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diff --git a/49301-8.txt b/49301-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e01c375..0000000 --- a/49301-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13989 +0,0 @@ - THE GREY MAN - - - - -This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 -http://www.gutenberg.org/license. If you are not located in the United -States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are -located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Grey Man -Author: S. R. Crockett -Release Date: June 27, 2015 [EBook #49301] -Language: English -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREY MAN *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - - - *THE GREY MAN* - - - BY - - *S. R. Crockett* - - - - _POPULAR EDITION_ - - - - LONDON - T. FISHER UNWIN - ADELPHI TERRACE - MCMX - - - - - _To - W. R. NICOLL - are affectionately inscribed - these Chronicles of a Stormy Time-- - in memory of - unforgotten Days of Peace and Quietness - spent with him and his._ - - - - [_All rights reserved_] - - - - - *CONTENTS* - - I. The Oath of Swords - II. The Lass of the White Tower - III. The Second Taunting of Spurheel - IV. The Inn on the Red Moss - V. The Throwing of the Bloody Dagger - VI. The Crown of the Causeway - VII. My Lady's Favours - VIII. The Laird of Auchendrayne - IX. Cartel of Contumely - X. Sir Thomas of the Top-Knot - XI. Sword and Spit - XII. The Flitting of the Sow - XIII. The Tryst at Midnight - XIV. The Adventure of the Garden - XV. A Midnight Leaguer - XVI. Greybeards and Dimple Chins - XVII. The Corbies at the Eagle's Nest - XVIII. Bairns' Play - XIX. Fighting the Beasts - XX. The Secret of the Caird - XXI. Mine Ancient Sweetheart - XXII. A Marriage made in Hell - XXIII. A Galloway Raid - XXIV. The Slaughter in the Snow - XXV. Marjorie bids her Love Good-night - XXVI. Days of Quiet - XXVII. On the Heartsome Heather - XXVIII. Warm Backs make Braw Bairns - XXIX. The Murder among the Sandhills - XXX. I seek for Vengeance - XXXI. The Blue Blanket - XXXII. Greek meets Greek - XXXIII. The Devil is a Gentleman - XXXIV. In the Enemy's Country - XXXV. The Ogre's Castle - XXXVI. The Defence of Castle Ailsa - XXXVII. The Voice out of the Night -XXXVIII. A Rescue from the Sea - XXXIX. The Cleft in the Rock - XL. The Cave of Death - XLI. The Were-Wolf of Benerard - XLII. Ane Lochaber Aix gied Him his Paiks - XLIII. The Moot Hill of Girvan - XLIV. The Murder upon the Beach - XLV. The Man in the Wide Breeches - XLVI. The Judgment of God - XLVII. The Place of the Legion of Devils - XLVIII. The Finding of the Treasure of Kelwood - XLIX. The Great Day of Trial - L. The Last of the Grey Man - LI. Marjorie's Good-night - LII. Home-coming - - - - - *THE GREY MAN* - - - - *CHAPTER I* - - *THE OATH OF SWORDS* - - -Well do I mind the first time that ever I was in the heartsome town of -Ballantrae. My father seldom went thither, because it was a hold of the -Bargany folk, and it argued therefore sounder sense to give it the -go-by. But it came to pass upon a time that it was necessary for my -father to adventure from Kirrieoch on the border of Galloway, where we -dwelt high on the moors, to the seaside of Ayr. - -My father's sister had married a man named Hew Grier, an indweller in -Maybole, who for gear's sake had settled down to his trade of tanner in -Ballantrae. It was to his burying that we went. We had seen him snugly -happed up, and the burial supper was over. We were already in a mind to -set about returning, when we heard the sound of a great rushing of -people hither and thither. I went aloft and looked through a gable -window upon the street. Arms were hastily being brought from beneath -the thatch, to which the laws of the King had committed them under the -late ordinance anent weapons of war. Leathern jackets were being -donned, and many folk cried 'Bargany!' in the streets without knowing -why. - -My Aunt Grisel went out to ask what the stir might be, and came in again -with her face as white as a clout. - -'It is the Cassillis folk that are besieging the Tower of Ardstinchar, -and they have come near to the taking of it, they say. Oh, what will -the folk of Ballantrae do to you, John, if they ken that you are here? -They will hang you for a spy, and that without question.' - -'That,' said my father, 'is surely impossible. The Ballantrae folk -never had any great haul of sense ever since Stinchar water ran; but yet -they will hardly believe that Hew Grier, decent man--him that was your -marrow and lies now in his resting grave, poor body--took on himself to -die, just that I might come to Ballantrae to spy out the land!' - -But my aunt, being easily flustered, would not hearken to him, thinking -that all terrible things were possible, and so hid the two of us in the -barn-loft till it should be the hour of the gloaming. - -Then so soon as the darkening came, putting a flask of milk into my -pocket and giving a noble satchel of cakes to my father, she almost -pushed us out of her back door. To this day I remember how the unsteady -glare of a red burning filled all the street. And we could see -burghers' wives standing at their doors, all looking intently in the -direction of the Castle of Ardstinchar upon its lofty rock. Others set -their heads out of the little round 'jaw-holes' that opened in each -gable wall, and gossiped shrilly with their neighbours. - -My father and I went cannily down by the riverside, and as soon as we -turned Hew-the-Friar's corner, we saw all the noble tower of Ardstinchar -flaming to the skies--every window belching fire, and the sparks fleeing -upward as before a mighty wind, though it was a stirless night with a -moon and stars floating serenely above. - -Down by the waterside and straight before us we saw a post of men, and -we heard them clank their war-gear as they marched from side to side and -looked ever up at the castle on its steep, spitting like a furnace, -flaming like a torch. So at sight of them my father turned us about -sharply enough, because, in spite of what he had said to my Aunt Grisel, -he had much reason to fear for his neck. For if, on the night of a -Cassillis raid, one of the hated faction should be found in the town of -Ballantrae, little doubt there was but that a long tow and a short -shrift would be his fate. - -We climbed the breast of the brae up from the waterside, intending to -make a detour behind the castle. My father said that there would be an -easy crossing at Heronford, where he knew a decent man that was of his -own party. Thence we could make up the glen of the Tigg Water, which in -the evil state of the country was as good and quiet a way back to -Minnochside as one might hope to find. - -It seemed a most pitiful sight to me, that was but a young lad (and had -never seen a fire bigger than a screed of muirburn screeving across the -hills with a following wind at its tail), to watch the noble house with -all its wealth of plenishing and gear being burned up. - -I said as much to my father, who swung along with his head bent to the -hill slope, dragging my arm oftentimes almost from the socket, in his -haste to get us out of such unwholesome company as the angry folk of -Ballantrae. - -'It is an enemy's house!' he replied very hastily. 'Come thy ways, -lad!' - -'But what harm have the Bargany folk done to us?' I asked. For this -thing seemed strange to me--that Kennedy should strive with Kennedy, -burn castle, kill man, harry mow and manger, drive cattle--and I never -be able to make out what it was all for. - -'Hold your breath, Launcelot Kennedy!' said my father, testy with -shortness of wind and going uphill, 'or right speedily you will find out -for what! Is it not enough that you are born to love Cassillis and to -hate Bargany?' - -'Are the folk of Cassillis, then, so much better than the folk of -Bargany?' I asked, taking what I well knew to be the chances of a civil -answer, or of a ring on the side of the head. - -It was not the civil answer that I got. - -And, indeed, it was an ill season for query and question, or for the -answering of them. In time we got to the angle of the castle, and there -we were somewhat sheltered from the fierce heat and from the glare of -light also. From the eminence we had gained, we could look away along -the shore side. My father pointed with his finger. - -'Boy, do you see yon?' he whispered. - -I looked long and eagerly with my unaccustomed eyes, before I could see -in the pale moonlight a dark train of horsemen that rode steadily -northward. Their line wimpled like a serpent, being pricked out to our -sight with little reeling twinkles of fire, which I took to be the moon -shining on their armour and the points of their spears. - -'See,' said my father, 'yonder goes our good Earl home with the spoil. -Would that I were by his side! Why do I live so far among the hills, and -out of the call of my chief when he casts his war pennon to the winds?' - -We looked all round the castle, and seeing no one, we made shift to get -about it and darn ourselves among the heather of the further hillside. -But even as we passed the angle and reached a broken part of the wall, -there came a trampling of iron-shod hoofs. And lo! a troop of horsemen -rode up to the main castle gate, that which looks to the north-west. It -was all we could do to clamber out of sight over the broken wall, my -father lifting me in his arms. There we lay flat and silent behind a -pile of stones, just where the breach had been made--over which we could -look into the courtyard and see the splotched causeway and the bodies of -the dead lying here and there athwart it in the ruddy light of burning. - -Just as the foremost horseman came to the gate, which the riders of -Cassillis had left wide open, the roof of red tile fell in with an -awesome crash. The flames again sprang high and the sparks soared. -Soon all the courtyard was aglow with the red, unsteady leme which the -skies gave back, while the moon and stars paled and went out. - -'Hist!' whispered my father, 'this is young Bargany himself who comes -first.' - -I looked eagerly from behind a stone and saw the noblest figure of a -young man that ever I saw or shall see, riding on a black horse, sitting -framed in the dark of the gateway, the flames making a crimson flicker -about him. After a moment's pause he rode within the deserted close, -and there sat his horse, looking up sternly and silently at the leaping -flames and hearkening as it were to the crackling of the timbers as they -burned. - -Then another and yet another horseman came riding within, some of whom -my father knew. - -'See you, Launce, and remember,' he whispered; 'that loon there is -Thomas Kennedy of Drummurchie, Bargany's brother. Observe his fangs of -the wolf. He of all the crew is the wickedest and the worst.' - -I looked forth and saw a gaunt, dark youth, with a short upper lip drawn -up from teeth that shone white in the leaping flame which harvested the -goodly gear of the house of Ardstinchar. - -'There also is Blairquhan the Simpleton, Cloncaird of the Black Heart, -and Benane the Laird's brother--a very debauched man--and there, I -declare, is my Lord Ochiltree. Upon soul and conscience, I wonder what -he does here thus riding with the Barganies?' - -As soon as the fire died down a little, some of the party began to -search about among the defences and outhouses, and a few even entered -into the inner part of the tower. In twos and threes they came forth, -some bringing a wounded man, some a dead man, till, on the cool, grey -stones of the court, there rested five that lay motionless on their -backs, and two that moaned a while and then were still. The more lightly -wounded were cared for in a chamber within the gate. Then we could see -all the gentlemen of the Bargany side dismounted from their horses and -standing about those five that were killed. - -'Alas for young Girvanmains!' I heard one cry, for we were very near. -'What shall we say to his father? And here also is Walter Pollock, the -cunning scrivener--and James Dalrymple, that was a kindly little man and -never harmed anyone--the Lord do so to me, and more also, if I write not -this killing in blood upon the walls of Cassillis!' - -The crowd thinned a little, and I saw it was the Laird himself that -spoke. - -Then this same young Bargany, who was taller by a head than any there, -called for room. So they made a ring, with the dead men in the midst, -and Bargany standing a little before. He bent him over the body of -Walter Pollock, the young clerk, and drew forth a book from his breast. - -'Listen!' he cried, 'all you that love Bargany, and who now behold this -deed of dule and cruelty. Here lie our dead. Here is the Book of God -that I have taken from one of the servants of peace, cruelly bereft of -life by our enemies!' - -'I warrant he drew a good sword when it came to the fighting, clerk -though he might be,' whispered my father, 'I know the Pollock breed!' - -Bargany looked at the book in his grasp and again at the hand which had -held it. - -'This falls out well,' he said. 'Here in the presence of our dead, upon -the Bible that is wet with the blood of the unjustly slain, let us band -ourselves together and take oath to be avenged upon the cruel house--the -house of over-trampling pride--the house that has ever wrought us woe! -Will ye swear?' - -He looked round a circle of faces that shone fierce and dark in the lowe -of the furnace beyond. As he did so he unsheathed his sword, and -pointed with it to the topmost pinnacles of Ardstinchar. In a moment -there was a ring of steel all about him, for, quick as his own, every -man's hand went out to his scabbard, and in every man's grip there -gleamed a bare blade. And the sight thrilled me to see it, ay, more -than all the religion I had ever been taught, for I was but a boy. And -even though religion be learned in youth, the strength and the use of it -comes not till after. - -Thus Bargany stood with the brand in his right hand and the Bible in his -left, to take, as was ancient custom in our countryside, the solemn oath -of vengeance and eternal enmity. And thus he spake,-- - -'By this Holy Book and by the wet blood upon it, I, Gilbert Kennedy of -Bargany, swear never to satisfy my just feud against the bloody house of -Cassillis, till of all their defenced towers there stands not one stone -in its place, remains alive not one scion of its cruel race. I who -stand here, in the presence of these dead men of my folk, charge the -Kennedies of the North with the blood of my kin, the spoiling of my -vassals, and the heart-breaking of my father. In the name of God I -swear! If I stay my hand and make not an end, the God of Battles do so -to me, and more also!' - -Gilbert Kennedy kissed the book which he gripped in his left hand, and -then with sudden gesture of hatred he flung down the sword which he had -held aloft in his right. It fell with a ringing dirl of iron upon the -stones of the pavement beside the slain men, and the sound of its fall -made the flesh creep on my bones. - -Then the Laird's wicked brother, Thomas, called the Wolf of Drummurchie, -came forward, hatred fairly sparkling in his eyes, and his teeth set in -a girn of devil's anger. - -'I swear,' he cried, 'to harry John of Cassillis, the enemy that has -wrought us this woe, with fire and sword--to cut off him and his with -dagger and spear, to light the thack and to lift the cattle. I will be -an outlaw, a prey for the hunters for their sake. For Cassillis it was -who first slandered me to the King, chased me from my home, and made me -no better than a robber man upon the mountains.' - -And in turn he kissed the Book, and his sword rang grimly on the -pavement beside his brother's. So one by one the men of Bargany took -the solemn band of eternal and bloody feud. Presently an old man stood -forth. He held a spear in his hand, being, as my father whispered, but -a tenant vassal and keeping to the ancient Scottish yeoman's weapon. - -'By the blood of my son that lies here before me, by this spear which he -held in his dying hand, I, that am but the poor goodman of Girvanmains, -before death takes me to where all vengeance is Another's, I swear the -vengeance of blood!' - -And he cast the spear beside the swords of the gentlemen. Then issuing -forth from the chamber over the gate, and leaning heavily upon the arm -of a young page boy, there came creeping the strangest shape of a -man--his countenance thrawed and drawn, his shrunk shanks twisted, his -feet wambling one over another like those of a mummer's bear. Bowed -double the man was, and he walked with a staff that tapped and rattled -tremblingly on the pavement as he came. The men of war turned at the -sound, for there had been stark silence among them after old Girvanmains -had let his spear fall. - -Like one risen from the dead, the old man looked up at the tower which -was now beginning to show black against the dulling red glow of the -dying fire. - -'Thou tower of Ardstinchar,' he cried, lifting up a voice like the wind -whistling through scrannel pipes, 'they have burned you that erstwhile -burned me. Curse me Cassillis and the Lords of it! Curse me all that -cleave to it, for their tender mercies are cruel. I, Allan Stewart, -sometime Abbot of Crossraguel, lay my curse bitterly upon them for the -cruel burning they gave me before their fire in the Black Vault of -Dunure. But bless me the House of Bargany, that rescued me from torture -and took me to their strong tower, wherein I have to this day found in -peace a quiet abiding chamber.' - -'Mark well, boy,' whispered my father; 'remember this to tell it in -after days to your children's children. Your eyes have seen the Abbot -of Crossraguel whom the King of Carrick, the father of our Earl John, -roasted quick in the vault of Dunure--a deed which has wrought mickle -woe, and will yet work more.' - -And even as my father spoke I saw the old cripple hirple away, the young -Laird himself helping him with the kindliest courtesy. - -Then, last of all that spake, came a voice from one who had remained in -the gloomy archway of the gate, by the entering in of the courtyard. He -that broke the silence was a tall man who sat on a grey horse, and was -clad from head to foot in a cloak of grey, having his face shaded with a -high-crowned, broad-brimmed hat of the ancient fashion. - -'Give me the Book and I also will swear an oath!' he said, in a voice -which made all turn towards him. - -'Who may that man be? I ken him not,' said my father, for he had named -all the others as they came within. - -So one gave the man the blood-stained Bible, and he held it in his hand -a moment. He was silent a space before he spoke. - -'By this Christian Book and among this Christian people,' he cried, 'I -swear to root out and slay utterly all the house of Cassillis and -Culzean, pursuing them, man, woman and child, with fire and sword till -they die the death of pain and scorn, or I who swear die in the -accomplishing of it.' - -The unknown paused at the end of this terrible oath, and gazed again at -the Book. The dying flame within the castle flared up for a chance -moment as another rafter caught fire. - -'Fauch!' said he of the grey cloak, looking at the Bible in his hand, -'there is blood upon thee. Go thou into the burning as the seal of our -oaths. A bloody Bible is no Christian book!' - -And with that he threw the Bible into the red embers that glowed -sullenly within the tower. - -There broke a cry of horror from all that saw. For though in this dark -land of Carrick deeds of blood were done every day, this Bible-burning -was accounted rank blasphemy and ungodly sacrilege. But I was not -prepared for its effect upon my father. He trembled in all his limbs, -and I felt the stones shake upon which he now leaned breast high, -careless who should see him. - -'This is fair devil's work,' he muttered. 'The fires of Sodom, the -brimstone of Gomorrah shall light upon us all for this deed!' - -He would have said more, but I never heard him finish his words. Sudden -as a springing deer, he tore from the covert of the wall by my side and -bounded across the court, threading the surprised group and overleaping -the swords and the bodies of the slain men. He disappeared in a moment -through the door into the tower, within which the flames still glowed -red, and from which every instant the crash of falling timber and the -leaping flames answered each other. - -Ere my father sprang back, his figure stood plain and dark against the -fire within, like that of a smith at his forge seen in the bygoing upon -a snowy night. He held the unburned Bible clasped to his breast, but -his left hand hung straight down by his side. - -A moment after he had sprung from a window and fallen upon his face on -the pavement with the Bible beneath him. - -A dozen men ran towards him and seized him--Thomas of Drummurchie the -first among them. - -'A traitor! A spy!' he cried, lifting a sword from the pile with clear -purpose to kill. 'To the death with him! It is John Kennedy of -Kirrieoch--I ken him well, a rank Cassillis thief!' - -And he would have slain my father forthwith, but that I ran among his -legs and gripped him so close to me that he fell clattering on the -pavement among the swords. Then I went and took my father's hand, -standing by his side and crying out the while,-- - -'Ye shallna, ye shallna kill my father. He never did ye harm a' the -days o' his life!' - -'Who are you, and what do you here?' asked young Bargany in a voice of -command, when they had set my father on his feet. - -'I am John Kennedy of Kirrieoch on Minnochside, and I came to Ballantrae -to bury the corpse of my sister's man, Hew Grier, merchant and indweller -there, that was this day laid in the earth.' - -So, right quietly and calmly, my father spoke among them all. - -'But what seek you in my burned Castle of Ardstinchar and alone with -these dead men?' asked the young Bargany. - -With a quietness that came of the hills my father told the chieftain his -plain tale, and his words were not words that any man could gainsay. - -Then Bargany answered him without consulting the others, as none but a -great chief does whose lightest word is life or death. - -'Ye are here within my danger, and had I been even as your folk of -Cassillis, ye should have died the death; but because ye stopped devil's -work and, it may be, kept away a curse from us for the burning of the -Holy Book, ye shall not die in my house. Take your life and your son's -life, as a gift from Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany.' - -My father bowed his head and thanked his house's enemy. - -'Bring a horse,' cried the Laird, and immediately they set my father on -a beast, and me in the saddle before him. 'Put the Bible for a keepsake -in your winnock sole, turn out the steed on Minnochside, and come no -more to Ballantrae in time of feud, lest a worse thing befall you!' So -said he, and waved us away, as I thought grandly. - -Some of the men that had sworn enmity murmured behind him. - -'Silence!' he cried, 'am not I Lord of Bargany? Shall I not do as I -will? Take your life, Kirrieoch. And whenever a Bargany rides by your -door, ye shall give him bite and sup for the favour that was this night -shown you in the courtyard of Ardstinchar.' - -'Ye shall get that, Bargany, and welcome, whether ye let me gang or no!' -said my father. And pressing the Book to his bosom, and gathering up -the reins in his unwounded hand, we rode unquestioned through the arch -of the wall into the silence of the night. And the hill winds and the -stillnesses without were like God's blessing about us. - -But from a knoll on the left of the entrance the man of the grey habit, -he who had thrown the Bible, sat silent upon his horse and watched. And -as we looked back, he still sat and watched. Him my father took to have -been the devil, as he said to me many times that night ere we got to -Minnochside. - -Also ere we left the clattering pavement behind, looking out from the -postern door we saw the thrawn visage of him who was Allan Stewart, the -tortured residue of the man who had once been Abbot of Crossraguel, and -in stature like a square-shouldered tower. - -And this is the way my father brought home the burnt Bible to the house -of Kirrieoch. There it bides to this day, blackened as to its bindings -and charred at the edges, but safe in the wall press at my father's -bed-head, a famous book in all the land, even as far as Glencaird and -Dranie Manors upon the Waters of Trool. - -But it brought good fortune with it--a fortune which, God be thanked, -still remains and grows. And as for my father, he never lifted sword -nor spear against the house of Bargany from that day to this, because of -the usage which Gilbert Kennedy gave him that night at the burning of -Ardstinchar. - -Nevertheless, for all that, he exercised me tightly in the use of every -weapon of war, from the skill of the bow to the shooting of the -hackbutt. For it was his constant intent to make me an esquire in the -service of Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean,[#] reputed the wisest man and -the best soldier in all the parts of Carrick and Ayr. As, indeed, I -have found him. - - -[#] Culzean is pronounced Culayne, as though to rhyme with 'domain.' - - -And this saving of the burning Bible was, as I guess, the beginning of -my respect for religion--which, alas! I fear this chronicle will show to -have been both a late-garnered and a thin-sown crop. - - - - - *CHAPTER II* - - *THE LASS OF THE WHITE TOWER* - - -Now, as the manner is, I must make haste to tell something of myself and -have by with it. - -My name is Launcelot Kennedy, and I alone am the teller of this tale. -In a country where all are Kennedies, friends and foes alike, this name -of mine is no great head-mark. So 'Launcelot of the Spurs' I am called, -or sometimes, by those who would taunt me, 'Launcelot Spurheel.' But -for all that I come of a decent muirland house, the Kennedies of -Kirrieoch, who were ever lovers of the Cassillis blue and gold--which -are the royal colours of France, in memory of the ancient alliance--and -ever haters of the red and white of Bargany, which we hold no better -than butchers' colours, bloody and desolate. - -The story, or at least my own part in it, properly begins upon the night -of the fair at Maybole--whither to my shame I had gone without troubling -my master, Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean, with the slight matter of -asking his permission. Indeed, none so much as knew that I had been to -the town of Maybole save Helen Kennedy alone; and she, as I well knew -(although I called her Light-head Clattertongue), would not in any wise -tell tales upon me. There at the fair I had spent all my silver, buying -of trittle-trattles at the lucky-booths and about the market-stalls. -But upon my return I meant to divide fairly with Helen Kennedy, though -she was fully two years younger than I--indeed, only sixteen years of -her age, though I grant long of the leg and a good runner. - -So, being advised of my excellent intentions, you shall judge if I was -not justified of all that I did to be revenged on the girl afterwards. - -It was the early morning of a March day when I came to the foot of the -Castle of Culzean. I went with quiet steps along the shore by the -little path that leads to the coves beneath. I carried the things that -I had bought in a napkin, all tied safely together. Now, the towers of -Culzean are builded upon a cliff, steep and perilous, overlooking the -sea. And I, being but a squire of eighteen (though for my age strong -and bold, and not to be beaten by anything or feared by any man), was -lodged high up in the White Tower, which rises from the extremest point -of the rock. - -Now, as I say, I had not made mention of the little matter of my going -abroad to Sir Thomas, both because it was unnecessary to trouble him -with so small a thing, and also on account of the strictness of his -opinions. It was, therefore, the more requisite that I should regain my -chamber without putting lazy Gilbert in the watch-house at the gate to -the trouble of letting fall the drawbridge for me. I did not, indeed, -desire to disturb or disarrange him, for he would surely tell his -master, being well called Gabby Gib-cat, because he came of a race that -never in their lives has been able to hold a secret for a single day in -the belly of them--at least, not if it meant money, ale, or the goodwill -of their lord. - -So it happened that before I went to Maybole I dropped a ladder of rope -from the stanchions of my window, extremely strong and convenient, which -came down to a ledge someway up among the rocks, at a place which I -could easily reach by climbing. Thither I made my way while, as I tell -you, the night was just beginning to dusk toward the dawning. I had all -my buyings in my arms, tied up well and that tightly in the napkin, just -as I had carried them from the lucky-booths of Maybole. I tied the -outer knot of my bundle firmly to the last rung of the ladder, praying -within me that Sir Thomas might be fast asleep. For I had to pass -within three feet of his window, and, being an old man, he was somewhat -wakerife in the mornings, easily started, and given to staring out of -his lattice without method or sense, in a manner which had often filled -me with pain and foreboding for his reason. - -But by the blessing of God, and because he was somewhat tired with -walking in the fields with his baron-officer the night before, it -happened that Sir Thomas was sound asleep, so that I was nothing -troubled with him. But immediately beneath me, in the White Tower, were -the rooms of his two daughters, Marjorie and Helen Kennedy; and of these -Helen's room was to the front, so that my rope ladder passed immediately -in front of her window, while the chamber of Marjorie was to the back, -and, in this instance, concerned me not at all. - -So as I scrambled up the swinging ladder (and, indeed, there are not -many that would venture as much on a cold March morning) I passed Helen -Kennedy's window. As I went by, the devil (as I take it) prompted me to -scratch with my toe upon the leaden frame of her lattice, for the lass -was mortally afraid of ghosts. So I pictured to myself that, hearing -the noise at the window, she would take it for the scraping of an evil -spirit trying to find a way in, and forthwith draw the clothes over her -head and lie trembling. - -Pleasing myself, therefore, with this picture, I scraped away and -laughed within myself till I nearly fell from the ladder. Presently I -heard a stirring within the chamber, and stopped to listen. - -'She has her head under the clothes by now,' I said to myself, as I -climbed on up to my own window, which I found unhasped even as I had -left it. I entered, gripping the edge of the broad sill and lifting -myself over with ease, being very strong of the forearm. Indeed, I had -won a prize for wrestling at the fair that day, in spite of my youth--a -thing which I intended to keep secret till Helen Kennedy should begin to -taunt me with being but a boy and feckless. - -It chanced, however, that I, who had been thus victorious with men older -than myself, was now to be vanquished, conquered, and overset, by one -who was two years younger, and she a lassie. Then being safe in my -chamber, I began to pull up the ladder of cords with all my goods and -chattels tied at the end of it. And my thoughts were already running on -the good things therein--cakes and comfits, sweetmeats, some bottles of -Canary wine, and gee-gaws for the adorning of my person when I rode -forth--the latter not for pride, of which I have none, but in order that -I might ride in good squirely fashion, and as became the gentleman -attendant of so great a lord as Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean, Tutor of -Cassillis, brother of the late, and uncle of the present Earl of that -name. - -I drew up my rope ladder all softly and with success, because from the -stanchions it swung clear of the walls of the castle, for the reason -that my turret jutted a little way over, as is the custom with towers of -that architecture. And so all went well till my bundle came opposite the -window of Helen Kennedy's room. There it was suddenly caught and -gripped tight, so that I could in no wise pull it further. Nevertheless -I wrestled with it so strongly, even as I had done with grown men at -Maybole, that the cord suddenly gave way. And what with the stress and -pith of pulling, I fell _blaff_ on my back, hitting my head upon one of -the low cross-beams of my little chamberlet. - -This made me very angry indeed, but I leave you to judge how much more -angered I was, when I found that the cords of my rope ladder had been -cleanly severed with a knife, and that my bundle and all it contained -had been most foully stolen from me. - -I looked out of the window, rubbing my sore head the while with my hand. - -'Nell Kennedy!' I called as loudly as I dared, 'you are nothing but a -thief, and a mean thief!' - -The lass put her head out of the window and looked up at me, so that her -hair hung down and I saw the soft lace ruffle of her night apparel. It -was long and swayed in the wind, being of a golden yellow colour. (The -hair, I am speaking of, not, by'r Lady, the bedgown.) - -'Mistress Helen Kennedy from you, sirrah, if you please!' she said. -'What may be the business upon which Squire Launce Spurheel ventures to -address his master's daughter?' - -'Besom!' said I, taking no heed of her tauntings; 'thief, grab-all, give -me back my bundle!' - -My heart was hot within me, for indeed I had intended to share -everything with her in the morning, if only she would be humble enough -and come with me into the cove. Now, there is nothing more angering than -thus to be baulked on the threshold of a generous action; and, indeed, I -was not given to the doing of any other kind--though often enough -frustrated of my intention by the illsetness of others. - -'Thou wast a noble ghost, Spurheel,' she cried, mocking me. 'I heard -thee laughing, brave frightener of girls! Well, I forgive thee, for it -is a good bundle of excellent devices that thou hast carried for me all -the way from the fair at Maybole. Everything that I craved for is here, -saving the brown puggy-monkey wrought with French pastry and with little -black raisins for the eyes which I heard of yesterday!' - -'I am glad I ate that by the way,' I said, in order to have some amends -of her; for, indeed, there was no such thing in the fair, at least so -far ar I saw. - -'May it give thee twisty thraws and sit ill on thy stomach, Spurheel!' -she cried up at me. For at sixteen she was more careless of her speech -than a herd on the hill when his dogs are not working sweetly. - -Nevertheless she spoke as though she had been saying something pleasant -and, by its nature, agreeable to hear. - -For I do not deny that the lass was sometimes pleasant-spoken enough--to -others, not to me; and that upon occasion she could demean herself as -became a great lady, which indeed she was. And when no one was by, then -I took no ill tongue from her, but gave as good as I got or maybe a -kenning better. - -I could hear her at the window below taking the packages out of the -bundle. - -'Ye have good taste in the choice of cakes!' she said, coming to the -window again. 'The sweetmeats are most excellent. The pastry melts in -the mouth.' - -As she looked out, she munched one of the well-raised comfits I had -bought for my own eating. At Culzean we had but plain beef and double -ale, but no lack of these. Also puddings, black and white. - -'See, it flakes tenderly, being well readied!' she cried up at me, -flipping it with the forefinger of her right hand to show its delicate -lightness. She held the cake, in order to eat it, in the palm of her -left hand. - -At which, being angered past enduring, I took up an ornament of wood -which had fallen from the back of an oak chair, and threw it at her. -But she ducked quickly within, so that it went clattering on the rocks -beneath. - -She looked out again. - -'Ah--um--blundershot!' she said, mocking me with her mouth. 'Remember -you are not shooting at a rantipole cockshy at Maybole fair.' - -'Give me my property,' I replied with some dignity and firmness, 'else -in the morning I will surely tell your father.' - -'Ay, ay,' cried she, 'even tell him about Maybole fair, and coming home -through the wood with your arm round the waist of bonny Kate Allison, -the Grieve's lass! He will be most happy to hear of that, and of the -other things you have been doing all the night. Also to be thy father -confessor and set thee penance for thy deed!' - -'It is a lie!' I said, angry that Nell Kennedy should guess so -discomfortably near to the truth. - -'What is a lie, most sweet and pleasant-spoken youth?' she queried, with -a voice like Mistress Pussie's velvet paws. - -'The matter you have spoken concerning the Grieve's lass. I care -nothing for girls!' - -And I spoke the truth--at the moment--for, indeed, there were things -bypast that I was now sorry for. - -She went in and explored further in my bundle, while I stood at the -upper window above and miscalled her over the window sill as loudly as I -dared. Every little while she ran to the window to examine something, -for the light was now coming broad from the east and flooding the sea -even to the far blue mountains of Arran and Cantyre. - -'Ribbons--and belts--and hatbands, all broidered with silk!' she cried. -'Was ever such grandeur known in this place of Culzean? They will do -bravely for me, and besides they will save thy back from the hangman and -the cart-tail whip. For thou, Spurheel, art not of the quality to wear -such, but they will do excellently for the pearling and ribboning of a -baron's daughter. Nevertheless, heartily do I applaud your taste in -taffeta, Spurheel, and let that be a comfort to thee.' - -'Was there ever such a wench?' I said to myself, stamping my foot in -anger. - -Last of all Nell brought to the window the three bottles of Canary wine, -for which I had paid so dear. - -'What is this?' she cried, with her head at the side in her masterful -cock-sparrow way. 'What is this? Wine, wine of Canary--rotten water -rather, I warrant, to be sold in a booth at a fair? At any rate, wine -is not good for boys,' she added, 'and such drabbled stuff is not for -the drinking of a lady--wouldst thou like it, Spurheel?' - -She ducked in, thinking that I was about to throw something more at -her--which, indeed, I scorned to do, besides having nothing convenient -to my hand. - -'Look you, Squire Launce,' she said again, crying from the window -without setting her head out, 'you are something of a marksman, they -say. There never was a nonsuch like our Spurheel--in Spurheel's own -estimation. But I can outmark him. Fix your eye on yon black rock with -the tide just coming over it--one, two, and three--!' - -And in a moment one of my precious broad-bellied bottles of wine played -clash on Samson's reef two hundred feet below the White Tower. I was -fairly dancing now with anger, and threatened to come down my rope -ladder to be even with her. Indeed, I made the cord ready to throw -myself out of the window to clamber down. But even as I did so, the -glaiked maiden sent the other two jars of Canary to keep company with -the first. - -Then she leaned out and looked up sweetly, holding the sash of the -window meantime in her hand. - -'You are going to visit my father in the morning, doubtless, and tell -him all about the bundle and the Grieve's lass. Good speed and my -blessing!' she cried, making ready to shut the window and draw the bolt. -'I am going to sleep in Marjorie's room. The gulls are beginning to -sing. I love not to hear gabble--yours or theirs!' - -But I leave you to guess who it was that felt himself the greater gull. - - - - - *CHAPTER III* - - *THE SECOND TAUNTING OF SPURHEEL* - - -Now I shall ever affirm that there was not in all this realm of -Scotland, since the young Queen Mary came out of France--of whom our -grandfathers yet make boast, and rise from their chairs with their -natural strength unabated as they tell--so lovely a maid as Marjorie -Kennedy, the elder of the two remaining daughters of Sir Thomas, the -Tutor of Cassillis. Ever since I came to the house of Culzean, I could -have lain down gladly and let her walk over me--this even when I was but -a boy, and much more when I grew nigh to eighteen, and had all the heart -and some of the experience of a man in the things of love. - -And how the lairds and knights came a-wooing her! Ay, even belted earls -like Glencairn and Eglintoun! But Marjorie gave them no more than the -bend of a scornful head or the waft of a white hand, for she had a way -with her that moved men's brains to a very fantasy of desire. - -For myself, I declare that when she came down and walked in the garden, -I became like a little waggling puppy dog, so great was my desire to -attract her attention. Yet she spoke to me but seldom, being of a nature -as noble as it was reserved. Silent and grave Marjorie Kennedy mostly -was, with the lustre of her eyes turned more often on the far sea edges, -than on the desirable young men who rode their horses so gallantly over -the greensward to the landward gate of Culzean. - -But it is not of Marjorie Kennedy, whom with all my heart I worshipped -(and do worship, spite of all), that I have at this time most to tell. -It happened on this day that, late in the afternoon, Sir Thomas, my -master, came out of the chamber where ordinarily he did his business, -and commanded me to prepare his arms, and also bid the grooms have the -horses ready, for us two only, at seven of the clock. - -'That will be just at the darkening,' I said, for I thought it a strange -time to be setting forth, when the country was so unsettled with the -great feud between the Kennedies of Cassilis and the young Laird of -Bargany and his party. - -'Just at the darkening,' he made answer, very shortly indeed, as though -he would have minded me that the time of departure was no business of -mine--which, indeed, it was not. - -So I oiled and snapped the pistolets, and saw that the swords moved -easily from their sheaths. Thereafter I prepared my own hackbutt and -set the match ready in my belt. I was ever particular about my arms and -of those of my lord as well, for I prided myself on never having been -faulted in the performing of my duty, however much I might slip in other -matters that touched not mine honour as a soldier. - -Once or twice as I rubbed or caressed the locks with a feather and fine -oil thereon, I was aware of a lightly-shod foot moving along the passage -without. I knew well that it was the lassie Helen, anxious, as I -judged, to make up the quarrel; or, perhaps, with yet more evil in her -heart, wishful to try my temper worse than before. - -Presently she put her head within the door, but I stood with my back to -her, busy with my work at the window. I would not so much as look up. -Indeed, I cared nothing about the matter one way or the other, for why -should a grown man and a soldier care about the glaiks and puppet-plays -of a lassie of sixteen? - -She stayed still by the door a moment, waiting for me to notice her. -But I did not, whereat at last she spoke. 'Ye are a great man this day, -Spurheel,' she said tauntingly. 'Did ye rowell your leg yestreen to -waken ye in time to bring hame the Grieve's lassie?' - -I may as well tell the origin now of the name 'Spurheel,' by which at -this time she ordinarily called me. It was a nothing, and it is indeed -not worth the telling. It chanced that for my own purpose I desired to -wake one night at a certain time, and because I was a sound sleeper, I -tied a spur to my heel, thinking that with a little touch I should waken -as I turned over. But in the night I had a dream. I dreamed that the -foul fiend himself was riding me, and I kicked so briskly to dismount -him that I rowelled myself most cruelly. Thus I was found in the morning -lying all naked, having gashed myself most monstrously with the spur, -which has been a cast-up against me with silly people ever since. - -Now this is the whole tale why I was called 'Spurheel,' and in it there -was no word of the Grieve's daughter--though Kate Allison was a bonny, -well-favoured lass too, and that I will maintain in spite of all the -gibes of Helen Kennedy. - -'I will bring you the spoons and the boots also to clean,' she said, -'and the courtyard wants sweeping!' - -In this manner she often spoke to me as if I had been a menial, because -when I did my squire's duty with the weapons and the armour, I would not -let her so much as touch them, which she much desired to do, for she was -by nature as curious about these things as a boy. - -So for show and bravery I tried the edge of my own sword on the back of -my hand. Nell Kennedy laughed aloud. - -'Hairs on the back of a bairn's hand!' quoth she. 'Better try your -carving knife instead on the back of a horse's currying comb!' - -But I knew when to be silent, and she got no satisfaction out of me. -And that was ever the better way of it with her, when I could -sufficiently command my temper to follow mine own best counsel. - -So the afternoon wore on, and before it was over I had time to go out -into the fields, and also towards evening to the tennis-court--where, to -recreate myself, I played sundry games with James and Alexander Kennedy, -good lads enough, but ever better at that ball play which has no powder -behind it. - -At the gloaming the horses were ready and accoutred for the expedition. -The Tutor of Cassillis and I rode alone, as was his wont--so great was -his trust in my courage and discretion, though my years were not many, -and (I grant it) the hairs yet few on my chin. It was still March, and -the bitter winter we had had seemed scarcely to have blown itself out. -So that, although the crows had a week before been carrying sticks for -their nesting in the woods of Culzean, yet now, in the quick-coming -dark, the snowflakes were again whirling and spreading ere they reached -the ground. - -As we rode through the courtyard and out at the gate, I heard the soft -pit-pat of a foot behind us, for I have a good ear. I heard it even -through the clatter of the hoofs of our war horses. So I turned in my -saddle, and there behind us was that madcap lass, Nell Kennedy, with her -wylicoats kilted and a snowball in her hand, which she manifestly -designed to throw at me. But even as I ducked my head the ball flew -past me and hit Sir Thomas's horse 'Ailsa' on the rump, making him -curvet to the no small discomfort of the rider. - -'What was that, think ye, Launcelot?' my master asked in his kindly way. - -'It might have been a bat,' I made answer--for it was, at least, no use -bringing the lassie into the affair, in spite of what she had done to me -that morning. Besides, I could find out ways of paying my debts to her -without the telling of tales, and that was always one comfort. - -'It is a queer time of year for bats,' answered Sir Thomas, doubtfully. -But he rode on and said no more. I kept behind him, ducking my head and -appearing to be in terror of another snowball, for the ground was now -whitening fast. Nell Kennedy followed after, making her next ball -harder by pressing it in her hand. So we went till we came to the far -side of the drawbridge and were ready to plunge into the woodlands. - -Then I gave the whistle which tells that all is well on the landward -side, and is the signal for the bridge to be raised. Gabby Gib-cat -heard and obeyed quickly, as he was wont to do when his master was not -far away. At other times he was lazy as the hills. - -The bridge went grinding up, and therefore the Gib-cat would -immediately, as I knew, stretch himself for a sleep by the fire. So -there I had Mistress Nell on the landward side of the drawbridge and the -gate up, with the snow dancing down on her bare head and her coats -kilted for mischief. - -I lagged a little behind Sir Thomas, so that I could say to Nell, whose -spirits were somewhat dashed by the raising of the bridge, 'Step down to -the water side and bring up the three bottles of Canary, or go over to -the farm and keep the Grieve's lass company. She may perchance be -lonely.' - -So waving my hand and laughing, I rode off and left her alone. I hoped -that she cried, for my heart was hot within me because of the good -things on which I had expended all my saving, and which I had in all -kindliness meant to share with her. - -Yet we had not reached the great oak in the park before she was again by -my side. - -'Think ye I canna gang up the ladder in the White Tower as well as you, -Spurheel. It is just kilting my coats a kennin' higher!' - -And I could have bitten my fingers off that I had forgotten to pull it -in again to my chamber. For in the morning I had mended and dropped it, -not knowing when it might be needed. - - - - - *CHAPTER IV* - - *THE INN ON THE RED MOSS* - - -And now to tell of sterner business. For light-wit havering with a lass -bairn about a great house is but small part of the purpose of my -story--though I can take pleasure in that also when it chances to come -my way, as indeed becomes a soldier. - -We rode on some miles through the woods. It still snowed, and straying -flakes disentangled themselves from among the branches and sprinkled us -sparsely. It grew eerie as the night closed in, and we heard only the -roar of the wind above us, the leafless branches clacking against one -another like the bones of dead men. - -It was not my place to ask whither we were going, but it may be believed -that I was anxious enough to learn. By-and-by we struck into the -moorland road which climbs over the Red Moss in the direction of the -hill that is called Brown Carrick. The snow darkness settled down, and, -but that once I had been friendly with a lass who lived in that -direction, and so was accustomed to night travel in these parts, I -should scarce have known whither we were going. - -But I understood that it could only be to the lonesome Inn of the Red -Moss, kept by Black Peter, that Culzean was making his way. As we began -to climb the moor, Sir Thomas motioned me with his hand to ride abreast -of him, and to make ready my weapons, which I was not loth to do, for I -am no nidderling to be afraid of powder. When at last we came to the -Inn of the Red Moss, there were lights shining in the windows, and -looking out ruddy and lowering under the thatch of the eaves. It was -ever an uncanny spot, and so it was more than ever now. - -But for all that the Red Moss was populous as a bees' byke that night, -for men and horses seemed fairly to swarm about it. Yet there was no -jovial crying or greeting between man and man, such as one may hear any -market day upon the plainstones of Ayr. - -The men who were meeting thus by dark of night, were mostly men of -position come together upon a dangerous and unwholesome ploy. As soon -as I saw the quality of the gentlemen who were, assembled, I knew that -we had come to a gathering of the heads of the Cassillis faction. Nor -was it long before I saw my lord himself, a tall, well-set young man, -inclining to stoutness, and of a fair complexion with closely-cut flaxen -hair. - -The Laird of Culzean, my master, lighted down and took the Earl by the -hand, asking in his kindly way,-- - -'Is it well with you, John?' - -For in his minority he had been his tutor and governor, and in after -years had agreed well with him, which is not so common. - -'Ay, well with me,' replied the Earl, 'but it is that dotard fool, -Kelwood, who has gotten the chest of gold and jewels, which in my -father's time was stolen from the house of Cassillis by Archibald -Bannatyne, who was my father's man. He died in my father's hands, who -was not a cat to draw a straw before. Nevertheless, even in the Black -Vault of Dunure he could not be brought to reveal where he had hidden -the chest. But now Kelwood, or another for him, has gotten it from -Archie's widow, a poor woman that knew not its worth.' - -'But Kelwood will deliver it, John. Is he not your man? Trouble not -any more about the matter,' counselled the Tutor, who was ever for the -milder opinion, and very notably wise as well as slow in judgment. - -'Nay,' said the Earl, 'deliver it he will not, for Bargany and -Auchendrayne have gotten his ear, and he has set his mansion house in -defence against us. I have called you here, Tutor, for your good -advice. Shall we levy our men and beset Kelwood, or how shall we -proceed that I may recover that which is most justly mine own?' - -For it was ever the bitterest draught to the Earl to lose siller or -gear. The Tutor stood for a moment by his beast's neck, holding his -head a little to one side in a way he had when he was considering -anything--a trick which his daughter Nell has also. - -'How many are ye here?' he said to the Earl. - -'We are fifteen,' the Earl replied. - -'All gentlemen?' again asked the Tutor. - -'All cadets of mine own house, and ready to fight to the death for the -blue and gold!' replied the Earl, giving a cock to the bonnet, in the -side of which he had the lilies of France upon a rosette of blue velvet, -which (at that time) was the Cassillis badge of war. - -As the Earl spoke, I, who stood a little behind with my finger on the -cock of my pistol, saw my lord raise a questioning eyebrow at me, as if -to ask his uncle who the young squire might be whom he had brought with -him. - -'He is the son of John Kennedy of Kirrieoch, and with us to the death,' -said my master. - -For which most just speech I thanked him in my heart. - -'The name is a good one,' said the Earl, with a little quaintish smile. -And well might he say so, for it was his own, and my father of as good -blood as he, albeit of a younger branch. - -Presently we were riding forth again, seventeen men in our company, for -the Earl had not counted the Tutor and myself in his numeration. We -rode clattering and careless over the moors, by unfrequented tracks or -no track at all. As we went I could hear them talking ever about the -treasure of Kelwood, and, in especial, I heard a strange, daftlike old -man, whom they called Sir Thomas Tode, tell of the Black Vault of -Dunure, and how lands and gear were gathered by the tortures there. His -tales and his manners were so strange and unseemly, that I vowed before -long to take an opportunity to hear him more fully. But now there was -much else to do. - -Betimes we came to the tower of Kelwood and saw only the black mass of -it stand up against the sky, with not a peep of light anywhere. Now, as -you may judge, we went cannily, and as far as might be we kept over the -soft ground. The Tutor bade us cast a compass about the house, so that -we might make ourselves masters of the fields, and thus be sure that no -enemy was lying there in wait for us. But we encompassed the place and -found nothing alive, save some lean swine that ran snorting forth from a -shelter where they had thought to pass the night. - -Then I and the young Laird of Gremmat, being the best armed and most -active there, were sent forward to spy out the securest way of taking -the tower. I liked the job well enough, for I never was greatly feared -of danger all my days; and at any rate there is small chance of -distinction sitting one's horse in the midst of twenty others in an open -field. - -So Gremmat and I went about the house and about, which was not a castle -with towers and trenches, like Dunure or Culzean, but only a petty -blockhouse. And I laughed within myself to think of such a bees' byke -having the mighty assurance to dream of keeping a treasure against my -Lord Cassillis, as well as against the Tutor of that ilk and me, his -squire. - -There was no drawbridge nor yet so much as a ditch about Kelwood Tower, -but only a little yett-house with an open pend or passage, that gave -against the main wall of the building. Within this passage, could we -gain it, I knew that we should be well protected, and have time to burst -in the wall, even if the door withstood us. For once within the -archway, I could not see how it was possible for those in the house to -reach us, in any way to do us harm. - -Gremmat and I therefore went back to our company with the news, but the -best of it--the part concerning the yett-house--I kept to myself. For -the Laird of Gremmat, though a tough fighter, was not a man of -penetration, so that I well deserved the credit of telling what I alone -had seen. - -When I told the chiefs of my discovery, my Lord of Cassillis said -nothing but turned abruptly to the Tutor, thinking nothing of my tidings -or of the danger I had been in to bring them. Nevertheless Sir Thomas, -my master, turned first to me, as was his kindly custom. - -'It is well done of you, Launcelot. The sheep herding on Kirrieoch has -given you an eye for other things,' he said. - -And at that I think the Earl gave me a little more consideration, though -all that he said was no more than, 'Well, Tutor, and what do you -advise?' - -'I think,' said the Tutor, 'that you and the younger men had best take -Launcelot's advice, and conceal yourselves in the pend of the -yett-house, with picks and, perhaps, a mickle tree for a battering-ram, -while I and a trumpeter lad summon Kelwood himself to surrender. In -that clump of trees over there we shall be out of reach of their -matchlocks.' - -So the Earl took the advice, and in a little we were in the black trough -of the pend, with an iron-bolted door in front and the rough, unhewn -stones of the wall on either side of us. - -Then the Tutor's trumpet blew one rousing blast and then another, till -we could hear the stir of men roused out of their sleep in the tower -above us. But we ourselves held our breaths and keeped very quiet. - -Once more the trumpet blew from the clump of oak trees over against the -main gate. - -'Who may ye be that blaws horns in the Kelwood without asking leave of -me?' cried a voice from the narrow window in the wall above us. - -And my master, Sir Thomas, answered him from the coppice,-- - -'It is I, Kennedy of Culzean, that come from your liege lord to demand -the treasure that is his, stolen from his house by his false servant and -now reset by you, Laird Currie of Kelwood.' - -The Laird laughed contumeliously from his turret window. - -'An' the Earl wants his treasure, let him come and fetch it,' said he. - -At which answer it was all that we could do to keep the Earl quiet. He -was for setting the squared tree to the door at once. - -'Kelwood,' again we heard the voice of Sir Thomas, 'I ken well who has -deceived you in this matter. Listen to no glosing words. No man can -strive with the Kennedy and prosper in all these lands 'twixt Clyde and -Solway.' - -'Which Kennedy?' cried Kelwood, from his window, fleeringly. And this -set the Earl more bitterly against him than ever, for it was as much as -to say that the Bargany Kennedies were equal in power and place to his -own house of Cassillis. - -'Lift the trees and to it!' he cried, and with that, being a strong man -of his own body, he garred a great fore-hammer dirl against the iron of -the door. And though he had many faults, this forwardness should be -minded to him for good. Then there was a noise indeed, coulters and -fore-hammers dinging merrily against the door, while from aloft came -shouts and the rolling of heavy stones down about us; but by my strategy -there was not one came near to hurting us. The defenders might have -been so many sparrows fyling the roof, for all the harm they did to us. -But nevertheless, they banged away their powder and shouted. We that -were with the Earl shouted none, but kept dourly to our work. Stark and -strong was the bolted door of Kelwood, and all the might of our men -could do it no injury, nor so much as shake the hinges. It must have -been the work of a deacon among the hammermen. - -But I felt that we were against the wall of the kitchen, for one side of -the passage was warm, on my right hand, and the other clammy and cold. -So I cried on them, to leave the door and pull down the stones of the -jamb on my right. Then since I had given them good advice before, and -they knew that I was of the household of the wise man of Culzean, they -were the more ready to take the counsel, though they thanked me not a -word, but only lifted the tree and drave at it. - -'Make first a hole with the crowbars,' said I. 'Pull down the stones; -they are set without lime under the harling.' - -So they did it, and we found the first part of the wall as I had said, -not difficult of conquest; but the inner, being cemented with shell -lime, was like adamant. Therefore, with a shout, we set the tree to it, -swinging it in our hands. After many attempts we sent the butt of it -crushing through, and then, before the enemy could come to the -threatened place, we had made a hole large enough for a man to enter on -his hands and knees. I was leaping forward to be first within, but -Gremmat got in front of me and crawled through. Whereat the Laird of -Kelwood himself came at him with his gun, and shot Gremmat in the kernel -of the thigh, so that he dropped in a heap on the floor, and was ever -thereafter unable of his legs. But I that came second (and right glad -was I then that I had not been first) rose and set my point at Kelwood, -for he was tangled up with the reeking musket. I had him pierced before -ever he had time to draw, and was set in defence for the next that might -come, when the Earl and the other gentlemen came rushing past us both, -and completely invaded the place of Kelwood, so that all within it -immediately surrendered. - -Then the Earl was like a man gone mad to find the chest, and questioned -the Laird, who, as was somewhat natural, could do nothing but groan on -the floor, with my sword-thrust through his shoulder. But in a little -they found the box in a cunning wall-press under his bed, where it could -not be reached except by moving the whole couch from its place and -sliding a panel back--which being done, the secret cavity was made -plain. - -It had been a harder task to transport young Gremmat back with us than -it was to take the treasure--which was in a small enough compass, though -heavy beyond belief. But after going a mile or two we left the young -wildcap at the house of a good and safe man, who made himself bound to -the Earl for his safe keeping till he should be whole of his wound. - - - - - *CHAPTER V* - - *THE THROWING OF THE BLOODY DAGGER* - - -Indeed it had been no likeable job to deny Cassillis that night. For -with the fighting, the treasure, and the reproaches of Kelwood, whom he -could hardly be kept from finishing with his own hand, his spirit was -apt for wars and stratagems--all the more that he himself had as yet had -little experience of blows or the smart of wounds. Kelwood we left with -those of his dependents that had been in the tower with him. His wound -proved not so serious as it might have been, and in a month he was safe -with the Laird of Kerse--which thing occasioned a most bitter quarrel -between Cassillis and the Craufords, as indeed hereafter ye shall hear. - -It was already greying for the dawn when we reached the House on the Red -Moss. Black Peter was at the door, and within the kitchen a large fire -was blazing, which, because the night was chill and the sweat of -fighting hardly yet well dried on us, we were right glad to see. We -laid down the chest in a little trance at the back of the kitchen, -setting it upon an oatmeal ark which stood there. - -Black Peter went out to hold our horses while we talked together, and -left his daughter, a well-favoured lass of about my own years or -thereby, to wait upon us. So meeting the lass in the dusk of the -trance, on pretext of seeing that the treasure was safe, I took occasion -of a kiss of her--not that I liked it over much, or that her favours -were precious, but because such like is held a soldier's privilege at an -inn, and no more to be disregarded than the reckoning--indeed, somewhat -less. - -But the wench dang me soundly on the ear for it, so that my head echoed -again. Yet I liked her better for that, because it made the adventure -something worth attempting. 'Go,' she cried, 'grow your beard before ye -set up to kiss women. I would as soon kiss the back of my hand as a man -wanting the beard to his face.' - -Thus she gave me also the woman's buffet of the tongue, and I could have -answered her, and well, too, but that I saw behind me my Lord Cassillis -himself, and right heartily he was laughing--which, I do admit, -disconcerted me no little, and brought me to silence. - -'Ah, lad,' he said, 'have ye not learned from your experience of this -night that women are just like castles? Ye must reconnoitre them -circumspectly before ye can hope to take them by direct assault.' - -He went by, giving me a clap on the shoulder, as one that had sympathy -both with the winning of castles and of women. And I think he liked me -none the worse for it in the long run. But I hoped that he would not -make a jest of it nor tell the Tutor of the matter. For my master, Sir -Thomas of Culzean, being a grave man and reverend, was not apt to look -upon the follies of youth with so kindly and comprehending an eye. - -Within the kitchen of the Inn of the Red Moss there was routh of liquor, -and all the Cassillis faction were gathered there, quaffing and pledging -one another. They were flushed with their success, and several were -even keen for assaulting some of the Bargany strongholds at once. - -But the Tutor cautioned them. - -'Mind what ye do. Young Bargany is as a lion compared to that braying -ass we left groaning behind us at Kelwood; and John Muir of Auchendrayne -has at once the wisest head and the evilest heart in all this broad -Scotland. Be patient and abide. We have gotten the treasure. Let us -be content and wait.' - -'Ay, and by waiting give them the next score in the game!' said the -young Earl, scornfully--for he, too, was hot with success. - -So they stood about the kitchen with drinking-cups of horn in their -hands, while the Earl unfolded a plan of the great house of Bargany, and -began to explain how it might be taken. - -'But,' he said, 'we must wait till, by some overt and considered act of -war, Bargany gives me the chance to execute justice within my Balliary -of Carrick, as is my legal right. Then swiftly we shall strike, before -that Bargany can reach us with the sword, or John Muir of Auchendrayne -foil us by getting at the King with his fox's cunning.' - -Hardly were the words out of his mouth when a silence fell upon us. The -Earl ceased speaking and inclined his head as though, like the rest of -us, he were harkening eagerly for the repeating of a sound. - -Then we who listened with him heard something that was like the -clattering of horses' feet at a gallop, which came nearer and nearer. -There arose a cry from the front of the house--that wild, shrill scream, -the unmistakable parting cry of a man stricken to death with steel. -Then broke forth about the Inn of the Red Moss, the rush of many horses -snorting with fear and fleeing every way, the while we, that were in the -house, stood as it had been carved in stone, so swift and unexpected was -this thing. - -The Earl remained by the table in the centre, with his hand yet on the -plan of the house of his enemy. Sir Thomas was still bending down to -look, when all suddenly the glass of the window crashed and a missile -came flashing through, thrown by a strong man's hand. It fell with a -ring of iron across the paper that was outspread on the table. It was a -dagger heavily hiked with silver. But what thrilled us all with fear -was, that the blade of it was red nearly to the hilt, and distilled -fresh-dripping blood upon the chart. - -Then was heard from without something that sounded like a man -laughing--but as of a man that had been longtime in hell--and again -there came the galloping of a single horse's feet. The first in all in -the house to run to the door was no other than the young lass I had -tried to kiss. She flung the door open and ran to a dark, huddled -thing, which lay across the paving stones of the little causeway in -front of the inn. - -'My father--oh, they have slain my father!' she cried. - -We that were within also rushed out by the front door, forgetting all -else, and filled with dread of what we might see. - -The dawn was coming red from the east, and there, in the first flush of -it, lay Black Peter, plain to be seen, a dark tide sluggishly welling -from his side, and his young daughter trying pitifully to staunch it -with the bit laced napkin wherewith she had bound her hair to make her -pleasant in the men's eyes. - -When Peter of the Red Moss saw the Earl, he tried to raise himself upon -his elbow from the ground. One feeble hand went waveringly to his head -as if to remove his bonnet in the presence of his chief. - -Cassillis sank on his knees beside him and took the hand. There was a -fragment of a leather rein still clasped in it, cut across with a clean, -slicing cut. - -'Peter, Peter, poor man, who has done this to you?' he asked. - -The man that was about to die turned his eyes this way and that. - -'My lord, my lord,' he said, struggling with the choking blood that rose -in his throat, 'it was--it was--the grey man--!' - -And the Earl listened for more with his ear down to Peter's mouth, but -the spirit of the man who had died for his master ebbed dumbly away -without another word. So there was nothing left for us to do but to -carry him in, and this we did in the young sunshine of a pleasant -morning. And the maid washed and streeked him, moaning and crooning -over him piteously, as a dove does that wanteth company. - -I went, as it happed, into the trance to fetch her a basin of clear -water. The top of the meal-ark stood empty! - -'My lord--the chest!' I cried, and all save the maid alone rushed in. -The treasure of Kelwood was gone! Without the door, on the trampled clay -and mud, there were the steads of naked feet many and small. But of the -treasure-chest for which we had ventured so much that night, we saw -neither hilt nor hair, clasp nor band. - -Only in the kitchen of the house on the Red Moss there was a dead man, -and a maid mourning over him; on the table a dagger, red to the guard, -and from it fell slowly the drip of a man's life blood, blotting out -with a bitter scorn the plans of our wisest and the enmity of our -proudest. - - - - - *CHAPTER VI* - - *THE CROWN OF THE CAUSEWAY* - - -I rode forth from Edinburgh town with infinite glee and assurance of -spirit. No longer could I be slighted as a boy, for that day I, even I, -Launcelot Kennedy, had been put to the horn--that is, I had been -proclaimed rebel and outlaw at the Cross of Edinburgh with three blasts -of the king's horn, 'Against John, Earl of Cassillis, Sir Thomas of -Culzean, called the Tutor of Cassillis, and Launcelot Kennedy, his -esquire!' So had run the proclamation. I wondered what that unkempt, -ill-tongued lassie, Nell Kennedy, would say to this. But the honour -itself even she could not gainsay. - -It is true that there were others forfaulted as well as I--the Earl -himself that was a sitter in the King's council board, Sir Thomas, my -master, and, indeed, all that had any hand in the great contest in the -High Street of Edinburgh. How close had every leal burgess kept within -doors that day and how briskly screamed for the watch! How the town -guards sequestered themselves safe behind bars, and were very quiet, for -there was hardly a man to be seen from the castle to Holyrood-House that -was not a Kennedy, and trying to kill some other Kennedy--as indeed is -ever the way with our name and clan. - -We of Cassillis had ridden hot foot to Edinburgh to denounce the Bargany -faction to the king, in the matter of the treasure and the killing of -Black Peter. Not that we knew for certain that it was Bargany who had -any hand in the murder and reiving. But it was necessary to make a bold -face for it, and, at all events, we knew that the thing had been done in -Bargany's interests. So we went, all prepared to declare that the -active criminal was Bargany's brother, Thomas of Drummurchie, a bold and -desperate villain, who had been outlawed for years for many a crime -besides murder in all its degrees. Also we hoped that if the king were -in a good humour towards us of Cassillis, who were always the men of -loyalty and peace, he might even attaint Bargany himself. So that our -Earl, being the Bailzie or chief ruler of Carrick under the King, might -get his will of his house foe, and thus put an end to the quarrel. For -there was no other hope of peace, save that our enemies should be laid -waste. - -But we found King James in aught but a yielding mood. The ministers of -Edinburgh, and in especial one, Mr Robert Bruce, a man of very great -note, and once a prime favourite with the king, had been setting -themselves against his will. So at first we got little satisfaction, and -it did not help matters that, on the second day of our visit, the -Bargany Kennedies and Mures rode into the town in force--all sturdy men -from the landward parts of Carrick, while we were mostly slighter and -limberer lads, from the side of it that looks towards the sea. - -The next day, as I went down the Canongate with the gold lilies of -Cassillis on my cocked bonnet, I declare that nearly every third man I -met was a Bargany lout, swaggering with his silly favour of red and -white in his cap. But, for all that, I ruffled it right bravely in -despite of them all, letting no man cock his feather at me. For I had a -way, which I found exceedingly irritating to them, of turning the skirt -or my blue French cloak over my shoulder when I met one of the other -faction, as if I feared defilement from the contact of their very -garments. This I did with all of the underlings--aye, even with Mure of -Cloncaird. Indeed, I had already had my long sword three times out of -its sheath by the time I got to the guard-house at Holyrood. - -It was just there that I met young Bargany himself, coming direct, from -the King's presence. But I practised my pleasantry not with him. For a -more kingly-looking man did I never see--far beyond our Earl (shame be -to me for saying such a thing!), and, indeed, before any man that ever I -saw. But Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany was the bravest man that was to be -gotten in any land, as all men that saw him in his flower do to this day -admit. And hearts were like water before him. - -He was of his stature tall and well-made, with a complexion black but -comely, noble on horseback, and a master both of arms and at all -pastimes. And when I beheld him, it came upon me to salute him--which, -though I had small intention thereof till I saw him, I did. It was with -some surprise, perceiving, no doubt, the Earl's colours, that he -returned my greeting, and that very graciously. The moment after I -looked about me, and right glad I was to observe that none of our folk -had been in the place before the palace to observe my salutation. - -After this we of Cassillis went in parties of three or four, and our -swords were in our hands all the day, in spite of the watch--ay, in -spite even of the King's Guard, which His Majesty had sent to keep the -peace, when he himself had gone off to Linlithgow in the sulks, as at -this time was oft his silly wont. - -For me, I went chiefly with Sir Thomas, my master, as was my duty; but -being allowed to choose my companion, I chose Muckle Hugh from -Kirriemore, which marches with mine own home of Kirrieoch on -Minnochside. Hugh was the strongest man in all Carrick, and had joined -the command chiefly for the love of me--because he had once herded sheep -for us, and my mother had been kind to him and given him new milk -instead of skim for his porridge. - -And I warrant you when the two of us took the crown of the causeway, we -stepped aside for no man, not even for Bargany and his brother -Drummurchie had we seen them (which by good luck we never did). But -others we saw in plenty. It was 'Bargany thieves!' 'Cassillis cairds!' -as we cried one to the other across the street. And the next moment -there we were, ruffling and strutting like gamecocks, foot-to-foot in -the midst of the causeway, neither willing to give way. Then 'Give them -iron!' would be the cry; and in a clapping of hands there would be as -pretty a fight as one might wish to see--till, behold, in a gliff, there -on the cobble stones was a man stretched, and all workmanly completed -from beginning to end, while the clock of St Giles' was jangling the -hour of noon. - -For the matter of the killing of Black Peter, and the way that lassie -his daughter held his head as she washed him, abode with us, and made -our hearts hot against the Barganies. That is, the hearts of the younger -of us. For I wot well that the elders thought more of the lost box of -treasure, than of many men's lives far more famous and necessary than -that of poor Black Peter, who died in his duty at the house door of the -Red Moss--and that is not at all an ill death to die. - -But there came a day when the ill blood drew to a head. It was bound to -come, because for weeks the two factions of us Kennedies had been -itching to fly at each other's throats. The Barganies mostly lodged -together in the lower parts of the town beneath the Nether Bow, in order -to keep us away from the King when he was at Holyrood House, and also to -be near the haunts of those loose characters of the baser sort with -whom, as was natural, they chiefly consorted. - -We, on our part, dwelled in the upper portion of the town, in the -well-aired Lawnmarket and in the fashionable closes about the Bow-head. -For none of us, so far as I knew, desired to mix or to mell with loose -company--save, an' it might be, the Earl himself. That being 'the -custom and privilege of the nobility,' as Morton said to his leman, when -he wished to change her for another. - -Now, we had among us of our company one Patrick Wishart, an indweller in -Irvine and a good fighter. He was an Edinburgh man born, and knew all -the town--every lane and street, every bend and bow, every close and -pend and turning in it. He also knew that which was even more valuable, -where the King's Guard were, and how to shut them up till we had done -our needs upon our foes. He was well advised besides where each of the -leaders among the Barganies dwelt. - -On the day appointed the Earl gave us all a meeting-place by the back of -Saint Giles' High Kirk, beneath the wall of the Tolbooth. And there we -mustered at ten of the clock one gay morning. It was a windy day, and, -spite of the sun, the airs blew shrewdly from the eastern sea, as is -their use and wont all the year in the High Street of Edinburgh. - -Now our young Earl had ever plenty of siller though afterward he parted -with it but seldom. Yet for the furtherance of his cause he had spent -it lavishly during these days in Edinburgh, so that all the common -orders in our upper part of the town held him to be the greatest man and -the best that ever lived. And as for the vices he showed, they were -easy, popular ones, such as common folk readily excuse and even approve -in the great--as women, wine, and such-like. - -So as we swung down the street all the windows of the armourers' shops -in the booths about the Kirk of Saint Giles' were opened, and as many as -desired it were supplied with spears and pikes and long-handled Highland -axes, each with a grappling hook at the back, such-like as had brought -many a good knight down at the Red Harlaw. - -And these were afterwards a great advantage to us, for though we were -much fewer in numbers, yet we had longer weapons of assault and also the -upper side of the street to fight from. - -Then we sallied forth crying, 'A Kennedy!' And the streets were lined -to see us go by, many a douce burgher's wife, knowing our good -intentions and our not companying with the riotous troublers of the -town, but rather, when we could compass it, with honest, sonsy women, -giving us her blessing from an upper window. - -Patrick Wishart advised that we should stop up all the alleys and closes -as far down as the Blackfriar's Wynd with barracadoes of carts, barrels, -and puncheons, to prevent the enemy sallying forth upon us from behind. -It was a good thought, and but for a foe without, whom we knew not how -to reckon with, it had been completely successful. Down by the Nether -Bow, where the street narrows, was the place where we first saw the -misleared Bargany faction drawn across the street to resist us and -contemn the King's authority. - -When we observed them we gave a mighty shout and heaved our weapons into -the air, that they might see the excellence of our arming. They sent a -shout back again, and I saw in front of their array Bargany himself with -a casque on his head, the sun glinting the while on a steel cuirass -which covered him back and front. Then I gave the word to blow up the -matches; for by this time I was well kenned for a good soldier and -proper marksman, and had by my lord himself been put over the -hackbuttmen, which was a great honour for one so young. Thus we -advanced to the onset. But first my Lord of Cassillis, going to the -front, cried to Kennedy of Bargany to know why he withstood him in the -highway of the King's principal town. - -'Because ye have lied concerning me to the King. Because ye have slain -my men, hated my race, and sought to bring me to my death!' answered -back young Bargany in a clear, high voice. - -'Ye lie, man! Have at you with the sword!' cried our Earl, who was -never a great man with his tongue, though sometimes masterful enough -with his hands. - -So with that I gave the order, and our hackbuttmen shot off their -pieces, so that more than one of the wearers of the red and white fell -headlong. - -'A Kennedy! A Kennedy!' cried the Earl. 'To it, my lads!' - -And in a moment we were on them. By instinct we had dropped our -matchlocks and taken to the steel, so that the first thing that I knew, -I was at Thomas of Drummurchie's throat with my borrowed pike. He -roared an oath, and leaping to the side, he struck the shaft with his -two-handed sword, which shore the point off near to my upper grip. And -there is little doubt but that I had been spent ere I could have drawn -my sword, had not Muckle Hugh of Kirriemore brought his broadsword down -upon the steel cap of the Wolf of Drummurchie, so that with the mighty -blow he was beaten to the ground, and, being senseless, men trampled -upon him as the battle swayed to and fro. Yet I have never forgotten -that, but for Hugh, I was that day almost sped, which should have been a -lesson to me not to trust to a weapon of which I had no skill, even -though it might be an ell longer in the haft than my sword. Also I was -thankful to God. - -'A Kennedy! a Kennedy!' cried we. 