hand, neebor, gin ye like.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I gave him my hand. He said to himself, &lsquo;Aye, aye, here are fingers that
+      have seen canny service.&rsquo; Then running his hand over my hair, my face, and
+      my dress, he went on with his soliloquy; &lsquo;Aye, aye, muisted hair,
+      braidclaith o&rsquo; the best, and seenteen hundred linen on his back, at the
+      least o&rsquo; it. And how do you think, my braw birkie, that you are to pass
+      for a tramping fiddler?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My dress is plain,&rsquo; said I,&mdash;indeed I had chosen my most ordinary
+      suit, out of compliment to my Quaker friends,&mdash;&lsquo;and I can easily pass
+      for a young farmer out upon a frolic. Come, I will double the crown I
+      promised you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Damn your crowns!&rsquo; said the disinterested man of music. &lsquo;I would like to
+      have a round wi&rsquo; you, that&rsquo;s certain;&mdash;but a farmer, and with a hand
+      that never held pleugh-stilt or pettle, that will never do. Ye may pass
+      for a trades-lad from Dumfries, or a student upon the ramble, or the like
+      o&rsquo; that. But hark ye, lad; if ye expect to be ranting among the queans o&rsquo; 
+      lasses where ye are gaun, ye will come by the waur, I can tell ye; for the
+      fishers are wild chaps, and will bide nae taunts.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I promised to be civil and cautious; and, to smooth the good woman, I
+      slipped the promised piece into her hand. The acute organs of the blind
+      man detected this little manoeuvre.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Are ye at it again wi&rsquo; the siller, ye jaud? I&rsquo;ll be sworn ye wad rather
+      hear ae twalpenny clink against another, than have a spring from Rory
+      Dall, [Blind Rorie, a famous musician according to tradition.] if he
+      was-coming alive again anes errand. Gang doun the gate to Lucky Gregson&rsquo;s
+      and get the things ye want, and bide there till ele&rsquo;en hours in the morn;
+      and if you see Robin, send him on to me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Am I no gaun to the ploy, then?&rsquo; said Maggie, in a disappointed tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what for should ye?&rsquo; said her lord and master; &lsquo;to dance a&rsquo; night,
+      I&rsquo;se warrant, and no to be fit to walk your tae&rsquo;s-length the morn, and we
+      have ten Scots miles afore us? Na, na. Stable the steed, and pit your wife
+      to bed, when there&rsquo;s night wark to do.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aweel, aweel, Willie hinnie, ye ken best; but oh, take an unco care o&rsquo; 
+      yoursell, and mind ye haena the blessing o&rsquo; sight.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your tongue gars me whiles tire of the blessing of hearing, woman,&rsquo; 
+      replied &lsquo;Willie, in answer to this tender exhortation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But I now put in for my interest. &lsquo;Hollo, good folks, remember that I am
+      to send the boy to Mount Sharon, and if you go to the Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush,
+      honest woman, how the deuce am I to guide the blind man where he is going?
+      I know little or nothing of the country.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And ye ken mickle less of my hinnie, sir,&rsquo; replied Maggie, &lsquo;that think he
+      needs ony guiding; he&rsquo;s the best guide himsell that ye&rsquo;ll find between
+      Criffell and Carlisle. Horse-road and foot-path, parish-road and
+      kirk-road, high-road and cross-road, he kens ilka foot of ground in
+      Nithsdale.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, ye might have said in braid Scotland, gudewife,&rsquo; added the fiddler.
+      &lsquo;But gang your ways, Maggie, that&rsquo;s the first wise word ye hae spoke the
+      day. I wish it was dark night, and rain, and wind, for the gentleman&rsquo;s
+      sake, that I might show him there is whiles when ane had better want een
+      than have them; for I am as true a guide by darkness as by daylight.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Internally as well pleased that my companion was not put to give me this
+      last proof of his skill, I wrote a note with a pencil, desiring Samuel to
+      bring my horses at midnight, when I thought my frolic would be wellnigh
+      over, to the place to which the bearer should direct him, and I sent
+      little Benjie with an apology to the worthy Quakers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As we parted in different directions, the good woman said, &lsquo;Oh, sir, if ye
+      wad but ask Willie to tell ye ane of his tales to shorten the gate! He can
+      speak like ony minister frae the pu&rsquo;pit, and he might have been a minister
+      himsell, but&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Haud your tongue, ye fule!&rsquo; said Willie,&mdash;&lsquo;But stay, Meg&mdash;gie
+      me a kiss, ne maunna part in anger, neither.&rsquo;&mdash;And thus our society
+      separated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      [It is certain that in many cases the blind have, by constant exercise of
+      their other organs, learned to overcome a defect which one would think
+      incapable of being supplied. Every reader must remember the celebrated
+      Blind Jack of Knaresborough, who lived by laying out roads.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER XI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE SAME TO THE SAME
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      You are now to conceive us proceeding in our different directions across
+      the bare downs. Yonder flies little Benjie to the northward with Hemp
+      scampering at his heels, both running as if for dear life so long as the
+      rogue is within sight of his employer, and certain to take the walk very
+      easy so soon as he is out of ken. Stepping westward, you see Maggie&rsquo;s tall
+      form and high-crowned hat, relieved by the fluttering of her plaid upon
+      the left shoulder, darkening as the distance diminishes her size and as
+      the level sunbeams begin to sink upon the sea. She is taking her quiet
+      journey to the Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Then, stoutly striding over the lea, you have a full view of Darsie
+      Latimer, with his new acquaintance, Wandering Willie, who, bating that he
+      touched the ground now and then with his staff, not in a doubtful groping
+      manner, but with the confident air of an experienced pilot, heaving the
+      lead when he has the soundings by heart, walks as firmly and boldly as if
+      he possessed the eyes of Argus. There they go, each with his violin slung
+      at his back, but one of them at least totally ignorant whither their
+      course is directed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And wherefore did you enter so keenly into such a mad frolic? says my wise
+      counsellor.&mdash;Why, I think, upon the whole, that as a sense of
+      loneliness, and a longing for that kindness which is interchanged in
+      society, led me to take up my temporary residence at Mount Sharon, the
+      monotony of my life there, the quiet simplicity of the conversation of the
+      Geddeses, and the uniformity of their amusements and employments, wearied
+      out my impatient temper, and prepared me for the first escapade which
+      chance might throw in my way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      What would I have given that I could have procured that solemn grave
+      visage of thine, to dignify this joke, as it has done full many a one of
+      thine own! Thou hast so happy a knack of doing the most foolish things in
+      the wisest manner, that thou mightst pass thy extravagances for rational
+      actions, even in the eyes of Prudence herself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      From the direction which my guide observed, I began to suspect that the
+      dell at Brokenburn was our probable destination; and it became important
+      to me to consider whether I could, with propriety, or even perfect safety,
+      intrude myself again upon the hospitality of my former host. I therefore
+      asked Willie whether we were bound for the laird&rsquo;s, as folk called him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do ye ken the laird?&rsquo; said Willie, interrupting a sonata of Corelli, of
+      which he had whistled several bars with great precision.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I know the laird a little,&rsquo; said I; &lsquo;and therefore I was doubting whether
+      I ought to go to his town in disguise.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I should doubt, not a little only, but a great deal, before I took ye
+      there, my chap,&rsquo; said Wandering Willie; &lsquo;for I am thinking it wad be worth
+      little less than broken banes baith to you and me. Na, na, chap, we are no
+      ganging to the laird&rsquo;s, but to a blithe birling at the Brokenburn-foot,
+      where there will be mony a braw lad and lass; and maybe there may be some
+      of the laird&rsquo;s folks, for he never comes to sic splores himsell. He is all
+      for fowling-piece and salmon-spear, now that pike and musket are out of
+      the question.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He has been at soldier, then?&rsquo; said I.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I&rsquo;se warrant him a soger,&rsquo; answered Willie; &lsquo;but take my advice, and
+      speer as little about him as he does about you. Best to let sleeping dogs
+      lie. Better say naething about the laird, my man, and tell me instead,
+      what sort of a chap ye are that are sae ready to cleik in with an auld
+      gaberlunzie fiddler? Maggie says ye&rsquo;re gentle, but a shilling maks a&rsquo; the
+      difference that Maggie kens between a gentle and a semple, and your crowns
+      wad mak ye a prince of the blood in her een. But I am ane that ken full
+      weel that ye may wear good claithes, and have a saft hand, and yet that
+      may come of idleness as weel as gentrice.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I told him my name, with the same addition I had formerly given to Mr.
+      Joshua Geddes; that I was a law-student, tired of my studies, and rambling
+      about for exercise and amusement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And are ye in the wont of drawing up wi&rsquo; a&rsquo; the gangrel bodies that ye
+      meet on the high-road, or find cowering in a sand-bunker upon the links?&rsquo; 
+      demanded Willie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, no; only with honest folks like yourself, Willie,&rsquo; was my reply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Honest folks like me! How do ye ken whether I am honest, or what I am? I
+      may be the deevil himsell for what ye ken; for he has power to come
+      disguised like an angel of light; and besides he is a prime fiddler. He
+      played a sonata to Corelli, ye ken.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was something odd in this speech, and the tone in which it was said.
+      It seemed as if my companion was not always in his constant mind, or that
+      he was willing to try if he could frighten me. I laughed at the
+      extravagance of his language, however, and asked him in reply, if he was
+      fool enough to believe that the foul fiend would play so silly a
+      masquerade.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ye ken little about it&mdash;little about it,&rsquo; said the old man, shaking
+      his head and beard, and knitting his brows, &lsquo;I could tell ye something
+      about that.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      What his wife mentioned of his being a tale-teller, as well as a musician,
+      now occurred to me; and as you know I like tales of superstition, I begged
+      to have a specimen of his talent as we went along.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is very true,&rsquo; said the blind man, &lsquo;that when I am tired of scraping
+      thairm or singing ballants, I whiles mak a tale serve the turn among the
+      country bodies; and I have some fearsome anes, that make the auld carlines
+      shake on the settle, and the bits o&rsquo; bairns skirl on their minnies out
+      frae their beds. But this that I am gaun to tell you was a thing that
+      befell in our ain house in my father&rsquo;s time&mdash;that is, my father was
+      then a hafflins callant; and I tell it to you that it may be a lesson to
+      you, that are but a young, thoughtless chap, wha ye draw up wi&rsquo; on a
+      lonely road; for muckle was the dool and care that came o&rsquo;t to my
+      gudesire.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He commenced his tale accordingly, in a distinct narrative tone of voice
+      which he raised and depressed with considerable skill; at times sinking
+      almost into a whisper, and turning his clear but sightless eyeballs upon
+      my face, as if it had been possible for him to witness the impression
+      which his narrative made upon my features. I will not spare you a syllable
+      of it, although it be of the longest; so I make a dash&mdash;and begin
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      WANDERING WILLIE&rsquo;S TALE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ye maun have heard of Sir Robert Redgauntlet of that Ilk, who lived in
+      these parts before the dear years. The country will lang mind him; and our
+      fathers used to draw breath thick if ever they heard him named. He was out
+      wi&rsquo; the Hielandmen in Montrose&rsquo;s time; and again he was in the hills wi&rsquo; 
+      Glencairn in the saxteen hundred and fifty-twa; and sae when King Charles
+      the Second came in, wha was in sic favour as the Laird of Redgauntlet? He
+      was knighted at Lonon court, wi&rsquo; the king&rsquo;s ain sword; and being a redhot
+      prelatist, he came down here, rampauging like a lion, with commissions of
+      lieutenancy (and of lunacy, for what I ken) to put down a&rsquo; the Whigs and
+      Covenanters in the country. Wild wark they made of it; for the Whigs were
+      as dour as the Cavaliers were fierce, and it was which should first tire
+      the other. Redgauntlet was ay for the strong hand; and his name is kend as
+      wide in the country as Claverhouse&rsquo;s or Tam Dalyell&rsquo;s. Glen, nor dargle,
+      nor mountain, nor cave, could hide the puir hill-folk when Redgauntlet was
+      out with bugle and bloodhound after them, as if they had been sae mony
+      deer. And troth when they fand them, they didna mak muckle mair ceremony
+      than a Hielandman wi&rsquo; a roebuck&mdash;it was just, &lsquo;Will ye tak the test?&rsquo;&mdash;if
+      not, &lsquo;Make ready&mdash;present&mdash;fire!&rsquo;&mdash;and there lay the
+      recusant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Far and wide was Sir Robert hated and feared. Men thought he had a direct
+      compact with Satan&mdash;that he was proof against steel&mdash;and that
+      bullets happed aff his buff-coat like hailstanes from a hearth&mdash;that
+      he had a mear that would turn a hare on the side of Carrifra-gawns [A
+      precipitous side of a mountain in Moffatdale.]&mdash;and muckle to the
+      same purpose, of whilk mair anon. The best blessing they wared on him was,
+      &lsquo;Deil scowp wi&rsquo; Redgauntlet!&rsquo; He wasna a bad master to his ain folk,
+      though, and was weel aneugh liked by his tenants; and as for the lackies
+      and troopers that raid out wi&rsquo; him to the persecutions, as the Whigs caa&rsquo;d
+      those killing times, they wad hae drunken themsells blind to his health at
+      ony time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now you are to ken that my gudesire lived on Redgauntlet&rsquo;s grund&mdash;they
+      ca&rsquo; the place Primrose Knowe. We had lived on the grund, and under the
+      Redgauntlets, since the riding days, and lang before. It was a pleasant
+      bit; and I think the air is callerer and fresher there than onywhere else
+      in the country. It&rsquo;s a&rsquo; deserted now; and I sat on the broken door-cheek
+      three days since, and was glad I couldna see the plight the place was in;
+      but that&rsquo;s a&rsquo; wide o&rsquo; the mark. There dwelt my gudesire, Steenie Steenson,
+      a rambling, rattling chiel&rsquo; he had been in his young days, and could play
+      weel on the pipes; he was famous at &lsquo;Hoopers and Girders&rsquo;&mdash;a&rsquo; 
+      Cumberland couldna, touch him at &lsquo;Jockie Lattin&rsquo;&mdash;and he had the
+      finest finger for the back-lilt between Berwick and Carlisle. The like o&rsquo; 
+      Steenie wasna the sort that they made Whigs o&rsquo;. And so he became a Tory,
+      as they ca&rsquo; it, which we now ca&rsquo; Jacobites, just out of a kind of
+      needcessity, that he might belang to some side or other. He had nae ill
+      will to the Whig bodies, and liked little to see the blude rin, though,
+      being obliged to follow Sir Robert in hunting and hoisting, watching and
+      warding, he saw muckle mischief, and maybe did some, that he couldna
+      avoid.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now Steenie was a kind of favourite with his master, and kend a&rsquo; the folks
+      about the castle, and was often sent for to play the pipes when they were
+      at their merriment. Auld Dougal MacCallum, the butler, that had followed
+      Sir Robert through gude and ill, thick and thin, pool and stream, was
+      specially fond of the pipes, and ay gae my gudesire his gude word wi&rsquo; the
+      laird; for Dougal could turn his master round his finger.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Weel, round came the Revolution, and it had like to have broken the hearts
+      baith of Dougal and his master. But the change was not a&rsquo;thegether sae
+      great as they feared, and other folk thought for. The Whigs made an unco
+      crawing what they wad do with their auld enemies, and in special wi&rsquo; Sir
+      Robert Redgauntlet. But there were ower mony great folks dipped in the
+      same doings, to mak a spick and span new warld. So Parliament passed it a&rsquo; 
+      ower easy; and Sir Robert, bating that he was held to hunting foxes
+      instead of Covenanters, remained just the man he was. [The caution and
+      moderation of King William III, and his principles of unlimited
+      toleration, deprived the Cameronians of the opportunity they ardently
+      desired, to retaliate the injuries which they had received during the
+      reign of prelacy, and purify the land, as they called it, from the
+      pollution of blood. They esteemed the Revolution, therefore, only a half
+      measure, which neither comprehended the rebuilding the Kirk in its full
+      splendour, nor the revenge of the death of the Saints on their
+      persecutors.] His revel was as loud, and his hall as weel lighted, as ever
+      it had been, though maybe he lacked the fines of the nonconformists, that
+      used to come to stock his larder and cellar; for it is certain he began to
+      be keener about the rents than his tenants used to find him before, and
+      they behoved to be prompt to the rent-day, or else the laird wasna
+      pleased. And he was sic an awsome body, that naebody cared to anger him;
+      for the oaths he swore, and the rage that he used to get into, and the
+      looks that he put on, made men sometimes think him a devil incarnate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Weel, my gudesire was nae manager&mdash;no that he was a very great
+      misguider&mdash;but he hadna the saving gift, and he got twa terms&rsquo; rent
+      in arrear. He got the first brash at Whitsunday put ower wi&rsquo; fair word and
+      piping; but when Martinmas came, there was a summons from the
+      grund-officer to come wi&rsquo; the rent on a day preceese, or else Steenie
+      behoved to flit. Sair wark he had to get the siller; but he was
+      weel-freended, and at last he got the haill scraped thegether&mdash;a
+      thousand merks&mdash;the maist of it was from a neighbour they ca&rsquo;d Laurie
+      Lapraik&mdash;a sly tod. Laurie had walth o&rsquo; gear&mdash;could hunt wi&rsquo; the
+      hound and rin wi&rsquo; the hare&mdash;and be Whig or Tory, saunt or sinner, as
+      the wind stood. He was a professor in this Revolution warld, but he liked
+      an orra sough of this warld, and a tune on the pipes weel aneugh at a
+      bytime; and abune a&rsquo;, he thought he had gude security for the siller he
+      lent my gudesire ower the stocking at Primrose Knowe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Away trots my gudesire to Redgauntlet Castle wi&rsquo; a heavy purse and a light
+      heart, glad to be out of the laird&rsquo;s danger. Weel, the first thing he
+      learned at the castle was, that Sir Robert had fretted himsell into a fit
+      of the gout, because he did not appear before twelve&rsquo; o&rsquo;clock. It wasna
+      a&rsquo;thegether for sake of the money, Dougal thought; but because he didna
+      like to part wi&rsquo; my gudesire aff the grund. Dougal was glad to see
+      Steenie, and brought him into the great oak parlour, and there sat the
+      laird his leesome lane, excepting that he had beside him a great,
+      ill-favoured jackanape, that was a special pet of his; a cankered beast it
+      was, and mony an ill-natured trick it played&mdash;ill to please it was,
+      and easily angered&mdash;ran about the haill castle, chattering and
+      yowling, and pinching, and biting folk, specially before ill weather, or
+      disturbances in the state. Sir Robert caa&rsquo;d it Major Weir, after the
+      warlock that was burnt; [A celebrated wizard, executed at Edinburgh for
+      sorcery and other crimes.] and few folk liked either the name or the
+      conditions of the creature&mdash;they thought there was something in it by
+      ordinar&mdash;and my gudesire was not just easy in mind when the door shut
+      on him, and he saw himself in the room wi&rsquo; naebody but the laird, Dougal
+      MacCallum, and the major, a thing that hadna chanced to him before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir Robert sat, or, I should say, lay, in a great armed chair, wi&rsquo; his
+      grand velvet gown, and his feet on a cradle; for he had baith gout and
+      gravel, and his face looked as gash and ghastly as Satan&rsquo;s. Major Weir sat
+      opposite to him, in a red laced coat, and the laird&rsquo;s wig on his head; and
+      ay as Sir Robert girned wi&rsquo; pain, the jackanape girned too, like a
+      sheep&rsquo;s-head between a pair of tangs&mdash;an ill-faur&rsquo;d, fearsome couple
+      they were. The laird&rsquo;s buff-coat was hung on a pin behind him, and his
+      broadsword and his pistols within reach; for he keepit up the auld fashion
+      of having the weapons ready, and a horse saddled day and night, just as he
+      used to do when he was able to loup on horseback, and away after ony of
+      the hill-folk he could get speerings of. Some said it was for fear of the
+      Whigs taking vengeance, but I judge it was just his auld custom&mdash;he
+      wasna, gien to fear onything. The rental-book, wi&rsquo; its black cover and
+      brass clasps, was lying beside him; and a book of sculduddry sangs was put
+      betwixt the leaves, to keep it open at the place where it bore evidence
+      against the Goodman of Primrose Knowe, as behind the hand with his mails
+      and duties. Sir Robert gave my gudesire a look, as if he would have
+      withered his heart in his bosom. Ye maun ken he had a way of bending his
+      brows, that men saw the visible mark of a horseshoe in his forehead, deep
+      dinted, as if it had been stamped there.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Are ye come light-handed, ye son of a toom whistle?&rsquo; said Sir Robert.
+      &lsquo;Zounds! if you are&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My gudesire, with as gude acountenance as he could put on, made a leg, and
+      placed the bag of money on the table wi&rsquo; a dash, like a man that does
+      something clever. The laird drew it to him hastily&mdash;&lsquo;Is it all here,
+      Steenie, man?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your honour will find it right,&rsquo; said my gudesire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Here, Dougal,&rsquo; said the laird, &lsquo;gie Steenie a tass of brandy downstairs,
+      till I count the siller and write the receipt.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But they werena weel out of the room, when Sir Robert gied a yelloch that
+      garr&rsquo;d the castle rock. Back ran Dougal&mdash;in flew the livery-men&mdash;yell
+      on yell gied the laird, ilk ane mair awfu&rsquo; than the ither. My gudesire
+      knew not whether to stand or flee, but he ventured back into the parlour,
+      where a&rsquo; was gaun hirdy-girdie&mdash;naebody to say &lsquo;come in,&rsquo; or &lsquo;gae
+      out.&rsquo; Terribly the laird roared for cauld water to his feet, and wine to
+      cool his throat; and Hell, hell, hell, and its flames, was ay the word in
+      his mouth. They brought him water, and when they plunged his swollen feet
+      into the tub, he cried out it was burning; and folk say that it DID bubble
+      and sparkle like a seething cauldron. He flung the cup at Dougal&rsquo;s head,
+      and said he had given him blood instead of burgundy; and, sure aneugh, the
+      lass washed clotted blood aff the carpet; the neist day. The jackanape
+      they caa&rsquo;d Major Weir, it jibbered and cried as if it was mocking its
+      master; my gudesire&rsquo;s head was like to turn&mdash;he forgot baith siller
+      and receipt, and downstairs he banged; but as he ran, the shrieks came
+      faint and fainter; there was a deep-drawn shivering groan, and word gaed
+      through the castle that the laird was dead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Weel, away came my gudesire, wi&rsquo; his finger in his mouth, and his best
+      hope was that Dougal had seen the money-bag, and heard the laird speak of
+      writing the receipt. The young laird, now Sir John, came from Edinburgh,
+      to see things put to rights. Sir John and his father never gree&rsquo;d weel.
+      Sir John had been bred an advocate, and afterwards sat in the last Scots
+      Parliament and voted for the Union, having gotten, it was thought, a rug
+      of the compensations&mdash;if his father could have come out of his grave,
+      he would have brained him for it on his awn hearthstane. Some thought it
+      was easier counting with the auld rough knight than the fair-spoken young
+      ane&mdash;but mair of that anon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Dougal MacCallum, poor body, neither grat nor grained, but gaed about the
+      house looking like a corpse, but directing, as was his duty, a&rsquo; the order
+      of the grand funeral. Now Dougal looked ay waur and waur when night was
+      coming, and was ay the last to gang to his bed, whilk was in a little
+      round just opposite the chamber of dais, whilk his master occupied while
+      he was living, and where he now lay in state, as they caa&rsquo;d it,
+      weel-a-day! The night before the funeral, Dougal could keep his awn
+      counsel nae langer; he came doun with his proud spirit, and fairly asked
+      auld Hutcheon to sit in his room with him for an hour. When they were in
+      the round, Dougal took ae tass of brandy to himsell, and gave another to
+      Hutcheon, and wished him all health and lang life, and said that, for
+      himsell, he wasna lang for this world; for that, every night since Sir
+      Robert&rsquo;s death, his silver call had sounded from the state chamber, just
+      as it used to do at nights in his lifetime, to call Dougal to help to turn
+      him in his bed. Dougal said that being alone with the dead on that floor
+      of the tower (for naebody cared to wake Sir Robert Redgauntlet like
+      another corpse) he had never daured to answer the call, but that now his
+      conscience checked him for neglecting his duty; for, &lsquo;though death breaks
+      service,&rsquo; said MacCallum, &lsquo;it shall never break my service to Sir Robert;
+      and I will answer his next whistle, so be you will stand by me, Hutcheon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hutcheon had nae will to the wark, but he had stood by Dougal in battle
+      and broil, and he wad not fail him at this pinch; so down the carles sat
+      ower a stoup of brandy, and Hutcheon, who was something of a clerk, would
+      have read a chapter of the Bible; but Dougal would hear naething but a
+      blaud of Davie Lindsay, whilk was the waur preparation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When midnight came, and the house was quiet as the grave, sure enough the
+      silver whistle sounded as sharp and shrill as if Sir Robert was blowing
+      it, and up got the twa auld serving-men, and tottered into the room where
+      the dead man lay. Hutcheon saw aneugh at the first glance; for there were
+      torches in the room, which showed him the foul fiend, in his ain shape,
+      sitting on the laird&rsquo;s coffin! Ower he cowped as if he had been dead. He
+      could not tell how lang he lay in a trance at the door, but when he
+      gathered himself, he cried on his neighbour, and getting nae answer,
+      raised the house, when Dougal was found lying dead within twa steps of the
+      bed where his master&rsquo;s coffin was placed. As for the whistle, it was gaen
+      anes and ay; but mony a time was it heard at the top of the house on the
+      bartizan, and amang the auld chimneys and turrets where the howlets have
+      their nests. Sir John hushed the matter up, and the funeral passed over
+      without mair bogle-wark.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But when a&rsquo; was ower, and the laird was beginning to settle his affairs,
+      every tenant was called up for his arrears, and my gudesire for the full
+      sum that stood against him in the rental-book. Weel, away he trots to the
+      castle, to tell his story, and there he is introduced to Sir John, sitting
+      in his father&rsquo;s chair, in deep mourning, with weepers and hanging cravat,
+      and a small wallring rapier by his side, instead of the auld broadsword
+      that had a hundredweight of steel about it, what with blade, chape, and
+      basket-hilt. I have heard their communing so often tauld ower, that I
+      almost think I was there mysell, though I couldna be born at the time. (In
+      fact, Alan, my companion mimicked, with a good deal of humour, the
+      flattering, conciliating tone of the tenant&rsquo;s address, and the
+      hypocritical melancholy of the laird&rsquo;s reply. His grandfather, he said,
+      had, while he spoke, his eye fixed on the rental-book, as if it were a
+      mastiff-dog that he was afraid would spring up and bite him).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wuss ye joy, sir, of the head seat, and the white loaf, and the braid
+      lairdship. Your father was a kind man to friends and followers; muckle
+      grace to you, Sir John, to fill his shoon&mdash;his boots, I suld say, for
+      he seldom wore shoon, unless it were muils when he had the gout.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, Steenie,&rsquo; quoth the laird, sighing deeply, and putting his napkin to
+      his een, &lsquo;his was a sudden call, and he will be missed in the country; no
+      time to set his house in order&mdash;weel prepared Godward, no doubt,
+      which is the root of the matter&mdash;but left us behind a tangled heap to
+      wind, Steenie.&mdash;Hem! hem! We maun go to business, Steenie; much to
+      do, and little time to do it in.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here he opened the fatal volume. I have heard of a thing they call
+      Doomsday Book&mdash;I am clear it has been a rental of back-ganging
+      tenants.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Stephen,&rsquo; said Sir John, still in the same soft, sleekit tone of voice&mdash;&lsquo;Stephen
+      Stevenson, or Steenson, ye are down here for a year&rsquo;s rent behind the hand&mdash;due
+      at last term.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      STEPHEN. &lsquo;Please your honour, Sir John, I paid it to your father.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      SIR JOHN. &lsquo;Ye took a receipt, then, doubtless, Stephen; and can produce
+      it?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      STEPHEN. &lsquo;Indeed I hadna time, an it like your honour; for nae sooner had
+      I set doun the siller, and just as his honour, Sir Robert, that&rsquo;s gaen,
+      drew it till him to count it, and write out the receipt, he was ta&rsquo;en wi&rsquo; 
+      the pains that removed him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That was unlucky,&rsquo; said Sir John, after a pause. &lsquo;But ye maybe paid it in
+      the presence of somebody, I want but a TALIS QUALIS evidence, Stephen. I
+      would go ower strictly to work with no poor man.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      STEPHEN. &lsquo;Troth, Sir John, there was naebody in the room but Dougal
+      MacCallum the butler. But, as your honour kens, he has e&rsquo;en followed his
+      auld master.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Very unlucky again, Stephen,&rsquo; said Sir John, without altering his voice a
+      single note. &lsquo;The man to whom ye paid the money is dead&mdash;and the man
+      who witnessed the payment is dead too&mdash;and the siller, which should
+      have been to the fore, is neither seen nor heard tell of in the
+      repositories. How am I to believe a&rsquo; this?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      STEPHEN. &lsquo;I dinna, ken, your honour; but there is a bit memorandum note of
+      the very coins; for, God help me! I had to borrow out of twenty purses;
+      and I am sure that ilka man there set down will take his grit oath for
+      what purpose I borrowed the money.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      SIR JOHN. &lsquo;I have little doubt ye BORROWED the money, Steenie. It is the
+      PAYMENT to my father that I want to have some proof of.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      STEPHEN. &lsquo;The siller maun be about the house, Sir John. And since your
+      honour never got it, and his honour that was canna have taen it wi&rsquo; him,
+      maybe some of the family may have seen it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      SIR JOHN. &lsquo;We will examine the servants, Stephen; that is but reasonable.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But lackey and lass, and page and groom, all denied stoutly that they had
+      ever seen such a bag of money as my gudesire described. What was waur, he
+      had unluckily not mentioned to any living soul of them his purpose of
+      paying his rent. Ae quean had noticed something under his arm, but she
+      took it for the pipes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir John Redgauntlet ordered the servants out of the room, and then said
+      to my gudesire, &lsquo;Now, Steenie, ye see ye have fair play; and, as I have
+      little doubt ye ken better where to find the siller than ony other body, I
+      beg, in fair terms, and for your own sake, that you will end this
+      fasherie; for, Stephen, ye maun pay or flit.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The Lord forgie your opinion,&rsquo; said Stephen, driven almost to his wit&rsquo;s
+      end&mdash;&lsquo;I am an honest man.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;So am I, Stephen,&rsquo; said his honour; &lsquo;and so are all the folks in the
+      house, I hope. But if there be a knave amongst us, it must be he that
+      tells the story he cannot prove.&rsquo; He paused, and then added, mair sternly,
+      &lsquo;If I understand your trick, sir, you want to take advantage of some
+      malicious reports concerning things in this family, and particularly
+      respecting my father&rsquo;s sudden death, thereby to cheat me out of the money,
+      and perhaps take away my character, by insinuating that I have received
+      the rent I am demanding. Where do you suppose this money to be? I insist
+      upon knowing.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My gudesire saw everything look so muckle against him, that he grew nearly
+      desperate&mdash;however, he shifted from one foot to another, looked to
+      every corner of the room, and made no answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Speak out, sirrah,&rsquo; said the laird, assuming a look of his father&rsquo;s, a
+      very particular ane, which he had when he was angry&mdash;it seemed as if
+      the wrinkles of his frown made that selfsame fearful shape of a horse&rsquo;s
+      shoe in the middle of his brow;&mdash;&lsquo;Speak out, sir! I WILL know your
+      thoughts;&mdash;do you suppose that I have this money?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Far be it frae me to say so,&rsquo; said Stephen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do you charge any of my people with having taken it?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wad be laith to charge them that may be innocent,&rsquo; said my gudesire;
+      &lsquo;and if there be any one that is guilty, I have nae proof.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Somewhere the money must be, if there is a word of truth in your story,&rsquo; 
+      said Sir John; &lsquo;I ask where you think it is&mdash;and demand a correct
+      answer?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In HELL, if you will have my thoughts of it,&rsquo; said my gudesire, driven to
+      extremity, &lsquo;in hell! with your father, his jackanape, and his silver
+      whistle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Down the stairs he ran (for the parlour was nae place for him after such a
+      word) and he heard the laird swearing blood and wounds behind him, as
+      fast; as ever did Sir Robert, and roaring for the bailie and the
+      baron-officer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Away rode my gudesire to his chief creditor (him they ca&rsquo;d Laurie Lapraik)
+      to try if he could make onything out of him; but when he tauld his story,
+      he got but the worst word in his wame&mdash;thief, beggar, and dyvour,
+      were the saftest terms; and to the boot of these hard terms, Laurie
+      brought up the auld story of his dipping his hand in the blood of God&rsquo;s
+      saunts, just as if a tenant could have helped riding with the laird, and
+      that a laird like Sir Robert Redgauntlet. My gudesire was, by this time,
+      far beyond the bounds of patience, and, while he and Laurie were at deil
+      speed the liars, he was wanchancie aneugh to abuse Lapraik&rsquo;s doctrine as
+      weel as the man, ond said things that garr&rsquo;d folks&rsquo; flesh grue that heard
+      them;&mdash;he wasna just himsell, and he had lived wi&rsquo; a wild set in his
+      day.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At last they parted, and my gudesire was to ride hame through the wood of
+      Pitmurkie, that is a&rsquo; fou of black firs, as they say.&mdash;I ken the
+      wood, but the firs may be black or white for what I can tell.&mdash;At the
+      entry of the wood there is a wild common, and on the edge of the common, a
+      little lonely change-house, that was keepit then by an ostler-wife, they
+      suld hae caa&rsquo;d her Tibbie Faw, and there puir Steenie cried for a mutchkin
+      of brandy, for he had had no refreshment the haill day. Tibbie was earnest
+      wi&rsquo; him to take a bite of meat, but he couldna think o&rsquo;t, nor would he
+      take his foot out of the stirrup, and took off the brandy wholely at twa
+      draughts, and named a toast at each:&mdash;the first was the memory of Sir
+      Robert Redgauntlet, and might he never lie quiet in his grave till he had
+      righted his poor bond-tenant; and the second was a health to Man&rsquo;s Enemy,
+      if he would but get him back the pock of siller or tell him what came o&rsquo;t,
+      for he saw the haill world was like to regard him as a thief and a cheat,
+      and he took that waur than even the ruin of his house and hauld.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On he rode, little caring where. It was a dark night turned, and the trees
+      made it yet darker, and he let the beast take its ain road through the
+      wood; when all of a sudden, from tired and wearied that it was before, the
+      nag began to spring and flee, and stend, that my gudesire could hardly
+      keep the saddle. Upon the whilk, a horseman, suddenly riding up beside
+      him, said, &lsquo;That&rsquo;s a mettle beast of yours, freend; will you sell him?&rsquo; So
+      saying, he touched the horse&rsquo;s neck with his riding-wand, and it fell into
+      its auld heigh-ho of a stumbling trot. &lsquo;But his spunk&rsquo;s soon out of him, I
+      think,&rsquo; continued the stranger, &lsquo;and that is like mony a man&rsquo;s courage,
+      that thinks he wad do great things till he come to the proof.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My gudesire scarce listened to this, but spurred his horse, with &lsquo;Gude
+      e&rsquo;en to you, freend.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But it&rsquo;s like the stranger was ane that doesna lightly yield his point;
+      for, ride as Steenie liked, he was ay beside him at the selfsame pace. At
+      last my gudesire, Steenie Steenson, grew half angry, and, to say the
+      truth, half feared.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What is it that ye want with me, freend?&rsquo; he said. &lsquo;If ye be a robber, I
+      have nae money; if ye be a leal man, wanting company, I have nae heart to
+      mirth or speaking; and if ye want to ken the road, I scarce ken it
+      mysell.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If you will tell me your grief,&rsquo; said the stranger, &lsquo;I am one that,
+      though I have been sair miscaa&rsquo;d in the world, am the only hand for
+      helping my freends.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So my gudesire, to ease his ain heart, mair than from any hope of help,
+      told him the story from beginning to end.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It&rsquo;s a hard pinch,&rsquo; said the stranger; &lsquo;but I think I can help you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If you could lend the money, sir, and take a lang day&mdash;I ken nae
+      other help on earth,&rsquo; said my gudesire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But there may be some under the earth,&rsquo; said the stranger. &lsquo;Come, I&rsquo;ll be
+      frank wi&rsquo; you; I could lend you the money on bond, but you would maybe
+      scruple my terms. Now, I can tell you, that your auld laird is disturbed
+      in his grave by your curses, and the wailing of your family, and if ye
+      daur venture to go to see him, he will give you the receipt.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My gudesire&rsquo;s hair stood on end at this proposal, but he thought his
+      companion might be some humoursome chield that was trying to frighten him,
+      and might end with lending him the money. Besides, he was bauld wi&rsquo; 
+      brandy, and desperate wi&rsquo; distress; and he said he had courage to go to
+      the gate of hell, and a step farther, for that receipt. The stranger
+      laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Weel, they rode on through the thickest of the wood, when, all of a
+      sudden, the horse stopped at the door of a great house; and, but that he
+      knew the place was ten miles off, my father would have thought he was at
+      Redgauntlet Castle. They rode into the outer courtyard, through the muckle
+      faulding yetts and aneath the auld portcullis; and the whole front of the
+      house was lighted, and there were pipes and fiddles, and as much dancing
+      and deray within as used to be at Sir Robert&rsquo;s house at Pace and Yule, and
+      such high seasons. They lap off, and my gudesire, as seemed to him,
+      fastened his horse to the very ring he had tied him to that morning, when
+      he gaed to wait on the young Sir John.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;God!&rsquo; said my gudesire, &lsquo;if Sir Robert&rsquo;s death be but a dream!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He knocked at the ha&rsquo; door just as he was wont, and his auld acquaintance,
+      Dougal MacCallum&mdash;just after his wont, too,&mdash;came to open the
+      door, and said, &lsquo;Piper Steenie, are ye there, lad? Sir Robert has been
+      crying for you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My gudesire was like a man in a dream&mdash;he looked for the stranger,
+      but he was gane for the time. At last he just tried to say, &lsquo;Ha! Dougal
+      Driveower, are ye living? I thought ye had been dead.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Never fash yoursell wi&rsquo; me,&rsquo; said Dougal, &lsquo;but look to yoursell; and see
+      ye tak naethlng frae ony body here, neither meat, drink, or siller, except
+      just the receipt that is your ain.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he led the way out through halls and trances that were weel
+      kend to my gudesire, and into the auld oak parlour; and there was as much
+      singing of profane sangs, and birling of red wine, and speaking blasphemy
+      and sculduddry, as had ever been in Redgauntlet Castle when it was at the
+      blithest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But, Lord take us in keeping, what a set of ghastly revellers they were
+      that sat around that table! My gudesire kend mony that had long before
+      gane to their place, for often had he piped to the most part in the hall
+      of Redgauntlet. There was the fierce Middleton, and the dissolute Rothes,
+      and the crafty Lauderdale; and Dalyell, with his bald head and a beard to
+      his girdle; and Earlshall, with Cameron&rsquo;s blude on his hand; and wild
+      Bonshaw, that tied blessed Mr. Cargill&rsquo;s limbs till the blude sprung; and
+      Dunbarton Douglas, the twice-turned traitor baith to country and king.
+      There was the Bluidy Advocate MacKenyie, who, for his worldly wit and
+      wisdom had been to the rest as a god. And there was Claverhouse, as
+      beautiful as when he lived, with his long, dark, curled locks streaming
+      down over his laced buff-coat, and his left hand always on his right
+      spule-blade, to hide the wound that the silver bullet had made. [See Note
+      2.] He sat apart from them all, and looked at them with a melancholy,
+      haughty countenance; while the rest hallooed, and sang, and laughed, that
+      the room rang. But their smiles were fearfully contorted from time to
+      time; and their laugh passed into such wild sounds as made my gudesire&rsquo;s
+      very nails grow blue, and chilled the marrow in his banes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They that waited at the table were just the wicked serving-men and
+      troopers, that had done their work and cruel bidding on earth. There was
+      the Lang Lad of the Nethertown, that helped to take Argyle; and the
+      bishop&rsquo;s summoner, that they called the Deil&rsquo;s Rattle-bag; and the wicked
+      guardsmen in their laced coats; and the savage Highland Amorites, that
+      shed blood like water; and many a proud serving-man, haughty of heart and
+      bloody of hand, cringing to the rich, and making them wickeder than they
+      would be; grinding the poor to powder, when the rich had broken them to
+      fragments. And mony, mony mair were coming and ganging, a&rsquo; as busy in
+      their vocation as if they had been alive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir Robert Redgauntlet, in the midst of a&rsquo; this fearful riot, cried, wi&rsquo; a
+      voice like thunder, on Steenie Piper to come to the board-head where he
+      was sitting; his legs stretched out before him, and swathed up with
+      flannel, with his holster pistols aside him, while the great broadsword
+      rested against his chair, just as my gudesire had seen him the last time
+      upon earth&mdash;the very cushion for the jackanape was close to him, but
+      the creature itself was not there&mdash;it wasna its hour, it&rsquo;s likely;
+      for he heard them say as he came forward, &lsquo;Is not the major come yet?&rsquo; And
+      another answered, &lsquo;The jackanape will be here betimes the morn.&rsquo; And when
+      my gudesire came forward, Sir Robert, or his ghaist, or the deevil in his
+      likeness, said, &lsquo;Weel, piper, hae ye settled wi&rsquo; my son for the year&rsquo;s
+      rent?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With much ado my father gat breath to say that Sir John would not settle
+      without his honour&rsquo;s receipt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ye shall hae that for a tune of the pipes, Steenie,&rsquo; said the appearance
+      of Sir Robert&mdash;&lsquo;Play us up &ldquo;Weel hoddled, Luckie&rdquo;.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now this was a tune my gudesire learned frae a warlock, that heard it when
+      they were worshipping Satan at their meetings, and my gudesire had
+      sometimes played it at the ranting suppers in Redgauntlet Castle, but
+      never very willingly; and now he grew cauld at the very name of it, and
+      said, for excuse, he hadna his pipes wi&rsquo; him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;MacCallum, ye limb of Beelzebub,&rsquo; said the fearfu&rsquo; Sir Robert, &lsquo;bring
+      Steenie the pipes that I am keeping for him!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MacCallum brought a pair of pipes might have served the piper of Donald of
+      the Isles. But he gave my gudesire a nudge as he offered them; and looking
+      secretly and closely, Steenie saw that the chanter was of steel, and
+      heated to a white heat; so he had fair warning not to trust his fingers
+      with it. So he excused himself again, and said he was faint and
+      frightened, and had not wind aneugh to fill the bag.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then ye maun eat and drink, Steenie,&rsquo; said the figure; &lsquo;for we do little
+      else here; and it&rsquo;s ill speaking between a fou man and a fasting.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now these were the very words that the bloody Earl of Douglas said to keep
+      the king&rsquo;s messenger in hand while he cut the head off MacLellan of
+      Bombie, at the Threave Castle, [The reader is referred for particulars to
+      Pitscottie&rsquo;s HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.] and that put Steenie mair and mair on
+      his guard. So he spoke up like a man, and said he came neither to eat, or
+      drink or make minstrelsy; but simply for his ain&mdash;to ken what was
+      come o&rsquo; the money he had paid, and to get a discharge for it; and he was
+      so stout-hearted by this time that he charged Sir Robert for
+      conscience-sake (he had no power to say the holy name) and as he hoped for
+      peace and rest, to spread no snares for him, but just to give him his ain.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The appearance gnashed its teeth and laughed, but it took from a large
+      pocket-book the receipt, and handed it to Steenie. &lsquo;There is your receipt,
+      ye pitiful cur; and for the money, my dog-whelp of a son may go look for
+      it in the Cat&rsquo;s Cradle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My gudesire uttered mony thanks, and was about to retire when Sir Robert
+      roared aloud, &lsquo;Stop, though, thou sack-doudling son of a whore! I am not
+      done with thee. HERE we do nothing for nothing; and you must return on
+      this very day twelvemonth, to pay your master the homage that you owe me
+      for my protection.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father&rsquo;s tongue was loosed of a suddenty, and he said aloud, &lsquo;I refer
+      mysell to God&rsquo;s pleasure, and not to yours.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had no sooner uttered the word than all was dark around him; and he
+      sank on the earth with such a sudden shock, that he lost both breath and
+      sense.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      How lang Steenie lay there, he could not tell; but when he came to
+      himsell, he was lying in the auld kirkyard of Redgauntlet parochine just
+      at the door of the family aisle, and the scutcheon of the auld knight, Sir
+      Robert, hanging over his head. There was a deep morning fog on grass and
+      gravestane around him, and his horse was feeding quietly beside the
+      minister&rsquo;s twa cows. Steenie would have thought the whole was a dream, but
+      he had the receipt in his hand, fairly written and signed by the auld
+      laird; only the last letters of his name were a little disorderly, written
+      like one seized with sudden pain.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sorely troubled in his mind, he left that dreary place, rode through the
+      mist to Redgauntlet Castle, and with much ado he got speech of the laird.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, you dyvour bankrupt,&rsquo; was the first word, &lsquo;have you brought me my
+      rent?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No,&rsquo; answered my gudesire, &lsquo;I have not; but I have brought your honour
+      Sir Robert&rsquo;s receipt for it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Wow, sirrah? Sir Robert&rsquo;s receipt! You told me he had not given you one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Will your honour please to see if that bit line is right?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir John looked at every line, and at every letter, with much attention;
+      and at last, at the date, which my gudesire had not observed,&mdash;&lsquo;FROM
+      MY APPOINTED PLACE,&rsquo; he read, &lsquo;THIS TWENTY-FIFTH OF NOVEMBER.&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;What!
+      That is yesterday!&mdash;Villain, thou must have gone to hell for this!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I got it from your honour&rsquo;s father&mdash;whether he be in heaven or hell,
+      I know not,&rsquo; said Steenie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will delate you for a warlock to the Privy Council!&rsquo; said Sir John. &lsquo;I
+      will send you to your master, the devil, with the help of a tar-barrel and
+      a torch!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I intend to delate mysell to the Presbytery,&rsquo; said Steenie, &lsquo;and tell
+      them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for them to judge
+      of than a borrel man like me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir John paused, composed himsell, and desired to hear the full history;
+      and my gudesire told it him from point to point, as I have told it you&mdash;word
+      for word, neither more nor less.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir John was silent again for a long time, and at last he said, very
+      composedly, &lsquo;Steenie, this story of yours concerns the honour of many a
+      noble family besides mine; and if it be a leasing-making, to keep yourself
+      out of my danger, the least you can expect is to have a redhot iron driven
+      through your tongue, and that will be as bad as scauding your fingers wi&rsquo; 
+      a redhot chanter. But yet it may be true, Steenie; and if the money cast
+      up I shall not know what to think of it. But where shall we find the Cat&rsquo;s
+      Cradle? There are cats enough about the old house, but I think they kitten
+      without the ceremony of bed or cradle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;We were best ask Hutcheon,&rsquo; said my gudesire; &lsquo;he kens a&rsquo; the odd corners
+      about as weel as&mdash;another serving-man that is now gane, and that I
+      wad not like to name.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Aweel, Hutcheon, when he was asked, told them, that a ruinous turret, lang
+      disused, next to the clock-house, only accessible by a ladder, for the
+      opening was on the outside, and far above the battlements, was called of
+      old the Cat&rsquo;s Cradle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There will I go immediately,&rsquo; said Sir John; and he took (with what
+      purpose, Heaven kens) one of his father&rsquo;s pistols from the hall-table,
+      where they had lain since the night he died, and hastened to the
+      battlements.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a dangerous place to climb, for the ladder was auld and frail, and
+      wanted ane or twa rounds. However, up got Sir John, and entered at the
+      turret-door, where his body stopped the only little light that was in the
+      bit turret. Something flees at him wi&rsquo; a vengeance, maist dang him back
+      ower&mdash;bang gaed the knight&rsquo;s pistol, and Hutcheon, that held the
+      ladder, and my gudesire that stood beside him, hears a loud skelloch. A
+      minute after, Sir John flings the body of the jackanape down to them, and
+      cries that the siller is fund, and that they should come up and help him.
+      And there was the bag of siller sure aneugh, and mony orra thing besides,
+      that had been missing for mony a day. And Sir John, when he had riped the
+      turret weel, led my gudesire into the dining-parlour, and took him by the
+      hand and spoke kindly to him, and said he was sorry he should have doubted
+      his word and that he would hereafter be a good master to him to make
+      amends.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And now, Steenie,&rsquo; said Sir John, &lsquo;although this vision of yours tend, on
+      the whole, to my father&rsquo;s credit, as an honest man, that he should, even
+      after his death, desire to see justice done to a poor man like you, yet
+      you are sensible that ill-dispositioned men might make bad constructions
+      upon it, concerning his soul&rsquo;s health. So, I think, we had better lay the
+      haill dirdum on that ill-deedie creature, Major Weir, and say naething
+      about your dream in the wood of Pitmurkie. You had taken ower muckle
+      brandy to be very certain about onything; and, Steenie, this receipt&rsquo; (his
+      hand shook while he held it out),&mdash;&lsquo;it&rsquo;s but a queer kind of
+      document, and we will do best, I think, to put it quietly in the fire.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Od, but for as queer as it is, it&rsquo;s a&rsquo; the voucher I have for my rent,&rsquo; 
+      said my gudesire, who was afraid, it may be, of losing the benefit of Sir
+      Robert&rsquo;s discharge.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will bear the contents to your credit in the rental-book, and give you
+      a discharge under my own hand,&rsquo; said Sir John, &lsquo;and that on the spot. And,
+      Steenie, if you can hold your tongue about this matter, you shall sit,
+      from this term downward, at an easier rent.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mony thanks to your honour,&rsquo; said Steenie, who saw easily in what corner
+      the wind was; &lsquo;doubtless I will be comformable to all your honour&rsquo;s
+      commands; only I would willingly speak wi&rsquo; some powerful minister on the
+      subject, for I do not like the sort of sommons of appointment whilk your
+      honour&rsquo;s father&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do not call the phantom my father!&rsquo; said Sir John, interrupting him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Weel, then, the thing that was so like him,&rsquo; said my gudesire; &lsquo;he spoke
+      of my coming back to see him this time twelvemonth, and it&rsquo;s a weight on
+      my conscience.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aweel, then,&rsquo; said Sir John, &lsquo;if you be so much distressed in mind, you
+      may speak to our minister of the parish; he is a douce man, regards the
+      honour of our family, and the mair that he may look for some patronage
+      from me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Wi&rsquo; that, my father readily agreed that the receipt should be burnt, and
+      the laird threw it into the chimney with his ain hand. Burn it would not
+      for them, though; but away it flew up the lum, wi&rsquo; a lang train of sparks
+      at its tail, and a hissing noise like a squib.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My gudesire gaed down to the Manse, and the minister, when he had heard
+      the story, said it was his real opinion that though my gudesire had gaen
+      very far in tampering with dangerous matters, yet, as he had refused the
+      devil&rsquo;s arles (for such was the offer of meat and drink) and had refused
+      to do homage by piping at his bidding, he hoped, that if he held a
+      circumspect walk hereafter, Satan could take little advantage by what was
+      come and gane. And, indeed, my gudesire, of his ain accord, lang foreswore
+      baith the pipes and the brandy&mdash;it was not even till the year was
+      out, and the fatal day past, that he would so much as take the fiddle, or
+      drink usquebaugh or tippeny.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir John made up his story about the jackanape as he liked himsell; and
+      some believe till this day there was no more in the matter than the
+      filching nature of the brute. Indeed, ye&rsquo;ll no hinder some to threap that
+      it was nane o&rsquo; the auld Enemy that Dougal and my gudesire saw in the
+      laird&rsquo;s room, but only that wanchancy creature, the major, capering on the
+      coffin; and that, as to the blawing on the laird&rsquo;s whistle that was heard
+      after he was dead, the filthy brute could do that as weel as the laird
+      himsell, if no better. But Heaven kens the truth, whilk first came out by
+      the minister&rsquo;s wife, after Sir John and her ain gudeman were baith in the
+      moulds. And then my gudesire, wha was failed in his limbs, but not in his
+      judgement or memory&mdash;at least nothing to speak of&mdash;was obliged
+      to tell the real narrative to his friends, for the credit of his good
+      name. He might else have been charged for a warlock. [See Note 3.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The shades of evening were growing thicker around us as my conductor
+      finished his long narrative with this moral&mdash;&lsquo;Ye see, birkie, it is
+      nae chancy thing to tak a stranger traveller for a guide, when you are in
+      an uncouth land.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I should not have made that inference,&rsquo; said I. &lsquo;Your grandfather&rsquo;s
+      adventure was fortunate for himself, whom it saved from ruin and distress;
+      and fortunate for his landlord also, whom it prevented from committing a
+      gross act of injustice.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, but they had baith to sup the sauce o&rsquo;t sooner or later,&rsquo; said
+      Wandering Willie&mdash;&lsquo;what was fristed wasna forgiven. Sir John died
+      before he was much over three-score; and it was just like of a moment&rsquo;s
+      illness. And for my gudesire, though he departed in fullness of life, yet
+      there was my father, a yauld man of forty-five, fell down betwixt the
+      stilts of his pleugh, and rase never again, and left nae bairn but me, a
+      puir sightless, fatherless, motherless creature, could neither work nor
+      want. Things gaed weel aneugh at first; for Sir Redwald Redgauntlet, the
+      only son of Sir John, and the oye of auld Sir Robert, and, waes me! the
+      last of the honourable house, took the farm aff our hands, and brought me
+      into his household to have care of me. He liked music, and I had the best
+      teachers baith England and Scotland could gie me. Mony a merry year was I
+      wi&rsquo; him; but waes me! he gaed out with other pretty men in the Forty-five&mdash;I&rsquo;ll
+      say nae mair about it&mdash;My head never settled weel since I lost him;
+      and if I say another word about it, deil a bar will I have the heart to
+      play the night.&mdash;Look out, my gentle chap,&rsquo; he resumed in a different
+      tone, &lsquo;ye should see the lights at Brokenburn glen by this time.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER XII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE SAME TO THE SAME
+    </h3>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Tam Luter was their minstrel meet,
+    Gude Lord as he could lance,
+  He play&rsquo;d sae shrill, and sang sae sweet,
+    Till Towsie took a trance.
+  Auld Lightfoot there he did forleet,
+    And counterfeited France;
+  He used himself as man discreet,
+    And up took Morrice danse sae loud,
+  At Christ&rsquo;s Kirk on the Green that day.
+                                     KING JAMES I.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      I continue to scribble at length, though the subject may seem somewhat
+      deficient in interest. Let the grace of the narrative, therefore, and the
+      concern we take in each other&rsquo;s matters, make amends for its tenuity. We
+      fools of fancy who suffer ourselves, like Malvolio, to be cheated with our
+      own visions, have, nevertheless, this advantage over the wise ones of the
+      earth, that we have our whole stock of enjoyments under our own command,
+      and can dish for ourselves an intellectual banquet with most moderate
+      assistance from external objects. It is, to be sure, something like the
+      feast which the Barmecide served up to Alnaschar; and we cannot expect to
+      get fat upon such diet. But then, neither is there repletion nor nausea,
+      which often succeed the grosser and more material revel. On the whole, I
+      still pray, with the Ode to Castle Building&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Give me thy hope which sickens not the heart;
+    Give me thy wealth which has no wings to fly;
+  Give me the bliss thy visions can impart:
+    Thy friendship give me, warm in poverty!
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      And so, despite thy solemn smile and sapient shake of the head, I will go
+      on picking such interest as I can out of my trivial adventures, even
+      though that interest should be the creation of my own fancy; nor will I
+      cease to indict on thy devoted eyes the labour of perusing the scrolls in
+      which I shall record my narrative.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My last broke off as we were on the point of descending into the glen at
+      Brokenburn, by the dangerous track which I had first travelled EN CROUPE,
+      behind a furious horseman, and was now again to brave under the precarious
+      guidance of a blind man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was now getting dark; but this was no inconvenience to my guide, who
+      moved on, as formerly, with instinctive security of step, so that we soon
+      reached the bottom, and I could see lights twinkling in the cottage which
+      had been my place of refuge on a former occasion. It was not thither,
+      however, that our course was directed. We left the habitation of the laird
+      to the left, and turning down the brook, soon approached the small hamlet
+      which had been erected at the mouth of the stream, probably on account of
+      the convenience which it afforded as a harbour to the fishing-boats. A
+      large, low cottage, full in our front, seemed highly illuminated; for the
+      light not only glanced from every window and aperture in its frail walls,
+      but was even visible from rents and fractures in the roof, composed of
+      tarred shingles, repaired in part by thatch and divot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While these appearances engaged my attention, that of my companion was
+      attracted by a regular succession of sounds, like a bouncing on the floor,
+      mixed with a very faint noise of music, which Willie&rsquo;s acute organs at
+      once recognized and accounted for, while to me it was almost inaudible.
+      The old man struck the earth with his staff in a violent passion. &lsquo;The
+      whoreson fisher rabble! They have brought another violer upon my walk!
+      They are such smuggling blackguards, that they must run in their very
+      music; but I&rsquo;ll sort them waur than ony gauger in the country.&mdash;Stay&mdash;hark&mdash;it
+      &lsquo;s no a fiddle neither&mdash;it&rsquo;s the pipe and tabor bastard, Simon of
+      Sowport, frae the Nicol Forest; but I&rsquo;ll pipe and tabor him!&mdash;Let me
+      hae ance my left hand on his cravat, and ye shall see what my right will
+      do. Come away, chap&mdash;come away, gentle chap&mdash;nae time to be
+      picking and waling your steps.&rsquo; And on he passed with long and determined
+      strides, dragging me along with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I was not quite easy in his company; for, now that his minstrel pride was
+      hurt, the man had changed from the quiet, decorous, I might almost say
+      respectable person, which he seemed while he told his tale, into the
+      appearance of a fierce, brawling, dissolute stroller. So that when he
+      entered the large hut, where a great number of fishers, with their wives
+      and daughters, were engaged in eating, drinking, and dancing, I was
+      somewhat afraid that the impatient violence of my companion might procure
+      us an indifferent reception.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But the universal shout of welcome with which Wandering Willie was
+      received&mdash;the hearty congratulations&mdash;the repeated &lsquo;Here&rsquo;s t&rsquo; 
+      ye, Willie!&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;Where hae ya been, ye blind deevil?&rsquo; and the call upon
+      him to pledge them&mdash;above all, the speed with which the obnoxious
+      pipe and tabor were put to silence, gave the old man such effectual
+      assurance of undiminished popularity and importance, as at once put his
+      jealousy to rest, and changed his tone of offended dignity into one better
+      fitted to receive such cordial greetings. Young men and women crowded
+      round, to tell how much they were afraid some mischance had detained him,
+      and how two or three young fellows had set out in quest of him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It was nae mischance, praised be Heaven,&rsquo; said Willie, &lsquo;but the absence
+      of the lazy loon Rob the Rambler, my comrade, that didna come to meet me
+      on the Links; but I hae gotten a braw consort in his stead, worth a dozen
+      of him, the unhanged blackguard.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And wha is&rsquo;t tou&rsquo;s gotten, Wullie, lad?&rsquo; said half a score of voices,
+      while all eyes were turned on your humble servant, who kept the best
+      countenance he could, though not quite easy at becoming the centre to
+      which all eyes were pointed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I ken him by his hemmed cravat,&rsquo; said one fellow; &lsquo;it&rsquo;s Gil Hobson, the
+      souple tailor frae Burgh. Ye are welcome to Scotland, ye prick-the-clout
+      loon,&rsquo; he said, thrusting forth a paw; much the colour of a badger&rsquo;s back,
+      and of most portentous dimensions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Gil Hobson? Gil whoreson!&rsquo; exclaimed Wandering Willie; &lsquo;it&rsquo;s a gentle
+      chap that I judge to be an apprentice wi&rsquo; auld Joshua Geddes, to the
+      quaker-trade.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What trade be&rsquo;s that, man?&rsquo; said he of the badger-coloured fist.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Canting and lying,&rsquo;&mdash;said Willie, which produced a thundering laugh;
+      &lsquo;but I am teaching the callant a better trade, and that is, feasting and
+      fiddling.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Willie&rsquo;s conduct in thus announcing something like my real character, was
+      contrary to compact; and yet I was rather glad he did so, for the
+      consequence of putting a trick upon these rude and ferocious men, might,
+      in case of discovery, have been dangerous to us both, and I was at the
+      same time delivered from the painful effort to support a fictitious
+      character. The good company, except perhaps one or two of the young women
+      whose looks expressed some desire for better acquaintance, gave themselves
+      no further trouble about me; but, while the seniors resumed their places
+      near an immense bowl or rather reeking cauldron of brandy-punch, the
+      younger arranged themselves on the floor and called loudly on Willie to
+      strike up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With a brief caution to me, to &lsquo;mind my credit, for fishers have ears,
+      though fish have none,&rsquo; Willie led off in capital style, and I followed,
+      certainly not so as to disgrace my companion, who, every now and then,
+      gave me a nod of approbation. The dances were, of course, the Scottish
+      jigs, and reels, and &lsquo;twasome dances&rsquo;, with a strathspey or hornpipe for
+      interlude; and the want of grace on the part of the performers was amply
+      supplied by truth of ear, vigour and decision of step, and the agility
+      proper to the northern performers. My own spirits rose with the mirth
+      around me, and with old Willie&rsquo;s admirable execution, and frequent &lsquo;weel
+      dune, gentle chap, yet;&rsquo;&mdash;and, to confess the truth, I felt a great
+      deal more pleasure in this rustic revel, than I have done at the more
+      formal balls and concerts in your famed city, to which I have sometimes
+      made my way. Perhaps this was because I was a person of more importance to
+      the presiding matron of Brokenburn-foot, than I had the means of rendering
+      myself to the far-famed Miss Nickie Murray, the patroness of your
+      Edinburgh assemblies. The person I mean was a buxom dame of about thirty,
+      her fingers loaded with many a silver ring, and three or four of gold; her
+      ankles liberally displayed from under her numerous blue, white, and
+      scarlet; short petticoats, and attired in hose of the finest and whitest
+      lamb&rsquo;s-wool, which arose from shoes of Spanish cordwain, fastened with
+      silver buckles. She took the lead in my favour, and declared, &lsquo;that the
+      brave young gentleman should not weary himself to death wi&rsquo; playing, but
+      take the floor for a dance or twa.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what&rsquo;s to come of me, Dame Martin?&rsquo; said Willie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Come o&rsquo; thee?&rsquo; said the dame; &lsquo;mishanter on the auld beard o&rsquo; ye! ye
+      could play for twenty hours on end, and tire out the haill countryside wi&rsquo; 
+      dancing before ye laid down your bow, saving for a by-drink or the like o&rsquo; 
+      that.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In troth, dame,&rsquo; answered Willie, &lsquo;ye are no sae far wrang; sae if my
+      comrade is to take his dance, ye maun gie me my drink, and then bob it
+      away like Madge of Middlebie.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The drink was soon brought; but while Willie was partaking of it, a party
+      entered the hut, which arrested my attention at once, and intercepted the
+      intended gallantry with which I had proposed to present my hand to the
+      fresh-coloured, well-made, white-ankled Thetis, who had obtained me
+      manumission from my musical task.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was nothing less than the sudden appearance of the old woman whom the
+      laird had termed Mabel; Cristal Nixon, his male attendant; and the young
+      person who had said grace to us when I supped with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This young person&mdash;Alan, thou art in thy way a bit of a conjurer&mdash;this
+      young person whom I DID NOT describe, and whom you, for that very reason,
+      suspected was not an indifferent object to me&mdash;is, I am sorry to say
+      it, in very fact not so much so as in prudence she ought. I will not use
+      the name of love on this occasion; for I have applied it too often to
+      transient whims and fancies to escape your satire, should I venture to
+      apply it now. For it is a phrase, I must confess, which I have used&mdash;a
+      romancer would say, profaned&mdash;a little too often, considering how few
+      years have passed over my head. But seriously, the fair chaplain of
+      Brokenburn has been often in my head when she had no business there; and
+      if this can give thee any clue for explaining my motives in lingering
+      about the country, and assuming the character of Willie&rsquo;s companion, why,
+      hang thee, thou art welcome to make use of it&mdash;a permission for which
+      thou need&rsquo;st not thank me much, as thou wouldst not have failed to assume
+      it whether it were given or no.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Such being my feelings, conceive how they must have been excited, when,
+      like a beam upon a cloud, I saw this uncommonly beautiful girl enter the
+      apartment in which they were dancing; not, however, with the air of an
+      equal, but that of a superior, come to grace with her presence the
+      festival of her dependants. The old man and woman attended, with looks as
+      sinister as hers were lovely, like two of the worst winter months waiting
+      upon the bright-eyed May.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When she entered&mdash;wonder if thou wilt&mdash;she wore A GREEN MANTLE,
+      such as thou hast described as the garb of thy fair client, and confirmed
+      what I had partly guessed from thy personal description, that my chaplain
+      and thy visitor were the same person. There was an alteration on her brow
+      the instant she recognized me. She gave her cloak to her female attendant,
+      and, after a momentary hesitation, as if uncertain whether to advance or
+      retire, she walked into the room with dignity and composure, all making
+      way, the men unbonneting, and the women curtsying respectfully, as she
+      assumed a chair which was reverently placed for her accommodation, apart
+      from others.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was then a pause, until the bustling mistress of the ceremonies,
+      with awkward but kindly courtesy, offered the young lady a glass of wine,
+      which was at first declined, and at length only thus far accepted, that,
+      bowing round to the festive company, the fair visitor wished them all
+      health and mirth, and just touching the brim with her lip, replaced it on
+      the salver. There was another pause; and I did not immediately recollect,
+      confused as I was by this unexpected apparition, that it belonged to me to
+      break it. At length a murmur was heard around me, being expected to
+      exhibit,&mdash;nay, to lead down the dance,&mdash;in consequence of the
+      previous conversation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Deil&rsquo;s in the fiddler lad,&rsquo; was muttered from more quarters than one&mdash;&lsquo;saw
+      folk ever sic a thing as a shame-faced fiddler before?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length a venerable Triton, seconding his remonstrances with a hearty
+      thump on my shoulder, cried out, &lsquo;To the floor&mdash;to the floor, and let
+      us see how ye can fling&mdash;the lasses are a&rsquo; waiting.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Up I jumped, sprang from the elevated station which constituted our
+      orchestra, and, arranging my ideas as rapidly as I could, advanced to the
+      head of the room, and, instead of offering my hand to the white-footed
+      Thetis aforesaid, I venturously made the same proposal to her of the Green
+      Mantle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The nymph&rsquo;s lovely eyes seemed to open with astonishment at the audacity
+      of this offer; and, from the murmurs I heard around me, I also understood
+      that it surprised, and perhaps offended, the bystanders. But after the
+      first moment&rsquo;s emotion, she wreathed her neck, and drawing herself
+      haughtily up, like one who was willing to show that she was sensible of
+      the full extent of her own condescension, extended her hand towards me,
+      like a princess gracing a squire of low degree.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There is affectation in all this, thought I to myself, if the Green Mantle
+      has borne true evidence&mdash;for young ladies do not make visits, or
+      write letters to counsel learned in the law, to interfere in the motions
+      of those whom they hold as cheap as this nymph seems to do me; and if I am
+      cheated by a resemblance of cloaks, still I am interested to show myself,
+      in some degree, worthy of the favour she has granted with so much state
+      and reserve. The dance to be performed was the old Scots Jig, in which you
+      are aware I used to play no sorry figure at La Pique&rsquo;s, when thy clumsy
+      movements used to be rebuked by raps over the knuckles with that great
+      professor&rsquo;s fiddlestick. The choice of the tune was left to my comrade
+      Willie, who, having finished his drink, feloniously struck up the
+      well-known and popular measure,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Merrily danced the Quaker&rsquo;s wife,
+  And merrily danced the Quaker.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      An astounding laugh arose at my expense, and I should have been
+      annihilated, but that the smile which mantled on the lip of my partner,
+      had a different expression from that of ridicule, and seemed to say, &lsquo;Do
+      not take this to heart.&rsquo; And I did not, Alan&mdash;my partner danced
+      admirably, and I like one who was determined, if outshone, which I could
+      not help, not to be altogether thrown into the shade.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I assure you our performance, as well as Willie&rsquo;s music, deserved more
+      polished spectators and auditors; but we could not then have been greeted
+      with such enthusiastic shouts of applause as attended while I handed my
+      partner to her seat, and took my place by her side, as one who had a right
+      to offer the attentions usual on such an occasion. She was visibly
+      embarrassed, but I was determined not to observe her confusion, and to
+      avail myself of the opportunity of learning whether this beautiful
+      creature&rsquo;s mind was worthy of the casket in which nature had lodged it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nevertheless, however courageously I formed this resolution, you cannot
+      but too well guess the difficulties I must needs have felt in carrying it
+      into execution; since want of habitual intercourse with the charmers of
+      the other sex has rendered me a sheepish cur, only one grain less awkward
+      than thyself. Then she was so very beautiful, and assumed an air of so
+      much dignity, that I was like to fall under the fatal error of supposing
+      she should only be addressed with something very clever; and in the hasty
+      raking which my brains underwent in this persuasion, not a single idea
+      occurred that common sense did not reject as fustian on the one hand, or
+      weary, flat, and stale triticism on the other. I felt as if my
+      understanding were no longer my own, but was alternately under the
+      dominion of Aldeborontiphoscophornio, and that of his facetious friend
+      Rigdum-Funnidos. How did I envy at that moment our friend Jack Oliver, who
+      produces with such happy complacence his fardel of small talk, and who, as
+      he never doubts his own powers of affording amusement, passes them current
+      with every pretty woman he approaches, and fills up the intervals of chat
+      by his complete acquaintance with the exercise of the fan, the FLACON, and
+      the other duties of the CAVALIERE SERVENTE. Some of these I attempted, but
+      I suppose it was awkwardly; at least the Lady Green Mantle received them
+      as a princess accepts the homage of a clown.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meantime the floor remained empty, and as the mirth of the good meeting
+      was somewhat checked, I ventured, as a DERNIER RESSORT, to propose a
+      minuet. She thanked me, and told me haughtily enough, &lsquo;she was here to
+      encourage the harmless pleasures of these good folks, but was not disposed
+      to make an exhibition of her own indifferent dancing for their amusement.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She paused a moment, as if she expected me to suggest something; and as I
+      remained silent and rebuked, she bowed her head more graciously, and said,
+      &lsquo;Not to affront you, however, a country-dance, if you please.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      What an ass was I, Alan, not to have anticipated her wishes! Should I not
+      have observed that the ill-favoured couple, Mabel and Cristal, had placed
+      themselves on each side of her seat, like the supporters of the royal
+      arms? the man, thick, short, shaggy, and hirsute, as the lion; the female,
+      skin-dried, tight-laced, long, lean, and hungry-faced, like the unicorn. I
+      ought to have recollected, that under the close inspection of two such
+      watchful salvages, our communication, while in repose, could not have been
+      easy; that the period of dancing a minuet was not the very choicest time
+      for conversation; but that the noise, the exercise, and the mazy confusion
+      of a country-dance, where the inexperienced performers were every now and
+      then running against each other, and compelling the other couples to stand
+      still for a minute at a time, besides the more regular repose afforded by
+      the intervals of the dance itself, gave the best possible openings for a
+      word or two spoken in season, and without being liable to observation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We had but just led down, when an opportunity of the kind occurred, and my
+      partner said, with great gentleness and modesty, &lsquo;It is not perhaps very
+      proper in me to acknowledge an acquaintance that is not claimed; but I
+      believe I speak to Mr. Darsie Latimer?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Darsie Latimer was indeed the person that had now the honour and
+      happiness&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I would have gone on in the false gallop of compliment, but she cut me
+      short. &lsquo;And why,&rsquo; she said, &lsquo;is Mr. Latimer here, and in disguise, or at
+      least assuming an office unworthy of a man of education?&mdash;I beg
+      pardon,&rsquo; she continued,&mdash;&lsquo;I would not give you pain, but surely
+      making, an associate of a person of that description&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She looked towards my friend Willie, and was silent. I felt heartily
+      ashamed of myself, and hastened to say it was an idle frolic, which want
+      of occupation had suggested, and which I could not regret, since it had
+      procured me the pleasure I at present enjoyed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Without seeming to notice my compliment, she took the next opportunity to
+      say, &lsquo;Will Mr. Latimer permit a stranger who wishes him well to ask,
+      whether it is right that, at his active age, he should be in so far void
+      of occupation, as to be ready to adopt low society for the sake of idle
+      amusement?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are severe, madam,&rsquo; I answered; &lsquo;but I cannot think myself degraded
+      by mixing with any society where I meet&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here I stopped short, conscious that I was giving my answer an unhandsome
+      turn. The ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM, the last to which a polite man has
+      recourse, may, however, be justified by circumstances, but seldom or never
+      the ARGUMENTUM AD FOEMINAM.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She filled up the blank herself which I had left. &lsquo;Where you meet ME, I
+      suppose you would say? But the case is different. I am, from my unhappy
+      fate, obliged to move by the will of others, and to be in places which I
+      would by my own will gladly avoid. Besides, I am, except for these few
+      minutes, no participator of the revels&mdash;a spectator only, and
+      attended by my servants. Your situation is different&mdash;you are here by
+      choice, the partaker and minister of the pleasures of a class below you in
+      education, birth, and fortunes. If I speak harshly, Mr. Latimer,&rsquo; she
+      added, with much sweetness of manner, &lsquo;I mean kindly.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I was confounded by her speech, &lsquo;severe in youthful wisdom&rsquo;; all of naive
+      or lively, suitable to such a dialogue, vanished from my recollection, and
+      I answered with gravity like her own, &lsquo;I am, indeed, better educated than
+      these poor people; but you, madam, whose kind admonition I am grateful
+      for, must know more of my condition than I do myself&mdash;I dare not say
+      I am their superior in birth, since I know nothing of my own, or in
+      fortunes, over which hangs an impenetrable cloud.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And why should your ignorance on these points drive you into low society
+      and idle habits?&rsquo; answered my female monitor. &lsquo;Is it manly to wait till
+      fortune cast her beams upon you, when by exertion of your own energy you
+      might distinguish yourself? Do not the pursuits of learning lie open to
+      you&mdash;of manly ambition&mdash;of war? But no&mdash;not of war, that
+      has already cost you too dear.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will be what you wish me to be,&rsquo; I replied with eagerness&mdash;&lsquo;You
+      have but to choose my path, and you shall see if I do not pursue it with
+      energy, were it only because you command me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not because I command you,&rsquo; said the maiden, &lsquo;but because reason, common
+      sense, manhood, and, in one word, regard for your own safety, give the
+      same counsel.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;At least permit me to reply, that reason and sense never assumed a fairer
+      form&mdash;of persuasion,&rsquo; I hastily added; for she turned from me&mdash;nor
+      did she give me another opportunity of continuing what I had to say till
+      the next pause of the dance, when, determined to bring our dialogue to a
+      point, I said, &lsquo;You mentioned manhood also, and in the same breath,
+      personal danger. My ideas of manhood suggest that it is cowardice to
+      retreat before dangers of a doubtful character. You, who appear to know so
+      much of my fortunes that I might call you my guardian angel, tell me what
+      these dangers are, that I may judge whether manhood calls on me to face or
+      to fly them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She was evidently perplexed by this appeal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You make me pay dearly for acting as your humane adviser,&rsquo; she replied at
+      last: &lsquo;I acknowledge an interest in your fate, and yet I dare not tell you
+      whence it arises; neither am I at liberty to say why, or from whom, you
+      are in danger; but it is not less true that danger is near and imminent.
+      Ask me no more, but, for your own sake, begone from this country.
+      Elsewhere you are safe&mdash;here you do but invite your fate.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But am I doomed to bid thus farewell to almost the only human being who
+      has showed an interest in my welfare? Do not say so&mdash;say that we
+      shall meet again, and the hope shall be the leading star to regulate my
+      course!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is more than probable,&rsquo; she said&mdash;&lsquo;much more than probable, that
+      we may never meet again. The help which I now render you is all that may
+      be in my power; it is such as I should render to a blind man whom I might
+      observe approaching the verge of a precipice; it ought to excite no
+      surprise, and requires no gratitude.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, she again turned from me, nor did she address me until the
+      dance was on the point of ending, when she said, &lsquo;Do not attempt to speak
+      to or approach me again in the course of the night; leave the company as
+      soon as you can, but not abruptly, and God be with you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I handed her to her seat, and did not quit the fair palm I held, without
+      expressing my feelings by a gentle pressure. She coloured slightly, and
+      withdrew her hand, but not angrily. Seeing the eyes of Cristal and Mabel
+      sternly fixed on me, I bowed deeply, and withdrew from her; my heart
+      saddening, and my eyes becoming dim in spite of me, as the shifting crowd
+      hid us from each other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was my intention to have crept back to my comrade Willie, and resumed
+      my bow with such spirit as I might, although, at the moment, I would have
+      given half my income for an instant&rsquo;s solitude. But my retreat was cut off
+      by Dame Martin, with the frankness&mdash;if it is not an inconsistent
+      phrase-of rustic coquetry, that goes straight up to the point.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, lad, ye seem unco sune weary, to dance sae lightly? Better the nag
+      that ambles a&rsquo; the day, than him that makes a brattle for a mile, and
+      then&rsquo;s dune wi&rsquo; the road.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was a fair challenge, and I could not decline accepting it. Besides,
+      I could see Dame Martin was queen of the revels; and so many were the rude
+      and singular figures about me, that I was by no means certain whether I
+      might not need some protection. I seized on her willing hand, and we took
+      our places in the dance, where, if I did not acquit myself with all the
+      accuracy of step and movement which I had before attempted, I at least
+      came up to the expectations of my partner, who said, and almost swore, &lsquo;I
+      was prime at it;&rsquo; while, stimulated to her utmost exertions, she herself
+      frisked like a kid, snapped her fingers like castanets, whooped like a
+      Bacchanal, and bounded from the floor like a tennis-ball,&mdash;aye, till
+      the colour of her garters was no particular mystery. She made the less
+      secret of this, perhaps, that they were sky-blue, and fringed with silver.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The time has been that this would have been special fun; or rather, last
+      night was the only time I can recollect these four years when it would not
+      have been so; yet, at this moment, I cannot tell you how I longed to be
+      rid of Dame Martin. I almost wished she would sprain one of those
+      &lsquo;many-twinkling&rsquo; ankles, which served her so alertly; and when, in the
+      midst of her exuberant caprioling, I saw my former partner leaving the
+      apartment, and with eyes, as I thought, turning towards me, this
+      unwillingness to carry on the dance increased to such a point, that I was
+      almost about to feign a sprain or a dislocation myself, in order to put an
+      end to the performance. But there were around me scores of old women, all
+      of whom looked as if they might have some sovereign recipe for such an
+      accident; and, remembering Gil Blas, and his pretended disorder in the
+      robber&rsquo;s cavern, I thought it as wise to play Dame Martin fair, and dance
+      till she thought proper to dismiss me. What I did I resolved to do
+      strenuously, and in the latter part of the exhibition I cut and sprang
+      from the floor as high and as perpendicularly as Dame Martin herself; and
+      received, I promise you, thunders of applause, for the common people
+      always prefer exertion and agility to grace. At length Dame Martin could
+      dance no more, and, rejoicing at my release, I led her to a seat, and took
+      the privilege of a partner to attend her.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hegh, sirs,&rsquo; exclaimed Dame Martin, &lsquo;I am sair forfoughen! Troth!
+      callant, I think ye hae been amaist the death o&rsquo; me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I could only atone for the alleged offence by fetching her some
+      refreshment, of which she readily partook.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have been lucky in my partners,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;first that pretty young lady,
+      and then you, Mrs. Martin.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hout wi&rsquo; your fleeching,&rsquo; said Dame Martin. &lsquo;Gae wa&mdash;gae wa, lad;
+      dinna blaw in folk&rsquo;s lugs that gate; me and Miss Lilias even&rsquo;d thegither!
+      Na, na, lad&mdash;od, she is maybe four or five years younger than the
+      like o&rsquo; me,&mdash;bye and attour her gentle havings.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;She is the laird&rsquo;s daughter?&rsquo; said I, in as careless a tone of inquiry as
+      I could assume.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;His daughter, man? Na, na, only his niece&mdash;and sib aneugh to him, I
+      think.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, indeed,&rsquo; I replied; &lsquo;I thought she had borne his name?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;She bears her ain name, and that&rsquo;s Lilias.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And has she no other name?&rsquo; asked I.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What needs she another till she gets a gudeman?&rsquo; answered my Thetis, a
+      little miffed perhaps&mdash;to use the women&rsquo;s phrase&mdash;that I turned
+      the conversation upon my former partner, rather than addressed it to
+      herself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a little pause, which was interrupted by Dame Martin observing,
+      &lsquo;They are standing up again.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;True,&rsquo; said I, having no mind to renew my late violent CAPRIOLE, and I
+      must go help old Willie.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ere I could extricate myself, I heard poor Thetis address herself to a
+      sort of merman in a jacket of seaman&rsquo;s blue, and a pair of trousers (whose
+      hand, by the way, she had rejected at an earlier part of the evening) and
+      intimate that she was now disposed to take a trip.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Trip away, then, dearie,&rsquo; said the vindictive man of the waters, without
+      offering his hand; &lsquo;there,&rsquo; pointing to the floor, &lsquo;is a roomy berth for
+      you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Certain I had made one enemy, and perhaps two, I hastened to my original
+      seat beside Willie, and began to handle my bow. But I could see that my
+      conduct had made an unfavourable impression; the words, &lsquo;flory conceited
+      chap,&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;hafflins gentle,&rsquo; and at length, the still more alarming
+      epithet of &lsquo;spy,&rsquo; began to be buzzed about, and I was heartily glad when
+      the apparition of Sam&rsquo;s visage at the door, who was already possessed of
+      and draining a can of punch, gave me assurance that my means of retreat
+      were at hand. I intimated as much to Willie, who probably had heard more
+      of the murmurs of the company than I had, for he whispered, &lsquo;Aye, aye,&mdash;awa
+      wi&rsquo; ye&mdash;ower lang here&mdash;slide out canny&mdash;dinna let them see
+      ye are on the tramp.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I slipped half a guinea into the old man&rsquo;s hand, who answered, &lsquo;Truts
+      pruts! nonsense but I &lsquo;se no refuse, trusting ye can afford it. Awa wi&rsquo; ye&mdash;and
+      if ony body stops ye, cry on me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I glided, by his advice, along the room as if looking for a partner,
+      joined Sam, whom I disengaged with some difficulty from his can, and we
+      left the cottage together in a manner to attract the least possible
+      observation. The horses were tied in a neighbouring shed, and as the moon
+      was up, and I was now familiar with the road, broken and complicated as it
+      is, we soon reached the Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush, where the old landlady was
+      sitting up waiting for us, under some anxiety of mind, to account for
+      which she did not hesitate to tell me that some folks had gone to
+      Brokenburn from her house, or neighbouring towns, that did not come so
+      safe back again. &lsquo;Wandering Willie,&rsquo; she said, &lsquo;was doubtless a kind of
+      protection.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here Willie&rsquo;s wife, who was smoking in the chimney corner, took up the
+      praises of her &lsquo;hinnie,&rsquo; as she called him, and endeavoured to awaken my
+      generosity afresh, by describing the dangers from which, as she was
+      pleased to allege, her husband&rsquo;s countenance had assuredly been the means
+      of preserving me. I was not, however, to be fooled out of more money at
+      this time, and went to bed in haste, full of vanous cogitations.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have since spent a couple of days betwixt Mount Sharon and this place,
+      and betwixt reading, writing to thee this momentous history, forming plans
+      for seeing the lovely Lilias, and&mdash;partly, I think, for the sake of
+      contradiction&mdash;angling a little in spite of Joshua&rsquo;a scruples&mdash;though
+      I am rather liking the amusement better as I begin to have some success in
+      it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And now, my dearest Alan, you are in full possession of my secret&mdash;let
+      me as frankly into the recesses of your bosom. How do you feel towards
+      this fair ignis fatuus, this lily of the desert? Tell me honestly; for
+      however the recollection of her may haunt my own mind, my love for Alan
+      Fairford surpasses the love of woman, I know, too, that when you DO love,
+      it will be to
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Love once and love no more.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      A deep-consuming passion, once kindled in a breast so steady as yours,
+      would never be extinguished but with life. I am of another and more
+      volatile temper, and though I shall open your next with a trembling hand
+      and uncertain heart, yet let it bring a frank confession that this fair
+      unknown has made a deeper impression on your gravity than you reckoned
+      for, and you will see I can tear the arrow from my own wound, barb and
+      all. In the meantime, though I have formed schemes once more to see her, I
+      will, you may rely on it, take no step for putting them into practice. I
+      have refrained from this hitherto, and I give you my word of honour, I
+      shall continue to do so; yet why should you need any further assurance
+      from one who is so entirely yours as D.L.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      PS.&mdash;I shall be on thorns till I receive your answer. I read, and
+      re-read your letter, and cannot for my soul discover what your real
+      sentiments are. Sometimes I think you write of her as one in jest&mdash;and
+      sometimes I think that cannot be. Put me at ease as soon as possible.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      LETTER XIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      I write on the instant, as you direct; and in a tragi-comic humour, for I
+      have a tear in my eye and a smile on my cheek. Dearest Darsie, sure never
+      a being but yourself could be so generous&mdash;sure never a being but
+      yourself could be so absurd! I remember when you were a boy you wished to
+      make your fine new whip a present to old Aunt Peggy, merely because she
+      admired it; and now, with like unreflecting and inappropriate liberality,
+      you would resign your beloved to a smoke-dried young sophister, who cares
+      not one of the hairs which it is his occupation to split, for all the
+      daughters of Eve. I in love with your Lilias&mdash;your Green Mantle&mdash;your
+      unknown enchantress!&mdash;why I scarce saw her for five minutes, and even
+      then only the tip of her chin was distinctly visible. She was well made,
+      and the tip of her chin was of a most promising cast for the rest of the
+      face; but, Heaven save you! she came upon business! and for a lawyer to
+      fall in love with a pretty client on a single consultation, would be as
+      wise as if he became enamoured of a particularly bright sunbeam which
+      chanced for a moment to gild his bar-wig. I give you my word I am
+      heart-whole and moreover, I assure you, that before I suffer a woman to
+      sit near my heart&rsquo;s core, I must see her full face, without mask or
+      mantle, aye, and know a good deal of her mind into the bargain. So never
+      fret yourself on my account, my kind and generous Darsie; but, for your
+      own sake, have a care and let not an idle attachment, so lightly taken up,
+      lead you into serious danger.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On this subject I feel so apprehensive, that now when I am decorated with
+      the honours of the gown, I should have abandoned my career at the very
+      starting to come to you, but for my father having contrived to clog my
+      heels with fetters of a professional nature. I will tell you the matter at
+      length, for it is comical enough; and why should not you list to my
+      juridical adventures, as well as I to those of your fiddling
+      knight-errantry?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was after dinner, and I was considering how I might best introduce to
+      my father the private resolution I had formed to set off for
+      Dumfriesshire, or whether I had not better run away at once, and plead my
+      excuse by letter, when, assuming the peculiar look with which he
+      communicates any of his intentions respecting me, that he suspects may not
+      be altogether acceptable, &lsquo;Alan,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;ye now wear a gown&mdash;ye
+      have opened shop, as we would say of a more mechanical profession; and,
+      doubtless, ye think the floor of the courts is strewed with guineas, and
+      that ye have only to stoop down to gather them?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope I am sensible, sir,&rsquo; I replied, &lsquo;that I have some knowledge and
+      practice to acquire, and must stoop for that in the first place.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is well said,&rsquo; answered my father; and, always afraid to give too much
+      encouragement, added, &lsquo;Very well said, if it be well acted up to&mdash;Stoop
+      to get knowledge and practice is the very word. Ye know very well, Alan,
+      that in the other faculty who study the ARS MEDENDI, before the young
+      doctor gets to the bedsides of palaces, he must, as they call it, walk the
+      hospitals; and cure Lazarus of his sores, before he be admitted to
+      prescribe for Dives, when he has gout or indigestion&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am aware, sir, that&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Whisht&mdash;do not interrupt the court. Well&mdash;also the chirurgeons
+      have a useful practice, by which they put their apprentices and tyrones to
+      work; upon senseless dead bodies, to which, as they can do no good, so
+      they certainly can do as little harm; while at the same time the tyro, or
+      apprentice, gains experience, and becomes fit to whip off a leg or arm
+      from a living subject, as cleanly as ye would slice an onion.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I believe I guess your meaning, sir,&rsquo; answered I; &lsquo;and were it not for a
+      very particular engagement&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do not speak to me of engagements; but whisht&mdash;there is a good lad&mdash;and
+      do not interrupt the court.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father, you know, is apt&mdash;be it said with all filial duty&mdash;to
+      be a little prolix in his harangues. I had nothing for it but to lean back
+      and listen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Maybe you think, Alan, because I have, doubtless, the management of some
+      actions in dependence, whilk my worthy clients have intrusted me with,
+      that I may think of airting them your way INSTANTER; and so setting you up
+      in practice, so far as my small business or influence may go; and,
+      doubtless, Alan, that is a day whilk I hope may come round. But then,
+      before I give, as the proverb hath it, &ldquo;My own fish-guts to my own
+      sea-maws,&rdquo; I must, for the sake of my own character, be very sure that my
+      sea-maw can pick them to some purpose. What say ye?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am so far,&rsquo; answered I, &lsquo;from wishing to get early into practice, sir,
+      that I would willingly bestow a few days&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In further study, ye would say, Alan. But that is not the way either&mdash;ye
+      must walk the hospitals&mdash;ye must cure Lazarus&mdash;ye must cut and
+      carve on a departed subject, to show your skill.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am sure,&rsquo; I replied, &lsquo;I will undertake the cause of any poor man with
+      pleasure, and bestow as much pains upon it as if it were a duke&rsquo;s; but for
+      the next two or three days&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;They must be devoted to close study, Alan&mdash;very close study indeed;
+      for ye must stand primed for a hearing, IN PRESENTIA DOMINORUM, upon
+      Tuesday next.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I, sir?&rsquo; I replied in astonishment&mdash;&lsquo;I have not opened my mouth in
+      the Outer House yet!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Never mind the court of the Gentiles, man,&rsquo; said my father; &lsquo;we will have
+      you into the Sanctuary at once&mdash;over shoes, over boots.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But, sir, I should really spoil any cause thrust on me so hastily.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ye cannot spoil it, Alan,&rsquo; said my father, rubbing his hands with much
+      complacency; &lsquo;that is the very cream of the business, man&mdash;it is
+      just, as I said before, a subject upon whilk all the TYRONES have been
+      trying their whittles for fifteen years; and as there have been about ten
+      or a dozen agents concerned, and each took his own way, the case is come
+      to that pass, that Stair or Amiston could not mend it; and I do not think
+      even you, Alan, can do it much harm&mdash;ye may get credit by it, but ye
+      can lose none.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And pray what is the name of my happy client, sir?&rsquo; said I, ungraciously
+      enough, I believe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is a well-known name in the Parliament House,&rsquo; replied my father. &lsquo;To
+      say the truth, I expect him every moment; it is Peter Peebles.&rsquo; [See Note
+      4.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peter Peebles!&rsquo; exclaimed I, in astonishment; &lsquo;he is an insane beggar&mdash;as
+      poor as Job, and as mad as a March hare!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He has been pleaing in the court for fifteen years,&rsquo; said my father, in a
+      tone of commiseration, which seemed to acknowledge that this fact was
+      enough to account for the poor man&rsquo;s condition both in mind and
+      circumstances.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Besides, sir,&rsquo; I added, &lsquo;he is on the Poor&rsquo;s Roll; and you know there are
+      advocates regularly appointed to manage those cases; and for me to presume
+      to interfere&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Whisht, Alan!&mdash;never interrupt the court&mdash;all THAT is managed
+      for ye like a tee&rsquo;d ball&rsquo; (my father sometimes draws his similes from his
+      once favourite game of golf); &lsquo;you must know, Alan, that Peter&rsquo;s cause was
+      to have been opened by young Dumtoustie&mdash;ye may ken the lad, a son of
+      Dumtoustie of that ilk, member of Parliament for the county of&mdash;, and
+      a nephew of the laird&rsquo;s younger brother, worthy Lord Bladderskate, whilk
+      ye are aware sounds as like being akin to a peatship [Formerly, a lawyer,
+      supposed to be under the peculiar patronage of any particular judge, was
+      invidiously termed his PEAT or PET.] and a sheriffdom, as a sieve is sib
+      to a riddle. Now, Peter Drudgeit, my lord&rsquo;s clerk, came to me this morning
+      in the House, like ane bereft of his wits; for it seems that young
+      Dumtoustie is ane of the Poor&rsquo;s lawyers, and Peter Peebles&rsquo;s process had
+      been remitted to him of course. But so soon as the harebrained goose saw
+      the pokes [Process-bags.] (as indeed, Alan, they are none of the least) he
+      took fright, called for his nag, lap on, and away to the country is he
+      gone; and so? said Peter, my lord is at his wit&rsquo;s end wi&rsquo; vexation, and
+      shame, to see his nevoy break off the course at the very starting. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll
+      tell you, Peter,&rdquo; said I, &ldquo;were I my lord, and a friend or kinsman of mine
+      should leave the town while the court was sitting, that kinsman, or be he
+      what he liked, should never darken my door again.&rdquo; And then, Alan, I
+      thought to turn the ball our own way; and I said that you were a gey sharp
+      birkie, just off the irons, and if it would oblige my lord, and so forth,
+      you would open Peter&rsquo;s cause on Tuesday, and make some handsome apology
+      for the necessary absence of your learned friend, and the loss which your
+      client and the court had sustained, and so forth. Peter lap at the
+      proposition like a cock at a grossart; for, he said, the only chance was
+      to get a new hand, that did not ken the charge he was taking upon him; for
+      there was not a lad of two sessions&rsquo; standing that was not dead-sick of
+      Peter Peebles and his cause; and he advised me to break the matter gently
+      to you at the first; but I told him you were, a good bairn, Alan, and had
+      no will and pleasure in these matters but mine.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      What could I say, Darsie, in answer to this arrangement, so very well
+      meant&mdash;so very vexatious at the same time? To imitate the defection
+      and flight of young Dumtoustie, was at once to destroy my father&rsquo;s hopes
+      of me for ever; nay, such is the keenness with which he regards all
+      connected with his profession, it might have been a step to breaking his
+      heart. I was obliged, therefore, to bow in sad acquiescence, when my
+      father called to James Wilkinson to bring the two bits of pokes he would
+      find on his table.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Exit James, and presently re-enters, bending under the load of two huge
+      leathern bags, full of papers to the brim, and labelled on the greasy
+      backs with the magic impress of the clerks of court, and the title,
+      PEEBLES AGAINST PLAINSTANES. This huge mass was deposited on the table,
+      and my father, with no ordinary glee in his countenance, began to draw
+      out; the various bundles of papers, secured by none of your red tape or
+      whipcord, but stout, substantial casts of tarred rope, such as might have
+      held small craft at their moorings.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I made a last and desperate effort to get rid of the impending job. &lsquo;I am
+      really afraid, sir, that this case seems so much complicated, and there is
+      so little time to prepare, that we had better move the court to supersede
+      it till next session.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How, sir?&mdash;how, Alan?&rsquo; said my father&mdash;&lsquo;Would you approbate and
+      reprobate, sir? You have accepted the poor man&rsquo;s cause, and if you have
+      not his fee in your pocket, it is because he has none to give you; and now
+      would you approbate and reprobate in the same breath of your mouth? Think
+      of your oath of office, Alan, and your duty to your father, my dear boy.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Once more, what could I say? I saw from my father&rsquo;s hurried and alarmed
+      manner, that nothing could vex him so much as failing in the point he had
+      determined to carry, and once more intimated my readiness to do my best,
+      under every disadvantage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, well, my boy,&rsquo; said my father, &lsquo;the Lord will make your days long
+      in the land, for the honour you have given to your father&rsquo;s grey hairs.
+      You may find wiser advisers, Alan, but none that can wish you better.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father, you know, does not usually give way to expressions of
+      affection, and they are interesting in proportion to their rarity. My eyes
+      began to fill at seeing his glisten; and my delight at having given him
+      such sensible gratification would have been unmixed but for the thoughts
+      of you. These out of the question, I could have grappled with the bags,
+      had they been as large as corn-sacks. But, to turn what was grave into
+      farce, the door opened, and Wilkinson ushered in Peter Peebles.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      You must have seen this original, Darsie, who, like others in the same
+      predicament, continues to haunt the courts of justice, where he has made
+      shipwreck of time, means, and understanding. Such insane paupers have
+      sometimes seemed to me to resemble wrecks lying upon the shoals on the
+      Goodwin Sands, or in Yarmouth Roads, warning other vessels to keep aloof
+      from the banks on which they have been lost; or rather, such ruined
+      clients are like scarecrows and potato-bogies, distributed through the
+      courts to scare away fools from the scene of litigation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The identical Peter wears a huge greatcoat threadbare and patched itself,
+      yet carefully so disposed and secured by what buttons remain, and many
+      supplementary pins, as to conceal the still more infirm state of his under
+      garments. The shoes and stockings of a ploughman were, however, seen to
+      meet at his knees with a pair of brownish, blackish breeches; a
+      rusty-coloured handkerchief, that has been black in its day, surrounded
+      his throat, and was an apology for linen. His hair, half grey, half black,
+      escaped in elf-locks around a huge wig, made of tow, as it seemed to me,
+      and so much shrunk that it stood up on the very top of his head; above
+      which he plants, when covered, an immense cocked hat, which, like the
+      chieftain&rsquo;s banner in an ancient battle, may be seen any sederunt day
+      betwixt nine and ten, high towering above all the fluctuating and
+      changeful scene in the Outer House, where his eccentricities often make
+      him the centre of a group of petulant and teasing boys, who exercise upon
+      him every art of ingenious torture. His countenance, originally that of a
+      portly, comely burgess, is now emaciated with poverty and anxiety, and
+      rendered wild by an insane lightness about the eyes; a withered and
+      blighted skin and complexion; features begrimed with snuff, charged with
+      the self-importance peculiar to insanity; and a habit of perpetually
+      speaking to himself. Such was my unfortunate client; and I must allow,
+      Darsie, that my profession had need to do a great deal of good, if, as is
+      much to be feared, it brings many individuals to such a pass.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After we had been, with a good deal of form, presented to each other, at
+      which time I easily saw by my father&rsquo;s manner that he was desirous of
+      supporting Peter&rsquo;s character in my eyes, as much as circumstances would
+      permit, &lsquo;Alan,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;this is the gentleman who has agreed to accept
+      of you as his counsel, in place of young Dumtoustie.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Entirely out of favour to my old acquaintance your father, said Peter.
+      with a benign and patronizing countenance, &lsquo;out of respect to your father,
+      and my old intimacy with Lord Bladderskate. Otherwise, by the REGIAM
+      MAJESTATEM! I would have presented a petition and complaint against Daniel
+      Dumtoustie, Advocate, by name and surname&mdash;I would, by all the
+      practiques!&mdash;I know the forms of process; and I am not to be triffled
+      with.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father here interrupted my client, and reminded him that there was a
+      good deal of business to do, as he proposed to give the young counsel an
+      outline of the state of the conjoined process, with a view to letting him
+      into the merits of the cause, disencumbered from the points of form. &lsquo;I
+      have made a short abbreviate, Mr. Peebles,&rsquo; said he; &lsquo;having sat up late
+      last night, and employed much of this morning in wading through these
+      papers, to save Alan some trouble, and I am now about to state the
+      result.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will state it myself,&rsquo; said Peter, breaking in without reverence upon
+      his solicitor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, by no means,&rsquo; said my father; &lsquo;I am your agent for the time.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mine eleventh in number,&rsquo; said Peter; &lsquo;I have a new one every year; I
+      wish I could get a new coat as regularly.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your agent for the time,&rsquo; resumed my father; &lsquo;and you, who are acquainted
+      with the forms, know that the client states the cause to the agent&mdash;the
+      agent to the counsel&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The counsel to the Lord Ordinary,&rsquo; continued Peter, once set a-going,
+      like the peal of an alarm clock, &lsquo;the Ordinary to the Inner House, the
+      President to the Bench. It is just like the rope to the man, the man to
+      the ox, the ox to the water, the water to the fire&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hush, for Heaven&rsquo;s sake, Mr. Peebles,&rsquo; said my father, cutting his
+      recitation short; &lsquo;time wears on&mdash;we must get to business&mdash;you
+      must not interrupt the court, you know.&mdash;Hem, hem! From this
+      abbreviate it appears&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Before you begin,&rsquo; said Peter Peebles &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll thank you to order me a
+      morsel of bread and cheese, or some cauld meat, or broth, or the like
+      alimentary provision; I was so anxious to see your son, that I could not
+      eat a mouthful of dinner.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Heartily glad, I believe, to have so good a chance of stopping his
+      client&rsquo;s mouth effectually, my father ordered some cold meat; to which
+      James Wilkinson, for the honour of the house, was about to add the brandy
+      bottle, which remained on the sideboard, but, at a wink from my father,
+      supplied its place with small beer. Peter charged the provisions with the
+      rapacity of a famished lion; and so well did the diversion engage him,
+      that though, while my father stated the case, he looked at him repeatedly,
+      as if he meant to interrupt his statement, yet he always found more
+      agreeable employment for his mouth, and returned to the cold beef with an
+      avidity which convinced me he had not had such an opportunity for many a
+      day of satiating his appetite. Omitting much formal phraseology, and many
+      legal details, I will endeavour to give you, in exchange for your
+      fiddler&rsquo;s tale, the history of a litigant, or rather, the history of his
+      lawsuit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peter Peebles and Paul Plainstanes,&rsquo; said my father, entered into
+      partnership, in the year&mdash;, as mercers and linendrapers, in the
+      Luckenbooths, and carried on a great line of business to mutual advantage.
+      But the learned counsel needeth not to be told, SOCIETAS EST MATER
+      DISCORDIARUM, partnership oft makes pleaship. The company being dissolved
+      by mutual consent, in the year&mdash;, the affairs had to be wound up, and
+      after certain attempts to settle the matter extra-judicially, it was at
+      last brought into the court, and has branched out into several distinct
+      processes, most of whilk have been conjoined by the Ordinary. It is to the
+      state of these processes that counsel&rsquo;s attention is particularly
+      directed. There is the original action of Peebles v. Plainstanes,
+      convening him for payment of 3000l., less or more, as alleged balance due
+      by Plainstanes. Secondly, there is a counter action, in which Plainstanes
+      is pursuer and Peebles defender, for 2500l., less or more, being balance
+      alleged per contra, to be due by Peebles. Thirdly, Mr. Peeble&rsquo;s seventh
+      agent advised an action of Compt and Reckoning at his instance, wherein
+      what balance should prove due on either side might be fairly struck and
+      ascertained. Fourthly, to meet the hypothetical case, that Peebles might
+      be found liable in a balance to Plainstanes, Mr. Wildgoose, Mr. Peebles&rsquo;s
+      eighth agent, recommended a Multiplepoinding, to bring all parties
+      concerned into the field.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My brain was like to turn at this account of lawsuit within lawsuit, like
+      a nest of chip-boxes, with all of which I was expected to make myself
+      acquainted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I understand,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;that Mr. Peebles claims a sum of money from
+      Plainstanes&mdash;how then can he be his debtor? and if not his debtor,
+      how can he bring a Multiplepoinding, the very summons of which sets forth,
+      that the pursuer does owe certain monies, which he is desirous to pay by
+      warrant of a judge?&rsquo; [Multiplepoinding is, I believe, equivalent to what
+      is called in England a case of Double Distress.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ye know little of the matter, I doubt, friend,&rsquo; said Mr. Peebles; &lsquo;a
+      Multiplepoinding is the safest REMEDIUM JURIS in the whole; form of
+      process. I have known it conjoined with a declarator of marriage.&mdash;Your
+      beef is excellent,&rsquo; he said to my father, who in vain endeavoured to
+      resume his legal disquisition; &lsquo;but something highly powdered&mdash;and
+      the twopenny is undeniable; but it is small swipes&mdash;small swipes&mdash;more
+      of hop than malt-with your leave, I&rsquo;ll try your black bottle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My father started to help him with his own hand, and in due measure; but,
+      infinitely to my amusement, Peter got possession of the bottle by the
+      neck, and my father&rsquo;s ideas of hospitality were far too scrupulous to
+      permit his attempting, by any direct means, to redeem it; so that Peter
+      returned to the table triumphant, with his prey in his clutch.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Better have a wine-glass, Mr. Peebles,&rsquo; said my father, in an admonitory
+      tone, &lsquo;you will find it pretty strong.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If the kirk is ower muckle, we can sing mass in the quire,&rsquo; said Peter,
+      helping himself in the goblet out of which he had been drinking the small
+      beer. &lsquo;What is it, usquebaugh?&mdash;BRANDY, as I am an honest man! I had
+      almost forgotten the name and taste of brandy. Mr. Fairford elder, your
+      good health&rsquo; (a mouthful of brandy), &lsquo;Mr. Alan Fairford, wishing you well
+      through your arduous undertaking&rsquo; (another go-down of the comfortable
+      liquor). &lsquo;And now, though you have given a tolerable breviate of this
+      great lawsuit, of whilk everybody has heard something that has walked the
+      boards in the Outer House (here&rsquo;s to ye again, by way of interim decreet)
+      yet ye have omitted to speak a word of the arrestments.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I was just coming to that point, Mr. Peebles.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Or of the action of suspension of the charge on the bill.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I was just coming to that.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Or the advocation of the Sheriff-Court process.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I was just coming to it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As Tweed comes to Melrose, I think,&rsquo; said the litigant; and then filling
+      his goblet about a quarter full of brandy, as if in absence of mind, &lsquo;Oh,
+      Mr. Alan Fairford, ye are a lucky man to buckle to such a cause as mine at
+      the very outset! it is like a specimen of all causes, man. By the Regiam,
+      there is not a REMEDIUM JURIS in the practiques but ye&rsquo;ll find a spice
+      o&rsquo;t. Here&rsquo;s to your getting weel through with it&mdash;Pshut&mdash;I am
+      drinking naked spirits, I think. But if the heathen he ower strong, we&rsquo;ll
+      christen him with the brewer&rsquo; (here he added a little small beer to his
+      beverage, paused, rolled his eyes, winked, and proceeded),&mdash;&lsquo;Mr.
+      Fairford&mdash;the action of assault and battery, Mr. Fairford, when I
+      compelled the villain Plainstanes to pull my nose within two steps of King
+      Charles&rsquo;s statue, in the Parliament Close&mdash;there I had him in a
+      hose-net. Never man could tell me how to shape that process&mdash;no
+      counsel that ever selled mind could condescend and say whether it were
+      best to proceed by way of petition and complaint, AD VINDICTAM PUBLICAM,
+      with consent of his Majesty&rsquo;s advocate, or by action on the statute for
+      battery PENDENTE LITE, whilk would be the winning my plea at once, and so
+      getting a back-door out of court.&mdash;By the Regiam, that beef and
+      brandy is unco het at my heart&mdash;I maun try the ale again&rsquo; (sipped a
+      little beer); &lsquo;and the ale&rsquo;s but cauld, I maun e&rsquo;en put in the rest of the
+      brandy.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was as good as his word, and proceeded in so loud and animated a style
+      of elocution, thumping the table, drinking and snuffing alternately, that
+      my father, abandoning all attempts to interrupt him, sat silent and
+      ashamed, suffering, and anxious for the conclusion of the scene.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And then to come back to my pet process of all&mdash;my battery and
+      assault process, when I had the good luck to provoke him to pull my nose
+      at the very threshold of the court, whilk was the very thing I wanted&mdash;Mr.
+      Pest, ye ken him, Daddie Fairford? Old Pest was for making it out
+      HAMESUCKEN, for he said the court might be said&mdash;said&mdash;ugh!&mdash;to
+      be my dwelling-place. I dwell mair there than ony gate else, and the
+      essence of hamesucken is to strike a man in his dwelling-place&mdash;mind
+      that, young advocate&mdash;and so there&rsquo;s hope Plainstanes may be hanged,
+      as many has for a less matter; for, my lords,&mdash;will Pest say to the
+      Justiciary bodies,&mdash;my lords, the Parliament House is Peebles&rsquo; place
+      of dwelling, says he&mdash;being COMMUNE FORUM, and COMMUNE FORUM EST
+      COMMUNE DOMICILIUM&mdash;Lass, fetch another glass of and score it&mdash;time
+      to gae hame&mdash;by the practiques, I cannot find the jug&mdash;yet
+      there&rsquo;s twa of them, I think. By the Regiam, Fairford&mdash;Daddie
+      Fairford&mdash;lend us twal pennies to buy sneeshing, mine is done&mdash;Macer,
+      call another cause.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The box fell from his hands, and his body would at the same time have
+      fallen from the chair, had not I supported him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;This is intolerable,&rsquo; said my father&mdash;&lsquo;Call a chairman, James
+      Wilkinson, to carry this degraded, worthless, drunken beast home.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Peter Peebles was removed from this memorable consultation, under the
+      care of an able-bodied Celt, my father hastily bundled up the papers, as a
+      showman, whose exhibition has miscarried, hastes to remove his booth.
+      &lsquo;Here are my memoranda, Alan,&rsquo; he said, in a hurried way; &lsquo;look them
+      carefully over&mdash;compare them with the processes, and turn it in your
+      head before Tuesday. Many a good speech has been made for a beast of a
+      client; and hark ye, lad, hark ye&mdash;I never intended to cheat you of
+      your fee when all was done, though I would have liked to have heard the
+      speech first; but there is nothing like corning the horse before the
+      journey. Here are five goud guineas in a silk purse&mdash;of your poor
+      mother&rsquo;s netting, Alan&mdash;she would have been a blithe woman to have
+      seen her young son with a gown on his back&mdash;but no more of that&mdash;be
+      a good boy, and to the work like a tiger.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I did set to work, Darsie; for who could resist such motives? With my
+      father&rsquo;s assistance, I have mastered the details, confused as they are;
+      and on Tuesday I shall plead as well for Peter Peebles as I could for a
+      duke. Indeed, I feel my head so clear on the subject as to be able to
+      write this long letter to you; into which, however, Peter and his lawsuit
+      have insinuated themselves so far as to show you how much they at present
+      occupy my thoughts. Once more, be careful of yourself, and mindful of me,
+      who am ever thine, while ALAN FAIRFORD.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      From circumstances, to be hereafter mentioned, it was long ere this letter
+      reached the person to whom it was addressed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER I
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      The advantage of laying before the reader, in the words of the actors
+      themselves, the adventures which we must otherwise have narrated in our
+      own, has given great popularity to the publication of epistolary
+      correspondence, as practised by various great authors, and by ourselves in
+      the preceding chapters. Nevertheless, a genuine correspondence of this
+      kind (and Heaven forbid it should be in any respect sophisticated by
+      interpolations of our own!) can seldom be found to contain all in which it
+      is necessary to instruct the reader for his full comprehension of the
+      story. Also it must often happen that various prolixities and redundancies
+      occur in the course of an interchange of letters, which must hang as a
+      dead weight on the progress of the narrative. To avoid this dilemma, some
+      biographers have used the letters of the personages concerned, or liberal
+      extracts from them, to describe particular incidents, or express the
+      sentiments which they entertained; while they connect them occasionally
+      with such portions of narrative, as may serve to carry on the thread of
+      the story.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is thus that the adventurous travellers who explore the summit of Mont
+      Blanc now move on through the crumbling snowdrift so slowly, that their
+      progress is almost imperceptible, and anon abridge their journey by
+      springing over the intervening chasms which cross their path, with the
+      assistance of their pilgrim-staves. Or, to make a briefer simile, the
+      course of story-telling which we have for the present adopted, resembles
+      the original discipline of the dragoons, who were trained to serve either
+      on foot or horseback, as the emergencies of the service required. With
+      this explanation, we shall proceed to narrate some circumstances which
+      Alan Fairford did not, and could not, write to his correspondent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Our reader, we trust, has formed somewhat approaching to a distinct idea
+      of the principal characters who have appeared before him during our
+      narrative; but in case our good opinion of his sagacity has been
+      exaggerated, and in order to satisfy such as are addicted to the laudable
+      practice of SKIPPING (with whom we have at times a strong fellow-feeling),
+      the following particulars may not be superfluous.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Saunders Fairford, as he was usually called, was a man of business of
+      the old school, moderate in his charges, economical and even niggardly in
+      his expenditure, strictly honest in conducting his own affairs and those
+      of his clients, but taught by long experience to be wary and suspicious in
+      observing the motions of others. Punctual as the clock of Saint Giles
+      tolled nine, the neat dapper form of the little hale old gentleman was
+      seen at the threshold of the court hall, or at farthest, at the head of
+      the Back Stairs, trimly dressed in a complete suit of snuff-coloured
+      brown, with stockings of silk or woollen as, suited the weather; a
+      bob-wig, and a small cocked hat; shoes blacked as Warren would have
+      blacked them; silver shoe-buckles, and a gold stock-buckle. A nosegay in
+      summer, and a sprig of holly in winter, completed his well-known dress and
+      appearance. His manners corresponded with his attire, for they were
+      scrupulously civil, and not a little formal. He was an elder of the kirk,
+      and, of course, zealous for King George and the Government even to
+      slaying, as he had showed by taking up arms in their cause. But then, as
+      he had clients and connexions of business among families of opposite
+      political tenets, he was particularly cautious to use all the conventional
+      phrases which the civility of the time had devised, as an admissible mode
+      of language betwixt the two parties. Thus he spoke sometimes of the
+      Chevalier, but never either of the Prince, which would have been
+      sacrificing his own principles, or of the Pretender, which would have been
+      offensive to those of others. Again, he usually designated the Rebellion
+      as the AFFAIR of 1745, and spoke of any one engaged in it as a person who
+      had been OUT at a certain period. [OLD-FASHIONED SCOTTISH CIVILITY.&mdash;Such
+      were literally the points of politeness observed in general society during
+      the author&rsquo;s youth, where it was by no means unusual in a company
+      assembled by chance, to find individuals who had borne arms on one side or
+      other in the civil broils of 1745. Nothing, according to my recollection,
+      could be more gentle and decorous than the respect these old enemies paid
+      to each other&rsquo;s prejudices. But in this I speak generally. I have
+      witnessed one or two explosions.] So that, on the whole, Mr. Fairford was
+      a man much liked and respected on all sides, though his friends would not
+      have been sorry if he had given a dinner more frequently, as his little
+      cellar contained some choice old wine, of which, on such rare occasions he
+      was no niggard.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The whole pleasure of this good old-fashioned man of method, besides that
+      which he really felt in the discharge of his daily business, was the hope
+      to see his son Alan, the only fruit of a union which death early
+      dissolved, attain what in the father&rsquo;s eyes was the proudest of all
+      distinctions&mdash;the rank and fame of a well-employed lawyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Every profession has its peculiar honours, and Mr. Fairford&rsquo;s mind was
+      constructed upon so limited and exclusive a plan, that he valued nothing
+      save the objects of ambition which his own presented. He would have
+      shuddered at Alan&rsquo;s acquiring the renown of a hero, and laughed with scorn
+      at the equally barren laurels of literature; it was by the path of the law
+      alone that he was desirous to see him rise to eminence, and the
+      probabilities of success or disappointment were the thoughts of his father
+      by day, and his dream by night.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The disposition of Alan Fairford, as well as his talents, were such as to
+      encourage his father&rsquo;s expectations. He had acuteness of intellect, joined
+      to habits of long and patient study, improved no doubt by the discipline
+      of his father&rsquo;s house; to which, generally speaking, he conformed with the
+      utmost docility, expressing no wish for greater or more frequent
+      relaxation than consisted with his father&rsquo;s anxious and severe
+      restrictions. When he did indulge in any juvenile frolics, his father had
+      the candour to lay the whole blame upon his more mercurial companion,
+      Darsie Latimer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This youth, as the reader must be aware, had been received as an inmate
+      into the family of Mr. Fairford, senior, at a time when some of the
+      delicacy of constitution which had abridged the life of his consort began
+      to show itself in the son, and when the father was, of course, peculiarly
+      disposed to indulge his slightest wish. That the young Englishman was able
+      to pay a considerable board, was a matter of no importance to Mr.
+      Fairford; it was enough that his presence seemed to make his son cheerful
+      and happy. He was compelled to allow that &lsquo;Darsie was a fine lad, though
+      unsettled,&rsquo; and he would have had some difficulty in getting rid of him,
+      and the apprehensions which his levities excited, had it not been for the
+      voluntary excursion which gave rise to the preceding correspondence, and
+      in which Mr. Fairford secretly rejoiced, as affording the means of
+      separating Alan from his gay companion, at least until he should have
+      assumed, and become accustomed to, the duties of his dry and laborious
+      profession.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But the absence of Darsie was far from promoting the end which the elder
+      Mr. Fairford had expected and desired. The young men were united by the
+      closest bonds of intimacy; and the more so, that neither of them sought
+      nor desired to admit any others into their society. Alan Fairford was
+      averse to general company, from a disposition naturally reserved, and
+      Darsie Latimer from a painful sense of his own unknown origin, peculiarly
+      afflicting in a country where high and low are professed genealogists. The
+      young men were all in all to each other; it is no wonder, therefore, that
+      their separation was painful, and that its effects upon Alan Fairford,
+      joined to the anxiety occasioned by the tenor of his friend&rsquo;s letters,
+      greatly exceeded what the senior had anticipated. The young man went
+      through his usual duties, his studies, and the examinations to which he
+      was subjected, but with nothing like the zeal and assiduity which he had
+      formerly displayed; and his anxious and observant father saw but too
+      plainly that his heart was with his absent comrade.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A philosopher would have given way to this tide of feeling, in hopes to
+      have diminished its excess, and permitted the youths to have been some
+      time together, that their intimacy might have been broken off by degrees;
+      but Mr. Fairford only saw the more direct mode of continued restraint,
+      which, however, he was desirous of veiling under some plausible pretext.
+      In the anxiety which he felt on this occasion, he had held communication
+      with an old acquaintance, Peter Drudgeit, with whom the reader is partly
+      acquainted. &lsquo;Alan,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;was ance wud, and ay waur; and he was
+      expecting every moment when he would start off in a wildgoose-chase after
+      the callant Latimer; Will Sampson, the horse-hirer in Candlemaker Row, had
+      given him a hint that Alan had been looking for a good hack, to go to the
+      country for a few days. And then to oppose him downright&mdash;he could
+      not but think on the way his poor mother was removed. Would to Heaven he
+      was yoked to some tight piece of business, no matter whether well or ill
+      paid, but some job that would hamshackle him at least until the courts
+      rose, if it were but for decency&rsquo;s sake.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Peter Drudgeit sympathized, for Peter had a son, who, reason or none,
+      would needs exchange the torn and inky fustian sleeves for the blue jacket
+      and white lapelle; and he suggested, as the reader knows, the engaging our
+      friend Alan in the matter of Poor Peter Peebles, just opened by the
+      desertion of young Dumtoustie, whose defection would be at the same time
+      concealed; and this, Drudgeit said, &lsquo;would be felling two dogs with one
+      stone.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With these explanations, the reader will hold a man of the elder
+      Fairford&rsquo;s sense and experience free from the hazardous and impatient
+      curiosity with which boys fling a puppy into a deep pond, merely to see if
+      the creature can swim. However confident in his son&rsquo;s talents, which were
+      really considerable, he would have been very sorry to have involved him in
+      the duty of pleading a complicated and difficult case, upon his very first
+      appearance at the bar, had he not resorted to it as an effectual way to
+      prevent the young man from taking a step which his habits of thinking
+      represented as a most fatal one at his outset of life.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Betwixt two evils, Mr. Fairford chose that which was in his own
+      apprehension the least; and, like a brave officer sending forth his son to
+      battle, rather chose he should die upon the breach, than desert the
+      conflict with dishonour. Neither did he leave him to his own unassisted
+      energies. Like Alpheus preceding Hercules, he himself encountered the
+      Augean mass of Peter Peebles&rsquo; law-matters. It was to the old man a labour
+      of love to place in a clear and undistorted view the real merits of this
+      case, which the carelessness and blunders of Peter&rsquo;s former solicitors had
+      converted into a huge chaotic mass of unintelligible technicality; and
+      such was his skill and industry, that he was able, after the severe toil
+      of two or three days, to present to the consideration of the young counsel
+      the principal facts of the case, in a light equally simple and
+      comprehensible. With the assistance of a solicitor so affectionate and
+      indefatigable, Alan Fairford was enabled, then the day of trial arrived,
+      to walk towards the court, attended by his anxious yet encouraging parent,
+      with some degree of confidence that he would lose no reputation upon this
+      arduous occasion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They were met at the door of the court by Poor Peter Peebles in his usual
+      plenitude of wig and celsitude of hat. He seized on the young pleader like
+      a lion on his prey. &lsquo;How is a&rsquo; wi&rsquo; you, Mr. Alan&mdash;how is a&rsquo; wi&rsquo; you,
+      man? The awfu&rsquo; day is come at last&mdash;a day that will be lang minded in
+      this house. Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes&mdash;conjoined
+      proceases&mdash;Hearing in presence&mdash;stands for the Short Roll for
+      this day&mdash;I have not been able to sleep for a week for thinking of
+      it, and, I dare to say, neither has the Lord President himsell&mdash;for
+      such a cause!! But your father garr&rsquo;d me tak a wee drap ower muckle of his
+      pint bottle the other night; it&rsquo;s no right to mix brandy wi&rsquo; business, Mr.
+      Fairford. I would have been the waur o&rsquo; liquor if I would have drank as
+      muckle as you twa would have had me. But there&rsquo;s a time for a&rsquo; things, and
+      if ye will dine with me after the case is heard, or whilk is the same, or
+      maybe better, I&rsquo;LL gang my ways hame wi&rsquo; YOU, and I winna object to a
+      cheerfu&rsquo; glass, within the bounds of moderation.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Old Fairford shrugged his shoulders and hurried past the client, saw his
+      son wrapped in the sable bombazine, which, in his eyes, was more venerable
+      than an archbishop&rsquo;s lawn, and could not help fondly patting his shoulder,
+      and whispering to him to take courage, and show he was worthy to wear it.
+      The party entered the Outer Hall of the court, (once the place of meeting
+      of the ancient Scottish Parliament), and which corresponds to the use of
+      Westminster Hall in England, serving as a vestibule to the Inner House, as
+      it is termed, and a place of dominion to certain sedentary personages
+      called Lords Ordinary.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The earlier part of the morning was spent by old Fairford in reiterating
+      his instructions to Alan, and in running from one person to another, from
+      whom he thought he could still glean some grains of information, either
+      concerning the point at issue, or collateral cases. Meantime, Poor Peter
+      Peebles, whose shallow brain was altogether unable to bear the importance
+      of the moment, kept as close to his young counsel as shadow to substance,
+      affected now to speak loud, now to whisper in his ear, now to deck his
+      ghastly countenance with wreathed smiles, now to cloud it with a shade of
+      deep and solemn importance, and anon to contort it with the sneer of scorn
+      and derision. These moods of the client&rsquo;s mind were accompanied with
+      singular &lsquo;mockings and mowings,&rsquo; fantastic gestures, which the man of rags
+      and litigation deemed appropriate to his changes of countenance. Now he
+      brandished his arm aloft, now thrust his fist straight out, as if to knock
+      his opponent down. Now he laid his open palm on his bosom, and now hinging
+      it abroad, he gallantly snapped his fingers in the air.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      These demonstrations, and the obvious shame and embarrassment of Alan
+      Fairford, did not escape the observation of the juvenile idlers in the
+      hall. They did not, indeed, approach Peter with their usual familiarity,
+      from some feeling of deference towards Fairford, though many accused him
+      of conceit in presuming to undertake, at this early stage of his practice,
+      a case of considerable difficulty. But Alan, notwithstanding this
+      forbearance, was not the less sensible that he and his companion were the
+      subjects of many a passing jest, and many a shout of laughter, with which
+      that region at all times abounds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length the young counsel&rsquo;s patience gave way, and as it threatened to
+      carry his presence of mind and recollection along with it, Alan frankly
+      told his father, that unless he was relieved from the infliction of his
+      client&rsquo;s personal presence and instructions, he must necessarily throw up
+      his brief, and decline pleading the case.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hush, hush, my dear Alan,&rsquo; said the old gentleman, almost at his own
+      wit&rsquo;s end upon hearing this dilemma; &lsquo;dinna mind the silly ne&rsquo;er-do-weel;
+      we cannot keep the man from hearing his own cause, though he be not quite
+      right in the head.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;On my life, sir,&rsquo; answered Alan, &lsquo;I shall be unable to go on, he drives
+      everything out of my remembrance; and if I attempt to speak seriously of
+      the injuries he has sustained, and the condition he is reduced to, how can
+      I expect but that the very appearance of such an absurd scarecrow will
+      turn it all into ridicule?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There is something in that,&rsquo; said Saunders Fairford, glancing a look at
+      Poor Peter, and then cautiously inserting his forefinger under his
+      bob-wig, in order to rub his temple and aid his invention; &lsquo;he is no
+      figure for the fore-bar to see without laughing; but how to get rid of
+      him? To speak sense, or anything like it, is the last thing he will listen
+      to. Stay, aye,&mdash;Alan, my darling, hae patience; I&rsquo;ll get him off on
+      the instant, like a gowff ba&rsquo;.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he hastened to his ally, Peter Drudgeit, who on seeing him with
+      marks of haste in his gait, and care upon his countenance, clapped his pen
+      behind his ear, with &lsquo;What&rsquo;s the stir now, Mr. Saunders? Is there aught
+      wrang?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Here&rsquo;s a dollar, man,&rsquo; said Mr. Saunders; &lsquo;now, or never, Peter, do me a
+      good turn. Yonder&rsquo;s your namesake, Peter Peebles, will drive the swine
+      through our bonny hanks of yarn; get him over to John&rsquo;s Coffeehouse, man&mdash;gie
+      him his meridian&mdash;keep him there, drunk or sober, till the hearing is
+      ower.&rsquo; [The simile is obvious, from the old manufacture of Scotland, when
+      the gudewife&rsquo;s thrift, as the yarn wrought in the winter was called, when
+      laid down to bleach by the burn-side, was peculiarly exposed to the
+      inroads of pigs, seldom well regulated about a Scottish farm-house.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Eneugh said,&rsquo; quoth Peter Drudgeit, no way displeased with his own share
+      in the service required, &lsquo;We&rsquo;se do your bidding.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Accordingly, the scribe was presently seen whispering in the ear of Peter
+      Peebles, whose response came forth in the following broken form:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Leave the court for ae minute on this great day of judgement? not I, by
+      the Reg&mdash;Eh! what? Brandy, did ye say&mdash;French brandy?&mdash;couldna
+      ye fetch a stoup to the bar under your coat, man? Impossible? Nay, if it&rsquo;s
+      clean impossible, and if we have an hour good till they get through the
+      single bill and the summar-roll, I carena if I cross the close wi&rsquo; you; I
+      am sure I need something to keep my heart up this awful day; but I&rsquo;ll no
+      stay above an instant&mdash;not above a minute of time&mdash;nor drink
+      aboon a single gill,&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In a few minutes afterwards, the two Peters were seen moving through the
+      Parliament Close (which new-fangled affectation has termed a Square), the
+      triumphant Drudgeit leading captive the passive Peebles, whose legs
+      conducted him towards the dramshop, while his reverted eyes were fixed
+      upon the court. They dived into the Cimmerian abysses of John&rsquo;s
+      Coffeehouse, [See Note 5.] formerly the favourite rendezvous of the
+      classical and genial Doctor Pitcairn, and were for the present seen no
+      more.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Relieved from his tormentor, Alan Fairford had time to rally his
+      recollections, which, in the irritation of his spirits, had nearly escaped
+      him, and to prepare himself far a task, the successful discharge or
+      failure in which must, he was aware, have the deepest influence upon his
+      fortunes. He had pride, was not without a consciousness of talent, and the
+      sense of his father&rsquo;s feelings upon the subject impelled him to the utmost
+      exertion. Above all, he had that sort of self-command which is essential
+      to success in every arduous undertaking, and he was constitutionally free
+      from that feverish irritability by which those whose over-active
+      imaginations exaggerate difficulties, render themselves incapable of
+      encountering such when they arrive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having collected all the scattered and broken associations which were
+      necessary, Alan&rsquo;s thoughts reverted to Dumfriesshire, and the precarious
+      situation in which he feared his beloved friend had placed himself; and
+      once and again he consulted his watch, eager to have his present task
+      commenced and ended, that he might hasten to Darsie&rsquo;s assistance. The hour
+      and moment at length arrived. The macer shouted, with all his
+      well-remembered brazen strength of lungs, &lsquo;Poor Peter Peebles VERSUS
+      Plainstanes, PER Dumtoustie ET Tough!&mdash;Maister Da-a-niel Dumtoustie!&rsquo; 
+      Dumtoustie answered not the summons, which, deep and swelling as it was,
+      could not reach across the Queensferry; but our Maister Alan Fairford
+      appeared in his place.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The court was very much crowded; for much amusement had been received on
+      former occasions when Peter had volunteered his own oratory, and had been
+      completely successful in routing the gravity of the whole procedure, and
+      putting to silence, not indeed the counsel of the opposite party, but his
+      own.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Both bench and audience seemed considerably surprised at the juvenile
+      appearance of the young man who appeared in the room of Dumtoustie, for
+      the purpose of opening this complicated and long depending process, and
+      the common herd were disappointed at the absence of Peter the client, the
+      Punchinello of the expected entertainment. The judges looked with a very
+      favourable countenance on our friend Alan, most of them being acquainted,
+      more or less, with so old a practitioner as his father, and all, or almost
+      all, affording, from civility, the same fair play to the first pleading of
+      a counsel, which the House of Commons yields to the maiden speech of one
+      of its members.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lord Bladderskate was an exception to this general expression of
+      benevolence. He scowled upon Alan, from beneath his large, shaggy, grey
+      eyebrows, just as if the young lawyer had been usurping his nephew&rsquo;s
+      honours, instead of covering his disgrace; and, from feelings which did
+      his lordship little honour, he privately hoped the young man would not
+      succeed in the cause which his kinsman had abandoned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Even Lord Bladderskate, however, was, in spite of himself, pleased with
+      the judicious and modest tone in which Alan began his address to the
+      court, apologizing for his own presumption, and excusing it by the sudden
+      illness of his learned brother, for whom the labour of opening a cause of
+      some difficulty and importance had been much more worthily designed. He
+      spoke of himself as he really was, and of young Dumtoustie as what he
+      ought to have been, taking care not to dwell on either topic a moment
+      longer than was necessary. The old judge&rsquo;s looks became benign; his family
+      pride was propitiated, and, pleased equally with the modesty and civility
+      of the young man whom he had thought forward and officious, he relaxed the
+      scorn of his features into an expression of profound attention; the
+      highest compliment, and the greatest encouragement, which a judge can
+      render to the counsel addressing him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having succeeded in securing the favourable attention of the court, the
+      young lawyer, using the lights which his father&rsquo;s experience and knowledge
+      of business had afforded him, proceeded with an address and clearness,
+      unexpected from one of his years, to remove from the case itself those
+      complicated formalities with which it had been loaded, as a surgeon strips
+      from a wound the dressings which had been hastily wrapped round it, in
+      order to proceed to his cure SECUNDUM ARTEM. Developed of the cumbrous and
+      complicated technicalities of litigation, with which the perverse
+      obstinacy of the client, the inconsiderate haste or ignorance of his
+      agents, and the evasions of a subtle adversary, had invested the process,
+      the cause of Poor Peter Peebles, standing upon its simple merits, was no
+      bad subject for the declamation of a young counsel, nor did our friend
+      Alan fail to avail himself of its strong points.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He exhibited his client as a simple-hearted, honest, well-meaning man,
+      who, during a copartnership of twelve years, had gradually become
+      impoverished, while his partner (his former clerk) having no funds but his
+      share of the same business, into which he had been admitted without any
+      advance of stock, had become gradually more and more wealthy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Their association,&rsquo; said Alan, and the little flight was received with
+      some applause, &lsquo;resembled the ancient story of the fruit which was carved
+      with a knife poisoned on one side of the blade only, so that the
+      individual to whom the envenomed portion was served, drew decay and death
+      from what afforded savour and sustenance to the consumer of the other
+      moiety.&rsquo; He then plunged boldly into the MARE MAGNUM of accompts between
+      the parties; he pursued each false statement from the waste-book to the
+      day-book, from the day-book to the bill-book, from the bill-book to the
+      ledger; placed the artful interpolations and insertions of the fallacious
+      Plainstanes in array against each other, and against the fact; and
+      availing himself to the utmost of his father&rsquo;s previous labours, and his
+      own knowledge of accompts, in which he had been sedulously trained, he
+      laid before the court a clear and intelligible statement of the affairs of
+      the copartnery, showing, with precision, that a large balance must, at the
+      dissolution, have been due to his client, sufficient to have enabled him
+      to have carried on business on his own account, and thus to have retained
+      his situation in society as an independent and industrious tradesman. &lsquo;But
+      instead of this justice being voluntarily rendered by the former clerk to
+      his former master,&mdash;by the party obliged to his benefactor,&mdash;by
+      one honest man to another,&mdash;his wretched client had been compelled to
+      follow his quondam clerk, his present debtor, from court to court; had
+      found his just claims met with well-invented but unfounded counter-claims,
+      had seen his party shift his character of pursuer or defender, as often as
+      Harlequin effects his transformations, till, in a chase so varied and so
+      long, the unhappy litigant had lost substance, reputation, and almost the
+      use of reason itself, and came before their lordships an object of
+      thoughtless derision to the unreflecting, of compassion to the
+      better-hearted, and of awful meditation to every one who considered that,
+      in a country where excellent laws were administered by upright and
+      incorruptible judges, a man might pursue an almost indisputable claim
+      through all the mazes of litigation; lose fortune, reputation, and reason
+      itself in the chase, and now come before the supreme court of his country
+      in the wretched condition of his unhappy client, a victim to protracted
+      justice, and to that hope delayed which sickens the heart.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The force of this appeal to feeling made as much impression on the Bench
+      as had been previously effected by the clearness of Alan&rsquo;s argument. The
+      absurd form of Peter himself, with his tow-wig, was fortunately not
+      present to excite any ludicrous emotion, and the pause that took place
+      when the young lawyer had concluded his speech, was followed by a murmur
+      of approbation, which the ears of his father drank in as the sweetest
+      sounds that had ever entered them. Many a hand of gratulation was thrust
+      out to his grasp, trembling as it was with anxiety, and finally with
+      delight; his voice faltering as he replied, &lsquo;Aye, aye, I kend Alan was the
+      lad to make a spoon or spoil a horn.&rsquo; [Said of an adventurous gipsy, who
+      resolves at all risks to convert a sheep&rsquo;s horn into a spoon.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The counsel on the other side arose, an old practitioner, who had noted
+      too closely the impression made by Alan&rsquo;s pleading not to fear the
+      consequences of an immediate decision. He paid the highest compliments to
+      his very young brother&mdash;&lsquo;the Benjamin, as he would presume to call
+      him, of the learned Faculty&mdash;said the alleged hardships of Mr.
+      Peebles were compensated by his being placed in a situation where the
+      benevolence of their lordships had assigned him gratuitously such
+      assistance as he might not otherwise have obtained at a high price&mdash;and
+      allowed his young brother had put many things in such a new point of view,
+      that, although he was quite certain of his ability to refute them, he was
+      honestly desirous of having a few hours to arrange his answer, in order to
+      be able to follow Mr. Fairford from point to point. He had further to
+      observe, there was one point of the case to which his brother, whose
+      attention had been otherwise so wonderfully comprehensive, had not given
+      the consideration which he expected; it was founded on the interpretation
+      of certain correspondence which had passed betwixt the parties soon after
+      the dissolution of the copartnery.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The court having heard Mr. Tough, readily allowed him two days for
+      preparing himself, hinting at the same time that he might find his task
+      difficult, and affording the young counsel, with high encomiums upon the
+      mode in which he had acquitted himself, the choice of speaking, either now
+      or at the next calling of the cause, upon the point which Plainstanes&rsquo;s
+      lawyer had adverted to.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan modestly apologized for what in fact had been an omission very
+      pardonable in so complicated a case, and professed himself instantly ready
+      to go through that correspondence, and prove that it was in form and
+      substance exactly applicable to the view of the case he had submitted to
+      their lordships. He applied to his father, who sat behind him, to hand
+      him, from time to time, the letters, in the order in which he meant to
+      read and comment upon them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Old Counsellor Tough had probably formed an ingenious enough scheme to
+      blunt the effect of the young lawyer&rsquo;s reasoning, by thus obliging him to
+      follow up a process of reasoning, clear and complete in itself, by a hasty
+      and extemporary appendix. If so, he seemed likely to be disappointed; for
+      Alan was well prepared on this as on other parts of the cause, and
+      recommenced his pleading with a degree of animation which added force even
+      to what he had formerly stated, and might perhaps have occasioned the old
+      gentleman to regret his having again called him up, when his father, as he
+      handed him the letters, put one into his hand which produced a singular
+      effect on the pleader.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the first glance, he saw that the paper had no reference to the affairs
+      of Peter Peebles; but the first glance also showed him, what, even at that
+      time, and in that presence, he could not help reading; and which, being
+      read, seemed totally to disconcert his ideas. He stopped short in his
+      harangue&mdash;gazed on the paper with a look of surprise and
+      horror-uttered an exclamation, and flinging down the brief which he had in
+      his hand, hurried out of court without returning a single word of answer
+      to the various questions, &lsquo;What was the matter?&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;Was he taken
+      unwell?&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;Should not a chair be called?&rsquo; &amp;c. &amp;c. &amp;c.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The elder Mr. Fairford, who remained seated, and looking as senseless as
+      if he had been made of stone, was at length recalled to himself by the
+      anxious inquiries of the judges and the counsel after his son&rsquo;s health. He
+      then rose with an air, in which was mingled the deep habitual reverence in
+      which he held the court, with some internal cause of agitation, and with
+      difficulty mentioned something of a mistake&mdash;a piece of bad news&mdash;Alan,
+      he hoped would be well enough to-morrow. But unable to proceed further, he
+      clasped his hands together, exclaiming, &lsquo;My son! my son!&rsquo; and left the
+      court hastily, as if in pursuit of him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What&rsquo;s the matter with the auld bitch next?&rsquo; [Tradition ascribes this
+      whimsical style of language to the ingenious and philosophical Lord
+      Kaimes.] said an acute metaphysical judge, though somewhat coarse in his
+      manners, aside to his brethren. &lsquo;This is a daft cause, Bladderskate&mdash;first,
+      it drives the poor man mad that aught it&mdash;then your nevoy goes daft
+      with fright, and flies the pit&mdash;then this smart young hopeful is aff
+      the hooks with too hard study, I fancy&mdash;and now auld Saunders
+      Fairford is as lunatic as the best of them. What say ye till&rsquo;t, ye bitch?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nothing, my lord,&rsquo; answered Bladderskate, much too formal to admire the
+      levities in which his philosophical brother sometimes indulged&mdash;&lsquo;I
+      say nothing, but pray to Heaven to keep our own wits.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Amen, amen,&rsquo; answered his learned brother; &lsquo;for some of us have but few
+      to spare.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The court then arose, and the audience departed, greatly wondering at the
+      talent displayed by Alan Fairford at his first appearance in a case so
+      difficult and so complicated, and assigning a hundred conjectural causes,
+      each different from the others, for the singular interruption which had
+      clouded his day of success. The worst of the whole was, that six agents,
+      who had each come to the separate resolution of thrusting a retaining fee
+      into Alan&rsquo;s hand as he left the court, shook their heads as they returned
+      the money into their leathern pouches, and said, &lsquo;that the lad was clever,
+      but they would like to see more of him before they engaged him in the way
+      of business&mdash;they did not like his lowping away like a flea in a
+      blanket.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER II
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Had our friend Alexander Fairford known the consequences of his son&rsquo;s
+      abrupt retreat from the court, which are mentioned in the end of the last
+      chapter, it might have accomplished the prediction of the lively old
+      judge, and driven him utterly distracted. As it was, he was miserable
+      enough. His son had risen ten degrees higher in his estimation than ever
+      by his display of juridical talents, which seemed to assure him that the
+      applause of the judges and professors of the law, which, in his
+      estimation, was worth that of all mankind besides, authorized to the
+      fullest extent the advantageous estimate which even his parental
+      partiality had been induced to form of Alan&rsquo;s powers. On the other hand,
+      he felt that he was himself a little humbled, from a disguise which he had
+      practised towards this son of his hopes and wishes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The truth was, that on the morning of this eventful day, Mr. Alexander
+      Fairford had received from his correspondent and friend, Provost Crosbie
+      of Dumfries, a letter of the following tenor:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;DEAR SIR, &lsquo;Your respected favour of 25th ultimo, per favour of Mr. Darsie
+      Latimer, reached me in safety, and I showed to the young gentleman such
+      attention as he was pleased to accept of. The object of my present writing
+      is twofold. First, the council are of opinion that you should now begin to
+      stir in the thirlage cause; and they think they will be able, from
+      evidence NOVITER REPERTUM, to enable you to amend your condescendence upon
+      the use and wont of the burgh, touching the GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA. So
+      you will please consider yourself as authorized to speak to Mr. Pest, and
+      lay before him the papers which you will receive by the coach. The council
+      think that a fee of two guineas may be sufficient on this occasion, as Mr.
+      Pest had three for drawing the original condescendence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I take the opportunity of adding that there has been a great riot among
+      the Solway fishermen, who have destroyed, in a masterful manner, the
+      stake-nets set up near the mouth of this river; and have besides attacked
+      the house of Quaker Geddes, one of the principal partners of the Tide-net
+      Fishing Company, and done a great deal of damage. Am sorry to add, young
+      Mr. Latimer was in the fray and has not since been heard of. Murder is
+      spoke of, but that may be a word of course. As the young gentleman has
+      behaved rather oddly while in these parts, as in declining to dine with me
+      more than once, and going about the country with strolling fiddlers and
+      such-like, I rather hope that his present absence is only occasioned by a
+      frolic; but as his servant has been making inquiries of me respecting his
+      master, I thought it best to acquaint you in course of post. I have only
+      to add that our sheriff has taken a precognition, and committed one or two
+      of the rioters. If I can be useful in this matter, either by advertising
+      for Mr. Latimer as missing, publishing a reward, or otherwise, I will obey
+      your respected instructions, being your most obedient to command, &lsquo;WILLIAM
+      CROSBIE.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Mr. Fairford received this letter, and had read it to an end,&rsquo; his
+      first idea was to communicate it to his son, that an express might be
+      instantly dispatched, or a king&rsquo;s messenger sent with proper authority to
+      search after his late guest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The habits of the fishers were rude; as he well knew, though not
+      absolutely sanguinary or ferocious; and there had been instances of their
+      transporting persons who had interfered in their smuggling trade to the
+      Isle of Man and elsewhere, and keeping them under restraint for many
+      weeks. On this account, Mr. Fairford was naturally led to feel anxiety
+      concerning the fate of his late inmate; and, at a less interesting moment,
+      would certainly have set out himself, or licensed his son to go in pursuit
+      of his friend.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But, alas! he was both a father and an agent. In the one capacity, he
+      looked on his son as dearer to him than all the world besides; in the
+      other, the lawsuit which he conducted was to him like an infant to its
+      nurse, and the case of Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes was, he saw,
+      adjourned, perhaps SINE DIE, should this document reach the hands of his
+      son. The mutual and enthusiastical affection betwixt the young men was
+      well known to him; and he concluded that if the precarious state of
+      Latimer were made known to Alan Fairford, it would render him not only
+      unwilling, but totally unfit, to discharge the duty of the day to which
+      the old gentleman attached such ideas of importance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On mature reflection, therefore, he resolved, though not without some
+      feelings of compunction, to delay communicating to his son the
+      disagreeable intelligence which he had received, until the business of the
+      day should be ended. The delay, he persuaded himself, could be of little
+      consequence to Darsie Latimer, whose folly, he dared to say, had led him
+      into some scrape which would meet an appropriate punishment in some
+      accidental restraint, which would be thus prolonged for only a few hours
+      longer. Besides, he would have time to speak to the sheriff of the county&mdash;perhaps
+      to the King&rsquo;s Advocate&mdash;and set about the matter in a regular manner,
+      or, as he termed it, as summing up the duties of a solicitor, to AGE AS
+      ACCORDS. [A Scots law phrase, of no very determinate import, meaning,
+      generally, to do what is fitting.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The scheme, as we have seen, was partially successful, and was only
+      ultimately defeated, as he confessed to himself with shame, by his own
+      very unbusiness-like mistake of shuffling the provost&rsquo;s letter, in the
+      hurry and anxiety of the morning, among some papers belonging to Peter
+      Peebles&rsquo;s affairs, and then handing it to his son, without observing the
+      blunder. He used to protest, even till the day of his death, that he never
+      had been guilty of such an inaccuracy as giving a paper out of his hand
+      without looking at the docketing, except on that unhappy occasion, when,
+      of all others, he had such particular reason to regret his negligence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Disturbed by these reflections, the old gentleman had, for the first time
+      in his life, some disinclination, arising from shame and vexation, to face
+      his own son; so that to protract for a little the meeting, which he feared
+      would be a painful one, he went to wait upon the sheriff-depute, who he
+      found had set off for Dumfries in great haste to superintend in person the
+      investigation which had been set on foot by his substitute. This
+      gentleman&rsquo;s clerk could say little on the subject of the riot, excepting
+      that it had been serious, much damage done to property, and some personal
+      violence offered to individuals; but, as far as he had yet heard, no lives
+      lost on the spot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Fairford was compelled to return home with this intelligence; and on
+      inquiring at James Wilkinson where his son was, received for answer, that
+      &lsquo;Maister Alan was in his own room, and very busy.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;We must have our explanation over,&rsquo; said Saunders Fairford to himself.
+      &lsquo;Better a finger off, as ay wagging;&rsquo; and going to the door of his son&rsquo;s
+      apartment, he knocked at first gently&mdash;then more loudly&mdash;but
+      received no answer. Somewhat alarmed at this silence, he opened the door
+      of the chamber it was empty&mdash;clothes lay mixed in confusion with the
+      law-books and papers, as if the inmate had been engaged in hastily packing
+      for a journey. As Mr. Fairford looked around in alarm, his eye was
+      arrested by a sealed letter lying upon his son&rsquo;s writing-table, and
+      addressed to himself. It contained the following words:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;MY DEAREST FATHER, &lsquo;You will not, I trust, be surprised, nor perhaps very
+      much displeased, to learn that I am on my way to Dumfriesshire, to learn,
+      by my own personal investigation, the present state of my dear friend, and
+      afford him such relief as may be in my power, and which, I trust, will be
+      effectual. I do not presume to reflect upon you, dearest sir, for
+      concealing from me information of so much consequence to my peace of mind
+      and happiness; but I hope your having done so will be, if not an excuse,
+      at least some mitigation of my present offence, in taking a step of
+      consequence without consulting your pleasure; and, I must further own,
+      under circumstances which perhaps might lead to your disapprobation of my
+      purpose. I can only say, in further apology, that if anything unhappy,
+      which Heaven forbid! shall have occurred to the person who, next to
+      yourself, is dearest to me in this world, I shall have on my heart, as a
+      subject of eternal regret, that being in a certain degree warned of his
+      danger and furnished with the means of obviating it, I did not instantly
+      hasten to his assistance, but preferred giving my attention to the
+      business of this unlucky morning. No view of personal distinction,
+      nothing, indeed, short of your earnest and often expressed wishes, could
+      have detained me in town till this day; and having made this sacrifice to
+      filial duty, I trust you will hold me excused if I now obey the calls of
+      friendship and humanity. Do not be in the least anxious on my account; I
+      shall know, I trust, how to conduct myself with due caution in any
+      emergence which may occur, otherwise my legal studies for so many years
+      have been to little purpose. I am fully provided with money, and also with
+      arms, in case of need; but you may rely on my prudence in avoiding all
+      occasions of using the latter, short of the last necessity. God almighty
+      bless you, my dearest father! and grant that you may forgive the first,
+      and, I trust, the last act approaching towards premeditated disobedience,
+      of which I either have now, or shall hereafter have, to accuse myself. I
+      remain, till death, your dutiful and affectionate son, ALAN FAIRFORD.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;PS.&mdash;I shall write with the utmost regularity, acquainting you with
+      my motions, and requesting your advice. I trust my stay will be very
+      short, and I think it possible that I may bring back Darsie along with
+      me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The paper dropped from the old man&rsquo;s hand when he was thus assured of the
+      misfortune which he apprehended. His first idea was to get a postchaise
+      and pursue the fugitive; but he recollected that, upon the very rare
+      occasions when Alan had shown himself indocile to the PATRIA POTESTAS, his
+      natural ease and gentleness of disposition seemed hardened into obstinacy,
+      and that now, entitled, as arrived at the years of majority and a member
+      of the learned faculty, to direct his own motions, there was great doubt,
+      whether, in the event of his overtaking his son, he might be able to
+      prevail upon him to return back. In such a risk of failure he thought it
+      wiser to desist from his purpose, especially as even his success in such a
+      pursuit would give a ridiculous ECLAT to the whole affair, which could not
+      be otherwise than prejudicial to his son&rsquo;s rising character.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Bitter, however, were Saunders Fairford&rsquo;s reflections, as again picking up
+      the fatal scroll, he threw himself into his son&rsquo;s leathern easy-chair, and
+      bestowed upon it a disjointed commentary, &lsquo;Bring back Darsie? little doubt
+      of that&mdash;the bad shilling is sure enough to come back again. I wish
+      Darsie no worse ill than that he were carried where the silly fool, Alan,
+      should never see him again. It was an ill hour that he darkened my doors
+      in, for, ever since that, Alan has given up his ain old-fashioned
+      mother-wit for the tother&rsquo;s capernoited maggots and nonsense. Provided
+      with money? you must have more than I know of, then, my friend, for I trow
+      I kept you pretty short, for your own good. Can he have gotten more fees?
+      or, does he think five guineas has neither beginning nor end? Arms! What
+      would he do with arms, or what would any man do with them that is not a
+      regular soldier under government, or else a thief-taker? I have had enough
+      of arms, I trow, although I carried them for King George and the
+      government. But this is a worse strait than Falkirk field yet. God guide
+      us, we are poor inconsistent creatures! To think the lad should have made
+      so able an appearance, and then bolted off this gate, after a glaiket
+      ne&rsquo;er-do-weel, like a hound upon a false scent! Las-a-day! it&rsquo;s a sore
+      thing to see a stunkard cow kick down the pail when it&rsquo;s reaming fou. But,
+      after all, it&rsquo;s an ill bird that defiles its ain nest. I must cover up the
+      scandal as well as I can. What&rsquo;s the matter now, James?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A message, sir,&rsquo; said James Wilkinson, &lsquo;from my Lord President; and he
+      hopes Mr. Alan is not seriously indisposed.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;From the Lord President? the Lord preserve us!&mdash;I&rsquo;ll send an answer
+      this instant; bid the lad sit down, and ask him to drink, James. Let me
+      see,&rsquo; continued he, taking a sheet of gilt paper &lsquo;how we are to draw our
+      answers.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ere his pen had touched the paper, James was in the room again.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What now, James?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Lord Bladderskate&rsquo;s lad is come to ask how Mr. Alan is, as he left; the
+      court&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye, aye,&rsquo; answered Saunders, bitterly; &lsquo;he has e&rsquo;en made a
+      moonlight flitting, like my lord&rsquo;s ain nevoy.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Shall I say sae, sir?&rsquo; said James, who, as an old soldier, was literal in
+      all things touching the service.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The devil! no, no!&mdash;Bid the lad sit down and taste our ale. I will
+      write his lordship an answer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Once more the gilt paper was resumed, and once more the door was opened by
+      James.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash; sends his servitor to ask after Mr. Alan.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, the deevil take their civility!&rsquo; said poor Saunders, set him down to
+      drink too&mdash;I will write to his lordship.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The lads will bide your pleasure, sir, as lang as I keep the bicker fou;
+      but this ringing is like to wear out the bell, I think; there are they at
+      it again.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He answered the fresh summons accordingly, and came back to inform Mr.
+      Fairford that the Dean of Faculty was below, inquiring for Mr. Alan. &lsquo;Will
+      I set him down to drink, too?&rsquo; said James.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Will you be an idiot, sir?&rsquo; said Mr. Fairford. &lsquo;Show Mr. Dean into the
+      parlour.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In going slowly downstairs, step by step, the perplexed man of business
+      had time enough to reflect, that if it be possible to put a fair gloss
+      upon a true story, the verity always serves the purpose better than any
+      substitute which ingenuity can devise. He therefore told his learned
+      visitor, that although his son had been incommoded by the heat of the
+      court, and the long train of hard study, by day and night, preceding his
+      exertions, yet he had fortunately so far recovered, as to be in condition
+      to obey upon the instant a sudden summons which had called him to the
+      country, on a matter of life and death.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It should be a serious matter indeed that takes my young friend away at
+      this moment,&rsquo; said the good-natured dean. &lsquo;I wish he had stayed to finish
+      his pleading, and put down old Tough. Without compliment, Mr. Fairford, it
+      was as fine a first appearance as I ever heard. I should be sorry your son
+      did not follow it up in a reply. Nothing like striking while the iron is
+      hot.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Saunders Fairford made a bitter grimace as he acquiesced in an opinion
+      which was indeed decidedly his own; but he thought it most prudent to
+      reply, &lsquo;that the affair which rendered his son Alan&rsquo;s presence in the
+      country absolutely necessary, regarded the affairs of a young gentleman of
+      great fortune, who was a particular friend of Alan&rsquo;s, and who never took
+      any material step in his affairs without consulting his counsel learned in
+      the law.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, well, Mr. Fairford, you know best,&rsquo; answered the learned dean; &lsquo;if
+      there be death or marriage in the case, a will or a wedding is to be
+      preferred to all other business. I am happy Mr. Alan is so much recovered
+      as to be able for travel, and wish you a very good morning.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having thus taken his ground to the Dean of Faculty, Mr. Fairford hastily
+      wrote cards in answer to the inquiry of the three judges, accounting for
+      Alan&rsquo;s absence in the same manner. These, being properly sealed and
+      addressed, he delivered to James with directions to dismiss the
+      particoloured gentry, who, in the meanwhile, had consumed a gallon of
+      twopenny ale, while discussing points of law, and addressing each other by
+      their masters&rsquo; titles. [The Scottish judges are distinguished by the title
+      of lord prefixed to their own temporal designation. As the ladies of these
+      official dignitaries do not bear any share in their husbands&rsquo; honours,
+      they are distinguished only by their lords&rsquo; family name. They were not
+      always contented with this species of Salique law, which certainly is
+      somewhat inconsistent. But their pretensions to title are said to have
+      been long since repelled by James V, the sovereign who founded the College
+      of Justice. &lsquo;I,&rsquo; said he, &lsquo;made the caries lords, but who the devil made
+      the carlines ladies?&rsquo;]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The exertion which these matters demanded, and the interest which so many
+      persons of legal distinction appeared to have taken in his son, greatly
+      relieved the oppressed spirit of Saunders Fairford, who continued, to talk
+      mysteriously of the very important business which had interfered with his
+      son&rsquo;s attendance during the brief remainder of the session. He endeavoured
+      to lay the same unction to his own heart; but here the application was
+      less fortunate, for his conscience told him that no end, however
+      important, which could be achieved in Darsie Latimer&rsquo;s affairs, could be
+      balanced against the reputation which Alan was like to forfeit by
+      deserting the cause of Poor Peter Peebles.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meanwhile, although the haze which surrounded the cause, or causes,
+      of that unfortunate litigant had been for a time dispelled by Alan&rsquo;s
+      eloquence, like a fog by the thunder of artillery, yet it seemed once more
+      to settle down upon the mass of litigation, thick as the palpable darkness
+      of Egypt, at the very sound of Mr. Tough&rsquo;s voice, who, on the second day
+      after Alan&rsquo;s departure, was heard in answer to the opening counsel.
+      Deep-mouthed, long-breathed, and pertinacious, taking a pinch of snuff
+      betwixt every sentence, which otherwise seemed interminable&mdash;the
+      veteran pleader prosed over all the themes which had been treated so
+      luminously by Fairford: he quietly and imperceptibly replaced all the
+      rubbish which the other had cleared away, and succeeded in restoring the
+      veil of obscurity and unintelligibility which had for many years darkened
+      the case of Peebles against Plainstanes; and the matter was once more hung
+      up by a remit to an accountant, with instruction to report before answer.
+      So different a result from that which the public had been led to expect
+      from Alan&rsquo;s speech gave rise to various speculations.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The client himself opined, that it was entirely owing, first, to his own
+      absence during the first day&rsquo;s pleading, being, as he said, deboshed with
+      brandy, usquebaugh, and other strong waters, at John&rsquo;s Coffee-house, PER
+      AMBAGES of Peter Drudgeit, employed to that effect by and through the
+      device, counsel, and covyne of Saunders Fairford, his agent, or pretended
+      agent. Secondly by the flight and voluntary desertion of the younger
+      Fairford, the advocate; on account of which, he served both father and son
+      with a petition and complaint against them, for malversation in office. So
+      that the apparent and most probable issue of this cause seemed to menace
+      the melancholy Mr. Saunders Fairford, with additional subject for plague
+      and mortification; which was the more galling, as his conscience told him
+      that the case was really given away, and that a very brief resumption of
+      the former argument, with reference to the necessary authorities and
+      points of evidence, would have enabled Alan, by the mere breath, as it
+      were, of his mouth, to blow away the various cobwebs with which Mr. Tough
+      had again invested the proceedings. But it went, he said, just like a
+      decreet in absence, and was lost for want of a contradictor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meanwhile, nearly a week passed over without Mr. Fairford hearing a
+      word directly from his son. He learned, indeed, by a letter from Mr.
+      Crosbie, that the young counsellor had safely reached Dumfries, but had
+      left that town upon some ulterior researches, the purpose of which he had
+      not communicated. The old man, thus left to suspense, and to mortifying
+      recollections, deprived also of the domestic society to which he had been
+      habituated, began to suffer in body as well as in mind. He had formed the
+      determination of setting out in person for Dumfriesshire, when, after
+      having been dogged, peevish, and snappish to his clerks and domestics, to
+      an unusual and almost intolerable degree, the acrimonious humours settled
+      in a hissing-hot fit of the gout, which is a well-known tamer of the most
+      froward spirits, and under whose discipline we shall, for the present,
+      leave him, as the continuation of this history assumes, with the next
+      division, a form somewhat different from direct narrative and epistolary
+      correspondence, though partaking of the character of both.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER III
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      JOURNAL OF DARSIE LATIMER (The following address is written on the inside
+      of the envelope which contained the Journal.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Into what hands soever these leaves may fall, they will instruct him,
+      during a certain time at least, in the history of the life of an
+      unfortunate young man, who, in the heart of a free country, and without
+      any crime being laid to his charge, has been, and is, subjected to a
+      course of unlawful and violent restraint. He who opens this letter, is
+      therefore conjured to apply to the nearest magistrate, and, following such
+      indications as the papers may afford, to exert himself for the relief of
+      one, who, while he possesses every claim to assistance which oppressed
+      innocence can give, has, at the same time, both the inclination and the
+      means of being grateful to his deliverers. Or, if the person obtaining
+      these letters shall want courage or means to effect the writer&rsquo;s release,
+      he is, in that case, conjured, by every duty of a man to his fellow
+      mortals, and of a Christian towards one who professes the same holy faith,
+      to take the speediest measures for conveying them with speed and safety to
+      the hands of Alan Fairford, Esq., Advocate, residing in the family of his
+      father, Alexander Fairford, Esq., Writer to the Signet, Brown&rsquo;s Square,
+      Edinburgh. He may be assured of a liberal reward, besides the
+      consciousness of having discharged a real duty to humanity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MY DEAREST ALAN, Feeling as warmly towards you in doubt and in distress,
+      as I ever did in the brightest days of our intimacy, it is to you whom I
+      address a history which may perhaps fall into very different hands. A
+      portion of my former spirit descends to my pen when I write your name, and
+      indulging the happy thought that you may be my deliverer from my present
+      uncomfortable and alarming situation, as you have been my guide and
+      counsellor on every former occasion, I will subdue the dejection which
+      would otherwise overwhelm me. Therefore, as, Heaven knows, I have time
+      enough to write, I will endeavour to pour my thoughts out, as fully and
+      freely as of old, though probably without the same gay and happy levity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If the papers should reach other hands than yours, still I will not regret
+      this exposure of my feelings; for, allowing for an ample share of the
+      folly incidental to youth and inexperience, I fear not that I have much to
+      be ashamed of in my narrative; nay, I even hope that the open simplicity
+      and frankness with which I am about to relate every singular and
+      distressing circumstance, may prepossess even a stranger in my favour; and
+      that, amid the multitude of seemingly trivial circumstances which I detail
+      at length, a clue may be found to effect my liberation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Another chance certainly remains&mdash;the Journal, as I may call it, may
+      never reach the hands, either of the dear friend to whom it is addressed,
+      or those of an indifferent stranger, but may become the prey of the
+      persons by whom I am at present treated as a prisoner. Let it be so&mdash;they
+      will learn from it little but what they already know; that, as a man and
+      an Englishman, my soul revolts at the usage which I have received; that I
+      am determined to essay every possible means to obtain my freedom; that
+      captivity has not broken my spirit, and that, although they may doubtless
+      complete their oppression by murder, I am still willing to bequeath my
+      cause to the justice of my country. Undeterred, therefore, by the
+      probability that my papers may be torn from me, and subjected to the
+      inspection of one in particular, who, causelessly my enemy already, may be
+      yet further incensed at me for recording the history of my wrongs, I
+      proceed to resume the history of events which have befallen me since the
+      conclusion of my last letter to my dear Alan Fairford, dated, if I mistake
+      not, on the 5th day of this still current month of August.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Upon the night preceding the date of that letter, I had been present, for
+      the purpose of an idle frolic, at a dancing party at the village of
+      Brokenburn, about six miles from Dumfries; many persons must have seen me
+      there, should the fact appear of importance sufficient to require
+      investigation. I danced, played on the violin, and took part in the
+      festivity till about midnight, when my servant, Samuel Owen, brought me my
+      horses, and I rode back to a small inn called Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush, kept by
+      Mrs. Gregson, which had been occasionally my residence for about a
+      fortnight past. I spent the earlier part of the forenoon in writing a
+      letter, which I have already mentioned, to you, my dear Alan, and which, I
+      think, you must have received in safety. Why did I not follow your advice,
+      so often given me? Why did I linger in the neighbourhood of a danger, of
+      which a kind voice had warned me? These are now unavailing questions; I
+      was blinded by a fatality, and remained, fluttering like a moth around the
+      candle, until I have been scorched to some purpose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The greater part of the day had passed, and time hung heavy on my hands. I
+      ought, perhaps, to blush at recollecting what has been often objected to
+      me by the dear friend to whom this letter is addressed, viz. the facility
+      with which I have, in moments of indolence, suffered my motions to be,
+      directed by any person who chanced to be near me, instead of taking the
+      labour of thinking or deciding for myself. I had employed for some time,
+      as a sort of guide and errand-boy, a lad named Benjamin, the son of one
+      widow Coltherd, who lives near the Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush, and I cannot but
+      remember that, upon several occasions, I had of late suffered him to
+      possess more influence over my motions than at all became the difference
+      of our age and condition. At present, he exerted himself to persuade me
+      that it was the finest possible sport to see the fish taken out from the
+      nets placed in the Solway at the reflux of the tide, and urged my going
+      thither this evening so much, that, looking back on the whole
+      circumstances, I cannot but think he had some especial motive for his
+      conduct. These particulars I have mentioned, that if these papers fall
+      into friendly hands, the boy may be sought after and submitted to
+      examination.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His eloquence being unable to persuade me that I should take any pleasure
+      in seeing the fruitless struggles of the fish when left in the nets and
+      deserted by the tide, he artfully suggested, that Mr. and Miss Geddes, a
+      respectable Quaker family well known in the neighbourhood and with whom I
+      had contracted habits of intimacy, would possibly be offended if I did not
+      make them an early visit. Both, he said, had been particularly inquiring
+      the reasons of my leaving their house rather suddenly on the previous day.
+      I resolved, therefore, to walk up to Mount Sharon and make my apologies;
+      and I agreed to permit the boy to attend upon me, and wait my return from
+      the house, that I might fish on my way homeward to Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush, for
+      which amusement, he assured me, I would find the evening most favourable.
+      I mention this minute circumstance, because I strongly suspect that this
+      boy had a presentiment how the evening was to terminate with me, and
+      entertained the selfish though childish wish of securing to himself an
+      angling-rod which he had often admired, as a part of my spoils. I may do
+      the boy wrong, but I had before remarked in him the peculiar art of
+      pursuing the trifling objects of cupidity proper to his age, with the
+      systematic address of much riper years.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When we had commenced our walk, I upbraided him with the coolness of the
+      evening, considering the season, the easterly wind, and other
+      circumstances, unfavourable for angling. He persisted in his own story,
+      and made a few casts, as if to convince me of my error, but caught no
+      fish; and, indeed, as I am now convinced, was much more intent on watching
+      my motions than on taking any. When I ridiculed him once more on his
+      fruitless endeavours, he answered with a sneering smile, that &lsquo;the trouts
+      would not rise, because there was thunder in the air;&rsquo; an intimation
+      which, in one sense, I have found too true.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I arrived at Mount Sharon; was received by my friends there with their
+      wonted kindness; and after being a little rallied on my having suddenly
+      left them on the preceding evening, I agreed to make atonement by staying
+      all night, and dismissed the lad who attended with my fishing-rod, to
+      carry that information to Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush. It may be doubted whether he
+      went thither, or in a different direction.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Betwixt eight and nine o&rsquo;clock, when it began to become dark, we walked on
+      the terrace to enjoy the appearance of the firmament, glittering with ten
+      million stars; to which a slight touch of early frost gave tenfold lustre.
+      As we gazed on this splendid scene, Miss Geddes, I think, was the first to
+      point out to our admiration a shooting or falling star, which, she said,
+      drew a long train after it. Looking to the part of the heavens which she
+      pointed out, I distinctly observed two successive sky-rockets arise and
+      burst in the sky.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;These meteors,&rsquo; said Mr. Geddes, in answer to his sister&rsquo;s observation,
+      &lsquo;are not formed in heaven, nor do they bode any good to the dwellers upon
+      earth.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he spoke, I looked to another quarter of the sky, and a rocket, as if a
+      signal in answer to those which had already appeared, rose high from the
+      earth, and burst apparently among the stars.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Geddes seemed very thoughtful for some minutes, and then said to his
+      sister, &lsquo;Rachel, though it waxes late. I must go down to the fishing
+      station, and pass the night in the overseer&rsquo;s room there.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, then,&rsquo; replied the lady, &lsquo;I am but too well assured that the sons of
+      Belial are menacing these nets and devices. Joshua, art thou a man of
+      peace, and wilt thou willingly and wittingly thrust thyself where thou
+      mayst be tempted by the old man Adam within thee, to enter into debate and
+      strife?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am a man of peace, Rachel,&rsquo; answered Mr. Geddes, &lsquo;even to the utmost
+      extent which our friends can demand of humanity; and neither have I ever
+      used, nor, with the help of God, will I at any future time employ, the arm
+      of flesh to repel or to revenge injuries. But if I can, by mild reasons
+      and firm conduct, save those rude men from committing a crime, and the
+      property belonging to myself and others from sustaining damage, surely I
+      do but the duty of a man and a Christian.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With these words, he ordered his horse instantly; and his sister, ceasing
+      to argue with him, folded her arms upon her bosom, and looked up to heaven
+      with a resigned and yet sorrowful countenance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      These particulars may appear trivial; but it is better, in my present
+      condition, to exert my faculties in recollecting the past, and in
+      recording it, than waste them in vain and anxious anticipations of the
+      future.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It would have been scarcely proper in me to remain in the house from which
+      the master was thus suddenly summoned away; and I therefore begged
+      permission to attend him to the fishing station, assuring his sister that
+      I would be a guarantee for his safety.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That proposal seemed to give much pleasure to Miss Geddes. &lsquo;Let it be so,
+      brother,&rsquo; she said; &lsquo;and let the young man have the desire of his heart,
+      that there may be a faithful witness to stand by thee in the hour of need,
+      and to report how it shall fare with thee.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, Rachel,&rsquo; said the worthy man, &lsquo;thou art to blame in this, that to
+      quiet thy apprehensions on my account, thou shouldst thrust into danger&mdash;if
+      danger it shall prove to be&mdash;this youth, our guest; for whom,
+      doubtless, in case of mishap, as many hearts will ache as may be afflicted
+      on our account.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, my good friend,&rsquo; said I, taking Mr. Geddes&rsquo;s hand, &lsquo;I am not so happy
+      as you suppose me. Were my span to be concluded this evening, few would so
+      much as know that such a being had existed for twenty years on the face of
+      the earth; and of these few, only one would sincerely regret me. Do not,
+      therefore, refuse me the privilege attending you; and of showing, by so
+      trifling an act of kindness, that if I have few friends, I am at least
+      desirous to serve them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou hast a kind heart, I warrant thee,&rsquo; said Joshua Geddes, returning
+      the pressure of my hand. &lsquo;Rachel, the young man shall go with me. Why
+      should he not face danger, in order to do justice and preserve peace?
+      There is that within me,&rsquo; he added, looking upwards, and with a passing
+      enthusiasm which I had not before observed and the absence of which
+      perhaps rather belonged to the sect than to his own personal character&mdash;&lsquo;I
+      say, I have that within which assures me, that though the ungodly may rage
+      even like the storm of the ocean, they shall not have freedom to prevail
+      against us.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having spoken thus, Mr. Geddes appointed a pony to be saddled for my use;
+      and having taken a basket with some provisions, and a servant to carry
+      back the horses for which there was no accommodation at the fishing
+      station, we set off about nine o&rsquo;clock at night, and after three-quarters
+      of an hour&rsquo;s riding, arrived at our place of destination.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The station consists, or then consisted, of huts for four or five
+      fishermen, a cooperage and shed, and a better sort of cottage at which the
+      superintendent resided. We gave our horses to the servant, to be carried
+      back to Mount Sharon; my companion expressing himself humanely anxious for
+      their safety&mdash;and knocked at the door of the house. At first we only
+      heard a barking of dogs; but these animals became quiet on snuffing
+      beneath the door, and acknowledging the presence of friends. A hoarse
+      voice then demanded, in rather unfriendly accents, who we were, and what
+      we wanted and it was not; until Joshua named himself, and called upon his
+      superintendent to open, that the latter appeared at the door of the hut,
+      attended by three large dogs of the Newfoundland breed. He had a flambeau
+      in his hand, and two large heavy ship-pistols stuck into his belt. He was
+      a stout elderly man, who had been a sailor, as I learned, during the
+      earlier part of his life, and was now much confided in by the Fishing
+      Company, whose concerns he directed under the orders of Mr. Geddes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou didst not expect me to-night, friend Davies?&rsquo; said my friend to the
+      old man, who was arranging seats for us by the fire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, Master Geddes,&rsquo; answered he, &lsquo;I did not expect you, nor, to speak the
+      truth, did I wish for you either.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;These are plain terms: John Davies,&rsquo; answered Mr. Geddes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye, sir, I know your worship loves no holiday speeches.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou dost guess, I suppose, what brings us here so late, John Davies?&rsquo; 
+      said Mr. Geddes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I do suppose, sir,&rsquo; answered the superintendent, &lsquo;that it was because
+      those d&mdash;d smuggling wreckers on the coast are showing their lights
+      to gather their forces, as they did the night before they broke down the
+      dam-dyke and weirs up the country; but if that same be the case, I wish
+      once more you had stayed away, for your worship carries no fighting tackle
+      aboard, I think; and there will be work for such ere morning, your
+      worship.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Worship is due to Heaven only, John Davies,&rsquo; said Geddes, &lsquo;I have often
+      desired thee to desist from using that phrase to me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I won&rsquo;t, then,&rsquo; said John; &lsquo;no offence meant: But how the devil can a man
+      stand picking his words, when he is just going to come to blows?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope not, John Davies,&rsquo; said Joshua Geddes. &lsquo;Call in the rest of the
+      men, that I may give them their instructions.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I may cry till doomsday Master Geddes, ere a soul answers&mdash;the
+      cowardly lubbers have all made sail&mdash;the cooper, and all the rest of
+      them, so soon as they heard the enemy were at sea. They have all taken to
+      the long-boat, and left the ship among the breakers, except little Phil
+      and myself&mdash;they have, by&mdash;!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Swear not at all, John Davies&mdash;thou art an honest man; and I
+      believe, without an oath, that thy comrades love their own bones better
+      than my goods and chattels. And so thou hast no assistance but little Phil
+      against a hundred men or two?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, there are the dogs, your honour knows, Neptune and Thetis&mdash;and
+      the puppy may do something; and then though your worship&mdash;I beg
+      pardon&mdash;though your honour be no great fighter, this young gentleman
+      may bear a hand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, and I see you are provided with arms,&rsquo; said Mr. Geddes; &lsquo;let me see
+      them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye, sir; here be a pair of buffers will bite as well as bark&mdash;these
+      will make sure of two rogues at least. It would be a shame to strike
+      without firing a shot. Take care, your honour, they are double-shotted.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, John Davies, I will take care of them, throwing the pistols into a
+      tub of water beside him; &lsquo;and I wish I could render the whole generation
+      of them useless at the same moment.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A deep shade of displeasure passed over John Davies&rsquo;s weatherbeaten
+      countenance. &lsquo;Belike your honour is going to take the command yourself,
+      then?&rsquo; he said, after a pause. &lsquo;Why, I can be of little use now; and since
+      your worship, or your honour, or whatever you are, means to strike
+      quietly, I believe you will do it better without me than with me, for I am
+      like enough to make mischief, I admit; but I&rsquo;ll never leave my post
+      without orders.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then you have mine, John Davies, to go to Mount Sharon directly, and take
+      the boy Phil with you. Where is he?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He is on the outlook for these scums of the earth,&rsquo; answered Davies; &lsquo;but
+      it is to no purpose to know when they come, if we are not to stand to our
+      weapons.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;We will use none but those of sense and reason, John.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And you may just as well cast chaff against the wind, as speak sense and
+      reason to the like of them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, well, be it so,&rsquo; said Joshua; &lsquo;and now, John Davies, I know thou
+      art what the world calls a brave fellow, and I have ever found thee an
+      honest one. And now I command you to go to Mount Sharon, and let Phil lie
+      on the bank-side&mdash;see the poor boy hath a sea-cloak, though&mdash;and
+      watch what happens there, and let him bring you the news; and if any
+      violence shall be offered to the property there, I trust to your fidelity
+      to carry my sister to Dumfries to the house of our friends the Corsacks,
+      and inform the civil authorities of what mischief hath befallen.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The old seaman paused a moment. &lsquo;It is hard lines for me,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;to
+      leave your honour in tribulation; and yet, staying here, I am only like to
+      make bad worse; and your honour&rsquo;s sister, Miss Rachel, must be looked to,
+      that&rsquo;s certain; for if the rogues once get their hand to mischief, they
+      will come to Mount Sharon after they have wasted and destroyed this here
+      snug little roadstead, where I thought to ride at anchor for life.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Right, right, John Davies,&rsquo; said Joshua Geddes; &lsquo;and best call the dogs
+      with you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye, sir,&rsquo; said the veteran, &lsquo;for they are something of my mind, and
+      would not keep quiet if they saw mischief doing; so maybe they might come
+      to mischief, poor dumb creatures. So God bless your honour&mdash;I mean
+      your worship&mdash;I cannot bring my mouth to say fare you well. Here,
+      Neptune, Thetis! come, dogs, come.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, and with a very crestfallen countenance, John Davies left the
+      hut.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now there goes one of the best and most faithful creatures that ever was
+      born,&rsquo; said Mr. Geddes, as the superintendent shut the door of the
+      cottage. &lsquo;Nature made him with a heart that would not have suffered him to
+      harm a fly; but thou seest, friend Latimer, that as men arm their
+      bull-dogs with spiked collars, and their game-cocks with steel spurs, to
+      aid them in fight, so they corrupt, by education, the best and mildest
+      natures, until fortitude and spirit become stubbornness and ferocity.
+      Believe me, friend Latimer, I would as soon expose my faithful household
+      dog to a vain combat with a herd of wolves, as yon trusty creature to the
+      violence of the enraged multitude. But I need say little on this subject
+      to thee, friend Latimer, who, I doubt not, art trained to believe that
+      courage is displayed and honour attained, not by doing and suffering as
+      becomes a man that which fate calls us to suffer and justice commands us
+      to do, but because thou art ready to retort violence for violence, and
+      considerest the lightest insult as a sufficient cause for the spilling of
+      blood, nay, the taking of life. But, leaving these points of controversy
+      to a more fit season, let us see what our basket of provision contains;
+      for in truth, friend Latimer, I am one of those whom neither fear nor
+      anxiety deprives of their ordinary appetite.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We found the means of good cheer accordingly, which Mr. Geddes seemed to
+      enjoy as much as if it had been eaten in a situation of perfect safety;
+      nay, his conversation appeared to be rather more gay than on ordinary
+      occasions. After eating our supper, we left the hut together, and walked
+      for a few minutes on the banks of the sea. It was high water, and the ebb
+      had not yet commenced. The moon shone broad and bright upon the placid
+      face of the Solway Firth, and showed a slight ripple upon the stakes, the
+      tops of which were just visible above the waves, and on the dark-coloured
+      buoys which marked the upper edge of the enclosure of nets. At a much
+      greater distance&mdash;for the estuary is here very wide&mdash;the line of
+      the English coast was seen on the verge of the water, resembling one of
+      those fog-banks on which mariners are said to gaze, uncertain whether it
+      be land or atmospherical delusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;We shall be undisturbed for some hours,&rsquo; said Mr. Geddes; &lsquo;they will not
+      come down upon us: till the state of the tide permits them to destroy the
+      tide-nets. Is it not strange to think that human passions will so soon
+      transform such a tranquil scene as this into one of devastation and
+      confusion?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was indeed a scene of exquisite stillness; so much so, that the
+      restless waves of the Solway seemed, if not absolutely to sleep, at least
+      to slumber; on the shore no night-bird was heard&mdash;the cock had not
+      sung his first matins, and we ourselves walked more lightly than by day,
+      as if to suit the sounds of our own paces to the serene tranquillity
+      around us. At length, the plaintive cry of a dog broke the silence, and on
+      our return to the cottage, we found that the younger of the three animals
+      which had gone along with John Davies, unaccustomed, perhaps, to distant
+      journeys, and the duty of following to heel, had strayed from the party,
+      and, unable to rejoin them, had wandered back to the place of its birth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Another feeble addition to our feeble garrison,&rsquo; said Mr. Geddes, as he
+      caressed the dog, and admitted it into the cottage. &lsquo;Poor thing! as thou
+      art incapable of doing any mischief, I hope thou wilt sustain none. At
+      least thou mayst do us the good service of a sentinel, and permit us to
+      enjoy a quiet repose, under the certainty that thou wilt alarm us when the
+      enemy is at hand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There were two beds in the superintendent&rsquo;s room, upon which we threw
+      ourselves. Mr. Geddes, with his happy equanimity of temper, was asleep in
+      the first five minutes. I lay for some time in doubtful and anxious
+      thoughts, watching the fire, and the motions of the restless dog, which,
+      disturbed probably at the absence of John Davies, wandered from the hearth
+      to the door and back again, then came to the bedside and licked my hands
+      and face, and at length, experiencing no repulse to its advances,
+      established itself at my feet, and went to sleep, an example which I soon
+      afterwards followed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The rage of narration, my dear Alan&mdash;for I will never relinquish the
+      hope that what I am writing may one day reach your hands&mdash;has not
+      forsaken me, even in my confinement, and the extensive though unimportant
+      details into which I have been hurried, renders it necessary that I
+      commence another sheet. Fortunately, my pygmy characters comprehend a
+      great many words within a small space of paper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IV
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      DARSIE LATIMER&rsquo;S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      The morning was dawning, and Mr. Geddes and I myself were still sleeping
+      soundly, when the alarm was given by my canine bedfellow, who first
+      growled deeply at intervals, and at length bore more decided testimony to
+      the approach of some enemy. I opened the door of the cottage, and
+      perceived, at the distance of about two hundred yards, a small but close
+      column of men, which I would have taken for a dark hedge, but that I could
+      perceive it was advancing rapidly and in silence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The dog flew towards them, but instantly ran howling back to me, having
+      probably been chastised by a stick or a stone. Uncertain as to the plan of
+      tactics or of treaty which Mr. Geddes might think proper to adopt, I was
+      about to retire into the cottage, when he suddenly joined me at the door,
+      and, slipping his arm through mine, said, &lsquo;Let us go to meet them
+      manfully; we have done nothing to be ashamed of.&mdash;Friends,&rsquo; he said,
+      raising his voice as we approached them, &lsquo;who and what are you, and with
+      what purpose are you here on my property?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A loud cheer was the answer returned, and a brace of fiddlers who occupied
+      the front of the march immediately struck up the insulting air, the words
+      of which begin&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Merrily danced the Quaker&rsquo;s wife,
+  And merrily danced the Quaker.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      Even at that moment of alarm, I think I recognized the tones of the blind
+      fiddler, Will, known by the name of Wandering Willie, from his itinerant
+      habits. They continued to advance swiftly and in great order, in their
+      front
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  The fiery fiddlers playing martial airs;
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      when, coming close up, they surrounded us by a single movement, and there
+      was a universal cry, &lsquo;Whoop, Quaker&mdash;whoop, Quaker! Here have we them
+      both, the wet Quaker and the dry one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hang up the wet Quaker to dry, and wet the dry one with a ducking,&rsquo; 
+      answered another voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Where is the sea-otter, John Davies, that destroyed more fish than any
+      sealch upon Ailsa Craig?&rsquo; exclaimed a third voice. &lsquo;I have an old crow to
+      pluck with him, and a pock to put the feathers in.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We stood perfectly passive; for, to have attempted resistance against more
+      than a hundred men, armed with guns, fish-spears, iron-crows, spades, and
+      bludgeons, would have been an act of utter insanity. Mr. Geddes, with his
+      strong sonorous voice, answered the question about the superintendent in a
+      manner the manly indifference of which compelled them to attend to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;John Davies,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;will, I trust, soon be at Dumfries&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To fetch down redcoats and dragoons against us, you canting old villain!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A blow was, at the same time, levelled at my friend, which I parried by
+      interposing the stick I had in my hand. I was instantly struck down, and
+      have a faint recollection of hearing some crying, &lsquo;Kill the young spy!&rsquo; 
+      and others, as I thought, interposing on my behalf. But a second blow on
+      the head, received in the scuffle, soon deprived me of sense and
+      consciousness, and threw me into it state of insensibility, from which I
+      did not recover immediately. When I did come to myself, I was lying on the
+      bed from which I had just risen before the fray, and my poor companion,
+      the Newfoundland puppy, its courage entirely cowed by the tumult of the
+      riot, had crept as close to me as it could, and lay trembling and whining,
+      as if under the most dreadful terror. I doubted at first whether I had not
+      dreamed of the tumult, until, as I attempted to rise, a feeling of pain
+      and dizziness assured me that the injury I had sustained was but too real.
+      I gathered together my senses listened&mdash;and heard at a distance the
+      shouts of the rioters, busy, doubtless, in their work of devastation. I
+      made a second effort to rise, or at least to turn myself, for I lay with
+      my face to the wall of the cottage, but I found that my limbs were
+      secured, and my motions effectually prevented&mdash;not indeed by cords,
+      but by linen or cloth bandages swathed around my ankles, and securing my
+      arms to my sides. Aware of my utterly captive condition, I groaned betwixt
+      bodily pain and mental distress,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A voice by my bedside whispered, in a whining tone, &lsquo;Whisht a-ye, hinnie&mdash;Whisht
+      a-ye; haud your tongue, like a gude bairn&mdash;ye have cost us dear
+      aneugh already. My hinnie&rsquo;s clean gane now.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Knowing, as I thought, the phraseology of the wife of the itinerant
+      musician, I asked her where her husband was, and whether he had been hurt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Broken,&rsquo; answered the dame, &lsquo;all broken to pieces; fit for naught but to
+      be made spunks of&mdash;the best blood that was in Scotland.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Broken?&mdash;blood?&mdash;is your husband wounded; has there been
+      bloodshed broken limbs?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Broken limbs I wish,&rsquo; answered the beldam, &lsquo;that my hinnie had broken the
+      best bane in his body, before he had broken his fiddle, that was the best
+      blood in Scotland&mdash;it was a Cremony, for aught that I ken.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Pshaw&mdash;only his fiddle?&rsquo; said I.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I dinna ken what waur your honour could have wished him to do, unless he
+      had broken his neck; and this is muckle the same to my hinnie Willie and
+      me. Chaw, indeed! It is easy to say chaw, but wha is to gie us ony thing
+      to chaw?&mdash;the bread-winner&rsquo;s gane, and we may e&rsquo;en sit down and
+      starve.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, no,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;I will pay you for twenty such fiddles.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Twenty such! is that a&rsquo; ye ken about it? the country hadna the like o&rsquo;t.
+      But if your honour were to pay us, as nae doubt wad be to your credit here
+      and hereafter, where are ye to get the siller?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have enough of money,&rsquo; said I, attempting to reach my hand towards my
+      side-pocket; &lsquo;unloose these bandages, and I will pay you on the spot.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This hint appeared to move her, and she was approaching the bedside, as I
+      hoped, to liberate me from my bonds, when a nearer and more desperate
+      shout was heard, as if the rioters were close by the hut.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I daurna I daurna,&rsquo; said the poor woman, &lsquo;they would murder me and my
+      hinnie Willie baith, and they have misguided us aneugh already;&mdash;but
+      if there is anything worldly I could do for your honour, leave out loosing
+      ye?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      What she said recalled me to my bodily suffering. Agitation, and the
+      effects of the usage I had received, had produced a burning thirst. I
+      asked for a drink of water.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Heaven Almighty forbid that Epps Ainslie should gie ony sick gentleman
+      cauld well-water, and him in a fever. Na, na, hinnie, let me alane, I&rsquo;ll
+      do better for ye than the like of that.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Give me what you will,&rsquo; I replied; &lsquo;let it but be liquid and cool.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The woman gave me a large horn accordingly, filled with spirits and water,
+      which, without minute inquiry concerning the nature of its contents, I
+      drained at a draught. Either the spirits taken in such a manner acted more
+      suddenly than usual on my brain, or else there was some drug mixed with
+      the beverage. I remember little after drinking it off, only that the
+      appearance of things around me became indistinct; that the woman&rsquo;s form
+      seemed to multiply itself, and to flit in various figures around me,
+      bearing the same lineaments as she herself did. I remember also that the
+      discordant noises and cries of those without the cottage seemed to die
+      away in a hum like that with which a nurse hushes her babe. At length I
+      fell into a deep sound sleep, or rather, a state of absolute
+      insensibility.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have reason to think this species of trance lasted for many hours;
+      indeed, for the whole subsequent day and part of the night. It was not
+      uniformly so profound, for my recollection of it is chequered with many
+      dreams, all of a painful nature, but too faint and too indistinct to be
+      remembered. At length the moment of waking came, and my sensations were
+      horrible.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A deep sound, which, in the confusion of my senses, I identified with the
+      cries of the rioters, was the first thing of which I was sensible; next, I
+      became conscious that I was carried violently forward in some conveyance,
+      with an unequal motion, which gave me much pain. My position was
+      horizontal, and when I attempted to stretch my hands in order to find some
+      mode of securing myself against this species of suffering, I found I was
+      bound as before, and the horrible reality rushed on my mind that I was in
+      the hands of those who had lately committed a great outrage on property,
+      and were now about to kidnap, if not to murder me. I opened my eyes, it
+      was to no purpose&mdash;all around me was dark, for a day had passed over
+      during my captivity. A dispiriting sickness oppressed my head&mdash;my
+      heart seemed on fire, while my feet and hands were chilled and benumbed
+      with want of circulation. It was with the utmost difficulty that I at
+      length, and gradually, recovered in a sufficient degree the power of
+      observing external sounds and circumstances; and when I did so, they
+      presented nothing consolatory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Groping with my hands, as far as the bandages would permit, and receiving
+      the assistance of some occasional glances of the moonlight, I became aware
+      that the carriage in which I was transported was one of the light carts of
+      the country, called TUMBLERS, and that a little attention had been paid to
+      my accommodation, as I was laid upon some sacks covered with matting, and
+      filled with straw. Without these, my condition would have been still more
+      intolerable, for the vehicle, sinking now on one side, and now on the
+      other, sometimes sticking absolutely fast and requiring the utmost
+      exertions of the animal which drew it to put it once more in motion, was
+      subjected to jolts in all directions, which were very severe. At other
+      times it rolled silently and smoothly over what seemed to be wet sand;
+      and, as I heard the distant roar of the tide, I had little doubt that we
+      were engaged in passing the formidable estuary which divides the two
+      kingdoms.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There seemed to be at least five or six people about the cart, some on
+      foot, others on horseback; the former lent assistance whenever it was in
+      danger of upsetting, or sticking fast in the quicksand; the others rode
+      before and acted as guides, often changing the direction of the vehicle as
+      the precarious state of the passage required.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I addressed myself to the men around the cart, and endeavoured to move
+      their compassion. I had harmed, I said, no one, and for no action in my
+      life had deserved such cruel treatment, I had no concern whatever in the
+      fishing station which had incurred their displeasure, and my acquaintance
+      with Mr. Geddes was of a very late date. Lastly, and as my strongest
+      argument, I endeavoured to excite their fears, by informing them that my
+      rank in life would not permit me to be either murdered or secreted with
+      impunity; and to interest their avarice, by the promises I made them of
+      reward, if they would effect my deliverance. I only received a scornful
+      laugh in reply to my threats; my promises might have done more, for the
+      fellows were whispering together as if in hesitation, and I began to
+      reiterate and increase my offers, when the voice of one of the horsemen,
+      who had suddenly come up, enjoined silence to the men on foot, and,
+      approaching the side of the cart, said to me, with a strong and determined
+      voice, &lsquo;Young man, there is no personal harm designed to you. If you
+      remain silent and quiet, you may reckon on good treatment; but if you
+      endeavour to tamper with these men in the execution of their duty, I will
+      take such measures for silencing you, as you shall remember the longest
+      day you have to live.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I thought I knew the voice which uttered these threats; but, in such a
+      situation, my perceptions could not be supposed to be perfectly accurate.
+      I was contented to reply, &lsquo;Whoever you are that speak to me, I entreat the
+      benefit of the meanest prisoner, who is not to be subjected, legally to
+      greater hardship than is necessary for the restraint of his person. I
+      entreat that these bonds, which hurt me so cruelly, may be slackened at
+      least, if not removed altogether.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will slacken the belts,&rsquo; said the former speaker; &lsquo;nay, I will
+      altogether remove them, and allow you to pursue your journey in a more
+      convenient manner, provided you will give me your word of honour that you
+      will not attempt an escape?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;NEVER!&rsquo; I answered, with an energy of which despair alone could have
+      rendered me capable&mdash;&lsquo;I will never submit to loss of freedom a moment
+      longer than I am subjected to it by force.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Enough,&rsquo; he replied; &lsquo;the sentiment is natural; but do not on your side
+      complain that I, who am carrying on an important undertaking, use the only
+      means in my power for ensuring its success.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I entreated to know what it was designed to do with me; but my conductor,
+      in a voice of menacing authority, desired me to be silent on my peril; and
+      my strength and spirits were too much exhausted to permit my continuing a
+      dialogue so singular, even if I could have promised myself any good result
+      by doing so.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is proper here to add, that, from my recollections at the time, and
+      from what has since taken place, I have the strongest possible belief that
+      the man with whom I held this expostulation was the singular person
+      residing at Brokenburn, in Dumfriesshire, and called by the fishers of
+      that hamlet, the Laird of the Solway Lochs. The cause for his inveterate
+      persecution I cannot pretend even to guess at.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meantime, the cart was dragged heavily and wearily on, until the
+      nearer roar of the advancing tide excited the apprehension of another
+      danger. I could not mistake the sound, which I had heard upon another
+      occasion, when it was only the speed of a fleet horse which saved me from
+      perishing in the quicksands. Thou, my dear Alan, canst not but remember
+      the former circumstances; and now, wonderful contrast! the very man, to
+      the best of my belief, who then saved me from peril, was the leader of the
+      lawless band who had deprived me of my liberty. I conjectured that the
+      danger grew imminent; for I heard some words and circumstances which made
+      me aware that a rider hastily fastened his own horse to the shafts of the
+      cart in order to assist the exhausted animal which drew it, and the
+      vehicle was now pulled forward at a faster pace, which the horses were
+      urged to maintain by blows and curses. The men, however, were inhabitants
+      of the neighbourhood; and I had strong personal reason to believe that one
+      of them, at least, was intimately acquainted with all the depths and
+      shallows of the perilous paths in which we were engaged. But they were in
+      imminent danger themselves; and if so, as from the whispering and
+      exertions to push on with the cart was much to be apprehended, there was
+      little doubt that I should be left behind as a useless encumbrance, and
+      that, while I was in a condition which rendered every chance of escape
+      impracticable. These were awful apprehensions; but it pleased Providence
+      to increase them to a point which my brain was scarcely able to endure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As we approached very near to a black line, which, dimly visible as it
+      was, I could make out to be the shore, we heard two or three sounds, which
+      appeared to be the report of fire-arms. Immediately all was bustle among
+      our party to get forward. Presently a fellow galloped up to us, crying
+      out, &lsquo;Ware hawk! ware hawk! the land-sharks are out from Burgh, and
+      Allonby Tom will lose his cargo if you do not bear a hand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Most of my company seemed to make hastily for the shore on receiving this
+      intelligence. A driver was left with the cart; but at length, when, after
+      repeated and hairbreadth escapes, it actually stuck fast in a slough or
+      quicksand, the fellow, with an oath, cut the harness, and, as I presume,
+      departed with the horses, whose feet I heard splashing over the wet sand
+      and through the shallows, as he galloped off.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The dropping sound of fire-arms was still continued, but lost almost
+      entirely in the thunder of the advancing surge. By a desperate effort I
+      raised myself in the cart, and attained a sitting posture, which served
+      only to show me the extent of my danger. There lay my native land&mdash;my
+      own England&mdash;the land where I was born, and to which my wishes, since
+      my earliest age, had turned with all the prejudices of national feeling&mdash;there
+      it lay, within a furlong of the place where I yet was; that furlong, which
+      an infant would have raced over in a minute, was yet a barrier effectual
+      to divide me for ever from England and from life. I soon not only heard
+      the roar of this dreadful torrent, but saw, by the fitful moonlight, the
+      foamy crests of the devouring waves, as they advanced with the speed and
+      fury of a pack of hungry wolves.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The consciousness that the slightest ray of hope, or power of struggling,
+      was not left me, quite overcame the constancy which I had hitherto
+      maintained. My eyes began to swim&mdash;my head grew giddy and mad with
+      fear&mdash;I chattered and howled to the howling and roaring sea. One or
+      two great waves already reached the cart, when the conductor of the party
+      whom I have mentioned so often, was, as if by magic, at my side. He sprang
+      from his horse into the vehicle, cut the ligatures which restrained me,
+      and bade me get up and mount in the fiend&rsquo;s name.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Seeing I was incapable of obeying, he seized me as if I had been a child
+      of six months old, threw me across the horse, sprang on behind, supporting
+      with one hand, while he directed the animal with the other. In my helpless
+      and painful posture, I was unconscious of the degree of danger which we
+      incurred; but I believe at one time the horse was swimming, or nearly so;
+      and that it was with difficulty that my stern and powerful assistant kept
+      my head above water. I remember particularly the shock which I felt when
+      the animal, endeavouring to gain the bank, reared, and very nearly fell
+      back on his burden. The time during which I continued in this dreadful
+      condition did not probably exceed two or three minutes, yet so strongly
+      were they marked with horror and agony, that they seem to my recollection
+      a much more considerable space of time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When I had been thus snatched from destruction, I had only power to say to
+      my protector,&mdash;or oppressor,&mdash;for he merited either name at my
+      hand, &lsquo;You do not, then, design to murder me?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He laughed as he replied, but it was a sort of laughter which I scarce
+      desire to hear again,&mdash;&lsquo;Else you think I had let the waves do the
+      work? But remember, the shepherd saves his sheep from the torrent&mdash;is
+      it to preserve its life?&mdash;Be silent, however, with questions or
+      entreaties. What I mean to do, thou canst no more discover or prevent,
+      than a man, with his bare palm, can scoop dry the Solway.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I was too much exhausted to continue the argument; and, still numbed and
+      torpid in all my limbs, permitted myself without reluctance to be placed
+      on a horse brought for the purpose. My formidable conductor rode on the
+      one side, and another person on the other, keeping me upright in the
+      saddle. In this manner we travelled forward at a considerable rate, and by
+      by-roads, with which my attendant seemed as familiar as with the perilous
+      passages of the Solway.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length, after stumbling through a labyrinth of dark and deep lanes, and
+      crossing more than one rough and barren heath, we found ourselves on the
+      edge of a highroad, where a chaise and four awaited, as it appeared, our
+      arrival. To my great relief, we now changed our mode of conveyance; for my
+      dizziness and headache had returned in so strong a degree, that I should
+      otherwise have been totally unable to keep my seat on horseback, even with
+      the support which I received.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My doubted and dangerous companion signed to me to enter the carriage&mdash;the
+      man who had ridden on the left side of my horse stepped in after me, and
+      drawing up the blinds of the vehicle, gave the signal for instant
+      departure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I had obtained a glimpse of the countenance of my new companion, as by the
+      aid of a dark lantern the drivers opened the carriage door, and I was
+      wellnigh persuaded that I recognized in him the domestic of the leader of
+      this party, whom I had seen at his house in Brokenburn on a former
+      occasion. To ascertain the truth of my suspicion, I asked him whether his
+      name was not Cristal Nixon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What is other folk&rsquo;s names to you,&rsquo; he replied, gruffly, &lsquo;who cannot tell
+      your own father and mother?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You know them, perhaps!&rsquo; I exclaimed eagerly. &lsquo;You know them! and with
+      that secret is connected the treatment which I am now receiving? It must
+      be so, for in my life have I never injured any one. Tell me the cause of
+      my misfortunes, or rather, help me to my liberty, and I will reward you
+      richly.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye,&rsquo; replied my keeper; &lsquo;but what use to give you liberty, who know
+      nothing how to use it like a gentleman, but spend your time with Quakers
+      and fiddlers, and such like raff! If I was your&mdash;hem, hem, hem!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here Cristal stopped short, just on the point, as it appeared, when some
+      information was likely to escape him. I urged him once more to be my
+      friend, and promised him all the stock of money which I had about me, and
+      it was not inconsiderable, if he would assist in my escape.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He listened, as if to a proposition which had some interest, and replied,
+      but in a voice rather softer than before, &lsquo;Aye, but men do not catch old
+      birds with chaff, my master. Where have you got the rhino you are so flush
+      of?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will give you earnest directly, and that in banknotes,&rsquo; said I; but
+      thrusting my hand into my side-pocket, I found my pocket-book was gone. I
+      would have persuaded myself that it was only the numbness of my hands
+      which prevented my finding it; but Cristal Nixon, who bears in his
+      countenance that cynicism which is especially entertained with human
+      misery, no longer suppressed his laughter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, ho! my young master,&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;we have taken good enough care you
+      have not kept the means of bribing poor folk&rsquo;s fidelity. What, man, they
+      have souls as well as other people, and to make them break trust is a
+      deadly sin. And as for me, young gentleman, if you would fill Saint Mary&rsquo;s
+      Kirk with gold, Cristal Nixon would mind it no more than so many
+      chucky-stones.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I would have persisted, were it but in hopes of his letting drop that
+      which it concerned me to know, but he cut off further communication, by
+      desiring me to lean back in the corner and go to sleep.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou art cock-brained enough already,&rsquo; he added, &lsquo;and we shall have thy
+      young pate addled entirely, if you do not take some natural rest.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I did indeed require repose, if not slumber; the draught which I had taken
+      continued to operate, and, satisfied in my own mind that no attempt on my
+      life was designed, the fear of instant death no longer combated the torpor
+      which crept over me&mdash;I slept, and slept soundly, but still without
+      refreshment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When I awoke, I found myself extremely indisposed; images of the past, and
+      anticipations of the future, floated confusedly through my brain. I
+      perceived, however, that my situation was changed, greatly for the better.
+      I was in a good bed, with the curtains drawn round it; I heard the lowered
+      voice and cautious step of attendants, who seemed to respect my repose; it
+      appeared as if I was in the hands either of friends, or of such as meant
+      me no personal harm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I can give but an indistinct account of two or three broken and feverish
+      days which succeeded, but if they were chequered with dreams and visions
+      of terror, other and more agreeable objects were also sometimes presented.
+      Alan Fairford will understand me when I say, I am convinced I saw G.M.
+      during this interval of oblivion. I had medical attendance, and was bled
+      more than once. I also remember a painful operation performed on my head,
+      where I had received a severe blow on the night of the riot. My hair was
+      cut short, and the bone of the skull examined, to discover if the cranium
+      had received any injury.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On seeing the physician, it would have been natural to have appealed to
+      him on the subject of my confinement, and I remember more than once
+      attempting to do so. But the fever lay like a spell upon my tongue, and
+      when I would have implored the doctor&rsquo;s assistance, I rambled from the
+      subject, and spoke I know not what nonsense. Some power, which I was
+      unable to resist, seemed to impel me into a different course of
+      conversation from what I intended, and though conscious, in some degree,
+      of the failure, I could not mend it; and resolved, therefore, to be
+      patient, until my capacity of steady thought and expression was restored
+      to me with my ordinary health, which had sustained a severe shock from the
+      vicissitudes to which I had been exposed. [See Note 6.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER V
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      DARSIE LATIMER&rsquo;S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Two or three days, perhaps more, perhaps less, had been spent in bed,
+      where I was carefully attended, and treated, I believe, with as much
+      judgement as the case required, and I was at length allowed to quit my
+      bed, though not the chamber. I was now more able to make some observation
+      on the place of my confinement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The room, in appearance and furniture, resembled the best apartment in a
+      farmer&rsquo;s house; and the window, two stories high, looked into a backyard,
+      or court, filled with domestic poultry. There were the usual domestic
+      offices about this yard. I could distinguish the brewhouse and the barn,
+      and I heard, from a more remote building, the lowing of the cattle, and
+      other rural sounds, announcing a large and well-stocked farm. These were
+      sights and sounds qualified to dispel any apprehension of immediate
+      violence. Yet the building seemed ancient and strong, a part of the roof
+      was battlemented, and the walls were of great thickness; lastly, I
+      observed, with some unpleasant sensations, that the windows of my chamber
+      had been lately secured with iron stanchions, and that the servants who
+      brought me victuals, or visited my apartment to render other menial
+      offices, always locked the door when they retired.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The comfort and cleanliness of my chamber were of true English growth, and
+      such as I had rarely seen on the other side of the Tweed; the very old
+      wainscot, which composed the floor and the panelling of the room, was
+      scrubbed with a degree of labour which the Scottish housewife rarely
+      bestows on her most costly furniture.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The whole apartments appropriated to my use consisted of the bedroom, a
+      small parlour adjacent, within which was a still smaller closet having a
+      narrow window which seemed anciently to have been used as a shot-hole,
+      admitting, indeed, a very moderate portion of light and air, but without
+      its being possible to see anything from it except the blue sky, and that
+      only by mounting on a chair. There were appearances of a separate entrance
+      into this cabinet, besides that which communicated with the parlour, but
+      it had been recently built up, as I discovered by removing a piece of
+      tapestry which covered the fresh mason-work. I found some of my clothes
+      here, with linen and other articles, as well as my writing-case,
+      containing pen, ink, and paper, which enables me, at my leisure (which,
+      God knows, is undisturbed enough) to make this record of my confinement.
+      It may be well believed, however, that I do not trust to the security of
+      the bureau, but carry the written sheets about my person, so that I can
+      only be deprived of them by actual violence. I also am cautious to write
+      in the little cabinet only, so that I can hear any person approach me
+      through the other apartments, and have time enough to put aside my journal
+      before they come upon me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The servants, a stout country fellow and a very pretty milkmaid-looking
+      lass, by whom I am attended, seem of the true Joan and Hedge school,
+      thinking of little and desiring nothing beyond the very limited sphere of
+      their own duties or enjoyments, and having no curiosity whatever about the
+      affairs of others. Their behaviour to me in particular, is, at the same
+      time, very kind and very provoking. My table is abundantly supplied, and
+      they seem anxious to comply with my taste in that department. But whenever
+      I make inquiries beyond &lsquo;what&rsquo;s for dinner&rsquo;, the brute of a lad baffles me
+      by his ANAN, and his DUNNA KNAW, and if hard pressed, turns his back on me
+      composedly, and leaves the room. The girl, too, pretends to be as simple
+      as he; but an arch grin, which she cannot always suppress, seems to
+      acknowledge that she understands perfectly well the game which she is
+      playing, and is determined to keep me in ignorance. Both of them, and the
+      wench in particular, treat me as they would do a spoiled child, and never
+      directly refuse me anything which I ask, taking care, at the same time,
+      not to make their words good by effectually granting my request. Thus, if
+      I desire to go out, I am promised by Dorcas that I shall walk in the park
+      at night, and see the cows milked, just as she would propose such an
+      amusement to a child. But she takes care never to keep her word, if it is
+      in her power to do so.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meantime, there has stolen on me insensibly an indifference to my
+      freedom&mdash;a carelessness about my situation, for which I am unable to
+      account, unless it be the consequence of weakness and loss of blood. I
+      have read of men who, immured as I am, have surprised the world by the
+      address with which they have successfully overcome the most formidable
+      obstacles to their escape; and when I have heard such anecdotes, I have
+      said to myself, that no one who is possessed only of a fragment of
+      freestone, or a rusty nail to grind down rivets and to pick locks, having
+      his full leisure to employ in the task, need continue the inhabitant of a
+      prison. Here, however, I sit, day after day, without a single effort to
+      effect my liberation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Yet my inactivity is not the result of despondency, but arises, in part at
+      least, from feelings of a very different cast. My story, long a mysterious
+      one, seems now upon the verge of some strange development; and I feel a
+      solemn impression that I ought to wait the course of events, to struggle
+      against which is opposing my feeble efforts to the high will of fate.
+      Thou, my Alan, wilt treat as timidity this passive acquiescence, which has
+      sunk down on me like a benumbing torpor; but if thou hast remembered by
+      what visions my couch was haunted, and dost but think of the probability
+      that I am in the vicinity, perhaps under the same roof with G.M., thou
+      wilt acknowledge that other feelings than pusillanimity have tended in
+      some degree to reconcile me to my fate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Still I own it is unmanly to submit with patience to this oppressive
+      confinement. My heart rises against it, especially when I sit down to
+      record my sufferings in this journal, and I am determined, as the first
+      step to my deliverance, to have my letters sent to the post-house. &mdash;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I am disappointed. When the girl Dorcas, upon whom I had fixed for a
+      messenger, heard me talk of sending a letter, she willingly offered her
+      services, and received the crown which I gave her (for my purse had not
+      taken flight with the more valuable contents of my pocket-book) with a
+      smile which showed her whole set of white teeth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But when, with the purpose of gaining some intelligence respecting my
+      present place of abode, I asked to which post-town she was to send or
+      carry the letter, a stolid &lsquo;ANAN&rsquo; showed me she was either ignorant of the
+      nature of a post-office, or that, for the present, she chose to seem so.&mdash;&lsquo;Simpleton!&rsquo; 
+      I said, with some sharpness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;O Lord, sir!&rsquo; answered the girl, turning pale, which they always do when
+      I show any sparks of anger, &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t put yourself in a passion&mdash;I&rsquo;ll
+      put the letter in the post.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What! and not know the name of the post-town?&rsquo; said I, out of patience.
+      &lsquo;How on earth do you propose to manage that?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;La you there, good master. What need you frighten a poor girl that is no
+      schollard, bating what she learned at the Charity School of Saint Bees?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Is Saint Bees far from this place, Dorcas? Do you send your letters
+      there?&rsquo; said I, in a manner as insinuating, and yet careless, as I could
+      assume.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Saint Bees! La, who but a madman&mdash;begging your honour&rsquo;s pardon&mdash;it&rsquo;s
+      a matter of twenty years since fader lived at Saint Bees, which is twenty,
+      or forty, or I dunna know not how many miles from this part, to the West,
+      on the coast side; and I would not have left Saint Bees, but that fader&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, the devil take your father!&rsquo; replied I.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To which she answered, &lsquo;Nay, but thof your honour be a little how-come-so,
+      you shouldn&rsquo;t damn folk&rsquo;s faders; and I won&rsquo;t stand to it, for one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, I beg you a thousand pardons&mdash;I wish your father no ill in the
+      world&mdash;he was a very honest man in his way.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;WAS an honest man!&rsquo; she exclaimed; for the Cumbrians are, it would seem,
+      like their neighbours the Scotch, ticklish on the point of ancestry,&mdash;&lsquo;He
+      IS a very honest man as ever led nag with halter on head to Staneshaw Bank
+      Fair. Honest! He is a horse-couper.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Right, right,&rsquo; I replied; &lsquo;I know it&mdash;I have heard of your father-as
+      honest as any horse-couper of them all. Why, Dorcas, I mean to buy a horse
+      of him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ah, your honour,&rsquo; sighed Dorcas, &lsquo;he is the man to serve your honour well&mdash;if
+      ever you should get round again&mdash;or thof you were a bit off the
+      hooks, he would no more cheat you than&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, well, we will deal, my girl, you may depend on&rsquo;t. But tell me now,
+      were I to give you a letter, what would you do to get it forward?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, put it into Squire&rsquo;s own bag that hangs in hall,&rsquo; answered poor
+      Dorcas. &lsquo;What else could I do? He sends it to Brampton, or to Carloisle,
+      or where it pleases him, once a week, and that gate.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ah!&rsquo; said I; &lsquo;and I suppose your sweetheart John carries it?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Noa&mdash;disn&rsquo;t now&mdash;and Jan is no sweetheart of mine, ever since
+      he danced at his mother&rsquo;s feast with Kitty Rutlege, and let me sit still;
+      that a did.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It was most abominable in Jan, and what I could never have thought of
+      him,&rsquo; I replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, but a did though&mdash;a let me sit still on my seat, a did.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, well, my pretty May, you will get a handsomer fellow than Jan&mdash;Jan&rsquo;s
+      not the fellow for you, I see that.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Noa, noa,&rsquo; answered the damsel; &lsquo;but he is weel aneugh for a&rsquo; that, mon.
+      But I carena a button for him; for there is the miller&rsquo;s son, that
+      suitored me last Appleby Fair, when I went wi&rsquo; oncle, is a gway canny lad
+      as you will see in the sunshine.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, a fine stout fellow. Do you think he would carry my letter to
+      Carlisle?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To Carloisle! &lsquo;Twould be all his life is worth; he maun wait on clap and
+      hopper, as they say. Odd, his father would brain him if he went to
+      Carloisle, bating to wrestling for the belt, or sic loike. But I ha&rsquo; more
+      bachelors than him; there is the schoolmaster, can write almaist as weel
+      as tou canst, mon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then he is the very man to take charge of a letter; he knows the trouble
+      of writing one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, marry does he, an tou comest to that, mon; only it takes him four
+      hours to write as mony lines. Tan, it is a great round hand loike, that
+      one can read easily, and not loike your honour&rsquo;s, that are like midge&rsquo;s
+      taes. But for ganging to Carloisle, he&rsquo;s dead foundered, man, as cripple
+      as Eckie&rsquo;s mear.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In the name of God,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;how is it that you propose to get my letter
+      to the post?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, just to put it into Squire&rsquo;s bag loike,&rsquo; reiterated Dorcas; &lsquo;he
+      sends it by Cristal Nixon to post, as you call it, when such is his
+      pleasure.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here I was, then, not much edified by having obtained a list of Dorcas&rsquo;s
+      bachelors; and by finding myself, with respect to any information which I
+      desired, just exactly at the point where I set out. It was of consequence
+      to me, however, to accustom, the girl to converse with me familiarly. If
+      she did so, she could not always be on her guard, and something, I
+      thought, might drop from her which I could turn to advantage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Does not the Squire usually look into his letter-bag, Dorcas?&rsquo; said I,
+      with as much indifference as I could assume.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That a does,&rsquo; said Dorcas; &lsquo;and a threw out a letter of mine to Raff
+      Miller, because a said&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, well, I won&rsquo;t trouble him with mine,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;Dorcas; but,
+      instead, I will write to himself, Dorcas. But how shall I address him?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Anan?&rsquo; was again Dorcas&rsquo;s resource.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I mean how is he called? What is his name?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sure you honour should know best,&rsquo; said Dorcas.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I know? The devil! You drive me beyond patience.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Noa, noa! donna your honour go beyond patience&mdash;donna ye now,&rsquo; 
+      implored the wench. &lsquo;And for his neame, they say he has mair nor ane in
+      Westmoreland and on the Scottish side. But he is but seldom wi&rsquo; us,
+      excepting in the cocking season; and then we just call him Squoire loike;
+      and so do my measter and dame.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And is he here at present?&rsquo; said I.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not he, not he; he is a buck-hoonting, as they tell me, somewhere up the
+      Patterdale way; but he comes and gangs like a flap of a whirlwind, or sic
+      loike.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I broke off the conversation, after forcing on Dorcas a little silver to
+      buy ribbons, with which she was so much delighted that she exclaimed,
+      &lsquo;God! Cristal Nixon may say his worst on thee; but thou art a civil
+      gentleman for all him; and a quoit man wi&rsquo; woman folk loike.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There is no sense in being too quiet with women folk, so I added a kiss
+      with my crown piece; and I cannot help thinking that I have secured a
+      partisan in Dorcas. At least, she blushed, and pocketed her little
+      compliment with one hand, while, with the other, she adjusted her
+      cherry-coloured ribbons, a little disordered by the struggle it cost me to
+      attain the honour of a salute.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As she unlocked the door to leave the apartment, she turned back, and
+      looking on me with a strong expression of compassion, added the remarkable
+      words, &lsquo;La&mdash;be&rsquo;st mad or no, thou&rsquo;se a mettled lad, after all.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was something very ominous in the sound of these farewell words,
+      which seemed to afford me a clue to the pretext under which I was detained
+      in confinement, My demeanour was probably insane enough, while I was
+      agitated at once by the frenzy incident to the fever, and the anxiety
+      arising from my extraordinary situation. But is it possible they can now
+      establish any cause for confining me arising out of the state of my mind?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If this be really the pretext under which I am restrained from my liberty,
+      nothing but the sedate correctness of my conduct can remove the prejudices
+      which these circumstances may have excited in the minds of all who have
+      approached me during my illness. I have heard&mdash;dreadful thought!&mdash;of
+      men who, for various reasons, have been trepanned into the custody of the
+      keepers of private madhouses, and whose brain, after years of misery,
+      became at length unsettled, through irresistible sympathy with the
+      wretched beings among whom they were classed. This shall not be my case,
+      if, by strong internal resolution, it is in human nature to avoid the
+      action of exterior and contagious sympathies.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meantime I sat down to compose and arrange my thoughts, for my purposed
+      appeal to my jailer&mdash;so I must call him&mdash;whom I addressed in the
+      following manner; having at length, and after making several copies, found
+      language to qualify the sense of resentment which burned in the first,
+      drafts of my letter, and endeavoured to assume a tone more conciliating. I
+      mentioned the two occasions on which he had certainly saved my life, when
+      at the utmost peril; and I added, that whatever was the purpose of the
+      restraint, now practised on me, as I was given to understand, by his
+      authority, it could not certainly be with any view to ultimately injuring
+      me. He might, I said, have mistaken me for some other person; and I gave
+      him what account I could of my situation and education, to correct such an
+      error. I supposed it next possible, that he might think me too weak for
+      travelling, and not capable of taking care of myself; and I begged to
+      assure him, that I was restored to perfect health, and quite able to
+      endure the fatigue of a journey. Lastly, I reminded him, in firm though
+      measured terms, that the restraint which I sustained was an illegal one,
+      and highly punishable by the laws which protect the liberties of the
+      subject. I ended by demanding that he would take me before a magistrate;
+      or, at least, that he would favour me with a personal interview and
+      explain his meaning with regard to me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Perhaps this letter was expressed in a tone too humble for the situation
+      of an injured man, and I am inclined to think so when I again recapitulate
+      its tenor. But what could I do? I was in the power of one whose passions
+      seem as violent as his means of gratifying them appear unbounded. I had
+      reason, too, to believe (this to thee, Alan) that all his family did not
+      approve of the violence of his conduct towards me; my object, in fine, was
+      freedom, and who would not sacrifice much to attain it?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I had no means of addressing my letter excepting &lsquo;For the Squire&rsquo;s own
+      hand.&rsquo; He could be at no great distance, for in the course of twenty-four
+      hours I received an answer. It was addressed to Darsie Latimer, and
+      contained these words: &lsquo;You have demanded an interview with me. You have
+      required to be carried before a magistrate. Your first wish shall be
+      granted&mdash;perhaps the second also. Meanwhile, be assured that you are
+      a prisoner for the time, by competent authority, and that such authority
+      is supported by adequate power. Beware, therefore, of struggling with a
+      force sufficient to crush you, but abandon yourself to that train of
+      events by which we are both swept along, and which it is impossible that
+      either of us can resist.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      These mysterious words were without signature of any kind, and left me
+      nothing more important to do than to prepare myself for the meeting which
+      they promised. For that purpose I must now break off, and make sure of the
+      manuscript&mdash;so far as I can, in my present condition, be sure of
+      anything&mdash;by concealing it within the lining of my coat, so as not to
+      be found without strict search.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      LATIMER&rsquo;S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      The important interview expected at the conclusion of my last took place
+      sooner than I had calculated; for the very day I received the letter, and
+      just when my dinner was finished, the squire, or whatever he is called,
+      entered the room so suddenly that I almost thought I beheld an apparition.
+      The figure of this man is peculiarly noble and stately, and his voice has
+      that deep fullness of accent which implies unresisted authority. I had
+      risen involuntarily as he entered; we gazed on each other for a moment in
+      silence, which was at length broken by my visitor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You have desired to see me,&rsquo; he said. &lsquo;I am here; if you have aught to
+      say let me hear it; my time is too brief to be consumed in childish
+      dumb-show.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I would ask of you,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;by what authority I am detained in this
+      place of confinement, and for what purpose?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have told you already,&rsquo; said he, &lsquo;that my authority is sufficient, and
+      my power equal to it; this is all which it is necessary for you at present
+      to know.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Every British subject has a right to know why he suffers restraint,&rsquo; I
+      replied; &lsquo;nor can he be deprived of liberty without a legal warrant. Show
+      me that by which you confine me thus.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You shall see more,&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;you shall see the magistrate by whom it is
+      granted, and that without a moment&rsquo;s delay.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This sudden proposal fluttered and alarmed me; I felt, nevertheless, that
+      I had the right cause, and resolved to plead it boldly, although I could
+      well have desired a little further time for preparation. He turned,
+      however, threw open the door of the apartment, and commanded me to follow
+      him. I felt some inclination, when I crossed the threshold of my
+      prison-chamber, to have turned and run for it; but I knew not where to
+      find the stairs&mdash;had reason to think the outer doors would be secured
+      and, to conclude, so soon as I had quitted the room to follow the proud
+      step of my conductor, I observed that I was dogged by Cristal Nixon, who
+      suddenly appeared within two paces of me, and with whose great personal
+      strength, independent of the assistance he might have received from his
+      master, I saw no chance of contending. I therefore followed, unresistingly
+      and in silence; along one or two passages of much greater length than
+      consisted with the ideas I had previously entertained of the size of the
+      house. At length a door was flung open, and we entered a large,
+      old-fashioned parlour, having coloured glass in the windows, oaken
+      panelling on the wall, a huge grate, in which a large faggot or two smoked
+      under an arched chimney-piece of stone which bore some armorial device,
+      whilst the walls were adorned with the usual number of heroes in armour,
+      with large wigs instead of helmets, and ladies in sacques, smelling to
+      nosegays.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Behind a long table, on which were several books, sat a smart
+      underbred-looking man, wearing his own hair tied in a club, and who, from
+      the quire of paper laid before him, and the pen which he handled at my
+      entrance, seemed prepared to officiate as clerk. As I wish to describe
+      these persons as accurately as possible, I may add, he wore a
+      dark-coloured coat, corduroy breeches, and spatterdashes. At the upper end
+      of the same table, in an ample easy-chair covered with black leather,
+      reposed a fat personage, about fifty years old, who either was actually a
+      country justice, or was well selected to represent such a character. His
+      leathern breeches were faultless in make, his jockey boots spotless in the
+      varnish, and a handsome and flourishing pair of boot-garters, as they are
+      called, united the one part of his garments to the other; in fine, a
+      richly-laced scarlet waistcoat and a purple coat set off the neat though
+      corpulent figure of the little man, and threw an additional bloom upon his
+      plethoric aspect. I suppose he had dined, for it was two hours past noon,
+      and he was amusing himself, and aiding digestion, with a pipe of tobacco.
+      There was an air of importance in his manner which corresponded to the
+      rural dignity of his exterior, and a habit which he had of throwing out a
+      number of interjectional sounds, uttered with a strange variety of
+      intonation running from bass up to treble in a very extraordinary manner,
+      or breaking off his sentences with a whiff of his pipe, seemed adopted to
+      give an air of thought and mature deliberation to his opinions and
+      decisions. Notwithstanding all this, Alan, it might be DOOTED, as our old
+      Professor used to say, whether the Justice was anything more then an ass.
+      Certainly, besides a great deference for the legal opinion of his clerk,
+      which might be quite according to the order of things, he seemed to be
+      wonderfully under the command of his brother squire, if squire either of
+      them were, and indeed much more than was consistent with so much assumed
+      consequence of his own.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ho&mdash;ha&mdash;aye&mdash;so&mdash;so&mdash;hum&mdash;humph&mdash;this
+      is the young man, I suppose&mdash;hum&mdash;aye&mdash;seems sickly. Young
+      gentleman, you may sit down.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I used the permission given, for I had been much more reduced by my
+      illness than I was aware of, and felt myself really fatigued, even by the
+      few paces I had walked, joined to the agitation I suffered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And your name, young man, is&mdash;humph&mdash;aye&mdash;ha&mdash;what is
+      it?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Darsie Latimer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Right&mdash;aye&mdash;humph&mdash;very right. Darsie Latimer is the very
+      thing&mdash;ha&mdash;aye&mdash;where do you come from?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;From Scotland, sir,&rsquo; I replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A native of Scotland&mdash;a&mdash;humph&mdash;eh&mdash;how is it?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am an Englishman by birth, sir.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Right&mdash;aye&mdash;yes, you are so. But pray, Mr. Darsie Latimer, have
+      you always been called by that name, or have you any other?&mdash;Nick,
+      write down his answers, Nick.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As far as I remember, I never bore any other,&rsquo; was my answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How, no? well, I should not have thought so, Hey, neighbour, would you?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here he looked towards the other squire, who had thrown himself into a
+      chair; and, with his legs stretched out before him, and his arms folded on
+      his bosom, seemed carelessly attending to what was going forward. He
+      answered the appeal of the Justice by saying, that perhaps the young man&rsquo;s
+      memory did not go back to a very early period.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ah&mdash;eh&mdash;ha&mdash;you hear the gentleman. Pray, how far may your
+      memory be pleased to run back to?&mdash;umph?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Perhaps, sir, to the age of three years, or a little further.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And will you presume to say, sir,&rsquo; said the squire, drawing himself
+      suddenly erect in his seat, and exerting the strength of his powerful
+      voice, &lsquo;that you then bore your present name?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I was startled at the confidence with which this question was put, and in
+      vain rummaged my memory for the means of replying. &lsquo;At least,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;I
+      always remember being called Darsie; children, at that early age, seldom
+      get more than their Christian name.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, I thought so,&rsquo; he replied, and again stretched himself on his seat,
+      in the same lounging posture as before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;So you were called Darsie in your infancy,&rsquo; said the Justice; &lsquo;and&mdash;hum&mdash;aye&mdash;when
+      did you first take the name of Latimer?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I did not take it, sir; it was given to me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I ask you,&rsquo; said the lord of the mansion, but with less severity in his
+      voice than formerly, &lsquo;whether you can remember that you were ever called
+      Latimer, until you had that name given you in Scotland?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will be candid: I cannot recollect an instance that I was so called
+      when in England, but neither can I recollect when the name was first given
+      me; and if anything is to be founded on these queries and my answers, I
+      desire my early childhood may be taken into consideration.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hum&mdash;aye&mdash;yes,&rsquo; said the Justice; &lsquo;all that requires
+      consideration shall be duly considered. Young man&mdash;eh&mdash;I beg to
+      know the name of your father and mother?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was galling a wound that has festered for years, and I did not endure
+      the question so patiently as those which preceded it; but replied, &lsquo;I
+      demand, in my turn, to know if I am before an English Justice of the
+      Peace?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;His worship, Squire Foxley, of Foxley Hall, has been of the quorum these
+      twenty years,&rsquo; said Master Nicholas.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then he ought to know, or you, sir, as his clerk, should inform him,&rsquo; 
+      said I, &lsquo;that I am the complainer in this case, and that my complaint
+      ought to be heard before I am subjected to cross-examination.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Humph&mdash;hoy&mdash;what, aye&mdash;there is something in that,
+      neighbour,&rsquo; said the poor Justice, who, blown about by every wind of
+      doctrine, seemed desirous to attain the sanction of his brother squire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wonder at you, Foxley,&rsquo; said his firm-minded acquaintance; &lsquo;how can you
+      render the young man justice unless you know who he is?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ha&mdash;yes&mdash;egad, that&rsquo;s true,&rsquo; said Mr. Justice Foxley; &lsquo;and now&mdash;looking
+      into the matter more closely&mdash;there is, eh, upon the whole&mdash;nothing
+      at all in what he says&mdash;so, sir, you must tell your father&rsquo;s name,
+      and surname.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is out of my power, sir; they are not known to me, since you must
+      needs know so much of my private affairs.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Justice collected a great AFFLATUS in his cheeks, which puffed them up
+      like those of a Dutch cherub, while his eyes seemed flying out of his
+      head, from the effort with which he retained his breath. He then blew it
+      forth with,&mdash;&lsquo;Whew!&mdash;Hoom&mdash;poof&mdash;ha!&mdash;not know
+      your parents, youngster?&mdash;Then I must commit you for a vagrant, I
+      warrant you. OMNE IGNOTUM PRO TERRIBILI, as we used to say at Appleby
+      school; that is, every one that is not known to the Justice; is a rogue
+      and a vagabond. Ha!&mdash;aye, you may sneer, sir; but I question if you
+      would have known the meaning of that Latin, unless I had told you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I acknowledged myself obliged for a new edition of the adage, and an
+      interpretation which I could never have reached alone and unassisted. I
+      then proceeded to state my case with greater confidence. The Justice was
+      an ass, that was clear; but if was scarcely possible he could be so
+      utterly ignorant as not to know what was necessary in so plain a case as
+      mine. I therefore informed him of the riot which had been committed on the
+      Scottish side of the Solway Firth, explained how I came to be placed in my
+      present situation, and requested of his worship to set me at liberty. I
+      pleaded my cause with as much earnestness as I could, casting an eye from
+      time to time upon the opposite party, who seemed entirely indifferent to
+      all the animation with which I accused him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As for the Justice, when at length I had ceased, as really not knowing
+      what more to say in a case so very plain, he replied, &lsquo;Ho&mdash;aye&mdash;aye&mdash;yes&mdash;wonderful!
+      and so this is all the gratitude you show to this good gentleman for the
+      great charge and trouble he hath had with respect to and concerning of
+      you?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He saved my life, sir, I acknowledge, on one occasion certainly, and most
+      probably on two; but his having done so gives him no right over my person.
+      I am not, however, asking for any punishment or revenge; on the contrary,
+      I am content to part friends with the gentleman, whose motives I am
+      unwilling to suppose are bad, though his actions have been, towards me,
+      unauthorized and violent.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This moderation, Alan, thou wilt comprehend, was not entirely dictated by
+      my feelings towards the individual of whom I complained; there were other
+      reasons, in which regard for him had little share. It seemed, however, as
+      if the mildness with which I pleaded my cause had more effect upon him
+      than anything I had yet said. We was moved to the point of being almost
+      out of countenance; and took snuff repeatedly, as if to gain time to
+      stifle some degree of emotion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But on Justice Foxley, on whom my eloquence was particularly designed to
+      make impression, the result was much less favourable. He consulted in a
+      whisper with Mr. Nicholas, his clerk&mdash;pshawed, hemmed, and elevated
+      his eyebrows, as if in scorn of my supplication. At length, having
+      apparently made up his mind, he leaned back in his chair, and smoked his
+      pipe with great energy, with a look of defiance, designed to make me aware
+      that all my reasoning was lost on him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length, when I stopped, more from lack of breath than want of argument,
+      he opened his oracular jaws, and made the following reply, interrupted by
+      his usual interjectional ejaculations, and by long volumes of smoke:&mdash;&lsquo;Hem&mdash;aye&mdash;eh&mdash;poof.
+      And, youngster, do you think Matthew Foxley, who has been one of the
+      quorum for these twenty years, is to be come over with such trash as would
+      hardly cheat an apple-woman? Poof&mdash;poof&mdash;eh! Why, man&mdash;eh&mdash;dost
+      thou not know the charge is not a bailable matter&mdash;and that&mdash;hum&mdash;aye&mdash;the
+      greatest man&mdash;poof&mdash;the Baron of Graystock himself, must stand
+      committed? and yet you pretend to have been kidnapped by this gentleman,
+      and robbed of property, and what not; and&mdash;eh&mdash;poof&mdash;you
+      would persuade me all you want is to get away from him? I do believe&mdash;eh&mdash;that
+      it IS all you want. Therefore, as you are a sort of a slip-string
+      gentleman, and&mdash;aye&mdash;hum&mdash;a kind of idle apprentice, and
+      something cock-brained withal, as the honest folks of the house tell me&mdash;why,
+      you must e&rsquo;en remain under custody of your guardian, till your coming of
+      age, or my Lord Chancellor&rsquo;s warrant, shall give you the management of
+      your own affairs, which, if you can gather your brains again, you will
+      even then not be&mdash;aye&mdash;hem&mdash;poof&mdash;in particular haste
+      to assume.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The time occupied by his worship&rsquo;s hums, and haws, and puffs of tobacco
+      smoke, together with the slow and pompous manner in which he spoke, gave
+      me a minute&rsquo;s space to collect my ideas, dispersed as they were by the
+      extraordinary purport of this annunciation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I cannot conceive, sir,&rsquo; I replied, &lsquo;by what singular tenure this person
+      claims my obedience as a guardian; it is a barefaced imposture. I never in
+      my life saw him, until I came unhappily to this country, about four weeks
+      since.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, sir&mdash;we&mdash;eh&mdash;know, and are aware&mdash;that&mdash;poof&mdash;you
+      do not like to hear some folk&rsquo;s names; and that&mdash;eh&mdash;you
+      understand me&mdash;there are things, and sounds, and matters,
+      conversation about names, and suchlike, which put you off the hooks&mdash;which
+      I have no humour to witness. Nevertheless, Mr. Darsie&mdash;or&mdash;poof&mdash;Mr.
+      Darsie Latimer&mdash;or&mdash;poof, poof&mdash;eh&mdash;aye, Mr. Darsie
+      without the Latimer&mdash;you have acknowledged as much to-day as assures
+      me you will best be disposed of under the honourable care of my friend
+      here&mdash;all your confessions&mdash;besides that, poof&mdash;eh&mdash;I
+      know him to be a most responsible person&mdash;a&mdash;hay&mdash;aye&mdash;most
+      responsible and honourable person&mdash;Can you deny this?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I know nothing of him,&rsquo; I repeated; &lsquo;not even his name; and I have not,
+      as I told you, seen him in the course of my whole life, till a few weeks
+      since.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Will you swear to that?&rsquo; said the singular man, who seemed to await the
+      result of this debate, secure as a rattle-snake is of the prey which has
+      once felt its fascination. And while he said these words in deep
+      undertone, he withdrew his chair a little behind that of the Justice, so
+      as to be unseen by him or his clerk, who sat upon the same side; while he
+      bent on me a frown so portentous, that no one who has witnessed the look
+      can forget it during the whole of his life. The furrows of the brow above
+      the eyes became livid and almost black, and were bent into a semicircular,
+      or rather elliptical form, above the junction of the eyebrows. I had heard
+      such a look described in an old tale of DIABLERIE, which it was my chance
+      to be entertained with not long since; when this deep and gloomy
+      contortion of the frontal muscles was not unaptly described as forming the
+      representation of a small horseshoe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The tale, when told, awaked a dreadful vision of infancy, which the
+      withering and blighting look now fixed on me again forced on my
+      recollection, but with much more vivacity. Indeed, I was so much
+      surprised, and, I must add, terrified, at the vague ideas which were
+      awakened in my mind by this fearful sign, that I kept my eyes fixed on the
+      face in which it was exhibited, as on a frightful vision; until, passing
+      his handkerchief a moment across his countenance, this mysterious man
+      relaxed at once the look which had for me something so appalling. &lsquo;The
+      young man will no longer deny that he has seen me before,&rsquo; said he to the
+      Justice, in a tone of complacency; &lsquo;and I trust he will now be reconciled
+      to my temporary guardianship, which may end better for him than he
+      expects.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Whatever I expect,&rsquo; I replied, summoning my scattered recollections
+      together, &lsquo;I see I am neither to expect justice nor protection from this
+      gentleman, whose office it is to render both to the lieges. For you, sir,
+      how strangely you have wrought yourself into the fate of an unhappy young
+      man or what interest you can pretend in me, you yourself only can explain.
+      That I have seen you before is certain; for none can forget the look with
+      which you seem to have the power of blighting those upon whom you cast
+      it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Justice seemed not very easy under this hint, &lsquo;Ha!&mdash;aye,&rsquo; he said;
+      &lsquo;it is time to be going, neighbour. I have a many miles to ride, and I
+      care not to ride darkling in these parts. You and I, Mr. Nicholas, must be
+      jogging.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Justice fumbled with his gloves, in endeavouring to draw them on
+      hastily, and Mr. Nicholas bustled to get his greatcoat and whip. Their
+      landlord endeavoured to detain them, and spoke of supper and beds. Both,
+      pouring forth many thanks for his invitation, seemed as if they would much
+      rather not, and Mr. Justice Foxley was making a score of apologies, with
+      at least a hundred cautionary hems and eh-ehs, when the girl Dorcas burst
+      into the room, and announced a gentleman on justice business.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What gentleman?&mdash;and whom does he want?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He is cuome post on his ten toes,&rsquo; said the wench; &lsquo;and on justice
+      business to his worship loike. I&rsquo;se uphald him a gentleman, for he speaks
+      as good Latin as the schule-measter; but, lack-a-day! he has gotten a
+      queer mop of a wig.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The gentleman, thus announced and described, bounced into the room. But I
+      have already written as much as fills a sheet of my paper, and my singular
+      embarrassments press so hard on me that I have matter to fill another from
+      what followed the intrusion of&mdash;my dear Alan&mdash;your crazy client&mdash;Poor
+      Peter Peebles!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      LATIMER&rsquo;S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Sheet 2.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have rarely in my life, till the last alarming days, known what it was
+      to sustain a moment&rsquo;s real sorrow. What I called such, was, I am now well
+      convinced, only the weariness of mind which, having nothing actually
+      present to complain of, turns upon itself and becomes anxious about the
+      past and the future; those periods with which human life has so little
+      connexion, that Scripture itself hath said, &lsquo;Sufficient for the day is the
+      evil thereof.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If, therefore, I have sometimes abused prosperity, by murmuring at my
+      unknown birth and uncertain rank in society, I will make amends by bearing
+      my present real adversity with patience and courage, and, if I can, even
+      with gaiety. What can they&mdash;dare they-do to me? Foxley, I am
+      persuaded, is a real Justice of Peace, and country gentleman of estate,
+      though (wonderful to tell!) he is an ass notwithstanding; and his
+      functionary in the drab coat must have a shrewd guess at the consequences
+      of being accessory to an act of murder or kidnapping. Men invite not such
+      witnesses to deeds of darkness. I have also&mdash;Alan, I have hopes,
+      arising out of the family of the oppressor himself. I am encouraged to
+      believe that G.M. is likely again to enter on the field. More I dare not
+      here say; nor must I drop a hint which another eye than thine might be
+      able to construe. Enough, my feelings are lighter than they have been;
+      and, though fear and wonder are still around me, they are unable entirely
+      to overcloud the horizon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Even when I saw the spectral form of the old scarecrow of the Parliament
+      House rush into the apartment where I had undergone so singular an
+      examination, I thought of thy connexion with him, and could almost have
+      parodied Lear&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Death!&mdash;nothing could have thus subdued nature
+  To such a lowness, but his &lsquo;learned lawyers.&rsquo; 
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      He was e&rsquo;en as we have seen him of yore, Alan, when, rather to keep thee
+      company than to follow my own bent, I formerly frequented the halls of
+      justice. The only addition to his dress, in the capacity of a traveller,
+      was a pair of boots, that seemed as if they might have seen the field of
+      Sheriffmoor; so large and heavy that, tied as they were to the creature&rsquo;s
+      wearied hams with large bunches of worsted tape of various colours, they
+      looked as if he had been dragging them along, either for a wager or by way
+      of penance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Regardless of the surprised looks of the party on whom he thus intruded
+      himself, Peter blundered into the middle of the apartment, with his head
+      charged like a ram&rsquo;s in the act of butting, and saluted them thus:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Gude day to ye, gude day to your honours. Is&rsquo;t here they sell the fugie
+      warrants?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I observed that on his entrance, my friend&mdash;or enemy&mdash;drew
+      himself back, and placed himself as if he would rather avoid attracting
+      the observation of the new-comer. I did the same myself, as far as I was
+      able; for I thought it likely that Mr. Peebles might recognize me, as
+      indeed I was too frequently among the group of young juridical aspirants
+      who used to amuse themselves by putting cases for Peter&rsquo;s solution, and
+      playing him worse tricks; yet I was uncertain whether I had better avail
+      myself of our acquaintance to have the advantage, such as it might be, of
+      his evidence before the magistrate, or whether to make him, if possible,
+      bearer of a letter which might procure me more effectual assistance. I
+      resolved, therefore, to be guided by circumstances, and to watch carefully
+      that nothing might escape me. I drew back as far as I could, and even
+      reconnoitred the door and passage, to consider whether absolute escape
+      might not be practicable. But there paraded Cristal Nixon, whose little
+      black eyes, sharp as those of a basilisk, seemed, the instant when they
+      encountered mine, to penetrate my purpose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I sat down, as much out of sight of all parties as I could, and listened
+      to the dialogue which followed&mdash;a dialogue how much more interesting
+      to me than any I could have conceived, in which Peter Peebles was to be
+      one of the dramatis personae!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Is it here where ye sell the warrants&mdash;the fugies, ye ken?&rsquo; said
+      Peter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hey&mdash;eh&mdash;what!&rsquo; said Justice Foxley; &lsquo;what the devil does the
+      fellow mean?&mdash;What would you have a warrant for?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is to apprehend a young lawyer that is IN MEDITATIONE FUGAE; for he
+      has ta&rsquo;en my memorial and pleaded my cause, and a good fee I gave him, and
+      as muckle brandy as he could drink that day at his father&rsquo;s house&mdash;he
+      loes the brandy ower weel for sae youthful a creature.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what has this drunken young dog of a lawyer done to you, that you are
+      come to me&mdash;eh&mdash;ha? Has he robbed you? Not unlikely if he be a
+      lawyer&mdash;eh&mdash;Nick&mdash;ha?&rsquo; said Justice Foxley.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He has robbed me of himself, sir,&rsquo; answered Peter; &lsquo;of his help, comfort,
+      aid, maintenance, and assistance, whilk, as a counsel to a client, he is
+      bound to yield me RATIONE OFFICII&mdash;that is it, ye see. He has pouched
+      my fee, and drucken a mutchkin of brandy, and now he&rsquo;s ower the march, and
+      left my cause, half won half lost&mdash;as dead a heat as e&rsquo;er was run
+      ower the back-sands. Now, I was advised by some cunning laddies that are
+      used to crack a bit law wi&rsquo; me in the House, that the best thing I could
+      do was to take heart o&rsquo; grace and set out after him; so I have taken post
+      on my ain shanks, forby a cast in a cart, or the like. I got wind of him
+      in Dumfries, and now I have run him ower to the English side, and I want a
+      fugie warrant against him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      How did my heart throb at this information, dearest Alan! Thou art near me
+      then, and I well know with what kind purpose; thou hast abandoned all to
+      fly to my assistance; and no wonder that, knowing thy friendship and
+      faith, thy sound sagacity and persevering disposition, &lsquo;my bosom&rsquo;s lord
+      should now sit lightly on his throne&rsquo;; that gaiety should almost
+      involuntarily hover on my pen; and that my heart should beat like that of
+      a general, responsive to the drums of his advancing ally, without whose
+      help the battle must have been lost.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I did not suffer myself to be startled by this joyous surprise, but
+      continued to bend my strictest attention to what followed among this
+      singular party. That Poor Peter Peebles had been put on this wildgoose
+      chase by some of his juvenile advisers in the Parliament House, he himself
+      had intimated; but he spoke with much confidence, and the Justice, who
+      seemed to have some secret apprehension of being put to trouble in the
+      matter, and, as sometimes occurs on the English frontier, a jealousy lest
+      the superior acuteness of their northern neighbours might overreach their
+      own simplicity, turned to his clerk with a perplexed countenance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Eh&mdash;oh&mdash;Nick&mdash;d&mdash;n thee&mdash;Hast thou got nothing
+      to say? This is more Scots law, I take it, and more Scotsmen.&rsquo; (Here he
+      cast a side-glance at the owner of the mansion, and winked to his clerk.)
+      &lsquo;I would Solway were as deep as it is wide, and we had then some chance of
+      keeping of them out.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nicholas conversed an instant aside with the supplicant, and then
+      reported:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The man wants a border-warrant, I think; but they are only granted for
+      debt&mdash;now he wants one to catch a lawyer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what for no?&rsquo; answered Peter Peebles, doggedly; &lsquo;what for no, I would
+      be glad to ken? If a day&rsquo;s labourer refuse to work, ye&rsquo;ll grant a warrant
+      to gar him do out his daurg&mdash;if a wench quean rin away from her
+      hairst, ye&rsquo;ll send her back to her heuck again&mdash;if sae mickle as a
+      collier or a salter make a moonlight flitting, ye will cleek him by the
+      back-spaul in a minute of time&mdash;and yet the damage canna amount to
+      mair than a creelfu&rsquo; of coals, and a forpit or twa of saut; and here is a
+      chield taks leg from his engagement, and damages me to the tune of sax
+      thousand punds sterling; that is, three thousand that I should win, and
+      three thousand mair that I am like to lose; and you that ca&rsquo; yourself a
+      justice canna help a poor man to catch the rinaway? A bonny like justice I
+      am like to get amang ye!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The fellow must be drunk,&rsquo; said the clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Black fasting from all but sin,&rsquo; replied the supplicant; &lsquo;I havena had
+      mair than a mouthful of cauld water since I passed the Border, and deil a
+      ane of ye is like to say to me, &ldquo;Dog, will ye drink?&rdquo;&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Justice seemed moved by this appeal. &lsquo;Hem&mdash;-tush, man,&rsquo; replied
+      he; &lsquo;thou speak&rsquo;st to us as if thou wert in presence of one of thine own
+      beggarly justices&mdash;get downstairs&mdash;get something to eat, man
+      (with permission of my friend to make so free in his house), and a
+      mouthful to drink, and I warrant we get ye such justice as will please
+      ye.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I winna refuse your neighbourly offer,&rsquo; said Poor Peter Peebles, making
+      his bow; &lsquo;muckle grace be wi&rsquo; your honour, and wisdom to guide you in this
+      extraordinary cause.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When I saw Peter Peebles about to retire from the room, I could not
+      forbear an effort to obtain from him such evidence as might give me some
+      credit with the Justice. I stepped forward, therefore, and, saluting him,
+      asked him if he remembered me?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After a stare or two, and a long pinch of snuff, recollection seemed
+      suddenly to dawn on Peter Peebles. &lsquo;Recollect ye!&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;by my troth
+      do I.&mdash;-Haud him a grip, gentlemen!&mdash;constables, keep him fast!
+      where that ill-deedie hempy is, ye are sure that Alan Fairford is not far
+      off. Haud him fast, Master Constable; I charge ye wi&rsquo; him, for I am
+      mista&rsquo;en if he is not at the bottom of this rinaway business. He was aye
+      getting the silly callant Alan awa wi&rsquo; gigs, and horse, and the like of
+      that, to Roslin, and Prestonpans, and a&rsquo; the idle gates he could think of.
+      He&rsquo;s a rinaway apprentice, that ane.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Peebles,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;do not do me wrong. I am sure you can say no harm
+      of me justly, but can satisfy these gentlemen, if you will, that I am a
+      student of law in Edinburgh&mdash;Darsie Latimer by name.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Me satisfy! how can I satisfy the gentlemen,&rsquo; answered Peter, &lsquo;that am
+      sae far from being satisfied mysell? I ken naething about your name, and
+      can only testify, NIHIL NOVIT IN CAUSA.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A pretty witness you have brought forward in your favour,&rsquo; said Mr.
+      Foxley. &lsquo;But&mdash;ha&mdash;aye&mdash;-I&rsquo;ll ask him a question or two.
+      Pray, friend, will you take your oath to this youth being a runaway
+      apprentice?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sir,&rsquo; said Peter, &lsquo;I will make oath to onything in reason; when a case
+      comes to my oath it&rsquo;s a won cause: But I am in some haste to prie your
+      worship&rsquo;s good cheer;&rsquo; for Peter had become much more respectful in his
+      demeanour towards the Justice since he had heard some intimation of
+      dinner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You shall have&mdash;eh&mdash;hum&mdash;aye&mdash;a bellyful, if it be
+      possible to fill it. First let me know if this young man be really what he
+      pretends. Nick, make his affidavit.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ow, he is just a wud harum-scarum creature, that wad never take to his
+      studies; daft, sir, clean daft.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Deft!&rsquo; said the Justice; &lsquo;what d&rsquo;ye mean by deft&mdash;eh?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Just Fifish,&rsquo; replied Peter; &lsquo;wowf&mdash;a wee bit by the East Nook or
+      sae; it&rsquo;s a common case&mdash;the ae half of the warld thinks the tither
+      daft. I have met with folk in my day that thought I was daft mysell; and,
+      for my part, I think our Court of Session clean daft, that have had the
+      great cause of Peebles against Plainstanes before them for this score of
+      years, and have never been able to ding the bottom out of it yet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I cannot make out a word of his cursed brogue,&rsquo; said the Cumbrian
+      justice; &lsquo;can you, neighbour&mdash;eh? What can he mean by DEFT?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He means MAD,&rsquo; said the party appealed to, thrown off his guard by
+      impatience of this protracted discussion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ye have it&mdash;ye have it,&rsquo; said Peter; &lsquo;that is, not clean skivie, but&mdash;&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here he stopped, and fixed his eye on the person he addressed with an air
+      of joyful recognition.&mdash;&lsquo;Aye, aye, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, is
+      this your ainsell in blood and bane? I thought ye had been hanged at
+      Kennington Common, or Hairiebie, or some of these places, after the bonny
+      ploy ye made in the Forty-five.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I believe you are mistaken, friend,&rsquo; said Herries, sternly, with whose
+      name and designation I was thus made unexpectedly acquainted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The deil a bit,&rsquo; answered the undaunted Peter Peebles; I mind ye weel,
+      for ye lodged in my house the great year of Forty-five, for a great year
+      it was; the Grand Rebellion broke out, and my cause&mdash;the great cause&mdash;Peebles
+      against Plainstanes, ET PER CONTRA&mdash;was called in the beginning of
+      the winter session, and would have been heard, but that there was a
+      surcease of justice, with your plaids, and your piping, and your
+      nonsense.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I tell you, fellow,&rsquo; said Herries, yet more fiercely, &lsquo;you have confused
+      me with some of the other furniture of your crazy pate.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Speak like a gentleman, sir,&rsquo; answered Peebles; &lsquo;these are not legal
+      phrases, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork. Speak in form of law, or I sall bid
+      ye gude day, sir. I have nae pleasure in speaking to proud folk, though I
+      am willing to answer onything in a legal way; so if you are for a crack
+      about auld langsyne, and the splores that you and Captain Redgimlet used
+      to breed in my house, and the girded cask of brandy that ye drank and
+      ne&rsquo;er thought of paying for it (not that I minded it muckle in thae days,
+      though I have felt a lack of it sin syne), why I will waste an hour on ye
+      at ony time.&mdash;and where is Captain Redgimlet now? he was a wild chap,
+      like yoursell, though they arena sae keen after you poor bodies for these
+      some years bygane; the heading and hanging is weel ower now&mdash;awful
+      job&mdash;awful job&mdash;will ye try my sneeshing?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He concluded his desultory speech by thrusting out his large bony paw,
+      filled with a Scottish mull of huge dimensions, which Herries, who had
+      been standing like one petrified by the assurance of this unexpected
+      address, rejected with a contemptuous motion of his hand, which spilled
+      some of the contents of the box.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aweel, aweel,&rsquo; said Peter Peebles, totally unabashed by the repulse,
+      &lsquo;e&rsquo;en as ye like, a wilful man maun hae his way; but,&rsquo; he added, stooping
+      down and endeavouring to gather the spilled snuff from the polished floor,
+      &lsquo;I canna afford to lose my sneeshing for a&rsquo; that ye are gumple-foisted wi&rsquo; 
+      me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My attention had been keenly awakened, during this extraordinary and
+      unexpected scene. I watched, with as much attention as my own agitation
+      permitted me to command, the effect produced on the parties concerned. It
+      was evident that our friend, Peter Peebles, had unwarily let out something
+      which altered the sentiments of Justice Foxley and his clerk towards Mr.
+      Herries, with whom, until he was known and acknowledged under that name,
+      they had appeared to be so intimate. They talked with each other aside,
+      looked at a paper or two which the clerk selected from the contents of a
+      huge black pocket-book, and seemed, under the influence of fear and
+      uncertainty, totally at a loss what line of conduct to adopt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Herries made a different, and far more interesting figure. However little
+      Peter Peebles might resemble the angel Ithuriel, the appearance of
+      Herries, his high and scornful demeanour, vexed at what seemed detection
+      yet fearless of the consequences, and regarding the whispering magistrate
+      and his clerk with looks in which contempt predominated over anger or
+      anxiety, bore, in my opinion, no slight resemblance to
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     the regal port
+  And faded splendour wan
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      with which the poet has invested the detected King of the powers of the
+      air.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he glanced round, with a look which he had endeavoured to compose to
+      haughty indifference, his eye encountered mine, and, I thought, at the
+      first glance sank beneath it. But he instantly rallied his natural spirit,
+      and returned me one of those extraordinary looks, by which he could
+      contort so strangely the wrinkles on his forehead. I started; but, angry
+      at myself for my pusillanimity, I answered him by a look of the same kind,
+      and catching the reflection of my countenance in a large antique mirror
+      which stood before me, I started again at the real or imaginary
+      resemblance which my countenance, at that moment, bore to that of Herries.
+      Surely my fate is somehow strangely interwoven with that of this
+      mysterious individual. I had no time at present to speculate upon the
+      subject, for the subsequent conversation demanded all my attention.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Justice addressed Herries, after a pause of about five minutes, in
+      which, all parties seemed at some loss how to proceed. He spoke with
+      embarrassment, and his faltering voice, and the long intervals which
+      divided his sentences, seemed to indicate fear of him whom he addressed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Neighbour,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;I could not have thought this; or, if I&mdash;eh&mdash;DID
+      think&mdash;in a corner of my own mind as it were&mdash;that you, I say&mdash;that
+      you might have unluckily engaged in&mdash;eh&mdash;the matter of the
+      Forty-five&mdash;there was still time to have forgot all that.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And is it so singular that a man should have been out in the Forty-five?&rsquo; 
+      said Herries, with contemptuous composure;&mdash;&lsquo;your father, I think,
+      Mr. Foxley, was out with Derwentwater in the Fifteen.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And lost half of his estate,&rsquo; answered Foxley, with more rapidity than
+      usual; &lsquo;and was very near&mdash;hem&mdash;being hanged into the boot. But
+      this is&mdash;another guess job&mdash;for&mdash;eh&mdash;Fifteen is not
+      Forty-five; and my father had a remission, and you, I take it, have none.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Perhaps I have,&rsquo; said Herries indifferently; &lsquo;or if I have not, I am but
+      in the case of half a dozen others whom government do not think worth
+      looking after at this time of day, so they give no offence or
+      disturbance.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But you have given both, sir,&rsquo; said Nicholas Faggot, the clerk, who,
+      having some petty provincial situation, as I have since understood, deemed
+      himself bound to be zealous for government, &lsquo;Mr. Justice Foxley cannot be
+      answerable for letting you pass free, now your name and surname have been
+      spoken plainly out. There are warrants out against you from the Secretary
+      of State&rsquo;s office.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A proper allegation, Mr. Attorney! that, at the distance of so many
+      years, the Secretary of State should trouble himself about the unfortunate
+      relics of a ruined cause,&rsquo; answered Mr. Herries.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But if it be so,&rsquo; said the clerk, who seemed to assume more confidence
+      upon the composure of Herries&rsquo;s demeanour; &lsquo;and if cause has been given by
+      the conduct of a gentleman himself, who hath been, it is alleged, raking
+      up old matters, and mixing them with new subjects of disaffection&mdash;I
+      say, if it be so, I should advise the party, in his wisdom, to surrender
+      himself quietly into the lawful custody of the next Justice of Peace&mdash;Mr.
+      Foxley, suppose&mdash;where, and by whom, the matter should be regularly
+      inquired into. I am only putting a case,&rsquo; he added, watching with
+      apprehension the effect which his words were likely to produce upon the
+      party to whom they were addressed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And were I to receive such advice,&rsquo; said Herries, with the same composure
+      as before&mdash;&lsquo;putting the case, as you say, Mr. Faggot&mdash;I should
+      request to see the warrant which countenanced such a scandalous
+      proceeding.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Nicholas, by way of answer, placed in his hand a paper, and seemed
+      anxiously to expect the consequences which were to ensue. Mr. Herries
+      looked it over with the same equanimity as before, and then continued,
+      &lsquo;And were such a scrawl as this presented to me in my own house, I would
+      throw it into the chimney, and Mr. Faggot upon the top of it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Accordingly, seconding the word with the action, he flung the warrant into
+      the fire with one hand, and fixed the other, with a stern and irresistible
+      grip, on the breast of the attorney, who, totally unable to contend with
+      him, in either personal strength or mental energy, trembled like a chicken
+      in the raven&rsquo;s clutch. He got off, however, for the fright; for Herries,
+      having probably made him fully sensible of the strength of his grasp,
+      released him, with a scornful laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Deforcement&mdash;spulzie-stouthrief&mdash;masterful rescue!&rsquo; exclaimed
+      Peter Peebles, scandalized at the resistance offered to the law in the
+      person of Nicholas Faggot. But his shrill exclamations were drowned in the
+      thundering voice of Herries, who, calling upon Cristal Nixon, ordered him
+      to take the bawling fool downstairs, fill his belly, and then give him a
+      guinea, and thrust him out of doors. Under such injunctions, Peter easily
+      suffered himself to be withdrawn from the scene.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Herries then turned to the Justice, whose visage, wholly abandoned by the
+      rubicund hue which so lately beamed upon it, hung out the same pale livery
+      as that of his dismayed clerk. &lsquo;Old friend and acquaintance,&rsquo; he said,
+      &lsquo;you came here at my request on a friendly errand, to convince this silly
+      young man of the right which I have over his person for the present. I
+      trust you do not intend to make your visit the pretext of disquieting me
+      about other matters? All the world knows that I have been living at large,
+      in these northern counties, for some months, not to say years, and might
+      have been apprehended at any time, had the necessities of the state
+      required, or my own behaviour deserved it. But no English magistrate has
+      been ungenerous enough to trouble a gentleman under misfortune, on account
+      of political opinions and disputes which have been long ended by the
+      success of the reigning powers. I trust, my good friend, you will not
+      endanger yourself by taking any other view of the subject than you have
+      done ever since we were acquainted?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Justice answered with more readiness, as well as more spirit than
+      usual, &lsquo;Neighbour Ingoldsby&mdash;what you say&mdash;is&mdash;eh&mdash;in
+      some sort true; and when you were coming and going at markets,
+      horse-races, and cock-fights, fairs, hunts, and such-like&mdash;it was&mdash;eh&mdash;neither
+      my business nor my wish to dispel&mdash;I say&mdash;to inquire into and
+      dispel the mysteries which hung about you; for while you were a good
+      companion in the field, and over a bottle now and then&mdash;I did not&mdash;eh&mdash;think
+      it necessary to ask&mdash;into your private affairs. And if I thought you
+      were&mdash;ahem&mdash;somewhat unfortunate in former undertakings, and
+      enterprises, and connexions, which might cause you to live unsettledly and
+      more private, I could have&mdash;eh&mdash;very little pleasure&mdash;to
+      aggravate your case by interfering, or requiring explanations, which are
+      often more easily asked than given. But when there are warrants and
+      witnesses to names&mdash;and those names, christian and surname, belong to&mdash;eh&mdash;an
+      attainted person&mdash;charged&mdash;I trust falsely&mdash;with&mdash;ahem-taking
+      advantage of modern broils and heart-burnings to renew our civil
+      disturbances, the case is altered; and I must&mdash;ahem&mdash;do my
+      duty.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Justice, got on his feet as he concluded this speech, and looked as
+      bold as he could. I drew close beside him and his clerk, Mr. Faggot,
+      thinking the moment favourable for my own liberation, and intimated to Mr.
+      Foxley my determination to stand by him. But Mr. Herries only laughed at
+      the menacing posture which we assumed. &lsquo;My good neighbour,&rsquo; said he, &lsquo;you
+      talk of a witness. Is yon crazy beggar a fit witness in an affair of this
+      nature?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But you do not deny that you are Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, mentioned in
+      the Secretary of State&rsquo;s warrant?&rsquo; said Mr. Foxley.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How can I deny or own anything about it?&rsquo; said Herries, with a sneer.
+      &lsquo;There is no such warrant in existence now; its ashes, like the poor
+      traitor whose doom it threatened, have been dispersed to the four winds of
+      heaven. There is now no warrant in the world.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But you will not deny,&rsquo; said the Justice, &lsquo;that you were the person named
+      in it; and that&mdash;eh&mdash;your own act destroyed it?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will neither deny my name nor my actions, Justice,&rsquo; replied Mr.
+      Herries, &lsquo;when called upon by competent authority to avow or defend them.
+      But I will resist all impertinent attempts either to intrude into my
+      private motives, or to control my person. I am quite well prepared to do
+      so; and I trust that you, my good neighbour and brother sportsman, in your
+      expostulation, and my friend Mr. Nicholas Faggot here, in his humble
+      advice and petition that I should surrender myself, will consider
+      yourselves as having amply discharged your duty to King George and
+      government.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The cold and ironical tone in which he made this declaration; the look and
+      attitude, so nobly expressive of absolute confidence in his own superior
+      strength and energy, seemed to complete the indecision which had already
+      shown itself on the side of those whom he addressed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Justice looked to the clerk&mdash;the clerk to the Justice; the former
+      HA&rsquo;D, EH&rsquo;D, without bringing forth an articulate syllable; the latter only
+      said, &lsquo;As the warrant is destroyed, Mr. Justice, I presume you do not mean
+      to proceed with the arrest?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hum&mdash;aye&mdash;why, no&mdash;Nicholas&mdash;it would not be quite
+      advisable&mdash;and as the Forty-five was an old affair&mdash;and&mdash;hem&mdash;as
+      my friend here will, I hope, see his error&mdash;that is, if he has not
+      seen it already&mdash;and renounce the Pope, the Devil, and the Pretender&mdash;I
+      mean no harm, neighbour&mdash;I think we&mdash;as we have no POSSE, or
+      constables, or the like&mdash;should order our horses&mdash;and, in one
+      word, look the matter over.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Judiciously resolved,&rsquo; said the person whom this decision affected; &lsquo;but
+      before you go, I trust you will drink and be friends?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why,&rsquo; said the Justice, rubbing his brow, &lsquo;our business has been&mdash;hem&mdash;rather
+      a thirsty one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Cristal Nixon,&rsquo; said Mr. Herries, &lsquo;let us have a cool tankard instantly,
+      large enough to quench the thirst of the whole commission.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While Cristal was absent on this genial errand, there was a pause, of
+      which I endeavoured to avail myself by bringing back the discourse to my
+      own concerns. &lsquo;Sir,&rsquo; I said to Justice Foxley, &lsquo;I have no direct business
+      with your late discussion with Mr. Herries, only just thus far&mdash;You
+      leave me, a loyal subject of King George, an unwilling prisoner in the
+      hands of a person whom you have reason to believe unfriendly to the king&rsquo;s
+      cause. I humbly submit that this is contrary to your duty as a magistrate,
+      and that you ought to make Mr. Herries aware of the illegality of his
+      proceedings, and take steps for my rescue, either upon the spot, or, at
+      least, as soon as possible after you have left this case&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Young man,&rsquo; said Mr. Justice Foxley, &lsquo;I would have you remember you are
+      under the power, the lawful power&mdash;ahem&mdash;of your guardian.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He calls himself so, indeed,&rsquo; I replied; &lsquo;but he has shown no evidence to
+      establish so absurd a claim; and if he had, his circumstances, as an
+      attainted traitor excepted from pardon, would void such a right if it
+      existed. I do therefore desire you, Mr. Justice, and you, his clerk, to
+      consider my situation, and afford me relief at your peril.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Here is a young fellow now,&rsquo; said the Justice, with much-embarrassed
+      looks, &lsquo;thinks that I carry the whole statute law of England in my head,
+      and a POSSE COMITATUS to execute them in my pocket! Why, what good would
+      my interference do?&mdash;but&mdash;hum&mdash;eh&mdash;I will speak to
+      your guardian in your favour.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He took Mr. Herries aside, and seemed indeed to urge something upon him
+      with much earnestness; and perhaps such a species of intercession was all
+      which, in the circumstances, I was entitled to expect from him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They often looked at me as they spoke together; and as Cristal Nixon
+      entered with a huge four-pottle tankard, filled with the beverage his
+      master had demanded, Herries turned away from Mr. Foxley somewhat
+      impatiently, saying with emphasis, &lsquo;I give you my word of honour, that you
+      have not the slightest reason to apprehend anything on his account.&rsquo; He
+      then took up the tankard, and saying aloud in Gaelic, &lsquo;SLAINT AN REY,&rsquo; 
+      [The King&rsquo;s health.] just tasted the liquor, and handed the tankard to
+      Justice Foxley, who, to avoid the dilemma of pledging him to what might be
+      the Pretender&rsquo;s health, drank to Mr. Herries&rsquo;s own, with much pointed
+      solemnity, but in a draught far less moderate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The clerk imitated the example of his principal, and I was fain to follow
+      their example, for anxiety and fear are at least as thirsty as sorrow is
+      said to be. In a word, we exhausted the composition of ale, sherry,
+      lemon-juice, nutmeg, and other good things, stranded upon the silver
+      bottom of the tankard the huge toast, as well as the roasted orange, which
+      had whilom floated jollily upon the brim, and rendered legible Dr. Byrom&rsquo;s
+      celebrated lines engraved thereon&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  God bless the King!&mdash;God bless the Faith&rsquo;s defender!
+  God bless&mdash;No harm in blessing&mdash;the Pretender.
+  Who that Pretender is, and who that King,&mdash;
+  God bless us all!&mdash;is quite another thing.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      I had time enough to study this effusion of the Jacobite muse, while the
+      Justice was engaged in the somewhat tedious ceremony of taking leave. That
+      of Mr. Faggot was less ceremonious; but I suspect something besides empty
+      compliment passed betwixt him and Mr. Herries; for I remarked that the
+      latter slipped a piece of paper into the hand of the former, which might
+      perhaps be a little atonement for the rashness with which he had burnt the
+      warrant, and imposed no gentle hand on the respectable minion of the law
+      by whom it was exhibited; and I observed that he made this propitiation in
+      such a manner as to be secret from the worthy clerk&rsquo;s principal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When this was arranged, the party took leave of each other with much
+      formality on the part of Squire Foxley, amongst whose adieus the following
+      phrase was chiefly remarkable: &lsquo;I presume you do not intend to stay long
+      in these parts?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not for the present, Justice, you may be sure; there are good reasons to
+      the contrary. But I have no doubt of arranging my affairs so that we shall
+      speedily have sport together again.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He went to wait upon the Justice to the courtyard; and, as he did so,
+      commanded Cristal Nixon to see that I returned into my apartment. Knowing
+      it would be to no purpose to resist or tamper with that stubborn
+      functionary, I obeyed in silence, and was once more a prisoner in my
+      former quarters.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      LATIMER&rsquo;S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      I spent more than an hour, after returning to the apartment which I may
+      call my prison, in reducing to writing the singular circumstances which I
+      had just witnessed. Methought I could now form some guess at the character
+      of Mr. Herries, upon whose name and situation the late scene had thrown
+      considerable light&mdash;one of those fanatical Jacobites, doubtless,
+      whose arms, not twenty years since, had shaken the British throne, and
+      some of whom, though their party daily diminished in numbers, energy, and
+      power, retained still an inclination to renew the attempt they had found
+      so desperate. He was indeed perfectly different from the sort of zealous
+      Jacobites whom it had been my luck hitherto to meet with. Old ladies of
+      family over their hyson, and grey-haired lairds over their punch, I had
+      often heard utter a little harmless treason; while the former remembered
+      having led down a dance with the Chevalier, and the latter recounted the
+      feats they had performed at Preston, Clifton, and Falkirk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The disaffection of such persons was too unimportant to excite the
+      attention of government. I had heard, however, that there still existed
+      partisans of the Stuart family of a more daring and dangerous description;
+      men who, furnished with gold from Rome, moved, secretly and in disguise,
+      through the various classes of society, and endeavoured to keep alive the
+      expiring zeal of their party.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I had no difficulty in assigning an important post among this class of
+      persons, whose agency and exertion are only doubted by those who look on
+      the surface of things, to this Mr. Herries, whose mental energies, as well
+      as his personal strength and activity, seemed to qualify him well to act
+      so dangerous a part; and I knew that all along the Western Border, both in
+      England and Scotland, there are so many nonjurors, that such a person may
+      reside there with absolute safety, unless it becomes, in a very especial
+      degree, the object of the government to secure his person; and which
+      purpose, even then, might be disappointed by early intelligence, or, as in
+      the case of Mr. Foxley, by the unwillingness of provincial magistrates to
+      interfere in what is now considered an invidious pursuit of the
+      unfortunate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There have, however, been rumours lately, as if the present state of the
+      nation or at least of some discontented provinces, agitated by a variety
+      of causes but particularly by the unpopularity of the present
+      administration, may seem to this species of agitators a favourable period
+      for recommencing their intrigues; while, on the other hand, government may
+      not, at such a crisis, be inclined to look upon them with the contempt
+      which a few years ago would have been their most appropriate punishment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That men should be found rash enough to throw away their services and
+      lives in a desperate cause, is nothing new in history, which abounds with
+      instances of similar devotion&mdash;that Mr. Herries is such an enthusiast
+      is no less evident; but all this explains not his conduct towards me. Had
+      he sought to make me a proselyte to his ruined cause, violence and
+      compulsion were arguments very unlikely to prevail with any generous
+      spirit. But even if such were his object, of what use to him could be the
+      acquisition of a single reluctant partisan, who could bring only his own
+      person to support any quarrel which he might adopt? He had claimed over me
+      the rights of a guardian; he had more than hinted that I was in a state of
+      mind which could not dispense with the authority of such a person. Was
+      this man, so sternly desperate in his purpose&mdash;he who seemed willing
+      to take on his own shoulders the entire support of a cause which had been
+      ruinous to thousands&mdash;was he the person that had the power of
+      deciding on my fate? Was it from him those dangers flowed, to secure me
+      against which I had been educated under such circumstances of secrecy and
+      precaution?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And if this was so, of what nature was the claim which he asserted?&mdash;Was
+      it that of propinquity? And did I share the blood, perhaps the features,
+      of this singular being?&mdash;Strange as it may seem, a thrill of awe,
+      which shot across my mind at that instant, was not unmingled with a wild
+      and mysterious feeling of wonder, almost amounting to pleasure. I
+      remembered the reflection of my own face in the mirror at one striking
+      moment during the singular interview of the day, and I hastened to the
+      outward apartment to consult a glass which hung there, whether it were
+      possible for my countenance to be again contorted into the peculiar frown
+      which so much resembled the terrific look of Herries. But I folded my
+      brows in vain into a thousand complicated wrinkles, and I was obliged to
+      conclude, either that the supposed mark on my brow was altogether
+      imaginary, or that it could not be called forth by voluntary effort; or,
+      in fine, what seemed most likely, that it was such a resemblance as the
+      imagination traces in the embers of a wood fire, or among the varied veins
+      of marble, distinct at one time, and obscure or invisible at another,
+      according as the combination of lines strikes the eye or impresses the
+      fancy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While I was moulding my visage like a mad player, the door suddenly
+      opened, and the girl of the house entered. Angry and ashamed at being
+      detected in my singular occupation, I turned round sharply, and, I
+      suppose, chance produced the change on my features which I had been in
+      vain labouring to call forth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The girl started back, with her &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t ya look so now&mdash;don&rsquo;t ye, for
+      love&rsquo;s sake&mdash;you be as like the ould squoire as&mdash;But here a
+      comes,&rsquo; she said, huddling away out of the room; &lsquo;and if you want a third,
+      there is none but ould Harry, as I know of, that can match ye for a brent
+      broo!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As the girl muttered this exclamation, and hastened out of the room,
+      Herries entered. He stopped on observing that I had looked again to the
+      mirror, anxious to trace the look by which the wench had undoubtedly been
+      terrified. He seemed to guess what was passing in my mind, for, as I
+      turned towards him, he observed, &lsquo;Doubt not that it is stamped on your
+      forehead&mdash;the fatal mark of our race; though it is not now so
+      apparent as it will become when age and sorrow, and the traces of stormy
+      passions and of bitter penitence, shall have drawn their furrows on your
+      brow.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mysterious man,&rsquo; I replied, &lsquo;I know not of what you speak; your language
+      is as dark as your purposes!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sit down, then,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;and listen; thus far, at least, must the veil
+      of which you complain be raised. When withdrawn, it will only display
+      guilt and sorrow&mdash;guilt followed by strange penalty, and sorrow which
+      Providence has entailed upon the posterity of the mourners.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He paused a moment, and commenced his narrative, which he told with the
+      air of one, who, remote as the events were which he recited, took still
+      the deepest interest in them. The tone of his voice, which I have already
+      described as rich and powerful, aided by its inflections the effects of
+      his story, which I will endeavour to write down, as nearly as possible, in
+      the very words which he used.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It was not of late years that the English learned that their best chance
+      of conquering their independent neighbours must be by introducing amongst
+      them division and civil war. You need not be reminded of the state of
+      thraldom to which Scotland was reduced by the unhappy wars betwixt the
+      domestic factions of Bruce and Baliol, nor how, after Scotland had been
+      emancipated from a foreign yoke by the conduct and valour of the immortal
+      Bruce, the whole fruits of the triumphs of Bannockburn were lost in the
+      dreadful defeats of Dupplin and Halidon; and Edward Baliol, the minion and
+      feudatory of his namesake of England, seemed, for a brief season, in safe
+      and uncontested possession of the throne so lately occupied by the
+      greatest general and wisest prince in Europe. But the experience of Bruce
+      had not died with him. There were many who had shared his martial labours,
+      and all remembered the successful efforts by which, under circumstances as
+      disadvantageous as those of his son, he had achieved the liberation of
+      Scotland.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The usurper, Edward Baliol, was feasting with a few of his favourite
+      retainers in the castle of Annan, when he was suddenly surprised by a
+      chosen band of insurgent patriots. Their chiefs were, Douglas, Randolph,
+      the young Earl of Moray, and Sir Simon Fraser; and their success was so
+      complete, that Baliol was obliged to fly for his life scarcely clothed,
+      and on a horse which there was no leisure to saddle. It was of importance
+      to seize his person, if possible, and his flight was closely pursued by a
+      valiant knight of Norman descent, whose family had been long settled in
+      the marches of Dumfriesshire. Their Norman appellation was Fitz-Aldin, but
+      this knight, from the great slaughter which he had made of the Southron,
+      and the reluctance which he had shown to admit them to quarter during the
+      former war of that bloody period, had acquired the name of Redgauntlet,
+      which he transmitted to his posterity&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Redgauntlet!&rsquo; I involuntarily repeated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes, Redgauntlet,&rsquo; said my alleged guardian, looking at me keenly; &lsquo;does
+      that name recall any associations to your mind?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No,&rsquo; I replied, &lsquo;except that I had lately heard it given to the hero of a
+      supernatural legend.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There are many such current concerning the family,&rsquo; he answered; and then
+      proceeded in his narrative.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Alberick Redgauntlet, the first of his house so termed, was, as may be
+      supposed from his name, of a stern and implacable disposition, which had
+      been rendered more so by family discord. An only son, now a youth of
+      eighteen, shared so much the haughty spirit of his father, that he became
+      impatient of domestic control, resisted paternal authority, and finally
+      fled from his father&rsquo;s house, renounced his political opinions, and
+      awakened his mortal displeasure by joining the adherents of Baliol. It was
+      said that his father cursed, in his wrath, his degenerate offspring, and
+      swore that if they met he should perish by his hand. Meantime,
+      circumstances seemed to promise atonement for this great deprivation. The
+      lady of Alberick Redgauntlet was again, after many years, in a situation
+      which afforded her husband the hope of a more dutiful heir.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But the delicacy and deep interest of his wife&rsquo;s condition did not
+      prevent Alberick from engaging in the undertaking of Douglas and Moray. He
+      had been the most forward in the attack of the castle, and was now
+      foremost in the pursuit of Baliol, eagerly engaged in dispersing or
+      cutting down the few daring followers who endeavoured to protect the
+      usurper in his flight.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As these were successively routed or slain, the formidable Redgauntlet,
+      the mortal enemy of the House of Baliol, was within two lances&rsquo; length of
+      the fugitive Edward Baliol, in a narrow pass, when a youth, one of the
+      last who attended the usurper in his flight, threw himself between them,
+      received the shock of the pursuer, and was unhorsed and overthrown. The
+      helmet rolled from his head, and the beams of the sun, then rising over
+      the Solway, showed Redgauntlet the features of his disobedient son, in the
+      livery, and wearing the cognizance, of the usurper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Redgauntlet beheld his son lying before his horse&rsquo;s feet; but he also saw
+      Baliol, the usurper of the Scottish crown, still, as it seemed, within his
+      grasp, and separated from him only by the prostrate body of his overthrown
+      adherent. Without pausing to inquire whether young Edward was wounded, he
+      dashed his spurs into his horse, meaning to leap over him, but was
+      unhappily frustrated in his purpose. The steed made indeed a bound
+      forward, but was unable to clear the body of the youth, and with its hind
+      foot struck him in the forehead, as he was in the act of rising. The blow
+      was mortal. It is needless to add, that the pursuit was checked, and
+      Baliol escaped.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Redgauntlet, ferocious as he is described, was yet overwhelmed with the
+      thoughts of the crime he had committed. When he returned to his castle, it
+      was to encounter new domestic sorrows. His wife had been prematurely
+      seized with the pangs of labour upon hearing the dreadful catastrophe
+      which had taken place. The birth of an infant boy cost her her life.
+      Redgauntlet sat by her corpse for more than twenty-four hours without
+      changing either feature or posture, so far as his terrified domestics
+      could observe. The Abbot of Dundrennan preached consolation to him in
+      vain. Douglas, who came to visit in his affliction a patriot of such
+      distinguished zeal, was more successful in rousing his attention. He
+      caused the trumpets to sound an English point of war in the courtyard, and
+      Redgauntlet at once sprang to his arms, and seemed restored to the
+      recollection which had been lost in the extent of his misery.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;From that moment, whatever he might feel inwardly, he gave way to no
+      outward emotion. Douglas caused his infant to be brought; but even the
+      iron-hearted soldiers were struck with horror to observe that, by the
+      mysterious law of nature, the cause of his mother&rsquo;s death, and the
+      evidence of his father&rsquo;s guilt, was stamped on the innocent face of the
+      babe, whose brow was distinctly marked by the miniature resemblance of a
+      horseshoe. Redgauntlet himself pointed it out to Douglas, saying, with a
+      ghastly smile, &ldquo;It should have been bloody.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Moved, as he was, to compassion for his brother-in-arms, and steeled
+      against all softer feelings by the habits of civil war, Douglas shuddered
+      at this sight, and displayed a desire to leave the house which was doomed
+      to be the scene of such horrors. As his parting advice, he exhorted
+      Alberick Redgauntlet to make a pilgrimage to Saint Ninian&rsquo;s of Whiteherne,
+      then esteemed a shrine of great sanctity; and departed with a
+      precipitation which might have aggravated, had that been possible, the
+      forlorn state of his unhappy friend. But that seems to have been incapable
+      of admitting any addition. Sir Alberick caused the bodies of his
+      slaughtered son and the mother to be laid side by side in the ancient
+      chapel of his house, after he had used the skill of a celebrated surgeon
+      of that time to embalm them; and it was said that for many weeks he spent;
+      some hours nightly in the vault where they reposed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;At length he undertook the proposed pilgrimage to Whiteherne, where he
+      confessed himself for the first time since his misfortune, and was shrived
+      by an aged monk, who afterwards died in the odour of sanctity. It is said
+      that it was then foretold to the Redgauntlet, that on account of his
+      unshaken patriotism his family should continue to be powerful amid the
+      changes of future times; but that, in detestation of his unrelenting
+      cruelty to his own issue, Heaven had decreed that the valour of his race
+      should always be fruitless, and that the cause which they espoused should
+      never prosper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Submitting to such penance as was there imposed, Sir Alberick went, it is
+      thought, on a pilgrimage either to Rome, or to the Holy Sepulchre itself.
+      He was universally considered as dead; and it was not till thirteen years
+      afterwards, that in the great battle of Durham, fought between David Bruce
+      and Queen Philippa of England, a knight, bearing a horseshoe for his
+      crest, appeared in the van of the Scottish army, distinguishing himself by
+      his reckless and desperate valour; who being at length overpowered and
+      slain, was finally discovered to be the brave and unhappy Sir Alberick
+      Redgauntlet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And has the fatal sign,&rsquo; said I, when Herries had ended his narrative,
+      &lsquo;descended on all the posterity of this unhappy house?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It has been so handed down from antiquity, and is still believed,&rsquo; said
+      Herries. &lsquo;But perhaps there is, in the popular evidence, something of that
+      fancy which creates what it sees. Certainly, as other families have
+      peculiarities by which they are distinguished, this of Redgauntlet is
+      marked in most individuals by a singular indenture of the forehead,
+      supposed to be derived from the son of Alberick, their ancestor, and
+      brother to the unfortunate Edward, who had perished in so piteous a
+      manner. It is certain there seems to have been a fate upon the House of
+      Redgauntlet, which has been on the losing side in almost all the civil
+      broils which have divided the kingdom of Scotland from David Bruce&rsquo;s days,
+      till the late valiant and unsuccessful attempt of the Chevalier Charles
+      Edward.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He concluded with a deep sigh, as one whom the subject had involved in a
+      train of painful reflections.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And am I then,&rsquo; I exclaimed, &lsquo;descended from this unhappy race? Do you
+      belong to it? And if so, why do I sustain restraint and hard usage at the
+      hands of a relation?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Inquire no further for the present,&rsquo; he said. &lsquo;The line of conduct which
+      I am pursuing towards you is dictated, not by choice but by necessity. You
+      were withdrawn from the bosom of your family and the care of your legal
+      guardian, by the timidity and ignorance of a doting mother, who was
+      incapable of estimating the arguments or feelings of those who prefer
+      honour and principle to fortune, and even to life. The young hawk,
+      accustomed only to the fostering care of its dam, must be tamed by
+      darkness and sleeplessness, ere it is trusted on the wing for the purposes
+      of the falconer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I was appalled at this declaration, which seemed to threaten a long
+      continuance, and a dangerous termination, of my captivity. I deemed it
+      best, however, to show some spirit, and at the same time to mingle a tone
+      of conciliation. &lsquo;Mr. Herries,&rsquo; I said &lsquo;(if I call you rightly by that
+      name), let us speak upon this matter without the tone of mystery and fear
+      in which you seem inclined to envelop it. I have been long, alas! deprived
+      of the care of that affectionate mother to whom you allude&mdash;long
+      under the charge of strangers&mdash;and compelled to form my own
+      resolutions upon the reasoning of my own mind. Misfortune&mdash;early
+      deprivation&mdash;has given me the privilege of acting for myself; and
+      constraint shall not deprive me of an Englishman&rsquo;s best privilege.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The true cant of the day,&rsquo; said Herries, in a tone of scorn. &lsquo;The
+      privilege of free action belongs to no mortal&mdash;we are tied down by
+      the fetters of duty&mdash;our mortal path is limited by the regulations of
+      honour&mdash;our most indifferent actions are but meshes of the web of
+      destiny by which we are all surrounded.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He paced the room rapidly, and proceeded in a tone of enthusiasm which,
+      joined to some other parts of his conduct, seems to intimate an
+      over-excited imagination, were it not contradicted by the general tenor of
+      his speech and conduct.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nothing,&rsquo; he said, in an earnest yet melancholy voice&mdash;&lsquo;nothing is
+      the work of chance&mdash;nothing is the consequence of free-will&mdash;the
+      liberty of which the Englishman boasts gives as little real freedom to its
+      owner as the despotism, of an Eastern sultan permits to his slave. The
+      usurper, William of Nassau, went forth to hunt, and thought, doubtless,
+      that it was by an act of his own royal pleasure that the horse of his
+      murdered victim was prepared for his kingly sport. But Heaven had other
+      views; and before the sun was high, a stumble of that very animal over an
+      obstacle so inconsiderable as a mole-hillock, cost the haughty rider his
+      life and his usurped crown, Do you think an inclination of the rein could
+      have avoided that trifling impediment? I tell you, it crossed his way as
+      inevitably as all the long chain of Caucasus could have done. Yes, young
+      man, in doing and suffering, we play but the part allotted by Destiny, the
+      manager of this strange drama, stand bound to act no more than is
+      prescribed, to say no more than is set down for us; and yet we mouth about
+      free-will and freedom of thought and action, as if Richard must not die,
+      or Richmond conquer, exactly where the Author has decreed it shall be so!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He continued to pace the room after this speech, with folded arms and
+      downcast looks; and the sound of his steps and tone of his voice brought
+      to my remembrance, that I had heard this singular person, when I met him
+      on a former occasion, uttering such soliloquies in his solitary chamber. I
+      observed that, like other Jacobites, in his inveteracy against the memory
+      of King William, he had adopted the party opinion, that the monarch, on
+      the day he had his fatal accident, rode upon a horse once the property of
+      the unfortunate Sir John Friend, executed for high treason in 1698.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was not my business to aggravate, but, if possible, rather to soothe
+      him in whose power I was so singularly placed. When I conceived that the
+      keenness of his feelings had in some degree subsided, I answered him as
+      follows:&mdash;&lsquo;I will not&mdash;indeed I feel myself incompetent to argue
+      a question of such metaphysical subtlety, as that which involves the
+      limits betwixt free-will and predestination. Let us hope we may live
+      honestly and die hopefully, without being obliged to form a decided
+      opinion upon a point so far beyond our comprehension.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Wisely resolved,&rsquo; he interrupted, with a sneer&mdash;&lsquo;there came a note
+      from some Geneva, sermon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But,&rsquo; I proceeded, &lsquo;I call your attention to the fact that I, as well as
+      you, am acted upon by impulses, the result either of my own free will, or
+      the consequences of the part which is assigned to me by destiny. These may
+      be&mdash;nay, at present they are&mdash;in direct contradiction to those
+      by which you are actuated; and how shall we decide which shall have
+      precedence?&mdash;YOU perhaps feel yourself destined to act as my jailer.
+      I feel myself, on the contrary, destined to attempt and effect my escape.
+      One of us must be wrong, but who can say which errs till the event has
+      decided betwixt us?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I shall feel myself destined to have recourse to severe modes of
+      restraint,&rsquo; said he, in the same tone of half jest, half earnest which I
+      had used.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In that case,&rsquo; I answered, &lsquo;it will be my destiny to attempt everything
+      for my freedom.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And it may be mine, young man,&rsquo; he replied, in a deep and stern tone, &lsquo;to
+      take care that you should rather die than attain your purpose.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was speaking out indeed, and I did not allow him to go unanswered.
+      &lsquo;You threaten me in vain,&rsquo; said I; &lsquo;the laws of my country will protect
+      me; or whom they cannot protect, they will avenge.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I spoke this firmly, and he seemed for a moment silenced; and the scorn
+      with which he at last answered me, had something of affectation in it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The laws!&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;and what, stripling, do you know of the laws of your
+      country? Could you learn jurisprudence under a base-born blotter of
+      parchment, such as Saunders Fairford; or from the empty pedantic coxcomb,
+      his son, who now, forsooth, writer himself advocate? When Scotland was
+      herself, and had her own king and legislature, such plebeian cubs, instead
+      of being called to the bar of her supreme courts, would scarce have been
+      admitted to the honour of bearing a sheepskin process-bag.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan, I could not bear this, but answered indignantly, that he knew not
+      the worth and honour from which he was detracting.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I know as much of these Fairfords as I do of you,&rsquo; he replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As much,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;and as little; for you can neither estimate their real
+      worth nor mine. I know you saw them when last in Edinburgh.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ha!&rsquo; he exclaimed, and turned on me an inquisitive look.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is true,&rsquo; said I; &lsquo;you cannot deny it; and having thus shown you that
+      I know something of your motions, let me warn you I have modes of
+      communication with which you are not acquainted. Oblige me not to use them
+      to your prejudice.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Prejudice me!&rsquo; he replied. &lsquo;Young man, I smile at, and forgive your
+      folly. Nay, I will tell you that of which you are not aware, namely, that
+      it was from letters received from these Fairfords that I first suspected,
+      what the result of my visit to them confirmed, that you were the person
+      whom I had sought for years.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If you learned this,&rsquo; said I, &lsquo;from the papers which were about my person
+      on the night when I was under the necessity of becoming your guest at
+      Brokenburn, I do not envy your indifference to the means of acquiring
+      information. It was dishonourable to&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peace, young man,&rsquo; said Herries, more calmly than I might have expected;
+      &lsquo;the word dishonour must not be mentioned as in conjunction with my name.
+      Your pocket-book was in the pocket of your coat, and did not escape the
+      curiosity of another, though it would have been sacred from mine, My
+      servant, Cristal Nixon, brought me the intelligence after you were gone. I
+      was displeased with the manner in which he had acquired his information;
+      but it was not the less my duty to ascertain its truth, and for that
+      purpose I went to Edinburgh. I was in hopes to persuade Mr. Fairford to
+      have entered into my views; but I found him too much prejudiced to permit
+      me to trust him. He is a wretched, yet a timid slave of the present
+      government, under which our unhappy country is dishonourably enthralled;
+      and it would have been altogether unfit and unsafe to have entrusted him
+      with the secret either of the right which I possess to direct your
+      actions, or of the manner in which I purpose to exercise it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I was determined to take advantage of his communicative humour, and
+      obtain, if possible, more light upon his purpose. He seemed most
+      accessible to being piqued on the point of honour, and I resolved to avail
+      myself, but with caution, of his sensibility upon that topic. &lsquo;You say,&rsquo; I
+      replied, &lsquo;that you are not friendly to indirect practices, and disapprove
+      of the means by which your domestic obtained information of my name and
+      quality&mdash;Is it honourable to avail yourself of that knowledge which
+      is dishonourably obtained?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is boldly asked,&rsquo; he replied; &lsquo;but, within certain necessary limits, I
+      dislike not boldness of expostulation. You have, in this short conference,
+      displayed more character and energy than I was prepared to expect. You
+      will, I trust, resemble a forest plant, which has indeed, by some
+      accident, been brought up in the greenhouse, and thus rendered delicate
+      and effeminate, but which regains its native firmness and tenacity when
+      exposed for a season to the winter air. I will answer your question
+      plainly. In business, as in war, spies and informers are necessary evils,
+      which all good men detest; but which yet all prudent men must use, unless
+      they mean to fight and act blindfold. But nothing can justify the use of
+      falsehood and treachery in our own person.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You said to the elder Mr. Fairford,&rsquo; continued I, with the same boldness,
+      which I began to find was my best game, &lsquo;that I was the son of Ralph
+      Latimer of Langcote Hall? How do you reconcile this with your late
+      assertion that my name is not Latimer?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He coloured as he replied, &lsquo;The doting old fool lied; or perhaps mistook
+      my meaning. I said, that gentleman might be your father. To say truth, I
+      wished you to visit England, your native country; because, when you might
+      do so, my rights over you would revive.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This speech fully led me to understand a caution which had been often
+      impressed upon me, that, if I regarded my safety, I should not cross the
+      southern Border; and I cursed my own folly, which kept me fluttering like
+      a moth around the candle, until I was betrayed into the calamity with
+      which I had dallied. &lsquo;What are those rights,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;which you claim
+      over me? To what end do you propose to turn them?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To a weighty one, you may be certain,&rsquo; answered Mr. Herries; &lsquo;but I do
+      not, at present, mean to communicate to you either its nature or extent.
+      You may judge of its importance, when, in order entirely to possess myself
+      of your person, I condescended to mix myself with the fellows who
+      destroyed the fishing station of yon wretched Quaker. That I held him in
+      contempt, and was displeased at the greedy devices with which he ruined a
+      manly sport, is true enough; but, unless as it favoured my designs on you,
+      he might have, for me, maintained his stake-nets till Solway should cease
+      to ebb and flow.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Alas!&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;it doubles my regret to have been the unwilling cause of
+      misfortune to an honest and friendly man.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do not grieve for that,&rsquo; said Herries; &lsquo;honest Joshua is one of those
+      who, by dint of long prayers, can possess themselves of widow&rsquo;s houses&mdash;he
+      will quickly repair his losses. When he sustains any mishap, he and the
+      other canters set it down as a debt against Heaven, and, by way of
+      set-off, practise rogueries without compunction, till the they make the
+      balance even, or incline it to the winning side. Enough of this for the
+      present.&mdash;I must immediately shift my quarters; for, although I do
+      not fear the over-zeal of Mr. Justice Foxley or his clerk will lead them
+      to any extreme measure, yet that mad scoundrel&rsquo;s unhappy recognition of me
+      may make it more serious for them to connive at me, and I must not put
+      their patience to an over severe trial. You must prepare to attend me,
+      either as a captive or a companion; if as the latter, you must give your
+      parole of honour to attempt no escape. Should you be so ill advised as to
+      break your word once pledged, be assured that I will blow your brains out
+      without a moment&rsquo;s scruple.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am ignorant of your plans and purposes,&rsquo; I replied, &lsquo;and cannot but
+      hold them dangerous. I do not mean to aggravate my present situation by
+      any unavailing resistance to the superior force which detains me; but I
+      will not renounce the right of asserting my natural freedom should it
+      favourable opportunity occur. I will, therefore, rather be your prisoner
+      than your confederate.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That is spoken fairly,&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;and yet not without the canny caution
+      of one brought up in the Gude Town of Edinburgh. On my part, I will impose
+      no unnecessary hardship upon you; but, on the contrary, your journey shall
+      be made as easy as is consistent with your being kept safely. Do you feel
+      strong enough to ride on horseback as yet, or would you prefer a carriage?
+      The former mode of travelling is best adapted to the country through which
+      we are to travel, but you are at liberty to choose between them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I said, &lsquo;I felt my strength gradually returning, and that I should much
+      prefer travelling on horseback. A carriage,&rsquo; I added, &lsquo;is so close&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And so easily guarded,&rsquo; replied Herries, with a look as if he would have
+      penetrated my very thoughts,&mdash;&lsquo;that, doubtless, you think horseback
+      better calculated for an escape.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My thoughts are my own,&rsquo; I answered; &lsquo;and though you keep my person
+      prisoner, these are beyond your control.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, I can read the book,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;without opening the leaves. But I
+      would recommend to you to make no rash attempt, and it will be my care to
+      see that you have no power to make any that is likely to be effectual.
+      Linen, and all other necessaries for one in your circumstances, are amply
+      provided, Cristal Nixon will act as your valet,&mdash;I should rather,
+      perhaps, say, your FEMME DE CHAMBRE. Your travelling dress you may perhaps
+      consider as singular; but it is such as the circumstances require; and, if
+      you object to use the articles prepared for your use, your mode of
+      journeying will be as personally unpleasant as that which conducted you
+      hither.&mdash;Adieu&mdash;We now know each other better than we did&mdash;it
+      will not be my fault if the consequences of further intimacy be not a more
+      favourable mutual opinion.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He then left me, with a civil good night, to my own reflections, and only
+      turned back to say that we should proceed on our journey at daybreak next
+      morning, at furthest; perhaps earlier, he said; but complimented me by
+      supposing that, as I was a sportsman, I must always be ready for a sudden
+      start.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We are then at issue, this singular man and myself. His personal views are
+      to a certain point explained. He has chosen an antiquated and desperate
+      line of politics, and he claims, from some pretended tie of guardianship
+      or relationship, which he does not deign to explain but which he seems to
+      have been able to pass current on a silly country Justice and his knavish
+      clerk, a right to direct and to control my motions. The danger which
+      awaited me in England, and which I might have escaped had I remained in
+      Scotland, was doubtless occasioned by the authority of this man. But what
+      my poor mother might fear for me as a child&mdash;what my English friend,
+      Samuel Griffiths, endeavoured to guard against during my youth and nonage,
+      is now, it seems, come upon me; and, under a legal pretext, I am detained
+      in what must be a most illegal manner, by a person, foe, whose own
+      political immunities have been forfeited by his conduct. It matters not&mdash;my
+      mind is made up neither persuasion nor threats shall force me into the
+      desperate designs which this man meditates. Whether I am of the trifling
+      consequence which my life hitherto seems to intimate, or whether I have
+      (as would appear from my adversary&rsquo;s conduct) such importance, by birth or
+      fortune, as may make me a desirable acquisition to a political faction, my
+      resolution is taken in either case. Those who read this journal, if it
+      shall be perused by impartial eyes, shall judge of me truly; and if they
+      consider me as a fool in encountering danger unnecessarily, they shall
+      have no reason to believe me a coward or a turncoat, when I find myself
+      engaged in it. I have been bred in sentiments of attachment to the family
+      on the throne and in these sentiments I will live and die. I have, indeed,
+      some idea that Mr. Herries has already discovered that I am made of
+      different and more unmalleable metal than he had at first believed. There
+      were letters from my dear Alan Fairford, giving a ludicrous account of my
+      instability of temper, in the same pocket-book, which, according to the
+      admission of my pretended guardian, fell under the investigation of his
+      domestic during the night I passed at Brokenburn, where, as I now
+      recollect, my wet clothes, with the contents of my pockets, were, with the
+      thoughtlessness of a young traveller, committed too rashly to the care of
+      a strange servant. And my kind friend and hospitable landlord, Mr.
+      Alexander Fairford, may also, and with justice, have spoken of my levities
+      to this man. But he shall find he has made a false estimate upon these
+      plausible grounds, since&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I must break off for the present.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IX
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      LATIMER&rsquo;S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      There is at length a halt&mdash;at length I have gained so much privacy as
+      to enable me to continue my journal. It has become a sort of task of duty
+      to me, without the discharge of which I do not feel that the business of
+      the day is performed. True, no friendly eye may ever look upon these
+      labours, which have amused the solitary hours of an unhappy prisoner. Yet,
+      in the meanwhile, the exercise of the pen seems to act as a sedative upon
+      my own agitated thoughts and tumultuous passions. I never lay it down but
+      I rise stronger in resolution, more ardent in hope. A thousand vague
+      fears, wild expectations, and indigested schemes, hurry through one&rsquo;s
+      thoughts in seasons of doubt and of danger. But by arresting them as they
+      flit across the mind, by throwing them on paper, and even by that
+      mechanical act compelling ourselves to consider them with scrupulous and
+      minute attention, we may perhaps escape becoming the dupes of our own
+      excited imagination; just as a young horse is cured of the vice of
+      starting by being made to stand still and look for some time without any
+      interruption at the cause of its terror.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There remains but one risk, which is that of discovery. But besides the
+      small characters, in which my residence in Mr. Fairford&rsquo;s house enabled me
+      to excel, for the purpose of transferring as many scroll sheets as
+      possible to a huge sheet of stamped paper, I have, as I have elsewhere
+      intimated, had hitherto the comfortable reflection that if the record of
+      my misfortunes should fall into the hands of him by whom they are caused,
+      they would, without harming any one, show him the real character and
+      disposition of the person who has become his prisoner&mdash;perhaps his
+      victim. Now, however, that other names, and other characters, are to be
+      mingled with the register of my own sentiments, I must take additional
+      care of these papers, and keep them in such a manner that, in case of the
+      least hazard of detection, I may be able to destroy them at a moment&rsquo;s
+      notice. I shall not soon or easily forget the lesson I have been taught,
+      by the prying disposition which Cristal Nixon, this man&rsquo;s agent and
+      confederate, manifested at Brokenburn, and which proved the original cause
+      of my sufferings.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      My laying aside the last sheet of my journal hastily was occasioned by the
+      unwonted sound of a violin, in the farmyard beneath my windows. It will
+      not appear surprising to those who have made music their study, that,
+      after listening to a few notes, I became at once assured that the musician
+      was no other than the itinerant, formerly mentioned as present at the
+      destruction of Joshua Geddes&rsquo;s stake-nets, the superior delicacy and force
+      of whose execution would enable me to swear to his bow amongst a whole
+      orchestra. I had the less reason to doubt his identity, because he played
+      twice over the beautiful Scottish air called Wandering Willie; and I could
+      not help concluding that he did so for the purpose of intimating his own
+      presence, since what the French called the nom de guerre of the performer
+      was described by the tune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hope will catch at the most feeble twig for support in extremity. I knew
+      this man, though deprived of sight, to be bold, ingenious, and perfectly
+      capable of acting as a guide. I believed I had won his goodwill, by
+      having, in a frolic, assumed the character of his partner; and I
+      remembered that in a wild, wandering, and disorderly course of life, men,
+      as they become loosened from the ordinary bonds of civil society, hold
+      those of comradeship more closely sacred; so that honour is sometimes
+      found among thieves, and faith and attachment in such as the law has
+      termed vagrants. The history of Richard Coeur de Lion and his minstrel,
+      Blondel, rushed, at the same time, on my mind, though I could not even
+      then suppress a smile at the dignity of the example when applied to a
+      blind fiddler and myself. Still there was something in all this to awaken
+      a hope that, if I could open a correspondence with this poor violer, he
+      might be useful in extricating me from my present situation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His profession furnished me with some hope that this desired communication
+      might be attained; since it is well known that, in Scotland, where there
+      is so much national music, the words and airs of which are generally
+      known, there is a kind of freemasonry amongst performers, by which they
+      can, by the mere choice of a tune, express a great deal to the hearers.
+      Personal allusions are often made in this manner, with much point and
+      pleasantry; and nothing is more usual at public festivals, than that the
+      air played to accompany a particular health or toast, is made the vehicle
+      of compliment, of wit, and sometimes of satire. [Every one must remember
+      instances of this festive custom, in which the adaptation of the tune to
+      the toast was remarkably felicitous. Old Neil Gow, and his son Nathaniel,
+      were peculiarly happy on such occasions.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While these things passed through my mind rapidly, I heard my friend
+      beneath recommence, for the third time, the air from which his own name
+      had been probably adopted, when he was interrupted by his rustic auditors.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If thou canst play no other spring but that, mon, ho hadst best put up
+      ho&rsquo;s pipes and be jogging. Squoire will be back anon, or Master Nixon, and
+      we&rsquo;ll see who will pay poiper then.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Oho, thought I, if I have no sharper ears than those of my friends Jan and
+      Dorcas to encounter, I may venture an experiment upon them; and, as most
+      expressive of my state of captivity, I sang two or three lines of the
+      137th Psalm&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  By Babel&rsquo;s streams we sat and wept.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      The country people listened with attention, and when I ceased, I heard
+      them whisper together in tones of commiseration, &lsquo;Lack-a-day, poor soul!
+      so pretty a man to be beside his wits!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;An he be that gate,&rsquo; said Wandering Willie, in a tone calculated to reach
+      my ears, &lsquo;I ken naething will raise his spirits like a spring.&rsquo; And he
+      struck up, with great vigour and spirit, the lively Scottish air, the
+      words of which instantly occurred to me&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Oh whistle and I&rsquo;ll come t&rsquo;ye, my lad,
+  Oh whistle and I&rsquo;ll come t&rsquo;ye, my lad;
+  Though father and mother and a&rsquo; should gae mad,
+  Oh whistle and I&rsquo;ll come t&rsquo;ye, my lad.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      I soon heard a clattering noise of feet in the courtyard, which I
+      concluded to be Jan and Dorcas dancing a jig in their Cumberland wooden
+      clogs. Under cover of this din, I endeavoured to answer Willie&rsquo;s signal by
+      whistling, as loud as I could&mdash;-
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Come back again and loe me
+  When a&rsquo; the lave are gane.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      He instantly threw the dancers out, by changing his air to
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  There&rsquo;s my thumb, I&rsquo;ll ne&rsquo;er beguile thee.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      I no longer doubted that a communication betwixt us was happily
+      established, and that, if I had an opportunity of speaking to the poor
+      musician, I should find him willing to take my letter to the post, to
+      invoke the assistance of some active magistrate, or of the
+      commanding-officer of Carlisle Castle, or, in short, to do whatever else I
+      could point out, in the compass of his power, to contribute to my
+      liberation. But to obtain speech of him, I must have run the risk of
+      alarming the suspicions of Dorcas, if not of her yet more stupid Corydon.
+      My ally&rsquo;s blindness prevented his receiving any communication by signs
+      from the window&mdash;even if I could have ventured to make them,
+      consistently with prudence&mdash;so that notwithstanding the mode of
+      intercourse we had adopted was both circuitous and peculiarly liable to
+      misapprehension, I saw nothing I could do better than to continue it,
+      trusting my own and my correspondent&rsquo;s acuteness in applying to the airs
+      the meaning they were intended to convey. I thought of singing the words
+      themselves of some significant song, but feared I might, by doing so,
+      attract suspicion. I endeavoured, therefore, to intimate my speedy
+      departure from my present place of residence, by whistling the well-known
+      air with which festive parties in Scotland usually conclude the dance:&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Good night and joy be wi&rsquo; ye a&rsquo;,
+  For here nae langer maun I stay;
+  There&rsquo;s neither friend nor foe, of mine
+  But wishes that I were away.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      It appeared that Willie&rsquo;s powers of intelligence were much more active
+      than mine, and that, like a deaf person accustomed to be spoken to by
+      signs, he comprehended, from the very first notes, the whole meaning I
+      intended to convey; and he accompanied me in the air with his violin, in
+      such a manner as at once to show he understood my meaning, and to prevent
+      my whistling from being attended to.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His reply was almost immediate, and was conveyed in the old martial air of
+      &lsquo;Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver.&rsquo; I ran over the words, and fixed
+      on the following stanza, as most applicable to my circumstances:&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Cock up your beaver, and cock it fu&rsquo; sprush;
+  We&rsquo;ll over the Border and give them a brush;
+  There&rsquo;s somebody there we&rsquo;ll teach better behaviour,
+  Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      If these sounds alluded, as I hope they do, to the chance of assistance
+      from my Scottish friends, I may indeed consider that a door is open to
+      hope and freedom. I immediately replied with:&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  My heart&rsquo;s in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
+  My heart&rsquo;s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
+  A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe,
+  My heart&rsquo;s in the Highlands wherever I go.
+
+  Farewell to the Highlands!  farewell to the North!
+  The birth-place of valour, the cradle of worth;
+  Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
+  The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      Willie instantly played, with a degree of spirit which might have awakened
+      hope in Despair herself, if Despair could be supposed to understand Scotch
+      music, the fine old Jacobite air,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  For a&rsquo; that, and a&rsquo; that,
+  And twice as much as a&rsquo; that.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      I next endeavoured to intimate my wish to send notice of my condition to
+      my friends; and, despairing to find an air sufficiently expressive of my
+      purpose, I ventured to sing a verse, which, in various forms, occurs so
+      frequently in old ballads&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Whare will I get a bonny boy
+  That will win hose and shoon:
+  That will gae down to Durisdeer,
+  And bid my merry men come?
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      He drowned the latter part of the verse by playing, with much emphasis,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Kind Robin loes me.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      Of this, though I ran over the verses of the song in my mind, I could make
+      nothing; and before I could contrive any mode of intimating my
+      uncertainty, a cry arose in the courtyard that Cristal Nixon was coming.
+      My faithful Willie was obliged to retreat; but not before he had half
+      played, half hummed, by way of farewell,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Leave thee&mdash;leave thee, lad&mdash;
+  I&rsquo;ll never leave thee;
+  The stars shall gae withershins
+  Ere I will leave thee.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      I am thus, I think, secure of one trusty adherent in my misfortunes; and,
+      however whimsical it may be to rely much on a man of his idle profession
+      and deprived of sight withal, it is deeply impressed on my mind that his
+      services may be both useful and necessary. There is another quarter from
+      which I look for succour, and which I have indicated to thee, Alan, in
+      more than one passage of my journal. Twice, at the early hour of daybreak,
+      I have seen the individual alluded to in the court of the farm, and twice
+      she made signs of recognition in answer to the gestures by which I
+      endeavoured to make her comprehend my situation; but on both occasions she
+      pressed her finger on her lips, as expressive of silence and secrecy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The manner in which G.M. entered upon the scene for the first time, seems
+      to assure me of her goodwill, so far as her power may reach; and I have
+      many reasons to believe it is considerable. Yet she seemed hurried and
+      frightened during the very transitory moments of our interview, and I
+      think was, upon the last occasion, startled by the entrance of some one
+      into the farmyard, just as she was on the point of addressing me. You must
+      not ask whether I am an early riser, since such objects are only to be
+      seen at daybreak; and although I have never again seen her, yet I have
+      reason to think she is not distant. It was but three nights ago, that,
+      worn out by the uniformity of my confinement, I had manifested more
+      symptoms of despondence than I had before exhibited, which I conceive may
+      have attracted the attention of the domestics, through whom the
+      circumstance might transpire. On the next morning, the following lines lay
+      on my table; but how conveyed there, I cannot tell. The hand in which they
+      were written is a beautiful Italian manuscript:&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  As lords their labourers&rsquo; hire delay,
+  Fate quits our toil with hopes to come,
+  Which, if far short of present pay,
+  Still, owns a debt and names a sum.
+
+  Quit not the pledge, frail sufferer, then,
+  Although a distant date be given;
+  Despair is treason towards man,
+  And blasphemy to Heaven.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      That these lines were written with the friendly purpose of inducing me to
+      keep up my spirits, I cannot doubt; and I trust the manner in which I
+      shall conduct myself may show that the pledge is accepted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The dress is arrived in which it seems to be my self-elected guardian&rsquo;s
+      pleasure that I shall travel; and what does it prove to be?&mdash;A skirt,
+      or upper-petticoat of camlet, like those worn by country ladies of
+      moderate rank when on horseback, with such a riding-mask as they
+      frequently use on journeys to preserve their eyes and complexion from the
+      sun and dust, and sometimes, it is suspected, to enable then to play off a
+      little coquetry. From the gayer mode of employing the mask, however, I
+      suspect I shall be precluded; for instead of being only pasteboard,
+      covered with black velvet, I observe with anxiety that mine is thickened
+      with a plate of steel, which, like Quixote&rsquo;s visor, serves to render it
+      more strong and durable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This apparatus, together with a steel clasp for securing the mask behind
+      me with a padlock, gave me fearful recollections of the unfortunate being,
+      who, never being permitted to lay aside such a visor, acquired the
+      well-known historical epithet of the Man in the Iron Mask. I hesitated a
+      moment whether I should, so far submit to the acts of oppression designed
+      against me as to assume this disguise, which was, of course, contrived to
+      aid their purposes. But when I remembered Mr. Herries&rsquo;s threat, that I
+      should be kept close prisoner in a carriage, unless I assumed the dress
+      which should be appointed for me; and I considered the comparative degree
+      of freedom which I might purchase by wearing the mask and female dress as
+      easily and advantageously purchased. Here, therefore, I must pause for the
+      present, and await what the morning may bring forth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      [To carry on the story from the documents before us, we think it proper
+      here to drop the journal of the captive Darsie Latimer, and adopt,
+      instead, a narrative of the proceedings of Alan Fairford in pursuit of his
+      friend, which forms another series in this history.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER X
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      The reader ought, by this time, to have formed some idea of the character
+      of Alan Fairford. He had a warmth of heart which the study of the law and
+      of the world could not chill, and talents which they had rendered
+      unusually acute. Deprived of the personal patronage enjoyed by most of his
+      contemporaries, who assumed the gown under the protection of their
+      aristocratic alliances and descents, he early saw that he should have that
+      to achieve for himself which fell to them as a right of birth. He laboured
+      hard in silence and solitude, and his labours were crowned with success.
+      But Alan doted on his friend Darsie, even more than he loved his
+      profession, and, as we have seen, threw everything aside when he thought
+      Latimer in danger; forgetting fame and fortune, and hazarding even the
+      serious displeasure of his father, to rescue him whom he loved with an
+      elder brother&rsquo;s affection. Darsie, though his parts were more quick and
+      brilliant than those of his friend, seemed always to the latter a being
+      under his peculiar charge, whom he was called upon to cherish and protect
+      in cases where the youth&rsquo;s own experience was unequal to the exigency; and
+      now, when, the fate of Latimer seeming worse than doubtful, Alan&rsquo;s whole
+      prudence and energy were to be exerted in his behalf, an adventure which
+      might have seemed perilous to most youths of his age had no terrors for
+      him. He was well acquainted with the laws of his country, and knew how to
+      appeal to them; and, besides his professional confidence, his natural
+      disposition was steady, sedate, persevering, and undaunted. With these
+      requisites he undertook a quest which, at that time, was not unattended
+      with actual danger, and had much in it to appal a more timid disposition.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford&rsquo;s first inquiry concerning his friend was of the chief magistrate
+      of Dumfries, Provost Crosbie, who had sent the information of Darsie&rsquo;s
+      disappearance. On his first application, he thought he discerned in the
+      honest dignitary a desire to get rid of the subject. The provost spoke of
+      the riot at the fishing station as an &lsquo;outbreak among those lawless loons
+      the fishermen, which concerned the sheriff,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;more than us poor
+      town council bodies, that have enough to do to keep peace within burgh,
+      amongst such a set of commoners as the town are plagued with.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But this is not all, Provost Crosbie,&rsquo; said Mr. Alan Fairford; &lsquo;A young
+      gentleman of rank and fortune has disappeared amongst their hands&mdash;you
+      know him. My father gave him a letter to you&mdash;Mr. Darsie Latimer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Lack-a-day, yes! lack-a-day, yes!&rsquo; said the provost; &lsquo;Mr. Darsie Latimer&mdash;he
+      dined at my house&mdash;I hope he is well?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope so too,&rsquo; said Alan, rather indignantly; &lsquo;but I desire more
+      certainty on that point. You yourself wrote my father that he had
+      disappeared.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Troth, yes, and that is true,&rsquo; said the provost. &lsquo;But did he not go back
+      to his friends in Scotland? it was not natural to think he would stay
+      here.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not unless he is under restraint,&rsquo; said Fairford, surprised at the
+      coolness with which the provost seemed to take up the matter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Rely on it, sir,&rsquo; said Mr. Crosbie, &lsquo;that if he has not returned to his
+      friends in Scotland, he must have gone to his friends in England.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will rely on no such thing,&rsquo; said Alan; &lsquo;if there is law or justice in
+      Scotland, I will have the thing cleared to the very bottom.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Reasonable, reasonable,&rsquo; said the provost, &lsquo;so far as is possible; but
+      you know I have no power beyond the ports of the burgh.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But you are in the commission besides, Mr. Crosbie; a justice of peace
+      for the county.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;True, very true&mdash;that is,&rsquo; said the cautious magistrate, &lsquo;I will not
+      say but my name may stand on the list, but I cannot remember that I have
+      ever qualified.&rsquo; [By taking the oaths to government.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, in that case,&rsquo; said young Fairford, &lsquo;there are ill-natured people
+      might doubt your attachment to the Protestant line, Mr. Crosbie.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;God forbid, Mr. Fairford! I who have done and suffered in the Forty-five.
+      I reckon the Highlandmen did me damage to the amount of 100l. Scots, forby
+      all they ate and drank&mdash;no, no, sir, I stand beyond challenge; but as
+      for plaguing myself with county business, let them that aught the mare
+      shoe the mare. The commissioners of supply would see my back broken before
+      they would help me in the burgh&rsquo;s work, and all the world kens the
+      difference of the weight between public business in burgh and landward.
+      What are their riots to me? have we not riots enough of our own?&mdash;But
+      I must be getting ready, for the council meets this forenoon. I am blithe
+      to see your father&rsquo;s son on the causeway of our ancient burgh, Mr. Alan
+      Fairford. Were you a twelve-month aulder, we would make a burgess of you,
+      man. I hope you will come and dine with me before you go away. What think
+      you of to-day at two o&rsquo;clock&mdash;just a roasted chucky and a drappit
+      egg?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford resolved that his friend&rsquo;s hospitality should not, as it
+      seemed the inviter intended, put a stop to his queries. &lsquo;I must delay you
+      for a moment,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;Mr. Crosbie; this is a serious affair; a young
+      gentleman of high hopes, my own dearest friend, is missing&mdash;you
+      cannot think it will be passed over slightly, if a man of your high
+      character and known zeal for the government do not make some active
+      inquiry. Mr. Crosbie, you are my father&rsquo;s friend, and I respect you as
+      such&mdash;but to others it will have a bad appearance.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The withers of the provost were not unwrung; he paced the room in much
+      tribulation, repeating, &lsquo;But what can I do, Mr. Fairford? I warrant your
+      friend casts up again&mdash;he will come back again, like the ill shilling&mdash;he
+      is not the sort of gear that tynes&mdash;a hellicat boy, running through
+      the country with a blind fiddler and playing the fiddle to a parcel of
+      blackguards, who can tell where the like of him may have scampered to?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There are persons apprehended, and in the jail of the town, as I
+      understand from the sheriff-substitute,&rsquo; said Mr. Fairford; &lsquo;you must call
+      them before you, and inquire what they know of this young gentleman.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye&mdash;the sheriff-depute did commit some poor creatures, I
+      believe&mdash;wretched ignorant fishermen bodies, that had been
+      quarrelling with Quaker Geddes and his stake-nets, whilk, under favour of
+      your gown be it spoken, Mr. Fairford, are not over and above lawful, and
+      the town clerk thinks that they may be lawfully removed VIA FACTI&mdash;but
+      that is by the by. But, sir, the creatures were a&rsquo; dismissed for want of
+      evidence; the Quaker would not swear to them, and what could the sheriff
+      and me do but just let them loose? Come awa, cheer up, Master Alan, and
+      take a walk till dinner-time&mdash;I must really go to the council.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Stop a moment, provost,&rsquo; said Alan; &lsquo;I lodge a complaint before you as a
+      magistrate, and you will find it serious to slight it over. You must have
+      these men apprehended again.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye&mdash;easy said; but catch them that can,&rsquo; answered the provost;
+      &lsquo;they are ower the march by this time, or by the point of Cairn.&mdash;Lord
+      help ye! they are a kind of amphibious deevils, neither land nor water
+      beasts neither English nor Scots&mdash;neither county nor stewartry, as we
+      say&mdash;they are dispersed like so much quicksilver. You may as well try
+      to whistle a sealgh out of the Solway, as to get hold of one of them till
+      all the fray is over.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Crosbie, this will not do,&rsquo; answered the young counsellor; &lsquo;there is
+      a person of more importance than such wretches as you describe concerned
+      in this unhappy business&mdash;I must name to you a certain Mr. Herries.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He kept his eye on the provost as he uttered the name, which he did rather
+      at a venture, and from the connexion which that gentleman, and his real or
+      supposed niece, seemed to have with the fate of Darsie Latimer, than from
+      any distinct cause of suspicion which he entertained. He thought the
+      provost seemed embarrassed, though he showed much desire to assume an
+      appearance of indifference, in which he partly succeeded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Herries!&rsquo; he said&mdash;&lsquo;What Herries?&mdash;There are many of that name&mdash;not
+      so many as formerly, for the old stocks are wearing out; but there is
+      Herries of Heathgill, and Herries of Auchintulloch, and Herries&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To save you further trouble, this person&rsquo;s designation is Herries of
+      Birrenswork.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Of Birrenswork?&rsquo; said Mr. Crosbie; &lsquo;I have you now, Mr. Alan. Could you
+      not as well have said, the Laird of Redgauntlet?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford was too wary to testify any surprise at this identification of
+      names, however unexpected. &lsquo;I thought,&rsquo; said he, &lsquo;he was more generally
+      known by the name of Herries. I have seen and been in company with him
+      under that name, I am sure.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh aye; in Edinburgh, belike. You know Redgauntlet was unfortunate a
+      great while ago, and though he was maybe not deeper in the mire than other
+      folk, yet, for some reason or other, he did not get so easily out.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He was attainted, I understand; and has no remission,&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The cautious provost only nodded, and said, &lsquo;You may guess, therefore, why
+      it is so convenient he should hold his mother&rsquo;s name, which is also partly
+      his own, when he is about Edinburgh. To bear his proper name might be
+      accounted a kind of flying in the face of government, ye understand. But
+      he has been long connived at&mdash;the story is an old story&mdash;and the
+      gentleman has many excellent qualities, and is of a very ancient and
+      honourable house&mdash;has cousins among the great folk&mdash;counts kin
+      with the advocate and with the sheriff&mdash;hawks, you know, Mr. Alan,
+      will not pike out hawks&rsquo; een&mdash;he is widely connected&mdash;my wife is
+      a fourth cousin of Redgauntlet&rsquo;s.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      HINC ILLAE LACHRYMAE! thought Alan Fairford to himself; but the hint
+      presently determined him to proceed by soft means and with caution. &lsquo;I beg
+      you to understand,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;that in the investigation I am about
+      to make, I design no harm to Mr. Herries, or Redgauntlet&mdash;call him
+      what you will. All I wish is, to ascertain the safety of my friend. I know
+      that he was rather foolish in once going upon a mere frolic, in disguise,
+      to the neighbourhood of this same gentleman&rsquo;s house. In his circumstances,
+      Mr. Redgauntlet may have misinterpreted the motives, and considered Darsie
+      Latimer as a spy. His influence, I believe, is great among the disorderly
+      people you spoke of but now?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The provost answered with another sagacious shake of his head, that would
+      have done honour to Lord Burleigh in the CRITIC.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, then,&rsquo; continued Fairford,&rsquo; is it not possible that, in the
+      mistaken belief that Mr. Latimer was a spy, he may, upon such suspicion,
+      have caused him to be carried off and confined somewhere? Such things are
+      done at elections, and on occasions less pressing than when men think
+      their lives are in danger from an informer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Fairford,&rsquo; said the provost, very earnestly, &lsquo;I scarce think such a
+      mistake possible; or if, by any extraordinary chance, it should have taken
+      place, Redgauntlet, whom I cannot but know well, being as I have said my
+      wife&rsquo;s first cousin (fourth cousin, I should say) is altogether incapable
+      of doing anything harsh to the young gentleman&mdash;he might send him
+      ower to Ailsay for a night or two, or maybe land him on the north coast of
+      Ireland, or in Islay, or some of the Hebrides; but depend upon it, he is
+      incapable of harming a hair of his head.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am determined not to trust to that, provost,&rsquo; answered Fairford firmly;
+      &lsquo;and I am a good deal surprised at your way of talking so lightly of such
+      an aggression on the liberty of the subject. You are to consider, and Mr.
+      Herries or Mr. Redgauntlet&rsquo;s friends would do very well also to consider,
+      how it would sound in the ears of an English Secretary of State, that an
+      attainted traitor (for such is this gentleman) has not only ventured to
+      take up his abode in this realm&mdash;against the king of which he has
+      been in arms&mdash;but is suspected of having proceeded, by open force and
+      violence, against the person of one of the lieges, a young man who is
+      neither without friends nor property to secure his being righted.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The provost looked at the young counsellor with a face in which distrust,
+      alarm, and vexation seemed mingled. &lsquo;A fashious job,&rsquo; he said at last, &lsquo;a
+      fashious job; and it will be dangerous meddling with it. I should like ill
+      to see your father&rsquo;s son turn informer against an unfortunate gentleman.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Neither do I mean it,&rsquo; answered Alan, &lsquo;provided that unfortunate
+      gentleman and his friends give me a quiet opportunity of securing my
+      friend&rsquo;s safety. If I could speak with Mr. Redgauntlet, and hear his own
+      explanation, I should probably be satisfied. If I am forced, to denounce
+      him to government, it will be in his new capacity of a kidnapper. I may
+      not be able, nor is it my business, to prevent his being recognized in his
+      former character of an attainted person, excepted from the general
+      pardon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Master Fairford,&rsquo; said the provost, &lsquo;would ye ruin the poor innocent
+      gentleman on an idle suspicion?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Say no more of it, Mr. Crosbie; my line of conduct is determined&mdash;unless
+      that suspicion is removed.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Weel, sir,&rsquo; said the provost, &lsquo;since so it be, and since you say that you
+      do not seek to harm Redgauntlet personally, I&rsquo;ll ask a man to dine with us
+      to-day that kens as much about his matters as most folk. You must think,
+      Mr. Alan Fairford, though Redgauntlet be my wife&rsquo;s near relative, and
+      though, doubtless, I wish him weel, yet I am not the person who is like to
+      be intrusted with his incomings and outgoings. I am not a man for that&mdash;I
+      keep the kirk, and I abhor Popery&mdash;I have stood up for the House of
+      Hanover, and for liberty and property&mdash;I carried arms, sir, against
+      the Pretender, when three of the Highlandmen&rsquo;s baggage-carts were stopped
+      at Ecclefechan; and I had an especial loss of a hundred pounds&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Scots,&rsquo; interrupted Fairford. &lsquo;You forget you told me all this before.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Scots or English, it was too much for me to lose,&rsquo; said the provost; so
+      you see I am not a person to pack or peel with Jacobites, and such
+      unfreemen as poor Redgauntlet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Granted, granted, Mr. Crosbie; and what then?&rsquo; said Alan Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, then, it follows, that if I am to help you at this pinch, if cannot
+      be by and through my ain personal knowledge, but through some fitting
+      agent or third person.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Granted again,&rsquo; said Fairford. &lsquo;And pray who may this third person be?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Wha but Pate Maxwell of Summertrees&mdash;him they call Pate-in-Peril.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;An old Forty-five man, of course?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ye may swear that,&rsquo; replied the provost&mdash;&lsquo;as black a Jacobite as the
+      auld leaven can make him; but a sonsy, merry companion, that none of us
+      think it worth while to break wi&rsquo; for all his brags and his clavers. You
+      would have thought, if he had had but his own way at Derby, he would have
+      marched Charlie Stuart through between Wade and the Duke, as a thread goes
+      through the needle&rsquo;s ee, and seated him in Saint James&rsquo;s before you could
+      have said haud your hand. But though he is a windy body when he gets on
+      his auld-warld stories, he has mair gumption in him than most people&mdash;knows
+      business, Mr. Alan, being bred to the law; but never took the gown,
+      because of the oaths, which kept more folk out then than they do now&mdash;the
+      more&rsquo;s the pity.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What! are you sorry, provost, that Jacobitism is upon the decline?&rsquo; said
+      Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, no,&rsquo; answered the provost&mdash;&lsquo;I am only sorry for folks losing the
+      tenderness of conscience which they used to have. I have a son breeding to
+      the bar, Mr. Fairford; and, no doubt, considering my services and
+      sufferings, I might have looked for some bit postie to him; but if the
+      muckle tykes come in&mdash;I mean a&rsquo; these Maxwells, and Johnstones, and
+      great lairds, that the oaths used to keep out lang syne&mdash;the bits o&rsquo; 
+      messan doggies, like my son, and maybe like your father&rsquo;s son, Mr. Alan,
+      will be sair put to the wall.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But to return to the subject, Mr. Crosbie,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;do you really
+      think it likely that this Mr. Maxwell will be of service in this matter?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It&rsquo;s very like he may be, for he is the tongue of the trump to the whole
+      squad of them,&rsquo; said the provost; &lsquo;and Redgauntlet, though he will not
+      stick at times to call him a fool, takes more of his counsel than any
+      man&rsquo;s else that I am aware of. If Fate can bring him to a communing, the
+      business is done. He&rsquo;s a sharp chield, Pate-in-Peril.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Pate-in-Peril!&rsquo; repeated Alan; &lsquo;a very singular name.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, and it was in as queer a way he got it; but I&rsquo;ll say naething about
+      that,&rsquo; said the provost, &lsquo;for fear of forestalling his market; for ye are
+      sure to hear it once at least, however oftener, before the punch-bowl
+      gives place to the teapot.&mdash;And now, fare ye weel; for there is the
+      council-bell clinking in earnest; and if I am not there before it jows in,
+      Bailie Laurie will be trying some of his manoeuvres.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The provost, repeating his expectation of seeing Mr. Fairford at two
+      o&rsquo;clock, at length effected his escape from the young counsellor, and left
+      him at a considerable loss how to proceed. The sheriff, it seems, had
+      returned to Edinburgh, and he feared to find the visible repugnance of the
+      provost to interfere with this Laird of Birrenswork, or Redgauntlet, much
+      stronger amongst the country gentlemen, many of whom were Catholics as
+      well as Jacobites, and most others unwilling to quarrel with kinsmen and
+      friends, by prosecuting with severity political offences which had almost
+      run a prescription.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To collect all the information in his power, and not to have recourse to
+      the higher authorities until he could give all the light of which the case
+      was capable, seemed the wiser proceeding in a choice of difficulties. He
+      had some conversation with the procurator-fiscal, who, as well as the
+      provost, was an old correspondent of his father. Alan expressed to that
+      officer a purpose of visiting Brokenburn, but was assured by him, that it
+      would be a step attended with much danger to his own person, and
+      altogether fruitless; that the individuals who had been ringleaders in the
+      riot were long since safely sheltered in their various lurking-holes in
+      the Isle of Man, Cumberland, and elsewhere; and that those who might
+      remain would undoubtedly commit violence on any who visited their
+      settlement with the purpose of inquiring into the late disturbances.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There were not the same objections to his hastening to Mount Sharon, where
+      he expected to find the latest news of his friend; and there was time
+      enough to do so, before the hour appointed for the provost&rsquo;s dinner. Upon
+      the road, he congratulated himself on having obtained one point of almost
+      certain information. The person who had in a manner forced himself upon
+      his father&rsquo;s hospitality, and had appeared desirous to induce Darsie
+      Latimer to visit England, against whom, too, a sort of warning had been
+      received from an individual connected with and residing in his own family,
+      proved to be a promoter of the disturbance in which Darsie had
+      disappeared.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      What could be the cause of such an attempt on the liberty of an
+      inoffensive and amiable man? It was impossible it could be merely owing to
+      Redgauntlet&rsquo;s mistaking Darsie for a spy; for though that was the solution
+      which Fairford had offered to the provost, he well knew that, in point of
+      fact, he himself had been warned by his singular visitor of some danger to
+      which his friend was exposed, before such suspicion could have been
+      entertained; and the injunctions received by Latimer from his guardian, or
+      him who acted as such, Mr. Griffiths of London, pointed to the same thing.
+      He was rather glad, however, that he had not let Provost Crosbie into his
+      secret further than was absolutely necessary; since it was plain that the
+      connexion of his wife with the suspected party was likely to affect his
+      impartiality as a magistrate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Alan Fairford arrived at Mount Sharon, Rachel Geddes hastened to meet
+      him, almost before the servant could open the door. She drew back in
+      disappointment when she beheld a stranger, and said, to excuse her
+      precipitation, that &lsquo;she had thought it was her brother Joshua returned
+      from Cumberland.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Geddes is then absent from home?&rsquo; said Fairford, much disappointed in
+      his turn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He hath been gone since yesterday, friend,&rsquo; answered Rachel, once more
+      composed to the quietude which characterizes her sect, but her pale cheek
+      and red eye giving contradiction to her assumed equanimity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am,&rsquo; said Fairford, hastily, &lsquo;the particular friend of a young man not
+      unknown to you, Miss Geddes&mdash;the friend of Darsie Latimer&mdash;and
+      am come hither in the utmost anxiety, having understood from Provost
+      Crosbie, that he had disappeared in the night when a destructive attack
+      was made upon the fishing-station of Mr. Geddes.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou dost afflict me, friend, by thy inquiries,&rsquo; said Rachel, more
+      affected than before; &lsquo;for although the youth was like those of the
+      worldly generation, wise in his own conceit, and lightly to be moved by
+      the breath of vanity, yet Joshua loved him, and his heart clave to him as
+      if he had been his own son. And when he himself escaped from the sons of
+      Belial, which was not until they had tired themselves with reviling, and
+      with idle reproach, and the jests of the scoffer, Joshua, my brother,
+      returned to them once and again, to give ransom for the youth called
+      Darsie Latimer, with offers of money and with promise of remission, but
+      they would not hearken to him. Also, he went before the head judge, whom
+      men call the sheriff, and would have told him of the youth&rsquo;s peril; but he
+      would in no way hearken to him unless he would swear unto the truth of his
+      words, which thing he might not do without sin, seeing it is written,
+      Swear not at all&mdash;also, that our conversation shall be yea or nay.
+      Therefore, Joshua returned to me disconsolate, and said, &ldquo;Sister Rachel,
+      this youth hath run into peril for my sake; assuredly I shall not be
+      guiltless if a hair of his head be harmed, seeing I have sinned in
+      permitting him to go with me to the fishing station when such evil was to
+      be feared. Therefore, I will take my horse, even Solomon, and ride swiftly
+      into Cumberland, and I will make myself friends with Mammon of
+      Unrighteousness, among the magistrates of the Gentiles, and among their
+      mighty men; and it shall come to pass that Darsie Latimer shall be
+      delivered, even if it were at the expense of half my substance.&rdquo; And I
+      said, &ldquo;Nay, my brother, go not, for they will but scoff at and revile
+      thee; but hire with thy silver one of the scribes, who are eager as
+      hunters in pursuing their prey, and he shall free Darsie Latimer from the
+      men of violence by his cunning, and thy soul shall be guiltless of evil
+      towards the lad.&rdquo; But he answered and said, &ldquo;I will not be controlled in
+      this matter.&rdquo; And he is gone forth and hath not returned, and I fear me
+      that he may never return; for though he be peaceful, as becometh one who
+      holds all violence as offence against his own soul, yet neither the floods
+      of water, nor the fear of the snare, nor the drawn sword of the adversary
+      brandished in the path, will overcome his purpose. Wherefore the Solway
+      may swallow him up, or the sword of the enemy may devour him&mdash;nevertheless,
+      my hope is better in Him who directeth all things, and ruleth over the
+      waves of the sea, and overruleth the devices of the wicked, and who can
+      redeem us even as a bird from the fowler&rsquo;s net.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was all that Fairford could learn from Miss Geddes; but he heard with
+      pleasure that the good Quaker, her brother, had many friends among those
+      of his own profession in Cumberland, and without exposing himself to so
+      much danger as his sister seemed to apprehend, he trusted he might be able
+      to discover some traces of Darsie Latimer. He himself rode back to
+      Dumfries, having left with Miss Geddes his direction in that place, and an
+      earnest request that she would forward thither whatever information she
+      might obtain from her brother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On Fairford&rsquo;s return to Dumfries, he employed the brief interval which
+      remained before dinner-time, in writing an account of what had befallen
+      Latimer and of the present uncertainty of his condition, to Mr. Samuel
+      Griffiths, through whose hands the remittances for his friend&rsquo;s service
+      had been regularly made, desiring he would instantly acquaint him with
+      such parts of his history as might direct him in the search which he was
+      about to institute through the border counties, and which he pledged
+      himself not; to give up until he had obtained news of his friend, alive or
+      dead, The young lawyer&rsquo;s mind felt easier when he had dispatched this
+      letter. He could not conceive any reason why his friend&rsquo;s life should be
+      aimed at; he knew Darsie had done nothing by which his liberty could be
+      legally affected; and although, even of late years, there had been
+      singular histories of men, and women also, who had been trepanned, and
+      concealed in solitudes and distant islands in order to serve some
+      temporary purpose, such violences had been chiefly practised by the rich
+      on the poor, and by the strong on the feeble; whereas, in the present
+      case, this Mr. Herries, or Redgauntlet, being amenable, for more reasons
+      than one, to the censure of the law, must be the weakest in any struggle
+      in which it could be appealed to. It is true, that his friendly anxiety
+      whispered that the very cause which rendered this oppressor less
+      formidable, might make him more desperate. Still, recalling his language,
+      so strikingly that of the gentleman, and even of the man of honour, Alan
+      Fairford concluded, that though, in his feudal pride, Redgauntlet might
+      venture on the deeds of violence exercised by the aristocracy in other
+      times, he could not be capable of any action of deliberate atrocity. And
+      in these convictions he went to dine with Provost Crosbie, with a heart
+      more at ease than might have been expected. [See Note 7.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Five minutes had elapsed after the town clock struck two, before Alan
+      Fairford, who had made a small detour to put his letter into the
+      post-house, reached the mansion of Mr. Provost Crosbie, and was at once
+      greeted by the voice of that civic dignitary, and the rural dignitary his
+      visitor, as by the voices of men impatient for their dinner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Come away, Mr. Fairford&mdash;the Edinburgh time is later than ours,&rsquo; 
+      said the provost.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And, &lsquo;Come away, young gentleman,&rsquo; said the laird; &lsquo;I remember your father
+      weel at the Cross thirty years ago&mdash;I reckon you are as late in
+      Edinburgh as at London, four o&rsquo;clock hours&mdash;eh?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not quite so degenerate,&rsquo; replied Fairford; &lsquo;but certainly many Edinburgh
+      people are so ill-advised as to postpone their dinner till three, that
+      they may have full time to answer their London correspondents.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;London correspondents!&rsquo; said Mr. Maxwell; &lsquo;and pray what the devil have
+      the people of Auld Reekie to do with London correspondents?&rsquo; [Not much in
+      those days, for within my recollection the London post; was brought north
+      in a small mail-cart; and men are yet as live who recollect when it came
+      down with only one single letter for Edinburgh, addressed to the manager
+      of the British Linen Company.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The tradesmen must have their goods,&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Can they not buy our own Scottish manufactures, and pick their customers
+      pockets in a more patriotic manner?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then the ladies must have fashions,&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Can they not busk the plaid over their heads, as their mothers did? A
+      tartan screen, and once a year a new cockernony from Paris, should serve a
+      countess. But ye have not many of them left, I think&mdash;Mareschal,
+      Airley, Winton, Vemyss, Balmerino, all passed and gone&mdash;aye, aye, the
+      countesses and ladies of quality will scarce take up too much of your
+      ball-room floor with their quality hoops nowadays.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There is no want of crowding, however, sir,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;they begin
+      to talk of a new Assembly room.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A new Assembly room!&rsquo; said the old Jacobite laird&mdash;&lsquo;Umph&mdash;I
+      mind quartering three hundred men in the old Assembly room [I remember
+      hearing this identical answer given by an old Highland gentleman of the
+      Forty-Five, when he heard of the opening of the New Assembly Rooms in
+      George Street.]&mdash;But come, come&mdash;I&rsquo;ll ask no more questions&mdash;the
+      answers all smell of new lords new lands, and do but spoil my appetite,
+      which were a pity, since here comes Mrs. Crosbie to say our mutton&rsquo;s
+      ready.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was even so. Mrs. Crosbie had been absent, like Eve, &lsquo;on hospitable
+      cares intent,&rsquo; a duty which she did not conceive herself exempted from,
+      either by the dignity of her husband&rsquo;s rank in the municipality, or the
+      splendour of her Brussels silk gown, or even by the more highly prized
+      lustre of her birth; for she was born a Maxwell, and allied, as her
+      husband often informed his friends, to several of the first families in
+      the county. She had been handsome, and was still a portly, good-looking
+      woman of her years; and though her peep into the kitchen had somewhat
+      heightened her complexion, it was no more than a modest touch of rouge
+      might have done.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The provost was certainly proud of his lady, nay, some said he was afraid
+      of her; for of the females of the Redgauntlet family there went a rumour,
+      that, ally where they would, there was a grey mare as surely in the
+      stables of their husbands, as there is a white horse in Wouvermans&rsquo; 
+      pictures. The good dame, too, was supposed to have brought a spice of
+      politics into Mr. Crosbie&rsquo;s household along with her; and the provost&rsquo;s
+      enemies at the council-table of the burgh used to observe that he uttered
+      there many a bold harangue against the Pretender, and in favour of King
+      George and government, of which he dared not have pronounced a syllable in
+      his own bedchamber; and that, in fact, his wife&rsquo;s predominating influence
+      had now and then occasioned his acting, or forbearing to act, in a manner
+      very different from his general professions of zeal for Revolution
+      principles. If this was in any respect true, it was certain, on the other
+      hand, that Mrs. Crosbie, in all external points, seemed to acknowledge the
+      &lsquo;lawful sway and right supremacy&rsquo; of the head of the house, and if she did
+      not in truth reverence her husband, she at least seemed to do so.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This stately dame received Mr. Maxwell (a cousin of course) with
+      cordiality, and Fairford with civility; answering at the same time with
+      respect, to the magisterial complaints of the provost, that dinner was
+      just coming up. &lsquo;But since you changed poor Peter MacAlpin, that used to
+      take care of the town-clock, my dear, it has never gone well a single
+      day.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peter MacAlpin, my dear,&rsquo; said the provost,&rsquo; made himself too busy for a
+      person in office, and drunk healths and so forth, which it became no man
+      to drink or to pledge, far less one that is in point of office a servant
+      of the public, I understand that he lost the music bells in Edinburgh, for
+      playing &ldquo;Ower the Water to Charlie,&rdquo; upon the tenth of June. He is a black
+      sheep, and deserves no encouragement.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not a bad tune though, after all,&rsquo; said Summertrees; and, turning to the
+      window, he half hummed, half whistled, the air in question, then sang the
+      last verse aloud:
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  &lsquo;Oh I loe weel my Charlie&rsquo;s name,
+    Though some there be that abhor him;
+   But oh to see the deil gang hame
+    Wi&rsquo; a&rsquo; the Whigs before him!
