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diff --git a/25256.txt b/25256.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b632521 --- /dev/null +++ b/25256.txt @@ -0,0 +1,20264 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 (of 2), by John Roby + +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: Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 (of 2) + +Author: John Roby + +Release Date: April 30, 2008 [EBook #25256] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRADITIONS OF LANCASHIRE *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Helene de Mink and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + + "Time has spared the epitaph on + Adrian's horse,--confounded that of himself." + + SIR THOMAS BROWNE. + + + + + TRADITIONS + + OF + + LANCASHIRE. + + + BY + + JOHN ROBY, M.R.S.L. + + + _ILLUSTRATED BY ENGRAVINGS ON STEEL AND WOOD._ + + + IN TWO VOLUMES. + + VOL. II. + + Fifth Edition. + + + LONDON: + GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS. + MANCHESTER: L. C. GENT. + 1872. + + + PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND COMPANY + EDINBURGH AND LONDON + + Transcriber's note: Minors spelling inconsistencies - mainly + hyphenated words - have been harmonised. + + Obvious printer errors have been corrected, but the original + regional spelling of "properpty" (in "Clegg Hall") has been + retained. + + Letters after the sign ^ should be read as superscript. Example + Edw^d, where the "d" is superscript. + + Some chapters start with illustrations. In the original book + those illustrations are not named. Here they are named after + their chapters. + + The Latin numbers (i, ii, etc.) behind some words or expressions + refer to the transcriber's notes at the end of this e-book. + + + + + CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. + + + PAGE + THE FAIRIES' CHAPEL, 1 + + THE LUCK OF MUNCASTER, 24 + + THE PEEL OF FOULDREY, 35 + + A LEGEND OF BEWSEY, 69 + + THE BLESSING, 78 + + THE DULE UPO' DUN, 82 + + WINDLESHAW ABBEY, 96 + + CLEGG HALL, 137 + + THE MERMAID OF MARTIN MEER, 172 + + GEORGE FOX, 189 + + THE DEMON OF THE WELL, 206 + + THE SANDS, 225 + + THE RING AND THE CLIFF, 236 + + THE DEAD MAN'S HAND, 247 + + THE LOST FARM, 262 + + THE MAID'S STRATAGEM, 294 + + THE SKULL-HOUSE, 311 + + RIVINGTON PIKE, 322 + + MOTHER RED-CAP, 345 + + THE DEATH-PAINTER, 389 + + THE CRYSTAL GOBLET, 416 + + + + + + LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + THE PEEL OF FOULDREY _To face page_ 35 + + BEWSEY, NEAR WARRINGTON 69 + + WINDLESHAW ABBEY 96 + + CLEGG HALL, NEAR ROCHDALE 137 + + PEG O'NELLY'S WELL, NEAR CLITHEROE 206 + + ULVERSTONE SANDS 225 + + THE LOST FARM, NEAR SOUTHPORT 262 + + RIVINGTON PIKE 322 + + "THE THRUTCH," NEAR ROCHDALE 349 + + + + + THE FAIRIES' CHAPEL. + + "Farewell, rewards and fairies! + Good housewives now may say; + For now foule sluts in dairies, + Doe fare as well as they: + And though they sweepe their hearths no less + Than mayds were wont to doe, + Yet who of late, for cleaneliness, + Finds sixe-pence in her shoe?" + + --_Percy's Reliques._ + + + The ancient mansion of Healey Hall was a cumbrous inconvenient + dwelling of timber; but the spirit of improvement having gone + forth in the reign of Elizabeth, an ordinary hall-house of stone + was erected, about the year 1620, by Oliver Chadwick. On the + south front was a projecting wing and three gables, with a large + hall-window. The north front had two gables only, with a + projecting barn. The north entrance, covered by a porch, was a + thorough passage, answering to the screens of a college, having + on one side the hall and parlour beyond; on the other were the + kitchen, buttery, &c. On the river below was a corn-mill; this + and a huge barn being necessary appendages to the hospitable + mansions and plentiful boards of our forefathers. Over the front + door was this inscription-- + + C. C. DOC. T: R. C: I. C. A. C: R. B. + ANO. DOM'I. 1168. + + About the year 1756 the east wall gave way, and a considerable + fishure appeared on the outside. This event was considered by + many as the usual foretokening that its owner, Charles Chadwick, + of Healey and Ridware, would speedily be removed by death from + the seat of his ancestors; and so it proved, for in the course + of a few months he died at Lichfield, _aged eighty-two_. His + great age, though, will be thought the more probable token, the + surer presage of approaching dissolution. + + On a stone near the top of the building, on the north side, a + human head was rudely carved in relief, which tradition affirms + to have been a memorial of one of the workmen, accidentally + killed while the house was building. + + In 1773, the existing edifice was built, on the ancient site, by + John Chadwick, grandfather to the present owner. + + In Corry's _Lancashire_ is the following document, furnished by + the recent possessor, Charles Chadwick, Esq. It relates to the + foregoing John Chadwick, his father-- + + "In 1745, at the rebellion, when the Pretender's son and his + Highlanders reached Manchester, having obtained a list of the + loyal subscribers, they began (of course) to enforce the + payment of the money for their own use. An officer of the + belted plaid, of the second division, came to the house of Mr + C., in King Street, whilst the master of it was with his father + at Ridware, and, on being told that he was from home, and his + lady ill in bed, he went up-stairs, and opening the + chamber-door, where she was then lying-in, beckoned her sister + to come to him on the stairs, where he told her (in a mild but + decided tone) that the money before mentioned must be paid + quickly for the use of 'the prince (who lodged at the house in + Market Street, now called the Palace Inn), or the house would + be burnt down.' In this dilemma, the man-midwife calling first, + and afterwards the physician, were both consulted by the + ladies; when the former (a Tory) advised to send the money + after them, whilst the latter (a Whig) thought it better to + keep it till called for; consequently, never being called for + in their hasty retreat, the money was not paid. It may be + proper to add, Captain Lachlan MacLachlan, of the first + division (afterwards one of the proscribed), being quartered in + the same house, behaved with the greatest civility and + politeness. On a party of horse coming to the door for + quarters, he called for a lanthorn, and, though he had a cold + (for which white wine whey was offered him, which he called + 'varra good stuff'), walked as far as Salford, and there + quartered them; two of his Highlanders, in the meantime, were + dancing reels in the kitchen, and in the morning gave each of + the maids sixpence at parting." + + The name Healey Dene denotes a valley or dale, _convallis_, + enclosed on both sides with steep hills; _dene_ being a Saxon + word, signifying a narrow valley, with woods and streams of + water convenient for the feeding of cattle. Here the river + Spodden, which now keeps many fulling-mills and engines at + work, formerly turned one solitary corn-mill only. It was built + in the narrow dingle below the hall, for the supply of the + hamlet. The feudal owners of most mansions usually erected + corn-mills (where practicable) within their own demesnes. After + the family had removed to the more mild and temperate climate + of Mavesyn-Ridware, in Staffordshire, about the year 1636, + Healey Mill was converted into a fulling-mill, so that one of + the principal features in our story no longer exists. + + +About two miles north from Rochdale lies the hamlet of Healey, a high +tract of land, as its Saxon derivation seems to imply, hea{~LATIN SMALL LETTER EZH WITH CURL~}e, _high_, +and lea{~LATIN SMALL LETTER EZH WITH CURL~} _a pasture_, signifying the "_high pasture_." + +Our Saxon ancestors chiefly occupied their lands for grazing +purposes; hence the many terminations in ley, or lea{~LATIN SMALL LETTER EZH WITH CURL~}. Pasturage is +still called a "ley" for cattle in these parts. + +In this remote hamlet dwelt a family, probably of Saxon origin, whose +name, De Heley, from their place of residence, had, in all likelihood, +been assumed soon after the Norman conquest. Their descendants, of the +same name, continued to reside here until the reign of Edward III., +holding their lands as abbey lands, under the abbot of Stanlaw, soon +after the year 1172, in the reign of Henry II., and subsequently under +the abbot of Whalley, from the year 1296.[1] In 1483, John Chadwyke, or +(_Ceddevyc_, from the common appellation _Cedde_, and _vyc_, a mansion +or vill, signifying Cedde's fort, peel, or fortified mansion) married +Alice, eldest daughter and co-heir of Adam Okeden of Heley; and in her +right settled at the mansion of Heley (or Healey) Hall, then a huge +unsightly structure of wood and plaster, built according to the +fashion of those days. An ancestor of Adam Okeden having married +"_Hawise, heir of Thomas de Heley_," in the reign of Edward III., +became possessed of this inheritance. + +The origin of surnames would be an interesting inquiry. In the present +instance it seems clear that the name and hamlet of Chadwick are +derived from Cedde's vyc, or Chad's vyc. This mansion, situated on the +southern extremity of Spotland, or Spoddenland, bounded on the east by +that stream, and southward by the Roche, was built on a bold eminence +above the river, where Cedde and his descendants dwelt, like the +Jewish patriarchs, occupied in the breeding of sheep and other cattle. + +"But though this hamlet had been named _Ceddevic_, from its +subordinate Saxon chief, he himself could not have adopted it for his +own surname; because surnames were then scarcely, if at all, known +here. He must have continued, therefore, to use his simple Saxon name +of _Cedde_ only, and his successors likewise, with the addition of +Saxon _patronymics_ even down to the Norman conquest, when the Norman +fashion of local names or surnames was first introduced into England." + +But though the Norman addition of surnames "became general amongst the +barons, knights, and gentry, soon after the Conquest, yet Saxon +patronymics long continued in use amongst the common people, and are +still not unusual here. Thus, instead of John Ashworth and Robert +Butterworth, we hear of Robin o' Ben's and John o'Johnny's,"--meaning +Robert the son of Benjamin, and John the son of John, "similar to the +Norman Fitz, the Welsh Ap', the Scotch Mac, and the Irish O'; and this +ancient mode of describing an individual sometimes includes several +generations, as Thomas O'Dick's, O'Ned's, O'Sam's," &c. + +But besides patronymics, nicknames (the Norman soubriquets) have been +used in all ages and by all nations, and are still common here; some +of them coarse and ludicrous enough: the real surname being seldom +noticed, but the nickname sometimes introduced, with an alias, even in +a law instrument. And why are not Poden, Muz, Listing, &c., as good as +"the Bald," "the Fat," "the Simple," &c., of the French kings; or "the +Unready," "the Bastard," "Lackland," "Longshanks," &c., of our own? A +lad named Edmund, some generations back, attended his master's sons to +Rochdale school, who latinised his name into "Edmundus;" then it was +contracted into "Mundus," by which name his descendants are best known +to this day: some probably knowing "Tom Mundus" well who are ignorant +of his real surname. Within late years individuals have been puzzled +on hearing themselves inquired after by their own surname. At +Whitworth you might have asked in vain for the house of "Susannah +Taylor," though any child would have taken you straight to the door of +"Susy O'Yem's, O' Fair-off's at top o' th' rake."[2] + +Another derivation of the surname De Heley, not at all improbable, has +been suggested--viz., that Hely Dene may have been an early corruption +of Holy Dene, having formerly belonged to the Church, and possibly, in +remote ages, dedicated to the religious rites of the Druids. A clear +rock-spring, in a gloomy dell below the Hall, is still called "the +Spaw," and often frequented by youths and maidens on May mornings. +Hence some have imagined that this Dene and its Spaw may have given to +the river running through it the name of Spodden, or Spaw-Dene. +Another spring, higher up, is called Robin Hood's Well, from that +celebrated outlaw, who seems to have been the favourite champion of +these parts, and who, according to some authorities, lies buried at +Kirklaw, in the West Riding of York.[3] + +Such holy wells were, in more superstitious if not happier ages, the +supposed haunts of elves, fairies, and other such beings, not unaptly +denominated the rabble of mythology. + +A warm sequestered dingle here conducts the Spodden through a scene of +wild, woodland, and picturesque beauty. Drayton, in his _Polyolbion_, +has thus immortalised it:-- + + "First Roche, a dainty rill, which Spodden from her springs, + A petty rivulet, as her attendant, brings." + +From the mansion of Healey, built on an elevated slope above the dell, +opens out an extensive prospect. Limepark in Cheshire, Cloud End in +Staffordshire, with the Derbyshire hills, may be distinctly seen. Over +the smoke of Manchester, the banks of the Mersey are visible; and upon +the horizon rises up the barn-like ridge of Hellsby Tor,[4] in the +forest of Delamere. Towards the west may be seen, far out, like a vast +barrier, the Welsh mountains, _Moel Famma_ (mother of mountains), with +the vale of Clwyd, like a narrow cleft in the blue hills, which extend +until the chain of Penmaenmawr and the Isle of Anglesey abruptly +terminate in the sea. Few situations, without the toil of a laborious +ascent, show so commanding a prospect; while under the very eye of the +spectator, nature assumes an aspect of more than ordinary beauty. + +One wild scene, the subject of our legend, the pencil, not the pen, +must describe. It would be impossible, in any other manner, to convey +an adequate idea of its extreme loveliness and grandeur. It is here +known by its Saxon appellation, "the Thrutch," or Thrust, signifying a +narrow, but deep and rugged channel in the rocks. Through this cleft +the Spodden bursts with great force, forming several picturesque +falls, which, though of mean height, yet, combined with the +surrounding scenery, few behold without an expression of both wonder +and delight. + +The ancient corn-mill was here situated, just below the mansion. From +the "Grist Yate," by the main road to Rochdale, a winding horse-way, +paved with stones set on edge, led down the steep bank and pointed to +the sequestered spot where for ages the clack of the hopper and the +plash of the mill-wheel had usurped a noisy and undisputed possession. + +In the reign of our fourth Edward--we know not the precise year--an +occurrence, forming the basis of the following legend, is supposed to +have taken place,--when fraud and feud were unredressed; when bigotry +and superstition had their "perfect work;" when barbaric cruelty, and +high and heroic deeds, had their origin in one corrupt and common +source, the passions of man being let loose, in wild uproar, +throughout the land; when the wars of the Roses had almost desolated +the realm, and England's best blood flowed like a torrent. Such was +the aspect of the time to which the following events relate. + +It was in the beginning of the year, at the close of an unusually +severe winter. The miller's craft was nigh useless, the current of the +rivulet was almost still. Everything seemed so hard and frost-bound, +that nature looked as though her fetters were rivetted for ever. But +the dark and sterile aspect she displayed was bedizened with such +beauteous frost-work, that light and glory rested upon all, and winter +itself lost half its terrors. + +Ralph Miller often looked out from his dusty, dreary tabernacle, +watching the icicles that accumulated on his wheel, and the scanty +current beneath, the hard surface of the brook scarcely dribbling out +a sufficient supply for his daily wants. + +Every succeeding morn saw the liquid element becoming less, and the +unhappy miller bethought him that he would shut up the mill +altogether, until the reign of the frozen king should expire. + +A seven-weeks' frost was rapidly trenching on the fair proportions of +an eighth of these hebdomadal inconveniences, and still continued the +same hard, ringing sound and appearance, as if the sky itself o' +nights had been frozen too--fixed and impervious--and the darkness had +become already palpable. Yet the moon looked out so calm, so pure and +beautiful, and the stars so spark-like and piercing, that it was a +holy and a heavenly rapture to gaze upon their glorious forms, and to +behold them, fresh and undimmed, as when first launched from the hands +of their Creator. + +Want of occupation breeds mischief, idleness being a thriftless carle +that leaves the house empty, and the door open to the next comer--an +opportunity of which the enemy is sure to avail himself. The miller +felt the hours hang heavily, and he became listless and ill-humoured. + +"'Tis an ill-natured and cankered disposition this," said he one +night, when sitting by the ingle with his drowsy helpmate, watching +the sputtering billets devoured, one after another, by the ravening +flame: "'Tis an ill-natured disposition that is abroad, I say, that +will neither let a man go about his own business, nor grant him a few +honest junkets these moonlight nights. I might have throttled a hare +or so, or a brace of rabbits; or what dost think, dame, of a couple of +moor-cocks or a cushat for a pie?" + +"Thy liquorish tooth will lead thee into some snare, goodman, ere it +ha' done watering. What did Master Chadwyck say, who is to wed +Mistress Alice, our master's daughter, if nought forefend? What did he +promise thee but a week agone, should he catch thee at thy old trade +again?" + +"A murrain light on the snivelling bully! Let him stay at his own +homestead, and not take mastership here, to trouble us with his +humours ere the portion be his. His younger brother Oliver is worth a +whole pack of such down-looked, smooth-faced hypocrites. Oliver +Chadwyck is the boy for a snug quarrel. His fingers itch for a +drubbing, and he scents a feud as a crow scents out carrion. The +other--mercy on me!--is fit for nought but to be bed-ridden and +priest-ridden like his father and his mother to boot." + +"Hush, Ralph," said the cautious dame; "let thine hard speeches fall +more gently on thy master's son, that is to be. His own parents +too--methinks the son of Jordan and Eleanor Chadwyck should earn a +kinder word and a lighter judgment from thy tongue." + +"Whew! my courteous dame. How now! and so because they are become part +of the movables of Holy Church, I trow, they must be handled softly, +forsooth! Tut, tut, beldame, they are--let me see, so it runs; the old +clerk of St Chad's rang the nomine in my ears long enough, and I am +not like to forget it. They be 'Trinitarians,' said he, 'of the house +of St Robert near Knaresborough, admitted by Brother Robert, the +minister of the Holy Trinity, for the redemption of captives +imprisoned by the pagans, for the faith of Jesus Christ.' Gramercy, +what a bead-roll of hard words! They say we are like to have a '_Holy +War_' again, when we have settled our own reckonings; and the blood +and groats of old England are again to be spent for the purchase of +'_Holy Land_.' O' my halidome, wench, but I would let all the priests +and friars fight for it. Cunning rogues! they set us together by the +ears, and then run away with the pudding." + +No doubt this profane speech rendered him easier of access to the +tempter, and the powers of evil; who, ever watchful for the slips of +silly mortals, report such unholy words at head-quarters, where Satan +and his crew are assembled in full council. + +The dame groaned deeply at this reply from her graceless husband. + +"Some time or another," said she, "thou wilt rue these wicked +speeches; and who knows whether these very words of thine may not have +been heard i' the Fairies' Chapel, or whispered away beyond the forest +to the witches' tryst!" + +"I care not for all the imps and warlocks i' th' parish, hags and old +women to boot. Let them come face to face. Here am I, honest Ralph the +miller, who never took toll from an empty sack, nor e'er missed the +mouth of a full one. Tol-de-rol." + +Here he stood, with arms akimbo, as if daring the whole fellowship of +Satan, with their abettors and allies. This speech, too, was doubtless +reported at the Fairies' Chapel hard by; for the dame vowed ever after +that she heard, as it were, an echo, or a low sooning sound, ending +with an eldritch laugh, amongst the rocks in that direction. This +well-known haunt of the elves and fays, ere they had fled before the +march of science and civilisation, was but a good bowshot from the +mill, and would have terrified many a stouter heart, had not +familiarity lulled their apprehensions, and habit blunted the edge of +their fears. Strangers often wondered that any human being dared to +sojourn so near the haunts of the "good people," and were sure that, +sooner or later, the inhabitants would rue so dangerous a proximity. + +A few evenings after this foolhardy challenge Ralph had been +scrambling away, far up the dingle, for a supply of firewood. The same +keen tinkling air was abroad, but the sky, where the sun had thrown +his long coronal of rays, was streaked across with a mottled and hazy +light, probably the forerunner of a change. Ralph was labouring down +the steep with his load, crashing through the boughs, and shaking off +their hoary burdens in his progress. Suddenly he heard the shrill and +well-known shriek of a hare struggling in the toils. At this joyful +and refreshing sound the miller's appetite was wonderfully stimulated; +his darling propensities were immediately called forth; he threw down +his burden, and, rushing through the brake, he saw, or thought he saw, +in the soft twilight, an unfortunate puss in the noose. He threw +himself hastily forward expecting to grasp the prize, when lo! up +started the timid animal, and limping away, as if hurt, kept the +liquorish poacher at her heels, every minute supposing he was sure of +his prey. Rueful was the pilgrimage of the unfortunate hunter. The +hare doubled, and sprang aside whenever he came within striking +distance, then hirpling onward as before. Ralph made a full pause +where a wide gap displayed the scanty waterfall, just glimmering +through the mist below him. The moon, then riding out brightly in the +opposite direction, sparkled on the restless current, tipped with +foam. It was the nearest cut to the "Fairies' Chapel," which lies +behind, and higher towards the source of the waterfall. The unlucky +hare paused too for a moment, as though afraid to leap; but she looked +back at her pursuer so bewitchingly that his heart was in his mouth, +and, fearless of consequences, he rushed towards her; but he slipped, +and fell down the crumbling bank. When sufficiently recovered from the +shock, he saw the animal stealing off, between the edge of the stream +and the low copsewood by the brink, towards the Fairies' Chapel. He +made one desperate effort to lay hold of her before she set foot upon +enchanted ground. + +He seized her, luckily as he thought, by the scut; when lo! up started +something black and "uncanny," with glaring eyes, making mouths, and +grinning at him, as though in mockery. He felt stupefied and +bewildered. Fascinated by terror, he could not refrain from following +this horrible appearance, which, as if delighted to have ensnared him, +frisked away with uncouth and fiendish gambols, to the very centre of +the Fairies' Chapel. + +Ralph, puissant and valorous upon his own hearthstone, felt his +courage fast oozing out at elbows when he saw the cold moonlight +streaming through the branches above him, and their crawling shadows +on the grotesque rocks at his side. + +He was now alone, shivering from cold and fright. He felt as though +undergoing the unpleasant process of being frozen to the spot, +consciously metamorphosing into stone, peradventure a sort of +ornamental fixture for the fairies' apartment. His great hoofs were +already immovable; he felt his hair congealing; his locks hung like +icicles; and his whole body seemed like one solid lump of ice, through +which the blood crept with a gradually decreasing current. Suddenly he +heard a loud yelping, as though the hounds were in full cry. The +sound passed right through the midst of the Fairies' Hall, and almost +close to his ear; but there was no visible sign of their presence, +except a slight movement, and then a shiver amongst the frost-bitten +boughs above the rocks. He had not power to bethink him of his +Paternosters and Ave Marias, which, doubtless, would have dissolved +the impious charm. Ralph had so neglected these ordinances that his +tongue refused to repeat the usual nostrums for protection against +evil spirits. His creed was nigh forgotten, and his "_salve_" was not +heard. Whilst he was pondering on this occurrence, there started +through a crevice a single light, like a glow-worm's lantern. Then a +tiny thing came forth, clad in white, like a miniature of the human +form, and, peeping about cautiously, ran back on beholding the +unfortunate miller bolt upright in the narrow glen. + +Ralph now saw plainly that he had been enticed hither by some evil +being for no good. It might be for the malicious purpose of drawing +down upon him the puny but fearful vengeance of those irritable +creatures the fairies; and soon he saw a whole troop of them issuing +out of the crevice. As they came nearer he heard the short sharp tread +of this tiny host. One of them mounted the little pillar called the +"Fairies' Chair," round which multitudes gathered, as if waiting for +the fiat of their king. It was evident that their purpose was to +inflict a signal chastisement on him for his intrusion. + +Ralph watched their movements with a deplorable look. Horrible indeed +were his anticipations. The elf on the pillar, a little wrinkled being +with a long nose, bottle-green eyes, and shrivelled yellowish-green +face, in a shrill squeaking tone, addressed him courteously, though +with an ill-suppressed sneer, inquiring his business in these regions. +But Ralph was too terrified to reply. + +"How lucky!" said the old fairy: "we have a mortal here, just in the +nick of time. He will do our bidding rarely, for 'tis the stout miller +hard by, who fears neither fiend nor fairy, man nor witch, by his own +confession. We'll put his courage to the proof." + +Ralph was now thawing through terror. + +"We would have punished this thine impertinent curiosity, had we not +other business for thee, friend," said the malicious little devilkin. +"Place thy fingers on thy thigh, and swear by Hecate, Merlin, and the +Fairies' Hall, that within three days thou wilt fulfil our behest." + +Ralph assented, with a hideous grimace, glad upon any terms to escape. + +The whole company disappeared, but a faint, sulphur-like flame hovered +for a while over the spot they had left. + +Soon he heard the following words, in a voice of ravishing +sweetness:-- + + "Mortal I must cease to be, + If no maiden, honestly, + Plight her virgin troth to me, + By yon cold moon's silver shower, + In the chill and mystic hour, + When the arrowy moonbeams fall + In the fairies' festive hall. + Twice her light shall o'er me pass, + Then I am what once I was, + Should no maid, betrothed, but free, + Plight her virgin vow to me." + +The music ceased for a short space; then a voice, like the soft +whisper of the summer winds, chanted the following lines in a sort of +monotonous recitation:-- + + "Mortal, take this unstained token, + Unpledged vows were never broken; + Lay it where a Byron's hand + This message finds from fairy-land,-- + Fair Eleanor, the love-sick maid, + Who sighs unto her own soft shade:-- + Bid her on this tablet write + What lover's wish would e'er indite; + Then give it to the faithful stream + (As bright and pure as love's first dream) + That murmurs by,--'twill bring to me + The messenger I give to thee. + + "But the maiden thou must bring + Hither, to our elfin king, + Ere three days are come and gone, + When the moon hath kissed the stone + By our fairy monarch's throne. + Shouldst thou fail, or she refuse, + Death is thine; or thou may'st choose + With us to chase the moonbeams bright, + Around the busy world. Good night!" + +He now felt something slipped into his hand. + +"Remember," said the voice, "when that shadow is on the pillar, thou +must return." + +Immediately his bodily organs resumed their office, and the astonished +miller was not long in regaining his own threshold. + +But he was a moody and an altered man. The dame could not help +shuddering as she saw his ashen visage, and his eyes fixed and almost +starting from their sockets. His cheeks were sunken, his head was +bare, and his locks covered with rime, and with fragments from the +boughs that intercepted his path. + +"Mercy on me!" cried she, lifting up her hands, "what terrible thing +has happened? O Ralph, Ralph, thy silly gostering speeches, I do fear +me, have had a sting in their tail thou hast little dreamed of!" + +Here she crossed herself with much fervour and solemnity. She then +turned to gaze on the doomed wretch, who, groaning heavily, seated +himself on the old settle without speaking. + +"He has seen the fairies or the black dog!" said the dame in great +terror. "I will not upbraid thee with thy foolish speeches, yet would +I thou hadst not spoken so lightly of the good people. But take +courage, goodman; thou art never the worse yet for thy mishap, I trow; +so tell me what has befallen thee, and ha' done snoring there, like an +owl in a barn riggin'." + +A long time elapsed ere the affrighted miller could reveal the nature +and extent of his misfortunes. But woman's wits are more fertile in +expedients, and therefore more adroit for plots and counterplots than +our own. The dame was greatly terrified at the recital, yet not so as +to prevent her from being able to counsel her husband as to the plan +he should pursue. + +We now leave our honest miller for a space, while we introduce another +personage of great importance to the further development of our story. + +Oliver Chadwyck was the second son of Jordan Chadwyck before-named, +then residing at their fort or peel of the same name, nearly two miles +from Healey. Oliver had, from his youth, been betrothed to Eleanor +Byron, a young and noble dame of great beauty, residing with her +uncle, Sir Nicholas Byron, at his mansion, two or three miles distant. +Oliver was a hot-brained, amorous youth, fitted for all weathers, +ready either for brotherhood or blows, and would have won his "ladye +love" at the lance's point or by onslaught and hard knocks. + +Eleanor seemed to suffer his addresses for lack of other occupation. +She looked upon him as her future husband; but she would rather have +been wooed to be won. The agonies of doubt and suspense, the pangs of +jealousy and apprehension, would have been bliss compared to the dull +monotony of the "betrothed." The lazy current would have sparkled if a +few pebbles had been cast into the stream. Her sensitive spirit, +likewise, shrank from contact with this fiery and impetuous youth; her +heart yearned for some deep and hallowed affection. Strongly imbued +with the witcheries of romance, she would rather have been sought by +blandishments than blows, which, from his known prowess in the latter +accomplishment, the youthful aspirant had no necessity to detail in +the ears of his mistress. She liked not the coarse blunt manner of her +gallant, nor the hard gripe and iron tramp for which he was +sufficiently distinguished. + +Yet was Oliver Chadwyck reckoned the best-looking cavalier in the +neighbourhood, and, moreover, an adherent to the "Red Rose," under +whose banner he had fought, and, even when very young, had gained +distinction for his bravery--no mean recommendation, truly, in those +days, when courage was reckoned a sure passport to a lady's favour, +the which, it might seem, whoever held out longest and stuck the +hardest was sure to win. + +One evening, about the time of the miller's adventure in the Fairies' +Chapel, Eleanor was looking through her casement listlessly, perhaps +unconsciously. She sighed for occupation. The glorious hues of sunset +were gone; the moon was rising, and she watched its course from the +horizon of long dark hills up to the bare boughs of the sycamores by +the banks of the little stream below. Again she sighed, and so heavily +that it seemed to be re-echoed from the walls of her chamber. She +almost expected the grim panels to start aside as she looked round, +half-wishing, half-afraid that she might discover the intruder. + +Disappointed, she turned again to the casement, through which the +moonbeams, now partially intercepted by the branches, lay in chequered +light and darkness on the floor. + +"I thought thou wert here. Alas! I am unhappy, and I know not why." +While she spoke a tear trembled on her dark eyelashes, and as the +moonlight shone upon it, the reflection glanced back to the eye-ball, +and a radiant form apparently glided through the chamber. But the +spectre vanished as the eyelid passed over, and swept away the +illusion. She leaned her glowing cheek upon a hand white and +exquisitely formed as the purest statuary: an image of more perfect +loveliness never glanced through a lady's lattice. She carelessly +took up her cithern. A few wild chords flew from her touch. She bent +her head towards the instrument, as if wooing its melody--the +vibrations that crept to her heart. She hummed a low and plaintive +descant, mournful and tender as her own thoughts. The tone and feeling +of the ballad we attempt to preserve in the following shape:-- + + SONG. + + I. + + "It is the stream, + Singing to the cold moon with babbling tongue; + Yet, ah! not half so wildly as the song + Of my heart's dream. + Is not my love most beautiful, thou moon? + Though pale as hope delayed; + Methought, beneath his feet the wild-flowers played + Like living hearts in tune. + + 2. + + "We stood alone: + Then, as he drew the dark curls from my sight, + Through his transparent hand and arm of light, + The far skies shone. + List! 'twas the dove. + It seemed the echo of his own fond tone; + Sweet as the hymn of seraphs round the throne + Of hope and love!" + +But the moon was not the object of her love. Ladies are little apt to +become enamoured of such a fit emblem of their own fickle and +capricious humours; and yet, somebody she loved, but he was invisible! +Probably her wild and fervid imagination had created a form--pictured +it to the mind, and endowed it with her own notions of excellence and +perfection: precisely the same as love in the ordinary mode, with this +difference only--to wit, the object is a living and breathing +substance, around which these haloes of the imagination are thrown; +whereas, in the case of which we are speaking, the lady's ideal image +was transferred to a being she had never seen. + +It was but a short period before the commencement of our narrative +that Eleanor Byron was really in love, and for the first time; for +though her cousin Oliver, as she usually called him, had stormed, and +perchance carried the outworks, yet the citadel was impregnable and +unapproached. But she knew not that it was love. A soft and pleasing +impression stole insensibly upon her, then dejection and melancholy. +Her heart was vacant, and she sighed for an object, and for its +possession. It was a silly wish, but so it was, gentle reader; and +beware thou fall not in love with thine own dreams, for sure enough it +was but a vision, bright, mysterious, and bewitching, that enthralled +her. Love weaves his chains of the gossamer's web, as well as of the +unyielding adamant; and both are alike binding and inextricable. She +saw neither form nor face in her visions, and yet the impalpable and +glowing impression stole upon her senses like an odour, or a strain of +soft and soul-thrilling music. Her heart was wrapped in a delirium of +such voluptuous melody, that she chided the morning when she awoke, +and longed for night and her own forgetfulness. Night after night the +vision was repeated; and when her lover came, it was as though some +chord of feeling had jarred, some tie were broken, some delicious +dream were interrupted, and she turned from him with vexation and +regret. He chided her caprice, which he endured impatiently, and with +little show of forbearance. This did not restore him to her favour, +nor render him more winning and attractive; so that the invisible +gallant, a rival he little dreamt of, was silently occupying the heart +once destined for his own. + +One evening, Ralph, in pursuance of the commands he had received, +arrayed in his best doublet, his brown hose, and a huge waist or +undercoat, beneath which lay a heavy and foreboding heart, made his +appearance at the house of Sir Nicholas Byron, an irregular and ugly +structure of lath and plaster, well ribbed with stout timber, situated +in a sheltered nook near the edge of the Beil, a brook running below +Belfield, once an establishment of the renowned knights of St John of +Jerusalem, or Knights Templars. + +Ralph was ushered into the lady's chamber; and she, as if expecting +some more distinguished visitant, looked with an eye of disappointment +and impatience upon the intruder as he made his homely salutation. + +"Thine errand?" inquired she. + +"Verily, a fool's, lady," replied Ralph, "and a thriftless one, I fear +me, into the bargain." + +"Stay thy tongue. Yet I bethink me now," said she, looking earnestly +at him, "thou art from my cousin: a messenger from him, I trow." + +"Nay," said the ambiguous hind, "'tis from other guess folk, belike; +but--who--I--Like enough that the Lady Eleanor will go a +fortune-hunting with such a simpleton as I am." + +"Go with thee?" said the lady in amazement. + +"Why, ay--I was bid to bring you to the Fairies' Chapel, beyond the +waterfall in the wood by Healey, and that ere to-morrow night. But I +am a doomed and a dying man, for how should the Lady Eleanor Byron +obey this message?" + +Here the unhappy miller began to weep; but the lady was dumb with +astonishment. + +"Forgive me, lady, in this matter; but I was in a manner bound to +accomplish mine errand." + +"And what if I should accompany thee? Wouldest thou be my champion, my +protector from onslaught and evil?" + +Here he opened his huge grey eyes to such an alarming extent that +Eleanor had much ado to refrain from smiling. + +"If you will go, lady, I shall be a living man; and you"--a dead +woman, probably he would have said; but the denunciation did not +escape his lips, and the joy and surprise of the wary miller were +beyond utterance. + +"But whence thy message, friend?" said the deluded maiden, eyeing him +suspiciously. + +"Why; the message was whispered in my ear. A stranger brought it +together with a dismal threat should I not bring you at the time +appointed." + +Here the miller again became uneasy and alarmed. A cold shudder crept +over him, and he looked imploringly upon her. + +"But they say, my trusty miller, that this chapel of the fairies may +not be visited, forbidden as it is to all catholic and devout +Christians, after nightfall." + +At this intimation the peccant miller displayed his broad thumbs, and +looked so dolorous and apprehensive, sprawling out his large ungainly +proportions, that Eleanor, though not prone to the indulgence of +mirth, was mightily moved thereto by the cowardly and dismal aspect he +betrayed. + +"Nay, lady, I beseech you," he stammered out. "I am a dead dog--a +piece of useless and unappropriated carrion, if you go not. Ha' pity +on your poor knave, and deliver me from my tormentors!" + +"Then to-morrow I will deliver thee," said the maiden, "and break +thine enchantment. But the hour?" + +"Ere the moonbeam touches the pillar in the Fairies' Hall." + +"Agreed, knave. So begone. Yet--and answer truly for thy life--was no +pledge, no token, sent with this message?" + +Ralph unwillingly drew forth the token from his belt. Fearful that it +might divulge more than he wished, the treacherous messenger had kept +back the tablets entrusted to him. He suspected that should she be +aware it was the good people who were a-wanting her, he would have but +a slender chance of success. + +She glanced hastily, anxiously, over the page, though with great +surprise. + +"How now?" said she, thoughtfully. "Here is a pretty love-billet +truly. The page is fair and unspotted--fit emblem of a lover's +thoughts." + +"You are to write thereon, lady, your lover's wish, and throw it into +the brook here, hard by. The stream, a trusty messenger will carry it +back to its owner." + +Ralph delivered his message with great reluctance, fearful lest she +might be alarmed and retract her promise. + +To his great joy, however, she placed the mystic token in her bosom, +and bade him attend on the morrow. + +This he promised faithfully; and with a light heart he returned to his +abode. + +Eleanor watched his departure with impatience. She took the tablets +from her bosom. Horror seemed to fold his icy fingers round her heart. +She remembered the injunction. Her mind misgave her, and as she drew +towards the lamp it shot forth a tremulous blaze and expired. Yet with +desperate haste, bent, it might seem, on her own destruction, she +hastily approached the window. The moonbeam shone full upon the page +as she scrawled with great trepidation the word "THINE." To her +unspeakable horror the letters became a track of fire, but as she +gazed a drop of dark blood fell on them and obliterated the writing. + +"Must the compact be in blood?" said she, evidently shrinking from +this unhallowed pledge. "Nay then, farewell! Thou art not of yon +bright heaven. My hopes are yet there, whatever be thy doom! If thou +art aught within the pale of mercy I am thine, but not in blood." + +Again, but on another page, she wrote the word "THINE." Again the +blood-drop effaced the letters. + +"Never, though I love thee! Why urge this compact?" With a trembling +hand she retraced her pledge, and the omen was not repeated. She had +dared much; but her hope of mercy was yet dearer than her heart's deep +and overwhelming passion. With joy she saw the writing was unchanged. + +Throwing on her hood and kerchief, she stole forth to the brook, and +in the rivulet, where it was yet dark and unfrozen, she threw the +mystic tablet. + +The following night she watched the moon, as it rose above the huge +crags, breaking the long undulating horizon of Blackstone Edge, called +"Robin Hood's Bed," or "Robin Hood's Chair."[5] + +One jagged peak, projected upon the moon's limb, looked like some huge +spectre issuing from her bright pavilion. She rose, red and angry, +from her dark couch. Afterwards a thin haze partially obscured her +brightness; her pale, wan beam seemed struggling through a wide and +attenuated veil. The wind, too, began to impart that peculiar chill so +well understood as the forerunner of a change. A loud sough came +shuddering through the frozen bushes, moaning in the grass that +rustled by her path. Muffled and alone, she took her adventurous +journey to the mill, where she arrived in about an hour from her +departure. Ralph was anxiously expecting her, together with his dame. + +"Good e'en, lady," said the latter, with great alacrity, as Eleanor +crossed the threshold. She returned the salutation; but her features +were lighted up with a wild and deceptive brightness, and her glowing +eye betrayed the fierce and raging conflict within. + +"The shadow will soon point to the hour, and we must be gone," said +the impatient miller. + +"Lead on," replied the courageous maiden; and he shrank from her gaze, +conscious of his own treachery and her danger. + +The hard and ice-bound waters were dissolving, and might be heard to +gurgle in their deep recesses; drops began to trickle from the trees, +the bushes to relax their hold, and shake off their icy trammels. +Towards the south-west lay a dense range of clouds, their fleecy tops +telling with what message they were charged. Still the moon cast a +subdued and lingering light over the scene, from which she was shortly +destined to be shut out. + +Ralph led the way silently and with great caution through the slippery +ravine. The moonlight flickered through the leafless branches on the +heights above them, their path winding through the shadows by the +stream. + +"We must hasten," said her guide, "or we may miss the signal. We shall +soon take leave of the moonlight, and perhaps lose our labour +thereby." + +They crept onwards until they saw the dark rocks in the Fairies' +Chapel. The miller pointed to a long withered bough that flung out its +giant arms far over the gulph from a great height. The moon threw down +the shadow quite across to the bank on the other side, marking its +rude outline on the crags. + +"The signal," said Ralph; "and by your favour, lady, I must depart. I +have redeemed my pledge." + +"Stay, I prithee, but within hearing," said Eleanor. "I like not the +aspect of this place. If I call, hasten instantly to my succour." + +The miller promised, but with a secret determination not to risk his +carcase again for all the bright-eyed dames in Christendom. + +She listened to his departing footsteps, and her heart seemed to lose +its support. An indescribable feeling crept upon her--a consciousness +that another was present in this solitude. She was evidently under the +control of some invisible agent; the very freedom of her thoughts +oppressed and overruled by a power superior to her own. She strove to +escape this thraldom, but in vain. She threw round an apprehensive +glance, but all was still--the dripping boughs alone breaking the +almost insupportable silence that surrounded her. Suddenly she heard a +sigh, and a rustling at her ear; and she felt an icy chillness +breathing on her. Then a voice, musical but sad, whispered-- + +"Thou hast rejected my suit. Another holds thy pledge." + +"Another! Who art thou?" said the maiden, forgetting her fears in the +first emotion of surprise. + +"Thou hast been conscious of my presence in thy dreams!" replied the +mysterious visitor. She felt her terrors dissipated, for the being +whom she loved was the guardian of her safety. + +"I have loved thee, maiden," said the voice; "I have hovered round +thee when thou slept, and thou hast answered my every thought. +Wherefore hast thou not obeyed? Why not seal thy compact and our +happiness together?" + +"Because it was unhallowed," replied she firmly, though her bosom +trembled like the leaf fluttering from its stem. + +"Another has taken thy pledge. Yet is it not too late. Renew the +contract, even with thy blood, and I am thine! Refuse, and thou art +his. If this hour pass, I am lost to thee for ever!" + +"To whom," inquired Eleanor, "has it been conveyed?" + +"To thy first, thy betrothed lover. He found the pledge that I would +not receive." + +The maiden hesitated. Her eternal hopes might be compromised by this +compliance. But she dreaded the loss of her insidious destroyer. + +"Who art thou? I fear me for the tempter!" + +"And what boots it, lady? But, listen. These elves be my slaves; and +yet I am not immortal. My term is nigh run out, though it may be +renewed if, before the last hour be past, a maiden plight her hopes, +her happiness to me! Ere that shadow creeps on the fairy pillar thou +art irrevocably mine, or his whom thou dreadest." + +Eleanor groaned aloud. She felt a cold hand creeping on her brow. She +screamed involuntarily. On a sudden the boughs bent with a loud crash +above her head, and a form, rushing down the height, stood before her. +This unexpected deliverer was Oliver Chadwyck. Alarmed by the cries of +a female, as he was returning from the chase, he interposed at the +very moment when his mistress was ensnared by the wiles of her +seducer. + +"Rash fool, thou hast earned thy doom. The blood be on thine own head. +Thou art the sacrifice!" + +This was said in a voice of terrible and fiendish malignity. A loud +tramp, as of a mighty host, was heard passing away, and Oliver now +beheld the form of his betrothed. + +"Eleanor! Here! In this unholy place!" cried her lover. But the maiden +was unable to answer. + +"There's blood upon my hand!" said he, holding it up in the now clear +and unclouded moonlight. "Art thou wounded, lady?" + +"I know not," she replied; "I was alone. Yet I felt as though some +living thing were nigh--some unseen form, of terrible and appalling +attributes! Was it not a dream?" + +"Nay," said Oliver, pensively; "methought another was beside thee!" + +"I saw him not." + +"How camest thou hither?" + +"Let us be gone," said she, trembling; "I will tell thee all." + +She laid her head on his shoulder. It throbbed heavily. "I am now +free. The accursed links are broken. I feel as though newly wakened +from some horrible dream! Thou hast saved me, Oliver. But if thine own +life is the price!" + +"Fear not; I defy their devilish subtilty--in their very den too: and +thus, and thus, I renounce the devil and all his works!" + +He spat thrice upon the ground, to show his loathing and contempt. + +"Oh! say not so," cried Eleanor, looking round in great alarm. + +Oliver bore her in his arms from that fearful spot. He accompanied her +home; and it was near break of day when, exhausted and alone, she +again retired to her chamber. By the way Oliver told her that he had +found a mysterious tablet on the edge of the brook the same morning. +He had luckily hidden it in his bosom, and he felt as though a +talisman or charm had protected him from the spells in the "Fairies' +Chapel." + +Springtide was past, and great was the stir and bustle for the +approaching nuptials between Oliver Chadwyck and the Lady Eleanor. All +the yeomanry, inhabitants of the hamlets of Honorsfield, Butterworth, +and Healey, were invited to the wedding. Dancers and mummers were +provided; wrestlers and cudgel-players, with games and pastimes of all +sorts, were appointed. The feasts were to be holden for three days, +and masks, motions, and other rare devices, were expected to surpass +and eclipse every preceding attempt of the like nature. + +Eleanor sat in her lonely bower. It was the night before the bridal. +To-morrow would see her depart in pageantry and pomp--an envied bride! +Yet was her heart heavy, and she could not refrain from weeping. + +She sought rest; but sleep was denied. The owl hooted at her window; +the bat flapped his leathern wings; the taper burned red and heavily, +and its rays were tinged as though with blood; the fire flung out its +tiny coffin; the wind sobbed aloud at every cranny, and wailed +piteously about the dwelling. + +"Would that I might read my destiny," thought she. Her natural +inclination to forbidden practices was too powerful to withstand. + +Now there was formerly an ancient superstition, that if, on the night +before marriage, a taper were burned, made from the fat of a young +sow, and anointed with the blood of the inquirer, after sundry +diabolical and cabalistical rites at midnight, a spirit would appear, +and pronounce the good or evil destiny of the querent. + +Eleanor had prepared the incantation ere she laid her throbbing head +on the pillow. Whether or not she slept, is more than we can divulge. +Such, in all probability, was the case; dreams being the echo only of +our waking anticipations. + +She thought there came a rushing wind. The door flapped to and fro, +the curtains shook, and the pictures glared horribly from the wall. +Suddenly--starting from the panel, with eyes lighted up like +bale-fires, and a malignant scowl on her visage--stalked down one of +the family portraits. It was that of a female--a maiden aunt of the +house of Byron, painted by one of the court artists, whom the king had +brought from France, and patronised at a heavy cost. This venerable +dame appeared to gaze at the spectator from whatsoever situation she +was beholden. The eyes even seemed to follow you when passing across +the chamber. A natural consequence though, and only marvelled at by +the ignorant and illiterate. + +This ancient personage now advanced from her hanging-place, and +standing at the foot of the bed, opened out a fiery scroll with these +ominous words:-- + + "Maid, wife, and widow, in one day, + This shall be thy destiny." + +Eleanor struggled hard, but was unable to move. She laboured for +utterance, but could not speak. At length, with one desperate effort, +a loud cry escaped her, and the vision disappeared. She slept no more, +but morning disclosed her haggard cheek and sunken eye, intimating +that neither hope nor enjoyment could have been the companion of her +slumbers. + +It was a bright morning in June. The sun rode high and clear in the +blue heavens. The birds had "sung their matins blythe" ere the +bridegroom arrived with his attendants. Merrily did the village +choristers acquit themselves in their vocation, while those that were +appointed strewed flowers in the way. The bells of St Chad trolled out +their merry notes when the ceremony was over, and the bride, on her +snow-white palfrey, passed on, escorted by her husband, at the head of +the procession. Gay cavaliers on horseback, and maidens prancing by +their side, made the welkin ring with loud and mirthful discourse. The +elder Byron rode on his charger by the side of Jordan Chadwyck and his +eldest son, with whom rode the vicar, Richard Salley, nothing loath to +contribute his folly to the festival. + +As the procession drew nigh to the hall, a messenger rode forward in +great haste, whispering to Byron, who, with angry and disordered +looks, shouted aloud to Oliver-- + +"Away--away! The cowardly Traffords are at our threshold. They have +skulked out, like traitors as they be, knowing our absence at the +feast. 'Tis an old feud, and a bloody one. Who is for Byron? Down with +the Traffords!" + +The old man here put spurs to his horse, and galloped off with his +attendants. + +"A Byron--a Byron!" shouted Oliver, as he followed in full cry, first +leaving his wife under a suitable and safe escort. Soon they routed +the enemy, but the prediction was complete; for Eleanor became + + "Maid, wife, and widow, in one day!" + +her husband being slain during the battle. + +The blood of man was held of little account in those days, if we may +judge by the following award on the occasion:-- + +"In virtue of a writ of appeal of death, sued out against Sir John +Trafford, Knight, his tenants and servants, the sum of sixty pounds +was deemed to be paid by Trafford to Biroun, to be distributed amongst +the cousins and friends of the late Oliver C., in the parish church of +Manchester, on the award of Sir Thomas Stanley, Knight, _Lord +Stanley_--viz. ten marks at the nativity of John the Baptist, and ten +marks at St Martyn, yearly, until the whole was paid, and all parties +to be fully friends. Dated London, 24th March, 20 Edward IV. 4018." + + [1] Whitaker's _Hist. Whalley_, p. 441. + + [2] Corry's _Lancashire_. + + [3] _Mag. Britan._ York, p. 391. + + [4] Here vulgarly called the Tearn Barn + (tithe-barn) in Wales; distinctly seen in showery weather, but + invisible in a settled season. + + [5] On a bleak moor, called Monstone Edge, in this + hamlet, is a huge moor-stone or outlier, which (though part of + it was broken off and removed some years ago) still retains the + name of Monstone. It is said to have been quoited thither by + Robin Hood, from his bed on the top of Blackstone Edge, about + six miles off. After striking the mote or mark aimed at, the + stone bounced off a few hundred yards and settled there. These + stones, however, in all probability, if not Druidical, were + landmarks, the ancient boundary of the hamlet of Healey; and, + as was once customary, the marvellous story of this ancient + outlaw might be told to the urchins who accompanied the + perambulators, with the addition, probably, of a few kicks and + cuffs, to make them remember the spot. + + +[Illustration: THE LUCK OF MUNCASTER.] + + + + +THE LUCK OF MUNCASTER. + + _K. Hen._--"From Scotland am I stolen, even of pure love, + To greet mine own land with my wishful sight." + + _King Henry VI._ + + "It shall bless thy bed, it shall bless thy board, + They shall prosper by this token; + In Muncaster Castle good luck shall be, + Till the charmed cup is broken." + + + Gamel de Pennington is the first ancestor of the family of whom + there is any recorded account; he was a person of great note and + property at the time of the Conquest, and the family, having + quitted their original seat of Pennington in Lancashire (where + the foundation of a square building called the Castle is still + visible), he fixed his residence at Mealcastre, now called + Muncaster. It is said that the family originally resided nearer + the sea, at a place not far from the town of Ravenglass, where + at present are the ruins of an old Roman castle, called Walls + Castle. The old tower of the present mansion-house at Muncaster + was built by the Romans, to guard the ford called St Michael's + Ford, over the river Esk, when Agricola went to the north, and + to watch also the great passes into the country over the fells, + and over Hard Knot, where is the site of another fortress + constructed by them, apparent from the traces existing to this + day. + + Muncaster and the manor of Muncaster have long been enjoyed by + the Penningtons, who appear to have possessed it about forty + years before the Conquest, and ever since, sometimes + collaterally, but for the most part in lineal descent by their + issue male, to this very time. + + There is a room in Muncaster Castle which still goes by the name + of Henry the Sixth's room, from the circumstance of his having + been concealed in it at the time he was flying from his enemies + in 1461, when Sir John Pennington, the then possessor of + Muncaster, gave him a secret reception. + + The posts of the bed in which he slept, which are of handsome + carved oak, are also in the same room in good preservation. + + When the period for the king's departure arrived, before he + proceeded on his journey, he addressed Sir John with many kind + and courteous acknowledgments for his loyal reception, + lamenting, at the same time, that he had nothing of more value + to present him with, as a testimony of his good-will, than the + cup out of which he crossed himself. He then gave it into the + hands of Sir John, accompanying the present with the following + blessing:--"The family shall prosper as long as they preserve it + unbroken;" which the superstition of those times imagined would + carry good fortune to his descendants. Hence it is called "_The + Luck of Muncaster_." It is a curiously-wrought glass cup, + studded with gold and white enamel spots. The benediction + attached to its security being then uppermost in the + recollection of the family, it was considered essential to the + prosperity of the house at the time of the usurpation that the + Luck of Muncaster should be deposited in a safe place; it was + consequently buried till the cessation of hostilities had + rendered all further care and concealment unnecessary. + Unfortunately, however, the person commissioned to disinter this + precious jewel let the box fall in which it was locked up, which + so alarmed the then existing members of the family, that they + could not muster courage enough to satisfy their apprehensions. + It therefore (according to the traditionary story still + preserved in the family) remained unopened for more than forty + years, at the expiration of which period a Pennington, more + hardy or more courageous than his predecessors, unlocked the + casket, and exultingly proclaimed the safety of the Luck of + Muncaster. + + When John, Lord Muncaster (the first of the family who obtained + a peerage), entered into possession of Muncaster Castle, after + his elevation in 1793, he found it still surrounded with a moat, + and defended by a strong portcullis. The family having of late + years entirely resided upon their estate of Wartee in Yorkshire, + the house was in so very dilapidated a state that Lord Muncaster + was obliged to rebuild it almost entirely, with the exception of + Agricola's Tower, the walls of which are nine feet thick. The + elevation of the new part is in unison with that of the Roman + tower, and forms altogether a handsome castellated building. The + situation is eminently striking, and was well chosen for + commanding the different passes over the mountains. It is + surrounded with mountain scenery on the north, south, and east; + while extensive plantations, a rich and cultivated country, with + the sea in the distance, makes a combination of scenery than + which it is scarcely possible to imagine anything more + beautiful or more picturesque. + + We are tempted to conclude this description with the words of + John, Lord Muncaster, who himself so greatly contributed to its + renovation. Upon being requested to give an outline of its + beauties, he replied that it consisted of "wood, park, lawn, + valley, river, sea, and mountain." + + The reason or excuse we give for introducing within our + Lancashire series this tradition, of which the occurrences took + place in a neighbouring county, is, that the family was + originally native to our own. By the village of Pennington, + situated about midway between Dalton and Ulverstone, is the + Castle Hill, the residence of this family before the Conquest. + The area of the castle-yard appears to have been an octagon or a + square, with obtuse angles, about forty-five yards in diameter. + The south and east sides have been defended by a ditch about ten + yards wide, and by a vallum of earth, still visible. There are + no vestiges of the ancient building. It stood apparently on the + verge of a precipice, at the foot of which flows a brook with + great rapidity. The side commands an extensive view of the + sea-coast and beacons, and was excellently situated for + assembling the dependants in cases of emergency. The name is + diversely written in ancient writings, as Penyngton, Penington, + Pennington, and in Doomsday Book _Pennegetun_, perhaps from + _Pennaig_, in British "a prince or great personage," to which + the Saxon termination _tun_ being added, forms Pennegetun, since + smoothed into Pennington. + + +PART FIRST. + + "Come hither, Sir John de Pennington, + Come hither, and hearken to me; + Nor silver, nor gold, nor ladye-love, + Nor broad lands I give unto thee." + + "I care not for silver, I care not for gold, + Nor for broad lands, nor fair ladye; + But my honour and troth, and my good broadsword, + Are the king's eternally." + + "Come hither, Sir John, thou art loyal and brave," + Again the monarch spake; + "In my trouble and thrall, in the hour of pain, + Thou pity didst on me take. + + "The white rose withers on every bough, + And the red rose rears its thorn; + But many a maid our strife shall rue, + And the babe that is yet unborn. + + "I've charged in the battle with horse and lance, + But I've doffed the warrior now; + And never again may helmet of steel + Bind this burning, aching brow! + + "Oh, had I been born of a simple churl, + And a serving-wench for my mate, + I had whistled as blithe as yon knave that sits + By Muncaster's Castle gate! + + "Would that my crown were a bonnet of blue, + And my sceptre yon shepherd's crook, + I would honour, dominion, and power eschew, + In this holy and quiet nook. + + "For England's crown is a girdle of blood, + A traitor is every gem; + And a murderer's eye each jewel that lurks + In that kingly diadem! + + "Hunt on! hunt on, thou blood-hound keen; + I'd rather an outcast be, + Than wade through all that thou hast done, + To pluck that crown from thee!" + + "Then tarry, my liege," Sir John replied, + "In Muncaster's Castle gate; + No foeman shall enter, while sheltered here + From Edward's pride and hate." + + "I may not tarry, thou trusty knight, + Nor longer with thee abide; + Ere to-morrow shall rise on these lordly towers, + From that gate shall a monarch ride. + + "For a vision came to my lonely bed, + And that vision bade me flee; + And I must away, ere break of day, + O'er the hills to the south countrie. + + "But take this cup,--'tis a hallowed thing, + Which holy men have blessed; + In the church of the Holy Sepulchre + This crystal once did rest; + + "And many a martyr, and many a saint, + Around its brim have sate; + No water that e'er its lips have touched + But is hallowed and consecrate. + + "'Tis thine, Sir John; not an empire's worth, + Nor wealth of Ind could buy + The like, for never was jewel seen + Of such wondrous potency. + + "It shall bless thy bed, it shall bless thy board, + They shall prosper by this token; + In Muncaster Castle good luck shall be, + Till the charmed cup is broken!" + + Sir John he bent him on his knee, + And the king's word ne'er did err, + For the cup is called, to this blessed hour, + "THE LUCK OF MUNCASTER." + + +PART SECOND. + + "Oh haste, Sir William of Liddislee + My kinsman good at need, + Ere the Esk's dark ford thou hast passed by, + In Muncaster rest thy steed; + + "And say to my love and my lady bright, + In Carlisle I must stay, + For the foe is come forth from the misty north, + And I cannot hence away; + + "But I must keep watch on Carlisle's towers + With the banner of Cumberland; + Then bid her beware of the rebel host, + Lest they come with sword and brand. + + "But bid her, rather than house or land, + Take heed of that cup of grace, + Which King Henry gave to our ancestor, + The 'LUCK' of our noble race. + + "Bid her bury it deep at dead of night, + That no eye its hiding see. + Now do mine errand, Sir William, + As thou wouldst prosperous be!" + + Sir William stayed nor for cloud nor shrine, + He stayed not for rest nor bait, + Till he saw the far gleam on Esk's broad stream, + And Muncaster's Castle gate. + + "From whence art thou in such fearful haste?" + The warder wondering said; + "Hast thou 'scaped alone from the bloody fight, + And the field of the gory dead?" + + "I am not from the bloody fight, + Nor a craven flight I flee; + But I am come to my lady's bower, + Sir William of Liddislee." + + The knight to the lady's bower is gone: + "A boon I crave from thee, + Deny me not, thou lady bright," + And he bent him on his knee. + + "I grant thee a boon," the lady said, + "If it from my husband be;" + "There's a cup of grace," cried the suppliant knight, + "Which thou must give to me." + + "Now foul befa' thee, fause traitor, + That with guile would our treasure win; + For ne'er from Sir John of Pennington + Had such traitrous message been." + + "I crave your guerdon, fair lady, + 'Twas but your faith to try, + That we might know if the 'Luck' of this house + Were safe in such custody. + + "The message was thus, thy husband sent; + He hath looked out from Carlisle wa', + And he is aware of John Highlandman + Come trooping down the snaw; + + "And should this kilted papistry + Spread hither upon their way, + They'll carry hence that cup of grace, + Though thou shouldst say them nay. + + "And thy lord must wait for the traitor foe + By the walls of merry Carlisle; + Else he would hie to his lady's help, + And his lady's fears beguile. + + "Thy lord would rather his house were brent, + His goods and his cattle harried, + Than the cup should be broken,--that cup of grace, + Or from Muncaster's house be carried." + + The kinsman smiled on that fond lady, + And his traitor suit he plied: + "Give me the cup," the false knight said, + "From these foemen fierce to hide." + + The lady of Muncaster oped the box + Where lay this wondrous thing; + Sir William saw its beauteous form, + All bright and glistering. + + The kinsman smiled on that fond lady, + And he viewed it o'er and o'er. + "'Tis a jewel of price," said that traitor then, + "And worthy a prince's dower. + + "We'll bury the treasure where ne'er from the sun + One ray of gladness shone, + Where darkness and light, and day and night, + And summer and spring are one: + + "Beneath the moat we'll bury it straight, + In its box of the good oak-tree; + And the cankered carle, John Highlandman, + Shall never that jewel see." + + The kinsman took the casket up, + And the lady looked over the wall: + "If thou break that cup of grace, beware, + The pride of our house shall fall!" + + The kinsman smiled as he looked above, + And to the lady cried, + "I'll show thee where thy luck shall be, + And the lord of Muncaster's pride." + + The lady watched this kinsman false, + And he lifted the casket high: + "Oh! look not so, Sir William," + And bitterly she did cry. + + But the traitor knight dashed the casket down + To the ground, that blessed token; + "Lie there," then said that false one now, + "Proud Muncaster's charm is broken!" + + The lady shrieked, the lady wailed, + While the false knight fled amain: + But never durst Muncaster's lord, I trow, + Ope that blessed shrine again! + +PART THIRD. + + The knight of Muncaster went to woo, + And he rode with the whirlwind's speed, + For the lady was coy, and the lover was proud, + And he hotly spurred his steed. + + He stayed not for bog, he stayed not for briar, + Nor stayed he for flood or fell; + Nor ever he slackened his courser's rein, + Till he stood by the Lowthers' well. + + Beside that well was a castle fair, + In that castle a fair lady; + In that lady's breast was a heart of stone, + Nor might it softened be. + + "Now smooth that brow of scorn, fair maid, + And to my suit give ear; + There's never a dame in Cumberland, + Such a look of scorn doth wear." + + "Haste, haste thee back," the lady cried, + "For a doomed man art thou; + I wed not the heir of Muncaster, + Thy '_Luck_' is broken now!" + + "Oh say not so, for on my sire + Th' unerring doom was spent; + I heir not his ill-luck, I trow, + Nor with his dool am shent." + + "The doom is thine, as thou art his, + And to his curse, the heir; + But never a luckless babe of mine + That fearful curse shall bear!" + + A moody man was the lover then; + But homeward as he hied, + Beside the well at Lord Lowther's gate, + An ugly dwarf he spied. + + "Out of my sight, thou fearsome thing; + Out of my sight, I say: + Or I will fling thine ugly bones + To the crows this blessed day." + + But the elfin dwarf he skipped and ran + Beside the lover's steed, + And ever as Muncaster's lord spurred on, + The dwarf held equal speed. + + The lover he slackened his pace again, + And to the goblin cried: + "What ho, Sir Page, what luckless chance + Hath buckled thee to my side?" + + Up spake then first that shrivelled thing, + And he shook his locks of grey: + "Why lowers the cloud on Muncaster's brow, + And the foam tracks his troubled way?" + + "There's a lady, the fairest in all this land," + The haughty chief replied; + "But that lady's love in vain I've sought, + And I'll woo none other bride." + + "And is there not beauty in other lands, + And locks of raven hue, + That thou must pine for a maiden cold, + Whose bosom love ne'er knew?" + + "Oh, there is beauty in every land," + The sorrowing knight replied; + "But I'd rather Margaret of Lonsdale wed, + Than the fairest dame beside." + + "And thou shalt the Lady Margaret wed," + Said that loathly dwarf again; + "There's a key in Muncaster Castle can break + That maiden's heart in twain!" + + "Oh never, oh never, thou lying elf, + That maiden's word is spoken: + The cup of grace left a traitor's hand, + Proud Muncaster's '_Luck_' is broken." + + Then scornfully grinned that elfin dwarf, + And aloud he laughed again: + "There's a key in thy castle, Sir Knight, can break + That maiden's heart in twain!" + + The knight he turned him on his steed, + And he looked over hill and stream; + But he saw not that elfin dwarf again, + He had vanished as a dream! + + The knight came back to his castle hall, + And stabled his good grey steed; + And he is to his chamber gone, + With wild and angry speed. + + And he saw the oaken casket, where + Lay hid that cup of grace, + Since that fearful day, when the traitor foe + Wrought ruin on his race. + + "Thou cursed thing," he cried in scorn, + "That ever such 'Luck' should be; + From Muncaster's house, ill-boding fiend, + Thou shalt vanish eternally." + + He kicked the casket o'er and o'er + With rage and contumely; + When, lo! a tinkling sound was heard-- + Down dropped a glittering key! + + He remembered well the wondrous speech + Of the spectre dwarf again, + "There's a key in Muncaster Castle can break + A maiden's heart in twain!" + + He took the key, and he turned the lock, + And he opened the casket wide; + When the cause of all his agony + The lover now espied. + + The holy cup lay glistering there, + And he kissed that blessed token, + For its matchless form unharmed lay, + The "Luck" had ne'er been broken! + + The loud halls rung, and the minstrels sung, + And glad rolled the Esk's bonny tide, + When Lonsdale's Lady Margaret + Was Muncaster's winsome bride! + + Now prosper long that baron bold, + And that bright and blessed token: + For Muncaster's Luck is constant yet, + And the crystal charm unbroken! + + +[Illustration: THE PILE OF FOULDREY[i] +_Drawn by G. Pickering._ +_Engraved by Edw^d. Finden._] + + + + +THE PEEL OF FOULDREY. + + "True, treason never prospers; what's the reason? + When treason prospers, 'tis no longer treason!" + + +The ancient castle of Peel of Fouldrey, the island of fowls, stands a +little beyond the southern extremity of the isle of Walney. The castle +and its site belong to the ladies of the liberty of Furness. + +The ruins, seen from the heights above Rampside, are beautifully +picturesque. Though the sea has wasted part of the outworks, yet the +remains exhibit a complete specimen of the principles and plan upon +which these ancient defences were usually constructed. It may not be +thought out of place to give the reader some account of its present +appearance. West, in his _Antiquities of Furness_, inserts the +following account of his visit to this delightful spot; and as it is +detailed with a good deal of graphic simplicity, if not elegance of +style, we prefer it to our own record of an expedition to this place. + +"Choosing a proper time of the tide," says he, "for our excursion, we +set out from Dalton, early on a pleasant summer's morning, and having +crossed the sands in Walney channel, we followed the eastern shore of +the isle of Walney from the small village of Northscale, by the +chapel, to Bigger. Leaving this hamlet, and crossing over a small neck +of land by a narrow lane winding amongst well-cultivated fields, +smiling with the prospect of a plenteous harvest of excellent grain, +but principally of wheat, which the land in Walney generally produces +of a superior quality, we again came to the shore, and having a pretty +distinct view of several parts of the ruinous fabric which was the +object of our excursion, we took the distant castle for our guide, and +entered upon a trackless sand, which, by the route we pursued, is +about two miles and a half over. It is soft and disagreeable +travelling in many places; but there is no quicksand. Those, however, +who are unacquainted with the road to the Peel of Fouldrey should take +a guide from Bigger. + +"About half-way over the sand, the mouldering castle, with its +extensive shattered walls and ruinated towers, makes a solemn, +majestic appearance. Having arrived on the island, which is destitute +of tree or shrub, except a few blasted thorns and briers, we left our +horses at a lonely public-house, situated close by the side of the +eastern shore, and proceeded to inspect the ruins of the castle. The +main tower has been defended by two moats, two walls, and several +small towers. We crossed the exterior fosse or ditch, and entered the +outer bayle or yard, through a ruinous guard-tower, overleaning a +steep precipice formed by the surges of the sea. The ancient pass, +where the drawbridge over the outer ditch was fixed, has been long +washed away. The greater part of the outer wall is also demolished, +for in those places which are out of the reach of the tide the stones +have been removed for various purposes. + +"The drawbridge over the exterior ditch of these castles used commonly +to be defended by a fortification consisting of a strong high wall +with turrets, called the barbacan or antemural; the great gate or +entrance into the outer bayle or yard was often fortified by a tower +on each side, and by a room over the intermediate passage; and the +thick folding-doors of oak, by which the entrance was closed, were +often strengthened with iron, and faced by an iron portcullis or +grate, sliding down a groove from the higher part of the building. + +"A chapel commonly stood in the outer bayle: accordingly, just at our +entrance into that part we saw the ruins of a building which is said +to have been the chapel belonging to this castle. + +"At the inside of the yard we came to the inner fosse, moat, or ditch, +and arriving at the place where the drawbridge had been fixed, we +entered the inner bayle or court by the ancient passage through the +interior wall, the entrance whereof had evidently been secured by a +portcullis, and defended by a room over the passage. + +"We now proceeded to the entrance into the main tower or keep; but the +doorway into the porch, which precedes it, being walled up, we were +obliged to creep into the edifice by a narrow aperture. The entrance +has been secured by a portcullis. The main tower has consisted of +three storeys, each divided into three oblong apartments by two +interior side walls being carried from bottom to top. + +"The rooms on the ground-floor have been very low, and lighted by long +apertures, extremely narrow, at the outside of the walls, but a +considerable width in the inside, perhaps so constructed for the use +of the bow. The apartments have communicated with each other; and +there has been a winding staircase leading from one of them to the +rooms above, and to the top of the castle. Under the ground-floor of +these ancient castles used commonly to be dark and dismal apartments, +or dungeons, for the reception of prisoners, but nothing of the kind +is known to be here. The porch is called the dungeon. + +"The second floor has been on a level with the first landing at the +principal entrance. The rooms have been lofty, and lighted by small +pointed windows, and many of them have had fireplaces. The apartments +on the third floor have been apparently similar to those on the +second. The side apartments have been lighted by several small pointed +windows, but those in the middle have been very dark and gloomy. + +"The great door of the castle opens into one of these intermediate +apartments. On the left-hand side of the entrance has been a spiral +staircase, leading to the rooms above and to the top of the castle, +which has had a flat roof, surrounded by a parapet and several +turrets. The walls of this tower are very strong and firm; a deep +buttress is placed at each corner, and one against the middle of each +side wall. A small square tower has stood at the southern corner, but +the greater part of it has been thrown down by the sea. The foundation +of one side wall is also undermined the whole of its length, and as it +in some places overhangs the precipice formed by the waste of the sea, +and as the castle is not situated upon a rock, but upon hard loamy +soil, this side must inevitably fall in a few years. + +"Many huge fragments of the wasted walls are scattered upon the shore, +under the cliff from whence they have fallen; and notwithstanding the +concussion they have received in falling from a great height, and the +frequent surges of the sea, they are as firm as ever, and in many +places exhibit the shape of the edifice. + +"The corners and doorcases of the guard-towers, the buttresses, +window-frames, and several parts of the main tower, are constructed +with red freestone; but all the other parts of the walls which in +general are about six or seven feet in thickness, are formed of round +stones collected from the adjacent shores. The inside of the walls has +been constructed with small stones, and plenty of fluid mortar to fill +the interstices. + +"To this mode of construction, to the excellent binding quality of the +stones, and to the slow drying of the grout-work in the inside, may be +attributed the great tenacity of the walls of this fabric, more than +to any uncommon or unknown method of composing the mortar. + +"The roofs of the numerous guard-houses in the surrounding walls of +this castle have apparently been flat. Upon these, and along the +walls, which in most castles were topped by a parapet and a kind of +embrasure called crennels, the defenders of the castle were stationed +during a siege, and from thence discharged arrows, darts, stones, and +every kind of annoyance they could procure, upon their enemies. + +"There were often subterraneous passages leading from the lowest part +of the main tower to a great distance; and by these the besieged could +make their escape in time of imminent danger, when the outworks were +carried by storm. + +"On the north-east side of the outworks of this castle has been a +large pond or reservoir for supplying the ditches with water in cases +of sudden emergency. There has also been a fish-pond on the north-west +side. + +"Though many variations were made in the structure of castles, as the +plan was often modified by the architect according to the site +occupied by the edifice, yet the most perfect and magnificent were +generally constructed with all the different parts we have mentioned. + +"The walls contain no decorations of art, and are equally destitute +of all natural embellishments; the rugged outlines of dilapidation, +associating with the appearance of past magnificence, are the +qualities which chiefly interest the imagination, while comparing the +settled tranquillity of the present with the turbulent ages that are +past, and contemplating the view of this mouldering fabric. + +"The island of Fouldrey has certainly been much larger at the erection +of the castle than it is at present; but the sea, having reduced it to +its present small compass, has abated the rapid career of its +destruction. It now wastes the western shore of Walney, and forms a +new tract out of the ruins, which proves a barrier to its progress +upon the Peel of Fouldrey, and at some future period may be an +accession to this island, in place of the land which it has lost." + +The period when it was reduced to ruins is not well ascertained, but +it is probable that this was one of the fortresses which fell under +the dismantling orders of the Commonwealth. + +The port is very large and commodious, and would float a first-rate +ship of war at low water. + +In 1789 a body of commissioners and trustees, appointed to improve the +navigation of the river Lune, built a lighthouse on the south-east end +of the isle of Walney. It is an octagonal column, placed upon a +circular foundation of a little more than twenty feet in diameter. At +the plinth, its diameter is eighteen feet, and diminishes gradually +with the elevation through fifty-seven feet to fourteen. The ascent +from the bottom to the lantern is by a staircase, consisting of +ninety-one steps, winding up the inside of the pillar. The whole +height is about sixty-eight feet. At the base of the column there is a +small dwelling for the keeper and his family. + + * * * * * + +It was in the "merry month of May," in the year 1487, scarcely two +years after Richard's overthrow at Bosworth, and Earl Richmond's +usurpation of the English crown by the title of King Henry the +Seventh, that a great armament, landing on the barren island of +Fouldrey, took possession of the castle, a fortress of great strength +commanding the entrance to the bay of Morecambe, and a position of +considerable importance to the invaders. It occupied, with the +outworks and defences, nearly the whole area of the island (a few +acres only), two or three fishermen's huts at that time being +irregularly scattered on the beach below. Built by the monks of +Furness in the first year of Edward III., as a retreat from the +ravages of the Scots, and a formidable barrier against their +approaches by sea, it was now unexpectedly wrested from its owners, +becoming a point of resistance from whence the formidable power of +Henry might be withstood, and in the end successfully opposed. + +A royal banner floated from the battlements: the fortress had been +formally taken into possession by the invaders in the name of their +king, previously proclaimed at Dublin by the title of Edward the +Sixth. The youth was crowned there with a diadem taken from an image +of the Virgin, priests and nobles espousing his cause with more than +ordinary enthusiasm; and Henry, in the second year of his reign, was +threatened, from a source as unexpected as it was deemed contemptible, +with the loss of his ill-gotten sovereignty. + +Lambert Simnel, according to some historians, was the real name of +this "pretender;" but there be others who scruple not to assert, that +he was in reality the unfortunate Earl of Warwick, son to Clarence, +elder brother of Richard III., and that he had made his escape from +the Tower, where he long suffered an ignominious confinement by the +cruel policy of Henry. The prior claims of this young prince to the +English crown could not be doubted, and Margaret, the "bold" Duchess +of Burgundy, sister to Edward IV., had furnished the invaders with a +body of two thousand chosen Flemish troops, commanded by Martin +Swartz, a brave and experienced officer. With them came the Earl of +Lincoln, related to Edward IV. by intermarriage with Elizabeth, the +king's eldest sister. + +This nobleman had long entertained ambitious views towards the crown; +his uncle Richard, it is said, in default of issue to himself, having +expressed the intention of declaring Lincoln his successor. The Lord +Lovel, too, a bitter enemy of the reigning prince, who had fled to the +court of Burgundy beforetime for protection, was entrusted with a +command in the expedition. To these were joined the Earl of Kildare, +the king's deputy for Ireland, with several others of the nobility +from the sister kingdom. The countenance thus unexpectedly given to +the rebellion by persons of the highest rank, and the great accession +of military force from abroad, raised the courage and exultation of +the Irish to such a pitch that they threatened to overrun England, +nothing doubting but their restless and disaffected spirit would be +fully met by a similar disposition on the part of those whom they +invaded. In supposing that the inhabitants in the north of England, +and especially in Lancashire, would immediately join their standard, +they had not calculated wisely. The king, in crushing the hopes of the +Yorkists, had made himself, at that period, too popular in the +county; the reluctance, too, which it may be supposed that Englishmen +would feel in identifying themselves with a troop of foreign +adventurers, as well as their general animosity against the Irish, to +whom the "northerns" never bore any good-will, being too near +neighbours to agree,--these circumstances taken into account, the +ultimate failure of the expedition might have been easily +prognosticated. Sir Thomas Broughton, a gentleman of some note in +Furness, was the only person of weight and influence in the county who +joined their standard, and he soon found himself a loser by his +defection. + +This brief preliminary statement we have thought essential to the +right understanding and development of our plot. + +The evening was dark and lowering, the sky broken into wild irregular +masses of red and angry clouds. The sun, after throwing one fierce +look over the broad and troubled sea, had sunk behind a hard, huge +battlement of cloud, on the round waving edges of which ran a bright +burning rim, that looked like a train of fire ignited by the glowing +luminary behind. + +The beach round the little island of Fouldrey is mostly covered with +pebbles thrown up by the tide, occasionally intermingled with rock and +patches of dark verdure. A few boats may be seen with their +equipments, and two or three straggling nets upon the shore. A distant +sail occasionally glides across the horizon; but the usual aspect is +that of solitude, still and uninterrupted, the abode of sterility and +sadness. Now, the narrow bay by the island was glittering with gallant +streamers. Ships of war, in all their pride and panoply, majestically +reposed upon its bosom. All was bustle and impatience. The +trumpet-note of war brayed fiercely from the battlements. Incessant +was the march of troops in various directions. Tents were pitched +before the castle. Guards were appointed; and this hitherto peaceful +and solitary spot resounded with the din of arms, and the hoarse clang +of preparation for the approaching strife. + +Messengers were constantly passing to and from the mainland. The +insignia of royalty were ostentatiously displayed, and the captains +and leaders within the fortress fulfilled the duties of this mimic and +motley court in honour of their anticipated sovereign. + +Under a steep cliff, washed by the sea at high water, but of no great +height, and above which the higher walls of the castle or keep might +be discovered, sat two fishermen, the owners, or rather occupiers, of +one of the cottages built under the very walls of the fortress, where +these peaceful inhabitants had placed their little nests, protected +and covered by the wing of their loftier but more exposed and +dangerous neighbour. + +The place they had chosen for their conference was secluded from +general observation, and their low and heavy speech was concealed from +the prying sentinels above by the hoarse and impetuous voice of the +retiring waves. Not many paces distant was the inlet to a +subterraneous passage, supposed to lead under the deepest foundations +of the castle; but its termination was now a mystery, at any rate, to +the present occupiers and inhabitants of the place. Many strange and +horrible stories were told and believed, of its uses and destination +in times past. Being burdened with a bad name--"some uncleansed murder +stuck to it"--the place ran little risk of disturbance or intruders. +When the tides ran high this outlet was inaccessible, being partly +flooded by the sea. From neglect and disuse an accumulation of sand +and pebbles, washed by the violence of the waves into the cavity, was +deposited there, so that the entrance, which, according to tradition +was once wide and sufficiently lofty for a person to walk upright, was +now dwindled into a narrow and insignificant-looking hole, scarcely +big enough to admit an urchin. + +"Thee hasna seen it thysel', then?" said one of the fishermen to his +companion. + +"Nea; I waur it' hoose man when it cam'; but"--the speaker looked +wistfully towards the dark entrance we have named,--"but I'se sure +Dick wouldna seay sae if"---- + +"Dick's a starin' gowk, and a coward too. I'se warrant there waur +plenty o' room 'twixt his carcase and the wa'. That I'd bin there +i'stead! There shouldn't ha' bin room to cram a herrin' tail atween me +an' the ghost's substance. I would ha' hedged him up thus, an' then +master ghost, taken aback, says, 'Friend, by yere sweet leave I would +pass;' but I make out elbows, and arms this'n, facing till him so. +Help! murder!" + +This sudden change in the voice and attitude of the speaker, this +sudden exhalation of his courage, unfortunately arose from the parties +having, in the heat and interest of the discourse, turned their backs +to the haunted entrance, and, so intent was Davy in accommodating the +action to the valiant tenor of his speech, that it was only on +turning round, for the purpose of showing to his companion the way in +which he would have disputed a passage with the ghost, that he was +aware for the first time of the presence of that terrible thing, and +within a very few inches too of his own person. They stayed not for +any further exemplification of this theory of ghost-laying, but in an +instant were beyond observation, bounding over the beach, nor once +looking behind them until safe in their little hut, and the door +fastened against the fearful intruder. Davy, being foremost in the +race, sat down, followed by his companion George, who, maugre his +great apprehensions, could not forbear laughing heartily at the sudden +melting away of the big-mouthed valour of this cowardly boaster. + +"Praised be our lady of Furness," said the merry taunter, with many +interruptions from laughter and want of breath; "thy heels are as glib +as thy tongue: for which--oh, oh! I am breathed--blown--dispossessed +of my birthright, free quaffing o' the air. Ha, ha! I cannot laugh. +Oh! what a mouth didst thou make at old blacksleeves. Gaping so, I +wonder he mistook not thy muzzle for one of the vents into his old +quarters. A pretty gull thee be'st, to swallow yon black porpoise." + +"I tell thee, messmate," returned the other, gravely, "thou hast +miss'd thy tack. It waur but a slip, maybe a kin' of a sudden start +which took me, as they say, by the nape. I jumped back, I own--a foul +accident, by which he took advantage. He comes behind me, thou sees, +and with a skip 'at would have seated him upo' the topmost perch o' +the castle, he lights whack, thump, fair upo' my shoulders. I ran but +to shake the whoreson black slug fro' my carcase. Saints ha' mercy, +but his legs waur colder than a wet sheet. I soon unshipp'd my cargo, +though--I tumbled him into the sea, made a present of old blacksleeves +to the fishes!" + +"Thou lying chub," said George, angrily, "did not I watch thee? Why, +thou cub, thou cormorant, thou maker of long lies and quick legs, +didst not o'ershoot me, ay, by some fathoms? I followed hard i' thy +wake, but I see'd nought of all this bull-scuddering of thine. Faith, +but thou didst ply thy courses with a wet sail!" + +"Go to, Geordie--go to; a juggle, I tell thee; sheer malice of the +enemy, fow' an' fause as he be." Here he spat on the floor to show his +detestation and contempt; but George, either too ignorant or too idle +to reply, took down a dried fluke from the chimney, and warming it on +the glowing turf for a few minutes, was soon occupied in disposing of +this dainty and favourite repast. Their hut was of the rudest +construction. The walls were of boulder stones from the beach, loosely +set up with mud and slime, and in several places decidedly deviating +from the perpendicular. The roof was thatched with rushes, and shaped +like unto a fish's back, having a marvellous big hump in the middle, +upon which grew a fair tuft of long lank herbage, while bunches of the +biting yellow stone-crop clung in irregular patches of bright green +verdure about the extremities. The interior was lighted by a single +casement, showing an assemblage of forms the most homely and primitive +in their construction. The floor, paved with blue pebbles; the +fireplace, a huge hearth-flag merely, on which lay a heap of glowing +turf, an iron pot depending from a crook above. The smoke, curling +lazily through a raft of fish drying a few feet above the flame, and +acquiring the requisite flavour, with considerable difficulty reached +a hole in the roof, where the adverse and refractory wind not +unfrequently disputed its passage, and drove it down again, to assist +the colds and rheums by its stimulating propensities. A broken chair, +a three-legged stool, and a table with no greater number of +supporters, a truckle-bed, and an accumulation of nets, oars, and +broken implements of the like nature, were the usual deposits about +the chamber. The two fishermen were partners in their gainful trade, +and not having tasted the bliss of conjugal comforts, enjoyed a sort +of negative good from the absence of evil, and lived a tolerably quiet +and harmonious life in these outskirts of creation. + +The few simple and primitive inhabitants of the island had been so +bewildered and confounded by the turmoil and disorder consequent upon +the invasion of their hitherto peaceful and quiet resting-place, that +some half-dozen of them, for the first time in their lives, had +quitted their homes; others, secure from their poverty and +insignificance, still remained, though much disturbed with wonder and +silly surmises, and ready to catch at any stray marvels that fell in +their way. The subterraneous and half-concealed passage in the rock, +or rather shale, on which the castle stands, always under the ban of +some vague and silly apprehension, had been reported of late as +manifesting more than equivocal symptoms of supernatural possession. +Dick Empson, or long-nebbed Dick, a sort of shrewd, half-witted +incarnation, it might be, of the goblin or elfin species, a runner of +errands from the abbey of Furness to the castle, and a being whose +pranks and propensities to mischief were well known in the +neighbourhood, had affirmed, but a few hours before, that he saw a +black figure on the previous night issuing from the hole; and that +there was no connection or understanding between this ghostly +appearance and the present occupiers of the castle, was evident from +the mystery and secrecy that attended its movements. This was +doubtless the phantom or goblin that, from time immemorial, had been +the cause of such sinister dispositions towards the "haunted passage." +Davy and his friend had unexpectedly stumbled upon its track, for they +had not calculated on its appearance, at any rate before midnight. + +In the Castle, Peel, or Pile of Fouldrey, on that night too, there was +a mighty disturbance, not unaccompanied with vexation and alarm. It +was soon after the first watch. The new-made monarch was asleep in his +chamber--an ill-furnished apartment on the second floor of the main +tower or keep, looking out by a narrow window towards the sea. The +next, or middle chamber, was on a level, and communicating with the +first landing, or principal entrance. The latter apartment, in which +were the guards and others immediately about the king's person, served +the purposes of an ante-room to the presence-chamber. + +The room opposite--for there were three divisions on each floor--was +subdivided into several parts, and occupied by the Earl of Lincoln and +his attendants; the rooms above being devoted to Swartz, Lovel, and +Fitzgerald, with their trains. Below were the guard-rooms and offices +assigned to the staff, with the war stores and munitions belonging to +the expedition. + +In the same chamber with the king lay his confessor and chief adviser, +one Simon, a wily and ambitious priest, who was the prime agent, if +not mover, in this attempt to overturn the reigning power. No other +individual was suffered to remain through the night in the king's +apartment. + +It was about the first watch, as before mentioned, when the guards and +attendants were alarmed by loud cries from the royal chamber. They +hastened to the door, but it was bolted, and their apprehensions for +that time were allayed by the voice of the priest assuring them that +the king was safe, but that an ugly dream had awakened him. Lincoln, +whom this tumult had quickly brought to the spot, retired grumbling at +so unseasonable a disturbance. Scarcely had an hour elapsed ere the +cries were repeated. Unsheathing his sword, the proud Earl of Lincoln +marched angrily to the door, and swore a loud broad oath that he would +see the king or burst open the barrier. With him came others from the +rooms overhead, so that the priest was forced, however unwillingly, to +open the door, and Lincoln, accompanied by his friends, beheld the +young pretender in bed, pale, and with a rueful countenance, still +retaining the traces of some deadly horror. + +"What hath disturbed your highness? We would fain know the cause of +this alarm, and punish, ay punish home, the traitor!" said Lincoln, +darting a furious look at the confessor, to whom he bore no good-will. + +"Nay, friends, I shall--I shall be well presently. I beseech you be +not disturbed. 'Tis a dream,--a vision that hath troubled me. I +thought I was in the Tower--in my prison chamber--and the tyrant came +and grasped me by the throat. With that I jumped up, and as Heaven is +my witness, I saw a dark figure slip through the floor by yon grim +buttress, behind which is the private staircase to the summit." + +Every eye was turned towards the corner of the chamber near the bed, +on the outside of which a winding staircase ran up from below, but +they were ignorant of any communication from these stairs into the +king's chamber. Lincoln examined the buttress with his sword, and +Swartz, the Fleming, with his fingers, but there was no apparent +opening or crevice that could betoken any outlet or concealment. The +floor was examined, and with the same result; so that they were fain +to depart, little doubting that the whole was the effect of some +mental disturbance. + +With the morning dawn came Sir Thomas Broughton. A grand council was +appointed for that day, in which the final arrangement of their plans +was to be discussed. A royal banquet was prepared, and the Flemish +gunners were to give a specimen of their craft from the battlements. + +The forenoon came on chill and squally, with a low scud driving +rapidly from the west. A drizzling rain was the result, which +increased with the coming tide. + +The little island was covered with tents, forming an encampment of no +mean extent and appearance. + +Sir Thomas, with a few attendants, after being ferried over the +channel which separates the island of Fouldrey from the mainland, was +conducted through avenues of tents and armed men. The Flemish +soldiers, fierce and almost motionless, looked like an array of grim +statues. The Irish levies, in a state of more lax discipline, were +collected in merry groups, whiling away the time in thriftless and +noisy discourse. + +Sir Thomas Broughton, descended from an Anglo-Saxon family of great +antiquity, was by virtue of this hereditary and aboriginal descent, of +a proud and pompous bearing. Being allied to most of the principal +families in these parts, he was won over by solicitation from the +Duchess of Burgundy, as one of the confederates in her attempt to +restore the line of York to the English crown. Fond of show, and +careful as to his own personal appearance, he was clad in a steel coat +of great beauty; this ponderous form of defence having been brought to +great perfection in the preceding reign. His sword-belt was so +disposed that the weapon remained in front, while a dagger was +attached to the right hip. Over his armour he wore a scarlet cloak, +and as he strode proudly up the avenues to the gate, he looked as +though he felt that on his fiat alone depended the very existence of +those he beheld. After he had passed the first drawbridge into the +outer court or bayle, a band of archers, drawn up in full array, +opened their ranks to receive this puissant chieftain. These were the +most efficient of the troops, and partly English, having been brought +from Ireland by the deputy. They were clad in shirts of chain mail, +with wide sleeves, over which was a small vest of red cloth, laced in +front. They had tight hose on their legs, and braces on their left +arms. Behind them, and on each side, were part of the infantry, +consisting of billmen and halberdiers; but the most formidable-looking +soldiers were the Flemish gunners, or harquebusiers, so named from the +barbarous Latin word _arcusbusus_, evidently derived from the Italian +_arcabouza_--_i.e._, a bow with a tube or hole. It was made with a +stock and trigger, in imitation of the crossbow. The match, no longer +applied by the hand to the touchhole, was fixed into a cock, which was +brought down to the pan by the motion of the trigger. This being at +the time a recent invention, excited no little curiosity and +admiration. + +At the inner court, and near the main entrance to the keep, Sir Thomas +was received in great state by the Earl of Lincoln, whose high, but +easy and pleasant bearing, bespoke him to have been long the inmate +and follower of courts, while the stiff attitudes and formal demeanour +of Sir Thomas were rendered more apparent by the contrast. + +"Welcome, Sir Thomas, to our court in this fair haven. Your presence, +like your fidelity, hath a goodly savour in it, being always before +and better than our expectation or our fears. How faireth our cousin, +and our pretty dames in Furness?" + +"My lord, I thank you for your good word. My poor services are repaid +tenfold in their acceptance by the king," said Sir Thomas, bending, +but with an ill grace, by reason of little use in that excellent art. + +"Into our council-chamber, Sir Thomas, where you shall render homage +to the king in person." + +This council-chamber was none other than the king's bedroom, whither, +with great ceremony, Sir Thomas was conducted. In this mimic court +there was a marvellous show of ceremony, and a great observance of, +and attention to, forms and royal usages--ridiculous enough where a +few acres formed the whole of the monarch's territory, and an ugly +ill-contrived castle his palace. But his followers behaved as though +England's sovereignty were theirs, being well inclined to content +themselves with the shadow, having little hold or enjoyment of the +substance. + +Before a long narrow table, near the bed, and on a high-backed oaken +chair, sat the young pretender. He was dressed in a richly-embroidered +gown, the sleeves wide, and hanging down from the wrists like lappets. +On his head was a low cap surmounted by long waving feathers, and his +manners and appearance were not devoid of grace and gentility. He +displayed considerable self-possession, and wore his kingly honours +with great assurance. He was of a fair and sanguine complexion, pale +rather than clear, and his hair clustered in heavy ringlets on his +shoulders. A rapid and somewhat uncertain motion of the eye, and his +mouth not well closed, showed that although he might have been +schooled to the exhibition, and could wear the outward show of +firmness and decision, yet in the hour of emergency, and in the day of +trial, his fortitude would in all likelihood forsake him. + +At his right hand sat the priest in a white cassock and scapulary. A +black hood, thrown back upon his shoulders, exhibited the form and +disposition of his head to great advantage. His features were large, +expressive, and commanding. The fire of a brilliant grey eye was +scarcely tempered by his overhanging brows, though at times the spirit +seemed to retire behind their grim shadows, to survey more securely +and unobservedly the aspect and appearances without. + +Swartz, the Flemish general, a blunt military chieftain, was at his +side. A black bushy beard, some inches in advance of his honest +good-humoured face, was placed in strong contrast with the wary, pale, +and somewhat dubious aspect of the priest. + +Kildare, the Irish deputy, and Lovel, with several of the senior +officers and captains, were assembled round the table. + +The room was lofty, lighted by a small pointed window, and contained +the luxury of a fireplace, in which lay some blazing embers; a +grateful and refreshing sight in that chill and ungenial atmosphere. + +The needful ceremonies being gone through, Sir Thomas was honoured +with a place at the board near to where it rested against the buttress +before mentioned, the priest addressing him as follows:-- + +"My Lord Abbot of Furness, Sir Thomas, what news of him? Hath he yet +signified his adherence to our cause? We hope you bring tidings of +such auspicious import." + +"He doth yet procrastinate, I hear, until he have news from the +court," replied Sir Thomas; "yet I trust his want of zeal and +obedience will not hinder our march." + +"And the proud nobles of Lancashire, how stand they affected towards +our good prospering?" + +"Truly, they are, as one may say, neither cold nor hot; but of a +moderate temperature, midway, it would seem"---- + +"Which is an indication of neither zeal nor obedience," said Swartz, +suddenly cutting short the tedious verbosity of Sir Thomas's intended +harangue. "Open enemies before lukewarm friends!" + +"Prithee, general," said the priest, with a placid smile, during which +his eyes seemed to shrink within their dim sockets, "be not +over-hasty. We cannot reasonably hope that they should flock to our +standard almost ere we unfurl it for their gathering." + +"Your speech hath a reasonable property in it," replied Sir Thomas, +"and, as we may say, savoureth of great judgment, which, being of an +excellent nature in itself, doth thereby control and exercise, in its +own capacity, the nature and excellence of all others." + +This formidable issue of words was delivered with much earnestness of +enunciation; but of its use or meaning, probably, the speaker was +fully as ignorant as his hearers. Even at the fountain-head his ideas +were sufficiently obscure, but when fairly rolling forth from the +spring, they sometimes begat such a froth and turbidity in their +course, that no reasonable discernment could fathom their depth or +bearing. + +A short silence was the result, which none, for a while, cared to +disturb, lest he should betray his lack of understanding in dark +sentences. + +"We know your loyalty," said the king, "which hath a sufficient +impress on it to pass current without scrutiny. Your example, Sir +Thomas, will be of competent weight, without the casting or imposition +of vain words into the scale. We acknowledge your ready zeal in our +just cause." + +"Your highness' grace, my liege," said Lincoln, ere Sir Thomas could +gather words for a fitting reply, "doth honey your confections well. +Men swallow them without wincing or wry faces." + +Sir Thomas would not thus be deprived of his right to a reply; and was +just commencing with a suitable attitude for the purpose, when lo! the +trenchant knight, who sat on a small stool beside the corner buttress, +with a loud cry, suddenly disappeared, and a gaping cavity in the +floor sufficiently accounted for the precipitate mode of his +departure. Uprising on the ruins of Sir Thomas, started forth a +grotesque figure from the chasm, clad in coarse attire, a ludicrous +solemnity on his strange and uncouth visage, as, with a shrill and +squeaking tone, he cried-- + +"Ay, ay, masters; but my master will gi'e me a blessing for the +finding o' this mouse-nest; and a priest's blessin' is worth a king's +curse any time; and so good-morrow, knaves." + +"Stay," said Lincoln, seizing the intruder, none other than our +light-witted acquaintance, "lang-nebbit Dick," whose prying +propensities were notorious, and who had taken upon himself, that +morning, the arduous task of exploring the subterraneous passage into +which he had seen the mysterious figure insinuate itself. After many +perils and impediments, he had come to a flight of steps, ascending +which, his progress was interrupted by a trap-door overhead. He soon +discovered a wooden bolt, the unloosing of which led to the +precipitation of Sir Thomas through the aperture. Dick's light was +struck from his hand; escaping himself, however, he left Sir Thomas to +his fate, and emerged, as we have seen, into the council-chamber. They +were much alarmed by this unexpected disturbance, and, looking down, +they beheld a narrow flight of steps, at the bottom of which lay the +unfortunate knight, sore bruised by his fall. + +"If the abbot catch ye here," said Dick, with a vacant grin, "he'll +gi'e every one o' ye a taste o' the gyves, and so pray ye gang awa', +and let me gang too. As for that calf beastie, that baas so at the +bottom, gi'e me a groat, and I'll gather him up again sune." + +Here Dick held out a paw that would not have disgraced the extremities +of a bruin for size and colour. + +"Holloa, guards," cried Lincoln, "take this knave to the dungeon by +the porch, and keep him safe until we have need of him." + +The prying vagabond was removed without ceremony, kicking all the way, +and bellowing out threats and vengeance against his enemies, while Sir +Thomas and his bruises were brought to light. + +"'Tis the good hand of Providence that hath revealed to us, through +the means of this crack-brained intruder, so dangerous an outlet by +which our sovereign's life might have been brought into jeopardy. To +show unto us that He works not by might nor by strength, does Heaven +employ the feeblest instruments for our ruin or our deliverance." The +priest, after this profane speech, resumed his station at the board, +whence the king, with a proper and becoming dignity, had not arisen. +But the council did not proceed in their deliberations after this +interruption. Contenting themselves with devising precautions against +another surprise, they separated, hoping that to-morrow would bring +them despatches from abroad, for which they began to feel somewhat +anxious and impatient. + +The sun was now some hours past meridian. The broad sea and the +breakers were foaming on. A wide and impetuous phalanx of waves +appeared upon the horizon. Gouts of muddy foam were beginning to +froth among the blue pebbles on the beach. The tide was rapidly +filling the channels, and patches of dark sand were vanishing beneath +the waves, when the two fishermen, launching their little boat into a +narrow bay between the rocks, prepared for their daily toil. + +"Lords o' the court they be," said David, to some inquiry from his +more ignorant companion, as he generally affected to consider him. +Indeed, with but little wit and less valour, he wished to foist +himself upon one possessing both, as a being of extraordinary wisdom +and fortitude. And truly, if loud words and big lies could have done +this, he would have had no lack either of courage or discretion. + +"Didst never see a lord to his shirt?" continued this indomitable +boaster. + +"Nea, marry, but I've seen 'em to their shifts, for one of 'em couldna +loup owre t' stones here without help." + +"Help thy silly face, thou be'st hardly company fit for they 'at have +seen knowledge, as 't waur, to its verra nakedness. I tell thee I've +looked on lords' flesh; an' no more like thine than thee be'st like +fish." + +"Some of 'em will cudgel thy leesing out o' thee, I hope. Thou +could'stna speak truth to save thy neck fro' the rope. Didst get any +o' the crumbs at the dinner to-day? for I ken thou throw'd up thy +greasy cap, and cried out 'Hurrah for the king.' Thy tongue would ever +wag faster at a feast than thy fist at a fray." + +"I tell thee, George, 'ware thy gibes an' gallimaufreys. A man can but +bear what he can, thee knows; an' so stop thy din. Let me see, I heard +as I cam' doon that this same ghost 'at frightened thee sae appeared +to the king an' the lords at the feast; an' they waur fain to run for +it, as thee did last night, thee knows, for verra fearsomeness, +an'"---- + +Here he looked round, as though fearing a visit of the like nature. + +"They say he came an' gobbled up more nor his share; an' he sent the +guests a-packing like a bream of short-sized kippers from a creel. We +looked for our share of the victuals, but they told me old +bl--bl"----Again he hesitated, evidently afraid that some "unsonsy" +thing was behind him. His voice sunk down to a tremulous whisper. +"They said that old split-feet brought a whole bevy of little +devilkins with him that cleared decks in the twinkling of a +bowsprit." + +"And yet thou durst not say him nay, though thy craw were as empty as +my basket. Come, bear a hand, or we shall lose the tide; it is already +on the rocks." + +The invading fleet were still moored in the harbour, yet the fishermen +shot past unheeded by these leviathans of the deep. As they came +nearer to the opposite shore, they saw an individual making signals, +as though he would be taken across. His monkish garb was a passport to +their obedience; and the friar was received on board with great +reverence and respect. With a sullen air he demanded, rather than +requested, to be conveyed to the castle, which the simple fishermen +undertook with great alacrity and good humour. Left to the care of the +guards below the ramparts, he was speedily forwarded through ranks of +iron men, and the barriers flew open at his presence; an embassage +from the abbot of Furness was not to be lightly entreated. + +Again was there a summons that the council should assemble, and the +chiefs, already risen from the banquet, prepared to give him audience. +With a proud and firm step he approached the table; and though, from +habit, he repressed the natural feelings and bias of the temper, yet +there was an evident expression of hostility against the intruders, +accompanied with a glance of unequivocal meaning towards their +sovereign. + +Simon, rising to receive this ambassador from the abbot, watched his +demeanour with a cautious and keen observance, though betraying little +of that really intense interest with which his presence was regarded. + +"Thrice welcome!" he cried; "we hail your presence as an omen of good +import. How fareth my lord abbot, whom we hope to number with our +friends in this glorious cause?" + +"The abbot of Furness hath no message of that similitude. He doth ask +by what right, privity, or pretence, ye appear within his castle or +stronghold upon this island? upon whose advice or incitement ye have +thus taken possession? and furthermore, under whose authority ye do +these things?" + +This short address, uttered in a firm voice, and in a tone of menace +rather than inquiry, daunted the hearers, who had hoped for a more +propitious message from the abbey of Furness. Simon, however, without +betraying his chagrin, unhesitatingly replied-- + +"The right by which we hold this fortress is the will of our king, and +our authority is from him." + +"I crave your honest regards," returned the monk, looking round with a +glance of conscious power and superiority; "this good inheritance is +ours, and whosoever disporteth himself here must answer for it to the +lord of Furness, whose delegate and representative I am." + +Choler was rising in the assembly; but Simon, with that intuitive and +inexplicable control which superior minds possess, almost unknowingly, +over their associates, quelled the outburst of the flame by a single +glance. Another look was directed to the royal pupil at his side, when +the latter spoke as follows:-- + +"Our presence here, it should seem, is a sufficient answer to the +questions of our lord abbot. Being lawful heir to the English crown, +we might command the allegiance, if not the homage, of your head; but +we would rather win with fair entreaty than command our unwilling +subjects, and to this end have we sent messengers to the superior of +your house, urging his help and submission." + +This reply was given with a dignity and an assurance denoting that +either he was the individual he personated, or that he had been well +schooled in his craft. + +A murmur of applause was heard through the assembly, but the monk was +unmoved to any show of recognition or even respect. Waiting until he +could be heard, the envoy again inquired-- + +"And who art thou? and by what pretence claimest thou this right?" + +"By hereditary descent. Knowest thou Edward, Earl of Warwick, now thy +king?" + +"I have heard of him," continued the monk in the same dubious and +inflexible tone; "but his bodily appearance hath not been vouchsafed +unto me." + +"See him here!" said the royal claimant, rising with great majesty and +condescension. But the churchman neither did homage, nor in any way +testified his loyalty to, or apprehension of, so exalted a personage. + +"Truly it is a marvellous thing," replied he, "that the Earl of +Warwick should so order his appearance, at one and the same time, both +in London and at our good fortress here in Fouldrey!" A slight curl of +the lip was visible as he spoke. + +"The Earl of Warwick," said Simon, "cannot now be abiding where thou +sayest, insomuch as the bodily tabernacle, his dwelling in the flesh, +is before thee." + +"But we have a messenger from thence, even with a writing from the +hands of the holy prior of St Alban's, who sendeth us the news, lest +we should be beguiled. Father Anselm hath seen the earl, who was +brought forth from the Tower by command of the king, being conducted +publicly through the principal thoroughfares of the city, that the +people should behold, and not in any wise be led astray through the +evil reports and machinations of the king's enemies." + +Here he paused, folding his arms with a haughty and reserved look; but +Simon, no wise disconcerted by this terrible, unexpected, and +apparently fatal exposure of their plot, replied with a smile of the +most intrepid assurance---- + +"We knew of this, and were prepared for the wiles of the usurper. Know +then, that, through the agency and good offices of that renowned +princess, Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, the king's escape from the +Tower was accomplished; but not by might, nor by human power nor +device, but by faith and prayer, was the work wrought out, which holy +communion her enemies do maliciously report as the practice of sorcery +and the forbidden art. Howbeit the king hath escaped, as thou seest, +the fangs of the executioner. Stay, I perceive what thou wouldest urge +in reply, but listen for a short space. In order to deter them from +pursuit on finding his escape, and with a view likewise to lull them +into vain confidence and carnal security, another was left in his +place, whom they, of necessity, imagine to be their captive; but it is +not a real thing of flesh and blood, though to them it may so appear. +When his time shall be accomplished, the form will vanish, to the +downfall and confusion of the usurper and the utter overthrow of our +enemies." + +Here the assembly gave a loud and unanimous token of their exultation +by shouts and exclamations of loyalty and obedience. + +After a short reverie, the monk replied-- + +"We know of a surety that the Princess Margaret, as well as her royal +brother, Edward the Fourth, did use to practise in forbidden arts; but +we must have testimony indisputable to the truth of your claim, ere it +be that we render our belief. Surely the power that wrought thy +deliverance would not, if need were, leave thee without the means of +proving thine identity. How know we that thou art he whom thou hast +represented, and not the impostor Simnel, as thine enemies do not +scruple openly to affirm?" + +"We are not without either the means or the power to prove and to +assert our right," said the priest, rising. He drew a phial from his +bosom. + +"One drop of this precious elixir," continued he, "if it touch the +form of yon changeling, will dissolve the charm: on the real person of +the king it becomes harmless." + +"Truly, 'tis a proof not to be gainsaid; but over-long i' the making, +and too far for the fetching," replied the monk scornfully. + +"'Tis bootless to attempt the salvation of those who will not believe: +nevertheless, they shall perish through their own devices, and be +caught in their own snares." + +Simon threw a threatening glance at the monk, which he received with a +cool and undaunted aspect. + +"Verily, your blood be on your own heads," cried Simon, with a loud +voice, "and your reward in your right hand. Behold, thou scourner, and +tremble; for your destruction cometh as a whirlwind, and he in whom +you trust shall be as the stubble which the fire devoureth." + +The enthusiast, as he spoke, struck a heavy blow on the floor with his +foot, when there came a low rumbling sound like the roar of the wind +through some subterraneous abyss, or the distant moan of the sea, +driven on by the rushing tempest. The whole assembly stood aghast, +save the king and the two disputants. + +"Shall I strike once more?" + +"Do as seemeth to thee good," said the monk deliberately; "but think +not to intimidate me with thy fooleries." + +"Then beware. I obey, but it is with awe and reluctance." + +It is said that Simon's heart failed him as he gave the blow, or the +effects would have been more terrific. But the castle shook as with an +earthquake; even the incredulous monk looked amazed and confounded. + +"Shall I repeat the stroke?" said Simon, when the disturbance had in +some measure subsided. "But remember, I will not answer for the +result. Only in cases of the greatest difficulty and trial it was +that the duchess made me resort to so dangerous a resource." + +Most of his hearers besought him to desist. Simon yielded at once to +their entreaties, and the uplifted foot fell softly on the floor. Soft +and noiseless though it was, yet they saw a lurid mist roll upward; +and a form, apparently of gigantic size, was faintly visible in the +dark vapour, as it swept slowly through the apartment. Even Simon and +his royal pupil showed symptoms of agitation and alarm. + +The assembly was suddenly dissolved. The proud ambassador of a prouder +prelate was astonished and bewildered, and hastily took his leave to +report these occurrences to his master. + +The whole of these proceedings, in all probability, were but the +artful contrivance of an ambitious priest; and yet, connected as they +were with a female whose well-known predilection for the occult +sciences, and herself no mean adept therein, they assumed in those +ages of credulity and superstition more the character of miraculous +events than as happening in the common course and established order of +nature. The alarm of the king, too, evidently at the appearance of the +figure, caused some to say that it was the arch-enemy himself to whom +these conspirators had sold themselves. + +In the meantime, Dick, having been delivered over to the tormentors, +was transferred to the prison or dungeon by the porch. He bore his +mishap with wondrous fortitude and equanimity. Many a strange inquiry +and silly speech did he make as he heard the sound of footsteps pass +the door, through which a few chinks admitted a doubtful glimmer into +his cell. + +"I seay--hears to me, lad?" shouted he to a gruff Fleming, as he +passed to and fro before the entrance to his prison-house; but the +guard heeded him not. Dick listened; then, repeating his demand, +muttered certain conventional expressions, not over-nice either in +their form or application. He then began to sing, performing a series +of _cantabile_ movements in the most ludicrous manner possible; +sometimes chanting a _Miserere_ or an _Ave_, then breaking into some +wild northern ballad or roundelay of unintelligible import. It was in +the midst of a cadence which he was terminating with great earnestness +and effect that the first deep rumble, the result of Simon's appeal to +the truth and justice of their cause, interrupted Dick's vocal +dispositions for a while; but when the second concussion took place, +shaking the very stones in their sockets and the hard floor under his +feet, Dick ran whooping and bellowing round his den as though he had +been possessed, laughing, amid the wild uproar, like some demon +sporting fearlessly in the fierce turmoil of the troubled elements. +The sentinel ran, terrified, from the door, and the whole camp and +garrison were flying to arms, in fear and consternation. Dick, +drumming with his fist, found the door yield to his efforts, and he +marched forth without let or molestation. His besetting sin was +curiosity, which oftentimes led him into difficulties and mishaps. +Though just now a prisoner, and escaping by means little less than +miraculous, yet, instead of making the best use of this opportunity +for escape, he commenced a sort of prying adventure on his own +account--a temptation he could not resist--by walking, or rather +shuffling, into the guard-room, where his own peculiar crab-like +sinuosities were particularly available. A number of soldiers were +jabbering some unintelligible jargon, too much occupied with their own +clamour to notice Dick's proceedings. + +Through a confused jumble of warlike implements, intermingled with +camp-kettles and cooking utensils, some steaming with savoury +preparations for the evening's repast, and others nearly ready for the +service, Dick insinuated himself, until he came to a little door in +the corner, the entrance to a staircase communicating with the leads +above. Through this door marched the incorrigible intruder--the sentry +from the summit having just issued therefrom, fearful lest the castle +should tumble about his ears. Dick's course was therefore unimpeded; +and after sundry gyrations and stoppages, now and then, to peep +through the loopholes, he emerged into broad daylight on the roof of +the tower. Here he paused for some time, entranced with the sudden +change he beheld. The bustle and animation around and below him; the +vessels, with their brave and gallant equipments, anchored in the +bay;--all this amused Dick vastly for a while. But the most +heart-ravishing delights end ultimately in satiety and disgust, +greater, and probably more keenly felt, the more they have been +relished and enjoyed. Dick began to feel listless and tired with his +day's work. He laid his head upon a groove or niche in the +battlements, and fell fast asleep. It seems the sentinel did not +return; for Dick remained undisturbed, and when he awoke it was +completely dark, save that there was a wan gleam from a dull watery +moon, just dipping into a stratum of dark clouds over the sea. His +ideas, not over-lucid in broad daylight, would necessarily be still +more hazy and obscure in his present situation. Unable to extricate +them, he rubbed his eyes and made faces; yawned and groped about for +his usual dormitory, in a little cell behind the kitchen at the abbey. +But the vision of the moon--which, by reason of the confined glen +wherein the abbey was built, rarely blessed the sight of a +night-watcher--was a wondrous and puzzling appearance. He had some +confused recollection that he had mounted a flight of steps, and that, +by contrary motion, descending would be the next consequent movement. +To this end he diligently sought an opening, and, naturally enough, +took the first that presented itself. Creeping round the angle of a +turret, he came to a flight of steps, which he descended. It was not +long ere he perceived a faint light through an aperture or chink in +the wall. He pressed against the side cautiously, when the wall itself +appeared to give way, and he entered, through a narrow door, into a +large room, lighted by a few turf embers, that flickered dimly on the +hearth. A tester bed was near him, whose grim shadow concealed the +objects under its huge canopy. It was the king's chamber; but so +softly and cautiously was the entrance effected that Dick's footsteps +did not awake him. He was heard, nevertheless, by the priest Simon, +who, being concealed by the curtains on the other side, was not seen +by the intruder. Dick stood still, on being addressed in a low and +suppressed voice as follows:-- + +"Thou art early, Maurice; but thy despatches are ready. They are on +the chair at thy right hand. Thou hast had thy instructions. Be speedy +and discreet. On the third day, ere sunset, we look for thy return." + +Dick put out his hand and laid hold of a sealed packet, which he took +with becoming gravity, and luckily in silence. + +"The same password, 'Warwick,' will convey thee hence; a boat is in +waiting, and so God speed," said the priest. + +Dick returned by the way he came, and descending the turret staircase, +found a sentry standing at the outlet into the guard-chamber. It was +dark, and Dick's person was not recognised. With a sort of blundering +instinct he gave the word and passed on. This magic sound conveyed him +safely through bars, bolts, and all other impediments. The drawbridge +was lowered, and Dick, in a little time, found himself again upon the +beach, where a boat was waiting to carry him to the opposite shore. + +"Who goes there?" inquired a gruff voice from the skiff. + +"Why Dick--Warwick," cried the blundering knave, nigh mistaking his +cue. + +"Hang thee," said the ferryman, "what art' ganging o' this gait for? +If I'd ken'd it waur thee 'at I'd orders to lie by in shore for, thou +might ha' waited a wee for aught 'at I'd ha' brought." + +"Hush!" said Dick, full of importance from his newly-acquired +diplomatic functions; "I'm message to the king yonder." + +"Ill betides him that has need o' thee," said the boatman, +surlily;--"come, jump in. They'd need of a hawk, marry, to catch a +buzzard." + +Just as Dick was preparing to step in, a low, slight-made figure +passed by whom the boatman immediately challenged. + +"Warwick!" said he, and would have passed on. + +"Nay, nay," said Dick; "I'm Warwick, ma lad; there's no twa on us; +they gied me that name i' the castle yon, just now. I'se butter'd if +thou shall ha't too." Dick was a powerful fellow, and he collared the +other in a twinkling. "Thou'rt a rogue, I tell thee, an' about no +good; an' I've orders from the governor yonder to tak' thee. Bear a +hand, boatie, and in wi' him. There--there." + +Spite of his struggles and imprecations, the stranger was impounded in +the boat, and Dick soon forced him to be quiet. They pushed off, and +in a short time gained the other shore. Here Dick, with that almost +instinctive sagacity which sometimes accompanies a disturbed state of +the intellects, would not allow his prisoner either to go back to the +island or remain in the boatman's custody, but secured him to his own +person, setting off at a brisk pace towards the abbey. In vain the +stranger told him that he had business of great moment at the castle; +that he was a page of the court, and on the eve of a secret mission +from the priest, who was now waiting for him with the despatches. Dick +resolved, with his usual cunning it seems, to conceal his possession +of these documents, and, at the same time, to prevent the real +messenger from revealing the deception by his appearance at the +castle. + +It was past midnight; yet the abbot and several of the brethren were +still assembled in close council. The importance of the events that +were unfolding, and in which their own line of conduct was to be +firmly marked out and adhered to, necessarily involving much +deliberation and discussion, had kept them beyond their usual hour of +retirement. + +A bell rung at the outer gate, and shortly afterwards one of the +brotherhood in waiting announced that two men were without, craving +audience, and that one of them, when asked his name, answered +"Warwick." + +"Ah!" said the bewildered abbot, with a sudden gleam of wonder and +gladness on his countenance--"does he come hither? then is our +deliverance nearer than we hoped for, even from the special favour and +interference of Heaven. Admit them instantly." + +But in a little while the messenger came back in great dudgeon to say +that the knave who had demanded admittance with such a peremptory +message was none other than Dick Empson, the errand boy to the abbey. +"What can possess him," continued the monk, "I greatly marvel; for he +still persists in demanding audience, saying that he is 'Warwick.' He +refers to some message from the castle with which he is charged, but +he refuses to deliver it save into the hands of the reverend abbot +himself. Furthermore, he has brought a prisoner, he sayeth, and will +have him taken into safe custody." + +"Why, bring him hither," said the abbot; "there's little harm can come +by it. He has a shrewd and quick apprehension at times, under that +silly mask, which I have thought he wears but for purposes of knavery +and concealment." + +The monk folded his hands and retired. Returning, he was followed by +Dick, who assumed a very grave and solemn demeanour before this august +and reverend assembly. + +"Why art thou abroad in these evil times, and at such improper hours +too? To the meanest of our servants it is not permitted. Speak. Thine +errand?" + +The abbot looked towards the offender with an air of displeasure; but +Dick, hitching up his hosen with prodigious fervour, gave a loud and +expressive grunt. + +"Dick is a fool," said he; "but he ne'er begged benison of an abbot, a +bone from a starved dog, or a tithe-pig from a parson." + +"What is the message wherewith thou hast presumed upon our audience?" + +"If ye rear your back to a door, see to it that it be greatly tyned, +or ye may get a broken head for trust." + +"And is this thy message, sirrah? Hark ye, let this fool be put i' the +stocks, and well whipped." + +"And who'll be the fule body then?" said Dick, leering. "I ken ye be +readier wi' a taste o' the gyves than oatmeal bannocks; an' sae I'se +gang awa' to my mither." + +"Thou shalt go to the whipping-post first." + +"Haud off," shouted Dick, who flung aside the person that would have +seized him with the most consummate ease, at the same time placing +himself in the attitude of defence; "haud off, as ye are true men," +said he; "I'm cousin to the king, and I charge ye with high treason!" + +"Enough," said the abbot; "we may pity his infirmity; but let him be +sent to the mill for punishment. Now to business, which I fear me hath +suffered by this untimely interruption." + +"Happen you'll let me be one of the guests," said the incorrigible +Dick, thrusting himself forward, even to the abbot's chair, which so +discomposed his reverence that he cried in a loud and authoritative +tone-- + +"Will none of ye rid me of this pestilence? By the beard of St +Cuthbert, I will dispose of him, and that presently!" + +Seizing him by the shoulder, the abbot would have thrust him forth, +but Dick slipped dexterously aside. Taking out the packet, he broke +open the seals, and immediately began to tumble about the contents, +seating himself at the same time in the vacant chair of the abbot, +with great solemnity, and an air of marvellous profundity in his +demeanour. It was the work of a few moments only; a pause of silent +astonishment ensued, when the abbot's eye, catching, from their +appearance, something of the nature of the documents, he started +forward with great eagerness and surprise. He snatched them from the +hands of their crack-brained possessor, and soon all other matters +were forgotten. The abbot in breathless haste ran through the +contents. The assembly was all eye and ear, and some were absolutely +paralysed with wonder. There was not an indifferent observer but Dick, +who, with a chuckling laugh, rubbed his hands, and fidgeted about in +the chair with a look of almost infantile delight. + +"I've done it brawly, ha'n't I? Dick wi' the lang neb! an' I'll hae +two messes o' parritch an' sour milk, an' a barley-cake; I'm waesome +hungry i' the waum here." + +The abbot was too deeply involved in the subject before him to heed a +craving appetite. Dick's stomach, however, was not to be silenced by +diplomatic food; not having tasted anything for a considerable time, +his wants immediately assumed the language of inquiry. + +"Old dad, ha' ye any bones to pick? I'd like to have a lick at the +trencher." + +The abbot made signals that he should not be disturbed; but Dick was +not to be put off or convinced by such unsubstantial arguments, and +they were fain to rid themselves from further annoyance by ordering +him into the kitchen, where he was speedily absorbed in devouring a +pan of browis, left there for morning use--the breakfast of the +labourers about the abbey. + +During this interval matters of the deepest importance were discussed, +the contents of the packet having furnished abundant materials for +deliberation. When the bearer was effectually replenished, he was led +into the council-chamber again, where the abbot, in a tone of deep and +serious thought, thus addressed him:-- + +"Who gave thee these despatches? It is plain they were not meant for +our eyes; but Heaven, by the weakest instrument, often works the +mightiest and most important events. Where and how came they into thy +keeping?" + +Dick looked cunningly round the apartment ere he replied, surveying +the floor, the walls, and the ceiling; even the groinings of the roof +did not escape a minute and accurate examination; whether to give time +for the contriving of a suitable reply, or merely to gratify his own +peevish humour, is of little consequence that we should inquire. After +a long and anxious silence on the part of his auditors, he replied-- + +"I told ye when ye spiered afore." Another pause. The abbot was +fearful that Dick's ideas, if not carefully handled, might get so +entangled and confused that he would be unable to give any +intelligible account of the matter. He therefore addressed him +coaxingly as follows-- + +"Nay, nay, Dickon, thou hast not; answer me now, and thou shalt have +the fat from the roast to-morrow, and a sop to season it withal." + +Dick leered again at this prospective dainty, as he replied-- + +"I tou'd ye, and ye heeded not, belike; and who's the fool now? Come, +I'll set you my riddle again. If ye set your back to a door, see that +it be tyned, or ye may get a broken head, and then"---- + +Here he paused, and looked round with a vacant eye; but they wisely +forbore to interrupt the current of his ideas, hoping that ere long +they might trickle into the right channel. + +"There was a big room, and a bed in it," he continued, "and a priest, +which the fule body has cheated. A fule's wit is worth more nor a wise +man's folly." + +A vague apprehension of the truth crossed the abbot's mind. Being now +on the right scent, he no longer forbore to follow up the chase, but +endeavoured to hasten the development by a gentle stimulating of his +pace in the required direction. + +"The priest yonder at the castle gave it thee?" said the abbot +carelessly. + +"Well, and if he did," replied Dick sharply, "he didna ken I was +a-peeping into his chamber, as I've done many an unlucky time here in +the abbey, and gotten a good licking for my pains." + +"To whom was it sent?" + +"Ask the bairn yon', that I ha' brought by th' scut o' th' neck. He +woudna come bout tugging for." + +"Was he the messenger?" asked Roger, the abbot's secretary and prime +agent. + +"Help thine ignorant face, father!