'We are driving them. They give -back!' - -For we felt the downward push upon the hillslope, and that gave us -courage. - -And the crying of 'Bargany' was almost silenced, for now the wearers of -the butcher's colours had enough to do to keep steeks with us, with -their faces braced to the brae, and so needed all their breath. - -By this time I had my arm cleared and my sword out, and, certes, but the -fray was brisk. Now, when it is hand to hand I fear no man. Once I had -a chance of paying my score in the matter of Drummurchie, for as I -passed over him he cut upwards at me with a knife. But I spared only -long enough from the man I was engaging at the time (who indeed was no -swordsman or I dared not have done it) to slash the Wolf across the -wrist, which, I am given to believe, has troubled his sword-hand all his -life--and for no more than this he has borne me a grudge unto this day, -so malicious and revengeful are some men. - -Thus we drove the Bargany faction into the Canongate in spite of the -swordsmanship of their chief, who fought ever in the forefront. It was, -indeed, all over with them, when suddenly, from behind us, there came -rushing a rabblement of men with weapons in their hands, all crying -'Bargany!' Able-bodied scoundrels with long hair and pallid faces they -were, and they laid about them with desperate vigour. Now, it is no -wonder that this was a terrible surprise to us, and, hearing their cry, -the broken Bargany folk down the streets and closes took heart of grace -to have at us again. We were not discouraged, but part of us faced -about, so as to fight with our backs set one, to the other. -Nevertheless, I saw at once that unless some help came we were -overpowered. - -'Into the lanes!' I cried, though, indeed, I had no right to give an -order, but, in the pinch of necessity, it is he who sees that should -lead. - -So into one of the narrow lanes which led to the ford and down by the -stepping-stones across the Nor' Loch we ran, but not in the way of a -rout. Rather we retreated orderly and slow--withdrawing, grieved at -heart to think that we had to leave so many of our sick and wounded -behind us. Yet, because of the love they bore us as peaceable men, we -knew that the town's dames would succour them--also lest we should be -bloodily revenged on their husbands when we came back, if they did not. - -At the edge of the Nor' Loch, six or seven of us made a rally, and -having wounded and captured one of the long-haired desperadoes whose -assault had turned the tables against Cassillis, we brought him with us, -thinking that my Lord might wish to question him with the pilniewinks. - -Now not many of the Bargany faction pursued; some because they knew not -whither we were gone, some because both their chief and the Wolf of -Drummurchie were hurt, and others again because the rabble which had -fallen on our rear, not knowing one party from another, had turned their -weapons upon their friends. - -Nevertheless, it was a patent fact that we good men of Cassillis had -been baffled and put to shame by the thieves of Bargany in the open High -Street of Edinburgh. It has not happened to many to be victorious and -pursuing, and again broken and defeated, all within the space of -half-an-hour. - -When we were safe from pursuit on the other side of the Nor' Loch, we -questioned the varlet whom I and others had captured, as to what was his -quarrel against us. - -'Nothing,' he said. 'I and the others were lying in the Tolbooth, when -suddenly the gates were opened, and there stood one at the door, clad in -grey, who gave a sword or a pike to each man, as well as a piece of -gold, telling us that there were other ten of the same awaiting each -good striker who should fall on and fight those whom he would show us.' - -'What like was this man?' said Sir Thomas, my master. - -'An ordinary man enough,' said the fellow; 'grey of head and also clad -in grey, but with armour that rattled beneath his clothes. - -Then we looked at one another, and remembered the dying words of Black -Peter--'It was--it was--the Grey Man--!' - -Once more such a man had crossed the luck of Cassillis. By what golden -key he had bribed the warders and opened His Majesty's Tolbooth, we knew -not; but assuredly he had clean beaten us from the field. - -Nevertheless, I was much cheered to hear on the next day that the name -of Launcelot Kennedy, called 'of Kirrieoch, or Launcelot of the Spurs,' -was among those that were 'put to the horn,' or in plain words declared -rebel and outlaw at the Cross of Edinburgh. - -For I knew that Nell Kennedy would never flout me more. Even fair -Marjorie would, perhaps, not disdain speech with me now, and might -perchance let me walk by her side in the garden some summer evening. - - - - - *CHAPTER VII* - - *MY LADY'S FAVOURS* - - -It was as I had foretold. Those that had flouted me for a beardless -boy, now scorned me no more. I mean chiefly Nell Kennedy. Indeed, for -some days it was as much as I would do even to speak to her. She would -make shift oftentimes to pass me in the pleasaunces of the house of -Culzean, when I walked abroad in the sunshine with my hand on my -sword--as was my duty--to receive her father's guests. For there was a -great repair of people to our castle ever since the outlawing, the cause -of which was considered most fortunate and honourable to all concerned. - -Nell Kennedy, as I say, would often pass me in the orchard or in the -Italian garden, which her father had made with great expense. And as -she went by, she would kick with her foot a stone in front of me. But -of this I took no heed whatever, no more than if I had not seen it. -Because, for my own part, I was resolved never to think of maids and -such light matters again, but rather to concern myself solely with -glory, as became one who at eighteen had been outlawed for rebellion and -other deeds of military prowess. - -Once it happened that we were all in the garden--Marjorie, the loons -James and Alexander Kennedy, and little David, Sir Thomas's youngest -son. Also Nell Kennedy was there. Sir Thomas himself was walking to -and fro at the garden's end, all by his lone, with his hands clasped -behind his back, as was his custom. - -Then Nell, who, being angry, desired above all else to put a slight upon -me, called me to come to her, speaking roughly as though I had been a -servitor, and bade me take a misbehaving puppy dog of hers within doors. - -But I was equal with her, and beckoned to me Sandy, her brother, who -played about on the grass plots. - -'Who may this little girl be that hath the messan dog with her?' I asked -of him. - -'Thou art a great blind colt-head not to know my sister Nell!' he -answered, and ran again to his play with his brothers. - -'Ah,' said I, looking over the heads of those that stood near by, 'now I -do remember to have seen the little maid playing with her dolls before I -went to the wars!' - -And with that I marched off, and walked to and fro on the terrace near -to my master. Presently he came and walked with me, as I had hoped he -would, in sight of Nell and of them all, speaking low and kindly the -while. And I listened as though it were an affair of State and policy -he had been confiding to my private ear, though indeed it was only -concerning our greatly increased expenses with the vast number of guests -who came to see him, and his fear that the buttery might be running low. - -When Nell Kennedy had betaken herself away in an access of anger and -despite, I made my bow to Sir Thomas, her father, and went to the -Italian pleasaunce once again. Presently the young Lady Marjorie came -walking by, fairer of face than the flower of the hawthorn hedge on a -moonlight night, but with hair tossed about her temples blacker than the -sky on a night of stars. Her eyes were bright and large when she turned -them on me. - -'Launcelot, come and walk with me awhile,' she said kindly, 'unless you -have something better to do--with your arms and war gear as it may be,' -she added. And her way of speaking thus of my calling as a soldier -pleased me. Also in spite of my renunciation of all pleasure in women's -society, my heart gave a great stound at her marked favour. Perhaps, -also, at the way she had in walking, which was with her head high and -her bosom set well forward in its openwork bodice of fair linen, and all -her sweet body swaying lightly to the side as a willow wand that bends -in the wind. - -Her voice, the voice of Marjorie Kennedy, sounded like the running of -deep water in a linn under the dusk of trees, with undercurrents of sobs -and pitifulness in it, for all that it was so proud. For even thus, in -her youth, walking as the fairest maid the sun shone on, Marjorie seemed -ever to be 'fey,' trysted to some lot beyond that of maids who are to be -good men's wives and mothers. - -But enough of speaking about her and about. Better that I should tell -what she said to me as we walked up and down, while the young buds were -cracking open that gracious May gloaming. - -'It was a good fight, I hear, and well fought,'she said. - -'Which fight may it please you to speak of, my Lady Marjorie?' said I, -making as though I had been in many. - -'The battle in the High Street of Edinburgh,' she made answer, and -methought smiled as she said it. But there was no bairnly scorn or raw -coltish ignorance in Marjorie's smile, as there mostly was in the face -of her sister--who was nothing but a child at any rate, and still wore -her hair without a snood, flying daft-like about her shoulders. - -Then I told Marjorie Kennedy of all the fight, and she listened with -face turned away from me to the sea, looking to the hills of Arran that -were so blue in the distance, so that for a space I thought she -hearkened not to what I said. - -But in a little she interrupted me. 'And you speak thus with admiration -of Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany, he that is an enemy to our house and -name! How say ye then that such an one is noble and worthy?' - -For I had been telling her of meeting him coming from the king's palace. - -'Ay, noble and generous is Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany, as well as the -handsomest man that walks, with a spring to his feet as one that goes -upon the deep twigs of the pine trees in the woods. He can twirl a -lance in one hand on horseback--for I myself have seen him--never was -there such a man!' - -For I had given him all my heart and admiration, being then young--or at -least not very old in years--and I wished with all my strength that such -an one had been chief of our side and Earl of Cassillis, instead of he -that was. Though my lord is a good man also, and I deny it not. - -Then it was that my Lady Marjorie showed me the greatest favour that -ever she showed to any man, and caused my heart to beat high with love -and hope. For she took my hand in hers, holding it to her side as she -walked--ay, and stroked and touched it gently with her other hand as we -went along, being hidden by the screen of the leaves in the pleasaunce -hedges. Now this was so sweet to me and precious, that I slept with my -right hand in a glove of silk for many days--ay, and even forbore to -wash it. For I bethought me that though, as a man of war, I had -forsworn the society of silly girls, yet every true knight had a lady -for his heart's mistress, whose colours he might wear in his helmet, and -whose lightest word he might treasure in his heart. - -Thus we two walked and talked, while the sun was going down and the -colours of a dove's breast crept over the water from the west. - -'And this Gilbert of Bargany--tell me of him--for, being the great enemy -of our house, I desire to hear more of him,' she said. - -So I told her, being nothing loth to speak of so brave an enemy. - -'Was he at all hurt in the combat, think you?' she asked again, -carelessly, as one that thinks of other things. - -'Wounded? No,' I replied, with a laugh; 'on the contrary, he pursued us -down to the ford of the Nor' Loch, and defied us all to come back and -have it out. But I think that not he but another, had a hand in the -craven's trick of letting loose on us the offscourings of the -prisons--Highland catherans and Border hedgethieves.' - -'And who might that other be?' she asked. - -'That,' I replied, with dignity, 'I am not at liberty to tell. It is -yet a secret under trust.' - -'Tell it me,' she said, bending her eyes on me, that were beautiful as I -know not what. - -And this, indeed, I should very gladly have done at that moment, but -truly I knew nothing of the matter. So I made haste to answer that I -would readily die for her, but that it was a soldier's duty that he -should keep the secrets with which his honour had been entrusted. - -'Then tell me what you can,' she said, so quietly that I was ashamed of -my subterfuge. Though that is the way that all wise men must talk to -women, so as to keep the peace, telling them (mostly) the truth, but -seldom the whole truth. - -'It was,' said I, 'the Grey Man!' - -'Ah,' she replied, quickly drawing away her hand, and laying it upon her -heart, 'the Grey Man!' - -'What ken ye of the Grey Man?' I asked her, in surprise. - -'Nothing,' she said, giving me back her hand; 'I know not why, but for -the moment something came upon me, and I felt as it had been a little -faint. It is nothing. It has already passed.' - -Then I wished to bring her a cup of wine from the house. But she -laughed more merrily than ever I had heard her, and tossed back the lace -kerchief which confined her hair, so that it lay about her white neck -with the ends dropping over her bosom. - -'Let us two walk here yet a space, Launcelot,' she said, 'for it is -lonely within the great house.' - -A saying which made my heart swell with gladness and pride, for she had -never thus distinguished any man before, so that I forgot all about my -vows and about forswearing to company with women. But this was indeed -very different. - -'My Lady Marjorie,' I said (I much desired to say 'My sweet lady' as -they do in the stage plays, but dared not), 'My Lady Marjorie,' I said, -'I, even I, will be your true knight, and fight for you against all, if -so be that coming home I may see the pleasure in your eyes.' - -'Ah, will you truly?' she asked, and sighed. Then she was silent for a -moment but drew not away her hand, which I took of be a good omen. - -'No, you must not--you must not. It would not be fair!' she said. - -'I love you with all my heart!' I whispered, trying to reach her hand; -but somehow, though it was very near, I could not again take it in mine. - -She seemed not to hear me speak. - -'Well,' she said at last, as if to herself, 'perhaps it will be good for -the lad.' - -I could not conceive what she meant. - -'Launcelot,' she continued, and her voice had music in it such as I -never heard in any kirk or quire, at matins or at laud,--'Launcelot, do -not think of me, I pray you--at least, not if you can help it--' - -'Help it I cannot,' answered I; 'it is far beyond that!' - -And so I thought at the time. - -'But, Launcelot, my sweet squire,' she said again, 'hast thou already -forgotten thy vow? It is better for thee to be a squire of arms than a -squire of dames! At least,' she added, smiling, 'till you win your -spurs.' - -'I will win them for your sake, an you will let me, Marjorie!' I cried. - -'Win them, then, Launcelot,' she made me answer, suddenly breaking from -her reserve, 'win them for my sake--and see, meantime you shall wear my -colours.' - -And she undid a brooch of gold whereon were the lilies of France, that -were the badge of her house, and setting it on the velvet collar of my -coat she gave a little dainty pat to the place where she put it. - -'It sets you well,' she said, pushing my hair to one side to look at me; -'two such I have. Wear you one and I shall wear the other--for Marjorie -Kennedy and the honour of Culzean.' - -It sounded like a sacred oath rather than the posy of a love-gift: '_For -Marjorie Kennedy and the honour of Culzean_!' - -Then most humbly would I have lifted her fingers to my lips and kissed -them, not daring more; but she put her hand on my head, for she was tall -(though not as tall as I), and bent sweetly to me. - -The blood of all my heart fled insurgent to my ears, deafening me, as I -also stooped toward her. - -'No, not there,' she whispered, and kissed me gently on the brow. - -'My laddie,' she said, 'be brave, true, noble, and one day you shall -know root and branch what the love of woman is.' - -And waving me not to follow her, she went in with her head turned away -from my sight. - -So there for a great space I stood in the dusk of the arbour, mazed and -bewildered by the strange, undreamed-of bliss--ennobled by the touch of -her lips, ay, more than if the King himself had laid his sword on my -shoulder in the way of accolade. - -Then at last I moved and went in also, dragging tardy-foot away from the -sweet and memorable place. - -At the garden gate I met Nell Kennedy, and made to pass without seeing -her. But she stood in the middle of the way. - -'I know,' she said, pointing scornfully with her finger, 'Maidie has -been talking to you behind the hedge. She has given you the French -brooch she would not give me yesterday, though she has another.' - -Then I walked silently past her, with as great dignity as I could -command, for that is ever the best way with forward children. - -But she turned and cried after me, 'I know who will get that other.' - -A saying which did not trouble me, though I could not quite forget it, -for I knew well enough that it was only Nell's spite, because her sister -had not given her the golden badge which she coveted. - -High in my room in the White Tower I sat and looked out to the sea. -There I sat all night, sleepless, till the sun rose over the woods and -the chilly tops of the waves glittered. I bethought me on all that had -happened, and I remembered with shame many things in which I had done -not wisely especially in the matter of the Grieve's lass, and my -convoying of her home through the wood. For now, with Marjorie -Kennedy's badge against my lips, all things had become new; bitterly was -I ashamed of my folly, and right briskly did I repent of it. - - - - - *CHAPTER VIII* - - *THE LAIRD OF AUCHENDRAYNE* - - -It is not to be supposed that the taking of the treasure of Kelwood was -permitted to pass without the Earl, a man keener for red siller than any -other man in Scotland, casting about him for the reivers of the gear he -had so confidently counted his own. His old grandmother of a Countess, -whom, though a young man, he had shamefully married for her tocher and -plenishing, flustered about the house of Cassillis like a hen dancing on -a hot girdle when she heard of the loss. It was but the other day that -she had had to draw her stocking-foot and pay down eight thousand merks, -that her man might be permitted to resign the office of High Treasurer, -lest all her gear would be wasted in making loans to the King, who had -great need of such. And so the further loss of this treasure sat -wondrously heavy on my Lady Cassillis, as indeed it did on her husband. - -The Earl himself rode over to Culzean to hold council concerning it with -his uncle, the Tutor. He cherished a wonderful affection for Sir -Thomas, considering, that is, what a selfish man he was, and how bound -up in his own interests. - -So after they had talked together a while, pacing up and down in the -garden (while I walked apart and pressed the hard brooch-pin of Marjorie -Kennedy's trysting favour to my breast for comfort), they called me to -them. - -So with all respect and speed I went, and stood with my bonnet off to -hear their commands. I thought that it was some light matter of having -the horses brought. But when I came the Earl was looking keenly at me, -and even Sir Thomas paused a little while before he spoke. - -'Launcelot, you are a brave lad,' he said, 'and I know that you desire -to distinguish yourself even more than you have done, though you have -shown your mettle already. Now my lord and I have a matter which it -needs a man to perform--one of address and daring. I hear from all -about me that you are a ready man with your wits and your tongue. Will -you bear my lord's cartel of defiance to his enemy, David Crauford of -Kerse?' - -'Ay, my lords, that will I, and readily!' I replied, knowing that my -good fortune stood on tiptoe. - -'I am not eager,' the Earl said, breaking in upon my reply, 'for reasons -which I have given to the Tutor, to send one of my own folk. I would -rather accredit one more kin to Culzean here, one who is a gentleman of -good blood and a brave Kennedy, such as I observed you to be on the day -of the tulzie in Edinburgh.' - -'I will serve Cassillis till I die,' I replied, making him a little -bow--because I wished him to see that, though I was of the moorland -house, I had yet manners as good as he had brought back with him from -France. Besides, I saw Marjorie looking down upon us from the terrace, -which made me glance at my shadow as it lay clearly outlined upon the -gravel. - -And I was glad to observe that the point of my cloak fell with some -grace over the scabbard of my sword. Now this was not vanity, God -knows, but only a just desire to appear point device in the presence of -the heads of my clan and of the lady of my heart--which is a thing very -different. For of all things I am not vain, nor given, after the manner -of some, to talking greatly about my own exploits. - -'So,' said the Earl, 'you will go to David Crauford of Kerse at his own -house as my messenger. You will not give him a written but a spoken -message. And in token that you come from us who have power to speak, -you must exhibit to him our signet rings, which we now entrust to you to -guard with your life.' - -So, giving me the rings, which I put under my glove upon the first -finger of the left hand, he communicated to me the cartel for the Laird -of Kerse, which he made me repeat carefully thrice over in their -hearing. Then he dismissed me to go my way. - -And as I went, I saw the lads roistering in the garden with the young -Sheriff of Wigton, who had married their eldest sister when she was but -a lassie. And I smiled as I thought within me, 'Had I been so born to -lofty estate, I might even have been playing at golf and pat-ball, -instead of riding on the errands of Cassillis and Culzean, with an -Earl's message in my mouth and an Earl's signet on my finger.' - -And I do not think that the pride was an unworthy one, for since I had -none to push my fortune for me, it was the more necessary that I should -be able to do it for myself. - -I went to get my war-horse, for after the affair of Edinburgh, Sir -Thomas had given me 'Dom Nicholas,' a black of mettle and power, well -able to carry me even had I been clad in full armour, instead of merely -riding light as I now meant to go, with only my sword and pistolets. - -At the seaward corner of the White Tower, going by the way of the -stables, I met my Lady Marjorie, and my heart gave a bound at the seeing -of her. She came gravely forward to give me her hand. Yet not to kiss, -as I knew by the downward weighting of it, and by her taking it quickly -again to herself. - -'Whither go you, grave man of affairs?' she said, smiling with -pleasantry. - -'I go with an Earl's cartel and defiance,' I replied, telling her, -perhaps, more than I ought. But then she was my lady. - -Marjorie became very pale and set her hand on the stone parapet of the -sea wall where she stood. - -'To Bargany?' she asked, breathlessly, for it was natural she should -think that the quarrel with the family had broken out again. - -'Not to Bargany,' I said, smiling to reassure her. 'I cannot now tell -you where, but it is out of Carrick that I ride--Carrick for a man--Kyle -for a cow. I ride to the land of sweet milk cheese!' - -'God speed you, then,' she said. 'Take care of yourself--beware of the -dairymaids. I have heard they are dangerous.' - -'For your sweet sake,' cried I, waving my bonnet to her as I ran down -the path. - -But before I went fairly out of sight I turned and looked back, for, -indeed, I could not help it. And Marjorie was still standing under the -archway where I had left her, but with so sad and lost a countenance -that I had run back to ask her what was her grief. Then she seemed to -awake, kissed the tips of her fingers to me, and turning her about, -walked slowly within. - -When I was fully arrayed, I rode past the front of the house on pretext -of knowing if my lords had any further commands for me, but really that -the maids might see me upon Dom Nicholas in his fair caparison of beaten -silver. She whom I wished most to see I saw not indeed; but there at the -great gate, with a foolish spraying branch of hawthorn in her hair, was -Nell Kennedy, of whom during these last days I had scarcely so much as -thought. - -And with her, to my burning shame and amaze, was Kate Allison, the -Grieve's daughter. The two girls stood with their arms about one -another's waists, as maids that are yet half bairns are wont to do. But -neither of them looked at me. Only when I made Dom Nicholas caracole -by, they turned disdainfully aside as though they were avoiding the path -of some poisonous toad or asp. And so, wholly without word, they passed -down one of the leafy avenues that beset the place of Culzean, which -thing in a moment rendered all my full, sweet cup empty and bitter. - -At this I was much dashed and crestfallen, so that I had no spirit in -me. For I was sure, by the attitude of the maids, and their demeanour -to me, that they had gotten to the stage of the confiding of secrets. -And if that were so, I had a good guess that it would be as well for me -to avoid the Grieve's house by the shore for some time to come. Which -thing, indeed, last evening's tryst with Marjorie had made me resolve on -before. But it was not the matter of Kate Allison's anger that troubled -me; it was rather that the clattering minx, Nell Kennedy, would -certainly tell her sister of my past boyish affairs with the pretty -young lass, and specially of our home-coming from the March fair so late -at night. - -But the stir of going through the town of Maybole--the lasses running to -the doors to admire, the 'prentice lads envying and hating me, so worked -on me that, for a space, I forgot the ill-fared memory of the two maids -linking down though the greenwood together. Yet the thing came again -into my mind and stuck there, before I had o'ertaken half the way to -Dalrymple, by which I was behoved to go. - -As I rode along I practised pulling at the wicks of my upper lip, where -I was persuaded that my moustache was certainly beginning to grow apace. -For so I had seen the soldiers of the King's Guard do in Edinburgh, and -mightily admired them at it. - -The way went pleasantly by, there being many folk of all degrees and -qualities on the road. And as many as saw me come, stepped aside and -stood respectfully at gaze, if they were on foot; or courteously saluted -me as an equal if they were on horseback. Both which things pleased me -well. - -So I went on smiling to myself for the pleasantness of my thoughts, in -spite of the incident of the lasses. Suddenly, however, I came upon a -horseman like myself, that rode down a loaning from the muirside. I saw -no weapon that he had about him, yet he was no mere landward minister or -merchant, by the sober richness of his habit. He was dressed in fine -cloth of Flemish blue, with a plain edging of silk, but without lace or -any broidery. His face, when I saw it, was pleasant, and there was on -it a smile that spoke of good cheer. He seemed to be tall of his -person, and, from the manner in which he reined his horse easily with -his left hand, I knew him to be strong. A well-appearing, sober, -conditionable man of fifty I should have taken him to be, fit to be head -of a house or to sit at a king's council table. - -But his occupation was the strange part of his sudden appearing. He was -employed in reading a little book which he held in his right hand, -riding easily all the while with his horse at a brisk walk--a thing -which I never saw anyone do before. Then was I sure that he was a man -of religion, by his busying himself thus with his devotions. At which I -was the better pleased, since religion is a thing I was ever taught to -reverence above all else, for that is the habit of the moorland folk who -get but little of it. On the other hand, they tell me that in -Edinburgh, where there are as many as seven ministers, the folk pay -little heed to their privileges; and are, as indeed I have seen, given -over to following all manner of wickedness and that with greediness. - -As my fellow-traveller came down the loaning he looked up, and seeing -me, he wheeled his horse alongside of mine, and very courteously gave me -'Good-day.' - -Then, as well he might, he admired Dom Nicholas, letting his eyes stray -smilingly over my equipage. Yet even at that moment I marked that it -was a set smile, and methought that there was a busy brain behind it. - -'You ride like a soldier that hath seen the wars, young sir,' he said. - -'Ah,' I replied, lifting my bonnet of steel as to an elder, 'but little -enough of these, my Lord, for I am but a youth.' - -'You will mend of that last, I warrant,' said my companion, 'and in the -end more swiftly than you will care about.' - -'You were busy with your book of devotion,' said I, with respect, for I -care not to force my conversation on any man; 'let me not interrupt.' - -'Nay,' he said, 'I fear I am no great churchman, though for my servants' -sake I have reading and worship daily in my own house, and generally I -may claim to be very well affected toward the Almighty.' - -'Are there no churches in your part of the country,' I asked him, 'for I -perceive by your habit you are not a hereaway man?' - -'There are indeed kirks there, but I cannot bide to be hampered and -taken in a snare within walls, in the present unsettled state of the -country. A peaceable man does well to worship in the open. What sense -is there in being shut weaponless in a kirk, and shot at through the -windows, as happened not long ago?' - -I asked how that could be. - -'Have you not heard how in the north country the Craufords beset the -Kennedies in Dalrymple Kirk, taking them at an advantage without their -weapons of war--so that a Kennedy now goes no oftener to kirk than the -twenty-ninth of February comes into the calender.' - -'How strange it befalls in a small world,' said I, laughing, 'for I am a -Kennedy, and I ride to visit the Craufords of Kerse.' Then he looked at -me more closely than ever. - -'My name,' he said courteously, 'is John Mure of Auchendrayne.' - -So I told him my name and style, and also the knight's name to whom I -was squire, for after his giving me his own I could not do less. - -'You have been in Edinburgh lately?' he said. 'And I doubt not, by your -looks, bore yourself well in the sad broil in the High Street. Indeed, -I think that I heard as much. Though being a man of good age, and one -that is of quiet ways, I neither make nor mell with such tulzies, which -are for young, lusty folk at any rate.' - -After a little riding in silence and thought, he asked me if I had ever -spoken to Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany, and it was with a loath heart that -I answered 'No.' - -Then he spoke long of him and his noble prowess, comparing him to the -Earl of Cassillis, to his great advantage--which I grant it was easy -enough to do. But since I could not wear a man's signet ring on my -finger and deny him even by my silence, I spoke up for my colours. And -that is good enough religion, as I read it. - -'I am Cassillis man,' said I, with my hand on my sword, 'and I care not -who knows it.' - -'Hush you, young sir,' replied the Laird of Auchendrayne, soothingly, -'mind that you are now in an enemy's country. I warrant that Currie of -Kelwood has travelled this road not so long before you.' - -'I am not one who cares whether folk know my opinions,' I cried. 'See, -I wear them on my collar. And I have on my finger a double -safe-conduct.' - -Whereupon I let him see the rings, drawing off my gauntlet that I might -show him the signets. - -Then he redoubled his respect and rode nearer to me, which made me glad -that I had showed him the seals with their crests. - -'You are young to ride so far alone on such great folk's business,' he -said softly. 'Even I, that am old and sober, am not so trusted.' - -'Laird Auchendrayne,' I replied to him, 'you do jest with me because of -my youth. For you yourself are of the great ones, their kinsman and -equal at muster and council-board, and but lately, in the Earl's -absence, Bailzie of Carrick!' - -Then he went on to speak of the Earl, mocking at him as one greedy-tooth -for land and siller like his father, and warning me that when he had -done with me he would cast me off without fee or reward, like an old -glove. - -'Nay, worse,' said he, 'for he will save the worn glove to sell over -again to Granny Nish of the Luckenbooths.' - -'Light-hand or luck-penny,' said I, 'Launcelot Kennedy is not the man to -change his colours for goods or gear.' - -'And who bids you?' said he. 'Tush, man! you are at the horn and -outlaw. Any man may take your life and be the freer for it. The -sneckdraw Cassillis and the old wife Culzean are not fit mettle for a -gallant like you to ride beside. Hear ye, man; I will tell you a secret -which none knoweth yet, but which, if you are wise and bold, will make -your fortune with the King. Bargany is to marry one of the Queen's -bower-maidens--one too that carries the King's name--_and he is to have -the Earldom of Carrick_!' - -Here he hushed his voice and leaned towards me, setting his hand on the -arch of Dom Nicholas's neck. - -'And that,' he whispered,' will mean knighthood and an estate--besides a -fair maid with a tocher, to every good man that can draw a sword and -lead a company. What think ye of that? Be not hasty, man. I tell you -Bargany will crumple up Cassillis as I crumple this bit of paper.' - -And he threw a crushed sheet of writing into Doon Water as we rode -beside it. - -Then I faced about upon him, and set myself very straight in the saddle. - -'Sir,' I said, 'you are an older man, a richer man, a better learned man -than I. But let me tell you, sir, that I am an honester man than you; -and maybe I shall win though none the worse of that at the long and -last. But if what I have said offend you, I am willing to give -satisfaction on horse or foot, now or again, either to you or to any -younger man of your name. I bid you good-day, sir, for I count you not -good company for leal gentlemen.' - -And with that I turned my back on him, and rode on my way. - -'Go your own gate,' he said, rather regretfully than angrily. 'You have -thrown away a kindly offer for an old song and a sounding phrase. You -are a mettle lad, but with much wind in your belly.' - -So I rode on, thinking that I had done with him--which was very far -indeed from being the case. - - - - - *CHAPTER IX* - - *CARTEL OF CONTUMELY* - - -Now, the place where I took my leave of that pleasant, reputable -treason-breeder, John Mure of Auchendrayne, was within a quarter of a -mile of Dalrymple Bridge, where it strides across Doon Water. I am -persuaded that when I left him a little behind, I saw him heave up his -hand, for I got just a waft of it with the tail of my eye. Yet though I -could not swear it conscience-clear in any court in the land (unless -absolute need were), I am still persuaded in my mind, as much as I was -then, that the douce and gracious man intended that I should fall into -an ambush, if I proved overly hard-bitten for his projects and -temptings. - -So as I came near to the bridge-end, I looked very warily about, and -methought that I spied the black muzzle of a hackbutt, where there was -no need of such like. Now hackbutts do not, even in Carrick, grow on -hedges, though in these days a man might somewhat easily make the -mistake of thinking so. I judged, therefore, that there would be an -ugly face behind the gun, and a finger on the slow match that intended -me no good. - -As I paused, turning about on my saddle, I saw a fellow rise out of the -copse-wood before me, and run like a rabbit to the bridge-end. That was -enough for me. Fighting is well enough, and I can be doing with it, for -it is the path of glory and of fortune. But black treachery I cannot -stomach. - -So being mightily angry, but resolved like steel to show John Mure and -his butchers that I despised them, I turned Dom Nicholas's head and set -him straight at the deeps of Doon Water, where ford there was none. In -a moment we were splashing in the pool, and in another Dom Nicholas had -thrown back his head and taken to the swimming like a duck. It was but -a little way across, but far enough for me, for I saw the fellows -running along the bank from the end of the bridge, blowing on their -matches and bidding me stop. Now that was not a likely thing for me to -do, being, praise the Lord! in my sober senses. - -But when I got to the other shore, and set my horse to climb the steep -(which was by a mill on the waterside), I was somewhat dashed to find -one sitting quiet on his horse, within ten paces of me, with his fingers -on his sword and his pistol bended in his hand. - -I apprehended in a moment that this must be James Mure the younger of -Auchendrayne, and I thought that I was as good as dead. Yet I held up -my hand and cried, 'Herald!' and 'Safe-Conduct!' Though I knew that -with such men as the Mures I might just as well and usefully have cried -'Bubbly Jock!' or 'Pigeon Pie!' - -The young man in war-gear who sat his horse above me, did not move nor -lift his weapon to fire. - -'Tell me,' he said calmly, 'who may you be that cries "Safe-Conduct!" -and "Herald!" on the lands of Kerse?' - -I answered him that I was Launcelot Kennedy--and to effectuate something -with him I added 'of Kirrieoch.' For I thought it was unlikely that he -would know the hill country well enough to remember that my father was -still alive. Which I take to have been an innocent enough deception, in -that it hurt no one. - -And in this I was right, for he answered at once,-- - -'I am David Crauford the younger of Kerse, but what said you of -safe-conducts?' - -So I showed him the rings, and told him that my business lay by word of -mouth with his father. Thereafter I laid before him the matter of the -scoundrels running at me nigh to Dalrymple bridge. Indeed, we could -even then see them retiring in a group. - -'Let us ride to the bridge head now, and see if they will molest us?' - -And this we did, but none stirred nor showed themselves. - -'So,' he said, 'let us ride on to Kerse.' - -As we went our way we had much excellent discourse of the news of the -countryside, and also of Edinburgh and its customs. I found David -Crauford a fine and brave fellow, and regretted heartily that he was not -on our side of the blanket--a thing which, indeed, I was too apt to do. -I considered it an unfair thing that all the shavelings should be ours, -and all the paladins theirs. Yet I was comforted by the thought that it -was easier to be distinguished among the men of Cassillis than with -Bargany--for in the kingdom of the blind the one-eyed man is king, as -the saw hath it. - -Thus we came at last to the place of Kerse. It was a handsome tower, -with additions that made it almost a castle, standing upon a rising -ground by a loch, and overlooked at a safe distance by some high rocks -and scaurs, which David Crauford told me were called the Craigs of Kyle. - -It was the slowest time of the afternoon when we arrived at the ancient -strength, and David, saying that his father might not be wakeful, -slipped on ahead, in order to assure me a proper reception--so, at -least, he said. - -And at the doorway I was met by many men-at-arms, with pikes in their -hands and feathers in their bonnets. And there came forth to meet me -eight of the twelve brothers of Kerse, all bareheaded and with swords at -their sides. In the background I could see the cause of my adventuring -Currie, the Laird of Kelwood--bowing and smirking like a French -dancing-master. But I never so much as looked his way. - -'From whom come you, and in peace or war?' said David Crauford, just as -though I had not told him--which was quite right and proper, for these -commissions of diplomacy should be carried out with decorum and -observance. - -'I come,' said I, 'from the Earl and also from the Tutor of Cassillis, -and am commissioned to speak with the Laird of Kerse in their name and -on their behalf.' - -With that I was conducted through a lesser into a greater hall, at the -upper end of which was a raised platform, two feet or so above the -floor. The hall and dais were alike strewed with yellow bent grass, -such as grows upon the sides of the hills and on the seashore. On the -dais stood a great oaken chair with a hood about it, and in it there sat -the noblest old man that ever I saw. He seemed by his beard and hair to -be ninety years of age at the least, yet his natural colour was in his -cheek, and he was gleg both to hear and to speak. - -So they introduced me, and I went up to the old man of Kerse to show my -credentials, bending my knee, but not near to the ground, in token of -courtesy. - -'Come hither, David, and tell me what are the posies on the rings.' - -So David came near, and, looking at my hand, he read that motto of the -Earl of Cassillis--'_Avise a fin_!' it read. - -'Ay, ay, that will do. Let the lad speak his message,' said the old -man. - -Then in the midst of three-score Craufords I set myself, with my -shoulders squared and my hand on my hip, to speak the message of my -lord. I do not deny that I liked the job well enough, for it was the -sort which enables a man to make a figure--thus to stand alone among a -host of enemies, and speak a challenge of defiance. - -'Master David Crauford, Laird of Kerse and Skeldon,' said I, giving out -his titles like a herald, 'I bear you greeting and worship from John, -Earl of Cassillis, and Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean, Tutor of that -ilk.' - -The old man bowed in token of respect for the formal courtesy. 'My -principals bid me say that they request and demand as their right, that -you shall deliver up to them the Laird of Kelwood, their liege vassal, -presently rebel and fugitive; and also that you render back the box of -treasure and the stones of price which they have good reason to believe -their vassal aforesaid hath concealed with you. These things being -done, they assure you of their friendship and support in all your -undertakings.' - -So I gave it out clearly, formally, dispassionately, and without heat, -as one that is accustomed to high commissions. - -As I spoke I saw the old man grip his staff as though it had been a -sword, and ere I had done, he had half risen from his seat as though he -would have struck me to the ground. - -'And you dare, you beardless birkie, to bring such a message to Crauford -of Kerse, in his own hall and among his own folk?' - -But I stood still with my hand on my side as before, looking at him with -a level brow, knowing that without a weapon in my hand, and with a -double safe-conduct on my finger, I had by far the best of it, ay, -though there had been a thousand Craufords in the hall. - -'Father, father,' said David from behind, as one accustomed to soothe -the old man's anger. - -'I ken--I ken bravely. The laddie has to bring his message, but -Scraping Johnny of Cassillis shall rue this day. Tell him,' he cried, -his voice rising to a wild scream, 'that I have seen no doit of the -dirty money which he howks out of every dub with his swine's snout. The -Laird of Kelwood indeed, I have with me, and here he shall bide while it -likes him--not for his own sake, for he is small credit either to -Kennedy or Crauford (to his face I say it), but because Kerse is an -eagle sitting on high, and it has not yet come to it that he must, -forsooth, throw down so much as a well-pyked bone at the bidding of -Cassillis.' - -I bowed to the ground as having gotten my answer. But I had another part -of the piece still to play, and the doing of it liked me even better, -for I saw that this time I should anger not only the old man but the -young. - -'Then,' said I, 'in the name of John, Earl of Cassillis, whom ye call -swine's snout, I am charged to tell you that if ye will not deliver the -man and the thing that are his just right, then will my master come and -gar ye be fain to deliver them--' - -Then there went a murmur of scorn and anger all about the hall, and the -white locks of the old man fairly bristled on his head. But I spoke on, -level as a clerk that reads his lessons. - -'Hearken ye to the word of Cassillis--the last word--gin ye refuse he -will come on Lammas day proximate, and in token of ignominy and despite, -he will tether a brood sow upon the lands of Kerse, and not a Crauford -shall steer her for the length of a summer's day.' - -What a shout of anger went up from about the hall! The blades of the -young men fairly blazed from their sheaths. The old man rose in his -chair and lifted his staff by the middle. Two tall servitors that stood -at the back of the hall, lighting the dusk with torches, sprang forward -ready to catch him should his strength fail. There were at least thirty -swords pointed at my breast, and one great lout threatened me with a -Lochaber axe. - -But with my heart swelling I stood still and calm amid the graceless -tumult, like one of the carven stones which look out from the niches of -Crossraguel. Motionless I stood as I had done from the first, for I was -a herald with an Earl's message. - -'An insult! an insult! an insult in the hall of Kerse. Kill the black -Kennedy!' they cried, gnashing on me with their teeth like wild beasts. - -I declare I never was happier in my life, knowing that I had made that -day a figure which would not be forgotten, and that my bearing among -them would be spoken of over all Carrick and Kyle. How I wished that -Marjorie Kennedy could have seen me. And I smiled as I thought how -little it mattered after this, whether or no Nell Kennedy turned -tale-pyet. - -'I will take the smile off his black Kennedy's face with a paik of this -Lochaber axe!' cried my great lout. But indeed I smiled not at him nor -any of his sept, but at the thought of Nell Kennedy. - -Then when they had roared themselves out in anger, they became, as I -take it, some deal ashamed of the hideous uproar, and of a sudden were -silent--as with a stave thrust in the joint and a twist of the wrist one -may shut off a noisy mill-lade. - -So I got in my last word. - -'Thereafter, John, Earl of Cassillis, bids me say that he will leave not -one standing stone in the house of Kerse upon another, for the despite -and contempt done to him as its overlord.' - -Then the loud anger gave place to silent, deadly hate, and it was some -time before any could speak. David the younger would have spoken, but -his father waved him down, fighting for utterance. - -'Hear ye, sir, and bear this message and defiance to your master. He -has put a shame on us in this our own house. Tell him that he may bring -his swine to Kerse every Lammas day, and fetch with him every swineherd -Kennedy from every midden-head betwixt Cassillis and the Inch. There -are plenty stout Craufords here in Kyle that can flit them. Ay, though -this hand, that was once as the axe-hand of the Bruce, be shrunken now, -and though I lean on these bearers of torches because of mine age, tell -him that there are twelve stout sons behind me who can render taunt for -taunt, blow for blow, to King or Kennedy. And tell him that Crauford of -Kerse knows no overlord in earth or heaven--least of all John Kennedy, -fifth Earl of Cassillis!' - -Then I bowed as one might before some of the glorious pagan gods of whom -Dominie Mure has tales to tell. For, indeed, that was an answer worth -taking back, and, being a man, I know a man when it is given me to see -him. So, with my face to him still, and my bonnet in my hand, I made my -way off the dais. There I turned me about, and, as an Earl's spokesman -should, set my steel bonnet on my head to go out alone through the -crowded hall. - -But the old man stayed me. - -'Launcelot Kennedy of Kirrieoch,' he said, courteously, 'to you and not -to your master, I say this. Ye have well delivered an ill message. May -ye never get your fill of fighting, and at the last may you die in -harness. I would to God ye were my thirteenth son!' - -So I bowed again, and for respect I walked backwards to the door of the -great hall with my head again bare. Then I helmed myself and passed -without to Dom Nicholas. - -There was now a full muster of Craufords in the courtyard--a hundred of -them, I should say, at least. But no murmur arose among them as, helped -by a groom, I mounted and moved slowly through the throng, having -saluted David the younger and his brothers with my hand. - -Then, as I rode through the gateway, the feet of Dom Nicholas clattering -on the stones, I was aware of a troop of twelve that followed me, all -well-accoutred men riding in order. And I knew the author of that -guard. It was David, who had resolved to see me safe across Dalrymple -bridge, and so gave me the attendance of a prince. - -Then knew I how excellent a thing it is to have to do in peace or war -with gentlemen. For to do them justice, the Craufords of Kerse were -neither landloupers nor ambuscaders. - - - - - *CHAPTER X* - - *SIR THOMAS OF THE TOP-KNOT* - - -My guard of honour did not leave me till I was within sight of the -towers of Cassillis, when David Crauford and his men parted from me with -silent salute. Nor had the dyke-back hiding gentry so much as ventured -to show their faces. So I rode down to Cassillis yett, a well-kenned -place and famous in story. Down a smooth, green mead I rode to it. At -the gate the porter, a surly rogue, bade me stand. - -'Stand thou, hang thee, pock-faced varlet!' I cried; 'haste thee and up -with the gates, or thine ass's ears shall answer for it, nailed -incontinent to a post!' - -Whereupon, seeing him wondering and still wavering, I drew off my glove -and flashed the Earl's broad signet ring at him. I declare he laid hold -of the pulley like one demented. - -'I trust, noble sir, that ye will not mention the matter of my hasty -greeting to my lord,' he said to me as I passed, for the rascal was -shaking in every limb. - -'Let it learn you to be better scraped as to the tongue for the time to -come,' I answered sharply, for I was none sorry once for all to read the -villain a lesson. There is nothing better than a man who worthily and -for his office's sake magnifies his office, but there is nothing more -scunnering than that a menial knave, in pride of place, should beard his -betters. - -In the hall of Cassillis, while I waited for my lord, I met the old man -of strange aspect, who had been with us upon the Red Moss. He was -dressed in a long, lank robe like a soutane, and he carried a book with -him, very filthy and tattered. In this he read, or pretended to read, -by whiles, muttering and mumbling the words over to himself. - -Seeing me stand alone, he came over and began to speak to me about -matters that I knew not of--something that concerned the Black Vault of -Dunure, so I understood him to say. - -But his appearance as he talked caused me to laugh, though, being an old -man, I did not let him see it. His head appeared as bald all about as -is a hen's egg. But on the very crown there was an oval place of a -hand's breadth or thereby, from which dropped a crest of yellow-white -hair, very laughable and ludicrous. For as the old man talked the silly -cockscomb on his crown waggled, and being toothless his jaw waggled -also. So that the nut-cracker jaw underneath and the waggling plume -aloft might well have made a cat laugh. - -'I am Sir Thomas Tode,' he mumbled, when I began to get a little -familiar with his shambling speech--'ay me, Sir Thomas Tode' (he -pronounced the word as though it had been the name of the foul beast -that squats on its belly), 'the famous Sir Thomas Tode am I. Ay, dear -mother Mary--I mean Christian friends, but a feck of life it has been my -lot to see.' - -I thought within me what a strange old scare-the-crows this was, to have -the name and style of knighthood. So I asked him what were his -ancestral possessions. - -'I am only poor Sir Thomas Tode, chaplain to two mighty Earls,' he said, -shaking his head and waggling his top-knot, till he looked more like the -father of all the apes that ever were, than a sober cleric. - -'Even so,' he went on, 'I was bred to Holy Church--I mean brought up in -ignorance, to serve the Whore that sitteth on the Seven Hills. I was -chaplain to the old Lord Gilbert, the father of the Earl John that is. -Ah, many a time did I shrive him soundly, and none needed it more. -Faith, but he was a ripe, crusted old sinner--' - -And Sir Thomas Tode chuckled a senile laugh at his memories of the -bygone wickednesses of the great. - -'Faith, I doubt shrewdly that he fries for it now. For in these days -there are no prayers to hoist men out of purgatory by the telling down -of the good broad bonnet pieces--more's the pity for poor honest -churchmen! Ah me, the times that were! The times that were!' - -The old man paused a moment to think the matter over, and then very -visibly his mind went wandering after some greater and yet choicer -wickedness which he might retail to me. - -'Have you ever heard,' he said at last, 'of the roasting of the Abbot of -Crossraguel? Man, I was there--yes, I was there--Tom Tode was there, -and turned him on the iron brander till I burned my fingers!' - -And the ancient rascal beat merrily on the floor with his stick and -charked together his toothless gums. - -'Now sit ye down, and I shall tell you all that took place in the Black -Vaut of Dunure--' - -Just then I saw a sonsy, red-faced woman, ample of bosom and with many -plies of wylicoats pleated and gathered about her, rise from the black -stair head--even as Dominie Mure fables that Venus (a heathen goddess, -but one of whose ongoings I own it diverts me greatly to hear) did from -the sea. With three strides she came across the hall and caught Sir -Thomas Tode by the shock of yellow-white hair on his crown. - -'Be you at it again?' she cried. 'I will give you your fill of the -Black Vaut of Dunure, doddering old bletherer that ye are. Who is to -turn my spit, I would have you tell me, gin you waste your time -yammering to wanchancy lazybones of the Black Vaut of Dunure? "Black -Vaut of Dunure" indeed! You have told your lies till I declare you grow -to believe them yourself!' - -So without a word of protest from the knightly lips of Sir Thomas Tode, -he was led below, his head nodding and bowing as his captor shook the -yellow top-knot. - -After the pair were gone, I laughed both loud and long, so that they had -to fetch me nigh on a gallon of strong ale to recover me of my access of -mirth, and prepare me for the presence of the Earl. - -And right certainly did I vow within my heart, that it would not be long -before I renewed acquaintance with Sir Thomas and his tyrant, for it -seemed a strange and merry thing to sec an Earl's chaplain so used. It -was, indeed, many a day since I had seen such sport. - -At last I was led in to the Earl. He sat in a rich dressing-robe, -flowered with gold, and a leather-bound book with knobs and studs of -brass lay open beside him. It was the account book of his estates and -overlordships. - -'What was that loud mirth I heard a moment since?' he asked, for the -Earl John did not seem to be in the best of tempers. Indeed he was said -never to be canny to come near, when he was in the same house as his -wife, a thing passing strange and but not wholly without precedent. - -I answered that I laughed at a good story of Sir Thomas Tode, his -private chaplain. - -'My what!' he cried. 'Oh, ye mean old Tode of the Top-knot! Was his -story about the Black Vault of Dunure?' - -And without stopping for an answer he went on with one of his proverbs, -just as though he had not sent me on an errand, and that in peril of my -life. I never met a young man so broadened on wiseacre saws and -proverbs in my life. It was clean ridiculous, though well enough in a -gap-toothed grandfather, no doubt. - -'The loud laughter of the idle gathereth no gear,' said Earl John. - -'No,' replied I, 'but since it cheers the heart, it costs less than your -good strong ale.' - -'Ay, but,' he said, breaking in and looking pleased, 'but you have had -some deal of that too. I can smell it.' - -Then he looked briskly up, as if delighted with himself for his -penetration, and catching me with my hand held guiltily before my mouth, -he smiled. - -'Well,' he said, 'can you not come to the point--why stand so long -agape? What of your mission?' - -So, being nothing loath, I told him the whole matter, much as I have -related it in this place. And though at the beginning he sat calmly -enough to listen, long before I had finished he was striding up and down -the room gripping at his thigh, where for common he wore his sword--for, -after all, Earl John was a true Cassillis, and neither craven nor -hen-hearted. - -'And they roared upon you, standing still. Nay, you did well! I wish -it had been I! Man, I will give you the horse you rode upon, and all -the caparison. I declare I will!' - -For which I thanked him in words; but in my heart I said, 'It is an easy -present to give that which is your uncle's, and hath indeed been mine -for weeks.' - -Then he seemed to remember, for he said, 'But give me back my signet. -Ye have done well, and on Lammas day ye shall do better. Will ye take a -ring or a sword for a keepsake?' - -A moment only I divided my mind. A ring, if good, would indeed buy many -swords. But Cassillis was not the man to give a ring of price. -Contrariwise a sword was a thing that all men had good skill of, and for -very shame's sake a good sword would he give. - -'I crave a sword,' said I, briefly. - -'Ye have chosen like a soldier. I shall not grudge you the wale of -swords,' the Earl made reply, smiling upon me, well pleased. - -So with that he went out into the armoury, and came back with the -noblest sword I had ever seen. Blade, hilt, and scabbard were all -inlaid with scrolled Damascus work of gold, thin limned and delicate--I -never saw the like. And my blood leaped within me--I declare to my -shame, nigh as hotly as it did when Marjorie Kennedy kissed me on the -brow in the arbour of the pleasaunce at the house of Culzean. - -'Buckle it on, and take it with you,' said the Earl, 'lest looking long -upon it my heart should smite me, and I want it back again.' - -So I thanked him and presently was gone without great ceremony, lest, -indeed, it should be so. - -'Stay the night at Cassillis,' he cried after me. 'I have a letter to -send to my eame the Tutor in the morning.' - - - - - *CHAPTER XI* - - *SWORD AND SPIT* - - -The house of Cassillis is not a great place for size, to be so famous. -But the Earl has many castles, to which he goes oftentimes--specially to -the grand house of the new style which he is building at the Inch, and -from which he means to assert his overlordship of the Lairds of -Galloway, which, as I see it, is likely to breed him trouble--more than -if he had stayed here at home and flairdied his old gammer mistress into -good humour. - -So, leaving his presence, I went to see that Dom Nicholas had the best -of food and bedding, passing through the grooms and men-at-arms in the -bravery of my Damascus sword, walking carelessly as though I wore -suchlike every day--a thing I liked well to do. I also made them change -the straw for better, though, indeed, there was little to find fault -with. But it is always best when one goes first into the stables of the -great to speak loud, to cry, 'Here, sirrah, what means this?' And then -order fresh bedding to be brought, and that instantly. Thus I made -myself respected, and so walked out, while the grooms bowed, pulling the -while at my moustache and pressing upon the hilt of my sword, so that -the point stood out at the proper angle behind with my cloak a-droop -over it, as I have said. - -Then, on my way back to the house, I must needs pass--or so I made it -appear--through the kitchens, where I found my tyrant -Venus-of-the-fiery-face in the act of cooking the supper. - -Seeing me lean against the baking board, dressed so _cap-à-pie_, she -came and brushed me a place to sit upon. Then she asked, 'Would I be -pleased to drink a cup of sack--rare and old?' - -So, seeing her set on it, I denied her not; but sat down, unbuckling my -weapon for ease's sake, and throwing it down with clank of blade and -jingle of buckle on the clear-scoured boards of the great deal table in -the midst. The Lord forgive me for caring so mightily about these -things and so little for going to church! Some good day, doubtless, I -shall change about. And in the meanwhile, what would you? - -Were you that chance to read never eighteen and thought you not well of -yourself, having a new sword? If not, the Lord pity you. It is little -ye ken. - -But all the while I longed to hear more of Sir Thomas Tode, and if it -might be, to see him. So I asked of the lady of the pans where her -husband was. - -She set her thumb over her shoulder, pointing to a narrow door as of an -aumrie or wall press. - -'He is in there,' she said shortly. - -'And what else is there in there?' said I, laughing, for what was I the -wiser? - -'Half a bullock is in there,' she said, laughing also. 'That is the -meat-cupboard. It is fine and caller, and he is not troubled with flies -upon his miserable bald head.' - -'The meat-safe,' cried I, much astonished; 'and what does a reverend -chaplain and a knight in the meat-safe?' - -'The old dotard will not quit his maundering about the Black Vaut of -Dunure to every one that comes near. He got hold of a silly chapman in -the yard that came with fish from Ayr, and I declare he must sit down -and prate by the hour of the Black Vaut of Dunure. So I shut him up in -the meat-safe. Faith, I will give him Black Vaut of Dunure ere I have -done with him. The Black Vaut of Cassillis and the company of the -dinner roast will set him better.' - -'And what says my lord to your using his chaplain so?' - -The lady gazed at me a moment in a kind of wilderment. Then she broke -into the vulgar speech of the country, which, because I learned to write -English as those at the Queen's Court do, I have used but seldom in this -chronicle--though, of course, not for lack of knowledge. - -'Sain me,' she said, 'this may be a queer, uncanny world, but it is -surely no come to that o't yet, that a wife mauna check and chastise her -ain man. Guid Lord, no--life wadna be worth leevin'--see till this--' -she said. - -And taking a key from her pocket she rapidly unlocked the door of the -meat-closet. - -Sir Thomas was discovered sitting most forlornly within, upon the corner -of a great chest, with many pieces of meat depending from hooks about -his head. His wife, reaching in from the step, took him by the top-knot -of hair as by a handle, and pulled him out upon the floor of the kitchen -with one movement of her arm. - -'It's a guid's mercy,' she cried, 'that yince ye war a papish monk wi' a -shaven crown, for the place that ye keepit bare sae lang has ripened -late, after a' the lave o' the crap has been blawn awa' wi' the wind.' - -I had been endeavouring to explain to myself the strangeness of the wisp -upon Sir Thomas's head, but the words of his wife made clear the matter. -It was but the retarded growth of his long fallow tonsure. - -'An' it's a de'il o' a queer thing,' said Mistress Tode, 'that turning -your coat ootside in should turn your hair inside oot! Heard ye ever -the mak' o' that?' - -'It was all owing to--' began Sir Thomas Tode, looking at his wife with -a cringing shamefacedness that was most entertaining. - -'Oh, I ken,' interrupted his wife, 'it was owing to the Black Vaut o' -Dunure, nae doot! I declare I canna haud ye aff it. I jaloose that it -maun hae been owing to the Black Vaut o' Dunure that Mary Greg, a decent -cook woman and a deacon in her trade, took up wi' the likes o' you--that -mak's yoursel' nae better than a mountibank wi' your yammer-yammering -like a corn-crake aboot black vauts and roasted abbots. Fegs, I declare -I could roast ye yoursel'. Ye are that muckle thocht and care to me, -but ye wadna pay for the trouble. Even the Earl himsel' couldna mak' a -profit oot o' you--an' a' folk kens that he wad drive a flea to London -market for the sake o' the horns and hide!' - -'Wheesht, wheesht, honest woman!' said Sir Thomas Tode, 'wha kens wha -may be listenin'--maybe the Countess her very sel'.' - -'Faith, an' I carena,' cried the brave cook, tossing her head, 'she is a -backstairs body at ony gate, but she canna fear me--na, brawly no'. I -ken ower muckle. I ken things the Earl doesna ken. Certes an' serve -him richt--a young man like him--but three-an'-twenty, to mairry his -grandmither. Though guid kens Mary Greg is no the woman to speak, that -mairried nocht better than an auld skeleton hung on strings--for nae -sounder reason than that it is the custom for the cook in a decent big -hoose to tak' up wi' the chaplain.' - -The kitchen began to fill, and I bethought me that I should be going; -for it was not seemly that a gentleman and a squire should collogue -overly long with all the orra serving-men and women in a great house. -But before I could lift my sword and depart, there came in a dark, burly -man with a sharp-cleft eagle's face on him, his eyes very close -together, and a contemptuous sneer that was liker a snarl, on his face. - -'Good e'en to ye, John Dick,' said the cook. 'Mind ye keep the peace, -ye wull-cat, for there are to be no collieshangies in my kitchen!' - -A voice called something querulously down the stairs. - -'Coming the noo, my leddy,' cried Mrs Tode, the cook of Cassillis, 'I am -juist pittin' on the pot--' - -And she vanished up the stair. - -As soon as she was gone, Sir Thomas appeared to wake up from a dream. -He looked eagerly around him. - -'She will no be back for a while,' he said. 'I might have a chance. I -maun tell you of the roasting of the abbot. Man, I saw it--I was there. -I held him on the ribs o' the grate. I set him on the brander, and -poured the oil on him that he might be roasted in sop. Oh, man, ye -think I am a fool. Ever since that day, never hae I been alone without -seeing the face o' him, crying out for them to ding whingers into him, -or blaw him up wi' powder to ease him--the auld Earl girnin' at him like -a wild cat, and hunkering low to watch, with his hands on his knees. -Oh, young men, never you put your hand to the torture of man, for it -bides with you in the brain--just as, asleep or awake, night or day, I -see the Black Vaut o' Dunure!' - -'Good life,' cried his wife, entering briskly at the moment, 'is it -possible that the auld fule is at it again? The very de'il's in the -craitur. He thinks that he was at the roastin' o' a man, whan a' the -roastin' he has done in his life has been turnin' the spit in this -decent hoose o' Cassillis. Come awa', ye doitered auld loon, what did I -tell ye the last time?--Into the keepin' chamber wi' you!' - -And she caught him by the top lock to lead him away once more. But I -pled for him, saying that I had never heard of his fantasy, and had -indeed encouraged him to begin. - -The tall man who had been called John Dick, the fellow of the hateful -countenance, in whose eyes there was the insolence of challenge, at this -point stalked up to the table on which my sword still lay. He took it -in his hand with a contemptuous air, examined the Damascus work of fine -gold, and was about to draw the blade from its sheath. - -'That sword is mine,' said I, scarcely looking at the fellow, 'and does -not leave its scabbard save when I draw it.' - -'And then,' quoth he, with a bitter sneer, 'I opine it will not do much -damage. 'Tis but a bairn's plaik at any rate! And in fit hands!' - -'It may be that you would like to try, sirrah,' said I, slipping my hip -off the table and buckling on my sword with one movement. - -'Very willingly,' said he of the sneer. 'Come out to the green.' - -But before I could move to end the matter, there arose from the corner, -where he had been lying on an oaken settle, a tall, slender lad of -foreign aspect and distinction. He had on him a green suit like the -Royal hunting liveries. A long, plain sword in a black leather scabbard -swung by his side. - -'Launcelot Kennedy of Kirrieoch,' he said, bowing to me, 'I am Robert -Harburgh, and though for the time being I serve here as little better -than a cullion, I am yet of some blood and kindred. Therefore I shall -do you no shame. And you, sir,' said he, turning to John Dick, who stood -lowering, 'being your equal here, I can serve your turn to cross swords -with--and spare this gentleman the discomfort of defiling his sword of -honour with such black ignoble blood as yours.' - -And with that he whipped out a long, straight sword which glittered in -the firelight. John Dick turned up his lip wickedly, so that we saw his -teeth, and the black, curly fringe of hair about his face stood out, -till his visage was like that of an angry ramping bull of Galloway. - -There were only men in the kitchen when the fracas arose, for Mistress -Tode had gone to do some errand for the Countess. - -'You are surely a stark man,' said John Dick, 'to mell or meddle with -me. Ken ye that I have wounded more men with my whinger than I have -fingers on my right hand?' - -'And how many may that be?' said the young man who had espoused my -cause. - -'Why, four,' said John Dick, surprised at the question. - -'Then in a little while you shall have one less--and that is but three. -Guard yourself!' - -And there in the red dusk of the kitchen they cleared themselves for -fighting, and their blades met with so stern a clash that sparks were -driven from the steel. But Harburgh, my young and melancholy Dane, -forced the fighting from the first, driving Dick before him round the -narrow and enclosed place, countering and attacking with such dexterity -and fury as I had never seen, though for years I myself had been a sound -swordsman. But such fighting as this I saw not--no, not in the schools -which the King has set up in Edinburgh to be used instead of golf and -siclike foolish games, which the men of the east country love to play in -their idle folly and wantonness. - -They had not gone far when my champion, using a snicking undercut I had -never seen, severed the little finger of his opponent, at the second -joint just where it overlaid the hilt, so that the tip of it fell on the -floor. Whereat Sir Thomas Tode lifted it and wrapped it with care in -two sheets of clean scrivening paper which he took from his pocket. - -But John Dick, who after all was a man, though a crab-grained and -ill-conditioned one, only called a halt for a moment and wrapped his -wounded finger in a napkin, drawing the cincture close with cord. And -he was in the act of continuing the fight, and pressing his adversary -for revenge, being resolved to kill him for the affront, when, with a -loud outcry, Mistress Tode rushed down the stairs. She seized a huge -spit, and with the sharpened end so briskly attacked both the -combatants, battering them soundly about their heads, that they were -compelled to desist. - -And it was most comical to see these fierce and confident fighters drop -their swords' points and shield their heads with their hands to ward off -the blows of the stick. - -'Varlets!' she screamed. 'Briskly I will learn you to fight and tulzie -in my kitchen. Out with you,' she cried, giving John Dick the sharpened -end of her weapon in his wame, 'out with you, for it was your de'il's -temper that began the fray.' - -And so, having opened the door, she fairly thrust him out into the -night. But she had not time to close it again before one whom none of -us had seen came within the circle of red light. He was a man of a -dignified countenance, dressed in black, and he held a plain staff, also -of black, in his hand. On his head there was a broad hat with a cord -about it. Upon his coat he wore no ornament save a broad, black silk -collar which lay upon his shoulders, and over that again there fell -another collar of fair soft linen, very white and well dressed. - -'What means this tumult in the house of Cassillis?' he asked, speaking -as one that has authority, and has been accustomed to wield it -unquestioned for many years. - -Now there was not a man there but longed to ask, 'And who may you be -that speers?' But none answered rudely, for the awe that was upon them. - -Then at last Robert Harburgh said to him, but courteously, 'Sir, you ask -of the tumult. It was a matter that concerns those only that fought -upon their own proper quarrel. It concerns neither you nor yet my Lord -Cassillis, in whose house ye presently are.' - -'Lead me to my lord!' he said, as one who had only to speak that the -doors might be opened. - -But Robert Harburgh withstood him and would not suffer him to pass. - -'Let me see the Earl of Cassillis instantly!' said he. - -'The Earl is at supper,' said Robert Harburgh, 'and cannot be -disturbed.' - -'I will eat with him,' said the stranger, calmly. - -Then when some scullion laughed, for of custom those who ate with the -Earl of Cassillis entered not by the kitchen door, the unknown made a -gesture of extraordinary contempt and yet withal of a marvellous -dignity. - -'Go, instantly,' he commanded, pointing to the stair door with his -finger, 'and tell your master that Robert Bruce, Minister of Edinburgh -Town, would see him in the name of the Lord and of His Highness the King -of Scots.' - -And Robert Harburgh, who had just outflouted John Dick, the ruffler of -camps, bowed before him. And as for me I took my bonnet off my own head -and saluted, for there was no one of us who had not heard of the famous -and well-reputed minister, to whom the King had committed the rule and -governance of all the realm during the half-year he was in Denmark busy -marrying of his queen. - -So with Robert Harburgh leading and myself following, the minister -passed up the stair with due attendance, and into the supper chamber -where the Earl and Countess took their meal at even, mostly without -speech each with the other. And when through the open door I saw the -Earl welcome his guest as he would have done the King himself, and -especially when I heard their serious and weighty conversation, the -thought came to me that it was well that there were men in Scotland able -to make religion so to be honoured. Then again I laughed, thinking of -the mighty difference that there was between Maister Robert Bruce, -Minister of Edinburgh and sometime ruler of Scotland, and poor Sir -Thomas Tode, domestic chaplain to the Earl of Cassillis and the -well-pecked husband of Mary Greg, his cook. - - - - - *CHAPTER XII* - - *THE FLITTING OF THE SOW* - - -It was Lammas day, and the strange wager of battle was about to be -fought. Maister Robert Bruce, who had composed so many quarrels (and -made so many more in the doing of it), had altogether and utterly failed -to make up this one. So he had passed south to his friend and favourer -the Laird of Bargany, who for all his soldiership was ever great for the -honour of the Kirk. I hope that the Minister of Edinburgh made more of -him than he made of Earl John, of whom he gat nothing but fair speeches -and most indifferent drink, which were indeed in my time the staples of -Cassillis hospitality. - -Now, it so happened that Sir Thomas Kennedy, my master, could not move -from his chair, much less sit a horse, because of that old income in the -knee, which ever in the hot season of the year caused him so much pain -and trouble. Thus it fell to me to lead our small levy from the lands of -Culzean, for we were near to the country of the Barganies, and it would -not do, in the absence of an armistice, to denude our head castle of all -the fighting men that were thereabout. - -The morn of Lammas was one that promised to open out into a day of -fervent heat, for the mists rose lazily, but did not dissolve as the sun -climbed the skies. Yet it was a morning that pleasured me beyond -telling, as I buckled on my new sword of price, and rode out to fight. -I am not averse from fighting, but I own it is the riding out in array -that I chiefly love. - -What a heartsome sight it was when we turned our faces towards Cassillis -Yett, and saw the companies of Kennedies come riding and running over -every green knoll--long, upright men of the South who had started the -night before from far Minnochside and Auchneil, shoulder-bent shoremen -who came over the edge of Brown Carrick, pikemen, spearmen, and -hackbuttmen, together with a multitude of limber, pranksome lads with -only a leathern jacket and a whinger. - -When we came to Cassillis Yett, there by the road-end was Sir Thomas -Tode, who was charged to tell us that my lord had gone on before us with -many soldiers and horsemen. They had taken also with them a trail-cart, -being a box with shafts like a carriage, but without wheels, mounted on -a great brush of branches and twigs, which stuck out behind and scored -the ground with a thousand ruts and scratches. This was for the -conveyance of the sow, which from sundawn to sunset was to be tethered, -in despite and contempt, upon the lands of the Craufords of Kerse. For -that was the wager of battle between the Kennedies and the Craufords. - -The place where we found the Earl and his tethered sow was well chosen. -It was a three-cornered piece of land, of which two sides were defended -by the Doon Water sharply bending back upon itself, while across the -broad base of the triangle there ran a moss. The beating of the drums -and the playing of pipes were on all the hills; and so gay and cheerful -was the scene that it might have been a fair or a weapon-shawing, for -the sound of merrymaking and deray that there was all about. - -The Doon, that should run so red or sunset, now sparkled pure and clear -in the light of morning, and the speckled piets and pigeons scudded here -and there among the coppices. We had not been long established on this -tongue of land with our tethered sow when there arose a crying among the -outposts, and word was brought that from all the Craigs of Kyle, and out -of all the country of the east, the Craufords and their allies were -gathering to the trysted fray. - -Presently we saw them top the brae in ordered companies. It was bonny to -see them come stringing down the sides of the hills, now going singly -like cattle along a path in the steep places, and now forming into -squadrons and companies on the plain ground. The sunshine sifted -through the thin clouds as through a sieve, and made a strange pale -glittering on their war gear, so that all the country round was lit up -with little sparkling flashes of fire, like the wave tops when the sun -rises out of the eastern sea. - -They had their drums also, though it was the latest of many affronts -that the Kennedys had put holes in all the Crauford drums which were in -the town of Ayr upon the last market day. And this quarrel also had to -be settled. Presently we could see all twelve of the stalwart sons -leading on their vassals from the brown hills. They were a sunburnt -company, because it was about the Lammastide, when the muirmen are wont -to be out all day at the watersides at the winning of the meadow -hay--the crop which is hard to grow, ill to mow, but worst of all to -gather into barn, as the saying goes in the parts of the outland hills. - -It was nine of the morning when the Craufords moved to the attack. All -this while the loathly sow, that was at once provocation and offence, -lay upon a little mound in the midst of our camp, grunting and grumphing -most filthily. The Earl had set a little snipe of a raggetty loon to -stir her up with a pointed stick, so that she should not go to sleep, -but should grunt and disport herself as she ought. Being thus -encouraged, the boy did his work to admiration, and the old grouting -wretch kept up such a snorking and yellyhooing that she could be heard -almost from Dalrymple Kirk to the Mains of Kerse. - -Then there was a pause for parley. Of this I will not write at length, -because it was for the most part but rudeness and dirtiness that were -bandied about and between--each party miscalling the other for greater -thieves and worse murderers than their neighbours. Even in this I do -not think we had the worst of it, for John Dick (whose finger-stump was -well healed) spat out oaths as if for a wager. And Muckle Hugh miscalled -the Craufords in a voice like thunder, as though they had been dogs that -would not run aright upon the hillsides of Kirriemore, in that dear land -which looks towards Galloway. - -Now, I cannot say that I was keen of this particular quarrel. For -though there was some pleasure in making a figure in the great hall at -Kerse, I foresaw but a brawling of clowns and the splattering of -confused fighting without honour or chivalry, in this affair of swine -and blundering _melées_. Yet, because I was there in the place of my -knight, I could do no more than just bear the brunt and abide. - -Presently the Craufords came on with their horsemen first and the -pikemen behind. But the mounted men came not far, for the bog laired -their horses, and they sank deeper and deeper at every step. Then the -footmen came between them and charged up to our foremost lines, so that -we were hand-to-hand and hard at it in a trice. It was not, however, -the work of many minutes to gar them turn about and run, for our front -was solid and broad, while the hackbutt shooters had fine rests for -their guns, so that on a still day they could bring a man down at thirty -yards or more. A good many Craufords were already splattering like -wounded waterfowl in the moss which protected our front. - -After this we had time to look across the Doon Water, from which there -was a crying. And lo! there on the bank stood our late guest, Maister -Robert Bruce, the Minister of Edinburgh. - -But our Earl was now too hot to think of courtesy, so he bade the -minister stop where he was, or come over and take a pike by the end; and -this greeting made me sorry, for he was a grand-looking man, with his -long black cloak and his noble black horse, which, they say, had once -been the King's own charger. - -So I took the great risk of drawing the Earl aside, and urged upon him -that he should call a parley and see what the Minister wanted. This, -very reluctantly, he did, and we could hear Master Bruce speaking from -over the Doon Water clearly, as if he had been in his own pulpit. - -'In the King's name I bid you cease,' he cried; 'and in God's name I -debar and forbid you. If ye persist, I shall deliver you to Satan, so -that ye may learn that it is dangerous to despise authority. - -'Hoot toot, Maister Bruce, the days of curses are by with,' said the -Earl, 'and, besides, the most of us have ta'en a heap of risks afore -noo. We can e'en afford to take another.' - -'I wish to speak,' said the Minister, 'with Crauford of Kerse.' - -'Then gang farther up the waterside and gie a cry. There's nae Craufords -here except dead anes!' said the Earl, who had his daft coat on him that -day, so that we feared he had been bewitched. - -But the young men of the Craufords would have nothing to say to him, -having, as I suspect, no goo for a Minister meddling in the bickerings -of men. - -So he returned and asked Cassillis for one to take him to Kerse. - -'Go, Launcelot,' said the Earl,' and guide him. We will manage somehow -to keep the battle up among us till you return.' - -So, nothing loath to get away from gruntling horror on the knowe top, I -set Dom Nicholas's breast to the river, and was beside the Minister in a -trice. - -As I passed up the waterside I came quite near to David Crauford the -younger. He stelled up the cock of his pistol to shoot at me, but I -held up my hand. - -'I am going to the Kerse to see your father. Have you any word?' I -cried to him. - -For in these quaint times the friendliness and complaisance with which -killing was done will scarce be believed--often with a jest, and, as one -might say, amicably. - -'To see my father?' cried David across the water. 