+   Over the water, and over the sea,
+    And over the water to Charlie;
+   Come weal, come woe, we&rsquo;ll gather and go,
+    And live or die with Charlie.&rsquo; 
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Crosbie smiled furtively on the laird, wearing an aspect at the same
+      time of deep submission; while the provost, not choosing to hear his
+      visitor&rsquo;s ditty, took a turn through the room, in unquestioned dignity and
+      independence of authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aweel, aweel, my dear,&rsquo; said the lady, with a quiet smile of submission,
+      &lsquo;ye ken these matters best, and you will do your pleasure&mdash;they are
+      far above my hand&mdash;only, I doubt if ever the town-clock will go
+      right, or your meals be got up so regular as I should wish, till Peter
+      MacAlpin gets his office back again. The body&rsquo;s auld, and can neither work
+      nor want, but he is the only hand to set a clock.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It may be noticed in passing, that notwithstanding this prediction, which,
+      probably, the fair Cassandra had the full means of accomplishing, it was
+      not till the second council day thereafter that the misdemeanours of the
+      Jacobite clock-keeper were passed over, and he was once more restored to
+      his occupation of fixing the town&rsquo;s time, and the provost&rsquo;s dinner-hour.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Upon the present occasion the dinner passed pleasantly away. Summertrees
+      talked and jested with the easy indifference of a man who holds himself
+      superior to his company. He was indeed an important person, as was
+      testified by his portly appearance; his hat laced with POINT D&rsquo;ESPAGNE;
+      his coat and waistcoat once richly embroidered, though now almost
+      threadbare; the splendour of his solitaire, and laced ruffles, though the
+      first was sorely creased, and the other sullied; not to forget the length
+      of his silver-hilted rapier. His wit, or rather humour, bordered on the
+      sarcastic, and intimated a discontented man; and although he showed no
+      displeasure when the provost attempted a repartee, yet it seemed that he
+      permitted it upon mere sufferance, as a fencing-master, engaged with a
+      pupil, will sometimes permit the tyro to hit him, solely by way of
+      encouragement. The laird&rsquo;s own jests, in the meanwhile, were eminently
+      successful, not only with the provost and his lady, but with the
+      red-cheeked and red-ribboned servant-maid who waited at table, and who
+      could scarce perform her duty with propriety, so effectual were the
+      explosions of Summertrees. Alan Fairford alone was unmoved among all this
+      mirth; which was the less wonderful, that, besides the important subject
+      which occupied his thoughts, most of the laird&rsquo;s good things consisted in
+      sly allusions to little parochial or family incidents, with which the
+      Edinburgh visitor was totally unacquainted: so that the laughter of the
+      party sounded in his ear like the idle crackling of thorns under the pot,
+      with this difference, that they did not accompany or second any such
+      useful operation as the boiling thereof.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford was glad when the cloth was withdrawn; and when Provost Crosbie
+      (not without some points of advice from his lady touching the precise
+      mixture of the ingredients) had accomplished the compounding of a noble
+      bowl of punch, at which the old Jacobite&rsquo;s eyes seemed to glisten, the
+      glasses were pushed round it, filled, and withdrawn each by its owner,
+      when the provost emphatically named the toast, &lsquo;The King,&rsquo; with an
+      important look to Fairford, which seemed to say, You can have no doubt
+      whom I mean, and therefore there is no occasion to particularize the
+      individual.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Summertrees repeated the toast, with a sly wink to the lady, while
+      Fairford drank his glass in silence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, young advocate,&rsquo; said the landed proprietor, &lsquo;I am glad to see
+      there is some shame, if there is little honesty, left in the Faculty. Some
+      of your black gowns, nowadays, have as little of the one as of the other.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;At least, sir,&rsquo; replied Mr. Fairford, &lsquo;I am so much of a lawyer as not
+      willingly to enter into disputes which I am not retained to support&mdash;it
+      would be but throwing away both time and argument.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Come, come,&rsquo; said the lady, &lsquo;we will have no argument in this house about
+      Whig or Tory&mdash;the provost kens what he maun SAY, and I ken what he
+      should THINK; and for a&rsquo; that has come and gane yet, there may be a time
+      coming when honest men may say what they think, whether they be provosts
+      or not.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;D&rsquo;ye hear that, provost?&rsquo; said Summertrees; &lsquo;your wife&rsquo;s a witch, man;
+      you should nail a horseshoe on your chamber door&mdash;Ha, ha, ha!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This sally did not take quite so well as former efforts of the laird&rsquo;s
+      wit. The lady drew up, and the provost said, half aside, &lsquo;The sooth bourd
+      is nae bourd. [The true joke is no joke.] You will find the horseshoe
+      hissing hot, Summertrees.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You can speak from experience, doubtless, provost,&rsquo; answered the laird;
+      &lsquo;but I crave pardon&mdash;I need not tell Mrs. Crosbie that I have all
+      respect for the auld and honourable House of Redgauntlet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And good reason ye have, that are sae sib to them,&rsquo; quoth the lady, &lsquo;and
+      kend weel baith them that are here, and them that are gane.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In troth, and ye may say sae, madam,&rsquo; answered the laird; &lsquo;for poor Harry
+      Redgauntlet, that suffered at Carlisle, was hand and glove with me; and
+      yet we parted on short leave-taking.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, Summertrees,&rsquo; said the provost; &lsquo;that was when you played
+      Cheat-the-woodie, and gat the by-name of Pate-in-Peril. I wish you would
+      tell the story to my young friend here. He likes weel to hear of a sharp
+      trick, as most lawyers do.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wonder at your want of circumspection, provost,&rsquo; said the laird,&mdash;much
+      after the manner of a singer when declining to sing the song that is
+      quivering upon his tongue&rsquo;s very end. &lsquo;Ye should mind there are some auld
+      stories that cannot be ripped up again with entire safety to all
+      concerned. TACE is Latin for a candle,&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope,&rsquo; said the lady, &lsquo;you are not afraid of anything being said out of
+      this house to your prejudice, Summertrees? I have heard the story before;
+      but the oftener I hear it, the more wonderful I think it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes, madam; but it has been now a wonder of more than nine days, and it
+      is time it should be ended,&rsquo; answered Maxwell.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford now thought it civil to say, &lsquo;that he had often heard of Mr.
+      Maxwell&rsquo;s wonderful escape, and that nothing could be more agreeable to
+      him than to hear the right version of it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Summertrees was obdurate, and refused to take up the time of the
+      company with such &lsquo;auld-warld nonsense.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Weel, weel,&rsquo; said the provost, &lsquo;a wilful man maun hae his way. What do
+      your folk in the country think about the disturbances that are beginning
+      to spunk out in the colonies?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Excellent, sir, excellent. When things come to the worst; they will mend;
+      and to the worst they are coming. But as to that nonsense ploy of mine, if
+      ye insist on hearing the particulars,&rsquo;&mdash;said the laird, who began to
+      be sensible that the period of telling his story gracefully was gliding
+      fast away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay,&rsquo; said the provost, &lsquo;it was not for myself, but this young
+      gentlemen.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aweel, what for should I not pleasure the young gentlemen? I&rsquo;ll just
+      drink to honest folk at hame and abroad, and deil ane else. And then&mdash;but
+      you have heard it before, Mrs. Crosbie?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not so often as to think it tiresome, I assure ye,&rsquo; said the lady; and
+      without further preliminaries, the laird addressed Alan Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ye have heard of a year they call the FORTY-FIVE, young gentleman; when
+      the Southrons&rsquo; heads made their last acquaintance with Scottish claymores?
+      There was a set of rampauging chields in the country then that they called
+      rebels&mdash;I never could find out what for&mdash;Some men should have
+      been wi&rsquo; them that never came, provost&mdash;Skye and the Bush aboon
+      Traquair for that, ye ken.&mdash;Weel, the job was settled at last.
+      Cloured crowns were plenty, and raxed necks came into fashion. I dinna
+      mind very weel what I was doing, swaggering about the country with dirk
+      and pistol at my belt for five or six months, or thereaway; but I had a
+      weary waking out of a wild dream. When did I find myself on foot in a
+      misty morning, with my hand, just for fear of going astray, linked into a
+      handcuff, as they call it, with poor Harry Redgauntlet&rsquo;s fastened into the
+      other; and there we were, trudging along, with about a score more that had
+      thrust their horns ower deep in the bog, just like ourselves, and a
+      sergeant&rsquo;s guard of redcoats, with twa file of dragoons, to keep all
+      quiet, and give us heart to the road. Now, if this mode of travelling was
+      not very pleasant, the object did not particularly recommend it; for, you
+      understand, young man, that they did not trust these poor rebel bodies to
+      be tried by juries of their ain kindly countrymen, though ane would have
+      thought they would have found Whigs enough in Scotland to hang us all; but
+      they behoved to trounce us away to be tried at Carlisle, where the folk
+      had been so frightened, that had you brought a whole Highland clan at once
+      into the court, they would have put their hands upon their een, and cried,
+      &ldquo;hang them a&rsquo;,&rdquo; just to be quit of them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye,&rsquo; said the provost, &lsquo;that was a snell law, I grant ye.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Snell!&rsquo; said the wife, &lsquo;snell! I wish they that passed it had the jury I
+      would recommend them to!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I suppose the young lawyer thinks it all very right,&rsquo; said Summertrees,
+      looking at Fairford&mdash;&lsquo;an OLD lawyer might have thought otherwise.
+      However, the cudgel was to be found to beat the dog, and they chose a
+      heavy one. Well, I kept my spirits better than my companion, poor fellow;
+      for I had the luck to have neither wife nor child to think about, and
+      Harry Redgauntlet had both one and t&rsquo;other.&mdash;You have seen Harry,
+      Mrs. Crosbie?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In troth have I,&rsquo; said she, with the sigh which we give to early
+      recollections, of which the object is no more. &lsquo;He was not so tall as his
+      brother, and a gentler lad every way. After he married the great English
+      fortune, folk called him less of a Scottishman than Edward.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Folk lee&rsquo;d, then,&rsquo; said Summertrees; &lsquo;poor Harry was none of your
+      bold-speaking, ranting reivers, that talk about what they did yesterday,
+      or what they will do to-morrow; it was when something was to do at the
+      moment that you should have looked at Harry Redgauntlet. I saw him at
+      Culloden, when all was lost, doing more than twenty of these bleezing
+      braggarts, till the very soldiers that took him cried not to hurt him&mdash;for
+      all somebody&rsquo;s orders, provost&mdash;for he was the bravest fellow of them
+      all. Weel, as I went by the side of Harry, and felt him raise my hand up
+      in the mist of the morning, as if he wished to wipe his eye&mdash;for he
+      had not that freedom without my leave&mdash;my very heart was like to
+      break for him, poor fellow. In the meanwhile, I had been trying and trying
+      to make my hand as fine as a lady&rsquo;s, to see if I could slip it out of my
+      iron wristband. You may think,&rsquo; he said, laying his broad bony hand on the
+      table, &lsquo;I had work enough with such a shoulder-of-mutton fist; but if you
+      observe, the shackle-bones are of the largest, and so they were obliged to
+      keep the handcuff wide; at length I got my hand slipped out, and slipped
+      in again; and poor Harry was sae deep in his ain thoughts, I could not
+      make him sensible what I was doing.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why not?&rsquo; said Alan Fairford, for whom the tale began to have some
+      interest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Because there was an unchancy beast of a dragoon riding close beside us
+      on the other side; and if I had let him into my confidence as well as
+      Harry, it would not have been long before a pistol-ball slapped through my
+      bonnet.&mdash;Well, I had little for it but to do the best I could for
+      myself; and, by my conscience, it was time, when the gallows was staring
+      me in the face. We were to halt for breakfast at Moffat. Well did I know
+      the moors we were marching over, having hunted and hawked on every acre of
+      ground in very different times. So I waited, you see, till I was on the
+      edge of Errickstane-brae&mdash;Ye ken the place they call the Marquis&rsquo;s
+      Beef-stand, because the Annandale loons used to put their stolen cattle in
+      there?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford intimated his ignorance,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ye must have seen it as ye came this way; it looks as if four hills were
+      laying their heads together, to shut out daylight from the dark hollow
+      space between them. A d&mdash;d deep, black, blackguard-looking abyss of a
+      hole it is, and goes straight down from the roadside, as perpendicular as
+      it can do, to be a heathery brae. At the bottom, there is a small bit of a
+      brook, that you would think could hardly find, its way out from the hills
+      that are so closely jammed round it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A bad pass, indeed,&rsquo; said Alan.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You may say that,&rsquo; continued the laird. &lsquo;Bad as it was, sir, it was my
+      only chance; and though my very flesh creeped when I thought what a rumble
+      I was going to get, yet I kept my heart up all the same. And so, just when
+      we came on the edge of this Beef-stand of the Johnstones, I slipped out my
+      hand from the handcuff, cried to Harry Gauntlet, &lsquo;Follow me!&rsquo;&mdash;whisked
+      under the belly of the dragoon horse&mdash;flung my plaid round me with
+      the speed of lightning&mdash;threw myself on my side, for there was no
+      keeping my feet, and down the brae hurled I, over heather and fern, and
+      blackberries, like a barrel down Chalmer&rsquo;s Close, in Auld Reekie. G&mdash;,
+      sir, I never could help laughing when I think how the scoundrel redcoats
+      must have been bumbazed; for the mist being, as I said, thick, they had
+      little notion, I take it, that they were on the verge of such a dilemma. I
+      was half way down&mdash;for rowing is faster wark than rinning&mdash;ere
+      they could get at their arms; and then it was flash, flash, flash&mdash;rap,
+      rap, rap&mdash;from the edge of the road; but my head was too jumbled to
+      think anything either of that or the hard knocks I got among the stones. I
+      kept my senses thegither, whilk has been thought wonderful by all that
+      ever saw the place; and I helped myself with my hands as gallantly as I
+      could, and to the bottom I came. There I lay for half a moment; but the
+      thoughts of a gallows is worth all the salts and scent-bottles in the
+      world for bringing a man to himself. Up I sprang, like a four-year-auld
+      colt. All the hills were spinning round with me, like so many great big
+      humming-tops. But there was nae time to think of that neither; more
+      especially as the mist had risen a little with the firing. I could see the
+      villains, like sae mony craws on the edge of the brae; and I reckon that
+      they saw me; for some of the loons were beginning to crawl down the hill,
+      but liker auld wives in their red cloaks, coming frae a field preaching,
+      than such a souple lad as I was. Accordingly, they soon began to stop and
+      load their pieces. Good-e&rsquo;en to you, gentlemen, thought I, if that is to
+      be the gate of it. If you have any further word with me, you maun come as
+      far as Carriefraw-gauns. And so off I set, and never buck went faster ower
+      the braes than I did; and I never stopped till I had put three waters,
+      reasonably deep, as the season was rainy, half a dozen mountains, and a
+      few thousand acres of the worst moss and ling in Scotland, betwixt me and
+      my friends the redcoats.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It was that job which got you the name of Pate-in-Peril,&rsquo; said the
+      provost, filling the glasses, and exclaiming with great emphasis, while
+      his guest, much animated with the recollections which the exploit excited,
+      looked round with an air of triumph for sympathy and applause,&mdash;&lsquo;Here
+      is to your good health; and may you never put your neck in such a venture
+      again.&rsquo; [The escape of a Jacobite gentleman while on the road to Carlisle
+      to take his trial for his share in the affair of 1745, took place at
+      Errickstane-brae, in the singular manner ascribed to the Laird of
+      Summertrees in the text. The author has seen in his youth the gentleman to
+      whom the adventure actually happened. The distance of time makes some
+      indistinctness of recollection, but it is believed the real name was
+      MacEwen or MacMillan.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Humph!&mdash;I do not know,&rsquo; answered Summertrees. &lsquo;I am not like to be
+      tempted with another opportunity&mdash;[An old gentleman of the author&rsquo;s
+      name was engaged in the affair of 1715, and with some difficulty was saved
+      from the gallows by the intercession of the Duchess of Buccleugh and
+      Monmouth. Her Grace, who maintained a good deal of authority over her
+      clan, sent for the object of her intercession, and warning him of the risk
+      which he had run, and the trouble she had taken on his account, wound up
+      her lecture by intimating that in case of such disloyalty again, he was
+      not to expect her interest in his favour. &lsquo;An it please your Grace,&rsquo; said
+      the stout old Tory, &lsquo;I fear I am too old to see another opportunity.&lsquo;] Yet
+      who knows?&rsquo; And then he made a deep pause.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;May I ask what became of your friend, sir?&rsquo; said Alan Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ah, poor Harry!&rsquo; said Summertrees. &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what, sir, it takes
+      time to make up one&rsquo;s mind to such a venture, as my friend the provost
+      calls it; and I was told by Neil Maclean,&mdash;who was next file to us,
+      but had the luck to escape the gallows by some sleight-of-hand trick or
+      other,&mdash;that, upon my breaking off, poor Harry stood like one
+      motionless, although all our brethren in captivity made as much tumult as
+      they could, to distract the attention of the soldiers. And run he did at
+      last; but he did not know the ground, and either from confusion, or
+      because he judged the descent altogether perpendicular, he fled up the
+      hill to the left, instead of going down at once, and so was easily pursued
+      and taken. If he had followed my example, he would have found enough among
+      the shepherds to hide him, and feed him, as they did me, on bearmeal
+      scenes and braxy mutton, till better days came round again.&rsquo; [BRAXY
+      MUTTON.&mdash;The flesh of sheep that has died of disease, not by the hand
+      of the butcher. In pastoral countries it is used as food with little
+      scruple.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He suffered then for his share in the insurrection?&rsquo; said Alan.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You may swear that,&rsquo; said Summertrees. &lsquo;His blood was too red to be
+      spared when that sort of paint was in request. He suffered, sir, as you
+      call it&mdash;that is, he was murdered in cold blood, with many a pretty
+      fellow besides. Well, we may have our day next&mdash;what is fristed is
+      not forgiven&mdash;they think us all dead and buried&mdash;but&rsquo;&mdash;Here
+      he filled his glass, and muttering some indistinct denunciations, drank it
+      off, and assumed his usual manner, which had been a little disturbed
+      towards the end of the narrative.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What became of Mr. Redgauntlet&rsquo;s child?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MISTER Redgauntlet! He was Sir Henry Redgauntlet, as his son, if the child
+      now lives, will be Sir Arthur&mdash;I called him Harry from intimacy, and
+      Redgauntlet, as the chief of his name&mdash;His proper style was Sir Henry
+      Redgauntlet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;His son, therefore, is dead?&rsquo; said Alan Fairford. &lsquo;It is a pity so brave
+      a line should draw to a close.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He has left a brother,&rsquo; said Summertrees, &lsquo;Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, who
+      has now the representation of the family. And well it is; for though he be
+      unfortunate in many respects, he will keep up the honour of the house
+      better than a boy bred up amongst these bitter Whigs, the relations of his
+      elder brother Sir Henry&rsquo;s lady. Then they are on no good terms with the
+      Redgauntlet line&mdash;bitter Whigs they are in every sense. It was a
+      runaway match betwixt Sir Henry and his lady. Poor thing, they would not
+      allow her to see him when in confinement&mdash;they had even the meanness
+      to leave him without pecuniary assistance; and as all his own property was
+      seized upon and plundered, he would have wanted common necessaries, but
+      for the attachment of a fellow who was a famous fiddler&mdash;a blind man&mdash;I
+      have seen him with Sir Henry myself, both before the affair broke out and
+      while it was going on. I have heard that he fiddled in the streets of
+      Carlisle, and carried what money he got to his master, while he was
+      confined in the castle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I do not believe a word of it,&rsquo; said Mrs. Crosbie, kindling with
+      indignation. &lsquo;A Redgauntlet would have died twenty times before he had
+      touched a fiddler&rsquo;s wages.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hout fye&mdash;hout fye&mdash;all nonsense and pride,&rsquo; said the Laird of
+      Summertrees. &lsquo;Scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings, cousin Crosbie&mdash;ye
+      little ken what some of your friends were obliged to do yon time for a
+      sowp of brose, or a bit of bannock. G&mdash;d, I carried a cutler&rsquo;s wheel
+      for several weeks, partly for need, and partly for disguise&mdash;there I
+      went bizz&mdash;bizz&mdash;whizz&mdash;zizz, at every auld wife&rsquo;s door;
+      and if ever you want your shears sharpened, Mrs. Crosbie, I am the lad to
+      do it for you, if my wheel was but in order.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You, must ask my leave first,&rsquo; said the provost; &lsquo;for I have been told
+      you had some queer fashions of taking a kiss instead of a penny, if you
+      liked your customer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Come, come, provost,&rsquo; said the lady; rising, &lsquo;if the maut gets abune the
+      meal with you, it is time for me to take myself away&mdash;And you will
+      come to my room, gentlemen, when you want a cup of tea.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford was not sorry for the lady&rsquo;s departure. She seemed too much
+      alive to the honour of the house of Redgauntlet, though only a fourth
+      cousin, not to be alarmed by the inquiries which he proposed to make after
+      the whereabout of its present head. Strange confused suspicions arose in
+      his mind, from his imperfect recollection of the tale of Wandering Willie,
+      and the idea forced itself upon him that his friend Darsie Latimer might
+      be the son of the unfortunate Sir Henry. But before indulging in such
+      speculations, the point was to discover what had actually become of him.
+      If he were in the hands of his uncle, might there not exist some rivalry
+      in fortune, or rank, which might induce so stern a man as Redgauntlet to
+      use unfair measures towards a youth whom he would find himself unable to
+      mould to his purpose? He considered these points in silence, during
+      several revolutions of the glasses as they wheeled in galaxy round the
+      bowl, waiting until the provost, agreeably to his own proposal, should
+      mention the subject, for which he had expressly introduced him to Mr.
+      Maxwell of Summertrees.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Apparently the provost had forgot his promise, or at least was in no great
+      haste to fulfil it. He debated with great earnestness upon the Stamp Act,
+      which was then impending over the American colonies, and upon other
+      political subjects of the day, but said not a word of Redgauntlet. Alan
+      soon saw that the investigation he meditated must advance, if at all, on
+      his own special motion, and determined to proceed accordingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Acting upon this resolution, he took the first opportunity afforded by a
+      pause in the discussion of colonial politics, to say, &lsquo;I must remind you,
+      Provost Crosbie, of your kind promise to procure some intelligence upon
+      the subject I am so anxious about.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Gadso!&rsquo; said the provost, after a moment&rsquo;s hesitation, &lsquo;it is very true.&mdash;Mr.
+      Maxwell, we wish to consult you on a piece of important business. You must
+      know indeed I think you must have heard, that the fishermen at Brokenburn,
+      and higher up the Solway, have made a raid upon Quaker Geddes&rsquo;s
+      stake-nets, and levelled all with the sands.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In troth I heard it, provost, and I was glad to hear the scoundrels had
+      so much pluck left as to right themselves against a fashion which would
+      make the upper heritors a sort of clocking-hens, to hatch the fish that
+      folk below them were to catch and eat.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, sir,&rsquo; said Alan, &lsquo;that is not the present point. But a young friend
+      of mine was with Mr. Geddes at the time this violent procedure took place,
+      and he has not since been heard of. Now, our friend, the provost, thinks
+      that you may be able to advise&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here he was interrupted by the provost and Summertrees speaking out both
+      at once, the first endeavouring to disclaim all interest in the question,
+      and the last to evade giving an answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Me think!&rsquo; said the provost; &lsquo;I never thought twice about it, Mr.
+      Fairford; it was neither fish, nor flesh, nor salt herring of mine.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And I &ldquo;able to advise&rdquo;!&rsquo; said Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees; &lsquo;what the devil
+      can I advise you to do, excepting to send the bellman through the town to
+      cry your lost sheep, as they do spaniel dogs or stray ponies?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;With your pardon,&rsquo; said Alan, calmly, but resolutely, &lsquo;I must ask a more
+      serious answer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, Mr. Advocate,&rsquo; answered Summertrees, &lsquo;I thought it was your business
+      to give advice to the lieges, and not to take it from poor stupid country
+      gentlemen.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If not exactly advice, it is sometimes our duty to ask questions, Mr.
+      Maxwell.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, sir, when you have your bag-wig and your gown on, we must allow you
+      the usual privilege of both gown and petticoat, to ask what questions you
+      please. But when you are out of your canonicals, the case is altered. How
+      come you, sir, to suppose that I have any business with this riotous
+      proceeding, or should know more than you do what happened there? the
+      question proceeds on an uncivil supposition.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will explain,&rsquo; said Alan, determined to give Mr. Maxwell no opportunity
+      of breaking off the conversation. &lsquo;You are an intimate of Mr. Redgauntlet&mdash;he
+      is accused of having been engaged in this affray, and of having placed
+      under forcible restraint the person of my friend, Darsie Latimer, a young
+      man of property and consequence, whose fate I am here for the express
+      purpose of investigating. This is the plain state of the case; and all
+      parties concerned,&mdash;your friend, in particular,&mdash;will have
+      reason to be thankful for the temperate manner in which it is my purpose
+      to conduct the matter, if I am treated with proportionate frankness.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You have misunderstood me,&rsquo; said Maxwell, with a tone changed to more
+      composure; &lsquo;I told you I was the friend of the late Sir Henry Redgauntlet,
+      who was executed, in 1745, at Hairibie, near Carlisle, but I know no one
+      who at present bears the name of Redgauntlet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You know Mr. Herries of Birrenswork,&rsquo; said Alan, smiling, &lsquo;to whom the
+      name of Redgauntlet belongs?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Maxwell darted a keen reproachful look towards the provost, but instantly
+      smoothed his brow, and changed his tone to that of confidence and candour.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You must not be angry, Mr. Fairford, that the poor persecuted nonjurors
+      are a little upon the QUI VIVE when such clever young men as you are
+      making inquiries after us. I myself now, though I am quite out of the
+      scrape, and may cock my hat at the Cross as I best like, sunshine or
+      moonshine, have been yet so much accustomed to walk with the lap of my
+      cloak cast over my face, that, faith, if a redcoat walk suddenly up to me,
+      I wish for my wheel and whetstone again for a moment. Now Redgauntlet,
+      poor fellow, is far worse off&mdash;he is, you may have heard, still under
+      the lash of the law,&mdash;the mark of the beast is still on his forehead,
+      poor gentleman,&mdash;and that makes us cautious&mdash;very cautious,
+      which I am sure there is no occasion to be towards you, as no one of your
+      appearance and manners would wish to trepan a gentleman under misfortune.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;On the contrary, sir,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;I wish to afford Mr. Redgauntlet&rsquo;s
+      friends an opportunity to get him out of the scrape, by procuring the
+      instant liberation of my friend Darsie Latimer. I will engage that if he
+      has sustained no greater bodily harm than a short confinement, the matter
+      may be passed over quietly, without inquiry; but to attain this end, so
+      desirable for the man who has committed a great and recent infraction of
+      the laws, which he had before grievously offended, very speedy reparation
+      of the wrong must be rendered.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Maxwell seemed lost in reflection, and exchanged a glance or two, not of
+      the most comfortable or congratulatory kind, with his host the provost.
+      Fairford rose and walked about the room, to allow them an opportunity of
+      conversing together; for he was in hopes that the impression he had
+      visibly made upon Summertrees was likely to ripen into something
+      favourable to his purpose. They took the opportunity, and engaged in
+      whispers to each other, eagerly and reproachfully on the part of the
+      laird, while the provost answered in an embarrassed and apologetical tone.
+      Some broken words of the conversation reached Fairford, whose presence
+      they seemed to forget, as he stood at the bottom of the room, apparently
+      intent upon examining the figures upon a fine Indian screen, a present to
+      the provost from his brother, captain of a vessel in the Company&rsquo;s
+      service. What he overheard made it evident that his errand, and the
+      obstinacy with which he pursued it, occasioned altercation between the
+      whisperers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Maxwell at length let out the words, &lsquo;A good fright; and so send him home
+      with his tail scalded, like a dog that has come a-privateering on strange
+      premises.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The provost&rsquo;s negative was strongly interposed&mdash;&lsquo;Not to be thought
+      of&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;making bad worse&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;my situation&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;my utility&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;you
+      cannot conceive how obstinate&mdash;just like his father&rsquo;.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They then whispered more closely, and at length the provost raised his
+      drooping crest, and spoke in a cheerful tone. &lsquo;Come, sit down to your
+      glass, Mr. Fairford; we have laid our heads thegither, and you shall see
+      it will not be our fault if you are not quite pleased, and Mr. Darsie
+      Latimer let loose to take his fiddle under his neck again. But Summertrees
+      thinks it will require you to put yourself into some bodily risk, which
+      maybe you may not be so keen of.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Gentlemen,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;I will not certainly shun any risk by which
+      my object may be accomplished; but I bind it on your consciences&mdash;on
+      yours, Mr. Maxwell, as a man of honour and a gentleman; and on yours,
+      provost, as a magistrate and a loyal subject, that you do not mislead me
+      in this matter.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, as for me,&rsquo; said Summertrees, &lsquo;I will tell you the truth at once,
+      and fairly own that I can certainly find you the means of seeing
+      Redgauntlet, poor man; and that I will do, if you require it, and conjure
+      him also to treat you as your errand requires; but poor Redgauntlet is
+      much changed&mdash;indeed, to say truth, his temper never was the best in
+      the world; however, I will warrant you from any very great danger.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will warrant myself from such,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;by carrying a proper
+      force with me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Indeed,&rsquo; said Summertrees, &lsquo;you will, do no such thing; for, in the first
+      place, do you think that we will deliver up the poor fellow into the hands
+      of the Philistines, when, on the contrary, my only reason for furnishing
+      you with the clue I am to put into your hands, is to settle the matter
+      amicably on all sides? And secondly, his intelligence is so good, that
+      were you coming near him with soldiers, or constables, or the like, I
+      shall answer for it, you will never lay salt on his tail.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford mused for a moment. He considered that to gain sight of this man,
+      and knowledge of his friend&rsquo;s condition, were advantages to be purchased
+      at every personal risk; and he saw plainly, that were he to take the
+      course most safe for himself, and call in the assistance of the law, it
+      was clear he would either be deprived of the intelligence necessary to
+      guide him, or that Redgauntlet would be apprised of his danger, and might
+      probably leave the country, carrying his captive along with him. He
+      therefore repeated, &lsquo;I put myself on your honour, Mr. Maxwell; and I will
+      go alone to visit your friend. I have little; doubt I shall find him
+      amenable to reason; and that I shall receive from him a satisfactory
+      account of Mr. Latimer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have little doubt that you will,&rsquo; said Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees; &lsquo;but
+      still I think it will be only in the long run, and after having sustained
+      some delay and inconvenience. My warrandice goes no further.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will take it as it is given,&rsquo; said Alan Fairford. &lsquo;But let me ask,
+      would it not be better, since you value your friend&rsquo;s safety so highly and
+      surely would not willingly compromise mine, that the provost or you should
+      go with me to this man, if he is within any reasonable distance, and try
+      to make him hear reason?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Me!&mdash;I will not go my foot&rsquo;s length,&rsquo; said the provost; and that,
+      Mr. Alan, you may be well assured of. Mr. Redgauntlet is my wife&rsquo;s fourth
+      cousin, that is undeniable; but were he the last of her kin and mine both,
+      it would ill befit my office to be communing with rebels.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, or drinking with nonjurors,&rsquo; said Maxwell, filling his glass. &lsquo;I
+      would as soon expect; to have met Claverhouse at a field-preaching. And as
+      for myself, Mr. Fairford, I cannot go, for just the opposite reason. It
+      would be INFRA DIG. in the provost of this most flourishing and loyal town
+      to associate with Redgauntlet; and for me it would be NOSCITUR A SOCIO.
+      There would be post to London, with the tidings that two such Jacobites as
+      Redgauntlet and I had met on a braeside&mdash;the Habeas Corpus would be
+      suspended&mdash;Fame would sound a charge from Carlisle to the Land&rsquo;s End&mdash;and
+      who knows but the very wind of the rumour might blow my estate from
+      between my fingers, and my body over Errickstane-brae again? No, no; bide
+      a gliff&mdash;I will go into the provost&rsquo;s closet, and write a letter to
+      Redgauntlet, and direct you how to deliver it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There is pen and ink in the office,&rsquo; said the provost, pointing to the
+      door of an inner apartment, in which he had his walnut-tree desk and
+      east-country cabinet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A pen that can write, I hope?&rsquo; said the old laird.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It can write and spell baith in right hands,&rsquo; answered the provost, as
+      the laird retired and shut the door behind him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees&rsquo;s presence,
+      than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around the
+      apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest, and
+      began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled &lsquo;the smallest
+      mouse that creeps on floor.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Fairford,&rsquo; said he, &lsquo;you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are
+      my auld friend your father&rsquo;s son. Your father has been agent for this
+      burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there
+      have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now
+      on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been. I am but a
+      plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,&rsquo; replied Fairford,
+      &lsquo;you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That&rsquo;s it&mdash;that&rsquo;s the very point I would be at, Mr. Alan,&rsquo; replied
+      the provost; &lsquo;besides, I am, as becomes well my situation, a stanch friend
+      to kirk and king, meaning this present establishment in church and state;
+      and so, as I was saying, you may command my best&mdash;advice.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope for your assistance and co-operation also,&rsquo; said the youth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Certainly, certainly,&rsquo; said the wary magistrate. &lsquo;Well, now, you see one
+      may love the kirk, and yet not ride on the rigging of it; and one may love
+      the king, and yet not be cramming him eternally down the throat of the
+      unhappy folk that may chance to like another king better. I have friends
+      and connexions among them, Mr. Fairford, as your father may have clients&mdash;they
+      are flesh and blood like ourselves, these poor Jacobite bodies&mdash;sons
+      of Adam and Eve, after all; and therefore&mdash;I hope you understand me?&mdash;I
+      am a plain-spoken man.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am afraid I do not quite understand you,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;and if you
+      have anything to say to me in private, my dear provost, you had better
+      come quickly out with it, for the Laird of Summertrees must finish his
+      letter in a minute or two.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not a bit, man&mdash;Pate is a lang-headed fellow, but his pen does not
+      clear the paper as his greyhound does the Tinwald-furs. I gave him a wipe
+      about that, if you noticed; I can say anything to Pate-in-Peril&mdash;Indeed,
+      he is my wife&rsquo;s near kinsman.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But your advice, provost,&rsquo; said Alan, who perceived that, like a shy
+      horse, the worthy magistrate always started off from his own purpose just
+      when he seemed approaching to it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Weel, you shall have it in plain terms, for I am a plain man. Ye see, we
+      will suppose that any friend like yourself were in the deepest hole of the
+      Nith, sand making a sprattle for your life. Now, you see, such being the
+      case, I have little chance of helping you, being a fat, short-armed man,
+      and no swimmer, and what would be the use of my jumping in after you?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I understand you, I think,&rsquo; said Alan Fairford. &lsquo;You think that Darsie
+      Latimer is in danger of his life?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Me!&mdash;I think nothing about it, Mr. Alan; but if he were, as I trust
+      he is not, he is nae drap&rsquo;s blood akin to you, Mr. Alan.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But here your friend, Summertrees,&rsquo; said the young lawyer, &lsquo;offers me a
+      letter to this Redgauntlet of yours&mdash;What say you to that?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Me!&rsquo; ejaculated the provost, &lsquo;me, Mr. Alan? I say neither buff nor stye
+      to it&mdash;But ye dinna ken what it is to look a Redgauntlet in the face;&mdash;better
+      try my wife, who is but a fourth cousin, before ye venture on the laird
+      himself&mdash;just say something about the Revolution, and see what a look
+      she can gie you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I shall leave you to stand all the shots from that battery, provost.&rsquo; 
+      replied Fairford. &lsquo;But speak out like a man&mdash;Do you think Summertrees
+      means fairly by me?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Fairly&mdash;he is just coming&mdash;fairly? I am a plain man, Mr.
+      Fairford&mdash;but ye said FAIRLY?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I do so,&rsquo; replied Alan, &lsquo;and it is of importance to me to know, and to
+      you to tell me if such is the case; for if you do not, you may be an
+      accomplice to murder before the fact, and that under circumstances which
+      may bring it near to murder under trust.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Murder!&mdash;who spoke of murder?&rsquo; said the provost; no danger of that,
+      Mr. Alan&mdash;only, if I were you&mdash;to speak my plain mind&rsquo;&mdash;Here
+      he approached his mouth to the ear of the young lawyer, and, after another
+      acute pang of travail, was safely delivered of his advice in the following
+      abrupt words:&mdash;&lsquo;Take a keek into Pate&rsquo;s letter before ye deliver it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford started, looked the provost hard in the face, and was silent;
+      while Mr. Crosbie, with the self-approbation of one who has at length
+      brought himself to the discharge of a great duty, at the expense of a
+      considerable sacrifice, nodded and winked to Alan, as if enforcing his
+      advice; and then swallowing a large glass of punch, concluded, with the
+      sigh of a man released from a heavy burden, &lsquo;I am a plain man, Mr.
+      Fairford.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A plain man?&rsquo; said Maxwell, who entered the room at that moment, with the
+      letter in his hand,&mdash;&lsquo;Provost, I never heard you make use of the word
+      but when you had some sly turn of your own to work out.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The provost looked silly enough, and the Laird of Summertrees directed a
+      keen and suspicious glance upon Alan Fairford, who sustained it with
+      professional intrepidity.&mdash;There was a moment&rsquo;s pause.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I was trying,&rsquo; said the provost, &lsquo;to dissuade our young friend from his
+      wildgoose expedition.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And I,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;am determined to go through with it. Trusting
+      myself to you, Mr. Maxwell, I conceive that I rely, as I before said, on
+      the word of a gentleman.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will warrant you,&rsquo; said Maxwell, &lsquo;from all serious consequences&mdash;some
+      inconveniences you must look to suffer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To these I shall be resigned,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;and stand prepared to run
+      my risk.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well then,&rsquo; said Summertrees, &lsquo;you must go&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will leave you to yourselves, gentlemen,&rsquo; said the provost, rising;
+      &lsquo;when you have done with your crack, you will find me at my wife&rsquo;s
+      tea-table.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And a more accomplished old woman never drank catlap,&rsquo; said Maxwell, as
+      he shut the door; &lsquo;the last word has him, speak it who will&mdash;and yet
+      because he is a whillywhaw body, and has a plausible tongue of his own,
+      and is well enough connected, and especially because nobody could ever
+      find out whether he is Whig or Tory, this is the third time they have made
+      him provost!&mdash;But to the matter in hand. This letter, Mr. Fairford,&rsquo; 
+      putting a sealed one into his hand, &lsquo;is addressed, you observe, to Mr. H&mdash;of
+      B&mdash;, and contains your credentials for that gentlemen, who is also
+      known by his family name of Redgauntlet, but less frequently addressed by
+      it, because it is mentioned something invidiously in a certain Act of
+      Parliament. I have little doubt he will assure you of your friend&rsquo;s
+      safety, and in a short time place him at freedom&mdash;that is, supposing
+      him under present restraint. But the point is, to discover where he is&mdash;and,
+      before you are made acquainted with this necessary part of the business,
+      you must give me your assurance of honour that you will acquaint no one,
+      either by word or letter, with the expedition which you now propose to
+      yourself.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How, sir?&rsquo; answered Alan; &lsquo;can you expect that I will not take the
+      precaution of informing some person of the route I am about to take, that
+      in case of accident it may be known where I am, and with what purpose I
+      have gone thither?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And can you expect,&rsquo; answered Maxwell, in the same tone, &lsquo;that I am to
+      place my friend&rsquo;s safety, not merely in your hands, but in those of any
+      person you may choose to confide in, and who may use the knowledge to his
+      destruction? Na&mdash;na&mdash;I have pledged my word for your safety, and
+      you must give me yours to be private in the matter&mdash;giff-gaff, you
+      know.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford could not help thinking that this obligation to secrecy gave
+      a new and suspicious colouring to the whole transaction; but, considering
+      that his friend&rsquo;s release might depend upon his accepting the condition,
+      he gave it in the terms proposed, and with the purpose of abiding by it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And now, sir,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;whither am I to proceed with this letter? Is Mr.
+      Herries at Brokenburn?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He is not; I do not think he will come thither again until the business
+      of the stake-nets be hushed up, nor would I advise him to do so&mdash;the
+      Quakers, with all their demureness, can bear malice as long as other folk;
+      and though I have not the prudence of Mr. Provost, who refuses to ken
+      where his friends are concealed during adversity, lest, perchance, he
+      should be asked to contribute to their relief, yet I do not think it
+      necessary or prudent to inquire into Redgauntlet&rsquo;s wanderings, poor man,
+      but wish to remain at perfect freedom to answer, if asked at, that I ken
+      nothing of the matter. You must, then, go to old Tom Trumbull&rsquo;s at Annan,&mdash;Tam
+      Turnpenny, as they call him,&mdash;and he is sure either to know where
+      Redgauntlet is himself, or to find some one who can give a shrewd guess.
+      But you must attend that old Turnpenny will answer no question on such a
+      subject without you give him the passport, which at present you must do,
+      by asking him the age of the moon; if he answers, &ldquo;Not light enough to
+      land a cargo,&rdquo; you are to answer, &ldquo;Then plague on Aberdeen Almanacks,&rdquo; and
+      upon that he will hold free intercourse with you. And now, I would advise
+      you to lose no time, for the parole is often changed&mdash;and take care
+      of yourself among these moonlight lads, for laws and lawyers do not stand
+      very high in their favour.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will set out this instant,&rsquo; said the young barrister; &lsquo;I will but bid
+      the provost and Mrs. Crosbie farewell, and then get on horseback so soon
+      as the ostler of the George Inn can saddle him;&mdash;as for the
+      smugglers, I am neither gauger nor supervisor, and, like the man who met
+      the devil, if they have nothing to say to me, I have nothing to say to
+      them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are a mettled young man,&rsquo; said Summertrees, evidently with increasing
+      goodwill, on observing an alertness and contempt of danger, which perhaps
+      he did not expect from Alan&rsquo;s appearance and profession,&mdash;&lsquo;a very
+      mettled young fellow indeed! and it is almost a pity&rsquo;&mdash;Here he
+      stopped abort.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What is a pity?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is almost a pity that I cannot go with you myself, or at least send a
+      trusty guide.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They walked together to the bedchamber of Mrs. Crosbie, for it was in that
+      asylum that the ladies of the period dispensed their tea, when the parlour
+      was occupied by the punch-bowl.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You have been good bairns to-night, gentlemen,&rsquo; said Mrs. Crosbie; &lsquo;I am
+      afraid, Summertrees, that the provost has given you a bad browst; you are
+      not used to quit the lee-side of the punch-bowl in such a hurry. I say
+      nothing to you, Mr. Fairford, for you are too young a man yet for stoup
+      and bicker; but I hope you will not tell the Edinburgh fine folk that the
+      provost has scrimped you of your cogie, as the sang says?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am much obliged for the provost&rsquo;s kindness, and yours, madam,&rsquo; replied
+      Alan; &lsquo;but the truth is, I have still a long ride before me this evening
+      and the sooner I am on horse-back the better.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;This evening?&rsquo; said the provost, anxiously; &lsquo;had you not better take
+      daylight with you to-morrow morning?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Fairford will ride as well in the cool of the evening,&rsquo; said
+      Summertrees, taking the word out of Alan&rsquo;s mouth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The provost said no more, nor did his wife ask any questions, nor testify
+      any surprise at the suddenness of their guest&rsquo;s departure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having drunk tea, Alan Fairford took leave with the usual ceremony. The
+      Laird of Summertrees seemed studious to prevent any further communication
+      between him and the provost, and remained lounging on the landing-place of
+      the stair while they made their adieus&mdash;heard the provost ask if Alan
+      proposed a speedy return, and the latter reply that his stay was
+      uncertain, and witnessed the parting shake of the hand, which, with a
+      pressure more warm than usual, and a tremulous, &lsquo;God bless and prosper
+      you!&rsquo; Mr. Crosbie bestowed on his young friend. Maxwell even strolled with
+      Fairford as far as the George, although resisting all his attempts at
+      further inquiry into the affairs of Redgauntlet, and referring him to Tom
+      Trumbull, alias Turnpenny, for the particulars which he might find it
+      necessary to inquire into.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length Alan&rsquo;s hack was produced&mdash;an animal long in neck, and high
+      in bone, accoutred with a pair of saddle-bags containing the rider&rsquo;s
+      travelling wardrobe. Proudly surmounting his small stock of necessaries,
+      and no way ashamed of a mode of travelling which a modern Mr. Silvertongue
+      would consider as the last of degradations, Alan Fairford took leave of
+      the old Jacobite, Pate-in-Peril, and set forward on the road to the loyal
+      burgh of Annan. His reflections during his ride were none of the most
+      pleasant. He could not disguise from himself that he was venturing rather
+      too rashly into the power of outlawed and desperate persons; for with such
+      only, a man in the situation of Redgauntlet could be supposed to
+      associate. There were other grounds for apprehension, Several marks of
+      intelligence betwixt Mrs. Crosbie and the Laird of Summertrees had not
+      escaped Alan&rsquo;s acute observation; and it was plain that the provost&rsquo;s
+      inclinations towards him, which he believed to be sincere and good, were
+      not firm enough to withstand the influence of this league between his wife
+      and friend. The provost&rsquo;s adieus, like Macbeth&rsquo;s amen, had stuck in his
+      throat, and seemed to intimate that he apprehended more than he dared give
+      utterance to.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Laying all these matters together, Alan thought, with no little anxiety on
+      the celebrated lines of Shakespeare,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+                                  &mdash; A drop,
+  That in the ocean seeks another drop, &amp;c.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      But pertinacity was a strong feature in the young lawyer&rsquo;s character. He
+      was, and always had been, totally unlike the &lsquo;horse hot at hand,&rsquo; who
+      tires before noon through his own over eager exertions in the beginning of
+      the day. On the contrary, his first efforts seemed frequently inadequate
+      to accomplishing his purpose, whatever that for the time might be; and it
+      was only as the difficulties of the task increased, that his mind seemed
+      to acquire the energy necessary to combat and subdue them. If, therefore,
+      he went anxiously forward upon his uncertain and perilous expedition, the
+      reader must acquit him of all idea, even in a passing thought, of the
+      possibility of abandoning his search, and resigning Darsie Latimer to his
+      destiny.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A couple of hours&rsquo; riding brought him to the little town of Annan,
+      situated on the shores of the Solway, between eight and nine o&rsquo;clock. The
+      sun had set, but the day was not yet ended; and when he had alighted and
+      seen his horse properly cared for at the principal inn of the place, he
+      was readily directed to Mr. Maxwell&rsquo;s friend, old Tom Trumbull, with whom
+      everybody seemed well acquainted. He endeavoured to fish out from the lad
+      that acted as a guide, something of this man&rsquo;s situation and profession;
+      but the general expressions of &lsquo;a very decent man&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;a very honest
+      body&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;weel to pass in the world,&rsquo; and such like, were all that
+      could be extracted from him; and while Fairford was following up the
+      investigation with closer interrogatories, the lad put an end to them by
+      knocking at the door of Mr. Trumbull, whose decent dwelling was a little
+      distance from the town, and considerably nearer to the sea. It was one of
+      a little row of houses running down to the waterside, and having gardens
+      and other accommodations behind. There was heard within the uplifting of a
+      Scottish psalm; and the boy saying, &lsquo;They are at exercise, sir,&rsquo; gave
+      intimation they might not be admitted till prayers were over.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When, however, Fairford repeated the summons with the end of his whip, the
+      singing ceased, and Mr. Trumbull himself, with his psalm-book in his hand,
+      kept open by the insertion of his forefinger between the leaves, came to
+      demand the meaning of this unseasonable interruption.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nothing could be more different than his whole appearance seemed to be
+      from the confidant of a desperate man, and the associate of outlaws in
+      their unlawful enterprises. He was a tall, thin, bony figure, with white
+      hair combed straight down on each side of his face, and an iron-grey hue
+      of complexion; where the lines, or rather, as Quin said of Macklin, the
+      cordage, of his countenance were so sternly adapted to a devotional and
+      even ascetic expression, that they left no room for any indication of
+      reckless daring or sly dissimulation. In short, Trumbull appeared a
+      perfect specimen of the rigid old Covenanter, who said only what he
+      thought right, acted on no other principle but that of duty, and, if he
+      committed errors, did so under the full impression that he was serving God
+      rather than man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do you want me, sir?&rsquo; he said to Fairford, whose guide had slunk to the
+      rear, as if to escape the rebuke of the severe old man,&mdash;&lsquo;We were
+      engaged, and it is the Saturday night.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford&rsquo;s preconceptions were so much deranged by this man&rsquo;s
+      appearance and manner, that he stood for a moment bewildered, and would as
+      soon have thought of giving a cant password to a clergyman descending from
+      the pulpit, as to the respectable father of a family just interrupted in
+      his prayers for and with the objects of his care. Hastily concluding Mr.
+      Maxwell had passed some idle jest on him, or rather that he had mistaken
+      the person to whom he was directed, he asked if he spoke to Mr. Trumbull.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To Thomas Trumbull,&rsquo; answered the old man&mdash;&lsquo;What may be your
+      business, sir?&rsquo; And he glanced his eye to the book he held in his hand,
+      with a sigh like that of a saint desirous of dissolution.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do you know Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have heard of such a gentleman in the country-side, but have no
+      acquaintance with him,&rsquo; answered Mr. Trumbull; &lsquo;he is, as I have heard, a
+      Papist; for the whore that sitteth on the seven hills ceaseth not yet to
+      pour forth the cup of her abomination on these parts.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yet he directed me hither, my good friend,&rsquo; said Alan. &lsquo;Is there another
+      of your name in this town of Annan?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;None,&rsquo; replied Mr. Trumbull, &lsquo;since my worthy father was removed; he was
+      indeed a shining light.&mdash;I wish you good even, sir.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Stay one single instant,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;this is a matter of life and
+      death.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not more than the casting the burden of our sins where they should be
+      laid,&rsquo; said Thomas Trumbull, about to shut the door in the inquirer&rsquo;s
+      face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do you know,&rsquo; said Alan Fairford, &lsquo;the Laird of Redgauntlet?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now Heaven defend me from treason and rebellion!&rsquo; exclaimed Trumbull.
+      &lsquo;Young gentleman, you are importunate. I live here among my own people,
+      and do not consort with Jacobites and mass-mongers.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He seemed about to shut the door, but did NOT shut it, a circumstance
+      which did not escape Alan&rsquo;s notice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Redgauntlet is sometimes,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;called Herries of Birrenswork;
+      perhaps you may know him under that name.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Friend, you are uncivil,&rsquo; answered Mr. Trumbull; &lsquo;honest men have enough
+      to do to keep one name undefiled. I ken nothing about those who have two.
+      Good even to you, friend.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was now about to slam the door in his visitor&rsquo;s face without further
+      ceremony, when Alan, who had observed symptoms that the name of
+      Redgauntlet did not seem altogether so indifferent to him as he pretended,
+      arrested his purpose by saying, in a low voice, &lsquo;At least you can tell me
+      what age the moon is?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The old man started, as if from a trance, and before answering, surveyed
+      the querist with a keen penetrating glance, which seemed to say, &lsquo;Are you
+      really in possession of this key to my confidence, or do you speak from
+      mere accident?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To this keen look of scrutiny, Fairford replied by a smile of
+      intelligence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The iron muscles of the old man&rsquo;s face did not, however, relax, as he
+      dropped, in a careless manner, the countersign, &lsquo;Not light enough to land
+      a cargo.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then plague of all Aberdeen Almanacks!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And plague of all fools that waste time,&rsquo; said Thomas Trumbull, &lsquo;Could
+      you not have said as much at first? And standing wasting time, and
+      encouraging; lookers-on, in the open street too? Come in by&mdash;in by.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He drew his visitor into the dark entrance of the house, and shut the door
+      carefully; then putting his head into an apartment which the murmurs
+      within announced to be filled with the family, he said aloud, &lsquo;A work of
+      necessity and mercy&mdash;Malachi, take the book&mdash;You will sing six
+      double verses of the hundred and nineteen-and you may lecture out of the
+      Lamentations. And, Malachi,&rsquo;&mdash;this he said in an undertone,&mdash;&lsquo;see
+      you give them a a creed of doctrine that will last them till I come back;
+      or else these inconsiderate lads will be out of the house, and away to the
+      publics, wasting their precious time, and, it may be, putting themselves
+      in the way of missing the morning tide.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      An inarticulate answer from within intimated Malachi&rsquo;s acquiescence in the
+      commands imposed; and, Mr. Trumbull, shutting the door, muttered something
+      about fast bind, fast find, turned the key, and put it into his pocket;
+      and then bidding his visitor have a care of his steps, and make no noise,
+      he led him through the house, and out at a back-door, into a little
+      garden. Here a plaited alley conducted them, without the possibility of
+      their being seen by any neighbour, to a door in the garden-wall, which
+      being opened, proved to be a private entrance into a three-stalled stable;
+      in one of which was a horse, that whinnied on their entrance. &lsquo;Hush,
+      hush!&rsquo; cried the old man, and presently seconded his exhortations to
+      silence by throwing a handful of corn into the manger, and the horse soon
+      converted his acknowledgement of their presence into the usual sound of
+      munching and grinding his provender.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As the light was now failing fast, the old man, with much more alertness
+      than might have been expected from the rigidity of his figure, closed the
+      window-shutters in an instant, produced phosphorus and matches, and
+      lighted a stable-lantern, which he placed on the corn-bin, and then
+      addressed Fairford. &lsquo;We are private here, young man; and as some time has
+      been wasted already, you will be so kind as to tell me what is your
+      errand. Is it about the way of business, or the other job?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My business with you, Mr. Trumbull, is to request you will find me the
+      means of delivering this letter, from Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees to the
+      Laird of Redgauntlet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Humph&mdash;fashious job! Pate Maxwell will still be the auld man&mdash;always
+      Pate-in-Peril&mdash;Craig-in-Peril, for what I know. Let me see the letter
+      from him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He examined it with much care, turning it up and down, and looking at the
+      seal very attentively. &lsquo;All&rsquo;s right, I see; it has the private mark for
+      haste and speed. I bless my Maker that I am no great man, or great man&rsquo;s
+      fellow; and so I think no more of these passages than just to help them
+      forward in the way of business. You are an utter stranger in these parts,
+      I warrant?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford answered in the affirmative.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye&mdash;I never saw them make a wiser choice&mdash;I must call some one
+      to direct you what to do&mdash;Stay, we must go to him, I believe. You are
+      well recommended to me, friend, and doubtless trusty; otherwise you may
+      see more than I would like to show, or am in the use of showing in the
+      common line of business.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Saying this, he placed his lantern on the ground, beside the post of one
+      of the empty stalls, drew up a small spring bolt which secured it to the
+      floor, and then forcing the post to one side, discovered a small
+      trap-door. &lsquo;Follow me,&rsquo; he said, and dived into the subterranean descent
+      to which this secret aperture gave access.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford plunged after him, not without apprehensions of more kinds than
+      one, but still resolved to prosecute the adventure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The descent, which was not above six feet, led to a very narrow passage,
+      which seemed to have been constructed for the precise purpose of excluding
+      every one who chanced to be an inch more in girth than was his conductor.
+      A small vaulted room, of about eight feet square, received them at the end
+      of this lane. Here Mr. Trumbull left Fairford alone, and returned for an
+      instant, as he said, to shut his concealed trap-door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford liked not his departure, as it left him in utter darkness;
+      besides that his breathing was much affected by a strong and stifling
+      smell of spirits, and other articles of a savour more powerful than
+      agreeable to the lungs. He was very glad, therefore, when he heard the
+      returning steps of Mr. Trumbull, who, when once more by his side, opened a
+      strong though narrow door in the wall, and conveyed Fairford into an
+      immense magazine of spirit-casks, and other articles of contraband trade.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a small, light at the end of this range of well-stocked
+      subterranean vaults, which, upon a low whistle, began to flicker and move
+      towards them. An undefined figure, holding a dark lantern, with the light
+      averted, approached them, whom Mr. Trumbull thus addressed:&mdash;&lsquo;Why
+      were you not at worship, Job; and this Saturday at e&rsquo;en?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Swanston was loading the JENNY, sir; and I stayed to serve out the
+      article.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;True&mdash;a work of necessity, and in the way of business. Does the
+      JUMPING JENNY sail this tide?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye, sir; she sails for&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I did not ask you WHERE she sailed for, Job,&rsquo; said the old gentleman,
+      interrupting him. &lsquo;I thank my Maker, I know nothing of their incomings or
+      outgoings. I sell my article fairly and in the ordinary way of business;
+      and I wash my hands of everything else. But what I wished to know is,
+      whether the gentleman called the Laird of the Solway Lakes is on the other
+      side of the Border even now?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye,&rsquo; said Job, &lsquo;the laird is something in my own line, you know&mdash;a
+      little contraband or so, There is a statute for him&mdash;But no matter;
+      he took the sands after the splore at the Quaker&rsquo;s fish-traps yonder; for
+      he has a leal heart, the laird, and is always true to the country-side.
+      But avast&mdash;is all snug here?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he suddenly turned on Alan Fairford the light side of the
+      lantern he carried, who, by the transient gleam which it threw in passing
+      on the man who bore it, saw a huge figure, upwards of six feet high, with
+      a rough hairy cap on his head, and a set of features corresponding to his
+      bulky frame. He thought also he observed pistols at his belt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will answer for this gentleman,&rsquo; said Mr. Trumbull; &lsquo;he must be brought
+      to speech of the laird.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That will be kittle steering,&rsquo; said the subordinate personage; &lsquo;for I
+      understood that the laird and his folk were no sooner on the other side
+      than the land-sharks were on them, and some mounted lobsters from
+      Carlisle; and so they were obliged to split and squander. There are new
+      brooms out to sweep the country of them, they say; for the brush was a
+      hard one; and they say there was a lad drowned;&mdash;he was not one of
+      the laird&rsquo;s gang, so there was the less matter.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peace! prithee, peace, Job Rutledge,&rsquo; said honest, pacific Mr. Trumbull.
+      &lsquo;I wish thou couldst remember, man, that I desire to know nothing of your
+      roars and splores, your brooms and brushes. I dwell here among my own
+      people; and I sell my commodity to him who comes in the way of business;
+      and so wash my hands of all consequences, as becomes a quiet subject and
+      an honest man. I never take payment, save in ready money.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye,&rsquo; muttered he with the lantern, &lsquo;your worship, Mr. Trumbull,
+      understands that in the way of business.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, I hope you will one day know, Job,&rsquo; answered Mr. Trumbull,&mdash;&lsquo;the
+      comfort of a conscience void of offence, and that fears neither gauger nor
+      collector, neither excise nor customs. The business is to pass this
+      gentleman to Cumberland upon earnest business, and to procure him speech
+      with the Laird of the Solway Lakes&mdash;I suppose that can be done? Now I
+      think Nanty Ewart, if he sails with the brig this morning tide, is the man
+      to set him forward.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye, truly is he,&rsquo; said Job; &lsquo;never man knew the Border, dale and
+      fell, pasture and ploughland, better than Nanty; and he can always bring
+      him to the laird, too, if you are sure the gentleman&rsquo;s right. But indeed
+      that&rsquo;s his own look-out; for were he the best man in Scotland, and the
+      chairman of the d&mdash;d Board to boot, and had fifty men at his back, he
+      were as well not visit the laird for anything but good. As for Nanty, he
+      is word and blow, a d&mdash;d deal fiercer than Cristie Nixon that they
+      keep such a din about. I have seen them both tried, by&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford now found himself called upon to say something; yet his feelings,
+      upon finding himself thus completely in the power of a canting hypocrite,
+      and of his retainer, who had so much the air of a determined ruffian,
+      joined to the strong and abominable fume which they snuffed up with
+      indifference, while it almost deprived him of respiration, combined to
+      render utterance difficult. He stated, however, that he had no evil
+      intentions towards the laird, as they called him, but was only the bearer
+      of a letter to him on particular business, from Mr. Maxwell of
+      Summertrees.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye,&rsquo; said Job, &lsquo;that may be well enough; and if Mr. Trumbull is
+      satisfied that the service is right, why, we will give you a cast in the
+      JUMPING JENNY this tide, and Nanty Ewart will put you on a way of finding
+      the laird, I warrant you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I may for the present return, I presume, to the inn where I left my
+      horse?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;With pardon,&rsquo; replied Mr. Trumbull, &lsquo;you have been ower far ben with us
+      for that; but Job will take you to a place where you may sleep rough till
+      he calls you. I will bring you what little baggage you can need&mdash;for
+      those who go on such errands must not be dainty. I will myself see after
+      your horse, for a merciful man is merciful to his beast&mdash;a matter too
+      often forgotten in our way of business.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, Master Trumbull,&rsquo; replied Job, &lsquo;you know that when we are chased,
+      it&rsquo;s no time to shorten sail, and so the boys do ride whip and spur.&rsquo; He
+      stopped in his speech, observing the old man had vanished through the door
+      by which he had entered&mdash;&lsquo;That&rsquo;s always the way with old Turnpenny,&rsquo; 
+      he said to Fairford; &lsquo;he cares for nothing of the trade but the profit&mdash;now,
+      d&mdash;me, if I don&rsquo;t think the fun of it is better worth while. But come
+      along, my fine chap; I must stow you away in safety until it is time to go
+      aboard.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Fairford followed his gruff guide among a labyrinth of barrels and
+      puncheons, on which he had more than once like to have broken his nose,
+      and from thence into what, by the glimpse of the passing lantern upon a
+      desk and writing materials, seemed to be a small office for the dispatch
+      of business. Here there appeared no exit; but the smuggler, or smuggler&rsquo;s
+      ally, availing himself of a ladder, removed an old picture, which showed a
+      door about seven feet from the ground, and Fairford, still following Job,
+      was involved in another tortuous and dark passage, which involuntarily
+      reminded him of Peter Peebles&rsquo;s lawsuit. At the end of this labyrinth,
+      when he had little guess where he had been conducted, and was, according
+      to the French phrase, totally DESORIENTE, Job suddenly set down the
+      lantern, and availing himself of the flame to light two candles which
+      stood on the table, asked if Alan would choose anything to eat,
+      recommending, at all events, a slug of brandy to keep out the night air.
+      Fairford declined both, but inquired after his baggage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The old master will take care of that himself,&rsquo; said Job Rutledge; and
+      drawing back in the direction in which he had entered, he vanished from
+      the farther end of the apartment, by a mode which the candles, still
+      shedding an imperfect light, gave Alan no means of ascertaining. Thus the
+      adventurous young lawyer was left alone in the apartment to which he had
+      been conducted by so singular a passage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In this condition, it was Alan&rsquo;s first employment to survey, with some
+      accuracy, the place where he was; and accordingly, having trimmed the
+      lights, he walked slowly round the apartment, examining its appearance and
+      dimensions. It seemed to be such a small dining-parlour as is usually
+      found in the house of the better class of artisans, shopkeepers, and such
+      persons, having a recess at the upper end, and the usual furniture of an
+      ordinary description. He found a door, which he endeavoured to open, but
+      it was locked on the outside. A corresponding door on the same side of the
+      apartment admitted him into a closet, upon the front shelves of which were
+      punch-bowls, glasses, tea-cups, and the like, while on one side was hung a
+      horseman&rsquo;s greatcoat of the coarsest materials, with two great
+      horse-pistols peeping out of the pocket, and on the floor stood a pair of
+      well-spattered jack-boots, the usual equipment of the time, at least for
+      long journeys.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Not greatly liking the contents of the closet, Alan Fairford shut the
+      door, and resumed his scrutiny round the walls of the apartment, in order
+      to discover the mode of Job Rutledge&rsquo;s retreat. The secret passage was,
+      however, too artificially concealed, and the young lawyer had nothing
+      better to do than to meditate on the singularity of his present situation.
+      He had long known that the excise laws had occasioned an active contraband
+      trade betwixt Scotland and England, which then, as now, existed, and will
+      continue to exist until the utter abolition of the wretched system which
+      establishes an inequality of duties betwixt the different parts of the
+      same kingdom; a system, be it said in passing, mightily resembling the
+      conduct of a pugilist, who should tie up one arm that he might fight the
+      better with the other. But Fairford was unprepared for the expensive and
+      regular establishments by which the illicit traffic was carried on, and
+      could not have conceived that the capital employed in it should have been
+      adequate to the erection of these extensive buildings, with all their
+      contrivances for secrecy of communication. He was musing on these
+      circumstances, not without some anxiety for the progress of his own
+      journey, when suddenly, as he lifted his eyes, he discovered old Mr.
+      Trumbull at the upper end of the apartment, bearing in one hand a small
+      bundle, in the other his dark lantern, the light of which, as he advanced,
+      he directed full upon Fairford&rsquo;s countenance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Though such an apparition was exactly what he expected, yet he did not see
+      the grim, stern old man present himself thus suddenly without emotion;
+      especially when he recollected, what to a youth of his pious education was
+      peculiarly shocking, that the grizzled hypocrite was probably that instant
+      arisen from his knees to Heaven, for the purpose of engaging in the
+      mysterious transactions of a desperate and illegal trade.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The old man, accustomed to judge with ready sharpness of the physiognomy
+      of those with whom he had business, did not fail to remark something like
+      agitation in Fairford&rsquo;s demeanour. &lsquo;Have ye taken the rue?&rsquo; said he. &lsquo;Will
+      ye take the sheaf from the mare, and give up the venture?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Never!&rsquo; said Fairford, firmly, stimulated at once by his natural spirit,
+      and the recollection of his friend; &lsquo;never, while I have life and strength
+      to follow it out!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have brought you,&rsquo; said Trumbull, &lsquo;a clean shirt, and some stockings,
+      which is all the baggage you can conveniently carry, and I will cause one
+      of the lads lend you a horseman&rsquo;s coat, for it is ill sailing or riding
+      without one; and, touching your valise, it will be as safe in my poor
+      house, were it full of the gold of Ophir, as if it were in the depth of
+      the mine.&rsquo; &lsquo;I have no doubt of it,&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And now,&rsquo; said Trumbull, again, &lsquo;I pray you to tell me by what name I am
+      to name you to Nanty (which is Antony) Ewart?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;By the name of Alan Fairford,&rsquo; answered the young lawyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But that,&rsquo; said Mr. Trumbull, in reply, &lsquo;is your own proper name and
+      surname.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what other should I give?&rsquo; said the young man; &lsquo;do you think I have
+      any occasion for an alias? And, besides, Mr. Trumbull,&rsquo; added Alan,
+      thinking a little raillery might intimate confidence of spirit, &lsquo;you
+      blessed yourself, but a little while since, that you had no acquaintance
+      with those who defiled their names so far as to be obliged to change
+      them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;True, very true,&rsquo; said Mr. Trumbull; &lsquo;nevertheless, young man, my grey
+      hairs stand unreproved in this matter; for, in my line of business, when I
+      sit under my vine and my fig-tree, exchanging the strong waters of the
+      north for the gold which is the price thereof, I have, I thank Heaven, no
+      disguises to keep with any man, and wear my own name of Thomas Trumbull,
+      without any chance that the same may be polluted. Whereas, thou, who art
+      to journey in miry ways, and amongst a strange people, mayst do well to
+      have two names, as thou hast two shirts, the one to keep the other clean.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here he emitted a chuckling grunt, which lasted for two vibrations of the
+      pendulum exactly, and was the only approach towards laughter in which old
+      Turnpenny, as he was nicknamed, was ever known to indulge.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are witty, Mr. Trumbull,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;but jests are no arguments&mdash;I
+      shall keep my own name.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;At your own pleasure,&rsquo; said the merchant; &lsquo;there is but one name which,&rsquo; 
+      &amp;c. &amp;c, &amp;c.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We will not follow the hypocrite through the impious cant which he added,
+      in order to close the subject.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan followed him, in silent abhorrence, to the recess in which the
+      beaufet was placed, and which was so artificially made as to conceal
+      another of those traps with which the whole building abounded. This
+      concealment admitted them to the same winding passage by which the young
+      lawyer had been brought thither. The path which they now took amid these
+      mazes, differed from the direction in which he had been guided by
+      Rutledge. It led upwards, and terminated beneath a garret window. Trumbull
+      opened it, and with more agility than his age promised, clambered out upon
+      the leads. If Fairford&rsquo;s journey had been hitherto in a stifled and
+      subterranean atmosphere, it was now open, lofty, and airy enough; for he
+      had to follow his guide over leads and slates, which the old smuggler
+      traversed with the dexterity of a cat. It is true, his course was
+      facilitated by knowing exactly where certain stepping-places and holdfasts
+      were placed, of which Fairford could not so readily avail himself; but,
+      after a difficult and somewhat perilous progress along the roofs of two or
+      three houses, they at length descended by a skylight into a garret room,
+      and from thence by the stairs into a public-house; for such it appeared,
+      by the ringing of bells, whistling for waiters and attendance, bawling of
+      &lsquo;House, house, here!&rsquo; chorus of sea songs, and the like noises.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having descended to the second story, and entered a room there in which
+      there was a light, old Mr. Trumbull rang the bell of the apartment thrice,
+      with an interval betwixt each, during which he told deliberately the
+      number twenty. Immediately after the third ringing the landlord appeared,
+      with stealthy step, and an appearance of mystery on his buxom visage. He
+      greeted Mr. Trumbull, who was his landlord as it proved, with great
+      respect, and expressed some surprise at seeing him so late, as he termed
+      it, &lsquo;on Saturday e&rsquo;en.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And I, Robin Hastie,&rsquo; said the landlord to the tenant, am more surprised
+      than pleased, to hear sae muckle din in your house, Robie, so near the
+      honourable Sabbath; and I must mind you that it is contravening the terms
+      of your tack, whilk stipulates that you should shut your public on
+      Saturday at nine o&rsquo;clock, at latest.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes, sir,&rsquo; said Robin Hastie, no way alarmed at the gravity of the
+      rebuke, &lsquo;but you must take tent that I have admitted naebody but you, Mr.
+      Trumbull (who by the way admitted yoursell), since nine o&rsquo;clock for the
+      most of the folk have been here for several hours about the lading, and so
+      on, of the brig. It is not full tide yet, and I cannot put the men out
+      into the street. If I did, they would go to some other public, and their
+      souls would be nane the better, and my purse muckle the waur; for how am I
+      to pay the rent if I do not sell the liquor?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, then,&rsquo; said Thomas Trumbull, &lsquo;if it is a work of necessity, and in
+      the honest independent way of business, no doubt there is balm in Gilead.
+      But prithee, Robin, wilt thou see if Nanty Ewart be, as is most likely,
+      amongst these unhappy topers; and if so, let him step this way cannily,
+      and speak to me and this young gentleman. And it&rsquo;s dry talking, Robin&mdash;you
+      must minister to us a bowl of punch&mdash;ye ken my gage.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;From a mutchkin to a gallon, I ken your honour&rsquo;s taste, Mr. Thomas
+      Trumbull,&rsquo; said mine host; &lsquo;and ye shall hang me over the signpost if
+      there be a drap mair lemon or a curn less sugar than just suits you. There
+      are three of you&mdash;you will be for the auld Scots peremptory
+      pint-stoup for the success of the voyage?&rsquo; [The Scottish pint of liquid
+      measure comprehends four English measures of the same denomination. The
+      jest is well known of my poor countryman, who, driven to extremity by the
+      raillery of the Southern, on the small denomination of the Scottish coin,
+      at length answered, &lsquo;Aye, aye! But the deil tak them that has the LEAST
+      PINT-STOUP.&lsquo;]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Better pray for it than drink for it, Robin,&rsquo; said Mr. Trumbull. &lsquo;Yours
+      is a dangerous trade, Robin; it hurts mony a ane&mdash;baith host and
+      guest. But ye will get the blue bowl, Robin&mdash;the blue bowl&mdash;that
+      will sloken all their drouth, and prevent the sinful repetition of
+      whipping for an eke of a Saturday at e&rsquo;en. Aye, Robin, it is a pity of
+      Nanty Ewart&mdash;Nanty likes the turning up of his little finger unco
+      weel, and we maunna stint him, Robin, so as we leave him sense to steer
+      by.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nanty Ewart could steer through the Pentland Firth though he were as
+      drunk as the Baltic Ocean,&rsquo; said Robin Hastie; and instantly tripping
+      downstairs, he speedily returned with the materials for what he called his
+      BROWST, which consisted of two English quarts of spirits, in a huge blue
+      bowl, with all the ingredients for punch in the same formidable
+      proportion. At the same time he introduced Mr. Antony or Nanty Ewart,
+      whose person, although he was a good deal flustered with liquor, was
+      different from what Fairford expected. His dress was what is emphatically
+      termed the shabby genteel&mdash;a frock with tarnished lace&mdash;a small
+      cocked hat, ornamented in a similar way&mdash;a scarlet waistcoat, with
+      faded embroidery, breeches of the same, with silver knee-bands, and he
+      wore a smart hanger and a pair of pistols in a sullied swordbelt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Here I come, patron,&rsquo; he said, shaking hands with Mr. Trumbull. &lsquo;Well, I
+      see you have got some grog aboard.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is not my custom, Mr. Ewart,&rsquo; said the old gentleman, &lsquo;as you well
+      know, to become a chamberer or carouser thus late on Saturday at e&rsquo;en; but
+      I wanted to recommend to your attention a young friend of ours, that is
+      going upon a something particular journey, with a letter to our friend the
+      Laird from Pate-in-Peril, as they call him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye&mdash;indeed?&mdash;he must be in high trust for so young a
+      gentleman. I wish you joy, sir,&rsquo; bowing to Fairford. &lsquo;By&rsquo;r lady, as
+      Shakespeare says, you are bringing up a neck for a fair end. Come, patron,
+      we will drink to Mr. What-shall-call-um. What is his name? Did you tell
+      me? And have I forgot it already.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Alan Fairford,&rsquo; said Trumbull.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, Mr. Alan Fairford&mdash;a good name for a fair trader&mdash;Mr. Alan
+      Fairford; and may he be long withheld from the topmost round of ambition,
+      which I take to be the highest round of a certain ladder.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While he spoke, he seized the punch-ladle, and began to fill the glasses.
+      But Mr. Trumbull arrested his hand, until he had, as he expressed himself,
+      sanctified the liquor by a long grace; during the pronunciation of which
+      he shut indeed his eyes, but his nostrils became dilated, as if he were
+      snuffing up the fragrant beverage with peculiar complacency.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When the grace was at length over, the three friends sat down to their
+      beverage, and invited Alan Fairford to partake. Anxious about his
+      situation, and disgusted as he was with his company, he craved, and with
+      difficulty obtained permission, under the allegation of being fatigued,
+      heated, and the like, to stretch himself on a couch which was in the
+      apartment, and attempted at least to procure some rest before high-water,
+      when the vessel was to sail.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was at length permitted to use his freedom, and stretched himself on
+      the couch, having his eyes for some time fixed on the jovial party he had
+      left, and straining his ears to catch if possible a little of their
+      conversation. This he soon found was to no purpose for what did actually
+      reach his ears was disguised so completely by the use of cant words and
+      the thieves-latin called slang, that even when he caught the words, he
+      found himself as far as ever from the sense of their conversation. At
+      length he fell asleep.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was after Alan had slumbered for three or four hours, that he was
+      wakened by voices bidding him rise up and prepare to be jogging. He
+      started up accordingly, and found himself in presence of the same party of
+      boon companions; who had just dispatched their huge bowl of punch. To
+      Alan&rsquo;s surprise, the liquor had made but little innovation on the brains
+      of men who were accustomed to drink at all hours, and in the most
+      inordinate quantities. The landlord indeed spoke a little thick, and the
+      texts of Mr. Thomas Trumbull stumbled on his tongue; but Nanty was one of
+      those topers, who, becoming early what bon vivants term flustered, remain
+      whole nights and days at the same point of intoxication; and, in fact, as
+      they are seldom entirely sober, can be as rarely seen absolutely drunk.
+      Indeed, Fairford, had he not known how Ewart had been engaged whilst he
+      himself was asleep, would almost have sworn when he awoke, that the man
+      was more sober than when he first entered the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was confirmed in this opinion when they descended below, where two or
+      three sailors and ruffian-looking fellows awaited their commands. Ewart
+      took the whole direction upon himself, gave his orders with briefness and
+      precision, and looked to their being executed with the silence and
+      celerity which that peculiar crisis required. All were now dismissed for
+      the brig, which lay, as Fairford was given to understand, a little farther
+      down the river, which is navigable for vessels of light burden till almost
+      within a mile of the town.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When they issued from the inn, the landlord bid them goodbye. Old Trumbull
+      walked a little way with them, but the air had probably considerable
+      effect on the state of his brain; for after reminding Alan Fairford that
+      the next day was the honourable Sabbath, he became extremely excursive in
+      an attempt to exhort him to keep it holy. At length, being perhaps
+      sensible that he was becoming unintelligible, he thrust a volume into
+      Fairford&rsquo;s hand&mdash;hiccuping at the same time&mdash;&lsquo;Good book&mdash;good
+      book&mdash;fine hymn-book&mdash;fit for the honourable Sabbath, whilk
+      awaits us to-morrow morning.&rsquo; Here the iron tongue of time told five from
+      the town steeple of Annan, to the further confusion of Mr. Trumbull&rsquo;s
+      already disordered ideas. &lsquo;Aye? Is Sunday come and gone already? Heaven be
+      praised! Only it is a marvel the afternoon is sae dark for the time of the
+      year&mdash;Sabbath has slipped ower quietly, but we have reason to bless
+      oursells it has not been altogether misemployed. I heard little of the
+      preaching&mdash;a cauld moralist, I doubt, served that out&mdash;but, eh&mdash;the
+      prayer&mdash;I mind it as if I had said the words mysell.&rsquo; Here he
+      repeated one or two petitions, which were probably a part of his family
+      devotions, before he was summoned forth to what he called the way of
+      business. &lsquo;I never remember a Sabbath pass so cannily off in my life.&rsquo; 
+      Then he recollected himself a little, and said to Alan, &lsquo;You may read that
+      book, Mr. Fairford, to-morrow, all the same, though it be Monday; for, you
+      see, it was Saturday when we were thegither, and now it&rsquo;s Sunday and it&rsquo;s
+      dark night&mdash;so the Sabbath has slipped clean away through our fingers
+      like water through a sieve, which abideth not; and we have to begin again
+      to-morrow morning, in the weariful, base, mean, earthly employments, whilk
+      are unworthy of an immortal spirit&mdash;always excepting the way of
+      business.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Three of the fellows were now returning to the town, and, at Ewart&rsquo;s
+      command, they cut short the patriarch&rsquo;s exhortation, by leading him back
+      to his own residence. The rest of the party then proceeded to the brig,
+      which only waited their arrival to get under weigh and drop down the
+      river. Nanty Ewart betook himself to steering the brig, and the very touch
+      of the helm seemed to dispel the remaining influence of the liquor which
+      he had drunk, since, through a troublesome and intricate channel, he was
+      able to direct the course of his little vessel with the most perfect
+      accuracy and safety.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford, for some time, availed himself of the clearness of the
+      summer morning to gaze on the dimly seen shores betwixt which they glided,
+      becoming less and less distinct as they receded from each other, until at
+      length, having adjusted his little bundle by way of pillow, and wrapped
+      around him the greatcoat with which old Trumbull had equipped him, he
+      stretched himself on the deck, to try to recover the slumber out of which
+      he had been awakened. Sleep had scarce begun to settle on his eyes, ere he
+      found something stirring about his person. With ready presence of mind he
+      recollected his situation, and resolved to show no alarm until the purpose
+      of this became obvious; but he was soon relieved from his anxiety, by
+      finding it was only the result of Nanty&rsquo;s attention to his comfort, who
+      was wrapping around him, as softly as he could, a great boatcloak, in
+      order to defend him from the morning air.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou art but a cockerel,&rsquo; he muttered, &lsquo;but &lsquo;twere pity thou wert knocked
+      off the perch before seeing a little more of the sweet and sour of this
+      world&mdash;though, faith, if thou hast the usual luck of it, the best way
+      were to leave thee to the chance of a seasoning fever.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      These words, and the awkward courtesy with which the skipper of the little
+      brig tucked the sea-coat round Fairford, gave him a confidence of safety
+      which he had not yet thoroughly possessed. He stretched himself in more
+      security on the hard planks, and was speedily asleep, though his slumbers
+      were feverish and unrefreshing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It has been elsewhere intimated that Alan Fairford inherited from his
+      mother a delicate constitution, with a tendency to consumption; and, being
+      an only child, with such a cause for apprehension, care, to the verge of
+      effeminacy, was taken to preserve him from damp beds, wet feet, and those
+      various emergencies to which the Caledonian boys of much higher birth, but
+      more active habits, are generally accustomed. In man, the spirit sustains
+      the constitutional weakness, as in the winged tribes the feathers bear
+      aloft the body. But there is a bound to these supporting qualities; and as
+      the pinions of the bird must at length grow weary, so the VIS ANIMI of the
+      human struggler becomes broken down by continued fatigue.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When the voyager was awakened by the light of the sun now riding high in
+      heaven, he found himself under the influence of an almost intolerable
+      headache, with heat, thirst, shooting across the back and loins, and other
+      symptoms intimating violent cold, accompanied with fever. The manner in
+      which he had passed the preceding day and night, though perhaps it might
+      have been of little consequence to most young men, was to him, delicate in
+      constitution and nurture, attended with bad and even perilous
+      consequences. He felt this was the case, yet would fain have combated the
+      symptoms of indisposition, which, indeed, he imputed chiefly to
+      sea-sickness. He sat up on deck, and looked on the scene around, as the
+      little vessel, having borne down the Solway Firth, was beginning, with a
+      favourable northerly breeze, to bear away to the southward, crossing the
+      entrance of the Wampool river, and preparing to double the most northerly
+      point of Cumberland.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Fairford felt annoyed with deadly sickness, as well as by pain of a
+      distressing and oppressive character; and neither Criffel, rising in
+      majesty on the one hand, nor the distant yet more picturesque outline of
+      Skiddaw and Glaramara upon the other, could attract his attention in the
+      manner in which it was usually fixed by beautiful scenery, and especially
+      that which had in it something new as well as striking. Yet it was not in
+      Alan Fairford&rsquo;s nature to give way to despondence, even when seconded by
+      pain. He had recourse, in the first place, to his pocket; but instead of
+      the little Sallust he had brought with him, that the perusal of a
+      classical author might help to pass away a heavy hour, he pulled out the
+      supposed hymn-book with which he had been presented a few hours before, by
+      that temperate and scrupulous person, Mr. Thomas Trumbull, ALIAS
+      Turnpenny. The volume was bound in sable, and its exterior might have
+      become a psalter. But what was Alan&rsquo;s astonishment to read on the title
+      page the following words:&mdash;&lsquo;Merry Thoughts for Merry Men; or Mother
+      Midnight&rsquo;s Miscellany for the Small Hours;&rsquo; and turning over the leaves,
+      he was disgusted with profligate tales, and more profligate songs,
+      ornamented with figures corresponding in infamy with the letterpress.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Good God!&rsquo; he thought, &lsquo;and did this hoary reprobate summon his family
+      together, and, with such a disgraceful pledge of infamy in his bosom,
+      venture to approach the throne of his Creator? It must be so; the book is
+      bound after the manner of those dedicated to devotional subjects, and
+      doubtless the wretch, in his intoxication, confounded the books he carried
+      with him, as he did the days of the week.&rsquo; Seized with the disgust with
+      which the young and generous usually regard the vices of advanced life,
+      Alan, having turned the leaves of the book over in hasty disdain, flung it
+      from him, as far as he could, into the sea. He then had recourse to the
+      Sallust, which he had at first sought for in vain. As he opened the book,
+      Nanty Ewart, who had been looking over his shoulder, made his own opinion
+      heard.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I think now, brother, if you are so much scandalized at a little piece of
+      sculduddery, which, after all, does nobody any harm, you had better have
+      given it to me than have flung it into the Solway.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope, sir,&rsquo; answered Fairford, civilly, &lsquo;you are in the habit of
+      reading better books.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Faith,&rsquo; answered Nanty, &lsquo;with help of a little Geneva text, I could read
+      my Sallust as well as you can;&rsquo; and snatching the book from Alan&rsquo;s hand,
+      he began to read, in the Scottish accent:&mdash;&ldquo;&lsquo;IGITUR EX DIVITIIS
+      JUVENTUTEM LUXURIA ATQUE AVARITIA CUM SUPERBILI INVASERE: RAPERE,
+      CONSUMERE; SUA PARVI PENDERE, ALIENA CUPERE; PUDOREM, AMICITIAM,
+      PUDICITIAM, DIVINA ATQUE HUMANA PROMISCUA, NIHIL PENSI NEQUE MODERATI
+      HABERE.&rdquo; [The translation of the passage is thus given by Sir Henry
+      Steuart of Allanton:&mdash;&lsquo;The youth, taught to look up to riches as the
+      sovereign good, became apt pupils in the school of Luxury. Rapacity and
+      profusion went hand in hand. Careless of their own fortunes, and eager to
+      possess those of others, shame and remorse, modesty and moderation, every
+      principle gave way.&rsquo;&mdash;WORKS OF SALLUST, WITH ORIGINAL ESSAYS, vol.
+      ii. p.17.]&mdash;There is a slap in the face now, for an honest fellow
+      that has been buccaneering! Never could keep a groat of what he got, or
+      hold his fingers from what belonged to another, said you? Fie, fie, friend
+      Crispus, thy morals are as crabbed and austere as thy style&mdash;the one
+      has as little mercy as the other has grace. By my soul, it is unhandsome
+      to make personal reflections on an old acquaintance, who seeks a little
+      civil intercourse with you after nigh twenty years&rsquo; separation. On my
+      soul, Master Sallust deserves to float on the Solway better than Mother
+      Midnight herself.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Perhaps, in some respects, he may merit better usage at our hands,&rsquo; said
+      Alan; &lsquo;for if he has described vice plainly, it seems to have been for the
+      purpose of rendering it generally abhorred.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well,&rsquo; said the seaman, &lsquo;I have heard of the Sortes Virgilianae, and I
+      dare say the Sortes Sallustianae are as true every tittle. I have
+      consulted honest Crispus on my own account, and have had a cuff for my
+      pains. But now see, I open the book on your behalf, and behold what occurs
+      first to my eye!&mdash;Lo you there&mdash;&ldquo;CATILINA ... OMNIUM
+      FLAGITIOSORUM ATQUE FACINOROSORUM CIRCUM SE HABEBAT.&rdquo; And then again&mdash;&ldquo;ETIAM
+      SI QUIS A CULPA VACUUS IN AMICITIAM EJUS INCIDIDERAT QUOTIDIANO USU PAR
+      SIMILISQUE CAETERIS EFFICIEBATUR.&rdquo; [After enumerating the evil qualities
+      of Catiline&rsquo;s associates, the author adds, &lsquo;If it happened that any as yet
+      uncontaminated by vice were fatally drawn into his friendship, the effects
+      of intercourse and snares artfully spread, subdued every scruple, and
+      early assimilated them to their conductors.&rsquo;&mdash;Ibidem, p. 19.] That is
+      what I call plain speaking on the part of the old Roman, Mr. Fairford. By
+      the way, that is a capital name for a lawyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Lawyer as I am,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;I do not understand your innuendo.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, then,&rsquo; said Ewart, &lsquo;I can try it another way, as well as the
+      hypocritical old rascal Turnpenny himself could do. I would have you to
+      know that I am well acquainted with my Bible-book, as well as with my
+      friend Sallust.&rsquo; He then, in a snuffling and canting tone, began to repeat
+      the Scriptural text&mdash;&lsquo;"DAVID THEREFORE DEPARTED THENCE, AND WENT TO
+      THE CAVE OF ADULLAM. AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS IN DISTRESS, AND EVERY ONE
+      THAT WAS IN DEBT, AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS DISCONTENTED, GATHERED THEMSELVES
+      TOGETHER UNTO HIM, AND HE BECAME A CAPTAIN OVER THEM.&rdquo; What think you of
+      that?&rsquo; he said, suddenly changing his manner. &lsquo;Have I touched you now,
+      sir?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are as far off as ever,&rsquo; replied Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What the devil! and you a repeating frigate between Summertrees and the
+      laird! Tell that to the marines&mdash;the sailors won&rsquo;t believe it. But
+      you are right to be cautious, since you can&rsquo;t say who are right, who not.
+      But you look ill; it&rsquo;s but the cold morning air. Will you have a can of
+      flip, or a jorum of hot rumbo? or will you splice the mainbrace&rsquo; (showing
+      a spirit-flask). &lsquo;Will you have a quid&mdash;or a pipe&mdash;or a cigar?&mdash;a
+      pinch of snuff, at least, to clear your brains and sharpen your
+      apprehension?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford rejected all these friendly propositions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, then,&rsquo; continued Ewart, &lsquo;if you will do nothing for the free trade,
+      I must patronize it myself.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he took a large glass of brandy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A hair of the dog that bit me,&rsquo; he continued,&mdash;&lsquo;of the dog that will
+      worry me one day soon; and yet, and be d&mdash;d to me for an idiot, I
+      must always have hint at my throat. But, says the old catch&rsquo;&mdash;Here he
+      sang, and sang well&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  &lsquo;Let&rsquo;s drink&mdash;let&rsquo;s drink&mdash;while life we have;
+   We&rsquo;ll find but cold drinking, cold drinking in the grave.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      All this,&rsquo; he continued, &lsquo;is no charm against the headache. I wish I had
+      anything that could do you good. Faith, and we have tea and coffee aboard!
+      I&rsquo;ll open a chest or a bag, and let you have some in an instant. You are
+      at the age to like such catlap better than better stuff.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford thanked him, and accepted his offer of tea.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nanty Ewart was soon heard calling about, &lsquo;Break open yon chest&mdash;take
+      out your capful, you bastard of a powder-monkey; we may want it again. No
+      sugar? all used up for grog, say you? knock another loaf to pieces, can&rsquo;t
+      ye? and get the kettle boiling, ye hell&rsquo;s baby, in no time at all!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      By dint of these energetic proceedings he was in a short time able to
+      return to the place where his passenger lay sick and exhausted, with a
+      cup, or rather a canful, of tea; for everything was on a large scale on
+      board of the JUMPING JENNY. Alan drank it eagerly, and with so much
+      appearance of being refreshed that Nanty Ewart swore he would have some
+      too, and only laced it, as his phrase went, with a single glass of brandy.
+      [See Note 8.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIV
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      We left Alan Fairford on the deck of the little smuggling brig, in that
+      disconsolate situation, when sickness and nausea, attack a heated and
+      fevered frame, and an anxious mind. His share of sea-sickness, however,
+      was not so great as to engross his sensations entirely, or altogether to
+      divert his attention from what was passing around. If he could not delight
+      in the swiftness and agility with which the &lsquo;little frigate&rsquo; walked the
+      waves, or amuse himself by noticing the beauty of the sea-views around
+      him, where the distant Skiddaw raised his brow, as if in defiance of the
+      clouded eminence of Criffel, which lorded it over the Scottish side of the
+      estuary, he had spirits and composure enough to pay particular attention
+      to the master of the vessel, on whose character his own safety in all
+      probability was dependent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nanty Ewart had now given the helm to one of his people, a bald-pated,
+      grizzled old fellow, whose whole life had been spent in evading the
+      revenue laws, with now and then the relaxation of a few months&rsquo; 
+      imprisonment, for deforcing officers, resisting seizures, and the like
+      offences.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nanty himself sat down by Fairford, helped him to his tea, with such other
+      refreshments as he could think of, and seemed in his way sincerely
+      desirous to make his situation as comfortable as things admitted. Fairford
+      had thus an opportunity to study his countenance and manners more closely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was plain, Ewart, though a good seaman, had not been bred upon that
+      element. He was a reasonably good scholar, and seemed fond of showing it
+      by recurring to the subject of Sallust and Juvenal; while, on the other
+      hand, sea-phrases seldom chequered his conversation. He had been in person
+      what is called a smart little man; but the tropical sun had burnt his
+      originally fair complexion to a dusty red; and the bile which was diffused
+      through his system, had stained it with a yellowish black&mdash;what ought
+      to have been the white part of his eyes, in particular, had a hue as deep
+      as the topaz. He was very thin, or rather emaciated, and his countenance,
+      though still indicating alertness and activity, showed a constitution
+      exhausted with excessive use of his favourite stimulus.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I see you look at me hard,&rsquo; said he to Fairford. &lsquo;Had you been an officer
+      of the d&mdash;d customs, my terriers&rsquo; backs would have been up. He opened
+      his breast, and showed Alan a pair of pistols disposed between his
+      waistcoat and jacket, placing his finger at the same time upon the cock of
+      one of them. &lsquo;But come, you are an honest fellow, though you&rsquo;re a close
+      one. I dare say you think me a queer customer; but I can tell you, they
+      that see the ship leave harbour know little of the seas she is to sail
+      through. My father, honest old gentleman, never would have thought to see
+      me master of the JUMPING JENNY.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford said, it seemed very clear indeed that Mr. Ewart&rsquo;s education was
+      far superior to the line he at present occupied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh, Criffel to Solway Moss!&rsquo; said the other. Why, man, I should have been
+      an expounder of the word, with a wig like a snow-wreath, and a stipend
+      like&mdash;like&mdash;like a hundred pounds a year, I suppose. I can spend
+      thrice as much as that, though, being such as I am. Here he sang a scrap
+      of an old Northumbrian ditty, mimicking the burr of the natives of that
+      county:&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  &lsquo;Willy Foster&rsquo;s gone to sea,
+   Siller buckles at his knee,
+   He&rsquo;ll come back and marry me&mdash;
+              Canny Willy Foster.&rsquo; 
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have no doubt,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;your present occupation is more
+      lucrative; &lsquo;but I should have thought the Church might have been more&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He stopped, recollecting that it was not his business to say anything
+      disagreeable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;More respectable, you mean, I suppose?&rsquo; said Ewart, with a sneer, and
+      squirting the tobacco-juice through his front teeth; then was silent for a
+      moment, and proceeded in a tone of candour which some internal touch of
+      conscience dictated. &lsquo;And so it would, Mr. Fairford&mdash;and happier,
+      too, by a thousand degrees&mdash;though I have had my pleasures too. But
+      there was my father (God bless the old man!) a true chip of the old
+      Presbyterian block, walked his parish like a captain on the quarterdeck,
+      and was always ready to do good to rich and poor&mdash;Off went the
+      laird&rsquo;s hat to the minister, as fast as the poor man&rsquo;s bonnet. When the
+      eye saw him&mdash;Pshaw! what have I to do with that now?&mdash;Yes, he
+      was, as Virgil hath it, &ldquo;VIR SAPIENTIA ET PIETATE GRAVIS.&rdquo; But he might
+      have been the wiser man, had he kept me at home, when he sent me at
+      nineteen to study Divinity at the head of the highest stair in the
+      Covenant Close. It was a cursed mistake in the old gentleman. What though
+      Mrs. Cantrips of Kittlebasket (for she wrote herself no less) was our
+      cousin five times removed, and took me on that account to board and
+      lodging at six shillings instead of seven shillings a week? it was a d&mdash;d
+      bad saving, as the case proved. Yet her very dignity might have kept me in
+      order; for she never read a chapter excepting out of a Cambridge Bible,
+      printed by Daniel, and bound in embroidered velvet. I think I see it at
+      this moment! And on Sundays, when we had a quart of twopenny ale, instead
+      of butter-milk, to our porridge, it was always served up in a silver
+      posset-dish. Also she used silver-mounted spectacles, whereas even my
+      father&rsquo;s were cased in mere horn. These things had their impression at
+      first, but we get used to grandeur by degrees. Well, sir!&mdash;Gad, I can
+      scarce get on with my story&mdash;it sticks in my throat&mdash;must take a
+      trifle to wash it down. Well, this dame had a daughter&mdash;Jess
+      Cantrips, a black-eyed, bouncing wench&mdash;and, as the devil would have
+      it, there was the d&mdash;d five-story stair&mdash;her foot was never from
+      it, whether I went out or came home from the Divinity Hall. I would have
+      eschewed her, sir&mdash;I would, on my soul; for I was as innocent a lad
+      as ever came from Lammermuir; but there was no possibility of escape,
+      retreat, or flight, unless I could have got a pair of wings, or made use
+      of a ladder seven stories high, to scale the window of my attic. It
+      signifies little talking&mdash;you may suppose how all this was to end&mdash;I
+      would have married the girl, and taken my chance&mdash;I would, by Heaven!
+      for she was a pretty girl, and a good girl, till she and I met; but you
+      know the old song, &ldquo;Kirk would not let us be.&rdquo; A gentleman, in my case,
+      would have settled the matter with the kirk-treasurer for a small sum of
+      money; but the poor stibbler, the penniless dominie, having married his
+      cousin of Kittlebasket, must next have proclaimed her frailty to the whole
+      parish, by mounting the throne of Presbyterian penance, and proving, as
+      Othello says, &ldquo;his love a whore,&rdquo; in face of the whole congregation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In this extremity I dared not stay where I was, and so thought to go home
+      to my father. But first I got Jack Radaway, a lad from the same parish,
+      and who lived in the same infernal stair, to make some inquiries how the
+      old gentleman had taken the matter. I soon, by way of answer, learned, to
+      the great increase of my comfortable reflections, that the good old man
+      made as much clamour as if such a thing as a man&rsquo;s eating his wedding
+      dinner without saying grace had never happened since Adam&rsquo;s time. He did
+      nothing for six days but cry out, &ldquo;Ichabod, Ichabod, the glory is departed
+      from my house!&rdquo; and on the seventh he preached a sermon, in which he
+      enlarged on this incident as illustrative of one of the great occasions
+      for humiliation, and causes of national defection. I hope the course he
+      took comforted himself&mdash;I am sure it made me ashamed to show my nose
+      at home. So I went down to Leith, and, exchanging my hoddin grey coat of
+      my mother&rsquo;s spinning for such a jacket as this, I entered my name at the
+      rendezvous as an able-bodied landsman, and sailed with the tender round to
+      Plymouth, where they were fitting out a squadron for the West Indies.
+      There I was put aboard the FEARNOUGHT, Captain Daredevil&mdash;among whose
+      crew I soon learned to fear Satan (the terror of my early youth) as little
+      as the toughest Jack on board. I had some qualms at first, but I took the
+      remedy&rsquo; (tapping the case-bottle) &lsquo;which I recommend to you, being as good
+      for sickness of the soul as for sickness of the stomach&mdash;What, you
+      won&rsquo;t?&mdash;very well, I must, then&mdash;here is to ye.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You would, I am afraid, find your education of little use in your new
+      condition?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Pardon me, sir,&rsquo; resumed the captain of the JUMPING JENNY; &lsquo;my handful of
+      Latin, and small pinch of Greek, were as useless as old junk, to be sure;
+      but my reading, writing and accompting, stood me in good stead, and
+      brought me forward; I might have been schoolmaster&mdash;aye, and master,
+      in time; but that valiant liquor, rum, made a conquest of me rather too
+      often, and so, make what sail I could, I always went to leeward. We were
+      four years broiling in that blasted climate, and I came back at last with
+      a little prize-money. I always had thoughts of putting things to rights in
+      the Covenant Close, and reconciling myself to my father. I found out Jack
+      Hadaway, who was TUPTOWING away with a dozen of wretched boys, and a fine
+      string of stories he had ready to regale my ears withal. My father had
+      lectured on what he called &ldquo;my falling away,&rdquo; for seven Sabbaths, when,
+      just as his parishioners began to hope that the course was at an end, he
+      was found dead in his bed on the eighth Sunday morning. Jack Hadaway
+      assured me, that if I wished to atone for my errors, by undergoing the
+      fate of the first martyr, I had only to go to my native village, where the
+      very stones of the street would rise up against me as my father&rsquo;s
+      murderer. Here was a pretty item&mdash;well, my tongue clove to my mouth
+      for an hour, and was only able at last to utter the name of Mrs. Cantrips.
+      Oh, this was a new theme for my Job&rsquo;s comforter. My sudden departure&mdash;my
+      father&rsquo;s no less sudden death&mdash;had prevented the payment of the
+      arrears of my board and lodging&mdash;the landlord was a haberdasher, with
+      a heart as rotten as the muslin wares he dealt in. Without respect to her
+      age or gentle kin, my Lady Kittlebasket was ejected from her airy
+      habitation&mdash;her porridge-pot, silver posset-dish, silver-mounted
+      spectacles, and Daniel&rsquo;s Cambridge Bible, sold, at the Cross of Edinburgh,
+      to the caddie who would bid highest for them, and she herself driven to
+      the workhouse, where she got in with difficulty, but was easily enough
+      lifted out, at the end of the month, as dead as her friends could desire.
+      Merry tidings this to me, who had been the d&mdash;&mdash;d&rsquo; (he paused a
+      moment) &lsquo;ORIGO MALI&mdash;Gad, I think my confession would sound better in
+      Latin than in English!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But the best jest was behind&mdash;I had just power to stammer out
+      something about Jess&mdash;by my faith he HAD an answer! I had taught Jess
+      one trade, and, like a prudent girl, she had found out another for
+      herself; unluckily, they were both contraband, and Jess Cantrips, daughter
+      of the Lady Kittlebasket, had the honour to be transported to the
+      plantations, for street-walking and pocket-picking, about six months
+      before I touched shore.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He changed the bitter tone of affected pleasantry into an attempt to
+      laugh, then drew his swarthy hand across his swarthy eyes, and said in a
+      more natural accent, &lsquo;Poor Jess!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a pause&mdash;until Fairford, pitying the poor man&rsquo;s state of
+      mind, and believing he saw something in him that, but for early error and
+      subsequent profligacy, might have been excellent and noble, helped on the
+      conversation by asking, in a tone of commiseration, how he had been able
+      to endure such a load of calamity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, very well,&rsquo; answered the seaman; &lsquo;exceedingly well&mdash;like a
+      tight ship in a brisk gale. Let me recollect. I remember thanking Jack,
+      very composedly, for the interesting and agreeable communication; I then
+      pulled out my canvas pouch, with my hoard of moidores, and taking out two
+      pieces, I bid Jack keep the rest till I came back, as I was for a cruise
+      about Auld Reekie. The poor devil looked anxiously, but I shook him by the
+      hand, and ran downstairs, in such confusion of mind, that notwithstanding
+      what I had heard, I expected to meet Jess at every turning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was market-day, and the usual number of rogues and fools were assembled
+      at the Cross. I observed everybody looked strange on me, and I thought
+      some laughed. I fancy I had been making queer faces enough, and perhaps
+      talking to myself, When I saw myself used in this manner, I held out my
+      clenched fists straight before me, stooped my head, and, like a ram when
+      he makes his race, darted off right down the street, scattering groups of
+      weatherbeaten lairds and periwigged burgesses, and bearing down all before
+      me. I heard the cry of &ldquo;Seize the madman!&rdquo; echoed, in Celtic sounds, from
+      the City Guard, with &ldquo;Ceaze ta matman!&rdquo;&mdash;but pursuit and opposition
+      were in vain. I pursued my career; the smell of the sea, I suppose, led me
+      to Leith, where, soon after, I found myself walking very quietly on the
+      shore, admiring the tough round and sound cordage of the vessels, and
+      thinking how a loop, with a man at the end of one of them, would look, by
+      way of tassel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I was opposite to the rendezvous, formerly my place of refuge&mdash;in I
+      bolted&mdash;found one or two old acquaintances, made half a dozen new
+      ones&mdash;drank for two days&mdash;was put aboard the tender&mdash;off to
+      Portsmouth&mdash;then landed at the Haslar hospital in a fine hissing-hot
+      fever. Never mind&mdash;I got better&mdash;nothing can kill me&mdash;the
+      West Indies were my lot again, for since I did not go where I deserved in
+      the next world, I had something as like such quarters as can be had in
+      this&mdash;black devils for inhabitants&mdash;flames and earthquakes, and
+      so forth, for your element. Well, brother, something or other I did or
+      said&mdash;I can&rsquo;t tell what&mdash;How the devil should I, when I was as
+      drunk as David&rsquo;s sow, you know? But I was punished, my lad&mdash;made to
+      kiss the wench that never speaks but when she scolds, and that&rsquo;s the
+      gunner&rsquo;s daughter, comrade. Yes, the minister&rsquo;s son of no matter where&mdash;has
+      the cat&rsquo;s scratch on his back! This roused me, and when we were ashore
+      with the boat, I gave three inches of the dirk, after a stout tussle, to
+      the fellow I blamed most, and took the bush for it. There were plenty of
+      wild lads then along shore&mdash;and, I don&rsquo;t care who knows&mdash;I went
+      on the account, look you&mdash;sailed under the black flag and
+      marrow-bones&mdash;was a good friend to the sea, and an enemy to all that
+      sailed on it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford, though uneasy in his mind at finding himself, a lawyer, so close
+      to a character so lawless, thought it best, nevertheless, to put a good
+      face on the matter, and asked Mr. Ewart, with as much unconcern as he
+      could assume, &lsquo;whether he was fortunate as a rover?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, no&mdash;d&mdash;n it, no,&rsquo; replied Nanty; &lsquo;the devil a crumb of
+      butter was ever churned that would stick upon my bread. There was no order
+      among us&mdash;he that was captain to-day, was swabber to-morrow; and as
+      for plunder&mdash;they say old Avery, and one or two close hunks, made
+      money; but in my time, all went as it came; and reason good, for if a
+      fellow had saved five dollars, his throat would have been cut in his
+      hammock. And then it was a cruel, bloody work.&mdash;Pah,&mdash;we&rsquo;ll say
+      no more about it. I broke with them at last, for what they did on board of
+      a bit of a snow&mdash;no matter what it was bad enough, since it
+      frightened me&mdash;I took French leave, and came in upon the
+      proclamation, so I am free of all that business. And here I sit, the
+      skipper of the JUMPING JENNY&mdash;a nutshell of a thing, but goes through
+      the water like a dolphin. If it were not for yon hypocritical scoundrel at
+      Annan, who has the best end of the profit, and takes none of the risk, I
+      should be well enough&mdash;as well as I want to be. Here is no lack of my
+      best friend,&rsquo;&mdash;touching his case-bottle;&mdash;&lsquo;but, to tell you a
+      secret, he and I have got so used to each other, I begin to think he is
+      like a professed joker, that makes your sides sore with laughing if you
+      see him but now and then; but if you take up house with him, he can only
+      make your head stupid. But I warrant the old fellow is doing the best he
+      can for me, after all.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what may that be?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He is KILLING me,&rsquo; replied Nanty Ewart; &lsquo;and I am only sorry he is so
+      long about it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying he jumped on his feet, and, tripping up and down the deck, gave
+      his orders with his usual clearness and decision, notwithstanding the
+      considerable quantity of spirits which he had contrived to swallow while
+      recounting his history.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Although far from feeling well, Fairford endeavoured to rouse himself and
+      walk to the head of the brig, to enjoy the beautiful prospect, as well as
+      to take some note of the course which the vessel held. To his great
+      surprise, instead of standing across to the opposite shore from which she
+      had departed, the brig was going down the Firth, and apparently steering
+      into the Irish Sea. He called to Nanty Ewart, and expressed his surprise
+      at the course they were pursuing, and asked why they did not stand
+      straight across the Firth for some port in Cumberland.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, this is what I call a reasonable question, now,&rsquo; answered Nanty; &lsquo;as
+      if a ship could go as straight to its port as a horse to the stable, or a
+      free-trader could sail the Solway as securely as a King&rsquo;s cutter! Why,
+      I&rsquo;ll tell ye, brother&mdash;if I do not see a smoke on Bowness, that is
+      the village upon the headland yonder, I must stand out to sea for
+      twenty-four hours at least, for we must keep the weather-gage if there are
+      hawks abroad.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And if you do see the signal of safety, Master Ewart, what is to be done
+      then?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why then, and in that case, I must keep off till night, and then run you,
+      with the kegs and the rest of the lumber, ashore at Skinburness,&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And then I am to meet with this same laird whom I have the letter for?&rsquo; 
+      continued Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That,&rsquo; said Ewart, &lsquo;is thereafter as it may be; the ship has its course&mdash;the
+      fair trader has his port&mdash;but it is not easy to say where the laird
+      may be found. But he will be within twenty miles of us, off or on&mdash;and
+      it will be my business to guide you to him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford could not withstand the passing impulse of terror which crossed
+      him, when thus reminded that he was so absolutely in the power of a man,
+      who, by his own account, had been a pirate, and who was at present, in all
+      probability, an outlaw as well as a contraband trader. Nanty Ewart guessed
+      the cause of his involuntary shuddering.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What the devil should I gain,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;by passing so poor a card as you
+      are? Have I not had ace of trumps in my hand, and did I not play it
+      fairly? Aye, I say the JUMPING JENNY can run in other ware as well as
+      kegs. Put SIGMA and TAU to Ewart, and see how that will spell&mdash;D&rsquo;ye
+      take me now?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No indeed,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;I am utterly ignorant of what you allude to.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now, by Jove!&rsquo; said Nanty Ewart, &lsquo;thou art either the deepest or the
+      shallowest fellow I ever met with&mdash;or you are not right after all. I
+      wonder where Summertrees could pick up such a tender along-shore. Will you
+      let me see his letter?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford did not hesitate to gratify his wish, which, he was aware, he
+      could not easily resist. The master of the JUMPING JENNY looked at the
+      direction very attentively, then turned the letter to and fro, and
+      examined each flourish of the pen, as if he were judging of a piece of
+      ornamented manuscript; then handled it back to Fairford, without a single
+      word of remark.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Am I right now?&rsquo; said the young lawyer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, for that matter,&rsquo; answered Nanty, &lsquo;the letter is right, sure enough;
+      but whether you are right or not, is your own business rather than mine.&rsquo; 
+      And, striking upon a flint with the back of a knife, he kindled a cigar as
+      thick as his finger, and began to smoke away with great perseverance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford continued to regard him with a melancholy feeling, divided
+      betwixt the interest he took in the unhappy man, and a not unnatural
+      apprehension for the issue of his own adventure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ewart, notwithstanding the stupefying nature of his pastime, seemed to
+      guess what was working in his passenger&rsquo;s mind; for, after they had
+      remained some time engaged in silently observing each other, he suddenly
+      dashed his cigar on the deck, and said to him, &lsquo;Well then, if you are
+      sorry for me, I am sorry for you. D&mdash;n me, if I have cared a button
+      for man or mother&rsquo;s son, since two years since when I had another peep of
+      Jack Hadaway. &lsquo;The fellow was got as fat as a Norway whale&mdash;married
+      to a great Dutch-built quean that had brought him six children. I believe
+      he did not know me, and thought I was come to rob his house; however, I
+      made up a poor face, and told him who I was. Poor Jack would have given me
+      shelter and clothes, and began to tell me of the moidores that were in
+      bank, when I wanted them. Egad, he changed his note when I told him what
+      my life had been, and only wanted to pay me my cash and get rid of me. I
+      never saw so terrified a visage. I burst out a-laughing in his face, told
+      him it was all a humbug, and that the moidores were all his own,
+      henceforth and for ever, and so ran off. I caused one of our people send
+      him a bag of tea and a keg of brandy, before I left&mdash;poor Jack! I
+      think you are the second person these ten years, that has cared a
+      tobacco-stopper for Nanty Ewart.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Perhaps, Mr. Ewart,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;you live chiefly with men too deeply
+      interested for their own immediate safety, to think much upon the distress
+      of others?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And with whom do you yourself consort, I pray?&rsquo; replied Nanty, smartly.
+      &lsquo;Why, with plotters, that can make no plot to better purpose than their
+      own hanging; and incendiaries, that are snapping the flint upon wet
+      tinder. You&rsquo;ll as soon raise the dead as raise the Highlands&mdash;you&rsquo;ll
+      as soon get a grunt from a dead sow as any comfort from Wales or Cheshire.
+      You think because the pot is boiling, that no scum but yours can come
+      uppermost&mdash;I know better, by&mdash;. All these rackets and riots that
+      you think are trending your way have no relation at all to your interest;
+      and the best way to make the whole kingdom friends again at once, would be
+      the alarm of such an undertaking as these mad old fellows are trying to
+      launch into.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I really am not in such secrets as you seem to allude to,&rsquo; said Fairford;
+      and, determined at the same time to avail himself as far as possible of
+      Nanty&rsquo;s communicative disposition, he added, with a smile,&rsquo; And if I were,
+      I should not hold it prudent to make them much the subject of
+      conversation. But I am sure, so sensible a man as Summertrees and the
+      laird may correspond together without offence to the state.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I take you, friend&mdash;I take you,&rsquo; said Nanty Ewart, upon whom, at
+      length, the liquor and tobacco-smoke began to make considerable
+      innovation. &lsquo;As to what gentlemen may or may not correspond about, why we
+      may pretermit the question, as the old professor used to say at the Hall;
+      and as to Summertrees, I will say nothing, knowing him to be an old fox.
+      But I say that this fellow the laird is a firebrand in the country; that
+      he is stirring up all the honest fellows who should be drinking their
+      brandy quietly, by telling them stories about their ancestors and the
+      Forty-five; and that he is trying to turn all waters into his own
+      mill-dam, and to set his sails to all winds. And because the London people
+      are roaring about for some pinches of their own, he thinks to win them to
+      his turn with a wet finger. And he gets encouragement from some, because
+      they want a spell of money from him; and from others, because they fought
+      for the cause once and are ashamed to go back; and others, because they
+      have nothing to lose; and others, because they are discontented fools. But
+      if he has brought you, or any one, I say not whom, into this scrape, with
+      the hope of doing any good, he&rsquo;s a d&mdash;d decoy-duck, and that&rsquo;s all I
+      can say for him; and you are geese, which is worse than being decoy-ducks,
+      or lame-ducks either. And so here is to the prosperity of King George the
+      Third, and the true Presbyterian religion, and confusion to the Pope, the
+      Devil, and the Pretender! I&rsquo;ll tell you what, Mr. Fairbairn, I am but
+      tenth owner of this bit of a craft, the JUMPING JENNY&mdash;but tenth
+      owner and must sail her by my owners&rsquo; directions. But if I were whole
+      owner, I would not have the brig be made a ferry-boat for your
+      Jacobitical, old-fashioned Popish riff-raff, Mr. Fairport&mdash;I would
+      not, by my soul; they should walk the plank, by the gods, as I have seen
+      better men do when I sailed under the What-d&rsquo;ye-callum colours. But being
+      contraband goods, and on board my vessel, and I with my sailing orders in
+      my hand, why, I am to forward them as directed&mdash;I say, John Roberts,
+      keep her up a bit with the helm.&mdash;and so, Mr. Fairweather, what I do
+      is&mdash;as the d&mdash;d villain Turnpenny says&mdash;all in the way of
+      business.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had been speaking with difficulty for the last five minutes, and now at
+      length dropped on the deck, fairly silenced by the quantity of spirits
+      which he had swallowed, but without having showed any glimpse of the
+      gaiety, or even of the extravagance, of intoxication.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The old sailor stepped forward and flung a sea-cloak over the slumberer&rsquo;s
+      shoulders, and added, looking at Fairford, &lsquo;Pity of him he should have
+      this fault; for without it, he would have been as clever a fellow as ever
+      trod a plank with ox leather.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what are we to do now?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Stand off and on, to be sure, till we see the signal, and then obey
+      orders.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, the old man turned to his duty, and left the passenger to amuse
+      himself with his own meditations. Presently afterward a light column of
+      smoke was seen rising from the little headland.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I can tell you what we are to do now, master,&rsquo; said the sailor. &lsquo;We&rsquo;ll
+      stand out to sea, and then run in again with the evening tide, and make
+      Skinburness; or, if there&rsquo;s not light, we can run into the Wampool river,
+      and put you ashore about Kirkbride or Leaths, with the long-boat.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford, unwell before, felt this destination condemned him to an agony
+      of many hours, which his disordered stomach and aching head were ill able
+      to endure. There was no remedy, however, but patience, and the
+      recollection that he was suffering in the cause of friendship. As the sun
+      rose high, he became worse; his sense of smell appeared to acquire a
+      morbid degree of acuteness, for the mere purpose of inhaling and
+      distinguishing all the various odours with which he was surrounded, from
+      that of pitch to all the complicated smells of the hold. His heart, too,
+      throbbed under the heat, and he felt as if in full progress towards a high
+      fever.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The seamen, who were civil and attentive considering their calling,
+      observed his distress, and one contrived to make an awning out of an old
+      sail, while another compounded some lemonade, the only liquor which their
+      passenger could be prevailed upon to touch. After drinking it off, he
+      obtained, but could not be said to enjoy, a few hours of troubled slumber.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XV
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford&rsquo;s spirit was more ready to encounter labour than his frame
+      was adequate to support it. In spite of his exertions, when he awoke,
+      after five or six hours&rsquo; slumber, he found that he was so much disabled by
+      dizziness in his head and pains in his limbs, that he could not raise
+      himself without assistance. He heard with some pleasure that they were now
+      running right for the Wampool river, and that he would be put on shore in
+      a very short time. The vessel accordingly lay to, and presently showed a
+      weft in her ensign, which was hastily answered by signals from on shore.
+      Men and horses were seen to come down the broken path which leads to the
+      shore; the latter all properly tackled for carrying their loading. Twenty
+      fishing barks were pushed afloat at once, and crowded round the brig with
+      much clamour, laughter, cursing, and jesting. Amidst all this apparent
+      confusion there was the essential regularity. Nanty Ewart again walked his
+      quarter-deck as if he had never tasted spirits in his life, issued the
+      necessary orders with precision, and saw them executed with punctuality.
+      In half an hour the loading of the brig was in a great measure disposed in
+      the boats; in a quarter of an hour more, it was landed on the beach, and
+      another interval of about the same duration was sufficient to distribute
+      it on the various strings of packhorses which waited for that purpose, and
+      which instantly dispersed, each on its own proper adventure. More mystery
+      was observed in loading the ship&rsquo;s boat with a quantity of small barrels,
+      which seemed to contain ammunition. This was not done until the commercial
+      customers had been dismissed; and it was not until this was performed that
+      Ewart proposed to Alan, as he lay stunned with pain and noise, to
+      accompany him ashore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was with difficulty that Fairford could get over the side of the
+      vessel, and he could not seat himself on the stern of the boat without
+      assistance from the captain and his people. Nanty Ewart, who saw nothing
+      in this worse than an ordinary fit of sea-sickness, applied the usual
+      topics of consolation. He assured his passenger that he would be quite
+      well by and by, when he had been half an hour on terra firma, and that he
+      hoped to drink a can and smoke a pipe with him at Father Crackenthorp&rsquo;s,
+      for all that he felt a little out of the way for riding the wooden horse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Who is Father Crackenthorp?&rsquo; said Fairford, though scarcely able to
+      articulate the question.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As honest a fellow as is of a thousand,&rsquo; answered Nanty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ah, how much good brandy he and I have made little of in our day! By my
+      soul, Mr. Fairbird, he is the prince of skinkers, and the father of the
+      free trade&mdash;not a stingy hypocritical devil like old Turnpenny
+      Skinflint, that drinks drunk on other folk&rsquo;s cost, and thinks it sin when
+      he has to pay for it&mdash;but a real hearty old cock;&mdash;the sharks
+      have been at and about him this many a day, but Father Crackenthorp knows
+      how to trim his sails&mdash;never a warrant but he hears of it before the
+      ink&rsquo;s dry. He is BONUS SOCIUS with headborough and constable. The king&rsquo;s
+      exchequer could not bribe a man to inform against him. If any such rascal
+      were to cast up, why, he would miss his ears next morning, or be sent to
+      seek them in the Solway. He is a statesman, [A small landed proprietor.]
+      though he keeps a public; but, indeed, that is only for convenience and to
+      excuse his having cellarage and folk about him; his wife&rsquo;s a canny woman&mdash;and
+      his daughter Doll too. Gad, you&rsquo;ll be in port there till you get round
+      again; and I&rsquo;ll keep my word with you, and bring you to speech of the
+      laird.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Gad, the only trouble I shall have is to get you out of the house; for
+      Doll is a rare wench, and my dame a funny old one, and Father Crackenthorp
+      the rarest companion! He&rsquo;ll drink you a bottle of rum or brandy without
+      starting, but never wet his lips with the nasty Scottish stuff that the
+      canting old scoundrel Turnpenny has brought into fashion. He is a
+      gentleman, every inch of him, old Crackenthorp; in his own way, that is;
+      and besides, he has a share in the JUMPING JENNY, and many a moonlight
+      outfit besides. He can give Doll a pretty penny, if he likes the tight
+      fellow that would turn in with her for life.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the midst of this prolonged panegyric on Father Crackenthorp, the boat
+      touched the beach, the rowers backed their oars to keep her afloat, whilst
+      the other fellows lumped into the surf, and, with the most rapid
+      dexterity, began to hand the barrels ashore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Up with them higher on the beach, my hearties,&rsquo; exclaimed Nanty Ewart&mdash;&lsquo;High
+      and dry&mdash;high and dry&mdash;this gear will not stand wetting. Now,
+      out with our spare hand here&mdash;high and dry with him too. What&rsquo;s that?&mdash;the
+      galloping of horse! Oh, I hear the jingle of the packsaddles&mdash;they
+      are our own folk.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time all the boat&rsquo;s load was ashore, consisting of the little
+      barrels; and the boat&rsquo;s crew, standing to their arms, ranged themselves in
+      front, waiting the advance of the horses which came clattering along the
+      beach. A man, overgrown with corpulence, who might be distinguished in the
+      moonlight panting with his own exertions, appeared at the head of the
+      cavalcade, which consisted of horses linked together, and accommodated
+      with packsaddles, and chains for securing the kegs which made a dreadful
+      clattering.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How now, Father Crackenthorp?&rsquo; said Ewart&mdash;&lsquo;Why this hurry with your
+      horses? We mean to stay a night with you, and taste your old brandy, and
+      my dame&rsquo;s homebrewed. The signal is up, man, and all is right.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;All is wrong, Captain Nanty,&rsquo; cried the man to whom he spoke; &lsquo;and you
+      are the lad that is like to find it so, unless you bundle off&mdash;there
+      are new brooms bought at Carlisle yesterday to sweep the country of you
+      and the like of you&mdash;so you were better be jogging inland.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How many rogues are the officers? If not more than ten, I will make
+      fight.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The devil you will!&rsquo; answered Crackenthorp. &lsquo;You were better not, for
+      they have the bloody-backed dragoons from Carlisle with them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, then,&rsquo; said Nanty, &lsquo;we must make sail. Come, Master Fairlord, you
+      must mount and ride. He does not hear me&mdash;he has fainted, I believe&mdash;What
+      the devil shall I do? Father Crackenthorp, I must leave this young fellow
+      with you till the gale blows out&mdash;hark ye&mdash;goes between the
+      laird and the t&rsquo;other old one; he can neither ride nor walk&mdash;I must
+      send him up to you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Send him up to the gallows!&rsquo; said Crackenthorp; &lsquo;there is Quartermaster
+      Thwacker, with twenty men, up yonder; an he had not some kindness for
+      Doll, I had never got hither for a start&mdash;but you must get off, or
+      they will be here to seek us, for his orders are woundy particular; and
+      these kegs contain worse than whisky&mdash;a hanging matter, I take it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wish they were at the bottom of Wampool river, with them they belong
+      to,&rsquo; said Nanty Ewart. &lsquo;But they are part of cargo; and what to do with
+      the poor young fellow&mdash;&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, many a better fellow has roughed it on the grass with a cloak o&rsquo;er
+      him,&rsquo; said Crackenthorp. &lsquo;If he hath a fever, nothing is so cooling as the
+      night air.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes, he would be cold enough in the morning, no doubt; but it&rsquo;s a kind
+      heart and shall not cool so soon if I can help it,&rsquo; answered the captain
+      of the JUMPING JENNY.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, captain, an ye will risk your own neck for another man&rsquo;s, why not
+      take him to the old girls at Fairladies?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What, the Miss Arthurets! The Papist jades! But never mind; it will do&mdash;I
+      have known them take in a whole sloop&rsquo;s crew that were stranded on the
+      sands.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You may run some risk, though, by turning up to Fairladies; for I tell
+      you they are all up through the country.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Never mind&mdash;I may chance to put some of them down again,&rsquo; said
+      Nanty, cheerfully. &lsquo;Come, lads, bustle to your tackle. Are you all
+      loaded?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye, captain; we will be ready in a jiffy,&rsquo; answered the gang.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;D&mdash;n your captains! Have you a mind to have me hanged if I am taken?
+      All&rsquo;s hail-fellow, here.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A sup at parting,&rsquo; said Father Crackenthorp, extending a flask to Nanty
+      Ewart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not the twentieth part of a drop,&rsquo; said Nanty. &lsquo;No Dutch courage for me&mdash;my
+      heart is always high enough when there&rsquo;s a chance of fighting; besides, if
+      I live drunk, I should like to die sober. Here, old Jephson&mdash;you are
+      the best-natured brute amongst them&mdash;get the lad between us on a
+      quiet horse, and we will keep him upright, I warrant.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As they raised Fairford from the ground, he groaned heavily, and asked
+      faintly where they were taking him to.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To a place where you will be as snug and quiet as a mouse in his hole,&rsquo; 
+      said Nanty, &lsquo;if so be that we can get you there safely. Good-bye, Father
+      Crackenthorp&mdash;poison the quartermaster, if you can.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The loaded horses then sprang forward at a hard trot, following each other
+      in a line, and every second horse being mounted by a stout fellow in a
+      smock frock, which served to conceal the arms with which most of these
+      desperate men were provided. Ewart followed in the rear of the line, and,
+      with the occasional assistance of old Jephson, kept his young charge erect
+      in the saddle. He groaned heavily from time to time; and Ewart, more moved
+      with compassion for his situation than might have been expected from his
+      own habits, endeavoured to amuse him and comfort him, by some account of
+      the place to which they were conveying him&mdash;his words of consolation
+      being, however, frequently interrupted by the necessity of calling to his
+      people, and many of them being lost amongst the rattling of the barrels,
+      and clinking of the tackle and small chains by which they are secured on
+      such occasions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And you see, brother, you will be in safe quarters at Fairladies&mdash;good
+      old scrambling house&mdash;good old maids enough, if they were not
+      Papists,&mdash;Hollo, you Jack Lowther; keep the line, can&rsquo;t ye, and shut
+      your rattle-trap, you broth of a&mdash;? And so, being of a good family,
+      and having enough, the old lasses have turned a kind of saints, and nuns,
+      and so forth. The place they live in was some sort of nun-shop long ago,
+      as they have them still in Flanders; so folk call them the Vestals of
+      Fairladies&mdash;that may be, or may not be; and I care not whether it be
+      or no.&mdash;Blinkinsop, hold your tongue, and be d&mdash;d!&mdash;And so,
+      betwixt great alms and good dinners, they are well thought of by rich and
+      poor, and their trucking with Papists is looked over. There are plenty of
+      priests, and stout young scholars, and such-like, about the house it&rsquo;s a
+      hive of them. More shame that government send dragoons out after-a few
+      honest fellows that bring the old women of England a drop of brandy, and
+      let these ragamuffins smuggle in as much papistry and&mdash;Hark!&mdash;was
+      that a whistle? No, it&rsquo;s only a plover. You, Jem Collier, keep a look-out
+      ahead&mdash;we&rsquo;ll meet them at the High Whins, or Brotthole bottom, or
+      nowhere. Go a furlong ahead, I say, and look sharp.&mdash;These Misses
+      Arthurets feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, and such-like acts&mdash;which
+      my poor father used to say were filthy rags, but he dressed himself out
+      with as many of them as most folk.&mdash;D&mdash;n that stumbling horse!
+      Father Crackenthorp should be d&mdash;d himself for putting an honest
+      fellow&rsquo;s neck in such jeopardy.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Thus, and with much more to the same purpose, Nanty ran on, increasing, by
+      his well-intended annoyance, the agony of Alan Fairford, who, tormented by
+      a racking pain along the back and loins, which made the rough trot of the
+      horse torture to him, had his aching head still further rended and split
+      by the hoarse voice of the sailor, close to his ear. Perfectly passive,
+      however, he did not even essay to give any answer; and indeed his own
+      bodily distress was now so great and engrossing, that to think of his
+      situation was impossible, even if he could have mended it by doing so.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Their course was inland; but in what direction, Alan had no means of
+      ascertaining. They passed at first over heaths and sandy downs; they
+      crossed more than one brook, or beck, as they are called in that country&mdash;some
+      of them of considerable depth&mdash;and at length reached a cultivated
+      country, divided, according to the English fashion of agriculture, into
+      very small fields or closes, by high banks, overgrown with underwood, and
+      surmounted by hedge-row trees, amongst which winded a number of
+      impracticable and complicated lanes, where the boughs projecting from the
+      embankments on each side, intercepted the light of the moon, and
+      endangered the safety of the horsemen. But through this labyrinth the
+      experience of the guides conducted them without a blunder, and without
+      even the slackening of their pace. In many places, however, it was
+      impossible for three men to ride abreast; and therefore the burden of
+      supporting Alan Fairford fell alternately to old Jephson and to Nanty; and
+      it was with much difficulty that they could keep him upright in his
+      saddle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length, when his powers of sufferance were quite worn out, and he was
+      about to implore them to leave him to his fate in the first cottage or
+      shed&mdash;or under a haystack or a hedge&mdash;or anywhere, so he was
+      left at ease, Collier, who rode ahead, passed back the word that they were
+      at the avenue to Fairladies&mdash;&lsquo;Was he to turn up?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Committing the charge of Fairford to Jephson, Nanty dashed up to the head
+      of the troop, and gave his orders.&mdash;&lsquo;Who knows the house best?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sam Skelton&rsquo;s a Catholic,&rsquo; said Lowther.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A d&mdash;d bad religion,&rsquo; said Nanty, of whose Presbyterian education a
+      hatred of Popery seemed to be the only remnant. &lsquo;But I am glad there is
+      one amongst us, anyhow. You, Sam, being a Papist, know Fairladies and the
+      old maidens I dare say; so do you fall out of the line, and wait here with
+      me; and do you, Collier, carry on to Walinford bottom, then turn down the
+      beck till you come to the old mill, and Goodman Grist the Miller, or old
+      Peel-the-Causeway, will tell you where to stow; but I will be up with you
+      before that.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The string of loaded horses then struck forward at their former pace,
+      while Nanty, with Sam Skelton, waited by the roadside till the rear came
+      up, when Jephson and Fairford joined them, and, to the great relief of the
+      latter, they began to proceed at an easier pace than formerly, suffering
+      the gang to precede them, till the clatter and clang attending their
+      progress began to die away in the distance. They had not proceeded a
+      pistol-shot from the place where they parted, when a short turning brought
+      them in front of an old mouldering gateway, whose heavy pinnacles were
+      decorated in the style of the seventeenth century, with clumsy
+      architectural ornaments; several of which had fallen down from decay, and
+      lay scattered about, no further care having been taken than just to remove
+      them out of the direct approach to the avenue. The great stone pillars,
+      glimmering white in the moonlight, had some fanciful resemblance to
+      supernatural apparitions, and the air of neglect all around, gave an
+      uncomfortable idea of the habitation to those who passed its avenue.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There used to be no gate here,&rsquo; said Skelton, finding their way
+      unexpectedly stopped.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But there is a gate now, and a porter too,&rsquo; said a rough voice from
+      within. &lsquo;Who be you, and what do you want at this time of night?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;We want to come to speech of the ladies&mdash;of the Misses Arthuret,&rsquo; 
+      said Nanty; &lsquo;and to ask lodging for a sick man.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There is no speech to be had of the Miss Arthurets at this time of night,
+      and you may carry your sick man to the doctor,&rsquo; answered the fellow from
+      within, gruffly; &lsquo;for as sure as there is savour in salt, and scent in
+      rosemary, you will get no entrance&mdash;put your pipes up and be jogging
+      on.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, Dick Gardener,&rsquo; said Skelton, &lsquo;be thou then turned porter?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What, do you know who I am?&rsquo; said the domestic sharply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I know you, by your by-word,&rsquo; answered the other; &lsquo;What, have you forgot
+      little Sam Skelton, and the brock in the barrel?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, I have not forgotten you,&rsquo; answered the acquaintance of Sam Skelton;
+      &lsquo;but my orders are peremptory to let no one up the avenue this night, and
+      therefore&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But we are armed, and will not be kept back,&rsquo; said Nanty. &lsquo;Hark ye,
+      fellow, were it not better for you to take a guinea and let us in, than to
+      have us break the door first, and thy pate afterwards? for I won&rsquo;t see my
+      comrade die at your door be assured of that.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, I dunna know,&rsquo; said the fellow; &lsquo;but what cattle were those that
+      rode by in such hurry?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, some of our folk from Bowness, Stoniecultrum, and thereby,&rsquo; answered
+      Skelton; &lsquo;Jack Lowther, and old Jephson, and broad Will Lamplugh, and such
+      like.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well,&rsquo; said Dick Gardener, &lsquo;as sure as there is savour in salt, and scent
+      in rosemary, I thought it had been the troopers from Carlisle and Wigton,
+      and the sound brought my heart to my mouth.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Had thought thou wouldst have known the clatter of a cask from the clash
+      of a broadsword, as well as e&rsquo;er a quaffer in Cumberland,&rsquo; said Skelton.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Come, brother, less of your jaw and more of your legs, if you please,&rsquo; 
+      said Nanty; &lsquo;every moment we stay is a moment lost. Go to the ladies, and
+      tell them that Nanty Ewart, of the JUMPING JENNY, has brought a young
+      gentleman, charged with letters from Scotland to a certain gentleman of
+      consequence in Cumberland&mdash;that the soldiers are out, and the
+      gentleman is very ill and if he is not received at Fairladies he must be
+      left either to die at the gate, or to be taken, with all his papers about
+      him, by the redcoats.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Away ran Dick Gardener with this message; and, in a few minutes, lights
+      were seen to flit about, which convinced Fairford, who was now, in
+      consequence of the halt, a little restored to self-possession, that they
+      were traversing the front of a tolerably large mansion-house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What if thy friend, Dick Gardener, comes not back again?&rsquo; said Jephson to
+      Skelton.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, then,&rsquo; said the person addressed, &lsquo;I shall owe him just such a
+      licking as thou, old Jephson, had from Dan Cooke, and will pay as duly and
+      truly as he did.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The old man was about to make an angry reply, when his doubts were
+      silenced by the return of Dick Gardener, who announced that Miss Arthuret
+      was coming herself as far as the gateway to speak with them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nanty Ewart cursed in a low tone the suspicions of old maids and the
+      churlish scruples of Catholics, that made so many obstacles to helping a
+      fellow creature, and wished Miss Arthuret a hearty rheumatism or toothache
+      as the reward of her excursion; but the lady presently appeared, to cut
+      short further grumbling. She was attended by a waiting-maid with a
+      lantern, by means of which she examined the party on the outside, as
+      closely as the imperfect light, and the spars of the newly-erected gate,
+      would permit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am sorry we have disturbed you so late, Madam Arthuret,&rsquo; said Nanty;
+      &lsquo;but the case is this&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Holy Virgin,&rsquo; said she, &lsquo;why do you speak so loud? Pray, are you not the
+      captain of the SAINTE GENEVIEVE?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, aye, ma&rsquo;am,&rsquo; answered Ewart, &lsquo;they call the brig so at Dunkirk, sure
+      enough; but along shore here, they call her the JUMPING JENNY.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You brought over the holy Father Buonaventure, did you not?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, aye, madam, I have brought over enough of them black cattle,&rsquo; 
+      answered Nanty. &lsquo;Fie! fie! friend,&rsquo; said Miss Arthuret; &lsquo;it is a pity that
+      the saints should commit these good men to a heretic&rsquo;s care.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, no more they would, ma&rsquo;am,&rsquo; answered Nanty, &lsquo;could they find a
+      Papist lubber that knew the coast as I do; then I am trusty as steel to
+      owners, and always look after cargo&mdash;live lumber, or dead flesh, or
+      spirits, all is one to me; and your Catholics have such d&mdash;d large
+      hoods, with pardon, ma&rsquo;am, that they can sometimes hide two faces under
+      them. But here is a gentleman dying, with letters about him from the Laird
+      of Summertrees to the Laird of the Lochs, as they call him, along Solway,
+      and every minute he lies here is a nail in his coffin.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Saint Mary! what shall we do?&rsquo; said Miss Arthuret; &lsquo;we must admit him, I
+      think, at all risks. You, Richard Gardener, help one of these men to carry
+      the gentleman up to the Place; and you, Selby, see him lodged at the end
+      of the long gallery. You are a heretic, captain, but I think you are
+      trusty, and I know you have been trusted&mdash;but if you are imposing on
+      me&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not I, madam&mdash;never attempt to impose on ladies of your experience&mdash;my
+      practice that way has been all among the young ones. Come, cheerly, Mr.
+      Fairford&mdash;you will be taken good care of&mdash;try to walk.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan did so; and, refreshed by his halt, declared himself able to walk to
+      the house with the sole assistance of the gardener.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, that&rsquo;s hearty. Thank thee, Dick, for lending him thine arm&rsquo;&mdash;and
+      Nanty slipped into his hand the guinea he had promised.&mdash;&lsquo;Farewell,
+      then, Mr. Fairford, and farewell, Madam Arthuret, for I have been too long
+      here.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he and his two companions threw themselves on horseback, and
+      went off at a gallop. Yet, even above the clatter of their hoofs did the
+      incorrigible Nanty hollo out the old ballad&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  A lovely lass to a friar came,
+  To confession a-morning early;&mdash;
+  &lsquo;In what, my dear, are you to blame?
+  Come tell me most sincerely?&rsquo; 
+  &lsquo;Alas!  my fault I dare not name&mdash;
+  But my lad he loved me dearly.&rsquo; 
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Holy Virgin!&rsquo; exclaimed Miss Seraphina, as the unhallowed sounds reached
+      her ears; &lsquo;what profane heathens be these men, and what frights and
+      pinches we be put to among them! The saints be good to us, what a night
+      has this been!&mdash;the like never seen at Fairladies. Help me to make
+      fast the gate, Richard, and thou shalt come down again to wait on it, lest
+      there come more unwelcome visitors&mdash;Not that you are unwelcome, young
+      gentleman, for it is sufficient that you need such assistance as we can
+      give you, to make you welcome to Fairladies&mdash;only, another time would
+      have done as well&mdash;but, hem! I dare say it is all for the best. The
+      avenue is none of the smoothest, sir, look to your feet. Richard Gardener
+      should have had it mown and levelled, but he was obliged to go on a
+      pilgrimage to Saint Winifred&rsquo;s Well, in Wales.&rsquo; (Here Dick gave a short
+      dry cough, which, as if he had found it betrayed some internal feeling a
+      little at variance with what the lady said, he converted into a muttered
+      SANCTA WINIFREDA, ORA PRO NOBIS. Miss Arthuret, meantime, proceeded) &lsquo;We
+      never interfere with our servants&rsquo; vows or penances, Master Fairford&mdash;I
+      know a very worthy father of your name, perhaps a relation&mdash;I say, we
+      never interfere with our servants vows. Our Lady forbid they should not
+      know some difference between our service and a heretic&rsquo;s.&mdash;Take care,
+      sir, you will fall if you have not a care. Alas! by night and day there
+      are many stumbling-blocks in our paths!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With more talk to the same purpose, all of which tended to show a
+      charitable and somewhat silly woman with a strong inclination to her
+      superstitious devotion, Miss Arthuret entertained her new guest, as,
+      stumbling at every obstacle which the devotion of his guide, Richard, had
+      left in the path, he at last, by ascending some stone steps decorated on
+      the side with griffins, or some such heraldic anomalies, attained a
+      terrace extending in front of the Place of Fairladies; an old-fashioned
+      gentleman&rsquo;s house of some consequence, with its range of notched
+      gable-ends and narrow windows, relieved by here and there an old turret
+      about the size of a pepper-box. The door was locked during the brief
+      absence of the mistress; a dim light glimmered through the sashed door of
+      the hall, which opened beneath a huge stone porch, loaded with jessamine
+      and other creepers. All the windows were dark as pitch.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Miss Arthuret tapped at the door. &lsquo;Sister, sister Angelica.&rsquo; &lsquo;Who is
+      there?&rsquo; was answered from within; &lsquo;is it you, sister Seraphina?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes, yes, undo the door; do you not know my voice?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No doubt, sister,&rsquo; said Angelica, undoing bolt and bar; &lsquo;but you know our
+      charge, and the enemy is watchful to surprise us&mdash;INCEDIT SICUT LEO
+      VORANS, saith the breviary. Whom have you brought here? Oh, sister, what
+      have you done?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is a young man,&rsquo; said Seraphina, hastening to interrupt her sister&rsquo;s
+      remonstrance, &lsquo;a relation, I believe, of our worthy Father Fairford; left
+      at the gate by the captain of that blessed vessel the SAINTE GENEVIEVE&mdash;almost
+      dead&mdash;and charged with dispatches to &lsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She lowered her voice as she mumbled over the last words.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, then, there is no help,&rsquo; said Angelica; &lsquo;but it is unlucky.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      During this dialogue between the vestals of Fairladies, Dick Gardener
+      deposited his burden in a chair, where the young lady, after a moment of
+      hesitation, expressing a becoming reluctance to touch the hand of a
+      stranger, put her finger and thumb upon Fairford&rsquo;s wrist, and counted his
+      pulse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There is fever here, sister,&rsquo; she said; &lsquo;Richard must call Ambrose, and
+      we must send some of the febrifuge.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ambrose arrived presently, a plausible and respectable-looking old
+      servant, bred in the family, and who had risen from rank to rank in the
+      Arthuret service till he was become half-physician, half-almoner,
+      half-butler, and entire governor; that is, when the Father Confessor, who
+      frequently eased him of the toils of government, chanced to be abroad.
+      Under the direction, and with the assistance of this venerable personage,
+      the unlucky Alan Fairford was conveyed to a decent apartment at the end of
+      a long gallery, and, to his inexpressible relief, consigned to a
+      comfortable bed. He did not attempt to resist the prescription of Mr.
+      Ambrose, who not only presented him with the proposed draught, but
+      proceeded so far as to take a considerable quantity of blood from him, by
+      which last operation he probably did his patient much service.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      On the next morning, when Fairford awoke, after no very refreshing
+      slumbers, in which were mingled many wild dreams of his father and of
+      Darsie Latimer,&mdash;of the damsel in the green mantle and the vestals of
+      Fairladies,&mdash;of drinking small beer with Nanty Ewart and being
+      immersed in the Solway with the JUMPING JENNY,&mdash;he found himself in
+      no condition to dispute the order of Mr. Ambrose, that he should keep his
+      bed, from which, indeed, he could not have raised himself without
+      assistance. He became sensible that his anxiety, and his constant efforts
+      for some days past, had been too much for his health, and that, whatever
+      might be his impatience, he could not proceed in his undertaking until his
+      strength was re-established.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meanwhile, no better quarters could have been found for an invalid.
+      The attendants spoke under their breath, and moved only on tiptoe&mdash;nothing
+      was done unless PAR ORDONNANCE DU MEDECIN. Aesculapius reigned paramount
+      in the premises at Fairladies. Once a day, the ladies came in great state
+      to wait upon him and inquire after his health, and it was then that;
+      Alan&rsquo;s natural civility, and the thankfulness which he expressed for their
+      timely and charitable assistance, raised him considerably in their esteem.
+      He was on the third day removed to a better apartment than that in which
+      he had been at first accommodated. When he was permitted to drink a glass
+      of wine, it was of the first quality; one of those curious old-fashioned
+      cobwebbed bottles being produced on the occasion, which are only to be
+      found in the crypts of old country-seats, where they may have lurked
+      undisturbed for more than half a century.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But however delightful a residence for an invalid, Fairladies, as its
+      present inmate became soon aware, was not so agreeable to a convalescent.
+      When he dragged himself to the window so soon as he could crawl from bed,
+      behold it was closely grated, and commanded no view except of a little
+      paved court. This was nothing remarkable, most old Border houses having
+      their windows so secured. But then Fairford observed, that whosoever
+      entered or left the room always locked the door with great care and
+      circumspection; and some proposals which he made to take a walk in the
+      gallery, or even in the garden, were so coldly received, both by the
+      ladies and their prime minister, Mr. Ambrose, that he saw plainly such an
+      extension of his privileges as a guest would not be permitted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Anxious to ascertain whether this excessive hospitality would permit him
+      his proper privilege of free agency, he announced to this important
+      functionary, with grateful thanks for the care with which he had been
+      attended, his purpose to leave Fairladies next morning, requesting only,
+      as a continuance of the favours with which he had been loaded, the loan of
+      a horse to the next town; and, assuring Mr. Ambrose that his gratitude
+      would not be limited by such, a trifle, he slipped three guineas into his
+      hand, by way of seconding his proposal. The fingers of that worthy
+      domestic closed as naturally upon the honorarium, as if a degree in the
+      learned faculty had given him a right to clutch it; but his answer
+      concerning Alan&rsquo;s proposed departure was at first evasive, and when he was
+      pushed, it amounted to a peremptory assurance that he could not be
+      permitted to depart to-morrow; it was as much as his life was worth, and
+      his ladies would not authorize it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I know best what my own life is worth,&rsquo; said Alan; &lsquo;and I do not value it
+      in comparison to the business which requires my instant attention.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Receiving still no satisfactory answer from Mr. Ambrose, Fairford thought
+      it best to state his resolution to the ladies themselves, in the most
+      measured, respectful, and grateful terms; but still such as expressed a
+      firm determination to depart on the morrow, or next day at farthest. After
+      some attempts to induce him to stay, on the alleged score of health, which
+      were so expressed that he was convinced they were only used to delay his
+      departure, Fairford plainly told them that he was entrusted with
+      dispatches of consequence to the gentleman known by the name of Herries,
+      Redgauntlet, and the Laird of the Lochs; and that it was matter of life
+      and death to deliver them early.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I dare say, Sister Angelica,&rsquo; said the elder Miss Arthuret, that the
+      gentleman is honest; and if he is really a relation of Father Fairford, we
+      can run no risk.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Jesu Maria!&rsquo; exclaimed the younger. &lsquo;Oh, fie, Sister Seraphina! Fie, fie!&mdash;&lsquo;VADE
+      RETRO&mdash;get thee behind me!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, well; but, sister&mdash;Sister Angelica&mdash;let me speak with you
+      in the gallery.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So out the ladies rustled in their silks and tissues, and it was a good
+      half-hour ere they rustled in again, with importance and awe on their
+      countenances.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To tell you the truth, Mr. Fairford, the cause of our desire to delay you
+      is&mdash;there is a religious gentleman in this house at present&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A most excellent person indeed&rsquo;&mdash;said the sister Angelica.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;An anointed of his Master!&rsquo; echoed Seraphina,&mdash;&lsquo;and we should be
+      glad that, for conscience&rsquo; sake, you would hold some discourse with him
+      before your departure.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oho!&rsquo; thought Fairford, &lsquo;the murder is out&mdash;here is a design of
+      conversion! I must not affront the good ladies, but I shall soon send off
+      the priest, I think.&rsquo; He then answered aloud, &lsquo;that he should be happy to
+      converse with any friend of theirs&mdash;that in religious matters he had
+      the greatest respect for every modification of Christianity, though, he
+      must say, his belief was made up to that in which he had been educated;
+      nevertheless, if his seeing the religious person they recommended could in
+      the least show his respect&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is not quite that,&rsquo; said Sister Seraphina, &lsquo;although I am sure the day
+      is too short to hear him&mdash;Father Buonaventure, I mean&mdash;speak
+      upon the concerns of our souls; but&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Come, come, Sister Seraphina,&rsquo; said the younger, &lsquo;it is needless to talk
+      so much about it. His&mdash;his Eminence&mdash;I mean Father Buonaventure&mdash;will
+      himself explain what he wants this gentleman to know.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;His Eminence!&rsquo; said Fairford, surprised&mdash;&lsquo;is this gentleman so high
+      in the Catholic Church? The title is given only to Cardinals, I think.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He is not a Cardinal as yet,&rsquo; answered Seraphina; &lsquo;but I assure you, Mr.
+      Fairford, he is as high in rank as he is eminently endowed with good
+      gifts, and&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Come away,&rsquo; said Sister Angelica. &lsquo;Holy Virgin, how you do talk! What has
+      Mr. Fairford to do with Father Buonaventure&rsquo;s rank? Only, sir, you will
+      remember that the Father has been always accustomed to be treated with the
+      most profound deference; indeed&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Come away, sister,&rsquo; said Sister Seraphina, in her turn; &lsquo;who talks now, I
+      pray you? Mr. Fairford will know how to comport himself.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And we had best both leave the room,&rsquo; said the younger lady, &lsquo;for here
+      his Eminence comes.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She lowered her voice to a whisper as she pronounced the last words; and
+      as Fairford was about to reply, by assuring her that any friend of hers
+      should be treated by him with all the ceremony he could expect, she
+      imposed silence on him, by holding up her finger.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A solemn and stately step was now heard in the gallery; it might have
+      proclaimed the approach not merely of a bishop or cardinal, but of the
+      Sovereign Pontiff himself. Nor could the sound have been more respectfully
+      listened to by the two ladies, had it announced that the Head of the
+      Church was approaching in person. They drew themselves, like sentinels on
+      duty, one on each side of the door by which the long gallery communicated
+      with Fairford&rsquo;s apartment, and stood there immovable, and with
+      countenances expressive of the deepest reverence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The approach of Father Buonaventure was so slow, that Fairford had time to
+      notice all this, and to marvel in his mind what wily and ambitious priest
+      could have contrived to subject his worthy but simple-minded hostesses to
+      such superstitious trammels. Father Buonaventure&rsquo;s entrance and appearance
+      in some degree accounted for the whole.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was a man of middle life, about forty or upwards; but either care, or
+      fatigue, or indulgence, had brought on the appearance of premature old
+      age, and given to his fine features a cast of seriousness or even sadness.
+      A noble countenance, however, still remained; and though his complexion
+      was altered, and wrinkles stamped upon his brow in many a melancholy fold,
+      still the lofty forehead, the full and well-opened eye, and the
+      well-formed nose, showed how handsome in better days he must have been. He
+      was tall, but lost the advantage of his height by stooping; and the cane
+      which he wore always in his hand, and occasionally used, as well as his
+      slow though majestic gait, seemed to intimate that his form and limbs felt
+      already some touch of infirmity. The colour of his hair could not be
+      discovered, as, according to the fashion, he wore a periwig. He was
+      handsomely, though gravely dressed in a secular habit, and had a cockade
+      in his hat; circumstances which did not surprise Fairford, who knew that a
+      military disguise was very often assumed by the seminary priests, whose
+      visits to England, or residence there, subjected them to legal penalties.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As this stately person entered the apartment, the two ladies facing
+      inward, like soldiers on their post when about to salute a superior
+      officer, dropped on either hand of the father a curtsy so profound that
+      the hoop petticoats which performed the feat seemed to sink down to the
+      very floor, nay, through it, as if a trap-door had opened for the descent
+      of the dames who performed this act of reverence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The father seemed accustomed to such homage, profound as it was; he turned
+      his person a little way first towards one sister, and then towards the
+      other, while, with a gracious inclination of his person, which certainly
+      did not amount to a bow, he acknowledged their curtsy. But he passed
+      forward without addressing them, and seemed by doing so to intimate that
+      their presence in the apartment was unnecessary.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They accordingly glided out of the room, retreating backwards, with hands
+      clasped and eyes cast upwards, as if imploring blessings on the religious
+      man whom they venerated so highly. The door of the apartment was shut
+      after them, but not before Fairford had perceived that there were one or
+      two men in the gallery, and that, contrary to what he had before observed,
+      the door, though shut, was not locked on the outside.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Can the good souls apprehend danger from me to this god of their
+      idolatry?&rsquo; thought Fairford. But he had no time to make further
+      observations, for the stranger had already reached the middle of his
+      apartment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford rose to receive him respectfully, but as he fixed his eyes on the
+      visitor, he thought that the father avoided his looks. His reasons for
+      remaining incognito were cogent enough to account for this, and Fairford
+      hastened to relieve him, by looking downwards in his turn; but when again
+      he raised his face, he found the broad light eye of the stranger so fixed
+      on him that he was almost put out of countenance by the steadiness of his
+      gaze. During this time they remained standing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Take your seat, sir,&rsquo; said the father; &lsquo;you have been an invalid.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He spoke with the tone of one who desires an inferior to be seated in his
+      presence, and his voice was full and melodious.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford, somewhat surprised to find himself overawed by the airs of
+      superiority, which could be only properly exercised towards one over whom
+      religion gave the speaker influence, sat down at his bidding, as if moved
+      by springs, and was at a loss how to assert the footing of equality on
+      which he felt that they ought to stand. The stranger kept the advantage
+      which he had obtained.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your name, sir, I am informed, is Fairford?&rsquo; said the father.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan answered by a bow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Called to the Scottish bar,&rsquo; continued his visitor, &lsquo;There is, I believe,
+      in the West, a family of birth and rank called Fairford of Fairford.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan thought this a strange observation from a foreign ecclesiastic, as
+      his name intimated Father Buonaventure to be; but only answered he
+      believed there was such, a family.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do you count kindred with them, Mr. Fairford?&rsquo; continued the inquirer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have not the honour to lay such a claim,&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My father&rsquo;s industry has raised his family from a low and obscure
+      situation&mdash;I have no hereditary claim to distinction of any kind. May
+      I ask the cause of these inquiries?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You will learn it presently,&rsquo; said Father Buonaventure, who had given a
+      dry and dissatisfied HEM at the young man&rsquo;s acknowledging a plebeian
+      descent. He then motioned to him to be silent, and proceeded with his
+      queries.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Although not of condition, you are, doubtless, by sentiments and
+      education, a man of honour and a gentleman?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hope so, sir,&rsquo; said Alan, colouring with displeasure. &lsquo;I have not been
+      accustomed to have it questioned.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Patience, young man,&rsquo; said the unperturbed querist&mdash;&lsquo;we are on
+      serious business, and no idle etiquette must prevent its being discussed
+      seriously. You are probably aware that you speak to a person proscribed by
+      the severe and unjust laws of the present government?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am aware of the statute 1700, chapter 3,&rsquo; said Alan, &lsquo;banishing from
+      the realm priests and trafficking Papists, and punishing by death, on
+      summary conviction, any such person who being so banished may return. But
+      I have no means of knowing you, sir, to be one of those persons; and I
+      think your prudence may recommend to you to keep your own counsel.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is sufficient, sir; and I have no apprehensions of disagreeable
+      consequences from your having seen me in this house,&rsquo; said the priest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Assuredly no,&rsquo; said Alan. &lsquo;I consider myself as indebted for my life to
+      the mistresses of Fairladies; and it would be a vile requital on my part
+      to pry into or make known what I may have seen or heard under this
+      hospitable roof. If I were to meet the Pretender himself in such a
+      situation, he should, even at the risk of a little stretch to my loyalty,
+      be free from any danger from my indiscretion.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The Pretender!&rsquo; said the priest, with some angry emphasis; but
+      immediately softened his tone and added, &lsquo;No doubt, however, that person
+      is a pretender; and some people think his pretensions are not ill founded.
+      But, before running into politics, give me leave to say, that I am
+      surprised to find a gentleman of your opinions in habits of intimacy with
+      Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees and Mr. Redgauntlet, and the medium of
+      conducting the intercourse betwixt them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Pardon me, sir,&rsquo; replied Alan Fairford; &lsquo;I do not aspire to the honour of
+      being reputed their confidant or go-between. My concern with those
+      gentlemen is limited to one matter of business, dearly interesting to me,
+      because it concerns the safety&mdash;perhaps the life&mdash;of my dearest
+      friend.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Would you have any objection to entrust me with the cause of your
+      journey?&rsquo; said Father Buonaventure. &lsquo;My advice may be of service to you,
+      and my influence with one or both these gentlemen is considerable.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford hesitated a moment, and, hastily revolving all circumstances,
+      concluded that he might perhaps receive some advantage from propitiating
+      this personage; while, on the other hand, he endangered nothing by
+      communicating to him the occasion of his journey. He, therefore, after
+      stating shortly that he hoped Mr. Buonaventure would render him the same
+      confidence which he required on his part, gave a short account of Darsie
+      Latimer&mdash;of the mystery which hung over his family&mdash;and of the
+      disaster which had befallen him. Finally, of his own resolution to seek
+      for his friend, and to deliver him, at the peril of his own life.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The Catholic priest, whose manner it seemed to be to avoid all
+      conversation which did not arise from his own express motion, made no
+      remarks upon what he had heard, but only asked one or two abrupt
+      questions, where Alan&rsquo;s narrative appeared less clear to him; then rising
+      from his seat, he took two turns through the apartment, muttering between
+      his teeth, with emphasis, the word &lsquo;madman!&rsquo; But apparently he was in the
+      habit of keeping all violent emotions under restraint; for he presently
+      addressed Fairford with the most perfect indifference.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If,&rsquo; said he, &lsquo;you thought you could do so without breach of confidence,
+      I wish you would have the goodness to show me the letter of Mr. Maxwell of
+      Summertrees. I desire to look particularly at the address.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Seeing no cause to decline this extension of his confidence, Alan, without
+      hesitation, put the letter into his hand. Having turned it round as old
+      Trumbull and Nanty Ewart had formerly done, and, like them, having
+      examined the address with much minuteness, he asked whether he had
+      observed these words, pointing to a pencil-writing upon the under side of
+      the letter. Fairford answered in the negative, and, looking at the letter,
+      read with surprise, &lsquo;CAVE NE LITERAS BELLEROPHONTIS ADFERRES&rsquo;; a caution
+      which coincided so exactly with the provost&rsquo;s admonition, that he would do
+      well to inspect the letter of which he was bearer, that he was about to
+      spring up and attempt an escape, he knew not wherefore, or from whom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sit still, young man,&rsquo; said the father, with the same tone of authority
+      which reigned in his whole manner, although mingled with stately courtesy.
+      &lsquo;You are in no danger&mdash;my character shall be a pledge for your
+      safety. By whom do you suppose these words have been written?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford could have answered, &lsquo;By Nanty Ewart,&rsquo; for he remembered seeing
+      that person scribble something with a pencil, although he was not well
+      enough to observe with accuracy where or upon what. But not knowing what
+      suspicions, or what worse consequences the seamen&rsquo;s interest in his
+      affairs might draw upon him, he judged it best to answer that he knew not
+      the hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Father Buonaventure was again silent for a moment or two, which he
+      employed in surveying the letter with the strictest attention; then
+      stepped to the window, as if to examine the address and writing of the
+      envelope with the assistance of a stronger light, and Alan Fairford beheld
+      him, with no less amazement than high displeasure, coolly and deliberately
+      break the seal, open the letter, and peruse the contents.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Stop, sir, hold!&rsquo; he exclaimed, so soon as his astonishment permitted him
+      to express his resentment in words; &lsquo;by what right do you dare&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peace, young gentleman,&rsquo; said the father, repelling him with a wave of
+      his hand; &lsquo;be assured I do not act without warrant&mdash;nothing can pass
+      betwixt Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Redgauntlet that I am not fully entitled to
+      know.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It may be so,&rsquo; said Alan, extremely angry; &lsquo;but though you may be these
+      gentlemen&rsquo;s father confessor, you are not mine; and in breaking the seal
+      of a letter entrusted to my care, you have done me&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No injury, I assure you,&rsquo; answered the unperturbed priest; &lsquo;on the
+      contrary, it may be a service.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I desire no advantage at such a rate, or to be obtained in such a
+      manner,&rsquo; answered Fairford; &lsquo;restore me the letter instantly, or&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As you regard your own safety,&rsquo; said the priest, &lsquo;forbear all injurious
+      expressions, and all menacing gestures. I am not one who can be threatened
+      or insulted with impunity; and there are enough within hearing to chastise
+      any injury or affront offered to me, in case I may think it unbecoming to
+      protect or avenge myself with my own hand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In saying this, the father assumed an air of such fearlessness and calm
+      authority, that the young lawyer, surprised and overawed, forbore, as he
+      had intended, to snatch the letter from his hand, and confined himself to
+      bitter complaints of the impropriety of his conduct, and of the light in
+      which he himself must be placed to Redgauntlet should he present him a
+      letter with a broken seal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That,&rsquo; said Father Buonaventure, &lsquo;shall be fully cared for. I will myself
+      write to Redgauntlet, and enclose Maxwell&rsquo;s letter, provided always you
+      continue to desire to deliver it, after perusing the contents.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He then restored the letter to Fairford, and, observing that he hesitated
+      to peruse it, said emphatically, &lsquo;Read it, for it concerns you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This recommendation, joined to what Provost Crosbie had formerly
+      recommended, and to the warning which he doubted not that Nanty intended
+      to convey by his classical allusion, decided Fairford&rsquo;s resolution. &lsquo;If
+      these correspondents,&rsquo; he thought, &lsquo;are conspiring against my person, I
+      have a right to counterplot them; self-preservation, as well as my
+      friend&rsquo;s safety, require that I should not be too scrupulous.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So thinking, he read the letter, which was in the following words:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;DEAR RUGGED AND DANGEROUS, &lsquo;Will you never cease meriting your old
+      nick-name? You have springed your dottrel, I find, and what is the
+      consequence?&mdash;why, that there will be hue and cry after you
+      presently. The bearer is a pert young lawyer, who has brought a formal
+      complaint against you, which, luckily, he has preferred in a friendly
+      court. Yet, favourable as the judge was disposed to be, it was with the
+      utmost difficulty that cousin Jenny and I could keep him to his tackle. He
+      begins to be timid, suspicious, and untractable, and I fear Jenny will
+      soon bend her brows on him in vain. I know not what to advise&mdash;the
+      lad who carries this is a good lad&mdash;active for his friend&mdash;and I
+      have pledged my honour he shall have no personal ill-usage. Pledged my
+      honour, remark these words, and remember I can be rugged and dangerous as
+      well, as my neighbours. But I have not ensured him against a short
+      captivity, and as he is a stirring active fellow, I see no remedy but
+      keeping him out of the way till this business of the good Father B&mdash;&mdash;
+      is safely blown over, which God send it were!&mdash;Always thine, even
+      should I be once more CRAIG-IN-PERIL.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What think you, young man, of the danger you have been about to encounter
+      so willingly?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As strangely,&rsquo; replied Alan Fairford, &lsquo;as of the extraordinary means
+      which you have been at present pleased to use for the discovery of Mr.
+      Maxwell&rsquo;s purpose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Trouble not yourself to account for my conduct,&rsquo; said the father; &lsquo;I have
+      a warrant for what I do, and fear no responsibility. But tell me what is
+      your present purpose.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I should not perhaps name it to you, whose own safety may be implicated.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I understand you,&rsquo; answered the father; &lsquo;you would appeal to the existing
+      government? That can at no rate be permitted&mdash;we will rather detain
+      you at Fairladies by compulsion.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You will probably,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;first weigh the risk of such a
+      proceeding in a free country.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have incurred more formidable hazard,&rsquo; said the priest, smiling; &lsquo;yet I
+      am willing to find a milder expedient. Come; let us bring the matter to a
+      compromise.&rsquo; And he assumed a conciliating graciousness of manner, which
+      struck Fairford as being rather too condescending for the occasion; &lsquo;I
+      presume you will be satisfied to remain here in seclusion for a day or two
+      longer, provided I pass my solemn word to you that you shall meet with the
+      person whom you seek after&mdash;meet with him in perfect safety, and, I
+      trust, in good health, and be afterwards both at liberty to return to
+      Scotland, or dispose of yourselves as each of you may be minded?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I respect the VERBUM SACERDOTIS as much as can reasonably be expected
+      from a Protestant,&rsquo; answered Fairford; &lsquo;but methinks, you can scarce
+      expect me to repose so much confidence in the word of an unknown person as
+      is implied in the guarantee which you offer me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am not accustomed, sir,&rsquo; said the father, in a very haughty tone, &lsquo;to
+      have my word disputed. But,&rsquo; he added, while the angry hue passed from his
+      cheek, after a moment&rsquo;s reflection, &lsquo;you know me not, and ought to be
+      excused. I will repose more confidence in your honour than you seem
+      willing to rest upon mine; and, since we are so situated that one must
+      rely upon the other&rsquo;s faith, I will cause you to be set presently at
+      liberty, and furnished with the means of delivering your letter as
+      addressed, provided that now, knowing the contents, you think it safe for
+      yourself to execute the commission.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford paused. &lsquo;I cannot see,&rsquo; he at length replied, &lsquo;how I can
+      proceed with respect to the accomplishment of my sole purpose, which is
+      the liberation of my friend, without appealing to the law and obtaining
+      the assistance of a magistrate. If I present this singular letter of Mr.
+      Maxwell, with the contents of which I have become so unexpectedly
+      acquainted, I shall only share his captivity.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And if you apply to a magistrate, young man, you will bring ruin on these
+      hospitable ladies, to whom, in all human probability, you owe your life.
+      You cannot obtain a warrant for your purpose, without giving a clear
+      detail of all the late scenes through which you have passed. A magistrate
+      would oblige you to give a complete account of yourself, before arming you
+      with his authority against a third party; and in giving such an account,
+      the safety of these ladies will necessarily be compromised. A hundred
+      spies have had, and still have, their eyes upon this mansion; but God will
+      protect his own.&rsquo;&mdash;He crossed himself devoutly, and then proceeded,&mdash;&lsquo;You
+      can take an hour to think of your best plan, and I will pledge myself to
+      forward it thus far, provided it be not asking you to rely more on my word
+      than your prudence can warrant. You shall go to Redgauntlet,&mdash;I name
+      him plainly, to show my confidence in you,&mdash;and you shall deliver him
+      this letter of Mr. Maxwell&rsquo;s, with one from me, in which I will enjoin him
+      to set your friend at liberty, or at least to make no attempts upon your
+      own person, either by detention or otherwise. If you can trust me thus
+      far,&rsquo; he said, with a proud emphasis on the words &lsquo;I will on my side see
+      you depart from this place with the most perfect confidence that you will
+      not return armed with powers to drag its inmates to destruction. You are
+      young and inexperienced&mdash;bred to a profession also which sharpens
+      suspicion, and gives false views of human nature. I have seen much of the
+      world, and have known better than most men how far mutual confidence is
+      requisite in managing affairs of consequence.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He spoke with an air of superiority, even of authority, by which Fairford,
+      notwithstanding his own internal struggles, was silenced and overawed so
+      much, that it was not till the father had turned to leave the apartment
+      that he found words to ask him what the consequences would be, should he
+      decline to depart on the terms proposed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You must then, for the safety of all parties, remain for some days an
+      inhabitant of Fairladies, where we have the means of detaining you, which
+      self-preservation will in that case compel us to make use of. Your
+      captivity will be short; for matters cannot long remain as they are. The
+      cloud must soon rise, or it must sink upon us for ever. BENEDICITE!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With these words he left the apartment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford, upon his departure, felt himself much at a loss what course to
+      pursue. His line of education, as well as his father&rsquo;s tenets in matters
+      of church and state, had taught him a holy horror for Papists, and a
+      devout belief in whatever had been said of the Punic faith of Jesuits, and
+      of the expedients of mental reservation by which the Catholic priests in
+      general were supposed to evade keeping faith with heretics. Yet there was
+      something of majesty, depressed indeed and overclouded, but still grand
+      and imposing, in the manner and words of Father Buonaventure, which it was
+      difficult to reconcile with those preconceived opinions which imputed
+      subtlety and fraud to his sect and order. Above all, Alan was aware that
+      if he accepted not his freedom upon the terms offered him, he was likely
+      to be detained by force; so that, in every point of view, he was a gainer
+      by accepting them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A qualm, indeed, came across him, when he considered, as a lawyer, that
+      this father was probably, in the eye of law, a traitor; and that there was
+      an ugly crime on the Statute Book, called misprision of treason. On the
+      other hand, whatever he might think or suspect, he could not take upon him
+      to say that the man was a priest, whom he had never seen in the dress of
+      his order, or in the act of celebrating mass; so that he felt himself at
+      liberty to doubt of that respecting which he possessed no legal proof. He
+      therefore arrived at the conclusion, that he would do well to accept his
+      liberty, and proceed to Redgauntlet under the guarantee of Father
+      Buonaventure, which he scarce doubted would be sufficient to save him from
+      personal inconvenience. Should he once obtain speech of that gentleman, he
+      felt the same confidence as formerly, that he might be able to convince
+      him of the rashness of his conduct, should he not consent to liberate
+      Darsie Latimer. At all events, he should learn where his friend was, and
+      how circumstanced.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Having thus made up his mind, Alan waited anxiously for the expiration of
+      the hour which had been allowed him for deliberation. He was not kept on
+      the tenter-hooks of impatience an instant longer than the appointed moment
+      arrived, for, even as the clock struck, Ambrose appeared at the door of
+      the gallery, and made a sign that Alan should follow him. He did so, and
+      after passing through some of the intricate avenues common in old houses,
+      was ushered into a small apartment, commodiously fitted up, in which he
+      found Father Buonaventure reclining on a couch, in the attitude of a man
+      exhausted by fatigue or indisposition. On a small table beside him, a
+      silver embossed salver sustained a Catholic book of prayer, a small flask
+      of medicine, a cordial, and a little tea-cup of old china. Ambrose did not
+      enter the room&mdash;he only bowed profoundly, and closed the door with
+      the least possible noise, so soon as Fairford had entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sit down, young man,&rsquo; said the father, with the same air of condescension
+      which had before surprised, and rather offended Fairford. &lsquo;You have been
+      ill, and I know too well by my own case that indisposition requires
+      indulgence. Have you,&rsquo; he continued, so soon as he saw him seated,
+      &lsquo;resolved to remain, or to depart?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To depart,&rsquo; said Alan, &lsquo;under the agreement that you will guarantee my
+      safety with the extraordinary person who has conducted himself in such a
+      lawless manner toward my friend, Darsie Latimer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do not judge hastily, young man,&rsquo; replied the father. &lsquo;Redgauntlet has
+      the claims of a guardian over his ward, in respect to the young gentleman,
+      and a right to dictate his place of residence, although he may have been
+      injudicious in selecting the means by which he thinks to enforce his
+      authority.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;His situation as an attainted person abrogates such rights,&rsquo; said
+      Fairford, hastily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Surely,&rsquo; replied the priest, smiling at the young lawyer&rsquo;s readiness; &lsquo;in
+      the eye of those who acknowledge the justice of the attainder&mdash;but
+      that do not I. However, sir, here is the guarantee&mdash;look at its
+      contents, and do not again carry the letters of Uriah.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford read these words:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;GOOD FRIEND, &lsquo;We send you hither a young man desirous to know the
+      situation of your ward, since he came under your paternal authority, and
+      hopeful of dealing with you for having your relative put at large. This we
+      recommend to your prudence, highly disapproving, at the same time, of any
+      force or coercion when such can be avoided, and wishing, therefore, that
+      the bearer&rsquo;s negotiation may be successful. At all rates, however, the
+      bearer hath our pledged word for his safety and freedom, which, therefore,
+      you are to see strictly observed, as you value our honour and your own. We
+      further wish to converse with you, with as small loss of time as may be,
+      having matters of the utmost confidence to impart. For this purpose we
+      desire you to repair hither with all haste, and thereupon we bid you
+      heartily farewell. P. B.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You will understand, sir,&rsquo; said the father, when he saw that Alan had
+      perused his letter, &lsquo;that, by accepting charge of this missive, you bind
+      yourself to try the effect of it before having recourse to any legal
+      means, as you term them, for your friend&rsquo;s release.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There are a few ciphers added to this letter,&rsquo; said Fairford, when he had
+      perused the paper attentively,&mdash;&lsquo;may I inquire what their import is?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;They respect my own affairs,&rsquo; answered the father, briefly; &lsquo;and have no
+      concern whatever with yours.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It seems to me, however,&rsquo; replied Alan, &lsquo;natural to suppose&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nothing must be supposed incompatible with my honour,&rsquo; replied the
+      priest, interrupting him; &lsquo;when such as I am confer favours, we expect
+      that they shall be accepted with gratitude, or declined with thankful
+      respect&mdash;not questioned or discussed.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will accept your letter, then,&rsquo; said Fairford, after a minute&rsquo;s
+      consideration, &lsquo;and the thanks you expect shall be most liberally paid, if
+      the result answer what you teach me to expect.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;God only commands the issue,&rsquo; said Father Buonaventure. &lsquo;Man uses means.
+      You understand that, by accepting this commission, you engage yourself in
+      honour to try the effect of my letter upon Mr. Redgauntlet, before you
+      have recourse to informations or legal warrants?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I hold myself bound, as a man of good faith and honour, to do so,&rsquo; said
+      Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, I trust you,&rsquo; said the father. &lsquo;I will now tell you that an
+      express, dispatched by me last night, has, I hear, brought Redgauntlet to
+      a spot many miles nearer this place, where he will not find it safe to
+      attempt any violence on your friend, should he be rash enough to follow
+      the advice of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees rather than my commands. We now
+      understand each other.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He extended his hand towards Alan, who was about to pledge his faith in
+      the usual form by grasping it with his own, when the father drew back
+      hastily. Ere Alan had time to comment upon this repulse, a small
+      side-door, covered with tapestry, was opened; the hangings were drawn
+      aside, and a lady, as if by sudden apparition, glided into the apartment.
+      It was neither of the Misses Arthuret, but a woman in the prime of life,
+      and in the full-blown expansion of female beauty, tall, fair, and
+      commanding in her aspect. Her locks, of paly gold, were taught to fall
+      over a brow, which, with the stately glance of the large, open, blue eyes,
+      might have become Juno herself; her neck and bosom were admirably formed,
+      and of a dazzling whiteness. She was rather inclined to EMBONPOINT, but
+      not more than became her age, of apparently thirty years. Her step was
+      that of a queen, but it was of Queen Vashti, not Queen Esther&mdash;the
+      bold and commanding, not the retiring beauty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Father Buonaventure raised himself on the couch, angrily, as if displeased
+      by this intrusion. &lsquo;How now, madam,&rsquo; he said, with some sternness; &lsquo;why
+      have we the honour of your company?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Because it is my pleasure,&rsquo; answered the lady, composedly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your pleasure, madam!&rsquo; he repeated in the same angry tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My pleasure, sir,&rsquo; she continued, &lsquo;which always keeps exact pace with my
+      duty. I had heard you were unwell&mdash;let me hope it is only business
+      which produces this seclusion.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am well,&rsquo; he replied; &lsquo;perfectly well, and I thank you for your care&mdash;but
+      we are not alone, and this young man&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That young man?&rsquo; she said, bending her large and serious eye on Alan
+      Fairford, as if she had been for the first time aware of his presence,&mdash;&lsquo;may
+      I ask who he is?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Another time, madam; you shall learn his history after he is gone. His
+      presence renders it impossible for me to explain further.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;After he is gone may be too late,&rsquo; said the lady; &lsquo;and what is his
+      presence to me, when your safety is at stake? He is the heretic lawyer
+      whom those silly fools, the Arthurets, admitted into this house at a time
+      when they should have let their own father knock at the door in vain,
+      though the night had been a wild one. You will not surely dismiss him?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your own impatience can alone make that step perilous,&rsquo; said the father;
+      &lsquo;I have resolved to take it&mdash;do not let your indiscreet zeal, however
+      excellent its motive, add any unnecessary risk to the transaction.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Even so?&rsquo; said the lady, in a tone of reproach, yet mingled with respect
+      and apprehension. &lsquo;And thus you will still go forward, like a stag upon
+      the hunter&rsquo;s snares, with undoubting confidence, after all that has
+      happened?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peace, madam,&rsquo; said Father Buonaventure, rising up; &lsquo;be silent, or quit
+      the apartment; my designs do not admit of female criticism.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To this peremptory command the lady seemed about to make a sharp reply;
+      but she checked herself, and pressing her lips strongly together, as if to
+      secure the words from bursting from them which were already formed upon
+      her tongue, she made a deep reverence, partly as it seemed in reproach,
+      partly in respect, and left the room as suddenly as she had entered it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The father looked disturbed at this incident, which he seemed sensible
+      could not but fill Fairford&rsquo;s imagination with an additional throng of
+      bewildering suspicions; he bit his lip and muttered something to himself
+      as he walked through the apartment; then suddenly turned to his visitor
+      with a smile of much sweetness, and a countenance in which every rougher
+      expression was exchanged for those of courtesy and kindness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The visit we have been just honoured with, my young friend, has given
+      you,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;more secrets to keep than I would have wished you burdened
+      with. The lady is a person of condition&mdash;of rank and fortune&mdash;but
+      nevertheless is so circumstanced that the mere fact of her being known to
+      be in this country would occasion many evils. I should wish you to observe
+      secrecy on this subject, even to Redgauntlet or Maxwell, however much I
+      trust them in all that concerns my own affairs.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I can have no occasion,&rsquo; replied Fairford, &lsquo;for holding any discussion
+      with these gentlemen, or with any others, on the circumstance which I have
+      just witnessed&mdash;it could only have become the subject of my
+      conversation by mere accident, and I will now take care to avoid the
+      subject entirely.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You will do well, sir, and I thank you,&rsquo; said the father, throwing much
+      dignity into the expression of obligation which he meant to convey. &lsquo;The
+      time may perhaps come when you will learn what it is to have obliged one
+      of my condition. As to the lady, she has the highest merit, and nothing
+      can be said of her justly which would not redound to her praise.
+      Nevertheless&mdash;in short, sir, we wander at present as in a morning
+      mist&mdash;the sun will, I trust, soon rise and dispel it, when all that
+      now seems mysterious will be fully revealed&mdash;or it will sink into
+      rain,&rsquo; he added, in a solemn tone, &lsquo;and then explanation will be of little
+      consequence.&mdash;Adieu, sir; I wish you well.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He made a graceful obeisance, and vanished through the same side-door by
+      which the lady had entered; and Alan thought he heard their voices high in
+      dispute in the adjoining apartment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Presently afterwards, Ambrose entered, and told him that a horse and guide
+      waited him beneath the terrace.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The good Father Buonaventure,&rsquo; added the butler, &lsquo;has been graciously
+      pleased to consider your situation, and desired me to inquire whether you
+      have any occasion for a supply of money?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Make my respects to his reverence,&rsquo; answered Fairford, &lsquo;and assure him I
+      am provided in that particular. I beg you also to make my acknowledgements
+      to the Misses Arthuret, and assure them that their kind hospitality, to
+      which I probably owe my life, shall be remembered with gratitude as long
+      as that life lasts. You yourself, Mr. Ambrose, must accept of my kindest
+      thanks for your skill and attention.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mid these acknowledgements they left the house, descended the terrace, and
+      reached the spot where the gardener, Fairford&rsquo;s old acquaintance, waited
+      for him, mounted upon one horse and leading another.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Bidding adieu to Ambrose, our young lawyer mounted, and rode down the
+      avenue, often looking back to the melancholy and neglected dwelling in
+      which he had witnessed such strange scenes, and musing upon the character
+      of its mysterious inmates, especially the noble and almost regal-seeming
+      priest, and the beautiful but capricious dame, who, if she was really
+      Father Buonaventure&rsquo;s penitent, seemed less docile to the authority of the
+      church than, as Alan conceived, the Catholic discipline permitted. He
+      could not indeed help being sensible that the whole deportment of these
+      persons differed much from his preconceived notions of a priest and
+      devotee. Father Buonaventure, in particular, had more natural dignify and
+      less art and affectation in his manner, than accorded with the idea which
+      Calvinists were taught to entertain of that wily and formidable person, a
+      Jesuitical missionary.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While reflecting on these things, he looked back so frequently at the
+      house, that Dick Gardener, a forward, talkative fellow, who began to tire
+      of silence, at length said to him, &lsquo;I think you will know Fairladies when
+      you see it again, sir?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I dare say I shall, Richard,&rsquo; answered Fairford good-humouredly. &lsquo;I wish
+      I knew as well where I am to go next. But you can tell me, perhaps?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your worship should know better than I,&rsquo; said Dick Gardener;
+      &lsquo;nevertheless, I have a notion you are going where all you Scotsmen should
+      be sent, whether you will or no.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not to the devil, I hope, good Dick?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, no. That is a road which you may travel as heretics; but as
+      Scotsmen, I would only send you three-fourths of the way&mdash;and that is
+      back to Scotland again&mdash;always craving your honour&rsquo;s pardon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Does our journey lie that way?&rsquo; said Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As far as the waterside,&rsquo; said Richard. &lsquo;I am to carry you to old Father
+      Crackenthorp&rsquo;s, and then you are within a spit and a stride of Scotland,
+      as the saying is. But mayhap you may think twice of going thither, for all
+      that; for Old England is fat feeding-ground for north-country cattle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Our history must now, as the old romancers wont to say, &lsquo;leave to tell&rsquo; of
+      the quest of Alan Fairford, and instruct our readers of the adventures
+      which befell Darsie Latimer, left as he was in the precarious custody of
+      his self-named tutor, the Laird of the Lochs of Solway, to whose arbitrary
+      pleasure he found it necessary for the present to conform himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In consequence of this prudent resolution, and although he did not assume
+      such a disguise without some sensations of shame and degradation, Darsie
+      permitted Cristal Nixon to place over his face, and secure by a string,
+      one of those silk masks which ladies frequently wore to preserve their
+      complexions, when exposed to the air during long journeys on horseback. He
+      remonstrated somewhat more vehemently against the long riding-skirt, which
+      converted his person from the waist into the female guise, but was obliged
+      to concede this point also.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The metamorphosis was then complete; for the fair reader must be informed,
+      that in those rude times, the ladies, when they honoured the masculine
+      dress by assuming any part of it, wore just such hats, coats, and
+      waistcoats as the male animals themselves made use of, and had no notion
+      of the elegant compromise betwixt male and female attire, which has now
+      acquired, PAR EXCELLENCE, the name of a HABIT. Trolloping things our
+      mothers must have looked, with long square-cut coats, lacking collars, and
+      with waistcoats plentifully supplied with a length of pocket, which hung
+      far downwards from the middle. But then they had some advantage from the
+      splendid colours, lace, and gay embroidery which masculine attire then
+      exhibited; and, as happens in many similar instances, the finery of the
+      materials made amends for the want of symmetry and grace of form in the
+      garments themselves. But this is a digression.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the court of the old mansion, half manor-place, half farm-house, or
+      rather a decayed manor-house, converted into an abode for a Cumberland
+      tenant, stood several saddled horses. Four or five of them were mounted by
+      servants or inferior retainers, all of whom were well armed with sword,
+      pistol, and carabine. But two had riding furniture for the use of females&mdash;the
+      one being accoutred with a side-saddle, the other with a pillion attached
+      to the saddle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie&rsquo;s heart beat quicker within him; he easily comprehended that one of
+      these was intended for his own use; and his hopes suggested that the other
+      was designed for that of the fair Green Mantle, whom, according to his
+      established practice, he had adopted for the queen of his affections,
+      although his opportunities of holding communication with her had not
+      exceeded the length of a silent supper on one occasion, and the going down
+      a country-dance on another. This, however, was no unwonted mood of passion
+      with Darsie Latimer, upon whom Cupid was used to triumph only in the
+      degree of a Mahratta conqueror, who overruns a province with the rapidity
+      of lightning, but finds it impossible to retain it beyond a very brief
+      space. Yet this new love was rather more serious than the scarce
+      skinned-up wounds which his friend Fairford used to ridicule. The damsel
+      had shown a sincere interest in his behalf; and the air of mystery with
+      which that interest was veiled, gave her, to his lively imagination, the
+      character of a benevolent and protecting spirit, as much as that of a
+      beautiful female.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At former times, the romance attending his short-lived attachments had
+      been of his own creating, and had disappeared as soon as ever he
+      approached more closely to the object with which he had invested it. On
+      the present occasion, it really flowed from external circumstances, which
+      might have interested less susceptible feelings, and an imagination less
+      lively than that of Darsie Latimer, young, inexperienced, and enthusiastic
+      as he was.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He watched, therefore, anxiously to whose service the palfrey bearing the
+      lady&rsquo;s saddle was destined. But ere any female appeared to occupy it, he
+      was himself summoned to take his seat on the pillion behind Cristal Nixon,
+      amid the grins of his old acquaintance Jan who helped him to horse, and
+      the unrestrained laughter of Cicely, who displayed on the occasion a case
+      of teeth which might have rivalled ivory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Latimer was at an age when being an object of general ridicule even to
+      clowns and milkmaids was not a matter of indifference, and he longed
+      heartily to have laid his horse-whip across Jan&rsquo;s shoulders. That,
+      however, was a solacement of his feelings which was not at the moment to
+      be thought of; and Cristal Nixon presently put an end to his unpleasant
+      situation, by ordering the riders to go on. He himself kept the centre of
+      the troop, two men riding before and two behind him, always, as it seemed
+      to Darsie, having their eye upon him, to prevent any attempt to escape. He
+      could see from time to time, when the straight line of the road, or the
+      advantage of an ascent permitted him, that another troop of three or four
+      riders followed them at about a quarter of a mile&rsquo;s distance, amongst whom
+      he could discover the tall form of Redgauntlet, and the powerful action of
+      his gallant black horse. He had little doubt that Green Mantle made one of
+      the party, though he was unable to distinguish her from the others.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In this manner they travelled from six in the morning until nearly ten of
+      the clock, without Darsie exchanging a word with any one; for he loathed
+      the very idea of entering into conversation with Cristal Nixon, against
+      whom he seemed to feel an instinctive aversion; nor was that domestic&rsquo;s
+      saturnine and sullen disposition such as to have encouraged advances, had
+      he thought of making them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length the party halted for the purpose of refreshment; but as they had
+      hitherto avoided all villages and inhabited places upon their route, so
+      they now stopped at one of those large ruinous Dutch barns, which are
+      sometimes found in the fields, at a distance from the farm-houses to which
+      they belong. Yet in this desolate place some preparations had been made
+      for their reception. There were in the end of the barn racks filled with
+      provender for the horses, and plenty of provisions for the party were
+      drawn from the trusses of straw, under which the baskets that contained
+      them had been deposited. The choicest of these were selected and arranged
+      apart by Cristal Nixon, while the men of the party threw themselves upon
+      the rest, which he abandoned to their discretion. In a few minutes
+      afterwards the rearward party arrived and dismounted, and Redgauntlet
+      himself entered the barn with the green-mantled maiden by his side. He
+      presented her to Darsie with these words:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is time you two should know each other better. I promised you my
+      confidence, Darsie, and the time is come for reposing it. But first we
+      will have our breakfast; and then, when once more in the saddle, I will
+      tell you that which it is necessary that you should know. Salute Lilias,
+      Darsie.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The command was sudden, and surprised Latimer, whose confusion was
+      increased by the perfect ease and frankness with which Lilias offered at
+      once her cheek and her hand, and pressing his as she rather took it than
+      gave her own, said very frankly, &lsquo;Dearest Darsie, how rejoiced I am that
+      our uncle has at last permitted us to become acquainted!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie&rsquo;s head turned round; and it was perhaps well that Redgauntlet
+      called on him to sit down, as even that movement served to hide his
+      confusion. There is an old song which says&mdash;
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  &mdash;when ladies are willing,
+  A man can but look like a fool;
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      And on the same principle Darsie Latimer&rsquo;s looks at this unexpected
+      frankness of reception, would have formed an admirable vignette for
+      illustrating the passage. &lsquo;Dearest Darsie,&rsquo; and such a ready, nay, eager
+      salute of lip and hand! It was all very gracious, no doubt&mdash;and ought
+      to have been received with much gratitude; but, constituted as our
+      friend&rsquo;s temper was, nothing could be more inconsistent with his tone of
+      feeling. If a hermit had proposed to him to club for a pot of beer, the
+      illusion of his reverend sanctity could not have been dispelled more
+      effectually than the divine qualities of Green Mantle faded upon the
+      ill-imagined frank-heartedness of poor Lilias. Vexed with her forwardness,
+      and affronted at having once more cheated himself, Darsie could hardly
+      help muttering two lines of the song we have already quoted:
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  The fruit that must fall without shaking
+  Is rather too mellow for me.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      And yet it was pity for her too&mdash;she was a very pretty young woman&mdash;his
+      fancy had scarcely overrated her in that respect&mdash;and the slight
+      derangement of the beautiful brown locks which escaped in natural ringlets
+      from under her riding-hat, with the bloom which exercise had brought into
+      her cheek, made her even more than usually fascinating. Redgauntlet
+      modified the sternness of his look when it was turned towards her, and in
+      addressing her, used a softer tone than his usual deep bass. Even the grim
+      features of Cristal Nixon relaxed when he attended on her, and it was
+      then, if ever, that his misanthropical visage expressed some sympathy with
+      the rest of humanity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How can she,&rsquo; thought Latimer, &lsquo;look so like an angel, yet be so mere a
+      mortal after all? How could so much seeming modesty have so much
+      forwardness of manner, when she ought to have been most reserved? How can
+      her conduct be reconciled to the grace and ease of her general
+      deportment?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The confusion of thoughts which occupied Darsie&rsquo;s imagination, gave to his
+      looks a disordered appearance, and his inattention to the food which was
+      placed before him, together with his silence and absence of mind, induced
+      Lilias solicitously to inquire, whether he did not feel some return of the
+      disorder under which he had suffered so lately. This led Mr. Redgauntlet,
+      who seemed also lost in his own contemplations, to raise his eyes, and
+      join in the same inquiry with some appearance of interest. Latimer
+      explained to both that he was perfectly well.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is well it is so,&rsquo; answered Redgauntlet; &lsquo;for we have that before us
+      which will brook no delay from indisposition&mdash;we have not, as Hotspur
+      says, leisure to be sick.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lilias, on her part, endeavoured to prevail upon Darsie to partake of the
+      food which she offered him, with a kindly and affectionate courtesy
+      corresponding to the warmth of the interest she had displayed at their
+      meeting; but so very natural, innocent, and pure in its character, that it
+      would have been impossible for the vainest coxcomb to have mistaken it for
+      coquetry, or a desire of captivating a prize so valuable as his affection.
+      Darsie, with no more than the reasonable share of self-opinion common to
+      most youths when they approach twenty-one, knew not how to explain her
+      conduct.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sometimes he was tempted to think that his own merits had, even during the
+      short intervals when they had seen each other, secured such a hold of the
+      affections of a young person who had probably been bred up in ignorance of
+      the world and its forms that she was unable to conceal her partiality.
+      Sometimes he suspected that she acted by her guardian&rsquo;s order, who, aware
+      that he, Darsie, was entitled to a considerable fortune, might have taken
+      this bold stroke to bring about a marriage betwixt him and so near a
+      relative.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But neither of these suppositions was applicable to the character of the
+      parties. Miss Lilias&rsquo;s manners, however soft and natural, displayed in
+      their ease and versatility considerable acquaintance with the habits of
+      the world, and in the few words she said during the morning repast, there
+      were mingled a shrewdness and good sense, which could scarce belong to a
+      miss capable of playing the silly part of a love-smitten maiden so
+      broadly. As for Redgauntlet, with his stately bearing, his fatal frown,
+      his eye of threat and of command, it was impossible, Darsie thought, to
+      suspect him of a scheme having private advantage for its object; he could
+      as soon have imagined Cassius picking Caesar&rsquo;s pocket, instead of drawing
+      his poniard on the dictator.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While he thus mused, unable either to eat, drink, or answer to the
+      courtesy of Lilias, she soon ceased to speak to him, and sat silent as
+      himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They had remained nearly an hour in their halting-place, when Redgauntlet
+      said aloud, &lsquo;Look out, Cristal Nixon. If we hear nothing from Fairladies,
+      we must continue our journey.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cristal went to the door, and presently returned and said to his master,
+      in a voice as harsh as his features, &lsquo;Gilbert Gregson is coming, his horse
+      as white with foam as if a fiend had ridden him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet threw from him the plate on which he had been eating, and
+      hastened towards the door of the barn, which the courier at that moment
+      entered; a smart jockey with a black velvet hunting-cap, and a broad belt
+      drawn tight round his waist, to which was secured his express-bag. The
+      variety of mud with which he was splashed from cap to spur showed he had
+      had a rough and rapid ride. He delivered a letter to Mr. Redgauntlet, with
+      an obeisance, and then retired to the end of the barn, where the other
+      attendants were sitting or lying upon the straw, in order to get some
+      refreshment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet broke the letter open with haste, and read it with anxious and
+      discomposed looks. On a second perusal, his displeasure seemed to
+      increase, his brow darkened, and was distinctly marked with the fatal sign
+      peculiar to his family and house. Darsie had never before observed his
+      frown bear such a close resemblance to the shape which tradition assigned
+      it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet held out the open letter with one hand, and struck it with the
+      forefinger of the other, as, in a suppressed and displeased tone, he said
+      to Cristal Nixon, &lsquo;Countermanded&mdash;ordered northward once more!
+      &lsquo;Northward, when all our hopes lie to the south&mdash;a second Derby
+      direction, when we turned our back on glory, and marched in quest of
+      ruin!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cristal Nixon took the letter and ran it over, then returned it to his
+      master with the cold observation, &lsquo;A female influence predominates.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But it shall predominate no longer,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;it shall wane as
+      ours rises in the horizon. Meanwhile, I will on before&mdash;and you,
+      Cristal, will bring the party to the place assigned in the letter. You may
+      now permit the young persons to have unreserved communication together;
+      only mark that you watch the young man closely enough to prevent his
+      escape, if he should be idiot enough to attempt it, but not approaching so
+      close as to watch their free conversation.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I care naught about their conversation,&rsquo; said Nixon, surlily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You hear my commands, Lilias,&rsquo; said the laird, turning to the young lady.
+      &lsquo;You may use my permission and authority to explain so much of our family
+      matters as you yourself know. At our next meeting I will complete the task
+      of disclosure, and I trust I shall restore one Redgauntlet more to the
+      bosom of our ancient family. Let Latimer, as he calls himself, have a
+      horse to himself; he must for some time retain his disguise.&mdash;My
+      horse&mdash;my horse!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In two minutes they heard him ride off from the door of the barn, followed
+      at speed by two of the armed men of his party.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The commands of Cristal Nixon, in the meanwhile, put all the remainder of
+      the party in motion, but the laird himself was long out of sight ere they
+      were in readiness to resume their journey. When at length they set out,
+      Darsie was accommodated with a horse and side-saddle, instead of being
+      obliged to resume his place on the pillion behind the detestable Nixon. He
+      was obliged, however, to retain his riding-skirt, and to reassume his
+      mask. Yet, notwithstanding this disagreeable circumstance, and although he
+      observed that they gave him the heaviest and slowest horse of the party,
+      and that, as a further precaution against escape, he was closely watched
+      on every side, yet riding in company with the pretty Lilias was an
+      advantage which overbalanced these inconveniences.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is true that this society, to which that very morning he would have
+      looked forward as a glimpse of heaven, had, now that it was thus
+      unexpectedly indulged, something much less rapturous than he had expected.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was in vain that, in order to avail himself of a situation so
+      favourable for indulging his romantic disposition, he endeavoured to coax
+      back, if I may so express myself, that delightful dream of ardent and
+      tender passion; he felt only such a confusion of ideas at the difference
+      between the being whom he had imagined, and her with whom he was now in
+      contact, that it seemed to him like the effect of witchcraft. What most
+      surprised him was, that this sudden flame should have died away so
+      rapidly, notwithstanding that the maiden&rsquo;s personal beauty was even
+      greater than he had expected&mdash;her demeanour, unless it should be
+      deemed over kind towards himself, as graceful and becoming as he could
+      have fancied if, even in his gayest dreams. It were judging hardly of him
+      to suppose that the mere belief of his having attracted her affections
+      more easily than he expected was the cause of his ungratefully
+      undervaluing a prize too lightly won, or that his transient passion played
+      around his heart with the hitting radiance of a wintry sunbeam flashing
+      against an icicle, which may brighten it for a moment, but cannot melt it.
+      Neither of these was precisely the ease, though such fickleness of
+      disposition might also have some influence in the change.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The truth is, perhaps, the lover&rsquo;s pleasure, like that of the hunter, is
+      in the chase; and that the brightest beauty loses half its merit, as the
+      fairest flower its perfume, when the willing hand can reach it too easily.
+      There must be doubt&mdash;there must be danger&mdash;there must be
+      difficulty; and if, as the poet says, the course of ardent affection never
+      does run smooth, it is perhaps because, without some intervening obstacle,
+      that which is called the romantic passion of love, in its high poetical
+      character and colouring can hardly have an existence&mdash;any more than
+      there can be a current in a river without the stream being narrowed by
+      steep banks, or checked by opposing rocks.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Let not those, however, who enter into a union for life without those
+      embarrassments which delight a Darsie Latimer, or a Lydia Languish, and
+      which are perhaps necessary to excite an enthusiastic passion in breasts
+      more firm than theirs, augur worse of their future happiness because their
+      own alliance is formed under calmer auspices. Mutual esteem, an intimate
+      knowledge of each other&rsquo;s character, seen, as in their case, undisguised
+      by the mists of too partial passion&mdash;a suitable proportion of parties
+      in rank and fortune, in taste and pursuits&mdash;are more frequently found
+      in a marriage of reason, than in a union of romantic attachment; where the
+      imagination, which probably created the virtues and accomplishments with
+      which it invested the beloved object, is frequently afterwards employed in
+      magnifying the mortifying consequences of its own delusion, and
+      exasperating all the stings of disappointment. Those who follow the
+      banners of Reason are like the well-disciplined battalion, which, wearing
+      a more sober uniform and making a less dazzling show than the light troops
+      commanded by imagination, enjoy more safety, and even more honour, in the
+      conflicts of human life. All this, however, is foreign to our present
+      purpose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Uncertain in what manner to address her whom he had been lately so anxious
+      to meet with, and embarrassed by a TETE-A-TETE to which his own timid
+      inexperience, gave some awkwardness, the party had proceeded more than a
+      hundred yards before Darsie assumed courage to accost, or even to look at,
+      his companion. Sensible, however, of the impropriety of his silence, he
+      turned to speak to her; and observing that, although she wore her mask,
+      there was something like disappointment and dejection in her manner, he
+      was moved by self-reproach for his own coldness, and hastened to address
+      her in the kindest tone he could assume.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You must think me cruelly deficient in gratitude, Miss Lilias, that I
+      have been thus long in your company, without thanking you for the interest
+      which you have deigned to take in my unfortunate affairs?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am glad you have at length spoken,&rsquo; she said, &lsquo;though I owe it is more
+      coldly than I expected. MISS Lilias! DEIGN to take interest! In whom, dear
+      Darsie, CAN I take interest but in you; and why do you put this barrier of
+      ceremony betwixt us, whom adverse circumstances have already separated for
+      such a length of time?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie was again confounded at the extra candour, if we may use the term,
+      of this frank avowal. &lsquo;One must love partridge very well,&rsquo; thought he, &lsquo;to
+      accept it when thrown in one&rsquo;s face&mdash;if this is not plain speaking,
+      there is no such place as downright Dunstable in being!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Embarrassed with these reflections, and himself of a nature fancifully,
+      almost fastidiously, delicate, he could only in reply stammer forth an
+      acknowledgement of his companion&rsquo;s goodness, and his own gratitude. She
+      answered in a tone partly sorrowful and partly impatient, repeating, with
+      displeased emphasis, the only distinct words he had been able to bring
+      forth&mdash;&lsquo;Goodness&mdash;gratitude!&mdash;O Darsie! should these be the
+      phrases between you and me? Alas! I am too sure you are displeased with
+      me, though I cannot even guess on what account. Perhaps you think I have
+      been too free in venturing upon my visit to your friend. But then
+      remember, it was in your behalf, and that I knew no better way to put you
+      on your guard against the misfortunes and restraint which you have been
+      subjected to, and are still enduring.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Dear Lady&rsquo;&mdash;said Darsie, rallying his recollection, and suspicious
+      of some error in apprehension,&mdash;a suspicion which his mode of address
+      seemed at once to communicate to Lilias, for she interrupted him,&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;LADY! dear LADY! For whom, or for what, in Heaven&rsquo;s name, do you take me,
+      that you address me so formally?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Had the question been asked in that enchanted hall in fairyland, where all
+      interrogations must be answered with absolute sincerity, Darsie had
+      certainly replied, that he took her for the most frank-hearted and
+      ultra-liberal lass that had ever lived since Mother Eve eat the pippin
+      without paring. But as he was still on middle-earth, and free to avail
+      himself of a little polite deceit, he barely answered that he believed he
+      had the honour of speaking to the niece of Mr. Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Surely,&rsquo; she replied; &lsquo;but were it not as easy for you to have said, to
+      your own only sister?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie started in his saddle, as if he had received a pistol-shot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My sister!&rsquo; he exclaimed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And you did NOT know it, then?&rsquo; said she. &lsquo;I thought your reception of me
+      was cold and indifferent!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A kind and cordial embrace took place betwixt the relatives; and so light
+      was Darsie&rsquo;s spirit, that he really felt himself more relieved, by getting
+      quit of the embarrassments of the last half-hour, during which he
+      conceived himself in danger of being persecuted by the attachment of a
+      forward girl, than disappointed by the vanishing of so many day-dreams as
+      he had been in the habit of encouraging during the time when the
+      green-mantled maiden was goddess of his idolatry. He had been already
+      flung from his romantic Pegasus, and was too happy at length to find
+      himself with bones unbroken, though with his back on the ground. He was,
+      besides, with all his whims and follies, a generous, kind-hearted youth,
+      and was delighted to acknowledge so beautiful and amiable a relative, and
+      to assure her in the warmest terms of his immediate affection and future
+      protection, so soon as they should be extricated from their present
+      situation. Smiles and tears mingled on Lilias&rsquo;s cheeks, like showers and
+      sunshine in April weather.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Out on me,&rsquo; she said, &lsquo;that I should be so childish as to cry at what
+      makes me so sincerely happy! since, God knows, family-love is what my
+      heart has most longed after, and to which it has been most a stranger. My
+      uncle says that you and I, Darsie, are but half Redgauntlets, and that the
+      metal of which our father&rsquo;s family was made, has been softened to
+      effeminacy in our mother&rsquo;s offspring.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Alas!&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;I know so little of our family story, that I almost
+      doubted that I belonged to the House of Redgauntlet, although the chief of
+      the family himself intimated so much to me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The chief of the family!&rsquo; said Lilias. &lsquo;You must know little of your own
+      descent indeed, if you mean my uncle by that expression. You yourself, my
+      dear Darsie, are the heir and representative of our ancient House, for our
+      father was the elder brother&mdash;that brave and unhappy Sir Henry Darsie
+      Redgauntlet, who suffered at Carlisle in the year 1746. He took the name
+      of Darsie, in conjunction with his own, from our mother, heiress to a
+      Cumberland family of great wealth and antiquity, of whose large estates
+      you are the undeniable heir, although those of your father have been
+      involved in the general doom of forfeiture. But all this must be
+      necessarily unknown to you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Indeed I hear it for the first time in my life,&rsquo; answered Darsie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And you knew not that I was your sister?&rsquo; said Lilias. &lsquo;No wonder you
+      received me so coldly. What a strange, wild, forward young person you must
+      have thought me&mdash;mixing myself in the fortunes of a stranger whom I
+      had only once spoken to&mdash;corresponding with him by signs&mdash;Good
+      Heaven! what can you have supposed me?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And how should I have come to the knowledge of our connexion?&rsquo; said
+      Darsie. &lsquo;You are aware I was not acquainted with it when we danced
+      together at Brokenburn.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I saw that with concern, and fain I would have warned you,&rsquo; answered
+      Lilias; &lsquo;but I was closely watched, and before I could find or make an
+      opportunity of coming to a full explanation with you on a subject so
+      agitating, I was forced to leave the room. What I did say was, you may
+      remember, a caution to leave the southern border, for I foresaw what has
+      since happened. But since my uncle has had you in his power, I never
+      doubted he had communicated to you our whole family history.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He has left me to learn it from you, Lilias; and assure yourself that I
+      will hear it with more pleasure from your lips than from his. I have no
+      reason to be pleased with his conduct towards me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Of that,&rsquo; said Lilias, &lsquo;you will judge better when you have heard what I
+      have to tell you;&rsquo; and she began her communication in the following
+      manner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The House of Redgauntlet,&rsquo; said the young lady, &lsquo;has for centuries been
+      supposed to lie under a doom, which has rendered vain their courage, their
+      talents, their ambition, and their wisdom. Often making a figure in
+      history, they have been ever in the situation of men striving against both
+      wind and tide, who distinguish themselves by their desperate exertions of
+      strength, and their persevering endurance of toil, but without being able
+      to advance themselves upon their course by either vigour or resolution.
+      They pretend to trace this fatality to a legendary history, which I may
+      tell you at a less busy moment.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie intimated that he had already heard the tragic story of Sir
+      Alberick Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I need only say, then,&rsquo; proceeded Lilias, &lsquo;that our father and uncle felt
+      the family doom in its full extent. They were both possessed of
+      considerable property, which was largely increased by our father&rsquo;s
+      marriage, and were both devoted to the service of the unhappy House of
+      Stuart; but (as our mother at least supposed) family considerations might
+      have withheld her husband from joining openly in the affair of 1745, had
+      not the high influence which the younger brother possessed over the elder,
+      from his more decided energy of character, hurried him along with himself
+      into that undertaking.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;When, therefore, the enterprise came to the fatal conclusion which
+      bereaved our father of his life and consigned his brother to exile, Lady
+      Redgauntlet fled from the north of England, determined to break off all
+      communication with her late husband&rsquo;s family, particularly his brother,
+      whom she regarded as having, by their insane political enthusiasm, been
+      the means of his untimely death; and determined that you, my brother, an
+      infant, and that I, to whom she had just given birth, should be brought up
+      as adherents of the present dynasty. Perhaps she was too hasty in this
+      determination&mdash;too timidly anxious to exclude, if possible, from the
+      knowledge of the very spot where we existed, a relation so nearly
+      connected with us as our father&rsquo;s only brother. But you must make
+      allowance for what she had suffered. See, brother,&rsquo; she said, pulling her
+      glove off, &lsquo;these five blood-specks on my arm are a mark by which
+      mysterious Nature has impressed, on an unborn infant, a record of its
+      father&rsquo;s violent death and its mother&rsquo;s miseries.&rsquo; [Several persons have
+      brought down to these days the impressions which Nature had thus recorded,
+      when they were yet babes unborn. One lady of quality, whose father was
+      long under sentence of death previous to the Rebellion, was marked on the
+      back of the neck by the sign of a broad axe. Another whose kinsmen had
+      been slain in battle and died on the scaffold to the number of seven, bore
+      a child spattered on the right shoulder and down the arm with scarlet
+      drops, as if of blood. Many other instances might be quoted.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You were not, then, born when my father suffered?&rsquo; said Darsie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Alas, no!&rsquo; she replied; &lsquo;nor were you a twelvemonth old. It was no wonder
+      that my mother, after going through such scenes of agony, became
+      irresistibly anxious for the sake of her children&mdash;of her son in
+      particular; the more especially as the late Sir Henry, her husband, had,
+      by a settlement of his affairs, confided the custody of the persons of her
+      children, as well as the estates which descended to them, independently of
+      those which fell under his forfeiture, to his brother Hugh, in whom he
+      placed unlimited confidence.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But my mother had no reason to fear the operation of such a deed,
+      conceived in favour of an attainted man,&rsquo; said Darsie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;True,&rsquo; replied Lilias; &lsquo;but our uncle&rsquo;s attainder might have been
+      reversed, like that of so many other persons, and our mother, who both
+      feared and hated him, lived in continual terror that this would be the
+      case, and that she should see the author, as she thought him, of her
+      husband&rsquo;s death come armed with legal powers, and in a capacity to use
+      them for the purpose of tearing her children from her protection. Besides,
+      she feared, even in his incapacitated condition, the adventurous and
+      pertinacious spirit of her brother-in-law, Hugh Redgauntlet, and felt
+      assured that he would make some attempt to possess himself of the persons
+      of the children. On the other hand, our uncle, whose proud disposition
+      might, perhaps, have been soothed by the offer of her confidence, revolted
+      against the distrustful and suspicious manner in which Lady Darsie
+      Redgauntlet acted towards him. She basely abused, he said, the unhappy
+      circumstances in which he was placed, in order to deprive him of his
+      natural privilege of protecting and educating the infants, whom nature and
+      law, and the will of their father, had committed to his charge, and he
+      swore solemnly he would not submit to such an injury. Report of his
+      threats was made to Lady Redgauntlet, and tended to increase those fears
+      which proved but too well founded. While you and I, children at that time
+      of two or three years old, were playing together in a walled orchard,
+      adjacent to our mother&rsquo;s residence which she had fixed somewhere in
+      Devonshire, my uncle suddenly scaled the wall with several men, and I was
+      snatched up; and carried off to a boat which waited for them. My mother,
+      however, flew to your rescue, and as she seized on and held you fast, my
+      uncle could not, as he has since told me, possess himself of your person,
+      without using unmanly violence to his brother&rsquo;s widow. Of this he was
+      incapable; and, as people began to assemble upon my mother&rsquo;s screaming, he
+      withdrew, after darting upon you and her one of those fearful looks,
+      which, it is said, remain with our family, as a fatal bequest of Sir
+      Alberick, our ancestor.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have some recollection of the scuffle which you mention,&rsquo; said Darsie;
+      &lsquo;and I think it was my uncle himself (since my uncle he is) who recalled
+      the circumstance to my mind on a late occasion. I can now account for the
+      guarded seclusion under which my poor mother lived&mdash;for her frequent
+      tears, her starts of hysterical alarm, and her constant and deep
+      melancholy. Poor lady! what a lot was hers, and what must have been her
+      feelings when it approached to a close!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It was then that she adopted,&rsquo; said Lilias, &lsquo;every precaution her
+      ingenuity could suggest, to keep your very existence concealed from the
+      person whom she feared&mdash;nay, from yourself; for she dreaded, as she
+      is said often to have expressed herself, that the wildfire blood of
+      Redgauntlet would urge you to unite your fortunes to those of your uncle,
+      who was well known still to carry on political intrigues, which most other
+      persons had considered as desperate. It was also possible that he, as well
+      as others, might get his pardon, as government showed every year more
+      lenity towards the remnant of the Jacobites, and then he might claim the
+      custody of your person, as your legal guardian. Either of these events she
+      considered as the direct road to your destruction.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wonder she had not claimed the protection of Chancery for me,&rsquo; said
+      Darsie; &lsquo;or confided me to the care of some powerful friend.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;She was on indifferent terms with her relations, on account of her
+      marriage with our father,&rsquo; said Lilias, &lsquo;and trusted more to secreting you
+      from your uncle&rsquo;s attempts, than to any protection which law might afford
+      against them. Perhaps she judged unwisely, but surely not unnaturally, for
+      one rendered irritable by so many misfortunes and so many alarms. Samuel
+      Griffiths, an eminent banker, and a worthy clergyman now dead were, I
+      believe, the only persons whom she intrusted with the execution of her
+      last will; and my uncle believes that she made them both swear to observe
+      profound secrecy concerning your birth and pretensions, until you should
+      come to the age of majority, and, in the meantime, to breed you up in the
+      most private way possible, and that which was most likely to withdraw you
+      from my uncle&rsquo;s observation.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And I have no doubt,&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;that betwixt change of name and
+      habitation, they might have succeeded perfectly, but for the accident&mdash;lucky
+      or unlucky, I know not which to term it&mdash;which brought me to
+      Brokenburn, and into contact with Mr. Redgauntlet. I see also why I was
+      warned against England, for in England&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In England alone, if I understand rightly,&rsquo; said Miss Redgauntlet, &lsquo;the
+      claims of your uncle to the custody of your person could have been
+      enforced, in case of his being replaced in the ordinary rights of
+      citizenship, either by the lenity of the government or by some change in
+      it. In Scotland, where you possess no property, I understand his authority
+      might; have been resisted, and measures taken to put you under the
+      protection of the law. But, pray, think it not unlucky that you have taken
+      the step of visiting Brokenburn&mdash;I feel confident that the
+      consequences must be ultimately fortunate, for have they not already
+      brought us into contact with each other?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, she held out her hand to her brother, who grasped it with a
+      fondness of pressure very different from the manner in which they first
+      clasped hands that morning. There was a moment&rsquo;s pause, while the hearts
+      of both were overflowing with a feeling of natural affection, to which
+      circumstances had hitherto rendered them strangers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length Darsie broke silence; &lsquo;I am ashamed,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;my dearest
+      Lilias, that I have suffered you to talk so long about matters concerning
+      myself only, while I remain ignorant of your story, and your present
+      situation.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The former is none of the most interesting, nor the latter the most safe
+      or agreeable,&rsquo; answered Lilias; &lsquo;but now, my dearest brother, I shall have
+      the inestimable support of your countenance and affection; and were I but
+      sure that we could weather the formidable crisis which I find so close at
+      hand, I should have little apprehensions for the future.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Let me know,&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;what our present situation is; and rely upon
+      my utmost exertions both in your defence and my own. For what reason can
+      my uncle desire to detain me a prisoner? If in mere opposition to the will
+      of my mother, she has long been no more; and I see not why he should wish,
+      at so much trouble and risk, to interfere with the free will of one, to
+      whom a few months will give a privilege of acting for himself, with which
+      he will have no longer any pretence to interfere.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My dearest Arthur,&rsquo; answered Lilias&mdash;&lsquo;for that name, as well as
+      Darsie, properly belongs to you&mdash;it is the leading feature in my
+      uncle&rsquo;s character, that he has applied every energy of his powerful mind
+      to the service of the exiled family of Stuart. The death of his brother,
+      the dilapidation of his own fortunes, have only added to his hereditary
+      zeal for the House of Stuart a deep and almost personal hatred against the
+      present reigning family. He is, in short, a political enthusiast of the
+      most dangerous character, and proceeds in his agency with as much
+      confidence, as if he felt himself the very Atlas who is alone capable of
+      supporting a sinking cause.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And where or how did you, my Lilias, educated, doubtless, under his
+      auspices, learn to have a different view of such subjects?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;By a singular chance,&rsquo; replied Lilias, &lsquo;in the nunnery where my uncle
+      placed me. Although the abbess was a person exactly after his own heart,
+      my education as a pensioner devolved much on an excellent old mother who
+      had adopted the tenets of the Jansenists, with perhaps a still further
+      tendency towards the reformed doctrines, than those of Port Royal. The
+      mysterious secrecy with which she inculcated these tenets, gave them
+      charms to my young mind, and I embraced them the rather that they were in
+      direct opposition to the doctrines of the abbess, whom I hated so much for
+      her severity, that I felt a childish delight in setting her control at
+      defiance, and contradicting in my secret soul all that I was openly
+      obliged to listen to with reverence. Freedom of religious opinion brings
+      on, I suppose, freedom of political creed; for I had no sooner renounced
+      the Pope&rsquo;s infallibility, than I began to question the doctrine of
+      hereditary and indefeasible right. In short, strange as it may seem, I
+      came out of a Parisian convent, not indeed an instructed Whig and
+      Protestant, but with as much inclination to be so as if I had been bred
+      up, like you, within the Presbyterian sound of Saint Giles&rsquo;s chimes.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;More so, perhaps,&rsquo; replied Darsie; &lsquo;for the nearer the church&mdash;the
+      proverb is somewhat musty. But how did these liberal opinions of yours
+      agree with the very opposite prejudices of my uncle?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;They would have agreed like fire and water,&rsquo; answered Lilias, &lsquo;had I
+      suffered mine to become visible; but as that would have subjected me to
+      constant reproach and upbraiding, or worse, I took great care to keep my
+      own secret; so that occasional censures for coldness, and lack of zeal for
+      the good cause, were the worst I had to undergo; and these were bad
+      enough.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I applaud your caution,&rsquo; said Darsie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You have reason,&rsquo; replied his sister; &lsquo;but I got so terrible a specimen
+      of my uncle&rsquo;s determination of character, before I had been acquainted
+      with him for much more than a week, that it taught me at what risk I
+      should contradict his humour. I will tell you the circumstances; for it
+      will better teach you to appreciate the romantic and resolved nature of
+      his character, than anything which I could state of his rashness and
+      enthusiasm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;After I had been many a long year at the convent, I was removed from
+      thence, and placed with a meagre old Scottish lady of high rank, the
+      daughter of an unfortunate person whose head had in the year 1715 been
+      placed on Temple Bar. She subsisted on a small pension from the French
+      Court, aided by an occasional gratuity from the Stuarts; to which the
+      annuity paid for my board formed a desirable addition. She was not
+      ill-tempered, nor very covetous&mdash;neither beat me nor starved me&mdash;but
+      she was so completely trammelled by rank and prejudices, so awfully
+      profound in genealogy, and so bitterly keen, poor lady, in British,
+      politics, that I sometimes thought it pity that the Hanoverians, who
+      murdered, as she used to tell me, her poor dear father, had left his dear
+      daughter in the land of the living. Delighted, therefore, was I, when my
+      uncle made his appearance, and abruptly announced his purpose of conveying
+      me to England. My extravagant joy at the idea of leaving Lady Rachel
+      Rougedragon was somewhat qualified by observing the melancholy look, lofty
+      demeanour, and commanding tone of my near relative. He held more
+      communication with me on the journey, however, than consisted with his
+      taciturn demeanour in general, and seemed anxious to ascertain my tone of
+      character, and particularly in point of courage. Now, though I am a tamed
+      Redgauntlet, yet I have still so much of our family spirit as enables me
+      to be as composed in danger as most of my sex; and upon two occasions in
+      the course of our journey&mdash;a threatened attack by banditti, and the
+      overturn of our carriage&mdash;I had the fortune so to conduct myself, as
+      to convey to my uncle a very favourable idea of my intrepidity. Probably
+      this encouraged him to put in execution the singular scheme which he had
+      in agitation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ere we reached London we changed our means of conveyance, and altered the
+      route by which we approached the city, more than once; then, like a hare
+      which doubles repeatedly at some distance from the seat she means to
+      occupy, and at last leaps into her form from a distance so great as she
+      can clear by a spring, we made a forced march, and landed in private and
+      obscure lodgings in a little old street in Westminster, not far from the
+      Cloisters.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;On the morning of the day on which we arrived my uncle went abroad, and
+      did not return for some hours. Meantime I had no other amusement than to
+      listen to the tumult of noises which succeeded each other, or reigned in
+      confusion together during the whole morning. Paris I had thought the most
+      noisy capital in the world, but Paris seemed midnight silence compared to
+      London. Cannon thundered near and at a distance&mdash;drums, trumpets, and
+      military music of every kind, rolled, flourished, and pierced the clouds,
+      almost without intermission. To fill up the concert, bells pealed
+      incessantly from a hundred steeples. The acclamations of an immense
+      multitude were heard from time to time, like the roaring of a mighty
+      ocean, and all this without my being able to glean the least idea of what
+      was going on, for the windows of our apartment looked upon a waste
+      backyard, which seemed totally deserted. My curiosity became extreme, for
+      I was satisfied, at length, that it must be some festival of the highest
+      order which called forth these incessant sounds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My uncle at length returned, and with him a man of an exterior singularly
+      unprepossessing. I need not describe him to you, for&mdash;do not look
+      round&mdash;he rides behind us at this moment.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That respectable person, Mr. Cristal Nixon, I suppose?&rsquo; said Darsie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The same,&rsquo; answered Lilias; &lsquo;make no gesture, that may intimate we are
+      speaking of him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie signified that he understood her, and she pursued her relation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;They were both in full dress, and my uncle, taking a bundle from Nixon,
+      said to me, &ldquo;Lilias, I am come to carry you to see a grand ceremony&mdash;put
+      on as hastily as you can the dress you will find in that parcel, and
+      prepare to attend me.&rdquo; I found a female dress, splendid and elegant, but
+      somewhat bordering upon the antique fashion. It might be that of England,
+      I thought, and I went to my apartment full of curiosity, and dressed
+      myself with all speed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My uncle surveyed me with attention&mdash;&ldquo;She may pass for one of the
+      flower-girls,&rdquo; he said to Nixon, who only answered with a nod.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;We left the house together, and such was their knowledge of the lanes,
+      courts, and bypaths, that though there was the roar of a multitude in the
+      broad streets, those which we traversed were silent and deserted; and the
+      strollers whom we met, tired of gazing upon gayer figures, scarcely
+      honoured us with a passing look, although, at any other time, we should,
+      among these vulgar suburbs, have attracted a troublesome share of
+      observation. We crossed at length a broad street, where many soldiers were
+      on guard, while others, exhausted with previous duty, were eating,
+      drinking, smoking, and sleeping beside their piled arms.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;One day, Nixon,&rdquo; whispered my uncle, &ldquo;we will make these redcoated
+      gentry stand to their muskets more watchfully.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;Or it will be the worse for them,&rdquo; answered his attendant, in a voice as
+      unpleasant as his physiognomy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Unquestioned and unchallenged by any one, we crossed among the guards;
+      and Nixon tapped thrice at a small postern door in a huge ancient
+      building, which was straight before us. It opened, and we entered without
+      my perceiving by whom we were admitted. A few dark and narrow passages at
+      length conveyed us into an immense Gothic hall, the magnificence of which
+      baffles my powers of description.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It was illuminated by ten thousand wax lights, whose splendour at first
+      dazzled my eyes, coming as we did from these dark and secret avenues. But
+      when my sight began to become steady, how shall I describe what I beheld?
+      Beneath were huge ranges of tables, occupied by princes and nobles in
+      their robes of state&mdash;high officers of the crown, wearing their
+      dresses and badges of authority&mdash;reverend prelates and judges, the
+      sages of the church and law, in their more sombre, yet not less awful
+      robes&mdash;with others whose antique and striking costume announced their
+      importance, though I could not even guess who they might be. But at length
+      the truth burst on me at once&mdash;it was, and the murmurs around
+      confirmed it, the Coronation Feast. At a table above the rest, and
+      extending across the upper end of the hall, sat enthroned the youthful
+      sovereign himself, surrounded by the princes of the blood, and other
+      dignitaries, and receiving the suit and homage of his subjects. Heralds
+      and pursuivants, blazing in their fantastic yet splendid armorial habits,
+      and pages of honour, gorgeously arrayed in the garb of other days, waited
+      upon the princely banqueters. In the galleries with which this spacious
+      hall was surrounded, shone all, and more than all, that my poor
+      imagination could conceive, of what was brilliant in riches, or
+      captivating in beauty. Countless rows of ladies, whose diamonds, jewels,
+      and splendid attire were their least powerful charms, looked down from
+      their lofty seats on the rich scene beneath, themselves forming a show as
+      dazzling and as beautiful as that of which they were spectators. Under
+      these galleries, and behind the banqueting tables, were a multitude of
+      gentlemen, dressed as if to attend a court, but whose garb, although rich
+      enough to have adorned a royal drawing room, could not distinguish them in
+      such a high scene as this. Amongst these we wandered for a few minutes,
+      undistinguished and unregarded. I saw several young persons dressed as I
+      was, so was under no embarrassment from the singularity of my habit, and
+      only rejoiced, as I hung on my uncle&rsquo;s arm, at the magical splendour of
+      such a scene, and at his goodness for procuring me the pleasure of
+      beholding it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;By and by, I perceived that my uncle had acquaintances among those who
+      were under the galleries, and seemed, like ourselves, to be mere
+      spectators of the solemnity. They recognized each other with a single
+      word, sometimes only with a grip of the hand-exchanged some private signs,
+      doubtless&mdash;and gradually formed a little group, in the centre of
+      which we were placed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;Is it not a grand sight, Lilias?&rdquo; said my uncle. &ldquo;All the noble, and all
+      the wise, and all the wealthy of Britain, are there assembled.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;It is indeed,&rdquo; said I, &ldquo;all that my mind could have fancied of regal
+      power and splendour.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;Girl,&rdquo; he whispered,&mdash;and my uncle can make his whispers as
+      terribly emphatic as his thundering voice or his blighting look&mdash;&ldquo;all
+      that is noble and worthy in this fair land are there assembled&mdash;but
+      it is to bend like slaves and sycophants before the throne of a new
+      usurper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I looked at him, and the dark hereditary frown of our unhappy ancestor
+      was black upon his brow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;For God&rsquo;s sake,&rdquo; I whispered, &ldquo;consider where we are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;Fear nothing,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;we are surrounded by friends.&rdquo; As he proceeded,
+      his strong and muscular frame shook with suppressed agitation. &ldquo;See,&rdquo; he
+      said, &ldquo;yonder bends Norfolk, renegade to his Catholic.faith; there stoops
+      the Bishop of &mdash;&mdash;, traitor to the Church of England; and,&mdash;shame
+      of shames! yonder the gigantic form of Errol bows his head before the
+      grandson of his father&rsquo;s murderer! But a sign shall be seen this night
+      amongst them&mdash;MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, shall be read on these
+      walls, as distinctly as the spectral handwriting made them visible on
+      those of Belshazzar!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;For God&rsquo;s sake,&rdquo; said I, dreadfully alarmed, &ldquo;it is impossible you can
+      meditate violence in such a presence!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;None is intended, fool,&rdquo; he answered, &ldquo;nor can the slightest mischance
+      happen, provided you will rally your boasted courage, and obey my
+      directions. But do it coolly and quickly, for there are a hundred lives at
+      stake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;Alas! what&mdash;can I do?&rdquo; I asked in the utmost terror.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;Only be prompt to execute my bidding,&rdquo; said he; &ldquo;it is but to lift a
+      glove&mdash;Here, hold this in your hand&mdash;throw the train of your
+      dress over it, be firm, composed, and ready&mdash;or, at all events, I
+      step forward myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;If there is no violence designed,&rdquo; I said, taking, mechanically, the
+      iron glove he put into my hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;I could not conceive his meaning; but, in the excited state of mind in
+      which I beheld him, I was convinced that disobedience on my part would
+      lead to some wild explosion. I felt, from the emergency of the occasion, a
+      sudden presence of mind, and resolved to do anything that might avert
+      violence and bloodshed. I was not long held in suspense. A loud flourish
+      of trumpets and the voice of heralds were mixed with the clatter of
+      horses&rsquo; hoofs, while a champion, armed at all points like those I had read
+      of in romances, attended by squires, pages, and the whole retinue of
+      chivalry, pranced forward, mounted upon a barbed steed. His challenge, in
+      defiance of all who dared impeach the title of the new sovereign, was
+      recited aloud&mdash;once, and again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;Rush in at the third sounding,&rdquo; said my uncle to me; &ldquo;bring me the
+      parader&rsquo;s gage, and leave mine in lieu of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I could not see how this was to be done, as we were surrounded by people
+      on all sides. But, at the third sounding of the trumpets, a lane opened as
+      if by word of command, betwixt me and the champion, and my uncle&rsquo;s voice
+      said, &ldquo;Now, Lilias, NOW!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;With a swift and yet steady step, and with a presence of mind for which I
+      have never since been able to account, I discharged the perilous
+      commission. I was hardly seen, I believe, as I exchanged the pledges of
+      battle, and in an instant retired. &ldquo;Nobly done, my girl!&rdquo; said my uncle,
+      at whose side I found myself, shrouded as I was before, by the
+      interposition of the bystanders. &ldquo;Cover our retreat, gentlemen,&rdquo; he
+      whispered to those around him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Room was made for us to approach the wall, which seemed to open, and we
+      were again involved in the dark passages through which we had formerly
+      passed. In a small anteroom, my uncle stopped, and hastily muffling me in
+      a mantle which was lying there, we passed the guards&mdash;threaded the
+      labyrinth of empty streets and courts, and reached our retired lodgings
+      without attracting the least attention.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have often heard,&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;that a female, supposed to be a man in
+      disguise,&mdash;and yet, Lilias, you do not look very masculine,&mdash;had
+      taken up the champion&rsquo;s gauntlet at the present king&rsquo;s coronation, and
+      left in its place a gage of battle, with a paper, offering to accept the
+      combat, provided a fair field should be allowed for it. I have hitherto
+      considered it as an idle tale. I little thought how nearly I was
+      interested in the actors of a scene so daring. How could you have courage
+      to go through with it?&rsquo; [See Note 9.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Had I had leisure for reflection,&rsquo; answered his sister, &lsquo;I should have
+      refused, from a mixture of principle and of fear. But, like many people
+      who do daring actions, I went on because I had not time to think of
+      retreating. The matter was little known, and it is said the king had
+      commanded that it should not be further inquired into;&mdash;from
+      prudence, as I suppose, and lenity, though my uncle chooses to ascribe the
+      forbearance of the Elector of Hanover, as he calls him, sometimes to
+      pusillanimity, and sometimes to a presumptuous scorn of the faction who
+      opposes his title.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And have your subsequent agencies under this frantic enthusiast,&rsquo; said
+      Darsie, &lsquo;equalled this in danger?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No&mdash;nor in importance,&rsquo; replied Lilias; &lsquo;though I have witnessed
+      much of the strange and desperate machinations, by which, in spite of
+      every obstacle, and in contempt of every danger, he endeavours to awaken
+      the courage of a broken party. I have traversed, in his company, all
+      England and Scotland, and have visited the most extraordinary and
+      contrasted scenes; now lodging at the castles of the proud gentry of
+      Cheshire and Wales, where the retired aristocrats, with opinions as
+      antiquated as their dwellings and their manners, still continue to nourish
+      Jacobitical principles; and the next week, perhaps, spent among outlawed
+      smugglers, or Highland banditti. I have known my uncle often act the part
+      of a hero, and sometimes that of a mere vulgar conspirator, and turn
+      himself, with the most surprising flexibility, into all sorts of shapes to
+      attract proselytes to his cause.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Which, in the present day,&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;he finds, I presume, no easy
+      task.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;So difficult,&rsquo; said Lilias, &lsquo;that, I believe, he has, at different times,
+      disgusted with the total falling away of some friends, and the coldness of
+      others, been almost on the point of resigning his undertaking. How often I
+      have I known him affect an open brow and a jovial manner, joining in the
+      games of the gentry, and even in the sports of the common people, in order
+      to invest himself with a temporary degree of popularity; while, in fact,
+      his heart was bursting to witness what he called the degeneracy of the
+      times, the decay of activity among the aged, and the want of zeal in the
+      rising generation. After the day has been spent in the hardest exercise,
+      he has spent the night in pacing his solitary chamber, bewailing the
+      downfall of the cause, and wishing for the bullet of Dundee or the axe of
+      Balmerino.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A strange delusion,&rsquo; said Darsie; &lsquo;and it is wonderful that it does not
+      yield to the force of reality.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ah, but,&rsquo; replied Lilias, &lsquo;realities of late have seemed to flatter his
+      hopes. The general dissatisfaction with the peace&mdash;the unpopularity
+      of the minister, which has extended itself even to the person of his
+      master&mdash;the various uproars which have disturbed the peace of the
+      metropolis, and a general state of disgust and disaffection, which seems
+      to affect the body of the nation, have given unwonted encouragement to the
+      expiring hopes of the Jacobites, and induced many, both at the Court of
+      Rome, and, if it can be called so, of the Pretender, to lend a more
+      favourable ear than they had hitherto done to the insinuations of those
+      who, like my uncle, hope, when hope is lost to all but themselves. Nay, I
+      really believe that at this moment they meditate some desperate effort. My
+      uncle has been doing all in his power, of late, to conciliate the
+      affections of those wild communities that dwell on the Solway, over whom
+      our family possessed a seignorial interest before the forfeiture, and
+      amongst whom, on the occasion of 1745, our unhappy father&rsquo;s interest, with
+      his own, raised a considerable body of men. But they are no longer willing
+      to obey his summons; and, as one apology among others, they allege your
+      absence as their natural head and leader. This has increased his desire to
+      obtain possession of your person, and, if he possibly can, to influence
+      your mind, so as to obtain your authority to his proceedings.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That he shall never obtain,&rsquo; answered Darsie; &lsquo;my principles and my
+      prudence alike forbid such a step. Besides, it would be totally unavailing
+      to his purpose. Whatever these people may pretend, to evade your uncle&rsquo;s
+      importunities, they cannot, at this time of day, think of subjecting their
+      necks again to the feudal yoke, which was effectually broken by the act of
+      1748, abolishing vassalage and hereditary jurisdictions.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, but that my uncle considers as the act of a usurping government,&rsquo; 
+      said Lilias.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Like enough he may think so,&rsquo; answered her brother, &lsquo;for he is a
+      superior, and loses his authority by, the enactment. But the question is,
+      what the vassals will think of it who have gained their freedom from
+      feudal slavery, and have now enjoyed that freedom for many years? However,
+      to cut the matter short, if five hundred men would rise at the wagging of
+      my finger, that finger shall not be raised in a cause which I disapprove
+      of, and upon that my uncle may reckon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But you may temporize,&rsquo; said Lilias, upon whom the idea of her uncle&rsquo;s
+      displeasure made evidently a strong impression,&mdash;&lsquo;you may temporize,
+      as most of the gentry in this country do, and let the bubble burst of
+      itself; for it is singular how few of them venture to oppose my uncle
+      directly. I entreat you to avoid direct collision with him. To hear you,
+      the head of the House of Redgauntlet, declare against the family of
+      Stuart, would either break his heart, or drive him to some act of
+      desperation.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes, but, Lilias, you forget that the consequences of such an act of
+      complaisance might be, that the House of Redgauntlet and I might lose both
+      our heads at one blow.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Alas!&rsquo; said she, &lsquo;I had forgotten that danger. I have grown familiar with
+      perilous intrigues, as the nurses in a pest-house are said to become
+      accustomed to the air around them, till they forget even that it is
+      noisome.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And yet,&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;if I could free myself from him without coming to
+      an open rupture. Tell me, Lilias, do you think it possible that he can
+      have any immediate attempt in view?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To confess the truth,&rsquo; answered Lilias, &lsquo;I cannot doubt that he has.
+      There has been an unusual bustle among the Jacobites of late. They have
+      hopes, as I told you, from circumstances unconnected with their own
+      strength. Just before you came to the country, my uncle&rsquo;s desire to find
+      you out became, if possible, more eager than ever&mdash;he talked of men
+      to be presently brought together, and of your name and influence for
+      raising them. At this very time your first visit to Brokenburn took place.
+      A suspicion arose in my uncle&rsquo;s mind, that you might be the youth he
+      sought, and it was strengthened by papers and letters which the rascal
+      Nixon did not hesitate to take from your pocket. Yet a mistake might have
+      occasioned a fatal explosion; and my uncle therefore posted to Edinburgh
+      to follow out the clue he had obtained, and fished enough of information
+      from old Mr. Fairford to make him certain that you were the person he
+      sought. Meanwhile, and at the expense of some personal and perhaps too
+      bold exertion, I endeavoured, through your friend young Fairford, to put
+      you on your guard.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Without success,&rsquo; said Darsie, blushing under his mask when he
+      recollected how he had mistaken his sister&rsquo;s meaning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I do not wonder that my warning was fruitless,&rsquo; said she; &lsquo;the thing was
+      doomed to be. Besides, your escape would have been difficult. You were
+      dogged the whole time you were at the Shepherd&rsquo;s Bush and at Mount Sharon,
+      by a spy who scarcely ever left you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The wretch, little Benjie!&rsquo; exclaimed Darsie. &lsquo;I will wring the monkey&rsquo;s
+      neck round, the first time we meet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It was he indeed who gave constant information of your motions to Cristal
+      Nixon,&rsquo; said Lilias.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And Cristal Nixon&mdash;I owe him, too, a day&rsquo;s work in harvest,&rsquo; said
+      Darsie; &lsquo;for I am mistaken if he was not the person that struck me down
+      when I was made prisoner among the rioters.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Like enough; for he has a head and hand for any villany. My uncle was
+      very angry about it; for though the riot was made to have an opportunity
+      of carrying you off in the confusion, as well as to put the fishermen at
+      variance with the public law, it would have been his last thought to have
+      injured a hair of your head. But Nixon has insinuated himself into all my
+      uncle&rsquo;s secrets, and some of these are so dark and dangerous, that though
+      there are few things he would not dare, I doubt if he dare quarrel with
+      him. And yet I know that of Cristal would move my uncle to pass his sword
+      through his body.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What is it, for Heaven&rsquo;s sake?&rsquo;, said Darsie. &lsquo;I have a particular desire
+      for wishing to know.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The old, brutal desperado, whose face and mind are a libel upon human
+      nature, has had the insolence to speak to his master&rsquo;s niece as one whom
+      he was at liberty to admire; and when I turned on him with the anger and
+      contempt he merited, the wretch grumbled out something, as if he held the
+      destiny of our family in his hand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I thank you, Lilias,&rsquo; said Darsie, eagerly,&mdash;&lsquo;I thank you with all
+      my heart for this communication. I have blamed myself as a Christian man
+      for the indescribable longing I felt from the first moment I saw that
+      rascal, to send a bullet through his head; and now you have perfectly
+      accounted for and justified this very laudable wish. I wonder my uncle,
+      with the powerful sense you describe him to be possessed of, does not see
+      through such a villain.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I believe he knows him to be capable of much evil,&rsquo; answered Lilias&mdash;&lsquo;selfish,
+      obdurate, brutal, and a man-hater. But then he conceives him to possess
+      the qualities most requisite for a conspirator&mdash;undaunted courage,
+      imperturbable coolness and address, and inviolable fidelity. In the last
+      particular he may be mistaken. I have heard Nixon blamed for the manner in
+      which our poor father was taken after Culloden.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Another reason for my innate aversion,&rsquo; said Darsie, but I will be on my
+      guard with him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;See, he observes us closely,&rsquo; said Lilias. &lsquo;What a thing is conscience!
+      He knows we are now speaking of him, though he cannot have heard a word
+      that we have said.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It seemed as if she had guessed truly; for Cristal Nixon at that moment
+      rode up to them, and said, with an affectation of jocularity, which sat
+      very ill on his sullen features, &lsquo;Come, young ladies, you have had time
+      enough for your chat this morning, and your tongues, I think, must be
+      tired. We are going to pass a village, and I must beg you to separate&mdash;you,
+      Miss Lilias, to ride a little behind&mdash;and you, Mrs., or Miss, or
+      Master, whichever you choose to be called, to be jogging a little before.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lilias checked her horse without speaking, but not until she had given her
+      brother an expressive look, recommending caution; to which he replied by a
+      signal indicating that he understood and would comply with her request.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIX
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATTVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Left to his solitary meditations, Darsie (for we will still term Sir
+      Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk by the name to which the reader is
+      habituated) was surprised not only at the alteration of his own state and
+      condition, but at the equanimity with which he felt himself disposed to
+      view all these vicissitudes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His fever&mdash;fit of love had departed like a morning&rsquo;s dream, and left
+      nothing behind but a painful sense of shame, and a resolution to be more
+      cautious ere he again indulged in such romantic visions. His station in
+      society was changed from that of a wandering, unowned youth, in whom none
+      appeared to take an interest excepting the strangers by whom he had been
+      educated, to the heir of a noble house, possessed of such influence and
+      such property, that it seemed as if the progress or arrest of important
+      political events were likely to depend upon his resolution. Even this
+      sudden elevation, the more than fulfilment of those wishes which had
+      haunted him ever since he was able to form a wish on the subject, was
+      contemplated by Darsie, volatile as his disposition was, without more than
+      a few thrills of gratified vanity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is true, there were circumstances in his present situation to
+      counterbalance such high advantages. To be a prisoner in the hands of a
+      man so determined as his uncle, was no agreeable consideration, when he
+      was calculating how he might best dispute his pleasure and refuse to join
+      him in the perilous enterprise which he seemed to meditate. Outlawed and
+      desperate himself, Darsie could not doubt that his uncle was surrounded by
+      men capable of anything&mdash;that he was restrained by no personal
+      considerations&mdash;and therefore what degree of compulsion he might
+      apply to his brother&rsquo;s son, or in what manner he might feel at liberty to
+      punish his contumacy, should he disavow the Jacobite cause, must depend
+      entirely upon the limits of his own conscience; and who was to answer for
+      the conscience of a heated enthusiast who considers opposition to the
+      party he has espoused, as treason to the welfare of his country? After a
+      short interval, Cristal Nixon was pleased to throw some light upon the
+      subject which agitated him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When that grim satellite rode up without ceremony close to Darsie&rsquo;s side,
+      the latter felt his very flesh creep with abhorrence, so little was he
+      able to endure his presence, since the story of Lilias had added to his
+      instinctive hatred of the man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His voice, too, sounded like that of a screech-owl, as he said, &lsquo;So, my
+      young cock of the north, you now know it all, and no doubt are blessing
+      your uncle for stirring you up to such an honourable action.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will acquaint my uncle with my sentiments on the subject, before I make
+      them known to any one else,&rsquo; said Darsie, scarcely prevailing on his
+      tongue to utter even these few words in a civil manner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Umph,&rsquo; murmured Cristal betwixt his teeth. &lsquo;Close as wax, I see; and
+      perhaps not quite so pliable. But take care, my pretty youth,&rsquo; he added,
+      scornfully; &lsquo;Hugh Redgauntlet will prove a rough colt-breaker&mdash;he
+      will neither spare whipcord nor spur-rowel, I promise you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have already said, Mr. Nixon, answered Darsie, &lsquo;that I will canvass
+      those matters of which my sister has informed me, with my uncle himself,
+      and with no other person.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, but a word of friendly advice would do you no harm, young master,&rsquo; 
+      replied Nixon. &lsquo;Old Redgauntlet is apter at a blow than a word&mdash;likely
+      to bite before he barks&mdash;the true man for giving Scarborough warning,
+      first knock you down, then bid you stand. So, methinks, a little kind
+      warning as to consequences were not amiss, lest they come upon you
+      unawares.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If the warning is really kind, Mr. Nixon,&rsquo; said the young man, &lsquo;I will
+      hear it thankfully; and indeed, if otherwise, I must listen to it whether
+      I will or no, since I have at present no choice of company or of
+      conversation.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, I have but little to say,&rsquo; said Nixon, affecting to give to his
+      sullen and dogged manner the appearance of an honest bluntness; &lsquo;I am as
+      little apt to throw away words as any one. But here is the question&mdash;Will
+      you join heart and hand with your uncle, or no?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What if I should say Aye?&rsquo; said Darsie, determined, if possible, to
+      conceal his resolution from this man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, then,&rsquo; said Nixon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of his
+      answer, &lsquo;all will go smooth, of course&mdash;you will take share in this
+      noble undertaking, and, when it succeeds, you will exchange your open
+      helmet for an earl&rsquo;s coronet perhaps.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And how if it fails?&rsquo; said Darsie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thereafter as it may be,&rsquo; said Nixon; &lsquo;they who play at bowls must meet
+      with rubbers.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, but suppose, then, I have some foolish tenderness for my windpipe,
+      and that when my uncle proposes the adventure to me I should say No&mdash;how
+      then, Mr. Nixon?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, then, I would have you look to yourself, young master. There are
+      sharp laws in France against refractory pupils&mdash;LETTRES DE CACHET are
+      easily come by when such men as we are concerned with interest themselves
+      in the matter.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But we are not in France,&rsquo; said poor Darsie, through whose blood ran a
+      cold shivering at the idea of a French prison.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A fast-sailing lugger will soon bring you there though, snug stowed under
+      hatches, like a cask of moonlight.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But the French are at peace with us,&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;and would not dare&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, who would ever hear of you?&rsquo; interrupted Nixon; &lsquo;do you imagine that
+      a foreign court would call you up for judgement, and put the sentence of
+      imprisonment in the COURRIER DE L&rsquo;EUROPE, as they do at the Old Bailey?
+      No, no, young gentleman&mdash;the gates of the Bastille, and of Mont Saint
+      Michel, and the Castle of Vincennes, move on d&mdash;d easy hinges when
+      they let folk in&mdash;not the least jar is heard. There are cool cells
+      there for hot heads&mdash;as calm, and quiet, and dark, as you could wish
+      in Bedlam&mdash;and the dismissal comes when the carpenter brings the
+      prisoner&rsquo;s coffin, and not sooner.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, Mr. Nixon,&rsquo; said Darsie, affecting a cheerfulness which he was far
+      from feeling, &lsquo;mine is a hard case&mdash;a sort of hanging choice, you
+      will allow&mdash;since I must either offend our own government here and
+      run the risk of my life for doing so, or be doomed to the dungeons of
+      another country, whose laws I have never offended since I have never trod
+      its soil&mdash;Tell me what you would do if you were in my place.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you that when I am there,&rsquo; said Nixon, and, checking his horse,
+      fell back to the rear of the little party.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is evident,&rsquo; thought the young man, &lsquo;that the villain believes me
+      completely noosed, and perhaps has the ineffable impudence to suppose that
+      my sister must eventually succeed to the possessions which have occasioned
+      my loss of freedom, and that his own influence over the destinies of our
+      unhappy family may secure him possession of the heiress; but he shall
+      perish by my hand first!&mdash;I must now be on the alert to make my
+      escape, if possible, before I am forced on shipboard. Blind Willie will
+      not, I think, desert me without an effort on my behalf, especially if he
+      has learned that I am the son of his late unhappy patron. What a change is
+      mine! Whilst I possessed neither rank nor fortune, I lived safely and
+      unknown, under the protection of the kind and respectable friends whose
+      hearts Heaven had moved towards me. Now that I am the head of an
+      honourable house, and that enterprises of the most daring character await
+      my decision, and retainers and vassals seem ready to rise at my beck, my
+      safety consists chiefly in the attachment of a blind stroller!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While he was revolving these things in his mind, and preparing himself for
+      the interview with his uncle which could not but be a stormy one, he saw
+      Hugh Redgauntlet come riding slowly back to meet them without any
+      attendants. Cristal Nixon rode up as he approached, and, as they met,
+      fixed on him a look of inquiry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The fool, Crackenthorp,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, has let strangers into his
+      house. Some of his smuggling comrades, I believe; we must ride slowly to
+      give him time to send them packing.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Did you see any of your friends?&rsquo; said Cristal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Three, and have letters from many more. They are unanimous on the subject
+      you wot of&mdash;and the point must be conceded to them, or, far as the
+      matter has gone, it will go no further.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You will hardly bring the father to stoop to his flock,&rsquo; said Cristal,
+      with a sneer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He must and shall!&rsquo; answered Redgauntlet, briefly. &lsquo;Go to the front,
+      Cristal&mdash;I would speak with my nephew. I trust, Sir Arthur
+      Redgauntlet, you are satisfied with the manner in which I have discharged
+      my duty to your sister?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There can be no fault found to her manners or sentiments,&rsquo; answered
+      Darsie; &lsquo;I am happy in knowing a relative so amiable.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am glad of it,&rsquo; answered Mr. Redgauntlet. &lsquo;I am no nice judge of
+      women&rsquo;s qualifications, and my life has been dedicated to one great
+      object; so that since she left France she has had but little opportunity
+      of improvement. I have subjected her, however, as little as possible to
+      the inconveniences and privations of my wandering and dangerous life. From
+      time to time she has resided for weeks and months with families of honour
+      and respectability, and I am glad that she has, in, your opinion, the
+      manners and behaviour which become her birth.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and there was a little
+      pause, which Redgauntlet broke by solemnly addressing his nephew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;For you, my nephew, I also hoped to have done much. The weakness and
+      timidity of your mother sequestered you from my care, or it would have
+      been my pride and happiness to have trained up the son of my unhappy
+      brother in those paths of honour in which our ancestors have always trod.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now comes the storm,&rsquo; thought Darsie to himself, and began to collect his
+      thoughts, as the cautious master of a vessel furls his sails and makes his
+      ship snug when he discerns the approaching squall.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My mother&rsquo;s conduct in respect to me might be misjudged,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;but
+      it was founded on the most anxious affection.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Assuredly,&rsquo; said his uncle, &lsquo;and I have no wish to reflect on her memory,
+      though her mistrust has done so much injury, I will not say to me, but to
+      the cause of my unhappy country. Her scheme was, I think, to have made you
+      that wretched pettifogging being, which they still continue to call in
+      derision by the once respectable name of a Scottish Advocate; one of those
+      mongrel things that must creep to learn the ultimate decision of his
+      causes to the bar of a foreign court, instead of pleading before the
+      independent and august Parliament of his own native kingdom.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I did prosecute the study of law for a year or two, said Darsie, &lsquo;but I
+      found I had neither taste nor talents for the science.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And left it with scorn, doubtless,&rsquo; said Mr. Redgauntlet. &lsquo;Well, I now
+      hold up to you, my dearest nephew, a more worthy object of ambition. Look
+      eastward&mdash;do you see a monument standing on yonder plain, near a
+      hamlet?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie replied that he did,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The hamlet is called Burgh-upon-Sands, and yonder monument is erected to
+      the memory of the tyrant Edward I. The just hand of Providence overtook
+      him on that spot, as he was leading his bands to complete the subjugation
+      of Scotland whose civil dissensions began under his accursed policy. The
+      glorious career of Bruce might have been stopped in its outset; the field
+      of Bannockburn might have remained a bloodless turf, if God had not
+      removed, in the very crisis, the crafty and bold tyrant who had so long
+      been Scotland&rsquo;s scourge. Edward&rsquo;s grave is the cradle of our national
+      freedom. It is within sight of that great landmark of our liberty that I
+      have to propose to you an undertaking, second in honour and importance to
+      none since the immortal Bruce stabbed the Red Comyn, and grasped with his
+      yet bloody hand the independent crown of Scotland.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He paused for an answer; but Darsie, overawed by the energy of his manner,
+      and unwilling to commit himself by a hasty explanation, remained silent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will not suppose,&rsquo; said Hugh Redgauntlet, after a pause, that you are
+      either so dull as not to comprehend the import of my words&mdash;or so
+      dastardly as to be dismayed by my proposal&mdash;or so utterly degenerate
+      from the blood and sentiments of your ancestors, as not to feel my summons
+      as the horse hears the war-trumpet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will not pretend to misunderstand you, sir,&rsquo; said Darsie; &lsquo;but an
+      enterprise directed against a dynasty now established for three reigns
+      requires strong arguments, both in point of justice and of expediency, to
+      recommend it to men of conscience and prudence.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will not,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, while his eyes sparkled with anger,&mdash;&lsquo;I
+      will not hear you speak a word against the justice of that enterprise, for
+      which your oppressed country calls with the voice of a parent, entreating
+      her children for aid&mdash;or against that noble revenge which your
+      father&rsquo;s blood demands from his dishonoured grave. His skull is yet
+      standing over the Rikargate, [The northern gate of Carlisle was long
+      garnished with the heads of the Scottish rebels executed in 1746.] and
+      even its bleak and mouldered jaws command you to be a man. I ask you, in
+      the name of God and of your country, will you draw your sword and go with
+      me to Carlisle, were it but to lay your father&rsquo;s head, now the perch of
+      the obscene owl and carrion crow and the scoff of every ribald clown, in
+      consecrated earth as befits his long ancestry?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie, unprepared to answer an appeal urged with so much passion, and not
+      doubting a direct refusal would cost him his liberty or life, was again
+      silent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I see,&rsquo; said his uncle, in a more composed tone, &lsquo;that it is not
+      deficiency of spirit, but the grovelling habits of a confined education,
+      among the poor-spirited class you were condemned to herd with, that keeps
+      you silent. You scarce yet believe yourself a Redgauntlet; your pulse has
+      not yet learned the genuine throb that answers to the summons of honour
+      and of patriotism.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I trust,&rsquo; replied Darsie, at last, &lsquo;that I shall never be found
+      indifferent to the call of either; but to answer them with effect&mdash;even
+      were I convinced that they now sounded in my ear&mdash;I must see some
+      reasonable hope of success in the desperate enterprise in which you would
+      involve me. I look around me, and I see a settled government&mdash;an
+      established authority&mdash;a born Briton on the throne&mdash;the very
+      Highland mountaineers, upon whom alone the trust of the exiled family
+      reposed, assembled into regiments which act under the orders of the
+      existing dynasty. [The Highland regiments were first employed by the
+      celebrated Earl of Chatham, who assumed to himself no small degree of
+      praise for having called forth to the support of the country and the
+      government, the valour which had been too often directed against both.]
+      France has been utterly dismayed by the tremendous lessons of the last
+      war, and will hardly provoke another. All without and within the kingdom
+      is adverse to encountering a hopeless struggle, and you alone, sir, seem
+      willing to undertake a desperate enterprise.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And would undertake it were it ten times more desperate; and have
+      agitated it when ten times the obstacles were interposed. Have I forgot my
+      brother&rsquo;s blood? Can I&mdash;dare I even now repeat the Pater Noster,
+      since my enemies and the murderers remain unforgiven? Is there an art I
+      have not practised&mdash;a privation to which I have not submitted, to
+      bring on the crisis, which I now behold arrived? Have I not been a vowed
+      and a devoted man, forgoing every comfort of social life, renouncing even
+      the exercise of devotion unless when I might name in prayer my prince and
+      country, submitting to everything to make converts to this noble cause?
+      Have I done all this, and shall I now stop short?&rsquo; Darsie was about to
+      interrupt him, but he pressed his hand affectionately upon his shoulder,
+      and enjoining, or rather imploring, silence, &lsquo;Peace,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;heir of my
+      ancestors&rsquo; fame&mdash;heir of all my hopes and wishes. Peace, son of my
+      slaughtered brother! I have sought for thee, and mourned for thee, as a
+      mother for an only child. Do not let me again lose you in the moment when
+      you are restored to my hopes. Believe me, I distrust so much my own
+      impatient temper, that I entreat you, as the dearest boon, do naught to
+      awaken it at this crisis.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie was not sorry to reply that his respect for the person of his
+      relation would induce him to listen to all which he had to apprise him of,
+      before he formed any definite resolution upon the weighty subjects of
+      deliberation which he proposed to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Deliberation!&rsquo; repeated Redgauntlet, impatiently; &lsquo;and yet it is not ill
+      said. I wish there had been more warmth in thy reply, Arthur; but I must
+      recollect, were an eagle bred in a falcon&rsquo;s mew and hooded like a
+      reclaimed hawk, he could not at first gaze steadily on the sun. Listen to
+      me, my dearest Arthur. The state of this nation no more implies
+      prosperity, than the florid colour of a feverish patient is a symptom of
+      health. All is false and hollow. The apparent success of Chatham&rsquo;s
+      administration has plunged the country deeper in debt than all the barren
+      acres of Canada are worth, were they as fertile as Yorkshire&mdash;the
+      dazzling lustre of the victories of Minden and Quebec have been dimmed by
+      the disgrace of the hasty peace&mdash;by the war, England, at immense
+      expense, gained nothing but honour, and that she has gratuitously
+      resigned. Many eyes, formerly cold and indifferent, are now looking
+      towards the line of our ancient and rightful monarchs, as the only refuge
+      in the approaching storm&mdash;the rich are alarmed&mdash;the nobles are
+      disgusted&mdash;the populace are inflamed&mdash;and a band of patriots,
+      whose measures are more safe than their numbers are few, have resolved to
+      set up King Charles&rsquo;s standard.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But the military,&rsquo; said Darsie&mdash;&lsquo;how can you, with a body of unarmed
+      and disorderly insurgents, propose to encounter a regular army. The
+      Highlanders are now totally disarmed.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In a great measure, perhaps,&rsquo; answered Redgauntlet; &lsquo;but the policy which
+      raised the Highland regiments has provided for that. We have already
+      friends in these corps; nor can we doubt for a moment what their conduct
+      will be when the white cockade is once more mounted. The rest of the
+      standing army has been greatly reduced since the peace; and we reckon
+      confidently on our standard being joined by thousands of the disbanded
+      troops.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Alas!&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;and is it upon such vague hopes as these, the
+      inconstant humour of a crowd or of a disbanded soldiery, that men of
+      honour are invited to risk their families, their property, their life?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Men of honour, boy,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, his eyes glancing with impatience,
+      &lsquo;set life, property, family, and all at stake, when that honour commands
+      it! We are not now weaker than when seven men, landing in the wilds of
+      Moidart, shook the throne of the usurper till it tottered&mdash;won two
+      pitched fields, besides overrunning one kingdom and the half of another,
+      and, but for treachery, would have achieved what their venturous
+      successors are now to attempt in their turn.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And will such an attempt be made in serious earnest?&rsquo; said Darsie.
+      &lsquo;Excuse me, my uncle, if I can scarce believe a fact so extraordinary.
+      Will there really be found men of rank and consequence sufficient to renew
+      the adventure of 1745?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will not give you my confidence by halves, Sir Arthur,&rsquo; replied his
+      uncle&mdash;&lsquo;Look at that scroll&mdash;what say you to these names?&mdash;Are
+      they not the flower of the western shires&mdash;of Wales of Scotland?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The paper contains indeed the names of many that are great and noble,&rsquo; 
+      replied Darsie, after perusing it; &lsquo;but&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But what?&rsquo; asked his uncle, impatiently; &lsquo;do you doubt the ability of
+      those nobles and gentlemen to furnish the aid in men and money at which
+      they are rated?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not their ability certainly,&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;for of that I am no competent
+      judge; but I see in this scroll the name of Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet
+      of that Ilk, rated at a hundred men and upwards&mdash;I certainly am
+      ignorant how he is to redeem that pledge.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will be responsible for the men,&rsquo; replied Hugh Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But, my dear uncle,&rsquo; added Darsie, &lsquo;I hope for your sake that the other
+      individuals whose names are here written, have had more acquaintance with
+      your plan than I have been indulged with.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;For thee and thine I can be myself responsible,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;for
+      if thou hast not the courage to head the force of thy house, the leading
+      shall pass to other hands, and thy inheritance shall depart from thee like
+      vigour and verdure from a rotten branch. For these honourable persons, a
+      slight condition there is which they annex to their friendship&mdash;something
+      so trifling that it is scarce worthy of mention. This boon granted to them
+      by him who is most interested, there is no question they will take the
+      field in the manner there stated.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Again Darsie perused the paper, and felt himself still less inclined to
+      believe that so many men of family and fortune were likely to embark in an
+      enterprise so fatal. It seemed as if some rash plotter had put down at a
+      venture the names of all whom common report tainted with Jacobitism; or if
+      it was really the act of the individuals named, he suspected that they
+      must be aware of some mode of excusing themselves from compliance with its
+      purport. It was impossible, he thought, that Englishmen, of large fortune,
+      who had failed to join Charles when he broke into England at the head of a
+      victorious army, should have the least thoughts of encouraging a descent
+      when circumstances were so much less propitious. He therefore concluded
+      the enterprise would fall to pieces of itself, and that his best way was,
+      in the meantime, to remain silent, unless the actual approach of a crisis
+      (which might, however, never arrive) should compel him to give a downright
+      refusal to his uncle&rsquo;s proposition; and if, in the interim, some door for
+      escape should be opened, he resolved within himself not to omit availing
+      himself of it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Hugh Redgauntlet watched his nephew&rsquo;s looks for some time, and then, as if
+      arriving from some other process of reasoning at the same conclusion, he
+      said, &lsquo;I have told you, Sir Arthur, that I do not urge your immediate
+      accession to my proposal; indeed the consequences of a refusal would be so
+      dreadful to yourself, so destructive to all the hopes which I have nursed,
+      that I would not risk, by a moment&rsquo;s impatience, the object of my whole
+      life. Yes, Arthur, I have been a self-denying hermit at one time&mdash;at
+      another, the apparent associate of outlaws and desperadoes&mdash;at
+      another, the subordinate agent of men whom I felt in every way my
+      inferiors&mdash;not for any selfish purpose of my own, no, not even to win
+      for myself the renown of being the principal instrument in restoring my
+      king and freeing my country. My first wish on earth is for that
+      restoration and that freedom&mdash;my next, that my nephew, the
+      representative of my house and of the brother of my love, may have the
+      advantage and the credit of all my efforts in the good cause. But,&rsquo; he
+      added, darting on Darsie one of his withering frowns, &lsquo;if Scotland and my
+      father&rsquo;s house cannot stand and flourish together, then perish the very
+      name of Redgauntlet! perish the son of my brother, with every recollection
+      of the glories of my family, of the affections of my youth, rather than my
+      country&rsquo;s cause should be injured in the tithing of a barley-corn! The
+      spirit of Sir Alberick is alive within me at this moment,&rsquo; he continued,
+      drawing up his stately form and sitting erect in his saddle, while he
+      pressed his finger against his forehead; &lsquo;and if you yourself crossed my
+      path in opposition, I swear, by the mark that darkens my brow, that a new
+      deed should be done&mdash;a new doom should be deserved!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was silent, and his threats were uttered in a tone of voice so deeply
+      resolute, that Darsie&rsquo;s heart sank within him, when he reflected on the
+      storm of passion which he must encounter, if he declined to join his uncle
+      in a project to which prudence and principle made him equally adverse. He
+      had scarce any hope left but in temporizing until he could make his
+      escape, and resolved to avail himself for that purpose of the delay which
+      his uncle seemed not unwilling to grant. The stern, gloomy look of his
+      companion became relaxed by degrees, and presently afterwards he made a
+      sign to Miss Redgauntlet to join the party, and began a forced
+      conversation on ordinary topics; in the course of which Darsie observed
+      that his sister seemed to speak under the most cautious restraint,
+      weighing every word before she uttered it, and always permitting her uncle
+      to give the tone to the conversation, though of the most trifling kind.
+      This seemed to him (such an opinion had he already entertained of his
+      sister&rsquo;s good sense and firmness) the strongest proof he had yet received
+      of his uncle&rsquo;s peremptory character, since he saw it observed with so much
+      deference by a young person whose sex might have given her privileges, and
+      who seemed by no means deficient either in spirit or firmness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The little cavalcade was now approaching the house of Father Crackenthorp,
+      situated, as the reader knows, by the side of the Solway, and not far
+      distant front a rude pier, near which lay several fishing-boats, which
+      frequently acted in a different capacity. The house of the worthy publican
+      was also adapted to the various occupations which he carried on, being a
+      large scrambling assemblage of cottages attached to a house of two
+      stories, roofed with flags of sandstone&mdash;the original mansion, to
+      which the extensions of Mr. Crackenthorp&rsquo;s trade had occasioned his making
+      many additions. Instead of the single long watering-trough which usually
+      distinguishes the front of the English public-house of the second class,
+      there were three conveniences of that kind, for the use, as the landlord
+      used to say, of the troop-horses when the soldiers came to search his
+      house; while a knowing leer and a nod let you understand what species of
+      troops he was thinking of. A huge ash-tree before the door, which had
+      reared itself to a great size and height, in spite of the blasts from the
+      neighbouring Solway, overshadowed, as usual, the ale-bench, as our
+      ancestors called it, where, though it was still early in the day, several
+      fellows, who seemed to be gentlemen&rsquo;s servants, were drinking beer and
+      smoking. One or two of them wore liveries which seemed known to Mr.
+      Redgauntlet, for he muttered between his teeth, &lsquo;Fools, fools! were they
+      on a march to hell, they must have their rascals in livery with them, that
+      the whole world might know who were going to be damned.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he thus muttered, he drew bridle before the door of the place, from
+      which several other lounging guests began to issue, to look with indolent
+      curiosity as usual, upon an ARRIVAL.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet sprang from his horse, and assisted his niece to dismount;
+      but, forgetting, perhaps, his nephew&rsquo;s disguise, he did not pay him the
+      attention which his female dress demanded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The situation of Darsie was indeed something awkward; for Cristal Nixon,
+      out of caution perhaps to prevent escape, had muffled the extreme folds of
+      the riding-skirt with which he was accoutred, around his ankles and under
+      his feet, and there secured it with large corking-pins. We presume that
+      gentlemen-cavaliers may sometimes cast their eyes to that part of the
+      person of the fair equestrians whom they chance occasionally to escort;
+      and if they will conceive their own feet, like Darsie&rsquo;s, muffled in such a
+      labyrinth of folds and amplitude of robe, as modesty doubtless induces the
+      fair creatures to assume upon such occasions, they will allow that, on a
+      first attempt, they might find some awkwardness in dismounting. Darsie, at
+      least, was in such a predicament, for, not receiving adroit assistance
+      from the attendant of Mr. Redgauntlet, he stumbled as he dismounted from
+      the horse, and might have had a bad fall, had it not been broken by the
+      gallant interposition of a gentleman, who probably was, on his part, a
+      little surprised at the solid weight of the distressed fair one whom he
+      had the honour to receive in his embrace. But what was his surprise to
+      that of Darsie, when the hurry of the moment and of the accident,
+      permitted him to see that it was his friend Alan Fairford in whose arms he
+      found himself! A thousand apprehensions rushed on him, mingled with the
+      full career of hope and joy, inspired by the unexpected appearance of his
+      beloved friend at the very crisis, it seemed, of his fate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was about to whisper in his ear, cautioning him at the same time to be
+      silent; yet he hesitated for a second or two to effect his purpose, since,
+      should Redgauntlet take the alarm from any sudden exclamation on the part
+      of Alan, there was no saying what consequences might ensue.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ere he could decide what was to be done, Redgauntlet, who had entered the
+      house, returned hastily, followed by Cristal Nixon. &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll release you of
+      the charge of this young lady, sir;&rsquo; he said, haughtily, to Alan Fairford,
+      whom he probably did not recognize.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I had no desire to intrude, sir,&rsquo; replied Alan; &lsquo;the lady&rsquo;s situation
+      seemed to require assistance&mdash;and&mdash;but have I not the honour to
+      speak to Mr. Herries of Birrenswork?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are mistaken, sir,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, turning short off, and making a
+      sign with his hand to Cristal, who hurried Darsie, however unwillingly,
+      into the house, whispering in his ear, &lsquo;Come, miss, let us have no making
+      of acquaintance from the windows. Ladies of fashion must be private. Show
+      us a room, Father Crackenthorp.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he conducted Darsie into the house, interposing at the same
+      time his person betwixt the supposed young lady and the stranger of whom
+      he was suspicious, so as to make communication by signs impossible. As
+      they entered, they heard the sound of a fiddle in the stone-floored and
+      well-sanded kitchen, through which they were about to follow their
+      corpulent host, and where several people seemed engaged in dancing to its
+      strains.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;D&mdash;n thee,&rsquo; said Nixon to Crackenthorp, &lsquo;would you have the lady go
+      through all the mob of the parish? Hast thou no more private way to our
+      sitting-room?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;None that is fit for my travelling,&rsquo; answered the landlord, laying his
+      hand on his portly stomach. &lsquo;I am not Tom Turnpenny, to creep like a
+      lizard through keyholes.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he kept moving on through the revellers in the kitchen; and
+      Nixon, holding Darsie by his arm, as if to offer the lady support but in
+      all probability to frustrate any effort at escape, moved through the
+      crowd, which presented a very motley appearance, consisting of domestic
+      servants, country fellows, seamen, and other idlers, whom Wandering Willie
+      was regaling with his music.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To pass another friend without intimation of his presence would have been
+      actual pusillanimity; and just when they were passing the blind man&rsquo;s
+      elevated seat, Darsie asked him with some emphasis, whether he could not
+      play a Scottish air? The man&rsquo;s face had been the instant before devoid of
+      all sort of expression, going through his performance like a clown through
+      a beautiful country, too much accustomed to consider it as a task, to take
+      any interest in the performance, and, in fact, scarce seeming to hear the
+      noise that he was creating. In a word, he might at the time have made a
+      companion to my friend Wilkie&rsquo;s inimitable blind crowder. But with
+      Wandering Willie this was only an occasional and a rare fit of dullness,
+      such as will at times creep over all the professors of the fine arts,
+      arising either from fatigue, or contempt of the present audience, or that
+      caprice which so often tempts painters and musicians and great actors, in
+      the phrase of the latter, to walk through their part, instead of exerting
+      themselves with the energy which acquired their fame. But when the
+      performer heard the voice of Darsie, his countenance became at once
+      illuminated, and showed the complete mistake of those who suppose that the
+      principal point of expression depends upon the eyes. With his face turned
+      to the point from which the sound came, his upper lip a little curved, and
+      quivering with agitation, and with a colour which surprise and pleasure
+      had brought at once into his faded cheek, he exchanged the humdrum
+      hornpipe which he had been sawing out with reluctant and lazy bow, for the
+      fine Scottish air,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  You&rsquo;re welcome, Charlie Stuart,
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      which flew from his strings as if by inspiration and after a breathless
+      pause of admiration among the audience, was received with a clamour of
+      applause, which seemed to show that the name and tendency, as well as the
+      execution of the tune, was in the highest degree acceptable to all the
+      party assembled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meantime, Cristal Nixon, still keeping hold of Darsie, and
+      following the landlord, forced his way with some difficulty through the
+      crowded kitchen, and entered a small apartment on the other side of it,
+      where they found Lilias Redgauntlet already seated. Here Nixon gave way to
+      his suppressed resentment, and turning sternly on Crackenthorp, threatened
+      him with his master&rsquo;s severest displeasure, because things were in such
+      bad order to receive his family, when he had given such special advice
+      that he desired to be private. But Father Crackenthorp was not a man to be
+      brow-beaten.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, brother Nixon, thou art angry this morning,&rsquo; he replied; &lsquo;hast risen
+      from thy wrong side, I think. You know, as well as I, that most of this
+      mob is of the squire&rsquo;s own making&mdash;gentlemen that come with their
+      servants, and so forth, to meet him in the way of business, as old Tom
+      Turnpenny says&mdash;the very last that came was sent down with Dick
+      Gardener from Fairladies.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But the blind scraping scoundrel yonder,&rsquo; said Nixon, &lsquo;how dared you take
+      such a rascal as that across your threshold at such a time as this? If the
+      squire should dream you have a thought of peaching&mdash;I am only
+      speaking for your good, Father Crackenthorp.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, look ye, brother Nixon,&rsquo; said Crackenthorp, turning his quid with
+      great composure, &lsquo;the squire is a very worthy gentleman, and I&rsquo;ll never
+      deny it; but I am neither his servant nor his tenant, and so he need send
+      me none of his orders till he hears I have put on his livery. As for
+      turning away folk from my door, I might as well plug up the ale-tap, and
+      pull down the sign&mdash;and as for peaching, and such like, the squire
+      will find the folk here are as honest to the full as those he brings with
+      him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How, you impudent lump of tallow,&rsquo; said Nixon, &lsquo;what do you mean by
+      that?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nothing,&rsquo; said Crackenthorp, &lsquo;but that I can tour out as well as another&mdash;you
+      understand me&mdash;keep good lights in my upper story&mdash;know a thing
+      or two more than most folk in this country. If folk will come to my house
+      on dangerous errands, egad they shall not find Joe Crackenthorp a
+      cat&rsquo;s-paw. I&rsquo;ll keep myself clear, you may depend on it, and let every man
+      answer for his own actions&mdash;that&rsquo;s my way. Anything wanted, Master
+      Nixon?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No&mdash;yes&mdash;begone!&rsquo; said Nixon, who seemed embarrassed with the
+      landlord&rsquo;s contumacy, yet desirous to conceal the effect it produced on
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The door was no sooner closed on Crackenthorp, than Miss Redgauntlet,
+      addressing Nixon, commanded him to leave the room and go to his proper
+      place.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How, madam?&rsquo; said the fellow sullenly, yet with an air of respect, &lsquo;Would
+      you have your uncle pistol me for disobeying his orders?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He may perhaps pistol you for some other reason, if you do not obey
+      mine,&rsquo; said Lilias, composedly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You abuse your advantage over me, madam&mdash;I really dare not go&mdash;I
+      am on guard over this other miss here; and if I should desert my post, my
+      life were not worth five minutes&rsquo; purchase.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then know your post, sir,&rsquo; said Lilias, &lsquo;and watch on the outside of the
+      door. You have no commission to listen to our private conversation, I
+      suppose? Begone, sir, without further speech or remonstrance, or I will
+      tell my uncle that which you would have reason to repent be should know.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The fellow looked at her with a singular expression of spite, mixed with
+      deference. &lsquo;You abuse your advantages, madam,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;and act as
+      foolishly in doing so as I did in affording you such a hank over me. But
+      you are a tyrant; and tyrants have commonly short reigns.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he left the apartment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The wretch&rsquo;s unparalleled insolence,&rsquo; said Lilias to her brother, &lsquo;has
+      given me one great advantage over him. For knowing that my uncle would
+      shoot him with as little remorse as a woodcock, if he but guessed at his
+      brazen-faced assurance towards me, he dares not since that time assume, so
+      far as I am concerned, the air of insolent domination which the possession
+      of my uncle&rsquo;s secrets, and the knowledge of his most secret plans, have
+      led him to exert over others of his family.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In the meantime,&rsquo; said Darsie, &lsquo;I am happy to see that the landlord of
+      the house does not seem so devoted to him as I apprehended; and this aids
+      the hope of escape which I am nourishing for you and for myself. O Lilias!
+      the truest of friends, Alan Fairford, is in pursuit of me, and is here at
+      this moment. Another humble, but, I think, faithful friend, is also within
+      these dangerous walls.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lilias laid her finger on her lips, and pointed to the door. Darsie took
+      the hint, lowered his voice, and informed her in whispers of the arrival
+      of Fairford, and that he believed he had opened a communication with
+      Wandering Willie. She listened with the utmost interest, and had just
+      begun to reply, when a loud noise was heard in the kitchen, caused by
+      several contending voices, amongst which Darsie thought he could
+      distinguish that of Alan Fairford.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Forgetting how little his own condition permitted him to become the
+      assistant of another, Darsie flew to the door of the room, and finding it
+      locked and bolted on the outside, rushed against it with all his force,
+      and made the most desperate efforts to burst it open, notwithstanding the
+      entreaties of his sister that he would compose himself and recollect the
+      condition in which he was placed. But the door, framed to withstand
+      attacks from excisemen, constables, and other personages, considered as
+      worthy to use what are called the king&rsquo;s keys, [In common parlance, a
+      crowbar and hatchet.] &lsquo;and therewith to make lockfast places open and
+      patent,&rsquo; set his efforts at defiance. Meantime the noise continued
+      without, and we are to give an account of its origin in our next chapter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XX
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Joe Crackenthorp&rsquo;s public-house had never, since it first reared its
+      chimneys on the banks of the Solway, been frequented by such a
+      miscellaneous group of visitors as had that morning become its guests.
+      Several of them were persons whose quality seemed much superior to their
+      dresses and modes of travelling. The servants who attended them
+      contradicted the inferences to be drawn from the garb of their masters,
+      and, according to the custom of the knights of the rainbow, gave many
+      hints that they were not people to serve any but men of first-rate
+      consequence. These gentlemen, who had come thither chiefly for the purpose
+      of meeting with Mr. Redgauntlet, seemed moody and anxious, conversed and
+      walked together apparently in deep conversation, and avoided any
+      communication with the chance travellers whom accident brought that
+      morning to the same place of resort.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As if Fate had set herself to confound the plans of the Jacobite
+      conspirators, the number of travellers was unusually great, their
+      appearance respectable, and they filled the public tap-room of the inn,
+      where the political guests had already occupied most of the private
+      apartments.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Amongst others, honest Joshua Geddes had arrived, travelling, as he said,
+      in the sorrow of the soul, and mourning for the fate of Darsie Latimer as
+      he would for his first-born child. He had skirted the whole coast of the
+      Solway, besides making various trips into the interior, not shunning, on
+      such occasions, to expose himself to the laugh of the scorner, nay, even
+      to serious personal risk, by frequenting the haunts of smugglers,
+      horse-jockeys, and other irregular persons, who looked on his intrusion
+      with jealous eyes, and were apt to consider him as an exciseman in the
+      disguise of a Quaker. All this labour and peril, however, had been
+      undergone in vain. No search he could make obtained the least intelligence
+      of Latimer, so that he began to fear the poor lad had been spirited abroad&mdash;for
+      the practice of kidnapping was then not infrequent, especially on the
+      western coasts of Britain&mdash;if indeed he had escaped a briefer and
+      more bloody fate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      With a heavy heart, he delivered his horse, even Solomon, into the hands
+      of the ostler, and walking into the inn, demanded from the landlord
+      breakfast and a private room. Quakers, and such hosts as old Father
+      Crackenthorp, are no congenial spirits; the latter looked askew over his
+      shoulder, and replied, &lsquo;If you would have breakfast here, friend, you are
+      like to eat it where other folk eat theirs.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And wherefore can I not,&rsquo; said the Quaker, &lsquo;have an apartment to myself,
+      for my money?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Because, Master Jonathan, you must wait till your betters be served, or
+      else eat with your equals.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Joshua Geddes argued the point no further, but sitting quietly down on the
+      seat which Crackenthorp indicated to him, and calling for a pint of ale,
+      with some bread, butter, and Dutch cheese, began to satisfy the appetite
+      which the morning air had rendered unusually alert.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While the honest Quaker was thus employed, another stranger entered the
+      apartment, and sat down near to the table on which his victuals were
+      placed. He looked repeatedly at Joshua, licked his parched and chopped
+      lips as he saw the good Quaker masticate his bread and cheese, and sucked
+      up his thin chops when Mr. Geddes applied the tankard to his mouth, as if
+      the discharge of these bodily functions by another had awakened his
+      sympathies in an uncontrollable degree. At last, being apparently unable
+      to withstand his longings, he asked, in a faltering tone, the huge
+      landlord, who was tramping through the room in all corpulent impatience,
+      whether he could have a plack-pie?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Never heard of such a thing, master,&rsquo; said the landlord, and was about to
+      trudge onward; when the guest, detaining him, said, in a strong Scottish
+      tone, &lsquo;Ya will maybe have nae whey then, nor buttermilk, nor ye couldna
+      exhibit a souter&rsquo;s clod?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Can&rsquo;t tell what ye are talking about, master,&rsquo; said Crackenthorp.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then ye will have nae breakfast that will come within &lsquo;the compass of a
+      shilling Scots?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Which is a penny sterling,&rsquo; answered Crackenthorp, with a sneer. &lsquo;Why,
+      no, Sawney, I can&rsquo;t say as we have&mdash;we can&rsquo;t afford it; But you shall
+      have a bellyful for love, as we say in the bull-ring.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I shall never refuse a fair offer,&rsquo; said the poverty-stricken guest; &lsquo;and
+      I will say that for the English, if they were deils, that they are a
+      ceeveleesed people to gentlemen that are under a cloud.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Gentlemen!&mdash;humph!&rsquo; said Crackenthorp&mdash;&lsquo;not a blue-cap among
+      them but halts upon that foot.&rsquo; Then seizing on a dish which still
+      contained a huge cantle of what had been once a princely mutton pasty, he
+      placed it on the table before the stranger, saying, &lsquo;There, master
+      gentleman; there is what is worth all the black pies, as you call them,
+      that were ever made of sheep&rsquo;s head.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sheep&rsquo;s head is a gude thing, for a&rsquo; that,&rsquo; replied the guest; but not
+      being spoken so loud as to offend his hospitable entertainer, the
+      interjection might pass for a private protest against the scandal thrown
+      out against the standing dish of Caledonia.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This premised, he immediately began to transfer the mutton and pie-crust
+      from his plate to his lips, in such huge gobbets, as if he was refreshing
+      after a three days&rsquo; fast, and laying in provisions against a whole Lent to
+      come.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Joshua Geddes in his turn gazed on him with surprise, having never, he
+      thought, beheld such a gaunt expression of hunger in the act of eating.
+      &lsquo;Friend,&rsquo; he said, after watching him for some minutes, &lsquo;if thou gorgest
+      thyself in this fashion, thou wilt assuredly choke. Wilt thou not take a
+      draught out of my cup to help down all that dry meat?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Troth,&rsquo; said the stranger, stopping and looking at the friendly
+      propounder, &lsquo;that&rsquo;s nae bad overture, as they say in the General Assembly.
+      I have heard waur motions than that frae wiser counsel.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Geddes ordered a quart of home-brewed to be placed before our friend
+      Peter Peebles; for the reader must have already conceived that this
+      unfortunate litigant was the wanderer in question.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The victim of Themis had no sooner seen the flagon, than he seized it with
+      the same energy which he had displayed in operating upon the pie&mdash;puffed
+      off the froth with such emphasis, that some of it lighted on Mr. Geddes&rsquo;s
+      head&mdash;and then said, as if with it sudden recollection of what was
+      due to civility, &lsquo;Here&rsquo;s to ye, friend. What! are ye ower grand to give me
+      an answer, or are ye dull o&rsquo; hearing?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I prithee drink thy liquor, friend,&rsquo; said the good Quaker; &lsquo;thou meanest
+      it in civility, but we care not for these idle fashions.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What! ye are a Quaker, are ye?&rsquo; said Peter; and without further ceremony
+      reared the flagon to his head, from which he withdrew it not while a
+      single drop of &lsquo;barley-broo&rsquo; remained. &lsquo;That&rsquo;s done you and me muckle
+      gude,&rsquo; he said, sighing as he set down his pot; &lsquo;but twa mutchkins o&rsquo; yill
+      between twa folk is a drappie ower little measure. What say ye to anither
+      pot? or shall we cry in a blithe Scots pint at ance? The yill is no
+      amiss.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Thou mayst call for what thou wilt on thine own charges, friend,&rsquo; said
+      Geddes; &lsquo;for myself, I willingly contribute to the quenching of thy
+      natural thirst; but I fear it were no such easy matter to relieve thy
+      acquired and artificial drought.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That is to say, in plain terms, ye are for withdrawing your caution with
+      the folk of the house? You Quaker folk are but fause comforters; but since
+      ye have garred me drink sae muckle cauld yill&mdash;me that am no used to
+      the like of it in the forenoon&mdash;I think ye might as weel have offered
+      me a glass of brandy or usquabae&mdash;I&rsquo;m nae nice body&mdash;I can drink
+      onything that&rsquo;s wet and toothsome.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not a drop at my cost, friend,&rsquo; quoth Geddes. &lsquo;Thou art an old man, and
+      hast perchance a heavy and long journey before thee. Thou art, moreover,
+      my countryman, as I judge from thy tongue; and I will not give thee the
+      means of dishonouring thy grey hairs in a strange land.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Grey hairs, neighbour!&rsquo; said Peter, with a wink to the bystanders, whom
+      this dialogue began to interest, and who were in hopes of seeing the
+      Quaker played off by the crazed beggar, for such Peter Peebles appeared to
+      be. &lsquo;Grey hairs! The Lord mend your eyesight, neighbour, that disna ken
+      grey hairs frae a tow wig!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This jest procured a shout of laughter, and, what was still more
+      acceptable than dry applause, a man who stood beside called out, &lsquo;Father
+      Crackenthorp, bring a nipperkin of brandy. I&rsquo;ll bestow a dram on this
+      fellow, were it but for that very word.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The brandy was immediately brought by a wench who acted as barmaid; and
+      Peter, with a grin of delight, filled a glass, quaffed it off, and then
+      saying, &lsquo;God bless me! I was so unmannerly as not to drink to ye&mdash;I
+      think the Quaker has smitten me wi&rsquo; his ill-bred havings,&rsquo;&mdash;he was
+      about to fill another, when his hand was arrested by his new friend; who
+      said at the same time, &lsquo;No, no, friend&mdash;fair play&rsquo;s a jewel&mdash;time
+      about, if you please.&rsquo; And filling a glass for himself, emptied it as
+      gallantly as Peter could have done. &lsquo;What say you to that, friend?&rsquo; he
+      continued, addressing the Quaker.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, friend,&rsquo; answered Joshua, &lsquo;it went down thy throat, not mine; and I
+      have nothing to say about what concerns me not; but if thou art a man of
+      humanity, thou wilt not give this poor creature the means of debauchery.
+      Bethink thee that they will spurn him from the door, as they would do a
+      houseless and masterless dog, and that he may die on the sands or on the
+      common. And if he has through thy means been rendered incapable of helping
+      himself, thou shalt not be innocent of his blood.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Faith, Broadbrim, I believe thou art right, and the old gentleman in the
+      flaxen jazy shall have no more of the comforter. Besides, we have business
+      in hand to-day, and this fellow, for as mad as he looks, may have a nose
+      on his face after all. Hark ye, father,&mdash;what is your name, and what
+      brings you into such an out-of-the-way corner?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am not just free to condescend on my name,&rsquo; said Peter; &lsquo;and as for my
+      business&mdash;there is a wee dribble of brandy in the stoup&mdash;it
+      would be wrang to leave it to the lass&mdash;it is learning her bad
+      usages.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, thou shalt have the brandy, and be d&mdash;d to thee, if thou wilt
+      tell me what you are making here.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Seeking a young advocate chap that they ca&rsquo; Alan Fairford, that has
+      played me a slippery trick, and ye maun ken a&rsquo; about the cause,&rsquo; said
+      Peter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;An advocate, man!&rsquo; answered the captain of the JUMPING JENNY&mdash;for it
+      was he, and no other, who had taken compassion on Peter&rsquo;s drought; &lsquo;why,
+      Lord help thee, thou art on the wrong side of the Firth to seek advocates,
+      whom I take to be Scottish lawyers, not English.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;English lawyers, man!&rsquo; exclaimed Peter, &lsquo;the deil a lawyer&rsquo;s in a&rsquo; 
+      England.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wish from my soul it were true,&rsquo; said Ewart; &lsquo;but what the devil put
+      that in your head?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Lord, man, I got a grip of ane of their attorneys in Carlisle, and he
+      tauld me that there wasna a lawyer in England ony mair than himsell that
+      kend the nature of a multiple-poinding! And when I told him how this loopy
+      lad, Alan Fairford, had served me, he said I might bring an action on the
+      case&mdash;just as if the case hadna as mony actions already as one case
+      can weel carry. By my word, it is a gude case, and muckle has it borne, in
+      its day, of various procedure&mdash;but it&rsquo;s the barley-pickle breaks the
+      naig&rsquo;s back, and wi&rsquo; my consent it shall not hae ony mair burden laid upon
+      it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But this Alan Fairford?&rsquo; said Nanty&mdash;&lsquo;come&mdash;sip up the drop of
+      brandy, man, and tell me some more about him, and whether you are seeking
+      him for good or for harm.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;For my ain gude, and for his harm, to be sure,&rsquo; said Peter. &lsquo;Think of his
+      having left my cause in the dead-thraw between the tyneing and the
+      winning, and capering off into Cumberland here, after a wild
+      loup-the-tether lad they ca&rsquo; Darsie Latimer.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Darsie Latimer!&rsquo; said Mr. Geddes, hastily; &lsquo;do you know anything of
+      Darsie Latimer?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Maybe I do, and maybe I do not,&rsquo; answered Peter; &lsquo;I am no free to answer
+      every body&rsquo;s interrogatory, unless it is put judicially, and by form of
+      law&mdash;specially where folk think so much of a caup of sour yill, or a
+      thimblefu&rsquo; of brandy. But as for this gentleman, that has shown himself a
+      gentleman at breakfast, and will show himself a gentleman at the meridian,
+      I am free to condescend upon any points in the cause that may appear to
+      bear upon the question at issue.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, all I want to know from you, my friend, is, whether you are seeking
+      to do this Mr. Alan Fairford good or harm; because if you come to do him
+      good, I think you could maybe get speech of him&mdash;and if to do him
+      harm, I will take the liberty to give you a cast across the Firth, with
+      fair warning not to come back on such an errand, lest worse come of it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The manner and language of Ewart were such that Joshua Geddes resolved to
+      keep cautious silence, till he could more plainly discover whether he was
+      likely to aid or impede him in his researches after Darsie Latimer. He
+      therefore determined to listen attentively to what should pass between
+      Peter and the seaman, and to watch for an opportunity of questioning the
+      former, so soon as he should be separated from his new acquaintance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wad by no means,&rsquo; said Peter Peebles, &lsquo;do any substantial harm to the
+      poor lad Fairford, who has had mony a gowd guinea of mine, as weel as his
+      father before him; but I wad hae him brought back to the minding of my
+      business and his ain; and maybe I wadna insist further in my action of
+      damages against him, than for refunding the fees, and for some annual rent
+      on the principal sum due frae the day on which he should have recovered it
+      for me, plack and bawbee, at the great advising; for ye are aware, that is
+      the least that I can ask NOMINE DAMNI; and I have nae thought to break
+      down the lad bodily a&rsquo;thegither&mdash;we maun live and let live&mdash;forgie
+      and forget.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The deuce take me, friend Broadbrim,&rsquo; said Nanty Ewart, looking to the
+      Quaker, &lsquo;if I can make out what this old scarecrow means. If I thought it
+      was fitting that Master Fairford should see him, why perhaps it is a
+      matter that could be managed. Do you know anything about the old fellow?&mdash;you
+      seemed to take some charge of him just now.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No more than I should have done by any one in distress,&rsquo; said Geddes, not
+      sorry to be appealed to; &lsquo;but I will try what I can do to find out who he
+      is, and what he is about in this country. But are we not a little too
+      public in this open room?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It&rsquo;s well thought of,&rsquo; said Nanty; and at his command the barmaid ushered
+      the party into a side-booth, Peter attending them in the instinctive hope
+      that there would be more liquor drunk among them before parting. They had
+      scarce sat down in their new apartment, when the sound of a violin was
+      heard in the room which they had just left.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll awa back yonder,&rsquo; said Peter, rising up again; &lsquo;yon&rsquo;s the sound of a
+      fiddle, and when there is music, there&rsquo;s ay something ganging to eat or
+      drink.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am just going to order something here,&rsquo; said the Quaker; &lsquo;but in the
+      meantime, have you any objection, my good friend, to tell us your name?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;None in the world, if you are wanting to drink to me by name and
+      surname,&rsquo; answered Peebles; &lsquo;but, otherwise, I would rather evite your
+      interrogatories.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Friend,&rsquo; said the Quaker, &lsquo;it is not for thine own health, seeing thou
+      hast drunk enough already&mdash;however&mdash;here, handmaiden&mdash;bring
+      me a gill of sherry.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sherry&rsquo;s but shilpit drink, and a gill&rsquo;s a sma&rsquo; measure for twa gentlemen
+      to crack ower at their first acquaintance. But let us see your sneaking
+      gill of sherry,&rsquo; said Poor Peter, thrusting forth his huge hand to seize
+      on the diminutive pewter measure, which, according to the fashion of the
+      time, contained the generous liquor freshly drawn from the butt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, hold, friend,&rsquo; said Joshua, &lsquo;thou hast not yet told me what name and
+      surname I am to call thee by.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;D&mdash;d sly in the Quaker,&rsquo; said Nanty, apart, &lsquo;to make him pay for his
+      liquor before he gives it him. Now, I am such a fool, that I should have
+      let him get too drunk to open his mouth, before I thought of asking him a
+      question.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My name is Peter Peebles, then,&rsquo; said the litigant, rather sulkily, as
+      one who thought his liquor too sparingly meted out to him; &lsquo;and what have
+      you to say to that?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peter Peebles?&rsquo; repeated Nanty Ewart and seemed to muse upon something
+      which the words brought to his remembrance, while the Quaker pursued his
+      examination.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But I prithee, Peter Peebles, what is thy further designation? Thou
+      knowest, in our country, that some men are distinguished by their craft
+      and calling, as cordwainers, fishers, weavers, or the like, and some by
+      their titles as proprietors of land (which savours of vanity)&mdash;now,
+      how may you be distinguished from others of the same name?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;As Peter Peebles of the great plea of Poor Peter Peebles against
+      Plainstanes, ET PER CONTRA&mdash;if I am laird of naething else, I am ay a
+      DOMINUS LITIS.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It&rsquo;s but a poor lairdship, I doubt,&rsquo; said Joshua.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Pray, Mr. Peebles,&rsquo; said Nanty, interrupting the conversation abruptly,
+      &lsquo;were not you once a burgess of Edinburgh?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;WAS I a burgess!&rsquo; said Peter indignantly, &lsquo;and AM I not a burgess even
+      now? I have done nothing to forfeit my right, I trow&mdash;once provost
+      and ay my lord.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, Mr. Burgess, tell me further, have you not some property in the
+      Gude Town?&rsquo; continued Ewart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Troth have I&mdash;that is, before my misfortunes, I had twa or three
+      bonny bits of mailings amang the closes and wynds, forby the shop and the
+      story abune it. But Plainstanes has put me to the causeway now. Never mind
+      though, I will be upsides with him yet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Had not you once a tenement in the Covenant Close?&rsquo; again demanded Nanty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You have hit it, lad, though ye look not like a Covenanter,&rsquo; said Peter;
+      &lsquo;we&rsquo;ll drink to its memory&mdash;(Hout! the heart&rsquo;s at the mouth o&rsquo; that
+      ill-faur&rsquo;d bit stoup already!)&mdash;it brought a rent, reckoning from the
+      crawstep to the groundsill, that ye might ca&rsquo; fourteen punds a year, forby
+      the laigh cellar that was let to Lucky Littleworth.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And do you not remember that you had a poor old lady for your tenant,
+      Mrs. Cantrips of Kittlebasket?&rsquo; said Nanty, suppressing his emotion with
+      difficulty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Remember! G&mdash;d, I have gude cause to remember her,&rsquo; said Peter, &lsquo;for
+      she turned a dyvour on my hands, the auld besom! and after a&rsquo; that the law
+      could do to make me satisfied and paid, in the way of poinding and
+      distrenzieing and sae forth, as the law will, she ran awa to the charity
+      workhouse, a matter of twenty punds Scots in my debt&mdash;it&rsquo;s a great
+      shame and oppression that charity workhouse, taking in bankrupt dyvours
+      that canna, pay their honest creditors.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Methinks, friend,&rsquo; said the Quaker, &lsquo;thine own rags might teach thee
+      compassion for other people&rsquo;s nakedness.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Rags!&rsquo; said Peter, taking Joshua&rsquo;s words literally; &lsquo;does ony wise body
+      put on their best coat when they are travelling, and keeping company with
+      Quakers, and such other cattle as the road affords?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The old lady DIED, I have heard,&rsquo; said Nanty, affecting a moderation
+      which was belied by accents that faltered with passion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;She might live or die, for what I care,&rsquo; answered Peter the Cruel; &lsquo;what
+      business have folk to do to live that canna live as law will, and satisfy
+      their just and lawful creditors?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And you&mdash;you that are now yourself trodden down in the very kennel,
+      are you not sorry for what you have done? Do you not repent having
+      occasioned the poor widow woman&rsquo;s death?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What for should I repent?&rsquo; said Peter; &lsquo;the law was on my side&mdash;a
+      decreet of the bailies, followed by poinding, and an act of warding&mdash;a
+      suspension intented, and the letters found orderly proceeded. I followed
+      the auld rudas through twa courts&mdash;she cost me mair money than her
+      lugs were worth.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now, by Heaven!&rsquo; said Nanty, &lsquo;I would give a thousand guineas, if I had
+      them, to have you worth my beating! Had you said you repented, it had been
+      between God and your conscience; but to hear you boast of your villany&mdash;Do
+      you think it little to have reduced the aged to famine, and the young to
+      infamy&mdash;to have caused the death of one woman, the ruin of another,
+      and to have driven a man to exile and despair? By Him that made me, I can
+      scarce keep hands off you!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Off me? I defy ye!&rsquo; said Peter. &lsquo;I take this honest man to witness that
+      if ye stir the neck of my collar, I will have my action for stouthreif,
+      spulzie, oppression, assault and battery. Here&rsquo;s a bra&rsquo; din, indeed, about
+      an auld wife gaun to the grave, a young limmer to the close-heads and
+      causeway, and a sticket stibbler [A student of divinity who has not been
+      able to complete his studies on theology.] to the sea instead of the
+      gallows!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now, by my soul,&rsquo; said Nanty, &lsquo;this is too much! and since you can feel
+      no otherwise, I will try if I cannot beat some humanity into your head and
+      shoulders.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He drew his hanger as he spoke, and although Joshua, who had in vain
+      endeavoured to interrupt the dialogue to which he foresaw a violent
+      termination, now threw himself between Nanty and the old litigant, he
+      could not prevent the latter from receiving two or three sound slaps over
+      the shoulder with the flat side of the weapon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Poor Peter Peebles, as inglorious in his extremity as he had been
+      presumptuous in bringing it on, now ran and roared, and bolted out of the
+      apartment and house itself, pursued by Nanty, whose passion became high in
+      proportion to his giving way to its dictates, and by Joshua, who still
+      interfered at every risk, calling upon Nanty to reflect on the age and
+      miserable circumstances of the offender, and upon Poor Peter to stand and
+      place himself under his protection. In front of the house, however, Peter
+      Peebles found a more efficient protector than the worthy Quaker.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXI
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Our readers may recollect that Fairford had been conducted by Dick
+      Gardener from the house of Fairladies to the inn of old Father
+      Crackenthorp, in order, as he had been informed by the mysterious Father
+      Buonaventure, that he might have the meeting which he desired with Mr.
+      Redgauntlet, to treat with him for the liberty of his friend Darsie. His
+      guide, by the special direction of Mr. Ambrose, had introduced him into
+      the public-house by a back-door, and recommended to the landlord to
+      accommodate him with a private apartment, and to treat him with all
+      civility; but in other respects to keep his eye on him, and even to secure
+      his person, if he saw any reason to suspect him to be a spy. He was not,
+      however, subjected to any direct restraint, but was ushered into an
+      apartment where he was requested to await the arrival of the gentleman
+      with whom he wished to have an interview, and who, as Crackenthorp
+      assured, him with a significant nod, would be certainly there in the
+      course of an hour. In the meanwhile, he recommended to him, with another
+      significant sign, to keep his apartment, &lsquo;as there were people in the
+      house who were apt to busy themselves about other folk&rsquo;s matters.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford complied with the recommendation, so long as he thought it
+      reasonable; but when, among a large party riding up to the house, he
+      discerned Redgauntlet, whom he had seen under the name of Mr. Herries of
+      Birrenswork, and whom, by his height and strength, he easily distinguished
+      from the rest, he thought it proper to go down to the front of the house,
+      in hopes that, by more closely reconnoitring the party, he might discover
+      if his friend Darsie was among them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The reader is aware that, by doing so, he had an opportunity of breaking
+      Darsie&rsquo;s fall from his side-saddle, although his disguise and mask
+      prevented his recognizing his friend. It may be also recollected that
+      while Nixon hurried Miss Redgauntlet and her brother into the house, their
+      uncle, somewhat chafed at an unexpected and inconvenient interruption,
+      remained himself in parley with Fairford, who had already successively
+      addressed him by the names of Herries and Redgauntlet; neither of which,
+      any more than the acquaintance of the young lawyer, he seemed at the
+      moment willing to acknowledge, though an air of haughty indifference,
+      which he assumed, could not conceal his vexation and embarrassment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If we must needs be acquainted, sir,&rsquo; he said at last&mdash;&lsquo;for which I
+      am unable to see any necessity, especially as I am now particularly
+      disposed to be private&mdash;I must entreat you will tell me at once what
+      you have to say, and permit me to attend to matters of more importance.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My introduction,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;is contained in this letter.&mdash;(Delivering
+      that of Maxwell.)&mdash;I am convinced that, under whatever name it may be
+      your pleasure for the present to be known, it is into your hands, and
+      yours only, that it should be delivered.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet turned the letter in his hand&mdash;then read the contents
+      then again looked upon the letter, and sternly observed, &lsquo;The seal of the
+      letter has been broken. Was this the case, sir, when it was delivered into
+      your hand?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford despised a falsehood as much as any man,&mdash;unless, perhaps,
+      as Tom Turnpenny might have said, &lsquo;in the way of business.&rsquo; He answered
+      readily and firmly, &lsquo;The seal was whole when the letter was delivered to
+      me by Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And did you dare, sir, to break the seal of a letter addressed to me?&rsquo; 
+      said Redgauntlet, not sorry, perhaps, to pick a quarrel upon a point
+      foreign to the tenor of the epistle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I have never broken the seal of any letter committed to my charge,&rsquo; said
+      Alan; &lsquo;not from fear of those to whom such letter might be addressed, but
+      from respect to myself.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That is well worded,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;and yet, young Mr. Counsellor, I
+      doubt whether your delicacy prevented your reading my letter, or listening
+      to the contents as read by some other person after it was opened.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I certainly did hear the contents read over,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;and they
+      were such as to surprise me a good deal.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now that,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;I hold to be pretty much the same, IN FORO
+      CONSCIENTIAE, as if you had broken the seal yourself. I shall hold myself
+      excused from entering upon further discourse with a messenger so
+      faithless; and you may thank yourself if your journey has been fruitless.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Stay, sir,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;and know that I became acquainted with the
+      contents of the paper without my consent&mdash;I may even say, against my
+      will; for Mr. Buonaventure&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Who?&rsquo; demanded Redgauntlet, in a wild and alarmed manner&mdash;&lsquo;WHOM was
+      it you named?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Father Buonaventure,&rsquo; said Alan,&mdash;&lsquo;a Catholic priest, as I
+      apprehend, whom I saw at the Misses Arthuret&rsquo;s house, called Fairladies.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Misses Arthuret!&mdash;Fairladies!&mdash;A Catholic priest!&mdash;Father
+      Buonaventure!&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, repeating the words of Alan with
+      astonishment.&mdash;&lsquo;Is it possible that human rashness can reach such a
+      point of infatuation? Tell me the truth, I conjure you, sir. I have the
+      deepest interest to know whether this is more than an idle legend, picked
+      up from hearsay about the country. You are a lawyer, and know the risk
+      incurred by the Catholic clergy, whom the discharge of their duty sends to
+      these bloody shores.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am a lawyer, certainly,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;but my holding such a
+      respectable condition in life warrants that I am neither an informer nor a
+      spy. Here is sufficient evidence that I have seen Father Buonaventure.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He put Buonaventure&rsquo;s letter into Redgauntlet&rsquo;s hand, and watched his
+      looks closely while he read it. &lsquo;Double-dyed infatuation!&rsquo; he muttered,
+      with looks in which sorrow, displeasure, and anxiety were mingled. &lsquo;&ldquo;Save
+      me from the indiscretion of my friends,&rdquo; says the Spaniard; &ldquo;I can save
+      myself from the hostility of my enemies.&rdquo;&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He then read the letter attentively, and for two or three minutes was lost
+      in thought, while some purpose of importance seemed to have gathered and
+      sit brooding upon his countenance. He held up his finger towards his
+      satellite, Cristal Nixon, who replied to his signal with a prompt nod; and
+      with one or two of the attendants approached Fairford in such a manner as
+      to make him apprehensive they were about to lay hold of him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At this moment a noise was heard from withinside of the house, and
+      presently rushed forth Peter Peebles, pursued by Nanty Ewart with his
+      drawn hanger, and the worthy Quaker, who was endeavouring to prevent
+      mischief to others, at some risk of bringing it on himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A wilder and yet a more absurd figure can hardly be imagined, than that of
+      Poor Peter clattering along as fast as his huge boots would permit him,
+      and resembling nothing so much as a flying scarecrow; while the thin
+      emaciated form of Nanty Ewart, with the hue of death on his cheek, and the
+      fire of vengeance glancing from his eye, formed a ghastly contrast with
+      the ridiculous object of his pursuit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet threw himself between them. &lsquo;What extravagant folly is this?&rsquo; 
+      he said. &lsquo;Put up your weapon, captain. Is this a time to indulge in
+      drunken brawls, or is such a miserable object as that a fitting antagonist
+      for a man of courage?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I beg pardon,&rsquo; said the captain, sheathing his weapon&mdash;&lsquo;I was a
+      little bit out of the way, to be sure; but to know the provocation, a man
+      must read my heart, and that I hardly dare to do myself. But the wretch is
+      safe from me. Heaven has done its own vengeance on us both.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While he spoke in this manner, Peter Peebles, who had at first crept
+      behind Redgauntlet in bodily fear, began now to reassume his spirits.
+      Pulling his protector by the sleeve, &lsquo;Mr. Herries&mdash;Mr. Herries,&rsquo; he
+      whispered, eagerly, &lsquo;ye have done me mair than ae gude turn, and if ye
+      will but do me anither at this dead pinch, I&rsquo;ll forgie the girded keg of
+      brandy that you and Captain Sir Harry Redgimlet drank out yon time. Ye
+      sall hae an ample discharge and renunciation, and, though I should see you
+      walking at the Cross of Edinburgh, or standing at the bar of the Court of
+      Justiciary, no the very thumbikins themselves should bring to my memory
+      that ever I saw you in arms yon day.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He accompanied this promise by pulling so hard at Redgauntlet&rsquo;s cloak,
+      that he at last turned round. &lsquo;Idiot! speak in a word what you want.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aweel, aweel. In a word, then,&rsquo; said Peter Peebles, &lsquo;I have a warrant on
+      me to apprehend that man that stands there, Alan Fairford by name, and
+      advocate by calling. I bought it from Maister Justice Foxley&rsquo;s clerk,
+      Maister Nicholas Faggot, wi&rsquo; the guinea that you gied me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Ha!&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;hast thou really such a warrant? let me see it.
+      Look sharp that no one escape, Cristal Nixon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Peter produced a huge, greasy, leathern pocketbook, too dirty to permit
+      its original colour to be visible, filled with scrolls of notes, memorials
+      to counsel, and Heaven knows what besides. From amongst this precious mass
+      he culled forth a paper, and placed it in the hands of Redgauntlet, or
+      Herries, as he continued to call him, saying, at the same time, &lsquo;It&rsquo;s a
+      formal and binding warrant, proceeding on my affidavy made, that the said
+      Alan Fairford, being lawfully engaged in my service, had slipped the
+      tether and fled over the Border, and was now lurking there and
+      thereabouts, to elude and evite the discharge of his bounden duty to me;
+      and therefore granting warrant to constables and others, to seek for,
+      take, and apprehend him, that he may be brought before the Honourable
+      Justice Foxley for examination, and, if necessary, for commitment. Now,
+      though a&rsquo; this be fairly set down, as I tell ye, yet where am I to get an
+      officer to execute this warrant in sic a country as this, where swords and
+      pistols flee out at a word&rsquo;s speaking, and folk care as little for the
+      peace of King George as the peace of Auld King Coul? There&rsquo;s that drunken
+      skipper, and that wet Quaker, enticed me into the public this morning, and
+      because I wadna gie them&rsquo; as much brandy as wad have made them
+      blind-drunk, they baith fell on me, and were in the way of guiding me very
+      ill.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While Peter went on in this manner, Redgauntlet glanced his eye over the
+      warrant, and immediately saw that it must be a trick passed by Nicholas
+      Faggot, to cheat the poor insane wretch out of his solitary guinea. But
+      the Justice had actually subscribed it, as he did whatever his clerk
+      presented to him, and Redgauntlet resolved to use it for his own purposes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Without making any direct answer, therefore, to Peter Peebles, he walked
+      up gravely to Fairford, who had waited quietly for the termination of a
+      scene in which he was not a little surprised to find his client, Mr.
+      Peebles, a conspicuous actor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Fairford,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;there are many reasons which might
+      induce me to comply with the request, or rather the injunctions, of the
+      excellent Father Buonaventure, that I should communicate with you upon the
+      present condition of my ward, whom you know under the name of Darsie
+      Latimer; but no man is better aware than you that the law must be obeyed,
+      even in contradiction to our own feelings; now this poor man has obtained
+      a warrant for carrying you before a magistrate, and, I am afraid, there is
+      a necessity of your yielding to it, although to the postponement of the
+      business which you may have with me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A warrant against me!&rsquo; said Alan, indignantly; &lsquo;and at that poor
+      miserable wretch&rsquo;s instance?&mdash;why, this is a trick, a mere and most
+      palpable trick.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It may be so,&rsquo; replied Redgauntlet, with great equanimity; &lsquo;doubtless you
+      know best; only the writ appears regular, and with that respect for the
+      law which has been,&rsquo; he said, with hypocritical formality, &lsquo;a leading
+      feature of my character through life, I cannot dispense with giving my
+      poor aid to the support of a legal warrant. Look at it yourself, and be
+      satisfied it is no trick of mine.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford ran over the affidavit and the warrant, and then exclaimed once
+      more, that it was an impudent imposition, and that he would hold those who
+      acted upon such a warrant liable in the highest damages. &lsquo;I guess at your
+      motive, Mr. Redgauntlet,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;for acquiescing in so ridiculous a
+      proceeding. But be assured you will find that, in this country, one act of
+      illegal violence will not be covered or atoned for by practising another.
+      You cannot, as a man of sense and honour, pretend to say you regard this
+      as a legal warrant.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am no lawyer, sir,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;and pretend not to know what is
+      or is not law&mdash;the warrant is quite formal, and that is enough for
+      me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Did ever any one hear,&rsquo; said Fairford, &lsquo;of an advocate being compelled to
+      return to his task, like a collier or a salter [See Note 10.] who has
+      deserted his master?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I see no reason why he should not,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, dryly, &lsquo;unless on
+      the ground that the services of the lawyer are the most expensive and
+      least useful of the two.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You cannot mean this in earnest,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;you cannot really mean
+      to avail yourself of so poor a contrivance, to evade the word pledged by
+      your friend, your ghostly father, in my behalf. I may have been a fool for
+      trusting it too easily, but think what you must be if you can abuse my
+      confidence in this manner. I entreat you to reflect that this usage
+      releases me from all promises of secrecy or connivance at what I am apt to
+      think are very dangerous practices, and that&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hark ye, Mr. Fairford,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;I must here interrupt you for
+      your own sake. One word of betraying what you may have seen, or what you
+      may have suspected, and your seclusion is like to have either a very
+      distant or a very brief termination; in either case a most undesirable
+      one. At present, you are sure of being at liberty in a very few days&mdash;perhaps
+      much sooner.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And my friend,&rsquo; said Alan Fairford, &lsquo;for whose sake I have run myself
+      into this danger, what is to become of him? Dark and dangerous man!&rsquo; he
+      exclaimed, raising his voice, I will not be again cajoled by deceitful
+      promises&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I give you my honour that your friend is well,&rsquo; interrupted Redgauntlet;
+      &lsquo;perhaps I may permit you to see him, if you will but submit with patience
+      to a fate which is inevitable.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Alan Fairford, considering his confidence as having been abused, first
+      by Maxwell, and next by the priest, raised his voice, and appealed to all
+      the king&rsquo;s lieges within hearing, against the violence with which he was
+      threatened. He was instantly seized on by Nixon and two assistants, who,
+      holding down his arms, and endeavouring to stop his mouth, were about to
+      hurry him away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The honest Quaker, who had kept out of Redgauntlet&rsquo;s presence, now came
+      boldly forward.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Friend,&rsquo; said he, &lsquo;thou dost more than thou canst answer. Thou knowest me
+      well, and thou art aware that in me thou hast a deeply injured neighbour,
+      who was dwelling beside thee in the honesty and simplicity of his heart.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Tush, Jonathan,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;talk not to me, man; it is neither
+      the craft of a young lawyer, nor the SIMPLICITY of an old hypocrite, can
+      drive me from my purpose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;By my faith,&rsquo; said the captain, coming forward in his turn, &lsquo;this is
+      hardly fair, general; and I doubt,&rsquo; he added, &lsquo;whether the will of my
+      owners can make me a party to such proceedings. Nay, never fumble with
+      your sword-hilt, but out with it like a man, if you are for a tilting.&rsquo; He
+      unsheathed his hanger, and continued&mdash;&lsquo;I will neither see my comrade
+      Fairford, nor the old Quaker, abused. D&mdash;&mdash;n all warrants, false
+      or true&mdash;curse the justice&mdash;confound the constable!&mdash;and
+      here stands little Nanty Ewart to make good what he says against gentle
+      and simple, in spite of horse-shoe or horse-radish either.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The cry of &lsquo;Down with all warrants!&rsquo; was popular in the ears of the
+      militia of the inn, and Nanty Ewart was no less so. Fishers, ostlers,
+      seamen, smugglers, began to crowd to the spot. Crackenthorp endeavoured in
+      vain to mediate. The attendants of Redgauntlet began to handle their
+      firearms; but their master shouted to them to forbear, and, unsheathing
+      his sword as quick as lightning, he rushed on Ewart in the midst of his
+      bravado, and struck his weapon from his hand with such address and force,
+      that it flew three yards from him. Closing with him at the same moment, he
+      gave him a severe fall, and waved his sword over his head, to show he was
+      absolutely at his mercy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There, you drunken vagabond,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;I give you your life&mdash;you
+      are no bad fellow if you could keep from brawling among your friends. But
+      we all know Nanty Ewart,&rsquo; he said to the crowd around, with a forgiving
+      laugh, which, joined to the awe his prowess had inspired, entirely
+      confirmed their wavering allegiance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They shouted, &lsquo;The laird for ever!&rsquo; while poor Nanty, rising from the
+      earth, on whose lap he had been stretched so rudely, went in quest of his
+      hanger, lifted it, wiped it, and, as he returned the weapon to the
+      scabbard, muttered between his teeth, &lsquo;It is true they say of him, and the
+      devil will stand his friend till his hour come; I will cross him no more.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he slunk from the crowd, cowed and disheartened by his defeat.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;For you, Joshua Geddes,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, approaching the Quaker, who,
+      with lifted hands and eyes, had beheld the scene of violence, &lsquo;l shall
+      take the liberty to arrest thee for a breach of the peace, altogether
+      unbecoming thy pretended principles; and I believe it will go hard with
+      thee both in a court of justice and among thine own Society of Friends, as
+      they call themselves, who will be but indifferently pleased to see the
+      quiet tenor of their hypocrisy insulted by such violent proceedings.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I violent!&rsquo; said Joshua; &lsquo;I do aught unbecoming the principles of the
+      Friends! I defy thee, man, and I charge thee, as a Christian, to forbear
+      vexing my soul with such charges: it is grievous enough to me to have seen
+      violences which I was unable to prevent.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;O Joshua, Joshua!&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, with a sardonic smile; &lsquo;thou light
+      of the faithful in the town of Dumfries and the places adjacent, wilt thou
+      thus fall away from the truth? Hast thou not, before us all, attempted to
+      rescue a man from the warrant of law? Didst thou not encourage that
+      drunken fellow to draw his weapon&mdash;and didst thou not thyself
+      flourish thy cudgel in the cause? Think&rsquo;st thou that the oaths of the
+      injured Peter Peebles, and the conscientious Cristal Nixon, besides those
+      of such gentlemen as look on this strange scene, who not only put on
+      swearing as a garment, but to whom, in Custom House matters, oaths are
+      literally meat and drink,&mdash;dost thou not think, I say, that these
+      men&rsquo;s oaths will go further than thy Yea and Nay in this matter?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will swear to anything,&rsquo; said Peter. &lsquo;All is fair when it comes to an
+      oath AD LITEM.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You do me foul wrong,&rsquo; said the Quaker, undismayed by the general laugh.
+      &lsquo;I encouraged no drawing of weapons, though I attempted to move an unjust
+      man by some use of argument&mdash;I brandished no cudgel, although it may
+      be that the ancient Adam struggled within me, and caused my hand to grasp
+      mine oaken staff firmer than usual, when I saw innocence borne down with
+      violence. But why talk I what is true and just to thee, who hast been a
+      man of violence from thy youth upwards? Let me rather speak to thee such
+      language as thou canst comprehend. Deliver these young men up to me,&rsquo; he
+      said, when he had led Redgauntlet a little apart from the crowd, &lsquo;and I
+      will not only free thee from the heavy charge of damages which thou hast
+      incurred by thine outrage upon my property, but I will add ransom for them
+      and for myself. What would it profit thee to do the youths wrong, by
+      detaining them in captivity?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Mr. Geddes,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, in a tone more respectful than he had
+      hitherto used to the Quaker, &lsquo;your language is disinterested, and I
+      respect the fidelity of your friendship. Perhaps we have mistaken each
+      other&rsquo;s principles and motives; but if so, we have not at present time for
+      explanation. Make yourself easy. I hope to raise your friend Darsie
+      Latimer to a pitch of eminence which you will witness with pleasure;&mdash;nay,
+      do not attempt to answer me. The other young man shall suffer restraint a
+      few days, probably only a few hours,&mdash;it is not more than due for his
+      pragmatical interference in what concerned him not. Do you, Mr. Geddes, be
+      so prudent as to take your horse and leave this place, which is growing
+      every moment more unfit for the abode of a man of peace. You may wait the
+      event in safety at Mount Sharon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Friend,&rsquo; replied Joshua, &lsquo;I cannot comply with thy advice; I will remain
+      here, even as thy prisoner, as thou didst but now threaten, rather than
+      leave the youth who hath suffered by and through me and my misfortunes, in
+      his present state of doubtful safety. Wherefore I will not mount my steed
+      Solomon; neither will I turn his head towards Mount Sharon, until I see an
+      end of this matter.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A prisoner, then, you must be,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet. &lsquo;I have no time to
+      dispute the matter further with you. But tell me for what you fix your
+      eyes so attentively on yonder people of mine.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To speak the truth,&rsquo; said the Quaker, &lsquo;I admire to behold among them a
+      little wretch of a boy called Benjie, to whom I think Satan has given the
+      power of transporting himself wheresoever mischief is going forward; so
+      that it may be truly said, there is no evil in this land wherein he hath
+      not a finger, if not a whole hand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The boy, who saw their eyes fixed on him as they spoke, seemed
+      embarrassed, slid rather desirous of making his escape; but at a signal
+      from Redgauntlet he advanced, assuming the sheepish look and rustic manner
+      with which the jackanapes covered much acuteness and roguery.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How long have you been with the party, sirrah?&rsquo; said Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Since the raid on the stake-nets,&rsquo; said Benjie, with his finger in his
+      mouth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what made you follow us?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I dauredna stay at hame for the constables,&rsquo; replied the boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what have you been doing all this time?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Doing, sir? I dinna ken what ye ca&rsquo; doing&mdash;I have been doing
+      naething,&rsquo; said Benjie; then seeing something in Redgauntlet&rsquo;s eye which
+      was not to be trifled with, he added, &lsquo;Naething but waiting on Maister
+      Cristal Nixon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hum!&mdash;aye&mdash;indeed?&rsquo; muttered Redgauntlet. &lsquo;Must Master Nixon
+      bring his own retinue into the field? This must be seen to.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was about to pursue his inquiry, when Nixon himself came to him with
+      looks of anxious haste, &lsquo;The Father is come,&rsquo; he whispered, &lsquo;and the
+      gentlemen are getting together in the largest room of the house, and they
+      desire to see you. Yonder is your nephew, too, making a noise like a man
+      in Bedlam.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will look to it all instantly,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet. &lsquo;Is the Father lodged
+      as I directed?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cristal nodded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now, then, for the final trial,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet. He folded his hands&mdash;looked
+      upwards&mdash;crossed himself&mdash;and after this act of devotion (almost
+      the first which any one had observed him make use of) he commanded Nixon
+      to keep good watch&mdash;have his horses and men ready for every emergence&mdash;look
+      after the safe custody of the prisoners&mdash;but treat them at the same
+      time well and civilly. And, these orders given, he darted hastily into the
+      house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet&rsquo;s first course was to the chamber of his nephew. He unlocked
+      the door, entered the apartment, and asked what he wanted, that he made so
+      much noise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I want my liberty,&rsquo; said Darsie, who had wrought himself up to a pitch of
+      passion in which his uncle&rsquo;s wrath had lost its terrors. &lsquo;I desire my
+      liberty, and to be assured of the safety of my beloved friend, Alan
+      Fairford, whose voice I heard but now.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Your liberty shall be your own within half an hour from this period&mdash;your
+      friend shall be also set at freedom in due time&mdash;and you yourself be
+      permitted to have access to his place of confinement.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;This does not satisfy me,&rsquo; said Darsie; &lsquo;I must see my friend instantly;
+      he is here, and he is here endangered on my account only&mdash;I have
+      heard violent exclamations&mdash;the clash of swords. You will gain no
+      point with me unless I have ocular demonstration of his safety.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Arthur&mdash;dearest nephew,&rsquo; answered Redgauntlet, &lsquo;drive me not mad!
+      Thine own fate&mdash;that of thy house&mdash;that of thousands&mdash;that
+      of Britain herself, are at this moment in the scales; and you are only
+      occupied about the safety of a poor insignificant pettifogger!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He has sustained injury at your hands, then?&rsquo; said Darsie, fiercely. &lsquo;I
+      know he has; but if so, not even our relationship shall protect you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peace, ungrateful and obstinate fool!&rsquo; said Redgauntlet. Yet stay&mdash;will
+      you be satisfied if you see this Alan Fairford, the bundle of bombazine&mdash;this
+      precious friend of yours&mdash;well and sound? Will you, I say, be
+      satisfied with seeing him in perfect safety without attempting to speak to
+      or converse with him?&rsquo; Darsie signified his assent. &lsquo;Take hold of my arm,
+      then,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;and do you, niece Lilias, take the other; and
+      beware; Sir Arthur, how you bear yourself.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie was compelled to acquiesce, sufficiently aware that his uncle would
+      permit him no interview with a friend whose influence would certainly be
+      used against his present earnest wishes, and in some measure contented
+      with the assurance of Fairford&rsquo;s personal safety.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet led them through one or two passages (for the house, as we
+      have before said, was very irregular, and built at different times) until
+      they entered an apartment, where a man with shouldered carabine kept watch
+      at the door, but readily turned the key for their reception. In this room
+      they found Alan Fairford and the Quaker, apparently in deep conversation
+      with each other. They looked up as Redgauntlet and his party entered; and
+      Alan pulled off his hat and made a profound reverence, which the young
+      lady, who recognized him,&mdash;though, masked as she was, he could not
+      know her,&mdash;returned with some embarrassment, arising probably from
+      the recollection of the bold step she had taken in visiting him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie longed to speak, but dared not. His uncle only said, &lsquo;Gentlemen, I
+      know you are as anxious on Mr. Darsie Latimer&rsquo;s account as he is upon
+      yours. I am commissioned by him to inform you, that he is as well as you
+      are&mdash;I trust you will all meet soon. Meantime, although I cannot
+      suffer you to be at large, you shall be as well treated as is possible
+      under your temporary confinement.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He passed on, without pausing to hear the answers which the lawyer and the
+      Quaker were hastening to prefer; and only waving his hand by way of adieu,
+      made his exit, with the real and the seeming lady whom he had under his
+      charge, through a door at the upper end of the apartment, which was
+      fastened and guarded like that by which they entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet next led the way into a very small room; adjoining which, but
+      divided by a partition, was one of apparently larger dimensions; for they
+      heard the trampling of the heavy boots of the period, as if several
+      persons were walking to and fro and conversing in low and anxious
+      whispers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Here,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet to his nephew, as he disencumbered him from the
+      riding-skirt and the mask, &lsquo;I restore you to yourself, and trust you will
+      lay aside all effeminate thoughts with this feminine dress. Do not blush
+      at having worn a disguise to which kings and heroes have been reduced. It
+      is when female craft or female cowardice find their way into a manly
+      bosom, that he who entertains these sentiments should take eternal shame
+      to himself for thus having resembled womankind. Follow me, while Lilias
+      remains here. I will introduce you to those whom I hope to see associated
+      with you in the most glorious cause that hand ever drew sword in.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie paused. &lsquo;Uncle,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;my person is in your hands; but
+      remember, my will is my own. I will not be hurried into any resolution of
+      importance. Remember what I have already said&mdash;what I now repeat&mdash;that
+      I will take no step of importance but upon conviction.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But canst thou be convinced, thou foolish boy, without hearing and
+      understanding the grounds on which we act?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying he took Darsie by the arm, and walked with him to the next room&mdash;a
+      large apartment, partly filled with miscellaneous articles of commerce,
+      chiefly connected with contraband trade; where, among bales and barrels,
+      sat, or walked to and fro, several gentlemen, whose manners and looks
+      seemed superior to the plain riding dresses which they wore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a grave and stern anxiety upon their countenances, when, on
+      Redgauntlet&rsquo;s entrance, they drew from their separate coteries into one
+      group around him, and saluted him with a formality which had something in
+      it of ominous melancholy. As Darsie looked around the circle, he thought
+      he could discern in it few traces of that adventurous hope which urges men
+      upon desperate enterprises; and began to believe that the conspiracy would
+      dissolve of itself, without the necessity of his placing himself in direct
+      opposition to so violent a character as his uncle, and incurring the
+      hazard with which such opposition must be attended.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Redgauntlet, however, did not, or would not, see any such marks of
+      depression of spirit amongst his coadjutors, but met them with cheerful
+      countenance, and a warm greeting of welcome. &lsquo;Happy to meet you here, my
+      lord,&rsquo; he said, bowing low to a slender young man. &lsquo;I trust you come with
+      the pledges of your noble father, of B&mdash;, and all that loyal house.&mdash;Sir
+      Richard, what news in the west? I am told you had two hundred men on foot
+      to have joined when the fatal retreat from Derby was commenced. When the
+      White Standard is again displayed, it shall not be turned back so easily,
+      either by the force of its enemies, or the falsehood of its friends.&mdash;Doctor
+      Grumball, I bow to the representative of Oxford, the mother of learning
+      and loyalty.&mdash;Pengwinion, you Cornish chough, has this good wind
+      blown you north?&mdash;Ah, my brave Cambro-Britons, when was Wales last in
+      the race of honour?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Such and such-like compliments he dealt around, which were in general
+      answered by silent bows; but when he saluted one of his own countrymen by
+      the name of MacKellar, and greeted Maxwell of Summertrees by that of
+      Pate-in-Peril, the latter replied, &lsquo;that if Pate were not a fool, he would
+      be Pate-in-Safety;&rsquo; and the former, a thin old gentle-man, in tarnished
+      embroidery, said bluntly, &lsquo;Aye, troth, Redgauntlet, I am here just like
+      yourself; I have little to lose&mdash;they that took my land the last
+      time, may take my life this; and that is all I care about it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The English gentlemen, who were still in possession of their paternal
+      estates, looked doubtfully on each other, and there was something
+      whispered among them of the fox which had lost his tail.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet hastened to address them. &lsquo;I think, my lords and gentlemen,&rsquo; 
+      he said, &lsquo;that I can account for something like sadness which has crept
+      upon an assembly gathered together for so noble a purpose. Our numbers
+      seem, when thus assembled, too small and inconsiderable to shake the
+      firm-seated usurpation of a half-century. But do not count us by what we
+      are in thew and muscle, but by what our summons can do among our
+      countrymen. In this small party are those who have power to raise
+      battalions, and those who have wealth to pay them. And do not believe our
+      friends who are absent are cold or indifferent to the cause. Let us once
+      light the signal, and it will be hailed by all who retain love for the
+      Stuart, and by all&mdash;a more numerous body&mdash;who hate the Elector.
+      Here I have letters from&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir Richard Glendale interrupted the speaker. &lsquo;We all confide,
+      Redgauntlet, in your valour and skill&mdash;we admire your perseverance;
+      and probably nothing short of your strenuous exertions, and the emulation
+      awakened by your noble and disinterested conduct, could have brought so
+      many of us, the scattered remnant of a disheartened party, to meet
+      together once again in solemn consultation; for I take it, gentlemen,&rsquo; he
+      said, looking round, &lsquo;this is only a consultation.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nothing more,&rsquo; said the young lord.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nothing more,&rsquo; said Doctor Grumball, shaking his large academical peruke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And, &lsquo;Only a consultation,&rsquo; was echoed by the others.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet bit his lip. &lsquo;I had hopes,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;that the discourses I
+      have held with most of you, from time to time, had ripened into more
+      maturity than your words imply, and that we were here to execute as well
+      as to deliberate; and for this we stand prepared. I can raise five hundred
+      men with my whistle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Five hundred men!&rsquo; said one of the Welsh squires; &lsquo;Cot bless us! and pray
+      you, what cood could five hundred men do?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;All that the priming does for the cannon, Mr. Meredith,&rsquo; answered
+      Redgauntlet; &lsquo;it will enable us to seize Carlisle, and you know what our
+      friends have engaged for in that case.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes&mdash;but,&rsquo; said the young nobleman, &lsquo;you must not hurry us on too
+      fast, Mr. Redgauntlet; we are all, I believe, as sincere and truehearted
+      in this business as you are, but we will not be driven forward blindfold.
+      We owe caution to ourselves and our families, as well as to those whom we
+      are empowered to represent on this occasion.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Who hurries you, my lord? Who is it that would drive this meeting forward
+      blindfold? I do not understand your lordship,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay,&rsquo; said Sir Richard Glendale, &lsquo;at least do not let us fall under our
+      old reproach of disagreeing among ourselves. What my lord means,
+      Redgauntlet, is, that we have this morning heard it is uncertain whether
+      you could even bring that body of men whom you count upon; your
+      countryman, Mr. MacKellar, seemed, just before you came in, to doubt
+      whether your people would rise in any force, unless you could produce the
+      authority of your nephew.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I might ask,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet,&rsquo; what right MacKellar, or any one, has to
+      doubt my being able to accomplish what I stand pledged for? But our hopes
+      consist in our unity. Here stands my nephew. Gentlemen, I present to you
+      my kinsman, Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Gentlemen,&rsquo; said Darsie, with a throbbing bosom, for he felt the crisis a
+      very painful one, &lsquo;Allow me to say, that I suspend expressing my
+      sentiments on the important subject under discussion until I have heard
+      those of the present meeting.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Proceed in your deliberations, gentlemen,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;I will show
+      my nephew such reasons for acquiescing in the result, as will entirely
+      remove any scruples which may hang around his mind.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Dr. Grumball now coughed, &lsquo;shook his ambrosial curls,&rsquo; and addressed the
+      assembly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The principles of Oxford,&rsquo; he said,&rsquo; are well understood, since she was
+      the last to resign herself to the Arch-Usurper,&mdash;since she has
+      condemned, by her sovereign authority, the blasphemous, atheistical, and
+      anarchical tenets of Locke, and other deluders of the public mind. Oxford
+      will give men, money and countenance, to the cause of the rightful
+      monarch. But we have, been often deluded by foreign powers, who have
+      availed themselves of our zeal to stir up civil dissensions, in Britain,
+      not for the advantage of our blessed though banished monarch, but to stir
+      up disturbances by which they might profit, while we, their tools, are
+      sure to be ruined. Oxford, therefore, will not rise, unless our sovereign
+      comes in person to claim our allegiance, in which case, God forbid we
+      should refuse him our best obedience.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is a very cood advice,&rsquo; said Mr. Meredith.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In troth,&rsquo; said Sir Richard Glendale, &lsquo;it is the very keystone of our
+      enterprise, and the only condition upon which I myself and others could
+      ever have dreamt of taking up arms. No insurrection which has not Charles
+      Edward himself at its head, will, ever last longer than till a single foot
+      company of redcoats march to disperse it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;This is my own opinion, and that of all my family,&rsquo; said the young
+      nobleman already mentioned; &lsquo;and I own I am somewhat surprised at being
+      summoned to attend a dangerous rendezvous such as this, before something
+      certain could have been stated to us on this most important preliminary
+      point.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Pardon me, my lord,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;I have not been so unjust either
+      to myself or my friends&mdash;I had no means of communicating to our
+      distant confederates (without the greatest risk of discovery) what is
+      known to some of my honourable friends. As courageous, and as resolved, as
+      when, twenty years since, he threw himself into the wilds of Moidart,
+      Charles Edward has instantly complied with the wishes of his faithful
+      subjects. Charles Edward is in this country&mdash;Charles Edward is in
+      this house!&mdash;Charles Edward waits but your present decision, to
+      receive the homage of those who have ever called themselves his loyal
+      liegemen. He that would now turn his coat, and change his note, must do so
+      under the eye of his sovereign.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a deep pause. Those among the conspirators whom mere habit, or a
+      desire of preserving consistency, had engaged in the affair, now saw with
+      terror their retreat cut off; and others, who at a distance had regarded
+      the proposed enterprise as hopeful, trembled when the moment of actually
+      embarking in it was thus unexpectedly and almost inevitably precipitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How now, my lords and gentlemen!&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; is it delight and
+      rapture that keep you thus silent? where are the eager welcomes that
+      should be paid to your rightful king, who a second time confides his
+      person to the care of his subjects, undeterred by the hairbreadth escapes
+      and severe privations of his former expedition? I hope there is no
+      gentleman here that is not ready to redeem, in his prince&rsquo;s presence, the
+      pledge of fidelity which he offered in his absence.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I, at least,&rsquo; said the young nobleman resolutely, and laying his hand on
+      his sword, &lsquo;will not be that coward. If Charles is come to these shores, I
+      will be the first to give him welcome, and to devote my life and fortune
+      to his service.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Before Cot,&rsquo; said Mr. Meredith, &lsquo;I do not see that Mr. Redgauntlet has
+      left us anything else to do.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Stay,&rsquo; said Summertrees, &lsquo;there is yet one other question. Has he brought
+      any of those Irish rapparees with him, who broke the neck of our last
+      glorious affair?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not a man of them,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I trust,&rsquo; said Dr. Grumball, &lsquo;that there are no Catholic priests in his
+      company. I would not intrude on the private conscience of my sovereign,
+      but, as an unworthy son of the Church of England, it is my duty to
+      consider her security.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not a Popish dog or cat is there, to bark or mew about his Majesty,&rsquo; said
+      Redgauntlet. &lsquo;Old Shaftesbury himself could not wish a prince&rsquo;s person
+      more secure from Popery&mdash;which may not be the worst religion in the
+      world, notwithstanding. Any more doubts, gentlemen? can no more plausible
+      reasons be discovered for postponing the payment of our duty, and
+      discharge of our oaths and engagements? Meantime your king waits your
+      declaration&mdash;by my faith he hath but a frozen reception!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Redgauntlet,&rsquo; said Sir Richard Glendale, calmly, &lsquo;your reproaches shall
+      not goad me into anything of which my reason disapproves. That I respect
+      my engagement as much as you do, is evident, since I am here, ready to
+      support it with the best blood in my veins. But has the king really come
+      hither entirely unattended?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;He has no man with him but young &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;, as aide de camp,
+      and a single valet de chambre.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No MAN&mdash;but, Redgauntlet, as you are a gentleman, has he no woman
+      with him?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet cast his eyes on the ground and replied, &lsquo;I am sorry to say&mdash;he
+      has.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The company looked at each other, and remained silent for a moment. At
+      length Sir Richard proceeded. &lsquo;I need not repeat to you, Mr. Redgauntlet,
+      what is the well-grounded opinion of his Majesty&rsquo;s friends concerning that
+      most unhappy connexion there is but one sense and feeling amongst us upon
+      the subject. I must conclude that our humble remonstrances were
+      communicated by you, sir, to the king?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In the same strong terms in which they were couched,&rsquo; replied
+      Redgauntlet. &lsquo;I love his Majesty&rsquo;s cause more than I fear his
+      displeasure.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But, apparently, our humble expostulation has produced no effect. This
+      lady, who has crept into his bosom, has a sister in the Elector of
+      Hanover&rsquo;s court, and yet we are well assured that our most private
+      communication is placed in her keeping.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER FEMINA,&rsquo; said Dr. Grumball.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;She puts his secrets into her work-bag,&rsquo; said Maxwell; &lsquo;and out they fly
+      whenever she opens it. If I must hang, I would wish it to be in somewhat a
+      better rope than the string of a lady&rsquo;s hussey.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Are you, too, turning dastard, Maxwell?&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, in a whisper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not I,&rsquo; said Maxwell; &lsquo;let us fight for it, and let them win and wear us;
+      but to be betrayed by a brimstone like that&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Be temperate, gentlemen,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;the foible of which you
+      complain so heavily has always been that of kings and heroes; which I feel
+      strongly confident the king will surmount, upon the humble entreaty of his
+      best servants, and when he sees them ready to peril their all in his
+      cause, upon the slight condition of his resigning the society of a female
+      favourite, of whom I have seen reason to think he hath been himself for
+      some time wearied. But let us not press upon him rashly with our
+      well-meant zeal. He has a princely will as becomes his princely birth, and
+      we, gentlemen, who are royalists, should be the last to take advantage of
+      circumstances to limit its exercise. I am as much surprised and hurt as
+      you can be, to find that he has made her the companion of this journey,
+      increasing every chance of treachery and detection. But do not let us
+      insist upon a sacrifice so humiliating, while he has scarce placed a foot
+      upon the beach of his kingdom. Let us act generously by our sovereign; and
+      when we have shown what we will do for him, we shall be able, with better
+      face, to state what it is we expect him to concede.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Indeed, I think it is but a pity,&rsquo; said MacKellar, &lsquo;when so many pretty
+      gentlemen are got together, that they should part without the flash of a
+      sword among them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I should be of that gentleman&rsquo;s opinion,&rsquo; said Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;,
+      &lsquo;had I nothing to lose but my life; but I frankly own, that the conditions
+      on which our family agreed to join having been, in this instance, left
+      unfulfilled, I will not peril the whole fortunes of our house on the
+      doubtful fidelity of an artful woman.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am sorry to see your lordship,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;take a course which
+      is more likely to secure your house&rsquo;s wealth than to augment its honours.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;How am I to understand your language, sir?&rsquo; said the young nobleman,
+      haughtily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, gentlemen,&rsquo; said Dr Grumball, interposing, &lsquo;do not let friends
+      quarrel; we are all zealous for the cause&mdash;but truly, although I know
+      the license claimed by the great in such matters, and can, I hope, make
+      due allowance, there is, I may say, an indecorum in a prince who comes to
+      claim the allegiance of the Church of England, arriving on such an errand
+      with such a companion&mdash;SI NON CASTE, CAUTE TAMEN.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wonder how the Church of England came to be so heartily attached to his
+      merry old namesake,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir Richard Glendale then took up the question, as one whose authority and
+      experience gave him right to speak with much weight.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;We have no leisure for hesitation,&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;it is full time that we
+      decide what course we are to hold. I feel as much as you, Mr. Redgauntlet,
+      the delicacy of capitulating with our sovereign in his present condition.