--I was peeping about, you see, in +the dark. The priest thought it waur the laddy yonder, a-comin' for +his bag; so he gied it me, and tou'd me to carry it safe, but forgot +to grease my pate forbye wi' the direction. I ken'd ye could read +aught at the abbey here, and so ye may e'en run wi' it to the right +owner for yere pains." + +The cunning knave glossed over his treachery with this excuse; for he +evidently knew better, and had a notion that he should serve his +masters by this piece of diplomatic craft. + +"Thou mayest depart, and ere morrow we will give thee a largess for +thy dexterity." + +Dick did not care to be long a-snuffing the chill air of the vaults +and passages after his dismissal, but in a warm cell near the kitchen +fire he was soon wrapped in the delights of oblivion. Such, however, +was the importance of the documents he had so strangely intercepted, +that a messenger was immediately despatched to London with a packet +for the Privy Council. + +The same morning, with the early dawn, the abbot and his secretary +were together in the cloisters. It was a fitting place and opportunity +either for intrigue or devotion, and many a masterstroke of church +policy has issued from those dim and sepulchral arches in "the Glen of +the deadly Nightshade." + +"Craft is needful, yea laudable," said the abbot, "when we would cope +with worldly adversaries, unless we could work miracles for our +deliverance. But since in these degenerate ages of the church they +have, I fear me, ceased, we must e'en employ the means that Heaven has +put into our hands: and if I mistake not, this envoy of ours will be a +skilful craftsman for the purpose. Under that garb of silly speech +there's a cunning and a wary spirit. Thou didst note well his +ready-witted contrivance last night." + +"Yea, and the skill too with which he compassed his expedients, and +the ingenuity that prevented the disclosure of his treachery, in +arresting the real messenger, and thus keeping them in the dark at the +castle yonder until we have had time to countervail their plots. Could +he be made to play his part according to our instructions, an agent +like him were worth having. Besides he knows every chink and cranny +about the castle, so that he could jump on them unawares." + +"I am not much given to implicit credence in supernatural devices," +said the abbot, "or visible manifestations of the arch-enemy; yet have +our chronicles not scrupled to give their testimony to the truth of +such appearances; and it is, moreover, plain, from the papers we have +read, that the conspirators themselves believe in the existence of +some supernatural presence amongst them, by which they are holpen." + +He drew a billet from his bosom:--"I have kept this writing alone, as +thou knowest," continued the abbot, "for our guidance. Listen again to +the confessions of yonder rebellious and it may be credulous priest:-- + +"We are sure of success. The noble Margaret hath, by her wondrous art, +together with the exercise of prayer and fasting, fenced us about as +with a triple barrier, that no earthly might shall overcome. A power +attends us that will magnify our cause, and lay our foes prostrate. +'Tis a mystery even to us, but a being appears unexpectedly at times, +and by his counsels we are guided. We know not whence he comes, nor +whither he goes; but his path is with us, and his presence, though +generally invisible, not without terror, even to ourselves." + +"'Tis a strange delusion this, if it be one; for it is plain they have +been ably counselled. Whilst they retain the castle their position may +be reckoned as impregnable. It is a powerful support, on which they +have placed the lever of their rebellion." + +"And in what way purpose you to entice them from it? Methinks it were +in vain to make the attempt, if guarded and counselled by supernatural +advisers." + +"I believe in no such improbabilities. Listen. We have heard, as thou +knowest, that a strange figure, muffled in close garments, steals +forth, at times, by the southern cliff into the passage there, under +the foundations. This, doubtless, will be the emissary referred to in +the despatch. 'Tis of a surety some person about the camp, concealed, +in all likelihood, even from the leaders themselves; but employed by +yonder ambitious restless woman, to control and direct their +operations by a pretendedly miraculous and supernatural influence. It +is the way in which the vulgar and the superstitious are most easily +led. Fanaticism is a powerful engine wherewith to combine and wield +the scattered energies of the multitude. Besides, their plans are well +laid, as we have seen by the despatches, and many and powerful are the +helps by which they hope to accomplish their designs. Should they +succeed, our destruction is certain. Yet could we draw them forth from +our fortress, we might look to the issue undisturbed. The king will +then dispose of them, and few will dare to interrupt us in the quiet +possession of our privileges." + +"How purpose you to entice them forth?" again inquired the secretary. + +"If properly tutored, our messenger from the kitchen, Dick Empson, +will doubtless be a fitting agent for this deed. He must be well +furnished with means and appliances against discovery." + +"Leave him to my care. I can work with untoward tools, and make them +useful too upon occasion." + +"The prisoner, whom he so craftily seized and brought hither, is yet +safe in the dungeon?" + +"He is, my lord." + +"There he must lie, at any rate, until our plans be accomplished." + +"We know not yet unto whom these communications were to have been +conveyed." + +"No; but doubtless, from their tenor, to some person of great note. It +may have been to one even about the person of royalty itself, for this +treason hath deep root, and its branches are widely spread throughout +the land." + +"Shall we put him to the question?" + +"Nay, let present difficulties be brought to issue first; afterwards +we shall be able to inquire, and with more certainty, as to the line +of examination we should pursue." + +The speakers separated, one to communicate with Dick Empson, and +prepare him for the important functions he would have to perform; the +other to his lodgings, where he might ruminate undisturbed on the +events then about to transpire, and of which he hoped, finally, to +reap the advantage. + +It was past midnight, and the flickering embers threw a doubtful and +uncertain gleam, at intervals, through the royal chamber, as it was +then called, in the Castle of Fouldrey. All around was so still that +the tramp of the sentry sounded like the tread of an armed host; +sounds being magnified to a degree almost terrific, in the absence of +others by which their intensity may be compared. Even the dash of the +waves below the walls was heard in the deep and awful stillness of +that portentous night. + +Simon started from the pallet whereon he lay, beside the couch of his +master, at times looking wildly round, as though just rousing from +some unquiet slumber, expecting, yet fearful of alarm. He lay down +again with a deep sigh, muttering an Ave or a Paternoster as he closed +his eyes. Again he raised his head, and a dark figure stood before +him. + +"What wouldest thou?" inquired he, with great awe and reverence. + +"Ye must depart!" said a voice, deep and sepulchral. + +"Depart!" repeated the priest, with an expression of doubt and alarm. + +"Yes," said the mysterious figure; "wherefore dost thou inquire?" + +"Our only resting-place, our point of support, our sustenance and our +refuge! Are we to leave this, and buffet with the winds and waves of +misfortune, without a haven or a hiding-place? Surely"---- + +"I have said it, and to-morrow ye must depart!" + +"Whither?" inquired the priest; his opinion evidently controlled by +the belief that a being of a superior nature was before him. + +"Beyond the Abbey of Furness. Choose a fitting place for your +encampment, and there abide until I come." + +"It doth appear to my weak and unassisted sense," said the priest, in +great agony of spirit, arising from his doubt and unbelief, "that it +were the very utmost of madness and folly to give up this strong and +almost impregnable position for one where our little army may be +outflanked, and even surrounded by superior strength and numbers." + +"Disobey, and thy life, and all that are with thee, shall be cut off!" + +"And to-morrow! Ere we have news from our partisans in the south? +Maurice will be here the third day at the latest." + +"I have said it," replied the figure, peremptorily; when suddenly, +and, as it were, formed immediately at his side, appeared another +figure, similar to the first, assuming nearly the same attitude and +manner, save that the latter looked something taller and more +majestic. + +"St Mary's grace and the abbot's, there 's twa of us!" cried the first +figure, no less a personage than Dick Empson, who had been daring +enough to adopt this disguise, according to the instructions he had +received at the abbey. He uttered the words in a tone of thrilling and +horrible apprehension, like the last shriek of the victim writhing in +the fangs of his destroyer. + +The terrible apparition cried out to his surreptitious +representative--"Nay, miscreant; but one. This thou shalt know, and +feel too. Fool and impostor, thy last hour is come!" + +As he spake he seized on the miserable wretch in their presence, +swinging him round by the waist like an infant, and bore him off, up +the turret stairs, to the summit. Ere he disappeared he uttered this +terrible denunciation-- + +"Your ruin is at hand. Flee! This fool hath betrayed ye, and I return +no more!" + +Darting up the staircase, the shrieks of Dick Empson were heard, as if +rapidly ascending to the summit. A wilder and more desperate +struggle--then a heavy plunge, and the waters closed over their prey! + +Dick's body was cast up by the waves, but the terrible unknown did not +return; nor was he ever seen or heard of again, save, it is said, that +when the priest received his death-wound, soon afterwards, on the +field of battle, this awful form appeared to rise up before him, and +with scoff and taunt upbraided him as the cause of his own ruin, and +the downfall of his hopes. + +The next day, from whatever cause, the troops began to move from their +post. Ere the second evening, they had completely evacuated the castle +and the island, which the wary Abbot of Furness soon turned to his own +advantage, occupying the place with some of his armed vassals. The +rebels, proved to be such by their ill success, took up a tolerably +advantageous position upon Swartz Moor, in the neighbourhood of +Ulverstone, where, waiting in vain for the expected reinforcements, +they found themselves obliged to move forward, or be utterly without +the means either of subsistence or defence. Sir Thomas Broughton, and +a few more of little note, accompanied them to Stokeford, near Newark, +where, engaging the king's forces on the 6th of June 1487, they +maintained an obstinate and bloody engagement, disputed with more +bravery than could have been expected from the inequality of their +forces. The leaders were resolved to conquer or to perish, and their +troops were animated with the same resolution. The Flemings, too, +being veteran and experienced soldiers, kept the event long doubtful; +and even the Irish, though ill-armed and almost defenceless, showed +themselves not deficient in spirit and bravery. The king's victory was +purchased with great loss, but was entirely decisive. Lincoln, Swartz, +and, according to some accounts, Sir Thomas Broughton, perished on the +field of battle, with four thousand of their followers. As Lovel was +never more heard of, he was supposed to have undergone the same fate. +Simnel, apart from his followers, was too contemptible to be an object +either of apprehension or resentment on the part of the king. He was +pardoned, and, it is said, made a scullion in the royal kitchen, from +which menial office he was afterwards advanced to the rank of +falconer. + +Thus ended this strange rebellion, which only served to seat Henry +more securely on his throne, extinguishing, finally, the intrigues and +anticipations of the house of York. + + +[Illustration: BEWSEY, NEAR WARRINGTON. +_Drawn by G. Pickering._ +_Engraved by Edw'd. Finden._] + + + + +A LEGEND OF BEWSEY. + + "Yestreen I dreamed a doleful dream, + I fear there will be sorrow! + I dreamed I pu'd the heather green + With my true love on Yarrow. + + "She kissed his cheek, she kaimed his hair, + She searched his wounds all thorough, + She kissed them till her lips grew red, + On the dowie howms of Yarrow." + + +Warrington is described by Camden as remarkable for its lords, +surnamed Butler, or Boteler, of Bewsey. This name was derived from +their office, Robert le Pincerna having discharged the duties of that +station under Ranulph, Earl of Chester, in 1158, hence taking the +surname. Almeric Butler, his descendant, having married Beatrice, +daughter and co-heir of Matthew Villiers, Lord of Warrington, became +possessed of the barony. + +A MS. in the Bodleian Library gives the following statement, which, +though manifestly incorrect in respect of names and particulars, may +yet be relied on with regard to the main facts, corroborated by +tradition, which still preserves the memory of this horrible event. + +"Sir John Butler, Knt., was slaine in his bedde by the procurement of +the Lord Standley, Sir Piers Leigh and Mister William Savage joining +with him in that action (corrupting his servants), his porter setting +a light in a window to give knowledge upon the water that was about +his house at Bewsey (where your way to ... comes). They came over the +moate in lether boats, and so to his chamber, where one of his +servants, named Houlcrofte, was slaine, being his chamberlaine; the +other basely betrayed his master;--they payed him a great reward, and +so coming away with him, they hanged him at a tree in Bewsey +Parke;--after this Sir John Butler's lady prosecuted those that slew +her husband, and ... L20 for that suite, but, being married to Lord +Grey, he made her suite voyd, for which reason she parted from her +husband and came into Lancashire, saying, If my lord will not let me +have my will of my husband's enemies, yet shall my body be buried by +him; and she caused a tomb of alabaster to be made, where she lyeth on +the ... hand of her husband, Sir John Butler. + +It is further stated in the MS. that the occasion of this murder was +because of a request from Earl Derby that Sir John would make one of +the train which followed him on his going to meet King Henry VII., and +which request was discourteously refused. + +The following extract from Froissart may not be deemed uninteresting, +as a record of one of our Lancashire worthies, Sir John Butler of +Bewsey, relating how he was rescued from the hands of those who sought +his life at the siege of Hennebon:-- + +"The Lord Lewis of Spain came one day into the tent of Lord Charles of +Blois, where were numbers of the French nobility, and requested of him +a boon for all the services done to him, and as a recompense for them +the Lord Charles promised to grant whatever he should ask, as he held +himself under many obligations to him. Upon which the Lord Lewis +desired that the two prisoners, Sir John Boteler and Sir Mw. +Trelawney, who were in prison of the Castle of Faouet, might be sent +for, and delivered up to him, to do with them as should please him +best. + +"'This is the boon I ask, for they have discomfited, pursued, and +wounded me; have also slain the Lord Alphonso, my nephew, and I have +no other way to be revenged on them than to have them beheaded in +sight of their friends who are shut up in Hennebon.' + +"The Lord Charles was much amazed at this request, and replied, 'I +will certainly give you the prisoners since you have asked for them; +but you will be very cruel, and much to blame, if you put to death two +such valiant men; and our enemies will have an equal right to do the +same to any of our friends whom they may capture, for we are not clear +what may happen to any one of us every day. I therefore entreat, dear +sir and sweet cousin, that you would be better advised.' + +"Lord Lewis said that if he did not keep his promise he would quit the +army, and never serve or love him as long as he lived. + +"When the Lord Charles saw that he must comply, he sent off messengers +to the Castle of Faouet, who returned with the two prisoners, and +carried them to the tent of Lord Charles. + +"Neither tears nor entreaties could prevail on Lord Lewis to desist +from his purpose of having them beheaded after dinner, so much was he +enraged against them. + +"All the conversation, and everything that passed between the Lord +Charles and Lord Lewis, relative to these two prisoners, was told to +Sir Walter Manny and Sir Amauri de Clisson, by friends and spies, who +represented the danger in which the two knights were. They bethought +themselves what was best to be done, but after considering schemes, +could fix on none. At last Sir Walter said, 'Gentlemen, it would do us +great honour if we could rescue these two knights. If we should +adventure it and should fail, King Edward would himself be obliged to +us, and all wise men who may hear of it in times to come will thank +us, and say we had done our duty. I will tell you my plan, and you are +able to undertake it, for I think we are bound to risk our lives in +endeavouring to save those of two such gallant knights. I propose, +therefore, if it be agreeable to you, that we arm immediately, and +form ourselves into two divisions,--one shall set off, as soon after +dinner as possible, by this gate, and draw up near the ditch, to +skirmish with and alarm the enemy, who, you may believe, will soon +muster to that part, and, if you please, you, Sir Amauri de Clisson, +shall have the command of it, and shall take with you 1000 good +archers to make those that may come to you retreat back again, and 300 +men-at-arms. I will have with me 100 of my companions, and 500 +archers, and will sally out at the postern on the opposite side, +privately, and coming behind them will fall upon their camp, which we +shall find unguarded. I will take with me those who are acquainted +with the road to Lord Charles's tent, where the two prisoners are, and +will make for that part of the camp. I can assure you that I and my +companions will do everything in our power to bring back in safety +these two knights, if it please God.' + +"This proposal was agreeable to all, and they directly separated to +arm and prepare themselves. About an hour after dinner Sir Amauri and +his party set off; and having had the principal gate of Hennebon +opened for them, which led to the road that went straight to the army +of Lord Charles, they rushed forward, making great cries and noise, to +the tents and huts, which they cut down, and killed all that came in +their way. The enemy was much alarmed, and putting themselves in +motion, got armed as quickly as possible, and advanced towards the +English and Bretons, who received them very warmly. The skirmish was +sharp, and many on each side were slain. + +"When Sir Amauri perceived that almost the whole of the army was in +motion and drawn out, he retreated very handsomely, fighting all the +time, to the barriers of the town, when he suddenly halted: then the +archers, who had been posted on each side of the ditch beforehand, +made such good use of their bows that the engagement was very hot, and +all the army of the enemy ran thither except the servants. + +"During this time Sir Walter Manny, with his company, issued out +privily by the postern, and, making a circuit, came upon the rear of +the enemy's camp. They were not perceived by any one, for all were +gone to the skirmish upon the ditch. Sir Walter made straight for the +tent of Lord Charles, where he found the two knights, Sir John Boteler +and Sir Mw. Trelawney, whom he immediately mounted on two coursers +which he had ordered to be brought for them, and retiring as fast as +possible, entered Hennebon by the same way as he sallied forth. The +Countess of Montfort came to see them, and received them with great +joy."--_Froissart_, by Col. Johnes, vol. ii. p. 9. + +The Butlers continued to occupy Bewsey till the year 1603, when Edward +Butler sold this estate to the Irelands of Hale. It then passed from +the Irelands to the Athertons, and is now enjoyed by Thomas Powis, +Lord Lilford, of Lilford, Northamptonshire, in virtue of the marriage +of his father, in the year 1797, with Henrietta Maria, daughter and +heiress of Robert Vernon Atherton, of Atherton Hall, Esq.--_Vide_ +Baines's _Lancashire_. + + Oh listen to my roundelay, + Oh listen a while to me, + And I'll tell ye of a deadly feud + That fell out in the north countrie. + + The summer leaves were fresh and green + When Earl Derby forth would ride; + For King Henry and his company + To Lathom briskly hied. + + A bridge he had builded fair and strong, + With wondrous cost and pain, + O'er Mersey's stream, by Warrington, + For to meet that royal train.[6] + + And lord, and knight, and baron bold, + That dwelt in this fair countrie, + With the Derby train a-riding were, + Save Sir John of proud Bewsey. + + "Now foul befa' that scornfu' knight," + Cried Stanley in his pride; + "For he hath my just and honest suit + Discourteously denied: + + "Such hatred of our high estate, + This traitor sore shall rue; + I'll be avenged, or this good sword + Shall rot the scabbard through!" + + He swore a furious oath, I trow, + And clenched his iron hand, + As he rode forth to meet his son, + The monarch of merry England. + + * * * * * + + The summer leaves were over and gone, + But the ivy and yew were green, + When to Bewsey hall came a jovial crew + On the merry Christmas e'en. + + It was mirth and feasting in hall and bower + On that blessed and holy tide, + But ere the morning light arose, + There was darkness on all their pride! + + Dark wonne the night, and the revellers gay + From the laughing halls are gone; + The clock from the turret, old and grey, + With solemn tongue tolled one. + + The blast was moaning down the glen, + Through the pitch-like gloom it came, + Like a spirit borne upon demon wings + To the pit of gnawing flame! + + But Sir John was at rest, with his lady love, + In a pleasant sleep they lay; + Nor felt the sooning, shuddering wind + Round the grim, wide welkin play. + + Their little babe, unconscious now, + Lay slumbering hard by; + And he smiled as the loud, loud tempest rocked + His cradle wondrously. + + There comes a gleam on the billowy moat + Like a death-light on its wave, + It streams from the ivied lattice, where + Sits a grim false-hearted knave. + + He saw it on the soft white snow, + And across the moat it passed: + "'Tis well," said that false and grim porter, + And a fearsome look he cast. + + A look he cast so wild and grim, + And he uttered a deadly vow; + "For thy dool and thy doom this light shall be, + Thy foes are hastening now! + + "Sleep on, sleep on, thou art weary, Sir John; + Thy last sleep shall it be: + Sleep on, sleep on, with thy next good sleep + Thou shalt rest eternally!" + + The traitor watched the waters dance, + In the taper's treacherous gleam; + And they hissed, and they rose, by the tempest tossed + Through that pale and lonely beam. + + What hideous thing comes swift and dark + Athwart that flickering wave? + A spectre boat there seems to glide, + With many an uplift glaive. + + The bolts are unslid by that grim porter, + And a gladsome man was he, + When three foemen fierce strode up the stair, + All trim and cautiously. + + "Now who be ye," cried the chamberlain, + "That come with stealth and staur?" + "We come to bid thy lord good den, + So open to us the door." + + "Ere I will open to thieves like ye, + My limbs ye shall hew and hack. + Awake, Sir John! awake and flee; + These blood-hounds are on thy track!" + + "We'll stop thy crowing, pretty bird! + Now flutter thy wings again:" + With that they laid him a ghastly corpse, + And the red blood ran amain. + + "Oh help!" the lady shrieked aloud; + "Arise, Sir John, and flee; + Oh heard you not yon cry of pain + Like some mortal agony?" + + "I hear it not," Sir John replied, + For his sleep was wondrous strong; + "But see yon flashing weapons, sure + To foemen they belong!" + + The knight from his bed leaped forth to flee, + But they've pierced his body through; + And with wicked hands, and weapons keen, + Him piteously they slew! + + But that porter grim, strict watch he kept, + Beside the stair sate he; + When lo! comes tripping down a page, + With a basket defterly. + + "Now whither away, thou little page, + Now whither away so fast?" + "They have slain Sir John," said the little page, + "And his head in this wicker cast." + + "And whither goest thou with that grisly head?" + Cried the grim porter again, + "To Warrington Bridge they bade me run, + And set it up amain." + + "There may it hang," cried that loathly knave, + "And grin till its teeth be dry; + While every day with jeer and taunt + Will I mock it till I die!" + + The porter opened the wicket straight, + And the messenger went his way, + For he little guessed of the head that now + In that basket of wicker lay. + + "We've killed the bird, but where's the egg?" + Then cried those ruffians three. + "Where is thy child?" The lady moaned, + But never a word spake she. + + But, swift as an arrow, to his bed + The lady in terror sprung; + When, oh! a sorrowful dame was she, + And her hands she madly wrung. + + "The babe is gone! Oh, spare my child, + And strike my heart in twain!" + To those ruthless men the lady knelt, + But her piteous suit was vain. + + "Traitor!" they cried to that grim porter, + "Whom hast thou suffered forth? + If thou to us art false, good lack, + Thy life is little worth!" + + "There's nought gone forth from this wicket yet," + Said that grim and grisly knave, + "But a little foot-page, with his master's head, + That ye to his charges gave." + + "Thou liest, thou grim and fause traitor!" + Cried out those murderers three; + "The head is on his carcase yet, + As thou mayest plainly see!" + + When the lady heard this angry speech, + Her heart waxed wondrous fain; + For she knew the page was a trusty child, + And her babe in his arms had lain. + + "Where is the gowd?" said that grim porter, + "The gowd ye sware unto me?" + "We'll give thee all thine hire," said they; + "We play not false like thee!" + + They counted down the red, red gold, + And the porter laughed outright: + "Now we have paid thy service well, + For thy master's blood this night; + + "For thy master's blood thou hast betrayed, + We've paid thee thy desire; + But for thy treachery unto us, + Thou hast not had thine hire." + + They've ta'en a cord, both stiff and strong, + And they sought a goodly tree; + And from its boughs the traitor swung;-- + So hang all knaves like he! + + But the lady found her pretty babe;-- + Ere the morning light was nigh, + To the hermit's cell[7] that little page + Had borne him craftily. + + And the mass was said, and the requiem sung, + And the priests, with book and stole, + The body bore to its cold still bed, + "Gramercy on his soul!" + + [6] "Thomas, first Earl of Derby, as a compliment + to his royal relative, Henry VII., on his visit to Lathom and + Knowsley in 1496, built the bridge at Warrington; and by this + munificent act conferred a benefit upon the two palatine + counties, the value of which it is not easy to + estimate."--Baines's _Lancashire_. + + [7] The Butlers, it is conjectured, were patrons of + the priory of the hermit friars of St Augustine, founded before + 1379, near the bridge. In 32 Henry VIII., this institution was + dissolved, and its possessions were granted to the great + monastic grantee, Thomas Holcroft.--_Vide_ Tanner's _Not. Mon._ + About forty years ago the remains of a gateway of the priory + stood on Friar's Green, and some years after that period a + stone coffin was dug up near the same place. + + +[Illustration: THE BLESSING] + + + + +THE BLESSING. + + "I had most need of blessing, and amen + Stuck in my throat." + + --_Macbeth._ + + +We have been unable to identify the spot where the occurrence took +place, the subject of the following ballad. It is in all likelihood +one of those wild and monkish legends that may be fitted or applied to +any situation, according to the whim of the narrator. Many such +legends, though the number is lessening daily, are still preserved, +and an amusing volume might be made of these unappropriated wanderers +that possess neither a local habitation nor a name. + + The chase was done--the feast was begun, + When the baron sat proudly by; + And the revelry rode on the clamouring wind, + That swept through the hurtling sky. + + No lordly guest that feast had blessed, + No solemn prayer was said; + But with ravenous hands, unthankfully, + They brake their daily bread. + + The chase was done--the feast was begun, + When a palmer sat in that hall; + Yet his pale dim eye from its rest ne'er rose, + To gaze on that festival! + + The crackling blaze on his wan cheek plays, + And athwart his gloomy brow; + While his hands are spread to the rising flame, + And his feet to the embers' glow. + + For the blast was chill, o'er the mist-covered hill, + And the palmer's limbs were old; + And weary the way his feet had trod, + Since the matin-bell had tolled. + + The baron spake--"This morsel take, + And yon pilgrim greet from me; + Tell him we may not forget to share + The joys of our revelry!" + + Then thus began that holy man, + As he lowly bent his knee-- + "I may not taste of the meat unblessed; + I would 'twere so with thee." + + "Then mumble thy charm o'er the embers warm," + That baron proud replied; + "No boon from my hand shalt thou receive, + Nor foaming cup from my side." + + The palmer bowed, the giddy crowd, + With mirth and unseemly jest, + His meekness taunt, when he answered not, + The gibe of each courtly guest. + + The minstrel sang, the clarions rang, + And the baron sat proudly there, + And louder the revelry rode on the wind, + That swept through the hurtling air. + + "What tidings for me from the east countrie? + What news from the Paynim land?" + As the baron spake, his goblet bright + He raised in his outstretched hand. + + "There's tidings for thee from the east countrie," + The pilgrim straight replied; + "A mighty chief, at a mighty feast, + There sat in all his pride." + + "'Twas wondrous well;--and what befell + This chief at his lordly feast?" + "A goblet was filled with the red grape's blood, + And he pledged each rising guest." + + "'Tis gladsome news;--but did they refuse + The pledge they loved so well?" + "Oh no; for each cup mantling forth to the brim, + Did the harp and the clarion tell." + + "And where didst thou such tidings know?" + "A pilgrim told it me: + And he sat on the hearth at this unblessed feast, + Where he shared not the revelry, + + "For ere was quaffed each sparkling draught, + Or the foam from the ruby wine, + He dashed the cup from that baron's lip, + As now I do from thine!" + + And the palmer passed by, as each goblet on high + Was waved at their chief's command, + But ere the cup had touched his lip, + It was dashed from his lifted hand! + + "A boon from thee, on my bended knee," + The palmer boldly cried; + "Seize first with speed yon traitor page + Who bore the cup to thy side." + + And the page they have bound on the cold, cold ground, + And his treason he hath confessed; + He had poisoned the cup with one subtle drop, + Which he drew from his crimson vest. + + And the palmer grey his treachery + Had watched, when all beside + In the feast were gaily revelling, + Nor danger there espied. + + "Say where didst thou the treason know?" + The troubled chieftain cried; + "I had blessed thy bread, I had blessed thy bowl," + The hoary man replied. + + "And the blessing was given--the boon from heaven; + Or this night from thy lordly bed + Thy spirit had passed with the shuddering blast, + With the loud, shrill shriek of the dead! + + "Oh! never taste the meat unblessed; + Remember the palmer grey; + Though he wander afar from thy castle gate, + Yet forget not thy feast to-day." + + And the pilgrim is gone from that gate alone, + When prayer and vow were said; + And the blessing thenceforth from that house was heard + Ere they broke their daily bread. + + +[Illustration: THE DULE UPO' DUN] + + + + + +THE DULE UPO' DUN. + + "Wae, wae is me, on soul an' body, + Old Hornie has lifted his paw, man; + An' the carle will come, an' gallop me hame, + An' I maun gae pipe in his ha', man!" + + --_Old Ballad._ + +For the tradition upon which the following tale is founded, the author +is indebted to _The Kaleidoscope_, an interesting weekly miscellany, +published by Messrs Smith and Son at Liverpool. + + +Barely three miles from Clitheroe, as you enter a small village on the +right of the high road to Gisburne, stands a public-house, having for +its sign the title of our story. On it is depicted his Satanic +majesty, curiously mounted upon a scraggy dun horse, without saddle, +bridle, of any sort of equipments whatsoever--the terrified steed +being off and away at full gallop from the door, where a small +hilarious tailor, with shears and measures, appears to view the +departure of him of the cloven foot with anything but grief or +disapprobation. + +The house itself is one of those ancient, gabled, black and white +edifices, now fast disappearing under the giant march of improvement, +which tramples down alike the palace and the cottage, the peasant's +hut and the patrician's dwelling. Many windows, of little +lozenge-shaped panes set in lead, might be seen here in all the +various stages of renovation and decay: some stuffed with clouts, +parti-coloured and various; others, where the work of devastation had +been more complete, were wholly darkened by brick-bats, coble-stones, +and many other ingenious substitutes and expedients to keep out the +weather. + +But our tale hath a particular bearing to other and more terrific +days--"the olden time," so fruitful in marvels and extravagances--the +very poetry of the black art; when Satan communed visibly and audibly +with the children of men--thanks to the invokers of relics and the +tellers of beads--and was so familiar and reasonable withal, as to +argue and persuade men touching the propriety of submitting themselves +to him, as rational and intelligent creatures; and even was silly +enough, at times, to suffer himself to be outwitted by the greater +sagacity and address of his intended victims. For proof, we cite the +following veracious narrative, which bears within it every internal +mark of truth, and matter for grave and serious reflection. + +"Little Mike," or more properly Michael Waddington, was a merry tailor +of some note in his day, who formerly, that is to say, some eight or +nine score years ago--dwelt in this very tenement, where he followed +his profession, except when enticed by the smell of good liquor to the +village alehouse--the detriment, and even ruin, of many a goodly +piece of raiment, which at times he clipped and shaped in such wise as +redounded but little to the credit of either wearer or artificer. Mike +was more alive to a merry troll and graceless story, in the kitchen of +mine host "at the inn," than to the detail of his own shopboard, with +the implements of his craft about him, making and mending the oddly +assorted adjuncts of the village churls. Such was his liking for +pastime and good company that the greater part of his earnings went +through the tapster's melting pot; and grieved are we, as veritable +chroniclers, to state that it was not until even credit failed him, +that he settled to work for another supply of the elixir vitae--the +pabulum of his being. It may be supposed that matters went on but +indifferently at home, where want and poverty had left indelible +traces of their presence. Matty Waddington, his spouse, would have had +hard work to make both ends meet had she not been able to scrape +together a few pence and broken victuals by selling firewood, and +helping her neighbours with any extra work that was going forward. +Yet, in general, she bore all her troubles and privations with great +patience and good humour--at any rate in the presence of her husband, +who, though an idler and a spendthrift, was, to say the truth, not +viciously disposed towards her, like many beastly sots, but, on the +contrary, he usually behaved with great deference and kindness to his +unfortunate helpmate in all things but that of yielding to his +besetting sin; having an unquenchable thirst for good liquor, which +all his resolutions and vows of amendment could not withstand. + +One evening the little hero of our story was at his usual pastime in +the public-house, but his "cup was run low," and his credit still +lower. In fact, both cash and credit were finished; his liquor was +within a short pull from the bottom; and he sat ruminating on the +doleful emergencies to which he was subject, and the horrible spectres +that would assail him on the morrow, in the shape of sundry riven +doublets and hose, beside rents and repairs innumerable, which had +been accumulating for some weeks, to the no small inconvenience and +exposure of their owners and former occupiers. + +"I wish I were the squire's footman, or e'en his errand-boy, and could +get a sup of good liquor without riving and tuggin' for't," thought he +aloud. Scarce were the words uttered, when there came a mighty civil +stranger into the company, consisting of village professors of the +arts, such as the barber, the blacksmith, and the bell-ringer, +together with our knight of the iron thimble. The new-comer was +dressed in a respectable suit of black; a wig of the same colour +adorned his wide and ample head, which was again surmounted by a +peaked hat, having a band and buckle above its brim, and a black rose +in front. He looked an elderly and well-ordered gentleman, mighty +spruce, and full of courtesy; and his cane was black as ebony, with a +yellow knob that glittered like gold. He had a huge beaked nose, and a +little black ferrety eye, which almost pierced what it gazed upon. +Every one made way for the stranger, who sat down, not in the full +glare of the fire to be sure, but rather on one side, so that he might +have a distinct view of the company, without being himself subject to +any scrutinising observances. + +"Pleasant night abroad," said the new-comer. + +"Pleasanter within though," responded every thought. + +"It's moonlight, I reckon," said Mike, who was just meditating over +his last draught, and his consequent departure from this bibacious +paradise. + +"Nay, friend," said the black gentleman, "but the stars shine out +rarely; and the snow lies so bright and crisp like, ye may see +everything afore ye as plain as Pendle. Landlord, bring me a cup of +the best; and put a little on the fire to warm, with some sugar, for +it's as cold as a raw turnip to one's stomach." + +"Humph!" said mine host, testily; "it's a good-for-nothin' belly +that'll not warm cold ale." + +"It's good-for-nothin' ale, Giles, thee means, that'll not warm a cowd +belly," said one of the wits of the party, a jolly young blacksmith, +an especial favourite amongst the lasses and good fellows of the +neighbourhood. + +"Nay, the dickens!" said another; "Giles Chatburn's ale would warm the +seat of old cloven-foot himsel';" and with that there were roars of +laughing, in which, however, the stranger did not participate. Mike +wondered that so good a joke should not have its due effect upon him; +and many other notable things were said and done which we have neither +space nor inclination to record, but the stranger still maintained his +grave and unaccountable demeanour. Mike ever and anon cast a glance +towards him, and he always observed that the stranger's eye was fixed +upon his own. A dark, bright, burning eye, such as made the recreant +tailor immediately look aside, for he could not endure its brightness. + +Mike began to grow restless and uncomfortable. He changed his place, +but the glance of the stranger followed him. It was like the gaze of a +portrait, which, in whatever situation the beholder may be placed, is +always turned towards him. It may readily be supposed that Michael +Waddington, though not averse to being looked at in the ordinary way, +did not relish this continued and searching sort of disposition on the +part of the gentleman in black. Several times he was on the point of +speaking, but his heart always failed him as the word reached his lip. + +His liquor was now done, but he was not loth to depart as beforetime; +for at any rate, he should be quit of the annoyance he had so long +endured. He arose with less regret assuredly than usual; and just as +he was passing the doorway he cast a look round over his shoulder, and +beheld the same fixed, unflinching eye gazing on him. He jumped +hastily over the threshold, and was immediately on his road home. He +had not been gone more than a few minutes when he heard a sharp +footstep on the crisp snow behind him. Turning round, he saw the dark +tall peak of the stranger's hat, looking tenfold darker, almost +preternaturally black, on the white background, as he approached. Mike +felt his hair bristling through terror. His knees, usually bent +somewhat inwards, now fairly smote together, so that he could not +accelerate his pace, and the stranger was quickly at his side. + +"Thou art travelling homewards, I trow," said he of the black peak. +Mike made some barely intelligible reply. "I know it," returned the +other. "But why art thou leaving so soon?" + +"My money's done, an' credit too, for that matter," tardily replied +the tailor. + +"And whose fault's that?" returned his companion. "Thou mayest have +riches, and everything else, if thou wilt be advised by me." + +Mike stared, as well he might, at the dark figure by his side. The +idea of wealth without labour was perfectly new to him, and he +ventured to ask how this very desirable object might be accomplished. + +"Listen. Thou art a poor miserable wretch, and canst hardly earn a +livelihood with all thy toil. Is't not a pleasant thing and a +desirable, however procured, to obtain wealth at will, and every +happiness and delight that man can enjoy?" + +Michael's thirsty lips watered at the prospect, notwithstanding his +dread of the black gentleman at his elbow. + +"I was once poor and wretched as thou. But I grew wiser, +and--unlimited wealth is now at my command." + +There was an awful pause; the stranger apparently wishful to know the +effect of this mysterious communication. The liquorish tailor listened +greedily, expecting to hear of the means whereby his condition would +be so wonderfully amended. + +"Hast thou never heard of those who have been helped by the powers of +darkness to"---- + +"Save us, merci"---- + +"Hold!" said the peremptory stranger, seizing Mike rudely by the +wrist. "Another such outcry, and I will leave thee to thy seams and +patches; to starve, or linger on, as best thou mayst." + +Michael promised obedience, and his companion continued-- + +"There is no such great harm or wickedness in it as people suppose. +Quite an ordinary sort of proceeding, I assure thee; and such an one +as thou mayst accomplish in a few minutes, with little trouble or +inconvenience." + +"Tell me the wondrous secret," said Michael eagerly, who, in the +glowing prospect thus opened out to him, felt all fear of his +companion giving way. + +"Well, then; thou mayst say two aves, the creed, and thy paternoster +backwards thrice, and call upon the invisible demon to appear, when he +will tell thee what thou shalt do." + +Michael felt a strange thrill come over him at these fearful words. He +looked at his companion, but saw not anything more notable than the +high-peaked hat, and the huge beaked nose, as before. By this time +they were close upon his own threshold, and Michael was just debating +within himself upon the propriety of asking his companion to enter, +when his deliberations were cut short by the other saying he had +business of importance a little farther; and with that he bade him +good night. + +Michael spent the remaining hours of darkness in tossing and +rumination; but in the end the gratifying alternative between wealth +and poverty brought his deliberations to a close. He determined to +follow the advice and directions of the stranger. There could be no +harm in it. He only intended to inquire how such wealth might be +possessed; but if in any way diabolical or wicked, he would not need +to have anything further to do in the matter. Thus reasoning, and thus +predetermined how to act, our self-deluded stitcher of seams bent his +way, on the following forenoon, to a solitary place near the river, +where he intended to perform the mighty incantation. Yet, when he +tried to begin, his stomach felt wondrous heavy and oppressed. He +trembled from head to foot, and sat down for some time to recruit his +courage. The words of the stranger emboldened him. + +"'Quite an ordinary business,'" said he; and Mike went to work with +his lesson, which he had been conning as he went. Scarcely was the +last word of this impious incantation uttered, when a roaring clap of +thunder burst above him, and the arch enemy of mankind stood before +the panic-stricken tailor. + +"Why hast thou summoned me hither?" said the infernal monarch, in a +voice like the rushing wind or the roar of the coming tempest. But +Michael could not speak before the fiend. + +"Answer me--and truly," said the demon. This miserable fraction of a +man now fell on his knees, and in a most piteous accent exclaimed-- + +"Oh! oh! mercy. I did not--I--want--nothing!" + +"Base, audacious slave! Thou art telling me an untruth, and thou +knowest it. Show me thy business instantly, or I will carry thee off +to my dominions without further ado." + +At this threat the miserable mortal prostrated himself, a tardy +confession being wrung from him. + +"Oh! pardon. Thou knowest my poverty and my distress. I want riches, +and--and"---- + +"Good!" said the demon, with a horrible smile. "'Tis what ye are ever +hankering after. Every child of Adam doth cry with insatiate thirst, +'Give--give!' But hark thee! 'tis thine own fault if thou art not +rich, and that speedily. I will grant thee _three_ wishes: use them as +thou wilt." + +Now the rogue was glad when he heard this gracious speech, and in the +fulness of his joy exclaimed-- + +"Bodikins! but I know what my first wish will be; and I'se not want +other two." + +"How knowest thou that?" said the demon, with a look of contumely and +scorn so wild and withering that Michael started back in great terror. + +"Before this favour is granted though," continued the fiend, "there is +a small matter by way of preliminary to be settled." + +"What is that?" inquired the trembling novice with increasing +disquietude and alarm. + +"A contract must be signed, and delivered too." + +"A contract! Dear me; and for what?" + +"For form's sake merely; no more, I do assure thee--a slight +acknowledgment for the vast benefits I am bound to confer. To wit, +that at the end of seven years thou wilt bear me company." + +"Me!" cried the terrified wretch; "nay, then, keep thy gifts to +thyself; I'll none o' them on this condition." + +"Wretched fool!" roared the infuriate fiend; at the sound of which the +culprit fairly tumbled backward. "Sign this contract, or thou shalt +accompany me instantly. Ay, this very minute: for know, that every one +who calls on me is delivered into my power; and think thyself well +dealt with when I offer thee an alternative. Thou hast the chance of +wealth, honour, and prosperity if thou sign this bond. If thou do not, +I will have thee whether or no--that's all. What sayest thou?" and the +apostate angel spread forth his dark wings, and seemed as though ready +to pounce upon his unresisting victim. + +In a twinkling, Michael decided that it would be much better to sign +the bond and have the possession of riches, with seven years to enjoy +them in, than be dragged off to the burning pit immediately, without +any previous enjoyment whatsoever. Besides, in that seven years who +knew what might turn up in his favour. + +"I consent," said he; and the arch-enemy produced his bond. A drop of +blood, squeezed from the hand of his victim, was the medium of this +fearful transfer; and instantly on its execution another clap of +thunder announced the departure of Satan with the price of another +soul in his grasp. + +Michael was now alone. He could hardly persuade himself that he had +not been dreaming. He looked at his finger, where a slight wound was +still visible, from which a drop of blood still hung--a terrible +confirmation of his fears. + +Returning home, sad and solitary, he attempted to mount to his usual +place, but even this exertion was more than he could accomplish. One +black and burning thought tormented him, and he sat down by his own +cheerless hearth, more cheerless than he had ever felt before. Matty +was preparing dinner; but it was a meagre and homely fare--a little +oaten bread, and one spare collop which had been given her by a +neighbour. Scanty as was the meal, it was better than the humble +viands which sometimes supplied their board. Matty knew not the real +cause of her husband's dumps, supposing it to be the usual workings of +remorse, if not repentance, to which Mike was subject whenever his +pocket was empty and the burning spark in his throat unquenched. She +invited him to partake, but he could not eat. He sat with eyes +half-shut, fixed on the perishing embers, and replied not to the +remonstrances of his dame. + +"Why, Mike, I say," cried the kind-hearted woman, "what ails thee? +Cheer up, man, and finish thy collop. Thou mayest fret about it as +thou likes, but thou cannot undo a bad stitch by wishing. If it will +make thee better for time to come, though, I'll not grumble. Come, +come, goodman, if one collop winna content thee, I wish we'd two, +that's all." + +Scarce was the last word from her lips, when lo! a savoury and smoking +rasher was laid on the table by some invisible hand. Michael was +roused from his lethargy by this unlucky wish. Darting a terrified +look on the morsel, he cried out-- + +"Woman, woman! what hast thou done? I wish thou wert far enough for +thy pains." + +Immediately she disappeared--whisked off by the same invisible hands; +but whither he could not tell. + +"Oh me--oh me!" cried the afflicted tailor at this double mishap; +"what shall I do now? I shall assuredly starve; and yet I've one wish +left. Humph, I'd better be wary in making it though. Best take time to +consider, lest I throw this needlessly after the rest." + +Mike could not make up his mind as to what he would have, nor indeed +could he bend down his thoughts steadfastly to any subject. He was in +a continual flutter. His brain was in a whirl. He looked round for +some relief. The house was in sad disorder, and he thought on his +absent wife. + +"Dear me," thought he, as he fetched a scrap of wood to the fire, "I +wish Matty were here;" and his wife was immediately at his side. + +Mike, now grown desperate, revealed to her the fearful cause of these +disasters, and the utter failure of any beneficial results from the +three wishes. + +"We be just as we were," said he, "save that I've sold mysel', body +and soul, to the Evil One!" + +Here he began to weep and lament very sore; and his wife was so much +overcome at the recital that she was nigh speechless through the +anguish she endured. + +At length her tears began to lose their bitterness. + +"It's no use greetin' at this gait," said she; "hie thee to the +parson, Michael, an' see if he canna quit thee o' this bond." + +"Verily," said the poor tailor, with a piteous sigh, "that would be +leapin' out o' t' gutter into t' ditch. I should be burnt for a +he-witch an' a limb o' the de'il. I've yet seven years' respite from +torment, an' that would be to throw even these precious morsels away. +E'en let's tarry as we are, an' make the best on't. This comes of +idleness and drink; but if ever I put foot across Giles's doorstone +again, I wish--nay, it's no use wishing now, I've had enough o' sich +thriftless work for a bit. But I'll be sober an' mind my work, and +spend nothing idly, an' who knows but some plan or another may be hit +on to escape." + +Now his disconsolate wife was much rejoiced at this determination, and +could not help saying-- + +"Who knows? perhaps it was for good, Mike, that this distress happened +thee." + +He shook his head; but his resolution was made, and he adhered to it +in spite of the sneers and temptations of his former associates, who +often tried to lead him on to the same vicious courses again. He had +received a warning that he never forgot. The memory of it stuck to him +night and day; and he would as soon have thought of thrusting his hand +into the glowing coals as have entered Giles Chatburn's hovel again. +He was truly an altered man, but his wife was the first to feel +benefited by the change. He had plenty of work, and money came in +apace. The house was cleaned and garnished. There was abundance of +victuals, and a jug of their own brewing. He rarely stirred out but to +wait upon his customers, and then he came home as soon as the job was +completed. But there was an appearance of melancholy and dejection +continually about him. He looked wan and dispirited. Time was rapidly +passing by, and the last of the seven years was now ebbing away. + +One night, as they were sitting a while after supper, he fetched a +heavy sigh. + +"It is but a short time I have to live," said he. + +"Nay," said the dame, let's hope that Heaven will not let thee fall a +prey to His enemy and ours. Besides thou hast gotten nothing from him +for thy bargain. It cannot be expected, therefore, that the old +deceiver can claim any recompense." + +Mike shook his head, and looked incredulous. + +"Sure as there's wind i' Meg's entry he'll come for his own. I've been +considering that I'd best go to the old man that lives in the cave by +Sally. He'll maybe give me some advice how to act when the time +comes." + +This suggestion met with his wife's approval; and the next morning +our disconsolate hero was on his way to the "hermit" of the cave. The +holy recluse had been long famed through that region for his kindness +and attention to the wants of those who sought help and counsel; and +Michael thought no harm could come of it, even though he might be +unable to circumvent the designs of the arch-enemy. + +His dwelling was by the river-side, in a little hut, the back of +which, the goodman's oratory, was scooped out in a circular form from +the bank. + +"Holy father," said the tailor, on entering the cell, "I crave thy +benison." + +The anchorite, who was on his knees before a crucifix, did not speak +until he had finished his devotions. He then rose and pronounced the +usual benedictory welcome. + +"So far all is well," thought Mike; "I've got one blow at the devil +anyhow." + +The holy father was very old, but he was hale and active. His white +silky beard almost touched his girdle, and his sharp though rheumy +eyes peered inquisitively on the person of his guest. + +"What is thine errand, my son?" inquired the recluse. + +"I have fallen into a grievous temptation, and would crave your +succour and advice." + +"Heaven wills it oft, my son, that we fall into divers extremities to +humble us, and to show the folly and weakness of our hearts. What is +thy trouble and thy petition?" + +"Alas!" said the other, weeping, "I have been face to face with the +father of lies, and I have suffered much damage therefrom." + +"Thou hast not been tampering with forbidden arts, I hope?" + +"Truly, that have I, and to my soul's cost, I fear," said the tailor, +with a groan of heartrending despair. + +"Thy sin is great, my son; but so likewise is the remedy. Heaven +willeth not a sinner's death, if he turn again to Him with repentance +and contrition of spirit. I trust thou hast not trifled with thy +soul's welfare by taking and using any of the gifts whereby the old +serpent layeth hold on the souls of men?" + +"Verily, nay; but he frightened me into the signing of a terrible +bond, wherein I promised, that after seven years were past and gone I +would be his!" + +"Thy danger is terrible indeed. But he gave thee some equivalent for +the bargain? thou didst not sell thyself for nought?" said the hermit, +fixing his eye sternly on the trembling penitent; "and now, when thou +hast wasted the price of thy condemnation, thou comest for help; and +thou wouldest even play at cheatery with the devil!" + +"Nay, most reverend father," said Michael, wiping his eyes; "never a +gift have I had from the foul fiend, save a bacon collop, and that was +cast out untouched." And with that he told of the manner in which he +was inveigled, and the scurvy trick which the deceiver had played him. + +"Verily, there is hope," said the holy man, after musing a while; "yet +is it a perilous case, and only to be overcome by prayer and fasting. +If thou seek help sincerely, I doubt not that a way will be made for +thine escape. Listen;--it is never permitted that the enemy of our +race should reap the full benefit of the advantage which otherwise his +superior duplicity and intelligence would enable him to obtain. There +was never yet bond or bargain made by him, but, in one way or another, +it might be set aside, and the foul fiend discomfited. It may be +difficult, I own; and advice is not easily rendered in this matter: +but trust in the power of the All-powerful, and thou shalt not be +overcome. Wisdom, I doubt not, shall be vouchsafed in this extremity, +if thou apply anxiously and earnestly for it, seeking deliverance, and +repenting of thy great wickedness which thou hast committed." + +With these and many other gracious words did the benevolent enthusiast +encourage this doomed mortal; and though heavy and disconsolate +enough, he returned more light-hearted than he came. + +The time now drew near. The very week--the day--the hour, was come; +and when the sun should have climbed to the meridian Michael knew that +he would have to face the cunning foe who had beguiled him. His wife +would have tarried; but he peremptorily forbade. He would not be +disturbed in his intercessions. All that morning, without +intermission, he supplicated for wisdom and strength in the ensuing +conflict. He had retired to a little chamber at one end of the house, +and here he secured himself to prevent intrusion. + +Noon was scarcely come when, true to the engagement, a loud +thunder-clap announced the approach and presence of this terrific +being. + +"I am glad to find," said he, "that thou art ready." + +"I am not ready," replied the trembling victim. + +"How!" roared the sable chief, with a voice that shook the whole +house, like the passage of an earthquake; "dost thou deny the pledge? +darest thou gainsay this bond?" + +"True enough," replied the debtor, "I signed that contract; but it was +won from me by fraud and dishonest pretences." + +"Base, equivocating slave! how darest thou mock me thus? Thou hadst +thy wishes; the conditions have been fulfilled, ay, to the letter." + +"I fear me," again said the victim, who felt his courage wonderfully +supported, "that thou knewest I should never be a pin the richer or +better for thy gifts; and thine aim was but to flatter and to cheat. +It is not in thy power, I do verily believe, to grant me riches or any +great thing that I might wish; so thou didst prompt, and, in a manner, +force me to those vain wishes, unthinkingly, by which I have been +beguiled." + +"Dost thou doubt, then, my ability in this matter? Know that thy most +unbounded wishes would have been accomplished, else I release thee +from this bond." + +"I say, and will vouch for 't, that all thy promises are lying cheats, +and that thou couldst not give me a beggarly bodle, if thou wert to +lay down thy two horns for it; so I demand my bond, according to thy +pledge." + +"To show thee that I can keep this bond, even conformably to the terms +of my own offer just now, and thy pitiful carcase to boot, I'll e'en +grant thee another wish, that thou mayest be satisfied thou art past +all hope of redemption. Said I not, that if I could not fulfil any +wish of thine, even to the compass of all possible things, and the +riches of this great globe itself, I would release thee from this +bond?" + +"Yea," said Michael, with an eager assent. + +"Then wish once more; and mind that it be no beggarly desire. Wish to +the very summit of wealth, or the topmost pinnacle of thy ambition, +for it shall be given thee." + +"Then," said the tailor hastily, as though fearful the word would not +come forth quick enough from his lips, "I wish thou wert riding back +again to thy quarters on yonder dun horse, and never be able to +plague me again, or any other poor wretch whom thou hast gotten into +thy clutches." + +The demon gave a roar loud enough to be heard to the very antipodes, +and away went he, riveted to the back of this very dun horse, which +Michael had seen through the window grazing quietly in the lane, +little suspecting the sort of jockey that was destined to bestride +him. The tailor ran to the door to watch his departure, almost beside +himself for joy at this happy riddance. Dancing and capering into the +kitchen, where his wife was almost dying through terror, he related, +as soon as he was able, the marvellous story of his deliverance. + +He relapsed not into his former courses, but lived happily to a good +old age, leaving behind him at his death good store of this world's +gear, which, as he had no children, was divided amongst his poorer +relatives. One of them having purchased the house where the tailor +dwelt, set up the trade of a tapster therein, having for his sign +"_The Dule upo' Dun_;" which to this day attests the truth of our +tradition, and the excellence of "mine host's" cheer. + + + + +WINDLESHAW ABBEY. + + "Adieu, fond love; farewell, you wanton powers; + I'm free again. + Thou dull disease of bloud and idle hours, + Bewitching pain, + Fly to fools that sigh away their time: + My nobler love to heaven doth climb; + And there behold beauty still young, + That time can ne'er corrupt, nor death destroy; + Immortal sweetness by fair angels sung, + And honoured by eternity and joy: + There lies my love, thither my hopes aspire; + Fond loves decline, this heavenly love grows higher." + + --BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER. + +This ruined chapel--"abbey" it is generally styled--is about a mile +distant from St Helen's. Little remains now but the belfry, with its +luxuriant covering of dark ivy, still preserving it from destruction. +More than half a century ago, some ruffian hand nearly severed the +stem from the root, but happily without material injury, the incision +being incomplete. The burial-ground, formerly open, is now enclosed by +a stone wall; and on the south side is a stone cross with three steps. +The whole area has a reputation of great sanctity; many of those who +die in the Romish faith, even beyond the immediate neighbourhood, +being brought hither for interment. + +There are no records, that we can find, of its foundation; but it may +be suspected that the place was dedicated to St Thomas; for close by +is a well of that name, unto which extraordinary virtues are ascribed. + +The chapel was but small; not more than twelve yards in length, and +about three in width; the tower scarcely eight yards high. Its +insignificance probably may account for the obscurity in which its +origin is involved. + +It fell into disuse after the Dissolution; and its final ruin took +place during the civil wars of Charles I. + + +Autumn was lingering over the yellow woods. The leaves, fluttering on +their shrivelled stems, seemed ready to fall with every breath. Dark +and heavy was the dull atmosphere--a melancholy stillness that seemed +to pervade and surround every object--a deceitful calm, forerunner of +the wild and wintry storms about to desolate and to destroy even +these flickering emblems of decay. At times a low murmur would break +forth, dying away through the deep woods, like some spirit of past +ages wakening from her slumber, or the breath of hoary Time sighing +through the ruin he had created. + +[Illustration: WINDLESHAW ABBEY. +_Drawn by G. Pickering._ +_Engraved by Edw^d Finden._] + +There is something indescribably solemn and affecting in the first +touches and emblems of the year that has "fallen into the sear and +yellow leaf." Like the eventide of life, it is a season when the gay +and glittering promises of another spring are past; when the fervour +and the maturity of summer are ended; when cold and monotonous days +creep on; and we look with another eye, and other perceptions, on all +that surrounds us. Yet there is a feeling of gladness and of hope +mingling with our regrets in the one case, which cannot exist in the +other. Autumn, though succeeded by the darkness and dreariness of +winter, is but the womb of another spring. That bright season will be +renewed; our own, never! + +Perhaps it might be feelings akin to these which arrested the +footsteps of an individual, who, though little past the spring-tide +and youthful ardour of his existence, was yet not disinclined to +anticipate another period characterised by the autumnal tokens of +decay visible on every object around him. + +He stood by the deserted chapel of Windleshaw. Time had then but just +begun to show the first traces of his power. The building was yet +uninjured, save the interior, which was completely despoiled, the +walls grey with lichen, and hoary with the damps of age. The ivy was +twining round the belfry, but its thin arms then embraced only a small +portion of the exterior. A single yew-tree threw its dark and gloomy +shade over the adjacent tombs; the long rank herbage bending over +them, and dripping heavily with the moist atmosphere. An ancient cross +stood in the graveyard, of a date probably anterior to that of the +main building. A relic or commemoration, it might be, of some holy man +who had there ministered to the semi-barbarous hordes, aboriginal +converts to the Catholic faith. + +It was in the autumn of the year 1644. Wars and tumults were abroad, +and Lancashire drained the cup of bitterness even to the dregs. The +infatuated king was tottering on his throne; even the throne itself +was nigh overturned in the general conflict. A short time before the +date of our story, the Earl of Derby and Prince Rupert, having brought +the siege of Bolton and Liverpool to a satisfactory issue--shortly +after the gallant defence of the Countess at Lathom House--were then +reposing from their toils at that fortress. The prince, remotely +allied to the noble dame, lay there with his train; and was treated +not only with the respect and consideration due to his rank, but +likewise with a feeling of gratitude for his timely succour to the +distressed lady and her brave defenders. After a short stay, the +prince marched to York, which was closely besieged by the Earl of +Manchester and Sir Thomas Fairfax, and as vigorously and obstinately +defended by the Marquis of Newcastle. On the approach of Prince +Rupert, the Parliamentary generals raised the siege, and, drawing off +their forces to Marston Moor, offered battle to the Royalists. Here +the prince, whose martial disposition was not sufficiently tempered +with prudence, unfortunately accepted the enemy's challenge, and +obscured the lustre of his former victories by sustaining a total +overthrow, thereby putting the king's cause into great jeopardy. The +following extract from the "Perfect Diurnall" of the 9th of July 1644, +will show the estimation in which this great victory was held by the +Parliament, and the extent and importance of the results:-- + +"This day Captain Stewart came from the Leaguer at York with a letter +of the whole state of the late fight and routing of Prince Rupert, +sent by the three generals to the Parliament. The effect whereof was +this:--'That, understanding Prince Rupert was marching against them +with 20,000 men, horse and foot, the whole army arose from the siege, +and marched to Long Marston Moor, four or five miles from York; and +the prince, having notice of it, passed with his army the byway of +Burrow Bridge; that they could not hinder his passage to York, +whereupon our army marched to Todcaster, to prevent his going +southward; but before the van was within a mile of Todcaster, it was +advertised that the prince was in the rear in Marston Moor, with an +addition of 6000 of the Earl of Newcastle's forces, and was possessed +of the best places of advantage both for ground and wind. The right +wing of our horse was commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax, which consisted +of his whole cavalry and three regiments of the Scots horse; next unto +them was drawn up the right wing of the foot, consisting of the Lord +Fairfax and his foot and two brigades of the Scots foot for a reserve: +and so the whole armies put into a battalia. The battle being begun, +at the first some of our horse were put into disorder; but, rallying +again, we fell on with our whole body, killed and took their chief +officers, and took most part of their standards and colours, 25 pieces +of ordnance, near 130 barrels of powder, 10,000 arms, two waggons of +carbines and pistols, killed 3000, and 1500 prisoners taken.'" + +Prince Rupert with great precipitation drew off the remains of his +army, and retired into Lancashire. In a few days York was surrendered +to the Parliamentary forces, and the garrison marched out with all the +honours of war. Fairfax, occupying the city, established his +government through the county, and sent 1000 horse into Lancashire to +join with the Parliamentary forces in that quarter, and attend the +motions of Prince Rupert. The Scottish army marched northwards after +their victory, in order to join the Earl of Calendar, who was +advancing with 10,000 additional forces; and likewise to reduce the +town of Newcastle, which they took by storm. The Earl of Manchester, +with Cromwell,--to whom the fame of this great victory was chiefly +ascribed, and who was wounded in the action,--returned to the eastern +association in order to recruit his army.[8] + +Such were some of the fruits of this important victory, and such the +aspect of affairs at the time when our narrative commences;--the +fortunes and persons of the Royalists, or _malignants_ as they were +called by the opposite party, being in great jeopardy, especially in +the northern counties. + +The individual before-named was loitering about in the cemetery of the +chapel, where the bodies of many of the faithful who die in the arms +of the mother church are still deposited, under the impression or +expectancy that their clay shall imbibe the odour of sanctity thereby. +The stranger, for such he appeared, was muscular and well-formed. His +height was not above, but rather below, the middle size. A bright full +eye gave an ardour to his look not at all diminished by the general +cast and expression of his features, which betokened a brave and manly +spirit, scorning subterfuge and disguise, and almost disdaining the +temporary concealment he was forced to adopt. A wide cloak was wrapped +about his person, surmounted by a slouched high-crowned hat, with a +rose in front, by way of decoration. His boots, ornamented with huge +projecting tops, were turned down just below the calf of the leg, +above which his breeches terminated in stuffed rolls, or fringes, +after the fashion of the time. A light sword hung loosely from his +belt; and a pair of pistols, beautifully inlaid, were exhibited in +front. Despite of his somewhat grotesque habiliments, there was an air +of dignity, perhaps haughtiness, in his manner, which belied the +character of his present disguise. He walked slowly on, apparently in +deep meditation, till, on turning round the angle of the tower, he was +somewhat startled from his reverie on beholding an open grave, at a +short distance, just about to be completed. Clods of heavy clay were +at short intervals thrown out by the workman, concealed from +observation by the depth to which he had laboured. After a moment's +pause, the cavalier cautiously approached the brink, and beheld a +strange-looking being, with sleeves tucked up to the shoulders, busily +engaged in this interesting and useful avocation. + +"Good speed, friend!" said the stranger, addressing the emissary of +death within. The grim official raised his head for a moment, to +observe who it was that accosted him; but without vouchsafing a reply, +he again resumed his work, throwing out the clods with redoubled +energy, to the great annoyance of the inquirer. + +"Whose grave is this?" he asked again, perseveringly, determined to +provoke him to an answer. + +"The first fool's that asks!" shouted the man from below, without +ceasing from his repulsive toil. + +"Nay, friend; ye do not dig for a man ere he be dead in this pitiful +country of thine?" + +"And why not? there's many a head on a man's nape to-day that will be +on his knees to-morrow!" + +"Then do ye rig folks out with graves here upon trust?" + +"Nay," said the malicious-looking replicant, holding up a long lean +phalanx of bony fingers; "pay to-day, trust to-morrow, as t' old lad +at the tavern says." + +"What! is thy trade so dainty of subjects? Are men become weary o' +dying of late, that ye must need make tombs for the living? I'll have +thee to the justice, sirrah, for wicked malice aforethought, and +misprision." + +Here this hideous ghoul burst forth with a laugh so fearful and +portentous that even the cavalier was startled by its peculiarly +fierce and almost unearthly expression. The mouth drawn to one side, +the wide flat forehead, projecting cheek-bones, and pointed chin, +sufficiently characterised him as labouring under that sort of +imbecility not seldom unmixed with a tact and shrewdness that seem to +be characteristic of this species of disease and deformity. He set one +foot on the mattock, ceasing from his labours whilst he cried out, +winking significantly with half-shut eyes-- + + "When the owl hoots, and the crow cries caw, + I can tell a maiden from a jackdaw." + +Here he began whistling and humming by turns, with the most consummate +and provoking indifference. The stranger was evidently disconcerted by +this unexpected mode of address, apparently meditating a retreat, from +where even victory would have been a poor triumph. He was turning +away, when a drop of blood fell on his hand! This disastrous omen, +with the grave yawning before him--the narrow dwelling, which, +according to the prediction of the artificer, was preparing for his +reception--discomposed the cavalier exceedingly, and, in all +likelihood, rendered him the more easily susceptible to subsequent +impressions. + +"Art boun' for Knowsley?" inquired the hunchbacked sexton. + +"Peradventure I may have an errand thither; but I am a wayfaring man, +and have business with the commissioners in these parts." There was a +tone of conscious evasion in this reply which did not pass unheeded by +the inquirer. + +"If thou goest in at the door," said he, "mind thee doesn't come out +feet foremost, good master wayfarer!" He quickly changed his tone to +more of seriousness than before. "Thou art not safe. Hie thee to +Lathom." + +"'Tis beleaguered again. The earl being away at his kingdom of Man, +the hornets are buzzing about his nest. There seems now no +resting-place, as aforetime, for unlucky travellers." + +"For who?" shouted the sexton, climbing out of his grave with +surprising agility. He fixed his eyes on the cavalier, as though it +were the aspect of recognition. He then hummed the following distich, +a favourite troll amongst the republican party at that period:-- + + "The battle was foughten; the prince ran away. + Did ever ye see sic' a race, well-a-day?" + +The stranger, turning from his tormentor, was about to depart; but he +was not destined to rid himself so readily from the intruder. + +"And so being shut out from Lathom, thou be'st a cockhorse for +Knowsley. Tush! a blind pedlar, ambling on a nag, might know thee +while he was a-winking." + +"Know me!" said the cavalier;--"why--whom thinkest thou that I be? +Truly there be more gowks in our good dukedom of Lancaster than either +goshawks or hen-sparrows. I am one of little note, and my name not +worth the spelling." He assumed an air of great carelessness and +indifference, not unmingled with a haughty glance or two, whilst he +spoke; but the persevering impertinent would not be withstood. Another +laugh escaped him, shrill and portentous as before, and he approached +nearer, inquiring in a half-whisper-- + +"Where's thine uncle?" + +"Whom meanest thou?" + +"He waits for thee at Oxford, man; but he may wait while his porridge +cools, I trow: and so good den." + +The cunning knave was marching off with his mattock, when the +cavalier, recovering from his surprise, quickly seized him by the +higher shoulder. + +"Stay, knave; thou shalt tarry here a while, until thou and I are +better acquainted. Another step, and this muzzle shall help thee on +thine errand." + +"And who'll pay the messenger?" said the undaunted and ready-witted +rogue, not in the least intimidated by the threat, and the mouth of a +huge pistol at his breast. "Put it by--put it by, friend, and I'll +answer thee; but while that bull-dog is unmuzzled thou shalt get never +a word from Steenie Ellison." + +"Thou knowest of some plot a-hatching," said the stranger, putting +aside the weapon. Another drop fell on his hand. + +"I know not," said the sexton, doggedly. + +"Thy meaning, then?" returned the stranger, with great vehemence; +"for, o' my life, thou stirrest not until thou hast explained the +nature of these allusions." + +With a shrill cry and a fleet footstep the other bounded away from his +interrogator like some swift hound, and was out of sight instantly. +Retreating with some precipitation, the cavalier bent his steps from +the graveyard towards a little hostelrie close by, where it appears he +had taken up his abode for a few days along with a companion, whose +sole use and business on their journey seemed to be that of protecting +a huge pair of saddle-bags and other equipments for their travel, +under a mulberry-coloured cloak of more than ordinary dimensions. +They had journeyed from Preston thitherwards; their intended route +being for Knowsley, and so forward to the coast. Whether their motive +for so long a stay at this obscure and homely tavern could be traced +to the bright eyes and beautiful image of mine host's daughter--a +luminary round which they were fluttering to their own destruction--or +that they merely sought concealment, it were difficult to guess. The +ostensible object of their journey was to take shipping for Ireland, +being bound thither on some commercial enterprise, for the furtherance +of which they expected to pass unmolested, being men of peaceable +pursuits, who left the trade of fighting to those that hoped to thrive +thereby. Such was the general tenor of their converse; but there were +some who suspected that the widely-extolled beauty of Marian might +have some remote connection with the continuance of these guests; and +their long stay at the inn was regarded with a jealous eye. So well +known was the beauteous Marian, "the fair maid of Windleshaw," that +the present residence of the cavaliers, if such they were, was the +worst that could have been chosen for concealment; inasmuch as her +fame drew many customers to the tap who otherwise would have eschewed +so humble a halting-place as that of Nathan Sumner. + +Thoughtful, and with a show of vexation upon his features, the +stranger entered the house, where breakfast was already prepared, and +awaiting his return. In the same chamber were the tapster and his +dame; for privacy was not compatible either with "mine host's" means +or inclination. + +"We have been watching for thee, Egerton," said his companion. "Didst +thou meet with a bundle of provender in the graveyard that thy stomach +did not warn thee to breakfast?" + +"Prithee heed it not," was the reply; "I care little thus early for +thy confections. Besides, I have been beset by a knave, whose vocation +verily remindeth man of his latter end. I've been bandying discourse +with the sexton yonder, as I believe." + +"Heh! mercy on us! Ye have seen Steenie, belike," said the dame, +lifting up one hand from her knee, which had been reposing there as a +protection from the fervid advances of a glowing fire before which she +sat. + +"Truly, I do suspect this trafficker in ready-made tombs to be none +other," said Egerton. + +"An' howkin' at a grave?" + +"Ay! and with right good will, too." + +"Then look well to your steps, Sir Stranger, that ye fall not into't; +for Stephen never yet made grave that lacked a tenant ere long." + +"'Tis strange!" said the cavalier, anxiously. "Do ye dig graves here +by anticipation? or"---- + +"He scents death like a carrion crow, I tell ye; an' if he but digs a +grave, somebody or other always contrives to tumble in; an' mostly +they 'at first see him busy with the job. He's ca'd here 'the live +man's sexton.'" + +The cavalier sat down before a well-covered stool, on which was spread +a homely but plentiful breakfast of eggs, cheese, rashers of bacon, a +flagon of ale, and a huge pile of oat-cake; but he did not fall to +with the appetite or relish of a hungry man. + +"Let me reckon," said the host, beginning to muster up his arithmetic. +"There was"---- + +"Nathan Sumner, I say; thou'rt al'ays out wi' thy motty if a body +speaks. Doesn't the beer want tunning, and thou'rt leesing there o' +thy haunches; at thy whys and thy wise speeches. Let me alone wi' the +gentles, and get thee to the galkeer. Besides, you see that he knoweth +not how to disport himsel' afore people of condition--saving your +presence, masters," said the power predominant, as her husband meekly +retreated from the despotic and iron rule of his helpmate. + +"Peradventure he doth himself provide tenants for his own graves," +said the cavalier, thoughtfully; "but I'll split the knave's chowl, if +he dare"---- + +"You know not him whom you thus accuse," said a soft musical voice +from an inner chamber. "I know those who would not see him with his +foot in a new-made grave for the best rent-roll in Christendom!" + +The speaker, as she came forward, bent a glance of reproof towards the +stranger. + +"And wherefore, my bonny maiden?" inquired he. + +"Does he not scent the dying like a raven? When once his eye is upon +them they shall not escape. There be some that have seen their last o' +this green earth, and the sky, and yonder bright hills. I trust the +destroying angel will pass by this house!" + +"By'r lady," replied the other hastily, "the varlet, when I asked +whose lodging it should be, answered, mine! holding forth his long +skinny paw that I might pay him for the job." + +The maiden listened with a look of terror. She grew pale and almost +ghastly; wiping her brow with the corner of her apron, as though in +great agitation and perplexity. + +There was usually a warm and healthy blush upon her cheek, but it +waned suddenly into the dim hue of apprehension, as she replied in a +low whisper-- + +"Ye must not go hence; and yet"----She hesitated, and appeared as +though deeply revolving some secret source of both anxiety and alarm. + +The cavalier was silent too, but the result of his deliberations was +of a nature precisely opposite to that of his fair opponent. + +"Our beasts being ready, Chisenhall," said he to his companion, "we +will depart while the day holds on favourable. We may have worse +weather, and still worse quarters, should we tarry here till noontide, +as we purposed. But"--and here he looked earnestly at the maiden--"we +shall come again, I trust, when they that seek our lives be laid low." + +She put one hand on his arm, speaking not aloud, but with great +earnestness-- + +"Go not; and your lives peradventure shall be given you for a prey. +There is a godly man hereabout, unto whom I will have recourse; and he +shall guide you in this perplexity." + +"We be men having little time to spare, and less inclination--higlers +too, into the bargain," replied he, with a dubious glance toward his +friend Chisenhall, who was just despatching the last visible relics of +a repast in which he had taken a more than equal share of the duty; +"we are not careful to tarry, or to resort unto such ghostly counsel. +We would rather listen to the lips of those whose least word we covet +more than the preaching of either priest or Puritan; but the time is +now come when we must eschew even such blessed and holy"---- + +"There's a time for all things," said Chisenhall hastily, and as soon +as his mouth was at rest from the solid contents with which he had +been successfully, and almost uninterruptedly, occupied for the last +half-hour; wishful, also, to abate the impression which his +companion's indiscreet intimation of dislike to psalm-singers and +Puritans might have produced. "There is a time to buy and to sell, and +to get gain; a time to marry, and a time to be merry and be glad:" +here he used a sort of whining snuffle, which frustrated his attempts +at neutralising the sarcasms of his friend. "Being in haste," he +continued, "we may not profit by thy discourse; but commend ourselves +to his prayers until our return, which, God willing, we may safely +accomplish in a se'nnight at the farthest." + +"If ye depart, I will not answer for your safe keeping." + +"And if we stay, my pretty maiden, I am fearful we _shall_ be in safe +keeping." An ambiguous smile curled his lip, which she fully +understood. Indeed, her manner and appearance were so much superior to +her station, that no lady of the best and gentlest blood might have +comported herself more excellently before these gay, though disguised +cavaliers. There was a natural expression of dignity and high feeling +in her demeanour, as if rank and noble breeding were enclosed in so +humble a shrine, visible indeed, but still through the medium of a +homely but bewitching grace and simplicity. This, in part, might be +the consequence of an early residence at Lathom, where, in a few +years, she had risen, from a station among the lower domestics to a +confidential place about the person of the countess. Here she excited +no small share of admiration; and it was partly to avoid the fervid +advances of some vivacious gallants that she resolved on quitting so +exposed and dangerous a position; the more especially as the lowering +aspect of the times, and the uncertain termination of the coming +struggle, might have left her without a protector, and at the mercy of +the lawless ruffians who were not wanting on either side. Retiring +home without regret, she had imbibed, from the ministrations of a +zealous and conscientious advocate of the republican party, a relish +for the doctrines and self-denying exercises of the Puritans, with +whom she usually associated in their religious assemblies. + +"Do ye purpose, then, for Knowsley to-day?" she inquired, after a +short silence. + +"Yea; unless our present dilemma, and the obstruction thereby, turn +aside the current of our intent." + +"Pray Heaven it may!" said the maiden, with great fervour; "for I do +fear me that some who are not of a godly sort are abiding there--even +they with whom righteous and well-ordered men should not consort +withal." + +"Heed not. Being of them who are not righteous overmuch, we can bear +unharmed the scoffs of prelatists and self-seekers." + +"There be others," replied she; but the appearance of the dame, who +had been overlooking the operations of her helpmate, interrupted the +communication. The horses, too, were at the door, led forth by a +lubberly serving-lad; and they seemed eager to depart, pawing, as +though scarcely enduring a momentary restraint. The cavalier, after +giving some order about the beasts, would have bidden farewell to the +maiden in private; but she had departed unperceived. He was evidently +chagrined, lingering long in the house, in hopes of her reappearance, +but in vain. He was forced to depart without the anticipated +interview. + +Out of sight and hearing, the cavaliers began to converse more freely. + +"Right fain I am," said Egerton, "of our escape from yonder house; for +I began to fear me we were known, or, at any rate, suspected by one, +if not more, of our good friends behind." + +"By one fair friend, peradventure," said Chisenhall drily; "but, on +the word of a soldier, I may be known, and little care I, save that it +may be dangerous to be found in my company. In the last siege yonder, +at Lathom, I have beaten off more rogues than flies from my trencher; +and I would we had but had room and fair play at York; we would have +given your"---- + +"Hold; no names; remember that I am plain Master Egerton: there may be +lurkers in these tall hedges; so, both in-doors and out, I am--what +mine appearance doth betoken." + +"Well, Master Egerton, good wot, though a better man than myself, +which few be now-a-days, for these strait-haired Roundheads do thin us +like coppice-trees, and leave but here and there one to shoot at. I +would the noble lord had been within his good fortress yonder, I think +it would have been too hot to handle, with cold fingers, by the host +of Old Nick, or Parliament, I care not which." + +"It was partly at my suggesting that he retired to his island of Man. +There were heart-burnings and jealousies amongst the courtiers on his +account, which were but too readily given ear unto by the king." + +"Grant it may not be for our hurt as well as his own. I had no notion +that these wasps would have been so soon again at the honeycomb. Could +we and our bands have made entry, we would have shown them some of the +old match-work, and given them a psalm to sing that they would not +readily have forgotten. As it is, we are just wanderers and vagabonds, +without e'er a house or a homestead to hide us in, should our friends +be driven from Knowsley, and our way be blocked up to the coast. What +is worse, too, our supplies are nigh exhausted, and our exchequer as +empty as the king's. I would we had not tarried here so long, waiting +for advices, as thou didst say, Master Egerton; but which advices, I +do verily think, were from a lady's lip; and the next tall fellow, +with a long face and a fusee, may tuck us under his sleeve, and carry +us to his quarters, like a brace of springed woodcocks." + +"Fear not, Chisenhall. We will make directly for the coast, and +to-morrow, if we have luck, be under weigh for Ireland. If, as I do +trust, we get our levies thence, down with the Rump and the +Roundheads, say I, and so"---- + +"We are not bound for Knowsley, then?" + +"No, believe me, I have a better nose than to thrust it into the trap, +after the foretokenings we have had. The knave who elbowed me i' the +graveyard, as well as the maiden yonder, warned us of some danger at +Knowsley, where, I do verily suspect, the rogues are in ambush, +waiting for us; but we will give them the slip, and away for bonny +Waterford." + +The morning was yet raw and misty. A dense fog was coming on, which +every minute became more heavy and impervious to the sight. Objects +might be heard, long ere they were seen. The rime hung like a +frost-work from branch and spray, showing many a fantastic festoon, +wreathed by powers and contrivances more wonderful than those by which +our vain and presumptuous race are endowed. The little birds looked +out from their covers, and chirped merrily on, to while away the hours +till bedtime. The rooks cawed from their citadel--to venture abroad +was out of the question, lest the rogues should be surprised in some +act of depredation, and suffer damage thereby. So chill and searching +was the atmosphere that the travellers wrapped their cloaks closely +about their haunches, to defend themselves from its attacks. They were +scarcely a mile or two on their road when, passing slowly between the +high coppice on either hand, Egerton stayed his horse, listening; +whilst thus engaged, another blood-drop fell on his hand. + +"There be foes behind us," said he, softly. His practised and +ever-watchful ear had detected the coming footsteps before his friend. + +"'Tis a fortunate screen this same quiet mist, and so let us away to +cover." Without more ado he leaped through a gap in the fence, +followed by his companion; and they lay concealed effectually from the +view of any one who might be passing on the road. They were not so far +from the main path but that the footsteps of their pursuers could be +heard, and voices too, in loud and earnest discourse. The latter kept +their horses at a very deliberate pace, as if passing forward at some +uncertainty. + +"I say again, heed it as we may, this mist will be the salvation of +our runaways. After having dogged them to such good purpose from +Lathom, it will be a sorry deed should they escape under this unlucky +envelope." + +"Tush, faint heart--thinkest thou these enemies of the faith shall +triumph, and our own devices come to nought? Nay, verily, for the +wicked are as stubble, and the ungodly as they whom the fire +devoureth." + +"But I would rather have a brisk wind than all thy vapours, thy +quiddities, and quotations. Yet am I glad they have not ta'en the turn +to Knowsley." + +"Which way soever they turn, either to the right hand or to the left, +we have them in the net, and snares and pitfalls shall devour them." + +The remainder of this comfortable assurance was inaudible, and the +cavaliers congratulated themselves on their providential escape. + +"How stand ye for Knowsley now, Sir Captain?" said Chisenhall. + +"Why, of a surety, friend, there be many reasons why we may pray for a +safe passport from this unhappy land; but it seemeth as though our +purposes were to be for ever crossed. Towards Knowsley, now, it doth +appear that we must proceed, our haven and hiding-place; these rogues +having got wind that we did not intend to pass by thither, we must +countermine the enemy, or rather double upon their route." + +"But how shall we be enabled to proceed?" + +"Forward to the right," said Egerton, "and we shall be sure to hit our +mark, if I mistake not the bearing. 'Tis, I believe, scarcely two +miles hence; and under this friendly cover we cannot be observed, +though we should mistake our way." + +Changing their course, they now attempted, at all hazards, a running +chase along and across hedges and enclosures, in the supposed +direction of their retreat. After a somewhat perilous journey for at +least an hour in this thick mist, without discovering any object by +which they could ascertain their relative situation, Chisenhall at +length espied something like a dark square tower before them. + +"Plague, pestilence, and all the saints! why if yonder be not that +same old ugly grim tower dodging us!" He rubbed his eyes, hardly +satisfied that his morning indulgences were ended. + +"We are fairly on our way for the grave again, sure enough," said +Egerton; "or it may be as thou sayest, the graveyard itself is +following us." He tried to rally into a smile, but was unable to +disport himself in this wise, and it became needful that some way +should be hit upon for their extrication, and that speedily. Occupied +in earnest discourse, they were not aware of the presence of a third +person until a thin squeaking voice accosted them from behind. + +"Back again so soon?