'Ye'll find him -bird-alone. Then tell him that we'll flit the Cassillis sow or it be -dark yet.' - -He turned again to where his brothers were standing in council, looking -often south and north, as though they expected some reinforcement. Then -something came into his mind. - -'Gangs the Minister to Kerse wi' you?' he cried down the wind. I told -him ay. - -'Then,' said he, laughing, 'he is likely to hear my father at his -devotions.' - -I had at that time no inkling of David Crauford's meaning, but before -all was done I learned. - -So Master Robert Bruce and I rode daintily and cannily along the -riverside, till we came to the ford of the mill which is beneath the -house of Kerse. As we rode our horses through the water and slowly up -the bank, and even as we set our heads over the edge, we heard the loud -and wrathful crying of a voice that shook the air. It sounded just as -when, straying by quiet woodland ways, one turns the corner of a cliff -and comes suddenly upon the sea edge, and lo! the roar and brattle of -the waves on the long beaches. - -As we neared the house of Kerse we noted that the words rose and fell, -swaying like the voice of a preacher who has repeated the same prayer -times without number. - -'Did not the young man mention that his father was at his devotion? -Heard ye ever tell that he was a religious person?' asked the Minister -of me. - -I answered him no, but by all accounts the contrary. I told him that I -had once been in the house of Kerse, and that none there (including -myself, I might have added with truth) seemed to be greatly oppressed -with any overload of the Christian virtues. - -When we came near we were aware of a wide and vacant house, all the -doors open to the wall, stables and barn alike void and empty. Not so -much as a dog stirring. But from the house end that looked down the -water, there came the crying of this great voice of one unseen. -Mid-noon though it was, and I with the most noted minister in Scotland -by my side, I declare that I felt eerie. Indeed, I have never cared for -coming on a habited house, when it stands empty with all the furniture -of service left where the folk laid them down, and finding no one -therein. Such a place is full of footfalls and whispers, and a kirkyard -at midnight is not more uncanny, at least not to my thought. - -'It sounds much like a man blaspheming his Maker,' said the Minister. - -We rode round an angle of the wall, where there was a flanking tower; -and there, straight before us, sitting on a high oaken chair under a -green tree, was old David Crauford of Kerse, his head thrown forward, -his hands clenched, his eyes fixed on the brow of the hill over which -his sons had gone--while from his mouth there came an astounding stream -of oaths and cursings, of which, so far as one could grasp it, the main -purpose seemed to be the sending of every Kennedy that ever drew the -breath of life directly and eternally to the abodes of the damned. - -We dismounted leisurely from our horses, and reined them loosely to the -rings in the louping-on stone at the house end. Then Maister Bruce -strode forward and stood in front of the old man, who had never for a -moment noticed us nor ceased from his earth-shaking cursings. - -Not until the tall and dark figure of the Minister had blotted out the -point of the hill towards which he looked, did the old man intermit his -speech. Then he drew his hand slowly across his brow, and threw his -head back as if to distinguish whether it were indeed a living man who -stood before him. - -'I am Robert Bruce, Minister of the Town of Edinburgh,' said my -companion, 'and I come from His Majesty the King of Scotland, to bid you -make an end of this evil and universal regardlessness, which has -polluted the whole country with cruelty and dissension, with public -factions and private deadly feuds--' - -Old David Crauford leaned forward in his chair and set his hand to his -ear, as though he had not heard a word of the Minister's speech. - -'What say ye, man?' he cried, testily, like one who is stayed from his -purpose by childish pranks. - -'I say,' said the Minister, stoutly, 'that the disquieting of the lieges -with jacks, breast-plates, plate-sleeves, and pistols is as much -dishonouring to God as it is distasteful to His Majesty the King--' - -'Hear ye me, my man. Hae ye done?' said old David, glowering at him. - -'Are you a Christian man?' said the Minister, sternly, 'or,' he added, -as if on second thoughts, 'a loyal subject of King James the Sixth?' - -'Christian!' cried the old man with great indignation. 'Do you speer me -gin I am a Christian? Man, do ye no ken that I am an Ayrshireman? An' -as for a loyal subject of King Jamie, man, I hae been four score year -and ten in the world, and proud am I to say that three score and sax o' -them hae been at the King's Horn for rebel and outlaw--an' never a penny -the waur o' either, being ever willing and able to keep my ain heid and -haud my ain land again baith prince and Providence!' - -'Old man,' said the Minister, sternly, 'ken ye that ye speak -blasphemies. Know ye not that for every word ye utter, God shall enter -into judgment with you?' - -'Verra likely,' said David Crauford, drily. 'Stand oot o' my licht, -man, I canna see through ye. Gin ye dinna, this pistol will enter into -judgment wi' you.' - -The Minister stepped aside--not, as I think, at all for fear of the -pistol, but despairing of reaching the conscience of such a seared and -battered heathen. - -Then suddenly the old man rose from his seat as one that sees a heavenly -vision. His face appeared transfigured and shining, and, with his white -hair falling on his shoulders, I declare he looked like the Apostle -Andrew in the Papish window of the High Kirk of Edinburgh. - -'I see him! I see him!' he cried. 'He comes with the tidings of -battle.' - -I looked where he pointed with his eyes, but could see nothing save a -black dot, which seemed to rise and fall steadily. Nevertheless, the -old man spoke the truth. It was, indeed, a swift rider making straight -for the house of Kerse. - -As the man came nearer we saw him spur his horse till it stumbled and -fell at the park dykes, weary or wounded, we could not tell which. This -roused David Crauford, and he shouted to the man who now came on lamely -on foot. - -'Man, is the sow flitted?' he cried. - -The man, peching and blown with his haste, could not answer till he came -near. - -'Is the sow flitted?' again shouted the old man. - -'Oh, Laird Kerse,' cried the messenger, the tears trickling down his -face, 'pity this sorrowfu' day! There has been a waesome slaughter o' -your folk--ten o' them are dead--' - -'Is the sow flitted?' cried Crauford, louder than ever. 'Can you no -answer, yea or nay?' - -'Oh, Kerse, hear me and weep; your braw and bonny son Jock, the flower -of Kyle, is stricken through the heart, and lies cauld and dead on the -ground.' - -'Scoundrel, dolt, yammering calf, answer or die. Is the sow flitted?' -The patriarch stood up on his feet, fiercely threatening the messenger -with his staff. - -'The sow is flitted,' cried the man. That and no more. - -The old man fairly danced in a whirling triumph, cracking his fingers in -the air with joy like a boy. - -'My thumb for Jock!' cried he, 'the sow's flitted!' - -And with that he dropped slack and senseless upon his great chair. - -The Minister took my arm and led me to the louping-on stone. - -'Come away,' he said sadly, 'it is no use. Ephraim hath too long been -joined to his idols. Let him alone. It is as guid Maister Knox -foretold. The Word of God is indeed made of none effect in Kyle and -Carrick.' - - - - - *CHAPTER XIII* - - *THE TRYST AT MIDNIGHT* - - -From Robert Harburgh I got the tidings of the disaster that had befallen -the Cassillis' arms soon after I had ridden away with the Minister of -Edinburgh. The Craufords were in no hurry to come on in spite of all -the taunts of the Earl, and the disordered noise of the foul beast which -for despite he had tied on their lands. - -But they kept outposts on the hills about, and they looked often this -way and that way--even I had seen them. Then began a waving of flags -and crying of words, till once more their line settled into place, and -from the north and the south at once fresh bands of horsemen came riding -towards us. And as they came nearer, the Cassillis folk saw that they -from the North were led on by James Mure the younger of Auchendrayne, -and from the south there came the band of outlaws and robbers that -called Thomas of Drummurchie their captain. On two sides these beset -us, with only the river between, and the Craufords began to gather more -closely than ever on our front. - -Then the Earl remembered that what Dom Nicholas and I had done so easily -in the crossing of the Doon, other men as determined might also do. But -being, as I have said, by nature a brave man, he first awaited the -event. Nor was it long before, at a given signal, Drummurchie and young -Auchendrayne set their horses to the water and came at us through the -bends of the river, in spite of the shots that rained upon them, and the -men that dropped from their seats and spun down the flooded Doon. For -it was soon after the time of the Lammas floods, and the water was yet -drumlie and wan. - -In our front the Craufords raged, and altogether in a trice our position -was wholly turned. - -'This is not well done,' cried our Earl to Thomas of Drummurchie, as he -laid stoutly about him. 'Thy brother had not so have treated his chief, -when he strove with the enemies of the clan. Wolf should not tear wolf, -nor Kennedy Kennedy!' - -In a little it was seen that the promontory could not be kept in face of -a force three times our number, and specially when those of our own name -and ancient alliance were striving against us. - -'Out of the neck of the bottle, and keep together!' cried the Earl, who -on stricken field was no shaveling. - -So with that, Earl John led his people straight across the water at the -point of the land that jutted between the forces of Auchendrayne that -came from the north, and Drummurchie's desperate riders who beset us on -the south. So swiftly was this done that before they could close or the -Craufords come on, most part of the Cassillis folk had passed Doon -water. Though there were twenty at the least who were either drowned or -else wounded to death, where they had fought the wager out on the fair -holms of Dalrymple. - -It so befel as the Minister and I were riding home, that we came on our -little company of Culzean lads riding with tired horses and slack reins -shorewards. And God be thanked for His ill-deserved mercy, in the -quarrel that had been so evilly settled, there was no loss to Culzean. -For we came not home with a single empty saddle, nor was there so much -as a pike staff left behind. The last of it that they heard was the -shouts of the Craufords as they flitted the sow over the water to the -lands of Kennedy, thus clearing their own borders ere set of sun, -according to their boast and promise. - -On the morrow's morn there came to each Kennedy's gate a little -squealing pigling with the Cassillis colours of blue and gold tied in -derision to its curled tail. And round its neck was this motto, 'The -flitted sow of Cassillis hath pigged, and Crauford of Kerse sends the -litter home!' - -And so in like manner was done at the house of every Kennedy that had -men at the fight of the sow-flitting, whether they lived near or far. -But who left them at the yetts, none saw. All which was more likely to -be a ploy of Thomas of Drummurchie or John Mure's than of the -Craufords--who, to do them justice, had small skill in aught save hard -strokes, but plenty of that. For even to this day there is small -civility or scholarship about Kyle Stewart and King's Kyle. - -Now there was no mistaking but that we came home with our fingers in our -mouths, and the countryside jeers at us of Cassillis and Culzean were -many as the leaves of the summer trees. Nor could I win belief that I -had been, by command of the Earl, at the house of Kerse along with the -Minister, instead of on the green inch of Dalrymple by Skeldon haughs. -For, believe it who will, there are many right willing to have a catch -at me; though, God knows, I had never gone out of my way to put a slight -upon any man, nor yet thought more highly of myself than I ought to -think. - -In time, however, the bitterness died down, and at Culzean things went -their wonted quiet way. It is true that Nell Kennedy never so much as -looked the way I was on. I heard that she went about telling everyone -whom she thought would carry the tale to me, that I had gotten the -Earl's sword for procuring the sow of Skeldon, and carrying her over -Doon water on my back. But this was no more than spite, easily seen -through, and I minded it not. For everyone in Carrick knew the cause -why I had gotten the blade from the Earl, who, indeed, is not a man to -give aught for naught, nor yet to bestow where, with honour, he might -withhold. - -But to balance the beam, Marjorie was kinder to me than ever she had -been, so that I thought of a surety that her heart had at last been -touched by love. But as it chanced, I was to get news of that before I -was greatly older. - -As the thing fell out, one night I had been somewhat late out of bed, -visiting of a friend whose name it does not advantage to set down here. -And in the morning, while yet it was dark, I was returning by the rough -shore tracks to the coves, from whence I had to clamber warily up, in -order to reach my ladder of rope which depended, as of old, from the -overhanging turret of the White Tower. - -As I stood to breathe a while in the quiet of the cove, I was aware of -voices that spoke above me, for the sea was quiet and the moon dipping -down to the setting. My thoughts were running at the time on -treasure-seeking, for among the things I had had on my mind that night -there was the matter of the losing of the Kelwood treasure in the House -of the Red Moss. Thinking that I might learn something of importance, I -hasted to clamber in the direction from which came the voices. And as I -glided along the foot of the rocks in the black shadow, I came almost -without warning upon two who stood close together. - -I could not go back. I could not go forward. I could only retreat -sideways as far as the rock would let me, and even then I stood within a -few feet of the speakers. - -At the first words I knew them. It was Marjorie Kennedy of Culzean -talking with Gilbert of Bargany, the enemy of her house and of us all. -The blood settled sharply chill about my heart, and the bitterness of -death seemed to come upon me. The maid to whom my heart had gone out, -to whom I had looked up as my liege lady, was standing here in midnight -converse with the sworn enemy of her race and of her father. - -But I had no time for consideration--none for deciding what I should do. -I was no eavesdropper, yet for my life I could not go forth and confront -them. - -I could hear Gilbert Kennedy's words. They were pleading and passionate -words. - -'Hear me, listen to me, Marjorie,' he said, and I could see his -uncovered head turned towards her where she stood black between me and -the sea, 'I love no one but you. I have sought none but you. Ever -since I was a stripling lad, like your young Launcelot Kennedy, have not -I given you worship and service? Why then do you hate me, despise me, -turn away from me?' - -As I listened my heart rose again in hope. 'Your Launcelot Kennedy,' he -had said. It might be that I, even I, was the cause why Marjorie turned -from him as he said. - -'Gilbert,' said Marjorie Kennedy, and her voice was like the still -waters of a sheltered sea lapping on the wet sands, 'I do not turn from -you. I am not proud with you. If I were, would I be here to-night? -But in spite of this I am trysted to another fate. If there is to be -any use in my life, it is that I may become the sacrifice that is to -compose this quarrel. And it cannot be with you for husband.' - -'And wherefore not?' said Bargany fiercely, striking one hand into the -hollow palm of the other. - -Marjorie put out one of her own hands as if to restrain him. - -'I will put you to the test,' said she; 'if I were Lady Bargany, would -you submit to John, Earl of Cassillis, and be his man, setting aside all -your ancient quarrels, and acknowledging him as your liege lord?' - -'God forbid!' said Bargany, promptly. - -Marjorie put out her other hand for him to take. - -'And I like you the better for it, Gilbert,' she said impulsively. - -Bargany set her fingers to his lips, and held her hands as if he could -never let them go. - -'Then,' said she, 'since this bitter strife and the killing of friends -must somehow be stopped, and since you would not stop it even for -me--who am I that I should not be at my father's command, to give and to -take, to be sold and bought like a beast in the market-place?' - -'Who talks of buying and selling?' interrupted Bargany, roughly. 'Give -me but a look of your eyes, and I will carry you to my house of Bargany, -and see if any dare to take you from the safe keeping of Gilbert -Kennedy.' - -'And my father?' said she, speaking very quietly, but clearly, so that I -heard every word. - -'Your father,' answered Bargany, 'is a good man--too good for such a -crew. He has married one daughter to the young Sheriff of Galloway. -Wherefore not another to his cousin of Bargany? Is not Kennedy of -Bargany, even though he be an enemy, better than any noltish Galloway -laird?' - -'Ah,' said Marjorie Kennedy, softly, 'but there is another reason--' - -'Tell it me and I will answer it,' said Bargany, with a swift -fierceness, for I think he imagined that he was making head against her -scruples. But I had heard her speak in that still way before, and could -have told him different. - -'Isobel Stewart, bower-maiden to the Queen, and the Earldom of -Carrick--they are surely reasons enough!' said Marjorie Kennedy. - -Bargany started as though an adder had stung him. For a moment he -seemed bereft of speech. - -'Who has been lying to you of me?' he said, almost under his breath, as -though the night air had suddenly made him hoarse. - -'Nay, think again,' said Marjorie; 'is it not true? Better a soiled -bower-maiden of the King's court and an earldom with her, than poor -Marjorie Kennedy of Culzean in her smock!' - -I never heard her say a spiteful thing before nor since--but when it -comes to the matter of the Other Woman, all women are alike. - -Bargany stamped his foot in very anger. - -'A fig for dignities, and a rotten fig for Isobel Stewart,' he cried. -'I love but you, Marjorie Kennedy! Will you come to me, so that you and -I may face the world together? For it is a black world and needs two -hearts that can stand by each other.' - -Then betwixt me and the sea (as I have said) I saw Marjorie knitting and -clasping her hands as if her spirit were wrestling within her. - -'Yea, Gilbert,' she said, very gently at last, 'it is as you say, a -black, black world. But neither you nor I are going to better it by the -breaking of trysts and engagements!' - -'And what tryst have you?' he demanded sullenly. - -'I am trysted to sorrow,' she answered, 'trysted for ever to want that -which most I desire, and to have that which most I hate. Gilbert -Kennedy, take my hand this once and hearken. You and I are too greatly -like one another to be happy together. We are not mates born for smooth -things. Sorrow is our dower and suffering our weird, and the pity of it -is that we must dree it apart. I think we are both "fey" to-night,' she -said, breaking off with a change of tone. 'We had best go within.' - -'Within?' said Bargany, scornfully, for he bethought him that he could -never enter the house of Culzean as a friend. - -'Now, Gilbert,' said Marjorie, 'be a man and forgive. Be a man also to -Isobel Stewart, that she may know you a truer man than she has ever met -in King's courts--ay, truer and nobler, as I think you, than the King -himself. And let me go my way....' She covered her face with her hands -and stood a space silent and bowed. 'Let me go my way!' she said again. -And so would have gone from him. - -But Gilbert Kennedy had her in his two arms and was kissing her mouth, -and that often and passionately. - -'No,' he said, 'I will not let you go. I will take you in spite of -all--though there were at Culzean a thousand fathers--at Cassillis a -thousand earls!' - -She withdrew herself from him with quiet dignity, yet without anger. - -'But you will not take me in spite of one Marjorie Kennedy,' she said. - -Then at this, quick as a musket flash, Bargany turned on his heel and -tramped angrily down the shingle of the shore, his sword clanking and -his spurs ringing, as careless who might hear as if he had been crossing -the paved court of his own house of Bargany. - -And Marjorie Kennedy stood still and watched him go, her hands pressed -to her bosom, as though it needed both to still the dreadful beating of -her heart. - -'I love him! I love him!' she cried to the stillness, when he was quite -gone. 'Oh, that he might trample me, that his hand might slay me, so -that in death he might lift up my head and say once again, "I love -you."' - -And so she also passed away within. - -Then I, in my corner, where I had been an unwilling hearkener, set my -face between my knees and thought that the world would never be bright -again. For I had heard that which I had heard, and I knew now that -Marjorie, my Lady Marjorie, would never know love for me while the world -lasted. - -Nevertheless, I rose up and clambered aloft to reach my rope ladder. I -climbed over the rocks, thoughtlessly, heedlessly, and I scraped my shoe -so that it sounded loud in the still night. Suddenly I saw something -bright above me, the flicker of a white robe. I had nearly fallen, -thinking that the appearance might be a spirit of the darkness. - -'Dinna be feared, night-raker,' said a voice I knew well; 'it is only -Nell Kennedy. Think ye that none can climb up the W hite Tower besides -yourself?' - -I was so greatly astonished that I could not speak at once. - -'What may you be doing there at this time of the morning, Nell?' I said -at last. - -'Just like yourself--trying to find a quiet way to my bed,' said she; -'but I must hasten, or I shall be late to let in Marjorie.' - -'What Marjorie,' said I, pretending that I knew nothing of the matter. - -'Lie to other folk gin ye like, Spurheel,' said the madcap, -contemptuously, 'but dinna think ye can lie to Nell Kennedy. I saw ye -come from the hole down by the Cove.' - -'But what do you here, Nell?' said I, for it might be that the mad -lassie had a lad, and it seemed a terrible thing that she should be so -misguided at her age as to meet him alone by night. - -'Maybe I was down by seeing Kate Allison, the Grieve's lassie,' said -she. 'Do you honestly think, Spurheel, that Helen Kennedy would permit -a sister of hers to gang jooking here and there about the shore wi' a -bonny young man at the dead of nicht all by her lone? It is not very -likely.' - -I said no more. It was not easy to argle-bargle with Nell Kennedy. - -'And now betake yourself up the rope to your garret,' she said, 'and I -will follow after, for I must let our Maidie in by the east door or it -grows light.' - -I motioned her to go first, but she turned on me in great indignation. - -'Hear ye, Spurheel, up wi' ye! And if ye so much as set your nose oot -o' your window when I am on the rope, it will no be telling you.' - -So I climbed up and shut-to the window, and long before I was settled in -bed I heard the two sisters talking softly together in the room beneath. -So I knew that Nell Kennedy had carried out her mad ploy. - - - - - *CHAPTER XIV* - - *THE ADVENTURE OF THE GARDEN* - - -I need not tell all the reasons why my well-beloved and kindly master, -Sir Thomas Kennedy, had grown to be hated with a deadly feud by all the -ill-conditioned of the Bargany faction, saving indeed by Gilbert Kennedy -of Bargany himself. For one thing, my master was the man of the best -and wisest counsels among all the supporters of Cassillis. He had many -virtues, being well-liked wherever he went for kindliness and -courteousness. Also he was a man of good principles and religion, so -far as the times permitted, and indeed somewhat beyond, as he found to -his own bitter cost or all was done. - -Still more, my master Culzean was never one to suspect evil of any man, -and was ever prone to cover wrack and ruin by over-trust and -graciousness. - -The first act of a great and wide conspiracy to compass his death was -now to be played, for Thomas of Drummurchie, the brother of young -Bargany, was not of so lofty a spirit as his chief. Indeed, to speak -plainly, he was no better than an assassin and a common bully. He -caused all the country-side to lie in terror for fear of him, being -great with none, save only with the Lairds of Auchendrayne,--which was a -strange thing considering their outward profession of strict honour. - -It happened that there was a worthy knight, an indweller in the town of -Maybole, Sir Thomas Nisbett by name, who was a crony of my master -Culzean. Now, it was the practice for the gentry of the neighbourhood -during the winter, to enter in and dwell within the town of Maybole in -many pretty and well-built houses of freestone, diverting themselves -during the dead time of the year with converse together in each other's -houses. These stand for the most part in the chief street of Maybole, -and have fine gardens attached to them. Of them all, that of the Earl -of Cassillis, is the largest, but the one belonging to my master Culzean -is but little behind it in beauty and convenience. - -But Sir Thomas Kennedy bode little about his house in Maybole, chiefly -because his lads and lasses loved most to remain at Culzean, where the -cliffs are and the sea spreads wide, clattering pleasantly on the rocks, -and with the birds blithely swirling and diving about it all the year -round. And of this I also was glad, for to live in a town is a thing I -cannot abide for any long time, being bred to the life of the hills and -to the wind in my face. - -Now, on this New Year's Day, it so happened that this Sir Thomas Nisbett -had invited my master, being, as I say, a crony of his own, and of an -age with him, to sit down at supper in his house in Maybole. So Culzean -took horse and a small attendance, of whom I was the chief, and rode -over to bide the night in Maybole town, meaning to lodge in his own -house, and in the morning return to his Castle of Culzean. - -My master was a mightily curious man in one particular. He could not -abide any repair of people coming and going with him on his journeyings. -And if in a quieter time he had gotten his will, he would have ridden -here and there without any attendance whatever--so kindly and -unsuspicious of evil was his nature. On the New Year night he had -bidden me to remain within doors, because, as he said, he knew his way -home full well from Sir Thomas Nisbett's house. Also, I suspect, he -wished me not to observe whether he retained his usual walk and -conversation, after seeing the New Year in with the Provost and the -other Sir Thomas, for the custom of Maybole was exceedingly hospitable. - -New Year's Day had been dark and gloomy. The promise of oncoming foul -weather was in the feel of the raw, drooky air. No sooner was it dark -than a smurr of rain began to fell, very wetting and thick, so that even -with torches it had been impossible to see many paces. We reached our -lodging at the town house of Culzean before the night had set in, and as -the supper was at six of the clock, it was no long time before my master -took his way to Sir Thomas Nisbett's house. He left me seated by the -fire with a book of chronicles of the wars to read. As soon, however, -as he had issued forth upon the street, I took my bare sword in my hand, -and by another door I sallied forth also. For in such a town as Maybole -there are always ill-set folk that would gladly do an injury to a -well-kenned and well-respected man like my master. And much more now -when the feud had waxed so hot and high. - -But it chanced that Sir Thomas, so soon almost as he set foot over the -doorstep, greeted his fellow-guest, the Provost of the town--who, as -became his office, had with him one to hold the tail of his furred gown -out of the clarty mud, and also a lad with a torch running before him. -Nevertheless, I followed on in that darker dusk which succeeds the glare -of a torch. On our way we had to pass through the garden behind the -house of Sir Thomas Nisbett, which was full of groset bushes, divided by -high hedges of yew and box. I came softly after them, and abode still -by the gate when the Provost and his train had passed through with our -good knight in their midst. The pair of them were talking jovially -together as they went, like men with toom kytes that know they are going -in to be filled with good cheer. - -'I declare I am as hungry as a moudiewort in a black frost,' said the -douce Provost. 'I haena seen meat the day. What wi' hearkening to auld -wives denouncing ane anither for kenned and notour witches, and sending -men of the tribes of little Egypt to the Tolbooth, my life has no been -my ain.' - -My master laughed loudly and heartsomely. - -'It is weel to be hungry and ken o' meat,' he replied, in the words of -the well-kenned proverb. - -And the pair of them laughed with their noses in the air, easily -mirthful like men that strengthen themselves with the comfortable smell -of dinner blown through an open door. - -But I question much whether they had laughed so heartily if they had -seen what I saw at that moment. And that was a face looking over the -height of the yew hedge--a face wrapped about the mouth with a grey -plaid and with a grey brimmed hat pulled close down over the eyes. As -the flickering of the torch died out at the entering in of the house -door, I saw the man raise his hand in a warning and forbidding gesture, -as though he made a signal to men who could see him, but who were hidden -from my sight. - -This was enough for me. I resolved that those who plotted evil behind -backs should have to war with Launce Kennedy, who, at least, was no mean -foe, and one not given to wearing his eyes under his coat. - -Not for a moment after this could I leave the garden, for one of the -villains might have gone to the window and shot at my master through the -glass--as one had done years before to good Maister John Knox (who, as I -have heard tell, reformed religion in this land) on an evening he sat -quietly reading his book and drinking of his ale in his own house in the -High Street of Edinburgh. - -So I got me into an angle of the garden and climbed a wall, which, being -grown with ivy, was a good and safe post of vantage. From thence I -could overlook the whole enclosure. After a little my eyes became better -accustomed to the darkness. The lights from the windows also made a -faint glimmering athwart the hedges, and I could distinctly see men -darning themselves into their hiding-places, and getting ready their -pistols and hackbutts. - -Even as I sat there on the wall and froze, a plan came into my head -which sent the blood surging through my veins, like the tide scouring -the gut of Solway. I remembered that Sir Thomas Kennedy was at no time -very active on his legs, and what with the income in his knee and the -good wine under his belt, he would assuredly be in no key for running -when he issued forth. - -Also they were certainly many who lay in wait for him. I counted at -least five moving about in the faint light. So I mounted the top of the -ivied wall, and slid down the outside, landing heavily on my hinderlands -in a ditch. I stole round to the gable door of Nisbett's house, and -told the manservant that I had come to see my master, whereupon they -permitted me to go up to the room on the first storey, where the guests -were already set down at the banquet. I knew well that it was no use -speaking to my lord, but I did venture to call out the host, Sir Thomas -Nisbett, whose head was stronger and whose heart more readily suspicious -than those of the Laird of Culzean. - -Him I told how the matter stood, whereupon he wished to speak to the -Provost and to call the town officers. But I assured him that these -determined assassins in the yard could render an account of the town -guard twice told over. - -'So,' said I, 'I have this to propose to you in a word. When the time -comes for the guests to depart, you will detain my master--and the -Provost, too, if you can.' - -'Ere I have done with them they will not move far to-night, or my name -is not Thomas Nisbett,' said the host, nodding his head, for these were -the manners and hospitalities of the time. - -'And you will lock them in a secure place till the morning!' - -'But,' said Nisbett, 'will not the villains attack my house? If it be -as you say, they have assurance for everything.' - -I told him that they might very well do that, but that if he gave me a -mailed coat with plate sleeves, and also kneecaps of steel, together -with my arms and cap, I thought I could make a race for it and carry -them all off along with me. - -'But, laddie,' he cried, 'ye gang to your death!' - -I told him not so, for that even when accoutred I was a notable runner, -and could course like a hare. - -'And in any case, better Launce Kennedy be dead than Culzean, or the -Provost and yourself, Sir Thomas Nisbett. What would happen to the town -and countryside then?' - -'Ay, better that,' he said very sententiously, at which I could scarce -forbear but smile, for the very simplicity of the man was such that he -not only counted his life worth more than mine, but expected me to do -the same. However, it was not concerning him, but of my master and my -master's children that I thought. What mattered little to a Kennedy of -Kirrieoch, mattered greatly to Sir Thomas Kennedy, Tutor of Culzean. -Yet I know not that I had any great fear of failure, for I had thus far -won off scot-free, even when in the general engagement our faction had -gotten the worst of it. And so I thought to do always. - -The evening wore on like eternity, and I had many a thought in my heart, -though but few of them were sad or waesooie, for I was too young. Most -of all I prayed that I might bear myself well, and in some shape at -least carry the matter through without dishonour. - -When the Provost and my master had well drunken and eaten yet more, -their host stole away from them on a pretext, and came to the chamber -where I sat in darkness, planning how to make my way through the garden. - -He brought me presently the equipment of which I had need, and of his -own accord added another pistol of admirable French workmanship. For -France is ever the country for good ordnance of all sorts--from the -pistolet which Sir Thomas Nisbett gave me to the cannons that dang down -the Castle of Saint Andrews about the heads of Normand Leslie and his -crew. - -'Gin ye live ye kin keep the pistol,' he said, as one that did me a vast -kindness. - -Then over my steel cap I set the great broad hat of Sir Thomas of -Culzean, and did his cloak about me. - -It was now the time to go, and I tell you true, my heart beat a pretty -tune to dance to as I stood at the back of the door--with my host hiding -well in the rear, lest they should nick him by firing as the light -within showed me plain in the doorway. - -So I ordered the lamp to be removed and the door to be opened. Then my -host bade me adieu in a loud, hearty tone, and said that he would come -round and visit me in the morning. It was with a bitter sort of joy, -not wholly unpleasant, that I heard the door clash sharply to behind me. -I had my sword in my right hand and my pistol ready bent in the other. -And I bethought me how many would have risked the same wager of battle. - -There was a light flickering somewhere in the town--belike a party -passing homeward with torches from a merry making, or some of the -bonfires lighted for the inbringing of the New Year. I could see my -friend of the beckoning hand now standing erect with his plaid about -him. He was the same I had seen at the burning of the Bible when I was -but a boy in the courtyard of Ardstinchar, and, I doubted not, the Grey -Man of our later troubles. - -I knew that the sharpshooters would be placed in the alleys of the -garden. Indeed, I had seen them pass to their situations, and observed -that they had their hackbutts carefully pointed at the path along which -I must pass. So instead of walking directly down the main road to the -gate, I made believe to stumble on the threshold, and to recover myself -with an exclamation of pain, in order that I might divert them into -waiting till I should come their way. For I must perforce pass by the -mouths of their muskets so close that they could not miss. - -But instead of taking the main avenue, I darted sideways along the -narrower path which led round the garden's edge, and there, cowering in -the angle, I waited for what should happen. In their hurry and surprise -I heard one hackbutt go off with a crash, and the light from the touch -lit up the garden. Then in the darkness that followed I ran further -down the walk towards the outer gate. In the midst I came upon a fellow -who kneeled with his musket upon a stick, trained upon the middle path -by which they had hoped that Culzean would come. Then with my sword I -stuck the hulking villain through that part of him with which I came -most readily in contact. What that might be, I declare that I know not -until this day. Only I judged that it could not have been a very mortal -one, by the vigour with which he cried out. - -Then indeed there was confusion and deray to speak about. I saw the -form of the Grey Man, whom I had observed directing the ambush, rise -from the further dyke-side. He spoke sharply like one that cries -orders, and at the word many men came rushing pell-mell to see what was -the cause of the hideous outcry on that side of the garden where I was. - -But I overstepped the carcase of the rascal into whom I had set my good -blade, and most circumspectly made my way down the side of the wall -unseen of any. - -But when I had advanced as far as the way out by the single gate, my -fate came, as it were, to the stern and deadly breach. For there were -marksmen who had their pieces trained on that place. With my own eyes I -had seen them set themselves in position. Nevertheless, the noise -behind waxed so imminent that I drew a long breath, and sprang at the -opening. As I went through, ten or twelve pieces at the least, both -pistolets and hackbutts, were loosed off against me. I heard the -bullets splash, splash all about my legs and body, and one that had -bounded from the lintel of the door-post, dunted me on the breastplate, -which it was a God's mercy I had minded to wear. Yet for all I escaped -wholly unscathed. - -Outside the gate there were two fellows that withstood me, and I had -small time to ask whether they were friends or foes. So, to make -siccar, I speered no catechisms of them, but only shot off my pistol -into one of the thickest parts of one, setting the muzzle almost to his -belt, and with yet more gladness gave the other a sound iron thrust in -the shoulder. For all my life I have loved the point more than the -edge--and a thousand times better than the powder and lead--which is an -uncertain hit-or-miss thing at best. - -I cleared the yett, sprang through, and there I had it down the High -Street of Maybole with the bullets spelking about me like hailstones, -and chance night-wandering burghers scudding for their doors like conies -on the sandy knowes. - -I heard the fierce rush of men behind me, and looking over my shoulder I -saw some ten running my way with their swords drawn in their hands. So -I knew that it was likely there would be one among them who could outrun -me, having war-gear upon me and that not all mine own. With that I -undid the cloak of the Laird of Culzean, my master, and let it fall; and -so much lightened I sped on till, near to the house of one Matthew -M'Gowan, they fairly ran me to earth. - - - - - *CHAPTER XV* - - *A MIDNIGHT LEAGUER* - - -The place of my refuge was a summer-house set in a garden, and mostly -made of wood. But it had three feet of stonework about the walls, which -chance fortifications, as I think, saved my life. Then I praised the -forethought with which I had brought with me abundant powder and shot in -the horns I had slung at my girdle. I also remembered to thank -Providence for misdirecting the bullets as I ran out of the garden door. - -Here in this small child's playhouse it was my fortune to stand such a -siege as mayhap never man stood before. And of that I shall tell, so -that all may judge and see whether the reward which the Earl of -Cassillis afterwards obtained for me, was at all out of keeping (as some -allege) with the services which I, Launce Kennedy, sometime esquire, -rendered to him and his house. - -Yet I did the thing for love and by no means for reward. Ay, and -largely without thought also. For such was the spirit of the times, -that wagers of battle were accepted lightly to spite one and overpass -another, like children that play Follow-my-leader upon the street. - -So I lay in my summer-house, behind the low breastwork of stone, while -above me the bullets rattled through the frail woodwork like hailstones -that splash into still water. - -Lying thus prone, I charged my pistols--a thing which, from long -practice, I could do very well in the dark, and gazed out through the -open windows that looked every way. What I suffered from most was the -want of light upon the approaches of my castle at the top of the garden. -For I was placed upon a little hill, and the ground sloped in every -direction from me. Yet even this advantage of position did me little -good, for the light was too uncertain to show me those that might come -against me. And more than all, this uncertainty put me in a sweat lest -I should shoot at shadows and allow the real enemy that came to invade -and slay me to pass harmless, so that they would break upon me before I -was aware. - -Occasionally, however, the light that burned somewhere in the town cast -glimmerings over the garden, and then I could see dark figures that -crouched and scudded behind bushes and sheltered ayont the trunk of -every leafless tree. After that God-sent illumination grew brighter, I -think it is not too much to say that each time I got a fair chance at an -enemy, there was one rascal the fewer alive--or at least one that had a -shot the more in him. It cheered me to see them crawling out of the -range of my ordnances as if they had been few and I a host. - -Most of all I aimed, with the deadliest and most prayerful intent to -kill, at the tall man in the cloak, whom I had seen from the first -directing the ploy. Time and again I believed that I had him, but upon -each occasion it was some meaner rogue that bore the brunt. - -Thus I held my own with Sir Thomas's French pistol laid aside ready for -them if they came with a rush, and my own for common use to load and -fire again withal, till the barrels almost scorched me with the heat. -Also I kept my sword ready to my hand, for when it comes to the edge of -death, I put more confidence in my blade than in all the ordnance in the -land. Though Heaven forbid that I should speak against the pistolet, -when that very night I had so often owed my life to it. My chief hope -now was that the Provost of the place, who had been a guest with Sir -Thomas, might escape and rouse the townsfolk. The people of Maybole -loved not the Barganies greatly, but, on the contrary, were devoted to -the service of my master Culzean, because of his kindliness of -disposition, and the heartsome way he had of calling them all 'Sandy' -and 'Jeems,' according to their Christian name, a thing which goes a far -road in Scotland. - -It so happened just then that the fire that did me so much good--which, -as I afterwards learned, was lighted by one of my enemies for frolic in -the wood-yard of one Duncan Crerar, millwright--burned up a little and -cast a skarrow over the garden where I was. When it was at its -brightest, there came four fellows running up the brae all with their -swords bare in their hands, so that it seemed that I was as good as -dead, for it was manifestly impossible that I could withstand them all. -But I minded the saying of a great captain of the old wars, 'Stop you -the front rank, and the second will stop of itself.' So I took good and -careful aim with my pistols at the two fellows that led the charge, and -fired. The first of them tossed his blade in the air, spun about like a -weathercock and fell headlong, while the other, lamed in his leg, as it -appeared, tried to crawl back down the hill again. The two that came -behind were no little daunted by this fall. Nevertheless, they still -came on, but I cried out as loud as I could, 'Give me the other pistols, -Sir Thomas, and I shall do for these two scoundrels also!' - -At which they gave back in great astonishment and ran, I make no doubt, -to tell their masters that they had to do with more than one old man -well lined with sack and canary. Then in the breathing space I charged -my pistols again, and cried to the fellow that was limping along the -ground by the back of my summer-house,-- - -'Link it, my lad, back to your master, or I shall put another bullet in -ye, in a place where it will stop you from groaning and hirpling there -at my lug!' - -For I understood well that he desired to take me in the rear. - -At this moment there happened a thing surprising. I saw a tall, dark -figure overleap a wall at the side from which the shots came thinnest. -I saw it stoop and lay fire to something that was darker than itself, -when instantly there arose from the pile of millwright's shavings and -kindling wood a clear light which caused all the garden to be seen -without any difficulty. - -Then the tall, unknown figure, which seemed yet unaccountably familiar -to me, walked slowly up the middle walk toward the summer-house, the -pistols cracking all about, and the bullets splashing faster than ever -upon the roof and sides of my shelter. - -Then I saw who it was. - -'Run for it, Robert Harburgh,' I cried. 'Man, you are mad.' - -But I declare he never altered by a single pulse-beat his deliberate -advance. At the door he paused as one that upon the threshold would -turn to kick a yelping cur. Then giving the sharpshooters a wave of his -hand in contempt, he entered and shut the door. - -'Saint Kentigern's fish and a thousand devils,' said I, 'I am not feared -of any man, but there is no sense in foolhardiness, Robert. Come in out -of reach of their bullets this moment, thou fool!' - -'Ah,' he returned to me, 'I had as lief die and be done with it.' - -'But then I would not, for my stomach is in good order,' replied I, -swiftly, 'so lie down on thy belly and at the least help me to keep -alive, for I am most consumedly anxious to keep my body from proving -leaky by the entering in of bullets.' - -So, obediently he laid him down, watching one side of our cunning -defences. He told me that he had heard what was a-doing--how that the -Mures and Drummurchies, together with Sawny Bean, the savage carl that -was called of the common people 'The Earl of Hell,' had gotten the Laird -of Culzean in a little summer-house in a walled garden and were there -worrying him to death. - -'So,' said Harburgh, 'having nought better to do, I primed my pistols -and came.' - -The firing upon us grew hotter than ever. We seemed at times to be -closed within a ring of fire. Yet neither of us were the least hurt, -save that a chip from the edge of a stone, driven off by a bullet, had -struck me on the cheek and made it bleed. - -When the fire which Robert Harburgh had lighted burned up, we that were -marksmen lost no chances at any who showed so much as an arm or a leg. -And many of those murderous rascals whom we did not kill outright (not -having a fair chance at them from their lying in shelter and other -causes), were at least winged and sore damaged, so that we judged that -there would be some roods of lint bandage required about Drummurchie and -Auchendrayne on the morrow. - -Outside we heard a great and growing turmoil and the sound of many -voices crying 'To the death with the murderers! Break down the doors!' - -It was the noise of the people who had risen in the night and were -coming to help us. For in a moment the gate of the yard was broken -down, and a rout of men in steel caps and hastily-donned armour came -pouring in. And it had been comical to watch the array, if our urgent -business had allowed. For some had put on a breastplate over their -night gear; some fought like Highlandmen in their sark-tails, which, on -the night of the New Year, must have been breezy wear; while others -again had snatched a hackbutt and had forgotten the powder, so that now -they carried the weapon like a club by the barrel. - -Before these angry levies our cruel invaders vanished like smoke, as -though they had never been, clambering over walls and scurrying through -entries. But it is reported that several of them were sore hurt in thus -escaping--indeed, here and there throughout the town were no fewer than -five dead and six wounded, chiefly in the two gardens where I had been -compelled to discharge my pistols. - -Robert Harburgh stepped out of the summer-house before them all, -stretching his limbs. - -''Tis a cramped, ungodly place, friends,' he said. 'After all, it is -better to fight in the open and risk it!' - -'Where is the Laird of Culzean?' cried some that knew him not. 'If ye -cannot show us the laird, ye shall die forthwith!' - -'Nay,' replied Harburgh, 'concerning that I ken not. 'Tis not in my -province, being general information. My parish is fighting, not the -answering of questions. Come hither, Launce, and tell them of thy -master!' - -Whereat I came forth and told them of the cruel plot and the attack upon -Sir Thomas at Nisbett's house. But they would not be satisfied till -they had gone there and found him. Nothing would do but that he should -show himself unhurt and speak a word to them at the window. Which, -being of short-grained temper and with a monstrous headache, he was most -loath to do. But Robert Harburgh, who had experience of suchlike, being -before his marriage a great man of his cups, poured water upon his head, -and, having dried it by rubbing, he brought him to the window, where he -spoke to the people as his kindly friends and neighbours, and thanked -them for their affection. - -'Nay,' cried one, 'thank your own young squire, who has to-night ta'en -your life upon him.' - -So the people of Maybole, for the honest and honourable love which they -bore us, abode under arms till the morning, and searched all the town -for the murdering ruffians of Drummurchie. Yet they found them not, for -such always have a back door to escape by. - -In the morning, Sir Thomas called for his hat and cloak, and when they -were brought he started in wonder and cried, 'What, in the name of the -shrunk shanks of the Abbot of Crossraguel, is the meaning of this hole?' - -Then Robert Harburgh said, ''Tis but an airy summer suit that Launcelot -wore last night, when he went forth among those that sought to kill the -Laird of Culzean.' - -My master stared without comprehending. But when he fully understood, -he clasped me in his arms. - -'God knows,' he said, 'I would give my right hand, if I could believe -that I had a son who would ever do as much for me. Those I have are -good for naught but golf and stool-ball.' - -Wherein by his hasty words he did his honest, silly lads much wrong. - - - - - *CHAPTER XVI* - - *GREYBEARDS AND DIMPLE CHINS* - - -One Sabbath morn there came an unwonted message to me, as I sat -lingering and idle in the armoury of Culzean. I had cleaned my own -graith and oiled the pistols--which I regularly did on the Sabbath -morning whenever I did not go to the kirk at Maybole. Now, this -particular day of which I speak, I was idly conning the leaves of a -song-book full of trifling, vain, and amatorious lilts and catches--some -of them very pleasant, however, and taking to the mind. It ought to -have been my psalm-book that I was at, God forgive me; but since -ballad-book it was, why, even so will I set it down here. - -And the message that came was by the mouth of a kind of jackal or -lickpot of John Dick's--who, for reasons of his own, hated me, chiefly -because I took no share in the foulness of him and his subservient crew. -This youth was of so little worth, that in all the transactions of this -book he has not once come into the narrative--though as I now remember -he was at the tulzie in Edinburgh, and also at the flitting of the sow. -On both occasions he was the first to run. - -The name of him was Colin Millar, an ill-favoured, envious, upsetting -knave, compact of various ignorances and incapacities. And there needs -no more to be said about him. - -'There is a man wanting to see you down at Sandy Allison's, the -Grieve's,' he said. - -Then he looked at me with the cast in his eye as crooked as a paddock's -hind leg, and says he, 'The tat will be in the fire now, I'm thinking. -They tell me that it is the Minister!' - -I knew very well what the ill-tongued hound meant. So right gladly -without a word I set the knuckles of my hand, Sabbath morning though it -was, against his ugly face in a way that would leave a mark for a day or -two. - -'Take you that, dog,' I said to him, 'and learn to keep a more ruly -member in your insolent head. Think not that you are John Dick, though -you carry his dirty slanders. As the wild boar gnashes its tushes, so -the little piglings squeak!' - -And as he went away, lowering and snarling, I had a mind to go after him -and give him something more than my knuckles. For the thing he meant -was a lie of the devil, lighted at his furnace and spewed out of the -reek of his pit. - -But as I went to the door there came a poor lad from the stable with the -same message--that there waited one for me at the house of Sandy -Allison, the Grieve. - -So I knew that the dog Millar had not invented the whole matter. -Whereupon I looked carefully to my gear, did a new doublet upon me -(because it was the Sabbath day) and girt me with a sash of blue, coft -in Edinburgh and never before worn. Then setting my sword in its -sheath, I went out through the woods, which were now grown leafless and -songless. - -There was a brisk air of winter, crisp without rawness, in the breeze, -and I was glad to be out of doors; for since the matter of the meeting -with Gilbert Kennedy, which by ill chance I had seen, both Marjorie and -Nell came seldom my way. Which is, perhaps, why I looked so well to my -apparelling ere I went to the Grieve's house. For a lad wearies for the -speech of women-folk, and if he gets not one kind--why, he will seek -another. - -But now, when I come to think of it, I need not have troubled so to deck -myself. For after the corner is turned and the long lane leads straight -to the garden of roses, a woman cares not whether a man be clothed in -dishclouts or whether he glitters like a bridegroom in cloth of gold. - -So when I came near to the house there issued forth to meet me Kate -Allison, which seemed to me like ancient days come back, and my heart -beat in a fashion I never thought to feel again. For a burnt stick is -easily lighted, and Kate Allison was, without doubt, both bonny and -kind. She was waiting for me at the corner of the barn like one that has -an assignation. So when she came near me she put her hands roguishly -behind her, and said, 'Launce Kennedy, you are a false, deceitful lad, -and no true lover. But think ye not that I care a pin, for I have -gotten a braw lad of my own, and no thanks to you. Ye can get the Lady -Marjorie to convoy hame next year from the Maybole Fair.' - -And her speech made me glad, for she dropped me a courtesy and pretended -to march off. So I knew full well that if she had not been heart-whole -and at ease about all doubtful matters, she would have greeted me very -differently. So, as I say, I was glad. Yet presently I liked it not so -well as I expected, for though men are often false to their loves, they -never understand how their loves can change from loving them. I knew -well that Kate would, if not meddled with, immediately return to tell me -what had befallen, and why it was that they had sent for me. - -Which indeed was just what she did. - -'We have gotten a mighty grave man here with us, who came to our house -last night at e'en. We wanted to send word to the castle to Sir Thomas; -but the man said that he had had enough of the Kennedies to last him his -lifetime, and that he would put up with us, if we could make shift to -give him a bed. He is a man of a majestic and noble countenance, and -when he had come within, he took a Bible from his wallet, and tairged us -tightly on the histories of the wars of the Jews and on points of -doctrine.' - -'Ye would be fit for that,' said I to her, laughing, 'for most of our -discourse has been upon points of doctrine and practice--though I mind -not that we touched upon the wars of the Jews. We had ever wars enough -of our own. Was it not so, sweet Kate?' - -And I would have taken her by the waist, for that is ever the way, as I -have just been reading in my song-book, to punish a woman, when like a -pretty scold, she slanders her love. So, as the London stage catch hath -it, I forgave her for it. Yet for all she would by no means permit me to -come near her--which I was mortally sorry for. Because though I wanted -her to change, I desired her not to change so mightily as all that. - -'Na, na,' she said, 'and that's by with. Kate Allison needs no general -lovers. Wear you your own lady's favours; I can get them that loe me -and none other, to wear mine.' - -I pursued the subject no further at that time, meaning, however, to -return to it. For a man likes not to see the things which have been -freely his slipping from him like corn through a wide-meshed riddle. It -makes his mind linger after things long past, and he begins to think -them sweeter than any favours that ever he had, even when all the garden -was most fully his to wander in and cull at his lordly pleasure. - -Too soon for my liking, therefore, we came to the door of the Grieve's -house, which was but a wide kitchen with two smaller rooms off it. I -heard a voice uplifted as it seemed in prayer, and I bethought me with -shame of my so late mean and earthly thoughts; but I looked at Kate -Allison, and she was so pleasant to look upon that I found excuses for -myself. - -Then the prayer being done we went in, and they told the man in the -inner room that that same Launcelot Kennedy, for whom he had inquired, -was come. - -So in a moment there came forth from the inner chamber, even as I had -expected, Maister Robert Bruce. He wore his long, black cloak, and his -fine, cloth coat showed soberly beneath it. His hat was on his head, -which he doffed for a moment to Kate Allison and her mother, and then -set on again. He bade them excuse him, for that he had much business to -talk with me. I followed him out, and as I passed Kate, methought she -looked disappointed that I should go thus soon. So, the corners of her -mouth being down, and her mother's back turned, I put my hand beneath -her chin, and plucked at the loose slip-knot of her bonnet, which was a -pretty quipsome thing that haymakers use, but prettier on her than on -any of them. Whereat she flashed forth a great, sharp pin and set it -spitefully in my arm, which also was a pleasing habit of hers. But all -was innocent and friendly enough, and my only excuse for thinking more -of daffing with Kate Allison than of listening to the grave converse of -Maister Robert Bruce, is that then I was nearing nineteen years of my -age--which, as you all do know, is a time when maids' dimples are more -moving than the wisdom of the sages. - -That is all mine excuse, and, as well I wot, but a poor one. Yet when -once Maister Bruce had me in the wood, taking me by the arm, the majesty -of his countenance and the moving fervour of his voice so worked upon me -that in good sooth I thought of naught but what he said. - -He told me that he was resolved to depart out of this land of Carrick -and Kyle, which might have been the Garden of Eden if it were not -inhabited by devils. He had come no speed at reconciling the parties at -feud, even as I could have told him before he began. - -'When I had thought,' he said, 'that I had made some way in softening -the heart of Gilbert Kennedy, who vaunts himself to be sincerely -attached to me--and I do believe it--I said to him that he ought, for -the settling of the quarrel, to give in his submission to his liege -lord, the Earl of Cassillis. In a moment comes the fire into his eyes, -the anger grows black in his heart, and all my good words are undone. I -think you Kennedies are all of you possessed with evil spirits, even as -it was in the days of the Gadarene out of whom Christ cast many devils.' - -He paused a moment, and then continued,-- - -'So the name of the devils of Carrick is Legion, for they are very -many!' - -Then, being sorry that he should so speak of those who, after all, were -my master's kin and in a manner my own--for all the world knows that a -blood feud is a thing acknowledged in the Bible, as one may see when -David lay on his deathbed--I asked him how I could serve him, in order -that I might stay his abuse of that which he did not understand. - -'You may wonder,' he went on, 'that I choose to speak in confidence to -one that is but an esquire, and, I hear, as ready with his sword in the -quarrel as any of them. But at least you are not like the rest, -occupied entirely with the safety of your own skin, and unwilling to -look the matter in the face. - -I told him that I did not wonder at all that he was willing to speak to -me, for that I could keep my counsel truly and well. - -'Faith, and I believe that,' he cried, 'if it were only your -self-conceit of being able to do it.' - -But I understood not at all what he meant, for if there is anything that -I am conspicuously lacking in, it is this very quality of self-conceit. - -'Hear ye, then, and mark well my words,' said the Minister of Edinburgh. -'There is a man in this country who is at the root of all the blood and -all the slaughter, and who, if he be not curbed, will yet do tenfold -more mischief. Your master thinks that he can bribe him to friendship; -well, I am no judge of men, if the man is to be bribed at any price -beneath the sole power and sway of all this wild country of the west.' - -'It is Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany that you mean,' said I, for I own I -was jealous of his good name, enemy though he was. - -'Gilbert Kennedy is but a hammer in this man's hand. Your good knight -here at Culzean is but a spoon for him to sup with. And the only man -that sees through him (and that but partially) is your joker-headed -Earl, whose keen care for the merks, the duties, and the tacks, makes -him somewhat clearer in the eye than the rest of you.' - -'And who is this plotter?' said I. - -He stopped and looked about him to see that none was listening. Then he -laid his lips almost to my ear. - -He whispered a name which, in this place, I must not write, though -afterwards it will be plain enough. - -'It is simply not possible,' said I; 'the man you mention is but a -bonnet laird, as one might say, with a peel-tower and a holding of -half-a-dozen crofts. Why, my master could eat him up saltless, without -turning out more than half a parish of his fighting men.' - -'Nevertheless,' said Robert Bruce, 'that is the man who stands behind -and makes the miracles work, as in Popish days the priests were wont to -do behind the altar. Ye are but a set of jigging fools here in Carrick, -and the man that pipes to you is the man I've told ye of!' - -Then I thought over the matter--all that I knew of the man. - -'In truth,' said I, 'I am none so sure that you may not be right.' - -Robert Bruce smiled as one that waxes aweary of a babe's prattle. - -'For,' said I, 'I mind that I heard him endeavour to win one by promises -to the side of Bargany--' - -'Pshaw,' said the Minister, 'he would as readily try to win Bargany to -the Earl's side, if it suited him to murder them both together. It is -his plan to make them fight each other till there are none left--to cut -off the heads of the taller poppies as in the ancient tale of Rome. I -tell you this man has no side but his own, no desire but his own profit, -no end but to make himself supreme in Carrick.' - -'And what can I, that am but a squire and a youth, do in the matter?' -said I. - -'You are on the spot, Launcelot,' said the Minister, kindly. 'I am in -Edinburgh, and if things march as evilly as they have been doing of -late, it is likely I shall be even further afield than Edinburgh. But -you can watch--you can judge whom it boots to warn. You can put in a -word--' - -'I shall put in a sword,' said I, stamping my foot; 'put it in deep--to -think of such deceit and guile in a mere vassal and understrapper of my -lord's.' - -'Launcelot,' said the Minister of Edinburgh, 'you begin to make me sorry -I trusted you. I should have spoken to a graver man.' - -'Nay, sir,' I said, 'you mistake me. I but mean that if it came to the -bitter bite of iron, the time for words might go by.' - -'Ay,' he replied thoughtfully, 'there is some sense in that, but give -not up the judicious words too early.' - -So we betook ourselves gravely and staidly out of the wood, and at -bidding him farewell I received his benediction, which he gave me with -his right hand stretched out. And though I am tall and stand as erect -as any man, yet the Minister of Edinburgh overtowered me by half a foot. -But I minded that not in him. - -So I went to the castle armoury to bethink me, for after what I had -heard maids and bonnet strings were not to be more in my thought that -day. - - - - - *CHAPTER XVII* - - *THE CORBIES AT THE EAGLE'S NEST* - - -One snowy day, I mind it was a Thursday according to the day of the -week, I had ridden to Girvan by the shore road. I journeyed unmolested -save that one sent a shot after me as I passed the tower of Girvanmains. -But this not so much, I think, with intent to do me an injury, as -because they saw my Cassillis colours, and could not let them pass -unchallenged by a yett of the Bargany folk. - -But upon my return I got one of the greatest surprises of my life, for -as I rode gladly into the courtyard of Culzean, lo! there was my lord -out on the steps, with the noble courtesy and distinction which none -could assume so well as he, being indeed natural to him, bidding -farewell to a pair of guests whom I never looked to see in the courtyard -of Culzean, save as it might be coming in decently, heels first, for the -purposes of Christian burial. - -The two strangers were John Mure of Auchendrayne and the young Laird, -his son. The old man was dressed as I first saw him--in plain, fine -cloth of blue without decoration. He wore no arms or any armour that was -visible--though by the square setting of his body as he came down the -steps I judged that he wore a stand of chain mail underneath. His son -James, a cruel, loutish, hot-headed, but not wholly ill-looking young -man, was clad in the gayest fashion. He wore the wide, falling lace -collar which Prince Henry had brought in from France, and a pointed -doublet and wide breeches of the newest English mode. - -It was John Mure who was speaking, for his son was but a lout, and had -little to say all the days of him. He waved his hand to the steps, by -the door of Culzean, whereon there stood Marjorie Kennedy, with her arm -on Nell's shoulder, both being pale as death, and seeming more dowie and -sad than I had ever seen them look before. - -'It is to be the burying of strife,' cried Auchendrayne; 'in this loving -cup I drink it. The day of our love is at the dawning, and the auguries -of the time to come are of the happiest. To our next and sweeter -merrymaking!' - -And Sir Thomas, with his face one beaming smile of pleasure, bade him a -loving farewell, and told him to haste back, for that cousins thus -joined in affection could not be too often together. - -And all the while I sat Dom Nicholas as one that is sunk fathoms deep in -blank astonishment. - -As Auchendrayne rode through the gateway, he waved his hand to me, and -turning to Culzean, where he stood looking after them, he cried in the -hearing of them all,-- - -'You have there the handsomest and the boldest squire in all the south -country, Culzean. This is the bruit that I hear of this young man -everywhere I go.' - -And so, still smiling and bowing, he rode away with his son half a -length of his horse behind him. - -But I gave him no greeting, neither yea nor nay--but regarded him with a -fixed countenance. For my heart was like stone within me, because of -the sorrow that I saw coming on the house and could noways prevent. - -Now the bitterness of this winter did not come till some time after the -New Year. It was about the midst of January when the frost bit most -keenly, and the snow began to fall most deeply. The Culzean lads, -James, Alexander and little David (who was my favourite), caused the -court and out-buildings to ring with happiness. Joy and peace seemed -indeed for a little to have come back to Culzean. This was the first -snow since David had donned the trunks, and laid by the bairn's -kilts--which are indeed mortally cold wear in the winter season when it -comes to rolling in the snow. - -David, as I say, was my favourite, and continually in my loneliness a -comfort to me, though I have not hitherto often mentioned him, seeing -that the young lads of Culzean come not into my tale greatly, saving at -this time. Though, in the coming day, they may into the tales others -shall tell, when we that now prank it so gaily are no better than the -broken shards of a drained pottle-pot. But little Davie was a merry -lad, and I am glad that there is occasion for me to name him in this -history. - -Davie was now manfully equipped in doublet and trunk hosen of duffle -grey homespun, so thick that his brothers feigned that with a little -trouble and propping they stood up very well by themselves, when their -daily tenant had untrussed him and gone to bed. - -And ever the snow came down. It lay deep on all the face of the -country, but more especially it had swirled into the courtyard of -Culzean, so that the very steps of the door were sleeked, and great -wreaths lay every way about the court. The lads made revel in it, -borrowing shovels from the stables and throwing up the snow on either -side, so as to make narrow passages between the different doors of the -castle and the offices about. - -I cannot set down, because that there is press of matters more serious -yet to be related, a tithe of the merry pranks the rogues wrought in -their madness. They revelled in the smother of the snow like whelps -that are turned loose. Yet because there is none too much of merriment -in this chronicle, I shall make shift to tell somewhat of their quipsome -rascaldom. - -It chanced one morning that Alexander, who was of a mirthful mind, stood -by a little door which led into the house wherein our peats and turfs -were kept for the fires, so that it might not be necessary to bring a -supply each day from the peatstacks on the hill where the greater store -was. - -Whether Sandy's head ached from having eaten too many cakes at the time -of the New Year, I know not, but suddenly it came into his mind that it -might be a desirable thing and a cooling, to stick his bullet head into -a mighty snowdrift which lay in front of the peat-house door. So -accordingly, for no particular reason, he bent himself into an arch and -thrust his head neck-deep into the snow. - -At this moment came his elder brother, James Kennedy, upon the scene, -and his mood was also merry. - -'Bless the rascal,' quoth he, 'whither hath his tidy lump of a top-knot -betaken itself to?' - -So without loss of a moment the rogue made him a large ball of snow, -well compacted, and caused it to burst upon the stretched trusses of -Sandy's breeches, with a noise like the breaking of an egg upon a wall. - -Sandy snatched his head from the snow swift as a blade that bends itself -to the straight, and stood erect. There was no one in sight save little -Davie, who danced at a distance and laughed innocently at the jest. For -James, the doer of it, had instantly dropped into a deep snow passage. -Whereat Sandy, cured as to his head, but villainously stung in the -breech, turned him about in fierce anger, seeking for someone to -truncheon. The lad Davie's laugh annoyed him, and Sandy, being an adept -at the palm play, sent a snowball at his young brother, which took him -smartly upon the cheek. - -Instantly Davie, poor callant, set up a cry of pain, which brought his -sister Nell upon the scene with all the furies in the tangle of her -hair. - -'Ye muckle, good-for-nothing calves!' she cried, addressing both her -unseen brothers, whom she well knew to be lying hidden somewhere among -the snow passages of the courtyard, 'I will bring Launce Kennedy to you -with a knotty stick, and that by my father's orders--clodding at a bairn -that gate, and garring him greet. Ye think I canna see ye, but if ye -dinna come oot decently, I will come and bring ye. Ye may think black -shame o' yoursel's!' - -And this I do not doubt that James and Sandy did. For to be flyted upon -by a lass, lying prone the while upon one's stomach in a snow bank, does -not make for self-respect. So both the lads began to crawl away as best -they might from Nell's dangerous neighbourhood. It jumped greatly with -my humour to watch them from the upper window of the armoury which -looked abroad over the court. All unwitting they approached the one to -the other with their heads down, and at the corner, each running with -full speed upon his hands and knees, they knocked their skulls together -soundly, with a well-resounding crack which pleased me. Instantly they -clinched and fought like wild cats, biting and fisting in the snow--till -their father, attracted from the hall by the noise, came down and laid -upon them both right soundly, with the great whip wherewith the dogs -were beaten when they were trained for hunting. - -All this was excellent sport to me, but the best was yet to come. In a -little thereafter I saw Nell, who was a merry lass when there was -nothing upon her mind, come quietly out of the side door that led to the -kitchen places, with David in her hand. She set him within a small -flanking tower, which in old days had been loop-holed for arrows. Then -she locked the door upon him, taking the key with her. Before she went -she handed the boy two or three snowballs made from the wet, slushy -snow, where the sunshine had caused some drops to melt off the roof and -fall from the eaves. - -Thus she went to the corner, I watching with joy the while from the -window of the armoury. - -'Jamie, Sandy,' she cried, 'come hither, lads. There's something here -for your private ear!' - -At first the boys would not move, still smarting and sulky from their -father's training-whip. But in a little they came, and Nell enticed -them with the repeated promise of 'something for their private ear' (the -artful minx!), till she had them exactly opposite the little window -where David was posted with his weapons of offence. - -Suddenly from the arrow-slot there came a discharge of artillery. The -providence that helps the weak put pith and fusion into little David's -arm. As though it had been the smooth stone of the brook that sped -whizzing to the brazen front of Goliath, the first moist shot of David's -ordnance plumped with a splash into the ear of Sandy. In an instant I -lay upon the floor in the laughter which comes only from beholding silly -things. For there below me were James and Sandy Kennedy each dancing -upon the point of their shoon, and with their little fingers digging in -their several ears to excavate from thence the well-compacted slush -wherewith little David had taken his fitting revenge. - -Nor was the occupation made easier for them by the vexatious -commentaries of their sister Nell, who repeated over and over again to -them, between her bursts of laughter, 'Did I not tell you that if ye -came to the corner of the tower ye would get something for your private -ear? This will learn you to let wee Davie alane!' - - - - - *CHAPTER XVIII* - - *BAIRNS' PLAY* - - -There remains yet one other of their pranks to be told, and that only -because it is knit into the story, and so must be unravelled along with -it. - -The pair of elders, after this defeat at the hands of Nell and little -David, took counsel together, and might sooner have hit upon something -to their mind, but that James, as was usual with him, stood in an -attitude of cogitation, having his mouth very wide open. Whereat Sandy, -whose wits were brighter, could not, even for the sake of the alliance -between them, refrain from dropping therein a snowball which he had -ready in his hand for any purpose that might arise. This he did with -the same neatness and adroitness with which he would have dropped a ball -of worset yarn, when the caps were on the green for the game royal of -Bonnet-Ba'. - -It took some time and a mighty deal of struggling on the ground before -this treachery between friends could be arranged. Also much thrusting -of snow down the backs of doublets and holding it there till it -melted--together with other still more unseemly and uncomfortable -proceedings. - -Then the reconciled allies entered the castle together, promising peace, -and fell into talk with young Davie, who stood within the great door in -the inviolate safety of the hall. - -'Do you want a merk?' said Sandy, tempting him with the sight of one, -which at that day was great wealth. 'It will buy store of peaches, and -pears, and baked apples at Baillie Underwood's in the High Street, -preserved cherries also, and marmalit of plums.' - -Then said Davie, 'A merk I want, indeed, as does everyone, but you are -not the fellow to give it me. Therefore quit your pother, for I know -that you would only make friends to get me apart, and so work mischief -upon me.' - -A wise boy David. - -'As I live I lie not,' said Sandy, taking a great oath. 'I will give -you the merk, if ye go down after dark to the barn, and passing through -the great door to the lesser door at the back, shut and bolt it with its -bar of oak, and so return the way ye went. If ye do this, sure as -death, I lie not, I will give you the merk.' - -Little David, who had ofttimes been deceived of his brothers, considered -upon the offer a while, and at last he said to Sandy,-- - -'As sure as death ye might lie, though twice ye have said it; but give -the merk into the keeping of Launce Kennedy, that will not tell lies, at -least not for such freits, and then I will take your dare, and go shut -the further door of the barn.' - -They came up therefore to me to the armoury, James, Sandy and David all -together; and as soon as I heard them coming I went from the window and -sat by the fire, that they might not suspect I had observed aught of -their matters. Then, when they revealed the plot to me, I bade Sandy be -careful what he did, for it was growing dark, and I misdoubted that they -meant to fright the child. So I feared them with the threat of their -father, and as little David lingered while his brothers went lumbering -and shouting down the armoury stair, I put into his hand a short -blackthorn cudgel which the young Sheriff of Galloway had brought with -him over from Ireland. - -'If ye see anything more than common, hit it as hard as ye can with -that,' I bade him. - -And so little David passed out. I could not see him far across the yard -because of the fall of the gloaming, but on his return, all a-drip of -sweat and in a quivering tremble of agony, he told me what had befallen -him. - -'It was bitter cold,' he said, 'and I will not say that I was not -feared, for I was. Yet, so long as the door stood ajar, there came a -ray of light through it, and my heart was cheered. But presently it was -shut to, and I had all the way to go alone. - -'But I heard the cows in the byre rattling at their hemps through the -rings, and as I kenned, pulling at the meadow hay in their stalls. And -that at least was some company. So I went on and the frosty snow -squeaked under my feet. I came to the great door of the barn. It stood -open, vast and terrible as the mouth of a giant's cave. But I thought -of the marmalit of plums, and in I went with my heart gulp--gulping high -in my throat.' - -I nodded at the little fellow, for many a time had I felt the same, and -said nothing about it--when I was much younger, of course. - -'So,' said he, 'I went through the barn in which was such hay and straw, -till I came to the midst of it. Here I stopped to listen, for I could -hear a noise, indeed many noises. However, it was only the black -rattons firsling among the straw. I felt a thousand miles away from -home, an orphan, and very lonely--nor did thinking on marmalit of plums -now bring comfort--at least, none to speak of. - -'But, nevertheless, because I thought of the taunting and japing of -James and Sandy, I took my way to the further door that looketh upon the -old orchard. The black corn-stacks shut out many of the stars, but -those that were left tingled and shone cold. I thought I had no friend -nearer than one of these. I was much afraid. - -'Yet nevertheless I shut the back door and barred it--barred it good and -strong with both bolts, and set a corn-measure at the back for luck. -This being done, I turned and took but one step towards the great door, -through which I could see the snow shining like a mist. Then my heart -stopped, and I tried to cry out very loud, but, alas! I could not cry -out at all. - -'For there was Something in the doorway. I could see it against the -snow. Something that crawled on the ground with dull, horrid eyes, set -wide apart, and that turned a shapeless, horned head slowly from side to -side, moaning and yammering the while. - -'I thought I should die. Then I feared that I should not die before the -thing took me, for it slowly invaded the barn till it filled all the -doorway. By this I knew that I should indeed be devoured. -Nevertheless, I minded what it was you said before I went. So I thought -that, having a stout stick in my hand, I might as well die after having -smitten a good stroke as not--' - -'Bravo, young David!' cried I; 'that is the right spirit of battle.' - -'So I took the blackthorn in both hands,' he went on, 'and swung it -about my head as you showed me in the hagging down of trees. With that -I struck the horrible thing fairly between the eyes. Then leaping over -it I ran, how I know not, for the house door--where I laughed and wept -time about till Nell brought me here that you might bid me stop. Now I -want the merk.' - -So I gave him the merk, took down the dog-whip from the nail where it -hung, and went out to look for Jamie and Sandy--for well I knew that -this had been one of their tricks to frighten the boy, and I was -resolved that they should take a thrashing, either from me or, what they -would less desire, from their father--who, though a kind enough man till -he began to lay on, was apt to be carried away with the exercise, and to -forget bowels of mercy. - -But when I got upon the snow by the door, Sandy came running to me, -fairly crying out with terror. He had the hide of a muckle bullock, -which had been killed that day, trailing from his waist. His face, in -the light that fell from the lamp in the hall, was a sight to be seen. -There was a lump on his brow, between the eyes, as large (to a nearness) -as a hen's egg. All his face was a-lapper with blood, so that for the -moment I thought that the lad had really been killed. But when I pulled -him up to the armoury, and got him washed, I found that the blood was -only that of the bullock, whose hide he had wrapped about him in order -that he might crawl on the ground and fright his brother David. - -And I had there and then taken him to task with the dog-whip (for indeed -he might have bereft the child of reason), but the sight of his own -wordless terror smote upon me, so that I desisted--for that time at -least. - -For a while Sandy could not speak by reason of the fear which blanched -his face, and caused him to hold by my coat even when I went across the -room. At last however he found tongue. - -'There is a man,' he stammered, 'a man with a drawn sword, standing at -the barn end in a grey cloak, and a wild beast crouching beside him.' - -'Barley-break, flim-flam,' said I, for I believed not a word of it, -'your head is muzzy with your carrying the bullock's head and horns, and -serve you right had David given you a warble on it twice as big.' - -'No,' gasped Sandy, 'it is not fantasy. I saw the man clearly. He -stood against the sky in a grey cloak, and the beast crouched and held a -lanthorn by him. Oh, Launce, I fear I have seen the Black Man, and that -I shall die.' - -'Seen your granny's hippen-clouts!' said I, roughly, for I was angry at -his senselessness. 