+      But I must also think of the total ruin of the cause, the confiscation and
+      bloodshed which will take place among his adherents, and all through the
+      infatuation with which he adheres to a woman who is the pensionary of the
+      present minister, as she was for years Sir Robert Walpole&rsquo;s. Let his
+      Majesty send her back to the continent, and the sword on which I now lay
+      my hand shall instantly be unsheathed, and, I trust, many hundred others
+      at the same moment.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The other persons present testified their unanimous acquiescence in what
+      Sir Richard Glendale had said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I see you have taken your resolutions, gentlemen,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet;
+      &lsquo;unwisely I think, because I believe that, by softer and more generous
+      proceedings, you would have been more likely to carry a point which I
+      think as desirable as you do. But what is to be done if Charles should
+      refuse, with the inflexibility of his grandfather, to comply with this
+      request of yours? Do you mean to abandon him to his fate?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;God forbid!&rsquo; said Sir Richard, hastily; &lsquo;and God forgive you, Mr.
+      Redgauntlet, for breathing such a thought. No! I for one will, with all
+      duty and humility, see him safe back to his vessel, and defend him with my
+      life against whosoever shall assail him. But when I have seen his sails
+      spread, my next act will be to secure, if I can, my own safety, by
+      retiring to my house; or, if I find our engagement, as is too probable,
+      has taken wind, by surrendering myself to the next Justice of Peace, and
+      giving security that hereafter I shall live quiet, and submit to the
+      ruling powers.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Again the rest of the persons present intimated their agreement in opinion
+      with the speaker.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, gentlemen,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;it is not for me to oppose the
+      opinion of every one; and I must do you the justice to say, that the king
+      has, in the present instance, neglected a condition of your agreement
+      which was laid before him in very distinct terms. The question now is, who
+      is to acquaint him with the result of this conference; for I presume you
+      would not wait on him in a body to make the proposal that he should
+      dismiss a person from his family as the price of your allegiance.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I think Mr. Redgauntlet should make the explanation, said Lord&mdash;.
+      &lsquo;As he has, doubtless, done justice to our remonstrances by communicating
+      them to the king, no one can, with such propriety and force, state the
+      natural and inevitable consequence of their being neglected.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Now, I think,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;that those who make the objection
+      should state it, for I am confident the king will hardly believe, on less
+      authority than that of the heir of the loyal House of B&mdash;, that he is
+      the first to seek an evasion of his pledge to join him.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;An evasion, sir!&rsquo; repeated Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;, fiercely, &lsquo;I have
+      borne too much from you already, and this I will not endure. Favour me
+      with your company to the downs.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet laughed scornfully, and was about to follow the fiery young
+      man, when Sir Richard again interposed. &lsquo;Are we to exhibit,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;the
+      last symptoms of the dissolution of our party, by turning our swords
+      against each other? Be patient, Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;; in such
+      conferences as this, much must pass unquestioned which might brook
+      challenge elsewhere. There is a privilege of party as of parliament&mdash;men
+      cannot, in emergency, stand upon picking phrases. Gentlemen, if you will
+      extend your confidence in me so far, I will wait upon his Majesty, and I
+      hope my Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash; and Mr. Redgauntlet will accompany me.
+      I trust the explanation of this unpleasant matter will prove entirely
+      satisfactory, and that we shall find ourselves at liberty to render our
+      homage to our sovereign without reserve, when I for one will be the first
+      to peril all in his just quarrel.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet at once stepped forward. &lsquo;My lord,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;if my zeal made
+      me say anything in the slightest degree offensive, I wish it unsaid, and
+      ask your pardon. A gentleman can do no more.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I could not have asked Mr. Redgauntlet to do so much,&rsquo; said the young
+      nobleman, willingly accepting the hand which Redgauntlet offered. &lsquo;I know
+      no man living from whom I could take so much reproof without a sense of
+      degradation as from himself.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Let me then hope, my lord, that you will go with Sir Richard and me to
+      the presence. Your warm blood will heat our zeal&mdash;our colder resolves
+      will temper yours.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The young lord smiled, and shook his head. &lsquo;Alas! Mr. Redgauntlet,&rsquo; he
+      said, &lsquo;I am ashamed to say, that in zeal you surpass us all. But I will
+      not refuse this mission, provided you will permit Sir Arthur, your nephew,
+      also to accompany us.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My nephew?&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, and seemed to hesitate, then added, &lsquo;Most
+      certainly. I trust,&rsquo; he said, looking at Darsie, &lsquo;he will bring to his
+      prince&rsquo;s presence such sentiments as fit the occasion.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It seemed however to Darsie, that his uncle would rather have left him
+      behind, had he not feared that he might in that case have been influenced
+      by, or might perhaps himself influence, the unresolved confederates with
+      whom he must have associated during his absence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will go,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;and request admission.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In a moment after he returned, and without speaking, motioned for the
+      young nobleman to advance. He did so, followed by Sir Richard Glendale and
+      Darsie, Redgauntlet himself bringing up the rear. A short passage, and a
+      few steps, brought them to the door of the temporary presence-chamber, in
+      which the Royal Wanderer was to receive their homage. It was the upper
+      loft of one of those cottages which made additions to the old inn, poorly
+      furnished, dusty, and in disorder; for, rash as the enterprise might be
+      considered, they had been still careful not to draw the attention of
+      strangers by any particular attentions to the personal accommodation of
+      the prince. He was seated, when the deputies, as they might be termed, of
+      his remaining adherents entered; and as he rose, and came forward and
+      bowed, in acceptance of their salutation, it was with a dignified courtesy
+      which at once supplied whatever was deficient in external pomp, and
+      converted the wretched garret into a saloon worthy of the occasion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is needless to add that he was the same personage already introduced in
+      the character of Father Buonaventure, by which name he was distinguished
+      at Fairladies. His dress was not different from what he then wore,
+      excepting that he had a loose riding-coat of camlet, under which he
+      carried an efficient cut-and-thrust sword, instead of his walking rapier,
+      and also a pair of pistols.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet presented to him successively the young Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;,
+      and his kinsman, Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet, who trembled as, bowing
+      and kissing his hand, he found himself surprised into what might be
+      construed an act of high treason, which yet he saw no safe means to avoid.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Sir Richard Glendale seemed personally known to Charles Edward, who
+      received him with a mixture of dignity and affection, and seemed to
+      sympathize with the tears which rushed into that gentleman&rsquo;s eyes as he
+      bade his Majesty welcome to his native kingdom.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes, my good Sir Richard,&rsquo; said the unfortunate prince in a tone
+      melancholy, yet resolved, &lsquo;Charles Edward is with his faithful friends
+      once more&mdash;not, perhaps, with his former gay hopes which undervalued
+      danger, but with the same determined contempt of the worst which can
+      befall him, in claiming his own rights and those of his country.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I rejoice, sire&mdash;and yet, alas! I must also grieve, to see you once
+      more on the British shores,&rsquo; said Sir Richard Glendale, and stopped short&mdash;a
+      tumult of contradictory feelings preventing his further utterance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is the call of my faithful and suffering people which alone could have
+      induced me to take once more the sword in my hand. For my own part, Sir
+      Richard, when I have reflected how many of my loyal and devoted friends
+      perished by the sword and by proscription, or died indigent and neglected
+      in a foreign land, I have often, sworn that no view to my personal
+      aggrandizement should again induce me to agitate a title which has cost my
+      followers so dear. But since so many men of worth and honour conceive the
+      cause of England and Scotland to be linked with that of Charles Stuart, I
+      must follow their brave example, and, laying aside all other
+      considerations, once more stand forward as their deliverer. I am, however,
+      come hither upon your invitation; and as you are so completely acquainted
+      with circumstances to which my absence must necessarily have rendered me a
+      stranger, I must be a mere tool in the hands of my friends. I know well I
+      never can refer myself implicitly to more loyal hearts or wiser heads,
+      than Herries Redgauntlet, and Sir Richard Glendale. Give me your advice,
+      then, how we are to proceed, and decide upon the fate of Charles Edward.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet looked at Sir Richard, as if to say, &lsquo;Can you press any
+      additional or unpleasant condition at a moment like this?&rsquo; And the other
+      shook his head and looked down, as if his resolution was unaltered, and
+      yet as feeling all the delicacy of the situation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a silence, which was broken by the unfortunate representative of
+      an unhappy dynasty, with some appearance of irritation. &lsquo;This is strange,
+      gentlemen,&rsquo; he said; &lsquo;you have sent for me from the bosom of my family, to
+      head an adventure of doubt and danger; and when I come, your own minds
+      seem to be still irresolute. I had not expected this on the part of two
+      such men.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;For me, sire,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;the steel of my sword is not truer than
+      the temper of my mind.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&lsquo;s and mine are equally so,&rsquo; said Sir
+      Richard; &lsquo;but you had in charge, Mr. Redgauntlet, to convey our request to
+      his Majesty, coupled with certain conditions.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And I discharged my duty to his Majesty and to you,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I looked at no condition, gentlemen,&rsquo; said their king, with dignity,&rsquo; 
+      save that which called me here to assert my rights in person. That I have
+      fulfilled at no common risk. Here I stand to keep my word, and I expect of
+      you to be true to yours.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There was, or should have been, something more than that in our proposal,
+      please your Majesty,&rsquo; said Sir Richard. &lsquo;There was a condition annexed to
+      it.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I saw it not,&rsquo; said Charles, interrupting him. &lsquo;Out of tenderness towards
+      the noble hearts of whom I think so highly, I would neither see nor read
+      anything which could lessen them in my love and my esteem. Conditions can
+      have no part betwixt prince and subject.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sire,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, kneeling on one knee, &lsquo;I see from Sir Richard&rsquo;s
+      countenance he deems it my fault that your Majesty seems ignorant of what
+      your subjects desired that I should communicate to your Majesty. For
+      Heaven&rsquo;s sake! for the sake of all my past services and sufferings, leave
+      not such a stain upon my honour! The note, Number D, of which this is a
+      copy, referred to the painful subject to which Sir Richard again directs
+      your attention.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You press upon me, gentlemen,&rsquo; said the prince, colouring highly,&rsquo; 
+      recollections, which, as I hold them most alien to your character, I would
+      willingly have banished from my memory. I did not suppose that my loyal
+      subjects would think so poorly of me, as to use my depressed circumstances
+      as a reason for forcing themselves into my domestic privacies, and
+      stipulating arrangements with their king regarding matters in which the
+      meanest minds claim the privilege of thinking for themselves. In affairs
+      of state and public policy, I will ever be guided as becomes a prince, by
+      the advice of my wisest counsellors; in those which regard my private
+      affections and my domestic arrangements, I claim the same freedom of will
+      which I allow to all my subjects, and without which a crown were less
+      worth wearing than a beggar&rsquo;s bonnet.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;May it please your Majesty,&rsquo; said Sir Richard Glendale, &lsquo;I see it must be
+      my lot to speak unwilling truths; but believe me, I do so with as much
+      profound respect as deep regret. It is true, we have called you to head a
+      mighty undertaking, and that your Majesty, preferring honour to safety,
+      and the love of your country to your own ease, has condescended to become
+      our leader. But we also pointed out as a necessary and indispensable
+      preparatory step to the achievement of our purpose&mdash;and, I must say,
+      as a positive condition of our engaging in it&mdash;that an individual,
+      supposed,&mdash;I presume not to guess how truly,&mdash;to have your
+      Majesty&rsquo;s more intimate confidence, and believed, I will not say on
+      absolute proof but upon the most pregnant suspicion, to be capable of
+      betraying that confidence to the Elector of Hanover, should be removed
+      from your royal household and society.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;This is too insolent, Sir Richard!&rsquo; said Charles Edward. &lsquo;Have you
+      inveigled me into your power to bait me in this unseemly manner? And you,
+      Redgauntlet, why did you suffer matters to come to such a point as this,
+      without making me more distinctly aware what insults were to be practised
+      on me?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My gracious prince,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;I am so far to blame in this,
+      that I did not think so slight an impediment as that of a woman&rsquo;s society
+      could have really interrupted an undertaking of this magnitude. I am a
+      plain man, sire, and speak but bluntly; I could not have dreamt but what,
+      within the first five minutes of this interview, either Sir Richard and
+      his friends would have ceased to insist upon a condition so ungrateful to
+      your Majesty, or that your Majesty would have sacrificed this unhappy
+      attachment to the sound advice, or even to the over-anxious suspicions, of
+      so many faithful subjects. I saw no entanglement in such a difficulty
+      which on either side might not have been broken through like a cobweb.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You were mistaken, sir,&rsquo; said Charles Edward, &lsquo;entirely mistaken&mdash;as
+      much so as you are at this moment, when you think in your heart my refusal
+      to comply with this insolent proposition is dictated by a childish and
+      romantic passion for an individual, I tell you, sir, I could part with
+      that person to-morrow, without an instant&rsquo;s regret&mdash;that I have had
+      thoughts of dismissing her from my court, for reasons known to myself; but
+      that I will never betray my rights as a sovereign and a man, by taking
+      this step to secure the favour of any one, or to purchase that allegiance
+      which, if you owe it to me at all, is due to me as my birthright.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am sorry for this,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;I hope both your Majesty and Sir
+      Richard will reconsider your resolutions, or forbear this discussion, in a
+      conjuncture so pressing. I trust your Majesty will recollect that you are
+      on hostile ground; that our preparations cannot have so far escaped notice
+      as to permit us now with safety to retreat from our purpose; insomuch,
+      that it is with the deepest anxiety of heart I foresee even danger to your
+      own royal person, unless you can generously give your subjects the
+      satisfaction, which Sir Richard seems to think they are obstinate in
+      demanding.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And deep indeed your anxiety ought to be,&rsquo; said the prince. &lsquo;Is it in
+      these circumstances of personal danger in which you expect to overcome a
+      resolution, which is founded on a sense of what is due to me as a man or a
+      prince? If the axe and scaffold were ready before the windows of
+      Whitehall, I would rather tread the same path with my great-grandfather,
+      than concede the slightest point in which my honour is concerned.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He spoke these words with a determined accent, and looked around him on
+      the company, all of whom (excepting Darsie, who saw, he thought, a fair
+      period to a most perilous enterprise) seemed in deep anxiety and
+      confusion. At length, Sir Richard spoke in a solemn and melancholy tone.
+      &lsquo;If the safety,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;of poor Richard Glendale were alone concerned
+      in this matter, I have never valued my life enough to weigh it against the
+      slightest point of your Majesty&rsquo;s service. But I am only a messenger&mdash;a
+      commissioner, who must execute my trust, and upon whom a thousand voices
+      will cry, Curse and woe, if I do it not with fidelity. All of your
+      adherents, even Redgauntlet himself, see certain ruin to this enterprise&mdash;the
+      greatest danger to your Majesty&rsquo;s person&mdash;the utter destruction of
+      all your party and friends, if they insist not on the point, which,
+      unfortunately, your Majesty is so unwilling to concede. I speak it with a
+      heart full of anguish&mdash;with a tongue unable to utter my emotions&mdash;but
+      it must be spoken&mdash;the fatal truth&mdash;that if your royal goodness
+      cannot yield to us a boon which we hold necessary to our security and your
+      own, your Majesty with one word disarms ten thousand men, ready to draw
+      their swords in your behalf; or, to speak yet more plainly, you annihilate
+      even the semblance of a royal party in Great Britain.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And why do you not add,&rsquo; said the prince, scornfully, &lsquo;that the men who
+      have been ready to assume arms in my behalf, will atone for their treason
+      to the Elector, by delivering me up to the fate for which so many
+      proclamations have destined me? Carry my head to St. James&rsquo;s, gentlemen;
+      you will do a more acceptable and a more honourable action, than, having
+      inveigled me into a situation which places me so completely in your power,
+      to dishonour yourselves by propositions which dishonour me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My God, sire!&rsquo; exclaimed Sir Richard, clasping his hands together, in
+      impatience, &lsquo;of what great and inexpiable crime can your Majesty&rsquo;s
+      ancestors have &lsquo;been guilty, that they have been punished by the
+      infliction of judicial blindness on their whole generation!&mdash;Come, my
+      Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;, we must to our friends.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;By your leave, Sir Richard,&rsquo; said the young nobleman, &lsquo;not till we, have
+      learned what measures can be taken for his Majesty&rsquo;s personal safety.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Care not for me, young man,&rsquo; said Charles Edward; &lsquo;when I was in the
+      society of Highland robbers and cattle-drovers, I was safer than I now
+      hold myself among the representatives of the best blood in England.
+      Farewell, gentlemen&mdash;I will shift for myself.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;This must never be,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet. &lsquo;Let me that brought you to the
+      point of danger, at least provide for your safe retreat.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he hastily left the apartment, followed by his nephew. The
+      Wanderer, averting his eyes from Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash; and Sir
+      Richard Glendale, threw himself into a seat at the upper end of the
+      apartment, while they, in much anxiety, stood together, at a distance from
+      him, and conversed in whispers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIII
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NARRATIVE CONTINUED
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      When Redgauntlet left the room, in haste and discomposure, the first
+      person he met on the stair, and indeed so close by the door of the
+      apartment that Darsie thought he must have been listening there, was his
+      attendant Nixon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What the devil do you here?&rsquo; he said, abruptly and sternly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wait your orders,&rsquo; said Nixon. &lsquo;I hope all&rsquo;s right!&mdash;excuse my
+      zeal.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;All is wrong, sir. Where is the seafaring fellow&mdash;Ewart&mdash;what
+      do you call him?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nanty Ewart, sir. I will carry your commands,&rsquo; said Nixon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will deliver them myself to him,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; call him hither.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But should your honour leave the presence?&rsquo; said Nixon, still lingering.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;&lsquo;Sdeath, sir, do you prate to me?&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, bending his brows.
+      &lsquo;I, sir, transact my own business; you, I am told, act by a ragged
+      deputy.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Without further answer, Nixon departed, rather disconcerted, as it seemed
+      to Darsie.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That dog turns insolent and lazy,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; but I must bear with
+      him for a while.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A moment after, Nixon returned with Ewart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Is this the smuggling fellow?&rsquo; demanded Redgauntlet. Nixon nodded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Is he sober now? he was brawling anon.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sober enough for business,&rsquo; said Nixon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well then, hark ye, Ewart;&mdash;man your boat with your best hands, and
+      have her by the pier&mdash;get your other fellows on board the brig&mdash;if
+      you have any cargo left, throw it overboard; it shall be all paid, five
+      times over&mdash;and be ready for a start to Wales or the Hebrides, or
+      perhaps for Sweden or Norway.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ewart answered sullenly enough, &lsquo;Aye, aye, sir.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Go with him, Nixon,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, forcing himself to speak with some
+      appearance of cordiality to the servant with whom he was offended; &lsquo;see he
+      does his duty.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ewart left the house sullenly, followed by Nixon. The sailor was just in
+      that species of drunken humour which made him jealous, passionate, and
+      troublesome, without showing any other disorder than that of irritability.
+      As he walked towards the beach he kept muttering to himself, but in such a
+      tone that his companion lost not a word, &lsquo;Smuggling fellow&mdash;Aye,
+      smuggler&mdash;and, start your cargo into the sea&mdash;and be ready to
+      start for the Hebrides, or Sweden&mdash;or the devil, I suppose. Well, and
+      what if I said in answer&mdash;Rebel, Jacobite&mdash;traitor; I&rsquo;ll make
+      you and your d&mdash;&mdash;d confederates walk the plank&mdash;I have
+      seen better men do it&mdash;half a score of a morning&mdash;when I was
+      across the Line.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;D&mdash;d unhandsome terms those Redgauntlet used to you, brother.&rsquo; said
+      Nixon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Which do you mean?&rsquo; said Ewart, starting, and recollecting himself. &lsquo;I
+      have been at my old trade of thinking aloud, have I?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No matter,&rsquo; answered Nixon, &lsquo;none but a friend heard you. You cannot have
+      forgotten how Redgauntlet disarmed you this morning.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, I would bear no malice about that&mdash;only he is so cursedly high
+      and saucy,&rsquo; said Ewart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And then,&rsquo; said Nixon, &lsquo;I know you for a true-hearted Protestant.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That I am, by G&mdash;,&rsquo; said Ewart. &lsquo;No, the Spaniards could never get
+      my religion from me.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And a friend to King George, and the Hanover line of succession,&rsquo; said
+      Nixon, still walking and speaking very slow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You may swear I am, excepting in the way of business, as Turnpenny says.
+      I like King George, but I can&rsquo;t afford to pay duties.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are outlawed, I believe,&rsquo; said Nixon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Am I?&mdash;faith, I believe I am,&rsquo; said Ewart. &lsquo;I wish I were INLAWED
+      again with all my heart. But come along, we must get all ready for our
+      peremptory gentleman, I suppose.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will teach you a better trick,&rsquo; said Nixon. &lsquo;There is a bloody pack of
+      rebels yonder.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Aye, we all know that,&rsquo; said the smuggler; &lsquo;but the snowball&rsquo;s melting, I
+      think.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;There is some one yonder, whose head is worth&mdash;thirty thousand&mdash;pounds&mdash;of
+      sterling money,&rsquo; said Nixon, pausing between each word, as if to enforce
+      the magnificence of the sum.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what of that?&rsquo; said Ewart, quickly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Only that, instead of lying by the pier with your men on their oars, if
+      you will just carry your boat on board just now, and take no notice of any
+      signal from the shore, by G&mdash;d, Nanty Ewart. I will make a man of you
+      for life!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Oh ho! then the Jacobite gentry are not so safe as they think
+      themselves?&rsquo; said Nanty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In an hour or two,&rsquo; replied Nixon, &lsquo;they will be made safer in Carlisle
+      Castle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The devil they will!&rsquo; said Ewart; &lsquo;and you have been the informer, I
+      suppose?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yes; I have been ill paid for my service among the Redgauntlets&mdash;have
+      scarce got dog&rsquo;s wages&mdash;and been treated worse than ever dog was
+      used. I have the old fox and his cubs in the same trap now, Nanty; and
+      we&rsquo;ll see how a certain young lady will look then. You see I am frank with
+      you, Nanty.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And I will be as frank with you,&rsquo; said the smuggler. &lsquo;You are a d&mdash;d
+      old scoundrel&mdash;traitor to the man whose bread you eat! Me help to
+      betray poor devils, that have been so often betrayed myself! Not if they
+      were a hundred Popes, Devils, and Pretenders. I will back and tell them
+      their danger&mdash;they are part of cargo&mdash;regularly invoiced&mdash;put
+      under my charge by the owners&mdash;I&rsquo;ll back&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are not stark mad?&rsquo; said Nixon, who now saw he had miscalculated in
+      supposing Nanty&rsquo;s wild ideas of honour and fidelity could be shaken even
+      by resentment, or by his Protestant partialities. &lsquo;You shall not go back&mdash;it
+      is all a joke.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll back to Redgauntlet, and see whether it is a joke he will laugh at.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;My life is lost if you do,&rsquo; said Nixon&mdash;&lsquo;hear reason.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They were in a clump or cluster of tall furze at the moment they were
+      speaking, about half-way between the pier and the house, but not in a
+      direct line, from which Nixon, whose object it was to gain time, had
+      induced Ewart to diverge insensibly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He now saw the necessity of taking a desperate resolution. &lsquo;Hear reason,&rsquo; 
+      he said; and added, as Nanty still endeavoured to pass him, &lsquo;Or else hear
+      this!&rsquo; discharging a pocket-pistol into the unfortunate man&rsquo;s body.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nanty staggered, but kept his feet. &lsquo;It has cut my back-bone asunder,&rsquo; he
+      said; &lsquo;you have done me the last good office, and I will not die
+      ungrateful.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he uttered the last words, he collected his remaining strength, stood
+      firm for an instant, drew his hanger, and, fetching a stroke with both
+      hands, cut Cristal Nixon down. The blow, struck with all the energy of a
+      desperate and dying man, exhibited a force to which Ewart&rsquo;s exhausted
+      frame might have seemed inadequate;&mdash;it cleft the hat which the
+      wretch wore, though secured by a plate of iron within the lining, bit deep
+      into his skull, and there left a fragment of the weapon, which was broke
+      by the fury of the blow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of the seamen of the lugger, who strolled up attracted by the firing
+      of the pistol, though being a small one the report was very trifling,
+      found both the unfortunate men stark dead. Alarmed at what he saw, which
+      he conceived to have been the consequence of some unsuccessful engagement
+      betwixt his late commander and a revenue officer (for Nixon chanced not to
+      be personally known to him) the sailor hastened back to the boat, in order
+      to apprise his comrades of Nanty&rsquo;s fate, and to advise them to take off
+      themselves and the vessel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meantime Redgauntlet, having, as we have seen, dispatched Nixon for the
+      purpose of securing a retreat for the unfortunate Charles, in case of
+      extremity, returned to the apartment where he had left the Wanderer. He
+      now found him alone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Sir Richard Glendale,&rsquo; said the unfortunate prince, &lsquo;with his young
+      friend, has gone to consult their adherents now in the house. Redgauntlet,
+      my friend, I will not blame you for the circumstances in which I find
+      myself, though I am at once placed in danger, and rendered contemptible.
+      But you ought to have stated to me more strongly the weight which these
+      gentlemen attached to their insolent proposition. You should have told me
+      that no compromise would have any effect&mdash;that they desire not a
+      prince to govern them, but one, on the contrary, over whom they were to
+      exercise restraint on all occasions, from the highest affairs of the
+      state, down to the most intimate and private concerns of his own privacy,
+      which the most ordinary men desire to keep secret and sacred from
+      interference.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;God knows,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, in much agitation, &lsquo;I acted for the best
+      when I pressed your Majesty to come hither&mdash;I never thought that your
+      Majesty, at such a crisis, would have scrupled, when a kingdom was in
+      view, to sacrifice an attachment, which&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Peace, sir!&rsquo; said Charles; &lsquo;it is not for you to estimate my feelings
+      upon such a subject.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet coloured high, and bowed profoundly. &lsquo;At least,&rsquo; he resumed,
+      &lsquo;I hoped that some middle way might be found, and it shall&mdash;and must.&mdash;Come
+      with me, nephew. We will to these gentlemen, and I am confident I will
+      bring back heart-stirring tidings.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I will do much to comply with them, Redgauntlet. I am loath, having again
+      set my foot on British land, to quit it without a blow for my right. But
+      this which they demand of me is a degradation, and compliance is
+      impossible.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet, followed by his nephew, the unwilling spectator of this
+      extraordinary scene, left once more the apartment of the adventurous
+      Wanderer, and was met on the top of the stairs by Joe Crackenthorp. &lsquo;Where
+      are the other gentlemen?&rsquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Yonder, in the west barrack,&rsquo; answered Joe; &lsquo;but Master Ingoldsby,&rsquo;&mdash;that
+      was the name by which Redgauntlet was most generally known in Cumberland,&mdash;&lsquo;I
+      wish to say to you that I must put yonder folk together in one room.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What folk?&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, impatiently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Why, them prisoner stranger folk, as you bid Cristal Nixon look after.
+      Lord love you! this is a large house enow, but we cannot have separate
+      lock-ups for folk, as they have in Newgate or in Bedlam. Yonder&rsquo;s a mad
+      beggar, that is to be a great man when he wins a lawsuit, Lord help him!&mdash;Yonder&rsquo;s
+      a Quaker and a lawyer charged with a riot; and, ecod, I must make one key
+      and one lock keep them, for we are chokeful, and you have sent off old
+      Nixon that could have given one some help in this confusion. Besides, they
+      take up every one a room, and call for naughts on earth,&mdash;excepting
+      the old man, who calls lustily enough,&mdash;but he has not a penny to pay
+      shot.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do as thou wilt with them,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, who had listened
+      impatiently to his statement; &lsquo;so thou dost but keep them from getting out
+      and making some alarm in the country, I care not.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;A Quaker and a lawyer!&rsquo; said Darsie. &lsquo;This must be Fairford and Geddes.&mdash;Uncle,
+      I must request of you&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Nay, nephew,&rsquo; interrupted Redgauntlet, &lsquo;this is no time for asking
+      questions. You shall yourself decide upon their fate in the course of an
+      hour&mdash;no harm whatever is designed them.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he hurried towards the place where the Jacobite gentlemen were
+      holding their council, and Darsie followed him, in the hope that the
+      obstacle which had arisen to the prosecution of their desperate adventure
+      would prove insurmountable and spare him the necessity of a dangerous and
+      violent rupture with his uncle. The discussions among them were very
+      eager; the more daring part of the conspirators, who had little but life
+      to lose, being desirous to proceed at all hazards; while the others, whom
+      a sense of honour and a hesitation to disavow long-cherished principles
+      had brought forward, were perhaps not ill satisfied to have a fair apology
+      for declining an adventure, into which they had entered with more of
+      reluctance than zeal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meanwhile Joe Crackenthorp, availing himself of the hasty permission
+      attained from Redgauntlet, proceeded to assemble in one apartment those
+      whose safe custody had been thought necessary; and, without much
+      considering the propriety of the matter, he selected for the common place
+      of confinement, the room which Lilias had, since her brother&rsquo;s departure,
+      occupied alone. It had a strong lock, and was double-hinged, which
+      probably led to the preference assigned to it, as a place of security.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Into this, Joe, with little ceremony, and a good deal of noise, introduced
+      the Quaker and Fairford; the first descanting on the immorality, the other
+      on the illegality, of his proceedings; and he turned a deaf ear both to
+      the one and the other. Next he pushed in, almost in headlong fashion, the
+      unfortunate litigant, who, having made some resistance at the threshold,
+      had received a violent thrust in consequence, and came rushing forward,
+      like a ram in the act of charging, with such impetus as must have carried
+      him to the top of the room, and struck the cocked hat which sat perched on
+      the top of his tow wig against Miss Redgauntlet&rsquo;s person, had not the
+      honest Quaker interrupted his career by seizing him by the collar, and
+      bringing him to a stand. &lsquo;Friend,&rsquo; said he, with the real good-breeding
+      which so often subsists independently of ceremony, &lsquo;thou art no company
+      for that young person; she is, thou seest, frightened at our being so
+      suddenly thrust in hither; and although that be no fault of ours, yet it
+      will become us to behave civilly towards her. Wherefore come thou with me
+      to this window, and I will tell thee what it concerns thee to know.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And what for should I no speak to the Leddy, friend?&rsquo; said Peter, who was
+      now about half seas over. &lsquo;I have spoke to leddies before now, man. What
+      for should she be frightened at me? I am nae bogle, I ween. What are ye
+      pooin&rsquo; me that gate for? Ye will rive my coat, and I will have a good
+      action for having myself made SARTUM ATQUE TECTUM at your expenses.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Notwithstanding this threat, Mr. Geddes, whose muscles were as strong as
+      his judgement was sound and his temper sedate, led Poor Peter under the
+      sense of a control against which he could not struggle, to the farther
+      corner of the apartment, where, placing him, whether he would or no, in a
+      chair, he sat down beside him, and effectually prevented his annoying the
+      young lady, upon whom he had seemed bent upon conferring the delights of
+      his society.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If Peter had immediately recognized his counsel learned in the law, it is
+      probable that not even the benevolent efforts of the Quaker could have
+      kept him in a state of restraint; but Fairford&rsquo;s back was turned towards
+      his client, whose optics, besides being somewhat dazzled with ale and
+      brandy, were speedily engaged in contemplating a half-crown which Joshua
+      held between his finger and his thumb, saying, at the same time, &lsquo;Friend,
+      thou art indigent and improvident. This will, well employed, procure thee
+      sustentation of nature for more than a single day; and I will bestow it on
+      thee if thou wilt sit here and keep me company; for neither thou nor I,
+      friend, are fit company for ladies.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Speak for yourself, friend,&rsquo; said Peter, scornfully; &lsquo;I was ay kend to be
+      agreeable to the fair sex; and when I was in business I served the ladies
+      wi&rsquo; anither sort of decorum than Plainstanes, the d&mdash;d awkward
+      scoundrel! It was one of the articles of dittay between us.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Well, but, friend,&rsquo; said the Quaker, who observed that the young lady
+      still seemed to fear Peter&rsquo;s intrusion, &lsquo;I wish to hear thee speak about
+      this great lawsuit of thine, which has been matter of such celebrity.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Celebrity! Ye may swear that,&rsquo; said Peter, for the string was touched to
+      which his crazy imagination always vibrated. &lsquo;And I dinna wonder that folk
+      that judge things by their outward grandeur, should think me something
+      worth their envying. It&rsquo;s very true that it is grandeur upon earth to hear
+      ane&rsquo;s name thunnered out along the long-arched roof of the Outer House,&mdash;&ldquo;Poor
+      Peter Peebles against Plainstanes ET PER CONTRA;&rdquo; a&rsquo; the best lawyers in
+      the house fleeing like eagles to the prey; some because they are in the
+      cause, and some because they want to be thought engaged (for there are
+      tricks in other trades by selling muslins)&mdash;to see the reporters
+      mending their pens to take down the debate&mdash;the Lords themselves
+      pooin&rsquo; in their chairs, like folk sitting down to a gude dinner, and
+      crying on the clerks for parts and pendicles of the process, who, puir
+      bodies, can do little mair than cry on their closet-keepers to help them.
+      To see a&rsquo; this,&rsquo; continued Peter, in a tone of sustained rapture, &lsquo;and to
+      ken that naething will be said or dune amang a&rsquo; thae grand folk, for maybe
+      the feck of three hours, saving what concerns you and your business&mdash;Oh,
+      man, nae wonder that ye judge this to be earthly glory! And yet,
+      neighbour, as I was saying, there be unco drawbacks&mdash;I whiles think
+      of my bit house, where dinner, and supper, and breakfast, used to come
+      without the crying for, just as if fairies had brought it&mdash;and the
+      gude bed at e&rsquo;en&mdash;and the needfu&rsquo; penny in the pouch. And then to see
+      a&rsquo; ane&rsquo;s warldly substance capering in the air in a pair of weighbauks,
+      now up, now down, as the breath of judge or counsel inclines it for
+      pursuer or defender,&mdash;troth, man, there are times I rue having ever
+      begun the plea wark, though, maybe, when ye consider the renown and credit
+      I have by it, ye will hardly believe what I am saying.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Indeed, friend,&rsquo; said Joshua, with a sigh, &lsquo;I am glad thou hast found
+      anything in the legal contention which compensates thee for poverty and
+      hunger; but I believe, were other human objects of ambition looked upon as
+      closely, their advantages would be found as chimerical as those attending
+      thy protracted litigation.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;But never mind, friend,&rsquo; said Peter, &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you the exact state of
+      the conjunct processes, and make you sensible that I can bring mysell
+      round with a wet finger, now I have my finger and my thumb on this
+      loup-the-dike loon, the lad Fairford.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford was in the act of speaking to the masked lady (for Miss
+      Redgauntlet had retained her riding vizard) endeavouring to assure her, as
+      he perceived her anxiety, of such protection as he could afford, when his
+      own name, pronounced in a loud tone, attracted his attention. He looked
+      round, and seeing Peter Peebles, as hastily turned to avoid his notice, in
+      which he succeeded, so earnest was Peter upon his colloquy with one of the
+      most respectable auditors whose attention he had ever been able to engage.
+      And by this little motion, momentary as it was, Alan gained an unexpected
+      advantage; for while he looked round, Miss Lilias, I could never ascertain
+      why, took the moment to adjust her mask, and did it so awkwardly, that
+      when her companion again turned his head, he recognized as much of her
+      features as authorized him to address her as his fair client, and to press
+      his offers of protection and assistance with the boldness of a former
+      acquaintance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lilias Redgauntlet withdrew the mask from her crimsoned cheek. &lsquo;Mr.
+      Fairford,&rsquo; she said, in a voice almost inaudible, &lsquo;you have the character
+      of a young gentleman of sense and generosity; but we have already met in
+      one situation which you must think singular; and I must be exposed to
+      misconstruction, at least, for my forwardness, were it not in a cause in
+      which my dearest affections were concerned.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Any interest in my beloved friend Darsie Latimer,&rsquo; said Fairford,
+      stepping a little back, and putting a marked restraint upon his former
+      advances, &lsquo;gives me a double right to be useful to&rsquo;&mdash;He stopped
+      short.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;To his sister, your goodness would say,&rsquo; answered Lilias.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;His sister, madam!&rsquo; replied Alan, in the extremity of astonishment&mdash;&lsquo;Sister,
+      I presume, in affection only?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, sir; my dear brother Darsie and I are connected by the bonds of
+      actual relationship; and I am not sorry to be the first to tell this to
+      the friend he most values.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford&rsquo;s first thought was on the violent passion which Darsie had
+      expressed towards the fair unknown. &lsquo;Good God!&rsquo; he exclaimed, &lsquo;how did he
+      bear the discovery?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;With resignation, I hope,&rsquo; said Lilias, smiling. &lsquo;A more accomplished
+      sister he might easily have come by, but scarcely could have found one who
+      could love him more than I do.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I meant&mdash;I only meant to say,&rsquo; said the young counsellor, his
+      presence of mind failing him for an instant&mdash;&lsquo;that is, I meant to ask
+      where Darsie Latimer is at this moment.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In this very house, and under the guardianship of his uncle, whom I
+      believe you knew as a visitor of your father, under the name of Mr.
+      Herries of Birrenswork.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Let me hasten to him,&rsquo; said Fairford; &lsquo;I have sought him through
+      difficulties and dangers&mdash;I must see him instantly.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You forget you are a prisoner,&rsquo; said the young lady.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;True&mdash;true; but I cannot be long detained&mdash;the cause alleged is
+      too ridiculous.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Alas!&rsquo; said Lilias, &lsquo;our fate&mdash;my brother&rsquo;s and mine, at least&mdash;must
+      turn on the deliberations perhaps of less than an hour. For you, sir, I
+      believe and apprehend nothing; but some restraint; my uncle is neither
+      cruel nor unjust, though few will go further in the cause which he has
+      adopted.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Which is that of the Pretend&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;For God&rsquo;s sake speak lower!&rsquo; said Lilias, approaching her hand, as if to
+      stop him. &lsquo;The word may cost you your life. You do not know&mdash;indeed
+      you do not&mdash;the terrors of the situation in which we at present
+      stand, and in which I fear you also are involved by your friendship for my
+      brother.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I do not indeed know the particulars of our situation,&rsquo; said Fairford;
+      &lsquo;but, be the danger what it may, I shall not grudge my share of it for the
+      sake of my friend; or,&rsquo; he added, with more timidity, &lsquo;of my friend&rsquo;s
+      sister. Let me hope,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;my dear Miss Latimer, that my presence may
+      be of some use to you; and that it may be so, let me entreat a share of
+      your confidence, which I am conscious I have otherwise no right to ask.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He led her, as he spoke, towards the recess of the farther window of the
+      room, and observing to her that, unhappily, he was particularly exposed to
+      interruption from the mad old man whose entrance had alarmed her, he
+      disposed of Darsie Latimer&rsquo;s riding-skirt, which had been left in the
+      apartment, over the back of two chairs, forming thus a sort of screen,
+      behind which he ensconced himself with the maiden of the green mantle;
+      feeling at the moment, that the danger in which he was placed was almost
+      compensated by the intelligence which permitted those feelings towards her
+      to revive, which justice to his friend had induced him to stifle in the
+      birth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The relative situation of adviser and advised, of protector and protected,
+      is so peculiarly suited to the respective condition of man and woman, that
+      great progress towards intimacy is often made in very short space; for the
+      circumstances call for confidence on the part of the gentleman, and forbid
+      coyness on that of the lady, so that the usual barriers against easy
+      intercourse are at once thrown down.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Under these circumstances, securing themselves as far as possible from
+      observation, conversing in whispers, and seated in a corner, where they
+      were brought into so close contact that their faces nearly touched each
+      other, Fairford heard from Lilias Redgauntlet the history of her family,
+      particularly of her uncle; his views upon her brother, and the agony which
+      she felt, lest at that very moment he might succeed in engaging Darsie in
+      some desperate scheme, fatal to his fortune and perhaps to his life.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford&rsquo;s acute understanding instantly connected what he had heard
+      with the circumstances he had witnessed at Fairladies. His first thought
+      was, to attempt, at all risks, his instant escape, and procure assistance
+      powerful enough to crush, in the very cradle, a conspiracy of such a
+      determined character. This he did not consider as difficult; for, though
+      the door was guarded on the outside, the window, which was not above ten
+      feet from the ground, was open for escape, the common on which it looked
+      was unenclosed, and profusely covered with furze. There would, he thought,
+      be little difficulty in effecting his liberty, and in concealing his
+      course after he had gained it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Lilias exclaimed against this scheme. Her uncle, she said, was a man
+      who, in his moments of enthusiasm, knew neither remorse nor fear. He was
+      capable of visiting upon Darsie any injury which he might conceive
+      Fairford had rendered him&mdash;he was her near kinsman also, and not an
+      unkind one, and she deprecated any effort, even in her brother&rsquo;s favour,
+      by which his life must be exposed to danger. Fairford himself remembered
+      Father Buonaventure, and made little question but that he was one of the
+      sons of the old Chevalier de Saint George; and with feelings which,
+      although contradictory of his public duty, can hardly be much censured,
+      his heart recoiled from being the agent by whom the last scion of such a
+      long line of Scottish princes should be rooted up. He then thought of
+      obtaining an audience, if possible, of this devoted person, and explaining
+      to him the utter hopelessness of his undertaking, which he judged it
+      likely that the ardour of his partisans might have concealed from him. But
+      he relinquished this design as soon as formed. He had no doubt, that any
+      light which he could throw on the state of the country, would come too
+      late to be serviceable to one who was always reported to have his own full
+      share of the hereditary obstinacy which had cost his ancestors so dear,
+      and who, in drawing the sword, must have thrown from him the scabbard.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lilias suggested the advice which, of all others, seemed most suited to
+      the occasion, that, yielding, namely, to the circumstances of their
+      situation, they should watch carefully when Darsie should obtain any
+      degree of freedom, and endeavour to open a communication with him, in
+      which case their joint flight might be effected, and without endangering
+      the safety of any one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Their youthful deliberation had nearly fixed in this point, when Fairford,
+      who was listening to the low sweet whispering tones of Lilias Redgauntlet,
+      rendered yet more interesting by some slight touch of foreign accent, was
+      startled by a heavy hand which descended with full weight on his shoulder,
+      while the discordant voice of Peter Peebles, who had at length broke loose
+      from the well-meaning Quaker, exclaimed in the ear of his truant counsel&mdash;&lsquo;Aha,
+      lad! I think ye are catched&mdash;An&rsquo; so ye are turned chamber-counsel,
+      are ye? And ye have drawn up wi&rsquo; clients in scarfs and hoods? But bide a
+      wee, billie, and see if I dinna sort ye when my petition and complaint
+      comes to be discussed, with or without answers, under certification.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford had never more difficulty in his life to subdue a first
+      emotion, than he had to refrain from knocking down the crazy blockhead who
+      had broken in upon him at such a moment. But the length of Peter&rsquo;s address
+      gave him time, fortunately perhaps for both parties, to reflect on the
+      extreme irregularity of such a proceeding. He stood silent, however, with
+      vexation, while Peter went on.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Weel, my bonnie man, I see ye are thinking shame o&rsquo; yoursell, and nae
+      great wonder. Ye maun leave this quean&mdash;the like of her is ower light
+      company for you. I have heard honest Mr. Pest say, that the gown grees ill
+      wi&rsquo; the petticoat. But come awa hame to your puir father, and I&rsquo;ll take
+      care of you the haill gate, and keep you company, and deil a word we will
+      speak about, but just the state of the conjoined processes of the great
+      cause of Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If thou canst; endure to hear as much of that suit, friend,&rsquo; said the
+      Quaker, &lsquo;as I have heard out of mere compassion for thee, I think verily
+      thou wilt soon be at the bottom of the matter, unless it be altogether
+      bottomless.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fairford shook off, rather indignantly, the large bony hand which Peter
+      had imposed upon his shoulder, and was about to say something peevish,
+      upon so unpleasant and insolent a mode of interruption, when the door
+      opened, a treble voice saying to the sentinel, &lsquo;I tell you I maun be in,
+      to see if Mr. Nixon&rsquo;s here;&rsquo; and little Benjie thrust in his mop-head and
+      keen black eyes. Ere he could withdraw it, Peter Peebles sprang to the
+      door, seized on the boy by the collar, and dragged him forward into the
+      room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Let me see it,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;ye ne&rsquo;er-do-weel limb of Satan&mdash;I&rsquo;ll gar
+      you satisfy the production, I trow&mdash;I&rsquo;ll hae first and second
+      diligence against you, ye deevil&rsquo;s buckie!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What dost thou want?&rsquo; said the Quaker, interfering; &lsquo;why dost thou
+      frighten the boy, friend Peebles?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I gave the bastard a penny to buy me snuff,&rsquo; said the pauper, &lsquo;and he has
+      rendered no account of his intromissions; but I&rsquo;ll gar him as gude.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So saying, he proceeded forcibly to rifle the pockets of Benjie&rsquo;s ragged
+      jacket of one or two snares for game, marbles, a half-bitten apple, two
+      stolen eggs (one of which Peter broke in the eagerness of his research),
+      and various other unconsidered trifles, which had not the air of being
+      very honestly come by. The little rascal, under this discipline, bit and
+      struggled like a fox-cub, but, like that vermin, uttered neither cry nor
+      complaint, till a note, which Peter tore from his bosom, flew as far as
+      Lilias Redgauntlet, and fell at her feet. It was addressed to C. N.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is for the villain Nixon.&rsquo; she said to Alan Fairford; &lsquo;open it without
+      scruple; that boy is his emissary; we shall now see what the miscreant is
+      driving at.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Little Benjie now gave up all further struggle, and suffered Peebles to
+      take from him, without resistance, a shilling, out of which Peter declared
+      he would pay himself principal and interest, and account for the balance.
+      The boy, whose attention seemed fixed on something very different, only
+      said, &lsquo;Maister Nixon will murder me!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Alan Fairford did not hesitate to read the little scrap of paper, on which
+      was written, &lsquo;All is prepared&mdash;keep them in play until I come up. You
+      may depend on your reward.&mdash;C. C.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Alas, my uncle&mdash;my poor uncle!&rsquo; said Lilias; &lsquo;this is the result of
+      his confidence. Methinks, to give him instant notice of his confidant&rsquo;s
+      treachery, is now the best service we can render all concerned&mdash;if
+      they break up their undertaking, as they must now do, Darsie will be at
+      liberty.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the same breath, they were both at the half-opened door of the room,
+      Fairford entreating to speak with the Father Buonaventure, and Lilias,
+      equally vehemently, requesting a moment&rsquo;s interview with her uncle. While
+      the sentinel hesitated what to do, his attention was called to a loud
+      noise at the door, where a crowd had been assembled in consequence of the
+      appalling cry, that the enemy were upon them, occasioned, as it afterwards
+      proved, by some stragglers having at length discovered the dead bodies of
+      Nanty Ewart and of Nixon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Amid the confusion occasioned by this alarming incident, the sentinel
+      ceased to attend, to his duty; and accepting Alan Fairford&rsquo;s arm, Lilias
+      found no opposition in penetrating even to the inner apartment, where the
+      principal persons in the enterprise, whose conclave had been disturbed by
+      this alarming incident, were now assembled in great confusion, and had
+      been joined by the Chevalier himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Only a mutiny among these smuggling scoundrels,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      ONLY a mutiny, do you say?&rsquo; said Sir Richard Glendale; &lsquo;and the lugger,
+      the last hope of escape for,&rsquo;&mdash;he looked towards Charles,&mdash;&lsquo;stands
+      out to sea under a press of sail!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Do not concern yourself about me,&rsquo; said the unfortunate prince; &lsquo;this is
+      not the worst emergency in which it has been my lot to stand; and if it
+      were, I fear it not. Shift for yourselves, my lords and gentlemen.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, never!&rsquo; said the young Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;. &lsquo;Our only hope now
+      is in an honourable resistance.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Most true,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;let despair renew the union amongst us
+      which accident disturbed. I give my voice for displaying the royal banner
+      instantly, and&mdash;How now!&rsquo; he concluded, sternly, as Lilias, first
+      soliciting his attention by pulling his cloak, put into his hand the
+      scroll, and added, it was designed for that of Nixon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Redgauntlet read&mdash;and, dropping it on the ground, continued to stare
+      upon the spot where it fell, with raised hands and fixed eyes. Sir Richard
+      Glendale lifted the fatal paper, read it, and saying, &lsquo;Now all is indeed
+      over,&rsquo; handed it to Maxwell, who said aloud, &lsquo;Black Colin Campbell, by G&mdash;d!
+      I heard he had come post from London last night.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As if in echo to his thoughts, the violin of the blind man was heard,
+      playing with spirit, The Campbells are coming,&rsquo; a celebrated clan-march.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;The Campbells are coming in earnest,&rsquo; said MacKellar; they are upon us
+      with the whole battalion from Carlisle.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a silence of dismay, and two or three of the company began to
+      drop out of the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash; spoke with the generous spirit of a young
+      English nobleman. &lsquo;If we have been fools, do not let us be cowards. We
+      have one here more precious than us all, and come hither on our warranty&mdash;let
+      us save him at least.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;True, most true,&rsquo; answered Sir Richard Glendale. &lsquo;Let the king be first
+      cared for.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That shall be my business,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet &lsquo;if we have but time to
+      bring back the brig, all will be well&mdash;I will instantly dispatch a
+      party in a fishing skiff to bring her to.&rsquo; He gave his commands to two or
+      three of the most active among his followers. &lsquo;Let him be once on board,&rsquo; 
+      he said, &lsquo;and there are enough of us to stand to arms and cover his
+      retreat.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Right, right,&rsquo; said Sir Richard, &lsquo;and I will look to points which can be
+      made defensible; and the old powder-plot boys could not have made a more
+      desperate resistance than we shall. Redgauntlet,&rsquo; continued he, &lsquo;I see
+      some of our friends are looking pale; but methinks your nephew has more
+      mettle in his eye now than when we were in cold deliberation, with danger
+      at a distance.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;It is the way of our house,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;our courage ever kindles
+      highest on the losing side. I, too, feel that the catastrophe I have
+      brought on must not be survived by its author. Let me first,&rsquo; he said,
+      addressing Charles, &lsquo;see your Majesty&rsquo;s sacred person in such safety as
+      can now be provided for it, and then&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You may spare all considerations concerning me, gentlemen,&rsquo; again
+      repeated Charles; &lsquo;yon mountain of Criffel shall fly as soon as I will.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Most threw themselves at his feet with weeping and entreaty; some one or
+      two slunk in confusion from the apartment, and were heard riding off.
+      Unnoticed in such a scene, Darsie, his sister, and Fairford, drew
+      together, and held each other by the hands, as those who, when a vessel is
+      about to founder in the storm, determine to take their chance of life and
+      death together.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Amid this scene of confusion, a gentleman, plainly dressed in a
+      riding-habit, with a black cockade in his hat, but without any arms except
+      a COUTEAU-DE-CHASSE, walked into the apartment without ceremony. He was a
+      tall, thin, gentlemanly man, with a look and bearing decidedly military.
+      He had passed through their guards, if in the confusion they now
+      maintained any, without stop or question, and now stood, almost unarmed,
+      among armed men, who nevertheless, gazed on him as on the angel of
+      destruction.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You look coldly on me, gentlemen,&rsquo; he said. &lsquo;Sir Richard Glendale&mdash;my
+      Lord &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;, we were not always such strangers. Ha,
+      Pate-in-Peril, how is it with you? and you, too, Ingoldsby&mdash;I must
+      not call you by any other name&mdash;why do you receive an old friend so
+      coldly? But you guess my errand.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And are prepared for it, general,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet; &lsquo;we are not men to
+      be penned up like sheep for the slaughter.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Pshaw! you take it too seriously&mdash;let me speak but one word with
+      you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No words can shake our purpose,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, were your whole
+      command, as I suppose is the case, drawn round the house.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I am certainly not unsupported,&rsquo; said the general; &lsquo;but if you would hear
+      me&rsquo;&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Hear ME, sir,&rsquo; said the Wanderer, stepping forward; &lsquo;I suppose I am the
+      mark you aim at&mdash;I surrender myself willingly, to save these
+      gentlemen&rsquo;s danger&mdash;let this at least avail in their favour.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      An exclamation of &lsquo;Never, never!&rsquo; broke from the little body of partisans,
+      who threw themselves round the unfortunate prince, and would have seized
+      or struck down Campbell, had it not been that he remained with his arms
+      folded, and a look, rather indicating impatience because they would not
+      hear him, than the least apprehension of violence at their hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At length he obtained a moment&rsquo;s silence. &lsquo;I do not,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;know this
+      gentleman&rsquo;&mdash;(making a profound bow to the unfortunate prince)&mdash;&lsquo;I
+      do not wish to know him; it is a knowledge which would suit neither of
+      us.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Our ancestors, nevertheless, have been well acquainted,&rsquo; said Charles,
+      unable to suppress, even at that hour of dread and danger, the painful
+      recollections of fallen royalty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;In one word, General Campbell,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;is it to be peace or
+      war? You are a man of honour, and we can trust you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I thank you, sir,&rsquo; said the general; &lsquo;and I reply, that the answer to
+      your question rests with yourself. Come, do not be fools, gentlemen; there
+      was perhaps no great harm meant or intended by your gathering together in
+      this obscure corner, for a bear-bait or a cock-fight, or whatever other
+      amusement you may have intended, but it was a little imprudent,
+      considering how you stand with government, and it has occasioned some
+      anxiety. Exaggerated accounts of your purpose have been laid before
+      government by the information of a traitor in your own counsels; and I was
+      sent down post to take the command of a sufficient number of troops, in
+      case these calumnies should be found to have any real foundation. I have
+      come here, of course, sufficiently supported both with cavalry and
+      infantry, to do whatever might be necessary; but my commands are&mdash;and
+      I am sure they agree with my inclination&mdash;to make no arrests, nay, to
+      make no further inquiries of any kind, if this good assembly will consider
+      their own interest so far as to give up their immediate purpose, and
+      return quietly home to their own houses.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;What!&mdash;all?&rsquo; exclaimed Sir Richard Glendale&mdash;&lsquo;all, without
+      exception?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;ALL, without one single exception&rsquo; said the general; &lsquo;such are my orders.
+      If you accept my terms, say so, and make haste; for things may happen to
+      interfere with his Majesty&rsquo;s kind purposes towards you all.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Majesty&rsquo;s kind purposes!&rsquo; said the Wanderer. &lsquo;Do I hear you aright, sir?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I speak the king&rsquo;s very words, from his very lips,&rsquo; replied the general.
+      &lsquo;&ldquo;I will,&rdquo; said his Majesty, &ldquo;deserve the confidence of my subjects by
+      reposing my security in the fidelity of the millions who acknowledge my
+      title&mdash;in the good sense and prudence of the few who continue, from
+      the errors of education, to disown it.&rdquo; His Majesty will not even believe
+      that the most zealous Jacobites who yet remain can nourish a thought of
+      exciting a civil war, which must be fatal to their families and
+      themselves, besides spreading bloodshed and ruin through a peaceful land.
+      He cannot even believe of his kinsman, that he would engage brave and
+      generous though mistaken men, in an attempt which must ruin all who have
+      escaped former calamities; and he is convinced, that, did curiosity or any
+      other motive lead that person to visit this country, he would soon see it
+      was his wisest course to return to the continent; and his Majesty
+      compassionates his situation too much to offer any obstacle to his doing
+      so.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Is this real?&rsquo; said Redgauntlet. &lsquo;Can you mean this? Am I&mdash;are all,
+      are any of these gentlemen at liberty, without interruption, to embark in
+      yonder brig, which, I see, is now again approaching the shore?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You, sir&mdash;all&mdash;any of the gentlemen present,&rsquo; said the general,&mdash;&lsquo;all
+      whom the vessel can contain, are at liberty to embark uninterrupted by me;
+      but I advise none to go off who have not powerful reasons unconnected with
+      the present meeting, for this will be remembered against no one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Then, gentlemen,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, clasping his hands together as the
+      words burst from him, &lsquo;the cause is lost for ever!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      General Campbell turned away to the window, as if to avoid hearing what
+      they said. Their consultation was but momentary; for the door of escape
+      which thus opened was as unexpected as the exigence was threatening.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;We have your word of honour for our protection,&rsquo; said Sir Richard
+      Glendale, &lsquo;if we dissolve our meeting in obedience to your summons?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You have, Sir Richard,&rsquo; answered the general.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And I also have your promise,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;that I may go on board
+      yonder vessel, with any friend whom I may choose to accompany me?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Not only that, Mr. Ingoldsby&mdash;or I WILL call you Mr. Redgauntlet once
+      more&mdash;you may stay in the offing for a tide, until you are joined by
+      any person who may remain at Fairladies. After that, there will be a sloop
+      of war on the station, and I need not say your condition will then become
+      perilous.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Perilous it should not be, General Campbell,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;or more
+      perilous to others than to us, if others thought as I do even in this
+      extremity.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You forget yourself, my friend,&rsquo; said the unhappy Adventurer; you forget
+      that the arrival of this gentleman only puts the cope-stone on our already
+      adopted resolution to abandon our bull-fight or by whatever other wild
+      name this headlong enterprise may be termed. I bid you farewell,
+      unfriendly friends&mdash;I bid you farewell,&rsquo; (bowing to the general) &lsquo;my
+      friendly foe&mdash;I leave this strand as I landed upon it, alone and to
+      return no more!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not alone,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;while there is blood in the veins of my
+      father&rsquo;s son.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Not alone,&rsquo; said the other gentlemen present, stung with feelings which
+      almost overpowered the better reasons under which they had acted. &lsquo;We will
+      not disown our principles, or see your person endangered.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;If it be only your purpose to see the gentleman to the beach,&rsquo; said
+      General Campbell, &lsquo;I will myself go with you. My presence among you,
+      unarmed, and in your power, will be a pledge of my friendly intentions,
+      and will overawe, should such be offered, any interruption on the part of
+      officious persons.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Be it so,&rsquo; said the Adventurer, with the air of a prince to a subject,
+      not of one who complied with the request of an enemy too powerful to be
+      resisted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They left the apartment&mdash;they left the house&mdash;an unauthenticated
+      and dubious, but appalling, sensation of terror had already spread itself
+      among the inferior retainers, who had so short time before strutted, and
+      bustled, and thronged the doorway and the passages. A report had arisen,
+      of which the origin could not be traced, of troops advancing towards the
+      spot in considerable numbers; and men who, for one reason or other, were
+      most of them amenable to the arm of power, had either shrunk into stables
+      or corners, or fled the place entirely. There was solitude on the
+      landscape excepting the small party which now moved towards the rude pier,
+      where a boat lay manned, agreeably to Redgauntlet&rsquo;s orders previously
+      given.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The last heir of the Stuarts leant on Redgauntlet&rsquo;s arm as they walked
+      towards the beach; for the ground was rough, and he no longer possessed
+      the elasticity of limb and of spirit which had, twenty years before,
+      carried him over many a Highland hill as light as one of their native
+      deer. His adherents followed, looking on the ground, their feelings
+      struggling against the dictates of their reason.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      General Campbell accompanied them with an air of apparent ease and
+      indifference, but watching, at the same time, and no doubt with some
+      anxiety, the changing features of those who acted in this extraordinary
+      scene.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Darsie and his sister naturally followed their uncle, whose violence they
+      no longer feared, while his character attracted their respect, and Alan
+      Fairford attended them from interest in their fate, unnoticed in a party
+      where all were too much occupied with their own thoughts and feelings, as
+      well as with the impending crisis, to attend to his presence.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Half-way betwixt the house and the beach, they saw the bodies of Nanty
+      Ewart and Cristal Nixon blackening in the sun.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That was your informer?&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, looking back to General
+      Campbell, who only nodded his assent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Caitiff wretch!&rsquo; exclaimed Redgauntlet;&mdash;&lsquo;and yet the name were
+      better bestowed on the fool who could be misled by thee.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;That sound broadsword cut,&rsquo; said the general, &lsquo;has saved us the shame of
+      rewarding a traitor.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They arrived at the place of embarkation. The prince stood a moment with
+      folded arms, and looked around him in deep silence. A paper was then
+      slipped into his hands&mdash;he looked at it, and said, &lsquo;I find the two
+      friends I have left at Fairladies are apprised of my destination, and
+      propose to embark from Bowness. I presume this will not be an infringement
+      of the conditions under which you have acted?&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;Certainly not,&rsquo; answered General Campbell; &lsquo;they shall have all facility
+      to join you.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I wish, then,&rsquo; said Charles, &lsquo;only another companion. Redgauntlet, the
+      air of this country is as hostile to you as it is to me. These gentlemen
+      have made their peace, or rather they have done nothing to break it. But
+      you&mdash;come you and share my home where chance shall cast it. We shall
+      never see these shores again; but we will talk of them, and of our
+      disconcerted bull-fight.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I follow you, sire, through life,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet, &lsquo;as I would have
+      followed you to death. Permit me one moment.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The prince then looked round, and seeing the abashed countenances of his
+      other adherents bent upon the ground, he hastened to say, &lsquo;Do not think
+      that you, gentlemen, have obliged me less because your zeal was mingled
+      with prudence, entertained, I am sure, more on my own account and on that
+      of your country, than from selfish apprehensions.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He stepped from one to another, and, amid sobs and bursting tears,
+      received the adieus of the last remnant which had hitherto supported his
+      lofty pretensions, and addressed them individually with accents of
+      tenderness and affection.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The general drew a little aloof, and signed to Redgauntlet to speak with
+      him while this scene proceeded. &lsquo;It is now all over,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;and
+      Jacobite will be henceforward no longer a party name. When you tire of
+      foreign parts, and wish to make your peace, let me know. Your restless
+      zeal alone has impeded your pardon hitherto.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;And now I shall not need it,&rsquo; said Redgauntlet. &lsquo;I leave England for
+      ever; but I am not displeased that you should hear my family adieus.&mdash;Nephew,
+      come hither. In presence of General Campbell, I tell you, that though to
+      breed you up in my own political opinions has been for many years my
+      anxious wish, I am now glad that it could not be accomplished. You pass
+      under the service of the reigning monarch without the necessity of
+      changing your allegiance&mdash;a change, however,&rsquo; he added, looking
+      around him, which sits more easy on honourable men than I could have
+      anticipated; but some wear the badge of their loyalty on their sleeve, and
+      others in the heart. You will, from henceforth, be uncontrolled master of
+      all the property of which forfeiture could not deprive your father&mdash;of
+      all that belonged to him&mdash;excepting this, his good sword&rsquo; (laying his
+      hand on the weapon he wore), &lsquo;which shall never fight for the House of
+      Hanover; and as my hand will never draw weapon more, I shall sink it forty
+      fathoms deep in the wide ocean. Bless you, young man! If I have dealt
+      harshly with you, forgive me. I had set my whole desires on one point,&mdash;God
+      knows, with no selfish purpose; and I am justly punished by this final
+      termination of my views, for having been too little scrupulous in the
+      means by which I pursued them.&mdash;Niece, farewell, and may God bless
+      you also!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;No, sir,&rsquo; said Lilias, seizing his hand eagerly. &lsquo;You have been hitherto
+      my protector,&mdash;you are now in sorrow, let me be your attendant and
+      your comforter in exile.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;I thank you, my girl, for your unmerited affection; but it cannot and
+      must not be. The curtain here falls between us. I go to the house of
+      another. If I leave it before I quit the earth, it shall be only for the
+      House of God. Once more, farewell both! The fatal doom,&rsquo; he said, with a
+      melancholy smile, &lsquo;will, I trust, now depart from the House of
+      Redgauntlet, since its present representative has adhered to the winning
+      side. I am convinced he will not change it, should it in turn become the
+      losing one.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The unfortunate Charles Edward had now given his last adieus to his
+      downcast adherents. He made a sign with his hand to Redgauntlet, who came
+      to assist him into the skiff. General Campbell also offered his
+      assistance, the rest appearing too much affected by the scene which had
+      taken place to prevent him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &lsquo;You are not sorry, general, to do me this last act of courtesy,&rsquo; said the
+      Chevalier; &lsquo;and, on my part, I thank you for it. You have taught me the
+      principle on which men on the scaffold feel forgiveness and kindness even
+      for their executioner. Farewell!&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They were seated in the boat, which presently pulled off from the land.
+      The Oxford divine broke out into a loud benediction, in terms which
+      General Campbell was too generous to criticize at the time, or to remember
+      afterwards;&mdash;nay, it is said, that, Whig and Campbell as he was, he
+      could not help joining in the universal Amen! which resounded from the
+      shore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_CONC" id="link2H_CONC">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CONCLUSION, BY DR. DRYASDUST
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      IN A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      I am truly sorry, my worthy and much-respected sir, that my anxious
+      researches have neither, in the form of letters, nor of diaries or other
+      memoranda, been able to discover more than I have hitherto transmitted, of
+      the history of the Redgauntlet family. But I observe in an old newspaper
+      called the WHITEHALL GAZETTE, of which I fortunately possess a file for
+      several years, that Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet was presented to his
+      late Majesty at the drawing-room, by Lieut.-General Campbell&mdash;upon
+      which the editor observes, in the way of comment, that we were going,
+      REMIS ATQUE VELIS, into the interests of the Pretender, since a Scot had
+      presented a Jacobite at Court. I am sorry I have not room (the frank being
+      only uncial) for his further observations, tending to show the
+      apprehensions entertained by many well-instructed persons of the period,
+      that the young king might himself be induced to become one of the Stuarts&rsquo; 
+      faction,&mdash;a catastrophe from which it has pleased Heaven to preserve
+      these kingdoms.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I perceive also, by a marriage-contract in the family repositories, that
+      Miss Lilias Redgauntlet of Redgauntlet, about eighteen months after the
+      transactions you have commemorated, intermarried with Alan Fairford, Esq.,
+      Advocate, of Clinkdollar, who, I think, we may not unreasonably conclude
+      to be the same person whose name occurs so frequently in the pages of your
+      narration. In my last excursion to Edinburgh, I was fortunate enough to
+      discover an old caddie, from whom, at the expense of a bottle of whisky
+      and half a pound of tobacco, I extracted the important information, that
+      he knew Peter Peebles very well, and had drunk many a mutchkin with him in
+      Caddie Fraser&rsquo;s time. He said &lsquo;that he lived ten years after King George&rsquo;s
+      accession, in the momentary expectation of winning his cause every day in
+      the session time, and every hour in the day, and at last fell down dead,
+      in what my informer called a &lsquo;perplexity fit,&rsquo; upon a proposal for a
+      composition being made to him in the Outer House. I have chosen to retain
+      my informer&rsquo;s phrase, not being able justly to determine whether it is a
+      corruption of the word apoplexy, as my friend Mr. Oldbuck supposes, or the
+      name of some peculiar disorder incidental to those who have concern in the
+      courts of law, as many callings and conditions of men have diseases
+      appropriate to themselves. The same caddie also remembered Blind Willie
+      Stevenson, who was called Wandering Willie, and who ended his days &lsquo;unco
+      beinly, in Sir Arthur Redgauntlet&rsquo;s ha&rsquo; neuk.&rsquo; &lsquo;He had done the family
+      some good turn,&rsquo; he said, &lsquo;specially when ane of the Argyle gentlemen was
+      coming down on a wheen of them that had the &ldquo;auld leaven&rdquo; about them, and
+      wad hae taen every man of them, and nae less nor headed and hanged them.
+      But Willie, and a friend they had, called Robin the Rambler, gae them
+      warning, by playing tunes such as &ldquo;The Campbells are coming&rdquo; and the like,
+      whereby they got timeous warning to take the wing.&rsquo; I need not point out
+      to your acuteness, my worthy sir, that this seems to refer to some
+      inaccurate account of the transactions in which you seem so much
+      interested.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Respecting Redgauntlet, about whose subsequent history you are more
+      particularly inquisitive, I have learned from an excellent person who was
+      a priest in the Scottish Monastery of Ratisbon, before its suppression,
+      that he remained for two or three years in the family of the Chevalier,
+      and only left it at last in consequence of some discords in that
+      melancholy household. As he had hinted to General Campbell, he exchanged
+      his residence for the cloister, and displayed in the latter part of his
+      life, a strong sense of the duties of religion, which in his earlier days
+      he had too much neglected, being altogether engaged in political
+      speculations and intrigues. He rose to the situation of prior, in the
+      house which he belonged to, and which was of a very strict order of
+      religion. He sometimes received his countrymen, whom accident brought to
+      Ratisbon, and curiosity induced to visit the Monastery of &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;.
+      But it was remarked, that though he listened with interest and attention,
+      when Britain, or particularly Scotland, became the subject of
+      conversation, yet he never either introduced or prolonged the subject,
+      never used the English language, never inquired about English affairs,
+      and, above all, never mentioned his own family. His strict observation of
+      the rules of his order gave him, at the time of his death, some
+      pretensions to be chosen a saint, and the brethren of the Monastery of
+      &mdash;&mdash;&mdash; made great efforts for that effect, and brought
+      forward some plausible proofs of miracles. But there was a circumstance
+      which threw a doubt over the subject, and prevented the consistory from
+      acceding to the wishes of the worthy brethren. Under his habit, and
+      secured in a small silver box, he had worn perpetually around his neck a
+      lock of-hair, which the fathers avouched to be a relic. But the Avvocato
+      del Diabolo, in combating (as was his official duty) the pretensions of
+      the candidate for sanctity, made it at least equally probable that the
+      supposed relic was taken from the head of a brother of the deceased prior,
+      who had been executed for adherence to the Stuart family in 1745-6; and
+      the motto, HAUD OBLIVISCENDUM, seemed to intimate a tone of mundane
+      feeling and recollection of injuries, which made it at least doubtful
+      whether, even in the quiet and gloom of the cloister, Father Hugo had
+      forgotten the sufferings and injuries of the House of Redgauntlet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      June 10, 1824,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_NOTE" id="link2H_NOTE">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      NOTES
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      NOTE 1.&mdash;THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      In explanation of this circumstance, I cannot help adding a note not very
+      necessary for the reader, which yet I record with pleasure, from
+      recollection of the kindness which it evinces. In early youth I resided
+      for a considerable time in the vicinity of the beautiful village of Kelso,
+      where my life passed in a very solitary manner. I had few acquaintances,
+      scarce any companions, and books, which were at the time almost essential
+      to my happiness, were difficult to come by. It was then that I was
+      particularly indebted to the liberality and friendship of an old lady of
+      the Society of Friends, eminent for her benevolence and charity. Her
+      deceased husband had been a medical man of eminence, and left her, with
+      other valuable property, a small and well-selected library. This the kind
+      old lady permitted me to rummage at pleasure, and carry home what volumes
+      I chose, on condition that I should take, at the same time, some of the
+      tracts printed for encouraging and extending the doctrines of her own
+      sect. She did not even exact any promise that I would read these
+      performances, being too justly afraid of involving me in a breach of
+      promise, but was merely desirous that I should have the chance of
+      instruction within my reach, in case whim, curiosity, or accident, might
+      induce me to have recourse to it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 2.&mdash;THE PERSECUTORS
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The personages here mentioned are most of them characters of historical
+      fame; but those less known and remembered may be found in the tract
+      entitled, &lsquo;The Judgment and Justice of God Exemplified, or, a Brief
+      Historical Account of some of the Wicked Lives and Miserable Deaths of
+      some of the most remarkable Apostates and Bloody Persecutors, from the
+      Reformation till after the Revolution.&rsquo; This constitutes a sort of
+      postscript or appendix to John Howie of Lochgoin&rsquo;s &lsquo;Account of the Lives
+      of the most eminent Scots Worthies.&rsquo; The author has, with considerable
+      ingenuity, reversed his reasoning upon the inference to be drawn from the
+      prosperity or misfortunes which befall individuals in this world, either
+      in the course of their lives or in the hour of death. In the account of
+      the martyrs&rsquo; sufferings, such inflictions are mentioned only as trials
+      permitted by providence, for the better and brighter display of their
+      faith, and constancy of principle. But when similar afflictions befell the
+      opposite party, they are imputed to the direct vengeance of Heaven upon
+      their impiety. If, indeed, the life of any person obnoxious to the
+      historian&rsquo;s censures happened to have passed in unusual prosperity, the
+      mere fact of its being finally concluded by death, is assumed as an
+      undeniable token of the judgement of Heaven, and, to render the conclusion
+      inevitable, his last scene is generally garnished with some singular
+      circumstances. Thus the Duke of Lauderdale is said, through old age but
+      immense corpulence, to have become so sunk in spirits, &lsquo;that his heart was
+      not the bigness of a walnut.&rsquo; 
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 3.&mdash;LAMENTATION FOR THE DEAD
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have heard in my youth some such wild tale as that placed in the mouth
+      of the blind fiddler, of which, I think, the hero was Sir Robert Grierson
+      of Lagg, the famous persecutor. But the belief was general throughout
+      Scotland that the excessive lamentation over the loss of friends disturbed
+      the repose of the dead, and broke even the rest of the grave. There are
+      several instances of this in tradition, but one struck me particularly, as
+      I heard it from the lips of one who professed receiving it from those of a
+      ghost-seer. This was a Highland lady, named Mrs. C&mdash;&mdash; of B&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;,
+      who probably believed firmly in the truth of an apparition which seems to
+      have originated in the weakness of her nerves and strength of her
+      imagination. She had been lately left a widow by her husband, with the
+      office of guardian to their only child. The young man added to the
+      difficulties of his charge by an extreme propensity for a military life,
+      which his mother was unwilling to give way to, while she found it
+      impossible to repress it. About this time the Independent Companies,
+      formed for the preservation of the peace of the Highlands, were in the
+      course of being levied; and as a gentleman named Cameron, nearly connected
+      with Mrs. C&mdash;, commanded one of those companies, she was at length
+      persuaded to compromise the matter with her son, by permitting him to
+      enter this company in the capacity of a cadet, thus gratifying his love of
+      a military life without the dangers of foreign service, to which no one
+      then thought these troops were at all liable to be exposed, while even
+      their active service at home was not likely to be attended with much
+      danger. She readily obtained a promise from her relative that he would be
+      particular in his attention to her son and therefore concluded she had
+      accommodated matters between her son&rsquo;s wishes and his safety in a way
+      sufficiently attentive to both. She set off to Edinburgh to get what was
+      awanting for his outfit, and shortly afterwards received melancholy news
+      from the Highlands. The Independent Company into which her son was to
+      enter had a skirmish with a party of caterans engaged in some act of
+      spoil, and her friend the captain being wounded, and out of the reach of
+      medical assistance, died in consequence. This news was a thunderbolt to
+      the poor mother, who was at once deprived of her kinsman&rsquo;s advice and
+      assistance, and instructed by his fate of the unexpected danger to which
+      her son&rsquo;s new calling exposed him. She remained also in great sorrow for
+      her relative, whom she loved with sisterly affection. These conflicting
+      causes of anxiety, together with her uncertainty, whether to continue or
+      change her son&rsquo;s destination, were terminated in the following manner:&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The house in which Mrs. C&mdash;&mdash; resided in the old town of
+      Edinburgh, was a flat or story of a land accessible, as was then
+      universal, by a common stair. The family who occupied the story beneath
+      were her acquaintances, and she was in the habit of drinking tea with them
+      every evening. It was accordingly about six o&rsquo;clock, when, recovering
+      herself from a deep fit of anxious reflection, she was about to leave the
+      parlour in which she sat in order to attend this engagement. The door
+      through which she was to pass opened, as was very common in Edinburgh,
+      into a dark passage. In this passage, and within a yard of her when she
+      opened the door, stood the apparition of her kinsman, the deceased
+      officer, in his full tartans, and wearing his bonnet. Terrified at what
+      she saw, or thought she saw, she closed the door hastily, and, sinking on
+      her knees by a chair, prayed to be delivered from the horrors of the
+      vision. She remained in that posture till her friends below tapped on the
+      door, to intimate that tea was ready. Recalled to herself by the signal,
+      she arose, and, on opening the apartment door, again was confronted by the
+      visionary Highlander, whose bloody brow bore token, on this second
+      appearance, to the death he had died. Unable to endure this repetition of
+      her terrors, Mrs. C&mdash;&mdash; sank on the door in a swoon. Her friends
+      below, startled with the noise, came upstairs, and, alarmed at the
+      situation in which they found her, insisted on her going to bed and taking
+      some medicine, in order to compose what they took for a nervous attack.
+      They had no sooner left her in quiet, than the apparition of the soldier
+      was once more visible in the apartment. This time she took courage and
+      said, &lsquo;In the name of God, Donald, why do you haunt one who respected and
+      loved you when living?&rsquo; To which he answered readily, in Gaelic, &lsquo;Cousin,
+      why did you not speak sooner? My rest is disturbed by your unnecessary
+      lamentation&mdash;your tears scald me in my shroud. I come to tell you
+      that my untimely death ought to make no difference in your views for your
+      son; God will raise patrons to supply my place and he will live to the
+      fullness of years, and die honoured and at peace.&rsquo; The lady of course
+      followed her kinsman&rsquo;s advice and as she was accounted a person of strict
+      veracity, we may conclude the first apparition an illusion of the fancy,
+      the final one a lively dream suggested by the other two.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 4.&mdash;PETER PEEBLES
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This unfortunate litigant (for a person named Peter Peebles actually
+      flourished) frequented the courts of justice in Scotland about the year
+      1792, and the sketch of his appearance is given from recollection. The
+      author is of opinion that he himself had at one time the honour to be
+      counsel for Peter Peebles, whose voluminous course of litigation served as
+      a sort of assay-pieces to most young men who were called to the bar. The
+      scene of the consultation is entirely imaginary.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 5.&mdash;JOHN&rsquo;S COFFEE-HOUSE
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This small dark coffee-house, now burnt down, was the resort of such
+      writers and clerks belonging to the Parliament House above thirty years
+      ago as retained the ancient Scottish custom of a meridian, as it was
+      called, or noontide dram of spirits. If their proceedings were watched,
+      they might be seen to turn fidgety about the hour of noon, and exchange
+      looks with each other from their separate desks, till at length some one
+      of formal and dignified presence assumed the honour of leading the band,
+      when away they went, threading the crowd like a string of wild fowl,
+      crossed the square or close, and following each other into the
+      coffee-house, received in turn from the hand of the waiter, the meridian,
+      which was placed ready at the bar. This they did, day by day: and though
+      they did not speak to each other, they seemed to attach a certain degree
+      of sociability to performing the ceremony in company.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 6.&mdash;FISHING RIGHTS
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It may be here mentioned, that a violent and popular attack upon what the
+      country people of this district considered as an invasion of their fishing
+      right is by no means an improbable fiction. Shortly after the close of the
+      American war, Sir James Graham of Netherby constructed a dam-dyke, or
+      cauld, across the Esk, at a place where it flowed through his estate,
+      though it has its origin, and the principal part of its course, in
+      Scotland. The new barrier at Netherby was considered as an encroachment
+      calculated to prevent the salmon from ascending into Scotland, and the
+      right of erecting it being an international question of law betwixt the
+      sister kingdoms, there was no court in either competent to its decision.
+      In this dilemma, the Scots people assembled in numbers by signal of rocket
+      lights, and, rudely armed with fowling-pieces, fish-spears, and such
+      rustic weapons, marched to the banks of the river for the purpose of
+      pulling down the dam-dyke objected to. Sir James Graham armed many of his
+      own people to protect his property, and had some military from Carlisle
+      for the same purpose. A renewal of the Border wars had nearly taken place
+      in the eighteenth century, when prudence and moderation on both sides
+      saved much tumult, and perhaps some bloodshed. The English proprietor
+      consented that a breach should be made in his dam-dyke sufficient for the
+      passage of the fish, and thus removed the Scottish grievance. I believe
+      the river has since that time taken the matter into its own disposal, and
+      entirely swept away the dam-dyke in question.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 7.&mdash;STATE OF SCOTLAND
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Scotland, in its half-civilized state, exhibited too many examples of the
+      exertion of arbitrary force and violence, rendered easy by the dominion
+      which lairds exerted over their tenants and chiefs over their clans. The
+      captivity of Lady Grange, in the desolate cliffs of Saint Kilda, is in the
+      recollection of every one. At the supposed date of the novel also a man of
+      the name of Merrilees, a tanner in Leith, absconded from his country to
+      escape his creditors; and after having slain his own mastiff dog, and put
+      a bit of red cloth in its mouth, as if it had died in a contest with
+      soldiers, and involved his own existence in as much mystery as possible,
+      made his escape into Yorkshire. Here he was detected by persons sent in
+      search of him, to whom he gave a portentous account of his having been
+      carried off and concealed in various places. Mr. Merrilees was, in short,
+      a kind of male Elizabeth Canning, but did not trespass on the public
+      credulity quite so long.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 8.&mdash;CONCEALMENTS FOR THEFT AND SMUGGLING
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I am sorry to say that the modes of concealment described in the imaginary
+      premises of Mr. Trumbull, are of a kind which have been common on the
+      frontiers of late years. The neighbourhood of two nations having different
+      laws, though united in government, still leads to a multitude of
+      transgressions on the Border, and extreme difficulty in apprehending
+      delinquents. About twenty years since, as far as my recollection serves,
+      there was along the frontier an organized gang of coiners, forgers,
+      smugglers, and other malefactors, whose operations were conducted on a
+      scale not inferior to what is here described. The chief of the party was
+      one Richard Mendham a carpenter, who rose to opulence, although ignorant
+      even of the arts of reading and writing. But he had found a short road to
+      wealth, and had taken singular measures for conducting his operations.
+      Amongst these, he found means to build, in a suburb of Berwick called
+      Spittal, a street of small houses, as if for the investment of property.
+      He himself inhabited one of these; another, a species of public-house, was
+      open to his confederates, who held secret and unsuspected communication
+      with him by crossing the roofs of the intervening houses, and descending
+      by a trap-stair, which admitted them into the alcove of the dining-room of
+      Dick Mendham&rsquo;s private mansion. A vault, too, beneath Mendham&rsquo;s stable,
+      was accessible in the manner mentioned in the novel. The post of one of
+      the stalls turned round on a bolt being withdrawn, and gave admittance to
+      a subterranean place of concealment for contraband and stolen goods, to a
+      great extent. Richard Mendham, the head of this very formidable
+      conspiracy, which involved malefactors of every kind, was tried and
+      executed at Jedburgh, where the author was present as Sheriff of
+      Selkirkshire. Mendham had previously been tried, but escaped by want of
+      proof and the ingenuity of his counsel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 9&mdash;CORONATION OF GEORGE III
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In excuse of what may be considered as a violent infraction of probability
+      in this chapter, the author is under the necessity of quoting a tradition
+      which many persons may recollect having heard. It was always said, though
+      with very little appearance of truth, that upon the Coronation of the late
+      George III, when the champion of England, Dymock, or his representative,
+      appeared in Westminster Hall, and in the language of chivalry solemnly
+      wagered his body to defend in single combat the right of the young King to
+      the crown of these realms, at the moment when he flung down his gauntlet
+      as the gage of battle, an unknown female stepped from the crowd and lifted
+      the pledge, leaving another gage in room of it, with a paper expressing,
+      that if a fair field of combat should be allowed, a champion of rank and
+      birth would appear with equal arms to dispute the claim of King George to
+      the British kingdoms. The story is probably one of the numerous fictions
+      which were circulated to keep up the spirits of a sinking faction, The
+      incident was, however, possible, if it could be supposed to be attended by
+      any motive adequate to the risk, and might be imagined to occur to a
+      person of Redgauntlet&rsquo;s enthusiastic character. George III, it is said,
+      had a police of his own, whose agency was so efficient, that the sovereign
+      was able to tell his prime minister upon one occasion, to his great
+      surprise, that the Pretender was in London. The prime minister began
+      immediately to talk of measures to be taken, warrants to be procured,
+      messengers and guards to be got in readiness. &lsquo;Pooh, pooh,&rsquo; said the
+      good-natured sovereign, since I have found him out, leave me alone to deal
+      with him.&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;And what,&rsquo; said the minister, &lsquo;is your Majesty&rsquo;s
+      purpose, in so important a case?&rsquo;&mdash;&lsquo;To leave the young man to
+      himself,&rsquo; said George III; &lsquo;and when he tires he will go back again.&rsquo; The
+      truth of this story does not depend on that of the lifting of the
+      gauntlet; and while the latter could be but an idle bravado, the former
+      expresses George Ill&rsquo;s goodness of heart and soundness of policy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      NOTE 10.&mdash;COLLIER AND SALTER
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The persons engaged in these occupations were at this time bondsmen; and
+      in case they left the ground of the farm to which they belonged, and as
+      pertaining to which their services were bought or sold, they were liable
+      to be brought back by a summary process. The existence of this species of
+      slavery being thought irreconcilable with the spirit of liberty, colliers
+      and salters were declared free, and put upon the same footing with other
+      servants, by the Act 15 Geo. III chapter 28th. They were so far from
+      desiring or prizing the blessing conferred on them, that they esteemed the
+      interest taken in their freedom to be a mere decree on the part of the
+      proprietors to get rid of what they called head and harigald money,
+      payable to them when a female of their number, by bearing a child, made an
+      addition to the live stock of their master&rsquo;s property.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_GLOS" id="link2H_GLOS">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      GLOSSARY
+    </h2>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+   ABOON, above.
+   AD LITEM, in law.
+   AD VINDICTAM PUBLICAM, for the public defence.
+   ADUST, looking as if burned or scorched.
+   AE, one.
+   AFFLATUS, breath, inspiration.
+   AIRT, direct.
+   ALCANDER, a Greek soothsayer.
+   ALDEBORONTIPHOSCOPHORNIO, a courtier in H. Carey&rsquo;s burlesque,
+       CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS.
+   ALIMENTARY, nourishing.
+   ALQUIFE, an enchanter in the mediaeval romances of knight-errantry.
+   AMADIS, a hero of the romances, especially in Amadis of Gaul.
+   ANENT, about.
+   ANES, once.
+   ANNO DOMINI, in the year of the Lord.
+   ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM, AD FEMINAM, lit. &lsquo;the argument to a man,
+       to a woman,&rsquo; refutation of a man&rsquo;s argument by an example
+       drawn from his own conduct.
+   ARIES, earnest-money, a gift.
+   ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS, art is long, life short.
+   ARS MEDENDI, art of medicine.
+   APPROBATE, approve.
+   ATLANTES, a character in ORLANDO FURIOSO.
+   AULD REEKIE, Edinburgh.
+   ADVOCATO DEL DIABOLO, lit. &lsquo;the devil&rsquo;s advocate&rsquo;, one whose duty
+       it is to oppose the canonization of a person on whose behalf
+       claims to sanctity are made.
+   AWSOME, awful, fearful.
+
+   BACK-GANGING, behind hand in paying.
+   BACKSPAUL, the back of the shoulder.
+   BALLANT, a ballad, a fable.
+   BANNOCK, a flat, round cake.
+   BARLEY-BROO, barley-broth.
+   BARON-OFFICER, the magistrate&rsquo;s officer in a burgh of barony.
+   BARTIZAN, a small overhanging turret, the battlements.
+   BEAUFET, cupboard.
+   BEAVER, the lower part of the helmet.
+   BEIN, comfortable.
+   BELISARIUS, a general of the Eastern Empire ungratefully treated
+       by the Emperor Justinian.
+   BENEDICTE, bless you.
+   BETIMES THE MORN, early in the morning.
+   BICKER, a wooden vessel for holding drink; a quarrel.
+   BILLIE, a term of familiarity, comrade.
+   BIRKIE, a smart fellow.
+   BIRLING, merry-making.
+   BIT, small.
+   BLATE, shy, bashful.
+   BLAWING, flattering.
+   BLEEZING, bragging.
+   BLUE-CAP, a Scotsman.
+   BOGLE, a ghost, a scarecrow.
+   BON VIVANTS, lovers of good living.
+   BONA ROBA, a showy wanton.
+   BONUS SOCIUS, good comrade.
+   BORREL, common, rude.
+   BRAID, broad.
+   BRASH, a sudden storm, an attack.
+   BRATTLE, a clattering noise, as of a horse going at full speed.
+   BRAW, brave, fine.
+   BRENT BROO, high brow.
+   BROCARD, maxim.
+   BROSE, oatmeal which has had boiling water poured upon it.
+   BROWN, a famous landscape gardener.
+   BROWST, a brewing.
+   BUCEPHALUS, the favourite horse of Alexander the Great.
+   BUCKIE, an imp, a fellow with an evil twist in his character.
+   BUFF NOR STYE, neither one thing nor another.
+   BUFFERS, pistols.
+   BUSK, deck up.
+   BY ORDINAR, extraordinary, uncommon.
+   BYE AND ATTOUR, over and above.
+
+   CADGER, a travelling dealer.
+   CADDIE, a porter, an errand-boy.
+   CAETERA PRORSUS IGNORO, in short, I know nothing of the rest.
+   CALLANT, a young lad.
+   CALLER, cool, fresh.
+   CANNY, shrewd, prudent, quiet.
+   CANTLE, fragment.
+   CAPERNOITED, crabbed, foolish.
+   CAPRICCIOS, a fanciful composition.
+   CAPRIOLE, a leap made by a horse without advancing.
+   CARDINAL, a woman&rsquo;s cloak.
+   CARLINES, old women.
+   CATILINA OMNIUM, ETC. Catilina had surrounded himself with the
+       most vile and criminal company.
+   CAUSEWAY, path, roadway.
+   CAVALIERE SERVENTE, gentleman in attendance.
+   CAVE NE LITERAS, ETC. take care that you are not carrying
+       Bellerophon&rsquo;s letters (letters unfavourable to the bearer).
+   CHACK, a slight repast.
+   CHANCY, safe, auspicious.
+   CHANGE-HOUSE, a small inn or ale-house.
+   CHANTER, the tenor or treble pipe in a bag-pipe.
+   CHAPE, a thin metal blade at the end of a scabbard.
+   CHAPEAU BRAS, a low, three-cornered hat.
+   CHOUGH, a bird of the crow family.
+   CHUCKY, fowl.
+   CHUCKY-STONES, small stones, a child&rsquo;s game.
+   CLAP AND HOPPER, signs of the mill.
+   CLAVERS, gossip, idle talk.
+   CLEEK, lay hold on.
+   CLEIK IN, to join company.
+   CLOSE, an alley, a narrow way.
+   CLOSE-HEADS, the entry to an alley, a meeting-place for gossips.
+   CLOUR, to strike, to bump.
+   COBLE, a little boat.
+   COCKERNONY, top-knot.
+   COGIE, small wooden bowl.
+   COMMUNE FORUM, ETC. the common court is the common dwelling-place.
+   CORDWAIN, Spanish leather.
+   CORIOLANUS, a Roman patrician, who, being driven from the city,
+       took refuge with Aufidius, the leader of the Volsci.
+   COUP, fall, upset.
+   COURIER DE L&rsquo;EUROPE, a newspaper.
+   COVYNE, artifice.
+   CRACK, gossip.
+   CRAIG, throat, neck.
+   CRAWSTEP, the steplike edges of a gable seen in some old houses.
+   CREEL, basket carried on the back.
+   CREMONY, Cremona [where the best fiddles were made].
+   CROWDER, fiddler.
+   CUR ME EXAMINAS QUERELIS TUIS?, why do you wear me out with your
+       complaints.
+   CURN, a very little.
+
+   DAFT, crazy.
+   DAIS, a canopy, a table placed above the others, a room of state.
+   DARGLE, dell.
+   DAURG, day&rsquo;s work.
+   DE APICIBUS JURIS, from the high places of the law.
+   DE PERICULO ET COMMODO REI VENDITAE, concerning the risk and
+       profit of sales.
+   DEAD-THRAW, death-thraw.
+   DEBOSHED, debauched.
+   DEFORCEMENT&mdash;SPULZIE&mdash;SOUTHRIEF, legal terms for resisting an
+       officer of law.
+   DEIL, devil.
+   DELATE, accuse.
+   DELICT, misdemeanour, QUASI DELICT, apparent offence.
+   DEPONE, to testify.
+   DERNIER RESORT, last resort.
+   DIABLERIE, sorcery, witchcraft.
+   DILIGENCE, writ of execution, coach.
+   DING, to knock, beat down.
+   DIRDUM, uproar, disturbance.
+   DITTAY, an indictment.
+   DIVOT, thin turf used for thatching cottages.
+   DOCH AN DORROCH, the stirrup cup.
+   DOMINUS LITIS, one of the principals in a law suit.
+   DOOL, sorrow, sad consequences.
+   DOOR-CHEEK, door-post.
+   DOUCE, respectable.
+   DRAMATIS PERSONAE, persons of the drama.
+   DRAPPIT, fried.
+   DRIBBLE, a drop.
+   DRIFT, drift-snow.
+   DULCINEA, Don Quixote&rsquo;s imaginary mistress.
+   DUNSTABLE, something simple and matter-of-fact.
+   DYVOUR, bankrupt.
+
+   EKE, addition.
+   EMBONPOINT, plumpness.
+   EN CROUPE, riding behind one another.
+   ET PER CONTRA, and on the other side.
+   EVITE, avoid.
+   EX COMITATE, out of courtesy.
+   EX MISERICORDIA, out of pity.
+   EXCEPTIO FIRMAT REGULAM, the exception proves the rule.
+   EXOTIC, of foreign origin.
+
+   FACTOR LOCO TUTORIS, an agent acting in place of a guardian.
+   FARDEL, burden.
+   FASH, FASHERIE, trouble.
+   FECK, space.
+   FEMME DE CHAMBRE, chamber-maid.
+   FIERI, to be made.
+   FLACON, a smelling bottle.
+   FLAP, gust.
+   FLIP, a drink consisting of beer and spirit sweetened.
+   FLORY, frothy.
+   FORBY, besides.
+   FORENSIC, legal.
+   FORFOUGHEN, out of breath, distressed.
+   FORPIT, fourth part of a peck.
+   FORTALICE, a small outwork.
+   FRIST, to postpone, give credit,
+   FUGIE, fugitive.
+   FUNCTUS OFFICIO, having finished my duties, &lsquo;out of office&rsquo;.
+
+   GABERLUNZIE, a beggar.
+   GAEN, gone.
+   GALLOWAY, a strong Scotch cob.
+   GANGREL, wandering, a vagrant.
+   GAR, to force, make.
+   GATE, way, road.
+   GAUGER, an exciseman.
+   GENTRICE, gentle blood.
+   GIFF-GAFF, give and take.
+   GIRDED, hooped like a barrel.
+   GIRN, to grin, cry.
+   GLAIKET, giddy, rash.
+   GLIFF, glimpse, moment,
+   GOWFF BA&rsquo;, golf ball.
+   GRAINED, groaned.
+   GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA, grain brought and imported.
+   GRAT, wept.
+   GRILLADE, a broiled dish.
+   GRIT, great.
+   GROSSART, gooseberry.
+   GRUE, to creep, shiver,
+   GUDESIRE, grandfather.
+   GUIDE, to deal with, to employ.
+   GUMPLE-FOISTED, sulky, sullen.
+   GWAY, very.
+   GYTES, contemptuous name for a young child, a brat.
+
+   HAFFLINS, half-grown.
+   HAILL, all, the whole.
+   HAIRST, harvest.
+   HAMESUCKEN, assaulting a person in his own house.
+   HAMSHACKLE, to fasten.
+   HANK, a hold.
+   HAP, to hop, turn from.
+   HARPOCRATES, an Egyptian god, supposed by the Greeks to be the
+       god of silence.
+   HAUGH, holm, low-lying flat ground.
+   HAULD, place of abode.
+   HAVINGS, behaviour.
+   HEFTED, closed, as a knife in its haft.
+   HELLICAT, extravagant, light-headed.
+   HEMPEY, rogue.
+   HET, hot.
+   HEUCK, sickle.
+   HINC ILLAE LACRYMAE, hence these tears.
+   HINNY, honey, a term of endearment.
+   HIPPOGRIFF, a fabulous winged animal, half horse and half griffin.
+   HODDIN-GREY, cloth manufactured from undyed wool.
+   HOMOLOGATING, ratifying, approving.
+   HOOKS, OFF THE, light-headed.
+   HOSE-NET, a small net used for rivulet fishing.
+   HOW-COME-SO, light-headed.
+   HUMOURSOME, subject to moods.
+   HUSSEY, lady&rsquo;s needle-case.
+   HYSON, green tea from China.
+
+   IGNIS FATUUS, will o&rsquo; the wisp.
+   ILK, each; of the same name, as Redgauntlet of that Ilk
+       =Redgauntlet of Redgauntlet.
+   ILL-DEEDIE, mischievous.
+   ILL-FAUR&rsquo;D, ugly, ill-favoured.
+   IN CIVILIBUS or CRIMINALIBUS, in civil or criminal causes.
+   IN FORO CONSCIENTIAE, in the assize of conscience.
+   IN MEDITATIONE FUGAE, meditating flight.
+   IN PRESENTIA DOMINORUM, before the Lords.
+   INCEDIT SICUT LEO VORANS, goeth about like a roaring lion.
+   INCOGNITA, unknown.
+   INFRA DIG, beneath one&rsquo;s dignity.
+   INSTANTER, at once.
+   INTROMIT, to medldle with.
+   INVITA MINERVA, against my bent.
+
+   JACK, a metal pitcher.
+   JAZY, wig.
+   JET D&rsquo;EAU, jet of water.
+   JORUM, a drinking-vessel, or the liquor in it.
+   JOW, to toll.
+   JURIDICAL, pertaining to a judge or to the courts.
+
+   KATTERFELTO, a famous quack.
+   KEEK, to look.
+   KEFFEL, a bad horse.
+
+   LAIGH, low.
+   LAND-LOUPER, runagate, vagabond.
+   LARES, household gods, the special divinities of a family.
+   LAP, leaped; fold.
+   LAVE, rest, remainder.
+   LAWING, inn reckoning.
+   LEAL, loyal, true.
+   LEASING-MAKING, lies, slander, seditious words.
+   LEASOWES, the estate of the poet Shenstone.
+   LEE-SIDE, the side of a vessel farthest from the point where the
+       wind blows.
+   LEESOME LANE, his dear self alone.
+   LEEVIN, living.
+   LEE WAY, arrears of work.
+   LEG, TO MAKE A, to bow.
+   LETTRES DE CACHET, sealed letters issued by the King of France,
+       conferring power over the liberty of others.
+   LEX AQUARUM, the law of the waters.
+   LIMMER, a loose woman, a jade.
+   LING, thin long grass, heather.
+   LOANING, a meadow, pasture where the cows were milked,
+   LOE, love.
+   LOON, fellow, rogue.
+   LOOPY, crafty.
+   LOUIS-D&rsquo;OR, a French gold coin worth from 16s, 6d. to 18s. 9d.
+   LOUP, leap.
+   LOUP-THE-DYKE, giddy, runaway.
+   LOUP THE TETHER, breaking loose from restraint.
+   LOVELACE AND BELFORD, characters in CLARISSA HARLOWE.
+   LUCKY, a name given to an elderly dame.
+   LUG, the ear.
+   LUM, chimney.
+
+   MACER, a court official.
+   MAILING, a small farm or rented property.
+   MAILS, rents.
+   MALVERSATION, fraudulent tricks.
+   MANUMISSION, liberty.
+   MARCH, border.
+   MARE MAGNUM, the great sea.
+   MARIUS, a Roman general, leader in the civil war against Sulla.
+   MEAR, mare.
+   MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, the writing seen by Belshazzar
+       (Daniel V. 25).
+   MENYIE, retinue.
+   MERIDIAN, noon; a mid-day drink.
+   MERK, an old Scottish coin=1s. 1 1/2d. in English money.
+   MESSAN, a lap-dog, a little dog.
+   MICKLE, much.
+   MIFFED, piqued.
+   MILLAR, Philip Millar, author of several works on gardening.
+   MINOS, a law-giver of Crete, afterwards set as a judge in Hades.
+   MISHANTER, mischief.
+   MISPRISION OF TREASON, concealment of treason.
+   MOIDART, a loch in Inverness, where Prince Charles Stuart landed,
+       1745.
+   MOIDORE, a gold coin of Portugal worth about L1 7s. 0d.
+   MORE SOLITO, in the accustomed manner.
+   MORE TUO, in your own way.
+   MUILS, slippers.
+   MUISTED, scented.
+   MUTCHKIN, English pint.
+
+   NE QUID NIMIS, do nothing in excess.
+   NEGATUR, lit. &lsquo;it is denied,&rsquo; I deny it.
+   NEGOTIORUM GESTOR, manager of affairs.
+   NEREID, a sea-nymph.
+   NIGRI SUNT HYACINTHI, irises are dark flowers.
+   NIHIL NOVIT IN CAUSA, nothing is known of the case.
+   NIPPERKIN, a small cup, a liquid measure.
+   NOM DE GUERRE, professional name.
+   NOMINE DAMNI, in the name of damages.
+   NONJURING, not swearing allegiance to the government, loyal to the
+       Stuarts.
+   NOSCITUR A SOCIO, he is known by his friend.
+   NOVITER REPERTUM, newly discovered.
+
+   OHE, JAM SATIS, oh, enough.
+   OMNE IGNOTUM PRO TERRIBILI, the unknown is always held in terror.
+   OMNI SUSPICIONE MAJOR, above all suspicion.
+   ORESTES AND PYLADES, DAMON AND PYTHIAS, classical examples of
+       friendship.
+   ORIGO MALI, cause of the evil.
+   ORNATURE, adornment, decoration.
+   ORRA, odd.
+   OVERTURE, opening.
+   OWERLAY, cravat.
+   OYE, a grandson.
+
+   PACK OR PEEL, to traffic.
+   PANDE MANUM, hold out your hand.
+   PANDECTS, a digest of Roman law.
+   PAR EXCELLENCE, above all, specially.
+   PAR ORDONNANCE DU MEDECIN, by the doctor&rsquo;s orders.
+   PARMA NON BENE SELECTA, a shield, or defence, not well chosen.
+   PAROCHINE, parish.
+   PATER NOSTER, Our Father, the Lord&rsquo;s Prayer.
+   PATRIA POTESTAS, paternal authority.
+   PAWMIE, a stroke on the palm of the hand.
+   PEACH, betray, speak out.
+   PEEL-HOUSE, a small fortified house, or tower.
+   PEGASUS, the winged horse of the Muses.
+   PENDENTE LITE, whilst the case is proceeding.
+   PENDICLES, articles, small parts.
+   PER AMBAGES, by circumlocution, in a roundabout way.
+   PER CONTRA, on the other side.
+   PERDU, concealed, lost.
+   PERIPATETIC, walking, wandering.
+   PESSIMI EXEMPLI, the worst possible example.
+   PETTLE, a plough-staff.
+   PHALARIS&rsquo;S BULL, a furnace shaped like a bull into which the
+       tyrant Phalaris used to cast his victims.
+   PISCATOR, fisherman.
+   PISTOLE, a gold coin worth about 16s.
+   PLACK, a small copper coin, equal to one-third of an English penny.
+   PLEACH, interweave.
+   PLICATIONS, folds, wrinkles.
+   PLOY, a frolic.
+   POCK-PUDDING, a contemptuous term applied to Englishmen
+   POINT D&rsquo;ESPAGNE, Spanish lace.
+   POKE, pocket.
+   PORT ROYAL, a monastery near Paris which became the headquarters
+       of the Jansenists, the opponents of the Jesuits.
+   POSSE COMITATUS, the civil force of a county.
+   POUND SCOTS, worth about 1s. 8d. English money.
+   PRACTIQUES, practices of the profession.
+   PRECOGNITION, examination prior to prosecution.
+   PRECOGNOSCED, to take precognition of.
+   PRETERMIT, omit, pass by.
+   PURSUIVANTS, an officer-at-arms, in rank below a herald.
+
+   QUAERE, query, a question.
+   QUEAN, a young woman, a wench.
+   QUI VIVE, alert, cautious.
+   QUID, piece of tobacco to chew.
+   QUID TIBI CUM LYRA, what hast thou to do with the lyre?
+   QUORUM, the body of justices, so called from a word used in the
+       commission appointing them.
+
+   RANT, a noisy dance-tune.
+   RAPPAREE, an Irish plunderer; a worthless fellow,
+   RATIONE OFFICII, by virtue of his position.
+   RATTLING, lively, brisk.
+   RAX, stretch.
+   REAMING, frothing, foaming.
+   REDD, clear up, tidy.
+   REGIAM MAJESTATEM, a collection of Scotch laws.
+   REIVER, robber.
+   REMEDIUM JURIS, legal remedy.
+   RIGDUM-FUNNIDOS, a courtier in H. Carey&rsquo;s burlesque,
+        CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS.
+   RIPE, search.
+   RUDAS, a scold, a virago.
+   RUG, a share, a good mouthful.
+
+   SANCTA WINIFREDA, ORA PRO NOBIS, Saint Winifred, pray for us.
+   SARTUM ATQUE TECTUM, repaired and covered.
+   SAT EST, it is enough.
+   SAWNEY, a nickname for a Scotchman.
+   SCARBOROUGH WARNING, the blow before the threat.
+   SCOWP, quaff.
+   SCRUB, the name of a footman in the BEAUX&rsquo; STRATAGEM (Geo.
+       Farquhar, 1704).
+   SCULDUDDERY, loose, immoral.
+   SEALGH, seal,
+   SEA-MAWS, sea-mews.
+   SECUNDUM ARTEM, according to the rules of his art.
+   SEDERUNT, a sitting of the courts.
+   SEMPLE, simple, not of gentle birth,
+   SHILPIT, weak; poor, shabby.
+   SHINGLES, thin boards used for roofs.
+   SI NON CASTE, CAUTE TAMEN, if not for virtue&rsquo;s sake, yet for
+       caution.
+   SIB, kin.
+   SIGMA, the Greek S.
+   SINE DIE, without a date, indefinitely.
+   SIS MEMOR MEI, be mindful of me.
+   SKELLOCH, screech.
+   SKINKER, a server of liquor.
+   SKIRL, to scream.
+   SKIVIE, harebrained.
+   SLEEKIT, smooth.
+   SLOKEN, quench.
+   SNEESHING, snuff.
+   SNELL, sharp, terrible.
+   SNICKERS, sniggers.
+   SOCIETAS EST MATER DISCORDIARUM, partnership is the mother of
+       quarrels.
+   SOLITAIRE, an ornament for the neck.
+   SOLON, the law-giver of Athens.
+   SONSY, good-humoured, sensible.
+   SORT, to chastise; to manage.
+   SORTES VIRGILIANAE, Virgilian lots; opening the works of Virgil at
+       random and taking the first passage read for counsel.
+   SOUGH, a breath, a chant.
+   SOUPLE, active; supple in mind or body.
+   SOUTER&rsquo;S CLOD, a kind of coarse black bread.
+   SPATTERDASHES, coverings for the legs to protect them from mud.
+   SPEER, ask.
+   SPLICE THE MAIN BRACE, have an extra allowance of spirits.
+   SPLORE, a frolic, quarrel.
+   SPRATTLE, struggle, scramble.
+   SPRING, a merry tune.
+   SPRUSH, spruce.
+   SPULE-BLADE, shoulder blade,
+   SPUNK, courage, fire: SPUNKS, matches.
+   STEND, take long steps.
+   STEWARTRY, territory in Scotland administered by a steward.
+   STIBBLER, a divinity student, a probationer.
+   STILTS, plough-handles.
+   STUNKARD, sullen, obstinate.
+   SUA QUEMQUE TRAHIT VOLUPTAS, his own peculiar pleasure allures
+       each.
+   SURTOUT, a tight-fitting, broad-skirted outer coat.
+   SWIPES, small beer.
+
+   TAES, toes.
+   TALIS QUALIS, of some kind.
+   TAM MARTE QUAM MERCURIO, as much devoted to Mars as to Mercury (as
+       much a soldier as a pleader).
+   TASS, a glass.
+   TAU, the Greek: T.
+   TERRA FIRMA, firm earth.
+   TESTE ME PER TOTUM NOCTEM VIGILANTE, I am witness as I was awake
+       all night.
+   TETE-A-TETE, a private conversation.
+   THAIRM, catgut.
+   THEMIS, the goddess of law and justice.
+   THIRLAGE, mortgaging of property.
+   THREAP, aver.
+   THUMBIKINS, thumbscrews, instruments of torture.
+   TIMOTHEUS, a famous musician.
+   TIPPENY, twopenny ale,
+   TIRTEAFUERA, a character in DON QUIXOTE, the doctor in Sancho
+       Panza&rsquo;s island government.
+   TITHER, the other.
+   TOD, a bush, a fox.
+   TOOM, empty.
+   TOUR OUT, to look about.
+   TOY, a linen cap; a head-dress hanging down over the shoulders.
+   TRANCES, passages.
+   TUPTOWING, beating, from the Greek verb &lsquo;tupto&rsquo;, to strike.
+   TWALPENNY, one penny sterling.
+   TWASOME, a pair or couple.
+   TYNE, loss or forfeit.
+   TYRO, TYRONES, beginner, beginners; novice.
+
+   UNCO, very, uncommon, strange.
+   URGANDA, an enchantress in the romance of AMADIS OF GAUL.
+   USQUEBAUGH, whisky.
+
+   VADE RETRO, get thee behind me.
+   VALE, SIS MEMOR MEI, farewell, be mindful of me.
+   VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER FEMINA, woman is always variable and
+       changeful.
+   VERBUM SACERDOTIS, the word of a priest.
+   VIA FACTI, by personal force.
+   VINCERE VINCENTEM, to conquer the conquering.
+   VINCO VINCENTEM, ERGO VINCO TE, I conquer the conquering,
+       therefore I conquer you.
+   VIOLER, a player on a viol.
+   VIR SAPIENTIA ET PIETATE GRAVIS, a man of much wisdom and piety.
+   VIS ANIMI, strength of soul.
+   VITIOUS, vicious, unruly.
+   VOET, Jan Voet, author of a book on the PANDECTS.
+
+   W.S., writer to the signet, a lawyer.
+   WALING, choosing.
+   WAME, stomach.
+   WANCHANCY, unlucky, dangerous.
+   WARE, spend.
+   WARK, work, trouble.
+   WAUR, worse.
+   WEARS, weirs, dams.
+   WEIGH-BANKS, scales.
+   WHIN, gorse.
+   WHITTLE, a small clasp-knife.
+   WITHERSHINS, backwards in their courses, in the contrary way.
+   WUD, mad.
+   WYND, yard, alley.
+
+   YAULD, active.
+   YELLOCH, yell.
+   YETTS, gates.
+   YILL, ale.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Redgauntlet, by Sir Walter Scott
+
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+</pre>
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+</html>
diff --git a/2516.txt b/2516.txt
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/2516.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,19799 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Redgauntlet, by Sir Walter Scott
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Redgauntlet
+
+Author: Sir Walter Scott
+
+Posting Date: December 31, 2008 [EBook #2516]
+Release Date: February, 2000
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REDGAUNTLET ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer
+
+
+
+
+
+REDGAUNTLET
+
+by Sir Walter Scott
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+     Introduction
+     Text
+         Letters I - XIII
+         Chapters I - XXIII
+         Conclusion
+     Notes
+     Glossary
+
+
+Original Transcriber's Note: Footnotes in the printed book have been
+inserted in the etext in square brackets ("[]") close to the place where
+they were referenced by a suffix in the original text. Text in italics
+has been written in capital letters. There are some numbered notes at
+the end of the text that are referred to by their numbers with brief
+notes, also in square brackets, embedded in the text.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+The Jacobite enthusiasm of the eighteenth century, particularly during
+the rebellion of 1745, afforded a theme, perhaps the finest that could
+be selected for fictitious composition, founded upon real or probable
+incident. This civil war and its remarkable events were remembered by
+the existing generation without any degree of the bitterness of spirit
+which seldom fails to attend internal dissension. The Highlanders, who
+formed the principal strength of Charles Edward's army, were an ancient
+and high-spirited race, peculiar in their habits of war and of peace,
+brave to romance, and exhibiting a character turning upon points more
+adapted to poetry than to the prose of real life. Their prince, young,
+valiant, patient of fatigue, and despising danger, heading his army
+on foot in the most toilsome marches, and defeating a regular force
+in three battles--all these were circumstances fascinating to the
+imagination, and might well be supposed to seduce young and enthusiastic
+minds to the cause in which they were found united, although wisdom and
+reason frowned upon the enterprise.
+
+The adventurous prince, as is well known, proved to be one of
+those personages who distinguish themselves during some single and
+extraordinarily brilliant period of their lives, like the course of a
+shooting-star, at which men wonder, as well on account of the
+briefness, as the brilliancy of its splendour. A long tract of darkness
+overshadowed the subsequent life of a man who, in his youth, showed
+himself so capable of great undertakings; and, without the painful task
+of tracing his course farther, we may say the latter pursuits and habits
+of this unhappy prince are those painfully evincing a broken heart,
+which seeks refuge from its own thoughts in sordid enjoyments.
+
+Still, however, it was long ere Charles Edward appeared to be, perhaps
+it was long ere he altogether became, so much degraded from his original
+self; as he enjoyed for a time the lustre attending the progress and
+termination of his enterprise. Those who thought they discerned in his
+subsequent conduct an insensibility to the distresses of his followers,
+coupled with that egotistical attention to his own interests which has
+been often attributed to the Stuart family, and which is the natural
+effect of the principles of divine right in which they were brought up,
+were now generally considered as dissatisfied and splenetic persons,
+who, displeased with the issue of their adventure and finding themselves
+involved in the ruins of a falling cause, indulged themselves in
+undeserved reproaches against their leader. Indeed, such censures were
+by no means frequent among those of his followers who, if what was
+alleged had been just, had the best right to complain. Far the greater
+number of those unfortunate gentlemen suffered with the most dignified
+patience, and were either too proud to take notice of ill-treatment an
+the part of their prince, or so prudent as to be aware their complaints
+would meet with little sympathy from the world. It may be added, that
+the greater part of the banished Jacobites, and those of high rank and
+consequence, were not much within reach of the influence of the prince's
+character and conduct, whether well regulated or otherwise.
+
+In the meantime that great Jacobite conspiracy, of which the
+insurrection of 1745-6 was but a small part precipitated into action on
+the failure of a far more general scheme, was resumed and again put into
+motion by the Jacobites of England, whose force had never been broken,
+as they had prudently avoided bringing it into the field. The surprising
+effect which had been produced by small means, in 1745-6, animated their
+hopes for more important successes, when the whole nonjuring interest
+of Britain, identified as it then was with great part of the landed
+gentlemen, should come forward to finish what had been gallantly
+attempted by a few Highland chiefs.
+
+It is probable, indeed, that the Jacobites of the day were incapable of
+considering that the very small scale on which the effort was made, was
+in one great measure the cause of its unexpected success. The remarkable
+speed with which the insurgents marched, the singularly good discipline
+which they preserved, the union and unanimity which for some time
+animated their councils, were all in a considerable degree produced
+by the smallness of their numbers. Notwithstanding the discomfiture
+of Charles Edward, the nonjurors of the period long continued to nurse
+unlawful schemes, and to drink treasonable toasts, until age stole upon
+them. Another generation arose, who did not share the sentiments which
+they cherished; and at length the sparkles of disaffection, which had
+long smouldered, but had never been heated enough to burst into actual
+flame, became entirely extinguished. But in proportion as the political
+enthusiasm died gradually away among men of ordinary temperament, it
+influenced those of warm imaginations and weak understandings, and hence
+wild schemes were formed, as desperate as they were adventurous.
+
+Thus a young Scottishman of rank is said to have stooped so low as to
+plot the surprisal of St. James's Palace, and the assassination of the
+royal family. While these ill-digested and desperate conspiracies were
+agitated among the few Jacobites who still adhered with more obstinacy
+to their purpose, there is no question but that other plots might have
+been brought to an open explosion, had it not suited the policy of Sir
+Robert Walpole rather to prevent or disable the conspirators in their
+projects, than to promulgate the tale of danger, which might thus have
+been believed to be more widely diffused than was really the case.
+
+In one instance alone this very prudential and humane line of conduct
+was departed from, and the event seemed to confirm the policy of the
+general course. Doctor Archibald Cameron, brother of the celebrated
+Donald Cameron of Lochiel, attainted for the rebellion of 1745, was
+found by a party of soldiers lurking with a comrade in the wilds of Loch
+Katrine five or six years after the battle of Culloden, and was there
+seized. There were circumstances in his case, so far as was made known
+to the public, which attracted much compassion, and gave to the judicial
+proceedings against him an appearance of cold-blooded revenge on the
+part of government; and the following argument of a zealous Jacobite in
+his favour, was received as conclusive by Dr. Johnson and other persons
+who might pretend to impartiality. Dr. Cameron had never borne arms,
+although engaged in the Rebellion, but used his medical skill for the
+service, indifferently, of the wounded of both parties. His return to
+Scotland was ascribed exclusively to family affairs. His behaviour at
+the bar was decent, firm, and respectful. His wife threw herself, on
+three different occasions, before George II and the members of his
+family, was rudely repulsed from their presence, and at length placed,
+it was said, in the same prison with her husband, and confined with
+unmanly severity.
+
+Dr. Cameron was finally executed with all the severities of the law of
+treason; and his death remains in popular estimation a dark blot upon
+the memory of George II, being almost publicly imputed to a mean and
+personal hatred of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the sufferer's heroic
+brother.
+
+Yet the fact was that whether the execution of Archibald Cameron was
+political or otherwise, it might certainly have been justified, had
+the king's ministers so pleased, upon reasons of a public nature. The
+unfortunate sufferer had not come to the Highlands solely upon his
+private affairs, as was the general belief; but it was not judged
+prudent by the English ministry to let it be generally known that
+he came to inquire about a considerable sum of money which had been
+remitted from France to the friends of the exiled family. He had also a
+commission to hold intercourse with the well-known M'Pherson of Cluny,
+chief of the clan Vourich, whom the Chevalier had left behind at his
+departure from Scotland in 1746, and who remained during ten years of
+proscription and danger, skulking from place to place in the Highlands,
+and maintaining an uninterrupted correspondence between Charles and his
+friends. That Dr. Cameron should have held a commission to assist this
+chief in raking together the dispersed embers of disaffection, is in
+itself sufficiently natural, and, considering his political principles,
+in no respect dishonourable to his memory. But neither ought it to be
+imputed to George II that he suffered the laws to be enforced against
+a person taken in the act of breaking them. When he lost his hazardous
+game, Dr. Cameron only paid the forfeit which he must have calculated
+upon. The ministers, however, thought it proper to leave Dr. Cameron's
+new schemes in concealment, lest, by divulging them, they had indicated
+the channel of communication which, it is now well known, they possessed
+to all the plots of Charles Edward. But it was equally ill advised and
+ungenerous to sacrifice the character of the king to the policy of the
+administration. Both points might have been gained by sparing the
+life of Dr. Cameron after conviction, and limiting his punishment to
+perpetual exile.
+
+These repeated and successive Jacobite plots rose and burst like bubbles
+on a fountain; and one of them, at least, the Chevalier judged of
+importance enough to induce him to risk himself within the dangerous
+precincts of the British capital. This appears from Dr. King's ANECDOTES
+OF HIS OWN TIMES.
+
+'September, 1750.--I received a note from my Lady Primrose, who desired
+to see me immediately. As soon as I waited on her, she led me into her
+dressing-room, and presented me to--' [the Chevalier, doubtless]. 'If
+I was surprised to find him there, I was still more astonished when he
+acquainted me with the motives which had induced him to hazard a journey
+to England at this juncture. The impatience of his friends who were in
+exile had formed a scheme which was impracticable; but although it had
+been as feasible as they had represented it to him, yet no preparation
+had been made, nor was anything ready to carry it into execution. He was
+soon convinced that he had been deceived; and, therefore, after a stay
+in London of five days only, he returned to the place from whence he
+came.' Dr. King was in 1750 a keen Jacobite, as may be inferred from the
+visit made by him to the prince under such circumstances, and from his
+being one of that unfortunate person's chosen correspondents. He, as
+well as other men of sense and observation, began to despair of
+making their fortune in the party which they had chosen. It was indeed
+sufficiently dangerous; for, during the short visit just described,
+one of Dr. King's servants remarked the stranger's likeness to Prince
+Charles, whom he recognized from the common busts.
+
+The occasion taken for breaking up the Stuart interest we shall tell in
+Dr. King's own words:--'When he (Charles Edward) was in Scotland, he had
+a mistress whose name was Walkinshaw, and whose sister was at that time,
+and is still, housekeeper at Leicester House. Some years after he was
+released from his prison, and conducted out of France, he sent for
+this girl, who soon acquired such a dominion over him, that she was
+acquainted with all his schemes, and trusted with his most secret
+correspondence. As soon as this was known in England, all those persons
+of distinction who were attached to him were greatly alarmed: they
+imagined that this wench had been placed in his family by the English
+ministers; and, considering her sister's situation, they seemed to have
+some ground for their suspicion; wherefore, they dispatched a gentleman
+to Paris, where the prince then was, who had instructions to insist that
+Mrs. Walkinshaw should be removed to a convent for a certain term; but
+her gallant absolutely refused to comply with this demand; and although
+Mr. M'Namara, the gentleman who was sent to him, who has a natural
+eloquence and an excellent understanding, urged the most cogent reasons,
+and used all the arts of persuasion, to induce him to part with his
+mistress, and even proceeded so far as to assure him, according to his
+instructions, that an immediate interruption of all correspondence with
+his most powerful friends in England, and, in short, that the ruin of
+his interest, which was now daily increasing, would be the infallible
+consequence of his refusal; yet he continued inflexible, and all
+M'Namara's entreaties and remonstrances were ineffectual. M'Namara
+stayed in Paris some days beyond the time prescribed him, endeavouring
+to reason the prince into a better temper; but finding him obstinately
+persevere in his first answer, he took his leave with concern and
+indignation, saying, as he passed out, "What has your family done, sir,
+thus to draw down the vengeance of Heaven on every branch of it, through
+so many ages?" It is worthy of remark, that in all the conferences which
+M'Namara had with the prince on this occasion, the latter declared that
+it was not a violent passion, or indeed any particular regard, which
+attached him to Mrs. Walkinshaw and that he could see her removed from
+him without any concern; but he would not receive directions, in respect
+to his private conduct, from any man alive. When M'Namara returned
+to London, and reported the prince's answer to the gentlemen who had
+employed him, they were astonished and confounded. However, they soon
+resolved on the measures which they were to pursue for the future, and
+determined no longer to serve a man who could not be persuaded to serve
+himself, and chose rather to endanger the lives of his best and most
+faithful friends, than part with an harlot, whom, as he often declared,
+he neither loved nor esteemed.'
+
+From this anecdote, the general truth of which is indubitable, the
+principal fault of Charles Edward's temper is sufficiently obvious. It
+was a high sense of his own importance, and an obstinate adherence to
+what he had once determined on--qualities which, if he had succeeded in
+his bold attempt, gave the nation little room to hope that he would have
+been found free from the love of prerogative and desire of arbitrary
+power, which characterized his unhappy grandfather. He gave a notable
+instance how far this was the leading feature of his character, when,
+for no reasonable cause that can be assigned, he placed his own single
+will in opposition to the necessities of France, which, in order to
+purchase a peace become necessary to the kingdom, was reduced to gratify
+Britain by prohibiting the residence of Charles within any part of the
+French dominions. It was in vain that France endeavoured to lessen the
+disgrace of this step by making the most flattering offers, in hopes
+to induce the prince of himself to anticipate this disagreeable
+alternative, which, if seriously enforced, as it was likely to be, he
+had no means whatever of resisting, by leaving the kingdom as of his
+own free will. Inspired, however, by the spirit of hereditary obstinacy,
+Charles preferred a useless resistance to a dignified submission, and,
+by a series of idle bravadoes, laid the French court under the necessity
+of arresting their late ally, and sending him to close confinement
+in the Bastille, from which he was afterwards sent out of the French
+dominions, much in the manner in which a convict is transported to the
+place of his destination.
+
+In addition to these repeated instances of a rash and inflexible temper,
+Dr. King also adds faults alleged to belong to the prince's character,
+of a kind less consonant with his noble birth and high pretensions.
+He is said by this author to have been avaricious, or parsimonious at
+least, to such a degree of meanness, as to fail, even when he had
+ample means, in relieving the sufferers who had lost their fortune, and
+sacrificed all in his ill-fated attempt. [The approach is thus expressed
+by Dr. King, who brings the charge:--'But the most odious part of his
+character is his love of money, a vice which I do not remember to have
+been imputed by our historians to any of his ancestors, and is the
+certain index of a base and little mind. I know it may be urged in his
+vindication, that a prince in exile ought to be an economist. And so
+he ought; but, nevertheless, his purse should be always open as long as
+there is anything in it, to relieve the necessities of his friends and
+adherents. King Charles II, during his banishment, would have shared the
+last pistole in his pocket with his little family. But I have known this
+gentleman, with two thousand louis-d'ors in his strong-box, pretend he
+was in great distress, and borrow money from a lady in Paris who was not
+in affluent circumstances. His most faithful servants, who had closely
+attended him in all his difficulties, were ill rewarded.'--King's
+MEMOIRS.] We must receive, however, with some degree of jealousy what
+is said by Dr. King on this subject, recollecting that he had left at
+least, if he did not desert, the standard of the unfortunate prince, and
+was not therefore a person who was likely to form the fairest estimate
+of his virtues and faults. We must also remember that if the exiled
+prince gave little, he had but little to give, especially considering
+how late he nourished the scheme of another expedition to Scotland, for
+which he was long endeavouring to hoard money.
+
+The case, also, of Charles Edward must be allowed to have been a
+difficult one. He had to satisfy numerous persons, who, having lost
+their all in his cause, had, with that all, seen the extinction of hopes
+which they accounted nearly as good as certainties; some of these were
+perhaps clamorous in their applications, and certainly ill pleased with
+their want of success. Other parts of the Chevalier's conduct may have
+afforded grounds for charging him with coldness to the sufferings of his
+devoted followers. One of these was a sentiment which has nothing in it
+that is generous, but it was certainly a principle in which the young
+prince was trained, and which may be too probably denominated peculiar
+to his family, educated in all the high notions of passive obedience
+and non-resistance. If the unhappy prince gave implicit faith to the
+professions of statesmen holding such notions, which is implied by his
+whole conduct.
+
+
+
+
+
+REDGAUNTLET
+
+
+
+
+LETTER I
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+DUMFRIES.
+
+CUR ME EXANIMAS QUERELIS TUIS? In plain English, Why do you deafen me
+with your croaking? The disconsolate tone in which you bade me farewell
+at Noble House, [The first stage on the road from Edinburgh to Dumfries
+via Moffat.] and mounted your miserable hack to return to your law
+drudgery, still sounds in my ears. It seemed to say, 'Happy dog! you can
+ramble at pleasure over hill and dale, pursue every object of curiosity
+that presents itself, and relinquish the chase when it loses interest;
+while I, your senior and your better, must, in this brilliant season,
+return to my narrow chamber and my musty books.'
+
+Such was the import of the reflections with which you saddened our
+parting bottle of claret, and thus I must needs interpret the terms of
+your melancholy adieu.
+
+And why should this be so, Alan? Why the deuce should you not be sitting
+precisely opposite to me at this moment, in the same comfortable George
+Inn; thy heels on the fender, and thy juridical brow expanding its
+plications as a pun rose in your fancy? Above all, why, when I fill this
+very glass of wine, cannot I push the bottle to you, and say, 'Fairford,
+you are chased!' Why, I say, should not all this be, except because Alan
+Fairford has not the same true sense of friendship as Darsie Latimer,
+and will not regard our purses as common, as well as our sentiments?
+
+I am alone in the world; my only guardian writes to me of a large
+fortune which will be mine when I reach the age of twenty-five complete;
+my present income is, thou knowest, more than sufficient for all
+my wants; and yet thou--traitor as thou art to the cause of
+friendship--dost deprive me of the pleasure of thy society, and
+submittest, besides, to self-denial on thine own part, rather than my
+wanderings should cost me a few guineas more! Is this regard for
+my purse, or for thine own pride? Is it not equally absurd and
+unreasonable, whichever source it springs from? For myself, I tell thee,
+I have, and shall have, more than enough for both. This same methodical
+Samuel Griffiths, of Ironmonger Lane, Guildhall, London, whose letter
+arrives as duly as quarter-day, has sent me, as I told thee, double
+allowance for this my twenty-first birthday, and an assurance, in his
+brief fashion, that it will be again doubled for the succeeding years,
+until I enter into possession of my own property. Still I am to refrain
+from visiting England until my twenty-fifth year expires; and it is
+recommended that I shall forbear all inquiries concerning my family, and
+so forth, for the present.
+
+Were it not that I recollect my poor mother in her deep widow's weeds,
+with a countenance that never smiled but when she looked on me--and
+then, in such wan and woful sort, as the sun when he glances through an
+April cloud,--were it not, I say, that her mild and matron-like form
+and countenance forbid such a suspicion, I might think myself the son of
+some Indian director, or rich citizen, who had more wealth than grace,
+and a handful of hypocrisy to boot, and who was breeding up privately,
+and obscurely enriching, one of whose existence he had some reason to be
+ashamed. But, as I said before, I think on my mother, and am convinced
+as much as of the existence of my own soul, that no touch of shame could
+arise from aught in which she was implicated. Meantime, I am wealthy,
+and I am alone, and why does my friend scruple to share my wealth?
+
+Are you not my only friend? and have you not acquired a right to share
+my wealth? Answer me that, Alan Fairford. When I was brought from the
+solitude of my mother's dwelling into the tumult of the Gaits' Class at
+the High School--when I was mocked for my English accent--salted with
+snow as a Southern--rolled in the gutter for a Saxon pock-pudding,--who,
+with stout arguments and stouter blows, stood forth my defender?--why,
+Alan Fairford. Who beat me soundly when I brought the arrogance of an
+only son, and of course a spoiled urchin, to the forms of the little
+republic?--why, Alan. And who taught me to smoke a cobbler, pin a losen,
+head a bicker, and hold the bannets?--[Break a window, head a skirmish
+with stones, and hold the bonnet, or handkerchief, which used to divide
+High School boys when fighting.] Alan, once more. If I became the pride
+of the Yards, and the dread of the hucksters in the High School Wynd,
+it was under thy patronage; and, but for thee, I had been contented with
+humbly passing through the Cowgate Port, without climbing over the
+top of it, and had never seen the KITTLE NINE-STEPS nearer than from
+Bareford's Parks. [A pass on the very brink of the Castle rock to the
+north, by which it is just possible for a goat, or a High School boy,
+to turn the corner of the building where it rises from the edge of the
+precipice. This was so favourite a feat with the 'hell and neck boys'
+of the higher classes, that at one time sentinels were posted to prevent
+its repetition. One of the nine-steps was rendered more secure because
+the climber could take hold of the root of a nettle, so precarious were
+the means of passing this celebrated spot. The manning the Cowgate Port,
+especially in snowball time, was also a choice amusement, as it offered
+an inaccessible station for the boys who used these missiles to the
+annoyance of the passengers. The gateway is now demolished; and probably
+most of its garrison lie as low as the fortress. To recollect that
+the author himself, however naturally disqualified, was one of those
+juvenile dreadnoughts, is a sad reflection to one who cannot now step
+over a brook without assistance.]
+
+You taught me to keep my fingers off the weak, and to clench my fist
+against the strong--to carry no tales out of school--to stand forth like
+a true man--obey the stern order of a PANDE MANUM, and endure my pawmies
+without wincing, like one that is determined not to be the better for
+them. In a word, before I knew thee, I knew nothing.
+
+At college it was the same. When I was incorrigibly idle, your example
+and encouragement roused me to mental exertion, and showed me the way
+to intellectual enjoyment. You made me an historian, a metaphysician
+(INVITA MINERVA)--nay, by Heaven! you had almost made an advocate of me,
+as well as of yourself. Yes, rather than part with you, Alan, I attended
+a weary season at the Scotch Law Class; a wearier at the Civil; and with
+what excellent advantage, my notebook, filled with caricatures of the
+professors and my fellow students, is it not yet extant to testify?
+
+   Thus far have I held on with thee untired;
+
+and, to say truth, purely and solely that I might travel the same road
+with thee. But it will not do, Alan. By my faith, man, I could as soon
+think of being one of those ingenious traders who cheat little Master
+Jackies on the outside of the partition with tops, balls, bats, and
+battledores, as a member of the long-robed fraternity within, who impose
+on grown country gentlemen with bouncing brocards of law. [The Hall of
+the Parliament House of Edinburgh was, in former days, divided into two
+unequal portions by a partition, the inner side of which was consecrated
+to the use of the Courts of Justice and the gentlemen of the law; while
+the outer division was occupied by the stalls of stationers, toymen, and
+the like, as in a modern bazaar. From the old play of THE PLAIN DEALER,
+it seems such was formerly the case with Westminster Hall. Minos has now
+purified his courts in both cities from all traffic but his own.]
+Now, don't you read this to your worthy father, Alan--he loves me well
+enough, I know, of a Saturday night; but he thinks me but idle company
+for any other day of the week. And here, I suspect, lies your real
+objection to taking a ramble with me through the southern counties in
+this delicious weather. I know the good gentleman has hard thoughts
+of me for being so unsettled as to leave Edinburgh before the Session
+rises; perhaps, too, he quarrels a little--I will not say with my want
+of ancestry, but with my want of connexions. He reckons me a lone thing
+in this world, Alan, and so, in good truth, I am; and it seems a reason
+to him why you should not attach yourself to me, that I can claim no
+interest in the general herd.
+
+Do not suppose I forget what I owe him, for permitting me to shelter for
+four years under his roof: My obligations to him are not the less, but
+the greater, if he never heartily loved me. He is angry, too, that I
+will not, or cannot, be a lawyer, and, with reference to you, considers
+my disinclination that way as PESSIMI EXEMPLI, as he might say.
+
+But he need not be afraid that a lad of your steadiness will be
+influenced by such a reed shaken by the winds as I am. You will go on
+doubting with Dirleton, and resolving those doubts with Stewart,
+['Sir John Nisbett of Dirleton's DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS UPON THE LAW,
+ESPECIALLLY OF SCOTLAND;' and 'Sir James Stewart's DIRLETON'S DOUBTS AND
+QUESTIONS ON THE LAW OF SCOTLAND RESOLVED AND ANSWERED,' are works
+of authority in Scottish jurisprudence. As is generally the case, the
+doubts are held more in respect than the solution.] until the cramp
+speech [Till of late years, every advocate who catered at the Scottish
+bar made a Latin address to the Court, faculty, and audience, in set
+terms, and said a few words upon a text of the civil law, to show his
+Latinity and jurisprudence. He also wore his hat for a minute, in order
+to vindicate his right of being covered before the Court, which is said
+to have originated from the celebrated lawyer, Sir Thomas Hope, having
+two sons on the bench while he himself remained at the bar. Of late this
+ceremony has been dispensed with, as occupying the time of the Court
+unnecessarily. The entrant lawyer merely takes the oaths to government,
+and swears to maintain the rules and privileges of his order.] has
+been spoken more SOLITO from the corner of the bench, and with covered
+head--until you have sworn to defend the liberties and privileges of the
+College of Justice--until the black gown is hung on your shoulders, and
+you are free as any of the Faculty to sue or defend. Then will I step
+forth, Alan, and in a character which even your father will allow may be
+more useful to you than had I shared this splendid termination of your
+legal studies. In a word, if I cannot be a counsel, I am determined to
+be a CLIENT, a sort of person without whom a lawsuit would be as dull
+as a supposed case. Yes, I am determined to give you your first fee. One
+can easily, I am assured, get into a lawsuit--it is only the getting out
+which is sometimes found troublesome;--and, with your kind father for
+an agent, and you for my counsel learned in the law, and the worshipful
+Master Samuel Griffiths to back me, a few sessions shall not tire my
+patience. In short, I will make my way into court, even if it should
+cost me the committing a DELICT, or at least a QUASI DELICT.--You see
+all is not lost of what Erskine wrote, and Wallace taught.
+
+Thus far I have fooled it off well enough; and yet, Alan, all is not
+at ease within me. I am affected with a sense of loneliness, the more
+depressing, that it seems to me to be a solitude peculiarly my own. In a
+country where all the world have a circle of consanguinity, extending to
+sixth cousins at least, I am a solitary individual, having only one kind
+heart to throb in unison with my own. If I were condemned to labour
+for my bread, methinks I should less regard this peculiar species of
+deprivation, The necessary communication of master and servant would be
+at least a tie which would attach me to the rest of my kind--as it is,
+my very independence seems to enhance the peculiarity of my situation.
+I am in the world as a stranger in the crowded coffeehouse, where he
+enters, calls for what refreshment he wants, pays his bill, and is
+forgotten so soon as the waiter's mouth has pronounced his 'Thank ye,
+sir.'
+
+I know your good father would term this SINNING MY MERCIES, [A
+peculiar Scottish phrase expressive of ingratitude for the favours of
+Providence.] and ask how I should feel if, instead of being able to
+throw down my reckoning, I were obliged to deprecate the resentment of
+the landlord for consuming that which I could not pay for. I cannot tell
+how it is; but, though this very reasonable reflection comes across me,
+and though I do confess that four hundred a year in possession, eight
+hundred in near prospect, and the L--d knows how many hundreds more in
+the distance, are very pretty and comfortable things, yet I would freely
+give one half of them to call your father father, though he should
+scold me for my idleness every hour of the day, and to call you brother,
+though a brother whose merits would throw my own so completely into the
+shade.
+
+The faint, yet not improbable, belief has often come across me, that
+your father knows something more about my birth and condition than he
+is willing to communicate; it is so unlikely that I should be left in
+Edinburgh at six years old, without any other recommendation than
+the regular payment of my board to old M--, [Probably Mathieson,
+the predecessor of Dr. Adams, to whose memory the author and his
+contemporaries owe a deep debt of gratitude.] of the High School.
+Before that time, as I have often told you, I have but a recollection
+of unbounded indulgence on my mother's part, and the most tyrannical
+exertion of caprice on my own. I remember still how bitterly she
+sighed, how vainly she strove to soothe me, while, in the full energy
+of despotism, I roared like ten bull-calves, for something which it was
+impossible to procure for me. She is dead, that kind, that ill-rewarded
+mother! I remember the long faces--the darkened rooms--the black
+hangings--the mysterious impression made upon my mind by the hearse and
+mourning coaches, and the difficulty which I had to reconcile all this
+to the disappearance of my mother. I do not think I had before this
+event formed, any idea, of death, or that I had even heard of that final
+consummation of all that lives. The first acquaintance which I formed
+with it deprived me of my only relation.
+
+A clergyman of venerable appearance, our only visitor, was my guide
+and companion in a journey of considerable length; and in the charge of
+another elderly man, substituted in his place, I know not how or why, I
+completed my journey to Scotland--and this is all I recollect.
+
+I repeat the little history now, as I have a hundred times before,
+merely because I would wring some sense out of it. Turn, then, thy
+sharp, wire-drawing, lawyer-like ingenuity to the same task--make up my
+history as though thou wert shaping the blundering allegations of some
+blue-bonneted, hard-headed client, into a condescendence of facts
+and circumstances, and thou shalt be, not my Apollo--QUID TIBI CUM
+LYRA?--but my Lord Stair, [Celebrated as a Scottish lawyer.] Meanwhile,
+I have written myself out of my melancholy and blue devils, merely by
+prosing about them; so I will now converse half an hour with Roan Robin
+in his stall--the rascal knows me already, and snickers whenever I cross
+the threshold of the stable.
+
+The black which you bestrode yesterday morning promises to be an
+admirable roadster, and ambled as easily with Sam and the portmanteau,
+as with you and your load of law-learning. Sam promises to be steady,
+and has hitherto been so. No long trial, you will say. He lays the
+blame of former inaccuracies on evil company--the people who were at the
+livery-stable were too seductive, I suppose--he denies he ever did the
+horse injustice--would rather have wanted his own dinner, he says.
+In this I believe him, as Roan Robin's ribs and coat show no marks of
+contradiction. However, as he will meet with no saints in the inns we
+frequent, and as oats are sometimes as speedily converted into ale
+as John Barleycorn himself, I shall keep a look-out after Master Sam.
+Stupid fellow! had he not abused my good nature, I might have chatted
+to him to keep my tongue in exercise; whereas now I must keep him at a
+distance.
+
+Do you remember what Mr. Fairford said to me on this subject--it did not
+become my father's son to speak in that manner to Sam's father's son?
+I asked you what your father could possibly know of mine; and you
+answered, 'As much, you supposed, as he knew of Sam's--it was a
+proverbial expression.' This did not quite satisfy me; though I am sure
+I cannot tell why it should not. But I am returning to a fruitless
+and exhausted subject. Do not be afraid that I shall come back on
+this well-trodden yet pathless field of conjecture. I know nothing so
+useless, so utterly feeble and contemptible, as the groaning forth one's
+lamentations into the ears of our friends.
+
+I would fain promise you that my letters shall be as entertaining as
+I am determined they shall be regular and well filled. We have an
+advantage over the dear friends of old, every pair of them.
+Neither David and Jonathan, nor Orestes and Pylades, nor Damon and
+Pythias--although, in the latter case particularly, a letter by post
+would have been very acceptable--ever corresponded together; for they
+probably could not write, and certainly had neither post nor franks to
+speed their effusions to each other; whereas yours, which you had from
+the old peer, being handled gently, and opened with precaution, may be
+returned to me again, and serve to make us free of his Majesty's post
+office, during the whole time of my proposed tour. [It is well known
+and remembered, that when Members of Parliament enjoyed the unlimited
+privilege of franking by the mere writing the name on the cover, it was
+extended to the most extraordinary occasions. One noble lord, to express
+his regard for a particular regiment, franked a letter for every rank
+and file. It was customary also to save the covers and return them,
+in order that the correspondence might be carried on as long as the
+envelopes could hold together.] Mercy upon us, Alan! what letters I
+shall have to send to you, with an account of all that I can collect, of
+pleasant or rare, in this wild-goose jaunt of mine! All I stipulate is
+that you do not communicate them to the SCOTS MAGAZINE; for though you
+used, in a left-handed way, to compliment me on my attainments in the
+lighter branches of literature, at the expense of my deficiency in the
+weightier matters of the law, I am not yet audacious enough to enter the
+portal which the learned Ruddiman so kindly opened for the acolytes of
+the Muses.--VALE SIS MEMOR MEI. D. L.
+
+PS. Direct to the Post Office here. I shall leave orders to forward your
+letters wherever I may travel.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER II
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+NEGATUR, my dear Darsie--you have logic and law enough to understand the
+word of denial. I deny your conclusion. The premises I admit, namely,
+that when I mounted on that infernal hack, I might utter what seemed
+a sigh, although I deemed it lost amid the puffs and groans of the
+broken-winded brute, matchless in the complication of her complaints by
+any save she, the poor man's mare, renowned in song, that died
+
+  A mile aboon Dundee.
+
+ [Alluding, as all Scotsmen know, to the humorous old song:--
+
+ 'The auld man's mare's dead,
+  The puir man's mare's dead,
+  The auld man's mare's dead,
+  A mile aboon Dundee.']
+
+But credit me, Darsie, the sigh which escaped me, concerned thee more
+than myself, and regarded neither the superior mettle of your cavalry,
+nor your greater command of the means of travelling. I could certainly
+have cheerfully ridden with you for a few days; and assure yourself I
+would not have hesitated to tax your better filled purse for our joint
+expenses. But you know my father considers every moment taken from the
+law as a step down hill; and I owe much to his anxiety on my account,
+although its effects are sometimes troublesome. For example:
+
+I found, on my arrival at the shop in Brown's Square, that the old
+gentleman had returned that very evening, impatient, it seems, of
+remaining a night out of the guardianship of the domestic Lares. Having
+this information from James, whose brow wore rather an anxious look on
+the occasion, I dispatched a Highland chairman to the livery stable with
+my Bucephalus, and slunk, with as little noise as might be, into my own
+den, where I began to mumble certain half-gnawed and not half-digested
+doctrines of our municipal code. I was not long seated, when my father's
+visage was thrust, in a peering sort of way, through the half-opened
+door; and withdrawn, on seeing my occupation, with a half-articulated
+HUMPH! which seemed to convey a doubt of the seriousness of my
+application. If it were so, I cannot condemn him; for recollection of
+thee occupied me so entirely during an hour's reading, that although
+Stair lay before me, and notwithstanding that I turned over three or
+four pages, the sense of his lordship's clear and perspicuous style
+so far escaped me, that I had the mortification to find my labour was
+utterly in vain.
+
+Ere I had brought up my lee-way, James appeared with his summons to our
+frugal supper--radishes, cheese, and a bottle of the old ale-only two
+plates though--and no chair set for Mr. Darsie, by the attentive James
+Wilkinson. Said James, with his long face, lank hair, and very long
+pig-tail in its leathern strap, was placed, as usual, at the back of
+my father's chair, upright as a wooden sentinel at the door of a
+puppet-show. 'You may go down, James,' said my father; and exit
+Wilkinson.--What is to come next? thought I; for the weather is not
+clear on the paternal brow.
+
+My boots encountered his first glance of displeasure, and he asked me,
+with a sneer, which way I had been riding. He expected me to answer,
+'Nowhere,' and would then have been at me with his usual sarcasm,
+touching the humour of walking in shoes at twenty shillings a pair. But
+I answered with composure, that I had ridden out to dinner as far as
+Noble House. He started (you know his way) as if I had said that I
+had dined at Jericho; and as I did not choose to seem to observe his
+surprise, but continued munching my radishes in tranquillity, he broke
+forth in ire.
+
+'To Noble House, sir! and what had you to do at Noble House, sir? Do
+you remember you are studying law, sir?--that your Scots law trials are
+coming on, sir?--that every moment of your time just now is worth hours
+at another time?--and have you leisure to go to Noble House, sir?--and
+to throw your books behind you for so many hours?--Had it been a turn in
+the meadows, or even a game at golf--but Noble House, sir!'
+
+'I went so far with Darsie Latimer, sir, to see him begin his journey.'
+
+'Darsie Latimer?' he replied in a softened tone--'Humph!--Well, I do not
+blame you for being kind to Darsie Latimer; but it would have done as
+much good if you had walked with him as far as the toll-bar, and then
+made your farewells--it would have saved horse-hire--and your reckoning,
+too, at dinner.'
+
+'Latimer paid that, sir,' I replied, thinking to soften the matter; but
+I had much better have left it unspoken.
+
+'The reckoning, sir!' replied my father. 'And did you sponge upon any
+man for a reckoning? Sir, no man should enter the door of a public-house
+without paying his lawing.'
+
+'I admit the general rule, sir,' I replied; 'but this was a parting-cup
+between Darsie and me; and I should conceive it fell under the exception
+of DOCH AN DORROCH.'
+
+'You think yourself a wit,' said my father, with as near an approach to
+a smile as ever he permits to gild the solemnity of his features; 'but
+I reckon you did not eat your dinner standing, like the Jews at their
+Passover? and it was decided in a case before the town-bailies of
+Cupar-Angus, when Luckie Simpson's cow had drunk up Luckie Jamieson's
+browst of ale while it stood in the door to cool, that there was no
+damage to pay, because the crummie drank without sitting down; such
+being the very circumstance constituting DOCH AN DORROCH, which is a
+standing drink, for which no reckoning is paid. Ha, sir! what says your
+advocateship (FIERI) to that? EXEPTIO FIRMAT REGULAM--But come, fill
+your glass, Alan; I am not sorry ye have shown this attention to Darsie
+Latimer, who is a good lad, as times go; and having now lived under my
+roof since he left the school, why, there is really no great matter in
+coming under this small obligation to him.'
+
+As I saw my father's scruples were much softened by the consciousness of
+his superiority in the legal argument, I took care to accept my pardon
+as a matter of grace, rather than of justice; and only replied, we
+should feel ourselves duller of an evening, now that you were absent. I
+will give you my father's exact words in reply, Darsie. You know him so
+well, that they will not offend you; and you are also aware, that there
+mingles with the good man's preciseness and formality, a fund of shrewd
+observation and practical good sense.
+
+'It is very true,' he said; 'Darsie was a pleasant companion-but over
+waggish, over waggish, Alan, and somewhat scatter-brained.--By the way,
+Wilkinson must get our ale bottled in English pints now, for a quart
+bottle is too much, night after night, for you and me, without his
+assistance.--But Darsie, as I was saying, is an arch lad, and somewhat
+light in the upper story--I wish him well through the world; but he has
+little solidity, Alan, little solidity.'
+
+I scorn to desert an absent friend, Darsie, so I said for you a little
+more than my conscience warranted: but your defection from your legal
+studies had driven you far to leeward in my father's good opinion.
+
+'Unstable as water, he shall not excel,' said my father; 'or, as the
+Septuagint hath it, EFUSA EST SICUT AQUA--NON CRESCAT. He goeth to
+dancing-houses, and readeth novels--SAT EST.'
+
+I endeavoured to parry these texts by observing, that the dancing-houses
+amounted only to one night at La Pique's ball--the novels (so far as
+matter of notoriety, Darsie) to an odd volume of TOM JONES.
+
+'But he danced from night to morning,' replied my father, 'and he read
+the idle trash, which the author should have been scourged for, at least
+twenty times over. It was never out of his hand.'
+
+I then hinted, that in all probability your fortune was now so easy as
+to dispense with your prosecuting the law any further than you had done;
+and therefore you might think you had some title to amuse yourself. This
+was the least palatable argument of all.
+
+'If he cannot amuse himself with the law,' said my father, snappishly
+'it is the worse for him. If he needs not law to teach him to make a
+fortune, I am sure he needs it to teach him how to keep one; and it
+would better become him to be learning this, than to be scouring the
+country like a land-louper, going he knows not where, to see he knows
+not what, and giving treats at Noble House to fools like himself' (an
+angry glance at poor me), 'Noble House, indeed!' he repeated, with
+elevated voice and sneering tone, as if there were something offensive
+to him in the name, though I will venture to say that any place in which
+you had been extravagant enough to spend five shillings, would have
+stood as deep in his reprobation.
+
+Mindful of your idea, that my father knows more of your real situation
+than he thinks proper to mention, I thought I would hazard a fishing
+observation. 'I did not see,' I said, 'how the Scottish law would be
+useful to a young gentleman whose fortune would seem to be vested in
+England.'--I really thought my father would have beat me.
+
+'D'ye mean to come round me, sir, PER AMBAGES, as Counsellor Pest says?
+What is it to you where Darsie Latimer's fortune is vested, or whether
+he hath any fortune, aye or no? And what ill would the Scottish law do
+to him, though he had as much of it as either Stair or Bankton, sir? Is
+not the foundation of our municipal law the ancient code of the Roman
+Empire, devised at a time when it was so much renowned for its civil
+polity, sir, and wisdom? Go to your bed, sir, after your expedition to
+Noble House, and see that your lamp be burning and your book before you
+ere the sun peeps. ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS--were it not a sin to call the
+divine science of the law by the inferior name of art.'
+
+So my lamp did burn, dear Darsie, the next morning, though the owner
+took the risk of a domiciliary visitation, and lay snug in bed, trusting
+its glimmer might, without further inquiry, be received as sufficient
+evidence of his vigilance. And now, upon this the third morning after
+your departure, things are but little better; for though the lamp burns
+in my den, and VOET ON THE PANDECTS hath his wisdom spread open before
+me, yet as I only use him as a reading-desk on which to scribble this
+sheet of nonsense to Darsie Latimer, it is probable the vicinity will be
+of little furtherance to my studies.
+
+And now, methinks, I hear thee call me an affected hypocritical varlet,
+who, living under such a system of distrust and restraint as my father
+chooses to govern by, nevertheless pretends not to envy you your freedom
+and independence.
+
+Latimer, I will tell you no lies. I wish my father would allow me a
+little more exercise of my free will, were it but that I might feel the
+pleasure of doing what would please him of my own accord. A little more
+spare time, and a little more money to enjoy it, would, besides, neither
+misbecome my age nor my condition; and it is, I own, provoking to see so
+many in the same situation winging the air at freedom, while I sit here,
+caged up like a cobbler's linnet, to chant the same unvaried lesson
+from sunrise to sunset, not to mention the listening to so many lectures
+against idleness, as if I enjoyed or was making use of the means of
+amusement! But then I cannot at heart blame either the motive or the
+object of this severity. For the motive, it is and can only be my
+father's anxious, devoted, and unremitting affection and zeal for my
+improvement, with a laudable sense of the honour of the profession to
+which he has trained me.
+
+As we have no near relations, the tie betwixt us is of even unusual
+closeness, though in itself one of the strongest which nature can form.
+I am, and have all along been, the exclusive object of my father's
+anxious hopes, and his still more anxious and engrossing fears; so what
+title have I to complain, although now and then these fears and hopes
+lead him to take a troublesome and incessant charge of all my motions?
+Besides, I ought to recollect, and, Darsie, I do recollect, that my
+father upon various occasions, has shown that he can be indulgent as
+well as strict. The leaving his old apartments in the Luckenbooths was
+to him like divorcing the soul from the body; yet Dr. R---- did but
+hint that the better air of this new district was more favourable to
+my health, as I was then suffering under the penalties of too rapid a
+growth, when he exchanged his old and beloved quarters, adjacent to the
+very Heart of Midlothian, for one of those new tenements (entire within
+themselves) which modern taste has so lately introduced. Instance also
+the inestimable favour which he conferred on me by receiving you into
+his house, when you had only the unpleasant alternative of remaining,
+though a grown-up lad, in the society of mere boys. [The diminutive and
+obscure place called Brown's Square, was hailed about the time of its
+erection as an extremely elegant improvement upon the style of designing
+and erecting Edinburgh residences. Each house was, in the phrase used
+by appraisers, 'finished within itself,' or, in the still newer
+phraseology, 'self-contained.' It was built about the year 1763-4; and
+the old part of the city being near and accessible, this square soon
+received many inhabitants, who ventured to remove to so moderate a
+distance from the High Street.] This was a thing so contrary to all my
+father's ideas of seclusion, of economy, and of the safety to my morals
+and industry, which he wished to attain, by preserving me from the
+society of other young people, that, upon my word, I am always rather
+astonished how I should have had the impudence to make the request, than
+that he should have complied with it.
+
+Then for the object of his solicitude--Do not laugh, or hold up your
+hands, my good Darsie; but upon my word I like the profession to which
+I am in the course of being educated, and am serious in prosecuting the
+preliminary studies. The law is my vocation--in an especial, and, I
+may say, in an hereditary way, my vocation; for although I have not the
+honour to belong to any of the great families who form in Scotland, as
+in France, the noblesse of the robe, and with us, at least, carry their
+heads as high, or rather higher, than the noblesse of the sword,--for
+the former consist more frequently of the 'first-born of Egypt,'--yet
+my grandfather, who, I dare say, was a most excellent person, had the
+honour to sign a bitter protest against the Union, in the respectable
+character of town-clerk to the ancient Borough of Birlthegroat; and
+there is some reason--shall I say to hope, or to suspect?--that he may
+have been a natural son of a first cousin of the then Fairford of that
+Ilk, who had been long numbered among the minor barons. Now my father
+mounted a step higher on the ladder of legal promotion, being, as you
+know as well as I do, an eminent and respected Writer to his Majesty's
+Signet; and I myself am destined to mount a round higher still, and wear
+the honoured robe which is sometimes supposed, like Charity, to cover
+a multitude of sins. I have, therefore, no choice but to climb upwards;
+since we have mounted thus high, or else to fall down at the imminent
+risk of my neck. So that I reconcile myself to my destiny; and while
+you, are looking from mountain peaks, at distant lakes and firths, I am,
+DE APICIBUS JURIS, consoling myself with visions of crimson and scarlet
+gowns--with the appendages of handsome cowls, well lined with salary.
+
+You smile, Darsie, MORE TUO, and seem to say it is little worth while to
+cozen one's self with such vulgar dreams; yours being, on the contrary,
+of a high and heroic character, bearing the same resemblance to mine,
+that a bench, covered with purple cloth and plentifully loaded with
+session papers, does to some Gothic throne, rough with barbaric pearl
+and gold. But what would you have?--SUA QUEMQUE TRAHIT VOLUPTAS. And my
+visions of preferment, though they may be as unsubstantial at present,
+are nevertheless more capable of being realized, than your aspirations
+after the Lord knows what. What says my father's proverb? 'Look to a
+gown of gold, and you will at least get a sleeve of it.' Such is my
+pursuit; but what dost thou look to? The chance that the mystery, as
+you call it, which at present overclouds your birth and connexions, will
+clear up into something inexpressibly and inconceivably brilliant;
+and this without any effort or exertion of your own, but purely by the
+goodwill of Fortune. I know the pride and naughtiness of thy heart, and
+sincerely do I wish that thou hadst more beatings to thank me for, than
+those which thou dost acknowledge so gratefully. Then had I thumped
+these Quixotical expectations out of thee, and thou hadst not, as
+now, conceived thyself to be the hero of some romantic history, and
+converted, in thy vain imaginations, honest Griffiths, citizen and
+broker, who never bestows more than the needful upon his quarterly
+epistles, into some wise Alexander or sage Alquife, the mystical and
+magical protector of thy peerless destiny. But I know not how it was,
+thy skull got harder, I think, and my knuckles became softer; not to
+mention that at length thou didst begin to show about thee a spark of
+something dangerous, which I was bound to respect at least, if I did not
+fear it.
+
+And while I speak of this, it is not much amiss to advise thee to
+correct a little this cock-a-hoop courage of thine. I fear much that,
+like a hot-mettled horse, it will carry the owner into some scrape, out
+of which he will find it difficult to extricate himself, especially if
+the daring spirit which bore thee thither should chance to fail thee
+at a pinch. Remember, Darsie, thou art not naturally courageous; on
+the contrary, we have long since agreed that, quiet as I am, I have the
+advantage in this important particular. My courage consists, I think,
+in strength of nerves and constitutional indifference to danger; which,
+though it never pushes me on adventure, secures me in full use of
+my recollection, and tolerably complete self-possession, when danger
+actually arrives. Now, thine seems more what may be called intellectual
+courage; highness of spirit, and desire of distinction; impulses which
+render thee alive to the love of fame, and deaf to the apprehension of
+danger, until it forces itself suddenly upon thee. I own that, whether
+it is from my having caught my father's apprehensions, or that I have
+reason to entertain doubts of my own, I often think that this wildfire
+chase of romantic situation and adventure may lead thee into some
+mischief; and then what would become of Alan Fairford? They might make
+whom they pleased Lord Advocate or Solicitor-General, I should never
+have the heart to strive for it. All my exertions are intended to
+Vindicate myself one day in your eyes; and I think I should not care
+a farthing for the embroidered silk gown, more than for an old woman's
+apron, unless I had hopes that thou shouldst be walking the boards to
+admire, and perhaps to envy me.
+
+That this may be the case, I prithee--beware! See not a Dulcinea, in
+every slipshod girl, who, with blue eyes, fair hair, a tattered plaid,
+and a willow-wand in her grip, drives out the village cows to the
+loaning. Do not think you will meet a gallant Valentine in every English
+rider, or an Orson in every Highland drover. View things as they are,
+and not as they may be magnified through thy teeming fancy. I have seen
+thee look at an old gravel pit, till thou madest out capes, and bays,
+and inlets, crags and precipices, and the whole stupendous scenery of
+the Isle of Feroe, in what was, to all ordinary eyes, a mere horse-pond.
+Besides, did I not once find thee gazing with respect at a lizard, in
+the attitude of one who looks upon a crocodile? Now this is, doubtless,
+so far a harmless exercise of your imagination; for the puddle cannot
+drown you, nor the Lilliputian alligator eat you up. But it is different
+in society, where you cannot mistake the character of those you converse
+with, or suffer your fancy to exaggerate their qualities, good or bad,
+without exposing yourself not only to ridicule, but to great and serious
+inconveniences. Keep guard, therefore, on your imagination, my dear
+Darsie; and let your old friend assure you, it is the point of your
+character most pregnant with peril to its good and generous owner.
+Adieu! let not the franks of the worthy peer remain unemployed; above
+all, SIS MEMOR MEI. A. F.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER III
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+SHEPHERD'S BUSH.
+
+I have received thine absurd and most conceited epistle. It is well
+for thee that, Lovelace and Belford-like, we came under a convention
+to pardon every species of liberty which we may take with each other;
+since, upon my word, there are some reflections in your last which would
+otherwise have obliged me to return forthwith to Edinburgh, merely to
+show you I was not what you took me for.
+
+Why, what a pair of prigs hast thou made of us! I plunging into scrapes,
+without having courage to get out of them--thy sagacious self, afraid
+to put one foot before the other, lest it should run away from its
+companion; and so standing still like a post, out of mere faintness
+and coldness of heart, while all the world were driving full speed past
+thee. Thou a portrait-painter! I tell thee, Alan, I have seen a better
+seated on the fourth round of a ladder, and painting a bare-breeched
+Highlander, holding a pint-stoup as big as himself, and a booted
+Lowlander, in a bobwig, supporting a glass of like dimensions; the whole
+being designed to represent the sign of the Salutation.
+
+How hadst thou the heart to represent thine own individual self, with
+all thy motions, like those of a great Dutch doll, depending on the
+pressure of certain springs, as duty, reflection, and the like; without
+the impulse of which, thou wouldst doubtless have me believe thou
+wouldst not budge an inch! But have I not seen Gravity out of his bed at
+midnight? and must I, in plain terms, remind thee of certain mad pranks?
+Thou hadst ever, with the gravest sentiments in thy mouth and the most
+starched reserve in thy manner, a kind of lumbering proclivity towards
+mischief, although with more inclination to set it a-going than address
+to carry it through; and I cannot but chuckle internally, when I think
+of having seen my most venerable monitor, the future president of some
+high Scottish court, puffing, blowing, and floundering, like a clumsy
+cart-horse in a bog where his efforts to extricate himself only plunged
+him deeper at every awkward struggle, till some one--I myself, for
+example--took compassion on the moaning monster, and dragged him out by
+mane and tail.
+
+As for me, my portrait is, if possible, even more scandalously
+caricatured, I fail or quail in spirit at the upcome! Where canst thou
+show me the least symptom of the recreant temper, with which thou hast
+invested me (as I trust) merely to set off the solid and impassible
+dignity of thine own stupid indifference? If you ever saw me tremble, be
+assured that my flesh, like that of the old Spanish general, only quaked
+at the dangers into which my spirit was about to lead it. Seriously,
+Alan, this imputed poverty of spirit is a shabby charge to bring against
+your friend. I have examined myself as closely as I can, being, in very
+truth, a little hurt at your having such hard thoughts of me, and on
+my life I can see no reason for them. I allow you have, perhaps, some
+advantage of me in the steadiness and indifference of your temper; but I
+should despise myself, if I were conscious of the deficiency in courage
+which you seem willing enough to impute to me. However, I suppose, this
+ungracious hint proceeds from sincere anxiety for my safety; and so
+viewing it, I swallow it as I would do medicine from a friendly doctor,
+although I believed in my heart he had mistaken my complaint.
+
+This offensive insinuation disposed of, I thank thee, Alan, for the rest
+of thy epistle. I thought I heard your good father pronouncing the word
+Noble House, with a mixture of contempt and displeasure, as if the very
+name of the poor little hamlet were odious to him, or as if you had
+selected, out of all Scotland, the very place at which you had no call
+to dine. But if he had had any particular aversion to that blameless
+village and very sorry inn, is it not his own fault that I did not
+accept the invitation of the Laird of Glengallacher, to shoot a buck
+in what he emphatically calls 'his country'? Truth is, I had a strong
+desire to have complied with his lairdship's invitation. To shoot a
+buck! Think how magnificent an idea to one who never shot anything but
+hedge-sparrows, and that with a horse-pistol purchased at a broker's
+stand in the Cowgate! You, who stand upon your courage, may remember
+that I took the risk of firing the said pistol for the first time, while
+you stood at twenty yards' distance; and that, when you were persuaded
+it would go off without bursting, forgetting all law but that of the
+biggest and strongest, you possessed yourself of it exclusively for the
+rest of the holidays. Such a day's sport was no complete introduction to
+the noble art of deer-stalking, as it is practised in the Highlands; but
+I should not have scrupled to accept honest Glengallacher's invitation,
+at the risk of firing a rifle for the first time, had it not been for
+the outcry which your father made at my proposal, in the full ardour of
+his zeal for King George, the Hanover succession, and the Presbyterian
+faith. I wish I had stood out, since I have gained so little upon
+his good opinion by submission. All his impressions concerning the
+Highlanders are taken from the recollections of the Forty-five, when he
+retreated from the West Port with his brother volunteers, each to
+the fortalice of his own separate dwelling, so soon as they heard the
+Adventurer was arrived with his clans as near them as Kirkliston. The
+flight of Falkirk--PARMA NON BENE SELECTA--in which I think your sire
+had his share with the undaunted western regiment, does not seem to have
+improved his taste for the company of the Highlanders; (quaere,
+Alan, dost thou derive the courage thou makest such boast of from an
+hereditary source?) and stories of Rob Roy Macgregor, and Sergeant Alan
+Mhor Cameron, have served to paint them in still more sable colours to
+his imagination. [Of Rob Roy we have had more than enough. Alan Cameron,
+commonly called Sergeant Mhor, a freebooter of the same period, was
+equally remarkable for strength, courage, and generosity.]
+
+Now, from all I can understand, these ideas, as applied to the present
+state of the country, are absolutely chimerical. The Pretender is
+no more remembered in the Highlands than if the poor gentleman were
+gathered to his hundred and eight fathers, whose portraits adorn the
+ancient walls of Holyrood; the broadswords have passed into other hands;
+the targets are used to cover the butter churns; and the race has sunk,
+or is fast sinking, from ruffling bullies into tame cheaters. Indeed, it
+was partly my conviction that there is little to be seen in the north,
+which, arriving at your father's conclusions, though from different
+premisses, inclined my course in this direction, where perhaps I shall
+see as little.
+
+One thing, however, I HAVE seen; and it was with pleasure the more
+indescribable, that I was debarred from treading the land which my eyes
+were permitted to gaze upon, like those of the dying prophet from top
+of Mount Pisgah,--I have seen, in a word, the fruitful shores of merry
+England; merry England! of which I boast myself a native, and on which
+I gaze, even while raging floods and unstable quicksands divide us, with
+the filial affection of a dutiful son.
+
+Thou canst not have forgotten, Alan--for when didst thou ever forget
+what was interesting to thy friend?--that the same letter from my friend
+Griffiths, which doubled my income, and placed my motions at my own
+free disposal, contained a prohibitory clause, by which, reason none
+assigned, I was prohibited, as I respected my present safety and
+future fortunes, from visiting England; every other part of the British
+dominions, and a tour, if I pleased, on the Continent, being left to my
+own choice.--Where is the tale, Alan, of a covered dish in the midst
+of a royal banquet, upon which the eyes of every guest were immediately
+fixed, neglecting all the dainties with which the table was loaded? This
+cause of banishment from England--from my native country--from the land
+of the brave, and the wise, and the free--affects me more than I am
+rejoiced by the freedom and independence assigned to me in all other
+respects. Thus, in seeking this extreme boundary of the country which
+I am forbidden to tread, I resemble the poor tethered horse, which, you
+may have observed, is always grazing on the very verge of the circle to
+which it is limited by its halter.
+
+Do not accuse me of romance for obeying this impulse towards the South;
+nor suppose that, to satisfy the imaginary longing of an idle curiosity,
+I am in any danger of risking the solid comforts of my present
+condition. Whoever has hitherto taken charge of my motions has shown me,
+by convincing proofs more weighty than the assurances which they have
+witheld, that my real advantage is their principal object. I should be,
+therefore, worse than a fool did I object to their authority, even when
+it seems somewhat capriciously exercised; for assuredly, at my age, I
+might--intrusted as I am with the care and management of myself in every
+other particular--expect that the cause of excluding me from England
+should be frankly and fairly stated for my own consideration and
+guidance. However, I will not grumble about the matter. I shall know the
+whole story one day, I suppose; and perhaps, as you sometimes surmise, I
+shall not find there is any mighty matter in it after all.
+
+Yet one cannot help wondering--but plague on it, if I wonder any
+longer, my letter will be as full of wonders as one of Katterfelto's
+advertisements. I have a month's mind, instead of this damnable
+iteration of guesses and forebodings, to give thee the history of a
+little adventure which befell me yesterday; though I am sure you will,
+as usual, turn the opposite side of the spyglass on my poor narrative,
+and reduce, MORE TUO, to the most petty trivialities, the circumstance
+to which thou accusest me of giving undue consequence. Hang thee, Alan,
+thou art as unfit a confidant for a youthful gallant with some spice
+of imagination, as the old taciturn secretary of Facardin of Trebizond.
+Nevertheless, we must each perform our separate destinies. I am doomed
+to see, act, and tell; thou, like a Dutchman enclosed in the same
+diligence with a Gascon, to hear, and shrug thy shoulders.
+
+Of Dumfries, the capital town of this county, I have but little to say,
+and will not abuse your patience by reminding you that it is built on
+the gallant river Nith, and that its churchyard, the highest place of
+the old town, commands an extensive and fine prospect. Neither will I
+take the traveller's privilege of inflicting upon you the whole history
+of Bruce poniarding the Red Comyn in the Church of the Dominicans
+at this place, and becoming a king and patriot because he had been a
+church-breaker and a murderer. The present Dumfriezers remember and
+justify the deed, observing it was only a papist church--in evidence
+whereof, its walls have been so completely demolished that no vestiges
+of them remain. They are a sturdy set of true-blue Presbyterians, these
+burghers of Dumfries; men after your father's own heart, zealous for the
+Protestant succession--the rather that many of the great families around
+are suspected to be of a different way of thinking, and shared, a great
+many of them, in the insurrection of the Fifteen, and some in the more
+recent business of the Forty-five. The town itself suffered in the
+latter era; for Lord Elcho, with a large party of the rebels, levied
+a severe contribution upon Dumfries, on account of the citizens having
+annoyed the rear of the Chevalier during his march into England.
+
+Many of these particulars I learned from Provost C--, who, happening to
+see me in the market-place, remembered that I was an intimate of your
+father's, and very kindly asked me to dinner. Pray tell your father that
+the effects of his kindness to me follow me everywhere. I became tired,
+however, of this pretty town in the course of twenty-four hours, and
+crept along the coast eastwards, amusing myself with looking out for
+objects of antiquity, and sometimes making, or attempting to make, use
+of my new angling-rod. By the way, old Cotton's instructions, by which
+I hoped to qualify myself for one of the gentle society of anglers, are
+not worth a farthing for this meridian. I learned this by mere accident,
+after I had waited four mortal hours. I shall never forget an impudent
+urchin, a cowherd, about twelve years old, without either brogue or
+bonnet, barelegged, and with a very indifferent pair of breeches--how
+the villain grinned in scorn at my landing-net, my plummet, and the
+gorgeous jury of flies which I had assembled to destroy all the fish
+in the river. I was induced at last to lend the rod to the sneering
+scoundrel, to see what he would make of it; and he had not only half
+filled my basket in an hour, but literally taught me to kill two trouts
+with my own hand. This, and Sam having found the hay and oats, not
+forgetting the ale, very good at this small inn, first made me take
+the fancy of resting here for a day or two; and I have got my grinning
+blackguard of a piscator leave to attend on me, by paying sixpence a day
+for a herd-boy in his stead.
+
+A notably clean Englishwoman keeps this small house, and my bedroom is
+sweetened with lavender, has a clean sash-window, and the walls are,
+moreover, adorned with ballads of Fair Rosamond and Cruel Barbara Allan.
+The woman's accent, though uncouth enough, sounds yet kindly in my ear;
+for I have never yet forgotten the desolate effect produced on my
+infant organs, when I heard on all sides your slow and broad northern
+pronunciation, which was to me the tone of a foreign land. I am sensible
+I myself have since that time acquired Scotch in perfection, and many a
+Scotticism withal. Still the sound of the English accentuation comes to
+my ears as the tones of a friend; and even when heard from the mouth of
+some wandering beggar, it has seldom failed to charm forth my mite.
+You Scotch, who are so proud of your own nationality, must make due
+allowance for that of other folks.
+
+On the next morning I was about to set forth to the stream where I had
+commenced angler the night before, but was prevented by a heavy shower
+of rain from stirring abroad the whole forenoon; during all which time,
+I heard my varlet of a guide as loud with his blackguard jokes in the
+kitchen, as a footman in the shilling gallery; so little are modesty and
+innocence the inseparable companions of rusticity and seclusion.
+
+When after dinner the day cleared, and we at length sallied out to the
+river side, I found myself subjected to a new trick on the part of my
+accomplished preceptor. Apparently, he liked fishing himself better than
+the trouble of instructing an awkward novice such as I; and in hopes of
+exhausting my patience, and inducing me to resign the rod, as I had done
+the preceding day, my friend contrived to keep me thrashing the water
+more than an hour with a pointless hook. I detected this trick at last,
+by observing the rogue grinning with delight when he saw a large trout
+rise and dash harmless away from the angle. I gave him a sound cuff,
+Alan; but the next moment was sorry, and, to make amends, yielded
+possession of the fishing-rod for the rest of the evening, he
+undertaking to bring me home a dish of trouts for my supper, in
+atonement for his offences.
+
+Having thus got honourably rid of the trouble of amusing myself in a way
+I cared not for, I turned my steps towards the sea, or rather the Solway
+Firth which here separates the two sister kingdoms, and which lay at
+about a mile's distance, by a pleasant walk over sandy knells, covered
+with short herbage, which you call Links, and we English, Downs.
+
+But the rest of my adventure would weary out my fingers, and must
+be deferred until to-morrow, when you shall hear from me, by way of
+continuation; and, in the meanwhile, to prevent over-hasty conclusions,
+I must just hint to you, we are but yet on the verge of the adventure
+which it is my purpose to communicate.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER IV
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+SHEPHERD'S BUSH.
+
+I mentioned in my last, that having abandoned my fishing-rod as an
+unprofitable implement, I crossed over the open downs which divided me
+from the margin of the Solway. When I reached the banks of the great
+estuary, which are here very bare and exposed, the waters had receded
+from the large and level space of sand, through which a stream,
+now feeble and fordable, found its way to the ocean. The whole was
+illuminated by the beams of the low and setting sun, who showed
+his ruddy front, like a warrior prepared for defence, over a huge
+battlemented and turreted wall of crimson and black clouds, which
+appeared like an immense Gothic fortress, into which the lord of day was
+descending. His setting rays glimmered bright upon the wet surface of
+the sands, and the numberless pools of water by which it was covered,
+where the inequality of the ground had occasioned their being left by
+the tide.
+
+The scene was animated by the exertions of a number of horsemen, who
+were actually employed in hunting salmon. Aye, Alan, lift up your
+hands and eyes as you will, I can give their mode of fishing no name so
+appropriate; for they chased the fish at full gallop, and struck them
+with their barbed spears, as you see hunters spearing boars in the old
+tapestry. The salmon, to be sure, take the thing more quietly than the
+boars; but they are so swift in their own element, that to pursue
+and strike them is the task of a good horseman, with a quick eye, a
+determined hand, and full command both of his horse and weapon. The
+shouts of the fellows as they galloped up and down in the animating
+exercise--their loud bursts of laughter when any of their number caught
+a fall--and still louder acclamations when any of the party made a
+capital stroke with his lance--gave so much animation to the whole
+scene, that I caught the enthusiasm of the sport, and ventured forward
+a considerable space on the sands. The feats of one horseman, in
+particular, called forth so repeatedly the clamorous applause of his
+companions, that the very banks rang again with their shouts. He was a
+tall man, well mounted on a strong black horse, which he caused to turn
+and wind like a bird in the air, carried a longer spear than the others,
+and wore a sort of fur cap or bonnet, with a short feather in it,
+which gave him on the whole rather a superior appearance to the other
+fishermen. He seemed to hold some sort of authority among them, and
+occasionally directed their motions both by voice and hand: at which
+times I thought his gestures were striking, and his voice uncommonly
+sonorous and commanding.
+
+The riders began to make for the shore, and the interest of the scene
+was almost over, while I lingered on the sands, with my looks turned to
+the shores of England, still gilded by the sun's last rays, and, as it
+seemed, scarce distant a mile from me. The anxious thoughts which
+haunt me began to muster in my bosom, and my feet slowly and insensibly
+approached the river which divided me from the forbidden precincts,
+though without any formed intention, when my steps were arrested by
+the sound of a horse galloping; and as I turned, the rider (the same
+fisherman whom I had formerly distinguished) called out to me, in
+an abrupt manner, 'Soho, brother! you are too late for Bowness
+to-night--the tide will make presently.'
+
+I turned my head and looked at him without answering; for, to my
+thinking, his sudden appearance (or rather, I should say, his unexpected
+approach) had, amidst the gathering shadows and lingering light,
+something in it which was wild and ominous.
+
+'Are you deaf?' he added--'or are you mad?--or have you a mind for the
+next world?'
+
+'I am a stranger,' I answered,' and had no other purpose than looking on
+at the fishing--I am about to return to the side I came from.'
+
+'Best make haste then,' said he. 'He that dreams on the bed of the
+Solway, may wake in the next world. The sky threatens a blast that will
+bring in the waves three feet abreast.'
+
+So saying, he turned his horse and rode off, while I began to walk back
+towards the Scottish shore, a little alarmed at what I had heard;
+for the tide advances with such rapidity upon these fatal sands, that
+well-mounted horsemen lay aside hopes of safety, if they see its white
+surge advancing while they are yet at a distance from the bank.
+
+These recollections grew more agitating, and, instead of walking
+deliberately, I began a race as fast as I could, feeling, or thinking I
+felt, each pool of salt water through which I splashed, grow deeper and
+deeper. At length the surface of the sand did seem considerably more
+intersected with pools and channels full of water--either that the tide
+was really beginning to influence the bed of the estuary, or, as I must
+own is equally probable, that I had, in the hurry and confusion of my
+retreat, involved myself in difficulties which I had avoided in my more
+deliberate advance. Either way, it was rather an unpromising state of
+affairs, for the sands at the same time turned softer, and my footsteps,
+so soon as I had passed, were instantly filled with water. I began to
+have odd recollections concerning the snugness of your father's parlour,
+and the secure footing afforded by the pavement of Brown's Square and
+Scott's Close, when my better genius, the tall fisherman, appeared once
+more close to my side, he and his sable horse looming gigantic in the
+now darkening twilight.
+
+'Are you mad?' he said, in the same deep tone which had before thrilled
+on my ear, 'or are you weary of your life? You will be presently amongst
+the quicksands.' I professed my ignorance of the way, to which he only
+replied, 'There is no time for prating--get up behind me.'
+
+He probably expected me to spring from the ground with the activity
+which these Borderers have, by constant practice, acquired in everything
+relating to horsemanship; but as I stood irresolute, he extended his
+hand, and grasping mine, bid me place my foot on the toe of his boot,
+and thus raised me in a trice to the croupe of his horse. I was scarcely
+securely seated, ere he shook the reins of his horse, who instantly
+sprang forward; but annoyed, doubtless, by the unusual burden, treated
+us to two or three bounds, accompanied by as many flourishes of his hind
+heels. The rider sat like a tower, notwithstanding that the unexpected
+plunging of the animal threw me forward upon him. The horse was soon
+compelled to submit to the discipline of the spur and bridle, and went
+off at a steady hand gallop; thus shortening the devious, for it was
+by no means a direct path, by which the rider, avoiding the loose
+quicksands, made for the northern bank.
+
+My friend, perhaps I may call him my preserver,--for, to a stranger, my
+situation was fraught with real danger,--continued to press on at the
+same speedy pace, but in perfect silence, and I was under too much
+anxiety of mind to disturb him with any questions. At length we arrived
+at a part of the shore with which I was utterly unacquainted, when I
+alighted and began to return in the best fashion I could my thanks for
+the important service which he had just rendered me.
+
+The stranger only replied by an impatient 'pshaw!' and was about to ride
+off, and leave me to my own resources when I implored him to complete
+his work of kindness by directing me to Shepherd's Bush, which was, as I
+informed him, my home for the present.
+
+'To Shepherd's Bush?' he said; 'it is but three miles but if you know
+not the land better than the sand, you may break your neck before you
+get there; for it is no road for a moping boy in a dark night; and,
+besides, there are the brook and the fens to cross.'
+
+I was a little dismayed at this communication of such difficulties as my
+habits had not called on me to contend with. Once more the idea of thy
+father's fireside came across me; and I could have been well contented
+to have swapped the romance of my situation, together with the glorious
+independence of control which I possessed at the moment, for the
+comforts of that chimney-corner, though I were obliged to keep my eyes
+chained to Erskine's LARGER INSTITUTES.
+
+I asked my new friend whether he could not direct me to any house of
+public entertainment for the night; and supposing it probable he was
+himself a poor man, I added, with the conscious dignity of a well-filled
+pocket-book, that I could make it worth any man's while to oblige me.
+The fisherman making no answer, I turned away from him with as gallant
+an appearance of indifference as I could command, and began to take, as
+I thought, the path which he had pointed out to me.
+
+His deep voice immediately sounded after me to recall me. 'Stay, young
+man, stay--you have mistaken the road already.--I wonder your friends
+sent out such an inconsiderate youth, without some one wiser than
+himself to take care of him.'
+
+'Perhaps they might not have done so,' said I, 'if I had any friends who
+cared about the matter.'
+
+'Well, sir,' he said, 'it is not my custom to open my house to
+strangers, but your pinch is like to be a smart one; for, besides the
+risk from bad roads, fords, and broken ground, and the night,
+which looks both black and gloomy, there is bad company on the road
+sometimes--at least it has a bad name, and some have come to harm; so
+that I think I must for once make my rule give way to your necessity,
+and give you a night's lodging in my cottage.
+
+Why was it, Alan, that I could not help giving an involuntary shudder at
+receiving an invitation so seasonable in itself, and so suitable to my
+naturally inquisitive disposition? I easily suppressed this untimely
+sensation; and as I returned thanks, and expressed my hope that I should
+not disarrange, his family, I once more dropped a hint of my desire to
+make compensation for any trouble I might occasion. The man answered
+very coldly, 'Your presence will no doubt give me trouble, sir, but it
+is of a kind which your purse, cannot compensate; in a word, although
+I am content to receive you as my guest, I am no publican to call a
+reckoning.'
+
+I begged his pardon, and, at his instance, once more seated myself
+behind hint upon the good horse, which went forth steady as before--the
+moon, whenever she could penetrate the clouds, throwing the huge shadow
+of the animal, with its double burden, on the wild and bare ground over
+which we passed.
+
+Thou mayst laugh till thou lettest the letter fall, if thou wilt, but
+it reminded me of the magician Atlantes on his hippogriff with a knight
+trussed up behind him, in the manner Ariosto has depicted that matter.
+Thou art I know, matter-of-fact enough to affect contempt of that
+fascinating and delicious poem; but think not that, to conform with
+thy bad taste, I shall forbear any suitable illustration which now or
+hereafter may occur to me.
+
+On we went, the sky blackening around us, and the wind beginning to pipe
+such a wild and melancholy tune as best suited the hollow sounds of the
+advancing tide, which I could hear at a distance, like the roar of some
+immense monster defrauded of its prey.
+
+At length, our course was crossed by a deep dell or dingle, such as they
+call in some parts of Scotland a den, and in others a cleuch or narrow
+glen. It seemed, by the broken glances which the moon continued to
+throw upon it, to be steep, precipitous, and full of trees, which are,
+generally speaking, rather scarce upon these shores. The descent by
+which we plunged into this dell was both steep and rugged, with two
+or three abrupt turnings; but neither danger nor darkness impeded the
+motion of the black horse, who seemed rather to slide upon his haunches,
+than to gallop down the pass, throwing me again on the shoulders of the
+athletic rider, who, sustaining no inconvenience by the circumstance,
+continued to press the horse forward with his heel, steadily supporting
+him at the same time by raising his bridle-hand, until we stood in
+safety at the bottom of the steep--not a little to my consolation, as,
+friend Alan, thou mayst easily conceive.
+
+A very short advance up the glen, the bottom of which we had attained by
+this ugly descent, brought us in front of two or three cottages, one
+of which another blink of moonshine enabled me to rate as rather better
+than those of the Scottish peasantry in this part of the world; for the
+sashes seemed glazed, and there were what are called storm-windows in
+the roof, giving symptoms of the magnificence of a second story. The
+scene around was very interesting; for the cottages, and the yards or
+crofts annexed to them, occupied a haugh, or helm, of two acres, which
+a brook of some consequence (to judge from its roar) had left upon one
+side of the little glen while finding its course close to the farther
+bank, and which appeared to be covered and darkened with trees, while
+the level space beneath enjoyed such stormy smiles as the moon had that
+night to bestow.
+
+I had little time for observation, for my companion's loud whistle,
+seconded by an equally loud halloo, speedily brought to the door of
+the principal cottage a man and a woman, together with two large
+Newfoundland dogs, the deep baying of which I had for some time heard. A
+yelping terrier or two, which had joined the concert, were silent at
+the presence of my conductor, and began to whine, jump up, and fawn upon
+him. The female drew back when she beheld a stranger; the man, who had
+a lighted lantern, advanced, and, without any observation, received the
+horse from my host, and led him, doubtless, to stable, while I followed
+my conductor into the house. When we had passed the HALLAN, [The
+partition which divides a Scottish cottage.] we entered a well-sized
+apartment, with a clean brick floor, where a fire blazed (much to my
+contentment) in the ordinary projecting sort of a chimney, common in
+Scottish houses. There were stone seats within the chimney; and ordinary
+utensils, mixed with fishing-spears, nets, and similar implements of
+sport, were hung around the walls of the place. The female who had first
+appeared at the door, had now retreated into a side apartment. She was
+presently followed by my guide, after he had silently motioned me to a
+seat; and their place was supplied by an elderly woman, in a grey stuff
+gown, with a check apron and toy, obviously a menial, though neater in
+her dress than is usual in her apparent rank--an advantage which was
+counterbalanced by a very forbidding aspect. But the most singular part
+of her attire, in this very Protestant country, was a rosary, in which
+the smaller beads were black oak, and those indicating the PATER-NOSTER
+of silver, with a crucifix of the same metal.
+
+This person made preparations for supper, by spreading a clean though
+coarse cloth over a large oaken table, placing trenchers and salt upon
+it, and arranging the fire to receive a gridiron. I observed her motions
+in silence; for she took no sort of notice of me, and as her looks were
+singularly forbidding, I felt no disposition to commence conversation.
+
+When this duenna had made all preliminary arrangements, she took from
+the well-filled pouch of my conductor, which he had hung up by the
+door, one or two salmon, or GRILSES, as the smaller sort are termed, and
+selecting that which seemed best and in highest season, began to cut
+it into slices, and to prepare a GRILLADE; the savoury smell of which
+affected me so powerfully that I began sincerely to hope that no delay
+would intervene between the platter and the lip.
+
+As this thought came across me, the man who had conducted the horse to
+the stable entered the apartment, and discovered to me a countenance yet
+more uninviting than that of the old crone who was performing with such
+dexterity the office of cook to the party. He was perhaps sixty years
+old; yet his brow was not much furrowed, and his jet-black hair was only
+grizzled, not whitened, by the advance of age. All his motions spoke
+strength unabated; and, though rather undersized, he had very broad
+shoulders, was square-made, thin-flanked, and apparently combined in his
+frame muscular strength and activity; the last somewhat impaired perhaps
+by years, but the first remaining in full vigour. A hard and harsh
+countenance--eyes far sunk under projecting eyebrows, which were
+grizzled like his hair--a wide mouth, furnished from ear to ear with it
+range of unimpaired teeth, of uncommon whiteness, and a size and breadth
+which might have become the jaws of an ogre, completed this delightful
+portrait. He was clad like a fisherman, in jacket and trousers of the
+blue cloth commonly used by seamen, and had a Dutch case-knife, like
+that of a Hamburgh skipper, stuck into a broad buff belt, which seemed
+as if it might occasionally sustain weapons of a description still less
+equivocally calculated for violence.
+
+This man gave me an inquisitive, and, as I thought, a sinister look upon
+entering the apartment; but without any further notice of me, took up
+the office of arranging the table, which the old lady had abandoned for
+that of cooking the fish, and, with more address than I expected from
+a person of his coarse appearance, placed two chairs at the head of the
+table, and two stools below; accommodating each seat to a cover, beside
+which he placed an allowance of barley-bread, and a small jug, which he
+replenished with ale from a large black jack. Three of these jugs
+were of ordinary earthenware, but the fourth, which he placed by the
+right-hand cover at, the upper end of the table, was a flagon of
+silver, and displayed armorial bearings. Beside this flagon he placed a
+salt-cellar of silver, handsomely wrought, containing salt of exquisite
+whiteness, with pepper and other spices. A sliced lemon was also
+presented on a small silver salver. The two large water-dogs, who
+seemed perfectly to understand the nature of the preparations, seated
+themselves one on each side of the table, to be ready to receive their
+portion of the entertainment. I never saw finer animals, or which
+seemed to be more influenced by a sense of decorum, excepting that they
+slobbered a little as the rich scent from the chimney was wafted past
+their noses. The small dogs ensconced themselves beneath the table.
+
+I am aware that I am dwelling upon trivial and ordinary circumstances,
+and that perhaps I may weary out your patience in doing so. But conceive
+me alone in this strange place, which seemed, from the universal
+silence, to be the very temple of Harpocrates--remember that this is
+my first excursion from home--forget not that the manner in which I had
+been brought hither had the dignity of danger and something the air of
+an adventure, and that there was a mysterious incongruity in all I had
+hitherto witnessed; and you will not, I think, be surprised that these
+circumstances, though trifling, should force themselves on my notice at
+the time, and dwell in my memory afterwards.
+
+That a fisher, who pursued the sport perhaps for his amusement as well
+as profit, should be well mounted and better lodged than the lower class
+of peasantry, had in it nothing surprising; but there was something
+about all that I saw which seemed to intimate that I was rather in
+the abode of a decayed gentleman, who clung to a few of the forms and
+observances of former rank, than in that of a common peasant, raised
+above his fellows by comparative opulence.
+
+Besides the articles of plate which I have already noticed, the old man
+now lighted and placed on the table a silver lamp, or CRUISIE as the
+Scottish term it, filled with very pure oil, which in burning diffused
+an aromatic fragrance, and gave me a more perfect view of the cottage
+walls, which I had hitherto only seen dimly by the light of the fire.
+The BINK [The frame of wooden shelves placed in a Scottish kitchen for
+holding plates.] with its usual arrangement of pewter and earthenware,
+which was most strictly and critically clean, glanced back the flame of
+the lamp merrily from one side of the apartment. In a recess, formed
+by the small bow of a latticed window, was a large writing-desk of
+walnut-tree wood, curiously carved, above which arose shelves of the
+same, which supported a few books and papers. The opposite side of the
+recess contained (as far as I could discern, for it lay in shadow, and
+I could at any rate have seen it but imperfectly from the place where
+I was seated) one or two guns, together with swords, pistols, and
+other arms a collection which, in a poor cottage, and in a country so
+peaceful, appeared singular at least, if not even somewhat suspicious.
+
+All these observations, you may suppose, were made much sooner than I
+have recorded, or you (if you have not skipped) have been able to read
+them. They were already finished, and I was considering how I should
+open some communication with the mute inhabitants of the mansion, when
+my conductor re-entered from the side-door by which he had made his
+exit.
+
+He had now thrown off his rough riding-cap, and his coarse jockey-coat,
+And stood before me in a grey jerkin trimmed with black, which sat close
+to, and set off, his large and sinewy frame, and a pair of trousers of
+a lighter colour, cut as close to the body as they are used by
+Highlandmen. His whole dress was of finer cloth than that of the old
+man; and his linen, so minute was my observation, clean and unsullied.
+His shirt was without ruffles, and tied at the collar with a black
+ribbon, which showed his strong and muscular neck rising from it like
+that of an ancient Hercules. His head was small, with a large forehead,
+and well-formed ears. He wore neither peruke nor hair-powder; and his
+chestnut locks, curling close to his head like those of an antique
+statue, showed not the least touch of time, though the owner must have
+been at least fifty. His features were high and prominent in such a
+degree that one knew not whether to term them harsh or handsome. In
+either case, the sparkling grey eye, aquiline nose, and well-formed
+mouth, combined to render his physiognomy noble and expressive. An air
+of sadness, or severity, or of both, seemed to indicate a melancholy,
+and, at the same time, a haughty temper. I could not help running
+mentally over the ancient heroes, to whom I might assimilate the noble
+form and countenance before me. He was too young, and evinced too little
+resignation to his fate, to resemble Belisarius. Coriolanus, standing by
+the hearth of Tullus Aufidius, came nearer the mark; yet the gloomy and
+haughty look of the stranger had, perhaps, still more of Marius, seated
+among the ruins of Carthage.
+
+While I was lost in these imaginations, my host stood by the fire,
+gazing on me with the same attention which I paid to him, until,
+embarrassed by his look, I was about to break silence at all hazards.
+But the supper, now placed upon the table, reminded me, by its
+appearance, of those wants which I had almost forgotten while I was
+gazing on the fine form of my conductor. He spoke at length, and I
+almost started at the deep rich tone of his voice, though what he said
+was but to invite me to sit down to the table. He himself assumed the
+seat of honour, beside which the silver flagon was placed, and beckoned
+to me to sit down beside him.
+
+Thou knowest thy father's strict and excellent domestic discipline has
+trained me to bear the invocation of a blessing before we break the
+daily bread, for which we are taught to pray--I paused a moment, and,
+without designing to do so, I suppose my manner made him sensible of
+what I expected. The two domestics or inferiors, as I should have before
+observed, were already seated at the bottom of the table, when my
+host shot a glance of a very peculiar expression towards the old man,
+observing, with something approaching to a sneer, 'Cristal Nixon, say
+grace--the gentleman expects one.'
+
+'The foul fiend shall be clerk, and say amen, when I turn chaplain,'
+growled out the party addressed, in tones which might have become the
+condition of a dying bear; 'if the gentleman is a whig, he may please
+himself with his own mummery. My faith is neither in word nor writ, but
+in barley-bread and brown ale.'
+
+'Mabel Moffat,' said my guide, looking at the old woman, and raising his
+sonorous voice, probably because she was hard of hearing, 'canst thou
+ask a blessing upon our victuals?'
+
+The old woman shook her head, kissed the cross which hung from her
+rosary, and was silent.
+
+'Mabel will say grace for no heretic,' said the master of the house,
+with the same latent sneer on his brow and in his accent.
+
+At the same moment, the side-door already mentioned opened, and the
+young woman (so she proved) whom I had first seen at the door of the
+cottage, advanced a little way into the room, then stopped bashfully, as
+if she had observed that I was looking at her, and asked the master of
+the house, 'if he had called?'
+
+'Not louder than to make old Mabel hear me,' he replied; 'and yet,' be
+added, as she turned to retire, 'it is a shame a stranger should see a
+house where not one of the family can or will say a grace--do thou be
+our chaplain.'
+
+The girl, who was really pretty, came forward with timid modesty, and,
+apparently unconscious that she was doing anything uncommon,
+pronounced the benediction in a silver-toned voice, and with affecting
+simplicity--her cheek colouring just so much as to show that on a less
+solemn occasion she would have felt more embarrassed.
+
+Now, if thou expectest a fine description of this young woman, Alan
+Fairford, in order to entitle thee to taunt me with having found a
+Dulcinea in the inhabitant of a fisherman's cottage on the Solway Firth,
+thou shalt be disappointed; for, having said she seemed very pretty,
+and that she was a sweet and gentle-speaking creature, I have said all
+concerning her that I can tell thee. She vanished when the benediction
+was spoken.
+
+My host, with a muttered remark on the cold of our ride, and the keen
+air of the Solway Sands, to which he did not seem to wish an answer,
+loaded my plate from Mabel's grillade, which, with a large wooden bowl
+of potatoes, formed our whole meal. A sprinkling from the lemon gave a
+much higher zest than the usual condiment of vinegar; and I promise
+you that whatever I might hitherto have felt, either of curiosity or
+suspicion, did not prevent me from making a most excellent supper,
+during which little passed betwixt me and my entertainer, unless that
+he did the usual honours of the table with courtesy, indeed, but
+without even the affectation of hearty hospitality, which those in his
+(apparent) condition generally affect on such occasions, even when they
+do not actually feel it. On the contrary, his manner seemed that of a
+polished landlord towards an unexpected and unwelcome guest, whom,
+for the sake of his own credit, he receives with civility, but without
+either goodwill or cheerfulness.
+
+If you ask how I learned all this, I cannot tell you; nor, were I to
+write down at length the insignificant intercourse which took place
+between us, would it perhaps serve to justify these observations. It is
+sufficient to say, that in helping his dogs, which he did from time
+to time with great liberality, he seemed to discharge a duty much more
+pleasing to himself, than when he paid the same attention to his guest.
+Upon the whole, the result on my mind was as I tell it you.
+
+When supper was over, a small case-bottle of brandy, in a curious frame
+of silver filigree, circulated to the guests. I had already taken a
+small glass of the liquor, and, when it had passed to Mabel and to
+Cristal and was again returned to the upper end of the table, I could
+not help taking the bottle in my hand, to look more at the armorial
+bearings which were chased with considerable taste on the silver
+framework. Encountering the eye of my entertainer, I instantly saw that
+my curiosity was highly distasteful; he frowned, bit his lip, and
+showed such uncontrollable signs of impatience, that, setting the bottle
+immediately down, I attempted some apology. To this he did not deign
+either to reply, or even to listen; and Cristal, at a signal from his
+master, removed the object of my curiosity, as well as the cup, upon
+which the same arms were engraved.
+
+Then ensued an awkward pause, which I endeavoured to break by observing,
+that 'I feared my intrusion upon his hospitality had put his family to
+some inconvenience'.
+
+'I hope you see no appearance of it, sir,' he replied, with cold
+civility. 'What inconvenience a family so retired as ours may suffer
+from receiving an unexpected guest is like to be trifling, in comparison
+of what the visitor himself sustains from want of his accustomed
+comforts. So far, therefore, as our connexion stands, our accounts stand
+clear.'
+
+Notwithstanding this discouraging reply, I blundered on, as is usual in
+such cases, wishing to appear civil, and being, perhaps, in reality the
+very reverse. 'I was afraid,' I said, that my presence had banished one
+of the family' (looking at the side-door) 'from his table.'
+
+'If,' he coldly replied, 'I meant the young woman whom I had seen in the
+apartment, he bid me observe that there was room enough at the table
+for her to have seated herself, and meat enough, such as it was, for her
+supper. I might, therefore, be assured, if she had chosen it, she would
+have supped with us.'
+
+There was no dwelling on this or any other topic longer; for my
+entertainer, taking up the lamp, observed, that 'my wet clothes might
+reconcile me for the night to their custom of keeping early hours; that
+he was under the necessity of going abroad by peep of day to-morrow
+morning, and would call me up at the same time, to point out the way by
+which I was to return to the Shepherd's Bush.'
+
+This left no opening for further explanation; nor was there room for it
+on the usual terms of civility; for, as he neither asked my name, nor
+expressed the least interest concerning my condition, I--the obliged
+person--had no pretence to trouble him with such inquiries on my part.
+
+He took up the lamp, and led me through the side-door into a very small
+room, where a bed had been hastily arranged for my accommodation,
+and, putting down the lamp, directed me to leave my wet clothes on the
+outside of the door, that they might be exposed to the fire during the
+night. He then left me, having muttered something which was meant to
+pass for good night.
+
+I obeyed his directions with respect to my clothes, the rather that,
+in despite of the spirits which I had drunk, I felt my teeth begin
+to chatter, and received various hints from an aguish feeling, that
+a town-bred youth, like myself, could not at once rush into all the
+hardihood of country sports with impunity. But my bed, though coarse and
+hard, was dry and clean; and I soon was so little occupied with my heats
+and tremors, as to listen with interest to a heavy foot, which seemed to
+be that of my landlord, traversing the boards (there was no ceiling,
+as you may believe) which roofed my apartment. Light, glancing through
+these rude planks, became visible as soon as my lamp was extinguished;
+and as the noise of the slow, solemn, and regular step continued, and I
+could distinguish that the person turned and returned as he reached the
+end of the apartment, it seemed clear to me that the walker was engaged
+in no domestic occupation, but merely pacing to and fro for his own
+pleasure. 'An odd amusement this,' I thought, 'for one who had been
+engaged at least a part of the preceding day in violent exercise, and
+who talked of rising by the peep of dawn on the ensuing morning.'
+
+Meantime I heard the storm, which had been brewing during the evening,
+begin to descend with a vengeance; sounds as of distant-thunder (the
+noise of the more distant waves, doubtless, on the shore) mingled
+with the roaring of the neighbouring torrent, and with the crashing,
+groaning, and even screaming of the trees in the glen whose boughs were
+tormented by the gale. Within the house, windows clattered, and doors
+clapped, and the walls, though sufficiently substantial for a building
+of the kind, seemed to me to totter in the tempest.
+
+But still the heavy steps perambulating the apartment over my head were
+distinctly heard amid the roar and fury of the elements. I thought more
+than once I even heard a groan; but I frankly own that, placed in this
+unusual situation, my fancy may have misled me. I was tempted several
+times to call aloud, and ask whether the turmoil around us did not
+threaten danger to the building which we inhabited; but when I thought
+of the secluded and unsocial master of the dwelling, who seemed to avoid
+human society, and to remain unperturbed amid the elemental war, it
+seemed that to speak to him at that moment would have been to address
+the spirit of the tempest himself, since no other being, I thought,
+could have remained calm and tranquil while winds and waters were thus
+raging around.
+
+In process of time, fatigue prevailed over anxiety and curiosity. The
+storm abated, or my senses became deadened to its terrors, and I fell
+asleep ere yet the mysterious paces of my host had ceased to shake the
+flooring over my head.
+
+It might have been expected that the novelty of my situation, although
+it did not prevent my slumbers, would have at least diminished their
+profoundness, and shortened their duration. It proved otherwise,
+however; for I never slept more soundly in my life, and only awoke when,
+at morning dawn, my landlord shook me by the shoulder, and dispelled
+some dream, of which, fortunately for you, I have no recollection,
+otherwise you would have been favoured with it, in hopes you might have
+proved a second Daniel upon the occasion.
+
+'You sleep sound--' said his full deep voice; 'ere five years have
+rolled over your head, your slumbers will be lighter--unless ere then
+you are wrapped in the sleep which is never broken.'
+
+'How!' said I, starting up in the bed; 'do you know anything of me--of
+my prospects--of my views in life?'
+
+'Nothing,' he answered, with a grim smile; 'but it is evident you are
+entering upon the world young, inexperienced, and full of hopes, and I
+do but prophesy to you what I would to any one in your condition. But
+come; there lie your clothes--a brown crust and a draught of milk wait
+you, if you choose to break your fast; but you must make haste.'
+
+'I must first,' I said, 'take the freedom to spend a few minutes alone,
+before beginning the ordinary works of the day.'
+
+'Oh!--umph!--I cry your devotions pardon,' he replied, and left the
+apartment.
+
+Alan, there is something terrible about this man.
+
+I joined him, as I had promised, in the kitchen where we had supped
+overnight, where I found the articles which he had offered me for
+breakfast, without butter or any other addition.
+
+He walked up and down while I partook of the bread and milk; and the
+slow measured weighty step seemed identified with those which I had
+heard last night. His pace, from its funereal slowness, seemed to keep
+time with some current of internal passion, dark, slow, and unchanged.
+'We run and leap by the side of a lively and bubbling brook,' thought I,
+internally, 'as if we would run a race with it; but beside waters deep,
+slow, and lonely, our pace is sullen and silent as their course. What
+thoughts may be now corresponding with that furrowed brow, and bearing
+time with that heavy step?'
+
+'If you have finished,' said he, looking up to me with a glance of
+impatience, as he observed that I ate no longer, but remained with my
+eyes fixed upon him, 'I wait to show you the way.'
+
+We went out together, no individual of the family having been visible
+excepting my landlord. I was disappointed of the opportunity which I
+watched for of giving some gratuity to the domestics, as they seemed to
+be. As for offering any recompense to the master of the household, it
+seemed to me impossible to have attempted it.
+
+What would I have given for a share of thy composure, who wouldst have
+thrust half a crown into a man's hand whose necessities seemed to crave
+it, conscious that you did right in making the proffer, and not caring
+sixpence whether you hurt the feelings of him whom you meant to serve!
+I saw thee once give a penny to a man with a long beard, who, from the
+dignity of his exterior, might have represented Solon. I had not thy
+courage, and therefore I made no tender to my mysterious host, although,
+notwithstanding his display of silver utensils, all around the house
+bespoke narrow circumstances, if not actual poverty.
+
+We left the place together. But I hear thee murmur thy very new and
+appropriate ejaculation, OHE, JAM SATIS!--The rest for another time.
+Perhaps I may delay further communication till I learn how my favours
+are valued.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER V
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+I have thy two last epistles, my dear Darsie, and expecting the third,
+have been in no hurry to answer them. Do not think my silence ought to
+be ascribed to my failing to take interest in them, for, truly, they
+excel (though the task was difficult) thy usual excellings. Since
+the moon-calf who earliest discovered the Pandemonium of Milton in an
+expiring wood-fire--since the first ingenious urchin who blew bubbles
+out of soap and water, thou, my best of friends, hast the highest knack
+at making histories out of nothing. Wert thou to plant the bean in the
+nursery-tale, thou wouldst make out, so soon as it began to germinate,
+that the castle of the giant was about to elevate its battlements on the
+top of it. All that happens to thee gets a touch of the wonderful and
+the sublime from thy own rich imagination. Didst ever see what artists
+call a Claude Lorraine glass, which spreads its own particular hue over
+the whole landscape which you see through it?--thou beholdest ordinary
+events just through such a medium.
+
+I have looked carefully at the facts of thy last long letter, and they
+are just such as might have befallen any little truant of the High
+School, who had got down to Leith Sands, gone beyond the PRAWN-DUB, wet
+his hose and shoon, and, finally, had been carried home, in compassion,
+by some high-kilted fishwife, cursing all the while the trouble which
+the brat occasioned her.
+
+I admire the figure which thou must have made, clinging for dear life
+behind the old fellow's back--thy jaws chattering with fear, thy muscles
+cramped with anxiety. Thy execrable supper of broiled salmon, which was
+enough to ensure the nightmare's regular visits for a twelvemonth,
+may be termed a real affliction; but as for the storm of Thursday
+last (such, I observe, was the date), it roared, whistled, howled, and
+bellowed, as fearfully amongst the old chimney-heads in the Candlemaker
+Row, as it could on the Solway shore, for the very wind of it--TESTE ME
+PER TOTAM NOCTEM VIGILANTE. And then in the morning again, when--Lord
+help you--in your sentimental delicacy you bid the poor man adieu,
+without even tendering him half a crown for supper and lodging!
+
+You laugh at me for giving a penny (to be accurate, though, thou
+shouldst have said sixpence) to an old fellow, whom thou, in thy high
+flight, wouldst have sent home supperless, because he was like Solon or
+Belisarius. But you forget that the affront descended like a benediction
+into the pouch of the old gaberlunzie, who overflowed in blessings upon
+the generous donor--long ere he would have thanked thee, Darsie, for
+thy barren veneration of his beard and his bearing. Then you laugh at
+my good father's retreat from Falkirk, just as if it were not time for a
+man to trudge when three or four mountain knaves, with naked claymores,
+and heels as light as their fingers, were scampering after him, crying
+FURINISH. You remember what he said himself when the Laird of Bucklivat
+told him that FURINISH signified 'stay a while'. 'What the devil,'
+he said, surprised out of his Presbyterian correctness by the
+unreasonableness of such a request under the circumstances, 'would the
+scoundrels have had me stop to have my head cut off?'
+
+Imagine such a train at your own heels, Darsie, and ask yourself whether
+you would not exert your legs as fast as you did in flying from the
+Solway tide. And yet you impeach my father's courage. I tell you he has
+courage enough to do what is right, and to spurn what is wrong--courage
+enough to defend a righteous cause with hand and purse, and to take
+the part of the poor man against his oppressor, without fear of the
+consequences to himself. This is civil courage, Darsie; and it is of
+little consequence to most men in this age and country whether they ever
+possess military courage or no.
+
+Do not think I am angry with you, though I thus attempt to rectify your
+opinions on my father's account. I am well aware that, upon the whole,
+he is scarce regarded with more respect by me than by thee. And, while
+I am in a serious humour, which it is difficult to preserve with one who
+is perpetually tempting me to laugh at him, pray, dearest Darsie, let
+not thy ardour for adventure carry thee into more such scrapes as that
+of the Solway Sands. The rest of the story is a mere imagination; but
+that stormy evening might have proved, as the clown says to Lear, 'a
+naughty night to swim in.'
+
+As for the rest, if you can work mysterious and romantic heroes out of
+old cross-grained fishermen, why, I for one will reap some amusement by
+the metamorphosis. Yet hold! even there, there is some need of caution.
+This same female chaplain--thou sayest so little of her, and so much of
+every one else, that it excites some doubt in my mind. VERY PRETTY she
+is, it seems--and that is all thy discretion informs me of. There are
+cases in which silence implies other things than consent. Wert thou
+ashamed or afraid, Darsie, to trust thyself with the praises of the very
+pretty grace-sayer?--As I live, thou blushest! Why, do I not know thee
+an inveterate squire of dames? and have I not been in thy confidence?
+An elegant elbow, displayed when the rest of the figure was muffled in a
+cardinal, or a neat well-turned ankle and instep, seen by chance as its
+owner tripped up the Old Assembly Close, [Of old this almost deserted
+alley formed the most common access betwixt the High Street and the
+southern suburbs.] turned thy brain for eight days. Thou wert once
+caught if I remember rightly, with a single glance of a single matchless
+eye, which, when the fair owner withdrew her veil, proved to be single
+in the literal sense of the word. And, besides, were you not another
+time enamoured of a voice--a mere voice, that mingled in the psalmody at
+the Old Greyfriars' Church--until you discovered the proprietor of that
+dulcet organ to be Miss Dolly MacIzzard, who is both 'back and breast',
+as our saying goes?
+
+All these things considered, and contrasted with thy artful silence on
+the subject of this grace-saying Nereid of thine, I must beg thee to be
+more explicit upon that subject in thy next, unless thou wouldst have me
+form the conclusion that thou thinkest more of her than thou carest to
+talk of.
+
+You will not expect much news from this quarter, as you know the
+monotony of my life, and are aware it must at present be devoted to
+uninterrupted study. You have said a thousand times that I am only
+qualified to make my way by dint of plodding, and therefore plod I must.
+
+My father seems to be more impatient of your absence than he was after
+your first departure. He is sensible, I believe, that our solitary meals
+want the light which your gay humour was wont to throw over them, and
+feels melancholy as men do when the light of the sun is no longer upon
+the landscape. If it is thus with him, thou mayst imagine it is much
+more so with me, and canst conceive how heartily I wish that thy frolic
+were ended, and thou once more our inmate.----
+
+I resume my pen, after a few hours' interval, to say that an incident
+has occurred on which you will yourself be building a hundred castles
+in the air, and which even I, jealous as I am of such baseless fabrics,
+cannot but own affords ground for singular conjecture.
+
+My father has of late taken me frequently along with him when he
+attends the courts, in his anxiety to see me properly initiated into the
+practical forms of business. I own I feel something on his account
+and my own from this over-anxiety, which, I dare say, renders us both
+ridiculous. But what signifies my repugnance? my father drags me up to
+his counsel learned in the law,--'Are you quite ready to come on to-day,
+Mr. Crossbite?--This is my son, designed for the bar--I take the liberty
+to bring him with me to-day to the consultation, merely that he may see
+how these things are managed.'
+
+Mr. Crossbite smiles and bows; as a lawyer smiles on the solicitor who
+employs him, and I dare say, thrusts his tongue into his cheek, and
+whispers into the first great wig that passes him, 'What the d--l does
+old Fairford mean by letting loose his whelp on me?'
+
+As I stood beside them, too much vexed at the childish part I was made
+to play to derive much information from the valuable arguments of Mr.
+Crossbite, I observed a rather elderly man, who stood with his eyes
+firmly bent on my father, as if he only waited an end of the business in
+which he was engaged, to address him. There was something, I thought, in
+the gentleman's appearance which commanded attention. Yet his dress was
+not in the present taste, and though it had once been magnificent, was
+now antiquated and unfashionable. His coat was of branched velvet, with
+a satin lining, a waistcoat of violet-coloured silk, much embroidered;
+his breeches the same stuff as the coat. He wore square-toed shoes, with
+foretops, as they are called; and his silk stockings were rolled up over
+his knee, as you may have seen in pictures, and here and there on some
+of those originals who seem to pique themselves on dressing after the
+mode of Methuselah. A CHAPEAU BRAS and sword necessarily completed his
+equipment, which, though out of date, showed that it belonged to a man
+of distinction.
+
+The instant Mr. Crossbite had ended what he had to say, this gentleman
+walked up to my father, with, 'Your servant, Mr. Fairford--it is long
+since you and I met.'
+
+My father, whose politeness, you know, is exact and formal, bowed, and
+hemmed, and was confused, and at length professed that the distance
+since they had met was so great, that though he remembered the face
+perfectly, the name, he was sorry to any, had--really--somehow--escaped
+his memory.
+
+'Have you forgot Herries of Birrenswork?' said the gentleman, and
+my father bowed even more profoundly than before; though I think his
+reception of his old friend seemed to lose some of the respectful
+civility which he bestowed on him while his name was yet unknown. It now
+seemed to be something like the lip-courtesy which the heart would have
+denied had ceremony permitted.
+
+My father, however, again bowed low, and hoped he saw him well.
+
+'So well, my good Mr. Fairford, that I come hither determined to renew
+my acquaintance with one or two old friends, and with you in the first
+place. I halt at my old resting place--you must dine with me to-day,
+at Paterson's, at the head of the Horse Wynd--it is near your new
+fashionable dwelling, and I have business with you.'
+
+My father excused himself respectfully, and not without
+embarrassment--'he was particularly engaged at home.'
+
+'Then I will dine with you, man,' said Mr. Herries of Birrenswork; 'the
+few minutes you can spare me after dinner will suffice for my business;
+and I will not prevent you a moment from minding your own--I am no
+bottle-man.'
+
+You have often remarked that my father, though a scrupulous ohserver of
+the rites of hospitality, seems to exercise them rather as a duty than
+as a pleasure; indeed, but for a conscientious wish to feed the hungry
+and receive the stranger, his doors would open to guests much seldomer
+than is the case. I never saw so strong an example of this peculiarity
+(which I should otherwise have said is caricatured in your description)
+as in his mode of homologating the self-given invitation of Mr. Herries.
+The embarsassed brow, and the attempt at a smile which accompanied
+his 'We will expect the honour of seeing you in Brown Square at three
+o'clock,' could not deceive any one, and did not impose upon the old
+laird. It was with a look of scorn that he replied, 'I will relieve you
+then till that hour, Mr. Fairford;' and his whole manner seemed to say,
+'It is my pleasure to dine with you, and I care not whether I am welcome
+or no.'
+
+When he turned away, I asked my father who he was.
+
+'An unfortunate gentleman,' was the reply.
+
+'He looks pretty well on his misfortunes,' replied I. 'I should not have
+suspected that so gay an outside was lacking a dinner.'
+
+'Who told you that he does?' replied my father; 'he is OMNI SUSPICIONE
+MAJOR, so far as worldly circumstances are concerned. It is to be hoped
+he makes a good use of them; though, if he does, it will be for the
+first time in his life.'
+
+'He has then been an irregular liver?' insinuated I.
+
+My father replied by that famous brocard with which he silences all
+unacceptable queries turning in the slightest degree upon the failings
+of our neighbours,--'If we mend our own faults, Alan, we shall all of us
+have enough to do, without sitting in judgement upon other folks.'
+
+Here I was again at fault; but rallying once more, I observed, he had
+the air of a man of high rank and family.
+
+'He is well entitled,' said my father, 'representing Herries of
+Birrenswork; a branch of that great and once powerful family of Herries,
+the elder branch whereof merged in the house of Nithesdale at the
+death of Lord Robin the Philosopher, Anno Domini sixteen hundred and
+sixty-seven.'
+
+'Has he still,' said I, 'his patrimonial estate of Birrenswork?'
+
+'No,' replied my father; 'so far back as his father's time, it was
+a mere designation--the property being forfeited by Herbert Herries
+following his kinsman the Earl of Derwentwater to the Preston affair in
+1715. But they keep up the designation, thinking, doubtless, that their
+claims may be revived in more favourable times for Jacobites and for
+popery; and folks who in no way partake of their fantastic capriccios
+do yet allow it to pass unchallenged, EX COMITATE, if not EX
+MISERICORDIA.--But were he the Pope and the Pretender both, we must get
+some dinner ready for him, since he has thought fit to offer himself. So
+hasten home, my lad, and tell Hannah, Cook Epps, and James Wilkinson, to
+do their best; and do thou look out a pint or two of Maxwell's best--it
+is in the fifth bin--there are the keys of the wine-cellar. Do not leave
+them in the lock--you know poor James's failing, though he is an honest
+creature under all other temptations--and I have but two bottles of the
+old brandy left--we must keep it for medicine, Alan.'
+
+Away went I--made my preparations--the hour of dinner came, and so did
+Mr. Herries of Birrenswork.
+
+If I had thy power of imagination and description, Darsie, I could make
+out a fine, dark, mysterious, Rembrandt-looking portrait of this same
+stranger, which should be as far superior to thy fisherman as a shirt
+of chain-mail is to a herring-net. I can assure you there is some matter
+for description about him; but knowing my own imperfections, I can only
+say, I thought him eminently disagreeable and ill-bred.--No, ILL-BRED
+is not the proper word on the contrary, he appeared to know the rules of
+good-breeding perfectly, and only to think that the rank of the company
+did not require that he should attend to them--a view of the matter
+infinitely more offensive than if his behaviour had been that of
+uneducated and proper rudeness. While my father said grace, the laird
+did all but whistle aloud; and when I, at my father's desire, returned
+thanks, he used his toothpick, as if he had waited that moment for its
+exercise.
+
+So much for Kirk--with King, matters went even worse. My father, thou
+knowest, is particularly full of deference to his guests; and in the
+present care, he seemed more than usually desirous to escape every cause
+of dispute. He so far compromised his loyalty as to announce merely 'The
+King' as his first toast after dinner, instead of the emphatic 'King
+George', which is his usual formula. Our guest made a motion with his
+glass, so as to pass it over the water-decanter which stood beside him,
+and added, 'Over the water.'
+
+My father coloured, but would not seem to hear this. Much more there
+was of careless and disrespectful in the stranger's manner and tone of
+conversation; so that, though I know my father's prejudices in favour
+of rank and birth, and though I am aware his otherwise masculine
+understanding has never entirely shaken off the slavish awe of the great
+which in his earlier days they had so many modes of commanding, still I
+could hardly excuse him for enduring so much insolence--such it seemed
+to be as this self-invited guest was disposed to offer to him at his own
+table.
+
+One can endure a traveller in the same carriage, if he treads upon your
+toes by accident, or even through negligence; but it is very different
+when, knowing that they are rather of a tender description, he continues
+to pound away at them with his hoofs. In my poor opinion--and I am a man
+of peace--you can, in that case, hardly avoid a declaration of war.
+
+I believe my father read my thoughts in my eye; for, pulling out his
+watch, he said; 'Half-past four, Alan--you should be in your own room by
+this time--Birrenswork will excuse you.'
+
+Our visitor nodded carelessly, and I had no longer any pretence to
+remain. But as I left the room, I heard this magnate of Nithesdale
+distinctly mention the name of Latimer. I lingered; but at length a
+direct hint from my father obliged me to withdraw; and when, an hour
+afterwards, I was summoned to partake of a cup of tea, our guest had
+departed. He had business that evening in the High Street, and could not
+spare time even to drink tea. I could not help saying, I considered his
+departure as a relief from incivility. 'What business has he to upbraid
+us,' I said, 'with the change of our dwelling from a more inconvenient
+to a better quarter of the town? What was it to him if we chose
+to imitate some of the conveniences or luxuries of an English
+dwelling-house, instead of living piled up above each other in flats?
+Have his patrician birth and aristocratic fortunes given him any right
+to censure those who dispose of the fruits of their own industry,
+according to their own pleasure?'
+
+My father took a long pinch of snuff, and replied, 'Very well, Alan;
+very well indeed. I wish Mr. Crossbite or Counsellor Pest had heard
+you; they must have acknowledged that you have a talent for forensic
+elocution; and it may not be amiss to try a little declamation at
+home now and then, to gather audacity and keep yourself in breath. But
+touching the subject of this paraffle of words, it's not worth a pinch
+of tobacco. D'ye think that I care for Mr. Herries of Birrenswork more
+than any other gentleman who comes here about business, although I do
+not care to go tilting at his throat, because he speaks like a grey
+goose, as he is? But to say no more about him, I want to have Darsie
+Latimer's present direction; for it is possible I may have to write the
+lad a line with my own hand--and yet I do not well know--but give me the
+direction at all events.'
+
+I did so, and if you have heard from my father accordingly, you know
+more, probably, about the subject of this letter than I who write it.
+But if you have not, then shall I have discharged a friend's duty, in
+letting you know that there certainly is something afloat between
+this disagreeable laird and my father, in which you are considerably
+interested.
+
+Adieu! and although I have given thee a subject for waking dreams,
+beware of building a castle too heavy for the foundation; which, in the
+present instance, is barely the word Latimer occurring in a conversation
+betwixt a gentleman of Dumfriesshire and a W.S. of Edinburgh--CAETERA
+PRORSUS IGNORO.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VI
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+(In continuation of Letters III and IV.)
+
+I told thee I walked out into the open air with my grave and stern
+landlord. I could now see more perfectly than on the preceding night the
+secluded glen in which stood the two or three cottages which appeared to
+be the abode of him and his family.
+
+It was so narrow, in proportion to its depth, that no ray of the morning
+sun was likely to reach it till it should rise high in the horizon.
+Looking up the dell, you saw a brawling brook issuing in foamy haste
+from a covert of underwood, like a race-horse impatient to arrive at the
+goal; and, if you gazed yet; more earnestly, you might observe part of
+a high waterfall glimmering through the foliage, and giving occasion,
+doubtless, to the precipitate speed of the brook. Lower down, the
+stream became more placid, and opened into a quiet piece of water which
+afforded a rude haven to two or three fishermen's boats, then lying high
+and dry on the sand, the tide being out. Two or three miserable huts
+could be seen beside this little haven, inhabited probably by the owners
+of the boats, but inferior in every respect to the establishment of mine
+host, though that was miserable enough.
+
+I had but a minute or two to make these observations, yet during that
+space my companion showed symptoms of impatience, and more than once
+shouted, 'Cristal--Cristal Nixon,' until the old man of the preceding
+evening appeared at the door of one of the neighbouring cottages or
+outhouses, leading the strong black horse which I before commemorated,
+ready bridled and saddled. My conductor made Cristal a sign with his
+finger, and, turning from the cottage door, led the way up the steep
+path or ravine which connected the sequestered dell with the open
+country.
+
+Had I been perfectly aware of the character of the road down which I
+had been hurried with so much impetuosity on the preceding evening, I
+greatly question if I should have ventured the descent; for it deserved
+no better name than the channel of a torrent, now in a good measure
+filled with water, that dashed in foam and fury into the dell, being
+swelled with the rains of the preceding night. I ascended this ugly path
+with some difficulty although on foot, and felt dizzy when I observed,
+from such traces as the rains had not obliterated, that the horse seemed
+almost to have slid down it upon his haunches the evening before.
+
+My host threw himself on his horse's back, without placing a foot in the
+stirrup--passed me in the perilous ascent, against which he pressed his
+steed as if the animal had had the footing of a wild cat. The water and
+mud splashed from his heels in his reckless course, and a few bounds
+placed him on the top of the bank, where I presently joined him, and
+found the horse and rider standing still as a statue; the former
+panting and expanding his broad nostrils to the morning wind, the latter
+motionless, with his eye fixed on the first beams of the rising sun,
+which already began to peer above the eastern horizon and gild the
+distant mountains of Cumberland and Liddesdale.
+
+He seemed in a reverie, from which he started at my approach, and,
+putting his horse in motion, led the way at a leisurely pace through a
+broken and sandy road, which traversed a waste, level, and uncultivated
+tract of downs, intermixed with morass, much like that in the
+neighbourhood of my quarters at Shepherd's Bush. Indeed, the whole open
+ground of this district, where it approaches the sea, has, except in a
+few favoured spots, the same uniform and dreary character.
+
+Advancing about a hundred yards from the brink of the glen, we gained
+a still more extensive command of this desolate prospect, which seemed
+even more dreary, as contrasted with the opposite shores of Cumberland,
+crossed and intersected by ten thousand lines of trees growing in
+hedgerows, shaded with groves and woods of considerable extent, animated
+by hamlets and villas, from which thin clouds of smoke already gave sign
+of human life and human industry.
+
+My conductor had extended his arm, and was pointing the road to
+Shepherd's Bush, when the step of a horse was heard approaching us. He
+looked sharply round, and having observed who was approaching, proceeded
+in his instructions to me, planting himself at the same time in the very
+middle of the path, which, at the place where we halted, had a slough on
+the one side and a sandbank on the other.
+
+I observed that the rider who approached us slackened his horse's pace
+from a slow trot to a walk, as if desirous to suffer us to proceed, or
+at least to avoid passing us at a spot where the difficulty of doing so
+must have brought us very close to each other. You know my old failing,
+Alan, and that I am always willing to attend to anything in preference
+to the individual who has for the time possession of the conversation.
+
+Agreeably to this amiable propensity, I was internally speculating
+concerning the cause of the rider keeping aloof from us, when my
+companion, elevating his deep voice so suddenly and so sternly as at
+once to recall my wandering thoughts, exclaimed, 'In the name of the
+devil, young man, do you think that others have no better use for their
+time than you have, that you oblige me to repeat the same thing to you
+three times over? Do you see, I say, yonder thing at a mile's distance,
+that looks like a finger-post, or rather like a gallows? I would it
+had a dreaming fool hanging upon it, as an example to all meditative
+moon-calves!--Yon gibbet-looking pole will guide you to the bridge,
+where you must pass the large brook; then proceed straight forwards,
+till several roads divide at a cairn. Plague on thee, thou art wandering
+again!
+
+It is indeed quite true that at this moment the horseman approached us,
+and my attention was again called to him as I made way to let him pass.
+His whole exterior at once showed that he belonged to the Society of
+Friends, or, as the world and the world's law calls them, Quakers.
+A strong and useful iron-grey galloway showed, by its sleek and
+good condition, that the merciful man was merciful to his beast. His
+accoutrements were in the usual unostentatious but clean and servicable
+order which characterizes these sectaries. His long surtout of dark-grey
+superfine cloth descended down to the middle of his leg, and was
+buttoned up to his chin, to defend him against the morning air. As
+usual, his ample beaver hung down without button or loop, and shaded a
+comely and placid countenance, the gravity of which appeared to contain
+some seasoning of humour, and had nothing in common with the pinched
+puritanical air affected by devotees in general. The brow was open and
+free from wrinkles, whether of age or hypocrisy. The eye was clear,
+calm, and considerate, yet appeared to be disturbed by apprehension,
+not to say fear, as, pronouncing the usual salutation of, 'I wish thee a
+good morrow, friend,' he indicated, by turning his palfrey close to
+one side of the path, a wish to glide past us with as little trouble as
+possible--just as a traveller would choose to pass a mastiff of whose
+peaceable intentions he is by no means confident.
+
+But my friend, not meaning, perhaps, that he should get off so easily,
+put his horse quite across the path, so that, without plunging into the
+slough, or scrambling up the bank, the Quaker could not have passed
+him. Neither of these was an experiment without hazard greater than the
+passenger seemed willing to incur. He halted, therefore, as if waiting
+till my companion should make way for him; and, as they sat fronting
+each other, I could not help thinking that they might have formed no bad
+emblem of Peace and War; for although my conductor was unarmed, yet the
+whole of his manner, his stern look, and his upright seat on horseback,
+were entirely those of a soldier in undress, He accosted the Quaker
+in these words, 'So ho! friend Joshua, thou art early to the road this
+morning. Has the spirit moved thee and thy righteous brethren to act
+with some honesty, and pull down yonder tide-nets that keep the fish
+from coming up the river?'
+
+'Surely, friend, not so,' answered Joshua, firmly, but good-humouredly
+at the same time; 'thou canst not expect that our own hands should pull
+down what our purses established. Thou killest the fish with spear,
+line, and coble-net; and we, with snares and with nets, which work by
+the ebb and the flow of the tide. Each doth what seems best in his eyes
+to secure a share of the blessing which Providence hath bestowed on the
+river, and that within his own bounds. I prithee seek no quarrel against
+us, for thou shalt have no wrong at our hand.'
+
+'Be assured I will take none at the hand of any man, whether his hat be
+cocked or broad-brimmed,' answered the fisherman. 'I tell you in fair
+terms, Joshua Geddes, that you and your partners are using unlawful
+craft to destroy the fish in the Solway by stake-nets and wears; and
+that we, who fish fairly, and like men, as our fathers did, have daily
+and yearly less sport and less profit. Do not think gravity or hypocrisy
+can carry it off as you have done. The world knows you, and we know you.
+You will destroy the salmon which makes the livelihood of fifty poor
+families, and then wipe your mouth, and go to make a speech at meeting.
+But do not hope it will last thus. I give you fair warning, we will be
+upon you one morning soon, when we will not leave a stake standing in
+the pools of the Solway; and down the tide they shall every one go, and
+well if we do not send a lessee along with them.'
+
+'Friend,' replied Joshua, with a constrained smile, 'but that I know
+thou dost not mean as thou sayst, I would tell thee we are under the
+protection of this country's laws; nor do we the less trust to obtain
+their protection, that our principles permit us not, by any act of
+violent resistance, to protect ourselves.'
+
+'All villainous cant and cowardice,' exclaimed the fisherman, 'and
+assumed merely as a cloak to your hypocritical avarice.'
+
+'Nay, say not cowardice, my friend,' answered the Quaker, 'since thou
+knowest there may be as much courage in enduring as in acting; and I
+will be judged by this youth, or by any one else, whether there is not
+more cowardice--even in the opinion of that world whose thoughts are the
+breath in thy nostrils--in the armed oppressor who doth injury, than in
+the defenceless and patient sufferer who endureth it with constancy.'
+
+'I will change no more words with you on the subject,' said the
+fisherman, who, as if something moved at the last argument which Mr.
+Geddes had used, now made room for him to pass forward on his journey.
+'Do not forget, however,' he added, 'that you have had fair warning,
+nor suppose that we will accept of fair words in apology for foul play.
+These nets of yours are unlawful--they spoil our fishings--we will
+have them down at all risks and hazards. I am a man of my word, friend
+Joshua.'
+
+'I trust thou art,' said the Quaker; 'but thou art the rather bound to
+be cautious in rashly affirming what thou wilt never execute. For I tell
+thee, friend, that though there is as great a difference between thee
+and one of our people as there is between a lion and a sheep, yet I know
+and believe thou hast so much of the lion in thee, that thou wouldst
+scarce employ thy strength and thy rage upon that which professeth no
+means of resistance. Report says so much good of thee, at least, if it
+says little more.'
+
+'Time will try,' answered the fisherman; 'and hark thee, Joshua, before
+we part I will put thee in the way of doing one good deed, which, credit
+me, is better than twenty moral speeches. Here is a stranger youth, whom
+Heaven has so scantily gifted with brains, that he will bewilder himself
+in the Sands, as he did last night, unless thou wilt kindly show him the
+way to Shepherd's Bush; for I have been in vain endeavouring to make
+him comprehend the road thither. Hast thou so much charity under thy
+simplicity, Quaker, as to do this good turn?'
+
+'Nay, it is thou, friend,' answered Joshua, 'that dost lack charity, to
+suppose any one unwilling to do so simple a kindness.'
+
+'Thou art right--I should have remembered it can cost thee nothing.
+Young gentlemen, this pious pattern of primitive simplicity will teach
+thee the right way to the Shepherd's Bush--aye, and will himself shear
+thee like a sheep, if you come to buying and selling with him.'
+
+He then abruptly asked me, how long I intended to remain at Shepherd's
+Bush.
+
+I replied, I was at present uncertain--as long probably, as I could
+amuse myself in the neighbourhood.
+
+'You are fond of sport?' he added, in the same tone of brief inquiry.
+
+I answered in the affirmative, but added, I was totally inexperienced.
+
+'Perhaps if you reside here for some days,' he said, 'we may meet again,
+and I may have the chance of giving you a lesson.'
+
+Ere I could express either thanks or assent, he turned short round with
+a wave of his hand by way of adieu, and rode back to the verge of the
+dell from which we had emerged together; and as he remained standing
+upon the banks, I could long hear his voice while he shouted down to
+those within its recesses.
+
+Meanwhile the Quaker and I proceeded on our journey for some time in
+silence; he restraining his sober-minded steed to a pace which might
+have suited a much less active walker than myself, and looking on
+me from time to time with an expression of curiosity, mingled with
+benignity. For my part, I cared not to speak first. It happened I had
+never before been in company with one of this particular sect, and,
+afraid that in addressing him I might unwittingly infringe upon some
+of their prejudices or peculiarities, I patiently remained silent. At
+length he asked me, whether I had been long in the service of the laird,
+as men called him.
+
+I repeated the words 'in his service?' with such an accent of surprise,
+as induced him to say, 'Nay, but, friend, I mean no offence; perhaps I
+should have said in his society--an inmate, I mean, in his house?'
+
+'I am totally unknown to the person from whom we have just parted,' said
+I, 'and our connexion is only temporary. He had the charity to give me
+his guidance from the Sands, and a night's harbourage from the tempest.
+So our acquaintance began, and there it is likely to end; for you may
+observe that our friend is by no means apt to encourage familiarity.'
+
+'So little so,' answered my companion, 'that thy case is, I think, the
+first in which I ever heard of his receiving any one into his house;
+that is, if thou hast really spent the night there.'
+
+'Why should you doubt it?' replied I; 'there is no motive I can have to
+deceive you, nor is the object worth it.'
+
+'Be not angry with me,' said the Quaker; 'but thou knowest that thine
+own people do not, as we humbly endeavour to do, confine themselves
+within the simplicity of truth, but employ the language of falsehood,
+not only for profit, but for compliment, and sometimes for mere
+diversion. I have heard various stories of my neighbour; of most of
+which I only believe a small part, and even then they are difficult to
+reconcile with each other. But this being the first time I ever beard
+of his receiving a stranger within his dwelling, made me express some
+doubts. I pray thee let them not offend thee.'
+
+'He does not,' said I, 'appear to possess in much abundance the means
+of exercising hospitality, and so may be excused from offering it in
+ordinary cases.'
+
+'That is to say, friend,' replied Joshua, 'thou hast supped ill, and
+perhaps breakfasted worse. Now my small tenement, called Mount Sharon,
+is nearer to us by two miles than thine inn; and although going
+thither may prolong thy walk, as taking thee of the straighter road to
+Shepherd's Bush, yet methinks exercise will suit thy youthful limbs,
+as well as a good plain meal thy youthful appetite. What sayst thou, my
+young acquaintance?'
+
+'If it puts you not to inconvenience,' I replied; for the invitation was
+cordially given, and my bread and milk had been hastily swallowed, and
+in small quantity.
+
+'Nay,' said Joshua, 'use not the language of compliment with those who
+renounce it. Had this poor courtesy been very inconvenient, perhaps I
+had not offered it.'
+
+'I accept the invitation, then,' said I, 'in the same good spirit in
+which you give it.'
+
+The Quaker smiled, reached me his hand, I shook it, and we travelled on
+in great cordiality with each other. The fact is, I was much entertained
+by contrasting in my own mind, the open manner of the kind-hearted
+Joshua Geddes, with the abrupt, dark, and lofty demeanour of my
+entertainer on the preceding evening. Both were blunt and unceremonious;
+but the plainness of the Quaker had the character of devotional
+simplicity, and was mingled with the more real kindness, as if honest
+Joshua was desirous of atoning, by his sincerity, for the lack of
+external courtesy. On the contrary, the manners of the fisherman were
+those of one to whom the rules of good behaviour might be familiar, but
+who, either from pride or misanthropy, scorned to observe them. Still
+I thought of him with interest and curiosity, notwithstanding so much
+about him that was repulsive; and I promised myself, in the course of my
+conversation with the Quaker, to learn all that he knew on the subject.
+He turned the conversation, however, into a different channel, and
+inquired into my own condition of life, and views in visiting this
+remote frontier.
+
+I only thought it necessary to mention my name, and add, that I had been
+educated to the law, but finding myself possessed of some independence,
+I had of late permitted myself some relaxation, and was residing at
+Shepherd's Bush to enjoy the pleasure of angling.
+
+'I do thee no harm, young man,' said my new friend, 'in wishing thee a
+better employment for thy grave hours, and a more humane amusement (if
+amusement thou must have) for those of a lighter character.'
+
+'You are severe, sir,' I replied. 'I heard you but a moment since refer
+yourself to the protection of the laws of the country--if there be laws,
+there must be lawyers to explain, and judges to administer them.'
+
+Joshua smiled, and pointed to the sheep which were grazing on the downs
+over which we were travelling. 'Were a wolf,' he said, 'to come even now
+upon yonder flocks, they would crowd for protection, doubtless, around
+the shepherd and his dogs; yet they are bitten and harassed daily by
+the one, shorn, and finally killed and eaten by the other. But I say not
+this to shock you; for, though laws and lawyers are evils, yet they are
+necessary evils in this probationary state of society, till man shall
+learn to render unto his fellows that which is their due, according
+to the light of his own conscience, and through no other compulsion.
+Meanwhile, I have known many righteous men who have followed thy
+intended profession in honesty and uprightness of walk. The greater
+their merit, who walk erect in a path which so many find slippery.
+
+'And angling,' said I:--'you object to that also as an amusement,
+you who, if I understood rightly what passed between you and my late
+landlord, are yourself a proprietor of fisheries.'
+
+'Not a proprietor,' he replied, 'I am only, in copartnery with others,
+a tacksman or lessee of some valuable salmon-fisheries a little down the
+coast. But mistake me not. The evil of angling, with which I class all
+sports, as they are called, which have the sufferings of animals for
+their end and object, does not consist in the mere catching and killing
+those animals with which the bounty of Providence hath stocked the earth
+for the good of man, but in making their protracted agony a principle of
+delight and enjoyment. I do indeed cause these fisheries to be conducted
+for the necessary taking, killing, and selling the fish; and, in the
+same way, were I a farmer, I should send my lambs to market. But I
+should as soon think of contriving myself a sport and amusement out of
+the trade of the butcher as out of that of the fisher.'
+
+We argued the point no further; for though I thought his arguments a
+little too high-strained, yet as my mind acquitted me of having taken
+delight in aught but the theory of field-sports, I did not think myself
+called upon stubbornly to advocate a practice which had afforded me so
+little pleasure.
+
+We had by this time arrived at the remains of an old finger-post, which
+my host had formerly pointed out as a landmark. Here, a ruinous wooden
+bridge, supported by long posts resembling crutches, served me to get
+across the water, while my new friend sought a ford a good way higher
+up, for the stream was considerably swelled.
+
+As I paused for his rejoining me, I observed an angler at a little
+distance pouching trout after trout, as fast almost as he could cast his
+line; and I own, in spite of Joshua's lecture on humanity, I could not
+but envy his adroitness and success, so natural is the love of sport
+to our minds, or so easily are we taught to assimilate success in
+field-sports with ideas of pleasure, and with the praise due to address
+and agility. I soon recognized in the successful angler little Benjie,
+who had been my guide and tutor in that gentle art, as you have learned
+from my former letters. I called--I whistled--the rascal recognized me,
+and, starting like a guilty thing, seemed hesitating whether to approach
+or to run away; and when he determined on the former, it was to assail
+me with a loud, clamorous, and exaggerated report of the anxiety of all
+at the Shepherd's Bush for my personal safety; how my landlady had wept,
+how Sam and the ostler had not the heart to go to bed, but sat up all
+night drinking--and how he himself had been up long before daybreak to
+go in quest of me.
+
+'And you were switching the water, I suppose,' said I, 'to discover my
+dead body?'
+
+This observation produced a long 'Na--a--a' of acknowledged detection;
+but, with his natural impudence, and confidence in my good nature, he
+immediately added, 'that he thought I would like a fresh trout or twa
+for breakfast, and the water being in such a rare trim for the saumon
+raun, [The bait made of salmon-roe salted and preserved. In a swollen
+river, and about the month of October, it is a most deadly bait.] he
+couldna help taking a cast.'
+
+While we were engaged in this discussion, the honest Quaker returned to
+the farther end of the wooden bridge to tell me he could not venture to
+cross the brook in its present state: but would be under the necessity
+to ride round by the stone bridge, which was a mile and a half higher
+up than his own house. He was about to give me directions how to proceed
+without him, and inquire for his sister, when I suggested to him that,
+if he pleased to trust his horse to little Benjie, the boy might carry
+him round by the bridge, while we walked the shorter and more pleasant
+road.
+
+Joshua shook his head, for he was well acquainted with Benjie, who,
+he said, was the naughtiest varlet in the whole neighbourhood.
+Nevertheless, rather than part company, he agreed to put the pony under
+his charge for a short season, with many injunctions that he should not
+attempt to mount, but lead the pony (even Solomon) by the bridle, under
+the assurances of sixpence in case of proper demeanour, and penalty that
+if he transgressed the orders given him, 'verily he would be scourged.'
+
+Promises cost Benjie nothing, and he showered them out wholesale;
+till the Quaker at length yielded up the bridle to him, repeating his
+charges, and enforcing them by holding up his forefinger. On my part, I
+called to Benjie to leave the fish he had taken at Mount Sharon, making,
+at the same time, an apologetic countenance to my new friend, not
+being quite aware whether the compliment would be agreeable to such a
+condemner of field-sports.
+
+He understood me at once, and reminded me of the practical distinction
+betwixt catching the animals as an object of cruel and wanton sport, and
+eating them as lawful and gratifying articles of food, after they were
+killed. On the latter point he had no scruples; but, on the contrary,
+assured me that this brook contained the real red trout, so highly
+esteemed by all connoisseurs, and that, when eaten within an hour
+of their being caught, they had a peculiar firmness of substance and
+delicacy of flavour, which rendered them an agreeable addition to a
+morning meal, especially when earned, like ours, by early rising, and an
+hour or two's wholesome exercise.
+
+But to thy alarm be it spoken, Alan, we did not come so far as the
+frying of our fish without further adventure. So it is only to spare thy
+patience, and mine own eyes, that I pull up for the present, and send
+thee the rest of my story in a subsequent letter.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VII
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME (In continuation.)
+
+Little Benjie, with the pony, having been sent off on the left side of
+the brook, the Quaker and I sauntered on, like the cavalry and infantry
+of the same army occupying the opposite banks of a river, and observing
+the same line of march. But, while my worthy companion was assuring me
+of a pleasant greensward walk to his mansion, little Benjie, who had
+been charged to keep in sight, chose to deviate from the path assigned
+him, and, turning to the right, led his charge, Solomon, out of our
+vision.
+
+'The villain means to mount him!' cried Joshua, with more vivacity than
+was consistent with his profession of passive endurance.
+
+I endeavoured to appease his apprehensions, as he pushed on, wiping his
+brow with vexation, assuring him that, if the boy did mount, he would,
+for his own sake, ride gently.
+
+'You do not know him,' said Joshua, rejecting all consolation; 'HE do
+anything gently!--no, he will gallop Solomon--he will misuse the sober
+patience of the poor animal who has borne me so long! Yes, I was given
+over to my own devices when I ever let him touch the bridle, for such a
+little miscreant there never was before him in this country.'
+
+He then proceeded to expatiate on every sort of rustic enormity of which
+he accused Benjie. He had been suspected of snaring partridges--was
+detected by Joshua himself in liming singing-birds--stood fully charged
+with having worried several cats, by aid of a lurcher which attended
+him, and which was as lean, and ragged, and mischievous, as his master.
+Finally, Benjie stood accused of having stolen a duck, to hunt it with
+the said lurcher, which was as dexterous on water as on land. I chimed
+in with my friend, in order to avoid giving him further irritation, and
+declared I should be disposed, from my own experience, to give up Benjie
+as one of Satan's imps. Joshua Geddes began to censure the phrase as
+too much exaggerated, and otherwise unbecoming the mouth of a reflecting
+person; and, just as I was apologizing for it, as being a term of common
+parlance, we heard certain sounds on the opposite side of the brook,
+which seemed to indicate that Solomon and Benjie were at issue together.
+The sandhills behind which Benjie seemed to take his course, had
+concealed from us, as doubtless he meant they should, his ascent into
+the forbidden saddle, and, putting Solomon to his mettle, which he was
+seldom called upon to exert, they had cantered away together in
+great amity, till they came near to the ford from which the palfrey's
+legitimate owner had already turned back.
+
+Here a contest of opinions took place between the horse and his rider.
+The latter, according to his instructions, attempted to direct Solomon
+towards the distant bridge of stone; but Solomon opined that the ford
+was the shortest way to his own stable. The point was sharply contested,
+and we heard Benjie gee-hupping, tchek-tcheking, and, above all,
+flogging in great style; while Solomon, who, docile in his general
+habits, was now stirred beyond his patience, made a great trampling and
+recalcitration; and it was their joint noise which we heard, without
+being able to see, though Joshua might too well guess, the cause of it.
+
+Alarmed at these indications, the Quaker began to shout out,
+'Benjie--thou varlet! Solomon--thou fool!' when the couple presented
+themselves in full drive, Solomon having now decidedly obtained the
+better of the conflict, and bringing his unwilling rider in high career
+down to the ford. Never was there anger changed so fast into humane
+fear, as that of my good companion. 'The varlet will be drowned!' he
+exclaimed--'a widow's son!--her only son!--and drowned!--let me go'--And
+he struggled with me stoutly as I hung upon him, to prevent him from
+plunging into the ford.
+
+I had no fear whatever for Benjie; for the blackguard vermin, though he
+could not manage the refractory horse, stuck on his seat like a monkey.
+Solomon and Benjie scrambled through the ford with little inconvenience,
+and resumed their gallop on the other side.
+
+It was impossible to guess whether on this last occasion Benjie was
+running off with Solomon, or Solomon with Benjie; but, judging from
+character and motives, I rather suspected the former. I could not help
+laughing as the rascal passed me, grinning betwixt terror and delight,
+perched on the very pommel of the saddle, and holding with extended arms
+by bridle and mane while Solomon, the bit secured between his teeth,
+and his head bored down betwixt his forelegs, passed his master in this
+unwonted guise as hard as he could pelt.
+
+'The mischievous bastard!' exclaimed the Quaker, terrified out of his
+usual moderation of speech--'the doomed gallows-bird!--he will break
+Solomon's wind to a certainty.'
+
+I prayed him to be comforted--assured, him a brushing gallop would do
+his favourite no harm and reminded him of the censure he had bestowed on
+me a minute before, for applying a harsh epithet to the boy.
+
+But Joshua was not without his answer; 'Friend youth,' he said, 'thou
+didst speak of the lad's soul, which thou didst affirm belonged to the
+enemy, and of that thou couldst say nothing of thine own knowledge; on
+the contrary, I did but speak of his outward man, which will assuredly
+be suspended by a cord, if he mendeth not his manners. Men say that,
+young as he is, he is one of the laird's gang.'
+
+'Of the laird's gang!' said I, repeating the words in surprise. 'Do you
+mean the person with whom I slept last night? I heard you call him the
+laird. Is he at the head of a gang?'
+
+'Nay, I meant not precisely a gang,' said the Quaker, who appeared in
+his haste to have spoken more than he intended--a company, or party, I
+should have said; but thus it is, friend Latimer, with the wisest men
+when they permit themselves to be perturbed with passion, and speak as
+in a fever, or as with the tongue of the foolish and the forward. And
+although thou hast been hasty to mark my infirmity, yet I grieve not
+that thou hast been a witness to it, seeing that the stumbles of the
+wise may be no less a caution to youth and inexperience, than is the
+fall of the foolish.'
+
+This was a sort of acknowledgement of what I had already begun to
+suspect--that my new friend's real goodness of disposition, joined to
+the acquired quietism of his religious sect, had been unable entirely to
+check the effervescence of a temper naturally warm and hasty.
+
+Upon the present occasion, as if sensible he had displayed a greater
+degree of emotion than became his character, Joshua avoided further
+allusion to Benjie and Solomon, and proceeded to solicit my attention to
+the natural objects around us, which increased in beauty and interest,
+as, still conducted by the meanders of the brook, we left the common
+behind us, and entered a more cultivated and enclosed country, where
+arable and pasture ground was agreeably varied with groves and hedges.
+Descending now almost close to the stream, our course lay through a
+little gate, into a pathway kept with great neatness, the sides of which
+were decorated with trees and flowering shrubs of the hardier species;
+until, ascending by a gentle slope, we issued from the grove, and stood
+almost at once in front of a low but very neat building, of an irregular
+form; and my guide, shaking me cordially by the hand, made me welcome to
+Mount Sharon.
+
+The wood through which we had approached this little mansion was thrown
+around it both on the north and north-west, but, breaking off into
+different directions, was intersected by a few fields well watered and
+sheltered. The house fronted to the south-east, and from thence the
+pleasure-ground, or, I should rather say, the gardens, sloped down
+to the water. I afterwards understood that the father of the present
+proprietor had a considerable taste for horticulture, which had been
+inherited by his son, and had formed these gardens, which, with their
+shaven turf, pleached alleys, wildernesses, and exotic trees and shrubs,
+greatly excelled anything of the kind which had been attempted in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+If there was a little vanity in the complacent smile with which Joshua
+Geddes saw me gaze with delight on a scene so different from the naked
+waste we had that day traversed in company, it might surely be permitted
+to one who, cultivating and improving the beauties of nature, had found
+therein, as he said, bodily health, and a pleasing relaxation for the
+mind. At the bottom of the extended gardens the brook wheeled round in a
+wide semicircle, and was itself their boundary. The opposite side was
+no part of Joshua's domain, but the brook was there skirted by a
+precipitous rock of limestone, which seemed a barrier of nature's own
+erecting around his little Eden of beauty, comfort, and peace.
+
+'But I must not let thee forget,' said the kind Quaker, 'amidst thy
+admiration of these beauties of our little inheritance, that thy
+breakfast has been a light one.'
+
+So saying, Joshua conducted me to a small sashed door, opening under
+a porch amply mantled by honeysuckle and clematis, into a parlour
+of moderate size; the furniture of which, in plainness and excessive
+cleanliness, bore the characteristic marks of the sect to which the
+owner belonged.
+
+Thy father's Hannah is generally allowed to be an exception to all
+Scottish housekeepers, and stands unparalleled for cleanliness among
+the women of Auld Reekie; but the cleanliness of Hannah is sluttishness
+compared to the scrupulous purifications of these people, who seem to
+carry into the minor decencies of life that conscientious rigour which
+they affect in their morals.
+
+The parlour would have been gloomy, for the windows were small and the
+ceiling low; but the present proprietor had rendered it more cheerful
+by opening one end into a small conservatory, roofed with glass, and
+divided from the parlour by a partition of the same. I have never before
+seen this very pleasing manner of uniting the comforts of an apartment
+with the beauties of a garden, and I wonder it is not more practised
+by the great. Something of the kind is hinted at in a paper of the
+SPECTATOR.
+
+As I walked towards the conservatory to view it more closely, the
+parlour chimney engaged my attention. It was a pile of massive stone,
+entirely out of proportion to the size of the apartment. On the front
+had once been an armorial scutcheon; for the hammer, or chisel, which
+had been employed to deface the shield or crest, had left uninjured
+the scroll beneath, which bore the pious motto, 'TRUST IN GOD.'
+Black-letter, you know, was my early passion, and the tombstones in the
+Greyfriars' churchyard early yielded up to my knowledge as a decipherer
+what little they could tell of the forgotten dead.
+
+Joshua Geddes paused when he saw my eye fixed on this relic of
+antiquity. 'Thou canst read it?' he said.
+
+I repeated the motto, and added, there seemed vestiges of a date.
+
+'It should be 1537,' said he; 'for so long ago, at the least
+computation, did my ancestors, in the blinded times of Papistry, possess
+these lands, and in that year did they build their house.'
+
+'It is an ancient descent,' said I, looking with respect upon the
+monument. 'I am sorry the arms have been defaced.'
+
+It was perhaps impossible for my friend, Quaker as he was, to seem
+altogether void of respect for the pedigree which he began to recount
+to me, disclaiming all the while the vanity usually connected with
+the subject; in short, with the air of mingled melancholy, regret, and
+conscious dignity, with which Jack Fawkes used to tell us at college of
+his ancestor's unfortunate connexion with the Gunpowder Plot.
+
+'Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,' thus harangued Joshua Gleddes
+of Mount Sharon; 'if we ourselves are nothing in the sight of Heaven,
+how much less than nothing must be our derivation from rotten bones and
+mouldering dust, whose immortal spirits have long since gone to their
+private account? Yes, friend Latimer, my ancestors were renowned among
+the ravenous and bloodthirsty men who then dwelt in this vexed country;
+and so much were they famed for successful freebooting, robbery, and
+bloodshed, that they are said to have been called Geddes, as likening
+them to the fish called a Jack, Pike, or Luce, and in our country
+tongue, a GED--a goodly distinction truly for Christian men! Yet did
+they paint this shark of the fresh waters upon their shields, and these
+profane priests of a wicked idolatry, the empty boasters called heralds,
+who make engraven images of fishes, fowls, and four-footed beasts, that
+men may fall down and worship them, assigned the ged for the device and
+escutcheon of my fathers, and hewed it over their chimneys, and placed
+it above their tombs; and the men were elated in mind, and became yet
+more ged-like, slaying, leading into captivity, and dividing the spoil,
+until the place where they dwelt obtained the name of Sharing-Knowe,
+from the booty which was there divided amongst them and their
+accomplices. But a better judgement was given to my father's father,
+Philip Geddes, who, after trying to light his candle at some of the vain
+wildfires then held aloft at different meetings and steeple-houses, at
+length obtained a spark from the lamp of the blessed George Fox, who
+came into Scotland spreading light among darkness, as he himself hath
+written, as plentifully as fly the sparkles from the hoof of the horse
+which gallops swiftly along the stony road.'--Here the good Quaker
+interrupted himself with, 'And that is very true, I must go speedily to
+see after the condition of Solomon.'
+
+A Quaker servant here entered the room with a tray, and inclining his
+head towards his master, but not after the manner of one who bows, said
+composedly, 'Thou art welcome home, friend Joshua, we expected thee not
+so early; but what hath befallen Solomon thy horse?'
+
+'What hath befallen him, indeed?' said my friend; 'hath he not been
+returned hither by the child whom they call Benjie?'
+
+'He hath,' said his domestic, 'but it was after a strange fashion; for
+he came hither at a swift and furious pace, and flung the child Benjie
+from his back, upon the heap of dung which is in the stable-yard.'
+
+'I am glad of it,' said Joshua, hastily,--'glad of it, with all my heart
+and spirit! But stay, he is the child of the widow--hath the boy any
+hurt?'
+
+'Not so' answered the servant, 'for he rose and fled swiftly.'
+
+Joshua muttered something about a scourge, and then inquired after
+Solomon's present condition.
+
+'He seetheth like a steaming cauldron,' answered the servant; 'and
+Bauldie, the lad, walketh him about the yard with a halter, lest he take
+cold.'
+
+Mr. Geddes hastened to the stable-yard to view personally the condition
+of his favourite, and I followed to offer my counsel as a jockey. Don't
+laugh, Alan, sure I have jockeyship enough to assist a Quaker--in this
+unpleasing predicament.
+
+The lad who was leading the horse seemed to be no Quaker, though his
+intercourse with the family had given him a touch of their prim sobriety
+of look and manner. He assured Joshua that his horse had received no
+injury, and I even hinted that the exercise would be of service to him.
+Solomon himself neighed towards his master, and rubbed his head against
+the good Quaker's shoulder, as if to assure him of his being quite well;
+so that Joshua returned in comfort to his parlour, where breakfast was
+now about to be displayed.
+
+I have since learned that the affection of Joshua for his pony is
+considered as inordinate by some of his own sect; and that he has been
+much blamed for permitting it to be called by the name of Solomon, or
+any other name whatever; but he has gained so much respect and influence
+among them that they overlook these foibles.
+
+I learned from him (whilst the old servant, Jehoiachim, entering and
+re-entering, seemed to make no end of the materials which he brought in
+for breakfast) that his grandfather Philip, the convert of George Fox,
+had suffered much from the persecution to which these harmless devotees
+were subjected on all sides during that intolerant period, and much
+of their family estate had been dilapidated. But better days dawned
+on Joshua's father, who, connecting himself by marriage with a wealthy
+family of Quakers in Lancashire, engaged successfully in various
+branches of commerce, and redeemed the remnants of the property,
+changing its name in sense, without much alteration of sound, from the
+Border appellation of Sharing-Knowe, to the evangelical appellation of
+Mount Sharon.
+
+This Philip Geddes, as I before hinted, had imbibed the taste for
+horticulture and the pursuits of the florist, which are not uncommon
+among the peaceful sect he belonged to. He had destroyed the remnants
+of the old peel-house, substituting the modern mansion in its place;
+and while he reserved the hearth of his ancestors, in memory of their
+hospitality, as also the pious motto which they had chanced to assume,
+he failed not to obliterate the worldly and military emblems displayed
+upon the shield and helmet, together with all their blazonry.
+
+In a few minutes after Mr. Geddes had concluded the account; of himself
+and his family, his sister Rachel, the only surviving member of it,
+entered the room. Her appearance is remarkably pleasing, and although
+her age is certainly thirty at least, she still retains the shape and
+motion of an earlier period. The absence of everything like fashion
+or ornament was, as usual, atoned for by the most perfect neatness and
+cleanliness of her dress; and her simple close cap was particularly
+suited to eyes which had the softness and simplicity of the dove's.
+Her features were also extremely agreeable, but had suffered a little
+through the ravages of that professed enemy to beauty, the small-pox; a
+disadvantage which was in part counterbalanced by a well-formed mouth,
+teeth like pearls, and a pleasing sobriety of smile, that seemed to wish
+good here and hereafter to every one she spoke to. You cannot make
+any of your vile inferences here, Alan, for I have given a full-length
+picture of Rachel Geddes; so that; you cannot say, in this case, as in
+the letter I have just received, that she was passed over as a subject
+on which I feared to dilate. More of this anon.
+
+Well, we settled to our breakfast after a blessing, or rather an
+extempore prayer, which Joshua made upon the occasion, and which
+the spirit moved him to prolong rather more than I felt altogether
+agreeable. Then, Alan, there was such a dispatching of the good things
+of the morning as you have not witnessed since you have seen Darsie
+Latimer at breakfast. Tea and chocolate, eggs, ham, and pastry, not
+forgetting the broiled fish, disappeared with a celerity which seemed
+to astonish the good-humoured Quakers, who kept loading my plate
+with supplies, as if desirous of seeing whether they could, by any
+possibility, tire me out. One hint, however, I received, which put me in
+mind where I was. Miss Geddes had offered me some sweet-cake, which, at
+the moment, I declined; but presently afterwards, seeing it within
+my reach, I naturally enough helped myself to a slice, and had just;
+deposited it beside my plate, when Joshua, mine host, not with the
+authoritative air of Sancho's doctor, Tirteafuera, but in a very calm
+and quiet manner, lifted it away and replaced it on the dish, observing
+only, 'Thou didst refuse it before, friend Latimer.'
+
+These good folks, Alan, make no allowance for what your good father
+calls the Aberdeen-man's privilege, of 'taking his word again;' or what
+the wise call second thoughts.
+
+Bating this slight hint that I was among a precise generation, there
+was nothing in my reception that was peculiar--unless, indeed, I were to
+notice the solicitous and uniform kindness with which all the attentions
+of my new friends were seasoned, as if they were anxious to assure me
+that the neglect of worldly compliments interdicted by their sect, only
+served to render their hospitality more sincere. At length my hunger was
+satisfied, and the worthy Quaker, who, with looks of great good nature,
+had watched my progress, thus addressed his sister:--
+
+'This young man, Rachel, hath last night sojourned in the tents of our
+neighbour whom men call the laird. I am sorry I had not met him the
+evening before, for our neighbour's hospitality is too unfrequently
+exercised to be well prepared with the means of welcome.'
+
+'Nay, but, Joshua,' said Rachel, 'if our neighbour hath done a kindness,
+thou shouldst not grudge him the opportunity; and if our young friend
+hath fared ill for a night, he will the better relish what Providence
+may send him of better provisions.'
+
+'And that he may do so at leisure,' said Joshua, 'we will pray him,
+Rachel, to tarry a day or twain with us: he is young, and is but now
+entering upon the world, and our habitation may, if he will, be like a
+resting-place, from which he may look abroad upon the pilgrimage which
+he must take, and the path which he has to travel.--What sayest thou,
+friend Latimer? We constrain not our friends to our ways, and thou art,
+I think, too wise to quarrel with us for following our own fashions; and
+if we should even give thee a word of advice, thou wilt not, I think, be
+angry, so that it is spoken in season.'
+
+You know, Alan, how easily I am determined by anything resembling
+cordiality--and so, though a little afraid of the formality of my host
+and hostess, I accepted their invitation, provided I could get some
+messenger to send to Shepherd's Bush for my servant and portmanteau.
+
+'Why, truly, friend,' said Joshua, 'thy outward frame would be improved
+by cleaner garments; but I will do thine errand myself to the Widow
+Gregson's house of reception, and send thy lad hither with thy clothes.
+Meanwhile, Rachel will show thee these little gardens, and then will put
+thee in some way of spending thy time usefully, till our meal calls
+us together at the second hour after noon. I bid thee farewell for
+the present, having some space to walk, seeing I must leave the animal
+Solomon to his refreshing rest.'
+
+With these words, Mr. Joshua Geddes withdrew. Some ladies we have known
+would have felt, or at least affected, reserve or embarrassment, at
+being left to do the honours of the grounds to (it will be out, Alan)--a
+smart young fellow--an entire stranger. She went out for a few minutes,
+and returned in her plain cloak and bonnet, with her beaver gloves,
+prepared to act as my guide, with as much simplicity as if she had been
+to wait upon thy father. So forth I sallied with my fair Quakeress.
+
+If the house at Mount Sharon be merely a plain and convenient dwelling,
+of moderate size and small pretensions, the gardens and offices, though
+not extensive, might rival an earl's in point of care and expense.
+Rachel carried me first to her own favourite resort, a poultry-yard,
+stocked with a variety of domestic fowls, of the more rare as well as
+the most ordinary kinds, furnished with every accommodation which may
+suit their various habits. A rivulet which spread into a pond for the
+convenience of the aquatic birds, trickled over gravel as it passed
+through the yards dedicated to the land poultry, which were thus amply
+supplied with the means they use for digestion.
+
+All these creatures seemed to recognize the presence of their mistress,
+and some especial favourites hastened to her feet, and continued to
+follow her as far as their limits permitted. She pointed out their
+peculiarities and qualities, with the discrimination of one who had made
+natural history her study; and I own I never looked on barn-door
+fowls with so much interest before--at least until they were boiled
+or roasted. I could not help asking the trying question, how she could
+order the execution of any of the creatures of which she seemed so
+careful.
+
+'It was painful,' she said, 'but it was according to the law of their
+being. They must die; but they knew not when death was approaching; and
+in making them comfortable while they lived, we contributed to their
+happiness as much as the conditions of their existence permitted to us.'
+
+I am not quite of her mind, Alan. I do not believe either pigs or
+poultry would admit that the chief end of their being was to be killed
+and eaten. However, I did not press the argument, from which my Quaker
+seemed rather desirous to escape; for, conducting me to the greenhouse,
+which was extensive, and filled with the choicest plants, she pointed
+out an aviary which occupied the farther end, where, she said, she
+employed herself with attending the inhabitants, without being disturbed
+with any painful recollections concerning their future destination.
+
+I will not trouble you with any account of the various hot-houses
+and gardens, and their contents. No small sum of money must have been
+expended in erecting and maintaining them in the exquisite degree
+of good order which they exhibited. The family, I understood, were
+connected with that of the celebrated Millar, and had imbibed his taste
+for flowers, and for horticulture. But instead of murdering botanical
+names, I will rather conduct you to the POLICY, or pleasure-garden,
+which the taste of Joshua or his father had extended on the banks
+betwixt the house and river. This also, in contradistinction to the
+prevailing simplicity, was ornamented in an unusual degree. There were
+various compartments, the connexion of which was well managed, and
+although the whole ground did not exceed five or six acres, it was so
+much varied as to seem four times larger. The space contained close
+alleys and open walks; a very pretty artificial waterfall; a fountain
+also, consisting of a considerable jet-d'eau, whose streams glittered in
+the sunbeams and exhibited a continual rainbow. There was a cabinet of
+verdure, as the French call it, to cool the summer heat, and there was
+a terrace sheltered from the north-east by a noble holly hedge, with all
+its glittering spears where you might have the full advantage of the sun
+in the clear frosty days of winter.
+
+I know that you, Alan, will condemn all this as bad and antiquated; for,
+ever since Dodsley has described the Leasowes, and talked of Brown's
+imitations of nature and Horace Walpole's late Essay on Gardening, you
+are all for simple nature--condemn walking up and down stairs in the
+open air and declare for wood and wilderness. But NE QUID NIMIS. I would
+not deface a scene of natural grandeur or beauty, by the introduction
+of crowded artificial decorations; yet such may, I think, be very
+interesting, where the situation, in its natural state, otherwise has no
+particular charms.
+
+So that when I have a country-house (who can say how soon?) you may
+look for grottoes, and cascades, and fountains; nay if you vex me by
+contradiction, perhaps I may go the length of a temple--so provoke me
+not, for you see of what enormities I am capable.
+
+At any rate, Alan, had you condemned as artificial the rest of Friend
+Geddes's grounds, there is a willow walk by the very verge of the
+stream, so sad, so solemn, and so silent, that it must have commanded
+your admiration. The brook, restrained at the ultimate boundary of the
+grounds by a natural dam-dike or ledge of rocks, seemed, even in
+its present swollen state, scarcely to glide along: and the pale
+willow-trees, dropping their long branches into the stream, gathered
+around them little coronals of the foam that floated down from the more
+rapid stream above. The high rock, which formed the opposite bank of the
+brook, was seen dimly through the branches, and its pale and splintered
+front, garlanded with long streamers of briers and other creeping
+plants, seemed a barrier between the quiet path which we trod, and the
+toiling and bustling world beyond. The path itself, following the sweep
+of the stream, made a very gentle curve; enough, however, served by its
+inflection completely to hide the end of the walk until you arrived at
+it. A deep and sullen sound, which increased as you proceeded, prepared
+you for this termination, which was indeed only a plain root-seat, from
+which you looked on a fall of about six or seven feet, where the brook
+flung itself over the ledge of natural rock I have already mentioned,
+which there crossed its course.
+
+The quiet and twilight seclusion of this walk rendered it a fit scene
+for confidential communing; and having nothing more interesting to
+say to my fair Quaker, I took the liberty of questioning her about the
+laird; for you are, or ought to be, aware, that next to discussing the
+affairs of the heart, the fair sex are most interested in those of their
+neighbours.
+
+I did not conceal either my curiosity, or the check which it had
+received from Joshua, and I saw that my companion answered with
+embarrassment. 'I must not speak otherwise than truly,' she said; 'and
+therefore I tell thee, that my brother dislikes, and that I fear, the
+man of whom thou hast asked me. Perhaps we are both wrong--but he is a
+man of violence, and hath great influence over many, who, following
+the trade of sailors and fishermen, become as rude as the elements with
+which they contend. He hath no certain name among them, which is
+not unusual, their rude fashion being to distinguish each other
+by nicknames; and they have called him the Laird of the Lakes (not
+remembering there should be no one called Lord, save one only) in idle
+derision; the pools of salt water left by the tide among the sands being
+called the Lakes of Solway.'
+
+'Has he no other revenue than he derives from these sands?' I asked.
+
+'That I cannot answer,' replied Rachel; 'men say that he wants not
+money, though he lives like an ordinary fisherman, and that he imparts
+freely of his means to the poor around him. They intimate that he is
+a man of consequence, once deeply engaged in the unhappy affair of the
+rebellion, and even still too much in danger from the government
+to assume his own name. He is often absent from his cottage at
+Broken-burn-cliffs, for weeks and months.'
+
+'I should have thought,' said I, 'that the government would scarce, at
+this time of day, be likely to proceed against any one even of the most
+obnoxious rebels. Many years have passed away'--
+
+'It is true,' she replied; 'yet such persons may understand that their
+being connived at depends on their living in obscurity. But indeed there
+can nothing certain be known among these rude people. The truth is not
+in them--most of them participate in the unlawful trade betwixt these
+parts and the neighbouring shore of England; and they are familiar with
+every species of falsehood and deceit.'
+
+'It is a pity,' I remarked, 'your brother should have neighbours of such
+a description, especially as I understand he is at some variance with
+them.'
+
+'Where, when, and about what matter?' answered Miss Geddes, with an
+eager and timorous anxiety, which made me regret having touched on the
+subject.
+
+I told her, in a way as little alarming as I could devise, the purport
+of what passed betwixt this Laird of the Lakes and her brother, at their
+morning's interview.
+
+'You affright me much,' answered she; 'it is this very circumstance
+which has scared me in the watches of the night. When my brother Joshua
+withdrew from an active share in the commercial concerns of my father,
+being satisfied with the portion of worldly substance which he already
+possessed, there were one or two undertakings in which he retained an
+interest, either because his withdrawing might have been prejudicial to
+friends, or because he wished to retain some mode of occupying his time.
+Amongst the more important of these is a fishing station on the coast,
+where, by certain improved modes of erecting snares, opening at the
+advance of the tide, and shutting at the reflux, many more fish are
+taken than can be destroyed by those who, like the men of Broken-burn,
+use only the boat-net and spear, or fishing-rod. They complain of these
+tide-nets, as men call them, as an innovation, and pretend to a right
+to remove and destroy them by the strong hand. I fear me, this man of
+violence, whom they call the laird, will execute these his threats,
+which cannot be without both loss and danger to my brother.'
+
+'Mr. Geddes,' said I, 'ought to apply to the civil, magistrate; there
+are soldiers at Dumfries who would be detached for his protection.'
+
+'Thou speakest, friend Latimer,' answered the lady, 'as one who is
+still in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. God forbid that
+we should endeavour to preserve nets of flax and stakes of wood, or the
+Mammon of gain which they procure for us, by the hands of men of war and
+at the risk of spilling human blood.'
+
+'I respect your scruples,' I replied; 'but since such is your way
+of thinking, your brother ought to avert the danger by compromise or
+submission.'
+
+'Perhaps it would be best,' answered Rachel; 'but what can I say? Even
+in the best-trained temper there may remain some leaven of the old Adam;
+and I know not whether it is this or a better spirit that maketh my
+brother Joshua determine, that though he will not resist force by force,
+neither will he yield up his right to mere threats, or encourage wrong
+to others by yielding to menaces. His partners, he says, confide in his
+steadiness: and that he must not disappoint them by yielding up their
+right for the fear of the threats of man, whose breath is in his
+nostrils.'
+
+This observation convinced me that the spirit of the old sharers of
+the spoil was not utterly departed even from the bosom of the peaceful
+Quaker; and I could not help confessing internally that Joshua had the
+right, when he averred that there was as much courage in sufferance as
+in exertion.
+
+As we approached the farther end of the willow walk, the sullen and
+continuous sound of the dashing waters became still more and more
+audible, and at length rendered it difficult for us to communicate
+with each other. The conversation dropped, but apparently my companion
+continued to dwell upon the apprehensions which it had excited. At the
+bottom of the walk we obtained a view of the cascade, where the swollen
+brook flung itself in foam and tumult over the natural barrier of rock,
+which seemed in vain to attempt to bar its course. I gazed with delight,
+and, turning to express my sentiment to my companion, I observed that
+she had folded her hands in an attitude of sorrowful resignation, which
+showed her thoughts were far from the scene which lay before her.
+When she saw that her abstraction was observed, she resumed her former
+placidity of manner; and having given me sufficient time to admire this
+termination of our sober and secluded walk, proposed that me should
+return to the house through her brother's farm. 'Even we Quakers, as
+we are called, have our little pride,' she said; 'and my brother Joshua
+would not forgive me, were I not to show thee the fields which he taketh
+delight to cultivate after the newest and best fashion; for which, I
+promise thee, he hath received much praise from good judges, as well as
+some ridicule from those who think it folly to improve on the customs of
+our ancestors.'
+
+As she spoke, she opened a low door, leading through a moss and
+ivy-covered wall, the boundary of the pleasure-ground, into the open
+fields; through which we moved by a convenient path, leading, with good
+taste and simplicity, by stile and hedgerow, through pasturage, and
+arable, and woodland; so that in all ordinary weather, the good man
+might, without even soiling his shoes, perform his perambulation round
+the farm. There were seats also, on which to rest; and though not
+adorned with inscriptions, nor quite so frequent in occurrence as those
+mentioned in the account of the Leasowes, their situation was always
+chosen with respect to some distant prospect to be commanded, or some
+home-view to be enjoyed.
+
+But what struck me most in Joshua's domain was the quantity and the
+tameness of the game. The hen partridge scarce abandoned the roost, at
+the foot of the hedge where she had assembled her covey, though the path
+went close beside her; and the hare, remaining on her form, gazed at us
+as we passed, with her full dark eye, or rising lazily and hopping to
+a little distance, stood erect to look at us with more curiosity than
+apprehension. I observed to Miss Geddes the extreme tameness of these
+timid and shy animals, and she informed me that their confidence arose
+from protection in the summer, and relief during the winter.
+
+'They are pets,' she said, 'of my brother, who considers them as the
+better entitled to his kindness that they are a race persecuted by the
+world in general. He denieth himself,' she said, 'even the company of a
+dog, that these creatures may here at least enjoy undisturbed security.
+Yet this harmless or humane propensity, or humour, hath given offence,'
+she added, 'to our dangerous neighbours.'
+
+She explained this, by telling me that my host of the preceding night
+was remarkable for his attachment to field-sports, which he pursued
+without much regard to the wishes of the individuals over whose property
+he followed them. The undefined mixture of respect and fear with which
+he was generally regarded induced most of the neighbouring land-holders
+to connive at what they would perhaps in another have punished as a
+trespass; but Joshua Geddes would not permit the intrusion of any
+one upon his premises, and as he had before offended several country
+neighbours, who, because he would neither shoot himself nor permit
+others to do so, compared him to the dog in the manger, so he now
+aggravated the displeasure which the Laird of the Lakes had already
+conceived against him, by positively debarring him from pursuing his
+sport over his grounds--'So that,' said Rachel Geddes, 'I sometimes wish
+our lot had been cast elsewhere than in these pleasant borders, where,
+if we had less of beauty around us, we might have had a neighbourhood of
+peace and, goodwill.'
+
+We at length returned to the house, where Miss Geddes showed me a small
+study, containing a little collection of books, in two separate presses.
+
+'These,' said she, pointing to the smaller press, 'will, if thou
+bestowest thy leisure upon them, do thee good; and these,' pointing to
+the other and larger cabinet, 'can, I believe, do thee little harm. Some
+of our people do indeed hold, that every writer who is not with us
+is against us; but brother Joshua is mitigated in his opinions, and
+correspondeth with our friend John Scot of Amwell, who hath himself
+constructed verses well approved of even in the world. I wish thee many
+good thoughts till our family meet at the hour of dinner.'
+
+Left alone, I tried both collections; the first consisted entirely
+of religious and controversial tracts, and the latter formed a small
+selection of history and of moral writers, both in prose and verse.
+
+Neither collection promising much amusement, thou hast, in these close
+pages, the fruits of my tediousness; and truly, I think, writing history
+(one's self being the subject) is as amusing as reading that of foreign
+countries, at any time.
+
+Sam, still more drunk than sober, arrived in due time with my
+portmanteau, and enabled me to put my dress into order, better befitting
+this temple of cleanliness and decorum, where (to conclude) I believe I
+shall be a sojourner more days than one. [See Note 1.]
+
+PS.--I have noted your adventure, as you home-bred youths may perhaps
+term it, concerning the visit of your doughty laird. We travellers hold
+such an incident no great consequence, though it may serve to embellish
+the uniform life of Brown's Square. But art thou not ashamed to attempt
+to interest one who is seeing the world at large, and studying human
+nature on a large scale, by so bald a narrative? Why, what does it
+amount to, after all, but that a Tory laird dined with a Whig lawyer? no
+very uncommon matter, especially as you state Mr. Herries to have lost
+the estate, though retaining the designation. The laird behaves with
+haughtiness and impertinence--nothing out of character in that: is NOT
+kicked down stairs, as he ought to have been, were Alan Fairford half
+the man that he would wish his friends to think him. Aye, but then, as
+the young lawyer, instead of showing his friend the door, chose to make
+use of it himself, he overheard the laird aforesaid ask the old lawyer
+concerning Darsie Latimer--no doubt earnestly inquiring after the
+handsome, accomplished inmate of his family, who has so lately made
+Themis his bow and declined the honour of following her farther. You
+laugh at me for my air-drawn castles; but confess, have they not surer
+footing, in general, than two words spoken by such a man as Herries?
+And yet--and yet--I would rally the matter off, Alan; but in dark nights
+even the glow-worm becomes an object of lustre, and to one plunged in
+my uncertainty and ignorance, the slightest gleam that promises
+intelligence is interesting. My life is like the subterranean river in
+the Peak of Derby, visible only where it crosses the celebrated cavern.
+I am here, and this much I know; but where I have sprung from, or
+whither my course of life is like to tend, who shall tell me? Your
+father, too, seemed interested and alarmed, and talked of writing; would
+to Heaven he may!--I send daily to the post-town for letters.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VIII
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+Thou mayst clap thy wings and crow as thou pleasest. You go in search
+of adventures, but adventures come to me unsought for; and oh! in what a
+pleasing shape came mine, since it arrived in the form of a client--and
+a fair client to boot! What think you of that, Darsie! you who are such
+a sworn squire of dames? Will this not match my adventures with thine,
+that hunt salmon on horseback, and will it not, besides, eclipse
+the history of a whole tribe of Broadbrims?--But I must proceed
+methodically.
+
+When I returned to-day from the College, I was surprised to see a broad
+grin distending the adust countenance of the faithful James Wilkinson,
+which, as the circumstance seldom happens above once a year, was matter
+of some surprise. Moreover, he had a knowing glance with his eye,
+which I should have as soon expected from a dumb-waiter--an article
+of furniture to which James, in his usual state, may be happily
+assimilated. 'What the devil is the matter, James?'
+
+'The devil may be in the matter, for aught I ken,' said James, with
+another provoking grin; 'for here has been a woman calling for you,
+Maister Alan.'
+
+'A woman calling for me?' said I in surprise; for you know well, that
+excepting old Aunt Peggy, who comes to dinner of a Sunday, and the
+still older Lady Bedrooket, who calls ten times a year for the
+quarterly payment of her jointure of four hundred merks, a female scarce
+approaches our threshold, as my father visits all his female clients at
+their own lodgings. James protested, however, that there had been a
+lady calling, and for me. 'As bonny a lass as I have seen,' added James,
+'since I was in the Fusileers, and kept company with Peg Baxter.' Thou
+knowest all James's gay recollections go back to the period of his
+military service, the years he has spent in ours having probably been
+dull enough.
+
+'Did the lady leave no name nor place of address?'
+
+'No,' replied James; 'but she asked when you wad be at hame, and I
+appointed her for twelve o'clock, when the house wad be quiet, and your
+father at the Bank.'
+
+'For shame, James! how can you think my father's being at home or abroad
+could be of consequence?--The lady is of course a decent person?'
+
+'I'se uphaud her that, sir--she is nane of your--WHEW'--(Here James
+supplied a blank with a low whistle)--'but I didna ken--my maister makes
+an unco wark if a woman comes here.'
+
+I passed into my own room, not ill-pleased that my father was absent,
+notwithstanding I had thought it proper to rebuke James for having so
+contrived it, I disarranged my books, to give them the appearance of a
+graceful confusion on the table, and laying my foils (useless since your
+departure) across the mantelpiece, that the lady might see I was TAM
+MARTE QUAM MERCURIO--I endeavoured to dispose my dress so as to resemble
+an elegant morning deshabille--gave my hair the general shade of powder
+which marks the gentleman--laid my watch and seals on the table, to
+hint that I understood the value of time;--and when I had made all these
+arrangements, of which I am a little ashamed when I think of them, I had
+nothing better to do than to watch the dial-plate till the index
+pointed to noon. Five minutes elapsed, which. I allowed for variation
+of clocks--five minutes more rendered me anxious and doubtful--and five
+minutes more would have made me impatient.
+
+Laugh as thou wilt; but remember, Darsie, I was a lawyer, expecting his
+first client--a young man, how strictly bred up I need not remind you,
+expecting a private interview with a young and beautiful woman. But ere
+the third term of five minutes had elapsed, the door-bell was heard to
+tinkle low and modestly, as if touched by some timid hand.
+
+James Wilkinson, swift in nothing, is, as thou knowest, peculiarly slow
+in answering the door-bell; and I reckoned on five minutes good, ere his
+solemn step should have ascended the stair. Time enough, thought I, for
+a peep through the blinds, and was hastening to the window accordingly.
+But I reckoned without my host; for James, who had his own curiosity
+as well as I, was lying PERDU in the lobby, ready to open at the first
+tinkle; and there was, 'This way, ma'am--Yes, ma'am--The lady, Mr.
+Alan,' before I could get to the chair in which I proposed to be
+discovered, seated in all legal dignity. The consciousness of being
+half-caught in the act of peeping, joined to that native air of awkward
+bashfulness of which I am told the law will soon free me, kept me
+standing on the floor in some confusion; while the lady, disconcerted
+on her part, remained on the threshold of the room. James Wilkinson, who
+had his senses most about him, and was perhaps willing to prolong his
+stay in the apartment, busied himself in setting a chair for the lady,
+and recalled me to my good-breeding by the hint. I invited her to take
+possession of it, and bid James withdraw.
+
+My visitor was undeniably a lady, and probably considerably above the
+ordinary rank--very modest, too, judging from the mixture of grace and
+timidity with which she moved, and at my entreaty sat down. Her dress
+was, I should suppose, both handsome and fashionable; but it was much
+concealed by a walking-cloak of green silk, fancifully embroidered; in
+which, though heavy for the season, her person was enveloped, and which,
+moreover, was furnished with a hood.
+
+The devil take that hood, Darsie! for I was just able to distinguish
+that, pulled as it was over the face, it concealed from me, as I was
+convinced, one of the prettiest countenances I have seen, and which,
+from a sense of embarrassment, seemed to be crimsoned with a deep blush.
+I could see her complexion was beautiful--her chin finely turned--her
+lips coral--and her teeth rivals to ivory. But further the deponent
+sayeth not; for a clasp of gold, ornamented with it sapphire, closed
+the envious mantle under the incognita's throat, and the cursed hood
+concealed entirely the upper part of the face.
+
+I ought to have spoken first, that is certain; but ere I could get my
+phrases well arranged, the young lady, rendered desperate I suppose by
+my hesitation opened the conversation herself.
+
+'I fear I am an intruder, sir--I expected to meet an elderly gentleman.'
+
+This brought me to myself. 'My father, madam, perhaps. But you inquired
+for Alan Fairford--my father's name is Alexander.'
+
+'It is Mr. Alan Fairford, undoubtedly, with whom I wished to speak,' she
+said, with greater confusion; 'but I was told that he was advanced in
+life.'
+
+'Some mistake, madam, I presume, betwixt my father and myself--our
+Christian names have the same initials, though the terminations are
+different. I--I--I would esteem it a most fortunate mistake if I could
+have the honour of supplying my father's place in anything that could be
+of service to you.'
+
+'You are very obliging, sir,' A pause, during which she seemed
+undetermined whether to rise or sit still.
+
+'I am just about to be called to the bar, madam,' said I, in hopes to
+remove her scruples to open her case to me; 'and if my advice or opinion
+could be of the slightest use, although I cannot presume to say that
+they are much to be depended upon, yet'--
+
+The lady arose. 'I am truly sensible of your kindness, sir; and I have
+no doubt of your talents. I will be very plain with you--it is you whom
+I came to visit; although, now that we have met, I find it will be much
+better that I should commit my communication to writing.'
+
+'I hope, madam, you will not be so cruel--so tantalizing, I would
+say. Consider, you are my first client--your business my first
+consultation--do not do me the displeasure of withdrawing your
+confidence because I am a few years younger than you seem to have
+expected. My attention shall make amends for my want of experience.'
+
+'I have no doubt of either,' said the lady, in a grave tone, calculated
+to restrain the air of gallantry with which I had endeavoured to address
+her. 'But when you have received my letter you will find good reasons
+assigned why a written communication will best suit my purpose. I wish
+you, sir, a good morning.' And she left the apartment, her poor baffled
+counsel scraping, and bowing, and apologizing for anything that might
+have been disagreeable to her, although the front of my offence seems to
+be my having been discovered to be younger than my father.
+
+The door was opened--out she went--walked along the pavement, turned
+down the close, and put the sun, I believe, into her pocket when she
+disappeared, so suddenly did dullness and darkness sink down on the
+square, when she was no longer visible. I stood for a moment as if I
+had been senseless, not recollecting what a fund of entertainment I must
+have supplied to our watchful friends on the other side of the green.
+Then it darted on my mind that I might dog her, and ascertain at least
+who or what she was. Off I set--ran down the close, where she was no
+longer to be seen, and demanded of one of the dyer's lads whether he had
+seen a lady go down the close, or had observed which way she turned.
+
+'A leddy!'--said the dyer, staring at me with his rainbow countenance.
+'Mr. Alan, what takes you out, rinning like daft, without your hat?'
+
+'The devil take my hat!' answered I, running back, however, in quest of
+it; snatched it up, and again sallied forth. But as I reached the head
+of the close once more, I had sense enough to recollect that all pursuit
+would be now in vain. Besides, I saw my friend, the journeyman dyer, in
+close confabulation with a pea-green personage of his own profession,
+and was conscious, like Scrub, that they talked of me, because they
+laughed consumedly. I had no mind, by a second sudden appearance, to
+confirm the report that Advocate Fairford was 'gaen daft,' which had
+probably spread from Campbell's Close-foot to the Meal-market Stairs;
+and so slunk back within my own hole again.
+
+My first employment was to remove all traces of that elegant and
+fanciful disposition of my effects, from which I had hoped for so much
+credit; for I was now ashamed and angry at having thought an instant
+upon the mode of receiving a visit which had commenced so agreeably,
+but terminated in a manner so unsatisfactory. I put my folios in their
+places--threw the foils into the dressing-closet--tormenting myself all
+the while with the fruitless doubt, whether I had missed an opportunity
+or escaped a stratagem, or whether the young person had been really
+startled, as she seemed to intimate, by the extreme youth of her
+intended legal adviser. The mirror was not unnaturally called in to aid;
+and that cabinet-counsellor pronounced me rather short, thick-set,
+with a cast of features fitter, I trust, for the bar than the ball--not
+handsome enough for blushing virgins to pine for my sake, or even to
+invent sham cases to bring them to my chambers--yet not ugly enough
+either to scare those away who came on real business--dark, to be sure,
+but--NIGRI SUNT HYACINTHI--there are pretty things to be said in favour
+of that complexion.
+
+At length--as common sense will get the better in all cases when a man
+will but give it fair play--I began to stand convicted in my own mind,
+as an ass before the interview, for having expected too much--an ass
+during the interview, for having failed to extract the lady's real
+purpose--and an especial ass, now that it was over, for thinking so much
+about it. But I can think of nothing else, and therefore I am determined
+to think of this to some good purpose.
+
+You remember Murtough O'Hara's defence of the Catholic doctrine of
+confession; because, 'by his soul, his sins were always a great burden
+to his mind, till he had told them to the priest; and once confessed, he
+never thought more about them.' I have tried his receipt, therefore; and
+having poured my secret mortification into thy trusty ear, I will think
+no more about this maid of the mist,
+
+   Who, with no face, as 'twere, outfaced me.
+
+--Four o'clock. Plague on her green mantle, she can be nothing
+better than a fairy; she keeps possession of my head yet! All during
+dinner-time I was terribly absent; but, luckily, my father gave the
+whole credit of my reverie to the abstract nature of the doctrine, VINCO
+VINCENTEM, ERGO VINCO TE; upon which brocard of law the professor this
+morning lectured. So I got an early dismissal to my own crib, and here
+am I studying, in one sense, VINCERE VINCENTEM, to get the better of
+the silly passion of curiosity--I think--I think it amounts to nothing
+else--which has taken such possession of my imagination, and is
+perpetually worrying me with the question--will she write or no? She
+will not--she will not! So says Reason, and adds, Why should she take
+the trouble to enter into correspondence with one who, instead of a
+bold, alert, prompt gallant, proved a chicken-hearted boy, and left her
+the whole awkwardness of explanation, which he should have met half-way?
+But then, says Fancy, she WILL write, for she was not a bit that sort
+of person whom you, Mr. Reason, in your wisdom, take her to be. She was
+disconcerted enough, without my adding to her distress by any impudent
+conduct on my part. And she will write, for--By Heaven, she HAS written,
+Darsie, and with a vengeance! Here is her letter, thrown into the
+kitchen by a caddie, too faithful to be bribed, either by money or
+whisky, to say more than that he received it, with sixpence, from an
+ordinary-looking woman, as he was plying on his station near the Cross.
+
+
+'FOR ALAN FAIRFORD, ESQUIRE, BARRISTER.
+
+'SIR,
+
+'Excuse my mistake of to-day. I had accidentally learnt that Mr. Darsie
+Latimer had an intimate friend and associate in Mr. A. Fairford. When I
+inquired for such a person, he was pointed out to me at the Cross (as
+I think the Exchange of your city is called) in the character of a
+respectable elderly man--your father, as I now understand. On inquiry at
+Brown's Square, where I understood he resided, I used the full name of
+Alan, which naturally occasioned you the trouble of this day's visit.
+Upon further inquiry, I am led to believe that you are likely to be the
+person most active in the matter to which I am now about to direct your
+attention; and I regret much that circumstances, arising out of my own
+particular situation, prevent my communicating to you personally what I
+now apprise you of in this matter.
+
+'Your friend, Mr. Darsie Latimer, is in a situation of considerable
+danger. You are doubtless aware that he has been cautioned not to trust
+himself in England. Now, if he has not absolutely transgressed this
+friendly injunction, he has at least approached as nearly to the menaced
+danger as he could do, consistently with the letter of the prohibition.
+He has chosen his abode in a neighbourhood very perilous to him; and
+it is only by a speedy return to Edinburgh, or at least by a removal to
+some more remote part of Scotland, that he can escape the machinations
+of those whose enmity he has to fear. I must speak in mystery, but my
+words are not the less certain; and, I believe, you know enough of your
+friend's fortunes to be aware that I could not write this much without
+being even more intimate with them than you are.
+
+'If he cannot, or will not, take the advice here given, it is my opinion
+that you should join him, if possible, without delay, and use, by
+your personal presence and entreaty, the arguments which may prove
+ineffectual in writing. One word more, and I implore of your candour to
+take it as it is meant. No one supposes that Mr. Fairford's zeal in his
+friend's service needs to be quickened by mercenary motives. 'But report
+says, that Mr. Alan Fairford, not having yet entered on his professional
+career, may, in such a case as this, want the means, though he cannot
+want the inclination, to act with promptitude. The enclosed note Mr.
+Alan Fairford must be pleased to consider as his first professional
+emolument; and she who sends it hopes it will be the omen of unbounded
+success, though the fee comes from a hand so unknown as that of 'GREEN
+MANTLE'.
+
+A bank-note of L20 was the enclosure, and the whole incident left me
+speechless with astonishment. I am not able to read over the beginning
+of my own letter, which forms the introduction to this extraordinary
+communication. I only know that, though mixed with a quantity of foolery
+(God knows very much different from my present feelings), it gives an
+account sufficiently accurate, of the mysterious person from whom this
+letter comes, and that I have neither time nor patience to separate the
+absurd commentary from the text, which it is so necessary you should
+know.
+
+Combine this warning, so strangely conveyed, with the caution impressed
+on you by your London correspondent, Griffiths, against your visiting
+England--with the character of your Laird of the Solway Lakes--with the
+lawless habits of the people on that frontier country, where warrants
+are not easily executed owing to the jealousy entertained by either
+country of the legal interference of the other; remember, that even Sir
+John Fielding said to my father that he could never trace a rogue beyond
+the Briggend of Dumfries--think that the distinctions of Whig and
+Tory, Papist and Protestant, still keep that country in a loose and
+comparatively lawless state--think of all this, my dearest Darsie, and
+remember that, while at this Mount Sharon of yours, you are residing
+with a family actually menaced with forcible interference, and who,
+while their obstinacy provokes violence, are by principle bound to
+abstain from resistance.
+
+Nay, let me tell you, professionally, that the legality of the mode of
+fishing practised by your friend Joshua is greatly doubted by our
+best lawyers; and that, if the stake-nets be considered as actually an
+unlawful obstruction raised in the channel of the estuary, an assembly
+of persons who shall proceed, VIA FACTI, to pull dawn and destroy them,
+would not, in the eye of the law, be esteemed guilty of a riot. So, by
+remaining where you are, YOU are likely to be engaged in a quarrel with
+which you have nothing to do, and thus to enable your enemies, whoever
+these may be, to execute, amid the confusion of a general hubbub,
+whatever designs they may have against your personal safety.
+Black-fishers, poachers, and smugglers are a sort of gentry that will
+not be much checked, either by your Quaker's texts, or by your chivalry.
+If you are Don Quixote enough to lay lance in rest, in defence of those
+of the stake-net, and of the sad-coloured garment, I pronounce you but
+a lost knight; for, as I said before, I doubt if these potent redressers
+of wrongs, the justices and constables, will hold themselves warranted
+to interfere. In a word, return, my dear Amadis; the adventure of the
+Solway-nets is not reserved for your worship. Come back, and I will be
+your faithful Sancho Panza upon a more hopeful quest. We will beat
+about together, in search of this Urganda, the Unknown She of the Green
+Mantle, who can read this, the riddle of thy fate, better than wise
+Eppie of Buckhaven, [Well known in the Chap-Book, called the History of
+Buckhaven.] or Cassandra herself.
+
+I would fain trifle, Darsie; for, in debating with you, jests will
+sometimes go farther than arguments; but I am sick at heart and cannot
+keep the ball up. If you have a moment's regard for the friendship we
+have so often vowed to each other, let my wishes for once prevail over
+your own venturous and romantic temper. I am quite serious in thinking
+that the information communicated to my father by this Mr. Herries, and
+the admonitory letter of the young lady, bear upon each other; and that,
+were you here, you might learn something from one or other, or from
+both, that; might throw light on your birth and parentage. You will not,
+surely, prefer an idle whim to the prospect which is thus held out to
+you?
+
+I would, agreeably to the hint I have received in the young lady's
+letter (for I am confident that such is her condition), have ere now
+been with you to urge these things, instead of pouring them out upon
+paper. But you know that the day for my trials is appointed; I have
+already gone through the form of being introduced to the examinators,
+and have gotten my titles assigned me. All this should not keep me at
+home, but my father would view any irregularity upon this occasion as a
+mortal blow to the hopes which he has cherished most fondly during his
+life; viz. my being called to the bar with some credit. For my own
+part, I know there is no great difficulty in passing these formal
+examinations, else how have some of our acquaintance got through them?
+But, to my father, these formalities compose an august and serious
+solemnity, to which he has long looked forward, and my absenting myself
+at this moment would wellnigh drive him distracted. Yet I shall go
+altogether distracted myself, if I have not an instant assurance from
+you that you are hastening hither. Meanwhile I have desired Hannah to
+get your little crib into the best order possible. I cannot learn
+that my father has yet written to you; nor has he spoken more of his
+communication with Birrenswork; but when I let him have some inkling
+of the dangers you are at present incurring, I know my request that you
+will return immediately will have his cordial support.
+
+Another reason yet--I must give a dinner, as usual, upon my admission,
+to our friends; and my father, laying aside all his usual considerations
+of economy, has desired it may be in the best style possible.
+Come hither then, dear Darsie! or, I protest to you, I shall send
+examination, admission-dinner, and guests to the devil, and come, in
+person, to fetch you with a vengeance. Thine, in much anxiety, A. F.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER IX
+
+ALEXANDER FAIRFORD, W.S., TO MR. DARSIE LATIMER
+
+DEAR MR. DARSIE,
+
+Having been your FACTOR LOCO TUTORIS or rather, I ought to say, in
+correctness (since I acted without warrant from the court), your
+NEGOTIORUM GESTOR, that connexion occasions my present writing. And
+although having rendered an account of my intromissions, which have been
+regularly approved of, not only by yourself (whom I could not prevail
+upon to look at more than the docket and sum total), but also by the
+worthy Mr. Samuel Griffiths of London, being the hand through whom the
+remittances were made, I may, in some sense, be considered as to you
+FUNCTUS OFFICIO; yet to speak facetiously, I trust you will not hold me
+accountable as a vicious intromitter, should I still consider myself as
+occasionally interested in your welfare. My motives for writing, at this
+time, are twofold.
+
+I have met with a Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, a gentleman of very
+ancient descent, but who hath in time past been in difficulties, nor
+do I know if his affairs are yet well redd. Birrenswork says that he
+believes he was very familiar with your father, whom he states to have
+been called Ralph Latimer of Langcote Hall, in Westmoreland; and he
+mentioned family affairs, which it may be of the highest importance to
+you to be acquainted with; but as he seemed to decline communicating
+them to me, I could not civilly urge him thereanent. Thus much I know,
+that Mr. Herries had his own share in the late desperate and unhappy
+matter of 1745, and was in trouble about it, although that is probably
+now over. Moreover, although he did not profess the Popish religion
+openly, he had an eye that way. And both of these are reasons why I have
+hesitated to recommend him to a youth who maybe hath not altogether so
+well founded his opinions concerning Kirk and State, that they might
+not be changed by some sudden wind of doctrine. For I have observed
+ye, Master Darsie, to be rather tinctured with the old leaven of
+prelacy--this under your leave; and although God forbid that you should
+be in any manner disaffected to the Protestant Hanoverian line, yet ye
+have ever loved to hear the blawing, blazing stories which the Hieland
+gentlemen tell of those troublous times, which, if it were their will,
+they had better pretermit, as tending rather to shame than to honour.
+It is come to me also by a sidewind, as I may say, that you have been
+neighbouring more than was needful among some of the pestilent sect of
+Quakers--a people who own neither priest nor king, nor civil magistrate,
+nor the fabric of our law, and will not depone either IN CIVILIBUS
+or CRIMINALIBUS, be the loss to the lieges what it may. Anent which
+heresies, it were good ye read 'The Snake in the Grass' or 'The Foot
+out of the Snare,' being both well-approved tracts, touching these
+doctrines.
+
+Now, Mr. Darsie, ye are to judge for yourself whether ye can safely to
+your soul's weal remain longer among these Papists and Quakers--these
+defections on the right hand, and failings away on the left; and truly
+if you can confidently resist these evil examples of doctrine, I think
+ye may as well tarry in the bounds where ye are, until you see Mr.
+Herries of Birrenswork, who does assuredly know more of your matters
+than I thought had been communicated to any man in Scotland. I would
+fain have precognosced him myself on these affairs, but found him
+unwilling to speak out, as I have partly intimated before.
+
+To call a new cause--I have the pleasure to tell you, that Alan has
+passed his private Scots Law examinations with good approbation--a great
+relief to my mind; especially as worthy Mr. Pest told me in my ear there
+was no fear of 'the callant', as he familiarly called him, which gives
+me great heart. His public trials, which are nothing in comparison
+save a mere form, are to take place, by order of the Honourable Dean
+of Faculty, on Wednesday first; and on Friday he puts on the gown, and
+gives a bit chack of dinner to his friends and acquaintances, as is, you
+know, the custom. Your company will be wished for there, Master Darsie,
+by more than him, which I regret to think is impossible to have, as well
+by your engagements, as that our cousin, Peter Fairford, comes from the
+West on purpose, and we have no place to offer him but your chamber
+in the wall. And, to be plain with you, after my use and wont, Master
+Darsie, it may be as well that Alan and you do not meet till he is
+hefted as it were to his new calling. You are a pleasant gentleman, and
+full of daffing, which may well become you, as you have enough (as
+I understand) to uphold your merry humour. If you regard the matter
+wisely, you would perchance consider that a man of substance should have
+a douce and staid demeanour; yet you are so far from growing grave and
+considerate with the increase of your annual income, that the richer
+you become, the merrier I think you grow. But this must be at your own
+pleasure, so far as you are concerned. Alan, however (overpassing my
+small savings), has the world to win; and louping and laughing, as you
+and he were wont to do, would soon make the powder flee out of his wig,
+and the pence out of his pocket. Nevertheless, I trust you will meet
+when you return from your rambles; for there is a time, as the wise man
+sayeth, for gathering, and a time for casting away; it is always the
+part of a man of sense to take the gathering time first. I remain,
+dear sir, your well-wishing friend; and obedient to command, ALEXANDER
+FAIRFORD.
+
+PS.--Alan's Thesis is upon the title DE PERICULO ET COMMODO REI
+VENDITAE, and is a very pretty piece of Latinity.--Ross House, in our
+neighbourhood, is nearly finished, and is thought to excel Duff House in
+ornature.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER X
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+The plot thickens, Alan. I have your letter, and also one from your
+father. The last makes it impossible for me to comply with the kind
+request which the former urges. No--I cannot be with you, Alan; and
+that, for the best of all reasons--I cannot and ought not to counteract
+your father's anxious wishes. I do not take it unkind of him that he
+desires my absence. It is natural that he should wish for his son
+what his son so well deserves--the advantage of a wiser and steadier
+companion than I seem to him. And yet I am sure I have often laboured
+hard enough to acquire that decency of demeanour which can no more be
+suspected of breaking bounds, than an owl of catching a butterfly.
+
+But it was in vain that I have knitted my brows till I had the headache,
+in order to acquire the reputation of a grave, solid, and well-judging
+youth. Your father always has discovered, or thought that he discovered,
+a hare-brained eccentricity lying folded among the wrinkles of my
+forehead, which rendered me a perilous associate for the future
+counsellor and ultimate judge. Well, Corporal Nym's philosophy must
+be my comfort--'Things must be as they may.'--I cannot come to your
+father's house, where he wishes not to see me; and as to your coming
+hither,--by all that is dear to me, I vow that if you are guilty of such
+a piece of reckless folly--not to say undutiful cruelty, considering
+your father's thoughts and wishes--I will never speak to you again as
+long as I live! I am perfectly serious. And besides, your father, while
+he in a manner prohibits me from returning to Edinburgh, gives me the
+strongest reasons for continuing a little while longer in this country,
+by holding out the hope that I may receive from your old friend, Mr.
+Herries of Birrenswork, some particulars concerning my origin, with
+which that ancient recusant seems to be acquainted.
+
+That gentleman mentioned the name of a family in Westmoreland, with
+which he supposes me connected. My inquiries here after such a family
+have been ineffectual, for the borderers, on either side, know little
+of each other. But I shall doubtless find some English person of whom to
+make inquiries, since the confounded fetterlock clapped on my movements
+by old Griffiths, prevents me repairing to England in person. At
+least, the prospect of obtaining some information is greater here than
+elsewhere; it will be an apology for my making a longer stay in this
+neighbourhood, a line of conduct which seems to have your father's
+sanction, whose opinion must be sounder than that of your wandering
+damoselle.
+
+If the road were paved with dangers which leads to such a discovery, I
+cannot for a moment hesitate to tread it. But in fact there is no peril
+in the case. If the Tritons of the Solway shall proceed to pull down
+honest Joshua's tide-nets, I am neither Quixote enough in disposition,
+nor Goliath enough in person, to attempt their protection. I have no
+idea of attempting to prop a falling house by putting my shoulders
+against it. And indeed, Joshua gave me a hint that the company which he
+belongs to, injured in the way threatened (some of them being men who
+thought after the fashion of the world), would pursue the rioters
+at law, and recover damages, in which probably his own ideas of
+non-resistance will not prevent his participating. Therefore the whole
+affair will take its course as law will, as I only mean to interfere
+when it may be necessary to direct the course of the plaintiffs to
+thy chambers; and I request they may find thee intimate with all the
+Scottish statutes concerning salmon fisheries, from the LEX AQUARUM,
+downward.
+
+As for the Lady of the Mantle, I will lay a wager that the sun so
+bedazzled thine eyes on that memorable morning, that everything thou
+didst look upon seemed green; and notwithstanding James Wilkinson's
+experience in the Fusileers, as well as his negative whistle, I will
+venture to hold a crown that she is but a what-shall-call-'um after all.
+Let not even the gold persuade you to the contrary. She may make a shift
+to cause you to disgorge that, and (immense spoil!) a session's fees
+to boot, if you look not all the sharper about you. Or if it should be
+otherwise, and if indeed there lurk some mystery under this visitation,
+credit me, it is one which thou canst not penetrate, nor can I as yet
+even attempt to explain it; since, if I prove mistaken, and mistaken I
+may easily be, I would be fain to creep into Phalaris's bull, were
+it standing before me ready heated, rather than be roasted with thy
+raillery. Do not tax me with want of confidence; for the instant I can
+throw any light on the matter thou shalt have it; but while I am only
+blundering about in the dark, I do not choose to call wise folks to see
+me, perchance, break my nose against a post. So if you marvel at this,
+
+  E'en marvel on till time makes all things plain.
+
+In the meantime, kind Alan, let me proceed in my diurnal.
+
+On the third or fourth day after my arrival at Mount Sharon, Time, that
+bald sexton to whom I have just referred you, did certainly limp more
+heavily along with me than he had done at first. The quaint morality
+of Joshua, and Huguenot simplicity of his sister, began to lose much of
+their raciness with their novelty, and my mode of life, by dint of being
+very quiet, began to feel abominably dull. It was, as thou say'st, as
+if the Quakers had put the sun in their pockets--all around was soft
+and mild, and even pleasant; but there was, in the whole routine, a
+uniformity, a want of interest, a helpless and hopeless languor, which
+rendered life insipid. No doubt, my worthy host and hostess felt none
+of this void, this want of excitation, which was becoming oppressive to
+their guest. They had their little round of occupations, charities, and
+pleasures; Rachel had her poultry-yard and conservatory, and Joshua
+his garden. Besides this, they enjoyed, doubtless, their devotional
+meditations; and, on the whole, time glided softly and imperceptibly
+on with them, though to me, who long for stream and cataract, it seemed
+absolutely to stand still. I meditated returning to Shepherd's Bush, and
+began to think, with some hankering, after little Benjie and the rod.
+The imp has ventured hither, and hovers about to catch a peep of me
+now and then; I suppose the little sharper is angling for a few more
+sixpences. But this would have been, in Joshua's eyes, a return of the
+washed sow to wallowing in the mire, and I resolved, while I remained
+his guest, to spare him so violent a shock to his prejudices. The next
+point was, to shorten the time of my proposed stay; but, alas! that I
+felt to be equally impossible. I had named a week; and however rashly my
+promise had been pledged, it must be held sacred, even according to the
+letter, from which the Friends permit no deviation.
+
+All these considerations wrought me up to a kind of impatience yesterday
+evening; so that I snatched up my hat, and prepared for a sally beyond
+the cultivated farm and ornamented grounds of Mount Sharon, just as if
+I were desirous to escape from the realms of art, into those of free and
+unconstrained nature.
+
+I was scarcely more delighted when I first entered this peaceful
+demesne, than I now was--such is the instability and inconsistency
+of human nature!--when I escaped from it to the open downs, which had
+formerly seemed so waste and dreary, The air I breathed felt purer and
+more bracing. The clouds, riding high upon a summer breeze, drove, in
+gay succession, over my head, now obscuring the sun, now letting its
+rays stream in transient flashes upon various parts of the landscape,
+and especially upon the broad mirror of the distant Firth of Solway.
+
+I advanced on the scene with the light step of a liberated captive; and,
+like John Bunyan's Pilgrim, could have found in my heart to sing as
+I went on my way. It seemed as if my gaiety had accumulated while
+suppressed, and that I was, in my present joyous mood, entitled to
+expend the savings of the previous week. But just as I was about to
+uplift a merry stave, I heard, to my joyful surprise, the voices of
+three or more choristers, singing, with considerable success, the lively
+old catch,
+
+  For all our men were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking:
+    There were two men of mine,
+    Three men of thine,
+  And three that belonged to old Sir Thom o' Lyne;
+  As they went to the ferry, they were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking.'
+
+[The original of this catch is to be found in Cowley's witty comedy of
+THE GUARDIAN, the first edition. It does not exist in the second and
+revised edition, called THE CUTTER OF COLEMAN STREET.
+
+  CAPTAIN BLADE.  Ha, ha, boys, another catch.
+             AND ALL OUR MEN ARE VERY VERY MERRY,
+             AND ALL OUR MEN WERE DRINKING.
+  CUTTER.    ONE MAN OF MINE.
+  DOGREL.    TWO MEN OF MINE.
+  BLADE.     THREE MEN OF MINE.
+  CUTTER.    AND ONE MAN OF MINE.
+  OMNES.     AS WE WENT BY THE WAY WE WERE DRUNK, DRUNK, DAMNABLY
+             DRUNK, AND ALL OUR MEN WERE VERY VERY MERRY, &c.
+
+Such are the words, which are somewhat altered and amplified in the
+text. The play was acted in presence of Charles II, then Prince of
+Wales, in 1641. The catch in the text has been happily set to music.]
+
+As the chorus ended, there followed a loud and hearty laugh by way
+of cheers. Attracted by sounds which were so congenial to my present
+feelings, I made towards the spot from which they came,--cautiously,
+however, for the downs, as had been repeatedly hinted to me, had no good
+name; and the attraction of the music, without rivalling that of the
+sirens in melody, might have been followed by similarly inconvenient
+consequences to an incautious amateur.
+
+I crept on, therefore, trusting that the sinuosities of the ground,
+broken as it was into knells and sand-pits, would permit me to obtain
+a sight of the musicians before I should be observed by them. As I
+advanced, the old ditty was again raised. The voices seemed those of a
+man and two boys; they were rough, but kept good time, and were managed
+with too much skill to belong to the ordinary country people.
+
+  Jack looked at the sun, and cried, Fire, fire, fire;
+  Tom stabled his keffel in Birkendale mire;
+  Jem started a calf, and halloo'd for a stag;
+  Will mounted a gate-post instead of his nag:
+  For all our men were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking;
+      There were two men of mine,
+      Three men of thine,
+  And three that belonged to old Sir Thom o' Lyne;
+  As they went to the ferry, they were very very merry,
+    For all our men were drinking.
+
+The voices, as they mixed in their several parts, and ran through them,
+untwisting and again entwining all the links of the merry old catch,
+seemed to have a little touch of the bacchanalian spirit which they
+celebrated, and showed plainly that the musicians were engaged in the
+same joyous revel as the MENYIE of old Sir Thom o' Lyne. At length I
+came within sight of them, three in number, where they sat cosily niched
+into what you might call a BUNKER, a little sand-pit, dry and snug, and
+surrounded by its banks, and a screen of whins in full bloom.
+
+The only one of the trio whom I recognized as a personal acquaintance
+was the notorious little Benjie, who, having just finished his stave,
+was cramming a huge luncheon of pie-crust into his mouth with one hand,
+while in the other he held a foaming tankard, his eyes dancing with all
+the glee of a forbidden revel; and his features, which have at all times
+a mischievous archness of expression, confessing the full sweetness of
+stolen waters, and bread eaten in secret.
+
+There was no mistaking the profession of the male and female, who were
+partners with Benjie in these merry doings. The man's long loose-bodied
+greatcoat (wrap-rascal as the vulgar term it), the fiddle-case, with its
+straps, which lay beside him, and a small knapsack which might contain
+his few necessaries; a clear grey eye; features which, in contending
+with many a storm, had not lost a wild and, careless expression of glee,
+animated at present, when he was exercising for his own pleasure the
+arts which he usually practised for bread,--all announced one of those
+peripatetic followers of Orpheus whom the vulgar call a strolling
+fiddler. Gazing more attentively, I easily discovered that though the
+poor musician's eyes were open, their sense was shut, and that the
+ecstasy with which he turned them up to heaven only derived its apparent
+expression from his own internal emotions, but received no assistance
+from the visible objects around. Beside him sat his female companion, in
+a man's hat, a blue coat, which seemed also to have been an article of
+male apparel, and a red petticoat. She was cleaner, in person and in
+clothes, than such itinerants generally are; and, having been in her day
+a strapping BONA ROBA, she did not even yet neglect some attention to
+her appearance; wore a large amber necklace, and silver ear-rings, and
+had her laid fastened across her breast with a brooch of the same metal.
+
+The man also looked clean, notwithstanding the meanness of his attire,
+and had a decent silk handkerchief well knotted about his throat, under
+which peeped a clean owerlay. His beard, also, instead of displaying a
+grizzly stubble, unmowed for several days, flowed in thick and comely
+abundance over the breast, to the length of six inches, and mingled with
+his hair, which was but beginning to exhibit a touch of age. To sum up
+his appearance, the loose garment which I have described was secured
+around him by a large old-fashioned belt, with brass studs, in
+which hung a dirk, with a knife and fork, its usual accompaniments.
+Altogether, there was something more wild and adventurous-looking about
+the man than I could have expected to see in an ordinary modern crowder;
+and the bow which he now and then drew across the violin, to direct his
+little choir, was decidedly that of no ordinary performer.
+
+You must understand that many of these observations were the fruits of
+after remark; for I had scarce approached so near as to get a distinct
+view of the party, when my friend Benjie's lurching attendant, which he
+calls by the appropriate name of Hemp, began to cock his tail and ears,
+and, sensible of my presence, flew, barking like a fury, to the place
+where I had meant to lie concealed till I heard another song. I was
+obliged, however, to jump on my feet, and intimidate Hemp, who would
+otherwise have bit me, by two sound kicks on the ribs, which sent him
+howling back to his master.
+
+Little Benjie seemed somewhat dismayed at my appearance; but,
+calculating on my placability, and remembering, perhaps, that the
+ill-used Solomon was no palfrey of mine, he speedily affected great
+glee, and almost in one breath assured the itinerants that I was 'a
+grand gentleman, and had plenty of money, and was very kind to poor
+folk;' and informed me that this was 'Willie Steenson--Wandering Willie
+the best fiddler that ever kittled thairm with horse-hair.'
+
+The woman rose and curtsied; and Wandering Willie sanctioned his own
+praises with a nod, and the ejaculation, 'All is true that the little
+boy says.'
+
+I asked him if he was of this country.
+
+'THIS country!' replied the blind man--'I am of every country in broad
+Scotland, and a wee bit of England to the boot. But yet I am, in some
+sense, of this country; for I was born within hearing of the roar of
+Solway. Will I give your honour a touch of the auld bread-winner?'
+
+He preluded as he spoke, in a manner which really excited my curiosity;
+and then, taking the old tune of Galashiels for his theme, he graced
+it with a number of wild, complicated, and beautiful variations; during
+which it was wonderful to observe how his sightless face was lighted up
+under the conscious pride and heartfelt delight in the exercise of his
+own very considerable powers.
+
+'What think you of that, now, for threescore and twa?'
+
+I expressed my surprise and pleasure.
+
+'A rant, man--an auld rant,' said Willie; 'naething like the music ye
+hae in your ballhouses and your playhouses in Edinbro'; but it's weel
+aneugh anes in a way at a dykeside. Here's another--it's no a Scotch
+tune, but it passes for ane--Oswald made it himsell, I reckon--he has
+cheated mony ane, but he canna cheat Wandering Willie.'
+
+He then played your favourite air of Roslin Castle, with a number of
+beautiful variations, some of which I am certain were almost extempore.
+
+'You have another fiddle there, my friend,' said I--'Have you a
+comrade?' But Willie's ears were deaf, or his attention was still busied
+with the tune.
+
+The female replied in his stead, 'O aye, sir--troth we have a partner--a
+gangrel body like oursells. No but my hinny might have been better if he
+had liked; for mony a bein nook in mony a braw house has been offered to
+my hinny Willie, if he wad but just bide still and play to the gentles.'
+
+'Whisht, woman! whisht!' said the blind man, angrily, shaking his locks;
+'dinna deave the gentleman wi' your havers. Stay in a house and play to
+the gentles!--strike up when my leddy pleases, and lay down the bow when
+my lord bids! Na, na, that's nae life for Willie. Look out, Maggie--peer
+out, woman, and see if ye can see Robin coming. Deil be in him! He has
+got to the lee-side of some smuggler's punch-bowl, and he wunna budge
+the night, I doubt.'
+
+'That is your consort's instrument,' said I--' Will you give me leave
+to try my skill?' I slipped at the same time a shilling into the woman's
+hand.
+
+'I dinna ken whether I dare trust Robin's fiddle to ye,' said Willie,
+bluntly. His wife gave him a twitch. 'Hout awa, Maggie,' he said in
+contempt of the hint; 'though the gentleman may hae gien ye siller, he
+may have nae bowhand for a' that, and I'll no trust Robin's fiddle wi'
+an ignoramus. But that's no sae muckle amiss,' he added, as I began to
+touch the instrument; 'I am thinking ye have some skill o' the craft.'
+
+To confirm him in this favourable opinion, I began to execute such
+a complicated flourish as I thought must have turned Crowdero into
+a pillar of stone with envy and wonder. I scaled the top of the
+finger-board, to dive at once to the bottom--skipped with flying
+fingers, like Timotheus, from shift to shift--struck arpeggios and
+harmonic tones, but without exciting any of the astonishment which I had
+expected.
+
+Willie indeed listened to me with considerable attention; but I was no
+sooner finished, than he immediately mimicked on his own instrument
+the fantastic complication of tones which I had produced, and made so
+whimsical a parody of my performance, that, although somewhat angry, I
+could not help laughing heartily, in which I was joined by Benjie,
+whose reverence for me held him under no restraint; while the poor dame,
+fearful, doubtless, of my taking offence at this familiarity, seemed
+divided betwixt her conjugal reverence for her Willie, and her desire to
+give him a hint for his guidance.
+
+At length the old man stopped of his own accord, and, as if he had
+sufficiently rebuked me by his mimicry, he said, 'But for a' that, ye
+will play very weel wi' a little practice and some gude teaching. But ye
+maun learn to put the heart into it, man--to put the heart into it.'
+
+I played an air in simpler taste, and received more decided approbation.
+
+'That's something like it man. Od, ye are a clever birkie!'
+
+The woman touched his coat again. 'The gentleman is a gentleman,
+Willie--ye maunna speak that gate to him, hinnie.'
+
+'The deevil I maunna!' said Willie; 'and what for maunna I?--If he was
+ten gentles, he canna draw a bow like me, can he?'
+
+'Indeed I cannot, my honest friend,' said I; 'and if you will go with me
+to a house hard by, I would be glad to have a night with you.'
+
+Here I looked round, and observed Benjie smothering a laugh, which I was
+sure had mischief in it. I seized him suddenly by the ear, and made him
+confess that he was laughing at the thoughts of the reception which a
+fiddler was likely to get from the Quakers at Mount Sharon. I chucked
+him from me, not sorry that his mirth had reminded me in time of what I
+had for the moment forgotten; and invited the itinerant to go with me to
+Shepherd's Bush, from which I proposed to send word to Mr. Geddes that
+I should not return home that evening. But the minstrel declined this
+invitation also. He was engaged for the night, he said, to a dance in
+the neighbourhood, and vented a round execration on the laziness
+or drunkenness of his comrade, who had not appeared at the place of
+rendezvous.
+
+'I will go with you instead of him,' said I, in a sudden whim; 'and I
+will give you a crown to introduce me as your comrade.'
+
+'YOU gang instead of Rob the Rambler! My certie, freend, ye are no
+blate!' answered Wandering Willie, in a tone which announced death to my
+frolic.
+
+But Maggie, whom the offer of the crown had not escaped, began to open
+on that scent with a maundering sort of lecture. 'Oh Willie! hinny
+Willie, whan will ye learn to be wise? There's a crown to be win for
+naething but saying ae man's name instead of anither. And, wae's me! I
+hae just a shilling of this gentleman's gieing, and a boddle of my ain;
+and ye wunna, bend your will sae muckle as to take up the siller that's
+flung at your feet! Ye will die the death of a cadger's powney, in a
+wreath of drift! and what can I do better than lie doun and die wi' you?
+for ye winna let me win siller to keep either you or mysell leevin.'
+
+'Haud your nonsense tongue, woman,' said Willie, but less absolutely
+than before. 'Is he a real gentleman, or ane of the player-men?'
+
+'I'se uphaud him a real gentleman,' said the woman.
+
+'I'se uphaud ye ken little of the matter,' said Willie; 'let us see haud
+of your hand, neebor, gin ye like.
+
+I gave him my hand. He said to himself, 'Aye, aye, here are fingers that
+have seen canny service.' Then running his hand over my hair, my face,
+and my dress, he went on with his soliloquy; 'Aye, aye, muisted hair,
+braidclaith o' the best, and seenteen hundred linen on his back, at the
+least o' it. And how do you think, my braw birkie, that you are to pass
+for a tramping fiddler?'
+
+'My dress is plain,' said I,--indeed I had chosen my most ordinary suit,
+out of compliment to my Quaker friends,--'and I can easily pass for a
+young farmer out upon a frolic. Come, I will double the crown I promised
+you.'
+
+'Damn your crowns!' said the disinterested man of music. 'I would like
+to have a round wi' you, that's certain;--but a farmer, and with a hand
+that never held pleugh-stilt or pettle, that will never do. Ye may pass
+for a trades-lad from Dumfries, or a student upon the ramble, or the
+like o' that. But hark ye, lad; if ye expect to be ranting among the
+queans o' lasses where ye are gaun, ye will come by the waur, I can tell
+ye; for the fishers are wild chaps, and will bide nae taunts.'
+
+I promised to be civil and cautious; and, to smooth the good woman, I
+slipped the promised piece into her hand. The acute organs of the blind
+man detected this little manoeuvre.
+
+'Are ye at it again wi' the siller, ye jaud? I'll be sworn ye wad rather
+hear ae twalpenny clink against another, than have a spring from Rory
+Dall, [Blind Rorie, a famous musician according to tradition.] if
+he was-coming alive again anes errand. Gang doun the gate to Lucky
+Gregson's and get the things ye want, and bide there till ele'en hours
+in the morn; and if you see Robin, send him on to me.'
+
+'Am I no gaun to the ploy, then?' said Maggie, in a disappointed tone.
+
+'And what for should ye?' said her lord and master; 'to dance a' night,
+I'se warrant, and no to be fit to walk your tae's-length the morn, and
+we have ten Scots miles afore us? Na, na. Stable the steed, and pit your
+wife to bed, when there's night wark to do.'
+
+'Aweel, aweel, Willie hinnie, ye ken best; but oh, take an unco care o'
+yoursell, and mind ye haena the blessing o' sight.'
+
+'Your tongue gars me whiles tire of the blessing of hearing, woman,'
+replied 'Willie, in answer to this tender exhortation.
+
+But I now put in for my interest. 'Hollo, good folks, remember that I am
+to send the boy to Mount Sharon, and if you go to the Shepherd's Bush,
+honest woman, how the deuce am I to guide the blind man where he is
+going? I know little or nothing of the country.'
+
+'And ye ken mickle less of my hinnie, sir,' replied Maggie, 'that
+think he needs ony guiding; he's the best guide himsell that ye'll find
+between Criffell and Carlisle. Horse-road and foot-path, parish-road
+and kirk-road, high-road and cross-road, he kens ilka foot of ground in
+Nithsdale.'
+
+'Aye, ye might have said in braid Scotland, gudewife,' added the
+fiddler. 'But gang your ways, Maggie, that's the first wise word ye hae
+spoke the day. I wish it was dark night, and rain, and wind, for the
+gentleman's sake, that I might show him there is whiles when ane had
+better want een than have them; for I am as true a guide by darkness as
+by daylight.'
+
+Internally as well pleased that my companion was not put to give me this
+last proof of his skill, I wrote a note with a pencil, desiring Samuel
+to bring my horses at midnight, when I thought my frolic would be
+wellnigh over, to the place to which the bearer should direct him, and I
+sent little Benjie with an apology to the worthy Quakers.
+
+As we parted in different directions, the good woman said, 'Oh, sir, if
+ye wad but ask Willie to tell ye ane of his tales to shorten the gate!
+He can speak like ony minister frae the pu'pit, and he might have been a
+minister himsell, but'--
+
+'Haud your tongue, ye fule!' said Willie,--'But stay, Meg--gie me
+a kiss, ne maunna part in anger, neither.'--And thus our society
+separated.
+
+[It is certain that in many cases the blind have, by constant exercise
+of their other organs, learned to overcome a defect which one would
+think incapable of being supplied. Every reader must remember the
+celebrated Blind Jack of Knaresborough, who lived by laying out roads.]
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XI
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+You are now to conceive us proceeding in our different directions across
+the bare downs. Yonder flies little Benjie to the northward with Hemp
+scampering at his heels, both running as if for dear life so long as the
+rogue is within sight of his employer, and certain to take the walk very
+easy so soon as he is out of ken. Stepping westward, you see Maggie's
+tall form and high-crowned hat, relieved by the fluttering of her plaid
+upon the left shoulder, darkening as the distance diminishes her size
+and as the level sunbeams begin to sink upon the sea. She is taking her
+quiet journey to the Shepherd's Bush.
+
+Then, stoutly striding over the lea, you have a full view of Darsie
+Latimer, with his new acquaintance, Wandering Willie, who, bating that
+he touched the ground now and then with his staff, not in a doubtful
+groping manner, but with the confident air of an experienced pilot,
+heaving the lead when he has the soundings by heart, walks as firmly and
+boldly as if he possessed the eyes of Argus. There they go, each with
+his violin slung at his back, but one of them at least totally ignorant
+whither their course is directed.
+
+And wherefore did you enter so keenly into such a mad frolic? says
+my wise counsellor.--Why, I think, upon the whole, that as a sense of
+loneliness, and a longing for that kindness which is interchanged in
+society, led me to take up my temporary residence at Mount Sharon, the
+monotony of my life there, the quiet simplicity of the conversation of
+the Geddeses, and the uniformity of their amusements and employments,
+wearied out my impatient temper, and prepared me for the first escapade
+which chance might throw in my way.
+
+What would I have given that I could have procured that solemn grave
+visage of thine, to dignify this joke, as it has done full many a one of
+thine own! Thou hast so happy a knack of doing the most foolish things
+in the wisest manner, that thou mightst pass thy extravagances for
+rational actions, even in the eyes of Prudence herself.
+
+From the direction which my guide observed, I began to suspect that the
+dell at Brokenburn was our probable destination; and it became important
+to me to consider whether I could, with propriety, or even perfect
+safety, intrude myself again upon the hospitality of my former host. I
+therefore asked Willie whether we were bound for the laird's, as folk
+called him.
+
+'Do ye ken the laird?' said Willie, interrupting a sonata of Corelli, of
+which he had whistled several bars with great precision.
+
+'I know the laird a little,' said I; 'and therefore I was doubting
+whether I ought to go to his town in disguise.'
+
+'I should doubt, not a little only, but a great deal, before I took ye
+there, my chap,' said Wandering Willie; 'for I am thinking it wad be
+worth little less than broken banes baith to you and me. Na, na,
+chap, we are no ganging to the laird's, but to a blithe birling at the
+Brokenburn-foot, where there will be mony a braw lad and lass; and
+maybe there may be some of the laird's folks, for he never comes to sic
+splores himsell. He is all for fowling-piece and salmon-spear, now that
+pike and musket are out of the question.'
+
+'He has been at soldier, then?' said I.
+
+'I'se warrant him a soger,' answered Willie; 'but take my advice, and
+speer as little about him as he does about you. Best to let sleeping
+dogs lie. Better say naething about the laird, my man, and tell me
+instead, what sort of a chap ye are that are sae ready to cleik in with
+an auld gaberlunzie fiddler? Maggie says ye're gentle, but a shilling
+maks a' the difference that Maggie kens between a gentle and a semple,
+and your crowns wad mak ye a prince of the blood in her een. But I am
+ane that ken full weel that ye may wear good claithes, and have a saft
+hand, and yet that may come of idleness as weel as gentrice.'
+
+I told him my name, with the same addition I had formerly given to
+Mr. Joshua Geddes; that I was a law-student, tired of my studies, and
+rambling about for exercise and amusement.
+
+'And are ye in the wont of drawing up wi' a' the gangrel bodies that
+ye meet on the high-road, or find cowering in a sand-bunker upon the
+links?' demanded Willie.
+
+'Oh, no; only with honest folks like yourself, Willie,' was my reply.
+
+'Honest folks like me! How do ye ken whether I am honest, or what I am?
+I may be the deevil himsell for what ye ken; for he has power to come
+disguised like an angel of light; and besides he is a prime fiddler. He
+played a sonata to Corelli, ye ken.'
+
+There was something odd in this speech, and the tone in which it was
+said. It seemed as if my companion was not always in his constant mind,
+or that he was willing to try if he could frighten me. I laughed at the
+extravagance of his language, however, and asked him in reply, if he
+was fool enough to believe that the foul fiend would play so silly a
+masquerade.
+
+'Ye ken little about it--little about it,' said the old man, shaking his
+head and beard, and knitting his brows, 'I could tell ye something about
+that.'
+
+What his wife mentioned of his being a tale-teller, as well as
+a musician, now occurred to me; and as you know I like tales of
+superstition, I begged to have a specimen of his talent as we went
+along.
+
+'It is very true,' said the blind man, 'that when I am tired of scraping
+thairm or singing ballants, I whiles mak a tale serve the turn among
+the country bodies; and I have some fearsome anes, that make the auld
+carlines shake on the settle, and the bits o' bairns skirl on their
+minnies out frae their beds. But this that I am gaun to tell you was
+a thing that befell in our ain house in my father's time--that is, my
+father was then a hafflins callant; and I tell it to you that it may be
+a lesson to you, that are but a young, thoughtless chap, wha ye draw up
+wi' on a lonely road; for muckle was the dool and care that came o't to
+my gudesire.'
+
+He commenced his tale accordingly, in a distinct narrative tone of voice
+which he raised and depressed with considerable skill; at times sinking
+almost into a whisper, and turning his clear but sightless eyeballs upon
+my face, as if it had been possible for him to witness the impression
+which his narrative made upon my features. I will not spare you a
+syllable of it, although it be of the longest; so I make a dash--and
+begin
+
+WANDERING WILLIE'S TALE.
+
+Ye maun have heard of Sir Robert Redgauntlet of that Ilk, who lived in
+these parts before the dear years. The country will lang mind him; and
+our fathers used to draw breath thick if ever they heard him named. He
+was out wi' the Hielandmen in Montrose's time; and again he was in the
+hills wi' Glencairn in the saxteen hundred and fifty-twa; and sae when
+King Charles the Second came in, wha was in sic favour as the Laird of
+Redgauntlet? He was knighted at Lonon court, wi' the king's ain sword;
+and being a redhot prelatist, he came down here, rampauging like a lion,
+with commissions of lieutenancy (and of lunacy, for what I ken) to put
+down a' the Whigs and Covenanters in the country. Wild wark they made of
+it; for the Whigs were as dour as the Cavaliers were fierce, and it was
+which should first tire the other. Redgauntlet was ay for the strong
+hand; and his name is kend as wide in the country as Claverhouse's or
+Tam Dalyell's. Glen, nor dargle, nor mountain, nor cave, could hide the
+puir hill-folk when Redgauntlet was out with bugle and bloodhound after
+them, as if they had been sae mony deer. And troth when they fand them,
+they didna mak muckle mair ceremony than a Hielandman wi' a
+roebuck--it was just, 'Will ye tak the test?'--if not, 'Make
+ready--present--fire!'--and there lay the recusant.