--wi' the de'il at your crupper too!" + +"Foul fa' thee, thou screech-owl," said Egerton, starting back at that +ill-omened sound; "we shall ne'er be rid o' this pestilence!" He +attempted to spring aside from the object of his abhorrence; but in a +moment his horse was holden by the bridle with almost more than human +strength; and the malicious creature set up an exulting and triumphant +laugh that was anything but agreeable in their present evil condition. + +"Let go--or, by thy master's hoofs, I will send thee to him in the +twinkling of a trigger!" said Egerton, drawing forth his pistol. + +"Hoo, hoo!" shouted his tormentor, mocking and making faces, with an +expression of fiendish delight--"thee 'ill be first though, nunky." + +Egerton pointed the weapon; but his horse, goaded in all probability +by the strange being beside him, made a sudden spring, and, as +ill-luck would have it, stumbled and fell, both horse and rider +sprawling in the dust. The cause of this foul accident scampered off +with great activity: Chisenhall dismounted, extricating his friend +from the trappings. He was bleeding profusely from the nostrils, and +appeared insensible. Judging it the wisest plan, though at the risk of +their captivity, to procure help, he galloped away to the tavern for +assistance. + +Much to the surprise of the family was Chisenhall's reappearance, but +no time was lost in useless explanations; the host and his daughter +immediately proceeded to the spot, with means and appliances for +Egerton's removal and recovery; but to their astonishment and dismay +the body was removed. His horse was grazing quietly on the herbage, +yet there was no trace of Egerton's disappearance. Chisenhall was +almost beside himself with distress and consternation; but Marian, +though much concerned, seemed to possess some clue to this enigma. + +"Steenie, thou sayest, was the cause of this untoward disaster?" + +"Ay; that cursed fiend. I wish all his"---- + +"Nay, nay, friend, thou speakest like to the foolish ones, vain and +impious men, whose mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. We had +best return; I will think on this matter, and ere the morrow we may +have tidings of thy friend; but"----Here she looked significantly +aside as she spoke, but not in her father's hearing. "Keep snug here +in thy quarters, friend; for since ye left there came divers of the +people to inquire, and as He would have it, from me only. Ye be sons +of Belial, they said, and cavaliers withal. But ye have eaten and +drunken in our dwelling, and though red with the blood of the saints, +I cannot deliver you into the hand of your pursuers." + +Chisenhall reluctantly complied, having no other resource, and judging +it best not to stir abroad, as it might be compromising the safety of +both parties, without leading to any beneficial result. + +The horses were unharnessed and turned out to graze, whilst Chisenhall +was disposed of in an upper chamber above one of the outhouses. His +anxiety for his friend allowed him but little rest, and often he was +on the point of issuing forth in quest of intelligence; but happily +prudence prevented him from sacrificing his own and another's life to +a vain and fruitless impatience. + +During Chisenhall's concealment Marian was by no means in the same +state of idleness and inactivity. She threw on her hood and kerchief; +and a clean white apron, girt about her waist, fully displayed the +symmetry of her form. Her cloak was adjusted but with little regard to +outward show; and an hour was scarcely past ere she sallied forth, as +she was often wont, to the dwelling of Gilgal Snape, a person of great +note as a preacher and leader of the faithful in these parts. He was, +in truth, a worthy and zealous man, sincerely devoted to the cause he +espoused, and the service of his Maker--one widely distinguished from +the hypocrites and fanatics of that turbulent era, which, like our +own, produced, though in a more exaggerated form, from the stimulus +then abroad, the same rank and noxious weeds of hypocrisy and +superstition; for man, like a mathematical problem, circumstances and +conditions being the same, brings out, invariably, the same results. +No form of worship, however ludicrous or revolting, but hath its +advocates and supporters; and there is nothing which the proud mind +and unsubdued heart of man will not put forth, when that heart is made +the hot-bed of unholy and unsanctified feelings--all monstrous and +polluted things ripening, even beneath the warm and blessed sun that +revives and beautifies all else by its splendour. + +Gilgal had, however, his figments and his fancies, inseparable +perchance from the times and dispositions by which they were +engendered. When men, awaking as from a dream, shaking off the deep +slumber of bigotry, but not intolerance, through the medium of their +yet unpractised sense saw "men as trees walking," regarding trivial +and unimportant objects as paramount and essential, while others, +whose nature was vital and supreme, were hardly discerned, or at best +but slightly noticed or understood;--when minds long tinctured by +superstition brought the whole of their previous habits and instincts +to bear upon the newly-awakened energies that were heaving and +convulsing the moral fabric of society, and the ground of preconceived +notions and opinions on which they stood, they could hardly be +persuaded that the kingdom of heaven "cometh not by observation;" that +special miracles, and visible manifestations of divine favour, were +not again to be vouchsafed to the "elect;" and that their faith and +prayers were not sufficient to remove mountains, and to conquer and +subdue every obstacle. There was more pride in these expectations than +they were willing to allow, or even to suspect; and in many it was +the very pride and "naughtiness of their hearts;" whilst in others it +was but the operation of remaining ignorance, unsubdued lusts, and +unsanctified affections. + +Gilgal was famous in his day for dealing with "spiritual wickedness in +high places." The "prince of the power of the air" was subject unto +him. In other words, it was said of him that he had cast out devils +and healed the possessed. When others failed, Gilgal had wrestled and +prevailed. One of the first-fruits of this outpouring of his soul was +"Steenie Ellison," who, from his childhood, was subject to periodical +and violent affections of the body--contortions that gave him, in the +eyes of many, an appearance of one possessed. Stephen had a +considerable share of cunning, a sort of knavish sagacity and ready +impertinence, peculiar to most of his kind. He was an orphan, early +left to the care of chance or charity, and being a follower of +bell-ringers, grave-diggers, and the like, assumed a sort of +semi-official attitude at all funerals, weddings, and merry-makings in +the neighbourhood. He was generally suspected of holding intercourse +with the powers of evil, and when suffering from disease, the unclean +spirit whom he had offended was supposed to be afflicting him, having +entered into his body to buffet and torment him for his contumacy and +disobedience. So partial was he to the art and occupation of +grave-making, that he was observed at times to hew out a habitation +for the dead ere a tenant was provided. It was always remarked, +nevertheless, that the narrow house failed not ere long to receive an +inhabitant; and this apprehension considerably heightened the terror +with which he was regarded, and rendered him celebrated throughout the +country by the name of "the live man's sexton." + +But the worthy minister being much moved with compassion towards this +child of Satan, his bowels yearned for him, that he might cast out the +unclean spirit, and deliver him from his spiritual bondage. He +accordingly girded himself to the work, and a great name did he get +throughout the land by this mighty achievement, for the possessed +became docile as a little child before him, and was subsequently a +sort of erratic follower of the party unto which Gilgal was allied; +but he would at times forsake the assemblies of the faithful, when, it +is said, the dark spirit of divination again came over him, and he +would wander among the tombs, showing symptoms of a disordered +intellect, though not of the same violent character as before. + +Towards the dwelling of Gilgal Snape did Marian direct her steps; it +was but a short mile from her own. Often had she been a visitant to +the house, where she imbibed the doctrines and instructions of this +sincere and zealous confessor of the faith. She frequently mingled in +the devotions that were there offered up; but her piety was of a more +moderate and amiable cast--less violent and ascetic, not unmixed with +love and pity for her enemies and the persecutors of the truth. + +Her object in this visit was not so much to partake of the crumbs from +the good man's spiritual banquet, as to gain some intelligence through +him respecting Egerton's disappearance. She recognised the individuals +who were in pursuit of him to be scouts from the republican leaders, +with whom the divine was in constant communication. Of the real rank +of Egerton she was still ignorant; but she more than suspected his +disguise, and scarcely hesitated to conclude, from the anxiety shown +for his apprehension, that he was of no little importance in the +estimation of his opponents. + +Musing and much troubled, by reason of many conflicting emotions, she +took no note of the lapse of time until her arrival at the habitation +of this devout minister of the word. It was built in a sequestered +glen, by a narrow brook near to a couple of black, shapeless, scraggy +firs, whose long lean arms were extended over the roof. A low porch +guarded the door, in which dairy utensils and implements of husbandry +were usually placed. The short casement windows were rendered still +more gloomy, and in places screened from light, by the creeping +woodbine throwing its luxuriant and unrestricted foliage about their +deep recesses. A little wicket admitted the visitor into the court, on +each side of which was a homely garden, where nothing ornamental was +suffered to intrude or encroach upon the space devoted to objects of +usefulness rather than indulgence. + +Marian lifted up the latch, entering upon the precincts of this +hallowed abode. She passed on, through the large cold cheerless +apartment generally called the house; turning thence towards a little +chamber, used as an oratory, she heard a loud voice within. She tapped +first upon the door, which she slowly opened, and beheld the good man +with the sacred volume spread out before him. He raised his eyes for +a moment as she entered, but refrained not from his exercise, nor +altered in the least the strenuous tone of his orisons. + +"And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right +thigh, and smote Eglon, the King of Moab, so that he died. Thus perish +the ungodly and the oppressor, even as Abimelech, the son of +Jerubbaal, on whom the Almighty rendered the curse of Jotham his +brother, and all his wickedness that he had committed, and all the +evil of the men of Shechem did God return upon their own heads." Here +he raised his eyes, closing the book with a devout aspiration of +compliance to the will of Heaven. "I have sought counsel," he +continued, "and been much comforted thereby. The wicked shall be +utterly cut off, and the ungodly man shall fall by the sword. We may +not spare, nor have pity, as Saul spared Agag, whom Samuel hewed in +pieces; for the land is cursed for their sakes!" + +"Hath Steenie yet returned from vain idols, and the abominations he +hath committed?" inquired the maiden. + +"He doth yet hunger after the flesh-pots of Egypt; but my bowels yearn +towards him, even as my first-born. I do sorrow lest he be finally +entangled in the snares of the evil one." + +"Knowest thou where he abideth, or if he doth attend the outpouring of +the word hereabout?" + +"Verily, nay," said the divine; "but I have heard from Sarah and +Reuben Heathcote that he hath been seen in the house of ungodly +self-seekers, and notorious Papists and malignants, even with our +enemies at Garswood. He hath likewise been found resorting unto that +high place of papistry, Windleshaw, of late; despising--yea, +reviling--the warnings and godly exhortations of the Reverend Master +Haydock, who did purpose within himself to win, peradventure it might +be to afflict with stripes, this lost one from the fold, that he might +bring him back. But he hath sorely buffeted and evil-entreated this +diligent shepherd with many grievous indignities; such as tying him +unto a gate, and vexing him with sundry of Satan's devices. Yet we +would fain hope that he is a chosen vessel, though now defiled by the +adversary. He will return, peradventure, as heretofore, when the day +of his visitation is past." The good man did, indeed, yearn over this +erring sinner, and lifting up his voice he wept aloud. + +"There came two men to our habitation, where they abode certain days," +said Marian. + +"And they departed this morning," said the minister, sharply; "knowest +thou that these be enemies of our faith, and contemners of the word?" + +"I knew them not," she replied, "save that I suspected them as such, +ere they departed." + +"Thou wouldest not have them taken with thee in the house, and in that +thou judgedst wisely; for I care not that a maiden's thoughts were so +soon disposed for deeds like these, which be fitter for iron hearts +and brazen hands. Though Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, slew +Sisera in her tent, and Rahab the harlot received the spies in peace; +yet thou didst, I doubt not, point out the way by which they went to +the spies sent by the council of the holy state, to follow after these +sons of Belial, and deliver them into their hands." + +"I know not the path they took," said Marian, evasively. + +"Heed not, for the men shall be delivered unto us; even now are they +pursued, and, I doubt not, overtaken. Which way soever they turn, +their steps are holden, and a snare is laid for their feet; for they +shall surely die!" The preacher lifted up his eyes in righteous +indignation. They have made themselves drunk with the blood of the +saints." + +"Will not their lives be given them for a prey?" inquired Marian, +apparently in great alarm. + +"I have sought counsel, I tell thee; and the Philistine and the +Canaanite shall be destroyed utterly from the land." + +"I fear me they be other than I had imagined," returned the maiden +weeping; "yet still, and I trust I shall be forgiven, I could not +betray them who have abided with us, and eaten of our bread." + +"Thou knowest them not, wench," said Gilgal; "and 'tis perhaps well +thou shouldest not." Here he looked fiercely from under his brows, as +though he would have pierced the very inmost recesses of her soul. +"Beware," continued he, "for thou art comely, and these men do use +devilish and subtle devices to allure and to betray." + +Marian was silent. A swollen tear, the overflowing of an overwhelmed +and oppressed heart, slowly wandered down her cheek. It was the very +crisis of the conflict; and the old man forbore to break the bruised +reed. She seemed uneasy and anxious to depart; but he hindered her +for a space. + +"Wilt thou not, as thou art wont, approach with me to the footstool of +Him who doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men?" + +Marian felt the rebuke, though it was so finely tempered, and +administered so tenderly. She was one of his earlier converts, and his +love for her was that of a spiritual parent. Bending the knee, she +covered her burning cheeks, and poured out her heart with him in +fervour and sincerity. Whether both of them had precisely the same +object in view as the end of their supplications, or whether the +maiden's fears and inclinations might not lead her to offer up a +sincere petition for the safety of others besides those of the +household, we will not take upon ourselves to determine; but on +leaving the dwelling of Gilgal Snape a suppressed sigh and an +involuntary whisper escaped her--"He may yet be spared." She raised +her eyes in thankfulness, and a gleam of hope, but not of happiness, +irradiated her heart; for she now felt that a great gulf separated +them for ever. + +She had ascertained by her converse with the Puritan, who was well +informed in all matters connected with his party, that they were yet +unacquainted as to the ulterior proceedings of the strangers; and it +seemed probable, from this circumstance alone, that at any rate +Egerton had not fallen into their hands. Her next object was to find +out "Steenie," and to elicit from him the knowledge of the stranger's +fate; for unless this mischievous personage had in some wild erratic +freak or another conveyed him off, she could not tell what mishap +could have befallen him. Despite of her prejudices and the true bent +of her disposition, which, though it partook not of the furious and +headlong intolerance of the times, was yet sufficiently imbued with +the spirit of her sect, the cavalier had won so unsuspectingly upon +her kindness that she started as though she would have escaped from +her own thoughts, when she felt the deep and agonising shudder which +crossed her at the bare possibility that he might fall into the hands +of the avenger of blood. At a glance she saw the fearful involutions +and the almost inextricable toils by which the fugitives were +encompassed. Unaided, she was well aware that their attempts would be +fruitless. She knew not the intentions of the crazy sexton on this +point. The wayward and apparently capricious movements of this strange +compound of Puritanism and Papistry were too dangerous and uncertain +to allow any hope for ultimate safety under his management. Whether or +not he had a hand in Egerton's removal was still a matter of +conjecture. She felt, in addition to this uncertainty, no slight +degree of awe and apprehension in her approaches to this solitary +being; and a sort of undefined notion that, however modified and +controlled by circumstances, yet his communications with the world of +spirits were still in operation, imparting to his converse and +communion with his fellow-men a strange and dubious character, which +even strangers did not fail to perceive, and to shrink from contact +with a being of such doubtful qualities. His predictions and dark +sayings were often quoted, and much more importance was attached to +them than their real and obvious meaning should have warranted. They +derived greater credence, perhaps, from their usually vague and +ambiguous character suiting any accident and condition, according to +the fancy of the hearer, however remotely allied in their meaning and +application. Whatsoever might be the event, there was little +difficulty in shaping out an appropriate or equivalent prediction; and +it did seem at times sufficiently marvellous that few occurrences +should take place which could not be traced to some dark foretokening +enveloped in one or other of these mystical revelations. Events happen +to ourselves that do occasionally, and not unfrequently, rush back +upon our minds with unaccountable and almost appalling force, as +though, however novel in reality, they were but facts and feelings +with which we had long ago been familiar, yet in what manner we are +unable to determine. It might seem that they had suddenly, and for a +moment, started forth from the Lethe which divides our present +existence from some past state of being; that a sudden light had +flashed from the portals of oblivion, too rapid or too dazzling, +perhaps, to be apprehended or defined. + +As she returned the shadows of evening were coming on dim and softly +over the quiet glades and dewy meadows. The noisy rooks, having lately +ventured forth, were cawing cheerily on their homeward flight, +"beguiling the way with pleasant intercourse." The lesser birds were +flitting towards the bushes; and through the lingering mist-wreath, +floating still and tranquilly on the moist meadows, came forth at +times a solitary twitter, as though the lark had alighted softly and +joyously on her nest. The glow and the brightness of evening were gone +when Marian passed the threshold of her home, uncertain yet as to the +fate of Egerton and the course she should pursue. She allayed, as well +as she was able, the fretfulness and impatience of Chisenhall, +entreating that he would remain quiet until the morrow, after which it +was possible that something would transpire with regard to his friend. +The irresistible conclusion, that by venturing forth he would +compromise the safety of all parties, alone rendered him tractable, +and prevented the consequences of any rash exposure. + +Too much occupied in resolves and plans for to-morrow's enterprise, +the maiden on retiring to her chamber felt no inclination for repose, +and her little couch was left vacant. It was a low room within the +thatch, into which a narrow window, projecting from the roof, admitted +the clear mellow radiance of the moon, now shining uninterruptedly +from above. So lovely and inviting was the aspect of the night, that, +after a long and anxious train of thought, she resolved to enjoy the +calm and delicious atmosphere, free and unconfined, hoping to feel its +invigorating effects upon her exhausted spirits. + +It might be within a short half-hour of midnight when she tripped +lightly down the stairs, and was soon across the stile which led to +the deserted chapel of Windleshaw. Attracted by the beauty and the +reviving freshness of all around her, fearing no evil and conscious of +no alarm, she proceeded, wandering without aim or purpose into the +quiet cemetery. + +In the dark shadow of the building she walked on, fearless and alone. +Her bosom had been hitherto the abode of happiness and peace. To the +stranger's appearance might be attributed the source of her present +disquiet. She would have breathed after communion with heavenly +things, but earthly objects mingled in her aspirations; charity, +peradventure, for those of another creed, and anxiety for another's +fate. But she was not satisfied that this was the sole cause of her +unhappiness; and the pang of separation, too, came like a barbed arrow +into her soul. She felt alarmed, amazed at the sudden change. She +feared that her weak and wandering heart was going back to the world, +and resting for support on its frail and perishing interests. Tossed +and buffeted with temptation, she still passed on; when, turning the +angle of the grey tower, she emerged again into the clear, unbroken +moonlight--the little hillocks and upright gravestones alone +disturbing the broad and level beam. She was startled from her reverie +by dull and heavy sounds near her, as though a pickaxe were employed +by invisible hands in disturbing the ground close to where she stood. +She paused a moment and listened; the blows were still falling, and +she felt the ground vibrating beneath her feet. A sudden thought +crossed her--it might be "Steenie," even at this untimely hour, plying +his accustomed vocation. He had been retarded probably by the +accidents of the day; and the occasion being urgent, according to his +own anticipations, had led him to labour so late for its completion. +It was doubtless the grave which had been so mysteriously assigned to +the lot of Egerton. A cold tremor crept upon her; she remembered the +denunciation and the uncertain fate of the victim. Even now he might +be hastening to his final account, and this horrid _ghoul_ might be +scenting the dissolution of the body that he was preparing to entomb. + +"Graciously forbid it, Heaven!" she inwardly ejaculated, approaching +the grave; but so softly, that her footsteps were not heard by the +invisible workman, who was deep in the abyss of his own creating. The +blows had ceased, and the mattock was now in requisition. Shovelfuls +of earth were thrown out; thick and heavy clods were hurled forth in +rapid succession. The scene would have driven back many a timid girl; +and even some stout hearts and fierce stomachs would have shrunk from +the trial. She was within range, and almost within the grasp, of a +being whose evil dispositions were known and acknowledged--a being +whose mysterious connection with intelligences of an unfriendly nature +was universally admitted. A grave, dug in secret, peradventure during +some baneful and preternatural process, yawned before her. Midnight, +too, was nigh; and she was not devoid of apprehension--that inherent +dread of the invisible things of darkness universally bound up with +our feeble and fallen nature. Since the day of his first estrangement, +man never, even in imagination or apprehension, approaches the dark +and shadowy threshold of a world unseen without terror, lest some +supernatural communication should break forth; it seems a feeling +coeval with the curse on our first parents, when they heard "the voice +of the Lord God walking in the garden, and were afraid." This +apprehension still clings to us; but, though surrounded in light, as +well as in darkness, by a world of disembodied spirits, whose +attributes and capacities are inconceivably superior to our own, our +nature is so material, and our very essence so engrossed and +identified with earth, that it is only when the startling realities of +their existence become manifest in those visible emblems of their +nature--darkness and death--that we shrink back in horror, lest our +very being should suffer contact with spiritual and eternal things. + +Concealed from view, Marian stood still at a very short distance from +the grave. Steenie was humming a plaintive ditty, or rather dirge; for +it partook of a double character, something between an alehouse +roundelay and a funeral chant. + +She soon perceived that each spadeful, as it was thrown out, was +accompanied by a separate distich, the meaning of which she could +distinctly gather from some uncouth and barbarous rhymes--the +remnants, probably, of a more superstitious age--almost cabalistic in +their form and acceptation. The following may serve as a specimen, +though we have taken the precaution to render them a little more +intelligible:-- + + "Howk, hack, and dig spade; + Tenant ne'er grumbled that grave was ill made." + +Then came a heavy spadeful of earth again from the narrow house. +Another shovelful produced the following doggerel:-- + + "Housen, and castles, and kings decay; + But the biggins we big last till doomus-day." + +Some more coarse and less intelligible jargon followed, which it is +not needful that we repeat. Again he threw forth a burden of more than +ordinary bulk, resting from his labours during the following more +elaborate ditty:-- + + "Dark and dreary though it be, + Thou shalt all its terrors dree: + Dungeon dark, where none complain, + Nor 'scape to tell its woe and pain." + +Again he bent him to his task, and again the earth went rolling forth, +accompanied by something like the following verse:-- + + "Though I dig for him that be living yet, + O'er this narrow gulf he shall never get; + The mouth gapes wide that 'Enough' ne'er cries; + Each clod that I fling on his bosom lies; + In darkness and coldness it rests on thee, + With the last stroke that falls thy doom shall be!" + +With increasing energy did he work on, as though to accelerate the +fate of his victim. Marian felt herself on the brink of the tomb, and +its icy touch was perceptible through every part of her frame. + +The mystic chant was again audible, and more distinct than before-- + + "The charm is wound, and this stroke shall be + The last, when it falls, of his destiny; + Save he sell to another his birthright here, + Then the buyer shall buy both grave and bier." + +Uttering this malediction, he scrambled out of the grave, and suddenly +stood before the astonished maiden, who shuddered as she beheld the +unshapely outline of a form which she instantly recognised. + +He did not seem a whit surprised or startled, though he could not have +been aware previously that a listener was nigh. + +"What ho, wench!" said he; "art watching for a husband?" His sharp +shrill voice grated on her ear like the cry of the screech-owl. + +"I came to meet thee!" said she firmly. He broke forth into a loud +laugh at this reply, more terrible than the most violent expression of +hate or malignity. No wonder, in those ages, that it was supposed to +be the operation of some demon, animate in his form, controlling and +exercising the bodily functions to his own malignant designs. + +"Where is he whom I seek?" inquired the maiden. + +"Ask the clods of the valley, and the dust unto which man departs!" he +replied, pointing significantly to the gulf at his feet. + +"Nay," said Marian, apparently to humour the fantastical turn of his +ideas; "thou knowest if he sell that grave to another, he shall +escape, and the doom shall be foregone." + +"Ay, lassie; but there be no fools now-a-days, I wot, to buy a man's +grave over his head for the sake of a bargain!" + +"I warrant thee now, Steenie, but thou hast hidden him hereabout." She +said this in as careless and indifferent a tone as she could well +assume. + +"I am but a-keeping of him safe till his time comes. Neither priest +nor Presbyterian shall cheat me out of him. He's mine as sure as that +grave gives not back its prey." + +"He is living, I trow?" + +"Good wot, I reckon so; but living men may die; and this pick never, +for man or woman, opened a mouth that was left to gape long without +victuals." + +"Thou wouldst not harm him?" + +"I'd not hurt the hair on a midge-tail, though it stung me. But his +doom was shown me yesternight," said he, lowering his voice to a +whisper; "and I would have him laid here in consecration, that the +devil get not his bones to pick, for neither priest nor Puritan can +bless the ground now-a-days like unto this." + +Whether the cause of his anxiety was really a wish to provide a +hallowed resting-place for the cavalier, or this pretence was merely +to cover some ulterior purposes of his own, the maiden was left +without a clue to form any plausible conjecture. She had heard +sufficient, however, to ascertain that he was in some way or another +accessory to the disappearance of Egerton, and that in all likelihood +he knew the retreat of the unfortunate captive. + +A woman's wits are proverbially sharpened by exigencies, and Marian +was not slow in obeying their impulse. + +"Where art thou abiding? I would fain speak with thee to-morrow +touching thy condition, for thou hast been much estranged from us of +late." + +He pointed to the ivied belfry, where a grated loophole formed a dark +cross on the wall. + +"A man may sleep if the wind will let him; but such fearsome visions I +have had of late, that I ha' been just nigh 'reft o' my wits. Wilt be +a queen or a queen-mother, Marian? Something spake to me after this +fashion; but I was weary with watching. The spirit passed from me, and +I comprehended him not." + +She was silent, apprehensive that his wits were at present too +bewildered for her purpose, being always subject to aberration under +any peculiar excitement of either mind or body. + +"I will visit thee yonder to-morrow," said Marian. + +"Me!" he shouted, in a tone of surprise. "Bless thy pretty face, +Marian, I have bolted him in. He is but waiting for his dismissal." + +"Whither?" + +Again he pointed to the grave. + +"Tush," said Marian; "he will not, maybe, get his passport thither so +soon, unless, indeed, thou shouldst starve him to death." + +"Starve him! Nay, by"----He stopped just as he was on the point of +uttering some well-remembered but long quiescent oath. + +"I thought not of that before, Marian: he will want some food. Ay--ay, +bless thy little heart, I did not think on 't. But for thee, Marian, I +should ha' kept him there, and he might ha' starved outright; though +he will not need it long, I trow, poor fool!" said he, with a sigh, +ludicrous enough under other circumstances, but now invested with all +the solemnity of a supernatural disclosure. + +"I will away for victuals," said Marian: "stay here until I return." A +short time only elapsed ere she came again, laden with provisions and +other restoratives, judging that the captive stood in need of some +refreshment. + +Stephen was waiting for her in a deep and solemn fit of abstraction +before the low door leading to a staircase at the foot of the tower. +He spoke not until she stood beside him. + +"My brain, Marian--Oh! my brain. Here, here!" Seizing her hand, he +pressed it hurriedly over his brow, which was hot, almost scorching. +The blood beat rapidly through his throbbing temples. Fearful lest the +approaching hallucination might prevent her benevolent designs, she +soothed and coaxed him to lead the way, which had the desired effect; +muttering as he went on, at times unintelligibly, at others speaking +with peculiar emphasis and vehemence. + +"The foul fiend came again, though he was cast out; and I--I yielded. +He promised me gold, if I would dig for 't. And I digg'd, and digg'd; +but it always shaped itself into a grave--another's grave--and I never +found any. Yea, once. Look thee, wench," said he, pulling out a bright +Jacobus from his belt, and holding it in the beam that shot through a +loophole of the ascent. "Yes; this--this! the devil brought it that +tempted me. No, no; I sold my own grave for 't. Would it were mine +again: I had been where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary +are at rest. Nay; there will be no rest for me. I am an apostate--a +castaway--the devil that seduced me hath said it again and again--for +whom is reserved the blackness of darkness, and the noisome pit for +ever! But as long, look thee, as I keep this gold, I die not. No! +though twice ten thousand were on my track; for I sold my grave to a +doomed one; nor, till I buy another with the same piece of gold, shall +death and hell prevail against me. So sayeth the fiend." + +Marian felt actually as though in the presence of the Evil One, so +completely had the frenzy of this poor deluded idiot developed itself +in this short interval. Some violent paroxysm was evidently +approaching; and her object was, if possible, to procure the +liberation of Egerton before her guide should be rendered either +unwilling or incapable. He suddenly assumed a more calm and consistent +demeanour, while, to her great joy, she heard him climbing the stair. +She followed as closely as the darkness would permit, and heard him +pause after ascending a few steps. Then a bolt was withdrawn, her hand +was seized, and she was led hastily through the aperture. It was the +entrance to a small chamber in the tower, lighted by the grating +before named, through which the moonlight came softly, like a wizard +stream, into the apartment. + +By this light she saw something coiled up in a corner, like a human +form in the attitude of repose. It was the prisoner Egerton, fast +asleep. Nature, worn out with suffering, was unconsciously enjoying +for a season the bliss of oblivion. He heard not the intruders, until +Marian gently touched him, when, starting up, he cried-- + +"Is mine hour come? so soon! I thought"-- + +"Here be victuals; thy grave's not ready yet," said the maniac. + +Soon the soft voice of the maiden fell calmly and quietly on his +bosom: and in that hour Egerton felt how noble, how self-denying, was +the spirit guiding the hand that ministered to him in the hour of +danger and distress. Her disinterestedness was now manifest. Of +another creed, and fully aware, perhaps, that he had been one of the +most zealous persecutors of those who aforetime were hunted like the +wild roe upon the mountains; he found that she had knowledge of him, +generally, as belonging to the Royalist party, though not individually +as to his rank and character. + +If she had set herself to win his favour by draughts and +love-philtres, she could not have compassed her design more +effectually. His impetuous nature was alike impatient of restraint +either in love or in war; but in the latter instance the flame had +burnt so rapidly that it was nigh extinguished. This maiden being +renowned through the whole neighbourhood for her beauty, as well as +the natural and engaging simplicity and gentleness of her manners, +appertaining to one of high birth, nurtured in courts, rather than in +so humble a station, the cavalier had beforetime looked on her with a +favourable glance, but not with eyes at which the god Hymen would have +lighted his torch. Now, so strange and wayward is that capricious +passion which men call love, that when beset with dangers, his life in +jeopardy, and threatened with death on every hand, he seemed to cling +even to this lowly one as though his soul were bound to hers. Love, +that mighty leveller, for a season threw down every barrier--the pride +of birth, and the rank and sphere which were his birthright--nor did a +licentious thought find a resting-place in his bosom. Young and +ardent, he had spoken to her beforetime, though not explicitly, on the +subject; and Marian, knowing none other but that he was a wayfaring +man, of little note--so he represented himself--regarded his handsome +person, his kindness, and his attentions, with still less appearance +of disfavour. + +"Thou shouldest be mine, Marian," said he, "were I"---- + +"Never!" she replied, interrupting him; but a sudden heaving of the +breast showed the anguish that one hopeless word cost her. + +Stephen was in the chamber, still hurrying to and fro, too fully +absorbed in his own abstractions to understand or attend to what was +passing. + +"And wherefore?" inquired the cavalier, with some surprise. + +"Wherefore? Ask your own nature and condition; your pride of station, +which I have but lately known; your better reason, why; and see if it +were either wise or fitting that one like yourself--though of your +precise condition I am yet ignorant--should wive with the daughter of +a poor but honest tapster. Suffer this plainness; I might be your +bauble to-day, and your chain to-morrow." + +"Thou dost wrong me!" said the cavalier; and he took her hand +tenderly, almost unresistingly, for a moment. "I would wear thee as my +heart's best jewel, and inlay thee in its shrine. It is but fitting +that the life thou hast preserved should be rendered unto thee." + +"Nay, sir," said she, withdrawing her hand, "my pride forbids it; ay, +pride! equal, if not superior to your own. I would not be the wife of +a prince on these terms; nor on any other. 'Be not unequally yoked.' +Will not this wholesome precept hold even in a carnal and worldly +sense? I would not endure the feeling of inferiority, even from a +husband. 'Twould but be servitude the more galling, because I could +neither persuade myself into an equality, nor rid me of the chain." + +"Thou dost reason wondrously, maiden. 'Tis an easy conquest, when +neither passion nor affection oppose our judgment; when the feelings +are too cold to kindle even at the spark which the Deity himself hath +lighted for our solace and our blessing in this valley of tears." + +"Mine!--Oh! say not they are too cold, too slow to kindle. They are +too easily roused, too ardent, too soon bent before an earthly idol; +but"--here she laid her hand on his arm--"but the right hand must be +cut off, the right eye plucked out. I would not again be their slave, +under the tyranny and dominion of these elements of our fallen nature, +for all the pomps and vanities which they would purchase. There be +mightier obstacles than those of expediency, as thou dost well +imagine, to thy suit; but these are neither coldness nor +indifference." Here her voice faltered with emotion, and her heart +rose, rebelling against her own inflexible purpose, in that keen, that +overwhelming anguish of the spirit. She soon regained her composure, +as she uttered firmly: "They are--my altar and my faith!" + +Egerton felt as though a sudden stroke had separated them for ever--as +though it were the last look of some beloved thing just wrenched from +his grasp. This very feeling, had none other prompted, made him more +anxious for its recovery; and he would have urged his suit with all +the energy of a reckless desperation, but the maiden firmly resisted. + +"Urge me not again: not all the inducements I trust that even thou +couldest offer would make me forget my fealty! No more--I hear thee +not. The tempter I know hath too many allies within the +citadel--worldly vanities and unsubdued affections--to suffer me to +parley with the traitors and listen to their unholy suggestions. Again +I say, I hear thee not." + +Finding it was in vain, he forbore to persecute her further; and after +having merely tasted of the cordial, and partaken of a slight +refreshment, he listlessly inquired if the term of his imprisonment +would soon expire. + +"Tarry here for a season, until the heat and energy of the pursuit be +overpast, or at least abated. We could not find a more fitting place +of concealment." + +"Being straitened for moneys until we can obtain succour from our +friends, I cannot reward your hospitality as I would desire; but if we +are brought forth and delivered safely from this thrall, thy father's +house shall not be forgotten." + +"We will not touch the least of all thy gifts," said the maiden: +"forbid that we sold our succour to the distressed, though it were to +the most cruel and bitter of our enemies!" + +A sudden thought excited this noble-hearted female. She cautiously +approached her companion, who, having discontinued his perambulations, +had seated himself in a corner, awaiting the termination of their +interview. Knowing that he had generally a hoard of moneys about his +person--for covetousness was ever his besetting sin--she ventured to +solicit a loan, either for herself or the stranger, judging that +Egerton's escape would be much impeded, if, as he had just confessed, +his finances were hardly sufficient for his ordinary expenditure. + +"And so I must give my blood and my groats to nourish thy sweethearts, +wench," said the surly money-lender. "I have saved this prelatist and +malignant from his adversaries, and now"----He considered a while, +muttering his thoughts and arguments to himself with a most confused +and volatile impetuosity of ratiocination. In a short time he seemed +to arrive at some satisfactory conclusion through all this obscurity, +and drew out a handful of coin, of some low denomination, apparently +by the sound, and placed it in the hands of his fair suitor. + +"There--there--one, two, three. Never mind, wench; I could have +counted 'em once with the best clerkman i' the parish; and for the +matter of that, I've told 'em oft enough, though,--but the count +always seems to slip from me. It is all I have, save the price of my +life; and I would not part with that for a world's worth; for what +should it profit me, when with it I had bought my grave?" + +Marian immediately transferred the long-hoarded treasure into the +hands of the cavalier. + +"Thanks; yea, better than these, for they were a poor recompense, my +peerless maiden. I scruple not to receive this loan at thine hands, +because it is part of the means thou dost employ for my escape. Yet +doubt not of my willingness and ability to repay thee tenfold. Thou +wilt not deny me this silly suit." + +As he said this, he, with the greatest gallantry and devotedness, +kissed the hand held forth to supply his exigency. He was accompanying +the movement with some fair and courtly speech when a loud and +terrible cry startled him. It was more like the howl of some ravenous +beast than any sound which human organs ever uttered. Curses +followed--horrible, untold--the suggestion of fiends in their +bitterness and malignity. Then came the cry, or rather shriek-- + +"Lost! lost!" at irregular intervals. + +The cavalier and his companion were much alarmed by this unexpected +occurrence. They doubted not that the foul fiend was before them, +bodily, in the form of this poor maniac. After a short interval of +silence, he cried, approaching them fiercely-- + +"Ye have sold me, soul and body, to the wicked one. May curses long +and heavy light on ye! The coin! the coin! Oh, that accursed thing! I +have bought thy grave, stranger; and my day of hope is past!" + +The latter part of the speech was uttered in a tone of such deep and +heartrending misery that pity arose in place of terror in the bosom +of his auditors. Marian ventured to address him, hoping she might +assuage or dissipate the fearful hallucination under which he +laboured. + +"There is yet hope for the repenting sinner. The hour of life is the +hour of grace: for that, and that only, is life prolonged. Turn to Him +from whom thou hast backslidden, nor add unto thy crime by wilfully +rejecting the free offers of His mercy." + +"Mercy!--Life!" Here he laughed outright. "Hearest thou not my +tormentor?--Life!--I am dead, wench; and my grave is waiting for me, +dug by these accursed fingers. That grave I digged for thee is now +mine. Unwittingly have I bought it, and the coin is in thy purse!" + +It seems the poor maniac, in replacing the mysterious coin to which, +from some cause or other, he attached such importance, had +unthinkingly added it to the common hoard, and in this manner conveyed +it to the stranger, whose grave he persisted he had bought by this +transfer; and nothing could shake his belief in so marvellous a +conclusion. + +The cavalier attempted to comfort him; and in order to make the +delusion subservient to the removal of its terrors, he offered to +restore the coin, or even the whole of what he had received, that the +simple gravedigger might be certain he had it in possession. + +"'Tis needless; the token, once from my grasp and in the fingers of +another whose grave I have digged, would never change my doom by its +return. Keep what thou hast; and may it serve thee more faithfully +than it hath served me! But remember--let me say it while my senses +hold together, for I feel the blast coming that shall scatter them to +the four winds--remember, if thou part therefrom, as I have done, to +some doomed one, thou shalt go to the grave in his stead. But a +charmed life is thine as long as it is in thy possession. Away--leave +me--the master will be here presently for his own. Leave me, I say; +for when the fiend cometh, he'll not tarry. But be sure you make fast +the door, lest I escape, and mischief happen, should I get abroad." + +"Stephen!" said Marian, "slight not the mercy of thy God, nor +dishonour His name, by hearkening to the suggestions of the enemy. His +arm is not shortened, nor His ear heavy." + +"I know it; but when the fiend came, and found the house swept and +garnished, did he not take unto himself seven other spirits more +wicked than himself, and was not the latter end of that man worse than +the first?" + +"Yet," said Marian, "would he have been delivered if he had cried out +to the strong man armed." + +"But he would hear no refutation, persisting in the thought that his +crime was unpardonable, since he had relapsed after the devil was cast +out." During the present paroxysm, it was in vain to thwart him +further; indeed their stay was attended with some hazard, of which, it +seems, he felt aware, inasmuch as he drove them forth without +ceremony. Availing themselves of his suggestion they bolted the door +on the outside, thus preventing any further mischief. Here was a +perplexing and unforeseen dilemma; and how to dispose of the cavalier +was a question of no slight importance. At present the only +alternative was to convey him to his fellow-traveller, Chisenhall, +who, comfortably established in his narrow loft, was quite unconscious +of the events that were passing so near him. + +As they left the cemetery they heard the groans and cries of the +unfortunate victim, suffering, as he imagined, from the resistless +power of his tormentor. + +Early, with the early dawn, Marian again sought the dwelling of Gilgal +Snape. She earnestly entreated him that he would make all speed to the +chapel--again exercising his peculiar gift in "binding the strong man +armed," or, in other words, dispossessing the demoniac. + +The benevolent divine instantly accompanied her, and forthwith +proceeded to the relief of the possessed. Howls and shrieks accosted +him as he ascended the stair. + +"I must be alone," said he; "no earthly witness may be nigh. Strong in +faith, by the grace that is given me, I doubt not that this also thou +wilt vouchsafe to thine unworthy dust,"--he raised his eyes toward +Heaven;--"yet should I fail, He will not let me be overcome, nor fall +into the snare of the wicked one; for I know, and am assured, that +this trial shall turn out to the furtherance of His glory!" + +Marian left him at the entrance. But, with the minister's appearance +in the chamber, the agony of the deluded sufferer seemed to quicken, +as if the sight of him who was the herald of mercy only added fresh +fuel to his torments. Marian was fain to depart; her ears almost +stunned with the cries and howlings of the demoniac. She withdrew in +great agitation, her knees almost sinking under their burden. Hardly +conscious of the removal, she reached her own chamber, where, covering +her face with both hands, she wept bitterly. This outburst of tears +relieved her; though she still suffered from the recent excitement. +Her former resolutions were strengthened by the terrible example she +had just witnessed; and the backsliding impenitent she looked upon as +a watchlight to warn her from the rocks whereon he had made shipwreck. + +Some hours passed on, but no tidings came from the "abbey." She often +looked out across the path, and towards the stile which led to the +ruins; but all was undisturbed. The sun shining down, bright and +unclouded, all was harmony and peace--"all, save the spirit of man, +was divine"--all fulfilling their Maker's ordinances, and his behest. + +The sun was creeping down towards the dark low tower of the chapel; +and Marian was still at the door, gazing out anxiously for +intelligence. She saw a figure mounting the stile. It was--she could +not be mistaken--it was the reverend and easily-recognised form of +Gilgal Snape. She ran down the path to meet him; and she could not +help noticing that he looked more sedate than usual, appearing +harassed and disquieted, betraying more obviously the approach of age +and infirmities. + +"Have you wrestled with the adversary and prevailed?" inquired she, +anxiously. + +"I have had a fearful and a perilous struggle. The fight was long; +but, by the sword of the Spirit, I _have_ prevailed." + +"Has the backslider been brought again to the fold?" + +"He hath, I trust, been found of the Good Shepherd; and he now +sleepeth in Abraham's bosom!" + +"Dead! Hath the grave so soon demanded its prey?" + +"I left him not until the spirit was rendered unto Him who gave it. He +entreated me sore that I would not leave him until I had watched his +dismissal from the body." + +"Then do I know of a surety that the evil spirit was cast out, and the +lost one restored." + +"There was joy in heaven over a repentant sinner this day. When the +dark foe was vanquished, his spirit came again as a little child, and +the leprosy of his sin was healed. Verily, the evil one, ere he was +overthrown, did utter many strange words touching things to come, and +our present perplexities. There seemed to be a spirit of divination +within him which did prophesy. Marian," continued the divine, with a +scrutinising look, "he did tell of thy dealing with our enemies, and +that thou dost even now nourish and conceal those of whom we are in +search." + +"If thine enemy hunger"----But Marian was hastily interrupted in her +plea. + +"But of the secrets which, by virtue of mine office and godly +vocation, men do entrust to my safe keeping, I may not use, even to +the hurt of our enemies and the welfare of the Church, yet buffeted by +Satan in the wilderness. Nevertheless, I was sore troubled that thou, +even thou, shouldest harbour and abet these wicked men, who have +broken the covenant and plucked up the seed of the kingdom. Truly, I +wot not where the afflicted Church shall find succour when her foes be +they of her own household." + +"I knew not that they were enemies when first they sought our +habitation. They had eaten and drunken at our board, and the"---- + +"These sons of Belial found favour in thy sight, even the chief +captain of the king's host. I would not accuse or blame thee rashly; +but verily thou hast not judged wisely in this matter, for now must +they depart, inasmuch as I cannot use, even to the advantage of our +just cause, the knowledge I have gained; nor wilt thou render them up, +I trow; but mark me, the avenger of blood is behind them, and though +the city of refuge be nigh, they shall not escape!----Yet there be +other marvels this wicked one did set forth," said the minister, with +a searching eye directed to the maiden. "One of these uncircumcised +Philistines did woo thee for his bride. What answer gavest thou?" + +"Such answer as becometh one who seeketh not fellowship with the works +of darkness." + +"'Tis well. Now lead me to this Joab the son of Zeruiah, this captain +of the king's host; for I have a message unto him also." + +Following the astonished and trembling maiden, the divine, fraught +with some weighty commission, was admitted into the temporary +concealment of the fugitives. It was a narrow and inconvenient loft +above one of the outbuildings--the roof so low that it was only in +some places the upright figure of the minister might be sustained. The +light penetrated through an aperture in the roof, showing the guests +within seated, and enjoying a frugal, but sufficient repast. + +"I am one of few words," said the divine, "and so much the rather as +that I now stand in the presence of mine enemies. What sayest thou, +Prince Rupert, the persecutor of God's heritage, who didst not stay +thine hand from the slaughter even of them that were taken captive? +What sayest thou that the word should not go forth to kill and slay, +even as thou didst smite and not spare, but didst destroy utterly them +who, when beleaguered by thine armies in Bolton, were delivered into +thine hand?" + +"Ha!" said the Prince; "thou--a cockatrice to betray me!" + +"She hath not betrayed thee. Yonder poor and afflicted sinner, when in +bondage unto Satan, led captive by him at his will, did reveal it by +the spirit of prophecy that was in him. But we take not advantage of +this to thine hurt; we may not use the devil's works for the building +up and welfare of the Church, even though she were mightily holpen +thereby. But listen: thou hast wooed this maiden to be the wife of thy +bosom. In the dark roll of destiny it is written--so spake the unclean +spirit--that if thou shouldest wed, a son springing from thy loins +shall sit upon the throne of this unhappy realm. He shall govern the +people righteously, every one under his own vine and his own fig-tree, +none daring to make them afraid. Surely it would not be a vain and an +evil thing should the maiden be----Yet--this is my temptation. Get +thee behind me, Satan. May the thought and the folly of my heart be +forgiven me! No! proud and cruel persecutor, this maiden is a pearl of +rare price which thou shalt not win--a chosen one who hath had grace +given unto her above measure, even above that vouchsafed unto me. I do +loathe and abhor myself for the iniquity of my heart, and the +unsubdued carnality of my spirit." + +"Your Highness had need of great meekness and patience to endure this +grievous outpouring," said Chisenhall to the silent and bewildered +Prince. "Shall I thrust him through, and make sure of his fidelity?" + +"Hurt him not," said his Highness to this effectual admonisher unto +secrecy. "And what if I should not wed?" continued he, addressing the +divine, and at the same time looking tenderly on the damsel. + +"To this point too was the prophecy accordant. The sceptre shall +nevertheless be given to one of thy race; thy sister's son shall carry +down the line of kings to this people; and the Lord's work shall still +prosper. Now, daughter of many prayers--for I have yearned over thee +with more than a father's love--choose thee without constraint this +day. Thou hearest the words of this prophecy: wilt thou be the mother +of kings, or the lowly and despised follower of God's heritage?" + +"I will not grasp the bubble of ambition. It bursts--a hollow vapour +when possessed. Let me choose rather to suffer affliction with the +people of God than obtain all the treasures of Egypt. But tempt me not +again, for my soul cleaveth to the dust--flesh and blood shrink from +the trial!" + +She sobbed aloud, and threw herself on the old man's neck, who +scarcely refrained from joining in her tears. + +"Thou hast come forth as gold from the furnace--thou hast kept the +faith, and holden fast thy profession," said the divine, with a glance +of triumph. Marian held out her hand to the Prince, who grasped it +with fervour. She seemed more like to some holy and heavenward thing +than a denizen of this polluted earth--more like a type of the +confessors and martyrs of the primitive church than a disciple of our +own, nurtured in the lap of carnal security, with little show of +either zeal or devotion. + +"Your Highness must depart--but whither?" said she, with an anxious +and inquiring glance directed to the minister. + +"Take no thought for their safety; thy constancy hath earned their +deliverance. My safe-conduct will carry them unharmed beyond the reach +of their enemies; but let them not return. It is at their own peril if +they be found again harboured in this vicinage, and their blood be on +their own heads!" + +They departed, and the subsequent history of the gallant Rupert is +well known. He joined the king at Oxford, and helped him to retrieve +his defeat at Newbury, bringing off his artillery left at Dunnington +Castle in the very face of the enemy. At the decisive Battle of Naseby +we find him performing feats of extraordinary valour; but, as before, +his headlong and precipitate fury led him into the usual error; and +though the loss of the battle was not to be attributed entirely to his +imprudence, yet a little more caution would have altered materially +the results of that memorable conflict. Harassed and dispirited, he +threw himself with the remainder of his troops into Bristol, intending +to defend it to the last extremity; but even here his constitutional +fortitude and valour seemed to forsake him: a poorer defence was not +made by any town during the whole war, and the general expectations +were extremely disappointed. No sooner had the Parliamentary forces +entered the lines by storm, than the Prince capitulated, and +surrendered the place to General Fairfax. A few days before, he had +written a letter to the King, in which he undertook to defend it for +four months, if no mutiny obliged him to surrender it. Charles, who +was forming schemes and collecting forces for the relief of the city, +was astonished at so unexpected an event, which was little less fatal +to his cause than the defeat at Naseby. Full of indignation, he +instantly recalled all Prince Rupert's commissions, and sent him a +pass to go beyond sea. + +Several years afterwards we find him in command of a squadron of +ships, entrusted to him by Charles II, when an exile in Normandy. +Admiral Blake received orders from the Parliament to pursue him. +Rupert, being much inferior in force, took shelter in Kinsale, and +escaping thence, fled toward the coast of Portugal. Blake pursued and +chased him into the Tagus, where he intended to attack him; but the +King of Portugal, moved by the favour which throughout Europe attended +the royal cause, refused Blake admission, and aided the Prince in +making his escape. Having lost the greater part of his fleet off the +coast of Spain, he made sail towards the West Indies; but his brother, +Prince Maurice, was there shipwrecked in a hurricane. Everywhere his +squadron subsisted by privateering, sometimes on English, sometimes on +Spanish, vessels. Rupert at last returned to France, where he disposed +of the remnants of his fleet, together with his prizes. + +He was never married; peradventure the remembrance of the noble and +heroic maiden marred his wiving; he cared not for the presence of +those courtly dames by whom he was surrounded, though a soldier, and a +brave one. By one of his race the crown of these realms was inherited; +and the same line is yet perpetuated in the person of our gracious +monarch, whom God preserve! The sister of Rupert, Princess Sophia, by +marriage with the Elector of Hanover, became the mother of George I.; +and thus was that singular prediction of the supposed demoniac +strangely and happily verified. Of Marian little remains to be told; +the lives of the virtuous and well-doing furnish little matter for the +historian; their deeds are not of this world; the bright page of their +history is unfolded only in the next. + + [8] Hume. + + [9] Clarendon. + + [10] Hume. + + +[Illustration: CLEGG HALL, NEAR ROCHDALE. +_Drawn by G. Pickering._ +_Engraved by Edw^d Finden._] + + + + +CLEGG HALL. + + "Is there no exorcist + Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes? + Is't real that I see?" + --SHAKESPEARE. + +Clegg Hall, about two miles N.E. from Rochdale, is still celebrated +for the freaks and visitations of a supernatural guest, called +"Clegg-Hall Boggart." + +So desultory and various are the accounts we have heard, and many of +them so vague and unintelligible, that it has been a work of much +difficulty to weave them into one continuous narrative, and to shape +them into a plot sufficiently interesting for our purpose. The name +and character of "Noman" are still the subject of many an absurd and +marvellous story among the country chroniclers in that region. + +Dr Whitaker says it is "the only estate within the parish which still +continues in the local family name." On this site was the old house +built by Bernulf de Clegg and Quenilda his wife as early as the reign +of Stephen. Not a vestige of it remains. The present comparatively +modern erection was built by Theophilus Ashton of Rochdale, a lawyer, +and one of the Ashtons of Little Clegg, about the year 1620. + +Stubley Hall, mentioned in our tale, was built by Robert Holt in the +reign of Henry VIII. The decay of our native woods had then occasioned +a pretty general disuse of timber for the framework of dwelling-houses +belonging to this class of our domestic architecture. Dr Whitaker +says--"It is the first specimen in the parish of a stone or brick +hall-house of the second order--that is, with a centre and two wings +only. Long before the Holts, appear at this place a Nicholas and a +John de Stubley, in the years 1322 and 1332; then follow in succession +John, Geoffrey, Robert, and Christopher Holt; from whom descended, +though not in a direct line, Robert Holt of Castleton and Stubley, +whose daughter, Dorothy, married in the year 1649, John Entwisle of +Foxholes. Robert, who built Stubley, and who was grandson of +Christopher Holt before mentioned, was a justice of the peace in the +year 1528. In an old visitation of Lancashire by Thomas Tong, Norroy, +30 Hen. VIII., is this singular entry:--"Robarde Holte of Stubley, +hase mar. an ould woman, by whom he hase none issewe, and therefore he +wolde not have her name entryed." Yet it appears he had a daughter, +Mary, who married Charles Holt, her cousin, descended from the first +Robert. Her grandson was the Robert Holt, father to Dorothy Entwisle +before-named, at whose marriage the events took place which, if the +following tradition is to be credited, were the forerunners of a more +strange and unexpected development. + +In the year 1640, nine years before the date of our story, Robert Holt +abandoned Stubley for the warmer and more fertile situation of +Castleton, about a mile south from Rochdale. It was so named from the +_castellum de Recedham_, wherein dwelt Gamel, the Saxon Thane; which +place and personage are described in our first series of _Traditions_. +Castleton was principally abbey-land belonging to the house of +Stanlaw. Part of this township, the hamlet of Marland or Mereland, +was, at the dissolution of monasteries, granted to the Radcliffs of +Langley, and sold by Henry Radcliff to Charles Holt, who married his +cousin, Mary Holt of Stubley, and was grandfather to Robert, who left +Stubley for this place, which we have noticed above. + +Stubley, with its neighbourhood, was always noted for good ale. From +its situation, exposed to all the rigours of that hilly region, the +climate was reckoned so cold as to require that their daily beverage +should be of sufficient strength to counteract its effects. That +habits of intemperance would be contracted from the constant use of +such stimuli may easily be inferred. The following letter from +Nicholas Stratford, Bishop of Chester, to James Holt of Castleton, son +of Robert Holt before-named, is but too melancholy a confirmation of +this inference. + +The original is in the possession of the Rev. J. Clowes of Broughton +Hall:-- + + + "SIR,--Your request in behalf of Mr Halliwell was easily + granted; for I am myself inclined to give the best encouragement + I can to the poor curates, as long as they continue diligent in + the discharge of their duty. But I have now, Sir, a request to + make to you, which I heartily pray you may as readily grant me; + and that is, that you will for the future abandon and abhor the + sottish vice of drunkenness, which (if common fame be not a + great liar) you are much addicted to. I beseech you, Sir, + frequently and seriously to consider the many dismal fruits and + consequences of this sin, even in this world--how destructive it + is to all your most valuable concerns and interests; how it + blasts your reputation, destroys your health, and will (if + continued) bring you to a speedy and untimely death: and, which + is infinitely more dreadful, will exclude you from the kingdom + of heaven, and expose you to that everlasting fire where you + will not be able to obtain so much as one drop of water to cool + your tongue. I have not leisure to proceed in this argum^t, nor + is it needful that I should, because you yourself can enlarge + upon it without my ... I assure you, S^r, this advice now given + you proceeds from sincere love and my earnest desire to promote + your happiness both in this world and the next; and I hope you + will be pleased so to accept from, + + + "S^r, + "Your affectionate friend + "and humble servant, + "N. CESTRIENS. + + "CHESTER, _Nov. 1699_." + + + + + +Clegg Hall, after many changes of occupants, is now in part used as a +country alehouse; other portions are inhabited by the labouring +classes who find employment in that populous and manufacturing +district. It is the properpty of Joseph Fenton, Esq., of Bamford Hall, +by purchase from John Entwisle, Esq., the present possessor of +Foxholes, in that neighbourhood. + + +To Clegg Hall, or rather what was once the site of that ancient house, +tradition points through the dim vista of past ages as the scene of an +unnatural and cruel tragedy. Not that this picturesque and stately +pile, with its gable and zigzag terminations, the subject of our +present engraving, was the very place where the murder was +perpetrated; but a low, dark, and wooden-walled tenement, such as our +forefathers were wont to construct in times anterior to the Tudor +ages. The present building, with its little porch, quaint and +grotesque, its balustrade and balcony above, and the points and +pediments on the four sides, are evidently the coinage of some more +modern brain--peradventure in King James's days. Not unlike the +character of that learned monarch and of his times, half-classical, +half-barbarous, it combines the puerilities of each, without the power +and grandeur of the one, or the rich and chivalric magnificence of the +other; and might remind the beholder of some gaunt warrior of the +Middle Ages, with lance, and armour, and "ladye-love," stalking forth, +clad in the Roman toga or the stately garb of the senator. The +building, the subject of our tale, has neither the gorgeous +extravagance of the Gothic nor the severe and stern utility of the +Roman architecture. Little bits of columns, dwarf-like, and frittered +down into mere extremities, give the porch very much the appearance of +a child's plaything, or a Dutch toy stuck to its side. + +It has the very air and attitude--the pedantic formalities--of the +time when it was built. Not so the house on whose ruins it was +erected; the square, low, dark mansion, constructed of wood, heavy and +gigantic, shaped like the hull of some great ship, the ribs and +timbers being first fixed, and the interstices afterwards filled with +a compost of clay and chopped straw, to keep out the weather. Of such +rude and primitive architecture were the dwellings of the English +gentry in former ages: such was the house built by Bernulf and +Quenilda Clegg, in the reign of Stephen, the supposed scene of that +horrible deed which gave rise to the stories yet extant relating to +"Clegg-Hall Boggart." Popular story is not precise, generally, as to +facts and dates. The exact time when this occurrence took place we +know not; but it is more than probable that some dark transaction of +this nature was here perpetrated. The prevailing tradition warrants +our belief. However fanciful and extravagant the filling up of the +picture, common rumour still preserves untouched the general outline. +It is said that, sometime about the thirteenth or fourteenth century, +a wicked uncle destroyed the lawful heirs of this goodly +possession--two orphan children that were left to his care--by +throwing them over a balcony into the moat, that he might seize on the +inheritance. Such is the story which, to this day, retains its hold on +the popular mind; and ever after, it is said, the house was the +reputed haunt of a troubled and angry spirit, until means were taken +for its removal, or rather its expulsion. But upon the inhuman deed +itself we shall not dilate, inasmuch as the period is too remote, and +the events are too vague, for our purpose. + +The house built by Bernulf Clegg had passed, with many alterations and +renewals, into the possession of the Ashtons of Little Clegg. About +the year 1620 the present edifice was built by Theophilus Ashton; and +thirty years had scarcely elapsed from its erection to the date of our +story. Though the original dwelling had, with one or two exceptions, +been pulled down, yet symptoms of "the boggart" were still manifest in +the occasional visitations and annoyances to which the inmates were +subject. + +The hues of evening were spread out, like a rich tapestry, above and +behind the long unpicturesque line of hills, the lower acclivities of +Blackstonedge, opposite to the stately mansion of Clegg Hall. The +square squat tower of Rochdale Church peered out from the dark trees, +high on its dim eyrie, in the distance, towards the south-west, below +which a wan hazy smoke indicated the site of that thriving and +populous town. To the right, the heavy blue ridge of mountains, +bearing the appropriate name of Blackstonedge, had not yet put on its +cold, grey, neutral tint; but the mass appeared to rise abruptly from +the green enclosures stretching to its base, in strong and beautiful +contrast of colour, such as painters love to express on the mimic +canvas. It was a lovely evening in October; one of Nature's parting +smiles, ere she envelops herself in the horrors and the gloom of +winter. So soft and balmy was the season that the wild flowers +lingered longer than usual in the woods and copses where they dwelt. +In the gardens some of the spring blossoms had already unfolded. The +wallflowers and polyanthuses had looked out again, unhesitatingly, on +the genial sky--deprived, by sophistication and culture, of the +instincts necessary to their preservation: the wild untutored denizens +of the field and the quiet woods rarely betray such lack of +presentiment. But such are everywhere the results of civilisation; +which, however beneficial to society in the aggregate, gives its +objects altogether an artificial character, and, by depriving them of +their natural and proper instincts, renders them helpless when single +and unaided; while it makes them more dependent upon each other, and +on the factitious wants, the offspring of those very habits and +conditions into which they are thrown. + +On the hollow trunk of a decrepit ash the ivy was blossoming +profusely, gathering its support from the frail prop which it was +fated to destroy. The insects were humming and frolicking about on +their tiny wings, taking their last enjoyment of their little day, ere +they gave place to the ephemera of the next. + +"How merry and jocund every life-gifted thing looks forth on this our +festival. It might be Nature holding high jubilee in honour of Holt's +daughter on her wedding-night!" + +Thus spake Nicholas Haworth to his sister Alice, as they stepped forth +from the hall porch, and stayed for a moment by this aged trunk to +admire the scene that was fast losing its glory and its brightness. +They were bidden to the marriage-supper at Stubley, where a masqued +ball was to be given after the nuptials of Dorothy Holt, the daughter +of its possessor, with Entwisle, the heir of Foxholes.[11] + +"It may be holiday and gladness too; but I feel it not," said Alice +pensively, as she leaned on her brother's arm, while they turned into +a narrow lane overarched by irregular groups of beech and sycamore +trees. + +"Heed not such idle fancies," said her brother. "And so, because, +forsooth, an impudent beggar-man predicts some strange event that must +shortly befall thee, the apprehension doth cast its shadow ere it +come, and thou art ready to conjure up some grim spectre in the gloom +it hath created. But, in good sooth, here comes the wizard himself who +hath raised these melancholic and evil humours." + +"I never pass him without a shudder," said she, at the same time +cringing closely to her protector. + +This awful personage was one of an ancient class, now probably +extinct; a sort of privileged order, supplying, or rather usurping, +the place of the mendicant friars of former days. Their vocation was +not of an unprofitable kind, inasmuch as alms were commonly rendered, +though more from fear than favour. Woe betide the unlucky housewife +who withheld her dole, her modicum of meal or money to these sturdy +applicants! Mischief from some invisible hand was sure to follow, and +the cause was laid to her lack of charity. + +The being, the subject of these remarks, had been for many months a +periodical visitor at the Hall, where he went by the name of "Noman." +It is not a little remarkable that tradition should here point out an +adventure something analogous to that of Ulysses with the Cyclop as +once happening to this obscure individual, and that his escape was +owing to the same absurd equivoque by which the Grecian chief escaped +from his tormentor. Our tale, however, hath reference to weightier +matters, and the brief space we possess permits no further digression. +This aged but hale and sturdy beggar wore a grey frieze coat or cloak +loosely about his person. Long blue stocking gaiters, well patched and +darned, came over his knee, while his doublet and hosen, or body-gear, +were fastened together by the primitive attachment of wooden +skewers--a contrivance now obsolete, being superseded by others more +elegant and seemly. A woollen cap or bonnet, of unparalleled form and +dimensions, was disposed upon his head, hiding the upper part of his +face, and almost covering a pair of bushy grey eyebrows, that, in +their turn, crouched over a quick and vagrant eye, little the worse +for the wear of probably some sixty years. A grizzled reddish beard +hung upon his breast; and his aspect altogether was forbidding, almost +ferocious. A well-plenished satchel was on his shoulder; and he walked +slowly and erect, as though little disposed to make way for his +betters in the narrow path, where they must inevitably meet. When they +came nearer he stood still in the middle of the road, as though +inclined to dispute their passage. His tall and well-proportioned +figure, apparent even beneath these grotesque habiliments, stood out +before them in bold relief against the red and burning sky, where an +opening in the lane admitted all the glow and fervour of the western +sunset. His strange, wayward, and even mysterious character was no bar +to his admittance into the mansions of the gentry through a wide +circuit of country, where his familiarities were tolerated, or perhaps +connived at, even by many whose gifts he received more as a right than +as an obligation. + +He looked steadfastly on them as they approached, but without the +slightest show either of respect or good-will. + +"Prithee, stand a little on one side, that we may pass by without fear +of offence," said Nicholas Haworth, good-humouredly. + +"And whither away, young master and my dainty miss?" was the reply, in +his usual easy and familiar address, such as might have suited one of +rank and condition. + +Haworth, little disturbed thereat, said with a careless +smile,--"Troth, thou hast not been so long away but thou mightest have +heard of the wedding-feast to-night, and, peradventure, been foremost +for the crumbs of the banquet." + +"I know well there's mumming and foolery a-going on yonder; and I +suppose ye join the merry-making, as they call it?" + +"Ay, that do we; and so, prithee, begone." + +"And your masks will ne'er be the wiser for't, I trow," said the +beggar, looking curiously upon them from beneath his penthouse lids. + +"But that I could laugh at his impertinence, Alice, I would even now +chide him soundly, and send his pitiful carcase to the stocks for this +presumption. Hark thee, I do offer good counsel when I warn thee to +shift thyself, and that speedily, ere I use the readiest means for thy +removal." + +"Gramercy, brave ruffler; but I must e'en gi'e ye the path; an' so +pass on to the masking, my Lord Essex and his maiden queen." + +He said this with a cunning look and a chuckle of self-gratulation at +the knowledge he had somehow or other acquired of the parts they were +intended to enact. + +"Foul fa' thy busy tongue, where foundest thou this news? I've a +month's mind to change my part, Alice, but that there's neither +leisure nor opportunity, and they lack our presence at the nuptials." + +"How came he by this knowledge, and the fashion of our masks?" +inquired Alice from her brother. "Truly, I could join belief with +those who say that he obtained it not through the ordinary channels +open to our frail and fallible intellects." + +Mistress Alice, "the gentle Alice," was reckoned fair and +well-favoured. Strongly tinctured with romance, her superstition was +continually fed by the stories then current in relation to her own +dwelling, and by the generally-received opinions about witches and +other supernatural things which yet lingered, loth to depart from +these remote limits of civilisation. + +"Clegg-Hall Boggart" was the type of a notion too general to be +disbelieved; yet were the inmates, in all probability, less intimately +acquainted with the freaks and disturbances attendant thereon than +every gossip in the neighbourhood; for, as it frequently happens, +tales and marvels, for the most part originating through roguery, and +the pranks of servants and retainers, were less likely to come to the +ears of the master and his family than those of persons less +interested, but more likely to assist in their propagation. The +vagrant and erratic movements of "Noman" were, somehow or another, +connected with the marvellous adventures and appearances in the +"boggart chamber." At the Hall, this discarded room, being part of the +old house yet remaining, was the one which he was permitted to occupy +during his stay; and his appearance was generally the signal of a +visit from their supernatural guest. To be sure, the strange sights he +beheld rested on his testimony alone; but his word was never +questioned, and his coming was of equal potency with the magician's +wand in raising the ghost. + +"We shall have some news from our troublesome guest, I suppose, in the +morning," said Alice to her brother, as they went slowly on: "I know +not the cause; but yonder vagrant seems to waken our ancient companion +from his slumbers, either by sympathy or antipathy, I trow." + +"For the most part they be idle tales," said he; "though I doubt not, +in former days, the place was infested by some unquiet spirit. But +this good house of ours hath modern stuff too strong upon it. The +smell of antiquity alone hath a savour delicate enough for your musty +ghost." + +Alice pressed his arm slightly as an admonition, at the same time +gently chiding his unbelief. Thus beguiling the way with pleasant +discourse, they drew nigh to the old house at Stubley, little more +than a mile distant from their own dwelling. + +Though now resident in his more modern, sheltered, and convenient +mansion of Castleton, Holt determined that his daughter's wedding +should be solemnised in the ancient halls, where Robert Bath, vicar of +Rochdale, who was presented to the living on his marriage with a niece +of Archbishop Laud, was invited to perform the ceremony;--"A man," +says Dr Whitaker, "of very different principles from his patron; for +he complied with all changes but the last, and retained his benefice +till August 24, 1662, when he went out on the Bartholomew Act, and +retired to a small house at Deepleach Hill, near Rochdale, where he +frequently preached to a crowded auditory."[12] + +As they came nigh, lights were already glancing between the mullions +of the great hall window, then richly ornamented with painted glass. +The guests were loitering about the walks and terraces in the little +garden-plots, which in that bleak and chilly region were scantily +furnished. In the hall, fitted up with flowers and green holly-wreaths +for the occasion, the father of the bride and his intended son-in-law +were pacing to and fro in loving discourse; the latter pranked out in +a costly pair of "petticoat breeches," pink and white, of the newest +fashion, reaching only to the knee. These were ornamented with ribands +and laces at the two extremities, below which silk stockings, +glistering like silver, and immense pink shoe-roses, completed his +nether costume. A silken doublet and waistcoat of rich embroidery, +over which was a turned-down shirt-collar of point-lace, surmounted +the whole. + +His friends and officials were busily employed in arranging matters +for the occasion, distributing the wedding-favours, and preparing for +the entertainments and festivities that were to follow. + +Holt and his son-in-law were exempt from duty, save that of welcoming +those that were bidden, upon their arrival. + +Before an oaken screen, beautifully carved with arabesque ornaments +and armorial bearings,[13] there was a narrow table, covered with a +white cloth, and on it the prayer-book, open at the marriage +formulary. Four stools were placed for those more immediately +interested in the ceremony. Rosemary and bay-leaves, gilt and dipped +in scented water, were scattered about the marriage-altar in +love-knots and many fanciful and ingenious devices. A bride-cup rested +upon it, in which lay a sprig of gilded rosemary--a relic or semblance +of the ancient hymeneal torch. Huge tables, groaning with garniture +for the approaching feast, were laid round the apartment--room being +left in the central floor for all who chose to mingle in the games and +dances that were expected after supper. + +The company were now assembled, and the ceremony about to commence. +The bride, clothed in white, with a veil of costly workmanship thrown +over her, was led in by her maidens and a train of friends. The +bridegroom taking her hand, they stood before the altar, and the brief +but indissoluble knot was tied. The kiss being given, the happy +husband led away his partner into the parlour or guest chamber, +followed by many of those who had witnessed the ceremony. Alice and +her brother were amongst them; and the bride, perceiving their +entrance, drew the hand of the maiden within hers, and retained her +for a short season by her side. + +The feast was begun; those who were for the mask took but a hasty +refreshment, being anxious to proceed into the 'tiring rooms, there to +array for the more interesting part of the night's revel. In due time +issued forth from their crowded bowers lords and ladies gay, buffoons, +morris-dancers, and the like; gypsies, fortune-tellers, and a medley +of giddy mummers, into the hall, where the more sedate or more sensual +were still carousing after the feast. + +"Room for the masks!" was the general cry; and the musicians, each +after his kind, did pierce and vex the air with such a medley of +disquieting sounds that the talkers were fain to cease, and the +dancers to fall to in good earnest. Alice and her brother were +disguised as the cunning beggar had predicted--to wit, as the virgin +queen and her unfortunate lover. Masks were often dropping in, so that +the hall and adjoining chambers were fully occupied, resounding in +wild echoes with noise and revelry. + +Loud and long was the merriment, increasing even until the roofs rung +with the din, and the revellers themselves grew weary of the tumult. + +Alice was standing by the oaken screen during a temporary cessation on +her part from the labours incident to royalty, when there came from +behind it a tawny Moor, wearing a rich shawl turban, with a beard of +comely aspect. His arms were bare and hung with massive bracelets, and +he wore a tight jacket of crimson and gold. His figure was tall and +commanding; but his face was concealed by a visor of black crape, +which hindered not his speech from being clearly apprehended, though +the sound came forth in a muffled tone, as if feigned for the +occasion. Immediately there followed an Arabic or Turkish doctor, +clad in a long dark robe, and his head surmounted by a four-cornered +fur cap. In one hand he held a glass phial, and a box under his left +arm. Of an erect and majestic stature, he stood for a moment +apparently surveying the scene ere he mingled in the busy crowd. His +face also was covered with black crape, and through the "eyelet-holes" +a bright and burning glance shot forth, hardly repressed by the shadow +from his disguise. Alice, being unattended, shunned these unknown +intruders, and mingled again with a merry group who were pelting one +another with comfits and candied almonds. The stately Elizabeth +beckoned to her maidens; but they merely curtsied to their royal +mistress, without discontinuing their boisterous hilarity. Indeed, the +mumming hitherto had been more in dress than manners, so little +restraint had their outward disguise occasioned, or their behaviour +been altered thereby. The two late comers, however, produced a change. +It appeared that their business was to enact a play or cunning device +for the amusement of the company who, regarding them with a curious +eye, one by one left off their several sports to gaze upon the +strangers. + +The rest were generally known to each other; but whispers and +inquiries now went round, from which it appeared that the new +visitants were strictly concealed, and their presence unexpected. + +"Now, o' my faith," said Harry Cheetham, whose skill in dancing and +drollery had been conspicuous throughout the evening, "yon barbarians +be come from the Grand Turk, with his kerchief, recruiting for the +seraglio." + +"Out upon thee!" said a jingling Morisco, enacted by young Hellawell +of Pike House; "the Grand Signior loveth not maidens such as ours for +his pavilion. They be too frosty to melt, even in Afric's sunny +clime." This was said with a malicious glance at Alice, whose +queen-like dignity and haughty bearing had kept many an ardent admirer +at bay through the evening. + +"Sure the master of the feast hath withheld this precious delectation +until now," said Essex; "for they, doubtless, be of his providing." + +"And give promise of more novel but less savoury entertainment," said +Hamer of Hamer. But Holt either knew them not, or his look of +surprise, not unmixed with curiosity and expectation, showed that he +was playing the masker too, without other disguise than his own proper +features--the kind hospitable face of an honest north-country squire, +ruddy with health and conviviality. + +At the farther end of the hall the bride and her bride-maidens were +standing, with the bridegroom at her side, whispering soft gallantries +in her ear. The strangers, on their entrance, rendered neither token +nor obeisance, as courtesy required, to the bride and her train, but +followed Alice, who had joined her brother in the merry crowd, now +watching the motions of these unexpected visitants. They approached +with stately and solemn steps; and, without once deigning to notice +the rest of the company, the gaudy Moor bowed himself in a most +dignified _salaam_ before the queen. Alice, apparently with some +trepidation at being thus singled out from the rest, clung to her +brother, she hardly knew why. + +"My sublime master, emperor of the world, lord of the sun, and ruler +of the seven celestial configurations, sendeth his slave unto the most +high and mighty Queen--whose beauty, as a girdle, doth encompass the +whole earth--with greeting." + +"And who is he?" said Alice, timidly enough. + +"The Sultan Ibrahim, lord of the seven golden towers, the emerald +islands, and ruler over an hundred nations. He bade his slave kiss the +hem of his mistress's garment, and beseech her to put her foot on the +neck of his bondsman, her slave's slave, and accept his gift." + +"And who is this thy companion?" said Alice, growing bolder, while the +company were gradually gathering round them. + +"This, whom your unworthy slave hath brought, most gracious Queen, is +the renowned Doctor Aboulfahrez, high conjuror to the Khan of Tartary, +and physician to the Great Mogul. He doth drive hence all pains and +diseases whatsoever, and will cure your great majesty of any disorder +of the spirit, by reason of charms or love-philtres heretofore +administered." + +With a slight bend of his illustrious person, as though the high +conjuror to the Khan of Tartary, and physician to the Great Mogul, +thought himself too nearly on an equality with her "high mightinesse" +the Queen, the learned doctor for the first time broke silence-- + +"Will it please the Queen's grace to command an ensample of mine art?" + +"We must first be assured unto what purpose. Hast thou not heard," +said Alice, with increasing confidence, "that it is treason to put +forth strange or unlawful devices before the Queen?" + +The stranger bowed. "But your grace hath traitors in those fair eyes +which do prompt treason if they practise none." + +This gallant speech was much applauded by the company, and relieved +Alice from the necessity of a speedy and suitable answer; for she +began to be somewhat perplexed by the address of these bold admirers. + +"Look at this precious phial, the incomparable elixir, the pabulum of +life, the grand arcanum, the supernaculum, the mother and regenerator +of nature, the source and the womb of all existence, past, present, +and to come!" The learned doctor paused, more from want of breath than +from scarcity of epithets wherewith to blazon forth the great virtues +of his discovery. Soon, however, he breathed again through the +mouth-slit in his mask, and blew on the phial, when lo! a vapour +issued from within, curling in long-drawn wreaths down the side, in a +manner most wonderful to behold. + +This trick roused the admiration of his audience, but he made a sign +that they should be still, as their breath and acclamations might +disturb the process. He now thrust one finger into the vapour, when it +appeared to wind round his hand; then, letting the bottle drop, it +fell, suspended from the finger by this novel and extraordinary +chain--the vapour seeming to be the link by which it hung. This +unexpected feat repressed the noisy burst of applause which might have +been the result of a less wonderful device. Every one looked anxiously +and uneasily at his neighbour, and at the renowned Doctor Aboulfahrez, +not feeling comfortable, perhaps, or even safe, in the presence of so +exalted a personage. But new wonders were at hand. The mysterious +visitor uttered some cabalistic words, and lo! flames burst forth from +the magic phial, to the additional wonder and dismay of the beholders. + +"When the Queen's grace doth will it, this box shall be opened; but it +will behove her to be discreet in what may follow, lest the charm be +evaded." + +The Moorish slave was silent during this procedure, standing with +arms folded, as though he had been one of the mutes of his master's +harem, rather than ambassador to his "ladye love." With the assent of +Alice, the Doctor took in one hand the casket, which he cautiously +unlocked. The lid flew open by a secret spring, and a peacock of +surprising beauty and glittering plumage rose out of the box, +imitating the motions of the real bird to admiration. The mimic thing, +being placed on the floor, flapped its wings, and unfolded its tail +with all the pride and precision of the original. + +"Beshrew me!" said Holt, approaching nearer to the performer, "but +thou hast been bred to the black art, I think. Some o' ye have catered +excellently for our pastime." But who it was none could ascertain, +each giving his neighbour credit secretly for the construction of +these dainty devices. Yet new wonders were about to follow, when the +bride and bridegroom, though wedded to each other's company, came +forward to see the spectacle. Not a guest was missing. Even those most +pleasantly occupied at the tables left their sack and canary, their +spices and confections. The musicians, too, and the menials, seemed to +have forgotten their several duties, and stood gaping and marvelling +at the show. Suddenly there flew open a little door in the breast of +the automaton bird, and out jumped a fair white pigeon, which, after +having performed many surprising feats, in its turn became the parent +of another progeny--to wit, a beautiful singing bird, or nightingale, +which warbled so sweetly, fluttering its wings with all the ecstacy of +that divine creature, that the listeners were nearly beside themselves +with ravishment and admiration. The nightingale now opened, and a +little humming-bird of most surprising brilliancy hopped forth, and +jumping up to the Queen, held out its beak, having a label therein, +apparently beseeching her to accept the offering. She stooped down to +receive the billet, which she hastily unfolded. What effect was +visible on her countenance we cannot pretend to say, inasmuch as the +mask precluded observation; but there was an evident tremor in her +frame. She seemed to be overpowered with surprise, and held out the +note as though for the moment incapable of deciding whether to accept +it or no. Then with a sudden effort she crumpled it together, and +thrust it behind her stomacher. Wonder sat silent and watchful on the +face of every beholder. The actors in this strange drama had replaced +the automata in the box again, closing its lid. The Moor had made his +_salaam_, the Doctor his obeisance, disappearing behind the screen +from which they had so mysteriously come forth. But at their departure +a train of fire followed upon their track, and a lambent flame played +curiously upon the wooden crockets for a few seconds, and then +disappeared. + +Now was there a Babel of tongues unloosed, at first by sudden impulses +and whispers, then breaking forth by degrees into a loud and +continuous din of voices, all at once seeking to satisfy their +inquiries touching this strange and unexpected visit. Their host was +mightily pestered and besieged with questions and congratulations on +the subject, which he has promptly and peremptorily disclaimed, +attempting to fix the hatching of the plot upon the astonished +bridegroom. But even he would not father the conceit; and, in the end, +it began to be surmised that these were indeed what their appearance +betokened, or something worse, which cast a sudden gloom on the whole +assembly. Some sallied out of the door to watch, and others blamed the +master for not seizing and detaining these emissaries of Satan. Alice +was closely questioned as to the communication she had received; but +she replied, evasively perhaps, that it was only one of the usual +stale conceits appropriate to the masque. + +Nothing more was heard or seen of them; and it was now high time they +should accompany the bridegroom to his own dwelling at Foxholes--a +goodly house situate on a pretty knoll near the town of Rochdale, and +about two miles distant from Stubley. + +Now was there mustering and hurrying to depart. An unwieldy coach was +drawn up, into which the bride and her female attendants were +forthwith introduced, the bridegroom and his company going on foot. On +arriving at Foxholes, the needful ceremonies were performed. Throwing +the stocking, a custom then universally practised, was not omitted; +which agreeable ceremony was performed as follows:-- + +The female friends and relations conducted the bride to her chamber, +and the men the bridegroom. The latter then took the bride's +stockings, and the females those of the bridegroom. Sitting at the +bottom of the bed, the stockings were thrown over their heads. When +one of the "hurlers" hit the owner, it was deemed an omen that the +party would shortly be married. Meanwhile the posset was got ready, +and given to the newly-married couple.[14] + +It was past midnight, yet Alice sat, solitary and watchful, at her +little casement. One fair white arm supported her cheek, and she was +gazing listlessly on the silver clouds as they floated in liquid +brightness across the full round disc of the moon, then high in the +meridian. Her thoughts were not on the scene she beheld. The mellow +sound of the waterfalls, the murmur from the river, came on with the +breeze, rising and falling like the deep pathos of some wild and +mysterious music. Memory, that busy enchanter, was at work; and the +scenes she had lately witnessed, so full of disquietude and mystery, +mingled with the returning tide of past and almost forgotten emotions. +We have said that the prevailing bent or bias of her disposition was +that of romance; and this idol of the imagination, this love of +strange and enervating excitement, had not been repressed by the +occurrences of the last few hours; on the contrary, she felt as though +some wondrous event was impending--some adventure which she alone +should achieve--some power that her own arm should contend with and +subdue. + +She took the billet from her bosom; the moonlight alone fell upon it; +but the words were so indeliby fixed upon her imagination that she +fancied she could trace every word on that mystic tablet. + + "To-morrow, at midnight, in the haunted chamber! If thou hast + courage, tarry there a while. Its occupant will protect + thee."--['Wherefore am I so bent on this adventure? To visit + the beggar in his lair!' thought she; and again she threw her + eyes on the billet.] "Peril threatens thine house, which thy + coming can alone prevent. Shouldest thou reveal but one word of + this warning, thy life, and those dear to thee, will be the + forfeit. From thine unknown monitor, + + "THESE." + +The guest in the boggart-chamber was Noman, to whom it had been +allotted, and though he told of terrible sights and harrowing +disclosures, he seemed to brave them all with unflinching hardihood, +and even exulted in their repetition. To remain an hour or two with +such a companion was in itself a sufficiently novel adventure; but +that harm could come from such a source scarcely entered her +imagination. A feeling of irrepressible curiosity stimulated her, and +prevailed over every other consideration. It was not like spending the +time alone; this certainly would have been a formidable condition to +have annexed. Besides, would it not be a wicked and a wanton thing to +shrink from difficulty or danger when the welfare and even life of one +so dear as her brother, peradventure, depended on her compliance. +Another feeling, too, more complicated, and a little more selfish it +might be, was the hidden cause to which her inclinations might be +traced. + +"Mine unknown monitor!" she repeated the words, and a thousand strange +and wayward fancies rose to her recollection. Often had she seen, when +least expecting it, a stranger, who, in whatsoever place they met, +preserved a silence respectful but mysterious. She had seen him in the +places of public resort, in the solitary woods, and in the highways; +but his reserve and secrecy were unbroken. When she inquired, not an +individual knew him; and though his form and features were indelibly +traced on her memory, she could never recall them without an effort, +which, whether it was attended with more of pain than of pleasure, we +will not venture to declare. Once or twice she had fancied, when +awaking in the dead stillness of the night, that an invisible +something was near and gazing upon her; but this feeling was soon +forgotten, though often revived whenever she was more than usually +sensitive or excited. The figure of the Moor was wonderfully similar +to the form of the mysterious unknown. But the secret was now, at any +rate, to be divulged; and a few hours would put her into possession of +the key to unlock this curious cabinet. So thought Alice, and her own +secret chambers of imagery were strangely distempered thereby. Was she +beloved by one of a higher order of beings, a denizen of the invisible +world, who tracked her every footstep, and hovered about her unseen? +She had heard that such things were, and that they held intercourse +with some favoured mortals--unlimited duration, and a nature more +exalted, subject to no change, being vouchsafed to the chosen ones. +The exploits at Stubley seemed to favour this hypothesis, and Alice +fell into a delicious reverie, as we have seen, well prepared for the +belief and reception of any stray marvels that might fall out by the +way. + +Looking upon the moat which lay stagnant and unruffled beneath the +quiet gaze of the moon, she thought that a living form emerged from +the bushes on the opposite bank;--she could not be mistaken, it was +her unknown lover. Breathless she awaited the result; but the shadows +again closed around him, and she saw him not again. Bewildered, +agitated, and alarmed, the day was springing faintly in the dim east +when her eyelids lay heavy in the dew of their repose. + +Morning was high and far risen in the clear blue atmosphere, but its +first and balmy freshness was passed when Alice left her chamber. She +looked paler and more languid than she was wont, and her brother +rallied her playfully on the consequences of last night's dissipation; +but her thoughts were otherwise engrossed, and she replied carelessly +and with an air of abstraction far different from her usual playful +and unrestrained spirit. The mind was absorbed, restricted to one sole +avenue of thought: all other impressions ceased to communicate their +impulse. Her brother departed soon afterwards to his morning +avocations; but Alice sat in the porch. She looked out on the hills +with a vacant, but not unwistful eye. Their slopes were dotted with +many a fair white dwelling, but the rigour of cultivation had not +extended so far up their barren heathery sides as now; yet many a +bright paddock, green amid the dark waste, and the little homestead, +the nucleus of some subsequent and valuable inheritance, proclaimed +the unceasing toil, the primeval curse, and the sweat of the brow, +that was here also. + +To enjoy the warmth and freshness of the morning, Alice had removed +her spinning-wheel into the porch. Here she was engaged in the +primitive and good old fashion of preparing yarn for the wants of the +household--an occupation not then perfected into the system to which +it is now degraded. The wives and daughters of the wealthiest would +not then disdain to fabricate material for the household linen, +carrying us far back into simpler, if not happier times, when Homer +sung, and kings' daughters found a similar employment. + +Alice was humming in unison with her wheel, her thoughts more free +from the very circumstance that her body was the subject of this +mechanical exercise. + +"Good morrow, Mistress Alice!" said a sonorous voice at the entrance. +Turning suddenly, she espied the athletic beggar standing erect, with +his staff and satchel, on one side of the porch. + +"Ha' ye an awmous to-day, lady?" He doffed his cap and held it forth, +more with the air of one bestowing a favour than soliciting one. + +"Thou hast been i' the kitchen, I warrant," said Alice, "by the +breadth of thy satchel." + +"An' what the worse are ye for that?" replied the saucy mendicant; +"your hounds and puppies would lick up the leavings, if I did not." + +"Go to," said Alice, impatiently; "thou dost presume too far to escape +correction. Begone!" + +"This air, I reckon--ay, this blessed air--is as free unto my use as +thine," said Noman, sullenly, and without showing any symptoms of +obedience. + +"My brother shall know of thine insolence, and the menials shall drive +thee forth." + +"Thy brother!--tell him, pretty maiden, that though he is a lawyer, +and his uncle, he who built this house to boot, he hath little left in +this misgoverned realm but to deal out injustice. Other folks' money +sticks i' their skirts that have precious little o' their own, I wis." + +"I know not the nature of thine allusions, nor care I to bandy weapons +with such an adversary." + +"Hark ye, lady! it was to solder down as pretty a piece of roguery as +one would wish to leave to one's heirs that Theophilus Ashton, thine +uncle, thy mother's brother, now deceased, went to London when he had +builded this house." + +"Roguery!--mine uncle Ashton! Darest thou?"---- + +"Ay, the same. The spoils of my patrimony built this goodly dwelling, +and the battle of Marston Moor gave thy brother wherewith to buy the +remainder of the inheritance. I was made a beggar by my loyalty, he a +rich man by his treason." + +"What means this foul charge?" said Alice, astounded by the audacity +of this accusation. + +"But fear not. Had it not been for thee and another--whose well-being +is bound up in thine own--long ago would this goodly heritage have +been spoiled; for--revenge is sweeter even than possession; so +good-morrow, Mistress Alice." + +"What, then, is thy business with me?" + +"Wentest thou not from the masque with thy pretty love-billet behind +thy stomacher?" + +"Insolent vagrant, this folly shall not go unpunished!" + +"Hold, wench! provoke not an"----he paused for one second, but in that +brief space there came a change over his spirit, which in a moment was +subdued as though by some over-mastering effort--"an impotent old +man." His voice softened, and there was a touch even of pathos in the +expression. "To-night--fail not--I, ay even _I_, will protect thee. +Fear not; thy welfare hangs on that issue!" + +Saying this, with an air of dignity far superior to his usual +bluntness and even rudeness of address, he slowly departed. Thoughts +crowded, like a honey swarm, to this hive of mystery, nor could she +throw off the impression which clung to her. She had been warned +against revealing this communication, but at one time she felt +resolved to make her brother acquainted with the whole, and to claim +his protection; but then came the warning, or rather threat, of some +hidden mischief that must inevitably follow the disclosure. "Surely, +in her own home, she might venture to walk unattended. The beggar she +had known for some time in his periodical visits; and though she felt +an unaccountable timidity in his presence, yet she certainly was +minded to make an experiment of the adventure; but"----And in this +happy state of doubt and fluctuation she remained until eventide, when +a calm bright moon, as it again rose over the hill, saw Alice at the +casement of her own chamber, looking thoughtfully, anxiously, down +where the dark surface of the stagnant moat wore a bright star on its +bosom. The scene, the soft and tender influence which it +possessed--the hour, soothing and elevating the mind, freed from the +harassing and petty cares of existence--to a romantic and imaginative +disposition these were all favourable to its effects--the development +of that ethereal spirit of our nature, that enchanter whose wand +conjures up the busy world within, creating all things according to +his own pleasure, and investing them with every attribute at his will. +She felt her fears give way, and her resolution was taken: the die was +cast, and she committed herself to the result. What share the +handsome, dark, and melancholy-looking stranger had in this decision +she did not pause to inquire, nor indeed could she have much if any +suspicion of the secret influence he excited. There was danger, and +this danger could only be averted by her interference: what might be +curiosity was at any rate her duty; and she, feeling mightily like +some devoted heroine, would not shrink from the trial. When once +brought to a decision she felt a load taken from her breast; she +breathed more freely, and her tread was more vigorous and elastic. She +left her chamber with a lofty mien, and the gentle Alice felt more +like the proud mistress of an empire than the inhabitant of a little +country dwelling when she re-entered the parlour: yet there was a +restless glance from her eye which ever and anon would start aside +from visible objects and wander about, apparently without aim or +discrimination. Her brother was busied, happily, with domestic duties, +too much engaged to notice any unusual disturbance in her demeanour, +and Alice employed her time to little profit until she heard the +appointed signal for rest. As they bade the usual "good-night," her +heart smote her: she looked on the unconscious, unsuspecting aspect of +her brother, and the whole secret of her heart was on her tongue: it +did not escape her lips; but the tear stood in her eye; and as she +closed the door it sounded like the signal of some long separation--as +though the portal had for ever closed upon her. + +Wrapped in a dark mantle, with cap and hood, the maiden stepped forth +from her little closet about midnight. She bore a silver lamp that +waved softly in the night-wind as she went with a noiseless, timid +step through the passages to the haunted chamber. The room wherein the +beggar slept was somewhat detached from the rest of the dormitories. A +low gallery led by a narrow corridor to a flight of some two or three +steps into this room, now used for the stowage of lumber. It was said +to have been one of the apartments in the old house, forming a sort of +peduncle to the new, not then removed, like a remnant of the shell +sticking to the skirts of the new-fledged bird. This adjunct, the +beggar's dwelling, is now gone. An ancient doorcase with a grotesque +carving disclosed the entrance. She paused before it, not without a +secret apprehension of what might be going on within. For the first +time she felt the novelty, not to say imprudence, of her situation, +and the unfeminine nature of her exploit. She was just hesitating +whether or not to return when she heard the door slowly open; a tall, +gaunt, figure looked out, which she immediately recognised to be that +of the mendicant. Somewhat reassured, and her courage strengthened by +his appearance, she did not attempt to retreat, but stood silent for a +space, and seemingly not a little abashed; yet the purity of her +motives, as far as known to herself, soon recurred to her aid, and her +proud and somewhat haughty spirit immediately roused its energies when +she had to cope with difficulty and danger. + +"I come to thy den, old man, that I may unriddle thy dark sayings." + +"Or rather," replied he, slowly and emphatically, "that thou mayest +unriddle that pretty love-billet thou hast read." + +"I am here in my brother's house, and surely I have both the right and +the power to walk forth unquestioned or unsuspected of an intrigue or +assignation," replied she, quick and tender on the point whereon her +own suspicions were disagreeably awakened. + +"Come in, lady," said he, "and thou shall be safe from any suspicions +but thine own." + +Alice entered, and the door was closed and bolted. Her feelings were +those of uneasiness, not unmixed with alarm. Before her stood the +athletic form of the mendicant; she was at some distance from the rest +of the family--none caring to have their biding-place in the immediate +vicinity of the haunted chamber--in the power, it might be, of this +strange and anomalous being. A miserable pallet lay on the floor in +one corner, and the room was nearly filled with useless lumber and the +remains of ancient materials from the old apartments. Probably it was +from this circumstance that the ghosts had their fancies for this +room, haunting the relics of the past, and lingering around their +former reminiscences. The light she held gleamed athwart the face of +her companion, and his features were strangely significant of some +concealed purpose. + +"Whom do we meet in this place?" she inquired. + +"Prithee, wait; thou wilt see anon. But let me counsel thee to remain +silent; what thou seest note, but make no reply. Be not afraid, for no +harm shall befall thee. But let me warn thee, maiden, that thou shrink +not from the trial." + +He now slowly retired, and she watched his receding figure until it +was hidden behind a huge oaken bedstead in the corner. But he returned +not, and Alice felt terrified at being so unexpectedly left alone. She +called out to him, but there was no answer; she sought for some +outlet, but no trace was visible whereby he could have departed from +the chamber. As she was stooping down, suddenly the light was blown +out, and she felt herself seized by invisible hands. + +"Be silent for thy life," said a strange whisper in her ear. She was +hurried on through vaults and passages; the cold damp air struck +chilly on her, and she felt as though descending into some unknown +depths, beneath the very foundations of her own dwelling. Darkness was +still about their steps; but she was borne along, at a swift pace, by +persons evidently accustomed to this subterraneous line of +communication. + +"No harm shall happen thee," said the same whisper in her ear as +before. Suddenly a vivid light flashed out from an aperture or window, +and she heard a groaning or rumbling and the clank of chains; but this +was passed, and a pale dull light showed a low vaulted chamber, into +which Alice was conveyed. An iron lamp hung from the ceiling in what +seemed to have been one of the cellars of the old house, though she +was unaware beforetime of such a dangerous proximity. The door was +closed upon her, and again she was left alone. So confused and +agitated was she for a while that she felt unable to survey the +objects that encompassed her. By degrees, however, she regained +sufficient fortitude to make the examination. Her astonishment was +extreme when she beheld, ranged round the vault, coffers full of +coin--heaps of surprising magnitude exposed, the least of which would +have been a king's ransom; fair and glistering too, apparently fresh +from the hands of some cunning artificer. Her curiosity in some +measure getting the better of her fears, she ventured to touch one of +these tempting heaps--not being sure but that her night visions were +answerable for the illusion. She laid her hand on a hoard of bright +nobles. Another and another succeeded, yet each coffer held some fresh +denomination of coin. There were moneys of various nations, even to +the Spanish pistole and Turkish bezant. Such exhaustless wealth it had +never yet entered into her imagination to conceive--the very idea was +too boundless even for fancy to present. "Surely," thought she, "I am +in some fairy palace, where the combined wealth of every clime is +accumulated; and the king of the genii, or some old and ugly ogre, has +certes fallen in love with me, and means to present it for my dowry." +Smiling at this thought, even in the midst of her apprehensions--for +the blow which severed her from her friends was too stunning to be +felt immediately in all its rigour--she stood as one almost +transported with admiration and surprise. Yet her situation was far +from being either enviable or pleasant, though in the midst of a +treasure-house of wealth that would have made an emperor the richest +of his race. No solution that she could invent would at all solve the +problem--no key of interpretation would fit these intricate movements. +Here she stood, a prisoner perhaps, with the other treasures in the +vault; and assuredly the miser, whosoever he might be, had shown great +taste and judgment too in the selection. But the crisis was at hand. +The door opened, and she heard a footstep behind her. A form stood +before her whom she immediately recognised and perhaps expected. The +mysterious stranger was in her presence. With a respectful obeisance +he folded his hands on his bosom, but he spoke not. + +"What wouldst thou? and why this outrage?" inquired she. + +The intruder pointed to the surrounding treasures, then to himself: by +which she understood (so quickly interpretated is the mute eloquence +of passion) that he was in love with her, and devoted them all +exclusively to her service. But what answer she gave, permit me, +gentle reader, for a season to detain; for truly it is an event of so +marvellous a nature whereon our tradition now disporteth itself, that, +like an epicure hindering the final disposal of some delicate +mouthful, of which, when gulped, he feeleth no more the savour, so we +would, in like manner, courteous reader, do thee this excellent +service, in order that the sweetness of expectation may be prolonged +thereby; and the solution, like a kernal in the shell, not be crushed +by being too suddenly cracked. + +Turn we now to the inmates at the hall, where, as may easily be +understood, there was a mighty stir and commotion when morning brought +the appointed hour, and Mistress Alice came not to the breakfast meal. +Her brother was at his wits' end when the forenoon passed, and still +there were no tidings. Messengers were sent far and near, and no place +was left untried where it was thought intelligence might be gained. +She was not to be found, nor any trace discovered of her departure. + +Nicholas was returning from Foxholes, Stubley, and Pike House. +Passing, in a disconsolate mood, through the gate leading from the +lane to his own porch, he met Noman, apparently departing. The beggar, +seeing his approach, assumed his usual stiff and inflexible attitude, +pausing ere he passed. A vague surmise, for which he could not +account, prompted the suspicions of Nicholas Haworth towards this +unimportant personage. + +"What is thy business to-day abroad?" he inquired hastily. + +"A word in thine ear, master," said the beggar. + +"Say on, then; and grant that it may have an inkling of my sister!" + +"She hath departed." + +"That I know. But whither?" + +"Ask the little devilkins I saw yesternight. I have told ye oft o' the +sights and terrible things that have visited me i' the boggart +chamber, and that the ghost begged hard for a victim." + +"What! thou dost not surely suppose he hath borne away my sister?" + +"I have said it!" replied the mendicant, with an air of mystery. + +"We'll have the place exorcised, and the spirit laid; and thou"--said +Nicholas, pausing--"have a care that we hale thee not before the +justice for practising with forbidden and devilish devices." + +"I cry thee mercy, Master Haworth; but for what good deed am I to +suffer? I have brought luck to thine house hitherto, and what mischief +yon ghost hath wrought is none o' my doing. If thou wilt, I can rid +thee of his presence, and that speedily, even if 'twere Beelzebub +himself." + +"But will thy conjurations bring back my sister?" said the wondering, +yet half-credulous squire. + +"That is more than I can tell. But, to prove that I am not in league +with thine enemy, I will cast him out." + +"Hath Alice been strangled, or in anywise hurt, by this wicked +spirit?" + +"Nay," said the beggar solemnly, "I guess not; but I heard him pass +by, and the chains did rattle fearfully through mine ears, until I +heard them at her bed-chamber. He may have spirited her away to +fairy-land for aught I know; and yet she lives!" + +"Save us, merciful Disposer of our lot!" said Nicholas, much moved to +sorrow at this strange recital, yet in somewise comforted by the +assurance it contained. "We are none of us safe from his visitations, +now they are extended hitherto. I dreamt not of danger beforetime, +though I have heard sounds, and seen unaccountable things; yet I +imagined that in the old chamber only he had power to work mischief; +and, even there, I did disbelieve much of thy story, as it respected +his freaks and the nature and manner of his visits. The rumblings that +I fancied at times in the dead of night were in the end disregarded +and almost forgotten." + +"I too have heard the like, but I knew it was the spirit, and"---- + +"Beware, old man; for I do verily suspect thee as an abettor of these +unlawful practices." + +"And so the reward for my testimony is like to end in a lying +accusation and a prison!" + +"Canst thou win her back by driving from me this evil spirit?" + +"I can lay the ghost, I tell thee, if thou wilt; but as for the other, +peradventure it lieth not within the compass or power of mortal man to +accomplish." + +"What thou canst, let it be done without delay, for I would fain +behold a sight so wonderful; yet will I first take precaution to put +thee in durance until it be accomplished; perchance it may quicken +thee to this good work; and I do bethink me too, thou knowest more +than thou wouldest fain acknowledge of this evil dealing toward my +sister." + +The beggar sought not to escape; he knew it would be in vain, for the +menials had surrounded them; and he was conveyed to the kitchen until +he should be ready for the important duties he had to perform. +To-morrow was appointed for the trial, but fearful was the night that +intervened--rattling of chains, falling of heavy weights, loud +rumblings, as though a coach-and-six were driving about the premises; +these, intermingled with shrieks and howlings, were not confined to +the old room, where the beggar lodged as heretofore, but were heard +and felt through the whole house. It seemed as though his presence had +hitherto confined them to the locality we have named, and that they +had burst their bounds on his departure. Little rest had the household +on that fearful night, and the morning was welcome to many who had +been terrified so that they scarcely expected to see the light of +another sun. + +With the earliest dawn Nicholas Haworth hied him to the kitchen, where +the beggar, a close prisoner, was comfortably nestled on his couch. + +"What ho!" said the squire, "thou canst sleep when others be waking. +Thy friends have been seeking thee through the night, mayhap. There +have been more shaking limbs than hungry stomachs, I trow." + +"I know of naught that should keep me waking; my conscience made no +echo to the knocking without; and so good-morrow, Master Nicholas." + +There came one at this moment running in almost breathless, to say +that the cart-horses were all harnessed and yoked ready in the stable +by invisible hands, and that no one durst take them from their stalls. +On the heels of this messenger came another, who shouted out that the +bull, a lusty and well-thriven brute, was quietly perched, in most +bull-like gravity, upon the hay-mow. It being impossible, or contrary +to the ordinary law of gravitation, that he could have thus +transported himself, what other than demon hands could or durst have +lifted so ponderous and obstinate a beast into the place? In short, +such were the strange and out-of-the-way frolics that had been +committed, that Satan and all his company seemed to have been let +loose upon the household on this memorable night. + +"Thou shalt rid us of these pests, or by the head of St Nicholas," +said his namesake, "the hangman shall singe thy beard for a +fumigation." + +"Let me go, and the spirit shall not trouble thee." + +"Nay, gaffer, thou dost not escape me thus; my sister, we have yet no +tidings of her, and, it may be, those followers or familiars of thine +can help me to that knowledge." + +"I tell thee I'll lay the ghost while the holly's green, or mire in +Dearnly Clough, should it so please thee, Master Nicholas; but I must +first be locked up for a space in the haunted chamber alone. Keep +watch at both door and loophole, if thou see fit; but I gi'e thee my +word that I'll not escape." + +"Agreed," said Haworth; "but it shall not avail thee, thou crafty fox, +for we will watch, and that right diligently; unless the de'il fly +away with thee, thou shalt not escape us." + +The bargain was made, and Noman was speedily conducted to the chamber. +Sentinels were posted at the door, and round the outside, to prevent +either entrance or exit. + +A long hour had nigh elapsed, and the watchers were grown weary. Some +thought he had gone off in a chariot of smoke through the roof, or in +a whirlwind of infernal brimstone; while others, not a few, were out +of doors gazing steadfastly up towards the chimneys, expecting to see +him perched there, like a daw or starling, ready for flight. But when +the hour was fulfilled, the beggar lifted up the latch, and walked +forth alone, without let or molestation. + +"Whither away, Sir Grey-back?" said Nicholas, "and wherefore in such +haste? We have a word or so ere thou depart. Art thou prepared?" + +"Ay, if it so please thee." + +"And when dost thou begin thine exorcism?" + +"Now, if so be that thou have courage. But I warn thee of danger +therefrom. If thou persist, verily in this chamber shall it be done." + +"Then return, we will follow--as many as have courage, that is," said +Nicholas Haworth, looking round and observing that his attendants, +with pale faces and mewling stomachs, did manifest a wondrous +inquietude, and a sudden eagerness to depart. Yet were there some +whose curiosity got the better of their fears, and who followed, or +rather hung upon their master's skirts, into the chamber, which, even +in the broad and cheerful daylight, looked a gloomy and comfortless +and unhallowed place. Noman commanded that silence should be kept, +that not even a whisper should breathe from other lips than his own. +He drew a line with his crutch upon the floor, and forbade that any +should attempt to pass this imaginary demarcation. The auditors were +all agape, and but that the door was fastened, some would doubtless +have gone back, repenting of their temerity. + +After several unmeaning mummeries and incantations, the chamber +appeared to grow darker, and a low rumbling noise was heard, as from +some subterraneous explosion. + +"_Dominus vobiscum_," said the necromancer; and a train of fire leapt +suddenly across the room. A groan of irrepressible terror ran through +the company; but the exorcist, with a look of reprehension for their +disobedience, betook himself again to his ejaculations. Retiring +backwards a few paces to a corner of the room, he gave three audible +knocks upon the floor, which, to the astonishment and dismay of the +assembly, were distinctly repeated, apparently from beneath. Thrice +was this ceremony gone through, and thrice three times was the same +answer returned. + +"Restless spirit," said the conjuror, solemnly, and in a voice and +manner little accordant with those of an obscure and unlearned beggar; +"why art thou disquieted, and what is the price of thy departure?" + +No answer was given, though the question was repeated. The adjurer +appeared, for one moment, fairly at a nonplus. + +"By thine everlasting doom, I conjure thee, answer me!" Still there +was no reply. "Thou shalt not evade me thus," said he, indignant at +the slight which was put upon his spells. He drew a little ebony box +from his bosom, and on opening it smoke issued therefrom, like the +smell of frankincense. With this fumigation he used many uncouth and +horrible words, hard names, and so forth, which probably had no +existence save in the teeming issue of his own brain. During this +operation groans were heard, at first low and indistinct, then loud +and vehement; soon they broke into a yell, so shrill and piercing that +several of the hearers absolutely tried, through horror and +desperation, to burst the door; but this was secure, and their egress +prevented thereby. + +"Now answer me what thou wouldst have, and tell me the terms of thy +departure hence." + +A low murmur was heard. The beggar listened with great attention. + +"This wandering ghost avoucheth," said he, after all was silent, "that +there be two of them, and that they rest not until they have taken +possession of this house, and driven the inhabitants therefrom." + +"Hard law this," said Nicholas Haworth; "but, for all their racket, I +shan't budge." + +"Then must they have a sacrifice for the wrong done when they were i' +the body; being slain, as they say, by their guardian, a wicked uncle, +that he might possess the inheritance." + +Again he made question, looking all the while as though talking to +something that was present and visible before him. + +"What would ye for your sacrifice, evil and hateful things? for I +know, in very deed, that ye are not the innocent and heavenly babes +whose spirits are now in glory, but devilish creatures who have been +permitted to walk here unmolested, for the wickedness that hath been +done. Again, I say that your unwillingness sufficeth not, for ye shall +be driven hence this blessed day." + +Another shriek announced their apprehension at this threat, and again +there was a murmuring as before. + +"He sayeth," cried the exorcist, after listening a while, "they must +have a living body sacrificed, and in four quarters it must be laid; +then shall these wicked spirits not return hither until what is +severed be joined together. With this hard condition we must be +content." + +"Then, by 'r lady's grace, if none else there be, thou shalt be the +holocaust for thy pains," said Nicholas, "for I think we need not any +other. What say ye, shall not this wizard be the sacrifice, and we +then rid the world of a batch of evil things at once?" He looked with +a cruel eye upon the mendicant; for he judged that his sister had, in +some way or another, fallen a victim to his devilish plots; and he +would have thought it little harm to have poured out his blood on the +spot. The beggar seemed aware of his danger, but with a loud and +peremptory tone he cried-- + +"There needeth not so costly an oblation. Bring hither the first brute +animal ye behold, any one of you, on crossing the threshold of the +porch." + +A messenger was accordingly sent, who returned with a barn-door fowl +in his hand, a well-fed chanticleer, whose crow that morning had +awakened his cackling dames for the last time. + +With great solemnity the conjuror went forth from the chamber, and in +the courtyard the fowl was named "John;" sponsors standing in due +form, as at an ordinary baptism. Then the bird was dismembered, or +rather divided into four parts, according to the directions they had +received. These were afterwards disposed of as follows:--one was +buried at Little Clegg, in a field close by, another under one of the +hearth-flags in the hall, another at the Beil Bridge, by the river +which runs past Belfield, and the remaining quarter under the +barn-floor. Nicholas continued to look on with a curious eye until the +ceremony was concluded, when, after a brief pause, he inquired-- + +"Have there been no tidings yet from Alice? Can thine art not disclose +to me whither she be gone?" + +"The maiden lives," said the beggar doggedly. + +"Thou knowest of her hiding, then?" said her brother sharply, and with +a cunning glance directed towards the speaker. + +"The spirit said so," replied Noman, as though wishful to evade or to +shrink from the question. + +"And what else?" inquired the other; "for by my halidome thou stirrest +not hence until she be forthcoming, alive or dead! I verily +suspect--nay, more, I charge thee with forcibly detaining her against +her own privity or consent." + +The beggar looked steadily upon him, not a whit either moved or +abashed at this bold accusation. + +"Peradventure thou speakest without heed and unadvisedly. I tell thee +again, thou wouldest have been driven hence ere now had it not been +for others whom that spirit must obey." + +"Who art thou?" said the perplexed inquirer; "for thou art either +worse or better than thou seemest." + +"Once the rightful heir, now a beggar, in these domains, wrested from +me by rapine and the harpy fangs of injustice misnamed law. Theophilus +Ashton, from whom ye took your share of the inheritance when death +dislodged it from his gripe, won it himself most foully from my +ancestors;--and have I not a right to hate thee?" + +"And so thy vengeance hath fallen upon a defenceless woman?" + +"Nay, I said not so; but if I had so minded I might have been glutted +with vengeance, ay, to my heart's core. Hark thee. Secrets I have +learned that will bind the hidden things of darkness, and bow them to +my behest. The unseen powers and operations of nature have been open +to my gaze. Long ago my converse and companionship were with the +learned doctors and sages of the East. In Spain I have walked in the +palace of the Moorish kings, the Alhambra at Grenada; and in Arabia I +have learned the mystic cabala, and worshipped in the temple of the +holy prophet!" + +"And yet thou comest a beggar to my door! Truly thy spells have +profited thee little." + +The beggar smiled scornfully. "Riches inexhaustible, unlimited are +mine; while nature is unveiled at my command." + +"Thou speakest riddles, old man; or thou dost hug the very spectres of +thy brain, which men call madness." + +"I am not mad; save it be madness that I have not hurled thee from +this thy misgotten heritage. A power of mighty and all prevading +energy hath hindered me, and, it may be, rescued thee from +destruction." + +"Unto what unknown intercessor do I owe this forbearance?" + +"Love!" said the mendicant, with an expression of withering and +baneful scorn; "a silly hankering for a puling girl." + +"Thee!--in love?" + +"And is it so strange, so hard and incapable of belief, that in a +frosty but vigorous age, the sap should be fresh though the outward +trunk look withered and without verdure?" + +Nicholas shuddered. A harrowing suspicion crossed him that his beloved +sister had fallen a victim to the lawless passions of this hoary +delinquent. + +"Thou dost judge wrongfully," said the beggar; "she appertaineth not +to me. 