'Lay raw beef to your beauty-spot, my man, sleep -here with me, and I will forgive you the licking with the dog-whip.' - -So by little and little I got Sandy soothed down till he went to sleep -on my bed, moaning and tossing the while. Then I set me down to think, -alone, on the window-sill above the courtyard, for I had long since -handed David over to the care of Nell. Sometimes for convenience, I -slept in the armoury, for Sir Thomas had trusted me with everything -since I had proved myself in the wars. - -I saw well that evil was somehow intended against the house of Culzean, -and that something terrible walked in darkness. I resolved that I -should find out what it was or die. Yet I liked not stealthy adventure -so much as plain cut and thrust, and wished that I had had Robert -Harburgh with me. But I knew that, though brave as a lion, he somewhat -lacked discretion, and so might spoil all. There was nothing for it, -therefore, but to go out alone. - - - - - *CHAPTER XIX* - - *FIGHTING THE BEASTS* - - -Having shut and locked the armoury door behind me, I stood a great while -very still on the steps in the black shadow; for nothing could I see, -though I looked till my eyes ached. So I set out with my sword bare in -my hand, and my left hand hafting an easily-drawn dagger. I declare if -I had only known for certain that the thing which troubled the house was -naught but flesh and blood, I had not cared the tickling of a Flemish -poulet. For I was growing to rejoice in adventure, believing that my -own luck was to win through in safety whatever might befall to others. -Indeed I never loved a leg-lagging, grease-collecting life, like that of -a burgher or a cellarer. But rather to strip and lay on till the arm -dirls with striking--that is, in a just cause, of course. Although -sometimes, if your chief so command, one must strike without inquiring -with too queasy a conscience, like a mere yea-forsoothing knave, what -may be the cause for which ye are set to drive the steel. For it is -soldierly to strike first and inquire the cause after--that is, if the -man live. - -But I ride the wild mare whenever I lay the reins on the neck of my -goose-quill. And since I love to keep the pages even and the lines -straight, anything that will serve to fill up the tale of my day's doing -goes down. But pleasant writing maketh not always good or full-mattered -reading. - -I stood therefore awhile outside the armoury door and saw only the -drifted snow and the line of white roofs against a dark sky. So, having -little hope of discovery by waiting like a dancer outside a ring, I -stepped lightly down, being shod in soft double hosen without leathern -shoon, so that my feet made no noise on the frosty snow. About the -house I stole, gliding from shelter to shelter, till I came to the edge -of the cliff, where I could hear, but not see, the breaker waves -crisping and clapping upon the shore. At such a time the sea is black. -But so much blacker was the night that I saw it not even when I looked -straight down upon it. - -Turning, I made the circuit of the castle, but still found nothing. -Then I minded me how it was by the barn that Sandy had seen the vision -which had affrighted him. So I set teeth and gripped blade tighter, and -took my way to the barn door. It stood wide and vacant, gaping at me -like an open sepulchre. - -I will admit that it required all my courage boldly to go in, for it is -hard to enter that which is the blackness of darkness to you, with the -knowledge that all the while you stand the fairest of targets in the -doorway. But because, as my father had told me, it is ever better to -pursue than to flee, I stepped within with elbow crooked for the thrust, -and dagger arm cleared of the cloak. - -But it was as silent in the barn as elsewhere. I did not even hear the -rats of which my little David had spoken. I began to think that I had -been as needlessly and as childlessly alarmed as he. Then all at once -and quite clearly I heard voices speaking together at the outer corner -of the granary. - -So I went near to a convenient wicket that I might listen, and my very -heart and life chilled and thickened, because that the voices were those -of our Marjorie and someone else who spoke low and sober--not quick and -high like Gilbert Kennedy. - -Then was my heart full of disgust that I should find her whom I had -loved and worshipped engaging in another midnight tryst, and one that -might be no better than a paltry intrigue. - -So angered was I that I stole to the door, meaning to break out upon -them in violent speech, caring little in mine anger what should happen. -But as I came to the edge of the hard-beaten threshing-floor, Marjorie -Kennedy came to the door swiftly. Turning in front of the barn, and -standing with the shawl thrown back from her head, she spoke to the man -she had left, whom as yet I saw not. - -'Remember,' she said, 'I promise no more than the bare fact. I tell you -I choose the grave before a bride-bed, the worm before such a husband!' - -But the man to whom she spoke uttered no word, though he had come nearer -to where in the dusk of the doorway I stood with my sword bare in my -hand. I could see him plainly now--all but his face, for the tide of -darkness was on the ebb. He was the tall, cloaked man whom we knew as -the Grey Man. - -Behind him, at the angle of the wall, crouched a black mass which yet -was human--because, even as I looked, it took something from under a -coat, and rose erect beside the Grey Man. As Marjorie vanished these -two figures moved towards my hiding-place in the barn. I had no time to -do more than glide within, pull a sheaf or two from the mow, and thrust -myself, like a sword into its scabbard, within the hole I had made amid -the piled grain. - -Even as I looked, their dark figures filled up the square of greyness -which the open barn door made against the snow. I saw them enter, -feeling with their hands, as though to grasp something, yet not making -any light to guide them in finding it. - -Then indeed I was disquieted, and my very bones became as water within -me. For if there is anything trying to the flesh of mortal man, it is -to lie still and be groped for in the dark by unknown and horrible -enemies. I had a nightmare sense of powerlessness to move, of impotence -in the face of peril. I knew that when the blind groping inhuman horror -took me by the throat, I should not be able even to cry out. It was like -a dream of fever made real. - -A moment after I heard a man's voice speak in a fierce whisper. - -'Ah, here it is! Give me your hand and put strength to it.' - -Then in a moment, like the breaking of a dam, the fear quite went from -me. They were but common-place robbers after all, and I a craven and a -coward to lie still while my master's goods were being stolen before my -eyes. - -I leaped out upon them without waiting to think, for I was not feared of -a dozen such. - -'Hold!' I cried. 'Stand for your lives, gutter-thieves, or I will run -you through!' - -I stood in the doorway with my sword and dagger in hand, and as soon as -I felt one come against the point of my blade, I let him have it with -all my might, for it was not a time for half-measures. Then, though I -heard the answering cry of wounding, there was no time for further -action, for something came at me with a rush like a wild beast of the -wood, and the snarl of the springing heather cat. Now there are many -things that a lad of eighteen or nineteen may do--things of worth and -daring--but he cannot stand against the weight of a strong and -well-grown man when he leaps upon him. Therefore I cannot count it to -my shame that now I was overcome and overborne. Once and again was I -smitten, till I felt the iron, as it had been fire, strike me here and -there. And though I felt no pain, there was something warm, which I -divined to be my own blood, running down. Then I knew no more. - -When I awoke I was in the Grieve's house, lying on a bed. Sir Thomas -Kennedy, my master, and the Earl himself were bending over me. They had -unclasped my hand, and now stood back in wonderment at what they found -gripped in it. - -'It is the key of the treasure chest of Kelwood--the key with my father, -the King of Carrick's seal graven upon it! Where could the lad have -gotten it?' - -Yet of a certainty they had taken it out of my tightly-clenched hand, -which had been fixed upon something ever since they found me on the barn -threshing-floor, where I lay senseless in a pool of my own blood. - - - - - *CHAPTER XX* - - *THE SECRET OF THE CAIRD* - - -It was, I can avouch, a strange experience for me to lie on my back in -the Grieve's house all through the long days of spring and summer. Kate -Allison and her mother were tirelessly kind. The Grieve himself -generally set his head past the door as he went and came from his meals, -crying mayhap something of the day--that 'it was warm,' or that it was -'a wat yin,' and thinking it the height of a jest to say to me, 'An' -what kind o' weather hae ye below the blankets?' For with -kindly-natured country folk a little jest goes a great way, and serveth -as long without washing as a pair of English blankets. - -Then in the forenoon Sir Thomas would come in from the castle, opening -the hallan door and walking across the Grieve's kitchen as -unceremoniously as he would have done in his own house. - -'My lad, they have made a hand of you, but we will dowse them yet for -that!' was one of his stated encouragements to me. 'Let me see the -clours--hoot, man, they will never mar you on your marriage day!' - -And so, kindly and smiling, he would pass out again, walking with his -hands behind his back as far as I could see him along the arches of the -woodland. - -Then would Marjorie come to the door, and inquire for me of good -Mistress Allison. But she never accepted of her hearty invite to -remain--or, at least, to enter and see the invalid. Gently would she -ask after my well-being, and being assured of it, as gently would she go -her way--her fair face looking so white and sorrowful the while, that I -was wae for her, and for the unkenned secrets of her heart into which -God forbid that I should pry. - -But that which cheered me most, I think, was the kindness and -warm-heartedness showed me without stint, both by Nell Kennedy and Kate -Allison. They were no longer flighty and sharp of tongue in speaking to -me, but rather spoke freely and sat much in the kitchen, with the door -of my room open so that I could see them, nipping and scarting at one -another like kittens in their wantonness, which was a great diversion -and encouragement to me on my weary bed. And there we had no little -merriment, for Nell Kennedy would be saucy and miscall me for my -laziness and sloth--also for my lack of appetite, which she called -'dainty and dorty,' meaning thereby that I wanted finer meats than they -had to give me. - -Also, though she was no maid for gossip, Nell would bring me all the -clash of the castle-town and farm-town, all the talk that was gone over -in the mill, while the thirlage men waited for their grist. Where she -got it to tell me I cannot imagine, but it was all like sweet wine to me -that could hear naught most of the day and night, but the birds singing -without and Mistress Allison clattering wooden platters within. - -Also (and that was the kindliest thing she could have done, and touched -my heart most of all), she brought to me all my war-harness and -accoutrements. My sword, which she had cleaned herself after the -scuffle in the barn; the dagger I had dropped when I caught and clutched -the key of the Kelwood treasure, wherever that had been gotten--the -pistols; the fine new hackbutt which had just come from the town of Ayr, -and which Sir Thomas had given me for mine own, as he would have given a -child a toy. - -'Give the bairn its plaiks, then,' said Nell, as she laid them on the -bed. 'Would it love to play with them? Then it shall!' - -She spoke in an enticing and babyish way that diverted me, and warmed me -too, when I thought she had so much kindliness for me. - -So I said, 'It is monstrously well done of you thus to divert me.' - -'Hoots,' she said, 'see what else I have brought you.' - -And with that she took from her pocket all the apparatus of cleaning my -pieces and sword, besides the links and buckles of Dom Nicholas's -harness and equipment, the sight of which put me in a fever to see him -again. Never was anything kindlier done. Also, she brought me from her -father's scanty library such books as she thought I might care to read; -though, indeed, I read but little, never having been greatly given to -lear--save, as it might be, books of songs, troll-catches, wits' -recreations and such like. - -But amongst others she brought me a French manual of fence, which gave -me infinite pleasure. For with her help I could spell out the -instructions, and the plates of positions I was fain to imitate with my -two rapiers, till I had hacked and scarred all the four posts of the bed -most grievously. And Mistress Allison declared that it was not safe for -anyone to come within the outer door. - -But one day my bed-fast practice-at-arms stood mine hostess in good -stead, for which afterwards she gave me full thankfulness. It chanced -on a certain noontide of heat that all were at the hayfield. Even Kate -and Nell had gone to toss the hay, which is a pleasant thing to do in -good company, but, i' faith, ill enough to think on as I lay tossing my -weary body, and cursing the luck that tied me here in a dull room--vexed -with heat, the weight of bedclothing, and the broad buzzing flies which -would light on the corner of one's nose, each time that sleep was on the -verge of flapping down silently with his black wings to bring a welcome -shortening of the weary hours. Mistress Allison stole about the kitchen -on bare, broad feet, flapping and slapping the flags with them as she -carried her cakes to the girdle plate, or swung it from the cleek above -the clear baking fire of brown peats. She thought me asleep, for I had -cleaned all my arms till I could see myself sitting up in bed, with my -pale face and towsed haystack of a head, in every square inch of them. - -Kate had brought me that day a book called _The Whole Duty of Pilgrims_, -but finding it full of religious reflections and not tales of the -Crusaders as I had hoped, I laid it aside for the Sabbath day, as being -more reverent and fitting. - -All at once the outer door of the Grieve's house was thrown back on its -hinges, and a great sturdy caird entered--mayhap an Egyptian sorner, or -bold robber, such as were vexing the realm at the time, or perhaps only -a common muddy rascal of the road. - -'Mistress, I bid you good-day,' he said. 'I am hungry and would have -meat!' - -Plain and quite short he said it--even as I have written it down. - -'In this Grieve's house of Culzean even gentry folk say "An it please -you," and "By your leave!"' replied, with some indignation, the mistress -of the dwelling. - -'But then I will e'en help myself, without please or leave either,' -cried the villain. And with that he opened a leathern wallet that he -had slung over his shoulder, and began to thrust therein, not only the -scones, but anything about the dresser and tables that his thievish -fancy lit upon. - -'Now, mistress,' said he; 'let me have any siller you have in the house, -and a well-pleased kiss of your weel-faured moo' therewith, or else I -must do my needs with you!' - -And with that he opened a great gully knife, as though he would run at -her. Mistress Allison cried out with a strange cry of woman's fear, -which I who had been in battle never heard the like of before. Just at -this moment I pushed the bedroom door open with the point of my toe, and -sat there looking straight at the man, with a pistol bended in each -hand, and both of them trained point blank on the rascal's heart. - -I make bold to say that in all this realm of Scotland there was not any -man so exceedingly astonished as this particular sturdy thief at that -moment. - -'Drop the knife, sirrah!' I commanded, as one that cries his orders in a -battle. - -And the knife rang obediently on the stone floor. - -'Kick it into the corner with your foot-- No, not with your hand.' - -And reluctantly he kicked the knife away from him. - -'Now, my excellent good man,' said I, 'sit you down and put your hands -behind you. There and thus, be still where you are, quite in the middle -of the floor and not elsewhere.' - -So he sat him down, and, keeping my pistols dead upon him, I bade -Mistress Allison tie his hands firmly with cord, and give him a settle -to lean against. Thereafter I comforted him with stern philosophy. - -I told him of his wandering and uncertain life. I showed him -conclusively how that he went ever in danger of the hangman's whip, and -that at the end there could only be awaiting for him a shameful death. -I told him also that our overlord of Culzean had the power of pit and -gallows, and that, on the return of the haymakers, he should be brought -out--when in an hour there would be an end of all his misery upon the -dule-tree, or tree of execution, which stands by the great gate and -bears medlars at any season, but only for an hour at a time. - -''Tis the most cruel and unjust treatment of poor, beset, far wandering -men!' said the man on the floor. They were the first words he had -spoken since he threw down his knife. I wondered he could speak so well. - -'We have heard no complaints, so far,' I made answer, drily, for the -man's former insolence stuck in my throat. And in especial the thought -of what might have happened to mine hostess or the maids, had I not been -there upon the bed with my weapons beside me. So I kept him in torment -of mind for a space. - -At last, as the afternoon ebbed away, and the hour of sundown and -homecoming wore on, his anxiety waxed pitiful. He turned and twisted to -free his hands, so that the only way I could quiet him was to lift a -pistol and point it at him. But even that did not appear to soothe him -for any length of time. - -At last he raised his head. - -'Master,' said he, sullenly, but speaking not that ill, 'ye have me, I -grant, in the cleaving of a stick. Now I will tell you a thing you -greatly desire to know. Will ye promise to let me go, and I will never -meddle you more?' - -'I do not mean that you should,' said I, 'nevertheless, what is the -thing that you can tell me? And when I know, I shall judge its -worth--on the honour of a gentleman.' - -'I can tell you,' said he, 'where you will find the treasure of -Kelwood!' - -'What bald-crowned blethers!' I cried scornfully. 'Pray, how am I to -know that you speak the truth? Ye may tell me that it is with the gold -cup, at the end of the rainbow!' - -'It is true,' said the man, 'I might lie to you; but I will not, for I -need my life. It is sweet to me as yours to you.' - -'How can such a life be sweet?' I asked, daffing with the man in my -power--which was 'bad form,' as John Mure himself sayeth in his history -of the troubles. - -'It is not a time to argue,' said he, 'but my life is as pleasant as the -trees that toss their branches, and as the free life of the forest.' - -'Too free altogether,' said I, 'thus to come in and threaten the life -and honour of a decent woman. We must have such freedom trussed and -stretched on a tow rope.' - -'I did but fright her,' said he, sullenly. - -'That is as may be,' replied I, keeping my pistol trained for his left -eye-hole, 'and in any case it will be all the same in two hours.' - -'But,' said he, 'hear me concerning the treasure of Kelwood. Ye have -conquest the key. I can tell you where the box itself is. For if I win -clear this time, I must escape over seas from the vengeance of the Grey -Man.' - -'But you may lie even as you have stolen, and I fear me murdered also, -for by your talk you are one of a murderous set.' - -'Of the lying you must e'en take your chance--even as, after telling -you, I must take my chance of your cutting my bonds and letting me go.' - -'You have a gentleman's word,' I answered him. - -'And how much is that worth in Carrick this day,' he said harshly and -bitterly, 'even with a bond to back it?' - -'Mine,' said I, with what dignity I could muster, 'is worth as much as -truth itself'--which, I grant, was but a windy saying. - -'I believe it, and I will trust it,' said he. 'The treasure of Kelwood -is in the cave of Sawny Bean, on the seashore of Bennanbrack, over -against the hill of Benerard.' - -And not another word would he say. - -So when Mistress Allison had locked herself in the milk-house, and -advised me that the haymakers were in full sight, I caused my man to -roll himself to the door of the bedroom. There with my sword I cut the -bonds. - -'Now,' said I, 'take the door sharply, without so much as going to the -other side for your bundle or your knife, and then the woods are open to -you and the world wide.' - -'I thank you, master,' he said civilly. 'When you go for the treasure, -I counsel you do not call on Sandy by your leasome lane.' - -And with that caution he betook himself into the glades of the wood. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXI* - - *MINE ANCIENT SWEETHEART* - - -After he was gone I cast about in my mind, and, for the life of me, I -could not decide whether the fellow had been lying to me or not. It was -indeed a thing to be wondered at, how this chance scoundrel should know -(what I had thought known only to my Lord of Cassillis and my master) -that after the fight in the barn I had carried away, clenched in my -hand, the key of the treasure chest of Kelwood. - -Now, as was natural after this encounter, the goodwife of the Grieve's -house could not make enough of me. Indeed, if anything, she made too -much of me, for, instead of suffering her daughter and Nell to entertain -me as before, while she went about her work, she thought it her duty as -soon as one of them came in and sat down, to leave that which she was -about, and come and sit with us for company. Now Mistress Allison was a -good woman and agreeable of her tongue, but I did not feel the necessity -for this byordinar kindness. - -Yet it was not easy to alter it. Then in the evenings came Robert -Harburgh to see me. At first he came once a week while my wounds kept -me weak and fretful. Then, as I grew better, he came twice. And when I -was able to sit up, it came about that he would arrive every night and -bide till bedtime--so that at last I was almost shamed to have him -sitting there, and feared that he might be burdensome to Kate Allison -and her mother. - -For Robert Harburgh had but little to say, but he ever looked and proved -kindly. Also he brought me many things from Maybole and -elsewhere--oranges and wine that had been shipped to Irvine from foreign -parts, neckerchiefs also for Kate and her mother. A quiet, down-looking -fellow was Robert, something dull of the uptake, and with little to say -for himself; but a most noble sworder, and wholly without care for his -body when it came to the fighting. - -Now it seems a strange thing that I, who had so long played the lover to -Kate Allison, should be laid by the heels in her father's house, hearing -the whip and frisk of her gown about the chambers all the day. And I -still loved to hear it, for she was a bonny lass--and kind, kind to me. -Also her eyes were pleasant, and had both mischief and tears in -them--not like Nell Kennedy's, that held only mischief and scorn--save -once, as it seemed to me, a little while when I was deadly fevered, and -when Dr Low of Ayr, the Earl of Cassillis's own physician, ordered me -herb-drinks, and shook his doting wiseacre's head over me like a most -melancholious billy-goat. Then for a little Nell's eyes were quiet and -sorrowful. - -But it did not last. For by the time that I could get a scheme laid to -take advantage of the gleam of kindness, she was again but mine own -ill-set lassie-boy of a Nell, and we were throng at the sparring and -quarrelling just as usual. But, as I say, Kate Allison was wondrously -kind to me. Many a night when the weather was hot, and my wounds -paining me as though they would break again open, would she sit by me -with clear caller water from the spring, tirelessly changing the soft -linen cloths. And when the drops of fever-sweat stood on my brow, she -would touch them gently away, and lay her own cool cheek against my -forehead. Ay, and when I put my hand up and drew down her face, she -would kiss me right frankly upon the lips. Yet, as I judged, not quite -as of old. But I thought it might be the illness that made the -difference, for with being sick in body and feverish in mind, nothing -tastes the same. And so I thought it might be also with kisses. - -But after I had grown stronger, I shall ever mind me of one night when I -got a horrid awakening. It was a quiet gloaming. Kate Allison and I -had the house to ourselves--to which, speaking for myself, I did not -wholly object. I lay stretched upon the long oaken settle, on cushions -which Nell Kennedy had brought from the great house. Kate sat beside me -on a stool and leaned an elbow on the oak's edge. She was unwontedly -silent, and sometimes I touched her cheek lightly with my hand. It was -a most pleasant night, and my mind was full of pity and consideration -for her. I bethought me that, though doubtless I could have looked -higher, I might do worse in time than think of settling down with a -sweet and pleasant lass like Kate Allison. It was also touching to me -that she should never have wavered from loving me, all the time that I -had been forgetting her and thinking of others. But that, I said to -myself, is the way of women. - -We were silent a great while, with the silence that needs no speech, and -my heart had grown melting and kindly to the young lass, even as it had -been in old days. All of a sudden she spoke. - -'Launce,' said she, 'I'm going to be married!' - -She never moved her head off my shoulder, leaning with her elbow on the -edge of the settle, and looking away from me out at the door. Neither -did she draw her hand from mine, but rather settled it the more kindly, -nestling it in my palm. - -Yet anyone might have knocked me off the oaken settle with a straw. - -'Married!' said I. 'Ay, Kate, lass, of course you are going to be -married. 'Tis what you and I must come to. I assure you I oftentimes -have been thinking about that. There are not the makings of an old maid -about you!' - -This I said and waited for the answer of her eyes, in order to laugh -again and make my jest. But she did not look at me. I do not think she -heard me. - -'I am to be married on Thursday!' she said calmly. - -'Kate Allison!' I said, trying to turn up her head that I might look -into her eyes. I thought to see the make-believe in them. But as women -know how to do, she evaded me without seeming to be conscious of it. - -'Why, Kate Allison, sweetheart!' said I, 'how can I be ready by -Thursday, laid here on my back, with only you to care for me?' - -'I am to be married on Thursday to Robert Harburgh!' she said. - -Then I drew my hand away, and sat as erect and stern as the settle and -my sickness would let me, for it is hard to appear dignified and like a -soldier, lying on a couch and wrapped in women's shawls. - -'I am deceived!' cried I, 'mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, -has betrayed me, coming to steal that which was dear to me when I lay -most weak and weary.' - -And I think I made as if to rise, for I had an idea that I must go and -get my sword--though what for, I cannot now imagine. But Kate Allison -gently put me back on the pillows, and sat down beside me, taking one of -my hands again, laying it against her cheek, and drawing at the same -time her stool nearer to me. - -I tried to withdraw my hand from hers, but being weak she masterfully -kept it, so that the tears sprang to my eyes for very helplessness and -anger. - -'You have played with me and deceived me, Kate Allison,' I cried, as -soon as I could command my voice; 'you have forgotten the old days and -all that we were to one another.' - -Nevertheless Kate Allison never winced but let me say my say out. And -by this I knew that the old days were gone indeed. She was mightily set -in her mind. - -'Launce,' she said gently, 'Launce, dear sweetheart, hearken--I am fond -of you. No lass in Carrick but would like you for a lad and a lover, -even for your very feults, which are what all may see.' - -What she might have meant I have even yet no idea. - -'Ye are perfect for a lad that comes courting, and I liked ye fine--ay, -and like ye yet. But I saw lang syne that the lads that court best are -not the men that marry best.' - -'Women are all traitors!' said I, with indignation tingling through my -body; 'they kiss and they forget. And then in a trice they go kiss -another--' - -'Ay,' replied Kate Allison, with a little more gravity, 'and I mean to -have a short word with you on that very thing.' - -She paused for a moment, and looked staidly and thoughtfully out of the -window. I believed at nineteen that I wholly understood all women. But -now I know that when I am twice that and more, the simplest seeming of -them will be able to wrap me in her daidly-apron, and sell me in the -market for green cabbage. - -'Listen, Launce, my dear,' she said. 'I was but a Grieve's lass, and -not unbonny of my face, so you courted me. You longed after kissing, -being a heartsome lad with a way with you and a glint in your e'e. And -so you kissed me, and in my youth and folly I said ye not nay. But you -went over the hill to the Boreland and you kissed Grace, and you kissed -the lass at the house of the Red Moss--and you thought that I would -never know it. And more, you expected that none else should ever come -near to kiss me. Ay, and would have waxed mightily indignant and flashed -a brave sword had any dared, for that is the excellent way of the lads -that come courting--but not at all the way of the men that wise women -marry.' - -I was mazed and confounded before her, but could not answer a word, for -the thing was as true as if she had read my heart. Where had the young -lass so learned the ways of men? - -'Forgotten your kisses, Launce?' she went on. 'And what of them? I -count kisses but as the X's and O's that bairns make on the flags with -soft cam stone--gone when the game is over.' - -'The home-coming from the fair at Maybole and the kisses that you and I -then kissed,' said I, bitterly, 'were these X's or O's? I rede ye tell -me!' - -'Launce,' said Kate Allison, 'we dreamed a pleasant dream, you and I. -We have awaked. It is a new day. We wash the night fantasies off our -faces, and are ready to meet the morning with the sunshine in our eyes. -Together we have sipped the cream. It is time to drink the milk. We -have gathered the flowers--let us look to the fruit.' - -'Kate,' said I, more kindly, 'when did you think all these things?' - -For the lassie made me marvel with the aptness of her speech, and -ashamed with her plain saying of things that I had hardly named within -myself. - -'Ah,' she said gently and wisely, 'the thoughts of a lass when a lad -comes courting her, are more than she tells with her mouth. For many a -kiss is honey-sweet on the lips, but bitter as gall in the heart. Yet -so has it not been with yours and mine. We loved and we part, even as -the way-gaun of the wind that kissed the apple blossom in the spring -when the year was young and glad.' - -She made to rise from her seat. - -'I must go,' she said. - -'To go meet Robert Harburgh and to kiss him. I thought I knew his -whistle!' said I, with my heart raging angry and disconsolate in spite -of her fine words, which I could not answer. - -'Ay,' she said, rising and setting her lips tenderly to my brow, which I -pettishly turned away, being weakly sullen, 'even so--to meet Robert -Harburgh and to kiss him.' - -And with that she passed to the door. She turned ere she went out to -say a last word. - -'And you, Launce, my lad, will also one day desire to leave kissing -comfits and find abiding love. And you need not go far afield to look -for it either.' - -Thus I was left alone with a heaving heart. And I am not ashamed to say -that I wept bitterly for poor Launce Kennedy, who had none to care for -him in all the wide lone world, in which he was now so sore wounded and -cast aside like an old shoe or a broken sword. - -But even as I wept and pitied myself, Nell Kennedy danced in, merry as -the morn, and brought a great spray of belated hawthorn to set in a dish -of water to keep the room sweet. - -And I declare I never knew the young lass look so winsome before. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXII* - - *A MARRIAGE MADE IN HELL* - - -When Robert Harburgh came in to see me in the evening, I was chill -enough in my reception; but since he was of a calm temper, though so -great a sworder, I might just as well have embraced him, for all the -difference it made to him. - -'So,' I said, without giving him more than time to sit down--for all my -days I must ever fly headlong at a thing and have done with it--'so you -are going to marry Kate Allison?' - -'She was proposing so,' said he, as calmly as when he had walked across -the yard to the summer-house, with the hackbutt bullets splattering -about him and the guns going crack-crack down the hedgerows, like the -thumbs of a class of bairns when the dominie asks a question. - -'So,' said I. 'And you were thinking, maybe, that that was the action -of a friend when your comrade was laid by the heels?' - -'I was thinking so,' said he, looking out of the window at the trees. - -'Did you not know,' I cried, for I was angered beyond words, being weak, -and taking ill with the cherry being thus snatched out of my mouth, 'did -you not know that Kate Allison was my lass before she was yours? Did -she not tell you that?' said I. - -Now, had I been myself, I should not thus have told left-handed tales on -a lass, even though I believed with some reason that she had deceived -me. - -'I was not deprived of the sight of my eyes,' said he, very quietly. - -'And you mean by that--?' said I, trembling with anger. - -'That I did not need telling that you had been courting the lass off and -on for a year or twa, and that she took it not ill.' - -'And, in spite of that, you made up to Kate Allison when I was lying -sick unto death upon my bed?' I asked him bitterly. - -'How long may you have kenned Kate Allison?' said Robert Harburgh to me -in his turn. - -'Six years or so,' said I. - -'And did you ever, in all that time, ask her to marry you?' he inquired. - -'No,' said I, not seeing what he was driving at. - -'Then,' said Robert, very drily, 'I did, though I kenned her not six -weeks. And I would not wonder,' he went on, as though deep in -meditation, 'I would not wonder but that is the reason why she is going -to marry me.' - -So I turned over in bed, being deep in the sullens, and Robert Harburgh -went away, saying only, 'Now ye are angry, Launcelot, but ye will find -us both good friends, and blythe will we be to see you at the five-merk -lands of Chitterlintie which my Lord Cassillis is setting to Kate and -me.' - -However, as things fell out, the wedding was not to be on the Thursday, -nor yet for many Thursdays, for Robert was bidden ride with the Earl to -the Inch, his new house in Galloway. Hither he went to set pressure on -the country lairds, who were his feudal holders, to gar them pay the -dues which he, Grab-siller John, thought had been too long overlooked by -his forebears. As the business was likely to prove a troublesome one, -he sent for Robert Harburgh to ride with him. So, without so much as -stopping to dismount, for the message came when he had been on duty, -Robert Harburgh rode away. And if you will believe it, he went without -so much as kissing his sweetheart. He leaned down and shook hands with -her! But as for me, I marvelled how she bore with that, for to my -certain knowledge she liked the other not so ill. - -Just as I was daily getting stronger, I received another shock which -had, I think, even more effect on me than the other. One morning there -came Sir Thomas down from the castle, and I could see that he was full -to the teeth with news, for he walked with great confidence, and swung a -little stick made of two twisted stems of ivy which I had given him, -very quaint and curious. - -'It is all done with now,' he said, as soon as ever he had gotten -himself seated; 'there are to be no more ill times in Carrick, and -kinsmen's blood shall not flow any more in the West. John Mure of -Auchendrayne and I have settled it all between us. His son and apparent -heir, James, is to marry to-morrow with my daughter.' - -I stared at him, stunned and dumbfounded. - -'Ay,' he said, 'it is short notice, but young folks, ye ken--and my -daughter would not hear of a great wedding; only what was fitting and -plain.' - -'Your daughter?' I said, steadying myself, though my heart was like to -break, for I thought all my friends were to leave me together. - -'Ay, Marjorie,'said Sir Thomas, 'she is a quiet like lass and speaks -little, but when I put the matter of the marriage to her, she said only, -"If it will staunch the feud, I am ready to marry whomsoever you -will--Sir Thomas Tode, gin you like!" But that was only her daffing, -for, as we all know, Sir Thomas is married already. And even if he were -not, marrying him would be neither here nor there in the matter of the -Cassillis and Bargany feuds.' - -For my good master never saw far into a whin bush all his days, though -accounted by most to be a wise man. - -On the morrow, which was the day of the ill-faured wedding, I put on my -complete accoutrements for the first time. I had Dom Nicholas saddled, -for I felt strong once more, and greatly desired to be away from the -place. So I stood by the gate as the party from Auchendrayne came in, -and saluted them, as was my duty. Then I was riding away alone down by -the shore road, when I heard in the distance the sound as of an -approaching cavalcade. - -Bridles were jingling, stirrups clicking, and spearheads making points -of light, while the white foam went blowing back from the hard-ridden -horses. When they rode up, I saw that they were as trenchant a set of -blades as ever a man might wish to set eyes on. And at the head of them -rode young Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany. - -So, not knowing whether they came in peace or war, I set myself upright -on the back of Dom Nicholas, who was of so great freshness with kicking -of his heels in the park, that he was ill to keep at the stand. -Nevertheless, stand I did in the midst of the outer gate, so that I -should know whether they came in peace or war, and to have time to cry -to the porter, even if they rode roughshod over me. - -And though I was weak, and knew not what might happen, it was a joy -untellable to be somebody again, and to gar men reckon with me. - -But, being pale, I fear I made a poor figure to stand in the gate and -withhold so many. For during my captivity the hair on my face had begun -to grow in a manner that was surprising, and proved a constant trouble -to me to keep shaven. - -'Halt!' I cried to them. 'How come you to Culzean--in peace or boding -in fear of war?' - -'But to wish the Tutor luck on his birthday in passing,' said Gilbert, -'and then to ride on to the help of John, Earl of Cassillis.' - -So, much astonished at what had befallen, and especially at his last -saying, I fell in behind him, and the word was given to ride forward. - -But Bargany called me to come beside him, and asked me of my health. I -replied that I had been long time sick of a wound, but that I was now -recovered, and above all things desired action, being sicker far of the -doing of nothing. - -Whereat he laughed, and said, 'Be cheerful, and if ye want blows, I will -ask the loan of you as a hostage from your master.' - -Then, seeing the stir about the doors, and the serving men running every -way with flagons and dishes, he said, ''Tis a great stir for naught but -the Tutor's birthday. What may be the occasion?' - -Then, with my eyes secretly upon his, I told Gilbert Kennedy that the -Lady Marjorie was to be married that day to James Mure of Auchendrayne. -I never saw a man's countenance change so suddenly. The fire sprang to -his eyes, and died out again like dead tinder. The heart blood flushed -hot to his face, and, returning, left him pale as a maid in a decline. - -Then I minded how I had taken the matter myself. Yet I was sorrier for -him, because I knew that he had loved her longer and better than I. But -nevertheless he tossed his sword hand in air, and cried, 'We are in time -for a bridal, brave lads; this is more than we bargained for. Let us go -greet the bride and wish her joy.' - -And this I grant was a better way than sulking and self-pity in the -greenwood, which would have been mine that day, had I been left alone. - -With that he put the horses to the gallop, and we rode through the -narrow pass of the drawbridge by two and two. The roar of the horses -passing over was as the roar of the sea when the storm drives up from -the west on the Craigs of Culzean. - -As we came by the corner of the terrace, I saw him give a look at that -window of the White Tower which faced to the landward. It had been the -Lady Marjorie's, and now was to be hers no more. Then I saw him look -down on the fretting sea, as it tumbled white on the pebbles and rocks -by the Cove. And I knew why he looked there, and I knew more also, for -I remembered what I had heard Marjorie say after he had gone clanking -down the shore in his anger and pride. - -Yet all the while Bargany rode light-hand upon his bridle-rein, the -pride of his horsemen clattering behind him, gay with the music of hoofs -and the dance of red and white pennons. - -I wondered not that, as they said, he took the eyes of ladies wherever -he went. So that the Queen's bower-women quarrelled concerning him, -till Her Majesty said, 'I shall have no peace till I take him for -myself. But what would James say if young Bargany were to sing "John, -come kiss me now," beneath my bower window?' - -But more than all ladies' favours I envied him such a brave repair of -horse to follow him. For Culzean was too poor, and the Lord of -Cassillis too near the bone to keep any such array of mounted gentlemen. - -For hackbuttmen, and footmen with spears, were more to our Earl's mind, -being better in the time of war, and a deal cheaper in the days of -peace--which even in these troubled years were so many more than the -days of fighting. - -As we rode up, and the Bargany squadron halted with a great spattering -of sand and tossing of the heads of horses, the wedding folk were just -coming out. First of all there issued forth the bride, our Marjorie, -the Marjorie that had been ours, on James Mure's arm--he that now was -her husband. And behind them came the Minister of Maybole and Sir -Thomas, walking together very caigy[#] and jocose. - - -[#] Friendly. - - -But Marjorie's face was like stone, though the bitterness of death -overpast was gone from it. I trust mine eyes may never see such a look -of reproach and pain in any human face, as was in hers when she saw -Gilbert Kennedy sitting his horse in front of the squadron, upon the -gravel stones from the seashore that were laid before the castle steps. -But Gilbert only saluted her, and cried aloud as was customary, 'Luck to -the wedding and health to the bride!' - -Then ran Sir Thomas to him and took his hand, bubbling over with -kindliness and pleasure. - -'The feud is staunched indeed, when I see Bargany once more in peace at -the house of Culzean, even as my good friend the Laird of Auchendrayne -said it would be. What might be your kindly errand? And will ye not -light off your beasts and bide to feast with us.' - -'I cannot,' said Bargany. 'The Earl of Cassillis is besieged in the -house of Inch by the Lairds of Galloway, and I ride to his assistance.' - -Then she that had been Marjorie Kennedy turned to him, and said, 'And -will ye indeed consent to staunch the feud for John Mure's sake, that -would not do it for mine?' - -Which seemed to me a strange mode of speech to be spoken in the hearing -of a husband on his wedding day. But I had forgotten that none held the -key to the utterance saving Gilbert Kennedy and myself. - -'The staunching of the feud is neither yours nor mine, Lady Marjorie,' -said Bargany, bending very gently toward her, 'but I cannot bide still -in my house at the town of Ayr while a Kennedy of Cassillis--my enemy -though he be--is dared, outfaced, and threatened by a pack of Galloway -lairds.' - -'Are they, then, ill men and far in the wrong?' said she. - -'On the contrary, they are good men and in the right. But that does not -hinder me from standing for my name and house against every other, even -though that house be foredoomed to fall, because it is divided against -itself.' - -Then he turned to my master, saying to him, 'For this one time, and as a -pledge to my Lord the Earl John that I mean his good, will you permit -Launcelot, your esquire, to ride in my company--he that hath so oft -ridden well against my folk?' - -'Gladly,' said Sir Thomas, 'but the lad has been ill.' - -'It is no far ride, and the boy needs but change of air and foes of -mettle to strengthen his sword-arm against.' - -So in a trice I was ready to follow my house's enemy. - -As I turned I saw John Mure of Auchendrayne standing, looking in the -dignity of his white hair most like a saint, though contrariwise I knew -him to be that which I will not name. I heard him say to my master, 'Ye -see, did not I tell you? This marriage brings all good things already. -And this is but the beginning.' - -'Nay,' replied Sir Thomas, 'indeed it is most gratifying and well done -of you. Who would have believed a week ago that to-day Bargany would -have saddled his steeds and mounted his men to ride to the succour of -John, Earl of Cassillis?' - -And I saw my good, simple master raise his hand and clap Auchendrayne -upon the shoulder. Then, for very hate and loathing, I turned away. -Even as I did so I saw the eye of John Mure on the watch, and I knew -that he understood. For his glance was like a rapier-thrust when your -enemy means killing. - -Ere the horsemen turned to ride away, Marjorie came down the steps to -where Bargany sat his charger, and slipping a ring off her finger she -handed it up to him. - -'For your Isobel Stewart!' she said. - -And though I saw it not, I am as certain as if I had seen the crest and -posy upon it that the ring was his own, one which he had given her in -some past day when they had far other hopes than to part in this fashion -on her wedding morning. - -Then, with a quick cry of command and the gallant clatter of hoofs, we -rode away. And that was the last parting in life of Gilbert and -Marjorie Kennedy, who had been lovers ever since they were bairns, and -had linked themselves together for man and wife with chains of yellow -gowans upon the braes of Culzean. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXIII* - - *A GALLOWAY RAID* - - -As you may suppose, it was no grief, but the reverse, for me to ride -away with Bargany to the South, and leave behind me the drear house of -Culzean upon that dismal day of doom and sacrifice. Nell Kennedy I saw -nothing of, though, as I learned in the aftertime, she saw me. For she -too had fled from the house, being unwilling to have aught to do with -such a deed of cruel wrong as the marrying of her sister, that was the -flower of the West, to an oafish lout like James Mure. - -'Not but what our Maidie can stand up for herself. And if she gets not -her own way, sorry am I even for James Mure!' said she. - -It was from the branches of a thick plane that Nell watched us ride away -to the house of the Inch, and noted me as I cantered by Bargany's side. -Of which, had I known it then, I should have been fain. For, wild -ettercap as she was, I now counted Nell Kennedy almost the only friend I -had left. - -And as we went, Bargany told me of the Earl's message brought him by -James Young, the Minister of Colmonel. And in especial how he had telled -a great lie to win through the men of Galloway--in which sin it was then -uncommon for a minister to be found out. - -'Not but that my heart is with the lads of Galloway,' said Bargany, 'but -after all, Gibby Crack-tryst is the first of the Kennedies, and I shall -not see him put down, whatever be his deserts, by Garthland and the -Sheriff. If Cassillis is to go down, Bargany shall go with it; and all -Galloway, twice told, shall not accomplish that!' - -Although I felt chilled by the dull, unheartsome day we had left behind -us, I can tell you I thought no little of myself to be thus riding in -comradeship with Bargany at my elbow. For though I had so ridden with -the Earl once or twice, yet I counted ten times more on Bargany. Forty -horsemen were of our company, and mine was the weariest body among them -all. For it was my first long day, after my sickness with harness on my -back, and pulses beat where my wounds had been, so that I feared that -they would break out afresh, and I have to be left behind. - -At last we stayed our steeds at a small tenant's house called -Craigaffie, a little way from the Inch, where a vassal of Bargany's -dwelt. Him we sent to meet the Earl and tell him that we were -there--also to bid the Galloway men come to an arbitrament, if so they -would. For they had enclosed the Earl back and front in his own house -of the Inch, so that none could pass--save indeed one that knew the -byeways and outgates as did this Peter Neilson of Craigaffie. - -Presently there came back from the Earl a message most piteous, for he -knew the men of Galloway had him fast; and he was afraid for the safety -of the rents and mails that he had with him in silver and minted -gold--far more, to do him justice, than he was anxious about his own -skin. Bargany was his dearly-beloved cousin, his eame, his saviour. He -would keep friendship with him more than with any friend he had all the -days of his life, for this notable deliverance he had wrought. He was -to come and put himself in the Earl's hands after he had sent the lords -of Galloway about their business. The Earl's plighted word would be his -security. - -At this Bargany gave a smile, and set his thumb over his shoulder at the -forty swords that were riding behind him. - -'These,' said he, 'will be the best security that John, Earl of -Cassillis, will not harm me when I go to visit him in his castle of the -Inch.' - -It was no long season before there came MacDowall of Garthland and -Sheriff Agnew to represent the men of Galloway, and never in my life, -save when I went as herald to the great house of Kerse, did I see such -an exchange of high civilities. It was as the meeting of heroes, when -compared to the double-dealing and deceit of our break-tryst Earl. More -than ever, I wished that I had been born on the other side of the score. -But it hadna bin to be. - -Agnew the Sheriff was a tall man, with dark hair quickly frosting to -grey, a hawk's nose, a long arm good at laying on, and a biting tongue -which he knew well when to hold. The Laird of Garthland, on the other -hand, was red of beard and brown of hair, altogether a man well set, -beginning also to be well-stomached with good feeding and sleeping on -benches of the afternoons. - -It was Garthland who saluted first, for he came of the oldest race in -Galloway--save, perhaps, it may be, the MacCullochs of Ardwell. But the -eagle-nosed Sheriff was the chief spokesman. - -'Greeting courteously to you, Bargany,' he said. 'This is a pleasure -unexpected. Over on our poor shire-side, the erne of the hills neither -mixes nor mells with the quarrels of the carrion crow.' - -'I greet you well, Sheriff,' said Gilbert Kennedy; 'but say your say -plain out, without bringing all the birds of the air into the matter.' - -'Plainly then,' said the Sheriff, 'the matter is this. The Earl has -moved the law against us for rights his father granted us years agone, -rights that have never been questioned, and when we will not yield to -him, he uses his influence with the King to make us traitors. He sends -his low-born officers to remove us from our kindly homesteadings, and -from the castles where for centuries our forefathers dwelled--ay, before -one stone of Cassillis lay on the top of another.' And the fire glinted -in the Sheriff's deep-set eyes, till, with his eagle's beak, he looked -himself the very erne of which he had spoken. He went on. 'Then comes -he himself, with a force of forty horse, to reduce the unbroken baronage -of Galloway. He summons us to the court of doom, and lo! we come to -this yett with a hundred gentlemen, and as many more footmen that but -wait to be called. We have obeyed his mandate to the letter, whereat he -sulks within gates. Then we send him word that we are at the -trysting-place, and that we will be most glad to see his face. But for -some reason or other that I cannot guess at, he comes not; but withdraws -himself into the house of the Inch, where presently he remains. And we, -being bound to see that no ill befalls him within our borders, have set -ourselves down to be the warders and the protectors of him and of the -castle.' - -So said the Sheriff, and made his courteous amend. And to him Bargany -replied,-- - -'But, Lochnaw, ye know well that ye have no warrant thus to shut up the -Earl of Cassillis, immuring your lawful feudal superior and defying -ancient custom.' - -Then spake the red-bearded Laird of Garthland. - -'If it come to that, we are bound to you and not to the Earl, Gilbert -Kennedy. Ye are bound to maintain us in our rights! Am I to lose my -auld and kindly office and possession, which I have held in direct line -from Uchtred, Lord of Galloway? Of a truth, no, Bargany! Ye are of a -conscience overtrue for work of this kind. Ye will do to me your -honourable duty, as your predecessors have ever done to mine in time -past.' - -And having said his say with dignity, the red Garthland held his peace. - -I could see very well that Bargany was ill at ease. He liked not the -errand he had come on. Blows were very well, but to be process-server -sat heavy on his stomach. I heard him mutter,-- - -'That I, Gilbert Kennedy, should be doing John of Cassillis's dirty -work! For none other sake than Marjorie's would I do this thing!' - -But he took up his parable with the Lairds of Galloway. - -'Hearken, Garthland and Lochnaw--if, as ye say, I am above ye, well do -ye know that the Earl is by law above us both.' - -He paused for a moment, wry-face, as though he had swallowed the -bitterest drugs of the apothecary. And I saw the Sheriff smile a smile -as bitter every whit. - -'Hearken to me. If my lord continue to do ye wrong, and will not use -you kindly, by mine honourable word in the hearing of all these friends, -I will not only leave his lordship--I will maintain you to the last drop -of my blood. But if ye pursue my lord to take his life, seeing that he -has sent for me to aid him, I will defend him to the uttermost of my -power.' - -Then said the Sheriff, 'Bargany, we are honourable men and peaceful. We -are not here to attack the Earl, but to defend ourselves in that thing -in which he would do us wrong.' - -'I will deal straightly with my lord,' said Bargany; 'be content, and -leave the outcome to me.' - -'We are content,' they replied, both of them as one. 'We ken a man when -we front him, for we ourselves are men. We will abide your judgment, -whatever you may command.' - -So in a trice Bargany had gotten the Earl to promise all good things, -and the Galloway men were satisfied. Thereafter they all dined together -with my lord in the house of Inch, and parted very merry. And the men -of Galloway convoyed us northward to the braes of Glenap, where the -whole force and retinue of Bargany's servants and friends met us. Thus -was the Earl released from durance, and his promises were loud and many, -so that we were all well-contented. And I thought that the old feud was -at last come to an end. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXIV* - - *THE SLAUGHTER IN THE SNOW* - - -But, alas! I was never more disappointed, shamed, deceived in my life. -For no sooner was our Earl back in his own messuages and domains, and -behind his lines of hackbuttmen, than he resiled from all his -promises--both to the Galloway men, who had done so honourably in the -releasing and convoying of him, and (what seemed to me worse) also to -Bargany, who had pledged himself in honour to satisfy the Sheriff and -Garthland. For after all, a lie told to a loon of Galloway is not like -one to a man's own kin and country. Though, of course, a man that is -true all through the web, will not tell a lie to any. But such men are -few, at least in the shire of Ayr where I dwell, and in Edinburgh to -which I have at different times voyaged. - -But Bargany, as was natural, was fierce in his indignation with the -crack-tryst Earl. - -'For,' said he, 'he has made me, that am a man of my word, break faith -with men of a like pattern, even with Uchtred MacDowall of Garthland and -the Sheriff of Galloway.' - -So after all this tangled business, instead of peace, as my -deeply-deceived master had supposed when he gave over his daughter to -the traitors of Auchendrayne, there issued at the last naught but feud, -more deadly and hateful than ever. - -The Earl, who, to do him justice, was no coward as to his own skin, went -hither and thither between Cassillis and Maybole, and even south to -Auchneil, riding freely as though he had been within his own borders all -the time. And the traps that were laid for him by Auchendrayne and -Thomas of Drummurchie, the Laird of Bargany's barbarous brother, were -too many to be told. Yet for the sake of the new alliance, such as it -was, Culzean meddled not at all with the matter, though doubtless it was -a source of infinite bitterness of spirit to him. - -Then all of a sudden there came upon us the eleventh of December, which -is a day yet remembered in Carrick, because of the many brave lads that -pranked it in pride in the morning, and who yet lay stiff in their war -gear or ever the early winter gloaming had fallen. - -We at Culzean got our warning from the Earl's man, John Dick, on the -night before, how it was the order that we were to gather at Cassillis -yett and ride with them back to Maybole town all in a company. John -Dick told us, but with even more than his customary surliness and -unwillingness, that the cause of this raising of the clan was, that two -days before Bargany had ridden past the gate of Cassillis, where the -Earl was--stopping not at all, but riding by with pennons flying in -despite, which was held a deadly insult to his feudal superior. So Earl -John had sworn to be equal with him on his return. - -It was such a day of snow (this eleventh day of December) that even in -the midst of the fight, when the hackbutts were talking and the steel -ringing, a man could scarce see whither he was going. At times so thick -was the drift, that when a man struck at an enemy with his lance, he -could not tell who it might be that opposed him, whether friend or foe. - -But when, very early in the morning, we rode out to the muster, the -oncoming storm had not yet begun. The air was bitter cold, blowing from -the south-east, so that it drove in the faces of the Bargany folk all -the day. Now, as of late years it had been customary with him, my Lord -of Culzean was not able to ride with us. For the chill weather unmanned -him, and he could do nothing but hurkle over the fire, with a lad to rub -his swollen feet and stiff knee-joints. - -So it befell that once more I had the leading of our good lads from the -sea border. Right merry we were as we rode forth, for the matter seemed -to us no more than a good adventure. None thought that the issue would -be so grim and bloody as it proved. We were but half-way to Maybole -when we came suddenly on Auchendrayne himself and John Dick, the Earl's -messenger, in close converse--which I thought a strange thing, seeing -that Auchendrayne was so great a favourer of the Bargany faction. So -soon as they saw us come in sight they parted, and John Dick rode away -over the fields, but Auchendrayne came towards us, riding easily and -pleasantly as if to market. - -'A good day to you,' he cried. 'Whither away, armed _cap-à-pie_, so -early?' - -'We ride to meet my lord, and to do his bidding!' I said, making my -words brief and curt, because I liked not the man, for all his fine -figure and commanding presence. - -'Your master Sir Thomas, is, I hear, laid by with his ancient trouble. -I asked John Dick concerning him. Tell him that I grieve to hear of -it.' - -'Without doubt, you were on your way to visit him,' I said, with mockery -in my manner of speech, for it was a strange thing to meet John Mure on -the wrong side of the town of Maybole at daybreak of a winter's morning. - -'Without doubt,' he answered readily; 'but now that I know of his weak -state of health, I need not trouble him this day!' - -'There is the greater need, Laird Auchendrayne,' I made reply, 'that you -should go on and cheer him with your pleasant discourse.' - -He answered to that not a word good nor bad, but turned his horse and -rode away to the right, making, as I guessed, a detour to avoid my lord -and join our enemies of Bargany. - -It was early in the morning of this famous eleventh of December (as I -have been told) that there was a goodly stir and commotion in the town -of Ayr. Gilbert Kennedy had resolved that he would ride that day to -Bargany by way of the town of Maybole. Sorely and often they of his -faction tried to dissuade him, but he was set immovably on it, as he was -on anything to which he had once made up his mind. - -'Think ye,' he said, 'that I am feared of John, Earl of Cassillis, or of -all the Kennedies of the shore edge that ever scarted other folk's -siller into their wallets like sclate-stanes?' - -'Ye needna be feared,' said his brother Thomas, the Wolf of Drummurchie, -'but ye surely have enough of sense to take care of your pelt. Even a -swine has that muckle. Do you think that Cassillis, and those that are -with him, have not as much sense as we? They will be standing by some -roadside where we have to ride by, and they will have holes cutted out, -I warrant you, long or this, to shoot us in the by-ganging---even as we -did for Earl Johnnie at the limekilns of the Dalgorrachies.' - -But that debauched villain, the Laird of Benane, and his little-wit -sister, moved him to that pride, to which also his own heart ever too -easily inclined. So, in spite of all entreaty, Bargany leaped on his -charger and rode forward himself, with only ten or twelve horsemen as a -first vanguard. Behind him there came other seventy, making in all the -number of fourscore armed men on horseback, all good riders of mettle. -Some of these were such burghers of Ayr as had a soul beyond the -ell-wand, and could follow a foray and bend the pull of a pistolet with -any man. For I have learned that all townsfolk are not nidderlings, as -once I thought in my hot youth and little knowledge. - -Now, so soon as they were well mounted there were two at Bargany's -muster who rode away to warn my Lord of Cassillis by which way Bargany -should come, so that he might be in array. The traitorous names of them -were William Cunningham and Hew Penandgow, against both of whom -Auchendrayne had warned Gilbert Kennedy. But Bargany had taken no heed, -for he said, 'Never yet have I seen the time when my right arm could not -keep my head against kings and earls, let alone pock-puddings and -Penandgows!' - -'Nor like I this day's work,' said Auchendrayne, 'for I see not here the -weight of men to do your turn and carry you through.' - -Yet all the time he was plotting that Gilbert Kennedy should no more -ride home to Bargany, and that John Mure should rule the land in his -stead. - -It was not long before they came to the bridge of Doon. - -There they stayed awhile, and Bargany set his fighting men in array. -And, as was the custom, he made an address to them--of which I have -heard much and often, for all men minded it as the speech of a brave -man. - -'Sirs,' he said, so that they could all catch his words, 'I am here to -protest, before God, that I seek neither the life nor the dishonour of -my lord. But I desire only to ride home to my house in peace, if he -will let me. But if not, I look to you all to do your duty as becometh -men. He that is willing to do this, out of love and kindness for me, let -him tarry with me to the end. But if not, let him leave me now at this -present!' - -And they all answered, 'We will die in your defence if any dire hurt or -pursue you!' - -So being well agreed, they of Bargany rode forward. They were divided -into two companies, and their faces were set toward the gate of the -town. And now it befits that I speak of the things which I saw with my -own eyes, and of the noble muster that we of the Cassillis faction made -on the knowes outside of Maybole. - -I mind well how the Earl's spies came riding in with the news that -Bargany had ridden out of the town of Ayr, and what joy was in the -hearts of most of us that were there, when we heard that with him he had -but eighty men. - -Earl John was so full of pleasure that his countenance shone, and he -cracked his thumbs like a boy, seeing his enemy already in his power. -He rode here and there among us, and saw to it that all the hackbuttmen -had good-going matches, and all the footmen practicable spears and -pikes. - -When we gathered in the High Street of Maybole the snow was just -beginning to fall, and presently it came driving up from the south, so -that we had it on our backs all through the fight. - -I was put in the very forefront of the muster with my twenty horsemen. -For, save and excepting those of Culzean, and the few that surrounded -his own person and were his gentlemen (as Robert Harburgh and others), -my Lord of Cassillis counted not many horsemen, but rather spent his -means upon providing hackbuttmen with the latest species of ordnance. - -Nevertheless, gallantly enough we rode forth from Maybole, with the -hackbuttmen and spearmen coming on foot after us. The street was full -of them as far as one could discern through the oncoming storm, rising -and falling like the waves of the sea. Yet was our soldierly figure a -little spoiled by the falling snow--at least to the eyes of the women -that looked down upon us in droves from the upper windows of the houses. -But, of course, a soldier cared nothing for such a trifle. - -When once we got outside the town, my lord bade his men line the hedges -and banks, so that the hackbuttmen might have both rests for their -pieces and shelter for themselves. On the other hand, the Laird of -Bargany hid few hackbuttmen, for he said, 'It is not the arm of a -gen'leman. Comes a bullet of lead and be he lord, prince, or peasant, -Childe Roland or base craven, there is no difference and no remead.' - -No sooner were we set, all under cover, than our spearmen upon the left -and we upon the right, discerned the host of Bargany beginning to crown -the opposite knolls. And through the pauses of the storm I could see the -leaden glint of their spears, and hear the words of command. It was -indeed a picked day for a grim fight to the death. - -At the head of all Gilbert Kennedy rode, behind him the Wolf his -brother, and the Laird of Auchendrayne wearing a long cloak, for it was -a stormy day and he no longer a young man like the others. Then it was -that my heart rose against the fighting, and I had no such gladness in -it as was usual with me, all for the sake of young Bargany, whom I -loved. Yet as soon as I set eyes upon John Mure of Auchendrayne, I felt -the iron grow in my veins and the hot anger mount to my head. Of its -own accord my hand gripped the spearhilt, for this day, by the Earl's -command, I was again to lay a lance in rest. But I had now learned the -game and art of it, and took lessons no longer from anyone. - -'If the Lord prosper me this day, I will make an end of one false -rogue!' So I vowed, solemn as if I had been in the kirk on a Sabbath -day. - -Then the two forces drew so close together that we could see and hear -one another--that is, before the snow swept down, blotting out faces and -forms, friend and foe alike. - -Immediately there began the challenging and taunting, as is ever the way -in these clan battles, where every fighter knows everyone else, and has -met him at kirk and market a score of times. - -Then Patrick Rippitt, that was ever a wild lad, cried out for -provocation to the Laird of Bargany's younger brother, with whom he had -some quarrel about a lass. - -'Laird of Benane, Laird of Benane, this is I, Patrick Rippitt, that took -your hackbutt from you! For thy latest love's sake, come down to the -hollow and break a tree with me.' - -For that was his manner of challenging his enemy to fight with lances. -And again, 'Then for all thy loves sake,' cried Patrick, which made a -laugh, for Benane's loves were comparable to the snowflakes for number, -and eke for the lightness--but by no means the whiteness of their -characters. - -'For all thy loves' sakes, come down, and I will gar thy harns clatter!' - -But Benane was silent and returned no answer, albeit the moment before -he had been giving Bargany counsel to ride forward at the charge. But -Benane was a man, debonnair but feckless, a weighty man with his tongue, -but thewless and unable of his hands. - -Long ere this the men of Ayr were keen to be at the shooting. But -Bargany held them in, saying, 'I will go to the length of my tether in -eschewing all cummer and bickering, so far as I may.' - -And with that he wheeled about his force off the knows of the Lady -Carse, and went down by the bogside of Dinhame, to see whether a way -might be won in that direction, without coming to the bloody arbitrament -of battle. - -But my lord the Earl cried out, 'Ware ye, there on the left. They would -turn our flank and take us at unawares!' - -So he spread out his hackbuttmen, and made them race down the ridges -over against Bargany's men, till they won to the foot of the Bog of -Dinhame. There on the edge of the moss was a wall of turf, or, as the -country folk call it, a 'fail dyke,' so our hackbuttmen, coming to it, -first lined it, and then began to fire on Bargany, who was somewhat -disconcerted and taken aback at their alertness. I galloped round to -the right, to make safe the wing with my little band of horse, for I -feared we might be suddenly assaulted by the whole band of eighty. - -However, as it happened, the sudden shooting of our musketeers threw -their lines into confusion, some of them halting by a little burn-side -that was at the bog-foot. This staying of the charge gave further -courage to our musketeers, who had full time to plant their rests and -make their matches ready. Our pikemen also gathered at the back of the -turf dyke and levelled their weapons over the heads of the kneeling -hackbuttmen, so that it had been as vain for the whole company to have -charged upon us, as for them to have attacked the walls of Calais. - -Nevertheless, I saw them muster again boldly and come at us. I caught -the trampling of their horses as they gathered speed. The fire of our -musketeers flickered out here and there adown the line, for it was a -dark afternoon and the flashes could clearly be seen. I saw sundry -horses go down and heard men fall, the iron plates of their mail -clashing on the frost-firmed ground. Some of those who started most -gallantly reeled in their saddles, threw up their arms and fell -backwards, while their horses galloped riderless away, for that is the -manner of men's falling who are smitten by the bullet as they ride. - -The Wolf of Drummurchie was down. I hoped that he would rise no more, -for he was a most cruel beast and the bane of many lives. Indeed, from -before the fire of our musketeers, all trained marksmen, the riders of -Bargany who had been so proud, fairly melted away. Thus was Earl John -justified of his dependence upon powder and lead. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXV* - - *MARJORIE BIDS HER LOVE GOOD-NIGHT* - - -I was just rejoicing that the battle was well over, and that the victory -remained with us without great shedding of blood, when to my infinite -astonishment I saw a little dark cloud of five or six men disengage them -from the deray, and charge straight at the thickest of us. They seemed -to come suddenly out of the midst of the battling snowstorm, for the -driven flakes beat so in their faces, that had it not been shed from -their armour they would have been fairly sheeted white in it, as indeed -were the trappings of their horses. - -In a moment more they were amongst us--Bargany himself first of all, -with Cloncaird and James and Andro Bannatyne, and behind them, with his -sword bare, Auchendrayne himself. Yet I opine he came not willingly, -but that his horse, unaccustomed to noise, ran away with him. By what -freak of madness they resolved thus to charge, as it had been an army in -position, it is beyond me to tell. In a moment these five were in the -midst of the slicing steel and the flame of ordnance--the snow-flakes -driving in their eyes and their swords cutting a way through the white -drift to reach the foe. - -Never was there such a fight--at least, not in this land, for there were -but five of them to near a hundred of us! So that I saw no honour in -the battle, and besides, it went hard with me to have to smite that -Gilbert Kennedy, at whose side I had ridden so blithely all the way to -the house of the Inch. - -But I spurred Dom Nicholas forward with a kind of joy, toward the mound -where Auchendrayne had managed to stay his horse just outside the heady -rush of the fight. I saw that he meant to watch what the end might be, -but I was determined that I should give him more than he bargained for. -So I couched lance, and crying, 'A Kennedy!' held at him, swinging a -pistol point-blank as I came, and throwing it away as I gripped the -spear. And this time at least I might well have been called Spurheel, -for I rowelled Dom Nicholas most vigorously. I came upon John Mure with -a surge, so that I clean overbore him with a lance-thrust in the thigh. -I cared not a jot that he was old. The devil was older than he, and -besides, if he wanted not to stand the chance of battle, he might even -have bided at home for the quarrel was none of his. - -And it had been telling all of us if I had stayed to finish him. When I -think of the ill the man did afterwards, and how for years he had been -bringing many to their deaths, I can bite my thumb for letting him off -scot-free. - -But, like a fool, I contented myself with the lance-thrust and the -chance pistol bullet I sped at him in the heat of the fight. For I -never could abide the cruel slaying of the wounded, which is practised -even more in these private wars than in the great affairs of nations. -And this over delicacy has often stood in the way of my advantage. - -So I turned, and left Auchendrayne lying on the ground. As I came back I -heard Bargany crying out, 'I fear we are too few! But have at them till -we die!' - -There was but one that fought with him, all his other companions being -stricken down. And in a trice he alone was left on his horse. -Nevertheless, it was with a light hand on the rein and a feat touch of -the heel, that Gilbert Kennedy kept his head, though the blows fell like -hail on his armour. There were three that he held at arm's length--all -the while crying out for the Earl, and trying fiercely to break through -the spearmen, who stood like a fence about the person of Cassillis. - -'Where is my lord himself?' he cried. 'Let him now keep promise, and -come out like a man to break a tree with me!' - -So went the fight of the one against many, and such deeds of valiance -saw I never any man do in this realm of Scotland, though in my time I -have seen so many brave and worthy things done. For Gilbert Kennedy -attacked Patrick Rippitt and Quintain Crawford with strokes that nearly -dang them senseless, crying at each blow, 'Bargany! Bargany! To the -rescue, Bargany!' But ever as he raged through the fight like a lion, I -saw John Dick watching him with a poised lance in his hand. And while -Gilbert was at blows with Rippitt and Big Quintain, Dick raised the -spear and sent it quivering at him, with an art which I never saw any -man master of, save only himself. Gilbert Kennedy had taken no note of -him--for, as I heard afterwards, Auchendrayne had told all that were in -the camp of Bargany, that John Dick was his man, and his paid -intelligencer in the host of the enemy. - -The poised lance struck young Bargany full in the neck and stayed. So -in the midst of his foes, and striking at them to the last, he fell, who -was the bravest man of his age. And at his overthrow there fell a -silence for a space, and the battle smother cleared. Only the snow fell -and scarce melted on the face that was already white and set in death. - -We crossed our spears and made a bier with our cloaks, whereon we laid -him. Then very gently I drew away the deadly lance, though the wound -bled not much, but inwardly, which was worse. We thought to bear him to -some castle of his own folk, as it might be to the house of Auchdrayne. -But the Earl John came and looked at his foe and kinsman as he lay on -the snow with his eyes closed. - -'Carry him to my castle at the town end of Maybole,' said he, 'for that -is near by.' - -Now I thought that not the best place in the world for the young man's -recovery, but, being bidden, it was not mine to reply, but only to obey. - -We came to the portcullis gate of Maybole, and were bearing him in upon -our shoulders, when down the road to the town there came, riding like -the wind, first a lady and then a man that followed hotly in pursuit. -When they came nearer, I saw that the lady was she who had been Marjorie -Kennedy, and that the man riding after was her husband, James Mure. At -sight of us who bore the soldier's bier slowly on our spears, Marjorie -leaped from her horse, and left it to wander, bridle free, whither it -would. But a page seized and held it. - -She came swiftly to where we were carrying our burden on the crossed -lances. - -'Is it Gilbert Kennedy?' she said. - -We told her ay. - -'Lay him down under the gate,' she commanded, 'I would speak with him.' - -'But, my lady Marjorie,' I said, as gently as I could, 'I fear that he -is dead already.' - -'Then I would even speak to him dead,' she cried. 'Lay him down!' - -Her husband came up to take her by the hand as if to remove her, but she -turned on him in white anger, swift and flaming. - -'You that have never yet dared to lay a hand on me, is it like that you -shall begin now? Go, look to your father; cravens that shun the battle -ought not to brawl with women in the gate!' - -And without further remonstrance James Mure slunk away, like the very -pitiful rogue that he was. I could have kicked the cur, and wished -there had been fewer folk there--for I had done it too. - -Then she that had been so proud and haughty to young Bargany when he was -alive, took the fair, wounded head in her arms, crouching beside him in -the dun, trampled snow, while the flakes blew in upon her unbound hair. -She crooned and hushed him like a bairn, while we that had borne him -stood wide from her, some turning away altogether. But, because I knew -all and loved her, I stood near. - -'Gilbert,' she said, 'noblest and dearest, never doubt but that I loved -you--never loved but you. Though I flouted you oft, and ever sent you -empty away, yet I loved you and none other. And I want the world to -know that I loved him--ay,' she said, turning her face up to us all -defiantly, 'ay, and loved him with clean hands, too, for he that is dead -never knew it. But I desire you that were his enemies in life, to know -that I, Marjorie Kennedy, honoured myself by loving the noblest man and -the fairest--not that thing there, who by cozenance bought me, as cattle -are bought in the market-place.' - -She laid down his head very gently, taking a fine silken scarve, soft -and white, from her own neck. And in the folds of that which was yet -warm with the warmth of her pure and gracious bosom, she wrapped from -common sight the head of him who had died without knowledge of her love. - -Then she kneeled low down upon her knees, clasping hands and holding the -last fold of the napkin ere she covered his face from sight. - -'Ah, best beloved,' she said very gently, yet so that I could hear, -'fare thee well! So have I never said farewell before. But ever -scornfully, being in fear of mine own heart's treachery. Lie you there -that wert the noblest man the sun shone on, of adversaries the most -fearless, of enemies the most chivalrous, of friends the truest, of -loves the sweetest--lie you there. Those that hated you were many. But -there was one that loved you--ay, and loves you, and ever shall love -you! Lie you there, heart that never feared aught but God and dishonour -and a lie--heart that never took favour from man nor refused one to -woman. See, I will touch your lips--those sweetest lips that never of -my own will, have I touched before. The earth be kind to your body, -sweet. The heavens receive your soul with honour, and the angels that -warred with Satan and vanquished him, stand up at your entrance to give -you room!' - -She smoothed the cloth upon the face with mighty love in the caressing -of her finger tips. - -'Good-night, dear love,' she said, lifting it for the last time and -kissing his brow. 'It is sweet, even thus in death, to tell thee that I -love thee!' - -Then, when Marjorie had done bidding her love farewell, we lifted the -crossed spears, and setting them again on the shoulders of men, we -carried Gilbert of Bargany away. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXVI* - - *DAYS OF QUIET* - - -I ran back to bid Marjorie return with us to Culzean, where at least we -could keep her safe. She stood where we had left her, looking at the -place where her love had lain. The marks of the crossed spears and -certain drops of blood alone remained on the snow. - -At the sound of my voice she started as from a dream. - -'Ah, Launcelot,' she said, looking at me strangely, as though I too had -been dead and in a newer life had unexpectedly confronted her, 'do you -think that I, who fear not fifty in the highway, fear one or two in the -house of Auchendrayne? My work is not done there yet,' she added; 'till -it be, there I shall bide.' - -And with that she mounted and rode away. Never did I see a cavalcade -ride home in such fashion after a victory. There was not a man of us -from Culzean but went with his head hanging down like a little whipped -cur. And when we told Sir Thomas he was like to break his heart, for he -was a kindly man, and had ever a great affection for Bargany. - -And Nell, when she heard it, went out and stopped the boys that played -at ball and shouted in the tennis-court. Also, to keep them sober, she -set them to learn their religion--of which, in common with all in that -country side (save perhaps my master) they had great need. - -But strange to tell, after the grief for Bargany's death was a little -by-past among us, there befell the quietest and most gracious time that -ever had been in the house of Culzean. It was like the coming of joy -after the rain--the warm rain of pity which thawed our winter-frozen -hearts. - -Yet the things that happened during these months were many. First of -all there was the marrying of my pretty cruel Kate to Robert Harburgh, -who had at last gotten leave to depart from the Earl, and the -down-sitting to settle on. So the day came that I had looked for to be -so bitter to me, and lo! it was not bitter at all; for I stood beside -Nell Kennedy in white, who was Kate Allison's best maid, and it was -indeed a sight comely. Then it was that for the first time I honestly -judged Nell to be more beautiful than her sister Marjorie, of which I -have often thought since. - -When all was over, and Nell and I had done racing and throwing of old -shoes after them, as they rode away together to their well-furnished -house of Chitterlintie, it chanced that she and I walked home together. -We were silent a long while. - -Then said I, 'Nell, do you remember how it was our daily use to -quarrel?' - -'And so it may be again,' she said, tossing her head. - -'I wonder where the rope is, and the tow-steps that used to dangle from -the White Tower?' she asked after a moment. - -'They are e'en there yet,' I said, 'if it be that you desire to go and -see your lad. But be more timely, I pray you, in your homecoming, for -now you have no excuse in the way of sisters--' - -Then I remembered, and was shamed. However, Nell paid no heed, but -seemed to be thinking of something else. - -'Nor have you now any excuse for going down by to Sandy the Grieve's,' -she said, giving me tit for tat. - -'Nell,' said I, 'we are very good friends, are we not? - -'Ay,' said she, drily, 'brawly do I ken the reason of that.' - -'And what may the reason be?' I asked of her. - -'Just that I am all there is left,' she said, so quickly that I declare -the saying took the wind from me, like a sudden blow where one's breath -bides. Nor do I yet know the answer to that, for on the surface of the -thing there was certainly some reason in what she said. - -'Oh, I am not proud,' she went on, 'and you and I are good friends and -good company. I am e'en content to be Mistress Do-no-better!' - -'Nell,' said I, going nearer to her, and taking her hand, 'Nell, you and -I are now to be more than that.' - -But she drew her hand away with a jerk. - -'Try a new way of it,' she said; 'I am not taking Mistress Katherine -Allison's cast-off sweet speeches!' - -So that base little wretch Kate Allison had been at the telling of -tales! - -After this I saw no better way out of the bog than to withdraw myself -from her, and walk apart in that silent dignity, which, upon occasion, I -have at my command. - -'No, Launce,' she said, standing up with her hands behind her and her -mouth pouted, 'you are a good lad enough, but simple. I knew that I -would send you into the sulks. That was the reason I said it. If you -take me for a sweet confection that melts in the mouth, you mistake me -sorely!' - -But I made no answer, not indeed having any to make, and so marched off -by myself. Yet for all Nell's ill-treatment and scorning of me, I did -not grieve any more for that minx Kate. For, as I was no long time in -discovering, the pretty traitress had told Nell many of those sweet -things I had said to her. I never imagined that girls told such -speeches and love-makings the one to the other. I had aways believed -that a lass kept her own secrets, and only told other people's. It was, -indeed, most true what Nell had cast up to me. I was but a simple lad. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXVII* - - *ON THE HEARTSOME HEATHER* - - -Now I must tell during this time of Sir Thomas Kennedy. He seemed -altogether another man. He had ever, indeed, been kindly and generous, -forgiving and unsuspicious. But during these spring months of the year -after Bargany's death, he seemed to ripen like a winter apple when it is -laid by, till there was no more sourness in him anywhere. - -Oftentimes he would come and cause me to read to him out of the Gospels. -Aforetime it had always been from the Old Testament, which I had ever -thought the more interesting, till Sir Thomas that spring showed me -other of it, making me read through the Holy Gospels. - -Indeed, to talk with him and watch his life was better than any sermon. -I declare that before I understood his character and thought, I knew not -that religion was aught more than the colour of a faction--a thing to -fight about, like the blood feuds of Cassillis and Bargany, concerning -the wrong and right of which not one in a thousand knows anything, and -still fewer care. - -Yet for all his increasing gentleness there was naught unmanly about my -lord, but ever the bearing and speech of a most courteous knight. He -had a great love for noble and sweet music, and often diverted himself -on the viol, upon which he played most masterly. The scurril jest, -indeed, he would sharply reprove; but his heart still inclined to wit -and mirth, and his countenance was constantly cheerful. - -Specially this was so when he and I, with Nell and little David, rode -south to Galloway, where we were to abide a long season with Sheriff -Agnew. For Marget Kennedy, his eldest daughter, was married to the -young Laird, the Sheriff's son, and abode at the castle of Lochnaw. Now -in these days the air of Galloway, brisk yet kindly, suited my master -better than the sea winds which were ever blowing about Culzean. And -what was more to him than all Galloway was not so torn by feuds as -Carrick and Kyle. And a man held not his life ever in the palm of his -hand, as a tavern drawer does an unsteady cup which at any moment may be -spilled. Nevertheless my good master found an infinite sadness in this, -that in a wide realm of men that are called Christians, I, Launcelot -Kennedy, should have come to the years of manhood with no better opinion -of religion than that it was the rag of faction. And this, too, with -ministers in mostly every parish, with preachings and communings, and -all the outer husk of godliness. - -But during this springtime, Sir Thomas showed me quite other of it. But -yet I gave not in to all his argument about the Kingdom of Peace. For I -answered that I was his soldier and servant, and that time and again it -had been so ordered by Providence that fight I must--for the safety and -honour of my master and eke for mine own, this being the sphere of life -in which my lot had been cast. - -'I object it not,' said Sir Thomas; 'defence and the appeal to arms are -lawful. But I have lived many days, and I think shall not live many -more. Yet never have I seen the lasting success of them that make the -appeal to the sword. Truly does Holy Writ say, that they that flee to -the sword shall perish by the sword.' - -And as we paced together he read to me much from his little Bible, and -bemoaned his sins and evil life, especially how that he had been -overtaken in the house of Sir Thomas Nisbett on the New Year's night of -the attack. I wished that I dared tell him that I had arranged the -matter with his host for the saving of his life. But I judged that -repentance is no bad thing for young or old, so I e'en let him repent -his fill and bemoan as he would. - -Few places more heartsome have I seen than the tower of Lochnaw. First, -it stood near to an inland loch, where ducks squattered and splashed, -instead of being like Culzean, set amid the thresh of winds and the -brattle of the sea. Then the Sheriff and his children were well agreed, -and friendly with their neighbours, so that it was a proverb, that the -wolves and the lambs lay down together in that countryside. For if you -stirred an Agnew, you had all the wolves of Galloway on your back! But -in truth the Agnews were somewhat strange 'lambs,' though their name -bears that signification. - -'We are called Agnews because we have so often been fleeced,' said the -Sheriff once in his pleasantry. - -But I told him that was bad sense though good wit--because in the hills -we shore not the lambs till they had grown to be sheep. - -'Ay, well,' said the Sheriff, twinkling with his eyes, 'shear my son -Patrick there, for he is now sheep-muckle, and has been so silly as to -mix himself with the unruly folk of Carrick.' - -I had indeed great pleasure in the house of Lochnaw. It is a fair place, -with walls, moats, and drawbridges all about--very proper for -defence--so that there be no artillery set against it. But to my -thinking the mounds might now very well be levelled and turned into -walks and terraces, as has been done at Culzean. - -I sat down daily with the family at table, and was in all respects as -one of them. For the Sheriff said, 'Ye are not to be strange with -us--for my wife comes from within sight of Kirrieoch Hill, and likes -dearly to listen to the tongue of the muirland border folk.' - -'Ay,' said my Lady Agnew, for I will not call her the old lady, seeing -that she had kept the heart that was within her young, 'ay, and I have -not seen any folk to better them on these fat, profitable Rhynns.' - -'That,' said the Sheriff, 'was what I thought when I went to the Minnoch -side for a wife.' - -And very gallantly he lifted his wife's hand to his lips, like the noble -and courtly gentleman he was. And to this day the Agnews have ever been -proud of their wives. And with reason. - -'Hearken to these young folk,' said Lady Agnew, as the noise and tumult -of much laughter and daffing came up to us. 'Hark to them. Is it not -good to be young?' - -'And therefore it is good to be my Lady of Lochnaw!' said I, for I -determined to show that there were folk in Carrick that could be gallant -as well as Galloway Agnews. - -'Hoot, Culzean,' cried the Lady Agnew, 'how have ye brought up your -squire, that he cannot see a well-looking woman, but on the instant he -maun begin to court her?' - -'What,' cried my master, 'the regardless loon--and that before her -husband's face, too!' - -'That, at least, is not a Galloway fault, at ony gate,' said the -Sheriff, smiling, 'for Galloway ever behaves itself before folk, and -courts only behind backs and slily by the licht of the moon.' - -'Ye talk havers, Andrew,' said his wife. 'Never did I meet you behind -backs all the days of our courting.' - -'Na,' said the Sheriff, 'but your father, honest man, was sair troubled -with deafness, and your mother was blind, and lame o' a leg forbye.' - -'Haud your tongue, guidman. Have some mense afore the young man, for he -looks a sober chiel and blate. What should he have to do with lasses? -At his years!' - -Here Nell Kennedy broke out in peal on peal of laughter, and when they -asked her the reason,-- - -'It was but at Launcelot's face when my lady praises him for being -blate. He looks as innocent as our grey cat Grimalkin, when she has -eaten all the fish for supper.' - -I wish that I could dwell longer on these sweet, peaceful days in -Galloway, but the spring went on apace, and Sir Thomas was summoned back -to Culzean. His nephew the Earl urgently needed his advice, and wrote -to him to say so. - -'The Earl makes you many compliments,' said the Lady Lochnaw. - -'Ay, ay,' said Culzean, 'Earl John was aye a great spender with his -tongue, even as was the daddy of him.' - -So we were bound to ride away from this kindly and merry house of -Lochnaw, and much did I desire to return thither. Never once did we -speak of wars and stratagems while we remained under that roof, but all -of friendship, of lusty daffing, and of leasome love. - -But when we mounted I bade farewell to all with a wae heart. I envied -the Sheriff greatly, for he had a wife whom he loved in age as in youth, -and yet whom he knew wherein to be the master of--a thing, I take it, -which makes home happier than all besides. I thought within me that -Patrick, his son, had set himself a harder field to plough in his -Marget. Yea, already methought he had let the reins slip from his -hands--which, after all, is no strange thing, considering that she was -own sister to Marjorie and Nell Kennedy, of whose stiff necks I had oft -had experience. - -Ere we went, the Sheriff said a word that amused us all. 'When I came to -be Sheriff,' he said, 'I found my father at the horn, outlaw and rebel, -for refusing to pay teinds to cover the back of a bishop's lady with -silks and satins. And when I die it looks like that I shall see my son -at the horn for cleading of his wife according to the degree of a -queen.' - -For young Patrick Agnew liked better than all to be for ever gadding -about after the merchants of France and the Low Countries, who knew his -weakness so well that they would come from far to sell him stuff for the -decking of his lady--who, when all was said and done, was nothing to -compare to Nell or even to Marjorie, her younger sisters. - -So we departed, almost heart-broken to leave the sweet place of Lochnaw. -And the Sheriff rode with us to the village of Stranrawer--a long, -clarty, Irish-looking street with pigs and bairns running about it, set -on the shore of a fine loch. Here Sir Andrew and his retinue bade us -farewell, and so turned them and rode away back to the homely steading -of Lochnaw. - -Now, upon our homeward journey it was the great good pleasure of the -knight, my master, that we should ride up the Minnoch Glen to visit my -father and mother, whom I had not seen for long. Sir Thomas put it, -that it would be well that we rode not directly by Ardstinchar and near -to Bargany along the shore road, for the folk of Bargany were cruelly -set against us. Nevertheless, I knew that the real reason was that he -wished me to see my mother. - -So we struck across the moorland country of Wigtonshire to the head of -the Loch of Cree, which is a vast, wild, swampy place where many -waterfowl congregate, and where duck and seagull build their nests. - -As we breasted the swelling moors, we came in sight of the mountains -that were dear to me, for I was hill-bred and loved them--so that I -could have ridden on, carolling like a lark, had I been in any other -company. - -But Sir Thomas and Nell knew what was in my heart, for as we rode up -Minnoch they looked at each little thatched cot-house, and asked what it -might be called--which was most amiable of them, for I loved to tell -over the well-kenned names, though the hearing of them could not -possibly have pleasured Nell or her father. - -When we came to the brow of the hill, along the side of which runs the -track to the Rowan Tree, I begged of them that I might ride a little way -in front, in order to prepare my father and mother for their reception. -Really, I went because I did not wish them to see me meet my mother, for -I knew that I was bound to weep. - -But it fell not out as I had expected, for the dogs that were about the -farm came barking and youching round the corner, and I saw the rough -head of our herd laddie looking out of the barn. Then he scudded across -the yard like a hare, and, anon, there came my mother forth, with a -white hood upon her head, and girt about with her apron--even as she had -been when, as a boy, I used to come pelting home from the hills, -hungrily looking for a piece and a slockening drink of milk. - -So she came own the little loaning to meet me, nearly running in her -eagerness, I declare. And there, at the gate-slap, I leaped down from -Dom Nicholas and took my mother about the neck, greeting like a great -silly bairn. But for my life I could not help it. Yet I need not have -cared, for Nell and Sir Thomas were admiring something on the hills, -with their heads close together; and over my shoulder I could hear him -pointing out to her the road to Straiton, and the way across the hills -to Girvan--so they observed not my weakness. - -Then came Sir Thomas forward, and I presented him to my mother. -Whereupon he greeted her by the name of Lady Kirrieoch, for that was a -title of courtesy to a laird's wife. And though Kirrieoch is but a -little place and a wild, uncouth holding, yet Sir Thomas walked by my -mother's side, leading his horse and talking, with his hat in his hand -all the while, as if she had been the Queen of Scots herself. - -And as I looked steadfastly away towards the wind, so that they should -not see that I had been weeping, and also to let the air dry my eyes -(for such weakness is ridiculous in a man), Nell came riding by on her -palfrey. She cast a little glance about her to see that none observed, -a look quick and timorous. Then she leaned over and gave me a light -little pat on the cheek with her hand--a thing she never did before, but -which I liked very well. - -Then came out my father to meet us at the door, and Sir Thomas took him -by the hand heartily. - -'You and I, Laird,' he said, 'are not so young as we were at the King's -muster on the Boroughmuir, and when you held the colours of Cassillis, -even as your son does this day.' - -'No, Sir Thomas,' said my father, 'brittle bones, slack sinew, thin-sown -hair have come to us both since that day, when it was my good fortune to -serve with you and under you.' - -'Ah, Kirrieoch,' replied the Tutor of Cassillis, 'I envy you here on -your high and heartsome muirs, where the wild cats are your greatest -enemies, and naught more dangerous than the erne ever stoops to slay.' - -'It is a gye hard struggle at times,' replied my father, 'with Launcelot -away and only two old bodies left with the serving men.' - -'Ah, bide a wee,' said the Tutor. 'I have made it my business to see -that in a little, when the lad has won his spurs, you shall have -Launcelot back with something worth while in his pouch, and a handle to -his name as good as the lave of us.' - -'I am glad that you have such good reports to give of him,' said my -mother. - -'Oh,' said the Tutor of Cassillis, drolling, 'I am none so sure of that. -He has enough conceit of himself, indeed. But in his presence we will -not say more.' - -And then my mother set the table for us with her own hands, though Sir -Thomas insisted that she should not; but with all due acknowledgment of -his courtesy, my mother continued the work with dignity and grace. -Besides which, I question whether at the moment Susan, the byre lass, -was dressed fitting to come into a room where there was the company of -great folk. - -But it was more than pleasant to see Nell rise to help my mother to -spread the cloth and lay out the silver spoons. We had the best of -muirland fare--mutton of the sweetest, black-faced and small, -toothsomely fed on the sweet, tender grasses that nestle among the -heather-knowes. Also we had sweet milk, oaten cake of a rare crispness, -a kebbuck of rich cheese, and butter, as the Scriptures say, in a lordly -dish, for the vessel was of silver, and had upon it the ancient arms of -the Kennedies. - -The Tutor picked it up and looked at it. - -'These are the bearings of my great-grandfather!' he exclaimed, much -astonished. - -'Yes,' said my father; 'and he was also my grandfather.' - -'Bless me!' cried the Tutor of Cassillis; 'I knew not that we were so -nearly related.' - -And all through the remainder of our stay he called my father 'cousin.' -And as for Mistress Nell, there was no end to her merriment on the -subject. - -'Now we shall fight more than ever,' she said, 'for we Kennedies always -fight with our cousins. And I must find the handle of the hayrake with -which I used to beat my cousin Philip. It will serve excellently for -drubbing Launcelot, my new sweet coz!' - -At last we rode away, and Nell Kennedy kissed my mother lovingly when we -bade farewell, so that my heart warmed more than ever to the lass. - -Waeheartedly enough we left the little white housie behind us, sitting -blythsome on its brae above the white stones of the burn. And in my -imagination to this very day, whenever I am away from the Minnoch for -long, rises a clear picture of the water-side as we saw it that -morning--a wide valley filled to the brim with sunshine and the stir of -breathing airs, the whaups and peesweeps beginning to build, and keeping -up all the time above our heads a brave welter of crying and the whistle -of eddying wings. - -'I wonder not that sometimes you grow homesick,' said Nell Kennedy. -'When you are distracted and morose, I shall now know the reason.' - -So we came in due season to the house of Culzean, and there we found all -well, with James playing tennis contentedly in the court; and Sandy, up -at the stables, acting the big man and giving his orders as large as my -lord. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXVIII* - - *WARM BACKS MAKE BRAW BAIRNS* - - -It was the morning of the 11th of May, and we were on the morrow to take -our journey to the town of Edinburgh. I had advertisement the night -before that I was to ride to the town of Maybole to meet John Mure of -Auchendrayne, and on my master's account to appoint a tryst with him at -the Duppil, not far from the town of Ayr, for my Lord desired not to -pass through that place, knowing that many of the faction of Bargany -abode there. But Sir Thomas ever believed that Auchendrayne was of -those that wished him well, because of the marriage and of all that had -passed between them. - -So I had to ride on this mission that I loved not over well. But I had -nought to say. For whenever I spake to the Tutor concerning John Mure, -he would clap me on the head and say, 'Ye are overcareful and -suspicious, Launcelot. John Mure and I are fathers of the same pair of -bairns, wherefore, then, should we not be as one--even as they?' - -Poor man--I could not find it in my heart to tell him of the happening -beneath the town-gate of Maybole, when James Mure's wife bade farewell -to Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany, as he lay there dead on his enemies' -spears. - -So at early morning I rode as I was bidden to Maybole to meet the Laird -of Auchendrayne, who, as my master knew, had some business there. But -it so fell out that I missed him, for he had lodged all night in the -town at the Black House, which belongs to one Kennedy of Knockdone, a -friend of his and of the Laird of Newark's. - -I was loath to ride all the way after him to Auchendrayne, and so -bethought me that I should get the loan of a laddie from my crony, -Dominie Mure, out of his school at the foot of the Kirkwynd. My way led -me by the Green, where it was sorely in my mind to try a stroke of the -ball. But I remembered me that Sir Thomas bade me be soon back, that I -might be ready to ride with him on the morrow's morn to the town of -Edinburgh by Duppil and the Ford of Holmestone. So, though I saw some -brisk birkies licking at the ball, one of them being Laigh-nosed Jamie -Crawford that had his nose flattened with the stroke of a golf ball on -the hills of Ayr, I refrained me for that time and went to seek a boy. - -But I saw none on the Green, saving some raggedy loons playing -kick-ball, whom I did not like to trust with so important a message. I -went on, therefore, to the schoolhouse. And as I went it cheered me to -think on Dominie Mure and his humours, for he and I had been gossips of -a long season. - -The schoolhouse of Maybole was a curious building tacked on to the rear -of the kirk, with vaulted passages of timber, in which were doors which -could on occasion be opened, so that the school itself might be used as -an addition to the kirk should the latter be crowded. But in my time -the space was but seldom in demand. It was an age of iron, and men's -minds craved not naturally that which was peaceable and good. The old -Papistry had passed away, but the new religion had not yet grown into -the hearts of the people. - -I came to the schoolhouse door. The noise of conning lessons that used -to go humming all along the Kirk Vennel was louder than it was wont to -be. Indeed, I thought that of a surety Dominie Mure had gone as far as -the change-house for his morning glass of strong waters, wherein I did -that worthy man an injury. The dominie's Highland pipes lay on the desk -before him, the great drones looking out like eyes at the scholars. -They were the recreation of his leisure, for he had been in his youth in -the savage North, and had learned to be no ill-considered performer even -in the country of pipes and pibrochs. - -I looked within, and there, mounted upon two desks and a chair, stood -the Dominie with his head through a round hole in the boards of the -roof, and all that one could see of him convulsed with animation. - -The bairns below were in a great consternation, crying out that this one -and that other was misbehaving--that Robin Gibb was pinching, or that -Towhead Kennedy was in the act of some piece of villainy which remained -unexpressed, for the obvious reason that the heavy hand of Towhead -Kennedy had prisoned the information within the mouth of the -tale-bearer. - -The school of Maybole was an apartment nearly square, with a dark, -well-hacked oaken writing-desk running round two sides of it, and -benches set cross-ways on the floor, where, when the peace was -undisturbed by internal war, the bairns conned their tasks from worn -copies of the Bible. - -At the far end of the school was a wooden bar a foot from the floor, and -a little behind it another. This was called the hangman, for it was the -post of judgment to unruly boys, who were called upon to kneel over the -first bar and grasp the second, thus putting themselves into a proper -position for the operations of the fiery and untender little Dominie. -The desk of the master had a framework behind it, in which were -half-a-dozen birch rods, carefully kept and oiled, even as I keep my -stands of arms,--for the callants of Maybole have ever been unruly, and -so remain to this day. - -Dominie Mure was in stature the least, but in learning, I can well -believe, the greatest of dominies, for he was never without two or three -scholars in the Latin. It was whispered by the malicious that he had -been trained for a clerk in the old days of the Roman Church, but made a -false step, and so had to turn dominie. Taking the words at their usual -meaning, I utterly condemn and reject this lying, malicious explanation, -for Dominie Mure was the least handsome man in Carrick. He was little, -scarce bigger than many boys of twelve and fourteen who sat in his class -in the New Testament--which was naturally the class beneath the Old -Testament. - -His hair grew all over his head and face, grey, wiry and rough, like -burned heather. Out of this tangle a pair of humorsome eyes looked, and -a stout nose projected like the angle of an overgrown and ruined -building. His arms were long, and so strong that he could lift any lad -in the school into the air with one of them, while he gave him 'paikie' -with the other. So fierce and fiery was the little man, that no one of -the great stalwart loons who came in the winter-time dared to try their -pranks upon him. He would fly at them swift as the wild cat springs, -and beat half-a-dozen black and blue before they had time to rally. - -What he was now doing with his head through the ceiling I could not well -imagine. But there was a great noise aloft and a rushing of feet, while -the master made desperate dives hither and thither, like a man in deep -water and not well able to swim. - -Beneath, one little rascal of a bare-legged loon rose from the seat -where he had been sitting squirming at his copy. - -'The Dominie is lost!' he cried in great pretended alarm. 'Oh, sirs, -where is our Dominie? Look in the ink-horns, lassies. Look in a' your -pouches, laddies!' - -And so all the ill-set vagabonds rose and began to search the ink-horns, -the dinner wallets, and even in the rat holes for the master. - -But at this moment there was a crash, and first one and then another -pair of legs appeared dangling through the ceiling, wildly kicking. The -head of the Dominie returned through the hole in the ceiling, and he -cautiously descended. His face was damp with perspiration from his -exertions aloft, and he had his longest and stoutest birch rod, which -was of the thickness of one's forefinger, in his hand. There was a -great streak of soot across his nose--which indeed was about all that -there was for it to cross, the rest of his face being but a grey tangle -of hair. - -Dominie Mure came forward to where I stood by the door. He greeted me -right heartily, and not the less when I told him on whose account I was -there, for he had often been summoned over to drink a pint with Sir -Thomas at the inn or in his own town house, because my master ever loved -all learned men. - -'Bide a wee,' he said, 'till I attend to these rascal loons. They -climbed up through the hole in the ceiling, when I was at Deacon -Gilroy's funeral, to get the store of balls, knuckle-bones, chuckie -stones, and other things the bairns throw up there. I kenned well they -would fall through.' - -So the Dominie took a much thinner and suppler bundle of birch, gave it -a draw through his hand and a swish or two in the air, which made the -dangling legs kick more wildly than ever--it might be with pleasure and -it might be with painful anticipation. - -Dominie Mure walked to the place and set a chair for himself to stand -upon. - -'Wha belangs thae legs?' he asked of the scholars. - -'They are Tammy Nisbett's,' said the school with one voice, 'we ken by -his duddy breeks!' - -'And whose limbs are these--to whom do these legs belong?' he continued, -pointing to certain red objects that twinkled in frantic endeavours to -be free. - -'Jock Harrison's,' answered the school without a moment's hesitation; -'they are clouted wi' his mither's auld petticoat!' - -Then the master did his office affectionately upon those parts of Tommy -Nisbett and Jock Harrison which of their own accord the adventurous -loons had exposed. The thwacks resounded through the school, but the -yells mostly ascended through the roof. Then, when he had finished his -pleasure--for I saw by his eye it was no unwelcome task--he put up an -arm, and without circumspection pulled the squirming urchins through the -rotten boards. - -'Thomas Nisbett,' he said severely, 'your faither is an householder. He -shall pay for the damage done to the ceiling of this schule, which is -the property of the Session of the parish, of which I am clerk. And -your faither can take the price out of your breeks himsel' at his -leisure.' - -He then hauled the other down in the same manner. - -'Jock Harrison, I'll never trouble your puir mither about the siller for -the repairs. She has enough to do with ten like you. But I'll e'en pay -your hurdies the noo, and quit your mother and you too, at the one -settlement.' - -Which having done, he laid down his bundle of rods, dusted his hands, -and commended himself to me to know how, and in what manner, he might -serve my master. I told him that if he would write a letter to John -Mure of Auchendrayne to bid him meet with Sir Thomas at the Chapel of St -Leonard's by the sandhills of Ayr, on the morrow's morn at ten of the -clock, and send it to Auchendrayne by one of his most trustworthy lads, -it would be no small obligation. And furthermore that I would await an -answer here in Maybole, having other business to transact. - -'Good faith, Master Launcelot, I will do that--and gladsomely,' said the -little Dominie. - -So, having brought the school to order and set the classes to their -work, he squared himself at his desk, and wrote fairly and elaborately -as I told him. For the little man prided himself on his -penmanship--which, indeed, Sir Thomas ever said was better than that of -any law scrivener in Edinburgh. - -I reminded him of this, and Dominie Mure could hardly contain himself -for pride. How strange that so small a thing should set up some men! - -Then, when he had finished and addressed it in the Italian manner, he -called out, 'William Dalrymple, come hither!' And, from the close-built -ranks of the older scholars at the wall-desks, a plump-faced, ruddy boy -arose. - -'This,' the Dominie said, 'is the son of a widow woman, and a steady lad -that will truly do your message and bring you word again without delay -or falsehood. He is called for a nickname Willie Glegfeet.' - -So to William was delivered the letter and sundry copper coins for -running the errand. Whereupon he took up the Vennel and through the -High Street on the way to Auchendrayne like a hunted hare, for, as his -name imports, he was wonderfully nimble of his feet. - -Having thus delivered my message, I thanked the Dominie very heartily, -and went to the play of the golf green till the messenger should return. - -I had an excellent game, but, not playing with mine own clubs, I was -beaten (though not at a great odds), by the young Laird of Gremmat, -whose chin was hardly yet better of the cleaving it got on the fatal day -at the Lady's Carse. But this interfered naught with his putting. Now -gaming on the green is uncommonly fretting to the temper, and more -especially when you are losing with a man like Gremmat, who cries and -shouts at every good stroke of his own and dispraises yours. Yet, owing -to the well-kenned equality of my temper, and also because he was not -yet fully recovered of his wound, I did not clout him over the sconse -with my cleek, as I certainly was in a great mind more than once to do. - -We were yet hard at it, and the afternoon wearing on apace when I saw -the little Dominie coming toward us with the boy William Dalrymple by -his side. The schoolmaster held the letter in his hand and gave it back -to me. - -'William Dalrymple says that he found not the Laird of Auchendrayne in -his own house, and has therefore brought back the letter.' - -I looked at it a moment, turning it over in my hand. - -'It has been opened,' said I. 'See, the wax is gone, and there are -finger-marks within.' - -'So, indeed, it has,' said Dominie Mure. 'Boy, if you have opened it I -will tan you alive, outside and in.' - -Whereat the boy began to weep. - -'I have said what I was told to say,' he cried, and for all we could do, -nothing more could we get out of him--save that a dark man, faced like -an ape or a wild beast, had come some way home behind him and sorely -terrified him. So we sent the boy back to his mother, and, bidding -farewell for that time to the Dominie and to young Gremmat, I fared -along the way to Culzean to make me ready for the long journey of the -morrow. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXIX* - - *THE MURDER AMONG THE SANDHILLS* - - -It was broad day and a pleasant May morn, when my master and I said our -farewells at the gate of Culzean. With my own hands I had saddled for -Sir Thomas his warhorse. But he, coming down arrayed in his plain suit -of dark Flemish cloth, bade me take him back to the stable and get -instead a pacing palfrey, which he loved because Marjorie had used to -ride it. - -Then he kissed his bairns, for the lads and Nell stood by the door on -the landward side, watching us with earnest eyes. - -'Keep the castle, James,' he cried, 'till I come back!' - -'Ay,' said Sandy, 'we will keep it for you, faither.' - -For Sandy came ever to the forefront, setting himself naturally before -the slow and quiet Jamie. - -Then Nell came near and kissed her rather. But she and I only looked -the one at the other as friends look, for at least before folk we did -not so much as touch hands. - -So down through the woods Sir Thomas and I went sedately and quietly, -now into little caller blinks of morning sunshine which glinted straight -and level between the trees, and anon coming out upon a bare knoll as -into a room with a removed and spacious ceiling. For there at our feet -was the plain of the sea, sparkling and blue, beyond it again the hills -of Arran, and to the south the shoulder of the Craig of Ailsa, heaving -its bulk skyward like a monster of the ocean stranded in the shoreward -shallows. - -Very pleasant was my master's discourse as we went, of the wonderful -peace that he was going to bring upon the land of Carrick from his -dealings with the King and Council in Edinburgh. Specially he spoke -with thankfulness of the present friendship of Auchendrayne, of the -young Bargany who should for long be under tutors and governors, and of -our own Earl, now tired of the feud and eager for a lasting peace. - -'It needs,' said he, 'but that one should take on him all the burden and -heat of the day, and carry the matter through. And I, that am no -warrior, but a quiet man dwelling in mine own house and fit only for -daunering about mine own fields, may be able to do more in the matter -than many battalions. For I have some influence with the King--a man -that loves grave discourse upon occasion.' - -So pleasantly talking together in this fashion, speaking ever the -kindliest things of the enemies of his house, and all the time making -many excuses for them, Sir Thomas kept his palfrey at the amble. - -Presently we came to the castle of Greenan, which stands on a sea crag, -and looks right bravely over the Bay of Ayr and down upon the little -town thereof. It belongs to Kennedy of Balterson, a gossip and -well-wisher of Culzean's. - -'Now,' said my master, 'I must see if Balterson is at home. I think -truly that he is, for there is a reek coming up very freely from the -lum. Now John was ever a big eater and a long lier abed in the -mornings. What a pleasantry if I should raise him from between the -blankets! It would be a great cast-up all the days of his life.' - -So we lighted down in front of the castle yett. I tied the horses -together, and walked about the cliff edge, looking out to sea and over -the sands of Ayr, thinking of many things. Mostly my thoughts ran on -the treasure of Kelwood, and whether I should ever win it. Of Nell, -too, and what she meant by patting me on the cheek when we met my -mother, of the Tutor's words to my father that one day I should have a -handle to my name and a down-sitting as good as any. Plenty of pleasant -things I had to think about that caller morn in May, as indeed a young -man of spirit ought to have. - -And it was not very long before Sir Thomas came forth arm in arm with -John Kennedy of Balterson, a grave and portentous man of heavy figure, -richly arrayed, more like the provost of a town than a country laird. -And these two paced up and down the narrow terrace walk of Greenan -Castle, turning and returning, wheeling and countering as on the -quarterdeck of a ship. But of the matter of their discourse I know -nothing, though I guessed it to have been concerning the making up of -peace between the feudal enemies in the lands of Carrick and Kyle. - -It was near to ten of the clock, and already close upon the time which -had been appointed for the tryst with Auchendrayne, that we mounted at -the yett of Greenan to ride on our way to Holmestone Ford. - -'Sorry am I,' said my master, 'that I have not spoken a word with John -Mure ere I go. But I know his loving desire for my success, and he well -knows my affection for him.' - -We rode down from the castle crag of Greenan, and presently came out -upon the links. These are here all sandy, cast up into rounded mounds -and hills, and bitten into by the little pits and dungeons, called of -them that play at the golf, 'bunkers.' - -'Launcelot, ride a little way in front. It approaches the hour of noon, -and I would do my devotion and meditate a little alone,' said Sir Thomas -to me. So I drew myself a bowshot before him, riding upon Dom Nicholas, -and taking my hat in my hand. I rode easily, enjoying the sea breeze -that cooled my brow and tossed my hair. I wondered if ever the time -would come, when I also should be thinking about my religion at noon of -a fine heartsome day. It seemed a strange time enough for a hale, -well-to-do gentleman to set to his prayers. - -Presently I saw a man standing upon my right hand somewhat above me upon -the crown of a sandhill. And he raised his hand as one that cried to -clear the course in the game, so I thought no more of the matter. But I -looked round, thinking perchance that he cried to my master, who was -riding with bared head and holding his little red Testament in his hand. - -Suddenly, even as I looked at him, I heard the sound of shots behind me, -and, turning Dom Nicholas, I saw my master reel in his saddle, with -white blowing puffs of gunpowder rising all about him, from behind the -desolate sandhills among which the murderers had hidden themselves. -Drawing my sword, I set spurs to the sides of Dom Nicholas and galloped -towards them. I was aware, as I rode, of my master lying on his back on -the sand, and his palfrey galloping away with streaming mane. A little -black crowd of men stood and knelt about him, and I saw the flash of -steel again and again as one and another of them lifted a knife and -struck. - -I yelled aloud to them in my agony and bade them wait till I came. So -they hasted to make front against me, some of them leaping on their -horses and others biding a moment to put as it had been booty into their -saddle wallets. - -It was Thomas Kennedy, called the Wolf of Drummurchie, that withstood me -as I came thus furiously upon Dom Nicholas. With him I first crossed -swords, while one, James Mure of Auchendrayne, held off a little warily, -watching to win in at me when I should give him opportunity. With the -corner of my eye I saw the same man whom I had at first observed making -the warning signal. He held up his hand as before. Then he leaped on a -horse which he had by him in a hollow of the sands. He was, as I noted, -a tall man, with a hat pulled low over his eyes, and he wore about him -the long grey cloak which had been so fatal a sign to us of Cassillis. - -But ere I could see more, I was in the thick of the murderers with my -sword. I struck and warded, not knowing what I did, but only striking, -with the anger of blood in my eye, till I gave Drummurchie a cut on the -shoulder, which made him fain to shift his sword arm. Then I wheeled and -attacked Cloncaird as furiously, who was a great mountain of a fellow, -red of face and brutal of heart. And I had readily enough done for him, -too, had he been alone, for he was no man of his weapons. But I could -see plainly enough three or four others charging pistols and training of -hackbutts, making ready to take an aim at me. Whereupon I knew that -there was no use of spending my life for naught. So, with my sword red -in my hand, I rode over the sandhills straight at the tall man in the -grey cloak; but such was the effect of an ill conscience that he took -his mantle about his mouth as one that fears being known, and set spurs -to his horse. I had not pursued far when I came to the top of a dune -and saw a little cloud of citizens that played at the clubs beneath me. -To them I rode as hard as I could, with the murderers' bullets -splattering here and there and throwing up little spirts of sand about -me. - -'Murder! Foul murder!' I cried. 'Come hastily, for the Tutor of -Cassillis is done to death!' - -One of the citizens held up his hand to me as if to bid me be silent, -for it was the putting stroke which his neighbour played, and of its -kind difficult, so that men held their breath. But when it was made and -the ball holed, they ran to me quickly enough, for, alas! murder was so -common in those days, that men took little notice unless he that fell -was one who was some kin to themselves. - -Nevertheless, they hasted when I cried who was my master, and who were -the villains that beset him. For the players were all burghers of Ayr -and feared that they should underlie the angers of the Earl and of the -King, if they gave not ready help when this slaughter was done, as it -were, at their very gates. - -Thus very quickly we came to my dear master. He was lying alone on his -back quietly gazing up to the sky, the red blood welling from many -ghastly wounds. All his rich plain Flanders cleading was torn and -disarranged by the villains, who had not disdained to despoil after that -they had murdered him. - -Yet there was some life left in him, and he turned his head, smiling as -if thankful (after the hateful faces of his cruel enemies) to gaze at -the last upon the countenances of friends. He was, as I thought, past -speech; but he looked about him in a certain curious way he had when he -had lost something, and, being absent-minded, knew not for the moment -what. I showed him his empty purse; but it was not that. So I looked -round and saw nothing but some discharged pistols lying with broken -lingels abroad upon the sand, and the little book he had been reading as -his palfrey paced along. - -So as soon as I showed the latter to him he put out his hand for it. -Then he held it a moment, kissed it, and gave it back to me. - -'Be a good lad,' he said quietly and composedly. 'Fear not for me; I go -in friendship with all men. Poor, poor Cloncaird!' he said, thinking of -one of his murderers whom he had always befriended, 'it is a pity for -his wife and young family!' - -Then he closed his eyes and we thought he had already passed from us. - -But presently he opened them again and looked toward me. - -'Be kind to Nelly!' he said, smiling so kindly at me, that my heart -nearly broke. He shook his head at seeing my grief and the tears -running down, for, indeed, I could not withhold them. - -'There is no need,' he said, reprovingly, 'no need for the like of that -ava'. Be a brave lad, Launcelot, and just as true to your God as you -have proved to me, who have been a loving master to you here below. I -am only wae for the poor, misguided lads, that were so far left to -themselves as to lay me here like this.' - -And with that there was but his body on the sands, for the spirit of the -gentlest master that ever a man served had gone its way to its own -Master. - -But it was even as he said--for the end of such an one there is no need -of tears. - -Then I stood up, and the terrible thought came in upon me like Solway -tide. How--how shall I take him home to Helen Kennedy--to his orphaned -bairns, and to the stricken house of Culzean? - - - - - *CHAPTER XXX* - - *I SEEK FOR VENGEANCE* - - -Ay, well might I say it. How was I to face Nell Kennedy--she that had -with a long, kindly look committed her father into my keeping that very -morning? Tenderly we lifted the body, which in life had been so noble -and now was so pitifully mishandled. The villains had despoiled the -dainty garmentry, torn the lace, and snatched the jewellery which Helen -Kennedy had set in place as, daffing right merrily, she prepared her -father (as she said) to 'gang worthily and bonnily before the King.' -But the King he went before was One, as he himself would often say, that -looked not on the outer appearance but on the heart. And concerning -that last Thomas Kennedy need have had no fear that his would not be -well looked upon--for it was upright, and kindly, and true, nor did it -ever move to the hurt of any man in all this world. And as I took him -up, I saw still more clearly the black-hearted rage of the persecutors. -For it showed as manifestly as any other fact the hellish intent of the -murderers, that they had taken time, even while I was in the act to come -at them, to despoil my master of his purse with a thousand merks of gold -therein. Nay, his very ring of fine diamonds they tore from his finger, -and his golden buttons of wrought goldsmith work were riven from his -frilled sark--one murderous loon snatching one thing and the other -another, worse than brute beasts of the field. - -We laid him gently upon the back of wise Dom Nicholas, that all the time -stood like a statue, and then when everything was ready, moved -graciously and soberly away, as though he had been well aware of the -melancholy burden he bore. Even thus we brought my dear master to the -sea terrace of Greenan which he had so lately left. - -And when John Kennedy of Balterson heard the trampling of the horse on -the flags of the court, he came out crying loudly and heartily as was -the manner of the man. - -'Wi' what's this, Culzean? Are ye back again?' - -So running to the door he stood with his table-knife in his hand and a -bit of his mid-day meal thereupon, astonished beyond the utterance of -words. - -'What's this? What's this?' he cried. 'Oh, sirs, what foul wark is -here? Wha has done this?' - -And I told him their names--at least so far as I knew them. - -'Thomas of Drummurchie!' he cried. 'It shall not be the uplands of Barr -parish that shall keep ye frae the stark sword of John Kennedy of -Balterson. And thou, Walter Mure of Cloncaird, that has so often sat in -this house of the Greenan, by the grace of God I shall lay thee as low -as thou hast laid my friend this day.' - -But I begged Balterson to think of something else than the taking of -revenge--of which all in good time. So presently he got me a horse -litter with two steady-going beasts, and I walked alongside it with Dom -Nicholas arching his head and treading softly as if he also mourned. -Thus we came to the town of Maybole, which was as our own place. And -such dule and lament as there was that day saw I never anywhere. - -For the town had loved him as its liege lord, far more than either John, -Earl of Cassillis, or his father the King of Carrick. Such a -congregation as met us at the town gate! The women all crying the cry -of death, the men cursing and calling vengeance. The minister was there -to pray, and all classes and conditions were moved to tears. - -And ere we were well past the Foul Alley there were twenty men on -horseback to chase the murderers, with John Kennedy of Balterson at -their head. But they might as well have chased the wind, for by this -time, with the relays of horse that had been ordered for them, they were -safe among the wild Crauford country on the borders of Kyle. - -Of the sad homecoming to Culzean itself I declare I cannot write at -length. At the entering in of the woodland I left them, and upon Dom -Nicholas I rode drearily forward to do the bitterest day's work of my -life--to tell Helen Kennedy that I brought only her father's corpse home -with me. - -And, as the chance befell, it was at least half-a-mile before I reached -the home gate of Culzean, just where one sees for the first time the -grey turrets sitting against the dimpled blue of the incoming tide, that -I was aware of Nell Kennedy coming light-foot towards me, singing a -catch of a song and swaying a flourish of sweet may-blossom daintily in -her hand. I have never rightly loved the white hawthorn since that day. -But as soon as she saw me she stopped her song and clutched her fingers -close upon her palm, for the flowery branch had fallen at her feet. - -'What is wrong?' she cried, when I came near to her. But I could not -answer till I had leaped from Dom Nicholas and taken her by the hand. -She turned round, keeping me at the stretch of her arm so that she might -read the news, good or bad, in my eyes. - -'Is it my father? Tell me,' she said very calmly. - -'Nell, it is your father,' I said as quietly. 'They set upon him and -hurt him, even when he had sent me on a little way before him that he -might be alone at his mid-day meditation--' - -'Is he dead--tell me--is he dead?' she broke in. But I answered her -not; for I could not. So she knew, and in an instant grew as pale and -still as the man that was passed from us. - -'Take me to him,' she said at length. And, seeing that I still -hesitated, she said, 'Do not fear for me. I will do all that a daughter -of Culzean should do.' - -'They are bringing him hither now,' I said. 'I came hasting to tell -you. The feet of the horses that carry him are even now upon the brae.' - -Then, when I had told her all, I ended the tale with my tears and with -crying out that which was in my heart, 'Oh, would to God I had died -instead of him!' - -'Launcelot,' Nell said, with a wonderful quiet, 'that is useless, and -not well said. Be comforted. None would have done one-tenth so much as -thou hast.' - -'Bless you, Nell!' I said, for I had feared greatly she would have -broken upon me with bitter railing. - -It was by the great oak tree which sends its boughs over the road that -we met the bier, and the horses stopped. Even thus Nell Kennedy met her -father, and there was not a tear on her face, but only a great sweet -calm. She silenced the noisy limmer wives that went behind crying and -mourning aloud. So in this manner we went onward to Culzean, Nell -walking on one side of the bier and I on the other, leading Dom Nicholas -by the bridle. - -And lo! as the body passed the drawbridge, a sudden gust out of the sea -snatched his knightly pennon from the topmost turret tower of the -battlements of Culzean, which was held a freit and a warning by all the -folk of Carrick. But though the master had come home to his own, yet -both Culzean and I were now masterless. - -In due time we gave him stately funeral, carrying him forth upon a day -so calm, so breathless, that the banners did not wave as they swept the -dust. And thereafter all life seemed to stop, when we came home again -to the darkened house. James and Sandy, the two young lads, played no -more in the tennis-courts, but went about with linked arms speaking of -revenge. But little David abode with Nell and went forth only with her, -clinging winsomely to her hand; for we kept us close within bars and -warded ramparts, with the drawbridge up, watching the fruit ripening on -the walls of the orchard of Culzean all that splendid summer of the -murder of our lord and master. - -Slowly I thought over many things, till the resolve to bring the matter -to a head came masterfully upon me. From the Earl as Bailzie of Carrick -I got warrant, according to my dead master's word and direction, to be -doer-in-ordinary for the young man James, who was now the heir of -Cassilis. For Earl John knew that Launcelot Kennedy was no self-seeker; -also they that stood about had told to him the Tutor's last words--that -I was to be a good lad and to be kind to Nelly. It was Adam Boyd of -Penkil, and David Somerville, hosier in Ayr, who told him this, and they -were two of those that played golf by the sandhills on the day of that -foul slaying under trust. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXI* - - *THE BLUE BLANKET* - - -Yet because I needed advice and had none to give it, I rode one day to -Edinburgh to see Maister Robert Bruce. I found the whole city in an -uproar. There was the beating of drums in all the streets and closes, -and a great multitude of the common folk crying out 'For God and the -Kirk!' Pikes danced merrily along the causeways, and good wives' heads -were thrust through all the port-holes in the windings of the stairs. -Their voices, shrill and vehement, kept up a constant deafening clamour, -each calling to her John or Tam to 'come awa' in oot o' that,' or -bidding them 'not to mell wi' what concerned them not.' - -'What concern is the glory o' God o' yours--you that is but a baker in -Coul's Close?' I heard one wife cry to her man, and it seemed to me a -mightily pertinent question. - -At last, after many inquiries, I heard how the Minister of Edinburgh had -bearded the King, so that he was gone off to Linlithgow in great -indignation, and how that in a day or two Maister Robert Bruce would -either be King of Scotland or lay his head on the block. - -Yet the minister was in his study chamber when I went to seek him, -reading of his Bible and writing his sermon, as quietly as though there -had been no King in Scotland--save, as it might be, the King in whose -interest he had so often bearded King Jamie Stuart, sixth of that name. - -Robert Bruce looked up when he saw me. - -'Ah, Launcelot,' he cried, more heartily than ever I had heard him, 'ken -ye, lad, that you are likely to be at the horn for communing with a wild -rebel like me?' - -'To be "at the horn" is no uncommon thing in Carrick,' I replied, 'and -makes little difference either to the length of a man's life or the -soundness of his sleep. I have been at the horn ever since I was -eighteen years of my age.' - -'Well, Launcelot,' he said soberly, 'so it has turned out even as I -said. I know--I know. It is not in man that walketh to direct his -steps. But I saw ye were all "fey" at Culzean.' - -Then I told him the purpose of my coming all the way to Edinburgh to see -him. - -'What!' he said, 'ye have never come so far only to have speech of poor -Robert Bruce, that was yesterday Minister of Edinburgh, and to-day is, I -fear, doomed to lay his head on the hag-clog?' - -I told him it was even so, and that, being the man of wisest counsel I -had ever known, I would have gone ten times as far to have his friendly -advice. - -'Ay me,' he said sadly, 'wae is the man that has such a rumour and -report of wisdom, yet cannot counsel himself what he should do in his -own utter need.' - -But, for all that, he went over everything that had happened in Carrick, -with a clearness most like that of a lawyer when he sets in order his -case before the judge. Then he sat a long while silent, with his finger -tips drumming idly upon his writing. - -'So Bargany is dead,' he said at last. 'He was the only considerable -man of his own faction. Who is there to succeed him?' - -'But a child!' said I, 'one that plays with puppets.' - -'As do we all, Launcelot,' said Maister Bruce, smiling on me. - -'And after him in that faction, of his own house and kin who comes--?' -he asked. - -'There are none besides the Tutor's murderer, Thomas of Drummurchie, and -Benane his brother, but he is a deboshed man and of no account,' I made -answer, not seeing his drift. - -'Who leads them then--?' - -'John Mure of Auchendrayne is their only considerable man, and he has -waxen great and greater within these months.' - -The minister nodded his head and sat still as one that considers all -sides of a question. - -'And of you that stand by the gold and blue--who remains?' he went on. - -I told him but John, Earl of Cassillis, and his brother the Master. - -'And in whose friendship is the Master?' he asked. - -'In our country of Carrick he has an auld friendship with Auchendrayne, -and a good-going feud with the Earl, his brother; but recently he has -taken up with the Lord of Garthland in Galloway and married his sister.' - -'Tell him from me,' said the minister of Edinburgh, 'to bide close in -Galloway and get him bairns in peace. For gin he comes back to Carrick, -of a surety his head shall be the next to fall.' - -'And why so?' said I. - -'Because,' said Maister Robert Bruce, 'John Mure designs that there -shall be no power in Carrick nor in the Shire of Ayr besides his own and -that of the Earl--till he get time to have him also killed. I tell you -Auchendrayne hath the brains of any three of you.' - -'And of the treasure of Kelwood, what?' said I. - -'That,' said the minister, meditating, 'is a little forth of my -province. But, if ye will know, I think it is in the keeping of some of -Auchendrayne's tools. And I advise you, ere ye look for revenge, to go -seek for it.' I was silent, for I hoped that he would tell me yet more. - -'The treasure of Kelwood will lead you to your aim. I think ye will find -that the same hands which reft it away are red with the blood of your -master. And one thing I am sure of--that within that treasure chest lie -your love, your land, and your lordship!' - -I asked him what he meant, but he would not tell me more clearly. Only -this he said, speaking like them that have the second sight,-- - -'James Stuart being what he is--a treasure-seeker--and John, Earl of -Cassillis, being what he is--a treasure-gripper--if ye find the kist, ye -have them both in your hand. And therein (or I am a false prophet) lie, -as I say, your love, your land, and your lordship.' - -Then I asked him if he had any counsel to give me ere I went. - -'Be brave,' he said, 'read your Testament. Tell no lies. Carry no -tales. Seek carefully for the man that wears the grey cloak, and then -for the man that runs like a beast and carries the knife in his teeth.' - -He went to the window as one that has spoken his last word. - -'Hear ye that?' he said. 'That is the warrant for my heading.' - -There circulated a great crowd of people without, apprentices and -suchlike mostly, with here and there among them a decent, responsible -man of the trades. They were singing at the utmost pitch of their -voices:-- - - 'We'll hae nae mair Jeems Davie-son, - Davie's son--Davie's son! - We'll gie his loons the spavie sune, - Spavie sune, spavie sune, - An' the deil may tak Jeems Davie-son.' - - -'They might as well shear my head at once as sing that song,' said -Maister Robert Bruce. 'There is nothing that James Stuart likes so ill -as to be called the son of Davie, unless it be the man who upholds the -right of private judgment!' - -'Ah,' he cried again, 'the Blue Blanket--this waxes serious. I must put -on my gown and sally forth.' - -Then up the Canon gate there came a great crowd of citizens all marching -together and crying, 'God and the Kirk! God and the Kirk!' And in the -midst there was borne the famous flag that has ever staggered in the -front of a bicker, foretelling storms and the shaking of thrones--the -Blue Blanket of the trades of Edinburgh. - -Robert Bruce drew his black Geneva gown about him, and taking his little -Bible and his oak staff in his hand he went out. As he stood forth upon -his step, he was hailed with shouts of joy and rejoicing. - -'Hearken Maister Bruce! Hear the minister! God and the Kirk! Doon wi' -Jeemie Fat-Breeks!' - -And the Blue Blanket wavered and waggled, being borne this way and that -by the press. All about the skirts of the crowd, and down the closes -angry drums were beating, and a hundred idle 'prentices thundered on -great folk's doors and garred the window panes rattle on the -causeway--which was a sin when glass was so dear, and to be seen in so -few places besides the citizen houses of the great. - -'Men of Edinburgh,' cried Bruce, 'hear your minister. Wherefore this -tumult? I bid you to depart quietly to your homes. We have a -difference with the King, it is true; but let us who are the servants of -God and of the Kirk of Scotland settle our own affairs with the King. -What is your concern in the matter?' - -But the more he spoke of the King the more loud grew the tumult. - -'God and the Kirk! God and the Kirk!' they cried, and the Blue Blanket -waved higher than ever, being held up by one man standing upon the -shoulders of other two. - -'Ay, ay, even so; it is a good cry,' said the minister; 'but it would -set you better to be a little more ready to obey both God and the Kirk -at other times. The most part of you know not for what cause ye are -come together. Ye want to roll your minister's head in the dust--' - -'No, no!' cried the throng; 'we will keep you safe, or know the reason -why.' - -'Depart--scatter instantly to your firesides!' cried Bruce. 'And so ye -will the better serve the Kirk of Scotland and me, her unworthy -servant.' - -And with this he motioned to them with his hands, dismissing them. So -great was his power that they went, scattering like peet reek on a windy -day. In a minute or two there was not one of them to be seen on the -street. The minister and I were left alone. - -'What think ye, Launcelot? Why stand ye so moody?' my companion said to -me. - -I told him that I liked not much to tell him; that it was no fitting -thought to tell a minister. - -'Say on,' he said. 'I have listed to strange speeches in my time.' - -'Well then, sir,' I made answer, 'I was thinking what a pity to see so -many limber lads with stark pikes in their hands, and nobody a penny the -worse! I would to God I had them in Carrick. John Mure of Auchendrayne -would hear news of it right briskly.' - -The minister clapped me on the back. - -'Ah, Launce, it will be a strange Heaven that you win to, unless you -mend your ways. Ye are nocht but a wild Carrick savage. But ye maun -e'en dree your weird, young Launcelot, and auld Robert Bruce maun dree -his. Fare ye weel.' - -So we parted there on the steps of his own house. And with that I -betook me to horse, and forth through the turbulent city that could yet -make so little of its tulzies; and as I went I thought, 'Lord, Lord, for -one hour of Gilbert Kennedy and me to show them a better way of it; or -even Robert Harburgh. And it would be like capturing Heaven by -violence, to enter Holyrood House in the way of stouthrief and spulzie!' - -But I only thought these things without intent to do them, for I am a -King's man and peaceable--besides which, I had but lately spoken good -words to a minister of religion. Nevertheless, what a booty would there -not have been in that palace at the Canongate foot! Not that I would -lay hand upon a stiver of it, even if I got the chance, but the thought -of it was marvellously refreshing, I own. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXII* - - *GREEK MEETS GREEK.* - - -Then as I journeyed south I saw my work set out like a perspective -before me. As the minister had said, the treasure of Kelwood and the -death of my master hung by one string. The House of the Red Moss was -very near to the sandhills of Ayr, and there could be little doubt that -the hand which had sped the bloody dagger was the hand that had brought -my master to his death. - -As the drawbridge clanged down for me to ride once more within the house -of Culzean, and lazy Gib stretched himself to cry that all was well, I -took a resolve. It was to tell Helen Kennedy all that I knew, and ask -her judgment upon it--though I have small notion (for ordinary) of -women's discretion. So, when the greetings were said, I took my -opportunity and came to her when she was walking in the garden apart, -where the apple trees grow. When she had heard all, she said, 'Launce, -you and I must ride to Auchendrayne.' - -'Well,' said I, 'and what then? Shall we bid Grieve Allison have our -coffins in readiness against our return feet first?' - -'We shall see my sister Marjorie,' she said, without heeding my words, -'and take counsel with her. They will not kill us within the house of -Auchendrayne while she is alive.' - -'I believe not that we shall even have the chance of speech with her,' I -replied, 'but we may at least go and see. Whether we ever win back to -Culzean is another matter.' - -But Nell was mainly set on it, and I did not counter her, it being so -that I was to ride in her company--for, indeed, I myself desired greatly -to see the famous tower where dwelled a man so potent and so evil. The -next day it happened that I went to Maybole and found mine ancient -friend, Robert Mure, Dominie and Session Clerk of the town. He sat -gloomily in his school and bowed his head on his hands, for he had never -looked up nor taken pleasure in life since they laid my master in the -burying-place of his folk within the kirkyaird of Maybole. The school -hummed about him, but he took little heed. His old alertness seemed -quite gone from him. And when I came in he only lifted his head a -moment and nodded, falling back again at once into his new melancholy. -His pipes lay beside him indeed, but so long as I was there I did not -see him recreate himself upon them--as had been his ordinary wont, -playing pibrochs for his scholars' delectation at every pause in the -day's occupations. - -'Dominie,' said I, 'there is one thing I want--' - -'Say on,' said he, briefly, not looking at me. - -'I want speech with William Dalrymple, the lad that carried the letter -to Auchendrayne the day before my lord's death.' - -'Of what good is the like of that?' said he. 'Will all the speech in -the world bring back him that's gane?' - -'No,' said I, going nearer to him and speaking under my breath, 'but it -may help us to his murderer.' - -'Eh, what?' said the master, sitting up as gleg as a cat at a mousehole, -'"His murderer," said ye? Are not Thomas of Drummurchie and Mure of -Cloncaird his declared murderers?' - -'Ay,' said I, 'exactly--his "declared" murderers.' - -'Speak either less or mair--let us hae done wi' parables!' quoth the -Dominie. - -'What think ye,' said I, 'of the Grey Man that stood behind and waved -them on, like a pilot guiding a ship into a port? I mean the man that -threw the dagger into the Red House. I mean the man that let loose the -scum of the Tolbooth on us of Cassillis the day of "Clear the -Causeway."' - -'And who might he be?' said the Dominie, breaking in upon me, for some -of these things he was not acquainted with. - -'First bring in the laddie,' said I. - -So Dominie Mure brought Dalrymple in to a private place, and having -dismissed the school, we proceeded faithfully to examine him. I asked -him to tell me all that had befallen that fateful day, from the time I -had seen him run up the Kirk Vennel, to the time when he came to me -again upon the green at my play, and making a poor hand of it with -another man's clubs. - -The boy began his tale well enough, like one that says a well-learned -lesson; but in the very midst, when, somewhat severely, I bade him say -over again what he had already said, he broke out into a passion of -weeping and begging us to have mercy upon him--for that he was but a -laddie and had been commanded upon pain of his death to tell the tale -which he had told us at the first. - -So we bade him to speak freely, to tell no lie anymore and all would yet -be well. So he told us how he had gone fleet-foot to Auchendrayne and -had there found John Mure, the master thereof, sitting in the great -chamber with Walter of Cloncaird. He described how that he had given -the letter into the Laird's hands, even as he had been bidden. When Mure -had read it, he handed it over to Cloncaird. But he, swearing that he -was not gleg at the parson-work, bade Auchendrayne to read it aloud for -him. Which, when he did, they looked long and strangely at one another. -And at last John Mure said, 'I should not wonder, Cloncaird, but -something might come out of this.' - -Then the boy told how they had gripped him, set a naked dagger to his -throat, and afterwards made him swear to take the letter back to them -that sent him, saying that he had gone to Auchendrayne, but had returned -without seeing the Laird. - -'Say,' said Mure, 'that the servant bade you take back the letter -unopened, because that his master was afield and he knew not when he -would be home. So,' concluded the boy, 'even thus I did! And this is -all the truth, or may God strike me dead!' - -The Dominie and I looked each at the other in our turns. - -'The Grey Man himself,' said I. - -'The Black Deil himsel'!' said he. - -'We will exorcise him, black or grey!' cried the Dominie. 'I am going -direct to the bailies and elders to tell them that this school has -vacation till it pleases me to take it up again.' - -So he went out and I waited alone with the boy William Dalrymple, whose -rosy and innocent face was all beblubbered with weeping. - -I slapped him on the shoulder and bade him take heart because he had -found friends. Then I also told him that on the morrow he must come -with me to the Earl of Cassillis, and by-and-by it might be to the King -himself. - -'Will the Dominie come too?' the boy asked very anxiously. - -So when I told him that he would, he seemed more satisfied, and asked -leave to go home to his mother. - -I had, indeed, something to tell Nell Kennedy that night when I rode -home from Maybole. And upon the head of it we two sat long in talk, and -were more than ever set on riding to Auchendrayne. But first we decided -that the Dominie and I should carry William Dalrymple to the Earl, that -he might certify to him what he had already testified to us at the -schoolhouse in the Kirk Vennel. - -But on the morrow we, that is the Dominie and I, had it set to ride to -Cassillis by way of Maybole. On the way we came to the little hut of -the widow Dalrymple, for William was a town's bursar, and so got his -learning from the Session as a poor scholar. The door was shut, and a -neighbour's wife cried to us that both the boy and his mother had gone -on to Cassillis before us. So we rode forward. Yet we must have missed -them on the way, for when we came to the castle yett there was nobody -there before us, and the Earl himself had ridden forth to the hawking by -the waterside. - -Then came out to us foolish Sir Thomas Tode with his long story, which -began as usual with the Black Vault of Dunure, and was proceeding by -devious ways when his wife came round the corner--whereat right briskly -he changed his tune. - -'And as I was saying,' he said, 'on Tuesday seven nights we had a shrewd -frost that nipped the buds.' - -'It is as well for you, old dotard,' cried his wife, listening a moment, -'I had thought ye were at your auld tricks again.' - -So we went in, and were busily partaking of the cheer of Mistress Tode -when we became aware of the noise of altercation without. - -'Save us,' said the cook, 'it is a mercy that neither my lord nor my -lady are within gate, wi' a' that narration of noise outbye! What can -it be at a'?' - -And she went out to inquire. - -But if the disturbance was loud before, it certainly became ten times -worse when Mistress Tode disappeared. I got up to look, and the Dominie -followed me. We saw a tall, grey-haired woman stand upon the causeway -of the courtyard, with one hand on her hip, and with the other tossing -back the straying witch locks from her brow. - -'Where's my boy, Mistress Tode?' cried the newcomer fiercely, to our -friend the cook, who stood upon the steps. 'What hae ye dune wi' my -laddie at the black house of Cassillis? He left his hame to come here, -by command o' my lord and young Launce of Culzean, at five this morning. -An' Jock Edgar met him set on a pony between twa men on horseback, and -he declares that the puir lad was greeting sair. What hae ye dune wi' -him, ye misleared, ill-favoured Tode woman that ye are?' - -'Weel ken ye, Meg Dalrymple,' cried Mistress Thomas Tode, 'that I wadna -steal ony chance-gotten loon of yours. Faith na, I wadna fyle my -parritch-spurtle on his back. We shelter nae lazy gaberlunzie speldrons -in the house of Cassillis. There is enough rack and ruin about the -countryside as it is, withoot gatherin' in every gipsy brat and prowling -night-hawk to its walls. Gin ye come here to insult my master, a belted -Earl, I'll e'en set the dowgs on ye, ye gruesome ill-tongued limmer -woman!' - -I saw that this was to be altogether another kind of tulzie from those -clattering bickers of the sword-blades, that I knew something about. So -I signed to the Dominie to be silent, for here of a surety were two -foemen worthy of each other's points. - -'Ye shall cast no stour in my e'en, certes,' cried Meg Dalrymple. 'I -ken ye, ye auld yeld crummie Tode. Ye hae nae bairns o' your ain, and -ye wad kidnap the bonny bairn o' a decent woman.' - -'I daresay no, "nae bairns o' my ain," quo' she,' cried Mistress Tode, -roused to high anger. 'I micht hae had as mony as a clockin' hen, gin I -had gane the gate ye gaed, Meg Dalrymple. I'll hae the law on ye, ye -randy, casting up my man's infirmity to me.' - -'Your "man," quo' she,' retorted Meg Dalrymple, 'ca' ye that auld bundle -o' dish-clouts tied aboot wi' hippens--a man! Save us, one micht as -soon bed ayont a pair of auld duddy breeks!' - -'Ay, my man,' cried Mistress Tode, 'what hae ye to say, ye shameless -woman, again Sir Thomas Tode, that has been Earl's chaplain for forty -year and my lawfu' wedded man for ten?' - -Mistress Tode rang out the titles like a herald now, when her husband -was gainsayed and made light of. But we know that on occasions she could -treat him cavalierly enough. - -'I wad as sune mairry a heather cow for soopin' the rink at the channel -stanes,' cried Meg Dalrymple. And this implication bit deeper into the -feelings of the lady of Sir Thomas Tode than all the other reproaches, -for the brush of tonsure hair was a sore subject of jesting with her, as -I well knew. - -'I hae telled ye,' Mistress Tode cried, pausing a moment with her hand -on her side, as if to keep command of herself, 'I hae telled ye, woman, -that we only deal with kenned and authenticate folk in this hoose--no -wi' orra loons, that nane kens wha belangs them! And I wad hae ye ken -also that I am no to be named a liar by the likes o you, Meg -Dalrymple--me that has been keeper o' the larder keys o' this Earl's -castle for fifteen year, me that has had the outgiving o' all -plenishing, the power o' down-sitting and on-putting, and never has been -checked in a bodle's worth. Gang hame, ye Canaanitish woman, and I doot -na ye'll find your brat safe in the town's bridewell. It will learn ye -to bide from decent folk's houses, making such a cry about your wastrel -runnagates.' - -'Keep your ill tongue for that disjaskit, ill-put-thegither rachle o' -banes that ye hae for guidman,' cried the widow Dalrymple. 'Weel do I -ken that ye hae my bairn hidden awa' somegate amang ye. Sic a trade as -has been hauden wi' the puir bit laddie for carryin' a letter to the -Laird o' Auchendrayne. An' the like o' you to stand in my road, Tode -woman, you that is weel kenned in sax pairishes for an ill-tongued -gipsy. I'll hae ye proclaimed at the market cross, a lord's cook though -ye be, gin ye dinna gie me hame my bairn wi' me!' - -'Na,' said Mistress Tode, more quietly, 'an' you'll no. Ye'll e'en ask -my pardon and gang quietly away to your hame by yoursel. - -'And wha is gaun to gar me to that?' said Meg Dalrymple. - -'Just me and this bonny wee bit mannikie here,' said Mistress Thomas -Tode, turning round unexpectedly and catching the Dominie Mure by the -arm. She pushed him forward and clapped him in a knowing way on the -shoulder. 'Just this decent snod bit mannikie!' she said again. - -'Woman,' said the Dominie, very indignantly, 'what have I to do with -your quarrels and tongue-thrashings?' - -'Just this, honest man,' said Mistress Tode; 'ye keep the Session -records o' the parish o' Maybole. And if this ill-tongued woman disna -gang hame doucely and quaitly, ye are the man that is going to gie me a -sicht and extract o' them, under date fourteenth o' Januar, fifteen -hundred and aughty years.' - -The stroke told. Meg Dalrymple grew silent. The anger faded out of her -face suddenly as the shining on wet sea sand when you lift your foot. -The warlike crook of her elbow flattened to a droop. For the Session -records of the Kirk of Scotland are the nearest thing to the Books of -the Recording Angel, and the opening of them is a little Day of Judgment -to half the parish. - -But we could not let the poor woman depart in this fashion. I stepped -to the door from behind the pillar where I had been listening for the -ending of the fray. - -'Mistress Dalrymple,' I said, very quietly, 'your lad has never come to -Cassillis at all. We came here to meet him. He must have lost his way.' - -'Maister Launcelot,' said Meg Dalrymple, in a changed voice, 'ye come o' -a guid, kind hoose, and ye tell no lies. I am free to believe you. But -my bairn is tint a' the same. What will I do! Oh, what will I do?' - -'Go home and bide quiet,' I bade her, gently. 'I shall myself speak to -the Earl. And fear not but we will find your lad if he be in the land.' - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXIII* - - *THE DEVIL IS A GENTLEMAN* - - -But William Dalrymple was not to be so easily gotten. High and low he -was sought for, but no trace of him was found. A girl had seen him -taking the road to Cassillis with the dust rising behind him, as was his -wont. For, as I have said, he was the best runner in the school of -Maybole, and in the winter forenights he kept himself in fine practice -with outrunning Rob Nickerson, the town's watchman. - -So on a day, since no better might be, Nell Kennedy and I rode out to -Auchendrayne. At first we had it trysted to go by ourselves, but -Dominie Mare declared that he would come with us--'and wait in the hall, -if ye were asked to gang ben',' as he said, meaningly. - -'For they might put you and the lassie awa', and never hear mair of it. -But even John Mure and his son would think twice before they either -sequestered or murdered the Dominie o' Maybole, and the Clerk of the -Kirk Session thereof.' - -So, though his coming with us wearied Nell and myself somewhat and -hindered our discourse on the journey, it all turned out for the best in -the end, as things that are bitter in the taking often do. - -I was, I will own, monstrously curious to see the tower of Auchendrayne -and the surroundings of it; for there were strange rumours in the -countryside concerning gangs of wild, savage folk that sometimes camped -under the trees, and tales of horrid faces which might at any moment -glower at you from the dark bole of a gnarled oak. - -But this fair sunshiny day we that rode saw nothing but the leaves -rustling and clashing above us, and heard nothing but the sough and -murmur of the Doon water beneath us. Auchendrayne is a place hidden -among woods--set on a knoll, indeed, but with trees all about it, not -conspicuous and far-regarding like the Newark or Culzean. - -When first we saw it the grey battlements looked pleasantly enough out -of the greenery, basking as peacefully in the sun as though they had -risen over the abode of some hermit or saint. We saw nought of the -customary stir and bustle of an habited house about the mansion of -Auchendrayne. None ran to the office houses. None carried bundle nor -drove cattle about the home parks. It was a peace like that of a -Sabbath day. 'A black devil's Sabbath!' said the Dominie, grimly. And -in truth there was something not altogether canny about thus coming to a -dead and silent house, with the sun shining hot and the broad common day -all about and above. - -Nor even when we dismounted did any servant or retainer come forth to -meet or challenge us. We did not see so much as the flutter of a banner -or the gleam of a steel cap. Only there about us was the silent -courtyard, with the heat of noon trembling athwart it, and the very -paving stones clean swept like a table before the feast is set. - -I tied our horses to the iron ring of a louping-on stone which stood at -the angle of the wall by the gate, thinking as I did so that if only -these foot-worn steps could speak, they could tell a tale worth -hearkening to of strange venturings and bloody quests. - -Also I loosened my sword, and I think I saw the Dominie lay his hand to -his hip, ere Nell and I set forward together. We went up the steps of -the outside stair, and as we did so we came within hearing of a little -continuous murmur of hoarse sound. The doors were all open, and I wot -well that we walked softly and with our hearts in our mouths, for the -silence and the strangeness of the deadly house of Auchendrayne daunted -me more than the clash of swords or the crack of pistols. But I had -Nell Kennedy by me, and I would have gone to destruction's pit-mouth for -her sake--because, saving my father and mother, she was the only friend -I had. - -Suddenly, in our advance, we came to the door of a great hall, where, at -the upper end, was a table in the midst. The windows were narrow and -high, throwing down but a dim light upon the rush-strewn floor. There -were many servants and others sitting in the hall, and at the further -end stood one who read from a book. As soon as our eyes became -accustomed to the cool duskiness after the white equal glare without, I -perceived that the reader was none other than John Mure himself. About -him there sat all his servants and retainers, both men and women. - -It was the crown of my astonishment to hear that the book from which he -read was the Bible, and also that as he went on he made comments like a -minister expounding his morning chapter, speaking very seasonably and -fitly, and eke with excellent judgment and sense. Or so at least it -seemed to me, for I am not enough of a clerk to be a judge of -expositions, though my father has the two great leather-bound volumes of -Clerk _Erasmus his Paraphrases_, on the shelf over the mantel. But -though he is fond of these himself, he never rubbed any of his liking -into me. - -But we were hearkening to the reading of John Mure in his own hall of -Auchendrayne. - -'"Fill ye up, then, the measures of your fathers,"' somewhat in this -fashion he read from his place. '"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, -how shall ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore behold I send unto -you prophets and wise men and scribes; and some of them ye shall kill -and crucify, and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and -persecute them from city to city--that upon you may come all the -righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel -unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the -temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, all these things shall -come upon this generation."' - -Having read this word, which, knowing what I knew, I had thought would -have made him sink through the earth with the fear of condemnation, John -Mure commented upon it, showing how it applied to such as refused the -right gospel way and walked in devious courses, careless of God and man. -Then he went on with his reading in the same clear and solemn voice, -though he must perforce have seen us stand in the hall door. - -So soon as the reading was over, the great company of the retainers -decently took their departure, walking out soberly and without hurry. -Then came John Mure down from the dais with the Bible yet in his hand, -and welcomed us with a condescension that was quaint and uncanny. - -'Ye have gotten us at our devotions, Mistress Helen, and you Master -Launcelot, and Dominie Mure--my good cousin. You could not have found -us better employed.' - -'Do ye believe what ye read?' asked the Dominie, quickly. - -'Whatever is a means to an end, that I believe in--even as you believe -in your taws and birch twigs. The reading of Scripture threatenings -makes quiet bairns, and so does the birch.' - -'What think ye of the blood of righteous Abel?' said the Dominie--with, -methought, more boldness than discretion. 