+
+Far and wide was Sir Robert hated and feared. Men thought he had a
+direct compact with Satan--that he was proof against steel--and that
+bullets happed aff his buff-coat like hailstanes from a hearth--that
+he had a mear that would turn a hare on the side of Carrifra-gawns [A
+precipitous side of a mountain in Moffatdale.]--and muckle to the same
+purpose, of whilk mair anon. The best blessing they wared on him was,
+'Deil scowp wi' Redgauntlet!' He wasna a bad master to his ain folk,
+though, and was weel aneugh liked by his tenants; and as for the lackies
+and troopers that raid out wi' him to the persecutions, as the Whigs
+caa'd those killing times, they wad hae drunken themsells blind to his
+health at ony time.
+
+Now you are to ken that my gudesire lived on Redgauntlet's grund--they
+ca' the place Primrose Knowe. We had lived on the grund, and under the
+Redgauntlets, since the riding days, and lang before. It was a pleasant
+bit; and I think the air is callerer and fresher there than onywhere
+else in the country. It's a' deserted now; and I sat on the broken
+door-cheek three days since, and was glad I couldna see the plight the
+place was in; but that's a' wide o' the mark. There dwelt my gudesire,
+Steenie Steenson, a rambling, rattling chiel' he had been in his young
+days, and could play weel on the pipes; he was famous at 'Hoopers and
+Girders'--a' Cumberland couldna, touch him at 'Jockie Lattin'--and he
+had the finest finger for the back-lilt between Berwick and Carlisle.
+The like o' Steenie wasna the sort that they made Whigs o'. And so he
+became a Tory, as they ca' it, which we now ca' Jacobites, just out of a
+kind of needcessity, that he might belang to some side or other. He had
+nae ill will to the Whig bodies, and liked little to see the blude rin,
+though, being obliged to follow Sir Robert in hunting and hoisting,
+watching and warding, he saw muckle mischief, and maybe did some, that
+he couldna avoid.
+
+Now Steenie was a kind of favourite with his master, and kend a' the
+folks about the castle, and was often sent for to play the pipes when
+they were at their merriment. Auld Dougal MacCallum, the butler, that
+had followed Sir Robert through gude and ill, thick and thin, pool and
+stream, was specially fond of the pipes, and ay gae my gudesire his gude
+word wi' the laird; for Dougal could turn his master round his finger.
+
+Weel, round came the Revolution, and it had like to have broken
+the hearts baith of Dougal and his master. But the change was not
+a'thegether sae great as they feared, and other folk thought for. The
+Whigs made an unco crawing what they wad do with their auld enemies, and
+in special wi' Sir Robert Redgauntlet. But there were ower mony great
+folks dipped in the same doings, to mak a spick and span new warld. So
+Parliament passed it a' ower easy; and Sir Robert, bating that he was
+held to hunting foxes instead of Covenanters, remained just the man he
+was. [The caution and moderation of King William III, and his principles
+of unlimited toleration, deprived the Cameronians of the opportunity
+they ardently desired, to retaliate the injuries which they had received
+during the reign of prelacy, and purify the land, as they called it,
+from the pollution of blood. They esteemed the Revolution, therefore,
+only a half measure, which neither comprehended the rebuilding the Kirk
+in its full splendour, nor the revenge of the death of the Saints on
+their persecutors.] His revel was as loud, and his hall as weel
+lighted, as ever it had been, though maybe he lacked the fines of the
+nonconformists, that used to come to stock his larder and cellar; for it
+is certain he began to be keener about the rents than his tenants used
+to find him before, and they behoved to be prompt to the rent-day,
+or else the laird wasna pleased. And he was sic an awsome body, that
+naebody cared to anger him; for the oaths he swore, and the rage that he
+used to get into, and the looks that he put on, made men sometimes think
+him a devil incarnate.
+
+Weel, my gudesire was nae manager--no that he was a very great
+misguider--but he hadna the saving gift, and he got twa terms' rent in
+arrear. He got the first brash at Whitsunday put ower wi' fair word
+and piping; but when Martinmas came, there was a summons from the
+grund-officer to come wi' the rent on a day preceese, or else Steenie
+behoved to flit. Sair wark he had to get the siller; but he was
+weel-freended, and at last he got the haill scraped thegether--a
+thousand merks--the maist of it was from a neighbour they ca'd Laurie
+Lapraik--a sly tod. Laurie had walth o' gear--could hunt wi' the hound
+and rin wi' the hare--and be Whig or Tory, saunt or sinner, as the wind
+stood. He was a professor in this Revolution warld, but he liked an orra
+sough of this warld, and a tune on the pipes weel aneugh at a bytime;
+and abune a', he thought he had gude security for the siller he lent my
+gudesire ower the stocking at Primrose Knowe.
+
+Away trots my gudesire to Redgauntlet Castle wi' a heavy purse and a
+light heart, glad to be out of the laird's danger. Weel, the first thing
+he learned at the castle was, that Sir Robert had fretted himsell into
+a fit of the gout, because he did not appear before twelve' o'clock. It
+wasna a'thegether for sake of the money, Dougal thought; but because he
+didna like to part wi' my gudesire aff the grund. Dougal was glad to see
+Steenie, and brought him into the great oak parlour, and there sat
+the laird his leesome lane, excepting that he had beside him a great,
+ill-favoured jackanape, that was a special pet of his; a cankered beast
+it was, and mony an ill-natured trick it played--ill to please it was,
+and easily angered--ran about the haill castle, chattering and yowling,
+and pinching, and biting folk, specially before ill weather, or
+disturbances in the state. Sir Robert caa'd it Major Weir, after the
+warlock that was burnt; [A celebrated wizard, executed at Edinburgh for
+sorcery and other crimes.] and few folk liked either the name or the
+conditions of the creature--they thought there was something in it by
+ordinar--and my gudesire was not just easy in mind when the door shut
+on him, and he saw himself in the room wi' naebody but the laird, Dougal
+MacCallum, and the major, a thing that hadna chanced to him before.
+
+Sir Robert sat, or, I should say, lay, in a great armed chair, wi' his
+grand velvet gown, and his feet on a cradle; for he had baith gout and
+gravel, and his face looked as gash and ghastly as Satan's. Major Weir
+sat opposite to him, in a red laced coat, and the laird's wig on his
+head; and ay as Sir Robert girned wi' pain, the jackanape girned too,
+like a sheep's-head between a pair of tangs--an ill-faur'd, fearsome
+couple they were. The laird's buff-coat was hung on a pin behind him,
+and his broadsword and his pistols within reach; for he keepit up the
+auld fashion of having the weapons ready, and a horse saddled day and
+night, just as he used to do when he was able to loup on horseback, and
+away after ony of the hill-folk he could get speerings of. Some said it
+was for fear of the Whigs taking vengeance, but I judge it was just his
+auld custom--he wasna, gien to fear onything. The rental-book, wi'
+its black cover and brass clasps, was lying beside him; and a book of
+sculduddry sangs was put betwixt the leaves, to keep it open at the
+place where it bore evidence against the Goodman of Primrose Knowe, as
+behind the hand with his mails and duties. Sir Robert gave my gudesire
+a look, as if he would have withered his heart in his bosom. Ye maun ken
+he had a way of bending his brows, that men saw the visible mark of a
+horseshoe in his forehead, deep dinted, as if it had been stamped there.
+
+'Are ye come light-handed, ye son of a toom whistle?' said Sir Robert.
+'Zounds! if you are'--
+
+My gudesire, with as gude acountenance as he could put on, made a leg,
+and placed the bag of money on the table wi' a dash, like a man that
+does something clever. The laird drew it to him hastily--'Is it all
+here, Steenie, man?'
+
+'Your honour will find it right,' said my gudesire.
+
+'Here, Dougal,' said the laird, 'gie Steenie a tass of brandy
+downstairs, till I count the siller and write the receipt.'
+
+But they werena weel out of the room, when Sir Robert gied a
+yelloch that garr'd the castle rock. Back ran Dougal--in flew the
+livery-men--yell on yell gied the laird, ilk ane mair awfu' than the
+ither. My gudesire knew not whether to stand or flee, but he ventured
+back into the parlour, where a' was gaun hirdy-girdie--naebody to say
+'come in,' or 'gae out.' Terribly the laird roared for cauld water to
+his feet, and wine to cool his throat; and Hell, hell, hell, and its
+flames, was ay the word in his mouth. They brought him water, and when
+they plunged his swollen feet into the tub, he cried out it was burning;
+and folk say that it DID bubble and sparkle like a seething cauldron. He
+flung the cup at Dougal's head, and said he had given him blood instead
+of burgundy; and, sure aneugh, the lass washed clotted blood aff the
+carpet; the neist day. The jackanape they caa'd Major Weir, it jibbered
+and cried as if it was mocking its master; my gudesire's head was like
+to turn--he forgot baith siller and receipt, and downstairs he
+banged; but as he ran, the shrieks came faint and fainter; there was a
+deep-drawn shivering groan, and word gaed through the castle that the
+laird was dead.
+
+Weel, away came my gudesire, wi' his finger in his mouth, and his best
+hope was that Dougal had seen the money-bag, and heard the laird
+speak of writing the receipt. The young laird, now Sir John, came from
+Edinburgh, to see things put to rights. Sir John and his father never
+gree'd weel. Sir John had been bred an advocate, and afterwards sat in
+the last Scots Parliament and voted for the Union, having gotten, it was
+thought, a rug of the compensations--if his father could have come out
+of his grave, he would have brained him for it on his awn hearthstane.
+Some thought it was easier counting with the auld rough knight than the
+fair-spoken young ane--but mair of that anon.
+
+Dougal MacCallum, poor body, neither grat nor grained, but gaed about
+the house looking like a corpse, but directing, as was his duty, a'
+the order of the grand funeral. Now Dougal looked ay waur and waur when
+night was coming, and was ay the last to gang to his bed, whilk was in
+a little round just opposite the chamber of dais, whilk his master
+occupied while he was living, and where he now lay in state, as they
+caa'd it, weel-a-day! The night before the funeral, Dougal could keep
+his awn counsel nae langer; he came doun with his proud spirit, and
+fairly asked auld Hutcheon to sit in his room with him for an hour. When
+they were in the round, Dougal took ae tass of brandy to himsell, and
+gave another to Hutcheon, and wished him all health and lang life, and
+said that, for himsell, he wasna lang for this world; for that, every
+night since Sir Robert's death, his silver call had sounded from the
+state chamber, just as it used to do at nights in his lifetime, to call
+Dougal to help to turn him in his bed. Dougal said that being alone
+with the dead on that floor of the tower (for naebody cared to wake Sir
+Robert Redgauntlet like another corpse) he had never daured to answer
+the call, but that now his conscience checked him for neglecting his
+duty; for, 'though death breaks service,' said MacCallum, 'it shall
+never break my service to Sir Robert; and I will answer his next
+whistle, so be you will stand by me, Hutcheon.'
+
+Hutcheon had nae will to the wark, but he had stood by Dougal in battle
+and broil, and he wad not fail him at this pinch; so down the carles
+sat ower a stoup of brandy, and Hutcheon, who was something of a clerk,
+would have read a chapter of the Bible; but Dougal would hear naething
+but a blaud of Davie Lindsay, whilk was the waur preparation.
+
+When midnight came, and the house was quiet as the grave, sure enough
+the silver whistle sounded as sharp and shrill as if Sir Robert was
+blowing it, and up got the twa auld serving-men, and tottered into the
+room where the dead man lay. Hutcheon saw aneugh at the first glance;
+for there were torches in the room, which showed him the foul fiend, in
+his ain shape, sitting on the laird's coffin! Ower he cowped as if he
+had been dead. He could not tell how lang he lay in a trance at the
+door, but when he gathered himself, he cried on his neighbour, and
+getting nae answer, raised the house, when Dougal was found lying dead
+within twa steps of the bed where his master's coffin was placed. As for
+the whistle, it was gaen anes and ay; but mony a time was it heard at
+the top of the house on the bartizan, and amang the auld chimneys and
+turrets where the howlets have their nests. Sir John hushed the matter
+up, and the funeral passed over without mair bogle-wark.
+
+But when a' was ower, and the laird was beginning to settle his affairs,
+every tenant was called up for his arrears, and my gudesire for the full
+sum that stood against him in the rental-book. Weel, away he trots to
+the castle, to tell his story, and there he is introduced to Sir John,
+sitting in his father's chair, in deep mourning, with weepers and
+hanging cravat, and a small wallring rapier by his side, instead of the
+auld broadsword that had a hundredweight of steel about it, what with
+blade, chape, and basket-hilt. I have heard their communing so often
+tauld ower, that I almost think I was there mysell, though I couldna
+be born at the time. (In fact, Alan, my companion mimicked, with a
+good deal of humour, the flattering, conciliating tone of the tenant's
+address, and the hypocritical melancholy of the laird's reply. His
+grandfather, he said, had, while he spoke, his eye fixed on the
+rental-book, as if it were a mastiff-dog that he was afraid would spring
+up and bite him).
+
+'I wuss ye joy, sir, of the head seat, and the white loaf, and the braid
+lairdship. Your father was a kind man to friends and followers; muckle
+grace to you, Sir John, to fill his shoon--his boots, I suld say, for he
+seldom wore shoon, unless it were muils when he had the gout.'
+
+'Aye, Steenie,' quoth the laird, sighing deeply, and putting his
+napkin to his een, 'his was a sudden call, and he will be missed in the
+country; no time to set his house in order--weel prepared Godward, no
+doubt, which is the root of the matter--but left us behind a tangled
+heap to wind, Steenie.--Hem! hem! We maun go to business, Steenie; much
+to do, and little time to do it in.'
+
+Here he opened the fatal volume. I have heard of a thing they call
+Doomsday Book--I am clear it has been a rental of back-ganging tenants.
+
+'Stephen,' said Sir John, still in the same soft, sleekit tone of
+voice--'Stephen Stevenson, or Steenson, ye are down here for a year's
+rent behind the hand--due at last term.'
+
+STEPHEN. 'Please your honour, Sir John, I paid it to your father.'
+
+SIR JOHN. 'Ye took a receipt, then, doubtless, Stephen; and can produce
+it?'
+
+STEPHEN. 'Indeed I hadna time, an it like your honour; for nae sooner
+had I set doun the siller, and just as his honour, Sir Robert, that's
+gaen, drew it till him to count it, and write out the receipt, he was
+ta'en wi' the pains that removed him.'
+
+'That was unlucky,' said Sir John, after a pause. 'But ye maybe paid
+it in the presence of somebody, I want but a TALIS QUALIS evidence,
+Stephen. I would go ower strictly to work with no poor man.'
+
+STEPHEN. 'Troth, Sir John, there was naebody in the room but Dougal
+MacCallum the butler. But, as your honour kens, he has e'en followed his
+auld master.
+
+'Very unlucky again, Stephen,' said Sir John, without altering his voice
+a single note. 'The man to whom ye paid the money is dead--and the man
+who witnessed the payment is dead too--and the siller, which should have
+been to the fore, is neither seen nor heard tell of in the repositories.
+How am I to believe a' this?'
+
+STEPHEN. 'I dinna, ken, your honour; but there is a bit memorandum
+note of the very coins; for, God help me! I had to borrow out of twenty
+purses; and I am sure that ilka man there set down will take his grit
+oath for what purpose I borrowed the money.'
+
+SIR JOHN. 'I have little doubt ye BORROWED the money, Steenie. It is the
+PAYMENT to my father that I want to have some proof of.'
+
+STEPHEN. 'The siller maun be about the house, Sir John. And since your
+honour never got it, and his honour that was canna have taen it wi' him,
+maybe some of the family may have seen it.'
+
+SIR JOHN. 'We will examine the servants, Stephen; that is but
+reasonable.'
+
+But lackey and lass, and page and groom, all denied stoutly that they
+had ever seen such a bag of money as my gudesire described. What was
+waur, he had unluckily not mentioned to any living soul of them his
+purpose of paying his rent. Ae quean had noticed something under his
+arm, but she took it for the pipes.
+
+Sir John Redgauntlet ordered the servants out of the room, and then said
+to my gudesire, 'Now, Steenie, ye see ye have fair play; and, as I have
+little doubt ye ken better where to find the siller than ony other body,
+I beg, in fair terms, and for your own sake, that you will end this
+fasherie; for, Stephen, ye maun pay or flit.'
+
+'The Lord forgie your opinion,' said Stephen, driven almost to his wit's
+end--'I am an honest man.'
+
+'So am I, Stephen,' said his honour; 'and so are all the folks in the
+house, I hope. But if there be a knave amongst us, it must be he that
+tells the story he cannot prove.' He paused, and then added, mair
+sternly, 'If I understand your trick, sir, you want to take advantage
+of some malicious reports concerning things in this family, and
+particularly respecting my father's sudden death, thereby to cheat me
+out of the money, and perhaps take away my character, by insinuating
+that I have received the rent I am demanding. Where do you suppose this
+money to be? I insist upon knowing.'
+
+My gudesire saw everything look so muckle against him, that he grew
+nearly desperate--however, he shifted from one foot to another, looked
+to every corner of the room, and made no answer.
+
+'Speak out, sirrah,' said the laird, assuming a look of his father's, a
+very particular ane, which he had when he was angry--it seemed as if the
+wrinkles of his frown made that selfsame fearful shape of a horse's
+shoe in the middle of his brow;--'Speak out, sir! I WILL know your
+thoughts;--do you suppose that I have this money?'
+
+'Far be it frae me to say so,' said Stephen.
+
+'Do you charge any of my people with having taken it?'
+
+'I wad be laith to charge them that may be innocent,' said my gudesire;
+'and if there be any one that is guilty, I have nae proof.'
+
+'Somewhere the money must be, if there is a word of truth in your
+story,' said Sir John; 'I ask where you think it is--and demand a
+correct answer?'
+
+'In HELL, if you will have my thoughts of it,' said my gudesire, driven
+to extremity, 'in hell! with your father, his jackanape, and his silver
+whistle.'
+
+Down the stairs he ran (for the parlour was nae place for him after such
+a word) and he heard the laird swearing blood and wounds behind him,
+as fast; as ever did Sir Robert, and roaring for the bailie and the
+baron-officer.
+
+Away rode my gudesire to his chief creditor (him they ca'd Laurie
+Lapraik) to try if he could make onything out of him; but when he tauld
+his story, he got but the worst word in his wame--thief, beggar, and
+dyvour, were the saftest terms; and to the boot of these hard terms,
+Laurie brought up the auld story of his dipping his hand in the blood
+of God's saunts, just as if a tenant could have helped riding with the
+laird, and that a laird like Sir Robert Redgauntlet. My gudesire was, by
+this time, far beyond the bounds of patience, and, while he and
+Laurie were at deil speed the liars, he was wanchancie aneugh to abuse
+Lapraik's doctrine as weel as the man, ond said things that garr'd
+folks' flesh grue that heard them;--he wasna just himsell, and he had
+lived wi' a wild set in his day.
+
+At last they parted, and my gudesire was to ride hame through the wood
+of Pitmurkie, that is a' fou of black firs, as they say.--I ken the
+wood, but the firs may be black or white for what I can tell.--At the
+entry of the wood there is a wild common, and on the edge of the common,
+a little lonely change-house, that was keepit then by an ostler-wife,
+they suld hae caa'd her Tibbie Faw, and there puir Steenie cried for a
+mutchkin of brandy, for he had had no refreshment the haill day. Tibbie
+was earnest wi' him to take a bite of meat, but he couldna think o't,
+nor would he take his foot out of the stirrup, and took off the brandy
+wholely at twa draughts, and named a toast at each:--the first was the
+memory of Sir Robert Redgauntlet, and might he never lie quiet in his
+grave till he had righted his poor bond-tenant; and the second was a
+health to Man's Enemy, if he would but get him back the pock of siller
+or tell him what came o't, for he saw the haill world was like to regard
+him as a thief and a cheat, and he took that waur than even the ruin of
+his house and hauld.
+
+On he rode, little caring where. It was a dark night turned, and the
+trees made it yet darker, and he let the beast take its ain road through
+the wood; when all of a sudden, from tired and wearied that it was
+before, the nag began to spring and flee, and stend, that my gudesire
+could hardly keep the saddle. Upon the whilk, a horseman, suddenly
+riding up beside him, said, 'That's a mettle beast of yours, freend;
+will you sell him?' So saying, he touched the horse's neck with his
+riding-wand, and it fell into its auld heigh-ho of a stumbling trot.
+'But his spunk's soon out of him, I think,' continued the stranger, 'and
+that is like mony a man's courage, that thinks he wad do great things
+till he come to the proof.'
+
+My gudesire scarce listened to this, but spurred his horse, with 'Gude
+e'en to you, freend.'
+
+But it's like the stranger was ane that doesna lightly yield his point;
+for, ride as Steenie liked, he was ay beside him at the selfsame pace.
+At last my gudesire, Steenie Steenson, grew half angry, and, to say the
+truth, half feared.
+
+'What is it that ye want with me, freend?' he said. 'If ye be a robber,
+I have nae money; if ye be a leal man, wanting company, I have nae heart
+to mirth or speaking; and if ye want to ken the road, I scarce ken it
+mysell.'
+
+'If you will tell me your grief,' said the stranger, 'I am one that,
+though I have been sair miscaa'd in the world, am the only hand for
+helping my freends.'
+
+So my gudesire, to ease his ain heart, mair than from any hope of help,
+told him the story from beginning to end.
+
+'It's a hard pinch,' said the stranger; 'but I think I can help you.'
+
+'If you could lend the money, sir, and take a lang day--I ken nae other
+help on earth,' said my gudesire.
+
+'But there may be some under the earth,' said the stranger. 'Come, I'll
+be frank wi' you; I could lend you the money on bond, but you would
+maybe scruple my terms. Now, I can tell you, that your auld laird is
+disturbed in his grave by your curses, and the wailing of your family,
+and if ye daur venture to go to see him, he will give you the receipt.'
+
+My gudesire's hair stood on end at this proposal, but he thought his
+companion might be some humoursome chield that was trying to frighten
+him, and might end with lending him the money. Besides, he was bauld wi'
+brandy, and desperate wi' distress; and he said he had courage to go
+to the gate of hell, and a step farther, for that receipt. The stranger
+laughed.
+
+Weel, they rode on through the thickest of the wood, when, all of a
+sudden, the horse stopped at the door of a great house; and, but that he
+knew the place was ten miles off, my father would have thought he was
+at Redgauntlet Castle. They rode into the outer courtyard, through the
+muckle faulding yetts and aneath the auld portcullis; and the whole
+front of the house was lighted, and there were pipes and fiddles, and
+as much dancing and deray within as used to be at Sir Robert's house at
+Pace and Yule, and such high seasons. They lap off, and my gudesire, as
+seemed to him, fastened his horse to the very ring he had tied him to
+that morning, when he gaed to wait on the young Sir John.
+
+'God!' said my gudesire, 'if Sir Robert's death be but a dream!'
+
+He knocked at the ha' door just as he was wont, and his auld
+acquaintance, Dougal MacCallum--just after his wont, too,--came to open
+the door, and said, 'Piper Steenie, are ye there, lad? Sir Robert has
+been crying for you.'
+
+My gudesire was like a man in a dream--he looked for the stranger, but
+he was gane for the time. At last he just tried to say, 'Ha! Dougal
+Driveower, are ye living? I thought ye had been dead.'
+
+'Never fash yoursell wi' me,' said Dougal, 'but look to yoursell; and
+see ye tak naethlng frae ony body here, neither meat, drink, or siller,
+except just the receipt that is your ain.'
+
+So saying, he led the way out through halls and trances that were weel
+kend to my gudesire, and into the auld oak parlour; and there was as
+much singing of profane sangs, and birling of red wine, and speaking
+blasphemy and sculduddry, as had ever been in Redgauntlet Castle when it
+was at the blithest.
+
+But, Lord take us in keeping, what a set of ghastly revellers they were
+that sat around that table! My gudesire kend mony that had long before
+gane to their place, for often had he piped to the most part in the
+hall of Redgauntlet. There was the fierce Middleton, and the dissolute
+Rothes, and the crafty Lauderdale; and Dalyell, with his bald head and
+a beard to his girdle; and Earlshall, with Cameron's blude on his hand;
+and wild Bonshaw, that tied blessed Mr. Cargill's limbs till the blude
+sprung; and Dunbarton Douglas, the twice-turned traitor baith to country
+and king. There was the Bluidy Advocate MacKenyie, who, for his worldly
+wit and wisdom had been to the rest as a god. And there was Claverhouse,
+as beautiful as when he lived, with his long, dark, curled locks
+streaming down over his laced buff-coat, and his left hand always on his
+right spule-blade, to hide the wound that the silver bullet had made.
+[See Note 2.] He sat apart from them all, and looked at them with a
+melancholy, haughty countenance; while the rest hallooed, and sang, and
+laughed, that the room rang. But their smiles were fearfully contorted
+from time to time; and their laugh passed into such wild sounds as made
+my gudesire's very nails grow blue, and chilled the marrow in his banes.
+
+They that waited at the table were just the wicked serving-men and
+troopers, that had done their work and cruel bidding on earth. There
+was the Lang Lad of the Nethertown, that helped to take Argyle; and
+the bishop's summoner, that they called the Deil's Rattle-bag; and the
+wicked guardsmen in their laced coats; and the savage Highland Amorites,
+that shed blood like water; and many a proud serving-man, haughty of
+heart and bloody of hand, cringing to the rich, and making them wickeder
+than they would be; grinding the poor to powder, when the rich had
+broken them to fragments. And mony, mony mair were coming and ganging,
+a' as busy in their vocation as if they had been alive.
+
+Sir Robert Redgauntlet, in the midst of a' this fearful riot, cried, wi'
+a voice like thunder, on Steenie Piper to come to the board-head where
+he was sitting; his legs stretched out before him, and swathed up with
+flannel, with his holster pistols aside him, while the great broadsword
+rested against his chair, just as my gudesire had seen him the last time
+upon earth--the very cushion for the jackanape was close to him, but the
+creature itself was not there--it wasna its hour, it's likely; for he
+heard them say as he came forward, 'Is not the major come yet?' And
+another answered, 'The jackanape will be here betimes the morn.' And
+when my gudesire came forward, Sir Robert, or his ghaist, or the deevil
+in his likeness, said, 'Weel, piper, hae ye settled wi' my son for the
+year's rent?'
+
+With much ado my father gat breath to say that Sir John would not settle
+without his honour's receipt.
+
+'Ye shall hae that for a tune of the pipes, Steenie,' said the
+appearance of Sir Robert--'Play us up "Weel hoddled, Luckie".'
+
+Now this was a tune my gudesire learned frae a warlock, that heard it
+when they were worshipping Satan at their meetings, and my gudesire had
+sometimes played it at the ranting suppers in Redgauntlet Castle, but
+never very willingly; and now he grew cauld at the very name of it, and
+said, for excuse, he hadna his pipes wi' him.
+
+'MacCallum, ye limb of Beelzebub,' said the fearfu' Sir Robert, 'bring
+Steenie the pipes that I am keeping for him!'
+
+MacCallum brought a pair of pipes might have served the piper of Donald
+of the Isles. But he gave my gudesire a nudge as he offered them; and
+looking secretly and closely, Steenie saw that the chanter was of steel,
+and heated to a white heat; so he had fair warning not to trust his
+fingers with it. So he excused himself again, and said he was faint and
+frightened, and had not wind aneugh to fill the bag.
+
+'Then ye maun eat and drink, Steenie,' said the figure; 'for we
+do little else here; and it's ill speaking between a fou man and a
+fasting.'
+
+Now these were the very words that the bloody Earl of Douglas said to
+keep the king's messenger in hand while he cut the head off MacLellan of
+Bombie, at the Threave Castle, [The reader is referred for particulars
+to Pitscottie's HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.] and that put Steenie mair and mair
+on his guard. So he spoke up like a man, and said he came neither to
+eat, or drink or make minstrelsy; but simply for his ain--to ken what
+was come o' the money he had paid, and to get a discharge for it; and
+he was so stout-hearted by this time that he charged Sir Robert for
+conscience-sake (he had no power to say the holy name) and as he hoped
+for peace and rest, to spread no snares for him, but just to give him
+his ain.
+
+The appearance gnashed its teeth and laughed, but it took from a large
+pocket-book the receipt, and handed it to Steenie. 'There is your
+receipt, ye pitiful cur; and for the money, my dog-whelp of a son may go
+look for it in the Cat's Cradle.'
+
+My gudesire uttered mony thanks, and was about to retire when Sir Robert
+roared aloud, 'Stop, though, thou sack-doudling son of a whore! I am not
+done with thee. HERE we do nothing for nothing; and you must return on
+this very day twelvemonth, to pay your master the homage that you owe me
+for my protection.'
+
+My father's tongue was loosed of a suddenty, and he said aloud, 'I refer
+mysell to God's pleasure, and not to yours.'
+
+He had no sooner uttered the word than all was dark around him; and he
+sank on the earth with such a sudden shock, that he lost both breath and
+sense.
+
+How lang Steenie lay there, he could not tell; but when he came to
+himsell, he was lying in the auld kirkyard of Redgauntlet parochine just
+at the door of the family aisle, and the scutcheon of the auld knight,
+Sir Robert, hanging over his head. There was a deep morning fog on grass
+and gravestane around him, and his horse was feeding quietly beside the
+minister's twa cows. Steenie would have thought the whole was a dream,
+but he had the receipt in his hand, fairly written and signed by the
+auld laird; only the last letters of his name were a little disorderly,
+written like one seized with sudden pain.
+
+Sorely troubled in his mind, he left that dreary place, rode through
+the mist to Redgauntlet Castle, and with much ado he got speech of the
+laird.
+
+'Well, you dyvour bankrupt,' was the first word, 'have you brought me my
+rent?'
+
+'No,' answered my gudesire, 'I have not; but I have brought your honour
+Sir Robert's receipt for it.'
+
+'Wow, sirrah? Sir Robert's receipt! You told me he had not given you
+one.'
+
+'Will your honour please to see if that bit line is right?'
+
+Sir John looked at every line, and at every letter, with much attention;
+and at last, at the date, which my gudesire had not observed,--'FROM MY
+APPOINTED PLACE,' he read, 'THIS TWENTY-FIFTH OF NOVEMBER.'--'What!
+That is yesterday!--Villain, thou must have gone to hell for this!'
+
+'I got it from your honour's father--whether he be in heaven or hell, I
+know not,' said Steenie.
+
+'I will delate you for a warlock to the Privy Council!' said Sir
+John. 'I will send you to your master, the devil, with the help of a
+tar-barrel and a torch!'
+
+'I intend to delate mysell to the Presbytery,' said Steenie, 'and tell
+them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for them to
+judge of than a borrel man like me.'
+
+Sir John paused, composed himsell, and desired to hear the full history;
+and my gudesire told it him from point to point, as I have told it
+you--word for word, neither more nor less.
+
+Sir John was silent again for a long time, and at last he said, very
+composedly, 'Steenie, this story of yours concerns the honour of many
+a noble family besides mine; and if it be a leasing-making, to keep
+yourself out of my danger, the least you can expect is to have a redhot
+iron driven through your tongue, and that will be as bad as scauding
+your fingers wi' a redhot chanter. But yet it may be true, Steenie; and
+if the money cast up I shall not know what to think of it. But where
+shall we find the Cat's Cradle? There are cats enough about the old
+house, but I think they kitten without the ceremony of bed or cradle.'
+
+'We were best ask Hutcheon,' said my gudesire; 'he kens a' the odd
+corners about as weel as--another serving-man that is now gane, and that
+I wad not like to name.'
+
+Aweel, Hutcheon, when he was asked, told them, that a ruinous turret,
+lang disused, next to the clock-house, only accessible by a ladder,
+for the opening was on the outside, and far above the battlements, was
+called of old the Cat's Cradle.
+
+'There will I go immediately,' said Sir John; and he took (with what
+purpose, Heaven kens) one of his father's pistols from the hall-table,
+where they had lain since the night he died, and hastened to the
+battlements.
+
+It was a dangerous place to climb, for the ladder was auld and frail,
+and wanted ane or twa rounds. However, up got Sir John, and entered at
+the turret-door, where his body stopped the only little light that was
+in the bit turret. Something flees at him wi' a vengeance, maist dang
+him back ower--bang gaed the knight's pistol, and Hutcheon, that
+held the ladder, and my gudesire that stood beside him, hears a loud
+skelloch. A minute after, Sir John flings the body of the jackanape down
+to them, and cries that the siller is fund, and that they should come up
+and help him. And there was the bag of siller sure aneugh, and mony orra
+thing besides, that had been missing for mony a day. And Sir John, when
+he had riped the turret weel, led my gudesire into the dining-parlour,
+and took him by the hand and spoke kindly to him, and said he was sorry
+he should have doubted his word and that he would hereafter be a good
+master to him to make amends.
+
+'And now, Steenie,' said Sir John, 'although this vision of yours tend,
+on the whole, to my father's credit, as an honest man, that he should,
+even after his death, desire to see justice done to a poor man like
+you, yet you are sensible that ill-dispositioned men might make bad
+constructions upon it, concerning his soul's health. So, I think, we had
+better lay the haill dirdum on that ill-deedie creature, Major Weir, and
+say naething about your dream in the wood of Pitmurkie. You had taken
+ower muckle brandy to be very certain about onything; and, Steenie, this
+receipt' (his hand shook while he held it out),--'it's but a queer kind
+of document, and we will do best, I think, to put it quietly in the
+fire.'
+
+'Od, but for as queer as it is, it's a' the voucher I have for my rent,'
+said my gudesire, who was afraid, it may be, of losing the benefit of
+Sir Robert's discharge.
+
+'I will bear the contents to your credit in the rental-book, and give
+you a discharge under my own hand,' said Sir John, 'and that on the
+spot. And, Steenie, if you can hold your tongue about this matter, you
+shall sit, from this term downward, at an easier rent.'
+
+'Mony thanks to your honour,' said Steenie, who saw easily in what
+corner the wind was; 'doubtless I will be comformable to all your
+honour's commands; only I would willingly speak wi' some powerful
+minister on the subject, for I do not like the sort of sommons of
+appointment whilk your honour's father'--
+
+'Do not call the phantom my father!' said Sir John, interrupting him.
+
+'Weel, then, the thing that was so like him,' said my gudesire; 'he
+spoke of my coming back to see him this time twelvemonth, and it's a
+weight on my conscience.'
+
+'Aweel, then,' said Sir John, 'if you be so much distressed in mind, you
+may speak to our minister of the parish; he is a douce man, regards the
+honour of our family, and the mair that he may look for some patronage
+from me.'
+
+Wi' that, my father readily agreed that the receipt should be burnt, and
+the laird threw it into the chimney with his ain hand. Burn it would
+not for them, though; but away it flew up the lum, wi' a lang train of
+sparks at its tail, and a hissing noise like a squib.
+
+My gudesire gaed down to the Manse, and the minister, when he had heard
+the story, said it was his real opinion that though my gudesire had gaen
+very far in tampering with dangerous matters, yet, as he had refused the
+devil's arles (for such was the offer of meat and drink) and had refused
+to do homage by piping at his bidding, he hoped, that if he held a
+circumspect walk hereafter, Satan could take little advantage by what
+was come and gane. And, indeed, my gudesire, of his ain accord, lang
+foreswore baith the pipes and the brandy--it was not even till the
+year was out, and the fatal day past, that he would so much as take the
+fiddle, or drink usquebaugh or tippeny.
+
+Sir John made up his story about the jackanape as he liked himsell;
+and some believe till this day there was no more in the matter than the
+filching nature of the brute. Indeed, ye'll no hinder some to threap
+that it was nane o' the auld Enemy that Dougal and my gudesire saw in
+the laird's room, but only that wanchancy creature, the major, capering
+on the coffin; and that, as to the blawing on the laird's whistle that
+was heard after he was dead, the filthy brute could do that as weel as
+the laird himsell, if no better. But Heaven kens the truth, whilk first
+came out by the minister's wife, after Sir John and her ain gudeman were
+baith in the moulds. And then my gudesire, wha was failed in his limbs,
+but not in his judgement or memory--at least nothing to speak of--was
+obliged to tell the real narrative to his friends, for the credit of his
+good name. He might else have been charged for a warlock. [See Note 3.]
+
+The shades of evening were growing thicker around us as my conductor
+finished his long narrative with this moral--'Ye see, birkie, it is nae
+chancy thing to tak a stranger traveller for a guide, when you are in an
+uncouth land.'
+
+'I should not have made that inference,' said I. 'Your grandfather's
+adventure was fortunate for himself, whom it saved from ruin and
+distress; and fortunate for his landlord also, whom it prevented from
+committing a gross act of injustice.'
+
+'Aye, but they had baith to sup the sauce o't sooner or later,' said
+Wandering Willie--'what was fristed wasna forgiven. Sir John died
+before he was much over three-score; and it was just like of a moment's
+illness. And for my gudesire, though he departed in fullness of life,
+yet there was my father, a yauld man of forty-five, fell down betwixt
+the stilts of his pleugh, and rase never again, and left nae bairn but
+me, a puir sightless, fatherless, motherless creature, could neither
+work nor want. Things gaed weel aneugh at first; for Sir Redwald
+Redgauntlet, the only son of Sir John, and the oye of auld Sir Robert,
+and, waes me! the last of the honourable house, took the farm aff our
+hands, and brought me into his household to have care of me. He liked
+music, and I had the best teachers baith England and Scotland could gie
+me. Mony a merry year was I wi' him; but waes me! he gaed out with other
+pretty men in the Forty-five--I'll say nae mair about it--My head never
+settled weel since I lost him; and if I say another word about it, deil
+a bar will I have the heart to play the night.--Look out, my gentle
+chap,' he resumed in a different tone, 'ye should see the lights at
+Brokenburn glen by this time.'
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XII
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+  Tam Luter was their minstrel meet,
+    Gude Lord as he could lance,
+  He play'd sae shrill, and sang sae sweet,
+    Till Towsie took a trance.
+  Auld Lightfoot there he did forleet,
+    And counterfeited France;
+  He used himself as man discreet,
+    And up took Morrice danse sae loud,
+  At Christ's Kirk on the Green that day.
+                                     KING JAMES I.
+
+I continue to scribble at length, though the subject may seem somewhat
+deficient in interest. Let the grace of the narrative, therefore,
+and the concern we take in each other's matters, make amends for its
+tenuity. We fools of fancy who suffer ourselves, like Malvolio, to be
+cheated with our own visions, have, nevertheless, this advantage over
+the wise ones of the earth, that we have our whole stock of enjoyments
+under our own command, and can dish for ourselves an intellectual
+banquet with most moderate assistance from external objects. It is,
+to be sure, something like the feast which the Barmecide served up to
+Alnaschar; and we cannot expect to get fat upon such diet. But then,
+neither is there repletion nor nausea, which often succeed the grosser
+and more material revel. On the whole, I still pray, with the Ode to
+Castle Building--
+
+  Give me thy hope which sickens not the heart;
+    Give me thy wealth which has no wings to fly;
+  Give me the bliss thy visions can impart:
+    Thy friendship give me, warm in poverty!
+
+And so, despite thy solemn smile and sapient shake of the head, I will
+go on picking such interest as I can out of my trivial adventures, even
+though that interest should be the creation of my own fancy; nor will I
+cease to indict on thy devoted eyes the labour of perusing the scrolls
+in which I shall record my narrative.
+
+My last broke off as we were on the point of descending into the glen
+at Brokenburn, by the dangerous track which I had first travelled EN
+CROUPE, behind a furious horseman, and was now again to brave under the
+precarious guidance of a blind man.
+
+It was now getting dark; but this was no inconvenience to my guide, who
+moved on, as formerly, with instinctive security of step, so that we
+soon reached the bottom, and I could see lights twinkling in the cottage
+which had been my place of refuge on a former occasion. It was not
+thither, however, that our course was directed. We left the habitation
+of the laird to the left, and turning down the brook, soon approached
+the small hamlet which had been erected at the mouth of the stream,
+probably on account of the convenience which it afforded as a harbour
+to the fishing-boats. A large, low cottage, full in our front, seemed
+highly illuminated; for the light not only glanced from every window
+and aperture in its frail walls, but was even visible from rents and
+fractures in the roof, composed of tarred shingles, repaired in part by
+thatch and divot.
+
+While these appearances engaged my attention, that of my companion was
+attracted by a regular succession of sounds, like a bouncing on the
+floor, mixed with a very faint noise of music, which Willie's acute
+organs at once recognized and accounted for, while to me it was almost
+inaudible. The old man struck the earth with his staff in a violent
+passion. 'The whoreson fisher rabble! They have brought another violer
+upon my walk! They are such smuggling blackguards, that they must run
+in their very music; but I'll sort them waur than ony gauger in the
+country.--Stay--hark--it 's no a fiddle neither--it's the pipe and tabor
+bastard, Simon of Sowport, frae the Nicol Forest; but I'll pipe and
+tabor him!--Let me hae ance my left hand on his cravat, and ye shall see
+what my right will do. Come away, chap--come away, gentle chap--nae time
+to be picking and waling your steps.' And on he passed with long and
+determined strides, dragging me along with him.
+
+I was not quite easy in his company; for, now that his minstrel pride
+was hurt, the man had changed from the quiet, decorous, I might almost
+say respectable person, which he seemed while he told his tale, into the
+appearance of a fierce, brawling, dissolute stroller. So that when he
+entered the large hut, where a great number of fishers, with their wives
+and daughters, were engaged in eating, drinking, and dancing, I was
+somewhat afraid that the impatient violence of my companion might
+procure us an indifferent reception.
+
+But the universal shout of welcome with which Wandering Willie was
+received--the hearty congratulations--the repeated 'Here's t' ye,
+Willie!'--'Where hae ya been, ye blind deevil?' and the call upon him
+to pledge them--above all, the speed with which the obnoxious pipe and
+tabor were put to silence, gave the old man such effectual assurance of
+undiminished popularity and importance, as at once put his jealousy to
+rest, and changed his tone of offended dignity into one better fitted
+to receive such cordial greetings. Young men and women crowded round, to
+tell how much they were afraid some mischance had detained him, and how
+two or three young fellows had set out in quest of him.
+
+'It was nae mischance, praised be Heaven,' said Willie, 'but the absence
+of the lazy loon Rob the Rambler, my comrade, that didna come to meet
+me on the Links; but I hae gotten a braw consort in his stead, worth a
+dozen of him, the unhanged blackguard.'
+
+'And wha is't tou's gotten, Wullie, lad?' said half a score of voices,
+while all eyes were turned on your humble servant, who kept the best
+countenance he could, though not quite easy at becoming the centre to
+which all eyes were pointed.
+
+'I ken him by his hemmed cravat,' said one fellow; 'it's Gil Hobson, the
+souple tailor frae Burgh. Ye are welcome to Scotland, ye prick-the-clout
+loon,' he said, thrusting forth a paw; much the colour of a badger's
+back, and of most portentous dimensions.
+
+'Gil Hobson? Gil whoreson!' exclaimed Wandering Willie; 'it's a gentle
+chap that I judge to be an apprentice wi' auld Joshua Geddes, to the
+quaker-trade.'
+
+'What trade be's that, man?' said he of the badger-coloured fist.
+
+'Canting and lying,'--said Willie, which produced a thundering laugh;
+'but I am teaching the callant a better trade, and that is, feasting and
+fiddling.'
+
+Willie's conduct in thus announcing something like my real character,
+was contrary to compact; and yet I was rather glad he did so, for the
+consequence of putting a trick upon these rude and ferocious men, might,
+in case of discovery, have been dangerous to us both, and I was at the
+same time delivered from the painful effort to support a fictitious
+character. The good company, except perhaps one or two of the young
+women whose looks expressed some desire for better acquaintance, gave
+themselves no further trouble about me; but, while the seniors resumed
+their places near an immense bowl or rather reeking cauldron of
+brandy-punch, the younger arranged themselves on the floor and called
+loudly on Willie to strike up.
+
+With a brief caution to me, to 'mind my credit, for fishers have ears,
+though fish have none,' Willie led off in capital style, and I followed,
+certainly not so as to disgrace my companion, who, every now and then,
+gave me a nod of approbation. The dances were, of course, the Scottish
+jigs, and reels, and 'twasome dances', with a strathspey or hornpipe for
+interlude; and the want of grace on the part of the performers was amply
+supplied by truth of ear, vigour and decision of step, and the agility
+proper to the northern performers. My own spirits rose with the mirth
+around me, and with old Willie's admirable execution, and frequent 'weel
+dune, gentle chap, yet;'--and, to confess the truth, I felt a great deal
+more pleasure in this rustic revel, than I have done at the more formal
+balls and concerts in your famed city, to which I have sometimes made my
+way. Perhaps this was because I was a person of more importance to the
+presiding matron of Brokenburn-foot, than I had the means of rendering
+myself to the far-famed Miss Nickie Murray, the patroness of your
+Edinburgh assemblies. The person I mean was a buxom dame of about
+thirty, her fingers loaded with many a silver ring, and three or four
+of gold; her ankles liberally displayed from under her numerous blue,
+white, and scarlet; short petticoats, and attired in hose of the finest
+and whitest lamb's-wool, which arose from shoes of Spanish cordwain,
+fastened with silver buckles. She took the lead in my favour, and
+declared, 'that the brave young gentleman should not weary himself to
+death wi' playing, but take the floor for a dance or twa.'
+
+'And what's to come of me, Dame Martin?' said Willie.
+
+'Come o' thee?' said the dame; 'mishanter on the auld beard o' ye! ye
+could play for twenty hours on end, and tire out the haill countryside
+wi' dancing before ye laid down your bow, saving for a by-drink or the
+like o' that.'
+
+'In troth, dame,' answered Willie, 'ye are no sae far wrang; sae if my
+comrade is to take his dance, ye maun gie me my drink, and then bob it
+away like Madge of Middlebie.'
+
+The drink was soon brought; but while Willie was partaking of it,
+a party entered the hut, which arrested my attention at once, and
+intercepted the intended gallantry with which I had proposed to present
+my hand to the fresh-coloured, well-made, white-ankled Thetis, who had
+obtained me manumission from my musical task.
+
+This was nothing less than the sudden appearance of the old woman whom
+the laird had termed Mabel; Cristal Nixon, his male attendant; and the
+young person who had said grace to us when I supped with him.
+
+This young person--Alan, thou art in thy way a bit of a conjurer--this
+young person whom I DID NOT describe, and whom you, for that very
+reason, suspected was not an indifferent object to me--is, I am sorry to
+say it, in very fact not so much so as in prudence she ought. I will not
+use the name of love on this occasion; for I have applied it too often
+to transient whims and fancies to escape your satire, should I venture
+to apply it now. For it is a phrase, I must confess, which I have
+used--a romancer would say, profaned--a little too often, considering
+how few years have passed over my head. But seriously, the fair chaplain
+of Brokenburn has been often in my head when she had no business
+there; and if this can give thee any clue for explaining my motives
+in lingering about the country, and assuming the character of Willie's
+companion, why, hang thee, thou art welcome to make use of it--a
+permission for which thou need'st not thank me much, as thou wouldst not
+have failed to assume it whether it were given or no.
+
+Such being my feelings, conceive how they must have been excited, when,
+like a beam upon a cloud, I saw this uncommonly beautiful girl enter the
+apartment in which they were dancing; not, however, with the air of
+an equal, but that of a superior, come to grace with her presence the
+festival of her dependants. The old man and woman attended, with looks
+as sinister as hers were lovely, like two of the worst winter months
+waiting upon the bright-eyed May.
+
+When she entered--wonder if thou wilt--she wore A GREEN MANTLE, such as
+thou hast described as the garb of thy fair client, and confirmed what
+I had partly guessed from thy personal description, that my chaplain and
+thy visitor were the same person. There was an alteration on her
+brow the instant she recognized me. She gave her cloak to her female
+attendant, and, after a momentary hesitation, as if uncertain whether to
+advance or retire, she walked into the room with dignity and
+composure, all making way, the men unbonneting, and the women curtsying
+respectfully, as she assumed a chair which was reverently placed for her
+accommodation, apart from others.
+
+There was then a pause, until the bustling mistress of the ceremonies,
+with awkward but kindly courtesy, offered the young lady a glass of
+wine, which was at first declined, and at length only thus far accepted,
+that, bowing round to the festive company, the fair visitor wished them
+all health and mirth, and just touching the brim with her lip, replaced
+it on the salver. There was another pause; and I did not immediately
+recollect, confused as I was by this unexpected apparition, that it
+belonged to me to break it. At length a murmur was heard around me,
+being expected to exhibit,--nay, to lead down the dance,--in consequence
+of the previous conversation.
+
+'Deil's in the fiddler lad,' was muttered from more quarters than
+one--'saw folk ever sic a thing as a shame-faced fiddler before?'
+
+At length a venerable Triton, seconding his remonstrances with a hearty
+thump on my shoulder, cried out, 'To the floor--to the floor, and let us
+see how ye can fling--the lasses are a' waiting.'
+
+Up I jumped, sprang from the elevated station which constituted our
+orchestra, and, arranging my ideas as rapidly as I could, advanced
+to the head of the room, and, instead of offering my hand to the
+white-footed Thetis aforesaid, I venturously made the same proposal to
+her of the Green Mantle.
+
+The nymph's lovely eyes seemed to open with astonishment at the
+audacity of this offer; and, from the murmurs I heard around me, I also
+understood that it surprised, and perhaps offended, the bystanders. But
+after the first moment's emotion, she wreathed her neck, and drawing
+herself haughtily up, like one who was willing to show that she was
+sensible of the full extent of her own condescension, extended her hand
+towards me, like a princess gracing a squire of low degree.
+
+There is affectation in all this, thought I to myself, if the Green
+Mantle has borne true evidence--for young ladies do not make visits, or
+write letters to counsel learned in the law, to interfere in the motions
+of those whom they hold as cheap as this nymph seems to do me; and if
+I am cheated by a resemblance of cloaks, still I am interested to show
+myself, in some degree, worthy of the favour she has granted with so
+much state and reserve. The dance to be performed was the old Scots Jig,
+in which you are aware I used to play no sorry figure at La Pique's,
+when thy clumsy movements used to be rebuked by raps over the knuckles
+with that great professor's fiddlestick. The choice of the tune was left
+to my comrade Willie, who, having finished his drink, feloniously struck
+up the well-known and popular measure,
+
+  Merrily danced the Quaker's wife,
+  And merrily danced the Quaker.
+
+An astounding laugh arose at my expense, and I should have been
+annihilated, but that the smile which mantled on the lip of my partner,
+had a different expression from that of ridicule, and seemed to say,
+'Do not take this to heart.' And I did not, Alan--my partner danced
+admirably, and I like one who was determined, if outshone, which I could
+not help, not to be altogether thrown into the shade.
+
+I assure you our performance, as well as Willie's music, deserved
+more polished spectators and auditors; but we could not then have been
+greeted with such enthusiastic shouts of applause as attended while I
+handed my partner to her seat, and took my place by her side, as one who
+had a right to offer the attentions usual on such an occasion. She was
+visibly embarrassed, but I was determined not to observe her confusion,
+and to avail myself of the opportunity of learning whether this
+beautiful creature's mind was worthy of the casket in which nature had
+lodged it.
+
+Nevertheless, however courageously I formed this resolution, you cannot
+but too well guess the difficulties I must needs have felt in carrying
+it into execution; since want of habitual intercourse with the charmers
+of the other sex has rendered me a sheepish cur, only one grain less
+awkward than thyself. Then she was so very beautiful, and assumed an
+air of so much dignity, that I was like to fall under the fatal error of
+supposing she should only be addressed with something very clever; and
+in the hasty raking which my brains underwent in this persuasion, not a
+single idea occurred that common sense did not reject as fustian on the
+one hand, or weary, flat, and stale triticism on the other. I felt as
+if my understanding were no longer my own, but was alternately under the
+dominion of Aldeborontiphoscophornio, and that of his facetious friend
+Rigdum-Funnidos. How did I envy at that moment our friend Jack Oliver,
+who produces with such happy complacence his fardel of small talk, and
+who, as he never doubts his own powers of affording amusement, passes
+them current with every pretty woman he approaches, and fills up the
+intervals of chat by his complete acquaintance with the exercise of the
+fan, the FLACON, and the other duties of the CAVALIERE SERVENTE. Some
+of these I attempted, but I suppose it was awkwardly; at least the Lady
+Green Mantle received them as a princess accepts the homage of a clown.
+
+Meantime the floor remained empty, and as the mirth of the good meeting
+was somewhat checked, I ventured, as a DERNIER RESSORT, to propose a
+minuet. She thanked me, and told me haughtily enough, 'she was here
+to encourage the harmless pleasures of these good folks, but was not
+disposed to make an exhibition of her own indifferent dancing for their
+amusement.'
+
+She paused a moment, as if she expected me to suggest something; and as
+I remained silent and rebuked, she bowed her head more graciously, and
+said, 'Not to affront you, however, a country-dance, if you please.'
+
+What an ass was I, Alan, not to have anticipated her wishes! Should I
+not have observed that the ill-favoured couple, Mabel and Cristal, had
+placed themselves on each side of her seat, like the supporters of the
+royal arms? the man, thick, short, shaggy, and hirsute, as the lion; the
+female, skin-dried, tight-laced, long, lean, and hungry-faced, like the
+unicorn. I ought to have recollected, that under the close inspection
+of two such watchful salvages, our communication, while in repose, could
+not have been easy; that the period of dancing a minuet was not the very
+choicest time for conversation; but that the noise, the exercise,
+and the mazy confusion of a country-dance, where the inexperienced
+performers were every now and then running against each other, and
+compelling the other couples to stand still for a minute at a time,
+besides the more regular repose afforded by the intervals of the dance
+itself, gave the best possible openings for a word or two spoken in
+season, and without being liable to observation.
+
+We had but just led down, when an opportunity of the kind occurred, and
+my partner said, with great gentleness and modesty, 'It is not perhaps
+very proper in me to acknowledge an acquaintance that is not claimed;
+but I believe I speak to Mr. Darsie Latimer?'
+
+'Darsie Latimer was indeed the person that had now the honour and
+happiness'--
+
+I would have gone on in the false gallop of compliment, but she cut me
+short. 'And why,' she said, 'is Mr. Latimer here, and in disguise, or at
+least assuming an office unworthy of a man of education?--I beg pardon,'
+she continued,--'I would not give you pain, but surely making, an
+associate of a person of that description'--
+
+She looked towards my friend Willie, and was silent. I felt heartily
+ashamed of myself, and hastened to say it was an idle frolic, which want
+of occupation had suggested, and which I could not regret, since it had
+procured me the pleasure I at present enjoyed.
+
+Without seeming to notice my compliment, she took the next opportunity
+to say, 'Will Mr. Latimer permit a stranger who wishes him well to ask,
+whether it is right that, at his active age, he should be in so far void
+of occupation, as to be ready to adopt low society for the sake of idle
+amusement?'
+
+'You are severe, madam,' I answered; 'but I cannot think myself degraded
+by mixing with any society where I meet'--
+
+Here I stopped short, conscious that I was giving my answer an
+unhandsome turn. The ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM, the last to which a polite
+man has recourse, may, however, be justified by circumstances, but
+seldom or never the ARGUMENTUM AD FOEMINAM.
+
+She filled up the blank herself which I had left. 'Where you meet ME, I
+suppose you would say? But the case is different. I am, from my unhappy
+fate, obliged to move by the will of others, and to be in places which
+I would by my own will gladly avoid. Besides, I am, except for these few
+minutes, no participator of the revels--a spectator only, and attended
+by my servants. Your situation is different--you are here by choice,
+the partaker and minister of the pleasures of a class below you in
+education, birth, and fortunes. If I speak harshly, Mr. Latimer,' she
+added, with much sweetness of manner, 'I mean kindly.'
+
+I was confounded by her speech, 'severe in youthful wisdom'; all
+of naive or lively, suitable to such a dialogue, vanished from my
+recollection, and I answered with gravity like her own, 'I am, indeed,
+better educated than these poor people; but you, madam, whose kind
+admonition I am grateful for, must know more of my condition than I
+do myself--I dare not say I am their superior in birth, since I know
+nothing of my own, or in fortunes, over which hangs an impenetrable
+cloud.'
+
+'And why should your ignorance on these points drive you into low
+society and idle habits?' answered my female monitor. 'Is it manly to
+wait till fortune cast her beams upon you, when by exertion of your own
+energy you might distinguish yourself? Do not the pursuits of learning
+lie open to you--of manly ambition--of war? But no--not of war, that has
+already cost you too dear.'
+
+'I will be what you wish me to be,' I replied with eagerness--'You have
+but to choose my path, and you shall see if I do not pursue it with
+energy, were it only because you command me.'
+
+'Not because I command you,' said the maiden, 'but because reason,
+common sense, manhood, and, in one word, regard for your own safety,
+give the same counsel.'
+
+'At least permit me to reply, that reason and sense never assumed
+a fairer form--of persuasion,' I hastily added; for she turned from
+me--nor did she give me another opportunity of continuing what I had
+to say till the next pause of the dance, when, determined to bring our
+dialogue to a point, I said, 'You mentioned manhood also, and in the
+same breath, personal danger. My ideas of manhood suggest that it is
+cowardice to retreat before dangers of a doubtful character. You, who
+appear to know so much of my fortunes that I might call you my guardian
+angel, tell me what these dangers are, that I may judge whether manhood
+calls on me to face or to fly them.'
+
+She was evidently perplexed by this appeal.
+
+'You make me pay dearly for acting as your humane adviser,' she replied
+at last: 'I acknowledge an interest in your fate, and yet I dare not
+tell you whence it arises; neither am I at liberty to say why, or from
+whom, you are in danger; but it is not less true that danger is near
+and imminent. Ask me no more, but, for your own sake, begone from this
+country. Elsewhere you are safe--here you do but invite your fate.'
+
+'But am I doomed to bid thus farewell to almost the only human being who
+has showed an interest in my welfare? Do not say so--say that we shall
+meet again, and the hope shall be the leading star to regulate my
+course!'
+
+'It is more than probable,' she said--'much more than probable, that we
+may never meet again. The help which I now render you is all that may be
+in my power; it is such as I should render to a blind man whom I might
+observe approaching the verge of a precipice; it ought to excite no
+surprise, and requires no gratitude.'
+
+So saying, she again turned from me, nor did she address me until the
+dance was on the point of ending, when she said, 'Do not attempt to
+speak to or approach me again in the course of the night; leave the
+company as soon as you can, but not abruptly, and God be with you.'
+
+I handed her to her seat, and did not quit the fair palm I held, without
+expressing my feelings by a gentle pressure. She coloured slightly, and
+withdrew her hand, but not angrily. Seeing the eyes of Cristal and Mabel
+sternly fixed on me, I bowed deeply, and withdrew from her; my heart
+saddening, and my eyes becoming dim in spite of me, as the shifting
+crowd hid us from each other.
+
+It was my intention to have crept back to my comrade Willie, and resumed
+my bow with such spirit as I might, although, at the moment, I would
+have given half my income for an instant's solitude. But my retreat was
+cut off by Dame Martin, with the frankness--if it is not an inconsistent
+phrase-of rustic coquetry, that goes straight up to the point.
+
+'Aye, lad, ye seem unco sune weary, to dance sae lightly? Better the nag
+that ambles a' the day, than him that makes a brattle for a mile, and
+then's dune wi' the road.'
+
+This was a fair challenge, and I could not decline accepting it.
+Besides, I could see Dame Martin was queen of the revels; and so many
+were the rude and singular figures about me, that I was by no means
+certain whether I might not need some protection. I seized on her
+willing hand, and we took our places in the dance, where, if I did not
+acquit myself with all the accuracy of step and movement which I had
+before attempted, I at least came up to the expectations of my partner,
+who said, and almost swore, 'I was prime at it;' while, stimulated
+to her utmost exertions, she herself frisked like a kid, snapped her
+fingers like castanets, whooped like a Bacchanal, and bounded from the
+floor like a tennis-ball,--aye, till the colour of her garters was no
+particular mystery. She made the less secret of this, perhaps, that they
+were sky-blue, and fringed with silver.
+
+The time has been that this would have been special fun; or rather, last
+night was the only time I can recollect these four years when it would
+not have been so; yet, at this moment, I cannot tell you how I longed
+to be rid of Dame Martin. I almost wished she would sprain one of those
+'many-twinkling' ankles, which served her so alertly; and when, in the
+midst of her exuberant caprioling, I saw my former partner leaving
+the apartment, and with eyes, as I thought, turning towards me, this
+unwillingness to carry on the dance increased to such a point, that I
+was almost about to feign a sprain or a dislocation myself, in order to
+put an end to the performance. But there were around me scores of old
+women, all of whom looked as if they might have some sovereign recipe
+for such an accident; and, remembering Gil Blas, and his pretended
+disorder in the robber's cavern, I thought it as wise to play Dame
+Martin fair, and dance till she thought proper to dismiss me. What I did
+I resolved to do strenuously, and in the latter part of the exhibition
+I cut and sprang from the floor as high and as perpendicularly as Dame
+Martin herself; and received, I promise you, thunders of applause, for
+the common people always prefer exertion and agility to grace. At length
+Dame Martin could dance no more, and, rejoicing at my release, I led her
+to a seat, and took the privilege of a partner to attend her.
+
+'Hegh, sirs,' exclaimed Dame Martin, 'I am sair forfoughen! Troth!
+callant, I think ye hae been amaist the death o' me.'
+
+I could only atone for the alleged offence by fetching her some
+refreshment, of which she readily partook.
+
+'I have been lucky in my partners,' I said, 'first that pretty young
+lady, and then you, Mrs. Martin.'
+
+'Hout wi' your fleeching,' said Dame Martin. 'Gae wa--gae wa, lad; dinna
+blaw in folk's lugs that gate; me and Miss Lilias even'd thegither! Na,
+na, lad--od, she is maybe four or five years younger than the like o'
+me,--bye and attour her gentle havings.'
+
+'She is the laird's daughter?' said I, in as careless a tone of inquiry
+as I could assume.
+
+'His daughter, man? Na, na, only his niece--and sib aneugh to him, I
+think.'
+
+'Aye, indeed,' I replied; 'I thought she had borne his name?'
+
+'She bears her ain name, and that's Lilias.'
+
+'And has she no other name?' asked I.
+
+'What needs she another till she gets a gudeman?' answered my Thetis,
+a little miffed perhaps--to use the women's phrase--that I turned
+the conversation upon my former partner, rather than addressed it to
+herself.
+
+There was a little pause, which was interrupted by Dame Martin
+observing, 'They are standing up again.'
+
+'True,' said I, having no mind to renew my late violent CAPRIOLE, and I
+must go help old Willie.'
+
+Ere I could extricate myself, I heard poor Thetis address herself to
+a sort of merman in a jacket of seaman's blue, and a pair of trousers
+(whose hand, by the way, she had rejected at an earlier part of the
+evening) and intimate that she was now disposed to take a trip.
+
+'Trip away, then, dearie,' said the vindictive man of the waters,
+without offering his hand; 'there,' pointing to the floor, 'is a roomy
+berth for you.'
+
+Certain I had made one enemy, and perhaps two, I hastened to my original
+seat beside Willie, and began to handle my bow. But I could see that my
+conduct had made an unfavourable impression; the words, 'flory conceited
+chap,'--'hafflins gentle,' and at length, the still more alarming
+epithet of 'spy,' began to be buzzed about, and I was heartily glad when
+the apparition of Sam's visage at the door, who was already possessed of
+and draining a can of punch, gave me assurance that my means of retreat
+were at hand. I intimated as much to Willie, who probably had heard
+more of the murmurs of the company than I had, for he whispered, 'Aye,
+aye,--awa wi' ye--ower lang here--slide out canny--dinna let them see ye
+are on the tramp.'
+
+I slipped half a guinea into the old man's hand, who answered, 'Truts
+pruts! nonsense but I 'se no refuse, trusting ye can afford it. Awa wi'
+ye--and if ony body stops ye, cry on me.'
+
+I glided, by his advice, along the room as if looking for a partner,
+joined Sam, whom I disengaged with some difficulty from his can, and
+we left the cottage together in a manner to attract the least possible
+observation. The horses were tied in a neighbouring shed, and as
+the moon was up, and I was now familiar with the road, broken and
+complicated as it is, we soon reached the Shepherd's Bush, where the old
+landlady was sitting up waiting for us, under some anxiety of mind, to
+account for which she did not hesitate to tell me that some folks had
+gone to Brokenburn from her house, or neighbouring towns, that did not
+come so safe back again. 'Wandering Willie,' she said, 'was doubtless a
+kind of protection.'
+
+Here Willie's wife, who was smoking in the chimney corner, took up the
+praises of her 'hinnie,' as she called him, and endeavoured to awaken
+my generosity afresh, by describing the dangers from which, as she was
+pleased to allege, her husband's countenance had assuredly been the
+means of preserving me. I was not, however, to be fooled out of
+more money at this time, and went to bed in haste, full of vanous
+cogitations.
+
+I have since spent a couple of days betwixt Mount Sharon and this place,
+and betwixt reading, writing to thee this momentous history, forming
+plans for seeing the lovely Lilias, and--partly, I think, for the sake
+of contradiction--angling a little in spite of Joshua'a scruples--though
+I am rather liking the amusement better as I begin to have some success
+in it.
+
+And now, my dearest Alan, you are in full possession of my secret--let
+me as frankly into the recesses of your bosom. How do you feel towards
+this fair ignis fatuus, this lily of the desert? Tell me honestly; for
+however the recollection of her may haunt my own mind, my love for Alan
+Fairford surpasses the love of woman, I know, too, that when you DO
+love, it will be to
+
+  Love once and love no more.
+
+A deep-consuming passion, once kindled in a breast so steady as yours,
+would never be extinguished but with life. I am of another and more
+volatile temper, and though I shall open your next with a trembling hand
+and uncertain heart, yet let it bring a frank confession that this fair
+unknown has made a deeper impression on your gravity than you reckoned
+for, and you will see I can tear the arrow from my own wound, barb and
+all. In the meantime, though I have formed schemes once more to see her,
+I will, you may rely on it, take no step for putting them into practice.
+I have refrained from this hitherto, and I give you my word of honour,
+I shall continue to do so; yet why should you need any further assurance
+from one who is so entirely yours as D.L.
+
+PS.--I shall be on thorns till I receive your answer. I read, and
+re-read your letter, and cannot for my soul discover what your real
+sentiments are. Sometimes I think you write of her as one in jest--and
+sometimes I think that cannot be. Put me at ease as soon as possible.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XIII
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+I write on the instant, as you direct; and in a tragi-comic humour, for
+I have a tear in my eye and a smile on my cheek. Dearest Darsie, sure
+never a being but yourself could be so generous--sure never a being but
+yourself could be so absurd! I remember when you were a boy you wished
+to make your fine new whip a present to old Aunt Peggy, merely because
+she admired it; and now, with like unreflecting and inappropriate
+liberality, you would resign your beloved to a smoke-dried young
+sophister, who cares not one of the hairs which it is his occupation to
+split, for all the daughters of Eve. I in love with your Lilias--your
+Green Mantle--your unknown enchantress!--why I scarce saw her for five
+minutes, and even then only the tip of her chin was distinctly visible.
+She was well made, and the tip of her chin was of a most promising cast
+for the rest of the face; but, Heaven save you! she came upon business!
+and for a lawyer to fall in love with a pretty client on a single
+consultation, would be as wise as if he became enamoured of a
+particularly bright sunbeam which chanced for a moment to gild his
+bar-wig. I give you my word I am heart-whole and moreover, I assure you,
+that before I suffer a woman to sit near my heart's core, I must see her
+full face, without mask or mantle, aye, and know a good deal of her
+mind into the bargain. So never fret yourself on my account, my kind and
+generous Darsie; but, for your own sake, have a care and let not an idle
+attachment, so lightly taken up, lead you into serious danger.
+
+On this subject I feel so apprehensive, that now when I am decorated
+with the honours of the gown, I should have abandoned my career at the
+very starting to come to you, but for my father having contrived to
+clog my heels with fetters of a professional nature. I will tell you the
+matter at length, for it is comical enough; and why should not you
+list to my juridical adventures, as well as I to those of your fiddling
+knight-errantry?
+
+It was after dinner, and I was considering how I might best introduce
+to my father the private resolution I had formed to set off for
+Dumfriesshire, or whether I had not better run away at once, and plead
+my excuse by letter, when, assuming the peculiar look with which he
+communicates any of his intentions respecting me, that he suspects may
+not be altogether acceptable, 'Alan,' he said, 'ye now wear a gown--ye
+have opened shop, as we would say of a more mechanical profession; and,
+doubtless, ye think the floor of the courts is strewed with guineas, and
+that ye have only to stoop down to gather them?'
+
+'I hope I am sensible, sir,' I replied, 'that I have some knowledge and
+practice to acquire, and must stoop for that in the first place.'
+
+'It is well said,' answered my father; and, always afraid to give too
+much encouragement, added, 'Very well said, if it be well acted up
+to--Stoop to get knowledge and practice is the very word. Ye know very
+well, Alan, that in the other faculty who study the ARS MEDENDI, before
+the young doctor gets to the bedsides of palaces, he must, as they call
+it, walk the hospitals; and cure Lazarus of his sores, before he be
+admitted to prescribe for Dives, when he has gout or indigestion'--
+
+'I am aware, sir, that'--
+
+'Whisht--do not interrupt the court. Well--also the chirurgeons have
+a useful practice, by which they put their apprentices and tyrones to
+work; upon senseless dead bodies, to which, as they can do no good, so
+they certainly can do as little harm; while at the same time the tyro,
+or apprentice, gains experience, and becomes fit to whip off a leg or
+arm from a living subject, as cleanly as ye would slice an onion.'
+
+'I believe I guess your meaning, sir,' answered I; 'and were it not for
+a very particular engagement'--
+
+'Do not speak to me of engagements; but whisht--there is a good lad--and
+do not interrupt the court.'
+
+My father, you know, is apt--be it said with all filial duty--to be a
+little prolix in his harangues. I had nothing for it but to lean back
+and listen.
+
+'Maybe you think, Alan, because I have, doubtless, the management of
+some actions in dependence, whilk my worthy clients have intrusted
+me with, that I may think of airting them your way INSTANTER; and so
+setting you up in practice, so far as my small business or influence may
+go; and, doubtless, Alan, that is a day whilk I hope may come round. But
+then, before I give, as the proverb hath it, "My own fish-guts to my own
+sea-maws," I must, for the sake of my own character, be very sure that
+my sea-maw can pick them to some purpose. What say ye?'
+
+'I am so far,' answered I, 'from wishing to get early into practice,
+sir, that I would willingly bestow a few days'--
+
+'In further study, ye would say, Alan. But that is not the way
+either--ye must walk the hospitals--ye must cure Lazarus--ye must cut
+and carve on a departed subject, to show your skill.'
+
+'I am sure,' I replied, 'I will undertake the cause of any poor man with
+pleasure, and bestow as much pains upon it as if it were a duke's; but
+for the next two or three days'--
+
+'They must be devoted to close study, Alan--very close study indeed; for
+ye must stand primed for a hearing, IN PRESENTIA DOMINORUM, upon Tuesday
+next.'
+
+'I, sir?' I replied in astonishment--'I have not opened my mouth in the
+Outer House yet!'
+
+'Never mind the court of the Gentiles, man,' said my father; 'we will
+have you into the Sanctuary at once--over shoes, over boots.'
+
+'But, sir, I should really spoil any cause thrust on me so hastily.'
+
+'Ye cannot spoil it, Alan,' said my father, rubbing his hands with much
+complacency; 'that is the very cream of the business, man--it is just,
+as I said before, a subject upon whilk all the TYRONES have been trying
+their whittles for fifteen years; and as there have been about ten or a
+dozen agents concerned, and each took his own way, the case is come to
+that pass, that Stair or Amiston could not mend it; and I do not think
+even you, Alan, can do it much harm--ye may get credit by it, but ye can
+lose none.'
+
+'And pray what is the name of my happy client, sir?' said I,
+ungraciously enough, I believe.
+
+'It is a well-known name in the Parliament House,' replied my father.
+'To say the truth, I expect him every moment; it is Peter Peebles.' [See
+Note 4.]
+
+'Peter Peebles!' exclaimed I, in astonishment; 'he is an insane
+beggar--as poor as Job, and as mad as a March hare!'
+
+'He has been pleaing in the court for fifteen years,' said my father, in
+a tone of commiseration, which seemed to acknowledge that this fact
+was enough to account for the poor man's condition both in mind and
+circumstances.
+
+'Besides, sir,' I added, 'he is on the Poor's Roll; and you know there
+are advocates regularly appointed to manage those cases; and for me to
+presume to interfere'--
+
+'Whisht, Alan!--never interrupt the court--all THAT is managed for ye
+like a tee'd ball' (my father sometimes draws his similes from his once
+favourite game of golf); 'you must know, Alan, that Peter's cause was
+to have been opened by young Dumtoustie--ye may ken the lad, a son of
+Dumtoustie of that ilk, member of Parliament for the county of--, and a
+nephew of the laird's younger brother, worthy Lord Bladderskate, whilk
+ye are aware sounds as like being akin to a peatship [Formerly, a
+lawyer, supposed to be under the peculiar patronage of any particular
+judge, was invidiously termed his PEAT or PET.] and a sheriffdom, as a
+sieve is sib to a riddle. Now, Peter Drudgeit, my lord's clerk, came to
+me this morning in the House, like ane bereft of his wits; for it seems
+that young Dumtoustie is ane of the Poor's lawyers, and Peter Peebles's
+process had been remitted to him of course. But so soon as the
+harebrained goose saw the pokes [Process-bags.] (as indeed, Alan, they
+are none of the least) he took fright, called for his nag, lap on, and
+away to the country is he gone; and so? said Peter, my lord is at his
+wit's end wi' vexation, and shame, to see his nevoy break off the course
+at the very starting. "I'll tell you, Peter," said I, "were I my lord,
+and a friend or kinsman of mine should leave the town while the court
+was sitting, that kinsman, or be he what he liked, should never darken
+my door again." And then, Alan, I thought to turn the ball our own way;
+and I said that you were a gey sharp birkie, just off the irons, and if
+it would oblige my lord, and so forth, you would open Peter's cause on
+Tuesday, and make some handsome apology for the necessary absence of
+your learned friend, and the loss which your client and the court had
+sustained, and so forth. Peter lap at the proposition like a cock at a
+grossart; for, he said, the only chance was to get a new hand, that did
+not ken the charge he was taking upon him; for there was not a lad of
+two sessions' standing that was not dead-sick of Peter Peebles and his
+cause; and he advised me to break the matter gently to you at the
+first; but I told him you were, a good bairn, Alan, and had no will and
+pleasure in these matters but mine.'
+
+What could I say, Darsie, in answer to this arrangement, so very well
+meant--so very vexatious at the same time? To imitate the defection and
+flight of young Dumtoustie, was at once to destroy my father's hopes
+of me for ever; nay, such is the keenness with which he regards all
+connected with his profession, it might have been a step to breaking
+his heart. I was obliged, therefore, to bow in sad acquiescence, when my
+father called to James Wilkinson to bring the two bits of pokes he would
+find on his table.
+
+Exit James, and presently re-enters, bending under the load of two huge
+leathern bags, full of papers to the brim, and labelled on the greasy
+backs with the magic impress of the clerks of court, and the title,
+PEEBLES AGAINST PLAINSTANES. This huge mass was deposited on the table,
+and my father, with no ordinary glee in his countenance, began to draw
+out; the various bundles of papers, secured by none of your red tape
+or whipcord, but stout, substantial casts of tarred rope, such as might
+have held small craft at their moorings.
+
+I made a last and desperate effort to get rid of the impending job. 'I
+am really afraid, sir, that this case seems so much complicated, and
+there is so little time to prepare, that we had better move the court to
+supersede it till next session.'
+
+'How, sir?--how, Alan?' said my father--'Would you approbate and
+reprobate, sir? You have accepted the poor man's cause, and if you have
+not his fee in your pocket, it is because he has none to give you; and
+now would you approbate and reprobate in the same breath of your mouth?
+Think of your oath of office, Alan, and your duty to your father, my
+dear boy.'
+
+Once more, what could I say? I saw from my father's hurried and alarmed
+manner, that nothing could vex him so much as failing in the point he
+had determined to carry, and once more intimated my readiness to do my
+best, under every disadvantage.
+
+'Well, well, my boy,' said my father, 'the Lord will make your days long
+in the land, for the honour you have given to your father's grey hairs.
+You may find wiser advisers, Alan, but none that can wish you better.'
+
+My father, you know, does not usually give way to expressions of
+affection, and they are interesting in proportion to their rarity. My
+eyes began to fill at seeing his glisten; and my delight at having given
+him such sensible gratification would have been unmixed but for the
+thoughts of you. These out of the question, I could have grappled with
+the bags, had they been as large as corn-sacks. But, to turn what
+was grave into farce, the door opened, and Wilkinson ushered in Peter
+Peebles.
+
+You must have seen this original, Darsie, who, like others in the same
+predicament, continues to haunt the courts of justice, where he has made
+shipwreck of time, means, and understanding. Such insane paupers have
+sometimes seemed to me to resemble wrecks lying upon the shoals on the
+Goodwin Sands, or in Yarmouth Roads, warning other vessels to keep aloof
+from the banks on which they have been lost; or rather, such ruined
+clients are like scarecrows and potato-bogies, distributed through the
+courts to scare away fools from the scene of litigation.
+
+The identical Peter wears a huge greatcoat threadbare and patched
+itself, yet carefully so disposed and secured by what buttons remain,
+and many supplementary pins, as to conceal the still more infirm state
+of his under garments. The shoes and stockings of a ploughman were,
+however, seen to meet at his knees with a pair of brownish, blackish
+breeches; a rusty-coloured handkerchief, that has been black in its
+day, surrounded his throat, and was an apology for linen. His hair, half
+grey, half black, escaped in elf-locks around a huge wig, made of tow,
+as it seemed to me, and so much shrunk that it stood up on the very top
+of his head; above which he plants, when covered, an immense cocked hat,
+which, like the chieftain's banner in an ancient battle, may be seen
+any sederunt day betwixt nine and ten, high towering above all
+the fluctuating and changeful scene in the Outer House, where his
+eccentricities often make him the centre of a group of petulant and
+teasing boys, who exercise upon him every art of ingenious torture.
+His countenance, originally that of a portly, comely burgess, is now
+emaciated with poverty and anxiety, and rendered wild by an insane
+lightness about the eyes; a withered and blighted skin and complexion;
+features begrimed with snuff, charged with the self-importance peculiar
+to insanity; and a habit of perpetually speaking to himself. Such was
+my unfortunate client; and I must allow, Darsie, that my profession had
+need to do a great deal of good, if, as is much to be feared, it brings
+many individuals to such a pass.
+
+After we had been, with a good deal of form, presented to each other,
+at which time I easily saw by my father's manner that he was desirous of
+supporting Peter's character in my eyes, as much as circumstances would
+permit, 'Alan,' he said, 'this is the gentleman who has agreed to accept
+of you as his counsel, in place of young Dumtoustie.'
+
+'Entirely out of favour to my old acquaintance your father, said Peter.
+with a benign and patronizing countenance, 'out of respect to your
+father, and my old intimacy with Lord Bladderskate. Otherwise, by the
+REGIAM MAJESTATEM! I would have presented a petition and complaint
+against Daniel Dumtoustie, Advocate, by name and surname--I would, by
+all the practiques!--I know the forms of process; and I am not to be
+triffled with.'
+
+My father here interrupted my client, and reminded him that there was a
+good deal of business to do, as he proposed to give the young counsel
+an outline of the state of the conjoined process, with a view to letting
+him into the merits of the cause, disencumbered from the points of form.
+'I have made a short abbreviate, Mr. Peebles,' said he; 'having sat up
+late last night, and employed much of this morning in wading through
+these papers, to save Alan some trouble, and I am now about to state the
+result.'
+
+'I will state it myself,' said Peter, breaking in without reverence upon
+his solicitor.
+
+'No, by no means,' said my father; 'I am your agent for the time.'
+
+'Mine eleventh in number,' said Peter; 'I have a new one every year; I
+wish I could get a new coat as regularly.'
+
+'Your agent for the time,' resumed my father; 'and you, who are
+acquainted with the forms, know that the client states the cause to the
+agent--the agent to the counsel'--
+
+'The counsel to the Lord Ordinary,' continued Peter, once set a-going,
+like the peal of an alarm clock, 'the Ordinary to the Inner House, the
+President to the Bench. It is just like the rope to the man, the man to
+the ox, the ox to the water, the water to the fire'--
+
+'Hush, for Heaven's sake, Mr. Peebles,' said my father, cutting his
+recitation short; 'time wears on--we must get to business--you must
+not interrupt the court, you know.--Hem, hem! From this abbreviate it
+appears'--
+
+'Before you begin,' said Peter Peebles 'I'll thank you to order me a
+morsel of bread and cheese, or some cauld meat, or broth, or the like
+alimentary provision; I was so anxious to see your son, that I could not
+eat a mouthful of dinner.'
+
+Heartily glad, I believe, to have so good a chance of stopping his
+client's mouth effectually, my father ordered some cold meat; to which
+James Wilkinson, for the honour of the house, was about to add the
+brandy bottle, which remained on the sideboard, but, at a wink from my
+father, supplied its place with small beer. Peter charged the provisions
+with the rapacity of a famished lion; and so well did the diversion
+engage him, that though, while my father stated the case, he looked at
+him repeatedly, as if he meant to interrupt his statement, yet he always
+found more agreeable employment for his mouth, and returned to the
+cold beef with an avidity which convinced me he had not had such an
+opportunity for many a day of satiating his appetite. Omitting much
+formal phraseology, and many legal details, I will endeavour to give
+you, in exchange for your fiddler's tale, the history of a litigant, or
+rather, the history of his lawsuit.
+
+'Peter Peebles and Paul Plainstanes,' said my father, entered into
+partnership, in the year--, as mercers and linendrapers, in the
+Luckenbooths, and carried on a great line of business to mutual
+advantage. But the learned counsel needeth not to be told, SOCIETAS EST
+MATER DISCORDIARUM, partnership oft makes pleaship. The company being
+dissolved by mutual consent, in the year--, the affairs had to be wound
+up, and after certain attempts to settle the matter extra-judicially,
+it was at last brought into the court, and has branched out into several
+distinct processes, most of whilk have been conjoined by the Ordinary.
+It is to the state of these processes that counsel's attention is
+particularly directed. There is the original action of Peebles v.
+Plainstanes, convening him for payment of 3000l., less or more, as
+alleged balance due by Plainstanes. Secondly, there is a counter action,
+in which Plainstanes is pursuer and Peebles defender, for 2500l.,
+less or more, being balance alleged per contra, to be due by Peebles.
+Thirdly, Mr. Peeble's seventh agent advised an action of Compt and
+Reckoning at his instance, wherein what balance should prove due on
+either side might be fairly struck and ascertained. Fourthly, to meet
+the hypothetical case, that Peebles might be found liable in a balance
+to Plainstanes, Mr. Wildgoose, Mr. Peebles's eighth agent, recommended a
+Multiplepoinding, to bring all parties concerned into the field.'
+
+My brain was like to turn at this account of lawsuit within lawsuit,
+like a nest of chip-boxes, with all of which I was expected to make
+myself acquainted.
+
+'I understand,' I said, 'that Mr. Peebles claims a sum of money from
+Plainstanes--how then can he be his debtor? and if not his debtor, how
+can he bring a Multiplepoinding, the very summons of which sets forth,
+that the pursuer does owe certain monies, which he is desirous to pay by
+warrant of a judge?' [Multiplepoinding is, I believe, equivalent to what
+is called in England a case of Double Distress.]
+
+'Ye know little of the matter, I doubt, friend,' said Mr. Peebles; 'a
+Multiplepoinding is the safest REMEDIUM JURIS in the whole; form of
+process. I have known it conjoined with a declarator of marriage.--Your
+beef is excellent,' he said to my father, who in vain endeavoured to
+resume his legal disquisition; 'but something highly powdered--and the
+twopenny is undeniable; but it is small swipes--small swipes--more of
+hop than malt-with your leave, I'll try your black bottle.'
+
+My father started to help him with his own hand, and in due measure;
+but, infinitely to my amusement, Peter got possession of the bottle by
+the neck, and my father's ideas of hospitality were far too scrupulous
+to permit his attempting, by any direct means, to redeem it; so that
+Peter returned to the table triumphant, with his prey in his clutch.
+
+'Better have a wine-glass, Mr. Peebles,' said my father, in an
+admonitory tone, 'you will find it pretty strong.'
+
+'If the kirk is ower muckle, we can sing mass in the quire,' said Peter,
+helping himself in the goblet out of which he had been drinking the
+small beer. 'What is it, usquebaugh?--BRANDY, as I am an honest man! I
+had almost forgotten the name and taste of brandy. Mr. Fairford elder,
+your good health' (a mouthful of brandy), 'Mr. Alan Fairford, wishing
+you well through your arduous undertaking' (another go-down of the
+comfortable liquor). 'And now, though you have given a tolerable
+breviate of this great lawsuit, of whilk everybody has heard something
+that has walked the boards in the Outer House (here's to ye again,
+by way of interim decreet) yet ye have omitted to speak a word of the
+arrestments.'
+
+'I was just coming to that point, Mr. Peebles.'
+
+'Or of the action of suspension of the charge on the bill.'
+
+'I was just coming to that.'
+
+'Or the advocation of the Sheriff-Court process.'
+
+'I was just coming to it.'
+
+'As Tweed comes to Melrose, I think,' said the litigant; and then
+filling his goblet about a quarter full of brandy, as if in absence of
+mind, 'Oh, Mr. Alan Fairford, ye are a lucky man to buckle to such a
+cause as mine at the very outset! it is like a specimen of all causes,
+man. By the Regiam, there is not a REMEDIUM JURIS in the practiques
+but ye'll find a spice o't. Here's to your getting weel through with
+it--Pshut--I am drinking naked spirits, I think. But if the heathen he
+ower strong, we'll christen him with the brewer' (here he added a
+little small beer to his beverage, paused, rolled his eyes, winked,
+and proceeded),--'Mr. Fairford--the action of assault and battery,
+Mr. Fairford, when I compelled the villain Plainstanes to pull my
+nose within two steps of King Charles's statue, in the Parliament
+Close--there I had him in a hose-net. Never man could tell me how to
+shape that process--no counsel that ever selled mind could condescend
+and say whether it were best to proceed by way of petition and
+complaint, AD VINDICTAM PUBLICAM, with consent of his Majesty's
+advocate, or by action on the statute for battery PENDENTE LITE, whilk
+would be the winning my plea at once, and so getting a back-door out of
+court.--By the Regiam, that beef and brandy is unco het at my heart--I
+maun try the ale again' (sipped a little beer); 'and the ale's but
+cauld, I maun e'en put in the rest of the brandy.'
+
+He was as good as his word, and proceeded in so loud and animated
+a style of elocution, thumping the table, drinking and snuffing
+alternately, that my father, abandoning all attempts to interrupt him,
+sat silent and ashamed, suffering, and anxious for the conclusion of the
+scene.
+
+'And then to come back to my pet process of all--my battery and assault
+process, when I had the good luck to provoke him to pull my nose at
+the very threshold of the court, whilk was the very thing I wanted--Mr.
+Pest, ye ken him, Daddie Fairford? Old Pest was for making it out
+HAMESUCKEN, for he said the court might be said--said--ugh!--to be my
+dwelling-place. I dwell mair there than ony gate else, and the essence
+of hamesucken is to strike a man in his dwelling-place--mind that, young
+advocate--and so there's hope Plainstanes may be hanged, as many has
+for a less matter; for, my lords,--will Pest say to the Justiciary
+bodies,--my lords, the Parliament House is Peebles' place of
+dwelling, says he--being COMMUNE FORUM, and COMMUNE FORUM EST COMMUNE
+DOMICILIUM--Lass, fetch another glass of and score it--time to gae
+hame--by the practiques, I cannot find the jug--yet there's twa of them,
+I think. By the Regiam, Fairford--Daddie Fairford--lend us twal pennies
+to buy sneeshing, mine is done--Macer, call another cause.'
+
+The box fell from his hands, and his body would at the same time have
+fallen from the chair, had not I supported him.
+
+'This is intolerable,' said my father--'Call a chairman, James
+Wilkinson, to carry this degraded, worthless, drunken beast home.'
+
+When Peter Peebles was removed from this memorable consultation, under
+the care of an able-bodied Celt, my father hastily bundled up the
+papers, as a showman, whose exhibition has miscarried, hastes to remove
+his booth. 'Here are my memoranda, Alan,' he said, in a hurried way;
+'look them carefully over--compare them with the processes, and turn
+it in your head before Tuesday. Many a good speech has been made for a
+beast of a client; and hark ye, lad, hark ye--I never intended to cheat
+you of your fee when all was done, though I would have liked to have
+heard the speech first; but there is nothing like corning the horse
+before the journey. Here are five goud guineas in a silk purse--of your
+poor mother's netting, Alan--she would have been a blithe woman to have
+seen her young son with a gown on his back--but no more of that--be a
+good boy, and to the work like a tiger.'
+
+I did set to work, Darsie; for who could resist such motives? With my
+father's assistance, I have mastered the details, confused as they are;
+and on Tuesday I shall plead as well for Peter Peebles as I could for
+a duke. Indeed, I feel my head so clear on the subject as to be able
+to write this long letter to you; into which, however, Peter and his
+lawsuit have insinuated themselves so far as to show you how much they
+at present occupy my thoughts. Once more, be careful of yourself, and
+mindful of me, who am ever thine, while ALAN FAIRFORD.
+
+From circumstances, to be hereafter mentioned, it was long ere this
+letter reached the person to whom it was addressed.
+
+
+          * * * * *
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+NARRATIVE
+
+The advantage of laying before the reader, in the words of the actors
+themselves, the adventures which we must otherwise have narrated in
+our own, has given great popularity to the publication of epistolary
+correspondence, as practised by various great authors, and by ourselves
+in the preceding chapters. Nevertheless, a genuine correspondence of
+this kind (and Heaven forbid it should be in any respect sophisticated
+by interpolations of our own!) can seldom be found to contain all in
+which it is necessary to instruct the reader for his full comprehension
+of the story. Also it must often happen that various prolixities and
+redundancies occur in the course of an interchange of letters, which
+must hang as a dead weight on the progress of the narrative. To avoid
+this dilemma, some biographers have used the letters of the personages
+concerned, or liberal extracts from them, to describe particular
+incidents, or express the sentiments which they entertained; while they
+connect them occasionally with such portions of narrative, as may serve
+to carry on the thread of the story.
+
+It is thus that the adventurous travellers who explore the summit of
+Mont Blanc now move on through the crumbling snowdrift so slowly, that
+their progress is almost imperceptible, and anon abridge their journey
+by springing over the intervening chasms which cross their path, with
+the assistance of their pilgrim-staves. Or, to make a briefer simile,
+the course of story-telling which we have for the present adopted,
+resembles the original discipline of the dragoons, who were trained to
+serve either on foot or horseback, as the emergencies of the service
+required. With this explanation, we shall proceed to narrate some
+circumstances which Alan Fairford did not, and could not, write to his
+correspondent.
+
+Our reader, we trust, has formed somewhat approaching to a distinct
+idea of the principal characters who have appeared before him during
+our narrative; but in case our good opinion of his sagacity has been
+exaggerated, and in order to satisfy such as are addicted to the
+laudable practice of SKIPPING (with whom we have at times a strong
+fellow-feeling), the following particulars may not be superfluous.
+
+Mr. Saunders Fairford, as he was usually called, was a man of business
+of the old school, moderate in his charges, economical and even
+niggardly in his expenditure, strictly honest in conducting his own
+affairs and those of his clients, but taught by long experience to be
+wary and suspicious in observing the motions of others. Punctual as the
+clock of Saint Giles tolled nine, the neat dapper form of the little
+hale old gentleman was seen at the threshold of the court hall, or at
+farthest, at the head of the Back Stairs, trimly dressed in a complete
+suit of snuff-coloured brown, with stockings of silk or woollen as,
+suited the weather; a bob-wig, and a small cocked hat; shoes blacked
+as Warren would have blacked them; silver shoe-buckles, and a gold
+stock-buckle. A nosegay in summer, and a sprig of holly in winter,
+completed his well-known dress and appearance. His manners corresponded
+with his attire, for they were scrupulously civil, and not a little
+formal. He was an elder of the kirk, and, of course, zealous for King
+George and the Government even to slaying, as he had showed by taking
+up arms in their cause. But then, as he had clients and connexions
+of business among families of opposite political tenets, he was
+particularly cautious to use all the conventional phrases which the
+civility of the time had devised, as an admissible mode of language
+betwixt the two parties. Thus he spoke sometimes of the Chevalier, but
+never either of the Prince, which would have been sacrificing his own
+principles, or of the Pretender, which would have been offensive to
+those of others. Again, he usually designated the Rebellion as the
+AFFAIR of 1745, and spoke of any one engaged in it as a person who had
+been OUT at a certain period. [OLD-FASHIONED SCOTTISH CIVILITY.--Such
+were literally the points of politeness observed in general society
+during the author's youth, where it was by no means unusual in a company
+assembled by chance, to find individuals who had borne arms on one
+side or other in the civil broils of 1745. Nothing, according to my
+recollection, could be more gentle and decorous than the respect
+these old enemies paid to each other's prejudices. But in this I speak
+generally. I have witnessed one or two explosions.] So that, on the
+whole, Mr. Fairford was a man much liked and respected on all sides,
+though his friends would not have been sorry if he had given a dinner
+more frequently, as his little cellar contained some choice old wine, of
+which, on such rare occasions he was no niggard.
+
+The whole pleasure of this good old-fashioned man of method, besides
+that which he really felt in the discharge of his daily business, was
+the hope to see his son Alan, the only fruit of a union which death
+early dissolved, attain what in the father's eyes was the proudest of
+all distinctions--the rank and fame of a well-employed lawyer.
+
+Every profession has its peculiar honours, and Mr. Fairford's mind was
+constructed upon so limited and exclusive a plan, that he valued nothing
+save the objects of ambition which his own presented. He would have
+shuddered at Alan's acquiring the renown of a hero, and laughed with
+scorn at the equally barren laurels of literature; it was by the path of
+the law alone that he was desirous to see him rise to eminence, and
+the probabilities of success or disappointment were the thoughts of his
+father by day, and his dream by night.
+
+The disposition of Alan Fairford, as well as his talents, were such as
+to encourage his father's expectations. He had acuteness of intellect,
+joined to habits of long and patient study, improved no doubt by the
+discipline of his father's house; to which, generally speaking, he
+conformed with the utmost docility, expressing no wish for greater or
+more frequent relaxation than consisted with his father's anxious and
+severe restrictions. When he did indulge in any juvenile frolics, his
+father had the candour to lay the whole blame upon his more mercurial
+companion, Darsie Latimer.
+
+This youth, as the reader must be aware, had been received as an inmate
+into the family of Mr. Fairford, senior, at a time when some of the
+delicacy of constitution which had abridged the life of his consort
+began to show itself in the son, and when the father was, of course,
+peculiarly disposed to indulge his slightest wish. That the young
+Englishman was able to pay a considerable board, was a matter of no
+importance to Mr. Fairford; it was enough that his presence seemed to
+make his son cheerful and happy. He was compelled to allow that 'Darsie
+was a fine lad, though unsettled,' and he would have had some difficulty
+in getting rid of him, and the apprehensions which his levities excited,
+had it not been for the voluntary excursion which gave rise to the
+preceding correspondence, and in which Mr. Fairford secretly rejoiced,
+as affording the means of separating Alan from his gay companion, at
+least until he should have assumed, and become accustomed to, the duties
+of his dry and laborious profession.
+
+But the absence of Darsie was far from promoting the end which the elder
+Mr. Fairford had expected and desired. The young men were united by the
+closest bonds of intimacy; and the more so, that neither of them sought
+nor desired to admit any others into their society. Alan Fairford was
+averse to general company, from a disposition naturally reserved,
+and Darsie Latimer from a painful sense of his own unknown origin,
+peculiarly afflicting in a country where high and low are professed
+genealogists. The young men were all in all to each other; it is no
+wonder, therefore, that their separation was painful, and that its
+effects upon Alan Fairford, joined to the anxiety occasioned by the
+tenor of his friend's letters, greatly exceeded what the senior had
+anticipated. The young man went through his usual duties, his studies,
+and the examinations to which he was subjected, but with nothing like
+the zeal and assiduity which he had formerly displayed; and his anxious
+and observant father saw but too plainly that his heart was with his
+absent comrade.
+
+A philosopher would have given way to this tide of feeling, in hopes to
+have diminished its excess, and permitted the youths to have been
+some time together, that their intimacy might have been broken off by
+degrees; but Mr. Fairford only saw the more direct mode of continued
+restraint, which, however, he was desirous of veiling under some
+plausible pretext. In the anxiety which he felt on this occasion, he had
+held communication with an old acquaintance, Peter Drudgeit, with whom
+the reader is partly acquainted. 'Alan,' he said, 'was ance wud, and
+ay waur; and he was expecting every moment when he would start off in a
+wildgoose-chase after the callant Latimer; Will Sampson, the horse-hirer
+in Candlemaker Row, had given him a hint that Alan had been looking for
+a good hack, to go to the country for a few days. And then to oppose
+him downright--he could not but think on the way his poor mother was
+removed. Would to Heaven he was yoked to some tight piece of business,
+no matter whether well or ill paid, but some job that would hamshackle
+him at least until the courts rose, if it were but for decency's sake.'
+
+Peter Drudgeit sympathized, for Peter had a son, who, reason or none,
+would needs exchange the torn and inky fustian sleeves for the blue
+jacket and white lapelle; and he suggested, as the reader knows, the
+engaging our friend Alan in the matter of Poor Peter Peebles, just
+opened by the desertion of young Dumtoustie, whose defection would be at
+the same time concealed; and this, Drudgeit said, 'would be felling two
+dogs with one stone.'
+
+With these explanations, the reader will hold a man of the elder
+Fairford's sense and experience free from the hazardous and impatient
+curiosity with which boys fling a puppy into a deep pond, merely to see
+if the creature can swim. However confident in his son's talents, which
+were really considerable, he would have been very sorry to have involved
+him in the duty of pleading a complicated and difficult case, upon
+his very first appearance at the bar, had he not resorted to it as an
+effectual way to prevent the young man from taking a step which his
+habits of thinking represented as a most fatal one at his outset of
+life.
+
+Betwixt two evils, Mr. Fairford chose that which was in his own
+apprehension the least; and, like a brave officer sending forth his son
+to battle, rather chose he should die upon the breach, than desert the
+conflict with dishonour. Neither did he leave him to his own unassisted
+energies. Like Alpheus preceding Hercules, he himself encountered the
+Augean mass of Peter Peebles' law-matters. It was to the old man a
+labour of love to place in a clear and undistorted view the real merits
+of this case, which the carelessness and blunders of Peter's former
+solicitors had converted into a huge chaotic mass of unintelligible
+technicality; and such was his skill and industry, that he was
+able, after the severe toil of two or three days, to present to the
+consideration of the young counsel the principal facts of the case, in
+a light equally simple and comprehensible. With the assistance of a
+solicitor so affectionate and indefatigable, Alan Fairford was enabled,
+then the day of trial arrived, to walk towards the court, attended by
+his anxious yet encouraging parent, with some degree of confidence that
+he would lose no reputation upon this arduous occasion.
+
+They were met at the door of the court by Poor Peter Peebles in his
+usual plenitude of wig and celsitude of hat. He seized on the young
+pleader like a lion on his prey. 'How is a' wi' you, Mr. Alan--how is
+a' wi' you, man? The awfu' day is come at last--a day that will be lang
+minded in this house. Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes--conjoined
+proceases--Hearing in presence--stands for the Short Roll for this
+day--I have not been able to sleep for a week for thinking of it, and, I
+dare to say, neither has the Lord President himsell--for such a cause!!
+But your father garr'd me tak a wee drap ower muckle of his pint bottle
+the other night; it's no right to mix brandy wi' business, Mr. Fairford.
+I would have been the waur o' liquor if I would have drank as muckle as
+you twa would have had me. But there's a time for a' things, and if
+ye will dine with me after the case is heard, or whilk is the same, or
+maybe better, I'LL gang my ways hame wi' YOU, and I winna object to a
+cheerfu' glass, within the bounds of moderation.'
+
+Old Fairford shrugged his shoulders and hurried past the client, saw
+his son wrapped in the sable bombazine, which, in his eyes, was more
+venerable than an archbishop's lawn, and could not help fondly patting
+his shoulder, and whispering to him to take courage, and show he was
+worthy to wear it. The party entered the Outer Hall of the court, (once
+the place of meeting of the ancient Scottish Parliament), and which
+corresponds to the use of Westminster Hall in England, serving as a
+vestibule to the Inner House, as it is termed, and a place of dominion
+to certain sedentary personages called Lords Ordinary.
+
+The earlier part of the morning was spent by old Fairford in reiterating
+his instructions to Alan, and in running from one person to another,
+from whom he thought he could still glean some grains of information,
+either concerning the point at issue, or collateral cases. Meantime,
+Poor Peter Peebles, whose shallow brain was altogether unable to bear
+the importance of the moment, kept as close to his young counsel as
+shadow to substance, affected now to speak loud, now to whisper in his
+ear, now to deck his ghastly countenance with wreathed smiles, now to
+cloud it with a shade of deep and solemn importance, and anon to contort
+it with the sneer of scorn and derision. These moods of the client's
+mind were accompanied with singular 'mockings and mowings,' fantastic
+gestures, which the man of rags and litigation deemed appropriate to his
+changes of countenance. Now he brandished his arm aloft, now thrust his
+fist straight out, as if to knock his opponent down. Now he laid his
+open palm on his bosom, and now hinging it abroad, he gallantly snapped
+his fingers in the air.
+
+These demonstrations, and the obvious shame and embarrassment of Alan
+Fairford, did not escape the observation of the juvenile idlers in the
+hall. They did not, indeed, approach Peter with their usual familiarity,
+from some feeling of deference towards Fairford, though many accused
+him of conceit in presuming to undertake, at this early stage of his
+practice, a case of considerable difficulty. But Alan, notwithstanding
+this forbearance, was not the less sensible that he and his companion
+were the subjects of many a passing jest, and many a shout of laughter,
+with which that region at all times abounds.
+
+At length the young counsel's patience gave way, and as it threatened to
+carry his presence of mind and recollection along with it, Alan frankly
+told his father, that unless he was relieved from the infliction of his
+client's personal presence and instructions, he must necessarily throw
+up his brief, and decline pleading the case.
+
+'Hush, hush, my dear Alan,' said the old gentleman, almost at his
+own wit's end upon hearing this dilemma; 'dinna mind the silly
+ne'er-do-weel; we cannot keep the man from hearing his own cause, though
+he be not quite right in the head.'
+
+'On my life, sir,' answered Alan, 'I shall be unable to go on, he drives
+everything out of my remembrance; and if I attempt to speak seriously of
+the injuries he has sustained, and the condition he is reduced to, how
+can I expect but that the very appearance of such an absurd scarecrow
+will turn it all into ridicule?'
+
+'There is something in that,' said Saunders Fairford, glancing a look
+at Poor Peter, and then cautiously inserting his forefinger under his
+bob-wig, in order to rub his temple and aid his invention; 'he is no
+figure for the fore-bar to see without laughing; but how to get rid
+of him? To speak sense, or anything like it, is the last thing he will
+listen to. Stay, aye,--Alan, my darling, hae patience; I'll get him off
+on the instant, like a gowff ba'.'
+
+So saying, he hastened to his ally, Peter Drudgeit, who on seeing him
+with marks of haste in his gait, and care upon his countenance, clapped
+his pen behind his ear, with 'What's the stir now, Mr. Saunders? Is
+there aught wrang?'
+
+'Here's a dollar, man,' said Mr. Saunders; 'now, or never, Peter, do me
+a good turn. Yonder's your namesake, Peter Peebles, will drive the swine
+through our bonny hanks of yarn; get him over to John's Coffeehouse,
+man--gie him his meridian--keep him there, drunk or sober, till the
+hearing is ower.' [The simile is obvious, from the old manufacture of
+Scotland, when the gudewife's thrift, as the yarn wrought in the winter
+was called, when laid down to bleach by the burn-side, was peculiarly
+exposed to the inroads of pigs, seldom well regulated about a Scottish
+farm-house.]
+
+'Eneugh said,' quoth Peter Drudgeit, no way displeased with his own
+share in the service required, 'We'se do your bidding.'
+
+Accordingly, the scribe was presently seen whispering in the ear of
+Peter Peebles, whose response came forth in the following broken form:--
+
+'Leave the court for ae minute on this great day of judgement? not I, by
+the Reg--Eh! what? Brandy, did ye say--French brandy?--couldna ye fetch
+a stoup to the bar under your coat, man? Impossible? Nay, if it's clean
+impossible, and if we have an hour good till they get through the single
+bill and the summar-roll, I carena if I cross the close wi' you; I am
+sure I need something to keep my heart up this awful day; but I'll no
+stay above an instant--not above a minute of time--nor drink aboon a
+single gill,'
+
+In a few minutes afterwards, the two Peters were seen moving through the
+Parliament Close (which new-fangled affectation has termed a Square),
+the triumphant Drudgeit leading captive the passive Peebles, whose legs
+conducted him towards the dramshop, while his reverted eyes were
+fixed upon the court. They dived into the Cimmerian abysses of John's
+Coffeehouse, [See Note 5.] formerly the favourite rendezvous of the
+classical and genial Doctor Pitcairn, and were for the present seen no
+more.
+
+Relieved from his tormentor, Alan Fairford had time to rally his
+recollections, which, in the irritation of his spirits, had nearly
+escaped him, and to prepare himself far a task, the successful discharge
+or failure in which must, he was aware, have the deepest influence upon
+his fortunes. He had pride, was not without a consciousness of talent,
+and the sense of his father's feelings upon the subject impelled him to
+the utmost exertion. Above all, he had that sort of self-command
+which is essential to success in every arduous undertaking, and he was
+constitutionally free from that feverish irritability by which
+those whose over-active imaginations exaggerate difficulties, render
+themselves incapable of encountering such when they arrive.
+
+Having collected all the scattered and broken associations which were
+necessary, Alan's thoughts reverted to Dumfriesshire, and the precarious
+situation in which he feared his beloved friend had placed himself; and
+once and again he consulted his watch, eager to have his present task
+commenced and ended, that he might hasten to Darsie's assistance. The
+hour and moment at length arrived. The macer shouted, with all his
+well-remembered brazen strength of lungs, 'Poor Peter Peebles VERSUS
+Plainstanes, PER Dumtoustie ET Tough!--Maister Da-a-niel Dumtoustie!'
+Dumtoustie answered not the summons, which, deep and swelling as it was,
+could not reach across the Queensferry; but our Maister Alan Fairford
+appeared in his place.
+
+The court was very much crowded; for much amusement had been received
+on former occasions when Peter had volunteered his own oratory, and
+had been completely successful in routing the gravity of the whole
+procedure, and putting to silence, not indeed the counsel of the
+opposite party, but his own.
+
+Both bench and audience seemed considerably surprised at the juvenile
+appearance of the young man who appeared in the room of Dumtoustie, for
+the purpose of opening this complicated and long depending process, and
+the common herd were disappointed at the absence of Peter the client,
+the Punchinello of the expected entertainment. The judges looked with
+a very favourable countenance on our friend Alan, most of them being
+acquainted, more or less, with so old a practitioner as his father, and
+all, or almost all, affording, from civility, the same fair play to the
+first pleading of a counsel, which the House of Commons yields to the
+maiden speech of one of its members.
+
+Lord Bladderskate was an exception to this general expression of
+benevolence. He scowled upon Alan, from beneath his large, shaggy, grey
+eyebrows, just as if the young lawyer had been usurping his nephew's
+honours, instead of covering his disgrace; and, from feelings which did
+his lordship little honour, he privately hoped the young man would not
+succeed in the cause which his kinsman had abandoned.
+
+Even Lord Bladderskate, however, was, in spite of himself, pleased with
+the judicious and modest tone in which Alan began his address to the
+court, apologizing for his own presumption, and excusing it by the
+sudden illness of his learned brother, for whom the labour of opening
+a cause of some difficulty and importance had been much more worthily
+designed. He spoke of himself as he really was, and of young Dumtoustie
+as what he ought to have been, taking care not to dwell on either topic
+a moment longer than was necessary. The old judge's looks became benign;
+his family pride was propitiated, and, pleased equally with the modesty
+and civility of the young man whom he had thought forward and officious,
+he relaxed the scorn of his features into an expression of profound
+attention; the highest compliment, and the greatest encouragement, which
+a judge can render to the counsel addressing him.
+
+Having succeeded in securing the favourable attention of the court,
+the young lawyer, using the lights which his father's experience and
+knowledge of business had afforded him, proceeded with an address and
+clearness, unexpected from one of his years, to remove from the case
+itself those complicated formalities with which it had been loaded, as a
+surgeon strips from a wound the dressings which had been hastily wrapped
+round it, in order to proceed to his cure SECUNDUM ARTEM. Developed of
+the cumbrous and complicated technicalities of litigation, with which
+the perverse obstinacy of the client, the inconsiderate haste or
+ignorance of his agents, and the evasions of a subtle adversary, had
+invested the process, the cause of Poor Peter Peebles, standing upon
+its simple merits, was no bad subject for the declamation of a young
+counsel, nor did our friend Alan fail to avail himself of its strong
+points.
+
+He exhibited his client as a simple-hearted, honest, well-meaning
+man, who, during a copartnership of twelve years, had gradually become
+impoverished, while his partner (his former clerk) having no funds but
+his share of the same business, into which he had been admitted without
+any advance of stock, had become gradually more and more wealthy.
+
+'Their association,' said Alan, and the little flight was received
+with some applause, 'resembled the ancient story of the fruit which was
+carved with a knife poisoned on one side of the blade only, so that
+the individual to whom the envenomed portion was served, drew decay and
+death from what afforded savour and sustenance to the consumer of the
+other moiety.' He then plunged boldly into the MARE MAGNUM of accompts
+between the parties; he pursued each false statement from the waste-book
+to the day-book, from the day-book to the bill-book, from the bill-book
+to the ledger; placed the artful interpolations and insertions of the
+fallacious Plainstanes in array against each other, and against the
+fact; and availing himself to the utmost of his father's previous
+labours, and his own knowledge of accompts, in which he had been
+sedulously trained, he laid before the court a clear and intelligible
+statement of the affairs of the copartnery, showing, with precision,
+that a large balance must, at the dissolution, have been due to his
+client, sufficient to have enabled him to have carried on business on
+his own account, and thus to have retained his situation in society as
+an independent and industrious tradesman. 'But instead of this justice
+being voluntarily rendered by the former clerk to his former master,--by
+the party obliged to his benefactor,--by one honest man to another,--his
+wretched client had been compelled to follow his quondam clerk, his
+present debtor, from court to court; had found his just claims met with
+well-invented but unfounded counter-claims, had seen his party shift
+his character of pursuer or defender, as often as Harlequin effects his
+transformations, till, in a chase so varied and so long, the unhappy
+litigant had lost substance, reputation, and almost the use of reason
+itself, and came before their lordships an object of thoughtless
+derision to the unreflecting, of compassion to the better-hearted, and
+of awful meditation to every one who considered that, in a country where
+excellent laws were administered by upright and incorruptible judges, a
+man might pursue an almost indisputable claim through all the mazes of
+litigation; lose fortune, reputation, and reason itself in the chase,
+and now come before the supreme court of his country in the wretched
+condition of his unhappy client, a victim to protracted justice, and to
+that hope delayed which sickens the heart.'
+
+The force of this appeal to feeling made as much impression on the Bench
+as had been previously effected by the clearness of Alan's argument.
+The absurd form of Peter himself, with his tow-wig, was fortunately not
+present to excite any ludicrous emotion, and the pause that took place
+when the young lawyer had concluded his speech, was followed by a murmur
+of approbation, which the ears of his father drank in as the sweetest
+sounds that had ever entered them. Many a hand of gratulation was thrust
+out to his grasp, trembling as it was with anxiety, and finally with
+delight; his voice faltering as he replied, 'Aye, aye, I kend Alan was
+the lad to make a spoon or spoil a horn.' [Said of an adventurous gipsy,
+who resolves at all risks to convert a sheep's horn into a spoon.]
+
+The counsel on the other side arose, an old practitioner, who had noted
+too closely the impression made by Alan's pleading not to fear the
+consequences of an immediate decision. He paid the highest compliments
+to his very young brother--'the Benjamin, as he would presume to call
+him, of the learned Faculty--said the alleged hardships of Mr.
+Peebles were compensated by his being placed in a situation where
+the benevolence of their lordships had assigned him gratuitously such
+assistance as he might not otherwise have obtained at a high price--and
+allowed his young brother had put many things in such a new point of
+view, that, although he was quite certain of his ability to refute them,
+he was honestly desirous of having a few hours to arrange his answer,
+in order to be able to follow Mr. Fairford from point to point. He
+had further to observe, there was one point of the case to which
+his brother, whose attention had been otherwise so wonderfully
+comprehensive, had not given the consideration which he expected; it was
+founded on the interpretation of certain correspondence which had passed
+betwixt the parties soon after the dissolution of the copartnery.'
+
+The court having heard Mr. Tough, readily allowed him two days for
+preparing himself, hinting at the same time that he might find his task
+difficult, and affording the young counsel, with high encomiums upon the
+mode in which he had acquitted himself, the choice of speaking,
+either now or at the next calling of the cause, upon the point which
+Plainstanes's lawyer had adverted to.
+
+Alan modestly apologized for what in fact had been an omission very
+pardonable in so complicated a case, and professed himself instantly
+ready to go through that correspondence, and prove that it was in
+form and substance exactly applicable to the view of the case he had
+submitted to their lordships. He applied to his father, who sat behind
+him, to hand him, from time to time, the letters, in the order in which
+he meant to read and comment upon them.
+
+Old Counsellor Tough had probably formed an ingenious enough scheme to
+blunt the effect of the young lawyer's reasoning, by thus obliging him
+to follow up a process of reasoning, clear and complete in itself, by
+a hasty and extemporary appendix. If so, he seemed likely to be
+disappointed; for Alan was well prepared on this as on other parts of
+the cause, and recommenced his pleading with a degree of animation which
+added force even to what he had formerly stated, and might perhaps have
+occasioned the old gentleman to regret his having again called him up,
+when his father, as he handed him the letters, put one into his hand
+which produced a singular effect on the pleader.
+
+At the first glance, he saw that the paper had no reference to the
+affairs of Peter Peebles; but the first glance also showed him, what,
+even at that time, and in that presence, he could not help reading; and
+which, being read, seemed totally to disconcert his ideas. He stopped
+short in his harangue--gazed on the paper with a look of surprise and
+horror-uttered an exclamation, and flinging down the brief which he had
+in his hand, hurried out of court without returning a single word of
+answer to the various questions, 'What was the matter?'--'Was he taken
+unwell?'--'Should not a chair be called?' &c. &c. &c.
+
+The elder Mr. Fairford, who remained seated, and looking as senseless as
+if he had been made of stone, was at length recalled to himself by the
+anxious inquiries of the judges and the counsel after his son's health.
+He then rose with an air, in which was mingled the deep habitual
+reverence in which he held the court, with some internal cause of
+agitation, and with difficulty mentioned something of a mistake--a piece
+of bad news--Alan, he hoped would be well enough to-morrow. But unable
+to proceed further, he clasped his hands together, exclaiming, 'My son!
+my son!' and left the court hastily, as if in pursuit of him.
+
+'What's the matter with the auld bitch next?' [Tradition ascribes this
+whimsical style of language to the ingenious and philosophical Lord
+Kaimes.] said an acute metaphysical judge, though somewhat coarse in
+his manners, aside to his brethren. 'This is a daft cause,
+Bladderskate--first, it drives the poor man mad that aught it--then your
+nevoy goes daft with fright, and flies the pit--then this smart young
+hopeful is aff the hooks with too hard study, I fancy--and now auld
+Saunders Fairford is as lunatic as the best of them. What say ye till't,
+ye bitch?'
+
+'Nothing, my lord,' answered Bladderskate, much too formal to admire the
+levities in which his philosophical brother sometimes indulged--'I say
+nothing, but pray to Heaven to keep our own wits.'
+
+'Amen, amen,' answered his learned brother; 'for some of us have but few
+to spare.'
+
+The court then arose, and the audience departed, greatly wondering at
+the talent displayed by Alan Fairford at his first appearance in a case
+so difficult and so complicated, and assigning a hundred conjectural
+causes, each different from the others, for the singular interruption
+which had clouded his day of success. The worst of the whole was, that
+six agents, who had each come to the separate resolution of thrusting a
+retaining fee into Alan's hand as he left the court, shook their heads
+as they returned the money into their leathern pouches, and said, 'that
+the lad was clever, but they would like to see more of him before they
+engaged him in the way of business--they did not like his lowping away
+like a flea in a blanket.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Had our friend Alexander Fairford known the consequences of his son's
+abrupt retreat from the court, which are mentioned in the end of the
+last chapter, it might have accomplished the prediction of the lively
+old judge, and driven him utterly distracted. As it was, he was
+miserable enough. His son had risen ten degrees higher in his estimation
+than ever by his display of juridical talents, which seemed to assure
+him that the applause of the judges and professors of the law, which, in
+his estimation, was worth that of all mankind besides, authorized to
+the fullest extent the advantageous estimate which even his parental
+partiality had been induced to form of Alan's powers. On the other hand,
+he felt that he was himself a little humbled, from a disguise which he
+had practised towards this son of his hopes and wishes.
+
+The truth was, that on the morning of this eventful day, Mr. Alexander
+Fairford had received from his correspondent and friend, Provost Crosbie
+of Dumfries, a letter of the following tenor:
+
+'DEAR SIR, 'Your respected favour of 25th ultimo, per favour of
+Mr. Darsie Latimer, reached me in safety, and I showed to the young
+gentleman such attention as he was pleased to accept of. The object of
+my present writing is twofold. First, the council are of opinion that
+you should now begin to stir in the thirlage cause; and they think they
+will be able, from evidence NOVITER REPERTUM, to enable you to amend
+your condescendence upon the use and wont of the burgh, touching
+the GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA. So you will please consider yourself as
+authorized to speak to Mr. Pest, and lay before him the papers which you
+will receive by the coach. The council think that a fee of two guineas
+may be sufficient on this occasion, as Mr. Pest had three for drawing
+the original condescendence.
+
+'I take the opportunity of adding that there has been a great riot among
+the Solway fishermen, who have destroyed, in a masterful manner,
+the stake-nets set up near the mouth of this river; and have besides
+attacked the house of Quaker Geddes, one of the principal partners of
+the Tide-net Fishing Company, and done a great deal of damage. Am sorry
+to add, young Mr. Latimer was in the fray and has not since been heard
+of. Murder is spoke of, but that may be a word of course. As the young
+gentleman has behaved rather oddly while in these parts, as in declining
+to dine with me more than once, and going about the country with
+strolling fiddlers and such-like, I rather hope that his present absence
+is only occasioned by a frolic; but as his servant has been making
+inquiries of me respecting his master, I thought it best to acquaint
+you in course of post. I have only to add that our sheriff has taken
+a precognition, and committed one or two of the rioters. If I can be
+useful in this matter, either by advertising for Mr. Latimer as
+missing, publishing a reward, or otherwise, I will obey your respected
+instructions, being your most obedient to command, 'WILLIAM CROSBIE.'
+
+When Mr. Fairford received this letter, and had read it to an end,' his
+first idea was to communicate it to his son, that an express might be
+instantly dispatched, or a king's messenger sent with proper authority
+to search after his late guest.
+
+The habits of the fishers were rude; as he well knew, though not
+absolutely sanguinary or ferocious; and there had been instances of
+their transporting persons who had interfered in their smuggling trade
+to the Isle of Man and elsewhere, and keeping them under restraint for
+many weeks. On this account, Mr. Fairford was naturally led to
+feel anxiety concerning the fate of his late inmate; and, at a less
+interesting moment, would certainly have set out himself, or licensed
+his son to go in pursuit of his friend.
+
+But, alas! he was both a father and an agent. In the one capacity, he
+looked on his son as dearer to him than all the world besides; in the
+other, the lawsuit which he conducted was to him like an infant to its
+nurse, and the case of Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes was, he
+saw, adjourned, perhaps SINE DIE, should this document reach the hands
+of his son. The mutual and enthusiastical affection betwixt the young
+men was well known to him; and he concluded that if the precarious state
+of Latimer were made known to Alan Fairford, it would render him not
+only unwilling, but totally unfit, to discharge the duty of the day to
+which the old gentleman attached such ideas of importance.
+
+On mature reflection, therefore, he resolved, though not without
+some feelings of compunction, to delay communicating to his son the
+disagreeable intelligence which he had received, until the business of
+the day should be ended. The delay, he persuaded himself, could be of
+little consequence to Darsie Latimer, whose folly, he dared to say, had
+led him into some scrape which would meet an appropriate punishment in
+some accidental restraint, which would be thus prolonged for only a few
+hours longer. Besides, he would have time to speak to the sheriff of the
+county--perhaps to the King's Advocate--and set about the matter in
+a regular manner, or, as he termed it, as summing up the duties of
+a solicitor, to AGE AS ACCORDS. [A Scots law phrase, of no very
+determinate import, meaning, generally, to do what is fitting.]
+
+The scheme, as we have seen, was partially successful, and was only
+ultimately defeated, as he confessed to himself with shame, by his own
+very unbusiness-like mistake of shuffling the provost's letter, in the
+hurry and anxiety of the morning, among some papers belonging to Peter
+Peebles's affairs, and then handing it to his son, without observing
+the blunder. He used to protest, even till the day of his death, that he
+never had been guilty of such an inaccuracy as giving a paper out of his
+hand without looking at the docketing, except on that unhappy occasion,
+when, of all others, he had such particular reason to regret his
+negligence.
+
+Disturbed by these reflections, the old gentleman had, for the first
+time in his life, some disinclination, arising from shame and vexation,
+to face his own son; so that to protract for a little the meeting,
+which he feared would be a painful one, he went to wait upon the
+sheriff-depute, who he found had set off for Dumfries in great haste to
+superintend in person the investigation which had been set on foot by
+his substitute. This gentleman's clerk could say little on the subject
+of the riot, excepting that it had been serious, much damage done to
+property, and some personal violence offered to individuals; but, as far
+as he had yet heard, no lives lost on the spot.
+
+Mr. Fairford was compelled to return home with this intelligence; and
+on inquiring at James Wilkinson where his son was, received for answer,
+that 'Maister Alan was in his own room, and very busy.'
+
+'We must have our explanation over,' said Saunders Fairford to himself.
+'Better a finger off, as ay wagging;' and going to the door of his son's
+apartment, he knocked at first gently--then more loudly--but received
+no answer. Somewhat alarmed at this silence, he opened the door of the
+chamber it was empty--clothes lay mixed in confusion with the law-books
+and papers, as if the inmate had been engaged in hastily packing for a
+journey. As Mr. Fairford looked around in alarm, his eye was arrested
+by a sealed letter lying upon his son's writing-table, and addressed to
+himself. It contained the following words:--
+
+'MY DEAREST FATHER, 'You will not, I trust, be surprised, nor perhaps
+very much displeased, to learn that I am on my way to Dumfriesshire, to
+learn, by my own personal investigation, the present state of my dear
+friend, and afford him such relief as may be in my power, and which, I
+trust, will be effectual. I do not presume to reflect upon you, dearest
+sir, for concealing from me information of so much consequence to my
+peace of mind and happiness; but I hope your having done so will be, if
+not an excuse, at least some mitigation of my present offence, in taking
+a step of consequence without consulting your pleasure; and, I must
+further own, under circumstances which perhaps might lead to your
+disapprobation of my purpose. I can only say, in further apology, that
+if anything unhappy, which Heaven forbid! shall have occurred to the
+person who, next to yourself, is dearest to me in this world, I shall
+have on my heart, as a subject of eternal regret, that being in a
+certain degree warned of his danger and furnished with the means
+of obviating it, I did not instantly hasten to his assistance, but
+preferred giving my attention to the business of this unlucky morning.
+No view of personal distinction, nothing, indeed, short of your earnest
+and often expressed wishes, could have detained me in town till this
+day; and having made this sacrifice to filial duty, I trust you will
+hold me excused if I now obey the calls of friendship and humanity. Do
+not be in the least anxious on my account; I shall know, I trust, how
+to conduct myself with due caution in any emergence which may occur,
+otherwise my legal studies for so many years have been to little
+purpose. I am fully provided with money, and also with arms, in case of
+need; but you may rely on my prudence in avoiding all occasions of using
+the latter, short of the last necessity. God almighty bless you, my
+dearest father! and grant that you may forgive the first, and, I trust,
+the last act approaching towards premeditated disobedience, of which I
+either have now, or shall hereafter have, to accuse myself. I remain,
+till death, your dutiful and affectionate son, ALAN FAIRFORD.'
+
+'PS.--I shall write with the utmost regularity, acquainting you with my
+motions, and requesting your advice. I trust my stay will be very short,
+and I think it possible that I may bring back Darsie along with me.'
+
+'The paper dropped from the old man's hand when he was thus assured
+of the misfortune which he apprehended. His first idea was to get a
+postchaise and pursue the fugitive; but he recollected that, upon the
+very rare occasions when Alan had shown himself indocile to the PATRIA
+POTESTAS, his natural ease and gentleness of disposition seemed hardened
+into obstinacy, and that now, entitled, as arrived at the years of
+majority and a member of the learned faculty, to direct his own motions,
+there was great doubt, whether, in the event of his overtaking his son,
+he might be able to prevail upon him to return back. In such a risk of
+failure he thought it wiser to desist from his purpose, especially as
+even his success in such a pursuit would give a ridiculous ECLAT to the
+whole affair, which could not be otherwise than prejudicial to his son's
+rising character.
+
+Bitter, however, were Saunders Fairford's reflections, as again
+picking up the fatal scroll, he threw himself into his son's leathern
+easy-chair, and bestowed upon it a disjointed commentary, 'Bring back
+Darsie? little doubt of that--the bad shilling is sure enough to come
+back again. I wish Darsie no worse ill than that he were carried where
+the silly fool, Alan, should never see him again. It was an ill hour
+that he darkened my doors in, for, ever since that, Alan has given up
+his ain old-fashioned mother-wit for the tother's capernoited maggots
+and nonsense. Provided with money? you must have more than I know of,
+then, my friend, for I trow I kept you pretty short, for your own good.
+Can he have gotten more fees? or, does he think five guineas has neither
+beginning nor end? Arms! What would he do with arms, or what would any
+man do with them that is not a regular soldier under government, or else
+a thief-taker? I have had enough of arms, I trow, although I carried
+them for King George and the government. But this is a worse strait than
+Falkirk field yet. God guide us, we are poor inconsistent creatures! To
+think the lad should have made so able an appearance, and then bolted
+off this gate, after a glaiket ne'er-do-weel, like a hound upon a false
+scent! Las-a-day! it's a sore thing to see a stunkard cow kick down
+the pail when it's reaming fou. But, after all, it's an ill bird that
+defiles its ain nest. I must cover up the scandal as well as I can.
+What's the matter now, James?'
+
+'A message, sir,' said James Wilkinson, 'from my Lord President; and he
+hopes Mr. Alan is not seriously indisposed.'
+
+'From the Lord President? the Lord preserve us!--I'll send an answer
+this instant; bid the lad sit down, and ask him to drink, James. Let me
+see,' continued he, taking a sheet of gilt paper 'how we are to draw our
+answers.'
+
+Ere his pen had touched the paper, James was in the room again.
+
+'What now, James?'
+
+'Lord Bladderskate's lad is come to ask how Mr. Alan is, as he left; the
+court'--
+
+'Aye, aye, aye,' answered Saunders, bitterly; 'he has e'en made a
+moonlight flitting, like my lord's ain nevoy.'
+
+'Shall I say sae, sir?' said James, who, as an old soldier, was literal
+in all things touching the service.
+
+'The devil! no, no!--Bid the lad sit down and taste our ale. I will
+write his lordship an answer.'
+
+Once more the gilt paper was resumed, and once more the door was opened
+by James.
+
+'Lord ------ sends his servitor to ask after Mr. Alan.'
+
+'Oh, the deevil take their civility!' said poor Saunders, set him down
+to drink too--I will write to his lordship.'
+
+'The lads will bide your pleasure, sir, as lang as I keep the bicker
+fou; but this ringing is like to wear out the bell, I think; there are
+they at it again.'
+
+He answered the fresh summons accordingly, and came back to inform Mr.
+Fairford that the Dean of Faculty was below, inquiring for Mr. Alan.
+'Will I set him down to drink, too?' said James.
+
+'Will you be an idiot, sir?' said Mr. Fairford. 'Show Mr. Dean into the
+parlour.'
+
+In going slowly downstairs, step by step, the perplexed man of business
+had time enough to reflect, that if it be possible to put a fair gloss
+upon a true story, the verity always serves the purpose better than any
+substitute which ingenuity can devise. He therefore told his learned
+visitor, that although his son had been incommoded by the heat of the
+court, and the long train of hard study, by day and night, preceding
+his exertions, yet he had fortunately so far recovered, as to be in
+condition to obey upon the instant a sudden summons which had called him
+to the country, on a matter of life and death.
+
+'It should be a serious matter indeed that takes my young friend away
+at this moment,' said the good-natured dean. 'I wish he had stayed to
+finish his pleading, and put down old Tough. Without compliment, Mr.
+Fairford, it was as fine a first appearance as I ever heard. I should
+be sorry your son did not follow it up in a reply. Nothing like striking
+while the iron is hot.'
+
+Mr. Saunders Fairford made a bitter grimace as he acquiesced in an
+opinion which was indeed decidedly his own; but he thought it most
+prudent to reply, 'that the affair which rendered his son Alan's
+presence in the country absolutely necessary, regarded the affairs of a
+young gentleman of great fortune, who was a particular friend of Alan's,
+and who never took any material step in his affairs without consulting
+his counsel learned in the law.'
+
+'Well, well, Mr. Fairford, you know best,' answered the learned dean;
+'if there be death or marriage in the case, a will or a wedding is to
+be preferred to all other business. I am happy Mr. Alan is so much
+recovered as to be able for travel, and wish you a very good morning.'
+
+Having thus taken his ground to the Dean of Faculty, Mr. Fairford
+hastily wrote cards in answer to the inquiry of the three judges,
+accounting for Alan's absence in the same manner. These, being properly
+sealed and addressed, he delivered to James with directions to dismiss
+the particoloured gentry, who, in the meanwhile, had consumed a gallon
+of twopenny ale, while discussing points of law, and addressing each
+other by their masters' titles. [The Scottish judges are distinguished
+by the title of lord prefixed to their own temporal designation. As
+the ladies of these official dignitaries do not bear any share in their
+husbands' honours, they are distinguished only by their lords' family
+name. They were not always contented with this species of Salique law,
+which certainly is somewhat inconsistent. But their pretensions to title
+are said to have been long since repelled by James V, the sovereign who
+founded the College of Justice. 'I,' said he, 'made the caries lords,
+but who the devil made the carlines ladies?']
+
+The exertion which these matters demanded, and the interest which so
+many persons of legal distinction appeared to have taken in his
+son, greatly relieved the oppressed spirit of Saunders Fairford, who
+continued, to talk mysteriously of the very important business which had
+interfered with his son's attendance during the brief remainder of the
+session. He endeavoured to lay the same unction to his own heart; but
+here the application was less fortunate, for his conscience told him
+that no end, however important, which could be achieved in Darsie
+Latimer's affairs, could be balanced against the reputation which Alan
+was like to forfeit by deserting the cause of Poor Peter Peebles.
+
+In the meanwhile, although the haze which surrounded the cause, or
+causes, of that unfortunate litigant had been for a time dispelled by
+Alan's eloquence, like a fog by the thunder of artillery, yet it seemed
+once more to settle down upon the mass of litigation, thick as the
+palpable darkness of Egypt, at the very sound of Mr. Tough's voice, who,
+on the second day after Alan's departure, was heard in answer to the
+opening counsel. Deep-mouthed, long-breathed, and pertinacious, taking
+a pinch of snuff betwixt every sentence, which otherwise seemed
+interminable--the veteran pleader prosed over all the themes which had
+been treated so luminously by Fairford: he quietly and imperceptibly
+replaced all the rubbish which the other had cleared away, and succeeded
+in restoring the veil of obscurity and unintelligibility which had for
+many years darkened the case of Peebles against Plainstanes; and
+the matter was once more hung up by a remit to an accountant, with
+instruction to report before answer. So different a result from that
+which the public had been led to expect from Alan's speech gave rise to
+various speculations.
+
+The client himself opined, that it was entirely owing, first, to his
+own absence during the first day's pleading, being, as he said,
+deboshed with brandy, usquebaugh, and other strong waters, at John's
+Coffee-house, PER AMBAGES of Peter Drudgeit, employed to that effect by
+and through the device, counsel, and covyne of Saunders Fairford,
+his agent, or pretended agent. Secondly by the flight and voluntary
+desertion of the younger Fairford, the advocate; on account of which, he
+served both father and son with a petition and complaint against them,
+for malversation in office. So that the apparent and most probable issue
+of this cause seemed to menace the melancholy Mr. Saunders Fairford,
+with additional subject for plague and mortification; which was the more
+galling, as his conscience told him that the case was really given away,
+and that a very brief resumption of the former argument, with reference
+to the necessary authorities and points of evidence, would have enabled
+Alan, by the mere breath, as it were, of his mouth, to blow away the
+various cobwebs with which Mr. Tough had again invested the proceedings.
+But it went, he said, just like a decreet in absence, and was lost for
+want of a contradictor.
+
+In the meanwhile, nearly a week passed over without Mr. Fairford hearing
+a word directly from his son. He learned, indeed, by a letter from Mr.
+Crosbie, that the young counsellor had safely reached Dumfries, but had
+left that town upon some ulterior researches, the purpose of which
+he had not communicated. The old man, thus left to suspense, and to
+mortifying recollections, deprived also of the domestic society to which
+he had been habituated, began to suffer in body as well as in mind. He
+had formed the determination of setting out in person for Dumfriesshire,
+when, after having been dogged, peevish, and snappish to his clerks and
+domestics, to an unusual and almost intolerable degree, the acrimonious
+humours settled in a hissing-hot fit of the gout, which is a well-known
+tamer of the most froward spirits, and under whose discipline we shall,
+for the present, leave him, as the continuation of this history assumes,
+with the next division, a form somewhat different from direct narrative
+and epistolary correspondence, though partaking of the character of
+both.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+JOURNAL OF DARSIE LATIMER (The following address is written on the
+inside of the envelope which contained the Journal.)
+
+Into what hands soever these leaves may fall, they will instruct
+him, during a certain time at least, in the history of the life of an
+unfortunate young man, who, in the heart of a free country, and without
+any crime being laid to his charge, has been, and is, subjected to a
+course of unlawful and violent restraint. He who opens this letter, is
+therefore conjured to apply to the nearest magistrate, and, following
+such indications as the papers may afford, to exert himself for the
+relief of one, who, while he possesses every claim to assistance
+which oppressed innocence can give, has, at the same time, both the
+inclination and the means of being grateful to his deliverers. Or, if
+the person obtaining these letters shall want courage or means to effect
+the writer's release, he is, in that case, conjured, by every duty of a
+man to his fellow mortals, and of a Christian towards one who professes
+the same holy faith, to take the speediest measures for conveying them
+with speed and safety to the hands of Alan Fairford, Esq., Advocate,
+residing in the family of his father, Alexander Fairford, Esq., Writer
+to the Signet, Brown's Square, Edinburgh. He may be assured of a liberal
+reward, besides the consciousness of having discharged a real duty to
+humanity.
+
+MY DEAREST ALAN, Feeling as warmly towards you in doubt and in distress,
+as I ever did in the brightest days of our intimacy, it is to you whom
+I address a history which may perhaps fall into very different hands. A
+portion of my former spirit descends to my pen when I write your name,
+and indulging the happy thought that you may be my deliverer from my
+present uncomfortable and alarming situation, as you have been my guide
+and counsellor on every former occasion, I will subdue the dejection
+which would otherwise overwhelm me. Therefore, as, Heaven knows, I have
+time enough to write, I will endeavour to pour my thoughts out, as fully
+and freely as of old, though probably without the same gay and happy
+levity.
+
+If the papers should reach other hands than yours, still I will not
+regret this exposure of my feelings; for, allowing for an ample share of
+the folly incidental to youth and inexperience, I fear not that I have
+much to be ashamed of in my narrative; nay, I even hope that the open
+simplicity and frankness with which I am about to relate every singular
+and distressing circumstance, may prepossess even a stranger in my
+favour; and that, amid the multitude of seemingly trivial circumstances
+which I detail at length, a clue may be found to effect my liberation.
+
+Another chance certainly remains--the Journal, as I may call it,
+may never reach the hands, either of the dear friend to whom it is
+addressed, or those of an indifferent stranger, but may become the prey
+of the persons by whom I am at present treated as a prisoner. Let it be
+so--they will learn from it little but what they already know; that,
+as a man and an Englishman, my soul revolts at the usage which I have
+received; that I am determined to essay every possible means to obtain
+my freedom; that captivity has not broken my spirit, and that, although
+they may doubtless complete their oppression by murder, I am still
+willing to bequeath my cause to the justice of my country. Undeterred,
+therefore, by the probability that my papers may be torn from me, and
+subjected to the inspection of one in particular, who, causelessly
+my enemy already, may be yet further incensed at me for recording the
+history of my wrongs, I proceed to resume the history of events which
+have befallen me since the conclusion of my last letter to my dear Alan
+Fairford, dated, if I mistake not, on the 5th day of this still current
+month of August.
+
+Upon the night preceding the date of that letter, I had been present,
+for the purpose of an idle frolic, at a dancing party at the village of
+Brokenburn, about six miles from Dumfries; many persons must have seen
+me there, should the fact appear of importance sufficient to require
+investigation. I danced, played on the violin, and took part in the
+festivity till about midnight, when my servant, Samuel Owen, brought me
+my horses, and I rode back to a small inn called Shepherd's Bush, kept
+by Mrs. Gregson, which had been occasionally my residence for about a
+fortnight past. I spent the earlier part of the forenoon in writing a
+letter, which I have already mentioned, to you, my dear Alan, and which,
+I think, you must have received in safety. Why did I not follow your
+advice, so often given me? Why did I linger in the neighbourhood of a
+danger, of which a kind voice had warned me? These are now unavailing
+questions; I was blinded by a fatality, and remained, fluttering like a
+moth around the candle, until I have been scorched to some purpose.
+
+The greater part of the day had passed, and time hung heavy on my hands.
+I ought, perhaps, to blush at recollecting what has been often objected
+to me by the dear friend to whom this letter is addressed, viz. the
+facility with which I have, in moments of indolence, suffered my motions
+to be, directed by any person who chanced to be near me, instead of
+taking the labour of thinking or deciding for myself. I had employed for
+some time, as a sort of guide and errand-boy, a lad named Benjamin, the
+son of one widow Coltherd, who lives near the Shepherd's Bush, and I
+cannot but remember that, upon several occasions, I had of late suffered
+him to possess more influence over my motions than at all became the
+difference of our age and condition. At present, he exerted himself to
+persuade me that it was the finest possible sport to see the fish taken
+out from the nets placed in the Solway at the reflux of the tide, and
+urged my going thither this evening so much, that, looking back on the
+whole circumstances, I cannot but think he had some especial motive for
+his conduct. These particulars I have mentioned, that if these papers
+fall into friendly hands, the boy may be sought after and submitted to
+examination.
+
+His eloquence being unable to persuade me that I should take any
+pleasure in seeing the fruitless struggles of the fish when left in the
+nets and deserted by the tide, he artfully suggested, that Mr. and Miss
+Geddes, a respectable Quaker family well known in the neighbourhood
+and with whom I had contracted habits of intimacy, would possibly be
+offended if I did not make them an early visit. Both, he said, had been
+particularly inquiring the reasons of my leaving their house rather
+suddenly on the previous day. I resolved, therefore, to walk up to Mount
+Sharon and make my apologies; and I agreed to permit the boy to attend
+upon me, and wait my return from the house, that I might fish on my way
+homeward to Shepherd's Bush, for which amusement, he assured me, I would
+find the evening most favourable. I mention this minute circumstance,
+because I strongly suspect that this boy had a presentiment how the
+evening was to terminate with me, and entertained the selfish though
+childish wish of securing to himself an angling-rod which he had often
+admired, as a part of my spoils. I may do the boy wrong, but I had
+before remarked in him the peculiar art of pursuing the trifling objects
+of cupidity proper to his age, with the systematic address of much riper
+years.
+
+When we had commenced our walk, I upbraided him with the coolness of
+the evening, considering the season, the easterly wind, and other
+circumstances, unfavourable for angling. He persisted in his own story,
+and made a few casts, as if to convince me of my error, but caught
+no fish; and, indeed, as I am now convinced, was much more intent on
+watching my motions than on taking any. When I ridiculed him once more
+on his fruitless endeavours, he answered with a sneering smile, that
+'the trouts would not rise, because there was thunder in the air;' an
+intimation which, in one sense, I have found too true.
+
+I arrived at Mount Sharon; was received by my friends there with their
+wonted kindness; and after being a little rallied on my having suddenly
+left them on the preceding evening, I agreed to make atonement
+by staying all night, and dismissed the lad who attended with my
+fishing-rod, to carry that information to Shepherd's Bush. It may be
+doubted whether he went thither, or in a different direction.
+
+Betwixt eight and nine o'clock, when it began to become dark, we walked
+on the terrace to enjoy the appearance of the firmament, glittering with
+ten million stars; to which a slight touch of early frost gave tenfold
+lustre. As we gazed on this splendid scene, Miss Geddes, I think, was
+the first to point out to our admiration a shooting or falling star,
+which, she said, drew a long train after it. Looking to the part of
+the heavens which she pointed out, I distinctly observed two successive
+sky-rockets arise and burst in the sky.
+
+'These meteors,' said Mr. Geddes, in answer to his sister's observation,
+'are not formed in heaven, nor do they bode any good to the dwellers
+upon earth.'
+
+As he spoke, I looked to another quarter of the sky, and a rocket, as if
+a signal in answer to those which had already appeared, rose high from
+the earth, and burst apparently among the stars.
+
+Mr. Geddes seemed very thoughtful for some minutes, and then said to
+his sister, 'Rachel, though it waxes late. I must go down to the fishing
+station, and pass the night in the overseer's room there.'
+
+'Nay, then,' replied the lady, 'I am but too well assured that the sons
+of Belial are menacing these nets and devices. Joshua, art thou a man of
+peace, and wilt thou willingly and wittingly thrust thyself where thou
+mayst be tempted by the old man Adam within thee, to enter into debate
+and strife?'
+
+'I am a man of peace, Rachel,' answered Mr. Geddes, 'even to the utmost
+extent which our friends can demand of humanity; and neither have I ever
+used, nor, with the help of God, will I at any future time employ, the
+arm of flesh to repel or to revenge injuries. But if I can, by mild
+reasons and firm conduct, save those rude men from committing a crime,
+and the property belonging to myself and others from sustaining damage,
+surely I do but the duty of a man and a Christian.'
+
+With these words, he ordered his horse instantly; and his sister,
+ceasing to argue with him, folded her arms upon her bosom, and looked up
+to heaven with a resigned and yet sorrowful countenance.
+
+These particulars may appear trivial; but it is better, in my present
+condition, to exert my faculties in recollecting the past, and in
+recording it, than waste them in vain and anxious anticipations of the
+future.
+
+It would have been scarcely proper in me to remain in the house from
+which the master was thus suddenly summoned away; and I therefore begged
+permission to attend him to the fishing station, assuring his sister
+that I would be a guarantee for his safety.
+
+That proposal seemed to give much pleasure to Miss Geddes. 'Let it be
+so, brother,' she said; 'and let the young man have the desire of his
+heart, that there may be a faithful witness to stand by thee in the hour
+of need, and to report how it shall fare with thee.
+
+'Nay, Rachel,' said the worthy man, 'thou art to blame in this, that
+to quiet thy apprehensions on my account, thou shouldst thrust into
+danger--if danger it shall prove to be--this youth, our guest; for
+whom, doubtless, in case of mishap, as many hearts will ache as may be
+afflicted on our account.'
+
+'No, my good friend,' said I, taking Mr. Geddes's hand, 'I am not so
+happy as you suppose me. Were my span to be concluded this evening, few
+would so much as know that such a being had existed for twenty years on
+the face of the earth; and of these few, only one would sincerely regret
+me. Do not, therefore, refuse me the privilege attending you; and of
+showing, by so trifling an act of kindness, that if I have few friends,
+I am at least desirous to serve them.'
+
+'Thou hast a kind heart, I warrant thee,' said Joshua Geddes, returning
+the pressure of my hand. 'Rachel, the young man shall go with me. Why
+should he not face danger, in order to do justice and preserve peace?
+There is that within me,' he added, looking upwards, and with a passing
+enthusiasm which I had not before observed and the absence of
+which perhaps rather belonged to the sect than to his own personal
+character--'I say, I have that within which assures me, that though the
+ungodly may rage even like the storm of the ocean, they shall not have
+freedom to prevail against us.'
+
+Having spoken thus, Mr. Geddes appointed a pony to be saddled for my
+use; and having taken a basket with some provisions, and a servant
+to carry back the horses for which there was no accommodation at the
+fishing station, we set off about nine o'clock at night, and after
+three-quarters of an hour's riding, arrived at our place of destination.
+
+The station consists, or then consisted, of huts for four or five
+fishermen, a cooperage and shed, and a better sort of cottage at which
+the superintendent resided. We gave our horses to the servant, to be
+carried back to Mount Sharon; my companion expressing himself humanely
+anxious for their safety--and knocked at the door of the house. At
+first we only heard a barking of dogs; but these animals became quiet on
+snuffing beneath the door, and acknowledging the presence of friends. A
+hoarse voice then demanded, in rather unfriendly accents, who we were,
+and what we wanted and it was not; until Joshua named himself, and
+called upon his superintendent to open, that the latter appeared at the
+door of the hut, attended by three large dogs of the Newfoundland breed.
+He had a flambeau in his hand, and two large heavy ship-pistols stuck
+into his belt. He was a stout elderly man, who had been a sailor, as I
+learned, during the earlier part of his life, and was now much confided
+in by the Fishing Company, whose concerns he directed under the orders
+of Mr. Geddes.
+
+'Thou didst not expect me to-night, friend Davies?' said my friend to
+the old man, who was arranging seats for us by the fire.
+
+'No, Master Geddes,' answered he, 'I did not expect you, nor, to speak
+the truth, did I wish for you either.'
+
+'These are plain terms: John Davies,' answered Mr. Geddes.
+
+'Aye, aye, sir, I know your worship loves no holiday speeches.'
+
+'Thou dost guess, I suppose, what brings us here so late, John Davies?'
+said Mr. Geddes.
+
+'I do suppose, sir,' answered the superintendent, 'that it was because
+those d--d smuggling wreckers on the coast are showing their lights to
+gather their forces, as they did the night before they broke down the
+dam-dyke and weirs up the country; but if that same be the case, I wish
+once more you had stayed away, for your worship carries no fighting
+tackle aboard, I think; and there will be work for such ere morning,
+your worship.'
+
+'Worship is due to Heaven only, John Davies,' said Geddes, 'I have often
+desired thee to desist from using that phrase to me.'
+
+'I won't, then,' said John; 'no offence meant: But how the devil can a
+man stand picking his words, when he is just going to come to blows?'
+
+'I hope not, John Davies,' said Joshua Geddes. 'Call in the rest of the
+men, that I may give them their instructions.'
+
+'I may cry till doomsday Master Geddes, ere a soul answers--the cowardly
+lubbers have all made sail--the cooper, and all the rest of them, so
+soon as they heard the enemy were at sea. They have all taken to the
+long-boat, and left the ship among the breakers, except little Phil and
+myself--they have, by--!'
+
+'Swear not at all, John Davies--thou art an honest man; and I believe,
+without an oath, that thy comrades love their own bones better than
+my goods and chattels. And so thou hast no assistance but little Phil
+against a hundred men or two?'
+
+'Why, there are the dogs, your honour knows, Neptune and Thetis--and
+the puppy may do something; and then though your worship--I beg
+pardon--though your honour be no great fighter, this young gentleman may
+bear a hand.'
+
+'Aye, and I see you are provided with arms,' said Mr. Geddes; 'let me
+see them.'
+
+'Aye, aye, sir; here be a pair of buffers will bite as well as
+bark--these will make sure of two rogues at least. It would be a shame
+to strike without firing a shot. Take care, your honour, they are
+double-shotted.'
+
+'Aye, John Davies, I will take care of them, throwing the pistols into a
+tub of water beside him; 'and I wish I could render the whole generation
+of them useless at the same moment.'
+
+A deep shade of displeasure passed over John Davies's weatherbeaten
+countenance. 'Belike your honour is going to take the command yourself,
+then?' he said, after a pause. 'Why, I can be of little use now; and
+since your worship, or your honour, or whatever you are, means to strike
+quietly, I believe you will do it better without me than with me, for I
+am like enough to make mischief, I admit; but I'll never leave my post
+without orders.'
+
+'Then you have mine, John Davies, to go to Mount Sharon directly, and
+take the boy Phil with you. Where is he?'
+
+'He is on the outlook for these scums of the earth,' answered Davies;
+'but it is to no purpose to know when they come, if we are not to stand
+to our weapons.'
+
+'We will use none but those of sense and reason, John.'
+
+'And you may just as well cast chaff against the wind, as speak sense
+and reason to the like of them.'
+
+'Well, well, be it so,' said Joshua; 'and now, John Davies, I know thou
+art what the world calls a brave fellow, and I have ever found thee an
+honest one. And now I command you to go to Mount Sharon, and let Phil
+lie on the bank-side--see the poor boy hath a sea-cloak, though--and
+watch what happens there, and let him bring you the news; and if
+any violence shall be offered to the property there, I trust to your
+fidelity to carry my sister to Dumfries to the house of our friends
+the Corsacks, and inform the civil authorities of what mischief hath
+befallen.'
+
+The old seaman paused a moment. 'It is hard lines for me,' he said, 'to
+leave your honour in tribulation; and yet, staying here, I am only like
+to make bad worse; and your honour's sister, Miss Rachel, must be looked
+to, that's certain; for if the rogues once get their hand to mischief,
+they will come to Mount Sharon after they have wasted and destroyed this
+here snug little roadstead, where I thought to ride at anchor for life.'
+
+'Right, right, John Davies,' said Joshua Geddes; 'and best call the dogs
+with you.'
+
+'Aye, aye, sir,' said the veteran, 'for they are something of my mind,
+and would not keep quiet if they saw mischief doing; so maybe they might
+come to mischief, poor dumb creatures. So God bless your honour--I
+mean your worship--I cannot bring my mouth to say fare you well. Here,
+Neptune, Thetis! come, dogs, come.'
+
+So saying, and with a very crestfallen countenance, John Davies left the
+hut.
+
+'Now there goes one of the best and most faithful creatures that ever
+was born,' said Mr. Geddes, as the superintendent shut the door of the
+cottage. 'Nature made him with a heart that would not have suffered him
+to harm a fly; but thou seest, friend Latimer, that as men arm their
+bull-dogs with spiked collars, and their game-cocks with steel spurs, to
+aid them in fight, so they corrupt, by education, the best and mildest
+natures, until fortitude and spirit become stubbornness and ferocity.
+Believe me, friend Latimer, I would as soon expose my faithful household
+dog to a vain combat with a herd of wolves, as yon trusty creature to
+the violence of the enraged multitude. But I need say little on this
+subject to thee, friend Latimer, who, I doubt not, art trained to
+believe that courage is displayed and honour attained, not by doing
+and suffering as becomes a man that which fate calls us to suffer and
+justice commands us to do, but because thou art ready to retort violence
+for violence, and considerest the lightest insult as a sufficient cause
+for the spilling of blood, nay, the taking of life. But, leaving these
+points of controversy to a more fit season, let us see what our basket
+of provision contains; for in truth, friend Latimer, I am one of those
+whom neither fear nor anxiety deprives of their ordinary appetite.'
+
+We found the means of good cheer accordingly, which Mr. Geddes seemed to
+enjoy as much as if it had been eaten in a situation of perfect safety;
+nay, his conversation appeared to be rather more gay than on ordinary
+occasions. After eating our supper, we left the hut together, and walked
+for a few minutes on the banks of the sea. It was high water, and the
+ebb had not yet commenced. The moon shone broad and bright upon the
+placid face of the Solway Firth, and showed a slight ripple upon the
+stakes, the tops of which were just visible above the waves, and on
+the dark-coloured buoys which marked the upper edge of the enclosure of
+nets. At a much greater distance--for the estuary is here very wide--the
+line of the English coast was seen on the verge of the water, resembling
+one of those fog-banks on which mariners are said to gaze, uncertain
+whether it be land or atmospherical delusion.
+
+'We shall be undisturbed for some hours,' said Mr. Geddes; 'they will
+not come down upon us: till the state of the tide permits them to
+destroy the tide-nets. Is it not strange to think that human passions
+will so soon transform such a tranquil scene as this into one of
+devastation and confusion?'
+
+It was indeed a scene of exquisite stillness; so much so, that the
+restless waves of the Solway seemed, if not absolutely to sleep, at
+least to slumber; on the shore no night-bird was heard--the cock had not
+sung his first matins, and we ourselves walked more lightly than by day,
+as if to suit the sounds of our own paces to the serene tranquillity
+around us. At length, the plaintive cry of a dog broke the silence, and
+on our return to the cottage, we found that the younger of the three
+animals which had gone along with John Davies, unaccustomed, perhaps,
+to distant journeys, and the duty of following to heel, had strayed from
+the party, and, unable to rejoin them, had wandered back to the place of
+its birth.
+
+'Another feeble addition to our feeble garrison,' said Mr. Geddes, as he
+caressed the dog, and admitted it into the cottage. 'Poor thing! as thou
+art incapable of doing any mischief, I hope thou wilt sustain none. At
+least thou mayst do us the good service of a sentinel, and permit us to
+enjoy a quiet repose, under the certainty that thou wilt alarm us when
+the enemy is at hand.'
+
+There were two beds in the superintendent's room, upon which we threw
+ourselves. Mr. Geddes, with his happy equanimity of temper, was asleep
+in the first five minutes. I lay for some time in doubtful and anxious
+thoughts, watching the fire, and the motions of the restless dog, which,
+disturbed probably at the absence of John Davies, wandered from the
+hearth to the door and back again, then came to the bedside and licked
+my hands and face, and at length, experiencing no repulse to its
+advances, established itself at my feet, and went to sleep, an example
+which I soon afterwards followed.
+
+The rage of narration, my dear Alan--for I will never relinquish the
+hope that what I am writing may one day reach your hands--has
+not forsaken me, even in my confinement, and the extensive though
+unimportant details into which I have been hurried, renders it necessary
+that I commence another sheet. Fortunately, my pygmy characters
+comprehend a great many words within a small space of paper.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+DARSIE LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+The morning was dawning, and Mr. Geddes and I myself were still sleeping
+soundly, when the alarm was given by my canine bedfellow, who first
+growled deeply at intervals, and at length bore more decided testimony
+to the approach of some enemy. I opened the door of the cottage, and
+perceived, at the distance of about two hundred yards, a small but close
+column of men, which I would have taken for a dark hedge, but that I
+could perceive it was advancing rapidly and in silence.
+
+The dog flew towards them, but instantly ran howling back to me, having
+probably been chastised by a stick or a stone. Uncertain as to the plan
+of tactics or of treaty which Mr. Geddes might think proper to adopt, I
+was about to retire into the cottage, when he suddenly joined me at the
+door, and, slipping his arm through mine, said, 'Let us go to meet them
+manfully; we have done nothing to be ashamed of.--Friends,' he said,
+raising his voice as we approached them, 'who and what are you, and with
+what purpose are you here on my property?'
+
+A loud cheer was the answer returned, and a brace of fiddlers who
+occupied the front of the march immediately struck up the insulting air,
+the words of which begin--
+
+  Merrily danced the Quaker's wife,
+  And merrily danced the Quaker.
+
+Even at that moment of alarm, I think I recognized the tones of the
+blind fiddler, Will, known by the name of Wandering Willie, from his
+itinerant habits. They continued to advance swiftly and in great order,
+in their front
+
+  The fiery fiddlers playing martial airs;
+
+when, coming close up, they surrounded us by a single movement, and
+there was a universal cry, 'Whoop, Quaker--whoop, Quaker! Here have we
+them both, the wet Quaker and the dry one.'
+
+'Hang up the wet Quaker to dry, and wet the dry one with a ducking,'
+answered another voice.
+
+'Where is the sea-otter, John Davies, that destroyed more fish than any
+sealch upon Ailsa Craig?' exclaimed a third voice. 'I have an old crow
+to pluck with him, and a pock to put the feathers in.'
+
+We stood perfectly passive; for, to have attempted resistance against
+more than a hundred men, armed with guns, fish-spears, iron-crows,
+spades, and bludgeons, would have been an act of utter insanity. Mr.
+Geddes, with his strong sonorous voice, answered the question about the
+superintendent in a manner the manly indifference of which compelled
+them to attend to him.
+
+'John Davies,' he said, 'will, I trust, soon be at Dumfries'--
+
+'To fetch down redcoats and dragoons against us, you canting old
+villain!'
+
+A blow was, at the same time, levelled at my friend, which I parried by
+interposing the stick I had in my hand. I was instantly struck down, and
+have a faint recollection of hearing some crying, 'Kill the young spy!'
+and others, as I thought, interposing on my behalf. But a second blow
+on the head, received in the scuffle, soon deprived me of sense and
+consciousness, and threw me into it state of insensibility, from which
+I did not recover immediately. When I did come to myself, I was lying
+on the bed from which I had just risen before the fray, and my poor
+companion, the Newfoundland puppy, its courage entirely cowed by the
+tumult of the riot, had crept as close to me as it could, and lay
+trembling and whining, as if under the most dreadful terror. I doubted
+at first whether I had not dreamed of the tumult, until, as I attempted
+to rise, a feeling of pain and dizziness assured me that the injury
+I had sustained was but too real. I gathered together my senses
+listened--and heard at a distance the shouts of the rioters, busy,
+doubtless, in their work of devastation. I made a second effort to rise,
+or at least to turn myself, for I lay with my face to the wall of
+the cottage, but I found that my limbs were secured, and my motions
+effectually prevented--not indeed by cords, but by linen or cloth
+bandages swathed around my ankles, and securing my arms to my sides.
+Aware of my utterly captive condition, I groaned betwixt bodily pain and
+mental distress,
+
+A voice by my bedside whispered, in a whining tone, 'Whisht a-ye,
+hinnie--Whisht a-ye; haud your tongue, like a gude bairn--ye have cost
+us dear aneugh already. My hinnie's clean gane now.'
+
+Knowing, as I thought, the phraseology of the wife of the itinerant
+musician, I asked her where her husband was, and whether he had been
+hurt.
+
+'Broken,' answered the dame, 'all broken to pieces; fit for naught but
+to be made spunks of--the best blood that was in Scotland.'
+
+'Broken?--blood?--is your husband wounded; has there been bloodshed
+broken limbs?'
+
+'Broken limbs I wish,' answered the beldam, 'that my hinnie had broken
+the best bane in his body, before he had broken his fiddle, that was the
+best blood in Scotland--it was a Cremony, for aught that I ken.'
+
+'Pshaw--only his fiddle?' said I.
+
+'I dinna ken what waur your honour could have wished him to do, unless
+he had broken his neck; and this is muckle the same to my hinnie Willie
+and me. Chaw, indeed! It is easy to say chaw, but wha is to gie us ony
+thing to chaw?--the bread-winner's gane, and we may e'en sit down and
+starve.'
+
+'No, no,' I said, 'I will pay you for twenty such fiddles.'
+
+'Twenty such! is that a' ye ken about it? the country hadna the like
+o't. But if your honour were to pay us, as nae doubt wad be to your
+credit here and hereafter, where are ye to get the siller?'
+
+'I have enough of money,' said I, attempting to reach my hand towards my
+side-pocket; 'unloose these bandages, and I will pay you on the spot.'
+
+This hint appeared to move her, and she was approaching the bedside, as
+I hoped, to liberate me from my bonds, when a nearer and more desperate
+shout was heard, as if the rioters were close by the hut.
+
+'I daurna I daurna,' said the poor woman, 'they would murder me and my
+hinnie Willie baith, and they have misguided us aneugh already;--but if
+there is anything worldly I could do for your honour, leave out loosing
+ye?'
+
+What she said recalled me to my bodily suffering. Agitation, and the
+effects of the usage I had received, had produced a burning thirst. I
+asked for a drink of water.
+
+'Heaven Almighty forbid that Epps Ainslie should gie ony sick gentleman
+cauld well-water, and him in a fever. Na, na, hinnie, let me alane, I'll
+do better for ye than the like of that.'
+
+'Give me what you will,' I replied; 'let it but be liquid and cool.'
+
+The woman gave me a large horn accordingly, filled with spirits and
+water, which, without minute inquiry concerning the nature of its
+contents, I drained at a draught. Either the spirits taken in such a
+manner acted more suddenly than usual on my brain, or else there was
+some drug mixed with the beverage. I remember little after drinking it
+off, only that the appearance of things around me became indistinct;
+that the woman's form seemed to multiply itself, and to flit in various
+figures around me, bearing the same lineaments as she herself did. I
+remember also that the discordant noises and cries of those without the
+cottage seemed to die away in a hum like that with which a nurse hushes
+her babe. At length I fell into a deep sound sleep, or rather, a state
+of absolute insensibility.
+
+I have reason to think this species of trance lasted for many hours;
+indeed, for the whole subsequent day and part of the night. It was not
+uniformly so profound, for my recollection of it is chequered with many
+dreams, all of a painful nature, but too faint and too indistinct to be
+remembered. At length the moment of waking came, and my sensations were
+horrible.
+
+A deep sound, which, in the confusion of my senses, I identified with
+the cries of the rioters, was the first thing of which I was sensible;
+next, I became conscious that I was carried violently forward in some
+conveyance, with an unequal motion, which gave me much pain. My position
+was horizontal, and when I attempted to stretch my hands in order to
+find some mode of securing myself against this species of suffering, I
+found I was bound as before, and the horrible reality rushed on my
+mind that I was in the hands of those who had lately committed a great
+outrage on property, and were now about to kidnap, if not to murder me.
+I opened my eyes, it was to no purpose--all around me was dark, for
+a day had passed over during my captivity. A dispiriting sickness
+oppressed my head--my heart seemed on fire, while my feet and hands were
+chilled and benumbed with want of circulation. It was with the utmost
+difficulty that I at length, and gradually, recovered in a sufficient
+degree the power of observing external sounds and circumstances; and
+when I did so, they presented nothing consolatory.
+
+Groping with my hands, as far as the bandages would permit, and
+receiving the assistance of some occasional glances of the moonlight, I
+became aware that the carriage in which I was transported was one of the
+light carts of the country, called TUMBLERS, and that a little attention
+had been paid to my accommodation, as I was laid upon some sacks covered
+with matting, and filled with straw. Without these, my condition would
+have been still more intolerable, for the vehicle, sinking now on one
+side, and now on the other, sometimes sticking absolutely fast and
+requiring the utmost exertions of the animal which drew it to put it
+once more in motion, was subjected to jolts in all directions, which
+were very severe. At other times it rolled silently and smoothly over
+what seemed to be wet sand; and, as I heard the distant roar of the
+tide, I had little doubt that we were engaged in passing the formidable
+estuary which divides the two kingdoms.
+
+There seemed to be at least five or six people about the cart, some on
+foot, others on horseback; the former lent assistance whenever it was in
+danger of upsetting, or sticking fast in the quicksand; the others rode
+before and acted as guides, often changing the direction of the vehicle
+as the precarious state of the passage required.
+
+I addressed myself to the men around the cart, and endeavoured to move
+their compassion. I had harmed, I said, no one, and for no action in my
+life had deserved such cruel treatment, I had no concern whatever in
+the fishing station which had incurred their displeasure, and my
+acquaintance with Mr. Geddes was of a very late date. Lastly, and as my
+strongest argument, I endeavoured to excite their fears, by informing
+them that my rank in life would not permit me to be either murdered or
+secreted with impunity; and to interest their avarice, by the promises
+I made them of reward, if they would effect my deliverance. I only
+received a scornful laugh in reply to my threats; my promises might have
+done more, for the fellows were whispering together as if in hesitation,
+and I began to reiterate and increase my offers, when the voice of one
+of the horsemen, who had suddenly come up, enjoined silence to the
+men on foot, and, approaching the side of the cart, said to me, with
+a strong and determined voice, 'Young man, there is no personal harm
+designed to you. If you remain silent and quiet, you may reckon on
+good treatment; but if you endeavour to tamper with these men in the
+execution of their duty, I will take such measures for silencing you, as
+you shall remember the longest day you have to live.'
+
+I thought I knew the voice which uttered these threats; but, in such
+a situation, my perceptions could not be supposed to be perfectly
+accurate. I was contented to reply, 'Whoever you are that speak to me, I
+entreat the benefit of the meanest prisoner, who is not to be subjected,
+legally to greater hardship than is necessary for the restraint of his
+person. I entreat that these bonds, which hurt me so cruelly, may be
+slackened at least, if not removed altogether.'
+
+'I will slacken the belts,' said the former speaker; 'nay, I will
+altogether remove them, and allow you to pursue your journey in a more
+convenient manner, provided you will give me your word of honour that
+you will not attempt an escape?'
+
+'NEVER!' I answered, with an energy of which despair alone could have
+rendered me capable--'I will never submit to loss of freedom a moment
+longer than I am subjected to it by force.'
+
+'Enough,' he replied; 'the sentiment is natural; but do not on your side
+complain that I, who am carrying on an important undertaking, use the
+only means in my power for ensuring its success.'
+
+I entreated to know what it was designed to do with me; but my
+conductor, in a voice of menacing authority, desired me to be silent on
+my peril; and my strength and spirits were too much exhausted to permit
+my continuing a dialogue so singular, even if I could have promised
+myself any good result by doing so.
+
+It is proper here to add, that, from my recollections at the time, and
+from what has since taken place, I have the strongest possible belief
+that the man with whom I held this expostulation was the singular person
+residing at Brokenburn, in Dumfriesshire, and called by the fishers of
+that hamlet, the Laird of the Solway Lochs. The cause for his inveterate
+persecution I cannot pretend even to guess at.
+
+In the meantime, the cart was dragged heavily and wearily on, until the
+nearer roar of the advancing tide excited the apprehension of another
+danger. I could not mistake the sound, which I had heard upon another
+occasion, when it was only the speed of a fleet horse which saved me
+from perishing in the quicksands. Thou, my dear Alan, canst not but
+remember the former circumstances; and now, wonderful contrast! the very
+man, to the best of my belief, who then saved me from peril, was
+the leader of the lawless band who had deprived me of my liberty. I
+conjectured that the danger grew imminent; for I heard some words and
+circumstances which made me aware that a rider hastily fastened his own
+horse to the shafts of the cart in order to assist the exhausted animal
+which drew it, and the vehicle was now pulled forward at a faster pace,
+which the horses were urged to maintain by blows and curses. The
+men, however, were inhabitants of the neighbourhood; and I had strong
+personal reason to believe that one of them, at least, was intimately
+acquainted with all the depths and shallows of the perilous paths in
+which we were engaged. But they were in imminent danger themselves; and
+if so, as from the whispering and exertions to push on with the cart
+was much to be apprehended, there was little doubt that I should be left
+behind as a useless encumbrance, and that, while I was in a condition
+which rendered every chance of escape impracticable. These were awful
+apprehensions; but it pleased Providence to increase them to a point
+which my brain was scarcely able to endure.
+
+As we approached very near to a black line, which, dimly visible as it
+was, I could make out to be the shore, we heard two or three sounds,
+which appeared to be the report of fire-arms. Immediately all was bustle
+among our party to get forward. Presently a fellow galloped up to us,
+crying out, 'Ware hawk! ware hawk! the land-sharks are out from Burgh,
+and Allonby Tom will lose his cargo if you do not bear a hand.'
+
+Most of my company seemed to make hastily for the shore on receiving
+this intelligence. A driver was left with the cart; but at length, when,
+after repeated and hairbreadth escapes, it actually stuck fast in a
+slough or quicksand, the fellow, with an oath, cut the harness, and, as
+I presume, departed with the horses, whose feet I heard splashing over
+the wet sand and through the shallows, as he galloped off.
+
+The dropping sound of fire-arms was still continued, but lost almost
+entirely in the thunder of the advancing surge. By a desperate effort I
+raised myself in the cart, and attained a sitting posture, which served
+only to show me the extent of my danger. There lay my native land--my
+own England--the land where I was born, and to which my wishes, since
+my earliest age, had turned with all the prejudices of national
+feeling--there it lay, within a furlong of the place where I yet was;
+that furlong, which an infant would have raced over in a minute, was yet
+a barrier effectual to divide me for ever from England and from life. I
+soon not only heard the roar of this dreadful torrent, but saw, by
+the fitful moonlight, the foamy crests of the devouring waves, as they
+advanced with the speed and fury of a pack of hungry wolves.
+
+The consciousness that the slightest ray of hope, or power of
+struggling, was not left me, quite overcame the constancy which I had
+hitherto maintained. My eyes began to swim--my head grew giddy and mad
+with fear--I chattered and howled to the howling and roaring sea. One
+or two great waves already reached the cart, when the conductor of the
+party whom I have mentioned so often, was, as if by magic, at my side.
+He sprang from his horse into the vehicle, cut the ligatures which
+restrained me, and bade me get up and mount in the fiend's name.
+
+Seeing I was incapable of obeying, he seized me as if I had been a
+child of six months old, threw me across the horse, sprang on behind,
+supporting with one hand, while he directed the animal with the other.
+In my helpless and painful posture, I was unconscious of the degree
+of danger which we incurred; but I believe at one time the horse was
+swimming, or nearly so; and that it was with difficulty that my stern
+and powerful assistant kept my head above water. I remember particularly
+the shock which I felt when the animal, endeavouring to gain the bank,
+reared, and very nearly fell back on his burden. The time during which
+I continued in this dreadful condition did not probably exceed two or
+three minutes, yet so strongly were they marked with horror and agony,
+that they seem to my recollection a much more considerable space of
+time.
+
+When I had been thus snatched from destruction, I had only power to say
+to my protector,--or oppressor,--for he merited either name at my hand,
+'You do not, then, design to murder me?'
+
+He laughed as he replied, but it was a sort of laughter which I scarce
+desire to hear again,--'Else you think I had let the waves do the work?
+But remember, the shepherd saves his sheep from the torrent--is it to
+preserve its life?--Be silent, however, with questions or entreaties.
+What I mean to do, thou canst no more discover or prevent, than a man,
+with his bare palm, can scoop dry the Solway.'
+
+I was too much exhausted to continue the argument; and, still numbed and
+torpid in all my limbs, permitted myself without reluctance to be placed
+on a horse brought for the purpose. My formidable conductor rode on the
+one side, and another person on the other, keeping me upright in the
+saddle. In this manner we travelled forward at a considerable rate,
+and by by-roads, with which my attendant seemed as familiar as with the
+perilous passages of the Solway.
+
+At length, after stumbling through a labyrinth of dark and deep lanes,
+and crossing more than one rough and barren heath, we found ourselves on
+the edge of a highroad, where a chaise and four awaited, as it appeared,
+our arrival. To my great relief, we now changed our mode of conveyance;
+for my dizziness and headache had returned in so strong a degree, that I
+should otherwise have been totally unable to keep my seat on horseback,
+even with the support which I received.
+
+My doubted and dangerous companion signed to me to enter the
+carriage--the man who had ridden on the left side of my horse stepped in
+after me, and drawing up the blinds of the vehicle, gave the signal for
+instant departure.
+
+I had obtained a glimpse of the countenance of my new companion, as by
+the aid of a dark lantern the drivers opened the carriage door, and
+I was wellnigh persuaded that I recognized in him the domestic of the
+leader of this party, whom I had seen at his house in Brokenburn on a
+former occasion. To ascertain the truth of my suspicion, I asked him
+whether his name was not Cristal Nixon.
+
+'What is other folk's names to you,' he replied, gruffly, 'who cannot
+tell your own father and mother?'
+
+'You know them, perhaps!' I exclaimed eagerly. 'You know them! and with
+that secret is connected the treatment which I am now receiving? It must
+be so, for in my life have I never injured any one. Tell me the cause of
+my misfortunes, or rather, help me to my liberty, and I will reward you
+richly.'
+
+'Aye, aye,' replied my keeper; 'but what use to give you liberty, who
+know nothing how to use it like a gentleman, but spend your time with
+Quakers and fiddlers, and such like raff! If I was your--hem, hem, hem!'
+
+Here Cristal stopped short, just on the point, as it appeared, when some
+information was likely to escape him. I urged him once more to be my
+friend, and promised him all the stock of money which I had about me,
+and it was not inconsiderable, if he would assist in my escape.
+
+He listened, as if to a proposition which had some interest, and
+replied, but in a voice rather softer than before, 'Aye, but men do not
+catch old birds with chaff, my master. Where have you got the rhino you
+are so flush of?'
+
+'I will give you earnest directly, and that in banknotes,' said I; but
+thrusting my hand into my side-pocket, I found my pocket-book was gone.
+I would have persuaded myself that it was only the numbness of my hands
+which prevented my finding it; but Cristal Nixon, who bears in his
+countenance that cynicism which is especially entertained with human
+misery, no longer suppressed his laughter.
+
+'Oh, ho! my young master,' he said; 'we have taken good enough care you
+have not kept the means of bribing poor folk's fidelity. What, man, they
+have souls as well as other people, and to make them break trust is
+a deadly sin. And as for me, young gentleman, if you would fill Saint
+Mary's Kirk with gold, Cristal Nixon would mind it no more than so many
+chucky-stones.'
+
+I would have persisted, were it but in hopes of his letting drop that
+which it concerned me to know, but he cut off further communication, by
+desiring me to lean back in the corner and go to sleep.
+
+'Thou art cock-brained enough already,' he added, 'and we shall have thy
+young pate addled entirely, if you do not take some natural rest.'
+
+I did indeed require repose, if not slumber; the draught which I had
+taken continued to operate, and, satisfied in my own mind that no
+attempt on my life was designed, the fear of instant death no longer
+combated the torpor which crept over me--I slept, and slept soundly, but
+still without refreshment.
+
+When I awoke, I found myself extremely indisposed; images of the past,
+and anticipations of the future, floated confusedly through my brain.
+I perceived, however, that my situation was changed, greatly for the
+better. I was in a good bed, with the curtains drawn round it; I heard
+the lowered voice and cautious step of attendants, who seemed to respect
+my repose; it appeared as if I was in the hands either of friends, or of
+such as meant me no personal harm.
+
+I can give but an indistinct account of two or three broken and feverish
+days which succeeded, but if they were chequered with dreams and
+visions of terror, other and more agreeable objects were also sometimes
+presented. Alan Fairford will understand me when I say, I am convinced I
+saw G.M. during this interval of oblivion. I had medical attendance, and
+was bled more than once. I also remember a painful operation performed
+on my head, where I had received a severe blow on the night of the riot.
+My hair was cut short, and the bone of the skull examined, to discover
+if the cranium had received any injury.
+
+On seeing the physician, it would have been natural to have appealed
+to him on the subject of my confinement, and I remember more than once
+attempting to do so. But the fever lay like a spell upon my tongue, and
+when I would have implored the doctor's assistance, I rambled from the
+subject, and spoke I know not what nonsense. Some power, which I
+was unable to resist, seemed to impel me into a different course of
+conversation from what I intended, and though conscious, in some degree,
+of the failure, I could not mend it; and resolved, therefore, to be
+patient, until my capacity of steady thought and expression was restored
+to me with my ordinary health, which had sustained a severe shock from
+the vicissitudes to which I had been exposed. [See Note 6.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+DARSIE LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+Two or three days, perhaps more, perhaps less, had been spent in bed,
+where I was carefully attended, and treated, I believe, with as much
+judgement as the case required, and I was at length allowed to quit
+my bed, though not the chamber. I was now more able to make some
+observation on the place of my confinement.
+
+The room, in appearance and furniture, resembled the best apartment in
+a farmer's house; and the window, two stories high, looked into a
+backyard, or court, filled with domestic poultry. There were the usual
+domestic offices about this yard. I could distinguish the brewhouse and
+the barn, and I heard, from a more remote building, the lowing of the
+cattle, and other rural sounds, announcing a large and well-stocked
+farm. These were sights and sounds qualified to dispel any apprehension
+of immediate violence. Yet the building seemed ancient and strong, a
+part of the roof was battlemented, and the walls were of great thickness;
+lastly, I observed, with some unpleasant sensations, that the windows
+of my chamber had been lately secured with iron stanchions, and that
+the servants who brought me victuals, or visited my apartment to render
+other menial offices, always locked the door when they retired.
+
+The comfort and cleanliness of my chamber were of true English growth,
+and such as I had rarely seen on the other side of the Tweed; the very
+old wainscot, which composed the floor and the panelling of the room,
+was scrubbed with a degree of labour which the Scottish housewife rarely
+bestows on her most costly furniture.
+
+The whole apartments appropriated to my use consisted of the bedroom, a
+small parlour adjacent, within which was a still smaller closet having
+a narrow window which seemed anciently to have been used as a shot-hole,
+admitting, indeed, a very moderate portion of light and air, but without
+its being possible to see anything from it except the blue sky, and
+that only by mounting on a chair. There were appearances of a separate
+entrance into this cabinet, besides that which communicated with the
+parlour, but it had been recently built up, as I discovered by removing
+a piece of tapestry which covered the fresh mason-work. I found some
+of my clothes here, with linen and other articles, as well as my
+writing-case, containing pen, ink, and paper, which enables me, at my
+leisure (which, God knows, is undisturbed enough) to make this record of
+my confinement. It may be well believed, however, that I do not trust
+to the security of the bureau, but carry the written sheets about my
+person, so that I can only be deprived of them by actual violence. I
+also am cautious to write in the little cabinet only, so that I can
+hear any person approach me through the other apartments, and have time
+enough to put aside my journal before they come upon me.
+
+The servants, a stout country fellow and a very pretty milkmaid-looking
+lass, by whom I am attended, seem of the true Joan and Hedge school,
+thinking of little and desiring nothing beyond the very limited sphere
+of their own duties or enjoyments, and having no curiosity whatever
+about the affairs of others. Their behaviour to me in particular, is,
+at the same time, very kind and very provoking. My table is abundantly
+supplied, and they seem anxious to comply with my taste in that
+department. But whenever I make inquiries beyond 'what's for dinner',
+the brute of a lad baffles me by his ANAN, and his DUNNA KNAW, and if
+hard pressed, turns his back on me composedly, and leaves the room. The
+girl, too, pretends to be as simple as he; but an arch grin, which
+she cannot always suppress, seems to acknowledge that she understands
+perfectly well the game which she is playing, and is determined to keep
+me in ignorance. Both of them, and the wench in particular, treat me
+as they would do a spoiled child, and never directly refuse me anything
+which I ask, taking care, at the same time, not to make their words good
+by effectually granting my request. Thus, if I desire to go out, I am
+promised by Dorcas that I shall walk in the park at night, and see the
+cows milked, just as she would propose such an amusement to a child. But
+she takes care never to keep her word, if it is in her power to do so.
+
+In the meantime, there has stolen on me insensibly an indifference to
+my freedom--a carelessness about my situation, for which I am unable to
+account, unless it be the consequence of weakness and loss of blood. I
+have read of men who, immured as I am, have surprised the world by the
+address with which they have successfully overcome the most formidable
+obstacles to their escape; and when I have heard such anecdotes, I
+have said to myself, that no one who is possessed only of a fragment
+of freestone, or a rusty nail to grind down rivets and to pick locks,
+having his full leisure to employ in the task, need continue the
+inhabitant of a prison. Here, however, I sit, day after day, without a
+single effort to effect my liberation.
+
+Yet my inactivity is not the result of despondency, but arises, in
+part at least, from feelings of a very different cast. My story, long
+a mysterious one, seems now upon the verge of some strange development;
+and I feel a solemn impression that I ought to wait the course of
+events, to struggle against which is opposing my feeble efforts to the
+high will of fate. Thou, my Alan, wilt treat as timidity this passive
+acquiescence, which has sunk down on me like a benumbing torpor; but if
+thou hast remembered by what visions my couch was haunted, and dost but
+think of the probability that I am in the vicinity, perhaps under the
+same roof with G.M., thou wilt acknowledge that other feelings than
+pusillanimity have tended in some degree to reconcile me to my fate.
+
+Still I own it is unmanly to submit with patience to this oppressive
+confinement. My heart rises against it, especially when I sit down to
+record my sufferings in this journal, and I am determined, as the first
+step to my deliverance, to have my letters sent to the post-house. ----
+
+I am disappointed. When the girl Dorcas, upon whom I had fixed for a
+messenger, heard me talk of sending a letter, she willingly offered her
+services, and received the crown which I gave her (for my purse had not
+taken flight with the more valuable contents of my pocket-book) with a
+smile which showed her whole set of white teeth.
+
+But when, with the purpose of gaining some intelligence respecting my
+present place of abode, I asked to which post-town she was to send or
+carry the letter, a stolid 'ANAN' showed me she was either ignorant of
+the nature of a post-office, or that, for the present, she chose to seem
+so.--'Simpleton!' I said, with some sharpness.
+
+'O Lord, sir!' answered the girl, turning pale, which they always do
+when I show any sparks of anger, 'Don't put yourself in a passion--I'll
+put the letter in the post.
+
+'What! and not know the name of the post-town?' said I, out of patience.
+'How on earth do you propose to manage that?'
+
+'La you there, good master. What need you frighten a poor girl that is
+no schollard, bating what she learned at the Charity School of Saint
+Bees?'
+
+'Is Saint Bees far from this place, Dorcas? Do you send your letters
+there?' said I, in a manner as insinuating, and yet careless, as I could
+assume.
+
+'Saint Bees! La, who but a madman--begging your honour's pardon--it's a
+matter of twenty years since fader lived at Saint Bees, which is twenty,
+or forty, or I dunna know not how many miles from this part, to the
+West, on the coast side; and I would not have left Saint Bees, but that
+fader'--
+
+'Oh, the devil take your father!' replied I.
+
+To which she answered, 'Nay, but thof your honour be a little
+how-come-so, you shouldn't damn folk's faders; and I won't stand to it,
+for one.'
+
+'Oh, I beg you a thousand pardons--I wish your father no ill in the
+world--he was a very honest man in his way.'
+
+'WAS an honest man!' she exclaimed; for the Cumbrians are, it would
+seem, like their neighbours the Scotch, ticklish on the point of
+ancestry,--'He IS a very honest man as ever led nag with halter on head
+to Staneshaw Bank Fair. Honest! He is a horse-couper.'
+
+'Right, right,' I replied; 'I know it--I have heard of your father-as
+honest as any horse-couper of them all. Why, Dorcas, I mean to buy a
+horse of him.'
+
+'Ah, your honour,' sighed Dorcas, 'he is the man to serve your honour
+well--if ever you should get round again--or thof you were a bit off the
+hooks, he would no more cheat you than'--
+
+'Well, well, we will deal, my girl, you may depend on't. But tell me
+now, were I to give you a letter, what would you do to get it forward?'
+
+'Why, put it into Squire's own bag that hangs in hall,' answered poor
+Dorcas. 'What else could I do? He sends it to Brampton, or to Carloisle,
+or where it pleases him, once a week, and that gate.'
+
+'Ah!' said I; 'and I suppose your sweetheart John carries it?'
+
+'Noa--disn't now--and Jan is no sweetheart of mine, ever since he danced
+at his mother's feast with Kitty Rutlege, and let me sit still; that a
+did.'
+
+'It was most abominable in Jan, and what I could never have thought of
+him,' I replied.
+
+'Oh, but a did though--a let me sit still on my seat, a did.'
+
+'Well, well, my pretty May, you will get a handsomer fellow than
+Jan--Jan's not the fellow for you, I see that.'
+
+'Noa, noa,' answered the damsel; 'but he is weel aneugh for a' that,
+mon. But I carena a button for him; for there is the miller's son, that
+suitored me last Appleby Fair, when I went wi' oncle, is a gway canny
+lad as you will see in the sunshine.'
+
+'Aye, a fine stout fellow. Do you think he would carry my letter to
+Carlisle?'
+
+'To Carloisle! 'Twould be all his life is worth; he maun wait on clap
+and hopper, as they say. Odd, his father would brain him if he went to
+Carloisle, bating to wrestling for the belt, or sic loike. But I ha'
+more bachelors than him; there is the schoolmaster, can write almaist as
+weel as tou canst, mon.'
+
+'Then he is the very man to take charge of a letter; he knows the
+trouble of writing one.'
+
+'Aye, marry does he, an tou comest to that, mon; only it takes him four
+hours to write as mony lines. Tan, it is a great round hand loike, that
+one can read easily, and not loike your honour's, that are like midge's
+taes. But for ganging to Carloisle, he's dead foundered, man, as cripple
+as Eckie's mear.'
+
+'In the name of God,' said I, 'how is it that you propose to get my
+letter to the post?'
+
+'Why, just to put it into Squire's bag loike,' reiterated Dorcas; 'he
+sends it by Cristal Nixon to post, as you call it, when such is his
+pleasure.'
+
+Here I was, then, not much edified by having obtained a list of Dorcas's
+bachelors; and by finding myself, with respect to any information
+which I desired, just exactly at the point where I set out. It was of
+consequence to me, however, to accustom, the girl to converse with me
+familiarly. If she did so, she could not always be on her guard,
+and something, I thought, might drop from her which I could turn to
+advantage.
+
+'Does not the Squire usually look into his letter-bag, Dorcas?' said I,
+with as much indifference as I could assume.
+
+'That a does,' said Dorcas; 'and a threw out a letter of mine to Raff
+Miller, because a said'--
+
+'Well, well, I won't trouble him with mine,' said I, 'Dorcas; but,
+instead, I will write to himself, Dorcas. But how shall I address him?'
+
+'Anan?' was again Dorcas's resource.
+
+'I mean how is he called? What is his name?'
+
+'Sure you honour should know best,' said Dorcas.
+
+'I know? The devil! You drive me beyond patience.'
+
+'Noa, noa! donna your honour go beyond patience--donna ye now,'
+implored the wench. 'And for his neame, they say he has mair nor ane
+in Westmoreland and on the Scottish side. But he is but seldom wi'
+us, excepting in the cocking season; and then we just call him Squoire
+loike; and so do my measter and dame.'
+
+'And is he here at present?' said I.
+
+'Not he, not he; he is a buck-hoonting, as they tell me, somewhere up
+the Patterdale way; but he comes and gangs like a flap of a whirlwind,
+or sic loike.'
+
+I broke off the conversation, after forcing on Dorcas a little silver
+to buy ribbons, with which she was so much delighted that she exclaimed,
+'God! Cristal Nixon may say his worst on thee; but thou art a civil
+gentleman for all him; and a quoit man wi' woman folk loike.'
+
+There is no sense in being too quiet with women folk, so I added a kiss
+with my crown piece; and I cannot help thinking that I have secured
+a partisan in Dorcas. At least, she blushed, and pocketed her little
+compliment with one hand, while, with the other, she adjusted her
+cherry-coloured ribbons, a little disordered by the struggle it cost me
+to attain the honour of a salute.
+
+As she unlocked the door to leave the apartment, she turned back,
+and looking on me with a strong expression of compassion, added the
+remarkable words, 'La--be'st mad or no, thou'se a mettled lad, after
+all.'
+
+There was something very ominous in the sound of these farewell words,
+which seemed to afford me a clue to the pretext under which I was
+detained in confinement, My demeanour was probably insane enough, while
+I was agitated at once by the frenzy incident to the fever, and the
+anxiety arising from my extraordinary situation. But is it possible they
+can now establish any cause for confining me arising out of the state of
+my mind?
+
+If this be really the pretext under which I am restrained from my
+liberty, nothing but the sedate correctness of my conduct can remove the
+prejudices which these circumstances may have excited in the minds of
+all who have approached me during my illness. I have heard--dreadful
+thought!--of men who, for various reasons, have been trepanned into
+the custody of the keepers of private madhouses, and whose brain,
+after years of misery, became at length unsettled, through irresistible
+sympathy with the wretched beings among whom they were classed. This
+shall not be my case, if, by strong internal resolution, it is in human
+nature to avoid the action of exterior and contagious sympathies.
+
+Meantime I sat down to compose and arrange my thoughts, for my purposed
+appeal to my jailer--so I must call him--whom I addressed in the
+following manner; having at length, and after making several copies,
+found language to qualify the sense of resentment which burned in
+the first, drafts of my letter, and endeavoured to assume a tone more
+conciliating. I mentioned the two occasions on which he had certainly
+saved my life, when at the utmost peril; and I added, that whatever was
+the purpose of the restraint, now practised on me, as I was given to
+understand, by his authority, it could not certainly be with any view
+to ultimately injuring me. He might, I said, have mistaken me for some
+other person; and I gave him what account I could of my situation and
+education, to correct such an error. I supposed it next possible, that
+he might think me too weak for travelling, and not capable of taking
+care of myself; and I begged to assure him, that I was restored to
+perfect health, and quite able to endure the fatigue of a journey.
+Lastly, I reminded him, in firm though measured terms, that the
+restraint which I sustained was an illegal one, and highly punishable
+by the laws which protect the liberties of the subject. I ended by
+demanding that he would take me before a magistrate; or, at least, that
+he would favour me with a personal interview and explain his meaning
+with regard to me.
+
+Perhaps this letter was expressed in a tone too humble for the
+situation of an injured man, and I am inclined to think so when I again
+recapitulate its tenor. But what could I do? I was in the power of one
+whose passions seem as violent as his means of gratifying them appear
+unbounded. I had reason, too, to believe (this to thee, Alan) that all
+his family did not approve of the violence of his conduct towards me; my
+object, in fine, was freedom, and who would not sacrifice much to attain
+it?
+
+I had no means of addressing my letter excepting 'For the Squire's
+own hand.' He could be at no great distance, for in the course of
+twenty-four hours I received an answer. It was addressed to Darsie
+Latimer, and contained these words: 'You have demanded an interview with
+me. You have required to be carried before a magistrate. Your first wish
+shall be granted--perhaps the second also. Meanwhile, be assured that
+you are a prisoner for the time, by competent authority, and that
+such authority is supported by adequate power. Beware, therefore, of
+struggling with a force sufficient to crush you, but abandon yourself to
+that train of events by which we are both swept along, and which it is
+impossible that either of us can resist.'
+
+These mysterious words were without signature of any kind, and left
+me nothing more important to do than to prepare myself for the meeting
+which they promised. For that purpose I must now break off, and make
+sure of the manuscript--so far as I can, in my present condition, be
+sure of anything--by concealing it within the lining of my coat, so as
+not to be found without strict search.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+The important interview expected at the conclusion of my last took place
+sooner than I had calculated; for the very day I received the letter,
+and just when my dinner was finished, the squire, or whatever he is
+called, entered the room so suddenly that I almost thought I beheld an
+apparition. The figure of this man is peculiarly noble and stately,
+and his voice has that deep fullness of accent which implies unresisted
+authority. I had risen involuntarily as he entered; we gazed on each
+other for a moment in silence, which was at length broken by my visitor.
+
+'You have desired to see me,' he said. 'I am here; if you have aught
+to say let me hear it; my time is too brief to be consumed in childish
+dumb-show.'
+
+'I would ask of you,' said I, 'by what authority I am detained in this
+place of confinement, and for what purpose?'
+
+'I have told you already,' said he, 'that my authority is sufficient,
+and my power equal to it; this is all which it is necessary for you at
+present to know.'
+
+'Every British subject has a right to know why he suffers restraint,'
+I replied; 'nor can he be deprived of liberty without a legal warrant.
+Show me that by which you confine me thus.'
+
+'You shall see more,' he said; 'you shall see the magistrate by whom it
+is granted, and that without a moment's delay.'
+
+This sudden proposal fluttered and alarmed me; I felt, nevertheless,
+that I had the right cause, and resolved to plead it boldly, although
+I could well have desired a little further time for preparation. He
+turned, however, threw open the door of the apartment, and commanded me
+to follow him. I felt some inclination, when I crossed the threshold of
+my prison-chamber, to have turned and run for it; but I knew not where
+to find the stairs--had reason to think the outer doors would be secured
+and, to conclude, so soon as I had quitted the room to follow the proud
+step of my conductor, I observed that I was dogged by Cristal Nixon, who
+suddenly appeared within two paces of me, and with whose great personal
+strength, independent of the assistance he might have received from
+his master, I saw no chance of contending. I therefore followed,
+unresistingly and in silence; along one or two passages of much greater
+length than consisted with the ideas I had previously entertained of
+the size of the house. At length a door was flung open, and we entered
+a large, old-fashioned parlour, having coloured glass in the windows,
+oaken panelling on the wall, a huge grate, in which a large faggot
+or two smoked under an arched chimney-piece of stone which bore some
+armorial device, whilst the walls were adorned with the usual number
+of heroes in armour, with large wigs instead of helmets, and ladies in
+sacques, smelling to nosegays.
+
+Behind a long table, on which were several books, sat a smart
+underbred-looking man, wearing his own hair tied in a club, and who,
+from the quire of paper laid before him, and the pen which he handled
+at my entrance, seemed prepared to officiate as clerk. As I wish to
+describe these persons as accurately as possible, I may add, he wore a
+dark-coloured coat, corduroy breeches, and spatterdashes. At the
+upper end of the same table, in an ample easy-chair covered with black
+leather, reposed a fat personage, about fifty years old, who either was
+actually a country justice, or was well selected to represent such a
+character. His leathern breeches were faultless in make, his jockey
+boots spotless in the varnish, and a handsome and flourishing pair of
+boot-garters, as they are called, united the one part of his garments to
+the other; in fine, a richly-laced scarlet waistcoat and a purple coat
+set off the neat though corpulent figure of the little man, and threw an
+additional bloom upon his plethoric aspect. I suppose he had dined,
+for it was two hours past noon, and he was amusing himself, and aiding
+digestion, with a pipe of tobacco. There was an air of importance in his
+manner which corresponded to the rural dignity of his exterior, and a
+habit which he had of throwing out a number of interjectional sounds,
+uttered with a strange variety of intonation running from bass up to
+treble in a very extraordinary manner, or breaking off his sentences
+with a whiff of his pipe, seemed adopted to give an air of thought and
+mature deliberation to his opinions and decisions. Notwithstanding
+all this, Alan, it might be DOOTED, as our old Professor used to say,
+whether the Justice was anything more then an ass. Certainly, besides a
+great deference for the legal opinion of his clerk, which might be quite
+according to the order of things, he seemed to be wonderfully under the
+command of his brother squire, if squire either of them were, and indeed
+much more than was consistent with so much assumed consequence of his
+own.
+
+'Ho--ha--aye--so--so--hum--humph--this is the young man, I
+suppose--hum--aye--seems sickly. Young gentleman, you may sit down.'
+
+I used the permission given, for I had been much more reduced by my
+illness than I was aware of, and felt myself really fatigued, even by
+the few paces I had walked, joined to the agitation I suffered.
+
+'And your name, young man, is--humph--aye--ha--what is it?'
+
+'Darsie Latimer.'
+
+'Right--aye--humph--very right. Darsie Latimer is the very
+thing--ha--aye--where do you come from?'
+
+'From Scotland, sir,' I replied.
+
+'A native of Scotland--a--humph--eh--how is it?'
+
+'I am an Englishman by birth, sir.'
+
+'Right--aye--yes, you are so. But pray, Mr. Darsie Latimer, have you
+always been called by that name, or have you any other?--Nick, write
+down his answers, Nick.'
+
+'As far as I remember, I never bore any other,' was my answer.
+
+'How, no? well, I should not have thought so, Hey, neighbour, would
+you?'
+
+Here he looked towards the other squire, who had thrown himself into a
+chair; and, with his legs stretched out before him, and his arms folded
+on his bosom, seemed carelessly attending to what was going forward.
+He answered the appeal of the Justice by saying, that perhaps the young
+man's memory did not go back to a very early period.
+
+'Ah--eh--ha--you hear the gentleman. Pray, how far may your memory be
+pleased to run back to?--umph?'
+
+'Perhaps, sir, to the age of three years, or a little further.'
+
+'And will you presume to say, sir,' said the squire, drawing himself
+suddenly erect in his seat, and exerting the strength of his powerful
+voice, 'that you then bore your present name?'
+
+I was startled at the confidence with which this question was put, and
+in vain rummaged my memory for the means of replying. 'At least,' I
+said, 'I always remember being called Darsie; children, at that early
+age, seldom get more than their Christian name.'
+
+'Oh, I thought so,' he replied, and again stretched himself on his seat,
+in the same lounging posture as before.
+
+'So you were called Darsie in your infancy,' said the Justice;
+'and--hum--aye--when did you first take the name of Latimer?'
+
+'I did not take it, sir; it was given to me.'
+
+'I ask you,' said the lord of the mansion, but with less severity in his
+voice than formerly, 'whether you can remember that you were ever called
+Latimer, until you had that name given you in Scotland?'
+
+'I will be candid: I cannot recollect an instance that I was so called
+when in England, but neither can I recollect when the name was first
+given me; and if anything is to be founded on these queries and my
+answers, I desire my early childhood may be taken into consideration.'
+
+'Hum--aye--yes,' said the Justice; 'all that requires consideration
+shall be duly considered. Young man--eh--I beg to know the name of your
+father and mother?'
+
+This was galling a wound that has festered for years, and I did not
+endure the question so patiently as those which preceded it; but
+replied, 'I demand, in my turn, to know if I am before an English
+Justice of the Peace?'
+
+'His worship, Squire Foxley, of Foxley Hall, has been of the quorum
+these twenty years,' said Master Nicholas.
+
+'Then he ought to know, or you, sir, as his clerk, should inform him,'
+said I, 'that I am the complainer in this case, and that my complaint
+ought to be heard before I am subjected to cross-examination.'
+
+'Humph--hoy--what, aye--there is something in that, neighbour,' said
+the poor Justice, who, blown about by every wind of doctrine, seemed
+desirous to attain the sanction of his brother squire.
+
+'I wonder at you, Foxley,' said his firm-minded acquaintance; 'how can
+you render the young man justice unless you know who he is?'
+
+'Ha--yes--egad, that's true,' said Mr. Justice Foxley; 'and now--looking
+into the matter more closely--there is, eh, upon the whole--nothing
+at all in what he says--so, sir, you must tell your father's name, and
+surname.'
+
+'It is out of my power, sir; they are not known to me, since you must
+needs know so much of my private affairs.'
+
+The Justice collected a great AFFLATUS in his cheeks, which puffed them
+up like those of a Dutch cherub, while his eyes seemed flying out of his
+head, from the effort with which he retained his breath. He then blew
+it forth with,--'Whew!--Hoom--poof--ha!--not know your parents,
+youngster?--Then I must commit you for a vagrant, I warrant you. OMNE
+IGNOTUM PRO TERRIBILI, as we used to say at Appleby school; that is,
+every one that is not known to the Justice; is a rogue and a vagabond.
+Ha!--aye, you may sneer, sir; but I question if you would have known the
+meaning of that Latin, unless I had told you.'
+
+I acknowledged myself obliged for a new edition of the adage, and an
+interpretation which I could never have reached alone and unassisted. I
+then proceeded to state my case with greater confidence. The Justice
+was an ass, that was clear; but if was scarcely possible he could be so
+utterly ignorant as not to know what was necessary in so plain a case as
+mine. I therefore informed him of the riot which had been committed on
+the Scottish side of the Solway Firth, explained how I came to be placed
+in my present situation, and requested of his worship to set me at
+liberty. I pleaded my cause with as much earnestness as I could, casting
+an eye from time to time upon the opposite party, who seemed entirely
+indifferent to all the animation with which I accused him.
+
+As for the Justice, when at length I had ceased, as really not
+knowing what more to say in a case so very plain, he replied,
+'Ho--aye--aye--yes--wonderful! and so this is all the gratitude you show
+to this good gentleman for the great charge and trouble he hath had with
+respect to and concerning of you?'
+
+'He saved my life, sir, I acknowledge, on one occasion certainly, and
+most probably on two; but his having done so gives him no right over my
+person. I am not, however, asking for any punishment or revenge; on the
+contrary, I am content to part friends with the gentleman, whose motives
+I am unwilling to suppose are bad, though his actions have been, towards
+me, unauthorized and violent.'
+
+This moderation, Alan, thou wilt comprehend, was not entirely dictated
+by my feelings towards the individual of whom I complained; there were
+other reasons, in which regard for him had little share. It seemed,
+however, as if the mildness with which I pleaded my cause had more
+effect upon him than anything I had yet said. We was moved to the point
+of being almost out of countenance; and took snuff repeatedly, as if to
+gain time to stifle some degree of emotion.
+
+But on Justice Foxley, on whom my eloquence was particularly designed to
+make impression, the result was much less favourable. He consulted in a
+whisper with Mr. Nicholas, his clerk--pshawed, hemmed, and elevated
+his eyebrows, as if in scorn of my supplication. At length, having
+apparently made up his mind, he leaned back in his chair, and smoked
+his pipe with great energy, with a look of defiance, designed to make me
+aware that all my reasoning was lost on him.
+
+At length, when I stopped, more from lack of breath than want of
+argument, he opened his oracular jaws, and made the following reply,
+interrupted by his usual interjectional ejaculations, and by long
+volumes of smoke:--'Hem--aye--eh--poof. And, youngster, do you think
+Matthew Foxley, who has been one of the quorum for these twenty years,
+is to be come over with such trash as would hardly cheat an apple-woman?
+Poof--poof--eh! Why, man--eh--dost thou not know the charge is not a
+bailable matter--and that--hum--aye--the greatest man--poof--the Baron
+of Graystock himself, must stand committed? and yet you pretend to have
+been kidnapped by this gentleman, and robbed of property, and what not;
+and--eh--poof--you would persuade me all you want is to get away from
+him? I do believe--eh--that it IS all you want. Therefore, as you are
+a sort of a slip-string gentleman, and--aye--hum--a kind of idle
+apprentice, and something cock-brained withal, as the honest folks
+of the house tell me--why, you must e'en remain under custody of your
+guardian, till your coming of age, or my Lord Chancellor's warrant,
+shall give you the management of your own affairs, which, if you can
+gather your brains again, you will even then not be--aye--hem--poof--in
+particular haste to assume.'
+
+The time occupied by his worship's hums, and haws, and puffs of tobacco
+smoke, together with the slow and pompous manner in which he spoke, gave
+me a minute's space to collect my ideas, dispersed as they were by the
+extraordinary purport of this annunciation.
+
+'I cannot conceive, sir,' I replied, 'by what singular tenure this
+person claims my obedience as a guardian; it is a barefaced imposture. I
+never in my life saw him, until I came unhappily to this country, about
+four weeks since.'
+
+'Aye, sir--we--eh--know, and are aware--that--poof--you do not like
+to hear some folk's names; and that--eh--you understand me--there are
+things, and sounds, and matters, conversation about names, and suchlike,
+which put you off the hooks--which I have no humour to witness.
+Nevertheless, Mr. Darsie--or--poof--Mr. Darsie Latimer--or--poof,
+poof--eh--aye, Mr. Darsie without the Latimer--you have acknowledged
+as much to-day as assures me you will best be disposed of under the
+honourable care of my friend here--all your confessions--besides that,
+poof--eh--I know him to be a most responsible person--a--hay--aye--most
+responsible and honourable person--Can you deny this?'
+
+'I know nothing of him,' I repeated; 'not even his name; and I have not,
+as I told you, seen him in the course of my whole life, till a few weeks
+since.'
+
+'Will you swear to that?' said the singular man, who seemed to await the
+result of this debate, secure as a rattle-snake is of the prey which
+has once felt its fascination. And while he said these words in deep
+undertone, he withdrew his chair a little behind that of the Justice, so
+as to be unseen by him or his clerk, who sat upon the same side; while
+he bent on me a frown so portentous, that no one who has witnessed the
+look can forget it during the whole of his life. The furrows of the
+brow above the eyes became livid and almost black, and were bent into
+a semicircular, or rather elliptical form, above the junction of the
+eyebrows. I had heard such a look described in an old tale of DIABLERIE,
+which it was my chance to be entertained with not long since; when
+this deep and gloomy contortion of the frontal muscles was not unaptly
+described as forming the representation of a small horseshoe.
+
+The tale, when told, awaked a dreadful vision of infancy, which
+the withering and blighting look now fixed on me again forced on
+my recollection, but with much more vivacity. Indeed, I was so much
+surprised, and, I must add, terrified, at the vague ideas which were
+awakened in my mind by this fearful sign, that I kept my eyes fixed on
+the face in which it was exhibited, as on a frightful vision; until,
+passing his handkerchief a moment across his countenance, this
+mysterious man relaxed at once the look which had for me something
+so appalling. 'The young man will no longer deny that he has seen me
+before,' said he to the Justice, in a tone of complacency; 'and I trust
+he will now be reconciled to my temporary guardianship, which may end
+better for him than he expects.'
+
+'Whatever I expect,' I replied, summoning my scattered recollections
+together, 'I see I am neither to expect justice nor protection from this
+gentleman, whose office it is to render both to the lieges. For you,
+sir, how strangely you have wrought yourself into the fate of an unhappy
+young man or what interest you can pretend in me, you yourself only can
+explain. That I have seen you before is certain; for none can forget the
+look with which you seem to have the power of blighting those upon whom
+you cast it.'
+
+The Justice seemed not very easy under this hint,'Ha!--aye,' he said;
+'it is time to be going, neighbour. I have a many miles to ride, and I
+care not to ride darkling in these parts. You and I, Mr. Nicholas, must
+be jogging.'
+
+The Justice fumbled with his gloves, in endeavouring to draw them on
+hastily, and Mr. Nicholas bustled to get his greatcoat and whip. Their
+landlord endeavoured to detain them, and spoke of supper and beds. Both,
+pouring forth many thanks for his invitation, seemed as if they would
+much rather not, and Mr. Justice Foxley was making a score of apologies,
+with at least a hundred cautionary hems and eh-ehs, when the girl Dorcas
+burst into the room, and announced a gentleman on justice business.
+
+'What gentleman?--and whom does he want?'
+
+'He is cuome post on his ten toes,' said the wench; 'and on justice
+business to his worship loike. I'se uphald him a gentleman, for he
+speaks as good Latin as the schule-measter; but, lack-a-day! he has
+gotten a queer mop of a wig.'
+
+The gentleman, thus announced and described, bounced into the room.
+But I have already written as much as fills a sheet of my paper, and my
+singular embarrassments press so hard on me that I have matter to fill
+another from what followed the intrusion of--my dear Alan--your crazy
+client--Poor Peter Peebles!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+Sheet 2.
+
+I have rarely in my life, till the last alarming days, known what it
+was to sustain a moment's real sorrow. What I called such, was, I am
+now well convinced, only the weariness of mind which, having nothing
+actually present to complain of, turns upon itself and becomes anxious
+about the past and the future; those periods with which human life has
+so little connexion, that Scripture itself hath said, 'Sufficient for
+the day is the evil thereof.'
+
+If, therefore, I have sometimes abused prosperity, by murmuring at
+my unknown birth and uncertain rank in society, I will make amends by
+bearing my present real adversity with patience and courage, and, if I
+can, even with gaiety. What can they--dare they-do to me? Foxley, I am
+persuaded, is a real Justice of Peace, and country gentleman of estate,
+though (wonderful to tell!) he is an ass notwithstanding; and
+his functionary in the drab coat must have a shrewd guess at the
+consequences of being accessory to an act of murder or kidnapping. Men
+invite not such witnesses to deeds of darkness. I have also--Alan, I
+have hopes, arising out of the family of the oppressor himself. I am
+encouraged to believe that G.M. is likely again to enter on the field.
+More I dare not here say; nor must I drop a hint which another eye than
+thine might be able to construe. Enough, my feelings are lighter than
+they have been; and, though fear and wonder are still around me, they
+are unable entirely to overcloud the horizon.
+
+Even when I saw the spectral form of the old scarecrow of the Parliament
+House rush into the apartment where I had undergone so singular an
+examination, I thought of thy connexion with him, and could almost have
+parodied Lear--
+
+  Death!--nothing could have thus subdued nature
+  To such a lowness, but his 'learned lawyers.'
+
+He was e'en as we have seen him of yore, Alan, when, rather to keep thee
+company than to follow my own bent, I formerly frequented the halls of
+justice. The only addition to his dress, in the capacity of a traveller,
+was a pair of boots, that seemed as if they might have seen the field
+of Sheriffmoor; so large and heavy that, tied as they were to the
+creature's wearied hams with large bunches of worsted tape of various
+colours, they looked as if he had been dragging them along, either for a
+wager or by way of penance.
+
+Regardless of the surprised looks of the party on whom he thus intruded
+himself, Peter blundered into the middle of the apartment, with his head
+charged like a ram's in the act of butting, and saluted them thus:--
+
+'Gude day to ye, gude day to your honours. Is't here they sell the fugie
+warrants?'
+
+I observed that on his entrance, my friend--or enemy--drew himself
+back, and placed himself as if he would rather avoid attracting the
+observation of the new-comer. I did the same myself, as far as I was
+able; for I thought it likely that Mr. Peebles might recognize me, as
+indeed I was too frequently among the group of young juridical aspirants
+who used to amuse themselves by putting cases for Peter's solution, and
+playing him worse tricks; yet I was uncertain whether I had better avail
+myself of our acquaintance to have the advantage, such as it might
+be, of his evidence before the magistrate, or whether to make him,
+if possible, bearer of a letter which might procure me more effectual
+assistance. I resolved, therefore, to be guided by circumstances, and
+to watch carefully that nothing might escape me. I drew back as far as
+I could, and even reconnoitred the door and passage, to consider whether
+absolute escape might not be practicable. But there paraded Cristal
+Nixon, whose little black eyes, sharp as those of a basilisk, seemed,
+the instant when they encountered mine, to penetrate my purpose.
+
+I sat down, as much out of sight of all parties as I could, and listened
+to the dialogue which followed--a dialogue how much more interesting to
+me than any I could have conceived, in which Peter Peebles was to be one
+of the dramatis personae!
+
+'Is it here where ye sell the warrants--the fugies, ye ken?' said Peter.
+
+'Hey--eh--what!' said Justice Foxley; 'what the devil does the fellow
+mean?--What would you have a warrant for?'
+
+'It is to apprehend a young lawyer that is IN MEDITATIONE FUGAE; for he
+has ta'en my memorial and pleaded my cause, and a good fee I gave
+him, and as muckle brandy as he could drink that day at his father's
+house--he loes the brandy ower weel for sae youthful a creature.'
+
+'And what has this drunken young dog of a lawyer done to you, that
+you are come to me--eh--ha? Has he robbed you? Not unlikely if he be a
+lawyer--eh--Nick--ha?' said Justice Foxley.
+
+'He has robbed me of himself, sir,' answered Peter; 'of his help,
+comfort, aid, maintenance, and assistance, whilk, as a counsel to a
+client, he is bound to yield me RATIONE OFFICII--that is it, ye see. He
+has pouched my fee, and drucken a mutchkin of brandy, and now he's ower
+the march, and left my cause, half won half lost--as dead a heat as e'er
+was run ower the back-sands. Now, I was advised by some cunning laddies
+that are used to crack a bit law wi' me in the House, that the best
+thing I could do was to take heart o' grace and set out after him; so I
+have taken post on my ain shanks, forby a cast in a cart, or the like. I
+got wind of him in Dumfries, and now I have run him ower to the English
+side, and I want a fugie warrant against him.'
+
+How did my heart throb at this information, dearest Alan! Thou art near
+me then, and I well know with what kind purpose; thou hast abandoned all
+to fly to my assistance; and no wonder that, knowing thy friendship and
+faith, thy sound sagacity and persevering disposition, 'my bosom's
+lord should now sit lightly on his throne'; that gaiety should almost
+involuntarily hover on my pen; and that my heart should beat like that
+of a general, responsive to the drums of his advancing ally, without
+whose help the battle must have been lost.
+
+I did not suffer myself to be startled by this joyous surprise, but
+continued to bend my strictest attention to what followed among this
+singular party. That Poor Peter Peebles had been put on this wildgoose
+chase by some of his juvenile advisers in the Parliament House, he
+himself had intimated; but he spoke with much confidence, and the
+Justice, who seemed to have some secret apprehension of being put to
+trouble in the matter, and, as sometimes occurs on the English frontier,
+a jealousy lest the superior acuteness of their northern neighbours
+might overreach their own simplicity, turned to his clerk with a
+perplexed countenance.
+
+'Eh--oh--Nick--d--n thee--Hast thou got nothing to say? This is more
+Scots law, I take it, and more Scotsmen.' (Here he cast a side-glance at
+the owner of the mansion, and winked to his clerk.) 'I would Solway were
+as deep as it is wide, and we had then some chance of keeping of them
+out.'
+
+Nicholas conversed an instant aside with the supplicant, and then
+reported:--
+
+'The man wants a border-warrant, I think; but they are only granted for
+debt--now he wants one to catch a lawyer.'
+
+'And what for no?' answered Peter Peebles, doggedly; 'what for no, I
+would be glad to ken? If a day's labourer refuse to work, ye'll grant a
+warrant to gar him do out his daurg--if a wench quean rin away from
+her hairst, ye'll send her back to her heuck again--if sae mickle as a
+collier or a salter make a moonlight flitting, ye will cleek him by the
+back-spaul in a minute of time--and yet the damage canna amount to mair
+than a creelfu' of coals, and a forpit or twa of saut; and here is a
+chield taks leg from his engagement, and damages me to the tune of sax
+thousand punds sterling; that is, three thousand that I should win, and
+three thousand mair that I am like to lose; and you that ca' yourself a
+justice canna help a poor man to catch the rinaway? A bonny like justice
+I am like to get amang ye!'
+
+'The fellow must be drunk,' said the clerk.
+
+'Black fasting from all but sin,' replied the supplicant; 'I havena had
+mair than a mouthful of cauld water since I passed the Border, and deil
+a ane of ye is like to say to me, "Dog, will ye drink?"'
+
+The Justice seemed moved by this appeal. 'Hem---tush, man,' replied he;
+'thou speak'st to us as if thou wert in presence of one of thine own
+beggarly justices--get downstairs--get something to eat, man (with
+permission of my friend to make so free in his house), and a mouthful to
+drink, and I warrant we get ye such justice as will please ye.'
+
+'I winna refuse your neighbourly offer,' said Poor Peter Peebles, making
+his bow; 'muckle grace be wi' your honour, and wisdom to guide you in
+this extraordinary cause.'
+
+When I saw Peter Peebles about to retire from the room, I could not
+forbear an effort to obtain from him such evidence as might give me some
+credit with the Justice. I stepped forward, therefore, and, saluting
+him, asked him if he remembered me?
+
+After a stare or two, and a long pinch of snuff, recollection seemed
+suddenly to dawn on Peter Peebles. 'Recollect ye!' he said; 'by my troth
+do I.---Haud him a grip, gentlemen!--constables, keep him fast! where
+that ill-deedie hempy is, ye are sure that Alan Fairford is not far off.
+Haud him fast, Master Constable; I charge ye wi' him, for I am mista'en
+if he is not at the bottom of this rinaway business. He was aye getting
+the silly callant Alan awa wi' gigs, and horse, and the like of that, to
+Roslin, and Prestonpans, and a' the idle gates he could think of. He's a
+rinaway apprentice, that ane.'
+
+'Mr. Peebles,' I said, 'do not do me wrong. I am sure you can say no
+harm of me justly, but can satisfy these gentlemen, if you will, that I
+am a student of law in Edinburgh--Darsie Latimer by name.'
+
+'Me satisfy! how can I satisfy the gentlemen,' answered Peter, 'that am
+sae far from being satisfied mysell? I ken naething about your name, and
+can only testify, NIHIL NOVIT IN CAUSA.'
+
+'A pretty witness you have brought forward in your favour,' said Mr.
+Foxley. 'But--ha--aye---I'll ask him a question or two. Pray, friend,
+will you take your oath to this youth being a runaway apprentice?'
+
+'Sir,' said Peter, 'I will make oath to onything in reason; when a case
+comes to my oath it's a won cause: But I am in some haste to prie your
+worship's good cheer;' for Peter had become much more respectful in
+his demeanour towards the Justice since he had heard some intimation of
+dinner.
+
+'You shall have--eh--hum--aye--a bellyful, if it be possible to fill it.
+First let me know if this young man be really what he pretends. Nick,
+make his affidavit.'
+
+'Ow, he is just a wud harum-scarum creature, that wad never take to his
+studies; daft, sir, clean daft.'
+
+'Deft!' said the Justice; 'what d'ye mean by deft--eh?'
+
+'Just Fifish,' replied Peter; 'wowf--a wee bit by the East Nook or sae;
+it's a common case--the ae half of the warld thinks the tither daft. I
+have met with folk in my day that thought I was daft mysell; and, for my
+part, I think our Court of Session clean daft, that have had the great
+cause of Peebles against Plainstanes before them for this score of
+years, and have never been able to ding the bottom out of it yet.'
+
+'I cannot make out a word of his cursed brogue,' said the Cumbrian
+justice; 'can you, neighbour--eh? What can he mean by DEFT?'
+
+'He means MAD,' said the party appealed to, thrown off his guard by
+impatience of this protracted discussion.
+
+'Ye have it--ye have it,' said Peter; 'that is, not clean skivie, but--'
+
+Here he stopped, and fixed his eye on the person he addressed with an
+air of joyful recognition.--'Aye, aye, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, is
+this your ainsell in blood and bane? I thought ye had been hanged at
+Kennington Common, or Hairiebie, or some of these places, after the
+bonny ploy ye made in the Forty-five.'
+
+'I believe you are mistaken, friend,' said Herries, sternly, with whose
+name and designation I was thus made unexpectedly acquainted.
+
+'The deil a bit,' answered the undaunted Peter Peebles; I mind ye weel,
+for ye lodged in my house the great year of Forty-five, for a great
+year it was; the Grand Rebellion broke out, and my cause--the great
+cause--Peebles against Plainstanes, ET PER CONTRA--was called in the
+beginning of the winter session, and would have been heard, but that
+there was a surcease of justice, with your plaids, and your piping, and
+your nonsense.'
+
+'I tell you, fellow,' said Herries, yet more fiercely, 'you have
+confused me with some of the other furniture of your crazy pate.'
+
+'Speak like a gentleman, sir,' answered Peebles; 'these are not legal
+phrases, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork. Speak in form of law, or I sall bid
+ye gude day, sir. I have nae pleasure in speaking to proud folk, though
+I am willing to answer onything in a legal way; so if you are for
+a crack about auld langsyne, and the splores that you and Captain
+Redgimlet used to breed in my house, and the girded cask of brandy that
+ye drank and ne'er thought of paying for it (not that I minded it muckle
+in thae days, though I have felt a lack of it sin syne), why I will
+waste an hour on ye at ony time.--and where is Captain Redgimlet now?
+he was a wild chap, like yoursell, though they arena sae keen after you
+poor bodies for these some years bygane; the heading and hanging is weel
+ower now--awful job--awful job--will ye try my sneeshing?'
+
+He concluded his desultory speech by thrusting out his large bony paw,
+filled with a Scottish mull of huge dimensions, which Herries, who had
+been standing like one petrified by the assurance of this unexpected
+address, rejected with a contemptuous motion of his hand, which spilled
+some of the contents of the box.
+
+'Aweel, aweel,' said Peter Peebles, totally unabashed by the repulse,
+'e'en as ye like, a wilful man maun hae his way; but,' he added,
+stooping down and endeavouring to gather the spilled snuff from the
+polished floor, 'I canna afford to lose my sneeshing for a' that ye are
+gumple-foisted wi' me.'
+
+My attention had been keenly awakened, during this extraordinary and
+unexpected scene. I watched, with as much attention as my own agitation
+permitted me to command, the effect produced on the parties concerned.
+It was evident that our friend, Peter Peebles, had unwarily let out
+something which altered the sentiments of Justice Foxley and his clerk
+towards Mr. Herries, with whom, until he was known and acknowledged
+under that name, they had appeared to be so intimate. They talked with
+each other aside, looked at a paper or two which the clerk selected
+from the contents of a huge black pocket-book, and seemed, under the
+influence of fear and uncertainty, totally at a loss what line of
+conduct to adopt.
+
+Herries made a different, and far more interesting figure. However
+little Peter Peebles might resemble the angel Ithuriel, the appearance
+of Herries, his high and scornful demeanour, vexed at what seemed
+detection yet fearless of the consequences, and regarding the whispering
+magistrate and his clerk with looks in which contempt predominated over
+anger or anxiety, bore, in my opinion, no slight resemblance to
+
+     the regal port
+  And faded splendour wan
+
+with which the poet has invested the detected King of the powers of the
+air.
+
+As he glanced round, with a look which he had endeavoured to compose to
+haughty indifference, his eye encountered mine, and, I thought, at
+the first glance sank beneath it. But he instantly rallied his natural
+spirit, and returned me one of those extraordinary looks, by which he
+could contort so strangely the wrinkles on his forehead. I started; but,
+angry at myself for my pusillanimity, I answered him by a look of the
+same kind, and catching the reflection of my countenance in a large
+antique mirror which stood before me, I started again at the real or
+imaginary resemblance which my countenance, at that moment, bore to that
+of Herries. Surely my fate is somehow strangely interwoven with that of
+this mysterious individual. I had no time at present to speculate upon
+the subject, for the subsequent conversation demanded all my attention.
+
+The Justice addressed Herries, after a pause of about five minutes, in
+which, all parties seemed at some loss how to proceed. He spoke with
+embarrassment, and his faltering voice, and the long intervals which
+divided his sentences, seemed to indicate fear of him whom he addressed.
+
+'Neighbour,' he said, 'I could not have thought this; or, if I--eh--DID
+think--in a corner of my own mind as it were--that you, I say--that you
+might have unluckily engaged in--eh--the matter of the Forty-five--there
+was still time to have forgot all that.'
+
+'And is it so singular that a man should have been out in the
+Forty-five?' said Herries, with contemptuous composure;--'your father, I
+think, Mr. Foxley, was out with Derwentwater in the Fifteen.'
+
+'And lost half of his estate,' answered Foxley, with more rapidity than
+usual; 'and was very near--hem--being hanged into the boot. But this
+is--another guess job--for--eh--Fifteen is not Forty-five; and my father
+had a remission, and you, I take it, have none.'
+
+'Perhaps I have,' said Herries indifferently; 'or if I have not, I am
+but in the case of half a dozen others whom government do not think
+worth looking after at this time of day, so they give no offence or
+disturbance.'
+
+'But you have given both, sir,' said Nicholas Faggot, the clerk, who,
+having some petty provincial situation, as I have since understood,
+deemed himself bound to be zealous for government, 'Mr. Justice Foxley
+cannot be answerable for letting you pass free, now your name and
+surname have been spoken plainly out. There are warrants out against you
+from the Secretary of State's office.'
+
+'A proper allegation, Mr. Attorney! that, at the distance of so
+many years, the Secretary of State should trouble himself about the
+unfortunate relics of a ruined cause,' answered Mr. Herries.
+
+'But if it be so,' said the clerk, who seemed to assume more confidence
+upon the composure of Herries's demeanour; 'and if cause has been given
+by the conduct of a gentleman himself, who hath been, it is
+alleged, raking up old matters, and mixing them with new subjects of
+disaffection--I say, if it be so, I should advise the party, in his
+wisdom, to surrender himself quietly into the lawful custody of the next
+Justice of Peace--Mr. Foxley, suppose--where, and by whom, the matter
+should be regularly inquired into. I am only putting a case,' he added,
+watching with apprehension the effect which his words were likely to
+produce upon the party to whom they were addressed.
+
+'And were I to receive such advice,' said Herries, with the same
+composure as before--'putting the case, as you say, Mr. Faggot--I
+should request to see the warrant which countenanced such a scandalous
+proceeding.'
+
+Mr. Nicholas, by way of answer, placed in his hand a paper, and seemed
+anxiously to expect the consequences which were to ensue. Mr. Herries
+looked it over with the same equanimity as before, and then continued,
+'And were such a scrawl as this presented to me in my own house, I would
+throw it into the chimney, and Mr. Faggot upon the top of it.'
+
+Accordingly, seconding the word with the action, he flung the warrant
+into the fire with one hand, and fixed the other, with a stern and
+irresistible grip, on the breast of the attorney, who, totally unable to
+contend with him, in either personal strength or mental energy, trembled
+like a chicken in the raven's clutch. He got off, however, for the
+fright; for Herries, having probably made him fully sensible of the
+strength of his grasp, released him, with a scornful laugh.
+
+'Deforcement--spulzie-stouthrief--masterful rescue!' exclaimed Peter
+Peebles, scandalized at the resistance offered to the law in the person
+of Nicholas Faggot. But his shrill exclamations were drowned in the
+thundering voice of Herries, who, calling upon Cristal Nixon, ordered
+him to take the bawling fool downstairs, fill his belly, and then give
+him a guinea, and thrust him out of doors. Under such injunctions, Peter
+easily suffered himself to be withdrawn from the scene.
+
+Herries then turned to the Justice, whose visage, wholly abandoned by
+the rubicund hue which so lately beamed upon it, hung out the same pale
+livery as that of his dismayed clerk. 'Old friend and acquaintance,'
+he said, 'you came here at my request on a friendly errand, to convince
+this silly young man of the right which I have over his person for the
+present. I trust you do not intend to make your visit the pretext of
+disquieting me about other matters? All the world knows that I have been
+living at large, in these northern counties, for some months, not to say
+years, and might have been apprehended at any time, had the necessities
+of the state required, or my own behaviour deserved it. But no English
+magistrate has been ungenerous enough to trouble a gentleman under
+misfortune, on account of political opinions and disputes which have
+been long ended by the success of the reigning powers. I trust, my good
+friend, you will not endanger yourself by taking any other view of the
+subject than you have done ever since we were acquainted?'
+
+The Justice answered with more readiness, as well as more spirit than
+usual, 'Neighbour Ingoldsby--what you say--is--eh--in some sort
+true; and when you were coming and going at markets, horse-races,
+and cock-fights, fairs, hunts, and such-like--it was--eh--neither my
+business nor my wish to dispel--I say--to inquire into and dispel the
+mysteries which hung about you; for while you were a good companion
+in the field, and over a bottle now and then--I did not--eh--think
+it necessary to ask--into your private affairs. And if I thought
+you were--ahem--somewhat unfortunate in former undertakings, and
+enterprises, and connexions, which might cause you to live unsettledly
+and more private, I could have--eh--very little pleasure--to aggravate
+your case by interfering, or requiring explanations, which are often
+more easily asked than given. But when there are warrants and witnesses
+to names--and those names, christian and surname, belong to--eh--an
+attainted person--charged--I trust falsely--with--ahem-taking advantage
+of modern broils and heart-burnings to renew our civil disturbances, the
+case is altered; and I must--ahem--do my duty.'
+
+The Justice, got on his feet as he concluded this speech, and looked
+as bold as he could. I drew close beside him and his clerk, Mr. Faggot,
+thinking the moment favourable for my own liberation, and intimated
+to Mr. Foxley my determination to stand by him. But Mr. Herries only
+laughed at the menacing posture which we assumed. 'My good neighbour,'
+said he, 'you talk of a witness. Is yon crazy beggar a fit witness in an
+affair of this nature?'
+
+'But you do not deny that you are Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, mentioned
+in the Secretary of State's warrant?' said Mr. Foxley.
+
+'How can I deny or own anything about it?' said Herries, with a sneer.
+'There is no such warrant in existence now; its ashes, like the poor
+traitor whose doom it threatened, have been dispersed to the four winds
+of heaven. There is now no warrant in the world.'
+
+'But you will not deny,' said the Justice, 'that you were the person
+named in it; and that--eh--your own act destroyed it?'
+
+'I will neither deny my name nor my actions, Justice,' replied Mr.
+Herries, 'when called upon by competent authority to avow or defend
+them. But I will resist all impertinent attempts either to intrude into
+my private motives, or to control my person. I am quite well prepared to
+do so; and I trust that you, my good neighbour and brother sportsman,
+in your expostulation, and my friend Mr. Nicholas Faggot here, in his
+humble advice and petition that I should surrender myself, will consider
+yourselves as having amply discharged your duty to King George and
+government.'
+
+The cold and ironical tone in which he made this declaration; the look
+and attitude, so nobly expressive of absolute confidence in his own
+superior strength and energy, seemed to complete the indecision which
+had already shown itself on the side of those whom he addressed.
+
+The Justice looked to the clerk--the clerk to the Justice; the former
+HA'D, EH'D, without bringing forth an articulate syllable; the latter
+only said, 'As the warrant is destroyed, Mr. Justice, I presume you do
+not mean to proceed with the arrest?'
+
+'Hum--aye--why, no--Nicholas--it would not be quite advisable--and as
+the Forty-five was an old affair--and--hem--as my friend here will,
+I hope, see his error--that is, if he has not seen it already--and
+renounce the Pope, the Devil, and the Pretender--I mean no harm,
+neighbour--I think we--as we have no POSSE, or constables, or the
+like--should order our horses--and, in one word, look the matter over.'
+
+'Judiciously resolved,' said the person whom this decision affected;
+'but before you go, I trust you will drink and be friends?'
+
+'Why,' said the Justice, rubbing his brow, 'our business has
+been--hem--rather a thirsty one.'
+
+'Cristal Nixon,' said Mr. Herries, 'let us have a cool tankard
+instantly, large enough to quench the thirst of the whole commission.'
+
+While Cristal was absent on this genial errand, there was a pause, of
+which I endeavoured to avail myself by bringing back the discourse to
+my own concerns. 'Sir,' I said to Justice Foxley, 'I have no direct
+business with your late discussion with Mr. Herries, only just thus
+far--You leave me, a loyal subject of King George, an unwilling prisoner
+in the hands of a person whom you have reason to believe unfriendly to
+the king's cause. I humbly submit that this is contrary to your duty
+as a magistrate, and that you ought to make Mr. Herries aware of the
+illegality of his proceedings, and take steps for my rescue, either upon
+the spot, or, at least, as soon as possible after you have left this
+case'--
+
+'Young man,' said Mr. Justice Foxley, 'I would have you remember you are
+under the power, the lawful power--ahem--of your guardian.'
+
+'He calls himself so, indeed,' I replied; 'but he has shown no evidence
+to establish so absurd a claim; and if he had, his circumstances, as an
+attainted traitor excepted from pardon, would void such a right if it
+existed. I do therefore desire you, Mr. Justice, and you, his clerk, to
+consider my situation, and afford me relief at your peril.'
+
+'Here is a young fellow now,' said the Justice, with much-embarrassed
+looks, 'thinks that I carry the whole statute law of England in my head,
+and a POSSE COMITATUS to execute them in my pocket! Why, what good would
+my interference do?--but--hum--eh--I will speak to your guardian in your
+favour.'
+
+He took Mr. Herries aside, and seemed indeed to urge something upon him
+with much earnestness; and perhaps such a species of intercession was
+all which, in the circumstances, I was entitled to expect from him.
+
+They often looked at me as they spoke together; and as Cristal Nixon
+entered with a huge four-pottle tankard, filled with the beverage
+his master had demanded, Herries turned away from Mr. Foxley somewhat
+impatiently, saying with emphasis, 'I give you my word of honour, that
+you have not the slightest reason to apprehend anything on his account.'
+He then took up the tankard, and saying aloud in Gaelic, 'SLAINT AN
+REY,' [The King's health.] just tasted the liquor, and handed the
+tankard to Justice Foxley, who, to avoid the dilemma of pledging him to
+what might be the Pretender's health, drank to Mr. Herries's own, with
+much pointed solemnity, but in a draught far less moderate.
+
+The clerk imitated the example of his principal, and I was fain to
+follow their example, for anxiety and fear are at least as thirsty as
+sorrow is said to be. In a word, we exhausted the composition of ale,
+sherry, lemon-juice, nutmeg, and other good things, stranded upon the
+silver bottom of the tankard the huge toast, as well as the roasted
+orange, which had whilom floated jollily upon the brim, and rendered
+legible Dr. Byrom's celebrated lines engraved thereon--
+
+  God bless the King!--God bless the Faith's defender!
+  God bless--No harm in blessing--the Pretender.
+  Who that Pretender is, and who that King,--
+  God bless us all!--is quite another thing.
+
+I had time enough to study this effusion of the Jacobite muse, while the
+Justice was engaged in the somewhat tedious ceremony of taking leave.
+That of Mr. Faggot was less ceremonious; but I suspect something besides
+empty compliment passed betwixt him and Mr. Herries; for I remarked that
+the latter slipped a piece of paper into the hand of the former, which
+might perhaps be a little atonement for the rashness with which he had
+burnt the warrant, and imposed no gentle hand on the respectable minion
+of the law by whom it was exhibited; and I observed that he made this
+propitiation in such a manner as to be secret from the worthy clerk's
+principal.
+
+When this was arranged, the party took leave of each other with much
+formality on the part of Squire Foxley, amongst whose adieus the
+following phrase was chiefly remarkable: 'I presume you do not intend to
+stay long in these parts?'
+
+'Not for the present, Justice, you may be sure; there are good reasons
+to the contrary. But I have no doubt of arranging my affairs so that we
+shall speedily have sport together again.'
+
+He went to wait upon the Justice to the courtyard; and, as he did
+so, commanded Cristal Nixon to see that I returned into my apartment.
+Knowing it would be to no purpose to resist or tamper with that stubborn
+functionary, I obeyed in silence, and was once more a prisoner in my
+former quarters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+I spent more than an hour, after returning to the apartment which I may
+call my prison, in reducing to writing the singular circumstances which
+I had just witnessed. Methought I could now form some guess at the
+character of Mr. Herries, upon whose name and situation the late
+scene had thrown considerable light--one of those fanatical Jacobites,
+doubtless, whose arms, not twenty years since, had shaken the British
+throne, and some of whom, though their party daily diminished in
+numbers, energy, and power, retained still an inclination to renew the
+attempt they had found so desperate. He was indeed perfectly different
+from the sort of zealous Jacobites whom it had been my luck hitherto to
+meet with. Old ladies of family over their hyson, and grey-haired lairds
+over their punch, I had often heard utter a little harmless treason;
+while the former remembered having led down a dance with the Chevalier,
+and the latter recounted the feats they had performed at Preston,
+Clifton, and Falkirk.
+
+The disaffection of such persons was too unimportant to excite the
+attention of government. I had heard, however, that there still
+existed partisans of the Stuart family of a more daring and dangerous
+description; men who, furnished with gold from Rome, moved, secretly and
+in disguise, through the various classes of society, and endeavoured to
+keep alive the expiring zeal of their party.
+
+I had no difficulty in assigning an important post among this class of
+persons, whose agency and exertion are only doubted by those who look
+on the surface of things, to this Mr. Herries, whose mental energies, as
+well as his personal strength and activity, seemed to qualify him
+well to act so dangerous a part; and I knew that all along the Western
+Border, both in England and Scotland, there are so many nonjurors, that
+such a person may reside there with absolute safety, unless it becomes,
+in a very especial degree, the object of the government to secure his
+person; and which purpose, even then, might be disappointed by early
+intelligence, or, as in the case of Mr. Foxley, by the unwillingness
+of provincial magistrates to interfere in what is now considered an
+invidious pursuit of the unfortunate.
+
+There have, however, been rumours lately, as if the present state of the
+nation or at least of some discontented provinces, agitated by a
+variety of causes but particularly by the unpopularity of the present
+administration, may seem to this species of agitators a favourable
+period for recommencing their intrigues; while, on the other hand,
+government may not, at such a crisis, be inclined to look upon them
+with the contempt which a few years ago would have been their most
+appropriate punishment.
+
+That men should be found rash enough to throw away their services and
+lives in a desperate cause, is nothing new in history, which abounds
+with instances of similar devotion--that Mr. Herries is such an
+enthusiast is no less evident; but all this explains not his conduct
+towards me. Had he sought to make me a proselyte to his ruined cause,
+violence and compulsion were arguments very unlikely to prevail with any
+generous spirit. But even if such were his object, of what use to him
+could be the acquisition of a single reluctant partisan, who could bring
+only his own person to support any quarrel which he might adopt? He had
+claimed over me the rights of a guardian; he had more than hinted that
+I was in a state of mind which could not dispense with the authority of
+such a person. Was this man, so sternly desperate in his purpose--he
+who seemed willing to take on his own shoulders the entire support of
+a cause which had been ruinous to thousands--was he the person that had
+the power of deciding on my fate? Was it from him those dangers flowed,
+to secure me against which I had been educated under such circumstances
+of secrecy and precaution?
+
+And if this was so, of what nature was the claim which he asserted?--Was
+it that of propinquity? And did I share the blood, perhaps the features,
+of this singular being?--Strange as it may seem, a thrill of awe, which
+shot across my mind at that instant, was not unmingled with a wild and
+mysterious feeling of wonder, almost amounting to pleasure. I remembered
+the reflection of my own face in the mirror at one striking moment
+during the singular interview of the day, and I hastened to the outward
+apartment to consult a glass which hung there, whether it were possible
+for my countenance to be again contorted into the peculiar frown which
+so much resembled the terrific look of Herries. But I folded my brows
+in vain into a thousand complicated wrinkles, and I was obliged to
+conclude, either that the supposed mark on my brow was altogether
+imaginary, or that it could not be called forth by voluntary effort; or,
+in fine, what seemed most likely, that it was such a resemblance as the
+imagination traces in the embers of a wood fire, or among the varied
+veins of marble, distinct at one time, and obscure or invisible at
+another, according as the combination of lines strikes the eye or
+impresses the fancy.
+
+While I was moulding my visage like a mad player, the door suddenly
+opened, and the girl of the house entered. Angry and ashamed at being
+detected in my singular occupation, I turned round sharply, and, I
+suppose, chance produced the change on my features which I had been in
+vain labouring to call forth.
+
+The girl started back, with her 'Don't ya look so now--don't ye, for
+love's sake--you be as like the ould squoire as--But here a comes,' she
+said, huddling away out of the room; 'and if you want a third, there is
+none but ould Harry, as I know of, that can match ye for a brent broo!'
+
+As the girl muttered this exclamation, and hastened out of the room,
+Herries entered. He stopped on observing that I had looked again to the
+mirror, anxious to trace the look by which the wench had undoubtedly
+been terrified. He seemed to guess what was passing in my mind, for, as
+I turned towards him, he observed, 'Doubt not that it is stamped on your
+forehead--the fatal mark of our race; though it is not now so apparent
+as it will become when age and sorrow, and the traces of stormy passions
+and of bitter penitence, shall have drawn their furrows on your brow.'
+
+'Mysterious man,' I replied, 'I know not of what you speak; your
+language is as dark as your purposes!'
+
+'Sit down, then,' he said, 'and listen; thus far, at least, must the
+veil of which you complain be raised. When withdrawn, it will only
+display guilt and sorrow--guilt followed by strange penalty, and sorrow
+which Providence has entailed upon the posterity of the mourners.'
+
+He paused a moment, and commenced his narrative, which he told with the
+air of one, who, remote as the events were which he recited, took
+still the deepest interest in them. The tone of his voice, which I have
+already described as rich and powerful, aided by its inflections the
+effects of his story, which I will endeavour to write down, as nearly as
+possible, in the very words which he used.
+
+'It was not of late years that the English learned that their best
+chance of conquering their independent neighbours must be by introducing
+amongst them division and civil war. You need not be reminded of the
+state of thraldom to which Scotland was reduced by the unhappy wars
+betwixt the domestic factions of Bruce and Baliol, nor how, after
+Scotland had been emancipated from a foreign yoke by the conduct and
+valour of the immortal Bruce, the whole fruits of the triumphs of
+Bannockburn were lost in the dreadful defeats of Dupplin and Halidon;
+and Edward Baliol, the minion and feudatory of his namesake of England,
+seemed, for a brief season, in safe and uncontested possession of the
+throne so lately occupied by the greatest general and wisest prince in
+Europe. But the experience of Bruce had not died with him. There
+were many who had shared his martial labours, and all remembered the
+successful efforts by which, under circumstances as disadvantageous as
+those of his son, he had achieved the liberation of Scotland.
+
+'The usurper, Edward Baliol, was feasting with a few of his favourite
+retainers in the castle of Annan, when he was suddenly surprised by a
+chosen band of insurgent patriots. Their chiefs were, Douglas, Randolph,
+the young Earl of Moray, and Sir Simon Fraser; and their success was so
+complete, that Baliol was obliged to fly for his life scarcely
+clothed, and on a horse which there was no leisure to saddle. It was of
+importance to seize his person, if possible, and his flight was closely
+pursued by a valiant knight of Norman descent, whose family had been
+long settled in the marches of Dumfriesshire. Their Norman appellation
+was Fitz-Aldin, but this knight, from the great slaughter which he had
+made of the Southron, and the reluctance which he had shown to admit
+them to quarter during the former war of that bloody period, had
+acquired the name of Redgauntlet, which he transmitted to his
+posterity'--
+
+'Redgauntlet!' I involuntarily repeated.
+
+'Yes, Redgauntlet,' said my alleged guardian, looking at me keenly;
+'does that name recall any associations to your mind?'
+
+'No,' I replied, 'except that I had lately heard it given to the hero of
+a supernatural legend.'
+
+'There are many such current concerning the family,' he answered; and
+then proceeded in his narrative.
+
+'Alberick Redgauntlet, the first of his house so termed, was, as may be
+supposed from his name, of a stern and implacable disposition, which
+had been rendered more so by family discord. An only son, now a youth
+of eighteen, shared so much the haughty spirit of his father, that he
+became impatient of domestic control, resisted paternal authority, and
+finally fled from his father's house, renounced his political opinions,
+and awakened his mortal displeasure by joining the adherents of Baliol.
+It was said that his father cursed, in his wrath, his degenerate
+offspring, and swore that if they met he should perish by his hand.
+Meantime, circumstances seemed to promise atonement for this great
+deprivation. The lady of Alberick Redgauntlet was again, after many
+years, in a situation which afforded her husband the hope of a more
+dutiful heir.
+
+'But the delicacy and deep interest of his wife's condition did not
+prevent Alberick from engaging in the undertaking of Douglas and Moray.
+He had been the most forward in the attack of the castle, and was now
+foremost in the pursuit of Baliol, eagerly engaged in dispersing or
+cutting down the few daring followers who endeavoured to protect the
+usurper in his flight.
+
+'As these were successively routed or slain, the formidable Redgauntlet,
+the mortal enemy of the House of Baliol, was within two lances' length
+of the fugitive Edward Baliol, in a narrow pass, when a youth, one of
+the last who attended the usurper in his flight, threw himself
+between them, received the shock of the pursuer, and was unhorsed and
+overthrown. The helmet rolled from his head, and the beams of the sun,
+then rising over the Solway, showed Redgauntlet the features of his
+disobedient son, in the livery, and wearing the cognizance, of the
+usurper.
+
+'Redgauntlet beheld his son lying before his horse's feet; but he also
+saw Baliol, the usurper of the Scottish crown, still, as it seemed,
+within his grasp, and separated from him only by the prostrate body of
+his overthrown adherent. Without pausing to inquire whether young Edward
+was wounded, he dashed his spurs into his horse, meaning to leap over
+him, but was unhappily frustrated in his purpose. The steed made indeed
+a bound forward, but was unable to clear the body of the youth, and
+with its hind foot struck him in the forehead, as he was in the act of
+rising. The blow was mortal. It is needless to add, that the pursuit was
+checked, and Baliol escaped.
+
+'Redgauntlet, ferocious as he is described, was yet overwhelmed with the
+thoughts of the crime he had committed. When he returned to his castle,
+it was to encounter new domestic sorrows. His wife had been prematurely
+seized with the pangs of labour upon hearing the dreadful catastrophe
+which had taken place. The birth of an infant boy cost her her life.
+Redgauntlet sat by her corpse for more than twenty-four hours without
+changing either feature or posture, so far as his terrified domestics
+could observe. The Abbot of Dundrennan preached consolation to him in
+vain. Douglas, who came to visit in his affliction a patriot of such
+distinguished zeal, was more successful in rousing his attention. He
+caused the trumpets to sound an English point of war in the courtyard,
+and Redgauntlet at once sprang to his arms, and seemed restored to the
+recollection which had been lost in the extent of his misery.
+
+'From that moment, whatever he might feel inwardly, he gave way to no
+outward emotion. Douglas caused his infant to be brought; but even the
+iron-hearted soldiers were struck with horror to observe that, by the
+mysterious law of nature, the cause of his mother's death, and the
+evidence of his father's guilt, was stamped on the innocent face of the
+babe, whose brow was distinctly marked by the miniature resemblance of a
+horseshoe. Redgauntlet himself pointed it out to Douglas, saying, with a
+ghastly smile, "It should have been bloody."
+
+'Moved, as he was, to compassion for his brother-in-arms, and steeled
+against all softer feelings by the habits of civil war, Douglas
+shuddered at this sight, and displayed a desire to leave the house which
+was doomed to be the scene of such horrors. As his parting advice, he
+exhorted Alberick Redgauntlet to make a pilgrimage to Saint Ninian's of
+Whiteherne, then esteemed a shrine of great sanctity; and departed with
+a precipitation which might have aggravated, had that been possible,
+the forlorn state of his unhappy friend. But that seems to have been
+incapable of admitting any addition. Sir Alberick caused the bodies
+of his slaughtered son and the mother to be laid side by side in the
+ancient chapel of his house, after he had used the skill of a celebrated
+surgeon of that time to embalm them; and it was said that for many weeks
+he spent; some hours nightly in the vault where they reposed.
+
+'At length he undertook the proposed pilgrimage to Whiteherne, where
+he confessed himself for the first time since his misfortune, and was
+shrived by an aged monk, who afterwards died in the odour of sanctity.
+It is said that it was then foretold to the Redgauntlet, that on account
+of his unshaken patriotism his family should continue to be powerful
+amid the changes of future times; but that, in detestation of his
+unrelenting cruelty to his own issue, Heaven had decreed that the valour
+of his race should always be fruitless, and that the cause which they
+espoused should never prosper.
+
+'Submitting to such penance as was there imposed, Sir Alberick went,
+it is thought, on a pilgrimage either to Rome, or to the Holy Sepulchre
+itself. He was universally considered as dead; and it was not till
+thirteen years afterwards, that in the great battle of Durham, fought
+between David Bruce and Queen Philippa of England, a knight, bearing
+a horseshoe for his crest, appeared in the van of the Scottish army,
+distinguishing himself by his reckless and desperate valour; who being
+at length overpowered and slain, was finally discovered to be the brave
+and unhappy Sir Alberick Redgauntlet.'
+
+'And has the fatal sign,' said I, when Herries had ended his narrative,
+'descended on all the posterity of this unhappy house?'
+
+'It has been so handed down from antiquity, and is still believed,' said
+Herries. 'But perhaps there is, in the popular evidence, something of
+that fancy which creates what it sees. Certainly, as other families have
+peculiarities by which they are distinguished, this of Redgauntlet is
+marked in most individuals by a singular indenture of the forehead,
+supposed to be derived from the son of Alberick, their ancestor, and
+brother to the unfortunate Edward, who had perished in so piteous a
+manner. It is certain there seems to have been a fate upon the House of
+Redgauntlet, which has been on the losing side in almost all the civil
+broils which have divided the kingdom of Scotland from David Bruce's
+days, till the late valiant and unsuccessful attempt of the Chevalier
+Charles Edward.'
+
+He concluded with a deep sigh, as one whom the subject had involved in a
+train of painful reflections.
+
+'And am I then,' I exclaimed, 'descended from this unhappy race? Do you
+belong to it? And if so, why do I sustain restraint and hard usage at
+the hands of a relation?'
+
+'Inquire no further for the present,' he said. 'The line of conduct
+which I am pursuing towards you is dictated, not by choice but by
+necessity. You were withdrawn from the bosom of your family and the
+care of your legal guardian, by the timidity and ignorance of a doting
+mother, who was incapable of estimating the arguments or feelings of
+those who prefer honour and principle to fortune, and even to life. The
+young hawk, accustomed only to the fostering care of its dam, must be
+tamed by darkness and sleeplessness, ere it is trusted on the wing for
+the purposes of the falconer.'
+
+I was appalled at this declaration, which seemed to threaten a long
+continuance, and a dangerous termination, of my captivity. I deemed it
+best, however, to show some spirit, and at the same time to mingle a
+tone of conciliation. 'Mr. Herries,' I said '(if I call you rightly by
+that name), let us speak upon this matter without the tone of mystery
+and fear in which you seem inclined to envelop it. I have been long,
+alas! deprived of the care of that affectionate mother to whom you
+allude--long under the charge of strangers--and compelled to form my
+own resolutions upon the reasoning of my own mind. Misfortune--early
+deprivation--has given me the privilege of acting for myself; and
+constraint shall not deprive me of an Englishman's best privilege.'
+
+'The true cant of the day,' said Herries, in a tone of scorn. 'The
+privilege of free action belongs to no mortal--we are tied down by
+the fetters of duty--our mortal path is limited by the regulations
+of honour--our most indifferent actions are but meshes of the web of
+destiny by which we are all surrounded.'
+
+He paced the room rapidly, and proceeded in a tone of enthusiasm
+which, joined to some other parts of his conduct, seems to intimate an
+over-excited imagination, were it not contradicted by the general tenor
+of his speech and conduct.
+
+'Nothing,' he said, in an earnest yet melancholy voice--'nothing is the
+work of chance--nothing is the consequence of free-will--the liberty of
+which the Englishman boasts gives as little real freedom to its owner as
+the despotism, of an Eastern sultan permits to his slave. The usurper,
+William of Nassau, went forth to hunt, and thought, doubtless, that it
+was by an act of his own royal pleasure that the horse of his murdered
+victim was prepared for his kingly sport. But Heaven had other views;
+and before the sun was high, a stumble of that very animal over an
+obstacle so inconsiderable as a mole-hillock, cost the haughty rider
+his life and his usurped crown, Do you think an inclination of the rein
+could have avoided that trifling impediment? I tell you, it crossed his
+way as inevitably as all the long chain of Caucasus could have done.
+Yes, young man, in doing and suffering, we play but the part allotted by
+Destiny, the manager of this strange drama, stand bound to act no more
+than is prescribed, to say no more than is set down for us; and yet we
+mouth about free-will and freedom of thought and action, as if Richard
+must not die, or Richmond conquer, exactly where the Author has decreed
+it shall be so!'
+
+He continued to pace the room after this speech, with folded arms and
+downcast looks; and the sound of his steps and tone of his voice brought
+to my remembrance, that I had heard this singular person, when I met him
+on a former occasion, uttering such soliloquies in his solitary chamber.
+I observed that, like other Jacobites, in his inveteracy against the
+memory of King William, he had adopted the party opinion, that the
+monarch, on the day he had his fatal accident, rode upon a horse once
+the property of the unfortunate Sir John Friend, executed for high
+treason in 1698.
+
+It was not my business to aggravate, but, if possible, rather to soothe
+him in whose power I was so singularly placed. When I conceived that the
+keenness of his feelings had in some degree subsided, I answered him
+as follows:--'I will not--indeed I feel myself incompetent to argue
+a question of such metaphysical subtlety, as that which involves the
+limits betwixt free-will and predestination. Let us hope we may live
+honestly and die hopefully, without being obliged to form a decided
+opinion upon a point so far beyond our comprehension.'
+
+'Wisely resolved,' he interrupted, with a sneer--'there came a note from
+some Geneva, sermon.'
+
+'But,' I proceeded, 'I call your attention to the fact that I, as well
+as you, am acted upon by impulses, the result either of my own free
+will, or the consequences of the part which is assigned to me by
+destiny. These may be--nay, at present they are--in direct contradiction
+to those by which you are actuated; and how shall we decide which
+shall have precedence?--YOU perhaps feel yourself destined to act as my
+jailer. I feel myself, on the contrary, destined to attempt and effect
+my escape. One of us must be wrong, but who can say which errs till the
+event has decided betwixt us?'
+
+'I shall feel myself destined to have recourse to severe modes of
+restraint,' said he, in the same tone of half jest, half earnest which I
+had used.
+
+'In that case,' I answered, 'it will be my destiny to attempt everything
+for my freedom.'
+
+'And it may be mine, young man,' he replied, in a deep and stern tone,
+'to take care that you should rather die than attain your purpose.'
+
+This was speaking out indeed, and I did not allow him to go unanswered.
+'You threaten me in vain,' said I; 'the laws of my country will protect
+me; or whom they cannot protect, they will avenge.'
+
+I spoke this firmly, and he seemed for a moment silenced; and the scorn
+with which he at last answered me, had something of affectation in it.
+
+'The laws!' he said; 'and what, stripling, do you know of the laws of
+your country? Could you learn jurisprudence under a base-born blotter
+of parchment, such as Saunders Fairford; or from the empty pedantic
+coxcomb, his son, who now, forsooth, writer himself advocate? When
+Scotland was herself, and had her own king and legislature, such
+plebeian cubs, instead of being called to the bar of her supreme courts,
+would scarce have been admitted to the honour of bearing a sheepskin
+process-bag.'
+
+Alan, I could not bear this, but answered indignantly, that he knew not
+the worth and honour from which he was detracting.
+
+'I know as much of these Fairfords as I do of you,' he replied.
+
+'As much,' said I, 'and as little; for you can neither estimate their
+real worth nor mine. I know you saw them when last in Edinburgh.'
+
+'Ha!' he exclaimed, and turned on me an inquisitive look.
+
+'It is true,' said I; 'you cannot deny it; and having thus shown you
+that I know something of your motions, let me warn you I have modes of
+communication with which you are not acquainted. Oblige me not to use
+them to your prejudice.'
+
+'Prejudice me!' he replied. 'Young man, I smile at, and forgive your
+folly. Nay, I will tell you that of which you are not aware, namely,
+that it was from letters received from these Fairfords that I first
+suspected, what the result of my visit to them confirmed, that you were
+the person whom I had sought for years.'
+
+'If you learned this,' said I, 'from the papers which were about my
+person on the night when I was under the necessity of becoming your
+guest at Brokenburn, I do not envy your indifference to the means of
+acquiring information. It was dishonourable to'--
+
+'Peace, young man,' said Herries, more calmly than I might have
+expected; 'the word dishonour must not be mentioned as in conjunction
+with my name. Your pocket-book was in the pocket of your coat, and did
+not escape the curiosity of another, though it would have been sacred
+from mine, My servant, Cristal Nixon, brought me the intelligence after
+you were gone. I was displeased with the manner in which he had acquired
+his information; but it was not the less my duty to ascertain its truth,
+and for that purpose I went to Edinburgh. I was in hopes to persuade
+Mr. Fairford to have entered into my views; but I found him too much
+prejudiced to permit me to trust him. He is a wretched, yet a timid
+slave of the present government, under which our unhappy country is
+dishonourably enthralled; and it would have been altogether unfit and
+unsafe to have entrusted him with the secret either of the right which
+I possess to direct your actions, or of the manner in which I purpose to
+exercise it.'
+
+I was determined to take advantage of his communicative humour, and
+obtain, if possible, more light upon his purpose. He seemed most
+accessible to being piqued on the point of honour, and I resolved to
+avail myself, but with caution, of his sensibility upon that topic. 'You
+say,' I replied, 'that you are not friendly to indirect practices, and
+disapprove of the means by which your domestic obtained information
+of my name and quality--Is it honourable to avail yourself of that
+knowledge which is dishonourably obtained?'
+
+'It is boldly asked,' he replied; 'but, within certain necessary
+limits, I dislike not boldness of expostulation. You have, in this short
+conference, displayed more character and energy than I was prepared to
+expect. You will, I trust, resemble a forest plant, which has indeed,
+by some accident, been brought up in the greenhouse, and thus rendered
+delicate and effeminate, but which regains its native firmness and
+tenacity when exposed for a season to the winter air. I will answer
+your question plainly. In business, as in war, spies and informers are
+necessary evils, which all good men detest; but which yet all prudent
+men must use, unless they mean to fight and act blindfold. But nothing
+can justify the use of falsehood and treachery in our own person.'
+
+'You said to the elder Mr. Fairford,' continued I, with the same
+boldness, which I began to find was my best game, 'that I was the son of
+Ralph Latimer of Langcote Hall? How do you reconcile this with your late
+assertion that my name is not Latimer?'
+
+He coloured as he replied, 'The doting old fool lied; or perhaps mistook
+my meaning. I said, that gentleman might be your father. To say truth,
+I wished you to visit England, your native country; because, when you
+might do so, my rights over you would revive.'
+
+This speech fully led me to understand a caution which had been often
+impressed upon me, that, if I regarded my safety, I should not cross
+the southern Border; and I cursed my own folly, which kept me fluttering
+like a moth around the candle, until I was betrayed into the calamity
+with which I had dallied. 'What are those rights,' I said, 'which you
+claim over me? To what end do you propose to turn them?'
+
+'To a weighty one, you may be certain,' answered Mr. Herries; 'but I do
+not, at present, mean to communicate to you either its nature or extent.
+You may judge of its importance, when, in order entirely to possess
+myself of your person, I condescended to mix myself with the fellows who
+destroyed the fishing station of yon wretched Quaker. That I held him in
+contempt, and was displeased at the greedy devices with which he ruined
+a manly sport, is true enough; but, unless as it favoured my designs on
+you, he might have, for me, maintained his stake-nets till Solway should
+cease to ebb and flow.'
+
+'Alas!' I said, 'it doubles my regret to have been the unwilling cause
+of misfortune to an honest and friendly man.'
+
+'Do not grieve for that,' said Herries; 'honest Joshua is one of
+those who, by dint of long prayers, can possess themselves of widow's
+houses--he will quickly repair his losses. When he sustains any mishap,
+he and the other canters set it down as a debt against Heaven, and, by
+way of set-off, practise rogueries without compunction, till the they
+make the balance even, or incline it to the winning side. Enough of this
+for the present.--I must immediately shift my quarters; for, although I
+do not fear the over-zeal of Mr. Justice Foxley or his clerk will
+lead them to any extreme measure, yet that mad scoundrel's unhappy
+recognition of me may make it more serious for them to connive at me,
+and I must not put their patience to an over severe trial. You must
+prepare to attend me, either as a captive or a companion; if as the
+latter, you must give your parole of honour to attempt no escape. Should
+you be so ill advised as to break your word once pledged, be assured
+that I will blow your brains out without a moment's scruple.'
+
+'I am ignorant of your plans and purposes,' I replied, 'and cannot but
+hold them dangerous. I do not mean to aggravate my present situation by
+any unavailing resistance to the superior force which detains me; but
+I will not renounce the right of asserting my natural freedom should it
+favourable opportunity occur. I will, therefore, rather be your prisoner
+than your confederate.'
+
+'That is spoken fairly,' he said; 'and yet not without the canny caution
+of one brought up in the Gude Town of Edinburgh. On my part, I will
+impose no unnecessary hardship upon you; but, on the contrary, your
+journey shall be made as easy as is consistent with your being kept
+safely. Do you feel strong enough to ride on horseback as yet, or would
+you prefer a carriage? The former mode of travelling is best adapted to
+the country through which we are to travel, but you are at liberty to
+choose between them.'
+
+I said, 'I felt my strength gradually returning, and that I should much
+prefer travelling on horseback. A carriage,' I added, 'is so close'--
+
+'And so easily guarded,' replied Herries, with a look as if he would
+have penetrated my very thoughts,--'that, doubtless, you think horseback
+better calculated for an escape.'
+
+'My thoughts are my own,' I answered; 'and though you keep my person
+prisoner, these are beyond your control.'
+
+'Oh, I can read the book,' he said, 'without opening the leaves. But I
+would recommend to you to make no rash attempt, and it will be my
+care to see that you have no power to make any that is likely to
+be effectual. Linen, and all other necessaries for one in your
+circumstances, are amply provided, Cristal Nixon will act as your
+valet,--I should rather, perhaps, say, your FEMME DE CHAMBRE. Your
+travelling dress you may perhaps consider as singular; but it is such
+as the circumstances require; and, if you object to use the articles
+prepared for your use, your mode of journeying will be as personally
+unpleasant as that which conducted you hither.--Adieu--We now know each
+other better than we did--it will not be my fault if the consequences of
+further intimacy be not a more favourable mutual opinion.'
+
+He then left me, with a civil good night, to my own reflections,
+and only turned back to say that we should proceed on our journey
+at daybreak next morning, at furthest; perhaps earlier, he said; but
+complimented me by supposing that, as I was a sportsman, I must always
+be ready for a sudden start.
+
+We are then at issue, this singular man and myself. His personal views
+are to a certain point explained. He has chosen an antiquated and
+desperate line of politics, and he claims, from some pretended tie of
+guardianship or relationship, which he does not deign to explain but
+which he seems to have been able to pass current on a silly country
+Justice and his knavish clerk, a right to direct and to control my
+motions. The danger which awaited me in England, and which I might have
+escaped had I remained in Scotland, was doubtless occasioned by the
+authority of this man. But what my poor mother might fear for me as a
+child--what my English friend, Samuel Griffiths, endeavoured to guard
+against during my youth and nonage, is now, it seems, come upon me;
+and, under a legal pretext, I am detained in what must be a most illegal
+manner, by a person, foe, whose own political immunities have been
+forfeited by his conduct. It matters not--my mind is made up neither
+persuasion nor threats shall force me into the desperate designs which
+this man meditates. Whether I am of the trifling consequence which my
+life hitherto seems to intimate, or whether I have (as would appear from
+my adversary's conduct) such importance, by birth or fortune, as may
+make me a desirable acquisition to a political faction, my resolution
+is taken in either case. Those who read this journal, if it shall be
+perused by impartial eyes, shall judge of me truly; and if they consider
+me as a fool in encountering danger unnecessarily, they shall have no
+reason to believe me a coward or a turncoat, when I find myself engaged
+in it. I have been bred in sentiments of attachment to the family on the
+throne and in these sentiments I will live and die. I have, indeed, some
+idea that Mr. Herries has already discovered that I am made of different
+and more unmalleable metal than he had at first believed. There were
+letters from my dear Alan Fairford, giving a ludicrous account of my
+instability of temper, in the same pocket-book, which, according to the
+admission of my pretended guardian, fell under the investigation of
+his domestic during the night I passed at Brokenburn, where, as I now
+recollect, my wet clothes, with the contents of my pockets, were, with
+the thoughtlessness of a young traveller, committed too rashly to the
+care of a strange servant. And my kind friend and hospitable landlord,
+Mr. Alexander Fairford, may also, and with justice, have spoken of my
+levities to this man. But he shall find he has made a false estimate
+upon these plausible grounds, since--
+
+I must break off for the present.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+There is at length a halt--at length I have gained so much privacy as to
+enable me to continue my journal. It has become a sort of task of duty
+to me, without the discharge of which I do not feel that the business
+of the day is performed. True, no friendly eye may ever look upon these
+labours, which have amused the solitary hours of an unhappy prisoner.
+Yet, in the meanwhile, the exercise of the pen seems to act as a
+sedative upon my own agitated thoughts and tumultuous passions. I never
+lay it down but I rise stronger in resolution, more ardent in hope. A
+thousand vague fears, wild expectations, and indigested schemes,
+hurry through one's thoughts in seasons of doubt and of danger. But by
+arresting them as they flit across the mind, by throwing them on paper,
+and even by that mechanical act compelling ourselves to consider them
+with scrupulous and minute attention, we may perhaps escape becoming the
+dupes of our own excited imagination; just as a young horse is cured of
+the vice of starting by being made to stand still and look for some time
+without any interruption at the cause of its terror.
+
+There remains but one risk, which is that of discovery. But besides the
+small characters, in which my residence in Mr. Fairford's house enabled
+me to excel, for the purpose of transferring as many scroll sheets as
+possible to a huge sheet of stamped paper, I have, as I have elsewhere
+intimated, had hitherto the comfortable reflection that if the record
+of my misfortunes should fall into the hands of him by whom they are
+caused, they would, without harming any one, show him the real character
+and disposition of the person who has become his prisoner--perhaps his
+victim. Now, however, that other names, and other characters, are to be
+mingled with the register of my own sentiments, I must take additional
+care of these papers, and keep them in such a manner that, in case
+of the least hazard of detection, I may be able to destroy them at a
+moment's notice. I shall not soon or easily forget the lesson I have
+been taught, by the prying disposition which Cristal Nixon, this man's
+agent and confederate, manifested at Brokenburn, and which proved the
+original cause of my sufferings.
+
+My laying aside the last sheet of my journal hastily was occasioned by
+the unwonted sound of a violin, in the farmyard beneath my windows. It
+will not appear surprising to those who have made music their study,
+that, after listening to a few notes, I became at once assured that the
+musician was no other than the itinerant, formerly mentioned as present
+at the destruction of Joshua Geddes's stake-nets, the superior delicacy
+and force of whose execution would enable me to swear to his bow amongst
+a whole orchestra. I had the less reason to doubt his identity, because
+he played twice over the beautiful Scottish air called Wandering Willie;
+and I could not help concluding that he did so for the purpose of
+intimating his own presence, since what the French called the nom de
+guerre of the performer was described by the tune.
+
+Hope will catch at the most feeble twig for support in extremity. I knew
+this man, though deprived of sight, to be bold, ingenious, and perfectly
+capable of acting as a guide. I believed I had won his goodwill,
+by having, in a frolic, assumed the character of his partner; and I
+remembered that in a wild, wandering, and disorderly course of life,
+men, as they become loosened from the ordinary bonds of civil society,
+hold those of comradeship more closely sacred; so that honour is
+sometimes found among thieves, and faith and attachment in such as the
+law has termed vagrants. The history of Richard Coeur de Lion and his
+minstrel, Blondel, rushed, at the same time, on my mind, though I
+could not even then suppress a smile at the dignity of the example when
+applied to a blind fiddler and myself. Still there was something in all
+this to awaken a hope that, if I could open a correspondence with
+this poor violer, he might be useful in extricating me from my present
+situation.
+
+His profession furnished me with some hope that this desired
+communication might be attained; since it is well known that, in
+Scotland, where there is so much national music, the words and airs
+of which are generally known, there is a kind of freemasonry amongst
+performers, by which they can, by the mere choice of a tune, express
+a great deal to the hearers. Personal allusions are often made in this
+manner, with much point and pleasantry; and nothing is more usual at
+public festivals, than that the air played to accompany a particular
+health or toast, is made the vehicle of compliment, of wit, and
+sometimes of satire. [Every one must remember instances of this festive
+custom, in which the adaptation of the tune to the toast was remarkably
+felicitous. Old Neil Gow, and his son Nathaniel, were peculiarly happy
+on such occasions.]
+
+While these things passed through my mind rapidly, I heard my friend
+beneath recommence, for the third time, the air from which his own
+name had been probably adopted, when he was interrupted by his rustic
+auditors.
+
+'If thou canst play no other spring but that, mon, ho hadst best put up
+ho's pipes and be jogging. Squoire will be back anon, or Master Nixon,
+and we'll see who will pay poiper then.'
+
+Oho, thought I, if I have no sharper ears than those of my friends Jan
+and Dorcas to encounter, I may venture an experiment upon them; and, as
+most expressive of my state of captivity, I sang two or three lines of
+the 137th Psalm--
+
+  By Babel's streams we sat and wept.
+
+The country people listened with attention, and when I ceased, I heard
+them whisper together in tones of commiseration, 'Lack-a-day, poor soul!
+so pretty a man to be beside his wits!'
+
+'An he be that gate,' said Wandering Willie, in a tone calculated to
+reach my ears, 'I ken naething will raise his spirits like a spring.'
+And he struck up, with great vigour and spirit, the lively Scottish air,
+the words of which instantly occurred to me--
+
+  Oh whistle and I'll come t'ye, my lad,
+  Oh whistle and I'll come t'ye, my lad;
+  Though father and mother and a' should gae mad,
+  Oh whistle and I'll come t'ye, my lad.
+
+I soon heard a clattering noise of feet in the courtyard, which I
+concluded to be Jan and Dorcas dancing a jig in their Cumberland wooden
+clogs. Under cover of this din, I endeavoured to answer Willie's signal
+by whistling, as loud as I could---
+
+  Come back again and loe me
+  When a' the lave are gane.
+
+He instantly threw the dancers out, by changing his air to
+
+  There's my thumb, I'll ne'er beguile thee.
+
+I no longer doubted that a communication betwixt us was happily
+established, and that, if I had an opportunity of speaking to the poor
+musician, I should find him willing to take my letter to the post,
+to invoke the assistance of some active magistrate, or of the
+commanding-officer of Carlisle Castle, or, in short, to do whatever
+else I could point out, in the compass of his power, to contribute to
+my liberation. But to obtain speech of him, I must have run the risk
+of alarming the suspicions of Dorcas, if not of her yet more stupid
+Corydon. My ally's blindness prevented his receiving any communication
+by signs from the window--even if I could have ventured to make
+them, consistently with prudence--so that notwithstanding the mode of
+intercourse we had adopted was both circuitous and peculiarly liable to
+misapprehension, I saw nothing I could do better than to continue it,
+trusting my own and my correspondent's acuteness in applying to the airs
+the meaning they were intended to convey. I thought of singing the words
+themselves of some significant song, but feared I might, by doing so,
+attract suspicion. I endeavoured, therefore, to intimate my speedy
+departure from my present place of residence, by whistling the
+well-known air with which festive parties in Scotland usually conclude
+the dance:--
+
+  Good night and joy be wi' ye a',
+  For here nae langer maun I stay;
+  There's neither friend nor foe, of mine
+  But wishes that I were away.
+
+It appeared that Willie's powers of intelligence were much more active
+than mine, and that, like a deaf person accustomed to be spoken to by
+signs, he comprehended, from the very first notes, the whole meaning I
+intended to convey; and he accompanied me in the air with his violin,
+in such a manner as at once to show he understood my meaning, and to
+prevent my whistling from being attended to.
+
+His reply was almost immediate, and was conveyed in the old martial air
+of 'Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver.' I ran over the words, and
+fixed on the following stanza, as most applicable to my circumstances:--
+
+  Cock up your beaver, and cock it fu' sprush;
+  We'll over the Border and give them a brush;
+  There's somebody there we'll teach better behaviour,
+  Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver.
+
+If these sounds alluded, as I hope they do, to the chance of assistance
+from my Scottish friends, I may indeed consider that a door is open to
+hope and freedom. I immediately replied with:--
+
+  My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
+  My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
+  A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe,
+  My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go.
+
+  Farewell to the Highlands!  farewell to the North!
+  The birth-place of valour, the cradle of worth;
+  Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
+  The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
+
+Willie instantly played, with a degree of spirit which might have
+awakened hope in Despair herself, if Despair could be supposed to
+understand Scotch music, the fine old Jacobite air,
+
+  For a' that, and a' that,
+  And twice as much as a' that.
+
+I next endeavoured to intimate my wish to send notice of my condition to
+my friends; and, despairing to find an air sufficiently expressive of my
+purpose, I ventured to sing a verse, which, in various forms, occurs so
+frequently in old ballads--
+
+  Whare will I get a bonny boy
+  That will win hose and shoon:
+  That will gae down to Durisdeer,
+  And bid my merry men come?
+
+He drowned the latter part of the verse by playing, with much emphasis,
+
+  Kind Robin loes me.
+
+Of this, though I ran over the verses of the song in my mind, I could
+make nothing; and before I could contrive any mode of intimating my
+uncertainty, a cry arose in the courtyard that Cristal Nixon was coming.
+My faithful Willie was obliged to retreat; but not before he had half
+played, half hummed, by way of farewell,
+
+  Leave thee--leave thee, lad--
+  I'll never leave thee;
+  The stars shall gae withershins
+  Ere I will leave thee.
+
+I am thus, I think, secure of one trusty adherent in my misfortunes;
+and, however whimsical it may be to rely much on a man of his idle
+profession and deprived of sight withal, it is deeply impressed on
+my mind that his services may be both useful and necessary. There
+is another quarter from which I look for succour, and which I have
+indicated to thee, Alan, in more than one passage of my journal. Twice,
+at the early hour of daybreak, I have seen the individual alluded to in
+the court of the farm, and twice she made signs of recognition in
+answer to the gestures by which I endeavoured to make her comprehend my
+situation; but on both occasions she pressed her finger on her lips, as
+expressive of silence and secrecy.
+
+The manner in which G.M. entered upon the scene for the first time,
+seems to assure me of her goodwill, so far as her power may reach; and I
+have many reasons to believe it is considerable. Yet she seemed hurried
+and frightened during the very transitory moments of our interview, and
+I think was, upon the last occasion, startled by the entrance of some
+one into the farmyard, just as she was on the point of addressing me.
+You must not ask whether I am an early riser, since such objects are
+only to be seen at daybreak; and although I have never again seen her,
+yet I have reason to think she is not distant. It was but three
+nights ago, that, worn out by the uniformity of my confinement, I had
+manifested more symptoms of despondence than I had before exhibited,
+which I conceive may have attracted the attention of the domestics,
+through whom the circumstance might transpire. On the next morning, the
+following lines lay on my table; but how conveyed there, I cannot tell.
+The hand in which they were written is a beautiful Italian manuscript:--
+
+  As lords their labourers' hire delay,
+  Fate quits our toil with hopes to come,
+  Which, if far short of present pay,
+  Still, owns a debt and names a sum.
+
+  Quit not the pledge, frail sufferer, then,
+  Although a distant date be given;
+  Despair is treason towards man,
+  And blasphemy to Heaven.
+
+That these lines were written with the friendly purpose of inducing me
+to keep up my spirits, I cannot doubt; and I trust the manner in which I
+shall conduct myself may show that the pledge is accepted.
+
+The dress is arrived in which it seems to be my self-elected guardian's
+pleasure that I shall travel; and what does it prove to be?--A skirt, or
+upper-petticoat of camlet, like those worn by country ladies of moderate
+rank when on horseback, with such a riding-mask as they frequently use
+on journeys to preserve their eyes and complexion from the sun and dust,
+and sometimes, it is suspected, to enable then to play off a little
+coquetry. From the gayer mode of employing the mask, however, I suspect
+I shall be precluded; for instead of being only pasteboard, covered with
+black velvet, I observe with anxiety that mine is thickened with a plate
+of steel, which, like Quixote's visor, serves to render it more strong
+and durable.
+
+This apparatus, together with a steel clasp for securing the mask behind
+me with a padlock, gave me fearful recollections of the unfortunate
+being, who, never being permitted to lay aside such a visor, acquired
+the well-known historical epithet of the Man in the Iron Mask. I
+hesitated a moment whether I should, so far submit to the acts of
+oppression designed against me as to assume this disguise, which was,
+of course, contrived to aid their purposes. But when I remembered Mr.
+Herries's threat, that I should be kept close prisoner in a carriage,
+unless I assumed the dress which should be appointed for me; and I
+considered the comparative degree of freedom which I might purchase
+by wearing the mask and female dress as easily and advantageously
+purchased. Here, therefore, I must pause for the present, and await what
+the morning may bring forth.
+
+[To carry on the story from the documents before us, we think it proper
+here to drop the journal of the captive Darsie Latimer, and adopt,
+instead, a narrative of the proceedings of Alan Fairford in pursuit of
+his friend, which forms another series in this history.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+The reader ought, by this time, to have formed some idea of the
+character of Alan Fairford. He had a warmth of heart which the study
+of the law and of the world could not chill, and talents which they had
+rendered unusually acute. Deprived of the personal patronage enjoyed by
+most of his contemporaries, who assumed the gown under the protection of
+their aristocratic alliances and descents, he early saw that he should
+have that to achieve for himself which fell to them as a right of birth.
+He laboured hard in silence and solitude, and his labours were crowned
+with success. But Alan doted on his friend Darsie, even more than he
+loved his profession, and, as we have seen, threw everything aside when
+he thought Latimer in danger; forgetting fame and fortune, and hazarding
+even the serious displeasure of his father, to rescue him whom he loved
+with an elder brother's affection. Darsie, though his parts were more
+quick and brilliant than those of his friend, seemed always to the
+latter a being under his peculiar charge, whom he was called upon
+to cherish and protect in cases where the youth's own experience was
+unequal to the exigency; and now, when, the fate of Latimer seeming
+worse than doubtful, Alan's whole prudence and energy were to be exerted
+in his behalf, an adventure which might have seemed perilous to most
+youths of his age had no terrors for him. He was well acquainted with
+the laws of his country, and knew how to appeal to them; and, besides
+his professional confidence, his natural disposition was steady, sedate,
+persevering, and undaunted. With these requisites he undertook a quest
+which, at that time, was not unattended with actual danger, and had much
+in it to appal a more timid disposition.
+
+Fairford's first inquiry concerning his friend was of the chief
+magistrate of Dumfries, Provost Crosbie, who had sent the information
+of Darsie's disappearance. On his first application, he thought he
+discerned in the honest dignitary a desire to get rid of the subject.
+The provost spoke of the riot at the fishing station as an 'outbreak
+among those lawless loons the fishermen, which concerned the sheriff,'
+he said, 'more than us poor town council bodies, that have enough to do
+to keep peace within burgh, amongst such a set of commoners as the town
+are plagued with.'
+
+'But this is not all, Provost Crosbie,' said Mr. Alan Fairford; 'A young
+gentleman of rank and fortune has disappeared amongst their hands--you
+know him. My father gave him a letter to you--Mr. Darsie Latimer.'
+
+'Lack-a-day, yes! lack-a-day, yes!' said the provost; 'Mr. Darsie
+Latimer--he dined at my house--I hope he is well?'
+
+'I hope so too,' said Alan, rather indignantly; 'but I desire more
+certainty on that point. You yourself wrote my father that he had
+disappeared.'
+
+'Troth, yes, and that is true,' said the provost. 'But did he not go
+back to his friends in Scotland? it was not natural to think he would
+stay here.'
+
+'Not unless he is under restraint,' said Fairford, surprised at the
+coolness with which the provost seemed to take up the matter.
+
+'Rely on it, sir,' said Mr. Crosbie, 'that if he has not returned to his
+friends in Scotland, he must have gone to his friends in England.'
+
+'I will rely on no such thing,' said Alan; 'if there is law or justice
+in Scotland, I will have the thing cleared to the very bottom.'
+
+'Reasonable, reasonable,' said the provost, 'so far as is possible; but
+you know I have no power beyond the ports of the burgh.'
+
+'But you are in the commission besides, Mr. Crosbie; a justice of peace
+for the county.'
+
+'True, very true--that is,' said the cautious magistrate, 'I will not
+say but my name may stand on the list, but I cannot remember that I have
+ever qualified.' [By taking the oaths to government.]
+
+'Why, in that case,' said young Fairford, 'there are ill-natured people
+might doubt your attachment to the Protestant line, Mr. Crosbie.'
+
+'God forbid, Mr. Fairford! I who have done and suffered in the
+Forty-five. I reckon the Highlandmen did me damage to the amount of
+100l. Scots, forby all they ate and drank--no, no, sir, I stand beyond
+challenge; but as for plaguing myself with county business, let them
+that aught the mare shoe the mare. The commissioners of supply would see
+my back broken before they would help me in the burgh's work, and all
+the world kens the difference of the weight between public business in
+burgh and landward. What are their riots to me? have we not riots enough
+of our own?--But I must be getting ready, for the council meets this
+forenoon. I am blithe to see your father's son on the causeway of our
+ancient burgh, Mr. Alan Fairford. Were you a twelve-month aulder, we
+would make a burgess of you, man. I hope you will come and dine with
+me before you go away. What think you of to-day at two o'clock--just a
+roasted chucky and a drappit egg?'
+
+Alan Fairford resolved that his friend's hospitality should not, as it
+seemed the inviter intended, put a stop to his queries. 'I must delay
+you for a moment,' he said, 'Mr. Crosbie; this is a serious affair; a
+young gentleman of high hopes, my own dearest friend, is missing--you
+cannot think it will be passed over slightly, if a man of your high
+character and known zeal for the government do not make some active
+inquiry. Mr. Crosbie, you are my father's friend, and I respect you as
+such--but to others it will have a bad appearance.'
+
+The withers of the provost were not unwrung; he paced the room in much
+tribulation, repeating, 'But what can I do, Mr. Fairford? I warrant
+your friend casts up again--he will come back again, like the ill
+shilling--he is not the sort of gear that tynes--a hellicat boy, running
+through the country with a blind fiddler and playing the fiddle to
+a parcel of blackguards, who can tell where the like of him may have
+scampered to?'
+
+'There are persons apprehended, and in the jail of the town, as I
+understand from the sheriff-substitute,' said Mr. Fairford; 'you
+must call them before you, and inquire what they know of this young
+gentleman.'
+
+'Aye, aye--the sheriff-depute did commit some poor creatures, I
+believe--wretched ignorant fishermen bodies, that had been quarrelling
+with Quaker Geddes and his stake-nets, whilk, under favour of your gown
+be it spoken, Mr. Fairford, are not over and above lawful, and the town
+clerk thinks that they may be lawfully removed VIA FACTI--but that is by
+the by. But, sir, the creatures were a' dismissed for want of evidence;
+the Quaker would not swear to them, and what could the sheriff and me
+do but just let them loose? Come awa, cheer up, Master Alan, and take a
+walk till dinner-time--I must really go to the council.'
+
+'Stop a moment, provost,' said Alan; 'I lodge a complaint before you as
+a magistrate, and you will find it serious to slight it over. You must
+have these men apprehended again.'
+
+'Aye, aye--easy said; but catch them that can,' answered the provost;
+'they are ower the march by this time, or by the point of Cairn.--Lord
+help ye! they are a kind of amphibious deevils, neither land nor water
+beasts neither English nor Scots--neither county nor stewartry, as we
+say--they are dispersed like so much quicksilver. You may as well try to
+whistle a sealgh out of the Solway, as to get hold of one of them till
+all the fray is over.'
+
+'Mr. Crosbie, this will not do,' answered the young counsellor; 'there
+is a person of more importance than such wretches as you describe
+concerned in this unhappy business--I must name to you a certain Mr.
+Herries.'
+
+He kept his eye on the provost as he uttered the name, which he did
+rather at a venture, and from the connexion which that gentleman, and
+his real or supposed niece, seemed to have with the fate of Darsie
+Latimer, than from any distinct cause of suspicion which he entertained.
+He thought the provost seemed embarrassed, though he showed much desire
+to assume an appearance of indifference, in which he partly succeeded.
+
+'Herries!' he said--'What Herries?--There are many of that name--not
+so many as formerly, for the old stocks are wearing out; but there is
+Herries of Heathgill, and Herries of Auchintulloch, and Herries'--
+
+'To save you further trouble, this person's designation is Herries of
+Birrenswork.'
+
+'Of Birrenswork?' said Mr. Crosbie; 'I have you now, Mr. Alan. Could you
+not as well have said, the Laird of Redgauntlet?'
+
+Fairford was too wary to testify any surprise at this identification of
+names, however unexpected. 'I thought,' said he, 'he was more generally
+known by the name of Herries. I have seen and been in company with him
+under that name, I am sure.'
+
+'Oh aye; in Edinburgh, belike. You know Redgauntlet was unfortunate a
+great while ago, and though he was maybe not deeper in the mire than
+other folk, yet, for some reason or other, he did not get so easily
+out.'
+
+'He was attainted, I understand; and has no remission,' said Fairford.
+
+The cautious provost only nodded, and said, 'You may guess, therefore,
+why it is so convenient he should hold his mother's name, which is also
+partly his own, when he is about Edinburgh. To bear his proper name
+might be accounted a kind of flying in the face of government, ye
+understand. But he has been long connived at--the story is an old
+story--and the gentleman has many excellent qualities, and is of a very
+ancient and honourable house--has cousins among the great folk--counts
+kin with the advocate and with the sheriff--hawks, you know, Mr. Alan,
+will not pike out hawks' een--he is widely connected--my wife is a
+fourth cousin of Redgauntlet's.'
+
+HINC ILLAE LACHRYMAE! thought Alan Fairford to himself; but the hint
+presently determined him to proceed by soft means and with caution. 'I
+beg you to understand,' said Fairford, 'that in the investigation I am
+about to make, I design no harm to Mr. Herries, or Redgauntlet--call him
+what you will. All I wish is, to ascertain the safety of my friend. I
+know that he was rather foolish in once going upon a mere frolic, in
+disguise, to the neighbourhood of this same gentleman's house. In his
+circumstances, Mr. Redgauntlet may have misinterpreted the motives, and
+considered Darsie Latimer as a spy. His influence, I believe, is great
+among the disorderly people you spoke of but now?'
+
+The provost answered with another sagacious shake of his head, that
+would have done honour to Lord Burleigh in the CRITIC.
+
+'Well, then,' continued Fairford,' is it not possible that, in the
+mistaken belief that Mr. Latimer was a spy, he may, upon such suspicion,
+have caused him to be carried off and confined somewhere? Such things
+are done at elections, and on occasions less pressing than when men
+think their lives are in danger from an informer.'
+
+'Mr. Fairford,' said the provost, very earnestly, 'I scarce think such
+a mistake possible; or if, by any extraordinary chance, it should have
+taken place, Redgauntlet, whom I cannot but know well, being as I have
+said my wife's first cousin (fourth cousin, I should say) is altogether
+incapable of doing anything harsh to the young gentleman--he might send
+him ower to Ailsay for a night or two, or maybe land him on the north
+coast of Ireland, or in Islay, or some of the Hebrides; but depend upon
+it, he is incapable of harming a hair of his head.'
+
+'I am determined not to trust to that, provost,' answered Fairford
+firmly; 'and I am a good deal surprised at your way of talking so
+lightly of such an aggression on the liberty of the subject. You are
+to consider, and Mr. Herries or Mr. Redgauntlet's friends would do very
+well also to consider, how it would sound in the ears of an English
+Secretary of State, that an attainted traitor (for such is this
+gentleman) has not only ventured to take up his abode in this
+realm--against the king of which he has been in arms--but is suspected
+of having proceeded, by open force and violence, against the person
+of one of the lieges, a young man who is neither without friends nor
+property to secure his being righted.'
+
+The provost looked at the young counsellor with a face in which
+distrust, alarm, and vexation seemed mingled. 'A fashious job,' he said
+at last, 'a fashious job; and it will be dangerous meddling with it.
+I should like ill to see your father's son turn informer against an
+unfortunate gentleman.'
+
+'Neither do I mean it,' answered Alan, 'provided that unfortunate
+gentleman and his friends give me a quiet opportunity of securing my
+friend's safety. If I could speak with Mr. Redgauntlet, and hear his own
+explanation, I should probably be satisfied. If I am forced, to denounce
+him to government, it will be in his new capacity of a kidnapper. I may
+not be able, nor is it my business, to prevent his being recognized in
+his former character of an attainted person, excepted from the general
+pardon.'
+
+'Master Fairford,' said the provost, 'would ye ruin the poor innocent
+gentleman on an idle suspicion?'
+
+'Say no more of it, Mr. Crosbie; my line of conduct is
+determined--unless that suspicion is removed.'
+
+'Weel, sir,' said the provost, 'since so it be, and since you say that
+you do not seek to harm Redgauntlet personally, I'll ask a man to dine
+with us to-day that kens as much about his matters as most folk. You
+must think, Mr. Alan Fairford, though Redgauntlet be my wife's near
+relative, and though, doubtless, I wish him weel, yet I am not the
+person who is like to be intrusted with his incomings and outgoings. I
+am not a man for that--I keep the kirk, and I abhor Popery--I have stood
+up for the House of Hanover, and for liberty and property--I carried
+arms, sir, against the Pretender, when three of the Highlandmen's
+baggage-carts were stopped at Ecclefechan; and I had an especial loss of
+a hundred pounds'--
+
+'Scots,' interrupted Fairford. 'You forget you told me all this before.'
+
+'Scots or English, it was too much for me to lose,' said the provost;
+so you see I am not a person to pack or peel with Jacobites, and such
+unfreemen as poor Redgauntlet.'
+
+'Granted, granted, Mr. Crosbie; and what then?' said Alan Fairford.
+
+'Why, then, it follows, that if I am to help you at this pinch, if
+cannot be by and through my ain personal knowledge, but through some
+fitting agent or third person.'
+
+'Granted again,' said Fairford. 'And pray who may this third person be?'
+
+'Wha but Pate Maxwell of Summertrees--him they call Pate-in-Peril.'
+
+'An old Forty-five man, of course?' said Fairford.
+
+'Ye may swear that,' replied the provost--'as black a Jacobite as the
+auld leaven can make him; but a sonsy, merry companion, that none of us
+think it worth while to break wi' for all his brags and his clavers.
+You would have thought, if he had had but his own way at Derby, he would
+have marched Charlie Stuart through between Wade and the Duke, as a
+thread goes through the needle's ee, and seated him in Saint James's
+before you could have said haud your hand. But though he is a windy body
+when he gets on his auld-warld stories, he has mair gumption in him than
+most people--knows business, Mr. Alan, being bred to the law; but never
+took the gown, because of the oaths, which kept more folk out then than
+they do now--the more's the pity.'
+
+'What! are you sorry, provost, that Jacobitism is upon the decline?'
+said Fairford.
+
+'No, no,' answered the provost--'I am only sorry for folks losing the
+tenderness of conscience which they used to have. I have a son breeding
+to the bar, Mr. Fairford; and, no doubt, considering my services and
+sufferings, I might have looked for some bit postie to him; but if the
+muckle tykes come in--I mean a' these Maxwells, and Johnstones, and
+great lairds, that the oaths used to keep out lang syne--the bits o'
+messan doggies, like my son, and maybe like your father's son, Mr. Alan,
+will be sair put to the wall.'
+
+'But to return to the subject, Mr. Crosbie,' said Fairford, 'do you
+really think it likely that this Mr. Maxwell will be of service in this
+matter?'
+
+'It's very like he may be, for he is the tongue of the trump to the
+whole squad of them,' said the provost; 'and Redgauntlet, though he will
+not stick at times to call him a fool, takes more of his counsel than
+any man's else that I am aware of. If Fate can bring him to a communing,
+the business is done. He's a sharp chield, Pate-in-Peril.'
+
+'Pate-in-Peril!' repeated Alan; 'a very singular name.'
+
+'Aye, and it was in as queer a way he got it; but I'll say naething
+about that,' said the provost, 'for fear of forestalling his market;
+for ye are sure to hear it once at least, however oftener, before the
+punch-bowl gives place to the teapot.--And now, fare ye weel; for there
+is the council-bell clinking in earnest; and if I am not there before it
+jows in, Bailie Laurie will be trying some of his manoeuvres.'
+
+The provost, repeating his expectation of seeing Mr. Fairford at two
+o'clock, at length effected his escape from the young counsellor, and
+left him at a considerable loss how to proceed. The sheriff, it seems,
+had returned to Edinburgh, and he feared to find the visible repugnance
+of the provost to interfere with this Laird of Birrenswork, or
+Redgauntlet, much stronger amongst the country gentlemen, many of
+whom were Catholics as well as Jacobites, and most others unwilling to
+quarrel with kinsmen and friends, by prosecuting with severity political
+offences which had almost run a prescription.
+
+To collect all the information in his power, and not to have recourse
+to the higher authorities until he could give all the light of which
+the case was capable, seemed the wiser proceeding in a choice of
+difficulties. He had some conversation with the procurator-fiscal, who,
+as well as the provost, was an old correspondent of his father. Alan
+expressed to that officer a purpose of visiting Brokenburn, but was
+assured by him, that it would be a step attended with much danger to his
+own person, and altogether fruitless; that the individuals who had
+been ringleaders in the riot were long since safely sheltered in their
+various lurking-holes in the Isle of Man, Cumberland, and elsewhere; and
+that those who might remain would undoubtedly commit violence on any
+who visited their settlement with the purpose of inquiring into the late
+disturbances.
+
+There were not the same objections to his hastening to Mount Sharon,
+where he expected to find the latest news of his friend; and there
+was time enough to do so, before the hour appointed for the provost's
+dinner. Upon the road, he congratulated himself on having obtained one
+point of almost certain information. The person who had in a manner
+forced himself upon his father's hospitality, and had appeared desirous
+to induce Darsie Latimer to visit England, against whom, too, a sort of
+warning had been received from an individual connected with and residing
+in his own family, proved to be a promoter of the disturbance in which
+Darsie had disappeared.
+
+What could be the cause of such an attempt on the liberty of an
+inoffensive and amiable man? It was impossible it could be merely owing
+to Redgauntlet's mistaking Darsie for a spy; for though that was the
+solution which Fairford had offered to the provost, he well knew that,
+in point of fact, he himself had been warned by his singular visitor of
+some danger to which his friend was exposed, before such suspicion could
+have been entertained; and the injunctions received by Latimer from his
+guardian, or him who acted as such, Mr. Griffiths of London, pointed to
+the same thing. He was rather glad, however, that he had not let Provost
+Crosbie into his secret further than was absolutely necessary; since it
+was plain that the connexion of his wife with the suspected party was
+likely to affect his impartiality as a magistrate.
+
+When Alan Fairford arrived at Mount Sharon, Rachel Geddes hastened to
+meet him, almost before the servant could open the door. She drew back
+in disappointment when she beheld a stranger, and said, to excuse her
+precipitation, that 'she had thought it was her brother Joshua returned
+from Cumberland.'
+
+'Mr. Geddes is then absent from home?' said Fairford, much disappointed
+in his turn.
+
+'He hath been gone since yesterday, friend,' answered Rachel, once more
+composed to the quietude which characterizes her sect, but her pale
+cheek and red eye giving contradiction to her assumed equanimity.
+
+'I am,' said Fairford, hastily, 'the particular friend of a young man
+not unknown to you, Miss Geddes--the friend of Darsie Latimer--and
+am come hither in the utmost anxiety, having understood from Provost
+Crosbie, that he had disappeared in the night when a destructive attack
+was made upon the fishing-station of Mr. Geddes.'
+
+'Thou dost afflict me, friend, by thy inquiries,' said Rachel, more
+affected than before; 'for although the youth was like those of the
+worldly generation, wise in his own conceit, and lightly to be moved by
+the breath of vanity, yet Joshua loved him, and his heart clave to him
+as if he had been his own son. And when he himself escaped from the sons
+of Belial, which was not until they had tired themselves with reviling,
+and with idle reproach, and the jests of the scoffer, Joshua, my
+brother, returned to them once and again, to give ransom for the
+youth called Darsie Latimer, with offers of money and with promise of
+remission, but they would not hearken to him. Also, he went before the
+head judge, whom men call the sheriff, and would have told him of the
+youth's peril; but he would in no way hearken to him unless he would
+swear unto the truth of his words, which thing he might not do without
+sin, seeing it is written, Swear not at all--also, that our conversation
+shall be yea or nay. Therefore, Joshua returned to me disconsolate,
+and said, "Sister Rachel, this youth hath run into peril for my sake;
+assuredly I shall not be guiltless if a hair of his head be harmed,
+seeing I have sinned in permitting him to go with me to the fishing
+station when such evil was to be feared. Therefore, I will take my
+horse, even Solomon, and ride swiftly into Cumberland, and I will make
+myself friends with Mammon of Unrighteousness, among the magistrates of
+the Gentiles, and among their mighty men; and it shall come to pass that
+Darsie Latimer shall be delivered, even if it were at the expense of
+half my substance." And I said, "Nay, my brother, go not, for they
+will but scoff at and revile thee; but hire with thy silver one of the
+scribes, who are eager as hunters in pursuing their prey, and he shall
+free Darsie Latimer from the men of violence by his cunning, and thy
+soul shall be guiltless of evil towards the lad." But he answered and
+said, "I will not be controlled in this matter." And he is gone forth
+and hath not returned, and I fear me that he may never return; for
+though he be peaceful, as becometh one who holds all violence as offence
+against his own soul, yet neither the floods of water, nor the fear of
+the snare, nor the drawn sword of the adversary brandished in the path,
+will overcome his purpose. Wherefore the Solway may swallow him up, or
+the sword of the enemy may devour him--nevertheless, my hope is better
+in Him who directeth all things, and ruleth over the waves of the sea,
+and overruleth the devices of the wicked, and who can redeem us even as
+a bird from the fowler's net.'
+
+This was all that Fairford could learn from Miss Geddes; but he heard
+with pleasure that the good Quaker, her brother, had many friends among
+those of his own profession in Cumberland, and without exposing himself
+to so much danger as his sister seemed to apprehend, he trusted he might
+be able to discover some traces of Darsie Latimer. He himself rode back
+to Dumfries, having left with Miss Geddes his direction in that
+place, and an earnest request that she would forward thither whatever
+information she might obtain from her brother.
+
+On Fairford's return to Dumfries, he employed the brief interval which
+remained before dinner-time, in writing an account of what had befallen
+Latimer and of the present uncertainty of his condition, to Mr. Samuel
+Griffiths, through whose hands the remittances for his friend's service
+had been regularly made, desiring he would instantly acquaint him with
+such parts of his history as might direct him in the search which he
+was about to institute through the border counties, and which he pledged
+himself not; to give up until he had obtained news of his friend, alive
+or dead, The young lawyer's mind felt easier when he had dispatched this
+letter. He could not conceive any reason why his friend's life should be
+aimed at; he knew Darsie had done nothing by which his liberty could
+be legally affected; and although, even of late years, there had been
+singular histories of men, and women also, who had been trepanned,
+and concealed in solitudes and distant islands in order to serve some
+temporary purpose, such violences had been chiefly practised by the rich
+on the poor, and by the strong on the feeble; whereas, in the present
+case, this Mr. Herries, or Redgauntlet, being amenable, for more reasons
+than one, to the censure of the law, must be the weakest in any struggle
+in which it could be appealed to. It is true, that his friendly anxiety
+whispered that the very cause which rendered this oppressor less
+formidable, might make him more desperate. Still, recalling his
+language, so strikingly that of the gentleman, and even of the man
+of honour, Alan Fairford concluded, that though, in his feudal pride,
+Redgauntlet might venture on the deeds of violence exercised by the
+aristocracy in other times, he could not be capable of any action of
+deliberate atrocity. And in these convictions he went to dine with
+Provost Crosbie, with a heart more at ease than might have been
+expected. [See Note 7.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Five minutes had elapsed after the town clock struck two, before
+Alan Fairford, who had made a small detour to put his letter into the
+post-house, reached the mansion of Mr. Provost Crosbie, and was at once
+greeted by the voice of that civic dignitary, and the rural dignitary
+his visitor, as by the voices of men impatient for their dinner.
+
+'Come away, Mr. Fairford--the Edinburgh time is later than ours,' said
+the provost.
+
+And, 'Come away, young gentleman,' said the laird; 'I remember your
+father weel at the Cross thirty years ago--I reckon you are as late in
+Edinburgh as at London, four o'clock hours--eh?'
+
+'Not quite so degenerate,' replied Fairford; 'but certainly many
+Edinburgh people are so ill-advised as to postpone their dinner
+till three, that they may have full time to answer their London
+correspondents.'
+
+'London correspondents!' said Mr. Maxwell; 'and pray what the devil have
+the people of Auld Reekie to do with London correspondents?' [Not much
+in those days, for within my recollection the London post; was brought
+north in a small mail-cart; and men are yet as live who recollect when
+it came down with only one single letter for Edinburgh, addressed to the
+manager of the British Linen Company.]
+
+'The tradesmen must have their goods,' said Fairford.
+
+'Can they not buy our own Scottish manufactures, and pick their
+customers pockets in a more patriotic manner?'
+
+'Then the ladies must have fashions,' said Fairford.
+
+'Can they not busk the plaid over their heads, as their mothers did? A
+tartan screen, and once a year a new cockernony from Paris, should
+serve a countess. But ye have not many of them left, I think--Mareschal,
+Airley, Winton, Vemyss, Balmerino, all passed and gone--aye, aye, the
+countesses and ladies of quality will scarce take up too much of your
+ball-room floor with their quality hoops nowadays.'
+
+'There is no want of crowding, however, sir,' said Fairford; 'they begin
+to talk of a new Assembly room.'
+
+'A new Assembly room!' said the old Jacobite laird--'Umph--I mind
+quartering three hundred men in the old Assembly room [I remember
+hearing this identical answer given by an old Highland gentleman of the
+Forty-Five, when he heard of the opening of the New Assembly Rooms in
+George Street.]--But come, come--I'll ask no more questions--the answers
+all smell of new lords new lands, and do but spoil my appetite, which
+were a pity, since here comes Mrs. Crosbie to say our mutton's ready.'
+
+It was even so. Mrs. Crosbie had been absent, like Eve, 'on hospitable
+cares intent,' a duty which she did not conceive herself exempted from,
+either by the dignity of her husband's rank in the municipality, or the
+splendour of her Brussels silk gown, or even by the more highly prized
+lustre of her birth; for she was born a Maxwell, and allied, as her
+husband often informed his friends, to several of the first families in
+the county. She had been handsome, and was still a portly, good-looking
+woman of her years; and though her peep into the kitchen had somewhat
+heightened her complexion, it was no more than a modest touch of rouge
+might have done.
+
+The provost was certainly proud of his lady, nay, some said he was
+afraid of her; for of the females of the Redgauntlet family there went a
+rumour, that, ally where they would, there was a grey mare as surely in
+the stables of their husbands, as there is a white horse in Wouvermans'
+pictures. The good dame, too, was supposed to have brought a spice of
+politics into Mr. Crosbie's household along with her; and the provost's
+enemies at the council-table of the burgh used to observe that he
+uttered there many a bold harangue against the Pretender, and in favour
+of King George and government, of which he dared not have pronounced
+a syllable in his own bedchamber; and that, in fact, his wife's
+predominating influence had now and then occasioned his acting,
+or forbearing to act, in a manner very different from his general
+professions of zeal for Revolution principles. If this was in any
+respect true, it was certain, on the other hand, that Mrs. Crosbie, in
+all external points, seemed to acknowledge the 'lawful sway and right
+supremacy' of the head of the house, and if she did not in truth
+reverence her husband, she at least seemed to do so.
+
+This stately dame received Mr. Maxwell (a cousin of course) with
+cordiality, and Fairford with civility; answering at the same time with
+respect, to the magisterial complaints of the provost, that dinner was
+just coming up. 'But since you changed poor Peter MacAlpin, that used
+to take care of the town-clock, my dear, it has never gone well a single
+day.'
+
+'Peter MacAlpin, my dear,' said the provost,' made himself too busy for
+a person in office, and drunk healths and so forth, which it became no
+man to drink or to pledge, far less one that is in point of office a
+servant of the public, I understand that he lost the music bells in
+Edinburgh, for playing "Ower the Water to Charlie," upon the tenth of
+June. He is a black sheep, and deserves no encouragement.'
+
+'Not a bad tune though, after all,' said Summertrees; and, turning to
+the window, he half hummed, half whistled, the air in question, then
+sang the last verse aloud:
+
+  'Oh I loe weel my Charlie's name,
+    Though some there be that abhor him;
+   But oh to see the deil gang hame
+    Wi' a' the Whigs before him!
+   Over the water, and over the sea,
+    And over the water to Charlie;
+   Come weal, come woe, we'll gather and go,
+    And live or die with Charlie.'
+
+Mrs. Crosbie smiled furtively on the laird, wearing an aspect at the
+same time of deep submission; while the provost, not choosing to hear
+his visitor's ditty, took a turn through the room, in unquestioned
+dignity and independence of authority.
+
+'Aweel, aweel, my dear,' said the lady, with a quiet smile of
+submission, 'ye ken these matters best, and you will do your
+pleasure--they are far above my hand--only, I doubt if ever the
+town-clock will go right, or your meals be got up so regular as I should
+wish, till Peter MacAlpin gets his office back again. The body's auld,
+and can neither work nor want, but he is the only hand to set a clock.'
+
+It may be noticed in passing, that notwithstanding this prediction,
+which, probably, the fair Cassandra had the full means of accomplishing,
+it was not till the second council day thereafter that the misdemeanours
+of the Jacobite clock-keeper were passed over, and he was once more
+restored to his occupation of fixing the town's time, and the provost's
+dinner-hour.
+
+Upon the present occasion the dinner passed pleasantly away. Summertrees
+talked and jested with the easy indifference of a man who holds himself
+superior to his company. He was indeed an important person, as was
+testified by his portly appearance; his hat laced with POINT D'ESPAGNE;
+his coat and waistcoat once richly embroidered, though now almost
+threadbare; the splendour of his solitaire, and laced ruffles, though
+the first was sorely creased, and the other sullied; not to forget the
+length of his silver-hilted rapier. His wit, or rather humour, bordered
+on the sarcastic, and intimated a discontented man; and although he
+showed no displeasure when the provost attempted a repartee, yet it
+seemed that he permitted it upon mere sufferance, as a fencing-master,
+engaged with a pupil, will sometimes permit the tyro to hit him, solely
+by way of encouragement. The laird's own jests, in the meanwhile, were
+eminently successful, not only with the provost and his lady, but with
+the red-cheeked and red-ribboned servant-maid who waited at table, and
+who could scarce perform her duty with propriety, so effectual were the
+explosions of Summertrees. Alan Fairford alone was unmoved among all
+this mirth; which was the less wonderful, that, besides the important
+subject which occupied his thoughts, most of the laird's good things
+consisted in sly allusions to little parochial or family incidents,
+with which the Edinburgh visitor was totally unacquainted: so that the
+laughter of the party sounded in his ear like the idle crackling of
+thorns under the pot, with this difference, that they did not accompany
+or second any such useful operation as the boiling thereof.
+
+Fairford was glad when the cloth was withdrawn; and when Provost Crosbie
+(not without some points of advice from his lady touching the precise
+mixture of the ingredients) had accomplished the compounding of a noble
+bowl of punch, at which the old Jacobite's eyes seemed to glisten, the
+glasses were pushed round it, filled, and withdrawn each by its owner,
+when the provost emphatically named the toast, 'The King,' with an
+important look to Fairford, which seemed to say, You can have no doubt
+whom I mean, and therefore there is no occasion to particularize the
+individual.
+
+Summertrees repeated the toast, with a sly wink to the lady, while
+Fairford drank his glass in silence.
+
+'Well, young advocate,' said the landed proprietor, 'I am glad to see
+there is some shame, if there is little honesty, left in the Faculty.
+Some of your black gowns, nowadays, have as little of the one as of the
+other.'
+
+'At least, sir,' replied Mr. Fairford, 'I am so much of a lawyer as not
+willingly to enter into disputes which I am not retained to support--it
+would be but throwing away both time and argument.'
+
+'Come, come,' said the lady, 'we will have no argument in this house
+about Whig or Tory--the provost kens what he maun SAY, and I ken what he
+should THINK; and for a' that has come and gane yet, there may be a time
+coming when honest men may say what they think, whether they be provosts
+or not.'
+
+'D'ye hear that, provost?' said Summertrees; 'your wife's a witch, man;
+you should nail a horseshoe on your chamber door--Ha, ha, ha!'
+
+This sally did not take quite so well as former efforts of the laird's
+wit. The lady drew up, and the provost said, half aside, 'The sooth
+bourd is nae bourd. [The true joke is no joke.] You will find the
+horseshoe hissing hot, Summertrees.'
+
+'You can speak from experience, doubtless, provost,' answered the
+laird; 'but I crave pardon--I need not tell Mrs. Crosbie that I have all
+respect for the auld and honourable House of Redgauntlet.'
+
+'And good reason ye have, that are sae sib to them,' quoth the lady,
+'and kend weel baith them that are here, and them that are gane.'
+
+'In troth, and ye may say sae, madam,' answered the laird; 'for poor
+Harry Redgauntlet, that suffered at Carlisle, was hand and glove with
+me; and yet we parted on short leave-taking.'
+
+'Aye, Summertrees,' said the provost; 'that was when you played
+Cheat-the-woodie, and gat the by-name of Pate-in-Peril. I wish you would
+tell the story to my young friend here. He likes weel to hear of a sharp
+trick, as most lawyers do.'
+
+'I wonder at your want of circumspection, provost,' said the
+laird,--much after the manner of a singer when declining to sing the
+song that is quivering upon his tongue's very end. 'Ye should mind there
+are some auld stories that cannot be ripped up again with entire safety
+to all concerned. TACE is Latin for a candle,'
+
+'I hope,' said the lady, 'you are not afraid of anything being said out
+of this house to your prejudice, Summertrees? I have heard the story
+before; but the oftener I hear it, the more wonderful I think it.'
+
+'Yes, madam; but it has been now a wonder of more than nine days, and it
+is time it should be ended,' answered Maxwell.
+
+Fairford now thought it civil to say, 'that he had often heard of Mr.
+Maxwell's wonderful escape, and that nothing could be more agreeable to
+him than to hear the right version of it.'
+
+But Summertrees was obdurate, and refused to take up the time of the
+company with such 'auld-warld nonsense.'
+
+'Weel, weel,' said the provost, 'a wilful man maun hae his way. What do
+your folk in the country think about the disturbances that are beginning
+to spunk out in the colonies?'
+
+'Excellent, sir, excellent. When things come to the worst; they will
+mend; and to the worst they are coming. But as to that nonsense ploy
+of mine, if ye insist on hearing the particulars,'--said the laird, who
+began to be sensible that the period of telling his story gracefully was
+gliding fast away.
+
+'Nay,' said the provost, 'it was not for myself, but this young
+gentlemen.'
+
+'Aweel, what for should I not pleasure the young gentlemen? I'll
+just drink to honest folk at hame and abroad, and deil ane else. And
+then--but you have heard it before, Mrs. Crosbie?'
+
+'Not so often as to think it tiresome, I assure ye,' said the lady; and
+without further preliminaries, the laird addressed Alan Fairford.
+
+'Ye have heard of a year they call the FORTY-FIVE, young gentleman;
+when the Southrons' heads made their last acquaintance with Scottish
+claymores? There was a set of rampauging chields in the country then
+that they called rebels--I never could find out what for--Some men
+should have been wi' them that never came, provost--Skye and the Bush
+aboon Traquair for that, ye ken.--Weel, the job was settled at last.
+Cloured crowns were plenty, and raxed necks came into fashion. I dinna
+mind very weel what I was doing, swaggering about the country with dirk
+and pistol at my belt for five or six months, or thereaway; but I had
+a weary waking out of a wild dream. When did I find myself on foot in a
+misty morning, with my hand, just for fear of going astray, linked into
+a handcuff, as they call it, with poor Harry Redgauntlet's fastened into
+the other; and there we were, trudging along, with about a score more
+that had thrust their horns ower deep in the bog, just like ourselves,
+and a sergeant's guard of redcoats, with twa file of dragoons, to
+keep all quiet, and give us heart to the road. Now, if this mode of
+travelling was not very pleasant, the object did not particularly
+recommend it; for, you understand, young man, that they did not trust
+these poor rebel bodies to be tried by juries of their ain kindly
+countrymen, though ane would have thought they would have found Whigs
+enough in Scotland to hang us all; but they behoved to trounce us away
+to be tried at Carlisle, where the folk had been so frightened, that
+had you brought a whole Highland clan at once into the court, they would
+have put their hands upon their een, and cried, "hang them a'," just to
+be quit of them.'
+
+'Aye, aye,' said the provost, 'that was a snell law, I grant ye.'
+
+'Snell!' said the wife, 'snell! I wish they that passed it had the jury
+I would recommend them to!'
+
+'I suppose the young lawyer thinks it all very right,' said Summertrees,
+looking at Fairford--'an OLD lawyer might have thought otherwise.
+However, the cudgel was to be found to beat the dog, and they chose
+a heavy one. Well, I kept my spirits better than my companion, poor
+fellow; for I had the luck to have neither wife nor child to think
+about, and Harry Redgauntlet had both one and t'other.--You have seen
+Harry, Mrs. Crosbie?'
+
+'In troth have I,' said she, with the sigh which we give to early
+recollections, of which the object is no more. 'He was not so tall as
+his brother, and a gentler lad every way. After he married the great
+English fortune, folk called him less of a Scottishman than Edward.'
+
+'Folk lee'd, then,' said Summertrees; 'poor Harry was none of your
+bold-speaking, ranting reivers, that talk about what they did yesterday,
+or what they will do to-morrow; it was when something was to do at the
+moment that you should have looked at Harry Redgauntlet. I saw him at
+Culloden, when all was lost, doing more than twenty of these bleezing
+braggarts, till the very soldiers that took him cried not to hurt
+him--for all somebody's orders, provost--for he was the bravest fellow
+of them all. Weel, as I went by the side of Harry, and felt him raise my
+hand up in the mist of the morning, as if he wished to wipe his eye--for
+he had not that freedom without my leave--my very heart was like to
+break for him, poor fellow. In the meanwhile, I had been trying and
+trying to make my hand as fine as a lady's, to see if I could slip it
+out of my iron wristband. You may think,' he said, laying his broad bony
+hand on the table, 'I had work enough with such a shoulder-of-mutton
+fist; but if you observe, the shackle-bones are of the largest, and so
+they were obliged to keep the handcuff wide; at length I got my hand
+slipped out, and slipped in again; and poor Harry was sae deep in his
+ain thoughts, I could not make him sensible what I was doing.'
+
+'Why not?' said Alan Fairford, for whom the tale began to have some
+interest.
+
+'Because there was an unchancy beast of a dragoon riding close beside
+us on the other side; and if I had let him into my confidence as well as
+Harry, it would not have been long before a pistol-ball slapped through
+my bonnet.--Well, I had little for it but to do the best I could for
+myself; and, by my conscience, it was time, when the gallows was staring
+me in the face. We were to halt for breakfast at Moffat. Well did I know
+the moors we were marching over, having hunted and hawked on every acre
+of ground in very different times. So I waited, you see, till I was on
+the edge of Errickstane-brae--Ye ken the place they call the Marquis's
+Beef-stand, because the Annandale loons used to put their stolen cattle
+in there?'
+
+Fairford intimated his ignorance,
+
+'Ye must have seen it as ye came this way; it looks as if four hills
+were laying their heads together, to shut out daylight from the dark
+hollow space between them. A d--d deep, black, blackguard-looking
+abyss of a hole it is, and goes straight down from the roadside, as
+perpendicular as it can do, to be a heathery brae. At the bottom, there
+is a small bit of a brook, that you would think could hardly find, its
+way out from the hills that are so closely jammed round it.'
+
+'A bad pass, indeed,' said Alan.
+
+'You may say that,' continued the laird. 'Bad as it was, sir, it was
+my only chance; and though my very flesh creeped when I thought what a
+rumble I was going to get, yet I kept my heart up all the same. And so,
+just when we came on the edge of this Beef-stand of the Johnstones, I
+slipped out my hand from the handcuff, cried to Harry Gauntlet, 'Follow
+me!'--whisked under the belly of the dragoon horse--flung my plaid round
+me with the speed of lightning--threw myself on my side, for there was
+no keeping my feet, and down the brae hurled I, over heather and fern,
+and blackberries, like a barrel down Chalmer's Close, in Auld Reekie.
+G--, sir, I never could help laughing when I think how the scoundrel
+redcoats must have been bumbazed; for the mist being, as I said, thick,
+they had little notion, I take it, that they were on the verge of such
+a dilemma. I was half way down--for rowing is faster wark than
+rinning--ere they could get at their arms; and then it was flash, flash,
+flash--rap, rap, rap--from the edge of the road; but my head was too
+jumbled to think anything either of that or the hard knocks I got among
+the stones. I kept my senses thegither, whilk has been thought wonderful
+by all that ever saw the place; and I helped myself with my hands as
+gallantly as I could, and to the bottom I came. There I lay for half
+a moment; but the thoughts of a gallows is worth all the salts and
+scent-bottles in the world for bringing a man to himself. Up I sprang,
+like a four-year-auld colt. All the hills were spinning round with me,
+like so many great big humming-tops. But there was nae time to think of
+that neither; more especially as the mist had risen a little with the
+firing. I could see the villains, like sae mony craws on the edge of
+the brae; and I reckon that they saw me; for some of the loons were
+beginning to crawl down the hill, but liker auld wives in their red
+cloaks, coming frae a field preaching, than such a souple lad as I was.
+Accordingly, they soon began to stop and load their pieces. Good-e'en to
+you, gentlemen, thought I, if that is to be the gate of it. If you have
+any further word with me, you maun come as far as Carriefraw-gauns. And
+so off I set, and never buck went faster ower the braes than I did; and
+I never stopped till I had put three waters, reasonably deep, as the
+season was rainy, half a dozen mountains, and a few thousand acres
+of the worst moss and ling in Scotland, betwixt me and my friends the
+redcoats.'
+
+'It was that job which got you the name of Pate-in-Peril,' said the
+provost, filling the glasses, and exclaiming with great emphasis,
+while his guest, much animated with the recollections which the
+exploit excited, looked round with an air of triumph for sympathy and
+applause,--'Here is to your good health; and may you never put your neck
+in such a venture again.' [The escape of a Jacobite gentleman while on
+the road to Carlisle to take his trial for his share in the affair of
+1745, took place at Errickstane-brae, in the singular manner ascribed to
+the Laird of Summertrees in the text. The author has seen in his youth
+the gentleman to whom the adventure actually happened. The distance of
+time makes some indistinctness of recollection, but it is believed the
+real name was MacEwen or MacMillan.]
+
+'Humph!--I do not know,' answered Summertrees. 'I am not like to be
+tempted with another opportunity--[An old gentleman of the author's name
+was engaged in the affair of 1715, and with some difficulty was saved
+from the gallows by the intercession of the Duchess of Buccleugh and
+Monmouth. Her Grace, who maintained a good deal of authority over her
+clan, sent for the object of her intercession, and warning him of the
+risk which he had run, and the trouble she had taken on his account,
+wound up her lecture by intimating that in case of such disloyalty
+again, he was not to expect her interest in his favour. 'An it please
+your Grace,' said the stout old Tory, 'I fear I am too old to see
+another opportunity.'] Yet who knows?' And then he made a deep pause.
+
+'May I ask what became of your friend, sir?' said Alan Fairford.
+
+'Ah, poor Harry!' said Summertrees. 'I'll tell you what, sir, it takes
+time to make up one's mind to such a venture, as my friend the provost
+calls it; and I was told by Neil Maclean,--who was next file to us,
+but had the luck to escape the gallows by some sleight-of-hand trick
+or other,--that, upon my breaking off, poor Harry stood like one
+motionless, although all our brethren in captivity made as much tumult
+as they could, to distract the attention of the soldiers. And run he did
+at last; but he did not know the ground, and either from confusion, or
+because he judged the descent altogether perpendicular, he fled up
+the hill to the left, instead of going down at once, and so was easily
+pursued and taken. If he had followed my example, he would have found
+enough among the shepherds to hide him, and feed him, as they did me,
+on bearmeal scenes and braxy mutton, till better days came round again.'
+[BRAXY MUTTON.--The flesh of sheep that has died of disease, not by
+the hand of the butcher. In pastoral countries it is used as food with
+little scruple.]
+
+'He suffered then for his share in the insurrection?' said Alan.
+
+'You may swear that,' said Summertrees. 'His blood was too red to be
+spared when that sort of paint was in request. He suffered, sir, as
+you call it--that is, he was murdered in cold blood, with many a pretty
+fellow besides. Well, we may have our day next--what is fristed is not
+forgiven--they think us all dead and buried--but'--Here he filled his
+glass, and muttering some indistinct denunciations, drank it off, and
+assumed his usual manner, which had been a little disturbed towards the
+end of the narrative.
+
+'What became of Mr. Redgauntlet's child?' said Fairford.
+
+MISTER Redgauntlet! He was Sir Henry Redgauntlet, as his son, if the
+child now lives, will be Sir Arthur--I called him Harry from intimacy,
+and Redgauntlet, as the chief of his name--His proper style was Sir
+Henry Redgauntlet.'
+
+'His son, therefore, is dead?' said Alan Fairford. 'It is a pity so
+brave a line should draw to a close.'
+
+'He has left a brother,' said Summertrees, 'Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, who
+has now the representation of the family. And well it is; for though he
+be unfortunate in many respects, he will keep up the honour of the house
+better than a boy bred up amongst these bitter Whigs, the relations of
+his elder brother Sir Henry's lady. Then they are on no good terms with
+the Redgauntlet line--bitter Whigs they are in every sense. It was a
+runaway match betwixt Sir Henry and his lady. Poor thing, they would not
+allow her to see him when in confinement--they had even the meanness to
+leave him without pecuniary assistance; and as all his own property was
+seized upon and plundered, he would have wanted common necessaries, but
+for the attachment of a fellow who was a famous fiddler--a blind man--I
+have seen him with Sir Henry myself, both before the affair broke out
+and while it was going on. I have heard that he fiddled in the streets
+of Carlisle, and carried what money he got to his master, while he was
+confined in the castle.'
+
+'I do not believe a word of it,' said Mrs. Crosbie, kindling with
+indignation. 'A Redgauntlet would have died twenty times before he had
+touched a fiddler's wages.'
+
+'Hout fye--hout fye--all nonsense and pride,' said the Laird of
+Summertrees. 'Scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings, cousin Crosbie--ye
+little ken what some of your friends were obliged to do yon time for a
+sowp of brose, or a bit of bannock. G--d, I carried a cutler's wheel for
+several weeks, partly for need, and partly for disguise--there I went
+bizz--bizz--whizz--zizz, at every auld wife's door; and if ever you want
+your shears sharpened, Mrs. Crosbie, I am the lad to do it for you, if
+my wheel was but in order.'
+
+'You, must ask my leave first,' said the provost; 'for I have been told
+you had some queer fashions of taking a kiss instead of a penny, if you
+liked your customer.'
+
+'Come, come, provost,' said the lady; rising, 'if the maut gets abune
+the meal with you, it is time for me to take myself away--And you will
+come to my room, gentlemen, when you want a cup of tea.'
+
+Alan Fairford was not sorry for the lady's departure. She seemed too
+much alive to the honour of the house of Redgauntlet, though only a
+fourth cousin, not to be alarmed by the inquiries which he proposed
+to make after the whereabout of its present head. Strange confused
+suspicions arose in his mind, from his imperfect recollection of the
+tale of Wandering Willie, and the idea forced itself upon him that his
+friend Darsie Latimer might be the son of the unfortunate Sir Henry. But
+before indulging in such speculations, the point was to discover what
+had actually become of him. If he were in the hands of his uncle, might
+there not exist some rivalry in fortune, or rank, which might induce so
+stern a man as Redgauntlet to use unfair measures towards a youth whom
+he would find himself unable to mould to his purpose? He considered
+these points in silence, during several revolutions of the glasses
+as they wheeled in galaxy round the bowl, waiting until the provost,
+agreeably to his own proposal, should mention the subject, for which he
+had expressly introduced him to Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees.
+
+Apparently the provost had forgot his promise, or at least was in no
+great haste to fulfil it. He debated with great earnestness upon the
+Stamp Act, which was then impending over the American colonies, and upon
+other political subjects of the day, but said not a word of Redgauntlet.
+Alan soon saw that the investigation he meditated must advance, if at
+all, on his own special motion, and determined to proceed accordingly.
+
+Acting upon this resolution, he took the first opportunity afforded by
+a pause in the discussion of colonial politics, to say, 'I must remind
+you, Provost Crosbie, of your kind promise to procure some intelligence
+upon the subject I am so anxious about.'
+
+'Gadso!' said the provost, after a moment's hesitation, 'it is very
+true.--Mr. Maxwell, we wish to consult you on a piece of important
+business. You must know indeed I think you must have heard, that the
+fishermen at Brokenburn, and higher up the Solway, have made a raid upon
+Quaker Geddes's stake-nets, and levelled all with the sands.'
+
+'In troth I heard it, provost, and I was glad to hear the scoundrels had
+so much pluck left as to right themselves against a fashion which would
+make the upper heritors a sort of clocking-hens, to hatch the fish that
+folk below them were to catch and eat.'
+
+'Well, sir,' said Alan, 'that is not the present point. But a young
+friend of mine was with Mr. Geddes at the time this violent procedure
+took place, and he has not since been heard of. Now, our friend, the
+provost, thinks that you may be able to advise'--
+
+Here he was interrupted by the provost and Summertrees speaking out
+both at once, the first endeavouring to disclaim all interest in the
+question, and the last to evade giving an answer.
+
+'Me think!' said the provost; 'I never thought twice about it, Mr.
+Fairford; it was neither fish, nor flesh, nor salt herring of mine.'
+
+'And I "able to advise"!' said Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees; 'what the
+devil can I advise you to do, excepting to send the bellman through the
+town to cry your lost sheep, as they do spaniel dogs or stray ponies?'
+
+'With your pardon,' said Alan, calmly, but resolutely, 'I must ask a
+more serious answer.'
+
+'Why, Mr. Advocate,' answered Summertrees, 'I thought it was your
+business to give advice to the lieges, and not to take it from poor
+stupid country gentlemen.'
+
+'If not exactly advice, it is sometimes our duty to ask questions, Mr.
+Maxwell.'
+
+'Aye, sir, when you have your bag-wig and your gown on, we must
+allow you the usual privilege of both gown and petticoat, to ask what
+questions you please. But when you are out of your canonicals, the case
+is altered. How come you, sir, to suppose that I have any business with
+this riotous proceeding, or should know more than you do what happened
+there? the question proceeds on an uncivil supposition.'
+
+'I will explain,' said Alan, determined to give Mr. Maxwell no
+opportunity of breaking off the conversation. 'You are an intimate of
+Mr. Redgauntlet--he is accused of having been engaged in this affray,
+and of having placed under forcible restraint the person of my friend,
+Darsie Latimer, a young man of property and consequence, whose fate I am
+here for the express purpose of investigating. This is the plain
+state of the case; and all parties concerned,--your friend, in
+particular,--will have reason to be thankful for the temperate manner
+in which it is my purpose to conduct the matter, if I am treated with
+proportionate frankness.'
+
+'You have misunderstood me,' said Maxwell, with a tone changed to
+more composure; 'I told you I was the friend of the late Sir Henry
+Redgauntlet, who was executed, in 1745, at Hairibie, near Carlisle, but
+I know no one who at present bears the name of Redgauntlet.'
+
+'You know Mr. Herries of Birrenswork,' said Alan, smiling, 'to whom the
+name of Redgauntlet belongs?'
+
+Maxwell darted a keen reproachful look towards the provost, but
+instantly smoothed his brow, and changed his tone to that of confidence
+and candour.
+
+'You must not be angry, Mr. Fairford, that the poor persecuted nonjurors
+are a little upon the QUI VIVE when such clever young men as you are
+making inquiries after us. I myself now, though I am quite out of the
+scrape, and may cock my hat at the Cross as I best like, sunshine or
+moonshine, have been yet so much accustomed to walk with the lap of my
+cloak cast over my face, that, faith, if a redcoat walk suddenly up
+to me, I wish for my wheel and whetstone again for a moment. Now
+Redgauntlet, poor fellow, is far worse off--he is, you may have heard,
+still under the lash of the law,--the mark of the beast is still on his
+forehead, poor gentleman,--and that makes us cautious--very cautious,
+which I am sure there is no occasion to be towards you, as no one of
+your appearance and manners would wish to trepan a gentleman under
+misfortune.'
+
+'On the contrary, sir,' said Fairford, 'I wish to afford Mr.
+Redgauntlet's friends an opportunity to get him out of the scrape, by
+procuring the instant liberation of my friend Darsie Latimer. I will
+engage that if he has sustained no greater bodily harm than a short
+confinement, the matter may be passed over quietly, without inquiry; but
+to attain this end, so desirable for the man who has committed a great
+and recent infraction of the laws, which he had before grievously
+offended, very speedy reparation of the wrong must be rendered.'
+
+Maxwell seemed lost in reflection, and exchanged a glance or two, not of
+the most comfortable or congratulatory kind, with his host the provost.
+Fairford rose and walked about the room, to allow them an opportunity
+of conversing together; for he was in hopes that the impression he
+had visibly made upon Summertrees was likely to ripen into something
+favourable to his purpose. They took the opportunity, and engaged in
+whispers to each other, eagerly and reproachfully on the part of the
+laird, while the provost answered in an embarrassed and apologetical
+tone. Some broken words of the conversation reached Fairford, whose
+presence they seemed to forget, as he stood at the bottom of the room,
+apparently intent upon examining the figures upon a fine Indian screen,
+a present to the provost from his brother, captain of a vessel in the
+Company's service. What he overheard made it evident that his errand,
+and the obstinacy with which he pursued it, occasioned altercation
+between the whisperers.
+
+Maxwell at length let out the words, 'A good fright; and so send him
+home with his tail scalded, like a dog that has come a-privateering on
+strange premises.'
+
+The provost's negative was strongly interposed--'Not to be thought
+of'--'making bad worse'--'my situation'--'my utility'--'you cannot
+conceive how obstinate--just like his father'.
+
+They then whispered more closely, and at length the provost raised his
+drooping crest, and spoke in a cheerful tone. 'Come, sit down to your
+glass, Mr. Fairford; we have laid our heads thegither, and you shall see
+it will not be our fault if you are not quite pleased, and Mr.
+Darsie Latimer let loose to take his fiddle under his neck again. But
+Summertrees thinks it will require you to put yourself into some bodily
+risk, which maybe you may not be so keen of.'
+
+'Gentlemen,' said Fairford, 'I will not certainly shun any risk by which
+my object may be accomplished; but I bind it on your consciences--on
+yours, Mr. Maxwell, as a man of honour and a gentleman; and on yours,
+provost, as a magistrate and a loyal subject, that you do not mislead me
+in this matter.'
+
+'Nay, as for me,' said Summertrees, 'I will tell you the truth at
+once, and fairly own that I can certainly find you the means of seeing
+Redgauntlet, poor man; and that I will do, if you require it, and
+conjure him also to treat you as your errand requires; but poor
+Redgauntlet is much changed--indeed, to say truth, his temper never was
+the best in the world; however, I will warrant you from any very great
+danger.'
+
+'I will warrant myself from such,' said Fairford, 'by carrying a proper
+force with me.'
+
+'Indeed,' said Summertrees, 'you will, do no such thing; for, in the
+first place, do you think that we will deliver up the poor fellow into
+the hands of the Philistines, when, on the contrary, my only reason for
+furnishing you with the clue I am to put into your hands, is to settle
+the matter amicably on all sides? And secondly, his intelligence is so
+good, that were you coming near him with soldiers, or constables, or the
+like, I shall answer for it, you will never lay salt on his tail.'
+
+Fairford mused for a moment. He considered that to gain sight of this
+man, and knowledge of his friend's condition, were advantages to be
+purchased at every personal risk; and he saw plainly, that were he to
+take the course most safe for himself, and call in the assistance of
+the law, it was clear he would either be deprived of the intelligence
+necessary to guide him, or that Redgauntlet would be apprised of his
+danger, and might probably leave the country, carrying his captive
+along with him. He therefore repeated, 'I put myself on your honour, Mr.
+Maxwell; and I will go alone to visit your friend. I have little; doubt
+I shall find him amenable to reason; and that I shall receive from him a
+satisfactory account of Mr. Latimer.'
+
+'I have little doubt that you will,' said Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees;
+'but still I think it will be only in the long run, and after having
+sustained some delay and inconvenience. My warrandice goes no further.'
+
+'I will take it as it is given,' said Alan Fairford. 'But let me ask,
+would it not be better, since you value your friend's safety so highly
+and surely would not willingly compromise mine, that the provost or you
+should go with me to this man, if he is within any reasonable distance,
+and try to make him hear reason?'
+
+'Me!--I will not go my foot's length,' said the provost; and that, Mr.
+Alan, you may be well assured of. Mr. Redgauntlet is my wife's fourth
+cousin, that is undeniable; but were he the last of her kin and mine
+both, it would ill befit my office to be communing with rebels.'
+
+'Aye, or drinking with nonjurors,' said Maxwell, filling his glass. 'I
+would as soon expect; to have met Claverhouse at a field-preaching. And
+as for myself, Mr. Fairford, I cannot go, for just the opposite reason.
+It would be INFRA DIG. in the provost of this most flourishing and loyal
+town to associate with Redgauntlet; and for me it would be NOSCITUR A
+SOCIO. There would be post to London, with the tidings that two such
+Jacobites as Redgauntlet and I had met on a braeside--the Habeas Corpus
+would be suspended--Fame would sound a charge from Carlisle to the
+Land's End--and who knows but the very wind of the rumour might blow my
+estate from between my fingers, and my body over Errickstane-brae again?
+No, no; bide a gliff--I will go into the provost's closet, and write a
+letter to Redgauntlet, and direct you how to deliver it.'
+
+'There is pen and ink in the office,' said the provost, pointing to the
+door of an inner apartment, in which he had his walnut-tree desk and
+east-country cabinet.
+
+'A pen that can write, I hope?' said the old laird.
+
+'It can write and spell baith in right hands,' answered the provost, as
+the laird retired and shut the door behind him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees's
+presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and around
+the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his remaining guest,
+and began to speak In a whisper which could not have startled 'the
+smallest mouse that creeps on floor.'
+
+'Mr. Fairford,' said he, 'you are a good lad; and, what is more, you are
+my auld friend your father's son. Your father has been agent for this
+burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with the council; so there
+have been a sort of obligations between him and me; it may have been now
+on this side and now on that; but obligations there have been. I am but
+a plain man, Mr. Fairford; but I hope you understand me?'
+
+'I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,' replied Fairford,
+'you can never better show your kindness than on this occasion.'
+
+'That's it--that's the very point I would be at, Mr. Alan,' replied the
+provost; 'besides, I am, as becomes well my situation, a stanch friend
+to kirk and king, meaning this present establishment in church and
+state; and so, as I was saying, you may command my best--advice.'
+
+'I hope for your assistance and co-operation also,' said the youth.
+
+'Certainly, certainly,' said the wary magistrate. 'Well, now, you see
+one may love the kirk, and yet not ride on the rigging of it; and one
+may love the king, and yet not be cramming him eternally down the throat
+of the unhappy folk that may chance to like another king better. I have
+friends and connexions among them, Mr. Fairford, as your father may have
+clients--they are flesh and blood like ourselves, these poor Jacobite
+bodies--sons of Adam and Eve, after all; and therefore--I hope you
+understand me?--I am a plain-spoken man.'
+
+'I am afraid I do not quite understand you,' said Fairford; 'and if you
+have anything to say to me in private, my dear provost, you had better
+come quickly out with it, for the Laird of Summertrees must finish his
+letter in a minute or two.'
+
+'Not a bit, man--Pate is a lang-headed fellow, but his pen does not
+clear the paper as his greyhound does the Tinwald-furs. I gave him
+a wipe about that, if you noticed; I can say anything to
+Pate-in-Peril--Indeed, he is my wife's near kinsman.'
+
+'But your advice, provost,' said Alan, who perceived that, like a shy
+horse, the worthy magistrate always started off from his own purpose
+just when he seemed approaching to it.
+
+'Weel, you shall have it in plain terms, for I am a plain man. Ye see,
+we will suppose that any friend like yourself were in the deepest hole
+of the Nith, sand making a sprattle for your life. Now, you see, such
+being the case, I have little chance of helping you, being a fat,
+short-armed man, and no swimmer, and what would be the use of my jumping
+in after you?'
+
+'I understand you, I think,' said Alan Fairford. 'You think that Darsie
+Latimer is in danger of his life?'
+
+'Me!--I think nothing about it, Mr. Alan; but if he were, as I trust he
+is not, he is nae drap's blood akin to you, Mr. Alan.'
+
+'But here your friend, Summertrees,' said the young lawyer, 'offers me a
+letter to this Redgauntlet of yours--What say you to that?'