'Tis long since I have drunk of that maddening cup, a woman's +love. Would that another had not taken its intoxicating draught." + +"Thou but triflest with me," said Haworth; "let the maiden go, or +beware my vengeance." + +"Thy vengeance! Weak, impotent man! what canst thou do? Thy threats I +hold lighter than the breath that makes them; thy cajolments I value +less than these; and thy rewards--why, the uttermost wealth that thou +couldst boast would weigh but as a feather against the riches at my +disposal." + +"Then give her back at my request." + +"I tell thee she is not mine, nor in my charge." + +"But thou knowest of her detention, and where she is concealed." + +"What if I do? will that help thee to the discovery?" + +"Point out the place, or conduct me thither, and"---- + +The mendicant here burst forth into a laugh so tantalising and +malicious that Nicholas, though silent, grew pale with choler. + +"Am I a fool?" said the exorcist; "an everyday fool? a simpleton of +such a dastardly condition that thou shouldest think to whine me from +my purpose? Never." + +Scarcely was the word spoken when a loud and awful explosion shook the +building to its foundations. Horror and consternation were seen upon +the hitherto composed features of the beggar. He grasped his crutch, +and with a yell of unutterable anguish he cried, "Ruined--betrayed! +May the fiends follow ye for this mischance!" + +He threw himself almost headlong down the steps, and ran with rapid +strides through the yard, followed by Nicholas, who seemed in a stupor +of astonishment at these mysterious events. + +Passing round to the other side of the house, he saw a smoke rising in +a dense unbroken column from an outbuilding beyond the moat, towards +which Noman was speedily advancing. Suddenly he slackened his pace. He +paused, seemingly undecided whither to proceed. He then turned sharply +round and made his way into the kitchen, passing up a staircase into +the haunted chamber, still followed by Nicholas Haworth, and not a few +who were lookers-on, hoping to ascertain the cause of this alarm. + +To their great surprise the beggar hastily displaced some lumber, and, +raising a trap-door, quickly disappeared down a flight of steps. With +little hesitation the master followed, and keeping the footsteps of +his leader within hearing, he cautiously went forward, convinced that +in some way or another this opportune but inexplicable event would +lead to the discovery of his sister. + +Suddenly he heard a shriek. He felt certain it was the voice of Alice. +He rushed on; but some unseen barrier opposed his progress. He heard +noises and hasty footsteps beyond, evidently in hurry and confusion. +The door was immediately opened, and he beheld Noman bearing out the +half-lifeless form of Alice. Smoke, and even flame, followed hard upon +their flight; but she was conveyed upwards to a place of safety. + +"There," said the mendicant, when he had laid down his burden, "at the +peril of all I possess, and of life too, I have rescued her. My hopes +are gone--my schemes for ever blasted--and I am a ruined, wretched old +man, without a home or a morsel of bread." + +He walked out through the porch, Nicholas being too busily engaged in +attending to the restoration of Alice to heed his escape. Two other +men, strangers, had before emerged from the avenue. In the confusion +of the moment their flight was effected, and they were seen no more. + +When Alice was sufficiently recovered, Nicholas, to his utter surprise +and dismay, learned that she had been doomed to be imprisoned, even in +her own house, until she consented to be the wife of one whom, however +he might have won upon her regard by fair and honest courtship, she +hated and repulsed for this traitorous and forcible detention. Yet +they had not dared to let her go, lest the secrets of her prison-house +should be told. The false beggar, whose real name was Clegg, having +become an adept in the art of coining, acquired during his residence +abroad, and likewise having arrived at the knowledge of many chemical +secrets long hidden from the vulgar and uninitiated, had leagued +himself with one of the like sort, together with his own son, a +handsome well-favoured youth (whose mother he had rescued from a +Spanish convent), for the purpose of carrying on a most extensive +manufacture and issue of counterfeit money of several descriptions. +His former knowledge, when young, of his ancestors' mansion at Clegg +Hall suggested the fitness of this spot for their establishment. Its +situation was sequestered; and the ancient vaults, though nearly +filled with rubbish, might yet be made available for their purpose. +The secret entrance, and, above all, the currently-believed story of +the ghost, might afford facilities for frightening away those who were +disposed to be curious; and any noises unavoidable in the course of +their operations might be attributed to this fruitful source of +imposture. By a little dexterity, possession of the haunted chamber +was obtained, the feigned beggar being a periodical visitant; thence a +ready entrance was contrived, and all materials were introduced that +were needful for their fraudulent proceedings. Many months their +traffic was carried on without discovery; and in the beggar's wallet +counterfeit money to a considerable amount was conveyed, and +distributed by other agents into general circulation. Well might he +say that boundless wealth was at their command; the means employed in +disposing of the proceeds of their ingenuity were well calculated for +the purpose. They had proposed, by machinations and alarms, to drive +away utterly the present inhabitants and possessors of the Hall. The +reign of terror was about to commence, plans being already matured for +this purpose, had not the younger Clegg seen Alice Haworth; and love, +that mighty controller of human affairs and devices, most +inopportunely frustrated their intentions. The elder Clegg, too, was +induced to aid the design, hoping that, should a union take place, the +inheritance might revert into the old channel. We have seen the +result: the wilfulness and obduracy of Alice, and the infatuation of +the lover, who had thought to dazzle her with the riches he purposely +spread before her, prevented the success of their schemes. She +peremptorily refused and repulsed him, accusing him of a gross and +wanton outrage. What might have been the end of this contention we +know not, seeing that an unforeseen accident caused the explosion +which led to her escape and the flight of her captors. + +What remained of the old house was pulled down. The vaults and +cellars, which were found to extend for a considerable distance even +beyond the moat, were walled up, and every vestige that was left, +together with an immense hoard of counterfeit money, was completely +destroyed. + + [11] Her marriage-gift was L500, nineteen cows, + and a bull,--a magnificent portion in those days. + + [12] We are sorry that this remark should come + from the historian of Whalley; but our respect for the author + even will not suffer us to let it pass unnoticed. The passage, + indeed, refutes itself, and we need refer to none other than + the very terms of the accusation. The circumstance of Bath + "going out under the Bartholomew Act," that master-movement of + spiritual tyranny, issued by an ill-advised and sensual + monarch, when two thousand and upwards of conscientious + clergymen were driven from their flocks and deprived of their + benefices in one day, is a sufficient denial of what the + learned doctor has insinuated, as it respects complying "with + all changes" from mere self-interest and worldly lucre. For + what could have hindered this conscientious and self-denying + minister from conforming to the terms of the act, and securing + his goodly benefice thereby, if it were not a zealous and + honest regard to the vows he had taken, and the future welfare + of his flock; which the very fact of his subsequent preaching + to crowded auditories at his own house sufficiently + corroborates. We know the persecutions, the malice, and the + poverty, which would assail this unlicensed administration of + ordinances; and nothing but a reverential awe for the sacred + and responsible functions he had undertaken could have + stimulated him to "endure the cross and despise the shame," + when a very different line of conduct would have left him in + the undisturbed possession of both wealth and patronage. But, + we are afraid, the unpardonable offence of preaching in the + church under the authority and protection of the Commonwealth, + and his leaving her pale and preaching to "crowded auditories," + when the wicked decree of St Bartholomew went forth, is + ungrateful to the spirit of many, who ought not to stigmatise + as sectaries and malignants all who have dared to think for + themselves, and at anytime to oppose "spiritual wickedness" in + "high places." The very principles which made Bath an outcast + for conscience' sake are those which originated and led on the + work of our Protestant Reformation, and placed the historian of + Whalley where his sacred functions should have led him to + respect the rights and consciences even of those from whom he + might differ, and not hold them up to unmerited obloquy and + reprehension. + + [13] This interesting and curious relic is now in + the possession of the Rev. J. Clowes of Broughton, whose + ancestor, Samuel Clowes, Esq., about the year 1690, married + Mary Cheetham, a descendant of Humphrey Cheetham, founder of + the Manchester Blue Coat School. In 1713, after the death of + James Holt, whose faithful rebuke from the Bishop of Chester we + have noticed in the introduction, Castleton came into + possession of the Cheethams until the death of Edward Cheetham, + in 1769. + + The screen is now made into a side-board, and is most + fancifully and beautifully wrought with crests, ciphers, and + cognisances, belonging to the Holts and many of the + neighbouring families. + + [14] Brand's _Popular Antiquities_, ii. 86-96. + + +[Illustration: THE MERMAID OF MARTIN MEER] + + + + +THE MERMAID OF MARTIN MEER. + + + "Now the dancing sunbeams play + O'er the green and glassy sea: + Come with me, and we will go + Where the rocks of coral grow." + + + + Little needs to be said by way of introduction or explanation + of the following tale. Martin Meer is now in process of + cultivation; the plough and the harrow leave more enduring + furrows on its bosom. It is a fact, curious enough in + connection with our story, that some years ago, in digging and + draining, a canoe was found here. How far this may confirm our + tradition, we leave the reader to determine. It is scarcely two + miles from Southport; and the botanist, as well as the + entomologist, would find themselves amply repaid by a visit. + + +Martin Meer, the scene of the following story, we have described in +our first series of _Traditions_, where Sir Tarquin, a carnivorous +giant, is slain by Sir Lancelot of the Lake. These circumstances, and +more of the like purport on this subject, we therefore omit, as being +too trite and familiar to bear repetition. We do not suppose the +reader to be quite so familiar with the names and fortunes of Captain +Harrington and Sir Ralph Molyneux, though they had the good fortune to +be born eleven hundred years later, and to have seen the world, in +consequence, eleven hundred years older--we wish we could say wiser +and better tempered, less selfish and less disposed to return hard +knocks, and to be corrupted with evil communications. But man is the +same in all ages. The external habits and usages of society change his +mode of action--clothe the person and passions in a different garb; +but their form and substance, like the frame they inhabit, are +unchanged, and will continue until this great mass of intelligence, +this mischievous compound of good and evil, this round rolling earth, +shall cease to swing through time and space--a mighty pendulum, whose +last stroke shall announce the end of time, the beginning of eternity! + +Our story gets on indifferently the while; but a willing steed is none +the worse for halting. Harrington and his friend Sir Ralph were spruce +and well-caparisoned cavaliers, living often about court towards the +latter end of Charles the Second's reign. What should now require +their presence in these extreme regions of the earth, far from society +and civilisation, it is not our business to inquire. It sufficeth for +our story that they were here, mounted, and proceeding at a shuffling +trot along the flat, bare, sandy region we have described. + +"How sweetly and silently that round sun sinks into the water!" said +Harrington. + +"But doubtless," returned his companion, "if he were fire, as thou +sayest, the liquid would not bear his approach so meekly; why, it +would boil if he were but chin-deep in yon great seething-pot." + +"Thou art quicker at a jest than a moral, Molyneux," said the other +and graver personage; "thou canst not even let the elements escape thy +gibes. I marvel how far we are from our cousin Ireland's at Lydiate. +My fears mislead me, or we have missed our way. This flat bosom of +desolation hath no vantage-ground whence we may discern our path; and +we have been winding about this interminable lake these two hours." + +"Without so much as a blade of grass or a tree to say 'Good neighbour' +to," said Molyneux, interrupting his companion's audible reverie. +"Crows and horses must fare sumptuously in these parts." + +"This lake, I verily think, follows us; or we are stuck to its side +like a lady's bauble." + +"And no living thing to say 'Good-bye,' were it fish or woman." + +"Or mermaid, which is both." Scarcely were the words uttered when +Harrington pointed to the water. + +"Something dark comes upon that burning track left on the surface by +the sun's chariot wheels." + +"A fishmonger's skiff belike," said Sir Ralph. + +They plunged through the deep sandy drifts towards the brink, +hastening to greet the first appearance of life which they had found +in this region of solitude. At a distance they saw a female floating +securely, and apparently without effort, upon the rippling current. +Her form was raised half-way above the water, and her long hair hung +far below her shoulders. This she threw back at times from her +forehead, smoothing it down with great dexterity. She seemed to glide +on slowly, and without support; yet the distance prevented any very +minute observation. + +"A bold swimmer, o' my troth!" said Molyneux; "her body tapers to a +fish's tail, no doubt, or my senses have lost their use." + +Harrington was silent, looking thoughtful and mysterious. + +"I'll speak to yon sea-wench." + +"For mercy's sake, hold thy tongue. If, as I suspect--and there be +such things, 'tis said, in God's creation--thou wilt"---- + +But the tongue of this errant knight would not be stayed; and his loud +musical voice swept over the waters, evidently attracting her notice, +and for the first time. She drew back her dark hair, gazing on them +for a moment, when she suddenly disappeared. Harrington was sure she +had sunk; but a jutting peninsula of sand was near enough to have +deceived him, especially through the twilight, which now drew on +rapidly. + +"And thou hast spoken to her!" said he gravely; "then be the answer +thine!" + +"A woman's answer were easier parried than a sword-thrust, methinks; +and that I have hitherto escaped." + +"Let us be gone speedily. I like not yon angry star spying out our +path through these wilds." + +"Thou didst use to laugh at my superstitions; but thine own, I guess, +are too chary to be meddled with." + +"Laugh at me an' thou wilt," said Harrington: "when Master Lilly cast +my horoscope he bade me ever to eschew travel when Mars comes to his +southing, conjunct with the Pleiades, at midnight--the hour of my +birth. Last night, as I looked out from where I lay at Preston, +methought the red warrior shot his spear athwart their soft +scintillating light; and as I gazed, his ray seemed to ride half-way +across the heavens. Again he is rising yonder." + +"And his meridian will happen at midnight?" + +"Even so," replied Harrington. + +"Then gallop on. I'd rather make my supper with the fair dames at +Lydiate than in a mermaid's hall." + +But their progress was a work of no slight difficulty, and even +danger. Occasionally plunging to the knees in a deep bog, then wading +to the girth in a hillock of sand and prickly bent grass (the _Arundo +arenaria_, so plentiful on these coasts), the horses were scarcely +able to keep their footing--yet were they still urged on. Every step +was expected to bring them within sight of some habitation. + +"What is yonder glimmer to the left?" said Molyneux. "If it be that +hideous water again, it is verily pursuing us. I think I shall be +afraid of water as long as I live." + +"As sure as Mahomet was a liar, and the Pope has excommunicated him +from Paradise, 'tis the same still, torpid, dead-like sea we ought to +have long since passed." + +"Then have our demonstrations been in a circle, in place of a right +line, and we are fairly on our way back again." + +Sure enough there was the same broad, still surface of the Meer, +though on the contrary side, mocking day's last glimmer in the west. +The bewildered travellers came to a full pause. They took counsel +together while they rested their beasts and their spur-rowels; but the +result was by no means satisfactory. One by one came out the glorious +throng above them, until the heavens grew light with living hosts, and +the stars seemed to pierce the sight, so vivid was their brightness. + +"Yonder is a light, thank Heaven!" cried Harrington. + +"And it is approaching, thank your stars!" said his companion. "I +durst not stir to meet it, through these perilous paths, if our +night's lodging depended on it." + +The bearer of this welcome discovery was a kind-hearted fisherman, who +carried a blazing splinter of antediluvian firewood dug from the +neighbouring bog; a useful substitute for more expensive materials. + +It appeared they were at a considerable distance from the right path, +or indeed from any path that could be travelled with safety, except by +daylight. He invited them to a lodging in a lone hut on the borders of +the lake, where he and his wife subsisted by eel-catching and other +precarious pursuits. The simplicity and openness of his manner +disarmed suspicion. The offer was accepted, and the benighted heroes +found themselves breathing fish-odours and turf-smoke for the night, +under a shed of the humblest construction. His family consisted of a +wife and one child only; but the strangers preferred a bed by the +turf-embers to the couch that was kindly offered them. + +The cabin was built of the most simple and homely materials. The walls +were pebble-stones from the sea-beach, cemented with clay. The +roof-tree was the wreck of some unfortunate vessel stranded on the +coast. The whole was thatched with star-grass or sea-reed, blackened +with smoke and moisture. + +"You are but scantily peopled hereabouts," said Harrington, for lack +of other converse. + +"Why, ay," returned the peasant; "but it matters nought; our living is +mostly on the water." + +"And it might be with more chance of company than on shore; we saw a +woman swimming or diving there not long ago." + +"Have ye seen her?" inquired both man and dame with great alacrity. + +"Seen whom?" returned the guest. + +"The Meer-woman, as we call her." + +"We saw a being, but of what nature we are ignorant, float and +disappear as suddenly as though she were an inhabitant of yon world of +waters." + +"Thank mercy! Then she will be here anon." + +Curiosity was roused, though it failed in procuring the desired +intelligence. She might be half-woman half-fish for aught they knew. +She always came from the water, and was very kind to them and the +babe. Such was the sum of the information; yet when they spoke of the +child there was evidently a sort of mystery and alarm, calculated to +awaken suspicion. + +Harrington looked on the infant. It was on the woman's lap asleep, +smiling as it lay; and an image of more perfect loveliness and repose +he had never beheld. It might be about a twelvemonth old; but its +dress did not correspond with the squalid poverty by which it was +surrounded. + +"Surely this poor innocent has not been stolen," thought he. The child +threw its little hands towards him as it awoke; and he could have +wept. Its short feeble wail had smitten him to the heart. + +Suddenly they heard a low murmuring noise at the window. + +"She is there," said the woman; "but she likes not the presence of +strangers. Get thee out to her, Martin, and persuade her to come in." + +The man was absent for a short time. When he entered, his face +displayed as much astonishment as it was possible to cram into a +countenance so vacant. + +"She says our lives were just now in danger; and that the child's +enemies are again in search; but she has put them on the wrong scent. +We must not tarry here any longer; we must remove, and that speedily. +But she would fain be told what is your business in these parts, if ye +are so disposed." + +"Why truly," said Harrington, "our names and occupation need little +secrecy. We are idlers at present, and having kindred in the +neighbourhood, are on our way to the Irelands at Lydiate, as we before +told thee. Verily, there is but little of either favour or profit to +be had about court now-a-days. Nought better than to loiter in hall +and bower, and fling our swords in a lady's lap. But why does the +woman ask? Hath she some warning to us? or is there already a spy upon +our track?" + +"I know not," said Martin; "but she seems mightily afeard o' the +child." + +"If she will entrust the babe to our care," said Harrington, after a +long pause, "I will protect it. The shield of the Harringtons shall be +its safeguard." + +The fisherman went out with this message; and on his return it was +agreed that, as greater safety would be the result, the child should +immediately be given to Harrington. A solemn pledge was required by +the unseen visitant that the trust should be surrendered whenever, and +by whomsoever, demanded; likewise a vow of inviolable secrecy was +exacted from the parties that were present. Harrington drew a signet +from his finger; whoever returned it was to receive back the child. He +saw not the mysterious being to whom it was sent; but the idea of the +Meer-woman, the lake, and the untold mysteries beneath its quiet +bosom, came vividly and painfully on his recollection. + +Long after she had departed, the strange events of the evening kept +them awake. Inquiries were now answered without hesitation. Harrington +learned that the "Meer-woman's" first appearance was on a cold wintry +day, a few months before. She did not crave protection from the +dwellers in the hut, but seemed rather to command it. Leaving the +infant with them, and promising to return shortly, she seemed to +vanish upon the lake, or rather, she seemed to glide away on its +surface so swiftly that she soon disappeared. Since then she had +visited them thrice, supplying them with a little money and other +necessaries; but they durst not question her, she looked so strange +and forbidding. + +In the morning they were conducted to Lydiate by the fisherman, who +also carried the babe. Here they told a pitiable story of their having +found the infant exposed, the evening before, by some unfeeling +mother; and, strange to say, the truth was never divulged until the +time arrived when Harrington should render up his trust. + +Years passed on. Harrington saw the pretty foundling expand through +every successive stage from infancy to childhood--lovelier as each +year unfolded some hidden grace, and the bloom brightened as it grew. +He had married in the interval, but was yet childless. His lady was +passionately fond of her charge, and Grace Harrington was the pet and +darling of the family. No wonder their love to the little stranger was +growing deeper, and was gradually acquiring a stronger hold on their +affections. But Harrington remembered his vow: it haunted him like a +spectre. It seemed as though written with a sunbeam on his memory; but +the finger of death pointed to its accomplishment. It will not be +fulfilled without blood, was the foreboding that assailed him. His +lady knew not of his grief, ignorant happily of its existence, and of +its source. + +Their mansion stood on a rising ground but a few miles distant from +the lake. He thus seemed to hover instinctively on its precincts; +though, in observance of his vow, he refrained from visiting that +lonely hut, or inquiring about its inhabitants. Its broad smooth bosom +was ever in his sight; and when the sun went down upon its wide brim +his emotion was difficult to conceal. + +One soft, clear evening, he sat enjoying the calm atmosphere, with his +lady and their child. The sun was nigh setting, and the lake glowed +like molten fire at his approach. + +"'Tis said a mermaid haunts yon water," said Mrs Harrington; "I have +heard many marvellous tales of her, a few years ago. Strange enough, +last night I dreamed she took away our little girl, and plunged with +her into the water. But she never returned." + +"How I should like to see a mermaid!" said the playful girl. "Nurse +says they are beautiful ladies with long hair and green eyes. +But"--and she looked beseechingly towards them--"we are always +forbidden to ramble towards the Meer." + +"Harrington, the night wind makes you shiver. You are ill!" + +"No, my love. But--this cold air comes wondrous keen across my bosom," +said he, looking wistfully on the child, who, scarcely knowing why, +threw her little arms about his neck, and wept. + +"My dream, I fear, hath strange omens in it," said the lady +thoughtfully. + +The same red star shot fiercely up from the dusky horizon; the same +bright beam was on the wave; and the mysterious incidents of the +fisherman's hut came like a track of fire across Harrington's memory. + +"Yonder is that strange woman again that has troubled us about the +house these three days," said Mrs Harrington, looking out from the +balcony; "we forbade her yesterday. She comes hither with no good +intent." + +Harrington looked over the balustrade. A female stood beside a pillar, +gazing intently towards him. Her eye caught his own; it was as if a +basilisk had smitten him. Trembling, yet fascinated, he could not turn +away his glance; a smile passed on her dark-red visage--a grin of joy +at the discovery. + +"Surely," thought he, "'tis not the being who claims my child!" But +the woman drew something from her hand, which, at that distance, +Harrington recognised as his pledge. His lady saw not the signal; +without speaking, he obeyed. Hastening down-stairs, a private +audience confirmed her demand, which the miserable Harrington durst +not refuse. + +Two days he was mostly in private. Business with the steward was the +ostensible motive. He had sent an urgent message to his friend +Molyneux, who, on the third day, arrived at H----, where they spent +many hours in close consultation. The following morning Grace came +running in after breakfast. She flung her arms about his neck. + +"Let me not leave you to-day," she sobbed aloud. + +"Why, my love?" said Harrington, strangely disturbed at the request. + +"I do not know!" replied the child, pouting. + +"To-day I ride out with Sir Ralph to the Meer, and as thou hast often +wished--because it was forbidden, I guess--thou shalt ride with us a +short distance; I will toss thee on before me, and away we'll +gallop--like the Prince of Trebizond on the fairy horse." + +"And shall we see the mermaid?" said the little maiden quickly, as +though her mind had been running on the subject. + +"I wish the old nurse would not put such foolery in the girl's head," +said Mrs Harrington impatiently. "There be no mermaids now, my love." + +"What! not the mermaid of Martin Meer?" inquired the child, seemingly +disappointed. + +Harrington left the room, promising to return shortly. + +The morning was dull, but the afternoon broke out calm and bright. +Grace was all impatience for the ride; and Rosalind, the favourite +mare, looked more beautiful than ever in her eyes. She bounded down +the terrace at the first sound of the horses' feet, leaving Mrs +Harrington to follow. + +The cavaliers were already mounted, but the child suddenly drew back. + +"Come, my love," said Harrington, stretching out his hand; "look how +your pretty Rosalind bends her neck to receive you." + +Seeing her terror, Mrs Harrington soothed these apprehensions, and +fear was soon forgotten amid the pleasures she anticipated. + +"You are back by sunset, Harrington?" + +"Fear not, _I_ shall return," replied he; and away sprang the pawing +beasts down the avenue. The lady lingered until they were out of +sight. Some unaccountable oppression weighed down her spirits; she +sought her chamber, and a heavy sob threw open the channel which +hitherto had restrained her tears. + +They took the nearest path towards the Meer, losing sight of it as +they advanced into the low flat sands, scarcely above its level. When +again it opened into view its wide waveless surface lay before them, +reposing in all the sublimity of loneliness and silence. The rapture +of the child was excessive. She surveyed with delight its broad +unruffled bosom, giving back the brightness and glory of that heaven +to which it looked; to her it seemed another sky and another world, +pure and spotless as the imagination that created it. + +They entered the fisherman's hut; but it was deserted. Years had +probably elapsed since the last occupation. Half-burnt turf and +bog-wood lay on the hearth; but the walls were crumbling down with +damp and decay. + +The two friends were evidently disappointed. At times they looked out +anxiously, but in vain, as it might seem; for they again sat down, +silent and depressed, upon a turf-heap by the window, while the child +ran playing and gambolling towards the beach. + +Harrington sat with his back to the window, when suddenly the low +murmuring noise he had heard on his former visit was repeated. He +turned pale. + +"Thou art not alone; and where is the child?" or words to this purport +were uttered in a whisper. He started aside; the sound, as he thought, +was close to his ear. Molyneux heard it too. + +"Shall I depart?" said he, cautiously; "I will take care to keep +within call." + +"Nay," said his friend, whispering in his ear, "thou must ride out of +sight and sound too, I am afraid, or we shall not accomplish our plans +for the child's safety. Depart with the attendants; I fear not the +woman. Say to my lady I will return anon." + +With some reluctance Sir Ralph went his way homewards, and Harrington +was left to accomplish these designs without assistance. + +Immediately he walked out towards the shore; but he saw nothing of the +child, and his heart misgave him. He called her; but the sound died +with its own echo upon the waters. The timid rabbit fled to its +burrow, and the sea-gull rose from her gorge, screaming away heavily +to her mate; but the voice of his child returned no more! + +Almost driven to frenzy, he ran along the margin of the lake to a +considerable distance, returning after a fruitless search to the hut, +where he threw himself on the ground. In the agony of his spirit he +lay with his face to the earth, as if to hide his anguish as he wept. + +How long he remained was a matter of uncertainty. On a sudden, +instantaneously with the rush that aroused him, he felt his arms +pinioned, and that by no timid or feeble hand. At the same moment a +bandage was thrown over his eyes, and he found himself borne away +swiftly into a boat. He listened for some time to the rapid stroke of +the oars. Not a word was spoken from which he could ascertain the +meaning of this outrage. To his questions no reply was vouchsafed, and +in the end he forbore inquiry--the mind wearied into apathy by +excitement and its consequent exhaustion. + +The boat again touched the shore, and he was carried out. The roar of +the sea had for some time been rapidly growing louder as they neared +the land. He was now borne along over hillocks of loose sand to the +sea-beach, when he felt himself fairly launched upon the high seas. He +heard the whistling of the cordage, the wide sail flap to the wind, +with the groan of the blast as it rushed into the swelling canvas; +then he felt the billows prancing under him, and the foam and spray +from their huge necks as they swept by. It was not long ere he heard +the sails lowered; and presently they were brought up alongside a +vessel of no ordinary bulk. Harrington was conducted with little +ceremony into the cabin; the bandage was removed from his eyes, and he +found himself in the presence of a weather-beaten tar, who was sitting +by a table, on which lay a cutlass and a pair of richly-embossed +pistols. + +"We have had a long tug to bring thee to," said the captain; "but we +always grapple with the enemy in the long run. If thou hast aught to +say why sentence of death should not pass on thee, ay, and be executed +straightway too--say on. What! not a shot in thy locker? Then may all +such land-sharks perish, say I, as thus I signify thy doom." He +examined his pistols with great nicety as he spoke. Harrington was +dumb with amazement, whilst his enemy surveyed him with a desperate +and determined glance. At length he stammered forth-- + +"I am ignorant of thy meaning; much less can I shape my defence. Who +art thou?" + +The other replied, in a daring and reckless tone-- + +"I am the Free Rover, of whom thou hast doubtless heard. My good +vessel and her gallant crew ne'er slackened a sky-raker in the chase, +nor backed a mainsail astern of the enemy. But pirate as I am--hunted +and driven forth like the prowling wolf, without the common rights and +usages of my fellow men--I have yet their feelings. I _had_ a child! +Thy fell, unpitying purpose, remorseless monster, hath made me +childless! But thou hast robbed the lioness of her whelp, and thou art +in her gripe!" + +"As my hope is to escape thy fangs, I am innocent of the crime." + +"Maybe thou knowest not the mischief thou hast inflicted; but thy +guilt and my bereavement are not the less. My child was ailing; we +were off this coast, when we sent her ashore secretly until our +return. A fisherman and his wife, to whom our messenger entrusted the +babe, were driven forth by thee one bitter night without a shelter. +The child perished; and its mother chides my tardy revenge." + +"'Tis a falsehood!" cried Harrington, "told to cover some mischievous +design. The child, if it be thine, was given to my care--by whom I +know not. I have nurtured her kindly; not three hours ago, as I take +it, she was in yonder hut; but she has been decoyed from me; and I am +here thy prisoner, and without the means of clearing myself from this +false and malicious charge." + +The captain smiled incredulously. + +"Thou art lord of yonder soil, I own; but thou shouldest have listened +to the cry of the helpless. I have here a witness who will prove thy +story false--the messenger herself. Call hither Oneida," said he, +speaking to the attendants. But this personage could not be found. + +"She has gone ashore in her canoe," said the pirate; "and the men +never question her. She will return ere mid-watch. Prepare: thou +showedst no mercy, and I have sworn!" + +Harrington was hurried to a little square apartment, which an iron +grating sufficiently indicated to be the state prison. The vessel lay +at anchor; the intricate soundings on that dangerous coast rendered +her perfectly safe from attack, even if she had been discovered. He +watched the stars rising out, calm and silently, from the deep: "Ere +yon glorious orb is on the zenith," thought he, "I may be--what?" He +shrank from the conclusion. "Surely the wretch will not dare to +execute his audacious threat?" He again caught that red and angry star +gleaming portentously on him. It seemed to be his evil genius; its +malignant eye appeared to follow out his track, to haunt him, and to +beset his path continually with suffering and danger. He stood by the +narrow grating, feverish and apprehensive; again he heard that low +murmuring voice which he too painfully recognised. The mysterious +being of the lake stood before him. + +"White man"--she spoke in a strange and uncouth accent;--"the tree +bows to the wing of the tempest--the roots look upward--the wind sighs +past its withered trunk--the song of the warbler is heard no more from +its branches, and the place of its habitation is desolate. Thine +enemies have prevailed. I did it not to compass thine hurt: I knew not +till now thou wert in their power; and I cannot prevent the +sacrifice." + +"Restore the child, and I am safe," said Harrington, trembling in his +soul's agony at every point; "or withdraw thy false, thine accursed +accusations." + +"Thou knowest not my wrongs and my revenge! Thou seest the arrow, but +not the poison that is upon it. The maiden, whose race numbers a +thousand warriors, returns not to her father's tribe ere she wring out +the heart's life-blood from her destroyer. Death were happiness to the +torments I inflict on him and the woman who hath supplanted me. And +yet they think Oneida loves them--bends like the bulrush when the wind +blows upon her, and rises only when he departs. What! give back the +child? She hath but taken my husband and my bed; as soon might ye tear +the prey from the starved hunter. This night will I remove their child +from them--to depart, when a few moons are gone--it may be to dwell +again with my tribe in the wigwam and the forest." + +"But I have not wronged thee!" + +"Thou art of their detested race. Yet would I not kill thee." + +"Help me to escape." + +"Escape!" said this untamed savage, with a laugh which went with a +shudder to his heart. "As soon might the deer dart from the hunter's +rifle as thou from the cruel pirate who has pronounced thy death! I +could tell thee such deeds of him and these bloody men as would freeze +thy bosom, though it were wide and deep as the lakes of my country. +Yet I loved him once! He came a prisoner to my father's hut. I have +spilled my best blood for his escape. I have borne him where the white +man's feet never trod--through forests, where aught but the Indian or +the wild beast would have perished. I left my country and my kin--the +graves of my fathers--and how hath he requited me? He gave the ring of +peace to the red woman; but when he saw another and a fairer one of +thy race, she became his wife; and from that hour Oneida's love was +hate!--and I have waited and not complained, for my revenge was sure! +And shall I now bind the healing leaf upon the wound?--draw the arrow +from the flesh of mine enemies? Thou must die! for my revenge is +sweet." + +"I will denounce thee to him, fiend! I will reveal"---- + +"He will not believe thee. His eye and ear are sealed. He would stake +his life on my fidelity. He knows not of the change." + +"But he will discover it, monster, when thou art gone. He will track +thee to the verge of this green earth and the salt sea, and thou shall +not escape." + +With a yell of unutterable scorn she cried-- + +"He may track the wild bee to its nest, and the eagle to his eyrie, +but he discerns not one footprint of Oneida's path!" + +The pangs of death seemed to be upon him. He read his doom in the +kindling eye and almost demoniac looks of the being who addressed him. +She seemed like some attendant demon waiting to receive his spirit. +His brain grew dizzy. Death would have been welcome in comparison with +the horrors of its anticipation. He would have caught her; but she +glided from his grasp, and he was again left in that den of loneliness +and misery. How long he knew not; his first returning recollection was +the sound of bolts and the rude voices of his jailers. + +In this extremity the remembrance of that Being in whom, and from +whom, are all power and mercy, flashed on his brain like a burst of +hope--like a sunbeam on the dark ocean of despair. + +"God of my fathers, hear!" escaped from his lips in that appalling +moment. His soul was calmed by the appeal. Vain was the help of man, +but he felt as if supported and surrounded by the arm of Omnipotence, +while silently, and with a firm step, he followed his conductors. + +One dim light only was burning above. Some half-dozen of the crew +stood armed on the quarter-deck behind their chief; their hard, +forbidding faces looked without emotion upon this scene of unpitying, +deliberate murder. + +To some question from the pirate Harrington replied by accusing the +Indian woman of treachery. + +"As soon yonder star, which at midnight marks our meridian, would +prove untrue in its course." + +Harrington shuddered at this ominous reference. + +"I cannot prove mine innocence," said he; "but I take yon orb to +witness that I never wronged you or yours. The child is in her +keeping." + +"Call her hither, if she be returned," said the captain, "and see if +he dare repeat this in her presence. He thinks to haul in our canvas +until the enemy are under weigh, and then, Yoh ho, boys, for the +rescue. But we shall be dancing over the bright Solway ere the morning +watch, and thy carcase in the de'il's locker." + +"If not for mine, for your own safety!" + +"My safety! and what care I, though ten thousand teeth were grinning +at me, through as many port-holes. My will alone bounds my power. Who +shall question my sentence, which is death?" + +He gnashed his teeth as he went on. "And your halls shall be too hot +to hold your well-fed drones. Thy hearth, proud man, shall be +desolate. I'll lay waste thy domain. Thy race, root and branch, will I +extinguish; for thou hast made me childless!" + +The messenger returned with the intelligence that Oneida was not in +the ship. + +"On shore again, the ----! If I were to bind her with the main-chains, +and an anchor at each leg, she would escape me to go ashore. No heed; +we will just settle the affair without her, and he shall drop quietly +into a grave ready made, and older than Adam. I would we had some more +of his kin; they should swing from the bowsprit, like sharks and +porpoises, who devour even when they have had enough, and waste what +they can't devour." + +"Thou wilt not murder me thus, defenceless, and in cold blood." + +"My child was more helpless, and had not injured _thee_! Ye give no +quarter to the prowling beast, and yet, like me, he only robs and +murders to preserve his life. How far is it from midnight?" + +"Five minutes, and yon star comes to his southing," said the person he +addressed. + +"Then prepare; that moment marks thy death!" + +The men looked significantly towards their rifles. + +"Nay," cried this bloodthirsty freebooter, "my arm alone shall avenge +my child." + +He drew a pistol from his belt. + +"Yonder is Oneida," sang out the man at the main-top; "she is within a +cable's length." + +"Heed her not. When the bell strikes, I have sworn thou shalt die!" + +A pause ensued--a few brief moments in the lapse of time, but an age +in the records of thought. Not a breath relieved the horror and +intensity of that silence. The plash of a light oar was heard;--a boat +touched the vessel. The bell struck. + +"Once!" shouted the fierce mariner, and he raised his pistol with the +sharp click of preparation. + +"Twice!" + +The bell boomed again. + +"Thrice!" + +"Hold!" cried a female, rushing between the executioner and the +condemned: But the warning was too late;--the ball had sped, though +not to its mark. Oneida was the victim. She fell, with a faint scream, +bleeding on the deck. But Harrington was close locked in the arms of +his little Grace. She had flown to him for protection, sobbing with +joy. + +The pirate seemed horror-struck at the deed. He raised Oneida, +unloosing his neckcloth to staunch the wound. + +"The Great Spirit calls me:" she spoke with great exertion: "the green +woods, the streams, land of my forefathers. Oh! I come!" She raised +herself suddenly with great energy, looking towards Harrington, who +yet knelt, guarded and pinioned--the child still clinging to him. + +"White man, I have wronged thee, and I am the sacrifice. Murderer, +behold thy child!" She raised her eyes suddenly towards the pirate, +who shook his head, supposing that her senses grew confused. + +"It was for thy rescue!" again she addressed Harrington. "The Great +Spirit appeared to me: he bade me restore what I had taken away, and I +should be with the warriors and the chiefs who have died in battle. +They hunt in forests from which the red-deer flies not, and fish in +rivers that are never dry. But my bones shall not rest with my +fathers!--I come. Lake of the woods, farewell!" + +She threw one look of reproach on her destroyer, and the spirit of +Oneida had departed. + +The pirate stood speechless and bewildered. He looked on the child--a +ray of recollection seemed to pass over his visage. Its expression was +softened; and this man of outlawry and blood became gentle. The savage +grew tame. The common sympathies of his nature, so long dried up, +burst forth, and the wide deep flood of feeling and affection rolled +on with it like a torrent, gathering strength by its own accumulation. + +Years after, in a secluded cottage by the mansion of the Harringtons, +dwelt an old man and his daughter. She soothed the declining hours of +his sojourn. His errors and his crimes--and they were many and +aggravated--were not unrepented of. She watched his last breath; and +the richest lady of that land was "THE PIRATE'S DAUGHTER." + + +[Illustration: GEORGE FOX] + + + + +GEORGE FOX. + + + "O Thou who every thought pervades, + My darkened soul inform: + With equal hand Thy goodness guides + A planet or a worm." + + + On the eastern side of Swart Moor, about a mile from + Ulverstone, stands Swartmoor Hall. This bleak elevation took + its name from Colonel Martin Swart, or Swartz, an experienced + and valiant soldier, of a noble German family, to whom the + Duchess of Burgundy, in 1486, entrusted the command of the + troops which were sent to support Lambert Simnel in his claim + to the English crown. A more detailed account of this + transaction will be found in the first volume of our present + series, in the tradition relating to "The Pile of Fouldrey." + Suffice it to say that the rebel army was defeated here with + great slaughter; and Swartz, along with several of the English + nobility, was slain--an event which entailed the name of this + chieftain on the place of his overthrow. + + The hall, about 180 years ago, was the residence of Thomas Fell, + commonly called Judge Fell, vice-chancellor of the Duchy Court + at Westminster, and one of the judges that went the Welsh + circuit; a man greatly esteemed both in his public and private + capacity. His wife was a lady of exemplary piety: she was born + at Marsh Grange, in the parish of Dalton, in the year 1614, and + was married before she had attained to the age of eighteen. The + Judge and his lady being greatly respected, and much hospitality + being displayed in their house to ministers and religious + people, George Fox, in the year 1652, on his first coming into + Furness, called at Swartmoor Hall, and preaching there, and also + at Ulverstone, Mrs Fell, her daughters, and many of the family + adopted his principles. The Judge was then upon the circuit. + On his return he seemed much afflicted and surprised at this + revolution in his family; and in consequence of some malicious + insinuations from those who met him with the intelligence, he + was greatly exasperated against George Fox and his principles. + By the prudent intervention of two friends, however, his + displeasure was greatly mitigated; and Fox, returning hither in + the evening, answered all his objections in so satisfactory a + manner, that the Judge "assented to the truth and reasonableness + thereof;" the tranquillity of the family was restored; and from + that time, notwithstanding numerous attempts to detach him from + the cause, he continued a steady friend to the members of the + society and its founder on all occasions where he had the power. + A weekly meeting was established in his house the following + Sunday. But his patronage did not last many years; he departed + this life in September 1658, his health having been for some + time before considerably on the decline. + + Mrs Fell, after his death, suffered much inconvenience and + oppression because of the religious principles she had + embraced; yet, notwithstanding, the weekly meetings continued + to be held at her house until the year 1690, when a new + meetinghouse was opened about a quarter of a mile distant. + + In 1669, eleven years after the death of Judge Fell, she + married George Fox, whom she survived eleven years, dying at + Swartmoor Hall in February 1702, nearly eighty-eight years + old.[15] + + The house is still inhabited, though in a very dilapidated + condition. The barns and stables by which it is surrounded, and + the litter of the farmyard, give it a very mean and + undignified appearance. + + The tenant is a substantial farmer, who is very assiduous in + showing the premises. The hall is spacious, with an oaken + wainscoting. The bedrooms, which are large and airy, were + formerly ornamented with carved work, now greatly damaged. In + one of them is a substantial bedstead, with carved posts, on + which it is said this reformer used to repose, and any of his + followers have permission to occupy it for one night. This + privilege is either not known, or perhaps not very highly + appreciated, for the tenant states that not a single "Friend" + has availed himself of it during the whole time he has resided + there. Here is shown the study of George Fox in all its + pristine plainness and simplicity. On one side of the hall is + an orchard, looking almost coeval with the building. The house + stands high, and the upper windows command an extensive and + beautiful prospect. The meetinghouse is a neat plain building, + in perfect repair, still used by the Friends at Ulverstone and + the neighbourhood for religious worship. Over the door is the + following inscription, "_Ex dono G.F. 1688_." There is a + burial-place surrounded with trees attached to the chapel. + + George Fox did not reside constantly at Swartmoor after his + marriage. The greater part of his time was spent in itinerancy. + He travelled nearly over the whole of Great Britain, and + several parts of America in the exercise of his ministry. After + encountering innumerable sufferings, oppositions, and + afflictions, this indefatigable missionary departed this life on + the 13th of November 1690, in the 67th year of his age, at a + house in White Hart Court, London. He was interred in the + "Friends Burying-Ground," near Bunhill Fields. + + The author is aware that the following remarkable account of "a + special interposition" has been attributed to other names and + later dates, and is recorded as having happened to individuals + at different places both in England and Ireland. The same fact + attaching itself to different localities and persons--probably + according to the caprice or partialities of the several + narrators--is, as he has found in the course of his researches, + no unusual occurrence. He does not attempt to decide in favour + of any of the conflicting claims or authorities, but merely to + give the tale as it exists, selecting those places and + circumstances which are most suitable for his purpose. + + +The supremacy of a special Providence, guiding and overruling the +affairs of men, is a doctrine which few will have the hardihood to +withstand and still less to deny. It is interwoven with our very +nature, and seems implanted in us for the wisest and most beneficent +of purposes. It is a doctrine full of comfort and consolation; our +stay and succour in the most appalling extremities. There does seem, +at times, vividly bursting through the most important periods of our +existence, a ray from the secret place of the Most High. We see an +opening, as it were, into the very arrangements and councils of the +skies; we catch a glimpse of the machinery by which the universe is +governed; the wheels of Providence are for a moment exhibited, +palpable and unencumbered by secondary causes, while we, stricken +prostrate from the consciousness of our own insignificance, +acknowledge with awe and admiration the protecting power of which we +are so unworthy. + +Of the special interference we have just noticed the following +narrative, true as to the more important particulars, is a striking +instance; events, apparently happening out of the ordinary way, seem +brought about by this direct interposition at a period when the most +eminent display of human foresight and sagacity would have been +unavailing. + +One chill and misty evening in the year 1652, being the early part of +a wet and, as it proved, a tardy spring, two strangers were benighted +in attempting to cross the wild mountain ridge called Cartmel Fell. +They had proposed taking the most direct route from Kendal to +Cartmel; having, however, missed the few points which indicated their +track, they had for several hours been beating about in the +expectation of finding some clue to extricate themselves, but every +attempt seemed only to fix them more inextricably in a state of doubt +and bewilderment. A dense fog had been rapidly accumulating, and they +began to feel something startled with a vague apprehension of a +night-watch amongst the hills, unprovided as they were with the +requisite essentials for either food or lodging. + +The elder of the two, though not more than midway between thirty and +forty years old, was clad in a strange uncouth garb of the coarsest +materials, and his lank long hair hung matted and uncombed upon his +shoulders from a "brim" of extravagant dimensions. This style of dress +was not then recognised as the distinctive badge of a religious sect, +as it is now of the people called "Quakers," or, as they are more +favourably designated, "Friends." The person of whom we speak was the +founder of this society, George Fox, who, only about five years +previous to the date of our story, after much contemplation on +religious subjects, took upon himself the public ministry. In the year +1650 he was imprisoned at Derby for speaking publicly in the church +after divine service; on being brought before a magistrate, he bade +the company "_tremble at the word of the Lord_;" the expression was +turned into ridicule, and he and his friends received the appellation +of "_Quakers_." + +His appearance was stout and muscular; and his general demeanour of +that still, undisturbed aspect which, if not one of the essentials of +his own religion, is at least looked upon as its greatest ornament, +betokening the inward grace of a meek and quiet spirit. "He was," says +John Gough, the historian of this people, "a man of strong natural +parts, firm health, undaunted courage, remarkable disinterestedness, +inflexible integrity, and distinguished sincerity. The tenor of his +doctrine, when he found himself concerned to instruct others, was to +wean men from systems, ceremonies, and the outside of religion in +every form, and to lead them to an acquaintance with themselves by a +most solicitous attention to what passed in their own minds; to direct +them to a principle of their own hearts, which, if duly attended to, +would introduce rectitude of mind, simplicity of manners, a life and +conversation adorned with every Christian virtue, and peace, the +effect of righteousness. Drawing his doctrine from the pure source of +religious truth, the New Testament, and the conviction of his own +mind, abstracted from the comments of men, he asserted the freedom of +man in the liberty of the gospel against the tyranny of custom, and +against the combined powers of severe persecution, the greatest +contempt, and keenest ridicule. Unshaken and undismayed, he persevered +in disseminating principles and practices conducive to the present and +everlasting well-being of mankind, with great honesty, simplicity, and +success." + +The companion of this reformer was arrayed in a more worldly suit; a +mulberry-coloured cloak and doublet, with a hat of grey felt, that, +for brevity of brim, would almost have vied with that of the brass +basin worn by the knight of the rueful countenance, whose history may +be consulted at length in the writings of that veracious historian, +Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. His movements were of a more +irregular and erratic nature than comported with the well-ordered and +equable gait of his companion. The rarely-occurring remarks of the +latter were anything but explicit as to the state of his feelings in +contemplation of an event, the possibility of which increased with +every step--a night's lodgings in these inhospitable wilds. The sun +was now evidently beneath the horizon; darkness came on with frightful +rapidity; and they had, as yet, no reason to divest themselves of so +disagreeable an anticipation. To one in the full glare of daylight, or +with a sound roof-tree over his head and a warm fire at his elbow, the +idea of a night-vigil may not appear either unpleasant or +extraordinary; but, wrapped in a sheet of grey mist, the wet heath +oozing beneath his feet, with the cold and benumbing air of the hills +for his supper, there could be little question that he would be apt to +regard it as a condition not far removed from the extremity of human +suffering; especially if at the same time he had just exchanged a snug +fireside and an affectionate neighbourhood of friends for these +appalling discomforts. + +"I know not what we shall do," said the younger traveller. "It never +entered into my head beforehand to imagine the possibility of such an +event. Surely, surely, we are not to live through a whole night in +these horrid wilds. Pray, do speak out, and let me at least have the +comfort of a complaint, for we are past consolation." + +"I have been ruminating on this very matter," replied the other; "and +it does appear that we are as safe in this place verily as though we +were encompassed with walls and bulwarks. Methinks, friend, thou +speakest unadvisedly; in future, when thee knowest not what to +do--wait! The more thee pulls and hauls, and frets and kicks, depend +on it thou wilt be the less able to extricate thyself thereby. We are +not left quite without comfort in this dreary wilderness; here is a +goodly and a well-set stone, I perceive, just convenient. Verily, it +is a mercy if we get a little rest for our limbs. Many a meek and holy +disciple, of whom the world was not worthy, has ere now been fain of a +slice of hard rock for his pillow." + +"And, in truth, we are as likely as the holiest of 'em to refresh +ourselves all night on a stone bolster," pettishly replied the +unthankful youth, as he seated himself beside his friend. + +It was not long ere a slight breeze began to roll the mist into +irregular masses of cloud. The dense atmosphere appeared to break, and +a star twinkled for a moment, but disappeared as suddenly as it came +forth. Ralph Seaton, the younger of the pedestrians, pointed out the +friendly visitant to his companion. It seemed as though the eye of +mercy were beaming visibly upon them. + +"I have seen it," said the man of quiet endurance; "and now gird up +thy loins to depart. The fog will rapidly disperse; and it may be that +some distant light will guide us to rest and shelter." + +While he was speaking the mist coiled upwards, driving rapidly across +the sky in the shape of a heavy scud. A few stars twinkled here and +there through the lucid intervals, "few and far between;" but they +were continually changing place, closing and unfolding as the wind +mingled or separated their shapeless fragments. + +"It is even as I said. Seest thou yonder light?" + +"I see not anything," replied Seaton. + +"Just beneath that bright star to our left?" again inquired the elder +traveller. + +"I only see a dark hill rising there abruptly against the lowering +swell of the sky." + +Our "Friend" was silent for a space, when he replied in a tone of deep +solemnity-- + +"It is the inward light of which I have spoken to thee before; a token +of no ordinary import. To-night, or I am deceived, we are called on +to pass through no common allotment of toil and tribulation. Oft hath +this light been outwardly manifest, and as often has it been the +precursor of some sharp and fiery trial! Again! But thou seest it not. +Yet mayest thou follow in my steps. Take heed thou turn not either to +the right hand or to the left. But"----The speaker's voice here grew +fearfully ominous and emphatic. + +"Hast thou courage to do as I shall bid thee? I must obey the will of +the Spirit; but unless thou hast faith to follow the light that is +within me, rather pass the night on that cold unsheltered rock than +draw back from His witness. Remember, it is no slight peril that +awaits us." + +Not without a struggle and certain waverings, which indicated a faith +somewhat less implicit than was desirable on such an occasion, did the +disciple promise to obey--ay, to the very letter--every command that +might be given. Peradventure, a well-founded apprehension of spending +the night companionless on the cold and wet dormitory to which his +evil stars had conducted him, had some influence in this +determination. Suffice it to say, never did disciple resolve more +faithfully to obey than did our young adventurer in this perilous +extremity. + +Their path now appeared to wind precipitately down a steep and narrow +defile, through which a rapid torrent was heard foaming and tumbling +over its rugged bed. Following the course of the stream to a +considerable distance, a rude bridge was discerned, sufficiently +indicating a path to some house or village in that direction. The wind +was rising in sharp and heavy gusts. The moon, not yet above the +hills, was brightening the dark clouds that hung behind them like a +huge curtain. The sky was studded, in beauteous intervals, with hosts +of stars. This light enabled them to follow a narrow footpath, which, +abruptly turning the head of a projecting crag, showed them a distant +glimmer as though from some friendly habitation. Seaton bounded past +his more recondite companion; and it was not long ere a fierce growl +challenged him as he approached nearer to the dwelling. He threw open +the door, and discovered what was sufficiently distinguishable as a +public-house, a homely interior, dignified by the name of tavern. Two +grim-looking men sat before a huge pile of turf, glowing fiercely from +the wide expanse appropriated to several uses beside that of fireplace +and chimney. Liquor and coarse bread were near them on a low +three-legged table; while Seaton, overjoyed at his good fortune and +happy escape, thought the rude hut a palace, and the smell of turf +and oat-cake a refection fit for the gods. + +"Be quiet, Vixen." The fierce animal, at this rebuke from her +mistress, slunk into a dark corner beside the chimney, whence two +hideous and glaring eyes were fixed on the strangers for the rest of +the evening. Wherever Seaton turned, he still beheld them, intently +watching, as though gloating on their prey. The female who had thus +spoken did not welcome her guests with that cheerful solicitude which +the arrival of profitable customers generally creates. She bustled +about unceasingly; but showed neither anxiety nor inclination to offer +them any refreshment. Short and firm-set in person, she looked more +muscular than was befitting her sex. Her hair was grizzled, and the +straggling tresses hung untrammelled about her smoke-dried and +hard-lined visage. Her features wore a dubious and unpleasant aspect, +calculated to create more distrust than seemed desirable to their +owner. Every effort, however, to disguise their expression only +rendered them the more forbidding and repulsive. + +Near the turf-stack, by the chimney, sat a being to all appearance in +a state of mental derangement almost approaching to idiotcy. His eye +rested for a moment, with a vacant and undefined stare, upon the +strangers; then, with a loud shrill laugh, which made the listeners +shudder, he again bent his head, basking moodily before the blaze. The +moment Seaton had thrown down a light portmanteau that he carried, the +dame, with a low tap, summoned two stout fellows from an inner room, +who, with a suspicious and over-acted civility, inquired the +destination and wishes of their guests. The elder of the travellers, +now coming forward as spokesman, inquired about the possibility of +obtaining lodgings for the night, and was informed that a room, +detached from the rest, was generally used as a guest-chamber on all +extra occasions. + +"There's a bed in 't fit to streek down the limbs of a king," said one +of the gruff helpers; "and maybe the gentlemen will sleep as sound +here as they could wish. Rabbit thee, Will, but the luggage will break +thy back. Have a care, lad. Let me feel: it's as light as a church +poor's-box. The de'il's flown awa' with aw the shiners, I think; for +it's lang sin' I heard a good ow'd-fashioned jink in a traveller's +pack." + +This was said more by way of comment than conversation, as he handled +the stranger's valise. + +The features of these men exhibited a strange mixture of ferocity and +mirth. Savage, and almost brutal in their expression, still an +atmosphere of fun hovered about them--a Will-o'-the-wisp sort of +playfulness, unnatural and decoying, like the capricious gambols of +that renowned and mischievous sprite. + +The Quaker seated himself on a low bench before the fire. He took from +his neck a huge handkerchief, spreading it out on his knees. He then +drew off a pair of long worsted stocking-boots; leisurely untied his +shoes, and extending his ample surface in the most convenient manner +to the blaze, appeared, with eyes half-shut, pondering deeply some +inward abyss of thought, yet not wholly indifferent to the objects +around him. His tall and bony figure looked more like some stiff and +imitative piece of mechanism than a living human frame with flexible +articulations, so fashioned was every motion of the body to the formal +and constrained habits and peculiarities of the mind. Seaton had +observed, with no slight uneasiness, the suspicious circumstances in +which they were placed; but he was fearful of betraying his mistrust, +lest it should accelerate the mischief he anticipated. He looked +wistfully at his friend; but there was no outward manifestation that +could elucidate the inward bent of his thoughts. The keen expression +of his eye was not visible; but his other features wore that +imperturbable and stolid aspect which suited the stiff and unyielding +substance of his opinions. Seaton was now reminded of his supper by an +inquiry from the female as to their intentions on that momentous +subject. A "flesh pye," as she termed it, was drawn from its lair--a +dark hole used as a cupboard--and set before the guests. The very name +sounded suspicious and disgusting. In the present state of his +feelings the most trivial circumstance was sufficient to keep alive +the apprehensions that haunted him. He endeavoured to rally himself +out of his fears, and had in some measure succeeded, thrusting his +knife deep into the forbidden envelope. At that moment a slight +rustling caused him to look aside. The idiot was gazing on him. He +shrank from this unexpected glance; and the knife loosened in his +grasp. He thought the creature made a sign with his finger, forbidding +him to eat. It might be fancy; but nevertheless he felt determined not +to touch the food; and the former, with that natural cunning which, in +characters of this description, almost assumes the nature of instinct, +again appeared crouching over the blaze, and incapable either of +observation or intelligence. This transaction passed unnoticed by the +rest of the party; and Seaton, afraid that some horrible and unnatural +food had been set before him, secretly motioned to his friend, who, +apparently unheeding, helped himself to a portion of the mysterious +dish. For a moment it occurred to Seaton that the cunning half-wit, +apprehensive lest too great a share of the savoury victuals should +fall to their lot, had contrived to forbid this appropriation. After a +few mouthfuls, however, he observed that his friend had as little +relish for the provision as himself, remarking that a rasher of bacon +would be preferred, if the hostess could furnish him with this +delicacy. A whisper was the result of this request; but, in the end, a +savoury collop was set upon the table. Beer was added, as a matter of +course; but neither of them partook of the beverage. Though Seaton, to +all appearance, drank a portion, yet his fears got the better of his +fatigue; and some apprehension of treachery made him careful to convey +away the liquor unobserved. Fox now drew up his gaunt figure in the +attitude which indicated a change of position. With great deliberation +he rose, and addressed the hostess-- + +"Canst thee show us to bed?" + +Answering in the affirmative, she snatched up a light, and leading the +way across a narrow yard, she pointed out a small step-ladder outside +the building. Giving the candle into the hands of the grave personage +who followed her, she left them after bidding "Good-night!" + +They scrambled up the ladder, entering the room appropriated to their +use. It was low, and of scanty dimensions. The walls were bare; and +the damp oozed through chinks and crevices, where the wind met with +slight interruption, though it clamoured unceasingly for admission. +The only furniture in the apartment was a low bedstead, on which a +straw mattress reposed in all the accumulated filth of past ages. A +coverlid of coarse woollen partly concealed a suit of bed-linen that +would have stricken terror amongst a tribe of Esquimaux. Neither party +appeared wishful to tempt the mysteries that were yet unseen, or to +divest himself of clothing. They flung their luggage on the floor, and +sat upon it, each awaiting the first word of intercourse from his +companion. After a while there was a heavy groan from the Quaker; and +Seaton something hastily intimated his suspicions respecting the +occupation and pursuits of the party below. + +"I am of the like persuasion with thyself," was the reply. "Verily, +the warning was not in vain. This night may not pass ere faith shall +have its test. I have had a sore struggle. Our safety will be granted; +but through inward guidance rather than from our own endeavours. Yet +must we use the means." + +"I see no way of escape," returned Seaton, "provided they be what we +have unhappily too good cause to apprehend. Unarmed, and without the +means of defence, how can we cope with men whose object, doubtless, +with the robbery, will be the concealment of their crime?" + +"Follow my example. It is thine only chance for deliverance. Question +me not; but be silent, and obey. I have said it." + +While the speaker relapsed into one of his usual reveries, Seaton cast +his eyes inquiringly round the room. Their feeble light was ready to +expire. The rude gusts rocked the frail tenement "as if't had agues;" +and the walls groaned beneath their pressure. There was a small +casement, stuffed with paper and a matchless assortment of +parti-coloured rags, near the roof, directly over the bed. He ascended +softly to examine the nature of this outlet; but, to his further +alarm, he found it guarded outside with iron bars. This was a direct +confirmation of his surmises. A cold shudder crept over him. He felt +almost stiffening with horror as he looked down upon his thoughtful +companion, doomed, he doubted not, as well as himself, to fall a prey +to the assassin. He gazed wildly round the apartment, as if with some +desperate hope of deliverance. His head grew dizzy; objects seemed to +flit past him; and more than once he fancied that footsteps were +creeping up the ladder. This acute burst of agony subsiding, he +listened to the short and rapid whirl of the wind eddying by; and +never had the sound fallen upon his ear so fearfully. It seemed like +the wail of a departing spirit, or like some funeral dirge, moaning +heavily and deep through the sudden pauses of the blast. He threw +himself on the bed. Fatigue and long abstinence had enervated his +frame. Nature, forced almost beyond the limit of endurance, had become +passive, and almost incapable of suffering. A deep slumber stole upon +him, yet could he not escape the horrors by which he was surrounded. +Daggers reeking in blood--spectres covered with hideous +wounds--murderers on the rack--gibbets, and a thousand forms, +shapeless and unimaginable, crowded past with inconceivable rapidity. +A huge figure approached. In its hand a weapon was uplifted, as if to +destroy him. He made a vehement effort to escape; but was holden, +without the power of resistance. Just as it was descending he awoke. +For a while he was unable to recollect precisely the nature of his +situation. The apartment was quite dark. He groped confusedly about +him, but to no purpose. At that instant a ray seemed to glide from the +casement. It was a moonbeam struggling through that almost impervious +inlet. By this light he beheld a figure intently gazing towards the +window. At the first glance he did not recognise his companion; but, +as he started from the couch, the former approached him, and, laying +one hand on his shoulder, whispered that he should be still. He +obeyed, and remained motionless. The reason for this admonition was +soon apparent. He heard a slight pattering at intervals on the few +brittle fragments which the window yet retained. Seaton at first +thought it might be the rain, especially as the wind had considerably +abated; but he soon found there must be some other cause, from the +rattling of sand and other coarser materials upon the floor and bed. +He crept close to the window, looking out below, but was unable to +find out the reason of this disturbance. Suddenly a volley of pebbles +bounded past his face, and the moon shining forth at the same instant, +a figure was distinguished anxiously attempting to arouse and excite +their attention. To his great astonishment he recognised the wayward +being whose glance had startled him so disagreeably a few hours +before. He recollected the idiot's former signal, and felt convinced +that this was a more direct and friendly interference. Seaton +carefully pulled away a portion of the stuffing, and was thus enabled +to bring his head closer to the bars. This movement was observed; and +with an admonition to silence, the strange creature pointed to the +ground, at the same time he appeared as if urging them to escape. +Seaton comprehended his meaning; but the iron fastenings were an +apparently insurmountable impediment. He laid hold of one of the bars +with considerable force; and to his great joy it yielded to the +pressure. Apparently there was no other individual beneath, or this +friendly warning would not have been given. It seemed as if the +tenants of the hovel were too secure of their prey to set a watch. He +descended cautiously to his companion. A few whispers were sufficient +to convey the intelligence. Again he mounted to the window; and, on +looking down, found that their providential monitor had disappeared. +There was no time to be lost. Seaton again tried the bar, and +succeeded in removing it. Another was soon wrenched from its hold, and +a few minutes more saw him safely through the aperture, from which he +let himself down with little difficulty to the ground. His companion +immediately followed; and once more outside their lodging, a new +difficulty presented itself. Seaton knew of no other path than the one +by which they had previously gained the cottage; and this would, in +all probability, afford a leading track to their pursuers, who might +be expected shortly to be aware of their escape. But he was relieved +from this dilemma by his companion making a signal that he should +follow. "Remember thy promise," said he. Seaton was prepared to obey, +feeling a renewed confidence in the discretion of his guide. Turning +into a pathway near the place where they had alighted, their course +was towards a river, which they beheld at no great distance twinkling +brightly in the moonbeams. They cautiously yet rapidly proceeded down +a narrow descent, fear hastening their flight, for they expected every +moment to hear the footsteps of their pursuers. In a little while they +turned out of the road, and, by a circuitous path, which the guide +seemed to tread with unhesitating confidence, they came to the river's +brink. By the brawling of its current, and the appearance it +presented, the water was evidently shallow, and might be crossed +without much difficulty. Seaton was preparing to make the attempt, but +was prevented by his comrade. + +"I have some inward impression that we may not cross here. We shall be +pursued; and our adversaries will imagine that we have passed over +what is doubtless the ford of this Jordan. I know not why, but we must +follow its banks, and for some distance, ere we pass." + +Seaton urged the danger and folly of this proceeding, and proposed +crossing immediately, but met with a decided and unflinching refusal +from his companion. They now kept along the river's brink, but with +much difficulty. The rain having swollen the waters, they were often +forced to wade up to the knees through the little creeks and rivulets +that intersected their path. They journeyed on for a considerable +time in silence, when the elder traveller made a sudden pause. + +"It is here," said he. Seaton looked on the river; but the broad and +deep wave rolled past with frightful impetuosity. The moonbeams +glittered on a wide and rapid flood, whose depths were unknown, but to +which, nevertheless, it seemed that they were on the point of +committing themselves. + +"The river is both wide and deep!" said the youth. + +"Nevertheless, we must cross," replied his more taciturn companion. +Without further parley the latter plunged boldly into the stream. +Urged on by his fears, and preferring death in any shape to the death +that was pursuing him, Seaton followed his example. For some time they +struggled hard with the full sweep of the current; and it seemed +little short of a miracle when they arrived, almost breathless and +exhausted, on the opposite side. + +"Praised be His name who hath given strength! Though deep waters have +encompassed us, yet His arm is our deliverance." + +With a holy and ardent outpouring of soul did this good man render +thanksgivings unto Him whose hand had been so visibly stretched out +for their protection. Just as he had made an end of speaking, a +distant but distinct howl was borne down upon the wind. They listened +eagerly, as the sound evidently grew nearer. It was like the short but +stifled cry of a hound in full chase. + +"Peril cometh as a whirlwind," said George Fox; "but fear not--a way +will be left for our escape!" + +"It is that malicious hound!" replied Seaton shuddering, as he +remembered the beast which had gazed so intently on him, and which was +evidently trained for the present purpose. + +"We must climb up to those tall bushes with all speed," said the +companion of his flight, at the same time leading the way with +considerable haste and agility. + +From this height they saw, at some distance up the river, three men on +horseback, preceded by a large hound, who, true to the scent, was +following steadily on their footsteps. They approached rapidly to the +place where the fugitives had gone over, when the dog made a dead +halt, and looked wistfully across. + +"Loo, loo!" said the foremost rider, "hie on, lass!" But the beast +would not move. + +"Sure now, Mike," said he, as the others came up, "if they've taken +the water at this unlucky hole, they'll need no drownin' by this +anyhow." + +"It's the brute, bad luck to her," replied his comrade. "She's on the +wrong scent. Why they're over the ford by this, and we shall have the +bloody thief-catchers here before we can open the door for 'em." + +"If the bitch had followed my nose, instead of her own beautiful +scent," said the remaining speaker, "we should ha' been over the ford +too, long ago. They'd as soon think of swimming o'er the bay in a +cabbage-leaf as cross at this place. Back, back; and we'll shoulder +'em yet, my darlings. Come along, boys--one of you take the ford, an' +watch the road over the hill. Have a care, now, that the rogues be not +skulking round the bog. I'll keep the road hereabout; an' thou, Mike, +lay to with the hound when thou art on the other side. Maybe they'll +not find it just so easy to beat us in the hunting while we've a leg +to lay on after them." + +The worthy triumvirate here withdrew. The animal was with much +difficulty forced from her track; but by the help of a stout cord she +was dragged off, yelping and whining, to the great joy of their +intended victims. Seaton could not but recognise the very finger of +Providence, which had pointed out the means of preservation. No other +way was left apparently for their escape. Whatsoever course they had +taken, save this, must have inevitably thrown them into the very toils +of their pursuers; and he determined to follow, fearlessly and without +question, the future impulses of his companion. + +"Shall we attempt to flee, or must we tarry here a space?" he +hesitatingly inquired. + +"Nay, friend," said his guide, "I wis not yet what we shall do; but +methinks we are to abide here until morning!" + +Seaton shivered at this intimation. His clothes were drenched, and his +whole frame stiffened and benumbed with cold. His position, too, +crouching amongst decayed branches and alder twigs, was none of the +most eligible or easy to sustain. He felt fully resolved, however, to +follow the leadings of his friend, being convinced that his ultimate +safety depended on a strict adherence to this determination. + +The country was very thinly inhabited, and their enemies were in +possession of the only outlets by which they could escape to the +nearest village. Aided, too, by the sagacity of the dog, their track +would inevitably be discovered before daylight enabled them to find +shelter. These considerations were too important to be overlooked, and +Seaton quietly resolved to make himself as comfortable as +circumstances would permit. He wrung out the wet from his clothes, +chafed his limbs, and ere long, to his inexpressible relief, the first +symptoms of the dawn were visible in the east. Just as a glowing rim +of light was gliding above the horizon, they ventured to peep forth +cautiously from their retreat. To their great mortification, they saw, +at a considerable distance, a horseman stationed on the brow of a +neighbouring hill, evidently for the purpose of a more extended +scrutiny. Signals would inevitably betray their route should they +emerge from their concealment; and escape now seemed as hopeless as +ever. + +In this fresh difficulty Seaton again sought counsel from his friend, +who replied with great earnestness-- + +"There is yet another and a more grievous trial;"--he lifted up his +eyes, darkening already with the energy of his spirit;--"but I trust +our deliverance draweth nigh. We must return!" + +"Return?" cried Seaton, his lips quivering with amazement. "Whither? +Not to the den we have just left?" + +"Even so," said the other with great composure. + +"Then all hope is lost!" mournfully returned the inquirer. + +"Nay," replied his companion, "but let me ask what chance, even +according to thine own natural and unaided sense, there is of +deliverance in our present condition? Hemmed in on every hand, without +a guide, and strangers to the path we should take, if the watchman +from the hill miss our track, there is the hound upon our scent!" + +There was no gainsaying these suggestions; but still a proposal that +they should return to the cabin, whence they had with such pains and +difficulty made their escape, in itself was so absurd and inexplicable +a piece of manoeuvring, that common sense and common prudence alike +forbade the attempt. Yet, on the other hand, common sense and common +prudence appeared to be equally unavailing as to any mode of escape +from the toils in which they were entangled. + +Again he determined to follow his friend's guidance: who, addressing +himself immediately to the task, made the best of his way to the ford +which he had refused to cross the preceding night. They now took the +direct road to the house. The morning was sharp and clear. Seaton felt +the cold and raw atmosphere cling to his frame, already chilled to an +alarming degree; but the excitation he had undergone prevented further +mischief than the temporary inconvenience he then suffered. As they +came nearer the hut his very faculties seemed to escape from his +control. A sense of danger, imminent and almost insupportable, came +upon him. Bewildered, and actuated with that unaccountable but +instinctive desperation which urges on to some inevitable doom, he +rushed wildly into the dwelling. It was not as they had left it. +Several horses were quietly standing by the door; and a party, who had +merely called for the purpose of half-an-hour's rest and refreshment, +were then making preparations to depart. Seaton took one of them +aside, and disclosed the terrible circumstances we have related. By a +judicious but prompt application of their forces they prevented any +one from leaving the house, and were prepared to seize all who should +return thither. A close search soon betrayed the quality and calling +of its inmates. A vast hoard of plunder was discovered, and proofs too +abundant were found that deeds had been there perpetrated of which we +forbear the recital. The old woman was seized; and her capture was +followed by the apprehension of the whole gang, who shortly after met +with the retribution merited by their crimes. + +The maniac proved to be a son of the old beldame. At times, the cloud +unhappily clearing from his mental vision had left him for a short +space fearfully cognisant of the transactions he was then doomed to +witness. On that night to which our history refers a sudden +providential gleam of intelligence flashed upon him, and an unknown +impulse prompted his interference in behalf of the unfortunate, and, +as he thought, unsuspecting victims. Ere leaving the country they saw +him comfortably provided for; and, as far as the nature of his malady +would permit, his mind was soothed, and his darkest moments partly +relieved from the horrors which humanity alone could mitigate, but not +prevent. + + [15] _Vide_ West's _Antiquities of Furness_. + + + + +THE DEMON OF THE WELL. + + "Avaunt, thou senseless thing! + Can graven image mimic life, and glare + Its stony eye-balls; grin, make mouths at me? + Go to, it is possessed;--some demon lurks + Within its substance." + + + Peggy's well, the subject of our engraving, is near the brink + of the Ribble, in a field below Waddow Hall; Brunckerley + Stepping-stones not being far distant, where several lives have + been lost in attempting to cross, at times when the river was + swollen by a rapid rise, which even a day's rain will produce. + These calamities, along with any other fatal accidents which + happened in the neighbourhood, are usually attributed to the + malevolence of Peggy. The stepping-stones are alluded to in our + first volume as the place where King Henry VI was taken, after + escaping from Waddington Hall. + + Some stones are still visible at low water; but whether these + are the original "Hippins," or the foundations of a wooden + bridge which succeeded them, and was borne down by the ice at + the breaking up of the frost in the year 1814, is not known. + + The stone image by the well, depicted in our engraving, has + been the subject of many strange tales and apprehensions, being + placed there when turned out of the house at Waddow, to allay + the terrors of the domestics, who durst not continue under the + same roof with this misshapen figure. It was then broken, + either from accident or design, and the head, some time ago, we + have understood, was in one of the attic chambers at Waddow + Hall. + + +One loud, roaring, and tempestuous night--the last relics of the year +1660--some half-dozen boon companions were comforting themselves +beside a blazing fire, and a wassail-cup, at the ingle of a +well-ordered and well-accustomed tavern within the good borough of +Clitheroe, bearing on its gable front, over a grim and narrow porch, a +marvellous portraiture apparently of some four-footed animal, by +common usage and consent denominated "The Bull." What recked they of +the turmoil that was abroad, while good liquor lasted, and the troll +and merry tale went round? The yule-log was blazing on the hearth, +and their cups were bright and plenished. + +[Illustration 10: PEG O'NELLY'S WELL, NEAR CLITHEROE. +_Drawn by G. Pickering._ +_Engraved by Edw^d Finden._] + +"'Ods bodikins, Nic--and that's a parson's oath," said a small waspish +figure from the farther chimney-corner, in a sort of husky wheezing +voice, "I'll lay thee a thimblefull of pins thou dar'na do it." + +"And I'll lay thee a grey lapstone, an' a tachin-end to boot, that I +run ower t' hippin-stones to-night, and never a wet sole; but a buss +and a wet lip I'll bring fro' the bonniest maiden at Waddow!" + +"Like enough, like enough, though thou hast to brag for't," said the +first speaker tauntingly--an old customer of the house, and a compiler +of leathern extremities for the good burghers and their wives. + +"Give o'er your gostering," said another; "_Non omnes qui citharam +tenent, sunt citharoedi_.[iii] Many talk of Robin Hood who never shot from +his bow. Know ye not 'tis Peggy's year, and her oblation hath not been +rendered? Eschew therefore the rather your bravery until this night be +overpast." + +This learned harangue betrayed the schoolmaster, who was prone to make +Gaffer Wiswall's chimney-side a temporary refuge from the broils and +disturbances of his own, where his spouse, by way of enticing him to +remain, generally contrived either to rate him soundly or to sulk +during their brief communion. + +"Who cares for Peg?" said the hero who had boasted of his +blandishments with the maids. "She may go drown herself i' the Red Sea +for aught I care!" + +This heretical, unbelieving, and impious scorner was a man of shreds +and patches, a pot-valiant tailor, whose ungartered hosen, loose +knee-strings, and thin shambling legs, sufficiently betokened the +sedentary nature of his avocations. "I wonder the parson hasn't gi'en +her a lift wi' Pharaoh and his host ere this," continued he. + +"Or the schoolmaster," said that provoking little personage, the first +speaker, whose sole aim was to throw the apple of discord amongst his +fellows. + +"And pray who may this lady be whom ye so ungallantly devote to +perdition?" inquired a stranger from behind, who had hitherto been +silent, apparently not wishful to join the hilarity of those he +addressed. The party quesited was in the midst of a puff of exhalation +more than usually prolonged when the question was put, so that ere he +could frame his organs to the requisite reply the pragmatical tailor, +whose glibness of tongue was equalled only by his assurance, gave the +following by way of parenthesis:-- + +"Plague on't, where's t'ou bin a' thy life, 'at doesn't know Peg +O'Nelly, man?" + +"Deuce tak' thee for a saucy lout," said the sutor; "I'll brak' thy +spindle-shanks wi' my pipe-stump. Be civil if thou can, Nicky, to thy +betters. Sir, if it please ye to listen, we'll have ye well instructed +in the matter by the schoolmaster here." He cast a roguish look at the +pedagogue as he spoke. But I pray you draw in with us, an' make one +wi' the rest." + +The scholar adjusted himself, passed one hand thoughtfully upon his +brow, and with a gentle inclination commenced with a loud hem, or +clearance of aught that might obstruct the free communication of his +thoughts. + +"Peg, or Peggy, as some do more euphoniously denominate her, was maid, +woman, or servant--_ancilla_, _famula_, _ministra_, not _pedissequa_, +or one who attends her mistress abroad, but rather a servant of all +work, in the house yonder at Waddow, many years past. Indeed, my +grandmother did use to speak of it as _ex vetere fama_--traditionary, +or appertaining unto the like." + +"I tell thee what, gossip, if thee doesn't get on faster wi' thy tale, +Peggy's ghost will have a chronicle of another make. I can see Nic's +tongue is yammering to take up a stitch i' thy narrative," interrupted +the leathern artificer. + +"And I'd bring it up in another guess way," said Nicholas, tartly, +"than wi' scraps and scrapings fro' gallipots, and remnants o' mass +books." + +"Pray ye, friends, be at peace a while, or I may be dealt with never a +word to my question," said the stranger beseechingly. + +"Go on," rejoined the peremptory occupant of the chimney-corner; "but +let thy discourse be more akin to thy text." + +The schoolmaster, thus admonished, again set forward. + +"As I was a-saying precedent or prior to this unseasonable +interruption--_medium sermonem_--I crave your mercy, but I was born, +as I may say, with the Latin, or the _lingua latialis_ in my mouth, +rather than my mother-tongue; so, as I was a-saying, this same Peggy, +_filia_ or daughter to Ellen, if I mistake not, seeing that Peg +O'Nell doth betoken, after the manner and use of these rude +provincials, that the genitrix or _mater_ is the genitive or +generator, being"---- + +"Now a murrain light on all fools, coxcombs, and"---- + +"Tailors' shins--hang thee, for thou hast verily split mine wi' thy +gilly-pegs. They're as sharp as a pair of hatchets," said an +unfortunate neighbour who had the ill-luck to encounter the gyrations +of these offensive and weapon-like appendages to the trunk of Nicholas +Slater, who, in his great ardour and distress at the floundering and +abortive attempts of the scholar, threw them about in all directions, +to the constant jeopardy and annoyance of those more immediately +within their sphere of operation. + +"Keep 'em out o't gait then," said the testy aggressor, angry at the +interruption, being fearful of losing so lucky an opportunity. + +"Peg O'Nelly, sir, was a maid-servant once at Waddow, killed first, +and then drowned i' the well by one o' the men for concubinage, as the +parson says; and so for the wrong done, her ghost ne'er having been +laid, you see she claims every seventh year an offering which must be +summat wick--and"----While he hesitated another took up the thread of +his narrative. + +"This is the last night o' the year, you see," said the other in +continuation; "and we be just thinking to bid good-bye to th' old +chap, and greet th' new one with a wag of his paw, and a drink to his +weel-doing. But the first cause o' this disturbance was by reason of +its being Peggy's year, and as she hasn't had her sop yet, we thought +as how it would be no bad job to get rid o' this drunken tailor here, +and he might save some better man; so we have been daring him to cross +t' hippin-stones to-night; for there is but an hour or two to spare +before her time's up." + +"It is not too late," said the stranger, with great solemnity. Every +eye was bent upon him. He still sat in the broad shadow projected by +one huge chimney-corner, his face overhung by a broad felt hat, girt +with a band and buckle; a drooping draggled feather fell over its +crown. His whole person was so curiously enveloped in a loose +travelling cloak that nothing but a dark unshapely mass, having some +resemblance to the human form, could be distinguished. Concealment +was evidently the object. Every one was awed down into silence. The +few words he had spoken seemed to have dried up, or rather frozen at +its surface, the babbling current of their opinions, that ran, whilom, +with unceasing folly and rapidity. + +"Silence!" cried the sutor from the opposite ingleside. + +This command operated like a charm. The ice was broken, and the +current became free. Without more ado, as if in opposition to the +self-constituted authority from the high-backed chair, the guests, +with one exception only, commenced with a vigorous discharge of "airy +missiles," which by degrees subsided into a sort of desultory +sharp-shooting; but their words were neither few nor well applied. It +was evident that a gloom and disquietude was upon the assembly. There +was a distinct impression of fear, though a vague notion as to its +cause--a sort of extempore superstition--a power which hath most hold +on the mind in proportion as its limits and operations are least known +or understood. The bugbear owing its magnitude and importance to +obscurity and misapprehension, becomes divested of its terrors when it +can be surveyed and appreciated. + + "_Te misereat, miserescat, vel commiserescat mei,_" + +quoted the schoolmaster, who, before he could find an equivalent in +his mother-tongue, was tripped up by the nimble constructor of +raiment. + +"The dule and his dam are verily let loose on us," said he. + +"Our Lady and her grace forefend!" cried he of the awl and lapstone, +whose pipe having unaccountably been extinguished, was just in the act +of being thrust down into the red and roaring billets when he beheld a +blue flame hovering on them; a spiral wreath of light shot upwards, +and the log was reduced to a mass of glowing ashes and half-burnt +embers. At this critical moment the stranger deliberately approached +the hearth. He threw a whole flagon of liquor wilfully upon the waning +faggots, and in a moment fiz, splutter, and smoke proclaimed that the +warfare of the elements, like many others, had ended in the +destruction of both the contending belligerents. The yule-log was +extinguished. There was a general rush, and a consternation of so +unequivocal a nature, that tables, benches, platters, and drinking +utensils were included in one vast overthrow. Some thought they saw +the glowing emblem of Yule transferred to the stranger's eyes, which +twinkled like twin loopholes to the furnace within. + +"I have thee now!" said he; but who this unfortunate might be whom +they had so left, even in the very claws of the Evil One, they knew +not, nor did they care to inquire. Each, too happy to escape, rushed +forth hatless and sore dismayed into the street, with all the horrors +of a pelting and pitiless night upon his head, and thought himself +well off by the exchange, and too much overjoyed that his own person +was not the victim in the catastrophe. + +In the morning Isabel, the landlord's ward, and his coal-black steed +were amissing! + +Now, it was but a mile or so from this ancient borough to Brunckerley, +or Bromiley hippin (stepping) stones, across the Ribble, where, upon +this insecure but long-used mode of transit, the steps of our +forefathers were guided over the ford. These same stepping-stones were +quite as often the instruments or executioners of Peggy's vengeance as +the well itself dignified by her name. It need not, therefore, be a +matter of surprise that when the appalling and fearful events of the +preceding night were bruited forth in the public thoroughfares upon +New-Year's morning--a season when news-carriers and gossips, old and +young, are more particularly prone to a vigilant exercise of their +talents and avocations--we say it need not be a source of either +suspicion or surprise that many of these conduit-pipes of +intelligence, even before the day was broad awake, did pour forth an +overwhelming flood of alarm and exaggeration. According to these +veracious lovers of the marvellous, shrieks were heard about the +requisite time, and in the precise direction where it must needs +follow that Isabel was just in the act of being whisked off by one of +Pegg's emissaries, and that ere now she was doubtless offered as one +of the septennial sacrifices to her revenge. + +It was a brave and comely morning, and a brave sight it was to see old +and young go forth to the river on that blessed day. The crisp and icy +brink of the brawling Ribble was beset by groups of idle folk, some +anxiously looking out for symptoms or traces of the body, others +occupied with rakes and various implements for searching the unknown +regions beneath the turbid and angry waters. Beyond were the antlered +and hoary woods of Waddow, every bow laden with the snows of +yestereven, sparkling silently in the broad and level sweep of light, +pouring in one uninterrupted flood over the wide and chilly waste--a +wilderness of snow, a gay and gorgeous mantle glittering on the bosom +of death and desolation. + +Gaffer Wiswall was there. The old man almost beside himself with +grief, heart-stricken with the blow, felt alone, a scathed trunk, +doomed to survive when the green verdure of his existence had +departed. + +Wet and weary were the searchers, and their toil unremitting, but the +body was not found. The "Well," Peg O'Nelly's Well, was tried, with +the like result. Surely this was a visitation of more than ordinary +spite and malignity. Hitherto the bodies of the victims, with but few +exceptions, had been rendered back to their disconsolate survivors, +the revengeful ghost apparently satisfied with their extinction; but +it is now high time to make the attempt, if possible, to rid +themselves of her persecutions. + +"Look here!" said one of the bystanders, pointing to the river's +margin; "there hath gone a horse, or it may be two, along these +slippery banks, but a few hours ago, and the track seems to come from +the river." + +"Let us see to the other side," said another, "if there be a fellow to +it." And, sure enough, on the opposite bank, there were footmarks +corresponding thereto, as though one or more adventurous horsemen had +swam the swollen waters recently, a little higher up than the ford, +pursuing their slippery way by the very margin, along the woods, for +some distance, when their track was lost amid these deep and almost +pathless recesses. + +"Mercy o' me," said one, "it is deep enough thereabouts to drown the +castle and hill to boot. Neither horse nor man could wade that +hurly-burly there last night, for the waters were out, and the footboy +from Waddow told me that nobody could even cross the hippin-stones at +eight o'clock. He came round by the bridge." + +"But if the beasts could swim?" said another, of more knowledge and +shrewdness than the rest. + +"Swim!--Go to!" said the small leathern-aproned personage whose +functions we have before adverted to at the bright and merry ingle of +old Wiswall; "neither man nor beast could have held breast against the +torrent." + +This was a complete negation to the whole. Nevertheless something had +crossed, whether cloven-footed or not they were unable to distinguish, +inasmuch as the demon, or whatsoever it might be, had taken the +precaution to make its passage in a pair of horse-shoes. The +probability was, that Peggy had varied the usual mode of her +proceedings, and sent a messenger with a strong arm and a fiery steed +to seize her victim. + +"We're none on us safe," cried one, "fro' this she div--div--Save us! +I'd like to ha' made a bad job on't." + +"The bloody vixen is ne'er satisfied," said an old gossip, whose nose +and chin had been gradually getting into closer fellowship for at +least a long score of winters. "I'll hie me to Bet at the Alleys for a +charm that'll drive aw t' hobgoblins to the de'il again. When I waur a +wee lassie, the scummerin' dixies didn't use to go rampaging about +this gate. There was nowt to do, but off to t' priest, an' th' job +waur done. Now-a-days, what wi' new lights, doctrines, an' lollypops, +Anabaptists an' Presbyterians, they're too throng wranglin' wi' one +another to tak' care o' the poor sheep, which Satan is worrying and +hurrying like hey go mad, and not a soul to set the dog at him, nor a +callant to tak' him by t' horns, an' say 'Boh!'" + +It seems "the good old times," even in those days, were objects of +regret, still clung to with fondness and delight--reversing the +distich; for-- + + "Man never is, but always _has been_, blest!" + +It is a principle in our very nature that we should look back with +yearnings to our youthful years, when all was fresh and joyous; when +our thoughts were in all the prime, the spring-tide of their +existence, and our emotions, young and jocund as ourselves, bubbled +forth fresh and clear as the mountain-spring from its source. The +change is not in the objects around us; it is in ourselves. Looking +through the medium of our own jaded and enervated feelings, we fancy +all things have the same worn-out aspect, and contrast the present +with the freshness and vigour of our former existence. + +Turn we now to the former inmates at Waddow, an old-fashioned building +in that old-fashioned age, now re-edified and re-built. It is +beautifully situated on a slope on the Yorkshire side of the Ribble, +beyond the "hippin-stones" we have named. + +In a low, dark chamber, panelled with dingy oak, into which the +morning sun burst joyously, its garish brightness ill assorting with +the solemnity and even sadness of the scene, there sat an elderly +matron, owner and occupier of the place. The casements were so beset +with untrimmed branches and decayed tendrils that her form looked dim +and almost impalpable, seen through the mist, the vagrant motes +revelling in the sunbeams. It seemed some ghostly, some attenuated +shape, that sat, still and stately, in that gloomy chamber. Before her +stood a female domestic, antique and venerable as herself, and the +conversation was carried on scarcely above a whisper, as though +silence brooded over that mansion, rarely disturbed by voice or +footstep. + +"I heed not these idle tales. A hammer and a willing hand will pound +yon bugbear into dirt," said the dame. "If there be none else, I'll +try what the hand of a feeble but resolute woman can do. Yon +Dagon--yon graven image of papistrie, which scares ye so, shall be +broken for the very beasts to trample on." + +"But the dins last night were"---- + +"Tell me not of such folly. When yonder senseless thing is gone, you +shall be quiet, maybe, if the rats will let ye. Send Jock hither, and +let Jim the mason be sent for, and the great iron mallet. Quick, +Mause, at my bidding. We shall see whether or not yonder grim idol +will dare to stir after it is cast down." + +With a look of surprise, and even horror, at this impious intent, did +the ancient housekeeper move slowly forth to execute her commands. + +The innocent cause of all this broil was a certain stone figure, +rudely sculptured, which, time out of mind, had been the disturbing +but undisturbed inmate of an obscure corner in the cellar beneath an +uninhabited wing of the mansion at Waddow. Superstition had invested +this rude misshapen relic with peculiar terrors; and the generation +having passed to whom its origin was known, from some cause or another +it became associated with Peggy's disaster, who, as it was currently +believed, either took possession of this ugly image, or else employed +it as a kind of spy or bugbear to annoy the inhabitants of the house +where she had been so cruelly treated. There did certainly appear some +connection between Peggy's freaks and this uncouth specimen of +primitive workmanship. Though bearing evident marks of some rude +effigy, the spoliation of a religious house at some reforming, or, in +other words, plundering, era--the ideal similitude probably of a +Romish saint--yet, whenever Peggy's emissaries were abroad and a +victim was to be immolated, this disorderly cast-out from the calendar +was particularly restless; not that any really authenticate, visible +cases were extant of these unidol-like propensities to locomotion, but +noises and disturbances were heard for all the world like the uncouth +and awkward gambols of such an ugly thing; at least, those who were +wiser than their neighbours, and well skilled in iconoclastics, did +stoutly aver that they had heard it "clump, clump, clump," precisely +like the jumping and capering of such a misshapen, ill-conditioned +effigy, when inclined to be particularly merry and jocose. Now this +could not be gainsaid, and consequently the innocent and mutilated +relic, once looked upon as the genius or tutelary guardian of the +house, was unhesitatingly assigned to the evil domination of Peggy. It +might be that the rancour she displayed was partly in consequence of +an adequate retribution having failed to overtake her betrayer, and +the family, then resident at Waddow, not having dealt out to him the +just punishment of his deserts. Thus had she been permitted to pervert +the proper influences and benevolent operations of this mystic +disturber to her own mischievous propensities; and thenceforth a +malignant spirit troubled the house, heretofore guarded by a saint of +true Catholic dignity and stolidity. + +But it seemed the time was now come when these unholy doings were to +be put an end to. The present owner of Waddow, tired, as we have seen, +of such ridiculous alarms, and the terrors of her domestics, and +wishful to do away with the evil report and scandal sustained thereby, +was now resolved to dissipate these idle fears, to show at once their +folly and futility. + +"Well, Mause, the old lady will have her way, I know; but if she +doesn't rue her cantrips, my name's not Jock; that's all." And here +the speaker stamped with a heavy clouted foot upon the kitchen-hearth, +whither the lady's message had been conveyed. + +"Thou maun get thy hammer and pick, lad, and soon, too, I tell thee," +said Mause. + +"I'll do aught 'at she asks me; but--but--to run like some goupin' +warlock to the whame o' destruction, wi' one's een open, it's what no +Christian will do that hasn' forsworn his baptism." + +"Maun I tell her so?" inquired Mause, with a significant emphasis. + +"Naw, naw; no' just soa; but thee maun--wait a bit; let's see." Here +he began to beat about anxiously for an excuse, which did not present +itself with the same facility as the expression of his unwillingness +to undertake the job. "Eh me!