'Will it cry from the ground, -think ye?' - -The Laird of Auchendrayne looked at the little Dominie, as one might -upon a fractious but entertaining bairn. - -'It is a point much disputed. Ye had better ask our Launcelot's friend, -Maister Robert Bruce, Minister of Edinburgh, if perchance his head be -yet upon his shoulders.' - -Which saying showed me that John Mure knew more than I had given him the -credit for. - -Then he turned to Nell. - -'You would wish to see the young Lady Auchendrayne?' he said -courteously. - -Nell replied coldly enough, 'I should like to see my sister.' - -'I think,' said Auchendrayne, with a wiselike and grave sobriety that -set well on his reverend person, 'that she is presently in the orchard -house.' - -'Will you bide here, or will you go with Mistress Helen?' he asked of -me. - -'We would all go together,' said Nell, 'if it pleasure you.' - -So with a courteous wave of the hand, he led us through stone passages -and along echoing corridors, till we came to a door in the wall, from -which we entered upon a pleasant prospect of gardens and orchards. Here -again there was the same curious silence, and, as it seemed, an absence -of the twitter and stir of a Scottish garden in the season of summer. - -We came presently to a stone building like a tomb, all overshaded with -trees. - -'This is the orchard house of Auchendrayne,' he said. 'I believe the -Lady Marjorie is within.' - -The Dominie and I stayed without with John Mure, while Nell went in -alone to greet her sister. We heard the faint murmur of voices and now -and then a pulsing check as of a slow, smothered sob. We that were -without, stood with our backs to the cold, heavy, white stones under the -green shade, while John Mure discoursed learnedly and pleasantly of -flower-beds and tulips and the best form of dovecot tower for the supply -of the table with pigeon pie. - -At last Nell came to the door. - -'Launcelot, Marjorie wishes you to come in,' she said. Whereupon I -entered and found a large room finished in oaken panelling and moulded -archings. Roses looked in at the windows, and a stir of pleasant -coolness was all about. Marjorie was sitting by a table with many books -spread upon it. - -My dear lady was pale and white as a lily. She leaned her head wearily -on her hand. But there burned a still and unslockened fire in her eye. - -'Launcelot,' she said to me, 'this is not so wide a place to walk within -as the pleasaunce at Culzean, nor yet can we see from the garden house -of Auchendrayne the rough blue edges of Arran or the round Haystack of -Ailsa. - -I bade her look forward to happy days yet to come, for, indeed, I knew -not what to say to her. She smiled upon me wistfully and indulgently, -as one does upon a prattling child. - -'I thank you, Launcelot,' she said, 'but I was not born for happiness. -Nevertheless, you were ever my good lad. I see you still wear my -favour, but doubtless long ere this you have found another lady. Is it -not so?' - -I told her no, blushing to have to say so in the hearing of Nell--who -afterwards might flout me, or, as like as not, cast up again the old -matter of Kate Allison. - -Then through one of the windows I saw John Mure pacing up and down the -path with the Dominie at the other side of the garden, so I knew that it -was our time to speak. - -'Ye have heard of your father's death?' said I. 'What think ye? How -was it wrought and how brought about? Can you help us to unravel it?' - -'Nay,' said Marjorie, 'not at present. But in good time I shall yet -clear the matter to the roots, and that before I die.' - -'Wherefore will you not come back to us at Culzean? We need you sorely,' -pleaded Nell, who stood holding her sister's hand. - -'Nay,' said Marjorie, 'my work is not yet done at Auchendrayne.' - -It was the self-same answer she had given when she rode away from the -gate of Maybole on the day of the death of Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany. - -'Are they cruel to you here, Marjorie, tell me that?' I said, for I saw -that the old Laird was approaching, and that our further time would be -but short. - -'No one of them hath laid so much as a finger upon me!' said Marjorie. -And this at least was some comfort to carry back to the sad house of -Culzean with us. - -So with that, little satisfied concerning the thing which we came to -seek, but with somewhat more ease in our hearts for Marjorie's sake, we -went back through the passages and into the great hall. While we waited -there for a servant to show us forth to our horses, my eye rested upon a -large, closely-written volume, with the quill pen laid upon it, and -ink-horn set in a hole in the desk above it. - -'I see that my clerkly work has caught your eye,' said John Mure. 'It -is a nothing that I amuse myself withal, yet it may live longer than you -or I. It is but a slight history of the mighty sept whose name you, -Master Launcelot, so worthily bear, with all their branches and noble -deeds at arms. For me, I am but a useless old man, past the labour of -fighting. Yea, I know it was your own lance that put me there. But I -bear no malice, it was the fortune of war. You know me better than to -suppose that John Mure bears a grudge for that shrewd thrust you dealt -me on the day of the quenching of our hopes in blood by the gate of -Maybole.' - -I bowed and thanked him for his courteous words. - -'It was indeed the gallantest charge that ever was made,' said I, 'since -that of Norman Leslie, when, on the day before Renti, he drava into the -midst of sixty Spaniards with but seven Scottish lances at his tail.' - -'Sir,' said I, 'I am no historian, but a soldier. Yet is it a part of -the training of a good fighter, that he should know the great deeds -which have been done in the wars before him by brave men, so that he may -emulate them when he himself is launched upon the points. - -'It is well said, sir squire,' said Auchendrayne, bowing to me. - -So, with a courteous farewell, in which there was to be seen no grain of -hate nor as much as a glint of the teeth or the wolf, he bade us go our -ways. 'And, above all things, he cried after us, 'mind your prayers. -'Tis a good lesson for the young to remember.' - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXIV* - - *IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY* - - -Now, through being over-careful with my chronicle, I have spent too much -time on our conferences. But we were, indeed, at the parting of the -ways, and needed all advice. On our way to Culzean we met one who told -us that the Earl had gone home that day to Cassillis. Nell besought me -to ride thither, for she had a request to make to the head of her house -ere she went her ways back to Culzean. - -So to Cassillis we rode, and at the gate encountered Robert Harburgh, -dressed, as usual, in his dark, close-fitting doublet, and with his -long, plain sword by his side. With him I abode while Helen went within -to pay her duty and service to the Countess--who, as Nell told me -afterwards, never stopped praising the ancient days when she was the -Chancellor's wife, and had one of the ladies of the Court to attire her. - -'Now,' she said bitterly, 'John grudges it if I take a milkmaid -half-an-hour from the butter-kirning to help to arrange my hair.' - -Presently the Earl came out. He showed himself well pleased and kind, -as, indeed, he ever was with me--perhaps because I never asked aught of -him in all my life. - -'Helen, our cousin,' said he, 'desires that she may go and bide among -the heather with your good mother at Kirrieoch. What think ye of that?' - -I told him that I had not heard of it--that she had spoken no word to -me. - -'See to the matter,' he said with significance. 'I have been advised -concerning Sir Thomas and his last words. And if you prove worthy, I -know no reason why ye should not have the lass. But first ye must find -the treasure of Kelwood or bring down her father's murderers--one of the -two. And then, when that is done, I pledge you my knightly word that ye -shall have both the lass and a suitable providing. Besides which, if I -am in favour with the King, ye may even get a clap on the shoulder from -the flat of a royal sword. But that,' said he, 'I can nocht promise ye, -for with King Jamie no man's favour is siccar.' - -I told him that I kenned not rightly if the lass would have me; that I -never spoke a single word of love to her but what she lightlied me. - -'In good time,' said the Earl, smiling and nodding. 'The lass that wants -in time of stress to gang and bide with the minnie, will draw not -unkindly to the son in times of ease.' - -Then came Nell with a knitted shawl from the Countess to wear among the -hills, for Earl John and she were kind folk enough in all that touched -not the getting or spending of gear. - -I asked my lord also for the company of Robert Harburgh to help me in -the escorting of Nell fitly to the little tower of Kirrieoch on the side -of the Minnoch water. - -'Ay, ay; let him gang,' said the Earl. 'The honeymoon is by, and his -wife will be the fonder of him for lying her lane till he comes hame to -her again.' - -So Robert Harburgh and his long sword went southward from Cassillis -along with us, riding mostly with the Dominie, while I rode behind with -Nell. - -I told her all our plans as we went. How we must seek the treasure; and -how we must, above all things, find the boy Dalrymple. - -'I will go with you upon your quest,' the staunch little Dominie had -said to me, when he heard of our adventure. And so it fell out that we -four rode steadily to the south, till we came in the evening to my own -hill-land, where the whaups cry, where the burnies go chuckling to -themselves and clattering over the pebbles, and where all the folk's -hearts are kindly and warm. My mother took my lass in her arms when we -told her our purpose and Nell's request. - -'And I will help you with the kye?' said Nell, blithely, to her. - -'Ay,' answered my mother. 'Ye will help with the drinking of the milk, -and that will e'en bring some roses back into your cheeks, my puir bit -shilpit lassie.' - -And though there passed not a look by the common between us when we -parted, I think my mother shrewdly jaloosed what were my hopes. - -Thus we left them standing by the loan dyke, the two old folk and Nell -with her yellow hair a-blowing in the midst. And I, that knew not -whether I might ever see them again, waved a hand, and resolved to -return with a name and a barony at the least; or, if my lot were -perverse, to leave my bones in some stricken field. - -It is hard for a man to part from a lass--and in especial from one to -whom he dares not make love as he has done to others, all because those -others have told upon him, till he fears the ridicule of his real love -more than rapier thrusts. Right bitterly did I regret that I had done my -by-courtings so near home; because, on my very life I dared not venture -a sweet word to Nell Kennedy for fear of her saying, 'That is even what -you said to Kate Allison, the Grieve's lass.' Or as it might, 'Keep to -your customs. It is not your usual time yet by a quarter-of-an-hour to -put your arm about our waists.' - -Now this is monstrously unfair to any man, who, after all, is compelled -to conduct his affairs with some sort of rule and plan of attack. I was -a fool--well do I know it. I ought to have gone further afield than the -Grieve's house. I am sure there are plenty of lasses in Carrick fairer -to look upon than Kate Allison, though I am free to admit that I thought -not so at the time. - -So as we went back it was arranged that Robert Harburgh should ride to -the woodland country about Auchendrayne, and there, from his -headquarters at Cassillis, keep his eye upon the doings of the Mures, -because his person was unknown to them of Auchendrayne's household. - -The Dominie and I undertook the more uncertain work, but we had made our -plans and were not to be put off. The neighbourhood of the Benane was -well known to all that trafficked about the town of Girvan. It was a -dangerous and an ill-famed place, and many innocent people had very -mysteriously lost their lives there, or at least disappeared to return -no more. In order, therefore, that we might be more free to pursue our -wanderings, we left our horses behind us. Indeed, Dom Nicholas was even -now cropping the sweet grasses on the side of the Minnoch water, with my -father to show him where they grew thickest and my mother to give him -oats between times, till the brave beast was in some danger of being -overfed. - -As we neared Girvan, we came into a country of the bitterest partizans -of the Bargany folk. Here dwelt James Bannatyne of Chapeldonnan, one of -the great intimates of John Mure, and much beholden to him. Here also -was Girvan Mains, over the possession of which much of the black blood -had arisen. So, for our safety, we gave ourselves out to be plain -merchants travelling to Stranrawer in order to get a passage over to -Ireland. - -When we came to the farmhouses where we were to stay for the night, we -always asked of the good man, in the hearing of his wife, concerning the -state of the country. Was it peaceful? Were the bloody feuds staunched, -and could honest men now live in peace? We heard, as was natural, a -great deal of abuse of the Earl and of our faction, as the greediest and -worst-intentioned rascals in the world. That from the goodman; but when -the wife got her tongue started, she would tell us much that was no -credit to Drummurchie and others on the side of the murderers. Soon we -were fully certified that we were already in the country where -Drummurchie and Cloncaird and the rest of their party were being -secretly sustained by their friends. Yet we could not come at them, -which perhaps was as well, seeing that my person was well known to them. - -I found the little Dominie a right brave companion. When we sojourned at -houses, he had a way with the bairns that kept them on the trot to do -his will, and pleasured to do it--a manner also of cross-questioning the -parents about their children which showed them his interest and his -knowledge. Then he would most wisely and soberly advise them to see and -give this lad Alec a good education, to make that one a merchant because -of his cleverness with figures, and this a dominie or a clerk, because -he did not give promise of being fit for anything else. It was as good -as a play to hear him, and made us much thought of whereever we went. - -Yet he was ready with his fighting tools also. Once when we went by -Kildonan and a pack of dirty vagabonds bade us stand, what was my -surprise to find that Dominie Mure having laid down his pipes and out -with his blade, was already driving among them before I had got so much -as my hand on the sword blade. And I am no laggard, either, with the -iron, as all may know by this time. But with his great bristling fierce -head and his rapier that thrust up unexpectedly from below (yet which -with the length of his arm reached as far as a tall man's), the Dominie -gave the rascals a fright and a wound or two also, which started them at -the run. Even then he followed, thrusting at them behind till they -shouted amain, and took across the fields to escape the pricking of his -merciless weapon. And ever as they ran he cried, '"Halt and deliver!" -did ye say? I will give you a bellyful of "Halt and deliver!"' - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXV* - - *THE OGRE'S CASTLE* - - -So being wearied with the chase we went to the nearest farm, which, as -it happened, was that of Chapeldonnan. It stood quite close by the -roadside. A tall, large-boned woman came to the gate with a pail of -pigs' meat in her hand. - -'What seek ye?' she said. 'We want nae travelling folk about -Chapeldonnan.' - -We told her that we were merchants going to Ireland, and that we had -been attacked by a set of rascals upon the way, whom we had made flee. - -'They are no that ill in this pairt o' the country. They wad only hae -killed ye,' she said, as if that would have been a satisfaction to us. -'It is doon aboot the Benane that the real ill folk bide.' - -I told her that killing was enough for me, and that I was puzzled to -know what worse she could mean. - -So with some seeming reluctance she bade us come in. The wide quadrangle -of the farm buildings was defended like a fortress. The gate was spiked -and barred with iron from post to post, as though it had been the gate -of a fighting baron instead of the yett of a tenant, devised only to -keep in the kye. - -We asked civilly for the master of the house, and somewhat hastily the -woman answered us,-- - -'The guidman's no at hame. He has been away ower by at the Craig trying -to win the harvest of the solan geese and sea-parrots.' - -'Your husband is tenant of the rock?' I said, for it is always worth -while finding out what a man like James Bannatyne may be doing, or at -least how much he thinks it advisable to tell. - -'Ow ay,'she said, 'and a bonny holding it is. Gin it werena for the -Ailsa cocks, the conies, and the doos, it wad be a mill-stone aboot our -necks, for we have to pay sweetly for the rent o' it to my Lady of -Bargany.' - -'But,' said I, 'it belongs to the Earl, does it not?' - -The mistress of Chapeldonnan looked pityingly at us. - -'Ye are twa well-put-on men to be so ignorant. Ye maun hae been lang -awa' frae this pairt o' the country no to ken that the neighbourhood is -very unhealthy for the friends o' the Earl o' Cassillis to come here. -Faith, the last that cam' speerin' for rent and mails in this quarter -gat six inch o' cauld steel in the wame o' him!' - -'And what,' said the Dominie, 'became o' him after that? Did he manage -to recover?' - -'Na, na. He was buried in Colmonel kirkyaird. The good man of Boghead -gied him a resting-grave and a headstone. It was thought to be very -kind o' him. It was Boghead himsel' that stickit him.' - -'Ye see what it is to be a Christian, good wife!' said the Dominie. - -'Ow ay, lad,' said the woman, placidly. 'That was generally remarked on -at the time. Ye see, Boghead was aye a forgiein' man a' his days. But -for a' that, it was the general opinion o' the pairish that the thing -might be carried ower far, when it cam' to setting up my Lord of -Cassillis's folks wi' graves and headstones!' - -She continued, after a pause,-- - -'I hae been deevin' at our guidman to gie up the Craig, for it keeps him -a deal from hame, and I aye tell him that he carries awa' mair than he -brings back o' drink and victual. But he says that the rock is a maist -extraordinary hungrysome place!' - -'It has that name,' said I, unwarily. - -She stopped and looked at me with sudden suspicion. - -'What ken ye aboot the Ailsa?' she asked, looking directly at me. - -'Nocht ava,' I replied, 'but a' seaside places hae the name o' making -your ready for you meal of meat.' - -'Hoot, no,' said Mistress Bannatyne. 'Now, there's mysel'. I canna do -mair than tak' a pickin' o' meat, like a sparrow on the lip o' the -swinepot. Yet Chapeldonnan is but a step frae the sea.' - -She was at that moment lifting a heavy iron pot off the cleps, or iron -hooks by which it hung over the fireplace in the midst of the kitchen -floor. - -'I hae aye been delicate a' my days, and it is an awesome thing for a -woman like me to be tied to a big eater like James, that never kens when -he has his fill--like a corbie howkin' at a braxy sheep till there was -naething left but the horns and the tail.' - -I thought we might get some information about the Benane, which might -prove of some use to us when we adventured thither. - -'Good wife,' said I, 'we are thinking of going by Ballantrae to the town -of Stranrawer. The direct way, I hear, is by the Benane. What think -ye--is the road a good one?' - -'Ye are a sonsy lad,' she said, 'ye wad mak' braw pickin' for the teeth -o' Sawny Bean's bairns. They wad roast your ribs fresh and fresh till -they were done. Syne they would pickle your quarters for the winter. -The like o' you wad be as guid as a Christmas mart to them.' - -'Hoot, good wife,' said I, 'ye ken that a' this talk aboot Sawny Bean's -folk is juist blethers--made to fright bairns frae gallivanting at -night.' - -'Ye'll maybe get news o' that gin Sawny puts his knife intil your -throat. Ye hae heard o' my man. James Bannatyne is not a man easily -feared, but not for the Earldom o' Cassillis wad he gang that shore road -to Ballantrae his lane.' - -And, indeed, there were in the countryside enough tales of wayfarers who -had disappeared there, of pools of blood frozen in the morning, of -traveller's footsteps that went so far and then were lost in a smother -of tracks made by naked feet running every way. But I kept on with my -questions. I wanted to hear the bruit of the country, and what were our -chances. - -While we were thus cheerfully talking, and the Dominie by whiles playing -a spring upon his pipes to gain the lady's goodwill, there came in a man -of a black and gruesome countenance. We knew him at once for the master -of Chapeldonnan, James Bannatyne, for he came in as only a goodman comes -into his own house. He was a man renowned for his great strength all -over Carrick. He turned on us a lowering regard as he went clumsily by -into an inner room, carrying an armful of nets. I noted that the twine -had not been wet, so that his sea fishing had not come to much. But -behind the door he flung down a back-load of birds--mostly solan geese -and the fowl called 'the Foolish Cock of the Rock,' together with -half-a-dozen 'Tammy Nories.' So I guessed that he had either been over -the water to Ailsa, or desired to have it thought so. - -His wife went ben the room to him. We could hear the sulky giant's -growling questions as to who we were, and his wife's brisk replies. -Presently she came out looking a little dashed. - -'James has come in raither tired,' she said, 'and he will need to lie -down and hae a sleep.' - -'In that case, mistress,' I said, 'we will e'en thank you for your -kindly hospitality and take our ways.' - -She followed us to the door, and I think she was wonderfully glad to get -us safe away without bloodshed. - -'Be sure that ye gang na south by the Benane,' she said, 'the folk that -bide there are no canny.' - -So we thanked her again and took our way, breathing more freely also to -have left the giant behind. - -We had not gone far, however, when we spied her husband hastening after -us across a field. He came up with us by a turn in the road. - -'We harbour no spies at Chapeldonnan,' he said, bending sullenest brows -at us, 'and that I would have you know.' - -'We are no spies on you nor on any well-doing man,' I said. 'We are -honest merchants on our way to Stranrawer, and but called in to ask the -way.' - -'Ye speered ower mony questions of my wife to be honest men,' he said -threateningly. - -'And why,' said the Dominie, birsing up as one that is ready to quarrel, -'in this realm of Scotland may not a man without offence ask his way, -from the honest wife of an honest man, so long as he soliciteth no -favour more intimate?' - -At this the giant made a blow at the little Dominie. He had a large -cudgel in his hand, and he struck without warning, like the -ill-conditioned ruffian that he was. But he fell in with the wrong man -when he tried to take Dominie Mure unawares, for the little man was as -gleg as a hawk, having been accustomed to watch the eyes of boys all his -life, ay, and often those of lads bigger than himself. So that, long -before the hulking stroke of the fellow came near him, the Dominie had -sprung to the side, and was ready, with his whinger in his hand, to spit -Bannatyne upon the point. For myself I did not even think it worth my -while even to draw--for I had only brought my plain sword, fearing that -in some of the company which on our wanderings we might have to keep, -the Earl's Damascus blade might overmuch excite cupidity. - -But instead I ordered the fellow away as one that has authority. It was -not for Launcelot Kennedy to mix himself with a common brawling dog like -Chapeldonnan. - -'It wants but the tickling of a straw,' cried the little man, 'that I -should spit you through, like a paddock to bait a line for geds. And -but for your wife's sake, who is a civil-spoken woman by ill-fortune -tied to a ruffian, I should do it.' - -Then seeing that together we were overstrong for him, James Bannatyne -took himself away, growling curses and threatenings as to what should -happen to us before we got clear of Carrick. However, we took little -heed to the empty boaster, but went our ways down into the town of -Girvan. - -Here it came to my mind to hire a boat and provision her as it were to -go to the island of Arran. And nothing would set me till I had it done. -So on the south beach we found a man cleaning just such a boat as we -needed, with a half-deck on her and a little mast which would go either -up or down. For three merks in silver we got the use of the boat for a -month, and with her both suitable oars and sails. He was going to the -haying in the parish of Colmonel, the owner said, but lest we should -lose her, we must deposit with the minister or the provost of the town -other thirty merks as the value of the boat, which money should again be -ours when we returned to claim it. So to the provost we went, whom we -found a hearty, red-faced man, a dealer in provisions and all manner of -victual. Of these we took a sufficient cargo on board, and having paid -down our thirty merks, early one morning we laid our course for the Isle -of Arran. - -But when we had gone screeving well across with a following wind, we lay -to under Pladda till it was dusk, and then with a breeze shifted to our -quarter we bore down on Ailsa. I knew not very well what we should find -there, but I judged that we would at least come on some traces of the -murderous crew, which might help us to clear up some of their secrets. -For I judged that James Bannatyne did not spend his nights out of bed in -order to wile a few solan geese off the rocks of Ailsa. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXVI* - - *THE DEFENCE OF CASTLE AILSA* - - -Now the Isle of Ailsa is little more than a great lumping crag set askew -in the sea. Nevertheless, it has both landing place and pasturage, -house of refuge and place of defence. The island was not new to me, for -I had once upon a time gone thither out of curiosity after the matter of -Barclay, Laird of Ladyland--who, in his madness, thought to make it a -place of arms for the Papists in the year of the Spanish Armada, but was -prevented and slain at the instance of Andrew Knox, one of the good -reforming name, minister of Paisley. This last was a wonderfully clever -man and accounted a moving preacher; but on this occasion he showed -himself a better fighter--which upon Craig Ailsa, at least, is more to -the purpose. - -It was the dusk of the morning when we ran into the spit of shingle -which is upon the eastern side and, watching our chance, we drew the -boat ashore. The sea was chill and calm, only a little ruffled by the -night wind, and the sun was already brightening the sky to the east, so -that the Byne Hill and Brown Carrick stood black against it. - -With great stealth and quiet we climbed up the narrow path, seeing -nothing, however, save a pasturing goat that sprang away as we came -near. It was eerie enough work, for the seabirds clanged around us, -yammering and chunnering querulously among themselves on the main cliffs -at the farther side of the isle. It grew a little lighter when we came -out upon the narrow path which leads to the castle. - -Suddenly the dark door of the tower loomed before us, very black and -grim. I declare it was like marching up to the cannon's mouth to walk -up that little flight of stairs which led to the door in the wall. -Nevertheless, I clambered first, with a curious pricking down my back -and a slackness about the knees. So all unscathed we entered. There -was only emptiness in all the chambers. The castle had been almost -wholly ruined and spoiled, for since its taking by the Protestant party, -it had not been touched nor put in defence. 'Now I will bring up the -provender. Keep you the castle,' said I to the little Dominie, as soon -as we were certified that we were first in possession. - -So I went down and made first one backload and then another of those -things which we had bought at Girvan and placed in the boat. I brought -up also all the ammunition for the hackbutt and the pistols. Before I -had finished the sky grew grey and clear, the day breaking nobly with -only a rack of cloud racing up the far side of Kilbrannan Sound to hang -upon the chill shark's teeth of the mountains of Arran. Upon my return I -was glad to find the castle intact, and the little man seated calmly -with a book in his hand. - -'Did you never so much as shut the outer door?' I asked him. - -'And shut you without,' said he. 'Is it likely? Ye might have had to -come along that footpad with only your limber legs to keep your tail, -and Tam o' Drummurchie or Sawny Bean jumping ahint ye!' - -So before we went to examine the nooks and crannies of the Craig either -for enemies or treasure boxes, we resolved to put the castle into as -good a state of defence as we could. - -First we drew in the rough wooden steps which led to the door in the -wall by which we had entered, so that only the little projections -whereon the wood had rested were left to afford foothold to any -besieger. Then we closed and barricaded the door, for the huge iron -bolt was yet in its place and ran securely into the stone of the wall -itself for quite two feet. - -When the day broke fully, I went up to the turret top to look about me. - -'Save us!' I cried down to the little man. 'Come hither, Dominie. Is -not that our boat out there with men in her?' - -The Dominie ran up and looked long and earnestly. - -'Ay, deed is it that,' he made answer. 'We are trapped, Launcelot, for -all our cleverness. And if these chiels be our enemies, I doubt that we -are as good as dead men in the jaws of the Wolf of Drummurchie. - -The men in the boat kept leaning back and looking up at the cliffs as if -to get sight of something. Sometimes they went completely out of view, -as it had been close into the bulk of the isle, mayhap to examine more -carefully some cave or lurking-place. - -'We had better look well to our priming, and set a watch,' said I. 'We -shall have visitors this day at Castle Ailsa, or my name is not -Launcelot Kennedy.' - -But the hours passed slowly on from nine till noon before we heard a -sound, or saw a living creature beside the geese and the gulls. After -the boat had gone westward out of sight, we waxed weary at our posts on -the top of the turret. I went down to look at the cupboards of the -chambers. There I was rooting and exploring, when I heard the Dominie -whispering loudly to me to run up hastily into the tower. - -He told me how that a stone had come pelting against the wall, on the -side towards the hill. Now the castle sits on the verge of the -precipice, and only a narrow path leads to it along the cliff. But -behind there is a little courtyard to landward, now mostly ruined and -broken down. It was from this side, so Dominie Mure whispered to me, -that the stone had come. - -'Tut, man,' said I, 'you are losing your nerve with this playing of -hide-and-seek. It was but a billy-goat's foot that spurned it, and so -naturally it came bumming down the hill side.' - -'Then,' he replied grimly, 'it was a billy-goat as big as an elephant, -and it will ding over this castle into the sea, for no ordinary goat -could have stirred the stone I saw; I tell you it popped over the heuch -like a cannon-ball.' - -But we were soon to have other company besides that of the stone. - -For presently there came in sight a man walking daintily and carefully -along the path which led to the door of the tower. Now he would pull -wantonly at a flower, and anon he would skip a stone over the cliff--for -all the world as if it were a Sabbath afternoon, and he was waiting for -his lass. But I knew better, for I heard his harness clattering under -his loose coat of blue. - -'Where gang ye so blythe, my bonny man?' cried the Dominie suddenly from -my elbow. The man started back, and set his hand beneath his cloak, but -the Dominie cried,-- - -'Keep awa' your hand frae your hip, young man--ye may need it to -preserve your balance on the footpath--and give me your attention for a -wee.' - -The man did as he was bid, and cast his eye aloft, where the black mouth -of a hackbutt looked discouragingly down upon him. - -'Your name, friend?' said the Dominie. - -'I am James Carrick from the parish of Barr,' said the man at last. - -'Ay, ay, slee Jamie--Drummurchie's man,' said the Dominie, with meaning. -'When the man is pooin' gowans and skytin' slate stanes, the maister is -no that far awa'. Noo, James, e'en turn you aboot and gang your ways, -and tell your maister that his black murder is found out, and that there -are those on their way to this isle that will put the irons on his -heels.' - -So the man who had called himself James Carrick turned obediently about, -and marched away the road he had come. Probably he had been sent for -nothing more than to know if we had stolen a march upon them, and taken -possession of the strength of the castle. They had our boat--there was -no question of that. We were, therefore, set here with only two -backloads of powder and provisions to stand a siege in a small and -ruinous tower upon a barren cliff. - -Nor was it long before we had news of the enemy, for as we strolled up -and down the battlement walk, which as is common in such little -fortalices, went round three sides of the tower--that is, round every -side except that which looks inward to the cliff-edge--a number of -scattering shots came from all about, but chiefly from above. - -We could hear them whistling over us as we ducked our heads. We got -ready our guns to fire in return so soon as a man showed; but the many -bowders and rocky humps about gave the enemy great shelter, so that it -was no easy thing to take aim at them. However, I did get a steady shot -at an incautious leg, and on the back of the crack of the hackbutt came -a great torrent of swearing, and this I took for a good sign. - -All we could do was to keep the little courtyard clear, and to shoot -whenever we saw a bonnet rise up or a limb carelessly exposed. But we -both yearned for something more lively to put an end to our suspense. - -Nor had we long to wait. - -From the east side of the tower which looks to the sea, there came the -sound of a loud report, a tumble of stones, and then a loud, continual, -and most pitiful crying, as of a man hurt unto death. I ran up into the -battlements above and set my head through a loophole. Beneath me lay a -fine-looking young man, with his red bonnet fallen aside, clad in a -short white coat, with doublet and hose also of red. He was unarmed so -far as I could see. - -'Who are you, and what brought you there?' I cried to him from the -turret loop. - -A massy corner-stone fallen from the castle lay on his chest, and a pile -of other rocks and stones was heaped about his legs. He turned his eyes -upward at me and tried twice to speak. - -At last he said, with many pants and piteous groans, 'I am Allan Crosby, -from Auchneil. I brought you a letter from my Lord Cassillis. I landed -below and came up by the path, but when I got near I heard firing and -saw the door shut. So I tried to clamber up the castle wall to cry in -at the window to you, because you were my friends. And even as I -climbed, the stones of the castle fell upon me, and now they are -crushing the life out of me.' - -'Where is the letter from my Lord?' said I. - -The man cast his eyes about him as if to look for it. - -'I had it in my hand just now,' he said. - -I saw a scrap of parchment a little way from him, and asked if that were -the letter. - -'Tie it to a cord for me,' said I, 'that I may see it.' - -But, by reason of his wounds, he was not able to reach it, and the -stones pressed so bitterly on his breast that he could do nothing but -lie and groan most waesomely. - -'Oh, help me, or else end my misery--for the love of God,' he cried -earnestly, 'for I am at the point of death in this agony.' - -I went all round the top of the tower and looked about every way. Our -enemies had retired further up the cliff, and were contenting themselves -with firing an occasional shot, which fell harmless against the walls, -buzzed among the battlements, or else sang past us into the sea. - -I called the Dominie. - -'Come to the door,' said I. 'I cannot bide still and see that poor man -suffer. He says that he has come with a letter from my Lord Cassillis. -It may be so. I will at least go and see. Drummurchie's thieves have -gone up the face of the rock, and the wounded man cannot hurt me much, -even if he were willing.' - -Then the Dominie pled with me to bide where I was 'because,' said he, -'you know not whether it be not an ambush.' - -'I cannot let a fellow-creature be crushed to pieces before my eyes and -abide to hear his death-cries,' I answered. 'Come down and hold you the -door open.' - -So with that I undid the bolts and put the Dominie behind it. I set my -feet upon the jutting stones on which the wooden stair usually rested, -and so scrambled perilously down, holding on to the wall with my right -hand the while. When I came to him the lad was lying gasping on his back -with the stones edgewise on his breast. I asked him how he did. He -seemed past speech, but was able to motion me round to the further side. -There I stooped gently in order to raise the great block that lay upon -his bosom. - -I stepped carefully about and turned my body to render him my aid as -tenderly as I could. But I got a sudden and terrible surprise, and -though I am not one much given to fear, I own that it shook my heart. -Even as I stooped over him, the fellow flung oft the stones as if they -had been featherweights, leaped upon his own feet with a bended pistol -in his hand, and stood in front of me, striding across the path which -led back again to the castle door. - -At the same moment I heard a loud shout of warning from the Dominie, -that the enemy were again coming down the brae. I had no time to draw -my dagger, and for greater lightness I had left my sword behind. I saw -the rascal make him ready to fire at me, aiming at my heart. So I -remembered a French trick of high kicking which Robert Harburgh had once -taught me, for he had been in France at the schools with his master the -Earl, and had learned much there besides philosophy. - -So I gave the fellow my foot, shod with toe-plates, full upon his wrist, -which knocked the pistol up against his chin with a stunning crash. In -the next moment I leaped at his throat and overbore him, spurning him -with my heel as I passed. I can remember leaping upon him with all my -weight from the top of one of the very stones the traitor had pulled -down upon himself. - -Then I ran fleet-foot for the entrance of the castle. Others of the -enemy were just coming about the corner when I reached the projecting -points of stone. With my heart in my mouth I sprang up the little juts -of rock. I was almost within and in safety, but I had not counted upon -the swiftness and resource of my gentleman of the fallen stone. He was -hard upon my heels in spite of the thundering clout he had gotten on the -jaw from the pistol. But luckily my brave little friend the Dominie -stood ready behind the door, and as soon as my hindmost foot was over -the threshold, he set his strength to the iron handle and sent the massy -oak home to its fastenings with such force that it struck the pursuer -fair on the face with a stunning crash. As a stone is driven from a -sling, so he fell whirling over the stair head, and, unable to stop -himself, he went, gripping vainly at the rock-weeds, headlong over the -cliff. - -This, however, being behind the door and fully employed in securing it, -we did not know at the time. But when we hurried again to the top of -the tower, we saw the enemy swarming down the cliff side to render him -some assistance, or it might be to recover his body. - -'Ask him, when you get him, if he has another letter from my lord the -Earl,' cried the Dominie after them. - -'And serve him right well, the treacherous hound,' muttered the little -man to himself, 'if you find him in pound pieces!' - -But I said nothing, for I thought the fellow would mind the kick that I -gave him. - -That night Thomas of Drummurchie and all his folk removed from the cave -where till now they had dwelt. They went over in our boat and in that of -James Bannatyne of Chapeldonnan to the mainland, being frightened (as I -guess) by our declaration that there were those coming who would deliver -them to justice. And also being dismayed, as I make no doubt, by our -staunch and desperate defence. - -Thus were we left alone on the muckle weary rock which men call Ailsa, -and which thousands of free men and women look at every day without a -thought of the poor prisoned folk upon it. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXVII* - - *THE VOICE OUT OF THE NIGHT* - - -Now, so long as provisions last, Ailsa is none such a bad sanctuary, and -we might have passed the time there very well, had we possessed minds -sufficiently at ease for enjoying such a hermitage. The spring was but -a few yards above the castle, and it ran crystal clear into a little -basin which I cut in the rock. We had enough victual to serve us for a -month with the provision we had bought in Girvan, and with what I shot -of the puffins or Tammy Nories, which ran in and out of their holes all -day like conies in a warren. - -Sometimes we would climb to the top of the crag and look long at the -sea, which from there seemed like a great sheet hung upon Cantyre and -Arran on the one side and upon the hills of Galloway and Carrick on the -other--with Ailsa itself, on which we were sitting, in the deepest -trough of it. - -A few boats crept timidly about the shore, and a little ship sometimes -passed by. But otherwise we had for companions only the silly -guillemots that couped their tails uppermost and dived under, the -fishing-gulls that dropped splash into the water, and the solan or -solemne geese which, when they fell, made a bigger plunge than any, even -as on the cliffs of the island their keckling and crying are the -loudest. - -One day the Dominie and I were sitting on the roof of all things (as the -summit of Ailsa seemed to be), picking at the grasses and knuckling -little stones for the idlesse which comes with summer weather, when it -came in my head to rally Robert Mure, because he had a cold hearthstone -and a half empty bed. - -'You, a burgess and a learned man, with an official rent and a yearly -charge on the burgh, yet cannot get so much as a cotter's sonsy bit lass -to keep you company, and to sit, canty like Jenny and Jock, on the far -side of the chimbley lug. Think shame of yourself, Dominie. Any -questing lout that can persuade a tow-headed Mall of the byre to set up -house with him, deserves better of his country than you. Were all of -your mind, Maybole school might have none to attend it but dotards and -grandmothers! And where were your craft then, Socrates?' I asked him, -for just before he had been speaking to me of a certain wise man, a -Greek of that name. - -And at first he made a jest of the matter, as indeed I meant it. - -'Never fear,' he said, 'there will always be enough fools in Ayrshire to -get more. Maybole shall have its share of these.' - -And indeed that hath been the repute of our town and countryside ever -since Ayr water first ran over its pebbles! - -Yet when I pressed the Dominie further upon the matter, he waxed -thoughtful. His face, which was not naturally merry, took on a still -sterner expression. Presently he put his hand within his blouse and -pulled out a little string of beads, such as Catholics wear to mind them -of their prayers. It was suspended about his neck. This, I own, was a -great marvel to me, for the Dominie was a strong Reformer, and showed -little mercy in arguing with men still inclined to the ancient opinion. - -He gave the brown rosary into my hand, and I turned it curiously about. -It was made of the stones of some foreign fruit, most quaintly and -fantastically carven and joined together with little links of gold. -Between two of the beads there was a longer portion of the chain, and -upon it two rings of gold were strung. - -'Once,' said the Dominie, 'there was a maid who had promised to share my -hearth. One ring of these two was mine, to wear upon my finger, and one -was hers. Upon the night before our marriage day we met at our place of -tryst. I tried the ring upon her finger ard wished her to wear it that -night. 'To-morrow will serve--it is not so far away!' she said, and -slipped from my arms. Under a new-risen moon she went homeward, singing -by the heads of Benane. And that was the last that these eyes ever -beheld of bonny Mary Torrance--save only this necklace of beads which -she wore, and the stain of her blood upon the short grass of the -seashore.' - -The Dominie looked long to seaward at the flashing birds that circled -and clanged about our rocky isle, each tribe of them following its own -orbit and keeping to its own airy sphere. - -'And what happened to her?' I began, but got no further. - -'Murder, most foul,' he cried, rising to his feet in his agitation, -'horrible, unheard of in any kingdom! For all about the spot where -these things were found, was the trampling of many naked feet. And some -of these were small and some were great. But all were naked, and the -print of every foot was plain upon the sand of the shore. Each footprint -had the toes of the bare feet wide and distinct. Every toe was pointed -with a claw, as though the steads were those of birds. And the fearsome -beast-prints went down to the sea edge, and the blood marks followed -them. And that was all.' Then the Dominie fell silent, and I also, for -though Ayrshire was full of blood feuds and the quest of human life, -this was a new kind of murder to me--though by all accounts it seemed -not rare in the neighbourhood of Benane, for I minded the warning words -of the Mistress of Chapeldonnan. - -'And had she no enemies, this Mary Torrance?' I asked. - -'She was but young, and of birth too lowly for feuds and fightings. -Besides, who in Carrick would harm a maid going homeward from her -love-tryst?' - -The Dominie rose and walked away to the other side of the Rock of Ailsa, -where for long he sat by himself and fingered the necklace of beads. -His face was fixed, as if he were making of the rosary a very catena of -hate, a receptacle of dark imaginings and vengeful vows. Scarcely could -I recognise my quaint and friendly Dominie. - -It was that night, as the blackness grew grey towards the morn, that I -yielded my watch upon the roof of the little Castle of Ailsa to the -Dominie. Too long I had paced the battlements, listening to the -confused and belated yawping and crying of the sea-birds upon the -ledges, and to the mysterious night sounds of the isle. For I began to -hear and to see all manner of uncouth things, that have no existence -except on the borderlands of sleep. - -The Dominie said no word, good or bad, but drew his cloak about him and -sat down on the rampart. I bade him good morning, but he never answered -me a word; and so I left him, for I judged that his thought was bitter, -and that the tale he had told me of Mary Torrance lay blackly upon him. - -Yet, when I went below, it was not with me as on other mornings. I lay -down upon the plaids and composed me to sleep. Yet I remained broad -awake, which was an unaccountable thing for me, who have been all my -life a great sleeper. I lay and thought of my friend, sitting gloomy -and silent above in the greyness of morn, till my own meditations grew -eerie and comfortless. Often and often I started upon my elbow with the -intention of going to him. As often I lay down again, because I had no -excuse, and also (as it seemed to me) he had not desired my company. - -But once, as I lifted me up on my elbow, I seemed to hear a shrill -crying as it had been out of the sea, 'Launcelot--Launcelot Kennedy!' it -said. And the crying was most like a woman's voice. My very blood -chilled within me, for the tale of the lass murdered upon the morn of -her marriage day was yet in my mind. And I thought of naught less than -that her uneasy spirit was now come to visit the man, aged and withered, -who sat up there waiting and watching for her coming. Yet why it should -cry my name passed my comprehension. - -It was, therefore, small wonder that I listened long, lying there among -the plaids upon the floor. But the night wind soughed and sobbed -through the narrow wicket window, and there was no further noise. -Thinking that I had dreamed, I laid my head upon the hard pillow and -composed me to sleep, but even then I caught as it had been the regular -beat of a boat's oars upon the rullocks. And anon I heard my name cried -twice and thrice, 'Launcelot Kennedy! Launcelot Kennedy! Launcelot -Kennedy!' Whereat, with a thrill of horror, I rose, cast the wrappings -from me, and, with my naked sword in my hand, I went up to the roof of -the castle. - -The Dominie was sitting with his face turned seaward. He heard me come -behind him. Without turning he put out his hand. - -'Did you hear it too?' he said. 'Go below. That which shall come is -not for your eyes to see!' - -'But I heard a woman call my name!' I said. 'I heard it twice and -thrice, plain as I hear you speak!' - -'Nay,' he said, 'not your name--mine!' - -And once more we listened together. As for me, I strained my eyes into -the darkness so that they ached and were ready to behold anything. I -gazed out directly towards the sea, from which the sounds had come; but -the Dominie looked along the path which led precariously between the -wall of the isle above and the precipice below. - -Thus we watched as it seemed for hours and hours. - -Suddenly I heard him draw in his breath with a gasping sound, like that -which a man gives when he finds himself unexpectedly in ice-cold water. -The twilight of the morning had come a little, and as I looked over his -shoulder, lo! there seemed to me as it had been a maid in white coming -along the path. I felt my heart stop beating, and I, too, gazed -rigidly, for it seemed to me to be Nell Kennedy, coming towards us, -robed like an angel. - -'She is dead!' I thought. 'Mayhap the clawed things out of the sea have -devoured her, even as they took Mary Torrance!' - -But I heard the Dominie say under his breath, 'It is she! It is she!' - -For in the moment of terror, when the soul is unmanned, everyone hears -with his own ears and sees with his own eyes, according to his own -heart's fantasy. - -But the figure came ever closer to us, stepping daintily and surely in -the dim light. Again I heard the voice which had spoken to me from the -sea, and at the sound my very bones quaked within me. - -'Launcelot--Launcelot Kennedy!' it said. - -And for a long moment the figure stood still as if waiting for an -answer. But my voice was shut dumbly within me. The Dominie stood up. - -'Art thou the spirit of Mary Torrance, or a deceiving fiend of hell that -has taken her shape? Answer me, or I fire!' - -And the Dominie held out his pistol to the white-sheeted ghost, which -even then appeared to me a mightily vain thing, for how can a spirit -fear these things which are only deadly to flesh and bone? - -'I have come to see Launcelot Kennedy,' answered the voice, and it -appeared awful and terrible to me beyond the power of words. I could -not so much as fix my mind on a prayer, though I knew several well -enough. 'I have come to seek Launce Kennedy. Is he within?' said the -voice. - -'What would you with him? He is no concern of yours,' said the Dominie. - -'I ken that,' said the voice. 'Nevertheless, I have come to seek him. -I greet you well, Dominie Mure. Will you open and let Helen Kennedy -within?' - -And with that the light came clearer. The veil of the fantasies of that -fearful night fell like a loosened bandage from my eyes. And lo! there -at the tower's foot was my dear quipsome lass, Nell Kennedy, in her own -proper body, and I knew her for good, sound flesh and blood. Nor could -I now tell how I had so deceived myself. But one thing I resolved--that -I should not reveal my terror to her, for very certainly she would laugh -at me! - -But the Dominie was too firmly fixed in his thought. I saw him grip his -pistol and lean over the parapet. It seemed that he could not even -believe the seeing of his eyes. - -'Come not nearer,' he cried in a wild voice, 'for well do I know that -you are a fiend of the breed of the sea demons, whatsoever you may -pretend. I will try a bullet of holy silver upon you.' - -But I threw myself upon him and held his arm. - -'It is but our own Nell Kennedy,' I said. 'What frights you, Dominie?' - -For I resolved to make a virtue of my courage. And, indeed, as I came -to myself first, and had done no open foolishness, I thought I might as -well take all the credit which was due to me. 'See you not that it is -only Helen Kennedy of Culzean?' I repeated, reasoning with him. - -'And what seeks she with you?' said he, still struggling in my grasp. -'I tell you it is a prodigy, and bodes us no good,' he persisted. - -'That I cannot tell,' said I. 'I had thought her safe upon the moors -with my mother. But I will go down and open the door to her.' - -So when I had run down the stairs of the small keep and set the bolt -wide, lo, there upon the step was Nell Kennedy, her face dimpled with -smiles, albeit somewhat pale also with the morning light and the -strangeness of her adventure. - -I held out my hand to her. Never had I been so moved with any meeting. - -'Nell!' I said, and could say no more. - -'Ay, Launce--just Nell!' she said. And she came in without taking my -hand. But for all that she was not abashed nor shame-faced. But she -remained as direct and simple in her demeanour as she had been about -Culzean, in the old days before sorrow fell upon the house, and, indeed, -upon us all. - -'Take me up the stairs to the Dominie,' she said. And I took her hand -and kept it tightly as we went upwards. But I tried after no greater -favours at that time, for I knew that her mood leaned not towards the -desires of a lover. - -'Ah, Dominie,' said Nell, when she reached the top, 'this Ailsa is a -strange place to keep school in. Yet I warrant you that geese are not -more numerous here than they were in Maybole!' - -But the Dominie could only gaze at her, thus daffing with him, so fixed -had he been in his fantasy. Then when he was somewhat come to himself, -we waited expectantly for Nell to reveal her errand and to relate her -adventure, and she did not keep us long waiting. - -'You must instantly leave Ailsa and come back with me,' she said. 'My -sister Marjorie is lost from Auchendrayne, and we three must find her. -I fear that the Mures have done her a mischief, being afraid of the -things that she might reveal.' - -'How knew you of that, Nelly?' I asked, for, indeed, it was a thing I -could make no guess at myself. - -'It was one morning at Kirrieoch,' said Nell, 'as we were bringing in -the kye out of the green pastures by the waterside, that a messenger -rode up with a letter from Marjorie. She asked me to meet her at -Culzean and to bring you and any other faithful men whom I could trust -along with me. And thus the letter ended: '"_For gin I once win clear -out of Auchendrayne, we have them all in the hollow of our hand, I have -found him that carried the letter_."' - -'She means the letter to John Mure that took your father to the tryst of -death,' I said. - -The Dominie seemed to awake at the words. - -'That will be young William Dalrymple she has fallen on with,' he cried, -in much excitement. - -I rose, and hastened down to put our belongings together, which were -scattered about the castle. As soon as I returned Nell went on with her -tale. - -'Then because I knew not where you were,' she said, 'I was in much -distress. But your father donned his war graith and rode with me to the -house of Culzean, where he yet abides. As for me, I could noways rest, -so I set myself to trace you. And here I have found you. Pray God we -may find our Marjorie as safely!' - -'But how did you manage to trace us?' I asked, for the Dominie and I -thought that we had well hidden our tracks. - -'Oh, I got the kindly side of the goodwife of Chapeldonnan,' said Nell, -lightly. And when I heard that, I did not wonder any more, for she -could get the kindly side of anyone, if so she chose. Because Nell -Kennedy, in spite of her taunting and teasing, had ever a coaxing, -winsome way with her which was vastly taking. - -Then we fell to making our plans. It would not do for us to be seen -leaving the Craig by day, for our position was plainly in view of keen -eyes along all the Girvan shore and at Chapeldonnan or Girvanmains as -well. And worse enemies than these might put out a dozen boats to -intercept us, or simply lie in wait to take us as we landed. Besides, -all this day and part of the night there befel a storm which lashed the -waves to white foam about our abode. - -With more than a woman's ordinary forethought in adventure, Nell had -left her boat in a cove to the right of the landing-place. And indeed -I, that somewhat prided myself upon my wisdom, had not taken as great -precautions myself--which, among other things, was the cause of our -present position on the Craig. So we three spent all the day in -cheerful talk, thinking that so soon as we could find Marjorie, we -should come to the end of our perplexities, and have the guilty in our -power. But in this we spoke without knowledge of the manifold shifts -and stratagems of our arch enemy. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXVIII* - - *A RESCUE FROM THE SEA* - - -While we thus waited and planned, Nell told us how that she had remained -at Culzean till there seemed no more hope of Marjorie's coming. Then -there arrived a lass of the Cochranes who had been Marjorie's tiring -maid at Auchendrayne. From her Nell learned how, after a fierce and -bitter scene with the elder Mure, Marjorie had fled from Auchendrayne -none knew whither, escaping all their toils and passing their inner and -outer guard under silence of night. Then so soon as she had heard this, -fearing all evil to her sister, Nell set out to find me--believing that, -in the absence of any hope of help from her brothers, I might aid her to -find her sister and to clear some of the ever deepening mysteries. - -It was the dusk of an evening, sweet and debonnair, when we left the -castle which had been so long our home, and descended the perilous -steeps to the foot of Ailsa. Here we found Nell's boat safe in its cove, -and immediately we pushed out, having placed therein all our weapons and -belongings. Nell sat in the stern, and the Dominie and I took the oars. -The storm of the night and morning had abated, and there was now no more -than an oily swell upon the water. - -There was little talk between us as we went, for we felt that our lives -were in our hands and that we might be only running into greater perils. -I supposed that the Dominie was thinking of the love he had lost by -black, unnatural murder, on that dangerous shore to which we were making -our way. We kept well to the south of Girvan, because I had twice gone -there on errands which did not tend to make us favourites with the -Bargany Kennedies and their supporters, of whom the townsfolk were -mostly composed. Besides, I remembered the word of the rascal whom I -had held at my mercy in the house of Mistress Allison, the Grieve's wife -at Culzean. 'The treasure of Kelwood is in the cave of Sawny Bean on -the shore of Bennanbrack over against Benerard.' And this, though not a -clear direction, pointed to some promontory south of Girvan and north of -Ballantrae. - -And though the discovery of my master's death was, I trust, first in my -mind, I need not deny that I was also mindful of the treasure for which -so much had been adventured first and last. - -It was a high tide and a calm sea when we got over into the loom of the -cliffs. We had a making wind and the tide was with us, so that we had -been able to set the sail part of the way--for a little mast which would -carry a lug sail lay snugly under the thwarts of the boat. - -The Dominie, who in his rambling youth had followed the sea, both -steered and managed the sheet as we drew nearer the shore, while I lay -over the bow and kept a look-out ahead. We steered towards a light -which went wavering along the top of the rocks, for we opined that it -must be some shepherd wandering with a lantern to look for a lost sheep. -Now it dipped into clefts, now it mounted to the summit of the crags, -and anon it was lost again behind the screes and tumbled cliffs of the -coast. - -Suddenly from high above us, where we had last seen the light, we heard -sounds as of pain and despair--a woman's cry in her extremity--not -weeping or beseeching, but crying only, being, as it seemed, utterly in -distress. - -''Tis our Marjorie! I ken her voice!' cried Nell, and we all strained -our eyes upwards to the dark heuchs. The lantern had come to a -standstill almost directly above us. - -The Dominie silently took down the mast and let it rest in the bottom of -the boat. Our speed slackened till we floated without motion on the -gently heaving water. I continued to peer into the gloom. Yet how -Marjorie Kennedy could have come to be in danger upon the shore of -Benane was far beyond my comprehending at that time. - -'Marjorie! Sister Marjorie!' cried Nell, as loudly as she could. And -almost as she spoke I saw something white descending towards us from the -cliff, like a poised bird that closes its pinions and dives into the -water. The smitten waters sprang up white not twenty feet from our -bows. - -I stood erect on the stern, scarce knowing what might hap, yet to be -ready for anything, balancing on both feet for a spring. And as soon as -I had a glimpse of something white which rose from the black water, I -sprang towards it ere it had time to sink again. For Nell was with me -in the boat, and it was my opportunity to let her see that Launce -Kennedy did not do all his deeds standing thread-dry on the solid land. -I declare, so much was I affected and worked upon by her crying to her -sister, that had it been Sawny Bean himself I had grappled with him -there in the salt water. - -But it was a braver weight and shape that I held in my arm--even the -slim form of a woman. I felt a thrill run through me when I found that -her arms had been tied closely behind her back both at wrist and elbow. -Nevertheless, I gripped the cords which confined her, and struck out for -the boat, which I saw black like a rock above me. - -It was no more than a minute that I supported the girl in the water, but -to me it seemed to be a year, for I was hill born, and had learned the -swimming since I came in my youth to Culzean. And this never makes a -strong nor yet a long swimmer like the shore-bred boy, who has been half -in and half out of the tide all day long every summer season since he -could walk. - -But the Dominie speedily brought the boat about, for indeed there was -little way on her at anyrate. In a moment more his strong hands and -long fingers were lifting Marjorie Kennedy on board, and laying her, all -wet as she was, in the arms of her sister Nell. - -Then he gave me a hand over the bow, and we cowered low in the boat, -letting her drift inward with the tide till we were close under the loom -of the land and in the very darkest of the shadow. We knew well that -they who had tied Marjorie's hands would be on the look-out for her -rescuers. So on the black water we lay and waited. - -Nor had we long to wait, for in a short time voices echoed here and -there among the rocks, and the lantern, with others which we had not -previously seen, appeared far down near the edge of the sea. At the -same time, from the other direction, came the noise of oars roughly -thrown into a boat and the clambering of men over the side. Then we -were, indeed, in sore jeopardy, for the wind had died to nothing under -the land, and the grey sea lay outside the shadow of the cliffs with -quite enough light upon it to trace us by, if we rowed out in that -direction. - -And all the while Marjorie lay silent in her sister's arms. I had cut -the cords and chafed her hands as well as I could, but still she did not -speak. - -The pursuers closed rapidly upon us from both sides, and ere we could -think of a plan, we saw the boats pushing out with torches held at their -prows by the hands of dark and stalwart men. And then the Dominie and I -looked to our pistols and swords, resolving, if it came to the sharp -pinch, to make a good fight for it. For when the two boats came -together they could not choose but find us. - - - - - *CHAPTER XXXIX* - - *THE CLEFT IN THE ROCK* - - -'Let us get in nearer to the land,' said the Dominie; ''tis the sole -chance that remains to us.' - -So seizing each of us an oar, the sea being perfectly calm and a full -tide lapsing as smoothly upon the cliffs as the water in a tub wherein -good wives wash their duds, we risked the matter and rowed in closer to -the rock. We sought if by good chance there might be found some inlet -where we could land, or some cave which might conceal us from the cruel -men who were seeking our lives. - -Nor was our adventuring in vain, for as we cautiously advanced into the -blackness, the wall of the cliff seemed to retire before us, so that the -prow of the boat actually appeared to push it steadily back. A denser -darkness, a very night of Egypt, surrounded us. Gradually the noise of -the pursuers dulled, sank, and died away. We lost sight of the grey, -uneasy plain of the sea behind us, and continued to advance through a -long water passage walled with rock, the sides of which we could -sometimes feel with our hands and sometimes fail to touch with our oars. -This I took at the time to be a marvellous dispensation of Providence on -our behalf, as without doubt it was. But now we know that all that -shoreward country, owing to the abundance of soft stone by the seaside, -is honeycombed with caves, so that it was well-nigh impossible to miss -at least one of these in every half mile of cliff all about the Heads of -Benerard. Yet that we should strike this one of all others appeared a -thing worthy of admiration, as presently you shall hear, and showed the -same dispensing and favourable Providence which has throughout been on -the side of Culzean and against our enemies of Bargany. - -Marjorie and Nell still sat together in the stern, but so dense was the -dark that we could see nothing of them. The Dominie and I took our oars -from the rullocks and pushed onward into the cave, hoping to come in -time to some wider space, where we could either disembark or find a -passage out upon the land above us. - -And so presently we came to a place wonderful enough in itself, yet no -more than the gateway to other and greater marvels. - -The waves which had scarcely been visible out on the open sea ran into -the cave at regular intervals, and in the narrow places formed -themselves into a considerable swell of water. Before us we could hear -them break with a noise like thunder upon some hidden strand or beach. -This somewhat terrified us in that place of horrid darkness, for the -noise was loud as is a waterfall in the time of spate, the echoing of -the cave and the many contracted passages and wide halls deceiving the -ear. - -So our boat, being poised upon the crest of one of these smooth steeps -of water which rolled onward into the cave, advanced swiftly into a more -spacious cavern, where the oar could be used without touching the rock -at either side. The sounds now came back to us also from high aloft, -and we had the feeling of much air and a certain spacious vastness above -us. Yet the imprisoning darkness, confused with the lashing of the -waves, wrought a kind of invincible melancholy which weighed down all -our spirits. - -Presently, however, the prow of the boat took the slushy sand in a coign -more retired, where the waves did not, as in other places, fall with an -arching dash, but rather lapsed with a gentler wash as upon a regular -beach. Being in the bow, I lost no time in leaping ashore, and in a few -moments I had the boat fast to a natural pier of rock, behind which the -water was quiet as in a mill pond. - -Here in the darkness we helped each other out, and feeling ourselves now -somewhat more safe from our enemies, we shook one another by the hand -and made many congratulation on our escape, which had indeed been -marvellous. - -Even thus we waited for the day to reveal to us whether there were any -passage by which we could ascend from the deeps of the Cimmerian pit -wherein we were enclosed, without adventuring out again in our boat upon -the water, where our enemies watched for us. - -We drew close together upon the rocky pier, and Marjorie told us of her -escape from the Auchendraynes, the strange tale of which shall hereafter -be given at length in its own place. Also she confirmed the message -which she had sent to her sister, that she had discovered all the -wickedness and certain guilt of the Mures in the death of her father, -and in many other crimes. So we saw before us in plain case their -condemnation, if once we could escape from this snare and bring their -iniquity to light before the King and the Council. Yet all the while it -was a marvel to me how Marjorie had so completely forgotten James Mure -the younger, who was her wedded husband, even though she had never -rendered to him the love and duty of a wife. - -But we were by no means yet won out of the wood. And, at the best, our -case was not a particularly comfortable one. The Dominie and I had, -indeed, provided Marjorie with such wrappings and covertures as were in -our power, which we had brought with us from the isle. But we had -mainly to trust to the virtues of the strong waters of France, which the -Dominie always carried about with him, as well as to the mildness of the -night, that she should take no harm from her fearful plunge from the -cliffs into the salt water. - -But it is certain that the perturbation of one's spirit at such a time -is so great, that many things pass without penalty to the health which -at another season might induce disease and death. - -Presently we found that our boat was being left high and dry, the water -ebbing swiftly away from us towards the mouth of the cave. We had, as -it happened, entered at the height of the tide, and now the water was -upon the turn. But this affected us little, for we judged that either -it would go so far back that we might find a way of escape by clambering -over the rocks out upon the land; or else, at the worst, we knew that, -by waiting till the next tide, we should be able to return the way we -had come. At all events, for that time at least, we thought ourselves -to have outwitted our pursuers and to stand no longer in their danger. - -But we were briskly to learn another way of it, for the oftenest slip is -made upon the threshold of safety. - -Marjorie and Nell bore themselves through all these dangers and -discomforts with the greatest courage. Never had this come home to me -so strongly before, for the maid's shamefacedness had died out of -Marjorie Kennedy; and now she seemed wholly set with a fierce jealousy -of hate to compass the punishment of her father's enemies. - -The water being in this manner retired, and our boat lying high and dry -upon a shelving beach, I proposed that the Dominie and myself should -attempt some exploration of the place where we found ourselves--while we -left Nell and her sister by the boat to make such dispositions of their -cleading as would countervale the discomfort of Marjorie's rescue from -death. - -So the Dominie and I felt with our hands all round the wide amphitheatre -which had so lately been filled with the salt water. We had no -difficulty in discovering the narrow passage by which we had come, for -down its narrow gullet the water was now retreating with great -swiftness. But we seemed to be at the sack's end in every other way, so -that we looked for nothing else but having to return to the same place, -and in the same way by which we came, after our enemies had retired. So -swiftly did the tide run back, that it seemed as if it might be possible -for us to walk out upon our own feet. And so indeed we did, but in a -very strange fashion. - -For in one of my gropings I came upon a projection of the rock, which -caught my foot and threw me forward upon my face. As I fell, my hands -touched something like a flight of rough steps which led up from the -sanded floor of the cavern. Without waiting to call out to Dominie Mure -I mounted, with my heart beating fast with anticipation, and at the top -I came into a narrower passage than any we had yet entered, which led me -forward a long way. As I went the air felt unaccountably lighter. It -smelled most like a well-fired room, dry and pleasant, so that I waited -only to ascertain that the passage ended in another apartment before -going back to communicate my fortunate discovery to Marjorie and Nell. - -When I reached the boat I found that, by the skilful management of her -sister, Marjorie had been made somewhat more comfortable, and that the -Dominie on his part had discovered nothing of importance, of which I was -glad, for it became me to be the leader of our expedition. So I bade -him take his weapons, and with what provender we could carry upon our -backs we proceeded all of us together to the rocky stairway leading to -the drier inner cave. - -The Dominie had as usual brought his pipes over his shoulder, from -which, indeed, he refused to be parted even for a moment. And but for -the fear of the noise reaching our enemies, I think that there and then -he would have played us both reels and strathspeys--that is, if we had -given him any encouragement, so pleased was he, and, indeed, all of us, -to leave the dark cavern and oozy sand upon which we had first landed. - -We were not long in ascending the stairs, and, as I had foretold, we -found ourselves speedily in the warmer and drier air, like that of a -habited house, which was so great a change from the dripping damp of the -lower sea-cave that we rejoiced greatly, though quite unable to discover -the cause. - -Yet there was something--we knew not what--about the inner cavern which -took us all by the throat. Indeed, we had not gone far when Marjorie -Kennedy gasped for breath and said, 'Let us go back! I do not like the -place! - -But this I took to be no more than the dashing of her spirit by the -adventures of the night, and the terrors through which, as she had -already told us, she had come in the dreary and dangerous house of -Auchendrayne. - -For the passage broadened out into a wider hall with a firm floor of -hard earth, as if it had been beaten or trampled. We had hardly been in -this place longer than a few moments when a strangely persistent and -pervading smell began to impress us with the deadliest loathing. It was -sharp, pungent, and familiar. Yet could none of us tell whence it came, -nor in what place we had smelled it before. - -'I am faint unto death,' said Marjorie, leaning heavily on me. 'Let me -go back, Launcelot, while I can.' - -But this, for the sake of the dryness and comfort, I was not willing to -do. So, stumbling now over one thing and now over another in the -darkness, I made shift to find a further passage. - -I chanced to put down my hand, when my foot struck something heavier and -more massive than before, and, lo! to my horror, I touched the side of a -wooden tub or vat. And scarce had I moved from the place where I was, -before something cold and soft brushed my face, as if it had been -suspended from the roof. My heart trembled, for we were plainly in a -place of habitation of some unknown and terrible sort. - -'Stand still where you are,' I cried to my companions. For I was afraid -that they also might come against one of these obstructions, which were -good evidence of others having been in this abode of horror and darkness -as well as ourselves. - -Immediately I set to the groping again, and went stumbling from one -thing to another till I came to a branching passage which ascended away -from the hall. And since here, in the roomy alcove high above the floor -of the cave, there were (so far as I could find) none of the vats or -other furniture which I had encountered about the sides of the greater -cave, I decided to use it as a place of temporary shelter. - -So I made my way back to where they were all standing close together, -and I pinched the Dominie's arm in token that he was to ask no -questions. Then very slowly and stealthily we felt our way to the -little alcove which I had found. And as often as I stumbled against -anything, I pretended to clatter some of the stuff which I carried upon -my back, having laden myself with it at the boat. And so passed the -matter off. - -At last we came to the hiding-place which had been my latest discovery, -and found that the rock was cut, as it had been, into seats all round -about, while the path ascended upwards at the back yet higher into the -stone, by which I judged that we had not yet come to the end of the -cavern. Here in the high alcove or gallery above the main cave we -accommodated ourselves, and disposed our belongings as well as we could -for the darkness. The Dominie set himself to arrange them, while Nell -and Marjorie lay covered up together in our plaids upon the stone bench -which ran about the place, and which appeared to have been hewn out at -some past time by the rude art of man. But I myself, to whom it came as -natural to be stirring as to breathe, set about making a further -exploration. - -Now my disappointment was great when I found that we had indeed come to -the limit of the cavern. Search which way I would, my hands encountered -nothing but rock. Nevertheless, I continued my circuit, standing upon -the stone ledge and groping above me, for it was possible that there was -some fresh passage which from this alcove might lead to the outer air. - -Suddenly, while I was searching with my hands at the top of the steps of -stone, and, without the least warning, my finger tips fell upon -something which felt colder than the stone. I touched metal--then the -projection of a keyhole, then the iron corners of a chest. I ran my -hand along the pattern of the metal bands which bound the lid. What -wonder that my heart beat vehemently, for I knew in that moment that I -had my hand upon the Treasure of Kelwood! - - - - - *CHAPTER XL* - - *THE CAVE OF DEATH* - - -For a moment there in the darkness I stood dazed, and my head swam, for -I bethought me of the Earl's words, as well as of the words of the -Minister of Edinburgh, and I knew that my fate stood upon tip-toe. For -here in the finding of this box lay all my life, and it might be my love -also. But again another thought crossed the first, damming back and -freezing the current of hot blood which surged to my heart. The caird's -words in the Grieve's kitchen also came back to me, 'You will find the -Treasure of Kelwood in the cave of Sawny Bean in the head of Bennanbrack -over against Benerard.' - -If this were so, there was little doubt but that we stood in the most -instant and imminent danger of our lives. Yet I could not bring myself -to leave the treasure. Doubtless I ought to have done so, and hastened -our escape for the sake of the girls, Nell and Marjorie. But I thought -it might be possible to convey the chest out, and so bring both our -quests to an end at once--that for treasure, by the recovery of the box -which had been lost and found, and then lost again upon the Red Moss, -and that of vengeance, by the certain condemnation of the Auchendraynes -upon Marjorie's evidence. - -The next moment mighty fear took hold on me. All that I had heard since -my childhood, about the unknown being who dwelled upon the shore-side of -Benane and lived no man knew how, ran through my mind--his monstrous -form, his cloven feet that made steads on the ground like those of a -beast, his huge, hairy arms, clawed at the finger ends like the toes of -a bear. I minded me of the fireside tales of travellers who had lost -their way in that fastness, and who, falling into the power of his -savage tribe, returned no more to kindlier places. I minded also how -none might speak to the prowler by night, nor get answer from him--how -every expedition against him had come to naught, because that he was -protected by a power stronger than himself, warned and advised by an -intelligence higher than his own. Besides, none had been able to find -the abode, nor yet to enter into the secret defences where lurked the -man-beast of Benerard. - -And it was in this abode of death that I, Launce Kennedy, being, as I -supposed, in my sane mind, had taken refuge with two women, one the -dearest to me on earth. The blood ran pingling and pricking in my veins -at the thought. My heart cords tightened as though it too had been shut -in a box and the key turned. - -Hastily I slipped down, and upon a pretext took the Dominie aside to -tell him what it was that I had found. - -'Ye have found our dead warrant then. I wish we had never seen your -treasures and brass-banded boxes!' said he roughly, as if I had done it -with intent. - -And in troth I began to think he was right. But it was none of my -fault, and, so far as I could see, we had been just as badly off in that -place, if I had not found it at all. - -After that I went ranging hither and thither among all the passages and -twinings of the cave, yet never daring to go very far from the place -where we were, lest I should not be able to find my way back. For it -was an ill, murderous, uncanny abode, where every step that I took -something strange swept across my face or slithered clammily along my -cheek, making me grue to my very bone marrows. I am as fond of a nimble -fetch of adventures as any man, as every believing reader of this -chronicle kens well by this time, but I want no more such darkling -experiences--specially now that I am become a peaceable man, and no -longer so regardlessly forward as I once was, in thrusting myself into -all stirs and quarrels up to the elbows. - -Then in a little I went soft-footed to where Marjorie and Nell had -bestowed themselves. When I told them how we had run into danger with a -folly and senselessness that nothing could have excused--save the great -necessity into which, by the hellish fury of our enemies, we had been -driven--it was indeed cheerful to hear their words of trust and their -declarations that they could abide the issue with fortitude. - -So a little heartened, we made such preparations as we could--as -preparing our pistols and loosening our swords. Yet all had to be done -by touch, in that abode of darkness and black, un-Christian deeds. - -It was silent and eerie beyond telling in the cave. We heard the water -lapping further and further from us as it retreated down the long -passage. Now and then we seemed to catch a gliff of the noise of human -voices. But again, when we listened, it seemed naught but the wind -blowing every way through the passages and halls of the cave, or the -echoed wing-beatings of the uncanny things that battened in the roofs -and crevices of this murtherous cavern, unfathomed, unsounded, and -obscure. - -But we had not long to wait ere our courage and resolution were tested -to the uttermost. For presently there came to us, clearly enough, -though faintly at first, the crying and baying of voices fearful and -threatening. Indeed they sounded more like the insensate howling of dogs -or shut-up hungry hounds in a kennel than kindly human creatures. Then -there was empty silence, through which the noise came in gusts like the -sudden, deadly anger of a mob. Again it came, more sharp and -double-edged with fear, like the wailing of women led to unpitied doom. -And the sound of this inhuman carnival, approaching, filled the cave -with shuddering. - -This direful crying came nearer and nearer, till we all cowered paleface -together, save Marjorie alone--who, having been, as it were, in hell -itself, feared not the most merciless fiends that might have broken -loose therefrom. She stood a little apart from us, so far that I had -not known her presence but for the draught of air that blew inward, -which carried her light robe towards me, so that its texture touched my -face, and I was aware of the old subtle fragrance which in happy days -had well-nigh turned my head in the gardens of Culzean. - -But Nell Kennedy stood close to me, so close that I could hear her heart -beating and the little nervous sound of the clasping and the unclasping -of her hands--which thing made me somewhat braver, especially when she -put both her palms about my arm and gripped it convulsively to her, as -the noises of the crying and howling waxed louder and nearer. - -'I am vexed that I flouted you, Launce,' she whispered in my ear. 