+
+'Me!' ejaculated the provost, 'me, Mr. Alan? I say neither buff nor
+stye to it--But ye dinna ken what it is to look a Redgauntlet in the
+face;--better try my wife, who is but a fourth cousin, before ye venture
+on the laird himself--just say something about the Revolution, and see
+what a look she can gie you.'
+
+I shall leave you to stand all the shots from that battery, provost.'
+replied Fairford. 'But speak out like a man--Do you think Summertrees
+means fairly by me?'
+
+'Fairly--he is just coming--fairly? I am a plain man, Mr. Fairford--but
+ye said FAIRLY?'
+
+'I do so,' replied Alan, 'and it is of importance to me to know, and
+to you to tell me if such is the case; for if you do not, you may be an
+accomplice to murder before the fact, and that under circumstances which
+may bring it near to murder under trust.'
+
+'Murder!--who spoke of murder?' said the provost; no danger of that, Mr.
+Alan--only, if I were you--to speak my plain mind'--Here he approached
+his mouth to the ear of the young lawyer, and, after another acute pang
+of travail, was safely delivered of his advice in the following abrupt
+words:--'Take a keek into Pate's letter before ye deliver it.'
+
+Fairford started, looked the provost hard in the face, and was silent;
+while Mr. Crosbie, with the self-approbation of one who has at length
+brought himself to the discharge of a great duty, at the expense of a
+considerable sacrifice, nodded and winked to Alan, as if enforcing his
+advice; and then swallowing a large glass of punch, concluded, with
+the sigh of a man released from a heavy burden, 'I am a plain man, Mr.
+Fairford.'
+
+'A plain man?' said Maxwell, who entered the room at that moment, with
+the letter in his hand,--'Provost, I never heard you make use of the
+word but when you had some sly turn of your own to work out.'
+
+The provost looked silly enough, and the Laird of Summertrees directed
+a keen and suspicious glance upon Alan Fairford, who sustained it with
+professional intrepidity.--There was a moment's pause.
+
+'I was trying,' said the provost, 'to dissuade our young friend from his
+wildgoose expedition.'
+
+'And I,' said Fairford, 'am determined to go through with it. Trusting
+myself to you, Mr. Maxwell, I conceive that I rely, as I before said, on
+the word of a gentleman.'
+
+'I will warrant you,' said Maxwell, 'from all serious consequences--some
+inconveniences you must look to suffer.'
+
+'To these I shall be resigned,' said Fairford, 'and stand prepared to
+run my risk.'
+
+'Well then,' said Summertrees, 'you must go'--
+
+'I will leave you to yourselves, gentlemen,' said the provost, rising;
+'when you have done with your crack, you will find me at my wife's
+tea-table.'
+
+'And a more accomplished old woman never drank catlap,' said Maxwell,
+as he shut the door; 'the last word has him, speak it who will--and yet
+because he is a whillywhaw body, and has a plausible tongue of his own,
+and is well enough connected, and especially because nobody could ever
+find out whether he is Whig or Tory, this is the third time they
+have made him provost!--But to the matter in hand. This letter, Mr.
+Fairford,' putting a sealed one into his hand, 'is addressed, you
+observe, to Mr. H--of B--, and contains your credentials for that
+gentlemen, who is also known by his family name of Redgauntlet, but
+less frequently addressed by it, because it is mentioned something
+invidiously in a certain Act of Parliament. I have little doubt he will
+assure you of your friend's safety, and in a short time place him at
+freedom--that is, supposing him under present restraint. But the point
+is, to discover where he is--and, before you are made acquainted with
+this necessary part of the business, you must give me your assurance of
+honour that you will acquaint no one, either by word or letter, with the
+expedition which you now propose to yourself.'
+
+'How, sir?' answered Alan; 'can you expect that I will not take the
+precaution of informing some person of the route I am about to take,
+that in case of accident it may be known where I am, and with what
+purpose I have gone thither?'
+
+'And can you expect,' answered Maxwell, in the same tone, 'that I am to
+place my friend's safety, not merely in your hands, but in those of any
+person you may choose to confide in, and who may use the knowledge to
+his destruction? Na--na--I have pledged my word for your safety, and you
+must give me yours to be private in the matter--giff-gaff, you know.'
+
+Alan Fairford could not help thinking that this obligation to secrecy
+gave a new and suspicious colouring to the whole transaction; but,
+considering that his friend's release might depend upon his accepting
+the condition, he gave it in the terms proposed, and with the purpose of
+abiding by it.
+
+'And now, sir,' he said, 'whither am I to proceed with this letter? Is
+Mr. Herries at Brokenburn?'
+
+'He is not; I do not think he will come thither again until the business
+of the stake-nets be hushed up, nor would I advise him to do so--the
+Quakers, with all their demureness, can bear malice as long as other
+folk; and though I have not the prudence of Mr. Provost, who refuses to
+ken where his friends are concealed during adversity, lest, perchance,
+he should be asked to contribute to their relief, yet I do not think it
+necessary or prudent to inquire into Redgauntlet's wanderings, poor man,
+but wish to remain at perfect freedom to answer, if asked at, that I
+ken nothing of the matter. You must, then, go to old Tom Trumbull's at
+Annan,--Tam Turnpenny, as they call him,--and he is sure either to know
+where Redgauntlet is himself, or to find some one who can give a shrewd
+guess. But you must attend that old Turnpenny will answer no question on
+such a subject without you give him the passport, which at present you
+must do, by asking him the age of the moon; if he answers, "Not light
+enough to land a cargo," you are to answer, "Then plague on Aberdeen
+Almanacks," and upon that he will hold free intercourse with you.
+And now, I would advise you to lose no time, for the parole is often
+changed--and take care of yourself among these moonlight lads, for laws
+and lawyers do not stand very high in their favour.'
+
+'I will set out this instant,' said the young barrister; 'I will but bid
+the provost and Mrs. Crosbie farewell, and then get on horseback so soon
+as the ostler of the George Inn can saddle him;--as for the smugglers,
+I am neither gauger nor supervisor, and, like the man who met the devil,
+if they have nothing to say to me, I have nothing to say to them.'
+
+'You are a mettled young man,' said Summertrees, evidently with
+increasing goodwill, on observing an alertness and contempt of
+danger, which perhaps he did not expect from Alan's appearance and
+profession,--'a very mettled young fellow indeed! and it is almost a
+pity'--Here he stopped abort.
+
+'What is a pity?' said Fairford.
+
+'It is almost a pity that I cannot go with you myself, or at least send
+a trusty guide.'
+
+They walked together to the bedchamber of Mrs. Crosbie, for it was in
+that asylum that the ladies of the period dispensed their tea, when the
+parlour was occupied by the punch-bowl.
+
+'You have been good bairns to-night, gentlemen,' said Mrs. Crosbie; 'I
+am afraid, Summertrees, that the provost has given you a bad browst; you
+are not used to quit the lee-side of the punch-bowl in such a hurry. I
+say nothing to you, Mr. Fairford, for you are too young a man yet for
+stoup and bicker; but I hope you will not tell the Edinburgh fine folk
+that the provost has scrimped you of your cogie, as the sang says?'
+
+'I am much obliged for the provost's kindness, and yours, madam,'
+replied Alan; 'but the truth is, I have still a long ride before me this
+evening and the sooner I am on horse-back the better.'
+
+'This evening?' said the provost, anxiously; 'had you not better take
+daylight with you to-morrow morning?'
+
+'Mr. Fairford will ride as well in the cool of the evening,' said
+Summertrees, taking the word out of Alan's mouth.
+
+The provost said no more, nor did his wife ask any questions, nor
+testify any surprise at the suddenness of their guest's departure.
+
+Having drunk tea, Alan Fairford took leave with the usual ceremony.
+The Laird of Summertrees seemed studious to prevent any further
+communication between him and the provost, and remained lounging on
+the landing-place of the stair while they made their adieus--heard the
+provost ask if Alan proposed a speedy return, and the latter reply that
+his stay was uncertain, and witnessed the parting shake of the hand,
+which, with a pressure more warm than usual, and a tremulous, 'God bless
+and prosper you!' Mr. Crosbie bestowed on his young friend. Maxwell even
+strolled with Fairford as far as the George, although resisting all
+his attempts at further inquiry into the affairs of Redgauntlet, and
+referring him to Tom Trumbull, alias Turnpenny, for the particulars
+which he might find it necessary to inquire into.
+
+At length Alan's hack was produced--an animal long in neck, and high
+in bone, accoutred with a pair of saddle-bags containing the rider's
+travelling wardrobe. Proudly surmounting his small stock of necessaries,
+and no way ashamed of a mode of travelling which a modern Mr.
+Silvertongue would consider as the last of degradations, Alan Fairford
+took leave of the old Jacobite, Pate-in-Peril, and set forward on the
+road to the loyal burgh of Annan. His reflections during his ride were
+none of the most pleasant. He could not disguise from himself that he
+was venturing rather too rashly into the power of outlawed and desperate
+persons; for with such only, a man in the situation of Redgauntlet could
+be supposed to associate. There were other grounds for apprehension,
+Several marks of intelligence betwixt Mrs. Crosbie and the Laird of
+Summertrees had not escaped Alan's acute observation; and it was plain
+that the provost's inclinations towards him, which he believed to be
+sincere and good, were not firm enough to withstand the influence of
+this league between his wife and friend. The provost's adieus, like
+Macbeth's amen, had stuck in his throat, and seemed to intimate that he
+apprehended more than he dared give utterance to.
+
+Laying all these matters together, Alan thought, with no little anxiety
+on the celebrated lines of Shakespeare,
+
+                                  -- A drop,
+  That in the ocean seeks another drop, &c.
+
+But pertinacity was a strong feature in the young lawyer's character.
+He was, and always had been, totally unlike the 'horse hot at hand,' who
+tires before noon through his own over eager exertions in the beginning
+of the day. On the contrary, his first efforts seemed frequently
+inadequate to accomplishing his purpose, whatever that for the time
+might be; and it was only as the difficulties of the task increased,
+that his mind seemed to acquire the energy necessary to combat and
+subdue them. If, therefore, he went anxiously forward upon his uncertain
+and perilous expedition, the reader must acquit him of all idea, even
+in a passing thought, of the possibility of abandoning his search, and
+resigning Darsie Latimer to his destiny.
+
+A couple of hours' riding brought him to the little town of Annan,
+situated on the shores of the Solway, between eight and nine o'clock.
+The sun had set, but the day was not yet ended; and when he had alighted
+and seen his horse properly cared for at the principal inn of the place,
+he was readily directed to Mr. Maxwell's friend, old Tom Trumbull, with
+whom everybody seemed well acquainted. He endeavoured to fish out from
+the lad that acted as a guide, something of this man's situation and
+profession; but the general expressions of 'a very decent man'--'a very
+honest body'--'weel to pass in the world,' and such like, were all that
+could be extracted from him; and while Fairford was following up the
+investigation with closer interrogatories, the lad put an end to them by
+knocking at the door of Mr. Trumbull, whose decent dwelling was a little
+distance from the town, and considerably nearer to the sea. It was one
+of a little row of houses running down to the waterside, and having
+gardens and other accommodations behind. There was heard within
+the uplifting of a Scottish psalm; and the boy saying, 'They are at
+exercise, sir,' gave intimation they might not be admitted till prayers
+were over.
+
+When, however, Fairford repeated the summons with the end of his whip,
+the singing ceased, and Mr. Trumbull himself, with his psalm-book in his
+hand, kept open by the insertion of his forefinger between the leaves,
+came to demand the meaning of this unseasonable interruption.
+
+Nothing could be more different than his whole appearance seemed to be
+from the confidant of a desperate man, and the associate of outlaws in
+their unlawful enterprises. He was a tall, thin, bony figure, with white
+hair combed straight down on each side of his face, and an iron-grey hue
+of complexion; where the lines, or rather, as Quin said of Macklin, the
+cordage, of his countenance were so sternly adapted to a devotional and
+even ascetic expression, that they left no room for any indication of
+reckless daring or sly dissimulation. In short, Trumbull appeared a
+perfect specimen of the rigid old Covenanter, who said only what he
+thought right, acted on no other principle but that of duty, and, if he
+committed errors, did so under the full impression that he was serving
+God rather than man.
+
+'Do you want me, sir?' he said to Fairford, whose guide had slunk to
+the rear, as if to escape the rebuke of the severe old man,--'We were
+engaged, and it is the Saturday night.'
+
+Alan Fairford's preconceptions were so much deranged by this man's
+appearance and manner, that he stood for a moment bewildered, and would
+as soon have thought of giving a cant password to a clergyman descending
+from the pulpit, as to the respectable father of a family just
+interrupted in his prayers for and with the objects of his care. Hastily
+concluding Mr. Maxwell had passed some idle jest on him, or rather that
+he had mistaken the person to whom he was directed, he asked if he spoke
+to Mr. Trumbull.
+
+'To Thomas Trumbull,' answered the old man--'What may be your business,
+sir?' And he glanced his eye to the book he held in his hand, with a
+sigh like that of a saint desirous of dissolution.
+
+'Do you know Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees?' said Fairford.
+
+'I have heard of such a gentleman in the country-side, but have no
+acquaintance with him,' answered Mr. Trumbull; 'he is, as I have heard,
+a Papist; for the whore that sitteth on the seven hills ceaseth not yet
+to pour forth the cup of her abomination on these parts.'
+
+'Yet he directed me hither, my good friend,' said Alan. 'Is there
+another of your name in this town of Annan?'
+
+'None,' replied Mr. Trumbull, 'since my worthy father was removed; he
+was indeed a shining light.--I wish you good even, sir.'
+
+'Stay one single instant,' said Fairford; 'this is a matter of life and
+death.'
+
+'Not more than the casting the burden of our sins where they should be
+laid,' said Thomas Trumbull, about to shut the door in the inquirer's
+face.
+
+'Do you know,' said Alan Fairford, 'the Laird of Redgauntlet?'
+
+'Now Heaven defend me from treason and rebellion!' exclaimed Trumbull.
+'Young gentleman, you are importunate. I live here among my own people,
+and do not consort with Jacobites and mass-mongers.'
+
+He seemed about to shut the door, but did NOT shut it, a circumstance
+which did not escape Alan's notice.
+
+'Mr. Redgauntlet is sometimes,' he said, 'called Herries of Birrenswork;
+perhaps you may know him under that name.'
+
+'Friend, you are uncivil,' answered Mr. Trumbull; 'honest men have
+enough to do to keep one name undefiled. I ken nothing about those who
+have two. Good even to you, friend.'
+
+He was now about to slam the door in his visitor's face without
+further ceremony, when Alan, who had observed symptoms that the name
+of Redgauntlet did not seem altogether so indifferent to him as he
+pretended, arrested his purpose by saying, in a low voice, 'At least you
+can tell me what age the moon is?'
+
+The old man started, as if from a trance, and before answering, surveyed
+the querist with a keen penetrating glance, which seemed to say, 'Are
+you really in possession of this key to my confidence, or do you speak
+from mere accident?'
+
+To this keen look of scrutiny, Fairford replied by a smile of
+intelligence.
+
+The iron muscles of the old man's face did not, however, relax, as he
+dropped, in a careless manner, the countersign, 'Not light enough to
+land a cargo.'
+
+'Then plague of all Aberdeen Almanacks!'
+
+'And plague of all fools that waste time,' said Thomas Trumbull, 'Could
+you not have said as much at first? And standing wasting time, and
+encouraging; lookers-on, in the open street too? Come in by--in by.'
+
+He drew his visitor into the dark entrance of the house, and shut
+the door carefully; then putting his head into an apartment which the
+murmurs within announced to be filled with the family, he said aloud, 'A
+work of necessity and mercy--Malachi, take the book--You will sing six
+double verses of the hundred and nineteen-and you may lecture out of the
+Lamentations. And, Malachi,'--this he said in an undertone,--'see you
+give them a a creed of doctrine that will last them till I come back; or
+else these inconsiderate lads will be out of the house, and away to the
+publics, wasting their precious time, and, it may be, putting themselves
+in the way of missing the morning tide.'
+
+An inarticulate answer from within intimated Malachi's acquiescence in
+the commands imposed; and, Mr. Trumbull, shutting the door, muttered
+something about fast bind, fast find, turned the key, and put it into
+his pocket; and then bidding his visitor have a care of his steps, and
+make no noise, he led him through the house, and out at a back-door,
+into a little garden. Here a plaited alley conducted them, without
+the possibility of their being seen by any neighbour, to a door in the
+garden-wall, which being opened, proved to be a private entrance into
+a three-stalled stable; in one of which was a horse, that whinnied on
+their entrance. 'Hush, hush!' cried the old man, and presently seconded
+his exhortations to silence by throwing a handful of corn into the
+manger, and the horse soon converted his acknowledgement of their
+presence into the usual sound of munching and grinding his provender.
+
+As the light was now failing fast, the old man, with much more alertness
+than might have been expected from the rigidity of his figure, closed
+the window-shutters in an instant, produced phosphorus and matches,
+and lighted a stable-lantern, which he placed on the corn-bin, and then
+addressed Fairford. 'We are private here, young man; and as some time
+has been wasted already, you will be so kind as to tell me what is your
+errand. Is it about the way of business, or the other job?'
+
+'My business with you, Mr. Trumbull, is to request you will find me the
+means of delivering this letter, from Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees to the
+Laird of Redgauntlet.'
+
+'Humph--fashious job! Pate Maxwell will still be the auld man--always
+Pate-in-Peril--Craig-in-Peril, for what I know. Let me see the letter
+from him.'
+
+He examined it with much care, turning it up and down, and looking at
+the seal very attentively. 'All's right, I see; it has the private mark
+for haste and speed. I bless my Maker that I am no great man, or great
+man's fellow; and so I think no more of these passages than just to help
+them forward in the way of business. You are an utter stranger in these
+parts, I warrant?'
+
+Fairford answered in the affirmative.
+
+'Aye--I never saw them make a wiser choice--I must call some one to
+direct you what to do--Stay, we must go to him, I believe. You are well
+recommended to me, friend, and doubtless trusty; otherwise you may
+see more than I would like to show, or am in the use of showing in the
+common line of business.'
+
+Saying this, he placed his lantern on the ground, beside the post of one
+of the empty stalls, drew up a small spring bolt which secured it to
+the floor, and then forcing the post to one side, discovered a small
+trap-door. 'Follow me,' he said, and dived into the subterranean descent
+to which this secret aperture gave access.
+
+Fairford plunged after him, not without apprehensions of more kinds than
+one, but still resolved to prosecute the adventure.
+
+The descent, which was not above six feet, led to a very narrow passage,
+which seemed to have been constructed for the precise purpose of
+excluding every one who chanced to be an inch more in girth than was his
+conductor. A small vaulted room, of about eight feet square, received
+them at the end of this lane. Here Mr. Trumbull left Fairford alone, and
+returned for an instant, as he said, to shut his concealed trap-door.
+
+Fairford liked not his departure, as it left him in utter darkness;
+besides that his breathing was much affected by a strong and stifling
+smell of spirits, and other articles of a savour more powerful than
+agreeable to the lungs. He was very glad, therefore, when he heard the
+returning steps of Mr. Trumbull, who, when once more by his side, opened
+a strong though narrow door in the wall, and conveyed Fairford into
+an immense magazine of spirit-casks, and other articles of contraband
+trade.
+
+There was a small, light at the end of this range of well-stocked
+subterranean vaults, which, upon a low whistle, began to flicker and
+move towards them. An undefined figure, holding a dark lantern, with the
+light averted, approached them, whom Mr. Trumbull thus addressed:--'Why
+were you not at worship, Job; and this Saturday at e'en?'
+
+'Swanston was loading the JENNY, sir; and I stayed to serve out the
+article.'
+
+'True--a work of necessity, and in the way of business. Does the JUMPING
+JENNY sail this tide?'
+
+'Aye, aye, sir; she sails for'--
+
+'I did not ask you WHERE she sailed for, Job,' said the old gentleman,
+interrupting him. 'I thank my Maker, I know nothing of their incomings
+or outgoings. I sell my article fairly and in the ordinary way of
+business; and I wash my hands of everything else. But what I wished to
+know is, whether the gentleman called the Laird of the Solway Lakes is
+on the other side of the Border even now?'
+
+'Aye, aye,' said Job, 'the laird is something in my own line, you
+know--a little contraband or so, There is a statute for him--But no
+matter; he took the sands after the splore at the Quaker's fish-traps
+yonder; for he has a leal heart, the laird, and is always true to the
+country-side. But avast--is all snug here?'
+
+So saying, he suddenly turned on Alan Fairford the light side of the
+lantern he carried, who, by the transient gleam which it threw in
+passing on the man who bore it, saw a huge figure, upwards of six
+feet high, with a rough hairy cap on his head, and a set of features
+corresponding to his bulky frame. He thought also he observed pistols at
+his belt.
+
+'I will answer for this gentleman,' said Mr. Trumbull; 'he must be
+brought to speech of the laird.'
+
+'That will be kittle steering,' said the subordinate personage; 'for I
+understood that the laird and his folk were no sooner on the other
+side than the land-sharks were on them, and some mounted lobsters from
+Carlisle; and so they were obliged to split and squander. There are new
+brooms out to sweep the country of them, they say; for the brush was a
+hard one; and they say there was a lad drowned;--he was not one of the
+laird's gang, so there was the less matter.'
+
+'Peace! prithee, peace, Job Rutledge,' said honest, pacific Mr.
+Trumbull. 'I wish thou couldst remember, man, that I desire to know
+nothing of your roars and splores, your brooms and brushes. I dwell here
+among my own people; and I sell my commodity to him who comes in the
+way of business; and so wash my hands of all consequences, as becomes
+a quiet subject and an honest man. I never take payment, save in ready
+money.'
+
+'Aye, aye,' muttered he with the lantern, 'your worship, Mr. Trumbull,
+understands that in the way of business.'
+
+'Well, I hope you will one day know, Job,' answered Mr. Trumbull,--'the
+comfort of a conscience void of offence, and that fears neither gauger
+nor collector, neither excise nor customs. The business is to pass this
+gentleman to Cumberland upon earnest business, and to procure him speech
+with the Laird of the Solway Lakes--I suppose that can be done? Now I
+think Nanty Ewart, if he sails with the brig this morning tide, is the
+man to set him forward.'
+
+'Aye, aye, truly is he,' said Job; 'never man knew the Border, dale and
+fell, pasture and ploughland, better than Nanty; and he can always bring
+him to the laird, too, if you are sure the gentleman's right. But indeed
+that's his own look-out; for were he the best man in Scotland, and the
+chairman of the d--d Board to boot, and had fifty men at his back, he
+were as well not visit the laird for anything but good. As for Nanty, he
+is word and blow, a d--d deal fiercer than Cristie Nixon that they keep
+such a din about. I have seen them both tried, by'--
+
+Fairford now found himself called upon to say something; yet his
+feelings, upon finding himself thus completely in the power of a canting
+hypocrite, and of his retainer, who had so much the air of a determined
+ruffian, joined to the strong and abominable fume which they snuffed up
+with indifference, while it almost deprived him of respiration, combined
+to render utterance difficult. He stated, however, that he had no evil
+intentions towards the laird, as they called him, but was only the
+bearer of a letter to him on particular business, from Mr. Maxwell of
+Summertrees.
+
+'Aye, aye,' said Job, 'that may be well enough; and if Mr. Trumbull is
+satisfied that the service is right, why, we will give you a cast in
+the JUMPING JENNY this tide, and Nanty Ewart will put you on a way of
+finding the laird, I warrant you.'
+
+'I may for the present return, I presume, to the inn where I left my
+horse?' said Fairford.
+
+'With pardon,' replied Mr. Trumbull, 'you have been ower far ben with
+us for that; but Job will take you to a place where you may sleep
+rough till he calls you. I will bring you what little baggage you can
+need--for those who go on such errands must not be dainty. I will myself
+see after your horse, for a merciful man is merciful to his beast--a
+matter too often forgotten in our way of business.'
+
+'Why, Master Trumbull,' replied Job, 'you know that when we are chased,
+it's no time to shorten sail, and so the boys do ride whip and spur.'
+He stopped in his speech, observing the old man had vanished through
+the door by which he had entered--'That's always the way with old
+Turnpenny,' he said to Fairford; 'he cares for nothing of the trade but
+the profit--now, d--me, if I don't think the fun of it is better worth
+while. But come along, my fine chap; I must stow you away in safety
+until it is time to go aboard.'
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Fairford followed his gruff guide among a labyrinth of barrels and
+puncheons, on which he had more than once like to have broken his nose,
+and from thence into what, by the glimpse of the passing lantern upon a
+desk and writing materials, seemed to be a small office for the
+dispatch of business. Here there appeared no exit; but the smuggler, or
+smuggler's ally, availing himself of a ladder, removed an old picture,
+which showed a door about seven feet from the ground, and Fairford,
+still following Job, was involved in another tortuous and dark passage,
+which involuntarily reminded him of Peter Peebles's lawsuit. At the end
+of this labyrinth, when he had little guess where he had been conducted,
+and was, according to the French phrase, totally DESORIENTE, Job
+suddenly set down the lantern, and availing himself of the flame to
+light two candles which stood on the table, asked if Alan would choose
+anything to eat, recommending, at all events, a slug of brandy to
+keep out the night air. Fairford declined both, but inquired after his
+baggage.
+
+'The old master will take care of that himself,' said Job Rutledge; and
+drawing back in the direction in which he had entered, he vanished from
+the farther end of the apartment, by a mode which the candles, still
+shedding an imperfect light, gave Alan no means of ascertaining. Thus
+the adventurous young lawyer was left alone in the apartment to which he
+had been conducted by so singular a passage.
+
+In this condition, it was Alan's first employment to survey, with some
+accuracy, the place where he was; and accordingly, having trimmed the
+lights, he walked slowly round the apartment, examining its appearance
+and dimensions. It seemed to be such a small dining-parlour as is
+usually found in the house of the better class of artisans, shopkeepers,
+and such persons, having a recess at the upper end, and the usual
+furniture of an ordinary description. He found a door, which he
+endeavoured to open, but it was locked on the outside. A corresponding
+door on the same side of the apartment admitted him into a closet, upon
+the front shelves of which were punch-bowls, glasses, tea-cups, and the
+like, while on one side was hung a horseman's greatcoat of the coarsest
+materials, with two great horse-pistols peeping out of the pocket,
+and on the floor stood a pair of well-spattered jack-boots, the usual
+equipment of the time, at least for long journeys.
+
+Not greatly liking the contents of the closet, Alan Fairford shut the
+door, and resumed his scrutiny round the walls of the apartment, in
+order to discover the mode of Job Rutledge's retreat. The secret passage
+was, however, too artificially concealed, and the young lawyer had
+nothing better to do than to meditate on the singularity of his present
+situation. He had long known that the excise laws had occasioned an
+active contraband trade betwixt Scotland and England, which then, as
+now, existed, and will continue to exist until the utter abolition of
+the wretched system which establishes an inequality of duties betwixt
+the different parts of the same kingdom; a system, be it said in
+passing, mightily resembling the conduct of a pugilist, who should tie
+up one arm that he might fight the better with the other. But Fairford
+was unprepared for the expensive and regular establishments by which the
+illicit traffic was carried on, and could not have conceived that the
+capital employed in it should have been adequate to the erection of
+these extensive buildings, with all their contrivances for secrecy of
+communication. He was musing on these circumstances, not without some
+anxiety for the progress of his own journey, when suddenly, as he
+lifted his eyes, he discovered old Mr. Trumbull at the upper end of the
+apartment, bearing in one hand a small bundle, in the other his dark
+lantern, the light of which, as he advanced, he directed full upon
+Fairford's countenance.
+
+Though such an apparition was exactly what he expected, yet he did
+not see the grim, stern old man present himself thus suddenly without
+emotion; especially when he recollected, what to a youth of his pious
+education was peculiarly shocking, that the grizzled hypocrite was
+probably that instant arisen from his knees to Heaven, for the purpose
+of engaging in the mysterious transactions of a desperate and illegal
+trade.
+
+The old man, accustomed to judge with ready sharpness of the physiognomy
+of those with whom he had business, did not fail to remark something
+like agitation in Fairford's demeanour. 'Have ye taken the rue?' said
+he. 'Will ye take the sheaf from the mare, and give up the venture?'
+
+'Never!' said Fairford, firmly, stimulated at once by his natural
+spirit, and the recollection of his friend; 'never, while I have life
+and strength to follow it out!'
+
+'I have brought you,' said Trumbull, 'a clean shirt, and some stockings,
+which is all the baggage you can conveniently carry, and I will cause
+one of the lads lend you a horseman's coat, for it is ill sailing or
+riding without one; and, touching your valise, it will be as safe in
+my poor house, were it full of the gold of Ophir, as if it were in the
+depth of the mine.' 'I have no doubt of it,' said Fairford.
+
+'And now,' said Trumbull, again, 'I pray you to tell me by what name I
+am to name you to Nanty (which is Antony) Ewart?'
+
+'By the name of Alan Fairford,' answered the young lawyer.
+
+'But that,' said Mr. Trumbull, in reply, 'is your own proper name and
+surname.'
+
+'And what other should I give?' said the young man; 'do you think I
+have any occasion for an alias? And, besides, Mr. Trumbull,' added Alan,
+thinking a little raillery might intimate confidence of spirit, 'you
+blessed yourself, but a little while since, that you had no acquaintance
+with those who defiled their names so far as to be obliged to change
+them.'
+
+'True, very true,' said Mr. Trumbull; 'nevertheless, young man, my grey
+hairs stand unreproved in this matter; for, in my line of business, when
+I sit under my vine and my fig-tree, exchanging the strong waters of the
+north for the gold which is the price thereof, I have, I thank Heaven,
+no disguises to keep with any man, and wear my own name of Thomas
+Trumbull, without any chance that the same may be polluted. Whereas,
+thou, who art to journey in miry ways, and amongst a strange people,
+mayst do well to have two names, as thou hast two shirts, the one to
+keep the other clean.'
+
+Here he emitted a chuckling grunt, which lasted for two vibrations of
+the pendulum exactly, and was the only approach towards laughter in
+which old Turnpenny, as he was nicknamed, was ever known to indulge.
+
+'You are witty, Mr. Trumbull,' said Fairford; 'but jests are no
+arguments--I shall keep my own name.'
+
+'At your own pleasure,' said the merchant; 'there is but one name
+which,' &c. &c, &c.
+
+We will not follow the hypocrite through the impious cant which he
+added, in order to close the subject.
+
+Alan followed him, in silent abhorrence, to the recess in which the
+beaufet was placed, and which was so artificially made as to conceal
+another of those traps with which the whole building abounded. This
+concealment admitted them to the same winding passage by which the young
+lawyer had been brought thither. The path which they now took amid
+these mazes, differed from the direction in which he had been guided
+by Rutledge. It led upwards, and terminated beneath a garret window.
+Trumbull opened it, and with more agility than his age promised,
+clambered out upon the leads. If Fairford's journey had been hitherto in
+a stifled and subterranean atmosphere, it was now open, lofty, and airy
+enough; for he had to follow his guide over leads and slates, which
+the old smuggler traversed with the dexterity of a cat. It is true, his
+course was facilitated by knowing exactly where certain stepping-places
+and holdfasts were placed, of which Fairford could not so readily avail
+himself; but, after a difficult and somewhat perilous progress along
+the roofs of two or three houses, they at length descended by a skylight
+into a garret room, and from thence by the stairs into a public-house;
+for such it appeared, by the ringing of bells, whistling for waiters and
+attendance, bawling of 'House, house, here!' chorus of sea songs, and
+the like noises.
+
+Having descended to the second story, and entered a room there in which
+there was a light, old Mr. Trumbull rang the bell of the apartment
+thrice, with an interval betwixt each, during which he told deliberately
+the number twenty. Immediately after the third ringing the landlord
+appeared, with stealthy step, and an appearance of mystery on his buxom
+visage. He greeted Mr. Trumbull, who was his landlord as it proved, with
+great respect, and expressed some surprise at seeing him so late, as he
+termed it, 'on Saturday e'en.'
+
+'And I, Robin Hastie,' said the landlord to the tenant, am more
+surprised than pleased, to hear sae muckle din in your house, Robie, so
+near the honourable Sabbath; and I must mind you that it is contravening
+the terms of your tack, whilk stipulates that you should shut your
+public on Saturday at nine o'clock, at latest.'
+
+'Yes, sir,' said Robin Hastie, no way alarmed at the gravity of the
+rebuke, 'but you must take tent that I have admitted naebody but you,
+Mr. Trumbull (who by the way admitted yoursell), since nine o'clock for
+the most of the folk have been here for several hours about the lading,
+and so on, of the brig. It is not full tide yet, and I cannot put the
+men out into the street. If I did, they would go to some other public,
+and their souls would be nane the better, and my purse muckle the waur;
+for how am I to pay the rent if I do not sell the liquor?'
+
+'Nay, then,' said Thomas Trumbull, 'if it is a work of necessity, and
+in the honest independent way of business, no doubt there is balm in
+Gilead. But prithee, Robin, wilt thou see if Nanty Ewart be, as is most
+likely, amongst these unhappy topers; and if so, let him step this way
+cannily, and speak to me and this young gentleman. And it's dry talking,
+Robin--you must minister to us a bowl of punch--ye ken my gage.'
+
+'From a mutchkin to a gallon, I ken your honour's taste, Mr. Thomas
+Trumbull,' said mine host; 'and ye shall hang me over the signpost if
+there be a drap mair lemon or a curn less sugar than just suits you.
+There are three of you--you will be for the auld Scots peremptory
+pint-stoup for the success of the voyage?' [The Scottish pint of liquid
+measure comprehends four English measures of the same denomination. The
+jest is well known of my poor countryman, who, driven to extremity by
+the raillery of the Southern, on the small denomination of the Scottish
+coin, at length answered, 'Aye, aye! But the deil tak them that has the
+LEAST PINT-STOUP.']
+
+'Better pray for it than drink for it, Robin,' said Mr. Trumbull. 'Yours
+is a dangerous trade, Robin; it hurts mony a ane--baith host and guest.
+But ye will get the blue bowl, Robin--the blue bowl--that will sloken
+all their drouth, and prevent the sinful repetition of whipping for
+an eke of a Saturday at e'en. Aye, Robin, it is a pity of Nanty
+Ewart--Nanty likes the turning up of his little finger unco weel, and we
+maunna stint him, Robin, so as we leave him sense to steer by.'
+
+'Nanty Ewart could steer through the Pentland Firth though he were as
+drunk as the Baltic Ocean,' said Robin Hastie; and instantly tripping
+downstairs, he speedily returned with the materials for what he called
+his BROWST, which consisted of two English quarts of spirits, in a huge
+blue bowl, with all the ingredients for punch in the same formidable
+proportion. At the same time he introduced Mr. Antony or Nanty Ewart,
+whose person, although he was a good deal flustered with liquor,
+was different from what Fairford expected. His dress was what is
+emphatically termed the shabby genteel--a frock with tarnished lace--a
+small cocked hat, ornamented in a similar way--a scarlet waistcoat, with
+faded embroidery, breeches of the same, with silver knee-bands, and he
+wore a smart hanger and a pair of pistols in a sullied swordbelt.
+
+'Here I come, patron,' he said, shaking hands with Mr. Trumbull. 'Well,
+I see you have got some grog aboard.'
+
+'It is not my custom, Mr. Ewart,' said the old gentleman, 'as you well
+know, to become a chamberer or carouser thus late on Saturday at e'en;
+but I wanted to recommend to your attention a young friend of ours,
+that is going upon a something particular journey, with a letter to our
+friend the Laird from Pate-in-Peril, as they call him.'
+
+'Aye--indeed?--he must be in high trust for so young a gentleman. I wish
+you joy, sir,' bowing to Fairford. 'By'r lady, as Shakespeare says, you
+are bringing up a neck for a fair end. Come, patron, we will drink to
+Mr. What-shall-call-um. What is his name? Did you tell me? And have I
+forgot it already.'
+
+'Mr. Alan Fairford,' said Trumbull.
+
+'Aye, Mr. Alan Fairford--a good name for a fair trader--Mr. Alan
+Fairford; and may he be long withheld from the topmost round of
+ambition, which I take to be the highest round of a certain ladder.'
+
+While he spoke, he seized the punch-ladle, and began to fill the
+glasses. But Mr. Trumbull arrested his hand, until he had, as he
+expressed himself, sanctified the liquor by a long grace; during the
+pronunciation of which he shut indeed his eyes, but his nostrils became
+dilated, as if he were snuffing up the fragrant beverage with peculiar
+complacency.
+
+When the grace was at length over, the three friends sat down to their
+beverage, and invited Alan Fairford to partake. Anxious about his
+situation, and disgusted as he was with his company, he craved, and with
+difficulty obtained permission, under the allegation of being fatigued,
+heated, and the like, to stretch himself on a couch which was in
+the apartment, and attempted at least to procure some rest before
+high-water, when the vessel was to sail.
+
+He was at length permitted to use his freedom, and stretched himself on
+the couch, having his eyes for some time fixed on the jovial party he
+had left, and straining his ears to catch if possible a little of their
+conversation. This he soon found was to no purpose for what did actually
+reach his ears was disguised so completely by the use of cant words and
+the thieves-latin called slang, that even when he caught the words, he
+found himself as far as ever from the sense of their conversation. At
+length he fell asleep.
+
+It was after Alan had slumbered for three or four hours, that he was
+wakened by voices bidding him rise up and prepare to be jogging. He
+started up accordingly, and found himself in presence of the same party
+of boon companions; who had just dispatched their huge bowl of punch. To
+Alan's surprise, the liquor had made but little innovation on the
+brains of men who were accustomed to drink at all hours, and in the most
+inordinate quantities. The landlord indeed spoke a little thick, and the
+texts of Mr. Thomas Trumbull stumbled on his tongue; but Nanty was one
+of those topers, who, becoming early what bon vivants term flustered,
+remain whole nights and days at the same point of intoxication; and,
+in fact, as they are seldom entirely sober, can be as rarely seen
+absolutely drunk. Indeed, Fairford, had he not known how Ewart had been
+engaged whilst he himself was asleep, would almost have sworn when he
+awoke, that the man was more sober than when he first entered the room.
+
+He was confirmed in this opinion when they descended below, where two or
+three sailors and ruffian-looking fellows awaited their commands. Ewart
+took the whole direction upon himself, gave his orders with briefness
+and precision, and looked to their being executed with the silence and
+celerity which that peculiar crisis required. All were now dismissed
+for the brig, which lay, as Fairford was given to understand, a little
+farther down the river, which is navigable for vessels of light burden
+till almost within a mile of the town.
+
+When they issued from the inn, the landlord bid them goodbye. Old
+Trumbull walked a little way with them, but the air had probably
+considerable effect on the state of his brain; for after reminding
+Alan Fairford that the next day was the honourable Sabbath, he became
+extremely excursive in an attempt to exhort him to keep it holy. At
+length, being perhaps sensible that he was becoming unintelligible, he
+thrust a volume into Fairford's hand--hiccuping at the same time--'Good
+book--good book--fine hymn-book--fit for the honourable Sabbath, whilk
+awaits us to-morrow morning.' Here the iron tongue of time told
+five from the town steeple of Annan, to the further confusion of Mr.
+Trumbull's already disordered ideas. 'Aye? Is Sunday come and gone
+already? Heaven be praised! Only it is a marvel the afternoon is sae
+dark for the time of the year--Sabbath has slipped ower quietly, but we
+have reason to bless oursells it has not been altogether misemployed.
+I heard little of the preaching--a cauld moralist, I doubt, served that
+out--but, eh--the prayer--I mind it as if I had said the words mysell.'
+Here he repeated one or two petitions, which were probably a part of his
+family devotions, before he was summoned forth to what he called the
+way of business. 'I never remember a Sabbath pass so cannily off in my
+life.' Then he recollected himself a little, and said to Alan, 'You
+may read that book, Mr. Fairford, to-morrow, all the same, though it be
+Monday; for, you see, it was Saturday when we were thegither, and now
+it's Sunday and it's dark night--so the Sabbath has slipped clean away
+through our fingers like water through a sieve, which abideth not; and
+we have to begin again to-morrow morning, in the weariful, base, mean,
+earthly employments, whilk are unworthy of an immortal spirit--always
+excepting the way of business.'
+
+Three of the fellows were now returning to the town, and, at Ewart's
+command, they cut short the patriarch's exhortation, by leading him back
+to his own residence. The rest of the party then proceeded to the brig,
+which only waited their arrival to get under weigh and drop down the
+river. Nanty Ewart betook himself to steering the brig, and the very
+touch of the helm seemed to dispel the remaining influence of the liquor
+which he had drunk, since, through a troublesome and intricate channel,
+he was able to direct the course of his little vessel with the most
+perfect accuracy and safety.
+
+Alan Fairford, for some time, availed himself of the clearness of the
+summer morning to gaze on the dimly seen shores betwixt which they
+glided, becoming less and less distinct as they receded from each other,
+until at length, having adjusted his little bundle by way of pillow, and
+wrapped around him the greatcoat with which old Trumbull had equipped
+him, he stretched himself on the deck, to try to recover the slumber out
+of which he had been awakened. Sleep had scarce begun to settle on
+his eyes, ere he found something stirring about his person. With ready
+presence of mind he recollected his situation, and resolved to show no
+alarm until the purpose of this became obvious; but he was soon relieved
+from his anxiety, by finding it was only the result of Nanty's attention
+to his comfort, who was wrapping around him, as softly as he could, a
+great boatcloak, in order to defend him from the morning air.
+
+'Thou art but a cockerel,' he muttered, 'but 'twere pity thou wert
+knocked off the perch before seeing a little more of the sweet and sour
+of this world--though, faith, if thou hast the usual luck of it, the
+best way were to leave thee to the chance of a seasoning fever.'
+
+These words, and the awkward courtesy with which the skipper of the
+little brig tucked the sea-coat round Fairford, gave him a confidence of
+safety which he had not yet thoroughly possessed. He stretched himself
+in more security on the hard planks, and was speedily asleep, though his
+slumbers were feverish and unrefreshing.
+
+It has been elsewhere intimated that Alan Fairford inherited from his
+mother a delicate constitution, with a tendency to consumption; and,
+being an only child, with such a cause for apprehension, care, to the
+verge of effeminacy, was taken to preserve him from damp beds, wet
+feet, and those various emergencies to which the Caledonian boys of much
+higher birth, but more active habits, are generally accustomed. In man,
+the spirit sustains the constitutional weakness, as in the winged
+tribes the feathers bear aloft the body. But there is a bound to these
+supporting qualities; and as the pinions of the bird must at length grow
+weary, so the VIS ANIMI of the human struggler becomes broken down by
+continued fatigue.
+
+When the voyager was awakened by the light of the sun now riding high
+in heaven, he found himself under the influence of an almost intolerable
+headache, with heat, thirst, shooting across the back and loins, and
+other symptoms intimating violent cold, accompanied with fever. The
+manner in which he had passed the preceding day and night, though
+perhaps it might have been of little consequence to most young men, was
+to him, delicate in constitution and nurture, attended with bad and even
+perilous consequences. He felt this was the case, yet would fain have
+combated the symptoms of indisposition, which, indeed, he imputed
+chiefly to sea-sickness. He sat up on deck, and looked on the scene
+around, as the little vessel, having borne down the Solway Firth, was
+beginning, with a favourable northerly breeze, to bear away to the
+southward, crossing the entrance of the Wampool river, and preparing to
+double the most northerly point of Cumberland.
+
+But Fairford felt annoyed with deadly sickness, as well as by pain of
+a distressing and oppressive character; and neither Criffel, rising in
+majesty on the one hand, nor the distant yet more picturesque outline of
+Skiddaw and Glaramara upon the other, could attract his attention in
+the manner in which it was usually fixed by beautiful scenery, and
+especially that which had in it something new as well as striking. Yet
+it was not in Alan Fairford's nature to give way to despondence, even
+when seconded by pain. He had recourse, in the first place, to his
+pocket; but instead of the little Sallust he had brought with him, that
+the perusal of a classical author might help to pass away a heavy hour,
+he pulled out the supposed hymn-book with which he had been presented
+a few hours before, by that temperate and scrupulous person, Mr. Thomas
+Trumbull, ALIAS Turnpenny. The volume was bound in sable, and its
+exterior might have become a psalter. But what was Alan's astonishment
+to read on the title page the following words:--'Merry Thoughts for
+Merry Men; or Mother Midnight's Miscellany for the Small Hours;' and
+turning over the leaves, he was disgusted with profligate tales, and
+more profligate songs, ornamented with figures corresponding in infamy
+with the letterpress.
+
+'Good God!' he thought, 'and did this hoary reprobate summon his family
+together, and, with such a disgraceful pledge of infamy in his bosom,
+venture to approach the throne of his Creator? It must be so; the book
+is bound after the manner of those dedicated to devotional subjects,
+and doubtless the wretch, in his intoxication, confounded the books
+he carried with him, as he did the days of the week.' Seized with the
+disgust with which the young and generous usually regard the vices of
+advanced life, Alan, having turned the leaves of the book over in hasty
+disdain, flung it from him, as far as he could, into the sea. He then
+had recourse to the Sallust, which he had at first sought for in vain.
+As he opened the book, Nanty Ewart, who had been looking over his
+shoulder, made his own opinion heard.
+
+'I think now, brother, if you are so much scandalized at a little piece
+of sculduddery, which, after all, does nobody any harm, you had better
+have given it to me than have flung it into the Solway.'
+
+'I hope, sir,' answered Fairford, civilly, 'you are in the habit of
+reading better books.'
+
+'Faith,' answered Nanty, 'with help of a little Geneva text, I could
+read my Sallust as well as you can;' and snatching the book from Alan's
+hand, he began to read, in the Scottish accent:--"'IGITUR EX DIVITIIS
+JUVENTUTEM LUXURIA ATQUE AVARITIA CUM SUPERBILI INVASERE: RAPERE,
+CONSUMERE; SUA PARVI PENDERE, ALIENA CUPERE; PUDOREM, AMICITIAM,
+PUDICITIAM, DIVINA ATQUE HUMANA PROMISCUA, NIHIL PENSI NEQUE MODERATI
+HABERE." [The translation of the passage is thus given by Sir Henry
+Steuart of Allanton:--'The youth, taught to look up to riches as the
+sovereign good, became apt pupils in the school of Luxury. Rapacity and
+profusion went hand in hand. Careless of their own fortunes, and eager
+to possess those of others, shame and remorse, modesty and moderation,
+every principle gave way.'--WORKS OF SALLUST, WITH ORIGINAL ESSAYS, vol.
+ii. p.17.]--There is a slap in the face now, for an honest fellow that
+has been buccaneering! Never could keep a groat of what he got, or hold
+his fingers from what belonged to another, said you? Fie, fie, friend
+Crispus, thy morals are as crabbed and austere as thy style--the one has
+as little mercy as the other has grace. By my soul, it is unhandsome
+to make personal reflections on an old acquaintance, who seeks a little
+civil intercourse with you after nigh twenty years' separation. On my
+soul, Master Sallust deserves to float on the Solway better than Mother
+Midnight herself.'
+
+'Perhaps, in some respects, he may merit better usage at our hands,'
+said Alan; 'for if he has described vice plainly, it seems to have been
+for the purpose of rendering it generally abhorred.'
+
+'Well,' said the seaman, 'I have heard of the Sortes Virgilianae, and
+I dare say the Sortes Sallustianae are as true every tittle. I have
+consulted honest Crispus on my own account, and have had a cuff for
+my pains. But now see, I open the book on your behalf, and behold
+what occurs first to my eye!--Lo you there--"CATILINA ... OMNIUM
+FLAGITIOSORUM ATQUE FACINOROSORUM CIRCUM SE HABEBAT." And then
+again--"ETIAM SI QUIS A CULPA VACUUS IN AMICITIAM EJUS INCIDIDERAT
+QUOTIDIANO USU PAR SIMILISQUE CAETERIS EFFICIEBATUR." [After enumerating
+the evil qualities of Catiline's associates, the author adds, 'If it
+happened that any as yet uncontaminated by vice were fatally drawn into
+his friendship, the effects of intercourse and snares artfully
+spread, subdued every scruple, and early assimilated them to their
+conductors.'--Ibidem, p. 19.] That is what I call plain speaking on the
+part of the old Roman, Mr. Fairford. By the way, that is a capital name
+for a lawyer.
+
+'Lawyer as I am,' said Fairford, 'I do not understand your innuendo.'
+
+'Nay, then,' said Ewart, 'I can try it another way, as well as the
+hypocritical old rascal Turnpenny himself could do. I would have you to
+know that I am well acquainted with my Bible-book, as well as with my
+friend Sallust.' He then, in a snuffling and canting tone, began to
+repeat the Scriptural text--'"DAVID THEREFORE DEPARTED THENCE, AND WENT
+TO THE CAVE OF ADULLAM. AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS IN DISTRESS, AND EVERY
+ONE THAT WAS IN DEBT, AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS DISCONTENTED, GATHERED
+THEMSELVES TOGETHER UNTO HIM, AND HE BECAME A CAPTAIN OVER THEM." What
+think you of that?' he said, suddenly changing his manner. 'Have I
+touched you now, sir?'
+
+'You are as far off as ever,' replied Fairford.
+
+'What the devil! and you a repeating frigate between Summertrees and the
+laird! Tell that to the marines--the sailors won't believe it. But you
+are right to be cautious, since you can't say who are right, who not.
+But you look ill; it's but the cold morning air. Will you have a can
+of flip, or a jorum of hot rumbo? or will you splice the mainbrace'
+(showing a spirit-flask). 'Will you have a quid--or a pipe--or a
+cigar?--a pinch of snuff, at least, to clear your brains and sharpen
+your apprehension?'
+
+Fairford rejected all these friendly propositions.
+
+'Why, then,' continued Ewart, 'if you will do nothing for the free
+trade, I must patronize it myself.'
+
+So saying, he took a large glass of brandy.
+
+'A hair of the dog that bit me,' he continued,--'of the dog that will
+worry me one day soon; and yet, and be d--d to me for an idiot, I must
+always have hint at my throat. But, says the old catch'--Here he sang,
+and sang well--
+
+  'Let's drink--let's drink--while life we have;
+   We'll find but cold drinking, cold drinking in the grave.
+
+All this,' he continued, 'is no charm against the headache. I wish I
+had anything that could do you good. Faith, and we have tea and coffee
+aboard! I'll open a chest or a bag, and let you have some in an instant.
+You are at the age to like such catlap better than better stuff.'
+
+Fairford thanked him, and accepted his offer of tea.
+
+Nanty Ewart was soon heard calling about, 'Break open yon chest--take
+out your capful, you bastard of a powder-monkey; we may want it again.
+No sugar? all used up for grog, say you? knock another loaf to pieces,
+can't ye? and get the kettle boiling, ye hell's baby, in no time at
+all!'
+
+By dint of these energetic proceedings he was in a short time able to
+return to the place where his passenger lay sick and exhausted, with a
+cup, or rather a canful, of tea; for everything was on a large scale
+on board of the JUMPING JENNY. Alan drank it eagerly, and with so much
+appearance of being refreshed that Nanty Ewart swore he would have
+some too, and only laced it, as his phrase went, with a single glass of
+brandy. [See Note 8.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+We left Alan Fairford on the deck of the little smuggling brig, in that
+disconsolate situation, when sickness and nausea, attack a heated and
+fevered frame, and an anxious mind. His share of sea-sickness, however,
+was not so great as to engross his sensations entirely, or altogether
+to divert his attention from what was passing around. If he could not
+delight in the swiftness and agility with which the 'little frigate'
+walked the waves, or amuse himself by noticing the beauty of the
+sea-views around him, where the distant Skiddaw raised his brow, as if
+in defiance of the clouded eminence of Criffel, which lorded it over the
+Scottish side of the estuary, he had spirits and composure enough to pay
+particular attention to the master of the vessel, on whose character his
+own safety in all probability was dependent.
+
+Nanty Ewart had now given the helm to one of his people, a bald-pated,
+grizzled old fellow, whose whole life had been spent in evading
+the revenue laws, with now and then the relaxation of a few months'
+imprisonment, for deforcing officers, resisting seizures, and the like
+offences.
+
+Nanty himself sat down by Fairford, helped him to his tea, with such
+other refreshments as he could think of, and seemed in his way sincerely
+desirous to make his situation as comfortable as things admitted.
+Fairford had thus an opportunity to study his countenance and manners
+more closely.
+
+It was plain, Ewart, though a good seaman, had not been bred upon that
+element. He was a reasonably good scholar, and seemed fond of showing it
+by recurring to the subject of Sallust and Juvenal; while, on the other
+hand, sea-phrases seldom chequered his conversation. He had been in
+person what is called a smart little man; but the tropical sun had burnt
+his originally fair complexion to a dusty red; and the bile which was
+diffused through his system, had stained it with a yellowish black--what
+ought to have been the white part of his eyes, in particular, had a hue
+as deep as the topaz. He was very thin, or rather emaciated, and his
+countenance, though still indicating alertness and activity, showed a
+constitution exhausted with excessive use of his favourite stimulus.
+
+'I see you look at me hard,' said he to Fairford. 'Had you been an
+officer of the d--d customs, my terriers' backs would have been up. He
+opened his breast, and showed Alan a pair of pistols disposed between
+his waistcoat and jacket, placing his finger at the same time upon the
+cock of one of them. 'But come, you are an honest fellow, though you're
+a close one. I dare say you think me a queer customer; but I can tell
+you, they that see the ship leave harbour know little of the seas she
+is to sail through. My father, honest old gentleman, never would have
+thought to see me master of the JUMPING JENNY.'
+
+Fairford said, it seemed very clear indeed that Mr. Ewart's education
+was far superior to the line he at present occupied.
+
+'Oh, Criffel to Solway Moss!' said the other. Why, man, I should have
+been an expounder of the word, with a wig like a snow-wreath, and a
+stipend like--like--like a hundred pounds a year, I suppose. I can spend
+thrice as much as that, though, being such as I am. Here he sang a scrap
+of an old Northumbrian ditty, mimicking the burr of the natives of that
+county:--
+
+  'Willy Foster's gone to sea,
+   Siller buckles at his knee,
+   He'll come back and marry me--
+              Canny Willy Foster.'
+
+'I have no doubt,' said Fairford, 'your present occupation is more
+lucrative; 'but I should have thought the Church might have been more'--
+
+He stopped, recollecting that it was not his business to say anything
+disagreeable.
+
+'More respectable, you mean, I suppose?' said Ewart, with a sneer, and
+squirting the tobacco-juice through his front teeth; then was silent for
+a moment, and proceeded in a tone of candour which some internal touch
+of conscience dictated. 'And so it would, Mr. Fairford--and happier,
+too, by a thousand degrees--though I have had my pleasures too. But
+there was my father (God bless the old man!) a true chip of the old
+Presbyterian block, walked his parish like a captain on the quarterdeck,
+and was always ready to do good to rich and poor--Off went the laird's
+hat to the minister, as fast as the poor man's bonnet. When the eye saw
+him--Pshaw! what have I to do with that now?--Yes, he was, as Virgil
+hath it, "VIR SAPIENTIA ET PIETATE GRAVIS." But he might have been the
+wiser man, had he kept me at home, when he sent me at nineteen to study
+Divinity at the head of the highest stair in the Covenant Close. It
+was a cursed mistake in the old gentleman. What though Mrs. Cantrips of
+Kittlebasket (for she wrote herself no less) was our cousin five
+times removed, and took me on that account to board and lodging at six
+shillings instead of seven shillings a week? it was a d--d bad saving,
+as the case proved. Yet her very dignity might have kept me in order;
+for she never read a chapter excepting out of a Cambridge Bible, printed
+by Daniel, and bound in embroidered velvet. I think I see it at this
+moment! And on Sundays, when we had a quart of twopenny ale, instead
+of butter-milk, to our porridge, it was always served up in a silver
+posset-dish. Also she used silver-mounted spectacles, whereas even my
+father's were cased in mere horn. These things had their impression at
+first, but we get used to grandeur by degrees. Well, sir!--Gad, I can
+scarce get on with my story--it sticks in my throat--must take a trifle
+to wash it down. Well, this dame had a daughter--Jess Cantrips, a
+black-eyed, bouncing wench--and, as the devil would have it, there was
+the d--d five-story stair--her foot was never from it, whether I went
+out or came home from the Divinity Hall. I would have eschewed her,
+sir--I would, on my soul; for I was as innocent a lad as ever came from
+Lammermuir; but there was no possibility of escape, retreat, or flight,
+unless I could have got a pair of wings, or made use of a ladder seven
+stories high, to scale the window of my attic. It signifies little
+talking--you may suppose how all this was to end--I would have married
+the girl, and taken my chance--I would, by Heaven! for she was a pretty
+girl, and a good girl, till she and I met; but you know the old song,
+"Kirk would not let us be." A gentleman, in my case, would have settled
+the matter with the kirk-treasurer for a small sum of money; but the
+poor stibbler, the penniless dominie, having married his cousin of
+Kittlebasket, must next have proclaimed her frailty to the whole parish,
+by mounting the throne of Presbyterian penance, and proving, as Othello
+says, "his love a whore," in face of the whole congregation.
+
+'In this extremity I dared not stay where I was, and so thought to go
+home to my father. But first I got Jack Radaway, a lad from the same
+parish, and who lived in the same infernal stair, to make some inquiries
+how the old gentleman had taken the matter. I soon, by way of answer,
+learned, to the great increase of my comfortable reflections, that the
+good old man made as much clamour as if such a thing as a man's eating
+his wedding dinner without saying grace had never happened since Adam's
+time. He did nothing for six days but cry out, "Ichabod, Ichabod, the
+glory is departed from my house!" and on the seventh he preached a
+sermon, in which he enlarged on this incident as illustrative of one of
+the great occasions for humiliation, and causes of national defection. I
+hope the course he took comforted himself--I am sure it made me ashamed
+to show my nose at home. So I went down to Leith, and, exchanging my
+hoddin grey coat of my mother's spinning for such a jacket as this, I
+entered my name at the rendezvous as an able-bodied landsman, and
+sailed with the tender round to Plymouth, where they were fitting out
+a squadron for the West Indies. There I was put aboard the FEARNOUGHT,
+Captain Daredevil--among whose crew I soon learned to fear Satan (the
+terror of my early youth) as little as the toughest Jack on board. I had
+some qualms at first, but I took the remedy' (tapping the case-bottle)
+'which I recommend to you, being as good for sickness of the soul as for
+sickness of the stomach--What, you won't?--very well, I must, then--here
+is to ye.'
+
+'You would, I am afraid, find your education of little use in your new
+condition?' said Fairford.
+
+'Pardon me, sir,' resumed the captain of the JUMPING JENNY; 'my handful
+of Latin, and small pinch of Greek, were as useless as old junk, to be
+sure; but my reading, writing and accompting, stood me in good stead,
+and brought me forward; I might have been schoolmaster--aye, and master,
+in time; but that valiant liquor, rum, made a conquest of me rather too
+often, and so, make what sail I could, I always went to leeward. We were
+four years broiling in that blasted climate, and I came back at last
+with a little prize-money. I always had thoughts of putting things to
+rights in the Covenant Close, and reconciling myself to my father. I
+found out Jack Hadaway, who was TUPTOWING away with a dozen of wretched
+boys, and a fine string of stories he had ready to regale my ears
+withal. My father had lectured on what he called "my falling away," for
+seven Sabbaths, when, just as his parishioners began to hope that the
+course was at an end, he was found dead in his bed on the eighth Sunday
+morning. Jack Hadaway assured me, that if I wished to atone for my
+errors, by undergoing the fate of the first martyr, I had only to go
+to my native village, where the very stones of the street would rise
+up against me as my father's murderer. Here was a pretty item--well, my
+tongue clove to my mouth for an hour, and was only able at last to
+utter the name of Mrs. Cantrips. Oh, this was a new theme for my Job's
+comforter. My sudden departure--my father's no less sudden death--had
+prevented the payment of the arrears of my board and lodging--the
+landlord was a haberdasher, with a heart as rotten as the muslin
+wares he dealt in. Without respect to her age or gentle kin, my Lady
+Kittlebasket was ejected from her airy habitation--her porridge-pot,
+silver posset-dish, silver-mounted spectacles, and Daniel's Cambridge
+Bible, sold, at the Cross of Edinburgh, to the caddie who would bid
+highest for them, and she herself driven to the workhouse, where she got
+in with difficulty, but was easily enough lifted out, at the end of the
+month, as dead as her friends could desire. Merry tidings this to me,
+who had been the d----d' (he paused a moment) 'ORIGO MALI--Gad, I think
+my confession would sound better in Latin than in English!
+
+'But the best jest was behind--I had just power to stammer out something
+about Jess--by my faith he HAD an answer! I had taught Jess one trade,
+and, like a prudent girl, she had found out another for herself;
+unluckily, they were both contraband, and Jess Cantrips, daughter of the
+Lady Kittlebasket, had the honour to be transported to the plantations,
+for street-walking and pocket-picking, about six months before I touched
+shore.'
+
+He changed the bitter tone of affected pleasantry into an attempt to
+laugh, then drew his swarthy hand across his swarthy eyes, and said in a
+more natural accent, 'Poor Jess!'
+
+There was a pause--until Fairford, pitying the poor man's state of mind,
+and believing he saw something in him that, but for early error and
+subsequent profligacy, might have been excellent and noble, helped on
+the conversation by asking, in a tone of commiseration, how he had been
+able to endure such a load of calamity.
+
+'Why, very well,' answered the seaman; 'exceedingly well--like a tight
+ship in a brisk gale. Let me recollect. I remember thanking Jack, very
+composedly, for the interesting and agreeable communication; I then
+pulled out my canvas pouch, with my hoard of moidores, and taking out
+two pieces, I bid Jack keep the rest till I came back, as I was for a
+cruise about Auld Reekie. The poor devil looked anxiously, but I shook
+him by the hand, and ran downstairs, in such confusion of mind, that
+notwithstanding what I had heard, I expected to meet Jess at every
+turning.
+
+It was market-day, and the usual number of rogues and fools were
+assembled at the Cross. I observed everybody looked strange on me, and I
+thought some laughed. I fancy I had been making queer faces enough, and
+perhaps talking to myself, When I saw myself used in this manner, I held
+out my clenched fists straight before me, stooped my head, and, like a
+ram when he makes his race, darted off right down the street, scattering
+groups of weatherbeaten lairds and periwigged burgesses, and bearing
+down all before me. I heard the cry of "Seize the madman!" echoed, in
+Celtic sounds, from the City Guard, with "Ceaze ta matman!"--but pursuit
+and opposition were in vain. I pursued my career; the smell of the sea,
+I suppose, led me to Leith, where, soon after, I found myself walking
+very quietly on the shore, admiring the tough round and sound cordage
+of the vessels, and thinking how a loop, with a man at the end of one of
+them, would look, by way of tassel.
+
+'I was opposite to the rendezvous, formerly my place of refuge--in
+I bolted--found one or two old acquaintances, made half a dozen
+new ones--drank for two days--was put aboard the tender--off to
+Portsmouth--then landed at the Haslar hospital in a fine hissing-hot
+fever. Never mind--I got better--nothing can kill me--the West Indies
+were my lot again, for since I did not go where I deserved in the
+next world, I had something as like such quarters as can be had in
+this--black devils for inhabitants--flames and earthquakes, and so
+forth, for your element. Well, brother, something or other I did or
+said--I can't tell what--How the devil should I, when I was as drunk
+as David's sow, you know? But I was punished, my lad--made to kiss the
+wench that never speaks but when she scolds, and that's the gunner's
+daughter, comrade. Yes, the minister's son of no matter where--has the
+cat's scratch on his back! This roused me, and when we were ashore with
+the boat, I gave three inches of the dirk, after a stout tussle, to the
+fellow I blamed most, and took the bush for it. There were plenty of
+wild lads then along shore--and, I don't care who knows--I went on the
+account, look you--sailed under the black flag and marrow-bones--was a
+good friend to the sea, and an enemy to all that sailed on it.'
+
+Fairford, though uneasy in his mind at finding himself, a lawyer, so
+close to a character so lawless, thought it best, nevertheless, to put a
+good face on the matter, and asked Mr. Ewart, with as much unconcern as
+he could assume, 'whether he was fortunate as a rover?'
+
+'No, no--d--n it, no,' replied Nanty; 'the devil a crumb of butter was
+ever churned that would stick upon my bread. There was no order among
+us--he that was captain to-day, was swabber to-morrow; and as for
+plunder--they say old Avery, and one or two close hunks, made money; but
+in my time, all went as it came; and reason good, for if a fellow had
+saved five dollars, his throat would have been cut in his hammock. And
+then it was a cruel, bloody work.--Pah,--we'll say no more about it.
+I broke with them at last, for what they did on board of a bit of a
+snow--no matter what it was bad enough, since it frightened me--I took
+French leave, and came in upon the proclamation, so I am free of all
+that business. And here I sit, the skipper of the JUMPING JENNY--a
+nutshell of a thing, but goes through the water like a dolphin. If it
+were not for yon hypocritical scoundrel at Annan, who has the best end
+of the profit, and takes none of the risk, I should be well enough--as
+well as I want to be. Here is no lack of my best friend,'--touching his
+case-bottle;--'but, to tell you a secret, he and I have got so used to
+each other, I begin to think he is like a professed joker, that makes
+your sides sore with laughing if you see him but now and then; but if
+you take up house with him, he can only make your head stupid. But I
+warrant the old fellow is doing the best he can for me, after all.'
+
+'And what may that be?' said Fairford.
+
+'He is KILLING me,' replied Nanty Ewart; 'and I am only sorry he is so
+long about it.'
+
+So saying he jumped on his feet, and, tripping up and down the deck,
+gave his orders with his usual clearness and decision, notwithstanding
+the considerable quantity of spirits which he had contrived to swallow
+while recounting his history.
+
+Although far from feeling well, Fairford endeavoured to rouse himself
+and walk to the head of the brig, to enjoy the beautiful prospect, as
+well as to take some note of the course which the vessel held. To his
+great surprise, instead of standing across to the opposite shore
+from which she had departed, the brig was going down the Firth, and
+apparently steering into the Irish Sea. He called to Nanty Ewart, and
+expressed his surprise at the course they were pursuing, and asked
+why they did not stand straight across the Firth for some port in
+Cumberland.
+
+'Why, this is what I call a reasonable question, now,' answered Nanty;
+'as if a ship could go as straight to its port as a horse to the stable,
+or a free-trader could sail the Solway as securely as a King's cutter!
+Why, I'll tell ye, brother--if I do not see a smoke on Bowness, that
+is the village upon the headland yonder, I must stand out to sea for
+twenty-four hours at least, for we must keep the weather-gage if there
+are hawks abroad.'
+
+'And if you do see the signal of safety, Master Ewart, what is to be
+done then?'
+
+'Why then, and in that case, I must keep off till night, and then run
+you, with the kegs and the rest of the lumber, ashore at Skinburness,'
+
+'And then I am to meet with this same laird whom I have the letter for?'
+continued Fairford.
+
+'That,' said Ewart, 'is thereafter as it may be; the ship has its
+course--the fair trader has his port--but it is not easy to say where
+the laird may be found. But he will be within twenty miles of us, off or
+on--and it will be my business to guide you to him.'
+
+Fairford could not withstand the passing impulse of terror which crossed
+him, when thus reminded that he was so absolutely in the power of a man,
+who, by his own account, had been a pirate, and who was at present, in
+all probability, an outlaw as well as a contraband trader. Nanty Ewart
+guessed the cause of his involuntary shuddering.
+
+'What the devil should I gain,' he said, 'by passing so poor a card as
+you are? Have I not had ace of trumps in my hand, and did I not play it
+fairly? Aye, I say the JUMPING JENNY can run in other ware as well as
+kegs. Put SIGMA and TAU to Ewart, and see how that will spell--D'ye take
+me now?'
+
+'No indeed,' said Fairford; 'I am utterly ignorant of what you allude
+to.'
+
+'Now, by Jove!' said Nanty Ewart, 'thou art either the deepest or the
+shallowest fellow I ever met with--or you are not right after all. I
+wonder where Summertrees could pick up such a tender along-shore. Will
+you let me see his letter?'
+
+Fairford did not hesitate to gratify his wish, which, he was aware, he
+could not easily resist. The master of the JUMPING JENNY looked at
+the direction very attentively, then turned the letter to and fro, and
+examined each flourish of the pen, as if he were judging of a piece
+of ornamented manuscript; then handled it back to Fairford, without a
+single word of remark.
+
+'Am I right now?' said the young lawyer.
+
+'Why, for that matter,' answered Nanty, 'the letter is right, sure
+enough; but whether you are right or not, is your own business rather
+than mine.' And, striking upon a flint with the back of a knife, he
+kindled a cigar as thick as his finger, and began to smoke away with
+great perseverance.
+
+Alan Fairford continued to regard him with a melancholy feeling, divided
+betwixt the interest he took in the unhappy man, and a not unnatural
+apprehension for the issue of his own adventure.
+
+Ewart, notwithstanding the stupefying nature of his pastime, seemed
+to guess what was working in his passenger's mind; for, after they had
+remained some time engaged in silently observing each other, he suddenly
+dashed his cigar on the deck, and said to him, 'Well then, if you are
+sorry for me, I am sorry for you. D--n me, if I have cared a button for
+man or mother's son, since two years since when I had another peep of
+Jack Hadaway. 'The fellow was got as fat as a Norway whale--married to a
+great Dutch-built quean that had brought him six children. I believe
+he did not know me, and thought I was come to rob his house; however, I
+made up a poor face, and told him who I was. Poor Jack would have given
+me shelter and clothes, and began to tell me of the moidores that were
+in bank, when I wanted them. Egad, he changed his note when I told him
+what my life had been, and only wanted to pay me my cash and get rid
+of me. I never saw so terrified a visage. I burst out a-laughing in his
+face, told him it was all a humbug, and that the moidores were all his
+own, henceforth and for ever, and so ran off. I caused one of our people
+send him a bag of tea and a keg of brandy, before I left--poor Jack!
+I think you are the second person these ten years, that has cared a
+tobacco-stopper for Nanty Ewart.'
+
+'Perhaps, Mr. Ewart,' said Fairford, 'you live chiefly with men too
+deeply interested for their own immediate safety, to think much upon the
+distress of others?'
+
+'And with whom do you yourself consort, I pray?' replied Nanty, smartly.
+'Why, with plotters, that can make no plot to better purpose than their
+own hanging; and incendiaries, that are snapping the flint upon wet
+tinder. You'll as soon raise the dead as raise the Highlands--you'll as
+soon get a grunt from a dead sow as any comfort from Wales or Cheshire.
+You think because the pot is boiling, that no scum but yours can come
+uppermost--I know better, by--. All these rackets and riots that you
+think are trending your way have no relation at all to your interest;
+and the best way to make the whole kingdom friends again at once, would
+be the alarm of such an undertaking as these mad old fellows are trying
+to launch into.
+
+'I really am not in such secrets as you seem to allude to,' said
+Fairford; and, determined at the same time to avail himself as far as
+possible of Nanty's communicative disposition, he added, with a smile,'
+And if I were, I should not hold it prudent to make them much the
+subject of conversation. But I am sure, so sensible a man as Summertrees
+and the laird may correspond together without offence to the state.'
+
+'I take you, friend--I take you,' said Nanty Ewart, upon whom, at
+length, the liquor and tobacco-smoke began to make considerable
+innovation. 'As to what gentlemen may or may not correspond about, why
+we may pretermit the question, as the old professor used to say at the
+Hall; and as to Summertrees, I will say nothing, knowing him to be an
+old fox. But I say that this fellow the laird is a firebrand in the
+country; that he is stirring up all the honest fellows who should be
+drinking their brandy quietly, by telling them stories about their
+ancestors and the Forty-five; and that he is trying to turn all waters
+into his own mill-dam, and to set his sails to all winds. And because
+the London people are roaring about for some pinches of their own,
+he thinks to win them to his turn with a wet finger. And he gets
+encouragement from some, because they want a spell of money from him;
+and from others, because they fought for the cause once and are ashamed
+to go back; and others, because they have nothing to lose; and others,
+because they are discontented fools. But if he has brought you, or any
+one, I say not whom, into this scrape, with the hope of doing any good,
+he's a d--d decoy-duck, and that's all I can say for him; and you are
+geese, which is worse than being decoy-ducks, or lame-ducks either.
+And so here is to the prosperity of King George the Third, and the true
+Presbyterian religion, and confusion to the Pope, the Devil, and the
+Pretender! I'll tell you what, Mr. Fairbairn, I am but tenth owner of
+this bit of a craft, the JUMPING JENNY--but tenth owner and must sail
+her by my owners' directions. But if I were whole owner, I would not
+have the brig be made a ferry-boat for your Jacobitical, old-fashioned
+Popish riff-raff, Mr. Fairport--I would not, by my soul; they should
+walk the plank, by the gods, as I have seen better men do when I sailed
+under the What-d'ye-callum colours. But being contraband goods, and on
+board my vessel, and I with my sailing orders in my hand, why, I am to
+forward them as directed--I say, John Roberts, keep her up a bit with
+the helm.--and so, Mr. Fairweather, what I do is--as the d--d villain
+Turnpenny says--all in the way of business.'
+
+He had been speaking with difficulty for the last five minutes, and
+now at length dropped on the deck, fairly silenced by the quantity of
+spirits which he had swallowed, but without having showed any glimpse of
+the gaiety, or even of the extravagance, of intoxication.
+
+The old sailor stepped forward and flung a sea-cloak over the
+slumberer's shoulders, and added, looking at Fairford, 'Pity of him he
+should have this fault; for without it, he would have been as clever a
+fellow as ever trod a plank with ox leather.'
+
+'And what are we to do now?' said Fairford.
+
+'Stand off and on, to be sure, till we see the signal, and then obey
+orders.'
+
+So saying, the old man turned to his duty, and left the passenger to
+amuse himself with his own meditations. Presently afterward a light
+column of smoke was seen rising from the little headland.
+
+'I can tell you what we are to do now, master,' said the sailor. 'We'll
+stand out to sea, and then run in again with the evening tide, and
+make Skinburness; or, if there's not light, we can run into the
+Wampool river, and put you ashore about Kirkbride or Leaths, with the
+long-boat.'
+
+Fairford, unwell before, felt this destination condemned him to an agony
+of many hours, which his disordered stomach and aching head were ill
+able to endure. There was no remedy, however, but patience, and the
+recollection that he was suffering in the cause of friendship. As the
+sun rose high, he became worse; his sense of smell appeared to acquire
+a morbid degree of acuteness, for the mere purpose of inhaling and
+distinguishing all the various odours with which he was surrounded, from
+that of pitch to all the complicated smells of the hold. His heart, too,
+throbbed under the heat, and he felt as if in full progress towards a
+high fever.
+
+The seamen, who were civil and attentive considering their calling,
+observed his distress, and one contrived to make an awning out of an
+old sail, while another compounded some lemonade, the only liquor which
+their passenger could be prevailed upon to touch. After drinking it off,
+he obtained, but could not be said to enjoy, a few hours of troubled
+slumber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Alan Fairford's spirit was more ready to encounter labour than his frame
+was adequate to support it. In spite of his exertions, when he awoke,
+after five or six hours' slumber, he found that he was so much disabled
+by dizziness in his head and pains in his limbs, that he could not raise
+himself without assistance. He heard with some pleasure that they were
+now running right for the Wampool river, and that he would be put on
+shore in a very short time. The vessel accordingly lay to, and presently
+showed a weft in her ensign, which was hastily answered by signals from
+on shore. Men and horses were seen to come down the broken path which
+leads to the shore; the latter all properly tackled for carrying their
+loading. Twenty fishing barks were pushed afloat at once, and crowded
+round the brig with much clamour, laughter, cursing, and jesting. Amidst
+all this apparent confusion there was the essential regularity. Nanty
+Ewart again walked his quarter-deck as if he had never tasted spirits
+in his life, issued the necessary orders with precision, and saw them
+executed with punctuality. In half an hour the loading of the brig was
+in a great measure disposed in the boats; in a quarter of an hour more,
+it was landed on the beach, and another interval of about the same
+duration was sufficient to distribute it on the various strings of
+packhorses which waited for that purpose, and which instantly dispersed,
+each on its own proper adventure. More mystery was observed in loading
+the ship's boat with a quantity of small barrels, which seemed to
+contain ammunition. This was not done until the commercial customers
+had been dismissed; and it was not until this was performed that Ewart
+proposed to Alan, as he lay stunned with pain and noise, to accompany
+him ashore.
+
+It was with difficulty that Fairford could get over the side of the
+vessel, and he could not seat himself on the stern of the boat without
+assistance from the captain and his people. Nanty Ewart, who saw nothing
+in this worse than an ordinary fit of sea-sickness, applied the usual
+topics of consolation. He assured his passenger that he would be quite
+well by and by, when he had been half an hour on terra firma, and
+that he hoped to drink a can and smoke a pipe with him at Father
+Crackenthorp's, for all that he felt a little out of the way for riding
+the wooden horse.
+
+'Who is Father Crackenthorp?' said Fairford, though scarcely able to
+articulate the question.
+
+'As honest a fellow as is of a thousand,' answered Nanty.
+
+'Ah, how much good brandy he and I have made little of in our day! By my
+soul, Mr. Fairbird, he is the prince of skinkers, and the father of
+the free trade--not a stingy hypocritical devil like old Turnpenny
+Skinflint, that drinks drunk on other folk's cost, and thinks it sin
+when he has to pay for it--but a real hearty old cock;--the sharks have
+been at and about him this many a day, but Father Crackenthorp knows how
+to trim his sails--never a warrant but he hears of it before the ink's
+dry. He is BONUS SOCIUS with headborough and constable. The king's
+exchequer could not bribe a man to inform against him. If any such
+rascal were to cast up, why, he would miss his ears next morning, or
+be sent to seek them in the Solway. He is a statesman, [A small landed
+proprietor.] though he keeps a public; but, indeed, that is only for
+convenience and to excuse his having cellarage and folk about him; his
+wife's a canny woman--and his daughter Doll too. Gad, you'll be in port
+there till you get round again; and I'll keep my word with you, and
+bring you to speech of the laird.
+
+Gad, the only trouble I shall have is to get you out of the house;
+for Doll is a rare wench, and my dame a funny old one, and Father
+Crackenthorp the rarest companion! He'll drink you a bottle of rum or
+brandy without starting, but never wet his lips with the nasty Scottish
+stuff that the canting old scoundrel Turnpenny has brought into fashion.
+He is a gentleman, every inch of him, old Crackenthorp; in his own way,
+that is; and besides, he has a share in the JUMPING JENNY, and many a
+moonlight outfit besides. He can give Doll a pretty penny, if he likes
+the tight fellow that would turn in with her for life.'
+
+In the midst of this prolonged panegyric on Father Crackenthorp, the
+boat touched the beach, the rowers backed their oars to keep her afloat,
+whilst the other fellows lumped into the surf, and, with the most rapid
+dexterity, began to hand the barrels ashore.
+
+'Up with them higher on the beach, my hearties,' exclaimed Nanty
+Ewart--'High and dry--high and dry--this gear will not stand wetting.
+Now, out with our spare hand here--high and dry with him too.
+What's that?--the galloping of horse! Oh, I hear the jingle of the
+packsaddles--they are our own folk.'
+
+By this time all the boat's load was ashore, consisting of the little
+barrels; and the boat's crew, standing to their arms, ranged themselves
+in front, waiting the advance of the horses which came clattering along
+the beach. A man, overgrown with corpulence, who might be distinguished
+in the moonlight panting with his own exertions, appeared at the head
+of the cavalcade, which consisted of horses linked together, and
+accommodated with packsaddles, and chains for securing the kegs which
+made a dreadful clattering.
+
+'How now, Father Crackenthorp?' said Ewart--'Why this hurry with your
+horses? We mean to stay a night with you, and taste your old brandy, and
+my dame's homebrewed. The signal is up, man, and all is right.'
+
+'All is wrong, Captain Nanty,' cried the man to whom he spoke; 'and you
+are the lad that is like to find it so, unless you bundle off--there are
+new brooms bought at Carlisle yesterday to sweep the country of you and
+the like of you--so you were better be jogging inland.
+
+'How many rogues are the officers? If not more than ten, I will make
+fight.'
+
+'The devil you will!' answered Crackenthorp. 'You were better not, for
+they have the bloody-backed dragoons from Carlisle with them.'
+
+'Nay, then,' said Nanty, 'we must make sail. Come, Master Fairlord,
+you must mount and ride. He does not hear me--he has fainted, I
+believe--What the devil shall I do? Father Crackenthorp, I must leave
+this young fellow with you till the gale blows out--hark ye--goes
+between the laird and the t'other old one; he can neither ride nor
+walk--I must send him up to you.'
+
+'Send him up to the gallows!' said Crackenthorp; 'there is Quartermaster
+Thwacker, with twenty men, up yonder; an he had not some kindness for
+Doll, I had never got hither for a start--but you must get off, or they
+will be here to seek us, for his orders are woundy particular; and these
+kegs contain worse than whisky--a hanging matter, I take it.'
+
+'I wish they were at the bottom of Wampool river, with them they belong
+to,' said Nanty Ewart. 'But they are part of cargo; and what to do with
+the poor young fellow--'
+
+'Why, many a better fellow has roughed it on the grass with a cloak o'er
+him,' said Crackenthorp. 'If he hath a fever, nothing is so cooling as
+the night air.'
+
+'Yes, he would be cold enough in the morning, no doubt; but it's a kind
+heart and shall not cool so soon if I can help it,' answered the captain
+of the JUMPING JENNY.
+
+'Well, captain, an ye will risk your own neck for another man's, why not
+take him to the old girls at Fairladies?'
+
+'What, the Miss Arthurets! The Papist jades! But never mind; it will
+do--I have known them take in a whole sloop's crew that were stranded on
+the sands.'
+
+'You may run some risk, though, by turning up to Fairladies; for I tell
+you they are all up through the country.'
+
+'Never mind--I may chance to put some of them down again,' said Nanty,
+cheerfully. 'Come, lads, bustle to your tackle. Are you all loaded?'
+
+'Aye, aye, captain; we will be ready in a jiffy,' answered the gang.
+
+'D--n your captains! Have you a mind to have me hanged if I am taken?
+All's hail-fellow, here.'
+
+'A sup at parting,' said Father Crackenthorp, extending a flask to Nanty
+Ewart.
+
+'Not the twentieth part of a drop,' said Nanty. 'No Dutch courage for
+me--my heart is always high enough when there's a chance of fighting;
+besides, if I live drunk, I should like to die sober. Here, old
+Jephson--you are the best-natured brute amongst them--get the lad
+between us on a quiet horse, and we will keep him upright, I warrant.'
+
+As they raised Fairford from the ground, he groaned heavily, and asked
+faintly where they were taking him to.
+
+'To a place where you will be as snug and quiet as a mouse in his hole,'
+said Nanty, 'if so be that we can get you there safely. Good-bye, Father
+Crackenthorp--poison the quartermaster, if you can.'
+
+The loaded horses then sprang forward at a hard trot, following each
+other in a line, and every second horse being mounted by a stout fellow
+in a smock frock, which served to conceal the arms with which most of
+these desperate men were provided. Ewart followed in the rear of the
+line, and, with the occasional assistance of old Jephson, kept his young
+charge erect in the saddle. He groaned heavily from time to time; and
+Ewart, more moved with compassion for his situation than might have been
+expected from his own habits, endeavoured to amuse him and comfort him,
+by some account of the place to which they were conveying him--his words
+of consolation being, however, frequently interrupted by the necessity
+of calling to his people, and many of them being lost amongst the
+rattling of the barrels, and clinking of the tackle and small chains by
+which they are secured on such occasions.
+
+'And you see, brother, you will be in safe quarters at Fairladies--good
+old scrambling house--good old maids enough, if they were not
+Papists,--Hollo, you Jack Lowther; keep the line, can't ye, and shut
+your rattle-trap, you broth of a--? And so, being of a good family, and
+having enough, the old lasses have turned a kind of saints, and nuns,
+and so forth. The place they live in was some sort of nun-shop long ago,
+as they have them still in Flanders; so folk call them the Vestals of
+Fairladies--that may be, or may not be; and I care not whether it be or
+no.--Blinkinsop, hold your tongue, and be d--d!--And so, betwixt great
+alms and good dinners, they are well thought of by rich and poor, and
+their trucking with Papists is looked over. There are plenty of priests,
+and stout young scholars, and such-like, about the house it's a hive of
+them. More shame that government send dragoons out after-a few honest
+fellows that bring the old women of England a drop of brandy, and let
+these ragamuffins smuggle in as much papistry and--Hark!--was that
+a whistle? No, it's only a plover. You, Jem Collier, keep a look-out
+ahead--we'll meet them at the High Whins, or Brotthole bottom, or
+nowhere. Go a furlong ahead, I say, and look sharp.--These Misses
+Arthurets feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, and such-like
+acts--which my poor father used to say were filthy rags, but he dressed
+himself out with as many of them as most folk.--D--n that stumbling
+horse! Father Crackenthorp should be d--d himself for putting an honest
+fellow's neck in such jeopardy.'
+
+Thus, and with much more to the same purpose, Nanty ran on, increasing,
+by his well-intended annoyance, the agony of Alan Fairford, who,
+tormented by a racking pain along the back and loins, which made the
+rough trot of the horse torture to him, had his aching head still
+further rended and split by the hoarse voice of the sailor, close to
+his ear. Perfectly passive, however, he did not even essay to give
+any answer; and indeed his own bodily distress was now so great and
+engrossing, that to think of his situation was impossible, even if he
+could have mended it by doing so.
+
+Their course was inland; but in what direction, Alan had no means of
+ascertaining. They passed at first over heaths and sandy downs; they
+crossed more than one brook, or beck, as they are called in that
+country--some of them of considerable depth--and at length reached
+a cultivated country, divided, according to the English fashion of
+agriculture, into very small fields or closes, by high banks, overgrown
+with underwood, and surmounted by hedge-row trees, amongst which winded
+a number of impracticable and complicated lanes, where the boughs
+projecting from the embankments on each side, intercepted the light of
+the moon, and endangered the safety of the horsemen. But through this
+labyrinth the experience of the guides conducted them without a blunder,
+and without even the slackening of their pace. In many places, however,
+it was impossible for three men to ride abreast; and therefore the
+burden of supporting Alan Fairford fell alternately to old Jephson
+and to Nanty; and it was with much difficulty that they could keep him
+upright in his saddle.
+
+At length, when his powers of sufferance were quite worn out, and he was
+about to implore them to leave him to his fate in the first cottage or
+shed--or under a haystack or a hedge--or anywhere, so he was left at
+ease, Collier, who rode ahead, passed back the word that they were at
+the avenue to Fairladies--'Was he to turn up?'
+
+Committing the charge of Fairford to Jephson, Nanty dashed up to the
+head of the troop, and gave his orders.--'Who knows the house best?'
+
+'Sam Skelton's a Catholic,' said Lowther.
+
+'A d--d bad religion,' said Nanty, of whose Presbyterian education a
+hatred of Popery seemed to be the only remnant. 'But I am glad there is
+one amongst us, anyhow. You, Sam, being a Papist, know Fairladies and
+the old maidens I dare say; so do you fall out of the line, and wait
+here with me; and do you, Collier, carry on to Walinford bottom, then
+turn down the beck till you come to the old mill, and Goodman Grist the
+Miller, or old Peel-the-Causeway, will tell you where to stow; but I
+will be up with you before that.'
+
+The string of loaded horses then struck forward at their former pace,
+while Nanty, with Sam Skelton, waited by the roadside till the rear came
+up, when Jephson and Fairford joined them, and, to the great relief
+of the latter, they began to proceed at an easier pace than formerly,
+suffering the gang to precede them, till the clatter and clang attending
+their progress began to die away in the distance. They had not proceeded
+a pistol-shot from the place where they parted, when a short turning
+brought them in front of an old mouldering gateway, whose heavy
+pinnacles were decorated in the style of the seventeenth century, with
+clumsy architectural ornaments; several of which had fallen down from
+decay, and lay scattered about, no further care having been taken than
+just to remove them out of the direct approach to the avenue. The great
+stone pillars, glimmering white in the moonlight, had some fanciful
+resemblance to supernatural apparitions, and the air of neglect all
+around, gave an uncomfortable idea of the habitation to those who passed
+its avenue.
+
+'There used to be no gate here,' said Skelton, finding their way
+unexpectedly stopped.
+
+'But there is a gate now, and a porter too,' said a rough voice from
+within. 'Who be you, and what do you want at this time of night?'
+
+'We want to come to speech of the ladies--of the Misses Arthuret,' said
+Nanty; 'and to ask lodging for a sick man.'
+
+'There is no speech to be had of the Miss Arthurets at this time of
+night, and you may carry your sick man to the doctor,' answered the
+fellow from within, gruffly; 'for as sure as there is savour in salt,
+and scent in rosemary, you will get no entrance--put your pipes up and
+be jogging on.'
+
+'Why, Dick Gardener,' said Skelton, 'be thou then turned porter?'
+
+'What, do you know who I am?' said the domestic sharply.
+
+'I know you, by your by-word,' answered the other; 'What, have you
+forgot little Sam Skelton, and the brock in the barrel?'
+
+'No, I have not forgotten you,' answered the acquaintance of Sam
+Skelton; 'but my orders are peremptory to let no one up the avenue this
+night, and therefore'--
+
+'But we are armed, and will not be kept back,' said Nanty. 'Hark ye,
+fellow, were it not better for you to take a guinea and let us in, than
+to have us break the door first, and thy pate afterwards? for I won't
+see my comrade die at your door be assured of that.'
+
+'Why, I dunna know,' said the fellow; 'but what cattle were those that
+rode by in such hurry?'
+
+'Why, some of our folk from Bowness, Stoniecultrum, and thereby,'
+answered Skelton; 'Jack Lowther, and old Jephson, and broad Will
+Lamplugh, and such like.'
+
+'Well,' said Dick Gardener, 'as sure as there is savour in salt, and
+scent in rosemary, I thought it had been the troopers from Carlisle and
+Wigton, and the sound brought my heart to my mouth.'
+
+'Had thought thou wouldst have known the clatter of a cask from the
+clash of a broadsword, as well as e'er a quaffer in Cumberland,' said
+Skelton.
+
+'Come, brother, less of your jaw and more of your legs, if you please,'
+said Nanty; 'every moment we stay is a moment lost. Go to the ladies,
+and tell them that Nanty Ewart, of the JUMPING JENNY, has brought
+a young gentleman, charged with letters from Scotland to a certain
+gentleman of consequence in Cumberland--that the soldiers are out, and
+the gentleman is very ill and if he is not received at Fairladies he
+must be left either to die at the gate, or to be taken, with all his
+papers about him, by the redcoats.'
+
+Away ran Dick Gardener with this message; and, in a few minutes, lights
+were seen to flit about, which convinced Fairford, who was now, in
+consequence of the halt, a little restored to self-possession, that they
+were traversing the front of a tolerably large mansion-house.
+
+'What if thy friend, Dick Gardener, comes not back again?' said Jephson
+to Skelton.
+
+'Why, then,' said the person addressed, 'I shall owe him just such a
+licking as thou, old Jephson, had from Dan Cooke, and will pay as duly
+and truly as he did.'
+
+The old man was about to make an angry reply, when his doubts were
+silenced by the return of Dick Gardener, who announced that Miss
+Arthuret was coming herself as far as the gateway to speak with them.
+
+Nanty Ewart cursed in a low tone the suspicions of old maids and the
+churlish scruples of Catholics, that made so many obstacles to helping
+a fellow creature, and wished Miss Arthuret a hearty rheumatism or
+toothache as the reward of her excursion; but the lady presently
+appeared, to cut short further grumbling. She was attended by a
+waiting-maid with a lantern, by means of which she examined the party
+on the outside, as closely as the imperfect light, and the spars of the
+newly-erected gate, would permit.
+
+'I am sorry we have disturbed you so late, Madam Arthuret,' said Nanty;
+'but the case is this'--
+
+'Holy Virgin,' said she, 'why do you speak so loud? Pray, are you not
+the captain of the SAINTE GENEVIEVE?'
+
+'Why, aye, ma'am,' answered Ewart, 'they call the brig so at Dunkirk,
+sure enough; but along shore here, they call her the JUMPING JENNY.'
+
+'You brought over the holy Father Buonaventure, did you not?'
+
+'Aye, aye, madam, I have brought over enough of them black cattle,'
+answered Nanty. 'Fie! fie! friend,' said Miss Arthuret; 'it is a pity
+that the saints should commit these good men to a heretic's care.'
+
+'Why, no more they would, ma'am,' answered Nanty, 'could they find a
+Papist lubber that knew the coast as I do; then I am trusty as steel
+to owners, and always look after cargo--live lumber, or dead flesh,
+or spirits, all is one to me; and your Catholics have such d--d large
+hoods, with pardon, ma'am, that they can sometimes hide two faces under
+them. But here is a gentleman dying, with letters about him from the
+Laird of Summertrees to the Laird of the Lochs, as they call him, along
+Solway, and every minute he lies here is a nail in his coffin.'
+
+'Saint Mary! what shall we do?' said Miss Arthuret; 'we must admit him,
+I think, at all risks. You, Richard Gardener, help one of these men to
+carry the gentleman up to the Place; and you, Selby, see him lodged at
+the end of the long gallery. You are a heretic, captain, but I think you
+are trusty, and I know you have been trusted--but if you are imposing on
+me'--
+
+'Not I, madam--never attempt to impose on ladies of your experience--my
+practice that way has been all among the young ones. Come, cheerly, Mr.
+Fairford--you will be taken good care of--try to walk.'
+
+Alan did so; and, refreshed by his halt, declared himself able to walk
+to the house with the sole assistance of the gardener.
+
+'Why, that's hearty. Thank thee, Dick, for lending him thine arm'--and
+Nanty slipped into his hand the guinea he had promised.--'Farewell,
+then, Mr. Fairford, and farewell, Madam Arthuret, for I have been too
+long here.'
+
+So saying, he and his two companions threw themselves on horseback, and
+went off at a gallop. Yet, even above the clatter of their hoofs did the
+incorrigible Nanty hollo out the old ballad--
+
+  A lovely lass to a friar came,
+  To confession a-morning early;--
+  'In what, my dear, are you to blame?
+  Come tell me most sincerely?'
+  'Alas!  my fault I dare not name--
+  But my lad he loved me dearly.'
+
+'Holy Virgin!' exclaimed Miss Seraphina, as the unhallowed sounds
+reached her ears; 'what profane heathens be these men, and what frights
+and pinches we be put to among them! The saints be good to us, what a
+night has this been!--the like never seen at Fairladies. Help me to make
+fast the gate, Richard, and thou shalt come down again to wait on it,
+lest there come more unwelcome visitors--Not that you are unwelcome,
+young gentleman, for it is sufficient that you need such assistance as
+we can give you, to make you welcome to Fairladies--only, another time
+would have done as well--but, hem! I dare say it is all for the best.
+The avenue is none of the smoothest, sir, look to your feet. Richard
+Gardener should have had it mown and levelled, but he was obliged to go
+on a pilgrimage to Saint Winifred's Well, in Wales.' (Here Dick gave
+a short dry cough, which, as if he had found it betrayed some internal
+feeling a little at variance with what the lady said, he converted into
+a muttered SANCTA WINIFREDA, ORA PRO NOBIS. Miss Arthuret, meantime,
+proceeded) 'We never interfere with our servants' vows or penances,
+Master Fairford--I know a very worthy father of your name, perhaps a
+relation--I say, we never interfere with our servants vows. Our Lady
+forbid they should not know some difference between our service and a
+heretic's.--Take care, sir, you will fall if you have not a care. Alas!
+by night and day there are many stumbling-blocks in our paths!'
+
+With more talk to the same purpose, all of which tended to show a
+charitable and somewhat silly woman with a strong inclination to her
+superstitious devotion, Miss Arthuret entertained her new guest, as,
+stumbling at every obstacle which the devotion of his guide, Richard,
+had left in the path, he at last, by ascending some stone steps
+decorated on the side with griffins, or some such heraldic anomalies,
+attained a terrace extending in front of the Place of Fairladies; an
+old-fashioned gentleman's house of some consequence, with its range of
+notched gable-ends and narrow windows, relieved by here and there an old
+turret about the size of a pepper-box. The door was locked during the
+brief absence of the mistress; a dim light glimmered through the sashed
+door of the hall, which opened beneath a huge stone porch, loaded with
+jessamine and other creepers. All the windows were dark as pitch.
+
+Miss Arthuret tapped at the door. 'Sister, sister Angelica.' 'Who is
+there?' was answered from within; 'is it you, sister Seraphina?'
+
+'Yes, yes, undo the door; do you not know my voice?'
+
+'No doubt, sister,' said Angelica, undoing bolt and bar; 'but you know
+our charge, and the enemy is watchful to surprise us--INCEDIT SICUT LEO
+VORANS, saith the breviary. Whom have you brought here? Oh, sister, what
+have you done?'
+
+'It is a young man,' said Seraphina, hastening to interrupt her sister's
+remonstrance, 'a relation, I believe, of our worthy Father Fairford;
+left at the gate by the captain of that blessed vessel the SAINTE
+GENEVIEVE--almost dead--and charged with dispatches to '--
+
+She lowered her voice as she mumbled over the last words.
+
+'Nay, then, there is no help,' said Angelica; 'but it is unlucky.'
+
+During this dialogue between the vestals of Fairladies, Dick Gardener
+deposited his burden in a chair, where the young lady, after a moment
+of hesitation, expressing a becoming reluctance to touch the hand of a
+stranger, put her finger and thumb upon Fairford's wrist, and counted
+his pulse.
+
+'There is fever here, sister,' she said; 'Richard must call Ambrose, and
+we must send some of the febrifuge.'
+
+Ambrose arrived presently, a plausible and respectable-looking old
+servant, bred in the family, and who had risen from rank to rank in
+the Arthuret service till he was become half-physician, half-almoner,
+half-butler, and entire governor; that is, when the Father Confessor,
+who frequently eased him of the toils of government, chanced to be
+abroad. Under the direction, and with the assistance of this venerable
+personage, the unlucky Alan Fairford was conveyed to a decent apartment
+at the end of a long gallery, and, to his inexpressible relief,
+consigned to a comfortable bed. He did not attempt to resist the
+prescription of Mr. Ambrose, who not only presented him with the
+proposed draught, but proceeded so far as to take a considerable
+quantity of blood from him, by which last operation he probably did his
+patient much service.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+On the next morning, when Fairford awoke, after no very refreshing
+slumbers, in which were mingled many wild dreams of his father and of
+Darsie Latimer,--of the damsel in the green mantle and the vestals of
+Fairladies,--of drinking small beer with Nanty Ewart and being immersed
+in the Solway with the JUMPING JENNY,--he found himself in no condition
+to dispute the order of Mr. Ambrose, that he should keep his bed, from
+which, indeed, he could not have raised himself without assistance. He
+became sensible that his anxiety, and his constant efforts for some days
+past, had been too much for his health, and that, whatever might be his
+impatience, he could not proceed in his undertaking until his strength
+was re-established.
+
+In the meanwhile, no better quarters could have been found for an
+invalid. The attendants spoke under their breath, and moved only on
+tiptoe--nothing was done unless PAR ORDONNANCE DU MEDECIN. Aesculapius
+reigned paramount in the premises at Fairladies. Once a day, the ladies
+came in great state to wait upon him and inquire after his health, and
+it was then that; Alan's natural civility, and the thankfulness which
+he expressed for their timely and charitable assistance, raised him
+considerably in their esteem. He was on the third day removed to a
+better apartment than that in which he had been at first accommodated.
+When he was permitted to drink a glass of wine, it was of the first
+quality; one of those curious old-fashioned cobwebbed bottles being
+produced on the occasion, which are only to be found in the crypts of
+old country-seats, where they may have lurked undisturbed for more than
+half a century.
+
+But however delightful a residence for an invalid, Fairladies, as
+its present inmate became soon aware, was not so agreeable to a
+convalescent. When he dragged himself to the window so soon as he could
+crawl from bed, behold it was closely grated, and commanded no view
+except of a little paved court. This was nothing remarkable, most
+old Border houses having their windows so secured. But then Fairford
+observed, that whosoever entered or left the room always locked the
+door with great care and circumspection; and some proposals which he
+made to take a walk in the gallery, or even in the garden, were so
+coldly received, both by the ladies and their prime minister, Mr.
+Ambrose, that he saw plainly such an extension of his privileges as a
+guest would not be permitted.
+
+Anxious to ascertain whether this excessive hospitality would permit
+him his proper privilege of free agency, he announced to this important
+functionary, with grateful thanks for the care with which he had been
+attended, his purpose to leave Fairladies next morning, requesting only,
+as a continuance of the favours with which he had been loaded, the
+loan of a horse to the next town; and, assuring Mr. Ambrose that his
+gratitude would not be limited by such, a trifle, he slipped three
+guineas into his hand, by way of seconding his proposal. The fingers of
+that worthy domestic closed as naturally upon the honorarium, as if a
+degree in the learned faculty had given him a right to clutch it; but
+his answer concerning Alan's proposed departure was at first evasive,
+and when he was pushed, it amounted to a peremptory assurance that he
+could not be permitted to depart to-morrow; it was as much as his life
+was worth, and his ladies would not authorize it.
+
+'I know best what my own life is worth,' said Alan; 'and I do not value
+it in comparison to the business which requires my instant attention.'
+
+Receiving still no satisfactory answer from Mr. Ambrose, Fairford
+thought it best to state his resolution to the ladies themselves, in
+the most measured, respectful, and grateful terms; but still such as
+expressed a firm determination to depart on the morrow, or next day
+at farthest. After some attempts to induce him to stay, on the alleged
+score of health, which were so expressed that he was convinced they were
+only used to delay his departure, Fairford plainly told them that he was
+entrusted with dispatches of consequence to the gentleman known by the
+name of Herries, Redgauntlet, and the Laird of the Lochs; and that it
+was matter of life and death to deliver them early.
+
+'I dare say, Sister Angelica,' said the elder Miss Arthuret, that the
+gentleman is honest; and if he is really a relation of Father Fairford,
+we can run no risk.'
+
+'Jesu Maria!' exclaimed the younger. 'Oh, fie, Sister Seraphina! Fie,
+fie!--'VADE RETRO--get thee behind me!'
+
+'Well, well; but, sister--Sister Angelica--let me speak with you in the
+gallery.'
+
+So out the ladies rustled in their silks and tissues, and it was a good
+half-hour ere they rustled in again, with importance and awe on their
+countenances.
+
+'To tell you the truth, Mr. Fairford, the cause of our desire to delay
+you is--there is a religious gentleman in this house at present'--
+
+'A most excellent person indeed'--said the sister Angelica.
+
+'An anointed of his Master!' echoed Seraphina,--'and we should be glad
+that, for conscience' sake, you would hold some discourse with him
+before your departure.'
+
+'Oho!' thought Fairford, 'the murder is out--here is a design of
+conversion! I must not affront the good ladies, but I shall soon send
+off the priest, I think.' He then answered aloud, 'that he should be
+happy to converse with any friend of theirs--that in religious matters
+he had the greatest respect for every modification of Christianity,
+though, he must say, his belief was made up to that in which he had
+been educated; nevertheless, if his seeing the religious person they
+recommended could in the least show his respect'--
+
+'It is not quite that,' said Sister Seraphina, 'although I am sure the
+day is too short to hear him--Father Buonaventure, I mean--speak upon
+the concerns of our souls; but'--
+
+'Come, come, Sister Seraphina,' said the younger, 'it is needless
+to talk so much about it. His--his Eminence--I mean Father
+Buonaventure--will himself explain what he wants this gentleman to
+know.'
+
+'His Eminence!' said Fairford, surprised--'is this gentleman so high in
+the Catholic Church? The title is given only to Cardinals, I think.'
+
+'He is not a Cardinal as yet,' answered Seraphina; 'but I assure you,
+Mr. Fairford, he is as high in rank as he is eminently endowed with good
+gifts, and'--
+
+'Come away,' said Sister Angelica. 'Holy Virgin, how you do talk! What
+has Mr. Fairford to do with Father Buonaventure's rank? Only, sir, you
+will remember that the Father has been always accustomed to be treated
+with the most profound deference; indeed'--
+
+'Come away, sister,' said Sister Seraphina, in her turn; 'who talks now,
+I pray you? Mr. Fairford will know how to comport himself.'
+
+'And we had best both leave the room,' said the younger lady, 'for here
+his Eminence comes.'
+
+She lowered her voice to a whisper as she pronounced the last words; and
+as Fairford was about to reply, by assuring her that any friend of hers
+should be treated by him with all the ceremony he could expect, she
+imposed silence on him, by holding up her finger.
+
+A solemn and stately step was now heard in the gallery; it might have
+proclaimed the approach not merely of a bishop or cardinal, but of
+the Sovereign Pontiff himself. Nor could the sound have been more
+respectfully listened to by the two ladies, had it announced that the
+Head of the Church was approaching in person. They drew themselves,
+like sentinels on duty, one on each side of the door by which the
+long gallery communicated with Fairford's apartment, and stood there
+immovable, and with countenances expressive of the deepest reverence.
+
+The approach of Father Buonaventure was so slow, that Fairford had time
+to notice all this, and to marvel in his mind what wily and ambitious
+priest could have contrived to subject his worthy but simple-minded
+hostesses to such superstitious trammels. Father Buonaventure's entrance
+and appearance in some degree accounted for the whole.
+
+He was a man of middle life, about forty or upwards; but either care, or
+fatigue, or indulgence, had brought on the appearance of premature
+old age, and given to his fine features a cast of seriousness or even
+sadness. A noble countenance, however, still remained; and though his
+complexion was altered, and wrinkles stamped upon his brow in many a
+melancholy fold, still the lofty forehead, the full and well-opened eye,
+and the well-formed nose, showed how handsome in better days he
+must have been. He was tall, but lost the advantage of his height
+by stooping; and the cane which he wore always in his hand, and
+occasionally used, as well as his slow though majestic gait, seemed to
+intimate that his form and limbs felt already some touch of infirmity.
+The colour of his hair could not be discovered, as, according to the
+fashion, he wore a periwig. He was handsomely, though gravely dressed in
+a secular habit, and had a cockade in his hat; circumstances which did
+not surprise Fairford, who knew that a military disguise was very often
+assumed by the seminary priests, whose visits to England, or residence
+there, subjected them to legal penalties.
+
+As this stately person entered the apartment, the two ladies facing
+inward, like soldiers on their post when about to salute a superior
+officer, dropped on either hand of the father a curtsy so profound that
+the hoop petticoats which performed the feat seemed to sink down to
+the very floor, nay, through it, as if a trap-door had opened for the
+descent of the dames who performed this act of reverence.
+
+The father seemed accustomed to such homage, profound as it was; he
+turned his person a little way first towards one sister, and then
+towards the other, while, with a gracious inclination of his person,
+which certainly did not amount to a bow, he acknowledged their curtsy.
+But he passed forward without addressing them, and seemed by doing so to
+intimate that their presence in the apartment was unnecessary.
+
+They accordingly glided out of the room, retreating backwards, with
+hands clasped and eyes cast upwards, as if imploring blessings on the
+religious man whom they venerated so highly. The door of the apartment
+was shut after them, but not before Fairford had perceived that there
+were one or two men in the gallery, and that, contrary to what he had
+before observed, the door, though shut, was not locked on the outside.
+
+'Can the good souls apprehend danger from me to this god of their
+idolatry?' thought Fairford. But he had no time to make further
+observations, for the stranger had already reached the middle of his
+apartment.
+
+Fairford rose to receive him respectfully, but as he fixed his eyes on
+the visitor, he thought that the father avoided his looks. His reasons
+for remaining incognito were cogent enough to account for this, and
+Fairford hastened to relieve him, by looking downwards in his turn;
+but when again he raised his face, he found the broad light eye of the
+stranger so fixed on him that he was almost put out of countenance by
+the steadiness of his gaze. During this time they remained standing.
+
+'Take your seat, sir,' said the father; 'you have been an invalid.'
+
+He spoke with the tone of one who desires an inferior to be seated in
+his presence, and his voice was full and melodious.
+
+Fairford, somewhat surprised to find himself overawed by the airs of
+superiority, which could be only properly exercised towards one over
+whom religion gave the speaker influence, sat down at his bidding, as
+if moved by springs, and was at a loss how to assert the footing of
+equality on which he felt that they ought to stand. The stranger kept
+the advantage which he had obtained.
+
+'Your name, sir, I am informed, is Fairford?' said the father.
+
+Alan answered by a bow.
+
+'Called to the Scottish bar,' continued his visitor, 'There is, I
+believe, in the West, a family of birth and rank called Fairford of
+Fairford.'
+
+Alan thought this a strange observation from a foreign ecclesiastic,
+as his name intimated Father Buonaventure to be; but only answered he
+believed there was such, a family.
+
+'Do you count kindred with them, Mr. Fairford?' continued the inquirer.
+
+'I have not the honour to lay such a claim,' said Fairford.
+
+'My father's industry has raised his family from a low and obscure
+situation--I have no hereditary claim to distinction of any kind. May I
+ask the cause of these inquiries?'
+
+'You will learn it presently,' said Father Buonaventure, who had given
+a dry and dissatisfied HEM at the young man's acknowledging a plebeian
+descent. He then motioned to him to be silent, and proceeded with his
+queries.
+
+'Although not of condition, you are, doubtless, by sentiments and
+education, a man of honour and a gentleman?'
+
+'I hope so, sir,' said Alan, colouring with displeasure. 'I have not
+been accustomed to have it questioned.'
+
+'Patience, young man,' said the unperturbed querist--'we are on serious
+business, and no idle etiquette must prevent its being discussed
+seriously. You are probably aware that you speak to a person proscribed
+by the severe and unjust laws of the present government?'
+
+'I am aware of the statute 1700, chapter 3,' said Alan, 'banishing from
+the realm priests and trafficking Papists, and punishing by death, on
+summary conviction, any such person who being so banished may return.
+But I have no means of knowing you, sir, to be one of those persons; and
+I think your prudence may recommend to you to keep your own counsel.'
+
+'It is sufficient, sir; and I have no apprehensions of disagreeable
+consequences from your having seen me in this house,' said the priest.
+
+'Assuredly no,' said Alan. 'I consider myself as indebted for my life to
+the mistresses of Fairladies; and it would be a vile requital on my
+part to pry into or make known what I may have seen or heard under
+this hospitable roof. If I were to meet the Pretender himself in such
+a situation, he should, even at the risk of a little stretch to my
+loyalty, be free from any danger from my indiscretion.'
+
+'The Pretender!' said the priest, with some angry emphasis; but
+immediately softened his tone and added, 'No doubt, however, that
+person is a pretender; and some people think his pretensions are not ill
+founded. But, before running into politics, give me leave to say, that I
+am surprised to find a gentleman of your opinions in habits of intimacy
+with Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees and Mr. Redgauntlet, and the medium of
+conducting the intercourse betwixt them.'
+
+'Pardon me, sir,' replied Alan Fairford; 'I do not aspire to the honour
+of being reputed their confidant or go-between. My concern with those
+gentlemen is limited to one matter of business, dearly interesting to
+me, because it concerns the safety--perhaps the life--of my dearest
+friend.'
+
+'Would you have any objection to entrust me with the cause of your
+journey?' said Father Buonaventure. 'My advice may be of service to you,
+and my influence with one or both these gentlemen is considerable.'
+
+Fairford hesitated a moment, and, hastily revolving all circumstances,
+concluded that he might perhaps receive some advantage from propitiating
+this personage; while, on the other hand, he endangered nothing by
+communicating to him the occasion of his journey. He, therefore, after
+stating shortly that he hoped Mr. Buonaventure would render him the same
+confidence which he required on his part, gave a short account of Darsie
+Latimer--of the mystery which hung over his family--and of the disaster
+which had befallen him. Finally, of his own resolution to seek for his
+friend, and to deliver him, at the peril of his own life.
+
+The Catholic priest, whose manner it seemed to be to avoid all
+conversation which did not arise from his own express motion, made
+no remarks upon what he had heard, but only asked one or two abrupt
+questions, where Alan's narrative appeared less clear to him; then
+rising from his seat, he took two turns through the apartment, muttering
+between his teeth, with emphasis, the word 'madman!' But apparently he
+was in the habit of keeping all violent emotions under restraint; for he
+presently addressed Fairford with the most perfect indifference.
+
+'If,' said he, 'you thought you could do so without breach of
+confidence, I wish you would have the goodness to show me the letter
+of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees. I desire to look particularly at the
+address.'
+
+Seeing no cause to decline this extension of his confidence, Alan,
+without hesitation, put the letter into his hand. Having turned it
+round as old Trumbull and Nanty Ewart had formerly done, and, like them,
+having examined the address with much minuteness, he asked whether he
+had observed these words, pointing to a pencil-writing upon the under
+side of the letter. Fairford answered in the negative, and, looking
+at the letter, read with surprise, 'CAVE NE LITERAS BELLEROPHONTIS
+ADFERRES'; a caution which coincided so exactly with the provost's
+admonition, that he would do well to inspect the letter of which he was
+bearer, that he was about to spring up and attempt an escape, he knew
+not wherefore, or from whom.
+
+'Sit still, young man,' said the father, with the same tone of authority
+which reigned in his whole manner, although mingled with stately
+courtesy. 'You are in no danger--my character shall be a pledge for your
+safety. By whom do you suppose these words have been written?'
+
+Fairford could have answered, 'By Nanty Ewart,' for he remembered seeing
+that person scribble something with a pencil, although he was not well
+enough to observe with accuracy where or upon what. But not knowing
+what suspicions, or what worse consequences the seamen's interest in his
+affairs might draw upon him, he judged it best to answer that he knew
+not the hand.
+
+Father Buonaventure was again silent for a moment or two, which he
+employed in surveying the letter with the strictest attention; then
+stepped to the window, as if to examine the address and writing of the
+envelope with the assistance of a stronger light, and Alan Fairford
+beheld him, with no less amazement than high displeasure, coolly and
+deliberately break the seal, open the letter, and peruse the contents.
+
+'Stop, sir, hold!' he exclaimed, so soon as his astonishment permitted
+him to express his resentment in words; 'by what right do you dare'--
+
+'Peace, young gentleman,' said the father, repelling him with a wave
+of his hand; 'be assured I do not act without warrant--nothing can pass
+betwixt Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Redgauntlet that I am not fully entitled to
+know.'
+
+'It may be so,' said Alan, extremely angry; 'but though you may be these
+gentlemen's father confessor, you are not mine; and in breaking the seal
+of a letter entrusted to my care, you have done me'--
+
+'No injury, I assure you,' answered the unperturbed priest; 'on the
+contrary, it may be a service.'
+
+'I desire no advantage at such a rate, or to be obtained in such a
+manner,' answered Fairford; 'restore me the letter instantly, or'--
+
+'As you regard your own safety,' said the priest, 'forbear all injurious
+expressions, and all menacing gestures. I am not one who can be
+threatened or insulted with impunity; and there are enough within
+hearing to chastise any injury or affront offered to me, in case I may
+think it unbecoming to protect or avenge myself with my own hand.'
+
+In saying this, the father assumed an air of such fearlessness and calm
+authority, that the young lawyer, surprised and overawed, forbore, as he
+had intended, to snatch the letter from his hand, and confined himself
+to bitter complaints of the impropriety of his conduct, and of the light
+in which he himself must be placed to Redgauntlet should he present him
+a letter with a broken seal.
+
+'That,' said Father Buonaventure, 'shall be fully cared for. I will
+myself write to Redgauntlet, and enclose Maxwell's letter, provided
+always you continue to desire to deliver it, after perusing the
+contents.'
+
+He then restored the letter to Fairford, and, observing that he
+hesitated to peruse it, said emphatically, 'Read it, for it concerns
+you.'
+
+This recommendation, joined to what Provost Crosbie had formerly
+recommended, and to the warning which he doubted not that Nanty intended
+to convey by his classical allusion, decided Fairford's resolution. 'If
+these correspondents,' he thought, 'are conspiring against my person,
+I have a right to counterplot them; self-preservation, as well as my
+friend's safety, require that I should not be too scrupulous.'
+
+So thinking, he read the letter, which was in the following words:--
+
+'DEAR RUGGED AND DANGEROUS, 'Will you never cease meriting your old
+nick-name? You have springed your dottrel, I find, and what is the
+consequence?--why, that there will be hue and cry after you presently.
+The bearer is a pert young lawyer, who has brought a formal complaint
+against you, which, luckily, he has preferred in a friendly court.
+Yet, favourable as the judge was disposed to be, it was with the utmost
+difficulty that cousin Jenny and I could keep him to his tackle. He
+begins to be timid, suspicious, and untractable, and I fear Jenny will
+soon bend her brows on him in vain. I know not what to advise--the
+lad who carries this is a good lad--active for his friend--and I have
+pledged my honour he shall have no personal ill-usage. Pledged my
+honour, remark these words, and remember I can be rugged and dangerous
+as well, as my neighbours. But I have not ensured him against a short
+captivity, and as he is a stirring active fellow, I see no remedy but
+keeping him out of the way till this business of the good Father B----
+is safely blown over, which God send it were!--Always thine, even should
+I be once more CRAIG-IN-PERIL.'
+
+'What think you, young man, of the danger you have been about to
+encounter so willingly?'
+
+'As strangely,' replied Alan Fairford, 'as of the extraordinary means
+which you have been at present pleased to use for the discovery of Mr.
+Maxwell's purpose.
+
+'Trouble not yourself to account for my conduct,' said the father; 'I
+have a warrant for what I do, and fear no responsibility. But tell me
+what is your present purpose.'
+
+'I should not perhaps name it to you, whose own safety may be
+implicated.'
+
+'I understand you,' answered the father; 'you would appeal to the
+existing government? That can at no rate be permitted--we will rather
+detain you at Fairladies by compulsion.'
+
+'You will probably,' said Fairford, 'first weigh the risk of such a
+proceeding in a free country.'
+
+'I have incurred more formidable hazard,' said the priest, smiling; 'yet
+I am willing to find a milder expedient. Come; let us bring the matter
+to a compromise.' And he assumed a conciliating graciousness of
+manner, which struck Fairford as being rather too condescending for the
+occasion; 'I presume you will be satisfied to remain here in seclusion
+for a day or two longer, provided I pass my solemn word to you that you
+shall meet with the person whom you seek after--meet with him in perfect
+safety, and, I trust, in good health, and be afterwards both at liberty
+to return to Scotland, or dispose of yourselves as each of you may be
+minded?'
+
+'I respect the VERBUM SACERDOTIS as much as can reasonably be expected
+from a Protestant,' answered Fairford; 'but methinks, you can scarce
+expect me to repose so much confidence in the word of an unknown person
+as is implied in the guarantee which you offer me.'
+
+'I am not accustomed, sir,' said the father, in a very haughty tone, 'to
+have my word disputed. But,' he added, while the angry hue passed from
+his cheek, after a moment's reflection, 'you know me not, and ought to
+be excused. I will repose more confidence in your honour than you seem
+willing to rest upon mine; and, since we are so situated that one must
+rely upon the other's faith, I will cause you to be set presently at
+liberty, and furnished with the means of delivering your letter as
+addressed, provided that now, knowing the contents, you think it safe
+for yourself to execute the commission.'
+
+Alan Fairford paused. 'I cannot see,' he at length replied, 'how I can
+proceed with respect to the accomplishment of my sole purpose, which is
+the liberation of my friend, without appealing to the law and obtaining
+the assistance of a magistrate. If I present this singular letter of
+Mr. Maxwell, with the contents of which I have become so unexpectedly
+acquainted, I shall only share his captivity.'
+
+'And if you apply to a magistrate, young man, you will bring ruin on
+these hospitable ladies, to whom, in all human probability, you owe your
+life. You cannot obtain a warrant for your purpose, without giving a
+clear detail of all the late scenes through which you have passed. A
+magistrate would oblige you to give a complete account of yourself,
+before arming you with his authority against a third party; and in
+giving such an account, the safety of these ladies will necessarily be
+compromised. A hundred spies have had, and still have, their eyes
+upon this mansion; but God will protect his own.'--He crossed himself
+devoutly, and then proceeded,--'You can take an hour to think of your
+best plan, and I will pledge myself to forward it thus far, provided
+it be not asking you to rely more on my word than your prudence can
+warrant. You shall go to Redgauntlet,--I name him plainly, to show
+my confidence in you,--and you shall deliver him this letter of Mr.
+Maxwell's, with one from me, in which I will enjoin him to set your
+friend at liberty, or at least to make no attempts upon your own person,
+either by detention or otherwise. If you can trust me thus far,' he
+said, with a proud emphasis on the words 'I will on my side see you
+depart from this place with the most perfect confidence that you will
+not return armed with powers to drag its inmates to destruction. You
+are young and inexperienced--bred to a profession also which sharpens
+suspicion, and gives false views of human nature. I have seen much of
+the world, and have known better than most men how far mutual confidence
+is requisite in managing affairs of consequence.'
+
+He spoke with an air of superiority, even of authority, by which
+Fairford, notwithstanding his own internal struggles, was silenced and
+overawed so much, that it was not till the father had turned to leave
+the apartment that he found words to ask him what the consequences would
+be, should he decline to depart on the terms proposed.
+
+'You must then, for the safety of all parties, remain for some days
+an inhabitant of Fairladies, where we have the means of detaining you,
+which self-preservation will in that case compel us to make use of. Your
+captivity will be short; for matters cannot long remain as they are. The
+cloud must soon rise, or it must sink upon us for ever. BENEDICITE!'
+
+With these words he left the apartment.
+
+Fairford, upon his departure, felt himself much at a loss what course to
+pursue. His line of education, as well as his father's tenets in matters
+of church and state, had taught him a holy horror for Papists, and a
+devout belief in whatever had been said of the Punic faith of Jesuits,
+and of the expedients of mental reservation by which the Catholic
+priests in general were supposed to evade keeping faith with heretics.
+Yet there was something of majesty, depressed indeed and overclouded,
+but still grand and imposing, in the manner and words of Father
+Buonaventure, which it was difficult to reconcile with those
+preconceived opinions which imputed subtlety and fraud to his sect and
+order. Above all, Alan was aware that if he accepted not his freedom
+upon the terms offered him, he was likely to be detained by force; so
+that, in every point of view, he was a gainer by accepting them.
+
+A qualm, indeed, came across him, when he considered, as a lawyer, that
+this father was probably, in the eye of law, a traitor; and that there
+was an ugly crime on the Statute Book, called misprision of treason. On
+the other hand, whatever he might think or suspect, he could not take
+upon him to say that the man was a priest, whom he had never seen in the
+dress of his order, or in the act of celebrating mass; so that he felt
+himself at liberty to doubt of that respecting which he possessed no
+legal proof. He therefore arrived at the conclusion, that he would
+do well to accept his liberty, and proceed to Redgauntlet under the
+guarantee of Father Buonaventure, which he scarce doubted would be
+sufficient to save him from personal inconvenience. Should he once
+obtain speech of that gentleman, he felt the same confidence as
+formerly, that he might be able to convince him of the rashness of
+his conduct, should he not consent to liberate Darsie Latimer. At all
+events, he should learn where his friend was, and how circumstanced.
+
+Having thus made up his mind, Alan waited anxiously for the expiration
+of the hour which had been allowed him for deliberation. He was not kept
+on the tenter-hooks of impatience an instant longer than the appointed
+moment arrived, for, even as the clock struck, Ambrose appeared at the
+door of the gallery, and made a sign that Alan should follow him. He did
+so, and after passing through some of the intricate avenues common in
+old houses, was ushered into a small apartment, commodiously fitted
+up, in which he found Father Buonaventure reclining on a couch, in the
+attitude of a man exhausted by fatigue or indisposition. On a small
+table beside him, a silver embossed salver sustained a Catholic book of
+prayer, a small flask of medicine, a cordial, and a little tea-cup of
+old china. Ambrose did not enter the room--he only bowed profoundly, and
+closed the door with the least possible noise, so soon as Fairford had
+entered.
+
+'Sit down, young man,' said the father, with the same air of
+condescension which had before surprised, and rather offended
+Fairford. 'You have been ill, and I know too well by my own case that
+indisposition requires indulgence. Have you,' he continued, so soon as
+he saw him seated, 'resolved to remain, or to depart?'
+
+'To depart,' said Alan, 'under the agreement that you will guarantee my
+safety with the extraordinary person who has conducted himself in such a
+lawless manner toward my friend, Darsie Latimer.'
+
+'Do not judge hastily, young man,' replied the father. 'Redgauntlet
+has the claims of a guardian over his ward, in respect to the young
+gentleman, and a right to dictate his place of residence, although he
+may have been injudicious in selecting the means by which he thinks to
+enforce his authority.'
+
+'His situation as an attainted person abrogates such rights,' said
+Fairford, hastily.
+
+'Surely,' replied the priest, smiling at the young lawyer's readiness;
+'in the eye of those who acknowledge the justice of the attainder--but
+that do not I. However, sir, here is the guarantee--look at its
+contents, and do not again carry the letters of Uriah.'
+
+Fairford read these words:--
+
+'GOOD FRIEND, 'We send you hither a young man desirous to know the
+situation of your ward, since he came under your paternal authority, and
+hopeful of dealing with you for having your relative put at large. This
+we recommend to your prudence, highly disapproving, at the same time, of
+any force or coercion when such can be avoided, and wishing, therefore,
+that the bearer's negotiation may be successful. At all rates, however,
+the bearer hath our pledged word for his safety and freedom, which,
+therefore, you are to see strictly observed, as you value our honour and
+your own. We further wish to converse with you, with as small loss of
+time as may be, having matters of the utmost confidence to impart.
+For this purpose we desire you to repair hither with all haste, and
+thereupon we bid you heartily farewell. P. B.'
+
+'You will understand, sir,' said the father, when he saw that Alan had
+perused his letter, 'that, by accepting charge of this missive, you bind
+yourself to try the effect of it before having recourse to any legal
+means, as you term them, for your friend's release.'
+
+'There are a few ciphers added to this letter,' said Fairford, when he
+had perused the paper attentively,--'may I inquire what their import
+is?'
+
+'They respect my own affairs,' answered the father, briefly; 'and have
+no concern whatever with yours.'
+
+'It seems to me, however,' replied Alan, 'natural to suppose'--
+
+'Nothing must be supposed incompatible with my honour,' replied the
+priest, interrupting him; 'when such as I am confer favours, we expect
+that they shall be accepted with gratitude, or declined with thankful
+respect--not questioned or discussed.'
+
+'I will accept your letter, then,' said Fairford, after a minute's
+consideration, 'and the thanks you expect shall be most liberally paid,
+if the result answer what you teach me to expect.'
+
+'God only commands the issue,' said Father Buonaventure. 'Man uses
+means. You understand that, by accepting this commission, you engage
+yourself in honour to try the effect of my letter upon Mr. Redgauntlet,
+before you have recourse to informations or legal warrants?'
+
+'I hold myself bound, as a man of good faith and honour, to do so,' said
+Fairford.
+
+'Well, I trust you,' said the father. 'I will now tell you that an
+express, dispatched by me last night, has, I hear, brought Redgauntlet
+to a spot many miles nearer this place, where he will not find it safe
+to attempt any violence on your friend, should he be rash enough to
+follow the advice of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees rather than my commands.
+We now understand each other.'
+
+He extended his hand towards Alan, who was about to pledge his faith in
+the usual form by grasping it with his own, when the father drew
+back hastily. Ere Alan had time to comment upon this repulse, a small
+side-door, covered with tapestry, was opened; the hangings were
+drawn aside, and a lady, as if by sudden apparition, glided into the
+apartment. It was neither of the Misses Arthuret, but a woman in the
+prime of life, and in the full-blown expansion of female beauty, tall,
+fair, and commanding in her aspect. Her locks, of paly gold, were taught
+to fall over a brow, which, with the stately glance of the large, open,
+blue eyes, might have become Juno herself; her neck and bosom were
+admirably formed, and of a dazzling whiteness. She was rather inclined
+to EMBONPOINT, but not more than became her age, of apparently thirty
+years. Her step was that of a queen, but it was of Queen Vashti, not
+Queen Esther--the bold and commanding, not the retiring beauty.
+
+Father Buonaventure raised himself on the couch, angrily, as if
+displeased by this intrusion. 'How now, madam,' he said, with some
+sternness; 'why have we the honour of your company?'
+
+'Because it is my pleasure,' answered the lady, composedly.
+
+'Your pleasure, madam!' he repeated in the same angry tone.
+
+'My pleasure, sir,' she continued, 'which always keeps exact pace with
+my duty. I had heard you were unwell--let me hope it is only business
+which produces this seclusion.'
+
+'I am well,' he replied; 'perfectly well, and I thank you for your
+care--but we are not alone, and this young man'--
+
+'That young man?' she said, bending her large and serious eye on
+Alan Fairford, as if she had been for the first time aware of his
+presence,--'may I ask who he is?'
+
+'Another time, madam; you shall learn his history after he is gone. His
+presence renders it impossible for me to explain further.'
+
+'After he is gone may be too late,' said the lady; 'and what is his
+presence to me, when your safety is at stake? He is the heretic lawyer
+whom those silly fools, the Arthurets, admitted into this house at a
+time when they should have let their own father knock at the door in
+vain, though the night had been a wild one. You will not surely dismiss
+him?'
+
+'Your own impatience can alone make that step perilous,' said the
+father; 'I have resolved to take it--do not let your indiscreet
+zeal, however excellent its motive, add any unnecessary risk to the
+transaction.'
+
+'Even so?' said the lady, in a tone of reproach, yet mingled with
+respect and apprehension. 'And thus you will still go forward, like a
+stag upon the hunter's snares, with undoubting confidence, after all
+that has happened?'
+
+'Peace, madam,' said Father Buonaventure, rising up; 'be silent, or quit
+the apartment; my designs do not admit of female criticism.'
+
+To this peremptory command the lady seemed about to make a sharp reply;
+but she checked herself, and pressing her lips strongly together, as if
+to secure the words from bursting from them which were already formed
+upon her tongue, she made a deep reverence, partly as it seemed in
+reproach, partly in respect, and left the room as suddenly as she had
+entered it.
+
+The father looked disturbed at this incident, which he seemed sensible
+could not but fill Fairford's imagination with an additional throng of
+bewildering suspicions; he bit his lip and muttered something to himself
+as he walked through the apartment; then suddenly turned to his visitor
+with a smile of much sweetness, and a countenance in which every rougher
+expression was exchanged for those of courtesy and kindness.
+
+'The visit we have been just honoured with, my young friend, has given
+you,' he said, 'more secrets to keep than I would have wished
+you burdened with. The lady is a person of condition--of rank and
+fortune--but nevertheless is so circumstanced that the mere fact of her
+being known to be in this country would occasion many evils. I should
+wish you to observe secrecy on this subject, even to Redgauntlet or
+Maxwell, however much I trust them in all that concerns my own affairs.'
+
+'I can have no occasion,' replied Fairford, 'for holding any discussion
+with these gentlemen, or with any others, on the circumstance which
+I have just witnessed--it could only have become the subject of my
+conversation by mere accident, and I will now take care to avoid the
+subject entirely.'
+
+'You will do well, sir, and I thank you,' said the father, throwing much
+dignity into the expression of obligation which he meant to convey. 'The
+time may perhaps come when you will learn what it is to have obliged one
+of my condition. As to the lady, she has the highest merit, and nothing
+can be said of her justly which would not redound to her praise.
+Nevertheless--in short, sir, we wander at present as in a morning
+mist--the sun will, I trust, soon rise and dispel it, when all that now
+seems mysterious will be fully revealed--or it will sink into rain,'
+he added, in a solemn tone, 'and then explanation will be of little
+consequence.--Adieu, sir; I wish you well.'
+
+He made a graceful obeisance, and vanished through the same side-door by
+which the lady had entered; and Alan thought he heard their voices high
+in dispute in the adjoining apartment.
+
+Presently afterwards, Ambrose entered, and told him that a horse and
+guide waited him beneath the terrace.
+
+'The good Father Buonaventure,' added the butler, 'has been graciously
+pleased to consider your situation, and desired me to inquire whether
+you have any occasion for a supply of money?'
+
+'Make my respects to his reverence,' answered Fairford, 'and assure
+him I am provided in that particular. I beg you also to make my
+acknowledgements to the Misses Arthuret, and assure them that their kind
+hospitality, to which I probably owe my life, shall be remembered with
+gratitude as long as that life lasts. You yourself, Mr. Ambrose, must
+accept of my kindest thanks for your skill and attention.'
+
+Mid these acknowledgements they left the house, descended the terrace,
+and reached the spot where the gardener, Fairford's old acquaintance,
+waited for him, mounted upon one horse and leading another.
+
+Bidding adieu to Ambrose, our young lawyer mounted, and rode down the
+avenue, often looking back to the melancholy and neglected dwelling
+in which he had witnessed such strange scenes, and musing upon the
+character of its mysterious inmates, especially the noble and almost
+regal-seeming priest, and the beautiful but capricious dame, who, if
+she was really Father Buonaventure's penitent, seemed less docile to the
+authority of the church than, as Alan conceived, the Catholic discipline
+permitted. He could not indeed help being sensible that the whole
+deportment of these persons differed much from his preconceived notions
+of a priest and devotee. Father Buonaventure, in particular, had
+more natural dignify and less art and affectation in his manner, than
+accorded with the idea which Calvinists were taught to entertain of that
+wily and formidable person, a Jesuitical missionary.
+
+While reflecting on these things, he looked back so frequently at the
+house, that Dick Gardener, a forward, talkative fellow, who began
+to tire of silence, at length said to him, 'I think you will know
+Fairladies when you see it again, sir?'
+
+'I dare say I shall, Richard,' answered Fairford good-humouredly.
+'I wish I knew as well where I am to go next. But you can tell me,
+perhaps?'
+
+'Your worship should know better than I,' said Dick Gardener;
+'nevertheless, I have a notion you are going where all you Scotsmen
+should be sent, whether you will or no.'
+
+'Not to the devil, I hope, good Dick?' said Fairford.
+
+'Why, no. That is a road which you may travel as heretics; but as
+Scotsmen, I would only send you three-fourths of the way--and that is
+back to Scotland again--always craving your honour's pardon.'
+
+'Does our journey lie that way?' said Fairford.
+
+'As far as the waterside,' said Richard. 'I am to carry you to old
+Father Crackenthorp's, and then you are within a spit and a stride of
+Scotland, as the saying is. But mayhap you may think twice of going
+thither, for all that; for Old England is fat feeding-ground for
+north-country cattle.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER
+
+Our history must now, as the old romancers wont to say, 'leave to
+tell' of the quest of Alan Fairford, and instruct our readers of the
+adventures which befell Darsie Latimer, left as he was in the precarious
+custody of his self-named tutor, the Laird of the Lochs of Solway,
+to whose arbitrary pleasure he found it necessary for the present to
+conform himself.
+
+In consequence of this prudent resolution, and although he did not
+assume such a disguise without some sensations of shame and degradation,
+Darsie permitted Cristal Nixon to place over his face, and secure by a
+string, one of those silk masks which ladies frequently wore to preserve
+their complexions, when exposed to the air during long journeys on
+horseback. He remonstrated somewhat more vehemently against the long
+riding-skirt, which converted his person from the waist into the female
+guise, but was obliged to concede this point also.
+
+The metamorphosis was then complete; for the fair reader must be
+informed, that in those rude times, the ladies, when they honoured the
+masculine dress by assuming any part of it, wore just such hats, coats,
+and waistcoats as the male animals themselves made use of, and had no
+notion of the elegant compromise betwixt male and female attire, which
+has now acquired, PAR EXCELLENCE, the name of a HABIT. Trolloping
+things our mothers must have looked, with long square-cut coats, lacking
+collars, and with waistcoats plentifully supplied with a length of
+pocket, which hung far downwards from the middle. But then they had
+some advantage from the splendid colours, lace, and gay embroidery
+which masculine attire then exhibited; and, as happens in many similar
+instances, the finery of the materials made amends for the want of
+symmetry and grace of form in the garments themselves. But this is a
+digression.
+
+In the court of the old mansion, half manor-place, half farm-house, or
+rather a decayed manor-house, converted into an abode for a Cumberland
+tenant, stood several saddled horses. Four or five of them were mounted
+by servants or inferior retainers, all of whom were well armed with
+sword, pistol, and carabine. But two had riding furniture for the use
+of females--the one being accoutred with a side-saddle, the other with a
+pillion attached to the saddle.
+
+Darsie's heart beat quicker within him; he easily comprehended that one
+of these was intended for his own use; and his hopes suggested that the
+other was designed for that of the fair Green Mantle, whom, according
+to his established practice, he had adopted for the queen of his
+affections, although his opportunities of holding communication with her
+had not exceeded the length of a silent supper on one occasion, and the
+going down a country-dance on another. This, however, was no unwonted
+mood of passion with Darsie Latimer, upon whom Cupid was used to triumph
+only in the degree of a Mahratta conqueror, who overruns a province with
+the rapidity of lightning, but finds it impossible to retain it beyond
+a very brief space. Yet this new love was rather more serious than the
+scarce skinned-up wounds which his friend Fairford used to ridicule.
+The damsel had shown a sincere interest in his behalf; and the air of
+mystery with which that interest was veiled, gave her, to his lively
+imagination, the character of a benevolent and protecting spirit, as
+much as that of a beautiful female.
+
+At former times, the romance attending his short-lived attachments
+had been of his own creating, and had disappeared as soon as ever he
+approached more closely to the object with which he had invested it.
+On the present occasion, it really flowed from external circumstances,
+which might have interested less susceptible feelings, and an
+imagination less lively than that of Darsie Latimer, young,
+inexperienced, and enthusiastic as he was.
+
+He watched, therefore, anxiously to whose service the palfrey bearing
+the lady's saddle was destined. But ere any female appeared to occupy
+it, he was himself summoned to take his seat on the pillion behind
+Cristal Nixon, amid the grins of his old acquaintance Jan who helped him
+to horse, and the unrestrained laughter of Cicely, who displayed on the
+occasion a case of teeth which might have rivalled ivory.
+
+Latimer was at an age when being an object of general ridicule even to
+clowns and milkmaids was not a matter of indifference, and he longed
+heartily to have laid his horse-whip across Jan's shoulders. That,
+however, was a solacement of his feelings which was not at the moment to
+be thought of; and Cristal Nixon presently put an end to his unpleasant
+situation, by ordering the riders to go on. He himself kept the centre
+of the troop, two men riding before and two behind him, always, as it
+seemed to Darsie, having their eye upon him, to prevent any attempt to
+escape. He could see from time to time, when the straight line of the
+road, or the advantage of an ascent permitted him, that another troop
+of three or four riders followed them at about a quarter of a mile's
+distance, amongst whom he could discover the tall form of Redgauntlet,
+and the powerful action of his gallant black horse. He had little
+doubt that Green Mantle made one of the party, though he was unable to
+distinguish her from the others.
+
+In this manner they travelled from six in the morning until nearly ten
+of the clock, without Darsie exchanging a word with any one; for he
+loathed the very idea of entering into conversation with Cristal Nixon,
+against whom he seemed to feel an instinctive aversion; nor was that
+domestic's saturnine and sullen disposition such as to have encouraged
+advances, had he thought of making them.
+
+At length the party halted for the purpose of refreshment; but as they
+had hitherto avoided all villages and inhabited places upon their route,
+so they now stopped at one of those large ruinous Dutch barns, which
+are sometimes found in the fields, at a distance from the farm-houses to
+which they belong. Yet in this desolate place some preparations had been
+made for their reception. There were in the end of the barn racks filled
+with provender for the horses, and plenty of provisions for the party
+were drawn from the trusses of straw, under which the baskets that
+contained them had been deposited. The choicest of these were selected
+and arranged apart by Cristal Nixon, while the men of the party threw
+themselves upon the rest, which he abandoned to their discretion. In a
+few minutes afterwards the rearward party arrived and dismounted, and
+Redgauntlet himself entered the barn with the green-mantled maiden by
+his side. He presented her to Darsie with these words:--
+
+'It is time you two should know each other better. I promised you my
+confidence, Darsie, and the time is come for reposing it. But first we
+will have our breakfast; and then, when once more in the saddle, I will
+tell you that which it is necessary that you should know. Salute Lilias,
+Darsie.'
+
+The command was sudden, and surprised Latimer, whose confusion was
+increased by the perfect ease and frankness with which Lilias offered at
+once her cheek and her hand, and pressing his as she rather took it than
+gave her own, said very frankly, 'Dearest Darsie, how rejoiced I am that
+our uncle has at last permitted us to become acquainted!'
+
+Darsie's head turned round; and it was perhaps well that Redgauntlet
+called on him to sit down, as even that movement served to hide his
+confusion. There is an old song which says--
+
+  --when ladies are willing,
+  A man can but look like a fool;
+
+And on the same principle Darsie Latimer's looks at this unexpected
+frankness of reception, would have formed an admirable vignette for
+illustrating the passage. 'Dearest Darsie,' and such a ready, nay, eager
+salute of lip and hand! It was all very gracious, no doubt--and ought to
+have been received with much gratitude; but, constituted as our friend's
+temper was, nothing could be more inconsistent with his tone of feeling.
+If a hermit had proposed to him to club for a pot of beer, the illusion
+of his reverend sanctity could not have been dispelled more effectually
+than the divine qualities of Green Mantle faded upon the ill-imagined
+frank-heartedness of poor Lilias. Vexed with her forwardness, and
+affronted at having once more cheated himself, Darsie could hardly help
+muttering two lines of the song we have already quoted:
+
+  The fruit that must fall without shaking
+  Is rather too mellow for me.
+
+And yet it was pity for her too--she was a very pretty young woman--his
+fancy had scarcely overrated her in that respect--and the slight
+derangement of the beautiful brown locks which escaped in natural
+ringlets from under her riding-hat, with the bloom which exercise had
+brought into her cheek, made her even more than usually fascinating.
+Redgauntlet modified the sternness of his look when it was turned
+towards her, and in addressing her, used a softer tone than his usual
+deep bass. Even the grim features of Cristal Nixon relaxed when he
+attended on her, and it was then, if ever, that his misanthropical
+visage expressed some sympathy with the rest of humanity.
+
+'How can she,' thought Latimer, 'look so like an angel, yet be so mere
+a mortal after all? How could so much seeming modesty have so much
+forwardness of manner, when she ought to have been most reserved? How
+can her conduct be reconciled to the grace and ease of her general
+deportment?'
+
+The confusion of thoughts which occupied Darsie's imagination, gave to
+his looks a disordered appearance, and his inattention to the food which
+was placed before him, together with his silence and absence of mind,
+induced Lilias solicitously to inquire, whether he did not feel some
+return of the disorder under which he had suffered so lately. This led
+Mr. Redgauntlet, who seemed also lost in his own contemplations, to
+raise his eyes, and join in the same inquiry with some appearance of
+interest. Latimer explained to both that he was perfectly well.
+
+'It is well it is so,' answered Redgauntlet; 'for we have that before
+us which will brook no delay from indisposition--we have not, as Hotspur
+says, leisure to be sick.'
+
+Lilias, on her part, endeavoured to prevail upon Darsie to partake of
+the food which she offered him, with a kindly and affectionate courtesy
+corresponding to the warmth of the interest she had displayed at their
+meeting; but so very natural, innocent, and pure in its character, that
+it would have been impossible for the vainest coxcomb to have mistaken
+it for coquetry, or a desire of captivating a prize so valuable as
+his affection. Darsie, with no more than the reasonable share of
+self-opinion common to most youths when they approach twenty-one, knew
+not how to explain her conduct.
+
+Sometimes he was tempted to think that his own merits had, even during
+the short intervals when they had seen each other, secured such a hold
+of the affections of a young person who had probably been bred up in
+ignorance of the world and its forms that she was unable to conceal
+her partiality. Sometimes he suspected that she acted by her guardian's
+order, who, aware that he, Darsie, was entitled to a considerable
+fortune, might have taken this bold stroke to bring about a marriage
+betwixt him and so near a relative.
+
+But neither of these suppositions was applicable to the character of the
+parties. Miss Lilias's manners, however soft and natural, displayed in
+their ease and versatility considerable acquaintance with the habits
+of the world, and in the few words she said during the morning repast,
+there were mingled a shrewdness and good sense, which could scarce
+belong to a miss capable of playing the silly part of a love-smitten
+maiden so broadly. As for Redgauntlet, with his stately bearing, his
+fatal frown, his eye of threat and of command, it was impossible, Darsie
+thought, to suspect him of a scheme having private advantage for its
+object; he could as soon have imagined Cassius picking Caesar's pocket,
+instead of drawing his poniard on the dictator.
+
+While he thus mused, unable either to eat, drink, or answer to the
+courtesy of Lilias, she soon ceased to speak to him, and sat silent as
+himself.
+
+They had remained nearly an hour in their halting-place, when
+Redgauntlet said aloud, 'Look out, Cristal Nixon. If we hear nothing
+from Fairladies, we must continue our journey.'
+
+Cristal went to the door, and presently returned and said to his master,
+in a voice as harsh as his features, 'Gilbert Gregson is coming, his
+horse as white with foam as if a fiend had ridden him.'
+
+Redgauntlet threw from him the plate on which he had been eating, and
+hastened towards the door of the barn, which the courier at that moment
+entered; a smart jockey with a black velvet hunting-cap, and a broad
+belt drawn tight round his waist, to which was secured his express-bag.
+The variety of mud with which he was splashed from cap to spur showed
+he had had a rough and rapid ride. He delivered a letter to Mr.
+Redgauntlet, with an obeisance, and then retired to the end of the barn,
+where the other attendants were sitting or lying upon the straw, in
+order to get some refreshment.
+
+Redgauntlet broke the letter open with haste, and read it with anxious
+and discomposed looks. On a second perusal, his displeasure seemed to
+increase, his brow darkened, and was distinctly marked with the fatal
+sign peculiar to his family and house. Darsie had never before observed
+his frown bear such a close resemblance to the shape which tradition
+assigned it.
+
+Redgauntlet held out the open letter with one hand, and struck it with
+the forefinger of the other, as, in a suppressed and displeased tone,
+he said to Cristal Nixon, 'Countermanded--ordered northward once
+more! 'Northward, when all our hopes lie to the south--a second Derby
+direction, when we turned our back on glory, and marched in quest of
+ruin!'
+
+Cristal Nixon took the letter and ran it over, then returned it to his
+master with the cold observation, 'A female influence predominates.'
+
+'But it shall predominate no longer,' said Redgauntlet; 'it shall wane
+as ours rises in the horizon. Meanwhile, I will on before--and you,
+Cristal, will bring the party to the place assigned in the letter.
+You may now permit the young persons to have unreserved communication
+together; only mark that you watch the young man closely enough to
+prevent his escape, if he should be idiot enough to attempt it, but not
+approaching so close as to watch their free conversation.'
+
+'I care naught about their conversation,' said Nixon, surlily.
+
+'You hear my commands, Lilias,' said the laird, turning to the young
+lady. 'You may use my permission and authority to explain so much of our
+family matters as you yourself know. At our next meeting I will complete
+the task of disclosure, and I trust I shall restore one Redgauntlet more
+to the bosom of our ancient family. Let Latimer, as he calls himself,
+have a horse to himself; he must for some time retain his disguise.--My
+horse--my horse!'
+
+In two minutes they heard him ride off from the door of the barn,
+followed at speed by two of the armed men of his party.
+
+The commands of Cristal Nixon, in the meanwhile, put all the remainder
+of the party in motion, but the laird himself was long out of sight ere
+they were in readiness to resume their journey. When at length they set
+out, Darsie was accommodated with a horse and side-saddle, instead of
+being obliged to resume his place on the pillion behind the detestable
+Nixon. He was obliged, however, to retain his riding-skirt, and to
+reassume his mask. Yet, notwithstanding this disagreeable circumstance,
+and although he observed that they gave him the heaviest and slowest
+horse of the party, and that, as a further precaution against escape, he
+was closely watched on every side, yet riding in company with the pretty
+Lilias was an advantage which overbalanced these inconveniences.
+
+It is true that this society, to which that very morning he would
+have looked forward as a glimpse of heaven, had, now that it was
+thus unexpectedly indulged, something much less rapturous than he had
+expected.
+
+It was in vain that, in order to avail himself of a situation so
+favourable for indulging his romantic disposition, he endeavoured to
+coax back, if I may so express myself, that delightful dream of ardent
+and tender passion; he felt only such a confusion of ideas at the
+difference between the being whom he had imagined, and her with whom he
+was now in contact, that it seemed to him like the effect of witchcraft.
+What most surprised him was, that this sudden flame should have died
+away so rapidly, notwithstanding that the maiden's personal beauty was
+even greater than he had expected--her demeanour, unless it should be
+deemed over kind towards himself, as graceful and becoming as he could
+have fancied if, even in his gayest dreams. It were judging hardly
+of him to suppose that the mere belief of his having attracted
+her affections more easily than he expected was the cause of his
+ungratefully undervaluing a prize too lightly won, or that his transient
+passion played around his heart with the hitting radiance of a wintry
+sunbeam flashing against an icicle, which may brighten it for a moment,
+but cannot melt it. Neither of these was precisely the ease, though such
+fickleness of disposition might also have some influence in the change.
+
+The truth is, perhaps, the lover's pleasure, like that of the hunter, is
+in the chase; and that the brightest beauty loses half its merit, as
+the fairest flower its perfume, when the willing hand can reach it
+too easily. There must be doubt--there must be danger--there must be
+difficulty; and if, as the poet says, the course of ardent affection
+never does run smooth, it is perhaps because, without some intervening
+obstacle, that which is called the romantic passion of love, in its high
+poetical character and colouring can hardly have an existence--any more
+than there can be a current in a river without the stream being narrowed
+by steep banks, or checked by opposing rocks.
+
+Let not those, however, who enter into a union for life without those
+embarrassments which delight a Darsie Latimer, or a Lydia Languish, and
+which are perhaps necessary to excite an enthusiastic passion in breasts
+more firm than theirs, augur worse of their future happiness because
+their own alliance is formed under calmer auspices. Mutual esteem, an
+intimate knowledge of each other's character, seen, as in their case,
+undisguised by the mists of too partial passion--a suitable proportion
+of parties in rank and fortune, in taste and pursuits--are more
+frequently found in a marriage of reason, than in a union of romantic
+attachment; where the imagination, which probably created the virtues
+and accomplishments with which it invested the beloved object, is
+frequently afterwards employed in magnifying the mortifying consequences
+of its own delusion, and exasperating all the stings of disappointment.
+Those who follow the banners of Reason are like the well-disciplined
+battalion, which, wearing a more sober uniform and making a less
+dazzling show than the light troops commanded by imagination, enjoy more
+safety, and even more honour, in the conflicts of human life. All this,
+however, is foreign to our present purpose.
+
+Uncertain in what manner to address her whom he had been lately so
+anxious to meet with, and embarrassed by a TETE-A-TETE to which his own
+timid inexperience, gave some awkwardness, the party had proceeded more
+than a hundred yards before Darsie assumed courage to accost, or even
+to look at, his companion. Sensible, however, of the impropriety of his
+silence, he turned to speak to her; and observing that, although she
+wore her mask, there was something like disappointment and dejection
+in her manner, he was moved by self-reproach for his own coldness, and
+hastened to address her in the kindest tone he could assume.
+
+'You must think me cruelly deficient in gratitude, Miss Lilias, that
+I have been thus long in your company, without thanking you for the
+interest which you have deigned to take in my unfortunate affairs?'
+
+'I am glad you have at length spoken,' she said, 'though I owe it is
+more coldly than I expected. MISS Lilias! DEIGN to take interest! In
+whom, dear Darsie, CAN I take interest but in you; and why do you put
+this barrier of ceremony betwixt us, whom adverse circumstances have
+already separated for such a length of time?'
+
+Darsie was again confounded at the extra candour, if we may use the
+term, of this frank avowal. 'One must love partridge very well,' thought
+he, 'to accept it when thrown in one's face--if this is not plain
+speaking, there is no such place as downright Dunstable in being!'
+
+Embarrassed with these reflections, and himself of a nature fancifully,
+almost fastidiously, delicate, he could only in reply stammer forth an
+acknowledgement of his companion's goodness, and his own gratitude. She
+answered in a tone partly sorrowful and partly impatient, repeating,
+with displeased emphasis, the only distinct words he had been able
+to bring forth--'Goodness--gratitude!--O Darsie! should these be the
+phrases between you and me? Alas! I am too sure you are displeased with
+me, though I cannot even guess on what account. Perhaps you think I
+have been too free in venturing upon my visit to your friend. But then
+remember, it was in your behalf, and that I knew no better way to put
+you on your guard against the misfortunes and restraint which you have
+been subjected to, and are still enduring.'
+
+'Dear Lady'--said Darsie, rallying his recollection, and suspicious
+of some error in apprehension,--a suspicion which his mode of address
+seemed at once to communicate to Lilias, for she interrupted him,--
+
+'LADY! dear LADY! For whom, or for what, in Heaven's name, do you take
+me, that you address me so formally?'
+
+Had the question been asked in that enchanted hall in fairyland, where
+all interrogations must be answered with absolute sincerity, Darsie
+had certainly replied, that he took her for the most frank-hearted and
+ultra-liberal lass that had ever lived since Mother Eve eat the pippin
+without paring. But as he was still on middle-earth, and free to avail
+himself of a little polite deceit, he barely answered that he believed
+he had the honour of speaking to the niece of Mr. Redgauntlet.
+
+'Surely,' she replied; 'but were it not as easy for you to have said, to
+your own only sister?'
+
+Darsie started in his saddle, as if he had received a pistol-shot.
+
+'My sister!' he exclaimed.
+
+'And you did NOT know it, then?' said she. 'I thought your reception of
+me was cold and indifferent!'
+
+A kind and cordial embrace took place betwixt the relatives; and so
+light was Darsie's spirit, that he really felt himself more relieved, by
+getting quit of the embarrassments of the last half-hour, during which
+he conceived himself in danger of being persecuted by the attachment of
+a forward girl, than disappointed by the vanishing of so many day-dreams
+as he had been in the habit of encouraging during the time when the
+green-mantled maiden was goddess of his idolatry. He had been already
+flung from his romantic Pegasus, and was too happy at length to find
+himself with bones unbroken, though with his back on the ground. He was,
+besides, with all his whims and follies, a generous, kind-hearted youth,
+and was delighted to acknowledge so beautiful and amiable a relative,
+and to assure her in the warmest terms of his immediate affection and
+future protection, so soon as they should be extricated from their
+present situation. Smiles and tears mingled on Lilias's cheeks, like
+showers and sunshine in April weather.
+
+'Out on me,' she said, 'that I should be so childish as to cry at what
+makes me so sincerely happy! since, God knows, family-love is what my
+heart has most longed after, and to which it has been most a stranger.
+My uncle says that you and I, Darsie, are but half Redgauntlets, and
+that the metal of which our father's family was made, has been softened
+to effeminacy in our mother's offspring.'
+
+'Alas!' said Darsie, 'I know so little of our family story, that I
+almost doubted that I belonged to the House of Redgauntlet, although the
+chief of the family himself intimated so much to me.'
+
+'The chief of the family!' said Lilias. 'You must know little of
+your own descent indeed, if you mean my uncle by that expression. You
+yourself, my dear Darsie, are the heir and representative of our ancient
+House, for our father was the elder brother--that brave and unhappy Sir
+Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, who suffered at Carlisle in the year 1746. He
+took the name of Darsie, in conjunction with his own, from our mother,
+heiress to a Cumberland family of great wealth and antiquity, of whose
+large estates you are the undeniable heir, although those of your father
+have been involved in the general doom of forfeiture. But all this must
+be necessarily unknown to you.'
+
+'Indeed I hear it for the first time in my life,' answered Darsie.
+
+'And you knew not that I was your sister?' said Lilias. 'No wonder you
+received me so coldly. What a strange, wild, forward young person you
+must have thought me--mixing myself in the fortunes of a stranger whom
+I had only once spoken to--corresponding with him by signs--Good Heaven!
+what can you have supposed me?'
+
+'And how should I have come to the knowledge of our connexion?' said
+Darsie. 'You are aware I was not acquainted with it when we danced
+together at Brokenburn.'
+
+'I saw that with concern, and fain I would have warned you,' answered
+Lilias; 'but I was closely watched, and before I could find or make an
+opportunity of coming to a full explanation with you on a subject so
+agitating, I was forced to leave the room. What I did say was, you may
+remember, a caution to leave the southern border, for I foresaw what
+has since happened. But since my uncle has had you in his power, I never
+doubted he had communicated to you our whole family history.'
+
+'He has left me to learn it from you, Lilias; and assure yourself that I
+will hear it with more pleasure from your lips than from his. I have no
+reason to be pleased with his conduct towards me.'
+
+'Of that,' said Lilias, 'you will judge better when you have heard what
+I have to tell you;' and she began her communication in the following
+manner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+'The House of Redgauntlet,' said the young lady, 'has for centuries been
+supposed to lie under a doom, which has rendered vain their courage,
+their talents, their ambition, and their wisdom. Often making a figure
+in history, they have been ever in the situation of men striving against
+both wind and tide, who distinguish themselves by their desperate
+exertions of strength, and their persevering endurance of toil, but
+without being able to advance themselves upon their course by either
+vigour or resolution. They pretend to trace this fatality to a legendary
+history, which I may tell you at a less busy moment.'
+
+Darsie intimated that he had already heard the tragic story of Sir
+Alberick Redgauntlet.
+
+'I need only say, then,' proceeded Lilias, 'that our father and uncle
+felt the family doom in its full extent. They were both possessed of
+considerable property, which was largely increased by our father's
+marriage, and were both devoted to the service of the unhappy House
+of Stuart; but (as our mother at least supposed) family considerations
+might have withheld her husband from joining openly in the affair of
+1745, had not the high influence which the younger brother possessed
+over the elder, from his more decided energy of character, hurried him
+along with himself into that undertaking.
+
+'When, therefore, the enterprise came to the fatal conclusion which
+bereaved our father of his life and consigned his brother to exile, Lady
+Redgauntlet fled from the north of England, determined to break off all
+communication with her late husband's family, particularly his brother,
+whom she regarded as having, by their insane political enthusiasm, been
+the means of his untimely death; and determined that you, my brother, an
+infant, and that I, to whom she had just given birth, should be brought
+up as adherents of the present dynasty. Perhaps she was too hasty in
+this determination--too timidly anxious to exclude, if possible, from
+the knowledge of the very spot where we existed, a relation so nearly
+connected with us as our father's only brother. But you must make
+allowance for what she had suffered. See, brother,' she said, pulling
+her glove off, 'these five blood-specks on my arm are a mark by which
+mysterious Nature has impressed, on an unborn infant, a record of its
+father's violent death and its mother's miseries.' [Several persons
+have brought down to these days the impressions which Nature had thus
+recorded, when they were yet babes unborn. One lady of quality, whose
+father was long under sentence of death previous to the Rebellion, was
+marked on the back of the neck by the sign of a broad axe. Another whose
+kinsmen had been slain in battle and died on the scaffold to the number
+of seven, bore a child spattered on the right shoulder and down the
+arm with scarlet drops, as if of blood. Many other instances might be
+quoted.]
+
+'You were not, then, born when my father suffered?' said Darsie.
+
+'Alas, no!' she replied; 'nor were you a twelvemonth old. It was no
+wonder that my mother, after going through such scenes of agony,
+became irresistibly anxious for the sake of her children--of her son in
+particular; the more especially as the late Sir Henry, her husband, had,
+by a settlement of his affairs, confided the custody of the persons
+of her children, as well as the estates which descended to them,
+independently of those which fell under his forfeiture, to his brother
+Hugh, in whom he placed unlimited confidence.'
+
+'But my mother had no reason to fear the operation of such a deed,
+conceived in favour of an attainted man,' said Darsie.
+
+'True,' replied Lilias; 'but our uncle's attainder might have been
+reversed, like that of so many other persons, and our mother, who both
+feared and hated him, lived in continual terror that this would be the
+case, and that she should see the author, as she thought him, of her
+husband's death come armed with legal powers, and in a capacity to
+use them for the purpose of tearing her children from her protection.
+Besides, she feared, even in his incapacitated condition, the
+adventurous and pertinacious spirit of her brother-in-law, Hugh
+Redgauntlet, and felt assured that he would make some attempt to possess
+himself of the persons of the children. On the other hand, our uncle,
+whose proud disposition might, perhaps, have been soothed by the offer
+of her confidence, revolted against the distrustful and suspicious
+manner in which Lady Darsie Redgauntlet acted towards him. She basely
+abused, he said, the unhappy circumstances in which he was placed,
+in order to deprive him of his natural privilege of protecting and
+educating the infants, whom nature and law, and the will of their
+father, had committed to his charge, and he swore solemnly he would
+not submit to such an injury. Report of his threats was made to Lady
+Redgauntlet, and tended to increase those fears which proved but too
+well founded. While you and I, children at that time of two or three
+years old, were playing together in a walled orchard, adjacent to our
+mother's residence which she had fixed somewhere in Devonshire, my uncle
+suddenly scaled the wall with several men, and I was snatched up; and
+carried off to a boat which waited for them. My mother, however, flew to
+your rescue, and as she seized on and held you fast, my uncle could not,
+as he has since told me, possess himself of your person, without using
+unmanly violence to his brother's widow. Of this he was incapable; and,
+as people began to assemble upon my mother's screaming, he withdrew,
+after darting upon you and her one of those fearful looks, which, it is
+said, remain with our family, as a fatal bequest of Sir Alberick, our
+ancestor.'
+
+'I have some recollection of the scuffle which you mention,' said
+Darsie; 'and I think it was my uncle himself (since my uncle he is)
+who recalled the circumstance to my mind on a late occasion. I can now
+account for the guarded seclusion under which my poor mother lived--for
+her frequent tears, her starts of hysterical alarm, and her constant and
+deep melancholy. Poor lady! what a lot was hers, and what must have been
+her feelings when it approached to a close!'
+
+'It was then that she adopted,' said Lilias, 'every precaution her
+ingenuity could suggest, to keep your very existence concealed from the
+person whom she feared--nay, from yourself; for she dreaded, as she
+is said often to have expressed herself, that the wildfire blood of
+Redgauntlet would urge you to unite your fortunes to those of your
+uncle, who was well known still to carry on political intrigues, which
+most other persons had considered as desperate. It was also possible
+that he, as well as others, might get his pardon, as government showed
+every year more lenity towards the remnant of the Jacobites, and then he
+might claim the custody of your person, as your legal guardian. Either
+of these events she considered as the direct road to your destruction.'
+
+'I wonder she had not claimed the protection of Chancery for me,' said
+Darsie; 'or confided me to the care of some powerful friend.'
+
+'She was on indifferent terms with her relations, on account of her
+marriage with our father,' said Lilias, 'and trusted more to secreting
+you from your uncle's attempts, than to any protection which law
+might afford against them. Perhaps she judged unwisely, but surely not
+unnaturally, for one rendered irritable by so many misfortunes and so
+many alarms. Samuel Griffiths, an eminent banker, and a worthy clergyman
+now dead were, I believe, the only persons whom she intrusted with the
+execution of her last will; and my uncle believes that she made them
+both swear to observe profound secrecy concerning your birth and
+pretensions, until you should come to the age of majority, and, in the
+meantime, to breed you up in the most private way possible, and that
+which was most likely to withdraw you from my uncle's observation.'
+
+'And I have no doubt,' said Darsie, 'that betwixt change of name
+and habitation, they might have succeeded perfectly, but for the
+accident--lucky or unlucky, I know not which to term it--which brought
+me to Brokenburn, and into contact with Mr. Redgauntlet. I see also why
+I was warned against England, for in England'--
+
+'In England alone, if I understand rightly,' said Miss Redgauntlet,
+'the claims of your uncle to the custody of your person could have
+been enforced, in case of his being replaced in the ordinary rights of
+citizenship, either by the lenity of the government or by some change
+in it. In Scotland, where you possess no property, I understand his
+authority might; have been resisted, and measures taken to put you under
+the protection of the law. But, pray, think it not unlucky that you
+have taken the step of visiting Brokenburn--I feel confident that the
+consequences must be ultimately fortunate, for have they not already
+brought us into contact with each other?'
+
+So saying, she held out her hand to her brother, who grasped it with a
+fondness of pressure very different from the manner in which they first
+clasped hands that morning. There was a moment's pause, while the hearts
+of both were overflowing with a feeling of natural affection, to which
+circumstances had hitherto rendered them strangers.
+
+At length Darsie broke silence; 'I am ashamed,' he said, 'my dearest
+Lilias, that I have suffered you to talk so long about matters
+concerning myself only, while I remain ignorant of your story, and your
+present situation.'
+
+'The former is none of the most interesting, nor the latter the most
+safe or agreeable,' answered Lilias; 'but now, my dearest brother, I
+shall have the inestimable support of your countenance and affection;
+and were I but sure that we could weather the formidable crisis which
+I find so close at hand, I should have little apprehensions for the
+future.'
+
+'Let me know,' said Darsie, 'what our present situation is; and rely
+upon my utmost exertions both in your defence and my own. For what
+reason can my uncle desire to detain me a prisoner? If in mere
+opposition to the will of my mother, she has long been no more; and I
+see not why he should wish, at so much trouble and risk, to interfere
+with the free will of one, to whom a few months will give a privilege
+of acting for himself, with which he will have no longer any pretence to
+interfere.'
+
+'My dearest Arthur,' answered Lilias--'for that name, as well as
+Darsie, properly belongs to you--it is the leading feature in my uncle's
+character, that he has applied every energy of his powerful mind to the
+service of the exiled family of Stuart. The death of his brother, the
+dilapidation of his own fortunes, have only added to his hereditary zeal
+for the House of Stuart a deep and almost personal hatred against the
+present reigning family. He is, in short, a political enthusiast of
+the most dangerous character, and proceeds in his agency with as much
+confidence, as if he felt himself the very Atlas who is alone capable of
+supporting a sinking cause.'
+
+'And where or how did you, my Lilias, educated, doubtless, under his
+auspices, learn to have a different view of such subjects?'
+
+'By a singular chance,' replied Lilias, 'in the nunnery where my uncle
+placed me. Although the abbess was a person exactly after his own heart,
+my education as a pensioner devolved much on an excellent old mother who
+had adopted the tenets of the Jansenists, with perhaps a still further
+tendency towards the reformed doctrines, than those of Port Royal. The
+mysterious secrecy with which she inculcated these tenets, gave them
+charms to my young mind, and I embraced them the rather that they were
+in direct opposition to the doctrines of the abbess, whom I hated so
+much for her severity, that I felt a childish delight in setting her
+control at defiance, and contradicting in my secret soul all that I was
+openly obliged to listen to with reverence. Freedom of religious opinion
+brings on, I suppose, freedom of political creed; for I had no sooner
+renounced the Pope's infallibility, than I began to question the
+doctrine of hereditary and indefeasible right. In short, strange as it
+may seem, I came out of a Parisian convent, not indeed an instructed
+Whig and Protestant, but with as much inclination to be so as if I had
+been bred up, like you, within the Presbyterian sound of Saint Giles's
+chimes.'
+
+'More so, perhaps,' replied Darsie; 'for the nearer the church--the
+proverb is somewhat musty. But how did these liberal opinions of yours
+agree with the very opposite prejudices of my uncle?'
+
+'They would have agreed like fire and water,' answered Lilias, 'had I
+suffered mine to become visible; but as that would have subjected me to
+constant reproach and upbraiding, or worse, I took great care to keep my
+own secret; so that occasional censures for coldness, and lack of zeal
+for the good cause, were the worst I had to undergo; and these were bad
+enough.'
+
+'I applaud your caution,' said Darsie.
+
+'You have reason,' replied his sister; 'but I got so terrible a specimen
+of my uncle's determination of character, before I had been acquainted
+with him for much more than a week, that it taught me at what risk I
+should contradict his humour. I will tell you the circumstances; for it
+will better teach you to appreciate the romantic and resolved nature
+of his character, than anything which I could state of his rashness and
+enthusiasm.
+
+'After I had been many a long year at the convent, I was removed from
+thence, and placed with a meagre old Scottish lady of high rank, the
+daughter of an unfortunate person whose head had in the year 1715 been
+placed on Temple Bar. She subsisted on a small pension from the French
+Court, aided by an occasional gratuity from the Stuarts; to which the
+annuity paid for my board formed a desirable addition. She was not
+ill-tempered, nor very covetous--neither beat me nor starved me--but she
+was so completely trammelled by rank and prejudices, so awfully profound
+in genealogy, and so bitterly keen, poor lady, in British, politics,
+that I sometimes thought it pity that the Hanoverians, who murdered, as
+she used to tell me, her poor dear father, had left his dear daughter in
+the land of the living. Delighted, therefore, was I, when my uncle made
+his appearance, and abruptly announced his purpose of conveying me
+to England. My extravagant joy at the idea of leaving Lady Rachel
+Rougedragon was somewhat qualified by observing the melancholy look,
+lofty demeanour, and commanding tone of my near relative. He held more
+communication with me on the journey, however, than consisted with his
+taciturn demeanour in general, and seemed anxious to ascertain my tone
+of character, and particularly in point of courage. Now, though I am
+a tamed Redgauntlet, yet I have still so much of our family spirit as
+enables me to be as composed in danger as most of my sex; and upon two
+occasions in the course of our journey--a threatened attack by banditti,
+and the overturn of our carriage--I had the fortune so to conduct
+myself, as to convey to my uncle a very favourable idea of my
+intrepidity. Probably this encouraged him to put in execution the
+singular scheme which he had in agitation.
+
+'Ere we reached London we changed our means of conveyance, and altered
+the route by which we approached the city, more than once; then, like a
+hare which doubles repeatedly at some distance from the seat she means
+to occupy, and at last leaps into her form from a distance so great as
+she can clear by a spring, we made a forced march, and landed in private
+and obscure lodgings in a little old street in Westminster, not far from
+the Cloisters.
+
+'On the morning of the day on which we arrived my uncle went abroad, and
+did not return for some hours. Meantime I had no other amusement than to
+listen to the tumult of noises which succeeded each other, or reigned
+in confusion together during the whole morning. Paris I had thought
+the most noisy capital in the world, but Paris seemed midnight silence
+compared to London. Cannon thundered near and at a distance--drums,
+trumpets, and military music of every kind, rolled, flourished, and
+pierced the clouds, almost without intermission. To fill up the concert,
+bells pealed incessantly from a hundred steeples. The acclamations of
+an immense multitude were heard from time to time, like the roaring of a
+mighty ocean, and all this without my being able to glean the least idea
+of what was going on, for the windows of our apartment looked upon
+a waste backyard, which seemed totally deserted. My curiosity became
+extreme, for I was satisfied, at length, that it must be some festival
+of the highest order which called forth these incessant sounds.
+
+'My uncle at length returned, and with him a man of an exterior
+singularly unprepossessing. I need not describe him to you, for--do not
+look round--he rides behind us at this moment.'
+
+'That respectable person, Mr. Cristal Nixon, I suppose?' said Darsie.
+
+'The same,' answered Lilias; 'make no gesture, that may intimate we are
+speaking of him.'
+
+Darsie signified that he understood her, and she pursued her relation.
+
+'They were both in full dress, and my uncle, taking a bundle from Nixon,
+said to me, "Lilias, I am come to carry you to see a grand ceremony--put
+on as hastily as you can the dress you will find in that parcel, and
+prepare to attend me." I found a female dress, splendid and elegant,
+but somewhat bordering upon the antique fashion. It might be that of
+England, I thought, and I went to my apartment full of curiosity, and
+dressed myself with all speed.
+
+'My uncle surveyed me with attention--"She may pass for one of the
+flower-girls," he said to Nixon, who only answered with a nod.
+
+'We left the house together, and such was their knowledge of the lanes,
+courts, and bypaths, that though there was the roar of a multitude in
+the broad streets, those which we traversed were silent and deserted;
+and the strollers whom we met, tired of gazing upon gayer figures,
+scarcely honoured us with a passing look, although, at any other time,
+we should, among these vulgar suburbs, have attracted a troublesome
+share of observation. We crossed at length a broad street, where many
+soldiers were on guard, while others, exhausted with previous duty, were
+eating, drinking, smoking, and sleeping beside their piled arms.
+
+'"One day, Nixon," whispered my uncle, "we will make these redcoated
+gentry stand to their muskets more watchfully."
+
+'"Or it will be the worse for them," answered his attendant, in a voice
+as unpleasant as his physiognomy.
+
+'Unquestioned and unchallenged by any one, we crossed among the guards;
+and Nixon tapped thrice at a small postern door in a huge ancient
+building, which was straight before us. It opened, and we entered
+without my perceiving by whom we were admitted. A few dark and narrow
+passages at length conveyed us into an immense Gothic hall, the
+magnificence of which baffles my powers of description.
+
+'It was illuminated by ten thousand wax lights, whose splendour at first
+dazzled my eyes, coming as we did from these dark and secret avenues.
+But when my sight began to become steady, how shall I describe what
+I beheld? Beneath were huge ranges of tables, occupied by princes and
+nobles in their robes of state--high officers of the crown, wearing
+their dresses and badges of authority--reverend prelates and judges, the
+sages of the church and law, in their more sombre, yet not less awful
+robes--with others whose antique and striking costume announced their
+importance, though I could not even guess who they might be. But at
+length the truth burst on me at once--it was, and the murmurs around
+confirmed it, the Coronation Feast. At a table above the rest, and
+extending across the upper end of the hall, sat enthroned the youthful
+sovereign himself, surrounded by the princes of the blood, and other
+dignitaries, and receiving the suit and homage of his subjects. Heralds
+and pursuivants, blazing in their fantastic yet splendid armorial
+habits, and pages of honour, gorgeously arrayed in the garb of other
+days, waited upon the princely banqueters. In the galleries with which
+this spacious hall was surrounded, shone all, and more than all, that
+my poor imagination could conceive, of what was brilliant in riches, or
+captivating in beauty. Countless rows of ladies, whose diamonds, jewels,
+and splendid attire were their least powerful charms, looked down from
+their lofty seats on the rich scene beneath, themselves forming a show
+as dazzling and as beautiful as that of which they were spectators.
+Under these galleries, and behind the banqueting tables, were a
+multitude of gentlemen, dressed as if to attend a court, but whose garb,
+although rich enough to have adorned a royal drawing room, could not
+distinguish them in such a high scene as this. Amongst these we wandered
+for a few minutes, undistinguished and unregarded. I saw several
+young persons dressed as I was, so was under no embarrassment from the
+singularity of my habit, and only rejoiced, as I hung on my uncle's
+arm, at the magical splendour of such a scene, and at his goodness for
+procuring me the pleasure of beholding it.
+
+'By and by, I perceived that my uncle had acquaintances among those
+who were under the galleries, and seemed, like ourselves, to be mere
+spectators of the solemnity. They recognized each other with a single
+word, sometimes only with a grip of the hand-exchanged some private
+signs, doubtless--and gradually formed a little group, in the centre of
+which we were placed.
+
+'"Is it not a grand sight, Lilias?" said my uncle. "All the noble, and
+all the wise, and all the wealthy of Britain, are there assembled."
+
+'"It is indeed," said I, "all that my mind could have fancied of regal
+power and splendour."
+
+'"Girl," he whispered,--and my uncle can make his whispers as terribly
+emphatic as his thundering voice or his blighting look--"all that is
+noble and worthy in this fair land are there assembled--but it is to
+bend like slaves and sycophants before the throne of a new usurper."
+
+'I looked at him, and the dark hereditary frown of our unhappy ancestor
+was black upon his brow.
+
+'"For God's sake," I whispered, "consider where we are."
+
+'"Fear nothing," he said; "we are surrounded by friends." As he
+proceeded, his strong and muscular frame shook with suppressed
+agitation. "See," he said, "yonder bends Norfolk, renegade to his
+Catholic.faith; there stoops the Bishop of ----, traitor to the Church
+of England; and,--shame of shames! yonder the gigantic form of Errol
+bows his head before the grandson of his father's murderer! But a sign
+shall be seen this night amongst them--MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN,
+shall be read on these walls, as distinctly as the spectral handwriting
+made them visible on those of Belshazzar!"
+
+'"For God's sake," said I, dreadfully alarmed, "it is impossible you can
+meditate violence in such a presence!"
+
+'"None is intended, fool," he answered, "nor can the slightest mischance
+happen, provided you will rally your boasted courage, and obey my
+directions. But do it coolly and quickly, for there are a hundred lives
+at stake."
+
+'"Alas! what--can I do?" I asked in the utmost terror.
+
+'"Only be prompt to execute my bidding," said he; "it is but to lift a
+glove--Here, hold this in your hand--throw the train of your dress over
+it, be firm, composed, and ready--or, at all events, I step forward
+myself."
+
+'"If there is no violence designed," I said, taking, mechanically, the
+iron glove he put into my hand.
+
+'"I could not conceive his meaning; but, in the excited state of mind in
+which I beheld him, I was convinced that disobedience on my part would
+lead to some wild explosion. I felt, from the emergency of the occasion,
+a sudden presence of mind, and resolved to do anything that might avert
+violence and bloodshed. I was not long held in suspense. A loud flourish
+of trumpets and the voice of heralds were mixed with the clatter of
+horses' hoofs, while a champion, armed at all points like those I had
+read of in romances, attended by squires, pages, and the whole
+retinue of chivalry, pranced forward, mounted upon a barbed steed. His
+challenge, in defiance of all who dared impeach the title of the new
+sovereign, was recited aloud--once, and again."
+
+'"Rush in at the third sounding," said my uncle to me; "bring me the
+parader's gage, and leave mine in lieu of it."
+
+'I could not see how this was to be done, as we were surrounded by
+people on all sides. But, at the third sounding of the trumpets, a lane
+opened as if by word of command, betwixt me and the champion, and my
+uncle's voice said, "Now, Lilias, NOW!"
+
+'With a swift and yet steady step, and with a presence of mind for
+which I have never since been able to account, I discharged the perilous
+commission. I was hardly seen, I believe, as I exchanged the pledges of
+battle, and in an instant retired. "Nobly done, my girl!" said my
+uncle, at whose side I found myself, shrouded as I was before, by the
+interposition of the bystanders. "Cover our retreat, gentlemen," he
+whispered to those around him.
+
+'Room was made for us to approach the wall, which seemed to open, and we
+were again involved in the dark passages through which we had formerly
+passed. In a small anteroom, my uncle stopped, and hastily muffling me
+in a mantle which was lying there, we passed the guards--threaded the
+labyrinth of empty streets and courts, and reached our retired lodgings
+without attracting the least attention.'
+
+'I have often heard,' said Darsie, 'that a female, supposed to be a
+man in disguise,--and yet, Lilias, you do not look very masculine,--had
+taken up the champion's gauntlet at the present king's coronation, and
+left in its place a gage of battle, with a paper, offering to accept the
+combat, provided a fair field should be allowed for it. I have hitherto
+considered it as an idle tale. I little thought how nearly I was
+interested in the actors of a scene so daring. How could you have
+courage to go through with it?' [See Note 9.]
+
+'Had I had leisure for reflection,' answered his sister, 'I should have
+refused, from a mixture of principle and of fear. But, like many people
+who do daring actions, I went on because I had not time to think of
+retreating. The matter was little known, and it is said the king had
+commanded that it should not be further inquired into;--from prudence,
+as I suppose, and lenity, though my uncle chooses to ascribe the
+forbearance of the Elector of Hanover, as he calls him, sometimes to
+pusillanimity, and sometimes to a presumptuous scorn of the faction who
+opposes his title.'
+
+'And have your subsequent agencies under this frantic enthusiast,' said
+Darsie, 'equalled this in danger?'
+
+'No--nor in importance,' replied Lilias; 'though I have witnessed much
+of the strange and desperate machinations, by which, in spite of every
+obstacle, and in contempt of every danger, he endeavours to awaken the
+courage of a broken party. I have traversed, in his company, all England
+and Scotland, and have visited the most extraordinary and contrasted
+scenes; now lodging at the castles of the proud gentry of Cheshire and
+Wales, where the retired aristocrats, with opinions as antiquated as
+their dwellings and their manners, still continue to nourish Jacobitical
+principles; and the next week, perhaps, spent among outlawed smugglers,
+or Highland banditti. I have known my uncle often act the part of a
+hero, and sometimes that of a mere vulgar conspirator, and turn himself,
+with the most surprising flexibility, into all sorts of shapes to
+attract proselytes to his cause.'
+
+'Which, in the present day,' said Darsie, 'he finds, I presume, no easy
+task.'
+
+'So difficult,' said Lilias, 'that, I believe, he has, at different
+times, disgusted with the total falling away of some friends, and
+the coldness of others, been almost on the point of resigning his
+undertaking. How often I have I known him affect an open brow and a
+jovial manner, joining in the games of the gentry, and even in the
+sports of the common people, in order to invest himself with a temporary
+degree of popularity; while, in fact, his heart was bursting to witness
+what he called the degeneracy of the times, the decay of activity among
+the aged, and the want of zeal in the rising generation. After the day
+has been spent in the hardest exercise, he has spent the night in pacing
+his solitary chamber, bewailing the downfall of the cause, and wishing
+for the bullet of Dundee or the axe of Balmerino.'
+
+'A strange delusion,' said Darsie; 'and it is wonderful that it does not
+yield to the force of reality.'
+
+'Ah, but,' replied Lilias, 'realities of late have seemed to flatter his
+hopes. The general dissatisfaction with the peace--the unpopularity
+of the minister, which has extended itself even to the person of his
+master--the various uproars which have disturbed the peace of the
+metropolis, and a general state of disgust and disaffection, which seems
+to affect the body of the nation, have given unwonted encouragement to
+the expiring hopes of the Jacobites, and induced many, both at the Court
+of Rome, and, if it can be called so, of the Pretender, to lend a more
+favourable ear than they had hitherto done to the insinuations of those
+who, like my uncle, hope, when hope is lost to all but themselves.
+Nay, I really believe that at this moment they meditate some desperate
+effort. My uncle has been doing all in his power, of late, to conciliate
+the affections of those wild communities that dwell on the Solway, over
+whom our family possessed a seignorial interest before the forfeiture,
+and amongst whom, on the occasion of 1745, our unhappy father's
+interest, with his own, raised a considerable body of men. But they are
+no longer willing to obey his summons; and, as one apology among others,
+they allege your absence as their natural head and leader. This has
+increased his desire to obtain possession of your person, and, if he
+possibly can, to influence your mind, so as to obtain your authority to
+his proceedings.'
+
+'That he shall never obtain,' answered Darsie; 'my principles and
+my prudence alike forbid such a step. Besides, it would be totally
+unavailing to his purpose. Whatever these people may pretend, to evade
+your uncle's importunities, they cannot, at this time of day, think of
+subjecting their necks again to the feudal yoke, which was effectually
+broken by the act of 1748, abolishing vassalage and hereditary
+jurisdictions.'
+
+'Aye, but that my uncle considers as the act of a usurping government,'
+said Lilias.
+
+'Like enough he may think so,' answered her brother, 'for he is a
+superior, and loses his authority by, the enactment. But the question
+is, what the vassals will think of it who have gained their freedom
+from feudal slavery, and have now enjoyed that freedom for many years?
+However, to cut the matter short, if five hundred men would rise at the
+wagging of my finger, that finger shall not be raised in a cause which I
+disapprove of, and upon that my uncle may reckon.'
+
+'But you may temporize,' said Lilias, upon whom the idea of her uncle's
+displeasure made evidently a strong impression,--'you may temporize,
+as most of the gentry in this country do, and let the bubble burst of
+itself; for it is singular how few of them venture to oppose my uncle
+directly. I entreat you to avoid direct collision with him. To hear
+you, the head of the House of Redgauntlet, declare against the family
+of Stuart, would either break his heart, or drive him to some act of
+desperation.'
+
+'Yes, but, Lilias, you forget that the consequences of such an act of
+complaisance might be, that the House of Redgauntlet and I might lose
+both our heads at one blow.'
+
+'Alas!' said she, 'I had forgotten that danger. I have grown familiar
+with perilous intrigues, as the nurses in a pest-house are said to
+become accustomed to the air around them, till they forget even that it
+is noisome.'
+
+'And yet,' said Darsie, 'if I could free myself from him without coming
+to an open rupture. Tell me, Lilias, do you think it possible that he
+can have any immediate attempt in view?'
+
+'To confess the truth,' answered Lilias, 'I cannot doubt that he has.
+There has been an unusual bustle among the Jacobites of late. They have
+hopes, as I told you, from circumstances unconnected with their own
+strength. Just before you came to the country, my uncle's desire to find
+you out became, if possible, more eager than ever--he talked of men
+to be presently brought together, and of your name and influence for
+raising them. At this very time your first visit to Brokenburn took
+place. A suspicion arose in my uncle's mind, that you might be the
+youth he sought, and it was strengthened by papers and letters which the
+rascal Nixon did not hesitate to take from your pocket. Yet a mistake
+might have occasioned a fatal explosion; and my uncle therefore posted
+to Edinburgh to follow out the clue he had obtained, and fished enough
+of information from old Mr. Fairford to make him certain that you were
+the person he sought. Meanwhile, and at the expense of some personal
+and perhaps too bold exertion, I endeavoured, through your friend young
+Fairford, to put you on your guard.'
+
+'Without success,' said Darsie, blushing under his mask when he
+recollected how he had mistaken his sister's meaning.
+
+'I do not wonder that my warning was fruitless,' said she; 'the thing
+was doomed to be. Besides, your escape would have been difficult. You
+were dogged the whole time you were at the Shepherd's Bush and at Mount
+Sharon, by a spy who scarcely ever left you.'
+
+'The wretch, little Benjie!' exclaimed Darsie. 'I will wring the
+monkey's neck round, the first time we meet.'
+
+'It was he indeed who gave constant information of your motions to
+Cristal Nixon,' said Lilias.
+
+'And Cristal Nixon--I owe him, too, a day's work in harvest,' said
+Darsie; 'for I am mistaken if he was not the person that struck me down
+when I was made prisoner among the rioters.'
+
+'Like enough; for he has a head and hand for any villany. My uncle was
+very angry about it; for though the riot was made to have an opportunity
+of carrying you off in the confusion, as well as to put the fishermen
+at variance with the public law, it would have been his last thought to
+have injured a hair of your head. But Nixon has insinuated himself into
+all my uncle's secrets, and some of these are so dark and dangerous,
+that though there are few things he would not dare, I doubt if he dare
+quarrel with him. And yet I know that of Cristal would move my uncle to
+pass his sword through his body.'
+
+'What is it, for Heaven's sake?', said Darsie. 'I have a particular
+desire for wishing to know.'
+
+'The old, brutal desperado, whose face and mind are a libel upon human
+nature, has had the insolence to speak to his master's niece as one whom
+he was at liberty to admire; and when I turned on him with the anger and
+contempt he merited, the wretch grumbled out something, as if he held
+the destiny of our family in his hand.'
+
+'I thank you, Lilias,' said Darsie, eagerly,--'I thank you with all my
+heart for this communication. I have blamed myself as a Christian man
+for the indescribable longing I felt from the first moment I saw that
+rascal, to send a bullet through his head; and now you have perfectly
+accounted for and justified this very laudable wish. I wonder my uncle,
+with the powerful sense you describe him to be possessed of, does not
+see through such a villain.'
+
+'I believe he knows him to be capable of much evil,' answered
+Lilias--'selfish, obdurate, brutal, and a man-hater. But then
+he conceives him to possess the qualities most requisite for a
+conspirator--undaunted courage, imperturbable coolness and address, and
+inviolable fidelity. In the last particular he may be mistaken. I have
+heard Nixon blamed for the manner in which our poor father was taken
+after Culloden.'
+
+'Another reason for my innate aversion,' said Darsie, but I will be on
+my guard with him.'
+
+'See, he observes us closely,' said Lilias. 'What a thing is conscience!
+He knows we are now speaking of him, though he cannot have heard a word
+that we have said.'
+
+It seemed as if she had guessed truly; for Cristal Nixon at that moment
+rode up to them, and said, with an affectation of jocularity, which sat
+very ill on his sullen features, 'Come, young ladies, you have had time
+enough for your chat this morning, and your tongues, I think, must
+be tired. We are going to pass a village, and I must beg you to
+separate--you, Miss Lilias, to ride a little behind--and you, Mrs.,
+or Miss, or Master, whichever you choose to be called, to be jogging a
+little before.'
+
+Lilias checked her horse without speaking, but not until she had given
+her brother an expressive look, recommending caution; to which he
+replied by a signal indicating that he understood and would comply with
+her request.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+NARRATTVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+Left to his solitary meditations, Darsie (for we will still term Sir
+Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk by the name to which the reader
+is habituated) was surprised not only at the alteration of his own state
+and condition, but at the equanimity with which he felt himself disposed
+to view all these vicissitudes.
+
+His fever--fit of love had departed like a morning's dream, and left
+nothing behind but a painful sense of shame, and a resolution to be more
+cautious ere he again indulged in such romantic visions. His station
+in society was changed from that of a wandering, unowned youth, in whom
+none appeared to take an interest excepting the strangers by whom he had
+been educated, to the heir of a noble house, possessed of such influence
+and such property, that it seemed as if the progress or arrest of
+important political events were likely to depend upon his resolution.
+Even this sudden elevation, the more than fulfilment of those wishes
+which had haunted him ever since he was able to form a wish on the
+subject, was contemplated by Darsie, volatile as his disposition was,
+without more than a few thrills of gratified vanity.
+
+It is true, there were circumstances in his present situation to
+counterbalance such high advantages. To be a prisoner in the hands of a
+man so determined as his uncle, was no agreeable consideration, when
+he was calculating how he might best dispute his pleasure and refuse
+to join him in the perilous enterprise which he seemed to meditate.
+Outlawed and desperate himself, Darsie could not doubt that his uncle
+was surrounded by men capable of anything--that he was restrained by
+no personal considerations--and therefore what degree of compulsion he
+might apply to his brother's son, or in what manner he might feel at
+liberty to punish his contumacy, should he disavow the Jacobite cause,
+must depend entirely upon the limits of his own conscience; and who
+was to answer for the conscience of a heated enthusiast who considers
+opposition to the party he has espoused, as treason to the welfare of
+his country? After a short interval, Cristal Nixon was pleased to throw
+some light upon the subject which agitated him.
+
+When that grim satellite rode up without ceremony close to Darsie's
+side, the latter felt his very flesh creep with abhorrence, so little
+was he able to endure his presence, since the story of Lilias had added
+to his instinctive hatred of the man.
+
+His voice, too, sounded like that of a screech-owl, as he said, 'So, my
+young cock of the north, you now know it all, and no doubt are blessing
+your uncle for stirring you up to such an honourable action.'
+
+'I will acquaint my uncle with my sentiments on the subject, before I
+make them known to any one else,' said Darsie, scarcely prevailing on
+his tongue to utter even these few words in a civil manner.
+
+'Umph,' murmured Cristal betwixt his teeth. 'Close as wax, I see; and
+perhaps not quite so pliable. But take care, my pretty youth,' he added,
+scornfully; 'Hugh Redgauntlet will prove a rough colt-breaker--he will
+neither spare whipcord nor spur-rowel, I promise you.'
+
+'I have already said, Mr. Nixon, answered Darsie, 'that I will canvass
+those matters of which my sister has informed me, with my uncle himself,
+and with no other person.'
+
+'Nay, but a word of friendly advice would do you no harm, young master,'
+replied Nixon. 'Old Redgauntlet is apter at a blow than a word--likely
+to bite before he barks--the true man for giving Scarborough warning,
+first knock you down, then bid you stand. So, methinks, a little kind
+warning as to consequences were not amiss, lest they come upon you
+unawares.'
+
+'If the warning is really kind, Mr. Nixon,' said the young man, 'I
+will hear it thankfully; and indeed, if otherwise, I must listen to it
+whether I will or no, since I have at present no choice of company or of
+conversation.'
+
+'Nay, I have but little to say,' said Nixon, affecting to give to his
+sullen and dogged manner the appearance of an honest bluntness; 'I am
+as little apt to throw away words as any one. But here is the
+question--Will you join heart and hand with your uncle, or no?'
+
+'What if I should say Aye?' said Darsie, determined, if possible, to
+conceal his resolution from this man.
+
+'Why, then,' said Nixon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of his
+answer, 'all will go smooth, of course--you will take share in this
+noble undertaking, and, when it succeeds, you will exchange your open
+helmet for an earl's coronet perhaps.'
+
+'And how if it fails?' said Darsie.
+
+'Thereafter as it may be,' said Nixon; 'they who play at bowls must meet
+with rubbers.'
+
+'Well, but suppose, then, I have some foolish tenderness for my
+windpipe, and that when my uncle proposes the adventure to me I should
+say No--how then, Mr. Nixon?'
+
+'Why, then, I would have you look to yourself, young master. There are
+sharp laws in France against refractory pupils--LETTRES DE CACHET
+are easily come by when such men as we are concerned with interest
+themselves in the matter.'
+
+'But we are not in France,' said poor Darsie, through whose blood ran a
+cold shivering at the idea of a French prison.
+
+'A fast-sailing lugger will soon bring you there though, snug stowed
+under hatches, like a cask of moonlight.'
+
+'But the French are at peace with us,' said Darsie, 'and would not
+dare'--
+
+'Why, who would ever hear of you?' interrupted Nixon; 'do you imagine
+that a foreign court would call you up for judgement, and put the
+sentence of imprisonment in the COURRIER DE L'EUROPE, as they do at the
+Old Bailey? No, no, young gentleman--the gates of the Bastille, and of
+Mont Saint Michel, and the Castle of Vincennes, move on d--d easy hinges
+when they let folk in--not the least jar is heard. There are cool cells
+there for hot heads--as calm, and quiet, and dark, as you could wish in
+Bedlam--and the dismissal comes when the carpenter brings the prisoner's
+coffin, and not sooner.'
+
+'Well, Mr. Nixon,' said Darsie, affecting a cheerfulness which he was
+far from feeling, 'mine is a hard case--a sort of hanging choice, you
+will allow--since I must either offend our own government here and
+run the risk of my life for doing so, or be doomed to the dungeons of
+another country, whose laws I have never offended since I have never
+trod its soil--Tell me what you would do if you were in my place.
+
+'I'll tell you that when I am there,' said Nixon, and, checking his
+horse, fell back to the rear of the little party.
+
+'It is evident,' thought the young man, 'that the villain believes me
+completely noosed, and perhaps has the ineffable impudence to suppose
+that my sister must eventually succeed to the possessions which have
+occasioned my loss of freedom, and that his own influence over the
+destinies of our unhappy family may secure him possession of the
+heiress; but he shall perish by my hand first!--I must now be on the
+alert to make my escape, if possible, before I am forced on shipboard.
+Blind Willie will not, I think, desert me without an effort on my
+behalf, especially if he has learned that I am the son of his late
+unhappy patron. What a change is mine! Whilst I possessed neither rank
+nor fortune, I lived safely and unknown, under the protection of the
+kind and respectable friends whose hearts Heaven had moved towards me.
+Now that I am the head of an honourable house, and that enterprises of
+the most daring character await my decision, and retainers and vassals
+seem ready to rise at my beck, my safety consists chiefly in the
+attachment of a blind stroller!'
+
+While he was revolving these things in his mind, and preparing himself
+for the interview with his uncle which could not but be a stormy one,
+he saw Hugh Redgauntlet come riding slowly back to meet them without any
+attendants. Cristal Nixon rode up as he approached, and, as they met,
+fixed on him a look of inquiry.
+
+'The fool, Crackenthorp,' said Redgauntlet, has let strangers into his
+house. Some of his smuggling comrades, I believe; we must ride slowly to
+give him time to send them packing.'
+
+'Did you see any of your friends?' said Cristal.
+
+'Three, and have letters from many more. They are unanimous on the
+subject you wot of--and the point must be conceded to them, or, far as
+the matter has gone, it will go no further.'
+
+'You will hardly bring the father to stoop to his flock,' said Cristal,
+with a sneer.
+
+'He must and shall!' answered Redgauntlet, briefly. 'Go to the front,
+Cristal--I would speak with my nephew. I trust, Sir Arthur Redgauntlet,
+you are satisfied with the manner in which I have discharged my duty to
+your sister?'
+
+'There can be no fault found to her manners or sentiments,' answered
+Darsie; 'I am happy in knowing a relative so amiable.'
+
+'I am glad of it,' answered Mr. Redgauntlet. 'I am no nice judge of
+women's qualifications, and my life has been dedicated to one great
+object; so that since she left France she has had but little opportunity
+of improvement. I have subjected her, however, as little as possible to
+the inconveniences and privations of my wandering and dangerous life.
+From time to time she has resided for weeks and months with families of
+honour and respectability, and I am glad that she has, in, your opinion,
+the manners and behaviour which become her birth.'
+
+Darsie expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and there was a little
+pause, which Redgauntlet broke by solemnly addressing his nephew.
+
+'For you, my nephew, I also hoped to have done much. The weakness and
+timidity of your mother sequestered you from my care, or it would have
+been my pride and happiness to have trained up the son of my unhappy
+brother in those paths of honour in which our ancestors have always
+trod.'
+
+'Now comes the storm,' thought Darsie to himself, and began to collect
+his thoughts, as the cautious master of a vessel furls his sails and
+makes his ship snug when he discerns the approaching squall.
+
+'My mother's conduct in respect to me might be misjudged,' he said, 'but
+it was founded on the most anxious affection.'
+
+'Assuredly,' said his uncle, 'and I have no wish to reflect on her
+memory, though her mistrust has done so much injury, I will not say to
+me, but to the cause of my unhappy country. Her scheme was, I think,
+to have made you that wretched pettifogging being, which they still
+continue to call in derision by the once respectable name of a Scottish
+Advocate; one of those mongrel things that must creep to learn the
+ultimate decision of his causes to the bar of a foreign court, instead
+of pleading before the independent and august Parliament of his own
+native kingdom.'
+
+'I did prosecute the study of law for a year or two, said Darsie, 'but I
+found I had neither taste nor talents for the science.'
+
+'And left it with scorn, doubtless,' said Mr. Redgauntlet. 'Well, I now
+hold up to you, my dearest nephew, a more worthy object of ambition.
+Look eastward--do you see a monument standing on yonder plain, near a
+hamlet?'
+
+Darsie replied that he did,
+
+'The hamlet is called Burgh-upon-Sands, and yonder monument is erected
+to the memory of the tyrant Edward I. The just hand of Providence
+overtook him on that spot, as he was leading his bands to complete the
+subjugation of Scotland whose civil dissensions began under his accursed
+policy. The glorious career of Bruce might have been stopped in its
+outset; the field of Bannockburn might have remained a bloodless turf,
+if God had not removed, in the very crisis, the crafty and bold tyrant
+who had so long been Scotland's scourge. Edward's grave is the cradle of
+our national freedom. It is within sight of that great landmark of our
+liberty that I have to propose to you an undertaking, second in honour
+and importance to none since the immortal Bruce stabbed the Red Comyn,
+and grasped with his yet bloody hand the independent crown of Scotland.'
+
+He paused for an answer; but Darsie, overawed by the energy of his
+manner, and unwilling to commit himself by a hasty explanation, remained
+silent.
+
+'I will not suppose,' said Hugh Redgauntlet, after a pause, that you
+are either so dull as not to comprehend the import of my words--or so
+dastardly as to be dismayed by my proposal--or so utterly degenerate
+from the blood and sentiments of your ancestors, as not to feel my
+summons as the horse hears the war-trumpet.'
+
+'I will not pretend to misunderstand you, sir,' said Darsie; 'but an
+enterprise directed against a dynasty now established for three reigns
+requires strong arguments, both in point of justice and of expediency,
+to recommend it to men of conscience and prudence.'
+
+'I will not,' said Redgauntlet, while his eyes sparkled with anger,--'I
+will not hear you speak a word against the justice of that enterprise,
+for which your oppressed country calls with the voice of a parent,
+entreating her children for aid--or against that noble revenge which
+your father's blood demands from his dishonoured grave. His skull is
+yet standing over the Rikargate, [The northern gate of Carlisle was long
+garnished with the heads of the Scottish rebels executed in 1746.] and
+even its bleak and mouldered jaws command you to be a man. I ask you,
+in the name of God and of your country, will you draw your sword and
+go with me to Carlisle, were it but to lay your father's head, now the
+perch of the obscene owl and carrion crow and the scoff of every ribald
+clown, in consecrated earth as befits his long ancestry?'
+
+Darsie, unprepared to answer an appeal urged with so much passion, and
+not doubting a direct refusal would cost him his liberty or life, was
+again silent.
+
+'I see,' said his uncle, in a more composed tone, 'that it is not
+deficiency of spirit, but the grovelling habits of a confined education,
+among the poor-spirited class you were condemned to herd with, that
+keeps you silent. You scarce yet believe yourself a Redgauntlet; your
+pulse has not yet learned the genuine throb that answers to the summons
+of honour and of patriotism.'
+
+'I trust,' replied Darsie, at last, 'that I shall never be found
+indifferent to the call of either; but to answer them with effect--even
+were I convinced that they now sounded in my ear--I must see some
+reasonable hope of success in the desperate enterprise in which you
+would involve me. I look around me, and I see a settled government--an
+established authority--a born Briton on the throne--the very Highland
+mountaineers, upon whom alone the trust of the exiled family reposed,
+assembled into regiments which act under the orders of the existing
+dynasty. [The Highland regiments were first employed by the celebrated
+Earl of Chatham, who assumed to himself no small degree of praise for
+having called forth to the support of the country and the government,
+the valour which had been too often directed against both.] France has
+been utterly dismayed by the tremendous lessons of the last war, and
+will hardly provoke another. All without and within the kingdom is
+adverse to encountering a hopeless struggle, and you alone, sir, seem
+willing to undertake a desperate enterprise.'
+
+'And would undertake it were it ten times more desperate; and have
+agitated it when ten times the obstacles were interposed. Have I forgot
+my brother's blood? Can I--dare I even now repeat the Pater Noster,
+since my enemies and the murderers remain unforgiven? Is there an art I
+have not practised--a privation to which I have not submitted, to bring
+on the crisis, which I now behold arrived? Have I not been a vowed and a
+devoted man, forgoing every comfort of social life, renouncing even the
+exercise of devotion unless when I might name in prayer my prince and
+country, submitting to everything to make converts to this noble cause?
+Have I done all this, and shall I now stop short?' Darsie was about to
+interrupt him, but he pressed his hand affectionately upon his shoulder,
+and enjoining, or rather imploring, silence, 'Peace,' he said, 'heir of
+my ancestors' fame--heir of all my hopes and wishes. Peace, son of my
+slaughtered brother! I have sought for thee, and mourned for thee, as
+a mother for an only child. Do not let me again lose you in the moment
+when you are restored to my hopes. Believe me, I distrust so much my own
+impatient temper, that I entreat you, as the dearest boon, do naught to
+awaken it at this crisis.'
+
+Darsie was not sorry to reply that his respect for the person of his
+relation would induce him to listen to all which he had to apprise him
+of, before he formed any definite resolution upon the weighty subjects
+of deliberation which he proposed to him.
+
+'Deliberation!' repeated Redgauntlet, impatiently; 'and yet it is not
+ill said. I wish there had been more warmth in thy reply, Arthur; but I
+must recollect, were an eagle bred in a falcon's mew and hooded like a
+reclaimed hawk, he could not at first gaze steadily on the sun. Listen
+to me, my dearest Arthur. The state of this nation no more implies
+prosperity, than the florid colour of a feverish patient is a symptom
+of health. All is false and hollow. The apparent success of Chatham's
+administration has plunged the country deeper in debt than all the
+barren acres of Canada are worth, were they as fertile as Yorkshire--the
+dazzling lustre of the victories of Minden and Quebec have been dimmed
+by the disgrace of the hasty peace--by the war, England, at immense
+expense, gained nothing but honour, and that she has gratuitously
+resigned. Many eyes, formerly cold and indifferent, are now looking
+towards the line of our ancient and rightful monarchs, as the only
+refuge in the approaching storm--the rich are alarmed--the nobles are
+disgusted--the populace are inflamed--and a band of patriots, whose
+measures are more safe than their numbers are few, have resolved to set
+up King Charles's standard.'
+
+'But the military,' said Darsie--'how can you, with a body of unarmed
+and disorderly insurgents, propose to encounter a regular army. The
+Highlanders are now totally disarmed.'
+
+'In a great measure, perhaps,' answered Redgauntlet; 'but the policy
+which raised the Highland regiments has provided for that. We have
+already friends in these corps; nor can we doubt for a moment what their
+conduct will be when the white cockade is once more mounted. The rest
+of the standing army has been greatly reduced since the peace; and we
+reckon confidently on our standard being joined by thousands of the
+disbanded troops.'
+
+'Alas!' said Darsie, 'and is it upon such vague hopes as these, the
+inconstant humour of a crowd or of a disbanded soldiery, that men of
+honour are invited to risk their families, their property, their life?'
+
+'Men of honour, boy,' said Redgauntlet, his eyes glancing with
+impatience, 'set life, property, family, and all at stake, when that
+honour commands it! We are not now weaker than when seven men, landing
+in the wilds of Moidart, shook the throne of the usurper till it
+tottered--won two pitched fields, besides overrunning one kingdom and
+the half of another, and, but for treachery, would have achieved what
+their venturous successors are now to attempt in their turn.'
+
+'And will such an attempt be made in serious earnest?' said Darsie.
+'Excuse me, my uncle, if I can scarce believe a fact so extraordinary.
+Will there really be found men of rank and consequence sufficient to
+renew the adventure of 1745?'
+
+'I will not give you my confidence by halves, Sir Arthur,' replied his
+uncle--'Look at that scroll--what say you to these names?--Are they not
+the flower of the western shires--of Wales of Scotland?'
+
+'The paper contains indeed the names of many that are great and noble,'
+replied Darsie, after perusing it; 'but'--
+
+'But what?' asked his uncle, impatiently; 'do you doubt the ability of
+those nobles and gentlemen to furnish the aid in men and money at which
+they are rated?'
+
+'Not their ability certainly,' said Darsie, 'for of that I am no
+competent judge; but I see in this scroll the name of Sir Arthur Darsie
+Redgauntlet of that Ilk, rated at a hundred men and upwards--I certainly
+am ignorant how he is to redeem that pledge.'
+
+'I will be responsible for the men,' replied Hugh Redgauntlet.
+
+'But, my dear uncle,' added Darsie, 'I hope for your sake that the other
+individuals whose names are here written, have had more acquaintance
+with your plan than I have been indulged with.'
+
+'For thee and thine I can be myself responsible,' said Redgauntlet; 'for
+if thou hast not the courage to head the force of thy house, the leading
+shall pass to other hands, and thy inheritance shall depart from thee
+like vigour and verdure from a rotten branch. For these honourable
+persons, a slight condition there is which they annex to their
+friendship--something so trifling that it is scarce worthy of mention.
+This boon granted to them by him who is most interested, there is no
+question they will take the field in the manner there stated.'
+
+Again Darsie perused the paper, and felt himself still less inclined to
+believe that so many men of family and fortune were likely to embark in
+an enterprise so fatal. It seemed as if some rash plotter had put
+down at a venture the names of all whom common report tainted with
+Jacobitism; or if it was really the act of the individuals named, he
+suspected that they must be aware of some mode of excusing themselves
+from compliance with its purport. It was impossible, he thought, that
+Englishmen, of large fortune, who had failed to join Charles when he
+broke into England at the head of a victorious army, should have the
+least thoughts of encouraging a descent when circumstances were so much
+less propitious. He therefore concluded the enterprise would fall to
+pieces of itself, and that his best way was, in the meantime, to remain
+silent, unless the actual approach of a crisis (which might, however,
+never arrive) should compel him to give a downright refusal to his
+uncle's proposition; and if, in the interim, some door for escape should
+be opened, he resolved within himself not to omit availing himself of
+it.
+
+Hugh Redgauntlet watched his nephew's looks for some time, and then, as
+if arriving from some other process of reasoning at the same conclusion,
+he said, 'I have told you, Sir Arthur, that I do not urge your immediate
+accession to my proposal; indeed the consequences of a refusal would be
+so dreadful to yourself, so destructive to all the hopes which I have
+nursed, that I would not risk, by a moment's impatience, the object of
+my whole life. Yes, Arthur, I have been a self-denying hermit at one
+time--at another, the apparent associate of outlaws and desperadoes--at
+another, the subordinate agent of men whom I felt in every way my
+inferiors--not for any selfish purpose of my own, no, not even to win
+for myself the renown of being the principal instrument in restoring
+my king and freeing my country. My first wish on earth is for
+that restoration and that freedom--my next, that my nephew, the
+representative of my house and of the brother of my love, may have the
+advantage and the credit of all my efforts in the good cause. But,' he
+added, darting on Darsie one of his withering frowns, 'if Scotland and
+my father's house cannot stand and flourish together, then perish the
+very name of Redgauntlet! perish the son of my brother, with every
+recollection of the glories of my family, of the affections of my youth,
+rather than my country's cause should be injured in the tithing of
+a barley-corn! The spirit of Sir Alberick is alive within me at this
+moment,' he continued, drawing up his stately form and sitting erect in
+his saddle, while he pressed his finger against his forehead; 'and if
+you yourself crossed my path in opposition, I swear, by the mark that
+darkens my brow, that a new deed should be done--a new doom should be
+deserved!'
+
+He was silent, and his threats were uttered in a tone of voice so deeply
+resolute, that Darsie's heart sank within him, when he reflected on the
+storm of passion which he must encounter, if he declined to join his
+uncle in a project to which prudence and principle made him equally
+adverse. He had scarce any hope left but in temporizing until he could
+make his escape, and resolved to avail himself for that purpose of the
+delay which his uncle seemed not unwilling to grant. The stern,
+gloomy look of his companion became relaxed by degrees, and presently
+afterwards he made a sign to Miss Redgauntlet to join the party, and
+began a forced conversation on ordinary topics; in the course of which
+Darsie observed that his sister seemed to speak under the most cautious
+restraint, weighing every word before she uttered it, and always
+permitting her uncle to give the tone to the conversation, though of the
+most trifling kind. This seemed to him (such an opinion had he already
+entertained of his sister's good sense and firmness) the strongest proof
+he had yet received of his uncle's peremptory character, since he saw it
+observed with so much deference by a young person whose sex might have
+given her privileges, and who seemed by no means deficient either in
+spirit or firmness.
+
+The little cavalcade was now approaching the house of Father
+Crackenthorp, situated, as the reader knows, by the side of the
+Solway, and not far distant front a rude pier, near which lay several
+fishing-boats, which frequently acted in a different capacity. The house
+of the worthy publican was also adapted to the various occupations which
+he carried on, being a large scrambling assemblage of cottages attached
+to a house of two stories, roofed with flags of sandstone--the original
+mansion, to which the extensions of Mr. Crackenthorp's trade had
+occasioned his making many additions. Instead of the single long
+watering-trough which usually distinguishes the front of the English
+public-house of the second class, there were three conveniences of that
+kind, for the use, as the landlord used to say, of the troop-horses when
+the soldiers came to search his house; while a knowing leer and a nod
+let you understand what species of troops he was thinking of. A huge
+ash-tree before the door, which had reared itself to a great size
+and height, in spite of the blasts from the neighbouring Solway,
+overshadowed, as usual, the ale-bench, as our ancestors called it,
+where, though it was still early in the day, several fellows, who seemed
+to be gentlemen's servants, were drinking beer and smoking. One or two
+of them wore liveries which seemed known to Mr. Redgauntlet, for he
+muttered between his teeth, 'Fools, fools! were they on a march to hell,
+they must have their rascals in livery with them, that the whole world
+might know who were going to be damned.'
+
+As he thus muttered, he drew bridle before the door of the place,
+from which several other lounging guests began to issue, to look with
+indolent curiosity as usual, upon an ARRIVAL.
+
+Redgauntlet sprang from his horse, and assisted his niece to dismount;
+but, forgetting, perhaps, his nephew's disguise, he did not pay him the
+attention which his female dress demanded.
+
+The situation of Darsie was indeed something awkward; for Cristal Nixon,
+out of caution perhaps to prevent escape, had muffled the extreme folds
+of the riding-skirt with which he was accoutred, around his ankles and
+under his feet, and there secured it with large corking-pins. We presume
+that gentlemen-cavaliers may sometimes cast their eyes to that part
+of the person of the fair equestrians whom they chance occasionally to
+escort; and if they will conceive their own feet, like Darsie's, muffled
+in such a labyrinth of folds and amplitude of robe, as modesty doubtless
+induces the fair creatures to assume upon such occasions, they will
+allow that, on a first attempt, they might find some awkwardness in
+dismounting. Darsie, at least, was in such a predicament, for, not
+receiving adroit assistance from the attendant of Mr. Redgauntlet, he
+stumbled as he dismounted from the horse, and might have had a bad fall,
+had it not been broken by the gallant interposition of a gentleman, who
+probably was, on his part, a little surprised at the solid weight of the
+distressed fair one whom he had the honour to receive in his embrace.
+But what was his surprise to that of Darsie, when the hurry of the
+moment and of the accident, permitted him to see that it was his friend
+Alan Fairford in whose arms he found himself! A thousand apprehensions
+rushed on him, mingled with the full career of hope and joy, inspired by
+the unexpected appearance of his beloved friend at the very crisis, it
+seemed, of his fate.
+
+He was about to whisper in his ear, cautioning him at the same time to
+be silent; yet he hesitated for a second or two to effect his purpose,
+since, should Redgauntlet take the alarm from any sudden exclamation on
+the part of Alan, there was no saying what consequences might ensue.
+
+Ere he could decide what was to be done, Redgauntlet, who had entered
+the house, returned hastily, followed by Cristal Nixon. 'I'll release
+you of the charge of this young lady, sir;' he said, haughtily, to Alan
+Fairford, whom he probably did not recognize.
+
+'I had no desire to intrude, sir,' replied Alan; 'the lady's situation
+seemed to require assistance--and--but have I not the honour to speak to
+Mr. Herries of Birrenswork?'
+
+'You are mistaken, sir,' said Redgauntlet, turning short off, and
+making a sign with his hand to Cristal, who hurried Darsie, however
+unwillingly, into the house, whispering in his ear, 'Come, miss, let us
+have no making of acquaintance from the windows. Ladies of fashion must
+be private. Show us a room, Father Crackenthorp.'
+
+So saying, he conducted Darsie into the house, interposing at the same
+time his person betwixt the supposed young lady and the stranger of whom
+he was suspicious, so as to make communication by signs impossible. As
+they entered, they heard the sound of a fiddle in the stone-floored
+and well-sanded kitchen, through which they were about to follow their
+corpulent host, and where several people seemed engaged in dancing to
+its strains.
+
+'D--n thee,' said Nixon to Crackenthorp, 'would you have the lady go
+through all the mob of the parish? Hast thou no more private way to our
+sitting-room?'
+
+'None that is fit for my travelling,' answered the landlord, laying his
+hand on his portly stomach. 'I am not Tom Turnpenny, to creep like a
+lizard through keyholes.'
+
+So saying, he kept moving on through the revellers in the kitchen; and
+Nixon, holding Darsie by his arm, as if to offer the lady support but
+in all probability to frustrate any effort at escape, moved through the
+crowd, which presented a very motley appearance, consisting of domestic
+servants, country fellows, seamen, and other idlers, whom Wandering
+Willie was regaling with his music.
+
+To pass another friend without intimation of his presence would have
+been actual pusillanimity; and just when they were passing the blind
+man's elevated seat, Darsie asked him with some emphasis, whether he
+could not play a Scottish air? The man's face had been the instant
+before devoid of all sort of expression, going through his performance
+like a clown through a beautiful country, too much accustomed to
+consider it as a task, to take any interest in the performance, and, in
+fact, scarce seeming to hear the noise that he was creating. In a
+word, he might at the time have made a companion to my friend Wilkie's
+inimitable blind crowder. But with Wandering Willie this was only an
+occasional and a rare fit of dullness, such as will at times creep over
+all the professors of the fine arts, arising either from fatigue, or
+contempt of the present audience, or that caprice which so often tempts
+painters and musicians and great actors, in the phrase of the latter, to
+walk through their part, instead of exerting themselves with the energy
+which acquired their fame. But when the performer heard the voice of
+Darsie, his countenance became at once illuminated, and showed the
+complete mistake of those who suppose that the principal point of
+expression depends upon the eyes. With his face turned to the point from
+which the sound came, his upper lip a little curved, and quivering with
+agitation, and with a colour which surprise and pleasure had brought at
+once into his faded cheek, he exchanged the humdrum hornpipe which he
+had been sawing out with reluctant and lazy bow, for the fine Scottish
+air,
+
+  You're welcome, Charlie Stuart,
+
+which flew from his strings as if by inspiration and after a breathless
+pause of admiration among the audience, was received with a clamour of
+applause, which seemed to show that the name and tendency, as well as
+the execution of the tune, was in the highest degree acceptable to all
+the party assembled.
+
+In the meantime, Cristal Nixon, still keeping hold of Darsie, and
+following the landlord, forced his way with some difficulty through the
+crowded kitchen, and entered a small apartment on the other side of it,
+where they found Lilias Redgauntlet already seated. Here Nixon gave
+way to his suppressed resentment, and turning sternly on Crackenthorp,
+threatened him with his master's severest displeasure, because things
+were in such bad order to receive his family, when he had given such
+special advice that he desired to be private. But Father Crackenthorp
+was not a man to be brow-beaten.
+
+'Why, brother Nixon, thou art angry this morning,' he replied; 'hast
+risen from thy wrong side, I think. You know, as well as I, that most of
+this mob is of the squire's own making--gentlemen that come with their
+servants, and so forth, to meet him in the way of business, as old Tom
+Turnpenny says--the very last that came was sent down with Dick Gardener
+from Fairladies.'
+
+'But the blind scraping scoundrel yonder,' said Nixon, 'how dared you
+take such a rascal as that across your threshold at such a time as this?
+If the squire should dream you have a thought of peaching--I am only
+speaking for your good, Father Crackenthorp.'
+
+'Why, look ye, brother Nixon,' said Crackenthorp, turning his quid with
+great composure, 'the squire is a very worthy gentleman, and I'll never
+deny it; but I am neither his servant nor his tenant, and so he need
+send me none of his orders till he hears I have put on his livery. As
+for turning away folk from my door, I might as well plug up the ale-tap,
+and pull down the sign--and as for peaching, and such like, the squire
+will find the folk here are as honest to the full as those he brings
+with him.'
+
+'How, you impudent lump of tallow,' said Nixon, 'what do you mean by
+that?'
+
+'Nothing,' said Crackenthorp, 'but that I can tour out as well as
+another--you understand me--keep good lights in my upper story--know a
+thing or two more than most folk in this country. If folk will come to
+my house on dangerous errands, egad they shall not find Joe Crackenthorp
+a cat's-paw. I'll keep myself clear, you may depend on it, and let every
+man answer for his own actions--that's my way. Anything wanted, Master
+Nixon?'
+
+'No--yes--begone!' said Nixon, who seemed embarrassed with the
+landlord's contumacy, yet desirous to conceal the effect it produced on
+him.
+
+The door was no sooner closed on Crackenthorp, than Miss Redgauntlet,
+addressing Nixon, commanded him to leave the room and go to his proper
+place.
+
+'How, madam?' said the fellow sullenly, yet with an air of respect,
+'Would you have your uncle pistol me for disobeying his orders?'
+
+'He may perhaps pistol you for some other reason, if you do not obey
+mine,' said Lilias, composedly.
+
+'You abuse your advantage over me, madam--I really dare not go--I am on
+guard over this other miss here; and if I should desert my post, my life
+were not worth five minutes' purchase.'
+
+'Then know your post, sir,' said Lilias, 'and watch on the outside of
+the door. You have no commission to listen to our private conversation,
+I suppose? Begone, sir, without further speech or remonstrance, or I
+will tell my uncle that which you would have reason to repent be should
+know.'
+
+The fellow looked at her with a singular expression of spite, mixed
+with deference. 'You abuse your advantages, madam,' he said, 'and act as
+foolishly in doing so as I did in affording you such a hank over me. But
+you are a tyrant; and tyrants have commonly short reigns.'
+
+So saying, he left the apartment.
+
+'The wretch's unparalleled insolence,' said Lilias to her brother, 'has
+given me one great advantage over him. For knowing that my uncle would
+shoot him with as little remorse as a woodcock, if he but guessed at his
+brazen-faced assurance towards me, he dares not since that time assume,
+so far as I am concerned, the air of insolent domination which the
+possession of my uncle's secrets, and the knowledge of his most secret
+plans, have led him to exert over others of his family.'
+
+'In the meantime,' said Darsie, 'I am happy to see that the landlord
+of the house does not seem so devoted to him as I apprehended; and this
+aids the hope of escape which I am nourishing for you and for myself. O
+Lilias! the truest of friends, Alan Fairford, is in pursuit of me, and
+is here at this moment. Another humble, but, I think, faithful friend,
+is also within these dangerous walls.'
+
+Lilias laid her finger on her lips, and pointed to the door. Darsie took
+the hint, lowered his voice, and informed her in whispers of the arrival
+of Fairford, and that he believed he had opened a communication with
+Wandering Willie. She listened with the utmost interest, and had just
+begun to reply, when a loud noise was heard in the kitchen, caused
+by several contending voices, amongst which Darsie thought he could
+distinguish that of Alan Fairford.
+
+Forgetting how little his own condition permitted him to become the
+assistant of another, Darsie flew to the door of the room, and finding
+it locked and bolted on the outside, rushed against it with all
+his force, and made the most desperate efforts to burst it open,
+notwithstanding the entreaties of his sister that he would compose
+himself and recollect the condition in which he was placed. But the
+door, framed to withstand attacks from excisemen, constables, and other
+personages, considered as worthy to use what are called the king's keys,
+[In common parlance, a crowbar and hatchet.] 'and therewith to make
+lockfast places open and patent,' set his efforts at defiance. Meantime
+the noise continued without, and we are to give an account of its origin
+in our next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+Joe Crackenthorp's public-house had never, since it first reared
+its chimneys on the banks of the Solway, been frequented by such a
+miscellaneous group of visitors as had that morning become its guests.
+Several of them were persons whose quality seemed much superior to
+their dresses and modes of travelling. The servants who attended them
+contradicted the inferences to be drawn from the garb of their masters,
+and, according to the custom of the knights of the rainbow, gave many
+hints that they were not people to serve any but men of first-rate
+consequence. These gentlemen, who had come thither chiefly for the
+purpose of meeting with Mr. Redgauntlet, seemed moody and anxious,
+conversed and walked together apparently in deep conversation, and
+avoided any communication with the chance travellers whom accident
+brought that morning to the same place of resort.
+
+As if Fate had set herself to confound the plans of the Jacobite
+conspirators, the number of travellers was unusually great, their
+appearance respectable, and they filled the public tap-room of the inn,
+where the political guests had already occupied most of the private
+apartments.
+
+Amongst others, honest Joshua Geddes had arrived, travelling, as he
+said, in the sorrow of the soul, and mourning for the fate of Darsie
+Latimer as he would for his first-born child. He had skirted the whole
+coast of the Solway, besides making various trips into the interior,
+not shunning, on such occasions, to expose himself to the laugh of the
+scorner, nay, even to serious personal risk, by frequenting the haunts
+of smugglers, horse-jockeys, and other irregular persons, who looked
+on his intrusion with jealous eyes, and were apt to consider him as
+an exciseman in the disguise of a Quaker. All this labour and peril,
+however, had been undergone in vain. No search he could make obtained
+the least intelligence of Latimer, so that he began to fear the poor lad
+had been spirited abroad--for the practice of kidnapping was then not
+infrequent, especially on the western coasts of Britain--if indeed he
+had escaped a briefer and more bloody fate.
+
+With a heavy heart, he delivered his horse, even Solomon, into the hands
+of the ostler, and walking into the inn, demanded from the landlord
+breakfast and a private room. Quakers, and such hosts as old Father
+Crackenthorp, are no congenial spirits; the latter looked askew over his
+shoulder, and replied, 'If you would have breakfast here, friend, you
+are like to eat it where other folk eat theirs.'
+
+'And wherefore can I not,' said the Quaker, 'have an apartment to
+myself, for my money?'
+
+'Because, Master Jonathan, you must wait till your betters be served, or
+else eat with your equals.'
+
+Joshua Geddes argued the point no further, but sitting quietly down on
+the seat which Crackenthorp indicated to him, and calling for a pint
+of ale, with some bread, butter, and Dutch cheese, began to satisfy the
+appetite which the morning air had rendered unusually alert.
+
+While the honest Quaker was thus employed, another stranger entered the
+apartment, and sat down near to the table on which his victuals were
+placed. He looked repeatedly at Joshua, licked his parched and chopped
+lips as he saw the good Quaker masticate his bread and cheese, and
+sucked up his thin chops when Mr. Geddes applied the tankard to his
+mouth, as if the discharge of these bodily functions by another had
+awakened his sympathies in an uncontrollable degree. At last, being
+apparently unable to withstand his longings, he asked, in a faltering
+tone, the huge landlord, who was tramping through the room in all
+corpulent impatience, whether he could have a plack-pie?'
+
+'Never heard of such a thing, master,' said the landlord, and was about
+to trudge onward; when the guest, detaining him, said, in a strong
+Scottish tone, 'Ya will maybe have nae whey then, nor buttermilk, nor ye
+couldna exhibit a souter's clod?'
+
+'Can't tell what ye are talking about, master,' said Crackenthorp.
+
+'Then ye will have nae breakfast that will come within 'the compass of a
+shilling Scots?'
+
+'Which is a penny sterling,' answered Crackenthorp, with a sneer. 'Why,
+no, Sawney, I can't say as we have--we can't afford it; But you shall
+have a bellyful for love, as we say in the bull-ring.'
+
+'I shall never refuse a fair offer,' said the poverty-stricken guest;
+'and I will say that for the English, if they were deils, that they are
+a ceeveleesed people to gentlemen that are under a cloud.'
+
+'Gentlemen!--humph!' said Crackenthorp--'not a blue-cap among them but
+halts upon that foot.' Then seizing on a dish which still contained a
+huge cantle of what had been once a princely mutton pasty, he placed
+it on the table before the stranger, saying, 'There, master gentleman;
+there is what is worth all the black pies, as you call them, that were
+ever made of sheep's head.'
+
+'Sheep's head is a gude thing, for a' that,' replied the guest; but
+not being spoken so loud as to offend his hospitable entertainer, the
+interjection might pass for a private protest against the scandal thrown
+out against the standing dish of Caledonia.
+
+This premised, he immediately began to transfer the mutton and
+pie-crust from his plate to his lips, in such huge gobbets, as if he was
+refreshing after a three days' fast, and laying in provisions against a
+whole Lent to come.
+
+Joshua Geddes in his turn gazed on him with surprise, having never, he
+thought, beheld such a gaunt expression of hunger in the act of eating.
+'Friend,' he said, after watching him for some minutes, 'if thou gorgest
+thyself in this fashion, thou wilt assuredly choke. Wilt thou not take a
+draught out of my cup to help down all that dry meat?'
+
+'Troth,' said the stranger, stopping and looking at the friendly
+propounder, 'that's nae bad overture, as they say in the General
+Assembly. I have heard waur motions than that frae wiser counsel.'
+
+Mr. Geddes ordered a quart of home-brewed to be placed before our friend
+Peter Peebles; for the reader must have already conceived that this
+unfortunate litigant was the wanderer in question.
+
+The victim of Themis had no sooner seen the flagon, than he seized
+it with the same energy which he had displayed in operating upon the
+pie--puffed off the froth with such emphasis, that some of it lighted on
+Mr. Geddes's head--and then said, as if with it sudden recollection of
+what was due to civility, 'Here's to ye, friend. What! are ye ower grand
+to give me an answer, or are ye dull o' hearing?'
+
+'I prithee drink thy liquor, friend,' said the good Quaker; 'thou
+meanest it in civility, but we care not for these idle fashions.'
+
+'What! ye are a Quaker, are ye?' said Peter; and without further
+ceremony reared the flagon to his head, from which he withdrew it not
+while a single drop of 'barley-broo' remained. 'That's done you and
+me muckle gude,' he said, sighing as he set down his pot; 'but twa
+mutchkins o' yill between twa folk is a drappie ower little measure.
+What say ye to anither pot? or shall we cry in a blithe Scots pint at
+ance? The yill is no amiss.'
+
+'Thou mayst call for what thou wilt on thine own charges, friend,' said
+Geddes; 'for myself, I willingly contribute to the quenching of thy
+natural thirst; but I fear it were no such easy matter to relieve thy
+acquired and artificial drought.'
+
+'That is to say, in plain terms, ye are for withdrawing your caution
+with the folk of the house? You Quaker folk are but fause comforters;
+but since ye have garred me drink sae muckle cauld yill--me that am no
+used to the like of it in the forenoon--I think ye might as weel have
+offered me a glass of brandy or usquabae--I'm nae nice body--I can drink
+onything that's wet and toothsome.'
+
+'Not a drop at my cost, friend,' quoth Geddes. 'Thou art an old man, and
+hast perchance a heavy and long journey before thee. Thou art, moreover,
+my countryman, as I judge from thy tongue; and I will not give thee the
+means of dishonouring thy grey hairs in a strange land.'
+
+'Grey hairs, neighbour!' said Peter, with a wink to the bystanders, whom
+this dialogue began to interest, and who were in hopes of seeing the
+Quaker played off by the crazed beggar, for such Peter Peebles appeared
+to be. 'Grey hairs! The Lord mend your eyesight, neighbour, that disna
+ken grey hairs frae a tow wig!'
+
+This jest procured a shout of laughter, and, what was still more
+acceptable than dry applause, a man who stood beside called out, 'Father
+Crackenthorp, bring a nipperkin of brandy. I'll bestow a dram on this
+fellow, were it but for that very word.'
+
+The brandy was immediately brought by a wench who acted as barmaid; and
+Peter, with a grin of delight, filled a glass, quaffed it off, and then
+saying, 'God bless me! I was so unmannerly as not to drink to ye--I
+think the Quaker has smitten me wi' his ill-bred havings,'--he was about
+to fill another, when his hand was arrested by his new friend; who said
+at the same time, 'No, no, friend--fair play's a jewel--time about, if
+you please.' And filling a glass for himself, emptied it as gallantly
+as Peter could have done. 'What say you to that, friend?' he continued,
+addressing the Quaker.
+
+'Nay, friend,' answered Joshua, 'it went down thy throat, not mine; and
+I have nothing to say about what concerns me not; but if thou art a
+man of humanity, thou wilt not give this poor creature the means of
+debauchery. Bethink thee that they will spurn him from the door, as
+they would do a houseless and masterless dog, and that he may die on the
+sands or on the common. And if he has through thy means been rendered
+incapable of helping himself, thou shalt not be innocent of his blood.'
+
+'Faith, Broadbrim, I believe thou art right, and the old gentleman in
+the flaxen jazy shall have no more of the comforter. Besides, we have
+business in hand to-day, and this fellow, for as mad as he looks, may
+have a nose on his face after all. Hark ye, father,--what is your name,
+and what brings you into such an out-of-the-way corner?'
+
+'I am not just free to condescend on my name,' said Peter; 'and as for
+my business--there is a wee dribble of brandy in the stoup--it would be
+wrang to leave it to the lass--it is learning her bad usages.'
+
+'Well, thou shalt have the brandy, and be d--d to thee, if thou wilt
+tell me what you are making here.'
+
+'Seeking a young advocate chap that they ca' Alan Fairford, that has
+played me a slippery trick, and ye maun ken a' about the cause,' said
+Peter.
+
+'An advocate, man!' answered the captain of the JUMPING JENNY--for it
+was he, and no other, who had taken compassion on Peter's drought;
+'why, Lord help thee, thou art on the wrong side of the Firth to seek
+advocates, whom I take to be Scottish lawyers, not English.'
+
+'English lawyers, man!' exclaimed Peter, 'the deil a lawyer's in a'
+England.'
+
+'I wish from my soul it were true,' said Ewart; 'but what the devil put
+that in your head?'
+
+'Lord, man, I got a grip of ane of their attorneys in Carlisle, and he
+tauld me that there wasna a lawyer in England ony mair than himsell that
+kend the nature of a multiple-poinding! And when I told him how this
+loopy lad, Alan Fairford, had served me, he said I might bring an action
+on the case--just as if the case hadna as mony actions already as one
+case can weel carry. By my word, it is a gude case, and muckle has it
+borne, in its day, of various procedure--but it's the barley-pickle
+breaks the naig's back, and wi' my consent it shall not hae ony mair
+burden laid upon it.'
+
+'But this Alan Fairford?' said Nanty--'come--sip up the drop of brandy,
+man, and tell me some more about him, and whether you are seeking him
+for good or for harm.'
+
+'For my ain gude, and for his harm, to be sure,' said Peter. 'Think of
+his having left my cause in the dead-thraw between the tyneing and
+the winning, and capering off into Cumberland here, after a wild
+loup-the-tether lad they ca' Darsie Latimer.'
+
+'Darsie Latimer!' said Mr. Geddes, hastily; 'do you know anything of
+Darsie Latimer?'
+
+'Maybe I do, and maybe I do not,' answered Peter; 'I am no free to
+answer every body's interrogatory, unless it is put judicially, and by
+form of law--specially where folk think so much of a caup of sour yill,
+or a thimblefu' of brandy. But as for this gentleman, that has shown
+himself a gentleman at breakfast, and will show himself a gentleman at
+the meridian, I am free to condescend upon any points in the cause that
+may appear to bear upon the question at issue.'
+
+'Why, all I want to know from you, my friend, is, whether you are
+seeking to do this Mr. Alan Fairford good or harm; because if you come
+to do him good, I think you could maybe get speech of him--and if to do
+him harm, I will take the liberty to give you a cast across the Firth,
+with fair warning not to come back on such an errand, lest worse come of
+it.'
+
+The manner and language of Ewart were such that Joshua Geddes resolved
+to keep cautious silence, till he could more plainly discover whether he
+was likely to aid or impede him in his researches after Darsie Latimer.
+He therefore determined to listen attentively to what should pass
+between Peter and the seaman, and to watch for an opportunity of
+questioning the former, so soon as he should be separated from his new
+acquaintance.
+
+'I wad by no means,' said Peter Peebles, 'do any substantial harm to the
+poor lad Fairford, who has had mony a gowd guinea of mine, as weel as
+his father before him; but I wad hae him brought back to the minding of
+my business and his ain; and maybe I wadna insist further in my action
+of damages against him, than for refunding the fees, and for some annual
+rent on the principal sum due frae the day on which he should have
+recovered it for me, plack and bawbee, at the great advising; for ye
+are aware, that is the least that I can ask NOMINE DAMNI; and I have nae
+thought to break down the lad bodily a'thegither--we maun live and let
+live--forgie and forget.'
+
+'The deuce take me, friend Broadbrim,' said Nanty Ewart, looking to the
+Quaker, 'if I can make out what this old scarecrow means. If I thought
+it was fitting that Master Fairford should see him, why perhaps it is
+a matter that could be managed. Do you know anything about the old
+fellow?--you seemed to take some charge of him just now.'
+
+'No more than I should have done by any one in distress,' said Geddes,
+not sorry to be appealed to; 'but I will try what I can do to find out
+who he is, and what he is about in this country. But are we not a little
+too public in this open room?'
+
+'It's well thought of,' said Nanty; and at his command the barmaid
+ushered the party into a side-booth, Peter attending them in the
+instinctive hope that there would be more liquor drunk among them before
+parting. They had scarce sat down in their new apartment, when the sound
+of a violin was heard in the room which they had just left.
+
+'I'll awa back yonder,' said Peter, rising up again; 'yon's the sound of
+a fiddle, and when there is music, there's ay something ganging to eat
+or drink.'
+
+'I am just going to order something here,' said the Quaker; 'but in the
+meantime, have you any objection, my good friend, to tell us your name?'
+
+'None in the world, if you are wanting to drink to me by name and
+surname,' answered Peebles; 'but, otherwise, I would rather evite your
+interrogatories.'
+
+'Friend,' said the Quaker, 'it is not for thine own health, seeing thou
+hast drunk enough already--however--here, handmaiden--bring me a gill of
+sherry.'
+
+'Sherry's but shilpit drink, and a gill's a sma' measure for twa
+gentlemen to crack ower at their first acquaintance. But let us see your
+sneaking gill of sherry,' said Poor Peter, thrusting forth his huge
+hand to seize on the diminutive pewter measure, which, according to the
+fashion of the time, contained the generous liquor freshly drawn from
+the butt.
+
+'Nay, hold, friend,' said Joshua, 'thou hast not yet told me what name
+and surname I am to call thee by.'
+
+'D--d sly in the Quaker,' said Nanty, apart, 'to make him pay for his
+liquor before he gives it him. Now, I am such a fool, that I should have
+let him get too drunk to open his mouth, before I thought of asking him
+a question.'
+
+'My name is Peter Peebles, then,' said the litigant, rather sulkily,
+as one who thought his liquor too sparingly meted out to him; 'and what
+have you to say to that?'
+
+'Peter Peebles?' repeated Nanty Ewart and seemed to muse upon something
+which the words brought to his remembrance, while the Quaker pursued his
+examination.
+
+'But I prithee, Peter Peebles, what is thy further designation? Thou
+knowest, in our country, that some men are distinguished by their craft
+and calling, as cordwainers, fishers, weavers, or the like, and some by
+their titles as proprietors of land (which savours of vanity)--now, how
+may you be distinguished from others of the same name?'
+
+'As Peter Peebles of the great plea of Poor Peter Peebles against
+Plainstanes, ET PER CONTRA--if I am laird of naething else, I am ay a
+DOMINUS LITIS.'
+
+'It's but a poor lairdship, I doubt,' said Joshua.
+
+'Pray, Mr. Peebles,' said Nanty, interrupting the conversation abruptly,
+'were not you once a burgess of Edinburgh?'
+
+'WAS I a burgess!' said Peter indignantly, 'and AM I not a burgess even
+now? I have done nothing to forfeit my right, I trow--once provost and
+ay my lord.'
+
+'Well, Mr. Burgess, tell me further, have you not some property in the
+Gude Town?' continued Ewart.
+
+'Troth have I--that is, before my misfortunes, I had twa or three bonny
+bits of mailings amang the closes and wynds, forby the shop and the
+story abune it. But Plainstanes has put me to the causeway now. Never
+mind though, I will be upsides with him yet.'
+
+'Had not you once a tenement in the Covenant Close?' again demanded
+Nanty.
+
+'You have hit it, lad, though ye look not like a Covenanter,' said
+Peter; 'we'll drink to its memory--(Hout! the heart's at the mouth o'
+that ill-faur'd bit stoup already!)--it brought a rent, reckoning from
+the crawstep to the groundsill, that ye might ca' fourteen punds a year,
+forby the laigh cellar that was let to Lucky Littleworth.'
+
+'And do you not remember that you had a poor old lady for your tenant,
+Mrs. Cantrips of Kittlebasket?' said Nanty, suppressing his emotion with
+difficulty.
+
+'Remember! G--d, I have gude cause to remember her,' said Peter, 'for
+she turned a dyvour on my hands, the auld besom! and after a' that the
+law could do to make me satisfied and paid, in the way of poinding and
+distrenzieing and sae forth, as the law will, she ran awa to the charity
+workhouse, a matter of twenty punds Scots in my debt--it's a great shame
+and oppression that charity workhouse, taking in bankrupt dyvours that
+canna, pay their honest creditors.'
+
+'Methinks, friend,' said the Quaker, 'thine own rags might teach thee
+compassion for other people's nakedness.'
+
+'Rags!' said Peter, taking Joshua's words literally; 'does ony wise body
+put on their best coat when they are travelling, and keeping company
+with Quakers, and such other cattle as the road affords?'
+
+'The old lady DIED, I have heard,' said Nanty, affecting a moderation
+which was belied by accents that faltered with passion.
+
+'She might live or die, for what I care,' answered Peter the Cruel;
+'what business have folk to do to live that canna live as law will, and
+satisfy their just and lawful creditors?'
+
+'And you--you that are now yourself trodden down in the very kennel,
+are you not sorry for what you have done? Do you not repent having
+occasioned the poor widow woman's death?'
+
+'What for should I repent?' said Peter; 'the law was on my side--a
+decreet of the bailies, followed by poinding, and an act of warding--a
+suspension intented, and the letters found orderly proceeded. I followed
+the auld rudas through twa courts--she cost me mair money than her lugs
+were worth.'
+
+'Now, by Heaven!' said Nanty, 'I would give a thousand guineas, if I had
+them, to have you worth my beating! Had you said you repented, it had
+been between God and your conscience; but to hear you boast of your
+villany--Do you think it little to have reduced the aged to famine, and
+the young to infamy--to have caused the death of one woman, the ruin of
+another, and to have driven a man to exile and despair? By Him that made
+me, I can scarce keep hands off you!
+
+'Off me? I defy ye!' said Peter. 'I take this honest man to witness that
+if ye stir the neck of my collar, I will have my action for stouthreif,
+spulzie, oppression, assault and battery. Here's a bra' din, indeed,
+about an auld wife gaun to the grave, a young limmer to the close-heads
+and causeway, and a sticket stibbler [A student of divinity who has not
+been able to complete his studies on theology.] to the sea instead of
+the gallows!'
+
+'Now, by my soul,' said Nanty, 'this is too much! and since you can feel
+no otherwise, I will try if I cannot beat some humanity into your head
+and shoulders.'
+
+He drew his hanger as he spoke, and although Joshua, who had in vain
+endeavoured to interrupt the dialogue to which he foresaw a violent
+termination, now threw himself between Nanty and the old litigant, he
+could not prevent the latter from receiving two or three sound slaps
+over the shoulder with the flat side of the weapon.
+
+Poor Peter Peebles, as inglorious in his extremity as he had been
+presumptuous in bringing it on, now ran and roared, and bolted out of
+the apartment and house itself, pursued by Nanty, whose passion became
+high in proportion to his giving way to its dictates, and by Joshua, who
+still interfered at every risk, calling upon Nanty to reflect on the
+age and miserable circumstances of the offender, and upon Poor Peter
+to stand and place himself under his protection. In front of the house,
+however, Peter Peebles found a more efficient protector than the worthy
+Quaker.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+Our readers may recollect that Fairford had been conducted by Dick
+Gardener from the house of Fairladies to the inn of old Father
+Crackenthorp, in order, as he had been informed by the mysterious Father
+Buonaventure, that he might have the meeting which he desired with Mr.
+Redgauntlet, to treat with him for the liberty of his friend Darsie. His
+guide, by the special direction of Mr. Ambrose, had introduced him into
+the public-house by a back-door, and recommended to the landlord to
+accommodate him with a private apartment, and to treat him with all
+civility; but in other respects to keep his eye on him, and even to
+secure his person, if he saw any reason to suspect him to be a spy. He
+was not, however, subjected to any direct restraint, but was ushered
+into an apartment where he was requested to await the arrival of
+the gentleman with whom he wished to have an interview, and who, as
+Crackenthorp assured, him with a significant nod, would be certainly
+there in the course of an hour. In the meanwhile, he recommended to him,
+with another significant sign, to keep his apartment, 'as there were
+people in the house who were apt to busy themselves about other folk's
+matters.'
+
+Alan Fairford complied with the recommendation, so long as he thought
+it reasonable; but when, among a large party riding up to the house, he
+discerned Redgauntlet, whom he had seen under the name of Mr. Herries
+of Birrenswork, and whom, by his height and strength, he easily
+distinguished from the rest, he thought it proper to go down to the
+front of the house, in hopes that, by more closely reconnoitring the
+party, he might discover if his friend Darsie was among them.
+
+The reader is aware that, by doing so, he had an opportunity of breaking
+Darsie's fall from his side-saddle, although his disguise and mask
+prevented his recognizing his friend. It may be also recollected that
+while Nixon hurried Miss Redgauntlet and her brother into the house,
+their uncle, somewhat chafed at an unexpected and inconvenient
+interruption, remained himself in parley with Fairford, who had already
+successively addressed him by the names of Herries and Redgauntlet;
+neither of which, any more than the acquaintance of the young lawyer,
+he seemed at the moment willing to acknowledge, though an air of haughty
+indifference, which he assumed, could not conceal his vexation and
+embarrassment.
+
+'If we must needs be acquainted, sir,' he said at last--'for which I
+am unable to see any necessity, especially as I am now particularly
+disposed to be private--I must entreat you will tell me at once what you
+have to say, and permit me to attend to matters of more importance.'
+
+'My introduction,' said Fairford, 'is contained in this
+letter.--(Delivering that of Maxwell.)--I am convinced that, under
+whatever name it may be your pleasure for the present to be known, it is
+into your hands, and yours only, that it should be delivered.'
+
+Redgauntlet turned the letter in his hand--then read the contents then
+again looked upon the letter, and sternly observed, 'The seal of the
+letter has been broken. Was this the case, sir, when it was delivered
+into your hand?'
+
+Fairford despised a falsehood as much as any man,--unless, perhaps, as
+Tom Turnpenny might have said, 'in the way of business.' He answered
+readily and firmly, 'The seal was whole when the letter was delivered to
+me by Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees.'
+
+'And did you dare, sir, to break the seal of a letter addressed to me?'
+said Redgauntlet, not sorry, perhaps, to pick a quarrel upon a point
+foreign to the tenor of the epistle.
+
+'I have never broken the seal of any letter committed to my charge,'
+said Alan; 'not from fear of those to whom such letter might be
+addressed, but from respect to myself.'
+
+'That is well worded,' said Redgauntlet; 'and yet, young Mr. Counsellor,
+I doubt whether your delicacy prevented your reading my letter, or
+listening to the contents as read by some other person after it was
+opened.'
+
+'I certainly did hear the contents read over,' said Fairford; 'and they
+were such as to surprise me a good deal.'
+
+'Now that,' said Redgauntlet, 'I hold to be pretty much the same, IN
+FORO CONSCIENTIAE, as if you had broken the seal yourself. I shall hold
+myself excused from entering upon further discourse with a messenger
+so faithless; and you may thank yourself if your journey has been
+fruitless.'
+
+'Stay, sir,' said Fairford; 'and know that I became acquainted with the
+contents of the paper without my consent--I may even say, against my
+will; for Mr. Buonaventure'--
+
+'Who?' demanded Redgauntlet, in a wild and alarmed manner--'WHOM was it
+you named?'
+
+'Father Buonaventure,' said Alan,--'a Catholic priest, as I apprehend,
+whom I saw at the Misses Arthuret's house, called Fairladies.'
+
+'Misses Arthuret!--Fairladies!--A Catholic priest!--Father
+Buonaventure!' said Redgauntlet, repeating the words of Alan with
+astonishment.--'Is it possible that human rashness can reach such a
+point of infatuation? Tell me the truth, I conjure you, sir. I have
+the deepest interest to know whether this is more than an idle legend,
+picked up from hearsay about the country. You are a lawyer, and know the
+risk incurred by the Catholic clergy, whom the discharge of their duty
+sends to these bloody shores.'
+
+'I am a lawyer, certainly,' said Fairford; 'but my holding such a
+respectable condition in life warrants that I am neither an informer
+nor a spy. Here is sufficient evidence that I have seen Father
+Buonaventure.'
+
+He put Buonaventure's letter into Redgauntlet's hand, and watched his
+looks closely while he read it. 'Double-dyed infatuation!' he muttered,
+with looks in which sorrow, displeasure, and anxiety were mingled.
+'"Save me from the indiscretion of my friends," says the Spaniard; "I
+can save myself from the hostility of my enemies."'
+
+He then read the letter attentively, and for two or three minutes
+was lost in thought, while some purpose of importance seemed to have
+gathered and sit brooding upon his countenance. He held up his finger
+towards his satellite, Cristal Nixon, who replied to his signal with a
+prompt nod; and with one or two of the attendants approached Fairford in
+such a manner as to make him apprehensive they were about to lay hold of
+him.
+
+At this moment a noise was heard from withinside of the house, and
+presently rushed forth Peter Peebles, pursued by Nanty Ewart with his
+drawn hanger, and the worthy Quaker, who was endeavouring to prevent
+mischief to others, at some risk of bringing it on himself.
+
+A wilder and yet a more absurd figure can hardly be imagined, than that
+of Poor Peter clattering along as fast as his huge boots would permit
+him, and resembling nothing so much as a flying scarecrow; while the
+thin emaciated form of Nanty Ewart, with the hue of death on his cheek,
+and the fire of vengeance glancing from his eye, formed a ghastly
+contrast with the ridiculous object of his pursuit.
+
+Redgauntlet threw himself between them. 'What extravagant folly is
+this?' he said. 'Put up your weapon, captain. Is this a time to indulge
+in drunken brawls, or is such a miserable object as that a fitting
+antagonist for a man of courage?'
+
+'I beg pardon,' said the captain, sheathing his weapon--'I was a little
+bit out of the way, to be sure; but to know the provocation, a man must
+read my heart, and that I hardly dare to do myself. But the wretch is
+safe from me. Heaven has done its own vengeance on us both.'
+
+While he spoke in this manner, Peter Peebles, who had at first crept
+behind Redgauntlet in bodily fear, began now to reassume his spirits.
+Pulling his protector by the sleeve, 'Mr. Herries--Mr. Herries,' he
+whispered, eagerly, 'ye have done me mair than ae gude turn, and if ye
+will but do me anither at this dead pinch, I'll forgie the girded keg of
+brandy that you and Captain Sir Harry Redgimlet drank out yon time. Ye
+sall hae an ample discharge and renunciation, and, though I should see
+you walking at the Cross of Edinburgh, or standing at the bar of the
+Court of Justiciary, no the very thumbikins themselves should bring to
+my memory that ever I saw you in arms yon day.'
+
+He accompanied this promise by pulling so hard at Redgauntlet's cloak,
+that he at last turned round. 'Idiot! speak in a word what you want.'
+
+'Aweel, aweel. In a word, then,' said Peter Peebles, 'I have a warrant
+on me to apprehend that man that stands there, Alan Fairford by name,
+and advocate by calling. I bought it from Maister Justice Foxley's
+clerk, Maister Nicholas Faggot, wi' the guinea that you gied me.
+
+'Ha!' said Redgauntlet, 'hast thou really such a warrant? let me see it.
+Look sharp that no one escape, Cristal Nixon.'
+
+Peter produced a huge, greasy, leathern pocketbook, too dirty to
+permit its original colour to be visible, filled with scrolls of notes,
+memorials to counsel, and Heaven knows what besides. From amongst this
+precious mass he culled forth a paper, and placed it in the hands of
+Redgauntlet, or Herries, as he continued to call him, saying, at the
+same time, 'It's a formal and binding warrant, proceeding on my affidavy
+made, that the said Alan Fairford, being lawfully engaged in my service,
+had slipped the tether and fled over the Border, and was now lurking
+there and thereabouts, to elude and evite the discharge of his bounden
+duty to me; and therefore granting warrant to constables and others,
+to seek for, take, and apprehend him, that he may be brought before
+the Honourable Justice Foxley for examination, and, if necessary, for
+commitment. Now, though a' this be fairly set down, as I tell ye, yet
+where am I to get an officer to execute this warrant in sic a country as
+this, where swords and pistols flee out at a word's speaking, and folk
+care as little for the peace of King George as the peace of Auld King
+Coul? There's that drunken skipper, and that wet Quaker, enticed me into
+the public this morning, and because I wadna gie them' as much brandy as
+wad have made them blind-drunk, they baith fell on me, and were in the
+way of guiding me very ill.'
+
+While Peter went on in this manner, Redgauntlet glanced his eye over the
+warrant, and immediately saw that it must be a trick passed by Nicholas
+Faggot, to cheat the poor insane wretch out of his solitary guinea. But
+the Justice had actually subscribed it, as he did whatever his clerk
+presented to him, and Redgauntlet resolved to use it for his own
+purposes.
+
+Without making any direct answer, therefore, to Peter Peebles, he walked
+up gravely to Fairford, who had waited quietly for the termination of
+a scene in which he was not a little surprised to find his client, Mr.
+Peebles, a conspicuous actor.
+
+'Mr. Fairford,' said Redgauntlet, 'there are many reasons which might
+induce me to comply with the request, or rather the injunctions, of the
+excellent Father Buonaventure, that I should communicate with you upon
+the present condition of my ward, whom you know under the name of
+Darsie Latimer; but no man is better aware than you that the law must be
+obeyed, even in contradiction to our own feelings; now this poor man
+has obtained a warrant for carrying you before a magistrate, and, I am
+afraid, there is a necessity of your yielding to it, although to the
+postponement of the business which you may have with me.'
+
+'A warrant against me!' said Alan, indignantly; 'and at that poor
+miserable wretch's instance?--why, this is a trick, a mere and most
+palpable trick.'
+
+'It may be so,' replied Redgauntlet, with great equanimity; 'doubtless
+you know best; only the writ appears regular, and with that respect
+for the law which has been,' he said, with hypocritical formality, 'a
+leading feature of my character through life, I cannot dispense with
+giving my poor aid to the support of a legal warrant. Look at it
+yourself, and be satisfied it is no trick of mine.'
+
+Fairford ran over the affidavit and the warrant, and then exclaimed once
+more, that it was an impudent imposition, and that he would hold those
+who acted upon such a warrant liable in the highest damages. 'I guess
+at your motive, Mr. Redgauntlet,' he said, 'for acquiescing in so
+ridiculous a proceeding. But be assured you will find that, in this
+country, one act of illegal violence will not be covered or atoned for
+by practising another. You cannot, as a man of sense and honour, pretend
+to say you regard this as a legal warrant.'
+
+'I am no lawyer, sir,' said Redgauntlet; 'and pretend not to know what
+is or is not law--the warrant is quite formal, and that is enough for
+me.'
+
+'Did ever any one hear,' said Fairford, 'of an advocate being compelled
+to return to his task, like a collier or a salter [See Note 10.] who has
+deserted his master?'
+
+'I see no reason why he should not,' said Redgauntlet, dryly, 'unless
+on the ground that the services of the lawyer are the most expensive and
+least useful of the two.'
+
+'You cannot mean this in earnest,' said Fairford; 'you cannot really
+mean to avail yourself of so poor a contrivance, to evade the word
+pledged by your friend, your ghostly father, in my behalf. I may have
+been a fool for trusting it too easily, but think what you must be if
+you can abuse my confidence in this manner. I entreat you to reflect
+that this usage releases me from all promises of secrecy or connivance
+at what I am apt to think are very dangerous practices, and that'--
+
+'Hark ye, Mr. Fairford,' said Redgauntlet; 'I must here interrupt you
+for your own sake. One word of betraying what you may have seen, or what
+you may have suspected, and your seclusion is like to have either a very
+distant or a very brief termination; in either case a most undesirable
+one. At present, you are sure of being at liberty in a very few
+days--perhaps much sooner.'
+
+'And my friend,' said Alan Fairford, 'for whose sake I have run myself
+into this danger, what is to become of him? Dark and dangerous man!' he
+exclaimed, raising his voice, I will not be again cajoled by deceitful
+promises'--
+
+'I give you my honour that your friend is well,' interrupted
+Redgauntlet; 'perhaps I may permit you to see him, if you will but
+submit with patience to a fate which is inevitable.'
+
+But Alan Fairford, considering his confidence as having been abused,
+first by Maxwell, and next by the priest, raised his voice, and appealed
+to all the king's lieges within hearing, against the violence with
+which he was threatened. He was instantly seized on by Nixon and two
+assistants, who, holding down his arms, and endeavouring to stop his
+mouth, were about to hurry him away.
+
+The honest Quaker, who had kept out of Redgauntlet's presence, now came
+boldly forward.
+
+'Friend,' said he, 'thou dost more than thou canst answer. Thou knowest
+me well, and thou art aware that in me thou hast a deeply injured
+neighbour, who was dwelling beside thee in the honesty and simplicity of
+his heart.'
+
+'Tush, Jonathan,' said Redgauntlet; 'talk not to me, man; it is neither
+the craft of a young lawyer, nor the SIMPLICITY of an old hypocrite, can
+drive me from my purpose.
+
+'By my faith,' said the captain, coming forward in his turn, 'this is
+hardly fair, general; and I doubt,' he added, 'whether the will of my
+owners can make me a party to such proceedings. Nay, never fumble with
+your sword-hilt, but out with it like a man, if you are for a tilting.'
+He unsheathed his hanger, and continued--'I will neither see my comrade
+Fairford, nor the old Quaker, abused. D----n all warrants, false or
+true--curse the justice--confound the constable!--and here stands little
+Nanty Ewart to make good what he says against gentle and simple, in
+spite of horse-shoe or horse-radish either.'
+
+The cry of 'Down with all warrants!' was popular in the ears of the
+militia of the inn, and Nanty Ewart was no less so. Fishers, ostlers,
+seamen, smugglers, began to crowd to the spot. Crackenthorp endeavoured
+in vain to mediate. The attendants of Redgauntlet began to handle their
+firearms; but their master shouted to them to forbear, and, unsheathing
+his sword as quick as lightning, he rushed on Ewart in the midst of
+his bravado, and struck his weapon from his hand with such address and
+force, that it flew three yards from him. Closing with him at the same
+moment, he gave him a severe fall, and waved his sword over his head, to
+show he was absolutely at his mercy.
+
+'There, you drunken vagabond,' he said, 'I give you your life--you are
+no bad fellow if you could keep from brawling among your friends. But
+we all know Nanty Ewart,' he said to the crowd around, with a forgiving
+laugh, which, joined to the awe his prowess had inspired, entirely
+confirmed their wavering allegiance.
+
+They shouted, 'The laird for ever!' while poor Nanty, rising from the
+earth, on whose lap he had been stretched so rudely, went in quest of
+his hanger, lifted it, wiped it, and, as he returned the weapon to the
+scabbard, muttered between his teeth, 'It is true they say of him, and
+the devil will stand his friend till his hour come; I will cross him no
+more.'
+
+So saying, he slunk from the crowd, cowed and disheartened by his
+defeat.
+
+'For you, Joshua Geddes,' said Redgauntlet, approaching the Quaker, who,
+with lifted hands and eyes, had beheld the scene of violence, 'l shall
+take the liberty to arrest thee for a breach of the peace, altogether
+unbecoming thy pretended principles; and I believe it will go hard with
+thee both in a court of justice and among thine own Society of Friends,
+as they call themselves, who will be but indifferently pleased to
+see the quiet tenor of their hypocrisy insulted by such violent
+proceedings.'
+
+'I violent!' said Joshua; 'I do aught unbecoming the principles of the
+Friends! I defy thee, man, and I charge thee, as a Christian, to forbear
+vexing my soul with such charges: it is grievous enough to me to have
+seen violences which I was unable to prevent.'
+
+'O Joshua, Joshua!' said Redgauntlet, with a sardonic smile; 'thou light
+of the faithful in the town of Dumfries and the places adjacent, wilt
+thou thus fall away from the truth? Hast thou not, before us all,
+attempted to rescue a man from the warrant of law? Didst thou not
+encourage that drunken fellow to draw his weapon--and didst thou not
+thyself flourish thy cudgel in the cause? Think'st thou that the oaths
+of the injured Peter Peebles, and the conscientious Cristal Nixon,
+besides those of such gentlemen as look on this strange scene, who not
+only put on swearing as a garment, but to whom, in Custom House matters,
+oaths are literally meat and drink,--dost thou not think, I say, that
+these men's oaths will go further than thy Yea and Nay in this matter?'
+
+'I will swear to anything,' said Peter. 'All is fair when it comes to an
+oath AD LITEM.'
+
+'You do me foul wrong,' said the Quaker, undismayed by the general
+laugh. 'I encouraged no drawing of weapons, though I attempted to move
+an unjust man by some use of argument--I brandished no cudgel, although
+it may be that the ancient Adam struggled within me, and caused my hand
+to grasp mine oaken staff firmer than usual, when I saw innocence borne
+down with violence. But why talk I what is true and just to thee, who
+hast been a man of violence from thy youth upwards? Let me rather speak
+to thee such language as thou canst comprehend. Deliver these young men
+up to me,' he said, when he had led Redgauntlet a little apart from the
+crowd, 'and I will not only free thee from the heavy charge of damages
+which thou hast incurred by thine outrage upon my property, but I will
+add ransom for them and for myself. What would it profit thee to do the
+youths wrong, by detaining them in captivity?'
+
+'Mr. Geddes,' said Redgauntlet, in a tone more respectful than he had
+hitherto used to the Quaker, 'your language is disinterested, and I
+respect the fidelity of your friendship. Perhaps we have mistaken each
+other's principles and motives; but if so, we have not at present time
+for explanation. Make yourself easy. I hope to raise your friend
+Darsie Latimer to a pitch of eminence which you will witness with
+pleasure;--nay, do not attempt to answer me. The other young man shall
+suffer restraint a few days, probably only a few hours,--it is not more
+than due for his pragmatical interference in what concerned him not.
+Do you, Mr. Geddes, be so prudent as to take your horse and leave this
+place, which is growing every moment more unfit for the abode of a man
+of peace. You may wait the event in safety at Mount Sharon.'
+
+'Friend,' replied Joshua, 'I cannot comply with thy advice; I will
+remain here, even as thy prisoner, as thou didst but now threaten,
+rather than leave the youth who hath suffered by and through me and my
+misfortunes, in his present state of doubtful safety. Wherefore I will
+not mount my steed Solomon; neither will I turn his head towards Mount
+Sharon, until I see an end of this matter.'
+
+'A prisoner, then, you must be,' said Redgauntlet. 'I have no time to
+dispute the matter further with you. But tell me for what you fix your
+eyes so attentively on yonder people of mine.'
+
+'To speak the truth,' said the Quaker, 'I admire to behold among them
+a little wretch of a boy called Benjie, to whom I think Satan has given
+the power of transporting himself wheresoever mischief is going forward;
+so that it may be truly said, there is no evil in this land wherein he
+hath not a finger, if not a whole hand.'
+
+The boy, who saw their eyes fixed on him as they spoke, seemed
+embarrassed, slid rather desirous of making his escape; but at a signal
+from Redgauntlet he advanced, assuming the sheepish look and rustic
+manner with which the jackanapes covered much acuteness and roguery.
+
+'How long have you been with the party, sirrah?' said Redgauntlet.
+
+'Since the raid on the stake-nets,' said Benjie, with his finger in his
+mouth.
+
+'And what made you follow us?'
+
+'I dauredna stay at hame for the constables,' replied the boy.
+
+'And what have you been doing all this time?'
+
+'Doing, sir? I dinna ken what ye ca' doing--I have been doing naething,'
+said Benjie; then seeing something in Redgauntlet's eye which was not
+to be trifled with, he added, 'Naething but waiting on Maister Cristal
+Nixon.'
+
+'Hum!--aye--indeed?' muttered Redgauntlet. 'Must Master Nixon bring his
+own retinue into the field? This must be seen to.'
+
+He was about to pursue his inquiry, when Nixon himself came to him with
+looks of anxious haste, 'The Father is come,' he whispered, 'and the
+gentlemen are getting together in the largest room of the house, and
+they desire to see you. Yonder is your nephew, too, making a noise like
+a man in Bedlam.'
+
+'I will look to it all instantly,' said Redgauntlet. 'Is the Father
+lodged as I directed?'
+
+Cristal nodded.
+
+'Now, then, for the final trial,' said Redgauntlet. He folded his
+hands--looked upwards--crossed himself--and after this act of devotion
+(almost the first which any one had observed him make use of) he
+commanded Nixon to keep good watch--have his horses and men ready for
+every emergence--look after the safe custody of the prisoners--but treat
+them at the same time well and civilly. And, these orders given, he
+darted hastily into the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+NARRATIVE CONTINUED
+
+Redgauntlet's first course was to the chamber of his nephew. He unlocked
+the door, entered the apartment, and asked what he wanted, that he made
+so much noise.
+
+'I want my liberty,' said Darsie, who had wrought himself up to a pitch
+of passion in which his uncle's wrath had lost its terrors. 'I desire
+my liberty, and to be assured of the safety of my beloved friend, Alan
+Fairford, whose voice I heard but now.'
+
+'Your liberty shall be your own within half an hour from this
+period--your friend shall be also set at freedom in due time--and you
+yourself be permitted to have access to his place of confinement.'
+
+'This does not satisfy me,' said Darsie; 'I must see my friend
+instantly; he is here, and he is here endangered on my account only--I
+have heard violent exclamations--the clash of swords. You will gain no
+point with me unless I have ocular demonstration of his safety.'
+
+'Arthur--dearest nephew,' answered Redgauntlet, 'drive me not mad! Thine
+own fate--that of thy house--that of thousands--that of Britain herself,
+are at this moment in the scales; and you are only occupied about the
+safety of a poor insignificant pettifogger!'
+
+'He has sustained injury at your hands, then?' said Darsie, fiercely. 'I
+know he has; but if so, not even our relationship shall protect you.'
+
+'Peace, ungrateful and obstinate fool!' said Redgauntlet. Yet
+stay--will you be satisfied if you see this Alan Fairford, the bundle
+of bombazine--this precious friend of yours--well and sound? Will you,
+I say, be satisfied with seeing him in perfect safety without attempting
+to speak to or converse with him?' Darsie signified his assent. 'Take
+hold of my arm, then,' said Redgauntlet; 'and do you, niece Lilias, take
+the other; and beware; Sir Arthur, how you bear yourself.'
+
+Darsie was compelled to acquiesce, sufficiently aware that his uncle
+would permit him no interview with a friend whose influence would
+certainly be used against his present earnest wishes, and in some
+measure contented with the assurance of Fairford's personal safety.
+
+Redgauntlet led them through one or two passages (for the house, as
+we have before said, was very irregular, and built at different times)
+until they entered an apartment, where a man with shouldered carabine
+kept watch at the door, but readily turned the key for their reception.
+In this room they found Alan Fairford and the Quaker, apparently in
+deep conversation with each other. They looked up as Redgauntlet and
+his party entered; and Alan pulled off his hat and made a profound
+reverence, which the young lady, who recognized him,--though, masked
+as she was, he could not know her,--returned with some embarrassment,
+arising probably from the recollection of the bold step she had taken in
+visiting him.
+
+Darsie longed to speak, but dared not. His uncle only said, 'Gentlemen,
+I know you are as anxious on Mr. Darsie Latimer's account as he is upon
+yours. I am commissioned by him to inform you, that he is as well as you
+are--I trust you will all meet soon. Meantime, although I cannot suffer
+you to be at large, you shall be as well treated as is possible under
+your temporary confinement.'
+
+He passed on, without pausing to hear the answers which the lawyer and
+the Quaker were hastening to prefer; and only waving his hand by way
+of adieu, made his exit, with the real and the seeming lady whom he
+had under his charge, through a door at the upper end of the apartment,
+which was fastened and guarded like that by which they entered.
+
+Redgauntlet next led the way into a very small room; adjoining which,
+but divided by a partition, was one of apparently larger dimensions; for
+they heard the trampling of the heavy boots of the period, as if several
+persons were walking to and fro and conversing in low and anxious
+whispers.
+
+'Here,' said Redgauntlet to his nephew, as he disencumbered him from
+the riding-skirt and the mask, 'I restore you to yourself, and trust you
+will lay aside all effeminate thoughts with this feminine dress. Do
+not blush at having worn a disguise to which kings and heroes have been
+reduced. It is when female craft or female cowardice find their way
+into a manly bosom, that he who entertains these sentiments should take
+eternal shame to himself for thus having resembled womankind. Follow me,
+while Lilias remains here. I will introduce you to those whom I hope to
+see associated with you in the most glorious cause that hand ever drew
+sword in.'
+
+Darsie paused. 'Uncle,' he said, 'my person is in your hands; but
+remember, my will is my own. I will not be hurried into any resolution
+of importance. Remember what I have already said--what I now
+repeat--that I will take no step of importance but upon conviction.'
+
+'But canst thou be convinced, thou foolish boy, without hearing and
+understanding the grounds on which we act?'
+
+So saying he took Darsie by the arm, and walked with him to the next
+room--a large apartment, partly filled with miscellaneous articles of
+commerce, chiefly connected with contraband trade; where, among bales
+and barrels, sat, or walked to and fro, several gentlemen, whose manners
+and looks seemed superior to the plain riding dresses which they wore.
+
+There was a grave and stern anxiety upon their countenances, when, on
+Redgauntlet's entrance, they drew from their separate coteries into one
+group around him, and saluted him with a formality which had something
+in it of ominous melancholy. As Darsie looked around the circle, he
+thought he could discern in it few traces of that adventurous hope which
+urges men upon desperate enterprises; and began to believe that the
+conspiracy would dissolve of itself, without the necessity of his
+placing himself in direct opposition to so violent a character as his
+uncle, and incurring the hazard with which such opposition must be
+attended.
+
+Mr. Redgauntlet, however, did not, or would not, see any such marks of
+depression of spirit amongst his coadjutors, but met them with cheerful
+countenance, and a warm greeting of welcome. 'Happy to meet you here,
+my lord,' he said, bowing low to a slender young man. 'I trust you
+come with the pledges of your noble father, of B--, and all that loyal
+house.--Sir Richard, what news in the west? I am told you had two
+hundred men on foot to have joined when the fatal retreat from Derby was
+commenced. When the White Standard is again displayed, it shall not
+be turned back so easily, either by the force of its enemies, or the
+falsehood of its friends.--Doctor Grumball, I bow to the representative
+of Oxford, the mother of learning and loyalty.--Pengwinion, you
+Cornish chough, has this good wind blown you north?--Ah, my brave
+Cambro-Britons, when was Wales last in the race of honour?'
+
+Such and such-like compliments he dealt around, which were in general
+answered by silent bows; but when he saluted one of his own countrymen
+by the name of MacKellar, and greeted Maxwell of Summertrees by that
+of Pate-in-Peril, the latter replied, 'that if Pate were not a fool,
+he would be Pate-in-Safety;' and the former, a thin old gentle-man, in
+tarnished embroidery, said bluntly, 'Aye, troth, Redgauntlet, I am here
+just like yourself; I have little to lose--they that took my land the
+last time, may take my life this; and that is all I care about it.'
+
+The English gentlemen, who were still in possession of their paternal
+estates, looked doubtfully on each other, and there was something
+whispered among them of the fox which had lost his tail.
+
+Redgauntlet hastened to address them. 'I think, my lords and gentlemen,'
+he said, 'that I can account for something like sadness which has crept
+upon an assembly gathered together for so noble a purpose. Our numbers
+seem, when thus assembled, too small and inconsiderable to shake the
+firm-seated usurpation of a half-century. But do not count us by what
+we are in thew and muscle, but by what our summons can do among our
+countrymen. In this small party are those who have power to raise
+battalions, and those who have wealth to pay them. And do not believe
+our friends who are absent are cold or indifferent to the cause. Let us
+once light the signal, and it will be hailed by all who retain love for
+the Stuart, and by all--a more numerous body--who hate the Elector. Here
+I have letters from'--
+
+Sir Richard Glendale interrupted the speaker. 'We all confide,
+Redgauntlet, in your valour and skill--we admire your perseverance; and
+probably nothing short of your strenuous exertions, and the emulation
+awakened by your noble and disinterested conduct, could have brought
+so many of us, the scattered remnant of a disheartened party, to meet
+together once again in solemn consultation; for I take it, gentlemen,'
+he said, looking round, 'this is only a consultation.'
+
+'Nothing more,' said the young lord.
+
+'Nothing more,' said Doctor Grumball, shaking his large academical
+peruke.
+
+And, 'Only a consultation,' was echoed by the others.
+
+Redgauntlet bit his lip. 'I had hopes,' he said, 'that the discourses
+I have held with most of you, from time to time, had ripened into more
+maturity than your words imply, and that we were here to execute as
+well as to deliberate; and for this we stand prepared. I can raise five
+hundred men with my whistle.'
+
+'Five hundred men!' said one of the Welsh squires; 'Cot bless us! and
+pray you, what cood could five hundred men do?'
+
+'All that the priming does for the cannon, Mr. Meredith,' answered
+Redgauntlet; 'it will enable us to seize Carlisle, and you know what our
+friends have engaged for in that case.'
+
+'Yes--but,' said the young nobleman, 'you must not hurry us on too fast,
+Mr. Redgauntlet; we are all, I believe, as sincere and truehearted in
+this business as you are, but we will not be driven forward blindfold.
+We owe caution to ourselves and our families, as well as to those whom
+we are empowered to represent on this occasion.'
+
+'Who hurries you, my lord? Who is it that would drive this meeting
+forward blindfold? I do not understand your lordship,' said Redgauntlet.
+
+'Nay,' said Sir Richard Glendale, 'at least do not let us fall under
+our old reproach of disagreeing among ourselves. What my lord means,
+Redgauntlet, is, that we have this morning heard it is uncertain
+whether you could even bring that body of men whom you count upon; your
+countryman, Mr. MacKellar, seemed, just before you came in, to doubt
+whether your people would rise in any force, unless you could produce
+the authority of your nephew.'
+
+'I might ask,' said Redgauntlet,' what right MacKellar, or any one, has
+to doubt my being able to accomplish what I stand pledged for? But our
+hopes consist in our unity. Here stands my nephew. Gentlemen, I present
+to you my kinsman, Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk.'
+
+'Gentlemen,' said Darsie, with a throbbing bosom, for he felt the crisis
+a very painful one, 'Allow me to say, that I suspend expressing my
+sentiments on the important subject under discussion until I have heard
+those of the present meeting.'
+
+'Proceed in your deliberations, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet; 'I will
+show my nephew such reasons for acquiescing in the result, as will
+entirely remove any scruples which may hang around his mind.'
+
+Dr. Grumball now coughed, 'shook his ambrosial curls,' and addressed the
+assembly.
+
+'The principles of Oxford,' he said,' are well understood, since she
+was the last to resign herself to the Arch-Usurper,--since she has
+condemned, by her sovereign authority, the blasphemous, atheistical,
+and anarchical tenets of Locke, and other deluders of the public
+mind. Oxford will give men, money and countenance, to the cause of the
+rightful monarch. But we have, been often deluded by foreign powers,
+who have availed themselves of our zeal to stir up civil dissensions, in
+Britain, not for the advantage of our blessed though banished monarch,
+but to stir up disturbances by which they might profit, while we, their
+tools, are sure to be ruined. Oxford, therefore, will not rise, unless
+our sovereign comes in person to claim our allegiance, in which case,
+God forbid we should refuse him our best obedience.'
+
+'It is a very cood advice,' said Mr. Meredith.
+
+'In troth,' said Sir Richard Glendale, 'it is the very keystone of our
+enterprise, and the only condition upon which I myself and others
+could ever have dreamt of taking up arms. No insurrection which has not
+Charles Edward himself at its head, will, ever last longer than till a
+single foot company of redcoats march to disperse it.'
+
+'This is my own opinion, and that of all my family,' said the young
+nobleman already mentioned; 'and I own I am somewhat surprised at being
+summoned to attend a dangerous rendezvous such as this, before something
+certain could have been stated to us on this most important preliminary
+point.'
+
+'Pardon me, my lord,' said Redgauntlet; 'I have not been so unjust
+either to myself or my friends--I had no means of communicating to our
+distant confederates (without the greatest risk of discovery) what is
+known to some of my honourable friends. As courageous, and as resolved,
+as when, twenty years since, he threw himself into the wilds of Moidart,
+Charles Edward has instantly complied with the wishes of his faithful
+subjects. Charles Edward is in this country--Charles Edward is in this
+house!--Charles Edward waits but your present decision, to receive the
+homage of those who have ever called themselves his loyal liegemen. He
+that would now turn his coat, and change his note, must do so under the
+eye of his sovereign.'
+
+There was a deep pause. Those among the conspirators whom mere habit, or
+a desire of preserving consistency, had engaged in the affair, now saw
+with terror their retreat cut off; and others, who at a distance had
+regarded the proposed enterprise as hopeful, trembled when the moment
+of actually embarking in it was thus unexpectedly and almost inevitably
+precipitated.
+
+'How now, my lords and gentlemen!' said Redgauntlet; is it delight and
+rapture that keep you thus silent? where are the eager welcomes that
+should be paid to your rightful king, who a second time confides his
+person to the care of his subjects, undeterred by the hairbreadth
+escapes and severe privations of his former expedition? I hope there is
+no gentleman here that is not ready to redeem, in his prince's presence,
+the pledge of fidelity which he offered in his absence.'
+
+'I, at least,' said the young nobleman resolutely, and laying his hand
+on his sword, 'will not be that coward. If Charles is come to these
+shores, I will be the first to give him welcome, and to devote my life
+and fortune to his service.'
+
+'Before Cot,' said Mr. Meredith, 'I do not see that Mr. Redgauntlet has
+left us anything else to do.'
+
+'Stay,' said Summertrees, 'there is yet one other question. Has he
+brought any of those Irish rapparees with him, who broke the neck of our
+last glorious affair?'
+
+'Not a man of them,' said Redgauntlet.
+
+'I trust,' said Dr. Grumball, 'that there are no Catholic priests in his
+company. I would not intrude on the private conscience of my sovereign,
+but, as an unworthy son of the Church of England, it is my duty to
+consider her security.'
+
+'Not a Popish dog or cat is there, to bark or mew about his Majesty,'
+said Redgauntlet. 'Old Shaftesbury himself could not wish a prince's
+person more secure from Popery--which may not be the worst religion
+in the world, notwithstanding. Any more doubts, gentlemen? can no more
+plausible reasons be discovered for postponing the payment of our duty,
+and discharge of our oaths and engagements? Meantime your king waits
+your declaration--by my faith he hath but a frozen reception!'
+
+'Redgauntlet,' said Sir Richard Glendale, calmly, 'your reproaches shall
+not goad me into anything of which my reason disapproves. That I respect
+my engagement as much as you do, is evident, since I am here, ready to
+support it with the best blood in my veins. But has the king really come
+hither entirely unattended?'
+
+'He has no man with him but young ------, as aide de camp, and a single
+valet de chambre.'
+
+'No MAN--but, Redgauntlet, as you are a gentleman, has he no woman with
+him?'
+
+Redgauntlet cast his eyes on the ground and replied, 'I am sorry to
+say--he has.'
+
+The company looked at each other, and remained silent for a moment.
+At length Sir Richard proceeded. 'I need not repeat to you, Mr.
+Redgauntlet, what is the well-grounded opinion of his Majesty's friends
+concerning that most unhappy connexion there is but one sense and
+feeling amongst us upon the subject. I must conclude that our humble
+remonstrances were communicated by you, sir, to the king?'
+
+'In the same strong terms in which they were couched,' replied
+Redgauntlet. 'I love his Majesty's cause more than I fear his
+displeasure.'
+
+'But, apparently, our humble expostulation has produced no effect.
+This lady, who has crept into his bosom, has a sister in the Elector
+of Hanover's court, and yet we are well assured that our most private
+communication is placed in her keeping.'
+
+'VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER FEMINA,' said Dr. Grumball.
+
+'She puts his secrets into her work-bag,' said Maxwell; 'and out they
+fly whenever she opens it. If I must hang, I would wish it to be in
+somewhat a better rope than the string of a lady's hussey.'
+
+'Are you, too, turning dastard, Maxwell?' said Redgauntlet, in a
+whisper.
+
+'Not I,' said Maxwell; 'let us fight for it, and let them win and wear
+us; but to be betrayed by a brimstone like that'--
+
+'Be temperate, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet; 'the foible of which you
+complain so heavily has always been that of kings and heroes; which I
+feel strongly confident the king will surmount, upon the humble entreaty
+of his best servants, and when he sees them ready to peril their all in
+his cause, upon the slight condition of his resigning the society of
+a female favourite, of whom I have seen reason to think he hath been
+himself for some time wearied. But let us not press upon him rashly
+with our well-meant zeal. He has a princely will as becomes his princely
+birth, and we, gentlemen, who are royalists, should be the last to take
+advantage of circumstances to limit its exercise. I am as much surprised
+and hurt as you can be, to find that he has made her the companion of
+this journey, increasing every chance of treachery and detection. But do
+not let us insist upon a sacrifice so humiliating, while he has scarce
+placed a foot upon the beach of his kingdom. Let us act generously by
+our sovereign; and when we have shown what we will do for him, we
+shall be able, with better face, to state what it is we expect him to
+concede.'
+
+'Indeed, I think it is but a pity,' said MacKellar, 'when so many pretty
+gentlemen are got together, that they should part without the flash of a
+sword among them.'
+
+'I should be of that gentleman's opinion,' said Lord ------, 'had I
+nothing to lose but my life; but I frankly own, that the conditions
+on which our family agreed to join having been, in this instance, left
+unfulfilled, I will not peril the whole fortunes of our house on the
+doubtful fidelity of an artful woman.'
+
+'I am sorry to see your lordship,' said Redgauntlet, 'take a course
+which is more likely to secure your house's wealth than to augment its
+honours.'
+
+'How am I to understand your language, sir?' said the young nobleman,
+haughtily.
+
+'Nay, gentlemen,' said Dr Grumball, interposing, 'do not let friends
+quarrel; we are all zealous for the cause--but truly, although I know
+the license claimed by the great in such matters, and can, I hope, make
+due allowance, there is, I may say, an indecorum in a prince who comes
+to claim the allegiance of the Church of England, arriving on such an
+errand with such a companion--SI NON CASTE, CAUTE TAMEN.'
+
+'I wonder how the Church of England came to be so heartily attached to
+his merry old namesake,' said Redgauntlet.
+
+Sir Richard Glendale then took up the question, as one whose authority
+and experience gave him right to speak with much weight.
+
+'We have no leisure for hesitation,' he said; 'it is full time that
+we decide what course we are to hold. I feel as much as you, Mr.
+Redgauntlet, the delicacy of capitulating with our sovereign in his
+present condition. But I must also think of the total ruin of the
+cause, the confiscation and bloodshed which will take place among his
+adherents, and all through the infatuation with which he adheres to
+a woman who is the pensionary of the present minister, as she was
+for years Sir Robert Walpole's. Let his Majesty send her back to the
+continent, and the sword on which I now lay my hand shall instantly be
+unsheathed, and, I trust, many hundred others at the same moment.'
+
+The other persons present testified their unanimous acquiescence in what
+Sir Richard Glendale had said.
+
+'I see you have taken your resolutions, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet;
+'unwisely I think, because I believe that, by softer and more generous
+proceedings, you would have been more likely to carry a point which I
+think as desirable as you do. But what is to be done if Charles should
+refuse, with the inflexibility of his grandfather, to comply with this
+request of yours? Do you mean to abandon him to his fate?'
+
+'God forbid!' said Sir Richard, hastily; 'and God forgive you, Mr.
+Redgauntlet, for breathing such a thought. No! I for one will, with all
+duty and humility, see him safe back to his vessel, and defend him with
+my life against whosoever shall assail him. But when I have seen his
+sails spread, my next act will be to secure, if I can, my own safety, by
+retiring to my house; or, if I find our engagement, as is too probable,
+has taken wind, by surrendering myself to the next Justice of Peace,
+and giving security that hereafter I shall live quiet, and submit to the
+ruling powers.'
+
+Again the rest of the persons present intimated their agreement in
+opinion with the speaker.
+
+'Well, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet, 'it is not for me to oppose the
+opinion of every one; and I must do you the justice to say, that
+the king has, in the present instance, neglected a condition of your
+agreement which was laid before him in very distinct terms. The question
+now is, who is to acquaint him with the result of this conference; for I
+presume you would not wait on him in a body to make the proposal that
+he should dismiss a person from his family as the price of your
+allegiance.'
+
+'I think Mr. Redgauntlet should make the explanation, said Lord--. 'As
+he has, doubtless, done justice to our remonstrances by communicating
+them to the king, no one can, with such propriety and force, state the
+natural and inevitable consequence of their being neglected.'
+
+'Now, I think,' said Redgauntlet, 'that those who make the objection
+should state it, for I am confident the king will hardly believe, on
+less authority than that of the heir of the loyal House of B--, that he
+is the first to seek an evasion of his pledge to join him.'
+
+'An evasion, sir!' repeated Lord ------, fiercely, 'I have borne too
+much from you already, and this I will not endure. Favour me with your
+company to the downs.'
+
+Redgauntlet laughed scornfully, and was about to follow the fiery young
+man, when Sir Richard again interposed. 'Are we to exhibit,' he said,
+'the last symptoms of the dissolution of our party, by turning our
+swords against each other? Be patient, Lord ------; in such conferences
+as this, much must pass unquestioned which might brook challenge
+elsewhere. There is a privilege of party as of parliament--men cannot,
+in emergency, stand upon picking phrases. Gentlemen, if you will extend
+your confidence in me so far, I will wait upon his Majesty, and I
+hope my Lord ------ and Mr. Redgauntlet will accompany me. I trust the
+explanation of this unpleasant matter will prove entirely satisfactory,
+and that we shall find ourselves at liberty to render our homage to our
+sovereign without reserve, when I for one will be the first to peril all
+in his just quarrel.'
+
+Redgauntlet at once stepped forward. 'My lord,' he said, 'if my zeal
+made me say anything in the slightest degree offensive, I wish it
+unsaid, and ask your pardon. A gentleman can do no more.'
+
+'I could not have asked Mr. Redgauntlet to do so much,' said the young
+nobleman, willingly accepting the hand which Redgauntlet offered. 'I
+know no man living from whom I could take so much reproof without a
+sense of degradation as from himself.'
+
+'Let me then hope, my lord, that you will go with Sir Richard and me to
+the presence. Your warm blood will heat our zeal--our colder resolves
+will temper yours.
+
+The young lord smiled, and shook his head. 'Alas! Mr. Redgauntlet,' he
+said, 'I am ashamed to say, that in zeal you surpass us all. But I
+will not refuse this mission, provided you will permit Sir Arthur, your
+nephew, also to accompany us.'
+
+'My nephew?' said Redgauntlet, and seemed to hesitate, then added, 'Most
+certainly. I trust,' he said, looking at Darsie, 'he will bring to his
+prince's presence such sentiments as fit the occasion.'
+
+It seemed however to Darsie, that his uncle would rather have left
+him behind, had he not feared that he might in that case have been
+influenced by, or might perhaps himself influence, the unresolved
+confederates with whom he must have associated during his absence.
+
+'I will go,' said Redgauntlet, 'and request admission.'
+
+In a moment after he returned, and without speaking, motioned for the
+young nobleman to advance. He did so, followed by Sir Richard Glendale
+and Darsie, Redgauntlet himself bringing up the rear. A short
+passage, and a few steps, brought them to the door of the temporary
+presence-chamber, in which the Royal Wanderer was to receive their
+homage. It was the upper loft of one of those cottages which made
+additions to the old inn, poorly furnished, dusty, and in disorder; for,
+rash as the enterprise might be considered, they had been still careful
+not to draw the attention of strangers by any particular attentions
+to the personal accommodation of the prince. He was seated, when the
+deputies, as they might be termed, of his remaining adherents entered;
+and as he rose, and came forward and bowed, in acceptance of their
+salutation, it was with a dignified courtesy which at once supplied
+whatever was deficient in external pomp, and converted the wretched
+garret into a saloon worthy of the occasion.
+
+It is needless to add that he was the same personage already introduced
+in the character of Father Buonaventure, by which name he was
+distinguished at Fairladies. His dress was not different from what he
+then wore, excepting that he had a loose riding-coat of camlet, under
+which he carried an efficient cut-and-thrust sword, instead of his
+walking rapier, and also a pair of pistols.
+
+Redgauntlet presented to him successively the young Lord ------, and
+his kinsman, Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet, who trembled as, bowing
+and kissing his hand, he found himself surprised into what might be
+construed an act of high treason, which yet he saw no safe means to
+avoid.
+
+Sir Richard Glendale seemed personally known to Charles Edward, who
+received him with a mixture of dignity and affection, and seemed to
+sympathize with the tears which rushed into that gentleman's eyes as he
+bade his Majesty welcome to his native kingdom.
+
+'Yes, my good Sir Richard,' said the unfortunate prince in a tone
+melancholy, yet resolved, 'Charles Edward is with his faithful friends
+once more--not, perhaps, with his former gay hopes which undervalued
+danger, but with the same determined contempt of the worst which can
+befall him, in claiming his own rights and those of his country.'
+
+'I rejoice, sire--and yet, alas! I must also grieve, to see you once
+more on the British shores,' said Sir Richard Glendale, and stopped
+short--a tumult of contradictory feelings preventing his further
+utterance.
+
+'It is the call of my faithful and suffering people which alone could
+have induced me to take once more the sword in my hand. For my own part,
+Sir Richard, when I have reflected how many of my loyal and devoted
+friends perished by the sword and by proscription, or died indigent
+and neglected in a foreign land, I have often, sworn that no view to my
+personal aggrandizement should again induce me to agitate a title which
+has cost my followers so dear. But since so many men of worth and honour
+conceive the cause of England and Scotland to be linked with that of
+Charles Stuart, I must follow their brave example, and, laying aside all
+other considerations, once more stand forward as their deliverer. I am,
+however, come hither upon your invitation; and as you are so completely
+acquainted with circumstances to which my absence must necessarily
+have rendered me a stranger, I must be a mere tool in the hands of my
+friends. I know well I never can refer myself implicitly to more
+loyal hearts or wiser heads, than Herries Redgauntlet, and Sir Richard
+Glendale. Give me your advice, then, how we are to proceed, and decide
+upon the fate of Charles Edward.'
+
+Redgauntlet looked at Sir Richard, as if to say, 'Can you press any
+additional or unpleasant condition at a moment like this?' And the other
+shook his head and looked down, as if his resolution was unaltered, and
+yet as feeling all the delicacy of the situation.
+
+There was a silence, which was broken by the unfortunate representative
+of an unhappy dynasty, with some appearance of irritation. 'This is
+strange, gentlemen,' he said; 'you have sent for me from the bosom of my
+family, to head an adventure of doubt and danger; and when I come, your
+own minds seem to be still irresolute. I had not expected this on the
+part of two such men.'
+
+'For me, sire,' said Redgauntlet, 'the steel of my sword is not truer
+than the temper of my mind.'
+
+'My Lord ------'s and mine are equally so,' said Sir Richard; 'but you
+had in charge, Mr. Redgauntlet, to convey our request to his Majesty,
+coupled with certain conditions.'
+
+'And I discharged my duty to his Majesty and to you,' said Redgauntlet.
+
+'I looked at no condition, gentlemen,' said their king, with dignity,'
+save that which called me here to assert my rights in person. That I
+have fulfilled at no common risk. Here I stand to keep my word, and I
+expect of you to be true to yours.'
+
+'There was, or should have been, something more than that in our
+proposal, please your Majesty,' said Sir Richard. 'There was a condition
+annexed to it.'
+
+'I saw it not,' said Charles, interrupting him. 'Out of tenderness
+towards the noble hearts of whom I think so highly, I would neither
+see nor read anything which could lessen them in my love and my esteem.
+Conditions can have no part betwixt prince and subject.'
+
+'Sire,' said Redgauntlet, kneeling on one knee, 'I see from Sir
+Richard's countenance he deems it my fault that your Majesty seems
+ignorant of what your subjects desired that I should communicate to your
+Majesty. For Heaven's sake! for the sake of all my past services and
+sufferings, leave not such a stain upon my honour! The note, Number D,
+of which this is a copy, referred to the painful subject to which Sir
+Richard again directs your attention.'
+
+'You press upon me, gentlemen,' said the prince, colouring highly,'
+recollections, which, as I hold them most alien to your character, I
+would willingly have banished from my memory. I did not suppose that
+my loyal subjects would think so poorly of me, as to use my depressed
+circumstances as a reason for forcing themselves into my domestic
+privacies, and stipulating arrangements with their king regarding
+matters in which the meanest minds claim the privilege of thinking for
+themselves. In affairs of state and public policy, I will ever be guided
+as becomes a prince, by the advice of my wisest counsellors; in those
+which regard my private affections and my domestic arrangements, I claim
+the same freedom of will which I allow to all my subjects, and without
+which a crown were less worth wearing than a beggar's bonnet.'
+
+'May it please your Majesty,' said Sir Richard Glendale, 'I see it must
+be my lot to speak unwilling truths; but believe me, I do so with as
+much profound respect as deep regret. It is true, we have called you to
+head a mighty undertaking, and that your Majesty, preferring honour to
+safety, and the love of your country to your own ease, has condescended
+to become our leader. But we also pointed out as a necessary and
+indispensable preparatory step to the achievement of our purpose--and,
+I must say, as a positive condition of our engaging in it--that an
+individual, supposed,--I presume not to guess how truly,--to have your
+Majesty's more intimate confidence, and believed, I will not say on
+absolute proof but upon the most pregnant suspicion, to be capable of
+betraying that confidence to the Elector of Hanover, should be removed
+from your royal household and society.'
+
+'This is too insolent, Sir Richard!' said Charles Edward. 'Have you
+inveigled me into your power to bait me in this unseemly manner? And
+you, Redgauntlet, why did you suffer matters to come to such a point as
+this, without making me more distinctly aware what insults were to be
+practised on me?'
+
+'My gracious prince,' said Redgauntlet, 'I am so far to blame in this,
+that I did not think so slight an impediment as that of a woman's
+society could have really interrupted an undertaking of this magnitude.
+I am a plain man, sire, and speak but bluntly; I could not have dreamt
+but what, within the first five minutes of this interview, either Sir
+Richard and his friends would have ceased to insist upon a condition so
+ungrateful to your Majesty, or that your Majesty would have sacrificed
+this unhappy attachment to the sound advice, or even to the over-anxious
+suspicions, of so many faithful subjects. I saw no entanglement in such
+a difficulty which on either side might not have been broken through
+like a cobweb.'
+
+'You were mistaken, sir,' said Charles Edward, 'entirely mistaken--as
+much so as you are at this moment, when you think in your heart my
+refusal to comply with this insolent proposition is dictated by a
+childish and romantic passion for an individual, I tell you, sir, I
+could part with that person to-morrow, without an instant's regret--that
+I have had thoughts of dismissing her from my court, for reasons known
+to myself; but that I will never betray my rights as a sovereign and a
+man, by taking this step to secure the favour of any one, or to purchase
+that allegiance which, if you owe it to me at all, is due to me as my
+birthright.'
+
+'I am sorry for this,' said Redgauntlet; 'I hope both your Majesty
+and Sir Richard will reconsider your resolutions, or forbear this
+discussion, in a conjuncture so pressing. I trust your Majesty will
+recollect that you are on hostile ground; that our preparations cannot
+have so far escaped notice as to permit us now with safety to retreat
+from our purpose; insomuch, that it is with the deepest anxiety of
+heart I foresee even danger to your own royal person, unless you can
+generously give your subjects the satisfaction, which Sir Richard seems
+to think they are obstinate in demanding.'
+
+'And deep indeed your anxiety ought to be,' said the prince. 'Is it in
+these circumstances of personal danger in which you expect to overcome a
+resolution, which is founded on a sense of what is due to me as a man
+or a prince? If the axe and scaffold were ready before the windows of
+Whitehall, I would rather tread the same path with my great-grandfather,
+than concede the slightest point in which my honour is concerned.'
+
+He spoke these words with a determined accent, and looked around him on
+the company, all of whom (excepting Darsie, who saw, he thought, a
+fair period to a most perilous enterprise) seemed in deep anxiety and
+confusion. At length, Sir Richard spoke in a solemn and melancholy tone.
+'If the safety,' he said, 'of poor Richard Glendale were alone concerned
+in this matter, I have never valued my life enough to weigh it
+against the slightest point of your Majesty's service. But I am only a
+messenger--a commissioner, who must execute my trust, and upon whom a
+thousand voices will cry, Curse and woe, if I do it not with fidelity.
+All of your adherents, even Redgauntlet himself, see certain ruin to
+this enterprise--the greatest danger to your Majesty's person--the utter
+destruction of all your party and friends, if they insist not on the
+point, which, unfortunately, your Majesty is so unwilling to concede. I
+speak it with a heart full of anguish--with a tongue unable to utter
+my emotions--but it must be spoken--the fatal truth--that if your
+royal goodness cannot yield to us a boon which we hold necessary to our
+security and your own, your Majesty with one word disarms ten thousand
+men, ready to draw their swords in your behalf; or, to speak yet more
+plainly, you annihilate even the semblance of a royal party in Great
+Britain.'
+
+'And why do you not add,' said the prince, scornfully, 'that the men
+who have been ready to assume arms in my behalf, will atone for their
+treason to the Elector, by delivering me up to the fate for which so
+many proclamations have destined me? Carry my head to St. James's,
+gentlemen; you will do a more acceptable and a more honourable action,
+than, having inveigled me into a situation which places me so completely
+in your power, to dishonour yourselves by propositions which dishonour
+me.
+
+'My God, sire!' exclaimed Sir Richard, clasping his hands together,
+in impatience, 'of what great and inexpiable crime can your Majesty's
+ancestors have 'been guilty, that they have been punished by the
+infliction of judicial blindness on their whole generation!--Come, my
+Lord ------, we must to our friends.'
+
+'By your leave, Sir Richard,' said the young nobleman, 'not till we,
+have learned what measures can be taken for his Majesty's personal
+safety.'
+
+'Care not for me, young man,' said Charles Edward; 'when I was in the
+society of Highland robbers and cattle-drovers, I was safer than I now
+hold myself among the representatives of the best blood in England.
+Farewell, gentlemen--I will shift for myself.'
+
+'This must never be,' said Redgauntlet. 'Let me that brought you to the
+point of danger, at least provide for your safe retreat.'
+
+So saying, he hastily left the apartment, followed by his nephew. The
+Wanderer, averting his eyes from Lord ------ and Sir Richard Glendale,
+threw himself into a seat at the upper end of the apartment, while they,
+in much anxiety, stood together, at a distance from him, and conversed
+in whispers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+NARRATIVE CONTINUED
+
+When Redgauntlet left the room, in haste and discomposure, the first
+person he met on the stair, and indeed so close by the door of the
+apartment that Darsie thought he must have been listening there, was his
+attendant Nixon.
+
+'What the devil do you here?' he said, abruptly and sternly.
+
+'I wait your orders,' said Nixon. 'I hope all's right!--excuse my zeal.'
+
+'All is wrong, sir. Where is the seafaring fellow--Ewart--what do you
+call him?'
+
+'Nanty Ewart, sir. I will carry your commands,' said Nixon.
+
+'I will deliver them myself to him,' said Redgauntlet; call him hither.'
+
+'But should your honour leave the presence?' said Nixon, still
+lingering.
+
+''Sdeath, sir, do you prate to me?' said Redgauntlet, bending his brows.
+'I, sir, transact my own business; you, I am told, act by a ragged
+deputy.'
+
+Without further answer, Nixon departed, rather disconcerted, as it
+seemed to Darsie.
+
+'That dog turns insolent and lazy,' said Redgauntlet; but I must bear
+with him for a while.'
+
+A moment after, Nixon returned with Ewart.
+
+'Is this the smuggling fellow?' demanded Redgauntlet. Nixon nodded.
+
+'Is he sober now? he was brawling anon.'
+
+'Sober enough for business,' said Nixon.
+
+'Well then, hark ye, Ewart;--man your boat with your best hands, and
+have her by the pier--get your other fellows on board the brig--if you
+have any cargo left, throw it overboard; it shall be all paid, five
+times over--and be ready for a start to Wales or the Hebrides, or
+perhaps for Sweden or Norway.'
+
+Ewart answered sullenly enough, 'Aye, aye, sir.'
+
+'Go with him, Nixon,' said Redgauntlet, forcing himself to speak with
+some appearance of cordiality to the servant with whom he was offended;
+'see he does his duty.'
+
+Ewart left the house sullenly, followed by Nixon. The sailor was just in
+that species of drunken humour which made him jealous, passionate,
+and troublesome, without showing any other disorder than that of
+irritability. As he walked towards the beach he kept muttering to
+himself, but in such a tone that his companion lost not a word,
+'Smuggling fellow--Aye, smuggler--and, start your cargo into the
+sea--and be ready to start for the Hebrides, or Sweden--or the devil,
+I suppose. Well, and what if I said in answer--Rebel, Jacobite--traitor;
+I'll make you and your d----d confederates walk the plank--I have seen
+better men do it--half a score of a morning--when I was across the
+Line.'
+
+'D--d unhandsome terms those Redgauntlet used to you, brother.' said
+Nixon.
+
+'Which do you mean?' said Ewart, starting, and recollecting himself. 'I
+have been at my old trade of thinking aloud, have I?'
+
+'No matter,' answered Nixon, 'none but a friend heard you. You cannot
+have forgotten how Redgauntlet disarmed you this morning.'
+
+'Why, I would bear no malice about that--only he is so cursedly high and
+saucy,' said Ewart.
+
+'And then,' said Nixon,'I know you for a true-hearted Protestant.'
+
+'That I am, by G--,' said Ewart. 'No, the Spaniards could never get my
+religion from me.'
+
+'And a friend to King George, and the Hanover line of succession,' said
+Nixon, still walking and speaking very slow.
+
+'You may swear I am, excepting in the way of business, as Turnpenny
+says. I like King George, but I can't afford to pay duties.'
+
+'You are outlawed, I believe,' said Nixon.
+
+'Am I?--faith, I believe I am,' said Ewart. 'I wish I were INLAWED
+again with all my heart. But come along, we must get all ready for our
+peremptory gentleman, I suppose.'
+
+'I will teach you a better trick,' said Nixon. 'There is a bloody pack
+of rebels yonder.'
+
+'Aye, we all know that,' said the smuggler; 'but the snowball's melting,
+I think.'
+
+'There is some one yonder, whose head is worth--thirty
+thousand--pounds--of sterling money,' said Nixon, pausing between each
+word, as if to enforce the magnificence of the sum.
+
+'And what of that?' said Ewart, quickly.
+
+'Only that, instead of lying by the pier with your men on their oars, if
+you will just carry your boat on board just now, and take no notice of
+any signal from the shore, by G--d, Nanty Ewart. I will make a man of
+you for life!'
+
+'Oh ho! then the Jacobite gentry are not so safe as they think
+themselves?' said Nanty.
+
+'In an hour or two,' replied Nixon, 'they will be made safer in Carlisle
+Castle.'
+
+'The devil they will!' said Ewart; 'and you have been the informer, I
+suppose?'
+
+'Yes; I have been ill paid for my service among the Redgauntlets--have
+scarce got dog's wages--and been treated worse than ever dog was used. I
+have the old fox and his cubs in the same trap now, Nanty; and we'll see
+how a certain young lady will look then. You see I am frank with you,
+Nanty.'
+
+'And I will be as frank with you,' said the smuggler. 'You are a d--d
+old scoundrel--traitor to the man whose bread you eat! Me help to betray
+poor devils, that have been so often betrayed myself! Not if they were
+a hundred Popes, Devils, and Pretenders. I will back and tell them their
+danger--they are part of cargo--regularly invoiced--put under my charge
+by the owners--I'll back'--
+
+'You are not stark mad?' said Nixon, who now saw he had miscalculated in
+supposing Nanty's wild ideas of honour and fidelity could be shaken
+even by resentment, or by his Protestant partialities. 'You shall not go
+back--it is all a joke.'
+
+'I'll back to Redgauntlet, and see whether it is a joke he will laugh
+at.'
+
+'My life is lost if you do,' said Nixon--'hear reason.'
+
+They were in a clump or cluster of tall furze at the moment they were
+speaking, about half-way between the pier and the house, but not in a
+direct line, from which Nixon, whose object it was to gain time, had
+induced Ewart to diverge insensibly.
+
+He now saw the necessity of taking a desperate resolution. 'Hear
+reason,' he said; and added, as Nanty still endeavoured to pass him, 'Or
+else hear this!' discharging a pocket-pistol into the unfortunate man's
+body.
+
+Nanty staggered, but kept his feet. 'It has cut my back-bone asunder,'
+he said; 'you have done me the last good office, and I will not die
+ungrateful.'
+
+As he uttered the last words, he collected his remaining strength, stood
+firm for an instant, drew his hanger, and, fetching a stroke with both
+hands, cut Cristal Nixon down. The blow, struck with all the energy of
+a desperate and dying man, exhibited a force to which Ewart's exhausted
+frame might have seemed inadequate;--it cleft the hat which the wretch
+wore, though secured by a plate of iron within the lining, bit deep into
+his skull, and there left a fragment of the weapon, which was broke by
+the fury of the blow.
+
+One of the seamen of the lugger, who strolled up attracted by the firing
+of the pistol, though being a small one the report was very trifling,
+found both the unfortunate men stark dead. Alarmed at what he saw,
+which he conceived to have been the consequence of some unsuccessful
+engagement betwixt his late commander and a revenue officer (for Nixon
+chanced not to be personally known to him) the sailor hastened back
+to the boat, in order to apprise his comrades of Nanty's fate, and to
+advise them to take off themselves and the vessel.
+
+Meantime Redgauntlet, having, as we have seen, dispatched Nixon for the
+purpose of securing a retreat for the unfortunate Charles, in case of
+extremity, returned to the apartment where he had left the Wanderer. He
+now found him alone.
+
+'Sir Richard Glendale,' said the unfortunate prince, 'with his
+young friend, has gone to consult their adherents now in the house.
+Redgauntlet, my friend, I will not blame you for the circumstances in
+which I find myself, though I am at once placed in danger, and rendered
+contemptible. But you ought to have stated to me more strongly the
+weight which these gentlemen attached to their insolent proposition. You
+should have told me that no compromise would have any effect--that they
+desire not a prince to govern them, but one, on the contrary, over
+whom they were to exercise restraint on all occasions, from the highest
+affairs of the state, down to the most intimate and private concerns of
+his own privacy, which the most ordinary men desire to keep secret and
+sacred from interference.'
+
+'God knows,' said Redgauntlet, in much agitation, 'I acted for the best
+when I pressed your Majesty to come hither--I never thought that your
+Majesty, at such a crisis, would have scrupled, when a kingdom was in
+view, to sacrifice an attachment, which'--
+
+'Peace, sir!' said Charles; 'it is not for you to estimate my feelings
+upon such a subject.'
+
+Redgauntlet coloured high, and bowed profoundly. 'At least,' he
+resumed, 'I hoped that some middle way might be found, and it shall--and
+must.--Come with me, nephew. We will to these gentlemen, and I am
+confident I will bring back heart-stirring tidings.'
+
+'I will do much to comply with them, Redgauntlet. I am loath, having
+again set my foot on British land, to quit it without a blow for my
+right. But this which they demand of me is a degradation, and compliance
+is impossible.'
+
+Redgauntlet, followed by his nephew, the unwilling spectator of this
+extraordinary scene, left once more the apartment of the adventurous
+Wanderer, and was met on the top of the stairs by Joe Crackenthorp.
+'Where are the other gentlemen?' he said.
+
+'Yonder, in the west barrack,' answered Joe; 'but Master
+Ingoldsby,'--that was the name by which Redgauntlet was most generally
+known in Cumberland,--'I wish to say to you that I must put yonder folk
+together in one room.'
+
+'What folk?' said Redgauntlet, impatiently.
+
+'Why, them prisoner stranger folk, as you bid Cristal Nixon look after.
+Lord love you! this is a large house enow, but we cannot have separate
+lock-ups for folk, as they have in Newgate or in Bedlam. Yonder's a
+mad beggar, that is to be a great man when he wins a lawsuit, Lord help
+him!--Yonder's a Quaker and a lawyer charged with a riot; and, ecod, I
+must make one key and one lock keep them, for we are chokeful, and you
+have sent off old Nixon that could have given one some help in this
+confusion. Besides, they take up every one a room, and call for naughts
+on earth,--excepting the old man, who calls lustily enough,--but he has
+not a penny to pay shot.'
+
+'Do as thou wilt with them,' said Redgauntlet, who had listened
+impatiently to his statement; 'so thou dost but keep them from getting
+out and making some alarm in the country, I care not.'
+
+'A Quaker and a lawyer!' said Darsie. 'This must be Fairford and
+Geddes.--Uncle, I must request of you'--
+
+'Nay, nephew,' interrupted Redgauntlet, 'this is no time for asking
+questions. You shall yourself decide upon their fate in the course of an
+hour--no harm whatever is designed them.'
+
+So saying, he hurried towards the place where the Jacobite gentlemen
+were holding their council, and Darsie followed him, in the hope that
+the obstacle which had arisen to the prosecution of their desperate
+adventure would prove insurmountable and spare him the necessity of a
+dangerous and violent rupture with his uncle. The discussions among
+them were very eager; the more daring part of the conspirators, who had
+little but life to lose, being desirous to proceed at all hazards;
+while the others, whom a sense of honour and a hesitation to disavow
+long-cherished principles had brought forward, were perhaps not ill
+satisfied to have a fair apology for declining an adventure, into which
+they had entered with more of reluctance than zeal.
+
+Meanwhile Joe Crackenthorp, availing himself of the hasty permission
+attained from Redgauntlet, proceeded to assemble in one apartment
+those whose safe custody had been thought necessary; and, without much
+considering the propriety of the matter, he selected for the common
+place of confinement, the room which Lilias had, since her brother's
+departure, occupied alone. It had a strong lock, and was double-hinged,
+which probably led to the preference assigned to it, as a place of
+security.
+
+Into this, Joe, with little ceremony, and a good deal of noise,
+introduced the Quaker and Fairford; the first descanting on the
+immorality, the other on the illegality, of his proceedings; and he
+turned a deaf ear both to the one and the other. Next he pushed in,
+almost in headlong fashion, the unfortunate litigant, who, having made
+some resistance at the threshold, had received a violent thrust
+in consequence, and came rushing forward, like a ram in the act of
+charging, with such impetus as must have carried him to the top of the
+room, and struck the cocked hat which sat perched on the top of his
+tow wig against Miss Redgauntlet's person, had not the honest Quaker
+interrupted his career by seizing him by the collar, and bringing him to
+a stand. 'Friend,' said he, with the real good-breeding which so often
+subsists independently of ceremony, 'thou art no company for that young
+person; she is, thou seest, frightened at our being so suddenly thrust
+in hither; and although that be no fault of ours, yet it will become
+us to behave civilly towards her. Wherefore come thou with me to this
+window, and I will tell thee what it concerns thee to know.'
+
+'And what for should I no speak to the Leddy, friend?' said Peter, who
+was now about half seas over. 'I have spoke to leddies before now, man.
+What for should she be frightened at me? I am nae bogle, I ween. What
+are ye pooin' me that gate for? Ye will rive my coat, and I will have
+a good action for having myself made SARTUM ATQUE TECTUM at your
+expenses.'
+
+Notwithstanding this threat, Mr. Geddes, whose muscles were as strong as
+his judgement was sound and his temper sedate, led Poor Peter under the
+sense of a control against which he could not struggle, to the farther
+corner of the apartment, where, placing him, whether he would or no, in
+a chair, he sat down beside him, and effectually prevented his annoying
+the young lady, upon whom he had seemed bent upon conferring the
+delights of his society.
+
+If Peter had immediately recognized his counsel learned in the law, it
+is probable that not even the benevolent efforts of the Quaker could
+have kept him in a state of restraint; but Fairford's back was turned
+towards his client, whose optics, besides being somewhat dazzled with
+ale and brandy, were speedily engaged in contemplating a half-crown
+which Joshua held between his finger and his thumb, saying, at the
+same time, 'Friend, thou art indigent and improvident. This will, well
+employed, procure thee sustentation of nature for more than a single
+day; and I will bestow it on thee if thou wilt sit here and keep me
+company; for neither thou nor I, friend, are fit company for ladies.'
+
+'Speak for yourself, friend,' said Peter, scornfully; 'I was ay kend to
+be agreeable to the fair sex; and when I was in business I served the
+ladies wi' anither sort of decorum than Plainstanes, the d--d awkward
+scoundrel! It was one of the articles of dittay between us.'
+
+'Well, but, friend,' said the Quaker, who observed that the young lady
+still seemed to fear Peter's intrusion, 'I wish to hear thee speak about
+this great lawsuit of thine, which has been matter of such celebrity.'
+
+'Celebrity! Ye may swear that,' said Peter, for the string was touched
+to which his crazy imagination always vibrated. 'And I dinna wonder
+that folk that judge things by their outward grandeur, should think me
+something worth their envying. It's very true that it is grandeur upon
+earth to hear ane's name thunnered out along the long-arched roof of the
+Outer House,--"Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes ET PER CONTRA;"
+a' the best lawyers in the house fleeing like eagles to the prey; some
+because they are in the cause, and some because they want to be thought
+engaged (for there are tricks in other trades by selling muslins)--to
+see the reporters mending their pens to take down the debate--the Lords
+themselves pooin' in their chairs, like folk sitting down to a gude
+dinner, and crying on the clerks for parts and pendicles of the process,
+who, puir bodies, can do little mair than cry on their closet-keepers
+to help them. To see a' this,' continued Peter, in a tone of sustained
+rapture, 'and to ken that naething will be said or dune amang a' thae
+grand folk, for maybe the feck of three hours, saving what concerns you
+and your business--Oh, man, nae wonder that ye judge this to be earthly
+glory! And yet, neighbour, as I was saying, there be unco drawbacks--I
+whiles think of my bit house, where dinner, and supper, and breakfast,
+used to come without the crying for, just as if fairies had brought
+it--and the gude bed at e'en--and the needfu' penny in the pouch. And
+then to see a' ane's warldly substance capering in the air in a pair of
+weighbauks, now up, now down, as the breath of judge or counsel inclines
+it for pursuer or defender,--troth, man, there are times I rue having
+ever begun the plea wark, though, maybe, when ye consider the renown and
+credit I have by it, ye will hardly believe what I am saying.'
+
+'Indeed, friend,' said Joshua, with a sigh, 'I am glad thou hast found
+anything in the legal contention which compensates thee for poverty and
+hunger; but I believe, were other human objects of ambition looked
+upon as closely, their advantages would be found as chimerical as those
+attending thy protracted litigation.'
+
+'But never mind, friend,' said Peter, 'I'll tell you the exact state of
+the conjunct processes, and make you sensible that I can bring mysell
+round with a wet finger, now I have my finger and my thumb on this
+loup-the-dike loon, the lad Fairford.'
+
+Alan Fairford was in the act of speaking to the masked lady (for Miss
+Redgauntlet had retained her riding vizard) endeavouring to assure her,
+as he perceived her anxiety, of such protection as he could afford, when
+his own name, pronounced in a loud tone, attracted his attention. He
+looked round, and seeing Peter Peebles, as hastily turned to avoid his
+notice, in which he succeeded, so earnest was Peter upon his colloquy
+with one of the most respectable auditors whose attention he had ever
+been able to engage. And by this little motion, momentary as it was,
+Alan gained an unexpected advantage; for while he looked round, Miss
+Lilias, I could never ascertain why, took the moment to adjust her mask,
+and did it so awkwardly, that when her companion again turned his head,
+he recognized as much of her features as authorized him to address her
+as his fair client, and to press his offers of protection and assistance
+with the boldness of a former acquaintance.
+
+Lilias Redgauntlet withdrew the mask from her crimsoned cheek. 'Mr.
+Fairford,' she said, in a voice almost inaudible, 'you have the
+character of a young gentleman of sense and generosity; but we have
+already met in one situation which you must think singular; and I must
+be exposed to misconstruction, at least, for my forwardness, were it not
+in a cause in which my dearest affections were concerned.'
+
+'Any interest in my beloved friend Darsie Latimer,' said Fairford,
+stepping a little back, and putting a marked restraint upon his former
+advances, 'gives me a double right to be useful to'--He stopped short.
+
+'To his sister, your goodness would say,' answered Lilias.
+
+'His sister, madam!' replied Alan, in the extremity of
+astonishment--'Sister, I presume, in affection only?'
+
+'No, sir; my dear brother Darsie and I are connected by the bonds of
+actual relationship; and I am not sorry to be the first to tell this to
+the friend he most values.'
+
+Fairford's first thought was on the violent passion which Darsie had
+expressed towards the fair unknown. 'Good God!' he exclaimed, 'how did
+he bear the discovery?'
+
+'With resignation, I hope,' said Lilias, smiling. 'A more accomplished
+sister he might easily have come by, but scarcely could have found one
+who could love him more than I do.'
+
+'I meant--I only meant to say,' said the young counsellor, his presence
+of mind failing him for an instant--'that is, I meant to ask where
+Darsie Latimer is at this moment.'
+
+'In this very house, and under the guardianship of his uncle, whom I
+believe you knew as a visitor of your father, under the name of Mr.
+Herries of Birrenswork.'
+
+'Let me hasten to him,' said Fairford; 'I have sought him through
+difficulties and dangers--I must see him instantly.'
+
+'You forget you are a prisoner,' said the young lady.
+
+'True--true; but I cannot be long detained--the cause alleged is too
+ridiculous.'
+
+'Alas!' said Lilias, 'our fate--my brother's and mine, at least--must
+turn on the deliberations perhaps of less than an hour. For you, sir, I
+believe and apprehend nothing; but some restraint; my uncle is neither
+cruel nor unjust, though few will go further in the cause which he has
+adopted.'
+
+'Which is that of the Pretend'--
+
+'For God's sake speak lower!' said Lilias, approaching her hand, as if
+to stop him. 'The word may cost you your life. You do not know--indeed
+you do not--the terrors of the situation in which we at present stand,
+and in which I fear you also are involved by your friendship for my
+brother.'
+
+'I do not indeed know the particulars of our situation,' said Fairford;
+'but, be the danger what it may, I shall not grudge my share of it
+for the sake of my friend; or,' he added, with more timidity, 'of my
+friend's sister. Let me hope,' he said, 'my dear Miss Latimer, that
+my presence may be of some use to you; and that it may be so, let
+me entreat a share of your confidence, which I am conscious I have
+otherwise no right to ask.'
+
+He led her, as he spoke, towards the recess of the farther window of the
+room, and observing to her that, unhappily, he was particularly exposed
+to interruption from the mad old man whose entrance had alarmed her, he
+disposed of Darsie Latimer's riding-skirt, which had been left in the
+apartment, over the back of two chairs, forming thus a sort of screen,
+behind which he ensconced himself with the maiden of the green mantle;
+feeling at the moment, that the danger in which he was placed was almost
+compensated by the intelligence which permitted those feelings towards
+her to revive, which justice to his friend had induced him to stifle in
+the birth.
+
+The relative situation of adviser and advised, of protector and
+protected, is so peculiarly suited to the respective condition of man
+and woman, that great progress towards intimacy is often made in very
+short space; for the circumstances call for confidence on the part of
+the gentleman, and forbid coyness on that of the lady, so that the usual
+barriers against easy intercourse are at once thrown down.
+
+Under these circumstances, securing themselves as far as possible from
+observation, conversing in whispers, and seated in a corner, where they
+were brought into so close contact that their faces nearly touched each
+other, Fairford heard from Lilias Redgauntlet the history of her family,
+particularly of her uncle; his views upon her brother, and the agony
+which she felt, lest at that very moment he might succeed in engaging
+Darsie in some desperate scheme, fatal to his fortune and perhaps to his
+life.
+
+Alan Fairford's acute understanding instantly connected what he had
+heard with the circumstances he had witnessed at Fairladies. His first
+thought was, to attempt, at all risks, his instant escape, and procure
+assistance powerful enough to crush, in the very cradle, a conspiracy of
+such a determined character. This he did not consider as difficult; for,
+though the door was guarded on the outside, the window, which was not
+above ten feet from the ground, was open for escape, the common on which
+it looked was unenclosed, and profusely covered with furze. There
+would, he thought, be little difficulty in effecting his liberty, and in
+concealing his course after he had gained it.
+
+But Lilias exclaimed against this scheme. Her uncle, she said, was a man
+who, in his moments of enthusiasm, knew neither remorse nor fear. He
+was capable of visiting upon Darsie any injury which he might conceive
+Fairford had rendered him--he was her near kinsman also, and not an
+unkind one, and she deprecated any effort, even in her brother's favour,
+by which his life must be exposed to danger. Fairford himself remembered
+Father Buonaventure, and made little question but that he was one of
+the sons of the old Chevalier de Saint George; and with feelings which,
+although contradictory of his public duty, can hardly be much censured,
+his heart recoiled from being the agent by whom the last scion of such
+a long line of Scottish princes should be rooted up. He then thought
+of obtaining an audience, if possible, of this devoted person, and
+explaining to him the utter hopelessness of his undertaking, which he
+judged it likely that the ardour of his partisans might have concealed
+from him. But he relinquished this design as soon as formed. He had no
+doubt, that any light which he could throw on the state of the country,
+would come too late to be serviceable to one who was always reported to
+have his own full share of the hereditary obstinacy which had cost his
+ancestors so dear, and who, in drawing the sword, must have thrown from
+him the scabbard.
+
+Lilias suggested the advice which, of all others, seemed most suited
+to the occasion, that, yielding, namely, to the circumstances of their
+situation, they should watch carefully when Darsie should obtain any
+degree of freedom, and endeavour to open a communication with him, in
+which case their joint flight might be effected, and without endangering
+the safety of any one.
+
+Their youthful deliberation had nearly fixed in this point, when
+Fairford, who was listening to the low sweet whispering tones of Lilias
+Redgauntlet, rendered yet more interesting by some slight touch of
+foreign accent, was startled by a heavy hand which descended with full
+weight on his shoulder, while the discordant voice of Peter Peebles, who
+had at length broke loose from the well-meaning Quaker, exclaimed in the
+ear of his truant counsel--'Aha, lad! I think ye are catched--An' so ye
+are turned chamber-counsel, are ye? And ye have drawn up wi' clients
+in scarfs and hoods? But bide a wee, billie, and see if I dinna sort ye
+when my petition and complaint comes to be discussed, with or without
+answers, under certification.'
+
+Alan Fairford had never more difficulty in his life to subdue a first
+emotion, than he had to refrain from knocking down the crazy blockhead
+who had broken in upon him at such a moment. But the length of Peter's
+address gave him time, fortunately perhaps for both parties, to reflect
+on the extreme irregularity of such a proceeding. He stood silent,
+however, with vexation, while Peter went on.
+
+'Weel, my bonnie man, I see ye are thinking shame o' yoursell, and nae
+great wonder. Ye maun leave this quean--the like of her is ower light
+company for you. I have heard honest Mr. Pest say, that the gown grees
+ill wi' the petticoat. But come awa hame to your puir father, and I'll
+take care of you the haill gate, and keep you company, and deil a word
+we will speak about, but just the state of the conjoined processes of
+the great cause of Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes.'
+
+'If thou canst; endure to hear as much of that suit, friend,' said
+the Quaker, 'as I have heard out of mere compassion for thee, I think
+verily thou wilt soon be at the bottom of the matter, unless it be
+altogether bottomless.'
+
+Fairford shook off, rather indignantly, the large bony hand which Peter
+had imposed upon his shoulder, and was about to say something peevish,
+upon so unpleasant and insolent a mode of interruption, when the door
+opened, a treble voice saying to the sentinel, 'I tell you I maun be in,
+to see if Mr. Nixon's here;' and little Benjie thrust in his mop-head
+and keen black eyes. Ere he could withdraw it, Peter Peebles sprang to
+the door, seized on the boy by the collar, and dragged him forward into
+the room.
+
+'Let me see it,' he said, 'ye ne'er-do-weel limb of Satan--I'll gar
+you satisfy the production, I trow--I'll hae first and second diligence
+against you, ye deevil's buckie!'
+
+'What dost thou want?' said the Quaker, interfering; 'why dost thou
+frighten the boy, friend Peebles?'
+
+'I gave the bastard a penny to buy me snuff,' said the pauper, 'and he
+has rendered no account of his intromissions; but I'll gar him as gude.'
+
+So saying, he proceeded forcibly to rifle the pockets of Benjie's ragged
+jacket of one or two snares for game, marbles, a half-bitten apple, two
+stolen eggs (one of which Peter broke in the eagerness of his research),
+and various other unconsidered trifles, which had not the air of being
+very honestly come by. The little rascal, under this discipline, bit and
+struggled like a fox-cub, but, like that vermin, uttered neither cry nor
+complaint, till a note, which Peter tore from his bosom, flew as far as
+Lilias Redgauntlet, and fell at her feet. It was addressed to C. N.
+
+'It is for the villain Nixon.' she said to Alan Fairford; 'open it
+without scruple; that boy is his emissary; we shall now see what the
+miscreant is driving at.'
+
+Little Benjie now gave up all further struggle, and suffered Peebles
+to take from him, without resistance, a shilling, out of which Peter
+declared he would pay himself principal and interest, and account for
+the balance. The boy, whose attention seemed fixed on something very
+different, only said, 'Maister Nixon will murder me!'
+
+Alan Fairford did not hesitate to read the little scrap of paper, on
+which was written, 'All is prepared--keep them in play until I come up.
+You may depend on your reward.--C. C.'
+
+'Alas, my uncle--my poor uncle!' said Lilias; 'this is the result of
+his confidence. Methinks, to give him instant notice of his confidant's
+treachery, is now the best service we can render all concerned--if
+they break up their undertaking, as they must now do, Darsie will be at
+liberty.'
+
+In the same breath, they were both at the half-opened door of the room,
+Fairford entreating to speak with the Father Buonaventure, and Lilias,
+equally vehemently, requesting a moment's interview with her uncle.
+While the sentinel hesitated what to do, his attention was called to a
+loud noise at the door, where a crowd had been assembled in consequence
+of the appalling cry, that the enemy were upon them, occasioned, as it
+afterwards proved, by some stragglers having at length discovered the
+dead bodies of Nanty Ewart and of Nixon.
+
+Amid the confusion occasioned by this alarming incident, the sentinel
+ceased to attend, to his duty; and accepting Alan Fairford's arm, Lilias
+found no opposition in penetrating even to the inner apartment, where
+the principal persons in the enterprise, whose conclave had been
+disturbed by this alarming incident, were now assembled in great
+confusion, and had been joined by the Chevalier himself.
+
+'Only a mutiny among these smuggling scoundrels,' said Redgauntlet.
+
+ONLY a mutiny, do you say?' said Sir Richard Glendale; 'and the lugger,
+the last hope of escape for,'--he looked towards Charles,--'stands out
+to sea under a press of sail!'
+
+'Do not concern yourself about me,' said the unfortunate prince; 'this
+is not the worst emergency in which it has been my lot to stand; and if
+it were, I fear it not. Shift for yourselves, my lords and gentlemen.'
+
+'No, never!' said the young Lord ------. 'Our only hope now is in an
+honourable resistance.'
+
+'Most true,' said Redgauntlet; 'let despair renew the union amongst
+us which accident disturbed. I give my voice for displaying the royal
+banner instantly, and--How now!' he concluded, sternly, as Lilias, first
+soliciting his attention by pulling his cloak, put into his hand the
+scroll, and added, it was designed for that of Nixon.
+
+Redgauntlet read--and, dropping it on the ground, continued to stare
+upon the spot where it fell, with raised hands and fixed eyes. Sir
+Richard Glendale lifted the fatal paper, read it, and saying, 'Now all
+is indeed over,' handed it to Maxwell, who said aloud, 'Black Colin
+Campbell, by G--d! I heard he had come post from London last night.'
+
+As if in echo to his thoughts, the violin of the blind man was heard,
+playing with spirit, The Campbells are coming,' a celebrated clan-march.
+
+'The Campbells are coming in earnest,' said MacKellar; they are upon us
+with the whole battalion from Carlisle.'
+
+There was a silence of dismay, and two or three of the company began to
+drop out of the room.
+
+Lord ------ spoke with the generous spirit of a young English nobleman.
+'If we have been fools, do not let us be cowards. We have one here more
+precious than us all, and come hither on our warranty--let us save him
+at least.'
+
+'True, most true,' answered Sir Richard Glendale. 'Let the king be first
+cared for.'
+
+'That shall be my business,' said Redgauntlet 'if we have but time to
+bring back the brig, all will be well--I will instantly dispatch a party
+in a fishing skiff to bring her to.' He gave his commands to two or
+three of the most active among his followers. 'Let him be once on
+board,' he said, 'and there are enough of us to stand to arms and cover
+his retreat.'
+
+'Right, right,' said Sir Richard, 'and I will look to points which can
+be made defensible; and the old powder-plot boys could not have made a
+more desperate resistance than we shall. Redgauntlet,' continued he, 'I
+see some of our friends are looking pale; but methinks your nephew has
+more mettle in his eye now than when we were in cold deliberation, with
+danger at a distance.'
+
+'It is the way of our house,' said Redgauntlet; 'our courage ever
+kindles highest on the losing side. I, too, feel that the catastrophe
+I have brought on must not be survived by its author. Let me first,'
+he said, addressing Charles, 'see your Majesty's sacred person in such
+safety as can now be provided for it, and then'--
+
+'You may spare all considerations concerning me, gentlemen,' again
+repeated Charles; 'yon mountain of Criffel shall fly as soon as I will.'
+
+Most threw themselves at his feet with weeping and entreaty; some one
+or two slunk in confusion from the apartment, and were heard riding
+off. Unnoticed in such a scene, Darsie, his sister, and Fairford, drew
+together, and held each other by the hands, as those who, when a vessel
+is about to founder in the storm, determine to take their chance of life
+and death together.
+
+Amid this scene of confusion, a gentleman, plainly dressed in a
+riding-habit, with a black cockade in his hat, but without any arms
+except a COUTEAU-DE-CHASSE, walked into the apartment without ceremony.
+He was a tall, thin, gentlemanly man, with a look and bearing decidedly
+military. He had passed through their guards, if in the confusion they
+now maintained any, without stop or question, and now stood, almost
+unarmed, among armed men, who nevertheless, gazed on him as on the angel
+of destruction.
+
+'You look coldly on me, gentlemen,' he said. 'Sir Richard Glendale--my
+Lord ------, we were not always such strangers. Ha, Pate-in-Peril, how
+is it with you? and you, too, Ingoldsby--I must not call you by any
+other name--why do you receive an old friend so coldly? But you guess my
+errand.'
+
+'And are prepared for it, general,' said Redgauntlet; 'we are not men to
+be penned up like sheep for the slaughter.'
+
+'Pshaw! you take it too seriously--let me speak but one word with you.'
+
+'No words can shake our purpose,' said Redgauntlet, were your whole
+command, as I suppose is the case, drawn round the house.'
+
+'I am certainly not unsupported,' said the general; 'but if you would
+hear me'--
+
+'Hear ME, sir,' said the Wanderer, stepping forward; 'I suppose I am the
+mark you aim at--I surrender myself willingly, to save these gentlemen's
+danger--let this at least avail in their favour.'
+
+An exclamation of 'Never, never!' broke from the little body of
+partisans, who threw themselves round the unfortunate prince, and would
+have seized or struck down Campbell, had it not been that he remained
+with his arms folded, and a look, rather indicating impatience because
+they would not hear him, than the least apprehension of violence at
+their hand.
+
+At length he obtained a moment's silence. 'I do not,' he said, 'know
+this gentleman'--(making a profound bow to the unfortunate prince)--'I
+do not wish to know him; it is a knowledge which would suit neither of
+us.'
+
+'Our ancestors, nevertheless, have been well acquainted,' said Charles,
+unable to suppress, even at that hour of dread and danger, the painful
+recollections of fallen royalty.
+
+'In one word, General Campbell,' said Redgauntlet, 'is it to be peace or
+war? You are a man of honour, and we can trust you.'
+
+'I thank you, sir,' said the general; 'and I reply, that the answer to
+your question rests with yourself. Come, do not be fools, gentlemen;
+there was perhaps no great harm meant or intended by your gathering
+together in this obscure corner, for a bear-bait or a cock-fight, or
+whatever other amusement you may have intended, but it was a little
+imprudent, considering how you stand with government, and it has
+occasioned some anxiety. Exaggerated accounts of your purpose have
+been laid before government by the information of a traitor in your own
+counsels; and I was sent down post to take the command of a sufficient
+number of troops, in case these calumnies should be found to have any
+real foundation. I have come here, of course, sufficiently supported
+both with cavalry and infantry, to do whatever might be necessary; but
+my commands are--and I am sure they agree with my inclination--to make
+no arrests, nay, to make no further inquiries of any kind, if this good
+assembly will consider their own interest so far as to give up their
+immediate purpose, and return quietly home to their own houses.'
+
+'What!--all?' exclaimed Sir Richard Glendale--'all, without exception?'
+
+'ALL, without one single exception' said the general; 'such are my
+orders. If you accept my terms, say so, and make haste; for things may
+happen to interfere with his Majesty's kind purposes towards you all.'
+
+'Majesty's kind purposes!' said the Wanderer. 'Do I hear you aright,
+sir?'
+
+'I speak the king's very words, from his very lips,' replied the
+general. '"I will," said his Majesty, "deserve the confidence of my
+subjects by reposing my security in the fidelity of the millions who
+acknowledge my title--in the good sense and prudence of the few who
+continue, from the errors of education, to disown it." His Majesty will
+not even believe that the most zealous Jacobites who yet remain can
+nourish a thought of exciting a civil war, which must be fatal to their
+families and themselves, besides spreading bloodshed and ruin through
+a peaceful land. He cannot even believe of his kinsman, that he would
+engage brave and generous though mistaken men, in an attempt which must
+ruin all who have escaped former calamities; and he is convinced,
+that, did curiosity or any other motive lead that person to visit this
+country, he would soon see it was his wisest course to return to the
+continent; and his Majesty compassionates his situation too much to
+offer any obstacle to his doing so.'
+
+'Is this real?' said Redgauntlet. 'Can you mean this? Am I--are all, are
+any of these gentlemen at liberty, without interruption, to embark in
+yonder brig, which, I see, is now again approaching the shore?'
+
+'You, sir--all--any of the gentlemen present,' said the general,--'all
+whom the vessel can contain, are at liberty to embark uninterrupted
+by me; but I advise none to go off who have not powerful reasons
+unconnected with the present meeting, for this will be remembered
+against no one.'
+
+'Then, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet, clasping his hands together as the
+words burst from him, 'the cause is lost for ever!'
+
+General Campbell turned away to the window, as if to avoid hearing what
+they said. Their consultation was but momentary; for the door of escape
+which thus opened was as unexpected as the exigence was threatening.
+
+'We have your word of honour for our protection,' said Sir Richard
+Glendale, 'if we dissolve our meeting in obedience to your summons?'
+
+'You have, Sir Richard,' answered the general.
+
+'And I also have your promise,' said Redgauntlet, 'that I may go on
+board yonder vessel, with any friend whom I may choose to accompany me?'
+
+Not only that, Mr. Ingoldsby--or I WILL call you Mr. Redgauntlet once
+more--you may stay in the offing for a tide, until you are joined by any
+person who may remain at Fairladies. After that, there will be a sloop
+of war on the station, and I need not say your condition will then
+become perilous.'
+
+'Perilous it should not be, General Campbell,' said Redgauntlet, 'or
+more perilous to others than to us, if others thought as I do even in
+this extremity.'
+
+'You forget yourself, my friend,' said the unhappy Adventurer; you
+forget that the arrival of this gentleman only puts the cope-stone on
+our already adopted resolution to abandon our bull-fight or by whatever
+other wild name this headlong enterprise may be termed. I bid you
+farewell, unfriendly friends--I bid you farewell,' (bowing to the
+general) 'my friendly foe--I leave this strand as I landed upon it,
+alone and to return no more!'
+
+'Not alone,' said Redgauntlet, 'while there is blood in the veins of my
+father's son.'
+
+'Not alone,' said the other gentlemen present, stung with feelings which
+almost overpowered the better reasons under which they had acted. 'We
+will not disown our principles, or see your person endangered.'
+
+'If it be only your purpose to see the gentleman to the beach,' said
+General Campbell, 'I will myself go with you. My presence among you,
+unarmed, and in your power, will be a pledge of my friendly intentions,
+and will overawe, should such be offered, any interruption on the part
+of officious persons.'
+
+'Be it so,' said the Adventurer, with the air of a prince to a subject,
+not of one who complied with the request of an enemy too powerful to be
+resisted.
+
+They left the apartment--they left the house--an unauthenticated and
+dubious, but appalling, sensation of terror had already spread itself
+among the inferior retainers, who had so short time before strutted, and
+bustled, and thronged the doorway and the passages. A report had arisen,
+of which the origin could not be traced, of troops advancing towards the
+spot in considerable numbers; and men who, for one reason or other,
+were most of them amenable to the arm of power, had either shrunk into
+stables or corners, or fled the place entirely. There was solitude on
+the landscape excepting the small party which now moved towards the
+rude pier, where a boat lay manned, agreeably to Redgauntlet's orders
+previously given.