--Jock Tattersall--herd and bailiff now +these twenty years--that I should be brought to sich a pass; an' aw' +through these plaguy women. Well, well; but if a good stiff lie, +Mause, would sarve my turn, I wouldna' care so mich. Hears to me, owd +wench; tell mistress I'm gone wi' t' kye to water, Peg's Well being +frozen up." + +"Tell her thysel'," said the indignant Mause; "an' then one lie may +sarve. I'll no go to the dule upo' thy shouthers!" + +"There's Bob i' the yard yon; winnat he do for her instead?" + +"I tell thee what, Jock," said Mause, "mistress'll ha't done in her +own way; so we may as weel budge sooner as later. But let's a' go +together, an' I warrant our dame will be the first, an' she'll stand +i' th' gap if aught should happen. Besides, courage comes wi' company, +thee knows, an' there's a round dozen of us." + +This proposal, in the present exigency, seemed the best that could be +adopted. The whole household were full of misgivings about the result; +yet, sheltered under the authority of their mistress, and themselves +not consenting to the deed, they trusted Peggy would consider it in +the same light, and if she should break forth upon them, doubtless she +would possess sufficient discrimination to know the real aggressor, +and wreak her vengeance where it was due. + +Mause was despatched to their mistress, who, after a short period, +starched and pinned, her aspect as stiff and unyielding as her +disposition, consented to take the lead, and shame the unwillingness +and cowardice of her domestics. Immediately behind walked, or rather +lagged, the executioner with his weapons, looking more like unto one +that was going to execution. Mause came next, then the remainder of +the household, not one of them disposed to quarrel about precedency. +The room to which they were tending was low, dark, and unfurnished, +save with the _exuviae_ of other parts of the premises. Rats and lumber +were its chief occupants. A few steps accomplished the descent, the +chamber having less of the nature of cellarage than that of a dairy, +which, in former times, and until a more eligible situation had been +found, was the general use and appropriation to which it was allotted. +Seldom visited, Peggy, or rather her mysterious representative, +reigned here without molestation or control. At times, as we have +before seen, the image, awaking from its stony slumber, played the +very shame amongst the chattels in the lumber-room. + +Its activity and exertions against "social order" were now destined to +be forever ended. Irrevocable was the doom, and the lowering aspect of +the proud dame of Waddow, as the door unclosed, and a faint light from +the loophole opposite revealed her enemy in all the mockery of +repose--grim, erect, and undisturbed--showed the inflexibility of her +purpose. + +"Now to work," said she; "come hither with thy torch, Hal; why dost +loiter so? and where's Jock and the mason with the tools?" But Jock +and his compeer were loth to come, and the lady's voice grew louder +and more peremptory. "Shame on ye, to be cow'd thus by a graven +image--a popish idol--a bit of chiselled stone. Out upon it, that +nature should have put women's hearts into men's bosoms. Nay, 'tis +worse than womanhood, for they have the stouter stomach for the +enterprise, I trow. Bring hither the hammer, I say. Doth the foul +apprehension of a trumpet terrify you that has been dead and rotten +these hundred years?" + +Thus did the sturdy dame strive to quell their fears and stimulate +them to the attack. Yet they lingered, and were loth to begin. Nay, +one whispered to his fellow that the image grinned and frowned +horribly during this harangue, and made mouths at the trenchant dame. + +"It's no use," said Jock; "I darena strike!" + +"Thou craven kestril!" said she, angrily; "and what should ail thee to +shy at the quarry? Give me the weapon." And with that she seized the +hammer as though rendered furious by the pusillanimity of her +attendants. The whole group were paralysed with terror. Not a word was +spoken; scarcely a breath was drawn; every eye was riveted upon her, +without the power of withdrawal. They saw her approach, as though +endowed with tenfold strength, and lending the whole weight of her +long, thin arm to the blow, with a right good will added thereto, she +dealt a powerful stroke at the head of this dumb idol. A headless +trunk tumbled on the floor; but with that there came a shriek, so +wild, woeful, and appalling, that the cowardly attendants fled. The +torch-bearer threw down the light, and the whole of the domestics, +with dismal outcries, rushed pell-mell through the narrow passage; +fearful, inconceivable horror urging their flight. The dame was left +alone, but what she saw or heard was never divulged; an altered woman +she looked when she came forth, like one of the old still portraits +that had slipped down from its frame in the gloomy oaken chamber. She +spoke not again even to Mause that day, but seemed as if bent on some +deep and solemn exercise. Abstracted from every outward impression, +she sat, the image of some ancient sibyl communing with the inward, +unseen pageantries of thought--the hidden workings of a power she +could not control. Towards night she seemed more accessible. Naturally +austere and taciturn, she rarely spoke but when it was absolutely +necessary; yet now there was a softened, a subdued tone of feeling, +and even a bland expression in her address, which for years had not +been felt. Some bitter, some heart-searing disappointment, had dried +up the sources of feeling, and left her spirit withered, without +nurture, and without verdure, without so much as a green spot in the +untrodden wilderness of her existence. + +"I've seen him, Mause," said she, as though half in earnest, +half-musing, when the faithful domestic came to warn her mistress that +the time of rest was at hand. + +"Seen who, my lady?" + +"Bless thee, silly wench, I've seen William. Nay, nurse, it was thy +boy, as thou didst use to call him; and as sure as these aged eyes +have wept themselves dry at his departure and decease, I saw his +vision this morning i' the image-chamber." + +"Eh! the good saints guide and preserve us," said the aged menial, +crossing herself very devoutly, more by way of conjuration or +counter-charm, than from any proper feeling of reverence or faith in +the mystic symbol of our redemption. "There's death at the door, then, +sure enough," she continued; "aw this gramarye and foretokening isn't +for nought; so who's to pay for it?" + +"When the light was gone," said the dame, as though scarcely heeding +the interpolation of her domestic, "I stayed a brief space; but what +passed"----Here she raised her dim and hollow eyes for a moment; "no +matter now, Mause; suffice it that my nephew, who was drown'd seven +long years ago, stood before me!" + +"But young master, Heaven rest his soul, what can he want from yonder +bright mansion of glory, where you always said he was gone," replied +Mause, "that he should come again to this pitiful world? Eh me! that +Peggy should ha' claw'd so fair a victim." + +"Peace, Mause; never would I believe it. Nor even now will I, for one +moment, apprehend that Heaven would put any of its creatures, for whom +its care is continually going forth, into the power of a base and +vindictive harlot--that the All-merciful and All-good would render up +an innocent victim to her malice. Better worship Moloch and the +devils, unto whom our forefathers did offer a vain and cruel +sacrifice. No, Mause! believe me, our faith forbids. The light of +revealed truth shows no such misrule in the government of the Deity. +The powers of evil are as much the instruments of good in His hand as +the very attributes of His own perfections. And yet, strange enough +that my devoted William should appear at the very time, and in the +very place, when the destruction of the ugly image was accomplished, +as though the charm were then broken, and he were set free! I am +distressed, bewildered, Mause; the links are too strong to be undone +by my feeble and unassisted reason. That he was reckoned by common +report as a doomed one to that vindictive ghost, I know; and that the +mutilation of yonder image should apparently have called forth his +very substance from the dark womb where he had lain, transcends my +imperfect knowledge. Beshrew me, but I could readily become tinctured +with the prevailing belief, did not my firm hold on the goodness and +the omnipotence of the great Ruler of all sustain my faith and forbid +my distrust." + +"I know not what wiser heads may think; but if I'd seen his wraith +rising fro' the image, I should ha' thought--what I do yet--and +so"---- + +"Tarry with me through the night, Mause. This vision haunts me +strangely, and I do feel more heavy and debilitate than I have been +wont." + +Whether the shock was too great or too sudden for a frame so stubborn +and unyielding, we know not; but that the firmest often feel more +intensely the blows and disasters which others, by yielding to them, +do evade, needeth not that we set forth, inasmuch as it is too plain +and demonstrative to require illustration. On that same night, Mause, +awakening from a short and broken slumber, looked on her mistress, and +lo, she was a corpse! + +This event, according to the popular belief, would doubtless add +another to the list of Peggy's victims, and was looked upon as a +terrible token from the demon against all who should hereafter have +the temerity or presumption to interfere with her proceedings. + +The following day it was noised abroad, and the survivors were mindful +to have the entrance to this fearful chamber walled up, and thus +prevent any further mischief or interference. + +Towards eventide, or ere the lights were renewed in the death-chamber, +there came a gentle knock at the hall-door. An aged domestic answered +the summons; but with a scream, she fled as from the face of an enemy. +A footstep was heard in the hall. Slowly it ascended the stairs. They +creaked and groaned, every step seeming to strike with a cold shudder +to the heart. They verily thought that the house was beset by a whole +squadron of infernals, who had sent a messenger for the body of their +mistress. The tramp of the mysterious visitor was heard in the +death-chamber. Moans and bewailings were distinctly audible; and +Mause, who was in the room, came down with a face colourless and wan, +as though she had seen a ghost. She could not articulate, save one +harrowing word-- + +"William!" she cried, and pointed upwards. Seven years ago had he been +drowned, according to general belief, one fearful night, in crossing +the river by Bromiley or Brunckerley hippin-stones. Nephew and +heir-presumptive to the lady of Waddow, he had left his home that +evening writhing under her malediction; for he had in an evil hour, as +she thought, formed a base-born attachment to an orphan living with +Gaffer Wiswall, and generally looked upon as his daughter. It was this +curse which clave like a band of iron about the breast of the proud +dame of Waddow; for, in the morning light, when there came news to the +hall that he had been seen swept down by the ravening flood--perishing +without hope of succour--she sat as though stupefied, without a murmur +or a tear, and her stricken heart knew not this world's gladness +again. Solitary and friendless, this fair creation seemed blotted out, +and she became fretful and morose. All her earthly hopes were centred +in this boy, the offspring of a sister, and they were for ever gone! +Mause only had the privilege of addressing her without a special +interrogation. The appearance, or it might be, the apparition of her +beloved nephew, seemed again to open the sluices of feeling and +affection; to soften and subdue the harshness that encrusted her +disposition; but it was only the forerunner of an eternal change--the +herald of that inexorable tyrant, Death! + +Darkness was fast gathering about them; but the whole household were +huddled together in the kitchen, none daring to venture forth to their +occupations. A long hour it seemed, while every moment they were +expecting some further visitation. The fire was nigh extinguished, for +who durst fetch the billet from the stack? The conversation, if such +might be called the brief and scanty form of their communications, was +kept up in a sort of tremulous whisper, every one being frightened at +the sound of his own voice. How long this state of things might have +lasted we know not, inasmuch as the terrible footsteps were again +heard upon the stairs--the same slow and solemn tread. They heard its +descent into the hall. It became louder, and the fearful vision was +evidently approaching. The sound was now in the narrow passage close +to them. The next moment a form was presented to their view, carrying +a taper, and recognised by the major part of the group; it being the +very semblance of their deceased "young master," as he was generally +called, changed, it was true, but still sufficiently like him, when +living, to be distinguished from any other. One loud cry announced +their discovery of the phantom. + +"Why tarry here?" said the intruder. "Yonder corse hath need of the +death lights;" and with that he disappeared. Yet, however needful it +was that the usual offices should be rendered to the departed, there +was no one bold enough to perform the duty. Nevertheless the lights +were kindled by some invisible hand in the lady's chamber that night; +and, by whomsoever the office was fulfilled, the corpse was not +without a watcher, and a faithful one, till daylight came softly on +the couch, driving away the darkness and the apprehensions it +excited. + +It was past midnight ere the domestics retired to rest, or rather to +their chambers; so fearful were they of another visit that, by a +little care and management, they contrived so that none should be left +alone till morning arose before them, bright and cheerful, +dissipating, in some measure, their former terrors. + +Softly and cheerily broke that morning sun upon the frosty and +embossed panes of Gaffer Wiswall's dwelling; but the light brought no +cheer, no solace unto him. The old man was now a withered, a sapless +trunk, stripped of the green verdure which had lately bloomed on its +hoary summit. His daughter, as he loved to call her--and he had almost +cheated himself into the belief--was ravished from him, and the staff +of his declining years had perished. + +He was sitting moody and disconsolate, and, like the bereaved mother +in Israel, "refusing to be comforted," when a stranger entered, and, +without speaking, seated himself by the broad ingle, opposite the +goodman, who was looking listlessly forth into the blazing faggots, +but without either aim or discernment. The intruder was wrapped in a +dark military cloak; his hat drawn warily over his forehead, +concealing his features beneath the broad and almost impervious +shadow. + +Wiswall awoke from his study, and with a curious eye, seemed silently +to ask the will and business of the stranger; but he spoke not. The +old man, surveying his guest more minutely, inquired-- + +"Be ye far ridden this morning, Sir Cavalier?" + +"Not farther than one might stride ere breakfast," was the reply, but +in a low, and, it seemed, a hasty tone, as though impatient of being +questioned, and preferring to remain unnoticed. + +The tapster's instincts were still in operation. With the true spirit +of his calling, he inquired-- + +"From the army, sir?" + +"Ay, from the Grand Turk, an' thou wilt." + +"The king, they say, hath a fairer word for the dames than for those +stout hearts who won him his crown," said the victualler, seemingly +conversant in the common rumours that were abroad. "The sparks about +court," continued he, "do ruffle it bravely among the buxom dames and +their beauteous"----Here his daughter's bright image came suddenly +upon his recollection, and the old man wept. + +"Why dost weep, old man?" inquired his guest. + +"Alas! I had a daughter once, a match fit for the bravest galliard +that sun e'er shown upon. She was the wonder and dismay of all that +looked on her. She loved a soldier dearly, and her mouth would purse +and play, and her eye would glisten at a cap and plume; and yet the +veriest prude in all Christendom was not more discreet." + +"Mayhap her sweetheart was a soldier, and abroad at the wars; so that +these were but the outgoings of hope and expectation for his return." + +"Her sweetheart, marry! she had once--but--he was ta'en from us. The +young heir of Waddow, as we always called him, at the hall yonder, was +her true love; but one night, seven long bitter years back, the flood +swept him away: we never saw him again, but Isabel's hope was for ever +blighted!" + +"And the body--was it not found?" + +"Nay, for the current was swift, and bore him hence. The demon--she +hath ta'en mine, as the next dainty morsel for her ravening appetite." + +"'Tis seven years since I first sought my fortune as a soldier. I +served my king faithfully. With him I went into exile. He hath +returned, and here I come to redeem my pledge." + +The stranger threw off his cloak, and the astonished and almost +incredulous tapster beheld the nephew of the dame now heir to the +inheritance of Waddow. + +"Though swept rapidly down the stream on that dreadful night when I +fled, heedlessly fled, from the denunciations of her who had supplied +a parent's place from my infancy, I escaped, almost by a miracle, at a +considerable distance below the ford, where I attempted to cross; yet, +knowing her inflexible disposition--for she had threatened to leave me +penniless--I resolved to seek my fortune as a soldier until I should +be enabled to wed with better prospects for the future. I contrived to +assure Isabel of my safety, but I strictly enjoined secrecy. I was not +without hope that one day or another, appearing as though I had risen +from the dead, I should win a reluctant consent, it might be, to our +union. A long exile was the only recompense for my loyalty. The +restoration hath rendered me back, and I have redeemed my pledge. At +my urgent entreaty the other night, the first of my return, she +accompanied me, and we have plighted our vows at the same altar. I +took her privily to my former home. Knowing a secret entrance to the +chamber where the image is deposited, I concealed her there, safe, as +I thought, from molestation, until I had won the consent of her who +was my only friend. To my horror and surprise she discovered me there, +and the screams of Isabel had nigh betrayed her presence; but it was +evident she thought the grave had given back its dead. I could not +then undeceive her, and when I returned she was a corpse! Dying +without will, I am now the lawful heir to yon good inheritance, and +Isabel is the proud mistress of Waddow!" + +This unlooked-for intelligence was almost overwhelming; the old man's +frame seemed hardly able to bear the disclosure. He wept like a child; +but the overflow of his joy relieved the oppressed heart, full even to +bursting. + +Yet Peggy was not without a sacrifice, according to popular belief, +which sacrifice was offered in the person of the late defunct at +Waddow. Indeed, according to some, it were an act of unbelief and +impiety to suppose any other, and only to be equalled by that of the +attack made by this resolute dame upon Peggy's representative--an +outrage she so dearly atoned for by her own death. + +The headless trunk was, however, removed some years afterwards to its +present site by the brink of "the Well," where, having fallen upon +evil and unbelieving times, it is desecrated to the profane uses of a +resting-place for cans unto the merry maidens who come thither at +morning and eventide to draw water. + +Many are the victims now recorded to the capricious malevolence of +Peggy; and though deprived of her domicile at Waddow, still her +visitations are not the less frequent; and whether a stray kitten or +an unfortunate chick be the sufferer, the same is deemed a victim and +a sacrifice to the wrath of Peggy's _manes_. + + +[Illustration: ULVERSTONE SANDS. +_Engraved by Edw^d Finden._ +_Drawn by G. Pickering._] + + + + +THE SANDS. + + "It is the shout of the coming foe, + Ride, ride for thy life, Sir John; + But still the waters deeper grew, + The wild sea-foam rushed on." + + --_Old Ballad._ + + The following account of an excursion over the sands, from Mr + Baines's _Companion to the Lakes_, will give a very accurate + idea of the mode in which travellers accomplish this + interesting, though sometimes perilous journey, over the bare + sands of the Bay of Morecambe. Taking a horse at Lancaster, and + setting out at the same time with the "Over-sands" coach, he + says-- + + "We arrived at Hest Bank, on the shores of Morecambe Bay, three + miles and a half from Lancaster, about five in the afternoon. + Here a little caravan was collected, waiting the proper time to + cross the trackless sands left bare by the receding tide. I soon + saw two persons set out in a gig, and, following them, I found + that one of them was the guide appointed to conduct travellers, + and the other a servant who was driving his master's gig to the + Cartmel shore, and was to return with the horse the same + evening. He had of course no time to lose, and had begun his + journey at the earliest possible hour. We found the sands firm + and level, except the slight wrinkles produced by the ripple of + the waves; but they were still wet, having only just been left + by the sea. The guide appeared to drive with caution, and in no + place went farther than a mile from land. We had a good deal of + conversation, and I found him intelligent and communicative. His + name is Thomas Wilkinson. He is a tall, athletic man, past the + middle age, and bears marks of the rough weather he has been + exposed to in discharging the duties of his post during the + winter months. In stormy, and more especially in foggy weather, + those duties must be arduous and anxious. It is his business to + station himself at the place where the river Keer runs over the + sands to the sea, which is about three miles from Hest Bank, and + to show travellers where they may pass with safety. The bed of + the river is liable to frequent changes, and a fresh of water + after rain may, in a very short time, convert a fordable place + into a quicksand. When we came to the river, he got out of the + gig, and waded over to ascertain the firmness of the bottom, the + water being about knee-deep. Having escorted us a little + farther, till we saw the guide for the Kent at a distance, and + having pointed out the line we should keep, he left us to + return to his proper post. We gave him, as is usual, a few + pence; for though he is appointed by government, his salary is + only L10 a-year, and he is, of course, chiefly dependent on what + he receives from travellers. + + "These sands are called the Lancaster Sands, and the guide said + that they were at present eleven miles over, from Hest Bank to + Kent's Bank, but that he had known them when he could pass + directly over in not more than seven miles. The tide forms a + channel in the sand, which has been gradually coming nearer the + shore for some years past, and has obliged persons crossing to + take a longer circuit. It was now the spring-tide, and the + sands we were travelling upon would, at high-water, be + seventeen feet below the surface of the sea. + + "The day was exceedingly fine, and the prospects, in crossing + over the sands, were splendid. The whole coast of the bay, from + Peel Castle round to the shore beyond Lancaster; the stern + crags of Warton and Arnside Fells, on the right; farther + eastward, the well-known form of Ingleborough, whose broad + head, not apparently of very great elevation, is still visible + from every considerable hill in Lancashire, Westmoreland, and + Cumberland, and seems to lift itself in serene and unchanging + majesty over the neighbouring hills; the broken and picturesque + shores of the Kent, beautifully wooded, and forming a vista to + the eye;--the fells of Cartmel, rising in the mid-distance, + their sides hung with forests, and several ornamental parks + lying round their base; and above, and far beyond them, the + noble chain of the Westmoreland and Cumberland mountains, whose + lofty summits, clothed with light, formed a sublime barrier + stretching along the northern horizon. Such are the principal + features of a prospect which is not the less beautiful because + it rises from the level expanse of the sands, and which was to + me the more interesting from the novelty of my own situation. + + "The Ulverstone coach, several gigs, and some persons on + horseback, had followed us at a little distance, keeping the + track left by the wheels of the vehicle which conveyed the + guide. When Wilkinson left us, we rode on two or three miles + before we came to the channel of the Kent, and there we found a + guide on horseback, who had just forded the river from the + opposite side. The guide stationed here has long gone by the + name of the Carter, and it is difficult to say whether the + office has been so called from the family in which it has been + vested, or the family have assumed their official title as a + cognomen; but it is certain that for many ages the duties of + guide over the Lancaster Sands have been performed by a family + named Carter, and have descended from father to son. The + present possessor of the office is named James Carter, and has + lately succeeded his father. He told me that some persons said + the office of guide had been in his family five hundred years, + but he did not know how anybody could tell that; and all he + could say was, that they had held it 'for many grandfathers + back, longer than anyone knew.' The salary was only L10 a-year + till his father's time, when it was raised to L20; yet I should + suppose that the office is a rather productive one, as the family + have accumulated some property. + + "The Carter seems a cheerful and pleasant fellow. He wore a + rough greatcoat and a pair of jack-boots, and was mounted on a + good horse, which appeared to have been up to the ribs in the + water. When we came to him, he recommended us to wait till the + arrival of the coach, which was nearly a mile distant, as the + tide would then be gone farther out. I asked if there had been + any accidents in this place lately; to which he replied, that + some boys were drowned two years ago, having attempted to pass + when the tide was up, in defiance of warnings; but that, with + that exception, there had not been any accidents for a + considerable time. When the coach came up we took the water in + procession, and crossed two channels, in one of which the water + was up to the horses' bellies. The coach passed over without + the least difficulty, being drawn by fine tall horses. Arrived + at the other side, the man of high genealogy received our + gratuities, and we rode on, keeping close to a line of rods + which have been planted in the sand to indicate the track, and + which have remained there for many months. We shortly met the + coach from Ulverstone, and several other vehicles, and as we + proceeded the views of the estuary and the distant mountains + became still more beautiful and interesting. Three or four + miles brought us to Kent's Bank, on the Cartmel shore. I infer + that the river is not fordable for any long period, as the + guide told the servant whom I have mentioned that he must + return in an hour if he wished to pass over again that evening. + + "The peninsula formed by the Kent and the Leven is three miles + over; and, after passing it, I came to the latter river, the + sands of which are of the same breadth, and must be crossed to + reach Ulverstone." + + These sands are reckoned more dangerous than the former, as the + channel of the river is frequently shifted. + + It is safest to cross at spring-tides; the water then is more + completely drained out, and the force of the tide sweeps the + bottom clean from mud and sediment. + + Here another guide on horseback escorts travellers over. + + The views up the Leven are fully as picturesque, though not + quite so extensive, as those at the mouth of the Kent. A bold, + woody promontory, seen in our engraving, projects into the + river at the mouth of the ford, narrowing it to less than half + the breadth. The two ridges of the Cartmel and Ulverstone + Fells, the former clothed with wood and the latter with + verdure, run up inland, and carry the eye back to the + mountains, round the head of Coniston Water and Windermere. On + the Ulverstone shore, to the left of the town, are the grounds + of Conishead Priory, which adorn with their rich woods and + lawns the gently-waving side of the hill; and the mouth of the + Leven opens out to the Bay of Morecambe, the shores of which + are visible to a great extent. + + +The sands forming the Bay of Morecambe, covered by the sea at high +water, are crossed every day by travellers whose time or inclination +leads them to choose this route rather than one more circuitous, and +nearly thrice the distance, inland. Yet the sands are by no means +without danger, especially to the uncautious or unwary. Scarcely a +year passes without some loss of lives, generally owing to the +obstinacy or foolhardiness of the victims. Guides are appointed to +conduct strangers across this trackless waste, whose duty it is to +examine daily, on the receding of the tide, the several routes by +which passengers may accomplish their journey. The places where danger +is to be apprehended are the fordings of the several rivers or +watercourses, which, even when the sands are bare, still pour forth a +considerable stream to the ocean. These fords are continually changing +by reason of the shifting of the sands, so that one day's path may on +the morrow prove a dangerous and impassable quicksand. + +The principal guide has a small annuity from government, and is +obliged, in all weathers, to perform this disagreeable but +highly-important duty. The priory of Conishead was charged with this +office over the Leven or Ulverstone sands, and the guide whom they +appointed, besides perquisites, had an allotment of three acres of +land, with fifteen marks per annum. Henry the Eighth, on the +dissolution of the monasteries, charged himself and his successors +with the payment of a certain sum to the person that should be guide +for the time being, by patent under the seal of the duchy of +Lancaster. Such was the importance and the idea of danger attached to +this journey, that on a little rocky island midway between the shores +of Cartmel and Furness, there stood a small chapel or oratory built by +the monks of Furness, where prayers were daily offered for the safety +of travellers then occupied in this perilous attempt. Yet these, +called the Ulverstone sands, are scarcely more than three miles +across, whilst the well-known Lancaster sands are nine miles, from the +circuitous line of the track, though it is said that the shorter +passage is the more dangerous. That the longer journey is not +unattended with risk may be inferred from the accidents which have +occurred, as well as from the fact, that carriages are sometimes left +to the mercy of the coming tide, the passengers making their escape in +the best manner they are able. + +Our tale hath reference to one of these perilous adventures, long +years ago; and as neither plot nor story is evolved, the reader is +warned, if he so please, that he leave the few following pages unread, +unless he be of a temper not liable to suffer disappointment thereby. + +The night was beautifully calm: the moon just sinking upon the verge +of the distant waters, where the Bay of Morecambe, the great estuary +so called, according to some authorities, by Ptolemy, opens out into +the broad channel of the Irish Sea. + +The stars shone down, keen, bright, and piercing,--"fixed in their +everlasting seat,"--ever presenting the same aspect, the same order +and disposition, through all the changes of this changing and mutable +world. The scene was peculiarly inviting--so calm, so placid, the +whole wide and visible hemisphere was without a blot. Nature, like a +deceitful mistress, looked so hypocritically serene, that her face +might never have been darkened with a cloud or furrowed by a frown. So +winning was she withal, that, though the veriest shrew, and all +untamed and ungovernable in her habits and conditions, this night she +became hushed and gentle as the soothed infant in its repose. + +The same night came down to the Kent side, intending to set out on +their perilous march over the sands of the bay, divers travellers, +well mounted for the occasion. Yet were their steeds much harassed, +weltering in mud and foam, by reason that their journey had been both +long and hasty, and their business urgent, nor were they yet without +apprehension of pursuit. They looked wistfully down towards the west, +where the moon hung over the ocean's brim, a red ensanguined crescent, +as if about to dip her golden bowl into the raging deep, or mayhap to +launch her glittering bark on that perilous tide. For, in good sooth, +the travellers on that same day, having forded the estuaries of the +Duddon and the Leven, were barely in time for their passage across the +sands of the Kent, their destination being the tower of Arnside, +standing on a round rocky peninsula, little more than two miles from +their present station. Yet was the way perilous, though they had time +sufficient for their purpose. The river Kent, or Ken, which, when the +tide hath receded from the bay, followeth often at a considerable +depth and speed, was at this period much swollen by reason of the late +swells and freshes from the hills. Moreover, the tide would ere long +press back the waters towards their source, and but few hours should +elapse ere the ocean itself would roll over and obliterate every trace +of their intended path. Yet though sure and undeviating was the peril +before them, another more imminent and perchance not less remote, +awaited them from behind. They were pursued. Hot and hasty was the +chase, and their blood alone would slake the vengeance of their +adversaries. + +Pausing ere the first plash was heard in the heavy sands beneath the +shore, the foremost horseman of the party thus held discourse. Those +that followed were likewise armed, and to all appearance were +followers or retainers of the chief, who had been with them upon some +foray or predatory excursion. + +"We are between fire and water, I trow; but what of that? We must e'en +cross." + +"And how if the fog of yesternight should come again, or we should +miss our track?" + +"Tush, Harry, with thine evil croak. There will be time enough to +discourse with danger when it comes. Besides, I would know it +blindfold, and the night doth bear no token of either distemper or +disquiet." + +"Thou art passing careless of our jeopardy. It were better, even now, +that we follow the track by the coast. My counsel was set at naught, +or we had gone forward by Cartmel, and missed this perilous pathway of +the sea." + +"And with it met the enemy at my gate; or, peradventure, having passed +on thither before us, we should have found them in quiet possession of +our good fortalice yonder. Truly it were a precious entertainment! We +should have Lenten fare, I trow, where they be lords o' the feast." + +"Our steeds, I think, would have outstripped them, even by way of the +forest and the bridges, but"---- + +"Thou reckonest not for delay by the hill-paths and the morass, let +alone the weary miles that we should have to ride. Tut, man, they +fancy not of our crossing this little brooklet here, because I misled +them ere we departed; and they are now mightily sure of cutting off +our retreat, and getting at the tower before us. How the knaves will +slink back when they find the gate barred in their teeth. Forward, Sir +Harry, and let the Cumberland wolves take the hindmost!" + +They dashed down the slope into the heavy mud by the beach, and soon +the little band might have been seen moving like dark specks on the +sandy waste, even though night had come on, so clear and unsullied was +the atmosphere. + +The wind, which through the day had blown light, but piercing, from +the north, seemed all at once to become more bland and genial. A +pause was felt; then a veering to and fro, like the flapping sail, ere +the big canvas comes bellying before the wind; a pause, created by one +of those occult and uncomprehended operations of nature, to be +understood only in the secret recesses of her power, where all the +germs of being are elaborated, but whither the most daring and exalted +of human capacities never penetrated. + +It was near the turn of the tide, and the wind, obeying her spell, as +though at the call of that mighty wizard, was gradually veering +towards the sea, and shortly would ride on with the rolling billows, +driving forward, like some proud charioteer, the dark waters of the +Atlantic in its progress. + +The travellers were pricking on their way discreetly, the channel of +the river just before them, rippling pleasantly over some quiet star, +that seemed to sink deep within its bosom. + +To their right was the voice of the restless and mystic ocean, obeying +the fiat of Him who hath fixed its bounds--at too great a distance now +to excite other feelings than those of their own impotence, and the +immensity by which they were surrounded. I know of no sound to be +compared to it. There is nought in the wide range of our intelligence +that can produce the dread, the almost terrific expansion which it +seems to create in the mind, save it be the dizzy view over some dark +and unfathomable abyss--an impression that comes over us like the +dread unutterable anticipations of eternity! + +Suddenly a thin white vapour was seen obscuring the brightness in the +west. Then came a cloud-like haze, scudding on the very surface of the +stream, wherein the plash of horses' feet announced their entrance. +They rode slowly on, but the channel was deep, and it seemed as though +some sleight and witchery was about them, for the mist became so dense +that the clouds seemed to have dropped down to encompass and enfold +them. The stream gradually became deeper, until the foremost horse was +wading to the belly, labouring and snorting from the chillness and +oppression upon his chest. + +"'Tis an unlucky and an embarrassing escort that we are favoured +with," said the rider. "The wind, too, whiffles about strangely. 'Tis +on my face, now, and verily I think the stream will ne'er be crossed. +I trust we are not wading it down towards the sea." + +"Troth but we be, though," hastily replied his friend, after looking +down, bending as low as possible to observe his horse's feet, where +he could just discern the gouts of foam as they ran right before, +instead of passing them from left to right. + +"Put back--put back, and soon!" he cried, in great alarm; for the mist +bewildered them strangely. They did put back, but instead of all +obeying the same impulse, some of the party, finding themselves on +opposite sides of the stream, were plunging and replunging into it, to +rejoin their comrades, every one calling out for his neighbour to +follow; so that, in the end, the whole party were so confused that, on +being gathered together once more on the sand, they really knew not on +which side of the stream they stood, nor which way to move. They +seemed like persons discoursing in a dream, and the mist hung about +them so closely that they could not, even by dismounting, see the +marks of their own footsteps. They felt that they were standing on a +bank of sand, which they knew must inevitably, and ere long, be +covered by the raging tide, even then, perhaps, on its way to +overwhelm and devour them. But this was the utmost of their knowlege, +for the direction in which to proceed, or the bearing of either shore, +was beyond their knowledge or apprehension. They would now have been +glad to retrace their steps, but this, alas! they knew not how to +accomplish. To remain would be certain destruction; to go on, might +only be hastening to meet it. But move they must, as the only chance +of escape; yet opinions were as various as the points of the compass. +One was for going to the right, another to the left, another straight +forward; so that, what with arguing and wrangling, they became more +bewilderd and uncertain than ever. + +"I do verily believe we have not yet crossed the river," said one. + +"Not come across!" replied another; "why we've been through and +through, to my own certainty, at least thrice." + +"Thrice in thy teeth!" said his angry opponent; "and so I'll go +forward." + +"And I'll go back," was the reply. But the precise idea they had +formed of these opposite and important determinations was more than +either of them could explain; even though they had been ever so +certain upon these points, to proceed in a straight line in any +direction was impossible, without some object by which to direct their +course. Ever and anon was heard a heavy plunge into the stream, but +even this token had ceased to avail them, for its course could not be +ascertained. The tide was now arresting its progress, and the water +moved to and fro in every direction, according to the various impulses +it received. The wind, too, was light and treacherous; its breath +seemed to come and go, without any fixed point by which they could +feel either its arrival or departure. In this dilemma, and without any +clue to their extrication, harassed and confounded, they were like men +bereft of their senses, and almost at their wits' end. Still they +clung instinctively about each other, but their conduct had now taken +the opposite extreme. Before, all was bustle and activity, everybody +giving directions, hallooing, shouting, and so forth. Now, they were +silent, and almost stationary, stupefied, distracted. There is a +fascination in danger. I have known those who never could look down a +precipice without a horrible impulse to leap over the brink. Like the +scared bird, almost within the gripe of its destroyer, yet unable to +flee, so had they lost, apparently, all power of escape. It was a +silence more awful even than the yellings of despair. Its horrid gripe +was on every heart; every bosom withered beneath its touch. The nature +of the most courageous appeared to change; trembling and perplexity +shook the stoutest frame; yet suddenly and unexpectedly was the +silence broken, and the spell that bound them dissolved. + +"Hark!" said every voice together; "a bell, by the blessed Virgin!" +The sound roused them from their stupor. Hope again visited the +prison-house of the spirit. + +"On, on!" said their leader. + +"On, on!" was re-echoed on every side; but they were still attempting +to escape in different directions. Scarcely two of them were agreed as +to the place whence the sound proceeded. Yet it came on, at stated +intervals, a long, deep, melancholy knell, almost terrific in their +present condition. Another council was attended with the same +results--opinions being as varied as ever. Still that warning toll had +some connection with their fellow-men, some link, which, however +remote, united them to those who were now slumbering in happiness and +security. Yet of their true course and bearing they were as ignorant +as ever. + +"Now, by'r lady," said one, "there's either witch or wizard at the +tail o' this. Haven't I passed this very place to and fro, man and +boy, these twenty years, and never went away by a yard's space, right +or left. Now"---- + +"Right well, Humphry Braithwaite, should I know it too, and yet we +might be in a wilderness for aught I can distinguish, either land-mark +or sea-mark. Hush, I'm sure that bell is from the right." + +"Nay, I hear it yonder, to the left, if I'm not witched." + +"Thee'rt gone daft, man, 'tis----Well, if the sound binna from both +sides, right and left! I hear it behind me now." + +"We must be moving," said the leader. There's no chance for us here. +We can but meet the enemy at the worst, and there are three chances of +escaping for one of drowning, which way soever we take, at a blind +venture. Then let us away together; and may the Virgin and St Bees be +our helper!" + +But there were some who would rather trust to their own guidance; and +what with the indecision of one, the obstinacy of another, and the +timidity of a third, he soon found himself with only one companion, +besides his good grey steed, when he flung the reins to his control, +and spurred forward. + +Reckless, almost driven to desperation, he committed his way to the +beast's better discretion, as he thought, goading on the jaded animal +incessantly, his fellow-traveller still keeping behind, but at no +great distance. They halted after a space; but how long it is +impossible to say. Hours and minutes, in seasons of pain or +excitement, are, in the mind's duration, arbitrary and conventional. +To measure time by the state of our feelings would be as futile as an +attempt to measure space by the slowness or impetuosity of our +movements. Hours dwindle into minutes, and minutes are exaggerated +into hours, according to the circumstances under which the mind moves +on. We are conscious of existence only by the succession of our +feelings. We are conscious of time only by its lapse. Hence we are apt +to make the same measure serve for both; and, as our own dispositions +predicate, so doth time run fast or slow. True it is that time cannot +measure thought. The mind notes but the current and passage of its own +feelings; they only are the measure of existence and the medium of +identity. + +"Halt, Lord Monteagle!" cried his companion from behind; "I hear the +sea before us. Hush, and use thine own senses, if they be worth the +trial." + +The other listened, but it was only for one moment; the next saw him +wheel round, urging on his flight in the opposite direction, for he +knew, or his senses were rendered deceptive through terror, the sound +of the coming tide. + +"Halt, Lord Monteagle!" again cried the horseman from behind; "for +the water is deeper at every plunge. Halt, I say, for the love +of"----The sound died on the speaker's lip, for he was overwhelmed and +sickening with the dread anticipation of death. + +"On one side or the other, then, I care not which," cried the foremost +rider. + +"To the right, and Heaven grant us a safe deliverance!" + +Away went the panting steeds; but the waters increased; yet were they +powerful animals, and they swam boldly on amid the roar and dash of +the rising waves. Still it was with difficulty they could breast the +torrent. The courageous beasts braced every sinew to the +work--instinctively grappling with danger--every effort was directed +to their escape. Suddenly a loud shout was heard, and something dark +rose up before them. It might be the hull of some vessel, that was +approaching an ark of safety. This thought was the first that crossed +them. But they felt a sudden shock and a vibration, as though their +steeds had struck the land. + +They saw, or it was a deception produced by agitation or excitement, +the dark outline of the beach, and men hurrying to and fro with +lighted torches. They galloped on through the waves, and a few moments +brought them safely upon the hard, loose pebbles of the shore. + +Joyful was the recognition; for those who had come to their succour +were the party from whom they had separated, who had luckily gained +the shore before them. But what was their surprise when they found +they had been galloping to and fro almost within a stone's throw of +the beach opposite the place of their destination! Yet such was their +state of bewilderment that it was an even hand but they had put about +on the other side, and attempted to return across the channel. In that +case no human help could have rescued them from destruction, for the +tide already had overtaken them, and it was only their close proximity +unto the shore which enabled the horses to regain their footing, and +bear them safely to land. + +It seems that their pursuers were still outdone, for their stronghold +was open to receive them; and the enemy, foiled in their expectations, +returned with all speed into Cumberland, lest during their absence +some more dangerous foe from the Borders should lay waste their +possessions. + + +[Illustration: THE RING AND THE CLIFF] + + + + +THE RING AND THE CLIFF. + + "And still I tried each fickle art,[ii] + Importunate and vain; + And while his passion touched my heart, + I triumphed in his pain." + + --GOLDSMITH. + + Having in vain attempted to ascertain the locality of the + following tradition, we suspect that it may have strayed + originally from another county, though it has taken root in our + own. + + The only place that could by any possibility answer the + description which marks the catastrophe is the high ridge above + Broughton, in Furness; and even here it would be difficult to + point out any single spot which would exactly correspond in + every particular. + + The Lancashire coast, with here and there an exception, is one + low bank or ridge of sand, loosely drifted into hillocks of but + mean height and appearance; only preserving their consistency + by reason of the creeping roots of the bent or sea-mat weed + (_Arundo arenaria_)[16] which bind the loose sands together, + and prevent them from being dispersed over the adjoining + grounds. On the opposite coast fancy might often recognise + those very cliffs to which our story alludes; perpendicular, + bare, and almost inaccessible, with rents and chasms, where + little difficulty would be found in pointing out the exact + features represented in this tradition. + + +On the sea-coast, where a wild bare promontory stretches out amidst +the waves of the Irish Channel, is a small hamlet or fishing station. +Its site is in the cleft of a deep ravine, through which a small +stream lazily trickles amid sand and sea-slime to the little estuary +formed by the sea at its mouth. Between almost perpendicular cliffs +the village lies like a solitary enclosure, where the inhabitants are +separate and alone--aloof from the busy world--their horizon confined +to a mere segment of vision. The same ever-rolling sea hath swung to +and fro for ages in the same narrow creek, at the sides of which rise +a cluster of huts, dignified with the appellation of village--some of +these ornamented about and upon the roofs with round patches of the +yellow stone-crop and house-leek, that never-failing protection +against lightning and tempest, according to indubitable testimony set +forth by Master Nicholas Culpepper in his _Herbal_. + +The strong marine odour, so well known to all lovers of sea-side +enjoyments, may here be sensibly appreciated; for the pent-up effluvia +from the curing of fish, marine algae, and other products of the coast, +abundantly strengthen the reminiscences connected with this solitary +and secluded spot. + +It was on a cold, grey morning in October that two individuals were +loitering up a narrow path from the hamlet which led to the high main +road, passing from village to village along the coast; branches from +which, at irregular intervals, penetrated the cliffs to the different +fishing stations along the beach. The road, on rising from the +village, runs along the summit, a considerable height above the sea; +terrific bursts through some rocky cleft reveal the wide ocean rolling +on from the dim horizon to the shore. Here and there may be seen the +white sail, or the hull of some distant bark, gliding on so smooth and +silently as to suggest the idea of volition obeyed without any visible +effort. Rising from the ravine, the road passes diagonally up the +steep. At the period of which we speak, ere it reached the main line +of communication through the country, a reft or chasm in the steep +wall towards the sea--a nearly perpendicular rent--left the mountain +path without protection, save by a slender paling for the space of a +few yards only. Nothing could be more dreary and terrific. Through +this dizzy cleft--the sides bare and abrupt, without ledge or +projection--the walls, like gigantic buttresses, presenting their +inaccessible barriers to the deep--the distant horizon, raised to an +unusual height by the point of sight and position of the spectator, +seemed to mingle so softly and imperceptibly with the sky that it +appeared one wide sea of cloud stretching to the foot of the cliff. +From that fearful summit the billows were but as the waving of a +summer cloud, undulating on the quiet atmosphere. The fishing bark, +with its dun, squat, picturesque sail, looked as though floating in +the sky--a fairy boat poised on the calm ether. + +As we before noticed, two persons were loitering up this path. They +paused at the brink of the chasm. It might be for the purpose of +gazing on the scene we have just described; but the lover's gaze was +on his mistress, and the maiden's eye was bent on the ground. + +"'Tis even so, Adeline. We must part. And yet the time may come, +when----But thou art chill, Adeline. The words freeze ere they pass my +lips, even as thine own; for I never yet could melt the frost-work +from thy soul. Still silent? Well. I know thy heart is not another's; +and yet thou dost hesitate, and linger, and turn away thy cold grey +eyes when I would fain kindle them from mine. Nay, Adeline; I know +thou lovest me. Ay! draw back so proudly, and offer up thine and thy +true lover's happiness for ever on the altar of thy pride." + +"Since thou knowest this heart so well," retorted the haughty maiden, +"methinks it were a bootless wish to wear it on thy sleeve, save for +the purpose of admiring thine own skill and bravery in the +achievement." + +"Thou wrongest me, Adeline; 'tis not my wish. Say thou art mine; we +are then safe. No earthly power shall part us. But I warn thee, +maiden, that long years of misery and anguish will be our portion +should we separate while our troth is yet unplighted. This ring," said +he, drawing off his glove, "is indifferently well set. The bauble was +made by a skilful and cunning workman. The pearls have the true orient +tinge, and this opal hath an eye like the hue of the morning, +changeable as--woman's favour. How bright at times!--warm and radiant +with gladness, now dull, cold, hazy, and"----unfeeling, he would have +said, but he leaned on the slender barrier as he spoke, and his eye +wandered away over the dim and distant wave, across which he was about +to depart. Whether he saw it, or his eye was too intently fixed on the +dark and appalling future, we presume not to determine. + +"A woman's favour, like thy similes, Mortimer, hath its colour by +reflection. Thou seest but thine own beam in't; the hue and temper of +thy spirit. We have no form nor feeling of our own, forsooth; we but +give back the irradiation we receive." + +"Thou canst jest, Adeline. Thy chillness comes upon my spirit like the +keen ice-wind; it freezes while it withers." + +The maiden turned aside her head, perhaps to hide a gleam of +tenderness that belied her speech. + +"Adeline, dark hours of sorrow are before thee! Think not to escape." + +He seized her hand. + +"Shouldst thou wed another, a doom is thine--a doom from which even +thought recoils." + +He looked steadfastly upon her, but the maiden spoke not; a tear +quivered through her drooping eyelashes, and her lip grew pale. + +"But I must away," continued Mortimer. "Yonder bark awaits me," and he +drew her gently towards the brink. "It will part us, perhaps for ever! +No, no, not for ever. Thou wilt wed--it may be--and when I +return--Horror!" + +He started back, as from a spectre which his imagination had created. + +"That ring--take it. Let it be thy monitor; and should another seek +thy love, look on it; for it shall warn thee. It shall be a silent +witness of thy thoughts--one that will watch over thee in my stead; +for the genii of that ring," said he, playfully, "are my slaves." + +But she returned the pledge. + +"I cannot. Do not wind the links around me thus, lest they gall my +spirit; lest I feel the fetters, and wish them broken!" + +"Then I swear," said Mortimer, vehemently, "no hand but thine shall +wear it!" + +He raised his arm, and the next moment the ring would have been +hurled into the gulf, but ere it fell he cast another glance at his +mistress. Her heart was full. The emotion she sought to quell quivered +convulsively on her lip. He seized her hand; but when he looked again +upon the ring it was broken! + +By what a strange and mysterious link are the finest and most subtle +feelings connected with external forms and appearances! By what unseen +process are they wrought out and developed; their hidden sources, the +secret avenues of thought and emotion, discovered--called forth by +circumstances the most trivial and unimportant! Adeline turned pale; +and Mortimer himself shuddered as he beheld the omen. But another +train of feelings had taken possession of her bosom; or rather her +thoughts had acquired a new tendency by this apparently casual +circumstance; and true to the bent and disposition of our nature, now +that the slighted good was in danger of being withdrawn, she became +anxious for its possession. She received the token. A slight crack +upon its rim was visible, but this fracture did not prevent its being +retained on the hand. + +After this brief development their walk was concluded. They breathed +no vows. Mortimer would not again urge her. A lock of hair only was +exchanged; and shortly the last adieu was on their lips, and the broad +deck of the vessel beneath his feet, whence he saw the tall cliff sink +down into the ocean, and with it his hopes, that seemed to sink for +ever into the same gulf! + +Some few years afterwards, on a still evening, about the same time of +the year, a boat was lowered from a distant vessel in the offing. +Three men pulled ashore as the broad full moon rose up, red and dim, +from the mist that hung upon the sea. The roll of the ocean alone +betokened its approach. Its melancholy murmur alone broke the +universal stillness. The lights came out one by one from the village +casements. The cattle were housed, and the curs had crept to the +hearth, save some of the younger sort, who at intervals worried +themselves, fidgeting about, and making a mighty show of activity and +watchfulness. + +One of the passengers stepped hastily on shore. He spoke a few words +to the rowers, who threw their oars into the boat, fastening her to +the rocks. Afterwards they betook themselves to a tavern newly +trimmed, where, swinging from a rude pole, hung the "_sign_" of a +ship--for _sign_ it could only be called--painted long ago by some +self-initiated and village-immortalised artist, whose production had +once been the wonder of the whole neighbourhood. + +A roaring blaze revealed the whole interior, where pewter cups and +well-scoured trenchers threw their bright glances upon all who wooed +these dangerous allurements at "The Ship." + +But the individual whom the rowers had put ashore withstood these +tempting devices. He strode rapidly up the path, and paused not until +he approached the cliff where the agony of one short hour had left its +deep furrows for ever on his memory. + +The incidents of that memorable day were then renewed with such +vividness that, on a sudden, writhing and dismayed, he hurried forward +in the vain hope, it might seem, of flying from the anguish he could +not control. + +A dark plain stone house stood at no great distance, and hither his +footsteps were now directed. A little gate opened into a gravel walk +sweeping round an oval grass plat before the door. He leaned upon the +wicket, as though hesitating to enter. By this time the moon rode high +and clear above the mist which was yet slumbering on the ocean. She +came forth gloriously, without a shadow or a cloud. The wide +hemisphere was unveiled, but its bright orbs were softened by her +gaze. The shadows, broad and distinct, lay projected on a slight +hoar-frost, where a thousand splendours and a thousand crystals hung +in the cold and dewy beam. Bright, tranquil, and unruffled was the +world around him--but the world within was dark and turbulent--tossed, +agitated, and overwhelmed by the deep untold anguish of the spirit. + +The tyrant sway of the passions, like some desolating invader, can +make a paradise into a desert, and the fruitful places into a +wilderness. How different to Mortimer would have been the scene viewed +through another medium! His soul was ardent, devoted, full of high and +glorious imaginings; but a blight was on them all, and they became +chill and decayed--an uninformed mass, without aim or vitality. + +He was afraid to proceed, lest his worst suspicions might be +confirmed. He had heard----But we will not anticipate the sequel. + +A loud barking announced the presence of an intruder, but the +sagacious animal, when he had carefully snuffed out a recognition, +fawned and whined upon him, running round and round towards the house, +with gambols frolicsome and extravagant enough to have excited the +smiles of any human being but Mortimer. + +As he approached he heard a soft, faint melody from within. It was her +voice;--he could not be mistaken, though years had passed by;--though +the dull tide of oblivion had effaced many an intervening record from +the tablet of his memory, those tones yet vibrated to his soul. His +heart thrilled to their impression like two finely-modulated strings, +which produce a corresponding sympathy upon each other. He listened, +almost breathless. The recollection came like a track of fire across +his brain. Memory! how glorious, how terrible art thou! With the wand +of the enchanter thou canst change every current of feeling into joy +or woe. The same agency--nay, the same object--shall awaken the most +opposite emotions. The simplest forms and the subtlest agents are +alike to thee. Nature seems fashioned at thy will, and her attributes +are but the instruments of thy power. + +The melody that he heard was a wild and mournful ballad which he had +once given to Adeline, when the hours flew on, sparkling with delight, +and--she had not forgotten him! + +The thought was too thrilling to endure. His brain throbbed with +ecstacy. Unable to restrain his impatience, he applied hastily to the +door. Such was the excitement under which he laboured that the very +sound made him start back: it struck so chilly on his heart. Then came +an interval of harrowing suspense. He shuddered when he heard the +approaching footsteps, and could with difficulty address the servant +who stood inquiring his errand. + +"Is--is Adeline within?" + +The menial silently surveyed the inquirer, as though doubtful in what +manner to reply, ere he answered-- + +"My mistress is at home, sir." + +Mortimer stepped into the hall. The servant threw open the door +announcing his name, and Mortimer was in the presence of Adeline. + +The meeting was too sudden for preliminary forms and courtesies. There +was no time for preparation. The blow was struck, and a thousand idle +inquiries were perhaps saved; but Adeline, after one short gaze of +astonishment and dismay, covered her face; a low groan escaped her, +and she threw herself convulsively on the chair. + +Mortimer hastened to her relief, but she shrank from his touch. She +spoke not; her anguish was beyond utterance. + +"Adeline!" + +She shuddered as though the sound once more awakened the slumbering +echoes of memory. + +"Leave me, Mortimer," she cried. "I must not"---- + +"Leave thee!" it was repeated in a tone that no words can describe. +Inquiry, apprehension, were depicted in his look as if existence hung +on a word; while a pause followed, compared with which the rack were a +bed of roses. The silence was too harrowing to sustain. + +"And why? I know it all now," cried the unhappy Mortimer; and the +broad impress of despair was upon his brow, legibly, indelibly +written. + +"I am here to redeem my pledge; and thou! O Adeline! Why--why? Say how +is my trust requited? Were long years too, too long, to await my +return? I have not had a thought thou hast not shared. And yet thou +dost withhold thy troth!" + +"It is plighted!" + +"To whom?" + +"To my husband?" + +Though anticipating the reply, the words went like an arrow to his +heart. We will not describe the separation. With unusual speed he +descended the path towards the village. He rushed past the cleft with +averted looks, fearful that he might be tempted to leap the gulf. He +entered the tavern; but so changed in manner and appearance that his +companions, fearful that his senses were disordered, earnestly +besought him to take some rest and refreshment. + +In the end he was persuaded to retire to bed. But ere long fever and +delirium had seized him; and in the morning he was pronounced by a +medical attendant to be in extreme danger, requiring the interposition +of rest and skill to effect his cure. + + * * * * * + +It was in the cold and heavy mist of a December evening that a female +was seated upon the tall cliff above the chasm we have described. As +the solitary gull came wheeling around her, she spoke to it with great +eagerness and gesticulation. + +"Leave me--leave me!" she cried. "I must not now. Poor wanderer! art +thou gone?" With an expression of the deepest bitterness and +disappointment, she continued, "Why, oh, why didst thou take back thy +pledge? Nay, it is here still; but--alas! 'tis broken. Broken!" and a +scream so wild and pitiful escaped her, it was like the last agony of +the spirit when riven from its shrine. Her hair wet with the drizzly +atmosphere hung about her face. She suddenly threw it aside, as if +listening. + +"'Tis he! Again he comes. My--no, no; he _was_ my lover! I have none +now. I have a husband; but--he is unkind. Alas! why am I thus? I feel +it! O merciful Heaven! my brain leaps; but I am not--indeed I am not +mad!" + +Saying this, she bounded down the cliff into the path she had left, +with surprising swiftness. Returning, she was met by her husband, with +two servants, who were in search. He chid her harshly--brutally. He +threatened--ay, he threatened restraint. She heard this; but he saw +not the deep and inflexible purpose she had formed. Horror at the +apprehension of confinement, which, in calmer intervals, she dreaded +worse than death, prompted her to use every artifice to aid her +escape. She was now calm and obedient, murmuring not at the temporary +attendance to which she was subjected. She sought not the cliff and +the deep chasm; but would sit for hours upon the shore, looking over +the calm sea, with a look as calm and as deceitful. + +Vigilance became relaxed; apprehension was lulled; she was again left +to herself, and again she stole towards the cliff. Like to some guilty +thing, she crept onward, often looking back lest she should be +observed. Having attired herself with more than ordinary care, before +leaving her chamber she unlocked an ivory casket with great caution, +taking thence a ring, which she carefully disposed on her forefinger. +She looked with so intense a gaze upon this pledge--for it was the +pledge of Mortimer--that she seemed to be watching its capricious +glance, like the eye of destiny, as if her fate were revealed in its +beautiful and mystic light. + +Sunset was near as she approached the cliff. She paused where the +chasm opened out its deep vista upon the waters. They were now +sparkling in the crimson flush from a sky more than usually brilliant. +Both sky and ocean were blent in one; the purple beam ran out so pure +along the waves, that every billow might now be seen, every path and +furrow of the deep. + +Adeline climbed over the rail. She stood on that extreme verge, so +fearful and abrupt that it might have rendered dizzy a stouter head +than her own. + +"This night are we married, Mortimer. The _ring_ and the _cliff_!" + +The ring at this moment shot forth a tremulous brightness; probably +from participation with the glowing hues by which it was surrounded. + +"The genii of that ring--said he not so?--they will bear me to him. +Our couch is decked, and the bridal hymn----Hark!" + +It was only the sound from some passing skiff that crept along the +waters, but Adeline thought she heard the voice of her lover. + +"He calls me; when will he return?" + +She looked anxiously on the ring, as though expecting a reply; but she +saw its bright hues diminish, and gradually grow dim in the dull grey +light which displaced the gaudy sunset. + +"Oh, why art thou gone so soon?" Her heart seemed full, as though in +the very agony of separation. + +"I must away. His bark is on the deep; and he will not return." + +She buried her head in her lap, and wept. But suddenly she started up; +she looked on the distant wave as though she beheld some object +approaching. She again climbed upon the rail, and gazed eagerly +through the twilight on the billows, now foaming back in triumph with +the returning tide. Her features were yet beautiful, though wasted by +disease; and as she gazed, a smile, rapturous and bright, passed over, +like a sunbeam on the dark billows. She waved her hand. + +"I have waited for thee. Bear me hence. Haste! Oh, haste! They are +here." + +She listened. Her countenance grew more pale and agitated. Voices were +heard, and footsteps evidently approaching. She recognised the hated +sound of her pursuers. Agony and despair were thy last ministers, +unhappy victim! She wrapped her cloak closer to her form, and, with +one wild and appalling shriek, leaped that dizzy height, by the foot +of which her mangled remains were shortly discovered. + + * * * * * + +In the family of ---- is a ring, taken from the finger of a female +ancestor of the house who leaped from "_The Lady's Cliff_,"--for such +it continues to be called; and it is still said to be haunted by her +spirit. The ring was found uninjured, save by a crack through the rim, +where it seems bent by a sudden stroke. Superstition attaches strange +stories to this relic. True enough, at times it appears almost gifted +with intelligence; though perhaps the answer, intimated by the +brilliancy or dimness of the stone, may often be construed according +to the thoughts or wishes of the inquirer. It is kept in a little +ivory box, and preserved with great care. It is said there never was a +question propounded to this oracle--if done with a proper spirit, with +a due and devout reverence, and a reliance on its wondrous +efficacy--but the ring, by its brightness or its gloom, shadowed forth +the good or evil destiny of the querent. + +Mortimer recovered. In this village, many years afterwards, lived an +old man, whose daily walk was to the cliff. From that height he would +gaze until the last hue of evening died upon the waves. He then +returned, with a vacant and down-cast look, sad and solitary, to his +dwelling. He was buried there in the churchyard; and a plain-looking +stone, with the initials C. M., still marks the spot called THE +STRANGER'S GRAVE. + + [16] Many a fertile acre has been covered with + sand and rendered useless which might have been preserved by + sowing on its confines the seeds of this plant. The Dutch have + profited by a knowledge of its efficacy; Queen Elizabeth + prohibited the extirpation of it. As soon as it takes root a + sandhill gathers round it; so that wherever it is planted it + gives a peculiar character to the coast. This grass or reed is + manufactured into mats, baskets, &c. A legislative enactment, + however, in 1742, was issued for its preservation. The Scottish + Parliament likewise protected it, together with _Elymus + arenarius_, or upright sea-lyme grass. + + +[Illustration: THE DEAD MAN'S HAND] + + + + + +THE DEAD MAN'S HAND. + + "Yet stay, fair lady, turn again, + And dry those pearly tears; + For see, beneath this gown of grey, + Thy own true love appears." + + --PERCY'S _Reliques_. + + Bryn Hall, the scene or rather the solution, of the following + tradition, is now demolished. It was the ancient seat of the + Gerards, by virtue of marriage between William Gerard, about + the year 1280, with the daughter and sole heir of Peter de + Bryn. It was built in a quadrangular form with a spacious + courtyard, to which admittance was gained by a narrow bridge + over the moat surrounding the whole fabric. The gatehouse was + secured by massy doors well studded with iron; a + curiously-carved porch led to the great hall, where, on the + chimney-piece, were displayed the arms of England, not older + than the reign of James I. A railed gallery ran along one side, + on which persons might stand to observe the entertainments + below without mingling in them. It was supported by double + pillars in front of pilasters, forming arches between, + profusely ornamented by rich carved work. Most of these + decorations, together with the carved wainscots, were taken to + embellish Garswood Hall, near Ashton, a few miles distant, + where the family resided after their removal. + + In the windows were some armorial bearings of painted glass, the + first quarterings beginning with the Leighs of Lyme, instead of + Gerard or Bryn, as might have been expected. Here was a Roman + Catholic chapel, and a priest who continued long after the + family had departed, having in his custody the hand mentioned + in the following pages. It is still kept by them, or rather by + the priest, who now resides at Garswood. Preserved with great + care in a white silk bag, it is still resorted to by many + diseased persons, and wonderful cures are said to have been + wrought by this saintly relic. It is called the Hand of Father + Arrowsmith--a priest who is said to have been put to death at + Lancaster for his religion in the time of William III. When + about to suffer, he desired his spiritual attendant to cut off + his right hand, which should then have the power to work + miraculous cures on those who had faith to believe in its + efficacy. Not many years ago, a female, sick of the smallpox, + had it lying in bed with her every night for six weeks, in order + to effect her recovery, which took place. A poor lad, living in + Withy Grove, Manchester, afflicted with scrofulous sores, was + rubbed with it; and though it has been said he was miraculously + restored, yet, upon inquiry, the assertion was found incorrect, + inasmuch as he died in about a fortnight after the operation. + + Not less devoid of truth is the tradition that Arrowsmith was + hanged for witnessing a good confession. Having been found + guilty of a misdemeanour, in all probability this story of his + martyrdom and miraculous attestation to the truth of the cause + for which he suffered was contrived for the purpose of + preventing the scandal that might have come upon the Church + through the delinquency of an unworthy member. + + One of the family of the Kenyons attended as under-sheriff at + the execution; and it is said that he refused the culprit some + trifling favour at the gallows, whereupon Arrowsmith denounced + a curse upon him--to wit, that whilst the family could boast of + an heir, so long they should never want a cripple: which + prediction was supposed by the credulous to have been literally + fulfilled. + + +What a strange and appalling history would be that of superstition! +how humiliating, how degrading to the boasted dignity of our nature! +In all ages this teeming source of error has yielded abundantly all +varieties of phantasms--the sublime, the solemn, the horrible, and the +ridiculous--a mildew, a blight, on the fairest blossoms of truth; an +excrescence; a coat of rust, which eateth as a canker, and makes +religion, which was given as a blessing and a boon to our perishing +race, a burden and a curse. And yet neither good nor evil is unmixed. +Such is the nature even of our most baneful impressions that instances +do arise where good may come from so corrupt a source. The connection +between material and immaterial, between mind and matter, so operates, +that sometimes, and in proportion to the strength of the impression, a +change is wrought by the mere control of the mind over the bodily +functions. + +To this operation may be ascribed the wonder-workings of these latter +days. We do not question the effects thereby produced; but totally, +unhesitatingly, deny the cause. Imagination at times doth so usurp the +mastery over the animal and bodily faculties, that she has been known +to suspend their ordinary processes, and to render the frame +insensible even to the attacks of pain itself. + +In one of the northern divisions of the county--we know not the +precise situation, nor is it needful to our purpose that we +inquire--there dwelt a comely maiden, who, at a period of little more +than twenty summers from her birth, found herself in the undisturbed +possession, if not enjoyment, of an abundant income, with a domain of +more than ordinary fertility and extent. Her parents dying during the +period of her youth, she, as the only offshoot of the family, held her +dominion uncontrolled. That the possessor of such an abundant stock of +liberty should wish to wear a chain is verily a marvel not easily +resolved. But so it was; and she seemed never so well pleased as when +the links were firmly riveted. The forging of this invisible chain was +a work performed in secret. She felt her thrall, but she sighed not to +be free! For, alas! a grievous malady had seized her. The light of her +eyes--a brisk and winning gallant, in the shape of a male cousin--had +departed. He went out to the wars, as was reported, and Ellen refused +to be comforted. He knew not, peradventure, of her liking towards him. +He was of a different creed, moreover--a Catholic--and she had, in the +sovereignty of her caprice, treated him with something of +petulance--he thought scorn. What a misfortune, that two fond hearts +should have wanted an interpreter! + +She sat one evening in her bed-chamber, and Bridget her maid, a little +Roman Catholic orphan, who had served her from a child, was busily +engaged in preparing her mistress for the night's repose. Now Bridget +was a zealous believer in saints, miracles, and the like; and Ellen +would often disport herself gently on the subject. + +"I wish I could believe in thy legends and thy saints' gear; it would +verily be a comfortable disposition of my thoughts in all extremity to +have a hope of a special interference." + +"And why not?" said Bridget, who confessed thrice a-year, and knew the +marvellous histories of a dozen saints by rote. + +"Because," said her mistress, "I did not imbibe thy faith with my +mother's milk as thou hast done. 'Tis part of thy very nature, wench; +and thou couldst not but act in conformity thereto." + +"There have we the better of our birthright. But, nevertheless, those +who repent and turn to the true faith have the same privileges; yet it +is hard, as well it may be, to bend their stubborn nature to this +belief. How comfortable to have one's sins struck from the calendar, +and to know that we are holy again as a little child, besides ailments +of the body innumerable that are cured whenever we can bring our faith +to its full exercise!" + +"Well, Bridget, if I were a good Catholic as now I am an unbeliever +and heretic, dost think that St Somebody, or whoever I might take a +fancy to for the purpose, would be propitiated by a few prayers and +genuflexions, and restore me to health and--and"---- + +She faltered in her speech; the banter died away on her lips; memory +gave a sudden twinge, and her heart grew dark under the dim cloud that +was passing over. + +"I'd answer for it, if you were a good Catholic, that Father O'Leary +would cure you as readily as he did Davy Dean's sow, that went mad, +and bit her master." + +"But seeing that I am neither a good Catholic nor even Davy Dean's +sow, is there a saint in the whole calendar would think it worth while +to work a miracle on such a wicked unbeliever as I am?" + +"There's one way, as I've heard tell; that if ye take a sprig of St +John's wort, and say three _credos_ over it and a _paternoster_, and +lay it under your pillow, you shall dream of the remedy by which a +cure may be wrought." + +Ellen did not immediately reply to this suggestion, for she thought +that no special revelation was needed to point out a remedy. + +"I would give the world if I had it to know what my cousin William is +doing," said she in a musing fit, as though some sudden fancy had +crossed her. + +"And why may you not?" said the ready-witted maid; "yea, as sure as St +Peter's at Rome, and that's not to be gainsaid either by Turk or +infidel." + +"What, dost thou learn these crotchets in thy creed?" said Ellen. + +"Nay," replied the other, "it is a bit of conjuration not enjoined by +the Church; a kind of left-handed intercourse which we get by stealth +from other guess-folk, I reckon, than the holy saints." + +"Am I to dream of this too?" + +"Why, nay; you may be wide awake for that matter; but you must just +take a phoenix feather in one hand, a cockatrice tooth in your mouth, +and breathe on the glass, when, as the breath departs, they say your +true love will appear therein." + +"But he is not my true love, wench; and so I may not bind him with +such spell, mayhap." + +"How know ye that, fair mistress?" + +"Go to; thou dost wound and vex me with thy questions. Hath he not +been gone these five months, and never a word, good or bad, hath been +rendered to me? Nay, did he not, ere he went, so deport himself with +most cold and supercilious arrogance, and even with neglect and +disdain?" + +"Because in your own bright self, lady, he had the first example; for +of all the gay sparks that fluttered about you there was never a one +o' them that had to endure such chilling looks and so haughty a +bearing as were usually reserved for him." + +"Hold thy tongue; thou dost presume too much, methinks, upon thy +former freedoms, wench. I like not such unguarded speech." + +Bridget was silent at this rebuke; and, whatever was uppermost in her +thoughts, no more was said that night. + +The following days Ellen was much worse. The disease appeared to be +rapidly gaining strength, and the maiden seemed doomed to an early +grave. + +"And isn't it a silly thing for one like you to die so soon?" said +Bridget; "I can ask for you, what I would not have the face to ask for +myself." + +Ellen smiled. The hectic flush was apparently on her cheek; and the +fever that fed it was on her vitals; at least, so said the village +chroniclers by whom it was told. + +What was the precise nature of the request that Bridget made the next +Sunday from her patron saint, we know not; but she seemed mightily +occupied therewith; and if ever there was faith in such an +intercessor, Bridget felt assured that her patron would intercede on +behalf of her mistress, though a heretic and unbeliever. But St +Bridget was told, in all likelihood, that Ellen must necessarily be a +convert to the true faith should a miracle be wrought in her favour. + +The following morning Bridget was early at the bedside of her +mistress, with a countenance more than usually indicative of some +important communication. But Ellen was the first to break silence. + +"I have had a strange dream last night." + +"So I guessed," said Bridget, with a face of great importance; "and +what said the holy saint, my good kind patron?" + +"Bless thy silly face, it was no woman saint that I saw." + +Bridget looked sad and chop-fallen at this intimation; she was fearful +that her prayers were unheeded. + +"There came, as I thought in my dream," said Ellen, "a long-robed +priest to my bedside." + +"Sure enough, then, St Bridget--blessings on her wherever she +be!--sent him." + +"Prithee, be quiet, and listen. He stood there, methought, and when I +asked him of his errand, he raised his right arm, and I saw that the +hand was wanting, being taken off at the wrist. I marvelled +exceedingly at this strange apparition; but as I was a-going to +question him thereon I awoke. I know not why, but the vision sorely +troubled me, especially when again going to sleep, for it was repeated +thrice." + +"It's a riddle," said Bridget, "and one with a heavy meaning in it, +too, if we could find it out." + +"Verily, I think so," said Ellen; "for the impress doth not pass away +like that from ordinary dreams; but rests with a deep and solemn power +upon my spirit, such as I can neither throw off nor patiently endure." + +"I'll unriddle it for you, or go a pilgrimage to our Lady at Loretto," +said Bridget, determined not to be behindhand in her curiosity. So she +set her woman's wits immediately to work; yet she saw her mistress +daily losing strength, and no clue was obtained by which to know the +interpretation of the vision. She consulted her confessor; but he was +equally at a loss with herself, and knew not the nature of the dream, +nor its meaning. + +One day Mistress Bridget brought in a tall beggar woman, dumb, or +pretendedly so, and apparently deaf. She made many signs that the gift +of foreknowledge was in her possession, though she seemed herself to +have profited little by so dangerous an endowment. Ellen, being +persuaded by her maid, craved a specimen of this wonderful art. The +hag, a smoke-dried, dirty-looking beldame, with a patch over one eye, +and an idiotic expression of face, began to mutter and make an odd +noise at the sight of the sick lady. She took a piece of chalk from +her handkerchief, and began her work of divination. First she drew a +circle on the floor, as a boundary or frame, and within it she put +many uncouth and crabbed signs; but their meaning was perfectly +unintelligible. Under this she sketched something like unto a sword, +then a hideous figure was attached to it, with a soldier's cap on his +head. Before him was a heart, that seemed to hang, as it were, on the +point of this long sword; which when Ellen saw she changed colour, but +attempted to smile; yet she only betrayed her agitation. The dumb +operator drew one hand across her own breast, and with the other +pointed to the lady; which appeared to Ellen as though intimating that +a soldier had won her heart, and that this was the true cause of her +illness. Such an interpretation, perchance, was but the conscious +monitor speaking from within, as it invested this unmeaning +hieroglyphic with the hue and likeness of its own fancies. But more +marvellous still was the subsequent proceeding. Having revealed the +cause, it seemed as though she were about to point out, obscurely as +before, the method and means of cure. When she had drawn the long +unshapely representation of a cloak, above it was placed something +like unto a human head, without helm or other covering; and to this +figure two arms were added; one having a huge hand, displayed proper, +as the heralds say, the other arm entirely destitute of this useful +appendage. Ellen at once remembered her dream, and watched the process +even with more interest than before. + +The hand which should have been attached to the wrist was now drawn +distinct from the rest, as though grasping a heart wounded by the +sword; and doubtless the interpretation, according to Bridget's +opinion, was, that the application of a hand, which had been severed +from the body, would alone cure the disease under which she pined. The +dumb prophetess did not communicate further on the subject; and after +having received her bounty, she departed. + +"How very strange!" said Ellen. + +"Marvellous enough," said the maid; "but St Bridget hath doubtless +sent her to your help. Nay, peradventure, it was St Bridget herself! +Save us, what a kind, good creature she must be!" + +Here she crossed herself with great fervour, forgetting that even a +saint among womankind would hardly feign herself dumb. + +"There is some mystery about this hand," thought Ellen; but where to +seek for a solution was a mystery of equal magnitude with the rest. +Bridget was sure, from the disclosures already vouchsafed, that the +needful directions would not be withheld. + +Ellen felt restless and disturbed for a while after this event; but +her sensations were again reverting to their ordinary channel when one +morning she awoke in a fearful trepidation. She said that the figure +of a human hand was visible, in her slumbers; that it led the way, +pointing to an old house like a fortified mansion, with a moat and +gatehouse before the main entrance. As she followed, the hand seemed +to twine its fingers about her heart, and for that time she felt +relieved of her pain. So vividly was the scene impressed upon her +imagination that she felt assured she should recognise the building +again, and especially the interior, where, in a stately chamber, the +miraculous cure was performed. Bridget rubbed her hands, and capered +about for joy. + +"The name of St Bridget be praised!" said she, and vowed twenty things +in a breath; but the principal of these was an embroidered petticoat, +which vow she expected her mistress would enable her to fulfil. +Indeed, she had long set her mind upon this lustrous piece of attire, +and was waiting, somewhat impatiently, the time when it should be +allotted to her. So audibly had she made her vow that Ellen was +reminded of her pertinacity in still hoarding this precious and +coveted piece of finery, which Bridget looked upon as an unwarrantable +detention of her perquisites. + +The cunning maid having obtained the garment for her patron saint, +what harm was there in wearing it, a while at least, for her sake? + +Affairs went on for a little time in this dubious state; but the +continued and increasing illness of Ellen made it expedient that a +change of air should be attempted, and the journey accomplished by +short and easy travel. The family coach was brought out, and Mistress +Bridget, invested with the dignities of her office, went forth as +attendant of the body, and principal conductor of stores and packages. + +Journeying southwards at a slow pace, pausing to take a look where +there was any object worth the attention, they came one afternoon, +about the fourth day from their departure, to Wigan. When they had +journeyed thence a mile or so, as they were passing down a jolting +road, Bridget, whose curious eye was ever on the look-out, suddenly +exclaimed, at the same time pointing through the window-- + +"I declare if there is not the dummy again yonder!" + +Ellen beheld the dumb sibyl, whose predictions were not forgotten. +Bridget, by her looks, seemed to ask leave to stop the carriage and +hold another conference with the woman; and Ellen, whom illness had +rendered somewhat passive in such matters, did not make any +opposition. Having accosted this walking oracle, Bridget curtsied with +great reverence, peradventure fancying that St Bridget herself might +be again embodied before her; but the beldame went straight to the +carriage, addressing herself to the invalid within by pointing to her +breast, and making divers motions of the like signification, which +were not easy to be understood, even by the party for whom they were +intended. The prophetess seemed fully to comprehend that her symbolic +representations were unintelligible, and no fitting place being at +hand whereon they could be readily portrayed, she strove with the +greater vehemence to explain her meaning. There appeared a more than +ordinary anxiety on her part to communicate something of importance; +and the travellers looked as though fully aware of it. Her most +unequivocal signs, however, were to this purport--that they should not +proceed farther. Ellen, impelled by fear and curiosity, spoke aloud-- + +"Surely we are not to remain here at the beck of this woman!" + +The one-eyed sibyl nodded an affirmative. This, at any rate, helped +them to an easier mode of communication, finding that she was not +deaf, as they had hitherto supposed. + +"And whither shall we proceed?" + +The woman here pointed to a narrow lane on the right of the main road +they were pursuing. + +"Truly that seems but an indifferent path. Wherefore should we turn in +thither?" inquired Ellen. + +Again the prophetess pointed to her own breast, and then at the bosom +of the invalid. + +"By this token I understand that in so doing I am to expect some +relief." + +Again nodded the officious intruder. + +"But how shall that relief be obtained?" + +The woman here lifted up her hand, again pointing towards the path by +which they should proceed. + +"Go and see, I suppose thou wouldst say," said Ellen. + +Another affirmatory nod was the answer. + +"Wilt thou be our guide?" + +The person addressed here darted a look at Ellen which seemed to +express pleasure at the request, if pleasure it might be called that +could irradiate such an aspect. She put out her hand for the customary +largess ere setting forward as their guide on the expedition. Some +difficulty now arose by reason of the straitness of the path; but +their dumb leader hastened up the lane with unusual speed, beckoning +that they should follow. From this signal it appeared that there was +sufficient room, and the postilion addressed himself to proceed by so +unusual a route. + +They went forward for about a mile with little difficulty; but a +sudden turn, almost at right angles with their course, presented an +obstacle which the driver hesitated whether or not to encounter; but +it was impossible to return, though they were not without serious +fears that the weird woman might lead them on to a situation from +which they could not extricate themselves. Still she beckoned them +forward, until they emerged into another and a wider road, on which +they travelled without further impediment. + +Ellen, whose eyes were abundantly occupied, suddenly assumed a look of +greater fixedness and intensity. For a while she seemed nearly +speechless with amazement. At length she cried-- + +"'Tis there!--There!" + +Bridget looked forth, but saw nothing worthy of remark save an old +gatehouse over a dark lazy moat, secured by heavy wooden doors. + +This gatehouse was apparently the entrance to a court or quadrangle, +enclosed by buildings of wood and plaster of the like antiquity. Their +guide stood on the bridge, as though to intimate that their wanderings +would here terminate. + +"I have seen it before," said Ellen, with great solemnity and emotion. +Bridget perhaps fancied her mistress's thoughts were wandering +strangely, and was just going to recommend rest and a little of the +medicine she carried, when Ellen again spoke, as though sensible of +some incoherency in her remark:--"In my dreams, Bridget." + +"St Bridget and the Virgin be praised! Is this the house you saw +when"---- + +"The very same. I should know it again; nor should I forget it if I +were to live to the age of the patriarchs." + +"It's an evident answer to my prayers," said Bridget; and here the +devout enthusiast began to recite internally some holy ejaculations, +which, if they did not possess any positive efficacy, were at least +serviceable in allaying the excitement under which she laboured. + +Ellen determined to alight and witness the issue of the adventure; so +in due time these forlorn damsels were seen advancing over the bridge +unto this enchanted castle. + +The beldame knocked loudly at the gate, and immediately she sprang +back; but when the travellers again looked round she was gone! + +Now were they in a precious dilemma. Two females before a stranger's +gate; the warder a-coming, when their business would of necessity be +demanded. A tread, every footstep of which might have been passing +over them, was close at hand. The bolts shrieked; the gate shook, and +a curious face peeped forth to inquire their errand. Bridget, whose +ready tongue rarely refused its office, replied-- + +"Is there a Catholic priest hereabout? for we would fain have a word +with one of that persuasion." + +The grim warder smiled. + +"Ye have not far to go for such an one," said he; "but ye be far-off +comers, I reckon, or ye would have known Bryn Hall belike, the +dwelling-place of the noble house of Gerard, that hath never been +without a priest and an altar therein." + +He threw the gate wide open, and invited them to follow; after which +he led them through a clumsily-ornamented porch into the great hall, +at the end of which was a low gallery, supported by pillars and +pilasters richly and profusely carved. From these arches were sprung, +and a flight of stairs at one end led to the upper chambers. + +Their guide preceded them into a small wainscoted room, fitted up as a +study, or perhaps an oratory in those days. A wooden crucifix, with a +representation of the Saviour carved in ivory, was placed in a recess, +occasionally covered by a green curtain. Shelves laden with books +occupied the farther end of the room, and writing materials were laid +upon an oak trestle or table, before which sat a tall white-haired +personage in a suit of sables, to whose further protection the porter +left his charge. + +Ellen had suffered herself to be led passive hitherto by her maid; but +when she saw that they were now fairly committed to the disposal of +the priest, for so he appeared, she felt uneasy and anxious to +depart. The room and the whole scene were vividly brought to her +recollection; for she fancied that, at one time or another, she had +been present in a similar place. + +Bridget curtsied to the holy father, who, doubting not that either a +case of conscience or a need-be for confession brought these strangers +to his presence, began the usual interrogatories. + +"Here is a sick person, most reverent sir, who would have the benefit +of your prayers," said Bridget. The pale and wasting form that was by +her side sufficiently corroborated this reply. + +"Daughter, the prayers of the church are for the penitent and +believing; hast thou made shrift and a clear confession?" + +Bridget was prepared for this question. + +"She is not of the faith; but, peradventure, if aid be vouchsafed, she +shall be reclaimed." + +"If she have faith, I will cure her malady. What sayest thou?" He +fixed his clear grey eye upon her, and Ellen felt as though some charm +were already at work, and a strange tingling went through her frame. +She stammered out something like an assent, when the priest carefully +proceeded to unlock a little cabinet, inlaid with ivory and gold, from +which he took out a white silk bag that diffused a grateful perfume +through the chamber. He offered up a prayer before he unloosed the +strings; after which, with great formality and reverence, he drew +forth a human hand, dried and preserved, apparently by some mysterious +process, in all its substance and proportions. Ellen was dumb with +astonishment. Bridget could with difficulty refrain from falling on +her knees before this holy relic; and her delight would easily have +run over in some form of religious extravagance had it been suffered +to have free vent. To this relic, doubtless, had the predictions +referred: and she doubted not its power and efficacy. + +"This rare and priceless thing," said the priest, "was once the right +hand of an English Martyr, Father Arrowsmith by name, put to death for +his holy profession. In consideration whereof, it is permitted, by the +will of the Supreme, that an honourable testimony be rendered to his +fidelity by the miracles that it doth and shall work to the end of +time. Rub it thrice on the part affected, and mark the result. If thou +receive it with humility and faith, trusting in Heaven, from whence +alone the healing virtue doth flow--these holy relics being, as it +were, but the appointed channels and conduits of His mercy--thou shall +assuredly be healed." + +But Ellen was at some loss to know the precise situation of her +complaint, until she recollected the picture drawn by the dumb +fortune-teller, who described the heart alone as touched by this +miraculous hand. Yet, in what manner to make the application was a +matter of some difficulty. + +Bridget again relieved her from the dilemma. + +"If it so please your reverence, the seat of the complaint is not +visible. Suffer us to use it privately. We will not carry forth nor +misuse this precious keepsake; for I have been brought up in the +nurture of the Holy Church, and am well instructed in her ceremonies." + +"I fear not for the harm that can happen to it, by reason of ungodly +or mischievous devices. If taken away, it would assuredly return +hither. Should the lady have some inward ailment, let her lay it as +near as may be to the part where she feels afflicted, and keep it +there for a space, until she findeth help." + +The two visitors were then shown into another chamber; and here +Bridget, with great devoutness, and a firm faith in its efficiency, +placed the dead cold hand upon her mistress's heart. Ellen shuddered +when she felt its death-like touch. It was either fancy, or something +more, but she really felt as though a load were suddenly taken +away--an oppression, an incubus, that had continually brooded over +her, was gone. Surprised, and lightened of her burden, she returned +into the oratory, and gave back the relic, along with a liberal +offering into the hands of the priest. He said there would scarcely be +occasion for a repetition of the act, as it was evident the faith of +the recipient had wrought its proper work. + +The day by this time being far spent, the priest begged permission to +introduce Ellen to Lady Gerard, who, he said, would be much gratified +to afford them entertainment, and, if need were, shelter for the +night. On hearing the name of her visitor, this kind lady would take +no denial, but expressed herself warmly on the folly and imprudence of +an invalid being exposed to the night air; and Ellen, delighted with +the change she felt, was all compliance and good-nature. After a +little hesitation, she suffered her first refusals to be overcome, and +the night wore on with pleasant converse. By little and little Lady +Gerard gained the confidence of Ellen, who seemed glad that she could +now speak freely on the subject nearest to her heart. + +"It is marvellous enough," continued Lady Gerard, "that you should +have been conducted hither; for in this house there is a magic mirror, +which may, peradventure, disclose what shall relieve your anxiety. On +being looked into, after suitable preparations, it is said--for I +never tried the experiment--to show wondrous images within its charmed +surface; and like the glass of Cornelius Agrippa, of which we have a +tractate in the library chamber, will show what an absent person is +doing, if the party questioning be sincere, and anxious for his +welfare." + +"I have long wished," said the blushing Ellen, "that I might see him +of whom our evening's discourse hath, perchance, been too much +conversant. I would not for worlds that he knew of my wish; but if I +could see him once more, and know the bearing of his thoughts toward +me, I could now, methinks, die content." + +"This very night, then, let us consult the oracle," said Lady Gerard; +"but there must not be any witness to our exploit; so while away your +impatience as best you may until I have made the needful preparations +for our adventure." + +Ellen could not repress her agitation when, after waiting alone for a +little time, her kind hostess came to summon her to the trial. She was +conducted up the staircase before mentioned, and through a corridor of +some length. The lamp grew pale and sickly in the cold wind of the +galleries they trod. Soon, however, they paused before a low door. +Lady Gerard pressed her finger on her lip, in token of silence. She +then blew out the light, and they were involved in total darkness. +Taking hold of Ellen's arm, which trembled excessively within her own, +she opened the door, but not a ray was yet visible. She was conducted +to a seat, and Lady Gerard whispered that she should be still. +Suddenly a light flashed forth on the opposite side, and Ellen saw +that it came from a huge antique mirror. A form, in male attire, was +there discernible. With a slow and melancholy pace he came forward, +and his lips seemed to move. It was--she could not be mistaken--it was +her cousin William! She thought he looked pale and agitated. He +carried a light which, as it glimmered on his features, showed that +they were the index of some internal and conflicting emotion. He sat +down. He passed one hand over his brow, and she thought that a sigh +laboured from his lips; but as she gazed the light grew dim, and ere +long the mirror, ceasing to be illuminated, again left them in total +darkness. A few minutes elapsed, which were swollen to long hours in +the estimation of the anxious and wondering inquirer. Her companion +again whispered that she should await the result in silence. Suddenly +the light flashed out as before, and she saw the dumb fortune teller +instead of the individual she expected. Her features were more writhen +and distorted than ever; and she seemed to mutter, it might be, some +malignant spell, some charm, the operation of which was for some +unknown and diabolical intent. Ellen shuddered as the weird woman took +a paper-roll from her bosom. Unfolding it, there was displayed the +figure of her lover, as she supposed, kneeling, while he held out his +hands toward the obdurate heart which he in vain attempted to grasp. + +"I have wronged him," said Ellen, in a whisper to her companion; "if I +interpret these images aright, he now sighs for my favour; and--would +that we had known each other ere it was too late!" + +"He knows now," said Lady Gerard; and immediately the dumb prophetess +was at her side. She threw off a disguise, ingeniously contrived, and +Ellen beheld her cousin William! The magic mirror was but an aperture +through the wainscot into another apartment, and the plot had been +arranged in the first place by Mrs Bridget, who had been confederate +with the handsome but somewhat haughty wooer, having for his torment a +maiden as haughty and intractable as himself. Thus two loving hearts +had nigh been broken for lack of an interpreter. William's absence had +taken deeper hold on Ellen's finely-tempered frame than was expected; +and it was with sorrow and alarm that he heard of her illness. His +distant relative, Lady Gerard, to whom he had retired for a season, +spake of the marvellous hand, which, he was sure, being a devout and +pious Catholic, would cure any disease incident to the human frame. It +was absolutely needful that a cure should be attempted, along with +some stratagem, to conquer the yet unbroken obstinacy in which, as +with a double panoply, Ellen had arrayed herself. The result of the +experiment has been shown. She was united to her cousin ere a few +months were old, and the "merrie spring" had melted in the warm lap of +summer. + + + + +THE LOST FARM; + +OR, THE HAUNTED CASKET. + + "And when of me his leave he tuik, + The tears they wat mine ee, + I gave tull him a parting luik, + 'My benison gang wi' thee; + God speed thee weil, mine ain dear heart, + For gane is all my joy; + My heart is rent, sith we maun part, + My handsome Gilderoy.' + + "Of Gilderoy sae 'fraid they were, + They bound him mickle strong, + Tull Edenburrow they led him thair, + And on a gallows hung. + They hung him high aboon the rest, + He was sae trim a boy; + Thair dyed the youth whom I lued best, + My handsome Gilderoy." + + +On the flat, bare, sandy coast, near to Southport, now a modern +bathing-place of great resort, described in the first series of this +work, might be seen, some few years ago, a ruined barn, cottage, and +other farmyard appurtenances, around which the loose and drifting sand +was accumulated, covering, at the same time, some acres of scanty +pasture, once held under lease and occupation by an honest fisherman, +who earned a comfortable, if not an easy subsistence, from his +amphibious pursuits. The thatched roofs were broken through--the walls +rent and disfigured--all wore the aspect of desolation and decay. Long +grass had taken root, flourishing luxuriantly on the summit, though +surrounded by a barren wilderness, a wide and almost boundless ocean +of sand. The ruin was the only fertile spot in this dreary waste. +Though painful and melancholy the aspect, still, as the sea-breeze +came softly over, sighing gently on its time-worn furrows, and on the +nodding plumes that decorated the crest of this aged and hoary relic +of the past, the sensation, though pleasing, became mournful; the +heart seemed linked with the unknown, the mysterious events of ages +that are for ever gone--feelings that make even a luxury of grief, +prompted by that within us, "the joy of sorrow;" something more +hallowed, more cherished in the heart's holiest shrine, than all the +glare and glitter of enjoyment--the present bliss--which we prize only +when it departs. + +[Illustration: THE LOST FARM, NEAR SOUTHPORT. +_Drawn by G. Pickering._ +_Engraved by Edw^d Finden._] + +Many years ago, this humble tenement was the abode of George Grimes, +the fisherman to whom we have just alluded. It was a dwelling one +story only from the ground, as the general use was in these regions, +ere modern edifices, staring forth in red, white, and green--their +bold and upstart pretensions outfacing and supplanting the lowly but +picturesque abodes of the aboriginal inhabitants--had overtopped and +overshadowed these meek, rural, and primitive displays of +architectural simplicity. + +Grimes, we repeat, was of that amphibious class, common upon every +coast, combining the occupations incident to land and water in his own +proper person. Half-fisherman, half-farmer, he ploughed the seas with +his keel, when upon land his coulter was out of use. He was nigh +sixty, and had long settled down into that quiet nap-like sort of +existence, when the passions are lulled, scarcely visible, as they +creep over the stagnant current of life. He was hale and hard +featured; the lines on his visage betokening, if need were, a stern, +decisive, and obstinate bent in his disposition, that might have +issued in deeds of high and noble daring had its possessor been thrown +into circumstances favourable to the display. As matters stood, George +was master of his own household. Here none questioned his authority; +no profane, irreverent approach ever awakening the dormant energies of +his character, or thwarting the current, visible only by opposition. + +His wife was a round, brown, heavy-cheeked, dark-eyed dame, with a cap +white as the whitest goose of the flock that marched every morning +from her barn-doors to the common, where, by some little pool, a +scanty and close-bitten herbage formed their daily subsistence. She +wore a striped apron; the blue lines would have vied with the best +Wigan check for breadth and distinctness. Her good-humoured mouth, +reverse from her husband's, was usually puckered up at the corners +into an expression of kindness, benignity, and mirth--the contrast +greatly aided by proximity; for though George Grimes was benevolent +and kind-hearted at the bottom, yet he was by no means apt to let +these gentler feelings rise to the surface. + +An only daughter was now passing within the precincts of womanhood. +Her complexion, red, and--not white, reader--but of that rich, +healthy, and wholesome tinge, perfect as an example of the real +English brunette. Her face exhibited a beautiful modification of her +father's hard and determined expression, blended with her mother's +gentleness and placidity. A smile of thrilling sweetness would +sometimes pass upon her calm and thoughtful countenance, always +beautiful--if such a term can be allowed in speaking of a brown, rosy, +plump, and well-conditioned girl, of good stature, whose form had not +been squeezed into shape, nor her linsey woolsey flourished into +flounce and farthingale. Her hair hung in bright clusters on her brow; +fresh from Nature's toilet, their wild untutored elegance was singular +and bewitching. Indeed, Katherine, or "Kattern," as she was more +generally called, was the cynosure of this clime--a jewel, that needed +not the foil of its homely setting; the envy and admiration of the +whole neighbourhood--well known at church, and at Ormskirk market, +where she attended weekly--at the latter place to dispose of her +produce. Here she was the torment of many a rustic, unable to conquer, +or even to understand, the power by which his heart was taken captive. + +Avarice was the besetting sin of her father. He was always fearful of +becoming poor, and "not paying his way," as he called it. Yet was it +suspected that George Grimes had a "powerfu'" hoard, concealed both +from his family and friends. Money he doated on. It was an undoubted +fact that many a shining face went into the coffer of old Grimes that +was never again seen performing the common everyday functions of +currency and traffic. + +He was always a-dreaming, too, that he had found treasure. Often he +would spend the greater part of a morning tide in pacing the brink of +the boiling waves, hoping to find there some coinage of his brain that +had been his dream on the preceding night. Southport then existed not, +at least in name. No gay and laughing crowds fluttered on the margin +of the deep. No lines of well-trimmed "green-eyed" houses looked on, +nor boats with their dancing pennons and bright forms shone gallantly +on the waves. All was bleak, bare, and unappropriated. The very air +seemed tenantless, save when the solitary gull came sailing on heavily +with the approaching tide, screaming over the gorge she beheld rising +on the billows. The loud lunge of the sea was interrupted solely by +the cry of the fisherman, and the "cockler's" whistle, plying his +scanty trade among the shoals and sandbanks about the coast. It is +scarcely possible to conceive a situation more desolate and +uninviting. Hills of arid sand skirting the beach, without vegetation +or enclosure, except where the withered bent and little golden-starred +stone-crop gave their own wild and peculiar aspect to the scene. The +shore is flat and unbroken to the very horizon, where the tide, +retreating to its extreme verge, throws up a dim sparkle in the +distance--Nature even here displaying her never-ceasing round of +reproduction and decay, of advance and retrocession. + +We had almost forgotten that there was another inmate of the +household--a tall, thick-browed, high-cheeked menial, whose coarse +habiliments displayed a well-proportioned shape, and shoulders of an +athletic width. He had been engaged at the farm barely twelve months +before the date of our narrative; and, at the first, a more egregious +simpleton, as to farming and fishing operations, never drew a net or +whistled at the plough-tail. Yet he came well recommended by a +Catholic gentleman in the neighbourhood as a stout servant of all +work, who would serve Grimes honestly and for moderate wages. He had +one excellence or defect, as it might be--that which we impute to one +dumb from his birth, but not deaf. He perfectly understood what was +spoken, though, to make known his wishes, he was obliged to have +recourse to signs or writing. In the former accomplishment he seemed +to be well skilled, for he often elucidated his meaning by rude +sketches in chalk upon the floor and table. There was a mystery about +his appearance he cared not to divulge. His country and connections, +too, were equally unknown. By the neighbours it was often suspected +that he dealt with the Evil One. The "evil eye" was sometimes +attributed to him; and the signs and chalkings were supposed to be +mystic emblems of the future, into the hidden secrets of which he had +the power of directing his inquiries. + +He was apt in learning, and served George Grimes diligently and +faithfully. He soon became acquainted with the various duties of the +farm; and could unreef a sail or make a net with the best labourer in +the parish. + +His only companion was Katherine. She taught him to knit, and to make +nets; directed him how to find the best peats, and showed him where +the rabbits burrowed and the larks and lapwings made their nests. +Sometimes the instructress and her pupil would sit on the sandhills, +and watch the sun sink down upon the ocean; sometimes they would +gather shells, when the day's work was over, and string them in +fantastic chaplets, which "_Dummy_" was very expert in contriving. He +could converse with Kattern without difficulty. He had taught her his +vocabulary of signs, and the maiden liked to observe his strange +remarks and inquiries on passing events. + +In the forenoon of a dark, threatening, and squally day, just before +high tide, Grimes and his assistant had trudged towards the beach, +intending to go out with the boat for a little while. The weather +having been stormy of late, supplies were becoming scanty, and he +wanted a few fish for their own use. They proposed to take the smaller +boat only, hoping to be back with the next flood. + +Toiling through the sand-drifts, they came to an opening between the +hills, which looked immediately on the beach. The sky was black and +heavy on the horizon towards the south-west. Round hard-edged clouds +rode on from the main body, like flying squadrons, "grim couriers" of +the storm. Here and there, through an opening in the clouds, the sky +was of a deep, vivid, and intense blue, contrasting wildly with the +rolling forms that tumbled about in turbulent confusion over the whole +hemisphere. The sea was rising in breakers over the banks, hillocks of +white foam riding on the crest of the billows, while the margin of the +waves boiled and frothed like some vast cauldron. + +The old man was not in a particularly complaisant mood that day. He +was cross and snappish at trifles; irritable and out of humour with +himself. As he waded through the narrow defile, the dumb assistant +behind him whistled faintly, and perhaps inadvertantly. The fisherman +looked back with a furious glance. + +"Thou staring buzzard, is't not enough to see sich a bellyful o' wind +i' brewing but thou must whistle for more to keep it company? Hang +thee for a he-witch; I never hear that accursed piping but the wind +follows, like sea-gulls to the garbage." + +He had just turned a corner of the hill, when, looking round, he cried +in a tone of terror and amazement-- + +"How now, Dick? Why, the boat is gone! what prank next? Thou careless +unthrift, ill-luck follows i' thy wake. She has slipped anchor, and +the little _Kitty_ is gone to the Manx herring-boats. I am ruined, +thou limb of Old Nick! thou chub! thou"---- + +Epithets were accumulating with prodigious force, when Dick, +half-closing his eyes, pointed to something dark, like a small boat, +in the offing. + +"What's yon thee'rt pointing at? A porpoise-back, I warrant. Ay, shake +thy head, fool; 'twill bring my bonny _Kitty_ back. Why, thou'rt +staring like a bit-boomp in a gutter catching frogs!" + +Soon, however, the black speck became less ambiguous. George beheld a +white stern heaving up and down. He ran forward as if to accelerate +her return, crying out to his companion-- + +"A murrain catch thy tail, thou hast ever a longer sight than beseems +thee. But she's coming, sure enough, whatever she be." + +The old man gazed in wonder and suspense. He saw a sail unfurl, and +the bark--his own little tight, trim vessel--come prancing on the +white billows toward the shore. Soon he observed, sitting therein, +perfectly at his ease, and unmindful of the near approach to, and the +portentous menaces of, the owner, a figure clad in a garment of grey +frieze, and a dark hairy cap on his head. One hand grasped the helm, +and in the other he held the sheet, while he managed the boat with the +most seamanlike skill and composure. His eye was fixed alternately on +the shore and on the vane at the masthead as he came dancing through +the surf, until he ran right upon the sands, where the boat grounded, +and he sprang out upon the beach. The astonishment of Grimes can +hardly be conceived when, without once deigning to notice him, away +went the stranger, vouchsafing neither thanks nor acknowledgments. + +"Holloa, friend!" cried the incensed owner; "your disposition be freer +than welcome, methinks. Holloa, I say, whither away so fast?" cried he +impatiently, quickening his pace; but the stranger altered not his +gait in the least, plodding steadily onwards, without appearing to +notice the angry inquiries of his pursuer. + +Soon the quick long strides of George Grimes brought him alongside of +the person he addressed. Crossing before him, and almost intercepting +his progress, he exclaimed-- + +"How now, friend? I'd be bold to know what thou be'st. I'm mightily +beholden to thee for this favour." + +A malicious grin quivered on his pale and angry countenance; but the +stranger was unmoved. He merely waved his hand, as though kindly +admonishing the inquirer to depart and leave him unmolested. + +"Nay, good man; I'm not so soon put off. Prithee, save thy wit, for +I'm not i' the humour for a jest this morning." + +A melancholy smile accompanied the reply. + +"Friend," said he, "I am beholden to thee for thy boat; and if thou +art seeking conditions for the hire, I am willing to return its +equivalent. Will this content thee?" + +Here George saw a bit of gold twinkling in the stranger's hand, which, +like a beam on the dark waters, cleared his brow immediately. + +He doffed his bonnet with great humility; but he was still curious +about the matter, and more particularly as to what errand could have +been requisite that boisterous morning. He stammered out some inquiry, +and the stranger replied-- + +"Seek not to know; 'tis a doomed thing and accursed. I would have +given thrice my revenue long ago, to have been rid o' the pest. But +the wave hath swallowed it--for ever, I would earnestly pray; and I am +again free!" + +Saying this, he passed on, leaving the astonished fisherman gaping +mute with wonder, until a projecting sandhill shut him out from their +sight. During this interview the dumb assistant was busily engaged +with the boat, disposing of the nets and other implements, though at +the same time evidently keeping a wary eye towards the stranger. + +The little bark was soon afloat, the wind again filled the sails, and +shortly she was seen flying over the billows in defiance of "wind, +water, and foul weather." + +Grimes only purposed to cast the nets a mile or two from shore, for a +good haul at that period was easily obtained much nearer the coast +than is now practicable, the fish being driven away, as the +inhabitants superstitiously but firmly believe, by the quarrels that +have taken place amongst the fishermen. + +The bark went merrily on, leaping over the waves, with the old mariner +at her helm, and his dumb servant by the mainsheet. The wind was +blowing more steadily; the short and squally gusts had increased into +a roaring gale, driving right ahead from the west. To work, however, +they went, when, after a haul or two, the old man being engaged with +the tackling, up came something in the net--at least old Grimes saw it +glittering amongst the fish when he turned round, and it could have +come from none other quarter than the sea. + +Grimes drew it forth, and a fair and weighty casket it was, apparently +uninjured. It was ornamented in the arabesque or antique fashion, +inlaid with great care and skill. He grasped the prize; he poised it, +to ascertain its gravity. It seemed to be both heavy and well-filled. + +This at last was the treasure he had often dreamt about, and the old +man was almost frantic with joy. He hugged the unlooked-for messenger +of wealth and good-fortune, and, putting the vessel about, made all +sail for land. + +Once more anchored as near the beach as the retiring tide would allow, +Grimes was too much engaged with his prize to notice that "Dummy" took +another route to the farm. Alone with his bundle, and a pelting storm +at his heels, the old man came to his dwelling. His early appearance +was unexpected, but the women, little used to question his movements, +immediately set about preparing for dinner. Depositing the casket, +which was locked, in the oaken chest or ark at his bedside, he +purposed to break it open when he had procured the means, without +harming the exterior. + +The storm was rapidly gaining strength; the wind blew a hurricane; the +thunder rolled on, louder and more frequent; and the rain came down in +torrents. It was not an ordinary tempest, but more like one of those +tropical tornadoes, when the elements--fire, air, and water--seem to +mingle in universal uproar, fighting and striving for the mastery. + +"I think, o' my conscience, this wind is raised by the ould one," said +the elder female. Scarcely were the words uttered when the room seemed +in a blaze, and a clap of thunder followed: so loud and appalling, +that it made the very walls to rock and the whole fabric to reel with +the stroke. The fisherman grew pale; the stranger's words rang in his +ears. Was it the _casket_ that he had committed to the deep, and of +which he spake with such horror and execration? Strange as was the +idea, yet he could not get rid of it; there seemed some connection +between this fearful agony of nature and the mysterious treasure +beneath his roof. The pipe fell from his mouth, and he sat listening, +as he fancied, to the awful denunciations mingled with the howling +storm, as though he had not power to move or to avert his gaze from +the window. + +"Bless me, I had forgotten you were by yourself, father," said +Katherine. "He will be almost drowned, if he has not ta'en shelter." + +"I know not," muttered Grimes; "he left me on the shore. He might ha' +been here long since." The rain and wind abated for a brief space, +when old Isabel appeared to be listening near the chamber door, where +Grimes had left the casket. + +"Mercy! what's that, George?" + +The fisherman was immediately all eye and ear; his head bent towards +the door, which stood ajar. + +"Who is there in the chamber?" inquired the old woman. "I hear it +again." + +"Hear! what?" replied he, in great agitation. + +"Something like an' it were a-whispering there," replied the dame. + +But a gust of wind again overwhelmed every other sound in its +progress. Grimes thought he had heard a whisper that made his blood +freeze, and the very flesh to creep over his bones with terror. + +But Katherine fearlessly entered; she looked cautiously about, but all +was still, and she returned. Ere she closed the door, however, she +heard a soft whisper, as though behind her. Naturally courageous, she +immediately went back, but all was quiet as before; nor could she find +that any person had been concealed in the apartment. She opened the +chest where Grimes had stowed his booty, and seeing the casket, she +took it up, running hastily into the adjoining room. + +"Why, father, what a pretty fairing you have brought me. I'se warrant, +now, you would not have told me on't till after the wakes, if I had +not seen it." + +The old man looked as if he had seen a ghost. The whispers he had +heard were, foolishly enough perhaps, connected in his mind with the +presence of this mysterious thing. + +"Take it back--back, wench, into the chest again. It was not for thee, +hussy. A prize I fished up with the nets to-day." + +"From the sea. Oh me! it is--it is unholy spoil. It has been dragged +from some wreck. Cast it again to the greedy waters. They yield not +their prey without a perilous struggle," said the girl. + +The fisherman was silent. He looked thoughtful and disturbed, while +Katherine went back to put the treasure into its hiding-place. + +"I wonder what that whispering could be?" thought the maiden, as she +opened the old chest. Ere the lid was pulled down, she cast one look +at the beautiful but forbidden intruder, and she was sure--but +imagination is a potent wizard, and works marvellously--else she was +sure that a slight movement was visible beneath the casket. She flung +down the lid in great terror; pale and trembling, she sprang out of +the room, and sat down silent and alarmed. Again the mysterious +whispers were audible in the momentary pauses of the blast. + +"Save us!" said the elder female; "I hear it again." + +Bounce flew open the door of the bed-chamber, and--in stalked their +dumb assistant, as though he had chosen this mode of ingress, through +the window of the sleeping-room, rather than through the house-door. + +"Plague take thee! Where hast thou been?" said the old woman, partly +relieved from her terrors. Yet was the whispering precisely as +incomprehensible as before. The dumb menial that stood before her was +obviously incapable even of this act of incipient speech. + +"Where hast thou been, Dick?" inquired Grimes, seriously. But the +former pointed towards the beach. + +"How long hast thou been yonder?--in the chamber, I mean." + +Dick here fell into one of his ordinary fits of abstraction, from +which neither menace nor entreaty could arouse him. As the old man +turned from the window he saw a blaze of light flashing suddenly upon +the wall. The yard was filled with smoke. Rushing forth, the inmates +found the barn thatch on fire, kindled probably by the lightning. The +rain prevented it from extending with much rapidity; and Grimes, +mounting on the roof, soon extinguished the burning materials before +much damage had been the result. Misfortunes verily seemed to crowd +upon each other; and that unlucky casket, doubtless, was the cause. +When the old man, with his dame, returned into the house, Katherine +was nowhere to be found. The "Dummy," too, was unaccountably absent. +Anxious and wondering, they awaited, hoping for their appearance at +dinner; but their meal was cheerless and unvisited. Evening came, +serene, deceitful as ever--but their child did not return. They went +out to make inquiries, but could find no clue to aid them in the +search. Katherine had never stayed from home so late. The parents were +nigh distracted. There was evidently some connection between the +disappearance of their servant and her own absence. Fearful surmises +ensued. Suspicion strengthened into certainty. The casket was +forgotten in this fearful distress; and, after a fruitless search, +they were forced to return. + +On the third night after this occurrence, Grimes and his disconsolate +helpmate were sitting by the turf embers in moody silence, broken only +by irregular whiffs from the pipe--the old man's universal solace. +After a longer pull than usual, he abruptly exclaimed-- + +"Three days, Isabel, and no tidings of the child. Who will comb down +my grey hairs now, or read for us in the Book o' nights? We must +linger on without help to our grave; none will care to keep us +company." + +"Woe's me!" cried the dame, and she wept sore; "my poor child! If I +but knew what was come to her, I think i' my heart I would be +thankfu'. But what can have happen'd her? unless it be Dick indeed; +and yet I think the lad was honest, though lungeous at times, and +odd-tempered. By next market, surely, we shall ha' tidings fra' some +end. But I trow, 'tis that fearsome burden ye brought with you, +George, fra' the sea, that has been the cause of a' this trouble." + +Grimes started up. He threw the ashes from his pipe, and, without +saying a word, went into the bed-chamber. Lifting up the chest-lid, he +saw the casket safe, and apparently undisturbed. He drew it fearlessly +forth, and vowed that he would throw it into the sea again, without +further ado, on the morrow. It felt much lighter, however, than +before; but not another night should it pass under his roof; so he +threw it beside a turf-heap in the yard. His heart, too, felt lighter +as he cast the abominable thing from him; and he was sure it was this +mischievous inmate alone that had wrought such woe in his hitherto +happy and quiet household. + +Morning came; and Grimes, for the first time since his loss, took the +boat, committing himself alone with the haunted casket on the sea. It +was a lovely morning as ever sun shone upon; the waters were +comparatively smooth; and the tide brought one of those refreshing +breezes on its bosom, so stimulating and healthful to the invalid. + +But Grimes thought not of the brightness or beauty of the morning. +With the helm in his hand, one light sail being stretched out to the +wind, he was steering through the intricate channel, and amongst the +sandbanks which render the coast so dangerous even to those best +acquainted with its perils. + +He stood out to a considerable distance, intending to have depth and +sea-room enough to drown his burden. + +The breeze was fair, the sea was bright, and the mariner sailed on. He +determined, this time at least, that the casket should be sent far +enough out of harm's way. + +"If that plaguy thing had been down deep enough before," thought he, +"this mischief had not happened." He looked at it, and thought again, +"How very sad to part with so beautiful a treasure." He had not +observed before that the lid was unlocked. He might as well peep +before it should be hidden for ever beneath the dark billows. He +lifted up the rim of the coffer cautiously; he trembled as the hinges +gave way; and--it was empty! + +"I am a fool!" thought he; "a downright fool. An empty box can have +nothing to do with"---- + +But, as if to belie his own conclusions, and to convince him that +peril, and misfortune must attend the presence of that mysterious +thing, he having just quitted the helm for a more convenient +examination, a sudden squall nearly upset the boat. Fortunately she +righted, but not before most of the movables were tossed out, +including the cause of all his troubles. This at any rate was lucky, +and cheaply purchased with the loss and breakage of his marine stores. + +The tide was still coming in, though nearly at the height, and Grimes +floated merrily to land. After hauling the boat ashore, he stood for +a moment looking towards the sea, when he saw, dancing like a spectre +on the very edge of the wave that broke in a thousand bubbles at his +feet, the identical box he had taken such pains to commit to the safe +keeping of that perilous deep. It was evidently pursuing him. He would +have fled, but fear had arrested his footsteps. He did not recollect +that the box was now empty, and floated from its own buoyancy. + +"It will not drown," thought he. After a little reflection he resolved +to dispose of it in some other manner. + +"It will haunt me as long as it is above ground. I'll bury it." In +pursuance of this wholesome resolve, he took it home again. Digging a +deep grave in the peat-moss behind this cottage, he thrust in the +object of his apprehensions, trusting that he was now safe from its +power. + +But noises horrid and unaccountable disturbed him. Demons had surely +chosen his dwelling for their head-quarters. Nor day nor night could +he rest--fancying that a whole legion of them were haunting him. He +seemed to be the sport and prey of his own terrors; and with a heavy +heart he resolved to quit, though suffering a grievous loss by the +removal. + +The story of the haunted casket, with many additions and improvements, +soon got abroad. No one dared to pass the house after nightfall, and +"The Lost Farm" has ever since been tenantless. + +Grimes removed to another in a few weeks; but his happiness and his +hopes were for ever dissipated by the mysterious intruder. Hearing no +tidings from his daughter, he determined, several weeks after the +adventure, to sally forth in quest of intelligence. + +It was a cold blustery morning when the old man set out on his errand. +He was clad in a coarse blue frieze coat, with the usual complement of +large white-plated buttons. His head was sheltered by an oil +case-covered hat, tied down with a blue and white check handkerchief, +and he held a long stick before him at arm's length, on which his +sorrowful and drooping frame hung more heavily than usual. He had +grown a dozen years older at least in less than as many weeks; and +when he came to Church Town, having taken the bypath through the +hills, he was fain to rest himself a while at the inn-door. Before it +stood several carts on their way towards Preston, whither they were +bound for the disposal of their produce on the morrow. Grimes thought +he might as well make some inquiries there; Katherine having at times +visited that remote town to make purchases. He would have company too +if he went with the carts, and a lift now and then if he were tired; +so, throwing down his bundle, he entered the house intimating his wish +that they should join company. + +"To Preston, lad?" said a jolly carter, holding a pewter pot that +seemed as if glued to his hard fist. "Rare doings there, old one. +What! thee wants to look at the fun, I warrant. Why, the rebels ha' +been packed off to Lunnun long sin'; but we han had some on 'em back +again; that is, thou sees, their Papist heads were sent back i' pickle +into these parts, and one on 'em grins savagely afore the Town Ha'." + +Grimes knew little of political niceties, or whether kings _de facto_ +or _de jure_ were better entitled to the throne. + +The late disturbances had not reached these districts; so that the +rebellion of 1745 might as well have happened in Kamtschatka or Japan +for any personal knowledge that old Grimes had of the matter. + +"Rebels!" said he; "I have heard a somewhat of this business; though I +know nothing, and care less about them cannibals." + +"Then what be'st thee for in such a hurry to Preston?" + +"I had a daughter, but she has left me, the staff and comfort of my +old age, when I stood most in need of the prop!" Here the old man drew +his hat over his brows, partly turning aside. + +"Cheer up, friend," saith another; "thy daughter, maybe, is gone wi' +Prince Charlie, when he piped through Preston 'Hie thee, Charlie, hame +again!'" + +This malicious sally raised a loud laugh; but the old man heard it +with great agony and consternation; for though a bow drawn at a +venture--a chance expression merely, intended as a clever hit at the +women's expense, who had followed in the train of the rebels--Grimes +construed the passage literally; and from that time it ran continually +in his head, that his daughter's absence would be found to have some +connection with these events. + +"Hang thy jibes!" said the first speaker, for whom this piece of wit +was more especially intended; "hang thee, I'll knock thy neck +straight; pepper me but I will!" + +This worthy had a wife, who incontinently had contributed to augment +the rebel train when the Prince, in far different plight, on the 27th +of November 1745, passed through Preston, on his route to London, +piping "The king shall have his own again." + +A fray was nigh commencing--a circumstance not at all unusual in those +turbulent times--but the master of the band speedily interfered, +threatening displeasure and a wholesome discipline to his refractory +servants. + +Grimes accompanied them on their journey, riding, walking, and +gossiping, at irregular intervals; during which he learned much news +relating to the aspect and circumstances of the time, the names of the +leaders, and those attainted and condemned, in this hasty and +ill-timed rebellion. A considerable number of Lancashire partisans, +officers of the Manchester regiment, commanded by Colonel Townley, had +been conveyed to London, and tried for high treason, in July 1746. +Some were reprieved and pardoned; others were executed, with all the +horrid accompaniments prescribed by the law. The heads of Townley and +one Captain Fletcher were placed upon Temple Bar. The heads of seven +others, having been preserved in spirits, were at that time +ornamenting posterns and public thoroughfares in Manchester, Preston, +Wigan, and Carlisle, to the great comfort of the loyal and +well-disposed, and the grievous terror of the little children who +passed in and out thereat. Others, the noble leaders of this short and +ill-acted tragedy for the benefit of the selfish and bigoted Stuarts, +suffered death; while others escaped, amongst whom was the titular +Earl of Derwentwater, supposed to have been conveyed secretly aboard +ship for Scotland. + +In these rebellions, it may generally be said, that in the county of +Lancaster, Catholics as well as Protestants displayed a firm +attachment to the reigning family. Instances of defection were very +rare; and, when they occurred, might be imputed to some peculiarity in +the situation of the delinquents rather than to party or religious +feelings. The romantic attempt of the young Chevalier, as displayed in +this rebellion, had in it something imposing to ardent and +enthusiastic minds; and those who embraced his cause south of the +Tweed were principally young men of warm temperament, whose +imaginations were dazzled by the chivalrous character of the +enterprise.[17] + +About the close of day, the towers of "proud Preston" were seen rising +above the broad sweep of the river below Penwortham Bridge. The +situation chosen by our ancestors for the erection of "_Priest's +Town_"--so called because the majority of its inhabitants in former +times were ecclesiastics--evinces the discriminating eye of a priest, +and shows that, whether the religious orders selected a site for an +abbey or for a city, they were equally felicitous in their choice. +Placed at a convenient distance from the sea, upon the elevated banks +of one of the finest rivers in England, with a mild climate and a dry +soil, and commanding a rich assemblage of picturesque views, in one of +the most interesting portions of Ribblesdale, the spirit of St Wilfred +himself, to whom the parish church is dedicated, and who was the most +accomplished ecclesiastic of his age, must have animated the mind that +fixed upon this spot.[18] + +Grimes, adjusting his satchel and other appendages, trudged warily on, +according to the directions he had procured from his guides, in +respect to lodgings. His route lay up Fishergate; and on his way, near +the Town Hall, his progress was interrupted by a dense crowd. The +soldiers and local authorities were just conveying a prisoner of some +note from the hall of justice to head-quarters at the Bull Inn, under +a strong guard. + +Grimes, impelled by curiosity, and likewise having an idea that it +might be one of the rebels, with whom he still connected the +disappearance of his daughter, thrust himself, edgeways, into the +crowd; his primitive appearance causing no slight merriment amongst +the bystanders. + +Guarded by soldiery and a bevy of constables before and behind, came a +tall, muscular figure, attired in a ragged suit--probably a disguise, +and not of the most reputable or becoming description. He looked +haggard and dejected--harassed, in all likelihood, by long watching +and fatigue. His hair was intensely black, surmounted by a coarse cap +or bonnet, such as the mechanics then wore at their ordinary +occupations. + +The old man looked steadfastly at the prisoner. + +"Surely it cannot be!" said he half-aloud. He pressed into the +foremost rank, and near enough to receive a lusty blow from one of the +constables; but not before he had, with an exclamation of joy and +astonishment, recognised the features of his former servant and dumb +inmate at the farm. + +Grimes, caring not a whit for the blow, in his ready and imprudent +zeal stepped up to the leader of the party, thinking there was +doubtless some mistake in the person they had seized, and anxious, +too, for an opportunity of speaking with the prisoner anent his +errand. + +"Stand back!" said the official representative gruffly. + +"Friend, I know thy prisoner well. He was lodged and victualled at my +house not six weeks agone." + +"The ---- he was; then we may as well try a hand with thee too," said +the constable. + +But the simplicity and openness of the old man was his protection; for +the constable walked on, without deigning to bend his truncheon to +such low and inglorious enterprise. + +"But look thee," said the pertinacious and unsuspecting fisherman, "he +is my servant; and you are i' the wrong to capture him without my +privity." + +"And who art thou?" inquired another of these myrmidons of justice, +eyeing Grimes and the cut of his habiliments from head to foot. "I do +bethink me thou art i' the roll. Thee would make a grim fixture for a +pole here hard by." He looked significantly towards the reward of +treason hung in front of the Town Hall above them. + +"Like enough!" said the other, taking the offender by the collar; who, +astonished beyond measure at this proceeding, was unable for a while +to give such an account of himself as to satisfy the officers and +regain his liberty. The prisoner looked at him, but did not betray the +least symptom of acknowledgment. + +"Ill-mannered varlet!" thought the old man; "but what can they be +a-wanting with our Dummy?" + +Still urged on by the crowd, he resolved to see an end of the +business; so, pushing with them through the gateway of the inn, he +came so near the prisoner as to touch him gently by the sleeve during +the press and scuffle in the entry. For a moment--and it was a glance +observed by the fisherman alone--the pale features of the unfortunate +rebel showed a glimpse of recognition; but immediately they relapsed +into their former stern though melancholy expression. + +Being much amazed at this conduct, the old man could not forbear +exclaiming-- + +"Varlet!