'I do -not care a docken what you said to Kate Allison. After all, she is not -such a truth-telling girl, nor yet by-ordinary bonny.' - -I whispered to her that I cared not either, but that I was content to -die for her. - -'Oh, but you might have lived for me,' she moaned, 'if I had not led you -into all this trouble.' - -'Nay, Nell, my dear,' said I, hastily, 'speak not so. You have ever been -our saviour and our best fortune hitherto, and so shall be yet.' - -Then (mock us not) in the darkness of the cave we kissed each other once -or twice, amorously and willingly, and the savour of it was passing -sweet even when we looked for naught but death. - -'Give me a dagger,' Nell said to me, and I gave mine own to her, which -she put away in her bosom, as I judged, and again took my hand. - -Then the horrid brabblement filled all the cave, and sounded louder and -more outrageous, being heard in darkness. Suddenly, however, the murky -gloom was shot through with beams of light, and a rout of savages, wild -and bloody, filled the wide cave beneath us. Some of them carried rude -torches, and others had various sorts of back-burdens, which they cast -down in the corners. I gat a gliff of one of these, and though in -battle I had often seen things grim and butcherly, my heart now sprang -to my mouth, so that I had well-nigh fainted with loathing. But I -commanded myself, and thrust me before Nell, who from where she sat -could only see the flickering skarrow of the torches upon the roof and -walls--for the place seemed now, after the former darkness of Egypt, -fairly bursting with light. - -Then I knew that these execrable hell-hounds must be the hideous crew -who called Sawny Bean lord and master. They were of both sexes and all -ages, mostly running naked, the more stalwart of them armed with knives -and whingers, or with knotted pieces of tree in which a ragged stone had -been thrust and tied with sinew or tags of rope. The very tottering -children were striking at one another, or biting like young wolves, till -the blood flowed. In the corner sat an old bleared hag, who seemed of -some authority over them, for she pointed with her finger, and the -uproar calmed itself a little. The shameless naked women-crew began to -bestir themselves, and heaped broken driftwood upon the floor, to which -presently a light was set. - -Then the red climbing flame went upward. The wood smoke filled the -cave, acrid and tickling, which, getting into our throats, might have -worked us infinite danger, had it not been that the clamour of the -savages was so great that it never stilled for a moment. But in time we -became accustomed to the reek, and it disturbed us not. - -More by luck than good guiding, the place where we sat was, as I have -said, favourably situate for seeing without being seen--being a kind of -natural balcony or chamber in the wall, like a swallow's nest plastered -under the eaves of a barn. We learned afterwards that it was a place -forbidden by Sawny Bean, the head of the clan, and so kept sacred for -himself when it should please him to retire thither for his ease and -pleasure, with whomsoever he would of his unholy crew. And to this no -doubt we owed our safety, for the young impish boys roamed everywhere -else, specially swarming and yelling about our boat, which they had just -discovered. I noted, also, that when any of these came in the way of -the men, he was knocked down incontinent with a hand, a knife, or a -stick, as was most convenient. Sometimes the lad would lie a minute or -two where he had been struck, then up again, and to the playing and -disport he fell, as though nothing had happened. - -All this was horrid enough, but that was not the worst of it, and I own -that I hesitate to write that which I saw. Yet, for the sake of the -truth, tell I must and will. The cavern was very high in the midst, but -at the sides not so high--rather like the sloping roof of an attic which -slants quickly down from the rooftree. But that which took my eye amid -the smoke were certain vague shapes, as it had been of the limbs of -human beings, shrunk and blackened, which hung in rows on either side of -the cave. At first it seemed that my eyes must certainly deceive me, for -the reek drifted hither and thither, and made the rheum flow from them -with its bitterness. But after a little study of these wall adornments, -I could make nothing else of it, than that these poor relics, which hung -in rows from the roof of the cave like hams and black puddings set to -dry in the smoke, were indeed no other than the parched arms and legs of -men and women who had once walked the upper earth--but who by misfortune -had fallen into the power of this hideous, inconceivable gang of -monstrous man-eaters. Then the true interpretation of all the tales -that went floating about the countryside, and which I had hitherto -deemed wholly vain and fantastical, burst upon me. - -But there was that nearer to me which smote me down like a blow taking a -man at unawares. As I stood up to look, gripping nervously at my sword -and peering over, there came a gust off the sea, roaring up the passages -of the cavern. For with the moon the wind had risen without. The fire -on the floor flickered upward and filled the place with light. I felt -something touch my cheek. Speedily I turned, and, lo! it was a little -babe's hand that swung by a cord. The wind had caught it, so light it -was, and it had rubbed my cheek. By the Lord, it was enough and more -than enough. I sank down and the spirit within me became water because -of that soft, sliding little hand. Had the naked devils come on to me -then, I declare I had not found power to lift my hand against them, nor -so much as to set a finger to the latch of a pistol. - -But in a little while I was strengthened, for now, as though I had never -seen her before, I saw the true face of the brave lass Nell Kennedy. -And it is passing sweet, even in the presence of death, to see the eyes -of the beloved for the first time after declared and unashamed love has -come into them. She never took her sad, steadfast regard from my face, -and, as I say, I was infinitely strengthened thereby. - -I could also mark Marjorie Kennedy. And since she stood erect, I knew -that she had seen all the blasting horrors I had witnessed--except, -perhaps, the babe's hand a-swing by its cord. Yet there was no -blanching of her face. Rather, she stood and eyed the scene with a calm -and assured countenance, like to a stake-kissing martyr ere the flames -are lit. - -If ever any soul had cast out fear it was that of Marjorie Kennedy, for -unfathomed hate can do that as well as perfect love--and especially in a -woman. - -But when my eyes fell on Dominie Mure, I got a yet greater start. The -little, thickset man, who had been my brave companion through such a -multitude of dangers, seemed to be transformed. A still and biting fury -sat inexorably on his lips. He gripped his blade as if he would spring -straight over the wall of rock upon the bestial crew. So afraid was I -to look upon him and read his intent in his burning eyes, that I undid -for a moment the clasp of Nell's hand upon my shoulder and crawled to -him. - -'Have a care what you do, Dominie,' I whispered in his ear. 'Remember, -it is of the women we have to think.' - -For as clearly as if I had read it in print, I saw his desire and his -determination. He thought of young Mary Torrance, the lass that had -been spirited away. And the red stain on the grass, and the ghastly -garniture about the walls of the monster's cave, had revealed to him the -conclusion of the untold tale. - -But my words stopped him dead, like a bullet in the heart of a springing -wild cat on the bough. He looked just once at me, and his eyes had the -same wild glare. But there came that into them which told me of a -thought greater than the stark revenge on which he had been all intent -but a few moments before. - -I bent still nearer to his ear. - -'Dominie,' I said, 'if they come at us, mind that we are not to leave -the lasses alive to fall into their bloody hands.' - -He looked at me with a haggard face and shook his head. - -'I cannot do it!' he said, and set his hands over his eyes to hide the -torches' flare. - -When he looked up again I pointed to the loathed things that decked the -walls in the eaves of the cave, and to the pickle barrels that stood in -the corners. - -The Dominie understood and nodded. - -'Surely you can if _I_ can,' I whispered to him. 'I will take care of -Nell--my love, if you--' - -And I looked at Marjorie so that he understood fully. Then came my eyes -back to Nell. They felt hot and dry. - -For I was taken with the reek in them, and my heart rose within me to -think that in a swift tale of moments I might have to take away the -sweet life from my own heart's love. But when I went back to her, there -was a new light of understanding in the face on which the flicker of the -fire was reflected from the roof. I knew that she had seen and -understood the import of my colloquy with the Dominie, and our looking -from the one to the other of them. - -Yet the fear had strangely gone from her face. I declare she looked -almost glad. She set her lips to my ear. - -'Launce,' she whispered, 'I want none but you to do it--if so be that it -comes to that. You will, will you not, Launce?' - -Then I knew that she had understood all the love she had seen in my -face. For, indeed, I would rather had killed my sweetheart a hundred -times, than let her fall alive into the hands of such a ghastly, bestial -devil's crew. - -So Nell Kennedy, trusting me with the manner of her death as though it -had been a little love-tryst between ourselves, sat looking up at me -with such eyes of love and trust that they went nigh to make me forget -that Cimmerian den and the ghoulish beasts that rioted in it. - - - - - *CHAPTER XLI* - - *THE WERE-WOLF OF BENERARD* - - -Thus we sat a long time, waiting. Suddenly there was a pause in the -noise which filled the cavern below. I thought for a moment that they -had discovered us. But Marjorie moved her hand a little to bid me keep -down. And very carefully I raised my head over the rock, so that through -the niche I could as before look down upon them. - -The water-door of the cave was now entirely filled by a black bulk, in -shape like a grizzly ape. Even in the flickering light I knew instantly -that I had seen the monster before. A thrill ran through me when I -remembered the man-beast, the thing with which I had grappled in the -barn of Culzean the night I out-faced the Grey Man. And now by the -silence and the crouching of the horde beneath me, I learned that their -master had come home. The monster stood a moment in the doorway as -though angered at something, then he spoke in a voice like a beast's -growl, certain things which I could not at all understand--though it was -clear that his progeny did, for there ensued a tumultuous rushing from -side to side. Then Sawny Bean strode into the midst of his den. It -happened that by misadventure he stumbled and set his foot upon a lad of -six or seven, judging by the size of him, who sprawled naked in the -doorway. The imp squirmed round like a serpent and bit Sawny Bean in -the leg, whereat he stooped, and catching the lad by the feet, he dashed -his head with a dull crash against the wall, and threw him quivering -like a dead rabbit into the corner. - -The rest stood for a moment aghast. But in a trice, and without a -single one so much as going to see if the boy were dead or only stunned, -the whole hornet's byke hummed again, and the place was filled with a -stifling smell of burning fat and roasting victual, upon the origin of -which I dared not let my mind for a moment dwell. - -When Sawny Bean came in, he had that which looked like a rich cloth of -gold over his arm--the plunder of some poor butchered wretch, belike. -He stood with this trophy in front of him, examining it before the fire. -Presently he threw it over his shoulders, with the arms hanging idly -down in front, and strode about most like a play-actor or a mad -person--but manifestly to his own great content and to the huge -admiration of his followers, who stood still and gaped after him. - -When he had satisfied himself with this posturing, the monster looked -towards our place of refuge. A great spasm seized my heart when I saw -him take the first step towards us, for I guessed that it was his -forbidden treasure-house in which we lurked. - -So I thought it had certainly come to the last bitter push with us. But -something yet more terrible than the matter of the boy diverted for the -moment the monster's attention. The lad whom he had cast to the side had -been left alone, none daring to meddle. But now, as he passed him, -Sawny Bean gave the body a toss with his foot. At this, quick as a -darting falcon on the stoop, a woman sprang at him from, a crevice where -she had been crouching--at least by her shape she was a woman, with long -elf-locks twisting like snakes about her brow and over her shoulders. -She held an open knife in her hand, and she struck at the chieftain's -hairy breast. I heard the point strike the flesh, and the cry of anger -and pain which followed. But the monster caught the woman by the wrist, -pulled her over his knee, and bent back her head. It was a horrid thing -to see, and there is small wonder that I can see it yet in many a dream -of the night. And no doubt also I shall see it till I die--hear it as -well, which is worse. - -Then for a long season I could look no more. But when I had recovered -me a little, and could again command my heart, I saw a great part of the -crew swarm thick as flies--fetching, carrying, and working like bees -upon spilled honey about the corner where had lain the bodies of the lad -and the woman. But it was not in the ordinary way that these were being -prepared for burial. In the centre of the cave sat Sawny Bean, with -some of the younger sort of the women pawing over him and bandaging his -wounded shoulder. He was growling and spitting inarticulately all the -while like a wild cat. And every time his shoulder hurt him as the -women worked with the wound and mouthed it, he would take his other hand -and strike one of them down, as though it was to her that he owed the -twinge of pain. - -Presently the monster arose and took the gold brocade again in his hand. -I thought that of a certainty now our time was come, and I looked at -Nell Kennedy. - -God knows what was in my eyes. My heart within me was ready to break, -for the like of this pass had never man been in. That I should have to -smite my love to the death within an hour of my first kiss and the first -owning of her affection. - -But she that loved me read my thought in mine eyes. - -She bared her neck for me, so that I could see its tender whiteness in -the flicker of the fire. - -'Strike there,' she said, 'and let me die in your arms, who art my own -heart's love, Launcelot Kennedy.' - -I heard the beast-man's step on the stair. I looked from Nell's dear -neck to her eyes and back again to her bosom. Then I lifted my hand -with the steel in it, and nerved myself for the striking, for I must -make no mistake. And even in that moment I saw the gleam of a dagger in -Marjorie's hand also. - -Suddenly a tremendous rush of sound filled the cave. The blade fell from -my hand, and by instinct, not knowing what we did, Nell and I clasped -one another. The clamour seemed to be about us and all round us. -Roaring echoes came back to us. The bowels of the earth quaked. Yet -methought there was something strongly familiar in the sound of it. I -turned me about, and there, standing erect with all his little height -was the Dominie. His cheeks were distended, and he was blowing upon his -great war-pipes such a thunderous pibroch as never had been heard east -of the Minch since the island pipes skirled on the Red Harlaw. - -What madcap possession had come upon his mind, I know not. But the -effect I can tell. The pack of fiends that caroused and slew beneath, -stood stricken a moment in amaze at the dreadful, incomprehensible -sounds. Then they fled helter-skelter, yellyhooing with fear, down the -narrow sea-way from which the tide had now fully ebbed. And when I -looked again, there was not a soul to be seen. Only over the edge of a -lappered cauldron the body of the murdered woman (or, at least, a part -of it), lay doubled--a bloody incentive to make haste out of this -direful Cave of Death. - -The Dominie stepped down from our hidden alcove as though he had been -leading a march, strutting and passaging like the King's piper marching -about the banqueting table at Holyrood. I declare the creature seemed -'fey.' He was certainly possessed with a devil. But the very -fearlessness of the deed won into our veins also, for with steel or -pistol in each of our hands we marched after him--ready, and, indeed, -eager, to encounter aught that might come in our way. Ay, and even thus -we passed out of the cave, hasting down the long passage without a -quiver of the heart or a blenching of the cheek--so suddenly and so -starkly, by way of unexpected hope, had the glorious music brought the -hot blood back to our hearts, even as it had stricken our cruel foes -with instant terror. - -Thus dryshod we marched out of the cave of Sawny Bean, and, as I am a -true man, not so much as a dog barked at us. But when we emerged into -the grey of a stormy morning and reached the cliff's edge, we heard -inland the wild voices of the gang yelling down the wind, as though the -furies of fear were still pursuing them and tearing at their vitals. -What they expected I know not, but I conceive that they must have taken -the Dominie's pipes for whatever particular devil they happened to -believe in, come to take them quick to their own place. Which, after -all, could not be much worse than the den in which we had seen them at -their disport. Nor could all the torturing fiends of lowest hell have -been their marrows in devilish cruelty. - - - - - *CHAPTER XLII* - - *ANE LOCHABER AIX GIED HIM HIS PAIKS* - - -So once more the world was before us, and strangely peaceful it seemed, -as if somehow or other we had died in stress and riot and been born -again into an uncanny quiet. There remained for us now only the -bringing to pass of righteous judgments upon the wicked ones who had -compassed and plotted all this terrible tale of evils--these murders -without end, these hellish cruelties and death-breeding deceits. For -the vengeance must not fall alone on the crazed outlaw and his brood, -since the chief criminals were those that were greater and wiser than -Sawny Bean and his merciless crew. - -It was, as I say, the breaking of a stormy morrow when we faced up the -brae, sword in hand, finding none to withstand us, for all had fled -before the music of the wild Highland drones. Then in the sustaining -quiet I asked the Dominie by what inspiration he had thought of such a -mad thing as thus blasting upon the war-pipes. - -'Oh it just came to me!' said he, lightly. And with that he wiped his -chanter and set the drones under his arm, letting them hang down as -though they had been the legs of a lamb which a herd has found on the -hill. - -But our troubles were not yet over, for we had to pass through many -miles of Bargany country ere we could reach our own folk. I proposed to -turn landwards, for that, as the crow flies, is the shortest road. But -the Dominie denied me, saying that since those cruel monsters of the -were-wolfs band had fled that way, the closer we kept to the coast, the -safer we should be. - -We made, therefore, only such a detour as would enable us to escape the -town of Girvan, which was a strength of our foes, and passing by -Killochan, a pleasant and friendly tower, well set in a wooded valley -with a view of our old strength of Ailsa, we hastened as fast as we -could march with the women in our company to Culzean. - -Now near by Killochan there was a school and a schoolmaster, the name of -him John Guid. He had been for a long season a friend and crony of our -Dominie Mure. To him we resorted, or rather the Dominie went alone to -seek him, while I abode with Marjorie and Nell. It was over in the -afternoon when he came back, and what was our joy to hear behind him the -trampling of a pair of hardy ponies, for with the weariness of her -terrible quest and the stress of the night in the Cave of Death, -Marjorie looked dismally near to her end. And, indeed, I am not sure -that Nell was greatly better. - -Marjorie had passed some part of the long march in telling us in bits -and snatches the tale of her sufferings, her flight and capture, and how -by evil and hateful hands she had been flung into the water from off the -Heuch of Benerard. - -It was a tale of most tyrannous wrong, and shall be kept for its own -place, when Marjorie came to tell it to a greater and more powerful than -either Launcelot Kennedy or Dominie Mure of Maybole. - -I shall, therefore, let the reader wait yet a brief space for the -explanation of many things which are dark to him now, and which had been -equally dark to me till that gusty, rain-plashing morning. - -So we four fared northward over the moors of Carrick, with Marjorie and -Nell riding upon the garrons, and the Dominie and myself hasting along -by their side with a hand apiece in their stirrup-leathers. We were -just by the edge of the Red Moss, and going straight and snell for my -Lord Earl's house of Cassillis, when Nell, who was ever our most -keen-eyed watcher, cried out that we were pursued. And when I had -turned me about and looked, I saw that of a surety it was so. - -Then I thought that if it should happen that we were attacked, it might -be as well to have the advantage of position. So I posted our party on -a little heathery mound, having an open lairy moss in front with -dangerous quags, trembling bogs, and square black islands of moss and -peat standing in the midst, all gashed and riven. Here we waited, the -two men of us under arms in front, and the maids standing close behind -the horses, with the bridles loose in their hands. - -I had cast my cloak over the shoulder of Nell's sheltie to clear my arms -for the fray, if indeed it should come to the clash of blows; and it -pleased me well to see her catch it without a word, and fold it like a -wife who watches her husband and is pleased to anticipate his need. -This indeed (I say it twice) pleased me well, for I knew that she had -done with daffing with me any more, and that she had at last forgotten -all the matters concerning that pretty tell-tale Kate Allison. - -The three men who rode toward us were at first to our sight like ships -low down on the sea-line. But they mounted steadily, spears and pennons -first, after that the shine of armour, and then the heads of their -horses, becking and bowing with the travail of the moss. - -Then verily we that stood had anxious hearts, for we knew not whether -they might chance to be friend or foe, and, indeed, it was well that we -looked for the worst. As they came nearer we saw that the two who rode -ahead were armed in a knightly way, and gripped lances in their hands. -But the third, who came behind and held a little aloof, was plainly clad -in a grey cloak and hat. - -'It is Auchendrayne and a younger man, with the Wolf of Drummurchie in -their company; it could not well be worse,' said the Dominie. 'We are -like to be hard bested.' - -And I knew that Marjorie Kennedy looked once more upon the man who, in -cold blood, had slain her father, and also upon the man who according to -the law, was her husband. - -I had looked for them to call a parley, and had set myself in front to -acquit me well in the barter of words before the damsels; but I was not -prepared for the event as it happened. - -For without a word of preamble, warning or speech-making, John Mure of -Auchendrayne (he in the cloak of grey) cried out, 'Have at them! Slay -them every one! 'Tis now too late for whimsies. It is our lives for -theirs if we do not.' - -So with that the two younger men-at-arms came on, couching their long -lances and riding directly at us. I stuck my sword downward by the -point, naked in the soft moss at my side, so that I should not have it -to draw out of the sheath when it came to the pinch. And for the last -time I looked at my pistol priming, and longed horribly for one of my -lord's new hackbutts of the French pattern out of the armoury of -Cassillis. - -But wishing would not bring them or I had had a dozen, each with a good -Culzean man behind it, with his finger on the touch. But yet you may -depend that my imagination bodied them forth, standing there useless in -the press, oiled and burnished, as I had seen them. And all the while -the two villains came on. - -Now, in a plain place we had had but little chance to stand against -them, cumbered with the women as we were; but the peat hag I had chosen -for our defence on the edge of the Red Moss favoured us. When, however, -I had fired my pistol and made nothing of it, save only the clink of the -bullet whizzing off the plate metal, they got time to ride round the -main obstruction. Then it had gone hard with us indeed, but that the -Dominie Mure, as the horses came forward, blew so sudden a snorting -blast upon his pipes, that one of the steeds swerved and stumbled, -almost throwing his rider to the ground. Then, ere he had time to -recover, the Dominie was upon him with his sword, springing upward and -striking like an angry etter-cap ever at the face, so that it took the -horseman all his time to defend himself. - -The other drave at me full tilt with his long spear, and though I leapt -aside from the lance-thrust, I, with only my pistol and sword, had been -no better than a dead man at the next turn. But Marjorie Kennedy, -giving the bridle reins of both horses to her sister, seized the -Dominie's Lochaber axe. She sprang behind the visored man, and, hooking -the bent prong in his gorget collar behind, she pulled him down from his -horse with a clash of armour. Then, after that, there remained nothing -for me to do, but to set my sword to his throat and bid him yield -himself. - -By this time the frightened horse which had stumbled first became -perfectly mad, and turning in spite of all that Thomas of Drummurchie -could do, it galloped away with him, belly-to-earth, across the Red -Moss. - -Then the man in the grey cloak also put his horse to its speed, so soon -as he saw how the matter was like to go. For he had kept at a distance -and taken no part in the fighting. We were therefore left alone, -victorious, without a wound, and with the man in the visor, our -prisoner. - -He seemed to be stunned with his fall, so Marjorie stooped and undid his -laced steel-cap, shelling his head as one shells the husk of a nut from -the kernel. - -The man whom she revealed was James Mure the younger of Auchendrayne, -her wedded husband. - -We stood thus some time in wonderment what should be the upshot. -Marjorie Kennedy (I cannot while I live call her by any other name) -stood looking down at the man to whom in foulest treachery she had been -given. Then after a while Nell touched my arm, and lo! on the Moss, -there was yet another man on horseback coming towards us. I knew the -beast. It was the same on which the Wolf of Drummurchie had ridden. -But the man was other than the Wolf. - -The thing was a mystery to us. - -But at last Nell, whose eyes were like an eagle's for keenness--though, -as I have before observed, of heavenly beauty, cried out, 'It is Robert -Harburgh--we are saved!' Which was no great things of a saying, for I -myself had saved her ten times during that last night and day, if it -came to any talk of saving. Yet I think from that moment she began to -draw away a little from me. Whether as remembering some of my old ploys -with that tricksy lass who was now Robert Harburgh's wife, or partly -lest she should have seemed to be over-ready in owning her love for me. - -At any rate, after I had thought over her unkindness and sudden chill a -little while, I was not sure that it might not be after all the best -sign in the world. For as the reader of this chronicle must have -gathered, I am a man of some penetration in these matters, and it is not -given to any woman to twine Launcelot Kennedy in a knot about her little -finger. - -Also I have had very considerable experience. - -'Faith,' cried Robert Harburgh, when he had ridden up, 'whom have we -here?' - -I answered him with another question. - -'Where gat ye that horse, Robert?' - -'I got it,' he replied, readily and also calmly, 'from a man that is -little likely to need it again, at least for a tale of months.' - -'From Thomas of Drummurchie?' I asked. - -'Who else?' said Harburgh, simply, as though the fact had been -sufficient explanation; as, indeed, it was--in the way he said it. - -But all the while Marjorie stood looking calmly down at James Mure. He -recovered little by little from the stunning knock, and presently made -as if he would sit up. - -'Tie his hands,' said Marjorie Kennedy. And then seeing that we -hesitated--'nay, give me the halter,' she said, 'I will do it myself.' -And there on the open moor, with the bridle of his own beast, I declare -she did the binding featly and well. - -'Now, listen, James Mure,' she said, raising her voice, 'ye have steeped -your hands in my father's blood. Ye have shed yet more blood to cover -that crime, even the blood of an innocent young child. With these hands -that are tied, you did these things. I am your wife. I will never -leave you nor forsake you till you die. I will see that you have fair -and honourable trial; but be assured that I shall testify against you -truly as to that which I know and have seen. - -She turned to us with her old easy way of command, imperiously gracious, -but sharper a little than her ordinary. 'Mount him on that horse,' she -said, like a queen who issues commands to her court. - -And this was she who had walked gladsomely with me in the garden at -Culzean, and who in smiling maidenly condescension had given a love-sick -boy her favour to wear. What agony of hell had passed over her spirit -thus to turn the sweet maiden to a woman of stone? - -'Whither shall we take him?' said I, for it seemed to me not at all -expedient to delay longer than we could help in that disturbed and fatal -part of the country. - -'To the Earl, on his way to the King!' replied Marjorie Kennedy. - -'If ye bide still half-an-hour where ye are, ye will see the Earl come -hither,' said Robert Harburgh. 'He rides to the south to hold his -yearly Court of Bailiary on the borders of Carrick.' - -For since the great defeat of the Bargany faction, and the death of the -young chief at the gate of Maybole upon that memorable day of snow, my -Lord Cassillis had gained more and more in power, so that none now was -able to make any head openly against him. The death of Sir Thomas, my -good master, had also thrown all that additional weight of authority -upon his shoulders. Indeed Earl John bode fair to be what his father -had been before him--the King of Carrick. - -His titular jurisdiction had always included the southern parts of the -district. But it was only of late that he had made himself so strong as -to be able to enforce his authority there. - -Now, however, Earl John was riding to hold his Court near Girvan, in a -country which not a great while ago had been purely a stronghold of his -enemies, and which still swarmed with the disaffected and rebellious. - -So even while we stood and waited there, Nell cried out that a cavalcade -rode southward toward us by the edge of the Red Moss. It was not long -before we could discern the fluttering pennons of blue and gold, which -denoted the presence of the Earl. He had with him a noble retinue of -well-nigh four hundred--all handsomely armed--many of them knights and -gentlemen of his own name. - -We waited for them to come up with us, I meanwhile keeping close by -Nell's side, and Marjorie Kennedy standing steadfastly at her husband's -head and looking at him, while Robert Harburgh marched up and down with -his hands under his points and whistled the 'Broom o' the Cowdenknowes.' - -When the Earl John, riding first as was his custom, perceived who we -were, he lighted down with much courtesy to salute his cousins. - -'How do you, ladies? And what, by the grace of God, brings you hither -with so small a company in such a dangerous place?' - -Then said Marjorie, 'Earl of Cassillis, you are my cousin; but you are -also Bailzie of Carrick and hold the power of life and death. I take -you and all your company to witness that I deliver over to you this man, -called James Mure of Auchendrayne. He is twice a convict -murderer--right cruelly he slew my father and your uncle, and I charge -him also with the fact of the murder of William Dalrymple, a poor boy of -tender years, whom he killed with his own hands to cover the first -deed--both which accusations I shall in due time make good.' - -The Earl was manifestly mightily astonished, as well he might be, at the -Lady Marjorie's declaration; but he was glad also, because it was no -light thing for him to lay the enemy of his house by the heels, and, -seeing good prospect of getting the Mures attainted and denounced, to be -able to make himself omnipotent in all the lands of the south. - -'Bring the man along with us!' he commanded. 'Let him have all tendance -and care; but let a double guard be placed over him.' - -'I will be his guard!' said Marjorie, firmly. 'I, and no other!' - -Nevertheless, Earl John named a retinue to ride with Marjorie and her -husband, in the name of a guard of honour; but really because he felt -his fingers already on the throat of his house's enemy. - -And as we rode back the way we had come--now no longer in fear and -trembling, but in manifest state and pomp--Marjorie sate humbly upon a -sheltie by the side of the man who was lawfully her husband, and yet -whom she had most sacredly vowed to bring to the gallows. - -And for the present the Dominie and I resolved to keep the secret of the -Cave of Death, and of the fearsome inner place where was bestowed the -Treasure of Kelwood. - -But immediately after the Court of Justiceaire I resolved to make it -known to the Earl, for so Nell and I had made our compact. And as for -the Dominie he might be relied upon to speak or to be silent even as I -bade him. - - - - - *CHAPTER XLIII* - - *THE MOOT HILL OF GIRVAN* - - -As may well be imagined, two hundred gentlemen with their retinue of as -many more of the commonalty made a gallant stir, and required almost the -providing of an army. So that as we went southward the people were well -warned to repair to the Court of my Lord Bailzie of Carrick, for the -office of Earl John was the greatest of the Lowland hereditary -jurisdictions. Though the house of Cassillis has never been so beloved -of the people nor yet so careful of their rights as that of the Agnews -of Lochnaw, who from very ancient times have been Sheriffs of Galloway. - -Nevertheless, it was a right solemn gathering which assembled on the -little hill outside the town of Girvan, where such feudal courts had -always been held. Within the enclosure, formed by the fluttering blue -and gold pennons of the Earl, there was set a high seat for Cassillis -himself. In front of him, at a draped table, sat his adviser and -assessor, Lawyer Boyd of Penkill, while all round the gentlemen of his -house and name sat or stood according to their degree, just outside the -line of pennons, within which none might come save the accused and they -who gave their evidence. - -Then the trumpeter from the summit of the Moot Hill of Girvan made -proclamation with three blasts of his horn that the session was open, -and that all men's causes were to be brought to the probation. - -First there came sundry usual complaints of stouthreif and oppression, -for the country was yet very unsettled. A woman cried for vengeance on -Thomas of Drummurchie, called the Wolf, for the carrying off of her -daughter. But as Drummurchie was already ten times attainted, it seemed -as though little would come of it. - -But Robert Harburgh strode forward and cried out, 'By your leave, Earl -of Cassillis, the Wolf of Drummurchie will carry off no more tender -lambs, neither mell with other men's wives any more. The dainty ladies -of Ayr need no more draw their purses to rescue him, neither to provide -him with costly gear. For he has gone to a country where he shall be -keeped bien and warm, beiking forever foment the hottest fires of Satan, -so lately his master here on earth!' - -And with that he threw the arms and accoutrement of the Wolf on the -green with prodigious clatterment. - -'But this,' said the Earl John, 'though greatly creditable to our squire -and of excellent omen for the peace of Carrick from this day forth, -gives not this poor woman again her daughter.' - -For he did not wish to assign any reward to Robert Harburgh besides the -lands which had already been given him, perhaps desiring to retain so -valiant a sworder near to his own person and estate. - -'I had been to the house of Drummurchie ere I settled accounts with the -Wolf himself,' replied Robert Harburgh, in the same manner of exceeding -quiet, 'and there have I set all things in order, sending every man's -daughter to her father's house and every man's wife back to his -keeping.' - -'Retaining none for yourself!' cried Earl John, for daffing's sake. For -that was his idea of a jest. - -'Whatever my desires, I have married a wife that sees to that--even as -hath also my Lord Earl!' quoth Robert Harburgh. - -And so the laugh was turned against the Earl John, because all knew how -carefully the ancient Countess kept the valleys about Cassillis and the -Inch clear of buxom dames and over-complacent maids. For, in his youth, -Earl John had the name of being both generally and most subtly amorous. - -Yet, strange to say, the jest thus broken at his expense, put the Earl -into a good key, for it was only the outlay of money that he grudged. -So he cried out, 'Robert Harburgh, your tongue can be as sharp as your -rapier. You have rid us of a great curse here in the south, and there -is muckle need in these parts of such a sword and such a tongue as yours -to keep the landward oafs in civility. You shall have the lands of -Drummurchie, with ten men's fighting charges to hold them against all -evil folk till such time as the land be quiet.' - -And Robert Harburgh bowed low to his lord and retired. As he went I -clapped him on the back, and said, 'Robert, I would that my long sword -had done as muckle for me.' - -'Steady on the hilt! Keep your point low, your tongue silent, and it -shall do more!' he answered over his shoulder as he went by. - -Then was brought forward James Mure of Auchendrayne, clad only in the -suit of russet leather which he had worn under the mail wherein he had -been taken. He was ever a hang-dog, ill-favoured oaf, and now looked -sullenly and silently upon the ground. - -His names and titles were first declared. - -'Who accuses this man, and of what?' cried Earl John in loud tones. - -And every man in the assembly moved a little, as though he itched to be -the accuser himself. But since there was none that directly knew of our -adventure, no one stood forth save our Marjorie and Nell, till I myself -stepped forth with them, with Robert Harburgh and the Dominie a little -behind us. - -'Now speak out,' whispered Harburgh of the Long Sword to me, 'and let -your nimble wit win you a wife.' - -And I looked at Nell, and resolved that if she slipped through my -fingers, it should not be the fault of my lack of address. - -'Who accuses this man?' cried the herald, taking the word from his -master, for the Lords of Carrick and Cassillis were beyond the paltry -fashion of pursuivants. - -'I do!' said Marjorie Kennedy, and all men set their eyes on her. -Neither, so long as the case lasted, did they withdraw their eyes from -her face. Then she opened her mouth and spoke firmly and sternly her -accusation. - -'I, Marjorie, daughter of the Tutor of Cassillis, in law wife to this -man, charge James Mure the younger of Auchendrayne with the murder of my -father, committed, as all men know, upon the sandhills of Ayr. I also -accuse him of the murder of William Dalrymple, the lad who carried the -message to Auchendrayne concerning my father's journey.' - -'Cousin,' said Earl John, 'you have doubtless abundant proof to support -these strange charges?' - -Marjorie Kennedy stood up among us, tall like a lily flower, and she -held her head erect. - -'Hear you, John of Cassillis, and all men,' she said. 'I will tell my -tale. Of my own griefs I will say naught, for in no realm do a woman's -heart-breakings count for a docken's value. It is enough that my father -in the simplicity of his heart gave me to this man, as an innocent -sacrifice is cast to a monster to appease his ravening. These many -months I dwelt in this man's castle. I have been prisoned, starved, -tortured--yet all the Mures in Auchendrayne could neither prevail to -break my resolve, nor yet could they close my mouth concerning the -things which I saw. - -'And now I, that am no more bound to this man than I was when he took me -out of my father's house of Culzean--I, who have never looked upon him -that is my wedded husband save with eyes of hatred, never lain by his -side, stand here to denounce James Mure and his father for black, cruel, -repeated, defenceless MURDER!' - - - - - *CHAPTER XLIV* - - *THE MURDER UPON THE BEACH* - - -Marjorie Kennedy rang out the last words like a trumpet. Not even the -Earl's herald could have been heard further. - -'All men hear my tale before they judge,' she went on. 'It was the morn -before my father's death-day. From my window in the house of -Auchendrayne I had seen this man and his father, with Thomas of -Drummurchie and Walter of Cloncaird, come and go all day with trappings -and harness, because they knew that the time was nigh at hand for my -father's riding to Edinburgh. It chanced that I was looking down -through the bars of my prison-house, for there was little else to do in -the house of Auchendrayne. It was about eleven of the clock when I saw -a young lad, dusty from head to foot, venture a little way within the -castle yett and stand as one that looks about him, not knowing where to -turn. The court was void and silent, and the lad seemed distressed. -But while he thus stood James Mure and his father came down the turnpike -stair and stepped, talking whisperingly together, out into the flagged -court. - -'It was John Mure the elder who first saw the lad and called him. I saw -the boy put a letter into his hand, the which he opened carefully and -read, passing it to his son, who read also. Then James Mure stepped -back and called Thomas of Drummurchie and Cloncaird. They came both of -them, and the four bent their heads together over the writing. - -'Then in a little John Mure closed the letter again as it had been and -gave it with certain charges to the boy.' - -'Saw you that letter or knew you aught of its contents?' asked the Earl -John. - -'Nay,' said Marjorie Kennedy, 'my window was too far from, them, and -they spoke low and with privity among themselves.' - -Then was my time. - -'My Lord Bailzie of Carrick,' said I, 'may it please you it was I, -Launcelot Kennedy of Kirrieoch, some time squire to Sir Thomas of -Culzean, who sent that letter. I sent it from Maybole by the hands of -William Dalrymple, the lad whom the Lady Marjorie saw come within the -castle yett of Auchendrayne.' - -The Dominie stood forward. - -'And it was I, Robert Mure, schoolmaster in the town of Maybole, who -wrote that letter. I wrote it as Launcelot Kennedy set me the words, -for he is a man readier with the sword than the pen, though he hath some -small skill even of that. But that day he was hot upon his game of golf -(which I hold to be but a foolish sport which rapidly obscures the -senses), so I, having, as is mine office, pen in hand, wrote the letter -for him. Also I sent one William Dalrymple, called for a nickname -Willie of the Gleg-foot, with it to John Mure at his house of -Auchendrayne. I bear witness that after a space this boy came back, -with the story that he had found John Mure from home. But when we -charged it upon him that the letter had been thumbed and opened, he grew -confused and confessed that he had been compelled to bring back that -message by Mure himself, who had broken the seal and given it again to -him, even as the Lady Marjorie has said.' - -'And what further proof do you offer of all this?' asked the Earl, -bending forward with eagerness to catch the Dominie's words. - -The Dominie put his hand into the inner pocket of his coat and pulled -out, among various pipe reeds and scraps of writing, a letter which he -kept carefully folded in a leathern case by itself. - -'There is the thing itself; may it please your lordship to look upon -it,' said he, calmly. And as soon as he had said that, the Earl rose -eagerly to see the famous missive which had drought about all this -turmoil. There was also a stir among the folk that were gathered about, -for all strained their eyes as if they could see that which was going -on, and read the writing at that distance. - -'It is a most notable proof,' said the Earl, 'and so we receive it. But -can you not produce the lad William Dalrymple?' - -'That can we not,' said the Lady Marjorie; 'but I, and I alone, can tell -you all the story of his death--blacker even than the other, because -done to a young lad against whom even these cruel murderers could allege -no quarrel.' - -And again there could be heard the sound of men settling down to deep -attention throughout all the crowd at the diet of Justiceaire. And they -even crowded in a little past the pennons, so that the heralds had to -beat upon the ground with the butts of their halbards, as though to -bruise their feet, before they could force them to give back. But James -Mure abode stupidlike and sullen before his judge, while his accuser -stood not three feet from him and told her story. - -'It was just when the bruit of my father's death began to go abroad -against the Auchendraynes,' so Marjorie Kennedy again took up her tale, -'and when John Mure the elder began to fear that the matter of the -letter would be made manifest, that I again saw the little lad William -Dalrymple. One night I observed James Mure leading him rudely by the -neck into one of the barred cells which underlie the stables. And to -that place with his own hands he carried food and water once every day -thereafter. - -'Then came to visit John Mure one Sir Robert Montgomery, the Laird of -Skelmorlie. And with him they sent the lad, on pretext to be a page at -his house of Loch Ranza, which he keeps for the King's hunting lodge on -the Isle of Arran. What befell there I cannot tell, but it was not many -weeks before William Dalrymple was back again. And this time they sent -him (as he told me afterwards) to the Lowlands of Holland, there to -serve in the Lord Buccleuch's regiment, which, first as a trumpeter and -after as a soldier, he did. Nevertheless, being but young, he wearied -easily of the stress and chance of foreign war, and so returned as -before. - -'Then when, in spite of all, the boy came back, and it was told to John -Mure that William Dalrymple was again in his native town, he was neither -to hold nor to bind. He neither rested nor slept till he had again -brought the lad to his house, where he abode for some weeks, but not so -closely shut up as before, so that it was often my chance to see him as -he came and went about the court, and even to converse with him. But in -a little while he vanished, and from that time I saw him no more. - -'Now, the bitterness of my life and my desire to bring to justice the -murderers of my father caused me at last to quit the house of -Auchendrayne. For now I held, as I thought, the strings which would -draw mine enemies to their doom. So upon a night I had it set to -escape, she that was my maid helping me, with one other that was a body -servant of Auchendrayne's and my tire-woman's lover. - -'When I came out I found a pony waiting for me, and it was my purpose to -ride to the house of my kinsman, the Earl of Cassillis. But, as I -journeyed, what was my great affrightment to come upon a company of two, -who rode some little way before me. I could easily have turned -bridle-rein and ridden another way, but for something which came into my -heart to make me follow on. For in a trice I recognised the riders to -be John Mure and his son, the father being wrapped in his great cloak of -grey, as is his custom. And by this I knew him. - -'So I followed them, but not very near. And because my beast was a -stable companion of their horses, he went after of his own accord--till, -by the first breaking touch or morn we came to a waste place upon the -edge of the sea, where in a secret dell I dismounted and tied my pony to -a broom-bush which shot out over a sandy hollow. - -'Then, yet more secretly, I followed them across the sandhills, and on -the very edge on the links, where the turf ceases underfoot and there is -only sand, John Mure and his son, this man before you, waited. For a -while they stood listening and talking low together, so that, though I -lay hidden behind a whin which overgrew a little turfy dell, I could -neither hear what was said, nor yet by reason of the bareness of the -sand, dared I to adventure nearer them. 'But they waited not long before -one came down to meet them over the turf, bringing a lad with him. -Then, immediately James Mure whistled a call, and the reply came back in -like manner. - -'"You are late, James Bannatyne," I heard John Mure the elder say; "what -has taigled you?" - -'"My sea cloth is not so well accustomed to night ploys as your cloak of -grey!" the man growled as he came along sullenly enough. - -'Then the three men of them walked a little apart, and came in their -circuit very near to the hollow where I lay. While down on the shore the -young lad stood and yawned, with his hands in his pockets, like one that -shivers and wishes he were back in bed. Nor had he, I am confident, -even then any thought of evil. - -'But the talk of the three, as I heard it in snatches, was black and -bitter. - -'The darkest counsel was that of the man who stands here, for James Mure -said only, "The dead are no tale-pyets." And again, "We have had enough -of this silly, endless, hiding-and-seeking work. Let the earth hide -him, or the sea keep him--and be done with it!" - -'Now John Mure the elder, and the man whom they called James Bannatyne, -seemed at the least inclined to discuss milder councils. Bannatyne was -all for sending the lad over to Ireland. And John Mure listened as -though he might be persuaded. Yet I knew his guile, for even when he -stood with his back to his son, I saw him lift up his hand for a signal. -And with that and no more, James Mure rushed at the poor lad and -overbore him to the ground. And there upon the sands of the seashore, -this James Mure set his knee on the bairnie's breast, and with bloody -hands choked and worried him till there was no life left in the lad. -And his father also went and held the lad when he fought, his white, -reverend beard waggling in the wind, till at last the bairn lay still. -But James Bannatyne stood by and clasped his hands, as the boy tossed -and struggled for his dear young life, for I think he was now mainly -sorry that he had brought the lad to his death. - -'Then I could stand the vileness no longer without protest. So I, -Marjorie Kennedy, even though I well knew that they would certainly do -the like to me, rose from my hiding-place in the sand-hollow, and cried, -"Murderers, cease from your cruel work. God will come and judge you!" - -'Whereat John Mure came hastily to where I stood and gripped me. "You -have seen all," he said, "then you must die. Let us see if God will -come and help you!" - -'So I defied them to do their worst with me, for madness had come upon -me at the sight of the monstrous cruelty to an innocent bairn. And for -the time I cared not what should become of myself. - -'Then I called to James Bannatyne requiring of him to declare if he too -were a murderer like the other fiends, and to call upon him to protect -the innocent. - -'"We will settle all that in the one payment, mistress," said John Mure -to me. - -'So by force I was compelled to abide with them, John Mure the elder -taking me cruelly by the arm, while he sent the others to cast into the -sea the dead body of the lad. But even so oft as they threw him in, so -often the waves cast him out again upon the shore; and that though there -was a strong wind off the land, which blew the tops from the waves and -drave the sand in hissing streams into the sea. - -'So when for the third time the boy had been tumbled upon the beach, -John Mure bade Bannatyne bring his boat, saying that they would cast the -loon afloat out in the deeps of the bay, so that the outerly wind might -drive him to the coast of Ireland. After that they would return betimes -to attend to other matters--by which I took him to mean that they would -do that for me, which I had so lately seen them do for the young boy. -And, indeed, I looked for no other mercy at their brutal hands. So in a -little space James Bannatyne brought his boat, and with hard endeavour -they launched her, and compelled me to accompany them. There was a -strong wind from the east, and we were soon blown far out into the wild -sea. There they cast the body of the lad overboard, and turned to make -again for the shore. But though they all took oars and laboured in -rowing, sames Bannatyne taking twain, they could make nothing of it; but -were rather worse than they had been before they started. - -'So they began to be afraid, and I was right glad thereat, for I looked -that the doom of the twice guilty murderers should speedily come. And -so the pain of this trial and my witnessing might have been spared. - -'Now the Mures were the most fearful of the quick-risen storm, being as -it were inland bred. It was all that James Bannatyne could get them to -do to sit still. - -'"Ye will wreck us all and send us red-hand before our Maker, with the -lad's body not cold in the water, and his spirit there to meet us at the -Judgment seat!" said he. - -'And with that John Mure rose in his place, and in despite of the -swaying and plunging of the ship, into which the water came lashing, he -cried out, "The Wraith, the Wraith! It is following us--we are -doomed!"' - -'And lo! when I looked, I saw that which chilled me more than the -whistling tempest. And if it feared me to the soul, judge ye what it -must have been to the guilty men whose hands were yet red with the blood -of the innocent. - -'For there, not thirty yards behind the boat, and following strongly in -our wake, as a stark swimmer might do, now tumbling and leaping in the -wash of the seas and now lunging forward like a boat that is towed, was -the murdered boy himself. And thus he followed with a smile on his -face, or what looked like it in the uncertain light of the morning. - -'So with that the men who rowed fell on their faces and could not look -any more, though the prodigy followed us a good while. Only John Mure -sat wrapped in his grey cloak steering the boat, and I sat beside him. -Little by little we came to the land, but as it had been sideways, -having been driven by the wind to the other side of the wide bay. - -'There we disembarked and the Mures kept me close all that day in a -place of strength on the seashore, till it was night. They plied me to -promise silence, for they believed that I would keep my word if once I -pledged it. They offered me all that they had of honour or place in the -country. There was nothing, they said, that was not within the power of -their compassing. For since the death of Gilbert of Bargany the King -needed someone in Carrick strong enough to count spears with the Earl of -Cassillis. - -'But very steadfastly I withstood them, declaring that I should -certainly reveal all their murder and treachery, both in the matter of -the death of my lather, and in that which I had seen done upon the sands -to the young lad William Dalrymple. - -'So finally seeing that they could prevail nothing, they went out and -kept silent watch by the door till the even. Then as soon as it was dark -they opened the lock and bade me come forth. And this I did, knowing -for a certainty that my last hour was come. Yet my life had not been so -pleasant to me as to be very greatly precious. So I followed them with -no very ill will, nor yet greatly concerned. Then on the craggy top they -gave me, for the sake of their house and good name (as they said), one -more chance to swear silence. This I would not accept, and they, being -startled with the approach of a boat upon the water which steered -towards our light, pinioned my arms, and thrusting something into my -mouth, forthwith threw me over the cliff into the sea. And as to the -mode of my rescuing and standing here before the Earl my cousin, young -Launcelot Kennedy, my father's squire, can tell. And also my sister and -Robert Mure of Maybole.' - - - - - *CHAPTER XLV* - - *THE MAN IN THE WIDE BREECHES* - - -She ceased suddenly after this long account of her adventuring, and the -folk stood still in amazement, having held their breath while she told -of the killing of young William Dalrymple and of the Wraith. And then -there arose a great cry from all the people,-- - -'Tear the murderer in pieces--kill him, kill him!' So that Cassillis -had to summon men-at-arms to keep back that throng of furious folk, for -the death of my master seemed to them but a little thing and venial, -compared to the killing of a lad like William Dalrymple. And this was -because the people of Carrick had been used all their days to family -feuds and the expiation of blood by blood. - -The Earl was about to call me up to give an account of my part in the -affair, and I was preparing myself to make a good and creditable -appearance--a thing which I have all my life studied to do--when there -was heard a mighty crying in the rear of the Bailzie Court. Men cried -'He comes! He comes!' as though it had been some great one. And -everybody turned their heads, to the no small annoyance of Earl John, -who when on his Hill of Justice loved not that men should look in any -other direction than his own. - -The ranks of the men-at-arms opened, and there strode into the square of -trial, which was guarded by the pennons of blue and gold at the four -corners--who but John Mure of Auchendrayne himself, wearing the same -cloak of grey and broad plumed hat which had been his wont when he went -abroad upon dangerous quests! With him was another shorter man, whose -face was for the time being almost hidden, for he had pulled the cloak -he was wearing close about his mouth. He walked with an odd jolt or -roll in his gait, and his breeches were exceedingly broad in the -basement. - -It was small wonder that we stood aghast at this sudden compearing of -the arch criminal, whose misdeeds throughout all the countryside had -filled the cup of his wickedness to the brim. - -'Seize him!' cried the Earl, pointing directly at John Mure. - -And his Bailzie's men took him roughly by the shoulders and set him -beside his son. Then it was to be noticed, as the two stood together, -that there was a great likeness between father and son. The elder man -possessed the same features without any evident differences in outline. -But so informed was his face with intelligence and power, that what was -simply dull cruelty and loutishness in the one became the guile of -statecraft in the other. - -'Wherefore, my Lord Earl,' cried John Mure of Auchendrayne, 'is this -violence done to me and to the heir of my house? I demand to know -concerning what we are called in question and by whom?' - -Then the Earl of Cassillis answered him,-- - -'John Mure of Auchendrayne, know then that you are charged, along with -this your son, with the bloody murder of Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean, -Tutor of Cassillis; and also with the cruel death of William Dalrymple, -the young lad who brought you the message to your own house of -Auchendrayne, telling at what hour the Tutor should pass the trysting -place, where he was by you and yours foully assaulted and slain.' - -'And who declares these things?' cried Mure, boldly, with a bearing more -like that of an innocent man than that of any criminal that ever I saw. - -The Earl bade us who had accused them so justly to stand forth. Then -John Mure eyed us with a grave and amused contempt. - -'My son's false wife, whom sorrow has caused to dote concerning her -father's death--her night-raking rantipole sister, and her paramour, a -loutish, land-louping squire--the Dominie of Maybole, a crippledick and -piping merry-Andrew that travelled with them--these are the accusers of -John Mure of Auchendrayne. They have seen, heard, noted what others -have been ignorant of! Nay, rather, is it not clear that they have -collogued together, conspiring to bear false witness against me and -mine--for the sake of the frantic splenetic madness of her who is my -son's fugitive wife, whose wrongs exist only in her own imaginings.' - -'You have forgotten me!' said Robert Harburgh, quietly, stepping -forward. - -'I know you well,' said John Mure, 'and I would have remembered you had -you been worth remembering. You are my Lord of Cassillis's squire and -erstwhile a gay cock-sparrow ruffler, now married to the Grieve's -daughter at Culzean.' - -'Well,' said Harburgh, 'and what of that? Can a man not be all that and -yet tell the truth?' - -'That I leave to one who is greater, to judge,' said John Mure. - -'And I do judge, John Mure,' cried the Earl, rising in his chair of -state. 'I judge you to be a man rebel and mansworn, a traitor and a -man-slayer. For a score of years ye have keeped all this realm of -Carrick in a turmoil, you and they that have partaken with you in your -evil deeds.' - -'Loud, swelling words are but wind, my lord Earl of Cassillis,' answered -Mure of Auchendrayne, a dry smile of contempt coming over his features. - -'Now I will show thee, bold ill-doer,' said the Earl, fiercely, 'whether -I speak the words of a dotard or no. Forward, men, take him up and bind -him. Methinks we have yet engines within the castle of Dunure that can -make him declare the rights of this murderous treason!' - -Then I rejoiced, not for the torture of our enemy, but because at last -the Earl saw fully with our eyes, and would right us against the cruel -oppressor of Marjorie Kennedy, and for the murder of my gentle and -courteous master. - -But ere the men could carry out the orders of the Earl, the -broad-breeched man who had accompanied Auchendrayne, and who had all the -while stood still and watchful, dropped his plaid, which like a mask he -had held beneath his eyes. He was a middle-sized, fleshy man, with no -great dignity of face, and with a weak mouth that dribbled perpetually -at the side as if the tongue were too large for it. He wore a slashed -doublet very full at the sleeves, baggy trunks, and a sword in a plain -scabbard hanging at his side. I saw nothing further very particular -about the man save the shambling inward bend of his knees. But it was -with dumb amaze that the Earl looked at him, standing there arrested in -the act of pointing with his hand at John Mure. He stood with his jaw -fallen, and his eyes starting from his head. - -'The King! the King!' he muttered in astonishment, looking about him -like one distracted. - -'Ay, Baron Bailzie of Carrick, even your King,' said the man in the wide -trunk hosen, 'come to see how his sometime High Treasurer of Scotland -executes just judgment in his own regality!' - -The Earl came quickly to himself, and he and all the people took off -their hats. He stepped down and made his obeisance to the King, bending -humbly upon his knee. Then he ushered the King to the throne whereon he -himself had been sitting, and took a lower seat beside Adam Boyd of -Penkill, his assessor in ordinary. - -The King rose to speak. - -'My Lord Earl and gentlemen of Carrick,' he said, with dignity enough, -but with a thick and rolling accent as if his tongue had been indeed too -big, 'I know this case to the bottom. I am fully persuaded of the -innocence of our trusty councillor, John Mure of Auchendrayne--who is -besides of the fraternity of learned men, and one that hath a history of -this realm in script ready for the printers, wherein he does full -justice both to myself and to my noble predecessors. He hath, as I -should nominate it, an exactness of expression and a perspicuity of -argument that have never been matched in the land. I propose shortly to -make him my historiographer royal. Also I, the King, do know him to be -a man well affected to the right ecclesiastical ruling of this kingdom, -and minded to help me with the due ordering of it.' - -The King puffed and blew after his speech, and we and all that were -there stood silent, for to most of us he might as well have spoken in -the Hebrew of which he boasted himself so great a master. Then he went -on:-- - -'I have left my Lord Mar and my retinue some way in the rear. For we go -to hunt the deer in whatever forest the goodwill of our loyal subjects -may put at our disposal.' - -'You are right welcome, my liege,' said the Earl John, starting up and -standing bareheaded, 'to my hunting lodges and retinue, both in the -Forest of Buchan and also at my house of Cassillis.' - -The King bent towards him royally, for James the Sixth had manners when -he liked to show them--which, in truth, was not always. - -'I thank you, trusty councillor,' said he; 'it is nobly and generously -done--qualities which also marked your all-too-brief tenure of the -office of High Treasurer of Scotland. But for the judging of this our -worthy subject, I propose to take that upon myself, being wholly -persuaded of his innocence. And as for those that have falsely accused -him, let the men underlie my will in the prison most convenient, and the -women be warded meantime in their own house and castle, till I cause to -be known my whole pleasure in the matter.' - -We stood aghast, and knew not what to say, so completely had -Auchendrayne turned our flank with the King. Not a word had we found to -allege when the officers of the court, to whom the charge was given, -came to put the iron rings on our wrists and march us off, even as we -had hoped and expected to see Auchendrayne and his son taken. - -And as the Dominie and I were haled away we could see Auchendrayne -bending suavely over the King's high seat, and His Majesty inclining to -him and talking privately back and forth, with many becks and uncouth -graces such as he had used in his address to the Earl and his people. - -'He is the very devil himself,' said the Dominie, meaning Auchendrayne -and not the King; 'he hath not halted to cozen the greatest man in this -realm with his lying tongue!' - -But I said nothing, for what had I to say? I had seen lands, honours, -love, and consideration vanish at a stroke. - - - - - *CHAPTER XLVI* - - *THE JUDGMENT OF GOD* - - -The court of the Baron Bailzie of Carrick broke up in confusion. It had -been arranged that we should ride all together to the north, even to -Culzean, where His Majesty might have due entertainment provided for him -nearer than at my lord's castle of Cassillis. Also it was upon this -shoreside road that he had left the Earl of Mar and the favourite -attendants with whom James the Sixth ordinarily sallied forth to the -hunting. - -Those of the Auchendrayne and Bargany party who hated us, clamoured that -the Dominie and I should be left warded in the lock-fast place of -Girvan, where our enemies would soon have ta'en their will of us. But -Robert Harburgh moved my lord, who went about dour and heartsick for the -failure of his plans in the matter of the Mures, to have us brought on, -with purpose to lodge us within the ancient strengths of Dunure. - -So that as I rode hand-tied at the tail of the King's retinue, I was yet -near enough to have sight of Marjorie and Nell who rode before us. And -this was some comfort to my heart. - -The way lay for miles along the seashore, which is here sandy, with a -broad belt of fine hard beach whereon the horses went daintily and well, -while at our left elbows the sea murmured. - -The King and John Mure rode first, and His Majesty constantly broke into -loud mirth at some witty saying of his companion's. Level with them, -but riding moodily apart, was the Earl, while James Mure the younger -rode alone by himself behind these three. - -I groaned within me for the exaltation of our enemy and at the -shortsightedness of anointed kings. - -'Is there a God in heaven,' I cried aloud, 'thus to make no sign, while -the devil is driving all things headlong to destruction according to his -own devising?' - -There was a God in heaven. - -For, quick as an echo that answers from the wood, there before us upon -the sands, just where the levels had been overflowed at the last tide, -lay a thing which halted the advancing cavalcade as suddenly as an army -with banners. The men crowded about, and, having in the excitement -forgotten us their charges, we also were permitted to look. And this is -what we saw. - -There upon the ribbed sea sand lay the dead body of the boy William -Dalrymple. I knew him at a glance, for all that so much had come and -gone since that day when I played at the golf game upon the green of -Maybole. He lay with his arms stretched away from his sides, his face -turned over, and one cheek dented deeply into the sand. It was a -pitiful sight. Yet the lad was not greatly altered--wind-tossed and -wave-borne as he had been, and now brought to cross the path of the -unjust at the very nick of time, by the manifest judgment and providence -of God. - -'What means this?' said the King. 'Some poor drowned sailor boy. Let -us avoid!' For of all things he loved not gruesome sights nor the -colour of blood. But James Mure suddenly cried aloud at the vision, as -if he had been stricken with pain. And as he did so, his father looked -at him as though he would have slain him, so devilish was his glance of -hate and contempt. - -But a woman who had come running hot-foot after the party, now rushed to -the front. She gave a loud scream, ear-piercing and frantic, when she -saw the tossed little body lying all abroad upon the sand. - -'My Willie, my ain son Willie!' she cried. For it was Meg Dalrymple. -All her ignorant rudeness seemed to fade away in the presence of death, -and as she lifted the poor mishandled head that had been her son's, each -of us felt that she grew akin to our own mothers, widowed and bereaved. -For I think that which touches us most in the grief of a widow, is not -our feeling for a particular woman, but our obligation to the mother of -all flesh. - -So when Meg Dalrymple lifted her son's head, it might have been a -mourning queen with a dead kingling upon her knee. - -'My ain, my ain lad!' she cried. 'See, lammie, but I loved ye. Ye were -the widow's ae son. Fleeter-footed than the mountain roe, mair gleg -than the falcon that sits yonder on the King's wrist, ye were the hope -o' thy mither's life. And they hae slain ye, killed my bonny wean, that -never did harm to nae man--' - -She undid a kerchief from about the white, swollen neck of her son. - -'Kens ony man that image and superscription?' said she, pointing to an -embroidered crest upon it. John Mure strode forward hastily. He had -grown as pale as death. - -'Give it me. I will pass it to His Majesty,' he said, holding out his -hand for it. - -But the woman leaped up fiercely. - -'Na,' she said; 'the butcher kens his knife; but he would only hide it -in the day of trial. I will give it to my ain well-kenned lord.' - -And she put the napkin into the hands of the Earl of Cassillis, who -looked at it with the most minute attention. - -'This kerchief,' said the Earl, gravely, 'has the crest and motto of -John Mure of Auchendrayne.' - -The King looked staggered and bewildered. - -'Let all dismount till we try further of this thing,' he said. - -But John Mure would have had him go on, saying that it was yet more of -the plot. But the King would not now hearken to him; for he was an -obstinate man, and oftentime he would listen to no reason, though his -ear was ever open enough to flattery. Besides, he thought himself to be -the wisest man in all the islands and kingdoms of the world--wiser, -even, than Solomon the son of David. - -So His Majesty commanded his inclination, and went up to the body. -There was also a rope around the neck with a long end, which was -embedded in the sand. With his own hand the King drew this out. - -He held it up. - -'Kens any man this length of rope?' he asked, looking about. - -Now, one strand of sea-cordage is like another as two peas; but this was -our Solomon's way of judging--to find out the insignificant, and then -pretend that it told him a mighty deal. - -Yet it so happened that there was a man there from out of the shoreside -of Girvan. He was a coastwise sailor, and he took the rope in his hand. - -'This rope,' he said, turning it about every way, 'is Irish made, and -has been used to tie bundles of neat hides.' - -'And who,' again asked the King--shrewdly, as I do admit, 'who upon this -coast trades with Ireland in the commodity of neat hides?' - -'There are but myself and James Bannatyne of Chapeldonnan,' replied the -man, honestly and promptly. - -'And this is not your rope?' said the King. - -'Nay,' said the man, 'I would not buy a pennyworth of Irish hemp so long -as I could twine the hemp of Scotland--no, not even to hang an Irishman -would I do it. This is James Bannatyne's rope!' - -Then said the King, 'Bring hither James of Chapeldonnan!' - -And they brought him. He stood forth, much feared indeed, but taking -the matter dourly, like the burly ruffian he was. Nevertheless when put -to the question he denied the rope, and that in spite of all threats of -torture. Yet I could see that the King was greatly shaken in his -opinion, and knew not what to think. For when John Mure drew near to -touch his arm and as before say somewhat in his private ear, the King -drew hastily away and looked at Auchendrayne's hand as though there had -been pollution upon it. So I knew that his opinion was wavering. Also -the poor body in the mother's arms daunted him. - -Suddenly he clapped his hands together and became exceedingly joyous and -alert. - -'I have it,' he cried, 'the ordeal of touch. It is God's ordinary and -manifest way of vindicating His justice. Here is the dead body of the -slain. Here are all the accused and the accusers. Let it be equally -done. Let all touch the body, for the revealing of the secrets of the -hearts of wicked men.' - -Then John Mure laughed and scoffed, saying that it was but a freit, a -foolish opinion, an old wives' fable. - -But for all his quirksome guile he had gotten this time very mightily on -the wrong side of the King. For His Majesty was just mad with belief in -such things as omens and miracles of God's providence. So the King -shook him off and said, 'It is my royal will, that all who are tainted -with the matter shall immediately touch or be held guilty.' - -And the saying comforted King James, being, as it were, easily pleased -with his own words and plaiks. - -So they brought us forward from among the crowd bound as we were, and -first of all I touched fearlessly the poor dead body of the lad. Yet it -was with some strange feeling, though I knew well that I was wholly -innocent. But yet I could not forget that something untoward might -happen, and then good-bye to this fair world and all the pleasant stir -of life within it. - -Then after me the Dominie touched--even Marjorie and Nell doing it with -set faces and strange eyes. - -It was now the turns of the real murderers, and my heart beat little and -fast to see what should happen. - -'Let Auchendrayne the younger touch first, being the more directly -accused!' cried the King. - -But James Mure seemed to flame out suddenly distract, like a madman -being taken to Bethlem. He cried out, 'No, no, I will not touch. I -declare that I will not go near him!' - -And when John Mure strove to persuade him to it, he struck at him -fiercely with his open hand, leaving the stead of his fingers dead white -upon his father's cheek. And when they took his arm and would have -forced him to it, he threw himself down headlong in the sand, foaming -and crying, 'I will not touch for blood! I will not touch for blood!' - -But in spite of his struggling they carried him to where the body lay. -And, all men standing back, they thrust his bare hand sharply upon the -neck where the rope had been. - -And, it is true as Scripture, I that write declare (though I cannot -explain) it, out from the open mouth of the lad there sprang a gout of -black and oozy blood. - -Whereat a great cry went up and James Mure fell forward oh the sand as -one suddenly stricken dead. All crowded forward to see, crying with one -voice, 'The Judgment of God! The Judgment of God!' - -And I shouted too, for I had seen the vindication of justice upon the -murderer. The blood of Abel had cried out of the waste sea sand. The -mark of God was on the guilty. - -Then suddenly in the midst of the push I heard a stirring and a -shouting. - -'Stop him! stop him!' they cried. - -I looked about, and lo! there, sitting erect upon his horse and riding -like fire among heather, was John Mure. He had stolen away while all -eyes were on the marvel. He had passed unregarded through the press, and -now he rode for his life southward along the shore. - -I gave one mighty twist to the manacles on my wrists, and whether those -that set them had been kindly, being of my own name and clan, or whether -the gyves were weak, I cannot tell. At all events, my hands were free, -and so, with never a weapon in my possession, I leaped on a horse--the -same, indeed, which the King had been riding--and set it to the gallop -after the man whose death was my life. - -It was the maddest, foolishest venture, for doubtless my enemy was well -armed. But I seemed to see my love, and all the endowment of grace and -favour I was to receive with her, vanishing away with every stride of -John Mure's horse. Besides, there was a King and an Earl looking on; so -upon the King's horse I settled down to a long chase. - -I was already far forward ere behind me I heard the clatter of mounting -men, the crying to restive horses to stand still, and the other -accompaniments of a cavalcade leaping hastily into the saddle. But when -I looked at John Mure upon his fleet steed, and saw that I upon the -King's horse but scarcely held mine own, I knew that the stopping of the -murderer must be work of mine, if it were to be done at all. So I -resolved to chance it, in spite of whatever armoury of weapons he might -carry. - -But first I cleared my feet of the great stirrups which the King used, -so that if it came to the bitter pinch, and I was stricken with a bullet -or pierced with steel, I should not be dragged helpless along the ground -with my foot in the iron, as once or twice I had seen happen in battle. - -And that, though an easily memorable, is, I can bear witness, not a -bonny sight. - -My charger stretched away as though he had been a beagle running conies -of the down into their holes. But John Mure's horse went every whit as -fast. I saw well that he made for the deep, trackless spaces of -Killochan wood. The oak trees that grew along its edge stretched out -their arms to hide him; the birken shaw waved all its green boughs with -a promise of security. I shortened my grip upon the stout -golden-crowned staff which the King carried at the pommel of his saddle. - -Yet as John Mure drave madly towards the wood, and sometimes looked over -his shoulder to see how I came on, I was overjoyed to notice a wide -ditch before him which he must needs overleap--and at that business, if -at no other, I thought to beat him, being slim and of half his weight. - -So I kept my horse to the right upon better ground, though it took me a -little out of the straight course for the wood. His horse at the first -refused the leap, and I counted upon him as mine. But I counted too -soon, for he went down the bankside a short way to an easier place, -where there was a landward man's bridge of trees and sods. Here he -easily walked his horse across, and, having mounted the bank, he waved -his hand at me and set off again toward the wood. - -But now while he had an uneven country to overpass I had only the green -fields, rich in old pasture and undulating like the waves of an oily -tide when the sea is deep, and there is no break of the water. He was -at the very edge of the wood before I came upon his flank. Then I gave -a loud shout as I set my horse to his speed and circled about to head -him off. But John Mure, though an old man, only settled himself firmer -in his saddle, and with his sword in his hand rode soldierly and -straight at the wood, as though I had not been in front of him at all. - -It was wisely enough done, for his heavier beast took mine upon the -shoulder and almost rolled me in the dust. He came upon me, not front to -front as a rider meets his foe in the lists, but, as it were stem to -side, like two boats that meet upon converging tacks. - -Yet I managed to avoid him, being light and supple, though he leaned far -over and struck savagely at me as he passed. Again at the third shock -he had almost overridden me and made me die the death. But I had not -practised horsemanship and the art of fighting in the saddle so long for -nothing. Indeed, on all the seaboard of Ayr there was no one that could -compare with me in these things. Therefore, it was easy for me, by dint -of my quickness and skill, to swerve off to the right and receive the -sword stroke in my cloak, which I carried twisted about my left arm. - -Then keeping still between the wood and John Mure, I met him this time -face to face, with my eyes watching the direction of his eye and the -crook of his elbow, that I might know where he meant to strike. For a -good sworder knows the enemy's intent, and his blade meets it long ere -thought can pass into action. - -So it was no second-sight which told me that he meant to slash me across -the thigh when he came a-nigh me. I knew it or ever his blade was -raised. So that when he struck I was ready for him and measured his -sword, proving my distance as it had been upon parade. And as the blade -whistled by me, I judged that it was my turn, and struck him with all -the force I could muster a crashing blow upon the face with the heavy -butt of the King's stave, which stunned and unsettled him so that he -pitched forward upon his horse, yet not so as to lose his seat. - -Nevertheless, owing to the swing of my arm, the stroke fell also partly -upon his horse's back, which affrighted the beast and set him harder -than ever to the running. So that I was passed ere I knew it, and the -wood was won. But I was not thirty yards behind him, and looked to make -the capture ere we reached the further side. And but for a foul trick I -should have done it. It so happens that there is a little hill in the -woods of Killochan, and I, seeing that John Mure was riding about one -side, took round the other, thinking that I had the shorter line of it. - -But he, so soon as he saw me make round the corner, turned his horse -into its own hoof-marks and sped away back again--as it had been to meet -them that pursued, but at the same time bearing enough to the south to -clear them easily. So that when I came round the hill I saw no quarry, -and only heard the boughs crashing in his wake. - -Nevertheless, without the loss of a moment, I took the line of his -retreat (as I thought), yet not so correctly but that when I issued -forth from the wood I saw him nigh half a mile in front. Again he waved -a contumelious hand which made me so fiercely angry that I tightened my -waist-belt, and vowed to go no more to sunny Culzean if I took not back -the head and hands of John Mure at my saddlebow. - -So, with set and determined brow, I rode ever forward. It was the cast -of the die for me, for Nell herself, our life together, and our green -pastures and lavender-scented napery cupboards were all to come out of -the catching of this enemy of our house. It is small wonder therefore -that I was passing keen upon the matter. - -Yet, in spite of my endeavours, I gained but little. And it was already -greying to the twilight when I came to a place by the seashore, waste -and solitary, where there were but few houses about. I had seen John -Mure ride in thitherwards. And so I followed him full tilt, reckless of -danger, being weary-heart with the ill-fortune of my riding and quest. - -But as I entered the narrows of the pass, a stone flew from an -ambuscade. I felt a hot, stunning blow upon the head, and with the pain -I remember laying hold of my horse's mane and gripping tight with the -hand on which a broken manacle still jangled. Something warm flowed -over my brow, and suddenly I saw everything red, as though I had been -looking through the stained glass of some ancient kirk--red flowers, red -grass, red sand, and red sea. - -That was all I saw, and I do not remember even falling to the ground. - - - - - *CHAPTER XLVII* - - *THE PLACE OF THE LEGION OF DEVILS* - - -When I woke it was exceedingly dark, but a darkness with shooting lights -and hideous sounds. At the first start I thought that I was dead and in -the place of torment. And when I grew a little more awake, I wished to -God that I had been. For all about were swart naked men and -harpy-clawed women dancing round me, while on a cask or keg at my head -sat John Mure himself, wrapped in his cloak and regarding me with -gloating, baleful, bloodshot eyes. - -Then I knew that I was lost indeed. For by the flickering light of a -dying fire of driftwood I could see that I was again in the cave of -Sawny Bean, in the same wide hall with the strange narrow hams a-swing -on the roof, the tubs of salt meat festering under the eaves, and the -wild savage crew dancing about me. - -What wonder that my heart fainted within me to be thus left alone in -that den of hideous things, and especially to think of the free birds -going to their beds on the cliffs above me and the fishing solan geese -circling and balancing home to the lonely rock of Ailsa. - -'Ha, Sir Launcelot Kennedy,' said a mocking voice, as the deafening -turmoil quieted a little, 'you are near your honours now--that is, if -there be such bauble dignities either in heaven or hell. The Treasure -of Kelwood in hand, John Mure's life out of hand--and there on the shelf -(as it were) are your broad acres and your bonny lady!' - -I was silent, for I knew that nothing could avail me now. It was -useless to waste words. - -'But ere all that comes to pass,' he went on, 'there are sundry little -formalities to be gone through.