+
+The last heir of the Stuarts leant on Redgauntlet's arm as they walked
+towards the beach; for the ground was rough, and he no longer possessed
+the elasticity of limb and of spirit which had, twenty years before,
+carried him over many a Highland hill as light as one of their native
+deer. His adherents followed, looking on the ground, their feelings
+struggling against the dictates of their reason.
+
+General Campbell accompanied them with an air of apparent ease and
+indifference, but watching, at the same time, and no doubt with some
+anxiety, the changing features of those who acted in this extraordinary
+scene.
+
+Darsie and his sister naturally followed their uncle, whose violence
+they no longer feared, while his character attracted their respect, and
+Alan Fairford attended them from interest in their fate, unnoticed in
+a party where all were too much occupied with their own thoughts
+and feelings, as well as with the impending crisis, to attend to his
+presence.
+
+Half-way betwixt the house and the beach, they saw the bodies of Nanty
+Ewart and Cristal Nixon blackening in the sun.
+
+'That was your informer?' said Redgauntlet, looking back to General
+Campbell, who only nodded his assent.
+
+'Caitiff wretch!' exclaimed Redgauntlet;--'and yet the name were better
+bestowed on the fool who could be misled by thee.'
+
+'That sound broadsword cut,' said the general, 'has saved us the shame
+of rewarding a traitor.'
+
+They arrived at the place of embarkation. The prince stood a moment with
+folded arms, and looked around him in deep silence. A paper was then
+slipped into his hands--he looked at it, and said, 'I find the two
+friends I have left at Fairladies are apprised of my destination,
+and propose to embark from Bowness. I presume this will not be an
+infringement of the conditions under which you have acted?'
+
+'Certainly not,' answered General Campbell; 'they shall have all
+facility to join you.'
+
+'I wish, then,' said Charles, 'only another companion. Redgauntlet, the
+air of this country is as hostile to you as it is to me. These gentlemen
+have made their peace, or rather they have done nothing to break it.
+But you--come you and share my home where chance shall cast it. We
+shall never see these shores again; but we will talk of them, and of our
+disconcerted bull-fight.'
+
+'I follow you, sire, through life,' said Redgauntlet, 'as I would have
+followed you to death. Permit me one moment.'
+
+The prince then looked round, and seeing the abashed countenances of his
+other adherents bent upon the ground, he hastened to say, 'Do not think
+that you, gentlemen, have obliged me less because your zeal was mingled
+with prudence, entertained, I am sure, more on my own account and on
+that of your country, than from selfish apprehensions.'
+
+He stepped from one to another, and, amid sobs and bursting tears,
+received the adieus of the last remnant which had hitherto supported
+his lofty pretensions, and addressed them individually with accents of
+tenderness and affection.
+
+The general drew a little aloof, and signed to Redgauntlet to speak
+with him while this scene proceeded. 'It is now all over,' he said, 'and
+Jacobite will be henceforward no longer a party name. When you tire of
+foreign parts, and wish to make your peace, let me know. Your restless
+zeal alone has impeded your pardon hitherto.'
+
+'And now I shall not need it,' said Redgauntlet. 'I leave England
+for ever; but I am not displeased that you should hear my family
+adieus.--Nephew, come hither. In presence of General Campbell, I tell
+you, that though to breed you up in my own political opinions has been
+for many years my anxious wish, I am now glad that it could not be
+accomplished. You pass under the service of the reigning monarch without
+the necessity of changing your allegiance--a change, however,' he added,
+looking around him, which sits more easy on honourable men than I could
+have anticipated; but some wear the badge of their loyalty on their
+sleeve, and others in the heart. You will, from henceforth, be
+uncontrolled master of all the property of which forfeiture could not
+deprive your father--of all that belonged to him--excepting this, his
+good sword' (laying his hand on the weapon he wore), 'which shall never
+fight for the House of Hanover; and as my hand will never draw weapon
+more, I shall sink it forty fathoms deep in the wide ocean. Bless you,
+young man! If I have dealt harshly with you, forgive me. I had set my
+whole desires on one point,--God knows, with no selfish purpose; and
+I am justly punished by this final termination of my views, for having
+been too little scrupulous in the means by which I pursued them.--Niece,
+farewell, and may God bless you also!'
+
+'No, sir,' said Lilias, seizing his hand eagerly. 'You have been
+hitherto my protector,--you are now in sorrow, let me be your attendant
+and your comforter in exile.'
+
+'I thank you, my girl, for your unmerited affection; but it cannot and
+must not be. The curtain here falls between us. I go to the house of
+another. If I leave it before I quit the earth, it shall be only for the
+House of God. Once more, farewell both! The fatal doom,' he said, with
+a melancholy smile, 'will, I trust, now depart from the House of
+Redgauntlet, since its present representative has adhered to the winning
+side. I am convinced he will not change it, should it in turn become the
+losing one.'
+
+The unfortunate Charles Edward had now given his last adieus to his
+downcast adherents. He made a sign with his hand to Redgauntlet, who
+came to assist him into the skiff. General Campbell also offered his
+assistance, the rest appearing too much affected by the scene which had
+taken place to prevent him.
+
+'You are not sorry, general, to do me this last act of courtesy,' said
+the Chevalier; 'and, on my part, I thank you for it. You have taught me
+the principle on which men on the scaffold feel forgiveness and kindness
+even for their executioner. Farewell!'
+
+They were seated in the boat, which presently pulled off from the land.
+The Oxford divine broke out into a loud benediction, in terms which
+General Campbell was too generous to criticize at the time, or to
+remember afterwards;--nay, it is said, that, Whig and Campbell as he
+was, he could not help joining in the universal Amen! which resounded
+from the shore.
+
+
+
+
+CONCLUSION, BY DR. DRYASDUST
+
+IN A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY
+
+I am truly sorry, my worthy and much-respected sir, that my anxious
+researches have neither, in the form of letters, nor of diaries or other
+memoranda, been able to discover more than I have hitherto transmitted,
+of the history of the Redgauntlet family. But I observe in an old
+newspaper called the WHITEHALL GAZETTE, of which I fortunately possess a
+file for several years, that Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet was
+presented to his late Majesty at the drawing-room, by Lieut.-General
+Campbell--upon which the editor observes, in the way of comment, that
+we were going, REMIS ATQUE VELIS, into the interests of the Pretender,
+since a Scot had presented a Jacobite at Court. I am sorry I have not
+room (the frank being only uncial) for his further observations, tending
+to show the apprehensions entertained by many well-instructed persons of
+the period, that the young king might himself be induced to become one
+of the Stuarts' faction,--a catastrophe from which it has pleased Heaven
+to preserve these kingdoms.
+
+I perceive also, by a marriage-contract in the family repositories, that
+Miss Lilias Redgauntlet of Redgauntlet, about eighteen months after the
+transactions you have commemorated, intermarried with Alan Fairford,
+Esq., Advocate, of Clinkdollar, who, I think, we may not unreasonably
+conclude to be the same person whose name occurs so frequently in
+the pages of your narration. In my last excursion to Edinburgh, I was
+fortunate enough to discover an old caddie, from whom, at the expense
+of a bottle of whisky and half a pound of tobacco, I extracted the
+important information, that he knew Peter Peebles very well, and had
+drunk many a mutchkin with him in Caddie Fraser's time. He said 'that
+he lived ten years after King George's accession, in the momentary
+expectation of winning his cause every day in the session time, and
+every hour in the day, and at last fell down dead, in what my informer
+called a 'perplexity fit,' upon a proposal for a composition being made
+to him in the Outer House. I have chosen to retain my informer's phrase,
+not being able justly to determine whether it is a corruption of the
+word apoplexy, as my friend Mr. Oldbuck supposes, or the name of some
+peculiar disorder incidental to those who have concern in the courts of
+law, as many callings and conditions of men have diseases appropriate to
+themselves. The same caddie also remembered Blind Willie Stevenson, who
+was called Wandering Willie, and who ended his days 'unco beinly, in Sir
+Arthur Redgauntlet's ha' neuk.' 'He had done the family some good turn,'
+he said, 'specially when ane of the Argyle gentlemen was coming down on
+a wheen of them that had the "auld leaven" about them, and wad hae taen
+every man of them, and nae less nor headed and hanged them. But Willie,
+and a friend they had, called Robin the Rambler, gae them warning, by
+playing tunes such as "The Campbells are coming" and the like, whereby
+they got timeous warning to take the wing.' I need not point out to your
+acuteness, my worthy sir, that this seems to refer to some inaccurate
+account of the transactions in which you seem so much interested.
+
+Respecting Redgauntlet, about whose subsequent history you are more
+particularly inquisitive, I have learned from an excellent person
+who was a priest in the Scottish Monastery of Ratisbon, before its
+suppression, that he remained for two or three years in the family of
+the Chevalier, and only left it at last in consequence of some discords
+in that melancholy household. As he had hinted to General Campbell, he
+exchanged his residence for the cloister, and displayed in the latter
+part of his life, a strong sense of the duties of religion, which in
+his earlier days he had too much neglected, being altogether engaged in
+political speculations and intrigues. He rose to the situation of prior,
+in the house which he belonged to, and which was of a very strict order
+of religion. He sometimes received his countrymen, whom accident brought
+to Ratisbon, and curiosity induced to visit the Monastery of ------. But
+it was remarked, that though he listened with interest and attention,
+when Britain, or particularly Scotland, became the subject of
+conversation, yet he never either introduced or prolonged the subject,
+never used the English language, never inquired about English affairs,
+and, above all, never mentioned his own family. His strict observation
+of the rules of his order gave him, at the time of his death, some
+pretensions to be chosen a saint, and the brethren of the Monastery
+of ------ made great efforts for that effect, and brought forward some
+plausible proofs of miracles. But there was a circumstance which threw
+a doubt over the subject, and prevented the consistory from acceding
+to the wishes of the worthy brethren. Under his habit, and secured in
+a small silver box, he had worn perpetually around his neck a lock
+of-hair, which the fathers avouched to be a relic. But the Avvocato del
+Diabolo, in combating (as was his official duty) the pretensions of
+the candidate for sanctity, made it at least equally probable that the
+supposed relic was taken from the head of a brother of the deceased
+prior, who had been executed for adherence to the Stuart family in
+1745-6; and the motto, HAUD OBLIVISCENDUM, seemed to intimate a tone
+of mundane feeling and recollection of injuries, which made it at least
+doubtful whether, even in the quiet and gloom of the cloister,
+Father Hugo had forgotten the sufferings and injuries of the House of
+Redgauntlet.
+
+June 10, 1824,
+
+
+
+
+NOTES
+
+NOTE 1.--THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
+
+In explanation of this circumstance, I cannot help adding a note not
+very necessary for the reader, which yet I record with pleasure, from
+recollection of the kindness which it evinces. In early youth I resided
+for a considerable time in the vicinity of the beautiful village
+of Kelso, where my life passed in a very solitary manner. I had few
+acquaintances, scarce any companions, and books, which were at the time
+almost essential to my happiness, were difficult to come by. It was then
+that I was particularly indebted to the liberality and friendship of
+an old lady of the Society of Friends, eminent for her benevolence and
+charity. Her deceased husband had been a medical man of eminence,
+and left her, with other valuable property, a small and well-selected
+library. This the kind old lady permitted me to rummage at pleasure, and
+carry home what volumes I chose, on condition that I should take, at the
+same time, some of the tracts printed for encouraging and extending the
+doctrines of her own sect. She did not even exact any promise that I
+would read these performances, being too justly afraid of involving me
+in a breach of promise, but was merely desirous that I should have
+the chance of instruction within my reach, in case whim, curiosity, or
+accident, might induce me to have recourse to it.
+
+
+NOTE 2.--THE PERSECUTORS
+
+The personages here mentioned are most of them characters of historical
+fame; but those less known and remembered may be found in the tract
+entitled, 'The Judgment and Justice of God Exemplified, or, a Brief
+Historical Account of some of the Wicked Lives and Miserable Deaths of
+some of the most remarkable Apostates and Bloody Persecutors, from
+the Reformation till after the Revolution.' This constitutes a sort of
+postscript or appendix to John Howie of Lochgoin's 'Account of the Lives
+of the most eminent Scots Worthies.' The author has, with considerable
+ingenuity, reversed his reasoning upon the inference to be drawn from
+the prosperity or misfortunes which befall individuals in this world,
+either in the course of their lives or in the hour of death. In the
+account of the martyrs' sufferings, such inflictions are mentioned only
+as trials permitted by providence, for the better and brighter display
+of their faith, and constancy of principle. But when similar afflictions
+befell the opposite party, they are imputed to the direct vengeance of
+Heaven upon their impiety. If, indeed, the life of any person obnoxious
+to the historian's censures happened to have passed in unusual
+prosperity, the mere fact of its being finally concluded by death,
+is assumed as an undeniable token of the judgement of Heaven, and, to
+render the conclusion inevitable, his last scene is generally garnished
+with some singular circumstances. Thus the Duke of Lauderdale is said,
+through old age but immense corpulence, to have become so sunk in
+spirits, 'that his heart was not the bigness of a walnut.'
+
+
+NOTE 3.--LAMENTATION FOR THE DEAD
+
+I have heard in my youth some such wild tale as that placed in the
+mouth of the blind fiddler, of which, I think, the hero was Sir Robert
+Grierson of Lagg, the famous persecutor. But the belief was general
+throughout Scotland that the excessive lamentation over the loss of
+friends disturbed the repose of the dead, and broke even the rest of the
+grave. There are several instances of this in tradition, but one struck
+me particularly, as I heard it from the lips of one who professed
+receiving it from those of a ghost-seer. This was a Highland lady, named
+Mrs. C---- of B------, who probably believed firmly in the truth of an
+apparition which seems to have originated in the weakness of her nerves
+and strength of her imagination. She had been lately left a widow by her
+husband, with the office of guardian to their only child. The young man
+added to the difficulties of his charge by an extreme propensity for a
+military life, which his mother was unwilling to give way to, while
+she found it impossible to repress it. About this time the Independent
+Companies, formed for the preservation of the peace of the Highlands,
+were in the course of being levied; and as a gentleman named Cameron,
+nearly connected with Mrs. C--, commanded one of those companies,
+she was at length persuaded to compromise the matter with her son, by
+permitting him to enter this company in the capacity of a cadet, thus
+gratifying his love of a military life without the dangers of foreign
+service, to which no one then thought these troops were at all liable to
+be exposed, while even their active service at home was not likely to
+be attended with much danger. She readily obtained a promise from her
+relative that he would be particular in his attention to her son and
+therefore concluded she had accommodated matters between her son's
+wishes and his safety in a way sufficiently attentive to both. She set
+off to Edinburgh to get what was awanting for his outfit, and shortly
+afterwards received melancholy news from the Highlands. The Independent
+Company into which her son was to enter had a skirmish with a party of
+caterans engaged in some act of spoil, and her friend the captain
+being wounded, and out of the reach of medical assistance, died in
+consequence. This news was a thunderbolt to the poor mother, who was at
+once deprived of her kinsman's advice and assistance, and instructed by
+his fate of the unexpected danger to which her son's new calling exposed
+him. She remained also in great sorrow for her relative, whom she loved
+with sisterly affection. These conflicting causes of anxiety,
+together with her uncertainty, whether to continue or change her son's
+destination, were terminated in the following manner:--
+
+The house in which Mrs. C---- resided in the old town of Edinburgh, was
+a flat or story of a land accessible, as was then universal, by a common
+stair. The family who occupied the story beneath were her acquaintances,
+and she was in the habit of drinking tea with them every evening. It was
+accordingly about six o'clock, when, recovering herself from a deep fit
+of anxious reflection, she was about to leave the parlour in which she
+sat in order to attend this engagement. The door through which she was
+to pass opened, as was very common in Edinburgh, into a dark passage. In
+this passage, and within a yard of her when she opened the door,
+stood the apparition of her kinsman, the deceased officer, in his full
+tartans, and wearing his bonnet. Terrified at what she saw, or thought
+she saw, she closed the door hastily, and, sinking on her knees by
+a chair, prayed to be delivered from the horrors of the vision. She
+remained in that posture till her friends below tapped on the door,
+to intimate that tea was ready. Recalled to herself by the signal, she
+arose, and, on opening the apartment door, again was confronted by
+the visionary Highlander, whose bloody brow bore token, on this second
+appearance, to the death he had died. Unable to endure this repetition
+of her terrors, Mrs. C---- sank on the door in a swoon. Her friends
+below, startled with the noise, came upstairs, and, alarmed at the
+situation in which they found her, insisted on her going to bed and
+taking some medicine, in order to compose what they took for a nervous
+attack. They had no sooner left her in quiet, than the apparition of
+the soldier was once more visible in the apartment. This time she took
+courage and said, 'In the name of God, Donald, why do you haunt one who
+respected and loved you when living?' To which he answered readily, in
+Gaelic, 'Cousin, why did you not speak sooner? My rest is disturbed by
+your unnecessary lamentation--your tears scald me in my shroud. I come
+to tell you that my untimely death ought to make no difference in your
+views for your son; God will raise patrons to supply my place and he
+will live to the fullness of years, and die honoured and at peace.' The
+lady of course followed her kinsman's advice and as she was accounted
+a person of strict veracity, we may conclude the first apparition an
+illusion of the fancy, the final one a lively dream suggested by the
+other two.
+
+
+NOTE 4.--PETER PEEBLES
+
+This unfortunate litigant (for a person named Peter Peebles actually
+flourished) frequented the courts of justice in Scotland about the year
+1792, and the sketch of his appearance is given from recollection. The
+author is of opinion that he himself had at one time the honour to be
+counsel for Peter Peebles, whose voluminous course of litigation served
+as a sort of assay-pieces to most young men who were called to the bar.
+The scene of the consultation is entirely imaginary.
+
+
+NOTE 5.--JOHN'S COFFEE-HOUSE
+
+This small dark coffee-house, now burnt down, was the resort of such
+writers and clerks belonging to the Parliament House above thirty years
+ago as retained the ancient Scottish custom of a meridian, as it was
+called, or noontide dram of spirits. If their proceedings were watched,
+they might be seen to turn fidgety about the hour of noon, and exchange
+looks with each other from their separate desks, till at length some one
+of formal and dignified presence assumed the honour of leading the band,
+when away they went, threading the crowd like a string of wild
+fowl, crossed the square or close, and following each other into
+the coffee-house, received in turn from the hand of the waiter, the
+meridian, which was placed ready at the bar. This they did, day by day:
+and though they did not speak to each other, they seemed to attach a
+certain degree of sociability to performing the ceremony in company.
+
+
+NOTE 6.--FISHING RIGHTS
+
+It may be here mentioned, that a violent and popular attack upon what
+the country people of this district considered as an invasion of their
+fishing right is by no means an improbable fiction. Shortly after the
+close of the American war, Sir James Graham of Netherby constructed a
+dam-dyke, or cauld, across the Esk, at a place where it flowed through
+his estate, though it has its origin, and the principal part of its
+course, in Scotland. The new barrier at Netherby was considered as
+an encroachment calculated to prevent the salmon from ascending into
+Scotland, and the right of erecting it being an international question
+of law betwixt the sister kingdoms, there was no court in either
+competent to its decision. In this dilemma, the Scots people assembled
+in numbers by signal of rocket lights, and, rudely armed with
+fowling-pieces, fish-spears, and such rustic weapons, marched to the
+banks of the river for the purpose of pulling down the dam-dyke objected
+to. Sir James Graham armed many of his own people to protect his
+property, and had some military from Carlisle for the same purpose.
+A renewal of the Border wars had nearly taken place in the eighteenth
+century, when prudence and moderation on both sides saved much tumult,
+and perhaps some bloodshed. The English proprietor consented that a
+breach should be made in his dam-dyke sufficient for the passage of the
+fish, and thus removed the Scottish grievance. I believe the river has
+since that time taken the matter into its own disposal, and entirely
+swept away the dam-dyke in question.
+
+
+NOTE 7.--STATE OF SCOTLAND
+
+Scotland, in its half-civilized state, exhibited too many examples
+of the exertion of arbitrary force and violence, rendered easy by the
+dominion which lairds exerted over their tenants and chiefs over their
+clans. The captivity of Lady Grange, in the desolate cliffs of Saint
+Kilda, is in the recollection of every one. At the supposed date of the
+novel also a man of the name of Merrilees, a tanner in Leith, absconded
+from his country to escape his creditors; and after having slain his own
+mastiff dog, and put a bit of red cloth in its mouth, as if it had died
+in a contest with soldiers, and involved his own existence in as
+much mystery as possible, made his escape into Yorkshire. Here he was
+detected by persons sent in search of him, to whom he gave a portentous
+account of his having been carried off and concealed in various places.
+Mr. Merrilees was, in short, a kind of male Elizabeth Canning, but did
+not trespass on the public credulity quite so long.
+
+
+NOTE 8.--CONCEALMENTS FOR THEFT AND SMUGGLING
+
+I am sorry to say that the modes of concealment described in the
+imaginary premises of Mr. Trumbull, are of a kind which have been common
+on the frontiers of late years. The neighbourhood of two nations having
+different laws, though united in government, still leads to a multitude
+of transgressions on the Border, and extreme difficulty in apprehending
+delinquents. About twenty years since, as far as my recollection serves,
+there was along the frontier an organized gang of coiners, forgers,
+smugglers, and other malefactors, whose operations were conducted on a
+scale not inferior to what is here described. The chief of the party was
+one Richard Mendham a carpenter, who rose to opulence, although ignorant
+even of the arts of reading and writing. But he had found a short
+road to wealth, and had taken singular measures for conducting his
+operations. Amongst these, he found means to build, in a suburb
+of Berwick called Spittal, a street of small houses, as if for the
+investment of property. He himself inhabited one of these; another, a
+species of public-house, was open to his confederates, who held secret
+and unsuspected communication with him by crossing the roofs of the
+intervening houses, and descending by a trap-stair, which admitted them
+into the alcove of the dining-room of Dick Mendham's private mansion.
+A vault, too, beneath Mendham's stable, was accessible in the manner
+mentioned in the novel. The post of one of the stalls turned round on
+a bolt being withdrawn, and gave admittance to a subterranean place of
+concealment for contraband and stolen goods, to a great extent. Richard
+Mendham, the head of this very formidable conspiracy, which involved
+malefactors of every kind, was tried and executed at Jedburgh, where the
+author was present as Sheriff of Selkirkshire. Mendham had previously
+been tried, but escaped by want of proof and the ingenuity of his
+counsel.
+
+
+NOTE 9--CORONATION OF GEORGE III
+
+In excuse of what may be considered as a violent infraction of
+probability in this chapter, the author is under the necessity of
+quoting a tradition which many persons may recollect having heard. It
+was always said, though with very little appearance of truth, that upon
+the Coronation of the late George III, when the champion of England,
+Dymock, or his representative, appeared in Westminster Hall, and in
+the language of chivalry solemnly wagered his body to defend in single
+combat the right of the young King to the crown of these realms, at the
+moment when he flung down his gauntlet as the gage of battle, an unknown
+female stepped from the crowd and lifted the pledge, leaving another
+gage in room of it, with a paper expressing, that if a fair field of
+combat should be allowed, a champion of rank and birth would appear with
+equal arms to dispute the claim of King George to the British kingdoms.
+The story is probably one of the numerous fictions which were circulated
+to keep up the spirits of a sinking faction, The incident was, however,
+possible, if it could be supposed to be attended by any motive adequate
+to the risk, and might be imagined to occur to a person of Redgauntlet's
+enthusiastic character. George III, it is said, had a police of his own,
+whose agency was so efficient, that the sovereign was able to tell
+his prime minister upon one occasion, to his great surprise, that the
+Pretender was in London. The prime minister began immediately to talk of
+measures to be taken, warrants to be procured, messengers and guards
+to be got in readiness. 'Pooh, pooh,' said the good-natured sovereign,
+since I have found him out, leave me alone to deal with him.'--'And
+what,' said the minister, 'is your Majesty's purpose, in so important a
+case?'--'To leave the young man to himself,' said George III; 'and when
+he tires he will go back again.' The truth of this story does not depend
+on that of the lifting of the gauntlet; and while the latter could be
+but an idle bravado, the former expresses George Ill's goodness of heart
+and soundness of policy.
+
+
+NOTE 10.--COLLIER AND SALTER
+
+The persons engaged in these occupations were at this time bondsmen; and
+in case they left the ground of the farm to which they belonged, and as
+pertaining to which their services were bought or sold, they were liable
+to be brought back by a summary process. The existence of this species
+of slavery being thought irreconcilable with the spirit of liberty,
+colliers and salters were declared free, and put upon the same footing
+with other servants, by the Act 15 Geo. III chapter 28th. They were so
+far from desiring or prizing the blessing conferred on them, that they
+esteemed the interest taken in their freedom to be a mere decree on the
+part of the proprietors to get rid of what they called head and harigald
+money, payable to them when a female of their number, by bearing a
+child, made an addition to the live stock of their master's property.
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY
+
+   ABOON, above.
+   AD LITEM, in law.
+   AD VINDICTAM PUBLICAM, for the public defence.
+   ADUST, looking as if burned or scorched.
+   AE, one.
+   AFFLATUS, breath, inspiration.
+   AIRT, direct.
+   ALCANDER, a Greek soothsayer.
+   ALDEBORONTIPHOSCOPHORNIO, a courtier in H. Carey's burlesque,
+       CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS.
+   ALIMENTARY, nourishing.
+   ALQUIFE, an enchanter in the mediaeval romances of knight-errantry.
+   AMADIS, a hero of the romances, especially in Amadis of Gaul.
+   ANENT, about.
+   ANES, once.
+   ANNO DOMINI, in the year of the Lord.
+   ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM, AD FEMINAM, lit. 'the argument to a man,
+       to a woman,' refutation of a man's argument by an example
+       drawn from his own conduct.
+   ARIES, earnest-money, a gift.
+   ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS, art is long, life short.
+   ARS MEDENDI, art of medicine.
+   APPROBATE, approve.
+   ATLANTES, a character in ORLANDO FURIOSO.
+   AULD REEKIE, Edinburgh.
+   ADVOCATO DEL DIABOLO, lit. 'the devil's advocate', one whose duty
+       it is to oppose the canonization of a person on whose behalf
+       claims to sanctity are made.
+   AWSOME, awful, fearful.
+
+   BACK-GANGING, behind hand in paying.
+   BACKSPAUL, the back of the shoulder.
+   BALLANT, a ballad, a fable.
+   BANNOCK, a flat, round cake.
+   BARLEY-BROO, barley-broth.
+   BARON-OFFICER, the magistrate's officer in a burgh of barony.
+   BARTIZAN, a small overhanging turret, the battlements.
+   BEAUFET, cupboard.
+   BEAVER, the lower part of the helmet.
+   BEIN, comfortable.
+   BELISARIUS, a general of the Eastern Empire ungratefully treated
+       by the Emperor Justinian.
+   BENEDICTE, bless you.
+   BETIMES THE MORN, early in the morning.
+   BICKER, a wooden vessel for holding drink; a quarrel.
+   BILLIE, a term of familiarity, comrade.
+   BIRKIE, a smart fellow.
+   BIRLING, merry-making.
+   BIT, small.
+   BLATE, shy, bashful.
+   BLAWING, flattering.
+   BLEEZING, bragging.
+   BLUE-CAP, a Scotsman.
+   BOGLE, a ghost, a scarecrow.
+   BON VIVANTS, lovers of good living.
+   BONA ROBA, a showy wanton.
+   BONUS SOCIUS, good comrade.
+   BORREL, common, rude.
+   BRAID, broad.
+   BRASH, a sudden storm, an attack.
+   BRATTLE, a clattering noise, as of a horse going at full speed.
+   BRAW, brave, fine.
+   BRENT BROO, high brow.
+   BROCARD, maxim.
+   BROSE, oatmeal which has had boiling water poured upon it.
+   BROWN, a famous landscape gardener.
+   BROWST, a brewing.
+   BUCEPHALUS, the favourite horse of Alexander the Great.
+   BUCKIE, an imp, a fellow with an evil twist in his character.
+   BUFF NOR STYE, neither one thing nor another.
+   BUFFERS, pistols.
+   BUSK, deck up.
+   BY ORDINAR, extraordinary, uncommon.
+   BYE AND ATTOUR, over and above.
+
+   CADGER, a travelling dealer.
+   CADDIE, a porter, an errand-boy.
+   CAETERA PRORSUS IGNORO, in short, I know nothing of the rest.
+   CALLANT, a young lad.
+   CALLER, cool, fresh.
+   CANNY, shrewd, prudent, quiet.
+   CANTLE, fragment.
+   CAPERNOITED, crabbed, foolish.
+   CAPRICCIOS, a fanciful composition.
+   CAPRIOLE, a leap made by a horse without advancing.
+   CARDINAL, a woman's cloak.
+   CARLINES, old women.
+   CATILINA OMNIUM, ETC. Catilina had surrounded himself with the
+       most vile and criminal company.
+   CAUSEWAY, path, roadway.
+   CAVALIERE SERVENTE, gentleman in attendance.
+   CAVE NE LITERAS, ETC. take care that you are not carrying
+       Bellerophon's letters (letters unfavourable to the bearer).
+   CHACK, a slight repast.
+   CHANCY, safe, auspicious.
+   CHANGE-HOUSE, a small inn or ale-house.
+   CHANTER, the tenor or treble pipe in a bag-pipe.
+   CHAPE, a thin metal blade at the end of a scabbard.
+   CHAPEAU BRAS, a low, three-cornered hat.
+   CHOUGH, a bird of the crow family.
+   CHUCKY, fowl.
+   CHUCKY-STONES, small stones, a child's game.
+   CLAP AND HOPPER, signs of the mill.
+   CLAVERS, gossip, idle talk.
+   CLEEK, lay hold on.
+   CLEIK IN, to join company.
+   CLOSE, an alley, a narrow way.
+   CLOSE-HEADS, the entry to an alley, a meeting-place for gossips.
+   CLOUR, to strike, to bump.
+   COBLE, a little boat.
+   COCKERNONY, top-knot.
+   COGIE, small wooden bowl.
+   COMMUNE FORUM, ETC. the common court is the common dwelling-place.
+   CORDWAIN, Spanish leather.
+   CORIOLANUS, a Roman patrician, who, being driven from the city,
+       took refuge with Aufidius, the leader of the Volsci.
+   COUP, fall, upset.
+   COURIER DE L'EUROPE, a newspaper.
+   COVYNE, artifice.
+   CRACK, gossip.
+   CRAIG, throat, neck.
+   CRAWSTEP, the steplike edges of a gable seen in some old houses.
+   CREEL, basket carried on the back.
+   CREMONY, Cremona [where the best fiddles were made].
+   CROWDER, fiddler.
+   CUR ME EXAMINAS QUERELIS TUIS?, why do you wear me out with your
+       complaints.
+   CURN, a very little.
+
+   DAFT, crazy.
+   DAIS, a canopy, a table placed above the others, a room of state.
+   DARGLE, dell.
+   DAURG, day's work.
+   DE APICIBUS JURIS, from the high places of the law.
+   DE PERICULO ET COMMODO REI VENDITAE, concerning the risk and
+       profit of sales.
+   DEAD-THRAW, death-thraw.
+   DEBOSHED, debauched.
+   DEFORCEMENT--SPULZIE--SOUTHRIEF, legal terms for resisting an
+       officer of law.
+   DEIL, devil.
+   DELATE, accuse.
+   DELICT, misdemeanour, QUASI DELICT, apparent offence.
+   DEPONE, to testify.
+   DERNIER RESORT, last resort.
+   DIABLERIE, sorcery, witchcraft.
+   DILIGENCE, writ of execution, coach.
+   DING, to knock, beat down.
+   DIRDUM, uproar, disturbance.
+   DITTAY, an indictment.
+   DIVOT, thin turf used for thatching cottages.
+   DOCH AN DORROCH, the stirrup cup.
+   DOMINUS LITIS, one of the principals in a law suit.
+   DOOL, sorrow, sad consequences.
+   DOOR-CHEEK, door-post.
+   DOUCE, respectable.
+   DRAMATIS PERSONAE, persons of the drama.
+   DRAPPIT, fried.
+   DRIBBLE, a drop.
+   DRIFT, drift-snow.
+   DULCINEA, Don Quixote's imaginary mistress.
+   DUNSTABLE, something simple and matter-of-fact.
+   DYVOUR, bankrupt.
+
+   EKE, addition.
+   EMBONPOINT, plumpness.
+   EN CROUPE, riding behind one another.
+   ET PER CONTRA, and on the other side.
+   EVITE, avoid.
+   EX COMITATE, out of courtesy.
+   EX MISERICORDIA, out of pity.
+   EXCEPTIO FIRMAT REGULAM, the exception proves the rule.
+   EXOTIC, of foreign origin.
+
+   FACTOR LOCO TUTORIS, an agent acting in place of a guardian.
+   FARDEL, burden.
+   FASH, FASHERIE, trouble.
+   FECK, space.
+   FEMME DE CHAMBRE, chamber-maid.
+   FIERI, to be made.
+   FLACON, a smelling bottle.
+   FLAP, gust.
+   FLIP, a drink consisting of beer and spirit sweetened.
+   FLORY, frothy.
+   FORBY, besides.
+   FORENSIC, legal.
+   FORFOUGHEN, out of breath, distressed.
+   FORPIT, fourth part of a peck.
+   FORTALICE, a small outwork.
+   FRIST, to postpone, give credit,
+   FUGIE, fugitive.
+   FUNCTUS OFFICIO, having finished my duties, 'out of office'.
+
+   GABERLUNZIE, a beggar.
+   GAEN, gone.
+   GALLOWAY, a strong Scotch cob.
+   GANGREL, wandering, a vagrant.
+   GAR, to force, make.
+   GATE, way, road.
+   GAUGER, an exciseman.
+   GENTRICE, gentle blood.
+   GIFF-GAFF, give and take.
+   GIRDED, hooped like a barrel.
+   GIRN, to grin, cry.
+   GLAIKET, giddy, rash.
+   GLIFF, glimpse, moment,
+   GOWFF BA', golf ball.
+   GRAINED, groaned.
+   GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA, grain brought and imported.
+   GRAT, wept.
+   GRILLADE, a broiled dish.
+   GRIT, great.
+   GROSSART, gooseberry.
+   GRUE, to creep, shiver,
+   GUDESIRE, grandfather.
+   GUIDE, to deal with, to employ.
+   GUMPLE-FOISTED, sulky, sullen.
+   GWAY, very.
+   GYTES, contemptuous name for a young child, a brat.
+
+   HAFFLINS, half-grown.
+   HAILL, all, the whole.
+   HAIRST, harvest.
+   HAMESUCKEN, assaulting a person in his own house.
+   HAMSHACKLE, to fasten.
+   HANK, a hold.
+   HAP, to hop, turn from.
+   HARPOCRATES, an Egyptian god, supposed by the Greeks to be the
+       god of silence.
+   HAUGH, holm, low-lying flat ground.
+   HAULD, place of abode.
+   HAVINGS, behaviour.
+   HEFTED, closed, as a knife in its haft.
+   HELLICAT, extravagant, light-headed.
+   HEMPEY, rogue.
+   HET, hot.
+   HEUCK, sickle.
+   HINC ILLAE LACRYMAE, hence these tears.
+   HINNY, honey, a term of endearment.
+   HIPPOGRIFF, a fabulous winged animal, half horse and half griffin.
+   HODDIN-GREY, cloth manufactured from undyed wool.
+   HOMOLOGATING, ratifying, approving.
+   HOOKS, OFF THE, light-headed.
+   HOSE-NET, a small net used for rivulet fishing.
+   HOW-COME-SO, light-headed.
+   HUMOURSOME, subject to moods.
+   HUSSEY, lady's needle-case.
+   HYSON, green tea from China.
+
+   IGNIS FATUUS, will o' the wisp.
+   ILK, each; of the same name, as Redgauntlet of that Ilk
+       =Redgauntlet of Redgauntlet.
+   ILL-DEEDIE, mischievous.
+   ILL-FAUR'D, ugly, ill-favoured.
+   IN CIVILIBUS or CRIMINALIBUS, in civil or criminal causes.
+   IN FORO CONSCIENTIAE, in the assize of conscience.
+   IN MEDITATIONE FUGAE, meditating flight.
+   IN PRESENTIA DOMINORUM, before the Lords.
+   INCEDIT SICUT LEO VORANS, goeth about like a roaring lion.
+   INCOGNITA, unknown.
+   INFRA DIG, beneath one's dignity.
+   INSTANTER, at once.
+   INTROMIT, to medldle with.
+   INVITA MINERVA, against my bent.
+
+   JACK, a metal pitcher.
+   JAZY, wig.
+   JET D'EAU, jet of water.
+   JORUM, a drinking-vessel, or the liquor in it.
+   JOW, to toll.
+   JURIDICAL, pertaining to a judge or to the courts.
+
+   KATTERFELTO, a famous quack.
+   KEEK, to look.
+   KEFFEL, a bad horse.
+
+   LAIGH, low.
+   LAND-LOUPER, runagate, vagabond.
+   LARES, household gods, the special divinities of a family.
+   LAP, leaped; fold.
+   LAVE, rest, remainder.
+   LAWING, inn reckoning.
+   LEAL, loyal, true.
+   LEASING-MAKING, lies, slander, seditious words.
+   LEASOWES, the estate of the poet Shenstone.
+   LEE-SIDE, the side of a vessel farthest from the point where the
+       wind blows.
+   LEESOME LANE, his dear self alone.
+   LEEVIN, living.
+   LEE WAY, arrears of work.
+   LEG, TO MAKE A, to bow.
+   LETTRES DE CACHET, sealed letters issued by the King of France,
+       conferring power over the liberty of others.
+   LEX AQUARUM, the law of the waters.
+   LIMMER, a loose woman, a jade.
+   LING, thin long grass, heather.
+   LOANING, a meadow, pasture where the cows were milked,
+   LOE, love.
+   LOON, fellow, rogue.
+   LOOPY, crafty.
+   LOUIS-D'OR, a French gold coin worth from 16s, 6d. to 18s. 9d.
+   LOUP, leap.
+   LOUP-THE-DYKE, giddy, runaway.
+   LOUP THE TETHER, breaking loose from restraint.
+   LOVELACE AND BELFORD, characters in CLARISSA HARLOWE.
+   LUCKY, a name given to an elderly dame.
+   LUG, the ear.
+   LUM, chimney.
+
+   MACER, a court official.
+   MAILING, a small farm or rented property.
+   MAILS, rents.
+   MALVERSATION, fraudulent tricks.
+   MANUMISSION, liberty.
+   MARCH, border.
+   MARE MAGNUM, the great sea.
+   MARIUS, a Roman general, leader in the civil war against Sulla.
+   MEAR, mare.
+   MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, the writing seen by Belshazzar
+       (Daniel V. 25).
+   MENYIE, retinue.
+   MERIDIAN, noon; a mid-day drink.
+   MERK, an old Scottish coin=1s. 1 1/2d. in English money.
+   MESSAN, a lap-dog, a little dog.
+   MICKLE, much.
+   MIFFED, piqued.
+   MILLAR, Philip Millar, author of several works on gardening.
+   MINOS, a law-giver of Crete, afterwards set as a judge in Hades.
+   MISHANTER, mischief.
+   MISPRISION OF TREASON, concealment of treason.
+   MOIDART, a loch in Inverness, where Prince Charles Stuart landed,
+       1745.
+   MOIDORE, a gold coin of Portugal worth about L1 7s. 0d.
+   MORE SOLITO, in the accustomed manner.
+   MORE TUO, in your own way.
+   MUILS, slippers.
+   MUISTED, scented.
+   MUTCHKIN, English pint.
+
+   NE QUID NIMIS, do nothing in excess.
+   NEGATUR, lit. 'it is denied,' I deny it.
+   NEGOTIORUM GESTOR, manager of affairs.
+   NEREID, a sea-nymph.
+   NIGRI SUNT HYACINTHI, irises are dark flowers.
+   NIHIL NOVIT IN CAUSA, nothing is known of the case.
+   NIPPERKIN, a small cup, a liquid measure.
+   NOM DE GUERRE, professional name.
+   NOMINE DAMNI, in the name of damages.
+   NONJURING, not swearing allegiance to the government, loyal to the
+       Stuarts.
+   NOSCITUR A SOCIO, he is known by his friend.
+   NOVITER REPERTUM, newly discovered.
+
+   OHE, JAM SATIS, oh, enough.
+   OMNE IGNOTUM PRO TERRIBILI, the unknown is always held in terror.
+   OMNI SUSPICIONE MAJOR, above all suspicion.
+   ORESTES AND PYLADES, DAMON AND PYTHIAS, classical examples of
+       friendship.
+   ORIGO MALI, cause of the evil.
+   ORNATURE, adornment, decoration.
+   ORRA, odd.
+   OVERTURE, opening.
+   OWERLAY, cravat.
+   OYE, a grandson.
+
+   PACK OR PEEL, to traffic.
+   PANDE MANUM, hold out your hand.
+   PANDECTS, a digest of Roman law.
+   PAR EXCELLENCE, above all, specially.
+   PAR ORDONNANCE DU MEDECIN, by the doctor's orders.
+   PARMA NON BENE SELECTA, a shield, or defence, not well chosen.
+   PAROCHINE, parish.
+   PATER NOSTER, Our Father, the Lord's Prayer.
+   PATRIA POTESTAS, paternal authority.
+   PAWMIE, a stroke on the palm of the hand.
+   PEACH, betray, speak out.
+   PEEL-HOUSE, a small fortified house, or tower.
+   PEGASUS, the winged horse of the Muses.
+   PENDENTE LITE, whilst the case is proceeding.
+   PENDICLES, articles, small parts.
+   PER AMBAGES, by circumlocution, in a roundabout way.
+   PER CONTRA, on the other side.
+   PERDU, concealed, lost.
+   PERIPATETIC, walking, wandering.
+   PESSIMI EXEMPLI, the worst possible example.
+   PETTLE, a plough-staff.
+   PHALARIS'S BULL, a furnace shaped like a bull into which the
+       tyrant Phalaris used to cast his victims.
+   PISCATOR, fisherman.
+   PISTOLE, a gold coin worth about 16s.
+   PLACK, a small copper coin, equal to one-third of an English penny.
+   PLEACH, interweave.
+   PLICATIONS, folds, wrinkles.
+   PLOY, a frolic.
+   POCK-PUDDING, a contemptuous term applied to Englishmen
+   POINT D'ESPAGNE, Spanish lace.
+   POKE, pocket.
+   PORT ROYAL, a monastery near Paris which became the headquarters
+       of the Jansenists, the opponents of the Jesuits.
+   POSSE COMITATUS, the civil force of a county.
+   POUND SCOTS, worth about 1s. 8d. English money.
+   PRACTIQUES, practices of the profession.
+   PRECOGNITION, examination prior to prosecution.
+   PRECOGNOSCED, to take precognition of.
+   PRETERMIT, omit, pass by.
+   PURSUIVANTS, an officer-at-arms, in rank below a herald.
+
+   QUAERE, query, a question.
+   QUEAN, a young woman, a wench.
+   QUI VIVE, alert, cautious.
+   QUID, piece of tobacco to chew.
+   QUID TIBI CUM LYRA, what hast thou to do with the lyre?
+   QUORUM, the body of justices, so called from a word used in the
+       commission appointing them.
+
+   RANT, a noisy dance-tune.
+   RAPPAREE, an Irish plunderer; a worthless fellow,
+   RATIONE OFFICII, by virtue of his position.
+   RATTLING, lively, brisk.
+   RAX, stretch.
+   REAMING, frothing, foaming.
+   REDD, clear up, tidy.
+   REGIAM MAJESTATEM, a collection of Scotch laws.
+   REIVER, robber.
+   REMEDIUM JURIS, legal remedy.
+   RIGDUM-FUNNIDOS, a courtier in H. Carey's burlesque,
+        CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS.
+   RIPE, search.
+   RUDAS, a scold, a virago.
+   RUG, a share, a good mouthful.
+
+   SANCTA WINIFREDA, ORA PRO NOBIS, Saint Winifred, pray for us.
+   SARTUM ATQUE TECTUM, repaired and covered.
+   SAT EST, it is enough.
+   SAWNEY, a nickname for a Scotchman.
+   SCARBOROUGH WARNING, the blow before the threat.
+   SCOWP, quaff.
+   SCRUB, the name of a footman in the BEAUX' STRATAGEM (Geo.
+       Farquhar, 1704).
+   SCULDUDDERY, loose, immoral.
+   SEALGH, seal,
+   SEA-MAWS, sea-mews.
+   SECUNDUM ARTEM, according to the rules of his art.
+   SEDERUNT, a sitting of the courts.
+   SEMPLE, simple, not of gentle birth,
+   SHILPIT, weak; poor, shabby.
+   SHINGLES, thin boards used for roofs.
+   SI NON CASTE, CAUTE TAMEN, if not for virtue's sake, yet for
+       caution.
+   SIB, kin.
+   SIGMA, the Greek S.
+   SINE DIE, without a date, indefinitely.
+   SIS MEMOR MEI, be mindful of me.
+   SKELLOCH, screech.
+   SKINKER, a server of liquor.
+   SKIRL, to scream.
+   SKIVIE, harebrained.
+   SLEEKIT, smooth.
+   SLOKEN, quench.
+   SNEESHING, snuff.
+   SNELL, sharp, terrible.
+   SNICKERS, sniggers.
+   SOCIETAS EST MATER DISCORDIARUM, partnership is the mother of
+       quarrels.
+   SOLITAIRE, an ornament for the neck.
+   SOLON, the law-giver of Athens.
+   SONSY, good-humoured, sensible.
+   SORT, to chastise; to manage.
+   SORTES VIRGILIANAE, Virgilian lots; opening the works of Virgil at
+       random and taking the first passage read for counsel.
+   SOUGH, a breath, a chant.
+   SOUPLE, active; supple in mind or body.
+   SOUTER'S CLOD, a kind of coarse black bread.
+   SPATTERDASHES, coverings for the legs to protect them from mud.
+   SPEER, ask.
+   SPLICE THE MAIN BRACE, have an extra allowance of spirits.
+   SPLORE, a frolic, quarrel.
+   SPRATTLE, struggle, scramble.
+   SPRING, a merry tune.
+   SPRUSH, spruce.
+   SPULE-BLADE, shoulder blade,
+   SPUNK, courage, fire: SPUNKS, matches.
+   STEND, take long steps.
+   STEWARTRY, territory in Scotland administered by a steward.
+   STIBBLER, a divinity student, a probationer.
+   STILTS, plough-handles.
+   STUNKARD, sullen, obstinate.
+   SUA QUEMQUE TRAHIT VOLUPTAS, his own peculiar pleasure allures
+       each.
+   SURTOUT, a tight-fitting, broad-skirted outer coat.
+   SWIPES, small beer.
+
+   TAES, toes.
+   TALIS QUALIS, of some kind.
+   TAM MARTE QUAM MERCURIO, as much devoted to Mars as to Mercury (as
+       much a soldier as a pleader).
+   TASS, a glass.
+   TAU, the Greek: T.
+   TERRA FIRMA, firm earth.
+   TESTE ME PER TOTUM NOCTEM VIGILANTE, I am witness as I was awake
+       all night.
+   TETE-A-TETE, a private conversation.
+   THAIRM, catgut.
+   THEMIS, the goddess of law and justice.
+   THIRLAGE, mortgaging of property.
+   THREAP, aver.
+   THUMBIKINS, thumbscrews, instruments of torture.
+   TIMOTHEUS, a famous musician.
+   TIPPENY, twopenny ale,
+   TIRTEAFUERA, a character in DON QUIXOTE, the doctor in Sancho
+       Panza's island government.
+   TITHER, the other.
+   TOD, a bush, a fox.
+   TOOM, empty.
+   TOUR OUT, to look about.
+   TOY, a linen cap; a head-dress hanging down over the shoulders.
+   TRANCES, passages.
+   TUPTOWING, beating, from the Greek verb 'tupto', to strike.
+   TWALPENNY, one penny sterling.
+   TWASOME, a pair or couple.
+   TYNE, loss or forfeit.
+   TYRO, TYRONES, beginner, beginners; novice.
+
+   UNCO, very, uncommon, strange.
+   URGANDA, an enchantress in the romance of AMADIS OF GAUL.
+   USQUEBAUGH, whisky.
+
+   VADE RETRO, get thee behind me.
+   VALE, SIS MEMOR MEI, farewell, be mindful of me.
+   VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER FEMINA, woman is always variable and
+       changeful.
+   VERBUM SACERDOTIS, the word of a priest.
+   VIA FACTI, by personal force.
+   VINCERE VINCENTEM, to conquer the conquering.
+   VINCO VINCENTEM, ERGO VINCO TE, I conquer the conquering,
+       therefore I conquer you.
+   VIOLER, a player on a viol.
+   VIR SAPIENTIA ET PIETATE GRAVIS, a man of much wisdom and piety.
+   VIS ANIMI, strength of soul.
+   VITIOUS, vicious, unruly.
+   VOET, Jan Voet, author of a book on the PANDECTS.
+
+   W.S., writer to the signet, a lawyer.
+   WALING, choosing.
+   WAME, stomach.
+   WANCHANCY, unlucky, dangerous.
+   WARE, spend.
+   WARK, work, trouble.
+   WAUR, worse.
+   WEARS, weirs, dams.
+   WEIGH-BANKS, scales.
+   WHIN, gorse.
+   WHITTLE, a small clasp-knife.
+   WITHERSHINS, backwards in their courses, in the contrary way.
+   WUD, mad.
+   WYND, yard, alley.
+
+   YAULD, active.
+   YELLOCH, yell.
+   YETTS, gates.
+   YILL, ale.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Redgauntlet, by Sir Walter Scott
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+*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END*
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+
+*
+
+
+REDGAUNTLET by Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
+
+
+*
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+Introduction
+Text
+    Letters I - XIII
+    Chapters I - XXIII
+    Conclusion
+Notes
+Glossary
+
+*
+
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+       Text in italics has been written in capital letters.
+       There are some numbered notes at the end of the text that
+       are referred to by their numbers with brief notes, also in
+       square brackets, embedded in the text.
+
+*
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+The Jacobite enthusiasm of the eighteenth century, particularly
+during the rebellion of 1745, afforded a theme, perhaps the
+finest that could be selected for fictitious composition, founded
+upon real or probable incident.  This civil war and its
+remarkable events were remembered by the existing generation
+without any degree of the bitterness of spirit which seldom fails
+to attend internal dissension.  The Highlanders, who formed the
+principal strength of Charles Edward's army, were an ancient and
+high-spirited race, peculiar in their habits of war and of peace,
+brave to romance, and exhibiting a character turning upon points
+more adapted to poetry than to the prose of real life.  Their
+prince, young, valiant, patient of fatigue, and despising danger,
+heading his army on foot in the most toilsome marches, and
+defeating a regular force in three battles--all these were
+circumstances fascinating to the imagination, and might well be
+supposed to seduce young and enthusiastic minds to the cause in
+which they were found united, although wisdom and reason frowned
+upon the enterprise.
+
+The adventurous prince, as is well known, proved to be one of
+those personages who distinguish themselves during some single
+and extraordinarily brilliant period of their lives, like the
+course of a shooting-star, at which men wonder, as well on
+account of the briefness, as the brilliancy of its splendour.  A
+long tract of darkness overshadowed the subsequent life of a man
+who, in his youth, showed himself so capable of great
+undertakings; and, without the painful task of tracing his course
+farther, we may say the latter pursuits and habits of this
+unhappy prince are those painfully evincing a broken heart, which
+seeks refuge from its own thoughts in sordid enjoyments.
+
+Still, however, it was long ere Charles Edward appeared to be,
+perhaps it was long ere he altogether became, so much degraded
+from his original self; as he enjoyed for a time the lustre
+attending the progress and termination of his enterprise.  Those
+who thought they discerned in his subsequent conduct an
+insensibility to the distresses of his followers, coupled with
+that egotistical attention to his own interests which has been
+often attributed to the Stuart family, and which is the natural
+effect of the principles of divine right in which they were
+brought up, were now generally considered as dissatisfied and
+splenetic persons, who, displeased with the issue of their
+adventure and finding themselves involved in the ruins of a
+falling cause, indulged themselves in undeserved reproaches
+against their leader.  Indeed, such censures were by no means
+frequent among those of his followers who, if what was alleged
+had been just, had the best right to complain.  Far the greater
+number of those unfortunate gentlemen suffered with the most
+dignified patience, and were either too proud to take notice of
+ill-treatment an the part of their prince, or so prudent as to be
+aware their complaints would meet with little sympathy from the
+world.  It may be added, that the greater part of the banished
+Jacobites, and those of high rank and consequence, were not much
+within reach of the influence of the prince's character and
+conduct, whether well regulated or otherwise.
+
+In the meantime that great Jacobite conspiracy, of which the
+insurrection of 1745-6 was but a small part precipitated into
+action on the failure of a far more general scheme, was resumed
+and again put into motion by the Jacobites of England, whose
+force had never been broken, as they had prudently avoided
+bringing it into the field.  The surprising effect which had been
+produced by small means, in 1745-6, animated their hopes for more
+important successes, when the whole nonjuring interest of
+Britain, identified as it then was with great part of the landed
+gentlemen, should come forward to finish what had been gallantly
+attempted by a few Highland chiefs.
+
+It is probable, indeed, that the Jacobites of the day were
+incapable of considering that the very small scale on which the
+effort was made, was in one great measure the cause of its
+unexpected success.  The remarkable speed with which the
+insurgents marched, the singularly good discipline which they
+preserved, the union and unanimity which for some time animated
+their councils, were all in a considerable degree produced by the
+smallness of their numbers.  Notwithstanding the discomfiture of
+Charles Edward, the nonjurors of the period long continued to
+nurse unlawful schemes, and to drink treasonable toasts, until
+age stole upon them.  Another generation arose, who did not share
+the sentiments which they cherished; and at length the sparkles
+of disaffection, which had long smouldered, but had never been
+heated enough to burst into actual flame, became entirely
+extinguished.  But in proportion as the political enthusiasm died
+gradually away among men of ordinary temperament, it influenced
+those of warm imaginations and weak understandings, and hence
+wild schemes were formed, as desperate as they were adventurous.
+
+Thus a young Scottishman of rank is said to have stooped so low
+as to plot the surprisal of St. James's Palace, and the
+assassination of the royal family.  While these ill-digested and
+desperate conspiracies were agitated among the few Jacobites who
+still adhered with more obstinacy to their purpose, there is no
+question but that other plots might have been brought to an open
+explosion, had it not suited the policy of Sir Robert Walpole
+rather to prevent or disable the conspirators in their projects,
+than to promulgate the tale of danger, which might thus have been
+believed to be more widely diffused than was really the case.
+
+In one instance alone this very prudential and humane line of
+conduct was departed from, and the event seemed to confirm the
+policy of the general course.  Doctor Archibald Cameron, brother
+of the celebrated Donald Cameron of Lochiel, attainted for the
+rebellion of 1745, was found by a party of soldiers lurking with
+a comrade in the wilds of Loch Katrine five or six years after
+the battle of Culloden, and was there seized.  There were
+circumstances in his case, so far as was made known to the
+public, which attracted much compassion, and gave to the judicial
+proceedings against him an appearance of cold-blooded revenge on
+the part of government; and the following argument of a zealous
+Jacobite in his favour, was received as conclusive by Dr. Johnson
+and other persons who might pretend to impartiality.  Dr. Cameron
+had never borne arms, although engaged in the Rebellion, but used
+his medical skill for the service, indifferently, of the wounded
+of both parties.  His return to Scotland was ascribed exclusively
+to family affairs.  His behaviour at the bar was decent, firm,
+and respectful.  His wife threw herself, on three different
+occasions, before George II and the members of his family, was
+rudely repulsed from their presence, and at length placed, it was
+said, in the same prison with her husband, and confined with
+unmanly severity.
+
+Dr. Cameron was finally executed with all the severities of the
+law of treason; and his death remains in popular estimation a
+dark blot upon the memory of George II, being almost publicly
+imputed to a mean and personal hatred of Donald Cameron of
+Lochiel, the sufferer's heroic brother.
+
+Yet the fact was that whether the execution of Archibald Cameron
+was political or otherwise, it might certainly have been
+justified, had the king's ministers so pleased, upon reasons of a
+public nature.  The unfortunate sufferer had not come to the
+Highlands solely upon his private affairs, as was the general
+belief; but it was not judged prudent by the English ministry to
+let it be generally known that he came to inquire about a
+considerable sum of money which had been remitted from France to
+the friends of the exiled family.  He had also a commission to
+hold intercourse with the well-known M'Pherson of Cluny, chief of
+the clan Vourich, whom the Chevalier had left behind at his
+departure from Scotland in 1746, and who remained during ten
+years of proscription and danger, skulking from place to place in
+the Highlands, and maintaining an uninterrupted correspondence
+between Charles and his friends.  That Dr. Cameron should have
+held a commission to assist this chief in raking together the
+dispersed embers of disaffection, is in itself sufficiently
+natural, and, considering his political principles, in no respect
+dishonourable to his memory.  But neither ought it to be imputed
+to George II that he suffered the laws to be enforced against a
+person taken in the act of breaking them.  When he lost his
+hazardous game, Dr. Cameron only paid the forfeit which he must
+have calculated upon.  The ministers, however, thought it proper
+to leave Dr. Cameron's new schemes in concealment, lest, by
+divulging them, they had indicated the channel of communication
+which, it is now well known, they possessed to all the plots of
+Charles Edward.  But it was equally ill advised and ungenerous to
+sacrifice the character of the king to the policy of the
+administration.  Both points might have been gained by sparing
+the life of Dr. Cameron after conviction, and limiting his
+punishment to perpetual exile.
+
+These repeated and successive Jacobite plots rose and burst like
+bubbles on a fountain; and one of them, at least, the Chevalier
+judged of importance enough to induce him to risk himself within
+the dangerous precincts of the British capital.  This appears
+from Dr. King's ANECDOTES OF HIS OWN TIMES.
+
+'September, 1750.--I received a note from my Lady Primrose, who
+desired to see me immediately.  As soon as I waited on her, she
+led me into her dressing-room, and presented me to--' [the
+Chevalier, doubtless].  'If I was surprised to find him there, I
+was still more astonished when he acquainted me with the motives
+which had induced him to hazard a journey to England at this
+juncture.  The impatience of his friends who were in exile had
+formed a scheme which was impracticable; but although it had been
+as feasible as they had represented it to him, yet no preparation
+had been made, nor was anything ready to carry it into execution.
+He was soon convinced that he had been deceived; and, therefore,
+after a stay in London of five days only, he returned to the
+place from whence he came.'  Dr. King was in 1750 a keen
+Jacobite, as may be inferred from the visit made by him to the
+prince under such circumstances, and from his being one of that
+unfortunate person's chosen correspondents.  He, as well as other
+men of sense and observation, began to despair of making their
+fortune in the party which they had chosen.  It was indeed
+sufficiently dangerous; for, during the short visit just
+described, one of Dr. King's servants remarked the stranger's
+likeness to Prince Charles, whom he recognized from the common
+busts.
+
+The occasion taken for breaking up the Stuart interest we shall
+tell in Dr. King's own words:--'When he (Charles Edward) was in
+Scotland, he had a mistress whose name was Walkinshaw, and whose
+sister was at that time, and is still, housekeeper at Leicester
+House.  Some years after he was released from his prison, and
+conducted out of France, he sent for this girl, who soon acquired
+such a dominion over him, that she was acquainted with all his
+schemes, and trusted with his most secret correspondence.  As
+soon as this was known in England, all those persons of
+distinction who were attached to him were greatly alarmed:  they
+imagined that this wench had been placed in his family by the
+English ministers; and, considering her sister's situation, they
+seemed to have some ground for their suspicion; wherefore, they
+dispatched a gentleman to Paris, where the prince then was, who
+had instructions to insist that Mrs. Walkinshaw should be removed
+to a convent for a certain term; but her gallant absolutely
+refused to comply with this demand; and although Mr. M'Namara,
+the gentleman who was sent to him, who has a natural eloquence
+and an excellent understanding, urged the most cogent reasons,
+and used all the arts of persuasion, to induce him to part with
+his mistress, and even proceeded so far as to assure him,
+according to his instructions, that an immediate interruption of
+all correspondence with his most powerful friends in England,
+and, in short, that the ruin of his interest, which was now daily
+increasing, would be the infallible consequence of his refusal;
+yet he continued inflexible, and all M'Namara's entreaties and
+remonstrances were ineffectual.  M'Namara stayed in Paris some
+days beyond the time prescribed him, endeavouring to reason the
+prince into a better temper; but finding him obstinately
+persevere in his first answer, he took his leave with concern and
+indignation, saying, as he passed out, "What has your family
+done, sir, thus to draw down the vengeance of Heaven on every
+branch of it, through so many ages?"  It is worthy of remark,
+that in all the conferences which M'Namara had with the prince on
+this occasion, the latter declared that it was not a violent
+passion, or indeed any particular regard, which attached him to
+Mrs. Walkinshaw and that he could see her removed from him
+without any concern; but he would not receive directions, in
+respect to his private conduct, from any man alive.  When
+M'Namara returned to London, and reported the prince's answer to
+the gentlemen who had employed him, they were astonished and
+confounded.  However, they soon resolved on the measures which
+they were to pursue for the future, and determined no longer to
+serve a man who could not be persuaded to serve himself, and
+chose rather to endanger the lives of his best and most faithful
+friends, than part with an harlot, whom, as he often declared, he
+neither loved nor esteemed.'
+
+From this anecdote, the general truth of which is indubitable,
+the principal fault of Charles Edward's temper is sufficiently
+obvious.  It was a high sense of his own importance, and an
+obstinate adherence to what he had once determined on--qualities
+which, if he had succeeded in his bold attempt, gave the nation
+little room to hope that he would have been found free from the
+love of prerogative and desire of arbitrary power, which
+characterized his unhappy grandfather.  He gave a notable
+instance how far this was the leading feature of his character,
+when, for no reasonable cause that can be assigned, he placed his
+own single will in opposition to the necessities of France,
+which, in order to purchase a peace become necessary to the
+kingdom, was reduced to gratify Britain by prohibiting the
+residence of Charles within any part of the French dominions.  It
+was in vain that France endeavoured to lessen the disgrace of
+this step by making the most flattering offers, in hopes to
+induce the prince of himself to anticipate this disagreeable
+alternative, which, if seriously enforced, as it was likely to
+be, he had no means whatever of resisting, by leaving the kingdom
+as of his own free will.  Inspired, however, by the spirit of
+hereditary obstinacy, Charles preferred a useless resistance to a
+dignified submission, and, by a series of idle bravadoes, laid
+the French court under the necessity of arresting their late
+ally, and sending him to close confinement in the Bastille, from
+which he was afterwards sent out of the French dominions, much in
+the manner in which a convict is transported to the place of his
+destination.
+
+In addition to these repeated instances of a rash and inflexible
+temper, Dr. King also adds faults alleged to belong to the
+prince's character, of a kind less consonant with his noble birth
+and high pretensions.  He is said by this author to have been
+avaricious, or parsimonious at least, to such a degree of
+meanness, as to fail, even when he had ample means, in relieving
+the sufferers who had lost their fortune, and sacrificed all in
+his ill-fated attempt.  [The approach is thus expressed by Dr.
+King, who brings the charge:--'But the most odious part of his
+character is his love of money, a vice which I do not remember to
+have been imputed by our historians to any of his ancestors, and
+is the certain index of a base and little mind.  I know it may be
+urged in his vindication, that a prince in exile ought to be an
+economist.  And so he ought; but, nevertheless, his purse should
+be always open as long as there is anything in it, to relieve the
+necessities of his friends and adherents.  King Charles II,
+during his banishment, would have shared the last pistole in his
+pocket with his little family.  But I have known this gentleman,
+with two thousand louis-d'ors in his strong-box, pretend he was
+in great distress, and borrow money from a lady in Paris who was
+not in affluent circumstances.  His most faithful servants, who
+had closely attended him in all his difficulties, were ill
+rewarded.'--King's MEMOIRS.]  We must receive, however, with some
+degree of jealousy what is said by Dr. King on this subject,
+recollecting that he had left at least, if he did not desert, the
+standard of the unfortunate prince, and was not therefore a
+person who was likely to form the fairest estimate of his virtues
+and faults.  We must also remember that if the exiled prince gave
+little, he had but little to give, especially considering how
+late he nourished the scheme of another expedition to Scotland,
+for which he was long endeavouring to hoard money.
+
+The case, also, of Charles Edward must be allowed to have been a
+difficult one.  He had to satisfy numerous persons, who, having
+lost their all in his cause, had, with that all, seen the
+extinction of hopes which they accounted nearly as good as
+certainties; some of these were perhaps clamorous in their
+applications, and certainly ill pleased with their want of
+success.  Other parts of the Chevalier's conduct may have
+afforded grounds for charging him with coldness to the sufferings
+of his devoted followers.  One of these was a sentiment which has
+nothing in it that is generous, but it was certainly a principle
+in which the young prince was trained, and which may be too
+probably denominated peculiar to his family, educated in all the
+high notions of passive obedience and non-resistance.  If the
+unhappy prince gave implicit faith to the professions of
+statesmen holding such notions, which is implied by his whole
+conduct.
+
+
+*
+
+
+REDGAUNTLET
+
+LETTER I
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+DUMFRIES.
+
+CUR ME EXANIMAS QUERELIS TUIS?  In plain English, Why do you
+deafen me with your croaking?  The disconsolate tone in which you
+bade me farewell at Noble House, [The first stage on the road
+from Edinburgh to Dumfries via Moffat.] and mounted your
+miserable hack to return to your law drudgery, still sounds in my
+ears.  It seemed to say, 'Happy dog!  you can ramble at pleasure
+over hill and dale, pursue every object of curiosity that
+presents itself, and relinquish the chase when it loses interest;
+while I, your senior and your better, must, in this brilliant
+season, return to my narrow chamber and my musty books.'
+
+Such was the import of the reflections with which you saddened
+our parting bottle of claret, and thus I must needs interpret the
+terms of your melancholy adieu.
+
+And why should this be so, Alan?  Why the deuce should you not be
+sitting precisely opposite to me at this moment, in the same
+comfortable George Inn; thy heels on the fender, and thy
+juridical brow expanding its plications as a pun rose in your
+fancy?  Above all, why, when I fill this very glass of wine,
+cannot I push the bottle to you, and say, 'Fairford, you are
+chased!'  Why, I say, should not all this be, except because Alan
+Fairford has not the same true sense of friendship as Darsie
+Latimer, and will not regard our purses as common, as well as our
+sentiments?
+
+I am alone in the world; my only guardian writes to me of a large
+fortune which will be mine when I reach the age of twenty-five
+complete; my present income is, thou knowest, more than
+sufficient for all my wants; and yet thou--traitor as thou art to
+the cause of friendship--dost deprive me of the pleasure of thy
+society, and submittest, besides, to self-denial on thine own
+part, rather than my wanderings should cost me a few guineas
+more!  Is this regard for my purse, or for thine own pride?  Is
+it not equally absurd and unreasonable, whichever source it
+springs from?  For myself, I tell thee, I have, and shall have,
+more than enough for both.  This same methodical Samuel
+Griffiths, of Ironmonger Lane, Guildhall, London, whose letter
+arrives as duly as quarter-day, has sent me, as I told thee,
+double allowance for this my twenty-first birthday, and an
+assurance, in his brief fashion, that it will be again doubled
+for the succeeding years, until I enter into possession of my own
+property.  Still I am to refrain from visiting England until my
+twenty-fifth year expires; and it is recommended that I shall
+forbear all inquiries concerning my family, and so forth, for the
+present.
+
+Were it not that I recollect my poor mother in her deep widow's
+weeds, with a countenance that never smiled but when she looked
+on me--and then, in such wan and woful sort, as the sun when he
+glances through an April cloud,--were it not, I say, that her
+mild and matron-like form and countenance forbid such a
+suspicion, I might think myself the son of some Indian director,
+or rich citizen, who had more wealth than grace, and a handful of
+hypocrisy to boot, and who was breeding up privately, and
+obscurely enriching, one of whose existence he had some reason to
+be ashamed.  But, as I said before, I think on my mother, and am
+convinced as much as of the existence of my own soul, that no
+touch of shame could arise from aught in which she was
+implicated.  Meantime, I am wealthy, and I am alone, and why does
+my friend scruple to share my wealth?
+
+Are you not my only friend?  and have you not acquired a right to
+share my wealth?  Answer me that, Alan Fairford.  When I was
+brought from the solitude of my mother's dwelling into the tumult
+of the Gaits' Class at the High School--when I was mocked for my
+English accent--salted with snow as a Southern--rolled in the
+gutter for a Saxon pock-pudding,--who, with stout arguments and
+stouter blows, stood forth my defender?--why, Alan Fairford.  Who
+beat me soundly when I brought the arrogance of an only son, and
+of course a spoiled urchin, to the forms of the little republic?
+--why, Alan.  And who taught me to smoke a cobbler, pin a losen,
+head a bicker, and hold the bannets?--[Break a window, head a
+skirmish with stones, and hold the bonnet, or handkerchief, which
+used to divide High School boys when fighting.]  Alan, once more.
+If I became the pride of the Yards, and the dread of the
+hucksters in the High School Wynd, it was under thy patronage;
+and, but for thee, I had been contented with humbly passing
+through the Cowgate Port, without climbing over the top of it,
+and had never seen the KITTLE NINE-STEPS nearer than from
+Bareford's Parks.  [A pass on the very brink of the Castle rock
+to the north, by which it is just possible for a goat, or a High
+School boy, to turn the corner of the building where it rises
+from the edge of the precipice.  This was so favourite a feat
+with the 'hell and neck boys' of the higher classes, that at one
+time sentinels were posted to prevent its repetition.  One of the
+nine-steps was rendered more secure because the climber could
+take hold of the root of a nettle, so precarious were the means
+of passing this celebrated spot.  The manning the Cowgate Port,
+especially in snowball time, was also a choice amusement, as it
+offered an inaccessible station for the boys who used these
+missiles to the annoyance of the passengers.  The gateway is now
+demolished; and probably most of its garrison lie as low as the
+fortress.  To recollect that the author himself, however
+naturally disqualified, was one of those juvenile dreadnoughts,
+is a sad reflection to one who cannot now step over a brook
+without assistance.]
+
+You taught me to keep my fingers off the weak, and to clench my
+fist against the strong--to carry no tales out of school--to
+stand forth like a true man--obey the stern order of a PANDE
+MANUM, and endure my pawmies without wincing, like one that is
+determined not to be the better for them.  In a word, before I
+knew thee, I knew nothing.
+
+At college it was the same.  When I was incorrigibly idle, your
+example and encouragement roused me to mental exertion, and
+showed me the way to intellectual enjoyment.  You made me an
+historian, a metaphysician (INVITA MINERVA)--nay, by Heaven!  you
+had almost made an advocate of me, as well as of yourself.  Yes,
+rather than part with you, Alan, I attended a weary season at the
+Scotch Law Class; a wearier at the Civil; and with what excellent
+advantage, my notebook, filled with caricatures of the professors
+and my fellow students, is it not yet extant to testify?
+
+   Thus far have I held on with thee untired;
+
+and, to say truth, purely and solely that I might travel the same
+road with thee.  But it will not do, Alan.  By my faith, man, I
+could as soon think of being one of those ingenious traders who
+cheat little Master Jackies on the outside of the partition with
+tops, balls, bats, and battledores, as a member of the long-robed
+fraternity within, who impose on grown country gentlemen with
+bouncing brocards of law.  [The Hall of the Parliament House of
+Edinburgh was, in former days, divided into two unequal portions
+by a partition, the inner side of which was consecrated to the
+use of the Courts of Justice and the gentlemen of the law; while
+the outer division was occupied by the stalls of stationers,
+toymen, and the like, as in a modern bazaar.  From the old play
+of THE PLAIN DEALER, it seems such was formerly the case with
+Westminster Hall.  Minos has now purified his courts in both
+cities from all traffic but his own.]  Now, don't you read this
+to your worthy father, Alan--he loves me well enough, I know, of
+a Saturday night; but he thinks me but idle company for any other
+day of the week.  And here, I suspect, lies your real objection
+to taking a ramble with me through the southern counties in this
+delicious weather.  I know the good gentleman has hard thoughts
+of me for being so unsettled as to leave Edinburgh before the
+Session rises; perhaps, too, he quarrels a little--I will not say
+with my want of ancestry, but with my want of connexions.  He
+reckons me a lone thing in this world, Alan, and so, in good
+truth, I am; and it seems a reason to him why you should not
+attach yourself to me, that I can claim no interest in the
+general herd.
+
+Do not suppose I forget what I owe him, for permitting me to
+shelter for four years under his roof:  My obligations to him are
+not the less, but the greater, if he never heartily loved me.  He
+is angry, too, that I will not, or cannot, be a lawyer, and, with
+reference to you, considers my disinclination that way as PESSIMI
+EXEMPLI, as he might say.
+
+But he need not be afraid that a lad of your steadiness will be
+influenced by such a reed shaken by the winds as I am.  You will
+go on doubting with Dirleton, and resolving those doubts with
+Stewart, ['Sir John Nisbett of Dirleton's DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS
+UPON THE LAW, ESPECIALLLY OF SCOTLAND;' and 'Sir James Stewart's
+DIRLETON'S DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS ON THE LAW OF SCOTLAND RESOLVED
+AND ANSWERED,' are works of authority in Scottish jurisprudence.
+As is generally the case, the doubts are held more in respect
+than the solution.]  until the cramp speech  [Till of late years,
+every advocate who catered at the Scottish bar made a Latin
+address to the Court, faculty, and audience, in set terms, and
+said a few words upon a text of the civil law, to show his
+Latinity and jurisprudence.  He also wore his hat for a minute,
+in order to vindicate his right of being covered before the
+Court, which is said to have originated from the celebrated
+lawyer, Sir Thomas Hope, having two sons on the bench while he
+himself remained at the bar.  Of late this ceremony has been
+dispensed with, as occupying the time of the Court unnecessarily.
+The entrant lawyer merely takes the oaths to government, and
+swears to maintain the rules and privileges of his order.]  has
+been spoken more SOLITO from the corner of the bench, and with
+covered head--until you have sworn to defend the liberties and
+privileges of the College of Justice--until the black gown is
+hung on your shoulders, and you are free as any of the Faculty to
+sue or defend.  Then will I step forth, Alan, and in a character
+which even your father will allow may be more useful to you than
+had I shared this splendid termination of your legal studies.  In
+a word, if I cannot be a counsel, I am determined to be a CLIENT,
+a sort of person without whom a lawsuit would be as dull as a
+supposed case.  Yes, I am determined to give you your first fee.
+One can easily, I am assured, get into a lawsuit--it is only the
+getting out which is sometimes found troublesome;--and, with your
+kind father for an agent, and you for my counsel learned in the
+law, and the worshipful Master Samuel Griffiths to back me, a few
+sessions shall not tire my patience.  In short, I will make my
+way into court, even if it should cost me the committing a
+DELICT, or at least a QUASI DELICT.--You see all is not lost of
+what Erskine wrote, and Wallace taught.
+
+Thus far I have fooled it off well enough; and yet, Alan, all is
+not at ease within me.  I am affected with a sense of loneliness,
+the more depressing, that it seems to me to be a solitude
+peculiarly my own.  In a country where all the world have a
+circle of consanguinity, extending to sixth cousins at least, I
+am a solitary individual, having only one kind heart to throb in
+unison with my own.  If I were condemned to labour for my bread,
+methinks I should less regard this peculiar species of
+deprivation, The necessary communication of master and servant
+would be at least a tie which would attach me to the rest of my
+kind--as it is, my very independence seems to enhance the
+peculiarity of my situation.  I am in the world as a stranger in
+the crowded coffeehouse, where he enters, calls for what
+refreshment he wants, pays his bill, and is forgotten so soon as
+the waiter's mouth has pronounced his 'Thank ye, sir.'
+
+I know your good father would term this SINNING MY MERCIES, [A
+peculiar Scottish phrase expressive of ingratitude for the
+favours of Providence.]  and ask how I should feel if, instead of
+being able to throw down my reckoning, I were obliged to
+deprecate the resentment of the landlord for consuming that which
+I could not pay for.  I cannot tell how it is; but, though this
+very reasonable reflection comes across me, and though I do
+confess that four hundred a year in possession, eight hundred in
+near prospect, and the L--d knows how many hundreds more in the
+distance, are very pretty and comfortable things, yet I would
+freely give one half of them to call your father father, though
+he should scold me for my idleness every hour of the day, and to
+call you brother, though a brother whose merits would throw my
+own so completely into the shade.
+
+The faint, yet not improbable, belief has often come across me,
+that your father knows something more about my birth and
+condition than he is willing to communicate; it is so unlikely
+that I should be left in Edinburgh at six years old, without any
+other recommendation than the regular payment of my board to old
+M--, [Probably Mathieson, the predecessor of Dr. Adams, to whose
+memory the author and his contemporaries owe a deep debt of
+gratitude.]  of the High School.  Before that time, as I have
+often told you, I have but a recollection of unbounded indulgence
+on my mother's part, and the most tyrannical exertion of caprice
+on my own.  I remember still how bitterly she sighed, how vainly
+she strove to soothe me, while, in the full energy of despotism,
+I roared like ten bull-calves, for something which it was
+impossible to procure for me.  She is dead, that kind, that ill-
+rewarded mother!  I remember the long faces--the darkened rooms
+--the black hangings--the mysterious impression made upon my mind
+by the hearse and mourning coaches, and the difficulty which I
+had to reconcile all this to the disappearance of my mother.  I
+do not think I had before this event formed, any idea, of death,
+or that I had even heard of that final consummation of all that
+lives.  The first acquaintance which I formed with it deprived me
+of my only relation.
+
+A clergyman of venerable appearance, our only visitor, was my
+guide and companion in a journey of considerable length; and in
+the charge of another elderly man, substituted in his place, I
+know not how or why, I completed my journey to Scotland--and this
+is all I recollect.
+
+I repeat the little history now, as I have a hundred times
+before, merely because I would wring some sense out of it.  Turn,
+then, thy sharp, wire-drawing, lawyer-like ingenuity to the same
+task--make up my history as though thou wert shaping the
+blundering allegations of some blue-bonneted, hard-headed client,
+into a condescendence of facts and circumstances, and thou shalt
+be, not my Apollo--QUID TIBI CUM LYRA?--but my Lord Stair,
+[Celebrated as a Scottish lawyer.]  Meanwhile, I have written
+myself out of my melancholy and blue devils, merely by prosing
+about them; so I will now converse half an hour with Roan Robin
+in his stall--the rascal knows me already, and snickers whenever
+I cross the threshold of the stable.
+
+The black which you bestrode yesterday morning promises to be an
+admirable roadster, and ambled as easily with Sam and the
+portmanteau, as with you and your load of law-learning.  Sam
+promises to be steady, and has hitherto been so.  No long trial,
+you will say.  He lays the blame of former inaccuracies on evil
+company--the people who were at the livery-stable were too
+seductive, I suppose--he denies he ever did the horse injustice--
+would rather have wanted his own dinner, he says.  In this I
+believe him, as Roan Robin's ribs and coat show no marks of
+contradiction.  However, as he will meet with no saints in the
+inns we frequent, and as oats are sometimes as speedily converted
+into ale as John Barleycorn himself, I shall keep a look-out
+after Master Sam.  Stupid fellow!  had he not abused my good
+nature, I might have chatted to him to keep my tongue in
+exercise; whereas now I must keep him at a distance.
+
+Do you remember what Mr. Fairford said to me on this subject--it
+did not become my father's son to speak in that manner to Sam's
+father's son?  I asked you what your father could possibly know
+of mine; and you answered, 'As much, you supposed, as he knew of
+Sam's--it was a proverbial expression.'  This did not quite
+satisfy me; though I am sure I cannot tell why it should not.
+But I am returning to a fruitless and exhausted subject.  Do not
+be afraid that I shall come back on this well-trodden yet
+pathless field of conjecture.  I know nothing so useless, so
+utterly feeble and contemptible, as the groaning forth one's
+lamentations into the ears of our friends.
+
+I would fain promise you that my letters shall be as entertaining
+as I am determined they shall be regular and well filled.  We
+have an advantage over the dear friends of old, every pair of
+them.  Neither David and Jonathan, nor Orestes and Pylades, nor
+Damon and Pythias--although, in the latter case particularly, a
+letter by post would have been very acceptable--ever corresponded
+together; for they probably could not write, and certainly had
+neither post nor franks to speed their effusions to each other;
+whereas yours, which you had from the old peer, being handled
+gently, and opened with precaution, may be returned to me again,
+and serve to make us free of his Majesty's post office, during
+the whole time of my proposed tour.  [It is well known and
+remembered, that when Members of Parliament enjoyed the unlimited
+privilege of franking by the mere writing the name on the cover,
+it was extended to the most extraordinary occasions.  One noble
+lord, to express his regard for a particular regiment, franked a
+letter for every rank and file.  It was customary also to save
+the covers and return them, in order that the correspondence
+might be carried on as long as the envelopes could hold
+together.]  Mercy upon us, Alan!  what letters I shall have to
+send to you, with an account of all that I can collect, of
+pleasant or rare, in this wild-goose jaunt of mine!  All I
+stipulate is that you do not communicate them to the SCOTS
+MAGAZINE; for though you used, in a left-handed way, to
+compliment me on my attainments in the lighter branches of
+literature, at the expense of my deficiency in the weightier
+matters of the law, I am not yet audacious enough to enter the
+portal which the learned Ruddiman so kindly opened for the
+acolytes of the Muses.--VALE SIS MEMOR MEI.  D. L.
+
+PS. Direct to the Post Office here.  I shall leave orders to
+forward your letters wherever I may travel.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER II
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+NEGATUR, my dear Darsie--you have logic and law enough to
+understand the word of denial.  I deny your conclusion.  The
+premises I admit, namely, that when I mounted on that infernal
+hack, I might utter what seemed a sigh, although I deemed it lost
+amid the puffs and groans of the broken-winded brute, matchless
+in the complication of her complaints by any save she, the poor
+man's mare, renowned in song, that died
+
+  A mile aboon Dundee.
+
+[Alluding, as all Scotsmen know, to the humorous old song:--
+ 'The auld man's mare's dead,
+  The puir man's mare's dead,
+  The auld man's mare's dead,
+  A mile aboon Dundee.']
+
+But credit me, Darsie, the sigh which escaped me, concerned thee
+more than myself, and regarded neither the superior mettle of
+your cavalry, nor your greater command of the means of
+travelling.  I could certainly have cheerfully ridden with you
+for a few days; and assure yourself I would not have hesitated to
+tax your better filled purse for our joint expenses.  But you
+know my father considers every moment taken from the law as a
+step down hill; and I owe much to his anxiety on my account,
+although its effects are sometimes troublesome.  For example:
+
+I found, on my arrival at the shop in Brown's Square, that the
+old gentleman had returned that very evening, impatient, it
+seems, of remaining a night out of the guardianship of the
+domestic Lares.  Having this information from James, whose brow
+wore rather an anxious look on the occasion, I dispatched a
+Highland chairman to the livery stable with my Bucephalus, and
+slunk, with as little noise as might be, into my own den, where I
+began to mumble certain half-gnawed and not half-digested
+doctrines of our municipal code.  I was not long seated, when my
+father's visage was thrust, in a peering sort of way, through the
+half-opened door; and withdrawn, on seeing my occupation, with a
+half-articulated HUMPH! which seemed to convey a doubt of the
+seriousness of my application.  If it were so, I cannot condemn
+him; for recollection of thee occupied me so entirely during an
+hour's reading, that although Stair lay before me, and
+notwithstanding that I turned over three or four pages, the sense
+of his lordship's clear and perspicuous style so far escaped me,
+that I had the mortification to find my labour was utterly in
+vain.
+
+Ere I had brought up my lee-way, James appeared with his summons
+to our frugal supper--radishes, cheese, and a bottle of the old
+ale-only two plates though--and no chair set for Mr. Darsie, by
+the attentive James Wilkinson.  Said James, with his long face,
+lank hair, and very long pig-tail in its leathern strap, was
+placed, as usual, at the back of my father's chair, upright as a
+wooden sentinel at the door of a puppet-show.  'You may go down,
+James,' said my father; and exit Wilkinson.--What is to come
+next?  thought I; for the weather is not clear on the paternal
+brow.
+
+My boots encountered his first glance of displeasure, and he
+asked me, with a sneer, which way I had been riding.  He expected
+me to answer, 'Nowhere,' and would then have been at me with his
+usual sarcasm, touching the humour of walking in shoes at twenty
+shillings a pair.  But I answered with composure, that I had
+ridden out to dinner as far as Noble House.  He started (you know
+his way) as if I had said that I had dined at Jericho; and as I
+did not choose to seem to observe his surprise, but continued
+munching my radishes in tranquillity, he broke forth in ire.
+
+'To Noble House, sir! and what had you to do at Noble House, sir?
+Do you remember you are studying law, sir?--that your Scots law
+trials are coming on, sir?--that every moment of your time just
+now is worth hours at another time?--and have you leisure to go
+to Noble House, sir?--and to throw your books behind you for so
+many hours?--Had it been a turn in the meadows, or even a game at
+golf--but Noble House, sir!'
+
+'I went so far with Darsie Latimer, sir, to see him begin his
+journey.'
+
+'Darsie Latimer?'  he replied in a softened tone--'Humph!--Well,
+I do not blame you for being kind to Darsie Latimer; but it would
+have done as much good if you had walked with him as far as the
+toll-bar, and then made your farewells--it would have saved
+horse-hire--and your reckoning, too, at dinner.'
+
+'Latimer paid that, sir,' I replied, thinking to soften the
+matter; but I had much better have left it unspoken.
+
+'The reckoning, sir!'  replied my father.  'And did you sponge
+upon any man for a reckoning?  Sir, no man should enter the door
+of a public-house without paying his lawing.'
+
+'I admit the general rule, sir,' I replied; 'but this was a
+parting-cup between Darsie and me; and I should conceive it fell
+under the exception of DOCH AN DORROCH.'
+
+'You think yourself a wit,' said my father, with as near an
+approach to a smile as ever he permits to gild the solemnity of
+his features; 'but I reckon you did not eat your dinner standing,
+like the Jews at their Passover?  and it was decided in a case
+before the town-bailies of Cupar-Angus, when Luckie Simpson's cow
+had drunk up Luckie Jamieson's browst of ale while it stood in
+the door to cool, that there was no damage to pay, because the
+crummie drank without sitting down; such being the very
+circumstance constituting DOCH AN DORROCH, which is a standing
+drink, for which no reckoning is paid.  Ha, sir! what says your
+advocateship (FIERI) to that?  EXEPTIO FIRMAT REGULAM--But come,
+fill your glass, Alan; I am not sorry ye have shown this
+attention to Darsie Latimer, who is a good lad, as times go; and
+having now lived under my roof since he left the school, why,
+there is really no great matter in coming under this small
+obligation to him.'
+
+As I saw my father's scruples were much softened by the
+consciousness of his superiority in the legal argument, I took
+care to accept my pardon as a matter of grace, rather than of
+justice; and only replied, we should feel ourselves duller of an
+evening, now that you were absent.  I will give you my father's
+exact words in reply, Darsie.  You know him so well, that they
+will not offend you; and you are also aware, that there mingles
+with the good man's preciseness and formality, a fund of shrewd
+observation and practical good sense.
+
+'It is very true,' he said; 'Darsie was a pleasant companion-but
+over waggish, over waggish, Alan, and somewhat scatter-brained.
+--By the way, Wilkinson must get our ale bottled in English pints
+now, for a quart bottle is too much, night after night, for you
+and me, without his assistance.--But Darsie, as I was saying, is
+an arch lad, and somewhat light in the upper story--I wish him
+well through the world; but he has little solidity, Alan, little
+solidity.'
+
+I scorn to desert an absent friend, Darsie, so I said for you a
+little more than my conscience warranted:  but your defection
+from your legal studies had driven you far to leeward in my
+father's good opinion.
+
+'Unstable as water, he shall not excel,' said my father; 'or, as
+the Septuagint hath it, EFUSA EST SICUT AQUA--NON CRESCAT.  He
+goeth to dancing-houses, and readeth novels--SAT EST.'
+
+I endeavoured to parry these texts by observing, that the
+dancing-houses amounted only to one night at La Pique's ball--the
+novels (so far as matter of notoriety, Darsie) to an odd volume
+of TOM JONES.
+
+'But he danced from night to morning,' replied my father, 'and he
+read the idle trash, which the author should have been scourged
+for, at least twenty times over.  It was never out of his hand.'
+
+I then hinted, that in all probability your fortune was now so
+easy as to dispense with your prosecuting the law any further
+than you had done; and therefore you might think you had some
+title to amuse yourself.  This was the least palatable argument
+of all.
+
+'If he cannot amuse himself with the law,' said my father,
+snappishly 'it is the worse for him.  If he needs not law to
+teach him to make a fortune, I am sure he needs it to teach him
+how to keep one; and it would better become him to be learning
+this, than to be scouring the country like a land-louper, going
+he knows not where, to see he knows not what, and giving treats
+at Noble House to fools like himself' (an angry glance at poor
+me), 'Noble House, indeed!'  he repeated, with elevated voice and
+sneering tone, as if there were something offensive to him in the
+name, though I will venture to say that any place in which you
+had been extravagant enough to spend five shillings, would have
+stood as deep in his reprobation.
+
+Mindful of your idea, that my father knows more of your real
+situation than he thinks proper to mention, I thought I would
+hazard a fishing observation.  'I did not see,' I said, 'how the
+Scottish law would be useful to a young gentleman whose fortune
+would seem to be vested in England.'--I really thought my father
+would have beat me.
+
+'D'ye mean to come round me, sir, PER AMBAGES, as Counsellor Pest
+says?  What is it to you where Darsie Latimer's fortune is
+vested, or whether he hath any fortune, aye or no?  And what ill
+would the Scottish law do to him, though he had as much of it as
+either Stair or Bankton, sir?  Is not the foundation of our
+municipal law the ancient code of the Roman Empire, devised at a
+time when it was so much renowned for its civil polity, sir, and
+wisdom?  Go to your bed, sir, after your expedition to Noble
+House, and see that your lamp be burning and your book before you
+ere the sun peeps. ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS--were it not a sin to
+call the divine science of the law by the inferior name of art.'
+
+So my lamp did burn, dear Darsie, the next morning, though the
+owner took the risk of a domiciliary visitation, and lay snug in
+bed, trusting its glimmer might, without further inquiry, be
+received as sufficient evidence of his vigilance.  And now, upon
+this the third morning after your departure, things are but
+little better; for though the lamp burns in my den, and VOET ON
+THE PANDECTS hath his wisdom spread open before me, yet as I only
+use him as a reading-desk on which to scribble this sheet of
+nonsense to Darsie Latimer, it is probable the vicinity will be
+of little furtherance to my studies.
+
+And now, methinks, I hear thee call me an affected hypocritical
+varlet, who, living under such a system of distrust and restraint
+as my father chooses to govern by, nevertheless pretends not to
+envy you your freedom and independence.
+
+Latimer, I will tell you no lies.  I wish my father would allow
+me a little more exercise of my free will, were it but that I
+might feel the pleasure of doing what would please him of my own
+accord.  A little more spare time, and a little more money to
+enjoy it, would, besides, neither misbecome my age nor my
+condition; and it is, I own, provoking to see so many in the same
+situation winging the air at freedom, while I sit here, caged up
+like a cobbler's linnet, to chant the same unvaried lesson from
+sunrise to sunset, not to mention the listening to so many
+lectures against idleness, as if I enjoyed or was making use of
+the means of amusement!  But then I cannot at heart blame either
+the motive or the object of this severity.  For the motive, it is
+and can only be my father's anxious, devoted, and unremitting
+affection and zeal for my improvement, with a laudable sense of
+the honour of the profession to which he has trained me.
+
+As we have no near relations, the tie betwixt us is of even
+unusual closeness, though in itself one of the strongest which
+nature can form.  I am, and have all along been, the exclusive
+object of my father's anxious hopes, and his still more anxious
+and engrossing fears; so what title have I to complain, although
+now and then these fears and hopes lead him to take a troublesome
+and incessant charge of all my motions?  Besides, I ought to
+recollect, and, Darsie, I do recollect, that my father upon
+various occasions, has shown that he can be indulgent as well as
+strict.  The leaving his old apartments in the Luckenbooths was
+to him like divorcing the soul from the body; yet Dr. R-- did but
+hint that the better air of this new district was more favourable
+to my health, as I was then suffering under the penalties of too
+rapid a growth, when he exchanged his old and beloved quarters,
+adjacent to the very Heart of Midlothian, for one of those new
+tenements (entire within themselves) which modern taste has so
+lately introduced.  Instance also the inestimable favour which he
+conferred on me by receiving you into his house, when you had
+only the unpleasant alternative of remaining, though a grown-up
+lad, in the society of mere boys.  [The diminutive and obscure
+place called Brown's Square, was hailed about the time of its
+erection as an extremely elegant improvement upon the style of
+designing and erecting Edinburgh residences.  Each house was, in
+the phrase used by appraisers, 'finished within itself,' or, in
+the still newer phraseology, 'self-contained.'  It was built
+about the year 1763-4; and the old part of the city being near
+and accessible, this square soon received many inhabitants, who
+ventured to remove to so moderate a distance from the High
+Street.]  This was a thing so contrary to all my father's ideas
+of seclusion, of economy, and of the safety to my morals and
+industry, which he wished to attain, by preserving me from the
+society of other young people, that, upon my word, I am always
+rather astonished how I should have had the impudence to make the
+request, than that he should have complied with it.
+
+Then for the object of his solicitude--Do not laugh, or hold up
+your hands, my good Darsie; but upon my word I like the
+profession to which I am in the course of being educated, and am
+serious in prosecuting the preliminary studies.  The law is my
+vocation--in an especial, and, I may say, in an hereditary way,
+my vocation; for although I have not the honour to belong to any
+of the great families who form in Scotland, as in France, the
+noblesse of the robe, and with us, at least, carry their heads as
+high, or rather higher, than the noblesse of the sword,--for the
+former consist more frequently of the 'first-born of Egypt,'--yet
+my grandfather, who, I dare say, was a most excellent person, had
+the honour to sign a bitter protest against the Union, in the
+respectable character of town-clerk to the ancient Borough of
+Birlthegroat; and there is some reason--shall I say to hope, or
+to suspect?--that he may have been a natural son of a first
+cousin of the then Fairford of that Ilk, who had been long
+numbered among the minor barons.  Now my father mounted a step
+higher on the ladder of legal promotion, being, as you know as
+well as I do, an eminent and respected Writer to his Majesty's
+Signet; and I myself am destined to mount a round higher still,
+and wear the honoured robe which is sometimes supposed, like
+Charity, to cover a multitude of sins.  I have, therefore, no
+choice but to climb upwards; since we have mounted thus high, or
+else to fall down at the imminent risk of my neck.  So that I
+reconcile myself to my destiny; and while you, are looking from
+mountain peaks, at distant lakes and firths, I am, DE APICIBUS
+JURIS, consoling myself with visions of crimson and scarlet
+gowns--with the appendages of handsome cowls, well lined with
+salary.
+
+You smile, Darsie, MORE TUO, and seem to say it is little worth
+while to cozen one's self with such vulgar dreams; yours being,
+on the contrary, of a high and heroic character, bearing the same
+resemblance to mine, that a bench, covered with purple cloth and
+plentifully loaded with session papers, does to some Gothic
+throne, rough with barbaric pearl and gold.  But what would you
+have?--SUA QUEMQUE TRAHIT VOLUPTAS.  And my visions of
+preferment, though they may be as unsubstantial at present, are
+nevertheless more capable of being realized, than your
+aspirations after the Lord knows what.  What says my father's
+proverb?  'Look to a gown of gold, and you will at least get a
+sleeve of it.'  Such is my pursuit; but what dost thou look to?
+The chance that the mystery, as you call it, which at present
+overclouds your birth and connexions, will clear up into
+something inexpressibly and inconceivably brilliant; and this
+without any effort or exertion of your own, but purely by the
+goodwill of Fortune.  I know the pride and naughtiness of thy
+heart, and sincerely do I wish that thou hadst more beatings to
+thank me for, than those which thou dost acknowledge so
+gratefully.  Then had I thumped these Quixotical expectations out
+of thee, and thou hadst not, as now, conceived thyself to be the
+hero of some romantic history, and converted, in thy vain
+imaginations, honest Griffiths, citizen and broker, who never
+bestows more than the needful upon his quarterly epistles, into
+some wise Alexander or sage Alquife, the mystical and magical
+protector of thy peerless destiny.  But I know not how it was,
+thy skull got harder, I think, and my knuckles became softer; not
+to mention that at length thou didst begin to show about thee a
+spark of something dangerous, which I was bound to respect at
+least, if I did not fear it.
+
+And while I speak of this, it is not much amiss to advise thee to
+correct a little this cock-a-hoop courage of thine.  I fear much
+that, like a hot-mettled horse, it will carry the owner into some
+scrape, out of which he will find it difficult to extricate
+himself, especially if the daring spirit which bore thee thither
+should chance to fail thee at a pinch.  Remember, Darsie, thou
+art not naturally courageous; on the contrary, we have long since
+agreed that, quiet as I am, I have the advantage in this
+important particular.  My courage consists, I think, in strength
+of nerves and constitutional indifference to danger; which,
+though it never pushes me on adventure, secures me in full use of
+my recollection, and tolerably complete self-possession, when
+danger actually arrives.  Now, thine seems more what may be
+called intellectual courage; highness of spirit, and desire of
+distinction; impulses which render thee alive to the love of
+fame, and deaf to the apprehension of danger, until it forces
+itself suddenly upon thee.  I own that, whether it is from my
+having caught my father's apprehensions, or that I have reason to
+entertain doubts of my own, I often think that this wildfire
+chase of romantic situation and adventure may lead thee into some
+mischief; and then what would become of Alan Fairford?  They
+might make whom they pleased Lord Advocate or Solicitor-General,
+I should never have the heart to strive for it.  All my exertions
+are intended to Vindicate myself one day in your eyes; and I
+think I should not care a farthing for the embroidered silk gown,
+more than for an old woman's apron, unless I had hopes that thou
+shouldst be walking the boards to admire, and perhaps to envy me.
+
+That this may be the case, I prithee--beware!  See not a
+Dulcinea, in every slipshod girl, who, with blue eyes, fair hair,
+a tattered plaid, and a willow-wand in her grip, drives out the
+village cows to the loaning.  Do not think you will meet a
+gallant Valentine in every English rider, or an Orson in every
+Highland drover.  View things as they are, and not as they may be
+magnified through thy teeming fancy.  I have seen thee look at an
+old gravel pit, till thou madest out capes, and bays, and inlets,
+crags and precipices, and the whole stupendous scenery of the
+Isle of Feroe, in what was, to all ordinary eyes, a mere horse-
+pond.  Besides, did I not once find thee gazing with respect at a
+lizard, in the attitude of one who looks upon a crocodile?  Now
+this is, doubtless, so far a harmless exercise of your
+imagination; for the puddle cannot drown you, nor the Lilliputian
+alligator eat you up.  But it is different in society, where you
+cannot mistake the character of those you converse with, or
+suffer your fancy to exaggerate their qualities, good or bad,
+without exposing yourself not only to ridicule, but to great and
+serious inconveniences.  Keep guard, therefore, on your
+imagination, my dear Darsie; and let your old friend assure you,
+it is the point of your character most pregnant with peril to its
+good and generous owner.  Adieu!  let not the franks of the
+worthy peer remain unemployed; above all, SIS MEMOR MEI.   A. F.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER III
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+SHEPHERD'S BUSH.
+
+I have received thine absurd and most conceited epistle.  It is
+well for thee that, Lovelace and Belford-like, we came under a
+convention to pardon every species of liberty which we may take
+with each other; since, upon my word, there are some reflections
+in your last which would otherwise have obliged me to return
+forthwith to Edinburgh, merely to show you I was not what you
+took me for.
+
+Why, what a pair of prigs hast thou made of us!  I plunging into
+scrapes, without having courage to get out of them--thy sagacious
+self, afraid to put one foot before the other, lest it should run
+away from its companion; and so standing still like a post, out
+of mere faintness and coldness of heart, while all the world were
+driving full speed past thee.  Thou a portrait-painter!  I tell
+thee, Alan, I have seen a better seated on the fourth round of a
+ladder, and painting a bare-breeched Highlander, holding a pint-
+stoup as big as himself, and a booted Lowlander, in a bobwig,
+supporting a glass of like dimensions; the whole being designed
+to represent the sign of the Salutation.
+
+How hadst thou the heart to represent thine own individual self,
+with all thy motions, like those of a great Dutch doll, depending
+on the pressure of certain springs, as duty, reflection, and the
+like; without the impulse of which, thou wouldst doubtless have
+me believe thou wouldst not budge an inch!  But have I not seen
+Gravity out of his bed at midnight?  and must I, in plain terms,
+remind thee of certain mad pranks?  Thou hadst ever, with the
+gravest sentiments in thy mouth and the most starched reserve in
+thy manner, a kind of lumbering proclivity towards mischief,
+although with more inclination to set it a-going than address to
+carry it through; and I cannot but chuckle internally, when I
+think of having seen my most venerable monitor, the future
+president of some high Scottish court, puffing, blowing, and
+floundering, like a clumsy cart-horse in a bog where his efforts
+to extricate himself only plunged him deeper at every awkward
+struggle, till some one--I myself, for example--took compassion
+on the moaning monster, and dragged him out by mane and tail.
+
+As for me, my portrait is, if possible, even more scandalously
+caricatured, I fail or quail in spirit at the upcome!  Where
+canst thou show me the least symptom of the recreant temper, with
+which thou hast invested me (as I trust) merely to set off the
+solid and impassible dignity of thine own stupid indifference?
+If you ever saw me tremble, be assured that my flesh, like that
+of the old Spanish general, only quaked at the dangers into which
+my spirit was about to lead it.  Seriously, Alan, this imputed
+poverty of spirit is a shabby charge to bring against your
+friend.  I have examined myself as closely as I can, being, in
+very truth, a little hurt at your having such hard thoughts of
+me, and on my life I can see no reason for them.  I allow you
+have, perhaps, some advantage of me in the steadiness and
+indifference of your temper; but I should despise myself, if I
+were conscious of the deficiency in courage which you seem
+willing enough to impute to me.  However, I suppose, this
+ungracious hint proceeds from sincere anxiety for my safety; and
+so viewing it, I swallow it as I would do medicine from a
+friendly doctor, although I believed in my heart he had mistaken
+my complaint.
+
+This offensive insinuation disposed of, I thank thee, Alan, for
+the rest of thy epistle.  I thought I heard your good father
+pronouncing the word Noble House, with a mixture of contempt and
+displeasure, as if the very name of the poor little hamlet were
+odious to him, or as if you had selected, out of all Scotland,
+the very place at which you had no call to dine.  But if he had
+had any particular aversion to that blameless village and very
+sorry inn, is it not his own fault that I did not accept the
+invitation of the Laird of Glengallacher, to shoot a buck in what
+he emphatically calls 'his country'?  Truth is, I had a strong
+desire to have complied with his lairdship's invitation.  To
+shoot a buck!  Think how magnificent an idea to one who never
+shot anything but hedge-sparrows, and that with a horse-pistol
+purchased at a broker's stand in the Cowgate!  You, who stand
+upon your courage, may remember that I took the risk of firing
+the said pistol for the first time, while you stood at twenty
+yards' distance; and that, when you were persuaded it would go
+off without bursting, forgetting all law but that of the biggest
+and strongest, you possessed yourself of it exclusively for the
+rest of the holidays.  Such a day's sport was no complete
+introduction to the noble art of deer-stalking, as it is
+practised in the Highlands; but I should not have scrupled to
+accept honest Glengallacher's invitation, at the risk of firing a
+rifle for the first time, had it not been for the outcry which
+your father made at my proposal, in the full ardour of his zeal
+for King George, the Hanover succession, and the Presbyterian
+faith.  I wish I had stood out, since I have gained so little
+upon his good opinion by submission.  All his impressions
+concerning the Highlanders are taken from the recollections of
+the Forty-five, when he retreated from the West Port with his
+brother volunteers, each to the fortalice of his own separate
+dwelling, so soon as they heard the Adventurer was arrived with
+his clans as near them as Kirkliston. The flight of Falkirk--
+PARMA NON BENE SELECTA--in which I think your sire had his share
+with the undaunted western regiment, does not seem to have
+improved his taste for the company of the Highlanders; (quaere,
+Alan, dost thou derive the courage thou makest such boast of from
+an hereditary source?)  and stories of Rob Roy Macgregor, and
+Sergeant Alan Mhor Cameron, have served to paint them in still
+more sable colours to his imagination.  [Of Rob Roy we have had
+more than enough.  Alan Cameron, commonly called Sergeant Mhor, a
+freebooter of the same period, was equally remarkable for
+strength, courage, and generosity.]
+
+Now, from all I can understand, these ideas, as applied to the
+present state of the country, are absolutely chimerical.  The
+Pretender is no more remembered in the Highlands than if the poor
+gentleman were gathered to his hundred and eight fathers, whose
+portraits adorn the ancient walls of Holyrood; the broadswords
+have passed into other hands; the targets are used to cover the
+butter churns; and the race has sunk, or is fast sinking, from
+ruffling bullies into tame cheaters.  Indeed, it was partly my
+conviction that there is little to be seen in the north, which,
+arriving at your father's conclusions, though from different
+premisses, inclined my course in this direction, where perhaps I
+shall see as little.
+
+One thing, however, I HAVE seen; and it was with pleasure the
+more indescribable, that I was debarred from treading the land
+which my eyes were permitted to gaze upon, like those of the
+dying prophet from top of Mount Pisgah,--I have seen, in a word,
+the fruitful shores of merry England; merry England!  of which I
+boast myself a native, and on which I gaze, even while raging
+floods and unstable quicksands divide us, with the filial
+affection of a dutiful son.
+
+Thou canst not have forgotten, Alan--for when didst thou ever
+forget what was interesting to thy friend?--that the same letter
+from my friend Griffiths, which doubled my income, and placed my
+motions at my own free disposal, contained a prohibitory clause,
+by which, reason none assigned, I was prohibited, as I respected
+my present safety and future fortunes, from visiting England;
+every other part of the British dominions, and a tour, if I
+pleased, on the Continent, being left to my own choice.--Where is
+the tale, Alan, of a covered dish in the midst of a royal
+banquet, upon which the eyes of every guest were immediately
+fixed, neglecting all the dainties with which the table was
+loaded?  This cause of banishment from England--from my native
+country--from the land of the brave, and the wise, and the free--
+affects me more than I am rejoiced by the freedom and
+independence assigned to me in all other respects.  Thus, in
+seeking this extreme boundary of the country which I am forbidden
+to tread, I resemble the poor tethered horse, which, you may have
+observed, is always grazing on the very verge of the circle to
+which it is limited by its halter.
+
+Do not accuse me of romance for obeying this impulse towards the
+South; nor suppose that, to satisfy the imaginary longing of an
+idle curiosity, I am in any danger of risking the solid comforts
+of my present condition.  Whoever has hitherto taken charge of my
+motions has shown me, by convincing proofs more weighty than the
+assurances which they have witheld, that my real advantage is
+their principal object.  I should be, therefore, worse than a
+fool did I object to their authority, even when it seems somewhat
+capriciously exercised; for assuredly, at my age, I might--
+intrusted as I am with the care and management of myself in every
+other particular--expect that the cause of excluding me from
+England should be frankly and fairly stated for my own
+consideration and guidance.  However, I will not grumble about
+the matter.  I shall know the whole story one day, I suppose; and
+perhaps, as you sometimes surmise, I shall not find there is any
+mighty matter in it after all.
+
+Yet one cannot help wondering--but plague on it, if I wonder any
+longer, my letter will be as full of wonders as one of
+Katterfelto's advertisements.  I have a month's mind, instead of
+this damnable iteration of guesses and forebodings, to give thee
+the history of a little adventure which befell me yesterday;
+though I am sure you will, as usual, turn the opposite side of
+the spyglass on my poor narrative, and reduce, MORE TUO, to the
+most petty trivialities, the circumstance to which thou accusest
+me of giving undue consequence.  Hang thee, Alan, thou art as
+unfit a confidant for a youthful gallant with some spice of
+imagination, as the old taciturn secretary of Facardin of
+Trebizond.  Nevertheless, we must each perform our separate
+destinies.  I am doomed to see, act, and tell; thou, like a
+Dutchman enclosed in the same diligence with a Gascon, to hear,
+and shrug thy shoulders.
+
+Of Dumfries, the capital town of this county, I have but little
+to say, and will not abuse your patience by reminding you that it
+is built on the gallant river Nith, and that its churchyard, the
+highest place of the old town, commands an extensive and fine
+prospect.  Neither will I take the traveller's privilege of
+inflicting upon you the whole history of Bruce poniarding the Red
+Comyn in the Church of the Dominicans at this place, and becoming
+a king and patriot because he had been a church-breaker and a
+murderer.  The present Dumfriezers remember and justify the deed,
+observing it was only a papist church--in evidence whereof, its
+walls have been so completely demolished that no vestiges of them
+remain.  They are a sturdy set of true-blue Presbyterians, these
+burghers of Dumfries; men after your father's own heart, zealous
+for the Protestant succession--the rather that many of the great
+families around are suspected to be of a different way of
+thinking, and shared, a great many of them, in the insurrection
+of the Fifteen, and some in the more recent business of the
+Forty-five.  The town itself suffered in the latter era; for Lord
+Elcho, with a large party of the rebels, levied a severe
+contribution upon Dumfries, on account of the citizens having
+annoyed the rear of the Chevalier during his march into England.
+
+Many of these particulars I learned from Provost C--, who,
+happening to see me in the market-place, remembered that I was an
+intimate of your father's, and very kindly asked me to dinner.
+Pray tell your father that the effects of his kindness to me
+follow me everywhere.  I became tired, however, of this pretty
+town in the course of twenty-four hours, and crept along the
+coast eastwards, amusing myself with looking out for objects of
+antiquity, and sometimes making, or attempting to make, use of my
+new angling-rod.  By the way, old Cotton's instructions, by which
+I hoped to qualify myself for one of the gentle society of
+anglers, are not worth a farthing for this meridian.  I learned
+this by mere accident, after I had waited four mortal hours.  I
+shall never forget an impudent urchin, a cowherd, about twelve
+years old, without either brogue or bonnet, barelegged, and with
+a very indifferent pair of breeches--how the villain grinned in
+scorn at my landing-net, my plummet, and the gorgeous jury of
+flies which I had assembled to destroy all the fish in the river.
+I was induced at last to lend the rod to the sneering scoundrel,
+to see what he would make of it; and he had not only half filled
+my basket in an hour, but literally taught me to kill two trouts
+with my own hand.  This, and Sam having found the hay and oats,
+not forgetting the ale, very good at this small inn, first made
+me take the fancy of resting here for a day or two; and I have
+got my grinning blackguard of a piscator leave to attend on me,
+by paying sixpence a day for a herd-boy in his stead.
+
+A notably clean Englishwoman keeps this small house, and my
+bedroom is sweetened with lavender, has a clean sash-window, and
+the walls are, moreover, adorned with ballads of Fair Rosamond
+and Cruel Barbara Allan.  The woman's accent, though uncouth
+enough, sounds yet kindly in my ear; for I have never yet
+forgotten the desolate effect produced on my infant organs, when
+I heard on all sides your slow and broad northern pronunciation,
+which was to me the tone of a foreign land.  I am sensible I
+myself have since that time acquired Scotch in perfection, and
+many a Scotticism withal.  Still the sound of the English
+accentuation comes to my ears as the tones of a friend; and even
+when heard from the mouth of some wandering beggar, it has seldom
+failed to charm forth my mite.  You Scotch, who are so proud of
+your own nationality, must make due allowance for that of other
+folks.
+
+On the next morning I was about to set forth to the stream where
+I had commenced angler the night before, but was prevented by a
+heavy shower of rain from stirring abroad the whole forenoon;
+during all which time, I heard my varlet of a guide as loud with
+his blackguard jokes in the kitchen, as a footman in the shilling
+gallery; so little are modesty and innocence the inseparable
+companions of rusticity and seclusion.
+
+When after dinner the day cleared, and we at length sallied out
+to the river side, I found myself subjected to a new trick on the
+part of my accomplished preceptor.  Apparently, he liked fishing
+himself better than the trouble of instructing an awkward novice
+such as I; and in hopes of exhausting my patience, and inducing
+me to resign the rod, as I had done the preceding day, my friend
+contrived to keep me thrashing the water more than an hour with a
+pointless hook.  I detected this trick at last, by observing the
+rogue grinning with delight when he saw a large trout rise and
+dash harmless away from the angle.  I gave him a sound cuff,
+Alan; but the next moment was sorry, and, to make amends, yielded
+possession of the fishing-rod for the rest of the evening, he
+undertaking to bring me home a dish of trouts for my supper, in
+atonement for his offences.
+
+Having thus got honourably rid of the trouble of amusing myself
+in a way I cared not for, I turned my steps towards the sea, or
+rather the Solway Firth which here separates the two sister
+kingdoms, and which lay at about a mile's distance, by a pleasant
+walk over sandy knells, covered with short herbage, which you
+call Links, and we English, Downs.
+
+But the rest of my adventure would weary out my fingers, and must
+be deferred until to-morrow, when you shall hear from me, by way
+of continuation; and, in the meanwhile, to prevent over-hasty
+conclusions, I must just hint to you, we are but yet on the verge
+of the adventure which it is my purpose to communicate.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER IV
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+SHEPHERD'S BUSH.
+
+I mentioned in my last, that having abandoned my fishing-rod as
+an unprofitable implement, I crossed over the open downs which
+divided me from the margin of the Solway.  When I reached the
+banks of the great estuary, which are here very bare and exposed,
+the waters had receded from the large and level space of sand,
+through which a stream, now feeble and fordable, found its way to
+the ocean.  The whole was illuminated by the beams of the low and
+setting sun, who showed his ruddy front, like a warrior prepared
+for defence, over a huge battlemented and turreted wall of
+crimson and black clouds, which appeared like an immense Gothic
+fortress, into which the lord of day was descending.  His setting
+rays glimmered bright upon the wet surface of the sands, and the
+numberless pools of water by which it was covered, where the
+inequality of the ground had occasioned their being left by the
+tide.
+
+The scene was animated by the exertions of a number of horsemen,
+who were actually employed in hunting salmon.  Aye, Alan, lift up
+your hands and eyes as you will, I can give their mode of fishing
+no name so appropriate; for they chased the fish at full gallop,
+and struck them with their barbed spears, as you see hunters
+spearing boars in the old tapestry.  The salmon, to be sure, take
+the thing more quietly than the boars; but they are so swift in
+their own element, that to pursue and strike them is the task of
+a good horseman, with a quick eye, a determined hand, and full
+command both of his horse and weapon.  The shouts of the fellows
+as they galloped up and down in the animating exercise--their
+loud bursts of laughter when any of their number caught a fall--
+and still louder acclamations when any of the party made a
+capital stroke with his lance--gave so much animation to the
+whole scene, that I caught the enthusiasm of the sport, and
+ventured forward a considerable space on the sands.  The feats of
+one horseman, in particular, called forth so repeatedly the
+clamorous applause of his companions, that the very banks rang
+again with their shouts.  He was a tall man, well mounted on a
+strong black horse, which he caused to turn and wind like a bird
+in the air, carried a longer spear than the others, and wore a
+sort of fur cap or bonnet, with a short feather in it, which gave
+him on the whole rather a superior appearance to the other
+fishermen.  He seemed to hold some sort of authority among them,
+and occasionally directed their motions both by voice and hand:
+at which times I thought his gestures were striking, and his
+voice uncommonly sonorous and commanding.
+
+The riders began to make for the shore, and the interest of the
+scene was almost over, while I lingered on the sands, with my
+looks turned to the shores of England, still gilded by the sun's
+last rays, and, as it seemed, scarce distant a mile from me.  The
+anxious thoughts which haunt me began to muster in my bosom, and
+my feet slowly and insensibly approached the river which divided
+me from the forbidden precincts, though without any formed
+intention, when my steps were arrested by the sound of a horse
+galloping; and as I turned, the rider (the same fisherman whom I
+had formerly distinguished) called out to me, in an abrupt
+manner, 'Soho, brother!  you are too late for Bowness to-night--
+the tide will make presently.'
+
+I turned my head and looked at him without answering; for, to my
+thinking, his sudden appearance (or rather, I should say, his
+unexpected approach) had, amidst the gathering shadows and
+lingering light, something in it which was wild and ominous.
+
+'Are you deaf?'  he added--'or are you mad?--or have you a mind
+for the next world?'
+
+'I am a stranger,' I answered,' and had no other purpose than
+looking on at the fishing--I am about to return to the side I
+came from.'
+
+'Best make haste then,' said he.  'He that dreams on the bed of
+the Solway, may wake in the next world.  The sky threatens a
+blast that will bring in the waves three feet abreast.'
+
+So saying, he turned his horse and rode off, while I began to
+walk back towards the Scottish shore, a little alarmed at what I
+had heard; for the tide advances with such rapidity upon these
+fatal sands, that well-mounted horsemen lay aside hopes of
+safety, if they see its white surge advancing while they are yet
+at a distance from the bank.
+
+These recollections grew more agitating, and, instead of walking
+deliberately, I began a race as fast as I could, feeling, or
+thinking I felt, each pool of salt water through which I
+splashed, grow deeper and deeper.  At length the surface of the
+sand did seem considerably more intersected with pools and
+channels full of water--either that the tide was really beginning
+to influence the bed of the estuary, or, as I must own is equally
+probable, that I had, in the hurry and confusion of my retreat,
+involved myself in difficulties which I had avoided in my more
+deliberate advance.  Either way, it was rather an unpromising
+state of affairs, for the sands at the same time turned softer,
+and my footsteps, so soon as I had passed, were instantly filled
+with water.  I began to have odd recollections concerning the
+snugness of your father's parlour, and the secure footing
+afforded by the pavement of Brown's Square and Scott's Close,
+when my better genius, the tall fisherman, appeared once more
+close to my side, he and his sable horse looming gigantic in the
+now darkening twilight.
+
+'Are you mad?'  he said, in the same deep tone which had before
+thrilled on my ear, 'or are you weary of your life?  You will be
+presently amongst the quicksands.'  I professed my ignorance of
+the way, to which he only replied, 'There is no time for prating
+--get up behind me.'
+
+He probably expected me to spring from the ground with the
+activity which these Borderers have, by constant practice,
+acquired in everything relating to horsemanship; but as I stood
+irresolute, he extended his hand, and grasping mine, bid me place
+my foot on the toe of his boot, and thus raised me in a trice to
+the croupe of his horse.  I was scarcely securely seated, ere he
+shook the reins of his horse, who instantly sprang forward; but
+annoyed, doubtless, by the unusual burden, treated us to two or
+three bounds, accompanied by as many flourishes of his hind
+heels.  The rider sat like a tower, notwithstanding that the
+unexpected plunging of the animal threw me forward upon him.  The
+horse was soon compelled to submit to the discipline of the spur
+and bridle, and went off at a steady hand gallop; thus shortening
+the devious, for it was by no means a direct path, by which the
+rider, avoiding the loose quicksands, made for the northern bank.
+
+My friend, perhaps I may call him my preserver,--for, to a
+stranger, my situation was fraught with real danger,--continued
+to press on at the same speedy pace, but in perfect silence, and
+I was under too much anxiety of mind to disturb him with any
+questions.  At length we arrived at a part of the shore with
+which I was utterly unacquainted, when I alighted and began to
+return in the best fashion I could my thanks for the important
+service which he had just rendered me.
+
+The stranger only replied by an impatient 'pshaw!'  and was about
+to ride off, and leave me to my own resources when I implored him
+to complete his work of kindness by directing me to Shepherd's
+Bush, which was, as I informed him, my home for the present.
+
+'To Shepherd's Bush?'  he said; 'it is but three miles but if you
+know not the land better than the sand, you may break your neck
+before you get there; for it is no road for a moping boy in a
+dark night; and, besides, there are the brook and the fens to
+cross.'
+
+I was a little dismayed at this communication of such
+difficulties as my habits had not called on me to contend with.
+Once more the idea of thy father's fireside came across me; and I
+could have been well contented to have swapped the romance of my
+situation, together with the glorious independence of control
+which I possessed at the moment, for the comforts of that
+chimney-corner, though I were obliged to keep my eyes chained to
+Erskine's LARGER INSTITUTES.
+
+I asked my new friend whether he could not direct me to any house
+of public entertainment for the night; and supposing it probable
+he was himself a poor man, I added, with the conscious dignity of
+a well-filled pocket-book, that I could make it worth any man's
+while to oblige me.  The fisherman making no answer, I turned
+away from him with as gallant an appearance of indifference as I
+could command, and began to take, as I thought, the path which he
+had pointed out to me.
+
+His deep voice immediately sounded after me to recall me.  'Stay,
+young man, stay--you have mistaken the road already.--I wonder
+your friends sent out such an inconsiderate youth, without some
+one wiser than himself to take care of him.'
+
+'Perhaps they might not have done so,' said I, 'if I had any
+friends who cared about the matter.'
+
+'Well, sir,' he said, 'it is not my custom to open my house to
+strangers, but your pinch is like to be a smart one; for, besides
+the risk from bad roads, fords, and broken ground, and the night,
+which looks both black and gloomy, there is bad company on the
+road sometimes--at least it has a bad name, and some have come to
+harm; so that I think I must for once make my rule give way to
+your necessity, and give you a night's lodging in my cottage.
+
+Why was it, Alan, that I could not help giving an involuntary
+shudder at receiving an invitation so seasonable in itself, and
+so suitable to my naturally inquisitive disposition?  I easily
+suppressed this untimely sensation; and as I returned thanks, and
+expressed my hope that I should not disarrange, his family, I
+once more dropped a hint of my desire to make compensation for
+any trouble I might occasion.  The man answered very coldly,
+'Your presence will no doubt give me trouble, sir, but it is of a
+kind which your purse, cannot compensate; in a word, although I
+am content to receive you as my guest, I am no publican to call a
+reckoning.'
+
+I begged his pardon, and, at his instance, once more seated
+myself behind hint upon the good horse, which went forth steady
+as before--the moon, whenever she could penetrate the clouds,
+throwing the huge shadow of the animal, with its double burden,
+on the wild and bare ground over which we passed.
+
+Thou mayst laugh till thou lettest the letter fall, if thou wilt,
+but it reminded me of the magician Atlantes on his hippogriff
+with a knight trussed up behind him, in the manner Ariosto has
+depicted that matter.  Thou art I know, matter-of-fact enough to
+affect contempt of that fascinating and delicious poem; but think
+not that, to conform with thy bad taste, I shall forbear any
+suitable illustration which now or hereafter may occur to me.
+
+On we went, the sky blackening around us, and the wind beginning
+to pipe such a wild and melancholy tune as best suited the hollow
+sounds of the advancing tide, which I could hear at a distance,
+like the roar of some immense monster defrauded of its prey.
+
+At length, our course was crossed by a deep dell or dingle, such
+as they call in some parts of Scotland a den, and in others a
+cleuch or narrow glen.  It seemed, by the broken glances which
+the moon continued to throw upon it, to be steep, precipitous,
+and full of trees, which are, generally speaking, rather scarce
+upon these shores.  The descent by which we plunged into this
+dell was both steep and rugged, with two or three abrupt
+turnings; but neither danger nor darkness impeded the motion of
+the black horse, who seemed rather to slide upon his haunches,
+than to gallop down the pass, throwing me again on the shoulders
+of the athletic rider, who, sustaining no inconvenience by the
+circumstance, continued to press the horse forward with his heel,
+steadily supporting him at the same time by raising his bridle-
+hand, until we stood in safety at the bottom of the steep--not a
+little to my consolation, as, friend Alan, thou mayst easily
+conceive.
+
+A very short advance up the glen, the bottom of which we had
+attained by this ugly descent, brought us in front of two or
+three cottages, one of which another blink of moonshine enabled
+me to rate as rather better than those of the Scottish peasantry
+in this part of the world; for the sashes seemed glazed, and
+there were what are called storm-windows in the roof, giving
+symptoms of the magnificence of a second story.  The scene around
+was very interesting; for the cottages, and the yards or crofts
+annexed to them, occupied a haugh, or helm, of two acres, which a
+brook of some consequence (to judge from its roar) had left upon
+one side of the little glen while finding its course close to the
+farther bank, and which appeared to be covered and darkened with
+trees, while the level space beneath enjoyed such stormy smiles
+as the moon had that night to bestow.
+
+I had little time for observation, for my companion's loud
+whistle, seconded by an equally loud halloo, speedily brought to
+the door of the principal cottage a man and a woman, together
+with two large Newfoundland dogs, the deep baying of which I had
+for some time heard.  A yelping terrier or two, which had joined
+the concert, were silent at the presence of my conductor, and
+began to whine, jump up, and fawn upon him.  The female drew back
+when she beheld a stranger; the man, who had a lighted lantern,
+advanced, and, without any observation, received the horse from
+my host, and led him, doubtless, to stable, while I followed my
+conductor into the house.  When we had passed the HALLAN, [The
+partition which divides a Scottish cottage.]  we entered a well-
+sized apartment, with a clean brick floor, where a fire blazed
+(much to my contentment) in the ordinary projecting sort of a
+chimney, common in Scottish houses.  There were stone seats
+within the chimney; and ordinary utensils, mixed with fishing-
+spears, nets, and similar implements of sport, were hung around
+the walls of the place.  The female who had first appeared at the
+door, had now retreated into a side apartment.  She was presently
+followed by my guide, after he had silently motioned me to a
+seat; and their place was supplied by an elderly woman, in a grey
+stuff gown, with a check apron and toy, obviously a menial,
+though neater in her dress than is usual in her apparent rank--an
+advantage which was counterbalanced by a very forbidding aspect.
+But the most singular part of her attire, in this very Protestant
+country, was a rosary, in which the smaller beads were black oak,
+and those indicating the PATER-NOSTER of silver, with a crucifix
+of the same metal.
+
+This person made preparations for supper, by spreading a clean
+though coarse cloth over a large oaken table, placing trenchers
+and salt upon it, and arranging the fire to receive a gridiron.
+I observed her motions in silence; for she took no sort of notice
+of me, and as her looks were singularly forbidding, I felt no
+disposition to commence conversation.
+
+When this duenna had made all preliminary arrangements, she took
+from the well-filled pouch of my conductor, which he had hung up
+by the door, one or two salmon, or GRILSES, as the smaller sort
+are termed, and selecting that which seemed best and in highest
+season, began to cut it into slices, and to prepare a GRILLADE;
+the savoury smell of which affected me so powerfully that I began
+sincerely to hope that no delay would intervene between the
+platter and the lip.
+
+As this thought came across me, the man who had conducted the
+horse to the stable entered the apartment, and discovered to me a
+countenance yet more uninviting than that of the old crone who
+was performing with such dexterity the office of cook to the
+party.  He was perhaps sixty years old; yet his brow was not much
+furrowed, and his jet-black hair was only grizzled, not whitened,
+by the advance of age.  All his motions spoke strength unabated;
+and, though rather undersized, he had very broad shoulders, was
+square-made, thin-flanked, and apparently combined in his frame
+muscular strength and activity; the last somewhat impaired
+perhaps by years, but the first remaining in full vigour.  A hard
+and harsh countenance--eyes far sunk under projecting eyebrows,
+which were grizzled like his hair--a wide mouth, furnished from
+ear to ear with it range of unimpaired teeth, of uncommon
+whiteness, and a size and breadth which might have become the
+jaws of an ogre, completed this delightful portrait.  He was clad
+like a fisherman, in jacket and trousers of the blue cloth
+commonly used by seamen, and had a Dutch case-knife, like that of
+a Hamburgh skipper, stuck into a broad buff belt, which seemed as
+if it might occasionally sustain weapons of a description still
+less equivocally calculated for violence.
+
+This man gave me an inquisitive, and, as I thought, a sinister
+look upon entering the apartment; but without any further notice
+of me, took up the office of arranging the table, which the old
+lady had abandoned for that of cooking the fish, and, with more
+address than I expected from a person of his coarse appearance,
+placed two chairs at the head of the table, and two stools below;
+accommodating each seat to a cover, beside which he placed an
+allowance of barley-bread, and a small jug, which he replenished
+with ale from a large black jack.  Three of these jugs were of
+ordinary earthenware, but the fourth, which he placed by the
+right-hand cover at, the upper end of the table, was a flagon of
+silver, and displayed armorial bearings.  Beside this flagon he
+placed a salt-cellar of silver, handsomely wrought, containing
+salt of exquisite whiteness, with pepper and other spices.  A
+sliced lemon was also presented on a small silver salver.  The
+two large water-dogs, who seemed perfectly to understand the
+nature of the preparations, seated themselves one on each side of
+the table, to be ready to receive their portion of the
+entertainment.  I never saw finer animals, or which seemed to be
+more influenced by a sense of decorum, excepting that they
+slobbered a little as the rich scent from the chimney was wafted
+past their noses.  The small dogs ensconced themselves beneath
+the table.
+
+I am aware that I am dwelling upon trivial and ordinary
+circumstances, and that perhaps I may weary out your patience in
+doing so.  But conceive me alone in this strange place, which
+seemed, from the universal silence, to be the very temple of
+Harpocrates--remember that this is my first excursion from home--
+forget not that the manner in which I had been brought hither had
+the dignity of danger and something the air of an adventure, and
+that there was a mysterious incongruity in all I had hitherto
+witnessed; and you will not, I think, be surprised that these
+circumstances, though trifling, should force themselves on my
+notice at the time, and dwell in my memory afterwards.
+
+That a fisher, who pursued the sport perhaps for his amusement as
+well as profit, should be well mounted and better lodged than the
+lower class of peasantry, had in it nothing surprising; but there
+was something about all that I saw which seemed to intimate that
+I was rather in the abode of a decayed gentleman, who clung to a
+few of the forms and observances of former rank, than in that of
+a common peasant, raised above his fellows by comparative
+opulence.
+
+Besides the articles of plate which I have already noticed, the
+old man now lighted and placed on the table a silver lamp, or
+CRUISIE as the Scottish term it, filled with very pure oil, which
+in burning diffused an aromatic fragrance, and gave me a more
+perfect view of the cottage walls, which I had hitherto only seen
+dimly by the light of the fire.  The BINK  [The frame of wooden
+shelves placed in a Scottish kitchen for holding plates.]  with
+its usual arrangement of pewter and earthenware, which was most
+strictly and critically clean, glanced back the flame of the lamp
+merrily from one side of the apartment.  In a recess, formed by
+the small bow of a latticed window, was a large writing-desk of
+walnut-tree wood, curiously carved, above which arose shelves of
+the same, which supported a few books and papers.  The opposite
+side of the recess contained (as far as I could discern, for it
+lay in shadow, and I could at any rate have seen it but
+imperfectly from the place where I was seated) one or two guns,
+together with swords, pistols, and other arms a collection which,
+in a poor cottage, and in a country so peaceful, appeared
+singular at least, if not even somewhat suspicious.
+
+All these observations, you may suppose, were made much sooner
+than I have recorded, or you (if you have not skipped) have been
+able to read them.  They were already finished, and I was
+considering how I should open some communication with the mute
+inhabitants of the mansion, when my conductor re-entered from the
+side-door by which he had made his exit.
+
+He had now thrown off his rough riding-cap, and his coarse
+jockey-coat, And stood before me in a grey jerkin trimmed with
+black, which sat close to, and set off, his large and sinewy
+frame, and a pair of trousers of a lighter colour, cut as close
+to the body as they are used by Highlandmen.  His whole dress was
+of finer cloth than that of the old man; and his linen, so minute
+was my observation, clean and unsullied.  His shirt was without
+ruffles, and tied at the collar with a black ribbon, which showed
+his strong and muscular neck rising from it like that of an
+ancient Hercules.  His head was small, with a large forehead, and
+well-formed ears.  He wore neither peruke nor hair-powder; and
+his chestnut locks, curling close to his head like those of an
+antique statue, showed not the least touch of time, though the
+owner must have been at least fifty.  His features were high and
+prominent in such a degree that one knew not whether to term them
+harsh or handsome.  In either case, the sparkling grey eye,
+aquiline nose, and well-formed mouth, combined to render his
+physiognomy noble and expressive.  An air of sadness, or
+severity, or of both, seemed to indicate a melancholy, and, at
+the same time, a haughty temper.  I could not help running
+mentally over the ancient heroes, to whom I might assimilate the
+noble form and countenance before me.  He was too young, and
+evinced too little resignation to his fate, to resemble
+Belisarius.  Coriolanus, standing by the hearth of Tullus
+Aufidius, came nearer the mark; yet the gloomy and haughty look
+of the stranger had, perhaps, still more of Marius, seated among
+the ruins of Carthage.
+
+While I was lost in these imaginations, my host stood by the
+fire, gazing on me with the same attention which I paid to him,
+until, embarrassed by his look, I was about to break silence at
+all hazards.  But the supper, now placed upon the table, reminded
+me, by its appearance, of those wants which I had almost
+forgotten while I was gazing on the fine form of my conductor.
+He spoke at length, and I almost started at the deep rich tone of
+his voice, though what he said was but to invite me to sit down
+to the table.  He himself assumed the seat of honour, beside
+which the silver flagon was placed, and beckoned to me to sit
+down beside him.
+
+Thou knowest thy father's strict and excellent domestic
+discipline has trained me to bear the invocation of a blessing
+before we break the daily bread, for which we are taught to pray
+--I paused a moment, and, without designing to do so, I suppose
+my manner made him sensible of what I expected.  The two
+domestics or inferiors, as I should have before observed, were
+already seated at the bottom of the table, when my host shot a
+glance of a very peculiar expression towards the old man,
+observing, with something approaching to a sneer, 'Cristal Nixon,
+say grace--the gentleman expects one.'
+
+'The foul fiend shall be clerk, and say amen, when I turn
+chaplain,' growled out the party addressed, in tones which might
+have become the condition of a dying bear; 'if the gentleman is a
+whig, he may please himself with his own mummery.  My faith is
+neither in word nor writ, but in barley-bread and brown ale.'
+
+'Mabel Moffat,' said my guide, looking at the old woman, and
+raising his sonorous voice, probably because she was hard of
+hearing, 'canst thou ask a blessing upon our victuals?'
+
+The old woman shook her head, kissed the cross which hung from
+her rosary, and was silent.
+
+'Mabel will say grace for no heretic,' said the master of the
+house, with the same latent sneer on his brow and in his accent.
+
+At the same moment, the side-door already mentioned opened, and
+the young woman (so she proved) whom I had first seen at the door
+of the cottage, advanced a little way into the room, then stopped
+bashfully, as if she had observed that I was looking at her, and
+asked the master of the house, 'if he had called?'
+
+'Not louder than to make old Mabel hear me,' he replied; 'and
+yet,' be added, as she turned to retire, 'it is a shame a
+stranger should see a house where not one of the family can or
+will say a grace--do thou be our chaplain.'
+
+The girl, who was really pretty, came forward with timid modesty,
+and, apparently unconscious that she was doing anything uncommon,
+pronounced the benediction in a silver-toned voice, and with
+affecting simplicity--her cheek colouring just so much as to show
+that on a less solemn occasion she would have felt more
+embarrassed.
+
+Now, if thou expectest a fine description of this young woman,
+Alan Fairford, in order to entitle thee to taunt me with having
+found a Dulcinea in the inhabitant of a fisherman's cottage on
+the Solway Firth, thou shalt be disappointed; for, having said
+she seemed very pretty, and that she was a sweet and gentle-
+speaking creature, I have said all concerning her that I can tell
+thee.  She vanished when the benediction was spoken.
+
+My host, with a muttered remark on the cold of our ride, and the
+keen air of the Solway Sands, to which he did not seem to wish an
+answer, loaded my plate from Mabel's grillade, which, with a
+large wooden bowl of potatoes, formed our whole meal.  A
+sprinkling from the lemon gave a much higher zest than the usual
+condiment of vinegar; and I promise you that whatever I might
+hitherto have felt, either of curiosity or suspicion, did not
+prevent me from making a most excellent supper, during which
+little passed betwixt me and my entertainer, unless that he did
+the usual honours of the table with courtesy, indeed, but without
+even the affectation of hearty hospitality, which those in his
+(apparent) condition generally affect on such occasions, even
+when they do not actually feel it.  On the contrary, his manner
+seemed that of a polished landlord towards an unexpected and
+unwelcome guest, whom, for the sake of his own credit, he
+receives with civility, but without either goodwill or
+cheerfulness.
+
+If you ask how I learned all this, I cannot tell you; nor, were I
+to write down at length the insignificant intercourse which took
+place between us, would it perhaps serve to justify these
+observations.  It is sufficient to say, that in helping his dogs,
+which he did from time to time with great liberality, he seemed
+to discharge a duty much more pleasing to himself, than when he
+paid the same attention to his guest.  Upon the whole, the result
+on my mind was as I tell it you.
+
+When supper was over, a small case-bottle of brandy, in a curious
+frame of silver filigree, circulated to the guests.  I had
+already taken a small glass of the liquor, and, when it had
+passed to Mabel and to Cristal and was again returned to the
+upper end of the table, I could not help taking the bottle in my
+hand, to look more at the armorial bearings which were chased
+with considerable taste on the silver framework.  Encountering
+the eye of my entertainer, I instantly saw that my curiosity was
+highly distasteful; he frowned, bit his lip, and showed such
+uncontrollable signs of impatience, that, setting the bottle
+immediately down, I attempted some apology.  To this he did not
+deign either to reply, or even to listen; and Cristal, at a
+signal from his master, removed the object of my curiosity, as
+well as the cup, upon which the same arms were engraved.
+
+Then ensued an awkward pause, which I endeavoured to break by
+observing, that 'I feared my intrusion upon his hospitality had
+put his family to some inconvenience'.
+
+'I hope you see no appearance of it, sir,' he replied, with cold
+civility.  'What inconvenience a family so retired as ours may
+suffer from receiving an unexpected guest is like to be trifling,
+in comparison of what the visitor himself sustains from want of
+his accustomed comforts.  So far, therefore, as our connexion
+stands, our accounts stand clear.'
+
+Notwithstanding this discouraging reply, I blundered on, as is
+usual in such cases, wishing to appear civil, and being, perhaps,
+in reality the very reverse.  'I was afraid,' I said, that my
+presence had banished one of the family' (looking at the side-
+door) 'from his table.'
+
+'If,' he coldly replied, 'I meant the young woman whom I had seen
+in the apartment, he bid me observe that there was room enough at
+the table for her to have seated herself, and meat enough, such
+as it was, for her supper.  I might, therefore, be assured, if
+she had chosen it, she would have supped with us.'
+
+There was no dwelling on this or any other topic longer; for my
+entertainer, taking up the lamp, observed, that 'my wet clothes
+might reconcile me for the night to their custom of keeping early
+hours; that he was under the necessity of going abroad by peep of
+day to-morrow morning, and would call me up at the same time, to
+point out the way by which I was to return to the Shepherd's
+Bush.'
+
+This left no opening for further explanation; nor was there room
+for it on the usual terms of civility; for, as he neither asked
+my name, nor expressed the least interest concerning my
+condition, I--the obliged person--had no pretence to trouble him
+with such inquiries on my part.
+
+He took up the lamp, and led me through the side-door into a very
+small room, where a bed had been hastily arranged for my
+accommodation, and, putting down the lamp, directed me to leave
+my wet clothes on the outside of the door, that they might be
+exposed to the fire during the night.  He then left me, having
+muttered something which was meant to pass for good night.
+
+I obeyed his directions with respect to my clothes, the rather
+that, in despite of the spirits which I had drunk, I felt my
+teeth begin to chatter, and received various hints from an aguish
+feeling, that a town-bred youth, like myself, could not at once
+rush into all the hardihood of country sports with impunity.  But
+my bed, though coarse and hard, was dry and clean; and I soon was
+so little occupied with my heats and tremors, as to listen with
+interest to a heavy foot, which seemed to be that of my landlord,
+traversing the boards (there was no ceiling, as you may believe)
+which roofed my apartment.  Light, glancing through these rude
+planks, became visible as soon as my lamp was extinguished; and
+as the noise of the slow, solemn, and regular step continued, and
+I could distinguish that the person turned and returned as he
+reached the end of the apartment, it seemed clear to me that the
+walker was engaged in no domestic occupation, but merely pacing
+to and fro for his own pleasure.  'An odd amusement this,' I
+thought, 'for one who had been engaged at least a part of the
+preceding day in violent exercise, and who talked of rising by
+the peep of dawn on the ensuing morning.'
+
+Meantime I heard the storm, which had been brewing during the
+evening, begin to descend with a vengeance; sounds as of distant-
+thunder (the noise of the more distant waves, doubtless, on the
+shore) mingled with the roaring of the neighbouring torrent, and
+with the crashing, groaning, and even screaming of the trees in
+the glen whose boughs were tormented by the gale.  Within the
+house, windows clattered, and doors clapped, and the walls,
+though sufficiently substantial for a building of the kind,
+seemed to me to totter in the tempest.
+
+But still the heavy steps perambulating the apartment over my
+head were distinctly heard amid the roar and fury of the
+elements.  I thought more than once I even heard a groan; but I
+frankly own that, placed in this unusual situation, my fancy may
+have misled me.  I was tempted several times to call aloud, and
+ask whether the turmoil around us did not threaten danger to the
+building which we inhabited; but when I thought of the secluded
+and unsocial master of the dwelling, who seemed to avoid human
+society, and to remain unperturbed amid the elemental war, it
+seemed that to speak to him at that moment would have been to
+address the spirit of the tempest himself, since no other being,
+I thought, could have remained calm and tranquil while winds and
+waters were thus raging around.
+
+In process of time, fatigue prevailed over anxiety and curiosity.
+The storm abated, or my senses became deadened to its terrors,
+and I fell asleep ere yet the mysterious paces of my host had
+ceased to shake the flooring over my head.
+
+It might have been expected that the novelty of my situation,
+although it did not prevent my slumbers, would have at least
+diminished their profoundness, and shortened their duration.
+It proved otherwise, however; for I never slept more soundly in
+my life, and only awoke when, at morning dawn, my landlord shook
+me by the shoulder, and dispelled some dream, of which,
+fortunately for you, I have no recollection, otherwise you would
+have been favoured with it, in hopes you might have proved a
+second Daniel upon the occasion.
+
+'You sleep sound--' said his full deep voice; 'ere five years
+have rolled over your head, your slumbers will be lighter--unless
+ere then you are wrapped in the sleep which is never broken.'
+
+'How!'  said I, starting up in the bed; 'do you know anything of
+me--of my prospects--of my views in life?'
+
+'Nothing,' he answered, with a grim smile; 'but it is evident you
+are entering upon the world young, inexperienced, and full of
+hopes, and I do but prophesy to you what I would to any one in
+your condition.  But come; there lie your clothes--a brown crust
+and a draught of milk wait you, if you choose to break your fast;
+but you must make haste.'
+
+'I must first,' I said, 'take the freedom to spend a few minutes
+alone, before beginning the ordinary works of the day.'
+
+'Oh!--umph!--I cry your devotions pardon,' he replied, and left
+the apartment.
+
+Alan, there is something terrible about this man.
+
+I joined him, as I had promised, in the kitchen where we had
+supped overnight, where I found the articles which he had offered
+me for breakfast, without butter or any other addition.
+
+He walked up and down while I partook of the bread and milk; and
+the slow measured weighty step seemed identified with those which
+I had heard last night.  His pace, from its funereal slowness,
+seemed to keep time with some current of internal passion, dark,
+slow, and unchanged.  'We run and leap by the side of a lively
+and bubbling brook,' thought I, internally, 'as if we would run a
+race with it; but beside waters deep, slow, and lonely, our pace
+is sullen and silent as their course.  What thoughts may be now
+corresponding with that furrowed brow, and bearing time with that
+heavy step?'
+
+'If you have finished,' said he, looking up to me with a glance
+of impatience, as he observed that I ate no longer, but remained
+with my eyes fixed upon him, 'I wait to show you the way.'
+
+We went out together, no individual of the family having been
+visible excepting my landlord.  I was disappointed of the
+opportunity which I watched for of giving some gratuity to the
+domestics, as they seemed to be.  As for offering any recompense
+to the master of the household, it seemed to me impossible to
+have attempted it.
+
+What would I have given for a share of thy composure, who wouldst
+have thrust half a crown into a man's hand whose necessities
+seemed to crave it, conscious that you did right in making the
+proffer, and not caring sixpence whether you hurt the feelings of
+him whom you meant to serve!  I saw thee once give a penny to a
+man with a long beard, who, from the dignity of his exterior,
+might have represented Solon.  I had not thy courage, and
+therefore I made no tender to my mysterious host, although,
+notwithstanding his display of silver utensils, all around the
+house bespoke narrow circumstances, if not actual poverty.
+
+We left the place together.  But I hear thee murmur thy very new
+and appropriate ejaculation, OHE, JAM SATIS!--The rest for
+another time.  Perhaps I may delay further communication till I
+learn how my favours are valued.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER V
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+I have thy two last epistles, my dear Darsie, and expecting the
+third, have been in no hurry to answer them.  Do not think my
+silence ought to be ascribed to my failing to take interest in
+them, for, truly, they excel (though the task was difficult) thy
+usual excellings.  Since the moon-calf who earliest discovered
+the Pandemonium of Milton in an expiring wood-fire--since the
+first ingenious urchin who blew bubbles out of soap and water,
+thou, my best of friends, hast the highest knack at making
+histories out of nothing.  Wert thou to plant the bean in the
+nursery-tale, thou wouldst make out, so soon as it began to
+germinate, that the castle of the giant was about to elevate its
+battlements on the top of it.  All that happens to thee gets a
+touch of the wonderful and the sublime from thy own rich
+imagination.  Didst ever see what artists call a Claude Lorraine
+glass, which spreads its own particular hue over the whole
+landscape which you see through it?--thou beholdest ordinary
+events just through such a medium.
+
+I have looked carefully at the facts of thy last long letter, and
+they are just such as might have befallen any little truant of
+the High School, who had got down to Leith Sands, gone beyond the
+PRAWN-DUB, wet his hose and shoon, and, finally, had been carried
+home, in compassion, by some high-kilted fishwife, cursing all
+the while the trouble which the brat occasioned her.
+
+I admire the figure which thou must have made, clinging for dear
+life behind the old fellow's back--thy jaws chattering with fear,
+thy muscles cramped with anxiety.  Thy execrable supper of
+broiled salmon, which was enough to ensure the nightmare's
+regular visits for a twelvemonth, may be termed a real
+affliction; but as for the storm of Thursday last (such, I
+observe, was the date), it roared, whistled, howled, and
+bellowed, as fearfully amongst the old chimney-heads in the
+Candlemaker Row, as it could on the Solway shore, for the very
+wind of it--TESTE ME PER TOTAM NOCTEM VIGILANTE.  And then in the
+morning again, when--Lord help you--in your sentimental delicacy
+you bid the poor man adieu, without even tendering him half a
+crown for supper and lodging!
+
+You laugh at me for giving a penny (to be accurate, though, thou
+shouldst have said sixpence) to an old fellow, whom thou, in thy
+high flight, wouldst have sent home supperless, because he was
+like Solon or Belisarius.  But you forget that the affront
+descended like a benediction into the pouch of the old
+gaberlunzie, who overflowed in blessings upon the generous donor
+--long ere he would have thanked thee, Darsie, for thy barren
+veneration of his beard and his bearing.  Then you laugh at my
+good father's retreat from Falkirk, just as if it were not time
+for a man to trudge when three or four mountain knaves, with
+naked claymores, and heels as light as their fingers, were
+scampering after him, crying FURINISH.  You remember what he said
+himself when the Laird of Bucklivat told him that FURINISH
+signified 'stay a while'.  'What the devil,' he said, surprised
+out of his Presbyterian correctness by the unreasonableness of
+such a request under the circumstances, 'would the, scoundrels
+have had me stop to have my head cut off?'
+
+Imagine such a train at your own heels, Darsie, and ask yourself
+whether you would not exert your legs as fast as you did in
+flying from the Solway tide.  And yet you impeach my father's
+courage.  I tell you he has courage enough to do what is right,
+and to spurn what is wrong--courage enough to defend a righteous
+cause with hand and purse, and to take the part of the poor man
+against his oppressor, without fear of the consequences to
+himself.  This is civil courage, Darsie; and it is of little
+consequence to most men in this age and country whether they ever
+possess military courage or no.
+
+Do not think I am angry with you, though I thus attempt to
+rectify your opinions on my father's account.  I am well aware
+that, upon the whole, he is scarce regarded with more respect by
+me than by thee.  And, while I am in a serious humour, which it
+is difficult to preserve with one who is perpetually tempting me
+to laugh at him, pray, dearest Darsie, let not thy ardour for
+adventure carry thee into more such scrapes as that of the Solway
+Sands.  The rest of the story is a mere imagination; but that
+stormy evening might have proved, as the clown says to Lear, 'a
+naughty night to swim in.'
+
+As for the rest, if you can work mysterious and romantic heroes
+out of old cross-grained fishermen, why, I for one will reap some
+amusement by the metamorphosis.  Yet hold!  even there, there is
+some need of caution.  This same female chaplain--thou sayest so
+little of her, and so much of every one else, that it excites
+some doubt in my mind.  VERY PRETTY she is, it seems--and that is
+all thy discretion informs me of.  There are cases in which
+silence implies other things than consent.  Wert thou ashamed or
+afraid, Darsie, to trust thyself with the praises of the very
+pretty grace-sayer?--As I live, thou blushest!  Why, do I not
+know thee an inveterate squire of dames?  and have I not been in
+thy confidence?  An elegant elbow, displayed when the rest of the
+figure was muffled in a cardinal, or a neat well-turned ankle and
+instep, seen by chance as its owner tripped up the Old Assembly
+Close, [Of old this almost deserted alley formed the most common
+access betwixt the High Street and the southern suburbs.]  turned
+thy brain for eight days.  Thou  wert once caught if I remember
+rightly, with a single glance of a single matchless eye, which,
+when the fair owner withdrew her veil, proved to be single in the
+literal sense of the word.  And, besides, were you not another
+time enamoured of a voice--a mere voice, that mingled in the
+psalmody at the Old Greyfriars' Church--until you discovered the
+proprietor of that dulcet organ to be Miss Dolly MacIzzard, who
+is both 'back and breast', as our saying goes?
+
+All these things considered, and contrasted with thy artful
+silence on the subject of this grace-saying Nereid of thine, I
+must beg thee to be more explicit upon that subject in thy next,
+unless thou wouldst have me form the conclusion that thou
+thinkest more of her than thou carest to talk of.
+
+You will not expect much news from this quarter, as you know the
+monotony of my life, and are aware it must at present be devoted
+to uninterrupted study.  You have said a thousand times that I am
+only qualified to make my way by dint of plodding, and therefore
+plod I must.
+
+My father seems to be more impatient of your absence than he was
+after your first departure.  He is sensible, I believe, that our
+solitary meals want the light which your gay humour was wont to
+throw over them, and feels melancholy as men do when the light of
+the sun is no longer upon the landscape.  If it is thus with him,
+thou mayst imagine it is much more so with me, and canst conceive
+how heartily I wish that thy frolic were ended, and thou once
+more our inmate.
+
+--
+
+I resume my pen, after a few hours' interval, to say that an
+incident has occurred on which you will yourself be building a
+hundred castles in the air, and which even I, jealous as I am of
+such baseless fabrics, cannot but own affords ground for singular
+conjecture.
+
+My father has of late taken me frequently along with him when he
+attends the courts, in his anxiety to see me properly initiated
+into the practical forms of business.  I own I feel something on
+his account and my own from this over-anxiety, which, I dare say,
+renders us both ridiculous.  But what signifies my repugnance?
+my father drags me up to his counsel learned in the law,--'Are
+you quite ready to come on to-day, Mr. Crossbite?--This is my
+son, designed for the bar--I take the liberty to bring him with
+me to-day to the consultation, merely that he may see how these
+things are managed.'
+
+Mr. Crossbite smiles and bows; as a lawyer smiles on the
+solicitor who employs him, and I dare say, thrusts his tongue
+into his cheek, and whispers into the first great wig that passes
+him, 'What the d--l does old Fairford mean by letting loose his
+whelp on me?'
+
+As I stood beside them, too much vexed at the childish part I was
+made to play to derive much information from the valuable
+arguments of Mr. Crossbite, I observed a rather elderly man, who
+stood with his eyes firmly bent on my father, as if he only
+waited an end of the business in which he was engaged, to address
+him.  There was something, I thought, in the gentleman's
+appearance which commanded attention.  Yet his dress was not in
+the present taste, and though it had once been magnificent, was
+now antiquated and unfashionable.  His coat was of branched
+velvet, with a satin lining, a waistcoat of violet-coloured silk,
+much embroidered; his breeches the same stuff as the coat.  He
+wore square-toed shoes, with foretops, as they are called; and
+his silk stockings were rolled up over his knee, as you may have
+seen in pictures, and here and there on some of those originals
+who seem to pique themselves on dressing after the mode of
+Methuselah.  A CHAPEAU BRAS and sword necessarily completed his
+equipment, which, though out of date, showed that it belonged to
+a man of distinction.
+
+The instant Mr. Crossbite had ended what he had to say, this
+gentleman walked up to my father, with, 'Your servant, Mr.
+Fairford--it is long since you and I met.'
+
+My father, whose politeness, you know, is exact and formal,
+bowed, and hemmed, and was confused, and at length professed that
+the distance since they had met was so great, that though he
+remembered the face perfectly, the name, he was sorry to any,
+had--really--somehow--escaped his memory.
+
+'Have you forgot Herries of Birrenswork?'  said the gentleman,
+and my father bowed even more profoundly than before; though I
+think his reception of his old friend seemed to lose some of the
+respectful civility which he bestowed on him while his name was
+yet unknown.  It now seemed to be something like the lip-courtesy
+which the heart would have denied had ceremony permitted.
+
+My father, however, again bowed low, and hoped he saw him well.
+
+'So well, my good Mr. Fairford, that I come hither determined to
+renew my acquaintance with one or two old friends, and with you
+in the first place.  I halt at my old resting place--you must
+dine with me to-day, at Paterson's, at the head of the Horse
+Wynd--it is near your new fashionable dwelling, and I have
+business with you.'
+
+My father excused himself respectfully, and not without
+embarrassment--'he was particularly engaged at home.'
+
+'Then I will dine with you, man,' said Mr. Herries of
+Birrenswork; 'the few minutes you can spare me after dinner will
+suffice for my business; and I will not prevent you a moment from
+minding your own--I am no bottle-man.'
+
+You have often remarked that my father, though a scrupulous
+ohserver of the rites of hospitality, seems to exercise them
+rather as a duty than as a pleasure; indeed, but for a
+conscientious wish to feed the hungry and receive the stranger,
+his doors would open to guests much seldomer than is the case.  I
+never saw so strong an example of this peculiarity (which I
+should otherwise have said is caricatured in your description) as
+in his mode of homologating the self-given invitation of Mr.
+Herries.  The embarsassed brow, and the attempt at a smile which
+accompanied his 'We will expect the honour of seeing you in Brown
+Square at three o'clock,' could not deceive any one, and did not
+impose upon the old laird.  It was with a look of scorn that he
+replied, 'I will relieve you then till that hour, Mr. Fairford;'
+and his whole manner seemed to say, 'It is my pleasure to dine
+with you, and I care not whether I am welcome or no.'
+
+When he turned away, I asked my father who he was.
+
+'An unfortunate gentleman,' was the reply.
+
+'He looks pretty well on his misfortunes,' replied I.  'I should
+not have suspected that so gay an outside was lacking a dinner.'
+
+'Who told you that he does?'  replied my father; 'he is OMNI
+SUSPICIONE MAJOR, so far as worldly circumstances are concerned.
+It is to be hoped he makes a good use of them; though, if he
+does, it will be for the first time in his life.'
+
+'He has then been an irregular liver?'  insinuated I.
+
+My father replied by that famous brocard with which he silences
+all unacceptable queries turning in the slightest degree upon the
+failings of our neighbours,--'If we mend our own faults, Alan, we
+shall all of us have enough to do, without sitting in judgement
+upon other folks.'
+
+Here I was again at fault; but rallying once more, I observed, he
+had the air of a man of high rank and family.
+
+'He is well entitled,' said my father, 'representing Herries of
+Birrenswork; a branch of that great and once powerful family of
+Herries, the elder branch whereof merged in the house of
+Nithesdale at the death of Lord Robin the Philosopher, Anno
+Domini sixteen hundred and sixty-seven.'
+
+'Has he still,' said I, 'his patrimonial estate of Birrenswork?'
+
+'No,' replied my father; 'so far back as his father's time, it
+was a mere designation--the property being forfeited by Herbert
+Herries following his kinsman the Earl of Derwentwater to the
+Preston affair in 1715.  But they keep up the designation,
+thinking, doubtless, that their claims may be revived in more
+favourable times for Jacobites and for popery; and folks who in
+no way partake of their fantastic capriccios do yet allow it to
+pass unchallenged, EX COMITATE, if not EX MISERICORDIA.--But were
+he the Pope and the Pretender both, we must get some dinner ready
+for him, since he has thought fit to offer himself.  So hasten
+home, my lad, and tell Hannah, Cook Epps, and James Wilkinson, to
+do their best; and do thou look out a pint or two of Maxwell's
+best--it is in the fifth bin--there are the keys of the wine-
+cellar.  Do not leave them in the lock--you know poor James's
+failing, though he is an honest creature under all other
+temptations--and I have but two bottles of the old brandy left--
+we must keep it for medicine, Alan.'
+
+Away went I--made my preparations--the hour of dinner came, and
+so did Mr. Herries of Birrenswork.
+
+If I had thy power of imagination and description, Darsie, I
+could make out a fine, dark, mysterious, Rembrandt-looking
+portrait of this same stranger, which should be as far superior
+to thy fisherman as a shirt of chain-mail is to a herring-net.  I
+can assure you there is some matter for description about him;
+but knowing my own imperfections, I can only say, I thought him
+eminently disagreeable and ill-bred.--No, ILL-BRED is not the
+proper word on the contrary, he appeared to know the rules of
+good-breeding perfectly, and only to think that the rank of the
+company did not require that he should attend to them--a view of
+the matter infinitely more offensive than if his behaviour had
+been that of uneducated and proper rudeness.  While my father
+said grace, the laird did all but whistle aloud; and when I, at
+my father's desire, returned thanks, he used his toothpick, as if
+he had waited that moment for its exercise.
+
+So much for Kirk--with King, matters went even worse.  My father,
+thou knowest, is particularly full of deference to his guests;
+and in the present care, he seemed more than usually desirous to
+escape every cause of dispute.  He so far compromised his loyalty
+as to announce merely 'The King' as his first toast after dinner,
+instead of the emphatic 'King George', which is his usual
+formula.  Our guest made a motion with his glass, so as to pass
+it over the water-decanter which stood beside him, and added,
+'Over the water.'
+
+My father coloured, but would not seem to hear this.  Much more
+there was of careless and disrespectful in the stranger's manner
+and tone of conversation; so that, though I know my father's
+prejudices in favour of rank and birth, and though I am aware his
+otherwise masculine understanding has never entirely shaken off
+the slavish awe of the great which in his earlier days they had
+so many modes of commanding, still I could hardly excuse him for
+enduring so much insolence--such it seemed to be as this self-
+invited guest was disposed to offer to him at his own table.
+
+One can endure a traveller in the same carriage, if he treads
+upon your toes by accident, or even through negligence; but it is
+very different when, knowing that they are rather of a tender
+description, he continues to pound away at them with his hoofs.
+In my poor opinion--and I am a man of peace--you can, in that
+case, hardly avoid a declaration of war.
+
+I believe my father read my thoughts in my eye; for, pulling out
+his watch, he said; 'Half-past four, Alan--you should be in your
+own room by this time--Birrenswork will excuse you.'
+
+Our visitor nodded carelessly, and I had no longer any pretence
+to remain.  But as I left the room, I heard this magnate of
+Nithesdale distinctly mention the name of Latimer.  I lingered;
+but at length a direct hint from my father obliged me to
+withdraw; and when, an hour afterwards, I was summoned to partake
+of a cup of tea, our guest had departed.  He had business that
+evening in the High Street, and could not spare time even to
+drink tea.  I could not help saying, I considered his departure
+as a relief from incivility.  'What business has he to upbraid
+us,' I said, 'with the change of our dwelling from a more
+inconvenient to a better quarter of the town?  What was it to him
+if we chose to imitate some of the conveniences or luxuries of an
+English dwelling-house, instead of living piled up above each
+other in flats?  Have his patrician birth and aristocratic
+fortunes given him any right to censure those who dispose of the
+fruits of their own industry, according to their own pleasure?'
+
+My father took a long pinch of snuff, and replied, 'Very well,
+Alan; very well indeed.  I wish Mr. Crossbite or Counsellor Pest
+had heard you; they must have acknowledged that you have a talent
+for forensic elocution; and it may not be amiss to try a little
+declamation at home now and then, to gather audacity and keep
+yourself in breath.  But touching the subject of this paraffle of
+words, it's not worth a pinch of tobacco.  D'ye think that I care
+for Mr. Herries of Birrenswork more than any other gentleman who
+comes here about business, although I do not care to go tilting
+at his throat, because he speaks like a grey goose, as he is?
+But to say no more about him, I want to have Darsie Latimer's
+present direction; for it is possible I may have to write the lad
+a line with my own hand--and yet I do not well know--but give me
+the direction at all events.'
+
+I did so, and if you have heard from my father accordingly, you
+know more, probably, about the subject of this letter than I who
+write it.  But if you have not, then shall I have discharged a
+friend's duty, in letting you know that there certainly is
+something afloat between this disagreeable laird and my father,
+in which you are considerably interested.
+
+Adieu!  and although I have given thee a subject for waking
+dreams, beware of building a castle too heavy for the foundation;
+which, in the present instance, is barely the word Latimer
+occurring in a conversation betwixt a gentleman of Dumfriesshire
+and a W.S. of Edinburgh--CAETERA PRORSUS IGNORO.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VI
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+(In continuation of Letters III and IV.)
+
+I told thee I walked out into the open air with my grave and
+stern landlord.  I could now see more perfectly than on the
+preceding night the secluded glen in which stood the two or three
+cottages which appeared to be the abode of him and his family.
+
+It was so narrow, in proportion to its depth, that no ray of the
+morning sun was likely to reach it till it should rise high in
+the horizon.  Looking up the dell, you saw a brawling brook
+issuing in foamy haste from a covert of underwood, like a race-
+horse impatient to arrive at the goal; and, if you gazed yet;
+more earnestly, you might observe part of a high waterfall
+glimmering through the foliage, and giving occasion, doubtless,
+to the precipitate speed of the brook.  Lower down, the stream
+became more placid, and opened into a quiet piece of water which
+afforded a rude haven to two or three fishermen's boats, then
+lying high and dry on the sand, the tide being out.  Two or three
+miserable huts could be seen beside this little haven, inhabited
+probably by the owners of the boats, but inferior in every
+respect to the establishment of mine host, though that was
+miserable enough.
+
+I had but a minute or two to make these observations, yet during
+that space my companion showed symptoms of impatience, and more
+than once shouted, 'Cristal--Cristal Nixon,' until the old man of
+the preceding evening appeared at the door of one of the
+neighbouring cottages or outhouses, leading the strong black
+horse which I before commemorated, ready bridled and saddled.  My
+conductor made Cristal a sign with his finger, and, turning from
+the cottage door, led the way up the steep path or ravine which
+connected the sequestered dell with the open country.
+
+Had I been perfectly aware of the character of the road down
+which I had been hurried with so much impetuosity on the
+preceding evening, I greatly question if I should have ventured
+the descent; for it deserved no better name than the channel of a
+torrent, now in a good measure filled with water, that dashed in
+foam and fury into the dell, being swelled with the rains of the
+preceding night.  I ascended this ugly path with some difficulty
+although on foot, and felt dizzy when I observed, from such
+traces as the rains had not obliterated, that the horse seemed
+almost to have slid down it upon his haunches the evening before.
+
+My host threw himself on his horse's back, without placing a foot
+in the stirrup--passed me in the perilous ascent, against which
+he pressed his steed as if the animal had had the footing of a
+wild cat.  The water and mud splashed from his heels in his
+reckless course, and a few bounds placed him on the top of the
+bank, where I presently joined him, and found the horse and rider
+standing still as a statue; the former panting and expanding his
+broad nostrils to the morning wind, the latter motionless, with
+his eye fixed on the first beams of the rising sun, which already
+began to peer above the eastern horizon and gild the distant
+mountains of Cumberland and Liddesdale.
+
+He seemed in a reverie, from which he started at my approach,
+and, putting his horse in motion, led the way at a leisurely pace
+through a broken and sandy road, which traversed a waste, level,
+and uncultivated tract of downs, intermixed with morass, much
+like that in the neighbourhood of my quarters at Shepherd's Bush.
+Indeed, the whole open ground of this district, where it
+approaches the sea, has, except in a few favoured spots, the same
+uniform and dreary character.
+
+Advancing about a hundred yards from the brink of the glen, we
+gained a still more extensive command of this desolate prospect,
+which seemed even more dreary, as contrasted with the opposite
+shores of Cumberland, crossed and intersected by ten thousand
+lines of trees growing in hedgerows, shaded with groves and woods
+of considerable extent, animated by hamlets and villas, from
+which thin clouds of smoke already gave sign of human life and
+human industry.
+
+My conductor had extended his arm, and was pointing the road to
+Shepherd's Bush, when the step of a horse was heard approaching
+us.  He looked sharply round, and having observed who was
+approaching, proceeded in his instructions to me, planting
+himself at the same time in the very middle of the path, which,
+at the place where we halted, had a slough on the one side and a
+sandbank on the other.
+
+I observed that the rider who approached us slackened his horse's
+pace from a slow trot to a walk, as if desirous to suffer us to
+proceed, or at least to avoid passing us at a spot where the
+difficulty of doing so must have brought us very close to each
+other.  You know my old failing, Alan, and that I am always
+willing to attend to anything in preference to the individual who
+has for the time possession of the conversation.
+
+Agreeably to this amiable propensity, I was internally
+speculating concerning the cause of the rider keeping aloof from
+us, when my companion, elevating his deep voice so suddenly and
+so sternly as at once to recall my wandering thoughts, exclaimed,
+'In the name of the devil, young man, do you think that others
+have no better use for their time than you have, that you oblige
+me to repeat the same thing to you three times over?  Do you see,
+I say, yonder thing at a mile's distance, that looks like a
+finger-post, or rather like a gallows?  I would it had a dreaming
+fool hanging upon it, as an example to all meditative moon-
+calves!--Yon gibbet-looking pole will guide you to the bridge,
+where you must pass the large brook; then proceed straight
+forwards, till several roads divide at a cairn.  Plague on thee,
+thou art wandering again!
+
+It is indeed quite true that at this moment the horseman
+approached us, and my attention was again called to him as I made
+way to let him pass.  His whole exterior at once showed that he
+belonged to the Society of Friends, or, as the world and the
+world's law calls them, Quakers.  A strong and useful iron-grey
+galloway showed, by its sleek and good condition, that the
+merciful man was merciful to his beast.  His accoutrements were
+in the usual unostentatious but clean and servicable order which
+characterizes these sectaries.  His long surtout of dark-grey
+superfine cloth descended down to the middle of his leg, and was
+buttoned up to his chin, to defend him against the morning air.
+As usual, his ample beaver hung down without button or loop, and
+shaded a comely and placid countenance, the gravity of which
+appeared to contain some seasoning of humour, and had nothing in
+common with the pinched puritanical air affected by devotees in
+general.  The brow was open and free from wrinkles, whether of
+age or hypocrisy.  The eye was clear, calm, and considerate, yet
+appeared to be disturbed by apprehension, not to say fear, as,
+pronouncing the usual salutation of, 'I wish thee a good morrow,
+friend,' he indicated, by turning his palfrey close to one side
+of the path, a wish to glide past us with as little trouble as
+possible--just as a traveller would choose to pass a mastiff of
+whose peaceable intentions he is by no means confident.
+
+But my friend, not meaning, perhaps, that he should get off so
+easily, put his horse quite across the path, so that, without
+plunging into the slough, or scrambling up the bank, the Quaker
+could not have passed him.  Neither of these was an experiment
+without hazard greater than the passenger seemed willing to
+incur.  He halted, therefore, as if waiting till my companion
+should make way for him; and, as they sat fronting each other, I
+could not help thinking that they might have formed no bad emblem
+of Peace and War; for although my conductor was unarmed, yet the
+whole of his manner, his stern look, and his upright seat on
+horseback, were entirely those of a soldier in undress, He
+accosted the Quaker in these words, 'So ho!  friend Joshua, thou
+art early to the road this morning.  Has the spirit moved thee
+and thy righteous brethren to act with some honesty, and pull
+down yonder tide-nets that keep the fish from coming up the
+river?'
+
+'Surely, friend, not so,' answered Joshua, firmly, but good-
+humouredly at the same time; 'thou canst not expect that our own
+hands should pull down what our purses established.  Thou killest
+the fish with spear, line, and coble-net; and we, with snares and
+with nets, which work by the ebb and the flow of the tide.  Each
+doth what seems best in his eyes to secure a share of the
+blessing which Providence hath bestowed on the river, and that
+within his own bounds.  I prithee seek no quarrel against us, for
+thou shalt have no wrong at our hand.'
+
+'Be assured I will take none at the hand of any man, whether his
+hat be cocked or broad-brimmed,' answered the fisherman.  'I tell
+you in fair terms, Joshua Geddes, that you and your partners are
+using unlawful craft to destroy the fish in the Solway by stake-
+nets and wears; and that we, who fish fairly, and like men, as
+our fathers did, have daily and yearly less sport and less
+profit.  Do not think gravity or hypocrisy can carry it off as
+you have done.  The world knows you, and we know you.  You will
+destroy the salmon which makes the livelihood of fifty poor
+families, and then wipe your mouth, and go to make a speech at
+meeting.  But do not hope it will last thus.  I give you fair
+warning, we will be upon you one morning soon, when we will not
+leave a stake standing in the pools of the Solway; and down the
+tide they shall every one go, and well if we do not send a lessee
+along with them.'
+
+'Friend,' replied Joshua, with a constrained smile, 'but that I
+know thou dost not mean as thou sayst, I would tell thee we are
+under the protection of this country's laws; nor do we the less
+trust to obtain their protection, that our principles permit us
+not, by any act of violent resistance, to protect ourselves.'
+
+'All villainous cant and cowardice,' exclaimed the fisherman,
+'and assumed merely as a cloak to your hypocritical avarice.'
+
+'Nay, say not cowardice, my friend,' answered the Quaker, 'since
+thou knowest there may be as much courage in enduring as in
+acting; and I will be judged by this youth, or by any one else,
+whether there is not more cowardice--even in the opinion of that
+world whose thoughts are the breath in thy nostrils--in the armed
+oppressor who doth injury, than in the defenceless and patient
+sufferer who endureth it with constancy.'
+
+'I will change no more words with you on the subject,' said the
+fisherman, who, as if something moved at the last argument which
+Mr. Geddes had used, now made room for him to pass forward on his
+journey.  'Do not forget, however,' he added, 'that you have had
+fair warning, nor suppose that we will accept of fair words in
+apology for foul play.  These nets of yours are unlawful--they
+spoil our fishings--we will have them down at all risks and
+hazards.  I am a man of my word, friend Joshua.'
+
+'I trust thou art,' said the Quaker; 'but thou art the rather
+bound to be cautious in rashly affirming what thou wilt never
+execute.  For I tell thee, friend, that though there is as great
+a difference between thee and one of our people as there is
+between a lion and a sheep, yet I know and believe thou hast so
+much of the lion in thee, that thou wouldst scarce employ thy
+strength and thy rage upon that which professeth no means of
+resistance.  Report says so much good of thee, at least, if it
+says little more.'
+
+'Time will try,' answered the fisherman; 'and hark thee, Joshua,
+before we part I will put thee in the way of doing one good deed,
+which, credit me, is better than twenty moral speeches.  Here is
+a stranger youth, whom Heaven has so scantily gifted with brains,
+that he will bewilder himself in the Sands, as he did last night,
+unless thou wilt kindly show him the way to Shepherd's Bush; for
+I have been in vain endeavouring to make him comprehend the road
+thither.  Hast thou so much charity under thy simplicity, Quaker,
+as to do this good turn?'
+
+'Nay, it is thou, friend,' answered Joshua, 'that dost lack
+charity, to suppose any one unwilling to do so simple a
+kindness.'
+
+'Thou art right--I should have remembered it can cost thee
+nothing.  Young gentlemen, this pious pattern of primitive
+simplicity will teach thee the right way to the Shepherd's Bush--
+aye, and will himself shear thee like a sheep, if you come to
+buying and selling with him.'
+
+He then abruptly asked me, how long I intended to remain at
+Shepherd's Bush.
+
+I replied, I was at present uncertain--as long probably, as I
+could amuse myself in the neighbourhood.
+
+'You are fond of sport?'  he added, in the same tone of brief
+inquiry.
+
+I answered in the affirmative, but added, I was totally
+inexperienced.
+
+'Perhaps if you reside here for some days,' he said, 'we may meet
+again, and I may have the chance of giving you a lesson.'
+
+Ere I could express either thanks or assent, he turned short
+round with a wave of his hand by way of adieu, and rode back to
+the verge of the dell from which we had emerged together; and as
+he remained standing upon the banks, I could long hear his voice
+while he shouted down to those within its recesses.
+
+Meanwhile the Quaker and I proceeded on our journey for some time
+in silence; he restraining his sober-minded steed to a pace which
+might have suited a much less active walker than myself, and
+looking on me from time to time with an expression of curiosity,
+mingled with benignity.  For my part, I cared not to speak first.
+It happened I had never before been in company with one of this
+particular sect, and, afraid that in addressing him I might
+unwittingly infringe upon some of their prejudices or
+peculiarities, I patiently remained silent.  At length he asked
+me, whether I had been long in the service of the laird, as men
+called him.
+
+I repeated the words 'in his service?'  with such an accent of
+surprise, as induced him to say, 'Nay, but, friend, I mean no
+offence; perhaps I should have said in his society--an inmate, I
+mean, in his house?'
+
+'I am totally unknown to the person from whom we have just
+parted,' said I, 'and our connexion is only temporary.  He had
+the charity to give me his guidance from the Sands, and a night's
+harbourage from the tempest.  So our acquaintance began, and
+there it is likely to end; for you may observe that our friend is
+by no means apt to encourage familiarity.'
+
+'So little so,' answered my companion, 'that thy case is, I
+think, the first in which I ever heard of his receiving any one
+into his house; that is, if thou hast really spent the night
+there.'
+
+'Why should you doubt it?'  replied I; 'there is no motive I can
+have to deceive you, nor is the object worth it.'
+
+'Be not angry with me,' said the Quaker; 'but thou knowest that
+thine own people do not, as we humbly endeavour to do, confine
+themselves within the simplicity of truth, but employ the
+language of falsehood, not only for profit, but for compliment,
+and sometimes for mere diversion.  I have heard various stories
+of my neighbour; of most of which I only believe a small part,
+and even then they are difficult to reconcile with each other.
+But this being the first time I ever beard of his receiving a
+stranger within his dwelling, made me express some doubts.  I
+pray thee let them not offend thee.'
+
+'He does not,' said I, 'appear to possess in much abundance the
+means of exercising hospitality, and so may be excused from
+offering it in ordinary cases.'
+
+'That is to say, friend,' replied Joshua, 'thou hast supped ill,
+and perhaps breakfasted worse.  Now my small tenement, called
+Mount Sharon, is nearer to us by two miles than thine inn; and
+although going thither may prolong thy walk, as taking thee of
+the straighter road to Shepherd's Bush, yet methinks exercise
+will suit thy youthful limbs, as well as a good plain meal thy
+youthful appetite.  What sayst thou, my young acquaintance?'
+
+'If it puts you not to inconvenience,' I replied; for the
+invitation was cordially given, and my bread and milk had been
+hastily swallowed, and in small quantity.
+
+'Nay,' said Joshua, 'use not the language of compliment with
+those who renounce it.  Had this poor courtesy been very
+inconvenient, perhaps I had not offered it.'
+
+'I accept the invitation, then,' said I, 'in the same good spirit
+in which you give it.'
+
+The Quaker smiled, reached me his hand, I shook it, and we
+travelled on in great cordiality with each other.  The fact is,
+I was much entertained by contrasting in my own mind, the open
+manner of the kind-hearted Joshua Geddes, with the abrupt, dark,
+and lofty demeanour of my entertainer on the preceding evening.
+Both were blunt and unceremonious; but the plainness of the
+Quaker had the character of devotional simplicity, and was
+mingled with the more real kindness, as if honest Joshua was
+desirous of atoning, by his sincerity, for the lack of external
+courtesy.  On the contrary, the manners of the fisherman were
+those of one to whom the rules of good behaviour might be
+familiar, but who, either from pride or misanthropy, scorned to
+observe them.  Still I thought of him with interest and
+curiosity, notwithstanding so much about him that was repulsive;
+and I promised myself, in the course of my conversation with the
+Quaker, to learn all that he knew on the subject.  He turned the
+conversation, however, into a different channel, and inquired
+into my own condition of life, and views in visiting this remote
+frontier.
+
+I only thought it necessary to mention my name, and add, that I
+had been educated to the law, but finding myself possessed of
+some independence, I had of late permitted myself some
+relaxation, and was residing at Shepherd's Bush to enjoy the
+pleasure of angling.
+
+'I do thee no harm, young man,' said my new friend, 'in wishing
+thee a better employment for thy grave hours, and a more humane
+amusement (if amusement thou must have) for those of a lighter
+character.'
+
+'You are severe, sir,' I replied.  'I heard you but a moment
+since refer yourself to the protection of the laws of the
+country--if there be laws, there must be lawyers to explain, and
+judges to administer them.'
+
+Joshua smiled, and pointed to the sheep which were grazing on the
+downs over which we were travelling.  'Were a wolf,' he said, 'to
+come even now upon yonder flocks, they would crowd for
+protection, doubtless, around the shepherd and his dogs; yet they
+are bitten and harassed daily by the one, shorn, and finally
+killed and eaten by the other.  But I say not this to shock you;
+for, though laws and lawyers are evils, yet they are necessary
+evils in this probationary state of society, till man shall learn
+to render unto his fellows that which is their due, according to
+the light of his own conscience, and through no other compulsion.
+Meanwhile, I have known many righteous men who have followed thy
+intended profession in honesty and uprightness of walk.  The
+greater their merit, who walk erect in a path which so many find
+slippery.
+
+'And angling,' said I:--'you object to that also as an amusement,
+you who, if I understood rightly what passed between you and my
+late landlord, are yourself a proprietor of fisheries.'
+
+'Not a proprietor,' he replied, 'I am only, in copartnery with
+others, a tacksman or lessee of some valuable salmon-fisheries a
+little down the coast.  But mistake me not.  The evil of angling,
+with which I class all sports, as they are called, which have the
+sufferings of animals for their end and object, does not consist
+in the mere catching and killing those animals with which the
+bounty of Providence hath stocked the earth for the good of man,
+but in making their protracted agony a principle of delight and
+enjoyment.  I do indeed cause these fisheries to be conducted for
+the necessary taking, killing, and selling the fish; and, in the
+same way, were I a farmer, I should send my lambs to market.  But
+I should as soon think of contriving myself a sport and amusement
+out of the trade of the butcher as out of that of the fisher.'
+
+We argued the point no further; for though I thought his
+arguments a little too high-strained, yet as my mind acquitted me
+of having taken delight in aught but the theory of field-sports,
+I did not think myself called upon stubbornly to advocate a
+practice which had afforded me so little pleasure.
+
+We had by this time arrived at the remains of an old finger-post,
+which my host had formerly pointed out as a landmark.  Here, a
+ruinous wooden bridge, supported by long posts resembling
+crutches, served me to get across the water, while my new friend
+sought a ford a good way higher up, for the stream was
+considerably swelled.
+
+As I paused for his rejoining me, I observed an angler at a
+little distance pouching trout after trout, as fast almost as he
+could cast his line; and I own, in spite of Joshua's lecture on
+humanity, I could not but envy his adroitness and success, so
+natural is the love of sport to our minds, or so easily are we
+taught to assimilate success in field-sports with ideas of
+pleasure, and with the praise due to address and agility.  I soon
+recognized in the successful angler little Benjie, who had been
+my guide and tutor in that gentle art, as you have learned from
+my former letters.  I called--I whistled--the rascal recognized
+me, and, starting like a guilty thing, seemed hesitating whether
+to approach or to run away; and when he determined on the former,
+it was to assail me with a loud, clamorous, and exaggerated
+report of the anxiety of all at the Shepherd's Bush for my
+personal  safety; how my landlady had wept, how Sam and the
+ostler had not the heart to go to bed, but sat up all night
+drinking--and how he himself had been up long before daybreak to
+go in quest of me.
+
+'And you were switching the water, I suppose,' said I, 'to
+discover my dead body?'
+
+This observation produced a long 'Na--a--a' of acknowledged
+detection; but, with his natural impudence, and confidence in my
+good nature, he immediately added, 'that he thought I would like
+a fresh trout or twa for breakfast, and the water being in such a
+rare trim for the saumon raun, [The bait made of salmon-roe
+salted and preserved.  In a swollen river, and about the month of
+October, it is a most deadly bait.]  he couldna help taking a
+cast.'
+
+While we were engaged in this discussion, the honest Quaker
+returned to the farther end of the wooden bridge to tell me he
+could not venture to cross the brook in its present state:  but
+would be under the necessity to ride round by the stone bridge,
+which was a mile and a half higher up than his own house.  He was
+about to give me directions how to proceed without him, and
+inquire for his sister, when I suggested to him that, if he
+pleased to trust his horse to little Benjie, the boy might carry
+him round by the bridge, while we walked the shorter and more
+pleasant road.
+
+Joshua shook his head, for he was well acquainted with Benjie,
+who, he said, was the naughtiest varlet in the whole
+neighbourhood.  Nevertheless, rather than part company, he agreed
+to put the pony under his charge for a short season, with many
+injunctions that he should not attempt to mount, but lead the
+pony (even Solomon) by the bridle, under the assurances of
+sixpence in case of proper demeanour, and penalty that if he
+transgressed the orders given him, 'verily he would be scourged.'
+
+Promises cost Benjie nothing, and he showered them out wholesale;
+till the Quaker at length yielded up the bridle to him, repeating
+his charges, and enforcing them by holding up his forefinger.  On
+my part, I called to Benjie to leave the fish he had taken at
+Mount Sharon, making, at the same time, an apologetic countenance
+to my new friend, not being quite aware whether the compliment
+would be agreeable to such a condemner of field-sports.
+
+He understood me at once, and reminded me of the practical
+distinction betwixt catching the animals as an object of cruel
+and wanton sport, and eating them as lawful and gratifying
+articles of food, after they were killed.  On the latter point he
+had no scruples; but, on the contrary, assured me that this brook
+contained the real red trout, so highly esteemed by all
+connoisseurs, and that, when eaten within an hour of their being
+caught, they had a peculiar firmness of substance and delicacy of
+flavour, which rendered them an agreeable addition to a morning
+meal, especially when earned, like ours, by early rising, and an
+hour or two's wholesome exercise.
+
+But to thy alarm be it spoken, Alan, we did not come so far as
+the frying of our fish without further adventure.  So it is only
+to spare thy patience, and mine own eyes, that I pull up for the
+present, and send thee the rest of my story in a subsequent
+letter.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VII
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME (In continuation.)
+
+Little Benjie, with the pony, having been sent off on the left
+side of the brook, the Quaker and I sauntered on, like the
+cavalry and infantry of the same army occupying the opposite
+banks of a river, and observing the same line of march.  But,
+while my worthy companion was assuring me of a pleasant
+greensward walk to his mansion, little Benjie, who had been
+charged to keep in sight, chose to deviate from the path assigned
+him, and, turning to the right, led his charge, Solomon, out of
+our vision.
+
+'The villain means to mount him!'  cried Joshua, with more
+vivacity than was consistent with his profession of passive
+endurance.
+
+I endeavoured to appease his apprehensions, as he pushed on,
+wiping his brow with vexation, assuring him that, if the boy did
+mount, he would, for his own sake, ride gently.
+
+'You do not know him,' said Joshua, rejecting all consolation;
+'HE do anything gently!--no, he will gallop Solomon--he will
+misuse the sober patience of the poor animal who has borne me so
+long!  Yes, I was given over to my own devices when I ever let
+him touch the bridle, for such a little miscreant there never was
+before him in this country.'
+
+He then proceeded to expatiate on every sort of rustic enormity
+of which he accused Benjie.  He had been suspected of snaring
+partridges--was detected by Joshua himself in liming singing-
+birds--stood fully charged with having worried several cats, by
+aid of a lurcher which attended him, and which was as lean, and
+ragged, and mischievous, as his master.  Finally, Benjie stood
+accused of having stolen a duck, to hunt it with the said
+lurcher, which was as dexterous on water as on land.  I chimed in
+with my friend, in order to avoid giving him further irritation,
+and declared I should be disposed, from my own experience, to
+give up Benjie as one of Satan's imps.  Joshua Geddes began to
+censure the phrase as too much exaggerated, and otherwise
+unbecoming the mouth of a reflecting person; and, just as I was
+apologizing for it, as being a term of common parlance, we heard
+certain sounds on the opposite side of the brook, which seemed to
+indicate that Solomon and Benjie were at issue together.  The
+sandhills behind which Benjie seemed to take his course, had
+concealed from us, as doubtless he meant they should, his ascent
+into the forbidden saddle, and, putting Solomon to his mettle,
+which he was seldom called upon to exert, they had cantered away
+together in great amity, till they came near to the ford from
+which the palfrey's legitimate owner had already turned back.
+
+Here a contest of opinions took place between the horse and his
+rider.  The latter, according to his instructions, attempted to
+direct Solomon towards the distant bridge of stone; but Solomon
+opined that the ford was the shortest way to his own stable.  The
+point was sharply contested, and we heard Benjie gee-hupping,
+tchek-tcheking, and, above all, flogging in great style; while
+Solomon, who, docile in his general habits, was now stirred
+beyond his patience, made a great trampling and recalcitration;
+and it was their joint noise which we heard, without being able
+to see, though Joshua might too well guess, the cause of it.
+
+Alarmed at these indications, the Quaker began to shout out,
+'Benjie--thou varlet!  Solomon--thou fool!'  when the couple
+presented themselves in full drive, Solomon having now decidedly
+obtained the better of the conflict, and bringing his unwilling
+rider in high career down to the ford.  Never was there anger
+changed so fast into humane fear, as that of my good companion.
+'The varlet will be drowned!'  he exclaimed--'a widow's son!--
+her only son!--and drowned!--let me go'--And he struggled with me
+stoutly as I hung upon him, to prevent him from plunging into the
+ford.
+
+I had no fear whatever for Benjie; for the blackguard vermin,
+though he could not manage the refractory horse, stuck on his
+seat like a monkey.  Solomon and Benjie scrambled through the
+ford with little inconvenience, and resumed their gallop on the
+other side.
+
+It was impossible to guess whether on this last occasion Benjie
+was running off with Solomon, or Solomon with Benjie; but,
+judging from character and motives, I rather suspected the
+former.  I could not help laughing as the rascal passed me,
+grinning betwixt terror and delight, perched on the very pommel
+of the saddle, and holding with extended arms by bridle and mane
+while Solomon, the bit secured between his teeth, and his head
+bored down betwixt his forelegs, passed his master in this
+unwonted guise as hard as he could pelt.
+
+'The mischievous bastard!'  exclaimed the Quaker, terrified out
+of his usual moderation of speech--'the doomed gallows-bird!--he
+will break Solomon's wind to a certainty.'
+
+I prayed him to be comforted--assured, him a brushing gallop
+would do his favourite no harm and reminded him of the censure he
+had bestowed on me a minute before, for applying a harsh epithet
+to the boy.
+
+But Joshua was not without his answer; 'Friend youth,' he said,
+'thou didst speak of the lad's soul, which thou didst affirm
+belonged to the enemy, and of that thou couldst say nothing of
+thine own knowledge; on the contrary, I did but speak of his
+outward man, which will assuredly be suspended by a cord, if he
+mendeth not his manners.  Men say that, young as he is, he is one
+of the laird's gang.'
+
+'Of the laird's gang!'  said I, repeating the words in surprise.
+'Do you mean the person with whom I slept last night?  I heard
+you call him the laird.  Is he at the head of a gang?'
+
+'Nay, I meant not precisely a gang,' said the Quaker, who
+appeared in his haste to have spoken more than he intended--a
+company, or party, I should have said; but thus it is, friend
+Latimer, with the wisest men when they permit themselves to be
+perturbed with passion, and speak as in a fever, or as with the
+tongue of the foolish and the forward.  And although thou hast
+been hasty to mark my infirmity, yet I grieve not that thou hast
+been a witness to it, seeing that the stumbles of the wise may be
+no less a caution to youth and inexperience, than is the fall of
+the foolish.'
+
+This was a sort of acknowledgement of what I had already begun to
+suspect--that my new friend's real goodness of disposition,
+joined to the acquired quietism of his religious sect, had been
+unable entirely to check the effervescence of a temper naturally
+warm and hasty.
+
+Upon the present occasion, as if sensible he had displayed a
+greater degree of emotion than became his character, Joshua
+avoided further allusion to Benjie and Solomon, and proceeded to
+solicit my attention to the natural objects around us, which
+increased in beauty and interest, as, still conducted by the
+meanders of the brook, we left the common behind us, and entered
+a more cultivated and enclosed country, where arable and pasture
+ground was agreeably varied with groves and hedges.  Descending
+now almost close to the stream, our course lay through a little
+gate, into a pathway kept with great neatness, the sides of which
+were decorated with trees and flowering shrubs of the hardier
+species; until, ascending by a gentle slope, we issued from the
+grove, and stood almost at once in front of a low but very neat
+building, of an irregular form; and my guide, shaking me
+cordially by the hand, made me welcome to Mount Sharon.
+
+The wood through which we had approached this little mansion was
+thrown around it both on the north and north-west, but, breaking
+off into different directions, was intersected by a few fields
+well watered and sheltered.  The house fronted to the south-east,
+and from thence the pleasure-ground, or, I should rather say, the
+gardens, sloped down to the water.  I afterwards understood that
+the father of the present proprietor had a considerable taste for
+horticulture, which had been inherited by his son, and had formed
+these gardens, which, with their shaven turf, pleached alleys,
+wildernesses, and exotic trees and shrubs, greatly excelled
+anything of the kind which had been attempted in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+If there was a little vanity in the complacent smile with which
+Joshua Geddes saw me gaze with delight on a scene so different
+from the naked waste we had that day traversed in company, it
+might surely be permitted to one who, cultivating and improving
+the beauties of nature, had found therein, as he said, bodily
+health, and a pleasing relaxation for the mind.  At the bottom of
+the extended gardens the brook wheeled round in a wide
+semicircle, and was itself their boundary.  The opposite side was
+no part of Joshua's domain, but the brook was there skirted by a
+precipitous rock of limestone, which seemed a barrier of nature's
+own erecting around his little Eden of beauty, comfort, and
+peace.
+
+'But I must not let thee forget,' said the kind Quaker, 'amidst
+thy admiration of these beauties of our little inheritance, that
+thy breakfast has been a light one.'
+
+So saying, Joshua conducted me to a small sashed door, opening
+under a porch amply mantled by honeysuckle and clematis, into a
+parlour of moderate size; the furniture of which, in plainness
+and excessive cleanliness, bore the characteristic marks of the
+sect to which the owner belonged.
+
+Thy father's Hannah is generally allowed to be an exception to
+all Scottish housekeepers, and stands unparalleled for
+cleanliness among the women of Auld Reekie; but the cleanliness
+of Hannah is sluttishness compared to the scrupulous
+purifications of these people, who seem to carry into the minor
+decencies of life that conscientious rigour which they affect in
+their morals.
+
+The parlour would have been gloomy, for the windows were small
+and the ceiling low; but the present proprietor had rendered it
+more cheerful by opening one end into a small conservatory,
+roofed with glass, and divided from the parlour by a partition of
+the same.  I have never before seen this very pleasing manner of
+uniting the comforts of an apartment with the beauties of a
+garden, and I wonder it is not more practised by the great.
+Something of the kind is hinted at in a paper of the SPECTATOR.
+
+As I walked towards the conservatory to view it more closely, the
+parlour chimney engaged my attention.  It was a pile of massive
+stone, entirely out of proportion to the size of the apartment.
+On the front had once been an armorial scutcheon; for the hammer,
+or chisel, which had been employed to deface the shield or crest,
+had left uninjured the scroll beneath, which bore the pious
+motto, 'TRUST IN GOD.'  Black-letter, you know, was my early
+passion, and the tombstones in the Greyfriars' churchyard early
+yielded up to my knowledge as a decipherer what little they could
+tell of the forgotten dead.
+
+Joshua Geddes paused when he saw my eye fixed on this relic of
+antiquity.  'Thou canst read it?'  he said.
+
+I repeated the motto, and added, there seemed vestiges of a date.
+
+'It should be 1537,' said he; 'for so long ago, at the least
+computation, did my ancestors, in the blinded times of Papistry,
+possess these lands, and in that year did they build their
+house.'
+
+'It is an ancient descent,' said I, looking with respect upon the
+monument.  'I am sorry the arms have been defaced.'
+
+It was perhaps impossible for my friend, Quaker as he was, to
+seem altogether void of respect for the pedigree which he began
+to recount to me, disclaiming all the while the vanity usually
+connected with the subject; in short, with the air of mingled
+melancholy, regret, and conscious dignity, with which Jack Fawkes
+used to tell us at college of his ancestor's unfortunate
+connexion with the Gunpowder Plot.
+
+'Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,' thus harangued Joshua
+Gleddes of Mount Sharon; 'if we ourselves are nothing in the
+sight of Heaven, how much less than nothing must be our
+derivation from rotten bones and mouldering dust, whose immortal
+spirits have long since gone to their private account?  Yes,
+friend Latimer, my ancestors were renowned among the ravenous and
+bloodthirsty men who then dwelt in this vexed country; and so
+much were they famed for successful freebooting, robbery, and
+bloodshed, that they are said to have been called Geddes, as
+likening them to the fish called a Jack, Pike, or Luce, and in
+our country tongue, a GED--a, goodly distinction truly for
+Christian men!  Yet did they paint this shark of the fresh waters
+upon their shields, and these profane priests of a wicked
+idolatry, the empty boasters called heralds, who make engraven
+images of fishes, fowls, and four-footed beasts, that men may
+fall down and worship them, assigned the ged for the device and
+escutcheon of my fathers, and hewed it over their chimneys, and
+placed it above their tombs; and the men were elated in mind, and
+became yet more ged-like, slaying, leading into captivity, and
+dividing the spoil, until the place where they dwelt obtained the
+name of Sharing-Knowe, from the booty which was there divided
+amongst them and their accomplices.  But a better judgement was
+given to my father's father, Philip Geddes, who, after trying to
+light his candle at some of the vain wildfires then held aloft at
+different meetings and steeple-houses, at length obtained a spark
+from the lamp of the blessed George Fox, who came into Scotland
+spreading light among darkness, as he himself hath written, as
+plentifully as fly the sparkles from the hoof of the horse which
+gallops swiftly along the stony road.'--Here the good Quaker
+interrupted himself with, 'And that is very true, I must go
+speedily to see after the condition of Solomon.'
+
+A Quaker servant here entered the room with a tray, and inclining
+his head towards his master, but not after the manner of one who
+bows, said composedly, 'Thou art welcome home, friend Joshua, we
+expected thee not so early; but what hath befallen Solomon thy
+horse?'
+
+'What hath befallen him, indeed?'  said my friend; 'hath he not
+been returned hither by the child whom they call Benjie?'
+
+'He hath,' said his domestic, 'but it was after a strange
+fashion; for he came hither at a swift and furious pace, and
+flung the child Benjie from his back, upon the heap of dung which
+is in the stable-yard.'
+
+'I am glad of it,' said Joshua, hastily,--'glad of it, with all
+my heart and spirit!  But stay, he is the child of the widow--
+hath the boy any hurt?'
+
+'Not so' answered the servant, 'for he rose and fled swiftly.'
+
+Joshua muttered something about a scourge, and then inquired
+after Solomon's present condition.
+
+'He seetheth like a steaming cauldron,' answered the servant;
+'and Bauldie, the lad, walketh him about the yard with a halter,
+lest he take cold.'
+
+Mr. Geddes hastened to the stable-yard to view personally the
+condition of his favourite, and I followed to offer my counsel as
+a jockey.  Don't laugh, Alan, sure I have jockeyship enough to
+assist a Quaker--in this unpleasing predicament.
+
+The lad who was leading the horse seemed to be no Quaker, though
+his intercourse with the family had given him a touch of their
+prim sobriety of look and manner.  He assured Joshua that his
+horse had received no injury, and I even hinted that the exercise
+would be of service to him.  Solomon himself neighed towards his
+master, and rubbed his head against the good Quaker's shoulder,
+as if to assure him of his being quite well; so that Joshua
+returned in comfort to his parlour, where breakfast was now about
+to be displayed.
+
+I have since learned that the affection of Joshua for his pony is
+considered as inordinate by some of his own sect; and that he has
+been much blamed for permitting it to be called by the name of
+Solomon, or any other name whatever; but he has gained so much
+respect and influence among them that they overlook these
+foibles.
+
+I learned from him (whilst the old servant, Jehoiachim, entering
+and re-entering, seemed to make no end of the materials which he
+brought in for breakfast) that his grandfather Philip, the
+convert of George Fox, had suffered much from the persecution to
+which these harmless devotees were subjected on all sides during
+that intolerant period, and much of their family estate had been
+dilapidated.  But better days dawned on Joshua's father, who,
+connecting himself by marriage with a wealthy family of Quakers
+in Lancashire, engaged successfully in various branches of
+commerce, and redeemed the remnants of the property, changing its
+name in sense, without much alteration of sound, from the Border
+appellation of Sharing-Knowe, to the evangelical appellation of
+Mount Sharon.
+
+This Philip Geddes, as I before hinted, had imbibed the taste for
+horticulture and the pursuits of the florist, which are not
+uncommon among the peaceful sect he belonged to.  He had
+destroyed the remnants of the old peel-house, substituting the
+modern mansion in its place; and while he reserved the hearth of
+his ancestors, in memory of their hospitality, as also the, pious
+motto which they had chanced to assume, he failed not to
+obliterate the worldly and military emblems displayed upon the
+shield and helmet, together with all their blazonry.
+
+In a few minutes after Mr. Geddes had concluded the account; of
+himself and his family, his sister Rachel, the only surviving
+member of it, entered the room.  Her appearance is remarkably
+pleasing, and although her age is certainly thirty at least, she
+still retains the shape and motion of an earlier period.  The
+absence of everything like fashion or ornament was, as usual,
+atoned for by the most perfect neatness and cleanliness of her
+dress; and her simple close cap was perticularly suited to eyes
+which had the softness and simplicity of the dove's.  Her
+features were also extremely agreeable, but had suffered a little
+through the ravages of that professed enemy to beauty, the small-
+pox; a disadvantage which was in part counterbalanced by a well-
+formed mouth, teeth like pearls, and a pleasing sobriety of
+smile, that seemed to wish good here and hereafter to every one
+she spoke to.  You cannot make any of your vile inferences here,
+Alan, for I have given a full-length picture of Rachel Geddes; so
+that; you cannot say, in this case, as in the letter I have just
+received, that she was passed over as a subject on which I feared
+to dilate.  More of this anon.
+
+Well, we settled to our breakfast after a blessing, or rather an
+extempore prayer, which Joshua made upon the occasion, and which
+the spirit moved him to prolong rather more than I felt
+altogether agreeable.  Then, Alan, there was such a dispatching
+of the good things of the morning as you have not witnessed since
+you have seen Darsie Latimer at breakfast.  Tea and chocolate,
+eggs, ham, and pastry, not forgetting the broiled fish,
+disappeared with a celerity which seemed to astonish the good-
+humoured Quakers, who kept loading my plate with supplies, as if
+desirous of seeing whether they could, by any possibility, tire
+me out.  One hint, however, I received, which put me in mind
+where I was.  Miss Geddes had offered me some sweet-cake, which,
+at the moment, I declined; but presently afterwards, seeing it
+within my reach, I naturally enough helped myself to a slice, and
+had just; deposited it beside my plate, when Joshua, mine host,
+not with the authoritative air of Sancho's doctor, Tirteafuera,
+but in a very calm and quiet manner, lifted it away and replaced
+it on the dish, observing only, 'Thou didst refuse it before,
+friend Latimer.'
+
+These good folks, Alan, make no allowance for what your good
+father calls the Aberdeen-man's privilege, of 'taking his word
+again;' or what the wise call second thoughts.
+
+Bating this slight hint that I was among a precise generation,
+there was nothing in my reception that was peculiar--unless,
+indeed, I were to notice the solicitous and uniform kindness with
+which all the attentions of my new friends were seasoned, as if
+they were anxious to assure me that the neglect of worldly
+compliments interdicted by their sect, only served to render
+their hospitality more sincere.  At length my hunger was
+satisfied, and the worthy Quaker, who, with looks of great good
+nature, had watched my progress, thus addressed his sister:--
+
+'This young man, Rachel, hath last night sojourned in the tents
+of our neighbour whom men call the laird.  I am sorry I had not
+met him the evening before, for our neighbour's hospitality is
+too unfrequently exercised to be well prepared with the means of
+welcome.'
+
+'Nay, but, Joshua,' said Rachel, 'if our neighbour hath done a
+kindness, thou shouldst not grudge him the opportunity; and if
+our young friend hath fared ill for a night, he will the better
+relish what Providence may send him of better provisions.'
+
+'And that he may do so at leisure,' said Joshua, 'we will pray
+him, Rachel, to tarry a day or twain with us:  he is young, and
+is but now entering upon the world, and our habitation may, if he
+will, be like a resting-place, from which he may look abroad upon
+the pilgrimage which he must take, and the path which he has to
+travel.--What sayest thou, friend Latimer?  We constrain not our
+friends to our ways, and thou art, I think, too wise to quarrel
+with us for following our own fashions; and if we should even
+give thee a word of advice, thou wilt not, I think, be angry, so
+that it is spoken in season.'
+
+You know, Alan, how easily I am determined by anything resembling
+cordiality--and so, though a little afraid of the formality of my
+host and hostess, I accepted their invitation, provided I could
+get some messenger to send to Shepherd's Bush for my servant and
+portmanteau.
+
+'Why, truly, friend,' said Joshua, 'thy outward frame would be
+improved by cleaner garments; but I will do thine errand myself
+to the Widow Gregson's house of reception, and send thy lad
+hither with thy clothes.  Meanwhile, Rachel will show thee these
+little gardens, and then will put thee in some way of spending
+thy time usefully, till our meal calls us together at the second
+hour after noon.  I bid thee farewell for the present, having
+some space to walk, seeing I must leave the animal Solomon to his
+refreshing rest.'
+
+With these words, Mr. Joshua Geddes withdrew.  Some ladies we
+have known would have felt, or at least affected, reserve or
+embarrassment, at being left to do the honours of the grounds to
+(it will be out, Alan)--a smart young fellow--an entire stranger.
+She went out for a few minutes, and returned in her plain cloak
+and bonnet, with her beaver gloves, prepared to act as my guide,
+with as much simplicity as if she had been to wait upon thy
+father.  So forth I sallied with my fair Quakeress.
+
+If the house at Mount Sharon be merely a plain and convenient
+dwelling, of moderate size and small pretensions, the gardens and
+offices, though not extensive, might rival an earl's in point of
+care and expense.  Rachel carried me first to her own favourite
+resort, a poultry-yard, stocked with a variety of domestic fowls,
+of the more rare as well as the most ordinary kinds, furnished
+with every accommodation which may suit their various habits.  A
+rivulet which spread into a pond for the convenience of the
+aquatic birds, trickled over gravel as it passed through the
+yards dedicated to the land poultry, which were thus amply
+supplied with the means they use for digestion.
+
+All these creatures seemed to recognize the presence of their
+mistress, and some especial favourites hastened to her feet, and
+continued to follow her as far as their limits permitted.  She
+pointed out their peculiarities and qualities, with the
+discrimination of one who had made natural history her study; and
+I own I never looked on barn-door fowls with so much interest
+before--at least until they were boiled or roasted.  I could not
+help asking the trying question, how she could order the
+execution of any of the creatures of which she seemed so careful.
+
+'It was painful,' she said, 'but it was according to the law of
+their being.  They must die; but they knew not when death was
+approaching; and in making them comfortable while they lived, we
+contributed to their happiness as much as the conditions of their
+existence permitted to us.'
+
+I am not quite of her mind, Alan.  I do not believe either pigs
+or poultry would admit that the chief end of their being was to
+be killed and eaten.  However, I did not press the argument, from
+which my Quaker seemed rather desirous to escape; for, conducting
+me to the greenhouse, which was extensive, and filled with the
+choicest plants, she pointed out an aviary which occupied the
+farther end, where, she said, she employed herself with attending
+the inhabitants, without being disturbed with any painful
+recollections concerning their future destination.
+
+I will not trouble you with any account of the various hot-houses
+and gardens, and their contents.  No small sum of money must have
+been expended in erecting and maintaining them in the exquisite
+degree of good order which they exhibited.  The family, I
+understood, were connected with that of the celebrated Millar,
+and had imbibed his taste for flowers, and for horticulture.  But
+instead of murdering botanical names, I will rather conduct you
+to the POLICY, or pleasure-garden, which the taste of Joshua or
+his father had extended on the banks betwixt the house and river.
+This also, in contradistinction to the prevailing simplicity, was
+ornamented in an unusual degree.  There were various
+compartments, the connexion of which was well managed, and
+although the whole ground did not exceed five or six acres, it
+was so much varied as to seem four times larger.  The space
+contained close alleys and open walks; a very pretty artificial
+waterfall; a fountain also, consisting of a considerable jet-
+d'eau, whose streams glittered in the sunbeams and exhibited a
+continual rainbow.  There was a cabinet of verdure, as the French
+call it, to cool the summer heat, and there was a terrace
+sheltered from the north-east by a noble holly hedge, with all
+its glittering spears where you might have the full advantage of
+the sun in the clear frosty days of winter.
+
+I know that you, Alan, will condemn all this as bad and
+antiquated; for, ever since Dodsley has described the Leasowes,
+and talked of Brown's imitations of nature and Horace Walpole's
+late Essay on Gardening, you are all for simple nature--condemn
+walking up and down stairs in the open air and declare for wood
+and wilderness.  But NE QUID NIMIS.  I would not deface a scene
+of natural grandeur or beauty, by the introduction of crowded
+artificial decorations; yet such may, I think, be very
+interesting, where the situation, in its natural state, otherwise
+has no particular charms.
+
+So that when I have a country-house (who can say how soon?) you
+may look for grottoes, and cascades, and fountains; nay if you
+vex me by contradiction, perhaps I may go the length of a temple
+--so provoke me not, for you see of what enormities I am capable.
+
+At any rate, Alan, had you condemned as artificial the rest of
+Friend Geddes's grounds, there is a willow walk by the very verge
+of the stream, so sad, so solemn, and so silent, that it must
+have commanded your admiration.  The brook, restrained at the
+ultimate boundary of the grounds by a natural dam-dike or ledge
+of rocks, seemed, even in its present swollen state, scarcely to
+glide along:  and the pale willow-trees, dropping their long
+branches into the stream, gathered around them little coronals of
+the foam that floated down from the more rapid stream above.  The
+high rock, which formed the opposite bank of the brook, was seen
+dimly through the branches, and its pale and splintered front,
+garlanded with long streamers of briers and other creeping
+plants, seemed a barrier between the quiet path which we trod,
+and the toiling and bustling world beyond.  The path itself,
+following the sweep of the stream, made a very gentle curve;
+enough, however, served by its inflection completely to hide the
+end of the walk until you arrived at it.  A deep and sullen
+sound, which increased as you proceeded, prepared you for this
+termination, which was indeed only a plain root-seat, from which
+you looked on a fall of about six or seven feet, where the brook
+flung itself over the ledge of natural rock I have already
+mentioned, which there crossed its course.
+
+The quiet and twilight seclusion of this walk rendered it a fit
+scene for confidential communing; and having nothing more
+interesting to say to my fair Quaker, I took the liberty of
+questioning her about the laird; for you are, or ought to be,
+aware, that next to discussing the affairs of the heart, the fair
+sex are most interested in those of their neighbours.
+
+I did not conceal either my curiosity, or the check which it had
+received from Joshua, and I saw that my companion answered with
+embarrassment.  'I must not speak otherwise than truly,' she
+said; 'and therefore I tell thee, that my brother dislikes, and
+that I fear, the man of whom thou hast asked me.  Perhaps we are
+both wrong--but he is a man of violence, and hath great influence
+over many, who, following the trade of sailors and fishermen,
+become as rude as the elements with which they contend.  He hath
+no certain name among them, which is not unusual, their rude
+fashion being to distinguish each other by nicknames; and they
+have called him the Laird of the Lakes (not remembering there
+should be no one called Lord, save one only) in idle derision;
+the pools of salt water left by the tide among the sands being
+called the Lakes of Solway.'
+
+'Has he no other revenue than he derives from these sands?'  I
+asked.
+
+'That I cannot answer,' replied Rachel; 'men say that he wants
+not money, though he lives like an ordinary fisherman, and that
+he imparts freely of his means to the poor around him.  They
+intimate that he is a man of consequence, once deeply engaged in
+the unhappy affair of the rebellion, and even still too much in
+danger from the government to assume his own name.  He is often
+absent from his cottage at Broken-burn-cliffs, for weeks and
+months.'
+
+'I should have thought,' said I, 'that the government would
+scarce, at this time of day, be likely to proceed against any one
+even of the most obnoxious rebels.  Many years have passed away'
+--
+
+'It is true,' she replied; 'yet such persons may understand that
+their being connived at depends on their living in obscurity.
+But indeed there can nothing certain be known among these rude
+people.  The truth is not in them--most of them participate in
+the unlawful trade betwixt these parts and the neighbouring shore
+of England; and they are familiar with every species of falsehood
+and deceit.'
+
+'It is a pity,' I remarked, 'your brother should have neighbours
+of such a description, especially as I understand he is at some
+variance with them.'
+
+'Where, when, and about what matter?'  answered Miss Geddes,
+with an eager and timorous anxiety, which made me regret having
+touched on the subject.
+
+I told her, in a way as little alarming as I could devise, the
+purport of what passed betwixt this Laird of the Lakes and her
+brother, at their morning's interview.
+
+'You affright me much,' answered she; 'it is this very
+circumstance which has scared me in the watches of the night.
+When my brother Joshua withdrew from an active share in the
+commercial concerns of my father, being satisfied with the
+portion of worldly substance which he already possessed, there
+were one or two undertakings in which he retained an interest,
+either because his withdrawing might have been prejudicial to
+friends, or because he wished to retain some mode of occupying
+his time.  Amongst the more important of these is a fishing
+station on the coast, where, by certain improved modes of
+erecting snares, opening at the advance of the tide, and shutting
+at the reflux, many more fish are taken than can be destroyed by
+those who, like the men of Broken-burn, use only the boat-net and
+spear, or fishing-rod.  They complain of these tide-nets, as men
+call them, as an innovation, and pretend to a right to remove and
+destroy them by the strong hand.  I fear me, this man of
+violence, whom they call the laird, will execute these his
+threats, which cannot be without both loss and danger to my
+brother.'
+
+'Mr. Geddes,' said I, 'ought to apply to the civil, magistrate;
+there are soldiers at Dumfries who would be detached for his
+protection.'
+
+'Thou speakest, friend Latimer,' answered the lady, 'as one who
+is still in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity.  God
+forbid that we should endeavour to preserve nets of flax and
+stakes of wood, or the Mammon of gain which they procure for us,
+by the hands of men of war and at the risk of spilling human
+blood.'
+
+'I respect your scruples,' I replied; 'but since such is your way
+of thinking, your brother ought to avert the danger by compromise
+or submission.'
+
+'Perhaps it would be best,' answered Rachel; 'but what can I say?
+Even in the best-trained temper there may remain some leaven of
+the old Adam; and I know not whether it is this or a better
+spirit that maketh my brother Joshua determine, that though he
+will not resist force by force, neither will he yield up his
+right to mere threats, or encourage wrong to others by yielding
+to menaces.  His partners, he says, confide in his steadiness:
+and that he must not disappoint them by yielding up their right
+for the fear of the threats of man, whose breath is in his
+nostrils.'
+
+This observation convinced me that the spirit of the old sharers
+of the spoil was not utterly departed even from the bosom of the
+peaceful Quaker; and I could not help confessing internally that
+Joshua had the right, when he averred that there was as much
+courage in sufferance as in exertion.
+
+As we approached the farther end of the willow walk, the sullen
+and continuous sound of the dashing waters became still more and
+more audible, and at length rendered it difficult for us to
+communicate with each other.  The conversation dropped, but
+apparently my companion continued to dwell upon the apprehensions
+which it had excited.  At the bottom of the walk we obtained a
+view of the cascade, where the swollen brook flung itself in foam
+and tumult over the natural barrier of rock, which seemed in vain
+to attempt to bar its course.  I gazed with delight, and, turning
+to express my sentiment to my companion, I observed that she had
+folded her hands in an attitude of sorrowful resignation, which
+showed her thoughts were far from the scene which lay before her.
+When she saw that her abstraction was observed, she resumed her
+former placidity of manner; and having given me sufficient time
+to admire this termination of our sober and secluded walk,
+proposed that me should return to the house through her brother's
+farm.  'Even we Quakers, as we are called, have our little
+pride,' she said; 'and my brother Joshua would not forgive me,
+were I not to show thee the fields which he taketh delight to
+cultivate after the newest and best fashion; for which, I promise
+thee, he hath received much praise from good judges, as well as
+some ridicule from those who think it folly to improve on the
+customs of our ancestors.'
+
+As she spoke, she opened a low door, leading through a moss and
+ivy-covered wall, the boundary of the pleasure-ground, into the
+open fields; through which we moved by a convenient path,
+leading, with good taste and simplicity, by stile and hedgerow,
+through pasturage, and arable, and woodland; so that in all
+ordinary weather, the good man might, without even soiling his
+shoes, perform his perambulation round the farm.  There were
+seats also, on which to rest; and though not adorned with
+inscriptions, nor quite so frequent in occurrence as those
+mentioned in the account of the Leasowes, their situation was
+always chosen with respect to some distant prospect to be
+commanded, or some home-view to be enjoyed.
+
+But what struck me most in Joshua's domain was the quantity and
+the tameness of the game.  The hen partridge scarce abandoned the
+roost, at the foot of the hedge where she had assembled her
+covey, though the path went close beside her; and the hare,
+remaining on her form, gazed at us as we passed, with her full
+dark eye, or rising lazily and hopping to a little distance,
+stood erect to look at us with more curiosity than apprehension.
+I observed to Miss Geddes the extreme tameness of these timid and
+shy animals, and she informed me that their confidence arose from
+protection in the summer, and relief during the winter.
+
+'They are pets,' she said, 'of my brother, who considers them as
+the better entitled to his kindness that they are a race
+persecuted by the world in general.  He denieth himself,' she
+said, 'even the company of a dog, that these creatures may here
+at least enjoy undisturbed security.  Yet this harmless or humane
+propensity, or humour, hath given offence,' she added, 'to our
+dangerous neighbours.'
+
+She explained this, by telling me that my host of the preceding
+night was remarkable for his attachment to field-sports, which he
+pursued without much regard to the wishes of the individuals over
+whose property he followed them.  The undefined mixture of
+respect and fear with which he was generally regarded induced
+most of the neighbouring land-holders to connive at what they
+would perhaps in another have punished as a trespass; but Joshua
+Geddes would not permit the intrusion of any one upon his
+premises, and as he had before offended several country
+neighbours, who, because he would neither shoot himself nor
+permit others to do so, compared him to the dog in the manger, so
+he now aggravated the displeasure which the Laird of the Lakes
+had already conceived against him, by positively debarring him
+from pursuing his sport over his grounds--'So that,' said Rachel
+Geddes, 'I sometimes wish our lot had been cast elsewhere than in
+these pleasant borders, where, if we had less of beauty around
+us, we might have had a neighbourhood of peace and, goodwill.'
+
+We at length returned to the house, where Miss Geddes showed me a
+small study, containing a little collection of books, in two
+separate presses.
+
+'These,' said she, pointing to the smaller press, 'will, if thou
+bestowest thy leisure upon them, do thee good; and these,'
+pointing to the other and larger cabinet, 'can, I believe, do
+thee little harm.  Some of our people do indeed hold, that every
+writer who is not with us is against us; but brother Joshua is
+mitigated in his opinions, and correspondeth with our friend John
+Scot of Amwell, who hath himself constructed verses well approved
+of even in the world.  I wish thee many good thoughts till our
+family meet at the hour of dinner.'
+
+Left alone, I tried both collections; the first consisted
+entirely of religious and controversial tracts, and the latter
+formed a small selection of history and of moral writers, both in
+prose and verse.
+
+Neither collection promising much amusement, thou hast, in these
+close pages, the fruits of my tediousness; and truly, I think,
+writing history (one's self being the subject) is as amusing as
+reading that of foreign countries, at any time.
+
+Sam, still more drunk than sober, arrived in due time with my
+portmanteau, and enabled me to put my dress into order, better
+befitting this temple of cleanliness and decorum, where (to
+conclude) I believe I shall be a sojourner more days than one.
+[See Note 1.]
+
+PS.--I have noted your adventure, as you home-bred youths may
+perhaps term it, concerning the visit of your doughty laird.  We
+travellers hold such an incident no great consequence, though it
+may serve to embellish the uniform life of Brown's Square.  But
+art thou not ashamed to attempt to interest one who is seeing the
+world at large, and studying human nature on a large scale, by so
+bald a narrative?  Why, what does it amount to, after all, but
+that a Tory laird dined with a Whig lawyer?  no very uncommon
+matter, especially as you state Mr. Herries to have lost the
+estate, though retaining the designation.  The laird behaves with
+haughtiness and impertinence--nothing out of character in that:
+is NOT kicked down stairs, as he ought to have been, were Alan
+Fairford half the man that he would wish his friends to think
+him.  Aye, but then, as the young lawyer, instead of showing his
+friend the door, chose to make use of it himself, he overheard
+the laird aforesaid ask the old lawyer concerning Darsie Latimer
+--no doubt earnestly inquiring after the handsome, accomplished
+inmate of his family, who has so lately made Themis his bow and
+declined the honour of following her farther.  You laugh at me
+for my air-drawn castles; but confess, have they not surer
+footing, in general, than two words spoken by such a man as
+Herries?  And yet--and yet--I would rally the matter off, Alan;
+but in dark nights even the glow-worm becomes an object of
+lustre, and to one plunged in my uncertainty and ignorance, the
+slightest gleam that promises intelligence is interesting.  My
+life is like the subterranean river in the Peak of Derby, visible
+only where it crosses the celebrated cavern.  I am here, and this
+much I know; but where I have sprung from, or whither my course
+of life is like to tend, who shall tell me?  Your father, too,
+seemed interested and alarmed, and talked of writing; would to
+Heaven he may!--I send daily to the post-town for letters.
+
+
+
+LETTER VIII
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+Thou mayst clap thy wings and crow as thou pleasest.  You go in
+search of adventures, but adventures come to me unsought for; and
+oh!  in what a pleasing shape came mine, since it arrived in the
+form of a client--and a fair client to boot!  What think you of
+that, Darsie!  you who are such a sworn squire of dames?  Will
+this not match my adventures with thine, that hunt salmon on
+horseback, and will it not, besides, eclipse the history of a
+whole tribe of Broadbrims?--But I must proceed methodically.
+
+When I returned to-day from the College, I was surprised to see a
+broad grin distending the adust countenance of the faithful James
+Wilkinson, which, as the circumstance seldom happens above once a
+year, was matter of some surprise.  Moreover, he had a knowing
+glance with his eye, which I should have as soon expected from a
+dumb-waiter--an article of furniture to which James, in his usual
+state, may be happily assimilated.  'What the devil is the
+matter, James?'
+
+'The devil may be in the matter, for aught I ken,' said James,
+with another provoking grin; 'for here has been a woman calling
+for you, Maister Alan.'
+
+'A woman calling for me?'  said I in surprise; for you know well,
+that excepting old Aunt Peggy, who comes to dinner of a Sunday,
+and the still older Lady Bedrooket, who calls ten times a year
+for the quarterly payment of her jointure of four hundred merks,
+a female scarce approaches our threshold, as my father visits all
+his female clients at their own lodgings.  James protested,
+however, that there had been a lady calling, and for me.  'As
+bonny a lass as I have seen,' added James, 'since I was in the
+Fusileers, and kept company with Peg Baxter.'  Thou knowest all
+James's gay recollections go back to the period of his military
+service, the years he has spent in ours having probably been dull
+enough.
+
+'Did the lady leave no name nor place of address?'
+
+'No,' replied James; 'but she asked when you wad be at hame, and
+I appointed her for twelve o'clock, when the house wad be quiet,
+and your father at the Bank.'
+
+'For shame, James!  how can you think my father's being at home
+or abroad could be of consequence?--The lady is of course a
+decent person?'
+
+'I'se uphaud her that, sir--she is nane of your--WHEW'--(Here
+James supplied a blank with a low whistle)--'but I didna ken--my
+maister makes an unco wark if a woman comes here.'
+
+I passed into my own room, not ill-pleased that my father was
+absent, notwithstanding I had thought it proper to rebuke James
+for having so contrived it, I disarranged my books, to give them
+the appearance of a graceful confusion on the table, and laying
+my foils (useless since your departure) across the mantelpiece,
+that the lady might see I was TAM MARTE QUAM MERCURIO--I
+endeavoured to dispose my dress so as to resemble an elegant
+morning deshabille--gave my hair the general shade of powder
+which marks the gentleman--laid my watch and seals on the table,
+to hint that I understood the value of time;--and when I had made
+all these arrangements, of which I am a little ashamed when I
+think of them, I had nothing better to do than to watch the dial-
+plate till the index pointed to noon.  Five minutes elapsed,
+which.  I allowed for variation of clocks--five minutes more
+rendered me anxious and doubtful--and five minutes more would
+have made me impatient.
+
+Laugh as thou wilt; but remember, Darsie, I was a lawyer,
+expecting his first client--a young man, how strictly bred up I
+need not remind you, expecting a private interview with a young
+and beautiful woman.  But ere the third term of five minutes had
+elapsed, the door-bell was heard to tinkle low and modestly, as
+if touched by some timid hand.
+
+James Wilkinson, swift in nothing, is, as thou knowest,
+peculiarly slow in answering the door-bell; and I reckoned on
+five minutes good, ere his solemn step should have ascended the
+stair.  Time enough, thought I, for a peep through the blinds,
+and was hastening to the window accordingly.  But I reckoned
+without my host; for James, who had his own curiosity as well as
+I, was lying PERDU in the lobby, ready to open at the first
+tinkle; and there was, 'This way, ma'am--Yes, ma'am--The lady,
+Mr. Alan,' before I could get to the chair in which I proposed to
+be discovered, seated in all legal dignity.  The consciousness of
+being half-caught in the act of peeping, joined to that native
+air of awkward bashfulness of which I am told the law will soon
+free me, kept me standing on the floor in some confusion; while
+the lady, disconcerted on her part, remained on the threshold of
+the room.  James Wilkinson, who had his senses most about him,
+and was perhaps willing to prolong his stay in the apartment,
+busied himself in setting a chair for the lady, and recalled me
+to my good-breeding by the hint.  I invited her to take
+possession of it, and bid James withdraw.
+
+My visitor was undeniably a lady, and probably considerably above
+the ordinary rank--very modest, too, judging from the mixture of
+grace and timidity with which she moved, and at my entreaty sat
+down.  Her dress was, I should suppose, both handsome and
+fashionable; but it was much concealed by a walking-cloak of
+green silk, fancifully embroidered; in which, though heavy for
+the season, her person was enveloped, and which, moreover, was
+furnished with a hood.
+
+The devil take that hood, Darsie!  for I was just able to
+distinguish that, pulled as it was over the face, it concealed
+from me, as I was convinced, one of the prettiest countenances I
+have seen, and which, from a sense of embarrassment, seemed to be
+crimsoned with a deep blush.  I could see her complexion was
+beautiful--her chin finely turned--her lips coral--and her teeth
+rivals to ivory.  But further the deponent sayeth not; for a
+clasp of gold, ornamented with it sapphire, closed the envious
+mantle under the incognita's throat, and the cursed hood
+concealed entirely the upper part of the face.
+
+I ought to have spoken first, that is certain; but ere I could
+get my phrases well arranged, the young lady, rendered desperate
+I suppose by my hesitation opened the conversation herself.
+
+'I fear I am an intruder, sir--I expected to meet an elderly
+gentleman.'
+
+This brought me to myself.  'My father, madam, perhaps.  But you
+inquired for Alan Fairford--my father's name is Alexander.'
+
+'It is Mr. Alan Fairford, undoubtedly, with whom I wished to
+speak,' she said, with greater confusion; 'but I was told that he
+was advanced in life.'
+
+'Some mistake, madam, I presume, betwixt my father and myself--
+our Christian names have the same initials, though the
+terminations are different.  I--I--I would esteem it a most
+fortunate mistake if I could have the honour of supplying my
+father's place in anything that could be of service to you.'
+
+'You are very obliging, sir,' A pause, during which she seemed
+undetermined whether to rise or sit still.
+
+'I am just about to be called to the bar, madam,' said I, in
+hopes to remove her scruples to open her case to me; 'and if my
+advice or opinion could be of the slightest use, although I
+cannot presume to say that they are much to be depended upon,
+yet'--
+
+The lady arose.  'I am truly sensible of your kindness, sir; and
+I have no doubt of your talents.  I will be very plain with you--
+it is you whom I came to visit; although, now that we have met, I
+find it will be much better that I should commit my communication
+to writing.'
+
+'I hope, madam, you will not be so cruel--so tantalizing, I would
+say.  Consider, you are my first client--your business my first
+consultation--do not do me the displeasure of withdrawing your
+confidence because I am a few years younger than you seem to have
+expected.  My attention shall make amends for my want of
+experience.'
+
+'I have no doubt of either,' said the lady, in a grave tone,
+calculated to restrain the air of gallantry with which I had
+endeavoured to address her.  'But when you have received my
+letter you will find good reasons assigned why a written
+communication will best suit my purpose.  I wish you, sir, a good
+morning.'  And she left the apartment, her poor baffled counsel
+scraping, and bowing, and apologizing for anything that might
+have been disagreeable to her, although the front of my offence
+seems to be my having been discovered to be younger than my
+father.
+
+The door was opened--out she went--walked along the pavement,
+turned down the close, and put the sun, I believe, into her
+pocket when she disappeared, so suddenly did dullness and
+darkness sink down on the square, when she was no longer visible.
+I stood for a moment as if I had been senseless, not recollecting
+what a fund of entertainment I must have supplied to our watchful
+friends on the other side of the green.  Then it darted on my
+mind that I might dog her, and ascertain at least who or what she
+was.  Off I set--ran down the close, where she was no longer to
+be seen, and demanded of one of the dyer's lads whether he had
+seen a lady go down the close, or had observed which way she
+turned.
+
+'A leddy!'--said the dyer, staring at me with his rainbow
+countenance.  'Mr. Alan, what takes you out, rinning like daft,
+without your hat?'
+
+'The devil take my hat!'  answered I, running back, however, in
+quest of it; snatched it up, and again sallied forth.  But as I
+reached the head of the close once more, I had sense enough to
+recollect that all pursuit would be now in vain.  Besides, I saw
+my friend, the journeyman dyer, in close confabulation with a
+pea-green personage of his own profession, and was conscious,
+like Scrub, that they talked of me, because they laughed
+consumedly.  I had no mind, by a second sudden appearance, to
+confirm the report that Advocate Fairford was 'gaen daft,' which
+had probably spread from Campbell's Close-foot to the Meal-market
+Stairs; and so slunk back within my own hole again.
+
+My first employment was to remove all traces of that elegant and
+fanciful disposition of my effects, from which I had hoped for so
+much credit; for I was now ashamed and angry at having thought an
+instant upon the mode of receiving a visit which had commenced so
+agreeably, but terminated in a manner so unsatisfactory.  I put
+my folios in their places--threw the foils into the dressing-
+closet--tormenting myself all the while with the fruitless doubt,
+whether I had missed an opportunity or escaped a stratagem, or
+whether the young person had been really startled, as she seemed
+to intimate, by the extreme youth of her intended legal adviser.
+The mirror was not unnaturally called in to aid; and that
+cabinet-counsellor pronounced me rather short, thick-set, with a
+cast of features fitter, I trust, for the bar than the ball--not
+handsome enough for blushing virgins to pine for my sake, or even
+to invent sham cases to bring them to my chambers--yet not ugly
+enough either to scare those away who came on real business--
+dark, to be sure, but--NIGRI SUNT HYACINTHI--there are pretty
+things to be said in favour of that complexion.
+
+At length--as common sense will get the better in all cases when
+a man will but give it fair play--I began to stand convicted in
+my own mind, as an ass before the interview, for having expected
+too much--an ass during the interview, for having failed to
+extract the lady's real purpose--and an especial ass, now that it
+was over, for thinking so much about it.  But I can think of
+nothing else, and therefore I am determined to think of this to
+some good purpose.
+
+You remember Murtough O'Hara's defence of the Catholic doctrine
+of confession; because, 'by his soul, his sins were always a
+great burden to his mind, till he had told them to the priest;
+and once confessed, he never thought more about them.'  I have
+tried his receipt, therefore; and having poured my secret
+mortification into thy trusty ear, I will think no more about
+this maid of the mist,
+
+   Who, with no face, as 'twere, outfaced me.
+
+
+--Four o'clock.
+Plague on her green mantle, she can be nothing better than a
+fairy; she keeps possession of my head yet!  All during dinner-
+time I was terribly absent; but, luckily, my father gave the
+whole credit of my reverie to the abstract nature of the
+doctrine, VINCO VINCENTEM, ERGO VINCO TE; upon which brocard of
+law the professor this morning lectured.  So I got an early
+dismissal to my own crib, and here am I studying, in one sense,
+VINCERE VINCENTEM, to get the better of the silly passion of
+curiosity--I think--I think it amounts to nothing else--which has
+taken such possession of my imagination, and is perpetually
+worrying me with the question--will she write or no?  She will
+not--she will not!  So says Reason, and adds, Why should she take
+the trouble to enter into correspondence with one who, instead of
+a bold, alert, prompt gallant, proved a chicken-hearted boy, and
+left her the whole awkwardness of explanation, which he should
+have met half-way?  But then, says Fancy, she WILL write, for she
+was not a bit that sort of person whom you, Mr. Reason, in your
+wisdom, take her to be.  She was disconcerted enough, without my
+adding to her distress by any impudent conduct on my part.  And
+she will write, for--By Heaven, she HAS written, Darsie, and with
+a vengeance!  Here is her letter, thrown into the kitchen by a
+caddie, too faithful to be bribed, either by money or whisky, to
+say more than that he received it, with sixpence, from an
+ordinary-looking woman, as he was plying on his station near the
+Cross.
+
+
+'FOR ALAN FAIRFORD, ESQUIRE, BARRISTER.
+
+'SIR,
+'Excuse my mistake of to-day.  I had accidentally learnt that Mr.
+Darsie Latimer had an intimate friend and associate in Mr. A.
+Fairford.  When I inquired for such a person, he was pointed out
+to me at the Cross (as I think the Exchange of your city is
+called) in the character of a respectable elderly man--your
+father, as I now understand.  On inquiry at Brown's Square, where
+I understood he resided, I used the full name of Alan, which
+naturally occasioned you the trouble of this day's visit.  Upon
+further inquiry, I am led to believe that you are likely to be
+the person most active in the matter to which I am now about to
+direct your attention; and I regret much that circumstances,
+arising out of my own particular situation, prevent my
+communicating to you personally what I now apprise you of in this
+matter.
+
+'Your friend, Mr. Darsie Latimer, is in a situation of
+considerable danger.  You are doubtless aware that he has been
+cautioned not to trust himself in England.  Now, if he has not
+absolutely transgressed this friendly injunction, he has at least
+approached as nearly to the menaced danger as he could do,
+consistently with the letter of the prohibition.  He has chosen
+his abode in a neighbourhood very perilous to him; and it is only
+by a speedy return to Edinburgh, or at least by a removal to some
+more remote part of Scotland, that he can escape the machinations
+of those whose enmity he has to fear.  I must speak in mystery,
+but my words are not the less certain; and, I believe, you know
+enough of your friend's fortunes to be aware that I could not
+write this much without being even more intimate with them than
+you are.
+
+'If he cannot, or will not, take the advice here given, it is my
+opinion that you should join him, if possible, without delay, and
+use, by your personal presence and entreaty, the arguments which
+may prove ineffectual in writing.  One word more, and I implore
+of your candour to take it as it is meant.  No one supposes that
+Mr. Fairford's zeal in his friend's service needs to be quickened
+by mercenary motives.  'But report says, that Mr. Alan Fairford,
+not having yet entered on his professional career, may, in such a
+case as this, want the means, though he cannot want the
+inclination, to act with promptitude.  The enclosed note Mr. Alan
+Fairford must be pleased to consider as his first professional
+emolument; and she who sends it hopes it will be the omen of
+unbounded success, though the fee comes from a hand so unknown as
+that of
+'GREEN MANTLE'
+
+A bank-note of L20 was the enclosure, and the whole incident left
+me speechless with astonishment.  I am not able to read over the
+beginning of my own letter, which forms the introduction to this
+extraordinary communication.  I only know that, though mixed with
+a quantity of foolery (God knows very much different from my
+present feelings), it gives an account sufficiently accurate, of
+the mysterious person from whom this letter comes, and that I
+have neither time nor patience to separate the absurd commentary
+from the text, which it is so necessary you should know.
+
+Combine this warning, so strangely conveyed, with the caution
+impressed on you by your London correspondent, Griffiths, against
+your visiting England--with the character of your Laird of the
+Solway Lakes--with the lawless habits of the people on that
+frontier country, where warrants are not easily executed owing to
+the jealousy entertained by either country of the legal
+interference of the other; remember, that even Sir John Fielding
+said to my father that he could never trace a rogue beyond the
+Briggend of Dumfries--think that the distinctions of Whig and
+Tory, Papist and Protestant, still keep that country in a loose
+and comparatively lawless state--think of all this, my dearest
+Darsie, and remember that, while at this Mount Sharon of yours,
+you are residing with a family actually menaced with forcible
+interference, and who, while their obstinacy provokes violence,
+are by principle bound to abstain from resistance.
+
+Nay, let me tell you, professionally, that the legality of the
+mode of fishing practised by your friend Joshua is greatly
+doubted by our best lawyers; and that, if the stake-nets be
+considered as actually an unlawful obstruction raised in the
+channel of the estuary, an assembly of persons who shall proceed,
+VIA FACTI, to pull dawn and destroy them, would not, in the eye
+of the law, be esteemed guilty of a riot.  So, by remaining where
+you are, YOU are likely to be engaged in a quarrel with which you
+have nothing to do, and thus to enable your enemies, whoever
+these may be, to execute, amid the confusion of a general hubbub,
+whatever designs they may have against your personal safety.
+Black-fishers, poachers, and smugglers are a sort of gentry that
+will not be much checked, either by your Quaker's texts, or by
+your chivalry.  If you are Don Quixote enough to lay lance in
+rest, in defence of those of the stake-net, and of the sad-
+coloured garment, I pronounce you but a lost knight; for, as I
+said before, I doubt if these potent redressers of wrongs, the
+justices and constables, will hold themselves warranted to
+interfere.  In a word, return, my dear Amadis; the adventure of
+the Solway-nets is not reserved for your worship.  Come back, and
+I will be your faithful Sancho Panza upon a more hopeful quest.
+We will beat about together, in search of this Urganda, the
+Unknown She of the Green Mantle, who can read this, the riddle of
+thy fate, better than wise Eppie of Buckhaven, [Well known in the
+Chap-Book, called the History of Buckhaven.]  or Cassandra
+herself.
+
+I would fain trifle, Darsie; for, in debating with you, jests
+will sometimes go farther than arguments; but I am sick at heart
+and cannot keep the ball up.  If you have a moment's regard for
+the friendship we have so often vowed to each other, let my
+wishes for once prevail over your own venturous and romantic
+temper.  I am quite serious in thinking that the information
+communicated to my father by this Mr. Herries, and the admonitory
+letter of the young lady, bear upon each other; and that, were
+you here, you might learn something from one or other, or from
+both, that; might throw light on your birth and parentage.  You
+will not, surely, prefer an idle whim to the prospect which is
+thus held out to you?
+
+I would, agreeably to the hint I have received in the young
+lady's letter (for I am confident that such is her condition),
+have ere now been with you to urge these things, instead of
+pouring them out upon paper.  But you know that the day for my
+trials is appointed; I have already gone through the form of
+being introduced to the examinators, and have gotten my titles
+assigned me.  All this should not keep me at home, but my father
+would view any irregularity upon this occasion as a mortal blow
+to the hopes which he has cherished most fondly during his life;
+viz. my being called to the bar with some credit.  For my own
+part, I know there is no great difficulty in passing these formal
+examinations, else how have some of our acquaintance got through
+them?  But, to my father, these formalities compose an august and
+serious solemnity, to which he has long looked forward, and my
+absenting myself at this moment would wellnigh drive him
+distracted.  Yet I shall go altogether distracted myself, if I
+have not an instant assurance from you that you are hastening
+hither.  Meanwhile I have desired Hannah to get your little crib
+into the best order possible.  I cannot learn that my father has
+yet written to you; nor has he spoken more of his communication
+with Birrenswork; but when I let him have some inkling of the
+dangers you are at present incurring, I know my request that you
+will return immediately will have his cordial support.
+
+Another reason yet--I must give a dinner, as usual, upon my
+admission, to our friends; and my father, laying aside all his
+usual considerations of economy, has desired it may be in the
+best style possible.  Come hither then, dear Darsie!  or, I
+protest to you, I shall send examination, admission-dinner, and
+guests to the devil, and come, in person, to fetch you with a
+vengeance.  Thine, in much anxiety,    A. F.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER IX
+
+ALEXANDER FAIRFORD, W.S., TO MR. DARSIE LATIMER
+
+DEAR MR. DARSIE,
+Having been your FACTOR LOCO TUTORIS or rather, I ought to say,
+in correctness (since I acted without warrant from the court),
+your NEGOTIORUM GESTOR, that connexion occasions my present
+writing.  And although having rendered an account of my
+intromissions, which have been regularly approved of, not only by
+yourself (whom I could not prevail upon to look at more than the
+docket and sum total), but also by the worthy Mr. Samuel
+Griffiths of London, being the hand through whom the remittances
+were made, I may, in some sense, be considered as to you FUNCTUS
+OFFICIO; yet to speak facetiously, I trust you will not hold me
+accountable as a vicious intromitter, should I still consider
+myself as occasionally interested in your welfare.  My motives
+for writing, at this time, are twofold.
+
+I have met with a Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, a gentleman of very
+ancient descent, but who hath in time past been in difficulties,
+nor do I know if his affairs are yet well redd.  Birrenswork says
+that he believes he was very familiar with your father, whom he
+states to have been called Ralph Latimer of Langcote Hall, in
+Westmoreland; and he mentioned family affairs, which it may be of
+the highest importance to you to be acquainted with; but as he
+seemed to decline communicating them to me, I could not civilly
+urge him thereanent.  Thus much I know, that Mr. Herries had his
+own share in the late desperate and unhappy matter of 1745, and
+was in trouble about it, although that is probably now over.
+Moreover, although he did not profess the Popish religion openly,
+he had an eye that way.  And both of these are reasons why I have
+hesitated to recommend him to a youth who maybe hath not
+altogether so well founded his opinions concerning Kirk and
+State, that they might not be changed by some sudden wind of
+doctrine.  For I have observed ye, Master Darsie, to be rather
+tinctured with the old leaven of prelacy--this under your leave;
+and although God forbid that you should be in any manner
+disaffected to the Protestant Hanoverian line, yet ye have ever
+loved to hear the blawing, blazing stories which the Hieland
+gentlemen tell of those troublous times, which, if it were their
+will, they had better pretermit, as tending rather to shame than
+to honour.  It is come to me also by a sidewind, as I may say,
+that you have been neighbouring more than was needful among some
+of the pestilent sect of Quakers--a people who own neither priest
+nor king, nor civil magistrate, nor the fabric of our law, and
+will not depone either IN CIVILIBUS or CRIMINALIBUS, be the loss
+to the lieges what it may.  Anent which heresies, it were good ye
+read 'The Snake in the Grass' or 'The Foot out of the Snare,'
+being both well-approved tracts, touching these doctrines.
+
+Now, Mr. Darsie, ye are to judge for yourself whether ye can
+safely to your soul's weal remain longer among these Papists and
+Quakers--these defections on the right hand, and failings away on
+the left; and truly if you can confidently resist these evil
+examples of doctrine, I think ye may as well tarry in the bounds
+where ye are, until you see Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, who does
+assuredly know more of your matters than I thought had been
+communicated to any man in Scotland.  I would fain have
+precognosced him myself on these affairs, but found him unwilling
+to speak out, as I have partly intimated before.
+
+To call a new cause--I have the pleasure to tell you, that Alan
+has passed his private Scots Law examinations with good
+approbation--a great relief to my mind; especially as worthy Mr.
+Pest told me in my ear there was no fear of 'the callant', as he
+familiarly called him, which gives me great heart.  His public
+trials, which are nothing in comparison save a mere form, are to
+take place, by order of the Honourable Dean of Faculty, on
+Wednesday first; and on Friday he puts on the gown, and gives a
+bit chack of dinner to his friends and acquaintances, as is, you
+know, the custom.  Your company will be wished for there, Master
+Darsie, by more than him, which I regret to think is impossible
+to have, as well by your engagements, as that our cousin, Peter
+Fairford, comes from the West on purpose, and we have no place to
+offer him but your chamber in the wall.  And, to be plain with
+you, after my use and wont, Master Darsie, it may be as well that
+Alan and you do not meet till he is hefted as it were to his new
+calling.  You are a pleasant gentleman, and full of daffing,
+which may well become you, as you have enough (as I understand)
+to uphold your merry humour.  If you regard the matter wisely,
+you would perchance consider that a man of substance should have
+a douce and staid demeanour; yet you are so far from growing
+grave and considerate with the increase of your annual income,
+that the richer you become, the merrier I think you grow.  But
+this must be at your own pleasure, so far as you are concerned.
+Alan, however (overpassing my small savings), has the world to
+win; and louping and laughing, as you and he were wont to do,
+would soon make the powder flee out of his wig, and the pence out
+of his pocket.  Nevertheless, I trust you will meet when you
+return from your rambles; for there is a time, as the wise man
+sayeth, for gathering, and a time for casting away; it is always
+the part of a man of sense to take the gathering time first.  I
+remain, dear sir, your well-wishing friend; and obedient to
+command,
+ALEXANDER FAIRFORD.
+
+PS.--Alan's Thesis is upon the title DE PERICULO ET COMMODO REI
+VENDITAE, and is a very pretty piece of Latinity.--Ross House, in
+our neighbourhood, is nearly finished, and is thought to excel
+Duff House in ornature.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER X
+
+DARSIE LATIMER TO ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+The plot thickens, Alan.  I have your letter, and also one from
+your father.  The last makes it impossible for me to comply with
+the kind request which the former urges.  No--I cannot be with
+you, Alan; and that, for the best of all reasons--I cannot and
+ought not to counteract your father's anxious wishes.  I do not
+take it unkind of him that he desires my absence.  It is natural
+that he should wish for his son what his son so well deserves--
+the advantage of a wiser and steadier companion than I seem to
+him.  And yet I am sure I have often laboured hard enough to
+acquire that decency of demeanour which can no more be suspected
+of breaking bounds, than an owl of catching a butterfly.
+
+But it was in vain that I have knitted my brows till I had the
+headache, in order to acquire the reputation of a grave, solid,
+and well-judging youth.  Your father always has discovered, or
+thought that he discovered, a hare-brained eccentricity lying
+folded among the wrinkles of my forehead, which rendered me a
+perilous associate for the future counsellor and ultimate judge.
+Well, Corporal Nym's philosophy must be my comfort--'Things must
+be as they may.'--I cannot come to your father's house, where he
+wishes not to see me; and as to your coming hither,--by all that
+is dear to me, I vow that if you are guilty of such a piece of
+reckless folly--not to say undutiful cruelty, considering your
+father's thoughts and wishes--I will never speak to you again as
+long as I live!  I am perfectly serious.  And besides, your
+father, while he in a manner prohibits me from returning to
+Edinburgh, gives me the strongest reasons for continuing a little
+while longer in this country, by holding out the hope that I may
+receive from your old friend, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, some
+particulars concerning my origin, with which that ancient
+recusant seems to be acquainted.
+
+That gentleman mentioned the name of a family in Westmoreland,
+with which he supposes me connected.  My inquiries here after
+such a family have been ineffectual, for the borderers, on either
+side, know little of each other.  But I shall doubtless find some
+English person of whom to make inquiries, since the confounded
+fetterlock clapped on my movements by old Griffiths, prevents me
+repairing to England in person.  At least, the prospect of
+obtaining some information is greater here than elsewhere; it
+will be an apology for my making a longer stay in this
+neighbourhood, a line of conduct which seems to have your
+father's sanction, whose opinion must be sounder than that of
+your wandering damoselle.
+
+If the road were paved with dangers which leads to such a
+discovery, I cannot for a moment hesitate to tread it.  But in
+fact there is no peril in the case.  If the Tritons of the Solway
+shall proceed to pull down honest Joshua's tide-nets, I am
+neither Quixote enough in disposition, nor Goliath enough in
+person, to attempt their protection.  I have no idea of
+attempting to prop a falling house by putting my shoulders
+against it.  And indeed, Joshua gave me a hint that the company
+which he belongs to, injured in the way threatened (some of them
+being men who thought after the fashion of the world), would
+pursue the rioters at law, and recover damages, in which probably
+his own ideas of non-resistance will not prevent his
+participating.  Therefore the whole affair will take its course
+as law will, as I only mean to interfere when it may be necessary
+to direct the course of the plaintiffs to thy chambers; and I
+request they may find thee intimate with all the Scottish
+statutes concerning salmon fisheries, from the LEX AQUARUM,
+downward.
+
+As for the Lady of the Mantle, I will lay a wager that the sun so
+bedazzled thine eyes on that memorable morning, that everything
+thou didst look upon seemed green; and notwithstanding James
+Wilkinson's experience in the Fusileers, as well as his negative
+whistle, I will venture to hold a crown that she is but a what-
+shall-call-'um after all.  Let not even the gold persuade you to
+the contrary.  She may make a shift to cause you to disgorge
+that, and (immense spoil!) a session's fees to boot, if you look
+not all the sharper about you.  Or if it should be otherwise, and
+if indeed there lurk some mystery under this visitation, credit
+me, it is one which thou canst not penetrate, nor can I as yet
+even attempt to explain it; since, if I prove mistaken, and
+mistaken I may easily be, I would be fain to creep into
+Phalaris's bull, were it standing before me ready heated, rather
+than be roasted with thy raillery.  Do not tax me with want of
+confidence; for the instant I can throw any light on the matter
+thou shalt have it; but while I am only blundering about in the
+dark, I do not choose to call wise folks to see me, perchance,
+break my nose against a post.  So if you marvel at this,
+
+  E'en marvel on till time makes all things plain.
+
+In the meantime, kind Alan, let me proceed in my diurnal.
+
+On the third or fourth day after my arrival at Mount Sharon,
+Time, that bald sexton to whom I have just referred you, did
+certainly limp more heavily along with me than he had done at
+first.  The quaint morality of Joshua, and Huguenot simplicity of
+his sister, began to lose much of their raciness with their
+novelty, and my mode of life, by dint of being very quiet, began
+to feel abominably dull.  It was, as thou say'st, as if the
+Quakers had put the sun in their pockets--all around was soft and
+mild, and even pleasant; but there was, in the whole routine, a
+uniformity, a want of interest, a helpless and hopeless languor,
+which rendered life insipid.  No doubt, my worthy host and
+hostess felt none of this void, this want of excitation, which
+was becoming oppressive to their guest.  They had their little
+round of occupations, charities, and pleasures; Rachel had her
+poultry-yard and conservatory, and Joshua his garden.  Besides
+this, they enjoyed, doubtless, their devotional meditations; and,
+on the whole, time glided softly and imperceptibly on with them,
+though to me, who long for stream and cataract, it seemed
+absolutely to stand still.  I meditated returning to Shepherd's
+Bush, and began to think, with some hankering, after little
+Benjie and the rod.  The imp has ventured hither, and hovers
+about to catch a peep of me now and then; I suppose the little
+sharper is angling for a few more sixpences.  But this would have
+been, in Joshua's eyes, a return of the washed sow to wallowing
+in the mire, and I resolved, while I remained his guest, to spare
+him so violent a shock to his prejudices.  The next point was, to
+shorten the time of my proposed stay; but, alas!  that I felt to
+be equally impossible.  I had named a week; and however rashly my
+promise had been pledged, it must be held sacred, even according
+to the letter, from which the Friends permit no deviation.
+
+All these considerations wrought me up to a kind of impatience
+yesterday evening; so that I snatched up my hat, and prepared for
+a sally beyond the cultivated farm and ornamented grounds of
+Mount Sharon, just as if I were desirous to escape from the
+realms of art, into those of free and unconstrained nature.
+
+I was scarcely more delighted when I first entered this peaceful
+demesne, than I now was--such is the instability and
+inconsistency of human nature!--when I escaped from it to the
+open downs, which had formerly seemed so waste and dreary, The
+air I breathed felt purer and more bracing.  The clouds, riding
+high upon a summer breeze, drove, in gay succession, over my
+head, now obscuring the sun, now letting its rays stream in
+transient flashes upon various parts of the landscape, and
+especially upon the broad mirror of the distant Firth of Solway.
+
+I advanced on the scene with the light step of a liberated
+captive; and, like John Bunyan's Pilgrim, could have found in my
+heart to sing as I went on my way.  It seemed as if my gaiety had
+accumulated while suppressed, and that I was, in my present
+joyous mood, entitled to expend the savings of the previous week.
+But just as I was about to uplift a merry stave, I heard, to my
+joyful surprise, the voices of three or more choristers, singing,
+with considerable success, the lively old catch,
+
+  For all our men were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking:
+    There were two men of mine,
+    Three men of thine,
+  And three that belonged to old Sir Thom o' Lyne;
+  As they went to the ferry, they were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking.'
+
+[The original of this catch is to be found in Cowley's witty
+comedy of THE GUARDIAN, the first edition.  It does not exist in
+the second and revised edition, called THE CUTTER OF COLEMAN
+STREET.
+
+  CAPTAIN BLADE.  Ha, ha, boys, another catch.
+             AND ALL OUR MEN ARE VERY VERY MERRY,
+             AND ALL OUR MEN WERE DRINKING.
+  CUTTER.    ONE MAN OF MINE.
+  DOGREL.    TWO MEN OF MINE.
+  BLADE.     THREE MEN OF MINE.
+  CUTTER.    AND ONE MAN OF MINE.
+  OMNES.     AS WE WENT BY THE WAY WE WERE DRUNK, DRUNK, DAMNABLY
+             DRUNK, AND ALL OUR MEN WERE VERY VERY MERRY, &c.
+Such are the words, which are somewhat altered and amplified in
+the text.  The play was acted in presence of Charles II, then
+Prince of Wales, in 1641.  The catch in the text has been happily
+set to music.]
+
+As the chorus ended, there followed a loud and hearty laugh by
+way of cheers.  Attracted by sounds which were so congenial to my
+present feelings, I made towards the spot from which they came,--
+cautiously, however, for the downs, as had been repeatedly hinted
+to me, had no good name; and the attraction of the music, without
+rivalling that of the sirens in melody, might have been followed
+by similarly inconvenient consequences to an incautious amateur.
+
+I crept on, therefore, trusting that the sinuosities of the
+ground, broken as it was into knells and sand-pits, would permit
+me to obtain a sight of the musicians before I should be observed
+by them.  As I advanced, the old ditty was again raised.  The
+voices seemed those of a man and two boys; they were rough, but
+kept good time, and were managed with too much skill to belong to
+the ordinary country people.
+
+  Jack looked at the sun, and cried, Fire, fire, fire;
+  Tom stabled his keffel in Birkendale mire;
+  Jem started a calf, and halloo'd for a stag;
+  Will mounted a gate-post instead of his nag:
+  For all our men were very very merry,
+    And all our men were drinking;
+      There were two men of mine,
+      Three men of thine,
+  And three that belonged to old Sir Thom o' Lyne;
+  As they went to the ferry, they were very very merry,
+    For all our men were drinking.
+
+The voices, as they mixed in their several parts, and ran through
+them, untwisting and again entwining all the links of the merry
+old catch, seemed to have a little touch of the bacchanalian
+spirit which they celebrated, and showed plainly that the
+musicians were engaged in the same joyous revel as the MENYIE of
+old Sir Thom o' Lyne.  At length I came within sight of them,
+three in number, where they sat cosily niched into what you might
+call a BUNKER, a little sand-pit, dry and snug, and surrounded by
+its banks, and a screen of whins in full bloom.
+
+The only one of the trio whom I recognized as a personal
+acquaintance was the notorious little Benjie, who, having just
+finished his stave, was cramming a huge luncheon of pie-crust
+into his mouth with one hand, while in the other he held a
+foaming tankard, his eyes dancing with all the glee of a
+forbidden revel; and his features, which have at all times a
+mischievous archness of expression, confessing the full sweetness
+of stolen waters, and bread eaten in secret.
+
+There was no mistaking the profession of the male and female, who
+were partners with Benjie in these merry doings.  The man's long
+loose-bodied greatcoat (wrap-rascal as the vulgar term it), the
+fiddle-case, with its straps, which lay beside him, and a small
+knapsack which might contain his few necessaries; a clear grey
+eye; features which, in contending with many a storm, had not
+lost a wild and, careless expression of glee, animated at
+present, when he was exercising for his own pleasure the arts
+which he usually practised for bread,--all announced one of those
+peripatetic followers of Orpheus whom the vulgar call a
+strolling fiddler.  Gazing more attentively, I easily discovered
+that though the poor musician's eyes were open, their sense was
+shut, and that the ecstasy with which he turned them up to heaven
+only derived its apparent expression from his own internal
+emotions, but received no assistance from the visible objects
+around.  Beside him sat his female companion, in a man's hat, a
+blue coat, which seemed also to have been an article of male
+apparel, and a red petticoat.  She was cleaner, in person and in
+clothes, than such itinerants generally are; and, having been in
+her day a strapping BONA ROBA, she did not even yet neglect some
+attention to her appearance; wore a large amber necklace, and
+silver ear-rings, and had her laid fastened across her breast
+with a brooch of the same metal.
+
+The man also looked clean, notwithstanding the meanness of his
+attire, and had a decent silk handkerchief well knotted about his
+throat, under which peeped a clean owerlay.  His beard, also,
+instead of displaying a grizzly stubble, unmowed for several
+days, flowed in thick and comely abundance over the breast, to
+the length of six inches, and mingled with his hair, which was
+but beginning to exhibit a touch of age.  To sum up his
+appearance, the loose garment which I have described was secured
+around him by a large old-fashioned belt, with brass studs, in
+which hung a dirk, with a knife and fork, its usual
+accompaniments.  Altogether, there was something more wild and
+adventurous-looking about the man than I could have expected to
+see in an ordinary modern crowder; and the bow which he now and
+then drew across the violin, to direct his little choir, was
+decidedly that of no ordinary performer.
+
+You must understand that many of these observations were the
+fruits of after remark; for I had scarce approached so near as to
+get a distinct view of the party, when my friend Benjie's
+lurching attendant, which he calls by the appropriate name of
+Hemp, began to cock his tail and ears, and, sensible of my
+presence, flew, barking like a fury, to the place where I had
+meant to lie concealed till I heard another song.  I was obliged,
+however, to jump on my feet, and intimidate Hemp, who would
+otherwise have bit me, by two sound kicks on the ribs, which sent
+him howling back to his master.
+
+Little Benjie seemed somewhat dismayed at my appearance; but,
+calculating on my placability, and remembering, perhaps, that the
+ill-used Solomon was no palfrey of mine, he speedily affected
+great glee, and almost in one breath assured the itinerants that
+I was 'a grand gentleman, and had plenty of money, and was very
+kind to poor folk;' and informed me that this was 'Willie
+Steenson--Wandering Willie the best fiddler that ever kittled
+thairm with horse-hair.'
+
+The woman rose and curtsied; and Wandering Willie sanctioned his
+own praises with a nod, and the ejaculation, 'All is true that
+the little boy says.'
+
+I asked him if he was of this country.
+
+'THIS country!'  replied the blind man--'I am of every country in
+broad Scotland, and a wee bit of England to the boot.  But yet I
+am, in some sense, of this country; for I was born within hearing
+of the roar of Solway.  Will I give your honour a touch of the
+auld bread-winner?'
+
+He preluded as he spoke, in a manner which really excited my
+curiosity; and then, taking the old tune of Galashiels for his
+theme, he graced it with a number of wild, complicated, and
+beautiful variations; during which it was wonderful to observe
+how his sightless face was lighted up under the conscious pride
+and heartfelt delight in the exercise of his own very
+considerable powers.
+
+'What think you of that, now, for threescore and twa?'
+
+I expressed my surprise and pleasure.
+
+'A rant, man--an auld rant,' said Willie; 'naething like the
+music ye hae in your ballhouses and your playhouses in Edinbro';
+but it's weel aneugh anes in a way at a dykeside.  Here's another
+--it's no a Scotch tune, but it passes for ane--Oswald made it
+himsell, I reckon--he has cheated mony ane, but he canna cheat
+Wandering Willie,'
+
+He then played your favourite air of Roslin Castle, with a number
+of beautiful variations, some of which I am certain were almost
+extempore.
+
+'You have another fiddle there, my friend,' said I--'Have you a
+comrade?'  But Willie's ears were deaf, or his attention was
+still busied with the tune.
+
+The female replied in his stead, 'O aye, sir--troth we have a
+partner--a gangrel body like oursells.  No but my hinny might
+have been better if he had liked; for mony a bein nook in mony a
+braw house has been offered to my hinny Willie, if he wad but
+just bide still and play to the gentles.'
+
+'Whisht, woman!  whisht!'  said the blind man, angrily, shaking
+his locks; 'dinna deave the gentleman wi' your havers.  Stay in a
+house and play to the gentles!--strike up when my leddy pleases,
+and lay down the bow when my lord bids!  Na, na, that's nae life
+for Willie.  Look out, Maggie--peer out, woman, and see if ye can
+see Robin coming.  Deil be in him!  He has got to the lee-side of
+some smuggler's punch-bowl, and he wunna budge the night, I
+doubt.'
+
+'That is your consort's instrument,' said I--' Will you give me
+leave to try my skill?'  I slipped at the same time a shilling
+into the woman's hand.
+
+'I dinna ken whether I dare trust Robin's fiddle to ye,' said
+Willie, bluntly.  His wife gave him a twitch.  'Hout awa,
+Maggie,' he said in contempt of the hint; 'though the gentleman
+may hae gien ye siller, he may have nae bowhand for a' that, and
+I'll no trust Robin's fiddle wi' an ignoramus.  But that's no sae
+muckle amiss,' he added, as I began to touch the instrument; 'I
+am thinking ye have some skill o' the craft.'
+
+To confirm him in this favourable opinion, I began to execute
+such a complicated flourish as I thought must have turned
+Crowdero into a pillar of stone with envy and wonder.  I scaled
+the top of the finger-board, to dive at once to the bottom--
+skipped with flying fingers, like Timotheus, from shift to shift
+--struck arpeggios and harmonic tones, but without exciting any
+of the astonishment which I had expected.
+
+Willie indeed listened to me with considerable attention; but I
+was no sooner finished, than he immediately mimicked on his own
+instrument the fantastic complication of tones which I had
+produced, and made so whimsical a parody of my performance, that,
+although somewhat angry, I could not help laughing heartily, in
+which I was joined by Benjie, whose reverence for me held him
+under no restraint; while the poor dame, fearful, doubtless, of
+my taking offence at this familiarity, seemed divided betwixt her
+conjugal reverence for her Willie, and her desire to give him a
+hint for his guidance.
+
+At length the old man stopped of his own accord, and, as if he
+had sufficiently rebuked me by his mimicry, he said, 'But for a'
+that, ye will play very weel wi' a little practice and some gude
+teaching.  But ye maun learn to put the heart into it, man--to
+put the heart into it.'
+
+I played an air in simpler taste, and received more decided
+approbation.
+
+'That's something like it man.  Od, ye are a clever birkie!'
+
+The woman touched his coat again.  'The gentleman is a gentleman,
+Willie--ye maunna speak that gate to him, hinnie.'
+
+'The deevil I maunna!'  said Willie; 'and what for maunna I?--If
+he was ten gentles, he canna draw a bow like me, can he?'
+
+'Indeed I cannot, my honest friend,' said I; 'and if you will go
+with me to a house hard by, I would be glad to have a night with
+you.'
+
+Here I looked round, and observed Benjie smothering a laugh,
+which I was sure had mischief in it.  I seized him suddenly by
+the ear, and made him confess that he was laughing at the
+thoughts of the reception which a fiddler was likely to get from
+the Quakers at Mount Sharon.  I chucked him from me, not sorry
+that his mirth had reminded me in time of what I had for the
+moment forgotten; and invited the itinerant to go with me to
+Shepherd's Bush, from which I proposed to send word to Mr. Geddes
+that I should not return home that evening.  But the minstrel
+declined this invitation also.  He was engaged for the night, he
+said, to a dance in the neighbourhood, and vented a round
+execration on the laziness or drunkenness of his comrade, who had
+not appeared at the place of rendezvous.
+
+'I will go with you instead of him,' said I, in a sudden whim;
+'and I will give you a crown to introduce me as your comrade.'
+
+'YOU gang instead of Rob the Rambler!  My certie, freend, ye are
+no blate!'  answered Wandering Willie, in a tone which announced
+death to my frolic.
+
+But Maggie, whom the offer of the crown had not escaped, began to
+open on that scent with a maundering sort of lecture.  'Oh
+Willie!  hinny Willie, whan will ye learn to be wise?  There's a
+crown to be win for naething but saying ae man's name instead of
+anither.  And, wae's me!  I hae just a shilling of this
+gentleman's gieing, and a boddle of my ain; and ye wunna, bend
+your will sae muckle as to take up the siller that's flung at
+your feet!  Ye will die the death of a cadger's powney, in a
+wreath of drift!  and what can I do better than lie doun and die
+wi' you?  for ye winna let me win siller to keep either you or
+mysell leevin.'
+
+'Haud your nonsense tongue, woman,' said Willie, but less
+absolutely than before.  'Is he a real gentleman, or ane of the
+player-men?'
+
+'I'se uphaud him a real gentleman,' said the woman.
+
+'I'se uphaud ye ken little of the matter,' said Willie; 'let us
+see haud of your hand, neebor, gin ye like.
+
+I gave him my hand.  He said to himself, 'Aye, aye, here are
+fingers that have seen canny service.'  Then running his hand
+over my hair, my face, and my dress, he went on with his
+soliloquy; 'Aye, aye, muisted hair, braidclaith o' the best, and
+seenteen hundred linen on his back, at the least o' it.  And how
+do you think, my braw birkie, that you are to pass for a tramping
+fiddler?'
+
+'My dress is plain,' said I,--indeed I had chosen my most
+ordinary suit, out of compliment to my Quaker friends,--'and I
+can easily pass for a young farmer out upon a frolic.  Come, I
+will double the crown I promised you.'
+
+'Damn your crowns!'  said the disinterested man of music.  'I
+would like to have a round wi' you, that's certain;--but a
+farmer, and with a hand that never held pleugh-stilt or pettle,
+that will never do.  Ye may pass for a trades-lad from Dumfries,
+or a student upon the ramble, or the like o' that.  But hark ye,
+lad; if ye expect to be ranting among the queans o' lasses where
+ye are gaun, ye will come by the waur, I can tell ye; for the
+fishers are wild chaps, and will bide nae taunts.'
+
+I promised to be civil and cautious; and, to smooth the good
+woman, I slipped the promised piece into her hand.  The acute
+organs of the blind man detected this little manoeuvre.
+
+'Are ye at it again wi' the siller, ye jaud?  I'll be sworn ye
+wad rather hear ae twalpenny clink against another, than have a
+spring from Rory Dall, [Blind Rorie, a famous musician according
+to tradition.]  if he was-coming alive again anes errand.  Gang
+doun the gate to Lucky Gregson's and get the things ye want, and
+bide there till ele'en hours in the morn; and if you see Robin,
+send him on to me.'
+
+'Am I no gaun to the ploy, then?'  said Maggie, in a disappointed
+tone.
+
+'And what for should ye?'  said her lord and master; 'to dance a'
+night, I'se warrant, and no to be fit to walk your tae's-length
+the morn, and we have ten Scots miles afore us?  Na, na.  Stable
+the steed, and pit your wife to bed, when there's night wark to
+do.'
+
+'Aweel, aweel, Willie hinnie, ye ken best; but oh, take an unco
+care o' yoursell, and mind ye haena the blessing o' sight.'
+
+'Your tongue gars me whiles tire of the blessing of hearing,
+woman,' replied 'Willie, in answer to this tender exhortation.
+
+But I now put in for my interest.  'Hollo, good folks, remember
+that I am to send the boy to Mount Sharon, and if you go to the
+Shepherd's Bush, honest woman, how the deuce am I to guide the
+blind man where he is going?  I know little or nothing of the
+country.'
+
+'And ye ken mickle less of my hinnie, sir,' replied Maggie, 'that
+think he needs ony guiding; he's the best guide himsell that
+ye'll find between Criffell and Carlisle.  Horse-road and foot-
+path, parish-road and kirk-road, high-road and cross-road, he
+kens ilka foot of ground in Nithsdale.'
+
+'Aye, ye might have said in braid Scotland, gudewife,' added the
+fiddler.  'But gang your ways, Maggie, that's the first wise word
+ye hae spoke the day.  I wish it was dark night, and rain, and
+wind, for the gentleman's sake, that I might show him there is
+whiles when ane had better want een than have them; for I am as
+true a guide by darkness as by daylight.'
+
+Internally as well pleased that my companion was not put to give
+me this last proof of his skill, I wrote a note with a pencil,
+desiring Samuel to bring my horses at midnight, when I thought my
+frolic would be wellnigh over, to the place to which the bearer
+should direct him, and I sent little Benjie with an apology to
+the worthy Quakers.
+
+As we parted in different directions, the good woman said, 'Oh,
+sir, if ye wad but ask Willie to tell ye ane of his tales to
+shorten the gate!  He can speak like ony minister frae the
+pu'pit, and he might have been a minister himsell, but'--
+
+'Haud your tongue, ye fule!'  said Willie,--'But stay, Meg--gie
+me a kiss, ne maunna part in anger, neither.'--And thus our
+society separated.
+
+[It is certain that in many cases the blind have, by constant
+exercise of their other organs, learned to overcome a defect
+which one would think incapable of being supplied.  Every reader
+must remember the celebrated Blind Jack of Knaresborough, who
+lived by laying out roads.]
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XI
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+You are now to conceive us proceeding in our different directions
+across the bare downs.  Yonder flies little Benjie to the
+northward with Hemp scampering at his heels, both running as if
+for dear life so long as the rogue is within sight of his
+employer, and certain to take the walk very easy so soon as he is
+out of ken.  Stepping westward, you see Maggie's tall form and
+high-crowned hat, relieved by the fluttering of her plaid upon
+the left shoulder, darkening as the distance diminishes her size
+and as the level sunbeams begin to sink upon the sea.  She is
+taking her quiet journey to the Shepherd's Bush.
+
+Then, stoutly striding over the lea, you have a full view of
+Darsie Latimer, with his new acquaintance, Wandering Willie, who,
+bating that he touched the ground now and then with his staff,
+not in a doubtful groping manner, but with the confident air of
+an experienced pilot, heaving the lead when he has the soundings
+by heart, walks as firmly and boldly as if he possessed the eyes
+of Argus.  There they go, each with his violin slung at his back,
+but one of them at least totally ignorant whither their course is
+directed.
+
+And wherefore did you enter so keenly into such a mad frolic?
+says my wise counsellor.--Why, I think, upon the whole, that as a
+sense of loneliness, and a longing for that kindness which is
+interchanged in society, led me to take up my temporary residence
+at Mount Sharon, the monotony of my life there, the quiet
+simplicity of the conversation of the Geddeses, and the
+uniformity of their amusements and employments, wearied out my
+impatient temper, and prepared me for the first escapade which
+chance might throw in my way.
+
+What would I have given that I could have procured that solemn
+grave visage of thine, to dignify this joke, as it has done full
+many a one of thine own!  Thou hast so happy a knack of doing the
+most foolish things in the wisest manner, that thou mightst pass
+thy extravagances for rational actions, even in the eyes of
+Prudence herself.
+
+From the direction which my guide observed, I began to suspect
+that the dell at Brokenburn was our probable destination; and it
+became important to me to consider whether I could, with
+propriety, or even perfect safety, intrude myself again upon the
+hospitality of my former host.  I therefore asked Willie whether
+we were bound for the laird's, as folk called him.
+
+'Do ye ken the laird?'  said Willie, interrupting a sonata of
+Corelli, of which he had whistled several bars with great
+precision.
+
+'I know the laird a little,' said I; 'and therefore I was
+doubting whether I ought to go to his town in disguise.'
+
+'I should doubt, not a little only, but a great deal, before I
+took ye there, my chap,' said Wandering Willie; 'for I am
+thinking it wad be worth little less than broken banes baith to
+you and me.  Na, na, chap, we are no ganging to the laird's, but
+to a blithe birling at the Brokenburn-foot, where there will be
+mony a braw lad and lass; and maybe there may be some of the
+laird's folks, for he never comes to sic splores himsell.  He is
+all for fowling-piece and salmon-spear, now that pike and musket
+are out of the question.'
+
+'He has been at soldier, then?'  said I.
+
+'I'se warrant him a soger,' answered Willie; 'but take my advice,
+and speer as little about him as he does about you.  Best to let
+sleeping dogs lie.  Better say naething about the laird, my man,
+and tell me instead, what sort of a chap ye are that are sae
+ready to cleik in with an auld gaberlunzie fiddler?  Maggie says
+ye're gentle, but a shilling maks a' the difference that Maggie
+kens between a gentle and a semple, and your crowns wad mak ye a
+prince of the blood in her een.  But I am ane that ken full weel
+that ye may wear good claithes, and have a saft hand, and yet
+that may come of idleness as weel as gentrice.'
+
+I told him my name, with the same addition I had formerly given
+to Mr. Joshua Geddes; that I was a law-student, tired of my
+studies, and rambling about for exercise and amusement.
+
+'And are ye in the wont of drawing up wi' a' the gangrel bodies
+that ye meet on the high-road, or find cowering in a sand-bunker
+upon the links?'  demanded Willie.
+
+'Oh, no; only with honest folks like yourself, Willie,' was my
+reply.
+
+'Honest folks like me!  How do ye ken whether I am honest, or
+what I am?  I may be the deevil himsell for what ye ken; for he
+has power to come disguised like an angel of light; and besides
+he is a prime fiddler.  He played a sonata to Corelli, ye ken.'
+
+There was something odd in this speech, and the tone in which it
+was said.  It seemed as if my companion was not always in his
+constant mind, or that he was willing to try if he could frighten
+me.  I laughed at the extravagance of his language, however, and
+asked him in reply, if he was fool enough to believe that the
+foul fiend would play so silly a masquerade.
+
+'Ye ken little about it--little about it,' said the old man,
+shaking his head and beard, and knitting his brows, 'I could tell
+ye something about that.'
+
+What his wife mentioned of his being a tale-teller, as well as a
+musician, now occurred to me; and as you know I like tales of
+superstition, I begged to have a specimen of his talent as we
+went along.
+
+'It is very true,' said the blind man, 'that when I am tired of
+scraping thairm or singing ballants, I whiles mak a tale serve
+the turn among the country bodies; and I have some fearsome anes,
+that make the auld carlines shake on the settle, and the bits o'
+bairns skirl on their minnies out frae their beds.  But this that
+I am gaun to tell you was a thing that befell in our ain house in
+my father's time--that is, my father was then a hafflins callant;
+and I tell it to you that it may be a lesson to you, that are but
+a young, thoughtless chap, wha ye draw up wi' on a lonely road;
+for muckle was the dool and care that came o't to my gudesire.'
+
+He commenced his tale accordingly, in a distinct narrative tone
+of voice which he raised and depressed with considerable skill;
+at times sinking almost into a whisper, and turning his clear but
+sightless eyeballs upon my face, as if it had been possible for
+him to witness the impression which his narrative made upon my
+features.  I will not spare you a syllable of it, although it be
+of the longest; so I make a dash--and begin
+
+WANDERING WILLIE'S TALE.
+
+Ye maun have heard of Sir Robert Redgauntlet of that Ilk, who
+lived in these parts before the dear years.  The country will
+lang mind him; and our fathers used to draw breath thick if ever
+they heard him named.  He was out wi' the Hielandmen in
+Montrose's time; and again he was in the hills wi' Glencairn in
+the saxteen hundred and fifty-twa; and sae when King Charles the
+Second came in, wha was in sic favour as the Laird of
+Redgauntlet?  He was knighted at Lonon court, wi' the king's ain
+sword; and being a redhot prelatist, he came down here,
+rampauging like a lion, with commissions of lieutenancy (and of
+lunacy, for what I ken) to put down a' the Whigs and Covenanters
+in the country.  Wild wark they made of it; for the Whigs were as
+dour as the Cavaliers were fierce, and it was which should first
+tire the other.  Redgauntlet was ay for the strong hand; and his
+name is kend as wide in the country as Claverhouse's or Tam
+Dalyell's.  Glen, nor dargle, nor mountain, nor cave, could hide
+the puir hill-folk when Redgauntlet was out with bugle and
+bloodhound after them, as if they had been sae mony deer.  And
+troth when they fand them, they didna mak muckle mair ceremony
+than a Hielandman wi' a roebuck--it was just, 'Will ye tak the
+test?'--if not, 'Make ready--present--fire!'--and there lay the
+recusant.
+
+Far and wide was Sir Robert hated and feared.  Men thought he had
+a direct compact with Satan--that he was proof against steel--and
+that bullets happed aff his buff-coat like hailstanes from a
+hearth--that he had a mear that would turn a hare on the side of
+Carrifra-gawns [A precipitous side of a mountain in Moffatdale.]
+--and muckle to the same purpose, of whilk mair anon.  The best
+blessing they wared on him was, 'Deil scowp wi' Redgauntlet!'  He
+wasna a bad master to his ain folk, though, and was weel aneugh
+liked by his tenants; and as for the lackies and troopers that
+raid out wi' him to the persecutions, as the Whigs caa'd those
+killing times, they wad hae drunken themsells blind to his health
+at ony time.
+
+Now you are to ken that my gudesire lived on Redgauntlet's grund
+--they ca' the place Primrose Knowe.  We had lived on the grund,
+and under the Redgauntlets, since the riding days, and lang
+before.  It was a pleasant bit; and I think the air is callerer
+and fresher there than onywhere else in the country.  It's a'
+deserted now; and I sat on the broken door-cheek three days
+since, and was glad I couldna see the plight the place was in;
+but that's a' wide o' the mark.  There dwelt my gudesire, Steenie
+Steenson, a rambling, rattling chiel' he had been in his young
+days, and could play weel on the pipes; he was famous at 'Hoopers
+and Girders'--a' Cumberland couldna, touch him at 'Jockie
+Lattin'--and he had the finest finger for the back-lilt between
+Berwick and Carlisle.  The like o' Steenie wasna the sort that
+they made Whigs o'.  And so he became a Tory, as they ca' it,
+which we now ca' Jacobites, just out of a kind of needcessity,
+that he might belang to some side or other.  He had nae ill will
+to the Whig bodies, and liked little to see the blude rin,
+though, being obliged to follow Sir Robert in hunting and
+hoisting, watching and warding, he saw muckle mischief, and maybe
+did some, that he couldna avoid.
+
+Now Steenie was a kind of favourite with his master, and kend a'
+the folks about the castle, and was often sent for to play the
+pipes when they were at their merriment.  Auld Dougal MacCallum,
+the butler, that had followed Sir Robert through gude and ill,
+thick and thin, pool and stream, was specially fond of the pipes,
+and ay gae my gudesire his gude word wi' the laird; for Dougal
+could turn his master round his finger.
+
+Weel, round came the Revolution, and it had like to have broken
+the hearts baith of Dougal and his master.  But the change was
+not a'thegether sae great as they feared, and other folk thought
+for.  The Whigs made an unco crawing what they wad do with their
+auld enemies, and in special wi' Sir Robert Redgauntlet.  But
+there were ower mony great folks dipped in the same doings, to
+mak a spick and span new warld.  So Parliament passed it a' ower
+easy; and Sir Robert, bating that he was held to hunting foxes
+instead of Covenanters, remained just the man he was.  [The
+caution and moderation of King William III, and his principles of
+unlimited toleration, deprived the Cameronians of the opportunity
+they ardently desired, to retaliate the injuries which they had
+received during the reign of prelacy, and purify the land, as
+they called it, from the pollution of blood.  They esteemed the
+Revolution, therefore, only a half measure, which neither
+comprehended the rebuilding the Kirk in its full splendour, nor
+the revenge of the death of the Saints on their persecutors.]
+His revel was as loud, and his hall as weel lighted, as ever it
+had been, though maybe he lacked the fines of the nonconformists,
+that used to come to stock his larder and cellar; for it is
+certain he began to be keener about the rents than his tenants
+used to find him before, and they behoved to be prompt to the
+rent-day, or else the laird wasna pleased.  And he was sic an
+awsome body, that naebody cared to anger him; for the oaths he
+swore, and the rage that he used to get into, and the looks that
+he put on, made men sometimes think him a devil incarnate.
+
+Weel, my gudesire was nae manager--no that he was a very great
+misguider--but he hadna the saving gift, and he got twa terms'
+rent in arrear.  He got the first brash at Whitsunday put ower
+wi' fair word and piping; but when Martinmas came, there was a
+summons from the grund-officer to come wi' the rent on a day
+preceese, or else Steenie behoved to flit.  Sair wark he had to
+get the siller; but he was weel-freended, and at last he got the
+haill scraped thegether--a thousand merks--the maist of it was
+from a neighbour they ca'd Laurie Lapraik--a sly tod.  Laurie had
+walth o' gear--could hunt wi' the hound and rin wi' the hare--and
+be Whig or Tory, saunt or sinner, as the wind stood.  He was a
+professor in this Revolution warld, but he liked an orra sough of
+this warld, and a tune on the pipes weel aneugh at a bytime; and
+abune a', he thought he had gude security for the siller he lent
+my gudesire ower the stocking at Primrose Knowe.
+
+Away trots my gudesire to Redgauntlet Castle wi' a heavy purse
+and a light heart, glad to be out of the laird's danger.  Weel,
+the first thing he learned at the castle was, that Sir Robert had
+fretted himsell into a fit of the gout, because he did not appear
+before twelve' o'clock.  It wasna a'thegether for sake of the
+money, Dougal thought; but because he didna like to part wi' my
+gudesire aff the grund.  Dougal was glad to see Steenie, and
+brought him into the great oak parlour, and there sat the laird
+his leesome lane, excepting that he had beside him a great, ill-
+favoured jackanape, that was a special pet of his; a cankered
+beast it was, and mony an ill-natured trick it played--ill to
+please it was, and easily angered--ran about the haill castle,
+chattering and yowling, and pinching, and biting folk, specially
+before ill weather, or disturbances in the state.  Sir Robert
+caa'd it Major Weir, after the warlock that was burnt; [A
+celebrated wizard, executed at Edinburgh for sorcery and other
+crimes.]  and few folk liked either the name or the conditions of
+the creature--they thought there was something in it by ordinar--
+and my gudesire was not just easy in mind when the door shut on
+him, and he saw himself in the room wi' naebody but the laird,
+Dougal MacCallum, and the major, a thing that hadna chanced to
+him before.
+
+Sir Robert sat, or, I should say, lay, in a great armed chair,
+wi' his grand velvet gown, and his feet on a cradle; for he had
+baith gout and gravel, and his face looked as gash and ghastly as
+Satan's.  Major Weir sat opposite to him, in a red laced coat,
+and the laird's wig on his head; and ay as Sir Robert girned wi'
+pain, the jackanape girned too, like a sheep's-head between a
+pair of tangs--an ill-faur'd, fearsome couple they were.  The
+laird's buff-coat was hung on a pin behind him, and his
+broadsword and his pistols within reach; for he keepit up the
+auld fashion of having the weapons ready, and a horse saddled day
+and night, just as he used to do when he was able to loup on
+horseback, and away after ony of the hill-folk he could get
+speerings of.  Some said it was for fear of the Whigs taking
+vengeance, but I judge it was just his auld custom--he wasna,
+gien to fear onything.  The rental-book, wi' its black cover and
+brass clasps, was lying beside him; and a book of sculduddry
+sangs was put betwixt the leaves, to keep it open at the place
+where it bore evidence against the Goodman of Primrose Knowe, as
+behind the hand with his mails and duties.  Sir Robert gave my
+gudesire a look, as if he would have withered his heart in his
+bosom.  Ye maun ken he had a way of bending his brows, that men
+saw the visible mark of a horseshoe in his forehead, deep dinted,
+as if it had been stamped there.
+
+'Are ye come light-handed, ye son of a toom whistle?'  said Sir
+Robert.  'Zounds!  if you are'--
+
+My gudesire, with as gude acountenance as he could put on, made a
+leg, and placed the bag of money on the table wi' a dash, like a
+man that does something clever.  The laird drew it to him
+hastily--'Is it all here, Steenie, man?'
+
+'Your honour will find it right,' said my gudesire.
+
+'Here, Dougal,' said the laird, 'gie Steenie a tass of brandy
+downstairs, till I count the siller and write the receipt.'
+
+But they werena weel out of the room, when Sir Robert gied a
+yelloch that garr'd the castle rock.  Back ran Dougal--in flew
+the livery-men--yell on yell gied the laird, ilk ane mair awfu'
+than the ither.  My gudesire knew not whether to stand or flee,
+but he ventured back into the parlour, where a' was gaun hirdy-
+girdie--naebody to say 'come in,' or 'gae out.'  Terribly the
+laird roared for cauld water to his feet, and wine to cool his
+throat; and Hell, hell, hell, and its flames, was ay the word in
+his mouth.  They brought him water, and when they plunged his
+swollen feet into the tub, he cried out it was burning; and folk
+say that it DID bubble and sparkle like a seething cauldron.  He
+flung the cup at Dougal's head, and said he had given him blood
+instead of burgundy; and, sure aneugh, the lass washed clotted
+blood aff the carpet; the neist day.  The jackanape they caa'd
+Major Weir, it jibbered and cried as if it was mocking its
+master; my gudesire's head was like to turn--he forgot baith
+siller and receipt, and downstairs he banged; but as he ran, the
+shrieks came faint and fainter; there was a deep-drawn shivering
+groan, and word gaed through the castle that the laird was dead.
+
+Weel, away came my gudesire, wi' his finger in his mouth, and his
+best hope was that Dougal had seen the money-bag, and heard the
+laird speak of writing the receipt.  The young laird, now Sir
+John, came from Edinburgh, to see things put to rights.  Sir John
+and his father never gree'd weel.  Sir John had been bred an
+advocate, and afterwards sat in the last Scots Parliament and
+voted for the Union, having gotten, it was thought, a rug of the
+compensations--if his father could have come out of his grave, he
+would have brained him for it on his awn hearthstane.  Some
+thought it was easier counting with the auld rough knight than
+the fair-spoken young ane--but mair of that anon.
+
+Dougal MacCallum, poor body, neither grat nor grained, but gaed
+about the house looking like a corpse, but directing, as was his
+duty, a' the order of the grand funeral.  Now Dougal looked ay
+waur and waur when night was coming, and was ay the last to gang
+to his bed, whilk was in a little round just opposite the chamber
+of dais, whilk his master occupied while he was living, and where
+he now lay in state, as they caa'd it, weel-a-day!  The night
+before the funeral, Dougal could keep his awn counsel nae langer;
+he came doun with his proud spirit, and fairly asked auld
+Hutcheon to sit in his room with him for an hour.  When they were
+in the round, Dougal took ae tass of brandy to himsell, and gave
+another to Hutcheon, and wished him all health and lang life, and
+said that, for himsell, he wasna lang for this world; for that,
+every night since Sir Robert's death, his silver call had sounded
+from the state chamber, just as it used to do at nights in his
+lifetime, to call Dougal to help to turn him in his bed.  Dougal
+said that being alone with the dead on that floor of the tower
+(for naebody cared to wake Sir Robert Redgauntlet like another
+corpse) he had never daured to answer the call, but that now his
+conscience checked him for neglecting his duty; for, 'though
+death breaks service,' said MacCallum, 'it shall never break my
+service to Sir Robert; and I will answer his next whistle, so be
+you will stand by me, Hutcheon.'
+
+Hutcheon had nae will to the wark, but he had stood by Dougal in
+battle and broil, and he wad not fail him at this pinch; so down
+the carles sat ower a stoup of brandy, and Hutcheon, who was
+something of a clerk, would have read a chapter of the Bible; but
+Dougal would hear naething but a blaud of Davie Lindsay, whilk
+was the waur preparation.
+
+When midnight came, and the house was quiet as the grave, sure
+enough the silver whistle sounded as sharp and shrill as if Sir
+Robert was blowing it, and up got the twa auld serving-men, and
+tottered into the room where the dead man lay.  Hutcheon saw
+aneugh at the first glance; for there were torches in the room,
+which showed him the foul fiend, in his ain shape, sitting on the
+laird's coffin!  Ower he cowped as if he had been dead.  He could
+not tell how lang he lay in a trance at the door, but when he
+gathered himself, he cried on his neighbour, and getting nae
+answer, raised the house, when Dougal was found lying dead within
+twa steps of the bed where his master's coffin was placed.  As
+for the whistle, it was gaen anes and ay; but mony a time was it
+heard at the top of the house on the bartizan, and amang the auld
+chimneys and turrets where the howlets have their nests.  Sir
+John hushed the matter up, and the funeral passed over without
+mair bogle-wark.
+
+But when a' was ower, and the laird was beginning to settle his
+affairs, every tenant was called up for his arrears, and my
+gudesire for the full sum that stood against him in the rental-
+book.  Weel, away he trots to the castle, to tell his story, and
+there he is introduced to Sir John, sitting in his father's
+chair, in deep mourning, with weepers and hanging cravat, and a
+small wallring rapier by his side, instead of the auld broadsword
+that had a hundredweight of steel about it, what with blade,
+chape, and basket-hilt.  I have heard their communing so often
+tauld ower, that I almost think I was there mysell, though I
+couldna be born at the time.  (In fact, Alan, my companion
+mimicked, with a good deal of humour, the flattering,
+conciliating tone of the tenant's address, and the hypocritical
+melancholy of the laird's reply.  His grandfather, he said, had,
+while he spoke, his eye fixed on the rental-book, as if it were a
+mastiff-dog that he was afraid would spring up and bite him).
+
+'I wuss ye joy, sir, of the head seat, and the white loaf, and
+the braid lairdship.  Your father was a kind man to friends and
+followers; muckle grace to you, Sir John, to fill his shoon--his
+boots, I suld say, for he seldom wore shoon, unless it were muils
+when he had the gout.'
+
+'Aye, Steenie,' quoth the laird, sighing deeply, and putting his
+napkin to his een, 'his was a sudden call, and he will be missed
+in the country; no time to set his house in order--weel prepared
+Godward, no doubt, which is the root of the matter--but left us
+behind a tangled heap to wind, Steenie.--Hem!  hem!  We maun go
+to business, Steenie; much to do, and little time to do it in.'
+
+Here he opened the fatal volume.  I have heard of a thing they
+call Doomsday Book--I am clear it has been a rental of back-
+ganging tenants.
+
+'Stephen,' said Sir John, still in the same soft, sleekit tone of
+voice--'Stephen Stevenson, or Steenson, ye are down here for a
+year's rent behind the hand--due at last term.'
+
+STEPHEN.  'Please your honour, Sir John, I paid it to your
+father.'
+
+SIR JOHN.  'Ye took a receipt, then, doubtless, Stephen; and can
+produce it?'
+
+STEPHEN.  'Indeed I hadna time, an it like your honour; for nae
+sooner had I set doun the siller, and just as his honour, Sir
+Robert, that's gaen, drew it till him to count it, and write out
+the receipt, he was ta'en wi' the pains that removed him.'
+
+'That was unlucky,' said Sir John, after a pause.  'But ye maybe
+paid it in the presence of somebody, I want but a TALIS QUALIS
+evidence, Stephen.  I would go ower strictly to work with no poor
+man.'
+
+STEPHEN.  'Troth, Sir John, there was naebody in the room but
+Dougal MacCallum the butler.  But, as your honour kens, he has
+e'en followed his auld master.
+
+'Very unlucky again, Stephen,' said Sir John, without altering
+his voice a single note.  (The man to whom ye paid the money is
+dead--and the man who witnessed the payment is dead too--and the
+siller, which should have been to the fore, is neither seen nor
+heard tell of in the repositories.  How am I to believe a' this?'
+
+STEPHEN.  'I dinna, ken, your honour; but there is a bit
+memorandum note of the very coins; for, God help me!  I had to
+borrow out of twenty purses; and I am sure that ilka man there
+set down will take his grit oath for what purpose I borrowed the
+money.'
+
+SIR JOHN.  'I have little doubt ye BORROWED the money, Steenie.
+It is the PAYMENT to my father that I want to have some proof
+of.'
+
+STEPHEN.  'The siller maun be about the house, Sir John.  And
+since your honour never got it, and his honour that was canna
+have taen it wi' him, maybe some of the family may have seen it.'
+
+SIR JOHN.  'We will examine the servants, Stephen; that is but
+reasonable.'
+
+But lackey and lass, and page and groom, all denied stoutly that
+they had ever seen such a bag of money as my gudesire described.
+What was waur, he had unluckily not mentioned to any living soul
+of them his purpose of paying his rent.  Ae quean had noticed
+something under his arm, but she took it for the pipes.
+
+Sir John Redgauntlet ordered the servants out of the room, and
+then said to my gudesire, 'Now, Steenie, ye see ye have fair
+play; and, as I have little doubt ye ken better where to find the
+siller than ony other body, I beg, in fair terms, and for your
+own sake, that you will end this fasherie; for, Stephen, ye maun
+pay or flit.'
+
+'The Lord forgie your opinion,' said Stephen, driven almost to
+his wit's end--'I am an honest man.'
+
+'So am I, Stephen,' said his honour; 'and so are all the folks in
+the house, I hope.  But if there be a knave amongst us, it must
+be he that tells the story he cannot prove.'  He paused, and then
+added, mair sternly, 'If I understand your trick, sir, you want
+to take advantage of some malicious reports concerning things in
+this family, and particularly respecting my father's sudden
+death, thereby to cheat me out of the money, and perhaps take
+away my character, by insinuating that I have received the rent I
+am demanding.  Where do you suppose this money to be?  I insist
+upon knowing.'
+
+My gudesire saw everything look so muckle against him, that he
+grew nearly desperate--however, he shifted from one foot to
+another, looked to every corner of the room, and made no answer.
+
+'Speak out, sirrah,' said the laird, assuming a look of his
+father's, a very particular ane, which he had when he was angry--
+it seemed as if the wrinkles of his frown made that selfsame
+fearful shape of a horse's shoe in the middle of his brow;--
+'Speak out, sir!  I WILL know your thoughts;--do you suppose that
+I have this money?'
+
+'Far be it frae me to say so,' said Stephen.
+
+'Do you charge any of my people with having taken it?'
+
+'I wad be laith to charge them that may be innocent,' said my
+gudesire; 'and if there be any one that is guilty, I have nae
+proof.'
+
+'Somewhere the money must be, if there is a word of truth in your
+story,' said Sir John; 'I ask where you think it is--and demand a
+correct answer?'
+
+'In HELL, if you will have my thoughts of it,' said my gudesire,
+driven to extremity, 'in hell!  with your father, his jackanape,
+and his silver whistle.'
+
+Down the stairs he ran (for the parlour was nae place for him
+after such a word) and he heard the laird swearing blood and
+wounds behind him, as fast; as ever did Sir Robert, and roaring
+for the bailie and the baron-officer.
+
+Away rode my gudesire to his chief creditor (him they ca'd Laurie
+Lapraik) to try if he could make onything out of him; but when he
+tauld his story, he got but the worst word in his wame--thief,
+beggar, and dyvour, were the saftest terms; and to the boot of
+these hard terms, Laurie brought up the auld story of his dipping
+his hand in the blood of God's saunts, just as if a tenant could
+have helped riding with the laird, and that a laird like Sir
+Robert Redgauntlet.  My gudesire was, by this time, far beyond
+the bounds of patience, and, while he and Laurie were at deil
+speed the liars, he was wanchancie aneugh to abuse Lapraik's
+doctrine as weel as the man, ond said things that garr'd folks'
+flesh grue that heard them;--he wasna just himsell, and he had
+lived wi' a wild set in his day.
+
+At last they parted, and my gudesire was to ride hame through the
+wood of Pitmurkie, that is a' fou of black firs, as they say.--I
+ken the wood, but the firs may be black or white for what I can
+tell.--At the entry of the wood there is a wild common, and on
+the edge of the common, a little lonely change-house, that was
+keepit then by an ostler-wife, they suld hae caa'd her Tibbie
+Faw, and there puir Steenie cried for a mutchkin of brandy, for
+he had had no refreshment the haill day.  Tibbie was earnest wi'
+him to take a bite of meat, but he couldna think o't, nor would
+he take his foot out of the stirrup, and took off the brandy
+wholely at twa draughts, and named a toast at each:--the first
+was the memory of Sir Robert Redgauntlet, and might he never lie
+quiet in his grave till he had righted his poor bond-tenant; and
+the second was a health to Man's Enemy, if he would but get him
+back the pock of siller or tell him what came o't, for he saw the
+haill world was like to regard him as a thief and a cheat, and he
+took that waur than even the ruin of his house and hauld.
+
+On he rode, little caring where.  It was a dark night turned, and
+the trees made it yet darker, and he let the beast take its ain
+road through the wood; when all of a sudden, from tired and
+wearied that it was before, the nag began to spring and flee, and
+stend, that my gudesire could hardly keep the saddle.  Upon the
+whilk, a horseman, suddenly riding up beside him, said, 'That's a
+mettle beast of yours, freend; will you sell him?'  So saying, he
+touched the horse's neck with his riding-wand, and it fell into
+its auld heigh-ho of a stumbling trot.  'But his spunk's soon out
+of him, I think,' continued the stranger, 'and that is like mony
+a man's courage, that thinks he wad do great things till he come
+to the proof.'
+
+My gudesire scarce listened to this, but spurred his horse, with
+'Gude e'en to you, freend.'
+
+But it's like the stranger was ane that doesna lightly yield his
+point; for, ride as Steenie liked, be was ay beside him at the
+selfsame pace.  At last my gudesire, Steenie Steenson, grew half
+angry, and, to say the truth, half feared.
+
+'What is it that ye want with me, freend?'  he said.  'If ye be a
+robber, I have nae money; if ye be a leal man, wanting company, I
+have nae heart to mirth or speaking; and if ye want to ken the
+road, I scarce ken it mysell.'
+
+'If you will tell me your grief,' said the stranger, 'I am one
+that, though I have been sair miscaa'd in the world, am the only
+hand for helping my freends.'
+
+So my gudesire, to ease his ain heart, mair than from any hope of
+help, told him the story from beginning to end.
+
+'It's a hard pinch,' said the stranger; 'but I think I can help
+you.'
+
+'If you could lend the money, sir, and take a lang day--I ken nae
+other help on earth,' said my gudesire.
+
+'But there may be some under the earth,' said the stranger.
+'Come, I'll be frank wi' you; I could lend you the money on bond,
+but you would maybe scruple my terms.  Now, I can tell you, that
+your auld laird is disturbed in his grave by your curses, and the
+wailing of your family, and if ye daur venture to go to see him,
+he will give you the receipt.'
+
+My gudesire's hair stood on end at this proposal, but he thought
+his companion might be some humoursome chield that was trying to
+frighten him, and might end with lending him the money.  Besides,
+he was bauld wi' brandy, and desperate wi' distress; and he said
+he had courage to go to the gate of hell, and a step farther, for
+that receipt.  The stranger laughed.
+
+Weel, they rode on through the thickest of the wood, when, all of
+a sudden, the horse stopped at the door of a great house; and,
+but that he knew the place was ten miles off, my father would
+have thought he was at Redgauntlet Castle.  They rode into the
+outer courtyard, through the muckle faulding yetts and aneath the
+auld portcullis; and the whole front of the house was lighted,
+and there were pipes and fiddles, and as much dancing and deray
+within as used to be at Sir Robert's house at Pace and Yule, and
+such high seasons.  They lap off, and my gudesire, as seemed to
+him, fastened his horse to the very ring he had tied him to that
+morning, when he gaed to wait on the young Sir John.
+
+'God!'  said my gudesire, 'if Sir Robert's death be but a dream!'
+
+He knocked at the ha' door just as he was wont, and his auld
+acquaintance, Dougal MacCallum--just after his wont, too,--came
+to open the door, and said, 'Piper Steenie, are ye there, lad?
+Sir Robert has been crying for you.'
+
+My gudesire was like a man in a dream--he looked for the
+stranger, but he was gane for the time.  At last he just tried to
+say, 'Ha!  Dougal Driveower, are ye living?  I thought ye had
+been dead.'
+
+'Never fash yoursell wi' me,' said Dougal, 'but look to yoursell;
+and see ye tak naethlng frae ony body here, neither meat, drink,
+or siller, except just the receipt that is your ain.'
+
+So saying, he led the way out through halls and trances that were
+weel kend to my gudesire, and into the auld oak parlour; and
+there was as much singing of profane sangs, and birling of red
+wine, and speaking blasphemy and sculduddry, as had ever been in
+Redgauntlet Castle when it was at the blithest.
+
+But, Lord take us in keeping, what a set of ghastly revellers
+they were that sat around that table!  My gudesire kend mony that
+had long before gane to their place, for often had he piped to
+the most part in the hall of Redgauntlet.  There was the fierce
+Middleton, and the dissolute Rothes, and the crafty Lauderdale;
+and Dalyell, with his bald head and a beard to his girdle; and
+Earlshall, with Cameron's blude on his hand; and wild Bonshaw,
+that tied blessed Mr. Cargill's limbs till the blude sprung; and
+Dunbarton Douglas, the twice-turned traitor baith to country and
+king.  There was the Bluidy Advocate MacKenyie, who, for his
+worldly wit and wisdom had been to the rest as a god.  And there
+was Claverhouse, as beautiful as when he lived, with his long,
+dark, curled locks streaming down over his laced buff-coat, and
+his left hand always on his right spule-blade, to hide the wound
+that the silver bullet had made.  [See Note 2.]  He sat apart
+from them all, and looked at them with a melancholy, haughty
+countenance; while the rest hallooed, and sang, and laughed, that
+the room rang.  But their smiles were fearfully contorted from
+time to time; and their laugh passed into such wild sounds as
+made my gudesire's very nails grow blue, and chilled the marrow
+in his banes.
+
+They that waited at the table were just the wicked serving-men
+and troopers, that had done their work and cruel bidding on
+earth.  There was the Lang Lad of the Nethertown, that helped to
+take Argyle; and the bishop's summoner, that they called the
+Deil's Rattle-bag; and the wicked guardsmen in their laced coats;
+and the savage Highland Amorites, that shed blood like water; and
+many a proud serving-man, haughty of heart and bloody of hand,
+cringing to the rich, and making them wickeder than they would
+be; grinding the poor to powder, when the rich had broken them to
+fragments.  And mony, mony mair were coming and ganging, a' as
+busy in their vocation as if they had been alive.
+
+Sir Robert Redgauntlet, in the midst of a' this fearful riot,
+cried, wi' a voice like thunder, on Steenie Piper to come to the
+board-head where he was sitting; his legs stretched out before
+him, and swathed up with flannel, with his holster pistols aside
+him, while the great broadsword rested against his chair, just as
+my gudesire had seen him the last time upon earth--the very
+cushion for the jackanape was close to him, but the creature
+itself was not there--it wasna its hour, it's likely; for he
+heard them say as he came forward, 'Is not the major come yet?'
+And another answered, 'The jackanape will be here betimes the
+morn.'  And when my gudesire came forward, Sir Robert, or his
+ghaist, or the deevil in his likeness, said, 'Weel, piper, hae ye
+settled wi' my son for the year's rent?'
+
+With much ado my father gat breath to say that Sir John would not
+settle without his honour's receipt.
+
+'Ye shall hae that for a tune of the pipes, Steenie,' said the
+appearance of Sir Robert--'Play us up "Weel hoddled, Luckie".'
+
+Now this was a tune my gudesire learned frae a warlock, that
+heard it when they were worshipping Satan at their meetings, and
+my gudesire had sometimes played it at the ranting suppers in
+Redgauntlet Castle, but never very willingly; and now he grew
+cauld at the very name of it, and said, for excuse, he hadna his
+pipes wi' him.
+
+'MacCallum, ye limb of Beelzebub,' said the fearfu' Sir Robert,
+'bring Steenie the pipes that I am keeping for him!'
+
+MacCallum brought a pair of pipes might have served the piper of
+Donald of the Isles.  But he gave my gudesire a nudge as he
+offered them; and looking secretly and closely, Steenie saw that
+the chanter was of steel, and heated to a white heat; so he had
+fair warning not to trust his fingers with it.  So he excused
+himself again, and said he was faint and frightened, and had not
+wind aneugh to fill the bag.
+
+'Then ye maun eat and drink, Steenie,' said the figure; 'for we
+do little else here; and it's ill speaking between a fou man and
+a fasting.'
+
+Now these were the very words that the bloody Earl of Douglas
+said to keep the king's messenger in hand while he cut the head
+off MacLellan of Bombie, at the Threave Castle, [The reader is
+referred for particulars to Pitscottie's HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.]
+and that put Steenie mair and mair on his guard.  So he spoke up
+like a man, and said he came neither to eat, or drink.  or make
+minstrelsy; but simply for his ain--to ken what was come o' the
+money he had paid, and to get a discharge for it; and he was so
+stout-hearted by this time that he charged Sir Robert for
+conscience-sake (he had no power to say the holy name) and as he
+hoped for peace and rest, to spread no snares for him, but just
+to give him his ain.
+
+The appearance gnashed its teeth and laughed, but it took from a
+large pocket-book the receipt, and handed it to Steenie.  'There
+is your receipt, ye pitiful cur; and for the money, my dog-whelp
+of a son may go look for it in the Cat's Cradle.'
+
+My gudesire uttered mony thanks, and was about to retire when Sir
+Robert roared aloud, 'Stop, though, thou sack-doudling son of a
+whore!  I am not done with thee.  HERE we do nothing for nothing;
+and you must return on this very day twelvemonth, to pay your
+master the homage that you owe me for my protection.'
+
+My father's tongue was loosed of a suddenty, and he said aloud,
+'I refer mysell to God's pleasure, and not to yours.'
+
+He had no sooner uttered the word than all was dark around him;
+and he sank on the earth with such a sudden shock, that he lost
+both breath and sense.
+
+How lang Steenie lay there, he could not tell; but when he came
+to himsell, he was lying in the auld kirkyard of Redgauntlet
+parochine just at the door of the family aisle, and the scutcheon
+of the auld knight, Sir Robert, hanging over his head.  There was
+a deep morning fog on grass and gravestane around him, and his
+horse was feeding quietly beside the minister's twa cows.
+Steenie would have thought the whole was a dream, but he had the
+receipt in his hand, fairly written and signed by the auld laird;
+only the last letters of his name were a little disorderly,
+written like one seized with sudden pain.
+
+Sorely troubled in his mind, he left that dreary place, rode
+through the mist to Redgauntlet Castle, and with much ado he got
+speech of the laird.
+
+'Well, you dyvour bankrupt,' was the first word, 'have you
+brought me my rent?'
+
+'No,' answered my gudesire, 'I have not; but I have brought your
+honour Sir Robert's receipt for it.'
+
+'Wow, sirrah?  Sir Robert's receipt!  You told me he had not
+given you one.'
+
+'Will your honour please to see if that bit line is right?'
+
+Sir John looked at every line, and at every letter, with much
+attention; and at last, at the date, which my gudesire had not
+observed,--'FROM MY APPOINTED PLACE," he read, 'THIS TWENTY-FIFTH
+OF NOVEMBER.'--'What!--That is yesterday!--Villain, thou must
+have gone to hell for this!'
+
+'I got it from your honour's father--whether he be in heaven or
+hell, I know not,' said Steenie.
+
+'I will delate you for a warlock to the Privy Council!'  said Sir
+John.  'I will send you to your master, the devil, with the help
+of a tar-barrel and a torch!'
+
+'I intend to delate mysell to the Presbytery,' said Steenie, 'and
+tell them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for
+them to judge of than a borrel man like me.'
+
+Sir John paused, composed himsell, and desired to hear the full
+history; and my gudesire told it him from point to point, as I
+have told it you--word for word, neither more nor less,
+
+Sir John was silent again for a long time, and at last he said,
+very composedly, 'Steenie, this story of yours concerns the
+honour of many a noble family besides mine; and if it be a
+leasing-making, to keep yourself out of my danger, the least you
+can expect is to have a redhot iron driven through your tongue,
+and that will be as bad as scauding your fingers wi' a redhot
+chanter.  But yet it may be true, Steenie; and if the money cast
+up I shall not know what to think of it.  But where shall we find
+the Cat's Cradle?  There are cats enough about the old house, but
+I think they kitten without the ceremony of bed or cradle.'
+
+'We were best ask Hutcheon,' said my gudesire; 'he kens a' the
+odd corners about as weel as--another serving-man that is now
+gane, and that I wad not like to name.'
+
+Aweel, Hutcheon, when he was asked, told them, that a ruinous
+turret, lang disused, next to the clock-house, only accessible by
+a ladder, for the opening was on the outside, and far above the
+battlements, was called of old the Cat's Cradle.
+
+'There will I go immediately,' said Sir John; and he took (with
+what purpose, Heaven kens) one of his father's pistols from the
+hall-table, where they had lain since the night he died, and
+hastened to the battlements.
+
+It was a dangerous place to climb, for the ladder was auld and
+frail, and wanted ane or twa rounds.  However, up got Sir John,
+and entered at the turret-door, where his body stopped the only
+little light that was in the bit turret.  Something flees at him
+wi' a vengeance, maist dang him back ower--bang gaed the knight's
+pistol, and Hutcheon, that held the ladder, and my gudesire that
+stood beside him, hears a loud skelloch.  A minute after, Sir
+John flings the body of the jackanape down to them, and cries
+that the siller is fund, and that they should come up and help
+him.  And there was the bag of siller sure aneugh, and mony orra
+thing besides, that had been missing for mony a day.  And Sir
+John, when he had riped the turret weel, led my gudesire into the
+dining-parlour, and took him by the hand and spoke kindly to him,
+and said he was sorry he should have doubted his word and that he
+would hereafter be a good master to him to make amends.
+
+'And now, Steenie,' said Sir John, 'although this vision of yours
+tend, on the whole, to my father's credit, as an honest man, that
+he should, even after his death, desire to see justice done to a
+poor man like you, yet you are sensible that ill-dispositioned
+men might make bad constructions upon it, concerning his soul's
+health.  So, I think, we had better lay the haill dirdum on that
+ill-deedie creature, Major Weir, and say naething about your
+dream in the wood of Pitmurkie.  You had taken ower muckle brandy
+to be very certain about onything; and, Steenie, this receipt'
+(his hand shook while he held it out),--'it's but a queer kind of
+document, and we will do best, I think, to put it quietly in the
+fire.'
+
+'Od, but for as queer as it is, it's a' the voucher I have for my
+rent,' said my gudesire, who was afraid, it may be, of losing the
+benefit of Sir Robert's discharge.
+
+'I will bear the contents to your credit in the rental-book, and
+give you a discharge under my own hand,' said Sir John, 'and that
+on the spot.  And, Steenie, if you can hold your tongue about
+this matter, you shall sit, from this term downward, at an easier
+rent.'
+
+'Mony thanks to your honour,' said Steenie, who saw easily in
+what corner the wind was; 'doubtless I will be comformable to all
+your honour's commands; only I would willingly speak wi' some
+powerful minister on the subject, for I do not like the sort of
+sommons of appointment whilk your honour's father'--
+
+'Do not call the phantom my father!'  said Sir John, interrupting
+him.
+
+'Weel, then, the thing that was so like him,' said my gudesire;
+'he spoke of my coming back to see him this time twelvemonth, and
+it's a weight on my conscience.'
+
+'Aweel, then,' said Sir John, 'if you be so much distressed in
+mind, you may speak to our minister of the parish; he is a douce
+man, regards the honour of our family, and the mair that he may
+look for some patronage from me.'
+
+Wi' that, my father readily agreed that the receipt should be
+burnt, and the laird threw it into the chimney with his ain hand.
+Burn it would not for them, though; but away it flew up the lum,
+wi' a lang train of sparks at its tail, and a hissing noise like
+a squib.
+
+My gudesire gaed down to the Manse, and the minister, when he had
+heard the story, said it was his real opinion that though my
+gudesire had gaen very far in tampering with dangerous matters,
+yet, as he had refused the devil's arles (for such was the offer
+of meat and drink) and had refused to do homage by piping at his
+bidding, he hoped, that if he held a circumspect walk hereafter,
+Satan could take little advantage by what was come and gane.
+And, indeed, my gudesire, of his ain accord, lang foreswore baith
+the pipes and the brandy--it was not even till the year was out,
+and the fatal day past, that he would so much as take the fiddle,
+or drink usquebaugh or tippeny.
+
+Sir John made up his story about the jackanape as he liked
+himsell; and some believe till this day there was no more in the
+matter than the filching nature of the brute.  Indeed, ye'll no
+hinder some to threap that it was nane o' the auld Enemy that
+Dougal and my gudesire saw in the laird's room, but only that
+wanchancy creature, the major, capering on the coffin; and that,
+as to the blawing on the laird's whistle that was heard after he
+was dead, the filthy brute could do that as weel as the laird
+himsell, if no better.  But Heaven kens the truth, whilk first
+came out by the minister's wife, after Sir John and her ain
+gudeman were baith in the moulds.  And then my gudesire, wha was
+failed in his limbs, but not in his judgement or memory--at least
+nothing to speak of--was obliged to tell the real narrative to
+his friends, for the credit of his good name.  He might else have
+been charged for a warlock.  [See Note 3.]
+
+The shades of evening were growing thicker around us as my
+conductor finished his long narrative with this moral--'Ye see,
+birkie, it is nae chancy thing to tak a stranger traveller for a
+guide, when you are in an uncouth land.'
+
+'I should not have made that inference,' said I.  'Your
+grandfather's adventure was fortunate for himself, whom it saved
+from ruin and distress; and fortunate for his landlord also, whom
+it prevented from committing a gross act of injustice.'
+
+'Aye, but they had baith to sup the sauce o't sooner or later,'
+said Wandering Willie--'what was fristed wasna forgiven.  Sir
+John died before he was much over three-score; and it was just
+like of a moment's illness.  And for my gudesire, though he
+departed in fullness of life, yet there was my father, a yauld
+man of forty-five, fell down betwixt the stilts of his pleugh,
+and rase never again, and left nae bairn but me, a puir
+sightless, fatherless, motherless creature, could neither work
+nor want.  Things gaed weel aneugh at first; for Sir Redwald
+Redgauntlet, the only son of Sir John, and the oye of auld Sir
+Robert, and, waes me!  the last of the honourable house, took the
+farm aff our hands, and brought me into his household to have
+care of me.  He liked music, and I had the best teachers baith
+England and Scotland could gie me.  Mony a merry year was I wi'
+him; but waes me!  he gaed out with other pretty men in the
+Forty-five--I'll say nae mair about it--My head never settled
+weel since I lost him; and if I say another word about it, deil a
+bar will I have the heart to play the night.--Look out, my gentle
+chap,' he resumed in a different tone, 'ye should see the lights
+at Brokenburn glen by this time.'
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XII
+
+THE SAME TO THE SAME
+
+  Tam Luter was their minstrel meet,
+    Gude Lord as he could lance,
+  He play'd sae shrill, and sang sae sweet,
+    Till Towsie took a trance.
+  Auld Lightfoot there he did forleet,
+    And counterfeited France;
+  He used himself as man discreet,
+    And up took Morrice danse sae loud,
+  At Christ's Kirk on the Green that day.
+                                     KING JAMES I.
+
+I continue to scribble at length, though the subject may seem
+somewhat deficient in interest.  Let the grace of the narrative,
+therefore, and the concern we take in each other's matters, make
+amends for its tenuity.  We fools of fancy who suffer ourselves,
+like Malvolio, to be cheated with our own visions, have,
+nevertheless, this advantage over the wise ones of the earth,
+that we have our whole stock of enjoyments under our own command,
+and can dish for ourselves an intellectual banquet with most
+moderate assistance from external objects.  It is, to be sure,
+something like the feast which the Barmecide served up to
+Alnaschar; and we cannot expect to get fat upon such diet.  But
+then, neither is there repletion nor nausea, which often succeed
+the grosser and more material revel.  On the whole, I still pray,
+with the Ode to Castle Building--
+
+  Give me thy hope which sickens not the heart;
+    Give me thy wealth which has no wings to fly;
+  Give me the bliss thy visions can impart:
+    Thy friendship give me, warm in poverty!
+
+And so, despite thy solemn smile and sapient shake of the head, I
+will go on picking such interest as I can out of my trivial
+adventures, even though that interest should be the creation of
+my own fancy; nor will I cease to indict on thy devoted eyes the
+labour of perusing the scrolls in which I shall record my
+narrative.
+
+My last broke off as we were on the point of descending into the
+glen at Brokenburn, by the dangerous track which I had first
+travelled EN CROUPE, behind a furious horseman, and was now again
+to brave under the precarious guidance of a blind man.
+
+It was now getting dark; but this was no inconvenience to my
+guide, who moved on, as formerly, with instinctive security of
+step, so that we soon reached the bottom, and I could see lights
+twinkling in the cottage which had been my place of refuge on a
+former occasion.  It was not thither, however, that our course
+was directed.  We left the habitation of the laird to the left,
+and turning down the brook, soon approached the small hamlet
+which had been erected at the mouth of the stream, probably on
+account of the convenience which it afforded as a harbour to the
+fishing-boats.  A large, low cottage, full in our front, seemed
+highly illuminated; for the light not only glanced from every
+window and aperture in its frail walls, but was even visible from
+rents and fractures in the roof, composed of tarred shingles,
+repaired in part by thatch and divot.
+
+While these appearances engaged my attention, that of my
+companion was attracted by a regular succession of sounds, like a
+bouncing on the floor, mixed with a very faint noise of music,
+which Willie's acute organs at once recognized and accounted for,
+while to me it was almost inaudible.  The old man struck the
+earth with his staff in a violent passion.  'The whoreson fisher
+rabble!  They have brought another violer upon my walk!  They are
+such smuggling blackguards, that they must run in their very
+music; but I'll sort them waur than ony gauger in the country.--
+Stay--hark--it 's no a fiddle neither--it's the pipe and tabor
+bastard, Simon of Sowport, frae the Nicol Forest; but I'll pipe
+and tabor him!--Let me hae ance my left hand on his cravat, and
+ye shall see what my right will do.  Come away, chap--come away,
+gentle chap--nae time to be picking and waling your steps.'  And
+on he passed with long and determined strides, dragging me along
+with him.
+
+I was not quite easy in his company; for, now that his minstrel
+pride was hurt, the man had changed from the quiet, decorous, I
+might almost say respectable person, which he seemed while he
+told his tale, into the appearance of a fierce, brawling,
+dissolute stroller.  So that when he entered the large hut, where
+a great number of fishers, with their wives and daughters, were
+engaged in eating, drinking, and dancing, I was somewhat afraid
+that the impatient violence of my companion might procure us an
+indifferent reception.
+
+But the universal shout of welcome with which Wandering Willie
+was received--the hearty congratulations--the repeated 'Here's t'
+ye, Willie!'--'Where hae ya been, ye blind deevil?'  and the call
+upon him to pledge them--above all, the speed with which the
+obnoxious pipe and tabor were put to silence, gave the old man
+such effectual assurance of undiminished popularity and
+importance, as at once put his jealousy to rest, and changed his
+tone of offended dignity into one better fitted to receive such
+cordial greetings.  Young men and women crowded round, to tell
+how much they were afraid some mischance had detained him, and
+how two or three young fellows had set out in quest of him.
+
+'It was nae mischance, praised be Heaven,' said Willie, 'but the
+absence of the lazy loon Rob the Rambler, my comrade, that didna
+come to meet me on the Links; but I hae gotten a braw consort in
+his stead, worth a dozen of him, the unhanged blackguard.'
+
+'And wha is't tou's gotten, Wullie, lad?'  said half a score of
+voices, while all eyes were turned on your humble servant, who
+kept the best countenance he could, though not quite easy at
+becoming the centre to which all eyes were pointed.
+
+'I ken him by his hemmed cravat,' said one fellow; 'it's Gil
+Hobson, the souple tailor frae Burgh.  Ye are welcome to
+Scotland, ye prick-the-clout loon,' he said, thrusting forth a
+paw; much the colour of a badger's back, and of most portentous
+dimensions.
+
+'Gil Hobson?  Gil whoreson!'  exclaimed Wandering Willie; 'it's a
+gentle chap that I judge to be an apprentice wi' auld Joshua
+Geddes, to the quaker-trade.'
+
+'What trade be's that, man?'  said he of the badger-coloured
+fist.
+
+'Canting and lying,'--said Willie, which produced a thundering
+laugh; 'but I am teaching the callant a better trade, and that
+is, feasting and fiddling.'
+
+Willie's conduct in thus announcing something like my real
+character, was contrary to compact; and yet I was rather glad he
+did so, for the consequence of putting a trick upon these rude
+and ferocious men, might, in case of discovery, have been
+dangerous to us both, and I was at the same time delivered from
+the painful effort to support a fictitious character.  The good
+company, except perhaps one or two of the young women whose looks
+expressed some desire for better acquaintance, gave themselves no
+further trouble about me; but, while the seniors resumed their
+places near an immense bowl or rather reeking cauldron of brandy-
+punch, the younger arranged themselves on the floor and called
+loudly on Willie to strike up.
+
+With a brief caution to me, to 'mind my credit, for fishers have
+ears, though fish have none,' Willie led off in capital style,
+and I followed, certainly not so as to disgrace my companion,
+who, every now and then, gave me a nod of approbation.  The
+dances were, of course, the Scottish jigs, and reels, and
+'twasome dances', with a strathspey or hornpipe for interlude;
+and the want of grace on the part of the performers was amply
+supplied by truth of ear, vigour and decision of step, and the
+agility proper to the northern performers.  My own spirits rose
+with the mirth around me, and with old Willie's admirable
+execution, and frequent 'weel dune, gentle chap, yet;'--and, to
+confess the truth, I felt a great deal more pleasure in this
+rustic revel, than I have done at the more formal balls and
+concerts in your famed city, to which I have sometimes made my
+way.  Perhaps this was because I was a person of more importance
+to the presiding matron of Brokenburn-foot, than I had the means
+of rendering myself to the far-famed Miss Nickie Murray, the
+patroness of your Edinburgh assemblies.  The person I mean was a
+buxom dame of about thirty, her fingers loaded with many a silver
+ring, and three or four of gold; her ankles liberally displayed
+from under her numerous blue, white, and scarlet; short
+petticoats, and attired in hose of the finest and whitest lamb's-
+wool, which arose from shoes of Spanish cordwain, fastened with
+silver buckles.  She took the lead in my favour, and declared,
+'that the brave young gentleman should not weary himself to death
+wi' playing, but take the floor for a dance or twa.'
+
+'And what's to come of me, Dame Martin?'  said Willie.
+
+'Come o' thee?'  said the dame; 'mishanter on the auld beard o'
+ye!  ye could play for twenty hours on end, and tire out the
+haill countryside wi' dancing before ye laid down your bow,
+saving for a by-drink or the like o' that.'
+
+'In troth, dame,' answered Willie, 'ye are no sae far wrang; sae
+if my comrade is to take his dance, ye maun gie me my drink, and
+then bob it away like Madge of Middlebie.'
+
+The drink was soon brought; but while Willie was partaking of it,
+a party entered the hut, which arrested my attention at once, and
+intercepted the intended gallantry with which I had proposed to
+present my hand to the fresh-coloured, well-made, white-ankled
+Thetis, who had obtained me manumission from my musical task.
+
+This was nothing less than the sudden appearance of the old woman
+whom the laird had termed Mabel; Cristal Nixon, his male
+attendant; and the young person who had said grace to us when I
+supped with him.
+
+This young person--Alan, thou art in thy way a bit of a conjurer
+--this young person whom I DID NOT describe, and whom you, for
+that very reason, suspected was not an indifferent object to me
+--is, I am sorry to say it, in very fact not so much so as in
+prudence she ought.  I will not use the name of love on this
+occasion; for I have applied it too often to transient whims and
+fancies to escape your satire, should I venture to apply it now.
+For it is a phrase, I must confess, which I have used--a romancer
+would say, profaned--a little too often, considering how few
+years have passed over my head.  But seriously, the fair chaplain
+of Brokenburn has been often in my head when she had no business
+there; and if this can give thee any clue for explaining my
+motives in lingering about the country, and assuming the
+character of Willie's companion, why, hang thee, thou art welcome
+to make use of it--a permission for which thou need'st not thank
+me much, as thou wouldst not have failed to assume it whether it
+were given or no.
+
+Such being my feelings, conceive how they must have been excited,
+when, like a beam upon a cloud, I saw this uncommonly beautiful
+girl enter the apartment in which they were dancing; not,
+however, with the air of an equal, but that of a superior, come
+to grace with her presence the festival of her dependants.  The
+old man and woman attended, with looks as sinister as hers were
+lovely, like two of the worst winter months waiting upon the
+bright-eyed May.
+
+When she entered--wonder if thou wilt--she wore A GREEN MANTLE,
+such as thou hast described as the garb of thy fair client, and
+confirmed what I had partly guessed from thy personal
+description, that my chaplain and thy visitor were the same
+person.  There was an alteration on her brow the instant she
+recognized me.  She gave her cloak to her female attendant, and,
+after a momentary hesitation, as if uncertain whether to advance
+or retire, she walked into the room with dignity and composure,
+all making way, the men unbonneting, and the women curtsying
+respectfully, as she assumed a chair which was reverently placed
+for her accommodation, apart from others.
+
+There was then a pause, until the bustling mistress of the
+ceremonies, with awkward but kindly courtesy, offered the young
+lady a glass of wine, which was at first declined, and at length
+only thus far accepted, that, bowing round to the festive
+company, the fair visitor wished them all health and mirth, and
+just touching the brim with her lip, replaced it on the salver.
+There was another pause; and I did not immediately recollect,
+confused as I was by this unexpected apparition, that it belonged
+to me to break it.  At length a murmur was heard around me, being
+expected to exhibit,--nay, to lead down the dance,--in
+consequence of the previous conversation.
+
+'Deil's in the fiddler lad,' was muttered from more quarters than
+one--'saw folk ever sic a thing as a shame-faced fiddler before?'
+
+At length a venerable Triton, seconding his remonstrances with a
+hearty thump on my shoulder, cried out, 'To the floor--to the
+floor, and let us see how ye can fling--the lasses are a'
+waiting.'
+
+Up I jumped, sprang from the elevated station which constituted
+our orchestra, and, arranging my ideas as rapidly as I could,
+advanced to the head of the room, and, instead of offering my
+hand to the white-footed Thetis aforesaid, I venturously made the
+same proposal to her of the Green Mantle.
+
+The nymph's lovely eyes seemed to open with astonishment at the
+audacity of this offer; and, from the murmurs I heard around me,
+I also understood that it surprised, and perhaps offended, the
+bystanders.  But after the first moment's emotion, she wreathed
+her neck, and drawing herself haughtily up, like one who was
+willing to show that she was sensible of the full extent of her
+own condescension, extended her hand towards me, like a princess
+gracing a squire of low degree.
+
+There is affectation in all this, thought I to myself, if the
+Green Mantle has borne true evidence--for young ladies do not
+make visits, or write letters to counsel learned in the law, to
+interfere in the motions of those whom they hold as cheap as this
+nymph seems to do me; and if I am cheated by a resemblance of
+cloaks, still I am interested to show myself, in some degree,
+worthy of the favour she has granted with so much state and
+reserve.  The dance to be performed was the old Scots Jig, in
+which you are aware I used to play no sorry figure at La Pique's,
+when thy clumsy movements used to be rebuked by raps over the
+knuckles with that great professor's fiddlestick.  The choice of
+the tune was left to my comrade Willie, who, having finished his
+drink, feloniously struck up the well-known and popular measure,
+
+  Merrily danced the Quaker's wife,
+  And merrily danced the Quaker.
+
+An astounding laugh arose at my expense, and I should have been
+annihilated, but that the smile which mantled on the lip of my
+partner, had a different expression from that of ridicule, and
+seemed to say, 'Do not take this to heart.'  And I did not, Alan
+--my partner danced admirably, and I like one who was determined,
+if outshone, which I could not help, not to be altogether thrown
+into the shade.
+
+I assure you our performance, as well as Willie's music, deserved
+more polished spectators and auditors; but we could not then have
+been greeted with such enthusiastic shouts of applause as
+attended while I handed my partner to her seat, and took my place
+by her side, as one who had a right to offer the attentions usual
+on such an occasion.  She was visibly embarrassed, but I was
+determined not to observe her confusion, and to avail myself of
+the opportunity of learning whether this beautiful creature's
+mind was worthy of the casket in which nature had lodged it.
+
+Nevertheless, however courageously I formed this resolution, you
+cannot but too well guess the difficulties I must needs have felt
+in carrying it into execution; since want of habitual intercourse
+with the charmers of the other sex has rendered me a sheepish
+cur, only one grain less awkward than thyself.  Then she was so
+very beautiful, and assumed an air of so much dignity, that I was
+like to fall under the fatal error of supposing she should only
+be addressed with something very clever; and in the hasty raking
+which my brains underwent in this persuasion, not a single idea
+occurred that common sense did not reject as fustian on the one
+hand, or weary, flat, and stale triticism on the other.  I felt
+as if my understanding were no longer my own, but was alternately
+under the dominion of Aldeborontiphoscophornio, and that of his
+facetious friend Rigdum-Funnidos.  How did I envy at that moment
+our friend Jack Oliver, who produces with such happy complacence
+his fardel of small talk, and who, as he never doubts his own
+powers of affording amusement, passes them current with every
+pretty woman he approaches, and fills up the intervals of chat by
+his complete acquaintance with the exercise of the fan, the
+FLACON, and the other duties of the CAVALIERE SERVENTE.  Some of
+these I attempted, but I suppose it was awkwardly; at least the
+Lady Green Mantle received them as a princess accepts the homage
+of a clown.
+
+Meantime the floor remained empty, and as the mirth of the good
+meeting was somewhat checked, I ventured, as a DERNIER RESSORT,
+to propose a minuet.  She thanked me, and told me haughtily
+enough, 'she was here to encourage the harmless pleasures of
+these good folks, but was not disposed to make an exhibition of
+her own indifferent dancing for their amusement.'
+
+She paused a moment, as if she expected me to suggest something;
+and as I remained silent and rebuked, she bowed her head more
+graciously, and said, 'Not to affront you, however, a country-
+dance, if you please.'
+
+What an ass was I, Alan, not to have anticipated her wishes!
+Should I not have observed that the ill-favoured couple, Mabel
+and Cristal, had placed themselves on each side of her seat, like
+the supporters of the royal arms?  the man, thick, short, shaggy,
+and hirsute, as the lion; the female, skin-dried, tight-laced,
+long, lean, and hungry-faced, like the unicorn.  I ought to have
+recollected, that under the close inspection of two such watchful
+salvages, our communication, while in repose, could not have been
+easy; that the period of dancing a minuet was not the very
+choicest time for conversation; but that the noise, the exercise,
+and the mazy confusion of a country-dance, where the
+inexperienced performers were every now and then running against
+each other, and compelling the other couples to stand still for a
+minute at a time, besides the more regular repose afforded by the
+intervals of the dance itself, gave the best possible openings
+for a word or two spoken in season, and without being liable to
+observation.
+
+We had but just led down, when an opportunity of the kind
+occurred, and my partner said, with great gentleness and modesty,
+'It is not perhaps very proper in me to acknowledge an
+acquaintance that is not claimed; but I believe I speak to Mr.
+Darsie Latimer?'
+
+'Darsie Latimer was indeed the person that had now the honour and
+happiness'--
+
+I would have gone on in the false gallop of compliment, but she
+cut me short.  'And why,' she said, 'is Mr. Latimer here, and in
+disguise, or at least assuming an office unworthy of a man of
+education?--I beg pardon,' she continued,--'I would not give you
+pain, but surely making, an associate of a person of that
+description'--
+
+She looked towards my friend Willie, and was silent.  I felt
+heartily ashamed of myself, and hastened to say it was an idle
+frolic, which want of occupation had suggested, and which I could
+not regret, since it had procured me the pleasure I at present
+enjoyed.
+
+Without seeming to notice my compliment, she took the next
+opportunity to say, 'Will Mr. Latimer permit a stranger who
+wishes him well to ask, whether it is right that, at his active
+age, he should be in so far void of occupation, as to be ready to
+adopt low society for the sake of idle amusement?'
+
+'You are severe, madam,' I answered; 'but I cannot think myself
+degraded by mixing with any society where I meet'--
+
+Here I stopped short, conscious that I was giving my answer an
+unhandsome turn.  The ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM, the last to which a
+polite man has recourse, may, however, be justified by
+circumstances, but seldom or never the ARGUMENTUM AD FOEMINAM.
+
+She filled up the blank herself which I had left.  'Where you
+meet ME, I suppose you would say?  But the case is different.  I
+am, from my unhappy fate, obliged to move by the will of others,
+and to be in places which I would by my own will gladly avoid.
+Besides, I am, except for these few minutes, no participator of
+the revels--a spectator only, and attended by my servants.  Your
+situation is different--you are here by choice, the partaker and
+minister of the pleasures of a class below you in education,
+birth, and fortunes.  If I speak harshly, Mr. Latimer,' she
+added, with much sweetness of manner, 'I mean kindly.'
+
+I was confounded by her speech, 'severe in youthful wisdom'; all
+of naive or lively, suitable to such a dialogue, vanished from my
+recollection, and I answered with gravity like her own, 'I am,
+indeed, better educated than these poor people; but you, madam,
+whose kind admonition I am grateful for, must know more of my
+condition than I do myself--I dare not say I am their superior in
+birth, since I know nothing of my own, or in fortunes, over which
+hangs an impenetrable cloud.'
+
+'And why should your ignorance on these points drive you into low
+society and idle habits?'  answered my female monitor.  'Is it
+manly to wait till fortune cast her beams upon you, when by
+exertion of your own energy you might distinguish yourself?  Do
+not the pursuits of learning lie open to you--of manly ambition
+--of war?  But no--not of war, that has already cost you too
+dear.'
+
+'I will be what you wish me to be,' I replied with eagerness--
+'You have but to choose my path, and you shall see if I do not
+pursue it with energy, were it only because you command me.'
+
+'Not because I command you,' said the maiden, 'but because
+reason, common sense, manhood, and, in one word, regard for your
+own safety, give the same counsel.'
+
+'At least permit me to reply, that reason and sense never assumed
+a fairer form--of persuasion,' I hastily added; for she turned
+from me--nor did she give me another opportunity of continuing
+what I had to say till the next pause of the dance, when,
+determined to bring our dialogue to a point, I said, 'You
+mentioned manhood also, and in the same breath, personal danger.
+My ideas of manhood suggest that it is cowardice to retreat
+before dangers of a doubtful character.  You, who appear to know
+so much of my fortunes that I might call you my guardian angel,
+tell me what these dangers are, that I may judge whether manhood
+calls on me to face or to fly them.'
+
+She was evidently perplexed by this appeal.
+
+'You make me pay dearly for acting as your humane adviser,' she
+replied at last:  'I acknowledge an interest in your fate, and
+yet I dare not tell you whence it arises; neither am I at liberty
+to say why, or from whom, you are in danger; but it is not less
+true that danger is near and imminent.  Ask me no more, but, for
+your own sake, begone from this country.  Elsewhere you are safe
+--here you do but invite your fate.'
+
+'But am I doomed to bid thus farewell to almost the only human
+being who has showed an interest in my welfare?  Do not say so--
+say that we shall meet again, and the hope shall be the leading
+star to regulate my course!'
+
+'It is more than probable,' she said--'much more than probable,
+that we may never meet again.  The help which I now render you is
+all that may be in my power; it is such as I should render to a
+blind man whom I might observe approaching the verge of a
+precipice; it ought to excite no surprise, and requires no
+gratitude.'
+
+So saying, she again turned from me, nor did she address me until
+the dance was on the point of ending, when she said, 'Do not
+attempt to speak to or approach me again in the course of the
+night; leave the company as soon as you can, but not abruptly,
+and God be with you.'
+
+I handed her to her seat, and did not quit the fair palm I held,
+without expressing my feelings by a gentle pressure.  She
+coloured slightly, and withdrew her hand, but not angrily.
+Seeing the eyes of Cristal and Mabel sternly fixed on me, I bowed
+deeply, and withdrew from her; my heart saddening, and my eyes
+becoming dim in spite of me, as the shifting crowd hid us from
+each other.
+
+It was my intention to have crept back to my comrade Willie, and
+resumed my bow with such spirit as I might, although, at the
+moment, I would have given half my income for an instant's
+solitude.  But my retreat was cut off by Dame Martin, with the
+frankness--if it is not an inconsistent phrase-of rustic
+coquetry, that goes straight up to the point.
+
+'Aye, lad, ye seem unco sune weary, to dance sae lightly?  Better
+the nag that ambles a' the day, than him that makes a brattle for
+a mile, and then's dune wi' the road.'
+
+This was a fair challenge, and I could not decline accepting it.
+Besides, I could see Dame Martin was queen of the revels; and so
+many were the rude and singular figures about me, that I was by
+no means certain whether I might not need some protection.  I
+seized on her willing hand, and we took our places in the dance,
+where, if I did not acquit myself with all the accuracy of step
+and movement which I had before attempted, I at least came up to
+the expectations of my partner, who said, and almost swore, 'I
+was prime at it;' while, stimulated to her utmost exertions, she
+herself frisked like a kid, snapped her fingers like castanets,
+whooped like a Bacchanal, and bounded from the floor like a
+tennis-ball,--aye, till the colour of her garters was no
+particular mystery.  She made the less secret of this, perhaps,
+that they were sky-blue, and fringed with silver.