--my daughter--thou"----But the prisoner was out of sight and +hearing, and the crowd were driven from the gateway. Grimes heard a +few of the bystanders speaking of some great man that was taken, and +of the reward that would be obtained for his apprehension; but the old +fisherman smiled at their ignorance. He knew better. It was none other +than his dumb retainer at the farm; and he set his wits to work--no +despicable auxiliaries at a pinch--in order to procure an interview. + +In vain he attempted to persuade such of the crowd as would give him a +hearing of the real state of the case, and the great injustice of the +man's arrest. But they listened to him with impatience and suspicion. +The old man was doubtless either crazed or guilty as one of the rebel +partisans. + +"I tell thee what, old crony; if thou dost not change thy quarters, we +will lay thee by the heels i' the cage, presently. Budge! move, quick; +or"----Here the speaker, a little authoritative-looking personage, +would have made a movement corresponding to the words; but Grimes, +perceiving that he was not to be trifled with, unwillingly drew aside +out of harm's way. + +Hungry, weary, and dispirited, the old man inquired his way to an +obscure lodging in one of the wynds near the market. It was a low, +dismal-looking tavern, wherein sat two or three unwashed artificers, +drinking beer and devouring the news. + +"I'm right fain he's taken," said one of the politicians, whose black +leathern apron and smutty face betokened his occupation. "There's but +old Lovat, they say, now, to chop shorter by a handful of brains. +Proud Preston, say I, for ever. Hurra!" + +"Ay, and the mayor's wife too, say I; and may she never want a pair of +garters to tuck round a rebel's neck!" replied a little giggling, +good-humoured fellow, who seemed to imbibe ale as he drew his +breath--both being vitally necessary to his existence. + +"She's a rare wench, and would sooner see a rebel hanged, than bod her +nose at a basin of swig and roasted apples." + +"She played the husband's part to some purpose when Charles Edward +levied the tribute forsooth, Mr Mayor being gone to look after his +children, by Longridge; but old Sam the beadle says he was afeard o' +the wild Highlanders, and slunk out of the way." + +Whilst this conversation was going on Grimes untied his handkerchief, +doffed his stocking boots, and embracing his satchel, drew forth a +piece of hard, unsavoury cheese, and some barley-cake, with which he +proceeded to entertain, if not satisfy, his stomach. A glass of beer +finished this frugal repast, when the old man retired into the shadow +of a huge projecting chimney, ruminating on the perplexities by which +he was encompassed, and on the possibility of his final extrication. +Opposite to him, in the shadow, as if shunning observation, sat +another person who appeared wishful to avoid any intercourse with the +guests. Grimes stretched his gaunt figure on a bench beside the +hearth, as though desirous to let in the dark waters of oblivion upon +his spirit. + +The hostess was bustling in and out, doubtless impatient at this +prolonged stay when the cup was empty; and, in one of these inspectory +visits, the old man addressed her, scarcely raising his contemplative +gaze from the embers, where he had been poking his eyes out for the +last half-hour. + +"I want a bed for the night, good dame." + +"We have none to spare," said the dissatisfied landlady--"for such +guests as thee," perhaps she would have added, but the stranger from +the opposite corner interrupted her. + +"He shall have mine: I can lie on the squab." + +The voice of the speaker was soft and musical, apparently in a +disguised tone. + +"You're very kind, sir," said the hostess; "but this over-thrifty +customer may find other guess places i' the town; unless, indeed, he +chooses to pay handsomely for the lodging." + +"And then, maybe," said the stranger, "the siller would find out a bed +to lie in." + +"I could lend him mine, perhaps," returned the accommodating landlady. + +"Then here's a crown," said the other, "and let the old man be both +fed and bedded. I have money enough; and his purse, I think, is not +overstocked with provision, if we may guess by the lining of his +wallet." + +The dame, growing courteous in an instant, promised as good a bed as +King George himself slept in that blessed night. The astonished +fisherman could hardly credit his senses. He thanked his stars for +this unexpected interposition; nor would he refuse the gift, though +from the hands of a stranger. + +The latter shortly afterwards retired to rest; and the political +weaver and blacksmith, having settled the hanging, drawing, and +quartering of the unfortunate prisoner, not without a full and +minute-description of this disgusting and barbarous, though to them +diverting process, called for a parting cup, to drink confusion to the +rebels and a speedy dismissal to the Chevalier. + +Old Grimes retired also; and in a low wide room, white-washed and +bare-walled, containing a broken chair, two-thirds of a table, and a +bed without tester, covered with a thick blue quilt, was deposited the +mortal fabric of the weary fisherman. + +He could not sleep for a considerable time; the strange events he had +witnessed, the excitement he had undergone, together with the rude +brawls beneath his window, prevented him from closing his eyes until +past midnight. He heard not a few loyal home-made songs, by the +red-hot braggarts, pot-valiant and full of "gentle minstrelsie," as +they trolled lustily past his lodging. Amongst many others, the +following seemed an especial favourite:-- + + 1. + "Down wi' the Papists an' a', man, + Down wi' the priest and confession; + Down wi' the Charlies an' a', man, + And up wi' the Duke an' the nation. + + 2. + "There's Townley, an' Fletcher, an' Syddal, + And Nairn, wi' his breeks wrang side out, man; + Some ran without breeks to their middle, + But Charlie ran fastest about, man." + +After a while, the sounds began to mingle confusedly with the images +floating on his own sensorium. He felt as though unable to separate +them: ideal forms took up the real impressions, and arrayed themselves +so cunningly withal, that to his mind's eye the image of his daughter +seemed to approach. The brawling ceased; the room was lighted up. It +was his own chamber, and Katherine sprang towards him, smiling as she +was wont, for her usual "Good-night." "God bless thee, my child!" said +he, as he threw his arms about her. Starting up, awake, at the sound +of his own voice, he found that he had not grasped a shadow; but a +being, real and substantial, was in his embrace. Grimes was horribly +alarmed. + +"Father, it is I," said a soft whisper. It was the voice of his +daughter. + +"Hush!" said she; "be silent, for your life and mine. You shall know +all; but not now. Fear not for me. I'm safe; but I will not leave +_him_--my companion--yonder unfortunate captive. Help me, and I'll +contrive his rescue." + +"_Thy_ companion, wench! why, how is this? Art"---- + +"Honest and true, as he is faithful. We may yet be happy as we once +were, when this fearful extremity is past. Say no more; we may be +overheard. Now aid me; for without our help he is lost! and, oh, +refuse not this one, perhaps this last request of thy child!" + +She fell upon his neck, and the old man was moved to an unwonted +expression of tenderness; for truly his daughter was dearer to him +than any earthly object; and still dearer in the moment when the lost +one was restored. + +"To-morrow night," said the maiden, "bring your boat, with four stout +rowers, to the quay at Preston Marsh. Let me see; ay, the moon is near +two days old, and the tide will serve from nine till midnight. You +know the channel well, and wait there until I come." + +"Kattern, thou shall go with me. I'll not leave thee now." + +"Nay," said the faithful girl; "I must not; I _will_ not. There is +life depending on my endeavours. Father," continued she, throwing her +arms round the old man's neck, who now sobbed aloud, "hear me; no +power shall force me to leave him now in misery and misfortune. I +would move the very stones for his rescue; and cannot I move thee?" + +"Well, Kattern, I am a silly and a weak old body, and thou--But thou +art disguised. Where didst get that coat? and--I declare--trousers. +For shame, wench!" + +"Nay, you shall know all, father, when I return; when we have +delivered him, and not before." + +The old man was too much overjoyed not to promise the requisite +attendance. + +"My life depends on 't, father; so good-night." + +"Stay--stay, wench--a moment!" + +But a light step, and the sound of a gently-closing door, announced +her departure; and Grimes was forced to remain, where he lay sleepless +on his pallet, impatiently awaiting daybreak. + +With the first peep of dawn was old Grimes astir; and the lark was but +just fluttering from the dew when the quaint, angular form of the +mariner was again seen plodding towards the coast. + +"Since that plaguy box came into my fingers, I've had neither rest nor +luck. I'll ne'er meddle with stray goods again while I live!" and in +this comfortable determination he continued, thinking of his bonny +Kattern to lighten the toil of his long and lonesome journey. + +The same day the sun lighted early on the towers and gables of "Proud +Preston." Longridge Fell threw off its wreath of mist; but on the +river a long and winding vapour followed its course, everything +betokening one of those pure, exhilarating days that so rarely visit +our watery and weeping regions. + + * * * * * + +The mayor was but just awakened; yet Mrs Mayor had long been +vigilantly engaged in household and political affairs (for she ruled +the civic power in Preston's thrice happy borough), when a stranger +came on some business of importance. + +"What is your will, my good friend?" inquired the mayoress, taking off +a light pair of shagreen-mounted spectacles; for being of that +debatable age when time is hardly known by his advances on the person, +having just mounted these helps occasionally, as she said, when +mending a pen or sewing fine work, she cared not to show that they +were in use at other seasons more germane to their purpose. + +"I would have a word in private with the mayor." + +"Mr Mayor has no words in private that come not through his lady's +ear. Once more, your business?" + +"I must see him, and alone," said the intruder. + +"_Must_ see him?" replied the female diplomatist; "I tell you that you +shall not see him before I am acquainted with the cause. I hear your +master on the floor above," said she to a servant who had just +entered; "tell him he need not hurry down; breakfast is not yet +ready." + +The servant retired as he was bid; but, having heard more of the +foregoing colloquy than his mistress intended, the message, as +delivered to his worship, was of an opposite tenor from what he had +been charged with. The stranger continued firm in his determination +not to divulge his errand; and the anxiety of the ruling power to +ascertain his motive would not suffer her to dismiss him. + +Great was the disappointment and dark the storm on the lady's brow, +when, beslippered and begowned, came in hastily the chief magistrate +of this ancient borough. + +"A word in your worship's ear," said the stranger; "my time is short +and the affair is urgent." + +"Speak out; my wife shares the burdens of this office, and, +indeed"---- + +"But, sir, I crave an audience in private. Should you not grant my +request, there be other ears shall have the benefit of what is meant +for your own." + +The magistrate quailed before the terrors of his wife's frown; but +however dangerous the duty--and it was fraught with no ordinary +peril--still, in his official capacity, he could not refuse to grant +the stranger a private interview. + +The mayor was a round, full-eyed personage, whose cheek and nose +displayed the result of many a libation to the jolly god. +Short-legged, short-breathed, and full-paunched, he strode, quick and +laborious, like a big-bellied cask set in motion, as if glad to +escape, into a small back chamber, furnished with two stools, a desk, +and sundry big books--implements in use only as touching his private +affairs. + +"Now, sir," said his majesty's vicegerent, puffing from unwonted +exertion, "it is my lot to fill the civic chair in these troublous +times; and truly my portion is not in pleasant places; but I am loyal, +sir, loyal. The king has knighted many a servant less worthy than +myself; and, but that Mrs Mayor is looking forward to the title, there +would be little good-will to the office from 'my lady' that is to be. +Now, sir." + +The garrulous and ambitious minister of justice here paused, more for +lack of breath than words or will to utter them; and the stranger, who +had hitherto kept his hat just below his chin, waiting for a pause in +this monologue, replied-- + +"My message respects your prisoner." + +"Well, sir, go on. Proceed, sir, I say. What! can't you speak? Why +stand there as if stricken dumb in our presence?" + +The stranger did proceed the moment that an interval was granted. + +"I am brief, your worship." + +"Brief--brief--so am I; and my lady--that is, Mrs Mayor--though she +likes that I should, in some sort, furnish my tongue to an +acquaintance with the speech, so that I often speak of and to her as +such, you observe, that when it may seem good unto his Majesty's +pleasure, knighting my poor honesty"--here he made a slight +obeisance--"the words may fall trippingly off the tongue, as though we +were used to the title, and wore our honours like they who be born to +them, sir. Proceed, sir. Why stand dilly-dallying here? Am I to wait +your pleasure?" + +"Mine errand is simply this:--A plot is laid for the escape of your +prisoner on his way to London; so that, unless means be taken to +hinder it, he will be liberated." + +"Escape!--what?--where? We will raise the soldiery. How say you? I +will tell my lady instantly. Escape! If he escape I am undone. My +knighthood--my knighthood, sir, is lost for ever; and my lady--she +will ne'er look kindly on me again." + +Here the little man arose, and, in great agitation, would have sought +counsel from his wife, but the stranger prevented him. + +"This must not be; 'tis for your ear alone. Stay!" + +His worship was too much alarmed to resist; and the other led him +gently from the door. + +"If you will be guided by me you may prevent this untoward event. Let +him be conveyed with all speed aboard the king's ship that is in the +Irish Channel yonder; so shall you quit your hands of him, and +frustrate the plans of his confederates. This must be done secretly, +or his friends may get knowledge of the matter, who have had a ship +long waiting for him privily on the coast to convey him forthwith to +Scotland." + +"I will about it directly. Dear me, I have left my glasses. The +town-clerk must be apprised. The jailer--ay, good--thinkest thou he +had not best be committed to jail?" + +"Peradventure it will be prudent to do this. I will bear your orders +to the town-clerk for his removal." + +"What, immediately?" + +"When your worship thinks best; but I would recommend despatch." + +"I will about it instantly. There--there--take this. I shall be at the +clerk's office myself shortly. Tell Mr Clerk to be discreet until I +come." + +The little twinkling eyes of the functionary were overflowing at the +good fortune which revealed to him alone this vile Popish treason. +Thus happily frustrated by himself, it would doubtless be the means +of raising him from plebeian ranks to the honours of knighthood, +perhaps further. His head grew dizzy at the prospect. He shook the +stranger by the hand, who bowed and withdrew. + +Soon a little antiquated clerk, with green spectacles mounted in huge +black rims, and a skin like unto shrivelled parchment, was seen +accompanying the stranger to the inn. + +The bolts opened to this demi-official, and they were at once ushered +into the prisoner's chamber. He had already arisen, and was pacing the +apartment in great haste. + +"We come, sir," said the clerk, "to announce your removal; but first +we search for plots. This rebel's disguise--where, sayest thou, is it +concealed?" + +"Upon his person," said the stranger. + +"Pray doff that noble suit, sir," said the jocose purveyor of justice. + +The prisoner, with an angry scowl, in which both grief and +astonishment were mingled, silently obeyed the mandate; and displayed, +underneath these coarse habiliments, a complete suit of female +apparel--the very clothes worn by Katherine Grimes at the time of her +disappearance. + +"A well-contrived disguise, sir, truly. I wot you can suddenly change +your gender at a pinch," said the clerk, chuckling at his own +impertinence. But the prisoner, no longer dumb, as aforetime at the +farm, answered, in a voice that awed even this presuming minion, with +all the attributes of both law and power at his grasp. + +"Why call you me sir, Sir Knave? I own no nicknames, and I answer to +none. My title is Derwentwater." + +"The titular earl, truly; but now Charles Ratcliffe, since your +brother was"---- + +"Hanged, thou wouldst say," said the unfortunate and attainted peer, +interrupting him; "it was his lot, as I pray thine may be, when the +king shall have his own again. Silence!" continued he, in a commanding +tone, as one accustomed to be obeyed. "I own it was my purpose to +escape; but there is treachery in the camp--treachery in our own +bosom--treachery"--here he cast a keen glance at the stranger--"ay, +where our best feelings were cherished. I have leaned on a spear, and +it hath pierced me! deeper than I thought--in this hard and seared +heart." + +A strong and painful emotion came over his dark features; he clenched +his hands; but the stranger betrayed no symptoms of compunction. + +"Now, sir, I am ready," said the earl; "make my fetters tight; or +perhaps I may be spared that indignity." + +But the proud Earl of Derwentwater would not stoop to propitiate. + +"Nay, bind them, and I will be prouder of their insignia than of all +the honours, all the trappings, that George Guelph can bestow." + +"We have orders merely for your safe keeping in the jail," said the +clerk; "to which the proper officers will see you conveyed." + +He was accordingly removed to the town jail, then situated to the west +of Friargate. This building had been formerly a Franciscan convent of +Grey Friars, or Friars Minor, built by Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, son +of Henry III., in 1221, to which Robert de Holland, who impeached +Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, for high treason, contributed largely, and +was buried there. In its original state it was a small collegiate +building, with a chapel attached to its quadrangular cloisters. By the +mutations of time, it became the residence of the Breares of +Hammerton, in Bowland; next a house of correction, until the prison at +the bottom of Church Street was erected in 1790. + +The clerk, being more particular in his inquiries than his worship, +addressed the stranger as follows when their mission was ended:-- + +"Thou hast given good evidence of this plot, and too full of +circumstance and confirmation to be disbelieved. The name is Oswald +thou sayest, and one of the party who have plotted for his rescue?" + +"I have told thee of this before," replied the stranger, sullenly. + +"What should prompt thee to betray him?" + +"The same that prompts thee to minister to the hangman's trade--gold!" + +"Humph!" replied the other drily, wiping his spectacles; "and what +will satisfy your craving?" + +"Why, thinkest thou that I deserve not a reward for my loyalty and +readiness to reveal this plot? I will to London with the prisoner; the +king will not fail to grant me great largess for what this proud +lack-land calls my treachery." + +"Why an it be a noose mayhap: for my part," continued the greedy and +disappointed man of law, "I have touched never a doit of the bounty, +though I have got many a sound rating, and am harder worked than a +galley-slave, without even so much as a 'thank ye' for my pains. The +mayor himself, who dreams he shall be knighted, may whistle a duet +with 'my lady' as he calls her, as long as a county precept, or ere +his title be forthcoming, though it be only a puff of empty breath. +There's no luck in being loyal; neither honour nor honesty thrive +therein. But 'tis the spoke that's uppermost; and so are we." + +"Thinkest thou that I may get no share of the reward for his +apprehension?" inquired the avaricious betrayer. + +"Yes; Judas's reward, maybe, who sold his Master," said the +indomitable clerk, much diverted by his own talents for tormenting. +"Hold--I bethink me thou mayest claim the earl's linsey-woolsey gown +and petticoats." + +A loud laugh proclaimed that he had fully appreciated his own wit; +though the stranger made no comments thereon. + +"To-night, thou sayest, a boat will be in readiness, one hour before +midnight and by the mayor's orders?" + +"Yes; arrangements will be made, and soon after daylight we shall have +our prisoner safe aboard the king's cruiser," replied the stranger, +"for I know her bearing to a league." + +"Thou wilt with us then?" + +"Why, ay, if they will grant me a free passage. I would fain see him +safe at head-quarters." + +"I know not but thou art right; though, rest thee satisfied, he shall +be sufficiently guarded." + +The worthies here separated--one to his indictments and his desk, the +other to gloat on the mischief he had either committed or prevented. + +About an hour before midnight a heavy jarring sound announced to the +prisoner that the time was at hand for his departure. + +"Quick--quick, sir," said the jailer; "the mayor and his posse will +see you safe aboard." + +"The mayor! Wherefore comes he to swell the procession?" + +"A prisoner of your rank and influence must be well looked after, I +guess. The mayor will see you safely afloat, sir, and then he may go +home with a quiet heart. He has had sore misgivings on account of your +safety." + +The earl accompanied his keeper; a close carriage was at the gate, +well guarded. Mr Mayor and his green-eyed clerk took their seats with +the prisoner: and the heavy vehicle rumbled dismally through the now +deserted streets, wakening many a drowsy burgher as it passed. + +They gained the low landing-place without interruption, having taken +the precaution to chain the legs and wrists of their prisoner to +prevent escape. The mayor and his shadow, the gossiping clerk, stepped +out first, the carriage being well guarded on each side. Conducted +along a jet or wooden pier, they saw a fishing-boat lying beneath. The +waves flapped heavily on her sides, beating to and fro against the +pier. Four rowers were leaning silently on their oars, awaiting the +arrival of their cargo; their dark, low-crowned hats heaving above the +dim light which yet lay upon the water. + +The wind howled in the rising sail, and the creaking cordage whistled +through the block. The sail was hoisted. The wind was fresh, and the +rowers raised their oars. The earl was lifted into the boat by two of +the attendants. The jailer next stepped in; three other myrmidons of +justice followed. + +"You know the offing well, my lads, I guess?" said the jailer. + +"Ay, ay, sir," replied several voices. + +"Where is the king's cutter?" said he, addressing the stranger, who +was already in the boat. + +"Lying to, between us and the Peel of Fouldrey," replied he. + +"This is a strange boat I think," said the inquisitive jailer. + +"We came with fish to market from Church Town," was the reply. + +"One of your own men engaged her," said the stranger; "and these have +grumbled long and hard enough, that they should have the ill-luck to +be pressed into this disagreeable service." + +"I would you had laid your paws on some other boat. We shall ha' na' +luck after this," said the elder of the seamen. "You may hire another +now, and welcome." + +But there were none at hand. The jailer, with a hearty curse at his +insolence, bade him be silent and push off. + +"Hast thou gotten the memorial touching my poor services to the king?" +inquired the trenchant mayor. + +"Have ye gotten the warrant safe, and the prisoner in close custody?" +inquired the clerk. + +But the boat pushed from shore, and the answer was scarce heard, +mingling with the rush of the waves and the hollow wind, while the +trampling of horses and the rumbling of the coach announced the +departure of Preston's high and illustrious ruler and his learned +clerk: one to dream of swords, knights, and drawing-rooms; the other +to soar through those mystic regions, sublime and +incomprehensible--the awful, inscrutable forms, fictions, and +subtleties of law. + +The boat soon gained the mid-channel. The wind was favourable, and the +tide, beginning to return, swept them rapidly down the river. The +stranger, at whose instigation this plan had been adopted, lay in the +little cabin, or rather coop, wrapped in a fisherman's coat, +apparently asleep. Derwentwater sought not repose; he sat, moody and +silent, in a deep reverie, unconscious or insensible to all but his +own dark and untoward fate. + +The loud dash and furrowing of the wave, the roar of the wind, and the +cry of the boatman as he gave the soundings, were often the only +audible sounds. No one was inclined to converse, and the roll and +pitching of the boat when they approached the river's mouth made the +jailer and his friends still less willing to disturb their comrades. + +After nearly four hours the lights of the little fishing hamlet of +Lytham were passed, and they were fast entering upon the open sea. The +stranger came out of the cabin, stationing himself by the steersman. +They were evidently on the look-out for signals. It was not yet +daybreak, and the wind was from the north, a bitter and a biting air, +that made the jailer's teeth to chatter as he raised himself up to +examine their course and situation as well as the darkness would +permit. + +"How long run we on through these great blubbering waves ere we end +our voyage? This night wind is worse than a Robin Hood's thaw." + +"We will hoist signals shortly," was the reply; "if the ship is within +sight, she will answer and bring to." + +"Have ye any prog[iv] aboard?" inquired the officer. + +A bottle was handed to him. He drank eagerly of the liquor, and gave +the remainder to his assistants. + +"I wish with all my heart," said he, "the prisoner were safe out of my +custody, and I on my way back. I had as lief trot a hundred miles on +land bare-back as sit in this confounded swing for a minute. How my +head reels!" + +He leaned against one of the benches, to all appearance squeamish and +indisposed. + +A faint light now flickered on the horizon and disappeared. Again. It +seemed to rise above the deep. They were evidently approaching towards +it, and the stranger spoke something in a low tone to the steersman. + +"Yonder it be, I reckon," said the jailer, lifting up his head on +hearing an unusual bustle amongst the crew. "I am fain to see it, for +I am waundy qualmish dancing to this up-an'-down tune, wi' nought but +the wind for my fiddle." + +"And who pays the piper?" asked a wavering voice from below. + +"Thee Simon Catterall, bumbailiff, catchpole, thieftaker, and"---- + +Here a sudden lurch threw the jailer on his beam-ends. A pause was the +result, which this worthy official was not inclined to interrupt. + +A light hitherto concealed, was now hoisted up to the masthead. This +was apparently answered by another signal at no great distance. + +"Friends!" said the stranger; "and now hold on to your course." + +They had passed the banks and were some leagues from shore. Morning +was feebly dawning behind them, when the dark hull of a ship, rapidly +enlarging, seemed to rise out, broad and distinct, from the thin mist +towards the west. The loud and incessant moan of the waves, the dash +and recoil of their huge tops breaking against the sides of the +vessel, with voices from on board, were distinctly heard, and +immediately the boat was alongside. + +The transfer of their cargo was a work of more difficulty, partly +owing to the clumsiness and unseamanlike proceedings of the men who +had charge of the prisoner, and partly owing to the light being yet +too feeble for objects to be distinctly seen. A considerable interval +in consequence elapsed ere the jailer, his assistants, and their +charge were hoisted on the deck, not of a trim, gallant war-ship, well +garrisoned and appointed, but of a lubberly trading vessel, redolent +of tar, grease, and fish-odours, bound for merry Scotland. + +"Yoh-o-ih! There--helm down--back maintopsail. So, masters, we had +nigh slipped hawser and away. Why, here have we been beating about and +about for three long nights; by day we durst not be seen in-shore. Yon +cruiser overhauls everything from a crab to a crab-louse. What! got +part of your company in the gyves! Where is the earl?" + +"Here!" said the prisoner, coolly. + +"Hold, captain," cried the wondering jailer, "the vessel goes not on +her voyage until I and two of my friends here depart with the boat; we +go not farther with our prisoner. The remaining two will suffice to +see him delivered up at head-quarters. Yet, this cannot be." Here the +bewildered officer looked round. "I have a warrant to commit this +rebel unto the safe keeping of--ay, the captain of his majesty's +cutter, the _Dart_. But this," surveying the deck with a suspicious +glance, "is as frowsy and fusty a piece of ship-timber as ever stowed +coals and cods' tails between her hatches. I pray we be not nabbed!" +said he in a supplicating tone to his head craftsman. + +The prisoner himself seemed as much surprised as any of the group; but +the stranger, now addressing him, unravelled the mystery. + +"My lord; I am no traitor; though until now labouring under that +imputation; but you are amongst friends. Thanks to a woman's wits, we +are, despite guards, bolts, and fetters, aboard the vessel which was +waiting for us when you were surprised and seized, unfortunately, as +we were trying our escape towards the coast. With the aid of my +parent, I have been at last successful. You are now free!" It was +Katherine who said this. + +She changed her hitherto muffled voice as she continued:--"Captain, we +have nabbed as cunning a jailer as ever took rogue to board in a stone +crib. We will trouble thee to use thy craft; undo these fetters, +prithee. He must with you, captain, till you can safely leave him and +his companions ashore; but use him well for his vocation's sake. My +lord, through weal and woe I have been your counsellor--your friend; +but we must now part--'tis fitting we should. While you were in +jeopardy, that alone could excuse my flight. Should better times +come!"----Her voice faltered; she could not proceed; and old Grimes +drew his hat over his face. + +"Father," said Katherine, "you will take me to our home again. I will +be all to you once more; and to my mother, now that _he_ is safe." + +One kiss from the gallant earl, and the high-minded, though low-born, +maiden stepped into the boat. One wave of the hand, when the morning +mist interposed its white veil, and parted them for ever;--yet not +before old Grimes, taking a last survey of the vessel, was quite sure +he saw the magician of the casket looking at him over the ship's side. +In all probability his fancy had not deceived him; the affair of the +casket, though supposed by the fisherman to be altogether of a +supernatural nature, was, in all likelihood, a means of supplying the +earl with money and information to aid his escape. + +The subsequent history of this unfortunate but misguided chieftain, +whose daring and audacious bravery was worthy of a better cause and a +more disinterested master, is but too well known. + +The vessel, being ill equipped and hardly sea-worthy, was pursued--the +earl taken, and an ignominious death gave to the world assurance of a +traitor. + + +[Illustration: THE MAID'S STRATAGEM] + + + + +THE MAID'S STRATAGEM; + +OR, + +THE CAPTIVE LOVER. + + "Let me alone with him. If I do not gull him into a nayword, + and make him a common recreation, do not think I have wit + enough to lie straight in my bed." + + --_Twelfth Night._ + + The following tale is perhaps the most apocryphal in our + series. There has been considerable difficulty in fixing its + locality: and, indeed, we are hardly sure that the names, + dates, and places we have hit upon, will answer to the facts in + every particular. We have done our best to verify it, and have + succeeded, we trust, in the attempt, more to our reader's + satisfaction than our own. + + +"There be more fools than farthingales, and more braggarts than +beards, in this good land of ours. A bald-faced impertinent! it should +cost the grand inquisitor a month's hard study to invent a punishment +for him. This pretty morsel! Hark thee, wench; I'll render his +love-billet to thine ear. Listen and be discreet. + + "'If my sighs could waft the soft cargo of their love to thy + bosom, I would freight the vessel with my tears, and her sails + should be zephyr's wings, and her oars love's fiercest darts. + If I could tell but the lightest part of mine agony, your heart, + though it were adamant, would melt in the furnace of my speech, + and your torture should not abate till one kind glance had + irradiated the bosom of your most unhappy, and most wretched of + lovers, + + ANTONIO.' + +"Now for the _post scriptum_. If thy sighs be as long as thine +ears,----help the furnace they are blown through. Again. + + "'If one ray of compassion lurks in your bosom, lady, let those + radiant fingers illuminate your pen, touching one little word + by way of answer to this love-billet, though it were but as a + rope thrown out in this overwhelming ocean of love to keep from + sinking your unhappy slave. These from my dwelling at ----.' + +"O' my troth, answer thou shalt have, and that quickly, on thy fool's +pate. Dost think, Marian, it were not a deed worth trying, to quell +this noisome brute with a tough cudgel?" + +"It were too good for him," replied the maid; "but if you will trust +the rather to my conceits, lady, we will make this buzzard spin. He +shall dance so rare a coarnto[v] for our pastime; beshrew me, but I would +not miss the sport for my best holiday favours." + +But we leave the beauteous Kate and her mischief-loving maiden, to +plot and machinate against the unsuspecting lover. It behoveth us, +moreover, to be absent for a somewhat grave and weighty reason, to +wit, that when women are a-plotting, another and a more renowned +personage--the _beau ideal_ of whose dress and personal appearance, +according to the testimony of a reverend divine, consists of a black +coat and blue breeches--generally contrives to be present, as was by +that learned dignitary umquhile set forth in a well-known ditty, of +which the veracity is only equalled by the elegance and propriety of +the subject, and the classical dignity of its composition. + +Leaving them, though in somewhat dangerous company, we just glance at +the lover, whose epistle to the proud maiden proved so galling to her +humours. + +Master Anthony Hardcastle was the only son of a substantial yeoman of +good repute long resident in ----. Dying he left him, when scarcely at +man's estate, the benefit of a good name, besides a rich store of +substance, in the shape of broad pieces, together with lands and +livings. The sudden acquisition of so much loose wealth to one whose +utmost limit of spending money aforetime had been a penny at Easter +and a groat at Michaelmas, did seem like the first breaking forth of +a mighty torrent, pent up for past ages, forming its own wild and +wilful channel, in despite of all bounds and impediments. His +education had been none of the most liberal or extensive; and, +astonished at his own aggrandisement, he found himself at once +elevated into an object of importance ere he could estimate his own +relative insignificance in the great world around him. Thus he became +an easy prey to the hordes of idlers and braggarts with whom he +associated. He had been to town, kept company with some of the leading +cut-and-thrust bullies of the day; but Nature had denied him the +headstrong boldness, the desperate recklessness of disposition, +requisite for this amiable occupation. His infirmity had consequently +often led him to play the coward. At the same time it probably was the +means of restraining him from many of those evils into which his +lavish and simple disposition might have been enticed, and he was now +settling down quietly in the character of a good-natured, +well-furnished simpleton. Fond of dress and a gaudy outside, he aimed +at ladies' hearts through the medium of silken cloaks and ponderous +shoe-buckles;--designing to conquer not a few of the fair dames with +whom he associated. But, alas! the perversity of woman had hitherto +rendered his efforts unavailing; still an overweening opinion of his +own pretensions to their favour prevented him from giving up the +pursuit, every succeeding mishap in no wise hindering him from +following the allurements of the next fair object that fluttered +across his path. He had heard of the wit and beauty of Kate Anderton, +only daughter to Justice Anderton of Lostock Hall, a bluff and honest +squire who spent his mornings in the chase and his evenings in the +revel incident thereto; a man well looked upon by his less +distinguished neighbours, being of a benevolent disposition, and much +given to hospitality. Kate's disposition was fiery and impetuous, but +tempered withal so pleasantly by the sweetness of a naturally tender +and affectionate spirit, that you loved her the better for these sharp +and wayward ingredients, which prevented that sweetness from cloying. + +Master Anthony, hearing of this goodly maiden, found himself, after +secretly beholding her, moved to the exploit of winning and wearing in +his bosom so precious a gem, which many a high-flown gallant had +essayed to appropriate. He began the siege by consulting the most +approved oracles and authorities of the time for the construction of +love-billets. The cut and fashion of the paper, too, were matters of +deep and anxious consideration. Folded and perfumed, the missile was +despatched, and the result was such as we have just seen. + +Upon this memorable day, it then drawing on towards eventide, Anthony, +full of solicitude and musing on the fate of his billet, was spreading +himself out, like a newly-feathered peacock, in the trim garden behind +his dwelling. A richly-embroidered Genoa silk waistcoat and +amber-coloured velvet coat glittered in the declining sun, like the +church weathercock perched just above him at a short distance from the +house. + +The mansion of Squire Anderton lay a few miles off; yet there had been +sufficient time for the return of his trusty valet, who was the bearer +of this love-billet. Several times had he paced the long straight +gravel walk stretching from the terrace to the Chinese temple, and as +often had he mounted the terrace itself to look out for the well-known +figure of Hodge, ere the hind was descried through a cloud of hot +dust, urging on his steed to the extremity of a short but laborious +trot. Needless were it to dwell upon the anxiety and foreboding with +which he awaited the nearer approach of this leaden-heeled Mercury. To +lovers the detail would be unnecessary, and to others description +would fail to convey our meaning. + +"I ha't, measter." + +"What hast thou brought, Hodge?" + +"A letter." + +"Quick--quick, fellow. Canst not give it me?" + +"Ay, i' fackens; but where is it?" + +Great was the consternation depicted in the flat and vapid face of the +boor as he fumbled in his pocket, turned out the lining, and groped +down incontinently "five fathom deep," into his nether appendages; but +still no letter was forthcoming. + +"She gi'ed me one, though; an' where it is----I'se sure it waur here, +an'----Bodikins if those de'ilments hanna twitched it out o' +my----Thoose gigglin' wenches i' th' buttery took it when I waur but +putting my nose to the mug the last time, for a lift i' the stirrup." + +Terrible was the wrath and disapprobation evinced by Master Anthony at +this disaster. He had nigh despoiled the curls of his new wig, which +were become twisted and awry with choler. + +Patiently to endure was the business of Hodge; and his master's fury +having "sweeled" down into the socket, a few hasty flashes just +glimmered out from the ignited mass, ere it was extinguished. + +"But thou hadst a letter--dolt--ass!" + +"Ay, master, as sure as I am virtuous and well-favoured." + +"Then is the lady kindly affected towards my suit? But oh, thou +gull--thou dunderpate--thou losel knave, to lose one line moved by her +sweet fingers. Get in; I'll not defile my rapier with beating of thee. +Thanks to the lady thou hast just left; her condescension so affecteth +my softer nature that I could not speak an angry word without weeping. +March, rascal, and come not into my presence until thou art bidden, +lest I make a thrust at thee with my weapon. O Katherine! my life--my +love,--'my polar star, my axle; where all desire, all thought, all +passions turn, and have their consequence!'" + +Anthony had picked up this scrap from the players, with whom he had +smoked, and committed the usual delinquencies, not peculiar to that +age of folly and licentiousness. + +"I'll go dream of thee where there be a bank of flowers. Here let me +lose myself in a delirium of sweets." + +Choosing a fair position, he squatted down upon a ripe strawberry bed, +and great was the dismay with which he beheld the entire ruin of his +best puce-coloured breeches. So sudden was the dissipation of his +complacency, that he determined to beat Hodge forthwith; to which +thrifty employment we commend him, whilst we address ourselves to the +further development of our story. + +Near to the lower extremity of the village dwelt a maiden whose bloom +had been wasted, and whose matchless hopes were always frustrated ere +their accomplishment. Many a simpering look had she cast towards the +goodly raiment of Master Anthony, and some incipient notion was +entertained that the indweller at the big house was not averse to a +peep, now and then, more tender than usual, at the window of Mrs +Bridget Allport. When a boy, Anthony had been a sort of spoiled pet of +the maiden, who was then opening into bloom, and the bud of promise +breaking forth in all its pride and loveliness. While Anthony's legs +were getting rounder, and his face and figure more plump and +capacious, the person of Mistress Bridget was, alas! proceeding, +unluckily, in a manner quite the reverse. Anthony's love had not +quickened into fruition with his growth: but the lady kept a quick +and wary eye upon his movements, and many a pang had his flattering +favours caused in her too susceptible heart. + +Distantly related to the family, she sometimes visited Lostock Hall; +and at the period when our narrative begins she was located therein. + +Kate had long been aware of her likings and mishaps, and was no +stranger to her predilection for Master Anthony Hardcastle. + +The first overt act of mischief resulting from the plots of Kate and +her maid was a smart tap at the door of Mistress Bridget, her +bed-chamber, where she was indulging in reverie and romance; but the +day being hot, she had fallen asleep, and was dreaming of "hearts, +darts, and love's fires." She started from this mockery of bliss at +the summons. + +"Prithee, Marian, what is it?" + +"A billet from--I don't care to tell who!" + +"A billet, sayest thou?--eh!--who can it be? What! It is--go away, my +good Marian; I cannot--oh! when will my poor heart----'_Waft a cargo +of love to thy bosom._' '_Melt in the furnace._' Dear, delightful +passion! How pure! Just like mine own, I declare. '_Harder than +adamant._' Nay, thou wrongest me. Prithee, Marian, who--where is he?" + +"A trusty messenger is below." She dropped a handsome curtsy. + +"Give me my tablets and my writing-stool. O Marian! little did I think +of this yesterday. When I was telling thee of--of--oh, I am +distraught!" + +She commenced a score of times ere something in the shape of a +communication could be despatched. + +"There--there; let it be conveyed quick. Nay, I will see him myself. +Lead me to him, girl. I will say how--and yet, this may look too bold +and unmaidenly. Take it, good girl, and say--what thou thinkest best." + +Lightly did the laughing maiden trip through the great hall into the +buttery, where Hodge was ambushed along with a huge pie, fast +lessening under his inspection. Her intention was not to have given +him the billet, but she was suddenly alarmed at the approach of +Mistress Bridget. Fearful lest the deception might be discovered, she +hastily gave Hodge the precious deposit, trusting to some favourable +opportunity when she might extract the letter from his pouch. An +occasion shortly occurred, and Hodge was despatched, as we have seen, +billetless, and unconscious of his loss. + +The lover was sore puzzled how to proceed. It was possible--nay, more +than probable--that the message might have appointed a meeting; or +twenty other matters, which he was utterly unable to conjecture, +woman's brain being so fertile in expedients; and if he obeyed not her +injunctions it might be construed amiss, and unavoidably prove +detrimental to his suit. Should he send back the messenger? She would +perhaps laugh at him for his pains; and he was too much afraid of her +caprice to peril his adventure on this issue. A happy thought crossed +his brain; he capered about his little chamber; and could hardly +govern himself as the brilliant conception blazed forth on his +imagination. This bright phantasy was to be embodied in the shape of a +serenade. It would be more in the romantic way of making love--would +stimulate her passions--powerfully enlist her feelings in his favour, +and doubtless bring on something like an appointment, or a permission, +at any rate, to use a freer intercourse. + +"To-morrow night," said he, rubbing his hands and stroking his soft +round chin, for be it understood, gentle reader, the youth was of a +tender and fair complexion, with little beard, save a slight blush on +his upper lip. He was not ill-favoured, but there was altogether +something boyish and effeminate throughout his appearance, which +seemed not of the hue to win a lady's love. He could twang the guitar, +and had at times made scraps of verse, which he trolled to many a +damsel's ear, but to little purpose hitherto. + +On the morrow he watched the sun creep lazily up the sky, and more +lazily down again. The old dial seemed equally dilatory and unwilling +to move. He had sorted out his best and most ardent love sonnet, and +strummed as many jangling tunes as would have served a company of +morris-dancers and pipers for a May festival. Twilight came on apace. +The moon was fast mounting to her zenith. No chance of its being dark; +so much the better--it would enable the lovers to distinguish each +other the more easily. + +Hodge had long been ready, and the steeds duly caparisoned. At length, +reckoning that his arrival would take place about the time the lady +had retired to her chamber, he set forth, accompanied by his trusty +esquire. The road lay for some distance over a long high tract of +moorland, while beautifully did the bright stars appear to shoot up +from the black, bleak, level horizon. The moon seemed to smile +suspiciously upon them, and even Hodge grew eloquent beneath her +glance. + +"It's brave riding to-night, master; one might see to pick up a tester +if 'twere but i' the way. Well, I does like moonlight, ever since +Margery came a-living at the parson's." + +"Peace, sirrah!" Anthony was conning inwardly, and humming the soft +ditty by which he proposed to excite his mistress' ear. "I think thou +art mine evil destiny, doomed everlastingly to be my plague and +annoyance." + +"Body o' me, but you're grown woundily humoursome of a sudden," +muttered the other at the lower end of his voice. "I waur but saying +as how Margery"---- + +Hodge here received another interruption. A stray ass, turned out to +browse on the common, seemingly actuated thereto by sympathy or +proximity of either man or beast, burst into one of those hysterical, +though exquisite cadences, which defy all imitation, and at the same +time produce an extraordinary and irresistible effect on the animal +economy. + +"That is all along of thy prating," said the meditative lover, when +the "_strain_" was concluded. "It bodes no good; and I'd as lief see a +magpie, and hear a screech-owl, as one of those silly beasts. The +salutation of an ass by night is ever held a sound of ill-omen; and +lo! there be two of ye, reckoning thine own ugly voice." + +"Then may two bode good, if one bode ill, as the maids say of the +magpies," replied the indefatigable attendant. + +"I'll cudgel thine infirmity out o' thee. Hold thy tongue! Hadst thou +not been left me by my father, a precious bequest, I had sent thee a +packing, long ere thou hadst worn a badge in my service." + +The rest of their journey was accomplished in comparative silence, +until a short ascent brought them to a steep ridge, down which the +road wound into the valley. It was a scene of rich and varied beauty, +now lighted by a bright summer moon. A narrow thread of light might be +seen twining through the ground below them, broken at short intervals, +then abruptly gliding into the mist which hung upon the horizon. +Lights were yet twinkling about, where toil or festivity held on +their career unmitigated. A mile or two beyond the hill they were now +preparing to descend lay a dark wood, extending to the shallow margin +of the adjacent brook. Above this rose the square low tower of Lostock +Hall; clusters of long chimneys, irregularly marked out in the broad +moonlight, showed one curl of smoke only, just perceptible above the +dark trees, intimating that some of the indwellers were yet awake. Ere +long a bypath brought them round to a fence of low brushwood, where a +little wicket communicated with the gardens and offices behind. + +"Here stay with the beasts until I return," said Anthony, deliberately +untying the cover wherein reposed his musical accompaniment. + +"And how long may we kick our heels and snuff the hungry wind for +supper, master?" + +"Until my business be accomplished," was the reply. + +Master Anthony commenced tuning, which aroused the inquiries of +several well-ordered and decently-disposed rooks who were not given to +disturb their neighbours at untimely hours, and were just at the +soundest part of their night's nap. + +"These villainous bipeds do fearfully exorbitate mine ear," said the +agonised musician. "'Tis not in the power of aught human to harmonise +the strings." + +The clamour increased with every effort, until the whole community +were in an uproar, driving the incensed wooer fairly off the field. +Trusting that he should be able to eke out the tune in spite of these +interruptions, he hastened immediately to his destination. He crossed +a narrow bridge and passed through a gap into the garden, taking his +station on one side of the house, where he commenced a low prelude by +way of ascertaining if the lady were within hearing, and likewise the +situation of her chamber. To his inexpressible delight a window, +nearly opposite the tree under which he stood, was gently opened, and +he could distinguish a figure in white moving gently behind the +drapery. He now determined to try the full power of his instrument, +and warbled, with no inconsiderable share of skill and pathos, the +following ditty:-- + + "Fair as the moonbeam, + Bright as the running stream, + Sparkling, yet cold; + In Love's tiny fingers + A shaft yet there lingers, + + "And he creeps to thy bosom, and smiles, lady. + Soon his soft wings will cherish + A flame round thine heart, + And ere it may perish + Thy peace shall depart. + + Oh listen, listen, lady gay; + Love doth not always sue; + The brightest flame will oft decay, + The fondest lover rue, lady! + The fondest lover rue, lady!" + +At the conclusion he saw a hand, presently an arm, stretched out +through the casement. Something fell from it, which glistened with a +snowy whiteness in the clear moonlight. He ran to seize the +treasure--a scrap of paper neatly folded--which, after a thankful and +comely obeisance towards the window, he deposited in his bosom. The +casement was suddenly closed. The lover, eager to read his billet, +made all imaginable haste to regain the road, where, mounting his +steed, he arrived in a brief space, almost breathless with +anticipation and impatience, at his own door. The contents of the +despatch were quickly revealed in manner following:-- + + "I know thine impatience; but faith must have its test. Send a + message to my father; win his consent to thy suit; but as thou + holdest my favour in thine esteem come not near the house + thyself ere one month have elapsed. Ask not why; 'tis + sufficient that I have willed it. Shouldst thou not obey, I + renounce thee for ever. + + "This shall be the test of thy fidelity. + + KATHERINE." + +He kissed the writing again and again; he skipped round the chamber +like unto one demented; and when the old housekeeper, who was in a +sore ill-temper at being deprived of her accustomed allowance of rest, +came in to know his intentions about supper, he bade her go dream of +love and give supper to the hogs. + +The morning found Anthony early at his studies. A letter, painfully +elaborated, was despatched in due form "To Master Roger Anderton, +these;" and the lover began to ruminate on his good fortune. The terms +were hard, to be sure, and the time was long; but women, and other +like superior intelligences, will not bear to be thwarted; at least, +so thought Master Anthony Hardcastle, as he threw his taper legs over +the opposite chair, screwing his forbearance to the test. + +The same day an answer was received, briefly as follows:-- + + "Though thy person and qualifications be unknown to me, yet + have I not been ignorant of the respect and esteem which thy + father enjoyed. Shouldst thou win my daughter's favour, thou + shall not lack my consent, if thou art as deserving as he whose + substance thou hast inherited." + +Leaving to Anthony the irksome task of minuting down the roll of time +for one unlucky month, turn we to another personage with whom it is +high time the reader should be acquainted. At Turton Tower, a few +miles distant, dwelt a cavalier of high birth, whose pedigree was +somewhat longer than his rent-roll. To this proud patrician Kate's +father had long borne a bitter grudge, arising out of some sporting +quarrel, and omitted no opportunity by which to manifest his +resentment. Dying recently, he had left an only son, then upon his +travels, heir to the inheritance and the feud with Anderton. + +Shortly after his return, Kate, being on a visit in the neighbourhood, +saw him; and as nothing is more likely to excite love than the +beholding of some forbidden object, unwittingly, in the first +instance, she began to sigh; and with each sigh came such a warm gush +of feeling from the heart as did not fail to create a crowd of +sensations altogether new and unaccountable. On his part the feeling +was not less ardent, though less inexplicable, at least to himself, +and a few more glances fixed them desperately and unalterably in love. +Hopeless though it might be, yet did the lovers find a sad and +mournful solace in their regrets, the only sentiment they could +indulge. They had met, and in vows of secrecy had often pledged +unintermitting attachment. + +Love at times had prompted some stratagem to accomplish their union, +for which the capricious and unforgiving disposition of the old +gentleman seemed to afford a fair excuse. It is a most ingenious and +subtle equivocator that same idle boy, and hath ever at hand +palliatives, and even justifications, in respect to all crimes done +and committed for the aiding and comforting of his sworn lieges. And +thus it fell out, Kate's wits were now at work to make Anthony's suit +in some way or another subservient to this object. Once committed to a +purpose of such duplicity, no wonder that contrivances and plots not +altogether justifiable should ensue; and Kate's natural archness and +vivacity, coupled with the mischievous temper of her maid, gave their +proceedings a more ludicrous character than the dignity of the passion +would otherwise have allowed. + +The month was nigh spent when Hodge one morning entered the chamber of +his master, who sat there dribbling away the time over a treatise on +archery. + +"How now, sirrah?" + +"Please ye, master, Mistress Kate is to be wed on the feast of St +Crispin; an' I'm a-thinking I've no body-gear fitting for my +occupation." + +"Married, sayest thou?--to whom?" + +"Nay, master, an' ye know not, more's the pity if it be not to your +honour." + +"To me, sayest thou?" + +"They ha' so settled it, belike; and I thought, if it would please ye, +to order me new boots and a coat for the wedding." + +"Peace!--where gattest thou the news?" + +"At the smithy. I was but just getting the mare shoed, and a tooth +hammered into the garden rake." + +"It is wondrous strange!" replied Anthony, musing; "but women are of a +subtle and unsearchable temper. She did appoint me a month's +abstinence. Sure enough, the feast thou hast named happeneth on the +very day of my release. She hath devised this plot for my surprise! +Excellent!--and so the rumour hath gotten abroad? Now, o' my troth, +but I like her the better for't. Go to; a new suit, with yellow +trimmings, and hose of the like colour, shall be thine: thou shalt be +chief servitor, too, at my wedding." + +Anthony seemed raving wild with delight. He resolved that the jade +should know of his intelligence, and he would attack the citadel by a +counterplot of a most rare and excellent device. To this end he +resolved on going to the hall the night preceding his appointment; in +the meantime diligently maturing his scheme for the surprise and +delight of the cunning maiden. + +With the evening of an unusually long and tedious day, whose minutes +had been spun to hours, and these hours into ages, did Master Anthony +Hardcastle, accompanied by his servant, set forth on this perilous +exploit. Upon a rich and comely suit, consisting of a light blue +embroidered vest, and a rich coat of peach-coloured velvet, with +bag-wig and ruffles, was thrown a dark cloak, partly intended as a +disguise, and partly to screen his gay habiliments from dust and +pollution. + +They passed slowly on for an hour or two, dropping down to the little +wicket as aforetime, above which the crows were again ready with the +usual inquiries. The squires being left with the steeds, Master +Anthony once more scrambled over the garden hedge, and sustained his +person in a becoming attitude against the pear-tree whence he had so +successfully attacked and carried the citadel on his former visit. He +now beheld, with wonder, lights dancing about in the house, frisking +and frolicking through the long casements like so many +jack-o'-lanterns. Indeed, the greater part of the mansion seemed all +a-blaze, and of an appalling and suspicious brightness. Sounds, +moreover, of mirth and revelry approached his ear. He would instantly +have proceeded to ascertain the cause of this inauspicious +merry-making had not Kate's injunction kept him aloof. The noise of +minstrelsy was now heard--symptoms of the marriage-feast and the +banquet. More than once he suspected some witchery, some delusion of +the enemy to beguile him by enchantments. However, he resolved to be +quiet; and, for the purpose of a more extended vision, he climbed, or +rather stepped into, the low huge fork of the tree. From this tower of +observation he kept a wary eye, more particularly towards the window +whence the billet was thrown, expecting to behold some token of his +mistress's presence. But this chamber seemed to be the dullest and +darkest in the whole house; not a ray was visible. It seemed shut out, +impervious to the gladness which irradiated the bosom of its +neighbours. + +A white cur now came snarling about the bushes; then, cautiously +smelling his way to the tree, suddenly set up a yell so deafening and +continuous that he roused some of the revellers within. Two men +staggered from the house, evidently a little the worse in their +articulation by reason of the potations they had taken. + +"Quiet, Vick! Hang thy neck, what's a matter? Eh! the pear-tree? It's +the thief again--and before the fruit's ripe. Bodikins! but we'll +catch thee now, 'r lady. We'll have a thong out of his hide; split me, +if we ha'n't!" + +The men approached as cautiously as their condition would permit; +while Anthony, overhearing the latter part of their dialogue, sat +somewhat insecurely on his perch. + +"Dan, get th' big cudgel out o' t' barn. I see a some'at black like, +an' fearsome, i' th' tree." + +Probably they had imbibed courage with their liquor, otherwise the +black "somewhat" in the tree might have indisposed them for this +daring attack. + +"I'll have a blow at it, be't mon or devil, hang me." + +Anthony pulled his cloak tightly about him; and while the weapon was +providing he entertained serious thoughts of surrendering at +discretion; but the effect which this premature disclosure might have +on his mistress's determination towards him retarded the discovery; +and he was not without hope of eluding the drunken valour of the +brutes. + +"Now gie't me, Dan--Tol de rol-- + + 'An' back and sides go bare, go bare.'" + +Approaching to the attack, Barnaby brandished his cudgel to the time +and tune of this celebrated alehouse ditty. The concluding flourish +brought the weapon waving within a very concise distance of the goodly +person of Master Anthony Hardcastle. + +"Murder!--Villains!" cried the terrified lover, unable to endure the +menacing aspect of this fearful invader; "I'm Master Anthony, ye sots, +ye unthrifts--your master, is to be; and I--I'll have ye i' the stocks +for this." + +"Bodikins and blunderkins? hear'st him, Dan? Why, thou lying +lackpenny, I'll soon whack the corruption out o' thee. Master Anthony, +indeed! he be another guess sort of thing to thee, I trow. Thee be'st +hankering after the good things hereabout; but I'll spoil thy +liquorish tooth for tasting. Come, unkennel, vermin!" + +"I am Master Anthony, friend, as safe as my mother bore me. If thou +lackest knowledge, go ask Hodge with the horses at the back gate." + +"Then what be'st thou for i' the pear-tree? Na, na; Master Anthony is +gone home a great whiles back. He's to marry young mistress i' the +morn, an' we're getting drunk by participation. There's for thee! I +talks like ou'd Daniel the schoolmaster." + +Sorely discomposed with the infliction of this vile contumely, Anthony +was forced to descend. Nothing, however, would convince the clowns of +their mistake. He showed them his glossy raiment; but their intellects +were too confused for so nice a discrimination; they consequently +resolved to hold him in durance until the morrow, when their master +would bring him to account for this invasion of his territory. But who +shall depict the horror and consternation of the unhappy lover, on +finding them seriously bent on his incarceration in a filthy den, used +heretofore as a receptacle for scraps and lumber, near the stables. +Remonstrance, entreaty, threats, solicitations, were equally +unavailing. He demanded an audience with the justice. + +"Thee'll get it soon enough, I warrant thee. And thee may think well +o' the stocks; but th' pillory is no more than I'll be bound for. The +last we catched, Jem Sludge, we belaboured in such fashion as I verily +think he waur more like a midden' nor a man when he got his neck out +o' th' collar. Come along--it's not to th' gallows, this bout, my +pretty bird. Lend him a whack behind, Dan, if he do not mend his +pace." + +A rude blow was here administered to the unfortunate captive. He cried +out lustily for help; but the inquirers from the hall made merry at +his captivity, rejoicing that the thief was now safely in the trap. + +On the following morning, the eventful day of his daughter's bridal, +the justice rose earlier than he was wont. His features wore a tinge +of anxiety as he paced the room with sharp and irregular footsteps. +Suddenly he was disturbed by approaching voices, and a sort of +suppressed bustle along the passage. On opening the door he saw Daniel +and his doughty companion, Barnaby, whose red eyes and hollow cheeks +betokened their too familiar indulgence in past festivities. + +"We've catched him at last, master." + +"Who? What dost stand agape for?" + +"Why, a rogue 'at was robbing the gardens." + +"A murrain light on both of ye! I cannot be chaffed with such like +matters now." + +"But your worship," cautiously spake Dan, "he be the most comical +thing you ever clapped eyes on. He says he be Master Anthony, your +worship's new son that is to be to-day." + +"How sayest thou? I think thy wits are the worse for bibbing o' +yesternight." + +"Nay, your worship's grace, but we'll e'en fetch him. He's pranked out +gaily; and a gay bird he be for your honour's cage." + +Two or three domestics now entered, leading in their prisoner. His +woe-begone looks were angrily bent on his conductors. He shook off +their grasp, approaching the owner of the mansion where he had been so +evil-entreated. His hair, released from its bonds, dangled in +primaeval disorder above his shoulders. His goodly raiment, no longer +hidden, was rumpled and soiled, like the finery of a stage wardrobe. +Indeed, the Squire guessed he was one of the village players that had +been foraging for his supper after a scanty benefit. + +"How now, braggart? What evil occupation brings thee about my house? +What unlucky hankering, sirrah, brings thee, I say, a-robbing of my +grounds and poultry-yards? Methinks thou hast but a sorry employment +for thy gingerbread coat." + +"I came, sir, to wed your daughter," replied Anthony, simpering, and +with great modesty. + +"My daughter!" cried Anderton, in a voice of thunder; "and pray may I +inquire to whom I am beholden for this favour?" + +"To Master Anthony Hardcastle," said the lover, drawing himself up +proudly, and casting a glance of triumph and defiance at his +tormentors. + +"Whew!" cried the other; "why, Master Anthony is no more like thee, +thou tod-pate, than thou to St George or the dragon of Wantley. A rare +device, truly--a cunning plot--a stage-trick to set the mob agape! +Why, thou puny-legged Tamburlane!--thou ghost of an Alexander!--how +darest thou confront me thus? Now, i' lady, but I've a month's mind to +belabour the truth out o' thee with a weapon something tough and +crabbed i' the tasting." + +Anthony's face lengthened inordinately at this unexpected rebuke, and +a latent whimper quivered about the corners of his pale and pursy +mouth. Sobs and protestations were useless; there seemed a base +conspiracy to rob him even of his name and identity. He vowed, that +the period of his proscription being past, Kate was hourly expecting +him, and his appearance overnight was but to execute a little +stratagem for her surprise. This explanation but served to aggravate; +and in vain did he solicit an interview with the lady, promising to +abide by her decision. + +"Why, look thee," said the justice; "Anthony Hardcastle, whom thy +lying tongue and figure most woefully defame, hath been our guest +oftentimes during the past month, and truly his gallant bearing and +disposition have well won my consent. No marvel at my daughter's love! +But thou!--had she stooped from her high bearing to such carrion, I'd +have wrung your necks round with less compunction than those of two +base-bred kestrils." + +Anthony was dumb with astonishment. The whole transaction had the +aspect of some indistinct and troubled dream, or rather some delusion +of the arch-enemy to entangle and perplex him. At this moment tripped +in the pert maiden, whose share in the machinations we before +intimated. She looked on the bewildered lover with a sly and equivocal +glance. Craving permission to speak, she said-- + +"'Tis even so, your worship; this interloper is none other than the +very person he represents; and here come those who will give the +riddle its proper answer." + +Immediately came in the blushing Kate, led in by a tall and comely +gentleman, whom her father recognised as the real Anthony. + +"We come but to crave your blessing," said this personage, bending +gracefully on his knee, whilst Kate seized the hand of her parent. + +"Forgive this deceit:" she looked imploringly at the old man, who +seemed too astonished to reply: "it was but to win my father's +knowledge and esteem for the man to whom my vows are for ever +plighted." + +"Nay, start not," said the bridegroom; "I but borrowed this ill-used +gentleman's name, as I knew none other mode of access to your presence +than the disguise that his _suit_ afforded; and from him I now crave +forgiveness." + +"And I knew," said Kate, glancing round towards the real Anthony, +"that the man of my choice would be yours, could I but contrive you +should hold a fair judgment between them, as you now do this day." + +A reconciliation was the result; but ere a "little month was old" were +seen at the same altar, and with the same object, Master Anthony +Hardcastle and Mistress Bridget Allport. + + [17] _Vide_ Baines's _Lancashire_, vol. i. p. 78. + + [18] _Vide_ Baines's _Lancashire_, vol. ii. p. 504. + + +[Illustration THE SKULL HOUSE] + + + + +THE SKULL HOUSE. + + "That skull had a tongue in't that could sing once." + --_Hamlet._ + + Wardley Hall, in the manor of Worsley, is an ancient building + about seven miles west from Manchester. It was an old seat of + the Downes family, and afterwards of Lord Barrymore. A human + skull was formerly shown here, beside the staircase, which the + occupiers would not permit to be removed. This grim fixture, it + was said, being much averse to any change of place or position, + never failed to punish the individual severely who should dare + to lay hands on it. If removed or buried, it was sure to + return, so that in the end each succeeding tenant was fain to + endure its presence, rather than be subject to the terrors and + annoyances consequent upon its removal. Its place was a square + aperture in the wall; nor would it suffer this opening to be + glazed, or otherwise filled up, without creating some + disturbance. It seemed as if those rayless sockets loved to + look abroad, peradventure on the scenes of its former + enjoyments and reminiscences. It was almost bleached white by + exposure to the weather, and many curious persons have made a + pilgrimage there even in late years. Several young men from + Manchester once going on this errand, one of them, unobserved + of his fellows, thought he would ascertain the truth of the + stories he had heard. For this purpose he privately removed the + skull to another situation, and left it to find its way back + again. The night but one following, such a storm arose about + the house, that many trees were blown down, the roofs were + unthatched, and the tenants, finding out the cause, as they + supposed, replaced the skull, when these terrific disturbances + ceased. + + The occurrences detailed more fully in the following pages are + usually assigned as the origin of this strange superstition. + + +"I wonder what that hair-brained brother of mine can be doing. No +fresh brawl, I hope," said Maria Downes to her cousin Eleanor, as they +sat, mopish and disquieted enough, in a gloomy chamber of the old hall +at Worsley. + +"I hope not, too," replied Eleanor; and there was another long and +oppressive silence. + +It was in the dusk of a chill, damp November evening. The fire shot +forth a sharp uncertain glimmer, and the dim walls threw back the +illumination. + +"I know not why," said Maria, "but my spirits are very sad, and +everything I see looks mistrustful and foreboding!" + +So thought her cousin; but she did not speak. Her heart was too full, +and a tear started in her eye. + +"Would that Harry had eschewed the frivolities and dissipations of +yonder ungodly city; that he had stayed with us here, in safe and +happy seclusion. I have hardly known pleasure since he went." + +Eleanor's bosom again responded to the note of agony that was wrung +from her cousin, and she turned her head to hide what she had too +plainly betrayed. + +"Since that unhappy fray in which peradventure an innocent and +unoffending victim was the result of Harry's intemperance, the bloody +offence hath been upon my soul--heavier, I do fear, than upon his own. +But unless he repent, and turn aside from his sinful courses, there +will, there must, come a fearful recompense!" + +"Do not sentence him unheard," said Eleanor; but her words were +quivering and indistinct. "It was in his own defence, maybe, however +bitterly the tidings were dropped into your ear. Sure I am," said she, +more firmly, "that Harry was too kind, too gentle, to slay the +innocent, and in cold blood!" + +"Nay, Eleanor, excuse him not. It may be that the foul deed was done +through excess of wine, the fiery heat of debauch, and amid the +beastly orgies of intemperance; but is he the less criminal? I tell +thee nay; for he hath added crime to crime, and drawn down, perchance, +a double punishment. He is my brother, and thou knowest, if possible, +I would palliate his offence; but hath it not been told, and the very +air of yon polluted city was rife and reeking with the deed, that +Harry Downes, the best-beloved of his father, and the child of many +hopes, did wantonly, and unprovoked, rush forth hot and intemperate +from the stews. Drawing his sword, did he not swear--ay, by that +Heaven he insulted and defied, that he would kill the first man he +met, and--oh, horror!--was not that fearful oath fulfilled?" + +Eleanor had covered her face with her hands--a convulsive sob shook +her frame; but though her heart was on the rack, she uttered no +complaint. Maria, inflexible, and, as some might think, rigid, in +those principles of virtue wherein she had been educated, yet sorrowed +deeply for her cousin, who from a child had been her brother Harry's +playmate, and the proofs of mutual affection had been too powerful, +too early, and too long continued, to be ever effaced. Timid as the +frighted fawn, and tender as the wild flower that scarce bent beneath +her step, she lay, a bruised reed; the stem that supported her was +broken. Her fondest, her only hopes were withered, and the desolating +blast of disappointment had passed upon her earliest affections. Her +little bark, freighted with all a woman's care and tenderness, lay +shivered with the stroke, disabled and a wreck! + +Just as the short and murky twilight was expiring, and other lights +were substituted, there came a loud summons at the outer gate, where a +strong barrier was built across the moat. The females started, as +though rendered more than usually apprehensive that evil tidings were +at hand. But they were, in some measure, relieved on hearing that it +was only Jem Hazleden, the carrier from Manchester, who had brought a +wooden box on one of his pack-horses, which said box had come all the +way from London by "Antony's" waggon. Maria thought it might be some +package or present from her brother, who had been a year or two in +town, taking terms; but a considerable period had now passed since +tidings were sent from him. She looked wistfully at the box, a clumsy, +ill-favoured thing, without the least symptom of any pleasant +communication from such a source; so different from the trim packages +that were wont to arrive, containing, maybe, the newest London chintz, +or a piece of real brocade, or Flanders lace of the rarest +workmanship. + +"No good lurks in that ugly envelope," thought she; and, stooping +down, she examined the direction minutely. It was a quaint crabbed +hand--not her brother's, that was certain; and the discovery made her +more anxious and uneasy. She turned it over and over, but no clue +could be found, no index to the contents. It would have been easy, +methinks, to have satisfied herself on this head, but she really felt +almost afraid to open it, and yet----At any rate, she would put it off +till the morrow. She was so nervous and out of spirits that she +positively had not courage to open a dirty wooden box, tied round with +a bit of hempen cord, and fastened with a few rusty nails. She ordered +it to be removed to her bed-chamber, and morning, perchance, would +dissipate these idle but unpleasant feelings. She went to bed, but +could not sleep; the wind and rain beat so heavily against the +casement, and the recent excitement kept her restless and awake. She +tried various expedients to soothe and subdue her agitation, but +without effect. The rain had ceased to patter on the windows, but the +wind blew more fiercely and in more violent gusts than before. The sky +was clearing, and a huge Apennine of clouds was now visible as she +lay, on which the moonbeams were basking gloriously. Suddenly a ray +glided like a spirit into the chamber, and disappeared. Her eyes were +at that moment directed towards the mysterious box which lay opposite, +and her very hair moved with horror and consternation; for in that +brief interval of light she thought she saw the lid open, and a grisly +head glare out hideously from beneath. Every hair seemed to grow +sensitive, and every pore to be exquisitely endued with feeling. Her +heart throbbed violently, and her brain grew dizzy. Another moonbeam +irradiated the chamber. She was still gazing on the box; but whether +the foregoing impression was merely hallucinatory, an illusion of the +feverish and excited sense, she knew not, for the box was there, +undisturbed, grim, silent, and mysterious as before. Yet she could not +withdraw her eyes from it. There is a fascination in terror. She could +hardly resist a horrible desire, or rather impulse, to leap forth, and +hasten towards it. Her brow felt cold and clammy; her eyes grew dim, +and as though motes of fire were rushing by; but ere she could summon +help she fell back senseless on her pillow. + +Morning was far advanced ere she felt any returning recollection. At +first a confused and dream-like sensation came upon her. Looking +wildly round, her eyes rested on the box, and the whole interval came +suddenly to her memory. She shuddered at the retrospect; but she was +determined, whether it had been fancy or not, to keep the secret +within her own breast, though more undetermined than ever to break +open the fearful cause of her disturbance. Yet she durst not seek +repose another night with such a companion. Her apprehensions were not +easily allayed, however disposed she might be to treat them as trivial +and unfounded. + +"Will you not open yonder package that came last night?" inquired +Eleanor, as they were sitting down to breakfast. Maria shuddered, as +though something loathsome had crossed her. She shook off the reptile +thought, which had all the character of some crawling and offensive +thing as it passed her bosom. + +"I have not--that is, I--I have not yet ordered it to be undone." + +"And why?" said Eleanor, now raising her soft blue eyes with an +expression of wonder and curiosity on her cousin. "It did not use to +be thus when there came one of these couriers from town." + +"'Tis not from Harry Downes; and--I care not just now to have the +trouble on't, being jaded and out of spirits." + +"I will relieve you of the trouble presently, if you will permit me," +said Eleanor, who was not without a secret hope, notwithstanding +Maria's assertion, that it was a message of gladness from Harry, with +the customary present for his sister, and perhaps a token of kindness +for herself. + +"Stay!" said Maria, laying her hand on Eleanor as she rose, whilst +with a solemn and startling tone she cried, "Not yet!" She sat down; +Eleanor, pale and trembling, sat down too; but her cousin was silent, +evidently unwilling to resume the topic. + +"To-morrow," said she, when urged; but all further converse on the +subject was suspended. + +Maria, as the day closed and the evening drew on apace, gave orders +that the box should be removed into a vacant outbuilding until +morning, when, she said, it might be opened in her presence, as it +probably contained some articles that she expected, but of which she +was not just then in need. + +"It's an ugly cumbersome thing," said Dick, as he lugged the wearisome +box to its destination. "I wonder what for mistress dunna break it +open. Heigho!" + +Here he put down his burden, giving it a lusty kick for sheer +wantonness and malice. + +"What is't sent here for, think'st 'ou?" said Betty the housemaid, who +had followed Dick for a bit of gossip and a sort of incipient liking +which had not yet issued on his part into any overt acts of courtship +and declaration. It was nigh dark, "the light that lovers choose;" and +Betty, having disposed herself to the best advantage, awaited the +reply of Dick with becoming modesty. + +"How do I know the nature o' women's fancies? It would be far easier +to know why there's a change o' wind or weather than the meaning o' +their tricks and humours." + +"I know not what thee has to complain on," said Betty. "They behaven +better to thee nor thou deserves." + +"Hoity, toity, mistress; dunna be cross, wench. Come, gie's a buss an' +so"---- + +"Keep thy jobbernowl to thysel'," said the indignant Betty, when she +had made sure of this favour. "Thy great leather paws are liker for +Becky Pinnington's red neck nor mine," continued she, bridling up, and +giving vent to some long-suppressed jealousy. + +"Lorjus days; but thou's mighty quarrelsome and peevish; I ne'er +touch'd Becky's neck, nor nought belongin' to her." + +"Hush," said Betty, withdrawing herself from the approaches of her +admirer. "Some'at knocks!" + +Dick hastened to the door, supposing that somebody was dodging them. + +"'Tis somethin' i' that box!" said Betty; and they listened in the +last extremity of terror. Again there was a low dull knock, which +evidently came from the box, and the wooers were certain that the old +one was inside. In great alarm they rushed forth, and at the +kitchen-chimney corner Dick and his companion were seen with blanched +lips and staring eyes, almost speechless with affright. + +Next morning the story was bruited forth, with amendments and +additions, according to the fancy of the speaker, so that, in the end, +the first promulgers could hardly recognise their own. The +grim-looking despatch was now the object of such terror that scarcely +one of them durst go into the place where it stood. It was not long +ere Maria Downes became acquainted with the circumstance, and she +thought it was high time these imaginary terrors should be put an end +to. She felt ashamed that she had given way to her own apprehensions +on the subject, which doubtless were, in part, the occasion of the +reports she heard, by the seeming mystery that was observed in her +manner and conduct. She determined that the box should be opened +forthwith. It was daylight, be it remembered, when this resolution was +made, and consequently she felt sufficiently courageous to make the +attempt. + +But there was not one amongst the domestics who durst accompany her on +this bold errand--an attack, they conceived, on the very den of some +evil spirit, who would inevitably rush forth and destroy them. + +Alone, therefore, and armed with the necessary implements, was she +obliged to go forth to the adventure. + +The terrified menials saw her depart; and some felt certain she would +never come back alive; others did not feel satisfied as to their own +safety, should their mistress be the victim. All was terror and +distress; pale and anxious faces huddled together, and every eye +prying into his neighbour's for some ground of hope or confidence. +Some thought they heard the strokes--dull, heavy blows--breaking +through the awful stillness which they almost felt. These intimations +ceased: and a full half-hour had intervened; an age of suspended +horror, when--just as their apprehensions were on the point of leading +them on to some desperate measures for relieving the suspense which +was almost beyond endurance--to their great joy, their mistress +returned; who, though appearing much agitated, spoke to them rather +hastily, and with an attempt to smile at their alarm. + +"Yonder box," said she, passing by, "is like to shame your silly +fears. Some wag hath sent ye a truss of straw--for a scrubbing wisp, +maybe." But there was, in the hurried and unusual hilarity of her +speech, something so forced and out of character, that it did not +escape even the notice of her domestics. Some, however, went +immediately to the place, and after much hesitation lifted up the lid, +when lo! a bundle of straw was the reward of their curiosity. By +degrees they began to rummage farther into the contents; but the whole +interior was filled with this rare and curious commodity. They could +hardly believe their eyes; and Dick, especially, shook his head, and +looked as though he knew or suspected more than he durst tell; a +common expedient with those whose mountain hath brought forth +something very like the product of this gigantic mystery. + +Dick was the most dissatisfied with the result, feeling himself much +chagrined at so unlooked-for a termination to his wonderful story, and +he kept poking into and turning about the straw with great sullenness +and pertinacity. His labours were not altogether without success. + +"Look! here's other guess stuff than my lady's bed straw," said he, at +the same time holding up a lock of it for the inspection of his +companions. They looked and there was evidently a clot of blood! This +was a sufficient confirmation of their surmises; and Dick, though +alarmed as well as the rest, felt his sagacity and adroitness +wonderfully confirmed amongst his fellows. They retired, firmly +convinced that some horrible mystery was attached thereto, which all +their guessing could not find out. + +At night, as Dick was odding about, he felt fidgety and restless. He +peeped forth at times towards the outhouse where the box was lying, +and as he passed he could not refrain from casting a glance from the +corner of his eye through the half-closed door. The bloody clot he had +seen dwelt upon his imagination; it haunted him like a spectre. He +went to bed before the usual hour, but could not sleep; he tossed and +groaned, but the drowsy god would not be propitiated. The snoring of a +servant in the next bed, too, proved anything but anodyne or oblivion +to his cares. He could not sleep, do what he would. Having pinched his +unfortunate companion till he was tired, but with no other success +than a loud snort, and generally a louder snore than ever, in the end, +Dick, rendered desperate, jumped out of bed, and walked, or rather +staggered across the floor. He looked through the window. It was +light, but the sky was overcast, though objects below might readily be +distinguished. The outhouse where the box lay was in full view; and as +he was looking out listlessly for a few minutes he saw a female figure +bearing a light, who was gliding down stealthily, as he thought, in +the yard below. She entered the building, and Dick could hardly +breathe, he was so terrified. He watched until his eyes ached before +she came out again, when he saw plainly it was his mistress. She bore +something beneath her arm; and as Dick's curiosity was now +sufficiently roused to overcome all fear of consequences, he stole +quickly down-stairs, and by a short route got sufficiently on her +track to watch her proceedings unobserved. He followed into the +garden. She paused, for the first time, under a huge sycamore tree in +the fence, and laid down her burden. She drew something from beneath +her cloak, and, as he thought, began to dig. When this operation was +completed she hastily threw in the burden, and filled up the hole +again; after which, with a rapid step, she came back to the house. +Dick was completely bewildered. He hesitated whether or not to examine +immediately into the nature of the deposit which his mistress seemed +so desirous to conceal; but as he had no light, and his courage was +not then screwed up to the attempt, he satisfied himself at present +with observing the situation, intending to take some other opportunity +to explore this hidden treasure. That his mistress's visit had some +connection with the contents of the mysterious box was now certain, +and whatever she had concealed was part of its contents, a conclusion +equally inevitable; but that she should be so wishful to hide it, was +a problem not easy to be explained without examination. Was it money? +The clotted blood forbade this surmise. A horrible suspicion crossed +him; but it was too horrible for Dick to indulge. + +Wondering and guessing, he retraced his steps, and morning dawned on +his still sleepless eyelids. + +Some weeks passed by, but he found none other opportunity for +examination. Somebody or something was always in the way, and he +seemed destined to remain ignorant of all that he was so anxious to +ascertain. + +After the arrival of the box Maria Downes never mentioned her brother +unless he was alluded to; and even then she waived the subject as soon +as possible, whenever it happened to be incidentally mentioned. +Eleanor saw there was an evident reluctance to converse on these +matters; and, however she might feel grieved at the change, in the end +she forbore inquiry. + +One morning her cousin entered the breakfast-room, where Eleanor was +awaiting her arrival. Her face was pale--almost deathly--and her lips +livid and quivering. Her eyes were swollen, starting out, and +distended with a wild and appalling expression. + +She beckoned Eleanor to follow; silently she obeyed, but with a +deadly and heart-sickening apprehension. Something fearful, as +connected with the fate of her cousin Harry, was doubtless the cause +of this unusual proceeding. Maria led the way up the staircase, and on +coming to the landing, she pointed to a square opening in the wall, +like unto the loophole of a turret-stair. Here she saw something dark +obstructing the free passage of the light, which, on a closer +examination, presented the frightful outline of a human skull! Part of +the flesh and hairy scalp were visible, but the whole was one dark and +disgusting mass of deformity. She started back, with a look of +inquiry, towards her cousin. Hideous surmises crowded upon her while +she beheld the features of Maria Downes convulsed with some untold +agony. + +"Oh, speak--speak to me!" cried Eleanor, and she threw her arms about +her cousin's neck, sobbing aloud in the full burst of her emotion. +Maria wept too. The rising of the gush relieved her, and she spoke. +Every word went as with a burning arrow to Eleanor's heart. + +"I have hidden it until now; but--but Heaven has ordained it. His +offence was rank--most foul--and his disgrace--a brother's +disgrace--hangs on me. That skull is Harry's! Believe it as thou wilt, +but the truth is no less true. The box, sent by some unknown hand, I +opened alone, when I beheld the ghastly, gory features of him who was +once our pride, and ought to have been our protection. My courage +seemed to rise with the occasion. I concealed it with all speed until +another opportunity, when I buried this terrible memorial--for ever, +as I hoped, from the gaze and knowledge of the world. I thought to +hide this foul stain upon our house; to conceal it, if possible, from +every eye; but the grave gives back her dead! The charnal gapes! That +ghastly head hath burst its cold tabernacle, and risen from the dust, +without hands, unto its former gazing-place. Thou knowest, Eleanor, +with what delight, when a child, he was accustomed to climb up to that +little eyelet-hole, gazing out thereat for hours, and playing many odd +and fantastic tricks through this loophole of observation." + +Eleanor could not speak; she stood the image of unutterable despair. + +"In that dreadful package," continued Maria, "this writing was +sent:--'Thy brother has at length paid the forfeit of his crimes. The +wages of sin is death! and his head is before thee. Heaven hath +avenged the innocent blood he hath shed. Last night, in the lusty +vigour of a drunken debauch, passing aver London Bridge, he encounters +another brawl, wherein, having run at the watchman with his rapier, +one blow of the bill which they carry severed thy brother's head from +his trunk. The latter was cast over the parapet into the river. The +head only remained, which an eye-witness, if not a friend, hath sent +to thee!" + +Eleanor fell senseless to the ground, whence her cousin conveyed her +to the bed from which she never rose. + +The skull was removed, secretly at first, by Maria herself; but +invariably it returned. No human power could drive it thence. It hath +been riven in pieces, burnt, and otherwise destroyed; but ever on the +subsequent day it is seen filling its wonted place. Yet was it always +observed that sore vengeance lighted on its persecutors. One who +hacked it in pieces was seized with such horrible torments in his +limbs that it seemed as though he might be undergoing the same +process. Sometimes, if only displaced, a fearful storm would arise, so +loud and terrible, that the very elements themselves seemed to become +the ministers of its wrath. + +Nor would this wilful piece of mortality allow of the little aperture +being walled up; for it remains there still, whitened and bleached by +the weather, looking forth from those rayless sockets upon the scenes +which when living they had once beheld. + +Maria Downes was the only survivor of the family. Her brother's death +and deplorable end so preyed on her spirits that she rejected all +offers of marriage. The estate passed into other hands, and another +name owns the inheritance. + + + + +RIVINGTON PIKE; + +OR, + +THE SPECTRE HORSEMAN. + + "Are you a man? + Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that + Which might appal the devil." + + --SHAKESPEARE. + + This beacon stands on a conical hill, at an elevation of 1545 + feet from the level of the sea. An immense pile of wood was + raised here when the alarm of the French invasion prevailed, at + the beginning of the present century. + + Rivington Hall was for many ages the seat of one of the + Pilkingtons, of which family Fuller says--"The Pilkingtons were + gentlemen of repute in this shire before the Conquest;" and the + chief of them, then sought for after espousing the cause of + Harold, was fain to disguise himself as a mower; in allusion to + which the man and scythe was taken as their crest. James + Pilkington, a descendant, and Master of St John's, Cambridge, + was one of the six divines appointed to correct the Book of + Common Prayer; for which and other services he was in 1560 + created Bishop of Durham. After the suppression of the great + northern rebellion in 1569, headed by the Earls of + Northumberland and Westmoreland, he claimed the lands and goods + of the rebels attainted in his bishopric. In support of this + claim he brought an action against the queen for a recovery of + the forfeited estates; and though his royal mistress was + accustomed to speak of unfrocking bishops, the reverend divine + prosecuted his suit with so much vigour and success that + nothing but the interposition of Parliament prevented the + defendant from being beaten in her own courts. + + The present erection, the scene of our story, was built in the + year 1732, by Mr Andrews, the owner of Rivington Hall, whose + family have for many generations--with, perhaps, one + interruption only--had it in possession. + + +The evening was still and sultry. The clear and glowing daylight was +gone, exchanged for the dull, hazy, and depressing atmosphere of a +summer's night. The cricket chirped in the walls, and the beetle +hummed his drowsy song, wheeling his lumbering and lazy flight over +the shorn meadows. + + +[Illustration: RIVINGTON PIKE. +_Drawn by G. Pickering. +_ _Engraved by Edw^d Finden._] + + +It was about harvest-time--the latter end of August. The moors were +clothed in their annual suit of gay and thickly-clustered blossoms, +but their bloom and freshness was now faded. Here and there a sad +foretokening of dingy brown pervaded the once glowing brilliancy of +their dye, like a suit of tarnished finery on some withering and +dilapidated beau. + +A party of sportsmen had that day taken an unusually wide range upon +the moors, stretching out in wild and desolate grandeur through the +very centre of the county, near the foot of which stands the populous +neighbourhood of Bolton-le-Moors. Rivington Pike, an irregularly +conical hill rising like a huge watch-tower from these giant masses of +irreclaimable waste, is a conspicuous and well-known object, crowned +by a stone edifice for the convenience of rest and shelter to those +whom curiosity urges to the fatigue and peril of the ascent. The view +from this elevated spot, should the day be favourable, certainly +repays the adventurer; but not unfrequently an envious mist or a +passing shower will render these efforts unavailing, to scan the wide +creation--or rather but a circlet of that creation--from an +insignificant hillock, scarcely an atom in the heap of created matter, +that is itself but as a grain of dust in the vast space through which +it rolls. But to our tale, or rather, it may be, to our task--for the +author is now sitting in his study, with the twilight of as dull, +hazy, and oppressive an atmosphere about him as beset our adventurous +sportsmen at the close of their campaign; enervating and almost +paralysing thought; the veriest foe of "soaring fantasy," which the +mere accident of weather will prevent from rising into the region +where she can reign without control, her prerogative unquestioned and +unlimited. + +The party to whom we have just referred consisted of three +individuals, with their servants, biped and quadruped, from whom their +masters derived the requisite assistance during their useful and +arduous exploits--the results being conspicuous in the death of some +dozen or two of silly grouse or red game, with which these hills are +tolerably well supplied during the season. But alas! we are not +sportsmen ourselves, and bitterly do we lament that we are unable to +describe the desperate conflict, and the mighty issues of that +memorable day; the hopes, fears, and _fire-escapes_ of the whole +party: the consumption of powder, and the waste of flint, or the +comparative merits of Moll and Rover, we shall not attempt to set +forth in our "_veritable prose_," lest we draw down the wrath of some +disappointed fowler upon us for meddling with matters about which we +are so lamentably ignorant, and we are afraid to say, in some measure, +wilfully deficient. To the spoils, when obtained, it may be that we +are less indifferent; and we hail, with favourable reminiscences and +anticipations, the return of another 12th of August--an era which we +would earnestly and affectionately beseech our friends to remember +likewise, for purposes too interesting in the history of our domestic +arrangements to allow them willingly to forget. + +But the August in which our narrative opens was many years ago--though +not precisely in the olden time--when the belief in old-world fancies +and delights was not in danger of being blazed out by "diffusions of +useful knowledge," which "useful" knowledge consists in dissipating +some of our most pleasant dreams, our fondest and most cherished +remembrances. We are afraid a writer of "Traditions" must be looked +upon with inconceivable scorn by those worthies whose aim is to throw +open the portals of Truth to the multitude; or, as the phrase goes, +she is to be made plain to the "meanest capacity." For our own parts, +we were never enamoured with that same despotic, hard-favoured, +cross-grained goddess, Truth: she "commendeth not" to our fancy; nor +in reality is she half so worthy of their homage as her ardent and +enthusiastic worshippers imagine. We are more than ever inclined to +believe that imagination is the great source of our pleasures; and in +consequence we look not with an eye of favour on those who would +persuade us that our little hoard of enjoyment is counterfeit, not +being the sterling coin of sovereign and "immutable truth." + +Little did we imagine or anticipate that we should be so deviously +betrayed from our subject. We never had the temerity to speak of +ourselves before. Thoughts, wishes, and opinions were studiously +concealed; and if we have been led unwarily and unintentionally from +the subject in this our concluding effort, that very circumstance +alone is a sufficient warranty against a repetition of the offence. + +The day was fast closing when the party had surmounted the last hill +on their return to the valley. For the sake of proximity, they had +spent the previous night in a little way-side tavern at the foot of +the descent; and they now looked down towards the place of their +destination, still some weary miles distant--their prospect partly +interrupted by the huge hill called the Pike, of which we have before +spoken. From the elevation whereon they now stood the ascent was but +short to the summit of the beacon, though somewhat abrupt and +difficult of access. When they had gained the ridge overlooking the +valley, with the flat and fertile tract of low lands stretching out +into the dark and apparently interminable vista towards the coast, the +elder of the sportsmen exclaimed-- + +"Now, Mortimer, mayhap you have never seen a storm in our wilds; but, +if my judgment err not, this happy event is in a very auspicious train +for accomplishment." + +The speaker looked towards the south, where the grim clouds were +already accumulated, evidently pouring out a copious blessing in their +progress. From the direction of the wind they too were threatened with +a speedy participation. + +"These summer storms always make for the hills," continued he; "and, +looking yonder, I apprehend that we are precisely in the very line of +its path." + +"I do like to watch the gathering of a storm, Pilkington," replied +Mortimer. "Surely the outpouring vials of its wrath must be +terrifically sublime in these regions. I would not miss so glorious a +sight for the world." + +"In a snug shelter maybe at our hostelrie below, with a mug of the +right barley-bree buzzing at our elbow--oat-cake and cheese +conformable thereto." + +"Nay, here; with the sky opening above our heads, and the broad earth +reeking and weltering under the wide grasp of the tempest. See! how +the crooked lightning darts between the coiled clouds, like a swift +messenger from yon dark treasure-house of wrath!" + +This was said by a third individual, named Norton, a young man who +lived in the neighbourhood; a friend and former school-fellow of the +preceding speakers--only one of whom, Mortimer, resided in a distant +county, and was on a visit with Norton for the first time. + +"Like a train of gunpowder, perhaps, thou meanest, Norton?" said the +less enthusiastic Pilkington, whose residence, too, was but a few +miles distant; "and, furthermore, I warn ye all, that unless we can +house, and that right speedily, we shall have the storm about our +heads, and maybe lose our way if the mist comes on, or get soused over +head and ears in some bog-trap. We'll climb yonder hill, Norton, +whence we may survey the broil and commotion from our 'watch-tower in +the skies,' under a tidy roof and a dry skin. Thou mayest tarry here +an thou wilt, and offer thyself a sacrifice on these altars of Jupiter +Pluvius." + +The whole party--dogs, helps, and servants--were soon sheltered in the +little square tower upon the summit, and the predictions of the elder +and more experienced of them were soon verified. Almost on the +entrance of the last of the group came down the deluge in one broad +sheet, an "even-down pour," so loud and terrible, accompanied by a +burst of hail, that they were threatened with an immediate invasion of +their citadel through several crevices in both roof and windows. + +A peal of thunder, loud, long, and appalling, shook their shelter to +its base. The very foundations of the hill seemed to rock with the +concussion. Their lofty tabernacle hung suspended in the very bosom of +the clouds, big with their forky terrors. The lightning began to hiss +and quiver, and the sky to open its wide jaws above them, as though to +devour its prey. The roar and rattle of the wind and hail, mingled +with the crash and roll of the contending elements, made the stoutest +of them tremble, and silenced several loud tongues that were generally +the foremost in jest and banter. + +"Well, Norton," said Pilkington, "I reckon you are not in the mind to +try a berth abroad in this rude atmosphere during such an angry and +merciless disposition of your deity. 'Tis a _melee_, I imagine, to +your heart's content." + +"Norton is hearkening to these rude tongues that do speak so lustily!" +said Mortimer. "He can, peradventure, interpret their mystic voice." + +Norton was in the attitude of intense and earnest expectation or +inquiry; his head slightly turned and depressed on one side, the +opposite ear raised, so as to catch the most distinct impressions of +sound. His eyes might have been listening too, yet his vision was +absorbed, and apparently withdrawn from surrounding objects. He was +standing near the window, and the workings of his countenance +betrayed a strange and marvellous expression of wonder and anxiety. + +It grew still darker, and the rain came down in torrents. The +thunder-cloud, as though attracted by the height of their situation, +kept hovering over the hill, and often seemed to coil round, and wrap +them in its terrific bosom. Night, they knew, was about setting in, +but they were still unable to issue forth without imminent danger. The +thick cloud by which they were enveloped would have rendered it a +hazardous attempt to proceed under any circumstances. + +"We are in excellent condition for a night's lodging in our good +fortalice," said Pilkington: "it hath stood many a close siege from +the elements, and will abide a stouter brush before it yields." + +"But surely the storm is too violent to continue. I hope we may +venture out ere it be long," said Mortimer, anxiously. + +"Maybe the clouds will either be driven off or disperse. Should a +breeze spring up from the west, which is not unusual after such a +turbulent condition of the atmosphere, it will clear us rapidly from +these lumbering masses of almost impregnable vapour. I think Norton is +still in close communion with the elements. I can yet see his outline +by the window. I thought the last flash lighted on his visage as +though it would tarry there a while ere it departed!" + +The servants were huddled in a corner by the door, sitting on the +ground, with the dogs between their legs; the timid animals, terrified +exceedingly at every thunder-peal, and shivering, as though from cold +and distress. Suddenly one of them began to growl; and a short, sharp +bark from another, with eyes and ears turned towards the entrance, +seemed to announce the approach of an intruder. + +The brutes now stuffed their officious noses in the crevice beneath +the door, but immediately withdrew them, evidently in great terror, as +they slunk back, trembling and dismayed, to the opposite side of the +chamber, where they crouched, as if to screen themselves from +correction. + +"What ails the cowards?" exclaimed Norton, who had apparently observed +their proceedings by the scanty light that was yet left. + +"They are witch'd, I think," said one of the men; "or they've seen, or +haply smelt, a boggart." + +"'Tis o'er soon for such like gear; they stir not abroad before the +bats and owls be gone to bed," said another. + +"Ay! your common everyday sort o' breein' darena' show their bits o' +wizen cheeks by daylight; but there be some 'at will abroad at all +hours, without fear o' being laid by the parson. The '_Spectre +Horseman_' I think they ca' him. I've heard my granam tell as how it +feared neither sunshine nor shade, but"---- + +Here the speaker's voice failed him, every eye and ear being turned +towards the entrance. There seemed to come a sound from without, as +though a horse were urged to the utmost of its speed, his clattering +hoofs driven to the very threshold, and there he paused, awaiting some +communication from those within. + +"Nought living or breathing," cried Mortimer, "could come that bent. +Perch'd as we are on this tall steep summit, 'tis not possible +for"---- + +"Hush!" said Norton. "I verily think 'tis some adventure which I must +achieve. What if I should turn giant-killer; this invisible steed +being sent for mine especial use, whereon I may ride, like Amadis or +Sir Lancelot, or any other knight or knave o' the pack, delivering +damsels, slaying dragons and old wicked magicians, by virtue of this +good right arm alone." + +"Thou art a strange enthusiast, Norton," said Pilkington. "Thy love of +the marvellous will sooner or later thrust thee into some ridiculous +or perilous scrape, from which not all thy boasted prowess can deliver +thee unshent." + +"Hark!" said one of the servants in a whisper. Is not that a knock?" + +The loud uproar of the elements had suddenly abated, and the sound, +from whatever source it might arise, was distinctly audible to the +whole group. A dull hollow blow seemed to vibrate round the walls, as +if they had been struck with some heavy instrument. They seemed to +breathe the very atmosphere of terror. A strange feeling, portentous +and unaccountable, pervaded every bosom. The quadrupeds too crept +behind their masters for protection. Fear, like other strong and +unreasonable impulses, rapidly becomes infectious. In all likelihood, +the mere mention of the Spectre Horseman, together with their novel +and somewhat dangerous situation, had disposed their minds for the +reception of any stray marvels, however ridiculous or improbable. Yet +this impression could not extend to the trembling brutes, evidently +under the influence of alarm, and from a similar source. + +Another blow was heard, louder than before. Those who were nearest +crept farther from the entrance; but Norton, as though bent on some +wild exploit, approached the door. He raised the latch, and, as it +swung slowly back, most of the party beheld a figure on horseback, +motionless before the opening. From the height they occupied this +mysterious visitor was depicted in a clear bold outline against a mass +of red angry-looking clouds, towards the south-east, on the edge of +which hung the broad disc of the moon breaking through "Alps" of +clouds, her calm sweet glance fast dissipating the wrath that yet +lowered on the brow of Heaven. The intruder wore a dark-coloured +vestment; a low-crowned hat surmounted his figure. His steed was black +and heavily built. Probably, from the position whence he was seen, +both horse and rider looked almost gigantic. Not a word was spoken. +The stranger stood apparently immovable, like some huge equestrian +statue, in the dim and mystic twilight. + +Norton's two friends were evidently astonished and alarmed, but he +scarcely evinced any surprise; some superior and unknown source of +excitement overpowered the fear he might otherwise have felt. Silence +continued for a few moments, the strange figure remaining perfectly +still. Pilkington approached nearer to his friend, who was yet +standing near the threshold, gazing intently on the vision before him. +He whispered a few words over Norton's shoulder. + +"Knowest thou this stranger, Norton?" + +"Yes," he replied with great earnestness and solemnity; "years have +gone by since I saw him. Thou never knewest mine uncle; but that is +he, or one sense hath turned traitor to the rest. This very night, +twelve years ago--it was just before I left home for school"----His +voice now became inaudible to his friend, who observed him, after a +gaze of inquiry on the stranger, suddenly disappear through the +opening. The door was immediately closed by a loud and violent gust. +Flying open again with the rebound, the figure of Norton was seen +rapidly descending the hill towards the south-east, preceded by the +mysterious horseman. The light was too feeble for enabling them to +ascertain the course they took; but it seemed probable that Norton +was away over the hills with the unknown messenger. Their first +impulse was to follow; but the impossibility of overtaking the +fugitives, and the near approach of night, would have rendered it a +vain and probably a perilous attempt. Looking anxiously down the dark +ravine where Norton had so strangely disappeared, Pilkington was +startled by a voice from behind; turning, he saw it was the man who +had previously dropped those mysterious hints about the "Spectre +Horseman," which now vividly recurred to his memory and imagination. + +"Master," said this personage, respectfully touching his cap, "you had +better not follow." + +"Follow!" said Pilkington, as though bewildered; and the words were +but the echo of his thoughts; "follow!--I cannot--yet why should we +not make the attempt?" + +"Step in, if you please, sir. I should not like to speak of it here." +He said this hurriedly, in a tone of deep anxiety and apprehension, +looking wistfully around and over the dark hills, fearful, apparently, +that others were listening. Pilkington obeyed, but with reluctance. +The door was cautiously latched; and to prevent the wind, which now +began to rise in louder gusts, from bursting this crazy barrier, a +heavy stone was laid to the threshold. + +"It is--let me see"--said Martin, counting the lapse upon his fingers; +"ay,--ten--eleven--'tis twelve years ago, on this very night, St +Bartlemy's Eve, my father, a hale old man at that time of day, some'at +given, though, to hunting and fowling a bit o' moonlights--and a fine +penny he made on't, for many a week, selling the birds at Manchester. +Well, as I was saying;--one evening before dusk--the sun had but just +cooled his chin i' the water away yonder--he trudged off wi' the dogs, +Crab and Pincher--two as cunning brutes as ever ran afore a tail. They +might ha' known the errand they were going on, sneakin' about wi' such +hang-dog looks, which they always took care to put on when t' ould man +began to get ready for a night's foraging. They would follow at his +heels, almost on their bellies, for fear o' being seen by the Squire's +men; but when fairly astart for the game, they could show as much +breeding as the best-trained pointer i' the parish. I am getting sadly +wide o' my story, your honour; but I used to like the cubs dearly, and +many a time I have played with 'em when I wasn't a bit bigger than +themselves. They came to a sad end, sir, like most other rogues and +thieves besides, and"---- + +"But we are not getting an inch nearer the end of the story all this +time," said Pilkington. + +"True, your honour; but I'll piece to it presently. I was a great +lubberly lad, I know, and tented the cattle then upon the moors. Well, +on this same night, as I was saying, my mother and the rest were gone +to bed, my father was upon the hills, and I was watching at home, +thinkin' maybe of the next Michaelmas fair, and many a fine bit of fun +thereby. The fire was gone out, but I had lighted a scrap of candle, +which sweeled sadly down, I remember, in the socket. Well, just as I +was getting sleepy I heard a scratch, and then a whine at the door. +'What's to do now,' thinks I, 'that the dogs are here again so soon?' +an' without more ado, I lifted the latch, when, sure enough, it was +them, dirty draggled beasts, they might ha' bin possed through a +slutch-pit. 'Where's yere master?' says I;--the things took no heed to +me, but began licking themselves, an' tidying their nasty carcases, +till the house verily reek'd again. 'So, friends,' says I, 'if ye're +for that gait, you may as well take a turn i' the yard,' an' without +more ado, I bundled 'em off, with a sound kick into the bargain. Well, +you see, I hearkened till my ears crack'd for my father's foot; but I +heard nought except the crickets, and the little brook that runs +behind the house, for everything was so still I could have heard a +mouse stir. I opened the door, and looked out, I think, into as clear +and mellow a night as ever gazed down from the sky upon our quiet +hills. Then I went to the gate, and looked up the road which takes you +into the little glen by a short path, away up to the high meadows; but +I could neither see him, nor hear any likelihood of his coming. I +could ha' told his footstep amongst a thousand, and his cough, too, +for that matter. I felt myself growing all of a shake, an' the very +hairs seemed crawling over my head; a pea might have knocked me down, +and, for the life of me, I durst not venture farther--it was something +so strange that the dogs should come back without their master--I was +sure some mischief had happened to him. All at once it jumped into my +head that he had stuck fast in some of these bogs or mosses, and the +rascal curs had left him there instead of their own pitiful carcases; +but that my father should be so forefoughten as to let himself be +nabbed in one of these bog-traps I could hardly believe. Yet the +dogs--ay, there was the mischief--and the lurching ne'er-do-weels +coming back in such dismal pickle. I went back to the house, for I +durst not stay abroad; and yet, when I was indoors, I could not bide +there neither; so I walked up and down the house-flags, like as I waur +dazed. I durst not go to bed; so there I was, and for a couple of +hours too, in a roarin' pickle, that I would not be steeped in again +for a' the moorgates between here and Chorley." + +"Go on;--we've no loitering time now," said Pilkington; "thy story +sticks fast, I fear, like thy father i' the bog." + +"Why, I was but rincing the evil thoughts out of my mind, as it were, +for they come about me like a honey-swarm at the thoughts on't; and I +don't just like their company at present, it minds me o' the time when +this plaguy chance befell my father." + +"He did not tarry away for good and all, I reckon?" + +"You shall hear, sir, if you but gie me a taste o' the flask; for I +feel just like to go into a swoon, or some tantrum or another." + +Martin took a strong pull at the bottle, and, thus refreshed, he +resumed his story. + +"Well, you see as how I waited, and my mind was like as it might ha' +been set on a pismire hillock, I waur so uneasy. The dogs, too, began +to howl pitifully at the door, so I let the poor things in for a bit +o' company. I had not waken'd mother; for I kept thinking I'd wait a +while longer, and a while longer, as I never in all my life liked to +bring bad news. Well, it might be about two or three hours I went on +at that gait, an' just as I was pondering as to whether I should go +up-stairs or not, I heard something come with a quick step through the +gate and up the flags to the door. It was not like father's foot, +neither; it was so terrible sharp and hasty. I felt as if I'd been +strucken of a heap. My knees shook an' dither'd as if I'd had the +ague. Up goes the latch; for I could not stir--I was holden fast to +the floor. The door bangs open in a fearfu' hurry, and in comes my +father, as though 'Legion' had been at his heels. He looked pale, and +almost fleered out of his wits, so I made sure he had seen the bogle +that my granam used to frighten us with. 'Father, father,' says I, as +soon as I could speak, 'what's happened? ha' ye seen it?' He did not +say a word, but sat down in the big rocking-chair by t' hob-end, when +he tilted his head back, and began swingin' back'ard and for'ard, +moaning all the while as if he waur in great trouble. I looked at him, +as well as I could, for I had lighted a whole candle a while before. I +sat down, too, and not another word could I say. But, my conscience! +what a racket the dogs made when they saw him! They jumped, and +frisked, and almost cried for joy, as though they had gi'en him up for +lost, and were desperately fain, poor things, at his return. The first +word he spoke was to these dummies; for they whined, wriggled, and +wagged their tails, and licked his fingers, enough to have drawn words +from a stone wa'. 'Ay, ay, ye sneaking rascals,' said he, 'ye left me +wi' yere tails down low enough, and as fast as your legs could lilt ye +off, when I was forefoughten wi''----Here he looked round, with a face +so dismal and disturbed that I verily think I should not forget it if +I waur at my last shrift. Taking this opportunity, as I may say, I +ventured a word or so. The old man gave me another of those terrible +looks before he spoke--'Eh, me!' said he, 'my days are but few now, I +reckon. I've seen the'----He stopped and looked round again; then he +said, almost in a whisper--'I've seen him, Martin!' 'I thought so,' +says I. 'I've seen the ould one, I believe,' says he; 'an' that's more +nor I'll like to do again, or thee either. We've done wi' our +night-work now, an' the dogs may just go where they can get an honest +bellyful.' You may be sure I was sadly fear'd. I durst not ask him how +it happened that he should have snappered upon old Sootypaws; but in a +while he saved me the speerin', and, as well as I can think, this was +the account of his misadventure:-- + +"'I was goin' up by the Pike,' said he, 'and a brave shower of +moonlight there was, weltering on the side of the hill, when, just as +I got behind it there in the shadow, I thought I saw somethin' big and +black standing among a little clump of gorses afore me. I felt started +a somehow, but I rubb'd my forehead and eyes, and looked again. It did +not shift, so I thought I might as well make the best o' the matter, +an' went for'ard without altering my speed. Well, what should I see +when I got nearer, but a great spanking black horse, and a littleish +man upon it, who seemed just waiting till I came up. I stood still +when I got within a yard or two, expecting he would speak first, for I +thought as how it might be some poor body belike that had lost his +way in crossing the moors. But he did not say a word, which I thought +mighty uncouth and uncivil. So making my best speech for the once, +though fearful it was some fellow watching to waylay me, I asked him +civilly how he did, and so on. Then I asked if he waur in want of a +guide over the hills any way. The thing here set up a great rollickin' +horse laugh, that frightened my father worse than anything he said; +but he durst not turn back for fear he might follow, and happen to +catch him as he ran, so he stood still, dithering like a top all the +while. + +"'Canst show me the road to the Two Lads?'[19] he ask'd, as soon as he +had gotten his laugh out. + +"'That can I,' says my father, 'as well as anybody i' the parish.' 'On +with thee, then,' says the devilkin, 'and don't mind picking your way, +friend, for my horse can tread a bog without wetting a hair of his +foot.' My father walked on, but the dogs kept a wary eye towards the +stranger, he thought, and hung their tails, an' slunk behind, like as +they were mightily afeard on him. But it wasn't long afore my father +began to wonder within himself what this unlikely thing could want +there at the Two Lads, which, as you know, is scarcely two miles off +yonder, and on the highest and ugliest part of the whole commoning; a +place, too, which is always said to have a bad name sticking to it. He +durst not ask him his business though, and they went on without +speaking, until the Two Lads were just peeping out before them into +the clear soft moonlight. 'There they are,' said my father; 'and now +I'll bid your honour good-night.' 'Stay,' said his companion: 'I may +want you a little while yet, so budge on, if you please.' Somehow my +father felt as though he durst not refuse, and however loth to such +company, he trudged away till they came together to the spot. 'Now,' +says the little gentleman, 'lift up that big heap of stones there, and +I'll tell you what to do with them.' 'Sir,' says my father, 'you are +in jest, belike.' 