--Oh, we are right dainty folk here in -Sawny Bean's mansion. You shall be kept warm and cherished tenderly. -There are here twenty sonsier queans than the one whose heart you -desire. Warmly shall they welcome, sweetly shall they cherish handsome -Sir Launcelot. Their embracements shall sting you more than all -sweethearting raptures.' - -Again he pauses to observe the effect of his words. - -'You that so lately held me in chase, like a steer that has escaped from -the shambles. Now you yourself are in the thills. You that have -crossed me a thousand times in my plans since that frore night in Sir -Thomas Nesbitt's yard in Maybole, you shall now be crossed in a new -fashion. You that wagged tongue so merrily at another's expense, you -shall see your tongue wag upon the redhot brander to an unkenned tune. - -'You that have ridden so fast and so far, you shall ride your last -ride--ride slowly, very slowly,' cried the fiend in my ear, 'for I shall -hoard every drop of your blood as John of Cassillis hoards his gold rose -nobles. I shall husband every minute of your life, as though they were -the hours of young bridal content. - -'Ye have bruised my old face indeed with your oaken staff, but I will -cherish yours, that is youthful and blooming. Tenderly shall we take -off the coverture of hide, the tegument of beauty. Sawny Bean has -famous skill in such surgery. Gently will we lay you down in the -swarming nest of the patient ant. We have read how Scripture bids the -sluggard go to the ant, for if that makes him not lively, nothing will. -I have ofttimes commented on the passage at family worship. And I must -see that the young and headstrong, like you, my Lord Launcelot, give -heed to that which is commanded.' - -But in spite of all his terrible threatenings, I bode still and answered -him never a word. They laid logs of driftwood upon the fire, till the -whole inside of the cave grew bright and clear; and all the monstrous -deformity of the women and the cruel hideousness of the men were made -apparent as in broad daylight. Some of them were painted and stained -like demons, and danced and leaped through the fire like them, too. For -such monsters have not been heard of, much less seen, in the history of -any country as were Sawny Bean and his crew in the cave upon the -seashore of Bennanbrack. - -'Bring me a knife,' cried John Mure from where he sat, for he appeared -like a chief devil among a company of gibbering lubber fiends. He had -still his grey cloak about him. His plumed hat was upon his head, and -he looked, save for the eyes of him in which the fires of hell burned, a -civil, respectable, well-put-on man of means and substance. As, indeed, -save for his evil heart he might have been, for he came of as good a -family as the Earl of Cassillis, or, as it might be, as I myself, -Launcelot Kennedy of Kirrieoch. - -So when Auchendrayne asked for a knife, Sawny Bean himself, the ruffian -kemper, low-browed, buck-toothed, and inhuman, brought it to him with a -grin. He made as if he would have set it in me to the hilt. But John -Mure stayed him. - -'Bide,' he said, 'not so fast. There is long and sweet pleasuring to -come before that--such slow, relishing delight, such covetous mouseplay -of the brindled cat, such luxurious tiger-licking of the delicate skin -till it be raw, such well-conceited dainty torments as when one would -bite his love and be glad of it. He shall taste them all, this frolic -squire of errant-dames, this gamesome player upon pipes, this curious -handler of quaint love tunes. Ere we pluck the red rose of his life, he -shall sate himself with new delicious experience--rarer than the -handling of many maidens' tresses.' - -I was moved to speak to him. - -'I ask not mercy,' said I, 'for I own that I would have killed you if I -could. But as you are a valiant man, give me a sword and let me make a -stand for it against you all, that as I have lived so I may also die -fighting.' - -But he mocked me, hurrying on in his heady turmoil of words. - -'"If I be a man," you say--who said that I was a man? Do I act as other -men? Is my knowledge like that of other men? Do I company with other -men? Call you that a man?' (He pointed to Sawny Bean, who for -wantonness sat on an upturned tub, striking with a keen-edged knife at -the legs of all that came by for mere delight of blood, storming at them -meantime with horrid imprecations to approach nearer and be flicked.) -'Or call you these men?' (He showed me some of the younger cannibal -race gnawing like kennelled dogs at horrid bones.) 'Nay, my dainty -wanton, you shall not enter Hell through the brave brattle of warring -blades, nor yet handling your rapier like a morris-dancer. But as the -blood drains to the white from the stricken calf, so shall they whiten -your flesh for the tooth, and so reluctantly shall your life drip from -you drop by drop.' - -And I declare that this scornful fiend telling me of tortures in choice -words made me scunner more than the prick of the knife. For the -abhorred invention quickened the imagination and set the nerves agate. - -So that I was honestly glad when he took knife in hand--a shoemaker's -curved blade with a keen cutting edge. - -'Strip him naked!' he cried. And very cheerfully so they did, smiting -me the meantime with the broad of their hand. - -Then John Mure leaned over me delicately, and made as though he would -have traced with his knife the jointing of my limbs, saying, 'Thus and -thus shall the she-tribe dismember your body when the torture of the -ant's nest is ended.' And again 'Here is toothsome eating, Sawny Bean, -thou chief lover of dainty vivers.' - -Then, as the evil man went on with his pitiless jestings, his grey cloak -began to waver before me, his face to glow like fire, and I fainted or -dwamed away till the sharp knife pricked me into consciousness again. - -Yet Auchendrayne overdid his threatening, for the too sharp relish of -the words issued in tranced dulness ere the matter came to action. And -of torture there was none that I can now remember or bear the mark -of--save only the slight scores of the knife which he made when he -showed me where they would joint and haggle my body. - -Indeed, I mind no more till I came to myself, lying on my back, with the -cave all empty save for John Mure--who sat, as before, with his hand to -his ear listening. - -But there sounded a great and furious uproar down by the cave mouth, the -deep baying of bloodhounds, the fierce cry of many voices striving for -mastery, and above all the shrieks of the smitten. - -Surely, I thought, there is a battle fierce and fell at the cave's -mouth. John Mure sat and listened for a long space, and presently he -looked over at me. - -'I will even make sure of him, come what may,' he said. - -And with that he took the knife and came nearer to smite me in the -breast, and I lay as one dead already, waiting for the stroke. - -But even in that moment as I held my breath a ravening hound darted -within the cave, overleaped the embers of the fire, and pinned the -grey-haired murderer to the earth by the throat. He struck out -desperately, but the dog held him fast. Another and another came in, -till, as it seemed, he was in danger of being torn to pieces of dogs. - -But me they minded not at all, for (as I say) I lay as one dead. - - * * * * * - -And this is the story of the chase as Nell told it to me when all was -over. - -As they of the King's company looked from the shore towards the south, -there in the distance was John Mure on his horse disappearing into the -wood, and I (as it seemed) at his very heels. Both of us were leaning -far forward, like men that run a race. And because she knew that I -carried no equipment with me, Nell leaped upon a horse with a sword laid -before her crosswise on the saddle. - -Whereupon I turned to Nell and called her the bravest maid in broad -Scotland, with other names as I could mind them. But she set her head -aside, and would content me nothing (though I was minded for kindness), -saying only, 'If you do not desire to hear the tale, then I am saved the -fash of telling it. 'Tis no time for fooling,' said she, 'when I am -speaking of the saving of your life.' - -'Nell,' said I (for I was nettled at her indifference), 'thou art an -unseasoned lass, skilless in love's mysteries.' - -'I want none of Kate Allison's love-skilling at second hand,' said Nell, -harking back like a pretty shrew on her former taunts. 'Since ye are so -wise, unriddle me the manner of your saving from the cave of Sawny Bean, -and I am content to yield me to your teaching in the mysteries.' - -Yet even with this fair promise I could not, but desired her instead to -continue her tale-telling. - -'Well,' said she, 'Robert Harburgh it was who, next after me, took -horse--and not far behind either. For he had but to disentangle the -bridle from his arm, while I had to beguile another to lend me his -horse. - -'So, in a little, we were all after you, and we took the wood in the -very place you entered. But naught could we find save the trail of you -all confused among the trees. Then what a chasing hither and thither -there followed. Even the King searched for you like any common man, and -puffed and blew upon his purple cheeks like the Dominie on his pipes. -And he that had been our companion, this same Dominie, went about -everywhere, seeking and crying each time that he came near to me, -"Reckless loon, reckless loon, well he deserves to be unbreeched and -soundly paid for this hardiness." - -'Then we utterly lost you, and I believe they would have given up the -search. But I minded me of the dogs that James of Chapeldonnan keeps -for his own purposes, which on my way to Ailsa I had seen his wife feed. -So I told the Earl John of them, and he had James Bannatyne brought, and -bade him bring them to set on the trail, promising him his life if the -matter were brought to a good issue. - -'And so Robert Harburgh and a few swords were sent to Chapeldonnan with -James Bannatyne--with his life upon it if he played them false, and -Robert Harburgh's sword near his ribs each time that he faltered or -failed to remember. And the good wife, seeing her man in such deadly -case, came back herself to plead with the King for him. - -'So the Chapeldonnan pack was laid on the trail, and fine well-hungered -bloodhounds they were. But so soon as I heard the first deep bay, when, -with noses on the ground, they took the line of the shore, it went to my -heart that since you were the last to enter the wood the dogs would -first seize you. So I cried a word to Robert Harburgh, and we two that -loved you spurred horses and sped on well-nigh level with the dogs. - -'And through all the windings and wimplings of your path we followed -till we came to the shore, where, together with the King's oaken staff -which had been in your hand, we found the place all trampled with naked -feet and stains of blood. So we traced you across the shore grass to -the sand and over the sand into the sea, with a company of bare feet and -many stains of blood. - -'Then for a moment I knew not what to think. But Marjorie, my sister, -cried out, "It is the vile wretches of Sawny Bean's band who have taken -him to the Cave of Death!" - -'Then I remembered that the entrance to the cavern was among the rocks, -and yet because of the gladness that was in our hearts when we issued -forth, I had taken no very great pains to mind the exact place. Nor was -the Dominie aught the wiser. For he had been wholly intent on blowing -upon his pipes. But Marjorie minded better than any of us the cleave in -the rocks, and showed us to a nearness where the cave entrance was. But -the tide had flowed in, and we had perforce to wait and calm our -impatience as best we might till it went back again, ere we could follow -into the cave mouth. But by this time it was dark, so that the -men-at-arms had to find rosin torches and set them alight. - -'Thus with the flambeaux blazing and the smoke wavering red overhead we -took our way along the wet edge of the sea. But the tide had washed -away all traces of blood and feet. Up and down the coast we wandered -trying every covert. And yet for our lives we could not hit upon the -right cave's entrance. The dogs ran yelping and nosing here and there, -but for long nothing came of it. - -'Then Earl John and the King himself threatened James Bannatyne to -reveal the place. But he denied that he had any knowledge of the cave. -And whether he spoke truth or no I cannot say. But his wife went to the -King and holding his bridle rein, she said, "Well do I ken, your -Majesty, that my man's life is forfeit, but he is my husband. And at -least, so far as it concerns him and me, betwixt barn-door and bed-stock -I can rule him as a wife should. Gin I persuade him to lead you to the -spot, will ye on your word, give me my ain man's life?" - -'So the King promised, though Earl John hung a little on the form of the -words. Then went the goodwife of Chapeldonnan to her husband. And what -she said to him I know not, for they spake privily and apart. But -though at first he shook his head and denied, as I could see, that he -had any knowledge of the Cave of Death, yet in a little while he took -some other thought and ran forward to grip one of the dogs. - -'Then went James Bannatyne on ahead, with all of us hotfoot after him, -with the torches and the swords.' - -'And you also, Nell,' said I,' 'were you lurking with the men-at-arms, -and which had you, a sword or a torch?' - -'I had both,' said Nell Kennedy, shortly. And went on with her tale as -if she had been speaking of milking-stools. - -'James Bannatyne took the dog into all the wide cave mouths and made him -smell the walls and floor above the tide mark, talking to the brute all -the time and encouraging him. But for a long time it was still in vain. - -'At last the other dog which had been left to itself, bayed out suddenly -from among the rocks, where it had found a dark and dismal archway with -a wide pool of water in it, which we had passed time and again without -suspicion. And at the entrance to this place we found the second hound, -with tail erected, baying up the cave mouth from the edge of the pool. - -'Then so soon as James Bannatyne brought in his well-taught dog, it -began to smell hither and thither with erected ears and bristling hair. -Presently it swam away into the darkness. And because the men hesitated -to go after the beast, I took the water to show them the way.' - -Hearing which, I had made my acknowledgments. - -But Nell said, 'No, no; hear my tale first.' - -'Then with me there came Robert Harburgh, and after him the Earl and all -his company with their torches. The pool proved shallow, and after many -turns and windings we came to a wide place--indeed, to the same beach -with sand and dripping fingers of stone where we had first found -ourselves. And here also we passed the remains of our boat, for it was -to this point that we had rowed that night when we took refuge in the -lion's den. The savages had broken most of it up for firewood, yet -enough remained so that I knew it again. - -'But ere the men-at-arms had time to gather behind us, a host of wild -creatures armed with stones, knives, and sheath-whittles burst upon us, -yelling like demons of the pit. Women also there were, some half clad -and some wholly without cleading. And then and there was a fight such -as you, Launce, love to tell about, but I have no skill in. For the -men-at-arms shot, and we that had but swords struck, while the wild folk -shouted and the savage women bit and tore with their nails till the -cavern was full of confused noise and the red reek of burning torches. -But ever as the slain rolled among our feet they gripped to pull us -down, so that in the intervals of his fighting Robert Harburgh went -hither and thither "making siccar," as he said, with a coup de grace for -each poor clawing wretch. - -'And in the narrow doorway through which you found the way, stood the -chief himself, with his eyes fiery-red, and his hair about his face. He -gripped a mighty axe in his hand, and with it he stood ready to cleave -all that came against him. Even the men hesitated at his fearsome -aspect. And it was small wonder. But I knew that there was no other way -to the innermost cave, so I cried to them to overpass the rabble and -drive forward at all hazards. - -'How it came about I know not, but a moment after I found myself -opposite to Sawny Bean himself and engaging him with your sword--just -for all the world as if it had been in the armoire room of Culzean on a -rainy day, and you again teaching me the fence of blade against Lochaber -axe. But though I had not wholly forgotten my skill, doubtless the giant -had soon made an end of me, for he struck fiercely every way. But -sudden as the heathcat springs on the hill, the little Dominie leaped -upon him and drove his sword into his heart. So that Sawny Bean fell -with Dominie Mure upon his breast. Then because he was not able to pull -out his sword again, being too close, the Dominie gripped his dagger and -struck again and again, panting. And between each blow he cried out the -name of a lass--"Mary Torrance! Mary Torrance!" he said. - -'Then it was that the hounds over-leaped the two of them struggling -there in the arch and sprang on, and after them came Robert Harburgh and -I. We two first entered the murky place of death. The dogs were -mouthing and gripping the Grey Man. But you lay naked upon the sand as -it had been dead.' - -This was the matter of Nell's tale, and I will now in turn take up mine -own part in it, from the time at which the dogs gripped my remorseless -enemy, and as it had been, the life went out from me. - - - - - *CHAPTER XLVI1I* - - *THE FINDING OF THE TREASURE OF KELWOOD* - - -When I came to myself the cave was filled with armed men and the -confused clamour of voices. The torches spluttered and reeked, and I -could feel that my naked body was covered with a woman's cloak wrapped -well about me. Someone was binding up my head; and as she examined to -see if all had been rightly done, I saw that it was Nell Kennedy. So I -called her softly by her name. - -But she bade me not try to rise; and looked again to my head to see that -it had no serious wound. - -Then came John the Earl and asked how I did. Whereupon, minding, as is -my wont, to have old Time by the forelock, I spoke of his promise. - -'Here,' I said, 'is the murderer John Mure. Here is the gang of -monsters, and now I will put you in the way of obtaining the Treasure of -Kelwood, if you will fulfil the promise which you made to me.' - -'What was that?' he said shortly. For though Earl John liked promising -well enough, he was not so fond of performing if it cost him aught, as -in this case it was like to do. - -'My sweetheart here, my knighthood, and a suitable down-sitting of -land,' said I, knowing that it was now or never with me. - -Then he demurred a little, and hesitated, so that for a moment I thought -all was lost. - -'Your sweetheart you shall have,' he said at last, 'but the others are -not in my gift--save a holding of land, perhaps, which I can let you for -a trifling return when it falls vacant.' - -And so rejoiced was I to think of getting my lass that I might have -consented to this; but Nell was behind me, and upon pretence of -arranging a knot of the bandage upon my forehead, she whispered in my -ear, 'Threat him with telling the King about the treasure.' - -So, knowing her wisdom, I obeyed her. - -'Well then, Earl John,' said I, 'if that be so, and a knighthood and -suitable heritages are not in your power to bestow, here at hand is the -King. Give me leave to speak with him. He is fond of treasure, and I -can put a brave one under his hand!' - -'Hush!' said the Earl, looking about him with apprehension. For the -King was yet in the place with Mar and Lennox, ordering the taking down -and burying of the strange, white, narrow-shaped hams, and the other -things that turned the gay, squeamish folk that came with him pale and -sick only to look upon them. - -'Hush!' he said again, 'above all things beware what you say to the -King. Show the Kelwood treasure to myself alone, and you shall have -Barrhill--ay, and all Minnochside from the Rowan-tree to the forks of -Trool, and I will even speak to the King about the knighting!' - -'Will your lordship please to declare it before witnesses,' said I, Nell -prompting me as before, for my head was dazed; but hers was singularly -clear. - -So he called to him certain honourable men of his name, and promised -faithfully. 'Are you content?' said he. - -So I said, 'Nelly, show them the treasure. Here is the key!' - -And she rose and took them to the box--which, by the blessing of God -remained still where we had left it in the recess--and she fitted the -key in the lock, and it turned without a sound. And there the Earl -bathed his hands in the set jewels, the loose stones of price, and the -coined, golden money, plashing them through his fingers with a sound -like a spout of water, till for fear of the King, I advised him to close -it again. - -'It is worth the bargain,' said he, 'though I am sorry to have promised -away fair Minnochside. I trow it was woman's wit that guided you in the -asking, and not that thick-bandaged head-piece of thine, Launcelot -Kennedy.' - -But I answered not, knowing how to leave well alone when a man is -pleased with himself. So the Earl placed Robert Harburgh to guard the -chest, and to lie discreetly concerning it if any of the King's men -should come near, saying that it was but some foulness appropriate to -the den. - -But none came asking, and thus was the Treasure of Kelwood conquest for -ever to the family of Cassillis. - -As for Sawny Bean's monstrous brood, is it not recorded how they were -carried through the country to Edinburgh, and as how they went the folk -flocked in from leagues away to see and execrate them. They were -hurried straight to the sands of Leith, where, without process of trial -or pleading, and in the manner prescribed for such fiends, they were -executed out of hand as enemies to the human race in general. - -Thus, mainly through my instrumentality, was the country rid of a -monstrous foul blot such as no land since the flood has ever been cursed -with. Though I deny not that Dominie Mure and Nell Kennedy helped well -according to their possibles, yet the most part of the credit was -rightly given to me, who had twice adventured my life within the Cave of -Death--though, as I admit, on both occasions against my will. - - * * * * * - -Once more the City of Edinburgh swarmed with Kennedys, come thither to -the great trial. There had not been so great a concurrence of Westland -folk in Edinburgh, since the memorable day when young Gilbert of Bargany -cleared the causeway of us of the house of Cassillis--for which -afterwards we were one and all put to the horn, to our great and lasting -honour, as hath been related. - -At the West Port I met Patrick Rippett, he who had taunted Benane at the -Maybole snowballing. - -'Whither is your eye gone?' I asked him, for he had a black patch where -his left eye should have been. - -'A fause loon pyked it out and offered it me back on the end of his -rapier!' said Patrick Rippett, with the utmost unconcern. - -'And what said ye to him?' I asked of Patrick, because he was not a man -to take a jest (and such a jest) for nothing. - -'Faith, I juist bartered him fair. I offered him his heart on the point -of mine!' said Rippett, and so strolled away, ogling the snooded maids -at the windows of the high lands as best he could, with the one wicked -orb which was left to him. - -I was walking with my father at the time. He had ridden the long way -from Kirrieoch on a white pony, all to pleasure my mother. - -'Ye maun gang and hear the laddie gie his evidence,' she bade him. -'They will fright him to deid else, amang thae Edinburgh men o' the law. -They are no canny. So long as Launce gets striking at them with the -steel I ken he is safe and sound. For his hand can e'en keep his head, -as a Kennedy's ever should. But wha kens what they may do to my laddie -when he stands afore the justicers, and the lawyer loons come at him wi' -their quips and quandaries?' - -'Faith then, good wife,' said my father, 'ye shall come too. And thou -and I shall ride to Edinburgh like joes that are newly wed.' - -And though at first she denied, yet at the last she consented, -well-pleased enough--having a desire to purchase garmentry more suitable -for the wife of a laird and the mother of one who was to be made a -knight. - -When my mother went out for the first time, she held up her hands and -exclaimed at the noise and bustle of the High Street--the soldiers who -were for ever marching to and fro in companies with drums and pipes, the -lasses that went hither and thither with a shawl about their heads, and -bandied compliments--and such compliments--with swashbucklers and -rantipole 'prentice lads. 'The limmers, they need soundly skelping!' -said my mother, 'for a' that they carry their heads so high, and their -kirtles higher than their heads!' - -'Surely scantly that!' said my father. - -'But ay,' continued my mother, not heeding him in her press of speech, -'such hair-brained hempies wad be dookit in the Limmers' Dub on Saturday -in every decent country, and set on the black stool of repentance ilka -Sabbath day. I wonder what the King and the ministers o' Edinburgh can -be thinkin' o'?' - -There was, however, for most of us a long and weary waiting, ere in the -town of Edinburgh the High Court of Justiciary was ripe for the hearing -of the case against the Mures. But when at last the great day came the -whole West Country was there.[#] - - -[#] Sir Launcelot Kennedy, of Palgowan and Kirrieoch, appears somewhat -to have confused the dates of the first and second trials of John Mure -of Auchendrayne. Indeed, weakness in exact chronology is common to his -record and to the contemporary Historie of the Kennedies, which was -written about the same time by a partisan of the other side--it may even -be by John Mure of Auchendrayne himself. - - -And though many a face was joyous as were ours, eke many were sad and -lowering. For it is strange that such ill men should have some to love -them, or at least so it was with John Mure the elder. And so there were -in the city Mures by the score, fighting, black-avised MacKerrows, -cankered Craufords, with all the disbanded Bargany discontents from the -south of Carrick, Drummurchie's broken band from the hill-lands of Barr, -together with many others. So that we kept our swords, as at our first -visit to the town in the days of Gilbert Kennedy, free in their -scabbards while we ruffled it along the pavement. - -And I mind what my mother said, the first time she went down the -plainstones with me. We met young Anthony Kennedy of Benane, and I -perceived that it was his intent to take the wall of me. So I squared -myself, and went a little before with my hand on my rapier hilt and my -elbows wide, also cocking fiercely my bonnet over my eye--which -assurance feared Anthony so greatly that he meekly took the pavement -edge, and I went by with my mother on my arm, having, as I thought, come -off very well in the matter. - -But my mother stood stock still in amazement. - -'Laddie, laddie, I kenned na what had taken ye--ye prinked and passaged -for a' the world like our bantam cock at Kirrieoch, when he hears his -neighbour at Kirriemore craw in the prime of the morn. Gin ye gang on -that gait, ye will get your kame berried and scarted, my lad. So listen -your auld mither, and walk mair humbly.' - -At this I was somewhat shamed, and dropped behind like a little whipped -messan; for my mother has a brisk tongue. My father said not a word, but -there was a look of dry humorsomeness upon his face which I knew and -feared more than my mother's clip-wit tongue. - - - - - *CHAPTER XLIX* - - *THE GREAT DAY OF TRIAL* - - -At last, however, the trial was set, and we all summoned for our -evidence. It was to be held in the High Court of Justiciary, and was a -right solemn thing. A hot day in mid-summer it proved, with the narrow, -overcrowded bounds of the town drowsed with heat, and yet eaten up with -a plague of flies. The room of the trial was a large one, with a dais -for the judges at the end, the boxes for the prisoners, and a tall stool -with steps and a bar on which to rest the hands, for the witnesses. - -And in the long, dark, low, oak-panelled room what a crush of people! -For the report of the monstrous dealing of the Mures and the strangeness -of their crimes, had caused a mighty coil in the town of Edinburgh and -in the country round about. So that all the time of the trial there was -a constant hum about the doors--now a continuous murmur that forced its -way within, and now a louder roar as the doors were opened and shut by -the officers of the court. Also, in order to show themselves busybodies, -these pot-bellied stripe-jackets went and came every minute or two, -pushing right and left with their halberts, which the poor folk had very -peaceably to abide as best they might. - -But the disposition of the rabble of the city was a marvel to me. For -being stirred up by the Bargany folk and by the Earl of Dunbar, Mure's -well-wisher, it was singularly unfriendly to us. So that we were almost -feared that the criminals might, after all, be let off by the overawing -of the assize that sat upon the case. But finally, as it happened, -those who were chosen assize-men were mostly landward gentlemen of stout -hearts and no subjection to the clamour of the vulgar--such, indeed, as -should ever be placed upon the hearing of justice, not mere bodies of -the Luckenbooths, who, if they give the verdict against the popular -voice, are liable to have their shops and stalls plundered. And James -Scrymgeour of Dudhope, a good man, was made the chancellor of the jury. - -There were many of the great Lords of Session on the bench. For a case -so important and notable had not been tried for years, and the Lords of -Secret Council appointed my Lord President himself to be in the chief -place in his robes, as well as five other justices in his company, that -the dittay might be heard with all equal mind and with great motion of -solemnity. - -It was eleven by the clock when the judges were ushered in, Sir John -Fenton of Fentonbarns, Lord President, coming first and sitting in the -midst. - -Then the crier of the court shouted, 'Way for His Majesty--for King -James the Sext make way!' - -And all the people rose up while King James was coming in. He sat upon -the bench with the justices indeed, but a little way apart, as having by -law no share in their deliberations. Nevertheless he was all the time -writing and passing pieces of white paper to them, whereat they bowed -very courteously back to him. But whether they took any notice of their -import I know not. - -Then the prisoners were brought in. John Mure the elder, with his grey -hair and commanding presence, looked out of from beneath his eyebrows -like a lion ignominiously beset. James Mure the younger came after his -father, a heavy, loutish, ignorant man, but somewhat paled with his -bloody handling at the instance of the Lords of Secret Council. Also in -accordance with the promise of Earl John in the matter of the finding of -the cave, James Bannatyne of Chapeldonnan was not set up for trial along -with them, which was a wonder to many and an outcry to some of the -evilly affected. - -Then the court being set, the dittay was read solemnly by a very -fair-spoken and courteous gentleman, Thomas Hamilton of Byres, the -King's advocate. He spoke in a soft voice as if he were courting a -lady. And whenever he addressed a word to the prisoners, it was as if -he had been their dearest friend, and grieved that they should thus -stand in jeopardy of their lives. - -Yet, or so it seemed to me, John Mure was ever his match, and answered -him without a moment's hesitancy. - -Then, after the advocate's opening, the evidence was led. They called -upon me first to arise. And I declare that my knees trembled and shook -as they never did before the shock of battle. So that only the sight of -Nell's pale face and my mother holding her hand, at all gave me any -shred of courage. But, nevertheless, I went, with my tall, blue-banded -hat in hand and my Damascus sword by my side, to the stance. And there -I told all that I had seen--first of the murder at the Chapel of St -Leonards, with the matter of the Grey Man who sat his horse a little way -apart among the sandhills. Yet could I not declare on mine oath that I -knew of a certainty that this man was the accused John Mure of -Auchendrayne. Though as between man and man I was wholly assured of it. - -I told also of the sending of the letter and of the confusion of the lad -upon his return from the house of Auchendrayne, and of all the other -matter which came under my observation, even as I have detailed them in -this history, but more briefly. Then a tall, thin, leathery man, Sir -John Russell the name of him, advocate for the Mures, stood up and tried -to shake me in my averments. But he could not--no, nor any other man. -For I wasted no thought on what I ought to say, but out with the plain -truth. So that he could not break down the impregnable wall of the -thing that was, neither make me say that which was not. - -Then there came one after the other the Dominie, Meg Dalrymple, Robert -Harburgh, and lastly my own Nell. But they had little more to tell than -I had told at the first, till the herald of the court cried out for -Marjorie Mure, or Kennedy, called in the pleas the younger lady of -Auchendrayne. - -Then, pale as a lily flower is pale, clad in white, and with her hair -daintily and smoothly braided, she rose and gave her hand to my Lord -Cassillis, who brought her with all dignity and observance to the -witness stance. So firmly she stood within it, that she seemed a figure -of some goddess done in alabaster, the like of that which I had once -seen at the entering in of the King's palace at Holy rood House. - -There was the stillest silence while Marjorie told her tale. The King -stood up in his place, with his hat on his head, to look at her. The -judges gazed as though they had seen a ghost. But in an even voice she -related all the terrible story, making it clear as crystal, till there -stood out the full wickedness of the unparalleled murders. - -'You are the wife of James Mure, the younger prisoner,' said the man of -leather, the advocate Russell,; 'how then do you appear to give evidence -against him?' - -'I was first the daughter of Thomas Kennedy of Culzean, whom these men -slew!' said she. - -And this was her sole answer. The lawyers for the defence, as was their -duty, tried to make it out that her evidence was prejudiced, and so to -shake it. But the King broke out upon them, 'No more than we are all -prejudiced against foul murder!' - -So they were silenced. But the judges were manifestly ill at ease, and -shifted in their seats--for even the King had not liberty of speech in -that place. Yet no man said him nay, because he was the King, and, save -it were Maister Robert Bruce, not many cared to brook his sudden violent -rages. - -Then was entered James Bannatyne, who had been brought to confession (in -what fashion it boots not to inquire), and he in his turn detailed, line -by line, all the iniquity. So it seemed that now the net was indeed -woven about the cruel plotters. But my Lord President, by the King's -authority, was instant with the prisoners to confess the murdering of -Sir Thomas and of the other--yea, even offering his life (but no more) -to either of them who would reveal the matter, and tell who were -complices in the conspiracy. - -And I think James Mure the younger was a little moved at this offer, for -I saw him very plainly move and shift the hand that was upon his head. -His father watched him with a sharp eye, and once set his manacled wrist -upon his son's shoulder, as it had been to encourage him to remain firm. -He himself stood erect and undaunted all the time of the trial, like a -tower of ancient strength, while his son sat upon a stool with his back -against the bars of the box, as it seemed careless of the crimes which -were alleged against him. He had not even lifted his eyes when his wife -Marjorie went into the place of witnessing. - -At last it was all over, and the men of the jury spoke earnestly -together, while John Mure watched them with his lionlike eyes shining -from under his hassock of grey hair. The King sat impatiently drumming -his hands upon a rail. He would have liked, I could see, to go over to -confer with them. But even King Jamie had hardly dared so much as that. - -After a short space for consultation their president of assize, Sir -James Scrymgeour, stood up in the body of the court with a little paper -in his hand, - -'King's lieges all, are ye agreed in your verdict?' asked my Lord -President. - -'We are,' said Sir James, firmly. - -'And what is your finding?' - -There was a great and mighty silence so that the anxious tapping of the -King's fingers on the wooden bench could be heard. - -'We find them both GUILTY--' said Sir James. - -He would have said more in due form, but there was a thunderous shout -from all the Westland folk that were in the hall, so that no more could -be heard. But the King was seen upon his feet commanding silence, and -the macers of the court struck here and there among them that shouted. - -Then when the tumult within was a little hushed, my Lord President rose -to pronounce sentence. But he had scarce opened his mouth, when there -came through the open windows the angry roaring of the mob without. For -the news had already reached them, and Dunbar and others were busily -employed stirring them up to make a tumult on behalf of the murderers. -My Lord President had a noble voice and the words of condemnation came -clear and solemn from him, so that they were heard above the din by -every ear in the hall--ay, and even as far as the outer port. - -'We discern and adjudge John Mure of Auchendrayne and James Mure his son -and apparent heir to be ta'en to the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh, and -there their heads to be stricken from their bodies--as being culpable -and convict of many treasonable and heinous crimes. Which is pronounced -for DOOM!' - -And when the officers had removed the prisoners, Marjorie Kennedy walked -forth from the hall of judgment, as silent and composed as though she -had been coming out of the kirk on a still summer's morning with her -Bible in her hand. - - - - - *CHAPTER L* - - *THE LAST OF THE GREY MAN* - - -It was the morn of the execution. Justice, delayed for long, was that -day to let fall its sword. We of the Cassillis colours mustered in the -dead of the night, for there was no force save the City Guard within the -walls. And we had recently had overly many proofs how little these men -could do with the unruly commons of Edinburgh if it pleased them to be -turbulent. So it had come to be bruited abroad, that there was an -intent to prevent the execution and deliver the murderers out of the -hands of justice. - -But we were resolved that this should not be. So, as was our bounden -duty, we armed us to support the right and to keep the King's peace -against all riotous law-breakers. The Earl gave to me the command of one -half of the band, reserving the other for himself. And already he -called me Sir Launcelot, though I had not yet received the -acknowledgment of knighthood from the King. - -At the first break of day it was to be done. Of this we had private -notice from the turnkey of the Tolbooth. - -I had worked earnestly upon my mother and Nell that they should abide -from the business--which was, indeed, not for womankind to see. Though -I knew that there would be many there, ay, even dames gentle of degree. -But my father marched with me. - -'Shall I put my harness off me,' said he, 'when there is a chance of a -tumult, and of the defeating of the solemn justice of Providence and of -King James? God forbid! Wife, help me on with my jack.' - -So I placed my father in my own command, and I set him in the second -rank with Hugh of Kirriemore beside him and Robert Harburgh in front of -him, where I judged he would not come to any great harm. And we -Kennedies had the King's private permission thus to come through the -town under arms. When we arrived at the place the tall scaffold had -already been set up at the cross, and even ere we arrayed us first about -it, many a candle had begun to wink here and there in the tall windows -of the High Street. - -The Earl was to command a second strong guard from the prison port to -the scaffold, lest the rabble should try to overwhelm the City Guard and -the marshal's men as they convoyed the prisoners to the place of -execution. - -Thus we of the first band stood grimly to our arms a long time after the -gloaming of the morning began. The hum of the folk gathering surrounded -us. There was, however, little pleasance or laughing, as there is at an -ordinary heading or hanging; and that did not betoken good, for when the -populace is silent, it is plotting. This much I had learned in my long -service and afterwards as a knight-at-arms. Therefore I hold it the -true wisdom to strike ere the many-headed can bite. That, at least, is -my thought of it. - -Slowly and slowly three or four dark figures on the scaffold grew -clearer to our eyes, till we could see the headsman and his assistants -waiting patiently for their work to be brought to them. The chief of -these was a man mighty of his arms. He had a black mask upon his face, -and was naked even to the waist. A leathern apron like a smith's was -done about his loins, and he stood leaning his broad axe upon the block. -The sun was just beginning to redden the clouds in the east, when the -door of the Tolbooth fell open with a loud noise. At the very same -moment the rooks and jackdaws arose in a perfect cloud from the -pinnacles of St Giles as well as from the whole city. And in a black -clanging cloud they drifted seaward. Which was looked upon as a marvel -by them that watched for freits. For they said, 'These be John Mure's -devils that have forsaken him.' And, indeed, whether there was aught in -it or no, certain is it that the birds came not back for many days. At -least, not to my seeing, but then I was much occupied with other -matters. - -As the procession came out, the Earl John and his men filed on either -side in a triple line, with the axe-men of the guard marching close -about the prisoners. John Mure walked first in his grey cloak, but -bareheaded, striding reverend and strong before all. Behind him came -his son. And hand in hand with him (O marvel of marvels!) was she that -had been in name his wife, even Marjorie Kennedy. And as they came, the -light grew clearer. There seemed to be almost a smile upon the Lady -Marjorie's face. And James Mure listened intently as she spoke low and -steadily to him. - -For Marjorie had in these days become (as it seemed) a woman removed -from us, supported by no earthly food. For none touched her lips, her -strength being upheld by some power from above; at least, so I think. -She had received permission from the King to be with her husband in his -last hours. - -'I have fulfilled the Lord's justice, for my duty was laid upon me,' she -said, 'but I would not kill both body and soul.' - -How she effected it I know not; but certain it is that during the weeks -of waiting she had won James Mure in some sort to contrition and prayer. -And now with his hand in hers, they walked together along the short way -to the scaffold foot; but old John Mure strode scornfully on before, -heedful neither of man nor woman. And I swear that I could not but in -some measure admire at him, devil of cruelty as he was. - -They climbed the scaffold--John Mure calmly as though he were leading a -lady to a banquet table--but his son faltered and had fallen at the -ladder foot, save for the hand of Marjorie, who walked in white by his -side, accompanying him faithfully to his end. - -'I am his wife,' she said. 'It was I who brought him to this. Ye will -not twain me from him on this day of shame. Never have I owned James -Mure as my husband before, but I own him now.' These were her words, -when the captain of the guard was instant with her to depart home. - -And I declare that the doomed man looked at her with something like a -beast's dumb gratitude in his eyes, which, when you think on it, is a -thing marvellous enough. And I ask not that it shall be believed. Yet -I saw it, and will at any time uphold the truth of it with my sword if -need be. - -At last they stood upon the scaffold platform, and the headsman made -ready. Then there sounded above the mingled roar of the multitude the -blowing of a trumpet. And the King's gay favourite, the Duke of Lennox, -rode to the foot of the stage. He had a paper in his hand. - -'A pardon! A pardon!' yelled the people. - -My heart gave a great leap and stood still. - -'They never dare!' cried I. 'Lads, stand firm. If the King hath -pardoned the murderers, shall we of the West? Will ye follow me, lads?' - -And they whispered back, 'Ay, that we will. We will help you to do -justice upon them. The Mures shall never leave this place alive, though -we all die also. We shall not go back to Carrick, shamed by these men's -lives.' - -So we arranged it, if by any chance there should be news of a reprieve. -For it was by singular good hap that we were the only company under arms -in the city, save the few men of the Town Guard. - -But when Lennox made his way to the scaffold, we heard another way of -it. I was almost underneath the staging upon the front, and heard that -which was said, almost every word. - -'The King to you two traitors about to die,' he read. 'His Majesty -desires greatly to be informed of the certainty of these things whereof -you have been accused, and for which you have been justly condemned--the -murder of Sir Thomas Kennedy, the matter of the bloody dagger thrown at -the Red House, the Treasure of Kelwood, and its taking out of the -changehouse on the Red Moss. His Majesty the King offers life and his -clemency in a perpetual exile upon some warded isle, to the first of you -that will reveal the whole matter.' - -The King's favourite ceased his reading, and looked at the condemned -men. - -And John Mure in his plain grey cloak, which he had not yet laid aside, -looked askance at Lennox, who shone like a butterfly in gay colours, -being tricked out in the latest fitful extravagancies of fashion. - -'We shall be grateful to His Majesty all our lives,' said he, -sneeringly, 'but the Solomon of Scotland is so wise that he can easily -certify himself of the truth of these things without our poor aid.' - -But James Mure the younger, where he stood with his wife by his side, -seemed a little struck with the message, and began to listen with -interest. - -'Read that again,' he said to Lennox, abruptly. - -And Lennox, prinking and preening him like a gay-feathered Indian bird -in my lady's bower, read the King's mandate over again. - -John Mure watched his son with the eye of a crouching wild cat. The -younger man was about to utter something, when his father said quickly -to Lennox, 'I pray thee, my Lord Duke, may I speak with you a moment -apart? I am the first to accept the offer!' - -And with that they came both of them to the side of the scaffold where I -was on guard, leaving James Mure standing with drooping head by the -block. - -'Hark ye, my lord,' said Auchendrayne the elder, 'thy master's terms are -fair enough to be offered to a dying man on the scaffold. I will take -them. But on condition that my son be executed before I reveal the -secret. For there are but two of us left, and we have been close to one -another all our lives. I would not, therefore, have my son think that -I, being an old man, for the sake of a year or two of longer life, would -reveal those matters for which he has already suffered the torture of -the extreme question, with so great constancy both in the King's inquest -chamber and before the Lords of Secret Council.' - -'That is easily arranged,' said Lennox, dusting at his doublet. 'I have -but to give the word to the executioner, and he will do his duty first -upon your son. Then he will halt till you have accepted the King's -mercy, and given pledge and earnest of full revelations concerning these -hidden and mysterious matters.' - -This was Lennox's customary manner of speaking--as he had learned it in -the English Court, with womanish conceits and a flood of words and -gestures. And as he spoke he smiled upon John Mure, as though the old -grey man in the cloak and reverend beard had been some young and -easy-virtued dame of the Court. - -And so taken up with himself was he, that he did not observe the -basilisk look which the arch-conspirator turned upon him. - -Lennox held up his hand to the executioner. - -'In the King's name,' he cried to the man in the mask, 'do thine office -upon the younger first, and speedily.' - -'These are not my orders!' quoth he in the mask, curtly. - -Lennox flashed a little ebon staff, with a golden crown set upon the -summit, before his eyes. - -'Would'st thou argie-bargie with me?' he said, 'then right soon another -shall take thy bishopric and (as thou dost others) shalt shepherd thee -to Hades.' - -Whereat Marjorie, robed in her clear-shining white, took the hand of -James Mure, the man that was about to die. - -'Husband,' said she, calmly, 'I have asked pardon for thee from God--do -thou also ask it now, ere swift death take thee. Ask it both from God -and man.' - -For she had been his ministrant angel in the prison. And her own heart -being changed--vengeance in the drinking not seeming so sweet a cup as -it had appeared in the mixing. She had also won the sullen mechanic -heart of him, who, according to the law of the land, had been so long -her husband. She had showed him the way to a certain sum of faith, -penitence, and hope. Which, perchance, he snatched at, not so much for -themselves, but as the best things which were left to him. - -'James, won thou forth on thy way. Fear not! Thou shalt not be long -alone,' she said to him. - -And, staggering a little, he moved across the scaffold. He would have -fallen but that Marjorie set his hand upon her shoulder and put her arm -about him. So he came forward stumbling like a man in sore sickness, as -doubtless he was. - -'I am a sinful man,' he said, so that some, at least, could hear him. -'Pray for me, good people. Keep your hands from blood, as I have not -kept mine. And, Marjorie, though thou didst never love me, love me now, -and bide with me till I die.' - -'Fear not,' she said; 'I will stand beside thee, and not only here. I -have a message that I shall right soon be called to journey with thee -further, meeting thee somewhere by the way that thou must go.' - -And calling him again 'sweet brother' and 'James,' she laid down his -neck upon the block, and with one blow the headsman featly did his -office. But Marjorie stood still and received the poor head in a decent -napkin after the masked man had held it up. - -John Mure looked at her and at her son all the time, and an evil and -contemptuous light shone in his eyes. - -'Madam,' he said, 'it had done no harm had you begun your care and -attendance somewhat earlier. Ye might have made a decent preacher out -of James. He was never muckle worth for aught else.' - -Then Lennox came forward again with his paper. - -'Now, John Mure,' he said, 'we have done according to your desire. Ye -will now, I doubt not, having seen the end and reward of iniquity in the -person of your son, accept His Majesty's so marvellous clemency, and be -content to reveal all the matter.' - -He came a little near to the old man, airily whisking his paper with his -forefinger. - -John Mure waved him aside with one hand, and held his nose with the -other. - -'Pah! Get apart from me, civet cat!' he cried. 'Think ye that I will -have any dealings with you or with your dullard fool master, King -Baggy-breeches. I saw that ye might, perchance, were I first turned to -dead clay and lappered blood, chance to get something out of James -there. I saw him look somewhat too eagerly on your reprieve, for much -belated domesticity had turned him soft. So I played with you. And -now, wot ye well, ye shall know nothing from me that your precious -Solomon of asses cannot divine for himself!' - -He took off his cloak of grey and lace collar, baring his neck for the -dead stroke. - -'Stay,' he said to Lennox. 'Since your wise King is so curious. Here -is a history of divers matters that may interest your master. It may do -him some good.' - -The new minister of Edinburgh, a soft-spoken, King-fearing man, came -near. John Mure looked at him. - -'Of what religion art thou?' he asked. 'Ay, verily, of the King's -religion. Were my time not so circumscribed, I would have at thee with -texts, thou time-serving rogue. Ay, and would swinge thee with them -soundly, too.' - -'In what religion dost thou die?' said the minister. For it was a -customary question in those days, when men were forced to live and die -on the borderland of many creeds. - -John Mure smiled as he bent his head to the block. - -'Of the ancientest persuasion,' said he, 'for I am ready to believe in -any well-disposed god whom I may chance to meet in my pilgriming. But -in none will I believe till I do meet him. Nevertheless do thou, like a -wise, silly bishop, stick to the King and thy printed book!' - -Which saying was remembered when the minister was afterward made a -bishop by the King's favour. - -With these words, John Mure threw out his hands with a sharp jerk--for -that was the customary signal. The broad axe rose and fell, flashing in -the sun a moment ere it crashed dully upon the block. The Westland men -gave a shout, and the heathen spirit of John Mure of Auchendrayne, -carrying such a load of sin and bloodshedding as never soul did before -or since, fared forth alone to its own place. - - - - - *CHAPTER LI* - - *MARJORIE'S GOOD-NIGHT* - - -Even as the axe was falling, Marjorie Kennedy sank down upon the -platform of the scaffold, as though the stroke had fallen upon her. I -sheathed my sword, and sprang upon the slippery stage to hold her up. -When I took her in my arms she was soft and pliable in all her limbs -like a little child. Till now she had been like a woman of steel, or -rather like one carven in alabaster, as I have said. But now she lay in -my arms like a new-born babe on the nurse's lap. - -We carried her homeward, making strangely enough for some distance but -one procession with the bodies which were going to be buried without the -wall, while the heads were taken to be set on the pikes of the Nether -Bow. - -To the Earl John's own lodging we brought her, and in a room with a wide -north-looking window we laid her down on a bed. Then we stood silently -about her, Nell and I being nearest. - -In a little while Marjorie turned her head to the window. The sun had -risen on the sea. A north wind was blowing. All was very blue, and -smacked of the morning freshness, for the window was open, and the sea -air blew off the firth almost as salt it was wont to blow in at the -windows of Culzean. - -Thrice she moved her lips to speak, but till the fourth time no word -came. - -'I have done the work appointed,' she said, 'I ken not if I have done it -right.' - -She paused a little, and her eyes, as she looked at the sea, were very -wide and wistful. - -'It is a hard saying that "Vengeance is His." I thought it would be -sweet--sweet,' she said, 'but now in the mouth it is bitter.' - -'Hush thee, Marjorie,' whispered my Nell; 'it was the justice of God -upon the murderers of our father.' - -And I thought that she spoke well. - -But Marjorie waved her aside. - -'Like enough,' she answered, quietly, as one that has not strength to -argue, but yet holds the contrary opinion. 'Done, at least, is -Marjorie's task. I journey forth to take my wages. Fare you well.' - -She turned her face a little outward so that she could look upon the sea -and the Fife Lomonds. - -'A dearer shore,' she said, softly, and then she started a little, -quickly as if she had waked from sleep. - -'Where am I?' she asked. - -But ere we could answer--even Nell, who stood close beside her and -stroked her brow with a soft hand, she went on,-- - -'Oh, what am I saying? I was thinking on our garden at Culzean, with -its rose walks and the sweet dreaming scent of the sea?' - -She looked up at me, as it had been almost archly, yet so as almost to -break my heart. - -'Launcelot, lad,' she said, 'hast thou thy gage that I gave thee there? -Ye thought me once to be sweet. And I liked you, laddie, I liked -you--with something just an inch on the hither side of loving. But now -Nelly will love thee a mile on the further side. Come you, Nell,' she -said, beckoning her, 'brave, sweet sister! Let not thy sharp tongue -longer injure thy warm heart. Give me your hand, little sister Nelly. -Where is it? I cannot see--for the bright shining light.' - -And finding Nell's hand she put it into mine across the bed. - -'Good-night, bairns,' she said, 'even so keep them till the world ends!' - -Then for a short space she was silent, and when she spoke again it was -very low, so that none save Nell and I could hear. But the words made -us tingle as we caught them. - -'Gilbert,' she was saying in a whisper, clear and distinct, 'is it not -sweet to walk thus hand in hand on the green meadows? Are not the -spring flowers sweet, lad of my love? Shall I sing thee a song about -them? For, though thou know'st it not, I can sing both high and low.' - -Then she spoke as it had been liltingly and gladsomely. - -'Gilbert, let me set this spray of the bonny birk above thine heart. -Methinks it hath a strange look. I kenned not that it grew in this -countryside.' - -She broke into a weird lilt of song that sent the tears hasting to our -eyes. But Marjorie was smiling as she never smiled on me, and that made -me weep the more. - - _'It neither grew in syke nor ditch_ - _Nor yet in any sheuch,_ - _But at the gates o' Paradise,_ - _That birk grew fair eneuch.'_ - - -'Gilbert, Gilbert,' she said lovingly, crooning like one that is -caressed, 'is not this right winsome? That we are walking here together -on the living green--with all our fashes, all our troubles left quite -behind us. There was surely something long ago that wearied us, -something that parted us and twained us. I cannot mind what it was. I -shall not try to remember. But, love of mine, it shall separate us no -more for ever and ever!' - -Her voice had almost gone. But once again it came louder. - -'Keep my hand, Gilbert,' she said, trembling a little, 'there is a mist -coming up over the green betwixt me and the sunshine--a cold, cold mist -from the sea. But keep thou my hand, dear love, clasp it tighter, and -it will pass over.' - -I saw the death sweat break on her brow. - -'Gilbert, Gilbert,' she whispered, searching above her with her hands -and opening her arms, 'clasp me closer. I cannot see thee, love, for -the mist. I cannot feel your hand.' - -I bent my ear. I thought she was gone from us. But, as from an -infinite distance I heard the words come to me. They were the last, -spoken with great relief. - -'The mist has gone by, dear love! The mist has quite gone by!' - -And she lay still, smiling most sweetly. - - - - - *CHAPTER LII* - - *HOME-COMING* - - -The snows of another winter had fallen, frozen, and lain long ere they -were at last whisked away by the winds of a brisk and bitter March. It -was now again the springtime upon the face of the earth--the time of the -earliest singing of the mavis, of the sweet piping of the blackbird on -the tree. The grasses were green, too, over the unforgotten grave of -our Marjorie. But we who loved her had won to a memory that was not now -wholly sorrow. Specially we remembered the sweet and profitable end she -had made, when after many days of bitter winter in her heart, -forgiveness and love at last unsealed her bosom. - -It had been a long winter for us all, because it behoved that I should -go to London, there to be made one of His Majesty's new knights. For I -had told all my tale to the King, being so charged by the Earl John. - -'Yet,' said he, 'keep ever your thumb upon the matter of the Treasure of -Kelwood. And I will keep mine right effectually upon Currie, the -ill-conditioned thief thereof.' - -And so he did, and for the same Laird of Kelwood's sake chiefly, he set -to mending and patching our old tower of defence on Craig Ailsa, in -which he gave one Hamilton the charge of him as prisoner, together with -John Dick the traitor and two or three more. - -'It was a fine, quiet place,' said the Earl John, 'and would give such -rascals time and opportunity for repentance--which,' added he, 'seems -more than I am ever likely to get with all this throng of business on -hand.' - -For the Earl John was now waxen one of the greatest men in broad -Scotland, and withal he had all the power worth considering in the shire -of Ayr. So that even the Craufords, wanting now their ancient chief, -and broken with bickerings among themselves, sent an embassy of peace -and goodwill to him. - -It chanced that it came when the Earl was in a good humour. - -'Ah, John Crauford,' said Cassillis, ''tis a changed day since Bargany -and you chased us off Skeldon Haughs. It looks as if the sow had not -been flitted so far after all. But ye shall have the peace ye ask. For -we live under a gracious King who loves quietness as much as when he -dwelt here in our kindly North. And he is now the better able to -enforce it. Therefore, look ye to it. I will maintain you Craufords in -your heritages of Kerse--which by my power as Bailzie, I might legally -declare forfeit. - -'But I will tell you what ye must do in return. Ye shall render me -place and precedence at kirk and market. Ye shall build up your private -door in Dalrymple Kirk, and ye shall abide from taking your places there -till ye have seen me seated.' - -To this, dourly enough, the Craufords perforce agreed. For, indeed, they -could make no better of it, so great a man was our Earl grown. - -But to me he was ever kind, and proved none so ill-given when it liked -him. For he said, 'Build you the house of Palgowan and I will plenish -it for you, and that not meanly. And you and my cousin Nell shall rear -me routh of lusty knaves to protect my south-western marches, and keep -down the reivers of the Dungeon!' Which, indeed (so far as I was -concerned), I was right willing to promise. - -So it came about that the Earl would have it that our wedding must be -held in the ancient strength of Cassillis, which sits by the waterside -not so far from the town of Ayr. And a bonny, well-sheltered place it -is--not like Culzean, which stands blusteringly on the seabrink, -over-frowning all. And because the Earl of Cassillis said it, so it was -bound to be. - -For he was our Nell's guardian, and besides we that were to live under -him, were none the worse of keeping in with him. - -When I went to do my courting, as often as not I found Nell walking with -him, and ofttimes flouting him. And when I would have cautioned her, -'Tut,' she said, 'he likes nothing better. If his own wife flouted him, -he might stay better at home.' - -'Cousin,' Nell would say to him sometimes, 'Cousin John, ye think ye are -such a great man, yet a little musket-ball, or a woman's finger-long -bodkin, might let all thy greatness out. Ye should think oftener on -that. - -'What, Nell,' said he, 'is it that the hour of thy marriage grows so -near, that thou must test thy preaching on me. Keep the proof of the -pudding for thine own goodman.' - -'Ah,' said she, 'perchance my cousin, the noble Countess, has already -given thee thy fill of it.' - -'Thou art a forward chit,' said he, wringing her ear between his finger -and thumb. 'I hope Launce will swinge thee tightly with a supple birch -for thy often naughtiness.' - -It was, indeed, a notable day when Nell and I were married. All the -morning my heart was beating a fine tune, lest something should happen -ere I got my lass carried off to our home. Alone I rode from the Cove -of Culzean to the house of Cassillis. I started brave and early, and my -good old horse, Dom Nicholas, rode for once the right road and the -ready, the gate that I longed to go. I had a rare fine coat of blue -silk upon me, belted about the waist with the King's belt, and with the -King's order of knighthood all a-glitter upon my breast. -Silver-buttoned was my coat, and of solid silver, too, were the -accoutrements of Dom Nicholas--ay, to the very stirrups and the broidery -on his blue saddle-cloth. I wore the Earl's Damascus sword, his first -gift, swinging at my side. And as Dom Nicholas and I went through -Maybole, wot ye, if we kept not our heads up. For the lasses ran out in -clouds to watch us go past, and what was even better, the lads sulked -and turned their backs, saying that they would be shamed to lay a leg -across a horse's back thus appareled. For I knew well what they were -thinking. Had I been trudging afoot in hodden, and they riding by all -in silk with a gold-hiked sword, that is just what I should have said. -So the black envy eating into their hearts and lowering on their brows -cheered me like old French wine on a cold day. - -I had not gone far across the bent when I spied a cavalcade before me. -It was the men of Culzean, whom I had so often led in battle, come to -give me a right gay sending off. And at their head rode James (now the -heir), mirthful Sandy, and mine own little Davie, dressed like a -page-boy in satin of blue and gold. - -They gave me boisterous welcome, and they that dared would have broken -many jests of the time-honoured sort upon my head. But on such a day a -lover's head is helmeted alike against the hand of war and the strife of -tongues. - -The Earl himself met us at Cassillis Yett. Whereupon I dismounted and -bent upon a knee. He raised me right courteously and led me within, -conversing all the while as to an equal. Such a repair of folk I never -saw before in Carrick or in Kyle. And sweetest of all to me was to see -my father, for my mother had bidden at home to welcome us when we should -ride southward. - -And among the first that came to bid me good fortune were Robert -Harburgh and his wife. Now so soon as the eyes of my ancient love -crossed mine, I perceived well that there was yet wickedness lurking in -them. - -And whensoever her husband was called away on some business of the -Earl's I had proof of it. For Kate Allison came near to me, and, -setting her hand on the silver buttons of my coat, as though to pick a -thread, she said,-- - -'So, Launcelot--or, I should say, Sir Launcelot--is it come to this? -You see there is none so disdainful but in time their fall will come.' - -'Nay, Kate,' I made answer, 'it was not I that was first disdainful, for -do you mind who it was that told me certain truths in the Grieve's house -at Culzean?' - -'Ah Launce!' said Kate Allison, 'own it now. Was not I a kind leech, to -bite one I loved so healthily all for his good and for the cooling of -his blood?' - -'Kate Allison,' said I, 'thou wast ever a minx, a teasing rogue of -rogues. But thy disdain might have gone near to costing me my life!' - -'Go to, Sir Want-wit,' said she. 'Did not I know all the time that thy -love for me was no more than a boy's fondness for kissing comfits, and -to be made of by a bonny lass? Why, even then thou wast fonder of Nell's -little finger than of my whole body.' - -I knew that Kate spoke true--for, indeed, it was many months since I had -so much as thought upon her. But this I told her not. The Lord knows -how seldom she had thought upon me. But when they meet together, old -sweethearts take pleasure thus in dallying with the past, when all -wounds have been healed and no hearts broken. - -But she saw my eyes wandering, as I guess, every way about, and she must -needs tease me concerning that also. - -'Nay,' she said, 'you will not see your posy, till she comes in to the -minister and you. So e'en content ye for a little with an old married -wife and the mother of a family. Ye shall have time and to spare with -your bonny bride or all be done.' - -'Kate,' I said, 'ye will be my friend as of yore.' - -'Ay, and hold my tongue,' answered she quickly. - -'That you did not always, then,' said I, 'for there never was such an -uncouth love-making in the world, as with your tell-tale tongue ye made -mine. I dared not lay my lips to a tender word nor so much as seek a -favour, as it might be innocently betwixt man and maid, but it was "That -you said to Kate on such a night!" or "Think ye that I count so little -on myself as to be content with Kate Allison's cast-off sweet -speeches."' - -And the pretty besom laughed. For though a married wife, she was not a -whit sobered, as one might see by her eyes. - -'It served you greatly right,' said she, 'but do me some justice. Did -you ever hear of my telling of the night of the fair at Maybole, and of -our home-coming by the woodland way?' - -'No,' said I, curtly. For indeed I liked not that memory specially -well, and wondered that she did. - -'Then,' said Kate Allison, 'rail no more against woman's tongues. For -they are moveable yard measures, and let out no more than likes them.' - -At this moment they called to me from the great door, and Kate Allison -waved me off with a gay 'Up and away, Sir Knight!'--which pleased me -more from her than many a _Benedicite_ from another. - -The minister had come, they said, and was waiting for me. I went in, -and lo! to my wonder, who should he be but Maister Robert Bruce, the -sequestrated minister of Edinburgh, with whom the King had at last -wholly fallen out concerning the matter of the Gowrie riot. - -The Earl smiled at my wonderment. - -'Art thou astonished,' he said, 'thus to see our ancient friend in -Carrick? Thinkest thou that thy marriage will not stand? Truth it -will, for even King James will think twice, or he bids his bishop -unfrock a man that bides with me in my defenced house of Cassillis.' - -'Sir Launcelot,' said Maister Robert Bruce, bending to me with his -ancient grace and most reverend dignity, 'this is the happiest hour with -me since I quitted my high town upon the Long Ridge. It is true that I -wander like a restless ghost seeking abode; but as yet the King hath not -bent me--yea, though thrice I have met him in dispute and conference.' - -Then went the Earl out to bring in my Nell, and I listened to the -minister of Edinburgh speaking. Yet, on my life I could not fix my mind -on a word he said, for there was a jangling as of many bells in mine -ears, and all the pulses of my life beat together. Then knew I of a -surety that none had power to touch my heart like Nell Kennedy, the lass -that would not need to change her name. - -At last the door opened and she entered--leaning on the Earl's arm she -came. There was a rim of gold about her hair like a coronet. And John -of Cassillis bent over to me, as he gave her into my hand. 'Take her,' -he said, 'I have set a coronet about her brows for to-day. She is in -haste to be wed, or I might have put a real one there. And what had Sir -Launcelot done then, poor thing?' - -And I think the cold, tall Earl John was more than a little fond of our -Nell, concerning which I often rally her now. - -So Nell and I were married. And as though he had known her and her -teasing temper, Maister Robert Bruce paused long on the promise to -'obey' when he came to put the questions to her, and also upon the words -'obedient wife.' Wherefore I have ever held him to be a man gifted -above most with the second sight. - -It was between the sweet hazel and the flowering May that we rode -south--we two alone. For Robert Harburgh had led a company of men with -flower-wreathed lances and of young maids on palfreys as far as the -crossing of the roads which come from Culzean, where there met us a -party with the loving cup. - -But now at long and last we were won clear, and ever as we rode we -caught hands and laughed and loosed them again--all for gladness to be -alone. And we looked in one another's eyes, and nigh brought ourselves -and our horses to destruction by thus looking and overlooking. Till I -felt mine old Dom Nicholas, a horse that loves not philandering, grow -restive and sulky under my thigh, tossing his head up as one slighted -for the unworthy. And ever as we went she charged it upon me that then -and then, and at such another time, I loved her not. And ever I swore -that I did. Thereafter, being beaten on that point, she fell to -declaring that she had loved me first and most--but I only reluctantly -and, as it had been, at second-hand. - -Thus we made the miles and the hours go by, redding up all our past life -and planning our future, wondering the while if the stir and clangour of -war had indeed passed away for ever. For already there had come a new -look upon the land. Whether it was the union of the crowns and the new -English wealth which made money more plenty, I know not, at any rate -certain it is that there had arrived a security to which we in the lands -of Carrick had been strangers for many generations. - -Then it was that the farmer began to set his oxen to the plough in teams -of a dozen or more, not fearing any longer that there might come a glint -of steel-harnessed riders over the hill, who should drive his cattle -before them and leave himself lying in the furrow a-welter in his blood. - -The wind blew sweet about us. It seemed that never had there been a -spring like this one since the world began, never such delicatest airs -as those that stirred the crisps about Nell's white neck when she bent -it sideways to hearken to my speeches. I declare that were I not an -unlearned Scot, who takes to his pen only when work for the sword waxes -slack, I could praise my love in similitudes of Arabian birds and ferny -sprays, as well as Euphues' Delight or even as in the gentle Sydney his -Arcadia. - -But as it is I waste time, for already I have spoke too long, and must -haste me to the end. Though this is a part of my life that I could love -to linger on. For what is pleasanter than sunshine after storm and the -bolts of ruin. - -I declare it was five years since I had had time to look at a robin. -But there seemed to be time for everything this fine May day. - -And ever as we went, it seemed that we had been a long time alone, and -that it would soon come time to be turning back again. Then to which -soever of us the thought came, that we were now on the long lane that -has no turning (save that which turns in at the kirkyaird loaning), -there would also come the desire to touch and to look. And even thus -did Nell Kennedy often, reaching her hand across to me from her gentle, -equal-pacing steed. - -Then would she fall back on the things that had been, and which now were -passed away. - -'Yesterday, at such a time,' she would say, 'I thought that to-day would -never come. And now--' - -Whereupon with her eyes she would look the rest. - -Then I told her how that I had seen the Dominie but yestereven, when she -was sewing at the pearling of her bridal dress and thinking of me. He -had gone back with his pipes to the school by the kirk at Maybole. - -'And what said he of our wedding?' asked my dear. - -'Why I was instant with him to come and bide at Palgowan,' I made -answer. 'Shall I tell thee what he said?' - -'Ay, tell it me, indeed!' quoth she, blithely, stopping a moment on a -high-lying moorish summit, with her hand above her eyes and looking to -the Spear of the Merrick towards which we rode. - -'Well, then, he said that those that were but newly wed had no use for -carven negro-heads, wherein to put the ashes of their loves.' - -'He is none so ugly as that!' said Nell--with, I think, a look at me -which I took for a certain complaisance it pleased me to see. - -Then I told her how the Dominie had added that it was not yet time for -men of his profession to come about the house of a newly-wedded knight. -But that if prosperity should come to Palgowan and the din of bairns' -voices, we might ask him again in ten years or somewhat less. - -'Oh,' said Nell, shortly, and rode a little further off. Yet I flattered -myself that I had said the thing pretty well. For it was not at all in -these terms that the Dominie had put his offer. Indeed, I was in a -quandary how most discreetly to deliver his message. - -So, in the long twilight of May, we came riding down Minnoch Water. -For, with the sun-setting, we had fallen silent, and we looked no more -so frankly at each other. But with one accord we turned our eyes across -the water to watch for the light of my mother's candle in the little -window. - -She heard us as we came; and there, lo! before I knew it, she was at -Nelly's saddle leather, helping her to dismount, and the tears were -running steadily down her face. I think she minded the day when she, -too, had come home a bride to the little house of Kirrieoch among the -hills. - -'Oh, my bairn--my bairn,' was what she said, 'come awa' ben!' - -And it was to Nell that she said it. Me she minded no more than a -cock-sparrow under the eaves. Then came Hugh of Kirriemore out to take -the horses. But I went, as is my custom, to the stable with Dom -Nicholas, for he never slept well otherwise. And when I came in again I -found that my mother had Nell already seated by the fireside, for it is -chill among the uplands in May. The peats were burning fine, and on the -white board there was a supper set fit for a prince and princess. - -But all the time my mother never minded me at all, save to rage on me -for bringing the lass so far and so fast. - -'But, mother,' said I, 'remember that if I had not made some haste, all -your fine supper would have been wasted.' - -And indeed it came not far from being that as it was, for we could eat -but little. The finest of muirland fare seemed somehow or other to -stick by the way, tasting strangely dry and sapless. And after we had -done we drew apart and looked at the red ashes, while my mother rattled -on about the simple concerns of the sheep and the calves, which -mountain-bred folk vastly love both to speak of and to hear about. - -Presently she leaned over me and took down the burnt Bible out of the -wall aumry. - -'Here, Launce,' she said, 'read you the chapter this night ere ye sleep. -It becomes a man wedded and the head of a family. Besides, your father -is from home.' - -I declare I would sooner have charged upon the level spears. But I had -no choice with my mother, speaking as she did when I was a boy, and my -Nell sitting there crossing her pretty ankles by the fireside. So I -manned to read a portion. It was about Jonathan clambering up a rock -(and a good soldier he was). But the prayer fairly beat me. However, -ere we rose from our knees we said the Lord's prayer all of us together. -So to rest we went, without other word spoken. And through the little -window of the room in which I was born, Nell and I could hear, ere we -went to sleep, the brattle of the burn hurrying down through the peace -of the hills, past our own new house of Palgowan and so on toward the -silence of the outermost sea. - - - - THE END - - - - COLSTONS LIMITED, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH. - - - - - * * * * * * * * - - - - - _*STORIES BY S. R. CROCKETT.*_ - - -THE STICKIT MINISTER. - Illustrated Edition. Cr. 8vo, cloth, 6/-. - Cheap Edition (unillustrated). Cloth, 2/8. - Also Cr. 8vo, cloth, 1/- net. - In paper cover, 6d. - -THE LILAC SUNBONNET. - Crown 8vo, cloth, 6/-. - Also (Adelphi Library), 3/6. - In paper cover, 1/- net. - -THE RAIDERS. - Cr. 8vo, cloth, 6/-. - Also (Adelphi Library), 3/6. - In paper cover, 1/- net. - -THE GREY MAN. - Cr. 8vo, cloth, 6/-. - In paper cover, 1/- net. - Also an _Edition de Luxe_. Cr. 4vo, cloth, 21/- net. - -CINDERELLA. - With 8 illustrations. Cr. 8vo, cloth, 6/-. - -KIT KENNEDY: COUNTRY BOY. - Cr. 8vo, cloth, 6/-. - -ME AND MYN. - Cr. 8vo, cloth, 6/-. - -THE PLAY-ACTRESS AND MAD SIR UCHTRED. - With a new Preface. Cr. 8vo, cloth, 2/6. - - - LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREY MAN *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49301 - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. -Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this -license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) -electronic works to protect the Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and -trademark. 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