+
+The time has been that this would have been special fun; or
+rather, last night was the only time I can recollect these four
+years when it would not have been so; yet, at this moment, I
+cannot tell you how I longed to be rid of Dame Martin.  I almost
+wished she would sprain one of those 'many-twinkling' ankles,
+which served her so alertly; and when, in the midst of her
+exuberant caprioling, I saw my former partner leaving the
+apartment, and with eyes, as I thought, turning towards me, this
+unwillingness to carry on the dance increased to such a point,
+that I was almost about to feign a sprain or a dislocation
+myself, in order to put an end to the performance.  But there
+were around me scores of old women, all of whom looked as if they
+might have some sovereign recipe for such an accident; and,
+remembering Gil Blas, and his pretended disorder in the robber's
+cavern, I thought it as wise to play Dame Martin fair, and dance
+till she thought proper to dismiss me.  What I did I resolved to
+do strenuously, and in the latter part of the exhibition I cut
+and sprang from the floor as high and as perpendicularly as Dame
+Martin herself; and received, I promise you, thunders of
+applause, for the common people always prefer exertion and
+agility to grace.  At length Dame Martin could dance no more,
+and, rejoicing at my release, I led her to a seat, and took the
+privilege of a partner to attend her.
+
+'Hegh, sirs,' exclaimed Dame Martin, 'I am sair forfoughen!
+Troth!  callant, I think ye hae been amaist the death o' me.'
+
+I could only atone for the alleged offence by fetching her some
+refreshment, of which she readily partook.
+
+'I have been lucky in my partners,' I said, 'first that pretty
+young lady, and then you, Mrs, Martin.'
+
+'Hout wi' your fleeching,' said Dame Martin.  'Gae wa--gae wa,
+lad; dinna blaw in folk's lugs that gate; me and Miss Lilias
+even'd thegither!  Na, na, lad--od, she is maybe four or five
+years younger than the like o' me,--bye and attour her gentle
+havings.'
+
+'She is the laird's daughter?'  said I, in as careless a tone of
+inquiry as I could assume.
+
+'His daughter, man?  Na, na, only his niece--and sib aneugh to
+him, I think.'
+
+'Aye, indeed,' I replied; 'I thought she had borne his name?'
+
+'She bears her ain name, and that's Lilias.'
+
+'And has she no other name?'  asked I.
+
+'What needs she another till she gets a gudeman?'  answered my
+Thetis, a little miffed perhaps--to use the women's phrase--that
+I turned the conversation upon my former partner, rather than
+addressed it to herself.
+
+There was a little pause, which was interrupted by Dame Martin
+observing, 'They are standing up again.'
+
+'True,' said I, having no mind to renew my late violent CAPRIOLE,
+and I must go help old Willie.'
+
+Ere I could extricate myself, I heard poor Thetis address herself
+to a sort of merman in a jacket of seaman's blue, and a pair of
+trousers (whose hand, by the way, she had rejected at an earlier
+part of the evening) and intimate that she was now disposed to
+take a trip.
+
+'Trip away, then, dearie,' said the vindictive man of the waters,
+without offering his hand; 'there,' pointing to the floor, 'is a
+roomy berth for you.'
+
+Certain I had made one enemy, and perhaps two, I hastened to my
+original seat beside Willie, and began to handle my bow.  But I
+could see that my conduct had made an unfavourable impression;
+the words, 'flory conceited chap,'--'hafflins gentle,' and at
+length, the still more alarming epithet of 'spy,' began to be
+buzzed about, and I was heartily glad when the apparition of
+Sam's visage at the door, who was already possessed of and
+draining a can of punch, gave me assurance that my means of
+retreat were at hand.  I intimated as much to Willie, who
+probably had heard more of the murmurs of the company than I had,
+for he whispered, 'Aye, aye,--awa wi' ye--ower lang here--slide
+out canny--dinna let them see ye are on the tramp.'
+
+I slipped half a guinea into the old man's hand, who answered,
+'Truts pruts!  nonsense but I 'se no refuse, trusting ye can
+afford it.  Awa wi' ye--and if ony body stops ye, cry on me.'
+
+I glided, by his advice, along the room as if looking for a
+partner, joined Sam, whom I disengaged with some difficulty from
+his can, and we left the cottage together in a manner to attract
+the least possible observation.  The horses were tied in a
+neighbouring shed, and as the moon was up, and I was now familiar
+with the road, broken and complicated as it is, we soon reached
+the Shepherd's Bush, where the old landlady was sitting up
+waiting for us, under some anxiety of mind, to account for which
+she did not hesitate to tell me that some folks had gone to
+Brokenburn from her house, or neighbouring towns, that did not
+come so safe back again.  'Wandering Willie,' she said, 'was
+doubtless a kind of protection.'
+
+Here Willie's wife, who was smoking in the chimney corner, took
+up the praises of her 'hinnie,' as she called him, and
+endeavoured to awaken my generosity afresh, by describing the
+dangers from which, as she was pleased to allege, her husband's
+countenance had assuredly been the means of preserving me.  I was
+not, however, to be fooled out of more money at this time, and
+went to bed in haste, full of vanous cogitations.
+
+I have since spent a couple of days betwixt Mount Sharon and this
+place, and betwixt reading, writing to thee this momentous
+history, forming plans for seeing the lovely Lilias, and--partly,
+I think, for the sake of contradiction--angling a little in spite
+of Joshua'a scruples--though I am rather liking the amusement
+better as I begin to have some success in it.
+
+And now, my dearest Alan, you are in full possession of my
+secret--let me as frankly into the recesses of your bosom.  How
+do you feel towards this fair ignis fatuus, this lily of the
+desert?  Tell me honestly; for however the recollection of her
+may haunt my own mind, my love for Alan Fairford surpasses the
+love of woman, I know, too, that when you DO love, it will be to
+
+  Love once and love no more.
+
+A deep-consuming passion, once kindled in a breast so steady as
+yours, would never be extinguished but with life.  I am of
+another and more volatile temper, and though I shall open your
+next with a trembling hand and uncertain heart, yet let it bring
+a frank confession that this fair unknown has made a deeper
+impression on your gravity than you reckoned for, and you will
+see I can tear the arrow from my own wound, barb and all.  In the
+meantime, though I have formed schemes once more to see her, I
+will, you may rely on it, take no step for putting them into
+practice.  I have refrained from this hitherto, and I give you my
+word of honour, I shall continue to do so; yet why should you
+need any further assurance from one who is so entirely yours as
+D.L.
+
+PS.--I shall be on thorns till I receive your answer.  I read,
+and re-read your letter, and cannot for my soul discover what
+your real sentiments are.  Sometimes I think you write of her as
+one in jest--and sometimes I think that cannot be.  Put me at
+ease as soon as possible.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER XIII
+
+ALAN FAIRFORD TO DARSIE LATIMER
+
+I write on the instant, as you direct; and in a tragi-comic
+humour, for I have a tear in my eye and a smile on my cheek.
+Dearest Darsie, sure never a being but yourself could be so
+generous--sure never a being but yourself could be so absurd!  I
+remember when you were a boy you wished to make your fine new
+whip a present to old Aunt Peggy, merely because she admired it;
+and now, with like unreflecting and inappropriate liberality, you
+would resign your beloved to a smoke-dried young sophister, who
+cares not one of the hairs which it is his occupation to split,
+for all the daughters of Eve.  I in love with your Lilias--your
+Green Mantle--your unknown enchantress!--why I scarce saw her for
+five minutes, and even then only the tip of her chin was
+distinctly visible.  She was well made, and the tip of her chin
+was of a most promising cast for the rest of the face; but,
+Heaven save you!  she came upon business!  and for a lawyer to
+fall in love with a pretty client on a single consultation, would
+be as wise as if he became enamoured of a particularly bright
+sunbeam which chanced for a moment to gild his bar-wig.  I give
+you my word I am heart-whole and moreover, I assure you, that
+before I suffer a woman to sit near my heart's core, I must see
+her full face, without mask or mantle, aye, and know a good deal
+of her mind into the bargain.  So never fret yourself on my
+account, my kind and generous Darsie; but, for your own sake,
+have a care and let not an idle attachment, so lightly taken up,
+lead you into serious danger.
+
+On this subject I feel so apprehensive, that now when I am
+decorated with the honours of the gown, I should have abandoned
+my career at the very starting to come to you, but for my father
+having contrived to clog my heels with fetters of a professional
+nature.  I will tell you the matter at length, for it is comical
+enough; and why should not you list to my juridical adventures,
+as well as I to those of your fiddling knight-errantry?
+
+It was after dinner, and I was considering how I might best
+introduce to my father the private resolution I had formed to set
+off for Dumfriesshire, or whether I had not better run away at
+once, and plead my excuse by letter, when, assuming the peculiar
+look with which he communicates any of his intentions respecting
+me, that he suspects may not be altogether acceptable, 'Alan,' he
+said, 'ye now wear a gown--ye have opened shop, as we would say
+of a more mechanical profession; and, doubtless, ye think the
+floor of the courts is strewed with guineas, and that ye have
+only to stoop down to gather them?'
+
+'I hope I am sensible, sir,' I replied, 'that I have some
+knowledge and practice to acquire, and must stoop for that in the
+first place.'
+
+'It is well said,' answered my father; and, always afraid to give
+too much encouragement, added, 'Very well said, if it be well
+acted up to--Stoop to get knowledge and practice is the very
+word.  Ye know very well, Alan, that in the other faculty who
+study the ARS MEDENDI, before the young doctor gets to the
+bedsides of palaces, he must, as they call it, walk the
+hospitals; and cure Lazarus of his sores, before he be admitted
+to prescribe for Dives, when he has gout or indigestion'--
+
+'I am aware, sir, that'--
+
+'Whisht--do not interrupt the court.  Well--also the chirurgeons
+have a useful practice, by which they put their apprentices and
+tyrones to work; upon senseless dead bodies, to which, as they
+can do no good, so they certainly can do as little harm; while at
+the same time the tyro, or apprentice, gains experience, and
+becomes fit to whip off a leg or arm from a living subject, as
+cleanly as ye would slice an onion.'
+
+'I believe I guess your meaning, sir,' answered I; 'and were it
+not for a very particular engagement'--
+
+'Do not speak to me of engagements ; but whisht--there is a good
+lad--and do not interrupt the court.'
+
+My father, you know, is apt--be it said with all filial duty--to
+be a little prolix in his harangues.  I had nothing for it but to
+lean back and listen.
+
+'Maybe you think, Alan, because I have, doubtless, the management
+of some actions in dependence, whilk my worthy clients have
+intrusted me with, that I may think of airting them your way
+INSTANTER; and so setting you up in practice, so far as my small
+business or influence may go; and, doubtless, Alan, that is a day
+whilk I hope may come round.  But then, before I give, as the
+proverb hath it, "My own fish-guts to my own sea-maws," I must,
+for the sake of my own character, be very sure that my sea-maw
+can pick them to some purpose.  What say ye?'
+
+'I am so far,' answered I, 'from wishing to get early into
+practice, sir, that I would willingly bestow a few days'--
+
+'In further study, ye would say, Alan.  But that is not the way
+either--ye must walk the hospitals--ye must cure Lazarus--ye must
+cut and carve on a departed subject, to show your skill.'
+
+'I am sure,' I replied, 'I will undertake the cause of any poor
+man with pleasure, and bestow as much pains upon it as if it were
+a duke's; but for the next two or three days'--
+
+'They must be devoted to close study, Alan--very close study
+indeed; for ye must stand primed for a hearing, IN PRESENTIA
+DOMINORUM, upon Tuesday next.'
+
+'I, sir?'  I replied in astonishment--'I have not opened my mouth
+in the Outer House yet!'
+
+'Never mind the court of the Gentiles, man,' said my father; 'we
+will have you into the Sanctuary at once--over shoes, over
+boots.'
+
+'But, sir, I should really spoil any cause thrust on me so
+hastily.'
+
+'Ye cannot spoil it, Alan,' said my father, rubbing his hands
+with much complacency ; 'that is the very cream of the business,
+man--it is just, as I said before, a subject upon whilk all the
+TYRONES have been trying their whittles for fifteen years; and as
+there have been about ten or a dozen agents concerned, and each
+took his own way, the case is come to that pass, that Stair or
+Amiston could not mend it; and I do not think even you, Alan, can
+do it much harm--ye may get credit by it, but ye can lose none.'
+
+'And pray what is the name of my happy client, sir?'  said I,
+ungraciously enough, I believe.
+
+'It is a well-known name in the Parliament House,' replied my
+father.  'To say the truth, I expect him every moment; it is
+Peter Peebles.'  [See Note 4.]
+
+'Peter Peebles!'  exclaimed I, in astonishment; 'he is an insane
+beggar--as poor as Job, and as mad as a March hare!'
+
+'He has been pleaing in the court for fifteen years,' said my
+father, in a tone of commiseration, which seemed to acknowledge
+that this fact was enough to account for the poor man's condition
+both in mind and circumstances.
+
+'Besides, sir,' I added, 'he is on the Poor's Roll; and you know
+there are advocates regularly appointed to manage those cases;
+and for me to presume to interfere'--
+
+'Whisht, Alan!--never interrupt the court--all THAT is managed
+for ye like a tee'd ball' (my father sometimes draws his similes
+from his once favourite game of golf); 'you must know, Alan, that
+Peter's cause was to have been opened by young Dumtoustie--ye may
+ken the lad, a son of Dumtoustie of that ilk, member of
+Parliament for the county of --, and a nephew of the laird's
+younger brother, worthy Lord Bladderskate, whilk ye are aware
+sounds as like being akin to a peatship [Formerly, a lawyer,
+supposed to be under the peculiar patronage of any particular
+judge, was invidiously termed his PEAT or PET.] and a sheriffdom,
+as a sieve is sib to a riddle.  Now, Peter Drudgeit, my lord's
+clerk, came to me this morning in the House, like ane bereft of
+his wits; for it seems that young Dumtoustie is ane of the Poor's
+lawyers, and Peter Peebles's process had been remitted to him of
+course.  But so soon as the harebrained goose saw the pokes
+[Process-bags.]  (as indeed, Alan, they are none of the least) he
+took fright, called for his nag, lap on, and away to the country
+is he gone; and so?  said Peter, my lord is at his wit's end wi'
+vexation, and shame, to see his nevoy break off the course at the
+very starting.  "I'll tell you, Peter," said I, "were I my lord,
+and a friend or kinsman of mine should leave the town while the
+court was sitting, that kinsman, or be he what he liked, should
+never darken my door again."  And then, Alan, I thought to turn
+the ball our own way; and I said that you were a gey sharp
+birkie, just off the irons, and if it would oblige my lord, and
+so forth, you would open Peter's cause on Tuesday, and make some
+handsome apology for the necessary absence of your learned
+friend, and the loss which your client and the court had
+sustained, and so forth.  Peter lap at the proposition like a
+cock at a grossart; for, he said, the only chance was to get a
+new hand, that did not ken the charge he was taking upon him; for
+there was not a lad of two sessions' standing that was not dead-
+sick of Peter Peebles and his cause; and he advised me to break
+the matter gently to you at the first; but I told him you were, a
+good bairn, Alan, and had no will and pleasure in these matters
+but mine.'
+
+What could I say, Darsie, in answer to this arrangement, so very
+well meant--so very vexatious at the same time?  To imitate the
+defection and flight of young Dumtoustie, was at once to destroy
+my father's hopes of me for ever; nay, such is the keenness with
+which he regards all connected with his profession, it might have
+been a step to breaking his heart.  I was obliged, therefore, to
+bow in sad acquiescence, when my father called to James Wilkinson
+to bring the two bits of pokes he would find on his table.
+
+Exit James, and presently re-enters, bending under the load of
+two huge leathern bags, full of papers to the brim, and labelled
+on the greasy backs with the magic impress of the clerks of
+court, and the title, PEEBLES AGAINST PLAINSTANES.  This huge
+mass was deposited on the table, and my father, with no ordinary
+glee in his countenance, began to draw out; the various bundles
+of papers, secured by none of your red tape or whipcord, but
+stout, substantial casts of tarred rope, such as might have held
+small craft at their moorings.
+
+I made a last and desperate effort to get rid of the impending
+job.  'I am really afraid, sir, that this case seems so much
+complicated, and there is so little time to prepare, that we had
+better move the court to supersede it till next session.'
+
+'How, sir?--how, Alan?'  said my father--'Would you approbate and
+reprobate, sir?  You have accepted the poor man's cause, and if
+you have not his fee in your pocket, it is because he has none to
+give you; and now would you approbate and reprobate in the same
+breath of your mouth?  Think of your oath of office, Alan, and
+your duty to your father, my dear boy.'
+
+Once more, what could I say?  I saw from my father's hurried and
+alarmed manner, that nothing could vex him so much as failing in
+the point he had determined to carry, and once more intimated my
+readiness to do my best, under every disadvantage.
+
+'Well, well, my boy,' said my father, 'the Lord will make your
+days long in the land, for the honour you have given to your
+father's grey hairs.  You may find wiser advisers, Alan, but none
+that can wish you better.'
+
+My father, you know, does not usually give way to expressions of
+affection, and they are interesting in proportion to their
+rarity.  My eyes began to fill at seeing his glisten; and my
+delight at having given him such sensible gratification would
+have been unmixed but for the thoughts of you.  These out of the
+question, I could have grappled with the bags, had they been as
+large as corn-sacks.  But, to turn what was grave into farce, the
+door opened, and Wilkinson ushered in Peter Peebles.
+
+You must have seen this original, Darsie, who, like others in the
+same predicament, continues to haunt the courts of justice, where
+he has made shipwreck of time, means, and understanding.  Such
+insane paupers have sometimes seemed to me to resemble wrecks
+lying upon the shoals on the Goodwin Sands, or in Yarmouth Roads,
+warning other vessels to keep aloof from the banks on which they
+have been lost; or rather, such ruined clients are like
+scarecrows and potato-bogies, distributed through the courts to
+scare away fools from the scene of litigation.
+
+The identical Peter wears a huge greatcoat threadbare and patched
+itself, yet carefully so disposed and secured by what buttons
+remain, and many supplementary pins, as to conceal the still more
+infirm state of his under garments.  The shoes and stockings of a
+ploughman were, however, seen to meet at his knees with a pair of
+brownish, blackish breeches; a rusty-coloured handkerchief, that
+has been black in its day, surrounded his throat, and was an
+apology for linen.  His hair, half grey, half black, escaped in
+elf-locks around a huge wig, made of tow, as it seemed to me, and
+so much shrunk that it stood up on the very top of his head;
+above which he plants, when covered, an immense cocked hat,
+which, like the chieftain's banner in an ancient battle, may be
+seen any sederunt day betwixt nine and ten, high towering above
+all the fluctuating and changeful scene in the Outer House, where
+his eccentricities often make him the centre of a group of
+petulant and teasing boys, who exercise upon him every art of
+ingenious torture.  His countenance, originally that of a portly,
+comely burgess, is now emaciated with poverty and anxiety, and
+rendered wild by an insane lightness about the eyes; a withered
+and blighted skin and complexion; features begrimed with snuff,
+charged with the self-importance peculiar to insanity; and a
+habit of perpetually speaking to himself.  Such was my
+unfortunate client; and I must allow, Darsie, that my profession
+had need to do a great deal of good, if, as is much to be feared,
+it brings many individuals to such a pass.
+
+After we had been, with a good deal of form, presented to each
+other, at which time I easily saw by my father's manner that he
+was desirous of supporting Peter's character in my eyes, as much
+as circumstances would permit, 'Alan,' he said, 'this is the
+gentleman who has agreed to accept of you as his counsel, in
+place of young Dumtoustie.'
+
+'Entirely out of favour to my old acquaintance your father, said
+Peter.  with a benign and patronizing countenance, 'out of
+respect to your father, and my old intimacy with Lord
+Bladderskate.  Otherwise, by the REGIAM MAJESTATEM!  I would have
+presented a petition and complaint against Daniel Dumtoustie,
+Advocate, by name and surname--I would, by all the practiques!--
+I know the forms of process; and I am not to be triffled with.'
+
+My father here interrupted my client, and reminded him that there
+was a good deal of business to do, as he proposed to give the
+young counsel an outline of the state of the conjoined process,
+with a view to letting him into the merits of the cause,
+disencumbered from the points of form.  'I have made a short
+abbreviate, Mr. Peebles,' said he; 'having sat up late last
+night, and employed much of this morning in wading through these
+papers, to save Alan some trouble, and I am now about to state
+the result.'
+
+'I will state it myself,' said Peter, breaking in without
+reverence upon his solicitor.
+
+'No, by no means,' said my father; 'I am your agent for the
+time.'
+
+'Mine eleventh in number,' said Peter; 'I have a new one every
+year; I wish I could get a new coat as regularly.'
+
+'Your agent for the time,' resumed my father; 'and you, who are
+acquainted with the forms, know that the client states the cause
+to the agent--the agent to the counsel'--
+
+'The counsel to the Lord Ordinary,' continued Peter, once  set
+a-going, like the peal of an alarm clock, 'the Ordinary to the
+Inner House, the President to the Bench.  It is just like the
+rope to the man, the man to the ox, the ox to the water, the
+water to the fire'--
+
+'Hush, for Heaven's sake, Mr. Peebles,' said my father, cutting
+his recitation short; 'time wears on--we must get to business--
+you must not interrupt the court, you know.--Hem, hem!  From this
+abbreviate it appears'--
+
+'Before you begin,' said Peter Peebles 'I'll thank you to order me
+a morsel of bread and cheese, or some cauld meat, or broth, or
+the like alimentary provision; I was so anxious to see your son,
+that I could not eat a mouthful of dinner.'
+
+Heartily glad, I believe, to have so good a chance of stopping
+his client's mouth effectually, my father ordered some cold meat;
+to which James Wilkinson, for the honour of the house, was about
+to add the brandy bottle, which remained on the sideboard, but,
+at a wink from my father, supplied its place with small beer.
+Peter charged the provisions with the rapacity of a famished
+lion; and so well did the diversion engage him, that though,
+while my father stated the case, he looked at him repeatedly, as
+if he meant to interrupt his statement, yet he always found more
+agreeable employment for his mouth, and returned to the cold beef
+with an avidity which convinced me he had not had such an
+opportunity for many a day of satiating his appetite.  Omitting
+much formal phraseology, and many legal details, I will endeavour
+to give you, in exchange for your fiddler's tale, the history of
+a litigant, or rather, the history of his lawsuit.
+
+'Peter Peebles and Paul Plainstanes,' said my father, entered
+into partnership, in the year --, as mercers and linendrapers, in
+the Luckenbooths, and carried on a great line of business to
+mutual advantage.  But the learned counsel needeth not to be
+told, SOCIETAS EST MATER DISCORDIARUM, partnership oft makes
+pleaship.  The company being dissolved by mutual consent, in the
+year --, the affairs had to be wound up, and after certain
+attempts to settle the matter extra-judicially, it was at last
+brought into the court, and has branched out into several
+distinct processes, most of whilk have been conjoined by the
+Ordinary.  It is to the state of these processes that counsel's
+attention is particularly directed.  There is the original action
+of Peebles v. Plainstanes, convening him for payment of 3000l.,
+less or more, as alleged balance due by Plainstanes.  Secondly,
+there is a counter action, in which Plainstanes is pursuer and
+Peebles defender, for 2500l., less or more, being balance alleged
+per contra, to be due by Peebles.  Thirdly, Mr. Peeble's seventh
+agent advised an action of Compt and Reckoning at his instance,
+wherein what balance should prove due on either side might be
+fairly struck and ascertained.  Fourthly, to meet the
+hypothetical case, that Peebles might be found liable in a
+balance to Plainstanes, Mr. Wildgoose, Mr. Peebles's eighth
+agent, recommended a Multiplepoinding, to bring all parties
+concerned into the field.'
+
+My brain was like to turn at this account of lawsuit within
+lawsuit, like a nest of chip-boxes, with all of which I was
+expected to make myself acquainted.
+
+'I understand,' I said, 'that Mr. Peebles claims a sum of money
+from Plainstanes--how then can he be his debtor?  and if not his
+debtor, how can he bring a Multiplepoinding, the very summons of
+which sets forth, that the pursuer does owe certain monies, which
+he is desirous to pay by warrant of a judge?'  [Multiplepoinding
+is, I believe, equivalent to what is called in England a case of
+Double Distress.]
+
+'Ye know little of the matter, I doubt, friend,' said Mr.
+Peebles; 'a Multiplepoinding is the safest REMEDIUM JURIS in the
+whole; form of process.  I have known it conjoined with a
+declarator of marriage.--Your beef is excellent,' he said to my
+father, who in vain endeavoured to resume his legal disquisition;
+'but something highly powdered--and the twopenny is undeniable;
+but it is small swipes--small swipes--more of hop than malt-with
+your leave, I'll try your black bottle.'
+
+My father started to help him with his own hand, and in due
+measure; but, infinitely to my amusement, Peter got possession of
+the bottle by the neck, and my father's ideas of hospitality were
+far too scrupulous to permit his attempting, by any direct means,
+to redeem it; so that Peter returned to the table triumphant,
+with his prey in his clutch.
+
+'Better have a wine-glass, Mr. Peebles,' said my father, in an
+admonitory tone, 'you will find it pretty strong.'
+
+'If the kirk is ower muckle, we can sing mass in the quire,' said
+Peter, helping himself in the goblet out of which he had been
+drinking the small beer.  'What is it, usquebaugh?--BRANDY, as I
+am an honest man!  I had almost forgotten the name and taste of
+brandy.  Mr. Fairford elder, your good health' (a mouthful of
+brandy), 'Mr. Alan Fairford, wishing you well through your
+arduous undertaking' (another go-down of the comfortable liquor).
+'And now, though you have given a tolerable breviate of this
+great lawsuit, of whilk everybody has heard something that has
+walked the boards in the Outer House (here's to ye again, by way
+of interim decreet) yet ye have omitted to speak a word of the
+arrestments.'
+
+'I was just coming to that point, Mr. Peebles.'
+
+'Or of the action of suspension of the charge on the bill.'
+
+'I was just coming to that.'
+
+'Or the advocation of the Sheriff-Court process.'
+
+'I was just coming to it.'
+
+'As Tweed comes to Melrose, I think,' said the litigant; and then
+filling his goblet about a quarter full of brandy, as if in
+absence of mind, 'Oh, Mr. Alan Fairford, ye are a lucky man to
+buckle to such a cause as mine at the very outset!  it is like a
+specimen of all causes, man.  By the Regiam, there is not a
+REMEDIUM JURIS in the practiques but ye'll find a spice o't.
+Here's to your getting weel through with it--Pshut--I am drinking
+naked spirits, I think.  But if the heathen he ower strong, we'll
+christen him with the brewer' (here he added a little small beer
+to his beverage, paused, rolled his eyes, winked, and
+proceeded),--'Mr. Fairford--the action of assault and battery,
+Mr. Fairford, when I compelled the villain Plainstanes to pull my
+nose within two steps of King Charles's statue, in the Parliament
+Close--there I had him in a hose-net.  Never man could tell me
+how to shape that process--no counsel that ever selled mind could
+condescend and say whether it were best to proceed by way of
+petition and complaint, AD VINDICTAM PUBLICAM, with consent of
+his Majesty's advocate, or by action on the statute for battery
+PENDENTE LITE, whilk would be the winning my plea at once, and so
+getting a back-door out of court.--By the Regiam, that beef and
+brandy is unco het at my heart--I maun try the ale again' (sipped
+a little beer); 'and the ale's but cauld, I maun e'en put in the
+rest of the brandy.'
+
+He was as good as his word, and proceeded in so loud and animated
+a style of elocution, thumping the table, drinking and snuffing
+alternately, that my father, abandoning all attempts to interrupt
+him, sat silent and ashamed, suffering, and anxious for the
+conclusion of the scene.
+
+'And then to come back to my pet process of all--my battery and
+assault process, when I had the good luck to provoke him to pull
+my nose at the very threshold of the court, whilk was the very
+thing I wanted--Mr. Pest, ye ken him, Daddie Fairford?  Old Pest
+was for making it out HAMESUCKEN, for he said the court might be
+said--said--ugh!--to be my dwelling-place.  I dwell mair there
+than ony gate else, and the essence of hamesucken is to strike a
+man in his dwelling-place--mind that, young advocate--and so
+there's hope Plainstanes may be hanged, as many has for a less
+matter; for, my lords,--will Pest say to the Justiciary bodies,--
+my lords, the Parliament House is Peebles' place of dwelling,
+says he--being COMMUNE FORUM, and COMMUNE FORUM EST COMMUNE
+DOMICILIUM--Lass, fetch another glass of and score it--time to
+gae hame--by the practiques, I cannot find the jug--yet there's
+twa of them, I think.  By the Regiam, Fairford--Daddie Fairford
+--lend us twal pennies to buy sneeshing, mine is done--Macer,
+call another cause.'
+
+The box fell from his hands, and his body would at the same time
+have fallen from the chair, had not I supported him.
+
+'This is intolerable,' said my father--'Call a chairman, James
+Wilkinson, to carry this degraded, worthless, drunken beast
+home.'
+
+When Peter Peebles was removed from this memorable consultation,
+under the care of an able-bodied Celt, my father hastily bundled
+up the papers, as a showman, whose exhibition has miscarried,
+hastes to remove his booth.  'Here are my memoranda, Alan,' he
+said, in a hurried way; 'look them carefully over--compare them
+with the processes, and turn it in your head before Tuesday.
+Many a good speech has been made for a beast of a client; and
+hark ye, lad, hark ye--I never intended to cheat you of your fee
+when all was done, though I would have liked to have heard the
+speech first; but there is nothing like corning the horse before
+the journey.  Here are five goud guineas in a silk purse--of your
+poor mother's netting, Alan--she would have been a blithe woman
+to have seen her young son with a gown on his back--but no more
+of that--be a good boy, and to the work like a tiger.'
+
+I did set to work, Darsie; for who could resist such motives?
+With my father's assistance, I have mastered the details,
+confused as they are; and on Tuesday I shall plead as well for
+Peter Peebles as I could for a duke.  Indeed, I feel my head so
+clear on the subject as to be able to write this long letter to
+you; into which, however, Peter and his lawsuit have insinuated
+themselves so far as to show you how much they at present occupy
+my thoughts.  Once more, be careful of yourself, and mindful of
+me, who am ever thine, while
+ALAN FAIRFORD.
+
+From circumstances, to be hereafter mentioned, it was long ere
+this letter reached the person to whom it was addressed.
+
+
+
+*
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+NARRATIVE
+
+The advantage of laying before the reader, in the words of the
+actors themselves, the adventures which we must otherwise have
+narrated in our own, has given great popularity to the
+publication of epistolary correspondence, as practised by various
+great authors, and by ourselves in the preceding chapters.
+Nevertheless, a genuine correspondence of this kind (and Heaven
+forbid it should be in any respect sophisticated by
+interpolations of our own!)  can seldom be found to contain all
+in which it is necessary to instruct the reader for his full
+comprehension of the story.  Also it must often happen that
+various prolixities and redundancies occur in the course of an
+interchange of letters, which must hang as a dead weight on the
+progress of the narrative.  To avoid this dilemma, some
+biographers have used the letters of the personages concerned, or
+liberal extracts from them, to describe particular incidents, or
+express the sentiments which they entertained; while they connect
+them occasionally with such portions of narrative, as may serve
+to carry on the thread of the story.
+
+It is thus that the adventurous travellers who explore the summit
+of Mont Blanc now move on through the crumbling snowdrift so
+slowly, that their progress is almost imperceptible, and anon
+abridge their journey by springing over the intervening chasms
+which cross their path, with the assistance of their pilgrim-
+staves.  Or, to make a briefer simile, the course of story-
+telling which we have for the present adopted, resembles the
+original discipline of the dragoons, who were trained to serve
+either on foot or horseback, as the emergencies of the service
+required.  With this explanation, we shall proceed to narrate
+some circumstances which Alan Fairford did not, and could not,
+write to his correspondent.
+
+Our reader, we trust, has formed somewhat approaching to a
+distinct idea of the principal characters who have appeared
+before him during our narrative; but in case our good opinion of
+his sagacity has been exaggerated, and in order to satisfy such
+as are addicted to the laudable practice of SKIPPING (with whom
+we have at times a strong fellow-feeling), the following
+particulars may not be superfluous.
+
+Mr. Saunders Fairford, as he was usually called, was a man of
+business of the old school, moderate in his charges, economical
+and even niggardly in his expenditure, strictly honest in
+conducting his own affairs and those of his clients, but taught
+by long experience to be wary and suspicious in observing the
+motions of others.  Punctual as the clock of Saint Giles tolled
+nine, the neat dapper form of the little hale old gentleman was
+seen at the threshold of the court hall, or at farthest, at the
+head of the Back Stairs, trimly dressed in a complete suit of
+snuff-coloured brown, with stockings of silk or woollen as,
+suited the weather; a bob-wig, and a small cocked hat; shoes
+blacked as Warren would have blacked them; silver shoe-buckles,
+and a gold stock-buckle.  A nosegay in summer, and a sprig of
+holly in winter, completed his well-known dress and appearance.
+His manners corresponded with his attire, for they were
+scrupulously civil, and not a little formal.  He was an elder of
+the kirk, and, of course, zealous for King George and the
+Government even to slaying, as he had showed by taking up arms in
+their cause.  But then, as he had clients and connexions of
+business among families of opposite political tenets, he was
+particularly cautious to use all the conventional phrases which
+the civility of the time had devised, as an admissible mode of
+language betwixt the two parties.  Thus he spoke sometimes of the
+Chevalier, but never either of the Prince, which would have been
+sacrificing his own principles, or of the Pretender, which would
+have been offensive to those of others.  Again, he usually
+designated the Rebellion as the AFFAIR of 1745, and spoke of any
+one engaged in it as a person who had been OUT at a certain
+period.  [OLD-FASHIONED SCOTTISH CIVILITY.--Such were literally
+the points of politeness observed in general society during the
+author's youth, where it was by no means unusual in a company
+assembled by chance, to find individuals who had borne arms on
+one side or other in the civil broils of 1745.  Nothing,
+according to my recollection, could be more gentle and decorous
+than the respect these old enemies paid to each other's
+prejudices.  But in this I speak generally.  I have witnessed one
+or two explosions.]  So that, on the whole, Mr. Fairford was a
+man much liked and respected on all sides, though his friends
+would not have been sorry if he had given a dinner more
+frequently, as his little cellar contained some choice old wine,
+of which, on such rare occasions he was no niggard.
+
+The whole pleasure of this good old-fashioned man of method,
+besides that which he really felt in the discharge of his daily
+business, was the hope to see his son Alan, the only fruit of a
+union which death early dissolved, attain what in the father's
+eyes was the proudest of all distinctions--the rank and fame of a
+well-employed lawyer.
+
+Every profession has its peculiar honours, and Mr. Fairford's
+mind was constructed upon so limited and exclusive a plan, that
+he valued nothing save the objects of ambition which his own
+presented.  He would have shuddered at Alan's acquiring the
+renown of a hero, and laughed with scorn at the equally barren
+laurels of literature; it was by the path of the law alone that
+he was desirous to see him rise to eminence, and the
+probabilities of success or disappointment were the thoughts of
+his father by day, and his dream by night.
+
+The disposition of Alan Fairford, as well as his talents, were
+such as to encourage his father's expectations.  He had acuteness
+of intellect, joined to habits of long and patient study,
+improved no doubt by the discipline of his father's house; to
+which, generally speaking, he conformed with the utmost docility,
+expressing no wish for greater or more frequent relaxation than
+consisted with his father's anxious and severe restrictions.
+When he did indulge in any juvenile frolics, his father had the
+candour to lay the whole blame upon his more mercurial companion,
+Darsie Latimer.
+
+This youth, as the reader must be aware, had been received as an
+inmate into the family of Mr. Fairford, senior, at a time when
+some of the delicacy of constitution which had abridged the life
+of his consort began to show itself in the son, and when the
+father was, of course, peculiarly disposed to indulge his
+slightest wish.  That the young Englishman was able to pay a
+considerable board, was a matter of no importance to Mr.
+Fairford; it was enough that his presence seemed to make his son
+cheerful and happy.  He was compelled to allow that 'Darsie was a
+fine lad, though unsettled,' and he would have had some
+difficulty in getting rid of him, and the apprehensions which his
+levities excited, had it not been for the voluntary excursion
+which gave rise to the preceding correspondence, and in which Mr.
+Fairford secretly rejoiced, as affording the means of separating
+Alan from his gay companion, at least until he should have
+assumed, and become accustomed to, the duties of his dry and
+laborious profession.
+
+But the absence of Darsie was far from promoting the end which
+the elder Mr. Fairford had expected and desired.  The young men
+were united by the closest bonds of intimacy; and the more so,
+that neither of them sought nor desired to admit any others into
+their society.  Alan Fairford was averse to general company, from
+a disposition naturally reserved, and Darsie Latimer from a
+painful sense of his own unknown origin, peculiarly afflicting in
+a country where high and low are professed genealogists.  The
+young men were all in all to each other; it is no wonder,
+therefore, that their separation was painful, and that its
+effects upon Alan Fairford, joined to the anxiety occasioned by
+the tenor of his friend's letters, greatly exceeded what the
+senior had anticipated.  The young man went through his usual
+duties, his studies, and the examinations to which he was
+subjected, but with nothing like the zeal and assiduity which he
+had formerly displayed; and his anxious and observant father saw
+but too plainly that his heart was with his absent comrade.
+
+A philosopher would have given way to this tide of feeling, in
+hopes to have diminished its excess, and permitted the youths to
+have been some time together, that their intimacy might have been
+broken off by degrees; but Mr. Fairford only saw the more direct
+mode of continued restraint, which, however, he was desirous of
+veiling under some plausible pretext.  In the anxiety which he
+felt on this occasion, he had held communication with an old
+acquaintance, Peter Drudgeit, with whom the reader is partly
+acquainted.  'Alan,' he said, 'was ance wud, and ay waur; and he
+was expecting every moment when he would start off in a
+wildgoose-chase after the callant Latimer; Will Sampson, the
+horse-hirer in Candlemaker Row, had given him a hint that Alan
+had been looking for a good hack, to go to the country for a few
+days.  And then to oppose him downright--he could not but think
+on the way his poor mother was removed.  Would to Heaven he was
+yoked to some tight piece of business, no matter whether well or
+ill paid, but some job that would hamshackle him at least until
+the courts rose, if it were but for decency's sake.'
+
+Peter Drudgeit sympathized, for Peter had a son, who, reason or
+none, would needs exchange the torn and inky fustian sleeves for
+the blue jacket and white lapelle; and he suggested, as the
+reader knows, the engaging our friend Alan in the matter of Poor
+Peter Peebles, just opened by the desertion of young Dumtoustie,
+whose defection would be at the same time concealed; and this,
+Drudgeit said, 'would be felling two dogs with one stone.'
+
+With these explanations, the reader will hold a man of the elder
+Fairford's sense and experience free from the hazardous and
+impatient curiosity with which boys fling a puppy into a deep
+pond, merely to see if the creature can swim.  However confident
+in his son's talents, which were really considerable, he would
+have been very sorry to have involved him in the duty of pleading
+a complicated and difficult case, upon his very first appearance
+at the bar, had he not resorted to it as an effectual way to
+prevent the young man from taking a step which his habits of
+thinking represented as a most fatal one at his outset of life.
+
+Betwixt two evils, Mr. Fairford chose that which was in his own
+apprehension the least; and, like a brave officer sending forth
+his son to battle, rather chose he should die upon the breach,
+than desert the conflict with dishonour.  Neither did he leave
+him to his own unassisted energies.  Like Alpheus preceding
+Hercules, he himself encountered the Augean mass of Peter
+Peebles' law-matters.  It was to the old man a labour of love to
+place in a clear and undistorted view the real merits of this
+case, which the carelessness and blunders of Peter's former
+solicitors had converted into a huge chaotic mass of
+unintelligible technicality; and such was his skill and industry,
+that he was able, after the severe toil of two or three days, to
+present to the consideration of the young counsel the principal
+facts of the case, in a light equally simple and comprehensible.
+With the assistance of a solicitor so affectionate and
+indefatigable, Alan Fairford was enabled, then the day of trial
+arrived, to walk towards the court, attended by his anxious yet
+encouraging parent, with some degree of confidence that he would
+lose no reputation upon this arduous occasion.
+
+They were met at the door of the court by Poor Peter Peebles in
+his usual plenitude of wig and celsitude of hat.  He seized on
+the young pleader like a lion on his prey.  'How is a' wi' you,
+Mr. Alan--how is a' wi' you, man?  The awfu' day is come at last
+--a day that will be lang minded in this house.  Poor Peter
+Peebles against Plainstanes--conjoined proceases--Hearing in
+presence--stands for the Short Roll for this day--I have not been
+able to sleep for a week for thinking of it, and, I dare to say,
+neither has the Lord President himsell--for such a cause!!  But
+your father garr'd me tak a wee drap ower muckle of his pint
+bottle the other night; it's no right to mix brandy wi' business,
+Mr. Fairford.  I would have been the waur o' liquor if I would
+have drank as muckle as you twa would have had me.  But there's a
+time for a' things, and if ye will dine with me after the case is
+heard, or whilk is the same, or maybe better, I'LL gang my ways
+hame wi' YOU, and I winna object to a cheerfu' glass, within the
+bounds of moderation.'
+
+Old Fairford shrugged his shoulders and hurried past the client,
+saw his son wrapped in the sable bombazine, which, in his eyes,
+was more venerable than an archbishop's lawn, and could not help
+fondly patting his shoulder, and whispering to him to take
+courage, and show he was worthy to wear it.  The party entered
+the Outer Hall of the court, (once the place of meeting of the
+ancient Scottish Parliament), and which corresponds to the use of
+Westminster Hall in England, serving as a vestibule to the Inner
+House, as it is termed, and a place of dominion to certain
+sedentary personages called Lords Ordinary.
+
+The earlier part of the morning was spent by old Fairford in
+reiterating his instructions to Alan, and in running from one
+person to another, from whom he thought he could still glean some
+grains of information, either concerning the point at issue, or
+collateral cases.  Meantime, Poor Peter Peebles, whose shallow
+brain was altogether unable to bear the importance of the moment,
+kept as close to his young counsel as shadow to substance,
+affected now to speak loud, now to whisper in his ear, now to
+deck his ghastly countenance with wreathed smiles, now to cloud
+it with a shade of deep and solemn importance, and anon to
+contort it with the sneer of scorn and derision.  These moods of
+the client's mind were accompanied with singular 'mockings and
+mowings,' fantastic gestures, which the man of rags and
+litigation deemed appropriate to his changes of countenance.  Now
+he brandished his arm aloft, now thrust his fist straight out, as
+if to knock his opponent down.  Now he laid his open palm on his
+bosom, and now hinging it abroad, he gallantly snapped his
+fingers in the air.
+
+These demonstrations, and the obvious shame and embarrassment of
+Alan Fairford, did not escape the observation of the juvenile
+idlers in the hall.  They did not, indeed, approach Peter with
+their usual familiarity, from some feeling of deference towards
+Fairford, though many accused him of conceit in presuming to
+undertake, at this early stage of his practice, a case of
+considerable difficulty.  But Alan, notwithstanding this
+forbearance, was not the less sensible that he and his companion
+were the subjects of many a passing jest, and many a shout of
+laughter, with which that region at all times abounds.
+
+At length the young counsel's patience gave way, and as it
+threatened to carry his presence of mind and recollection along
+with it, Alan frankly told his father, that unless he was
+relieved from the infliction of his client's personal presence
+and instructions, he must necessarily throw up his brief, and
+decline pleading the case.
+
+'Hush, hush, my dear Alan,' said the old gentleman, almost at his
+own wit's end upon hearing this dilemma; 'dinna mind the silly
+ne'er-do-weel; we cannot keep the man from hearing his own cause,
+though he be not quite right in the head.'
+
+'On my life, sir,' answered Alan, 'I shall be unable to go on, he
+drives everything out of my remembrance; and if I attempt to
+speak seriously of the injuries he has sustained, and the
+condition he is reduced to, how can I expect but that the very
+appearance of such an absurd scarecrow will turn it all into
+ridicule?'
+
+'There is something in that,' said Saunders Fairford, glancing a
+look at Poor Peter, and then cautiously inserting his forefinger
+under his bob-wig, in order to rub his temple and aid his
+invention; 'he is no figure for the fore-bar to see without
+laughing; but how to get rid of him?  To speak sense, or anything
+like it, is the last thing he will listen to.  Stay, aye,--Alan,
+my darling, hae patience; I'll get him off on the instant, like a
+gowff ba'.'
+
+So saying, he hastened to his ally, Peter Drudgeit, who on seeing
+him with marks of haste in his gait, and care upon his
+countenance, clapped his pen behind his ear, with 'What's the
+stir now, Mr. Saunders?  Is there aught wrang?'
+
+'Here's a dollar, man,' said Mr. Saunders; 'now, or never, Peter,
+do me a good turn.  Yonder's your namesake, Peter Peebles, will
+drive the swine through our bonny hanks of yarn; get him over to
+John's Coffeehouse, man--gie him his meridian--keep him there,
+drunk or sober, till the hearing is ower.'  [The simile is
+obvious, from the old manufacture of Scotland, when the
+gudewife's thrift, as the yarn wrought in the winter was called,
+when laid down to bleach by the burn-side, was peculiarly exposed
+to the inroads of pigs, seldom well regulated about a Scottish
+farm-house.]
+
+'Eneugh said,' quoth Peter Drudgeit, no way displeased with his
+own share in the service required, 'We'se do your bidding.'
+
+Accordingly, the scribe was presently seen whispering in the ear
+of Peter Peebles, whose response came forth in the following
+broken form :-
+
+'Leave the court for ae minute on this great day of judgement?
+not I, by the Reg--Eh!  what?  Brandy, did ye say--French
+brandy?--couldna ye fetch a stoup to the bar under your coat,
+man?  Impossible?  Nay, if it's clean impossible, and if we have
+an hour good till they get through the single bill and the
+summar-roll, I carena if I cross the close wi' you; I am sure I
+need something to keep my heart up this awful day; but I'll no
+stay above an instant--not above a minute of time--nor drink
+aboon a single gill,'
+
+In a few minutes afterwards, the two Peters were seen moving
+through the Parliament Close (which new-fangled affectation has
+termed a Square), the triumphant Drudgeit leading captive the
+passive Peebles, whose legs conducted him towards the dramshop,
+while his reverted eyes were fixed upon the court.  They dived
+into the Cimmerian abysses of John's Coffeehouse, [See Note 5.]
+formerly the favourite rendezvous of the classical and genial
+Doctor Pitcairn, and were for the present seen no more.
+
+Relieved from his tormentor, Alan Fairford had time to rally his
+recollections, which, in the irritation of his spirits, had
+nearly escaped him, and to prepare himself far a task, the
+successful discharge or failure in which must, he was aware, have
+the deepest influence upon his fortunes.  He had pride, was not
+without a consciousness of talent, and the sense of his father's
+feelings upon the subject impelled him to the utmost exertion.
+Above all, he had that sort of self-command which is essential to
+success in every arduous undertaking, and he was constitutionally
+free from that feverish irritability by which those whose over-
+active imaginations exaggerate difficulties, render themselves
+incapable of encountering such when they arrive.
+
+Having collected all the scattered and broken associations which
+were necessary, Alan's thoughts reverted to Dumfriesshire, and
+the precarious situation in which he feared his beloved friend
+had placed himself; and once and again he consulted his watch,
+eager to have his present task commenced and ended, that he might
+hasten to Darsie's assistance.  The hour and moment at length
+arrived.  The macer shouted, with all his well-remembered brazen
+strength of lungs, 'Poor Peter Peebles VERSUS Plainstanes, PER
+Dumtoustie ET Tough!--Maister Da-a-niel Dumtoustie!'  Dumtoustie
+answered not the summons, which, deep and swelling as it was,
+could not reach across the Queensferry; but our Maister Alan
+Fairford appeared in his place.
+
+The court was very much crowded; for much amusement had been
+received on former occasions when Peter had volunteered his own
+oratory, and had been completely successful in routing the
+gravity of the whole procedure, and putting to silence, not
+indeed the counsel of the opposite party, but his own.
+
+Both bench and audience seemed considerably surprised at the
+juvenile appearance of the young man who appeared in the room of
+Dumtoustie, for the purpose of opening this complicated and long
+depending process, and the common herd were disappointed at the
+absence of Peter the client, the Punchinello of the expected
+entertainment.  The judges looked with a very favourable
+countenance on our friend Alan, most of them being acquainted,
+more or less, with so old a practitioner as his father, and all,
+or almost all, affording, from civility, the same fair play to
+the first pleading of a counsel, which the House of Commons
+yields to the maiden speech of one of its members.
+
+Lord Bladderskate was an exception to this general expression of
+benevolence.  He scowled upon Alan, from beneath his large,
+shaggy, grey eyebrows, just as if the young lawyer had been
+usurping his nephew's honours, instead of covering his disgrace;
+and, from feelings which did his lordship little honour, he
+privately hoped the young man would not succeed in the cause
+which his kinsman had abandoned.
+
+Even Lord Bladderskate, however, was, in spite of himself,
+pleased with the judicious and modest tone in which Alan began
+his address to the court, apologizing for his own presumption,
+and excusing it by the sudden illness of his learned brother, for
+whom the labour of opening a cause of some difficulty and
+importance had been much more worthily designed.  He spoke of
+himself as he really was, and of young Dumtoustie as what he
+ought to have been, taking care not to dwell on either topic a
+moment longer than was necessary.  The old judge's looks became
+benign; his family pride was propitiated, and, pleased equally
+with the modesty and civility of the young man whom he had
+thought forward and officious, he relaxed the scorn of his
+features into an expression of profound attention; the highest
+compliment, and the greatest encouragement, which a judge can
+render to the counsel addressing him.
+
+Having succeeded in securing the favourable attention of the
+court, the young lawyer, using the lights which his father's
+experience and knowledge of business had afforded him, proceeded
+with an address and clearness, unexpected from one of his years,
+to remove from the case itself those complicated formalities with
+which it had been loaded, as a surgeon strips from a wound the
+dressings which had been hastily wrapped round it, in order to
+proceed to his cure SECUNDUM ARTEM.  Developed of the cumbrous
+and complicated technicalities of litigation, with which the
+perverse obstinacy of the client, the inconsiderate haste or
+ignorance of his agents, and the evasions of a subtle adversary,
+had invested the process, the cause of Poor Peter Peebles,
+standing upon its simple merits, was no bad subject for the
+declamation of a young counsel, nor did our friend Alan fail to
+avail himself of its strong points.
+
+He exhibited his client as a simple-hearted, honest, well-meaning
+man, who, during a copartnership of twelve years, had gradually
+become impoverished, while his partner (his former clerk) having
+no funds but his share of the same business, into which he had
+been admitted without any advance of stock, had become gradually
+more and more wealthy.
+
+'Their association,' said Alan, and the little flight was
+received with some applause, 'resembled the ancient story of the
+fruit which was carved with a knife poisoned on one side of the
+blade only, so that the individual to whom the envenomed portion
+was served, drew decay and death from what afforded savour and
+sustenance to the consumer of the other moiety.'  He then plunged
+boldly into the MARE MAGNUM of accompts between the parties; he
+pursued each false statement from the waste-book to the day-book,
+from the day-book to the bill-book, from the bill-book to the
+ledger; placed the artful interpolations and insertions of the
+fallacious Plainstanes in array against each other, and against
+the fact; and availing himself to the utmost of his father's
+previous labours, and his own knowledge of accompts, in which he
+had been sedulously trained, he laid before the court a clear and
+intelligible statement of the affairs of the copartnery, showing,
+with precision, that a large balance must, at the dissolution,
+have been due to his client, sufficient to have enabled him to
+have carried on business on his own account, and thus to have
+retained his situation in society as an independent and
+industrious tradesman.  'But instead of this justice being
+voluntarily rendered by the former clerk to his former master,--
+by the party obliged to his benefactor,--by one honest man to
+another,--his wretched client had been compelled to follow his
+quondam clerk, his present debtor, from court to court; had found
+his just claims met with well-invented but unfounded counter-
+claims, had seen his party shift his character of pursuer or
+defender, as often as Harlequin effects his transformations,
+till, in a chase so varied and so long, the unhappy litigant had
+lost substance, reputation, and almost the use of reason itself,
+and came before their lordships an object of thoughtless derision
+to the unreflecting, of compassion to the better-hearted, and of
+awful meditation to every one who considered that, in a country
+where excellent laws were administered by upright and
+incorruptible judges, a man might pursue an almost indisputable
+claim through all the mazes of litigation; lose fortune,
+reputation, and reason itself in the chase, and now come before
+the supreme court of his country in the wretched condition of his
+unhappy client, a victim to protracted justice, and to that hope
+delayed which sickens the heart.'
+
+The force of this appeal to feeling made as much impression on
+the Bench as had been previously effected by the clearness of
+Alan's argument.  The absurd form of Peter himself, with his tow-
+wig, was fortunately not present to excite any ludicrous emotion,
+and the pause that took place when the young lawyer had concluded
+his speech, was followed by a murmur of approbation, which the
+ears of his father drank in as the sweetest sounds that had ever
+entered them.  Many a hand of gratulation was thrust out to his
+grasp, trembling as it was with anxiety, and finally with
+delight; his voice faltering as he replied, 'Aye, aye, I kend
+Alan was the lad to make a spoon or spoil a horn.'  [Said of an
+adventurous gipsy, who resolves at all risks to convert a sheep's
+horn into a spoon.]
+
+The counsel on the other side arose, an old practitioner, who had
+noted too closely the impression made by Alan's pleading not to
+fear the consequences of an immediate decision.  He paid the
+highest compliments to his very young brother--'the Benjamin, as
+he would presume to call him, of the learned Faculty--said the
+alleged hardships of Mr. Peebles were compensated by his being
+placed in a situation where the benevolence of their lordships
+had assigned him gratuitously such assistance as he might not
+otherwise have obtained at a high price--and allowed his young
+brother had put many things in such a new point of view, that,
+although he was quite certain of his ability to refute them, he
+was honestly desirous of having a few hours to arrange his
+answer, in order to be able to follow Mr. Fairford from point to
+point.  He had further to observe, there was one point of the
+case to which his brother, whose attention had been otherwise so
+wonderfully comprehensive, had not given the consideration which
+he expected; it was founded on the interpretation of certain
+correspondence which had passed betwixt the parties soon after
+the dissolution of the copartnery.'
+
+The court having heard Mr. Tough, readily allowed him two days
+for preparing himself, hinting at the same time that he might
+find his task difficult, and affording the young counsel, with
+high encomiums upon the mode in which he had acquitted himself,
+the choice of speaking, either now or at the next calling of the
+cause, upon the point which Plainstanes's lawyer had adverted to.
+
+Alan modestly apologized for what in fact had been an omission
+very pardonable in so complicated a case, and professed himself
+instantly ready to go through that correspondence, and prove that
+it was in form and substance exactly applicable to the view of
+the case he had submitted to their lordships.  He applied to his
+father, who sat behind him, to hand him, from time to time, the
+letters, in the order in which he meant to read and comment upon
+them.
+
+Old Counsellor Tough had probably formed an ingenious enough
+scheme to blunt the effect of the young lawyer's reasoning, by
+thus obliging him to follow up a process of reasoning, clear and
+complete in itself, by a hasty and extemporary appendix.  If so,
+he seemed likely to be disappointed; for Alan was well prepared
+on this as on other parts of the cause, and recommenced his
+pleading with a degree of animation which added force even to
+what he had formerly stated, and might perhaps have occasioned
+the old gentleman to regret his having again called him up, when
+his father, as he handed him the letters, put one into his hand
+which produced a singular effect on the pleader.
+
+At the first glance, he saw that the paper had no reference to
+the affairs of Peter Peebles; but the first glance also showed
+him, what, even at that time, and in that presence, he could not
+help reading; and which, being read, seemed totally to disconcert
+his ideas.  He stopped short in his harangue--gazed on the paper
+with a look of surprise and horror-uttered an exclamation, and
+flinging down the brief which he had in his hand, hurried out of
+court without returning a single word of answer to the various
+questions, 'What was the matter?'--'Was he taken unwell?'--
+'Should not a chair be called?'  &c. &c. &c.
+
+The elder Mr. Fairford, who remained seated, and looking as
+senseless as if he had been made of stone, was at length recalled
+to himself by the anxious inquiries of the judges and the counsel
+after his son's health.  He then rose with an air, in which was
+mingled the deep habitual reverence in which he held the court,
+with some internal cause of agitation, and with difficulty
+mentioned something of a mistake--a piece of bad news--Alan, he
+hoped would be well enough to-morrow.  But unable to proceed
+further, he clasped his hands together, exclaiming, 'My son!  my
+son!'  and left the court hastily, as if in pursuit of him.
+
+'What's the matter with the auld bitch next?'  [Tradition
+ascribes this whimsical style of language to the ingenious and
+philosophical Lord Kaimes.]  said an acute metaphysical judge,
+though somewhat coarse in his manners, aside to his brethren.
+'This is a daft cause, Bladderskate--first, it drives the poor
+man mad that aught it--then your nevoy goes daft with fright, and
+flies the pit--then this smart young hopeful is aff the hooks
+with too hard study, I fancy--and now auld Saunders Fairford is
+as lunatic as the best of them.  What say ye till't, ye bitch?'
+
+'Nothing, my lord,' answered Bladderskate, much too formal to
+admire the levities in which his philosophical brother sometimes
+indulged--'I say nothing, but pray to Heaven to keep our own
+wits.'
+
+'Amen, amen,' answered his learned brother; 'for some of us have
+but few to spare.'
+
+The court then arose, and the audience departed, greatly
+wondering at the talent displayed by Alan Fairford at his first
+appearance in a case so difficult and so complicated, and
+assigning a hundred conjectural causes, each different from the
+others, for the singular interruption which had clouded his day
+of success.  The worst of the whole was, that six agents, who had
+each come to the separate resolution of thrusting a retaining fee
+into Alan's hand as he left the court, shook their heads as they
+returned the money into their leathern pouches, and said, 'that
+the lad was clever, but they would like to see more of him before
+they engaged him in the way of business--they did not like his
+lowping away like a flea in a blanket.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Had our friend Alexander Fairford known the consequences of his
+son's abrupt retreat from the court, which are mentioned in the
+end of the last chapter, it might have accomplished the
+prediction of the lively old judge, and driven him utterly
+distracted.  As it was, he was miserable enough.  His son had
+risen ten degrees higher in his estimation than ever by his
+display of juridical talents, which seemed to assure him that the
+applause of the judges and professors of the law, which, in his
+estimation, was worth that of all mankind besides, authorized to
+the fullest extent the advantageous estimate which even his
+parental partiality had been induced to form of Alan's powers.
+On the other hand, he felt that he was himself a little humbled,
+from a disguise which he had practised towards this son of his
+hopes and wishes.
+
+The truth was, that on the morning of this eventful day, Mr.
+Alexander Fairford had received from his correspondent and
+friend, Provost Crosbie of Dumfries, a letter of the following
+tenor:
+
+'DEAR SIR,
+'Your respected favour of 25th ultimo, per favour of Mr. Darsie
+Latimer, reached me in safety, and I showed to the young
+gentleman such attention as he was pleased to accept of.  The
+object of my present writing is twofold.  First, the council are
+of opinion that you should now begin to stir in the thirlage
+cause; and they think they will be able, from evidence NOVITER
+REPERTUM, to enable you to amend your condescendence upon the use
+and wont of the burgh, touching the GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA.  So
+you will please consider yourself as authorized to speak to Mr.
+Pest, and lay before him the papers which you will receive by
+the coach.  The council think that a fee of two guineas may be
+sufficient on this occasion, as Mr. Pest had three for drawing
+the original condescendence.
+
+'I take the opportunity of adding that there has been a great
+riot among the Solway fishermen, who have destroyed, in a
+masterful manner, the stake-nets set up near the mouth of this
+river; and have besides attacked the house of Quaker Geddes, one
+of the principal partners of the Tide-net Fishing Company, and
+done a great deal of damage.  Am sorry to add, young Mr. Latimer
+was in the fray and has not since been heard of.  Murder is spoke
+of, but that may be a word of course.  As the young gentleman has
+behaved rather oddly while in these parts, as in declining to
+dine with me more than once, and going about the country with
+strolling fiddlers and such-like, I rather hope that his present
+absence is only occasioned by a frolic; but as his servant has
+been making inquiries of me respecting his master, I thought it
+best to acquaint you in course of post.  I have only to add that
+our sheriff has taken a precognition, and committed one or two of
+the rioters.  If I can be useful in this matter, either by
+advertising for Mr. Latimer as missing, publishing a reward, or
+otherwise, I will obey your respected instructions, being your
+most obedient to
+command,
+'WILLIAM CROSBIE.'
+
+When Mr. Fairford received this letter, and had read it to an
+end,' his first idea was to communicate it to his son, that an
+express might be instantly dispatched, or a king's messenger sent
+with proper authority to search after his late guest.
+
+The habits of the fishers were rude; as he well knew, though not
+absolutely sanguinary or ferocious; and there had been instances
+of their transporting persons who had interfered in their
+smuggling trade to the Isle of Man and elsewhere, and keeping
+them under restraint for many weeks.  On this account, Mr.
+Fairford was naturally led to feel anxiety concerning the fate of
+his late inmate; and, at a less interesting moment, would
+certainly have set out himself, or licensed his son to go in
+pursuit of his friend.
+
+But, alas!  he was both a father and an agent.  In the one
+capacity, he looked on his son as dearer to him than all the
+world besides; in the other, the lawsuit which he conducted was
+to him like an infant to its nurse, and the case of Poor Peter
+Peebles against Plainstanes was, he saw, adjourned, perhaps SINE
+DIE, should this document reach the hands of his son.  The mutual
+and enthusiastical affection betwixt the young men was well known
+to him; and he concluded that if the precarious state of Latimer
+were made known to Alan Fairford, it would render him not only
+unwilling, but totally unfit, to discharge the duty of the day to
+which the old gentleman attached such ideas of importance.
+
+On mature reflection, therefore, he resolved, though not without
+some feelings of compunction, to delay communicating to his son
+the disagreeable intelligence which he had received, until the
+business of the day should be ended.  The delay, he persuaded
+himself, could be of little consequence to Darsie Latimer, whose
+folly, he dared to say, had led him into some scrape which would
+meet an appropriate punishment in some accidental restraint,
+which would be thus prolonged for only a few hours longer.
+Besides, he would have time to speak to the sheriff of the
+county--perhaps to the King's Advocate--and set about the matter
+in a regular manner, or, as he termed it, as summing up the
+duties of a solicitor, to AGE AS ACCORDS.  [A Scots law phrase,
+of no very determinate import, meaning, generally, to do what is
+fitting.]
+
+The scheme, as we have seen, was partially successful, and was
+only ultimately defeated, as he confessed to himself with shame,
+by his own very unbusiness-like mistake of shuffling the
+provost's letter, in the hurry and anxiety of the morning, among
+some papers belonging to Peter Peebles's affairs, and then
+handing it to his son, without observing the blunder.  He used to
+protest, even till the day of his death, that he never had been
+guilty of such an inaccuracy as giving a paper out of his hand
+without looking at the docketing, except on that unhappy
+occasion, when, of all others, he had such particular reason to
+regret his negligence.
+
+Disturbed by these reflections, the old gentleman had, for the
+first time in his life, some disinclination, arising from shame
+and vexation, to face his own son; so that to protract for a
+little the meeting, which he feared would be a painful one, he
+went to wait upon the sheriff-depute, who he found had set off
+for Dumfries in great haste to superintend in person the
+investigation which had been set on foot by his substitute.  This
+gentleman's clerk could say little on the subject of the riot,
+excepting that it had been serious, much damage done to property,
+and some personal violence offered to individuals; but, as far as
+he had yet heard, no lives lost on the spot.
+
+Mr. Fairford was compelled to return home with this intelligence;
+and on inquiring at James Wilkinson where his son was, received
+for answer, that 'Maister Alan was in his own room, and very
+busy.'
+
+'We must have our explanation over,' said Saunders Fairford to
+himself.  'Better a finger off, as ay wagging;' and going to the
+door of his son's apartment, he knocked at first gently--then
+more loudly--but received no answer.  Somewhat alarmed at this
+silence, he opened the door of the chamber it was empty--clothes
+lay mixed in confusion with the law-books and papers, as if the
+inmate had been engaged in hastily packing for a journey.  As Mr.
+Fairford looked around in alarm, his eye was arrested by a sealed
+letter lying upon his son's writing-table, and addressed to
+himself.  It contained the following words:--
+
+'MY DEAREST FATHER,
+'You will not, I trust, be surprised, nor perhaps very much
+displeased, to learn that I am on my way to Dumfriesshire, to
+learn, by my own personal investigation, the present state of my
+dear friend, and afford him such relief as may be in my power,
+and which, I trust, will be effectual.  I do not presume to
+reflect upon you, dearest sir, for concealing from me information
+of so much consequence to my peace of mind and happiness; but I
+hope your having done so will be, if not an excuse, at least some
+mitigation of my present offence, in taking a step of consequence
+without consulting your pleasure; and, I must further own, under
+circumstances which perhaps might lead to your disapprobation of
+my purpose.  I can only say, in further apology, that if anything
+unhappy, which Heaven forbid!  shall have occurred to the person
+who, next to yourself, is dearest to me in this world, I shall
+have on my heart, as a subject of eternal regret, that being in a
+certain degree warned of his danger and furnished with the means
+of obviating it, I did not instantly hasten to his assistance,
+but preferred giving my attention to the business of this unlucky
+morning.  No view of personal distinction, nothing, indeed, short
+of your earnest and often expressed wishes, could have detained
+me in town till this day; and having made this sacrifice to
+filial duty, I trust you will hold me excused if I now obey the
+calls of friendship and humanity.  Do not be in the least anxious
+on my account; I shall know, I trust, how to conduct myself with
+due caution in any emergence which may occur, otherwise my legal
+studies for so many years have been to little purpose.  I am
+fully provided with money, and also with arms, in case of need;
+but you may rely on my prudence in avoiding all occasions of
+using the latter, short of the last necessity.  God almighty
+bless you, my dearest father!  and grant that you may forgive the
+first, and, I trust, the last act approaching towards
+premeditated disobedience, of which I either have now, or shall
+hereafter have, to accuse myself.  I remain, till death, your
+dutiful and affectionate son,
+ALAN FAIRFORD.'
+
+'PS.--I shall write with the utmost regularity, acquainting you
+with my motions, and requesting your advice.  I trust my stay
+will be very short, and I think it possible that I may bring back
+Darsie along with me.'
+
+'The paper dropped from the old man's hand when he was thus
+assured of the misfortune which he apprehended.  His first idea
+was to get a postchaise and pursue the fugitive; but he
+recollected that, upon the very rare occasions when Alan had
+shown himself indocile to the PATRIA POTESTAS, his natural ease
+and gentleness of disposition seemed hardened into obstinacy, and
+that now, entitled, as arrived at the years of majority and a
+member of the learned faculty, to direct his own motions, there
+was great doubt, whether, in the event of his overtaking his son,
+he might be able to prevail upon him to return back.  In such a
+risk of failure he thought it wiser to desist from his purpose,
+especially as even his success in such a pursuit would give a
+ridiculous ECLAT to the whole affair, which could not be
+otherwise than prejudicial to his son's rising character.
+
+Bitter, however, were Saunders Fairford's reflections, as again
+picking up the fatal scroll, he threw himself into his son's
+leathern easy-chair, and bestowed upon it a disjointed
+commentary, 'Bring back Darsie?  little doubt of that--the bad
+shilling is sure enough to come back again.  I wish Darsie no
+worse ill than that he were carried where the silly fool, Alan,
+should never see him again.  It was an ill hour that he darkened
+my doors in, for, ever since that, Alan has given up his ain old-
+fashioned mother-wit for the tother's capernoited maggots and
+nonsense.  Provided with money?  you must have more than I know
+of, then, my friend, for I trow I kept you pretty short, for your
+own good.  Can he have gotten more fees?  or, does he think five
+guineas has neither beginning nor end?  Arms!  What would he do
+with arms, or what would any man do with them that is not a
+regular soldier under government, or else a thief-taker?  I have
+had enough of arms, I trow, although I carried them for King
+George and the government.  But this is a worse strait than
+Falkirk field yet.  God guide us, we are poor inconsistent
+creatures!  To think the lad should have made so able an
+appearance, and then bolted off this gate, after a glaiket ne'er-
+do-weel, like a hound upon a false scent!  Las-a-day!  it's a
+sore thing to see a stunkard cow kick down the pail when it's
+reaming fou.  But, after all, it's an ill bird that defiles its
+ain nest. I must cover up the scandal as well as I can.  What's
+the matter now, James?'
+
+'A message, sir,' said James Wilkinson, 'from my Lord President;
+and he hopes Mr. Alan is not seriously indisposed.'
+
+'From the Lord President?  the Lord preserve us!--I'll send an
+answer this instant; bid the lad sit down, and ask him to drink,
+James.  Let me see,' continued he, taking a sheet of gilt paper
+'how we are to draw our answers.'
+
+Ere his pen had touched the paper, James was in the room again.
+
+'What now, James?'
+
+'Lord Bladderskate's lad is come to ask how Mr. Alan is, as he
+left; the court'--
+
+'Aye, aye, aye,' answered Saunders, bitterly; 'he has e'en made a
+moonlight flitting, like my lord's ain nevoy.'
+
+'Shall I say sae, sir?'  said James, who, as an old soldier, was
+literal in all things touching the service.
+
+'The devil!  no, no!--Bid the lad sit down and taste our ale.  I
+will write his lordship an answer.'
+
+Once more the gilt paper was resumed, and once more the door was
+opened by James.
+
+'Lord -- sends his servitor to ask after Mr. Alan.'
+
+'Oh, the deevil take their civility!'  said poor Saunders.  set
+him down to drink too--I will write to his lordship.'
+
+'The lads will bide your pleasure, sir, as lang as I keep the
+bicker fou; but this ringing is like to wear out the bell, I
+think; there are they at it again.'
+
+He answered the fresh summons accordingly, and came back to
+inform Mr. Fairford that the Dean of Faculty was below, inquiring
+for Mr. Alan.  'Will I set him down to drink, too?'  said James.
+
+'Will you be an idiot, sir?'  said Mr. Fairford.  'Show Mr. Dean
+into the parlour.'
+
+In going slowly downstairs, step by step, the perplexed man of
+business had time enough to reflect, that if it be possible to
+put a fair gloss upon a true story, the verity always serves the
+purpose better than any substitute which ingenuity can devise.
+He therefore told his learned visitor, that although his son had
+been incommoded by the heat of the court, and the long train of
+hard study, by day and night, preceding his exertions, yet he had
+fortunately so far recovered, as to be in condition to obey upon
+the instant a sudden summons which had called him to the country,
+on a matter of life and death.
+
+'It should be a serious matter indeed that takes my young friend
+away at this moment,' said the good-natured dean.  'I wish he had
+stayed to finish his pleading, and put down old Tough.  Without
+compliment, Mr. Fairford, it was as fine a first appearance as I
+ever heard.  I should be sorry your son did not follow it up in a
+reply.  Nothing like striking while the iron is hot.'
+
+Mr. Saunders Fairford made a bitter grimace as he acquiesced in
+an opinion which was indeed decidedly his own; but he thought it
+most prudent to reply, 'that the affair which rendered his son
+Alan's presence in the country absolutely necessary, regarded the
+affairs of a young gentleman of great fortune, who was a
+particular friend of Alan's, and who never took any material step
+in his affairs without consulting his counsel learned in the
+law.'
+
+'Well, well, Mr. Fairford, you know best,' answered the learned
+dean; 'if there be death or marriage in the case, a will or a
+wedding is to be preferred to all other business.  I am happy Mr.
+Alan is so much recovered as to be able for travel, and wish you
+a very good morning.'
+
+Having thus taken his ground to the Dean of Faculty, Mr. Fairford
+hastily wrote cards in answer to the inquiry of the three judges,
+accounting for Alan's absence in the same manner.  These, being
+properly sealed and addressed, he delivered to James with
+directions to dismiss the particoloured gentry, who, in the
+meanwhile, had consumed a gallon of twopenny ale, while
+discussing points of law, and addressing each other by their
+masters' titles.  [The Scottish judges are distinguished by the
+title of lord prefixed to their own temporal designation.  As the
+ladies of these official dignitaries do not bear any share in
+their husbands' honours, they are distinguished only by their
+lords' family name.  They were not always contented with this
+species of Salique law, which certainly is somewhat inconsistent.
+But their pretensions to title are said to have been long since
+repelled by James V, the sovereign who founded the College of
+Justice.  'I,' said he, 'made the caries lords, but who the devil
+made the carlines ladies?']
+
+The exertion which these matters demanded, and the interest which
+so many persons of legal distinction appeared to have taken in
+his son, greatly relieved the oppressed spirit of Saunders
+Fairford, who continued, to talk mysteriously of the very
+important business which had interfered with his son's attendance
+during the brief remainder of the session.  He endeavoured to lay
+the same unction to his own heart; but here the application was
+less fortunate, for his conscience told him that no end, however
+important, which could be achieved in Darsie Latimer's affairs,
+could be balanced against the reputation which Alan was like to
+forfeit by deserting the cause of Poor Peter Peebles.
+
+In the meanwhile, although the haze which surrounded the cause,
+or causes, of that unfortunate litigant had been for a time
+dispelled by Alan's eloquence, like a fog by the thunder of
+artillery, yet it seemed once more to settle down upon the mass
+of litigation, thick as the palpable darkness of Egypt, at the
+very sound of Mr. Tough's voice, who, on the second day after
+Alan's departure, was heard in answer to the opening counsel.
+Deep-mouthed, long-breathed, and pertinacious, taking a pinch of
+snuff betwixt every sentence, which otherwise seemed
+interminable--the veteran pleader prosed over all the themes
+which had been treated so luminously by Fairford:  he quietly and
+imperceptibly replaced all the rubbish which the other had
+cleared away, and succeeded in restoring the veil of obscurity
+and unintelligibility which had for many years darkened the case
+of Peebles against Plainstanes; and the matter was once  more
+hung up by a remit to an accountant, with instruction to report
+before answer.  So different a result from that which the public
+had been led to expect from Alan's speech gave rise to various
+speculations.
+
+The client himself opined, that it was entirely owing, first, to
+his own absence during the first day's pleading, being, as he
+said, deboshed with brandy, usquebaugh, and other strong waters,
+at John's Coffee-house, PER AMBAGES of Peter Drudgeit, employed
+to that effect by and through the device, counsel, and covyne of
+Saunders Fairford, his agent, or pretended agent.  Secondly by
+the flight and voluntary desertion of the younger Fairford, the
+advocate; on account of which, he served both father and son with
+a petition and complaint against them, for malversation in
+office.  So that the apparent and most probable issue of this
+cause seemed to menace the melancholy Mr. Saunders Fairford, with
+additional subject for plague and mortification; which was the
+more galling, as his conscience told him that the case was really
+given away, and that a very brief resumption of the former
+argument, with reference to the necessary authorities and points
+of evidence, would have enabled Alan, by the mere breath, as it
+were, of his mouth, to blow away the various cobwebs with which
+Mr. Tough had again invested the proceedings.  But it went, he
+said, just like a decreet in absence, and was lost for want of a
+contradictor.
+
+In the meanwhile, nearly a week passed over without Mr. Fairford
+hearing a word directly from his son.  He learned, indeed, by a
+letter from Mr. Crosbie, that the young counsellor had safely
+reached Dumfries, but had left that town upon some ulterior
+researches, the purpose of which he had not communicated.  The
+old man, thus left to suspense, and to mortifying recollections,
+deprived also of the domestic society to which he had been
+habituated, began to suffer in body as well as in mind.  He had
+formed the determination of setting out in person for
+Dumfriesshire, when, after having been dogged, peevish, and
+snappish to his clerks and domestics, to an unusual and almost
+intolerable degree, the acrimonious humours settled in a hissing-
+hot fit of the gout, which is a well-known tamer of the most
+froward spirits, and under whose discipline we shall, for the
+present, leave him, as the continuation of this history assumes,
+with the next division, a form somewhat different from direct
+narrative and epistolary correspondence, though partaking of the
+character of both.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+JOURNAL OF DARSIE LATIMER
+(The following address is written on the inside of the envelope
+which contained the Journal.)
+
+Into what hands soever these leaves may fall, they will instruct
+him, during a certain time at least, in the history of the life
+of an unfortunate young man, who, in the heart of a free country,
+and without any crime being laid to his charge, has been, and is,
+subjected to a course of unlawful and violent restraint.  He who
+opens this letter, is therefore conjured to apply to the nearest
+magistrate, and, following such indications as the papers may
+afford, to exert himself for the relief of one, who, while he
+possesses every claim to assistance which oppressed innocence can
+give, has, at the same time, both the inclination and the means
+of being grateful to his deliverers.  Or, if the person obtaining
+these letters shall want courage or means to effect the writer's
+release, he is, in that case, conjured, by every duty of a man to
+his fellow mortals, and of a Christian towards one who professes
+the same holy faith, to take the speediest measures for conveying
+them with speed and safety to the hands of Alan Fairford, Esq.,
+Advocate, residing in the family of his father, Alexander
+Fairford, Esq., Writer to the Signet, Brown's Square, Edinburgh.
+He may be assured of a liberal reward, besides the consciousness
+of having discharged a real duty to humanity.
+
+MY DEAREST ALAN,
+Feeling as warmly towards you in doubt and in distress, as I ever
+did in the brightest days of our intimacy, it is to you whom I
+address a history which may perhaps fall into very different
+hands.  A portion of my former spirit descends to my pen when I
+write your name, and indulging the happy thought that you may be
+my deliverer from my present uncomfortable and alarming
+situation, as you have been my guide and counsellor on every
+former occasion, I will subdue the dejection which would
+otherwise overwhelm me.  Therefore, as, Heaven knows, I have time
+enough to write, I will endeavour to pour my thoughts out, as
+fully and freely as of old, though probably without the same gay
+and happy levity.
+
+If the papers should reach other hands than yours, still I will
+not regret this exposure of my feelings; for, allowing for an
+ample share of the folly incidental to youth and inexperience, I
+fear not that I have much to be ashamed of in my narrative; nay,
+I even hope that the open simplicity and frankness with which I
+am about to relate every singular and distressing circumstance,
+may prepossess even a stranger in my favour; and that, amid the
+multitude of seemingly trivial circumstances which I detail at
+length, a clue may be found to effect my liberation.
+
+Another chance certainly remains--the Journal, as I may call it,
+may never reach the hands, either of the dear friend to whom it
+is addressed, or those of an indifferent stranger, but may become
+the prey of the persons by whom I am at present treated as a
+prisoner.  Let it be so--they will learn from it little but what
+they already know; that, as a man and an Englishman, my soul
+revolts at the usage which I have received; that I am determined
+to essay every possible means to obtain my freedom; that
+captivity has not broken my spirit, and that, although they may
+doubtless complete their oppression by murder, I am still willing
+to bequeath my cause to the justice of my country.  Undeterred,
+therefore, by the probability that my papers may be torn from me,
+and subjected to the inspection of one in particular, who,
+causelessly my enemy already, may be yet further incensed at me
+for recording the history of my wrongs, I proceed to resume the
+history of events which have befallen me since the conclusion of
+my last letter to my dear Alan Fairford, dated, if I mistake not,
+on the 5th day of this still current month of August.
+
+Upon the night preceding the date of that letter, I had been
+present, for the purpose of an idle frolic, at a dancing party at
+the village of Brokenburn, about six miles from Dumfries; many
+persons must have seen me there, should the fact appear of
+importance sufficient to require investigation.  I danced, played
+on the violin, and took part in the festivity till about
+midnight, when my servant, Samuel Owen, brought me my horses, and
+I rode back to a small inn called Shepherd's Bush, kept by Mrs.
+Gregson, which had been occasionally my residence for about a
+fortnight past.  I spent the earlier part of the forenoon in
+writing a letter, which I have already mentioned, to you, my dear
+Alan, and which, I think, you must have received in safety.  Why
+did I not follow your advice, so often given me?  Why did I
+linger in the neighbourhood of a danger, of which a kind voice
+had warned me?  These are now unavailing questions; I was blinded
+by a fatality, and remained, fluttering like a moth around the
+candle, until I have been scorched to some purpose.
+
+The greater part of the day had passed, and time hung heavy on my
+hands.  I ought, perhaps, to blush at recollecting what has been
+often objected to me by the dear friend to whom this letter is
+addressed, viz. the facility with which I have, in moments of
+indolence, suffered my motions to be, directed by any person who
+chanced to be near me, instead of taking the labour of thinking
+or deciding for myself.  I had employed for some time, as a sort
+of guide and errand-boy, a lad named Benjamin, the son of one
+widow Coltherd, who lives near the Shepherd's Bush, and I cannot
+but remember that, upon several occasions, I had of late suffered
+him to possess more influence over my motions than at all became
+the difference of our age and condition.  At present, he exerted
+himself to persuade me that it was the finest possible sport to
+see the fish taken out from the nets placed in the Solway at the
+reflux of the tide, and urged my going thither this evening so
+much, that, looking back on the whole circumstances, I cannot but
+think he had some especial motive for his conduct.  These
+particulars I have mentioned, that if these papers fall into
+friendly hands, the boy may be sought after and submitted to
+examination.
+
+His eloquence being unable to persuade me that I should take any
+pleasure in seeing the fruitless struggles of the fish when left
+in the nets and deserted by the tide, he artfully suggested, that
+Mr. and Miss Geddes, a respectable Quaker family well known in
+the neighbourhood and with whom I had contracted habits of
+intimacy, would possibly be offended if I did not make them an
+early visit.  Both, he said, had been particularly inquiring the
+reasons of my leaving their house rather suddenly on the previous
+day.  I resolved, therefore, to walk up to Mount Sharon and make
+my apologies; and I agreed to permit the boy to attend upon me,
+and wait my return from the house, that I might fish on my way
+homeward to Shepherd's Bush, for which amusement, he assured me,
+I would find the evening most favourable.  I mention this minute
+circumstance, because I strongly suspect that this boy had a
+presentiment how the evening was to terminate with me, and
+entertained the selfish though childish wish of securing to
+himself an angling-rod which he had often admired, as a part of
+my spoils.  I may do the boy wrong, but I had before remarked in
+him the peculiar art of pursuing the trifling objects of cupidity
+proper to his age, with the systematic address of much riper
+years.
+
+When we had commenced our walk, I upbraided him with the coolness
+of the evening, considering the season, the easterly wind, and
+other circumstances, unfavourable for angling.  He persisted in
+his own story, and made a few casts, as if to convince me of my
+error, but caught no fish; and, indeed, as I am now convinced,
+was much more intent on watching my motions than on taking any.
+When I ridiculed him once more on his fruitless endeavours, he
+answered with a sneering smile, that 'the trouts would not rise,
+because there was thunder in the air;' an intimation which, in
+one sense, I have found too true.
+
+I arrived at Mount Sharon; was received by my friends there with
+their wonted kindness; and after being a little rallied on my
+having suddenly left them on the preceding evening, I agreed to
+make atonement by staying all night, and dismissed the lad who
+attended with my fishing-rod, to carry that information to
+Shepherd's Bush.  It may be doubted whether he went thither, or
+in a different direction.
+
+Betwixt eight and nine o'clock, when it began to become dark, we
+walked on the terrace to enjoy the appearance of the firmament,
+glittering with ten million stars; to which a slight touch of
+early frost gave tenfold lustre.  As we gazed on this splendid
+scene, Miss Geddes, I think, was the first to point out to our
+admiration a shooting or falling star, which, she said, drew a
+long train after it.  Looking to the part of the heavens which
+she pointed out, I distinctly observed two successive sky-rockets
+arise and burst in the sky.
+
+'These meteors,' said Mr. Geddes, in answer to his sister's
+observation, 'are not formed in heaven, nor do they bode any good
+to the dwellers upon earth.'
+
+As he spoke, I looked to another quarter of the sky, and a
+rocket, as if a signal in answer to those which had already
+appeared, rose high from the earth, and burst apparently among
+the stars.
+
+Mr. Geddes seemed very thoughtful for some minutes, and then said
+to his sister, 'Rachel, though it waxes late.  I must go down to
+the fishing station, and pass the night in the overseer's room
+there.'
+
+'Nay, then,' replied the lady, 'I am but too well assured that
+the sons of Belial are menacing these nets and devices.  Joshua,
+art thou a man of peace, and wilt thou willingly and wittingly
+thrust thyself where thou mayst be tempted by the old man Adam
+within thee, to enter into debate and strife?'
+
+'I am a man of peace, Rachel,' answered Mr. Geddes, 'even to the
+utmost extent which our friends can demand of humanity; and
+neither have I ever used, nor, with the help of God, will I at
+any future time employ, the arm of flesh to repel or to revenge
+injuries.  But if I can, by mild reasons and firm conduct, save
+those rude men from committing a crime, and the property
+belonging to myself and others from sustaining damage, surely I
+do but the duty of a man and a Christian.'
+
+With these words, he ordered his horse instantly; and his sister,
+ceasing to argue with him, folded her arms upon her bosom, and
+looked up to heaven with a resigned and yet sorrowful
+countenance.
+
+These particulars may appear trivial; but it is better, in my
+present condition, to exert my faculties in recollecting the
+past, and in recording it, than waste them in vain and anxious
+anticipations of the future.
+
+It would have been scarcely proper in me to remain in the house
+from which the master was thus suddenly summoned away; and I
+therefore begged permission to attend him to the fishing station,
+assuring his sister that I would be a guarantee for his safety.
+
+That proposal seemed to give much pleasure to Miss Geddes.  'Let
+it be so, brother,' she said; 'and let the young man have the
+desire of his heart, that there may be a faithful witness to
+stand by thee in the hour of need, and to report how it shall
+fare with thee.
+
+'Nay, Rachel,' said the worthy man, 'thou art to blame in this,
+that to quiet thy apprehensions on my account, thou shouldst
+thrust into danger--if danger it shall prove to be--this youth,
+our guest; for whom, doubtless, in case of mishap, as many hearts
+will ache as may be afflicted on our account.'
+
+'No, my good friend,' said I, taking Mr. Geddes's hand, 'I am not
+so happy as you suppose me.  Were my span to be concluded this
+evening, few would so much as know that such a being had existed
+for twenty years on the face of the earth; and of these few, only
+one would sincerely regret me.  Do not, therefore, refuse me the
+privilege attending you; and of showing, by so trifling an act of
+kindness, that if I have few friends, I am at least desirous to
+serve them.'
+
+'Thou hast a kind heart, I warrant thee,' said Joshua Geddes,
+returning the pressure of my hand.  'Rachel, the young man shall
+go with me.  Why should he not face danger, in order to do
+justice and preserve peace?  There is that within me,' he added,
+looking upwards, and with a passing enthusiasm which I had not
+before observed and the absence of which perhaps rather belonged
+to the sect than to his own personal character--'I say, I have
+that within which assures me, that though the ungodly may rage
+even like the storm of the ocean, they shall not have freedom to
+prevail against us.'
+
+Having spoken thus, Mr. Geddes appointed a pony to be saddled for
+my use; and having taken a basket with some provisions, and a
+servant to carry back the horses for which there was no
+accommodation at the fishing station, we set off about nine
+o'clock at night, and after three-quarters of an hour's riding,
+arrived at our place of destination.
+
+The station consists, or then consisted, of huts for four or five
+fishermen, a cooperage and shed, and a better sort of cottage at
+which the superintendent resided.  We gave our horses to the
+servant, to be carried back to Mount Sharon; my companion
+expressing himself humanely anxious for their safety--and knocked
+at the door of the house.  At first we only heard a barking of
+dogs; but these animals became quiet on snuffing beneath the
+door, and acknowledging the presence of friends.  A hoarse voice
+then demanded, in rather unfriendly accents, who we were, and
+what we wanted and it was not; until Joshua named himself, and
+called upon his superintendent to open, that the latter appeared
+at the door of the hut, attended by three large dogs of the
+Newfoundland breed.  He had a flambeau in his hand, and two large
+heavy ship-pistols stuck into his belt.  He was a stout elderly
+man, who had been a sailor, as I learned, during the earlier part
+of his life, and was now much confided in by the Fishing Company,
+whose concerns he directed under the orders of Mr. Geddes.
+
+'Thou didst not expect me to-night, friend Davies?'  said my
+friend to the old man, who was arranging seats for us by the
+fire.
+
+'No, Master Geddes,' answered he, 'I did not expect you, nor, to
+speak the truth, did I wish for you either.'
+
+'These are plain terms:  John Davies,' answered Mr.Geddes.
+
+'Aye, aye, sir, I know your worship loves no holiday speeches.'
+
+'Thou dost guess, I suppose, what brings us here so late, John
+Davies?'  said Mr. Geddes.
+
+'I do suppose, sir,' answered the superintendent, 'that it was
+because those d--d smuggling wreckers on the coast are showing
+their lights to gather their forces, as they did the night before
+they broke down the dam-dyke and weirs up the country; but if
+that same be the case, I wish once more you had stayed away, for
+your worship carries no fighting tackle aboard, I think; and
+there will be work for such ere morning, your worship.'
+
+'Worship is due to Heaven only, John Davies,' said Geddes, 'I
+have often desired thee to desist from using that phrase to me.'
+
+'I won't, then,' said John; 'no offence meant:  But how the devil
+can a man stand picking his words, when he is just going to come
+to blows?'
+
+'I hope not, John Davies,' said Joshua Geddes.  'Call in the rest
+of the men, that I may give them their instructions.'
+
+'I may cry till doomsday Master Geddes, ere a soul answers--the
+cowardly lubbers have all made sail--the cooper, and all the rest
+of them, so soon as they heard the enemy were at sea.  They have
+all taken to the long-boat, and left the ship among the breakers,
+except little Phil and myself--they have, by--!'
+
+'Swear not at all, John Davies--thou art an honest man; and I
+believe, without an oath, that thy comrades love their own bones
+better than my goods and chattels.  And so thou hast no
+assistance but little Phil against a hundred men or two?'
+
+'Why, there are the dogs, your honour knows, Neptune and Thetis
+--and the puppy may do something; and then though your worship--I
+beg pardon--though your honour be no great fighter, this young
+gentleman may bear a hand.'
+
+'Aye, and I see you are provided with arms,' said Mr. Geddes;
+'let me see them.'
+
+'Aye, aye, sir; here be a pair of buffers will bite as well as
+bark--these will make sure of two rogues at least.  It would be a
+shame to strike without firing a shot.  Take care, your honour,
+they are double-shotted.'
+
+'Aye, John Davies, I will take care of them, throwing the pistols
+into a tub of water beside him; 'and I wish I could render the
+whole generation of them useless at the same moment.'
+
+A deep shade of displeasure passed over John Davies's
+weatherbeaten countenance.  'Belike your honour is going to take
+the command yourself, then?'  he said, after a pause.  'Why, I
+can be of little use now; and since your worship, or your honour,
+or whatever you are, means to strike quietly, I believe you will
+do it better without me than with me, for I am like enough to
+make mischief, I admit; but I'll never leave my post without
+orders.'
+
+'Then you have mine, John Davies, to go to Mount Sharon directly,
+and take the boy Phil with you.  Where is he?'
+
+'He is on the outlook for these scums of the earth,' answered
+Davies; 'but it is to no purpose to know when they come, if we
+are not to stand to our weapons.'
+
+'We will use none but those of sense and reason, John.'
+
+'And you may just as well cast chaff against the wind, as speak
+sense and reason to the like of them.'
+
+'Well, well, be it so,' said Joshua; 'and now, John Davies, I
+know thou art what the world calls a brave fellow, and I have
+ever found thee an honest one.  And now I command you to go to
+Mount Sharon, and let Phil lie on the bank-side--see the poor boy
+hath a sea-cloak, though--and watch what happens there, and let
+him bring you the news; and if any violence shall be offered to
+the property there, I trust to your fidelity to carry my sister
+to Dumfries to the house of our friends the Corsacks, and inform
+the civil authorities of what mischief hath befallen.'
+
+The old seaman paused a moment.  'It is hard lines for me,' he
+said, 'to leave your honour in tribulation; and yet, staying
+here, I am only like to make bad worse; and your honour's sister,
+Miss Rachel, must be looked to, that's certain; for if the rogues
+once get their hand to mischief, they will come to Mount Sharon
+after they have wasted and destroyed this here snug little
+roadstead, where I thought to ride at anchor for life.'
+
+'Right, right, John Davies,' said Joshua Geddes; 'and best call
+the dogs with you.'
+
+'Aye, aye, sir,' said the veteran, 'for they are something of my
+mind, and would not keep quiet if they saw mischief doing; so
+maybe they might come to mischief, poor dumb creatures.  So God
+bless your honour--I mean your worship--I cannot bring my mouth
+to say fare you well.  Here, Neptune, Thetis!  come, dogs, come.'
+
+So saying, and with a very crestfallen countenance, John Davies
+left the hut.
+
+'Now there goes one of the best and most faithful creatures that
+ever was born,' said Mr. Geddes, as the superintendent shut the
+door of the cottage.  'Nature made him with a heart that would
+not have suffered him to harm a fly; but thou seest, friend
+Latimer, that as men arm their bull-dogs with spiked collars, and
+their game-cocks with steel spurs, to aid them in fight, so they
+corrupt, by education, the best and mildest natures, until
+fortitude and spirit become stubbornness and ferocity.  Believe
+me, friend Latimer, I would as soon expose my faithful household
+dog to a vain combat with a herd of wolves, as yon trusty
+creature to the violence of the enraged multitude.  But I need
+say little on this subject to thee, friend Latimer, who, I doubt
+not, art trained to believe that courage is displayed and honour
+attained, not by doing and suffering as becomes a man that which
+fate calls us to suffer and justice commands us to do, but
+because thou art ready to retort violence for violence, and
+considerest the lightest insult as a sufficient cause for the
+spilling of blood, nay, the taking of life.  But, leaving these
+points of controversy to a more fit season, let us see what our
+basket of provision contains; for in truth, friend Latimer, I am
+one of those whom neither fear nor anxiety deprives of their
+ordinary appetite.'
+
+We found the means of good cheer accordingly, which Mr. Geddes
+seemed to enjoy as much as if it had been eaten in a situation of
+perfect safety; nay, his conversation appeared to be rather more
+gay than on ordinary occasions.  After eating our supper, we left
+the hut together, and walked for a few minutes on the banks of
+the sea.  It was high water, and the ebb had not yet commenced.
+The moon shone broad and bright upon the placid face of the
+Solway Firth, and showed a slight ripple upon the stakes, the
+tops of which were just visible above the waves, and on the dark-
+coloured buoys which marked the upper edge of the enclosure of
+nets.  At a much greater distance--for the estuary is here very
+wide--the line of the English coast was seen on the verge of the
+water, resembling one of those fog-banks on which mariners are
+said to gaze, uncertain whether it be land or atmospherical
+delusion.
+
+'We shall be undisturbed for some hours,' said Mr. Geddes; 'they
+will not come down upon us:  till the state of the tide permits
+them to destroy the tide-nets.  Is it not strange to think that
+human passions will so soon transform such a tranquil scene as
+this into one of devastation and confusion?'
+
+It was indeed a scene of exquisite stillness; so much so, that
+the restless waves of the Solway seemed, if not absolutely to
+sleep, at least to slumber; on the shore no night-bird was heard
+--the cock had not sung his first matins, and we ourselves walked
+more lightly than by day, as if to suit the sounds of our own
+paces to the serene tranquillity around us.  At length, the
+plaintive cry of a dog broke the silence, and on our return to
+the cottage, we found that the younger of the three animals which
+had gone along with John Davies, unaccustomed, perhaps, to
+distant journeys, and the duty of following to heel, had strayed
+from the party, and, unable to rejoin them, had wandered back to
+the place of its birth.
+
+'Another feeble addition to our feeble garrison,' said Mr.
+Geddes, as he caressed the dog, and admitted it into the cottage.
+'Poor thing!  as thou art incapable of doing any mischief, I hope
+thou wilt sustain none.  At least thou mayst do us the good
+service of a sentinel, and permit us to enjoy a quiet repose,
+under the certainty that thou wilt alarm us when the enemy is at
+hand.'
+
+There were two beds in the superintendent's room, upon which we
+threw ourselves.  Mr. Geddes, with his happy equanimity of
+temper, was asleep in the first five minutes.  I lay for some
+time in doubtful and anxious thoughts, watching the fire, and the
+motions of the restless dog, which, disturbed probably at the
+absence of John Davies, wandered from the hearth to the door and
+back again, then came to the bedside and licked my hands and
+face, and at length, experiencing no repulse to its advances,
+established itself at my feet, and went to sleep, an example
+which I soon afterwards followed.
+
+The rage of narration, my dear Alan--for I will never relinquish
+the hope that what I am writing may one day reach your hands--has
+not forsaken me, even in my confinement, and the extensive though
+unimportant details into which I have been hurried, renders it
+necessary that I commence another sheet.  Fortunately, my pygmy
+characters comprehend a great many words within a small space of
+paper.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+DARSIE LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+The morning was dawning, and Mr. Geddes and I myself were still
+sleeping soundly, when the alarm was given by my canine
+bedfellow, who first growled deeply at intervals, and at length
+bore more decided testimony to the approach of some enemy.  I
+opened the door of the cottage, and perceived, at the distance of
+about two hundred yards, a small but close column of men, which I
+would have taken for a dark hedge, but that I could perceive it
+was advancing rapidly and in silence.
+
+The dog flew towards them, but instantly ran howling back to me,
+having probably been chastised by a stick or a stone.  Uncertain
+as to the plan of tactics or of treaty which Mr. Geddes might
+think proper to adopt, I was about to retire into the cottage,
+when he suddenly joined me at the door, and, slipping his arm
+through mine, said, 'Let us go to meet them manfully; we have
+done nothing to be ashamed of.--Friends,' he said, raising his
+voice as we approached them, 'who and what are you, and with what
+purpose are you here on my property?'
+
+A loud cheer was the answer returned, and a brace of fiddlers who
+occupied the front of the march immediately struck up the
+insulting air, the words of which begin--
+
+  Merrily danced the Quaker's wife,
+  And merrily danced the Quaker.
+
+Even at that moment of alarm, I think I recognized the tones of
+the blind fiddler, Will, known by the name of Wandering Willie,
+from his itinerant habits.  They continued to advance swiftly and
+in great order, in their front
+
+  The fiery fiddlers playing martial airs;
+
+when, coming close up, they surrounded us by a single movement,
+and there was a universal cry, 'Whoop, Quaker--whoop, Quaker!
+Here have we them both, the wet Quaker and the dry one.'
+
+'Hang up the wet Quaker to dry, and wet the dry one with a
+ducking,' answered another voice.
+
+'Where is the sea-otter, John Davies, that destroyed more fish
+than any sealch upon Ailsa Craig?'  exclaimed a third voice.  'I
+have an old crow to pluck with him, and a pock to put the
+feathers in.'
+
+We stood perfectly passive; for, to have attempted resistance
+against more than a hundred men, armed with guns, fish-spears,
+iron-crows, spades, and bludgeons, would have been an act of
+utter insanity.  Mr. Geddes, with his strong sonorous voice,
+answered the question about the superintendent in a manner the
+manly indifference of which compelled them to attend to him.
+
+'John Davies,' he said, 'will, I trust, soon be at Dumfries'--
+
+'To fetch down redcoats and dragoons against us, you canting old
+villain!'
+
+A blow was, at the same time, levelled at my friend, which I
+parried by interposing the stick I had in my hand.  I was
+instantly struck down, and have a faint recollection of hearing
+some crying, 'Kill the young spy!'  and others, as I thought,
+interposing on my behalf.  But a second blow on the head,
+received in the scuffle, soon deprived me of sense and
+consciousness, and threw me into it state of insensibility, from
+which I did not recover immediately.  When I did come to myself,
+I was lying on the bed from which I had just risen before the
+fray, and my poor companion, the Newfoundland puppy, its courage
+entirely cowed by the tumult of the riot, had crept as close to
+me as it could, and lay trembling and whining, as if under the
+most dreadful terror.  I doubted at first whether I had not
+dreamed of the tumult, until, as I attempted to rise, a feeling
+of pain and dizziness assured me that the injury I had sustained
+was but too real.  I gathered together my senses listened--and
+heard at a distance the shouts of the rioters, busy, doubtless,
+in their work of devastation.  I made a second effort to rise, or
+at least to turn myself, for I lay with my face to the wall of
+the cottage, but I found that my limbs were secured, and my
+motions effectually prevented--not indeed by cords, but by linen
+or cloth bandages swathed around my ankles, and securing my arms
+to my sides.  Aware of my utterly captive condition, I groaned
+betwixt bodily pain and mental distress,
+
+A voice by my bedside whispered, in a whining tone, 'Whisht a-ye,
+hinnie--Whisht a-ye; haud your tongue, like a gude bairn--ye have
+cost us dear aneugh already.  My hinnie's clean gane now.'
+
+Knowing, as I thought, the phraseology of the wife of the
+itinerant musician, I asked her where her husband was, and
+whether he had been hurt.
+
+'Broken,' answered the dame, 'all broken to pieces; fit for
+naught but to be made spunks of--the best blood that was in
+Scotland.'
+
+'Broken?--blood?--is your husband wounded; has there been
+bloodshed broken limbs?'
+
+'Broken limbs I wish,' answered the beldam, 'that my hinnie had
+broken the best bane in his body, before he had broken his
+fiddle, that was the best blood in Scotland--it was a Cremony,
+for aught that I ken.'
+
+'Pshaw--only his fiddle?'  said I.
+
+'I dinna ken what waur your honour could have wished him to do,
+unless he had broken his neck; and this is muckle the same to my
+hinnie Willie and me.  Chaw, indeed!  It is easy to say chaw, but
+wha is to gie us ony thing to chaw?--the bread-winner's gane, and
+we may e'en sit down and starve.'
+
+'No, no,' I said, 'I will pay you for twenty such fiddles.'
+
+'Twenty such!  is that a' ye ken about it?  the country hadna the
+like o't.  But if your honour were to pay us, as nae doubt wad be
+to your credit here and hereafter, where are ye to get the
+siller?'
+
+'I have enough of money,' said I, attempting to reach my hand
+towards my side-pocket; 'unloose these bandages, and I will pay
+you on the spot.'
+
+This hint appeared to move her, and she was approaching the
+bedside, as I hoped, to liberate me from my bonds, when a nearer
+and more desperate shout was heard, as if the rioters were close
+by the hut.
+
+'I daurna I daurna,' said the poor woman, 'they would murder me
+and my hinnie Willie baith, and they have misguided us aneugh
+already;--but if there is anything worldly I could do for your
+honour, leave out loosing ye?'
+
+What she said recalled me to my bodily suffering.  Agitation, and
+the effects of the usage I had received, had produced a burning
+thirst.  I asked for a drink of water.
+
+'Heaven Almighty forbid that Epps Ainslie should gie ony sick
+gentleman cauld well-water, and him in a fever.  Na, na, hinnie,
+let me alane, I'll do better for ye than the like of that.'
+
+'Give me what you will,' I replied; 'let it but be liquid and
+cool.'
+
+The woman gave me a large horn accordingly, filled with spirits
+and water, which, without minute inquiry concerning the nature of
+its contents, I drained at a draught.  Either the spirits taken
+in such a manner acted more suddenly than usual on my brain, or
+else there was some drug mixed with the beverage.  I remember
+little after drinking it off, only that the appearance of things
+around me became indistinct; that the woman's form seemed to
+multiply itself, and to flit in various figures around me,
+bearing the same lineaments as she herself did.  I remember also
+that the discordant noises and cries of those without the cottage
+seemed to die away in a hum like that with which a nurse hushes
+her babe.  At length I fell into a deep sound sleep, or rather, a
+state of absolute insensibility.
+
+I have reason to think this species of trance lasted for many
+hours; indeed, for the whole subsequent day and part of the
+night.  It was not uniformly so profound, for my recollection of
+it is chequered with many dreams, all of a painful nature, but
+too faint and too indistinct to be remembered.  At length the
+moment of waking came, and my sensations were horrible.
+
+A deep sound, which, in the confusion of my senses, I identified
+with the cries of the rioters, was the first thing of which I was
+sensible; next, I became conscious that I was carried violently
+forward in some conveyance, with an unequal motion, which gave me
+much pain.  My position was horizontal, and when I attempted to
+stretch my hands in order to find some mode of securing myself
+against this species of suffering, I found I was bound as before,
+and the horrible reality rushed on my mind that I was in the
+hands of those who had lately committed a great outrage on
+property, and were now about to kidnap, if not to murder me.  I
+opened my eyes, it was to no purpose--all around me was dark, for
+a day had passed over during my captivity.  A dispiriting
+sickness oppressed my head--my heart seemed on fire, while my
+feet and hands were chilled and benumbed with want of
+circulation.  It was with the utmost difficulty that I at length,
+and gradually, recovered in a sufficient degree the power of
+observing external sounds and circumstances; and when I did so,
+they presented nothing consolatory.
+
+Groping with my hands, as far as the bandages would permit, and
+receiving the assistance of some occasional glances of the
+moonlight, I became aware that the carriage in which I was
+transported was one of the light carts of the country, called
+TUMBLERS, and that a little attention had been paid to my
+accommodation, as I was laid upon some sacks covered with
+matting, and filled with straw.  Without these, my condition
+would have been still more intolerable, for the vehicle, sinking
+now on one side, and now on the other, sometimes sticking
+absolutely fast and requiring the utmost exertions of the animal
+which drew it to put it once more in motion, was subjected to
+jolts in all directions, which were very severe.  At other times
+it rolled silently and smoothly over what seemed to be wet sand;
+and, as I heard the distant roar of the tide, I had little doubt
+that we were engaged in passing the formidable estuary which
+divides the two kingdoms.
+
+There seemed to be at least five or six people about the cart,
+some on foot, others on horseback; the former lent assistance
+whenever it was in danger of upsetting, or sticking fast in the
+quicksand; the others rode before and acted as guides, often
+changing the direction of the vehicle as the precarious state of
+the passage required.
+
+I addressed myself to the men around the cart, and endeavoured to
+move their compassion.  I had harmed, I said, no one, and for no
+action in my life had deserved such cruel treatment, I had no
+concern whatever in the fishing station which had incurred their
+displeasure, and my acquaintance with Mr. Geddes was of a very
+late date.  Lastly, and as my strongest argument, I endeavoured
+to excite their fears, by informing them that my rank in life
+would not permit me to be either murdered or secreted with
+impunity; and to interest their avarice, by the promises I made
+them of reward, if they would effect my deliverance.  I only
+received a scornful laugh in reply to my threats; my promises
+might have done more, for the fellows were whispering together as
+if in hesitation, and I began to reiterate and increase my
+offers, when the voice of one of the horsemen, who had suddenly
+come up, enjoined silence to the men on foot, and, approaching
+the side of the cart, said to me, with a strong and determined
+voice, 'Young man, there is no personal harm designed to you.  If
+you remain silent and quiet, you may reckon on good treatment;
+but if you endeavour to tamper with these men in the execution of
+their duty, I will take such measures for silencing you, as you
+shall remember the longest day you have to live.'
+
+I thought I knew the voice which uttered these threats; but, in
+such a situation, my perceptions could not be supposed to be
+perfectly accurate.  I was contented to reply, 'Whoever you are
+that speak to me, I entreat the benefit of the meanest prisoner,
+who is not to be subjected, legally to greater hardship than is
+necessary for the restraint of his person.  I entreat that these
+bonds, which hurt me so cruelly, may be slackened at least, if
+not removed altogether.'
+
+'I will slacken the belts,' said the former speaker; 'nay, I will
+altogether remove them, and allow you to pursue your journey in a
+more convenient manner, provided you will give me your word of
+honour that you will not attempt an escape?'
+
+'NEVER!'  I answered, with an energy of which despair alone could
+have rendered me capable--'I will never submit to loss of freedom
+a moment longer than I am subjected to it by force.'
+
+'Enough,' he replied; 'the sentiment is natural; but do not on
+your side complain that I, who am carrying on an important
+undertaking, use the only means in my power for ensuring its
+success.'
+
+I entreated to know what it was designed to do with me; but my
+conductor, in a voice of menacing authority, desired me to be
+silent on my peril; and my strength and spirits were too much
+exhausted to permit my continuing a dialogue so singular, even if
+I could have promised myself any good result by doing so.
+
+It is proper here to add, that, from my recollections at the
+time, and from what has since taken place, I have the strongest
+possible belief that the man with whom I held this expostulation
+was the singular person residing at Brokenburn, in Dumfriesshire,
+and called by the fishers of that hamlet, the Laird of the Solway
+Lochs.  The cause for his inveterate persecution I cannot pretend
+even to guess at.
+
+In the meantime, the cart was dragged heavily and wearily on,
+until the nearer roar of the advancing tide excited the
+apprehension of another danger.  I could not mistake the sound,
+which I had heard upon another occasion, when it was only the
+speed of a fleet horse which saved me from perishing in the
+quicksands.  Thou, my dear Alan, canst not but remember the
+former circumstances; and now, wonderful contrast!  the very man,
+to the best of my belief, who then saved me from peril, was the
+leader of the lawless band who had deprived me of my liberty.  I
+conjectured that the danger grew imminent; for I heard some words
+and circumstances which made me aware that a rider hastily
+fastened his own horse to the shafts of the cart in order to
+assist the exhausted animal which drew it, and the vehicle was
+now pulled forward at a faster pace, which the horses were urged
+to maintain by blows and curses.  The men, however, were
+inhabitants of the neighbourhood; and I had strong personal
+reason to believe that one of them, at least, was intimately
+acquainted with all the depths and shallows of the perilous paths
+in which we were engaged.  But they were in imminent danger
+themselves; and if so, as from the whispering and exertions to
+push on with the cart was much to be apprehended, there was
+little doubt that I should be left behind as a useless
+encumbrance, and that, while I was in a condition which rendered
+every chance of escape impracticable.  These were awful
+apprehensions; but it pleased Providence to increase them to a
+point which my brain was scarcely able to endure.
+
+As we approached very near to a black line, which, dimly visible
+as it was, I could make out to be the shore, we heard two or
+three sounds, which appeared to be the report of fire-arms.
+Immediately all was bustle among our party to get forward.
+Presently a fellow galloped up to us, crying out, 'Ware hawk!
+ware hawk!  the land-sharks are out from Burgh, and Allonby Tom
+will lose his cargo if you do not bear a hand.'
+
+Most of my company seemed to make hastily for the shore on
+receiving this intelligence.  A driver was left with the cart;
+but at length, when, after repeated and hairbreadth escapes, it
+actually stuck fast in a slough or quicksand, the fellow, with an
+oath, cut the harness, and, as I presume, departed with the
+horses, whose feet I heard splashing over the wet sand and
+through the shallows, as he galloped off.
+
+The dropping sound of fire-arms was still continued, but lost
+almost entirely in the thunder of the advancing surge.  By a
+desperate effort I raised myself in the cart, and attained a
+sitting posture, which served only to show me the extent of my
+danger.  There lay my native land--my own England--the land where
+I was born, and to which my wishes, since my earliest age, had
+turned with all the prejudices of national feeling--there it lay,
+within a furlong of the place where I yet was; that furlong,
+which an infant would have raced over in a minute, was yet a
+barrier effectual to divide me for ever from England and from
+life.  I soon not only heard the roar of this dreadful torrent,
+but saw, by the fitful moonlight, the foamy crests of the
+devouring waves, as they advanced with the speed and fury of a
+pack of hungry wolves.
+
+The consciousness that the slightest ray of hope, or power of
+struggling, was not left me, quite overcame the constancy which I
+had hitherto maintained.  My eyes began to swim--my head grew
+giddy and mad with fear--I chattered and howled to the howling
+and roaring sea.  One or two great waves already reached the
+cart, when the conductor of the party whom I have mentioned so
+often, was, as if by magic, at my side.  He sprang from his horse
+into the vehicle, cut the ligatures which restrained me, and bade
+me get up and mount in the fiend's name.
+
+Seeing I was incapable of obeying, he seized me as if I had been
+a child of six months old, threw me across the horse, sprang on
+behind, supporting with one hand, while he directed the animal
+with the other.  In my helpless and painful posture, I was
+unconscious of the degree of danger which we incurred; but I
+believe at one time the horse was swimming, or nearly so; and
+that it was with difficulty that my stern and powerful assistant
+kept my head above water.  I remember particularly the shock
+which I felt when the animal, endeavouring to gain the bank,
+reared, and very nearly fell back on his burden.  The time during
+which I continued in this dreadful condition did not probably
+exceed two or three minutes, yet so strongly were they marked
+with horror and agony, that they seem to my recollection a much
+more considerable space of time.
+
+When I had been thus snatched from destruction, I had only power
+to say to my protector,--or oppressor,--for he merited either
+name at my hand, 'You do not, then, design to murder me?'
+
+He laughed as he replied, but it was a sort of laughter which I
+scarce desire to hear again,--'Else you think I had let the waves
+do the work?  But remember, the shepherd saves his sheep from the
+torrent--is it to preserve its life?--Be silent, however, with
+questions or entreaties.  What I mean to do, thou canst no more
+discover or prevent, than a man, with his bare palm, can scoop
+dry the Solway.'
+
+I was too much exhausted to continue the argument; and, still
+numbed and torpid in all my limbs, permitted myself without
+reluctance to be placed on a horse brought for the purpose.  My
+formidable conductor rode on the one side, and another person on
+the other, keeping me upright in the saddle.  In this manner we
+travelled forward at a considerable rate, and by by-roads, with
+which my attendant seemed as familiar as with the perilous
+passages of the Solway.
+
+At length, after stumbling through a labyrinth of dark and deep
+lanes, and crossing more than one rough and barren heath, we
+found ourselves on the edge of a highroad, where a chaise and
+four awaited, as it appeared, our arrival.  To my great relief,
+we now changed our mode of conveyance; for my dizziness and
+headache had returned in so strong a degree, that I should
+otherwise have been totally unable to keep my seat on horseback,
+even with the support which I received.
+
+My doubted and dangerous companion signed to me to enter the
+carriage--the man who had ridden on the left side of my horse
+stepped in after me, and drawing up the blinds of the vehicle,
+gave the signal for instant departure.
+
+I had obtained a glimpse of the countenance of my new companion,
+as by the aid of a dark lantern the drivers opened the carriage
+door, and I was wellnigh persuaded that I recognized in him the
+domestic of the leader of this party, whom I had seen at his
+house in Brokenburn on a former occasion.  To ascertain the truth
+of my suspicion, I asked him whether his name was not Cristal
+Nixon.
+
+'What is other folk's names to you,' he replied, gruffly, 'who
+cannot tell your own father and mother?'
+
+'You know them, perhaps!'  I exclaimed eagerly.  'You know them!
+and with that secret is connected the treatment which I am now
+receiving?  It must be so, for in my life have I never injured
+any one.  Tell me the cause of my misfortunes, or rather, help me
+to my liberty, and I will reward you richly.'
+
+'Aye, aye,' replied my keeper; 'but what use to give you liberty,
+who know nothing how to use it like a gentleman, but spend your
+time with Quakers and fiddlers, and such like raff!  If I was
+your--hem, hem, hem!'
+
+Here Cristal stopped short, just on the point, as it appeared,
+when some information was likely to escape him.  I urged him once
+more to be my friend, and promised him all the stock of money
+which I had about me, and it was not inconsiderable, if he would
+assist in my escape.
+
+He listened, as if to a proposition which had some interest, and
+replied, but in a voice rather softer than before, 'Aye, but men
+do not catch old birds with chaff, my master.  Where have you got
+the rhino you are so flush of?'
+
+'I will give you earnest directly, and that in banknotes,' said
+I; but thrusting my hand into my side-pocket, I found my pocket-
+book was gone.  I would have persuaded myself that it was only
+the numbness of my hands which prevented my finding it; but
+Cristal Nixon, who bears in his countenance that cynicism which
+is especially entertained with human misery, no longer suppressed
+his laughter.
+
+'Oh, ho!  my young master,' he said; 'we have taken good enough
+care you have not kept the means of bribing poor folk's fidelity.
+What, man, they have souls as well as other people, and to make
+them break trust is a deadly sin.  And as for me, young
+gentleman, if you would fill Saint Mary's Kirk with gold, Cristal
+Nixon would mind it no more than so many chucky-stones.'
+
+I would have persisted, were it but in hopes of his letting drop
+that which it concerned me to know, but he cut off further
+communication, by desiring me to lean back in the corner and go
+to sleep.
+
+'Thou art cock-brained enough already,' he added, 'and we shall
+have thy young pate addled entirely, if you do not take some
+natural rest.'
+
+I did indeed require repose, if not slumber; the draught which I
+had taken continued to operate, and, satisfied in my own mind
+that no attempt on my life was designed, the fear of instant
+death no longer combated the torpor which crept over me--I slept,
+and slept soundly, but still without refreshment.
+
+When I awoke, I found myself extremely indisposed; images of the
+past, and anticipations of the future, floated confusedly through
+my brain.  I perceived, however, that my situation was changed,
+greatly for the better.  I was in a good bed, with the curtains
+drawn round it; I heard the lowered voice and cautious step of
+attendants, who seemed to respect my repose; it appeared as if I
+was in the hands either of friends, or of such as meant me no
+personal harm.
+
+I can give but an indistinct account of two or three broken and
+feverish days which succeeded, but if they were chequered with
+dreams and visions of terror, other and more agreeable objects
+were also sometimes presented.  Alan Fairford will understand me
+when I say, I am convinced I saw G.M. during this interval of
+oblivion.  I had medical attendance, and was bled more than once.
+I also remember a painful operation performed on my head, where I
+had received a severe blow on the night of the riot.  My hair was
+cut short, and the bone of the skull examined, to discover if the
+cranium had received any injury.
+
+On seeing the physician, it would have been natural to have
+appealed to him on the subject of my confinement, and I remember
+more than once attempting to do so.  But the fever lay like a
+spell upon my tongue, and when I would have implored the doctor's
+assistance, I rambled from the subject, and spoke I know not what
+nonsense.  Some power, which I was unable to resist, seemed to
+impel me into a different course of conversation from what I
+intended, and though conscious, in some degree, of the failure, I
+could not mend it; and resolved, therefore, to be patient, until
+my capacity of steady thought and expression was restored to me
+with my ordinary health, which had sustained a severe shock from
+the vicissitudes to which I had been exposed.  [See Note 6.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+DARSIE LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+Two or three days, perhaps more, perhaps less, had been spent in
+bed, where I was carefully attended, and treated, I believe, with
+as much judgement as the case required, and I was at length
+allowed to quit my bed, though not the chamber.  I was now more
+able to make some observation on the place of my confinement.
+
+The room, in appearance and furniture, resembled the best
+apartment in a farmer's house; and the window, two stories high,
+looked into a backyard, or court, filled with domestic poultry.
+There were the usual domestic offices about this yard.  I could
+distinguish the brewhouse and the barn, and I heard, from a more
+remote building, the lowing of the cattle, and other rural
+sounds, announcing a large and well-stocked farm.  These were
+sights and sounds qualified to dispel any apprehension of
+immediate violence.  Yet the building seemed ancient and strong,
+a part of the roof was battlemented,and the walls were of great
+thickness; lastly, I observed, with some unpleasant sensations,
+that the windows of my chamber had been lately secured with iron
+stanchions, and that the servants who brought me victuals, or
+visited my apartment to render other menial offices, always
+locked the door when they retired.
+
+The comfort and cleanliness of my chamber were of true English
+growth, and such as I had rarely seen on the other side of the
+Tweed; the very old wainscot, which composed the floor and the
+panelling of the room, was scrubbed with a degree of labour which
+the Scottish housewife rarely bestows on her most costly
+furniture.
+
+The whole apartments appropriated to my use consisted of the
+bedroom, a small parlour adjacent, within which was a still
+smaller closet having a narrow window which seemed anciently to
+have been used as a shot-hole, admitting, indeed, a very moderate
+portion of light and air, but without its being possible to see
+anything from it except the blue sky, and that only by mounting
+on a chair.  There were appearances of a separate entrance into
+this cabinet, besides that which communicated with the parlour,
+but it had been recently built up, as I discovered by removing a
+piece of tapestry which covered the fresh mason-work.  I found
+some of my clothes here, with linen and other articles, as well
+as my writing-case, containing pen, ink, and paper, which enables
+me, at my leisure (which, God knows, is undisturbed enough) to
+make this record of my confinement.  It may be well believed,
+however, that I do not trust to the security of the bureau, but
+carry the written sheets about my person, so that I can only be
+deprived of them by actual violence.  I also am cautious to write
+in the little cabinet only, so that I can hear any person
+approach me through the other apartments, and have time enough to
+put aside my journal before they come upon me.
+
+The servants, a stout country fellow and a very pretty milkmaid-
+looking lass, by whom I am attended, seem of the true Joan and
+Hedge school, thinking of little and desiring nothing beyond the
+very limited sphere of their own duties or enjoyments, and having
+no curiosity whatever about the affairs of others.  Their
+behaviour to me in particular, is, at the same time, very kind
+and very provoking.  My table is abundantly supplied, and they
+seem anxious to comply with my taste in that department.  But
+whenever I make inquiries beyond 'what's for dinner', the brute
+of a lad baffles me by his ANAN, and his DUNNA KNAW, and if hard
+pressed, turns his back on me composedly, and leaves the room.
+The girl, too, pretends to be as simple as he; but an arch grin,
+which she cannot always suppress, seems to acknowledge that she
+understands perfectly well the game which she is playing, and is
+determined to keep me in ignorance.  Both of them, and the wench
+in particular, treat me as they would do a spoiled child, and
+never directly refuse me anything which I ask, taking care, at
+the same time, not to make their words good by effectually
+granting my request.  Thus, if I desire to go out, I am promised
+by Dorcas that I shall walk in the park at night, and see the
+cows milked, just as she would propose such an amusement to a
+child.  But she takes care never to keep her word, if it is in
+her power to do so.
+
+In the meantime, there has stolen on me insensibly an
+indifference to my freedom--a carelessness about my situation,
+for which I am unable to account, unless it be the consequence of
+weakness and loss of blood.  I have read of men who, immured as I
+am, have surprised the world by the address with which they have
+successfully overcome the most formidable obstacles to their
+escape; and when I have heard such anecdotes, I have said to
+myself, that no one who is possessed only of a fragment of
+freestone, or a rusty nail to grind down rivets and to pick
+locks, having his full leisure to employ in the task, need
+continue the inhabitant of a prison.  Here, however, I sit, day
+after day, without a single effort to effect my liberation.
+
+Yet my inactivity is not the result of despondency, but arises,
+in part at least, from feelings of a very different cast.  My
+story, long a mysterious one, seems now upon the verge of some
+strange development; and I feel a solemn impression that I ought
+to wait the course of events, to struggle against which is
+opposing my feeble efforts to the high will of fate.  Thou, my
+Alan, wilt treat as timidity this passive acquiescence, which has
+sunk down on me like a benumbing torpor; but if thou hast
+remembered by what visions my couch was haunted, and dost but
+think of the probability that I am in the vicinity, perhaps under
+the same roof with G.M., thou wilt acknowledge that other
+feelings than pusillanimity have tended in some degree to
+reconcile me to my fate.
+
+Still I own it is unmanly to submit with patience to this
+oppressive confinement.  My heart rises against it, especially
+when I sit down to record my sufferings in this journal, and I am
+determined, as the first step to my deliverance, to have my
+letters sent to the post-house.
+
+----
+
+I am disappointed.  When the girl Dorcas, upon whom I had fixed
+for a messenger, heard me talk of sending a letter, she willingly
+offered her services, and received the crown which I gave her
+(for my purse had not taken flight with the more valuable
+contents of my pocket-book) with a smile which showed her whole
+set of white teeth.
+
+But when, with the purpose of gaining some intelligence
+respecting my present place of abode, I asked to which post-town
+she was to send or carry the letter, a stolid 'ANAN' showed me
+she was either ignorant of the nature of a post-office, or that,
+for the present, she chose to seem so.--'Simpleton!'  I said,
+with some sharpness.
+
+'O Lord, sir!'  answered the girl, turning pale, which they
+always do when I show any sparks of anger, 'Don't put yourself in
+a passion--I'll put the letter in the post.
+
+'What!  and not know the name of the post-town?'  said I, out of
+patience.  'How on earth do you propose to manage that?'
+
+'La you there, good master.  What need you frighten a poor girl
+that is no schollard, bating what she learned at the Charity
+School of Saint Bees?'
+
+'Is Saint Bees far from this place, Dorcas?  Do you send your
+letters there?'  said I, in a manner as insinuating, and yet
+careless, as I could assume.
+
+'Saint Bees!  La, who but a madman--begging your honour's pardon
+--it's a matter of twenty years since fader lived at Saint Bees,
+which is twenty, or forty, or I dunna know not how many miles
+from this part, to the West, on the coast side; and I would not
+have left Saint Bees, but that fader'--
+
+'Oh, the devil take your father!'  replied I.
+
+To which she answered, 'Nay, but thof your honour be a little
+how-come-so, you shouldn't damn folk's faders; and I won't stand
+to it, for one.'
+
+'Oh, I beg you a thousand pardons--I wish your father no ill in
+the world--he was a very honest man in his way.'
+
+'WAS an honest man!'  she exclaimed; for the Cumbrians are, it
+would seem, like their neighbours the Scotch, ticklish on the
+point of ancestry,--'He IS a very honest man as ever led nag with
+halter on head to Staneshaw Bank Fair.  Honest!  He is a horse-
+couper.'
+
+'Right, right,' I replied; 'I know it--I have heard of your
+father-as honest as any horse-couper of them all.  Why, Dorcas, I
+mean to buy a horse of him.'
+
+'Ah, your honour,' sighed Dorcas, 'he is the man to serve your
+honour well--if ever you should get round again--or thof you were
+a bit off the hooks, he would no more cheat you than'--
+
+'Well, well, we will deal, my girl, you may depend on't.  But
+tell me now, were I to give you a letter, what would you do to
+get it forward?'
+
+'Why, put it into Squire's own bag that hangs in hall,' answered
+poor Dorcas.  'What else could I do?  He sends it to Brampton, or
+to Carloisle, or where it pleases him, once a week, and that
+gate.'
+
+'Ah!'  said I; 'and I suppose your sweetheart John carries it?'
+
+'Noa--disn't now--and Jan is no sweetheart of mine, ever since he
+danced at his mother's feast with Kitty Rutlege, and let me sit
+still; that a did.'
+
+'It was most abominable in Jan, and what I could never have
+thought of him,' I replied.
+
+'Oh, but a did though--a let me sit still on my seat, a did.'
+
+'Well, well, my pretty May, you will get a handsomer fellow than
+Jan--Jan's not the fellow for you, I see that.'
+
+'Noa, noa,' answered the damsel; 'but he is weel aneugh for a'
+that, mon.  But I carena a button for him; for there is the
+miller's son, that suitored me last Appleby Fair, when I went wi'
+oncle, is a gway canny lad as you will see in the sunshine.'
+
+'Aye, a fine stout fellow.  Do you think he would carry my letter
+to Carlisle?'
+
+'To Carloisle!  'Twould be all his life is worth; he maun wait on
+clap and hopper, as they say.  Odd, his father would brain him if
+he went to Carloisle, bating to wrestling for the belt, or sic
+loike.  But I ha' more bachelors than him; there is the
+schoolmaster, can write almaist as weel as tou canst, mon.'
+
+'Then he is the very man to take charge of a letter; he knows the
+trouble of writing one.'
+
+'Aye, marry does he, an tou comest to that, mon; only it takes
+him four hours to write as mony lines.  Tan, it is a great round
+hand loike, that one can read easily, and not loike your
+honour's, that are like midge's taes.  But for ganging to
+Carloisle, he's dead foundered, man, as cripple as Eckie's mear.'
+
+'In the name of God,' said I, 'how is it that you propose to get
+my letter to the post?'
+
+'Why, just to put it into Squire's bag loike,' reiterated Dorcas;
+'he sends it by Cristal Nixon to post, as you call it, when such
+is his pleasure.'
+
+Here I was, then, not much edified by having obtained a list of
+Dorcas's bachelors; and by finding myself, with respect to any
+information which I desired, just exactly at the point where I
+set out.  It was of consequence to me, however, to accustom, the
+girl to converse with me familiarly.  If she did so, she could
+not always be on her guard, and something, I thought, might drop
+from her which I could turn to advantage.
+
+'Does not the Squire usually look into his letter-bag, Dorcas?'
+said I, with as much indifference as I could assume.
+
+'That a does,' said Dorcas; 'and a threw out a letter of mine to
+Raff Miller, because a said'--
+
+'Well, well, I won't trouble him with mine,' said I, 'Dorcas;
+but, instead, I will write to himself, Dorcas.  But how shall I
+address him?'
+
+'Anan?'  was again Dorcas's resource.
+
+'I mean how is he called?  What is his name?'
+
+'Sure you honour should know best,' said Dorcas.
+
+'I know?  The devil!  You drive me beyond patience.'
+
+'Noa, noa!  donna your honour go beyond patience--donna ye now,'
+implored the wench.  'And for his neame, they say he has mair nor
+ane in Westmoreland and on the Scottish side.  But he is but
+seldom wi' us, excepting in the cocking season; and then we just
+call him Squoire loike; and so do my measter and dame.'
+
+'And is he here at present?'  said I.
+
+'Not he, not he; he is a buck-hoonting, as they tell me,
+somewhere up the Patterdale way; but he comes and gangs like a
+flap of a whirlwind, or sic loike.'
+
+I broke off the conversation, after forcing on Dorcas a little
+silver to buy ribbons, with which she was so much delighted that
+she exclaimed, 'God!  Cristal Nixon may say his worst on thee;
+but thou art a civil gentleman for all him; and a quoit man wi'
+woman folk loike.'
+
+There is no sense in being too quiet with women folk, so I added
+a kiss with my crown piece; and I cannot help thinking that I
+have secured a partisan in Dorcas.  At least, she blushed, and
+pocketed her little compliment with one hand, while, with the
+other, she adjusted her cherry-coloured ribbons, a little
+disordered by the struggle it cost me to attain the honour of a
+salute.
+
+As she unlocked the door to leave the apartment, she turned back,
+and looking on me with a strong expression of compassion, added
+the remarkable words, 'La--be'st mad or no, thou'se a mettled
+lad, after all.'
+
+There was something very ominous in the sound of these farewell
+words, which seemed to afford me a clue to the pretext under
+which I was detained in confinement, My demeanour was probably
+insane enough, while I was agitated at once by the frenzy
+incident to the fever, and the anxiety arising from my
+extraordinary situation.  But is it possible they can now
+establish any cause for confining me arising out of the state of
+my mind?
+
+If this be really the pretext under which I am restrained from my
+liberty, nothing but the sedate correctness of my conduct can
+remove the prejudices which these circumstances may have excited
+in the minds of all who have approached me during my illness.  I
+have heard--dreadful thought!--of men who, for various reasons,
+have been trepanned into the custody of the keepers of private
+madhouses, and whose brain, after years of misery, became at
+length unsettled, through irresistible sympathy with the wretched
+beings among whom they were classed.  This shall not be my case,
+if, by strong internal resolution, it is in human nature to avoid
+the action of exterior and contagious sympathies.
+
+Meantime I sat down to compose and arrange my thoughts, for my
+purposed appeal to my jailer--so I must call him--whom I
+addressed in the following manner; having at length, and after
+making several copies, found language to qualify the sense of
+resentment which burned in the first, drafts of my letter, and
+endeavoured to assume a tone more conciliating.  I mentioned the
+two occasions on which he had certainly saved my life, when at
+the utmost peril; and I added, that whatever was the purpose of
+the restraint, now practised on me, as I was given to understand,
+by his authority, it could not certainly be with any view to
+ultimately injuring me.  He might, I said, have mistaken me for
+some other person; and I gave him what account I could of my
+situation and education, to correct such an error.  I supposed it
+next possible, that he might think me too weak for travelling,
+and not capable of taking care of myself; and I begged to assure
+him, that I was restored to perfect health, and quite able to
+endure the fatigue of a journey.  Lastly, I reminded him, in firm
+though measured terms, that the restraint which I sustained was
+an illegal one, and highly punishable by the laws which protect
+the liberties of the subject.  I ended by demanding that he would
+take me before a magistrate; or, at least, that he would favour
+me with a personal interview and explain his meaning with regard
+to me.
+
+Perhaps this letter was expressed in a tone too humble for the
+situation of an injured man, and I am inclined to think so when I
+again recapitulate its tenor.  But what could I do?  I was in the
+power of one whose passions seem as violent as his means of
+gratifying them appear unbounded.  I had reason, too, to believe
+(this to thee, Alan) that all his family did not approve of the
+violence of his conduct towards me; my object, in fine, was
+freedom, and who would not sacrifice much to attain it?
+
+I had no means of addressing my letter excepting 'For the
+Squire's own hand.'  He could be at no great distance, for in the
+course of twenty-four hours I received an answer.  It was
+addressed to Darsie Latimer, and contained these words:  'You
+have demanded an interview with me.  You have required to be
+carried before a magistrate.  Your first wish shall be granted--
+perhaps the second also.  Meanwhile, be assured that you are a
+prisoner for the time, by competent authority, and that such
+authority is supported by adequate power.  Beware, therefore, of
+struggling with a force sufficient to crush you, but abandon
+yourself to that train of events by which we are both swept
+along, and which it is impossible that either of us can resist.'
+
+These mysterious words were without signature of any kind, and
+left me nothing more important to do than to prepare myself for
+the meeting which they promised.  For that purpose I must now
+break off, and make sure of the manuscript--so far as I can, in
+my present condition, be sure of anything--by concealing it
+within the lining of my coat, so as not to be found without
+strict search.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+The important interview expected at the conclusion of my last
+took place sooner than I had calculated; for the very day I
+received the letter, and just when my dinner was finished, the
+squire, or whatever he is called, entered the room so suddenly
+that I almost thought I beheld an apparition.  The figure of this
+man is peculiarly noble and stately, and his voice has that deep
+fullness of accent which implies unresisted authority.  I had
+risen involuntarily as he entered; we gazed on each other for a
+moment in silence, which was at length broken by my visitor.
+
+'You have desired to see me,' he said.  'I am here; if you have
+aught to say let me hear it; my time is too brief to be consumed
+in childish dumb-show.'
+
+'I would ask of you,' said I, 'by what authority I am detained in
+this place of confinement, and for what purpose?'
+
+'I have told you already,' said he, 'that my authority is
+sufficient, and my power equal to it; this is all which it is
+necessary for you at present to know.'
+
+'Every British subject has a right to know why he suffers
+restraint,' I replied; 'nor can he be deprived of liberty without
+a legal warrant.  Show me that by which you confine me thus.'
+
+'You shall see more,' he said; 'you shall see the magistrate by
+whom it is granted, and that without a moment's delay.'
+
+This sudden proposal fluttered and alarmed me; I felt,
+nevertheless, that I had the right cause, and resolved to plead
+it boldly, although I could well have desired a little further
+time for preparation.  He turned, however, threw open the door of
+the apartment, and commanded me to follow him.  I felt some
+inclination, when I crossed the threshold of my prison-chamber,
+to have turned and run for it; but I knew not where to find the
+stairs--had reason to think the outer doors would be secured and,
+to conclude, so soon as I had quitted the room to follow the
+proud step of my conductor, I observed that I was dogged by
+Cristal Nixon, who suddenly appeared within two paces of me, and
+with whose great personal strength, independent of the assistance
+he might have received from his master, I saw no chance of
+contending.  I therefore followed, unresistingly and in silence;
+along one or two passages of much greater length than consisted
+with the ideas I had previously entertained of the size of the
+house.  At length a door was flung open, and we entered a large,
+old-fashioned parlour, having coloured glass in the windows,
+oaken panelling on the wall, a huge grate, in which a large
+faggot or two smoked under an arched chimney-piece of stone which
+bore some armorial device, whilst the walls were adorned with the
+usual number of heroes in armour, with large wigs instead of
+helmets, and ladies in sacques, smelling to nosegays.
+
+Behind a long table, on which were several books, sat a smart
+underbred-looking man, wearing his own hair tied in a club, and
+who, from the quire of paper laid before him, and the pen which
+he handled at my entrance, seemed prepared to officiate as clerk.
+As I wish to describe these persons as accurately as possible, I
+may add, he wore a dark-coloured coat, corduroy breeches, and
+spatterdashes.  At the upper end of the same table, in an ample
+easy-chair covered with black leather, reposed a fat personage,
+about fifty years old, who either was actually a country justice,
+or was well selected to represent such a character.  His leathern
+breeches were faultless in make, his jockey boots spotless in the
+varnish, and a handsome and flourishing pair of boot-garters, as
+they are called, united the one part of his garments to the
+other; in fine, a richly-laced scarlet waistcoat and a purple
+coat set off the neat though corpulent figure of the little man,
+and threw an additional bloom upon his plethoric aspect.  I
+suppose he had dined, for it was two hours past noon, and he was
+amusing himself, and aiding digestion, with a pipe of tobacco.
+There was an air of importance in his manner which corresponded
+to the rural dignity of his exterior, and a habit which he had of
+throwing out a number of interjectional sounds, uttered with a
+strange variety of intonation running from bass up to treble in a
+very extraordinary manner, or breaking off his sentences with a
+whiff of his pipe, seemed adopted to give an air of thought and
+mature deliberation to his opinions and decisions.
+Notwithstanding all this, Alan, it might be DOOTED, as our old
+Professor used to say, whether the Justice was anything more then
+an ass.  Certainly, besides a great deference for the legal
+opinion of his clerk, which might be quite according to the order
+of things, he seemed to be wonderfully under the command of his
+brother squire, if squire either of them were, and indeed much
+more than was consistent with so much assumed consequence of his
+own.
+
+'Ho--ha--aye--so--so--hum--humph--this is the young man, I
+suppose--hum--aye--seems sickly.  Young gentleman, you may sit
+down.'
+
+I used the permission given, for I had been much more reduced by
+my illness than I was aware of, and felt myself really fatigued,
+even by the few paces I had walked, joined to the agitation I
+suffered.
+
+'And your name, young man, is--humph--aye--ha--what is it?'
+
+'Darsie Latimer.'
+
+'Right--aye--humph--very right.  Darsie Latimer is the very
+thing--ha--aye--where do you come from?'
+
+'From Scotland, sir,' I replied.
+
+'A native of Scotland--a--humph--eh--how is it?'
+
+'I am an Englishman by birth, sir.'
+
+'Right--aye--yes, you are so.  But pray, Mr. Darsie Latimer, have
+you always been called by that name, or have you any other?--
+Nick, write down his answers, Nick.'
+
+'As far as I remember, I never bore any other,' was my answer.
+
+'How, no?  well, I should not have thought so, Hey, neighbour,
+would you?'
+
+Here he looked towards the other squire, who had thrown himself
+into a chair; and, with his legs stretched out before him, and
+his arms folded on his bosom, seemed carelessly attending to what
+was going forward.  He answered the appeal of the Justice by
+saying, that perhaps the young man's memory did not go back to a
+very early period.
+
+'Ah--eh--ha--you hear the gentleman.  Pray, how far may your
+memory be pleased to run back to?--umph?'
+
+'Perhaps, sir, to the age of three years, or a little further.'
+
+'And will you presume to say, sir,' said the squire, drawing
+himself suddenly erect in his seat, and exerting the strength of
+his powerful voice, 'that you then bore your present name?'
+
+I was startled at the confidence with which this question was
+put, and in vain rummaged my memory for the means of replying.
+'At least,' I said, 'I always remember being called Darsie;
+children, at that early age, seldom get more than their Christian
+name.'
+
+'Oh, I thought so,' he replied, and again stretched himself on his
+seat, in the same lounging posture as before.
+
+'So you were called Darsie in your infancy,' said the Justice;
+'and--hum--aye--when did you first take the name of Latimer?'
+
+'I did not take it, sir; it was given to me.'
+
+'I ask you,' said the lord of the mansion, but with less severity
+in his voice than formerly, 'whether you can remember that you
+were ever called Latimer, until you had that name given you in
+Scotland?'
+
+'I will be candid:  I cannot recollect an instance that I was so
+called when in England, but neither can I recollect when the name
+was first given me; and if anything is to be founded on these
+queries and my answers, I desire my early childhood may be taken
+into consideration.'
+
+'Hum--aye--yes,' said the Justice; 'all that requires
+consideration shall be duly considered.  Young man--eh--I beg to
+know the name of your father and mother?'
+
+This was galling a wound that has festered for years, and I did
+not endure the question so patiently as those which preceded it;
+but replied, 'I demand, in my turn, to know if I am before an
+English Justice of the Peace?'
+
+'His worship, Squire Foxley, of Foxley Hall, has been of the
+quorum these twenty years,' said Master Nicholas.
+
+'Then he ought to know, or you, sir, as his clerk, should inform
+him,' said I, 'that I am the complainer in this case, and that my
+complaint ought to be heard before I am subjected to cross-
+examination.'
+
+'Humph--hoy--what, aye--there is something in that, neighbour,'
+said the poor Justice, who, blown about by every wind of
+doctrine, seemed desirous to attain the sanction of his brother
+squire.
+
+'I wonder at you, Foxley,' said his firm-minded acquaintance;
+'how can you render the young man justice unless you know who he
+is?'
+
+'Ha--yes--egad, that's true,' said Mr. Justice Foxley; 'and now--
+looking into the matter more closely--there is, eh, upon the
+whole--nothing at all in what he says--so, sir, you must tell
+your father's name, and surname.'
+
+'It is out of my power, sir; they are not known to me, since you
+must needs know so much of my private affairs.'
+
+The Justice collected a great AFFLATUS in his cheeks, which
+puffed them up like those of a Dutch cherub, while his eyes
+seemed flying out of his head, from the effort with which he
+retained his breath.  He then blew it forth with,--'Whew!--Hoom--
+poof--ha!--not know your parents, youngster?--Then I must commit
+you for a vagrant, I warrant you.  OMNE IGNOTUM PRO TERRIBILI, as
+we used to say at Appleby school; that is, every one that is not
+known to the Justice; is a rogue and a vagabond. Ha!--aye, you
+may sneer, sir; but I question if you would have known the
+meaning of that Latin, unless I had told you.'
+
+I acknowledged myself obliged for a new edition of the adage, and
+an interpretation which I could never have reached alone and
+unassisted.  I then proceeded to state my case with greater
+confidence.  The Justice was an ass, that was clear; but if was
+scarcely possible he could be so utterly ignorant as not to know
+what was necessary in so plain a case as mine.  I therefore
+informed him of the riot which had been committed on the Scottish
+side of the Solway Firth, explained how I came to be placed in my
+present situation, and requested of his worship to set me at
+liberty.  I pleaded my cause with as much earnestness as I could,
+casting an eye from time to time upon the opposite party, who
+seemed entirely indifferent to all the animation with which I
+accused him.
+
+As for the Justice, when at length I had ceased, as really not
+knowing what more to say in a case so very plain, he replied,
+'Ho--aye--aye--yes--wonderful!  and so this is all the gratitude
+you show to this good gentleman for the great charge and trouble
+he hath had with respect to and concerning of you?'
+
+'He saved my life, sir, I acknowledge, on one occasion certainly,
+and most probably on two; but his having done so gives him no
+right over my person.  I am not, however, asking for any
+punishment or revenge; on the contrary, I am content to part
+friends with the gentleman, whose motives I am unwilling to
+suppose are bad, though his actions have been, towards me,
+unauthorized and violent.'
+
+This moderation, Alan, thou wilt comprehend, was not entirely
+dictated by my feelings towards the individual of whom I
+complained; there were other reasons, in which regard for him had
+little share.  It seemed, however, as if the mildness with which
+I pleaded my cause had more effect upon him than anything I had
+yet said.  We was moved to the point of being almost out of
+countenance; and took snuff repeatedly, as if to gain time to
+stifle some degree of emotion.
+
+But on Justice Foxley, on whom my eloquence was particularly
+designed to make impression, the result was much less favourable.
+He consulted in a whisper with Mr. Nicholas, his clerk--pshawed,
+hemmed, and elevated his eyebrows, as if in scorn of my
+supplication.  At length, having apparently made up his mind, he
+leaned back in his chair, and smoked his pipe with great energy,
+with a look of defiance, designed to make me aware that all my
+reasoning was lost on him.
+
+At length, when I stopped, more from lack of breath than want of
+argument, he opened his oracular jaws, and made the following
+reply, interrupted by his usual interjectional ejaculations, and
+by long volumes of smoke:--'Hem--aye--eh--poof.  And, youngster,
+do you think Matthew Foxley, who has been one of the quorum for
+these twenty years, is to be come over with such trash as would
+hardly cheat an apple-woman?  Poof--poof--eh!  Why, man--eh--
+dost thou not know the charge is not a bailable matter--and that
+--hum--aye--the greatest man--poof--the Baron of Graystock
+himself, must stand committed?  and yet you pretend to have been
+kidnapped by this gentleman, and robbed of property, and what
+not; and--eh--poof--you would persuade me all you want is to get
+away from him?  I do believe--eh--that it IS all you want.
+Therefore, as you are a sort of a slip-string gentleman, and--aye
+--hum--a kind of idle apprentice, and something cock-brained
+withal, as the honest folks of the house tell me--why, you must
+e'en remain under custody of your guardian, till your coming of
+age, or my Lord Chancellor's warrant, shall give you the
+management of your own affairs, which, if you can gather your
+brains again, you will even then not be--aye--hem--poof--in
+particular haste to assume.'
+
+The time occupied by his worship's hums, and haws, and puffs of
+tobacco smoke, together with the slow and pompous manner in which
+he spoke, gave me a minute's space to collect my ideas, dispersed
+as they were by the extraordinary purport of this annunciation.
+
+'I cannot conceive, sir,' I replied, 'by what singular tenure
+this person claims my obedience as a guardian; it is a barefaced
+imposture.  I never in my life saw him, until I came unhappily to
+this country, about four weeks since.'
+
+'Aye, sir--we--eh--know, and are aware--that--poof--you do not
+like to hear some folk's names; and that--eh--you understand me--
+there are things, and sounds, and matters, conversation about
+names, and suchlike, which put you off the hooks--which I have no
+humour to witness.  Nevertheless, Mr. Darsie--or--poof--Mr.
+Darsie Latimer--or--poof, poof--eh--aye, Mr. Darsie without the
+Latimer--you have acknowledged as much to-day as assures me you
+will best be disposed of under the honourable care of my friend
+here--all your confessions--besides that--poof--eh--I know him to
+be a most responsible person--a--hay--aye--most responsible and
+honourable person--Can you deny this?'
+
+'I know nothing of him,' I repeated; 'not even his name; and I
+have not, as I told you, seen him in the course of my whole life,
+till a few weeks since.'
+
+'Will you swear to that?'  said the singular man, who seemed to
+await the result of this debate, secure as a rattle-snake is of
+the prey which has once felt its fascination.  And while he said
+these words in deep undertone, he withdrew his chair a little
+behind that of the Justice, so as to be unseen by him or his
+clerk, who sat upon the same side; while he bent on me a frown so
+portentous, that no one who has witnessed the look can forget it
+during the whole of his life.  The furrows of the brow above the
+eyes became livid and almost black, and were bent into a
+semicircular, or rather elliptical form, above the junction of
+the eyebrows.  I had heard such a look described in an old tale
+of DIABLERIE, which it was my chance to be entertained with not
+long since; when this deep and gloomy contortion of the frontal
+muscles was not unaptly described as forming the representation
+of a small horseshoe.
+
+The tale, when told, awaked a dreadful vision of infancy, which
+the withering and blighting look now fixed on me again forced on
+my recollection, but with much more vivacity.  Indeed, I was so
+much surprised, and, I must add, terrified, at the vague ideas
+which were awakened in my mind by this fearful sign, that I kept
+my eyes fixed on the face in which it was exhibited, as on a
+frightful vision; until, passing his handkerchief a moment across
+his countenance, this mysterious man relaxed at once the look
+which had for me something so appalling.  'The young man will no
+longer deny that he has seen me before,' said he to the Justice,
+in a tone of complacency; 'and I trust he will now be reconciled
+to my temporary guardianship, which may end better for him than
+he expects.'
+
+'Whatever I expect,' I replied, summoning my scattered
+recollections together, 'I see I am neither to expect justice nor
+protection from this gentleman, whose office it is to render both
+to the lieges.  For you, sir, how strangely you have wrought
+yourself into the fate of an unhappy young man or what interest
+you can pretend in me, you yourself only can explain.  That I
+have seen you before is certain; for none can forget the look
+with which you seem to have the power of blighting those upon
+whom you cast it.'
+
+The Justice seemed not very easy under this hint,'Ha!--aye,' he
+said; 'it is time to be going, neighbour.  I have a many miles to
+ride, and I care not to ride darkling in these parts.  You and I,
+Mr. Nicholas, must be jogging.'
+
+The Justice fumbled with his gloves, in endeavouring to draw them
+on hastily, and Mr. Nicholas bustled to get his greatcoat and
+whip.  Their landlord endeavoured to detain them, and spoke of
+supper and beds.  Both, pouring forth many thanks for his
+invitation, seemed as if they would much rather not, and Mr.
+Justice Foxley was making a score of apologies, with at least a
+hundred cautionary hems and eh-ehs, when the girl Dorcas burst
+into the room, and announced a gentleman on justice business.
+
+'What gentleman?--and whom does he want?'
+
+'He is cuome post on his ten toes,' said the wench; 'and on
+justice business to his worship loike.  I'se uphald him a
+gentleman, for he speaks as good Latin as the schule-measter;
+but, lack-a-day!  he has gotten a queer mop of a wig.'
+
+The gentleman, thus announced and described, bounced into the
+room.  But I have already written as much as fills a sheet of my
+paper, and my singular embarrassments press so hard on me that I
+have matter to fill another from what followed the intrusion of--
+my dear Alan--your crazy client--Poor Peter Peebles!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+Sheet 2.
+
+I have rarely in my life, till the last alarming days, known what
+it was to sustain a moment's real sorrow.  What I called such,
+was, I am now well convinced, only the weariness of mind which,
+having nothing actually present to complain of, turns upon itself
+and becomes anxious about the past and the future; those periods
+with which human life has so little connexion, that Scripture
+itself hath said, 'Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.'
+
+If, therefore, I have sometimes abused prosperity, by murmuring
+at my unknown birth and uncertain rank in society, I will make
+amends by bearing my present real adversity with patience and
+courage, and, if I can, even with gaiety.  What can they--dare
+they-do to me?  Foxley, I am persuaded, is a real Justice of
+Peace, and country gentleman of estate, though (wonderful to
+tell!) he is an ass notwithstanding; and his functionary in the
+drab coat must have a shrewd guess at the consequences of being
+accessory to an act of murder or kidnapping.  Men invite not such
+witnesses to deeds of darkness.  I have also--Alan, I have hopes,
+arising out of the family of the oppressor himself.  I am
+encouraged to believe that G.M. is likely again to enter on the
+field.  More I dare not here say; nor must I drop a hint which
+another eye than thine might be able to construe.  Enough, my
+feelings are lighter than they have been; and, though fear and
+wonder are still around me, they are unable entirely to overcloud
+the horizon.
+
+Even when I saw the spectral form of the old scarecrow of the
+Parliament House rush into the apartment where I had undergone so
+singular an examination, I thought of thy connexion with him, and
+could almost have parodied Lear--
+
+  Death!--nothing could have thus subdued nature
+  To such a lowness, but his 'learned lawyers.'
+
+He was e'en as we have seen him of yore, Alan, when, rather to
+keep thee company than to follow my own bent, I formerly
+frequented the halls of justice.  The only addition to his dress,
+in the capacity of a traveller, was a pair of boots, that seemed
+as if they might have seen the field of Sheriffmoor; so large and
+heavy that, tied as they were to the creature's wearied hams with
+large bunches of worsted tape of various colours, they looked as
+if he had been dragging them along, either for a wager or by way
+of penance.
+
+Regardless of the surprised looks of the party on whom he thus
+intruded himself, Peter blundered into the middle of the
+apartment, with his head charged like a ram's in the act of
+butting, and saluted them thus:--
+
+'Gude day to ye, gude day to your honours.  Is't here they sell
+the fugie warrants?'
+
+I observed that on his entrance, my friend--or enemy--drew
+himself back, and placed himself as if he would rather avoid
+attracting the observation of the new-comer.  I did the same
+myself, as far as I was able; for I thought it likely that Mr.
+Peebles might recognize me, as indeed I was too frequently among
+the group of young juridical aspirants who used to amuse
+themselves by putting cases for Peter's solution, and playing him
+worse tricks; yet I was uncertain whether I had better avail
+myself of our acquaintance to have the advantage, such as it
+might be, of his evidence before the magistrate, or whether to
+make him, if possible, bearer of a letter which might procure me
+more effectual assistance.  I resolved, therefore, to be guided
+by circumstances, and to watch carefully that nothing might
+escape me.  I drew back as far as I could, and even reconnoitred
+the door and passage, to consider whether absolute escape might
+not be practicable.  But there paraded Cristal Nixon, whose
+little black eyes, sharp as those of a basilisk, seemed, the
+instant when they encountered mine, to penetrate my purpose.
+
+I sat down, as much out of sight of all parties as I could, and
+listened to the dialogue which followed--a dialogue how much more
+interesting to me than any I could have conceived, in which Peter
+Peebles was to be one of the dramatis personae!
+
+'Is it here where ye sell the warrants--the fugies, ye ken?'
+said Peter.
+
+'Hey--eh--what!'  said Justice Foxley; 'what the devil does the
+fellow mean?--What would you have a warrant for?'
+
+'It is to apprehend a young lawyer that is IN MEDITATIONE FUGAE;
+for he has ta'en my memorial and pleaded my cause, and a good fee
+I gave him, and as muckle brandy as he could drink that day at
+his father's house--he loes the brandy ower weel for sae youthful
+a creature.'
+
+'And what has this drunken young dog of a lawyer done to you,
+that you are come to me--eh--ha?  Has he robbed you?  Not
+unlikely if he be a lawyer--eh--Nick--ha?'  said Justice Foxley.
+
+'He has robbed me of himself, sir,' answered Peter; 'of his help,
+comfort, aid, maintenance, and assistance, whilk, as a counsel to
+a client, he is bound to yield me RATIONE OFFICII--that is it, ye
+see.  He has pouched my fee, and drucken a mutchkin of brandy,
+and now he's ower the march, and left my cause, half won half
+lost--as dead a heat as e'er was run ower the back-sands.  Now, I
+was advised by some cunning laddies that are used to crack a bit
+law wi' me in the House, that the best thing I could do was to
+take heart o' grace and set out after him; so I have taken post
+on my ain shanks, forby a cast in a cart, or the like.  I got
+wind of him in Dumfries, and now I have run him ower to the
+English side, and I want a fugie warrant against him.'
+
+How did my heart throb at this information, dearest Alan!  Thou
+art near me then, and I well know with what kind purpose; thou
+hast abandoned all to fly to my assistance; and no wonder that,
+knowing thy friendship and faith, thy sound sagacity and
+persevering disposition, 'my bosom's lord should now sit lightly
+on his throne'; that gaiety should almost involuntarily hover on
+my pen; and that my heart should beat like that of a general,
+responsive to the drums of his advancing ally, without whose help
+the battle must have been lost.
+
+I did not suffer myself to be startled by this joyous surprise,
+but continued to bend my strictest attention to what followed
+among this singular party.  That Poor Peter Peebles had been put
+on this wildgoose chase by some of his juvenile advisers in the
+Parliament House, he himself had intimated; but he spoke with
+much confidence, and the Justice, who seemed to have some secret
+apprehension of being put to trouble in the matter, and, as
+sometimes occurs on the English frontier, a jealousy lest the
+superior acuteness of their northern neighbours might overreach
+their own simplicity, turned to his clerk with a perplexed
+countenance.
+
+'Eh--oh--Nick--d--n thee--Hast thou got nothing to say?  This is
+more Scots law, I take it, and more Scotsmen.'  (Here he cast a
+side-glance at the owner of the mansion, and winked to his
+clerk.)  'I would Solway were as deep as it is wide, and we had
+then some chance of keeping of them out.'
+
+Nicholas conversed an instant aside with the supplicant, and then
+reported:--
+
+'The man wants a border-warrant, I think; but they are only
+granted for debt--now he wants one to catch a lawyer.'
+
+'And what for no?'  answered Peter Peebles, doggedly; 'what for
+no, I would be glad to ken?  If a day's labourer refuse to work,
+ye'll grant a warrant to gar him do out his daurg--if a wench
+quean rin away from her hairst, ye'll send her back to her heuck
+again--if sae mickle as a collier or a salter make a moonlight
+flitting, ye will cleek him by the back-spaul in a minute of
+time--and yet the damage canna amount to mair than a creelfu' of
+coals, and a forpit or twa of saut; and here is a chield taks leg
+from his engagement, and damages me to the tune of sax thousand
+punds sterling; that is, three thousand that I should win, and
+three thousand mair that I am like to lose; and you that ca'
+yourself a justice canna help a poor man to catch the rinaway?  A
+bonny like justice I am like to get amang ye!'
+
+'The fellow must be drunk,' said the clerk.
+
+'Black fasting from all but sin,' replied the supplicant; 'I
+havena had mair than a mouthful of cauld water since I passed the
+Border, and deil a ane of ye is like to say to me, "Dog, will ye
+drink?"'
+
+The Justice seemed moved by this appeal.  'Hem---tush, man,'
+replied he; 'thou speak'st to us as if thou wert in presence of
+one of thine own beggarly justices--get downstairs--get something
+to eat, man (with permission of my friend to make so free in his
+house), and a mouthful to drink, and I warrant we get ye such
+justice as will please ye.'
+
+'I winna refuse your neighbourly offer,' said Poor Peter Peebles,
+making his bow; 'muckle grace be wi' your honour, and wisdom to
+guide you in this extraordinary cause.'
+
+When I saw Peter Peebles about to retire from the room, I could
+not forbear an effort to obtain from him such evidence as might
+give me some credit with the Justice.  I stepped forward,
+therefore, and, saluting him, asked him if he remembered me?
+
+After a stare or two, and a long pinch of snuff, recollection
+seemed suddenly to dawn on Peter Peebles.  'Recollect ye!'  he
+said; 'by my troth do I.---Haud him a grip, gentlemen!--
+constables, keep him fast!  where that ill-deedie hempy is, ye
+are sure that Alan Fairford is not far off.  Haud him fast,
+Master Constable; I charge ye wi' him, for I am mista'en if he is
+not at the bottom of this rinaway business.  He was aye getting
+the silly callant Alan awa wi' gigs, and horse, and the like of
+that, to Roslin, and Prestonpans, and a' the idle gates he could
+think of.  He's a rinaway apprentice, that ane.'
+
+'Mr. Peebles,' I said, 'do not do me wrong.  I am sure you can
+say no harm of me justly, but can satisfy these gentlemen, if you
+will, that I am a student of law in Edinburgh--Darsie Latimer by
+name.'
+
+'Me satisfy!  how can I satisfy the gentlemen,' answered Peter,
+'that am sae far from being satisfied mysell?  I ken naething
+about your name, and can only testify, NIHIL NOVIT IN CAUSA.'
+
+'A pretty witness you have brought forward in your favour,' said
+Mr. Foxley.  'But--ha--aye---I'll ask him a question or two.
+Pray, friend, will you take your oath to this youth being a
+runaway apprentice?'
+
+'Sir,' said Peter, 'I will make oath to onything in reason; when
+a case comes to my oath it's a won cause:  But I am in some
+haste to prie your worship's good cheer;' for Peter had become
+much more respectful in his demeanour towards the Justice since
+he had heard some intimation of dinner.
+
+'You shall have--eh--hum--aye--a bellyful, if it be possible to
+fill it.  First let me know if this young man be really what he
+pretends.  Nick, make his affidavit.'
+
+'Ow, he is just a wud harum-scarum creature, that wad never take
+to his studies; daft, sir, clean daft.'
+
+'Deft!'  said the Justice; 'what d'ye mean by deft--eh?'
+
+'Just Fifish,' replied Peter; 'wowf--a wee bit by the East Nook
+or sae; it's a common case--the ae half of the warld thinks the
+tither daft.  I have met with folk in my day that thought I was
+daft mysell; and, for my part, I think our Court of Session clean
+daft, that have had the great cause of Peebles against
+Plainstanes before them for this score of years, and have never
+been able to ding the bottom out of it yet.'
+
+'I cannot make out a word of his cursed brogue,' said the
+Cumbrian justice; 'can you, neighbour--eh?  What can he mean by
+DEFT?'
+
+'He means MAD,' said the party appealed to, thrown off his guard
+by impatience of this protracted discussion.
+
+'Ye have it--ye have it,' said Peter; 'that is, not clean skivie,
+but--'
+
+Here he stopped, and fixed his eye on the person he addressed
+with an air of joyful recognition.--'Aye, aye, Mr. Herries of
+Birrenswork, is this your ainsell in blood and bane?  I thought
+ye had been hanged at Kennington Common, or Hairiebie, or some of
+these places, after the bonny ploy ye made in the Forty-five.'
+
+'I believe you are mistaken, friend,' said Herries, sternly, with
+whose name and designation I was thus made unexpectedly
+acquainted.
+
+'The deil a bit,' answered the undaunted Peter Peebles; I mind ye
+weel, for ye lodged in my house the great year of Forty-five, for
+a great year it was; the Grand Rebellion broke out, and my cause
+--the great cause--Peebles against Plainstanes, ET PER CONTRA
+--was called in the beginning of the winter session, and would
+have been heard, but that there was a surcease of justice, with
+your plaids, and your piping, and your nonsense.'
+
+'I tell you, fellow,' said Herries, yet more fiercely, 'you have
+confused me with some of the other furniture of your crazy pate.'
+
+'Speak like a gentleman, sir,' answered Peebles; 'these are not
+legal phrases, Mr. Herries of Birrenswork.  Speak in form of law,
+or I sall bid ye gude day, sir.  I have nae pleasure in speaking
+to proud folk, though I am willing to answer onything in a legal
+way; so if you are for a crack about auld langsyne, and the
+splores that you and Captain Redgimlet used to breed in my house,
+and the girded cask of brandy that ye drank and ne'er thought of
+paying for it (not that I minded it muckle in thae days, though I
+have felt a lack of it sin syne), why I will waste an hour on ye
+at ony time.--and where is Captain Redgimlet now?  he was a wild
+chap, like yoursell, though they arena sae keen after you poor
+bodies for these some years bygane; the heading and hanging is
+weel ower now--awful job--awful job--will ye try my sneeshing?'
+
+He concluded his desultory speech by thrusting out his large bony
+paw, filled with a Scottish mull of huge dimensions, which
+Herries, who had been standing like one petrified by the
+assurance of this unexpected address, rejected with a
+contemptuous motion of his hand, which spilled some of the
+contents of the box.
+
+'Aweel, aweel,' said Peter Peebles, totally unabashed by the
+repulse, 'e'en as ye like, a wilful man maun hae his way; but,'
+he added, stooping down and endeavouring to gather the spilled
+snuff from the polished floor, 'I canna afford to lose my
+sneeshing for a' that ye are gumple-foisted wi' me.'
+
+My attention had been keenly awakened, during this extraordinary
+and unexpected scene.  I watched, with as much attention as my
+own agitation permitted me to command, the effect produced on the
+parties concerned.  It was evident that our friend, Peter
+Peebles, had unwarily let out something which altered the
+sentiments of Justice Foxley and his clerk towards Mr. Herries,
+with whom, until he was known and acknowledged under that name,
+they had appeared to be so intimate.  They talked with each other
+aside, looked at a paper or two which the clerk selected from the
+contents of a huge black pocket-book, and seemed, under the
+influence of fear and uncertainty, totally at a loss what line of
+conduct to adopt.
+
+Herries made a different, and far more interesting figure.
+However little Peter Peebles might resemble the angel Ithuriel,
+the appearance of Herries, his high and scornful demeanour, vexed
+at what seemed detection yet fearless of the consequences, and
+regarding the whispering magistrate and his clerk with looks in
+which contempt predominated over anger or anxiety, bore, in my
+opinion, no slight resemblance to
+
+     the regal port
+  And faded splendour wan
+
+with which the poet has invested the detected King of the powers
+of the air.
+
+As he glanced round, with a look which he had endeavoured to
+compose to haughty indifference, his eye encountered mine, and, I
+thought, at the first glance sank beneath it.  But he instantly
+rallied his natural spirit, and returned me one of those
+extraordinary looks, by which he could contort so strangely the
+wrinkles on his forehead.  I started; but, angry at myself for my
+pusillanimity, I answered him by a look of the same kind, and
+catching the reflection of my countenance in a large antique
+mirror which stood before me, I started again at the real or
+imaginary resemblance which my countenance, at that moment, bore
+to that of Herries.  Surely my fate is somehow strangely
+interwoven with that of this mysterious individual.  I had no
+time at present to speculate upon the subject, for the subsequent
+conversation demanded all my attention.
+
+The Justice addressed Herries, after a pause of about five
+minutes, in which, all parties seemed at some loss how to
+proceed.  He spoke with embarrassment, and his faltering voice,
+and the long intervals which divided his sentences, seemed to
+indicate fear of him whom he addressed.
+
+'Neighbour,' he said, 'I could not have thought this; or, if
+I--eh--DID think--in a corner of my own mind as it were--that
+you, I say--that you might have unluckily engaged in--eh--the
+matter of the Forty-five--there was still time to have forgot all
+that.'
+
+'And is it so singular that a man should have been out in the
+Forty-five?'  said Herries, with contemptuous composure;--'your
+father, I think, Mr. Foxley, was out with Derwentwater in the
+Fifteen.'
+
+'And lost half of his estate,' answered Foxley, with more
+rapidity than usual; 'and was very near--hem--being hanged into
+the boot.  But this is--another guess job--for--eh--Fifteen is
+not Forty-five; and my father had a remission, and you, I take
+it, have none.'
+
+'Perhaps I have,' said Herries indifferently; 'or if I have not,
+I am but in the case of half a dozen others whom government do
+not think worth looking after at this time of day, so they give
+no offence or disturbance.'
+
+'But you have given both, sir,' said Nicholas Faggot, the clerk,
+who, having some petty provincial situation, as I have since
+understood, deemed himself bound to be zealous for government,
+'Mr. Justice Foxley cannot be answerable for letting you pass
+free, now your name and surname have been spoken plainly out.
+There are warrants out against you from the Secretary of State's
+office.'
+
+'A proper allegation, Mr. Attorney!  that, at the distance of so
+many years, the Secretary of State should trouble himself about
+the unfortunate relics of a ruined cause,' answered Mr. Herries.
+
+'But if it be so,' said the clerk, who seemed to assume more
+confidence upon the composure of Herries's demeanour; 'and if
+cause has been given by the conduct of a gentleman himself, who
+hath been, it is alleged, raking up old matters, and mixing them
+with new subjects of disaffection--I say, if it be so, I should
+advise the party, in his wisdom, to surrender himself quietly
+into the lawful custody of the next Justice of Peace--Mr. Foxley,
+suppose--where, and by whom, the matter should be regularly
+inquired into.  I am only putting a case,' he added, watching
+with apprehension the effect which his words were likely to
+produce upon the party to whom they were addressed.
+
+'And were I to receive such advice,' said Herries, with the same
+composure as before--'putting the case, as you say, Mr. Faggot--I
+should request to see the warrant which countenanced such a
+scandalous proceeding.'
+
+Mr. Nicholas, by way of answer, placed in his hand a paper, and
+seemed anxiously to expect the consequences which were to ensue.
+Mr. Herries looked it over with the same equanimity as before,
+and then continued, 'And were such a scrawl as this presented to
+me in my own house, I would throw it into the chimney, and Mr.
+Faggot upon the top of it.'
+
+Accordingly, seconding the word with the action, he flung the
+warrant into the fire with one hand, and fixed the other, with a
+stern and irresistible grip, on the breast of the attorney, who,
+totally unable to contend with him, in either personal strength
+or mental energy, trembled like a chicken in the raven's clutch.
+He got off, however, for the fright; for Herries, having probably
+made him fully sensible of the strength of his grasp, released
+him, with a scornful laugh.
+
+'Deforcement--spulzie-stouthrief--masterful rescue!'  exclaimed
+Peter Peebles, scandalized at the resistance offered to the law
+in the person of Nicholas Faggot.  But his shrill exclamations
+were drowned in the thundering voice of Herries, who, calling
+upon Cristal Nixon, ordered him to take the bawling fool
+downstairs, fill his belly, and then give him a guinea, and
+thrust him out of doors.  Under such injunctions, Peter easily
+suffered himself to be withdrawn from the scene.
+
+Herries then turned to the Justice, whose visage, wholly
+abandoned by the rubicund hue which so lately beamed upon it,
+hung out the same pale livery as that of his dismayed clerk.
+'Old friend and acquaintance,' he said, 'you came here at my
+request on a friendly errand, to convince this silly young man of
+the right which I have over his person for the present.  I trust
+you do not intend to make your visit the pretext of disquieting
+me about other matters?  All the world knows that I have been
+living at large, in these northern counties, for some months, not
+to say years, and might have been apprehended at any time, had
+the necessities of the state required, or my own behaviour
+deserved it.  But no English magistrate has been ungenerous
+enough to trouble a gentleman under misfortune, on account of
+political opinions and disputes which have been long ended by the
+success of the reigning powers.  I trust, my good friend, you
+will not endanger yourself by taking any other view of the
+subject than you have done ever since we were acquainted?'
+
+The Justice answered with more readiness, as well as more spirit
+than usual, 'Neighbour Ingoldsby--what you say--is--eh--in some
+sort true; and when you were coming and going at markets, horse-
+races, and cock-fights, fairs, hunts, and such-like--it was--eh
+--neither my business nor my wish to dispel--I say--to inquire
+into and dispel the mysteries which hung about you; for while you
+were a good companion in the field, and over a bottle now and
+then--I did not--eh--think it necessary to ask--into your private
+affairs.  And if I thought you were--ahem--somewhat unfortunate
+in former undertakings, and enterprises, and connexions, which
+might cause you to live unsettledly and more private, I could
+have--eh--very little pleasure--to aggravate your case by
+interfering, or requiring explanations, which are often more
+easily asked than given.  But when there are warrants and
+witnesses to names--and those names, christian and surname,
+belong to--eh--an attainted person--charged--I trust falsely--
+with--ahem-taking advantage of modern broils and heart-burnings
+to renew our civil disturbances, the case is altered; and I must
+--ahem--do my duty.'
+
+The Justice, got on his feet as he concluded this speech, and
+looked as bold as he could.  I drew close beside him and his
+clerk, Mr. Faggot, thinking the moment favourable for my own
+liberation, and intimated to Mr. Foxley my determination to stand
+by him.  But Mr. Herries only laughed at the menacing posture
+which we assumed.  'My good neighbour,' said he, 'you talk of a
+witness.  Is yon crazy beggar a fit witness in an affair of this
+nature?'
+
+'But you do not deny that you are Mr. Herries of Birrenswork,
+mentioned in the Secretary of State's warrant?'  said Mr. Foxley.
+
+'How can I deny or own anything about it?'  said Herries, with a
+sneer.  'There is no such warrant in existence now; its ashes,
+like the poor traitor whose doom it threatened, have been
+dispersed to the four winds of heaven.  There is now no warrant
+in the world.'
+
+'But you will not deny,' said the Justice, 'that you were the
+person named in it; and that--eh--your own act destroyed it?'
+
+'I will neither deny my name nor my actions, Justice,' replied
+Mr. Herries, 'when called upon by competent authority to avow or
+defend them.  But I will resist all impertinent attempts either
+to intrude into my private motives, or to control my person.  I
+am quite well prepared to do so; and I trust that you, my good
+neighbour and brother sportsman, in your expostulation, and my
+friend Mr. Nicholas Faggot here, in his humble advice and
+petition that I should surrender myself, will consider yourselves
+as having amply discharged your duty to King George and
+government.'
+
+The cold and ironical tone in which he made this declaration; the
+look and attitude, so nobly expressive of absolute confidence in
+his own superior strength and energy, seemed to complete the
+indecision which had already shown itself on the side of those
+whom he addressed.
+
+The Justice looked to the clerk--the clerk to the Justice; the
+former HA'D, EH'D, without bringing forth an articulate syllable;
+the latter only said, 'As the warrant is destroyed, Mr. Justice,
+I presume you do not mean to proceed with the arrest?'
+
+'Hum--aye--why, no--Nicholas--it would not be quite advisable--
+and as the Forty-five was an old affair--and--hem--as my friend
+here will, I hope, see his error--that is, if he has not seen it
+already--and renounce the Pope, the Devil, and the Pretender--I
+mean no harm, neighbour--I think we--as we have no POSSE, or
+constables, or the like--should order our horses--and, in one
+word, look the matter over.'
+
+'Judiciously resolved,' said the person whom this decision
+affected; 'but before you go, I trust you will drink and be
+friends?'
+
+'Why,' said the Justice, rubbing his brow, 'our business has
+been--hem--rather a thirsty one.'
+
+'Cristal Nixon,' said Mr. Herries, 'let us have a cool tankard
+instantly, large enough to quench the thirst of the whole
+commission.'
+
+While Cristal was absent on this genial errand, there was a
+pause, of which I endeavoured to avail myself by bringing back
+the discourse to my own concerns.  'Sir,' I said to Justice
+Foxley, 'I have no direct business with your late discussion with
+Mr. Herries, only just thus far--You leave me, a loyal subject of
+King George, an unwilling prisoner in the hands of a person whom
+you have reason to believe unfriendly to the king's cause.  I
+humbly submit that this is contrary to your duty as a magistrate,
+and that you ought to make Mr. Herries aware of the illegality of
+his proceedings, and take steps for my rescue, either upon the
+spot, or, at least, as soon as possible after you have left this
+case'--
+
+'Young man,' said Mr. Justice Foxley, 'I would have you remember
+you are under the power, the lawful power--ahem--of your
+guardian.'
+
+'He calls himself so, indeed,' I replied; 'but he has shown no
+evidence to establish so absurd a claim; and if he had, his
+circumstances, as an attainted traitor excepted from pardon,
+would void such a right if it existed.  I do therefore desire
+you, Mr. Justice, and you, his clerk, to consider my situation,
+and afford me relief at your peril.'
+
+'Here is a young fellow now,' said the Justice, with much-
+embarrassed looks, 'thinks that I carry the whole statute law of
+England in my head, and a POSSE COMITATUS to execute them in my
+pocket!  Why, what good would my interference do?--but--hum--eh
+--I will speak to your guardian in your favour.'
+
+He took Mr. Herries aside, and seemed indeed to urge something
+upon him with much earnestness; and perhaps such a species of
+intercession was all which, in the circumstances, I was entitled
+to expect from him.
+
+They often looked at me as they spoke together; and as Cristal
+Nixon entered with a huge four-pottle tankard, filled with the
+beverage his master had demanded, Herries turned away from Mr.
+Foxley somewhat impatiently, saying with emphasis, 'I give you my
+word of honour, that you have not the slightest reason to
+apprehend anything on his account.'  He then took up the tankard,
+and saying aloud in Gaelic, 'SLAINT AN REY,' [The King's health.]
+just tasted the liquor, and handed the tankard to Justice Foxley,
+who, to avoid the dilemma of pledging him to what might be the
+Pretender's health, drank to Mr. Herries's own, with much pointed
+solemnity, but in a draught far less moderate.
+
+The clerk imitated the example of his principal, and I was fain
+to follow their example, for anxiety and fear are at least as
+thirsty as sorrow is said to be.  In a word, we exhausted the
+composition of ale, sherry, lemon-juice, nutmeg, and other good
+things, stranded upon the silver bottom of the tankard the huge
+toast, as well as the roasted orange, which had whilom floated
+jollily upon the brim, and rendered legible Dr. Byrom's
+celebrated lines engraved thereon--
+
+  God bless the King!--God bless the Faith's defender!
+  God bless--No harm in blessing--the Pretender.
+  Who that Pretender is, and who that King,--
+  God bless us all!--is quite another thing.
+
+I had time enough to study this effusion of the Jacobite muse,
+while the Justice was engaged in the somewhat tedious ceremony of
+taking leave.  That of Mr. Faggot was less ceremonious; but I
+suspect something besides empty compliment passed betwixt him and
+Mr. Herries; for I remarked that the latter slipped a piece of
+paper into the hand of the former, which might perhaps be a
+little atonement for the rashness with which he had burnt the
+warrant, and imposed no gentle hand on the respectable minion of
+the law by whom it was exhibited; and I observed that he made
+this propitiation in such a manner as to be secret from the
+worthy clerk's principal.
+
+When this was arranged, the party took leave of each other with
+much formality on the part of Squire Foxley, amongst whose adieus
+the following phrase was chiefly remarkable:  'I presume you do
+not intend to stay long in these parts?'
+
+'Not for the present, Justice, you may be sure; there are good
+reasons to the contrary.  But I have no doubt of arranging my
+affairs so that we shall speedily have sport together again.'
+
+He went to wait upon the Justice to the courtyard; and, as he did
+so, commanded Cristal Nixon to see that I returned into my
+apartment.  Knowing it would be to no purpose to resist or tamper
+with that stubborn functionary, I obeyed in silence, and was once
+more a prisoner in my former quarters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+I spent more than an hour, after returning to the apartment which
+I may call my prison, in reducing to writing the singular
+circumstances which I had just witnessed.  Methought I could now
+form some guess at the character of Mr. Herries, upon whose name
+and situation the late scene had thrown considerable light--one
+of those fanatical Jacobites, doubtless, whose arms, not twenty
+years since, had shaken the British throne, and some of whom,
+though their party daily diminished in numbers, energy, and
+power, retained still an inclination to renew the attempt they
+had found so desperate.  He was indeed perfectly different from
+the sort of zealous Jacobites whom it had been my luck hitherto
+to meet with.  Old ladies of family over their hyson, and grey-
+haired lairds over their punch, I had often heard utter a little
+harmless treason; while the former remembered having led down a
+dance with the Chevalier, and the latter recounted the feats they
+had performed at Preston, Clifton, and Falkirk.
+
+The disaffection of such persons was too unimportant to excite
+the attention of government.  I had heard, however, that there
+still existed partisans of the Stuart family of a more daring and
+dangerous description; men who, furnished with gold from Rome,
+moved, secretly and in disguise, through the various classes of
+society, and endeavoured to keep alive the expiring zeal of their
+party.
+
+I had no difficulty in assigning an important post among this
+class of persons, whose agency and exertion are only doubted by
+those who look on the surface of things, to this Mr. Herries,
+whose mental energies, as well as his personal strength and
+activity, seemed to qualify him well to act so dangerous a part;
+and I knew that all along the Western Border, both in England and
+Scotland, there are so many nonjurors, that such a person may
+reside there with absolute safety, unless it becomes, in a very
+especial degree, the object of the government to secure his
+person; and which purpose, even then, might be disappointed by
+early intelligence, or, as in the case of Mr. Foxley, by the
+unwillingness of provincial magistrates to interfere in what is
+now considered an invidious pursuit of the unfortunate.
+
+There have, however, been rumours lately, as if the present state
+of the nation or at least of some discontented provinces,
+agitated by a variety of causes but particularly by the
+unpopularity of the present administration, may seem to this
+species of agitators a favourable period for recommencing their
+intrigues; while, on the other hand, government may not, at such
+a crisis, be inclined to look upon them with the contempt which a
+few years ago would have been their most appropriate punishment.
+
+That men should be found rash enough to throw away their services
+and lives in a desperate cause, is nothing new in history, which
+abounds with instances of similar devotion--that Mr. Herries is
+such an enthusiast is no less evident; but all this explains not
+his conduct towards me.  Had he sought to make me a proselyte to
+his ruined cause, violence and compulsion were arguments very
+unlikely to prevail with any generous spirit.  But even if such
+were his object, of what use to him could be the acquisition of a
+single reluctant partisan, who could bring only his own person to
+support any quarrel which he might adopt?  He had claimed over me
+the rights of a guardian; he had more than hinted that I was in a
+state of mind which could not dispense with the authority of such
+a person.  Was this man, so sternly desperate in his purpose--he
+who seemed willing to take on his own shoulders the entire
+support of a cause which had been ruinous to thousands--was he
+the person that had the power of deciding on my fate?  Was it
+from him those dangers flowed, to secure me against which I had
+been educated under such circumstances of secrecy and precaution?
+
+And if this was so, of what nature was the claim which he
+asserted?--Was it that of propinquity?  And did I share the
+blood, perhaps the features, of this singular being?--Strange as
+it may seem, a thrill of awe, which shot across my mind at that
+instant, was not unmingled with a wild and mysterious feeling of
+wonder, almost amounting to pleasure.  I remembered the
+reflection of my own face in the mirror at one striking moment
+during the singular interview of the day, and I hastened to the
+outward apartment to consult a glass which hung there, whether it
+were possible for my countenance to be again contorted into the
+peculiar frown which so much resembled the terrific look of
+Herries.  But I folded my brows in vain into a thousand
+complicated wrinkles, and I was obliged to conclude, either that
+the supposed mark on my brow was altogether imaginary, or that it
+could not be called forth by voluntary effort; or, in fine, what
+seemed most likely, that it was such a resemblance as the
+imagination traces in the embers of a wood fire, or among the
+varied veins of marble, distinct at one time, and obscure or
+invisible at another, according as the combination of lines
+strikes the eye or impresses the fancy.
+
+While I was moulding my visage like a mad player, the door
+suddenly opened, and the girl of the house entered.  Angry and
+ashamed at being detected in my singular occupation, I turned
+round sharply, and, I suppose, chance produced the change on my
+features which I had been in vain labouring to call forth.
+
+The girl started back, with her 'Don't ya look so now--don't ye,
+for love's sake--you be as like the ould squoire as--But here a
+comes,' she said, huddling away out of the room; 'and if you want
+a third, there is none but ould Harry, as I know of, that can
+match ye for a brent broo!'
+
+As the girl muttered this exclamation, and hastened out of the
+room, Herries entered.  He stopped on observing that I had looked
+again to the mirror, anxious to trace the look by which the wench
+had undoubtedly been terrified.  He seemed to guess what was
+passing in my mind, for, as I turned towards him, he observed,
+'Doubt not that it is stamped on your forehead--the fatal mark of
+our race; though it is not now so apparent as it will become when
+age and sorrow, and the traces of stormy passions and of bitter
+penitence, shall have drawn their furrows on your brow.'
+
+'Mysterious man,' I replied, 'I know not of what you speak; your
+language is as dark as your purposes!'
+
+'Sit down, then,' he said, 'and listen; thus far, at least, must
+the veil of which you complain be raised.  When withdrawn, it
+will only display guilt and sorrow--guilt followed by strange
+penalty, and sorrow which Providence has entailed upon the
+posterity of the mourners.'
+
+He paused a moment, and commenced his narrative, which he told
+with the air of one, who, remote as the events were which he
+recited, took still the deepest interest in them.  The tone of
+his voice, which I have already described as rich and powerful,
+aided by its inflections the effects of his story, which I will
+endeavour to write down, as nearly as possible, in the very words
+which he used.
+
+'It was not of late years that the English learned that their
+best chance of conquering their independent neighbours must be by
+introducing amongst them division and civil war.  You need not be
+reminded of the state of thraldom to which Scotland was reduced
+by the unhappy wars betwixt the domestic factions of Bruce and
+Baliol, nor how, after Scotland had been emancipated from a
+foreign yoke by the conduct and valour of the immortal Bruce, the
+whole fruits of the triumphs of Bannockburn were lost in the
+dreadful defeats of Dupplin and Halidon; and Edward Baliol, the
+minion and feudatory of his namesake of England, seemed, for a
+brief season, in safe and uncontested possession of the throne so
+lately occupied by the greatest general and wisest prince in
+Europe.  But the experience of Bruce had not died with him.
+There were many who had shared his martial labours, and all
+remembered the successful efforts by which, under circumstances
+as disadvantageous as those of his son, he had achieved the
+liberation of Scotland.
+
+'The usurper, Edward Baliol, was feasting with a few of his
+favourite retainers in the castle of Annan, when he was suddenly
+surprised by a chosen band of insurgent patriots.  Their chiefs
+were, Douglas, Randolph, the young Earl of Moray, and Sir Simon
+Fraser; and their success was so complete, that Baliol was
+obliged to fly for his life scarcely clothed, and on a horse
+which there was no leisure to saddle.  It was of importance to
+seize his person, if possible, and his flight was closely pursued
+by a valiant knight of Norman descent, whose family had been long
+settled in the marches of Dumfriesshire.  Their Norman
+appellation was Fitz-Aldin, but this knight, from the great
+slaughter which he had made of the Southron, and the reluctance
+which he had shown to admit them to quarter during the former war
+of that bloody period, had acquired the name of Redgauntlet,
+which he transmitted to his posterity'--
+
+'Redgauntlet!'  I involuntarily repeated.
+
+'Yes, Redgauntlet,' said my alleged guardian, looking at me
+keenly; 'does that name recall any associations to your mind?'
+
+'No,' I replied, 'except that I had lately heard it given to the
+hero of a supernatural legend.'
+
+'There are many such current concerning the family,' he answered;
+and then proceeded in his narrative.
+
+'Alberick Redgauntlet, the first of his house so termed, was, as
+may be supposed from his name, of a stern and implacable
+disposition, which had been rendered more so by family discord.
+An only son, now a youth of eighteen, shared so much the haughty
+spirit of his father, that he became impatient of domestic
+control, resisted paternal authority, and finally fled from his
+father's house, renounced his political opinions, and awakened
+his mortal displeasure by joining the adherents of Baliol.  It
+was said that his father cursed, in his wrath, his degenerate
+offspring, and swore that if they met he should perish by his
+hand.  Meantime, circumstances seemed to promise atonement for
+this great deprivation.  The lady of Alberick Redgauntlet was
+again, after many years, in a situation which afforded her
+husband the hope of a more dutiful heir.
+
+'But the delicacy and deep interest of his wife's condition did
+not prevent Alberick from engaging in the undertaking of Douglas
+and Moray.  He had been the most forward in the attack of the
+castle, and was now foremost in the pursuit of Baliol, eagerly
+engaged in dispersing or cutting down the few daring followers
+who endeavoured to protect the usurper in his flight.
+
+'As these were successively routed or slain, the formidable
+Redgauntlet, the mortal enemy of the House of Baliol, was within
+two lances' length of the fugitive Edward Baliol, in a narrow
+pass, when a, youth, one of the last who attended the usurper in
+his flight, threw himself between them, received the shock of the
+pursuer, and was unhorsed and overthrown.  The helmet rolled from
+his head, and the beams of the sun, then rising over the Solway,
+showed Redgauntlet the features of his disobedient son, in the
+livery, and wearing the cognizance, of the usurper.
+
+'Redgauntlet beheld his son lying before his horse's feet; but he
+also saw Baliol, the usurper of the Scottish crown, still, as it
+seemed, within his grasp, and separated from him only by the
+prostrate body of his overthrown adherent.  Without pausing to
+inquire whether young Edward was wounded, he dashed his spurs
+into his horse, meaning to leap over him, but was unhappily
+frustrated in his purpose.  The steed made indeed a bound
+forward, but was unable to clear the body of the youth, and with
+its hind foot struck him in the forehead, as he was in the act of
+rising.  The blow was mortal.  It is needless to add, that the
+pursuit was checked, and Baliol escaped.
+
+'Redgauntlet, ferocious as he is described, was yet overwhelmed
+with the thoughts of the crime he had committed.  When he
+returned to his castle, it was to encounter new domestic sorrows.
+His wife had been prematurely seized with the pangs of labour
+upon hearing the dreadful catastrophe which had taken place.  The
+birth of an infant boy cost her her life.  Redgauntlet sat by her
+corpse for more than twenty-four hours without changing either
+feature or posture, so far as his terrified domestics could
+observe.  The Abbot of Dundrennan preached consolation to him in
+vain.  Douglas, who came to visit in his affliction a patriot of
+such distinguished zeal, was more successful in rousing his
+attention.  He caused the trumpets to sound an English point of
+war in the courtyard, and Redgauntlet at once sprang to his arms,
+and seemed restored to the recollection which had been lost in
+the extent of his misery.
+
+'From that moment, whatever he might feel inwardly, he gave way
+to no outward emotion.  Douglas caused his infant to be brought;
+but even the iron-hearted soldiers were struck with horror to
+observe that, by the mysterious law of nature, the cause of his
+mother's death, and the evidence of his father's guilt, was
+stamped on the innocent face of the babe, whose brow was
+distinctly marked by the miniature resemblance of a horseshoe.
+Redgauntlet himself pointed it out to Douglas, saying, with a
+ghastly smile, "It should have been bloody."
+
+'Moved, as he was, to compassion for his brother-in-arms, and
+steeled against all softer feelings by the habits of civil war,
+Douglas shuddered at this sight, and displayed a desire to leave
+the house which was doomed to be the scene of such horrors.  As
+his parting advice, he exhorted Alberick Redgauntlet to make a
+pilgrimage to Saint Ninian's of Whiteherne, then esteemed a
+shrine of great sanctity; and departed with a precipitation which
+might have aggravated, had that been possible, the forlorn state
+of his unhappy friend.  But that seems to have been incapable of
+admitting any addition.  Sir Alberick caused the bodies of his
+slaughtered son and the mother to be laid side by side in the
+ancient chapel of his house, after he had used the skill of a
+celebrated surgeon of that time to embalm them; and it was said
+that for many weeks he spent; some hours nightly in the vault
+where they reposed.
+
+'At length he undertook the proposed pilgrimage to Whiteherne,
+where he confessed himself for the first time since his
+misfortune, and was shrived by an aged monk, who afterwards died
+in the odour of sanctity.  It is said that it was then foretold
+to the Redgauntlet, that on account of his unshaken patriotism
+his family should continue to be powerful amid the changes of
+future times; but that, in detestation of his unrelenting cruelty
+to his own issue, Heaven had decreed that the valour of his race
+should always be fruitless, and that the cause which they
+espoused should never prosper.
+
+'Submitting to such penance as was there imposed, Sir Alberick
+went, it is thought, on a pilgrimage either to Rome, or to the
+Holy Sepulchre itself.  He was universally considered as dead;
+and it was not till thirteen years afterwards, that in the great
+battle of Durham, fought between David Bruce and Queen Philippa
+of England, a knight, bearing a horseshoe for his crest, appeared
+in the van of the Scottish army, distinguishing himself by his
+reckless and desperate valour; who being at length overpowered
+and slain, was finally discovered to be the brave and unhappy Sir
+Alberick Redgauntlet.'
+
+'And has the fatal sign,' said I, when Herries had ended his
+narrative, 'descended on all the posterity of this unhappy
+house?'
+
+'It has been so handed down from antiquity, and is still
+believed,' said Herries.  'But perhaps there is, in the popular
+evidence, something of that fancy which creates what it sees.
+Certainly, as other families have peculiarities by which they are
+distinguished, this of Redgauntlet is marked in most individuals
+by a singular indenture of the forehead, supposed to be derived
+from the son of Alberick, their ancestor, and brother to the
+unfortunate Edward, who had perished in so piteous a manner.  It
+is certain there seems to have been a fate upon the House of
+Redgauntlet, which has been on the losing side in almost all the
+civil broils which have divided the kingdom of Scotland from
+David Bruce's days, till the late valiant and unsuccessful
+attempt of the Chevalier Charles Edward.'
+
+He concluded with a deep sigh, as one whom the subject had
+involved in a train of painful reflections.
+
+'And am I then,' I exclaimed, 'descended from this unhappy race?
+Do you belong to it?  And if so, why do I sustain restraint and
+hard usage at the hands of a relation?'
+
+'Inquire no further for the present,' he said.  'The line of
+conduct which I am pursuing towards you is dictated, not by
+choice but by necessity.  You were withdrawn from the bosom of
+your family and the care of your legal guardian, by the timidity
+and ignorance of a doting mother, who was incapable of estimating
+the arguments or feelings of those who prefer honour and
+principle to fortune, and even to life.  The young hawk,
+accustomed only to the fostering care of its dam, must be tamed
+by darkness and sleeplessness, ere it is trusted on the wing for
+the purposes of the falconer.'
+
+I was appalled at this declaration, which seemed to threaten a
+long continuance, and a dangerous termination, of my captivity. I
+deemed it best, however, to show some spirit, and at the same
+time to mingle a tone of conciliation.  'Mr. Herries,' I said
+'(if I call you rightly by that name), let us speak upon this
+matter without the tone of mystery and fear in which you seem
+inclined to envelop it.  I have been long, alas!  deprived of the
+care of that affectionate mother to whom you allude--long under
+the charge of strangers--and compelled to form my own resolutions
+upon the reasoning of my own mind.  Misfortune--early
+deprivation--has given me the privilege of acting for myself; and
+constraint shall not deprive me of an Englishman's best
+privilege.'
+
+'The true cant of the day,' said Herries, in a tone of scorn.
+'The privilege of free action belongs to no mortal--we are tied
+down by the fetters of duty--our mortal path is limited by the
+regulations of honour--our most indifferent actions are but
+meshes of the web of destiny by which we are all surrounded.'
+
+He paced the room rapidly, and proceeded in a tone of enthusiasm
+which, joined to some other parts of his conduct, seems to
+intimate an over-excited imagination, were it not contradicted by
+the general tenor of his speech and conduct.
+
+'Nothing,' he said, in an earnest yet melancholy voice--'nothing
+is the work of chance--nothing is the consequence of free-will--
+the liberty of which the Englishman boasts gives as little real
+freedom to its owner as the despotism, of an Eastern sultan
+permits to his slave.  The usurper, William of Nassau, went forth
+to hunt, and thought, doubtless, that it was by an act of his own
+royal pleasure that the horse of his murdered victim was prepared
+for his kingly sport.  But Heaven had other views; and before the
+sun was high, a stumble of that very animal over an obstacle so
+inconsiderable as a mole-hillock, cost the haughty rider his life
+and his usurped crown, Do you think an inclination of the rein
+could have avoided that trifling impediment?  I tell you, it
+crossed his way as inevitably as all the long chain of Caucasus
+could have done.  Yes, young man, in doing and suffering, we play
+but the part allotted by Destiny, the manager of this strange
+drama, stand bound to act no more than is prescribed, to say no
+more than is set down for us; and yet we mouth about free-will
+and freedom of thought and action, as if Richard must not die, or
+Richmond conquer, exactly where the Author has decreed it shall
+be so!'
+
+He continued to pace the room after this speech, with folded arms
+and downcast looks; and the sound of his steps and tone of his
+voice brought to my remembrance, that I had heard this singular
+person, when I met him on a former occasion, uttering such
+soliloquies in his solitary chamber.  I observed that, like other
+Jacobites, in his inveteracy against the memory of King William,
+he had adopted the party opinion, that the monarch, on the day he
+had his fatal accident, rode upon a horse once the property of
+the unfortunate Sir John Friend, executed for high treason in
+1698.
+
+It was not my business to aggravate, but, if possible, rather to
+soothe him in whose power I was so singularly placed.  When I
+conceived that the keenness of his feelings had in some degree
+subsided, I answered him as follows:--'I will not--indeed I feel
+myself incompetent to argue a question of such metaphysical
+subtlety, as that which involves the limits betwixt free-will and
+predestination.  Let us hope we may live honestly and die
+hopefully, without being obliged to form a decided opinion upon a
+point so far beyond our comprehension.'
+
+'Wisely resolved,' he interrupted, with a sneer--'there came a
+note from some Geneva, sermon.'
+
+'But,' I proceeded, 'I call your attention to the fact that I, as
+well as you, am acted upon by impulses, the result either of my
+own free will, or the consequences of the part which is assigned
+to me by destiny.  These may be--nay, at present they are--in
+direct contradiction to those by which you are actuated; and how
+shall we decide which shall have precedence?--YOU perhaps feel
+yourself destined to act as my jailer.  I feel myself, on the
+contrary, destined to attempt and effect my escape.  One of us
+must be wrong, but who can say which errs till the event has
+decided betwixt us?'
+
+'I shall feel myself destined to have recourse to severe modes of
+restraint,' said he, in the same tone of half jest, half earnest
+which I had used.
+
+'In that case,' I answered, 'it will be my destiny to attempt
+everything for my freedom.'
+
+'And it may be mine, young man,' he replied, in a deep and stern
+tone, 'to take care that you should rather die than attain your
+purpose.'
+
+This was speaking out indeed, and I did not allow him to go
+unanswered.  'You threaten me in vain,' said I; 'the laws of my
+country will protect me; or whom they cannot protect, they will
+avenge.'
+
+I spoke this firmly, and he seemed for a moment silenced; and the
+scorn with which he at last answered me, had something of
+affectation in it.
+
+'The laws!'  he said; 'and what, stripling, do you know of the
+laws of your country?  Could you learn jurisprudence under a
+base-born blotter of parchment, such as Saunders Fairford; or
+from the empty pedantic coxcomb, his son, who now, forsooth,
+writer himself advocate?  When Scotland was herself, and had her
+own king and legislature, such plebeian cubs, instead of being
+called to the bar of her supreme courts, would scarce have been
+admitted to the honour of bearing a sheepskin process-bag.'
+
+Alan, I could not bear this, but answered indignantly, that he
+knew not the worth and honour from which he was detracting.
+
+'I know as much of these Fairfords as I do of you,' he replied.
+
+'As much,' said I, 'and as little; for you can neither estimate
+their real worth nor mine.  I know you saw them when last in
+Edinburgh.'
+
+'Ha!'  he exclaimed, and turned on me an inquisitive look.
+
+'It is true,' said I; 'you cannot deny it; and having thus shown
+you that I know something of your motions, let me warn you I have
+modes of communication with which you are not acquainted.  Oblige
+me not to use them to your prejudice.'
+
+'Prejudice me!'  he replied.  'Young man, I smile at, and forgive
+your folly.  Nay, I will tell you that of which you are not
+aware, namely, that it was from letters received from these
+Fairfords that I first suspected, what the result of my visit to
+them confirmed, that you were the person whom I had sought for
+years.'
+
+'If you learned this,' said I, 'from the papers which were about
+my person on the night when I was under the necessity of becoming
+your guest at Brokenburn, I do not envy your indifference to the
+means of acquiring information.  It was dishonourable to'--
+
+'Peace, young man,' said Herries, more calmly than I might have
+expected; 'the word dishonour must not be mentioned as in
+conjunction with my name.  Your pocket-book was in the pocket of
+your coat, and did not escape the curiosity of another, though it
+would have been sacred from mine, My servant, Cristal Nixon,
+brought me the intelligence after you were gone.  I was
+displeased with the manner in which he had acquired his
+information; but it was not the less my duty to ascertain its
+truth, and for that purpose I went to Edinburgh.  I was in hopes
+to persuade Mr. Fairford to have entered into my views; but I
+found him too much prejudiced to permit me to trust him.  He is a
+wretched, yet a timid slave of the present government, under
+which our unhappy country is dishonourably enthralled; and it
+would have been altogether unfit and unsafe to have entrusted him
+with the secret either of the right which I possess to direct
+your actions, or of the manner in which I purpose to exercise
+it.'
+
+I was determined to take advantage of his communicative humour,
+and obtain, if possible, more light upon his purpose.  He seemed
+most accessible to being piqued on the point of honour, and I
+resolved to avail myself, but with caution, of his sensibility
+upon that topic.  'You say,' I replied, 'that you are not
+friendly to indirect practices, and disapprove of the means by
+which your domestic obtained information of my name and quality--
+Is it honourable to avail yourself of that knowledge which is
+dishonourably obtained?'
+
+'It is boldly asked,' he replied; 'but, within certain necessary
+limits, I dislike not boldness of expostulation.  You have, in
+this short conference, displayed more character and energy than I
+was prepared to expect.  You will, I trust, resemble a forest
+plant, which has indeed, by some accident, been brought up in the
+greenhouse, and thus rendered delicate and effeminate, but which
+regains its native firmness and tenacity when exposed for a
+season to the winter air.  I will answer your question plainly.
+In business, as in war, spies and informers are necessary evils,
+which all good men detest; but which yet all prudent men must
+use, unless they mean to fight and act blindfold.  But nothing
+can justify the use of falsehood and treachery in our own
+person.'
+
+'You said to the elder Mr. Fairford,' continued I, with the same
+boldness, which I began to find was my best game, 'that I was the
+son of Ralph Latimer of Langcote Hall?  How do you reconcile this
+with your late assertion that my name is not Latimer?'
+
+He coloured as he replied, 'The doting old fool lied; or perhaps
+mistook my meaning.  I said, that gentleman might be your father.
+To say truth, I wished you to visit England, your native country;
+because, when you might do so, my rights over you would revive.'
+
+This speech fully led me to understand a caution which had been
+often impressed upon me, that, if I regarded my safety, I should
+not cross the southern Border; and I cursed my own folly, which
+kept me fluttering like a moth around the candle, until I was
+betrayed into the calamity with which I had dallied.  'What are
+those rights,' I said, 'which you claim over me?  To what end do
+you propose to turn them?'
+
+'To a weighty one, you may be certain,' answered Mr. Herries;
+'but I do not, at present, mean to communicate to you either its
+nature or extent.  You may judge of its importance, when, in
+order entirely to possess myself of your person, I condescended
+to mix myself with the fellows who destroyed the fishing station
+of yon wretched Quaker.  That I held him in contempt, and was
+displeased at the greedy devices with which he ruined a manly
+sport, is true enough; but, unless as it favoured my designs on
+you, he might have, for me, maintained his stake-nets till Solway
+should cease to ebb and flow.'
+
+'Alas!'  I said, 'it doubles my regret to have been the unwilling
+cause of misfortune to an honest and friendly man.'
+
+'Do not grieve for that,' said Herries; 'honest Joshua is one of
+those who, by dint of long prayers, can possess themselves of
+widow's houses--he will quickly repair his losses.  When he
+sustains any mishap, he and the other canters set it down as a
+debt against Heaven, and, by way of set-off, practise rogueries
+without compunction, till the they make the balance even, or
+incline it to the winning side.  Enough of this for the present.
+--I must immediately shift my quarters; for, although I do not
+fear the over-zeal of Mr. Justice Foxley or his clerk will lead
+them to any extreme measure, yet that mad scoundrel's unhappy
+recognition of me may make it more serious for them to connive at
+me, and I must not put their patience to an over severe trial.
+You must prepare to attend me, either as a captive or a
+companion; if as the latter, you must give your parole of honour
+to attempt no escape.  Should you be so ill advised as to break
+your word once pledged, be assured that I will blow your brains
+out without a moment's scruple.'
+
+'I am ignorant of your plans and purposes,' I replied, 'and
+cannot but hold them dangerous.  I do not mean to aggravate my
+present situation by any unavailing resistance to the superior
+force which detains me; but I will not renounce the right of
+asserting my natural freedom should it favourable opportunity
+occur.  I will, therefore, rather be your prisoner than your
+confederate.'
+
+'That is spoken fairly,' he said; 'and yet not without the canny
+caution of one brought up in the Gude Town of Edinburgh.  On my
+part, I will impose no unnecessary hardship upon you; but, on the
+contrary, your journey shall be made as easy as is consistent
+with your being kept safely.  Do you feel strong enough to ride
+on horseback as yet, or would you prefer a carriage?  The former
+mode of travelling is best adapted to the country through which
+we are to travel, but you are at liberty to choose between them.'
+
+I said, 'I felt my strength gradually returning, and that I
+should much prefer travelling on horseback.  A carriage,' I
+added, 'is so close'--
+
+'And so easily guarded,' replied Herries, with a look as if he
+would have penetrated my very thoughts,--'that, doubtless, you
+think horseback better calculated for an escape.'
+
+'My thoughts are my own,' I answered; 'and though you keep my
+person prisoner, these are beyond your control.'
+
+'Oh, I can read the book,' he said, 'without opening the leaves.
+But I would recommend to you to make no rash attempt, and it will
+be my care to see that you have no power to make any that is
+likely to be effectual.  Linen, and all other necessaries for one
+in your circumstances, are amply provided, Cristal Nixon will act
+as your valet,--I should rather, perhaps, say, your FEMME DE
+CHAMBRE.  Your travelling dress you may perhaps consider as
+singular; but it is such as the circumstances require; and, if
+you object to use the articles prepared for your use, your mode
+of journeying will be as personally unpleasant as that which
+conducted you hither.--Adieu--We now know each other better than
+we did--it will not be my fault if the consequences of further
+intimacy be not a more favourable mutual opinion.'
+
+He then left me, with a civil good night, to my own reflections,
+and only turned back to say that we should proceed on our journey
+at daybreak next morning, at furthest; perhaps earlier, he said;
+but complimented me by supposing that, as I was a sportsman, I
+must always be ready for a sudden start.
+
+We are then at issue, this singular man and myself.  His personal
+views are to a certain point explained.  He has chosen an
+antiquated and desperate line of politics, and he claims, from
+some pretended tie of guardianship or relationship, which he does
+not deign to explain but which he seems to have been able to pass
+current on a silly country Justice and his knavish clerk, a right
+to direct and to control my motions.  The danger which awaited me
+in England, and which I might have escaped had I remained in
+Scotland, was doubtless occasioned by the authority of this man.
+But what my poor mother might fear for me as a child--what my
+English friend, Samuel Griffiths, endeavoured to guard against
+during my youth and nonage, is now, it seems, come upon me; and,
+under a legal pretext, I am detained in what must be a most
+illegal manner, by a person, foe, whose own political immunities
+have been forfeited by his conduct.  It matters not--my mind is
+made up neither persuasion nor threats shall force me into the
+desperate designs which this man meditates.  Whether I am of the
+trifling consequence which my life hitherto seems to intimate, or
+whether I have (as would appear from my adversary's conduct) such
+importance, by birth or fortune, as may make me a desirable
+acquisition to a political faction, my resolution is taken in
+either case.  Those who read this journal, if it shall be perused
+by impartial eyes, shall judge of me truly; and if they consider
+me as a fool in encountering danger unnecessarily, they shall
+have no reason to believe me a coward or a turncoat, when I find
+myself engaged in it.  I have been bred in sentiments of
+attachment to the family on the throne and in these sentiments I
+will live and die.  I have, indeed, some idea that Mr. Herries
+has already discovered that I am made of different and more
+unmalleable metal than he had at first believed.  There were
+letters from my dear Alan Fairford, giving a ludicrous account of
+my instability of temper, in the same pocket-book, which,
+according to the admission of my pretended guardian, fell under
+the investigation of his domestic during the night I passed at
+Brokenburn, where, as I now recollect, my wet clothes, with the
+contents of my pockets, were, with the thoughtlessness of a young
+traveller, committed too rashly to the care of a strange servant.
+And my kind friend and hospitable landlord, Mr. Alexander
+Fairford, may also, and with justice, have spoken of my levities
+to this man.  But he shall find he has made a false estimate upon
+these plausible grounds, since--
+
+I must break off for the present.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+LATIMER'S JOURNAL, IN CONTINUATION
+
+There is at length a halt--at length I have gained so much
+privacy as to enable me to continue my journal.  It has become a
+sort of task of duty to me, without the discharge of which I do
+not feel that the business of the day is performed.  True, no
+friendly eye may ever look upon these labours, which have amused
+the solitary hours of an unhappy prisoner.  Yet, in the
+meanwhile, the exercise of the pen seems to act as a sedative
+upon my own agitated thoughts and tumultuous passions.  I never
+lay it down but I rise stronger in resolution, more ardent in
+hope.  A thousand vague fears, wild expectations, and indigested
+schemes, hurry through one's thoughts in seasons of doubt and of
+danger.  But by arresting them as they flit across the mind, by
+throwing them on paper, and even by that mechanical act
+compelling ourselves to consider them with scrupulous and minute
+attention, we may perhaps escape becoming the dupes of our own
+excited imagination; just as a young horse is cured of the vice
+of starting by being made to stand still and look for some time
+without any interruption at the cause of its terror.
+
+There remains but one risk, which is that of discovery.  But
+besides the small characters, in which my residence in Mr.
+Fairford's house enabled me to excel, for the purpose of
+transferring as many scroll sheets as possible to a huge sheet of
+stamped paper, I have, as I have elsewhere intimated, had
+hitherto the comfortable reflection that if the record of my
+misfortunes should fall into the hands of him by whom they are
+caused, they would, without harming any one, show him the real
+character and disposition of the person who has become his
+prisoner--perhaps his victim.  Now, however, that other names,
+and other characters, are to be mingled with the register of my
+own sentiments, I must take additional care of these papers, and
+keep them in such a manner that, in case of the least hazard of
+detection, I may be able to destroy them at a moment's notice.  I
+shall not soon or easily forget the lesson I have been taught, by
+the prying disposition which Cristal Nixon, this man's agent and
+confederate, manifested at Brokenburn, and which proved the
+original cause of my sufferings.
+
+My laying aside the last sheet of my journal hastily was
+occasioned by the unwonted sound of a violin, in the farmyard
+beneath my windows.  It will not appear surprising to those who
+have made music their study, that, after listening to a few
+notes, I became at once assured that the musician was no other
+than the itinerant, formerly mentioned as present at the
+destruction of Joshua Geddes's stake-nets, the superior delicacy
+and force of whose execution would enable me to swear to his bow
+amongst a whole orchestra.  I had the less reason to doubt his
+identity, because he played twice over the beautiful Scottish air
+called Wandering Willie; and I could not help concluding that he
+did so for the purpose of intimating his own presence, since what
+the French called the nom de guerre of the performer was
+described by the tune.
+
+Hope will catch at the most feeble twig for support in extremity.
+I knew this man, though deprived of sight, to be bold, ingenious,
+and perfectly capable of acting as a guide.  I believed I had won
+his goodwill, by having, in a frolic, assumed the character of
+his partner; and I remembered that in a wild, wandering, and
+disorderly course of life, men, as they become loosened from the
+ordinary bonds of civil society, hold those of comradeship more
+closely sacred; so that honour is sometimes found among thieves,
+and faith and attachment in such as the law has termed vagrants.
+The history of Richard Coeur de Lion and his minstrel, Blondel,
+rushed, at the same time, on my mind, though I could not even
+then suppress a smile at the dignity of the example when applied
+to a blind fiddler and myself.  Still there was something in all
+this to awaken a hope that, if I could open a correspondence with
+this poor violer, he might be useful in extricating me from my
+present situation.
+
+His profession furnished me with some hope that this desired
+communication might be attained; since it is well known that, in
+Scotland, where there is so much national music, the words and
+airs of which are generally known, there is a kind of freemasonry
+amongst performers, by which they can, by the mere choice of a
+tune, express a great deal to the hearers.  Personal allusions
+are often made in this manner, with much point and pleasantry;
+and nothing is more usual at public festivals, than that the air
+played to accompany a particular health or toast, is made the
+vehicle of compliment, of wit, and sometimes of satire.  [Every
+one must remember instances of this festive custom, in which the
+adaptation of the tune to the toast was remarkably felicitous.
+Old Neil Gow, and his son Nathaniel, were peculiarly happy on
+such occasions.]
+
+While these things passed through my mind rapidly, I heard my
+friend beneath recommence, for the third time, the air from which
+his own name had been probably adopted, when he was interrupted
+by his rustic auditors.
+
+'If thou canst play no other spring but that, mon, ho hadst best
+put up ho's pipes and be jogging.  Squoire will be back anon, or
+Master Nixon, and we'll see who will pay poiper then.'
+
+Oho, thought I, if I have no sharper ears than those of my
+friends Jan and Dorcas to encounter, I may venture an experiment
+upon them; and, as most expressive of my state of captivity, I
+sang two or three lines of the 137th Psalm--
+
+  By Babel's streams we sat and wept.
+
+The country people listened with attention, and when I ceased, I
+heard them whisper together in tones of commiseration, 'Lack-a-
+day, poor soul!  so pretty a man to be beside his wits!'
+
+'An he be that gate,' said Wandering Willie, in a tone calculated
+to reach my ears, 'I ken naething will raise his spirits like a
+spring.'  And he struck up, with great vigour and spirit, the
+lively Scottish air, the words of which instantly occurred to me
+--
+
+  Oh whistle and I'll come t'ye, my lad,
+  Oh whistle and I'll come t'ye, my lad;
+  Though father and mother and a' should gae mad,
+  Oh whistle and I'll come t'ye, my lad.
+
+I soon heard a clattering noise of feet in the courtyard, which I
+concluded to be Jan and Dorcas dancing a jig in their Cumberland
+wooden clogs.  Under cover of this din, I endeavoured to answer
+Willie's signal by whistling, as loud as I could---
+
+  Come back again and loe me
+  When a' the lave are gane.
+
+He instantly threw the dancers out, by changing his air to
+
+  There's my thumb, I'll ne'er beguile thee.
+
+I no longer doubted that a communication betwixt us was happily
+established, and that, if I had an opportunity of speaking to the
+poor musician, I should find him willing to take my letter to the
+post, to invoke the assistance of some active magistrate, or of
+the commanding-officer of Carlisle Castle, or, in short, to do
+whatever else I could point out, in the compass of his power, to
+contribute to my liberation.  But to obtain speech of him, I must
+have run the risk of alarming the suspicions of Dorcas, if not of
+her yet more stupid Corydon.  My ally's blindness prevented his
+receiving any communication by signs from the window--even if I
+could have ventured to make them, consistently with prudence--so
+that notwithstanding the mode of intercourse we had adopted was
+both circuitous and peculiarly liable to misapprehension, I saw
+nothing I could do better than to continue it, trusting my own
+and my correspondent's acuteness in applying to the airs the
+meaning they were intended to convey.  I thought of singing the
+words themselves of some significant song, but feared I might, by
+doing so, attract suspicion.  I endeavoured, therefore, to
+intimate my speedy departure from my present place of residence,
+by whistling the well-known air with which festive parties in
+Scotland usually conclude the dance:--
+
+  Good night and joy be wi' ye a',
+  For here nae langer maun I stay;
+  There's neither friend nor foe, of mine
+  But wishes that I were away.
+
+It appeared that Willie's powers of intelligence were much more
+active than mine, and that, like a deaf person accustomed to be
+spoken to by signs, he comprehended, from the very first notes,
+the whole meaning I intended to convey; and he accompanied me in
+the air with his violin, in such a manner as at once to show he
+understood my meaning, and to prevent my whistling from being
+attended to.
+
+His reply was almost immediate, and was conveyed in the old
+martial air of 'Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver.'  I ran
+over the words, and fixed on the following stanza, as most
+applicable to my circumstances:--
+
+  Cock up your beaver, and cock it fu' sprush;
+  We'll over the Border and give them a brush;
+  There's somebody there we'll teach better behaviour,
+  Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver.
+
+If these sounds alluded, as I hope they do, to the chance of
+assistance from my Scottish friends, I may indeed consider that a
+door is open to hope and freedom.  I immediately replied with:--
+
+  My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
+  My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
+  A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe,
+  My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go.
+
+  Farewell to the Highlands!  farewell to the North!
+  The birth-place of valour, the cradle of worth;
+  Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
+  The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
+
+Willie instantly played, with a degree of spirit which might have
+awakened hope in Despair herself, if Despair could be supposed to
+understand Scotch music, the fine old Jacobite air,
+
+  For a' that, and a' that,
+  And twice as much as a' that.
+
+I next endeavoured to intimate my wish to send notice of my
+condition to my friends; and, despairing to find an air
+sufficiently expressive of my purpose, I ventured to sing a
+verse, which, in various forms, occurs so frequently in old
+ballads--
+
+  Whare will I get a bonny boy
+  That will win hose and shoon:
+  That will gae down to Durisdeer,
+  And bid my merry men come?
+
+He drowned the latter part of the verse by playing, with much
+emphasis,
+
+  Kind Robin loes me.
+
+Of this, though I ran over the verses of the song in my mind, I
+could make nothing; and before I could contrive any mode of
+intimating my uncertainty, a cry arose in the courtyard that
+Cristal Nixon was coming.  My faithful Willie was obliged to
+retreat; but not before he had half played, half hummed, by way
+of farewell,
+
+  Leave thee--leave thee, lad--
+  I'll never leave thee;
+  The stars shall gae withershins
+  Ere I will leave thee.
+
+I am thus, I think, secure of one trusty adherent in my
+misfortunes; and, however whimsical it may be to rely much on a
+man of his idle profession and deprived of sight withal, it is
+deeply impressed on my mind that his services may be both useful
+and necessary.  There is another quarter from which I look for
+succour, and which I have indicated to thee, Alan, in more than
+one passage of my journal.  Twice, at the early hour of daybreak,
+I have seen the individual alluded to in the court of the farm,
+and twice she made signs of recognition in answer to the gestures
+by which I endeavoured to make her comprehend my situation; but
+on both occasions she pressed her finger on her lips, as
+expressive of silence and secrecy.
+
+The manner in which G.M. entered upon the scene for the first
+time, seems to assure me of her goodwill, so far as her power may
+reach; and I have many reasons to believe it is considerable.
+Yet she seemed hurried and frightened during the very transitory
+moments of our interview, and I think was, upon the last
+occasion, startled by the entrance of some one into the farmyard,
+just as she was on the point of addressing me.  You must not ask
+whether I am an early riser, since such objects are only to be
+seen at daybreak; and although I have never again seen her, yet I
+have reason to think she is not distant.  It was but three nights
+ago, that, worn out by the uniformity of my confinement, I had
+manifested more symptoms of despondence than I had before
+exhibited, which I conceive may have attracted the attention of
+the domestics, through whom the circumstance might transpire.  On
+the next morning, the following lines lay on my table; but how
+conveyed there, I cannot tell.  The hand in which they were
+written is a beautiful Italian manuscript:--
+
+  As lords their labourers' hire delay,
+  Fate quits our toil with hopes to come,
+  Which, if far short of present pay,
+  Still, owns a debt and names a sum.
+
+  Quit not the pledge, frail sufferer, then,
+  Although a distant date be given;
+  Despair is treason towards man,
+  And blasphemy to Heaven.
+
+That these lines were written with the friendly purpose of
+inducing me to keep up my spirits, I cannot doubt; and I trust
+the manner in which I shall conduct myself may show that the
+pledge is accepted.
+
+The dress is arrived in which it seems to be my self-elected
+guardian's pleasure that I shall travel; and what does it prove
+to be?--A skirt, or upper-petticoat of camlet, like those worn by
+country ladies of moderate rank when on horseback, with such a
+riding-mask as they frequently use on journeys to preserve their
+eyes and complexion from the sun and dust, and sometimes, it is
+suspected, to enable then to play off a little coquetry.  From
+the gayer mode of employing the mask, however, I suspect I shall
+be precluded; for instead of being only pasteboard, covered with
+black velvet, I observe with anxiety that mine is thickened with
+a plate of steel, which, like Quixote's visor, serves to render
+it more strong and durable.
+
+This apparatus, together with a steel clasp for securing the mask
+behind me with a padlock, gave me fearful recollections of the
+unfortunate being, who, never being permitted to lay aside such a
+visor, acquired the well-known historical epithet of the Man in
+the Iron Mask.  I hesitated a moment whether I should, so far
+submit to the acts of oppression designed against me as to assume
+this disguise, which was, of course, contrived to aid their
+purposes.  But when I remembered Mr. Herries's threat, that I
+should be kept close prisoner in a carriage, unless I assumed the
+dress which should be appointed for me; and I considered the
+comparative degree of freedom which I might purchase by wearing
+the mask and female dress as easily and advantageously purchased.
+Here, therefore, I must pause for the present, and await what the
+morning may bring forth.
+
+[To carry on the story from the documents before us, we think it
+proper here to drop the journal of the captive Darsie Latimer,
+and adopt, instead, a narrative of the proceedings of Alan
+Fairford in pursuit of his friend, which forms another series in
+this history.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+The reader ought, by this time, to have formed some idea of the
+character of Alan Fairford.  He had a warmth of heart which the
+study of the law and of the world could not chill, and talents
+which they had rendered unusually acute.  Deprived of the
+personal patronage enjoyed by most of his contemporaries, who
+assumed the gown under the protection of their aristocratic
+alliances and descents, he early saw that he should have that to
+achieve for himself which fell to them as a right of birth.  He
+laboured hard in silence and solitude, and his labours were
+crowned with success.  But Alan doted on his friend Darsie, even
+more than he loved his profession, and, as we have seen, threw
+everything aside when he thought Latimer in danger; forgetting
+fame and fortune, and hazarding even the serious displeasure of
+his father, to rescue him whom he loved with an elder brother's
+affection.  Darsie, though his parts were more quick and
+brilliant than those of his friend, seemed always to the latter a
+being under his peculiar charge, whom he was called upon to
+cherish and protect in cases where the youth's own experience was
+unequal to the exigency; and now, when, the fate of Latimer
+seeming worse than doubtful, Alan's whole prudence and energy
+were to be exerted in his behalf, an adventure which might have
+seemed perilous to most youths of his age had no terrors for him.
+He was well acquainted with the laws of his country, and knew how
+to appeal to them; and, besides his professional confidence, his
+natural disposition was steady, sedate, persevering, and
+undaunted.  With these requisites he undertook a quest which, at
+that time, was not unattended with actual danger, and had much in
+it to appal a more timid disposition.
+
+Fairford's first inquiry concerning his friend was of the chief
+magistrate of Dumfries, Provost Crosbie, who had sent the
+information of Darsie's disappearance.  On his first application,
+he thought he discerned in the honest dignitary a desire to get
+rid of the subject.  The provost spoke of the riot at the fishing
+station as an 'outbreak among those lawless loons the fishermen,
+which concerned the sheriff,' he said, 'more than us poor town
+council bodies, that have enough to do to keep peace within
+burgh, amongst such a set of commoners as the town are plagued
+with.'
+
+'But this is not all, Provost Crosbie,' said Mr. Alan Fairford;
+'A young gentleman of rank and fortune has disappeared amongst
+their hands--you know him.  My father gave him a letter to you--
+Mr. Darsie Latimer.'
+
+'Lack-a-day, yes!  lack-a-day, yes!'  said the provost; 'Mr.
+Darsie Latimer--he dined at my house--I hope he is well?'
+
+'I hope so too,' said Alan, rather indignantly; 'but I desire
+more certainty on that point.  You yourself wrote my father that
+he had disappeared.'
+
+'Troth, yes, and that is true,' said the provost.  'But did he
+not go back to his friends in Scotland?  it was not natural to
+think he would stay here.'
+
+'Not unless he is under restraint,' said Fairford, surprised at
+the coolness with which the provost seemed to take up the matter.
+
+'Rely on it, sir,' said Mr. Crosbie, 'that if he has not returned
+to his friends in Scotland, he must have gone to his friends in
+England.'
+
+'I will rely on no such thing,' said Alan; 'if there is law or
+justice in Scotland, I will have the thing cleared to the very
+bottom.'
+
+'Reasonable, reasonable,' said the provost, 'so far as is
+possible; but you know I have no power beyond the ports of the
+burgh.'
+
+'But you are in the commission besides, Mr. Crosbie; a justice of
+peace for the county.'
+
+'True, very true--that is,' said the cautious magistrate, 'I will
+not say but my name may stand on the list, but I cannot remember
+that I have ever qualified.'  [By taking the oaths to
+government.]
+
+'Why, in that case,' said young Fairford, 'there are ill-natured
+people might doubt your attachment to the Protestant line, Mr.
+Crosbie.'
+
+'God forbid, Mr. Fairford!  I who have done and suffered in the
+Forty-five.  I reckon the Highlandmen did me damage to the amount
+of 100l. Scots, forby all they ate and drank--no, no, sir, I
+stand beyond challenge; but as for plaguing myself with county
+business, let them that aught the mare shoe the mare.  The
+commissioners of supply would see my back broken before they
+would help me in the burgh's work, and all the world kens the
+difference of the weight between public business in burgh and
+landward.  What are their riots to me?  have we not riots enough
+of our own?--But I must be getting ready, for the council meets
+this forenoon.  I am blithe to see your father's son on the
+causeway of our ancient burgh, Mr. Alan Fairford.  Were you a
+twelve-month aulder, we would make a burgess of you, man.  I hope
+you will come and dine with me before you go away.  What think
+you of to-day at two o'clock--just a roasted chucky and a drappit
+egg?'
+
+Alan Fairford resolved that his friend's hospitality should not,
+as it seemed the inviter intended, put a stop to his queries.  'I
+must delay you for a moment,' he said, 'Mr. Crosbie; this is a
+serious affair; a young gentleman of high hopes, my own dearest
+friend, is missing--you cannot think it will be passed over
+slightly, if a man of your high character and known zeal for the
+government do not make some active inquiry.  Mr. Crosbie, you are
+my father's friend, and I respect you as such--but to others it
+will have a bad appearance.'
+
+The withers of the provost were not unwrung; he paced the room in
+much tribulation, repeating, 'But what can I do, Mr. Fairford?  I
+warrant your friend casts up again--he will come back again, like
+the ill shilling--he is not the sort of gear that tynes--a
+hellicat boy, running through the country with a blind fiddler
+and playing the fiddle to a parcel of blackguards, who can tell
+where the like of him may have scampered to?'
+
+'There are persons apprehended, and in the jail of the town, as I
+understand from the sheriff-substitute,' said Mr. Fairford; 'you
+must call them before you, and inquire what they know of this
+young gentleman.'
+
+'Aye, aye--the sheriff-depute did commit some poor creatures, I
+believe--wretched ignorant fishermen bodies, that had been
+quarrelling with Quaker Geddes and his stake-nets, whilk, under
+favour of your gown be it spoken, Mr. Fairford, are not over and
+above lawful, and the town clerk thinks that they may be lawfully
+removed VIA FACTI--but that is by the by.  But, sir, the
+creatures were a' dismissed for want of evidence; the Quaker
+would not swear to them, and what could the sheriff and me do but
+just let them loose?  Come awa, cheer up, Master Alan, and take a
+walk till dinner-time--I must really go to the council.'
+
+'Stop a moment, provost,' said Alan; 'I lodge a complaint before
+you as a magistrate, and you will find it serious to slight it
+over.  You must have these men apprehended again.'
+
+'Aye, aye--easy said; but catch them that can,' answered the
+provost; 'they are ower the march by this time, or by the point
+of Cairn.--Lord help ye!  they are a kind of amphibious deevils,
+neither land nor water beasts neither English nor Scots--neither
+county nor stewartry, as we say--they are dispersed like so much
+quicksilver.  You may as well try to whistle a sealgh out of the
+Solway, as to get hold of one of them till all the fray is over.'
+
+'Mr. Crosbie, this will not do,' answered the young counsellor;
+'there is a person of more importance than such wretches as you
+describe concerned in this unhappy business--I must name to you a
+certain Mr. Herries.'
+
+He kept his eye on the provost as he uttered the name, which he
+did rather at a venture, and from the connexion which that
+gentleman, and his real or supposed niece, seemed to have with
+the fate of Darsie Latimer, than from any distinct cause of
+suspicion which he entertained.  He thought the provost seemed
+embarrassed, though he showed much desire to assume an appearance
+of indifference, in which he partly succeeded.
+
+'Herries!'  he said--'What Herries?--There are many of that name
+--not so many as formerly, for the old stocks are wearing out;
+but there is Herries of Heathgill, and Herries of Auchintulloch,
+and Herries'--
+
+'To save you further trouble, this person's designation is
+Herries of Birrenswork.'
+
+'Of Birrenswork?'  said Mr. Crosbie; 'I have you now, Mr. Alan.
+Could you not as well have said, the Laird of Redgauntlet?'
+
+Fairford was too wary to testify any surprise at this
+identification of names, however unexpected.  'I thought,' said
+he, 'he was more generally known by the name of Herries.  I have
+seen and been in company with him under that name, I am sure.'
+
+'Oh aye; in Edinburgh, belike.  You know Redgauntlet was
+unfortunate a great while ago, and though he was maybe not deeper
+in the mire than other folk, yet, for some reason or other, he
+did not get so easily out.'
+
+'He was attainted, I understand; and has no remission,' said
+Fairford.
+
+The cautious provost only nodded, and said, 'You may guess,
+therefore, why it is so convenient he should hold his mother's
+name, which is also partly his own, when he is about Edinburgh.
+To bear his proper name might be accounted a kind of flying in
+the face of government, ye understand.  But he has been long
+connived at--the story is an old story--and the gentleman has
+many excellent qualities, and is of a very ancient and honourable
+house--has cousins among the great folk--counts kin with the
+advocate and with the sheriff--hawks, you know, Mr. Alan, will
+not pike out hawks' een--he is widely connected--my wife is a
+fourth cousin of Redgauntlet's.'
+
+HINC ILLAE LACHRYMAE!  thought Alan Fairford to himself; but the
+hint presently determined him to proceed by soft means and with
+caution.  'I beg you to understand,' said Fairford, 'that in the
+investigation I am about to make, I design no harm to Mr.
+Herries, or Redgauntlet--call him what you will.  All I wish is,
+to ascertain the safety of my friend.  I know that he was rather
+foolish in once going upon a mere frolic, in disguise, to the
+neighbourhood of this same gentleman's house.  In his
+circumstances, Mr. Redgauntlet may have misinterpreted the
+motives, and considered Darsie Latimer as a spy.  His influence,
+I believe, is great among the disorderly people you spoke of but
+now?'
+
+The provost answered with another sagacious shake of his head,
+that would have done honour to Lord Burleigh in the CRITIC.
+
+'Well, then,' continued Fairford,' is it not possible that, in
+the mistaken belief that Mr. Latimer was a spy, he may, upon such
+suspicion, have caused him to be carried off and confined
+somewhere?  Such things are done at elections, and on occasions
+less pressing than when men think their lives are in danger from
+an informer.'
+
+'Mr. Fairford,' said the provost, very earnestly, 'I scarce think
+such a mistake possible; or if, by any extraordinary chance, it
+should have taken place, Redgauntlet, whom I cannot but know
+well, being as I have said my wife's first cousin (fourth cousin,
+I should say) is altogether incapable of doing anything harsh to
+the young gentleman--he might send him ower to Ailsay for a night
+or two, or maybe land him on the north coast of Ireland, or in
+Islay, or some of the Hebrides; but depend upon it, he is
+incapable of harming a hair of his head.'
+
+'I am determined not to trust to that, provost,' answered
+Fairford firmly; 'and I am a good deal surprised at your way of
+talking so lightly of such an aggression on the liberty of the
+subject.  You are to consider, and Mr. Herries or Mr.
+Redgauntlet's friends would do very well also to consider, how it
+would sound in the ears of an English Secretary of State, that an
+attainted traitor (for such is this gentleman) has not only
+ventured to take up his abode in this realm--against the king of
+which he has been in arms--but is suspected of having proceeded,
+by open force and violence, against the person of one of the
+lieges, a young man who is neither without friends nor property
+to secure his being righted.'
+
+The provost looked at the young counsellor with a face in which
+distrust, alarm, and vexation seemed mingled.  'A fashious job,'
+he said at last, 'a fashious job; and it will be dangerous
+meddling with it.  I should like ill to see your father's son
+turn informer against an unfortunate gentleman.'
+
+'Neither do I mean it,' answered Alan, 'provided that unfortunate
+gentleman and his friends give me a quiet opportunity of securing
+my friend's safety.  If I could speak with Mr. Redgauntlet, and
+hear his own explanation, I should probably be satisfied.  If I
+am forced, to denounce him to government, it will be in his new
+capacity of a kidnapper.  I may not be able, nor is it my
+business, to prevent his being recognized in his former character
+of an attainted person, excepted from the general pardon.'
+
+'Master Fairford,' said the provost, 'would ye ruin the poor
+innocent gentleman on an idle suspicion?'
+
+'Say no more of it, Mr. Crosbie; my line of conduct is
+determined--unless that suspicion is removed.'
+
+'Weel, sir,' said the provost, 'since so it be, and since you say
+that you do not seek to harm Redgauntlet personally, I'll ask a
+man to dine with us to-day that kens as much about his matters as
+most folk.  You must think, Mr. Alan Fairford, though Redgauntlet
+be my wife's near relative, and though, doubtless, I wish him
+weel, yet I am not the person who is like to be intrusted with
+his incomings and outgoings.  I am not a man for that--I keep the
+kirk, and I abhor Popery--I have stood up for the House of
+Hanover, and for liberty and property--I carried arms, sir,
+against the Pretender, when three of the Highlandmen's baggage-
+carts were stopped at Ecclefechan; and I had an especial loss of
+a hundred pounds'--
+
+'Scots,' interrupted Fairford.  'You forget you told me all this
+before.'
+
+'Scots or English, it was too much for me to lose,' said the
+provost; so you see I am not a person to pack or peel with
+Jacobites, and such unfreemen as poor Redgauntlet.'
+
+'Granted, granted, Mr. Crosbie; and what then?'  said Alan
+Fairford.
+
+'Why, then, it follows, that if I am to help you at this pinch,
+if cannot be by and through my ain personal knowledge, but
+through some fitting agent or third person.'
+
+'Granted again,' said Fairford.  'And pray who may this third
+person be?'
+
+'Wha but Pate Maxwell of Summertrees--him they call Pate-in-
+Peril.'
+
+'An old Forty-five man, of course?'  said Fairford.
+
+'Ye may swear that,' replied the provost--'as black a Jacobite as
+the auld leaven can make him; but a sonsy, merry companion, that
+none of us think it worth while to break wi' for all his brags
+and his clavers.  You would have thought, if he had had but his
+own way at Derby, he would have marched Charlie Stuart through
+between Wade and the Duke, as a thread goes through the needle's
+ee, and seated him in Saint James's before you could have said
+haud your hand.  But though he is a windy body when he gets on
+his auld-warld stories, he has mair gumption in him than most
+people--knows business, Mr. Alan, being bred to the law; but
+never took the gown, because of the oaths, which kept more folk
+out then than they do now--the more's the pity.'
+
+'What!  are you sorry, provost, that Jacobitism is upon the
+decline?'  said Fairford.
+
+'No, no,' answered the provost--'I am only sorry for folks losing
+the tenderness of conscience which they used to have.  I have a
+son breeding to the bar, Mr. Fairford; and, no doubt, considering
+my services and sufferings, I might have looked for some bit
+postie to him; but if the muckle tykes come in--I mean a' these
+Maxwells, and Johnstones, and great lairds, that the oaths used
+to keep out lang syne--the bits o' messan doggies, like my son,
+and maybe like your father's son, Mr. Alan, will be sair put to
+the wall.'
+
+'But to return to the subject, Mr. Crosbie,' said Fairford, 'do
+you really think it likely that this Mr. Maxwell will be of
+service in this matter?'
+
+'It's very like he may be, for he is the tongue of the trump to
+the whole squad of them,' said the provost; 'and Redgauntlet,
+though he will not stick at times to call him a fool, takes more
+of his counsel than any man's else that I am aware of.  If Fate
+can bring him to a communing, the business is done.  He's a sharp
+chield, Pate-in-Peril.'
+
+'Pate-in-Peril!'  repeated Alan; 'a very singular name.'
+
+'Aye, and it was in as queer a way he got it; but I'll say
+naething about that,' said the provost, 'for fear of forestalling
+his market; for ye are sure to hear it once at least, however
+oftener, before the punch-bowl gives place to the teapot.--And
+now, fare ye weel; for there is the council-bell clinking in
+earnest; and if I am not there before it jows in, Bailie Laurie
+will be trying some of his manoeuvres.'
+
+The provost, repeating his expectation of seeing Mr. Fairford at
+two o'clock, at length effected his escape from the young
+counsellor, and left him at a considerable loss how to proceed.
+The sheriff, it seems, had returned to Edinburgh, and he feared
+to find the visible repugnance of the provost to interfere with
+this Laird of Birrenswork, or Redgauntlet, much stronger amongst
+the country gentlemen, many of whom were Catholics as well as
+Jacobites, and most others unwilling to quarrel with kinsmen and
+friends, by prosecuting with severity political offences which
+had almost run a prescription.
+
+To collect all the information in his power, and not to have
+recourse to the higher authorities until he could give all the
+light of which the case was capable, seemed the wiser proceeding
+in a choice of difficulties.  He had some conversation with the
+procurator-fiscal, who, as well as the provost, was an old
+correspondent of his father.  Alan expressed to that officer a
+purpose of visiting Brokenburn, but was assured by him, that it
+would be a step attended with much danger to his own person, and
+altogether fruitless; that the individuals who had been
+ringleaders in the riot were long since safely sheltered in their
+various lurking-holes in the Isle of Man, Cumberland, and
+elsewhere; and that those who might remain would undoubtedly
+commit violence on any who visited their settlement with the
+purpose of inquiring into the late disturbances.
+
+There were not the same objections to his hastening to Mount
+Sharon, where he expected to find the latest news of his friend;
+and there was time enough to do so, before the hour appointed for
+the provost's dinner.  Upon the road, he congratulated himself on
+having obtained one point of almost certain information.  The
+person who had in a manner forced himself upon his father's
+hospitality, and had appeared desirous to induce Darsie Latimer
+to visit England, against whom, too, a sort of warning had been
+received from an individual connected with and residing in his
+own family, proved to be a promoter of the disturbance in which
+Darsie had disappeared.
+
+What could be the cause of such an attempt on the liberty of an
+inoffensive and amiable man?  It was impossible it could be
+merely owing to Redgauntlet's mistaking Darsie for a spy; for
+though that was the solution which Fairford had offered to the
+provost, he well knew that, in point of fact, he himself had been
+warned by his singular visitor of some danger to which his friend
+was exposed, before such suspicion could have been entertained;
+and the injunctions received by Latimer from his guardian, or him
+who acted as such, Mr. Griffiths of London, pointed to the same
+thing.  He was rather glad, however, that he had not let Provost
+Crosbie into his secret further than was absolutely necessary;
+since it was plain that the connexion of his wife with the
+suspected party was likely to affect his impartiality as a
+magistrate.
+
+When Alan Fairford arrived at Mount Sharon, Rachel Geddes
+hastened to meet him, almost before the servant could open the
+door.  She drew back in disappointment when she beheld a
+stranger, and said, to excuse her precipitation, that 'she had
+thought it was her brother Joshua returned from Cumberland.'
+
+'Mr. Geddes is then absent from home?'  said Fairford, much
+disappointed in his turn.
+
+'He hath been gone since yesterday, friend,' answered Rachel,
+once more composed to the quietude which characterizes her sect,
+but her pale cheek and red eye giving contradiction to her
+assumed equanimity.
+
+'I am,' said Fairford, hastily, 'the particular friend of a young
+man not unknown to you, Miss Geddes--the friend of Darsie
+Latimer--and am come hither in the utmost anxiety, having
+understood from Provost Crosbie, that he had disappeared in the
+night when a destructive attack was made upon the fishing-station
+of Mr. Geddes.'
+
+'Thou dost afflict me, friend, by thy inquiries,' said Rachel,
+more affected than before; 'for although the youth was like those
+of the worldly generation, wise in his own conceit, and lightly
+to be moved by the breath of vanity, yet Joshua loved him, and
+his heart clave to him as if he had been his own son.  And when
+he himself escaped from the sons of Belial, which was not until
+they had tired themselves with reviling, and with idle reproach,
+and the jests of the scoffer, Joshua, my brother, returned to
+them once and again, to give ransom for the youth called Darsie
+Latimer, with offers of money and with promise of remission, but
+they would not hearken to him.  Also, he went before the head
+judge, whom men call the sheriff, and would have told him of the
+youth's peril; but he would in no way hearken to him unless he
+would swear unto the truth of his words, which thing he might not
+do without sin, seeing it is written, Swear not at all--also,
+that our conversation shall be yea or nay.  Therefore, Joshua
+returned to me disconsolate, and said, "Sister Rachel, this youth
+hath run into peril for my sake; assuredly I shall not be
+guiltless if a hair of his head be harmed, seeing I have sinned
+in permitting him to go with me to the fishing station when such
+evil was to be feared.  Therefore, I will take my horse, even
+Solomon, and ride swiftly into Cumberland, and I will make myself
+friends with Mammon of Unrighteousness, among the magistrates of
+the Gentiles, and among their mighty men; and it shall come to
+pass that Darsie Latimer shall be delivered, even if it were at
+the expense of half my substance."  And I said, "Nay, my brother,
+go not, for they will but scoff at and revile thee; but hire with
+thy silver one of the scribes, who are eager as hunters in
+pursuing their prey, and he shall free Darsie Latimer from the
+men of violence by his cunning, and thy soul shall be guiltless
+of evil towards the lad."   But he answered and said, "I will not
+be controlled in this matter."  And he is gone forth and hath not
+returned, and I fear me that he may never return; for though he
+be peaceful, as becometh one who holds all violence as offence
+against his own soul, yet neither the floods of water, nor the
+fear of the snare, nor the drawn sword of the adversary
+brandished in the path, will overcome his purpose.  Wherefore the
+Solway may swallow him up, or the sword of the enemy may devour
+him--nevertheless, my hope is better in Him who directeth all
+things, and ruleth over the waves of the sea, and overruleth the
+devices of the wicked, and who can redeem us even as a bird from
+the fowler's net.'
+
+This was all that Fairford could learn from Miss Geddes; but he
+heard with pleasure that the good Quaker, her brother, had many
+friends among those of his own profession in Cumberland, and
+without exposing himself to so much danger as his sister seemed
+to apprehend, he trusted he might be able to discover some traces
+of Darsie Latimer.  He himself rode back to Dumfries, having left
+with Miss Geddes his direction in that place, and an earnest
+request that she would forward thither whatever information she
+might obtain from her brother.
+
+On Fairford's return to Dumfries, he employed the brief interval
+which remained before dinner-time, in writing an account of what
+had befallen Latimer and of the present uncertainty of his
+condition, to Mr. Samuel Griffiths, through whose hands the
+remittances for his friend's service had been regularly made,
+desiring he would instantly acquaint him with such parts of his
+history as might direct him in the search which he was about to
+institute through the border counties, and which he pledged
+himself not; to give up until he had obtained news of his friend,
+alive or dead, The young lawyer's mind felt easier when he had
+dispatched this letter.  He could not conceive any reason why his
+friend's life should be aimed at; he knew Darsie had done nothing
+by which his liberty could be legally affected; and although,
+even of late years, there had been singular histories of men, and
+women also, who had been trepanned, and concealed in solitudes
+and distant islands in order to serve some temporary purpose,
+such violences had been chiefly practised by the rich on the
+poor, and by the strong on the feeble; whereas, in the present
+case, this Mr. Herries, or Redgauntlet, being amenable, for more
+reasons than one, to the censure of the law, must be the weakest
+in any struggle in which it could be appealed to.  It is true,
+that his friendly anxiety whispered that the very cause which
+rendered this oppressor less formidable, might make him more
+desperate.  Still, recalling his language, so strikingly that of
+the gentleman, and even of the man of honour, Alan Fairford
+concluded, that though, in his feudal pride, Redgauntlet might
+venture on the deeds of violence exercised by the aristocracy in
+other times, he could not be capable of any action of deliberate
+atrocity.  And in these convictions he went to dine with Provost
+Crosbie, with a heart more at ease than might have been expected.
+[See Note 7.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Five minutes had elapsed after the town clock struck two,
+before Alan Fairford, who had made a small detour to put his
+letter into the post-house, reached the mansion of Mr. Provost
+Crosbie, and was at once greeted by the voice of that civic
+dignitary, and the rural dignitary his visitor, as by the voices
+of men impatient for their dinner.
+
+'Come away, Mr. Fairford--the Edinburgh time is later than ours,'
+said the provost.
+
+And, 'Come away, young gentleman,' said the laird; 'I remember your
+father weel at the Cross thirty years ago--I reckon you are as
+late in Edinburgh as at London, four o'clock hours--eh?'
+
+'Not quite so degenerate,' replied Fairford; 'but certainly many
+Edinburgh people are so ill-advised as to postpone their dinner
+till three, that they may have full time to answer their London
+correspondents.'
+
+'London correspondents!'  said Mr. Maxwell; 'and pray what the
+devil have the people of Auld Reekie to do with London
+correspondents?'  [Not much in those days, for within my
+recollection the London post; was brought north in a small mail-
+cart; and men are yet as live who recollect when it came down
+with only one single letter for Edinburgh, addressed to the
+manager of the British Linen Company.]
+
+'The tradesmen must have their goods,' said Fairford.
+
+'Can they not buy our own Scottish manufactures, and pick their
+customers pockets in a more patriotic manner?'
+
+'Then the ladies must have fashions,' said Fairford.
+
+'Can they not busk the plaid over their heads, as their mothers
+did?  A tartan screen, and once a year a new cockernony from
+Paris, should serve a countess.  But ye have not many of them
+left, I think--Mareschal, Airley, Winton, Vemyss, Balmerino, all
+passed and gone--aye, aye, the countesses and ladies of quality
+will scarce take up too much of your ball-room floor with their
+quality hoops nowadays.'
+
+'There is no want of crowding, however, sir,' said Fairford;
+'they begin to talk of a new Assembly room.'
+
+'A new Assembly room!'  said the old Jacobite laird--'Umph--I
+mind quartering three hundred men in the old Assembly room [I
+remember hearing this identical answer given by an old Highland
+gentleman of the Forty-Five, when he heard of the opening of the
+New Assembly Rooms in George Street.]--But come, come--I'll ask
+no more questions--the answers all smell of new lords new lands,
+and do but spoil my appetite, which were a pity, since here comes
+Mrs. Crosbie to say our mutton's ready.'
+
+It was even so.  Mrs. Crosbie had been absent, like Eve, 'on
+hospitable cares intent,' a duty which she did not conceive
+herself exempted from, either by the dignity of her husband's
+rank in the municipality, or the splendour of her Brussels silk
+gown, or even by the more highly prized lustre of her birth; for
+she was born a Maxwell, and allied, as her husband often informed
+his friends, to several of the first families in the county.  She
+had been handsome, and was still a portly, good-looking woman of
+her years; and though her peep into the kitchen had somewhat
+heightened her complexion, it was no more than a modest touch of
+rouge might have done.
+
+The provost was certainly proud of his lady, nay, some said he
+was afraid of her; for of the females of the Redgauntlet family
+there went a rumour, that, ally where they would, there was a
+grey mare as surely in the stables of their husbands, as there is
+a white horse in Wouvermans' pictures.  The good dame, too, was
+supposed to have brought a spice of politics into Mr. Crosbie's
+household along with her; and the provost's enemies at the
+council-table of the burgh used to observe that he uttered there
+many a bold harangue against the Pretender, and in favour of King
+George and government, of which he dared not have pronounced a
+syllable in his own bedchamber; and that, in fact, his wife's
+predominating influence had now and then occasioned his acting,
+or forbearing to act, in a manner very different from his general
+professions of zeal for Revolution principles.  If this was in
+any respect true, it was certain, on the other hand, that Mrs.
+Crosbie, in all external points, seemed to acknowledge the
+'lawful sway and right supremacy' of the head of the house, and
+if she did not in truth reverence her husband, she at least
+seemed to do so.
+
+This stately dame received Mr. Maxwell (a cousin of course) with
+cordiality, and Fairford with civility; answering at the same
+time with respect, to the magisterial complaints of the provost,
+that dinner was just coming up.  'But since you changed poor
+Peter MacAlpin, that used to take care of the town-clock, my
+dear, it has never gone well a single day.'
+
+'Peter MacAlpin, my dear,' said the provost,' made himself too
+busy for a person in office, and drunk healths and so forth,
+which it became no man to drink or to pledge, far less one that
+is in point of office a servant of the public, I understand that
+he lost the music bells in Edinburgh, for playing "Ower the Water
+to Charlie," upon the tenth of June.  He is a black sheep, and
+deserves no encouragement.'
+
+'Not a bad tune though, after all,' said Summertrees; and,
+turning to the window, he half hummed, half whistled, the air in
+question, then sang the last verse aloud:
+
+  'Oh I loe weel my Charlie's name,
+    Though some there be that abhor him;
+   But oh to see the deil gang hame
+    Wi' a' the Whigs before him!
+   Over the water, and over the sea,
+    And over the water to Charlie;
+   Come weal, come woe, we'll gather and go,
+    And live or die with Charlie.'
+
+Mrs. Crosbie smiled furtively on the laird, wearing an aspect at
+the same time of deep submission; while the provost, not choosing
+to hear his visitor's ditty, took a turn through the room, in
+unquestioned dignity and independence of authority.
+
+'Aweel, aweel, my dear,' said the lady, with a quiet smile of
+submission, 'ye ken these matters best, and you will do your
+pleasure--they are far above my hand--only, I doubt if ever the
+town-clock will go right, or your meals be got up so regular as I
+should wish, till Peter MacAlpin gets his office back again.  The
+body's auld, and can neither work nor want, but he is the only
+hand to set a clock.'
+
+It may be noticed in passing, that notwithstanding this
+prediction, which, probably, the fair Cassandra had the full
+means of accomplishing, it was not till the second council day
+thereafter that the misdemeanours of the Jacobite clock-keeper
+were passed over, and he was once more restored to his occupation
+of fixing the town's time, and the provost's dinner-hour.
+
+Upon the present occasion the dinner passed pleasantly away.
+Summertrees talked and jested with the easy indifference of a man
+who holds himself superior to his company.  He was indeed an
+important person, as was testified by his portly appearance; his
+hat laced with POINT D'ESPAGNE; his coat and waistcoat once
+richly embroidered, though now almost threadbare; the splendour
+of his solitaire, and laced ruffles, though the first was sorely
+creased, and the other sullied; not to forget the length of his
+silver-hilted rapier.  His wit, or rather humour, bordered on the
+sarcastic, and intimated a discontented man; and although he
+showed no displeasure when the provost attempted a repartee, yet
+it seemed that he permitted it upon mere sufferance, as a
+fencing-master, engaged with a pupil, will sometimes permit the
+tyro to hit him, solely by way of encouragement.  The laird's own
+jests, in the meanwhile, were eminently successful, not only with
+the provost and his lady, but with the red-cheeked and red-
+ribboned servant-maid who waited at table, and who could scarce
+perform her duty with propriety, so effectual were the explosions
+of Summertrees.  Alan Fairford alone was unmoved among all this
+mirth; which was the less wonderful, that, besides the important
+subject which occupied his thoughts, most of the laird's good
+things consisted in sly allusions to little parochial or family
+incidents, with which the Edinburgh visitor was totally
+unacquainted:  so that the laughter of the party sounded in his
+ear like the idle crackling of thorns under the pot, with this
+difference, that they did not accompany or second any such useful
+operation as the boiling thereof.
+
+Fairford was glad when the cloth was withdrawn; and when Provost
+Crosbie (not without some points of advice from his lady touching
+the precise mixture of the ingredients) had accomplished the
+compounding of a noble bowl of punch, at which the old Jacobite's
+eyes seemed to glisten, the glasses were pushed round it, filled,
+and withdrawn each by its owner, when the provost emphatically
+named the toast, 'The King,' with an important look to Fairford,
+which seemed to say, You can have no doubt whom I mean, and
+therefore there is no occasion to particularize the individual.
+
+Summertrees repeated the toast, with a sly wink to the lady,
+while Fairford drank his glass in silence.
+
+'Well, young advocate,' said the landed proprietor, 'I am glad to
+see there is some shame, if there is little honesty, left in the
+Faculty.  Some of your black gowns, nowadays, have as little of
+the one as of the other.'
+
+'At least, sir,' replied Mr. Fairford, 'I am so much of a lawyer
+as not willingly to enter into disputes which I am not retained
+to support--it would be but throwing away both time and
+argument.'
+
+'Come, come,' said the lady, 'we will have no argument in this
+house about Whig or Tory--the provost kens what he maun SAY, and
+I ken what he should THINK; and for a' that has come and gane
+yet, there may be a time coming when honest men may say what they
+think, whether they be provosts or not.'
+
+'D'ye hear that, provost?'  said Summertrees; 'your wife's a
+witch, man; you should nail a horseshoe on your chamber door--Ha,
+ha, ha!'
+
+This sally did not take quite so well as former efforts of the
+laird's wit.  The lady drew up, and the provost said, half aside,
+'The sooth bourd is nae bourd.  [The true joke is no joke.]  You
+will find the horseshoe hissing hot, Summertrees.'
+
+'You can speak from experience, doubtless, provost,' answered
+the laird; 'but I crave pardon--I need not tell Mrs. Crosbie that
+I have all respect for the auld and honourable House of
+Redgauntlet.'
+
+'And good reason ye have, that are sae sib to them,' quoth the
+lady, 'and kend weel baith them that are here, and them that are
+gane.'
+
+'In troth, and ye may say sae, madam,' answered the laird; 'for
+poor Harry Redgauntlet, that suffered at Carlisle, was hand and
+glove with me; and yet we parted on short leave-taking.'
+
+'Aye, Summertrees,' said the provost; 'that was when you played
+Cheat-the-woodie, and gat the by-name of Pate-in-Peril.  I wish
+you would tell the story to my young friend here.  He likes weel
+to hear of a sharp trick, as most lawyers do.'
+
+'I wonder at your want of circumspection, provost,' said the
+laird,--much after the manner of a singer when declining to sing
+the song that is quivering upon his tongue's very end.  'Ye
+should mind there are some auld stories that cannot be ripped up
+again with entire safety to all concerned.  TACE is Latin for a
+candle,'
+
+'I hope,' said the lady, 'you are not afraid of anything being
+said out of this house to your prejudice, Summertrees?  I have
+heard the story before; but the oftener I hear it, the more
+wonderful I think it.'
+
+'Yes, madam; but it has been now a wonder of more than nine days,
+and it is time it should be ended,' answered Maxwell.
+
+Fairford now thought it civil to say, 'that he had often heard of
+Mr. Maxwell's wonderful escape, and that nothing could be more
+agreeable to him than to hear the right version of it.'
+
+But Summertrees was obdurate, and refused to take up the time of
+the company with such 'auld-warld nonsense.'
+
+'Weel, weel,' said the provost, 'a wilful man maun hae his way.
+What do your folk in the country think about the disturbances
+that are beginning to spunk out in the colonies?'
+
+'Excellent, sir, excellent.  When things come to the worst; they
+will mend; and to the worst they are coming.  But as to that
+nonsense ploy of mine, if ye insist on hearing the particulars,'
+--said the laird, who began to be sensible that the period of
+telling his story gracefully was gliding fast away.
+
+'Nay,' said the provost, 'it was not for myself, but this young
+gentlemen.'
+
+'Aweel, what for should I not pleasure the young gentlemen?  I'll
+just drink to honest folk at hame and abroad, and deil ane else.
+And then--but you have heard it before, Mrs. Crosbie?'
+
+'Not so often as to think it tiresome, I assure ye,' said the
+lady; and without further preliminaries, the laird addressed Alan
+Fairford.
+
+'Ye have heard of a year they call the FORTY-FIVE, young
+gentleman; when the Southrons' heads made their last acquaintance
+with Scottish claymores?  There was a set of rampauging chields
+in the country then that they called rebels--I never could find
+out what for--Some men should have been wi' them that never came,
+provost--Skye and the Bush aboon Traquair for that, ye ken.--
+Weel, the job was settled at last.  Cloured crowns were plenty,
+and raxed necks came into fashion.  I dinna mind very weel what I
+was doing, swaggering about the country with dirk and pistol at
+my belt for five or six months, or thereaway; but I had a weary
+waking out of a wild dream.  When did I find myself on foot in a
+misty morning, with my hand, just for fear of going astray,
+linked into a handcuff, as they call it, with poor Harry
+Redgauntlet's fastened into the other; and there we were,
+trudging along, with about a score more that had thrust their
+horns ower deep in the bog, just like ourselves, and a sergeant's
+guard of redcoats, with twa file of dragoons, to keep all quiet,
+and give us heart to the road.  Now, if this mode of travelling
+was not very pleasant, the object did not particularly recommend
+it; for, you understand, young man, that they did not trust these
+poor rebel bodies to be tried by juries of their ain kindly
+countrymen, though ane would have thought they would have found
+Whigs enough in Scotland to hang us all; but they behoved to
+trounce us away to be tried at Carlisle, where the folk had been
+so frightened, that had you brought a whole Highland clan at once
+into the court, they would have put their hands upon their een,
+and cried, "hang them a'," just to be quit of them.'
+
+'Aye, aye,' said the provost, 'that was a snell law, I grant ye.'
+
+'Snell!'  said the wife, 'snell!  I wish they that passed it had
+the jury I would recommend them to!'
+
+'I suppose the young lawyer thinks it all very right,' said
+Summertrees, looking at Fairford--"an OLD lawyer might have
+thought otherwise.  However, the cudgel was to be found to beat
+the dog, and they chose a heavy one.  Well, I kept my spirits
+better than my companion, poor fellow; for I had the luck to have
+neither wife nor child to think about, and Harry Redgauntlet had
+both one and t'other.--You have seen Harry, Mrs. Crosbie?'
+
+'In troth have I,' said she, with the sigh which we give to early
+recollections, of which the object is no more.  'He was not so
+tall as his brother, and a gentler lad every way.  After he
+married the great English fortune, folk called him less of a
+Scottishman than Edward.'
+
+'Folk lee'd, then,' said Summertrees; 'poor Harry was none of
+your bold-speaking, ranting reivers, that talk about what they
+did yesterday, or what they will do to-morrow; it was when
+something was to do at the moment that you should have looked at
+Harry Redgauntlet.  I saw him at Culloden, when all was lost,
+doing more than twenty of these bleezing braggarts, till the very
+soldiers that took him cried not to hurt him--for all somebody's
+orders, provost--for he was the bravest fellow of them all.
+Weel, as I went by the side of Harry, and felt him raise my hand
+up in the mist of the morning, as if he wished to wipe his eye--
+for he had not that freedom without my leave--my very heart was
+like to break for him, poor fellow.  In the meanwhile, I had been
+trying and trying to make my hand as fine as a lady's, to see if
+I could slip it out of my iron wristband.  You may think,' he
+said, laying his broad bony hand on the table, 'I had work enough
+with such a shoulder-of-mutton fist; but if you observe, the
+shackle-bones are of the largest, and so they were obliged to
+keep the handcuff wide; at length I got my hand slipped out, and
+slipped in again; and poor Harry was sae deep in his ain
+thoughts, I could not make him sensible what I was doing,'
+
+'Why not?'  said Alan Fairford, for whom the tale began to have
+some interest.
+
+'Because there was an unchancy beast of a dragoon riding close
+beside us on the other side; and if I had let him into my
+confidence as well as Harry, it would not have been long before a
+pistol-ball slapped through my bonnet.--Well, I had little for it
+but to do the best I could for myself; and, by my conscience, it
+was time, when the gallows was staring me in the face.  We were
+to halt for breakfast at Moffat.  Well did I know the moors we
+were marching over, having hunted and hawked on every acre of
+ground in very different times.  So I waited, you see, till I was
+on the edge of Errickstane-brae--Ye ken the place they call the
+Marquis's Beef-stand, because the Annandale loons used to put
+their stolen cattle in there?'
+
+Fairford intimated his ignorance,
+
+'Ye must have seen it as ye came this way; it looks as if four
+hills were laying their heads together, to shut out daylight from
+the dark hollow space between them.  A d--d deep, black,
+blackguard-looking abyss of a hole it is, and goes straight down
+from the roadside, as perpendicular as it can do, to be a
+heathery brae.  At the bottom, there is a small bit of a brook,
+that you would think could hardly find, its way out from the
+hills that are so closely jammed round it.'
+
+'A bad pass, indeed,' said Alan.
+
+'You may say that,' continued the laird.  'Bad as it was, sir, it
+was my only chance; and though my very flesh creeped when I
+thought what a rumble I was going to get, yet I kept my heart up
+all the same.  And so, just when we came on the edge of this
+Beef-stand of the Johnstones, I slipped out my hand from the
+handcuff, cried to Harry Gauntlet, 'Follow me!'--whisked under
+the belly of the dragoon horse--flung my plaid round me with the
+speed of lightning--threw myself on my side, for there was no
+keeping my feet, and down the brae hurled I, over heather and
+fern, and blackberries, like a barrel down Chalmer's Close, in
+Auld Reekie.  G--, sir, I never could help laughing when I think
+how the scoundrel redcoats must have been bumbazed; for the mist
+being, as I said, thick, they had little notion, I take it, that
+they were on the verge of such a dilemma.  I was half way down--
+for rowing is faster wark than rinning--ere they could get at
+their arms; and then it was flash, flash, flash--rap, rap, rap--
+from the edge of the road; but my head was too jumbled to think
+anything either of that or the hard knocks I got among the
+stones.  I kept my senses thegither, whilk has been thought
+wonderful by all that ever saw the place; and I helped myself
+with my hands as gallantly as I could, and to the bottom I came.
+There I lay for half a moment; but the thoughts of a gallows is
+worth all the salts and scent-bottles in the world for bringing a
+man to himself.  Up I sprang, like a four-year-auld colt.  All
+the hills were spinning round with me, like so many great big
+humming-tops.  But there was nae time to think of that neither;
+more especially as the mist had risen a little with the firing.
+I could see the villains, like sae mony craws on the edge of the
+brae; and I reckon that they saw me; for some of the loons were
+beginning to crawl down the hill, but liker auld wives in their
+red cloaks, coming frae a field preaching, than such a souple lad
+as I was.  Accordingly, they soon began to stop and load their
+pieces.  Good-e'en to you, gentlemen, thought I, if that is to be
+the gate of it.  If you have any further word with me, you maun
+come as far as Carriefraw-gauns.  And so off I set, and never
+buck went faster ower the braes than I did; and I never stopped
+till I had put three waters, reasonably deep, as the season was
+rainy, half a dozen mountains, and a few thousand acres of the
+worst moss and ling in Scotland, betwixt me and my friends the
+redcoats.'
+
+'It was that job which got you the name of Pate-in-Peril,' said
+the provost, filling the glasses, and exclaiming with great
+emphasis, while his guest, much animated with the recollections
+which the exploit excited, looked round with an air of triumph
+for sympathy and applause,--'Here is to your good health; and may
+you never put your neck in such a venture again.'  [The escape of
+a Jacobite gentleman while on the road to Carlisle to take his
+trial for his share in the affair of 1745, took place at
+Errickstane-brae, in the singular manner ascribed to the Laird of
+Summertrees in the text.  The author has seen in his youth the
+gentleman to whom the adventure actually happened.  The distance
+of time makes some indistinctness of recollection, but it is
+believed the real name was MacEwen or MacMillan.]
+
+'Humph!--I do not know,' answered Summertrees.  'I am not like to
+be tempted with another opportunity--[An old gentleman of the
+author's name was engaged in the affair of 1715, and with some
+difficulty was saved from the gallows by the intercession of the
+Duchess of Buccleugh and Monmouth.  Her Grace, who maintained a
+good deal of authority over her clan, sent for the object of her
+intercession, and warning him of the risk which he had run, and
+the trouble she had taken on his account, wound up her lecture by
+intimating that in case of such disloyalty again, he was not to
+expect her interest in his favour.  'An it please your Grace,'
+said the stout old Tory, 'I fear I am too old to see another
+opportunity.']  Yet who knows?'  And then he made a deep pause.
+
+'May I ask what became of your friend, sir?'  said Alan Fairford.
+
+'Ah, poor Harry!'  said Summertrees.  'I'll tell you what, sir,
+it takes time to make up one's mind to such a venture, as my
+friend the provost calls it; and I was told by Neil Maclean,--who
+was next file to us, but had the luck to escape the gallows by
+some sleight-of-hand trick or other,--that, upon my breaking off,
+poor Harry stood like one motionless, although all our brethren
+in captivity made as much tumult as they could, to distract the
+attention of the soldiers.  And run he did at last; but he did
+not know the ground, and either from confusion, or because he
+judged the descent altogether perpendicular, he fled up the hill
+to the left, instead of going down at once, and so was easily
+pursued and taken.  If he had followed my example, he would have
+found enough among the shepherds to hide him, and feed him, as
+they did me, on bearmeal scenes and braxy mutton, till better
+days came round again.'  [BRAXY MUTTON.--The flesh of sheep that
+has died of disease, not by the hand of the butcher.  In pastoral
+countries it is used as food with little scruple.]
+
+'He suffered then for his share in the insurrection?'  said Alan.
+
+'You may swear that,' said Summertrees.  'His blood was too red
+to be spared when that sort of paint was in request.  He
+suffered, sir, as you call it--that is, he was murdered in cold
+blood, with many a pretty fellow besides.  Well, we may have our
+day next--what is fristed is not forgiven--they think us all dead
+and buried--but'--Here he filled his glass, and muttering some
+indistinct denunciations, drank it off, and assumed his usual
+manner, which had been a little disturbed towards the end of the
+narrative.
+
+'What became of Mr. Redgauntlet's child?'  said Fairford.
+
+MISTER Redgauntlet!  He was Sir Henry Redgauntlet, as his son, if
+the child now lives, will be Sir Arthur--I called him Harry from
+intimacy, and Redgauntlet, as the chief of his name--His proper
+style was Sir Henry Redgauntlet.'
+
+'His son, therefore, is dead?'  said Alan Fairford.  'It is a
+pity so brave a line should draw to a close.'
+
+'He has left a brother,' said Summertrees, 'Edward Hugh
+Redgauntlet, who has now the representation of the family.  And
+well it is; for though he be unfortunate in many respects, he
+will keep up the honour of the house better than a boy bred up
+amongst these bitter Whigs, the relations of his elder brother
+Sir Henry's lady.  Then they are on no good terms with the
+Redgauntlet line--bitter Whigs they are in every sense.  It was a
+runaway match betwixt Sir Henry and his lady.  Poor thing, they
+would not allow her to see him when in confinement--they had even
+the meanness to leave him without pecuniary assistance; and as
+all his own property was seized upon and plundered, he would have
+wanted common necessaries, but for the attachment of a fellow who
+was a famous fiddler--a blind man--I have seen him with Sir Henry
+myself, both before the affair broke out and while it was going
+on.  I have heard that he fiddled in the streets of Carlisle, and
+carried what money he got to his master, while he was confined in
+the castle.'
+
+'I do not believe a word of it,' said Mrs. Crosbie, kindling with
+indignation.  'A Redgauntlet would have died twenty times before
+he had touched a fiddler's wages.'
+
+'Hout fye--hout fye--all nonsense and pride,' said the Laird of
+Summertrees.  'Scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings, cousin
+Crosbie--ye little ken what some of your friends were obliged to
+do yon time for a sowp of brose, or a bit of bannock.  G--d, I
+carried a cutler's wheel for several weeks, partly for need, and
+partly for disguise--there I went bizz--bizz--whizz--zizz, at
+every auld wife's door; and if ever you want your shears
+sharpened, Mrs. Crosbie, I am the lad to do it for you, if my
+wheel was but in order.'
+
+'You, must ask my leave first,' said the provost; 'for I have
+been told you had some queer fashions of taking a kiss instead of
+a penny, if you liked your customer.'
+
+'Come, come, provost,' said the lady; rising, 'if the maut gets
+abune the meal with you, it is time for me to take myself away--
+And you will come to my room, gentlemen, when you want a cup of
+tea.'
+
+Alan Fairford was not sorry for the lady's departure.  She seemed
+too much alive to the honour of the house of Redgauntlet, though
+only a fourth cousin, not to be alarmed by the inquiries which he
+proposed to make after the whereabout of its present head.
+Strange confused suspicions arose in his mind, from his imperfect
+recollection of the tale of Wandering Willie, and the idea forced
+itself upon him that his friend Darsie Latimer might be the son
+of the unfortunate Sir Henry.  But before indulging in such
+speculations, the point was to discover what had actually become
+of him.  If he were in the hands of his uncle, might there not
+exist some rivalry in fortune, or rank, which might induce so
+stern a man as Redgauntlet to use unfair measures towards a youth
+whom he would find himself unable to mould to his purpose?  He
+considered these points in silence, during several revolutions of
+the glasses as they wheeled in galaxy round the bowl, waiting
+until the provost, agreeably to his own proposal, should mention
+the subject, for which he had expressly introduced him to Mr.
+Maxwell of Summertrees.
+
+Apparently the provost had forgot his promise, or at least was in
+no great haste to fulfil it.  He debated with great earnestness
+upon the Stamp Act, which was then impending over the American
+colonies, and upon other political subjects of the day, but said
+not a word of Redgauntlet.  Alan soon saw that the investigation
+he meditated must advance, if at all, on his own special motion,
+and determined to proceed accordingly.
+
+Acting upon this resolution, he took the first opportunity
+afforded by a pause in the discussion of colonial politics, to
+say, 'I must remind you, Provost Crosbie, of your kind promise to
+procure some intelligence upon the subject I am so anxious
+about.'
+
+'Gadso!'  said the provost, after a moment's hesitation, 'it is
+very true.--Mr. Maxwell, we wish to consult you on a piece of
+important business.  You must know indeed I think you must have
+heard, that the fishermen at Brokenburn, and higher up the
+Solway, have made a raid upon Quaker Geddes's stake-nets, and
+levelled all with the sands.'
+
+'In troth I heard it, provost, and I was glad to hear the
+scoundrels had so much pluck left as to right themselves against
+a fashion which would make the upper heritors a sort of clocking-
+hens, to hatch the fish that folk below them were to catch and
+eat.'
+
+'Well, sir,' said Alan, 'that is not the present point.  But a
+young friend of mine was with Mr. Geddes at the time this violent
+procedure took place, and he has not since been heard of.  Now,
+our friend, the provost, thinks that you may be able to advise'--
+
+Here he was interrupted by the provost and Summertrees speaking
+out both at once, the first endeavouring to disclaim all interest
+in the question, and the last to evade giving an answer.
+
+'Me think!'  said the provost; 'I never thought twice about it,
+Mr. Fairford; it was neither fish, nor flesh, nor salt herring of
+mine.'
+
+'And I "able to advise"!'  said Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees; 'what
+the devil can I advise you to do, excepting to send the bellman
+through the town to cry your lost sheep, as they do spaniel dogs
+or stray ponies?'
+
+'With your pardon,' said Alan, calmly, but resolutely, 'I must
+ask a more serious answer.'
+
+'Why, Mr. Advocate,' answered Summertrees, 'I thought it was your
+business to give advice to the lieges, and not to take it from
+poor stupid country gentlemen.'
+
+'If not exactly advice, it is sometimes our duty to ask
+questions, Mr. Maxwell.'
+
+'Aye, sir, when you have your bag-wig and your gown on, we must
+allow you the usual privilege of both gown and petticoat, to ask
+what questions you please.  But when you are out of your
+canonicals, the case is altered.  How come you, sir, to suppose
+that I have any business with this riotous proceeding, or should
+know more than you do what happened there?  the question proceeds
+on an uncivil supposition.'
+
+'I will explain,' said Alan, determined to give Mr. Maxwell no
+opportunity of breaking off the conversation.  'You are an
+intimate of Mr. Redgauntlet--he is accused of having been engaged
+in this affray, and of having placed under forcible restraint the
+person of my friend, Darsie Latimer, a young man of property and
+consequence, whose fate I am here for the express purpose of
+investigating.  This is the plain state of the case; and all
+parties concerned,--your friend, in particular,--will have reason
+to be thankful for the temperate manner in which it is my purpose
+to conduct the matter, if I am treated with proportionate
+frankness.'
+
+'You have misunderstood me,' said Maxwell, with a tone changed to
+more composure; 'I told you I was the friend of the late Sir
+Henry Redgauntlet, who was executed, in 1745, at Hairibie, near
+Carlisle, but I know no one who at present bears the name of
+Redgauntlet.'
+
+'You know Mr. Herries of Birrenswork,' said Alan, smiling, 'to
+whom the name of Redgauntlet belongs?'
+
+Maxwell darted a keen reproachful look towards the provost, but
+instantly smoothed his brow, and changed his tone to that of
+confidence and candour.
+
+'You must not be angry, Mr. Fairford, that the poor persecuted
+nonjurors are a little upon the QUI VIVE when such clever young
+men as you are making inquiries after us.  I myself now, though I
+am quite out of the scrape, and may cock my hat at the Cross as I
+best like, sunshine or moonshine, have been yet so much
+accustomed to walk with the lap of my cloak cast over my face,
+that, faith, if a redcoat walk suddenly up to me, I wish for my
+wheel and whetstone again for a moment.  Now Redgauntlet, poor
+fellow, is far worse off--he is, you may have heard, still under
+the lash of the law,--the mark of the beast is still on his
+forehead, poor gentleman,--and that makes us cautious--very
+cautious, which I am sure there is no occasion to be towards you,
+as no one of your appearance and manners would wish to trepan a
+gentleman under misfortune.'
+
+'On the contrary, sir,' said Fairford, 'I wish to afford Mr.
+Redgauntlet's friends an opportunity to get him out of the
+scrape, by procuring the instant liberation of my friend Darsie
+Latimer.  I will engage that if he has sustained no greater
+bodily harm than a short confinement, the matter may be passed
+over quietly, without inquiry; but to attain this end, so
+desirable for the man who has committed a great and recent
+infraction of the laws, which he had before grievously offended,
+very speedy reparation of the wrong must be rendered.'
+
+Maxwell seemed lost in reflection, and exchanged a glance or two,
+not of the most comfortable or congratulatory kind, with his host
+the provost.  Fairford rose and walked about the room, to allow
+them an opportunity of conversing together; for he was in hopes
+that the impression he had visibly made upon Summertrees was
+likely to ripen into something favourable to his purpose.  They
+took the opportunity, and engaged in whispers to each other,
+eagerly and reproachfully on the part of the laird, while the
+provost answered in an embarrassed and apologetical tone.  Some
+broken words of the conversation reached Fairford, whose presence
+they seemed to forget, as he stood at the bottom of the room,
+apparently intent upon examining the figures upon a fine Indian
+screen, a present to the provost from his brother, captain of a
+vessel in the Company's service.  What he overheard made it
+evident that his errand, and the obstinacy with which he pursued
+it, occasioned altercation between the whisperers.
+
+Maxwell at length let out the words, 'A good fright; and so send
+him home with his tail scalded, like a dog that has come a-
+privateering on strange premises.'
+
+The provost's negative was strongly interposed--'Not to be
+thought of'--'making bad worse'--'my situation'--'my utility'--
+'you cannot conceive how obstinate--just like his father'.
+
+They then whispered more closely, and at length the provost
+raised his drooping crest, and spoke in a cheerful tone.  'Come,
+sit down to your glass, Mr. Fairford; we have laid our heads
+thegither, and you shall see it will not be our fault if you are
+not quite pleased, and Mr. Darsie Latimer let loose to take his
+fiddle under his neck again.  But Summertrees thinks it will
+require you to put yourself into some bodily risk, which maybe
+you may not be so keen of.'
+
+'Gentlemen,' said Fairford, 'I will not certainly shun any risk
+by which my object may be accomplished; but I bind it on your
+consciences--on yours, Mr. Maxwell, as a man of honour and a
+gentleman; and on yours, provost, as a magistrate and a loyal
+subject, that you do not mislead me in this matter.'
+
+'Nay, as for me,' said Summertrees, 'I will tell you the truth at
+once, and fairly own that I can certainly find you the means of
+seeing Redgauntlet, poor man; and that I will do, if you require
+it, and conjure him also to treat you as your errand requires;
+but poor Redgauntlet is much changed--indeed, to say truth, his
+temper never was the best in the world; however, I will warrant
+you from any very great danger.'
+
+'I will warrant myself from such,' said Fairford, 'by carrying a
+proper force with me.'
+
+'Indeed,' said Summertrees, 'you will, do no such thing; for, in
+the first place, do you think that we will deliver up the poor
+fellow into the hands of the Philistines, when, on the contrary,
+my only reason for furnishing you with the clue I am to put into
+your hands, is to settle the matter amicably on all sides?  And
+secondly, his intelligence is so good, that were you coming near
+him with soldiers, or constables, or the like, I shall answer for
+it, you will never lay salt on his tail.'
+
+Fairford mused for a moment.  He considered that to gain sight of
+this man, and knowledge of his friend's condition, were
+advantages to be purchased at every personal risk; and he saw
+plainly, that were he to take the course most safe for himself,
+and call in the assistance of the law, it was clear he would
+either be deprived of the intelligence necessary to guide him, or
+that Redgauntlet would be apprised of his danger, and might
+probably leave the country, carrying his captive along with him.
+He therefore repeated, 'I put myself on your honour, Mr. Maxwell;
+and I will go alone to visit your friend.  I have little; doubt I
+shall find him amenable to reason; and that I shall receive from
+him a satisfactory account of Mr. Latimer.'
+
+'I have little doubt that you will,' said Mr. Maxwell of
+Summertrees; 'but still I think it will be only in the long run,
+and after having sustained some delay and inconvenience.  My
+warrandice goes no further.'
+
+'I will take it as it is given,' said Alan Fairford.  'But let me
+ask, would it not be better, since you value your friend's safety
+so highly and surely would not willingly compromise mine, that
+the provost or you should go with me to this man, if he is within
+any reasonable distance, and try to make him hear reason?'
+
+'Me!--I will not go my foot's length,' said the provost; and
+that, Mr. Alan, you may be well assured of.  Mr. Redgauntlet is
+my wife's fourth cousin, that is undeniable; but were he the last
+of her kin and mine both, it would ill befit my office to be
+communing with rebels.'
+
+'Aye, or drinking with nonjurors,' said Maxwell, filling his
+glass.  'I would as soon expect; to have met Claverhouse at a
+field-preaching.  And as for myself, Mr. Fairford, I cannot go,
+for just the opposite reason.  It would be INFRA DIG. in the
+provost of this most flourishing and loyal town to associate with
+Redgauntlet; and for me it would be NOSCITUR A SOCIO.  There
+would be post to London, with the tidings that two such Jacobites
+as Redgauntlet and I had met on a braeside--the Habeas Corpus
+would be suspended--Fame would sound a charge from Carlisle to
+the Land's End--and who knows but the very wind of the rumour
+might blow my estate from between my fingers, and my body over
+Errickstane-brae again?  No, no; bide a gliff--I will go into the
+provost's closet, and write a letter to Redgauntlet, and direct
+you how to deliver it.'
+
+'There is pen and ink in the office,' said the provost, pointing
+to the door of an inner apartment, in which he had his walnut-
+tree desk and east-country cabinet.
+
+'A pen that can write, I hope?'  said the old laird.
+
+'It can write and spell baith in right hands,' answered the
+provost, as the laird retired and shut the door behind him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+The room was no sooner deprived of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees's
+presence, than the provost looked very warily above, beneath, and
+around the apartment, hitched his chair towards that of his
+remaining guest, and began to speak In a whisper which could not
+have startled 'the smallest mouse that creeps on floor.'
+
+'Mr. Fairford,' said he, 'you are a good lad; and, what is more,
+you are my auld friend your father's son.  Your father has been
+agent for this burgh for years, and has a good deal to say with
+the council; so there have been a sort of obligations between him
+and me; it may have been now on this side and now on that; but
+obligations there have been.  I am but a plain man, Mr. Fairford;
+but I hope you understand me?'
+
+'I believe you mean me well, provost; and I am sure,' replied
+Fairford, 'you can never better show your kindness than on this
+occasion.'
+
+'That's it--that's the very point I would be at, Mr. Alan,'
+replied the provost; 'besides, I am, as becomes well my
+situation, a stanch friend to kirk and king, meaning this present
+establishment in church and state; and so, as I was saying, you
+may command my best--advice.'
+
+'I hope for your assistance and co-operation also,' said the
+youth.
+
+'Certainly, certainly,' said the wary magistrate.  'Well, now,
+you see one may love the kirk, and yet not ride on the rigging of
+it; and one may love the king, and yet not be cramming him
+eternally down the throat of the unhappy folk that may chance to
+like another king better.  I have friends and connexions among
+them, Mr. Fairford, as your father may have clients--they are
+flesh and blood like ourselves, these poor Jacobite bodies--sons
+of Adam and Eve, after all; and therefore--I hope you understand
+me?--I am a plain-spoken man.'
+
+'I am afraid I do not quite understand you,' said Fairford; 'and
+if you have anything to say to me in private, my dear provost,
+you had better come quickly out with it, for the Laird of
+Summertrees must finish his letter in a minute or two.'
+
+'Not a bit, man--Pate is a lang-headed fellow, but his pen does
+not clear the paper as his greyhound does the Tinwald-furs.  I
+gave him a wipe about that, if you noticed; I can say anything to
+Pate-in-Peril--Indeed, he is my wife's near kinsman.'
+
+'But your advice, provost,' said Alan, who perceived that, like a
+shy horse, the worthy magistrate always started off from his own
+purpose just when he seemed approaching to it.
+
+'Weel, you shall have it in plain terms, for I am a plain man.
+Ye see, we will suppose that any friend like yourself were in the
+deepest hole of the Nith, sand making a sprattle for your life.
+Now, you see, such being the case, I have little chance of
+helping you, being a fat, short-armed man, and no swimmer, and
+what would be the use of my jumping in after you?'
+
+'I understand you, I think,' said Alan Fairford.  'You think that
+Darsie Latimer is in danger of his life?'
+
+'Me!--I think nothing about it, Mr. Alan; but if he were, as I
+trust he is not, he is nae drap's blood akin to you, Mr. Alan.'
+
+'But here your friend, Summertrees,' said the young lawyer,
+'offers me a letter to this Redgauntlet of yours--What say you to
+that?'
+
+'Me!' ejaculated the provost, 'me, Mr. Alan?  I say neither buff
+nor stye to it--But ye dinna ken what it is to look a Redgauntlet
+in the face;--better try my wife, who is but a fourth cousin,
+before ye venture on the laird himself--just say something about
+the Revolution, and see what a look she can gie you.'
+
+I shall leave you to stand all the shots from that battery,
+provost.'  replied Fairford.  'But speak out like a man--Do you
+think Summertrees means fairly by me?'
+
+'Fairly--he is just coming--fairly?  I am a plain man, Mr.
+Fairford--but ye said FAIRLY?'
+
+'I do so,' replied Alan, 'and it is of importance to me to know,
+and to you to tell me if such is the case; for if you do not, you
+may be an accomplice to murder before the fact, and that under
+circumstances which may bring it near to murder under trust.'
+
+'Murder!--who spoke of murder?'  said the provost; no danger of
+that, Mr. Alan--only, if I were you--to speak my plain mind'--
+Here he approached his mouth to the ear of the young lawyer, and,
+after another acute pang of travail, was safely delivered of his
+advice in the following abrupt words:--'Take a keek into Pate's
+letter before ye deliver it.'
+
+Fairford started, looked the provost hard in the face, and was
+silent; while Mr. Crosbie, with the self-approbation of one who
+has at length brought himself to the discharge of a great duty,
+at the expense of a considerable sacrifice, nodded and winked to
+Alan, as if enforcing his advice; and then swallowing a large
+glass of punch, concluded, with the sigh of a man released from a
+heavy burden, 'I am a plain man, Mr. Fairford.'
+
+'A plain man?'  said Maxwell, who entered the room at that
+moment, with the letter in his hand,--'Provost, I never heard you
+make use of the word but when you had some sly turn of your own
+to work out.'
+
+The provost looked silly enough, and the Laird of Summertrees
+directed a keen and suspicious glance upon Alan Fairford, who
+sustained it with professional intrepidity.--There was a moment's
+pause.
+
+'I was trying,' said the provost, 'to dissuade our young friend
+from his wildgoose expedition.'
+
+'And I,' said Fairford, 'am determined to go through with it.
+Trusting myself to you, Mr. Maxwell, I conceive that I rely, as I
+before said, on the word of a gentleman.'
+
+'I will warrant you,' said Maxwell, 'from all serious
+consequences--some inconveniences you must look to suffer.'
+
+'To these I shall be resigned,' said Fairford, 'and stand
+prepared to run my risk.'
+
+'Well then,' said Summertrees, 'you must go'--
+
+'I will leave you to yourselves, gentlemen,' said the provost,
+rising; 'when you have done with your crack, you will find me at
+my wife's tea-table.'
+
+'And a more accomplished old woman never drank catlap,' said
+Maxwell, as he shut the door; 'the last word has him, speak it
+who will--and yet because he is a whillywhaw body, and has a
+plausible tongue of his own, and is well enough connected, and
+especially because nobody could ever find out whether he is Whig
+or Tory, this is the third time they have made him provost!--But
+to the matter in hand.  This letter, Mr. Fairford,' putting a
+sealed one into his hand, 'is addressed, you observe, to Mr. H--
+of B--, and contains your credentials for that gentlemen, who is
+also known by his family name of Redgauntlet, but less frequently
+addressed by it, because it is mentioned something invidiously in
+a certain Act of Parliament.  I have little doubt he will assure
+you of your friend's safety, and in a short time place him at
+freedom--that is, supposing him under present restraint.  But the
+point is, to discover where he is--and, before you are made
+acquainted with this necessary part of the business, you must
+give me your assurance of honour that you will acquaint no one,
+either by word or letter, with the expedition which you now
+propose to yourself.'
+
+'How, sir?'  answered Alan; 'can you expect that I will not take
+the precaution of informing some person of the route I am about
+to take, that in case of accident it may be known where I am, and
+with what purpose I have gone thither?'
+
+'And can you expect,' answered Maxwell, in the same tone, 'that I
+am to place my friend's safety, not merely in your hands, but in
+those of any person you may choose to confide in, and who may use
+the knowledge to his destruction?  Na--na--I have pledged my word
+for your safety, and you must give me yours to be private in the
+matter--giff-gaff, you know.'
+
+Alan Fairford could not help thinking that this obligation to
+secrecy gave a new and suspicious colouring to the whole
+transaction; but, considering that his friend's release might
+depend upon his accepting the condition, he gave it in the terms
+proposed, and with the purpose of abiding by it.
+
+'And now, sir,' he said, 'whither am I to proceed with this
+letter?  Is Mr. Herries at Brokenburn?'
+
+'He is not; I do not think he will come thither again until the
+business of the stake-nets be hushed up, nor would I advise him
+to do so--the Quakers, with all their demureness, can bear malice
+as long as other folk; and though I have not the prudence of Mr.
+Provost, who refuses to ken where his friends are concealed
+during adversity, lest, perchance, he should be asked to
+contribute to their relief, yet I do not think it necessary or
+prudent to inquire into Redgauntlet's wanderings, poor man, but
+wish to remain at perfect freedom to answer, if asked at, that I
+ken nothing of the matter.  You must, then, go to old Tom
+Trumbull's at Annan,--Tam Turnpenny, as they call him,--and he is
+sure either to know where Redgauntlet is himself, or to find some
+one who can give a shrewd guess.  But you must attend that old
+Turnpenny will answer no question on such a subject without you
+give him the passport, which at present you must do, by asking
+him the age of the moon; if he answers, "Not light enough to land
+a cargo," you are to answer, "Then plague on Aberdeen Almanacks,"
+and upon that he will hold free intercourse with you.  And now, I
+would advise you to lose no time, for the parole is often
+changed--and take care of yourself among these moonlight lads,
+for laws and lawyers do not stand very high in their favour.'
+
+'I will set out this instant,' said the young barrister; 'I will
+but bid the provost and Mrs. Crosbie farewell, and then get on
+horseback so soon as the ostler of the George Inn can saddle
+him;--as for the smugglers, I am neither gauger nor supervisor,
+and, like the man who met the devil, if they have nothing to say
+to me, I have nothing to say to them.'
+
+'You are a mettled young man,' said Summertrees, evidently with
+increasing goodwill, on observing an alertness and contempt of
+danger, which perhaps he did not expect from Alan's appearance
+and profession,--'a very mettled young fellow indeed!  and it is
+almost a pity'--Here he stopped abort.
+
+'What is a pity?'  said Fairford.
+
+'It is almost a pity that I cannot go with you myself, or at
+least send a trusty guide.'
+
+They walked together to the bedchamber of Mrs. Crosbie, for it
+was in that asylum that the ladies of the period dispensed their
+tea, when the parlour was occupied by the punch-bowl.
+
+'You have been good bairns to-night, gentlemen,' said Mrs.
+Crosbie; 'I am afraid, Summertrees, that the provost has given
+you a bad browst; you are not used to quit the lee-side of the
+punch-bowl in such a hurry.  I say nothing to you, Mr. Fairford,
+for you are too young a man yet for stoup and bicker; but I hope
+you will not tell the Edinburgh fine folk that the provost has
+scrimped you of your cogie, as the sang says?'
+
+'I am much obliged for the provost's kindness, and yours, madam,'
+replied Alan; 'but the truth is, I have still a long ride before
+me this evening and the sooner I am on horse-back the better.'
+
+'This evening?'  said the provost, anxiously; 'had you not better
+take daylight with you to-morrow morning?'
+
+'Mr. Fairford will ride as well in the cool of the evening,' said
+Summertrees, taking the word out of Alan's mouth.
+
+The provost said no more, nor did his wife ask any questions, nor
+testify any surprise at the suddenness of their guest's
+departure.
+
+Having drunk tea, Alan Fairford took leave with the usual
+ceremony.  The Laird of Summertrees seemed studious to prevent
+any further communication between him and the provost, and
+remained lounging on the landing-place of the stair while they
+made their adieus--heard the provost ask if Alan proposed a
+speedy return, and the latter reply that his stay was uncertain,
+and witnessed the parting shake of the hand, which, with a
+pressure more warm than usual, and a tremulous, 'God bless and
+prosper you!'  Mr. Crosbie bestowed on his young friend.  Maxwell
+even strolled with Fairford as far as the George, although
+resisting all his attempts at further inquiry into the affairs of
+Redgauntlet, and referring him to Tom Trumbull, alias Turnpenny,
+for the particulars which he might find it necessary to inquire
+into.
+
+At length Alan's hack was produced--an animal long in neck, and
+high in bone, accoutred with a pair of saddle-bags containing the
+rider's travelling wardrobe.  Proudly surmounting his small stock
+of necessaries, and no way ashamed of a mode of travelling which
+a modern Mr. Silvertongue would consider as the last of
+degradations, Alan Fairford took leave of the old Jacobite, Pate-
+in-Peril, and set forward on the road to the loyal burgh of
+Annan.  His reflections during his ride were none of the most
+pleasant.  He could not disguise from himself that he was
+venturing rather too rashly into the power of outlawed and
+desperate persons; for with such only, a man in the situation of
+Redgauntlet could be supposed to associate.  There were other
+grounds for apprehension, Several marks of intelligence betwixt
+Mrs. Crosbie and the Laird of Summertrees had not escaped Alan's
+acute observation; and it was plain that the provost's
+inclinations towards him, which he believed to be sincere and
+good, were not firm enough to withstand the influence of this
+league between his wife and friend.  The provost's adieus, like
+Macbeth's amen, had stuck in his throat, and seemed to intimate
+that he apprehended more than he dared give utterance to.
+
+Laying all these matters together, Alan thought, with no little
+anxiety on the celebrated lines of Shakespeare,
+
+                                  -- A drop,
+  That in the ocean seeks another drop, &c.
+
+But pertinacity was a strong feature in the young lawyer's
+character.  He was, and always had been, totally unlike the
+'horse hot at hand,' who tires before noon through his own over
+eager exertions in the beginning of the day.  On the contrary,
+his first efforts seemed frequently inadequate to accomplishing
+his purpose, whatever that for the time might be; and it was only
+as the difficulties of the task increased, that his mind seemed
+to acquire the energy necessary to combat and subdue them.  If,
+therefore, he went anxiously forward upon his uncertain and
+perilous expedition, the reader must acquit him of all idea, even
+in a passing thought, of the possibility of abandoning his
+search, and resigning Darsie Latimer to his destiny.
+
+A couple of hours' riding brought him to the little town of
+Annan, situated on the shores of the Solway, between eight and
+nine o'clock.  The sun had set, but the day was not yet ended;
+and when he had alighted and seen his horse properly cared for at
+the principal inn of the place, he was readily directed to Mr.
+Maxwell's friend, old Tom Trumbull, with whom everybody seemed
+well acquainted.  He endeavoured to fish out from the lad that
+acted as a guide, something of this man's situation and
+profession; but the general expressions of 'a very decent man'--
+'a very honest body'--'weel to pass in the world,' and such like,
+were all that could be extracted from him; and while Fairford was
+following up the investigation with closer interrogatories, the
+lad put an end to them by knocking at the door of Mr. Trumbull,
+whose decent dwelling was a little distance from the town, and
+considerably nearer to the sea.  It was one of a little row of
+houses running down to the waterside, and having gardens and
+other accommodations behind.  There was heard within the
+uplifting of a Scottish psalm; and the boy saying, 'They are at
+exercise, sir,' gave intimation they might not be admitted till
+prayers were over.
+
+When, however, Fairford repeated the summons with the end of his
+whip, the singing ceased, and Mr. Trumbull himself, with his
+psalm-book in his hand, kept open by the insertion of his
+forefinger between the leaves, came to demand the meaning of this
+unseasonable interruption.
+
+Nothing could be more different than his whole appearance seemed
+to be from the confidant of a desperate man, and the associate of
+outlaws in their unlawful enterprises.  He was a tall, thin, bony
+figure, with white hair combed straight down on each side of his
+face, and an iron-grey hue of complexion; where the lines, or
+rather, as Quin said of Macklin, the cordage, of his countenance
+were so sternly adapted to a devotional and even ascetic
+expression, that they left no room for any indication of reckless
+daring or sly dissimulation.  In short, Trumbull appeared a
+perfect specimen of the rigid old Covenanter, who said only what
+he thought right, acted on no other principle but that of duty,
+and, if he committed errors, did so under the full impression
+that he was serving God rather than man.
+
+'Do you want me, sir?'  he said to Fairford, whose guide had
+slunk to the rear, as if to escape the rebuke of the severe old
+man,--'We were engaged, and it is the Saturday night.'
+
+Alan Fairford's preconceptions were so much deranged by this
+man's appearance and manner, that he stood for a moment
+bewildered, and would as soon have thought of giving a cant
+password to a clergyman descending from the pulpit, as to the
+respectable father of a family just interrupted in his prayers
+for and with the objects of his care.  Hastily concluding Mr.
+Maxwell had passed some idle jest on him, or rather that he had
+mistaken the person to whom he was directed, he asked if he spoke
+to Mr. Trumbull.
+
+'To Thomas Trumbull,' answered the old man--'What may be your
+business, sir?'  And he glanced his eye to the book he held in
+his hand, with a sigh like that of a saint desirous of
+dissolution.
+
+'Do you know Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees?'  said Fairford.
+
+'I have heard of such a gentleman in the country-side, but have
+no acquaintance with him,' answered Mr. Trumbull; 'he is, as I
+have heard, a Papist; for the whore that sitteth on the seven
+hills ceaseth not yet to pour forth the cup of her abomination on
+these parts.'
+
+'Yet he directed me hither, my good friend,' said Alan.  'Is
+there another of your name in this town of Annan?'
+
+'None,' replied Mr. Trumbull, 'since my worthy father was
+removed; he was indeed a shining light.--I wish you good even,
+sir.'
+
+'Stay one single instant,' said Fairford; 'this is a matter of
+life and death.'
+
+'Not more than the casting the burden of our sins where they
+should be laid,' said Thomas Trumbull, about to shut the door in
+the inquirer's face.
+
+'Do you know,' said Alan Fairford, 'the Laird of Redgauntlet?'
+
+'Now Heaven defend me from treason and rebellion!' exclaimed
+Trumbull.  'Young gentleman, you are importunate.  I live here
+among my own people, and do not consort with Jacobites and mass-
+mongers.'
+
+He seemed about to shut the door, but did NOT shut it, a
+circumstance which did not escape Alan's notice.
+
+'Mr. Redgauntlet is sometimes,' he said, 'called Herries of
+Birrenswork; perhaps you may know him under that name.'
+
+'Friend, you are uncivil,' answered Mr. Trumbull; 'honest men
+have enough to do to keep one name undefiled.  I ken nothing
+about those who have two.  Good even to you, friend.'
+
+He was now about to slam the door in his visitor's face without
+further ceremony, when Alan, who had observed symptoms that the
+name of Redgauntlet did not seem altogether so indifferent to him
+as he pretended, arrested his purpose by saying, in a low voice,
+'At least you can tell me what age the moon is?'
+
+The old man started, as if from a trance, and before answering,
+surveyed the querist with a keen penetrating glance, which seemed
+to say, 'Are you really in possession of this key to my
+confidence, or do you speak from mere accident?'
+
+To this keen look of scrutiny, Fairford replied by a smile of
+intelligence.
+
+The iron muscles of the old man's face did not, however, relax,
+as he dropped, in a careless manner, the countersign, 'Not light
+enough to land a cargo.'
+
+'Then plague of all Aberdeen Almanacks!'
+
+'And plague of all fools that waste time,' said Thomas Trumbull,
+'Could you not have said as much at first?  And standing wasting
+time, and encouraging; lookers-on, in the open street too?  Come
+in by--in by.'
+
+He drew his visitor into the dark entrance of the house, and shut
+the door carefully; then putting his head into an apartment which
+the murmurs within announced to be filled with the family, he
+said aloud, 'A work of necessity and mercy--Malachi, take the
+book--You will sing six double verses of the hundred and
+nineteen-and you may lecture out of the Lamentations.  And,
+Malachi,'--this he said in an undertone,--'see you give them a a
+creed of doctrine that will last them till I come back; or else
+these inconsiderate lads will be out of the house, and away to
+the publics, wasting their precious time, and, it may be, putting
+themselves in the way of missing the morning tide.'
+
+An inarticulate answer from within intimated Malachi's
+acquiescence in the commands imposed; and, Mr. Trumbull, shutting
+the door, muttered something about fast bind, fast find, turned
+the key, and put it into his pocket; and then bidding his visitor
+have a care of his steps, and make no noise, he led him through
+the house, and out at a back-door, into a little garden.  Here a
+plaited alley conducted them, without the possibility of their
+being seen by any neighbour, to a door in the garden-wall, which
+being opened, proved to be a private entrance into a three-
+stalled stable; in one of which was a horse, that whinnied on
+their entrance.  'Hush, hush!' cried the old man, and presently
+seconded his exhortations to silence by throwing a handful of
+corn into the manger, and the horse soon converted his
+acknowledgement of their presence into the usual sound of
+munching and grinding his provender.
+
+As the light was now failing fast, the old man, with much more
+alertness than might have been expected from the rigidity of his
+figure, closed the window-shutters in an instant, produced
+phosphorus and matches, and lighted a stable-lantern, which he
+placed on the corn-bin, and then addressed Fairford.  'We are
+private here, young man; and as some time has been wasted
+already, you will be so kind as to tell me what is your errand.
+Is it about the way of business, or the other job?'
+
+'My business with you, Mr. Trumbull, is to request you will find
+me the means of delivering this letter, from Mr. Maxwell of
+Summertrees to the Laird of Redgauntlet.'
+
+'Humph--fashious job!  Pate Maxwell will still be the auld man--
+always Pate-in-Peril--Craig-in-Peril, for what I know.  Let me
+see the letter from him.'
+
+He examined it with much care, turning it up and down, and
+looking at the seal very attentively.  'All's right, I see; it
+has the private mark for haste and speed.  I bless my Maker that
+I am no great man, or great man's fellow; and so I think no more
+of these passages than just to help them forward in the way of
+business.  You are an utter stranger in these parts, I warrant?'
+
+Fairford answered in the affirmative.
+
+'Aye--I never saw them make a wiser choice--I must call some one
+to direct you what to do--Stay, we must go to him, I believe.
+You are well recommended to me, friend, and doubtless trusty;
+otherwise you may see more than I would like to show, or am in
+the use of showing in the common line of business.'
+
+Saying this, he placed his lantern on the ground, beside the post
+of one of the empty stalls, drew up a small spring bolt which
+secured it to the floor, and then forcing the post to one side,
+discovered a small trap-door.  'Follow me,' he said, and dived
+into the subterranean descent to which this secret aperture gave
+access.
+
+Fairford plunged after him, not without apprehensions of more
+kinds than one, but still resolved to prosecute the adventure.
+
+The descent, which was not above six feet, led to a very narrow
+passage, which seemed to have been constructed for the precise
+purpose of excluding every one who chanced to be an inch more in
+girth than was his conductor.  A small vaulted room, of about
+eight feet square, received them at the end of this lane.  Here
+Mr. Trumbull left Fairford alone, and returned for an instant, as
+he said, to shut his concealed trap-door.
+
+Fairford liked not his departure, as it left him in utter
+darkness; besides that his breathing was much affected by a
+strong and stifling smell of spirits, and other articles of a
+savour more powerful than agreeable to the lungs.  He was very
+glad, therefore, when he heard the returning steps of Mr.
+Trumbull, who, when once more by his side, opened a strong though
+narrow door in the wall, and conveyed Fairford into an immense
+magazine of spirit-casks, and other articles of contraband trade.
+
+There was a small, light at the end of this range of well-stocked
+subterranean vaults, which, upon a low whistle, began to flicker
+and move towards them.  An undefined figure, holding a dark
+lantern, with the light averted, approached them, whom Mr.
+Trumbull thus addressed:--'Why were you not at worship, Job; and
+this Saturday at e'en?'
+
+'Swanston was loading the JENNY, sir; and I stayed to serve out
+the article.'
+
+'True--a work of necessity, and in the way of business.  Does
+the JUMPING JENNY sail this tide?'
+
+'Aye, aye, sir; she sails for'--
+
+'I did not ask you WHERE she sailed for, Job,' said the old
+gentleman, interrupting him.  'I thank my Maker, I know nothing
+of their incomings or outgoings.  I sell my article fairly and in
+the ordinary way of business; and I wash my hands of everything
+else.  But what I wished to know is, whether the gentleman called
+the Laird of the Solway Lakes is on the other side of the Border
+even now?'
+
+'Aye, aye,' said Job, 'the laird is something in my own line, you
+know--a little contraband or so, There is a statute for him--But
+no matter; he took the sands after the splore at the Quaker's
+fish-traps yonder; for he has a leal heart, the laird, and is
+always true to the country-side.  But avast--is all snug here?'
+
+So saying, he suddenly turned on Alan Fairford the light side of
+the lantern he carried, who, by the transient gleam which it
+threw in passing on the man who bore it, saw a huge figure,
+upwards of six feet high, with a rough hairy cap on his head, and
+a set of features corresponding to his bulky frame.  He thought
+also he observed pistols at his belt.
+
+'I will answer for this gentleman,' said Mr. Trumbull; 'he must
+be brought to speech of the laird.'
+
+'That will be kittle steering,' said the subordinate personage;
+'for I understood that the laird and his folk were no sooner on
+the other side than the land-sharks were on them, and some
+mounted lobsters from Carlisle; and so they were obliged to split
+and squander.  There are new brooms out to sweep the country of
+them, they say; for the brush was a hard one; and they say there
+was a lad drowned;--he was not one of the laird's gang, so there
+was the less matter.'
+
+'Peace!  prithee, peace, Job Rutledge,' said honest, pacific Mr.
+Trumbull.  'I wish thou couldst remember, man, that I desire to
+know nothing of your roars and splores, your brooms and brushes.
+I dwell here among my own people; and I sell my commodity to him
+who comes in the way of business; and so wash my hands of all
+consequences, as becomes a quiet subject and an honest man.  I
+never take payment, save in ready money.'
+
+'Aye, aye,' muttered he with the lantern, 'your worship, Mr.
+Trumbull, understands that in the way of business.'
+
+'Well, I hope you will one day know, Job,' answered Mr.
+Trumbull,--'the comfort of a conscience void of offence, and that
+fears neither gauger nor collector, neither excise nor customs.
+The business is to pass this gentleman to Cumberland upon earnest
+business, and to procure him speech with the Laird of the Solway
+Lakes--I suppose that can be done?  Now I think Nanty Ewart, if
+he sails with the brig this morning tide, is the man to set him
+forward.'
+
+'Aye, aye, truly is he,' said Job; 'never man knew the Border,
+dale and fell, pasture and ploughland, better than Nanty; and he
+can always bring him to the laird, too, if you are sure the
+gentleman's right.  But indeed that's his own look-out; for were
+he the best man in Scotland, and the chairman of the d--d Board
+to boot, and had fifty men at his back, he were as well not visit
+the laird for anything but good.  As for Nanty, he is word and
+blow, a d--d deal fiercer than Cristie Nixon that they keep such
+a din about.  I have seen them both tried, by'--
+
+Fairford now found himself called upon to say something; yet his
+feelings, upon finding himself thus completely in the power of a
+canting hypocrite, and of his retainer, who had so much the air
+of a determined ruffian, joined to the strong and abominable fume
+which they snuffed up with indifference, while it almost deprived
+him of respiration, combined to render utterance difficult.  He
+stated, however, that he had no evil intentions towards the
+laird, as they called him, but was only the bearer of a letter to
+him on particular business, from Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees.
+
+'Aye, aye,' said Job, 'that may be well enough; and if Mr.
+Trumbull is satisfied that the service is right, why, we will
+give you a cast in the JUMPING JENNY this tide, and Nanty Ewart
+will put you on a way of finding the laird, I warrant you.'
+
+'I may for the present return, I presume, to the inn where I left
+my horse?'  said Fairford.
+
+'With pardon,' replied Mr. Trumbull, 'you have been ower far ben
+with us for that; but Job will take you to a place where you may
+sleep rough till he calls you.  I will bring you what little
+baggage you can need--for those who go on such errands must not
+be dainty.  I will myself see after your horse, for a merciful
+man is merciful to his beast--a matter too often forgotten in our
+way of business.'
+
+'Why, Master Trumbull,' replied Job, 'you know that when we are
+chased, it's no time to shorten sail, and so the boys do ride
+whip and spur.'  He stopped in his speech, observing the old man
+had vanished through the door by which he had entered--'That's
+always the way with old Turnpenny,' he said to Fairford; 'he
+cares for nothing of the trade but the profit--now, d--me, if I
+don't think the fun of it is better worth while.  But come along,
+my fine chap; I must stow you away in safety until it is time to
+go aboard.'
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Fairford followed his gruff guide among a labyrinth of barrels
+and puncheons, on which he had more than once like to have broken
+his nose, and from thence into what, by the glimpse of the
+passing lantern upon a desk and writing materials, seemed to be a
+small office for the dispatch of business.  Here there appeared
+no exit; but the smuggler, or smuggler's ally, availing himself
+of a ladder, removed an old picture, which showed a door about
+seven feet from the ground, and Fairford, still following Job,
+was involved in another tortuous and dark passage, which
+involuntarily reminded him of Peter Peebles's lawsuit.  At the
+end of this labyrinth, when he had little guess where he had been
+conducted, and was, according to the French phrase, totally
+DESORIENTE, Job suddenly set down the lantern, and availing
+himself of the flame to light two candles which stood on the
+table, asked if Alan would choose anything to eat, recommending,
+at all events, a slug of brandy to keep out the night air.
+Fairford declined both, but inquired after his baggage.
+
+'The old master will take care of that himself,' said Job
+Rutledge; and drawing back in the direction in which he had
+entered, he vanished from the farther end of the apartment, by a
+mode which the candles, still shedding an imperfect light, gave
+Alan no means of ascertaining.  Thus the adventurous young lawyer
+was left alone in the apartment to which he had been conducted by
+so singular a passage.
+
+In this condition, it was Alan's first employment to survey, with
+some accuracy, the place where he was; and accordingly, having
+trimmed the lights, he walked slowly round the apartment,
+examining its appearance and dimensions.  It seemed to be such a
+small dining-parlour as is usually found in the house of the
+better class of artisans, shopkeepers, and such persons, having a
+recess at the upper end, and the usual furniture of an ordinary
+description.  He found a door, which he endeavoured to open, but
+it was locked on the outside.  A corresponding door on the same
+side of the apartment admitted him into a closet, upon the front
+shelves of which were punch-bowls, glasses, tea-cups, and the
+like, while on one side was hung a horseman's greatcoat of the
+coarsest materials, with two great horse-pistols peeping out of
+the pocket, and on the floor stood a pair of well-spattered jack-
+boots, the usual equipment of the time, at least for long
+journeys,
+
+Not greatly liking the contents of the closet, Alan Fairford shut
+the door, and resumed his scrutiny round the walls of the
+apartment, in order to discover the mode of Job Rutledge's
+retreat.  The secret passage was, however, too artificially
+concealed, and the young lawyer had nothing better to do than to
+meditate on the singularity of his present situation.  He had
+long known that the excise laws had occasioned an active
+contraband trade betwixt Scotland and England, which then, as
+now, existed, and will continue to exist until the utter
+abolition of the wretched system which establishes an inequality
+of duties betwixt the different parts of the same kingdom; a
+system, be it said in passing, mightily resembling the conduct of
+a pugilist, who should tie up one arm that he might fight the
+better with the other.  But Fairford was unprepared for the
+expensive and regular establishments by which the illicit traffic
+was carried on, and could not have conceived that the capital
+employed in it should have been adequate to the erection of these
+extensive buildings, with all their contrivances for secrecy of
+communication.  He was musing on these circumstances, not without
+some anxiety for the progress of his own journey, when suddenly,
+as he lifted his eyes, he discovered old Mr. Trumbull at the
+upper end of the apartment, bearing in one hand a small bundle,
+in the other his dark lantern, the light of which, as he
+advanced, he directed full upon Fairford's countenance.
+
+Though such an apparition was exactly what he expected, yet he
+did not see the grim, stern old man present himself thus suddenly
+without emotion; especially when he recollected, what to a youth
+of his pious education was peculiarly shocking, that the grizzled
+hypocrite was probably that instant arisen from his knees to
+Heaven, for the purpose of engaging in the mysterious
+transactions of a desperate and illegal trade.
+
+The old man, accustomed to judge with ready sharpness of the
+physiognomy of those with whom he had business, did not fail to
+remark something like agitation in Fairford's demeanour.  'Have
+ye taken the rue?'  said he.  'Will ye take the sheaf from the
+mare, and give up the venture?'
+
+'Never!'  said Fairford, firmly, stimulated at once by his
+natural spirit, and the recollection of his friend; 'never, while
+I have life and strength to follow it out!'
+
+'I have brought you,' said Trumbull, 'a clean shirt, and some
+stockings, which is all the baggage you can conveniently carry,
+and I will cause one of the lads lend you a horseman's coat, for
+it is ill sailing or riding without one; and, touching your
+valise, it will be as safe in my poor house, were it full of the
+gold of Ophir, as if it were in the depth of the mine.'  'I have
+no doubt of it,' said Fairford.
+
+'And now,' said Trumbull, again, 'I pray you to tell me by what
+name I am to name you to Nanty (which is Antony) Ewart?'
+
+'By the name of Alan Fairford,' answered the young lawyer.
+
+'But that,' said Mr. Trumbull, in reply, 'is your own proper name
+and surname.'
+
+'And what other should I give?'  said the young man; 'do you
+think I have any occasion for an alias?  And, besides, Mr.
+Trumbull,' added Alan, thinking a little raillery might intimate
+confidence of spirit, 'you blessed yourself, but a little while
+since, that you had no acquaintance with those who defiled their
+names so far as to be obliged to change them.'
+
+'True, very true,' said Mr. Trumbull; 'nevertheless, young man,
+my grey hairs stand unreproved in this matter; for, in my line of
+business, when I sit under my vine and my fig-tree, exchanging
+the strong waters of the north for the gold which is the price
+thereof, I have, I thank Heaven, no disguises to keep with any
+man, and wear my own name of Thomas Trumbull, without any chance
+that the same may be polluted.  Whereas, thou, who art to journey
+in miry ways, and amongst a strange people, mayst do well to have
+two names, as thou hast two shirts, the one to keep the other
+clean.'
+
+Here he emitted a chuckling grunt, which lasted for two
+vibrations of the pendulum exactly, and was the only approach
+towards laughter in which old Turnpenny, as he was nicknamed, was
+ever known to indulge.
+
+'You are witty, Mr. Trumbull,' said Fairford; 'but jests are no
+arguments--I shall keep my own name.'
+
+'At your own pleasure,' said the merchant; 'there is but one name
+which,' &c. &c, &c.
+
+We will not follow the hypocrite through the impious cant which
+he added, in order to close the subject.
+
+Alan followed him, in silent abhorrence, to the recess in which
+the beaufet was placed, and which was so artificially made as to
+conceal another of those traps with which the whole building
+abounded.  This concealment admitted them to the same winding
+passage by which the young lawyer had been brought thither.  The
+path which they now took amid these mazes, differed from the
+direction in which he had been guided by Rutledge.  It led
+upwards, and terminated beneath a garret window.  Trumbull opened
+it, and with more agility than his age promised, clambered out
+upon the leads.  If Fairford's journey had been hitherto in a
+stifled and subterranean atmosphere, it was now open, lofty, and
+airy enough; for he had to follow his guide over leads and
+slates, which the old smuggler traversed with the dexterity of a
+cat.  It is true, his course was facilitated by knowing exactly
+where certain stepping-places and holdfasts were placed, of which
+Fairford could not so readily avail himself; but, after a
+difficult and somewhat perilous progress along the roofs of two
+or three houses, they at length descended by a skylight into a
+garret room, and from thence by the stairs into a public-house;
+for such it appeared, by the ringing of bells, whistling for
+waiters and attendance, bawling of 'House, house, here!'  chorus
+of sea songs, and the like noises.
+
+Having descended to the second story, and entered a room there in
+which there was a light, old Mr. Trumbull rang the bell of the
+apartment thrice, with an interval betwixt each, during which he
+told deliberately the number twenty.  Immediately after the third
+ringing the landlord appeared, with stealthy step, and an
+appearance of mystery on his buxom visage.  He greeted Mr.
+Trumbull, who was his landlord as it proved, with great respect,
+and expressed some surprise at seeing him so late, as he termed
+it, 'on Saturday e'en.'
+
+'And I, Robin Hastie,' said the landlord to the tenant, am more
+surprised than pleased, to hear sae muckle din in your house,
+Robie, so near the honourable Sabbath; and I must mind you that
+it is contravening the terms of your tack, whilk stipulates that
+you should shut your public on Saturday at nine o'clock, at
+latest.'
+
+'Yes, sir,' said Robin Hastie, no way alarmed at the gravity of
+the rebuke, 'but you must take tent that I have admitted naebody
+but you, Mr. Trumbull (who by the way admitted yoursell), since
+nine o'clock for the most of the folk have been here for several
+hours about the lading, and so on, of the brig.  It is not full
+tide yet, and I cannot put the men out into the street.  If I
+did, they would go to some other public, and their souls would be
+nane the better, and my purse muckle the waur; for how am I to
+pay the rent if I do not sell the liquor?'
+
+'Nay, then,' said Thomas Trumbull, 'if it is a work of necessity,
+and in the honest independent way of business, no doubt there is
+balm in Gilead.  But prithee, Robin, wilt thou see if Nanty Ewart
+be, as is most likely, amongst these unhappy topers; and if so,
+let him step this way cannily, and speak to me and this young
+gentleman.  And it's dry talking, Robin--you must minister to us
+a bowl of punch--ye ken my gage,'
+
+'From a mutchkin to a gallon, I ken your honour's taste, Mr.
+Thomas Trumbull,' said mine host; 'and ye shall hang me over the
+signpost if there be a drap mair lemon or a curn less sugar than
+just suits you.  There are three of you--you will be for the auld
+Scots peremptory pint-stoup for the success of the voyage?'  [The
+Scottish pint of liquid measure comprehends four English measures
+of the same denomination.  The jest is well known of my poor
+countryman, who, driven to extremity by the raillery of the
+Southern, on the small denomination of the Scottish coin, at
+length answered, 'Aye, aye!  But the deil tak them that has the
+LEAST PINT-STOUP.']
+
+'Better pray for it than drink for it, Robin,' said Mr. Trumbull.
+'Yours is a dangerous trade, Robin; it hurts mony a ane--baith
+host and guest.  But ye will get the blue bowl, Robin--the blue
+bowl--that will sloken all their drouth, and prevent the sinful
+repetition of whipping for an eke of a Saturday at e'en.  Aye,
+Robin, it is a pity of Nanty Ewart--Nanty likes the turning up of
+his little finger unco weel, and we maunna stint him, Robin, so
+as we leave him sense to steer by.'
+
+'Nanty Ewart could steer through the Pentland Firth though he
+were as drunk as the Baltic Ocean,' said Robin Hastie; and
+instantly tripping downstairs, he speedily returned with the
+materials for what he called his BROWST, which consisted of two
+English quarts of spirits, in a huge blue bowl, with all the
+ingredients for punch in the same formidable proportion.  At the
+same time he introduced Mr. Antony or Nanty Ewart, whose person,
+although he was a good deal flustered with liquor, was different
+from what Fairford expected.  His dress was what is emphatically
+termed the shabby genteel--a frock with tarnished lace--a small
+cocked hat, ornamented in a similar way--a scarlet waistcoat,
+with faded embroidery, breeches of the same, with silver knee-
+bands, and he wore a smart hanger and a pair of pistols in a
+sullied swordbelt.
+
+'Here I come, patron,' he said, shaking hands with Mr. Trumbull.
+'Well, I see you have got some grog aboard.'
+
+'It is not my custom, Mr. Ewart,' said the old gentleman, 'as you
+well know, to become a chamberer or carouser thus late on
+Saturday at e'en; but I wanted to recommend to your attention a
+young friend of ours, that is going upon a something particular
+journey, with a letter to our friend the Laird from Pate-in-
+Peril, as they call him.'
+
+'Aye--indeed?--he must be in high trust for so young a gentleman.
+I wish you joy, sir,' bowing to Fairford.  'By'r lady, as
+Shakespeare says, you are bringing up a neck for a fair end.
+Come, patron, we will drink to Mr. What-shall-call-um.  What is
+his name?  Did you tell me?  And have I forgot it already.'
+
+'Mr. Alan Fairford,' said Trumbull.
+
+'Aye, Mr. Alan Fairford--a good name for a fair trader--Mr. Alan
+Fairford; and may he be long withheld from the topmost round of
+ambition, which I take to be the highest round of a certain
+ladder.'
+
+While he spoke, he seized the punch-ladle, and began to fill the
+glasses.  But Mr. Trumbull arrested his hand, until he had, as he
+expressed himself, sanctified the liquor by a long grace; during
+the pronunciation of which he shut indeed his eyes, but his
+nostrils became dilated, as if he were snuffing up the fragrant
+beverage with peculiar complacency.
+
+When the grace was at length over, the three friends sat down to
+their beverage, and invited Alan Fairford to partake.  Anxious
+about his situation, and disgusted as he was with his company, he
+craved, and with difficulty obtained permission, under the
+allegation of being fatigued, heated, and the like, to stretch
+himself on a couch which was in the apartment, and attempted at
+least to procure some rest before high-water, when the vessel was
+to sail.
+
+He was at length permitted to use his freedom, and stretched
+himself on the couch, having his eyes for some time fixed on the
+jovial party he had left, and straining his ears to catch if
+possible a little of their conversation.  This he soon found was
+to no purpose for what did actually reach his ears was disguised
+so completely by the use of cant words and the thieves-latin
+called slang, that even when he caught the words, he found
+himself as far as ever from the sense of their conversation.  At
+length he fell asleep.
+
+It was after Alan had slumbered for three or four hours, that he
+was wakened by voices bidding him rise up and prepare to be
+jogging.  He started up accordingly, and found himself in
+presence of the same party of boon companions; who had just
+dispatched their huge bowl of punch.  To Alan's surprise, the
+liquor had made but little innovation on the brains of men who
+were accustomed to drink at all hours, and in the most inordinate
+quantities.  The landlord indeed spoke a little thick, and the
+texts of Mr. Thomas Trumbull stumbled on his tongue; but Nanty
+was one of those topers, who, becoming early what bon vivants
+term flustered, remain whole nights and days at the same point of
+intoxication; and, in fact, as they are seldom entirely sober,
+can be as rarely seen absolutely drunk.  Indeed, Fairford, had he
+not known how Ewart had been engaged whilst he himself was
+asleep, would almost have sworn when he awoke, that the man was
+more sober than when he first entered the room.
+
+He was confirmed in this opinion when they descended below, where
+two or three sailors and ruffian-looking fellows awaited their
+commands.  Ewart took the whole direction upon himself, gave his
+orders with briefness and precision, and looked to their being
+executed with the silence and celerity which that peculiar crisis
+required.  All were now dismissed for the brig, which lay, as
+Fairford was given to understand, a little farther down the
+river, which is navigable for vessels of light burden till almost
+within a mile of the town.
+
+When they issued from the inn, the landlord bid them goodbye.
+Old Trumbull walked a little way with them, but the air had
+probably considerable effect on the state of his brain; for after
+reminding Alan Fairford that the next day was the honourable
+Sabbath, he became extremely excursive in an attempt to exhort
+him to keep it holy.  At length, being perhaps sensible that he
+was becoming unintelligible, he thrust a volume into Fairford's
+hand--hiccuping at the same time--'Good book--good book--fine
+hymn-book--fit for the honourable Sabbath, whilk awaits us to-
+morrow morning.'  Here the iron tongue of time told five from the
+town steeple of Annan, to the further confusion of Mr. Trumbull's
+already disordered ideas.  'Aye?  Is Sunday come and gone
+already?  Heaven be praised!  Only it is a marvel the afternoon
+is sae dark for the time of the year--Sabbath has slipped ower
+quietly, but we have reason to bless oursells it has not been
+altogether misemployed.  I heard little of the preaching--a cauld
+moralist, I doubt, served that out--but, eh--the prayer--I mind
+it as if I had said the words mysell.'  Here he repeated one or
+two petitions, which were probably a part of his family
+devotions, before he was summoned forth to what he called the way
+of business.  'I never remember a Sabbath pass so cannily off in
+my life.'  Then he recollected himself a little, and said to
+Alan, 'You may read that book, Mr. Fairford, to-morrow, all the
+same, though it be Monday; for, you see, it was Saturday when we
+were thegither, and now it's Sunday and it's dark night--so the
+Sabbath has slipped clean away through our fingers like water
+through a sieve, which abideth not; and we have to begin again
+to-morrow morning, in the weariful, base, mean, earthly
+employments, whilk are unworthy of an immortal spirit--always
+excepting the way of business.'
+
+Three of the fellows were now returning to the town, and, at
+Ewart's command, they cut short the patriarch's exhortation, by
+leading him back to his own residence.  The rest of the party
+then proceeded to the brig, which only waited their arrival to
+get under weigh and drop down the river.  Nanty Ewart betook
+himself to steering the brig, and the very touch of the helm
+seemed to dispel the remaining influence of the liquor which he
+had drunk, since, through a troublesome and intricate channel, he
+was able to direct the course of his little vessel with the most
+perfect accuracy and safety.
+
+Alan Fairford, for some time, availed himself of the clearness of
+the summer morning to gaze on the dimly seen shores betwixt which
+they glided, becoming less and less distinct as they receded from
+each other, until at length, having adjusted his little bundle by
+way of pillow, and wrapped around him the greatcoat with which
+old Trumbull had equipped him, he stretched himself on the deck,
+to try to recover the slumber out of which he had been awakened.
+Sleep had scarce begun to settle on his eyes, ere he found
+something stirring about his person.  With ready presence of mind
+he recollected his situation, and resolved to show no alarm until
+the purpose of this became obvious; but he was soon relieved from
+his anxiety, by finding it was only the result of Nanty's
+attention to his comfort, who was wrapping around him, as softly
+as he could, a great boatcloak, in order to defend him from the
+morning air.
+
+'Thou art but a cockerel,' he muttered, 'but 'twere pity thou
+wert knocked off the perch before seeing a little more of the
+sweet and sour of this world--though, faith, if thou hast the
+usual luck of it, the best way were to leave thee to the chance
+of a seasoning fever.'
+
+These words, and the awkward courtesy with which the skipper of
+the little brig tucked the sea-coat round Fairford, gave him a
+confidence of safety which he had not yet thoroughly possessed.
+He stretched himself in more security on the hard planks, and was
+speedily asleep, though his slumbers were feverish and
+unrefreshing.
+
+It has been elsewhere intimated that Alan Fairford inherited from
+his mother a delicate constitution, with a tendency to
+consumption; and, being an only child, with such a cause for
+apprehension, care, to the verge of effeminacy, was taken to
+preserve him from damp beds, wet feet, and those various
+emergencies to which the Caledonian boys of much higher birth,
+but more active habits, are generally accustomed.  In man, the
+spirit sustains the constitutional weakness, as in the winged
+tribes the feathers bear aloft the body.  But there is a bound to
+these supporting qualities; and as the pinions of the bird must
+at length grow weary, so the VIS ANIMI of the human struggler
+becomes broken down by continued fatigue.
+
+When the voyager was awakened by the light of the sun now riding
+high in heaven, he found himself under the influence of an almost
+intolerable headache, with heat, thirst, shooting across the back
+and loins, and other symptoms intimating violent cold,
+accompanied with fever.  The manner in which he had passed the
+preceding day and night, though perhaps it might have been of
+little consequence to most young men, was to him, delicate in
+constitution and nurture, attended with bad and even perilous
+consequences.  He felt this was the case, yet would fain have
+combated the symptoms of indisposition, which, indeed, he imputed
+chiefly to sea-sickness.  He sat up on deck, and looked on the
+scene around, as the little vessel, having borne down the Solway
+Firth, was beginning, with a favourable northerly breeze, to bear
+away to the southward, crossing the entrance of the Wampool
+river, and preparing to double the most northerly point of
+Cumberland.
+
+But Fairford felt annoyed with deadly sickness, as well as by
+pain of a distressing and oppressive character; and neither
+Criffel, rising in majesty on the one hand, nor the distant yet
+more picturesque outline of Skiddaw and Glaramara upon the other,
+could attract his attention in the manner in which it was usually
+fixed by beautiful scenery, and especially that which had in it
+something new as well as striking.  Yet it was not in Alan
+Fairford's nature to give way to despondence, even when seconded
+by pain.  He had recourse, in the first place, to his pocket; but
+instead of the little Sallust he had brought with him, that the
+perusal of a classical author might help to pass away a heavy
+hour, he pulled out the supposed hymn-book with which he had been
+presented a few hours before, by that temperate and scrupulous
+person, Mr. Thomas Trumbull, ALIAS Turnpenny.  The volume was
+bound in sable, and its exterior might have become a psalter.
+But what was Alan's astonishment to read on the title page the
+following words:--'Merry Thoughts for Merry Men; or Mother
+Midnight's Miscellany for the Small Hours;' and turning over the
+leaves, he was disgusted with profligate tales, and more
+profligate songs, ornamented with figures corresponding in infamy
+with the letterpress.
+
+'Good God!'  he thought, 'and did this hoary reprobate summon his
+family together, and, with such a disgraceful pledge of infamy in
+his bosom, venture to approach the throne of his Creator?  It
+must be so; the book is bound after the manner of those dedicated
+to devotional subjects, and doubtless the wretch, in his
+intoxication, confounded the books he carried with him, as he did
+the days of the week.'  Seized with the disgust with which the
+young and generous usually regard the vices of advanced life,
+Alan, having turned the leaves of the book over in hasty disdain,
+flung it from him, as far as he could, into the sea.  He then had
+recourse to the Sallust, which he had at first sought for in
+vain.  As he opened the book, Nanty Ewart, who had been looking
+over his shoulder, made his own opinion heard.
+
+'I think now, brother, if you are so much scandalized at a little
+piece of sculduddery, which, after all, does nobody any harm, you
+had better have given it to me than have flung it into the
+Solway.'
+
+'I hope, sir,' answered Fairford, civilly, 'you are in the habit
+of reading better books.'
+
+'Faith,' answered Nanty, 'with help of a little Geneva text, I
+could read my Sallust as well as you can;' and snatching the book
+from Alan's hand, he began to read, in the Scottish accent:--
+"'IGITUR EX DIVITIIS JUVENTUTEM LUXURIA ATQUE AVARITIA CUM
+SUPERBILI INVASERE:  RAPERE, CONSUMERE; SUA PARVI PENDERE, ALIENA
+CUPERE; PUDOREM, AMICITIAM, PUDICITIAM, DIVINA ATQUE HUMANA
+PROMISCUA, NIHIL PENSI NEQUE MODERATI HABERE." [The translation
+of the passage is thus given by  Sir Henry Steuart of Allanton:--
+'The youth, taught to look up to riches as the sovereign good,
+became apt pupils in the school of Luxury.  Rapacity and
+profusion went hand in hand.  Careless of their own fortunes, and
+eager to possess those of others, shame and remorse, modesty and
+moderation, every principle gave way.'--WORKS OF SALLUST, WITH
+ORIGINAL ESSAYS, vol. ii. p.17.]--There is a slap in the face
+now, for an honest fellow that has been buccaneering!  Never
+could keep a groat of what he got, or hold his fingers from what
+belonged to another, said you?  Fie, fie, friend Crispus, thy
+morals are as crabbed and austere as thy style--the one has as
+little mercy as the other has grace.  By my soul, it is
+unhandsome to make personal reflections on an old acquaintance,
+who seeks a little civil intercourse with you after nigh twenty
+years' separation.  On my soul, Master Sallust deserves to float
+on the Solway better than Mother Midnight herself.'
+
+'Perhaps, in some respects, he may merit better usage at our
+hands,' said Alan; 'for if he has described vice plainly, it
+seems to have been for the purpose of rendering it generally
+abhorred.'
+
+'Well,' said the seaman, 'I have heard of the Sortes Virgilianae,
+and I dare say the Sortes Sallustianae are as true every tittle.
+I have consulted honest Crispus on my own account, and have had a
+cuff for my pains.  But now see, I open the book on your behalf,
+and behold what occurs first to my eye!--Lo you there--"CATILINA
+. . . OMNIUM FLAGITIOSORUM ATQUE FACINOROSORUM CIRCUM SE
+HABEBAT." And then again--"ETIAM SI QUIS A CULPA VACUUS IN
+AMICITIAM EJUS INCIDIDERAT QUOTIDIANO USU PAR SIMILISQUE CAETERIS
+EFFICIEBATUR." [After enumerating the evil qualities of
+Catiline's associates, the author adds, 'If it happened that any
+as yet uncontaminated by vice were fatally drawn into his
+friendship, the effects of intercourse and snares artfully
+spread, subdued every scruple, and early assimilated them to
+their conductors.'--Ibidem, p. 19.]  That is what I call plain
+speaking on the part of the old Roman, Mr. Fairford.  By the way,
+that is a capital name for a lawyer.
+
+'Lawyer as I am,' said Fairford, 'I do not understand your
+innuendo.'
+
+'Nay, then,' said Ewart, 'I can try it another way, as well as
+the hypocritical old rascal Turnpenny himself could do.  I would
+have you to know that I am well acquainted with my Bible-book, as
+well as with my friend Sallust.'  He then, in a snuffling and
+canting tone, began to repeat the Scriptural text--'"DAVID
+THEREFORE DEPARTED THENCE, AND WENT TO THE CAVE OF ADULLAM.  AND
+EVERY ONE THAT WAS IN DISTRESS, AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS IN DEBT,
+AND EVERY ONE THAT WAS DISCONTENTED, GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER
+UNTO HIM, AND HE BECAME A CAPTAIN OVER THEM."  What think you of
+that?'  he said, suddenly changing his manner.  'Have I touched
+you now, sir?'
+
+'You are as far off as ever,' replied Fairford.
+
+'What the devil!  and you a repeating frigate between Summertrees
+and the laird!  Tell that to the marines--the sailors won't
+believe it.  But you are right to be cautious, since you can't
+say who are right, who not.  But you look ill; it's but the cold
+morning air.  Will you have a can of flip, or a jorum of hot
+rumbo?  or will you splice the mainbrace' (showing a spirit-
+flask).  'Will you have a quid--or a pipe--or a cigar?--a pinch
+of snuff, at least, to clear your brains and sharpen your
+apprehension?'
+
+Fairford rejected all these friendly propositions.
+
+'Why, then,' continued Ewart, 'if you will do nothing for the
+free trade, I must patronize it myself.'
+
+So saying, he took a large glass of brandy.
+
+'A hair of the dog that bit me,' he continued,--'of the dog that
+will worry me one day soon; and yet, and be d--d to me for an
+idiot, I must always have hint at my throat.  But, says the old
+catch'--Here he sang, and sang well--
+
+  'Let's drink--let's drink--while life we have;
+   We'll find but cold drinking, cold drinking in the grave.
+
+All this,' he continued, 'is no charm against the headache.  I
+wish I had anything that could do you good.  Faith, and we have
+tea and coffee aboard!  I'll open a chest or a bag, and let you
+have some in an instant.  You are at the age to like such catlap
+better than better stuff.'
+
+Fairford thanked him, and accepted his offer of tea.
+
+Nanty Ewart was soon heard calling about, 'Break open yon chest--
+take out your capful, you bastard of a powder-monkey; we may want
+it again.  No sugar?  all used up for grog, say you?  knock
+another loaf to pieces, can't ye?  and get the kettle boiling, ye
+hell's baby, in no time at all!'
+
+By dint of these energetic proceedings he was in a short time
+able to return to the place where his passenger lay sick and
+exhausted, with a cup, or rather a canful, of tea; for everything
+was on a large scale on board of the JUMPING JENNY.  Alan drank
+it eagerly, and with so much appearance of being refreshed that
+Nanty Ewart swore he would have some too, and only laced it, as
+his phrase went, with a single glass of brandy.  [See Note 8.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+We left Alan Fairford on the deck of the little smuggling brig,
+in that disconsolate situation, when sickness and nausea, attack
+a heated and fevered frame, and an anxious mind.  His share of
+sea-sickness, however, was not so great as to engross his
+sensations entirely, or altogether to divert his attention from
+what was passing around.  If he could not delight in the
+swiftness and agility with which the 'little frigate' walked the
+waves, or amuse himself by noticing the beauty of the sea-views
+around him, where the distant Skiddaw raised his brow, as if in
+defiance of the clouded eminence of Criffel, which lorded it over
+the Scottish side of the estuary, he had spirits and composure
+enough to pay particular attention to the master of the vessel,
+on whose character his own safety in all probability was
+dependent.
+
+Nanty Ewart had now given the helm to one of his people, a
+bald-pated, grizzled old fellow, whose whole life had been spent
+in evading the revenue laws, with now and then the relaxation of
+a few months' imprisonment, for deforcing officers, resisting
+seizures, and the like offences.
+
+Nanty himself sat down by Fairford, helped him to his tea, with
+such other refreshments as he could think of, and seemed in his
+way sincerely desirous to make his situation as comfortable as
+things admitted.  Fairford had thus an opportunity to study his
+countenance and manners more closely.
+
+It was plain, Ewart, though a good seaman, had not been bred upon
+that element.  He was a reasonably good scholar, and seemed fond
+of showing it by recurring to the subject of Sallust and Juvenal;
+while, on the other hand, sea-phrases seldom chequered his
+conversation.  He had been in person what is called a smart
+little man; but the tropical sun had burnt his originally fair
+complexion to a dusty red; and the bile which was diffused
+through his system, had stained it with a yellowish black--what
+ought to have been the white part of his eyes, in particular, had
+a hue as deep as the topaz.  He was very thin, or rather
+emaciated, and his countenance, though still indicating alertness
+and activity, showed a constitution exhausted with excessive use
+of his favourite stimulus.
+
+'I see you look at me hard,' said he to Fairford.  'Had you been
+an officer of the d--d customs, my terriers' backs would have been
+up.  He opened his breast, and showed Alan a pair of pistols
+disposed between his waistcoat and jacket, placing his finger at
+the same time upon the cock of one of them.  'But come, you are
+an honest fellow, though you're a close one.  I dare say you
+think me a queer customer; but I can tell you, they that see the
+ship leave harbour know little of the seas she is to sail
+through.  My father, honest old gentleman, never would have
+thought to see me master of the JUMPING JENNY.'
+
+Fairford said, it seemed very clear indeed that Mr. Ewart's
+education was far superior to the line he at present occupied.
+
+'Oh, Criffel to Solway Moss!'  said the other.  Why, man, I
+should have been an expounder of the word, with a wig like a
+snow-wreath, and a stipend like--like--like a hundred pounds a
+year, I suppose.  I can spend thrice as much as that, though,
+being such as I am.  Here he sang a scrap of an old Northumbrian
+ditty, mimicking the burr of the natives of that county:--
+
+  'Willy Foster's gone to sea,
+   Siller buckles at his knee,
+   He'll come back and marry me--
+              Canny Willy Foster.'
+
+'I have no doubt,' said Fairford, 'your present occupation is
+more lucrative; 'but I should have thought the Church might have
+been more'--
+
+He stopped, recollecting that it was not his business to say
+anything disagreeable.