'Not a bit of it,' replied the other; 'see, 'tis +easy as flying.' Wi' that he leaps off his horse, and at one stroke of +his switch, up they went, jump, jump, jump, like a batch of crows from +a corn-field. The dogs set up a fearful howl, and, without once +turning to see what was behind them, set off helter-skelter through +bog and bush for the nearest, and left my father to himself with the +foul fiend. All at once it popped into his head the tales he had once +heard about the '_Spectre Horseman_,' that was said to ramble about +these hills, sometimes in the air, sometimes on the ground, like the +dark clouds and their shadows upon the soft grass, without ever a +footprint. My poor father could have wished the ground to gape and +swallow him, he said, he was so frightened. Where the stones had been +there was a great hole gaping, like one of the mouths of the +bottomless pit, and try how he would, he could not turn away his eyes +from it. 'That's the place,' said this fearful thing; but my father +was ready to cower down with terror. He could not speak, but he +thought he saw a great long black arm thrust out of the hole. 'Take +what he gives thee,' says Blackface, 'and make haste.' But he might +as well have spoken to the whins and gorses, for the chance of being +obeyed. 'Take it!' said this ill-tongued limb of Old Harry, in a voice +like thunder. But my father could not stir, and then there waur +shrieks, yells, and moans, and such noises as he had never heard. The +creature looked angry, and full of venom as a toad. 'I shall miss my +time,' said he; and with that he began to listen, for there came the +sound of footsteps on the dark heather, and then the ugly thing did +laugh for very gladness. 'Go, fool,' he cried, 'here comes one better +than thee;' and with that he lent my father a kick that might have +sent him across the valley, at a moderate calculation, had he not +remembered an old witch charm which he mumbled as he fell. How long he +lay there, and what happened the while, he did not know, but when he +awoke, he saw the heap was in its place again, the moon looking down +bright and beautiful as ever, as if she thought nothing particular had +taken place. He could hardly persuade himself that he had not dreamed +an ugly dream, until he remembered the spot, and how he had been +enticed, or rather forced there against his will. You may be sure he +made the best of his way home again, where he came in the condition I +have just told you. Not many days after we heard that a gentleman of +no mean condition, that lived not many miles off--I have forgotten +his name--and who was supposed to be crossing the hills on that very +night, was lost. He never appeared afterwards. It was generally +thought he was swallowed up in some bog, but my father always believed +that he had fallen into the clutches of that Evil One, from whom he +himself had escaped but with the skin of his teeth. From that time to +his dying day was he never known to ramble on the moors again; an +altered man he became, sure enough, and our big Bible, with the +pictures in it, was brushed fro' the dust. He might be seen with the +book upon his knee at the doorstone on a summer's night, and the +third bench from the Squire's pew at Blackrod church never missed a +tenant till my father was laid quietly down in the churchyard." + +During this recital there had been a close and almost breathless +attention. As he concluded a buzz of agitation pervaded the group; not +a word was spoken for a little while until Pilkington exclaimed, +slowly passing one hand over his brow-- + +"A marvellous delivery, which I might have been disposed to treat like +other marvels, had not our own senses in some measure left with us a +show of truth, or probability at least, about the adventure, which, +for my own part, I find it difficult to throw off. Exaggerated and +full of improbabilities, I admit, yet the story hath some substratum +of truth, no doubt by which it is supported. What it is, would be +difficult to ascertain, but the mystery or misapprehension, whatever +it be, shall be cleared up, and that speedily." + +"Doubtless," said Mortimer; "but first let us return to our lodging. +Marvels, being in the inverse ratio to truth, always appear greatest +at a distance; and when the explanation comes, we may perhaps smile at +our present embarrassment. The riddle is easy when solved." + +"True; but how is that to be accomplished?" + +"Let us return to our quarters; we may perhaps find that our companion +has arrived there before us." + +Pilkington shook his head incredulously. Indeed the whole affair had +made a much greater impression upon him than he was willing to allow, +even to himself. + +The moon lighted them on their path as they took the nearest route to +their temporary sojourn. Many a cautious glance was cast behind, and +many a dark stone or bush--many a grotesque shadow--assumed the form +they feared to encounter. They arrived at their dwelling without +molestation, but--Norton was not there! + +"Here is foul play somewhere," said Mortimer thoughtfully. "Think you, +Pilkington, that we could find out our way in this quiet moonshine to +that same 'Two Lads' which Martin pointed out? I fancy the louts we +have about us durst not venture thither. Indeed I think it may be +prudent to go unattended on several accounts." + +"That is my opinion," said Pilkington; "and as for poking out the way, +I can do that readily. I cannot rest without making the attempt, at +any rate." + +"Let us not create any alarm, but steal quietly off when we have +refreshed ourselves," said Mortimer; "we need not tell them of our +intent." + +"It were best," replied Pilkington, "that we give these knaves a +caution first that they bruit not forth the adventure at present, or +until we have more exact information as to the nature of the +proceedings it may be needful to adopt." + +It was not long ere they commenced their journey, traversing the +hill-path in the requisite direction. By day, the pillars are easily +seen from some parts of the valley below, and Pilkington had +frequently passed them in crossing the moors. A pretty accurate notion +of their bearing was thus formed from the point whence they started. + +The greater part of the way was trodden in silence. The rivulets were +swollen with the heavy rains, and great care was necessary to attain +their object in safety. The path was not devoid of danger at any time, +by reason of the spongy and uncertain nature of the bogs, accumulated +masses of spumous unhealthy vegetation, showing patches of bright +green verdure, holding water often to an unknown depth, and sometimes +proving fatal to those who dare to venture upon this deceitful and +perilous surface. By using great caution, and carefully ascertaining +the nature of the ground before them, they passed on, without further +inconvenience than that of wading through bogs and ditches, climbing +stone-walls and embankments, aided by the uninterrupted light of a +blazing harvest-moon. + +They had now accomplished the most fatiguing part of the ascent, the +dark heathery crown of the mountain, whereon the moonbeams lay so +beautiful, as though nature were one vast region of universal +silence, for ever unbroken and undisturbed. It was like gazing on a +statue--there was the semblance of life, but all was silent and +motionless, the very stillness startling like a spectre. + +Soon they had passed through the creaking heather-bushes on the +summit, when they saw two rude pillars peeping up from the dark line +of the horizon before them. A sensation, not unallied to fear, passed +with a sudden thrill across the deep, unseen sources of feeling--the +sealed fountains of the spirit. They felt as though entering on +mysterious or forbidden ground. The hour--the circumstances which led +to their present situation--their companion's recent and unaccountable +disappearance, and the prevalent superstitions connected with this +solitary spot--all contributed to their present alarms with a force +and poignancy unusual, and even appalling. They almost expected the +"_Spectre Horseman_" to rush by, or to rise up suddenly before them, +and forbid their further progress into his domains. + +"I am not prone to pay much heed either to marvels or superstitions, +and yet"----said Mortimer, again pausing after a long silence. + +"Why," said Pilkington, "the very air feels rank with mystery. +Whatever may be the cause, I never felt more i' the mood for an hour +of devotion in my life." + +"We may both have need for the exercise ere we depart hence, or my +thoughts misgive me," replied Mortimer. + +"It may be the mystery connected with our expedition which operates in +its own nature upon the mind," said Pilkington. "I feel, as it were, +every faculty impressed with some fearful and indissoluble spell. An +atmosphere, impervious, and almost impalpable, seems to oppress the +spirit. Surely we are on the trail of some demon, and his subtle +influence is about us." + +"Ah!" said Mortimer, starting aside with a shudder, as though a +serpent stung him. + +"Heardest thou aught, Mortimer?" + +"I thought there was a rushing past my ear." + +"I heard it too," replied Pilkington, in a low and agitated tone; "but +I heard more, Mortimer. A voice, methought, distinct as thine own, +swept by: '_Go not_,' was faintly uttered. I am sure I heard the +words." + +"This place affects me strangely," said Mortimer; "but I will not go +back, though the very jaws of the pit were to interpose." + +Suddenly a mist gathered about them, not an unusual circumstance in +these mountain regions, but a sufficiently portentous one to fasten +strongly upon their imaginations, already predisposed to invest every +appearance, however trivial, or according to the common course of +events, with supernatural terrors. A gust of wind soon curled the +vapour into clouds, which swept rapidly on; sometimes with the +moonlight through their shattered rifts, then dark and impervious, +shutting out the whole hemisphere, and wrapping them as with a cloak. +Still they kept on their way, slowly, but in the direction, as near as +they could ascertain, towards the place where they hoped to find some +clue to their search. They felt convinced, though neither of them +could state the nature of their convictions, that the mystery would +here terminate. + +The wind came on now in heavier and more continuous gusts, like the +distant rumble of the ocean. They fancied other sounds were audible in +the blast; yells and howlings that seemed to approach nearer with +every successive impulse. A sound, like the rush of wings, brushed +past them, and, instinctively, they grasped each other by the arm. A +moan was distinctly heard; then another, louder and more terrible. A +cry of agony succeeded, then a shriek, so loud and appalling that a +cry of horror involuntarily burst from their lips. + +"Save us, Father of Mercy!" + +It was the cry of faith; a look fixed upon Him "who is not slow to +hear, nor impotent to save." The cloud rolled suddenly away, +unfolding, as though for the disclosure of some mighty pageant. They +saw before them, and within a very few paces, the dark, heavy pillars, +looking more black and hideous in the garish light by which they were +seen. A cloud or mist seemed to have rolled, as suddenly, from their +mental vision; a weight was removed from their apprehensions. They +felt as though scarcely acting, previously, as free agents, but +impelled by some unseen power, to which every faculty and every +thought was in thraldom. + +Beside one of the heaps lay a figure, prostrate and motionless. It was +the death-like form of Norton! He was, to all appearance, lifeless, +with hands clenched, and his whole attitude betokening some recently +desperate and painful struggle. They tried to arouse him, and a +cordial with which they moistened his lips produced some slight +symptoms of returning consciousness; but the spark disappeared with +the breath that fanned it. The safest plan was evidently to attempt +his removal. With as little delay as possible they bore him gently +between them; and as the first streak of daylight was dawning over the +hills, they had the satisfaction to see him safely disposed of in +their little hostelrie, whither a surgeon was speedily summoned from +the adjacent village. He was yet insensible, but life was not extinct; +the medical attendant pronouncing him in great jeopardy, from some +violent struggle and exertion, both of body and mind. Rest, and the +most careful attention, were absolutely necessary, lest, with +returning consciousness, reason should be disturbed, and the mind +remain bewildered from the agitation previously undergone. + +For several weeks this unfortunate victim, as they supposed, to his +own vague and supernatural terrors, lay without showing the slightest +symptom of recognition. Groans and incoherent murmurs, after long +intervals of silence, proclaimed that life was yet lingering on the +threshold of the tabernacle, unwilling for her flight. A cry of terror +would sometimes break forth, and his whole frame become violently +convulsed, while he seemed to exhaust himself in struggles to escape. + +We will not prolong the recital, nor is it needful to relate how the +first light glimpse broke through the clouds that had so long veiled +his spirit. Fearful were the first awakenings of the soul. Like the +last dread summons, it was not an awakening from oblivion. Every +faculty wore the dark impress of terror, though he remained apparently +unconscious of the interval that had passed. + +Pilkington and his friend were unremitting in their attentions. The +issue was long doubtful; but in the end he recovered from the dread +hallucination under which he laboured. + +With restored health, he disclosed, to them only, the events which had +occurred in the brief interval of their separation. + +"I think I before told you," said he, reluctantly commencing the +narrative, "that the figure who appeared so mysteriously at the door +of our temporary shelter on the hill wore the very image of my uncle, +whom you never knew, Pilkington. You may conceive that my surprise was +excessive, though I cannot say that I felt so; but it will, in some +measure, account for my apparent rashness and eager determination to +follow, when I inform you that it was just twelve years previously, on +that self-same night, the eve of St Bartlemy, when his unaccountable +disappearance on these moors, of which I have before spoken, threw +consternation and distress into the hitherto peaceful and happy +community with which he was associated. I need not recount the family +disasters and disagreements which his mysterious absence has +originated. No trace was left of his disappearance; nor could his body +ever be discovered. The night prior to our excursion I saw him; but it +was in a dream. This circumstance, together with the place and the +very time, twelve years since his departure, was the cause of my +apparent thoughtfulness and abstraction prior to the appearance of our +mysterious visitor. I felt an apathy; and, at the same time, a load +upon my spirits for which I could not account. I remember that I was +scarcely alarmed, or even surprised, when he presented himself; and +that I felt as though I had been waiting for his arrival--more under +the bewildering influence of a dream than the sober conceptions of +waking truth. I made no doubt but that the mystery would now be +elucidated. I followed the retreating horseman, who, I saw, beckoned +me forward, and occasionally seemed to chide my tardiness and want of +speed. I could not hear his voice, but I thought he pronounced my +name. He descended the hill with considerable haste, and it was with +difficulty that I could now keep him in sight. Fully bent on the +discovery, I resolved, if possible, let the consequence be what it +might, that I would follow. The storm had suddenly abated, and the +clouds were rolling off in broken masses through the calm ether, from +which the moon crept out, by whose aid I hoped to keep in view the +object of my pursuit. + +"The path he now took led up the ascent on the opposite hill. I +clambered up with some difficulty, but the flying horseman before me +seemed to accomplish the work without either hesitation or +inconvenience. He waited for me when he had surmounted the steepest +part of the acclivity, and I grew more and more convinced that it was +my uncle's form, as I had seen him in my boyhood. Memory was +sufficiently tenacious on this head; and knowing the great need, as it +concerned family affairs, that his fate should be clearly ascertained, +I braved all hazards, and still followed this mysterious conductor. I +do not recollect I felt any apprehension that I was following a +supernatural guide; or that it might possibly be a phantom who was +luring me on to misery and destruction. The mild, benevolent aspect +of my relative was before me, and I could not associate an idea of +danger with the guide and protector of my youth. + +"As I gained the brow of the hill I saw the dark form of the horseman +dilated upon the wide, bare, uninterrupted horizon, in almost gigantic +proportions. It might be the distance that caused this illusion, but +the huge black horse appeared to wax in magnitude with every step, and +to become more fiend-like and terrible. Still I followed, and ere long +I beheld the two pillars unto which our course was evidently tending. +They seemed to rise up from the earth like huge giants waiting for +their prey. My guide, whom I had previously attempted to overtake, +stood still when he reached them, awaiting my approach. With feelings +strangely akin to those of an ill-fated victim, urged by some +resistless fascination into the very jaws of his destroyer, I drew +nearer to the object of my hopes and apprehensions. I recognised the +very dress my uncle wore on ordinary occasions, and the strong +square-built form that in my childhood I was accustomed to view with a +parental regard. Yet was I disquieted with alarm and agitation. +Horrible images rushed upon my brain. I seemed to be the sport and +prey of some power I could not withstand--a power that apparently +might wield my very faculties at his will, and had already taken the +reins of self-government into his own keeping. I began to fancy that +it was some terrible vision by which I was harassed; and I well +remember it was the precise feeling that haunts us in our dreams when +a horrible doom is approaching from which apparently there is no +escape; and yet we feel as though assured some way will be opened for +our deliverance. While we endure all the horrors of our situation, we +know of a surety that our miseries shall soon terminate. Yet a cloud +was gathering upon my soul, and objects assumed another hue seen +through its wild and chaotic elements. With all the vagueness and +uncertainty of a dream, I felt that I was awake! + +"'Dost thou know me?' said the mysterious inquirer, in a tone which I +immediately recognised. Still there was an awful and thrilling +emphasis in the expression which alarmed me more than before. + +"'I know you,' I replied, 'as the friend and guardian of my youth; +but--to what end am I called hither, and why are you thus?' + +"'My path is hidden!' said he, in a voice terrible and foreboding. + +"'Tell me, where have you been? Is this your habitation? +unless'--shuddering, I added in a low but energetic tone--'unless you +are some evil one that hath ta'en his semblance to lure me to my +hurt.' + +"'When the moon rides o'er the blue south 'tis midnight; I will then +reveal what thou hast desired, and the purpose of my coming.' + +"'Art thou really he whose form thou bearest? Answer truly, as thou +dost hope for my stay.' + +"'I am!' he replied, in a tone so like that of my uncle that I was now +satisfied his very form was before me. Conjecture was vain as to the +motives that prompted this long and extraordinary concealment. + +"'Promise, Norton, that thou wilt tarry here until my return!' + +"'I will; but give me some pledge, some proof that thy being is real; +that thou comest not as a phantom to delude my hopes.' + +"He stretched out his hand. I again felt the warm pressure of my +earliest friend, whom I had so long mourned as dead. I would have +embraced him, but he shrunk back, and I saw the black steed again +preparing and impatient to depart. + +"'Remember,' said he, in a hollow voice, 'at midnight I will return.' + +"I leaned against the stone, determined to await the arrival of my +mysterious relative, who would, I was convinced, on his return +satisfactorily elucidate his proceedings. Occupied with vain surmises +and reflections, time passed on almost unperceived; and ere I was +aware the black steed was at my side. The rider suddenly dismounted. I +drew back, instinctively, as he approached; for I saw, in the still +clear light of the unclouded moon, his countenance hideously distorted +and almost demoniacal in its expression. + +"'Thou art mine!' said he, laying one hand upon my shoulder; 'and thou +shall know too soon my terrible secret.' He came nearer; I felt his +breath upon my face; it was hot and even scorching; I was unable to +resist; he clung round me like a serpent; his eyes shot livid fire, +and his lips--hideous, detestable thought--his lips met mine! His +whole spirit seemed diffusing itself throughout my frame. I thought my +body was destined to be the habitation of some accursed fiend--that I +was undergoing the horrid process of demoniacal possession! Though +gasping, almost suffocating, for I could not disengage myself from his +deadly fangs, I exerted my utmost strength. One cry was to Heaven, but +it was the last; the soul seemed to have exhausted herself with the +effort. All subsequent and sensible impressions vanished; and I +remember nothing save horrible incoherent dreams, wherein I was the +sport and prey of demons, or my own body the dwelling-place of some +ever-restless and malicious fiend! From the long night of +insensibility that ensued I would be thankful that reason has awaked +without injury; and though fearful beyond the common lot of mortals +has been my destiny, yet I would render homage to that Power whose +might rescued me from the very grasp of the Evil One!" + +The listeners were appalled, horror-struck beyond measure, at this +fearful narrative. Its mysteries they could not solve by any reference +to the usual course of natural events; no key that nature holds would +unlock this dark and diabolical mystery. To his dying day Norton +firmly believed that his uncle's body was the abode of some foul +spirit, permitted to sojourn upon earth only on the fearful condition +that he should effect his entrance, at stated periods, into a living +human frame, whose proper occupant he might be able to dispossess for +this horrible purpose. Many circumstances would seem to corroborate +this belief. The adventure of the old poacher, in particular, +happening precisely on the night of his uncle's disappearance, led +Norton to conclude that the foul fiend was obliged to renew his +habitation upon every twelfth return of the holy festival of St +Bartholomew. That a solution so inconsistent with our belief in the +constant care and control of an all-wise and an all-powerful +Providence was incorrect, we need not be at any pains to prove in this +era of widely-disseminated knowledge and intelligence. Still, a +mystery, inscrutable under the ordinary operations of nature, appears +to hang over the whole proceeding, and though a legend only, yet the +events bear a wonderful semblance and affinity to truth, even in their +wildest details. + +It is said that the "_Spectre Horseman_" appeared no more, and that +having failed in fulfilling the terms by which his existence upon +earth was, from time to time, permitted and prolonged, he was driven +to his own place, where he must abide for ever the doom of those +kindred and accursed spirits whose aim it is continually to seduce and +to destroy. + + [19] The Two Lads are heaps of loose stones, about + ten or twelve feet in height, set up, as the story goes, to + commemorate the death of two shepherd boys, who were found on + the spot after a long search, missing their way during a heavy + fall of snow. The tale is most probably incorrect; these mural + monuments have been gradually accumulated by the passers-by;--a + custom handed down from the most remote ages, and still + observed as an act of religious worship in the East. There is + little doubt but they are remnants yet lingering amongst us of + the "altars upon every high hill," once dedicated to Baal, or + Bel, the great object of Carthaginian or Phoenician worship, + from which our Druidical rites were probably derived. + + + + +MOTHER RED-CAP; OR, THE ROSICRUCIANS. + +A LEGEND OF THE NORTH. + + +PART THE FIRST. + +In the wild and mountainous region of East Lancashire, at the foot of +the long line of hills called Blackstonedge, and not far from the town +of Rochdale, stood one of those old grim-looking mansions, the abode +of our Saxon ancestors; a quiet, sheltered nest, where ages and +generations had alike passed by. The wave of time had produced no +change; the name and the inheritance were the same, and seemingly +destined to continue unaltered by the mutations, the common lot of all +that man labours to perpetuate. This state of things existed at the +date of our story; now, alas! the race of its former possessors is +extinct, their name only remains a relic of things that were--their +former mansion standing,[20] as if in mockery, amidst the hum of +wheels, and in melancholy contrast with the toil and animation of this +manufacturing, money-getting district. + +Buckley Hall, to which we allude, is still an object of interest to +the antiquary and the lover of romance, telling of days that are for +ever departed, when the lords of these paternal acres were the +occupants, not impoverishers, of the soil from unrecorded +ages--constituting a tribe, a race of sturdy yeomanry attached to +their country and to the lands on which they dwelt. But they are nigh +extinct--other habits and other pursuits have prevailed. Profuse +hospitality and rude benevolence have given place to habits of +business as they are called, and to a more calculating and +enterprising disposition. The most ancient families have become +absorbed or overwhelmed by the mighty progress of this new element, +this outpouring of wealth as from some unseen source; and in many +instances their names only are recognised in these old and rickety +mansions, now the habitation of the mechanic and the plebeian. + +Many of these dwellings remain--a melancholy contrast to the trim +erections, the symbols of a new race, along with new habits and forms +of existence, sufficiently testifying to the folly and the vain +expectations of those who toil and labour hard for a long lease with +posterity. + +This mansion, like the rest of our ancestral dwellings of the better +sort, was built of wood, on a stone basement. The outside structure +curiously vandyked in a zigzag fashion with wooden partitions, the +interstices were filled with wicker-work, plastered with well-tempered +clay, to which chopped straw imparted additional tenacity. When newly +embellished, looking like the pattern, black and white, of some +discreet magpie perched on the wooden pinnacles terminating each +gable, or hopping saucily about the porch--that never-failing adjunct +to these homely dwellings. Here, on a well-scoured bench, the master +of the house would sit in converse with his family or his guests, +enjoying the fresh and cheering breeze, without being fully exposed to +its effects. The porch was universally adopted as a protection to the +large flagged hall called the "house-part," which otherwise might have +been seriously incommoded by the inclement atmosphere of these bleak +districts. On one side of the hall, containing the great fireplace, +was the "guest parlour." Here the best bed was usually fixed; and +here, too, all great "occasions" took place. Births, christenings, +burials--all emanated from, or were accomplished in, this family +chamber. Every member was there transmitted from the cradle to the +grave. The low wide oaken stairs, to the first bending of which an +active individual might have leaped without any such superfluous +media. The naked gallery, with its little quaint doors on each side, +hatched in the usual fashion, this opening into the store-room, that +into the servants' lodging, another into the closet where the choicest +confections were kept. Opposite were the bed-chambers, and at the +extremity of the gallery a ladder generally pointed the way to a loft, +where, amongst heaps of winter stores, dried roots, and other +vegetables, probably reposed one or two of the male servants on a +straw mattress, well fortified from cold by an enormous quilt. + +Our description will apply with little variation to all. We love +these deserted mansion-houses that speak of the olden time, its good +cheer and its rude but pleasant intercourse; times and seasons that +are for ever gone, though we crave pardon for indulging in what may +perhaps find little favour in the eyes of this generation, whose hopes +and desires are to the future, who say the past is but the childhood +of our existence: it is gone, and shall not return. But there are yet +some who love to linger on the remnants, the ruins of a former state, +who look at these time-honoured relics but as links that bring them +into closer communion with bygone ages, and would fain live in the +twilight of other years rather than the meridian splendour of the +present. But we must not be seduced any further by these reflections; +our present business concerns the legend whose strange title stands at +the head of this article. + +In one of the upper chambers at Buckley Hall before named, and not +long ago, was an iron ring fixed to a strong staple in the wall; and +to this ring a fearful story is still attached. The legend, as it is +often told, is one of those wild improbable fictions, based on facts +distorted and embellished to suit the taste of the listener or the +fancy of the narrator. It will be our task to make out from these +imaginative materials a narrative divested as much as possible of the +marvellous, but at the same time retaining so much as will interest +and excite the reader and lover of legendary lore. + +It was in one of those genial, mellow, autumnal evenings--so dear to +all who can feel their influence, and so rare a luxury to the +inhabitants of this weeping climate--when all living things wear the +hue and warmth of the glowing atmosphere in which they are enveloped, +that two lovers were sauntering by the rivulet, a "wimpling burn" +that, rising among the bare and barren moorlands of this uncultivated +region, runs past Buckley Hall into the valley of the Roch. + +It was near the close of the sixteenth century, in the days of good +Queen Bess, yet their apparel was somewhat homely even for this era of +stuffed doublets and trunk-hose. Such unseemly fashions had hardly +travelled into these secluded districts; and the plain, stout, woollen +jacket of their forefathers, and the ruffs, tippets, stays, and +stomachers of their grandmothers, formed the ordinary wear of the +belles and beaux of the province. Fardingales, or hooped petticoats, +we are happy to say, for the sake of our heroine, were unknown. + +"Be of good cheer," said the lover; "there be troubles enow, believe +me, without building them up out of our own silly fears--like boys +with their snow hobgoblins, terrible enough in the twilight of fancy, +but a gleam of sunshine will melt and dissipate them. Thou art sad +to-night without reason. Imaginary fears are the worst to cope withal; +having nor shape nor substance, we cannot combat with them. 'Tis hard, +indeed, fighting with shadows." + +"I cannot smile to-night, Gervase; there's a mountain here--a +foreboding of some deadly sort. I might as soon lift 'Robin Hood's +Bed' yonder as remove it." + +"No more of this, my dearest Grace; at least not now. Let us enjoy +this bright and sunny landscape. How sharply cut are those crags +yonder on the sky. Blackstonedge looks almost within a stride, or at +least a good stone's-throw. Thou knowest the old legend of Robin Hood; +how that he made yonder rocks his dormitory, and by way of amusement +pitched or quoited huge stones at a mark on the hill just above us, +being some four or five miles from his station. It is still visible +along with several stones lying near, and which are evidently from the +same rock as that on which it is said he slept." + +"I've heard such silly tales often. Nurse had many of these old +stories wherewith to beguile us o' winter nights. She used to tell, +too, about Eleanor Byron, who loved a fay or elf, and went to meet him +at the fairies' chapel away yonder where the Spodden gushes through +its rocky cleft,--'tis a fearful story,--and how she was delivered +from the spell. I sometimes think on't till my very flesh creeps, and +I could almost fancy that such an invisible thing is about me." + +With such converse did they beguile their evening walk, ever and anon +making the subject bend to the burden of their own sweet ditty of +mutual _unchanging_ love! + +Grace Ashton was the only daughter of a wealthy yeoman, one of the +gentry of that district, residing at Clegg Hall, a mile or two +distant. Its dark low gables and quiet smoke might easily be +distinguished from where they stood. It was said that the Cleggs, its +original owners, had been beggared and dispossessed by vexatious and +fraudulent lawsuits; and the Ashtons had achieved their purpose by +dishonesty and chicane. However this might be, busy rumour gave +currency and credit to the tale, though probably it had none other +foundation than the idle and malevolent gossip of the envious and the +unthinking. + + +[Illustration "THE THRUTCH," NEAR ROCHDALE. +_Drawn by G. Pickering._ +_Engraved by Edw^d Finden._] + + +They had toiled up a narrow pathway on the right of a woody ravine, +where the stream had evidently formed itself a passage through the +loose strata in its course. The brook was heard, though hidden by the +tangled underwood, and they stopped to listen. Soothing but melancholy +was the sound. Even the birds seemed to chirp there in a sad and +pensive twitter, not unnoticed by the lovers, though each kept the +gloomy and fanciful apprehensions untold. + +Soon they gained the summit of a round heathery knoll, whence an +extensive prospect rewarded their ascent. The squat, square tower of +Rochdale Church might be seen above the dark trees nestling under its +grey walls. The town was almost hidden by a glowing canopy of smoke +gleaming in the bright sunset--towards the north the bare bleak hills, +undulating in sterile loneliness, and associating only with images of +barrenness and desolation. Easterly, a long, level burst of light +swept across meadow, wood, and pasture; green slopes dotted with +bright homesteads, to the very base apparently of, though at some +distance from, Blackstonedge, now of the deepest, the most intense +blue. Such a daring contrast of colour gave a force and depth to the +landscape, which, had it been portrayed, would, to critical eyes +perhaps, have outraged the modesty of Nature. + +The sky was already growing cold and grey above the ridge opposed to +the burning brightness of the western horizon, and Grace Ashton +pointed out the beautiful but fleeting hues of the landscape around +them. Her companion, however, was engrossed by another object. Before +them was an eminence marking the horizon to the north-west, though not +more than a good bowshot from where they stood. Between this and +their present standing was a little grassy hollow, through which the +brook we have described trickled rather than ran, amidst moss and +rushes, rendering the ground swampy and unsafe. On this hill stood +"Robin Hood's coit-stones;" and on the largest, called the +"marking-stone," a wild-looking and haggard figure was crouched. Her +garments, worn and tattered, were of a dingy red; and her cap, or +_coiffure_ as it was then called, was of the same colour. Her head was +bent forward beyond the knee, as though she were listening towards +the ground, or was expecting the approach of the individuals who now +came suddenly, and to themselves unexpectedly, in view. Her figure, in +the glow of that rich autumnal sky, looked of the deepest crimson, and +of a bloody and portentous aspect. + +"What strange apparition is yonder," said Gervase Buckley, "on the +hill-top there before us? Beshrew me, Grace, but it hath an evil and a +rancorous look." + +But Grace, along with a short scream of surprise, betrayed, too, her +recognition of the object, and clung with such evident terror to her +companion that he turned from the object of his inquiries to gaze on +his mistress. + +"What!" said he, "hath yonder unknown such power? Methinks it hath +moved thee strangely. Speak, Grace; can that hideous appearance in any +way be linked with our destiny?" + +"I am ignorant as thou. But its coming, as I have heard, always +forebodes disaster to our house. Hast not heard of a Red Woman that +sometimes haunts this neighbourhood? I never saw her until now, but +I've heard strange and fearful stories of her appearing some years +ago, and blighting the corn, poisoning the cattle, with many other +diabolical witcheries. She is best known by the name of 'Mother +Red-Cap.'" + +"I've heard of this same witch in my boyhood. But what should we fear? +She is flesh and blood like ourselves; and, in spite of the prevailing +belief, I could never suppose power would be granted to some, +generally the most wicked and the most worthless, which from the rest +of mankind is capriciously withholden." + +"Hush, Gervase; thou knowest not how far the arch-enemy of mankind may +be permitted to afflict bodily our guilty race. I could tell thee such +tales of yonder creature as would stagger even the most stubborn of +unbelievers." + +"I will speak to her, nevertheless. Tarry here, I prithee, Grace. It +were best I should go alone." + +"Oh, do not--do not! None have sight of her, as I've heard, but +mischief follows. What disaster, then, may we not expect from her evil +tongue? I shudder at the anticipation. Stay here. I will not be left; +and I cannot cross this dangerous swamp." + +Buckley was, however, bent on the adventure. His natural curiosity, +inflamed by forbidden longing after the occult and the mysterious, to +which he was too prone, even though sceptical as to their existence, +rendered him proof against his mistress' entreaties. + +Probably from situation, or rather, it might be, the distance was +judged greater than in reality it proved, but the form before them +looked preternaturally enlarged, and as she raised her head her arms +were flung out high above it like withered and wasted branches on each +side. Trembling in every limb, Grace clung to her lover, and it was +after long persuasion that she suffered him to lift her over the +morass, and was dragged unwillingly up the hill. As though she were +the victim of some terrible fascination, her eyes were constantly +riveted on the object. A raven wheeled round them, every moment +narrowing the circle of its flight, and the malicious bird looked +eager for mischief. + +As they approached nearer to the summit, this ill-omened thing, after +having brushed so close that they felt the very breath from its wings, +alighted beside the Red Woman, who hardly seemed to notice, though +well aware of their proximity. + +They paused when several paces distant, and she rose up suddenly, +extending both arms, apparently to warn them from a nearer approach. +Her skinny lips, rapidly moving to and fro, and her dark withered, +bony, and cadaverous features, gave her more the appearance of a +living mummy or a resurrection from the charnel-house than aught +instinct with the common attributes of humanity. + +Buckley was for a moment daunted. The form was so unlike anything he +had ever seen. He was almost persuaded of the possibility that it +might be some animated corpse doomed to wander forth either for +punishment or expiation. Her lips still moved. A wild glassy eye was +fixed upon them, and as she yet stood with extended arms, Gervase, +almost wrought to desperation, cried out-- + +"Who art thou? Thy business here?" + +A hollow sound, hardly like the tones of a human voice, answered in a +slow and solemn adjuration-- + +"Beware, rash fools! None approach the Red Woman but to their +undoing." + +"I know no hindrance to my free course in this domain. By whose +authority am I forbidden?" said he, taking courage. + +"Away--mine errand is not to thee unless provoked." + +"Unto whom is thy message?" + +"To thy leman--thy ladye-love, whom thou wilt cherish to thine hurt. +Leave her, ay, though both hearts break in the separation." + +"I will not." + +"Then be partaker of the wrath that is just ready to burst upon her +doomed house." + +"I told thee," said Grace, "she is the herald of misfortune! What woe +does she denounce? What cruel judgment hast thou invoked upon our +race?" cried she to this grim messenger of evil. + +"Evil will--evil must! I will cling to ye till your last sustenance be +dried up, and your inheritance be taken from ye." + +"Her fate be mine," said Buckley, indignantly. "Her good or evil +fortune I will share." + +"Be it so. Thou hast made thy choice, and henceforth thou canst not +complain." + +She stretched out her two hands, one towards Clegg Hall, the abode of +the maiden, and the other towards Buckley, her lover's paternal roof, +from which a blue curl of smoke was just visible over the rising +grounds beneath them. + +"A doom and a curse to each," she muttered. "Your names shall depart, +and your lands to the alien and the stranger. Your honours shall be +trodden in the dust, and your hearths laid waste, and your habitations +forsaken." + +In this fearful strain she continued until Buckley cried out-- + +"Cease thy mumbling, witch. I'll have thee dealt with in such wise thy +tongue shall find another use." + +Turning upon him a look of scorn, she seemed to grow fiercer in her +maledictions. + +"Proud minion," she cried, "thou shall die childless and a beggar!" + +The cunning raven flapped his great heavy wings and seemed to croak an +assent. He then hopped on his mistress' shoulder, and apparently +whispered in her ear. + +"Sayest thou so?" said the witch. "Then give it to me, Ralph." + +The bird held out his beak, and out popped a plain gold ring. + +"Give this to thy mother, Dame Buckley. Say 'tis long since they +parted company; and ask if she knows or remembers aught of the Red +Woman. Away!" + +She threw the ring towards them. Both stooped to pick it up. They +examined it curiously for a short space. + +"'Tis a wedding-ring," said Buckley, "but not to wed bride of mine. +Where was this"---- + +He stopped short in his inquiry, for lifting up his eyes he found the +donor was gone! + +Neither of them saw the least trace of her departure. The stone +whereon she sat was again vacant. All was silent, undisturbed, save +the night breeze that came sighing over the hill, moaning and +whistling through the withered bent and rushes at their feet. + +The shadows of evening were now creeping softly around them, and the +valley below was already wrapped in mist. The air felt very chill. +They shuddered, but it was in silence. This fearful vision, for such +it now appeared to have been, filled them with unspeakable dread. + +Gervase yet held the ring in his hand. He would have thrown it from +him, but Grace Ashton forbade. + +"Do her bidding in this matter," said she. "Give it thy mother, and +ask counsel of the sage and the discreet. There is some fearful +mystery--some evil impending, or my apprehensions are strangely +misled." + +They returned, but he was more disturbed than he cared to acknowledge. +He felt as though some spell had been cast upon him, and cowed his +hitherto undaunted spirit. + +They again wound down beside the rivulet into the meadows below, where +the mist alone pointed out the course of the stream. The bat and the +beetle crossed their path. Evil things only were abroad. All they saw +and felt seemed to be ominous of the future. As they passed through a +little wicket to the hall-porch, Nicholas Buckley the father met them. + +"Why, how now, loiterers? The cushat and the curlew have left the +hill, and yet ye are abroad. 'Tis time the maiden were at home and +looking after the household." + +"We've been hindered, good sir. We will just get speech of our dame, +and then away home with the gentle Grace. Half-an-hour's good speeding +will see her safe." + +"Ay--belike," said the old man. "Lovers and loiterers make mickle +haste to part. Our dame is with the maids and the milkpans i' the +dairy." + +The elder Buckley was a hale hearty yeoman, of a ruddy and cheerful +countenance. A few wrinkles were puckered below the eyes; the rest of +his face was sleek and comfortably disposed. A beard, once thick and +glossy, was grown grey and thin, curling up short and stunted round +his portly chin. Two bright twinkling eyes gave note of a stirring and +restless temper--too sanguine, maybe, for success in the great and +busy world, and not fitted either by education or disposition for its +suspicions or its frauds. Yet he had the reputation of a clever +merchant. Rochdale, even at that early period, was a well-known mart +for the buyers and sellers of woollen stuffs and friezes. Many of the +most wealthy merchants, too, indulged in foreign speculations and +adventures, and amongst these the name of Nicholas Buckley was not the +least conspicuous. + +They passed on to the dairy, where Dame Eleanor scolded the maids and +skimmed the cream at the same moment, by way of economy in time. + +"What look ye for here?" was her first inquiry, for truly her temper +was of a hasty and searching nature; somewhat prone, as well, to +cavilling and dispute, requiring much of her husband's placidity to +furnish oil for the turbulent waters of her disposition. + +"Thou wert better at thy father's desk than idling after thine +unthrifty pleasures: to-morrow, maybe, sauntering among the hills with +hound and horn, beating up with all the rabble in the parish." + +"Nay, mother, chide not: I was never made for merchandise and +barter--the price of fleeces in Tod Lane, and the broad ells at +Manchester market." + +"And why not?" said the dame, sharply; "haven't I been the prop and +stay of the house? Haven't I made bargains and ventures when thou hast +been idling in hall and bower with love-ditties and ladies' purfles?" + +She was now moved to sudden choler, and Gervase did not dare to thwart +her further--letting the passion spend itself by its own efforts, as +he knew it were vain to check its torrent. + +Now Dame Eleanor Buckley was of a sharp and florid +countenance--short-necked and broad-shouldered, her nose and chin +almost hiding a pair of thin severe lips, the two prominences being +close neighbours, especially in anger. In truth she guided, or rather +managed, the whole circle of affairs; aiding and counselling the +speculations of her husband, who had happily been content with the +produce and profit of his paternal acres, had not his helpmate, who +inherited this mercantile spirit from her family, urged her partner to +such unwonted lust and craving for gain. + +A huge bundle of keys hung at her girdle, which, when more than +usually excited, did make a most discordant jingle to the tune that +was a-going. Indeed, the height and violence of her passion might be +pretty well guessed at by this index to its strength. + +When the storm had in some degree subsided, Gervase held up the ring. + +"What's that, silly one? A wedding-ring!" + +She grew almost pale with wrath. "How darest thou?--thee!--a ring!--to +wed ere thou hast a home for thy pretty one. Ye may go beg, for here +ye shall not tarry. Go to the next buckle-beggar! A pretty wedding +truly! When thou hast learned how to keep her honestly 'twill be time +enough to wed. But thou hast not earned a doit to put beside her +dower, and all our ready moneys, and more, be in trade; though, for +the matter o' that, the pulling would be no great business either. But +I tell thee again, thy father shall not portion an idler like thyself +and pinch his trade. Marry, 'tis enough to do, what with grievous sums +lost in shipwrecks, and the time we have now to wait our returns from +o'er sea." + +She went on at this rate for a considerable space, pausing at last, +more for lack of breath than subject-matter of discourse. + +"Mother," said he, when fairly run down; "'tis not a purchase--'tis a +gift." + +"By some one sillier than thyself, I warrant." + +"I know not for that; I had it from a stranger." + +"Stranger still," she replied sharply, chuckling at her own conceit. + +"Look at it, mother. Know you such a one?" + +The dame eyed it with no favour, but she turned it over with a curious +look, at the same time lifting her eyes now and then towards the +ceiling, as some train of recollection was awakening in her mind. + +"Where gat ye this?" said Dame Eleanor, in a subdued but still +querulous tone. + +"On the hill-top yonder." + +"Treasure-trove belongs to Sir John Byron.[21] The lord of the manor +claims all from the finders." + +"It was a gift." + +"Humph. Hast met gold-finders on the hills, or demons or genii that +guard hidden treasure?" + +"We've seen the Red Woman!" + +Had a sudden thunder-clap burst over them, she could not have been +more startled. She stood speechless, and seemingly incapable of reply. +Holding the ring in one hand, her eyes were intently fixed upon it. + +"What is it that troubles you?" said Gervase. "Yon strange woman bade +me give you the ring, and ask if so be that you remembered her." + +The dame looked up, her quick and saucy petulance exchanged for a +subdued and melancholy air. + +"Remember thee! thou foul witch? ay long, long years have passed; I +thought thy persecutions at an end; thy prediction was nigh forgotten. +It was my wedding-ring, Gervase!" + +"More marvellous still." + +"Peace, and I'll tell thee. Grace Ashton, come forward. I know thine +ears are itching for the news. Well, well, it was when thou wast but a +boy, Gervase, and I remember an evening just like this. I was standing +by the draw-well yonder, looking, I now bethink me, at the dovecot, +where I suspected thieves; and in a humour somewhat of the sharpest, I +trow. By-and-by comes, what I thought, an impudent beggar-woman for an +alms. Her dress was red and tattered, with a high red cap to match. I +chided her it might be somewhat harshly, and I shall not soon forget +the malicious look she put on. 'I ask not, I need not thy benison,' +she said; 'I would have befriended thee, but I now curse thee +altogether:' and stretching out her shrivelled arm, dry and bare, she +shook it, threatening me with vengeance. Suddenly, or ere I was aware, +she seized my left hand, drew off my wedding-ring; breathing upon it +and mumbling a spell, she held it as though for me to take back, but +with such a fiendish look of delight that I hesitated. All on a sudden +I remembered to have heard my grandmother say that should a witch or +warlock get your wedding-ring, and have time to mutter over it a +certain charm, _so long as that ring is above ground_ so long misery +and misfortune do afflict the owner. Lucky it was I knew of this, for +instead of replacing it I threw it into the well, being the nearest +hiding-place. And happy for me and thee it was so near; for, would you +believe, though hardly a minute's space in my hand, the black heifer +died, the red cow cast her calf, and a large venture of merchandise +was wrecked in a fearful gale off the gulf. I had no sooner thrown it +into the well than the witch looked more diabolical than ever. 'It +will come again, dame,' said she, 'and then look to it;' and with this +threat she departed. But what am I doing? If it be the ring, which I +doubt not, I've had it o'er long in my keeping. Even now disaster may +be a-brewing; and is there not a richly-freighted ship on its passage +with silks and spices? I'll put it out of her reach this time anyhow. +No! I'll hide it where never a witch in Christendom shall poke it +out." + +Dame Eleanor went to the little burn below. Stooping, she scooped a +hole in the gravel under water; there she laid the ring, and covered +it over with stones. + +"Thou'rt always after some of thy megrims, dame," said the elder +Buckley, who had been watching her from the porch. "Some spell or +counter-charm, I'se warrant." + +With a look of great contempt for the incredulity of her spouse, she +replied-- + +"Ay, goodman, sit there and scoff your fill. If't hadn't been for my +care and endeavours you had been penniless ere now. But so it is, I +may slave night and day, I reckon. The whole roof-tree, as a body may +say, is on my shoulders, and what thanks? More hisses than thanks, +more knocks than fair words." + +Never so well pleased as when opportunity was afforded for grumbling, +the dame addressed herself again to her evening avocations. + +Pondering deeply what should be the issue of these things, Gervase set +out with Grace Ashton to her house at Clegg Hall, a good mile distant. +Evening had closed in--a chill wind blew from the hills. The west had +lost its splendour, but a pure transparent brightness filled its +place, across which the dark wavy outline of the high moorlands rested +in deep unvarying shadow. In these bright depths a still brighter star +hung, pure and of a diamond-like lustre, the precursor, the herald of +a blazing host just rising into view. + +As they walked on, it may well be supposed that the strange +occurrences of the last few hours were the engrossing theme of their +discourse. + +"My mother is a little too superstitious, I am aware," said Gervase; +"but what I have witnessed to-night has rendered me something more +credulous on this head than aforetime." + +"I don't half like this neighbourhood," said his companion, looking +round. "It hath an ill name, and I could almost fancy the Red Woman +again, just yonder in our path." + +She looked wistfully; it was only the mist creeping lazily on with the +stream. + +They were now ascending the hill towards Beil or Belfield, where the +Knights Templars had formerly an establishment. Not a vestage now +remains, though at that period a ruinous tower covered with ivy, a +gateway, and an arch, existed as relics of their former grandeur. + +"Here lived the Lady Eleanor Byron," said Grace, pointing to the old +hall close by, and as though an unpleasant recollection had crossed +her. She shuddered as they passed by the grim archway beneath the +tower. Whether it was fancy or reality she knew not, but as she looked +curiously through its ivied tracery she thought the Red Woman was +peering out maliciously upon them. She shrank aside, and pointed to +the spot; but there was nothing visible save the dark and crumbling +ruins, from which their steps were echoed with a dull and sullen +sound. + +The night wind sighed round the grey battlements, and from its hidden +recesses came moans and whispers--at least so it seemed to their +heated imaginations. + +"Let us hasten hence," said Grace; "I like not this lonely spot. There +was always a fear and a mystery about it. The tale of the invisible +sylphid and Eleanor Byron's elfish lover haunts me whenever I pass by, +and I feel as though something was near, observing and influencing +every movement and every thought." + +"Come, come, a-done I pray. Let not fear o'ermaster reason, else we +shall see bogles in every bush." + +Above the gateway, in the little square tower now pulled down, was a +loophole, nearly concealed by climbing shrubs, which rendered it easy +for a person within to look out without being observed. As they passed +a low humming din was heard. Then a rude ditty trolled from some not +unskilful performer. The lovers stayed to listen, when a dark figure +issued out of the gateway singing-- + + "The bat haunts the tower, + And the redbreast the bower, + And the merry little sparrow by the chimney hops, + Good e'en, hoots master owl, + To-whoo, to-whoo, his troll, + Sing heigho, swing the can with"---- + +"What, thee, Tim! Is that thy stupid face?" said Gervase, breaking in +upon his ditty, and right glad to be delivered from supernatural +fears, though the object of them proved only this strolling minstrel. +"Thou might as well kill us outright as frighten us to death." + +He that stood before them was one of those wandering musicians that +haunt fairs and merry-makings, wakes, and such like pastimes; playing +the fiddle and jewtrump too at weddings and alehouses; in short, any +sort of idleness never came amiss to these representatives of the old +Troubadours. A tight oval cap covered his shaggy poll; he was clad in +a coarse doublet or jerkin slashed in the fashion of the time, while +his nether integuments were fastened in the primitive mode by a wooden +skewer. He could conjure too, and play antics to set the folks agape; +but as to his honesty, it was of that dubious sort that few cared to +have it in trust. He was apt at these alehouse ditties--many of them +his own invention. He knew all the choicest ballads too, so that his +vocation was much akin to the _jogleurs_ or _jongleurs_ of more +ancient times, when Richard of the Lion's Heart and other renowned +monarchs disdained not "_the gentle craft of poesie_." + +Wherever was a feast, let it be a wedding or a funeral, Tim, like the +harpies of old, scented the meat, and some of his many vocations were +generally in request. + +This important functionary now stood whistling and singing by turns +with the most admired unconcern. + +"What's thy business here?" cried Gervase, approaching him. + + "The maid was fair, and the maid was coy, + But the lover left, and the maid said 'Why?' + Sing O the green willow!" + +"Answerest thou me with thy trumpery ditties? I'll have thee put i' +the stocks, sirrah." + +"Oh, ha' mercy, master! there's naught amiss 'at I know. I'm but +takin' roost here wi' the owls an' jackdaws a bit, maybe for want o' +better lyin'." + +"It were hard to have a better knack at lying than thou hast already. +Hast gotten the weather into thy lodgings? When didst flit to thy new +quarters?" + +"Th' hay-mow at Clegg is ower savoured wi' the new crop, an' I want +fresh air for my studies." + +"Now art thou lying"---- + +"Like a lover to his sweetheart," said Tim, interrupting him, and +finishing the sentence. + +"Peace, knave! There's some mischief i' the wind. Thou'rt after no +good, I trow." + +"What te dickons do I ail here? Is't aught 'at a man can lift off but +stone wa's an' ivy-boughs? Marry, my little poke man ha' summut else +to thrive on nor these." + +"There's been great outcry about poultry an' other farmyard +appendances amissing of late, besides eggs and such like dainties enow +to furnish pancakes and fritters for the whole parish. Hast gotten +company in thy den above there?" + +"Jacks an' ouzles, if ye like, Master Gervase. Clim' up, clim' up, +lad, an there'll be a prial on us. Ha, ha! What! our little sweetheart +there would liefer t' be gangin.' Weel, weel, 'tis natural, as a body +may say-- + + "One is good, and two is good, + But three's no company." + +"Answer me quick, thou rogue. Is there any other but thyself yonder +above?" + +"When I'm there I'm not here, an' when I'm here"---- + +"Sirrah, I'll flog the wind out o' thy worthless carcase. Hast any +pilfering companions about thee? I do smell a savoury +refection--victuals are cooking, or my nose belies its office." + +"Fair speech, friend, wins a quiet answer; a soft word and a smooth +tongue all the world over. What for mayn't I sup as well as my +betters?" + +"As well?--better belike. There's no such savour in our hall at +eventide, nor in the best kitchen in the parish." + +"It's not my fau't, is't?" + +"By'r lady, there's somebody in the chamber there. I saw the leaves +fluttering from the loophole. Villain, who bears thee company?" + +"Daft, daft. What fool would turn into roost wi' me? Clean gone crazy, +sure as I'm livin'." + +"Nay, nay, there's some plot here--some mischief hatching. I'll see, +or"---- + +He was just going to make the attempt; but Tim withstood him, and in a +peremptory manner barred the way. + +"How! am I barred by thee, and to my face?" + +"It's no business o' thine, Master Gervase. What's hatching there +concerns not thee. Keep back, I say, or"---- + +"Ha! Thou jingle-pated rascal, stand off, or I'll wring thy neck round +as I would a Jackdaw." + +"Do not, do not, Gervase!" said Grace Ashton, fearful of some unlucky +strife. "Let us begone. We are too late already, and 'tis no business +of ours." + +"What! and be o'erfoughten by this scurvy lack-wit. Once more, who is +there above?" + +"An' what if I shouldn't tell thee?" + +"I'll baste thy carcase to a mummy; I'll make thee tender for the +hounds." + +"Another word to that, master, an' it's a bargain." + +"Let me pass." + +"Not without my company." + +He whistled, and in a moment Gervase felt himself pinioned from +behind. Looking round, he saw two stout fellows with their faces +covered; and any other possibility of recognition was impracticable in +the heavy twilight. + +"Who's i' t' stocks now?" cried the malicious rogue, laughing. + +"Unhand me, or ye'll rue that ever ye wrought this outrage." + +"Nay, nay, that were a pretty stave, when we've gotten the bird, to +open the trap," said Tim. + +Gervase immediately saw that another party had seized Grace Ashton. He +raved and stamped until his maledictions were put an end to by an +effectual gag, and he did not doubt but she had suffered the same +treatment, for a short sharp scream only was heard. Being immediately +blindfolded, he could only surmise that her usage was of a similar +nature. + +He was so stupefied with surprise that for a short period he was +hardly sensible to their further proceedings. When able to reflect, he +found himself pinioned, and in a sitting posture. A damp chill was on +his forehead. He had been dragged downwards, and, from the motion, +steps were the medium of descent. A door or two had been raised or +opened, a narrow passage previously traversed, and a short time only +elapsed from the cool freshness of the evening air to the damp and +stifling atmosphere that he now breathed. What could be the cause of +his seizure he was quite incompetent to guess. He could not recollect +that he had either pique or grudge on his hands; and what should be +the result he only bewildered and wearied himself by striving to +anticipate. + +It was surely a dream. He heard a voice of ravishing sweetness; such +pure and silvery tones, that aught earthly could have produced it was +out of the question; it was like the swell of some AEolian lyre--words, +too, modifying and enhancing that liquid harmony. It was a hymn, but +in a foreign tongue. He soon recognised the evening hymn to the +Virgin-- + + "Mater amata, intemerata, + Ora, ora, pro nobis." + +So sweetly did the music melt into his soul, that he quite forgot his +thrall, and every sense was attuned to the melody. When the sound +ceased he made an effort to get free. He loosened his hands, and +immediately tore off the bandage from his eyes. A few seconds elapsed, +when he saw a light streaming through a crevice. Looking through, he +saw a taper burning before a little shrine, where two females in white +raiment, closely veiled, were kneeling. + +The celebration of such rites, at that time strictly prohibited, +sufficiently accounted for their concealment, and plainly intimated +that the parties were not of the Reformed faith. + +By the light which penetrated his cell from this source he saw it was +furnished with a stone bench, and a narrow flight of steps in one +corner communicated with a trap-door above. + +The old mansion at Belfield, contiguous to these ruins, once belonging +to the Knights of St John, had been for some years untenanted, and, as +often happens to the lot of deserted houses, strange noises, sights, +and other manifestations of ghostly occupants were heard and seen by +passers-by, rendering it a neighbourhood not overliked by those who +had business that way after nightfall. + +Gervase Buckley was pretty well assured that he had been conveyed into +some concealed subterranean chamber, but for what purpose he could not +comprehend. He was not easily intimidated; and though in a somewhat +sorry plight, he now felt little apprehension on the score of +supernatural visitations: but his seizure did not hold out an +immunity as regards corporeal disturbers. He had not long to indulge +these premonitory reflections ere a door was opened. A figure, +completely enveloped in a black cloak, on which a red cross was +conspicuously emblazoned, stood before him. He carried a torch, and +Gervase saw a short naked sword glittering in his belt. + +"Follow me," said the intruder; and, without further parley, pointed +to where another door was concealed in the pavement. This being +opened, Gervase beheld, not without serious apprehension, a flight of +steps evidently communicating with a lower dungeon. His conductor +pointed to the descent, and it would have been useless folly to +disobey. A damp and almost suffocating odour prevailed, as though from +some long-pent-up atmosphere, which did not give the prisoner any +increasing relish or affection for the enterprise. He looked at his +conductor, whose face and person were yet covered. Had he been a +familiar of the Holy Inquisition, he could not have been more careful +of concealment. Gervase looked now and then with a wistful glance +towards his companion's weapon. Being himself unarmed, it would have +been madness to attempt escape. He merely inquired in his descent-- + +"Whence this outrage? I am unarmed, defenceless." But there was no +reply. The guide, with an inclination of the head, pointed with his +torch to the gulf his victim was about to enter. There was little use +in disputation where the opposite party had so decided an advantage, +and he thought it best to abide the issue without further impediment. +He accordingly descended a few steps. His conductor fastened the door +overhead, and they soon arrived at the bottom, at a low arched +passage, where his guide dashed his flambeau against the wall, and it +was immediately extinguished. + +Gervase was left once more in doubt and darkness. There was little +space for explanation. He felt himself seized by an invisible hand, +hurried unresistingly on, till, without any preparation, a blaze of +light burst upon him. + +It was for a moment too overpowering to enable him to distinguish +objects with any certainty. Soon, however, he saw a tolerably spacious +vault or crypt, supported by massy pillars. He had often heard there +existed many unexplored subterranean passages reaching to an +incredible distance, made originally by the Knights Templars for their +private use. One of these, it was said, extended even to the chantry +just then dissolved at Milnrow, more than a mile distant. Many +strange stories he had been told of these warrior monks. But centuries +had elapsed since their suppression. For a moment he almost believed +they were permitted to reappear, doomed at stated periods to re-enact +their unhallowed orgies, their cruelties, and their crimes. The +chamber was lighted by three or four torches, their lurid unsteady +life giving an ever-varying character to the surrounding objects. + +Opposite the entrance was a stone bench, occupied by several figures +attired in a similar manner to his conductor. An individual in the +centre wore in addition a belt covered by some cabalistic devices. The +scene was sufficiently inexplicable, and not at all elucidated by the +following interrogation:-- + +"Thou hast been cited to our tribunal," said the chief inquisitor. + +"I know ye not," said Gervase, with great firmness, though hardly +aware of the position he occupied. + +"Why hast thou not obeyed our summons?" + +"I have not heard of any such; nor in good sooth should I have been +careful to obey had your mandate been delivered." + +"Croix Rouge," said the interrogator, "has this delinquent been +cited?" + +The person he addressed arose, bowed, and presented a written answer. + +"I have here," continued the chief, "sufficient proof that our summons +hath been conveyed to thee, and that hitherto thine answer hath been +contumaciously withheld. What sayest thou?" + +"I have yet to learn, firstly," said Gervase, with more indignation +than prudence, "by what authority you would compel me to appear; and +secondly, how and in what form such mandate had been sent?" + +"Bethink thee, is our answer to the last: the first will be manifested +in due time. We might indeed leave thee ignorant as to what we +require, but pity for thy youth and inexperience forbids. Clegg Hall +is, thou knowest, along with the estate, now unlawfully holden by the +Ashtons." + +"I know that sundry Popish recusants, plotting the overthrow of our +most gracious Queen, do say that other and more legitimate rights are +in abeyance only; but the present owners are too well fortified to be +dispossessed by hearsay." + +"In the porch at Clegg thou wast accosted not long ago by a mendicant +who solicited an alms." + +"Probably so." + +"Did he not hold out to thee the sign of the Rosy Cross, the token of +our all-powerful fraternity of Rosicrucians?" + +"I do remember such a signal; and furthermore, I drove him forth as an +impostor and a pretender to forbidden arts." + +"He showed thee the sign, and bade thee follow?" + +"He did." + +"And why was our summons disobeyed?" + +"Because I have yet to learn what authority you possess either for my +summons or detention." + +"The brotherhood of the Red Cross are not disobeyed with impunity." + +"I have heard of such a fraternity--as well too that they be idle +cheats and lying impostors." + +"We challenge not belief without sufficient testimony to the truth of +our mission. In pity to man's infirmity this indulgence is permitted. +We unfold the hidden operations, the very arcana of Nature, whom we +unclothe as it were to her very nakedness. Our doctrines thereby carry +credence even to the most impious and unbelieving. Ere we command thy +submission, it is permitted to behold some manifestation of our power. +By means derived from the hidden essences of Nature, the first +principles which renovate and govern all things, the very elements of +which they consist, we arrive at the incorporeal essence called +spirit, holding converse with it undebased, uninfluenced by the +intervention of matter. Thus we converse in spirit with those that be +absent, even though they were a thousand leagues apart." + +"And what has this jargon to do with my being despatched hither?" + +"Listen, and reply not; the purport will be vouchsafed to thee anon. +We can compel the spirits even of the absent to come at our bidding by +subtle spells that none have power to disobey. We too can renew and +invigorate life, and by the universal solvent bring about the +renovation of all things--renovation and decay being the two +antagonist principles, as light and darkness. As we can make darkness +light, and light darkness at our pleasure, so can we from decay bring +forth life, and the contrary. Seest thou this dead body?" + +A black curtain he had not hitherto observed was thrown aside, and he +beheld the features of Grace Ashton, or he was strangely deceived. She +was lying on a little couch, death visibly imprinted on her collapsed +and sunken features. + +"Murderers! I will have ye dealt with for this outrage." Maddened +almost to frenzy, he would have rushed towards her, but he was firmly +holden by a power superior to his own. + +"She is now in the first region of departed spirits," said the chief. +"We have power to compel answer to our interrogatories. Listen, +perverse mortal. We are well assured that a vast treasure is concealed +hereabouts, hidden by the Knights of St John. 'Tis beyond our +unassisted power to discover. We have asked counsel of one whom we +dare not disobey, and she it is hath commanded that we cite thee and +Grace Ashton to the tribunal of the Rosy Cross. This corporeal +substance now before us, by reason of its intimate union with the +spirit, purged from the dross of mortality, will answer any question +that may be propounded, and will utter many strange and infallible +prophecies. It will solve doubtful questions, and discourse of things +past, present, and to come, seeing that she is now in spirit where all +knowledge is perfect, and hath her eyes and understanding cleared from +the gross film of our corruption. But as spirit only hath power over +those of its own nature by the law of universal sympathy, so she +answers but to those by whom she is bidden that are of the same +temperament and affinity, which is shown by your affiance and love +towards each other." + +The prisoner heard this mystic harangue with a vacant and fixed +expression, as though his mind were wandering, and he hardly +understood the profundity of the discourse. Every feeling was absorbed +in the conviction that some horrid incantation had for ever deprived +him of his beloved. Then he fancied some imposition had been practised +upon him. Being prevented from a closer examination, at length he felt +some relief in the idea that the form he beheld might possibly be a +counterfeit. He knew not what to say, and the speaker apparently +waited his reply. Finding he was still silent, the former continued +after a brief space:-- + +"Our questions to this purport must necessarily be propounded by thee. +Art thou prepared?" + +"Say on," said Gervase, determined to try the issue, however repugnant +to his thoughts. + +Two of them now arose and stood at each end of the couch. The superior +first made the sign of the cross. He then drew a book from his girdle, +and read therein a Latin exorcism against the intrusion of evil +spirits into the body, commanding those only of a heavenly and benign +influence to attend. He lighted a taper compounded of many strange +ingredients emitting a fragrant odour, and as the smoke curled heavily +about him, flickering and indistinct, he looked like some necromancer +about to perform his diabolical rites. + +The occupant of that miserable couch lay still as death. + +"The first question," cried out the chief; and he looked towards the +prisoner, who was now suffered to approach within a few paces of the +bed. + +"Is there treasure in this place?" + +Gervase tried to repeat the question, but his tongue clave to his +mouth. For the first time probably in his life he felt the sensation +of horrible, undefined, uncontrollable fear--that fear of the unknown +and supernatural, that shrinking from spiritual intercourse even with +those we have loved best. It seemed as though he were in communion +with the invisible world--that awful, incomprehensible state of +existence; and with beings whose power and essence are yet unknown, +armed, in imagination, with attributes of terror and of vengeance. + +With a desperate effort, however, he repeated the question. +Breathless, and with intense agony, he awaited the response. It came! +A voice, not from the lips of the recumbent victim, but as though it +were some inward afflatus, hollow and sepulchral. The lips did not +move, but the following reply was given:-- + +"There is." + +Even the guilty confederates started back in alarm at the success of +their own experiment. All was, however, still--silent as before. + +Taking courage, the next question was put in like manner. + +"In what direction?" + +"Under the main pillar of the south-eastern corner of the vault." + +After another pause, the following questions were asked:-- + +"How may we obtain the treasure sought?" + +"By diligence and perseverance." + +"At what time?" + +"When the moon hath trine to Mercury in the house of Saturn." + +"Is it guarded?" + +"It is." + +"By whom?" + +"By a power that shall crush you unless propitiated." + +"Show us in what manner." + +"I may not; my lips are sealed. That power is superior to mine; the +rest is hidden from me." + +The treasure-seekers were silent, as though disappointed at this +unexpected reply. Another attempt was, however, made. + +"Shall we prosper in our undertaking?" + +"My time is nigh spent. I beseech you that I may depart, for I am in +great torment." + +"Thou shall not, until thou answer." + +"Beware!" + +But this admonition was from another source, and in a different +direction. The obscurity and smoke from the torches made it impossible +to judge with any certainty whence the interruption proceeded. + +Gervase started and turned round. It might be fancy, but he was +confident the features of the Red Woman were present to his +apprehension. Horrors were accumulating. Even the united brotherhood +seemed to tremble as though in the presence of some being of whom they +stood in awe. They awaited her approach in silence. + +"Fool! Did I not warn thee to do _my_ bidding only? And thou art +hankering again, pampering thy cruel lust for gold. How darest thou +question the maiden for this intent? Hence, and thank thy stars thou +art not even now sent howling to thy doom!" + +This terrible and mysterious woman came forward in great anger, and +the Rosicrucian brotherhood were thereby in great alarm. "The maid is +mine--begone!" said she, pointing the way. + +Like slaves under their master's frown, they crouched before this +fearful personification of their unhallowed and forbidden practices, +and departed. + +"Gervase Buckley," she cried, "thou art betrothed to the heiress of +yon wide possessions." + +"I am," said he, roused either to courage or desperation, even in the +presence of a being whose power he felt conscious was not derived from +one common source with his own. + +"Dost thou confirm thy troth?" + +"I do; in life and in death she is mine." + +"Pledge thyself, body and soul, to her." + +"I am hers whilst I live, body and soul. Nothing but death shall part +us." + +"On thy soul's hope thou wilt fulfil this pledge!" + +"I will." Gervase looked wistfully towards his beloved. The inanimate +form was yet pale and still; but a vague hope possessed him that the +witch would again quicken her. + +"'Tis enough. But it must be sealed with blood!" + +He felt her clammy hand on his arm, and a sharp pain as though from a +puncture. He quickly withdrew it, and a blood-drop fell on the floor. + +"Thou art mine--for ever!" + +A loud yell rang through the vaults, and Gervase felt as though the +doom of the lost spirits were his--that a whole troop of fiery demons +had assailed him, and that he was borne away to the pit of torment. +Happily his recollection forsook him, and he became unconscious of +future suffering. + + + + +PART THE SECOND. + + +Morning rose bright and ruddy above the hills. The elder Buckley was +up and stirring betimes. Agreeably to his usual practice, he had +retired early to bed, leaving the household cares and duties to his +helpmate. He was sitting in the porch when his dame, with a disturbed +and portentous aspect, accosted him:-- + +"I know not what hath come to the lad." + +"Gervase--what of him?" said Nicholas, carelessly. + +"He came home very late yesternight. But he did not speak, and he +looked so wan and woe-begone that I verily thought he had seen a ghost +or some uncanny thing yonder on his road home. I've just now been to +rouse him, but he will not answer. Prithee go and get speech of him, +good or bad. I think i' my heart the lad's bewitched." + +Nicholas Buckley was a man of few words, especially in the presence of +his helpmate, so he merely groaned out an incredulous wonder, and went +off as he was bidden. He saw Gervase evidently under the influence of +some stupefying spell. His eyes were open, but he noticed neither the +question nor the person who accosted him. There was something so +horrible and mysterious in his whole appearance that the good man felt +alarmed, and went back to his dame with all possible expedition. What +_could_ have happened? They guessed, and made a thousand odd surmises, +improbable enough the greater part, but all merging in the prevailing +bugbear of the day--witchcraft, which was resorted to as a +satisfactory explanation under every possible difficulty. Had his +malady any connection with the unexpected appearance of the Red Woman +and the ring? It was safe buried, however, and that was a comfort. But +after all, her thoughts always involuntarily recurred to this +unpleasant subject. She could not shake off her suspicions, and there +was little use in attempting further measures unless she could fight +the Evil One with his own weapons. To this end, she began to cast +about for some cunning wizard who might countervail the plots of this +malicious witch. + +Now at this period, Dr Dee, celebrated for his extraordinary +revelations respecting the world of spirits, had been promoted by +Queen Elizabeth (a firm believer in astrology and other recondite +pursuits) to the wardenship of the Collegiate Church at Manchester. +His fame had spread far and wide. He had not long been returned from +his mission to the Emperor Rodolph at Prague, and his intercourse with +invisible things was as firmly believed as the common occurrences of +the day, and as well authenticated. + +The character of Dee has both been underrated and misunderstood. By +most, if not all, he has been looked upon merely as a visionary and an +enthusiast--credulous and ambitious, without the power, though he had +sufficient will, to compass the most mischievous designs. But under +these outward weaknesses and superstitions, tinctured and modified by +the prevailing belief in supernatural interferences, there was a bold +and vigorous mind, frustrated, it is true, by circumstances which he +could not control. Dee aimed at the entire change and subjugation of +affairs, ecclesiastical and political, to the dominion of an unseen +power--a theocracy or millennium--himself the sole medium of +communication, the high priest and lawgiver. To this end he sought the +alliance and support of foreign potentates; and his diary, published +by Casaubon, the original of which is in the British Museum, is a +remarkable and curious detail of the intrigues resorted to for this +purpose. His mission to the Emperor Rodolph, offering him the sceptre +of universal dominion, is told with great minuteness; and there is +little doubt that Elizabeth herself did not disdain to converse and +consult with him on this extraordinary project. Her visits to his +house at Mortlake are well known. He had been consulted as to a +favourable day for her coronation, and received many splendid +promises of preferment that were never realised. At length, +disappointed and hopeless as to the success of his once daring +expectations, he settled down to the only piece of preferment within +his reach--to wit, the wardenship of the Collegiate Church of +Manchester, where he arrived with his family in the beginning of +February 1596. His advice and assistance were much resorted to, and +particularly in cases of supposed witchcraft and demoniacal +possession--articles of unshaken belief at that period with all but +speculatists and optimists, the Sadducees of their day and generation. +His chief colleague throughout his former revelations had been one +Edward Kelly, born at Worcester, where he practised as an apothecary. +In his diary Dee says they were brought together by the ministration +of the angel Uriel. He was called Kelly the Seer. This faculty of +"_seeing_" by means of a magic crystal not being possessed by the +Doctor, he was obliged to have recourse to Kelly, who had, or +pretended to have, this rare faculty. Afterwards, however, he found +out that Kelly had deceived him; those spirits which ministered at his +bidding not being messengers from the Deity, as he once supposed, but +lying spirits sent to deceive and to betray. + +Kelly was an undoubted impostor, though evidently himself a believer +in magic and the black art. Addicted to diabolical and mischievous +practices, he was a fearful ensample of those deluders given up to +their own inventions to believe the very lies wherewith they attempted +to deceive. + +He was a great treasure-hunter and invoker of demons, and it is said +would not scruple to have recourse to the most disgusting brutalities +for the gratification of his avarice and debauchery. In Weaver's +_Funereal Monuments_, it is recorded that Kelly, in company with one +Paul Waring, went to the churchyard of Walton-le-Dale, near Preston, +where a person was interred at that time supposed to have hidden a +large sum of money, and who had died without disclosing the secret. +They entered precisely at midnight, the grave having been pointed out +to them the preceding day. They dug down to the coffin, opened it, and +exorcised the spirit of the deceased, until the body rose from the +grave and stood upright before them. Having satisfied their inquiries, +it is said that many strange predictions were uttered concerning +divers persons in the neighbourhood, which were literally and +remarkably fulfilled. + +At the date of our legend Kelly had been parted from the Doctor for a +considerable time. The Doctor having found out his proneness to these +evil courses, Kelly bore no good-will to his former patron and +associate. + +We have not space, or it would be an interesting inquiry, as connected +with the superstitions of our ancestors, to trace the character and +career of these individuals--men once famous amongst their +contemporaries, forming part of the history of those times, and +exerting a permanent influence immediately on the national character, +and remotely on that of a future and indefinite period. + +Dame Eleanor Buckley was morally certain, firstly, that her son was +witched; and secondly, that no time should be lost in procuring +relief. Nicholas therefore took horse for Manchester that very +forenoon, with the intention of consulting the learned Doctor +above-named on his son's malady. Ere he left, however, there came +tidings that Grace Ashton had not returned home, and was supposed to +have tarried at Buckley for the night. + +Trembling at this unexpected news, the dame once more applied to her +son. He was still wide awake on the couch, in the same position, and +apparently unconscious of her presence. In great anxiety she conjured +him to say if he knew what had befallen Grace Ashton. + +"She is dead!" was his reply, in a voice strangely altered from his +usual careless and happy tone. Nothing further, however, could be +drawn from him, but shortly after there came one with additional +tidings. + +"Inquiry has been set on foot," said the messenger, "and Tim, well +known at wakes and merry-makings, doth come forward with evidence +which justifies a suspicion that is abroad--to wit, that she has met +death by some unfair dealing; and further, he scruples not to throw +out dark and mysterious hints that implicate your son as being privy +to her disappearance." + +At this unlooked-for intelligence the mother's fortitude gave way. +Tribulation and anguish had indeed set in upon them like a flood. The +ring, so unaccountably brought back by the Red Woman, was beyond doubt +the cause of all their misfortunes--its reappearance, as she +anticipated, being the harbinger of misery. What should be the next +arrow from her quiver she trembled to forebode. But in the midst of +this fever of doubt and apprehension one hope sustained her, and that +was the result of her husband's mission to Dr Dee, who would doubtless +find out the nature of the spell, and relieve them from its curse. + +Let us follow the traveller to Dee's lodgings in the Deanery, where at +that time this renowned astrologer was located. Nicholas Buckley found +him sitting in a small dismal-looking study, where he was introduced +with little show either of formality or hesitation. The Doctor was now +old, and his sharp, keen, grey eyes had suffered greatly by reason of +rheum and much study. Pale, but of a pleasant countenance, his manner, +if not so grave and sedate as became one of his deep and learned +research, yet displaying a vigour and vivacity the sure intimation of +that quenchless ardour, the usual concomitant of all who are destined +to eminence, or to any conspicuous part in the age on which they are +thrown;--not idle worthless weeds on the strand of time, but landmarks +or beacons in the ocean of life, to warn or to direct. + +He was short in stature, and somewhat thin. A rusty black velvet cap, +without ornament, surmounted his forehead, from which a few straggling +grey hairs crept forth, rivalling his pale, thoughtful brow in +whiteness. + +He sat in a curiously embossed chair, with a brown-black leathern +cushion, beside an oaken table or tressel, groaning under the weight +of many ponderous volumes of all hues and subjects. Divers and occult +were the tractates there displayed, and unintelligible save to the +initiated. Alchemy was just then his favourite research, and he was +vainly endeavouring to master the jargon under which its worthlessness +and folly were concealed. + +Nicholas Buckley related his mishap, and, as far as he was able, the +circumstances connected with it. The Doctor then erected a horoscope +for the hour. After consulting this, he said-- + +"I will undertake for thee, if so be that my poor abilities, hitherto +sorely neglected, and I may say despised, can bring thee any succour. +Indeed the land groans by reason of the sin of witchcraft--a noisome +plague now infesting this afflicted realm, and a grievous scandal to +the members and ministers of our Reformed Church. The ring is of a +surety bewitched, and by one more powerful and wicked than thou canst +possibly imagine. I tell thee plainly, that unless the charm be +broken, the recovery of the young man were vain--nay, in all +likelihood, thine own ruin will be the result." + +The merchant groaned audibly at this doleful news. He thought upon his +merchandise and his adventures o'er sea--his treasures and his +argosies, committed to the tender mercies of the deep; and he +recounted them in brief. + +"Cannot these be rescued from such disaster?" inquired he dolefully. + +"I know not yet," was the reply. "Saturn, that hath his location here, +governing these expected treasures, now beholds the seventh house of +the figure I have just erected with a quartile aspect. They be evil +tokens, but as regards this same Mother Red-Cap or the Red Woman, who +hath doubtless brought you into grievous trouble, I know her. Nay, +look not incredulous. How, it is not needful to inquire. Suffice it +that she hath great power, through from a different source from mine. +She is of the Rosicrucian order, one of the sisters, of which there +are five throughout Europe and Asia. They have intercourse with +spirits, communicating too with each other, though at never so great a +distance, by means of this mystical agency. She hath been here, ay, +even in the very place where thou sittest." + +The visitor started from his chair. + +"And I am not ignorant of her devices. She is of a papistical breed; +and the recusant priests, if I mistake not, are at the working of some +diabolical plot; it may be against the life and government of our +gracious Queen! They would employ the devil himself, if need were, to +compass their intent. She hath travelled much, and doubtless hath +learned marvellous secrets from the Moors and Arabian doctors. It is, +however, little to the purpose at present that we continue this +discourse. What more properly concerns thee is how to get rid of this +grievous visitation, which, unless removed, will of a surety fall out +to thine undoing. By prayer and fasting much may be accomplished, +together with the use of all lawful means for thy release." + +"Alas!" said Buckley, "I fear me there is little hope of a favourable +issue, and I may not be delivered from this wicked one!" + +"Be of good heart; we will set to work presently, and, if it be +possible, counterplot this cunning witch. But to this end it is +needful that I visit the young man, peradventure we may gather tidings +of her. I know not any impediment to my journey this very day. Ay! +even so," said he, poring over some unimaginable diagrams. "Good! +there is a marvellous proper aspect for our enterprise thirty minutes +after midnight. Thou hast doubtless taken horse with thy servant +hither. I will take his place and bear thee company." + +The Doctor was soon equipped for travel, much to the comfort of the +afflicted applicant, who was like to have taken his departure with a +sorry heart, and in great disquietude. On their arrival at Buckley, +Dee would needs see the patient instantly. No change had taken place +since morning, and he still refused any sustenance that might be +offered. The Doctor examined him narrowly, but refrained from +pronouncing on his case. + +It was now evening. The sun shot a languid and fitful ray athwart the +vapours gathering to receive him, and its light shone on the full +couch of the invalid. The astrologer was sitting apart, in profound +meditation. Dame Eleanor suddenly roused him. + +"He has just asked for the Red Woman," said she, "and I heard him +bemoaning himself, saying that he is betrothed to her, and that she +will come ere long to claim his pledge. Hark, he mutters again!" + +Dee immediately went to the bedside. + +"I did not kill her," said the victim, shuddering. He dashed the cold +sweat from his forehead with some violence. He then started up. "Is +she come?" said he in a low, hollow voice, and he sat up in the +attitude of intense expectation. "Not yet, not yet," he uttered with +great rapidity, and sank down again as though exhausted. + +A stormy and lowering sky now gathered above the sun's track, and the +chamber suddenly grew dark. The inmates looked as though expecting +some terrific, some visible manifestation of their tormentor. Dee +looked out through the window. There was nothing worthy of remark, +save an angry heap of clouds, rolling and twisting together--the sure +forerunner of a tempest. + +"The whole country is astir," said Dame Eleanor. "They are seeking for +the body of Grace Ashton in pits and secret places. Woe is me that I +should live to see the day;--the poor lad there is loaden with curses, +and fearful threatenings are uttered against us. We are verily in +jeopardy of our lives." + +Hereat she fell a-weeping, and truly it was piteous to behold. + +"We must first get an answer from him," said the Doctor, "ere measures +can be devised for his recovery." + +"'Tis said there will be a warrant for his apprehension on the +morrow," said the elder Buckley. + +"There is some terrible perplexing mystery, if not knavery, in this +matter," said Dee; "and I have been thinking--nay, I more than +suspect--that rascal Kelly hath a hand in it. He is ever hankering +after forbidden arts, and many have fallen the innocent victims to his +diabolical intrigues. He hath become a great adept of late, too, as I +am told, in this Rosicrucian philosophy; and if we have here a clue to +our labyrinth, depend on it we'll get to the end speedily. To spite +and frustrate that juggling cheat I will spare neither pains nor +study; though of a surety we only use lawful and appointed means. +Prayers and exorcisms must be resorted to, and help craved from a +higher source than theirs." + +At length the forms and usages generally resorted to on such occasions +were entered upon. Loud and fervent were the responses, continuing +even to a late hour, but without producing any change. + +The wind, hitherto rushing only in short fierce gusts through the +valley, now gathered in loud heavy lunges against the corner of the +house, almost extinguishing the solitary light on the table near to +which Dee sat; the casements rattled, and the whole fabric shook as +they passed by. At length there came a lull, fearful in its very +silence, as though the elements were gathering strength for one mighty +onslaught. On it came like an overwhelming surge, and for a moment +threatened them with immediate destruction. Dust, pebbles, and dead +branches were flung on the window, as though bursting through, to the +great terror of the inmates. Again it drew back, and there was +stillness so immediate, it was even more appalling than the loudest +assaults of the tempest. The household, too, were silent. Even Dee was +evidently disturbed, and as though in expectation of some +extraordinary occurrence. + +A sharp quick tapping was heart at the casement. + +"What is that?" was the general inquiry. Gervase evidently heard it +too, and was apparently listening. + +Dee arose. He went slowly towards the window, as if carefully +scrutinising what might present itself. He put his face nearly close +to the glass, and manifestly beheld some object which caused him to +draw back. His forehead became puckered by intense emotion, either +from surprise or alarm. He put one finger on his brow, as though +taking counsel from his own thoughts, deliberating for a moment what +course to pursue. At length, much to the astonishment of his +companions, he opened the latch of the casement, when, with a dismal +croak, a raven came hopping in. With outstretched wings he jumped down +on the floor, and would have gone direct to the bed, but the Doctor +caught him, and by main force held him back. + +Fluttering and screaming, the bird made every effort to escape, but +not before Dee was aware of a label tied round his neck. This he +quickly detached; after which the winged messenger flew back through +the open window, either having finished his errand, or not liking his +entertainment. Dee opened the billet--a bit of parchment--and out +dropped the ring! In the envelope was a mystical scroll, encompassed +with magic emblems, wherein was written the following doggerel, either +in blood or coloured so as to represent it:-- + + "By this ring a charm is wound, + Rolling darkly round and round, + Ne'er beginning--ending never; + Woe betide this house for ever! + Thou art mine through life--in death + I'll receive thy latest breath. + Plighted is thy vow to me, + Mine thy doom, thy destiny, + Sealed with blood; this endless token, + Like the spell, shall ne'er be broken." + +Alarm was but too legible on the Doctor's brow. He was evidently taken +by surprise. He read it aloud, while fearful groans responded from the +victim. + +"'Tis a case of grievous perplexity," said he, "and I am sore +distraught. If he have sworn his very soul to her, as this rhyme doth +seem to intimate, I am miserably afflicted for his case. Doubtless +'tis some snare which hath unwillingly been thrown about him. +Nevertheless, I will diligently and warily address myself to the task, +and Heaven grant us a safe deliverance. Yet I freely own there is both +danger and extremity in the attempt. She will doubtless appear and +claim the fulfilment of his pledge. But I must cope with her alone; +none else may witness the conflict. It is not the first time that I +have battled with the powers of darkness." + +"But what motive hath she for this persecution? it is not surely out +of sheer malice," said the dame, weeping. + +"Belike not," replied Dee thoughtfully. "It doth savour of those +incantations whereof I oft read in diverse tractates, whereby she +expects to gain advantage or deliverance if she sacrifice another +victim to the demon whereunto she hath sold herself. Indeed, we hear +of some whose tenure of life can only be renewed by the yearly +substitution of another; and it is to this possible danger that our +feeble efforts must be directed. But I trust in aid stronger than the +united hosts of the Prince of Darkness. This very night, I doubt not, +will come the final struggle." + +The wind was now still, but ever and anon bursts of hail hurtled on +the window. Thunder growled in the distance, waxing louder and louder, +until its roar might have appalled the stoutest heart. + +With many anxious wishes and admonitions the distressed parents left +the Doctor to himself. + +He took from his pocket an hour-glass, a Bible, and a Latin +translation from the Arabic, being a treatise on witches, genii, +demons, and the like, together with their symbols, method of +invocation, and many other subjects equally useful. Intent on his +studies, he hardly looked aside save for the purpose of turning the +glass, when he immediately became absorbed as before. + +Now and then he cast a glance towards the bed. His patient lay +perfectly quiet, but the Doctor fancied he was listening. + +About midnight he heard a groan; he shut his book, and, looking aside, +beheld the terrible eye and aspect of the Red Woman glaring fiercely +upon him. She had in all likelihood been concealed somewhere within +hearing; for a closet-door, on one side of the chamber, stood open as +though she had just issued from it. + +With great presence of mind he adjured her that she should declare her +errand. + +"I am here on my master's business; mine errand concerns not thee," +was the reply. Her terrible eyes glanced, as she spoke, towards the +bed where the unfortunate Gervase Buckley lay writhing as though in +torment. + +"By what compact or agreement is he thine, foul sorceress? Knowest +thou not that there are bounds beyond which ye cannot prevail?" + +"He hath sworn--the compact is sealed with blood, and must be +fulfilled. I am here to claim mine own; and it is at thy peril thou +prevent me." + +"I fear thee not, but am prepared to withstand _thee_ and all thy +works." + +"Beware! There's a black drop in thine own cup," said she. "Thou +thyself hast sought counsel by forbidden arts, and I can crush thee in +a moment." + +Dee looked as though vanquished on the sudden. He was not altogether +clear from this charge, having, though at Kelly's instigation, been +led somewhat farther than was advisable into practices which in his +heart he condemned. He, however, now felt convinced that Kelly had +some hand in the business, knowing, too, that he would associate with +the most wicked and abandoned, if so be that he might compass his +greedy and unhallowed desire. + +"Depart whilst thou may," she continued. "I warn thee. Yonder +inheritance is mine, though the silly damsel they have lost be the +reputed heir. Aforetime I have told thee. Wronged of our rights, I +have sold myself--ay, body and soul--for revenge! By unjust +persecutions we have been proscribed, those of the true faith have +been forced to fly, and even our lands and our patrimony given to yon +graceless heretics." + +"But why persecute this unoffending house?--they have not done _thee_ +wrong." + +"It is commanded--the doom must be fulfilled. One condition only was +appointed. A hard task, to wit--but what cannot power and ingenuity +compass?--'When one shall pledge himself thine and for ever, then the +inheritance thou seekest is thine also, which none shall take from +thee. But he too must be rendered up to me.' This was the doom! 'Tis +fulfilled. He hath pledged himself body and soul, and that ring, if +need be, is witness to his troth." + +"Is Grace Ashton living or dead?" inquired Dee, with a firm and +penetrating glance. + +"When he hath surrendered to his pledge it shall be told thee." + +"Wicked sorceress," said the Doctor, rising in great anger, "he shall +not be thy victim; thine arts shall be countervailed. The powers of +darkness are not, in the end, permitted to prevail, though for a time +their devices seem to prosper. Listen, and answer me truly, or I will +compel thee in such wise that thou darest not disobey. Was there none +other condition to thy bond?" + +The weird woman here broke forth into a laugh so wild and scornful +that the arch-fiend himself could hardly have surpassed it in malice. + +"Fret not thyself," she said, "and I will tell thee. Know, then, I am +scathless from all harm until that feeble ring shall be able to bind +me; none other bonds may prevail." + +"This ring bind thee?" + +"Even so; and as a blade of grass I could rend it! Judge, then, of my +safety. Fire, air, and water--all the elements--cannot have the power +to hurt me; I hold a charmed life. The price is paid!" + +Dee looked curiously round the little thin ring which he held, and +indeed it were hopeless to suppose so frail a fetter could restrain +her. + +"Thou hast told me the truth?" + +"I have--on my hope of prospering in this pursuit of our patrimony." + +"And what is thy purpose with the lad?" + +"I have need of him. He is my hostage to him whom I serve." + +"Thou wilt not take him by force!" + +"I will not. He will follow whithersoever I lead. He has neither will +nor power to disobey." + +"Grant a little space, I prithee. 'Tis a doleful doom for one so +young." + +"To-morrow my time hath expired. Either he or I must be surrendered +to"----Here she pointed downwards. + +"Agreed. To-morrow at this hour. We will be prepared." + +The witch unwillingly departed as she came. The closet-door was shut +as with a violent gust of wind, after which Dee sat pondering deeply +on the matter, but unable to come to any satisfactory conclusion. He +never suspected for one moment what in this evil and matter-of-fact +generation would have occurred even to the most credulous--to wit, +that either insanity or fanaticism, aided by fortuitous events, if we +may so speak, was the cause of this delusion, at least to the unhappy +woman now the object of Dee's most abstruse speculations. His +thoughts, however, would often recur to his quondam associate, Kelly, +and, if in the neighbourhood, which he suspected, an interview with +him might possibly be of use, and afford some clue to guide their +proceedings. + +Committing himself to a short repose, he determined to make diligent +search for this mischievous individual--having comforted in some +measure the unhappy couple below stairs, who were in a state of great +apprehension lest their son had already fallen a victim, and were +ready to give up all for lost. + +Early on the ensuing day the Doctor bent his steps towards Clegg Hall, +whence the old family of that name had been dispossessed, and from +whom that mysterious individual, the Red Woman, claimed descent. + +The air was fresh and bracing after the night's tempest. Traces of +its fury, however, were plainly visible. Huge trees had been swept +down, as though some giant hand had crushed them. Rising the hill +towards Belfield, he stayed a moment to look round him. There was +something in the loneliness and desertion of the spot that was +congenial to his thoughts. The rooks cawed round their ancient +inheritance, but all was ruin and disorder. His curiosity was excited; +he had sufficient local knowledge to remember it was once an +establishment of the Knights of St John some centuries before, and he +remembered too, that according to vulgar tradition, great riches were +buried somewhere in the vaults. A thought struck him that it was not +an unlikely spot for the operations of Master Kelly. Impressed with +this idea, a notion was soon engendered that his errand need not carry +him farther. He drew near to the ivied archway beneath the tower. The +mavis whistled for its mate, and the sparrow chirped amongst the +foliage. All else was silent and apparently deserted. He entered the +gateway. Inside, on the right hand, was a narrow flight of steps, and, +impelled by curiosity, he clambered, though with some difficulty, into +a dilapidated chamber above. Here the loopholes were covered with ivy, +but it was unroofed, and the floor was strewn with rubbish, the +accumulation of ages. Through a narrow breach at one corner he saw +what had once been a concealed passage, evidently piercing the immense +thickness of the walls, and leading probably to some secret chambers +not ordinarily in use. He now heard voices below, and taking advantage +thereby, crept into the passage, probably expecting to gather some +news by listening to the visitors if they approached. Two of these +ascended the broken steps, and every word was audible from his place +of concealment. He instantly recognised the voice of Kelly. The other +was a stranger. + +"Ah, ah! old Mother Red-Cap, I tell thee, says we can never get the +treasure. By this good spade, and a willing arm to wit, the gold is +mine ere two hours older," said Kelly. + +"I am terribly afeard o' these same boggarts," replied his companion. +"T'owd an--'ll come sure enough among us, sure as my name's Tim, some +time or another." + +"Never fear, nunkey; thee knows what a lump I've promised thee; an' as +for the old one, trust me for that; I can lay him in the Red Sea at +any time. Haven't I and that old silly Doctor, who pretends, forsooth, +to have conscience qualms when there's aught to be gotten, though as +fond o' the stuff as any of us--haven't we, I say, by conjurations +and fumigations, raised and laid a whole legion o' them? Why, man, I'm +as well acquainted with the kingdom of Beelzebub, and his ministers to +boot, as I am with my own." + +"Don't make sich an ugly talk about 'em, prithee, good sir. I thought +I heard some'at there i' the passage, an' I think i' my heart I darna +face 'em again for a' th' gowd i' th' monk's cellar." + +"Tush, fool! If we get hold on 't now it shall be ours, and none o' +the rest of our brethren o' the Red Cross need share, thee knows. But +thou be'st but newly dubbed an' hardly initiated yet in our sublime +mysteries. Nevertheless, I will be indifferent honest too, and for thy +great services to us and to our cause I do promise thee a largess when +it comes to our fingers--that is to say, one-fifth to thee, and +one-fifth to me; the other three shares do go to the general +treasure-house of the community, of which I take half." + +"A goodly portion, marry--but I'd liefer 't not gang ony farther." + +"Villain! thou art bent on treachery; if thou draw back I'll ha' thee +hanged or otherwise punished for what thou hast done. Remember, knave, +thou art in my power." + +The guilty victim groaned piteously, but he was irretrievably +entangled. The toils had been spread by a master-hand. He saw the gulf +to which he was hurried, but could not extricate himself. + +"Yonder women, plague take 'em," said Tim; "what's up now? I know this +owd witch who's sold hersel' to--to--Blackface I'm afeard, is th' +owner o' many a good rood o' land hereabout, an' t'owd Ha' too, wi' +its 'purtenances. But she's brought fro' Spain or Italy, as I be +tou'd, a main lot o' these same priest gear; an' they're lurkin' +hereabout like, loike rabbits in a warren, till she can get rid o' +these Ashtons. Mony a year long past I've seen her prowling about, but +she never could get her ends greadly till now." + +"By my help she shall," said Kelly; "it's a bargain between us. She's +brought her grandchildren too, who left England in their youth, being +educated in a convent o'er seas. They're just ready to drop into +possession." + +"But poor Grace Ashton; she's gi'en me mony a dish of hot porritch an' +bannocks. She shauna be hurt if I can help it." + +"Fool!--the wench must be provided for. Look thee--if she get away, +she'll spoil all. When dead, young Buckley must be charged with the +murder." + +"Weel, weel; but I'll ha' nought more to do wi 't. E'en tak' your own +fling--I'll wash my hands on't altogether, an' so"---- + +"I want help, thou chicken-faced varlet--come, budge--to thy work; we +may have helpers to the booty, if time be lost." + +"Mercy on us!" said Tim, in great dolour, "I wish I had ne'er had +aught to do wi' treasure-hunting an' sich-like occupation. If ever I +get rid of this job, if I don't stick to my old trade, hang me up to +dry." + +"Hold thy peace, carrion! and remember, should a whisper even escape +thee, I will have thee hanged in good earnest." + +"Ay, ay; just like Satan 'ticing to iniquity, an' then, biggest rogue +al'ays turns retriever." + +"None o' thy pretences: thou hast as liquorish a longing after the +gold as any miser in the parish, and when the broad pieces and the +silver nobles jingle in thy fob, thoul't forget thy qualms, and thank +me into the bargain. Now to work. Let me see, what did the sleeping +beauty say? Humph--'Under the main pillar at the south-east corner.' +Good. Nay, man, don't light up yet. Let us get fairly underground +first, for fear of accidents." + +To the great alarm of Dr Dee, who heard every word, these two worthies +came straight towards the opening. He drew on one side at a venture. +Luckily it proved the right one; they proceeded up the passage in the +opposite direction. He heard them groping at the further end. A +trap-door was evidently raised, and he was pretty well convinced they +had found the way to the vaults; probably it had been blocked up for +ages until recently, and in all likelihood Tim had pointed it out, as +well as the notion that treasure was concealed somewhere in these +labyrinths. + +How to make this discovery in some way subservient to his mission was +the next consideration; and with a firm conviction, generally the +forerunner of success, he determined to employ some bold stratagem for +their detection. They were now fairly in the trap, and he hoped to +make sure of the vermin. For this end he cautiously felt his way to +the opposite extremity of the passage, where he found the floor +emitted a hollow sound. This was assuredly the entrance; but he tried +in vain--it resisted every effort. Here, however, he determined to +keep watch and seize them if possible on their egress, trusting to his +good fortune or his courage for help in any emergency that might +ensue. At times he laid his ear to the ground, but nothing was +audible as to their operations below. This convinced him they were at +a considerable distance from the entry, but he felt assured that ere +long they must emerge from their den, when, taken by surprise, he +should have little difficulty in securing the first that came forth, +keeping fast the door until he had made sure of his captive. + +He watched patiently for some time, when all on a sudden he heard a +rumbling subterraneous noise, and he plainly felt the ground tremble +under his feet. A loud shriek was heard below, and presently footsteps +approaching the entrance. He had scarcely time to draw aside ere the +door was burst open, and some one rushed forth. The Doctor seized him +by the throat, and ere he had recovered from his consternation, +dragged him out of the passage. + +"Villain! what is it ye are plotting here about? Confess, or I'll have +thee dealt with after thy deserts." + +"Oh!--I'll--tell--all--I will"--sobbed out the delinquent, gasping +with terror. Tim, for it was none other, fell on his knees crying for +mercy. "Whoever thou art," continued he, "come and help--help for one +that's fa'n under a heavy calamity. Bad though he be, we maunna let +him perish for lack o' lookin' after." + +"Hast got a light, knave?" + +"I'll run an' fetch one." + +"Nay, nay; we part not company until better acquainted. Is there not a +candle below?" + +"Alas! 'tis put out--and--oh! I'd forgotten; here's t' match-box i' my +pocket." + +He drew forth the requisite materials, and they were soon equipped, +exploring the concealed chambers we have before described. With +difficulty they now found their way, by reason of the dust arising +from the recent catastrophe. Dee followed cautiously on, keeping a +wary eye on his leader lest some deceit or stratagem should be +intended. + +They now approached a heap of ruins almost choking the entrance to the +larger vault. He thought groans issued from beneath. + +"He's not dead yet," said Tim. "Here, here, good sir; help me to shift +this stone first." + +They set to work in good earnest, and, with no little difficulty and +delay, at length succeeded in releasing the unfortunate +treasure-hunter. Eager to possess the supposed riches, they had +incautiously undermined one of the main supports of the roof, and +Kelly was buried under the ruins. Fortunately he lay in the hollow he +had made, otherwise nothing but a miracle could have saved him from +immediate death. He was terribly bruised, nevertheless, and presented +a pitiable spectacle. Bleeding and sore wounded, he was hardly +sensible as they bore him out into the fresh air. Apparently unable to +move, they laid him on the ground until help could be obtained. In a +while he recovered. + +"Thou art verily incorrigible," said the Doctor to his former +associate. "Where is the maiden ye have so cruelly conveyed away?" + +But Kelly was dogged, and would not answer. + +"I have heard and know all," continued Dee; "so that, unless thou wilt +confess, assuredly I will have thee lodged in the next jail on +accusation of the murder. Thy diabolical practices will sooner or +later bring thee to punishment." + +"Promise not to molest me," said Kelly, who feared nothing but the +strong arm of the law, so utterly was he given over to a reprobate +mind, even to commit iniquity with greediness. + +"What! and let thee forth to compass other and maybe more heinous +mischief! I promise nothing, save that thou be prevented from such +pursuits. Thou hast entered into covenant with the woman whom it is +our purpose in due time to deliver up to the secular arm. You think to +compass your mutual ends by this compact; but be assured your schemes +shall be frustrated, and that speedily." + +At this Kelly again fell into a sulky mood, maimed and helpless though +he was; and revenge, dark and deadly, distorted his visage. + +Tim here stepped forward. + +"I do repent me of this iniquity, an' if ever I'm catched meddling wi' +sich tickle gear again, I'll gie ye leave to hang me up without judge +or jury." + +"The best proof of repentance is restitution," said the Doctor. +"Knowest thou aught of the maiden?" + +"I'll find her, if ye can keep that noisome wizard frae hurting me. He +swears that if I tell, e'en by nods, winks, or otherwise, he'll send +me to ---- in a whirlwind." + +"I will give thee my pledge, not a hair of thy head shall be damaged." + +"He has the key in his pocket." + +"What of that?" + +"It's the key to the old house door yonder, an' she's either there or +but lately fetched away." + +The Doctor proceeded, though not without opposition, to the search. +The key was soon produced, and accompanied by the repentant +ballad-monger, he approached the mansion, which, as we have before +noticed, was near at hand, apparently untenanted. + +"Yonder knave, I think, cannot escape," said Dee. + +"No, no," said his conductor, "unless some'at fetches him; he's too +well hampered for that. His legs are aw smashed wi' that downfa'." + +They entered a little court almost choked up with leaves and long +grass. The door was unlocked, and a desolate scene presented itself. +The hall was covered with damp and mildew--all was rotting in ruin and +decay. Tim led the way up-stairs. The same appearances were still +manifest. The dark shadow of death seemed to brood there--an +interminable silence. They entered a small closet, nearly dark; and +here, on a miserable pallet, lay the form of Grace Ashton, now, alas! +pale and haggard. She seemed altogether unconscious of their presence. +The horrible events of the preceding night had brought on mental as +well as bodily disease. It was the practice of these treasure-seekers +either to raise up a dead body for the desired information, or to +throw the living into such a state of mental hallucination that they +should answer dark and difficult questions whilst in that condition. +It not unfrequently happened, however, that the unfortunate victims to +these horrid rites either lost their lives or their reason during the +experiment. + +We will not pursue the recital in the present case: suffice it to say, +that Grace Ashton was immediately removed and placed under the care of +her friends; the Doctor went back to Kelly for further disclosures, +but what was his surprise to find that by some means or another he had +escaped. He now lost no time in returning to Buckley, communicating +the painful, though in some degree welcome, intelligence that Grace +Ashton had been rescued from her persecutors. + +It was now time to adopt measures for their reception of the witch, +who would doubtless not fail in her appointment. + +Dee was yet in doubt as to the issue, and he thought it needful to +acquaint them with the only method by which the spell could be broken. +How it were possible that the ring should ever bind her was a mystery +that at present he could not solve. Dame Eleanor listened very +attentively, then sharply replied-- + +"I have heard o' this charm aforetime, or----By'r lady, but I have +it!" + +She almost capered for joy. + +We will not, however, anticipate the result, but entreat our readers +to suspend their guesses, and again accompany us to the chamber where +lay the heir of Buckley, still grievously tormented. + +Midnight again approached. Dee was sitting at the table, apparently in +deep study. He had examined the closet, and found it communicated by +another passage to an outer door; and it was through this that the Red +Woman had contrived to enter without being observed. The learned +Doctor was evidently awaiting her approach with no little anxiety. +Once or twice he fancied some one tapped at the casement, but it was +only the wind rushing by in stormy gusts, increasing in strength and +frequency as the time drew nigh. + +Hark! was not that a distant shriek? It might be the creaking of the +boughs and the old yew-tree by the door, thought Dee; and again, in a +while, he relapsed into a profound reverie. Another! He heard the +jarring of rusty hinges; a heavy step; and--the Red Woman stood beside +him; but with such a malevolent aspect that he was somewhat startled +and uneasy at her presence. + +"I am beguiled of my prey!--mocked--thwarted. But beware, old man; thy +meddling may prove dangerous. I will possess the inheritance, though +every earthly power withstood me! That boy is mine. He hath sworn +it--sealed it with his heart's blood--and I demand the pledge." The +victim groaned. "Hearest thou that response? 