+
+'More respectable, you mean, I suppose?'  said Ewart, with a
+sneer, and squirting the tobacco-juice through his front teeth;
+then was silent for a moment, and proceeded in a tone of candour
+which some internal touch of conscience dictated.  'And so it
+would, Mr. Fairford--and happier, too, by a thousand degrees--
+though I have had my pleasures too.  But there was my father (God
+bless the old man!) a true chip of the old Presbyterian block,
+walked his parish like a captain on the quarterdeck, and was
+always ready to do good to rich and poor--Off went the laird's
+hat to the minister, as fast as the poor man's bonnet.  When the
+eye saw him--Pshaw!  what have I to do with that now?--Yes, he
+was, as Virgil hath it, "VIR SAPIENTIA ET PIETATE GRAVIS." But he
+might have been the wiser man, had he kept me at home, when he
+sent me at nineteen to study Divinity at the head of the highest
+stair in the Covenant Close.  It was a cursed mistake in the old
+gentleman.  What though Mrs. Cantrips of Kittlebasket (for she
+wrote herself no less) was our cousin five times removed, and
+took me on that account to board and lodging at six shillings
+instead of seven shillings a week?  it was a d--d bad saving, as
+the case proved.  Yet her very dignity might have kept me in
+order; for she never read a chapter excepting out of a Cambridge
+Bible, printed by Daniel, and bound in embroidered velvet.  I
+think I see it at this moment!  And on Sundays, when we had a
+quart of twopenny ale, instead of butter-milk, to our porridge,
+it was always served up in a silver posset-dish.  Also she used
+silver-mounted spectacles, whereas even my father's were cased in
+mere horn.  These things had their impression at first, but we
+get used to grandeur by degrees.  Well, sir!--Gad, I can scarce
+get on with my story--it sticks in my throat--must take a trifle
+to wash it down.  Well, this dame had a daughter--Jess Cantrips,
+a black-eyed, bouncing wench--and, as the devil would have it,
+there was the d--d five-story stair--her foot was never from it,
+whether I went out or came home from the Divinity Hall. I would
+have eschewed her, sir--I would, on my soul; for I was as
+innocent a lad as ever came from Lammermuir; but there was no
+possibility of escape, retreat, or flight, unless I could have
+got a pair of wings, or made use of a ladder seven stories high,
+to scale the window of my attic.  It signifies little talking--
+you may suppose how all this was to end--I would have married the
+girl, and taken my chance--I would, by Heaven!  for she was a
+pretty girl, and a good girl, till she and I met; but you know
+the old song, "Kirk would not let us be." A gentleman, in my
+case, would have settled the matter with the kirk-treasurer for a
+small sum of money; but the poor stibbler, the penniless dominie,
+having married his cousin of Kittlebasket, must next have
+proclaimed her frailty to the whole parish, by mounting the
+throne of Presbyterian penance, and proving, as Othello says,
+"his love a whore," in face of the whole congregation.
+
+'In this extremity I dared not stay where I was, and so thought
+to go home to my father.  But first I got Jack Radaway, a lad
+from the same parish, and who lived in the same infernal stair,
+to make some inquiries how the old gentleman had taken the
+matter.  I soon, by way of answer, learned, to the great increase
+of my comfortable reflections, that the good old man made as much
+clamour as if such a thing as a man's eating his wedding dinner
+without saying grace had never happened since Adam's time.  He
+did nothing for six days but cry out, "Ichabod, Ichabod, the
+glory is departed from my house!" and on the seventh he preached
+a sermon, in which he enlarged on this incident as illustrative
+of one of the great occasions for humiliation, and causes of
+national defection.  I hope the course he took comforted himself
+--I am sure it made me ashamed to show my nose at home.  So I
+went down to Leith, and, exchanging my hoddin grey coat of my
+mother's spinning for such a jacket as this, I entered my name at
+the rendezvous as an able-bodied landsman, and sailed with the
+tender round to Plymouth, where they were fitting out a squadron
+for the West Indies.  There I was put aboard the FEARNOUGHT,
+Captain Daredevil--among whose crew I soon learned to fear Satan
+(the terror of my early youth) as little as the toughest Jack on
+board.  I had some qualms at first, but I took the remedy'
+(tapping the case-bottle) 'which I recommend to you, being as
+good for sickness of the soul as for sickness of the stomach--
+What, you won't?--very well, I must, then--here is to ye.'
+
+'You would, I am afraid, find your education of little use in
+your new condition?'  said Fairford.
+
+'Pardon me, sir,' resumed the captain of the JUMPING JENNY; 'my
+handful of Latin, and small pinch of Greek, were as useless as
+old junk, to be sure; but my reading, writing and accompting,
+stood me in good stead, and brought me forward; I might have been
+schoolmaster--aye, and master, in time; but that valiant liquor,
+rum, made a conquest of me rather too often, and so, make what
+sail I could, I always went to leeward.  We were four years
+broiling in that blasted climate, and I came back at last with a
+little prize-money.  I always had thoughts of putting things to
+rights in the Covenant Close, and reconciling myself to my
+father.  I found out Jack Hadaway, who was TUPTOWING away with a
+dozen of wretched boys, and a fine string of stories he had ready
+to regale my ears withal.  My father had lectured on what he
+called "my falling away," for seven Sabbaths, when, just as his
+parishioners began to hope that the course was at an end, he was
+found dead in his bed on the eighth Sunday morning.  Jack Hadaway
+assured me, that if I wished to atone for my errors, by
+undergoing the fate of the first martyr, I had only to go to my
+native village, where the very stones of the street would rise up
+against me as my father's murderer.  Here was a pretty item--
+well, my tongue clove to my mouth for an hour, and was only able
+at last to utter the name of Mrs. Cantrips.  Oh, this was a new
+theme for my Job's comforter.  My sudden departure--my father's
+no less sudden death--had prevented the payment of the arrears of
+my board and lodging--the landlord was a haberdasher, with a
+heart as rotten as the muslin wares he dealt in.  Without respect
+to her age or gentle kin, my Lady Kittlebasket was ejected from
+her airy habitation--her porridge-pot, silver posset-dish,
+silver-mounted spectacles, and Daniel's Cambridge Bible, sold, at
+the Cross of Edinburgh, to the caddie who would bid highest for
+them, and she herself driven to the workhouse, where she got in
+with difficulty, but was easily enough lifted out, at the end of
+the month, as dead as her friends could desire.  Merry tidings
+this to me, who had been the d--d' (he paused a moment) 'ORIGO
+MALI--Gad, I think my confession would sound better in Latin than
+in English!
+
+'But the best jest was behind--I had just power to stammer out
+something about Jess--by my faith he HAD an answer!  I had taught
+Jess one trade, and, like a prudent girl, she had found out
+another for herself; unluckily, they were both contraband, and
+Jess Cantrips, daughter of the Lady Kittlebasket, had the honour
+to be transported to the plantations, for street-walking and
+pocket-picking, about six months before I touched shore.'
+
+He changed the bitter tone of affected pleasantry into an attempt
+to laugh, then drew his swarthy hand across his swarthy eyes, and
+said in a more natural accent, 'Poor Jess!'
+
+There was a pause--until Fairford, pitying the poor man's state
+of mind, and believing he saw something in him that, but for
+early error and subsequent profligacy, might have been excellent
+and noble, helped on the conversation by asking, in a tone of
+commiseration, how he had been able to endure such a load of
+calamity.
+
+'Why, very well,' answered the seaman; 'exceedingly well--like a
+tight ship in a brisk gale.  Let me recollect.  I remember
+thanking Jack, very composedly, for the interesting and agreeable
+communication; I then pulled out my canvas pouch, with my hoard
+of moidores, and taking out two pieces, I bid Jack keep the rest
+till I came back, as I was for a cruise about Auld Reekie.  The
+poor devil looked anxiously, but I shook him by the hand, and ran
+downstairs, in such confusion of mind, that notwithstanding what
+I had heard, I expected to meet Jess at every turning.
+
+It was market-day, and the usual number of rogues and fools were
+assembled at the Cross.  I observed everybody looked strange on
+me, and I thought some laughed.  I fancy I had been making queer
+faces enough, and perhaps talking to myself, When I saw myself
+used in this manner, I held out my clenched fists straight before
+me, stooped my head, and, like a ram when be makes his race,
+darted off right down the street, scattering groups of
+weatherbeaten lairds and periwigged burgesses, and bearing down
+all before me.  I heard the cry of "Seize the madman!" echoed, in
+Celtic sounds, from the City Guard, with "Ceaze ta matman!"--but
+pursuit and opposition were in vain.  I pursued my career; the
+smell of the sea, I suppose, led me to Leith, where, soon after,
+I found myself walking very quietly on the shore, admiring the
+tough round and sound cordage of the vessels, and thinking how a
+loop, with a man at the end of one of them, would look, by way of
+tassel.
+
+'I was opposite to the rendezvous, formerly my place of refuge--
+in I bolted--found one or two old acquaintances, made half a
+dozen new ones--drank for two days--was put aboard the tender--
+off to Portsmouth--then landed at the Haslar hospital in a fine
+hissing-hot fever.  Never mind--I got better--nothing can kill
+me--the West Indies were my lot again, for since I did not go
+where I deserved in the next world, I had something as like such
+quarters as can be had in this--black devils for inhabitants--
+flames and earthquakes, and so forth, for your element.  Well,
+brother, something or other I did or said--I can't tell what--How
+the devil should I, when I was as drunk as David's sow, you know?
+But I was punished, my lad--made to kiss the wench that never
+speaks but when she scolds, and that's the gunner's daughter,
+comrade.  Yes, the minister's son of no matter where--has the
+cat's scratch on his back!  This roused me, and when we were
+ashore with the boat, I gave three inches of the dirk, after a
+stout tussle, to the fellow I blamed most, and took the bush for
+it.  There were plenty of wild lads then along shore--and, I
+don't care who knows--I went on the account, look you--sailed
+under the black flag and marrow-bones--was a good friend to the
+sea, and an enemy to all that sailed on it.'
+
+Fairford, though uneasy in his mind at finding himself, a lawyer,
+so close to a character so lawless, thought it best,
+nevertheless, to put a good face on the matter, and asked Mr.
+Ewart, with as much unconcern as he could assume, 'whether he was
+fortunate as a rover?'
+
+'No, no--d--n it, no,' replied Nanty; 'the devil a crumb of
+butter was ever churned that would stick upon my bread.  There
+was no order among us--he that was captain to-day, was swabber
+to-morrow; and as for plunder--they say old Avery, and one or two
+close hunks, made money; but in my time, all went as it came; and
+reason good, for if a fellow had saved five dollars, his throat
+would have been cut in his hammock.  And then it was a cruel,
+bloody work.--Pah,--we'll say no more about it.  I broke with
+them at last, for what they did on board of a bit of a snow--no
+matter what it was bad enough, since it frightened me--I took
+French leave, and came in upon the proclamation, so I am free of
+all that business.  And here I sit, the skipper of the JUMPING
+JENNY--a nutshell of a thing, but goes through the water like a
+dolphin.  If it were not for yon hypocritical scoundrel at Annan,
+who has the best end of the profit, and takes none of the risk, I
+should be well enough--as well as I want to be.  Here is no lack
+of my best friend,'--touching his case-bottle;--'but, to tell you
+a secret, he and I have got so used to each other, I begin to
+think he is like a professed joker, that makes your sides sore
+with laughing if you see him but now and then; but if you take up
+house with him, he can only make your head stupid.  But I warrant
+the old fellow is doing the best he can for me, after all.'
+
+'And what may that be?'  said Fairford.
+
+'He is KILLING me,' replied Nanty Ewart; 'and I am only sorry he
+is so long about it.'
+
+So saying he jumped on his feet, and, tripping up and down the
+deck, gave his orders with his usual clearness and decision,
+notwithstanding the considerable quantity of spirits which he had
+contrived to swallow while recounting his history.
+
+Although far from feeling well, Fairford endeavoured to rouse
+himself and walk to the head of the brig, to enjoy the beautiful
+prospect, as well as to take some note of the course which the
+vessel held.  To his great surprise, instead of standing across
+to the opposite shore from which she had departed, the brig was
+going down the Firth, and apparently steering into the Irish Sea.
+He called to Nanty Ewart, and expressed his surprise at the
+course they were pursuing, and asked why they did not stand
+straight across the Firth for some port in Cumberland.
+
+'Why, this is what I call a reasonable question, now,' answered
+Nanty; 'as if a ship could go as straight to its port as a horse
+to the stable, or a free-trader could sail the Solway as securely
+as a King's cutter!  Why, I'll tell ye, brother--if I do not see
+a smoke on Bowness, that is the village upon the headland yonder,
+I must stand out to sea for twenty-four hours at least, for we
+must keep the weather-gage if there are hawks abroad.'
+
+'And if you do see the signal of safety, Master Ewart, what is to
+be done then?'
+
+'Why then, and in that case, I must keep off till night, and then
+run you, with the kegs and the rest of the lumber, ashore at
+Skinburness,'
+
+'And then I am to meet with this same laird whom I have the letter
+for?'  continued Fairford.
+
+'That,' said Ewart, 'is thereafter as it may be; the ship has its
+course--the fair trader has his port--but it is not easy to say
+where the laird may be found.  But he will be within twenty miles
+of us, off or on--and it will be my business to guide you to
+him.'
+
+Fairford could not withstand the passing impulse of terror which
+crossed him, when thus reminded that he was so absolutely in the
+power of a man, who, by his own account, had been a pirate, and
+who was at present, in all probability, an outlaw as well as a
+contraband trader.  Nanty Ewart guessed the cause of his
+involuntary shuddering.
+
+'What the devil should I gain,' he said, 'by passing so poor a
+card as you are?  Have I not had ace of trumps in my hand, and
+did I not play it fairly?  Aye, I say the JUMPING JENNY can run
+in other ware as well as kegs.  Put SIGMA and TAU to Ewart, and
+see how that will spell--D'ye take me now?'
+
+'No indeed,' said Fairford; 'I am utterly ignorant of what you
+allude to.'
+
+'Now, by Jove!'  said Nanty Ewart, 'thou art either the deepest
+or the shallowest fellow I ever met with--or you are not right
+after all.  I wonder where Summertrees could pick up such a
+tender along-shore.  Will you let me see his letter?'
+
+Fairford did not hesitate to gratify his wish, which, he was
+aware, he could not easily resist.  The master of the JUMPING
+JENNY looked at the direction very attentively, then turned the
+letter to and fro, and examined each flourish of the pen, as if
+he were judging of a piece of ornamented manuscript; then handled
+it back to Fairford, without a single word of remark.
+
+'Am I right now?'  said the young lawyer.
+
+'Why, for that matter,' answered Nanty, 'the letter is right,
+sure enough; but whether you are right or not, is your own
+business rather than mine.'  And, striking upon a flint with the
+back of a knife, he kindled a cigar as thick as his finger, and
+began to smoke away with great perseverance.
+
+Alan Fairford continued to regard him with a melancholy feeling,
+divided betwixt the interest he took in the unhappy man, and a
+not unnatural apprehension for the issue of his own adventure.
+
+Ewart, notwithstanding the stupefying nature of his pastime,
+seemed to guess what was working in his passenger's mind; for,
+after they had remained some time engaged in silently observing
+each other, he suddenly dashed his cigar on the deck, and said to
+him, 'Well then, if you are sorry for me, I am sorry for you.
+D--n me, if I have cared a button for man or mother's son, since
+two years since when I had another peep of Jack Hadaway.  'The
+fellow was got as fat as a Norway whale--married to a great
+Dutch-built quean that had brought him six children.  I believe
+he did not know me, and thought I was come to rob his house;
+however, I made up a poor face, and told him who I was.  Poor
+Jack would have given me shelter and clothes, and began to tell
+me of the moidores that were in bank, when I wanted them.  Egad,
+he changed his note when I told him what my life had been, and
+only wanted to pay me my cash and get rid of me.  I never saw so
+terrified a visage.  I burst out a-laughing in his face, told him
+it was all a humbug, and that the moidores were all his own,
+henceforth and for ever, and so ran off.  I caused one of our
+people send him a bag of tea and a keg of brandy, before I left--
+poor Jack!  I think you are the second person these ten years,
+that has cared a tobacco-stopper for Nanty Ewart.'
+
+'Perhaps, Mr. Ewart,' said Fairford, 'you live chiefly with men
+too deeply interested for their own immediate safety, to think
+much upon the distress of others?'
+
+'And with whom do you yourself consort, I pray?'  replied Nanty,
+smartly.  'Why, with plotters, that can make no plot to better
+purpose than their own hanging; and incendiaries, that are
+snapping the flint upon wet tinder.  You'll as soon raise the
+dead as raise the Highlands--you'll as soon get a grunt from a
+dead sow as any comfort from Wales or Cheshire.  You think
+because the pot is boiling, that no scum but yours can come
+uppermost--I know better, by --.  All these rackets and riots
+that you think are trending your way have no relation at all to
+your interest; and the best way to make the whole kingdom friends
+again at once, would be the alarm of such an undertaking as these
+mad old fellows are trying to launch into.
+
+'I really am not in such secrets as you seem to allude to,' said
+Fairford; and, determined at the same time to avail himself as
+far as possible of Nanty's communicative disposition, he added,
+with a smile,' And if I were, I should not hold it prudent to
+make them much the subject of conversation.  But I am sure, so
+sensible a man as Summertrees and the laird may correspond
+together without offence to the state.'
+
+'I take you, friend--I take you,' said Nanty Ewart, upon whom, at
+length, the liquor and tobacco-smoke began to make considerable
+innovation.  'As to what gentlemen may or may not correspond
+about, why we may pretermit the question, as the old professor
+used to say at the Hall; and as to Summertrees, I will say
+nothing, knowing him to be an old fox.  But I say that this
+fellow the laird is a firebrand in the country ; that he is
+stirring up all the honest fellows who should be drinking their
+brandy quietly, by telling them stories about their ancestors and
+the Forty-five ; and that he is trying to turn all waters into
+his own mill-dam, and to set his sails to all winds.  And because
+the London people are roaring about for some pinches of their
+own, he thinks to win them to his turn with a wet finger.  And he
+gets encouragement from some, because they want a spell of money
+from him; and from others, because they fought for the cause once
+and are ashamed to go back; and others, because they have nothing
+to lose; and others, because they are discontented fools.  But if
+he has brought you, or any one, I say not whom, into this scrape,
+with the hope of doing any good, he's a d--d decoy-duck, and
+that's all I can say for him; and you are geese, which is worse
+than being decoy-ducks, or lame-ducks either.  And so here is to
+the prosperity of King George the Third, and the true
+Presbyterian religion, and confusion to the Pope, the Devil, and
+the Pretender!  I'll tell you what, Mr. Fairbairn, I am but tenth
+owner of this bit of a craft, the JUMPING JENNY--but tenth owner
+and must sail her by my owners' directions.  But if I were whole
+owner, I would not have the brig be made a ferry-boat for your
+Jacobitical, old-fashioned Popish riff-raff, Mr. Fairport--I
+would not, by my soul; they should walk the plank, by the gods,
+as I have seen better men do when I sailed under the What-d'ye-
+callum colours.  But being contraband goods, and on board my
+vessel, and I with my sailing orders in my hand, why, I am to
+forward them as directed--I say, John Roberts, keep her up a bit
+with the helm.--and so, Mr. Fairweather, what I do is--as the
+d--d villain Turnpenny says--all in the way of business.'
+
+He had been speaking with difficulty for the last five minutes,
+and now at length dropped on the deck, fairly silenced by the
+quantity of spirits which he had swallowed, but without having
+showed any glimpse of the gaiety, or even of the extravagance, of
+intoxication.
+
+The old sailor stepped forward and flung a sea-cloak over the
+slumberer's shoulders, and added, looking at Fairford, 'Pity of
+him he should have this fault; for without it, he would have been
+as clever a fellow as ever trod a plank with ox leather.'
+
+'And what are we to do now?'  said Fairford.
+
+'Stand off and on, to be sure, till we see the signal, and then
+obey orders.'
+
+So saying, the old man turned to his duty, and left the passenger
+to amuse himself with his own meditations.  Presently afterward a
+light column of smoke was seen rising from the little headland.
+
+'I can tell you what we are to do now, master,' said the sailor.
+'We'll stand out to sea, and then run in again with the evening
+tide, and make Skinburness; or, if there's not light, we can run
+into the Wampool river, and put you ashore about Kirkbride or
+Leaths, with the long-boat.'
+
+Fairford, unwell before, felt this destination condemned him to
+an agony of many hours, which his disordered stomach and aching
+head were ill able to endure.  There was no remedy, however, but
+patience, and the recollection that he was suffering in the cause
+of friendship.  As the sun rose high, he became worse; his sense
+of smell appeared to acquire a morbid degree of acuteness, for
+the mere purpose of inhaling and distinguishing all the various
+odours with which he was surrounded, from that of pitch to all
+the complicated smells of the hold.  His heart, too, throbbed
+under the heat, and he felt as if in full progress towards a high
+fever.
+
+The seamen, who were civil and attentive considering their
+calling, observed his distress, and one contrived to make an
+awning out of an old sail, while another compounded some
+lemonade, the only liquor which their passenger could be
+prevailed upon to touch.  After drinking it off, he obtained, but
+could not be said to enjoy, a few hours of troubled slumber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+Alan Fairford's spirit was more ready to encounter labour than
+his frame was adequate to support it.  In spite of his exertions,
+when he awoke, after five or six hours' slumber, he found that he
+was so much disabled by dizziness in his head and pains in his
+limbs, that he could not raise himself without assistance.  He
+heard with some pleasure that they were now running right for the
+Wampool river, and that he would be put on shore in a very short
+time.  The vessel accordingly lay to, and presently showed a weft
+in her ensign, which was hastily answered by signals from on
+shore.  Men and horses were seen to come down the broken path
+which leads to the shore; the latter all properly tackled for
+carrying their loading.  Twenty fishing barks were pushed afloat
+at once, and crowded round the brig with much clamour, laughter,
+cursing, and jesting.  Amidst all this apparent confusion there
+was the essential regularity.  Nanty Ewart again walked his
+quarter-deck as if he had never tasted spirits in his life,
+issued the necessary orders with precision, and saw them executed
+with punctuality.  In half an hour the loading of the brig was in
+a great measure disposed in the boats; in a quarter of an hour
+more, it was landed on the beach, and another interval of about
+the same duration was sufficient to distribute it on the various
+strings of packhorses which waited for that purpose, and which
+instantly dispersed, each on its own proper adventure.  More
+mystery was observed in loading the ship's boat with a quantity
+of small barrels, which seemed to contain ammunition.  This was
+not done until the commercial customers had been dismissed; and
+it was not until this was performed that Ewart proposed to Alan,
+as he lay stunned with pain and noise, to accompany him ashore.
+
+It was with difficulty that Fairford could get over the side of
+the vessel, and he could not seat himself on the stern of the
+boat without assistance from the captain and his people.  Nanty
+Ewart, who saw nothing in this worse than an ordinary fit of sea-
+sickness, applied the usual topics of consolation.  He assured
+his passenger that he would be quite well by and by, when he had
+been half an hour on terra firma, and that he hoped to drink a
+can and smoke a pipe with him at Father Crackenthorp's, for all
+that he felt a little out of the way for riding the wooden horse.
+
+'Who is Father Crackenthorp?'  said Fairford, though scarcely
+able to articulate the question.
+
+'As honest a fellow as is of a thousand,' answered Nanty.
+
+'Ah, how much good brandy he and I have made little of in our
+day!  By my soul, Mr. Fairbird, he is the prince of skinkers, and
+the father of the free trade--not a stingy hypocritical devil
+like old Turnpenny Skinflint, that drinks drunk on other folk's
+cost, and thinks it sin when he has to pay for it--but a real
+hearty old cock;--the sharks have been at and about him this many
+a day, but Father Crackenthorp knows how to trim his sails--never
+a warrant but he hears of it before the ink's dry.  He is BONUS
+SOCIUS with headborough and constable.  The king's exchequer
+could not bribe a man to inform against him.  If any such rascal
+were to cast up, why, he would miss his ears next morning, or be
+sent to seek them in the Solway.  He is a statesman, [A small
+landed proprietor.]  though he keeps a public; but, indeed, that
+is only for convenience and to excuse his having cellarage and
+folk about him; his wife's a canny woman--and his daughter Doll
+too.  Gad, you'll be in port there till you get round again; and
+I'll keep my word with you, and bring you to speech of the laird.
+
+Gad, the only trouble I shall have is to get you out of the
+house; for Doll is a rare wench, and my dame a funny old one, and
+Father Crackenthorp the rarest companion!  He'll drink you a
+bottle of rum or brandy without starting, but never wet his lips
+with the nasty Scottish stuff that the canting old scoundrel
+Turnpenny has brought into fashion.  He is a gentleman, every
+inch of him, old Crackenthorp; in his own way, that is; and
+besides, he has a share in the JUMPING JENNY, and many a
+moonlight outfit besides.  He can give Doll a pretty penny, if he
+likes the tight fellow that would turn in with her for life.'
+
+In the midst of this prolonged panegyric on Father Crackenthorp,
+the boat touched the beach, the rowers backed their oars to keep
+her afloat, whilst the other fellows lumped into the surf, and,
+with the most rapid dexterity, began to hand the barrels ashore.
+
+'Up with them higher on the beach, my hearties,' exclaimed Nanty
+Ewart--'High and dry--high and dry--this gear will not stand
+wetting.  Now, out with our spare hand here--high and dry with
+him too.  What's that?--the galloping of horse!  Oh, I hear the
+jingle of the packsaddles--they are our own folk.'
+
+By this time all the boat's load was ashore, consisting of the
+little barrels; and the boat's crew, standing to their arms,
+ranged themselves in front, waiting the advance of the horses
+which came clattering along the beach.  A man, overgrown with
+corpulence, who might be distinguished in the moonlight panting
+with his own exertions, appeared at the head of the cavalcade,
+which consisted of horses linked together, and accommodated with
+packsaddles, and chains for securing the kegs which made a
+dreadful clattering.
+
+'How now, Father Crackenthorp?'  said Ewart--'Why this hurry with
+your horses?  We mean to stay a night with you, and taste your
+old brandy, and my dame's homebrewed.  The signal is up, man, and
+all is right.'
+
+'All is wrong, Captain Nanty,' cried the man to whom he spoke;
+'and you are the lad that is like to find it so, unless you
+bundle off--there are new brooms bought at Carlisle yesterday to
+sweep the country of you and the like of you--so you were better
+be jogging inland.
+
+'How many rogues are the officers?  If not more than ten, I will
+make fight.'
+
+'The devil you will!'  answered Crackenthorp.  'You were better
+not, for they have the bloody-backed dragoons from Carlisle with
+them.'
+
+'Nay, then,' said Nanty, 'we must make sail.  Come, Master
+Fairlord, you must mount and ride.  He does not hear me--he has
+fainted, I believe--What the devil shall I do?  Father
+Crackenthorp, I must leave this young fellow with you till the
+gale blows out--hark ye--goes between the laird and the t'other
+old one; he can neither ride nor walk--I must send him up to
+you.'
+
+'Send him up to the gallows!'  said Crackenthorp; 'there is
+Quartermaster Thwacker, with twenty men, up yonder; an he had not
+some kindness for Doll, I had never got hither for a start--but
+you must get off, or they will be here to seek us, for his orders
+are woundy particular; and these kegs contain worse than whisky--
+a hanging matter, I take it.'
+
+'I wish they were at the bottom of Wampool river, with them they
+belong to,' said Nanty Ewart.  'But they are part of cargo; and
+what to do with the poor young fellow--'
+
+'Why, many a better fellow has roughed it on the grass with a
+cloak o'er him,' said Crackenthorp.  'If he hath a fever, nothing
+is so cooling as the night air.'
+
+'Yes, he would be cold enough in the morning, no doubt; but it's
+a kind heart and shall not cool so soon if I can help it,'
+answered the captain of the JUMPING JENNY.
+
+'Well, captain, an ye will risk your own neck for another man's,
+why not take him to the old girls at Fairladies?'
+
+'What, the Miss Arthurets!  The Papist jades!  But never mind; it
+will do--I have known them take in a whole sloop's crew that were
+stranded on the sands.'
+
+'You may run some risk, though, by turning up to Fairladies; for
+I tell you they are all up through the country.'
+
+'Never mind--I may chance to put some of them down again,' said
+Nanty, cheerfully.  'Come, lads, bustle to your tackle.  Are you
+all loaded?'
+
+'Aye, aye, captain; we will be ready in a jiffy,' answered the
+gang.
+
+'D--n your captains!  Have you a mind to have me hanged if I am
+taken?  All's hail-fellow, here.'
+
+'A sup at parting,' said Father Crackenthorp, extending a flask
+to Nanty Ewart.
+
+'Not the twentieth part of a drop,' said Nanty.  'No Dutch
+courage for me--my heart is always high enough when there's a
+chance of fighting; besides, if I live drunk, I should like to
+die sober.  Here, old Jephson--you are the best-natured brute
+amongst them--get the lad between us on a quiet horse, and we
+will keep him upright, I warrant.'
+
+As they raised Fairford from the ground, he groaned heavily, and
+asked faintly where they were taking him to.
+
+'To a place where you will be as snug and quiet as a mouse in his
+hole,' said Nanty, 'if so be that we can get you there safely.
+Good-bye, Father Crackenthorp--poison the quartermaster, if you
+can.'
+
+The loaded horses then sprang forward at a hard trot, following
+each other in a line, and every second horse being mounted by a
+stout fellow in a smock frock, which served to conceal the arms
+with which most of these desperate men were provided.  Ewart
+followed in the rear of the line, and, with the occasional
+assistance of old Jephson, kept his young charge erect in the
+saddle.  He groaned heavily from time to time; and Ewart, more
+moved with compassion for his situation than might have been
+expected from his own habits, endeavoured to amuse him and
+comfort him, by some account of the place to which they were
+conveying him--his words of consolation being, however,
+frequently interrupted by the necessity of calling to his people,
+and many of them being lost amongst the rattling of the barrels,
+and clinking of the tackle and small chains by which they are
+secured on such occasions.
+
+'And you see, brother, you will be in safe quarters at
+Fairladies--good old scrambling house--good old maids enough, if
+they were not Papists,--Hollo, you Jack Lowther; keep the line,
+can't ye, and shut your rattle-trap, you broth of a--?  And so,
+being of a good family, and having enough, the old lasses have
+turned a kind of saints, and nuns, and so forth.  The place they
+live in was some sort of nun-shop long ago, as they have them
+still in Flanders; so folk call them the Vestals of Fairladies--
+that may be, or may not be; and I care not whether it be or no.--
+Blinkinsop, hold your tongue, and be d--d!--And so, betwixt great
+alms and good dinners, they are well thought of by rich and poor,
+and their trucking with Papists is looked over.  There are plenty
+of priests, and stout young scholars, and such-like, about the
+house it's a hive of them.  More shame that government send
+dragoons out after-a few honest fellows that bring the old women
+of England a drop of brandy, and let these ragamuffins smuggle in
+as much papistry and--Hark!--was that a whistle?  No, it's only a
+plover.  You, Jem Collier, keep a look-out ahead--we'll meet them
+at the High Whins, or Brotthole bottom, or nowhere.  Go a furlong
+ahead, I say, and look sharp.--These Misses Arthurets feed the
+hungry, and clothe the naked, and such-like acts--which my poor
+father used to say were filthy rags, but he dressed himself out
+with as many of them as most folk.--D--n that stumbling horse!
+Father Crackenthorp should be d--d himself for putting an honest
+fellow's neck in such jeopardy.'
+
+Thus, and with much more to the same purpose, Nanty ran on,
+increasing, by his well-intended annoyance, the agony of Alan
+Fairford, who, tormented by a racking pain along the back and
+loins, which made the rough trot of the horse torture to him, had
+his aching head still further rended and split by the hoarse
+voice of the sailor, close to his ear.  Perfectly passive,
+however, he did not even essay to give any answer; and indeed his
+own bodily distress was now so great and engrossing, that to
+think of his situation was impossible, even if he could have
+mended it by doing so.
+
+Their course was inland; but in what direction, Alan had no means
+of ascertaining.  They passed at first over heaths and sandy
+downs; they crossed more than one brook, or beck, as they are
+called in that country--some of them of considerable depth--and
+at length reached a cultivated country, divided, according to the
+English fashion of agriculture, into very small fields or closes,
+by high banks, overgrown with underwood, and surmounted by hedge-
+row trees, amongst which winded a number of impracticable and
+complicated lanes, where the boughs projecting from the
+embankments on each side, intercepted the light of the moon, and
+endangered the safety of the horsemen.  But through this
+labyrinth the experience of the guides conducted them without a
+blunder, and without even the slackening of their pace.  In many
+places, however, it was impossible for three men to ride abreast;
+and therefore the burden of supporting Alan Fairford fell
+alternately to old Jephson and to Nanty; and it was with much
+difficulty that they could keep him upright in his saddle.
+
+At length, when his powers of sufferance were quite worn out, and
+he was about to implore them to leave him to his fate in the
+first cottage or shed--or under a haystack or a hedge--or
+anywhere, so he was left at ease, Collier, who rode ahead, passed
+back the word that they were at the avenue to Fairladies--'Was he
+to turn up?'
+
+Committing the charge of Fairford to Jephson, Nanty dashed up to
+the head of the troop, and gave his orders.--'Who knows the house
+best?'
+
+'Sam Skelton's a Catholic,' said Lowther.
+
+'A d--d bad religion,' said Nanty, of whose Presbyterian
+education a hatred of Popery seemed to be the only remnant.  'But
+I am glad there is one amongst us, anyhow.  You, Sam, being a
+Papist, know Fairladies and the old maidens I dare say; so do you
+fall out of the line, and wait here with me; and do you, Collier,
+carry on to Walinford bottom, then turn down the beck till you
+come to the old mill, and Goodman Grist the Miller, or old Peel-
+the-Causeway, will tell you where to stow; but I will be up with
+you before that.'
+
+The string of loaded horses then struck forward at their former
+pace, while Nanty, with Sam Skelton, waited by the roadside till
+the rear came up, when Jephson and Fairford joined them, and, to
+the great relief of the latter, they began to proceed at an
+easier pace than formerly, suffering the gang to precede them,
+till the clatter and clang attending their progress began to die
+away in the distance.  They had not proceeded a pistol-shot from
+the place where they parted, when a short turning brought them in
+front of an old mouldering gateway, whose heavy pinnacles were
+decorated in the style of the seventeenth century, with clumsy
+architectural ornaments; several of which had fallen down from
+decay, and lay scattered about, no further care having been taken
+than just to remove them out of the direct approach to the
+avenue.  The great stone pillars, glimmering white in the
+moonlight, had some fanciful resemblance to supernatural
+apparitions, and the air of neglect all around, gave an
+uncomfortable idea of the habitation to those who passed its
+avenue.
+
+'There used to be no gate here,' said Skelton, finding their way
+unexpectedly stopped.
+
+'But there is a gate now, and a porter too,' said a rough voice
+from within.  'Who be you, and what do you want at this time of
+night?'
+
+'We want to come to speech of the ladies--of the Misses
+Arthuret,' said Nanty; 'and to ask lodging for a sick man.'
+
+'There is no speech to be had of the Miss Arthurets at this time
+of night, and you may carry your sick man to the doctor,'
+answered the fellow from within, gruffly; 'for as sure as there
+is savour in salt, and scent in rosemary, you will get no
+entrance--put your pipes up and be jogging on.'
+
+'Why, Dick Gardener,' said Skelton, 'be thou then turned porter?'
+
+'What, do you know who I am?'  said the domestic sharply.
+
+'I know you, by your by-word,' answered the other; 'What, have
+you forgot little Sam Skelton, and the brock in the barrel?'
+
+'No, I have not forgotten you,' answered the acquaintance of Sam
+Skelton; 'but my orders are peremptory to let no one up the
+avenue this night, and therefore'--
+
+'But we are armed, and will not be kept back,' said Nanty.  'Hark
+ye, fellow, were it not better for you to take a guinea and let
+us in, than to have us break the door first, and thy pate
+afterwards?  for I won't see my comrade die at your door be
+assured of that.'
+
+'Why, I dunna know,' said the fellow; 'but what cattle were those
+that rode by in such hurry?'
+
+'Why, some of our folk from Bowness, Stoniecultrum, and thereby,'
+answered Skelton; 'Jack Lowther, and old Jephson, and broad Will
+Lamplugh, and such like.'
+
+'Well,' said Dick Gardener, 'as sure as there is savour in salt,
+and scent in rosemary, I thought it had been the troopers from
+Carlisle and Wigton, and the sound brought my heart to my mouth.'
+
+'Had thought thou wouldst have known the clatter of a cask from
+the clash of a broadsword, as well as e'er a quaffer in
+Cumberland,' said Skelton.
+
+'Come, brother, less of your jaw and more of your legs, if you
+please,' said Nanty; 'every moment we stay is a moment lost.  Go
+to the ladies, and tell them that Nanty Ewart, of the JUMPING
+JENNY, has brought a young gentleman, charged with letters from
+Scotland to a certain gentleman of consequence in Cumberland--
+that the soldiers are out, and the gentleman is very ill and if
+he is not received at Fairladies he must be left either to die at
+the gate, or to be taken, with all his papers about him, by the
+redcoats.'
+
+Away ran Dick Gardener with this message; and, in a few minutes,
+lights were seen to flit about, which convinced Fairford, who was
+now, in consequence of the halt, a little restored to self-
+possession, that they were traversing the front of a tolerably
+large mansion-house.
+
+'What if thy friend, Dick Gardener, comes not back again?'  said
+Jephson to Skelton.
+
+'Why, then,' said the person addressed, 'I shall owe him just
+such a licking as thou, old Jephson, had from Dan Cooke, and will
+pay as duly and truly as he did.'
+
+The old man was about to make an angry reply, when his doubts
+were silenced by the return of Dick Gardener, who announced that
+Miss Arthuret was coming herself as far as the gateway to speak
+with them.
+
+Nanty Ewart cursed in a low tone the suspicions of old maids and
+the churlish scruples of Catholics, that made so many obstacles
+to helping a fellow creature, and wished Miss Arthuret a hearty
+rheumatism or toothache as the reward of her excursion; but the
+lady presently appeared, to cut short further grumbling.  She was
+attended by a waiting-maid with a lantern, by means of which she
+examined the party on the outside, as closely as the imperfect
+light, and the spars of the newly-erected gate, would permit.
+
+'I am sorry we have disturbed you so late, Madam Arthuret,' said
+Nanty; 'but the case is this'--
+
+'Holy Virgin,' said she, 'why do you speak so loud?  Pray, are
+you not the captain of the SAINTE GENEVIEVE?'
+
+'Why, aye, ma'am,' answered Ewart, 'they call the brig so at
+Dunkirk, sure enough; but along shore here, they call her the
+JUMPING JENNY.'
+
+'You brought over the holy Father Buonaventure, did you not?'
+
+'Aye, aye, madam, I have brought over enough of them black
+cattle,' answered Nanty.  'Fie!  fie!  friend,' said Miss
+Arthuret; 'it is a pity that the saints should commit these good
+men to a heretic's care.'
+
+'Why, no more they would, ma'am,' answered Nanty, 'could they
+find a Papist lubber that knew the coast as I do; then I am
+trusty as steel to owners, and always look after cargo--live
+lumber, or dead flesh, or spirits, all is one to me; and your
+Catholics have such d--d large hoods, with pardon, ma'am, that
+they can sometimes hide two faces under them.  But here is a
+gentleman dying, with letters about him from the Laird of
+Summertrees to the Laird of the Lochs, as they call him, along
+Solway, and every minute he lies here is a nail in his coffin.'
+
+'Saint Mary!  what shall we do?'  said Miss Arthuret; 'we must
+admit him, I think, at all risks.  You, Richard Gardener, help
+one of these men to carry the gentleman up to the Place; and you,
+Selby, see him lodged at the end of the long gallery.  You are a
+heretic, captain, but I think you are trusty, and I know you have
+been trusted--but if you are imposing on me'--
+
+'Not I, madam--never attempt to impose on ladies of your
+experience--my practice that way has been all among the young
+ones.  Come, cheerly, Mr. Fairford--you will be taken good care
+of--try to walk.'
+
+Alan did so; and, refreshed by his halt, declared himself able to
+walk to the house with the sole assistance of the gardener.
+
+'Why, that's hearty.  Thank thee, Dick, for lending him thine
+arm'--and Nanty slipped into his hand the guinea he had
+promised.--'Farewell, then, Mr. Fairford, and farewell, Madam
+Arthuret, for I have been too long here.'
+
+So saying, he and his two companions threw themselves on
+horseback, and went off at a gallop.  Yet, even above the clatter
+of their hoofs did the incorrigible Nanty hollo out the old
+ballad--
+
+  A lovely lass to a friar came,
+  To confession a-morning early;--
+  'In what, my dear, are you to blame?
+  Come tell me most sincerely?'
+  'Alas!  my fault I dare not name--
+  But my lad he loved me dearly.'
+
+'Holy Virgin!'  exclaimed Miss Seraphina, as the unhallowed
+sounds reached her ears; 'what profane heathens be these men, and
+what frights and pinches we be put to among them!  The saints be
+good to us, what a night has this been!--the like never seen at
+Fairladies.  Help me to make fast the gate, Richard, and thou
+shalt come down again to wait on it, lest there come more
+unwelcome visitors--Not that you are unwelcome, young gentleman,
+for it is sufficient that you need such assistance as we can give
+you, to make you welcome to Fairladies--only, another time would
+have done as well--but, hem!  I dare say it is all for the best.
+The avenue is none of the smoothest, sir, look to your feet.
+Richard Gardener should have had it mown and levelled, but he was
+obliged to go on a pilgrimage to Saint Winifred's Well, in
+Wales.'  (Here Dick gave a short dry cough, which, as if he had
+found it betrayed some internal feeling a little at variance with
+what the lady said, he converted into a muttered SANCTA
+WINIFREDA, ORA PRO NOBIS.  Miss Arthuret, meantime, proceeded)
+'We never interfere with our servants' vows or penances, Master
+Fairford--I know a very worthy father of your name, perhaps a
+relation--I say, we never interfere with our servants vows.  Our
+Lady forbid they should not know some difference between our
+service and a heretic's.--Take care, sir, you will fall if you
+have not a care.  Alas!  by night and day there are many
+stumbling-blocks in our paths!'
+
+With more talk to the same purpose, all of which tended to show a
+charitable and somewhat silly woman with a strong inclination to
+her superstitious devotion, Miss Arthuret entertained her new
+guest, as, stumbling at every obstacle which the devotion of his
+guide, Richard, had left in the path, he at last, by ascending
+some stone steps decorated on the side with griffins, or some
+such heraldic anomalies, attained a terrace extending in front of
+the Place of Fairladies; an old-fashioned gentleman's house of
+some consequence, with its range of notched gable-ends and narrow
+windows, relieved by here and there an old turret about the size
+of a pepper-box.  The door was locked during the brief absence of
+the mistress; a dim light glimmered through the sashed door of
+the hall, which opened beneath a huge stone porch, loaded with
+jessamine and other creepers.  All the windows were dark as
+pitch.
+
+Miss Arthuret tapped at the door.  'Sister, sister Angelica.'
+'Who is there?'  was answered from within; 'is it you, sister
+Seraphina?'
+
+'Yes, yes, undo the door; do you not know my voice?'
+
+'No doubt, sister,' said Angelica, undoing bolt and bar; 'but you
+know our charge, and the enemy is watchful to surprise us--
+INCEDIT SICUT LEO VORANS, saith the breviary.  Whom have you
+brought here?  Oh, sister, what have you done?'
+
+'It is a young man,' said Seraphina, hastening to interrupt her
+sister's remonstrance, 'a relation, I believe, of our worthy
+Father Fairford; left at the gate by the captain of that blessed
+vessel the SAINTE GENEVIEVE--almost dead--and charged with
+dispatches to '--
+
+She lowered her voice as she mumbled over the last words.
+
+'Nay, then, there is no help,' said Angelica; 'but it is
+unlucky.'
+
+During this dialogue between the vestals of Fairladies, Dick
+Gardener deposited his burden in a chair, where the young lady,
+after a moment of hesitation, expressing a becoming reluctance to
+touch the hand of a stranger, put her finger and thumb upon
+Fairford's wrist, and counted his pulse.
+
+'There is fever here, sister,' she said; 'Richard must call
+Ambrose, and we must send some of the febrifuge.'
+
+Ambrose arrived presently, a plausible and respectable-looking
+old servant, bred in the family, and who had risen from rank to
+rank in the Arthuret service till he was become half-physician,
+half-almoner, half-butler, and entire governor; that is, when the
+Father Confessor, who frequently eased him of the toils of
+government, chanced to be abroad.  Under the direction, and with
+the assistance of this venerable personage, the unlucky Alan
+Fairford was conveyed to a decent apartment at the end of a long
+gallery, and, to his inexpressible relief, consigned to a
+comfortable bed.  He did not attempt to resist the prescription
+of Mr. Ambrose, who not only presented him with the proposed
+draught, but proceeded so far as to take a considerable quantity
+of blood from him, by which last operation he probably did his
+patient much service.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD, CONTINUED
+
+On the next morning, when Fairford awoke, after no very
+refreshing slumbers, in which were mingled many wild dreams of
+his father and of Darsie Latimer,--of the damsel in the green
+mantle and the vestals of Fairladies,--of drinking small beer
+with Nanty Ewart and being immersed in the Solway with the
+JUMPING JENNY,--he found himself in no condition to dispute the
+order of Mr. Ambrose, that he should keep his bed, from which,
+indeed, he could not have raised himself without assistance.  He
+became sensible that his anxiety, and his constant efforts for
+some days past, had been too much for his health, and that,
+whatever might be his impatience, he could not proceed in his
+undertaking until his strength was re-established.
+
+In the meanwhile, no better quarters could have been found for an
+invalid.  The attendants spoke under their breath, and moved only
+on tiptoe--nothing was done unless PAR ORDONNANCE DU MEDECIN.
+Aesculapius reigned paramount in the premises at Fairladies.
+Once a day, the ladies came in great state to wait upon him and
+inquire after his health, and it was then that; Alan's natural
+civility, and the thankfulness which he expressed for their
+timely and charitable assistance, raised him considerably in
+their esteem.  He was on the third day removed to a better
+apartment than that in which he had been at first accommodated.
+When he was permitted to drink a glass of wine, it was of the
+first quality; one of those curious old-fashioned cobwebbed
+bottles being produced on the occasion, which are only to be
+found in the crypts of old country-seats, where they may have
+lurked undisturbed for more than half a century.
+
+But however delightful a residence for an invalid, Fairladies, as
+its present inmate became soon aware, was not so agreeable to a
+convalescent.  When he dragged himself to the window so soon as
+he could crawl from bed, behold it was closely grated, and
+commanded no view except of a little paved court.  This was
+nothing remarkable, most old Border houses having their windows
+so secured.  But then Fairford observed, that whosoever entered
+or left the room.  always locked the door with great care and
+circumspection; and some proposals which he made to take a walk
+in the gallery, or even in the garden, were so coldly received,
+both by the ladies and their prime minister, Mr. Ambrose, that he
+saw plainly such an extension of his privileges as a guest would
+not be permitted.
+
+Anxious to ascertain whether this excessive hospitality would
+permit him his proper privilege of free agency, he announced to
+this important functionary, with grateful thanks for the care
+with which he had been attended, his purpose to leave Fairladies
+next morning, requesting only, as a continuance of the favours
+with which he had been loaded, the loan of a horse to the next
+town; and, assuring Mr. Ambrose that his gratitude would not be
+limited by such, a trifle, he slipped three guineas into his
+hand, by way of seconding his proposal.  The fingers of that
+worthy domestic closed as naturally upon the honorarium, as if a
+degree in the learned faculty had given him a right to clutch it;
+but his answer concerning Alan's proposed departure was at first
+evasive, and when he was pushed, it amounted to a peremptory
+assurance that he could not be permitted to depart to-morrow; it
+was as much as his life was worth, and his ladies would not
+authorize it.
+
+'I know best what my own life is worth,' said Alan; 'and I do not
+value it in comparison to the business which requires my instant
+attention.'
+
+Receiving still no satisfactory answer from Mr. Ambrose, Fairford
+thought it best to state his resolution to the ladies themselves,
+in the most measured, respectful, and grateful terms; but still
+such as expressed a firm determination to depart on the morrow,
+or next day at farthest.  After some attempts to induce him to
+stay, on the alleged score of health, which were so expressed
+that he was convinced they were only used to delay his departure,
+Fairford plainly told them that he was entrusted with dispatches
+of consequence to the gentleman known by the name of Herries,
+Redgauntlet, and the Laird of the Lochs; and that it was matter
+of life and death to deliver them early.
+
+'I dare say, Sister Angelica,' said the elder Miss Arthuret, that
+the gentleman is honest; and if he is really a relation of Father
+Fairford, we can run no risk.'
+
+'Jesu Maria!'  exclaimed the younger.  'Oh, fie, Sister
+Seraphina! Fie, fie!--'VADE RETRO--get thee behind me!'
+
+'Well, well; but, sister--Sister Angelica--let me speak with you
+in the gallery.'
+
+So out the ladies rustled in their silks and tissues, and it was
+a good half-hour ere they rustled in again, with importance and
+awe on their countenances.
+
+'To tell you the truth, Mr. Fairford, the cause of our desire to
+delay you is--there is a religious gentleman in this house at
+present'--
+
+'A most excellent person indeed'--said the sister Angelica.
+
+'An anointed of his Master!'  echoed Seraphina,--'and we should
+be glad that, for conscience' sake, you would hold some discourse
+with him before your departure.'
+
+'Oho!'  thought Fairford, 'the murder is out--here is a design of
+conversion!  I must not affront the good ladies, but I shall soon
+send off the priest, I think.'  He then answered aloud, 'that he
+should be happy to converse with any friend of theirs--that in
+religious matters he had the greatest respect for every
+modification of Christianity, though, he must say, his belief was
+made up to that in which he had been educated; nevertheless, if
+his seeing the religious person they recommended could in the
+least show his respect'--
+
+'It is not quite that,' said Sister Seraphina, 'although I am
+sure the day is too short to hear him--Father Buonaventure, I
+mean--speak upon the concerns of our souls; but'--
+
+'Come, come, Sister Seraphina,' said the younger, 'it is needless
+to talk so much about it.  His--his Eminence--I mean Father
+Buonaventure--will himself explain what he wants this gentleman
+to know.'
+
+'His Eminence!'  said Fairford, surprised--'is this gentleman so
+high in the Catholic Church?  The title is given only to
+Cardinals, I think.'
+
+'He is not a Cardinal as yet,' answered Seraphina; 'but I assure
+you, Mr. Fairford, he is as high in rank as he is eminently
+endowed with good gifts, and'--
+
+'Come away,' said Sister Angelica.  'Holy Virgin, how you do
+talk!  What has Mr. Fairford to do with Father Buonaventure's
+rank?  Only, sir, you will remember that the Father has been
+always accustomed to be treated with the most profound deference;
+indeed'--
+
+'Come away, sister,' said Sister Seraphina, in her turn; 'who
+talks now, I pray you?  Mr. Fairford will know how to comport
+himself.'
+
+'And we had best both leave the room,' said the younger lady, 'for
+here his Eminence comes.'
+
+She lowered her voice to a whisper as she pronounced the last
+words; and as Fairford was about to reply, by assuring her that
+any friend of hers should be treated by him with all the ceremony
+he could expect, she imposed silence on him, by holding up her
+finger.
+
+A solemn and stately step was now heard in the gallery; it might
+have proclaimed the approach not merely of a bishop or cardinal,
+but of the Sovereign Pontiff himself.  Nor could the sound have
+been more respectfully listened to by the two ladies, had it
+announced that the Head of the Church was approaching in person.
+They drew themselves, like sentinels on duty, one on each side of
+the door by which the long gallery communicated with Fairford's
+apartment, and stood there immovable, and with countenances
+expressive of the deepest reverence.
+
+The approach of Father Buonaventure was so slow, that Fairford
+had time to notice all this, and to marvel in his mind what wily
+and ambitious priest could have contrived to subject his worthy
+but simple-minded hostesses to such superstitious trammels.
+Father Buonaventure's entrance and appearance in some degree
+accounted for the whole.
+
+He was a man of middle life, about forty or upwards; but either
+care, or fatigue, or indulgence, had brought on the appearance of
+premature old age, and given to his fine features a cast of
+seriousness or even sadness.  A noble countenance, however, still
+remained; and though his complexion was altered, and wrinkles
+stamped upon his brow in many a melancholy fold, still the lofty
+forehead, the full and well-opened eye, and the well-formed nose,
+showed how handsome in better days he must have been.  He was
+tall, but lost the advantage of his height by stooping; and the
+cane which he wore always in his hand, and occasionally used, as
+well as his slow though majestic gait, seemed to intimate that
+his form and limbs felt already some touch of infirmity.  The
+colour of his hair could not be discovered, as, according to the
+fashion, he wore a periwig.  He was handsomely, though gravely
+dressed in a secular habit, and had a cockade in his hat;
+circumstances which did not surprise Fairford, who knew that a
+military disguise was very often assumed by the seminary priests,
+whose visits to England, or residence there, subjected them to
+legal penalties.
+
+As this stately person entered the apartment, the two ladies
+facing inward, like soldiers on their post when about to salute a
+superior officer, dropped on either hand of the father a curtsy
+so profound that the hoop petticoats which performed the feat
+seemed to sink down to the very floor, nay, through it, as if a
+trap-door had opened for the descent of the dames who performed
+this act of reverence.
+
+The father seemed accustomed to such homage, profound as it was;
+he turned his person a little way first towards one sister, and
+then towards the other, while, with a gracious inclination of his
+person, which certainly did not amount to a bow, he acknowledged
+their curtsy.  But he passed forward without addressing them, and
+seemed by doing so to intimate that their presence in the
+apartment was unnecessary.
+
+They accordingly glided out of the room, retreating backwards,
+with hands clasped and eyes cast upwards, as if imploring
+blessings on the religious man whom they venerated so highly.
+The door of the apartment was shut after them, but not before
+Fairford had perceived that there were one or two men in the
+gallery, and that, contrary to what he had before observed, the
+door, though shut, was not locked on the outside.
+
+'Can the good souls apprehend danger from me to this god of their
+idolatry?'  thought Fairford.  But he had no time to make further
+observations, for the stranger had already reached the middle of
+his apartment.
+
+Fairford rose to receive him respectfully, but as he fixed his
+eyes on the visitor, he thought that the father avoided his
+looks.  His reasons for remaining incognito were cogent enough to
+account for this, and Fairford hastened to relieve him, by
+looking downwards in his turn; but when again he raised his face,
+he found the broad light eye of the stranger so fixed on him that
+he was almost put out of countenance by the steadiness of his
+gaze.  During this time they remained standing,
+
+'Take your seat, sir,' said the father; 'you have been an
+invalid.'
+
+He spoke with the tone of one who desires an inferior to be
+seated in his presence, and his voice was full and melodious.
+
+Fairford, somewhat surprised to find himself overawed by the airs
+of superiority, which could be only properly exercised towards
+one over whom religion gave the speaker influence, sat down at
+his bidding, as if moved by springs, and was at a loss how to
+assert the footing of equality on which he felt that they ought
+to stand.  The stranger kept the advantage which he had obtained.
+
+'Your name, sir, I am informed, is Fairford?'  said the father.
+
+Alan answered by a bow.
+
+'Called to the Scottish bar,' continued his visitor, 'There is, I
+believe, in the West, a family of birth and rank called Fairford
+of Fairford.'
+
+Alan thought this a strange observation from a foreign
+ecclesiastic, as his name intimated Father Buonaventure to be;
+but only answered he believed there was such, a family,
+
+'Do you count kindred with them, Mr. Fairford?'  continued the
+inquirer.
+
+'I have not the honour to lay such a claim,' said Fairford.
+
+'My father's industry has raised his family from a low and
+obscure situation--I have no hereditary claim to distinction of
+any kind.  May I ask the cause of these inquiries?'
+
+'You will learn it presently,' said Father Buonaventure, who had
+given a dry and dissatisfied HEM at the young man's acknowledging
+a plebeian descent.  He then motioned to him to be silent, and
+proceeded with his queries.
+
+'Although not of condition, you are, doubtless, by sentiments and
+education, a man of honour and a gentleman?'
+
+'I hope so, sir,' said Alan, colouring with displeasure.  'I have
+not been accustomed to have it questioned.'
+
+'Patience, young man,' said the unperturbed querist--'we are on
+serious business, and no idle etiquette must prevent its being
+discussed seriously.  You are probably aware that you speak to a
+person proscribed by the severe and unjust laws of the present
+government?'
+
+'I am aware of the statute 1700, chapter 3,' said Alan,
+'banishing from the realm priests and trafficking Papists, and
+punishing by death, on summary conviction, any such person who
+being so banished may return.  But I have no means of knowing
+you, sir, to be one of those persons; and I think your prudence
+may recommend to you to keep your own counsel.'
+
+'It is sufficient, sir; and I have no apprehensions of
+disagreeable consequences from your having seen me in this
+house,' said the priest.
+
+'Assuredly no,' said Alan.  'I consider myself as indebted for my
+life to the mistresses of Fairladies; and it would be a vile
+requital on my part to pry into or make known what I may have
+seen or heard under this hospitable roof.  If I were to meet the
+Pretender himself in such a situation, he should, even at the
+risk of a little stretch to my loyalty, be free from any danger
+from my indiscretion.'
+
+'The Pretender!'  said the priest, with some angry emphasis; but
+immediately softened his tone and added, 'No doubt, however, that
+person is a pretender; and some people think his pretensions are
+not ill founded.   But, before running into politics, give me
+leave to say, that I am surprised to find a gentleman of your
+opinions in habits of intimacy with Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees
+and Mr. Redgauntlet, and the medium of conducting the intercourse
+betwixt them.'
+
+'Pardon me, sir,' replied Alan Fairford; 'I do not aspire to the
+honour of being reputed their confidant or go-between.  My
+concern with those gentlemen is limited to one matter of
+business, dearly interesting to me, because it concerns the
+safety--perhaps the life--of my dearest friend.'
+
+'Would you have any objection to entrust me with the cause of
+your journey?'  said Father Buonaventure.  'My advice may be of
+service to you, and my influence with one or both these gentlemen
+is considerable.'
+
+Fairford hesitated a moment, and, hastily revolving all
+circumstances, concluded that he might perhaps receive some
+advantage from propitiating this personage; while, on the other
+hand, he endangered nothing by communicating to him the occasion
+of his journey.  He, therefore, after stating shortly that he
+hoped Mr. Buonaventure would render him the same confidence which
+he required on his part, gave a short account of Darsie Latimer--
+of the mystery which hung over his family--and of the disaster
+which had befallen him.  Finally, of his own resolution to seek
+for his friend, and to deliver him, at the peril of his own life.
+
+The Catholic priest, whose manner it seemed to be to avoid all
+conversation which did not arise from his own express motion,
+made no remarks upon what he had heard, but only asked one or two
+abrupt questions, where Alan's narrative appeared less clear to
+him; then rising from his seat, he took two turns through the
+apartment, muttering between his teeth, with emphasis, the word
+'madman!'  But apparently he was in the habit of keeping all
+violent emotions under restraint; for he presently addressed
+Fairford with the most perfect indifference.
+
+'If,' said he, 'you thought you could do so without breach of
+confidence, I wish you would have the goodness to show me the
+letter of Mr. Maxwell of Summertrees.  I desire to look
+particularly at the address.'
+
+Seeing no cause to decline this extension of his confidence,
+Alan, without hesitation, put the letter into his hand.  Having
+turned it round as old Trumbull and Nanty Ewart had formerly
+done, and, like them, having examined the address with much
+minuteness, he asked whether he had observed these words,
+pointing to a pencil-writing upon the under side of the letter.
+Fairford answered in the negative, and, looking at the letter,
+read with surprise, 'CAVE NE LITERAS BELLEROPHONTIS ADFERRES'; a
+caution which coincided so exactly with the provost's admonition,
+that he would do well to inspect the letter of which he was
+bearer, that he was about to spring up and attempt an escape, he
+knew not wherefore, or from whom.
+
+'Sit still, young man,' said the father, with the same tone of
+authority which reigned in his whole manner, although mingled
+with stately courtesy.  'You are in no danger--my character shall
+be a pledge for your safety.  By whom do you suppose these words
+have been written?'
+
+Fairford could have answered, 'By Nanty Ewart,' for he remembered
+seeing that person scribble something with a pencil, although he
+was not well enough to observe with accuracy where or upon what.
+But not knowing what suspicions, or what worse consequences the
+seamen's interest in his affairs might draw upon him, he judged
+it best to answer that he knew not the hand.
+
+Father Buonaventure was again silent for a moment or two, which
+he employed in surveying the letter with the strictest attention;
+then stepped to the window, as if to examine the address and
+writing of the envelope with the assistance of a stronger light,
+and Alan Fairford beheld him, with no less amazement than high
+displeasure, coolly and deliberately break the seal, open the
+letter, and peruse the contents.
+
+'Stop, sir, hold!'  he exclaimed, so soon as his astonishment
+permitted him to express his resentment in words; 'by what right
+do you dare'--
+
+'Peace, young gentleman,' said the father, repelling him with a
+wave of his hand; 'be assured I do not act without warrant--
+nothing can pass betwixt Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Redgauntlet that I
+am not fully entitled to know.'
+
+'It may be so,' said Alan, extremely angry; 'but though you may
+be these gentlemen's father confessor, you are not mine; and in
+breaking the seal of a letter entrusted to my care, you have done
+me'--
+
+'No injury, I assure you,' answered the unperturbed priest; 'on
+the contrary, it may be a service.'
+
+'I desire no advantage at such a rate, or to be obtained in such
+a manner,' answered Fairford; 'restore me the letter instantly,
+or'--
+
+'As you regard your own safety,' said the priest, 'forbear all
+injurious expressions, and all menacing gestures.  I am not one
+who can be threatened or insulted with impunity; and there are
+enough within hearing to chastise any injury or affront offered
+to me, in case I may think it unbecoming to protect or avenge
+myself with my own hand.'
+
+In saying this, the father assumed an air of such fearlessness
+and calm authority, that the young lawyer, surprised and
+overawed, forbore, as he had intended, to snatch the letter from
+his hand, and confined himself to bitter complaints of the
+impropriety of his conduct, and of the light in which he himself
+must be placed to Redgauntlet should he present him a letter with
+a broken seal.
+
+'That,' said Father Buonaventure, 'shall be fully cared for.  I
+will myself write to Redgauntlet, and enclose Maxwell's letter,
+provided always you continue to desire to deliver it, after
+perusing the contents.'
+
+He then restored the letter to Fairford, and, observing that he
+hesitated to peruse it, said emphatically, 'Read it, for it
+concerns you.'
+
+This recommendation, joined to what Provost Crosbie had formerly
+recommended, and to the warning which he doubted not that Nanty
+intended to convey by his classical allusion, decided Fairford's
+resolution.  'If these correspondents,' he thought, 'are
+conspiring against my person, I have a right to counterplot them;
+self-preservation, as well as my friend's safety, require that I
+should not be too scrupulous.'
+
+So thinking, he read the letter, which was in the following
+words:--
+
+'DEAR RUGGED AND DANGEROUS,
+'Will you never cease meriting your old nick-name?  You have
+springed your dottrel, I find, and what is the consequence?--why,
+that there will be hue and cry after you presently.  The bearer
+is a pert young lawyer, who has brought a formal complaint
+against you, which, luckily, he has preferred in a friendly
+court.  Yet, favourable as the judge was disposed to be, it was
+with the utmost difficulty that cousin Jenny and I could keep him
+to his tackle.  He begins to be timid, suspicious, and
+untractable, and I fear Jenny will soon bend her brows on him in
+vain.  I know not what to advise--the lad who carries this is a
+good lad--active for his friend--and I have pledged my honour he
+shall have no personal ill-usage.  Pledged my honour, remark
+these words, and remember I can be rugged and dangerous as well,
+as my neighbours.  But I have not ensured him against a short
+captivity, and as he is a stirring active fellow, I see no remedy
+but keeping him out of the way till this business of the good
+Father B-- is safely blown over, which God send it were!--Always
+thine, even should I be once more
+CRAIG-IN-PERIL.'
+
+'What think you, young man, of the danger you have been about to
+encounter so willingly?'
+
+'As strangely,' replied Alan Fairford, 'as of the extraordinary
+means which you have been at present pleased to use for the
+discovery of Mr. Maxwell's purpose.
+
+'Trouble not yourself to account for my conduct,' said the
+father; 'I have a warrant for what I do, and fear no
+responsibility.  But tell me what is your present purpose.'
+
+'I should not perhaps name it to you, whose own safety may be
+implicated.'
+
+'I understand you,' answered the father; 'you would appeal to the
+existing government?  That can at no rate be permitted--we will
+rather detain you at Fairladies by compulsion.'
+
+'You will probably,' said Fairford, 'first weigh the risk of such
+a proceeding in a free country.'
+
+'I have incurred more formidable hazard,' said the priest,
+smiling; 'yet I am willing to find a milder expedient.  Come; let
+us bring the matter to a compromise.'  And he assumed a
+conciliating graciousness of manner, which struck Fairford as
+being rather too condescending for the occasion; 'I presume you
+will be satisfied to remain here in seclusion for a day or two
+longer, provided I pass my solemn word to you that you shall meet
+with the person whom you seek after--meet with him in perfect
+safety, and, I trust, in good health, and be afterwards both at
+liberty to return to Scotland, or dispose of yourselves as each
+of you may be minded?'
+
+'I respect the VERBUM SACERDOTIS as much as can reasonably be
+expected from a Protestant,' answered Fairford; 'but methinks,
+you can scarce expect me to repose so much confidence in the word
+of an unknown person as is implied in the guarantee which you
+offer me.'
+
+'I am not accustomed, sir,' said the father, in a very haughty
+tone, 'to have my word disputed.  But,' he added, while the angry
+hue passed from his cheek, after a moment's reflection, 'you know
+me not, and ought to be excused.  I will repose more confidence
+in your honour than you seem willing to rest upon mine; and,
+since we are so situated that one must rely upon the other's
+faith, I will cause you to be set presently at liberty, and
+furnished with the means of delivering your letter as addressed,
+provided that now, knowing the contents, you think it safe for
+yourself to execute the commission.'
+
+Alan Fairford paused.  'I cannot see,' he at length replied, 'how
+I can proceed with respect to the accomplishment of my sole
+purpose, which is the liberation of my friend, without appealing
+to the law and obtaining the assistance of a magistrate.  If I
+present this singular letter of Mr. Maxwell, with the contents of
+which I have become so unexpectedly acquainted, I shall only
+share his captivity.'
+
+'And if you apply to a magistrate, young man, you will bring ruin
+on these hospitable ladies, to whom, in all human probability,
+you owe your life.  You cannot obtain a warrant for your purpose,
+without giving a clear detail of all the late scenes through
+which you have passed.  A magistrate would oblige you to give a
+complete account of yourself, before arming you with his
+authority against a third party; and in giving such an account,
+the safety of these ladies will necessarily be compromised.  A
+hundred spies have had, and still have, their eyes upon this
+mansion; but God will protect his own.'--He crossed himself
+devoutly, and then proceeded,--'You can take an hour to think of
+your best plan, and I will pledge myself to forward it thus far,
+provided it be not asking you to rely more on my word than your
+prudence can warrant.  You shall go to Redgauntlet,--I name him
+plainly, to show my confidence in you,--and you shall deliver him
+this letter of Mr. Maxwell's, with one from me, in which I will
+enjoin him to set your friend at liberty, or at least to make no
+attempts upon your own person, either by detention or otherwise.
+If you can trust me thus far,' he said, with a proud emphasis on
+the words 'I will on my side see you depart from this place with
+the most perfect confidence that you will not return armed with
+powers to drag its inmates to destruction.  You are young and
+inexperienced--bred to a profession also which sharpens
+suspicion, and gives false views of human nature.  I have seen
+much of the world, and have known better than most men how far
+mutual confidence is requisite in managing affairs of
+consequence.'
+
+He spoke with an air of superiority, even of authority, by which
+Fairford, notwithstanding his own internal struggles, was
+silenced and overawed so much, that it was not till the father
+had turned to leave the apartment that he found words to ask him
+what the consequences would be, should he decline to depart on
+the terms proposed.
+
+'You must then, for the safety of all parties, remain for some
+days an inhabitant of Fairladies, where we have the means of
+detaining you, which self-preservation will in that case compel
+us to make use of.  Your captivity will be short; for matters
+cannot long remain as they are.  The cloud must soon rise, or it
+must sink upon us for ever.  BENEDICITE!'
+
+With these words he left the apartment.
+
+Fairford, upon his departure, felt himself much at a loss what
+course to pursue.  His line of education, as well as his father's
+tenets in matters of church and state, had taught him a holy
+horror for Papists, and a devout belief in whatever had been said
+of the Punic faith of Jesuits, and of the expedients of mental
+reservation by which the Catholic priests in general were
+supposed to evade keeping faith with heretics.  Yet there was
+something of majesty, depressed indeed and overclouded, but still
+grand and imposing, in the manner and words of Father
+Buonaventure, which it was difficult to reconcile with those
+preconceived opinions which imputed subtlety and fraud to his
+sect and order.  Above all, Alan was aware that if he accepted
+not his freedom upon the terms offered him, he was likely to be
+detained by force; so that, in every point of view, he was a
+gainer by accepting them.
+
+A qualm, indeed, came across him, when he considered, as a
+lawyer, that this father was probably, in the eye of law, a
+traitor; and that there was an ugly crime on the Statute Book,
+called misprision of treason.  On the other hand, whatever he
+might think or suspect, he could not take upon him to say that
+the man was a priest, whom he had never seen in the dress of his
+order, or in the act of celebrating mass; so that he felt himself
+at liberty to doubt of that respecting which he possessed no
+legal proof.  He therefore arrived at the conclusion, that he
+would do well to accept his liberty, and proceed to Redgauntlet
+under the guarantee of Father Buonaventure, which he scarce
+doubted would be sufficient to save him from personal
+inconvenience.  Should he once obtain speech of that gentleman,
+he felt the same confidence as formerly, that he might be able to
+convince him of the rashness of his conduct, should he not
+consent to liberate Darsie Latimer.  At all events, he should
+learn where his friend was, and how circumstanced.
+
+Having thus made up his mind, Alan waited anxiously for the
+expiration of the hour which had been allowed him for
+deliberation.  He was not kept on the tenter-hooks of impatience
+an instant longer than the appointed moment arrived, for, even as
+the clock struck, Ambrose appeared at the door of the gallery,
+and made a sign that Alan should follow him.  He did so, and
+after passing through some of the intricate avenues common in old
+houses, was ushered into a small apartment, commodiously fitted
+up, in which he found Father Buonaventure reclining on a couch,
+in the attitude of a man exhausted by fatigue or indisposition.
+On a small table beside him, a silver embossed salver sustained a
+Catholic book of prayer, a small flask of medicine, a cordial,
+and a little tea-cup of old china.  Ambrose did not enter the
+room--he only bowed profoundly, and closed the door with the
+least possible noise, so soon as Fairford had entered.
+
+'Sit down, young man,' said the father, with the same air of
+condescension which had before surprised, and rather offended
+Fairford.  'You have been ill, and I know too well by my own case
+that indisposition requires indulgence.  Have you,' he continued,
+so soon as he saw him seated, 'resolved to remain, or to depart?'
+
+'To depart,' said Alan, 'under the agreement that you will
+guarantee my safety with the extraordinary person who has
+conducted himself in such a lawless manner toward my friend,
+Darsie Latimer.'
+
+'Do not judge hastily, young man,' replied the father.
+'Redgauntlet has the claims of a guardian over his ward, in
+respect to the young gentleman, and a right to dictate his place
+of residence, although he may have been injudicious in selecting
+the means by which he thinks to enforce his authority.'
+
+'His situation as an attainted person abrogates such rights,'
+said Fairford, hastily.
+
+'Surely,' replied the priest, smiling at the young lawyer's
+readiness; 'in the eye of those who acknowledge the justice of
+the attainder--but that do not I.  However, sir, here is the
+guarantee--look at its contents, and do not again carry the
+letters of Uriah.'
+
+Fairford read these words:--
+
+'GOOD FRIEND,
+'We send you hither a young man desirous to know the situation of
+your ward, since he came under your paternal authority, and
+hopeful of dealing with you for having your relative put at
+large.  This we recommend to your prudence, highly disapproving,
+at the same time, of any force or coercion when such can be
+avoided, and wishing, therefore, that the bearer's negotiation
+may be successful.  At all rates, however, the bearer hath our
+pledged word for his safety and freedom, which, therefore, you
+are to see strictly observed, as you value our honour and your
+own.  We further wish to converse with you, with as small loss of
+time as may be, having matters of the utmost confidence to
+impart.  For this purpose we desire you to repair hither with all
+haste, and thereupon we bid you heartily farewell.
+P. B.'
+
+'You will understand, sir,' said the father, when he saw that
+Alan had perused his letter, 'that, by accepting charge of this
+missive, you bind yourself to try the effect of it before having
+recourse to any legal means, as you term them, for your friend's
+release.'
+
+'There are a few ciphers added to this letter,' said Fairford,
+when he had perused the paper attentively,--'may I inquire what
+their import is?'
+
+'They respect my own affairs,' answered the father, briefly; 'and
+have no concern whatever with yours.'
+
+'It seems to me, however,' replied Alan, 'natural to suppose'--
+
+'Nothing must be supposed incompatible with my honour,' replied
+the priest, interrupting him; 'when such as I am confer favours,
+we expect that they shall be accepted with gratitude, or declined
+with thankful respect--not questioned or discussed.'
+
+'I will accept your letter, then,' said Fairford, after a
+minute's consideration, 'and the thanks you expect shall be most
+liberally paid, if the result answer what you teach me to
+expect.'
+
+'God only commands the issue,' said Father Buonaventure.  'Man
+uses means.  You understand that, by accepting this commission,
+you engage yourself in honour to try the effect of my letter upon
+Mr. Redgauntlet, before you have recourse to informations or
+legal warrants?'
+
+'I hold myself bound, as a man of good faith and honour, to do
+so,' said Fairford.
+
+'Well, I trust you,' said the father.  'I will now tell you that
+an express, dispatched by me last night, has, I hear, brought
+Redgauntlet to a spot many miles nearer this place, where he will
+not find it safe to attempt any violence on your friend, should
+he be rash enough to follow the advice of Mr. Maxwell of
+Summertrees rather than my commands.  We now understand each
+other.'
+
+He extended his hand towards Alan, who was about to pledge his
+faith in the usual form by grasping it with his own, when the
+father drew back hastily.  Ere Alan had time to comment upon this
+repulse, a small side-door, covered with tapestry, was opened;
+the hangings were drawn aside, and a lady, as if by sudden
+apparition, glided into the apartment.  It was neither of the
+Misses Arthuret, but a woman in the prime of life, and in the
+full-blown expansion of female beauty, tall, fair, and commanding
+in her aspect.  Her locks, of paly gold, were taught to fall over
+a brow, which, with the stately glance of the large, open, blue
+eyes, might have become Juno herself; her neck and bosom were
+admirably formed, and of a dazzling whiteness.  She was rather
+inclined to EMBONPOINT, but not more than became her age, of
+apparently thirty years.  Her step was that of a queen, but it
+was of Queen Vashti, not Queen Esther--the bold and commanding,
+not the retiring beauty.
+
+Father Buonaventure raised himself on the couch, angrily, as if
+displeased by this intrusion.  'How now, madam,' he said, with
+some sternness; 'why have we the honour of your company?'
+
+'Because it is my pleasure,' answered the lady, composedly.
+
+'Your pleasure, madam!'  he repeated in the same angry tone.
+
+'My pleasure, sir,' she continued, 'which always keeps exact pace
+with my duty.  I had heard you were unwell--let me hope it is
+only business which produces this seclusion.'
+
+'I am well,' he replied; 'perfectly well, and I thank you for
+your care--but we are not alone, and this young man'--
+
+'That young man?'  she said, bending her large and serious eye on
+Alan Fairford, as if she had been for the first time aware of his
+presence,--'may I ask who he is?'
+
+'Another time, madam; you shall learn his history after he is
+gone.  His presence renders it impossible for me to explain
+further.'
+
+'After he is gone may be too late,' said the lady; 'and what is
+his presence to me, when your safety is at stake?  He is the
+heretic lawyer whom those silly fools, the Arthurets, admitted
+into this house at a time when they should have let their own
+father knock at the door in vain, though the night had been a
+wild one.  You will not surely dismiss him?'
+
+'Your own impatience can alone make that step perilous,' said the
+father; 'I have resolved to take it--do not let your indiscreet
+zeal, however excellent its motive, add any unnecessary risk to
+the transaction.'
+
+'Even so?'  said the lady, in a tone of reproach, yet mingled
+with respect and apprehension.  'And thus you will still go
+forward, like a stag upon the hunter's snares, with undoubting
+confidence, after all that has happened?'
+
+'Peace, madam,' said Father Buonaventure, rising up; 'be silent,
+or quit the apartment; my designs do not admit of female
+criticism.'
+
+To this peremptory command the lady seemed about to make a sharp
+reply; but she checked herself, and pressing her lips strongly
+together, as if to secure the words from bursting from them which
+were already formed upon her tongue, she made a deep reverence,
+partly as it seemed in reproach, partly in respect, and left the
+room as suddenly as she had entered it.
+
+The father looked disturbed at this incident, which he seemed
+sensible could not but fill Fairford's imagination with an
+additional throng of bewildering suspicions; he bit his lip and
+muttered something to himself as he walked through the apartment;
+then suddenly turned to his visitor with a smile of much
+sweetness, and a countenance in which every rougher expression
+was exchanged for those of courtesy and kindness.
+
+'The visit we have been just honoured with, my young friend, has
+given you,' he said, 'more secrets to keep than I would have
+wished you burdened with.  The lady is a person of condition--of
+rank and fortune--but nevertheless is so circumstanced that the
+mere fact of her being known to be in this country would occasion
+many evils.  I should wish you to observe secrecy on this
+subject, even to Redgauntlet or Maxwell, however much I trust
+them in all that concerns my own affairs.'
+
+'I can have no occasion,' replied Fairford, 'for holding any
+discussion with these gentlemen, or with any others, on the
+circumstance which I have just witnessed--it could only have
+become the subject of my conversation by mere accident, and I
+will now take care to avoid the subject entirely.'
+
+'You will do well, sir, and I thank you,' said the father,
+throwing much dignity into the expression of obligation which he
+meant to convey.  'The time may perhaps come when you will learn
+what it is to have obliged one of my condition.  As to the lady,
+she has the highest merit, and nothing can be said of her justly
+which would not redound to her praise.  Nevertheless--in short,
+sir, we wander at present as in a morning mist--the sun will, I
+trust, soon rise and dispel it, when all that now seems
+mysterious will be fully revealed--or it will sink into rain,' he
+added, in a solemn tone, 'and then explanation will be of little
+consequence.--Adieu, sir; I wish you well.'
+
+He made a graceful obeisance, and vanished through the same side-
+door by which the lady had entered; and Alan thought he heard
+their voices high in dispute in the adjoining apartment.
+
+Presently afterwards, Ambrose entered, and told him that a horse
+and guide waited him beneath the terrace.
+
+'The good Father Buonaventure,' added the butler, 'has been
+graciously pleased to consider your situation, and desired me to
+inquire whether you have any occasion for a supply of money?'
+
+'Make my respects to his reverence,' answered Fairford, 'and
+assure him I am provided in that particular.  I beg you also to
+make my acknowledgements to the Misses Arthuret, and assure them
+that their kind hospitality, to which I probably owe my life,
+shall be remembered with gratitude as long as that life lasts.
+You yourself, Mr. Ambrose, must accept of my kindest thanks for
+your skill and attention.'
+
+Mid these acknowledgements they left the house, descended the
+terrace, and reached the spot where the gardener, Fairford's old
+acquaintance, waited for him, mounted upon one horse and leading
+another.
+
+Bidding adieu to Ambrose, our young lawyer mounted, and rode down
+the avenue, often looking back to the melancholy and neglected
+dwelling in which he had witnessed such strange scenes, and
+musing upon the character of its mysterious inmates, especially
+the noble and almost regal-seeming priest, and the beautiful but
+capricious dame, who, if she was really Father Buonaventure's
+penitent, seemed less docile to the authority of the church than,
+as Alan conceived, the Catholic discipline permitted.  He could
+not indeed help being sensible that the whole deportment of these
+persons differed much from his preconceived notions of a priest
+and devotee.  Father Buonaventure, in particular, had more
+natural dignify and less art and affectation in his manner, than
+accorded with the idea which Calvinists were taught to entertain
+of that wily and formidable person, a Jesuitical missionary.
+
+While reflecting on these things, he looked back so frequently at
+the house, that Dick Gardener, a forward, talkative fellow, who
+began to tire of silence, at length said to him, 'I think you
+will know Fairladies when you see it again, sir?'
+
+'I dare say I shall, Richard,' answered Fairford good-humouredly.
+'I wish I knew as well where I am to go next.  But you can tell
+me, perhaps?'
+
+'Your worship should know better than I,' said Dick Gardener;
+'nevertheless, I have a notion you are going where all you
+Scotsmen should be sent, whether you will or no.'
+
+'Not to the devil, I hope, good Dick?'  said Fairford.
+
+'Why, no.  That is a road which you may travel as heretics; but
+as Scotsmen, I would only send you three-fourths of the way--and
+that is back to Scotland again--always craving your honour's
+pardon.'
+
+'Does our journey lie that way?'  said Fairford.
+
+'As far as the waterside,' said Richard.  'I am to carry you to
+old Father Crackenthorp's, and then you are within a spit and a
+stride of Scotland, as the saying is.  But mayhap you may think
+twice of going thither, for all that; for Old England is fat
+feeding-ground for north-country cattle.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER
+
+Our history must now, as the old romancers wont to say, 'leave to
+tell' of the quest of Alan Fairford, and instruct our readers of
+the adventures which befell Darsie Latimer, left as he was in the
+precarious custody of his self-named tutor, the Laird of the
+Lochs of Solway, to whose arbitrary pleasure he found it
+necessary for the present to conform himself.
+
+In consequence of this prudent resolution, and although he did
+not assume such a disguise without some sensations of shame and
+degradation, Darsie permitted Cristal Nixon to place over his
+face, and secure by a string, one of those silk masks which
+ladies frequently wore to preserve their complexions, when
+exposed to the air during long journeys on horseback.  He
+remonstrated somewhat more vehemently against the long riding-
+skirt, which converted his person from the waist into the female
+guise, but was obliged to concede this point also.
+
+The metamorphosis was then complete; for the fair reader must be
+informed, that in those rude times, the ladies, when they
+honoured the masculine dress by assuming any part of it, wore
+just such hats, coats, and waistcoats as the male animals
+themselves made use of, and had no notion of the elegant
+compromise betwixt male and female attire, which has now
+acquired, PAR EXCELLENCE, the name of a HABIT.  Trolloping things
+our mothers must have looked, with long square-cut coats, lacking
+collars, and with waistcoats plentifully supplied with a length
+of pocket, which hung far downwards from the middle.  But then
+they had some advantage from the splendid colours, lace, and gay
+embroidery which masculine attire then exhibited; and, as happens
+in many similar instances, the finery of the materials made
+amends for the want of symmetry and grace of form in the garments
+themselves.  But this is a digression.
+
+In the court of the old mansion, half manor-place, half farm-
+house, or rather a decayed manor-house, converted into an abode
+for a Cumberland tenant, stood several saddled horses.  Four or
+five of them were mounted by servants or inferior retainers, all
+of whom were well armed with sword, pistol, and carabine.  But
+two had riding furniture for the use of females--the one being
+accoutred with a side-saddle, the other with a pillion attached
+to the saddle.
+
+Darsie's heart beat quicker within him; he easily comprehended
+that one of these was intended for his own use; and his hopes
+suggested that the other was designed for that of the fair Green
+Mantle, whom, according to his established practice, he had
+adopted for the queen of his affections, although his
+opportunities of holding communication with her had not exceeded
+the length of a silent supper on one occasion, and the going down
+a country-dance on another.  This, however, was no unwonted mood
+of passion with Darsie Latimer, upon whom Cupid was used to
+triumph only in the degree of a Mahratta conqueror, who overruns
+a province with the rapidity of lightning, but finds it
+impossible to retain it beyond a very brief space.  Yet this new
+love was rather more serious than the scarce skinned-up wounds
+which his friend Fairford used to ridicule.  The damsel had shown
+a sincere interest in his behalf; and the air of mystery with
+which that interest was veiled, gave her, to his lively
+imagination, the character of a benevolent and protecting spirit,
+as much as that of a beautiful female.
+
+At former times, the romance attending his short-lived
+attachments had been of his own creating, and had disappeared as
+soon as ever he approached more closely to the object with which
+he had invested it.  On the present occasion, it really flowed
+from external circumstances, which might have interested less
+susceptible feelings, and an imagination less lively than that of
+Darsie Latimer, young, inexperienced, and enthusiastic as he was.
+
+He watched, therefore, anxiously to whose service the palfrey
+bearing the lady's saddle was destined.  But ere any female
+appeared to occupy it, he was himself summoned to take his seat
+on the pillion behind Cristal Nixon, amid the grins of his old
+acquaintance Jan who helped him to horse, and the unrestrained
+laughter of Cicely, who displayed on the occasion a case of teeth
+which might have rivalled ivory.
+
+Latimer was at an age when being an object of general ridicule
+even to clowns and milkmaids was not a matter of indifference,
+and he longed heartily to have laid his horse-whip across Jan's
+shoulders.  That, however, was a solacement of his feelings which
+was not at the moment to be thought of; and Cristal Nixon
+presently put an end to his unpleasant situation, by ordering the
+riders to go on.  He himself kept the centre of the troop, two
+men riding before and two behind him, always, as it seemed to
+Darsie, having their eye upon him, to prevent any attempt to
+escape.  He could see from time to time, when the straight line
+of the road, or the advantage of an ascent permitted him, that
+another troop of three or four riders followed them at about a
+quarter of a mile's distance, amongst whom he could discover the
+tall form of Redgauntlet, and the powerful action of his gallant
+black horse.  He had little doubt that Green Mantle made one of
+the party, though he was unable to distinguish her from the
+others.
+
+In this manner they travelled from six in the morning until
+nearly ten of the clock, without Darsie exchanging a word with
+any one; for he loathed the very idea of entering into
+conversation with Cristal Nixon, against whom he seemed to feel
+an instinctive aversion; nor was that domestic's saturnine and
+sullen disposition such as to have encouraged advances, had he
+thought of making them.
+
+At length the party halted for the purpose of refreshment; but as
+they had hitherto avoided all villages and inhabited places upon
+their route, so they now stopped at one of those large ruinous
+Dutch barns, which are sometimes found in the fields, at a
+distance from the farm-houses to which they belong.  Yet in this
+desolate place some preparations had been made for their
+reception.  There were in the end of the barn racks filled with
+provender for the horses, and plenty of provisions for the party
+were drawn from the trusses of straw, under which the baskets
+that contained them had been deposited.  The choicest of these
+were selected and arranged apart by Cristal Nixon, while the men
+of the party threw themselves upon the rest, which he abandoned
+to their discretion.  In a few minutes afterwards the rearward
+party arrived and dismounted, and Redgauntlet himself entered the
+barn with the green-mantled maiden by his side.  He presented her
+to Darsie with these words:--
+
+'It is time you two should know each other better.  I promised
+you my confidence, Darsie, and the time is come for reposing it.
+But first we will have our breakfast; and then, when once more in
+the saddle, I will tell you that which it is necessary that you
+should know.  Salute Lilias, Darsie.'
+
+The command was sudden, and surprised Latimer, whose confusion
+was increased by the perfect ease and frankness with which Lilias
+offered at once her cheek and her hand, and pressing his as she
+rather took it than gave her own, said very frankly, 'Dearest
+Darsie, how rejoiced I am that our uncle has at last permitted us
+to become acquainted!'
+
+Darsie's head turned round; and it was perhaps well that
+Redgauntlet called on him to sit down, as even that movement
+served to hide his confusion.  There is an old song which says--
+
+  --when ladies are willing,
+  A man can but look like a fool;
+
+And on the same principle Darsie Latimer's looks at this
+unexpected frankness of reception, would have formed an admirable
+vignette for illustrating the passage.  'Dearest Darsie,' and
+such a ready, nay, eager salute of lip and hand!  It was all very
+gracious, no doubt--and ought to have been received with much
+gratitude; but, constituted as our friend's temper was, nothing
+could be more inconsistent with his tone of feeling.  If a hermit
+had proposed to him to club for a pot of beer, the illusion of
+his reverend sanctity could not have been dispelled more
+effectually than the divine qualities of Green Mantle faded upon
+the ill-imagined frank-heartedness of poor Lilias.  Vexed with
+her forwardness, and affronted at having once more cheated
+himself, Darsie could hardly help muttering two lines of the song
+we have already quoted:
+
+  The fruit that must fall without shaking
+  Is rather too mellow for me.
+
+And yet it was pity for her too--she was a very pretty young
+woman--his fancy had scarcely overrated her in that respect--and
+the slight derangement of the beautiful brown locks which escaped
+in natural ringlets from under her riding-hat, with the bloom
+which exercise had brought into her cheek, made her even more
+than usually fascinating.  Redgauntlet modified the sternness of
+his look when it was turned towards her, and in addressing her,
+used a softer tone than his usual deep bass.  Even the grim
+features of Cristal Nixon relaxed when he attended on her, and it
+was then, if ever, that his misanthropical visage expressed some
+sympathy with the rest of humanity.
+
+'How can she,' thought Latimer, 'look so like an angel, yet be so
+mere a mortal after all?  How could so much seeming modesty have
+so much forwardness of manner, when she ought to have been most
+reserved?  How can her conduct be reconciled to the grace and
+ease of her general deportment?'
+
+The confusion of thoughts which occupied Darsie's imagination,
+gave to his looks a disordered appearance, and his inattention to
+the food which was placed before him, together with his silence
+and absence of mind, induced Lilias solicitously to inquire,
+whether he did not feel some return of the disorder under which
+he had suffered so lately.  This led Mr. Redgauntlet, who seemed
+also lost in his own contemplations, to raise his eyes, and join
+in the same inquiry with some appearance of interest.  Latimer
+explained to both that he was perfectly well.
+
+'It is well it is so,' answered Redgauntlet; 'for we have that
+before us which will brook no delay from indisposition--we have
+not, as Hotspur says, leisure to be sick.'
+
+Lilias, on her part, endeavoured to prevail upon Darsie to
+partake of the food which she offered him, with a kindly and
+affectionate courtesy corresponding to the warmth of the interest
+she had displayed at their meeting; but so very natural,
+innocent, and pure in its character, that it would have been
+impossible for the vainest coxcomb to have mistaken it for
+coquetry, or a desire of captivating a prize so valuable as his
+affection.  Darsie, with no more than the reasonable share of
+self-opinion common to most youths when they approach twenty-one,
+knew not how to explain her conduct.
+
+Sometimes he was tempted to think that his own merits had, even
+during the short intervals when they had seen each other, secured
+such a hold of the affections of a young person who had probably
+been bred up in ignorance of the world and its forms that she was
+unable to conceal her partiality.  Sometimes he suspected that
+she acted by her guardian's order, who, aware that he, Darsie,
+was entitled to a considerable fortune, might have taken this
+bold stroke to bring about a marriage betwixt him and so near a
+relative.
+
+But neither of these suppositions was applicable to the character
+of the parties.  Miss Lilias's manners, however soft and natural,
+displayed in their ease and versatility considerable acquaintance
+with the habits of the world, and in the few words she said
+during the morning repast, there were mingled a shrewdness and
+good sense, which could scarce belong to a miss capable of
+playing the silly part of a love-smitten maiden so broadly.  As
+for Redgauntlet, with his stately bearing, his fatal frown, his
+eye of threat and of command, it was impossible, Darsie thought,
+to suspect him of a scheme having private advantage for its
+object; he could as soon have imagined Cassius picking Caesar's
+pocket, instead of drawing his poniard on the dictator.
+
+While he thus mused, unable either to eat, drink, or answer to
+the courtesy of Lilias, she soon ceased to speak to him, and sat
+silent as himself.
+
+They had remained nearly an hour in their halting-place, when
+Redgauntlet said aloud, 'Look out, Cristal Nixon.  If we hear
+nothing from Fairladies, we must continue our journey.'
+
+Cristal went to the door, and presently returned and said to his
+master, in a voice as harsh as his features, 'Gilbert Gregson is
+coming, his horse as white with foam as if a fiend had ridden
+him.'
+
+Redgauntlet threw from him the plate on which he had been eating,
+and hastened towards the door of the barn, which the courier at
+that moment entered; a smart jockey with a black velvet hunting-
+cap, and a broad belt drawn tight round his waist, to which was
+secured his express-bag.  The variety of mud with which he was
+splashed from cap to spur showed he had had a rough and rapid
+ride.  He delivered a letter to Mr. Redgauntlet, with an
+obeisance, and then retired to the end of the barn, where the
+other attendants were sitting or lying upon the straw, in order
+to get some refreshment.
+
+Redgauntlet broke the letter open with haste, and read it with
+anxious and discomposed looks.  On a second perusal, his
+displeasure seemed to increase, his brow darkened, and was
+distinctly marked with the fatal sign peculiar to his family and
+house.  Darsie had never before observed his frown bear such a
+close resemblance to the shape which tradition assigned it.
+
+Redgauntlet held out the open letter with one hand, and struck it
+with the forefinger of the other, as, in a suppressed and
+displeased tone, he said to Cristal Nixon, 'Countermanded--
+ordered northward once more!  'Northward, when all our hopes lie
+to the south--a second Derby direction, when we turned our back
+on glory, and marched in quest of ruin!'
+
+Cristal Nixon took the letter and ran it over, then returned it
+to his master with the cold observation, 'A female influence
+predominates.'
+
+'But it shall predominate no longer,' said Redgauntlet; 'it shall
+wane as ours rises in the horizon.  Meanwhile, I will on before--
+and you, Cristal, will bring the party to the place assigned in
+the letter.  You may now permit the young persons to have
+unreserved communication together; only mark that you watch the
+young man closely enough to prevent his escape, if he should be
+idiot enough to attempt it, but not approaching so close as to
+watch their free conversation.'
+
+'I care naught about their conversation,' said Nixon, surlily.
+
+'You hear my commands, Lilias,' said the laird, turning to the
+young lady.  'You may use my permission and authority to explain
+so much of our family matters as you yourself know.  At our next
+meeting I will complete the task of disclosure, and I trust I
+shall restore one Redgauntlet more to the bosom of our ancient
+family.  Let Latimer, as be calls himself, have a horse to
+himself; he must for some time retain his disguise.--My horse--my
+horse!'
+
+In two minutes they heard him ride off from the door of the barn,
+followed at speed by two of the armed men of his party.
+
+The commands of Cristal Nixon, in the meanwhile, put all the
+remainder of the party in motion, but the laird himself was long
+out of sight ere they were in readiness to resume their journey.
+When at length they set out, Darsie was accommodated with a horse
+and side-saddle, instead of being obliged to resume his place on
+the pillion behind the detestable Nixon.  He was obliged,
+however, to retain his riding-skirt, and to reassume his mask.
+Yet, notwithstanding this disagreeable circumstance, and although
+he observed that they gave him the heaviest and slowest horse of
+the party, and that, as a further precaution against escape, he
+was closely watched on every side, yet riding in company with the
+pretty Lilias was an advantage which overbalanced these
+inconveniences.
+
+It is true that this society, to which that very morning he would
+have looked forward as a glimpse of heaven, had, now that it was
+thus unexpectedly indulged, something much less rapturous than he
+had expected.
+
+It was in vain that, in order to avail himself of a situation so
+favourable for indulging his romantic disposition, he endeavoured
+to coax back, if I may so express myself, that delightful dream
+of ardent and tender passion; he felt only such a confusion of
+ideas at the difference between the being whom he had imagined,
+and her with whom he was now in contact, that it seemed to him
+like the effect of witchcraft.  What most surprised him was, that
+this sudden flame should have died away so rapidly,
+notwithstanding that the maiden's personal beauty was even
+greater than he had expected--her demeanour, unless it should be
+deemed over kind towards himself, as graceful and becoming as he
+could have fancied if, even in his gayest dreams.  It were
+judging hardly of him to suppose that the mere belief of his
+having attracted her affections more easily than he expected was
+the cause of his ungratefully undervaluing a prize too lightly
+won, or that his transient passion played around his heart with
+the hitting radiance of a wintry sunbeam flashing against an
+icicle, which may brighten it for a moment, but cannot melt it.
+Neither of these was precisely the ease, though such fickleness
+of disposition might also have some influence in the change.
+
+The truth is, perhaps, the lover's pleasure, like that of the
+hunter, is in the chase; and that the brightest beauty loses half
+its merit, as the fairest flower its perfume, when the willing
+hand can reach it too easily.  There must be doubt--there must be
+danger--there must be difficulty; and if, as the poet says, the
+course of ardent affection never does run smooth, it is perhaps
+because, without some intervening obstacle, that which is called
+the romantic passion of love, in its high poetical character and
+colouring can hardly have an existence--any more than there can
+be a current in a river without the stream being narrowed by
+steep banks, or checked by opposing rocks.
+
+Let not those, however, who enter into a union for life without
+those embarrassments which delight a Darsie Latimer, or a Lydia
+Languish, and which are perhaps necessary to excite an
+enthusiastic passion in breasts more firm than theirs, augur
+worse of their future happiness because their own alliance is
+formed under calmer auspices.  Mutual esteem, an intimate
+knowledge of each other's character, seen, as in their case,
+undisguised by the mists of too partial passion--a suitable
+proportion of parties in rank and fortune, in taste and pursuits
+--are more frequently found in a marriage of reason, than in a
+union of romantic attachment; where the imagination, which
+probably created the virtues and accomplishments with which it
+invested the beloved object, is frequently afterwards employed in
+magnifying the mortifying consequences of its own delusion, and
+exasperating all the stings of disappointment.  Those who follow
+the banners of Reason are like the well-disciplined battalion,
+which, wearing a more sober uniform and making a less dazzling
+show than the light troops commanded by imagination, enjoy more
+safety, and even more honour, in the conflicts of human life.
+All this, however, is foreign to our present purpose.
+
+Uncertain in what manner to address her whom he had been lately
+so anxious to meet with, and embarrassed by a TETE-A-TETE to
+which his own timid inexperience, gave some awkwardness, the
+party had proceeded more than a hundred yards before Darsie
+assumed courage to accost, or even to look at, his companion.
+Sensible, however, of the impropriety of his silence, he turned
+to speak to her; and observing that, although she wore her mask,
+there was something like disappointment and dejection in her
+manner, he was moved by self-reproach for his own coldness, and
+hastened to address her in the kindest tone he could assume.
+
+'You must think me cruelly deficient in gratitude, Miss Lilias,
+that I have been thus long in your company, without thanking you
+for the interest which you have deigned to take in my unfortunate
+affairs?'
+
+'I am glad you have at length spoken,' she said, 'though I owe it
+is more coldly than I expected.  MISS Lilias!  DEIGN to take
+interest!  In whom, dear Darsie, CAN I take interest but in you;
+and why do you put this barrier of ceremony betwixt us, whom
+adverse circumstances have already separated for such a length of
+time?'
+
+Darsie was again confounded at the extra candour, if we may use
+the term, of this frank avowal.  'One must love partridge very
+well,' thought he, 'to accept it when thrown in one's face--if
+this is not plain speaking, there is no such place as downright
+Dunstable in being!'
+
+Embarrassed with these reflections, and himself of a nature
+fancifully, almost fastidiously, delicate, he could only in reply
+stammer forth an acknowledgement of his companion's goodness, and
+his own gratitude.  She answered in a tone partly sorrowful and
+partly impatient, repeating, with displeased emphasis, the only
+distinct words he had been able to bring forth--'Goodness--
+gratitude!--O Darsie!  should these be the phrases between you
+and me?  Alas!  I am too sure you are displeased with me, though
+I cannot even guess on what account.  Perhaps you think I have
+been too free in venturing upon my visit to your friend.  But
+then remember, it was in your behalf, and that I knew no better
+way to put you on your guard against the misfortunes and
+restraint which you have been subjected to, and are still
+enduring.'
+
+'Dear Lady'--said Darsie, rallying his recollection, and
+suspicious of some error in apprehension,--a suspicion which his
+mode of address seemed at once to communicate to Lilias, for she
+interrupted him,--
+
+'LADY!  dear LADY!  For whom, or for what, in Heaven's name, do
+you take me, that you address me so formally?'
+
+Had the question been asked in that enchanted hall in fairyland,
+where all interrogations must be answered with absolute
+sincerity, Darsie had certainly replied, that he took her for the
+most frank-hearted and ultra-liberal lass that had ever lived
+since Mother Eve eat the pippin without paring.  But as he was
+still on middle-earth, and free to avail himself of a little
+polite deceit, he barely answered that he believed he had the
+honour of speaking to the niece of Mr. Redgauntlet,
+
+'Surely,' she replied; 'but were it not as easy for you to have
+said, to your own only sister?'
+
+Darsie started in his saddle, as if he had received a pistol-
+shot.
+
+'My sister!'  he exclaimed.
+
+'And you did NOT know it, then?'  said she.  'I thought your
+reception of me was cold and indifferent!'
+
+A kind and cordial embrace took place betwixt the relatives; and
+so light was Darsie's spirit, that he really felt himself more
+relieved, by getting quit of the embarrassments of the last half-
+hour, during which he conceived himself in danger of being
+persecuted by the attachment of a forward girl, than disappointed
+by the vanishing of so many day-dreams as he had been in the
+habit of encouraging during the time when the green-mantled
+maiden was goddess of his idolatry.  He had been already flung
+from his romantic Pegasus, and was too happy at length to find
+himself with bones unbroken, though with his back on the ground.
+He was, besides, with all his whims and follies, a generous,
+kind-hearted youth, and was delighted to acknowledge so beautiful
+and amiable a relative, and to assure her in the warmest terms of
+his immediate affection and future protection, so soon as they
+should be extricated from their present situation.  Smiles and
+tears mingled on Lilias's cheeks, like showers and sunshine in
+April weather.
+
+'Out on me,' she said, 'that I should be so childish as to cry at
+what makes me so sincerely happy!  since, God knows, family-love
+is what my heart has most longed after, and to which it has been
+most a stranger.  My uncle says that you and I, Darsie, are but
+half Redgauntlets, and that the metal of which our father's
+family was made, has been softened to effeminacy in our mother's
+offspring.'
+
+'Alas!'  said Darsie, 'I know so little of our family story, that
+I almost doubted that I belonged to the House of Redgauntlet,
+although the chief of the family himself intimated so much to
+me.'
+
+'The chief of the family!'  said Lilias.  'You must know little
+of your own descent indeed, if you mean my uncle by that
+expression. You yourself, my dear Darsie, are the heir and
+representative of our ancient House, for our father was the elder
+brother--that brave and unhappy Sir Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, who
+suffered at Carlisle in the year 1746.  He took the name of
+Darsie, in conjunction with his own, from our mother, heiress to
+a Cumberland family of great wealth and antiquity, of whose large
+estates you are the undeniable heir, although those of your
+father have been involved in the general doom of forfeiture.  But
+all this must be necessarily unknown to you.'
+
+'Indeed I hear it for the first time in my life,' answered
+Darsie.
+
+'And you knew not that I was your sister?'  said Lilias.  'No
+wonder you received me so coldly.  What a strange, wild, forward
+young person you must have thought me--mixing myself in the
+fortunes of a stranger whom I had only once spoken to--
+corresponding with him by signs--Good Heaven!  what can you have
+supposed me?'
+
+'And how should I have come to the knowledge of our connexion?'
+said Darsie.  'You are aware I was not acquainted with it when we
+danced together at Brokenburn.'
+
+'I saw that with concern, and fain I would have warned you,'
+answered Lilias; 'but I was closely watched, and before I could
+find or make an opportunity of coming to a full explanation with
+you on a subject so agitating, I was forced to leave the room.
+What I did say was, you may remember, a caution to leave the
+southern border, for I foresaw what has since happened.  But
+since my uncle has had you in his power, I never doubted he had
+communicated to you our whole family history.'
+
+'He has left me to learn it from you, Lilias; and assure yourself
+that I will hear it with more pleasure from your lips than from
+his.  I have no reason to be pleased with his conduct towards
+me.'
+
+'Of that,' said Lilias, 'you will judge better when you have
+heard what I have to tell you;' and she began her communication
+in the following manner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+'The House of Redgauntlet,' said the young lady, 'has for
+centuries been supposed to lie under a doom, which has rendered
+vain their courage, their talents, their ambition, and their
+wisdom.  Often making a figure in history, they have been ever in
+the situation of men striving against both wind and tide, who
+distinguish themselves by their desperate exertions of strength,
+and their persevering endurance of toil, but without being able
+to advance themselves upon their course by either vigour or
+resolution.  They pretend to trace this fatality to a legendary
+history, which I may tell you at a less busy moment.'
+
+Darsie intimated that he had already heard the tragic story of
+Sir Alberick Redgauntlet.
+
+'I need only say, then,' proceeded Lilias, 'that our father and
+uncle felt the family doom in its full extent.  They were both
+possessed of considerable property, which was largely increased
+by our father's marriage, and were both devoted to the service of
+the unhappy House of Stuart; but (as our mother at least
+supposed) family considerations might have withheld her husband
+from joining openly in the affair of 1745, had not the high
+influence which the younger brother possessed over the elder,
+from his more decided energy of character, hurried him along with
+himself into that undertaking.
+
+'When, therefore, the enterprise came to the fatal conclusion
+which bereaved our father of his life and consigned his brother
+to exile, Lady Redgauntlet fled from the north of England,
+determined to break off all communication with her late husband's
+family, particularly his brother, whom she regarded as having, by
+their insane political enthusiasm, been the means of his untimely
+death; and determined that you, my brother, an infant, and that
+I, to whom she had just given birth, should be brought up as
+adherents of the present dynasty.  Perhaps she was too hasty in
+this determination--too timidly anxious to exclude, if possible,
+from the knowledge of the very spot where we existed, a relation
+so nearly connected with us as our father's only brother.  But
+you must make allowance for what she had suffered.  See,
+brother,' she said, pulling her glove off, 'these five blood-
+specks on my arm are a mark by which mysterious Nature has
+impressed, on an unborn infant, a record of its father's violent
+death and its mother's miseries.'  [Several persons have brought
+down to these days the impressions which Nature had thus
+recorded, when they were yet babes unborn.  One lady of quality,
+whose father was long under sentence of death previous to the
+Rebellion, was marked on the back of the neck by the sign of a
+broad axe.  Another whose kinsmen had been slain in battle and
+died on the scaffold to the number of seven, bore a child
+spattered on the right shoulder and down the arm with scarlet
+drops, as if of blood.  Many other instances might be quoted.]
+
+'You were not, then, born when my father suffered?'  said Darsie.
+
+'Alas, no!'  she replied; 'nor were you a twelvemonth old.  It
+was no wonder that my mother, after going through such scenes of
+agony, became irresistibly anxious for the sake of her children
+--of her son in particular; the more especially as the late Sir
+Henry, her husband, had, by a settlement of his affairs, confided
+the custody of the persons of her children, as well as the
+estates which descended to them, independently of those which
+fell under his forfeiture, to his brother Hugh, in whom he placed
+unlimited confidence.'
+
+'But my mother had no reason to fear the operation of such a
+deed, conceived in favour of an attainted man,' said Darsie.
+
+'True,' replied Lilias; 'but our uncle's attainder might have
+been reversed, like that of so many other persons, and our
+mother, who both feared and hated him, lived in continual terror
+that this would be the case, and that she should see the author,
+as she thought him, of her husband's death come armed with legal
+powers, and in a capacity to use them for the purpose of tearing
+her children from her protection.  Besides, she feared, even in
+his incapacitated condition, the adventurous and pertinacious
+spirit of her brother-in-law, Hugh Redgauntlet, and felt assured
+that he would make some attempt to possess himself of the persons
+of the children.  On the other hand, our uncle, whose proud
+disposition might, perhaps, have been soothed by the offer of her
+confidence, revolted against the distrustful and suspicious
+manner in which Lady Darsie Redgauntlet acted towards him.  She
+basely abused, he said, the unhappy circumstances in which he was
+placed, in order to deprive him of his natural privilege of
+protecting and educating the infants, whom nature and law, and
+the will of their father, had committed to his charge, and he
+swore solemnly he would not submit to such an injury.  Report of
+his threats was made to Lady Redgauntlet, and tended to increase
+those fears which proved but too well founded.  While you and I,
+children at that time of two or three years old, were playing
+together in a walled orchard, adjacent to our mother's residence
+which she had fixed somewhere in Devonshire, my uncle suddenly
+scaled the wall with several men, and I was snatched up; and
+carried off to a boat which waited for them.  My mother, however,
+flew to your rescue, and as she seized on and held you fast, my
+uncle could not, as he has since told me, possess himself of your
+person, without using unmanly violence to his brother's widow.
+Of this he was incapable; and, as people began to assemble upon
+my mother's screaming, he withdrew, after darting upon you and
+her one of those fearful looks, which, it is said, remain with
+our family, as a fatal bequest of Sir Alberick, our ancestor.'
+
+'I have some recollection of the scuffle which you mention,' said
+Darsie; 'and I think it was my uncle himself (since my uncle he
+is) who recalled the circumstance to my mind on a late occasion.
+I can now account for the guarded seclusion under which my poor
+mother lived--for her frequent tears, her starts of hysterical
+alarm, and her constant and deep melancholy.  Poor lady!  what a
+lot was hers, and what must have been her feelings when it
+approached to a close!'
+
+'It was then that she adopted,' said Lilias, 'every precaution
+her ingenuity could suggest, to keep your very existence
+concealed from the person whom she feared--nay, from yourself;
+for she dreaded, as she is said often to have expressed herself,
+that the wildfire blood of Redgauntlet would urge you to unite
+your fortunes to those of your uncle, who was well known still to
+carry on political intrigues, which most other persons had
+considered as desperate.  It was also possible that he, as well
+as others, might get his pardon, as government showed every year
+more lenity towards the remnant of the Jacobites, and then he
+might claim the custody of your person, as your legal guardian.
+Either of these events she considered as the direct road to your
+destruction.'
+
+'I wonder she had not claimed the protection of Chancery for me,'
+said Darsie; 'or confided me to the care of some powerful
+friend.'
+
+'She was on indifferent terms with her relations, on account of
+her marriage with our father,' said Lilias, 'and trusted more to
+secreting you from your uncle's attempts, than to any protection
+which law might afford against them.  Perhaps she judged
+unwisely, but surely not unnaturally, for one rendered irritable
+by so many misfortunes and so many alarms.  Samuel Griffiths, an
+eminent banker, and a worthy clergyman now dead were, I believe,
+the only persons whom she intrusted with the execution of her
+last will; and my uncle believes that she made them both swear to
+observe profound secrecy concerning your birth and pretensions,
+until you should come to the age of majority, and, in the
+meantime, to breed you up in the most private way possible, and
+that which was most likely to withdraw you from my uncle's
+observation.'
+
+'And I have no doubt,' said Darsie, 'that betwixt change of name
+and habitation, they might have succeeded perfectly, but for the
+accident--lucky or unlucky, I know not which to term it--which
+brought me to Brokenburn, and into contact with Mr. Redgauntlet.
+I see also why I was warned against England, for in England'--
+
+'In England alone, if I understand rightly,' said Miss
+Redgauntlet, 'the claims of your uncle to the custody of your
+person could have been enforced, in case of his being replaced in
+the ordinary rights of citizenship, either by the lenity of the
+government or by some change in it.  In Scotland, where you
+possess no property, I understand his authority might; have been
+resisted, and measures taken to put you under the protection of
+the law.  But, pray, think it not unlucky that you have taken the
+step of visiting Brokenburn--I feel confident that the
+consequences must be ultimately fortunate, for have they not
+already brought us into contact with each other?'
+
+So saying, she held out her hand to her brother, who grasped it
+with a fondness of pressure very different from the manner in
+which they first clasped hands that morning.  There was a
+moment's pause, while the hearts of both were overflowing with a
+feeling of natural affection, to which circumstances had hitherto
+rendered them strangers.
+
+At length Darsie broke silence; 'I am ashamed,' he said, 'my
+dearest Lilias, that I have suffered you to talk so long about
+matters concerning myself only, while I remain ignorant of your
+story, and your present situation.'
+
+'The former is none of the most interesting, nor the latter the
+most safe or agreeable,' answered Lilias; 'but now, my dearest
+brother, I shall have the inestimable support of your countenance
+and affection; and were I but sure that we could weather the
+formidable crisis which I find so close at hand, I should have
+little apprehensions for the future.'
+
+'Let me know,' said Darsie, 'what our present situation is; and
+rely upon my utmost exertions both in your defence and my own.
+For what reason can my uncle desire to detain me a prisoner?  If
+in mere opposition to the will of my mother, she has long been no
+more; and I see not why he should wish, at so much trouble and
+risk, to interfere with the free will of one, to whom a few
+months will give a privilege of acting for himself, with which he
+will have no longer any pretence to interfere.'
+
+'My dearest Arthur,' answered Lilias--'for that name, as well as
+Darsie, properly belongs to you--it is the leading feature in my
+uncle's character, that he has applied every energy of his
+powerful mind to the service of the exiled family of Stuart.  The
+death of his brother, the dilapidation of his own fortunes, have
+only added to his hereditary zeal for the House of Stuart a deep
+and almost personal hatred against the present reigning family.
+He is, in short, a political enthusiast of the most dangerous
+character, and proceeds in his agency with as much confidence, as
+if he felt himself the very Atlas who is alone capable of
+supporting a sinking cause.'
+
+'And where or how did you, my Lilias, educated, doubtless, under
+his auspices, learn to have a different view of such subjects?'
+
+'By a singular chance,' replied Lilias, 'in the nunnery where my
+uncle placed me.  Although the abbess was a person exactly after
+his own heart, my education as a pensioner devolved much on an
+excellent old mother who had adopted the tenets of the
+Jansenists, with perhaps a still further tendency towards the
+reformed doctrines, than those of Port Royal.  The mysterious
+secrecy with which she inculcated these tenets, gave them charms
+to my young mind, and I embraced them the rather that they were
+in direct opposition to the doctrines of the abbess, whom I hated
+so much for her severity, that I felt a childish delight in
+setting her control at defiance, and contradicting in my secret
+soul all that I was openly obliged to listen to with reverence.
+Freedom of religious opinion brings on, I suppose, freedom of
+political creed; for I had no sooner renounced the Pope's
+infallibility, than I began to question the doctrine of
+hereditary and indefeasible right.  In short, strange as it may
+seem, I came out of a Parisian convent, not indeed an instructed
+Whig and Protestant, but with as much inclination to be so as if
+I had been bred up, like you, within the Presbyterian sound of
+Saint Giles's chimes.'
+
+'More so, perhaps,' replied Darsie; 'for the nearer the church--
+the proverb is somewhat musty.  But how did these liberal
+opinions of yours agree with the very opposite prejudices of my
+uncle?'
+
+'They would have agreed like fire and water,' answered Lilias,
+'had I suffered mine to become visible; but as that would have
+subjected me to constant reproach and upbraiding, or worse, I
+took great care to keep my own secret; so that occasional
+censures for coldness, and lack of zeal for the good cause, were
+the worst I had to undergo; and these were bad enough.'
+
+'I applaud your caution,' said Darsie.
+
+'You have reason,' replied his sister; 'but I got so terrible a
+specimen of my uncle's determination of character, before I had
+been acquainted with him for much more than a week, that it
+taught me at what risk I should contradict his humour.  I will
+tell you the circumstances; for it will better teach you to
+appreciate the romantic and resolved nature of his character,
+than anything which I could state of his rashness and enthusiasm.
+
+'After I had been many a long year at the convent, I was removed
+from thence, and placed with a meagre old Scottish lady of high
+rank, the daughter of an unfortunate person whose head had in the
+year 1715 been placed on Temple Bar.  She subsisted on a small
+pension from the French Court, aided by an occasional gratuity
+from the Stuarts; to which the annuity paid for my board formed a
+desirable addition.  She was not ill-tempered, nor very covetous
+--neither beat me nor starved me--but she was so completely
+trammelled by rank and prejudices, so awfully profound in
+genealogy, and so bitterly keen, poor lady, in British, politics,
+that I sometimes thought it pity that the Hanoverians, who
+murdered, as she used to tell me, her poor dear father, had left
+his dear daughter in the land of the living.  Delighted,
+therefore, was I, when my uncle made his appearance, and abruptly
+announced his purpose of conveying me to England.  My extravagant
+joy at the idea of leaving Lady Rachel Rougedragon was somewhat
+qualified by observing the melancholy look, lofty demeanour, and
+commanding tone of my near relative.  He held more communication
+with me on the journey, however, than consisted with his taciturn
+demeanour in general, and seemed anxious to ascertain my tone of
+character, and particularly in point of courage.  Now, though I
+am a tamed Redgauntlet, yet I have still so much of our family
+spirit as enables me to be as composed in danger as most of my
+sex; and upon two occasions in the course of our journey--a
+threatened attack by banditti, and the overturn of our carriage--
+I had the fortune so to conduct myself, as to convey to my uncle
+a very favourable idea of my intrepidity.  Probably this
+encouraged him to put in execution the singular scheme which he
+had in agitation.
+
+'Ere we reached London we changed our means of conveyance, and
+altered the route by which we approached the city, more than
+once; then, like a hare which doubles repeatedly at some distance
+from the seat she means to occupy, and at last leaps into her
+form from a distance so great as she can clear by a spring, we
+made a forced march, and landed in private and obscure lodgings
+in a little old street in Westminster, not far from the
+Cloisters.
+
+'On the morning of the day on which we arrived my uncle went
+abroad, and did not return for some hours.  Meantime I had no
+other amusement than to listen to the tumult of noises which
+succeeded each other, or reigned in confusion together during the
+whole morning.  Paris I had thought the most noisy capital in the
+world, but Paris seemed midnight silence compared to London.
+Cannon thundered near and at a distance--drums, trumpets, and
+military music of every kind, rolled, flourished, and pierced the
+clouds, almost without intermission.  To fill up the concert,
+bells pealed incessantly from a hundred steeples.  The
+acclamations of an immense multitude were heard from time to
+time, like the roaring of a mighty ocean, and all this without my
+being able to glean the least idea of what was going on, for the
+windows of our apartment looked upon a waste backyard, which
+seemed totally deserted.  My curiosity became extreme, for I was
+satisfied, at length, that it must be some festival of the
+highest order which called forth these incessant sounds.
+
+'My uncle at length returned, and with him a man of an exterior
+singularly unprepossessing.  I need not describe him to you, for
+--do not look round--he rides behind us at this moment.'
+
+'That respectable person, Mr. Cristal Nixon, I suppose?'  said
+Darsie.
+
+'The same,' answered Lilias; 'make no gesture, that may intimate
+we are speaking of him.'
+
+Darsie signified that he understood her, and she pursued her
+relation.
+
+'They were both in full dress, and my uncle, taking a bundle from
+Nixon, said to me, "Lilias, I am come to carry you to see a grand
+ceremony--put on as hastily as you can the dress you will find in
+that parcel, and prepare to attend me."  I found a female dress,
+splendid and elegant, but somewhat bordering upon the antique
+fashion.  It might be that of England, I thought, and I went to
+my apartment full of curiosity, and dressed myself with all
+speed.
+
+'My uncle surveyed me with attention--"She may pass for one of
+the flower-girls," he said to Nixon, who only answered with a
+nod.
+
+'We left the house together, and such was their knowledge of the
+lanes, courts, and bypaths, that though there was the roar of a
+multitude in the broad streets, those which we traversed were
+silent and deserted; and the strollers whom we met, tired of
+gazing upon gayer figures, scarcely honoured us with a passing
+look, although, at any other time, we should, among these vulgar
+suburbs, have attracted a troublesome share of observation.  We
+crossed at length a broad street, where many soldiers were on
+guard, while others, exhausted with previous duty, were eating,
+drinking, smoking, and sleeping beside their piled arms.
+
+'"One day, Nixon," whispered my uncle, "we will make these
+redcoated gentry stand to their muskets more watchfully."
+
+'"Or it will be the worse for them," answered his attendant, in a
+voice as unpleasant as his physiognomy.
+
+'Unquestioned and unchallenged by any one, we crossed among the
+guards; and Nixon tapped thrice at a small postern door in a huge
+ancient building, which was straight before us.  It opened, and
+we entered without my perceiving by whom we were admitted.  A few
+dark and narrow passages at length conveyed us into an immense
+Gothic hall, the magnificence of which baffles my powers of
+description.
+
+'It was illuminated by ten thousand wax lights, whose splendour
+at first dazzled my eyes, coming as we did from these dark and
+secret avenues.  But when my sight began to become steady, how
+shall I describe what I beheld?  Beneath were huge ranges of
+tables, occupied by princes and nobles in their robes of state--
+high officers of the crown, wearing their dresses and badges of
+authority--reverend prelates and judges, the sages of the church
+and law, in their more sombre, yet not less awful robes--with
+others whose antique and striking costume announced their
+importance, though I could not even guess who they might be.  But
+at length the truth burst on me at once--it was, and the murmurs
+around confirmed it, the Coronation Feast.  At a table above the
+rest, and extending across the upper end of the hall, sat
+enthroned the youthful sovereign himself, surrounded by the
+princes of the blood, and other dignitaries, and receiving the
+suit and homage of his subjects.  Heralds and pursuivants,
+blazing in their fantastic yet splendid armorial habits, and
+pages of honour, gorgeously arrayed in the garb of other days,
+waited upon the princely banqueters.  In the galleries with which
+this spacious hall was surrounded, shone all, and more than all,
+that my poor imagination could conceive, of what was brilliant in
+riches, or captivating in beauty.  Countless rows of ladies,
+whose diamonds, jewels, and splendid attire were their least
+powerful charms, looked down from their lofty seats on the rich
+scene beneath, themselves forming a show as dazzling and as
+beautiful as that of which they were spectators.  Under these
+galleries, and behind the banqueting tables, were a multitude of
+gentlemen, dressed as if to attend a court, but whose garb,
+although rich enough to have adorned a royal drawing room, could
+not distinguish them in such a high scene as this.  Amongst these
+we wandered for a few minutes, undistinguished and unregarded.  I
+saw several young persons dressed as I was, so was under no
+embarrassment from the singularity of my habit, and only
+rejoiced, as I hung on my uncle's arm, at the magical splendour
+of such a scene, and at his goodness for procuring me the
+pleasure of beholding it.
+
+'By and by, I perceived that my uncle had acquaintances among
+those who were under the galleries, and seemed, like ourselves,
+to be mere spectators of the solemnity.  They recognized each
+other with a single word, sometimes only with a grip of the hand-
+exchanged some private signs, doubtless--and gradually formed a
+little group, in the centre of which we were placed.
+
+'"Is it not a grand sight, Lilias?"  said my uncle.  "All the
+noble, and all the wise, and all the wealthy of Britain, are
+there assembled."
+
+'"It is indeed," said I, "all that my mind could have fancied of
+regal power and splendour."
+
+'"Girl," he whispered,--and my uncle can make his whispers as
+terribly emphatic as his thundering voice or his blighting look
+--"all that is noble and worthy in this fair land are there
+assembled--but it is to bend like slaves and sycophants before
+the throne of a new usurper."
+
+'I looked at him, and the dark hereditary frown of our unhappy
+ancestor was black upon his brow.
+
+'"For God's sake," I whispered, "consider where we are."
+
+'"Fear nothing," he said; "we are surrounded by friends."  As he
+proceeded, his strong and muscular frame shook with suppressed
+agitation.  "See," he said, "yonder bends Norfolk, renegade to
+his Catholic.faith; there stoops the Bishop of --, traitor to the
+Church of England; and,--shame of shames!  yonder the gigantic
+form of Errol bows his head before the grandson of his father's
+murderer!  But a sign shall be seen this night amongst them--
+MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, shall be read on these walls, as
+distinctly as the spectral handwriting made them visible on those
+of Belshazzar!"
+
+'"For God's sake," said I, dreadfully alarmed, "it is impossible
+you can meditate violence in such a presence!"
+
+'"None is intended, fool," he answered, "nor can the slightest
+mischance happen, provided you will rally your boasted courage,
+and obey my directions.  But do it coolly and quickly, for there
+are a hundred lives at stake."
+
+'"Alas!  what--can I do?"  I asked in the utmost terror.
+
+'"Only be prompt to execute my bidding," said he; "it is but to
+lift a glove--Here, hold this in your hand--throw the train of
+your dress over it, be firm, composed, and ready--or, at all
+events, I step forward myself."
+
+'"If there is no violence designed," I said, taking,
+mechanically, the iron glove he put into my hand.
+
+'"I could not conceive his meaning; but, in the excited state of
+mind in which I beheld him, I was convinced that disobedience on
+my part would lead to some wild explosion.  I felt, from the
+emergency of the occasion, a sudden presence of mind, and
+resolved to do anything that might avert violence and bloodshed.
+I was not long held in suspense.  A loud flourish of trumpets and
+the voice of heralds were mixed with the clatter of horses'
+hoofs, while a champion, armed at all points like those I had
+read of in romances, attended by squires, pages, and the whole
+retinue of chivalry, pranced forward, mounted upon a barbed
+steed.  His challenge, in defiance of all who dared impeach the
+title of the new sovereign, was recited aloud--once, and again.
+
+'" Rush in at the third sounding," said my uncle to me; "bring me
+the parader's gage, and leave mine in lieu of it."
+
+'I could not see how this was to be done, as we were surrounded
+by people on all sides.  But, at the third sounding of the
+trumpets, a lane opened as if by word of command, betwixt me and
+the champion, and my uncle's voice said, "Now, Lilias, NOW!"
+
+'With a swift and yet steady step, and with a presence of mind for
+which I have never since been able to account, I discharged the
+perilous commission.  I was hardly seen, I believe, as I
+exchanged the pledges of battle, and in an instant retired.
+"Nobly done, my girl!"  said my uncle, at whose side I found
+myself, shrouded as I was before, by the interposition of the
+bystanders.  "Cover our retreat, gentlemen," he whispered to
+those around him.
+
+'Room was made for us to approach the wall, which seemed to open,
+and we were again involved in the dark passages through which we
+had formerly passed.  In a small anteroom, my uncle stopped, and
+hastily muffling me in a mantle which was lying there, we passed
+the guards--threaded the labyrinth of empty streets and courts,
+and reached our retired lodgings without attracting the least
+attention.'
+
+'I have often heard,' said Darsie, 'that a female, supposed to be
+a man in disguise,--and yet, Lilias, you do not look very
+masculine,--had taken up the champion's gauntlet at the present
+king's coronation, and left in its place a gage of battle, with a
+paper, offering to accept the combat, provided a fair field
+should be allowed for it.  I have hitherto considered it as an
+idle tale.  I little thought how nearly I was interested in the
+actors of a scene so daring.  How could you have courage to go
+through with it?'  [See Note 9.]
+
+'Had I had leisure for reflection,' answered his sister, 'I
+should have refused, from a mixture of principle and of fear.
+But, like many people who do daring actions, I went on because I
+had not time to think of retreating.  The matter was little
+known, and it is said the king had commanded that it should not
+be further inquired into;--from prudence, as I suppose, and
+lenity, though my uncle chooses to ascribe the forbearance of the
+Elector of Hanover, as he calls him, sometimes to pusillanimity,
+and sometimes to a presumptuous scorn of the faction who opposes
+his title.'
+
+'And have your subsequent agencies under this frantic
+enthusiast,' said Darsie, 'equalled this in danger?'
+
+'No--nor in importance,' replied Lilias; 'though I have witnessed
+much of the strange and desperate machinations, by which, in
+spite of every obstacle, and in contempt of every danger, he
+endeavours to awaken the courage of a broken party.  I have
+traversed, in his company, all England and Scotland, and have
+visited the most extraordinary and contrasted scenes; now lodging
+at the castles of the proud gentry of Cheshire and Wales, where
+the retired aristocrats, with opinions as antiquated as their
+dwellings and their manners, still continue to nourish
+Jacobitical principles; and the next week, perhaps, spent among
+outlawed smugglers, or Highland banditti.  I have known my uncle
+often act the part of a hero, and sometimes that of a mere vulgar
+conspirator, and turn himself, with the most surprising
+flexibility, into all sorts of shapes to attract proselytes to
+his cause.'
+
+'Which, in the present day,' said Darsie, 'he finds, I presume,
+no easy task.'
+
+'So difficult,' said Lilias, 'that, I believe, he has, at
+different times, disgusted with the total falling away of some
+friends, and the coldness of others, been almost on the point of
+resigning his undertaking.  How often I have I known him affect
+an open brow and a jovial manner, joining in the games of the
+gentry, and even in the sports of the common people, in order to
+invest himself with a temporary degree of popularity; while, in
+fact, his heart was bursting to witness what he called the
+degeneracy of the times, the decay of activity among the aged,
+and the want of zeal in the rising generation.  After the day has
+been spent in the hardest exercise, he has spent the night in
+pacing his solitary chamber, bewailing the downfall of the cause,
+and wishing for the bullet of Dundee or the axe of Balmerino.'
+
+'A strange delusion,' said Darsie; 'and it is wonderful that it
+does not yield to the force of reality.'
+
+'Ah, but,' replied Lilias, 'realities of late have seemed to
+flatter his hopes.  The general dissatisfaction with the peace--
+the unpopularity of the minister, which has extended itself even
+to the person of his master--the various uproars which have
+disturbed the peace of the metropolis, and a general state of
+disgust and disaffection, which seems to affect the body of the
+nation, have given unwonted encouragement to the expiring hopes
+of the Jacobites, and induced many, both at the Court of Rome,
+and, if it can be called so, of the Pretender, to lend a more
+favourable ear than they had hitherto done to the insinuations of
+those who, like my uncle, hope, when hope is lost to all but
+themselves.  Nay, I really believe that at this moment they
+meditate some desperate effort.  My uncle has been doing all in
+his power, of late, to conciliate the affections of those wild
+communities that dwell on the Solway, over whom our family
+possessed a seignorial interest before the forfeiture, and
+amongst whom, on the occasion of 1745, our unhappy father's
+interest, with his own, raised a considerable body of men.  But
+they are no longer willing to obey his summons; and, as one
+apology among others, they allege your absence as their natural
+head and leader.  This has increased his desire to obtain
+possession of your person, and, if he possibly can, to influence
+your mind, so as to obtain your authority to his proceedings.'
+
+'That he shall never obtain,' answered Darsie; 'my principles and
+my prudence alike forbid such a step.  Besides, it would be
+totally unavailing to his purpose.  Whatever these people may
+pretend, to evade your uncle's importunities, they cannot, at
+this time of day, think of subjecting their necks again to the
+feudal yoke, which was effectually broken by the act of 1748,
+abolishing vassalage and hereditary jurisdictions.'
+
+'Aye, but that my uncle considers as the act of a usurping
+government,' said Lilias.
+
+'Like enough he may think so,' answered her brother, 'for he is a
+superior, and loses his authority by, the enactment.  But the
+question is, what the vassals will think of it who have gained
+their freedom from feudal slavery, and have now enjoyed that
+freedom for many years?  However, to cut the matter short, if
+five hundred men would rise at the wagging of my finger, that
+finger shall not be raised in a cause which I disapprove of, and
+upon that my uncle may reckon.'
+
+'But you may temporize,' said Lilias, upon whom the idea of her
+uncle's displeasure made evidently a strong impression,--'you may
+temporize, as most of the gentry in this country do, and let the
+bubble burst of itself; for it is singular how few of them
+venture to oppose my uncle directly.  I entreat you to avoid
+direct collision with him.  To hear you, the head of the House of
+Redgauntlet, declare against the family of Stuart, would either
+break his heart, or drive him to some act of desperation.'
+
+'Yes, but, Lilias, you forget that the consequences of such an
+act of complaisance might be, that the House of Redgauntlet and I
+might lose both our heads at one blow.'
+
+'Alas!'  said she, 'I had forgotten that danger.  I have grown
+familiar with perilous intrigues, as the nurses in a pest-house
+are said to become accustomed to the air around them, till they
+forget even that it is noisome.'
+
+'And yet,' said Darsie, 'if I could free myself from him without
+coming to an open rupture.  Tell me, Lilias, do you think it
+possible that he can have any immediate attempt in view?'
+
+'To confess the truth,' answered Lilias, 'I cannot doubt that he
+has.  There has been an unusual bustle among the Jacobites of
+late.  They have hopes, as I told you, from circumstances
+unconnected with their own strength.  Just before you came to the
+country, my uncle's desire to find you out became, if possible,
+more eager than ever--he talked of men to be presently brought
+together, and of your name and influence for raising them.  At
+this very time your first visit to Brokenburn took place.  A
+suspicion arose in my uncle's mind, that you might be the youth
+he sought, and it was strengthened by papers and letters which
+the rascal Nixon did not hesitate to take from your pocket.  Yet
+a mistake might have occasioned a fatal explosion; and my uncle
+therefore posted to Edinburgh to follow out the clue he had
+obtained, and fished enough of information from old Mr. Fairford
+to make him certain that you were the person he sought.
+Meanwhile, and at the expense of some personal and perhaps too
+bold exertion, I endeavoured, through your friend young Fairford,
+to put you on your guard.'
+
+'Without success,' said Darsie, blushing under his mask when he
+recollected how he had mistaken his sister's meaning.
+
+'I do not wonder that my warning was fruitless,' said she; 'the
+thing was doomed to be.  Besides, your escape would have been
+difficult.  You were dogged the whole time you were at the
+Shepherd's Bush and at Mount Sharon, by a spy who scarcely ever
+left you.'
+
+'The wretch, little Benjie!'  exclaimed Darsie.  'I will wring
+the monkey's neck round, the first time we meet.'
+
+'It was he indeed who gave constant information of your motions
+to Cristal Nixon,' said Lilias.
+
+'And Cristal Nixon--I owe him, too, a day's work in harvest,'
+said Darsie; 'for I am mistaken if he was not the person that
+struck me down when I was made prisoner among the rioters.'
+
+'Like enough; for he has a head and hand for any villany.  My
+uncle was very angry about it; for though the riot was made to
+have an opportunity of carrying you off in the confusion, as well
+as to put the fishermen at variance with the public law, it would
+have been his last thought to have injured a hair of your head.
+But Nixon has insinuated himself into all my uncle's secrets, and
+some of these are so dark and dangerous, that though there are
+few things he would not dare, I doubt if he dare quarrel with
+him.  And yet I know that of Cristal would move my uncle to pass
+his sword through his body.'
+
+'What is it, for Heaven's sake?', said Darsie.  'I have a
+particular desire for wishing to know.'
+
+'The old, brutal desperado, whose face and mind are a libel upon
+human nature, has had the insolence to speak to his master's
+niece as one whom he was at liberty to admire; and when I turned
+on him with the anger and contempt he merited, the wretch
+grumbled out something, as if he held the destiny of our family
+in his hand.'
+
+'I thank you, Lilias,' said Darsie, eagerly,--'I thank you with
+all my heart for this communication.  I have blamed myself as a
+Christian man for the indescribable longing I felt from the first
+moment I saw that rascal, to send a bullet through his head; and
+now you have perfectly accounted for and justified this very
+laudable wish.  I wonder my uncle, with the powerful sense you
+describe him to be possessed of, does not see through such a
+villain.'
+
+'I believe he knows him to be capable of much evil,' answered
+Lilias--'selfish, obdurate, brutal, and a man-hater.  But then he
+conceives him to possess the qualities most requisite for a
+conspirator--undaunted courage, imperturbable coolness and
+address, and inviolable fidelity.  In the last particular he may
+be mistaken.  I have heard Nixon blamed for the manner in which
+our poor father was taken after Culloden.'
+
+'Another reason for my innate aversion,' said Darsie, but I will
+be on my guard with him.'
+
+'See, he observes us closely,' said Lilias.  'What a thing is
+conscience!  He knows we are now speaking of him, though he
+cannot have heard a word that we have said.'
+
+It seemed as if she had guessed truly; for Cristal Nixon at that
+moment rode up to them, and said, with an affectation of
+jocularity, which sat very ill on his sullen features, 'Come,
+young ladies, you have had time enough for your chat this
+morning, and your tongues, I think, must be tired.  We are going
+to pass a village, and I must beg you to separate--you, Miss
+Lilias, to ride a little behind--and you, Mrs., or Miss, or
+Master, whichever you choose to be called, to be jogging a little
+before.'
+
+Lilias checked her horse without speaking, but not until she had
+given her brother an expressive look, recommending caution; to
+which he replied by a signal indicating that he understood and
+would comply with her request.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+NARRATTVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+Left to his solitary meditations, Darsie (for we will still term
+Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk by the name to which
+the reader is habituated) was surprised not only at the
+alteration of his own state and condition, but at the equanimity
+with which he felt himself disposed to view all these
+vicissitudes.
+
+His fever--fit of love had departed like a morning's dream, and
+left nothing behind but a painful sense of shame, and a
+resolution to be more cautious ere he again indulged in such
+romantic visions.  His station in society was changed from that
+of a wandering, unowned youth, in whom none appeared to take an
+interest excepting the strangers by whom he had been educated, to
+the heir of a noble house, possessed of such influence and such
+property, that it seemed as if the progress or arrest of
+important political events were likely to depend upon his
+resolution.  Even this sudden elevation, the more than fulfilment
+of those wishes which had haunted him ever since he was able to
+form a wish on the subject, was contemplated by Darsie, volatile
+as his disposition was, without more than a few thrills of
+gratified vanity.
+
+It is true, there were circumstances in his present situation to
+counterbalance such high advantages.  To be a prisoner in the
+hands of a man so determined as his uncle, was no agreeable
+consideration, when he was calculating how he might best dispute
+his pleasure and refuse to join him in the perilous enterprise
+which he seemed to meditate.  Outlawed and desperate himself,
+Darsie could not doubt that his uncle was surrounded by men
+capable of anything--that he was restrained by no personal
+considerations--and therefore what degree of compulsion he might
+apply to his brother's son, or in what manner he might feel at
+liberty to punish his contumacy, should he disavow the Jacobite
+cause, must depend entirely upon the limits of his own
+conscience; and who was to answer for the conscience of a heated
+enthusiast who considers opposition to the party he has espoused,
+as treason to the welfare of his country?  After a short
+interval, Cristal Nixon was pleased to throw some light upon the
+subject which agitated him.
+
+When that grim satellite rode up without ceremony close to
+Darsie's side, the latter felt his very flesh creep with
+abhorrence, so little was he able to endure his presence, since
+the story of Lilias had added to his instinctive hatred of the
+man.
+
+His voice, too, sounded like that of a screech-owl, as he said,
+'So, my young cock of the north, you now know it all, and no
+doubt are blessing your uncle for stirring you up to such an
+honourable action.'
+
+'I will acquaint my uncle with my sentiments on the subject,
+before I make them known to any one else,' said Darsie, scarcely
+prevailing on his tongue to utter even these few words in a civil
+manner.
+
+'Umph,' murmured Cristal betwixt his teeth.  'Close as wax, I
+see; and perhaps not quite so pliable.  But take care, my pretty
+youth,' he added, scornfully; 'Hugh Redgauntlet will prove a
+rough colt-breaker--he will neither spare whipcord nor spur-
+rowel, I promise you.'
+
+'I have already said, Mr. Nixon, answered Darsie, 'that I will
+canvass those matters of which my sister has informed me, with my
+uncle himself, and with no other person.'
+
+'Nay, but a word of friendly advice would do you no harm, young
+master,' replied Nixon.  'Old Redgauntlet is apter at a blow than
+a word--likely to bite before he barks--the true man for giving
+Scarborough warning, first knock you down, then bid you stand.
+So, methinks, a little kind warning as to consequences were not
+amiss, lest they come upon you unawares.'
+
+'If the warning is really kind, Mr. Nixon,' said the young man,
+'I will hear it thankfully; and indeed, if otherwise, I must
+listen to it whether I will or no, since I have at present no
+choice of company or of conversation.'
+
+'Nay, I have but little to say,' said Nixon, affecting to give to
+his sullen and dogged manner the appearance of an honest
+bluntness; 'I am as little apt to throw away words as any one.
+But here is the question--Will you join heart and hand with your
+uncle, or no?'
+
+'What if I should say Aye?'  said Darsie, determined, if
+possible, to conceal his resolution from this man.
+
+'Why, then,' said Nixon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of
+his answer, 'all will go smooth, of course--you will take share
+in this noble undertaking, and, when it succeeds, you will
+exchange your open helmet for an earl's coronet perhaps.'
+
+'And how if it fails?'  said Darsie.
+
+'Thereafter as it may be,' said Nixon; 'they who play at bowls
+must meet with rubbers.'
+
+'Well, but suppose, then, I have some foolish tenderness for my
+windpipe, and that when my uncle proposes the adventure to me I
+should say No--how then, Mr. Nixon?'
+
+'Why, then, I would have you look to yourself, young master.
+There are sharp laws in France against refractory pupils--LETTRES
+DE CACHET are easily come by when such men as we are concerned
+with interest themselves in the matter.'
+
+'But we are not in France,' said poor Darsie, through whose blood
+ran a cold shivering at the idea of a French prison.
+
+'A fast-sailing lugger will soon bring you there though, snug
+stowed under hatches, like a cask of moonlight.'
+
+'But the French are at peace with us,' said Darsie, 'and would
+not dare'--
+
+'Why, who would ever hear of you?'  interrupted Nixon; 'do you
+imagine that a foreign court would call you up for judgement, and
+put the sentence of imprisonment in the COURRIER DE L'EUROPE, as
+they do at the Old Bailey?  No, no, young gentleman--the gates of
+the Bastille, and of Mont Saint Michel, and the Castle of
+Vincennes, move on d--d easy hinges when they let folk in--not
+the least jar is heard.  There are cool cells there for hot
+heads--as calm, and quiet, and dark, as you could wish in Bedlam
+--and the dismissal comes when the carpenter brings the
+prisoner's coffin, and not sooner.'
+
+'Well, Mr. Nixon,' said Darsie, affecting a cheerfulness which he
+was far from feeling, 'mine is a hard case--a sort of hanging
+choice, you will allow--since I must either offend our own
+government here and run the risk of my life for doing so, or be
+doomed to the dungeons of another country, whose laws I have
+never offended since I have never trod its soil--Tell me what you
+would do if you were in my place.
+
+'I'll tell you that when I am there,' said Nixon, and, checking
+his horse, fell back to the rear of the little party.
+
+'It is evident,' thought the young man, 'that the villain
+believes me completely noosed, and perhaps has the ineffable
+impudence to suppose that my sister must eventually succeed to
+the possessions which have occasioned my loss of freedom, and
+that his own influence over the destinies of our unhappy family
+may secure him possession of the heiress; but he shall perish by
+my hand first!--I must now be on the alert to make my escape, if
+possible, before I am forced on shipboard.  Blind Willie will
+not, I think, desert me without an effort on my behalf,
+especially if he has learned that I am the son of his late
+unhappy patron.  What a change is mine!  Whilst I possessed
+neither rank nor fortune, I lived safely and unknown, under the
+protection of the kind and respectable friends whose hearts
+Heaven had moved towards me.  Now that I am the head of an
+honourable house, and that enterprises of the most daring
+character await my decision, and retainers and vassals seem ready
+to rise at my beck, my safety consists chiefly in the attachment
+of a blind stroller!'
+
+While he was revolving these things in his mind, and preparing
+himself for the interview with his uncle which could not but be a
+stormy one, he saw Hugh Redgauntlet come riding slowly back to
+meet them without any attendants.  Cristal Nixon rode up as he
+approached, and, as they met, fixed on him a look of inquiry.
+
+'The fool, Crackenthorp,' said Redgauntlet, has let strangers
+into his house.  Some of his smuggling comrades, I believe; we
+must ride slowly to give him time to send them packing.'
+
+'Did you see any of your friends?'  said Cristal.
+
+'Three, and have letters from many more.  They are unanimous on
+the subject you wot of--and the point must be conceded to them,
+or, far as the matter has gone, it will go no further.'
+
+'You will hardly bring the father to stoop to his flock,' said
+Cristal, with a sneer.
+
+'He must and shall!'  answered Redgauntlet, briefly.  'Go to the
+front, Cristal--I would speak with my nephew.  I trust, Sir
+Arthur Redgauntlet, you are satisfied with the manner in which I
+have discharged my duty to your sister?'
+
+'There can be no fault found to her manners or sentiments,'
+answered Darsie; 'I am happy in knowing a relative so amiable.'
+
+'I am glad of it,' answered Mr. Redgauntlet.  'I am no nice judge
+of women's qualifications, and my life has been dedicated to one
+great object; so that since she left France she has had but
+little opportunity of improvement.  I have subjected her,
+however, as little as possible to the inconveniences and
+privations of my wandering and dangerous life.  From time to time
+she has resided for weeks and months with families of honour and
+respectability, and I am glad that she has, in, your opinion, the
+manners and behaviour which become her birth.'
+
+Darsie expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and there was a
+little pause, which Redgauntlet broke by solemnly addressing his
+nephew.
+
+'For you, my nephew, I also hoped to have done much.  The
+weakness and timidity of your mother sequestered you from my
+care, or it would have been my pride and happiness to have
+trained up the son of my unhappy brother in those paths of honour
+in which our ancestors have always trod.'
+
+'Now comes the storm,' thought Darsie to himself, and began to
+collect his thoughts, as the cautious master of a vessel furls
+his sails and makes his ship snug when he discerns the
+approaching squall.
+
+'My mother's conduct in respect to me might be misjudged,' he
+said, 'but it was founded on the most anxious affection.'
+
+'Assuredly,' said his uncle, 'and I have no wish to reflect on
+her memory, though her mistrust has done so much injury, I will
+not say to me, but to the cause of my unhappy country.  Her
+scheme was, I think, to have made you that wretched pettifogging
+being, which they still continue to call in derision by the once
+respectable name of a Scottish Advocate; one of those mongrel
+things that must creep to learn the ultimate decision of his
+causes to the bar of a foreign court, instead of pleading before
+the independent and august Parliament of his own native kingdom,'
+
+'I did prosecute the study of law for a year or two, said Darsie,
+'but I found I had neither taste nor talents for the science.'
+
+'And left it with scorn, doubtless,' said Mr. Redgauntlet.
+'Well, I now hold up to you, my dearest nephew, a more worthy
+object of ambition.  Look eastward--do you see a monument
+standing on yonder plain, near a hamlet?'
+
+Darsie replied that he did,
+
+'The hamlet is called Burgh-upon-Sands, and yonder monument is
+erected to the memory of the tyrant Edward I The just hand of
+Providence overtook him on that spot, as he was leading his bands
+to complete the subjugation of Scotland whose civil dissensions
+began under his accursed policy.  The glorious career of Bruce
+might have been stopped in its outset; the field of Bannockburn
+might have remained a bloodless turf, if God had not removed, in
+the very crisis, the crafty and bold tyrant who had so long been
+Scotland's scourge.  Edward's grave is the cradle of our national
+freedom.  It is within sight of that great landmark of our
+liberty that I have to propose to you an undertaking, second in
+honour and importance to none since the immortal Bruce stabbed
+the Red Comyn, and grasped with his yet bloody hand the
+independent crown of Scotland.'
+
+He paused for an answer; but Darsie, overawed by the energy of
+his manner, and unwilling to commit himself by a hasty
+explanation, remained silent.
+
+'I will not suppose,' said Hugh Redgauntlet, after a pause, that
+you are either so dull as not to comprehend the import of my
+words--or so dastardly as to be dismayed by my proposal--or so
+utterly degenerate from the blood and sentiments of your
+ancestors, as not to feel my summons as the horse hears the war-
+trumpet.'
+
+'I will not pretend to misunderstand you, sir,' said Darsie; 'but
+an enterprise directed against a dynasty now established for
+three reigns requires strong arguments, both in point of justice
+and of expediency, to recommend it to men of conscience and
+prudence.'
+
+'I will not,' said Redgauntlet, while his eyes sparkled with
+anger,--'I will not hear you speak a word against the justice of
+that enterprise, for which your oppressed country calls with the
+voice of a parent, entreating her children for aid--or against
+that noble revenge which your father's blood demands from his
+dishonoured grave.  His skull is yet standing over the Rikargate,
+[The northern gate of Carlisle was long garnished with the heads
+of the Scottish rebels executed in 1746.] and even its bleak and
+mouldered jaws command you to be a man.  I ask you, in the name
+of God and of your country, will you draw your sword and go with
+me to Carlisle, were it but to lay your father's head, now the
+perch of the obscene owl and carrion crow and the scoff of every
+ribald clown, in consecrated earth as befits his long ancestry?'
+
+Darsie, unprepared to answer an appeal urged with so much
+passion, and not doubting a direct refusal would cost him his
+liberty or life, was again silent.
+
+'I see,' said his uncle, in a more composed tone, 'that it is not
+deficiency of spirit, but the grovelling habits of a confined
+education, among the poor-spirited class you were condemned to
+herd with, that keeps you silent.  You scarce yet believe
+yourself a Redgauntlet; your pulse has not yet learned the
+genuine throb that answers to the summons of honour and of
+patriotism.'
+
+'I trust,' replied Darsie, at last, 'that I shall never be found
+indifferent to the call of either; but to answer them with
+effect--even were I convinced that they now sounded in my ear--I
+must see some reasonable hope of success in the desperate
+enterprise in which you would involve me.  I look around me, and
+I see a settled government--an established authority--a born
+Briton on the throne--the very Highland mountaineers, upon whom
+alone the trust of the exiled family reposed, assembled into
+regiments which act under the orders of the existing dynasty.
+[The Highland regiments were first employed by the celebrated
+Earl of Chatham, who assumed to himself no small degree of praise
+for having called forth to the support of the country and the
+government, the valour which had been too often directed against
+both.]  France has been utterly dismayed by the tremendous
+lessons of the last war, and will hardly provoke another.  All
+without and within the kingdom is adverse to encountering a
+hopeless struggle, and you alone, sir, seem willing to undertake
+a desperate enterprise.'
+
+'And would undertake it were it ten times more desperate; and
+have agitated it when ten times the obstacles were interposed.
+Have I forgot my brother's blood?  Can I--dare I even now repeat
+the Pater Noster, since my enemies and the murderers remain
+unforgiven?  Is there an art I have not practised--a privation to
+which I have not submitted, to bring on the crisis, which I now
+behold arrived?  Have I not been a vowed and a devoted man,
+forgoing every comfort of social life, renouncing even the
+exercise of devotion unless when I might name in prayer my prince
+and country, submitting to everything to make converts to this
+noble cause?  Have I done all this, and shall I now stop short?'
+Darsie was about to interrupt him, but he pressed his hand
+affectionately upon his shoulder, and enjoining, or rather
+imploring, silence, 'Peace,' he said, 'heir of my ancestors'
+fame--heir of all my hopes and wishes.  Peace, son of my
+slaughtered brother!  I have sought for thee, and mourned for
+thee, as a mother for an only child.  Do not let me again lose
+you in the moment when you are restored to my hopes.  Believe me,
+I distrust so much my own impatient temper, that I entreat you,
+as the dearest boon, do naught to awaken it at this crisis.'
+
+Darsie was not sorry to reply that his respect for the person of
+his relation would induce him to listen to all which he had to
+apprise him of, before he formed any definite resolution upon the
+weighty subjects of deliberation which he proposed to him.
+
+'Deliberation!'  repeated Redgauntlet, impatiently; 'and yet it
+is not ill said.  I wish there had been more warmth in thy reply,
+Arthur; but I must recollect, were an eagle bred in a falcon's
+mew and hooded like a reclaimed hawk, he could not at first gaze
+steadily on the sun.  Listen to me, my dearest Arthur.  The state
+of this nation no more implies prosperity, than the florid colour
+of a feverish patient is a symptom of health.  All is false and
+hollow.  The apparent success of Chatham's administration has
+plunged the country deeper in debt than all the barren acres of
+Canada are worth, were they as fertile as Yorkshire--the dazzling
+lustre of the victories of Minden and Quebec have been dimmed by
+the disgrace of the hasty peace--by the war, England, at immense
+expense, gained nothing but honour, and that she has gratuitously
+resigned.  Many eyes, formerly cold and indifferent, are now
+looking towards the line of our ancient and rightful monarchs, as
+the only refuge in the approaching storm--the rich are alarmed--
+the nobles are disgusted--the populace are inflamed--and a band
+of patriots, whose measures are more safe than their numbers are
+few, have resolved to set up King Charles's standard,'
+
+'But the military,' said Darsie--'how can you, with a body of
+unarmed and disorderly insurgents, propose to encounter a regular
+army.  The Highlanders are now totally disarmed.'
+
+'In a great measure, perhaps,' answered Redgauntlet; 'but the
+policy which raised the Highland regiments has provided for that.
+We have already friends in these corps; nor can we doubt for a
+moment what their conduct will be when the white cockade is once
+more mounted.  The rest of the standing army has been greatly
+reduced since the peace; and we reckon confidently on our
+standard being joined by thousands of the disbanded troops.'
+
+'Alas!'  said Darsie, 'and is it upon such vague hopes as these,
+the inconstant humour of a crowd or of a disbanded soldiery, that
+men of honour are invited to risk their families, their property,
+their life?'
+
+'Men of honour, boy,' said Redgauntlet, his eyes glancing with
+impatience, 'set life, property, family, and all at stake, when
+that honour commands it!  We are not now weaker than when seven
+men, landing in the wilds of Moidart, shook the throne of the
+usurper till it tottered--won two pitched fields, besides
+overrunning one kingdom and the half of another, and, but for
+treachery, would have achieved what their venturous successors
+are now to attempt in their turn,'
+
+'And will such an attempt be made in serious earnest?'  said
+Darsie.  'Excuse me, my uncle, if I can scarce believe a fact so
+extraordinary.  Will there really be found men of rank and
+consequence sufficient to renew the adventure of 1745?'
+
+'I will not give you my confidence by halves, Sir Arthur,'
+replied his uncle--'Look at that scroll--what say you to these
+names?--Are they not the flower of the western shires--of Wales
+of Scotland?'
+
+'The paper contains indeed the names of many that are great and
+noble,' replied Darsie, after perusing it; 'but'--
+
+'But what?'  asked his uncle, impatiently; 'do you doubt the
+ability of those nobles and gentlemen to furnish the aid in men
+and money at which they are rated?'
+
+'Not their ability certainly,' said Darsie, 'for of that I am no
+competent judge; but I see in this scroll the name of Sir Arthur
+Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk, rated at a hundred men and
+upwards--I certainly am ignorant how he is to redeem that
+pledge.'
+
+'I will be responsible for the men,' replied Hugh Redgauntlet.
+
+'But, my dear uncle,' added Darsie, 'I hope for your sake that
+the other individuals whose names are here written, have had more
+acquaintance with your plan than I have been indulged with.'
+
+'For thee and thine I can be myself responsible,' said
+Redgauntlet; 'for if thou hast not the courage to head the force
+of thy house, the leading shall pass to other hands, and thy
+inheritance shall depart from thee like vigour and verdure from a
+rotten branch.  For these honourable persons, a slight condition
+there is which they annex to their friendship--something so
+trifling that it is scarce worthy of mention.  This boon granted
+to them by him who is most interested, there is no question they
+will take the field in the manner there stated.'
+
+Again Darsie perused the paper, and felt himself still less
+inclined to believe that so many men of family and fortune were
+likely to embark in an enterprise so fatal.  It seemed as if some
+rash plotter had put down at a venture the names of all whom
+common report tainted with Jacobitism; or if it was really the
+act of the individuals named, he suspected that they must be
+aware of some mode of excusing themselves from compliance with
+its purport.  It was impossible, he thought, that Englishmen, of
+large fortune, who had failed to join Charles when he broke into
+England at the head of a victorious army, should have the least
+thoughts of encouraging a descent when circumstances were so much
+less propitious.  He therefore concluded the enterprise would
+fall to pieces of itself, and that his best way was, in the
+meantime, to remain silent, unless the actual approach of a
+crisis (which might, however, never arrive) should compel him to
+give a downright refusal to his uncle's proposition; and if, in
+the interim, some door for escape should be opened, he resolved
+within himself not to omit availing himself of it.
+
+Hugh Redgauntlet watched his nephew's looks for some time, and
+then, as if arriving from some other process of reasoning at the
+same conclusion, he said, 'I have told you, Sir Arthur, that I do
+not urge your immediate accession to my proposal; indeed the
+consequences of a refusal would be so dreadful to yourself, so
+destructive to all the hopes which I have nursed, that I would
+not risk, by a moment's impatience, the object of my whole life.
+Yes, Arthur, I have been a self-denying hermit at one time--at
+another, the apparent associate of outlaws and desperadoes--at
+another, the subordinate agent of men whom I felt in every way my
+inferiors--not for any selfish purpose of my own, no, not even to
+win for myself the renown of being the principal instrument in
+restoring my king and freeing my country.  My first wish on earth
+is for that restoration and that freedom--my next, that my
+nephew, the representative of my house and of the brother of my
+love, may have the advantage and the credit of all my efforts in
+the good cause.  But,' he added, darting on Darsie one of his
+withering frowns, 'if Scotland and my father's house cannot stand
+and flourish together, then perish the very name of Redgauntlet!
+perish the son of my brother, with every recollection of the
+glories of my family, of the affections of my youth, rather than
+my country's cause should be injured in the tithing of a barley-
+corn!  The spirit of Sir Alberick is alive within me at this
+moment,' he continued, drawing up his stately form and sitting
+erect in his saddle, while he pressed his finger against his
+forehead; 'and if you yourself crossed my path in opposition, I
+swear, by the mark that darkens my brow, that a new deed should
+be done--a new doom should be deserved!'
+
+He was silent, and his threats were uttered in a tone of voice so
+deeply resolute, that Darsie's heart sank within him, when he
+reflected on the storm of passion which he must encounter, if he
+declined to join his uncle in a project to which prudence and
+principle made him equally adverse.  He had scarce any hope left
+but in temporizing until he could make his escape, and resolved
+to avail himself for that purpose of the delay which his uncle
+seemed not unwilling to grant.  The stern, gloomy look of his
+companion became relaxed by degrees, and presently afterwards he
+made a sign to Miss Redgauntlet to join the party, and began a
+forced conversation on ordinary topics; in the course of which
+Darsie observed that his sister seemed to speak under the most
+cautious restraint, weighing every word before she uttered it,
+and always permitting her uncle to give the tone to the
+conversation, though of the most trifling kind.  This seemed to
+him (such an opinion had he already entertained of his sister's
+good sense and firmness) the strongest proof he had yet received
+of his uncle's peremptory character, since he saw it observed
+with so much deference by a young person whose sex might have
+given her privileges, and who seemed by no means deficient either
+in spirit or firmness.
+
+The little cavalcade was now approaching the house of Father
+Crackenthorp, situated, as the reader knows, by the side of the
+Solway, and not far distant front a rude pier, near which lay
+several fishing-boats, which frequently acted in a different
+capacity.  The house of the worthy publican was also adapted to
+the various occupations which he carried on, being a large
+scrambling assemblage of cottages attached to a house of two
+stories, roofed with flags of sandstone--the original mansion, to
+which the extensions of Mr. Crackenthorp's trade had occasioned
+his making many additions.  Instead of the single long watering-
+trough which usually distinguishes the front of the English
+public-house of the second class, there were three conveniences
+of that kind, for the use, as the landlord used to say, of the
+troop-horses when the soldiers came to search his house; while a
+knowing leer and a nod let you understand what species of troops
+he was thinking of.  A huge ash-tree before the door, which had
+reared itself to a great size and height, in spite of the blasts
+from the neighbouring Solway, overshadowed, as usual, the ale-
+bench, as our ancestors called it, where, though it was still
+early in the day, several fellows, who seemed to be gentlemen's
+servants, were drinking beer and smoking.  One or two of them
+wore liveries which seemed known to Mr. Redgauntlet, for he
+muttered between his teeth, 'Fools, fools! were they on a march
+to hell, they must have their rascals in livery with them, that
+the whole world might know who were going to be damned.'
+
+As he thus muttered, he drew bridle before the door of the place,
+from which several other lounging guests began to issue, to look
+with indolent curiosity as usual, upon an ARRIVAL.
+
+Redgauntlet sprang from his horse, and assisted his niece to
+dismount; but, forgetting, perhaps, his nephew's disguise, he did
+not pay him the attention which his female dress demanded.
+
+The situation of Darsie was indeed something awkward; for Cristal
+Nixon, out of caution perhaps to prevent escape, had muffled the
+extreme folds of the riding-skirt with which he was accoutred,
+around his ankles and under his feet, and there secured it with
+large corking-pins.  We presume that gentlemen-cavaliers may
+sometimes cast their eyes to that part of the person of the fair
+equestrians whom they chance occasionally to escort; and if they
+will conceive their own feet, like Darsie's, muffled in such a
+labyrinth of folds and amplitude of robe, as modesty doubtless
+induces the fair creatures to assume upon such occasions, they
+will allow that, on a first attempt, they might find some
+awkwardness in dismounting.  Darsie, at least, was in such a
+predicament, for, not receiving adroit assistance from the
+attendant of Mr. Redgauntlet, he stumbled as he dismounted from
+the horse, and might have had a bad fall, had it not been broken
+by the gallant interposition of a gentleman, who probably was, on
+his part, a little surprised at the solid weight of the
+distressed fair one whom he had the honour to receive in his
+embrace.  But what was his surprise to that of Darsie, when the
+hurry of the moment and of the accident, permitted him to see
+that it was his friend Alan Fairford in whose arms he found
+himself!  A thousand apprehensions rushed on him, mingled with
+the full career of hope and joy, inspired by the unexpected
+appearance of his beloved friend at the very crisis, it seemed,
+of his fate.
+
+He was about to whisper in his ear, cautioning him at the same
+time to be silent; yet he hesitated for a second or two to effect
+his purpose, since, should Redgauntlet take the alarm from any
+sudden exclamation on the part of Alan, there was no saying what
+consequences might ensue.
+
+Ere he could decide what was to be done, Redgauntlet, who had
+entered the house, returned hastily, followed by Cristal Nixon.
+'I'll release you of the charge of this young lady, sir;' he
+said, haughtily, to Alan Fairford, whom he probably did not
+recognize.
+
+'I had no desire to intrude, sir,' replied Alan; 'the lady's
+situation seemed to require assistance--and--but have I not the
+honour to speak to Mr. Herries of Birrenswork?'
+
+'You are mistaken, sir,' said Redgauntlet, turning short off, and
+making a sign with his hand to Cristal, who hurried Darsie,
+however unwillingly, into the house, whispering in his ear,
+'Come, miss, let us have no making of acquaintance from the
+windows.  Ladies of fashion must be private.  Show us a room,
+Father Crackenthorp.'
+
+So saying, he conducted Darsie into the house, interposing at the
+same time his person betwixt the supposed young lady and the
+stranger of whom he was suspicious, so as to make communication
+by signs impossible.  As they entered, they heard the sound of a
+fiddle in the stone-floored and well-sanded kitchen, through
+which they were about to follow their corpulent host, and where
+several people seemed engaged in dancing to its strains.
+
+'D--n thee,' said Nixon to Crackenthorp, 'would you have the lady
+go through all the mob of the parish?  Hast thou no more private
+way to our sitting-room?'
+
+'None that is fit for my travelling,' answered the landlord,
+laying his hand on his portly stomach.  'I am not Tom Turnpenny,
+to creep like a lizard through keyholes.'
+
+So saying, he kept moving on through the revellers in the
+kitchen; and Nixon, holding Darsie by his arm, as if to offer the
+lady support but in all probability to frustrate any effort at
+escape, moved through the crowd, which presented a very motley
+appearance, consisting of domestic servants, country fellows,
+seamen, and other idlers, whom Wandering Willie was regaling with
+his music.
+
+To pass another friend without intimation of his presence would
+have been actual pusillanimity; and just when they were passing
+the blind man's elevated seat, Darsie asked him with some
+emphasis, whether he could not play a Scottish air?  The man's
+face had been the instant before devoid of all sort of
+expression, going through his performance like a clown through a
+beautiful country, too much accustomed to consider it as a task,
+to take any interest in the performance, and, in fact, scarce
+seeming to hear the noise that he was creating.  In a word, he
+might at the time have made a companion to my friend Wilkie's
+inimitable blind crowder.  But with Wandering Willie this was
+only an occasional and a rare fit of dullness, such as will at
+times creep over all the professors of the fine arts, arising
+either from fatigue, or contempt of the present audience, or that
+caprice which so often tempts painters and musicians and great
+actors, in the phrase of the latter, to walk through their part,
+instead of exerting themselves with the energy which acquired
+their fame.  But when the performer heard the voice of Darsie,
+his countenance became at once illuminated, and showed the
+complete mistake of those who suppose that the principal point of
+expression depends upon the eyes.  With his face turned to the
+point from which the sound came, his upper lip a little curved,
+and quivering with agitation, and with a colour which surprise
+and pleasure had brought at once into his faded cheek, he
+exchanged the humdrum hornpipe which he had been sawing out with
+reluctant and lazy bow, for the fine Scottish air,
+
+  You're welcome, Charlie Stuart,
+
+which flew from his strings as if by inspiration and after a
+breathless pause of admiration among the audience, was received
+with a clamour of applause, which seemed to show that the name
+and tendency, as well as the execution of the tune, was in the
+highest degree acceptable to all the party assembled.
+
+In the meantime, Cristal Nixon, still keeping hold of Darsie, and
+following the landlord, forced his way with some difficulty
+through the crowded kitchen, and entered a small apartment on the
+other side of it, where they found Lilias Redgauntlet already
+seated.  Here Nixon gave way to his suppressed resentment, and
+turning sternly on Crackenthorp, threatened him with his master's
+severest displeasure, because things were in such bad order to
+receive his family, when he had given such special advice that he
+desired to be private.  But Father Crackenthorp was not a man to
+be brow-beaten.
+
+'Why, brother Nixon, thou art angry this morning,' he replied;
+'hast risen from thy wrong side, I think.  You know, as well as
+I, that most of this mob is of the squire's own making--gentlemen
+that come with their servants, and so forth, to meet him in the
+way of business, as old Tom Turnpenny says--the very last that
+came was sent down with Dick Gardener from Fairladies.'
+
+'But the blind scraping scoundrel yonder,' said Nixon, 'how dared
+you take such a rascal as that across your threshold at such a
+time as this?  If the squire should dream you have a thought of
+peaching--I am only speaking for your good, Father Crackenthorp.'
+
+'Why, look ye, brother Nixon,' said Crackenthorp, turning his
+quid with great composure, 'the squire is a very worthy
+gentleman, and I'll never deny it; but I am neither his servant
+nor his tenant, and so he need send me none of his orders till he
+hears I have put on his livery.  As for turning away folk from my
+door, I might as well plug up the ale-tap, and pull down the
+sign--and as for peaching, and such like, the squire will find
+the folk here are as honest to the full as those he brings with
+him.'
+
+'How, you impudent lump of tallow,' said Nixon, 'what do you mean
+by that?'
+
+'Nothing,' said Crackenthorp, 'but that I can tour out as well as
+another--you understand me--keep good lights in my upper story--
+know a thing or two more than most folk in this country.  If folk
+will come to my house on dangerous errands, egad they shall not
+find Joe Crackenthorp a cat's-paw.  I'll keep myself clear, you
+may depend on it, and let every man answer for his own actions--
+that's my way.  Anything wanted, Master Nixon?'
+
+'No--yes--begone!'  said Nixon, who seemed embarrassed with the
+landlord's contumacy, yet desirous to conceal the effect it
+produced on him.
+
+The door was no sooner closed on Crackenthorp, than Miss
+Redgauntlet, addressing Nixon, commanded him to leave the room
+and go to his proper place.
+
+'How, madam?'  said the fellow sullenly, yet with an air of
+respect, 'Would you have your uncle pistol me for disobeying his
+orders?'
+
+'He may perhaps pistol you for some other reason, if you do not
+obey mine,' said Lilias, composedly.
+
+'You abuse your advantage over me, madam--I really dare not go--I
+am on guard over this other miss here; and if I should desert my
+post, my life were not worth five minutes' purchase.'
+
+'Then know your post, sir,' said Lilias, 'and watch on the
+outside of the door.  You have no commission to listen to our
+private conversation, I suppose?  Begone, sir, without further
+speech or remonstrance, or I will tell my uncle that which you
+would have reason to repent be should know.'
+
+The fellow looked at her with a singular expression of spite,
+mixed with deference.  'You abuse your advantages, madam,' he
+said, 'and act as foolishly in doing so as I did in affording you
+such a hank over me.  But you are a tyrant; and tyrants have
+commonly short reigns.'
+
+So saying, he left the apartment.
+
+'The wretch's unparalleled insolence,' said Lilias to her
+brother, 'has given me one great advantage over him.  For knowing
+that my uncle would shoot him with as little remorse as a
+woodcock, if he but guessed at his brazen-faced assurance towards
+me, he dares not since that time assume, so far as I am
+concerned, the air of insolent domination which the possession of
+my uncle's secrets, and the knowledge of his most secret plans,
+have led him to exert over others of his family.'
+
+'In the meantime,' said Darsie, 'I am happy to see that the
+landlord of the house does not seem so devoted to him as I
+apprehended; and this aids the hope of escape which I am
+nourishing for you and for myself.  O Lilias!  the truest of
+friends, Alan Fairford, is in pursuit of me, and is here at this
+moment.  Another humble, but, I think, faithful friend, is also
+within these dangerous walls,'
+
+Lilias laid her finger on her lips, and pointed to the door.
+Darsie took the hint, lowered his voice, and informed her in
+whispers of the arrival of Fairford, and that he believed he had
+opened a communication with Wandering Willie.  She listened with
+the utmost interest, and had just begun to reply, when a loud
+noise was heard in the kitchen, caused by several contending
+voices, amongst which Darsie thought he could distinguish that of
+Alan Fairford.
+
+Forgetting how little his own condition permitted him to become
+the assistant of another, Darsie flew to the door of the room,
+and finding it locked and bolted on the outside, rushed against
+it with all his force, and made the most desperate efforts to
+burst it open, notwithstanding the entreaties of his sister that
+he would compose himself and recollect the condition in which he
+was placed.  But the door, framed to withstand attacks from
+excisemen, constables, and other personages, considered as worthy
+to use what are called the king's keys, [In common parlance, a
+crowbar and hatchet.]  'and therewith to make lockfast places
+open and patent,' set his efforts at defiance.  Meantime the
+noise continued without, and we are to give an account of its
+origin in our next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+NARRATIVE OF DARSIE LATIMER, CONTINUED
+
+Joe Crackenthorp's public-house had never, since it first reared
+its chimneys on the banks of the Solway, been frequented by such
+a miscellaneous group of visitors as had that morning become its
+guests.  Several of them were persons whose quality seemed much
+superior to their dresses and modes of travelling.  The servants
+who attended them contradicted the inferences to be drawn from
+the garb of their masters, and, according to the custom of the
+knights of the rainbow, gave many hints that they were not people
+to serve any but men of first-rate consequence.  These gentlemen,
+who had come thither chiefly for the purpose of meeting with Mr.
+Redgauntlet, seemed moody and anxious, conversed and walked
+together apparently in deep conversation, and avoided any
+communication with the chance travellers whom accident brought
+that morning to the same place of resort.
+
+As if Fate had set herself to confound the plans of the Jacobite
+conspirators, the number of travellers was unusually great, their
+appearance respectable, and they filled the public tap-room of
+the inn, where the political guests had already occupied most of
+the private apartments.
+
+Amongst others, honest Joshua Geddes had arrived, travelling, as
+he said, in the sorrow of the soul, and mourning for the fate of
+Darsie Latimer as he would for his first-born child.  He had
+skirted the whole coast of the Solway, besides making various
+trips into the interior, not shunning, on such occasions, to
+expose himself to the laugh of the scorner, nay, even to serious
+personal risk, by frequenting the haunts of smugglers, horse-
+jockeys, and other irregular persons, who looked on his intrusion
+with jealous eyes, and were apt to consider him as an exciseman
+in the disguise of a Quaker.  All this labour and peril, however,
+had been undergone in vain.  No search he could make obtained the
+least intelligence of Latimer, so that he began to fear the poor
+lad had been spirited abroad--for the practice of kidnapping was
+then not infrequent, especially on the western coasts of Britain
+--if indeed he had escaped a briefer and more bloody fate.
+
+With a heavy heart, he delivered his horse, even Solomon, into
+the hands of the ostler, and walking into the inn, demanded from
+the landlord breakfast and a private room.  Quakers, and such
+hosts as old Father Crackenthorp, are no congenial spirits; the
+latter looked askew over his shoulder, and replied, 'If you would
+have breakfast here, friend, you are like to eat it where other
+folk eat theirs.'
+
+'And wherefore can I not,' said the Quaker, 'have an apartment to
+myself, for my money?'
+
+'Because, Master Jonathan, you must wait till your betters be
+served, or else eat with your equals.'
+
+Joshua Geddes argued the point no further, but sitting quietly
+down on the seat which Crackenthorp indicated to him, and calling
+for a pint of ale, with some bread, butter, and Dutch cheese,
+began to satisfy the appetite which the morning air had rendered
+unusually alert.
+
+While the honest Quaker was thus employed, another stranger
+entered the apartment, and sat down near to the table on which
+his victuals were placed.  He looked repeatedly at Joshua, licked
+his parched and chopped lips as he saw the good Quaker masticate
+his bread and cheese, and sucked up his thin chops when Mr.
+Geddes applied the tankard to his mouth, as if the discharge of
+these bodily functions by another had awakened his sympathies in
+an uncontrollable degree.  At last, being apparently unable to
+withstand his longings, he asked, in a faltering tone, the huge
+landlord, who was tramping through the room in all corpulent
+impatience, whether he could have a plack-pie?'
+
+'Never heard of such a thing, master,' said the landlord, and was
+about to trudge onward; when the guest, detaining him, said, in a
+strong Scottish tone, 'Ya will maybe have nae whey then, nor
+buttermilk, nor ye couldna exhibit a souter's clod?'
+
+'Can't tell what ye are talking about, master,' said
+Crackenthorp.
+
+'Then ye will have nae breakfast that will come within 'the
+compass of a shilling Scots?'
+
+'Which is a penny sterling,' answered Crackenthorp, with a sneer.
+'Why, no, Sawney, I can't say as we have--we can't afford it; But
+you shall have a bellyful for love, as we say in the bull-ring.'
+
+'I shall never refuse a fair offer,' said the poverty-stricken
+guest; 'and I will say that for the English, if they were deils,
+that they are a ceeveleesed people to gentlemen that are under a
+cloud.'
+
+'Gentlemen!--humph!'  said Crackenthorp--'not a blue-cap among
+them but halts upon that foot.'  Then seizing on a dish which
+still contained a huge cantle of what had been once a princely
+mutton pasty, he placed it on the table before the stranger,
+saying, 'There, master gentleman; there is what is worth all the
+black pies, as you call them, that were ever made of sheep's
+head.'
+
+'Sheep's head is a gude thing, for a' that,' replied the guest;
+but not being spoken so loud as to offend his hospitable
+entertainer, the interjection might pass for a private protest
+against the scandal thrown out against the standing dish of
+Caledonia.
+
+This premised, he immediately began to transfer the mutton and
+pie-crust from his plate to his lips, in such huge gobbets, as if
+he was refreshing after a three days' fast, and laying in
+provisions against a whole Lent to come.
+
+Joshua Geddes in his turn gazed on him with surprise, having
+never, he thought, beheld such a gaunt expression of hunger in
+the act of eating.  'Friend,' he said, after watching him for
+some minutes, 'if thou gorgest thyself in this fashion, thou wilt
+assuredly choke.  Wilt thou not take a draught out of my cup to
+help down all that dry meat?'
+
+'Troth,' said the stranger, stopping and looking at the friendly
+propounder, 'that's nae bad overture, as they say in the General
+Assembly.  I have heard waur motions than that frae wiser
+counsel.'
+
+Mr. Geddes ordered a quart of home-brewed to be placed before our
+friend Peter Peebles; for the reader must have already conceived
+that this unfortunate litigant was the wanderer in question.
+
+The victim of Themis had no sooner seen the flagon, than he
+seized it with the same energy which he had displayed in
+operating upon the pie--puffed off the froth with such emphasis,
+that some of it lighted on Mr. Geddes's head--and then said, as
+if with it sudden recollection of what was due to civility,
+'Here's to ye, friend.  What!  are ye ower grand to give me an
+answer, or are ye dull o' hearing?'
+
+'I prithee drink thy liquor, friend,' said the good Quaker; 'thou
+meanest it in civility, but we care not for these idle fashions.'
+
+'What!  ye are a Quaker, are ye?'  said Peter; and without
+further ceremony reared the flagon to his head, from which he
+withdrew it not while a single drop of 'barley-broo' remained.
+'That's done you and me muckle gude,' he said, sighing as he set
+down his pot; 'but twa mutchkins o' yill between twa folk is a
+drappie ower little measure.  What say ye to anither pot?  or
+shall we cry in a blithe Scots pint at ance?  The yill is no
+amiss.'
+
+'Thou mayst call for what thou wilt on thine own charges,
+friend,' said Geddes; 'for myself, I willingly contribute to the
+quenching of thy natural thirst; but I fear it were no such easy
+matter to relieve thy acquired and artificial drought.'
+
+'That is to say, in plain terms, ye are for withdrawing your
+caution with the folk of the house?  You Quaker folk are but
+fause comforters; but since ye have garred me drink sae muckle
+cauld yill--me that am no used to the like of it in the forenoon
+--I think ye might as weel have offered me a glass of brandy or
+usquabae--I'm nae nice body--I can drink onything that's wet and
+toothsome.'
+
+'Not a drop at my cost, friend,' quoth Geddes.  'Thou art an old
+man, and hast perchance a heavy and long journey before thee.
+Thou art, moreover, my countryman, as I judge from thy tongue;
+and I will not give thee the means of dishonouring thy grey hairs
+in a strange land.'
+
+'Grey hairs, neighbour!'  said Peter, with a wink to the
+bystanders, whom this dialogue began to interest, and who were in
+hopes of seeing the Quaker played off by the crazed beggar, for
+such Peter Peebles appeared to be.  'Grey hairs!  The Lord mend
+your eyesight, neighbour, that disna ken grey hairs frae a tow
+wig!'
+
+This jest procured a shout of laughter, and, what was still more
+acceptable than dry applause, a man who stood beside called out,
+'Father Crackenthorp, bring a nipperkin of brandy.  I'll bestow
+a dram on this fellow, were it but for that very word.'
+
+The brandy was immediately brought by a wench who acted as
+barmaid; and Peter, with a grin of delight, filled a glass,
+quaffed it off, and then saying, 'God bless me!  I was so
+unmannerly as not to drink to ye--I think the Quaker has smitten
+me wi' his ill-bred havings,'--he was about to fill another, when
+his hand was arrested by his new friend; who said at the same
+time, 'No, no, friend--fair play's a jewel--time about, if you
+please.'  And filling a glass for himself, emptied it as
+gallantly as Peter could have done.  'What say you to that,
+friend?'  he continued, addressing the Quaker.
+
+'Nay, friend,' answered Joshua, 'it went down thy throat, not
+mine; and I have nothing to say about what concerns me not; but
+if thou art a man of humanity, thou wilt not give this poor
+creature the means of debauchery.  Bethink thee that they will
+spurn him from the door, as they would do a houseless and
+masterless dog, and that he may die on the sands or on the
+common.  And if he has through thy means been rendered incapable
+of helping himself, thou shalt not be innocent of his blood.'
+
+'Faith, Broadbrim, I believe thou art right, and the old
+gentleman in the flaxen jazy shall have no more of the comforter.
+Besides, we have business in hand to-day, and this fellow, for as
+mad as he looks, may have a nose on his face after all.  Hark ye,
+father,--what is your name, and what brings you into such an out-
+of-the-way corner?'
+
+'I am not just free to condescend on my name,' said Peter; 'and
+as for my business--there is a wee dribble of brandy in the
+stoup--it would be wrang to leave it to the lass--it is learning
+her bad usages.'
+
+'Well, thou shalt have the brandy, and be d--d to thee, if thou
+wilt tell me what you are making here.'
+
+'Seeking a young advocate chap that they ca' Alan Fairford, that
+has played me a slippery trick, and ye maun ken a' about the
+cause,' said Peter.
+
+'An advocate, man!'  answered the captain of the JUMPING JENNY--
+for it was he, and no other, who had taken compassion on Peter's
+drought; 'why, Lord help thee, thou art on the wrong side of the
+Firth to seek advocates, whom I take to be Scottish lawyers, not
+English.'
+
+'English lawyers, man!'  exclaimed Peter, 'the deil a lawyer's in
+a' England.'
+
+'I wish from my soul it were true,' said Ewart; 'but what the
+devil put that in your head?'
+
+'Lord, man, I got a grip of ane of their attorneys in Carlisle,
+and he tauld me that there wasna a lawyer in England ony mair
+than himsell that kend the nature of a multiple-poinding!  And
+when I told him how this loopy lad, Alan Fairford, had served me,
+he said I might bring an action on the case--just as if the case
+hadna as mony actions already as one case can weel carry.  By my
+word, it is a gude case, and muckle has it borne, in its day, of
+various procedure--but it's the barley-pickle breaks the naig's
+back, and wi' my consent it shall not hae ony mair burden laid
+upon it.'
+
+'But this Alan Fairford?'  said Nanty--'come--sip up the drop of
+brandy, man, and tell me some more about him, and whether you are
+seeking him for good or for harm.'
+
+'For my ain gude, and for his harm, to be sure,' said Peter.
+'Think of his having left my cause in the dead-thraw between the
+tyneing and the winning, and capering off into Cumberland here,
+after a wild loup-the-tether lad they ca' Darsie Latimer.'
+
+'Darsie Latimer!'  said Mr. Geddes, hastily; 'do you know
+anything of Darsie Latimer?'
+
+'Maybe I do, and maybe I do not,' answered Peter; 'I am no free
+to answer every body's interrogatory, unless it is put
+judicially, and by form of law--specially where folk think so
+much of a caup of sour yill, or a thimblefu' of brandy.  But as
+for this gentleman, that has shown himself a gentleman at
+breakfast, and will show himself a gentleman at the meridian, I
+am free to condescend upon any points in the cause that may
+appear to bear upon the question at issue.'
+
+'Why, all I want to know from you, my friend, is, whether you are
+seeking to do this Mr. Alan Fairford good or harm; because if you
+come to do him good, I think you could maybe get speech of him--
+and if to do him harm, I will take the liberty to give you a cast
+across the Firth, with fair warning not to come back on such an
+errand, lest worse come of it.'
+
+The manner and language of Ewart were such that Joshua Geddes
+resolved to keep cautious silence, till he could more plainly
+discover whether he was likely to aid or impede him in his
+researches after Darsie Latimer.  He therefore determined to
+listen attentively to what should pass between Peter and the
+seaman, and to watch for an opportunity of questioning the
+former, so soon as he should be separated from his new
+acquaintance.
+
+'I wad by no means,' said Peter Peebles, 'do any substantial harm
+to the poor lad Fairford, who has had mony a gowd guinea of mine,
+as weel as his father before him; but I wad hae him brought back
+to the minding of my business and his ain; and maybe I wadna
+insist further in my action of damages against him, than for
+refunding the fees, and for some annual rent on the principal sum
+due frae the day on which he should have recovered it for me,
+plack and bawbee, at the great advising ; for ye are aware, that
+is the least that I can ask NOMINE DAMNI; and I have nae thought
+to break down the lad bodily a'thegither--we maun live and let
+live--forgie and forget.'
+
+'The deuce take me, friend Broadbrim,' said Nanty Ewart, looking
+to the Quaker, 'if I can make out what this old scarecrow means.
+If I thought it was fitting that Master Fairford should see him,
+why perhaps it is a matter that could be managed.  Do you know
+anything about the old fellow?--you seemed to take some charge of
+him just now.'
+
+'No more than I should have done by any one in distress,' said
+Geddes, not sorry to be appealed to; 'but I will try what I can
+do to find out who he is, and what he is about in this country.
+But are we not a little too public in this open room?'
+
+'It's well thought of,' said Nanty; and at his command the
+barmaid ushered the party into a side-booth, Peter attending them
+in the instinctive hope that there would be more liquor drunk
+among them before parting.  They had scarce sat down in their new
+apartment, when the sound of a violin was heard in the room which
+they had just left.
+
+'I'll awa back yonder,' said Peter, rising up again; 'yon's the
+sound of a fiddle, and when there is music, there's ay something
+ganging to eat or drink.'
+
+'I am just going to order something here,' said the Quaker; 'but
+in the meantime, have you any objection, my good friend, to tell
+us your name?'
+
+'None in the world, if you are wanting to drink to me by name and
+surname,' answered Peebles; 'but, otherwise, I would rather evite
+your interrogatories.'
+
+'Friend,' said the Quaker, 'it is not for thine own health,
+seeing thou hast drunk enough already--however--here, handmaiden
+--bring me a gill of sherry.'
+
+'Sherry's but shilpit drink, and a gill's a sma' measure for twa
+gentlemen to crack ower at their first acquaintance.  But let us
+see your sneaking gill of sherry,' said Poor Peter, thrusting
+forth his huge hand to seize on the diminutive pewter measure,
+which, according to the fashion of the time, contained the
+generous liquor freshly drawn from the butt.
+
+'Nay, hold, friend,' said Joshua, 'thou hast not yet told me what
+name and surname I am to call thee by.'
+
+'D--d sly in the Quaker,' said Nanty, apart, 'to make him pay for
+his liquor before he gives it him.  Now, I am such a fool, that I
+should have let him get too drunk to open his mouth, before I
+thought of asking him a question.'
+
+'My name is Peter Peebles, then,' said the litigant, rather
+sulkily, as one who thought his liquor too sparingly meted out to
+him; 'and what have you to say to that?'
+
+'Peter Peebles?'  repeated Nanty Ewart and seemed to muse upon
+something which the words brought to his remembrance, while the
+Quaker pursued his examination.
+
+'But I prithee, Peter Peebles, what is thy further designation?
+Thou knowest, in our country, that some men are distinguished by
+their craft and calling, as cordwainers, fishers, weavers, or the
+like, and some by their titles as proprietors of land (which
+savours of vanity)--now, how may you be distinguished from others
+of the same name?'
+
+'As Peter Peebles of the great plea of Poor Peter Peebles against
+Plainstanes, ET PER CONTRA--if I am laird of naething else, I am
+ay a DOMINUS LITIS.'
+
+'It's but a poor lairdship, I doubt,' said Joshua.
+
+'Pray, Mr, Peebles,' said Nanty, interrupting the conversation
+abruptly, 'were not you once a burgess of Edinburgh?'
+
+'WAS I a burgess!'  said Peter indignantly, 'and AM I not a
+burgess even now?  I have done nothing to forfeit my right, I
+trow--once provost and ay my lord.'
+
+'Well, Mr. Burgess, tell me further, have you not some property
+in the Gude Town?'  continued Ewart.
+
+'Troth have I--that is, before my misfortunes, I had twa or three
+bonny bits of mailings amang the closes and wynds, forby the shop
+and the story abune it.  But Plainstanes has put me to the
+causeway now.  Never mind though, I will be upsides with him
+yet.'
+
+'Had not you once a tenement in the Covenant Close?'  again
+demanded Nanty.
+
+'You have hit it, lad, though ye look not like a Covenanter,'
+said Peter; 'we'll drink to its memory--(Hout!  the heart's at
+the mouth o' that ill-faur'd bit stoup already!)--it brought a
+rent, reckoning from the crawstep to the groundsill, that ye
+might ca' fourteen punds a year, forby the laigh cellar that was
+let to Lucky Littleworth.'
+
+'And do you not remember that you had a poor old lady for your
+tenant, Mrs. Cantrips of Kittlebasket?'  said Nanty, suppressing
+his emotion with difficulty.
+
+'Remember!  G--d, I have gude cause to remember her,' said Peter,
+'for she turned a dyvour on my hands, the auld besom!  and after
+a' that the law could do to make me satisfied and paid, in the
+way of poinding and distrenzieing and sae forth, as the law will,
+she ran awa to the charity workhouse, a matter of twenty punds
+Scots in my debt--it's a great shame and oppression that charity
+workhouse, taking in bankrupt dyvours that canna, pay their
+honest creditors.'
+
+'Methinks, friend,' said the Quaker, 'thine own rags might teach
+thee compassion for other people's nakedness.'
+
+'Rags!'  said Peter, taking Joshua's words literally; 'does ony
+wise body put on their best coat when they are travelling, and
+keeping company with Quakers, and such other cattle as the road
+affords?'
+
+'The old lady DIED, I have heard,' said Nanty, affecting a
+moderation which was belied by accents that faltered with
+passion.
+
+'She might live or die, for what I care,' answered Peter the
+Cruel; 'what business have folk to do to live that canna live as
+law will, and satisfy their just and lawful creditors?'
+
+'And you--you that are now yourself trodden down in the very
+kennel, are you not sorry for what you have done?  Do you not
+repent having occasioned the poor widow woman's death?'
+
+'What for should I repent?'  said Peter; 'the law was on my side
+--a decreet of the bailies, followed by poinding, and an act of
+warding--a suspension intented, and the letters found orderly
+proceeded.  I followed the auld rudas through twa courts--she
+cost me mair money than her lugs were worth.'
+
+'Now, by Heaven!'  said Nanty, 'I would give a thousand guineas,
+if I had them, to have you worth my beating!  Had you said you
+repented, it had been between God and your conscience; but to
+hear you boast of your villany--Do you think it little to have
+reduced the aged to famine, and the young to infamy--to have
+caused the death of one woman, the ruin of another, and to have
+driven a man to exile and despair?  By Him that made me, I can
+scarce keep hands off you!
+
+'Off me?  I defy ye!'  said Peter.  'I take this honest man to
+witness that if ye stir the neck of my collar, I will have my
+action for stouthreif, spulzie, oppression, assault and battery.
+Here's a bra' din, indeed, about an auld wife gaun to the grave,
+a young limmer to the close-heads and causeway, and a sticket
+stibbler [A student of divinity who has not been able to complete
+his studies on theology.]  to the sea instead of the gallows!'
+
+'Now, by my soul,' said Nanty, 'this is too much!  and since you
+can feel no otherwise, I will try if I cannot beat some humanity
+into your head and shoulders.'
+
+He drew his hanger as he spoke, and although Joshua, who had in
+vain endeavoured to interrupt the dialogue to which he foresaw a
+violent termination, now threw himself between Nanty and the old
+litigant, he could not prevent the latter from receiving two or
+three sound slaps over the shoulder with the flat side of the
+weapon.
+
+Poor Peter Peebles, as inglorious in his extremity as he had been
+presumptuous in bringing it on, now ran and roared, and bolted
+out of the apartment and house itself, pursued by Nanty, whose
+passion became high in proportion to his giving way to its
+dictates, and by Joshua, who still interfered at every risk,
+calling upon Nanty to reflect on the age and miserable
+circumstances of the offender, and upon Poor Peter to stand and
+place himself under his protection.  In front of the house,
+however, Peter Peebles found a more efficient protector than the
+worthy Quaker.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+NARRATIVE OF ALAN FAIRFORD
+
+Our readers may recollect that Fairford had been conducted by
+Dick Gardener from the house of Fairladies to the inn of old
+Father Crackenthorp, in order, as he had been informed by the
+mysterious Father Buonaventure, that he might have the meeting
+which he desired with Mr. Redgauntlet, to treat with him for the
+liberty of his friend Darsie.  His guide, by the special
+direction of Mr. Ambrose, had introduced him into the public-
+house by a back-door, and recommended to the landlord to
+accommodate him with a private apartment, and to treat him with
+all civility; but in other respects to keep his eye on him, and
+even to secure his person, if he saw any reason to suspect him to
+be a spy.  He was not, however, subjected to any direct
+restraint, but was ushered into an apartment where he was
+requested to await the arrival of the gentleman with whom he
+wished to have an interview, and who, as Crackenthorp assured,
+him with a significant nod, would be certainly there in the
+course of an hour.  In the meanwhile, he recommended to him, with
+another significant sign, to keep his apartment, 'as there were
+people in the house who were apt to busy themselves about other
+folk's matters.'
+
+Alan Fairford complied with the recommendation, so long as he
+thought it reasonable; but when, among a large party riding up to
+the house, he discerned Redgauntlet, whom he had seen under the
+name of Mr. Herries of Birrenswork, and whom, by his height and
+strength, he easily distinguished from the rest, he thought it
+proper to go down to the front of the house, in hopes that, by
+more closely reconnoitring the party, he might discover if his
+friend Darsie was among them.
+
+The reader is aware that, by doing so, he had an opportunity of
+breaking Darsie's fall from his side-saddle, although his
+disguise and mask prevented his recognizing his friend.  It may
+be also recollected that while Nixon hurried Miss Redgauntlet and
+her brother into the house, their uncle, somewhat chafed at an
+unexpected and inconvenient interruption, remained himself in
+parley with Fairford, who had already successively addressed him
+by the names of Herries and Redgauntlet; neither of which, any
+more than the acquaintance of the young lawyer, he seemed at the
+moment willing to acknowledge, though an air of haughty
+indifference, which he assumed, could not conceal his vexation
+and embarrassment.
+
+'If we must needs be acquainted, sir,' he said at last--'for
+which I am unable to see any necessity, especially as I am now
+particularly disposed to be private--I must entreat you will tell
+me at once what you have to say, and permit me to attend to
+matters of more importance
+
+'My introduction,' said Fairford, 'is contained in this letter.
+--(Delivering that of Maxwell.)--I am convinced that, under
+whatever name it may be your pleasure for the present to be
+known, it is into your hands, and yours only, that it should be
+delivered.'
+
+Redgauntlet turned the letter in his hand--then read the contents
+then again looked upon the letter, and sternly observed, 'The
+seal of the letter has been broken.  Was this the case, sir, when
+it was delivered into your hand?'
+
+Fairford despised a falsehood as much as any man,--unless,
+perhaps, as Tom Turnpenny might have said, 'in the way of
+business.'  He answered readily and firmly, 'The seal was whole
+when the letter was delivered to me by Mr. Maxwell of
+Summertrees.'
+
+'And did you dare, sir, to break the seal of a letter addressed
+to me?'  said Redgauntlet, not sorry, perhaps, to pick a quarrel
+upon a point foreign to the tenor of the epistle.
+
+'I have never broken the seal of any letter committed to my
+charge,' said Alan; 'not from fear of those to whom such letter
+might be addressed, but from respect to myself.'
+
+'That is well worded,' said Redgauntlet; 'and yet, young Mr.
+Counsellor, I doubt whether your delicacy prevented your reading
+my letter, or listening to the contents as read by some other
+person after it was opened.'
+
+'I certainly did hear the contents read over,' said Fairford;
+'and they were such as to surprise me a good deal.'
+
+'Now that,' said Redgauntlet, 'I hold to be pretty much the same,
+IN FORO CONSCIENTIAE, as if you had broken the seal yourself.  I
+shall hold myself excused from entering upon further discourse
+with a messenger so faithless; and you may thank yourself if your
+journey has been fruitless.'
+
+'Stay, sir,' said Fairford; 'and know that I became acquainted
+with the contents of the paper without my consent--I may even
+say, against my will; for Mr. Buonaventure'--
+
+'Who?'  demanded Redgauntlet, in a wild and alarmed manner--'WHOM
+was it you named?'
+
+'Father Buonaventure,' said Alan,--'a Catholic priest, as I
+apprehend, whom I saw at the Misses Arthuret's house, called
+Fairladies.'
+
+'Misses Arthuret!--Fairladies!--A Catholic priest!--Father
+Buonaventure!'  said Redgauntlet, repeating the words of Alan
+with astonishment.--'Is it possible that human rashness can reach
+such a point of infatuation?  Tell me the truth, I conjure you,
+sir.  I have the deepest interest to know whether this is more
+than an idle legend, picked up from hearsay about the country.
+You are a lawyer, and know the risk incurred by the Catholic
+clergy, whom the discharge of their duty sends to these bloody
+shores.'
+
+'I am a lawyer, certainly,' said Fairford; 'but my holding such a
+respectable condition in life warrants that I am neither an
+informer nor a spy.  Here is sufficient evidence that I have seen
+Father Buonaventure.'
+
+He put Buonaventure's letter into Redgauntlet's hand, and watched
+his looks closely while he read it.  'Double-dyed infatuation!'
+he muttered, with looks in which sorrow, displeasure, and anxiety
+were mingled.  '"Save me from the indiscretion of my friends,"
+says the Spaniard; "I can save myself from the hostility of my
+enemies."'
+
+He then read the letter attentively, and for two or three minutes
+was lost in thought, while some purpose of importance seemed to
+have gathered and sit brooding upon his countenance.  He held up
+his finger towards his satellite, Cristal Nixon, who replied to
+his signal with a prompt nod; and with one or two of the
+attendants approached Fairford in such a manner as to make him
+apprehensive they were about to lay hold of him.
+
+At this moment a noise was heard from withinside of the house,
+and presently rushed forth Peter Peebles, pursued by Nanty Ewart
+with his drawn hanger, and the worthy Quaker, who was
+endeavouring to prevent mischief to others, at some risk of
+bringing it on himself.
+
+A wilder and yet a more absurd figure can hardly be imagined,
+than that of Poor Peter clattering along as fast as his huge
+boots would permit him, and resembling nothing so much as a
+flying scarecrow; while the thin emaciated form of Nanty Ewart,
+with the hue of death on his cheek, and the fire of vengeance
+glancing from his eye, formed a ghastly contrast with the
+ridiculous object of his pursuit.
+
+Redgauntlet threw himself between them.  'What extravagant folly
+is this?'  he said.  'Put up your weapon, captain.  Is this a
+time to indulge in drunken brawls, or is such a miserable object
+as that a fitting antagonist for a man of courage?'
+
+'I beg pardon,' said the captain, sheathing his weapon--'I was a
+little bit out of the way, to be sure; but to know the
+provocation, a man must read my heart, and that I hardly dare to
+do myself.  But the wretch is safe from me.  Heaven has done its
+own vengeance on us both.'
+
+While he spoke in this manner, Peter Peebles, who had at first
+crept behind Redgauntlet in bodily fear, began now to reassume
+his spirits.  Pulling his protector by the sleeve, 'Mr. Herries--
+Mr. Herries,' he whispered, eagerly, 'ye have done me mair than
+ae gude turn, and if ye will but do me anither at this dead
+pinch, I'll forgie the girded keg of brandy that you and Captain
+Sir Harry Redgimlet drank out yon time.  Ye sall hae an ample
+discharge and renunciation, and, though I should see you walking
+at the Cross of Edinburgh, or standing at the bar of the Court of
+Justiciary, no the very thumbikins themselves should bring to my
+memory that ever I saw you in arms yon day.'
+
+He accompanied this promise by pulling so hard at Redgauntlet's
+cloak, that he at last turned round.  'Idiot!  speak in a word
+what you want.'
+
+'Aweel, aweel.  In a word, then,' said Peter Peebles, 'I have a
+warrant on me to apprehend that man that stands there, Alan
+Fairford by name, and advocate by calling.  I bought it from
+Maister Justice Foxley's clerk, Maister Nicholas Faggot, wi' the
+guinea that you gied me.
+
+'Ha!'  said Redgauntlet, 'hast thou really such a warrant?  let
+me see it.  Look sharp that no one escape, Cristal Nixon.'
+
+Peter produced a huge, greasy, leathern pocketbook, too dirty to
+permit its original colour to be visible, filled with scrolls of
+notes, memorials to counsel, and Heaven knows what besides.  From
+amongst this precious mass he culled forth a paper, and placed it
+in the hands of Redgauntlet, or Herries, as he continued to call
+him, saying, at the same time, 'It's a formal and binding
+warrant, proceeding on my affidavy made, that the said Alan
+Fairford, being lawfully engaged in my service, had slipped the
+tether and fled over the Border, and was now lurking there and
+thereabouts, to elude and evite the discharge of his bounden duty
+to me; and therefore granting warrant to constables and others,
+to seek for, take, and apprehend him, that he may be brought
+before the Honourable Justice Foxley for examination, and, if
+necessary, for commitment.  Now, though a' this be fairly set
+down, as I tell ye, yet where am I to get an officer to execute
+this warrant in sic a country as this, where swords and pistols
+flee out at a word's speaking, and folk care as little for the
+peace of King George as the peace of Auld King Coul?  There's
+that drunken skipper, and that wet Quaker, enticed me into the
+public this morning, and because I wadna gie them' as much brandy
+as wad have made them blind-drunk, they baith fell on me, and
+were in the way of guiding me very ill.'
+
+While Peter went on in this manner, Redgauntlet glanced his eye
+over the warrant, and immediately saw that it must be a trick
+passed by Nicholas Faggot, to cheat the poor insane wretch out of
+his solitary guinea.  But the Justice had actually subscribed it,
+as he did whatever his clerk presented to him, and Redgauntlet
+resolved to use it for his own purposes.
+
+Without making any direct answer, therefore, to Peter Peebles, he
+walked up gravely to Fairford, who had waited quietly for the
+termination of a scene in which he was not a little surprised to
+find his client, Mr. Peebles, a conspicuous actor.
+
+'Mr. Fairford,' said Redgauntlet, 'there are many reasons which
+might induce me to comply with the request, or rather the
+injunctions, of the excellent Father Buonaventure, that I should
+communicate with you upon the present condition of my ward, whom
+you know under the name of Darsie Latimer; but no man is better
+aware than you that the law must be obeyed, even in contradiction
+to our own feelings; now this poor man has obtained a warrant for
+carrying you before a magistrate, and, I am afraid, there is a
+necessity of your yielding to it, although to the postponement of
+the business which you may have with me.'
+
+'A warrant against me!'  said Alan, indignantly; 'and at that
+poor miserable wretch's instance?--why, this is a trick, a mere
+and most palpable trick.'
+
+'It may be so,' replied Redgauntlet, with great equanimity;
+'doubtless you know best; only the writ appears regular, and with
+that respect for the law which has been,' he said, with
+hypocritical formality, 'a leading feature of my character
+through life, I cannot dispense with giving my poor aid to the
+support of a legal warrant.  Look at it yourself, and be
+satisfied it is no trick of mine.'
+
+Fairford ran over the affidavit and the warrant, and then
+exclaimed once more, that it was an impudent imposition, and that
+he would hold those who acted upon such a warrant liable in the
+highest damages.  'I guess at your motive, Mr. Redgauntlet,' he
+said, 'for acquiescing in so ridiculous a proceeding.  But be
+assured you will find that, in this country, one act of illegal
+violence will not be covered or atoned for by practising another.
+You cannot, as a man of sense and honour, pretend to say you
+regard this as a legal warrant.'
+
+'I am no lawyer, sir,' said Redgauntlet; 'and pretend not to know
+what is or is not law--the warrant is quite formal, and that is
+enough for me.'
+
+'Did ever any one hear,' said Fairford, 'of an advocate being
+compelled to return to his task, like a collier or a salter [See
+Note 10.]  who has deserted his master?'
+
+'I see no reason why he should not,' said Redgauntlet, dryly,
+'unless on the ground that the services of the lawyer are the
+most expensive and least useful of the two.'
+
+'You cannot mean this in earnest,' said Fairford; 'you cannot
+really mean to avail yourself of so poor a contrivance, to evade
+the word pledged by your friend, your ghostly father, in my
+behalf.  I may have been a fool for trusting it too easily, but
+think what you must be if you can abuse my confidence in this
+manner.  I entreat you to reflect that this usage releases me
+from all promises of secrecy or connivance at what I am apt to
+think are very dangerous practices, and that'--
+
+'Hark ye, Mr. Fairford,' said Redgauntlet; 'I must here interrupt
+you for your own sake.  One word of betraying what you may have
+seen, or what you may have suspected, and your seclusion is like
+to have either a very distant or a very brief termination; in
+either case a most undesirable one.  At present, you are sure of
+being at liberty in a very few days--perhaps much sooner.'
+
+'And my friend,' said Alan Fairford, 'for whose sake I have run
+myself into this danger, what is to become of him?  Dark and
+dangerous man!'  he exclaimed, raising his voice, I will not be
+again cajoled by deceitful promises'--
+
+'I give you my honour that your friend is well,' interrupted
+Redgauntlet; 'perhaps I may permit you to see him, if you will
+but submit with patience to a fate which is inevitable.'
+
+But Alan Fairford, considering his confidence as having been
+abused, first by Maxwell, and next by the priest, raised his
+voice, and appealed to all the king's lieges within hearing,
+against the violence with which he was threatened.  He was
+instantly seized on by Nixon and two assistants, who, holding
+down his arms, and endeavouring to stop his mouth, were about to
+hurry him away.
+
+The honest Quaker, who had kept out of Redgauntlet's presence,
+now came boldly forward.
+
+'Friend,' said he, 'thou dost more than thou canst answer.  Thou
+knowest me well, and thou art aware that in me thou hast a deeply
+injured neighbour, who was dwelling beside thee in the honesty
+and simplicity of his heart.'
+
+'Tush, Jonathan,' said Redgauntlet; 'talk not to me, man; it is
+neither the craft of a young lawyer, nor the SIMPLICITY of an old
+hypocrite, can drive me from my purpose.
+
+'By my faith,' said the captain, coming forward in his turn,
+'this is hardly fair, general; and I doubt,' he added, 'whether
+the will of my owners can make me a party to such proceedings.
+Nay, never fumble with your sword-hilt, but out with it like a
+man,if you are for a tilting.'  He unsheathed his hanger, and
+continued--' I will neither see my comrade Fairford, nor the old
+Quaker, abused.  D--n all warrants, false or true--curse the
+justice--confound the constable!--and here stands little Nanty
+Ewart to make good what he says against gentle and simple, in
+spite of horse-shoe or horse-radish either.'
+
+The cry of 'Down with all warrants!'  was popular in the ears of
+the militia of the inn, and Nanty Ewart was no less so.  Fishers,
+ostlers, seamen, smugglers, began to crowd to the spot.
+Crackenthorp endeavoured in vain to mediate.  The attendants of
+Redgauntlet began to handle their firearms; but their master
+shouted to them to forbear, and, unsheathing his sword as quick
+as lightning, he rushed on Ewart in the midst of his bravado, and
+struck his weapon from his hand with such address and force, that
+it flew three yards from him.  Closing with him at the same
+moment, he gave him a severe fall, and waved his sword over his
+head, to show he was absolutely at his mercy.
+
+'There, you drunken vagabond,' he said, 'I give you your life--
+you are no bad fellow if you could keep from brawling among your
+friends.  But we all know Nanty Ewart,' he said to the crowd
+around, with a forgiving laugh, which, joined to the awe his
+prowess had inspired, entirely confirmed their wavering
+allegiance.
+
+They shouted, 'The laird for ever!'  while poor Nanty, rising
+from the earth, on whose lap he had been stretched so rudely,
+went in quest of his hanger, lifted it, wiped it, and, as he
+returned the weapon to the scabbard, muttered between his teeth,
+'It is true they say of him, and the devil will stand his friend
+till his hour come; I will cross him no more.'
+
+So saying, he slunk from the crowd, cowed and disheartened by his
+defeat.
+
+'For you, Joshua Geddes,' said Redgauntlet, approaching the
+Quaker, who, with lifted hands and eyes, had beheld the scene of
+violence, 'l shall take the liberty to arrest thee for a breach
+of the peace, altogether unbecoming thy pretended principles; and
+I believe it will go hard with thee both in a court of justice
+and among thine own Society of Friends, as they call themselves,
+who will be but indifferently pleased to see the quiet tenor of
+their hypocrisy insulted by such violent proceedings.'
+
+'I violent!'  said Joshua; 'I do aught unbecoming the principles
+of the Friends!  I defy thee, man, and I charge thee, as a
+Christian, to forbear vexing my soul with such charges:  it is
+grievous enough to me to have seen violences which I was unable
+to prevent.'
+
+'O Joshua, Joshua!'  said Redgauntlet, with a sardonic smile;
+'thou light of the faithful in the town of Dumfries and the
+places adjacent, wilt thou thus fall away from the truth?  Hast
+thou not, before us all, attempted to rescue a man from the
+warrant of law?  Didst thou not encourage that drunken fellow to
+draw his weapon--and didst thou not thyself flourish thy cudgel
+in the cause?  Think'st thou that the oaths of the injured Peter
+Peebles, and the conscientious Cristal Nixon, besides those of
+such gentlemen as look on this strange scene, who not only put on
+swearing as a garment, but to whom, in Custom House matters,
+oaths are literally meat and drink,--dost thou not think, I say,
+that these men's oaths will go further than thy Yea and Nay in
+this matter?'
+
+'I will swear to anything,' said Peter.  'All is fair when it
+comes to an oath AD LITEM.'
+
+'You do me foul wrong,' said the Quaker, undismayed by the
+general laugh.  'I encouraged no drawing of weapons, though I
+attempted to move an unjust man by some use of argument--I
+brandished no cudgel, although it may be that the ancient Adam
+struggled within me, and caused my hand to grasp mine oaken staff
+firmer than usual, when I saw innocence borne down with violence.
+But why talk I what is true and just to thee, who hast been a man
+of violence from thy youth upwards?  Let me rather speak to thee
+such language as thou canst comprehend.  Deliver these young men
+up to me,' he said, when he had led Redgauntlet a little apart
+from the crowd, 'and I will not only free thee from the heavy
+charge of damages which thou hast incurred by thine outrage upon
+my property, but I will add ransom for them and for myself.  What
+would it profit thee to do the youths wrong, by detaining them in
+captivity?'
+
+'Mr. Geddes,' said Redgauntlet, in a tone more respectful than he
+had hitherto used to the Quaker, 'your language is disinterested,
+and I respect the fidelity of your friendship.  Perhaps we have
+mistaken each other's principles and motives; but if so, we have
+not at present time for explanation.  Make yourself easy.  I hope
+to raise your friend Darsie Latimer to a pitch of eminence which
+you will witness with pleasure;--nay, do not attempt to answer
+me.  The other young man shall suffer restraint a few days,
+probably only a few hours,--it is not more than due for his
+pragmatical interference in what concerned him not.  Do you, Mr.
+Geddes, be so prudent as to take your horse and leave this place,
+which is growing every moment more unfit for the abode of a man
+of peace.  You may wait the event in safety at Mount Sharon.'
+
+'Friend,' replied Joshua, 'I cannot comply with thy advice; I
+will remain here, even as thy prisoner, as thou didst but now
+threaten, rather than leave the youth who hath suffered by and
+through me and my misfortunes, in his present state of doubtful
+safety.  Wherefore I will not mount my steed Solomon; neither
+will I turn his head towards Mount Sharon, until I see an end of
+this matter.'
+
+'A prisoner, then, you must be,' said Redgauntlet.  'I have no
+time to dispute the matter further with you.  But tell me for
+what you fix your eyes so attentively on yonder people of mine.'
+
+'To speak the truth,' said the Quaker, 'I admire to behold among
+them a little wretch of a boy called Benjie, to whom I think
+Satan has given the power of transporting himself wheresoever
+mischief is going forward; so that it may be truly said, there is
+no evil in this land wherein he hath not a finger, if not a whole
+hand.'
+
+The boy, who saw their eyes fixed on him as they spoke, seemed
+embarrassed, slid rather desirous of making his escape; but at a
+signal from Redgauntlet he advanced, assuming the sheepish look
+and rustic manner with which the jackanapes covered much
+acuteness and roguery.
+
+'How long have you been with the party, sirrah?'  said
+Redgauntlet.
+
+'Since the raid on the stake-nets,' said Benjie, with his finger
+in his mouth.
+
+'And what made you follow us?'
+
+'I dauredna stay at hame for the constables,' replied the boy.
+
+'And what have you been doing all this time?'
+
+'Doing, sir?  I dinna ken what ye ca' doing--I have been doing
+naething,' said Benjie; then seeing something in Redgauntlet's
+eye which was not to be trifled with, he added, 'Naething but
+waiting on Maister Cristal Nixon.'
+
+'Hum!--aye--indeed?'  muttered Redgauntlet.  'Must Master Nixon
+bring his own retinue into the field?  This must be seen to.'
+
+He was about to pursue his inquiry, when Nixon himself came to
+him with looks of anxious haste, 'The Father is come,' he
+whispered, 'and the gentlemen are getting together in the largest
+room of the house, and they desire to see you.  Yonder is your
+nephew, too, making a noise like a man in Bedlam.'
+
+'I will look to it all instantly,' said Redgauntlet.  'Is the
+Father lodged as I directed?'
+
+Cristal nodded.
+
+'Now, then, for the final trial,' said Redgauntlet.  He folded
+his hands--looked upwards--crossed himself--and after this act of
+devotion (almost the first which any one had observed him make
+use of) he commanded Nixon to keep good watch--have his horses
+and men ready for every emergence--look after the safe custody of
+the prisoners--but treat them at the same time well and civilly.
+And, these orders given, he darted hastily into the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+NARRATIVE CONTINUED
+
+Redgauntlet's first course was to the chamber of his nephew.  He
+unlocked the door, entered the apartment, and asked what he
+wanted, that he made so much noise.
+
+'I want my liberty,' said Darsie, who had wrought himself up to a
+pitch of passion in which his uncle's wrath had lost its terrors.
+'I desire my liberty, and to be assured of the safety of my
+beloved friend, Alan Fairford, whose voice I heard but now.'
+
+'Your liberty shall be your own within half an hour from this
+period--your friend shall be also set at freedom in due time--and
+you yourself be permitted to have access to his place of
+confinement.'
+
+'This does not satisfy me,' said Darsie; 'I must see my friend
+instantly; he is here, and he is here endangered on my account
+only--I have heard violent exclamations--the clash of swords.
+You will gain no point with me unless I have ocular demonstration
+of his safety.'
+
+'Arthur--dearest nephew,' answered Redgauntlet, 'drive me not
+mad!  Thine own fate--that of thy house--that of thousands--that
+of Britain herself, are at this moment in the scales; and you are
+only occupied about the safety of a poor insignificant
+pettifogger!'
+
+'He has sustained injury at your hands, then?'  said Darsie,
+fiercely.  'I know he has; but if so, not even our relationship
+shall protect you.'
+
+'Peace, ungrateful and obstinate fool!'  said Redgauntlet.  Yet
+stay--will you be satisfied if you see this Alan Fairford, the
+bundle of bombazine--this precious friend of yours--well and
+sound?  Will you, I say, be satisfied with seeing him in perfect
+safety without attempting to speak to or converse with him?'
+Darsie signified his assent.  'Take hold of my arm, then,' said
+Redgauntlet; 'and do you, niece Lilias, take the other; and
+beware; Sir Arthur, how you bear yourself.'
+
+Darsie was compelled to acquiesce, sufficiently aware that his
+uncle would permit him no interview with a friend whose influence
+would certainly be used against his present earnest wishes, and
+in some measure contented with the assurance of Fairford's
+personal safety.
+
+Redgauntlet led them through one or two passages (for the house,
+as we have before said, was very irregular, and built at
+different times) until they entered an apartment, where a man
+with shouldered carabine kept watch at the door, but readily
+turned the key for their reception.  In this room they found Alan
+Fairford and the Quaker, apparently in deep conversation with
+each other.  They looked up as Redgauntlet and his party entered;
+and Alan pulled off his hat and made a profound reverence, which
+the young lady, who recognized him,--though, masked as she was,
+he could not know her,--returned with some embarrassment, arising
+probably from the recollection of the bold step she had taken in
+visiting him.
+
+Darsie longed to speak, but dared not.  His uncle only said,
+'Gentlemen, I know you are as anxious on Mr. Darsie Latimer's
+account as he is upon yours.  I am commissioned by him to inform
+you, that he is as well as you are--I trust you will all meet
+soon.  Meantime, although I cannot suffer you to be at large, you
+shall be as well treated as is possible under your temporary
+confinement.'
+
+He passed on, without pausing to hear the answers which the
+lawyer and the Quaker were hastening to prefer; and only waving
+his hand by way of adieu, made his exit, with the real and the
+seeming lady whom he had under his charge, through a door at the
+upper end of the apartment, which was fastened and guarded like
+that by which they entered.
+
+Redgauntlet next led the way into a very small room; adjoining
+which, but divided by a partition, was one of apparently larger
+dimensions; for they heard the trampling of the heavy boots of
+the period, as if several persons were walking to and fro and
+conversing in low and anxious whispers.
+
+'Here,' said Redgauntlet to his nephew, as he disencumbered him
+from the riding-skirt and the mask, 'I restore you to yourself,
+and trust you will lay aside all effeminate thoughts with this
+feminine dress.  Do not blush at having worn a disguise to which
+kings and heroes have been reduced.  It is when female craft or
+female cowardice find their way into a manly bosom, that he who
+entertains these sentiments should take eternal shame to himself
+for thus having resembled womankind.  Follow me, while Lilias
+remains here.  I will introduce you to those whom I hope to see
+associated with you in the most glorious cause that hand ever
+drew sword in.'
+
+Darsie paused.  'Uncle,' he said, 'my person is in your hands;
+but remember, my will is my own.  I will not be hurried into any
+resolution of importance.  Remember what I have already said--
+what I now repeat--that I will take no step of importance but
+upon conviction.'
+
+'But canst thou be convinced, thou foolish boy, without hearing
+and understanding the grounds on which we act?'
+
+So saying he took Darsie by the arm, and walked with him to the
+next room--a large apartment, partly filled with miscellaneous
+articles of commerce, chiefly connected with contraband trade;
+where, among bales and barrels, sat, or walked to and fro,
+several gentlemen, whose manners and looks seemed superior to the
+plain riding dresses which they wore.
+
+There was a grave and stern anxiety upon their countenances,
+when, on Redgauntlet's entrance, they drew from their separate
+coteries into one group around him, and saluted him with a
+formality which had something in it of ominous melancholy.  As
+Darsie looked around the circle, he thought he could discern in
+it few traces of that adventurous hope which urges men upon
+desperate enterprises; and began to believe that the conspiracy
+would dissolve of itself, without the necessity of his placing
+himself in direct opposition to so violent a character as his
+uncle, and incurring the hazard with which such opposition must
+be attended.
+
+Mr. Redgauntlet, however, did not, or would not, see any such
+marks of depression of spirit amongst his coadjutors, but met
+them with cheerful countenance, and a warm greeting of welcome.
+'Happy to meet you here, my lord,' he said, bowing low to a
+slender young man.  'I trust you come with the pledges of your
+noble father, of B--, and all that loyal house.--Sir Richard,
+what news in the west?  I am told you had two hundred men on foot
+to have joined when the fatal retreat from Derby was commenced.
+When the White Standard is again displayed, it shall not be
+turned back so easily, either by the force of its enemies, or the
+falsehood of its friends.--Doctor Grumball, I bow to the
+representative of Oxford, the mother of learning and loyalty.--
+Pengwinion, you Cornish chough, has this good wind blown you
+north?--Ah, my brave Cambro-Britons, when was Wales last in the
+race of honour?'
+
+Such and such-like compliments he dealt around, which were in
+general answered by silent bows; but when he saluted one of his
+own countrymen by the name of MacKellar, and greeted Maxwell of
+Summertrees by that of Pate-in-Peril, the latter replied, 'that
+if Pate were not a fool, he would be Pate-in-Safety;' and the
+former, a thin old gentle-man, in tarnished embroidery, said
+bluntly, 'Aye, troth, Redgauntlet, I am here just like yourself;
+I have little to lose--they that took my land the last time, may
+take my life this; and that is all I care about it.'
+
+The English gentlemen, who were still in possession of their
+paternal estates, looked doubtfully on each other, and there was
+something whispered among them of the fox which had lost his
+tail.
+
+Redgauntlet hastened to address them.  'I think, my lords and
+gentlemen,' he said, 'that I can account for something like
+sadness which has crept upon an assembly gathered together for so
+noble a purpose.  Our numbers seem, when thus assembled, too
+small and inconsiderable to shake the firm-seated usurpation of a
+half-century.  But do not count us by what we are in thew and
+muscle, but by what our summons can do among our countrymen.  In
+this small party are those who have power to raise battalions,
+and those who have wealth to pay them.  And do not believe our
+friends who are absent are cold or indifferent to the cause.  Let
+us once light the signal, and it will be hailed by all who retain
+love for the Stuart, and by all--a more numerous body--who hate
+the Elector.  Here I have letters from'--
+
+Sir Richard Glendale interrupted the speaker.  'We all confide,
+Redgauntlet, in your valour and skill--we admire your
+perseverance; and probably nothing short of your strenuous
+exertions, and the emulation awakened by your noble and
+disinterested conduct, could have brought so many of us, the
+scattered remnant of a disheartened party, to meet together once
+again in solemn consultation; for I take it, gentlemen,' he said,
+looking round, 'this is only a consultation.'
+
+'Nothing more,' said the young lord.
+
+'Nothing more,' said Doctor Grumball, shaking his large
+academical peruke.
+
+And, 'Only a consultation,' was echoed by the others.
+
+Redgauntlet bit his lip.  'I had hopes,' he said, 'that the
+discourses I have held with most of you, from time to time, had
+ripened into more maturity than your words imply, and that we
+were here to execute as well as to deliberate; and for this we
+stand prepared.  I can raise five hundred men with my whistle.'
+
+'Five hundred men!'  said one of the Welsh squires; 'Cot bless
+us! and pray you, what cood could five hundred men do?'
+
+'All that the priming does for the cannon, Mr. Meredith,'
+answered Redgauntlet; 'it will enable us to seize Carlisle, and
+you know what our friends have engaged for in that case.'
+
+'Yes--but,' said the young nobleman, 'you must not hurry us on
+too fast, Mr. Redgauntlet; we are all, I believe, as sincere and
+truehearted in this business as you are, but we will not be
+driven forward blindfold.  We owe caution to ourselves and our
+families, as well as to those whom we are empowered to represent
+on this occasion.'
+
+'Who hurries you, my lord?  Who is it that would drive this
+meeting forward blindfold?  I do not understand your lordship,'
+said Redgauntlet.
+
+'Nay,' said Sir Richard Glendale, 'at least do not let us fall
+under our old reproach of disagreeing among ourselves.  What my
+lord means, Redgauntlet, is, that we have this morning heard it
+is uncertain whether you could even bring that body of men whom
+you count upon; your countryman, Mr. MacKellar, seemed, just
+before you came in, to doubt whether your people would rise in
+any force, unless you could produce the authority of your
+nephew.'
+
+'I might ask,' said Redgauntlet,' what right MacKellar, or any
+one, has to doubt my being able to accomplish what I stand
+pledged for?  But our hopes consist in our unity.  Here stands my
+nephew.  Gentlemen, I present to you my kinsman, Sir Arthur
+Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk.'
+
+'Gentlemen,' said Darsie, with a throbbing bosom, for he felt the
+crisis a very painful one, 'Allow me to say, that I suspend
+expressing my sentiments on the important subject under
+discussion until I have heard those of the present meeting.'
+
+'Proceed in your deliberations, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet; 'I
+will show my nephew such reasons for acquiescing in the result,
+as will entirely remove any scruples which may hang around his
+mind.'
+
+Dr. Grumball now coughed, 'shook his ambrosial curls,' and
+addressed the assembly.
+
+'The principles of Oxford,' he said,' are well understood, since
+she was the last to resign herself to the Arch-Usurper,--since
+she has condemned, by her sovereign authority, the blasphemous,
+atheistical, and anarchical tenets of Locke, and other deluders
+of the public mind.  Oxford will give men, money and countenance,
+to the cause of the rightful monarch.  But we have, been often
+deluded by foreign powers, who have availed themselves of our
+zeal to stir up civil dissensions, in Britain, not for the
+advantage of our blessed though banished monarch, but to stir up
+disturbances by which they might profit, while we, their tools,
+are sure to be ruined.  Oxford, therefore, will not rise, unless
+our sovereign comes in person to claim our allegiance, in which
+case, God forbid we should refuse him our best obedience.'
+
+'It is a very cood advice,' said Mr. Meredith.
+
+'In troth,' said Sir Richard Glendale, 'it is the very keystone
+of our enterprise, and the only condition upon which I myself and
+others could ever have dreamt of taking up arms.  No insurrection
+which has not Charles Edward himself at its head, will, ever last
+longer than till a single foot company of redcoats march to
+disperse it.'
+
+'This is my own opinion, and that of all my family,' said the
+young nobleman already mentioned; 'and I own I am somewhat
+surprised at being summoned to attend a dangerous rendezvous such
+as this, before something certain could have been stated to us on
+this most important preliminary point.'
+
+'Pardon me, my lord,' said Redgauntlet; 'I have not been so
+unjust either to myself or my friends--I had no means of
+communicating to our distant confederates (without the greatest
+risk of discovery) what is known to some of my honourable
+friends.  As courageous, and as resolved, as when, twenty years
+since, he threw himself into the wilds of Moidart, Charles Edward
+has instantly complied with the wishes of his faithful subjects.
+Charles Edward is in this country--Charles Edward is in this
+house!--Charles Edward waits but your present decision, to
+receive the homage of those who have ever called themselves his
+loyal liegemen.  He that would now turn his coat, and change his
+note, must do so under the eye of his sovereign.'
+
+There was a deep pause.  Those among the conspirators whom mere
+habit, or a desire of preserving consistency, had engaged in the
+affair, now saw with terror their retreat cut off; and others,
+who at a distance had regarded the proposed enterprise as
+hopeful, trembled when the moment of actually embarking in it was
+thus unexpectedly and almost inevitably precipitated.
+
+'How now, my lords and gentlemen!'  said Redgauntlet; is it
+delight and rapture that keep you thus silent?  where are the
+eager welcomes that should be paid to your rightful king, who a
+second time confides his person to the care of his subjects,
+undeterred by the hairbreadth escapes and severe privations of
+his former expedition?  I hope there  is no gentleman here that
+is not ready to redeem, in his prince's presence, the pledge of
+fidelity which he offered in his absence.'
+
+'I, at least,' said the young nobleman resolutely, and laying his
+hand on his sword, 'will not be that coward.  If Charles is come
+to these shores, I will be the first to give him welcome, and to
+devote my life and fortune to his service.'
+
+'Before Cot,' said Mr. Meredith, 'I do not see that Mr.
+Redgauntlet has left us anything else to do.'
+
+'Stay,' said Summertrees, 'there is yet one other question.  Has
+he brought any of those Irish rapparees with him, who broke the
+neck of our last glorious affair?'
+
+'Not a man of them,' said Redgauntlet.
+
+'I trust,' said Dr. Grumball, 'that there are no Catholic priests
+in his company.  I would not intrude on the private conscience of
+my sovereign, but, as an unworthy son of the Church of England,
+it is my duty to consider her security.'
+
+'Not a Popish dog or cat is there, to bark or mew about his
+Majesty,' said Redgauntlet.  'Old Shaftesbury himself could not
+wish a prince's person more secure from Popery--which may not be
+the worst religion in the world, notwithstanding.  Any more
+doubts, gentlemen?  can no more plausible reasons be discovered
+for postponing the payment of our duty, and discharge of our
+oaths and engagements?  Meantime your king waits your
+declaration--by my faith he hath but a frozen reception!'
+
+'Redgauntlet,' said Sir Richard Glendale, calmly, 'your
+reproaches shall not goad me into anything of which my reason
+disapproves.  That I respect my engagement as much as you do, is
+evident, since I am here, ready to support it with the best blood
+in my veins.  But has the king really come hither entirely
+unattended?'
+
+'He has no man with him but young --, as aide de camp, and a
+single valet de chambre.'
+
+'No MAN--but, Redgauntlet, as you are a gentleman, has he no
+woman with him?'
+
+Redgauntlet cast his eyes on the ground and replied, 'I am sorry
+to say--he has.'
+
+The company looked at each other, and remained silent for a
+moment.  At length Sir Richard proceeded.  'I need not repeat to
+you, Mr. Redgauntlet, what is the well-grounded opinion of his
+Majesty's friends concerning that most unhappy connexion there is
+but one sense and feeling amongst us upon the subject.  I must
+conclude that our humble remonstrances were communicated by you,
+sir, to the king?'
+
+'In the same strong terms in which they were couched,' replied
+Redgauntlet.  'I love his Majesty's cause more than I fear his
+displeasure.'
+
+'But, apparently, our humble expostulation has produced no
+effect.  This lady, who has crept into his bosom, has a sister in
+the Elector of Hanover's court, and yet we are well assured that
+our most private communication is placed in her keeping.'
+
+'VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER FEMINA,' said Dr. Grumball.
+
+'She puts his secrets into her work-bag,' said Maxwell; 'and out
+they fly whenever she opens it.  If I must hang, I would wish it
+to be in somewhat a better rope than the string of a lady's
+hussey.'
+
+'Are you, too, turning dastard, Maxwell?'  said Redgauntlet, in a
+whisper.
+
+'Not I,' said Maxwell; 'let us fight for it, and let them win and
+wear us; but to be betrayed by a brimstone like that'--
+
+'Be temperate, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet; 'the foible of which
+you complain so heavily has always been that of kings and heroes;
+which I feel strongly confident the king will surmount, upon the
+humble entreaty of his best servants, and when he sees them ready
+to peril their all in his cause, upon the slight condition of his
+resigning the society of a female favourite, of whom I have seen
+reason to think he hath been himself for some time wearied.  But
+let us not press upon him rashly with our well-meant zeal.  He
+has a princely will as becomes his princely birth, and we,
+gentlemen, who are royalists, should be the last to take
+advantage of circumstances to limit its exercise.  I am as much
+surprised and hurt as you can be, to find that he has made her
+the companion of this journey, increasing every chance of
+treachery and detection.  But do not let us insist upon a
+sacrifice so humiliating, while he has scarce placed a foot upon
+the beach of his kingdom.  Let us act generously by our
+sovereign; and when we have shown what we will do for him, we
+shall be able, with better face, to state what it is we expect
+him to concede.'
+
+'Indeed, I think it is but a pity,' said MacKellar, 'when so many
+pretty gentlemen are got together, that they should part without
+the flash of a sword among them'
+
+'I should be of that gentleman's opinion,' said Lord --, 'had I
+nothing to lose but my life; but I frankly own, that the
+conditions on which our family agreed to join having been, in
+this instance, left unfulfilled, I will not peril the whole
+fortunes of our house on the doubtful fidelity of an artful
+woman.'
+
+'I am sorry to see your lordship,' said Redgauntlet, 'take a
+course which is more likely to secure your house's wealth than to
+augment its honours.'
+
+'How am I to understand your language, sir?'  said the young
+nobleman, haughtily.
+
+'Nay, gentlemen,' said Dr Grumball, interposing, 'do not let
+friends quarrel; we are all zealous for the cause--but truly,
+although I know the license claimed by the great in such matters,
+and can, I hope, make due allowance, there is, I may say, an
+indecorum in a prince who comes to claim the allegiance of the
+Church of England, arriving on such an errand with such a
+companion--SI NON CASTE, CAUTE TAMEN.'
+
+'I wonder how the Church of England came to be so heartily
+attached to his merry old namesake,' said Redgauntlet.
+
+Sir Richard Glendale then took up the question, as one whose
+authority and experience gave him right to speak with much
+weight.
+
+'We have no leisure for hesitation,' he said; 'it is full time
+that we decide what course we are to hold.  I feel as much as
+you, Mr. Redgauntlet, the delicacy of capitulating with our
+sovereign in his present condition.  But I must also think of the
+total ruin of the cause, the confiscation and bloodshed which
+will take place among his adherents, and all through the
+infatuation with which he adheres to a woman who is the
+pensionary of the present minister, as she was for years Sir
+Robert Walpole's.  Let his Majesty send her back to the
+continent, and the sword on which I now lay my hand shall
+instantly be unsheathed, and, I trust, many hundred others at the
+same moment.'
+
+The other persons present testified their unanimous acquiescence
+in what Sir Richard Glendale had said.
+
+'I see you have taken your resolutions, gentlemen,' said
+Redgauntlet; 'unwisely I think, because I believe that, by softer
+and more generous proceedings, you would have been more likely to
+carry a point which I think as desirable as you do.  But what is
+to be done if Charles should refuse, with the inflexibility of
+his grandfather, to comply with this request of yours?  Do you
+mean to abandon him to his fate?'
+
+'God forbid!'  said Sir Richard, hastily; 'and God forgive you,
+Mr. Redgauntlet, for breathing such a thought.  No!  I for one
+will, with all duty and humility, see him safe back to his
+vessel, and defend him with my life against whosoever shall
+assail him.  But when I have seen his sails spread, my next act
+will be to secure, if I can, my own safety, by retiring to my
+house; or, if I find our engagement, as is too probable, has
+taken wind, by surrendering myself to the next Justice of Peace,
+and giving security that hereafter I shall live quiet, and submit
+to the ruling powers.'
+
+Again the rest of the persons present intimated their agreement
+in opinion with the speaker.
+
+'Well, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet, 'it is not for me to oppose
+the opinion of every one; and I must do you the justice to say,
+that the king has, in the present instance, neglected a condition
+of your agreement which was laid before him in very distinct
+terms.  The question now is, who is to acquaint him with the
+result of this conference; for I presume you would not wait on
+him in a body to make the proposal that he should dismiss a
+person from his family as the price of your allegiance.'
+
+'I think Mr. Redgauntlet should make the explanation, said Lord
+--.  'As he has, doubtless, done justice to our remonstrances by
+communicating them to the king, no one can, with such propriety
+and force, state the natural and inevitable consequence of their
+being neglected.'
+
+'Now, I think,' said Redgauntlet, 'that those who make the
+objection should state it, for I am confident the king will
+hardly believe, on less authority than that of the heir of the
+loyal House of B--, that he is the first to seek an evasion of
+his pledge to join him.'
+
+'An evasion, sir!'  repeated Lord --, fiercely, 'I have borne too
+much from you already, and this I will not endure.  Favour me
+with your company to the downs.'
+
+Redgauntlet laughed scornfully, and was about to follow the fiery
+young man, when Sir Richard again interposed.  'Are we to
+exhibit,' he said, 'the last symptoms of the dissolution of our
+party, by turning our swords against each other?  Be patient,
+Lord --; in such conferences as this, much must pass unquestioned
+which might brook challenge elsewhere.  There is a privilege of
+party as of parliament--men cannot, in emergency, stand upon
+picking phrases.  Gentlemen, if you will extend your confidence
+in me so far, I will wait upon his Majesty, and I hope my Lord --
+and Mr. Redgauntlet will accompany me.  I trust the explanation
+of this unpleasant matter will prove entirely satisfactory, and
+that we shall find ourselves at liberty to render our homage to
+our sovereign without reserve, when I for one will be the first
+to peril all in his just quarrel.'
+
+Redgauntlet at once stepped forward.  'My lord,' he said, 'if my
+zeal made me say anything in the slightest degree offensive, I
+wish it unsaid, and ask your pardon.  A gentleman can do no
+more.'
+
+'I could not have asked Mr. Redgauntlet to do so much,' said the
+young nobleman, willingly accepting the hand which Redgauntlet
+offered.  'I know no man living from whom I could take so much
+reproof without a sense of degradation as from himself.'
+
+'Let me then hope, my lord, that you will go with Sir Richard and
+me to the presence.  Your warm blood will heat our zeal--our
+colder resolves will temper yours.
+
+The young lord smiled, and shook his head.  'Alas!  Mr.
+Redgauntlet,' he said, 'I am ashamed to say, that in zeal you
+surpass us all.  But I will not refuse this mission, provided you
+will permit Sir Arthur, your nephew, also to accompany us.'
+
+'My nephew?'  said Redgauntlet, and seemed to hesitate, then
+added, 'Most certainly.  I trust,' he said, looking at Darsie,
+'he will bring to his prince's presence such sentiments as fit
+the occasion.'
+
+It seemed however to Darsie, that his uncle would rather have
+left him behind, had he not feared that he might in that case
+have been influenced by, or might perhaps himself influence, the
+unresolved confederates with whom he must have associated during
+his absence.
+
+'I will go,' said Redgauntlet, 'and request admission.'
+
+In a moment after he returned, and without speaking, motioned for
+the young nobleman to advance.  He did so, followed by Sir
+Richard Glendale and Darsie, Redgauntlet himself bringing up the
+rear.  A short passage, and a few steps, brought them to the door
+of the temporary presence-chamber, in which the Royal Wanderer
+was to receive their homage.  It was the upper loft of one of
+those cottages which made additions to the old inn, poorly
+furnished, dusty, and in disorder; for, rash as the enterprise
+might be considered, they had been still careful not to draw the
+attention of strangers by any particular attentions to the
+personal accommodation of the prince.  He was seated, when the
+deputies, as they might be termed, of his remaining adherents
+entered; and as he rose, and came forward and bowed, in
+acceptance of their salutation, it was with a dignified courtesy
+which at once supplied whatever was deficient in external pomp,
+and converted the wretched garret into a saloon worthy of the
+occasion.
+
+It is needless to add that he was the same personage already
+introduced in the character of Father Buonaventure, by which name
+he was distinguished at Fairladies.  His dress was not different
+from what he then wore, excepting that he had a loose riding-coat
+of camlet, under which he carried an efficient cut-and-thrust
+sword, instead of his walking rapier, and also a pair of pistols.
+
+Redgauntlet presented to him successively the young Lord --, and
+his kinsman, Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet, who trembled as,
+bowing and kissing his hand, he found himself surprised into what
+might be construed an act of high treason, which yet he saw no
+safe means to avoid.
+
+Sir Richard Glendale seemed personally known to Charles Edward,
+who received him with a mixture of dignity and affection, and
+seemed to sympathize with the tears which rushed into that
+gentleman's eyes as he bade his Majesty welcome to his native
+kingdom,
+
+'Yes, my good Sir Richard,' said the unfortunate prince in a tone
+melancholy, yet resolved, 'Charles Edward is with his faithful
+friends once more--not, perhaps, with his former gay hopes which
+undervalued danger, but with the same determined contempt of the
+worst which can befall him, in claiming his own rights and those
+of his country.'
+
+'I rejoice, sire--and yet, alas!  I must also grieve, to see you
+once more on the British shores,' said Sir Richard Glendale, and
+stopped short--a tumult of contradictory feelings preventing his
+further utterance.
+
+'It is the call of my faithful and suffering people which alone
+could have induced me to take once more the sword in my hand.
+For my own part, Sir Richard, when I have reflected how many of
+my loyal and devoted friends perished by the sword and by
+proscription, or died indigent and neglected in a foreign land, I
+have often, sworn that no view to my personal aggrandizement
+should again induce me to agitate a title which has cost my
+followers so dear.  But since so many men of worth and honour
+conceive the cause of England and Scotland to be linked with that
+of Charles Stuart, I must follow their brave example, and, laying
+aside all other considerations, once more stand forward as their
+deliverer.  I am, however, come hither upon your invitation; and
+as you are so completely acquainted with circumstances to which
+my absence must necessarily have rendered me a stranger, I must
+be a mere tool in the hands of my friends.  I know well I never
+can refer myself implicitly to more loyal hearts or wiser heads,
+than Herries Redgauntlet, and Sir Richard Glendale.  Give me your
+advice, then, how we are to proceed, and decide upon the fate of
+Charles Edward.'
+
+Redgauntlet looked at Sir Richard, as if to say, 'Can you press
+any additional or unpleasant condition at a moment like this?'
+And the other shook his head and looked down, as if his
+resolution was unaltered, and yet as feeling all the delicacy of
+the situation.
+
+There was a silence, which was broken by the unfortunate
+representative of an unhappy dynasty, with some appearance of
+irritation.  'This is strange, gentlemen,' he said; 'you have
+sent for me from the bosom of my family, to head an adventure of
+doubt and danger; and when I come, your own minds seem to be
+still irresolute.  I had not expected this on the part of two
+such men.'
+
+'For me, sire,' said Redgauntlet, 'the steel of my sword is not
+truer than the temper of my mind.'
+
+'My Lord --'s and mine are equally so,' said Sir Richard; 'but
+you had in charge, Mr. Redgauntlet, to convey our request to his
+Majesty, coupled with certain conditions.'
+
+'And I discharged my duty to his Majesty and to you,' said
+Redgauntlet.
+
+'I looked at no condition, gentlemen,' said their king, with
+dignity,' save that which called me here to assert my rights in
+person.  That I have fulfilled at no common risk.  Here I stand
+to keep my word, and I expect of you to be true to yours.'
+
+'There was, or should have been, something more than that in our
+proposal, please your Majesty,' said Sir Richard.  'There was a
+condition annexed to it.'
+
+'I saw it not,' said Charles, interrupting him.  'Out of
+tenderness towards the noble hearts of whom I think so highly, I
+would neither see nor read anything which could lessen them in my
+love and my esteem.  Conditions can have no part betwixt prince
+and subject.'
+
+'Sire,' said Redgauntlet, kneeling on one knee, 'I see from Sir
+Richard's countenance he deems it my fault that your Majesty
+seems ignorant of what your subjects desired that I should
+communicate to your Majesty.  For Heaven's sake!  for the sake of
+all my past services and sufferings, leave not such a stain upon
+my honour!  The note, Number D, of which this is a copy,
+referred to the painful subject to which Sir Richard again
+directs your attention.'
+
+'You press upon me, gentlemen,' said the prince, colouring
+highly,' recollections, which, as I hold them most alien to your
+character, I would willingly have banished from my memory.  I did
+not suppose that my loyal subjects would think so poorly of me,
+as to use my depressed circumstances as a reason for forcing
+themselves into my domestic privacies, and stipulating
+arrangements with their king regarding matters in which the
+meanest minds claim the privilege of thinking for themselves.  In
+affairs of state and public policy, I will ever be guided as
+becomes a prince, by the advice of my wisest counsellors; in
+those which regard my private affections and my domestic
+arrangements, I claim the same freedom of will which I allow to
+all my subjects, and without which a crown were less worth
+wearing than a beggar's bonnet.'
+
+'May it please your Majesty,' said Sir Richard Glendale, 'I see
+it must be my lot to speak unwilling truths; but believe me, I do
+so with as much profound respect as deep regret.  It is true, we
+have called you to head a mighty undertaking, and that your
+Majesty, preferring honour to safety, and the love of your
+country to your own ease, has condescended to become our leader.
+But we also pointed out as a necessary and indispensable
+preparatory step to the achievement of our purpose--and, I must
+say, as a positive condition of our engaging in it--that an
+individual, supposed,--I presume not to guess how truly,--to have
+your Majesty's more intimate confidence, and believed, I will not
+say on absolute proof but upon the most pregnant suspicion, to be
+capable of betraying that confidence to the Elector of Hanover,
+should be removed from your royal household and society.'
+
+'This is too insolent, Sir Richard!'  said Charles Edward.  'Have
+you inveigled me into your power to bait me in this unseemly
+manner?  And you, Redgauntlet, why did you suffer matters to come
+to such a point as this, without making me more distinctly aware
+what insults were to be practised on me?'
+
+'My gracious prince,' said Redgauntlet, 'I am so far to blame in
+this, that I did not think so slight an impediment as that of a
+woman's society could have really interrupted an undertaking of
+this magnitude.  I am a plain man, sire, and speak but bluntly; I
+could not have dreamt but what, within the first five minutes of
+this interview, either Sir Richard and his friends would have
+ceased to insist upon a condition so ungrateful to your Majesty,
+or that your Majesty would have sacrificed this unhappy
+attachment to the sound advice, or even to the over-anxious
+suspicions, of so many faithful subjects.  I saw no entanglement
+in such a difficulty which on either side might not have been
+broken through like a cobweb.'
+
+'You were mistaken, sir,' said Charles Edward, 'entirely
+mistaken--as much so as you are at this moment, when you think in
+your heart my refusal to comply with this insolent proposition is
+dictated by a childish and romantic passion for an individual, I
+tell you, sir, I could part with that person to-morrow, without
+an instant's regret--that I have had thoughts of dismissing her
+from my court, for reasons known to myself; but that I will never
+betray my rights as a sovereign and a man, by taking this step to
+secure the favour of any one, or to purchase that allegiance
+which, if you owe it to me at all, is due to me as my
+birthright.'
+
+'I am sorry for this,' said Redgauntlet; 'I hope both your
+Majesty and Sir Richard will reconsider your resolutions, or
+forbear this discussion, in a conjuncture so pressing.  I trust
+your Majesty will recollect that you are on hostile ground; that
+our preparations cannot have so far escaped notice as to permit
+us now with safety to retreat from our purpose; insomuch, that it
+is with the deepest anxiety of heart I foresee even danger to
+your own royal person, unless you can generously give your
+subjects the satisfaction, which Sir Richard seems to think they
+are obstinate in demanding,'
+
+'And deep indeed your anxiety ought to be,' said the prince.  'Is
+it in these circumstances of personal danger in which you expect
+to overcome a resolution, which is founded on a sense of what is
+due to me as a man or a prince?  If the axe and scaffold were
+ready before the windows of Whitehall, I would rather tread the
+same path with my great-grandfather, than concede the slightest
+point in which my honour is concerned.'
+
+He spoke these words with a determined accent, and looked around
+him on the company, all of whom (excepting Darsie, who saw, he
+thought, a fair period to a most perilous enterprise) seemed in
+deep anxiety and confusion.  At length, Sir Richard spoke in a
+solemn and melancholy tone.  'If the safety,' he said, 'of poor
+Richard Glendale were alone concerned in this matter, I have
+never valued my life enough to weigh it against the slightest
+point of your Majesty's service.  But I am only a messenger--a
+commissioner, who must execute my trust, and upon whom a thousand
+voices will cry, Curse and woe, if I do it not with fidelity.
+All of your adherents, even Redgauntlet himself, see certain ruin
+to this enterprise--the greatest danger to your Majesty's person
+--the utter destruction of all your party and friends, if they
+insist not on the point, which, unfortunately, your Majesty is so
+unwilling to concede.  I speak it with a heart full of anguish--
+with a tongue unable to utter my emotions--but it must be spoken
+--the fatal truth--that if your royal goodness cannot yield to us
+a boon which we hold necessary to our security and your own, your
+Majesty with one word disarms ten thousand men, ready to draw
+their swords in your behalf; or, to speak yet more plainly, you
+annihilate even the semblance of a royal party in Great Britain.'
+
+'And why do you not add,' said the prince, scornfully, 'that the
+men who have been ready to assume arms in my behalf, will atone
+for their treason to the Elector, by delivering me up to the fate
+for which so many proclamations have destined me?  Carry my head
+to St. James's, gentlemen; you will do a more acceptable and a
+more honourable action, than, having inveigled me into a
+situation which places me so completely in your power, to
+dishonour yourselves by propositions which dishonour me.
+
+'My God, sire!'  exclaimed Sir Richard, clasping his hands
+together, in impatience, 'of what great and inexpiable crime can
+your Majesty's ancestors have 'been guilty, that they have been
+punished by the infliction of judicial blindness on their whole
+generation!--Come, my Lord --, we must to our friends.'
+
+'By your leave, Sir Richard,' said the young nobleman, 'not till
+we, have learned what measures can be taken for his Majesty's
+personal safety.'
+
+'Care not for me, young man,' said Charles Edward; 'when I was in
+the society of Highland robbers and cattle-drovers, I was safer
+than I now hold myself among the representatives of the best
+blood in England.  Farewell, gentlemen--I will shift for myself.'
+
+'This must never be,' said Redgauntlet.  'Let me that brought you
+to the point of danger, at least provide for your safe retreat.'
+
+So saying, he hastily left the apartment, followed by his nephew.
+The Wanderer, averting his eyes from Lord -- and Sir Richard
+Glendale, threw himself into a seat at the upper end of the
+apartment, while they, in much anxiety, stood together, at a
+distance from him, and conversed in whispers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+NARRATIVE CONTINUED
+
+When Redgauntlet left the room, in haste and discomposure, the
+first person he met on the stair, and indeed so close by the door
+of the apartment that Darsie thought he must have been listening
+there, was his attendant Nixon.
+
+'What the devil do you here?'  he said, abruptly and sternly.
+
+'I wait your orders,' said Nixon.  'I hope all's right!--excuse
+my zeal.'
+
+'All is wrong, sir.  Where is the seafaring fellow--Ewart--what
+do you call him?'
+
+'Nanty Ewart, sir.  I will carry your commands,' said Nixon.
+
+'I will deliver them myself to him,' said Redgauntlet; call him
+hither.'
+
+'But should your honour leave the presence?'  said Nixon, still
+lingering.
+
+''Sdeath, sir, do you prate to me?'  said Redgauntlet, bending
+his brows.  'I, sir, transact my own business; you, I am told,
+act by a ragged deputy.'
+
+Without further answer, Nixon departed, rather disconcerted, as
+it seemed to Darsie.
+
+'That dog turns insolent and lazy,' said Redgauntlet; but I must
+bear with him for a while.'
+
+A moment after, Nixon returned with Ewart.
+
+'Is this the smuggling fellow?'  demanded Redgauntlet.  Nixon
+nodded.
+
+'Is he sober now?  he was brawling anon.'
+
+'Sober enough for business,' said Nixon.
+
+'Well then, hark ye, Ewart;--man your boat with your best hands,
+and have her by the pier--get your other fellows on board the
+brig--if you have any cargo left, throw it overboard; it shall be
+all paid, five times over--and be ready for a start to Wales or
+the Hebrides, or perhaps for Sweden or Norway.'
+
+Ewart answered sullenly enough, 'Aye, aye, sir.'
+
+'Go with him, Nixon,' said Redgauntlet, forcing himself to speak
+with some appearance of cordiality to the servant with whom he
+was offended; 'see he does his duty.'
+
+Ewart left the house sullenly, followed by Nixon.  The sailor was
+just in that species of drunken humour which made him jealous,
+passionate, and troublesome, without showing any other disorder
+than that of irritability.  As he walked towards the beach he
+kept muttering to himself, but in such a tone that his companion
+lost not a word, 'Smuggling fellow--Aye, smuggler--and, start
+your cargo into the sea--and be ready to start for the Hebrides,
+or Sweden--or the devil, I suppose.  Well, and what if I said in
+answer--Rebel, Jacobite--traitor--I'll make you and your d--d
+confederates walk the plank--I have seen better men do it--half a
+score of a morning--when I was across the Line.'
+
+'D--d unhandsome terms those Redgauntlet used to you, brother.'
+said Nixon.
+
+'Which do you mean?'  said Ewart, starting, and recollecting
+himself.  'I have been at my old trade of thinking aloud, have
+I?'
+
+'No matter,' answered Nixon, 'none but a friend heard you.  You
+cannot have forgotten how Redgauntlet disarmed you this morning.'
+
+'Why, I would bear no malice about that--only he is so cursedly
+high and saucy,' said Ewart.
+
+'And then,' said Nixon,'I know you for a true-hearted
+Protestant.'
+
+'That I am, by G--,' said Ewart.  'No, the Spaniards could never
+get my religion from me.'
+
+'And a friend to King George, and the Hanover line of
+succession,' said Nixon, still walking and speaking very slow.
+
+'You may swear I am, excepting in the way of business, as
+Turnpenny says.  I like King George, but I can't afford to pay
+duties.'
+
+'You are outlawed, I believe,' said Nixon.
+
+'Am I?--faith, I believe I am,' said Ewart.  'I wish I were
+INLAWED again with all my heart.  But come along, we must get all
+ready for our peremptory gentleman, I suppose.'
+
+'I will teach you a better trick,' said Nixon.  'There is a
+bloody pack of rebels yonder.'
+
+'Aye, we all know that,' said the smuggler; 'but the snowball's
+melting, I think.'
+
+'There is some one yonder, whose head is worth--thirty thousand--
+pounds--of sterling money,' said Nixon, pausing between each
+word, as if to enforce the magnificence of the sum.
+
+'And what of that?'  said Ewart, quickly.
+
+'Only that, instead of lying by the pier with your men on their
+oars, if you will just carry your boat on board just now, and
+take no notice of any signal from the shore, by G--d, Nanty
+Ewart.  I will make a man of you for life!'
+
+'Oh ho!  then the Jacobite gentry are not so safe as they think
+themselves?'  said Nanty.
+
+'In an hour or two,' replied Nixon, 'they will be made safer in
+Carlisle Castle.'
+
+'The devil they will!'  said Ewart; 'and you have been the
+informer, I suppose?'
+
+'Yes; I have been ill paid for my service among the Redgauntlets
+--have scarce got dog's wages--and been treated worse than ever
+dog was used.  I have the old fox and his cubs in the same trap
+now, Nanty; and we'll see how a certain young lady will look
+then.  You see I am frank with you, Nanty.'
+
+'And I will be as frank with you,' said the smuggler.  'You are a
+d--d old scoundrel--traitor to the man whose bread you eat!  Me
+help to betray poor devils, that have been so often betrayed
+myself!  Not if they were a hundred Popes, Devils, and
+Pretenders. I will back and tell them their danger--they are part
+of cargo--regularly invoiced--put under my charge by the owners--
+I'll back'--
+
+'You are not stark mad?'  said Nixon, who now saw he had
+miscalculated in supposing Nanty's wild ideas of honour and
+fidelity could be shaken even by resentment, or by his Protestant
+partialities.  'You shall not go back--it is all a joke.'
+
+'I'll back to Redgauntlet, and see whether it is a joke he will
+laugh at.'
+
+'My life is lost if you do,' said Nixon--'hear reason.'
+
+They were in a clump or cluster of tall furze at the moment they
+were speaking, about half-way between the pier and the house, but
+not in a direct line, from which Nixon, whose object it was to
+gain time, had induced Ewart to diverge insensibly.
+
+He now saw the necessity of taking a desperate resolution.  'Hear
+reason,' he said; and added, as Nanty still endeavoured to pass
+him, 'Or else hear this!'  discharging a pocket-pistol into the
+unfortunate man's body.
+
+Nanty staggered, but kept his feet.  'It has cut my back-bone
+asunder,' he said; 'you have done me the last good office, and I
+will not die ungrateful.'
+
+As he uttered the last words, he collected his remaining
+strength, stood firm for an instant, drew his hanger, and,
+fetching a stroke with both hands, cut Cristal Nixon down.  The
+blow, struck with all the energy of a desperate and dying man,
+exhibited a force to which Ewart's exhausted frame might have
+seemed inadequate;--it cleft the hat which the wretch wore,
+though secured by a plate of iron within the lining, bit deep
+into his skull, and there left a fragment of the weapon, which
+was broke by the fury of the blow.
+
+One of the seamen of the lugger, who strolled up attracted by the
+firing of the pistol, though being a small one the report was
+very trifling, found both the unfortunate men stark dead.
+Alarmed at what he saw, which he conceived to have been the
+consequence of some unsuccessful engagement betwixt his late
+commander and a revenue officer (for Nixon chanced not to be
+personally known to him) the sailor hastened back to the boat, in
+order to apprise his comrades of Nanty's fate, and to advise them
+to take off themselves and the vessel.
+
+Meantime Redgauntlet, having, as we have seen, dispatched Nixon
+for the purpose of securing a retreat for the unfortunate
+Charles, in case of extremity, returned to the apartment where he
+had left the Wanderer.  He now found him alone.
+
+'Sir Richard Glendale,' said the unfortunate prince, 'with his
+young friend, has gone to consult their adherents now in the
+house.  Redgauntlet, my friend, I will not blame you for the
+circumstances in which I find myself, though I am at once placed
+in danger, and rendered contemptible.  But you ought to have
+stated to me more strongly the weight which these gentlemen
+attached to their insolent proposition.  You should have told me
+that no compromise would have any effect--that they desire not a
+prince to govern them, but one, on the contrary, over whom they
+were to exercise restraint on all occasions, from the highest
+affairs of the state, down to the most intimate and private
+concerns of his own privacy, which the most ordinary men desire
+to keep secret and sacred from interference.'
+
+'God knows,' said Redgauntlet, in much agitation, 'I acted for
+the best when I pressed your Majesty to come hither--I never
+thought that your Majesty, at such a crisis, would have scrupled,
+when a kingdom was in view, to sacrifice an attachment, which'--
+
+'Peace, sir!'  said Charles; 'it is not for you to estimate my
+feelings upon such a subject.'
+
+Redgauntlet coloured high, and bowed profoundly.  'At least,' he
+resumed, 'I hoped that some middle way might be found, and it
+shall--and must.--Come with me, nephew.  We will to these
+gentlemen, and I am confident I will bring back heart-stirring
+tidings.'
+
+'I will do much to comply with them, Redgauntlet.  I am loath,
+having again set my foot on British land, to quit it without a
+blow for my right.  But this which they demand of me is a
+degradation, and compliance is impossible.'
+
+Redgauntlet, followed by his nephew, the unwilling spectator of
+this extraordinary scene, left once more the apartment of the
+adventurous Wanderer, and was met on the top of the stairs by Joe
+Crackenthorp.  'Where are the other gentlemen?'  he said.
+
+'Yonder, in the west barrack,' answered Joe; 'but Master
+Ingoldsby,'--that was the name by which Redgauntlet was most
+generally known in Cumberland,--'I wish to say to you that I must
+put yonder folk together in one room.'
+
+'What folk?'  said Redgauntlet, impatiently.
+
+'Why, them prisoner stranger folk, as you bid Cristal Nixon look
+after.  Lord love you!  this is a large house enow, but we cannot
+have separate lock-ups for folk, as they have in Newgate or in
+Bedlam.  Yonder's a mad beggar, that is to be a great man when he
+wins a lawsuit, Lord help him!--Yonder's a Quaker and a lawyer
+charged with a riot; and, ecod, I must make one key and one lock
+keep them, for we are chokeful, and you have sent off old Nixon
+that could have given one some help in this confusion.  Besides,
+they take up every one a room, and call for naughts on earth,
+--excepting the old man, who calls lustily enough,--but he has
+not a penny to pay shot.'
+
+'Do as thou wilt with them,' said Redgauntlet, who had listened
+impatiently to his statement; 'so thou dost but keep them from
+getting out and making some alarm in the country, I care not.'
+
+'A Quaker and a lawyer!'  said Darsie.  'This must be Fairford
+and Geddes.--Uncle, I must request of you'--
+
+'Nay, nephew,' interrupted Redgauntlet, 'this is no time for
+asking questions.  You shall yourself decide upon their fate in
+the course of an hour--no harm whatever is designed them.'
+
+So saying, he hurried towards the place where the Jacobite
+gentlemen were holding their council, and Darsie followed him, in
+the hope that the obstacle which had arisen to the prosecution of
+their desperate adventure would prove insurmountable and spare
+him the necessity of a dangerous and violent rupture with his
+uncle.  The discussions among them were very eager; the more
+daring part of the conspirators, who had little but life to lose,
+being desirous to proceed at all hazards; while the others, whom
+a sense of honour and a hesitation to disavow long-cherished
+principles had brought forward, were perhaps not ill satisfied to
+have a fair apology for declining an adventure, into which they
+had entered with more of reluctance than zeal.
+
+Meanwhile Joe Crackenthorp, availing himself of the hasty
+permission attained from Redgauntlet, proceeded to assemble in
+one apartment those whose safe custody had been thought
+necessary; and, without much considering the propriety of the
+matter, he selected for the common place of confinement, the room
+which Lilias had, since her brother's departure, occupied alone.
+It had a strong lock, and was double-hinged, which probably led
+to the preference assigned to it, as a place of security.
+
+Into this, Joe, with little ceremony, and a good deal of noise,
+introduced the Quaker and Fairford; the first descanting on the
+immorality, the other on the illegality, of his proceedings; and
+he turned a deaf ear both to the one and the other.  Next he
+pushed in, almost in headlong fashion, the unfortunate litigant,
+who, having made some resistance at the threshold, had received a
+violent thrust in consequence, and came rushing forward, like a
+ram in the act of charging, with such impetus as must have
+carried him to the top of the room, and struck the cocked hat
+which sat perched on the top of his tow wig against Miss
+Redgauntlet's person, had not the honest Quaker interrupted his
+career by seizing him by the collar, and bringing him to a stand.
+'Friend,' said he, with the real good-breeding which so often
+subsists independently of ceremony, 'thou art no company for that
+young person; she is, thou seest, frightened at our being so
+suddenly thrust in hither; and although that be no fault of ours,
+yet it will become us to behave civilly towards her.  Wherefore
+come thou with me to this window, and I will tell thee what it
+concerns thee to know.'
+
+'And what for should I no speak to the Leddy, friend?'  said
+Peter, who was now about half seas over.  'I have spoke to
+leddies before now, man.  What for should she be frightened at
+me?  I am nae bogle, I ween.  What are ye pooin' me that gate
+for?  Ye will rive my coat, and I will have a good action for
+having myself made SARTUM ATQUE TECTUM at your expenses.'
+
+Notwithstanding this threat, Mr. Geddes, whose muscles were as
+strong as his judgement was sound and his temper sedate, led Poor
+Peter under the sense of a control against which he could not
+struggle, to the farther corner of the apartment, where, placing
+him, whether he would or no, in a chair, he sat down beside him,
+and effectually prevented his annoying the young lady, upon whom
+he had seemed bent upon conferring the delights of his society.
+
+If Peter had immediately recognized his counsel learned in the
+law, it is probable that not even the benevolent efforts of the
+Quaker could have kept him in a state of restraint; but
+Fairford's back was turned towards his client, whose optics,
+besides being somewhat dazzled with ale and brandy, were speedily
+engaged in contemplating a half-crown which Joshua held between
+his finger and his thumb, saying, at the same time, 'Friend, thou
+art indigent and improvident.  This will, well employed, procure
+thee sustentation of nature for more than a single day; and I
+will bestow it on thee if thou wilt sit here and keep me company;
+for neither thou nor I, friend, are fit company for ladies.'
+
+'Speak for yourself, friend,' said Peter, scornfully; 'I was ay
+kend to be agreeable to the fair sex; and when I was in business
+I served the ladies wi' anither sort of decorum than Plainstanes,
+the d--d awkward scoundrel!  It was one of the articles of dittay
+between us.'
+
+'Well, but, friend,' said the Quaker, who observed that the young
+lady still seemed to fear Peter's intrusion, 'I wish to hear thee
+speak about this great lawsuit of thine, which has been matter of
+such celebrity.'
+
+'Celebrity!  Ye may swear that,' said Peter, for the string was
+touched to which his crazy imagination always vibrated.  'And I
+dinna wonder that folk that judge things by their outward
+grandeur, should think me something worth their envying.  It's
+very true that it is grandeur upon earth to hear ane's name
+thunnered out along the long-arched roof of the Outer House,--
+"Poor Peter Peebles against Plainstanes ET PER CONTRA;" a' the
+best lawyers in the house fleeing like eagles to the prey; some
+because they are in the cause, and some because they want to be
+thought engaged (for there are tricks in other trades by selling
+muslins)--to see the reporters mending their pens to take down
+the debate--the Lords themselves pooin' in their chairs, like
+folk sitting down to a gude dinner, and crying on the clerks for
+parts and pendicles of the process, who, puir bodies, can do
+little mair than cry on their closet-keepers to help them.  To
+see a' this,' continued Peter, in a tone of sustained rapture,
+'and to ken that naething will be said or dune amang a' thae
+grand folk, for maybe the feck of three hours, saving what
+concerns you and your business--Oh, man, nae wonder that ye judge
+this to be earthly glory!  And yet, neighbour, as I was saying,
+there be unco drawbacks--I whiles think of my bit house, where
+dinner, and supper, and breakfast, used to come without the
+crying for, just as if fairies had brought it--and the gude bed
+at e'en--and the needfu' penny in the pouch.  And then to see a'
+ane's warldly substance capering in the air in a pair of
+weighbauks, now up, now down, as the breath of judge or counsel
+inclines it for pursuer or defender,--troth, man, there are times
+I rue having ever begun the plea wark, though, maybe, when ye
+consider the renown and credit I have by it, ye will hardly
+believe what I am saying.'
+
+'Indeed, friend,' said Joshua, with a sigh, 'I am glad thou hast
+found anything in the legal contention which compensates thee for
+poverty and hunger; but I believe, were other human objects of
+ambition looked upon as closely, their advantages would be found
+as chimerical as those attending thy protracted litigation.'
+
+'But never mind, friend,' said Peter, 'I'll tell you the exact
+state of the conjunct processes, and make you sensible that I can
+bring mysell round with a wet finger, now I have my finger and my
+thumb on this loup-the-dike loon, the lad Fairford.'
+
+Alan Fairford was in the act of speaking to the masked lady (for
+Miss Redgauntlet had retained her riding vizard) endeavouring to
+assure her, as he perceived her anxiety, of such protection as he
+could afford, when his own name, pronounced in a loud tone,
+attracted his attention.  He looked round, and seeing Peter
+Peebles, as hastily turned to avoid his notice, in which he
+succeeded, so earnest was Peter upon his colloquy with one of the
+most respectable auditors whose attention he had ever been able
+to engage.  And by this little motion, momentary as it was, Alan
+gained an unexpected advantage; for while he looked round, Miss
+Lilias, I could never ascertain why, took the moment to adjust
+her mask, and did it so awkwardly, that when her companion again
+turned his head, he recognized as much of her features as
+authorized him to address her as his fair client, and to press
+his offers of protection and assistance with the boldness of a
+former acquaintance.
+
+Lilias Redgauntlet withdrew the mask from her crimsoned cheek.
+'Mr. Fairford,' she said, in a voice almost inaudible, 'you have
+the character of a young gentleman of sense and generosity; but
+we have already met in one situation which you must think
+singular; and I must be exposed to misconstruction, at least, for
+my forwardness, were it not in a cause in which my dearest
+affections were concerned.'
+
+'Any interest in my beloved friend Darsie Latimer,' said
+Fairford, stepping a little back, and putting a marked restraint
+upon his former advances, 'gives me a double right to be useful
+to'--He stopped short.
+
+'To his sister, your goodness would say,' answered Lilias.
+
+'His sister, madam!'  replied Alan, in the extremity of
+astonishment--'Sister, I presume, in affection only?'
+
+'No, sir; my dear brother Darsie and I are connected by the bonds
+of actual relationship; and I am not sorry to be the first to
+tell this to the friend he most values.'
+
+Fairford's first thought was on the violent passion which Darsie
+had expressed towards the fair unknown.  'Good God!'  he
+exclaimed, 'how did he bear the discovery?'
+
+'With resignation, I hope,' said Lilias, smiling.  'A more
+accomplished sister he might easily have come by, but scarcely
+could have found one who could love him more than I do.'
+
+'I meant--I only meant to say,' said the young counsellor, his
+presence of mind failing him for an instant--'that is, I meant to
+ask where Darsie Latimer is at this moment.'
+
+'In this very house, and under the guardianship of his uncle,
+whom I believe you knew as a visitor of your father, under the
+name of Mr. Herries of Birrenswork.'
+
+'Let me hasten to him,' said Fairford; 'I have sought him through
+difficulties and dangers--I must see him instantly.'
+
+'You forget you are a prisoner,' said the young lady.
+
+'True--true; but I cannot be long detained--the cause alleged is
+too ridiculous.'
+
+'Alas!'  said Lilias, 'our fate--my brother's and mine, at least
+--must turn on the deliberations perhaps of less than an hour.
+For you, sir, I believe and apprehend nothing; but some
+restraint; my uncle is neither cruel nor unjust, though few will
+go further in the cause which he has adopted.'
+
+'Which is that of the Pretend'--
+
+'For God's sake speak lower!'  said Lilias, approaching her hand,
+as if to stop him.  'The word may cost you your life.  You do not
+know--indeed you do not--the terrors of the situation in which we
+at present stand, and in which I fear you also are involved by
+your friendship for my brother.'
+
+'I do not indeed know the particulars of our situation,' said
+Fairford; 'but, be the danger what it may, I shall not grudge my
+share of it for the sake of my friend; or,' he added, with more
+timidity, 'of my friend's sister.  Let me hope,' he said, 'my
+dear Miss Latimer, that my presence may be of some use to you;
+and that it may be so, let me entreat a share of your confidence,
+which I am conscious I have otherwise no right to ask.'
+
+He led her, as he spoke, towards the recess of the farther window
+of the room, and observing to her that, unhappily, he was
+particularly exposed to interruption from the mad old man whose
+entrance had alarmed her, he disposed of Darsie Latimer's riding-
+skirt, which had been left in the apartment, over the back of two
+chairs, forming thus a sort of screen, behind which he ensconced
+himself with the maiden of the green mantle; feeling at the
+moment, that the danger in which he was placed was almost
+compensated by the intelligence which permitted those feelings
+towards her to revive, which justice to his friend had induced
+him to stifle in the birth.
+
+The relative situation of adviser and advised, of protector and
+protected, is so peculiarly suited to the respective condition of
+man and woman, that great progress towards intimacy is often made
+in very short space; for the circumstances call for confidence on
+the part of the gentleman, and forbid coyness on that of the
+lady, so that the usual barriers against easy intercourse are at
+once thrown down.
+
+Under these circumstances, securing themselves as far as possible
+from observation, conversing in whispers, and seated in a corner,
+where they were brought into so close contact that their faces
+nearly touched each other, Fairford heard from Lilias Redgauntlet
+the history of her family, particularly of her uncle; his views
+upon her brother, and the agony which she felt, lest at that very
+moment he might succeed in engaging Darsie in some desperate
+scheme, fatal to his fortune and perhaps to his life.
+
+Alan Fairford's acute understanding instantly connected what he
+had heard with the circumstances he had witnessed at Fairladies.
+His first thought was, to attempt, at all risks, his instant
+escape, and procure assistance powerful enough to crush, in the
+very cradle, a conspiracy of such a determined character.  This
+he did not consider as difficult; for, though the door was
+guarded on the outside, the window, which was not above ten feet
+from the ground, was open for escape, the common on which it
+looked was unenclosed, and profusely covered with furze.  There
+would, he thought, be little difficulty in effecting his liberty,
+and in concealing his course after he had gained it.
+
+But Lilias exclaimed against this scheme.  Her uncle, she said,
+was a man who, in his moments of enthusiasm, knew neither remorse
+nor fear.  He was capable of visiting upon Darsie any injury
+which he might conceive Fairford had rendered him--he was her
+near kinsman also, and not an unkind one, and she deprecated any
+effort, even in her brother's favour, by which his life must be
+exposed to danger.  Fairford himself remembered Father
+Buonaventure, and made little question but that he was one of the
+sons of the old Chevalier de Saint George; and with feelings
+which, although contradictory of his public duty, can hardly be
+much censured, his heart recoiled from being the agent by whom
+the last scion of such a long line of Scottish princes should be
+rooted up.  He then thought of obtaining an audience, if
+possible, of this devoted person, and explaining to him the utter
+hopelessness of his undertaking, which he judged it likely that
+the ardour of his partisans might have concealed from him.  But
+he relinquished this design as soon as formed.  He had no doubt,
+that any light which he could throw on the state of the country,
+would come too late to be serviceable to one who was always
+reported to have his own full share of the hereditary obstinacy
+which had cost his ancestors so dear, and who, in drawing the
+sword, must have thrown from him the scabbard.
+
+Lilias suggested the advice which, of all others, seemed most
+suited to the occasion, that, yielding, namely, to the
+circumstances of their situation, they should watch carefully
+when Darsie should obtain any degree of freedom, and endeavour to
+open a communication with him, in which case their joint flight
+might be effected, and without endangering the safety of any one.
+
+Their youthful deliberation had nearly fixed in this point, when
+Fairford, who was listening to the low sweet whispering tones of
+Lilias Redgauntlet, rendered yet more interesting by some slight
+touch of foreign accent, was startled by a heavy hand which
+descended with full weight on his shoulder, while the discordant
+voice of Peter Peebles, who had at length broke loose from the
+well-meaning Quaker, exclaimed in the ear of his truant counsel--
+'Aha, lad!  I think ye are catched--An' so ye are turned chamber-
+counsel, are ye?  And ye have drawn up wi' clients in scarfs and
+hoods?  But bide a wee, billie, and see if I dinna sort ye when
+my petition and complaint comes to be discussed, with or without
+answers, under certification.'
+
+Alan Fairford had never more difficulty in his life to subdue a
+first emotion, than he had to refrain from knocking down the
+crazy blockhead who had broken in upon him at such a moment.  But
+the length of Peter's address gave him time, fortunately perhaps
+for both parties, to reflect on the extreme irregularity of such
+a proceeding.  He stood silent, however, with vexation, while
+Peter went on.
+
+'Weel, my bonnie man, I see ye are thinking shame o' yoursell,
+and nae great wonder.  Ye maun leave this quean--the like of her
+is ower light company for you.  I have heard honest Mr. Pest say,
+that the gown grees ill wi' the petticoat.  But come awa hame to
+your puir father, and I'll take care of you the haill gate, and
+keep you company, and deil a word we will speak about, but just
+the state of the conjoined processes of the great cause of Poor
+Peter Peebles against Plainstanes.'
+
+'If thou canst; endure to hear as much of that suit, friend,'
+said the Quaker, 'as I have heard out of mere compassion.  for
+thee, I think verily thou wilt soon be at the bottom of the
+matter, unless it be altogether bottomless.'
+
+Fairford shook off, rather indignantly, the large bony hand which
+Peter had imposed upon his shoulder, and was about to say
+something peevish, upon so unpleasant and insolent a mode of
+interruption, when the door opened, a treble voice saying to the
+sentinel, 'I tell you I maun be in, to see if Mr. Nixon's here;'
+and little Benjie thrust in his mop-head and keen black eyes.
+Ere he could withdraw it, Peter Peebles sprang to the door,
+seized on the boy by the collar, and dragged him forward into the
+room.
+
+'Let me see it,' he said, 'ye ne'er-do-weel limb of Satan--I'll
+gar you satisfy the production, I trow--I'll hae first and second
+diligence against you, ye deevil's buckie!'
+
+'What dost thou want?'  said the Quaker, interfering; 'why dost
+thou frighten the boy, friend Peebles?'
+
+'I gave the bastard a penny to buy me snuff,' said the pauper,
+'and he has rendered no account of his intromissions; but I'll
+gar him as gude.'
+
+So saying, he proceeded forcibly to rifle the pockets of Benjie's
+ragged jacket of one or two snares for game, marbles, a half-
+bitten apple, two stolen eggs (one of which Peter broke in the
+eagerness of his research), and various other unconsidered
+trifles, which had not the air of being very honestly come by.
+The little rascal, under this discipline, bit and struggled like
+a fox-cub, but, like that vermin, uttered neither cry nor
+complaint, till a note, which Peter tore from his bosom, flew as
+far as Lilias Redgauntlet, and fell at her feet.  It was
+addressed to C. N.
+
+'It is for the villain Nixon.'  she said to Alan Fairford; 'open
+it without scruple; that boy is his emissary; we shall now see
+what the miscreant is driving at.'
+
+Little Benjie now gave up all further struggle, and suffered
+Peebles to take from him, without resistance, a shilling, out of
+which Peter declared he would pay himself principal and interest,
+and account for the balance.  The boy, whose attention seemed
+fixed on something very different, only said, 'Maister Nixon will
+murder me!'
+
+Alan Fairford did not hesitate to read the little scrap of paper,
+on which was written, 'All is prepared--keep them in play until I
+come up.  You may depend on your reward.--C. C.'
+
+'Alas, my uncle--my poor uncle!'  said Lilias; 'this is the
+result of his confidence.  Methinks, to give him instant notice
+of his confidant's treachery, is now the best service we can
+render all concerned--if they break up their undertaking, as they
+must now do, Darsie will be at liberty.'
+
+In the same breath, they were both at the half-opened door of the
+room, Fairford entreating to speak with the Father Buonaventure,
+and Lilias, equally vehemently, requesting a moment's interview
+with her uncle.  While the sentinel hesitated what to do, his
+attention was called to a loud noise at the door, where a crowd
+had been assembled in consequence of the appalling cry, that the
+enemy were upon them, occasioned, as it afterwards proved, by
+some stragglers having at length discovered the dead bodies of
+Nanty Ewart and of Nixon.
+
+Amid the confusion occasioned by this alarming incident, the
+sentinel ceased to attend, to his duty; and accepting Alan
+Fairford's arm, Lilias found no opposition in penetrating even to
+the inner apartment, where the principal persons in the
+enterprise, whose conclave had been disturbed by this alarming
+incident, were now assembled in great confusion, and had been
+joined by the Chevalier himself.
+
+'Only a mutiny among these smuggling scoundrels,' said
+Redgauntlet.
+
+ONLY a mutiny, do you say?'  said Sir Richard Glendale; 'and the
+lugger, the last hope of escape for,'--he looked towards
+Charles,--'stands out to sea under a press of sail!'
+
+'Do not concern yourself about me,' said the unfortunate prince;
+'this is not the worst emergency in which it has been my lot to
+stand; and if it were, I fear it not.  Shift for yourselves, my
+lords and gentlemen.'
+
+'No, never!'  said the young Lord --.  'Our only hope now is in
+an honourable resistance.'
+
+'Most true,' said Redgauntlet; 'let despair renew the union
+amongst us which accident disturbed.  I give my voice for
+displaying the royal banner instantly, and--How now!'  he
+concluded, sternly, as Lilias, first soliciting his attention by
+pulling his cloak, put into his hand the scroll, and added, it
+was designed for that of Nixon.
+
+Redgauntlet read--and, dropping it on the ground, continued to
+stare upon the spot where it fell, with raised hands and fixed
+eyes.  Sir Richard Glendale lifted the fatal paper, read it, and
+saying, 'Now all is indeed over,' handed it to Maxwell, who said
+aloud, 'Black Colin Campbell, by G--d!  I heard he had come post
+from London last night.'
+
+As if in echo to his thoughts, the violin of the blind man was
+heard, playing with spirit, The Campbells are coming,' a
+celebrated clan-march.
+
+'The Campbells are coming in earnest,' said MacKellar; they are
+upon us with the whole battalion from Carlisle.'
+
+There was a silence of dismay, and two or three of the company
+began to drop out of the room.
+
+Lord -- spoke with the generous spirit of a young English
+nobleman.  'If we have been fools, do not let us be cowards.  We
+have one here more precious than us all, and come hither on our
+warranty--let us save him at least,'
+
+'True, most true,' answered Sir Richard Glendale.  'Let the king
+be first cared for.'
+
+'That shall be my business,' said Redgauntlet 'if we have but
+time to bring back the brig, all will be well--I will instantly
+dispatch a party in a fishing skiff to bring her to.'  He gave
+his commands to two or three of the most active among his
+followers. 'Let him be once on board,' he said, 'and there are
+enough of us to stand to arms and cover his retreat.'
+
+'Right, right,' said Sir Richard, 'and I will look to points
+which can be made defensible; and the old powder-plot boys could
+not have made a more desperate resistance than we shall.
+Redgauntlet,' continued he, 'I see some of our friends are
+looking pale; but methinks your nephew has more mettle in his eye
+now than when we were in cold deliberation, with danger at a
+distance.'
+
+'It is the way of our house,' said Redgauntlet; 'our courage ever
+kindles highest on the losing side.  I, too, feel that the
+catastrophe I have brought on must not be survived by its author.
+Let me first,' he said, addressing Charles, 'see your Majesty's
+sacred person in such safety as can now be provided for it, and
+then'--
+
+'You may spare all considerations concerning me, gentlemen,'
+again repeated Charles; 'yon mountain of Criffel shall fly as
+soon as I will.'
+
+Most threw themselves at his feet with weeping and entreaty; some
+one or two slunk in confusion from the apartment, and were heard
+riding off.  Unnoticed in such a scene, Darsie, his sister, and
+Fairford, drew together, and held each other by the hands, as
+those who, when a vessel is about to founder in the storm,
+determine to take their chance of life and death together.
+
+Amid this scene of confusion, a gentleman, plainly dressed in a
+riding-habit, with a black cockade in his hat, but without any
+arms except a COUTEAU-DE-CHASSE, walked into the apartment
+without ceremony.  He was a tall, thin, gentlemanly man, with a
+look and bearing decidedly military.  He had passed through their
+guards, if in the confusion they now maintained any, without stop
+or question, and now stood, almost unarmed, among armed men, who
+nevertheless, gazed on him as on the angel of destruction.
+
+'You look coldly on me, gentlemen,' he said.  'Sir Richard
+Glendale--my Lord --, we were not always such strangers.  Ha,
+Pate-in-Peril, how is it with you?  and you, too, Ingoldsby--I
+must not call you by any other name--why do you receive an old
+friend so coldly?  But you guess my errand.'
+
+'And are prepared for it, general,' said Redgauntlet; 'we are not
+men to be penned up like sheep for the slaughter.'
+
+'Pshaw!  you take it too seriously--let me speak but one word
+with you.'
+
+'No words can shake our purpose,' said Redgauntlet, were your
+whole command, as I suppose is the case, drawn round the house.'
+
+'I am certainly not unsupported,' said the general; 'but if you
+would hear me'--
+
+'Hear ME, sir,' said the Wanderer, stepping forward; 'I suppose I
+am the mark you aim at--I surrender myself willingly, to save
+these gentlemen's danger--let this at least avail in their
+favour.'
+
+An exclamation of 'Never, never!'  broke from the little body of
+partisans, who threw themselves round the unfortunate prince, and
+would have seized or struck down Campbell, had it not been that
+he remained with his arms folded, and a look, rather indicating
+impatience because they would not hear him, than the least
+apprehension of violence at their hand.
+
+At length he obtained a moment's silence.  'I do not,' he said,
+'know this gentleman'--(making a profound bow to the unfortunate
+prince)--'I do not wish to know him; it is a knowledge which
+would suit neither of us.'
+
+'Our ancestors, nevertheless, have been well acquainted,' said
+Charles, unable to suppress, even at that hour of dread and
+danger, the painful recollections of fallen royalty.
+
+'In one word, General Campbell,' said Redgauntlet, 'is it to be
+peace or war?  You are a man of honour, and we can trust you.'
+
+'I thank you, sir,' said the general; 'and I reply, that the
+answer to your question rests with yourself.  Come, do not be
+fools, gentlemen; there was perhaps no great harm meant or
+intended by your gathering together in this obscure corner, for a
+bear-bait or a cock-fight, or whatever other amusement you may
+have intended, but it was a little imprudent, considering how you
+stand with government, and it has occasioned some anxiety.
+Exaggerated accounts of your purpose have been laid before
+government by the information of a traitor in your own counsels;
+and I was sent down post to take the command of a sufficient
+number of troops, in case these calumnies should be found to have
+any real foundation.  I have come here, of course, sufficiently
+supported both with cavalry and infantry, to do whatever might be
+necessary; but my commands are--and I am sure they agree with my
+inclination--to make no arrests, nay, to make no further
+inquiries of any kind, if this good assembly will consider their
+own interest so far as to give up their immediate purpose, and
+return quietly home to their own houses.'
+
+'What!--all?'  exclaimed Sir Richard Glendale--'all, without
+exception?'
+
+'ALL, without one single exception' said the general; 'such are
+my orders.  If you accept my terms, say so, and make haste; for
+things may happen to interfere with his Majesty's kind purposes
+towards you all.'
+
+'Majesty's kind purposes!'  said the Wanderer.  'Do I hear you
+aright, sir?'
+
+'I speak the king's very words, from his very lips,' replied the
+general.  '"I will," said his Majesty, "deserve the confidence of
+my subjects by reposing my security in the fidelity of the
+millions who acknowledge my title--in the good sense and prudence
+of the few who continue, from the errors of education, to disown
+it."  His Majesty will not even believe that the most zealous
+Jacobites who yet remain can nourish a thought of exciting a
+civil war, which must be fatal to their families and themselves,
+besides spreading bloodshed and ruin through a peaceful land.  He
+cannot even believe of his kinsman, that he would engage brave
+and generous though mistaken men, in an attempt which must ruin
+all who have escaped former calamities; and he is convinced,
+that, did curiosity or any other motive lead that person to visit
+this country, he would soon see it was his wisest course to
+return to the continent; and his Majesty compassionates his
+situation too much to offer any obstacle to his doing so.'
+
+'Is this real?'  said Redgauntlet.  'Can you mean this?  Am I--
+are all, are any of these gentlemen at liberty, without
+interruption, to embark in yonder brig, which, I see, is now
+again approaching the shore?'
+
+'You, sir--all--any of the gentlemen present,' said the general,
+--'all whom the vessel can contain, are at liberty to embark
+uninterrupted by me; but I advise none to go off who have not
+powerful reasons unconnected with the present meeting, for this
+will be remembered against no one.'
+
+'Then, gentlemen,' said Redgauntlet, clasping his hands together
+as the words burst from him, 'the cause is lost for ever!'
+
+General Campbell turned away to the window, as if to avoid
+hearing what they said.  Their consultation was but momentary;
+for the door of escape which thus opened was as unexpected as the
+exigence was threatening.
+
+'We have your word of honour for our protection,' said Sir
+Richard Glendale, 'if we dissolve our meeting in obedience to
+your summons?'
+
+'You have, Sir Richard,' answered the general.
+
+'And I also have your promise,' said Redgauntlet, 'that I may go
+on board yonder vessel, with any friend whom I may choose to
+accompany me?'
+
+Not only that, Mr. Ingoldsby--or I WILL call you Mr. Redgauntlet
+once more--you may stay in the offing for a tide, until you are
+joined by any person who may remain at Fairladies.  After that,
+there will be a sloop of war on the station, and I need not say
+your condition will then become perilous.'
+
+'Perilous it should not be, General Campbell,' said Redgauntlet,
+'or more perilous to others than to us, if others thought as I do
+even in this extremity.'
+
+'You forget yourself, my friend,' said the unhappy Adventurer;
+you forget that the arrival of this gentleman only puts the cope-
+stone on our already adopted resolution to abandon our bull-fight
+or by whatever other wild name this headlong enterprise may be
+termed.  I bid you farewell, unfriendly friends--I bid you
+farewell,' (bowing to the general) 'my friendly foe--I leave this
+strand as I landed upon it, alone and to return no more!'
+
+'Not alone,' said Redgauntlet, 'while there is blood in the veins
+of my father's son.'
+
+'Not alone,' said the other gentlemen present, stung with
+feelings which almost overpowered the better reasons under which
+they had acted.  'We will not disown our principles, or see your
+person endangered.'
+
+'If it be only your purpose to see the gentleman to the beach,'
+said General Campbell, 'I will myself go with you.  My presence
+among you, unarmed, and in your power, will be a pledge of my
+friendly intentions, and will overawe, should such be offered,
+any interruption on the part of officious persons.'
+
+'Be it so,' said the Adventurer, with the air of a prince to a
+subject, not of one who complied with the request of an enemy too
+powerful to be resisted.
+
+They left the apartment--they left the house--an unauthenticated
+and dubious, but appalling, sensation of terror had already
+spread itself among the inferior retainers, who had so short time
+before strutted, and bustled, and thronged the doorway and the
+passages.  A report had arisen, of which the origin could not be
+traced, of troops advancing towards the spot in considerable
+numbers; and men who, for one reason or other, were most of them
+amenable to the arm of power, had either shrunk into stables or
+corners, or fled the place entirely.  There was solitude on the
+landscape excepting the small party which now moved towards the
+rude pier, where a boat lay manned, agreeably to Redgauntlet's
+orders previously given.
+
+The last heir of the Stuarts leant on Redgauntlet's arm as they
+walked towards the beach; for the ground was rough, and he no
+longer possessed the elasticity of limb and of spirit which had,
+twenty years before, carried him over many a Highland hill as
+light as one of their native deer.  His adherents followed,
+looking on the ground, their feelings struggling against the
+dictates of their reason.
+
+General Campbell accompanied them with an air of apparent ease
+and indifference, but watching, at the same time, and no doubt
+with some anxiety, the changing features of those who acted in
+this extraordinary scene.
+
+Darsie and his sister naturally followed their uncle, whose
+violence they no longer feared, while his character attracted
+their respect, and Alan Fairford attended them from interest in
+their fate, unnoticed in a party where all were too much occupied
+with their own thoughts and feelings, as well as with the
+impending crisis, to attend to his presence.
+
+Half-way betwixt the house and the beach, they saw the bodies of
+Nanty Ewart and Cristal Nixon blackening in the sun.
+
+'That was your informer?'  said Redgauntlet, looking back to
+General Campbell, who only nodded his assent.
+
+'Caitiff wretch!'  exclaimed Redgauntlet;--'and yet the name were
+better bestowed on the fool who could be misled by thee.'
+
+'That sound broadsword cut,' said the general, 'has saved us the
+shame of rewarding a traitor.'
+
+They arrived at the place of embarkation.  The prince stood a
+moment with folded arms, and looked around him in deep silence.
+A paper was then slipped into his hands--he looked at it, and
+said, 'I find the two friends I have left at Fairladies are
+apprised of my destination, and propose to embark from Bowness.
+I presume this will not be an infringement of the conditions
+under which you have acted?'
+
+'Certainly not,' answered General Campbell; 'they shall have all
+facility to join you.'
+
+'I wish, then,' said Charles, 'only another companion.
+Redgauntlet, the air of this country is as hostile to you as it
+is to me.  These gentlemen have made their peace, or rather they
+have done nothing to break it.  But you--come you and share my
+home where chance shall cast it.  We shall never see these shores
+again; but we will talk of them, and of our disconcerted bull-
+fight.'
+
+'I follow you, sire, through life,' said Redgauntlet, 'as I would
+have followed you to death.  Permit me one moment.'
+
+The prince then looked round, and seeing the abashed countenances
+of his other adherents bent upon the ground, he hastened to say,
+'Do not think that you, gentlemen, have obliged me less because
+your zeal was mingled with prudence, entertained, I am sure, more
+on my own account and on that of your country, than from selfish
+apprehensions.'
+
+He stepped from one to another, and, amid sobs and bursting
+tears, received the adieus of the last remnant which had hitherto
+supported his lofty pretensions, and addressed them individually
+with accents of tenderness and affection.
+
+The general drew a little aloof, and signed to Redgauntlet to
+speak with him while this scene proceeded.  'It is now all over,'
+he said, 'and Jacobite will be henceforward no longer a party
+name.  When you tire of foreign parts, and wish to make your
+peace, let me know.  Your restless zeal alone has impeded your
+pardon hitherto.'
+
+'And now I shall not need it,' said Redgauntlet.  'I leave
+England for ever; but I am not displeased that you should hear my
+family adieus.--Nephew, come hither.  In presence of General
+Campbell, I tell you, that though to breed you up in my own
+political opinions has been for many years my anxious wish, I am
+now glad that it could not be accomplished.  You pass under the
+service of the reigning monarch without the necessity of changing
+your allegiance--a change, however,' be added, looking around
+him, which sits more easy on honourable men than I could have
+anticipated; but some wear the badge of their loyalty on their
+sleeve, and others in the heart.  You will, from henceforth, be
+uncontrolled master of all the property of which forfeiture could
+not deprive your father--of all that belonged to him--excepting
+this, his good sword' (laying his hand on the weapon he wore),
+'which shall never fight for the House of Hanover; and as my hand
+will never draw weapon more, I shall sink it forty fathoms deep
+in the wide ocean.  Bless you, young man!  If I have dealt
+harshly with you, forgive me.  I had set my whole desires on one
+point,--God knows, with no selfish purpose; and I am justly
+punished by this final termination of my views, for having been
+too little scrupulous in the means by which I pursued them.--
+Niece, farewell, and may God bless you also!'
+
+'No, sir,' said Lilias, seizing his hand eagerly.  'You have been
+hitherto my protector,--you are now in sorrow, let me be your
+attendant and your comforter in exile.'
+
+'I thank you, my girl, for your unmerited affection; but it
+cannot and must not be.  The curtain here falls between us.  I go
+to the house of another.  If I leave it before I quit the earth,
+it shall be only for the House of God.  Once more, farewell both!
+The fatal doom,' he said, with a melancholy smile, 'will, I
+trust, now depart from the House of Redgauntlet, since its
+present representative has adhered to the winning side.  I am
+convinced he will not change it, should it in turn become the
+losing one.'
+
+The unfortunate Charles Edward had now given his last adieus to
+his downcast adherents.  He made a sign with his hand to
+Redgauntlet, who came to assist him into the skiff.  General
+Campbell also offered his assistance, the rest appearing too much
+affected by the scene which had taken place to prevent him.
+
+'You are not sorry, general, to do me this last act of courtesy,'
+said the Chevalier; 'and, on my part, I thank you for it.  You
+have taught me the principle on which men on the scaffold feel
+forgiveness and kindness even for their executioner.  Farewell!'
+
+They were seated in the boat, which presently pulled off from the
+land.  The Oxford divine broke out into a loud benediction, in
+terms which General Campbell was too generous to criticize at the
+time, or to remember afterwards;--nay, it is said, that, Whig and
+Campbell as he was, he could not help joining in the universal
+Amen!  which resounded from the shore.
+
+
+
+
+CONCLUSION, BY DR. DRYASDUST
+
+IN A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY
+
+I am truly sorry, my worthy and much-respected sir, that my
+anxious researches have neither, in the form of letters, nor of
+diaries or other memoranda, been able to discover more than I
+have hitherto transmitted, of the history of the Redgauntlet
+family.  But I observe in an old newspaper called the WHITEHALL
+GAZETTE, of which I fortunately possess a file for several years,
+that Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet was presented to his late
+Majesty at the drawing-room, by Lieut.-General Campbell--upon
+which the editor observes, in the way of comment, that we were
+going, REMIS ATQUE VELIS, into the interests of the Pretender,
+since a Scot had presented a Jacobite at Court.  I am sorry I
+have not room (the frank being only uncial) for his further
+observations, tending to show the apprehensions entertained by
+many well-instructed persons of the period, that the young king
+might himself be induced to become one of the Stuarts' faction,--
+a catastrophe from which it has pleased Heaven to preserve these
+kingdoms.
+
+I perceive also, by a marriage-contract in the family
+repositories, that Miss Lilias Redgauntlet of Redgauntlet, about
+eighteen months after the transactions you have commemorated,
+intermarried with Alan Fairford, Esq., Advocate, of Clinkdollar,
+who, I think, we may not unreasonably conclude to be the same
+person whose name occurs so frequently in the pages of your
+narration.  In my last excursion to Edinburgh, I was fortunate
+enough to discover an old caddie, from whom, at the expense of a
+bottle of whisky and half a pound of tobacco, I extracted the
+important information, that he knew Peter Peebles very well, and
+had drunk many a mutchkin with him in Caddie Fraser's time.  He
+said 'that he lived ten years after King George's accession, in
+the momentary expectation of winning his cause every day in the
+session time, and every hour in the day, and at last fell down
+dead, in what my informer called a 'perplexity fit,' upon a
+proposal for a composition being made to him in the Outer House.
+I have chosen to retain my informer's phrase, not being able
+justly to determine whether it is a corruption of the word
+apoplexy, as my friend Mr. Oldbuck supposes, or the name of some
+peculiar disorder incidental to those who have concern in the
+courts of law, as many callings and conditions of men have
+diseases appropriate to themselves.  The same caddie also
+remembered Blind Willie Stevenson, who was called Wandering
+Willie, and who ended his days 'unco beinly, in Sir Arthur
+Redgauntlet's ha' neuk.'  'He had done the family some good
+turn,' he said, 'specially when ane of the Argyle gentlemen was
+coming down on a wheen of them that had the "auld leaven" about
+them, and wad hae taen every man of them, and nae less nor headed
+and hanged them.  But Willie, and a friend they had, called Robin
+the Rambler, gae them warning, by playing tunes such as "The
+Campbells are coming" and the like, whereby they got timeous
+warning to take the wing.'  I need not point out to your
+acuteness, my worthy sir, that this seems to refer to some
+inaccurate account of the transactions in which you seem so much
+interested.
+
+Respecting Redgauntlet, about whose subsequent history you are
+more particularly inquisitive, I have learned from an excellent
+person who was a priest in the Scottish Monastery of Ratisbon,
+before its suppression, that he remained for two or three years
+in the family of the Chevalier, and only left it at last in
+consequence of some discords in that melancholy household.  As he
+had hinted to General Campbell, he exchanged his residence for
+the cloister, and displayed in the latter part of his life, a
+strong sense of the duties of religion, which in his earlier days
+he had too much neglected, being altogether engaged in political
+speculations and intrigues.  He rose to the situation of prior,
+in the house which he belonged to, and which was of a very strict
+order of religion.  He sometimes received his countrymen, whom
+accident brought to Ratisbon, and curiosity induced to visit the
+Monastery of --.  But it was remarked, that though he listened
+with interest and attention, when Britain, or particularly
+Scotland, became the subject of conversation, yet he never either
+introduced or prolonged the subject, never used the English
+language, never inquired about English affairs, and, above all,
+never mentioned his own family.  His strict observation of the
+rules of his order gave him, at the time of his death, some
+pretensions to be chosen a saint, and the brethren of the
+Monastery of -- made great efforts for that effect, and brought
+forward some plausible proofs of miracles.  But there was a
+circumstance which threw a doubt over the subject, and prevented
+the consistory from acceding to the wishes of the worthy
+brethren.  Under his habit, and secured in a small silver box, he
+had worn perpetually around his neck a lock of-hair, which the
+fathers avouched to be a relic.  But the Avvocato del Diabolo, in
+combating (as was his official duty) the pretensions of the
+candidate for sanctity, made it at least equally probable that
+the supposed relic was taken from the head of a brother of the
+deceased prior, who had been executed for adherence to the Stuart
+family in 1745-6; and the motto, HAUD OBLIVISCENDUM, seemed to
+intimate a tone of mundane feeling and recollection of injuries,
+which made it at least doubtful whether, even in the quiet and
+gloom of the cloister, Father Hugo had forgotten the sufferings
+and injuries of the House of Redgauntlet.
+
+June 10, 1824,
+
+
+
+
+NOTES
+
+NOTE 1.--THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
+
+In explanation of this circumstance, I cannot help adding a note
+not very necessary for the reader, which yet I record with
+pleasure, from recollection of the kindness which it evinces.  In
+early youth I resided for a considerable time in the vicinity of
+the beautiful village of Kelso, where my life passed in a very
+solitary manner.  I had few acquaintances, scarce any companions,
+and books, which were at the time almost essential to my
+happiness, were difficult to come by.  It was then that I was
+particularly indebted to the liberality and friendship of an old
+lady of the Society of Friends, eminent for her benevolence and
+charity.  Her deceased husband had been a medical man of
+eminence, and left her, with other valuable property, a small and
+well-selected library.  This the kind old lady permitted me to
+rummage at pleasure, and carry home what volumes I chose, on
+condition that I should take, at the same time, some of the
+tracts printed for encouraging and extending the doctrines of her
+own sect.  She did not even exact any promise that I would read
+these performances, being too justly afraid of involving me in a
+breach of promise, but was merely desirous that I should have the
+chance of instruction within my reach, in case whim, curiosity,
+or accident, might induce me to have recourse to it.
+
+
+NOTE 2.--THE PERSECUTORS
+
+The personages here mentioned are most of them characters of
+historical fame; but those less known and remembered may be found
+in the tract entitled, 'The Judgment and Justice of God
+Exemplified, or, a Brief Historical Account of some of the Wicked
+Lives and Miserable Deaths of some of the most remarkable
+Apostates and Bloody Persecutors, from the Reformation till after
+the Revolution.'  This constitutes a sort of postscript or
+appendix to John Howie of Lochgoin's 'Account of the Lives of the
+most eminent Scots Worthies.'  The author has, with considerable
+ingenuity, reversed his reasoning upon the inference to be drawn
+from the prosperity or misfortunes which befall individuals in
+this world, either in the course of their lives or in the hour of
+death.  In the account of the martyrs' sufferings, such
+inflictions are mentioned only as trials permitted by providence,
+for the better and brighter display of their faith, and constancy
+of principle.  But when similar afflictions befell the opposite
+party, they are imputed to the direct vengeance of Heaven upon
+their impiety.  If, indeed, the life of any person obnoxious to
+the historian's censures happened to have passed in unusual
+prosperity, the mere fact of its being finally concluded by
+death, is assumed as an undeniable token of the judgement of
+Heaven, and, to render the conclusion inevitable, his last scene
+is generally garnished with some singular circumstances.  Thus
+the Duke of Lauderdale is said, through old age but immense
+corpulence, to have become so sunk in spirits, 'that his heart
+was not the bigness of a walnut.'
+
+
+NOTE 3.--LAMENTATION FOR THE DEAD
+
+I have heard in my youth some such wild tale as that placed in
+the mouth of the blind fiddler, of which, I think, the hero was
+Sir Robert Grierson of Lagg, the famous persecutor.  But the
+belief was general throughout Scotland that the excessive
+lamentation over the loss of friends disturbed the repose of the
+dead, and broke even the rest of the grave.  There are several
+instances of this in tradition, but one struck me particularly,
+as I heard it from the lips of one who professed receiving it
+from those of a ghost-seer.  This was a Highland lady, named
+Mrs. C-- of B--, who probably believed firmly in the truth of an
+apparition which seems to have originated in the weakness of her
+nerves and strength of her imagination.  She had been lately left
+a widow by her husband, with the office of guardian to their only
+child.  The young man added to the difficulties of his charge by
+an extreme propensity for a military life, which his mother was
+unwilling to give way to, while she found it impossible to
+repress it.  About this time the Independent Companies, formed
+for the preservation of the peace of the Highlands, were in the
+course of being levied; and as a gentleman named Cameron, nearly
+connected with Mrs. C--, commanded one of those companies, she
+was at length persuaded to compromise the matter with her son, by
+permitting him to enter this company in the capacity of a cadet,
+thus gratifying his love of a military life without the dangers
+of foreign service, to which no one then thought these troops
+were at all liable to be exposed, while even their active service
+at home was not likely to be attended with much danger.  She
+readily obtained a promise from her relative that he would be
+particular in his attention to her son and therefore concluded
+she had accommodated matters between her son's wishes and his
+safety in a way sufficiently attentive to both.  She set off to
+Edinburgh to get what was awanting for his outfit, and shortly
+afterwards received melancholy news from the Highlands.  The
+Independent Company into which her son was to enter had a
+skirmish with a party of caterans engaged in some act of spoil,
+and her friend the captain being wounded, and out of the reach of
+medical assistance, died in consequence.  This news was a
+thunderbolt to the poor mother, who was at once deprived of her
+kinsman's advice and assistance, and instructed by his fate of
+the unexpected danger to which her son's new calling exposed him.
+She remained also in great sorrow for her relative, whom she
+loved with sisterly affection.  These conflicting causes of
+anxiety, together with her uncertainty, whether to continue or
+change her son's destination, were terminated in the following
+manner:--
+
+The house in which Mrs. C-- resided in the old town of Edinburgh,
+was a flat or story of a land accessible, as was then universal,
+by a common stair.  The family who occupied the story beneath
+were her acquaintances, and she was in the habit of drinking tea
+with them every evening.  It was accordingly about six o'clock,
+when, recovering herself from a deep fit of anxious reflection,
+she was about to leave the parlour in which she sat in order to
+attend this engagement.  The door through which she was to pass
+opened, as was very common in Edinburgh, into a dark passage.  In
+this passage, and within a yard of her when she opened the door,
+stood the apparition of her kinsman, the deceased officer, in his
+full tartans, and wearing his bonnet.  Terrified at what she saw,
+or thought she saw, she closed the door hastily, and, sinking on
+her knees by a chair, prayed to be delivered from the horrors of
+the vision.  She remained in that posture till her friends below
+tapped on the door, to intimate that tea was ready.  Recalled to
+herself by the signal, she arose, and, on opening the apartment
+door, again was confronted by the visionary Highlander, whose
+bloody brow bore token, on this second appearance, to the death
+he had died.  Unable to endure this repetition of her terrors,
+Mrs. C-- sank on the door in a swoon.  Her friends below,
+startled with the noise, came upstairs, and, alarmed at the
+situation in which they found her, insisted on her going to bed
+and taking some medicine, in order to compose what they took for
+a nervous attack.  They had no sooner left her in quiet, than the
+apparition of the soldier was once more visible in the apartment.
+This time she took courage and said, 'In the name of God, Donald,
+why do you haunt one who respected and loved you when living?'
+To which he answered readily, in Gaelic, 'Cousin, why did you not
+speak sooner?  My rest is disturbed by your unnecessary
+lamentation--your tears scald me in my shroud.  I come to tell
+you that my untimely death ought to make no difference in your
+views for your son; God will raise patrons to supply my place and
+he will live to the fullness of years, and die honoured and at
+peace.'  The lady of course followed her kinsman's advice and as
+she was accounted a person of strict veracity, we may conclude
+the first apparition an illusion of the fancy, the final one a
+lively dream suggested by the other two.
+
+
+NOTE 4.--PETER PEEBLES
+
+This unfortunate litigant (for a person named Peter Peebles
+actually flourished) frequented the courts of justice in Scotland
+about the year 1792, and the sketch of his appearance is given
+from recollection.  The author is of opinion that he himself had
+at one time the honour to be counsel for Peter Peebles, whose
+voluminous course of litigation served as a sort of assay-pieces
+to most young men who were called to the bar.  The scene of the
+consultation is entirely imaginary.
+
+
+NOTE 5.--JOHN'S COFFEE-HOUSE
+
+This small dark coffee-house, now burnt down, was the resort of
+such writers and clerks belonging to the Parliament House above
+thirty years ago as retained the ancient Scottish custom of a
+meridian, as it was called, or noontide dram of spirits.  If
+their proceedings were watched, they might be seen to turn
+fidgety about the hour of noon, and exchange looks with each
+other from their separate desks, till at length some one of
+formal and dignified presence assumed the honour of leading the
+band, when away they went, threading the crowd like a string of
+wild fowl, crossed the square or close, and following each other
+into the coffee-house, received in turn from the hand of the
+waiter, the meridian, which was placed ready at the bar.  This
+they did, day by day:  and though they did not speak to each
+other, they seemed to attach a certain degree of sociability to
+performing the ceremony in company.
+
+
+NOTE 6.--FISHING RIGHTS
+
+It may be here mentioned, that a violent and popular attack upon
+what the country people of this district considered as an
+invasion of their fishing right is by no means an improbable
+fiction.  Shortly after the close of the American war, Sir James
+Graham of Netherby constructed a dam-dyke, or cauld, across the
+Esk, at a place where it flowed through his estate, though it has
+its origin, and the principal part of its course, in Scotland.
+The new barrier at Netherby was considered as an encroachment
+calculated to prevent the salmon from ascending into Scotland,
+and the right of erecting it being an international question of
+law betwixt the sister kingdoms, there was no court in either
+competent to its decision.  In this dilemma, the Scots people
+assembled in numbers by signal of rocket lights, and, rudely
+armed with fowling-pieces, fish-spears, and such rustic weapons,
+marched to the banks of the river for the purpose of pulling down
+the dam-dyke objected to.  Sir James Graham armed many of his own
+people to protect his property, and had some military from
+Carlisle for the same purpose.  A renewal of the Border wars had
+nearly taken place in the eighteenth century, when prudence and
+moderation on both sides saved much tumult, and perhaps some
+bloodshed.  The English proprietor consented that a breach should
+be made in his dam-dyke sufficient for the passage of the fish,
+and thus removed the Scottish grievance.  I believe the river has
+since that time taken the matter into its own disposal, and
+entirely swept away the dam-dyke in question.
+
+
+NOTE 7.--STATE OF SCOTLAND
+
+Scotland, in its half-civilized state, exhibited too many
+examples of the exertion of arbitrary force and violence,
+rendered easy by the dominion which lairds exerted over their
+tenants and chiefs over their clans.  The captivity of Lady
+Grange, in the desolate cliffs of Saint Kilda, is in the
+recollection of every one.  At the supposed date of the novel
+also a man of the name of Merrilees, a tanner in Leith, absconded
+from his country to escape his creditors; and after having slain
+his own mastiff dog, and put a bit of red cloth in its mouth, as
+if it had died in a contest with soldiers, and involved his own
+existence in as much mystery as possible, made his escape into
+Yorkshire.  Here he was detected by persons sent in search of
+him, to whom he gave a portentous account of his having been
+carried off and concealed in various places.  Mr. Merrilees was,
+in short, a kind of male Elizabeth Canning, but did not trespass
+on the public credulity quite so long.
+
+
+NOTE 8.--CONCEALMENTS FOR THEFT AND SMUGGLING
+
+I am sorry to say that the modes of concealment described in the
+imaginary premises of Mr. Trumbull, are of a kind which have been
+common on the frontiers of late years.  The neighbourhood of two
+nations having different laws, though united in government, still
+leads to a multitude of transgressions on the Border, and extreme
+difficulty in apprehending delinquents.  About twenty years
+since, as far as my recollection serves, there was along the
+frontier an organized gang of coiners, forgers, smugglers, and
+other malefactors, whose operations were conducted on a scale not
+inferior to what is here described.  The chief of the party was
+one Richard Mendham a carpenter, who rose to opulence, although
+ignorant even of the arts of reading and writing.  But he had
+found a short road to wealth, and had taken singular measures for
+conducting his operations.  Amongst these, he found means to
+build, in a suburb of Berwick called Spittal, a street of small
+houses, as if for the investment of property.  He himself
+inhabited one of these; another, a species of public-house, was
+open to his confederates, who held secret and unsuspected
+communication with him by crossing the roofs of the intervening
+houses, and descending by a trap-stair, which admitted them into
+the alcove of the dining-room of Dick Mendham's private mansion.
+A vault, too, beneath Mendham's stable, was accessible in the
+manner mentioned in the novel.  The post of one of the stalls
+turned round on a bolt being withdrawn, and gave admittance to a
+subterranean place of concealment for contraband and stolen
+goods, to a great extent.  Richard Mendham, the head of this very
+formidable conspiracy, which involved malefactors of every kind,
+was tried and executed at Jedburgh, where the author was present
+as Sheriff of Selkirkshire.  Mendham had previously been tried,
+but escaped by want of proof and the ingenuity of his counsel.
+
+
+NOTE 9--CORONATION OF GEORGE III
+
+In excuse of what may be considered as a violent infraction of
+probability in this chapter, the author is under the necessity of
+quoting a tradition which many persons may recollect having
+heard.  It was always said, though with very little appearance of
+truth, that upon the Coronation of the late George III, when the
+champion of England, Dymock, or his representative, appeared in
+Westminster Hall, and in the language of chivalry solemnly
+wagered his body to defend in single combat the right of the
+young King to the crown of these realms, at the moment when he
+flung down his gauntlet as the gage of battle, an unknown female
+stepped from the crowd and lifted the pledge, leaving another
+gage in room of it, with a paper expressing, that if a fair field
+of combat should be allowed, a champion of rank and birth would
+appear with equal arms to dispute the claim of King George to the
+British kingdoms.  The story is probably one of the numerous
+fictions which were circulated to keep up the spirits of a
+sinking faction, The incident was, however, possible, if it could
+be supposed to he attended by any motive adequate to the risk,
+and might be imagined to occur to a person of Redgauntlet's
+enthusiastic character.  George III, it is said, had a police of
+his own, whose agency was so efficient, that the sovereign was
+able to tell his prime minister upon one occasion, to his great
+surprise, that the Pretender was in London.  The prime minister
+began immediately to talk of measures to be taken, warrants to be
+procured, messengers and guards to be got in readiness.  'Pooh,
+pooh,' said the good-natured sovereign, since I have found him
+out, leave me alone to deal with him.'--'And what,' said the
+minister, 'is your Majesty's purpose, in so important a case?'--
+'To leave the young man to himself,' said George III; 'and when
+he tires he will go back again.'  The truth of this story does
+not depend on that of the lifting of the gauntlet; and while the
+latter could be but an idle bravado, the former expresses George
+Ill's goodness of heart and soundness of policy.
+
+
+NOTE 10.--COLLIER AND SALTER
+
+The persons engaged in these occupations were at this time
+bondsmen; and in case they left the ground of the farm to which
+they belonged, and as pertaining to which their services were
+bought or sold, they were liable to be brought back by a summary
+process.  The existence of this species of slavery being thought
+irreconcilable with the spirit of liberty, colliers and salters
+were declared free, and put upon the same footing with other
+servants, by the Act 15 Geo. III chapter 28th.  They were so far
+from desiring or prizing the blessing conferred on them, that
+they esteemed the interest taken in their freedom to be a mere
+decree on the part of the proprietors to get rid of what they
+called head and harigald money, payable to them when a female of
+their number, by bearing a child, made an addition to the live
+stock of their master's property.
+
+
+
+
+GLOSSARY
+
+ABOON, above.
+AD LITEM, in law.
+AD VINDICTAM PUBLICAM, for the public defence.
+ADUST, looking as if burned or scorched.
+AE, one.
+AFFLATUS, breath, inspiration.
+AIRT, direct.
+ALCANDER, a Greek soothsayer.
+ALDEBORONTIPHOSCOPHORNIO, a courtier in H. Carey's burlesque,
+    CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS.
+ALIMENTARY, nourishing.
+ALQUIFE, an enchanter in the mediaeval romances of knight-
+    errantry.
+AMADIS, a hero of the romances, especially in Amadis of Gaul.
+ANENT, about.
+ANES, once.
+ANNO DOMINI, in the year of the Lord.
+ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM, AD FEMINAM, lit. 'the argument to a man,
+    to a woman,' refutation of a man's argument by an example
+    drawn from his own conduct.
+ARIES, earnest-money, a gift.
+ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS, art is long, life short.
+ARS MEDENDI, art of medicine.
+APPROBATE, approve.
+ATLANTES, a character in ORLANDO FURIOSO.
+AULD REEKIE, Edinburgh.
+ADVOCATO DEL DIABOLO, lit. 'the devil's advocate', one whose duty
+    it is to oppose the canonization of a person on whose behalf
+    claims to sanctity are made.
+AWSOME, awful, fearful.
+
+BACK-GANGING, behind hand in paying.
+BACKSPAUL, the back of the shoulder.
+BALLANT, a ballad, a fable.
+BANNOCK, a flat, round cake.
+BARLEY-BROO, barley-broth.
+BARON-OFFICER, the magistrate's officer in a burgh of barony.
+BARTIZAN, a small overhanging turret, the battlements.
+BEAUFET, cupboard.
+BEAVER, the lower part of the helmet.
+BEIN, comfortable.
+BELISARIUS, a general of the Eastern Empire ungratefully treated
+    by the Emperor Justinian.
+BENEDICTE, bless you.
+BETIMES THE MORN, early in the morning.
+BICKER, a wooden vessel for holding drink; a quarrel.
+BILLIE, a term of familiarity, comrade.
+BIRKIE, a smart fellow.
+BIRLING, merry-making.
+BIT, small.
+BLATE, shy, bashful.
+BLAWING, flattering.
+BLEEZING, bragging.
+BLUE-CAP, a Scotsman.
+BOGLE, a ghost, a scarecrow.
+BON VIVANTS, lovers of good living.
+BONA ROBA, a showy wanton.
+BONUS SOCIUS, good comrade.
+BORREL, common, rude.
+BRAID, broad.
+BRASH, a sudden storm, an attack.
+BRATTLE, a clattering noise, as of a horse going at full speed.
+BRAW, brave, fine.
+BRENT BROO, high brow.
+BROCARD, maxim.
+BROSE, oatmeal which has had boiling water poured upon it.
+BROWN, a famous landscape gardener.
+BROWST, a brewing.
+BUCEPHALUS, the favourite horse of Alexander the Great.
+BUCKIE, an imp, a fellow with an evil twist in his character.
+BUFF NOR STYE, neither one thing nor another.
+BUFFERS, pistols.
+BUSK, deck up.
+BY ORDINAR, extraordinary, uncommon.
+BYE AND ATTOUR, over and above.
+
+CADGER, a travelling dealer.
+CADDIE, a porter, an errand-boy.
+CAETERA PRORSUS IGNORO, in short, I know nothing of the rest.
+CALLANT, a young lad.
+CALLER, cool, fresh.
+CANNY, shrewd, prudent, quiet.
+CANTLE, fragment.
+CAPERNOITED, crabbed, foolish.
+CAPRICCIOS, a fanciful composition.
+CAPRIOLE, a leap made by a horse without advancing.
+CARDINAL, a woman's cloak.
+CARLINES, old women.
+CATILINA OMNIUM, ETC. Catilina had surrounded himself with the
+    most vile and criminal company.
+CAUSEWAY, path, roadway.
+CAVALIERE SERVENTE, gentleman in attendance.
+CAVE NE LITERAS, ETC. take care that you are not carrying
+    Bellerophon's letters (letters unfavourable to the bearer).
+CHACK, a slight repast.
+CHANCY, safe, auspicious.
+CHANGE-HOUSE, a small inn or ale-house.
+CHANTER, the tenor or treble pipe in a bag-pipe.
+CHAPE, a thin metal blade at the end of a scabbard.
+CHAPEAU BRAS, a low, three-cornered hat.
+CHOUGH, a bird of the crow family.
+CHUCKY, fowl.
+CHUCKY-STONES, small stones, a child's game.
+CLAP AND HOPPER, signs of the mill.
+CLAVERS, gossip, idle talk.
+CLEEK, lay hold on.
+CLEIK IN, to join company.
+CLOSE, an alley, a narrow way.
+CLOSE-HEADS, the entry to an alley, a meeting-place for gossips.
+CLOUR, to strike, to bump.
+COBLE, a little boat.
+COCKERNONY, top-knot.
+COGIE, small wooden bowl.
+COMMUNE FORUM, ETC. the common court is the common dwelling-place.
+CORDWAIN, Spanish leather.
+CORIOLANUS, a Roman patrician, who, being driven from the city,
+    took refuge with Aufidius, the leader of the Volsci.
+COUP, fall, upset.
+COURIER DE L'EUROPE, a newspaper.
+COVYNE, artifice.
+CRACK, gossip.
+CRAIG, throat, neck.
+CRAWSTEP, the steplike edges of a gable seen in some old houses.
+CREEL, basket carried on the back.
+CREMONY, Cremona [where the best fiddles were made].
+CROWDER, fiddler.
+CUR ME EXAMINAS QUERELIS TUIS?, why do you wear me out with your
+    complaints.
+CURN, a very little.
+
+DAFT, crazy.
+DAIS, a canopy, a table placed above the others, a room of state.
+DARGLE, dell.
+DAURG, day's work.
+DE APICIBUS JURIS, from the high places of the law.
+DE PERICULO ET COMMODO REI VENDITAE, concerning the risk and
+    profit of sales.
+DEAD-THRAW, death-thraw.
+DEBOSHED, debauched.
+DEFORCEMENT--SPULZIE--SOUTHRIEF, legal terms for resisting an
+    officer of law.
+DEIL, devil.
+DELATE, accuse.
+DELICT, misdemeanour, QUASI DELICT, apparent offence.
+DEPONE, to testify.
+DERNIER RESORT, last resort.
+DIABLERIE, sorcery, witchcraft.
+DILIGENCE, writ of execution, coach.
+DING, to knock, beat down.
+DIRDUM, uproar, disturbance.
+DITTAY, an indictment.
+DIVOT, thin turf used for thatching cottages.
+DOCH AN DORROCH, the stirrup cup.
+DOMINUS LITIS, one of the principals in a law suit.
+DOOL, sorrow, sad consequences.
+DOOR-CHEEK, door-post.
+DOUCE, respectable.
+DRAMATIS PERSONAE, persons of the drama.
+DRAPPIT, fried.
+DRIBBLE, a drop.
+DRIFT, drift-snow.
+DULCINEA, Don Quixote's imaginary mistress.
+DUNSTABLE, something simple and matter-of-fact.
+DYVOUR, bankrupt.
+
+EKE, addition.
+EMBONPOINT, plumpness.
+EN CROUPE, riding behind one another.
+ET PER CONTRA, and on the other side.
+EVITE, avoid.
+EX COMITATE, out of courtesy.
+EX MISERICORDIA, out of pity.
+EXCEPTIO FIRMAT REGULAM, the exception proves the rule.
+EXOTIC, of foreign origin.
+
+FACTOR LOCO TUTORIS, an agent acting in place of a guardian.
+FARDEL, burden.
+FASH, FASHERIE, trouble.
+FECK, space.
+FEMME DE CHAMBRE, chamber-maid.
+FIERI, to be made.
+FLACON, a smelling bottle.
+FLAP, gust.
+FLIP, a drink consisting of beer and spirit sweetened.
+FLORY, frothy.
+FORBY, besides.
+FORENSIC, legal.
+FORFOUGHEN, out of breath, distressed.
+FORPIT, fourth part of a peck.
+FORTALICE, a small outwork.
+FRIST, to postpone, give credit,
+FUGIE, fugitive.
+FUNCTUS OFFICIO, having finished my duties, 'out of office'.
+
+GABERLUNZIE, a beggar.
+GAEN, gone.
+GALLOWAY, a strong Scotch cob.
+GANGREL, wandering, a vagrant.
+GAR, to force, make.
+GATE, way, road.
+GAUGER, an exciseman.
+GENTRICE, gentle blood.
+GIFF-GAFF, give and take.
+GIRDED, hooped like a barrel.
+GIRN, to grin, cry.
+GLAIKET, giddy, rash.
+GLIFF, glimpse, moment,
+GOWFF BA', golf ball.
+GRAINED, groaned.
+GRANA INVECTA ET ILLATA, grain brought and imported.
+GRAT, wept.
+GRILLADE, a broiled dish.
+GRIT, great.
+GROSSART, gooseberry.
+GRUE, to creep, shiver,
+GUDESIRE, grandfather.
+GUIDE, to deal with, to employ.
+GUMPLE-FOISTED, sulky, sullen.
+GWAY, very.
+GYTES, contemptuous name for a young child, a brat.
+
+HAFFLINS, half-grown.
+HAILL, all, the whole.
+HAIRST, harvest.
+HAMESUCKEN, assaulting a person in his own house.
+HAMSHACKLE, to fasten.
+HANK, a hold.
+HAP, to hop, turn from.
+HARPOCRATES, an Egyptian god, supposed by the Greeks to be the
+    god of silence.
+HAUGH, holm, low-lying flat ground.
+HAULD, place of abode.
+HAVINGS, behaviour.
+HEFTED, closed, as a knife in its haft.
+HELLICAT, extravagant, light-headed.
+HEMPEY, rogue.
+HET, hot.
+HEUCK, sickle.
+HINC ILLAE LACRYMAE, hence these tears.
+HINNY, honey, a term of endearment.
+HIPPOGRIFF, a fabulous winged animal, half horse and half griffin.
+HODDIN-GREY, cloth manufactured from undyed wool.
+HOMOLOGATING, ratifying, approving.
+HOOKS, OFF THE, light-headed.
+HOSE-NET, a small net used for rivulet fishing.
+HOW-COME-SO, light-headed.
+HUMOURSOME, subject to moods.
+HUSSEY, lady's needle-case.
+HYSON, green tea from China.
+
+IGNIS FATUUS, will o' the wisp.
+ILK, each; of the same name, as Redgauntlet of that Ilk
+    =Redgauntlet of Redgauntlet.
+ILL-DEEDIE, mischievous.
+ILL-FAUR'D, ugly, ill-favoured.
+IN CIVILIBUS or CRIMINALIBUS, in civil or criminal causes.
+IN FORO CONSCIENTIAE, in the assize of conscience.
+IN MEDITATIONE FUGAE, meditating flight.
+IN PRESENTIA DOMINORUM, before the Lords.
+INCEDIT SICUT LEO VORANS, goeth about like a roaring lion.
+INCOGNITA, unknown.
+INFRA DIG, beneath one's dignity.
+INSTANTER, at once.
+INTROMIT, to medldle with.
+INVITA MINERVA, against my bent.
+
+JACK, a metal pitcher.
+JAZY, wig.
+JET D'EAU, jet of water.
+JORUM, a drinking-vessel, or the liquor in it.
+JOW, to toll.
+JURIDICAL, pertaining to a judge or to the courts.
+
+KATTERFELTO, a famous quack.
+KEEK, to look.
+KEFFEL, a bad horse.
+
+LAIGH, low.
+LAND-LOUPER, runagate, vagabond.
+LARES, household gods, the special divinities of a family.
+LAP, leaped; fold.
+LAVE, rest, remainder.
+LAWING, inn reckoning.
+LEAL, loyal, true.
+LEASING-MAKING, lies, slander, seditious words.
+LEASOWES, the estate of the poet Shenstone.
+LEE-SIDE, the side of a vessel farthest from the point where the
+    wind blows.
+LEESOME LANE, his dear self alone.
+LEEVIN, living.
+LEE WAY, arrears of work.
+LEG, TO MAKE A, to bow.
+LETTRES DE CACHET, sealed letters issued by the King of France,
+    conferring power over the liberty of others.
+LEX AQUARUM, the law of the waters.
+LIMMER, a loose woman, a jade.
+LING, thin long grass, heather.
+LOANING, a meadow, pasture where the cows were milked,
+LOE, love.
+LOON, fellow, rogue.
+LOOPY, crafty.
+LOUIS-D'OR, a French gold coin worth from 16s, 6d. to 18s. 9d.
+LOUP, leap.
+LOUP-THE-DYKE, giddy, runaway.
+LOUP THE TETHER, breaking loose from restraint.
+LOVELACE AND BELFORD, characters in CLARISSA HARLOWE.
+LUCKY, a name given to an elderly dame.
+LUG, the ear.
+LUM, chimney.
+
+MACER, a court official.
+MAILING, a small farm or rented property.
+MAILS, rents.
+MALVERSATION, fraudulent tricks.
+MANUMISSION, liberty.
+MARCH, border.
+MARE MAGNUM, the great sea.
+MARIUS, a Roman general, leader in the civil war against Sulla.
+MEAR, mare.
+MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, the writing seen by Belshazzar
+    (Daniel V. 25).
+MENYIE, retinue.
+MERIDIAN, noon; a mid-day drink.
+MERK, an old Scottish coin=1s. 1 1/2d. in English money.
+MESSAN, a lap-dog, a little dog.
+MICKLE, much.
+MIFFED, piqued.
+MILLAR, Philip Millar, author of several works on gardening.
+MINOS, a law-giver of Crete, afterwards set as a judge in Hades.
+MISHANTER, mischief.
+MISPRISION OF TREASON, concealment of treason.
+MOIDART, a loch in Inverness, where Prince Charles Stuart landed,
+    1745.
+MOIDORE, a gold coin of Portugal worth about L1 7s. 0d.
+MORE SOLITO, in the accustomed manner.
+MORE TUO, in your own way.
+MUILS, slippers.
+MUISTED, scented.
+MUTCHKIN, English pint.
+
+NE QUID NIMIS, do nothing in excess.
+NEGATUR, lit. 'it is denied,' I deny it.
+NEGOTIORUM GESTOR, manager of affairs.
+NEREID, a sea-nymph.
+NIGRI SUNT HYACINTHI, irises are dark flowers.
+NIHIL NOVIT IN CAUSA, nothing is known of the case.
+NIPPERKIN, a small cup, a liquid measure.
+NOM DE GUERRE, professional name.
+NOMINE DAMNI, in the name of damages.
+NONJURING, not swearing allegiance to the government, loyal to the
+    Stuarts.
+NOSCITUR A SOCIO, he is known by his friend.
+NOVITER REPERTUM, newly discovered.
+
+OHE, JAM SATIS, oh, enough.
+OMNE IGNOTUM PRO TERRIBILI, the unknown is always held in terror.
+OMNI SUSPICIONE MAJOR, above all suspicion.
+ORESTES AND PYLADES, DAMON AND PYTHIAS, classical examples of
+    friendship.
+ORIGO MALI, cause of the evil.
+ORNATURE, adornment, decoration.
+ORRA, odd.
+OVERTURE, opening.
+OWERLAY, cravat.
+OYE, a grandson.
+
+PACK OR PEEL, to traffic.
+PANDE MANUM, hold out your hand.
+PANDECTS, a digest of Roman law.
+PAR EXCELLENCE, above all, specially.
+PAR ORDONNANCE DU MEDECIN, by the doctor's orders.
+PARMA NON BENE SELECTA, a shield, or defence, not well chosen.
+PAROCHINE, parish.
+PATER NOSTER, Our Father, the Lord's Prayer.
+PATRIA POTESTAS, paternal authority.
+PAWMIE, a stroke on the palm of the hand.
+PEACH, betray, speak out.
+PEEL-HOUSE, a small fortified house, or tower.
+PEGASUS, the winged horse of the Muses.
+PENDENTE LITE, whilst the case is proceeding.
+PENDICLES, articles, small parts.
+PER AMBAGES, by circumlocution, in a roundabout way.
+PER CONTRA, on the other side.
+PERDU, concealed, lost.
+PERIPATETIC, walking, wandering.
+PESSIMI EXEMPLI, the worst possible example.
+PETTLE, a plough-staff.
+PHALARIS'S BULL, a furnace shaped like a bull into which the
+    tyrant Phalaris used to cast his victims.
+PISCATOR, fisherman.
+PISTOLE, a gold coin worth about 16s.
+PLACK, a small copper coin, equal to one-third of an English penny.
+PLEACH, interweave.
+PLICATIONS, folds, wrinkles.
+PLOY, a frolic.
+POCK-PUDDING, a contemptuous term applied to Englishmen
+POINT D'ESPAGNE, Spanish lace.
+POKE, pocket.
+PORT ROYAL, a monastery near Paris which became the headquarters
+    of the Jansenists, the opponents of the Jesuits.
+POSSE COMITATUS, the civil force of a county.
+POUND SCOTS, worth about 1s. 8d. English money.
+PRACTIQUES, practices of the profession.
+PRECOGNITION, examination prior to prosecution.
+PRECOGNOSCED, to take precognition of.
+PRETERMIT, omit, pass by.
+PURSUIVANTS, an officer-at-arms, in rank below a herald.
+
+QUAERE, query, a question.
+QUEAN, a young woman, a wench.
+QUI VIVE, alert, cautious.
+QUID, piece of tobacco to chew.
+QUID TIBI CUM LYRA, what hast thou to do with the lyre?
+QUORUM, the body of justices, so called from a word used in the
+    commission appointing them.
+
+RANT, a noisy dance-tune.
+RAPPAREE, an Irish plunderer; a worthless fellow,
+RATIONE OFFICII, by virtue of his position.
+RATTLING, lively, brisk.
+RAX, stretch.
+REAMING, frothing, foaming.
+REDD, clear up, tidy.
+REGIAM MAJESTATEM, a collection of Scotch laws.
+REIVER, robber.
+REMEDIUM JURIS, legal remedy.
+RIGDUM-FUNNIDOS, a courtier in H. Carey's burlesque,
+     CHRONONHOTONTHOLOGOS.
+RIPE, search.
+RUDAS, a scold, a virago.
+RUG, a share, a good mouthful.
+
+SANCTA WINIFREDA, ORA PRO NOBIS, Saint Winifred, pray for us.
+SARTUM ATQUE TECTUM, repaired and covered.
+SAT EST, it is enough.
+SAWNEY, a nickname for a Scotchman.
+SCARBOROUGH WARNING, the blow before the threat.
+SCOWP, quaff.
+SCRUB, the name of a footman in the BEAUX' STRATAGEM (Geo.
+    Farquhar, 1704).
+SCULDUDDERY, loose, immoral.
+SEALGH, seal,
+SEA-MAWS, sea-mews.
+SECUNDUM ARTEM, according to the rules of his art.
+SEDERUNT, a sitting of the courts.
+SEMPLE, simple, not of gentle birth,
+SHILPIT, weak; poor, shabby.
+SHINGLES, thin boards used for roofs.
+SI NON CASTE, CAUTE TAMEN, if not for virtue's sake, yet for
+    caution.
+SIB, kin.
+SIGMA, the Greek S.
+SINE DIE, without a date, indefinitely.
+SIS MEMOR MEI, be mindful of me.
+SKELLOCH, screech.
+SKINKER, a server of liquor.
+SKIRL, to scream.
+SKIVIE, harebrained.
+SLEEKIT, smooth.
+SLOKEN, quench.
+SNEESHING, snuff.
+SNELL, sharp, terrible.
+SNICKERS, sniggers.
+SOCIETAS EST MATER DISCORDIARUM, partnership is the mother of
+    quarrels.
+SOLITAIRE, an ornament for the neck.
+SOLON, the law-giver of Athens.
+SONSY, good-humoured, sensible.
+SORT, to chastise; to manage.
+SORTES VIRGILIANAE, Virgilian lots; opening the works of Virgil at
+    random and taking the first passage read for counsel.
+SOUGH, a breath, a chant.
+SOUPLE, active; supple in mind or body.
+SOUTER'S CLOD, a kind of coarse black bread.
+SPATTERDASHES, coverings for the legs to protect them from mud.
+SPEER, ask.
+SPLICE THE MAIN BRACE, have an extra allowance of spirits.
+SPLORE, a frolic, quarrel.
+SPRATTLE, struggle, scramble.
+SPRING, a merry tune.
+SPRUSH, spruce.
+SPULE-BLADE, shoulder blade,
+SPUNK, courage, fire: SPUNKS, matches.
+STEND, take long steps.
+STEWARTRY, territory in Scotland administered by a steward.
+STIBBLER, a divinity student, a probationer.
+STILTS, plough-handles.
+STUNKARD, sullen, obstinate.
+SUA QUEMQUE TRAHIT VOLUPTAS, his own peculiar pleasure allures
+    each.
+SURTOUT, a tight-fitting, broad-skirted outer coat.
+SWIPES, small beer.
+
+TAES, toes.
+TALIS QUALIS, of some kind.
+TAM MARTE QUAM MERCURIO, as much devoted to Mars as to Mercury (as
+    much a soldier as a pleader).
+TASS, a glass.
+TAU, the Greek: T.
+TERRA FIRMA, firm earth.
+TESTE ME PER TOTUM NOCTEM VIGILANTE, I am witness as I was awake
+    all night.
+TETE-A-TETE, a private conversation.
+THAIRM, catgut.
+THEMIS, the goddess of law and justice.
+THIRLAGE, mortgaging of property.
+THREAP, aver.
+THUMBIKINS, thumbscrews, instruments of torture.
+TIMOTHEUS, a famous musician.
+TIPPENY, twopenny ale,
+TIRTEAFUERA, a character in DON QUIXOTE, the doctor in Sancho
+    Panza's island government.
+TITHER, the other.
+TOD, a bush, a fox.
+TOOM, empty.
+TOUR OUT, to look about.
+TOY, a linen cap; a head-dress hanging down over the shoulders.
+TRANCES, passages.
+TUPTOWING, beating, from the Greek verb 'tupto', to strike.
+TWALPENNY, one penny sterling.
+TWASOME, a pair or couple.
+TYNE, loss or forfeit.
+TYRO, TYRONES, beginner, beginners; novice.
+
+UNCO, very, uncommon, strange.
+URGANDA, an enchantress in the romance of AMADIS OF GAUL.
+USQUEBAUGH, whisky.
+
+VADE RETRO, get thee behind me.
+VALE, SIS MEMOR MEI, farewell, be mindful of me.
+VARIUM ET MUTABILE SEMPER FEMINA, woman is always variable and
+    changeful.
+VERBUM SACERDOTIS, the word of a priest.
+VIA FACTI, by personal force.
+VINCERE VINCENTEM, to conquer the conquering.
+VINCO VINCENTEM, ERGO VINCO TE, I conquer the conquering,
+    therefore I conquer you.
+VIOLER, a player on a viol.
+VIR SAPIENTIA ET PIETATE GRAVIS, a man of much wisdom and piety.
+VIS ANIMI, strength of soul.
+VITIOUS, vicious, unruly.
+VOET, Jan Voet, author of a book on the PANDECTS.
+
+W.S., writer to the signet, a lawyer.
+WALING, choosing.
+WAME, stomach.
+WANCHANCY, unlucky, dangerous.
+WARE, spend.
+WARK, work, trouble.
+WAUR, worse.
+WEARS, weirs, dams.
+WEIGH-BANKS, scales.
+WHIN, gorse.
+WHITTLE, a small clasp-knife.
+WITHERSHINS, backwards in their courses, in the contrary way.
+WUD, mad.
+WYND, yard, alley.
+
+YAULD, active.
+YELLOCH, yell.
+YETTS, gates.
+YILL, ale.
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg Etext Redgauntlet by Sir Walter Scott.
+
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