'Tis an assent. He is +mine in spite of your stratagems." + +This was probably but the raving of a disordered intellect, but Dee +was too deeply imbued with the superstitions of the age to suppose for +a moment that it was not a case of undisguised witchcraft, or that +this wicked hag was not invested with sufficient power to execute +whatever either anger or caprice might suggest. + +"What is thy will with the wretched victim thou hast ensnared?" he +inquired. + +"I have told thee." + +"Thou wilt not convey him away bodily to his tormentors?" + +"Unless they have a victim the inheritance may not be mine." She said +this with such a fiendish malice that made even the exorcist tremble. +His presence of mind, however, did not forsake him. + +"The ring--I remember--there was a condition in the bond. In all such +compacts there is ever a loophole for escape." + +"None that thou canst creep through," she said, with a look of scorn. + +"It is not permitted that the children of men be tempted above +measure." + +"When that ring shall have strength to bind me, and not till then. All +other bonds I rend asunder. Even adamant were as flaming tow." + +"Here is a ring of stout iron," said Dee, pointing to an iron ring +fixed by a stout staple in the wall. "I think it would try thy boasted +strength." + +"I could break it as the feeble reed." + +The Doctor shook his head incredulously. + +"Try me. Thou shall find it no empty boast." + +She seemed proud that her words should be put to the test; and even +proposed that her arms should be pinioned, and her body fastened with +stout cords to the iron ring which had been prepared for this purpose. + +"Thou shalt soon find which is the strongest," said she, exultingly. +"I have broken bonds ere now to which these are but as a thread." + +She looked confident of success, and surveyed the whole proceeding +with a look of unutterable scorn. + +"Now do thy worst, thou wicked one," said Dee, when he had finished. + +But lo! a shriek that might have wakened the dead. She was unable to +extricate herself, being held in spite of the most desperate efforts +to escape. With a loud yell she cried out-- + +"Thou hast played me false, demon!" + +"'Tis not thy demon," said Dee; "it is I that have circumvented thee. +In that iron ring is concealed the charmed one, wrought out by a +cunning smith to this intent--to wit, the deliverance of a persecuted +house." + +The Red Woman now appeared shorn of her strength. Her charms and her +delusions were dispelled. She sank into the condition of a hopeless, +wretched maniac, and was for some time closely confined to this +chamber. + +Buckley, recovering soon after, was united to Grace Ashton, who, it is +confidently asserted, and perhaps believed, was restored to immediate +health when the charm was broken. + + [20] Within the last few years, since this story + was written, the old house itself has been levelled with the + ground. + + [21] In the 39th of Eliz. Sir John Biron held the + manor of Rochdale, subsequently held by the Ramsays; but in the + 13th of Charles I. it was reconveyed. The Biron family is more + ancient than the Conquest. Gospatrick held lands of Ernais de + Buron in the county of York, as appears by Domesday Book. Sir + Nicholas Byron distinguished himself in the civil wars of + Charles I.; and in consequence of his zeal in the royal cause + the manor of Rochdale was sequestered. After the Restoration it + reverted to the Byrons. Sir John, during these troubles, was + made a peer, by the title of Baron Byron of Rochdale. In 1823 + the late Lord Byron sold the manor, after having been in + possession of the family for nearly three centuries. + + + + +THE DEATH-PAINTER; + +OR, THE SKELETON'S BRIDE. + + +"This will hardly keep body and soul together," said Conrad Bergmann, +as he eyed with a dissatisfied countenance some score of dingy +kreutzers thrust into his palm by a "patron of early genius,"--one of +those individuals who take great merit to themselves by just keeping +their victims in that enviable position between life and death, +between absolute starvation and hopeless, abject poverty, which +effectually represses all efforts to excel, controls and quenches all +but longings after immortality--who just fan the flame to let it smoke +and quiver in the socket, but sedulously prevent it rising to any +degree of steadiness and brilliance. + +Conrad that morning had taken home a picture, his sole occupation for +two months, and this patron, a dealer in the "fine arts," dwelling in +the good, quiet city of Mannheim, had given him a sum equivalent to +thirty-six shillings sterling for his labour. Peradventure, it was not +in the highest style of art; but what Schwartzen Baren or Weisse +Rosse--Black Bears, White Horses, Spread Eagles, and the like, the +meanest, worst-painted signs in the city--would not have commanded a +higher price? + +In fact, Conrad had just genius enough to make himself miserable--to +wit, by aspiring after those honours it was impossible to attain, +keeping him thereby in a constant fret and disappointment, instead of +being content with his station, or striving for objects within his +reach. Could he have drudged on as some dauber of sign-posts, or taken +to useful employment, he might doubtless have earned a comfortable +sustenance. He had, however, like many another child of genius, a soul +above such vulgarities; yearning after the ideal and the vain; having +too much genius for himself and too little for the world; suspended in +a sort of Mahomet's coffin between earth and heaven--contemned, +rejected, by "gods, men, and columns." + +Conrad Bergmann was about two-and-twenty, of good figure and +well-proportioned features, complexion fair, bright bluish-grey eyes, +whiskers well matched with a pale, poetical, it might be sickly hue of +countenance, and an expression more inclining to melancholy than +persons of such mean condition have a right to assume. His father had +brought him up to a trade--an honest thriving business--to wit, that +of _knopfmacher_ (button-maker). But Conrad, the youngest, and his +mother's favourite, happened to be indulged with more idle time than +the rest, which, for the most part, was laudably expended in scrawling +sundry hideous representations--all manner of things on walls and +wainscots. Persevering in this occupation he was forthwith pronounced +a genius. About the age of fifteen, Conrad saw a huge "St +Christopher," by a native artist, and straightway his destiny was +fixed. He struggled on for some years with little success save being +pronounced by the gossips "marvellously clever." His performances +wanted that careful and elaborate course of study indispensable even +to the most exalted genius. They were not only glaring, tawdry, and +ill-drawn, but worse conceived; flashy, crude accumulations of colour +only rendering their defects more apparent. He was in a great measure +self-taught. His impetuous, ardent imagination could not endure the +labour requisite to form an artist. He would fain have read ere he had +learned to spell; and the result might easily have been foretold. + +His father died, and the family were but scantily provided for. Conrad +was now forced to make, out a livelihood by what was previously an +amusement, not having "a trade in his fingers;" and he toiled on, +selling his productions for the veriest trifle. He had now no leisure +for improvement in the first elements of his art. + +"Better starve or beg, better be errand-boy or lackey, than waste my +talents on such an ungrateful world. I'll turn +conjurer--fire-eater--mountebank; set the fools agape at fairs and +pastimes. Anything rather than killing--starving by inches. Why, the +criminals at hard labour in the fortress have less work and better +fare. I wish--I wish"---- + +"What dost wish, honest youth?" said a tall, heavy-eyed, +beetle-browed, swarthy personage, who poked his face round from +behind, close to that of the unfortunate artist, with great freedom +and familiarity. + +"I wish thou hadst better manners, or wast i' the stocks, where every +prying impertinent should be," replied Conrad, being in no very +placable humour with his morning's work. The stranger laughed, not at +all abashed by this ill-mannered, testy rebuke, replying +good-humouredly-- + +"Ah, ah! master canvas-spoiler. Wherefore so hasty this morning? My +legs befit not the gyves any more than thine own. But many a man +thrusts his favours where they be more rare than welcome. I would do +thee a service." + +"'Tis the hangman's, then, for that seems the only favour that befits +my condition." + +"Thou art cynical, bitter at thy disappointment. Let us discourse +together hard by. A flask of good Rhenish will soften and assuage thy +humours. A drop of _kirchenwasser_, too, might not be taken amiss this +chill morning." + +Nothing loth, Conrad followed the stranger, and they were soon +imbibing some excellent _vin du pays_ in a neighbouring tavern. + +"Conrad Bergmann," began the stranger. "Ay, thou art surprised; but I +know more than thy name. Wilt that I do thee a good office?" + +"Not the least objection, friend, if the price be within reach. +Nothing pay, nothing have, I reckon." + +"The price? Nothing. At least nothing thou need care for. Thou art +thirsting for fame, riches; for the honours of this world; +for--for--the hand--the heart of thy beloved." + +Amongst the rest of Conrad's calamities he had the misfortune to be in +love. + +"Thou art mighty fluent with thy guesses," replied he, not at all +relishing these unpleasant truths; "and what if I am doomed to pine +after the good I can never attain? I will bear my miseries, if not +without repining, at least without thy pity;" and he arose to depart. + +"All that thou pinest after is thine. All!" said the stranger. + +"Mine! By what process?--whose the gift? Ha, ha!" and he drained the +brimming glass, waiting a solution of his interrogatory. + +"I will be thy instructor. Behold the renowned Doctor Gabriel Ras +Mousa, who hath studied all arts and sciences in the world, who hath +unveiled Nature in her most secret operations, and can make her +submissive as a menial to his will. In a period incredibly short I +engage to make thee the most renowned painter in Christendom." + +"And the time requisite to perform this?" + +"One month! Ay, by the wand of Hermes, in one month, under my +teaching, shalt thou have thy desire. I watched thy bargain with the +dealer yonder, and have had pity on thy youth and misfortunes." + +"Humph--compassion! And the price?" again inquired Conrad, with an +anxious yet somewhat dubious expression of tone. + +"The price? Once every month shalt thou paint me a picture." + +"Is that all?" + +"All." + +Now Conrad began to indulge some pleasant fancies. Dreams of hope and +ambition hovered about him; but he soon grew gloomy and desponding as +heretofore. He waxed incredulous. + +"One month? Nothing less than a miracle! The time is too short. +Impossible!" + +"That is my business. I have both the will and the power. Is it a +bargain?" + +Conrad again drained the cup, and things looked brighter. He felt +invigorated. His courage came afresh, and he answered firmly-- + +"A bargain." + +"Give me thy hand." + +"O mein Herr--not so hard. Thy grip is like a smithy vice." + +"Beg pardon of thy tender extremities. To-morrow then, at this hour, +we begin." Immediately after which intimation the stranger departed. + +Conrad returned to his own dwelling. He felt restless, uneasy. +Apprehensions of coming evil haunted him. Night was tenfold more +appalling. Horrid visions kept him in continual alarm. + +He arose feverish and unrefreshed. Yesterday's bargain did not appear +so pleasant in his eyes; but fear gave way apace, and ere the +appointed hour he was in his little workroom, where the mysterious +instructor found him in anxious expectation. He drew the requisite +materials from under his cloak, a well-primed canvas already prepared. +The pallet was covered, and Conrad sat down to obey his master's +directions. + +"What shall be our subject?" inquired the pupil. + +"A head. Proceed." + +"A female?" + +"Yes. But follow my instructions implicitly." + +Conrad chalked out the outline. It was feebly, incorrectly drawn: but +the stranger took his crayon, and by a few spirited touches gave life, +vigour, and expression to the whole. Conrad was in despair. + +"Oh that it were in my power to have done this!" he cried, putting one +hand on his brow, and looking at the picture as though he would have +devoured it. + +"Now for colour," said the stranger; and he carefully directed his +pupil how to lay in the ground, to mingle and contrast the different +tints, in a manner so far superior to his former process, that Conrad +soon began to feel a glow of enthusiasm. His fervour increased, the +latent spark of genius was kindled. In short, the unknown seemed to +have imbued him with some hitherto unfelt attributes--invested him +either with new powers, or awakened his hitherto dormant faculties. As +before, by a few touches, the crude, spiritless mass became living and +breathing under the master's hand. Not many hours elapsed ere a pretty +head, respectably executed, appeared on the canvas. Conrad was in high +spirits. + +He felt a new sense, a new faculty, as it were, created within him. He +worked industriously. Every hour seemed to condense the labour and +experience of years. He made prodigious advances. His master came +daily at the same time, and at length his term of instruction drew to +a close. The last morning of the month arrived; and Conrad, unknown to +his neighbours, had attained to the highest rank in his profession. +His paintings, all executed under the immediate superintendence of the +stranger, were splendid specimens of art. + + * * * * * + +In the year ----, all Paris was moved with the extraordinary +performances of a young artist, whose portraits were the most +wonderful, and his miniatures the most exquisite, that eyes ever +beheld. They looked absolutely as though endowed with life--real flesh +and blood to all appearance; and happy were those who could get a +painting from his hand. The price was enormous, and the marvellous +facility with which they were despatched was not the least +extraordinary part of the business. There was a mystery, too, about +him, provokingly delightful, especially to the female portion of the +community. In place of living in a gay and fashionable part of the +city, his lodging was in a miserable garret, overlooking one of the +gloomiest streets of the metropolis. His manners, too, were forbidding +and reserved. Instead of exhibiting the natural buoyancy of his years, +he looked careworn and dejected; nor was he ever known to smile. + +After a period whispers got abroad that several of his female subjects +came to strange and untimely deaths. They were seized with some +dangerous malady, accompanied by frightful delusions. In general they +fancied themselves possessed. Wailings, shrieks, and horrible +blasphemies proceeded from the lips of the sufferers. These reports +were doubtless exaggerated, the marvellous being a prodigiously +accumulative and inventive faculty; yet enough remained, apparently +authentic, to justify the most unfavourable suspicions. + +About this time a young Italian lady of a noble house arrived on a +visit to her brother in the suite of the Florentine embassy. This +princely dame, possessed of great wealth and beauty, was not long +unprovided with lovers; one especially, a handsome official in the +royal household, De Vessey by name, and as gallant a cavalier as ever +lady looked upon. But her term of absence being nigh expired, the +lovers were in great perplexity; and nothing seemed so likely to +contribute to their comfort during such unavoidable separation as a +miniature portrait of each from the hands of this inimitable painter. +Leonora sat first, and the lover was in raptures. Hour by hour he +watched the progress of his work in a little gloomy chamber, where the +artist, like some automaton fixture, was always found in the same +place, occupied too as it might seem without intermission. + +"The gaze of that strange painter distresses me inexpressibly," said +Leonora to her companion, as they went for the last time to his +apartment. "I have borne it hitherto without a murmur, but words +cannot describe the reluctance with which I endure his glance; yet +while I feel as though my very soul abhorred it, it penetrates--nay, +drinks up and withers my spirit. Though I shrink from it, some +influence or fascination, call it as thou wilt, prevents escape; I +cannot turn away my eyes from his terrible gaze." + +"Thou art fanciful, my love," said De Vessey; "the near prospect of +our parting makes thee apt to indulge these gloomy impressions. Be of +good cheer; nothing shall harm thee in my presence. 'Tis the last +sitting; put on a well-favoured aspect, I beseech thee. Remember, this +portraiture will be my only solace during the long long hours of thine +absence." + +As they entered the artist's chamber, the picture lay before him, +which he seemed to contemplate with such absorbing intensity that he +was hardly aware of their entrance. He did not weep, but grief and +pity were strangely mingled in his glance. It was but for a moment; he +quickly resumed his usual attitude and expression. Whether the +previous conversation had made her lover liable to take the tone and +character of her own thoughts, we know not; but for the first time he +fancied Leonora's apprehensions were not entirely without excuse. He +looked on the artist, and it excited almost a thrill of apprehension. +But speedily chiding himself for these untoward fancies, he felt that +little was apparent either in look or manner but what the painter's +peculiar and unexampled genius might sufficiently explain. + +Suddenly his attention was riveted on the lady. He saw her lips quiver +and turn pale as though she would have swooned. In a moment he was at +her side. The support seemed to re-animate the fainting maiden, her +head drooping on his shoulder. Almost gasping for utterance, she +whispered, "Take me hence, I want breath--air, air!" De Vessey lifted +her in his arms and bore her forth into the open doorway. Trembling, +shuddering, and looking round, the first words she uttered were-- + +"We are watched--by some unseen being in yonder chamber, I am +persuaded. Didst not mark an antique, dismal-looking ebony cabinet +immediately behind the painter?" + +"I did, and admired its exquisite workmanship, as though wrought by +some cunning hand." + +"As I fixed my eyes on those little traceries, it might be fancy, but +methought I saw the bright flash of a human eye gazing on me." + +"Oh! my Leonora, indulge not these gloomy impressions. Throw off thy +wayward fancies. 'Tis but the reflex image the mind mistakes for +outward realities. When disordered she discerns not the substance from +the shadow. Thou art well-nigh recovered. Come, come, let us in. +To-day is the last of our task; prithee take courage and return." + +"On one condition only; if thou take the chair first, and note well an +open scroll to the right where those fawns and satyrs are carved." + +"Agreed. And now shake off thy fears, my love." + +De Vessey led her again to the apartment, and as though without +consideration sat down, his face directly towards the cabinet. He +fixed his eyes thereon a few seconds only, when Leonora saw him start +up suddenly with a troubled aspect and grasp the hilt of his sword. +Then turning to the painter he said, sternly-- + +"So!--We have intruders here, I trow." + +"Intruders? None!" was the artist's reply, without betraying either +surprise or alarm. + +"That we'll see presently," said the cavalier, hastening to the +cabinet; which, with hearty good-will, he essayed to open. + +"Why this outrage?" inquired the painter, colouring with a hectic +flush. + +"Because 'tis my good pleasure," was the haughty reply. The door +resisted his utmost efforts. "Doubtless held by some one within. Open, +or by this good sword I'll make a passage through both door and +carcase." + +The hinges slowly gave way, the folding-doors swung open, and +displayed a grinning skeleton. + +"Ah! what lodger is this?" + +"Mine art requires it," said the painter, with a ghastly smile; but in +that smile was an expression so fearful, yet mysterious, that even De +Vessey quailed before it. Another miniature portrait, a precise copy +of the one in hand, hung from the neck of the skeleton. + +Leonora, with a loud shriek, covered her face; but the lover, though +far from satisfied himself, strove to assure his mistress, and +besought her not to indulge any apprehension. + +"You are disturbed, lady," said the artist. "'Tis but a harmless piece +of earth, a mouldering fabric of dust, a thing, a form we must all one +day assume. But to-morrow, to-morrow, if you will, we resume our +work." + +Leonora, relieved by the intimation, gladly consented, fain for a +while to escape from this terrible chamber. + +"Nought living was there, of a truth," said the cavalier, in evident +perplexity, as they regained their coach. "But I saw plain enough, or +imagination played me the prank, a semblance of a bright and flashing +eye on the spot pointed out. Something incomprehensible hangs about +the whole!" + +Leonora agreed in this conclusion, expressing a fear lest harm should +happen to themselves thereby. They were not ignorant of the whispers +afloat, but hitherto treated them either with ridicule or +indifference. Suspicion, however, once awake, mystery once +apprehended, every circumstance, even the most trivial, is seized +upon, the mind bending all to one grand object which haunts and +excites the imagination. + +Having left his companion at her brother's dwelling, De Vessey came to +his own, moody and dispirited. A vague sense of some grievous but +impending misfortune hung heavily upon him. Night brought no +mitigation of his fears. Spectres, skeletons, and demon-painters +haunted his slumbers. He awoke in greater torment than ever. The +duplicate portrait was brought to his remembrance with a vividness, an +intensity so appalling, that he almost expected to behold the skeleton +wearer at his bedside. + +Involved in a labyrinth of inextricable surmises, and not knowing what +course to pursue, he arose early, and walked forth without aim or +design towards the church of Notre Dame. + +The red sun was just bursting through a thick atmosphere of mist, +illuminating its two dark western towers, which looked even more +gloomy under a bright and glowing sky, like melancholy in immediate +contrast with hilarity and joy. + +He passed the Morgue, or dead-house, where bodies found in the Seine +are exposed, in order that they may be owned or recognised. Impelled +by curiosity, he entered. One space alone was occupied. He could not +surely be deceived when he saw the body of the unfortunate painter! +Those features were too well remembered to be mistaken. Here was new +ground for conjecture, fresh wonder and perplexity. He left this +melancholy exhibition and entered the cathedral. Mass was celebrating +at one of the altars. De Vessey joined in adoration, strolling away +afterwards towards the vaults: one of them was open. From some vague, +unaccountable impulse, he thus accosted the sexton:-- + +"Whose grave is this, friend?" + +"A maid's--mayhap." + +"Her name?" + +"The only remaining descendant of the Barons Montargis." + +"I have some knowledge of that noble gentlewoman; she was just about +to be married. What might be the nature of her malady?" + +"Why, verily there be as many guesses as opinions. The doctors were +all at fault, and, 'tis said, even now in great dispute. The king's +physician tried hard to save her. Old Frere Jeronymo, the confessor, +will have it she was possessed; but all his fumigations, exorcisms, +paters, and holy water could not cast out the foul fiend. She died +raving mad!" + +"A miserable portion for one so young and high-born. Was there no +visible cause?" + +"Cause!--Ay, marry; if common gossip be not an arrant jade. Her +portrait had been taken by that same limner who, they say, has been +taught in the devil's school, and can despatch a likeness with the +twirl of his brush." + +"And what of that?" cried De Vessey, in an agony of impatience. + +"Why, the same fate has happened to several of our city dames. That is +all." + +"What has happened?" + +"They have gone mad, and either felt or fancied some demon had gotten +them in keeping. For my part, I pretend not to a knowledge of the +matter. But you seem strangely moved, methinks." + +The cavalier was nigh choking with emotion. Sick at heart, and with a +fearful presentiment of impending evil, he turned suddenly away. + +His next visit, as may be supposed, was to his mistress. He found her +in great agitation. The portrait had been sent home the preceding +night, and completely finished, lay before her--an exquisite--nay, +marvellous--specimen of art. She was gazing on her own radiant +counterpart as he entered. They both agreed that something more than +ordinary ran through the whole proceedings, though unable to +comprehend their meaning. De Vessey related his discovery in the +Morgue, but not his subsequent interview with the sexton. + +Ere night, Leonora was seized with a strange and frightful disease. +Symptoms of insanity were soon developed. She uttered fearful cries; +calling on the painter in language wild and incoherent, but of +terrific import. + +The lover was at his wits' end. He vowed to spare no efforts to save +her, though scarcely knowing what course to pursue, or in what quarter +to apply for help. + +His first care was to seek the dwelling of a certain renowned doctor, +a German, whose extraordinary cures and mode of treatment had won for +him great wealth and reputation. Though by some accounted a quack and +impostor, nevertheless De Vessey hoped, as a last resource, so cunning +a physician might be able to point at once to the source and cure of +this occult malady. + +Doctor Herman Sichel lived in one of those high, antique, +dreary-looking habitations, now pulled down, situate in the Rue +d'Enfer. A common staircase conducted to several suites of apartments, +tenanted by various occupants, and at the very summit dwelt this +exalted personage. + +A pull at the ponderous bell-handle gave notice of De Vessey's +approach, when, after due deliberation, it might seem, and a long +trial to the impatient querent, a little wicket was cautiously slid +back, behind a grating in the door. A face, partially exhibited, +demanded his errand. + +"Thy master, knave!" + +"He is in the very entrails of a sublime study. Not for my beard, grey +though it be, dare I break in upon him." + +"Mine errand is urgent," said De Vessey; "and, look thee, say a noble +cavalier hath great need of succour at his hands." + +"Grammercy, Sir Cavalier, and hath not everybody an errand of like +moment?--thy business, peradventure, less urgent than fifty others +whose suit I have denied this blessed day. I tell thee, my master may +not be disturbed!" + +De Vessey held up a coin temptingly before the grating. It would not +go through, and the crusty Cerberus gently undid a marvellous array of +chains, bars, and other ingenious devices, opening a slit wide enough +for its insertion. + +"Wider! thou trusty keeper," said the artful suitor outside. "I cannot +fly through a key-hole!" + +A hand was carefully protruded. The cavalier, espying his opportunity, +thrust first his sword, afterwards himself, through the aperture, in +spite of curses and entreaties from the greedy porter. He was +immediately within a dark entrance or vestibule; the astonished and +angry menial venting his wrath in no measured phrases on the intruder. +De Vessey, in a peremptory tone, demanded to be led forthwith into the +doctor's presence. The old man delayed for a while, almost speechless +from several causes. His breath was nigh spent. Wrath on the one hand, +fear of his master's displeasure on the other, kept him, like +antagonistic forces, perpetually midway between both. + +"Lead the way, knave, or, by the beard of St Louis, I'll seek him +through the house! Quick! thou hast legs; if not, speak! Mine errand +is urgent, and will not wait." + +A stout and determined cavalier, with a strong gripe, and a sword none +of the shortest, was not to be trifled with; and, after many +expostulations, warnings, threats, had failed of their effect, he at +length doggedly consented. + +"Thou wilt give me the coin, then, Sir Cavalier?" + +"Ay, when thou hast earned it. Away!" + +Passing through a narrow passage, lighted from above, his conductor +paused before a curiously-carved oaken door, at which three taps +announced a message. + +"Now enter, and pray for us both a safe deliverance. But, prithee, +tell him it was not my fault thou hast gotten admission." + +The door slowly opened, as though without an effort, and De Vessey was +immediately in the presence of the physician, evidently to the +surprise of the learned doctor himself, who angrily demanded his +business and the ground of his intrusion. + +"Mine hour is not yet come, young man. Wherefore shouldst thou, either +by stratagem or force, thrust thyself, unbidden, into our presence?" + +"To buy or beg thine aid, if it be possible. The case admits not of +delay. I crave thy pardon, most reverend doctor, if that content thee; +and, rest assured, no largess, no reward shall be too great, if thou +restore one, I fear me, beyond earthly aid." + +"Thus am I ever solicited," replied the sage, with a portentous scowl. +He was clad in a gown of dark stuff, with slippers to match; his poll +surmounted by a small black velvet skull-cap, from which his white, +intensely white, hair escaped in great profusion. His visage was not +swarthy, but of a leaden, pale complexion, where little could be +discerned of the wondrous misrocosm within. Books, and manuscripts of +ancient form and character, emblazoned in quaint and mystic devices, +lay open on a long oak table, on which rested one elbow of the wise +man; the other was thrown over an arm of the high-backed chair whereon +he sat. The room contained plenty of litter in the shape of phials, +boxes, and other strange furniture. A cupola furnace was just heated, +the doctor apparently concocting some subtle compound. + +"I am expected to wrest these helpless mortals even from the ravening +jaws of the grave! My skill never tried until beyond other aid!" + +"But this disorder is of a sudden emergency. A lady of high birth and +lineage, a few hours since, was seized with a raging frenzy." + +"A female, then?" + +"Ay, and of such sweet temper and excellent parts, there be none to +match with her, body or mind, in Christendom." + +"When did this malady attack her?" + +"Almost immediately after a portrait, made by the celebrated painter, +was finished. Of him thou hast doubtless heard." + +"The painter--ay! There be more than thou have rued his skill. Young +man, thy pretty one is lost!" + +"Lost? Oh, say not so! I will give thee thine utmost +desire--riches--wealth thou hast never possessed, if thou restore +her!" + +"She is beyond my skill. Hast visited him since?" + +"I have seen him. She is the last victim, if such be her fate. This +very morning, betimes, I saw his body in the Morgue." + +"They have found him, then?" said the doctor, sharply. "Yet our bodies +are but exuviae. When cast off, this thinking, sentient principle +within has another tabernacle assigned to it, until the great +consummation of all things. But these are fables, idle tales, to the +unlearned. Nevertheless, I pity thy cruel fate, and, if aid can be +afforded, will call another to thine help. Hence! Thou shalt hear from +me anon." + +"And without loss of time; for every moment, methinks, our succour may +come too late." + +"I will forthwith seek out one whom I have heretofore taken knowledge +of. Every science has its votaries--its adepts; and this evil case +hath its remedy only by those skilled in arts called, however falsely, +supernatural. Even now there be intelligences around us which the +corporeal eye seeth not, nor can see, unless purged from the dross, +the fumes of mortality. Some, peradventure, by long and patient study, +have arrived on the very borders, the confines that separate visible +from invisible things, and become, as it were, the medium of +intercourse for mortals, who are by this means mightily aided in +matters beyond ordinary research. Put thine ear to this shell. Mark +its voice, like the sound of many waters. Are not these the invisible +source, the essence of its being? Has not everything in like manner, +even the most inanimate, a tongue, a language, peculiar to itself--a +soul, a spirit, pervading its form, which moulds and fashions every +substance according to its own nature? Now, this voice thou canst not +interpret, being unskilled--knowing not the languages peculiar to +every form and modification of matter; else would this beautiful type +of the ever-rolling sea discourse marvellously to thine ear. But thou +hast not the key to unclose its mystic tongue; hence, like any other +unknown speech, 'tis but a confused jumble of unmeaning sound. I have +little more knowledge than thyself, but there be those who can +interpret. Vain man--presumptuous, ignorant--scoffs at knowledge +beyond his reach, and thinks his own dim, nay, darkened reason, +glimmering as in a dungeon, the narrow horizon that circumscribes his +vision, the utmost boundary of all knowledge and existence, while +beyond lies the infinite and unknown, utterly transcending his +capacity and comprehension." + +De Vessey drank up every word of this harangue; and something akin to +hope rose in his bosom as he withdrew. + +"Thou wilt have a message ere nightfall. An awful trial awaits thee +ere the spell can be countervailed." + +The cavalier withdrew, suffering many wistful remarks from the old +doorkeeper, who marvelled greatly at the interview so graciously +conceded by his master; while at the same time holding out his palm +for the promised largess. + +De Vessey waited impatiently at his own dwelling for the expected +message. Evening drew on, dark and stormy. The wind roared along the +narrow streets in sharp and irregular gusts; while, pacing his chamber +in an agony of suspense, he fancied every sound betokened the +approaching communication. At length, when expectation was almost +weary, a louder rumbling was heard; a coach drew up at the door; a +hasty knock, and a heavy tramp; then footsteps ascending the +staircase. The door opened, and two _gens-d'armes_ entered. + +"We have authority and instructions for the arrest of one Sigismund de +Vessey, on a charge of murder, made this day by deposition before the +Mayor and Prefecture of the Ville de Paris. The individual so named, +we apprehend, is before us." + +"The same; though assuredly there is some mistake. Of whose death am I +accused?" + +"Of one Conrad Bergmann, a painter, whose body, last night thrown into +the Seine, was to-day exposed in the Morgue. The rest will be +explained anon." + +"But an engagement--one, too, of a most important nature--demands my +presence." + +"No discretion is allowed us in this matter. The carriage waits." + +However reluctant, De Vessey was forced to obey. Though confident of a +speedy release, this arrest at so important a juncture was provoking +enough. Leonora's recovery might probably depend on his exertions for +the next few hours, which were now suddenly wrested from him. + +Leaving word that he would shortly return, the cavalier stept into the +vehicle, which immediately drove off. + +In a little space the coach stopped, and De Vessey was invited to +alight. He was led up a narrow staircase; a door flew open. He +entered. Could it be; surely imagination betrayed his senses! He could +scarcely believe himself once more in the apartment of the painter! +Yet there was no mistaking what he saw. The ebony cabinet, the easel, +table, chair--all left as he saw them yesterday. But the living +occupants were strangely diverse. Two or three functionaries of the +civil power; and in one corner a black cloth, spread on the floor, +concealed some unknown object. The whole was lighted by a feeble lamp +from the ceiling. A dusky haze from the damp, foggy atmosphere +rendered objects ill-defined, indistinct, almost terrific to an +excited imagination. In addition to the usual articles of furniture +was a desk, with writing materials, at which one of the officers of +justice appeared dictating something to his secretary. + +On De Vessey's entrance, the scribe made some minute preparatory to +his examination, which commenced as follows:-- + +"Sigismund de Vessey?" + +"The same." + +"Being accused upon oath before us of murder, thou art brought hither +to confront thine accusers, and to answer this heinous charge. First, +let the body be produced." + +The cloth was removed, and De Vessey beheld the corpse lying on a +mattress. + +"Knowest thou this body?" + +"I do," said the cavalier, firmly. + +"When was he seen by thee alive, the last time?" + +"Yesterday, about noon." + +"Where?" + +"In this chamber." + +"Not since?" + +"Yes, but not living." + +"Dead, sayest thou?" + +"This morning in the Morgue." + +"Not previously?" + +"I have not. But pray to what purport this examination?" + +"This will appear presently. When taken out of the river marks were +found upon the throat, as though from strangulation. Knowest thou +aught of these?" + +"I do not," said the accused, indignantly. + +This answer being written down, the examination was resumed. + +"We have testimony that the unfortunate victim and thyself were seen +together about midnight; and, further, a short but violent struggle +was heard, and a heavy plunge; afterwards an individual, with whom +thou art identified, was seen departing in great haste, and entering +the house well known as thy residence in the Rue de" ---- + +"A most foul and wicked fabrication, for purposes of which as yet I am +ignorant. Of such charges I hardly need affirm that I am innocent." + +"Let the accuser stand forth." + +To the surprise and horror of De Vessey there appeared from a recess +the German doctor, Hermann Sichel, who, without flinching, +recapitulated the foregoing accusation. Moreover, he swore in the most +positive terms to his identity, and that not a doubt rested on his +mind but De Vessey was the murderer. + +"In this very apartment," said the witness, "he, De Vessey, drew his +sword upon the painter yesterday, doubtless either from grudge or +jealousy; being enamoured of a fair Italian dame, Leonora da Rimini." + +"Most abominable of liars!" said the accused, eyeing him with a +furious look. "How darest thou to my face bring this foul accusation. +Thou shalt answer for it with thy blood!" + +"Hear him! What need of further testimony? His own betrays him," said +the doctor, with unblushing effrontery. + +"We have other witness thou wilt not dare to gainsay," said the +presiding officer. "This learned person is amply corroborated by +evidence that must effectually silence all denial. He hath referred us +to her who was present, Leonora da Rimini." + +"Leonora! what, my own--my betrothed? She my accuser?" + +"Spare thy speech and listen. We could not bring the maiden hither, +insomuch as the nature of her malady admits not of removal: but her +evidence and accusation are duly attested, taken at her own request, +not many hours ago. The substance of her deposition is as follows:--A +confession to her of thine intention to murder Conrad Bergmann, the +artist aforesaid, being jealous of his attentions; and furthermore, in +the agony of guilt, thou didst confess in her presence, having first +strangled, and afterwards thrown him into the river, hoping thereby to +conceal thy crime; then forcing her to swear she would keep the matter +secret, and threatening her life in case it were divulged. This +outrage, and this alone, hath nigh driven her frantic; her life being +in jeopardy from thy violence. What sayest thou, Sigismund de +Vessey?" + +"A lie, most foul and audacious, trumped up by that impostor! Leonora? +Impossible. I would not believe though it were from her own lips. Some +demon hath possessed her. This disorder is more than common madness." + +He looked around. The whole was like the phantasma of some terrible +dream. Bewildered, and hardly knowing what course to pursue, in vain +he attempted to shake the testimony of the hoary villain before him; +and having at present none other means of rebutting the accusation, he +was ordered into close custody until the morrow. + +Utterly unprepared with evidence, he knew not where to apply. That he +was the victim of some foul plot so far appeared certain; but for what +purpose, and at whose instigation, was inexplicable. + +Ere an hour had elapsed De Vessey found himself in one of the cells of +a public dungeon, with ample leisure to form plans for proving his +innocence. He determined early on the morrow to acquaint his friends, +and employ a celebrated advocate to expose this villainous doctor, who +no doubt had designs either on his purse or person. + +In a while the prisoner fell asleep from fatigue and exhaustion. He +was awakened by a sudden glare across his eyelids. At first, imagining +he was under the influence of some extravagant dream, he made little +effort to arouse himself. A figure stood beside the couch, a lamp +lifted above his head. A friar's cowl concealed his features; his +person, too, was enveloped in a coarse garment, with a huge rosary at +his girdle. + +"Mortal, awake and listen," said the unknown visitor. "Art weary of +life, or does this present world content thee?" + +"Who art thou?" said De Vessey, scarcely raising himself from the +pallet. + +"I am thy friend, thy deliverer, an' thou wilt." + +"Thanks!" said the knight, springing from his recumbent posture. + +"Stay!" replied the intruder; "there be conditions ere thou pass +hence. Miserable offspring of Adam, ye still cling to your prison and +your clay. Wherefore shrink from the separation, afraid to shake off +your bonds, your loathsome carcase, and spring forth at once to life? +Art thou prepared to fulfil one--but one condition for thy release?" + +"Name it. Manifest my innocence; and if it be gold, thou shalt have +thy desire. No hired advocate e'er yet held such a fee." + +"Keep thy gold for baser uses; it buyeth not my benefits. But +remember, thy life is not worth a week's purchase, neither is thy +mistress's, forsooth, shouldest thou be witless enough to refuse. An +ignominious death, a base exit for thyself--for her, madness and a +speedy grave. One fate awaits ye both. Life and health, if thou +consent, are yours." + +"Thou speakest riddles. It were vain trying to comprehend their +import. Name thy conditions. Aught that honour may purchase will I +give." + +The stranger threw back his cowl, displaying the features of the +renowned Doctor Hermann Sichel. A gleam of lurid intelligence lighted +his grim grey eyes, that might betoken either insanity or excitement. + +Without reflecting for one moment on the hazard or imprudence of his +conduct, De Vessey immediately rushed forward, grappled with his +adversary, and threw him. + +"Now will I have deadly vengeance, fiend! Take that!" said he, drawing +forth a concealed poniard and thrusting with all his might. Scorn +puckered the features of the pretended monk. The weapon's point was +driven back, refusing to enter, as though his enemy held a charmed +existence. + +"Put back thy weapon; thou wilt have need of it elsewhere, silly one." + +De Vessey was confounded at this unlooked-for result. His foe seemed +invulnerable, and he slunk back. + +"I forgive thee, poor fool! Put it back, I say. There--there; now to +work--time hastens, and there is little space for parley." + +"What is thy will?" + +"Thy welfare, thy life: listen. Yonder unhappy wretch I have loaden +with benefits, rescued from poverty, disgrace; lifted him to the +pinnacle of his ambition--the highest rank in art. Base ingrate, he +threatened to betray, to denounce, and I crushed the reptile. He is +now what thou shalt be shortly unless my power be put forth for thy +rescue. Not all the united efforts of man can deliver thee. Beyond +earthly aid, thou diest the death of a dog!" + +"Why dost thou accuse me of a crime, knowing that I am innocent?" + +"To drive thee, helpless, into my power. Think not to escape save on +one condition." + +"Name it," said De Vessey. + +"Self-preservation is the great, the paramount law of our nature; the +most powerful impulse implanted in our being. All, all obey this +impulse; and who can control or forbid its operation? Will not the +most timid, the most scrupulous, if no alternative be afforded, slay +the adversary who seeks his life; and does not the law both of earth +and heaven hold him guiltless? Thou art now denounced. Innocent, thy +life must be sacrificed. Thou diest, or another; there is no choice." + +"But shall _I_ murder the innocent?" + +"And suppose it be. What thinkest thou? Two persons, equally +guiltless, one of them must die. Self-preservation will prompt +instinctively to action. Does not the drowning man cling to his +companions; nay, rescue himself at the expense of another's life?" + +De Vessey felt bewildered, if not convinced. Need we wonder if he +yielded. Life or death; honour, disgrace. His mistress restored; his +innocence proved. Life, with him, had scarcely been tasted. A glorious +career awaited him; his lady-love smiling through the bright vista of +the future; and----The tempter prevailed! + +But who must be the victim? The appalling truth was not then +disclosed. De Vessey promised to obey. + +"But remember, no power, not even flight, can screen thee from my +vengeance shouldst break thy vow. Take warning by the painter; the +poor fool but hesitated, and his doom was swift as it was sure. Take +this cowl and friar's garment; I was admitted by the jailer for thy +shrift. The lamp will guide thee. Be bold, and fear not. I will +remain; to-morrow they will find out their mistake, but I have other +means of escape." + +"And Leonora. How shall she be recovered?" + +"That is a work of peril, and will need thine utmost vigilance. +Rememberest thou the skeleton?" + +"In the ebony cabinet?" inquired the cavalier, with a cold shudder. + +"He hath her portrait, and will not lightly be persuaded to give his +prey. _Every month I am bound to furnish him a bride!_ My own life +pays the forfeit of omission. Leonora is the next victim, unless thou +prevail, betrothed to that grisly type of death!" + +"Oh, horrible! Mine the bride of a loathsome skeleton! Of an atomy! A +fiend! Monster, I will denounce thee. I care not for my own life. Of +what worth if torn from hers. Wretch, give back my bride or"---- + +"Spare these transports. I am now thine only friend. Thou art now cut +off from thy kin, shunned by mankind. To whom, then, wilt thou turn +for help? Mine thou art for ever!" + +De Vessey gasped for utterance. + +"Nevertheless," continued his tormentor, "I will direct and help thee +in this matter also. But 'tis a fearful venture. Hast thou courage?" + +"If to rescue her, aught that human arm can achieve shall be done." + +"He holds the portrait, I tell thee, with a steady gripe. Those +skeleton fingers will be hard to unloose." + +"I will break them or perish. This good"---- + +"Touch them not for thy life. Death, sure but lingering, awaits +whomsoever they fasten upon. Take this key. It will admit thee to the +apartment. To-night the deed must be accomplished, or to-morrow the +maiden is beyond succour." + +"And how is this charmed picture to be wrested from him?" + +"An ebony wand lies at his feet; he will obey its touch. But +whatsoever thou seest, be nothing daunted, nor let any silly terror +scare thee from thy purpose. Now to thy task. But keep these marvels +to thyself. If thou whisper--ay, to the winds--our compact, thou art +not safe." + +Soon De Vessey, enveloped in his disguise, found egress without +difficulty. Once outside the prison, he hurried on, scarcely giving +himself time for reflection. + +The night was dark and stormy. Torches, distributed about the streets, +rocked and swung to and fro in their sockets, the flames, with a +strange and flickering glare, giving an unnatural distorted appearance +to objects within reach; and to some solitary individual, at this late +hour hurrying alone, the grim aspect of a demon or a spectre to the +disturbed imagination of the lover. His courage, at times on the point +of deserting him, revived when he remembered that another's life, +dearer than his own, depended on his exertions. The streets, almost +deserted, swam with continually accumulating torrents; but he felt not +that terrible tempest; the turmoil, the conflict within, was louder +than the roar and tumult of outward elements. + +Almost ere he was aware he found himself opposite the entrance of the +painter's habitation; a shudder, like a death-chill, shot through his +frame. He applied his key. A distant gleam, a dim lurid light, seemed +to quiver before him. He heard the quick jar, the withdrawing bolt, +that gave him admittance, as though it were a spectral voice warning +him to desist. + +The unknown dangers he anticipated, rendered more terrific by their +vague indefinite character, were enough to appal a stouter bosom. De +Vessey would have faced and defied earthly perils, but these were +almost beyond his fortitude to endure. Love, however, gave excitement, +if not courage, and he resolved either to succeed or perish in the +attempt. The stairs were partially illumined by an uncertain glimmer +from a narrow window into the street. He felt his way, and every step +sent the life-blood curdling to his heart. He reached the topmost +stair; laid one hand on the latch. He listened; all was still save the +hollow gusts that rumbled round the dwelling. + +With a feeling somewhat akin to desperation he entered. A lamp, yet +burning, emitted a feeble glare, but was well-nigh spent, giving a +more dismal aspect to this lonely chamber. It was apparently +unoccupied. The chair, the black funeral pall left by the officers of +justice over the pallet, the mysterious cabinet, the desk where the +painter usually sat, all remained undisturbed. De Vessey's attention +was more particularly directed towards the cabinet; there alone, +according to his instructions, were the means of deliverance. A cold, +clammy perspiration, a freezing shiver, came upon him as he +approached. He laid one hand on the latch; it resisted as before. He +tried force, a loud groan was heard in the chamber. Every fibre of his +frame seemed to grow rigid; every limb stiffened with horror; and he +drew back. + +This was a sorry beginning to the adventure, and he inwardly repented +of his rashness. Looking round in extreme agony, his eyes rested on +the black pall. Could it be, or was it from the expiring glimmer of +the lamp? The drapery appeared to move. Another and a deeper groan! De +Vessey for a space was unable to move; but his courage came apace, +inasmuch as it was some relief, and a diversion from the awful +mysteries of that grim cabinet. He approached the pallet hastily, +throwing off the heavy coverlet. The recumbent body was yet beneath, +but convulsed, as though struggling to free itself from an oppressive +burden. De Vessey watched, while his blood froze with terror. +Gradually these convulsive movements extended to the features. The +lips quivered as though essaying to speak; the eye-balls rolling +rapidly under their lids. A slight flush dawned upon the cheek; the +hands were tightly closed, and another groan preceded one desperate +attempt to throw off the load which prevented returning animation. At +length the eyes opened with a ghastly stare; but evidently conveying +no outward impression to the inward sense. With a loud shriek the body +started up; then, uttering a wild and piercing cry, rolled on the +floor, foaming and struggling for life as though with some powerful +adversary. + +"Save me!--save me!" was uttered in a tone so harrowing and dreadful, +more than mortal agony, that De Vessey would have fled, but his limbs +refused their office. + +"He strangles me! Fiend--have--have mercy! Wilt thou not? Oh, mercy, +mercy, Heaven!" His senses, though evidently bewildered, resumed their +functions. With a glare of intense anguish he appeared as though +supplicating help and deliverance. + +"Who art thou?" was the first inquiry and symptom of returning reason. +"I know thee, De Vessey. But why art thou here? Another victim. Yes, +to torture me. Where am I? In my own chamber! Oh--that horrid cabinet! +Yet--yet these cruel torments. Will they never end?" + +De Vessey immediately perceived there was no delusion; the mortal form +of the artist was really before him. Terrible though it were, yet it +was a relief to have companionship with his kind, a being of flesh and +blood beside him. He might now peradventure accomplish his task. +Providence, maybe, had opened a way for his deliverance, and hope once +more dawned on his spirit. He helped the miserable artist to regain +his couch, and sought to soothe him, beseeching the helpless victim +not to give way to frenzy, doubtless resulting from his strange and +emaciated condition. A miracle or a spell had been wrought for his +resuscitation; but the events of the last few hours were alike +enigmas, beyond the common operations of nature to explain. + +"Yesterday I attempted suicide," said the artist, "taking poison to +escape a life insupportable to me. Fain would I have broken the chain +which binds me to this miserable existence. But yon tyrant hath given +me a charmed life. I cannot even die!" + +"Thy body was dragged from the Seine." + +"How?" inquired the artist, with an incredulous look. + +"And exposed this morning in the Morgue," continued De Vessey. + +"When will my sufferings cease? How have I prayed for deliverance from +this infernal thraldom!" + +"Yon deceiver hath doubtless thrown thee into the river, and supposing +thou wert dead, he designs me to supply thy place; to carry on the +dark mystery of iniquity, a glimpse of which hath already been +revealed." + +"Would that I had been left to perish--that my doom were ended. +Avarice--ambition--how enslaved are your victims! How have I longed +for my miserable cottage, my poverty, my obscurity--cold and pinching +want, but a quiet conscience to season my scanty meal! I bartered all +for gold, for fame and--misery! A cruel bondage! compared to which I +could envy the meanest thing that crawls on this abject earth. In my +trance I dreamed of green fields and babbling streams; of my brethren, +my playmates, my days of innocence and sport, when all was freshness +and anticipation--life one bright vista beyond, opening to sunny +regions of rapture and delight. And now, what am I?--a wretch, +degraded, undone--a spectacle of misery beyond what human thought can +conceive. Doomed to years, ages it may be, of woe--to scenes of horror +such as tongue ne'er told, and even imagination might scarce endure, +and my miseries but a foretaste of that hereafter!" + +Here the guilty victim writhed in a paroxysm of agony; his veins +swollen almost to bursting. Whether real or imaginary, whether a +victim to insanity or of some supernatural agent, its influence was +not the less terrible in its effects. Starting suddenly from his +grovelling posture, he cried, fixing his eyes on De Vessey with a +searching glance-- + +"What brings thee hither?" + +"Leonora is in jeopardy by your spells. I seek her deliverance." + +"She is beyond rescue. Leonora da Rimini is THE SKELETON'S BRIDE." + +Here the painter threw such a repulsive glance towards the cabinet +that the cavalier shrank back as though expecting some grisly spectre +from its portals; yet, himself the subject of an extraordinary +fascination, he could not withdraw his gaze. + +"Fly, fly, or thou art lost! My tormentor will be here anon--I would +have saved her, and he fixed his burning gripe here, I feel it still; +not a night passes that he comes not hither. Away! shouldest thou meet +him thy doom is fixed, and for ever. I would not that another fell +into his toils. Couldest thou know, ay, but as a whisper, the secrets +of this prison-house, thy spirit would melt, thy flesh would shrink as +though the hot wind of the desert had passed over it. What I have +endured, and what I must endure, are alike unutterable." + +"Thy keeper comes not to-night. He hath sent me to this chamber of +death instead. He knows not thou art alive." + +"Thee!--to--but I must not reveal; my tongue cleaves to my mouth. Nay, +nay, it cannot be; none but a fiend could do his behest. Away! for thy +life, away!" + +De Vessey related the events of the last few hours. The artist +ruminated awhile, then abruptly exclaimed-- + +"He hath some diabolical design thereupon which I am not yet able to +fathom. That it is for thine undoing, Sir Knight, for thy misery here +and hereafter, doubt not. Thou hast promised, but not yet offered him +a victim. Thus far thou art safe; but he will pursue thee; and think +not to escape his vengeance. How to proceed is beyond my counsel. +Should midnight come, thou wouldest see horrors in this chamber that +might quail the stoutest heart. Thou art bereft of life or reason if +thou tarry." + +"I leave not without an attempt, even should I fail, to wrench her, +who is dearer to me than either, from that demon's grasp. I will not +hence alone." + +"Alas! I fear there is little hope; yet shall he not escape yonder +prison before to-morrow. Even his arts cannot convey him through its +walls; the magician's body, if such he be, is subject to like +impediments with our own. This night, for good or ill, is thine." + +"To work, then, to work," said De Vessey, as though inspired with new +energy, "to the rescue, and by this good cross," kissing the handle of +his sword, "I defy ye!" + +By main force he attempted, and in the end tore open the door of the +cabinet. The grinning skeleton was before him, the miniature in its +grasp. A moment's pause. The cavalier carefully surveyed his prize. +Suspended by an iron chain, the links entwined round its bony arm, +rendered the picture difficult, if not impossible, to detach without +touching the limbs. Gathering fresh courage from the countenance and +smile of his beloved, he snatched the portrait, but the wearer was too +tenacious of the charmed treasure, and resisted his utmost efforts. He +thought a savage, a malicious grin crept upon his features. A smile +more than usually hideous mocked him. From those hollow sockets too, +or his imagination played strange antics, a faint glare shot forth. A +dizzy terror crept over him. His brain reeled. His energies were +becoming prostrate; and unless one desperate attempt could be made, +all hopes of rescue were past. He sought the ebony wand, but forgetful +or incautious, laid hold of the chain which encircled the skeleton's +wrist. A bell answered to the pressure,--a deep hollow reverberation, +like a death-knell, in his ear. + +"Hark! that iron tongue--lost--lost! Oh! mercy, mercy!" shrieked the +death-painter, covering his eyes. + +At this moment De Vessey heard a noise like the jarring of bolts and +hinges. Ere he was aware the skeleton's arms were fastened round him; +the doors closed; the floor gave way under his feet. He felt the +pressure relaxing; he fell; the hissing wind rushed in his ears. +Stunned with his fall, he lay for a while in the dark, scarcely able +to move. It was not long ere he was able to grope about. Rotting +carcases and bones met his touch--a noisome charnel-house gorged with +human bodies in all the various stages of decay. His heart sickened +with a fearful apprehension that he was left to perish by a lingering +death, like those around him. Despair for the first time benumbed his +faculties. His courage gave way at the dreadful anticipation, and he +grasped the very carcase on which he trod for succour. + +Suddenly, a loud yell burst above him. A blaze of burning timbers +flashed forth--crackling, they hissed, and fell into the vault. +Through an opening overhead he saw the skeleton seized by devouring +flames. They twined, they clung round it. Their forky tongues licked +the bones that appeared to writhe and crawl in living agony. + +Soon the chain which held the portrait gave way, and it dropped at his +feet unhurt. A shriek issued from the flaming cabinet, and he saw the +painter with a burning torch above. A maniac joy lighted up his +features; he shouted to De Vessey, and with frantic gestures beckoned +that he should escape. + +"If thou canst climb yonder stair," he cried, "before the flames cut +off thy retreat, thou art safe. See, Leonora is already free. +Haste--this way--there--there--now leap--mind thy footing--'tis too +frail--creep round--those rafters are unbroken; another spring, and +thou mayest reach them in safety." + +The flames were close upon him. He was nigh suffocated. A perilous +attempt; but at length he gained the upper floor, and his deliverer +exclaimed-- + +"Thanks, thanks, he is safe! By this good hand, too, that wrought your +misery. Oh! that a life of penitence and prayer might atone for my +guilt. It was a thought inspired by Heaven, prompted me to set on fire +that insatiate demon, to whom my taskmaster offered those wretched +victims, and every month a bride, on pain of his own destruction. What +might be the nature of that skeleton form, or their compact, thou +canst neither know nor understand. Even I, though nightly witnessing +horrors which have given to youth the aspect and decrepitude of age, +cannot explain. A connection, if not inseparable, yet intimate as body +and soul, existed between those demon-haunted bones and yon monster +who sought and accomplished my ruin. What I have seen must not, cannot +be told. My lips are for ever sealed. But the flames are fast gaining +on us. Let us hasten ere they prevent our retreat. The whole fabric +will shortly be enveloped, and every record of this diabolical +confederacy consumed. Go to thy lady-love. She is recovered, and as +one newly-awakened from some terrific dream. With the earliest dawn +hie thee to the prison lest _he_ escape. Let him be instantly secured. +When summoned, I will not fail to confront, to denounce the wretch. He +cannot penetrate yonder walls save by fraud or stratagem. How I have +escaped death is one of the mysteries which time perchance may never +develop. One might fancy the cunning leech who supplied the drug did +play me false. Instead of poison, mayhap, one of those potions of +which we have heard, that so benumb and stupify the faculties that for +a space they mimic death, nor can anything rouse or recover from its +influence until the appointed time be past." + +They hurried away as he spoke. De Vessey could scarcely wait until +daylight. His first care was to secure the old sorcerer. He sought aid +from the police, and, as far as might be, revealed the dreadful +secret. + +An immediate visit was made to the cell. On entering, its inmate was +in bed--a scorched, a blackened corpse! + +It may be supposed the lover was not long in attending on his +mistress. She was free from disorder, and happily unconscious of what +had passed during the interval, save that an ugly dream had troubled +her. Nor was she aware that more than one night had elapsed. In a few +days afterwards De Vessey led her to the altar. + +The mystery was never fully penetrated. That imposture and partial +insanity might be involved, and have the greatest share in its +development, is beyond doubt; but they cannot explain the whole of +these diabolical proceedings. That the powers of darkness may have +power over the bodies of wicked and abandoned men cannot be denied. + +Whether this narration discloses another instance of such mysterious +agency our readers must determine. + +What the painter knew was buried in eternal silence. The monks of La +Trappe received a brother whose vows were never broken! + + + + +THE CRYSTAL GOBLET. + +A TALE OF THE EMPEROR SEVERUS.[22] + + +It was midnight--yet a light was burning in a small chamber situated +in one of the narrowest and least frequented streets of Eboracum, then +the metropolis of the world. York at that period being the residence +of the Emperor Severus, his court and family were conveyed hither; and +the government of the world transferred to an obscure island in the +west, once the _ultima Thule_[vi] of civilisation, its native inhabitants +hardly yet emerged from a state of barbarism, and addicted to the most +gross and revolting superstitions. + +A lamp of coarse earthenware was fastened on a bronze stand, having +several beaks, and of a boat-like shape. Near it stood the oil-vase +for replenishing, almost empty--while the wicks, charred and heavy +with exuviae, looked as though for some time untrimmed. On the same +table was a Greek and a Coptic manuscript, an inkhorn, and the half of +a silver penny, the Roman _symbolum_. Breaking a peace of money as a +keepsake between two friends was, even at that period, a very ancient +custom. A brass rhombus, used by magicians, lay on a _cathedra_ or +easy chair, which stood as though suddenly pushed aside by its +occupier in rising hastily from his studies. An iron chest was near, +partly open, wherein papers and parchments lay tumbled about in +apparent disorder. Vellum, so white and firm as to curl even with the +warmth of the hand; purple skins emblazoned in gold and silver, and +many others, of rare workmanship, were scattered about with unsparing +profusion. It was evidently the study, the _librarium_ of some +distinguished person, and consisted of an inner chamber beyond the +court, having one window near the roof, and another opening into a +small garden behind. From the ceiling there hung a dried ape, a +lizard, and several uncouth, unintelligible reptiles, put together in +shapes that nature's most fantastic forms never displayed. Vases of +ointments, and unguents of strange odours, stood in rows upon a marble +slab on one side of the apartment. _Scrinia_, or caskets for the +admission of rolls and writing materials, were deposited on shelves, +forming a library of reference to the individual whose _sanctum_ we +are now describing: it was apparently undisturbed by any living +occupant save a huge raven, now roosting on a wooden perch, his head +buried under a glossy tissue of feathers, and to all appearance +immovable as the grinning and hideous things that surrounded him. A +magpie, confined in a cage above the door, was taught to salute those +who entered with the word "chaire" (Greek letters transcribed) a +Grecian custom greatly in vogue amongst the most opulent of the +Romans. + +Ere long there came a footstep and a gentle summons at the door. The +bird gave the usual response; and straightway entered a stout muscular +figure, wrapped in a _chlamys_, fastened on the shoulder with a +richly-embossed _fibula_. Beneath was the usual light leathern +cuirass, covered with scales of shining metal; the centre, over the +abdomen, ornamented with a gorgon's head and other warlike devices; a +short sword being stuck in his girdle. From the lowest part hung +leathern straps, or _lambrequins_, highly wrought and embellished. He +wore breeches or drawers reaching to the knees, and his feet and the +lower part of the leg were covered with the _cothurnus_, a sort of +traveller's half-boot. A sumptuous mantle, made of leopard skin, was +thrown carelessly about his head, hardly concealing his features, for +the folds, relaxing in some measure as he entered, showed a youthful +countenance, yet dark and ferocious, indicating a character of daring +and vindictive energy, and a disposition where forgiveness or remorse +rarely tempered the fiercer passions. As he looked round the raven +raised his head on a sudden, and peering at him with that curious and +familiar eye so characteristic of the tribe, gave a loud and hollow +croak, which again arrested the notice of the intruder. + +"Most auspicious welcome truly, ill-omened bird. Is thy master +visible?" + +There was no reply; and the inquirer, after a cautious glance round +the chamber, sat down, evidently disconcerted by this unexpected +reception. Scarcely seated, he felt the clasp on his shoulder +suddenly risen, as though by an intruder from behind. Looking round, +he saw the raven with the bauble in his beak, hopping off with great +alacrity to his perch. The magpie set up a loud scream, as though +vexed he was not a participator in the spoil. The owner, angry at his +loss, pursued the thief, who defied every attempt to regain it, +getting far above his reach; ever and anon the same ominous croak +sounding dismally through the gloom by which he was concealed. Finding +it fruitless, the stranger gave up the pursuit, and again sat down, +examining carelessly the papers which lay open for perusal. But it +might seem these feathered guardians were entrusted with the care of +their master's chamber during his absence. + +"Beware!" said the same querulous voice that before accosted him. +Looking up, he saw the magpie, his neck stretched to the utmost +through the bars of his cage, and in the act of repeating the +injunction. + +"'Tis an ill augur to my suit," he muttered, hastily. "Destiny!" +Starting up at the word, which he spoke aloud, he clenched his hand. + +"The inexorable gods may decree, but would it not be worthy of my +purpose to brave them; to render even fate itself subservient to me!" + +He hurried to and fro across the chamber with an agitated step. +Suddenly he stood still in the attitude of listening. He drew the +folds of his mantle closer about his head, when, by another entrance, +there approached a tall majestic figure, clad in dark vestments, who, +without speaking, came near and stood before him. A veil of rich +net-work fell gracefully below his mantle, being in that era the +distinctive garb of soothsayers and diviners. His hair, for he was an +Asiatic, was twisted in the shape of a mitre, investing his form with +every advantage from outward appearances. + +"I would know," said he, "by what right thou art at this untimely hour +an intruder on my privacy?" + +"By a will which even thou darest not disobey," was the answer. + +"It is past midnight. Knowest thou of my long watching, and the dark +portents of the stars?" + +"Nay. But passing, I saw the door of the vestibule partly open. The +fates are propitious. I crossed the court, intending to consult the +most famous soothsayer in the emperor's dominions." + +"Peradventure 'tis no accidental meeting. To-night I have read the +stars, the book of heaven. Comest thou not, blind mortal, at their +bidding?" + +"I have neither skill nor knowledge in the art"---- + +The stranger hesitated, as though he had as lief the conversation was +resumed by the diviner himself. + +"Thy father. What of him?" said the Chaldean, with a look as though he +had penetrated his inmost thoughts. + +"True, 'tis mine errand," said the intruder. "But the event?" + +"The augury is not complete!" + +"Thine auguries are like my good fortune--long in compassing. The best +augur, I trow, is this good steel. I would sooner trust it than the +best thou canst bestow." + +"Rash mortal! Impatience will be thy destruction. Listen!" + +The raven hopped down upon his shoulder. A low guttural sound appeared +to come from this ill-omened bird. The augur bent his ear. Sounds +shaped themselves into something like articulation, and the following +couplet was distinctly heard:-- + + "While the eagle is in his nest, the eaglet shall not prevail; + Nor shall the eagle be smitten in his eyrie." + +"Azor," said the warrior, clenching his sword, "these three times hast +thou mocked me, and by the immortal gods thou diest!" + +"Impious one! I could strike thee powerless as the dust thou treadest +on. Give me the bauble," said he, addressing the raven. The bird +immediately gave the clasp he had purloined into his master's hand. + +"This shall witness between us," continued he. "Dare to lift thy hand, +the very palace shall bear testimony to thy treason--that thou hast +sought me for purposes too horrible even for thy tongue to utter. +Hence! When least expected I may meet thee. If it had not been for thy +mother's sake, and for my vow, the emperor ere this had been privy to +it." + +Stung with rage and disappointment, he put back his weapon, and with +threats and imprecations departed. + +On a couch inlaid with ivory and pearl, within a vaulted chamber in +the Praetorian Palace of the royal city, lay the emperor, in a coverlid +of rich stuff. Disease had crushed his body, but the indomitable +spirit was unquenched. Tossing and disturbed, at length he started +from his bed. Calling to his chamberlain, he demanded if there had not +been footsteps in the apartment. The ruler of the world, whose nod +could shake the nations, and whose word was the arbiter of life or +death to millions of his fellow-men, lay here--startled at the passing +of a sound, the falling of a shadow! His face, whose chief +characteristic was power--that strength and determination of spirit +which all acknowledge, and but few comprehend--was furrowed with +deeper marks than care had wrought. Sixty years had moulded the steady +and inflexible purpose of his soul in lines too palpable to be +misunderstood. His beard was short and grizzled; and a swarthy hue, +betraying his African birth, was now become sallow, and even sickly in +the extreme; but an eagle eye still beamed in all its fierceness and +rapacity from under his scanty brows. His nose was not of the Roman +sort, like the beak of that royal bird, but thick and even clumsy, +lacking that sharp and predacious intellect generally associated with +forms of this description. + +Such was Septimus Severus, then styled on a coin just struck +"BRITANNICVS MAXIMVS," in commemoration of a great victory gained over +the Caledonians, whom he had driven beyond Adrian's Wall. Though +suffering from severe illness, he was carried in a horse-litter; and, +marching from York at the head of his troops, penetrated almost to the +extremity of the island, where he subdued that fierce and intractable +nation the Scots. Returning, he left his son Caracalla to superintend +the building of a stone wall across the island in place of the earthen +ramparts called Adrian's; a structure, when completed, that +effectually resisted the inroads of those barbarians for a +considerable period. + +He called a third time to Virius Lupus, one, the most confidential of +his attendants, to whom many of the most important secrets of the +state were entrusted. + +"Thrice have I heard it, Virius. Again and again it seems to mock and +elude my grasp." He paused, the officer yet listening with becoming +reverence. The emperor continued, more like one whose thoughts had +taken utterance than as if he were addressing the individual before +him. + +"When I led the Pannonian legions to victory; when Rome opened her +gates at my command; when I fought my way through blood to the +throne--I quailed not then! Now--satiated with power, careless of +fame, the prospects of life closed, and for ever--when all that is +left for me to do is to die--behold, I tremble at the shaking of a +leaf! I start even at the footstep that awakes me!" + +"Long live the emperor!" said the cringing secretary. Interrupting +him, as he would have proceeded with the customary adulations, the +emperor again continued as though hardly noticing his presence-- + +"Caracalla yet remains with the army. Once I censured the misguided +clemency of Marcus, who by an act of justice might have prevented the +miseries that his son Caligula brought upon the empire; and yet I, +even I," said the haughty monarch, bitterly, "nourish the very +weakness that in others I despise!" + +He dashed away the sweat from his brow, ashamed of the weakness he +could not quell. + +"He hath sought your life," said the wily sycophant. + +"He hath. Traitor! parricide! the distinctions he would have earned. +But my better genius triumphed, and history hath been spared this +infamy. It may be, this temporary exile from our court with the +northern army shall tame his spirit to submission. My life or his, +once the bitter alternative, may yet be avoided." + +"But may not his presence with the army be impolitic, should he turn +the weapon wherewith you have girded him to your own hurt?" + +"'Tis an evil choice; whichever way I turn, mischief is before me." + +"Were it not best that he be recalled?" + +"What? To plot and practise against my life! To mount upon my reeking +body to the throne! He will not reign with Geta. The proud boy +disdains a divided empire. And was not mine own soul fashioned in the +same mould? When Niger would have ruled in Syria, and Albinus in +Britain, I scattered their legions to the winds, and levelled their +hopes with their pride. 'Tis nature; and shall I, the author of his +being, punish him for mine own gift?" + +He raised himself on his couch. The fierce blaze of ambition broke the +dark cloud of bodily infirmities, and the monarch and the tyrant again +dilated his almost savage features. + +The secretary, used to these fiery moods, stood awaiting his commands. +The emperor, as though exhausted, sank down on his pillow, +exclaiming-- + +"I have governed the world, but I cannot govern a wayward heart!" + +Thus did he often lament, and provoke himself the more with these vain +regrets; forgetting that, if he had exercised the same firmness in his +private as public capacity, the government of his own house would have +been easy as the government of the world. + +"Virius Lupus, there is danger--and to-night. As I have told thee, the +stars do betoken mischief. But the peril is at my threshold. Let +Caracalla remain; so shall we avert his weapon. Should the assassin +come, it will not be with the blow of a parricide. Thou mayest retire +to thy couch, but first let the guards be doubled, the watchword and +countersign changed. And, hark thee, tell the tribune that he look +well to the _tessera_, and have the right count from the inspectors. +Should despatches come from Rome, let the messenger have immediate +audience." + +Again the emperor stretched himself on the couch, and again his +slumbers were interrupted. A murmur was heard along the halls and +passages where the guards were stationed. The noise grew louder, +approaching the very door of the royal chamber. The monarch started as +from a dream, and the door at that moment opened. The Chaldean +soothsayer stood before him. + +"Azor!" said the emperor, "at this hour? What betides such unseemly +greeting?" + +"Caesar trembles on his throne; but the world quakes not! The angel of +death is at thy door. Caracalla hath returned." + +"Returned? Surely thy wits are disturbed. Caracalla! Ay, even +yesterday, we had despatches from the camp." + +"Howbeit, he is at thy threshold. The sound of his feet is behind me." + +"Impossible! the mischief is not from him." + +"Even now I looked in the crystal, and behold"----The soothsayer +paused. Horror was gathering on his features. The light suspended +above him began to quiver; and as it waved to and fro his countenance +assumed a tremulous and distorted expression. + +Severus watched the result with no little anxiety. The magician drew a +crystal cup from his girdle. Looking in apparently with great alarm, +he presented it at arm's length to the emperor, who beheld a milky +cloud slowly undulating within the vessel. + +"Take this," said the soothsayer, "and tell me what thou seest." + +The monarch took it at his bidding. The cloud seemed to be clearing +away, as the morning mist before the sun. + +"I see nothing," said the emperor, "but a silver clasp at the bottom." + +"And the owner?" + +"As I live," said the astonished parent, drawing forth a +curiously-embossed clasp from the goblet, and holding it out to the +light, "this token of rare workmanship did the empress present to +Caracalla ere he departed. Whence came it? and wherefore hast thou +brought it hither?" + +"A silent witness to my word. Within the hour thy son returns; +and"----The seer's voice grew more ominous whilst he spake. "Beware! +there's mischief in the wind. The raven scents his prey afar off!" + +"If in this thou art a true prophet I will give thee largess; but if a +lying spirit of divination possess thee, my power is swift to punish +as to reward." + +"I heed not either. Do I serve thee for lucre? Look thee, in less time +than I would occupy in telling thee on't I could fill thy palace with +gold and silver!--and do I covet thy paltry treasures? The kingdoms of +this world are his whom I serve, and shall I seek thy perishing +honours? Behold, I leave this precious goblet as my pledge. I must +away. Thou shalt render it back on my return. I would not part with +that treasure for the dominion of the Caesars. Beware thou let it not +forth from thy sight, for there be genii who are bound to serve its +possessor, and peradventure it shall give thee warning when evil +approaches." + +The soothsayer departed, and the emperor laid the crystal goblet on a +table opposite his couch. He clapped his hands, and the chief +secretary approached. + +"What said our messenger from the north? Read again the despatch they +brought yesterday." + +The secretary drew forth a roll from his cabinet, and read as +follows:-- + +"Again the supreme gods have granted victory to our legions. Favoured +by the darkness and their boats, the barbarians attacked us from three +separate points. Led on by Fingal and his warriors, whom beforetime we +erroneously reported to be slain, they crossed over to the station +where we had pitched our tents. But the Roman eagle was yet watchful. +Though retreating behind our last defences, we left not the field +until a thousand, the choicest of our foes, bit the dust. Morning +showed us the red-haired chief and his bards, but they were departing, +and their spears were glittering on the mountains." + +"Enough!" said the emperor. "Caracalla tarries yet with the camp. Our +person is not menaced by his hand. Prithee, send a brasier hither. The +night is far spent, and slumber will not again visit these eyelids." + +A bronze tripod was brought supported by sphinxes, the worship of Isis +being a fashionable idolatry at that period. Charred wood was then +placed in a round dish pierced with holes, and perfumes thrown in to +correct the smell. The emperor commanded that he should be left alone. +Covering his shoulders with a richly-embroidered mantle, he took from +behind his pillow a Greek treatise on the occult sciences, to the +study of which he was passionately addicted. + +It is said of him by historians that he was guided by his skill in +judicial astrology to the choice of the reigning empress, having lost +his first wife when governor of the Lyonnese Gaul. Finding that a lady +of Emesa in Syria, one Julia Domna, had what was termed "a royal +nativity," he solicited and obtained her hand, thus making the +prophecy the means of its accomplishment. + +A woman of great beauty and strong natural acquirements, she was at +the same time the patron of all that was noble and distinguished in +the philosophy and literature of the age. It was even said that +secretly she was a favourer of the Christians. Be this as it may, we +do not find she ever became a professor of the faith. + +Sleep, that capricious guest which comes unbidden but not invited, was +just stealing over the monarch's eyelids when the roll fell from his +grasp. The unexpected movement startled him. His eye fell on the +bright crystal opposite. He thought a glimmer was moving in the glass. +He remembered the words of the sage, and his eye was riveted on the +mystic goblet. A sudden flash was reflected from it. He started +forward, when a naked sword fell on the couch: the stroke he only +escaped by having so accidentally changed his place! The glass had +revealed the glitter of the blade behind him, and he was indebted to a +few inches of space for his life! + +Looking round, he beheld a masked figure preparing to repeat the +stroke. Severus, with his usual courage and presence of mind, threw +his mantle across the assassin's sword. He cried out, and the chamber +was immediately filled with guards; but whether from treachery or +inadvertence, the traitor was nowhere to be found. He had escaped, +leaving his weapon entangled in the folds of the mantle. On +examination, the emperor's surprise was visibly increased when he +recognised the sword as one belonging to Caracalla! The soothsayer's +prediction was apparently fulfilled. To the emperor's superstitious +apprehensions the crystal goblet was charged with his safety. But lo! +on being sought for, the charmed cup was gone! + + * * * * * + +The next morning, as the sun was just rising over the green wolds, and +the fresh air came brisk and sharply on the traveller's cheek, a +stranger was noticed loitering through the narrow streets of the +imperial city. He had passed the great Galcarian or western gate, from +which the statue of the reigning emperor on that memorable morning was +found razed from its pedestal. The outer and inner faces of the gate +were whitened for the writing of edicts and proclamations by the +government scribes, and likewise for the public notices of minor +import, these being daubed on the walls with various degrees of skill, +in red or black pigments, according to the nature of the decrees that +were issued by the praetor, and the caprice of the artist. + +On that morning a number of idlers had assembled about the gate. The +statue of the emperor, fallen prostrate, had been removed, and an +edict promptly supplied, to the purport that an impious hand, having +attempted the life of the monarch, a reward of one hundred thousand +_sestertia_ would be the price of his apprehension. Another reward of +the like sum was offered for the discovery of a crystal goblet stolen +from the emperor's chamber. + +The individual we have just noticed wore the common sleeved tunic of +coarse wool; over it was a cloak buckled on the right shoulder, the +yarn being dyed in such wise that, when woven, it might resemble the +skin of a brindled ox--such was the dress of the ancient Britons. His +head was covered with a close cap, but his feet were naked; and the +only weapon he bore was a two-handed sword, stuck in his girdle. + +Ere he passed the gate it might be supposed that his business and +credentials would have been rigidly scrutinised by the guards; but he +merely showed a large signet-ring to the superior officer, and was +immediately allowed to pass. He soon came to the wooden bridge over +the river, now kept by a body of the Praetorian guards. Here, on +attempting to pass, he was immediately seized. With an air of stupid +or affected concern, the prisoner drew the same signet from his hand, +the sight of which again procured him immediate access. The bridge was +crossed, and after passing along the narrow winding streets he came to +a small triumphal arch leading into the Forum. This was an area of but +mean extent, surrounded by a colonnade, serving as a market for all +sorts of wares, and the trades carried on under its several porticoes. +The outer walls behind the columns were painted in compartments, black +and red, and here a number of citizens were assembled. There was +hurrying to and fro. Soldiers and messengers, even so early, were +bustling about with ominous activity. The stranger looked on for a +while with a vacant sort of curiosity, then, turning to the left hand, +went forward towards the gate of the palace. On a corner of the +building he saw another edict to the same purport as before. Near it +was the announcement of a spectacle at the theatre, the gift of a +wealthy patrician for the amusement and gratification of the people. +Still the stranger passed on, apparently uninterested by all, until he +came to the outer gate, where he merely paused a few moments, as +though to observe the movements of the soldiers and the changing of +the guard. The sound of the trumpet seemed to attract especial notice +from this barbarian, whose uncouth air and rude manners drew upon him +the gaze of many as they passed by. He now turned into a narrower +street behind the palace, and here he sought out a common tavern, +where the chequers newly painted on the door-posts betokened good +entertainment for travellers. Having entered, the hostess, whose +tucked-up dress and general appearance Martial, in his epigrams, so +cunningly describes, brought him a vase or flagon of wine. It was not +of the true Falernian flavour, as may be readily surmised, but a +mixture of stuff which can hardly be described, of nauseous taste, +smelling abominably of resin or pitch, and flavoured with myrrh and +other bitters. Both hot and cold refections solicited the taste and +regaled the sight of the visitor. Flitches of bacon were suspended +from above, and firewood stuffed between the rafters, black and smoky +with the reeking atmosphere below. At his own request, the stranger +was installed in a small chamber behind the public room, where stood a +couch, a three-footed table, and a lavatory. Here he was served with +radishes, cheese, and roasted eggs in earthen vessels, with a relish +of cornels in pickle. Ere this refection was brought in the table was +rubbed over with a sprig of mint, and the coarse pottery betrayed an +exquisite odour of thyme and garlic. + +After the needful refreshments and ablutions he sallied forth, first +inquiring for the residence of the Chaldean soothsayer, before whose +door, in due time, he arrived. The gate leading to the vestibule was +open, and he entered by a narrow passage terminated by a small inner +court. He paused, and looked round. No fountain played in the centre; +a clump of rank, unwholesome grass was the only decoration; but the +object of his search was a crooked wooden staircase, which led to a +sort of gallery above. After a little hesitation he ascended; his +country manners showing a determination to persevere, until fairly +delivered of his errand. A door at the extremity of the gallery stood +ajar, and through this he made bold to enter. A Numidian slave, +dwarfish and deformed, was sweeping his master's chamber. He stopped +short as the barbarian, with a stupid and wondering look, entered the +apartment. After surveying the new comer with an air of deliberate +scrutiny, the dwarf burst forth into a violent fit of laughter. + +"Mercury hath sent us precious handsel this morning, truly," said he, +when his diversion was concluded. "A pretty hound to scent out +master's lost goods. The gods do verily mock us in thy most gracious +person." + +The visitor looked on with dismay during this ungracious and taunting +speech. At length he stammered forth-- + +"Thy master, is he not the Chaldean to whom my mistress, knowing I was +bound for the city, hath sent me privily with a message?" + +The Briton spoke this in a sort of guttural and broken Latin, which +the apish dwarf mimicked in the most mischievous and provoking way +imaginable. The messenger, irritated beyond endurance, placed both +hands on his weapon, but his antagonist, with little ado, tripped up +his heels, and the poor aborigine was completely at the mercy of this +grotesque specimen of humanity. + +Grinning over him with spite and mischief in his looks, the dwarf +stamped on the floor; presently there came two slaves, who, without +further notice than a blow now and then when resistance was offered, +bound him with stout cords, and bade him lie there until he should be +further disposed of. Inquiry was vain as to the cause of this +treatment. Bound hand and foot, he was then tossed with little +ceremony and less compunction into a corner of the room, and there +left to bemoan his hard fate. Perched just above his head sat the +cunning raven, who eyed him as though with serious intentions of +pecking at him in his present defenceless condition. He was soon aware +of this additional source of alarm, and as the bird's eye brightened +and twinkled with greedy anticipation, he rubbed his rapacious beak on +the perch, apparently whetting it for the feast. He then jumped down +on the floor, and hopping close to his victim, gave a hoarse and +dismal croak, a death-warning, it might be, to the unfortunate +captive. He tried to burst his bonds, and shrieked out in the +extremity of his alarm. His struggles kept the bird at a distance, but +it continued to survey him with such a longing, liquorish eye, that +the poor culprit felt himself already writhing, like another +Prometheus, under the beak of his destroyer. His terror increased. It +might be some demon sent to torment him; and this conviction +strengthened when he saw the dismal and hideous things that surrounded +him. Just as his agony was wrought to the highest pitch he heard +footsteps. Even the sound was some relief. He knew not what further +indignities--not to say violence--he might expect; but at all events +there would be a change, and it was hailed as an alleviation to his +misery. + +The soothsayer presented himself, attended by the ugly dwarf. + +"A stupid barbarian thou sayest the Fates have sent us?" said the +Chaldean, as he entered. "Bridle thine impious tongue, Merodac; what +the dweller in immortal fire hath decreed will be accomplished, though +by weak and worthless creatures such as these. What ho! stranger, +whence art thou? and why art thou moved so early across our +threshold?" + +"My lord," said the prisoner, in a tone of entreaty, "these bonds are +unlawful--I am a freed man. Though a Briton, I am no slave; and I +beseech you to visit this indignity on that rogue who hath so scurvily +entreated me." + +"I was privy to it, else would he not have dared this." + +"And to what end, good master?" + +"That we may have an answer propitious to our suit." + +"What! are ye about to sacrifice me to your infernal deities?" cried +the captive, almost frantic with the anticipation. + +"My friend, thou art bound for another purpose--to wit, that through +thy instrumentality we may discover the divining cup the emperor hath +lost. Knowest thou aught of this precious crystal?" inquired the +Chaldean, with a searching look. + +But it were vain to describe the astonishment of the victim. He looked +almost in doubt of his own identity, or as if he were trying to shake +off the impression of some hideous dream. At length he replied-- + +"'Tis some device surely that ye may slay me!" + +He wept; and the tears trickling down his cheek were indeed piteous to +behold. "I know not," said he, "your meaning. Let me depart." + +"Nay, said the soothsayer, "thou mayest content thyself as thou list, +but the cup shall be found, and that by thy ministry. The emperor hath +offered rewards nigh to the value of three silver talents for the +recovery, and assuredly thou shalt be held in durance until it be +regained." + +"And by whose authority?" inquired the Briton. + +"Why, truly, it becometh thee to ask, seeing thou art a party +interested in the matter. The emperor in whose care the jewel was +left, hath sworn by the river Styx that unless the cup be brought back +to the palace ere to-morrow's dawn, he will punish the innocent with +the guilty, and that with no sparing hand. He hath already laid hands +on some of the more wealthy citizens, and amerced them in divers sums; +others are detained as hostages for suspected persons who are absent +from the city. The loss of this cup being connected with a daring +attempt on the emperor's life by some unknown hand, he doth suspect +that the very palace wants purging from treason; yet where to begin, +or on whom to fasten suspicion, he knoweth not. Mine art has hitherto +failed me in the matter. The tools they work with baffle my skill, +save that the oracle I consult commanded that I should lay hold on the +first male person that came hither to-day, and by his ministry the +lost treasure should be restored. Shouldst thou refuse, thou art lost; +for assuredly the emperor will not be slow to punish thy contumacy." + +The miserable captive fell into great perplexity at this discourse. He +vowed he knew no more of the lost cup than the very stones he trod on; +that he had come since nightfall from his master, Lucius Claudius, +lieutenant and standard-bearer of the sixth legion, then at +Isurium,[23] on a mere casual errand to the city; and that his +mistress, who was a British lady of noble birth, had instructed him, +at the same time, to consult the soothsayer on some matters relative +to her nativity, which the sage had calculated some years back. Almost +a stranger in these parts, how could he pretend to begin the search? +He begged piteously for his release; promising, and with great +sincerity, that he would never set foot in this inhospitable region +again. The magician inquired his name. + +"Cedric with the ready foot," was the reply. Unmoved by his +entreaties, the soothsayer said he had the emperor's command for the +use of every method he could devise for the recovery of this precious +and priceless jewel; and that, furthermore, the safety and even lives +of many innocent persons depended on the stranger's exertions, and the +speedy execution of his mission. But how to begin, or in what quarter +to commence the search, was a riddle worthy of the Sphinx. A most +unexpected and novel situation for this rude dweller in woods and +morasses, to be suddenly thrust forth into a mighty city, without +guide or direction, more ignorant of his errand than any of its +inhabitants. Besides, he was not without a sort of incipient and +instinctive dread that the catastrophe might procure him an interview +with the emperor; and he was filled with apprehension lest his own +carcase might afford a special treat, a sacrifice to the brutal +appetite of the spectators in the amphitheatre, after the manner of +the _bestiarii_, or gladiators, of whom he had often heard. Even could +he have gotten word of this mishap to his master, he was by no means +certain it would be attended with any beneficial result. The time was +too short, and the will and mandate of the emperor would render futile +any attempt to obtain deliverance from this quarter. + +A few moments sufficed for these considerations. The glance of the +mind, when on the rack for expedients, is peculiarly keen, and hath an +eagle-like perception that appears as though it could pierce to the +dim and distant horizon of its hopes and apprehensions. + +"Unbind these withes," said the captive; "I cannot begin the search in +this extremity." + +"Merodac, undo these bonds; and see thou guard thy prisoner strictly; +thy life answers for his safe keeping." + +The dwarf, who seemed never so well pleased as when tormenting the +more fortunate and better shapen of his species, unloosed the cords +with something of the like feeling and intention as a cat when +liberating some unfortunate mouse from her talons. + +"There's a chance of rare sport i' the shows to-morrow," said the ugly +jailer. "We are sure of _thee_, anyhow. Didst ever see the criminals +fight with wolves, Hyrcanian bears, and such like? I would not miss +the sight for the best feather in my cap." + +The cruel slave here rubbed his hands, and his yellow eyes glistened +with the horrible anticipation. His victim groaned aloud. + +"I'll tell thee a rare device," continued he, "whereby thou mayest +escape being eaten at least a full hour; and we shall have the longer +sport. Mind thee, the beasts do not always get the carcases for +dinner. If they be cowardly and show little fight, we give the dead +bestiarii to the dogs. I remember me well the last we threw into the +emperor's kennel, the dogs made such a fighting for the carrion that +he ordered each of us a flagellation for the disturbance. Let me see, +there was--ay"----Here the knave began to count the number of shows +and human sacrifices he had seen, recounting every particular with the +most horrible minuteness. Cedric felt himself already in the gripe of +the savages, and his flesh verily quivered on his bones. + +Brutal and demoralising were those horrid spectacles. The people of +Rome, it has been well observed by a modern writer, were generally +more corrupt by many degrees than has been usually supposed possible. +Many were the causes which had been gradually operating towards this +result, and amongst the rest the continual exhibition of scenes where +human blood was poured forth like water. The continual excitement of +the populace demanded fresh sacrifices, until even these palled upon +the cruel appetites of the multitude. Even the more innocent +exhibitions, where brutes were the sufferers, could not but tend to +destroy all the finer sensibilities of the nature. "Five thousand +wild animals, torn from their native abodes in the wilderness and the +forest," have been turned out for mutual slaughter in one single +exhibition at the amphitheatre. Sometimes the _lanista_, or person who +exhibited the shows and provided the necessary supplies, by way of +administering specially to the gratification of the populace, made it +known, as a particular favour, that the whole of these should be +slaughtered. These, however, soon ceased to stimulate the appetite for +blood. From such combats "the transition was inevitable to those of +men, whose nobler and more varied passions spoke directly, and by the +intelligible language of the eye, to human spectators; and from the +frequent contemplation of these authorised murders, in which a whole +people--women as much as men, and children intermingled with +both--looked on with leisurely indifference, with anxious expectation, +or with rapturous delight, whilst below them were passing the direct +sufferings of humanity, and not seldom its dying pangs, it was +impossible to expect a result different from that which did, in fact, +take place--universal hardness of heart, obdurate depravity, and a +twofold degradation of human nature, the natural sensibility and the +conscientious principle." "Here was a constant irritation, a system of +provocation to the appetite for blood, such as in other nations are +connected with the rudest stages of society, and with the most +barbarous modes of warfare." + +"Whither wilt thou that we direct our steps?" inquired Merodac, with +mock submission, when the cords were unloosed. + +"Lead the way--I care not," said his moody victim; "'tis as well that +I follow." + +A bitter and scornful laugh accompanied the reply of the dwarf. + +"That were a pretty device truly--to let thee lag behind, and without +thy tether. Ah, ah," chuckled the squire as they left the chamber, +"Diogenes and his lantern was a wise man's search compared with ours." + +How the slave came to be so learned in Grecian lore we know not. His +further displays of erudition were cut short by the soothsayer, who +cried out to him as they departed-- + +"Remember, thy carcase for his if he return not." + +Now, in York, at this day, may be observed, where an angle of the +walls abuts on the "Mint Yard," a building named "the Multangular +Tower," and supposed to have been one of the principal fortifications +of the city. However this might be, its structure has puzzled not a +little even those most conversant with antiquities. The area was not +built up all round, but open towards the city. The foundations of a +wall have latterly been discovered, dividing it lengthwise through the +centre, and continued for some distance into the town; so that the +whole may not inaptly be represented by a Jewtrump--the tongue being +the division, the circular end the present Multangular Tower, +continued by walls on each side. This building, we have every reason +to conjecture, was the Greek _stadium_ or Roman circus, which authors +tell us was a narrow piece of ground shaped like a staple; the round +end called the barrier. The wall dividing it lengthwise is the +_spina_, or flat ridge running through the middle, which was generally +a low wall, and sometimes merely a mound of earth. This was usually +decorated with statues of gods, columns, votive altars, and the like. +As a corroboration of this opinion, there have been found here several +small statues, altars, and other figures, betokening a place of public +resort or amusement. + +The circus was not used merely for horse and chariot races, but +likewise for wrestling--the _caestus_, and other athletic games. It was +noted as the haunt of fortune-tellers, and thither the poorer people +used to resort and hear their fortunes told.[24] + +Near this place stood the barracks, or _castra_. Long ranges of rooms +divided into several storeys, the doors of each chamber opening into +one common gallery, ascended by a wooden staircase. + +Hither we must conduct our readers at the close of the day on whose +inauspicious morning "Cedric with the ready-foot" was placed in such +jeopardy. + +The whole city meanwhile had been astir. The emperor's wrath and +desire of revenge were excited to the utmost pitch. He suspected +treachery even amongst the Praetorian guards--his favourite and +best-disciplined troops; and there was an apprehension of some +terrible disgrace attaching even to them. Still, nothing further +transpired implicating the soldiery, save that the assassin had +escaped, and apparently through the very midst of the guard; yet no +one chose to accuse his fellow, or say by whose means this mysterious +outlet was contrived. Not even to his most confidential minister did +the emperor reveal the discovery of his son's weapon. Neither that +son, nor his guilty accomplices, if any, could be found; and the day +was fast closing upon the monarch's threat, that on the morrow his +vengeance should have its full work unless the crystal goblet was +restored. + +There had been a public spectacle at the theatre, but the emperor was +not present; and such was the consternation of the whole city that the +performance was but scantily attended. The city was apparently on the +eve of some sad catastrophe, and the whole population foreboding some +fearful event. + +In the circus were yet some stray groups, who, having little +employment of their own, were listening for news, and loitering about +either for mischief or amusement. + +In one part was exhibited a narrow wooden box, not unlike to our +puppet-show, wherein a person was concealed having figures made of +wood and earthenware that seemed to act and speak, to the great wonder +and diversion of the audience. + +As the rays of the declining sun smote upon the city walls and the +white sails of the barks below, there came into the circus the dwarf +who had charge of Cedric. The captive now looked like a sort of +appendage to his person--being strapped to his arm by a stout thong of +bull's hide, such as was used for correcting refractory slaves. The +hours allotted for search were nearly gone. Day was drawing to a +close, and Cedric had done little else than bemoan his hard fate. The +whole day had been spent in wandering from place to place, urged on by +the scoffs and jeers of his companion. Some furtive attempts to escape +had been the cause of his present bondage. Hither, at length, they +arrived. Tired and distressed, he sat down on one of the vacant +benches, and gave vent to his sorrows in no very careful or measured +language. + +"What can I do?" said he, "a stranger in this great city--to set me +a-finding what I never knew? A grain of wheat in a barn full of chaff, +mayhap--a needle in a truss of hay--anything I might find but what was +sheer impossible. And now am I like to be thrown to the dogs, like a +heap of carrion!" + +"But the oracle, friend." + +"Plague on the oracle, for"----Here his speech was interrupted; for +happening to look up, he saw, as he fancied, the eyes of one of the +little figures in the show-box ogling him, and making mouths in such +wise as to draw upon him the attention of the spectators, now roaring +with laughter at his expense. Reckless of consequences, and almost +furious from sufferings, he suddenly jumped up, and dragging the dwarf +along with him, made a desperate blow at the mimic, which, in a +moment, laid sprawling a whole company of little actors, together with +the prime mover himself, and the showman outside to boot. The fray, as +may readily be conceived, waxed loud and furious. The owners and +bystanders not discriminating as to the main cause of the attack, +would have handled both the keeper and the captive very roughly, had +not the noise awakened the attention of the soldiers in the +neighbouring barracks. Hearing the affray, a party ran to ascertain +the cause of the disturbance, and seeing two men whom a whole crowd +had combined to attack, concluded they were culprits, and forthwith +haled them before the captain of the guard, a centurion, Diogenes +Verecundus by name. + +Cedric and the dwarf being rescued from a sound beating, began to +abuse one another as the cause of the disturbance; but the officer, by +dint of threats and inquiries, soon learned the truth of the matter. + +"Thank the stars, I shall be rid of this pestilence to-morrow," said +Merodac; "my master could not have found me such another; and how the +Fates could pitch upon such a sorry cur for the business seems passing +strange. If he find the cup I'll be beaten to a jelly in it. Thy +carcase will be meat for the emperor's hounds to-morrow." + +"If, as thou sayest," said the centurion, "thou art so mightily weary +of thy charge, leave him to my care; I would fain have some discourse +with him privily touching what thou hast spoken." + +The slave hesitated. + +"On the word of a Roman soldier he shall be forthcoming. Tell thy +master that Verecundus the centurion hath taken thy prisoner captive. +Here is money for thee." + +The Ethiop showed his teeth like ivory studs on a coral band, while +the rings shook in his wrinkled ears as he took the largess. Yet his +brow contracted, and he hung his head. He hesitated to unloose the +bonds. + +"By what token?" he at length inquired. + +"By this!" said the centurion, taking up a thong for his correction. +"Stay," continued he, laying it down, "I will not punish thee +undeservedly. Take these; they will bear thee harmless with thy +master." + +The dwarf took the writing thankfully, and made the best of his way to +the dwelling of the soothsayer. + +The officer now beckoned Cedric that he should follow. In a low room +by the guard-chamber at the gate the following conversation took +place. + +"There is evil denounced us of a truth," said Verecundus; "but it may +be the gods have sent thee hither for our rescue, as the oracle hath +said." + +The Briton fixed his wondering eyes on the soldier whilst he +continued. + +"I have pondered the words well, and if thou prove trusty, ere this +night pass the plot shall be discovered and the ringleaders secured. +We have need of such a one as thou--a stranger, whom they will not +suspect, and will use the intelligence he obtains with a vigilant and +cunning eye. There is work for thee, which, if well done, may bring +thee to great wealth and honour. If thou fail, we fall together in the +same ruin. There is a plot against the emperor; and one which hath its +being, ay in the very secrets of the palace. Those nearest him I am +well assured are the chief movers in the conspiracy. 'Tis this makes +it so perilous to discover, and without a fitting agent the mischief +will not be overcome. I have thought to throw myself at the emperor's +feet, but having no proof withal to support my suspicions, I should in +all likelihood fall a sacrifice to my own fidelity." + +"But how," asked the bewildered Cedric, "shall I discover them? Verily +it doth seem that to-day I am destined to work out impossibilities. +How it comes to pass that a poor ignorant wretch like myself should +compass these things, it faileth my weak fancy to discover!" + +"The soothsayer's speech is not lightly to be regarded. Hark thee, +knave! Is life precious unto thee?" + +"Yea, truly is it. I have a wife and children, besides a few herds and +other live stock, likewise sundry beeves i' the forest. But unless I +can find favour in your eyes, my goods, alas! I am not like to see +again." + +"Nor wilt thou peradventure again behold the light of yon blessed sun +which hath just gone down. The shades of evening are upon us, and the +shadows of death are upon thine eyelids; for, hark thee, I do suspect +some treasonable message in thine errand to the city." + +Cedric, with a look of terror and incredulity, stammered out-- + +"As I live, I know not thy meaning!" + +"Thou art in my power; and unless thou servest me faithfully, thou +diest a cruel and fearful death. What was the exact message wherewith +thou was entrusted?" + +The Briton's countenance brightened as he replied-- + +"I give it to thee with right good-will. No treason lurks there, I +trow. 'Take this,' said my master, yesternight, giving me a signet +ring; 'take it to York by daybreak. At the gate show it to the guard. +If they let thee pass, well. If not, return, for there is mischief in +the city. At the bridge, shouldest thou get so far, again show it, +where, I doubt not, thou shalt find thereby a ready passage. Seek thee +out some by-tavern where thou mayest refresh; then about mid-day go +into the street called the Goldsmiths', and there inquire for one +Caius Lupus, the empress' jeweller. Show him the signet, and mark what +he shall tell thee.'" + +"Thou hast given him the signet, then?" said the centurion, sharply. + +"Nay. For my mistress, as ill-luck would have it, hearing of my +journey, and she having had some knowledge of the soothsayer's art +aforetime, bade me consult him ere my errand was ready with the +goldsmith, and deliver a pressing request for the horoscope which had +been long promised. What passed then, as thou knowest, is the cause of +my calamity." + +"But didst thou not search out the dwelling of this same Caius, and do +thine errand?" + +"I did. But in the straits which I endured I was not careful to note +the time. An hour past mid-day I sought out his dwelling; but he was +gone to the palace on urgent business with the empress, nor was it +known when he might return." + +"Sayest thou so, friend? I would like to look at this same potent +talisman." + +Cedric drew forth the ring. It was a beautiful onyx, on which, +engraven with exquisite workmanship, was a head of the youthful +Caracalla encircled by a laurel wreath, showing marks of the most +consummate skill. + +"Was thine errand told to the soothsayer?" was the next inquiry. + +"Verily, nay," said the messenger; "there was little space for parley +ere I was thrust forth." + +"He saw not the signet, then?" + +"Of a truth it has not been shown save to the guards for my passport." + +"Now, knave, thy life hangs on a thread so brittle that a breath shall +break it. This same goldsmith I do suspect; but thou shalt see him, +and whatsoever he showeth I will be at hand that thou mayest tell me +privily. I will then instruct thee what thou shalt do. If thou fail +not in thy mission, truly thou shalt have great rewards from the +emperor. But if thou whisper--ay to the walls--of our meeting, thou +diest! Remember thou art watched. Think not to escape." + +The poor wretch caught hold on this last hope of deliverance, and +promised to obey. + +There was a narrow vault beneath the women's apartments in the palace, +communicating by many intricate passages with an outlet into the +Forum. Here, on this eventful night, was an unusual assemblage. The +vault was deep, even below the common foundations of the city, and +where the light of day never came. An iron lamp hung from one of the +massy arches of the roof; the damp and stagnant vapours lending an +awful indistinctness to the objects they surrounded. Chill drops lay +on the walls and on the slippery floor. The stone benches were green +with mildew; and it seemed as though the foot of man had rarely passed +its threshold. + +In this chamber several individuals were now assembled in earnest +discourse, their conversation whispered rather than spoken; yet their +intrepid and severe looks, and animated gestures, ever and anon +betrayed some deep and resolute purpose more than usually portentous. + +"An untoward event truly," said one of the speakers, Virius Lupus +himself, the emperor's private secretary. "If the old magician could +have been won, it had been well." + +"He might have saved the encounter and hazard we must now undergo. But +let him hold his fealty. We have stout hearts and resolute hands enow +to bring the matter to a successful issue." Thus spoke Caracalla, the +unnatural eldest born of his father. + +"And yet," replied the secretary, "he hath a ready admittance to his +person, and a great sway over thy father's councils." + +"I heed him not, now that brave men work. It were time that our trusty +servant, the commander at Isurium, had sent the message, with the +token I left him on my departure. Ere this we ought to have known the +hour we may expect his troops to move on the capital. I had thought to +have made all safe--to have put it beyond the power of fate to +frustrate our purpose; but I was foiled like a beardless boy at his +weapons." He gnashed his teeth as he spoke; and this monster of +cruelty breathed a horrible threat against the life even of a parent +and a king. + +"Here is the roll," said one, who from his inkhorn and reed-pen seemed +to be the scribe, and whose ambition had been lured by a promise that +he should have the office of sextumvir in the imperial city. + +"Here be the names and disposition of the troops; the avenues and +gates to which they are appointed." + +"We but wait a messenger from Isurium to make our plans complete," +said Caracalla. "By the same courier I send back this cypher. Examine +it, Fabricius. The troops of Lucius Claudius are to march directly on +the Forum, and slay all who attempt resistance. Thou, Virius Lupus, +wilt guide them through the secret passage into the palace." + +The secretary bowed assent. + +"Though the empress knows not our high purpose, it is by her +connivance we are here, safe from the emperor's spies. Under her +mantle we are hidden. Suspicion hath crossed her that I am about to +head the troops; that my father, oppressed with age and infirmities, +will retire to Rome; and that I, Caracalla, rule in Britain." + +"Then she knows not the mishap of yesternight?" + +"She knows of the attempt, but not the agent. I would the messenger +were come. 'Tis an unforeseen delay. I pray the gods there be not +treachery somewhere. The officers and guards at the Calcarian gate and +the bridge are ours; they were instructed to obey the signet." + +"We will vouch for the fidelity," said two or three of the +conspirators. + +"Should he not arrive before midnight we must strike," said Fabricius. + +"Ay, as before," said the more cautious secretary. "But we may now get +a broken head for our pains." + +"The time brooks not delay," said Caracalla. "Every moment now is big +with danger to our enterprise." + +"Be not again too hasty," replied the secretary; "there be none that +will divulge our plans. Let every part be complete before we act. We +cannot succeed should there be a disjointed purpose." + +Caracalla, vehement, and unused to the curb, was about to reply, when +the door opened and a dumb slave slowly entered. He crossed his hands, +and pointed to the door. + +"A messenger," said they all. + +"The gods are at last propitious," said Caracalla. "Let him approach." + +Soon one was led in by the sentinel, blindfolded, and the latter +immediately withdrew. + +"The sign," cried the secretary. + +The stranger, without hesitation, presented a ring. + +"'Tis the same," said Caracalla. He touched a concealed spring in the +signet, and from underneath the gem drew forth a little paper with a +scrap of writing in cypher. It was held before the lamp, and the +intelligence it contained rendered their plot complete. Ere break of +day, the deed would be accomplished. The morning would see Caracalla +proclaimed, and Severus deposed. + +"Have ye any token to my master?" inquired the messenger. + +"Take back this writing," said Virius Lupus. "Thou wilt find him not +far from the city. We wait his coming." + +"This leaden-heeled Mercury should have a largess," said the chief, +"but in this den we have not wherewithal to give him. Hold! here is a +good recompense, methinks," continued he, taking the crystal goblet +from a recess. "Take this to thy mistress, and tell her to buy it from +thee. We will see her anon. That charmed cup hath foiled me once, but +I will foil thee now, and the powers thou servest. Thou shall not +again cross my path!" + +Cedric took the gift, wrapping it beneath his cloak. + +"Thou mayest depart." + +The dumb sentinel again took charge of him, and led him away by many +intricate passages towards the entrance, where it seems the goldsmith +had directed him on presenting the signet of Caracalla. The person who +took charge of him was a dumb eunuch, a slave in the service of the +empress. + +But the terrors of death were upon the wretched victim. He knew the +centurion would assuredly be at hand to receive his report, and he +could not escape. He had not brought back one word of intelligence; +and being blindfolded, he knew not whither he had been taken. The +writing he carried would assuredly be unintelligible save to those for +whom it was intended. His mission, he could perceive, had utterly +failed. The centurion would not be able to profit by anything he had +brought back, and must inevitably, according to his pledge, at once +render him up to the soothsayer. Whilst ruminating on his hard fate a +sudden thought crossed him. There was little probability of success, +but at all events it might operate as a diversion in his favour, and +the design was immediately executed. Skulking for a moment behind the +slave, he tore off the bandage, and tripped up the heels of his +conductor. Before the latter could recover himself the Briton's gripe +was on his throat. + +"Now, slave, thou art my prisoner! Lead on, or by this good sword, +thou diest!" + +The torch he carried was luckily not extinguished in the fall. The +eunuch, almost choking, made a sign that he would obey. With the drawn +blade at his throat, the slave went on; but Cedrick, ever wary, and +with that almost instinctive sagacity peculiar to man in his +half-civilised state, kept a tiger-like watch on every movement of his +prisoner, which enabled him to detect the fingers of the slave +suddenly raised to his lips, and a shrill whistle would have consigned +him over to certain and immediate destruction; but he struck down the +uplifted hand with a blow which made his treacherous conductor crouch +and cringe almost to the ground. + +"Another attempt," said Cedric, "and we perish together!" + +The wily slave looked all penitence and submission. Silently +proceeding, apparently through the underground avenues of the palace, +Cedric was momentarily expecting his arrival at the place where the +centurion kept watch. A flight of steps now brought them to a spacious +landing-place. Suddenly a lamp was visible, and beneath it sat a +number of soldiers, the emperor's body-guard. They gave way as the +eunuch passed by, followed by Cedric, his sword still drawn. Several +of these groups were successively cleared: the guide, by a +countersign, was enabled to thread his way through every obstacle that +presented itself. The Briton's heart misgave him as they approached a +vestibule, before which a phalanx of the guards kept watch. Here he +thought it prudent to sheath his weapon, though he still followed the +eunuch, as his only remaining chance of escape. Even here they were +instantly admitted, and without any apparent hesitation. The door +turned slowly on its pivot, and Cedric found himself in a +richly-decorated chamber, where, by the light of a single lamp, and +with the smell of perfumed vapour in his nostrils, he saw a figure in +costly vestments reclining on a couch. The slave prostrated himself. + +"What brings thee from thy mistress at this untimely hour? A message +from the empress?" + +Here the speaker raised himself from the couch, and the slave, with +great vehemence, made certain signs, which the wondering Briton +understood not. + +"Ah!" said the emperor, his eyes directly levelled at the supposed +culprit; "thou hast found the thief who, in the confusion of +yesternight, bore away the magic cup. Bring him hither that I may +question him ere his carcase be sent to the beasts." + +The doomed wretch was now fairly in the paws of the very tyrant he had +so long dreaded. The death which by every stratagem he had striven to +avoid was now inevitable. He was betrayed by means of the very device +he had, as he thought, so craftily adopted; but still his natural +sagacity did not forsake him even in this unexpected emergency. As he +prostrated himself, presenting the cup he had stowed away safely in +his cloak, he still kept a wary eye on the slave who had betrayed him. +He saw him preparing to depart; and knowing that his only hope of +deliverance lay in preventing his guide from giving warning to the +conspirators they had just left, Cedric, with a sudden spring, leaped +upon him like a tiger, even in the presence of the monarch. + +The latter, astounded at this unexpected act of temerity, was for a +few moments inactive. This pause was too precious to be lost. +Desperation gave him courage, and Cedric addressed the dread ruler of +the world even whilst he clutched the gasping traitor. + +"Here, great monarch, here is the traitor; and if I prove him not +false, on my head be the recompense!" + +He said this in a tone of such earnestness and anxiety that the +emperor was suddenly diverted from his purpose of summoning his +attendants. He saw the favourite slave of the empress writhing in the +gripe of the barbarian; but the events of the last few hours had +awakened suspicions which the lightest accusations might confirm. He +remembered his son's guilt; the facility of his escape; and it might +be that treason stood on the very threshold, ready to strike. He +determined to sift the matter; and the guard now summoned, the parties +were separated--each awaiting the fiat of the monarch. + +"Where is Virius Lupus?" was the emperor's first inquiry. + +"He hath not returned from the apartments of the empress." + +"Let this slave be bound," cried Cedric. "Force him to conduct you +even to the place whence, blindfold, he hath just led me; and if you +find not a nest of traitors, my own head shall be the forfeit." + +Dark and fearful was the flash that shot from the emperor's eye on the +devoted eunuch. Pale and trembling he fell on his knees, supplicating +with uplifted hands for mercy. He knew it was vain to dissemble. + +"And what wert thou doing in such perilous company?" inquired the +emperor, turning to Cedric, and in a voice which made him shrink. + +"Let the centurion, Diogenes Verecundus, be sought out. He waits my +return by the Forum gate. To him the city owes a discovery of this +plot, and Rome her monarch!" + +The faithful centurion was soon found. The eunuch conducted them +secretly to the vault. The conspirators were seized in the very height +of their anticipated success. The roll containing the names of the +leaders, the plan of attack, and the disposition of the rebellious +troops, was discovered; and the morning sun darted a fearful ray on +the ghastly and bleeding heads uplifted on the walls and battlements +of the imperial palace. + +But with misplaced clemency the monster Caracalla was again pardoned. +The centurion Diogenes Verecundus was raised to the dignity of +Sexumvir. The only reward claimed by the generous and sturdy Briton +was an act of immunity for his master, who was merely dismissed from +his post and banished the kingdom. + + [22] This tale was written for the _Traditions of + the County of York_. It appeared by permission in an Annual + entitled _The White Rose of York_: but having only had a local + circulation at the time, and having been carefully revised by + the author during the last winter of his life, it finds a place + here. + + [23] Aldborough + + [24] Lubinus in Juven. p. 294. + + * * * * * + + [i] Pile or Peel of Foundrey, both names are used. + + [ii] This seems to be a slight misquote. Oliver Goldsmith's + poem starts with "For still I tried each fickle art" + and not "And". + + [iii] The usual present-day form seems to be: "Non omnes qui + habent citharam sunt citharoedi." + + [iv] According to the OED one definition of "prog" could + conceivably apply: a slang term for food. It also may + be a typo for "grog". + + [v] Probably "coranto": a baroque/renaissance dance style + according to Wikipedia. + + [vi] The spelling of "ultima Thule" instead of "Ultima Thule" + has been noted, but not corrected. + +END OF VOL. II. + + * * * * * + +PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND COMPANY +EDINBURGH AND LONDON + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 (of +2), by John Roby + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRADITIONS OF LANCASHIRE *** + +***** This file should be named 25256.txt or 25256.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/2/5/25256/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Helene de Mink and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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